GITLAB VIRTUAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS AGENTIC AI'S POTENTIAL FOR SOFTWARE DELIVERY

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- GitLab Inc, the intelligent orchestration platform for development, security and operations (DevSecOps), has hosted GitLab Transcend, an exclusive virtual event for technology leaders focused on the role of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) in modern software delivery.

The event showcased how software teams are orchestrating AI agents across the entire software development lifecycle to automate routine tasks, accelerate innovation and maintain enterprise-grade security, compliance and governance, according to a statement.

In a keynote address, GitLab Chief Executive Officer, Bill Staples highlighted what he described as the “AI paradox” in software delivery, noting that while AI tools can deliver up to 10 times productivity gains in coding, developers spend only about 52 minutes a day writing code, limiting overall delivery impact.

He said GitLab’s Intelligent Orchestration enables agentic AI automation across the full software lifecycle in alignment with organisational standards, workflows and compliance requirements.

Meanwhile, GitLab Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Manav Khurana outlined three core components of the company’s Intelligent Orchestration strategy, namely the Agentic Core, which combines the GitLab Duo Agent Platform with unified context to enable agentic AI across the lifecycle; Unified DevOps and Security to simplify end-to-end software delivery; and Enterprise Guardrails to provide deployment flexibility and operational control.

A customer session with Southwest Airlines discussed how the GitLab Duo Agent Platform supports the delivery of mission-critical software while maintaining the reliability and resilience required for round-the-clock airline operations.

Additional sessions featured customer results from organisations including Ericsson, Deutsche Telekom and Barclays, as well as a partner discussion with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) on scaling enterprise deployments through pre-validated solutions combining GitLab’s orchestration capabilities with OCI infrastructure.

The event also included product demonstrations showing collaboration between software teams and AI agents across the development lifecycle, with visibility into the impact on software engineering performance metrics.

GitLab further announced the launch of a virtual hackathon, running through March 25, inviting developers to create and share custom AI agents and workflows, with selected projects to be featured in GitLab’s AI Catalog.

-- BERNAMA

REGASK UNVEILS AI-ASSISTED LABEL COMPLIANCE REVIEW FOR FASTER PRODUCT LAUNCHES

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- RegASK, an agentic artificial intelligence (AI) platform, has unveiled its AI-Assisted Label Compliance Review, a transformative capability that delivers comprehensive label compliance checks in seconds.

Label compliance checks, traditionally one of the most time-consuming and risk-prone steps in product commercialisation, can now be performed instantly, enabling faster product launches without compromising regulatory rigour.

RegASK Chief Product & Technology Officer, Amenallah Reghimi said its AI-Assisted Label Review and global regulatory database redefined operational excellence in compliance.

“Teams can now work with unprecedented speed, visibility, and confidence in their everyday compliance workflows,” said Reghimi.

With the new capability, teams can upload packaging artwork and validate it against regulations across key global markets, including the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and China.

According to a statement, the system delivers clear compliance assessments with actionable recommendations and pinpoints issues directly on the label using an interactive viewer, with every finding fully traceable through direct hyperlinks to the underlying source regulations.

The launch is supported by enhancements to RegASK’s core infrastructure, including a global regulatory database offering a 360-degree, chronological view of each regulation’s lifecycle. Teams can track changes from initial consultation to amendments and enforcement, ensuring compliance checks are always current.

By compressing review timelines, reducing rework, and eliminating avoidable delays, RegASK’s AI-Assisted Label Compliance Review fundamentally changes how organisations approach product launches, helping teams operate with regulatory compliance.

-- BERNAMA

CLOUDERA POSTS STRONG FY26 RESULTS, ENTERS FY27 WITH AI PLATFORM MOMENTUM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Cloudera, the data and artificial intelligence (AI) platform company, has reported strong results for fiscal year 2026 (FY26) driven by solid growth, customer wins, expanded partnerships, and continued innovation.

The company closed FY26 with a strong fourth quarter, recording more than 50 per cent year-over-year growth in new and expansion business, robust annual recurring revenue growth, and over 100 per cent new logo growth in the fourth quarter across all regions.

Beginning fiscal year 2027 (FY27) with its annual Sales Kick-Off event, ELEVATE27, Cloudera said the results reflect rising enterprise demand for flexible and secure data and AI platforms that operate seamlessly across clouds, data centres and edge environments.

“This was a defining year for Cloudera. We delivered strong performance, expanded our ecosystem, and continued to innovate across our platform, all while staying true to our mission of bringing AI to data anywhere.

“As enterprises increasingly demand secure, flexible AI across all their environments, Cloudera is uniquely positioned to help them turn their data into trusted insights at scale. We are entering FY27 with strong momentum and an even stronger roadmap,” said Cloudera Chief Executive Officer, Charles Sansbury in a statement.

Cloudera said its momentum is underpinned by its ability to enable organisations to bring AI to data wherever it resides, helping enterprises unlock insights, strengthen security, improve efficiency and support mission-critical outcomes.

As its third acquisition in two years, the company’s acquisition of Taikun has strengthened its capabilities in managing Kubernetes and cloud infrastructure across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The company also highlighted continued product innovation, including platform updates, enhancements to its open data lakehouse offering and new product releases.

In addition, Cloudera achieved several certifications for highly regulated industries and expanded its global partner ecosystem to help customers accelerate enterprise AI adoption, including collaborations with ServiceNow, Intel Corporation, Chainguard, Amazon Web Services and Dell Technologies.

The company’s performance and innovation were recognised with 45 global awards, alongside analyst recognition from The Forrester Wave. It also expanded its global footprint by opening new offices in San Jose and Saudi Arabia and hiring more than 570 employees across 30 countries.

Looking ahead, Cloudera will continue to invest in innovation across its data and AI portfolio. The company has already announced updates to its AI inferencing capabilities this year, extending them to on-premises data centres to support higher security requirements.

-- BERNAMA

CLOUDERA EXPANDS AI, ANALYTICS CAPABILITIES TO ON-PREMISES DATA CENTRES

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Cloudera has expanded Cloudera AI Inference and Cloudera Data Warehouse with Trino to on-premises environments, enabling customers to run advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics directly within their own data centres.

The data and AI platform company also announced enhanced AI and analytics capabilities within Cloudera Data Visualization to streamline AI workflows across cloud, edge, and data centre environments.

Cloudera Chief Product Officer, Leo Brunnick said the expansion provides customers with greater control and flexibility, with AI and analytics now accessible where critical data is stored.

“Organisations can securely deploy AI and analytics exactly where their most critical data resides, enabling them to drive innovation and derive insights without compromising data security, compliance or operational efficiency,” he said in a statement.

According to Cloudera’s recent report, nearly half of companies store their data in a data warehouse. Secure access to this data enables organisations to extract insights without transferring sensitive information outside protected environments, helping to reduce security risks, limit compliance exposure and streamline operations.

Cloudera AI Inference, powered by NVIDIA technology and now available on-premises, allows organisations to deploy and scale AI models, including NVIDIA Nemotron open models, directly within their data centres.

Meanwhile, Cloudera Data Warehouse with Trino provides centralised security, governance and observability across enterprise data environments while accelerating access to insights through integrated AI-powered analytics and visualisation.

The latest enhancements to Cloudera Data Visualization include AI-generated annotations, improved resilience features, AI query logging and traceability, and simplified administrative management to support AI-driven workflows in data centre and hybrid environments.

-- BERNAMA

Wisely Ai Sets a New Impact Benchmark Protecting 100 Mn Indosat Users from 2 Bn+ Scam and Spam Communications in Indonesia

Indosat hosted an impact celebration event in the presence of Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs


HYDERABAD, India, Feb 9 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Tanla Platforms Limited today announced a major impact milestone for Wisely Ai, its AI-native platform, following an impact celebration event hosted by Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat or IOH) in Indonesia.

At the event, Indosat showcased the real-world outcomes delivered by Wisely Ai within the first six months of deployment:

• 11+ billion communications analyzed across 100 million users
• 2+ billion spam and scam interactions identified
• 2+ million malicious senders and CTAs (including URLs) detected
• Estimated USD 500 billion in financial losses prevented
• 99% AI model efficacy, with decision made in milliseconds

Wisely Ai is powering Indosat to build a safe digital ecosystem validated by over 95% customers feeling more protected and industry-leading customer experience scores from independent market research.

Wisely Ai serves as AI nerve center powering multiple solutions. Indosat launched anti-spam and anti-scam solutions integrating Wisely Ai both at network and mobile application on the handset. Indosat announced the launch of new features making the network scam free and extending channel coverage to VoIP. This enables proactive, real-time protection across all communication channels.

Vikram Sinha, President Director and CEO, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, said:
“We see that mobile phones have become an essential part of daily life for Indonesians. Through collaboration with technology partners like Tanla, we are delivering more proactive and adaptive protection. AI technology in our network helps filter threats before they can impact our customers.”

Uday Reddy, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Tanla Platforms Limited, said:
“Wisely Ai is a first of its kind AI-native platform deployed at this scale. We are excited by the results Indosat is witnessing is driven by our AI technology, deep telco expertise, and close ecosystem collaboration. The success of customers like Indosat is translating into strong interest from other telcos across Southeast Asia and EMEA.”

Tanla’s partnership with Indosat shows how AI at national scale can secure communications in real time, setting a benchmark for trust in telecommunications.

About Tanla

Founded in 1999, Tanla Platforms Limited is an AI-native platform company transforming digital interactions through innovative SaaS solutions. With a strong enterprise- and user-centric approach, Tanla advances data security, privacy, and protection against spam and scams. Partnering with leading telcos, Tanla serves 2,500+ enterprises globally and is publicly listed on the NSE(TANLA) and BSE(532790) as a trusted ecosystem partner.

Safe Harbor

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These carry inherent risks, often beyond our control, flagged by “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “potential,” “may,” “will,” “could” (or variants).

We update only as law requires. For data from unverified public/industry sources; no warranties on accuracy, completeness, or ongoing updates.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260206004579/en/

Contact

Navya Gollapalli
Associate Director – Marketing
marketing@tanla.com

Source : Tanla Platforms Limited

NEW SHANGHAI–PENANG DIRECT FLIGHT FOR VISIT MALAYSIA 2026 (VM2026) TO DRIVE CHINESE VISITOR ARRIVALS

PENANG, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia welcomed the inaugural flight from Shanghai to Penang by Spring Airlines (9C), marking a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between China and Malaysia.

Officially commenced on 30 January 2026, the new route operates daily using an Airbuss A320 9C7259 aircraft with a capacity of 186 passengers. The service is designed to meet the growing demand for both leisure and business travel, while enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
 
A welcoming ceremony was held at Penang International Airport (PEN) following the flights’s arrival at aproximately 2.30 pm. The event was officiated by YBhg. Dato’ Yeoh Soon Hin, Deputy Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, alongside YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State Executive Councilor (EXCO) for Tourism and Creative Economy. Also in attendance were Ms Yu Jiali, General Manager for Southeast Asia, Spring Airlines; Mr Egaluk Ngiwprom, Marketing Manager for Southeast Asia; and Mr Mohd Ridzuan bin Ahmad Walid, Operation Manager Penang International Airport. This commencement marks a significant milestone in strengthening international visitor arrivals to the ‘Pearl of the Orient’.
 
In support of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the launch of this route forms part of a strategic initiative to boost inbound visitor arrivals from China, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for Chinese travellers while enhancing regional aviation connectivity. Through continued cooperation and support from friendly nations such as China, together with key industry partners like Spring Airlines, Malaysia aims to increase international visitor arrivals in support of the VM2026 campaign.
 
"This new air link serves as a direct bridge for discovery between Malaysia and one of China's most vital economic zones. This expansion aligns perfectly with Malaysia’s strategic efforts to attract more Chinese visitors, particularly following the implementation of visa-free entry for Chinese citizens," said Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia.
 
Penang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a unique blend of colonial history, contemporary street art and world-class cuisine, making it highly appealing to the Shanghai market. This direct air connection is expected to stimulate not only leisure tourism but also business travel and cultural exchange across the region. The service operates daily, offering travellers with flexibility and seamless access to Malaysia's renowned culinary and heritage hub.
 
With Penang serving as a major gateway to Southeast Asia, the Shanghai – Penang service highlights the successful partnership between Spring Airlines and Tourism Malaysia in driving tourism growth and strengthening economic ties between China and Malaysia. This direct connection reflects shared confidence in Malaysia’s appeal as a destination and reinforces a commitment to long-term bilateral cooperation.
 
China remains as one of Malaysia’s key source market, as demonstrated by sustained growth in visitor arrivals, which reached 4.7 million in 2025, representing a 25.1 per cent year-on-year increase. Recognising the importance role of enhanced air connectivity in driving visitor growth, Tourism Malaysia will continue to work closely with airlines and travel trade partners in China to promote curated itineraries and travel packages. These initiatives aim to showcase Malaysia’s diverse attractions, rich culinary heritage, vibrant festivals, and renowned hospitality. The additional flight capacity supports ongoing efforts to boost visitor arrivals and tourism expenditure from key source markets.
 
Tourism Malaysia extends its full support to Spring Airlines on the launch of this new service and looks forward to collaborating on promotional initiatives to highlights Malaysia's diverse travel experiences to potential travellers in Shanghai. 

About Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC). It focuses on promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination and has, since its establishment, played a significant role in strengthening the country’s presence and competitiveness in the global tourism landscape.
 
Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) underscores Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable tourism development, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The campaign aims to showcase the nation’s diverse natural attractions, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant tourism offerings, while driving inclusive growth and long-term value for local communities and industry stakeholders.
 
For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s website www.tourism.gov.my and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok. 

About Spring Airlines  

Spring Airlines (9C) is the Chinea’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC)  airline headquartered in Shanghai, established in 2004. It is the aviation subsidiary of the Shanghai Spring International Travel Service, one of China's largest travel agencies. This company's services comprise tourism services, flight operations, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE), ticket booking services, third-party payment solutions, tour bus rentals, and financial leasing.

Spring Tours is also a pioneer in the integrated tourism-airline business model because Spring Airlines is a subsidiary of Spring International Travel with a fleet strength of 134 aircraft. 

SOURCE: Tourism Malaysia

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Rahayu Ahmad
Deputy Director
International Promotions Division (ASAF)
Tel: +603 8891 8203
Email : rahayu@tourism.gov.my

Norshariza Mohd Saad
Deputy Director
Corporate Communications Division
Tel: +603 8891 8775
Email: norshariza@tourism.gov.my

--BERNAMA

EXPEREO, CATO NETWORKS PARTNER TO REDEFINE ENTERPRISE NETWORKING LANDSCAPE

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Expereo, a managed Network as a Service (NaaS) provider, and Cato Networks, a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) specialist, have announced a strategic collaboration at TechEx London to deliver a single-source, end-to-end networking and security solution for multinational enterprises.

The partnership combines Expereo’s global underlay connectivity with Cato Networks’ cloud-native SASE platform, creating an integrated proposition designed to help medium to large enterprises modernise their network and security architectures through one commercial and operational relationship.

The joint solution aims to remove the complexity associated with multi-vendor environments by offering enterprises a unified, cloud-native network and security stack that enables faster deployment, simplified operations and consistent performance across global locations.

“This collaboration is about eliminating complexity,” said Expereo Chief Marketing Officer, Noel Hamill in a statement, adding that the combined offering enables organisations to scale faster and operate more securely with a single platform and global partner.

Meanwhile, Cato Networks Area Vice President of Global Service Providers, Jason Pender said the partnership delivers a disruptive alternative to legacy Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and fragmented multi-vendor models, positioning the joint offering as a simpler and more global approach to secure enterprise networking.

Under the collaboration, customers will gain access to Cato’s global private backbone and more than 85 points of presence, alongside Expereo’s connectivity reach through partners in over 190 countries, enabling secure and consistent access worldwide.

The integrated roadmap also includes delivery via Expereo’s expereoOne digital platform, providing enterprises with real-time visibility, performance monitoring and continuous validation across underlay, overlay, cloud and security environments.

The combined solution will support lower latency and improved application performance through direct on-ramps into Cato’s backbone, while positioning enterprises to better support cloud adoption and emerging artificial intelligence-driven workloads.

-- BERNAMA

TOPTAL NAMED AMERICA’S MOST RELIABLE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMPANY

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Toptal, the world’s largest fully remote workforce, has been ranked the number one most reliable professional services company in America on the America’s Most Reliable Companies 2026 list by Newsweek and Statista.

“This achievement reflects the trust global organisations place in Toptal as a dependable partner for top talent and strategic execution. The recognition reinforces our continued commitment to delivering exceptional experiences and outcomes for clients of all sizes,” said Toptal Chief Executive Officer, Taso Du Val in a statement.

In Newsweek’s ranking of 300 companies across all industries, Toptal placed 10th, behind Bank of America and Oracle, which tied for ninth.

As the most reliable professional services organisation in America, Toptal, which ranked 11th in the overall absolute rankings, placed well ahead of companies such as Accenture, Deloitte and Cognizant.

The America’s Most Reliable Companies 2026 ranking is based on an independent survey of over 80,000 evaluations submitted by 2,400 business decision-makers at America’s largest companies, making the recognition a meaningful indicator of product and service excellence in the business-to-business (B2B) marketplace.

Companies were assessed across five key metrics, namely likelihood of recommendation, ease of doing business, value for money, consistency of deliverables and reputation for dependability. The ranking recognises organisations that deliver reliable and consistent outcomes.

Toptal stands out for its professional services offerings across technology services, artificial intelligence services, data labelling and annotation, management consulting and managed services, among others.

In securing its position on the list alongside global brands, Toptal’s performance highlights the company’s mission to empower organisations with a relentless focus on reliability, trust, and long-term client value.

-- BERNAMA

Luvia and Open Campus partner to bring verifiable credentials to Vietnamese students through initiative supported by Ministry of Education and Training

Luvia mobile app integrates Open Campus ID and verifiable credentials; Luvia in‑school platform supported by the Ministry of Education and Training will pilot in Hanoi schools in early 2026 

HANOI, Vietnam, Feb 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Luvia and Open Campus have announced a strategic partnership to provide Vietnamese learners with portable, verifiable credentials through two initiatives: a personalized learning mobile app for high school and university students, and a learning management platform for schools. The initiatives integrate Open Campus ID and its verifiable credentials with the aim to modernize school operations nationwide. 

Luvia’s mobile app launched on iOS and Android in late November 2025. Luvia is initially targeting students in its partner school network, totaling approximately 200,000 students. Luvia’s new mobile app is purpose-built to make learning fun, exciting, and rewarding for high school and university students. The app brings the entire Vietnamese high-school knowledge system into one place, beautifully summarized through mindmaps and structured modules. Students can learn at their own pace with personalized practice tests and on-demand materials, while the app also strengthens the connection between teachers, schools, and parents. Educators can follow student progress, schools can adopt Luvia as a curriculum-aligned companion, and parents can gain a clearer view of their children’s learning journey.

In early 2026, with support from the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), Luvia will pilot its in‑school learning management platform in selected Hanoi schools. The platform is designed to help teachers reclaim time by automating routine administrative matters, strengthen the communication loop between schools, teachers, parents, and learners, and provide students with portable, verifiable credentials that prove skills across apps, schools, and employers. By the end of 2026, Luvia plans to scale up its learning management platform across schools and universities in Vietnam to reach a potential combined population of over ten million students.

Through seamless integration with Open Campus ID, students using Luvia gain a lifelong, portable learner passport that can be recognized across institutions and platforms in the future. As learners demonstrate mastery inside the Luvia app and in the classroom, they earn blockchain-verified credentials that contribute to a trusted digital curriculum vitae that aims to facilitate job-seeking, grants, scholarships, international study pathways, and on-chain education financing.

Hailey Nguyen, Founder and CEO at Luvia, said: “At Luvia, we’re focused on helping every learner progress every day. By pairing a simple, high‑quality learning app with portable, verifiable credentials, students can carry their achievements wherever opportunity arises.”

Jonah Lau, project lead and core contributor at Open Campus, said: “Open Campus ID and verifiable credentials make student records portable and privacy‑preserving. We’re excited to support Luvia and Vietnam’s education ecosystem with trusted, reusable proof of learning.”

Phung Thi Ly Hang, vice director of education training at the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), said: “We welcome pilots that enhance teaching efficiency and help learners demonstrate verified progress. We look forward to reviewing pilot outcomes in Hanoi.”

What it enables and what’s next
With Open Campus ID and verifiable credentials, learners can put their achievements to work beyond the Luvia app across a wide range of real‑world uses:

· Education financing: access discounts, offers, or financing based on verified course progress and badges
· Digital CVs: share skills and completions with employers in a privacy‑preserving way
· University and bootcamp admissions: submit verified records to partner programs to reduce document collection and fraud checks
· Employer verification: share a consented, verifiable skills snapshot with employers to speed screening and reduce manual checks
· Partner perks marketplace: redeem partner benefits that require specific verified achievements
 
In addition, Open Campus and Luvia are discussing partnership and collaboration opportunities with other potential collaborators in Vietnam, including VietinBank, VietcomBank, and BIDV.

Download the Luvia personalized learning app: available on iOS and Android. Visit https://luvialearning.com to learn more about Luvia.

About Luvia
Luvia is an AI-powered learning platform designed to help students learn independently with clarity, confidence, and motivation. The app consolidates the entire Vietnamese high-school curriculum into one place, presented through concise mindmaps, structured modules, and personalized practice tests. Luvia also connects teachers, schools, and parents through transparent progress tracking and classroom-aligned learning tools. By integrating with Open Campus ID, Luvia enables students to earn verifiable digital credentials that support future academic and career opportunities.

About Open Campus
Open Campus is a community-led DAO that is building the blockchain-powered financial layer for education. Core contributors to the Open Campus DAO include Animoca Brands, TinyTap, NewCampus, RiseIn, and HackQuest. Together, they are working with Open Campus to enhance the education system for teachers, learners, and institutions by using innovative blockchain protocols and funding initiatives. Open Campus has launched EDU Chain, an Arbitrum Orbit blockchain designed for consumer-facing education apps and on-chain education finance (EduFi).

Media contacts
Luvia: info@luvialearning.com
Open Campus: info@opencampus.xyz 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ec85c26-07e5-4585-a1c7-e686232e0c03 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/426cd052-814b-4c82-a0ba-be5739513d66  

SOURCE: Open Campus

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA

Dubai Gold District Debuts As Global Gold, Jewellery Hub

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Ithra Dubai has officially launched the Dubai Gold District, a purpose-built destination designed to significantly enhance Dubai’s position as the world’s leading hub for the gold and jewellery trade.

According to a statement, the launch signals a new phase in Dubai's development as a premier global centre for retail, commerce, and international trade.

The district is engineered as a unified destination, bringing the entire gold and jewellery value chain—spanning retail, bullion, wholesale trade, and investment—into a single location. This consolidation strengthens Dubai’s reputation as one of the world’s most trusted global destinations for gold.

The development reinforces the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) continued standing as a leading global trading nation for gold and precious metals. The country was positioned as the world’s second-largest physical gold trading destination, having exported approximately US$53.41 billion worth of gold in 2024 to 2025, with major partners including Switzerland, the United Kingdom, India, Hong Kong and Turkiye.

Serving as Dubai’s new ‘Home of Gold’, the district unites the full spectrum of activity under one roof, hosting a wide array of established global and regional brands to offer exceptional variety and value to buyers, traders, and investors.

A key differentiator for the destination is its unmatched audience diversity, attracting one of the world’s widest mixes of buyers, traders, and consumers. In 2025 alone, the district welcomed shoppers representing more than 147 nationalities.

The expansive development encompasses over 1,000 retailers across gold, jewellery, perfumery, cosmetics, and lifestyle sectors. Notable jewellery flagships include Jawhara Jewellery, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Al Romaizan, and Tanishq Jewellery. Furthermore, Joyalukkas has announced plans for a 24,000 square-foot flagship, set to become its largest in the Middle East.

Among its landmark features will be the world’s first Gold Street, constructed using gold, designed as a distinctive attraction for visitors and tourists.

The district’s infrastructure is further bolstered by six supporting hotels, providing convenient access and accommodation for international trade partners, buyers and visitors.

-- BERNAMA

DELIBERATE DESIGN TO DRIVE ORGANISATIONAL SUCCESS IN 2026, REPORT FINDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Organisations can no longer rely on speed and scale alone to sustain performance in 2026, according to a new report by Top Employers Institute, a global certification, benchmarking, and advisory firm.

The study, World of Work Trends 2026: The Intentional Organisation, highlights that high-performing organisations will prioritise deliberate design in work, leadership, and management systems to drive sustainable success.

“2026 is where speed gives way to intentional design. Our data shows that performance under pressure now depends on how deliberately organisations structure work, decision-making and leadership focus,” said Top Employers Institute chief executive officer, Adrian Seligman.

Drawing on a dataset of 2,358 global organisations, the report identifies five critical trends human resources (HR) leaders must address to sustain performance under pressure, according to the firm in a statement.

Moving beyond statements, HR leaders must embed purpose into decision-making and implement measurement scorecards to provide tangible evidence of its impact on behaviours and outcomes.

As nearly half of AI projects are scrapped and productivity gains are reported by only 37 per cent of teams, intentional deployment is paramount. HR leaders must establish clear governance frameworks regarding use, accountability, and fairness.

While most organisations have remote work policies, future performance will be distinguished by how deliberately flexibility is structured. Designing flexibility with boundaries is necessary to protect fairness, performance, and employee wellbeing.

Organisations must accept that productivity cannot come from simply working people harder, especially amid shrinking HR budgets and rising burnout. The path forward involves directing energy to high-impact work, protecting focus, and building renewable workforce capability through redeployment and reskilling.

Competitive advantage depends on redesigning stability as a platform for continuous learning and internal mobility, not merely retention. Organisations that prioritise job security currently report nine per cent lower voluntary turnover than average.

The report’s findings are based on anonymised survey responses and regression analyses linking HR best practices with key success metrics, including employee engagement, profitability, and market share.

-- BERNAMA

Persona AI, State Of Louisiana Launch Humanoid Robotics Pilot In Heavy Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Persona AI, a robotics company headquartered in Houston, Texas, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State of Louisiana, United States (US), to launch a pilot programme advancing humanoid robotics in active heavy-industry environments.

The pilot, to be conducted at SSE Steel Fabrication’s (SSE Steel) large-scale fabrication facility in St Bernard Parish, marked a significant moment where a state has formally partnered with industry to support humanoid robotics development in a live industrial setting.

Facilitated by Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), a division of Louisiana Economic Development, and supported by Greater New Orleans Inc (GNO Inc), the initiative will position Louisiana as a national leader in embodied artificial intelligence (AI) in advanced manufacturing and next-generation workforce technologies.

In a statement, Persona AI Chief Executive Officer, Nicolaus Radford said the partnership with Louisiana accelerates humanoid development in an industrially relevant region, supporting domestic shipbuilding and heavy manufacturing capacity.

The pilot will collect real-world human movement and task data in an operating steel manufacturing facility, informing how humanoid systems perceive, move, and work alongside skilled tradespeople in complex, dynamic environments.

In addition, the pilot will leverage SSE Steel’s advanced fabrication operations as the industrial proving ground for Persona AI’s upcoming release of rugged humanoid platforms, designed to operate in environments originally built for humans rather than redesigned for traditional automation.

Unlike fixed industrial robots, humanoid robots are envisioned to use existing tools, navigate uneven terrain, and adapt to changing conditions, making them suited for heavy industry sectors facing persistent labour shortages and operational complexity.

The pilot reflects broader momentum around humanoid robotics across US manufacturing, maritime, energy, defence, and infrastructure sectors. Officials emphasise that adoption of such technologies historically creates new, higher-value roles in robotics operation, systems management, safety supervision, and skilled trades.

The pilot will initially focus on training humanoid welders for deployment in fabrication and shipbuilding, with plans to scale humanoid robotics across Louisiana’s core industries.

-- BERNAMA

JAPAN’S MEIJI YASUDA CREDIT RATINGS AFFIRMED SUPERIOR - AM BEST

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “aa-” (Superior) of Japan’s Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company (Meiji Yasuda).

The outlook of these credit ratings (ratings) is stable, reflecting Meiji Yasuda’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Meiji Yasuda’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, and is supported further by its solid capital base and conservative financial leverage.

Following market-driven fluctuations in unrealised gains on securities, the company’s absolute capital retreated from its peak of 5.8 trillion Japanese yen between March 2024 and March 2025, though it had since recovered by September 2025. (100 Japanese yen = RM2.54)

According to AM Best in a statement, Meiji Yasuda’s substantial equity holdings continue to present a degree of equity risk; however, the company possesses ample capital buffers to absorb such risks.

Capital management is conducted through a disciplined framework incorporating economic-based metrics such as the economic solvency ratio and group surplus, complemented by a sound asset-liability management strategy.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 (fiscal year 2024), Meiji Yasuda delivered a strong and resilient operating performance, with consolidated insurance premiums of 3.4 trillion Japanese yen and a base profit of 626 billion Japanese yen, supported by higher investment-related gains and a stronger contribution from its overseas operations.

One of Japan’s largest private life insurance companies, Meiji Yasuda maintains a leading position in the domestic group insurance segment. Its ongoing efforts to improve the quality and productivity of the agency channel and strong sales of the bancassurance channel continue to support revenue growth and its position in the domestic market.

-- BERNAMA

UTS-LED RESEARCH DEVELOPS NANOPARTICLES TARGETING DISEASE PROTEINS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Chair Professor in Nanomedicine Bingyang Shi and international collaborators have developed a novel nanoparticle-based approach aimed at targeting disease-causing proteins in the body.

Published in Nature Nanotechnology, the perspective article describes engineered nanoparticles, known as nanoparticle-mediated targeting chimaeras (NPTACs), which can be customised to bind and degrade specific proteins linked to diseases such as cancer and dementia, according to UTS in a statement.

Professor Shi said these nanoparticles are designed to guide harmful proteins into the body’s natural recycling system, where they can be broken down and removed, adding that while promising, this research remains at the preclinical stage, and further studies are required before any clinical application.

The technology builds on the concept of targeted protein degradation, a growing field in biotechnology, and could eventually expand the range of proteins considered "undruggable". Early preclinical experiments have shown potential against key disease targets, including EGFR and PD-L1, which are implicated in tumour growth and immune evasion.

Key advantages of the approach include tissue- and disease-specific targeting, the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, modular design for multiple protein targets, and compatibility with Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved nanomaterials.

Professor Shi highlighted that NPTACs are still in the experimental phase, and the team is seeking strategic partners to support further development, regulatory review, and potential therapeutic applications in oncology, neurology, and immunology.

Professor Shi noted that this research illustrates the potential of nanoparticle-based platforms not just as delivery vehicles but as active therapeutic agents.

The work involved collaboration with Professor Kam Leong of Columbia University and Professor Meng Zheng of Henan University.

-- BERNAMA

Digital Realty enters Malaysia, strengthening Southeast Asia’s digital backbone

Acquisition of a highly connected data center in Cyberjaya extends

Digital Realty's newly acquired TelcoHub 1 data center in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, one of the country's largest dark fiber interconnect hubs with over 6,000 fiber cores and 40+ network service providers

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan 20 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR), the largest global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, today announced its planned entry into Malaysia through the execution of the agreement to acquire CSF Advisers, owners of the TelcoHub 1 data center located in Cyberjaya, one of Greater Kuala Lumpur’s most established data center hubs. Digital Realty’s expansion into the Malaysian market extends its Southeast Asia platform and reinforces its commitment to support the region’s growing digital infrastructure requirements.

TelcoHub 1 is an operational 1.5 megawatt data center that is considered one of Malaysia's largest dark fiber interconnect hubs, with more than 6,000 cores of regional and long-haul fiber landing in this facility. It is also among the most network-dense data centers, hosting over 40 network service providers, including access to key platforms such as AWS, Google, MY IX and DECIX ASEAN, according to peeringdb.com. In conjunction with TelcoHub 1, Digital Realty has also agreed to acquire adjacent land that can support up to 14 megawatts of IT load, providing clear capacity for future expansion.

These acquisitions are expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Building on this foundation, the Malaysia campus will be integrated into PlatformDIGITAL®, Digital Realty’s global data center platform, enabling customers to deploy infrastructure within a consistent, secure, and interconnected environment, as digital and AI-driven workloads scale. Digital Realty plans to introduce its interconnection and orchestration solution, ServiceFabric®, to the campus, providing customers with global connectivity and greater flexibility to manage their digital infrastructure across the region.

Together, these capabilities build on CSF's existing strengths and enhance Digital Realty’s ability to support both local customers and organizations with regional footprints anchored in Singapore, by offering complementary capacity and connectivity across Southeast Asia.

“Malaysia plays an increasingly important role in the region’s digital ecosystem as hyperscalers, enterprises and platforms scale up, and infrastructure requirements evolve toward greater resilience, interconnection, and readiness for more complex workloads,” said Serene Nah, Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific, Digital Realty. “Our entry into Malaysia will bring our global platform, operational expertise, and long-term investment approach into the local market, support the country’s digital ambitions, and help to shape how regional infrastructure is built for the future.”

Upon completion of the acquisition, Billy Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CSF Advisers, together with the local leadership team and more than 40 skilled professionals, will join Digital Realty. Their combined expertise will be instrumental in supporting CSF's diverse customer base spanning enterprises, cloud, and digital service providers. Digital Realty plans to expand the local team over time to support future growth and operational scale.

“Malaysia is currently in a sustained scale-up phase for digital infrastructure, with total data center capacity projected to grow from 1.26 gigawatts in 2025 to 2.53 gigawatts by 20301. Continued expansion is fueled by rising demand for cloud services, AI acceleration, robust connectivity infrastructure, and supportive government policies,” said Lee. “We are excited to join Digital Realty and hope this acquisition will enhance our connectivity solutions for customers, support local talent development, and contribute to Malaysia's maturing digital infrastructure ecosystem.”

Digital Realty's entry into Malaysia will underscore its long-term investment commitment in the country and further establish Malaysia as a credible location for interconnected, secure, and sovereign-ready digital infrastructure serving Southeast Asia. Sustainability will be a key focus, with Digital Realty working alongside the Malaysian government and industry stakeholders to support national digital priorities and advance energy-efficient data center practices, aligned with local regulations and long-term environmental goals.

Digital Realty's expansion into Malaysia will build on its established Southeast Asia presence in Singapore and Jakarta. The company will continue to evaluate opportunities to expand capacity, capabilities, and partnerships in the region, in line with its broader regional strategy.

About Digital Realty
Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL®, the company’s global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx®) solution methodology for powering innovation, from cloud and digital transformation to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected data communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 25+ countries on six continents. To learn more about Digital Realty, please visit digitalrealty.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

For Additional Information

Media Contacts
Joyce Ng
Digital Realty
jong@digitalrealty.com

Investor Relations
Jordan Sadler / Jim Huseby
Digital Realty
+1 415 275 5344
InvestorRelations@digitalrealty.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially, including statements related to PlatformDIGITAL®, the company’s acquisition of CSF Advisers, the company’s strategy, customer demand and expectations for the Asia Pacific region and sustainability goals. For a list and description of risks and uncertainties, see the reports and other filings by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise

1 Data from Asia Pacific Data Center Association report (July 2025)

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4f92da6-3511-4448-9c63-51d1b3f92f6f

Source: Digital Realty Trust, L.P.

--BERNAMA

Horizon Quantum, Alice & Bob Team Up On Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing

 

Horizon Quantum CEO Dr Joe Fitzsimons and Alice & Bob CEO Dr Théau Peronnin

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Horizon Quantum Computing Pte Ltd (Horizon Quantum), a pioneer in software infrastructure for quantum applications, and Alice & Bob (A&B), a developer of fault-tolerant quantum computers, announced a strategic collaboration to advance fault-tolerant quantum computing (FTQC) software development.

The partnership integrates A&B’s emulators with Horizon Quantum’s Triple Alpha development platform, creating a full-stack solution that combines best-in-class hardware and software technologies. This effort lays the groundwork for future deployment of complex algorithms on A&B’s forthcoming quantum processing units (QPUs).

“Realising the full potential of quantum computing requires fault-tolerant systems. By combining our expertise in quantum programming with A&B’s hardware capabilities, this partnership advances progress toward practical FTQC,” said Horizon Quantum chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Joe Fitzsimons in a statement.

Meanwhile, A&B CEO, Dr Théau Peronnin said building a complete quantum software stack requires careful integration of algorithms, error correction, and compilation.

“Our partnership with Horizon Quantum ensures a rigorous, research-driven approach to these challenges,” said Peronnin.

Through this collaboration, the companies aim to develop a comprehensive compilation pipeline that maximises hardware performance while simplifying quantum programming. Triple Alpha will be among the first platforms to compile and deploy software to A&B’s FTQC hardware when available.

A&B’s emulators will allow developers to test quantum error correction protocols. By integrating these emulators into Triple Alpha, Horizon Quantum expands support for multiple hardware architectures and provides developers access to a promising new quantum computing platform.

The partnership aims to bring Triple Alpha’s resource analysis capabilities to A&B’s backends, optimising quantum algorithm resources at different levels of abstractions and on different hardware platforms by tracking various metrics such as qubit count and gate count, for accelerating the practical use of quantum computers.

Together, Horizon Quantum and A&B aim to accelerate the path to scalable, FTQC, with a vision of creating a future where quantum algorithms are accessible, impactful and reliable across industries.

-- BERNAMA

AM BEST: INDIA’S NON-LIFE INSURANCE SEGMENT OUTLOOK REMAINS STABLE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has maintained its outlook on India’s non-life insurance segment at stable, citing supportive macroeconomic conditions and sustained insurance demand driven by regulatory initiatives and reforms.

According to the Best’s Market Segment Report, India’s non-life segment recorded mid-single-digit premium growth for the financial year ended March 31, 2025 (FY2025).

Growth moderated compared with the previous year due to pricing pressure in the fire insurance segment and slower business expansion in motor insurance. Changes in accounting treatment for long-term policies during the year also weighed on reported growth.

Despite these challenges, momentum is expected to improve over the near term as insurance demand strengthens and regulatory financial inclusion initiatives gain traction, according to AM Best in a statement.

AM Best associate director, analytics, Chris Lim said India’s long-term economic outlook remains favourable for non-life insurance growth despite the near-term moderation.

“Recent reform to the goods and services tax directly supports insurance demand by reducing the rate on individual life and health insurance policies to zero per cent from 18 per cent. Improved affordability, particularly for health insurance policies, is expected to bolster individual health insurance demand meaningfully,” said Lim.

A key provision in the recently passed Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Bill (Amendment of Insurance Laws), 2025, increases the foreign direct investment limit in insurance companies. The move is expected to attract additional capital, enhance financial flexibility and bolster the segment’s solvency.

AM Best noted that investment yields for Indian non-life insurers are expected to remain broadly stable, supported by steady interest rates and resilient domestic equity markets. However, elevated equity exposure could increase sensitivity to market volatility over the medium term.

-- BERNAMA

DMITRY SHUBOV: DATA ANALYTICS KEY FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN FIRMS ENTERING US MARKET

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- As Southeast Asian (SEA) businesses increasingly target expansion into the United States (US) market in 2026, data-driven decision-making is emerging as a critical enabler of successful market entry.

According to the Gartner 2025 Data and Analytics Report, cited by the National CIO Review, organisations that effectively leverage data analytics are significantly better positioned to make informed strategic decisions and compete in complex markets such as the US.

“Analytics can be the loudest voice in the room. It is one thing to have a good product, but knowing what to do with it is quite another.

“Successful companies in both SEA and the US rely heavily on data analytics, as they show you what is happening, and you learn what to do next to continue and improve,” said Dmitry Shubov Consulting Founder, Dmitry Shubov in a statement.

Key trends highlighted in the report underscore the growing importance of analytics in expansion strategies. These include stronger data literacy to embed analytics in day-to-day decision-making, wider adoption of augmented analytics powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, and the use of real-time analytics to detect shifts in consumer behaviour and market dynamics.

The report also emphasises the need to integrate data across organisational silos to create a unified market view, alongside robust data governance to safeguard sensitive information and ensure regulatory compliance in the US.

As SEA companies navigate the regulatory, operational and data governance challenges of entering the US, Dmitry Shubov Consulting plays a key advisory role in guiding early-stage SEA legal tech firms through US market setup, compliance alignment and analytics-driven strategy execution.

-- BERNAMA

SINGAPORE SME WINS 2026 ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE FOR FOOD INNOVATION

2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony (Photo: AETOSWire)

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Singapore-based small and medium enterprise (SME) N&E Innovations has been named the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize winner in the Food category, recognising its work in reducing food waste and improving food safety through circular innovation.

Founded by Didi Gan, the company upcycles food waste into biodegradable antimicrobial coatings and packaging designed to extend shelf life and cut post-harvest losses.

Its patented ViKANG technology is billed as the world’s first food-safe, biodegradable antimicrobial made entirely from upcycled food waste, according to a statement.

Field trials showed the solution achieved 99.9 per cent antimicrobial effectiveness, with significantly lower bacterial counts and up to 90 per cent freshness retention. To date, more than 400,000 sustainable packs have been distributed, benefiting over 80,000 people, while two tonnes of food waste have been diverted from disposal.

“The Zayed Sustainability Prize honours creative solutions that uplift communities and protect the environment,” said Zayed Sustainability Prize Executive Director, Dr Lamya Fawwaz, adding that N&E Innovations demonstrates how innovation can advance a circular economy.

Meanwhile, Gan, who is also N&E Innovations Managing Director, said the award validates the company’s mission to transform agricultural waste into practical, compostable food packaging solutions that support sustainability and food security.

The US$1 million prize will be used to scale production and expand ViKANG across Asia and the Middle East. Plans include setting up local micro-manufacturing hubs, growing business-to-business (B2B) partnerships in markets such as Malaysia, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, and supporting deployments in rural communities. (US$1=RM4.04)

Established 18 years ago, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has recognised 128 winners to date, collectively impacting more than 400 million lives worldwide.

-- BERNAMA

H2O.AI SECURES IMDA RENEWAL FOR ENTERPRISE GENAI IN SINGAPORE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- H2O.ai, a pioneer in sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) and an agentic and predictive AI company, has announced the renewal of its accreditation under Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) for its Enterprise GenAI product suite.

This recognition underscores H2O.ai’s commitment to delivering secure, responsible, and enterprise-grade AI solutions for Singapore’s public and private sectors, as organisations increasingly seek air-gapped, sovereign GenAI systems designed for the highest levels of data protection.

H2O.ai Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sri Ambati said the accreditation validates the company’s efforts to bring trustworthy, air-gapped AI into production.

“We are excited to double down with our partners and customers here. The AI age we imagined is now here, and this milestone gives us even more fuel to deliver breakthrough outcomes together,” added Ambati in a statement.

Building on its 2021 accreditation for predictive AI technologies, this new recognition reaffirms H2O.ai’s leadership in enabling institutions to implement secure, production-ready AI systems.

Through the IMDA Accreditation programme, the authority validates enterprise technology companies against rigorous technical, financial, and operational criteria, enabling government agencies and enterprises to confidently adopt accredited solutions that enhance decision-making, automate workflows, and deliver better services.

H2O.ai’s generative AI (GenAI) technologies are already demonstrating measurable impact across global organisations, including The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), which uses H2O.ai’s air-gapped h2oGPTe platform to power a secure internal Business Assistant that supports over 8,000 employees.

The platform has helped NIH reduce approximately 10,000 service requests per year, illustrating the efficiency of AI-driven operations.

In Australia, the Commonwealth Bank leverages H2O.ai GenAI to reduce scam losses by more than 70 per cent and overall fraud by 30 per cent, demonstrating tangible risk mitigation and operational benefits.

-- BERNAMA

OPENGEAR ADDS NEW DEVICES TO NETWORK RESILIENCE PLATFORM FOR OUTAGES CONTROL

Opengear Introduces CM8000 and OM1300: Two New Paths to Network Resilience as Outages Surge

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Opengear, a Digi International company, has announced two new additions to its Network Resilience Platform, the CM8000 Series and the OM1300 Series, designed to help enterprises maintain access and control during network outages.

According to Opengear research, 84 per cent of Chief Information Officers and Chief Information Security Officers have experienced an increase in outages over the past two years. The next-generation devices deliver compact, flexible, and automation-ready out-of-band infrastructure as distributed sites continue to scale.

“The CM8000 Series and OM1300 Series give organisations two purpose-built ways to stay in control, whether they need core recovery or simplified edge management,” said Opengear President, Patrick Quirk in a statement.

The CM8000 Series is a serial-first recovery platform with integrated power control for core branches, small aggregation sites, and network closets.

It supports four or eight serial ports, integrates with power distribution units for remote power cycling, offers flexible Ethernet uplinks via RJ-45 and SFP connectors for copper or fibre connectivity, and provides centralised visibility through Lighthouse for secure out-of-band management.

Meanwhile, the OM1300 Series is an integrated edge platform that combines serial access, switching, and local automation into a single device. It is designed for retail environments, micro data rooms, and compact edge sites that require fewer devices and simpler deployments.

The OM1300 Series also supports zero-touch provisioning and delivers significantly faster automation performance than previous OM models, enabling reliable out-of-band control at remote locations.

CM8004, CM8008, and OM1304 models are scheduled to begin shipping at the end of January 2026, while the OM1308 is available for preorder.

-- BERNAMA

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY SPECIALTY INSURANCE PROMOTES DAVID LEE TO GLOBAL CHRO

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has promoted David Lee to Global Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), based in Boston, succeeding Kim Briones, who is retiring from her full-time role.

BHSI President and Chief Executive Officer, Peter Eastwood said Lee is an experienced human resources (HR) practitioner and lifelong student of the profession.

“His deep expertise, stellar work ethic, and commitment to BHSI values will continue to drive success across our global talent and HR initiatives,” he said in a statement.

Eastwood also expressed his gratitude to Briones for her partnership and leadership in building BHSI’s HR function from the ground up.

“She has played a pivotal role in growing our greatest asset – our global team – and in helping BHSI become a successful global insurance organisation,” he added.

Lee joined BHSI in 2022 as Global Head of Talent Acquisition. He brings more than 30 years of experience in human resources and talent acquisition, primarily with large global organisations.

BHSI operates across multiple locations in the United States—including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Columbia, Dallas, Houston, and New York—as well as internationally in Barcelona, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Perth, and Singapore.

The company provides commercial property, casualty, healthcare professional liability, executive and professional lines, transactional liability, surety, marine, travel, programmes, accident and health, employer stop loss, homeowners, and multinational insurance.

-- BERNAMA

AACSB Opens Public Comment on 2026 Global Standards for Business Education

TAMPA, Fla., Jan 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AACSB International today released exposure drafts of its inaugural Global Standards for Business Education and 2026 Accounting Accreditation Standards inviting feedback from business schools, faculty, students, employers, higher education associations, and other stakeholders worldwide.

The new Global Standards for Business Education, a revision of AACSB’s highly respected Accreditation Standards, are designed to serve all business schools, not only those that hold AACSB accreditation. They provide a globally recognized framework that any school can use to guide strategic development, strengthen performance, and demonstrate impact to learners, employers, and higher education stakeholders.

The release comes as AACSB marks its 110^th anniversary, reflecting the organization’s evolution in how it advances quality and impact in business education worldwide.

“Business education is being asked to do more than ever – prepare learners for a dynamic economy, generate knowledge that informs practice, and help address societal challenges,” said Lily Bi, President and CEO of AACSB International. “These exposure drafts are an invitation to the global community to help shape a modern, practical, and values-driven standards framework that supports excellence across diverse missions and contexts. We encourage stakeholders to review these drafts and share feedback so the final standards reflect what business and accounting education need now, and what they must become next.”

AACSB’s proposed Standards come at a moment when business education is facing heightened scrutiny and rising expectations, from clearer evidence of learning outcomes to stronger connections among curriculum, research, and societal impact. “The introduction of the Global Standards for Business Education reinforces AACSB’s role as a global standard setter and strengthens the broader ecosystem of business education,” said Stephanie Bryant, Executive Vice President and Chief Accreditation Officer of AACSB International, noting that for schools, the drafts provide “a clear and adaptable framework to demonstrate quality” and to “accelerate continuous improvement.” The new Global Standards for Business Education and 2026 Accounting Standards are designed to help schools navigate evolving learner needs, workforce disruption, and rapid technological change, while keeping a consistent global benchmark for quality and continuous improvement.

What’s in the exposure drafts

The draft Standards emphasize mission-driven, outcome-focused quality across three core areas:

• Strategic Management that aligns strategy, governance, and resources to support long-term quality and continuous improvement.
• Learner Success that strengthens expectations for curriculum, assurance of learning, and digital agility.
• Pathways to Impact that advance scholarly influence, academic, and professional engagement.
   

The Standards aim to support a wide range of institutional models and regional contexts, while maintaining a shared global language for quality in business education.

Learn More

AACSB is hosting a webinar on 12 January 2026 overviewing the key proposed changes to the AACSB business and accounting accreditation standards outlined in the Exposure Drafts. Register here

How to participate

AACSB encourages stakeholders to review the exposure drafts of its inaugural Global Standards for Business Education and 2026 Accounting Accreditation Standards and submit comments via survey until 7 February 2026. Input will inform revisions and the finalization of the 2026 Standards.

About AACSB

Established in 1916, AACSB International (AACSB) connects educators, learners, and businesses to create the next generation of great leaders. With more than 2,000 member organizations and over 1,000 accredited business schools worldwide, AACSB is the world’s largest business education network. Through its global standards, accreditation, and thought leadership, AACSB fosters engagement, accelerates innovation, and amplifies impact in business education.

aacsb.edu
mediarelations@aacsb.edu 

SOURCE: AACSB International