Australian HEY YOGURT to operate shops in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 -- Australian local brand of probiotic yogurt, HEY YOGURT is set to open 100 shops this year, as well as similar outlets in Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Johor in Malaysia.

In two months of intensive preparations, HEY YOGURT opened its first Asia shop in Singapore in mid-January this year, operated by Hey Yogurt Pte Ltd.

According to a statement, HEY YOGURT is a brand under WK Holdings Limited, focusing on advocating for health with ‘low sugar and low fat’.

It innovatively combines Australian yellow peaches, grain and yogurt to create low-temperature yogurt with natural probiotics and dietary supplement.

-- BERNAMA

SEABORN AND EDGEUNO ANNOUNCE FREE IP OFFERING FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS IN THE AMERICAS IN SUPPORT OF COVID-19 RESPONSE

SEABORN AND EDGEUNO ANNOUNCE FREE IP OFFERING FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS IN THE AMERICAS IN SUPPORT OF COVID-19 RESPONSE

RoosterBio-Senti collaboration to hasten clinical translation of Senti's gene-modified cell therapies

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 -- RoosterBio Inc has announced a clinical supply and manufacturing collaboration agreement with pioneering gene circuit company, Senti Biosciences Inc (Senti) to accelerate the clinical translation of Senti’s gene-modified cell therapies for ovarian cancer and other solid tumour indications.

The collaboration will leverage RoosterBio’s human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (hMSC) bioprocess systems, rapid product and process development platform, and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)-compliant, hMSC-focused manufacturing capabilities.

“Gene-modified cell therapies are one of the most important segments in our industry, and we are excited to help Senti Biosciences accelerate its technology into the clinic,” said RoosterBio’s Founder & Chief Product Officer, Jon A. Rowley, PhD in a statement.

“Our collaboration reflects the importance of strategically positioned gene engineering platforms that are designed for rapid clinical translation.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Senti will apply its novel gene circuit technology to hMSCs produced by RoosterBio’s breakthrough CliniControl™ hMSC manufacturing platform.

In addition, Senti will employ RoosterBio for external development of hMSC supply and expansion, including bioreactor scale-up and industrialised large-scale manufacturing unit operations.

RoosterBio is a privately-held cell manufacturing platform technology company focused on accelerating the development of a sustainable Regenerative Medicine industry. More details at www.roosterbio.com.

-- BERNAMA

VistaJet introduces precautionary steps amid COVID-19, announces 2020 good start

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 -- VistaJet, the first and only global business aviation company is taking additional steps to strengthen safety and security procedures during this coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

According to a statement, dedicated Flight Approval and Coordination teams are working 24/7 to assess and approve any booking and change requests from a technical, safety and security standpoint.

To help reduce the spread of the virus, VistaJet works with leading experts, including Control Risks and Osprey for security and safety advice using both human and AI-driven intelligence, while MedAire provides leading medical support on the ground and in the air.

All crew are checked for signs of the virus twice daily and each VistaJet aircraft is sanitised after every flight. As a precautionary measure, should authorities determine that a COVID-19 carrier travelled on a VistaJet aircraft, that tail and crew will be temporarily withdrawn from use.

For upcoming bookings, passengers may be required to complete additional travel documents and health certificates, and those who have recently travelled to high risk locations may have their temperature tested, prior to boarding.

In the same statement, the company announced it has made a positive start this year as customers seek VistaJet’s commitment to security, flexibility of travel and privacy, which are not guaranteed by any other type of transport during times of instability.

VistaJet’s total number of flights has increased by a further 16 per cent YOY and the company continues to see strong demand across all regions.

The United States registered the greatest number of flights during the first two months of the year, making up 23 per cent of global flights. Despite the deep impact of the virus spreading across Asia, demand from the continent remains stable at 11 per cent.

-- BERNAMA

ASIA'S LARGEST INTEGRATED INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATOR ENVIRO GROUP ASIA DISINFECTS MORE THAN 5,000,000SQFT OF BUILDING SPACE IN EFFORTS AGAINST CORONAVIRUS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s leading integrated indoor environmental specialist, ENVIRO Group Asia has successfully done surface sanitisation and decontamination programs covering more than 5,000,000sqft of both commercial and residential building space in efforts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country. “There is much to be learnt still about the current virus outbreak and current evidence suggests that cleaning of surfaces followed by disinfection is the best practice measure for the prevention and spread of Covid-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in a community setting,” says Nitesh Malani, Group CEO of ENVIRO Group Asia. In quickly responding to the crisis at hand and the escalating requests for surface cleaning works, Enviro Group introduced the Rapid Disinfection Service (RDS) which employs a combination of its ENVIRO Clean Surface disinfectant containing a broad spectrum of virucidal disinfectants and ENVIRO Protect Surface Protector using BioProtect 500 and patented surface disinfectant which offers protection up to 90 days on treated surfaces. “The surface protector that is used contains revolutionary anti-microbial agents which is developed in the US designed to destroy bacteria, germs and viruses, including Staphylococcus (MRSA), C-diff and Influenza-A Virus (including H1N1 & SARS) by forming an anti-microbial shield on the treated surfaces. This unique product is EPA registered as non-toxic, non- hazardous and USDA accepted for protective surface,” adds Nitesh. ENVIRO Group Asia takes pride in working alongside the Ministry of Health Malaysia’s infection prevention and control protocols and measures while working under stringent global disinfection and sterilization guidelines.  Government agencies, Multinationals and SME’s  are among the many that has commenced upping the efforts in hygiene protocols and disinfecting their premises. Get more information https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N5TLdJzPEKc2i2JDiim38KOZDxhy41ej?usp=sharing About ENVIRO Group Asia  | www.envirogroup.asia Enviro Group Asia comprises highly qualified companies in providing safety, greater living environment and innovative hygiene solutions for your indoor spaces. Through the several years of fruitful experience, we have been favoured as specialist and occupational consultants of environmental conditions seeking for improvement and sustainability. From carpets to aeration of your indoor spaces, we are here to help you maintain their cleanliness ensuring your safety and a good health for all. SOURCE: ENVIRO Group Asia

University develops new treatment for Parkinson's disease

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 -- Ultrasound is widely used for conducting physical examinations, and plans are underway to expand its application to treat Parkinson's disease, dementia and diabetes.

The National Tsing Hua University’s research team has successfully improved the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in mice by injecting cellular proteins that are highly sensitive to ultrasound waves into the deep brain region and afterwards using ultrasound to activate the neuron cells.

The research was led by Associate Professor Yu-Chun Lin of the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Professor Chih-kuang Yeh of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences.

Their innovative research has been published in the January issue of Nano Letters, and their non-invasive treatment has already been patented in Taiwan and the United States, according to a statement.

“Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease are caused by the degeneration and death of the cells in the brain. But once the cells with prestin gene fragments have been transplanted into the target area, ultrasound can be applied to awaken atrophied cells so that they can begin to form new neural connections,” said Yeh.

The team has produced a video showing how a mouse with Parkinson's disease stops short while crossing a wooden bridge and how the same mouse, following cell transplantation and ultrasound treatment, crosses the bridge easily.

It has also been found that the treatment results in a significant increase in dopamine levels in the brain, demonstrating its effectiveness in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The same procedure can also be used to treat diabetes by stimulating insulin-producing cells.

-- BERNAMA

THE KIDNEY KID SUPERHERO INITIATIVE GOES INTERNATIONAL ON WORLD KIDNEY DAY

THE KIDNEY KID SUPERHERO INITIATIVE GOES INTERNATIONAL ON WORLD KIDNEY DAY

Centili appoints eminent telco/tech executive Zoran Vasiljev as Group CEO

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 -- Global digital monetisation and carrier billing company, Centili has appointed Zoran Vasiljev, an eminent telco and tech executive, as its Group chief executive officer (CEO).

His appointment will be the key to strengthening company leadership as Centili moves to capitalise on the growing opportunities in the digital monetisation industry with new products and market verticals by leveraging its award-winning platform.

According to a statement, Vasiljev has more than 20 years international experience in digital media, telecoms and management consulting, bringing in unparalleled knowledge and legacy in building and running successful digital ventures.

“I am incredibly excited by the opportunity to lead the world-class Centili team. I am looking forward to bringing my experience of scaling up businesses to Centili as it both rapidly grows its established business and as we execute on the ambitious growth plans,” he said.

Vasiljev spent the last three years as Apigate CEO. Earlier in his career, he led projects in the EU, MENA and APAC, holding top executive and leadership roles with Axiata Digital, StarHub, Arthur D. Little, Value Partners and Peppers & Rogers Group.

Centili partners with over 280 MNOs and leading global and national merchants to enable micro-payments, user identification and mobile engagement.

-- BERNAMA

Synchronoss solution enhances AT&T subscriber's overall experience

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 -- Synchronoss Technologies Inc is powering AT&T Personal Cloud, a new service for AT&T Mobility wireless customers to safely back up valuable personal content from any Android smartphone.

According to a statement, the Synchronoss solution will integrate into a suite of selected AT&T services, using the cloud to vastly improve the subscriber’s overall experience.

AT&T will offer its version of the Synchronoss Personal Cloud solution as a standalone value-added service that will integrate with the following AT&T cloud-based services, namely AT&T Mobile Transfer and AT&T Setup & Transfer (Out Of Box Experience).

Synchronoss president and chief executive officer, Glenn Lurie said: “Operators today must provide their customers with enhanced products and services that will continually improve their overall experience.

“The Synchronoss Personal Cloud solution accomplishes this by automating device backup and simplifying how customers manage and interact with their content. This allows AT&T the ability to bring new services to customers.”

More details on the Synchronoss’ Personal Cloud solution at https://synchronoss.com/solutions/cloud/

-- BERNAMA

​SHANE GONG JOINS EVERCORE AS MANAGING DIRECTOR IN THE FIRM'S PRIVATE CAPITAL ADVISORY GROUP

​SHANE GONG JOINS EVERCORE AS MANAGING DIRECTOR IN THE FIRM'S PRIVATE CAPITAL ADVISORY GROUP

​ZYNGA ANNOUNCES HARRY POTTER: PUZZLES & SPELLS, A MAGICAL MATCH-3 MOBILE GAME

SAN FRANCISCO, March 6 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today, Zynga Inc. (Nasdaq:ZNGA), a global leader in interactive entertainment, announced the soft launch of Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells in select markets. Officially licensed from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and published under the Portkey Games label, the game weaves innovative match-3 puzzle gameplay with the iconic characters, narrative, settings, spell-casting and magical mischief of the Wizarding World.

“We are incredibly proud to bring Harry Potter to Zynga's portfolio and are dedicated to creating a game that's worthy of the Wizarding World and its legions of fans,” said Bernard Kim, President of Publishing at Zynga. “By combining the ubiquity of mobile and the expertise of Zynga’s development team in partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, we are crafting a game that will delight fans of all ages around the globe.”

Fans have continued to honour and extend the wonder of the Wizarding World by engaging in Harry Potter quizzes, brain teasers and other puzzle-inspired play. Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells celebrates this affinity for challenge and mystery with the first match-3 puzzle game for mobile devices. In the game, players create their own persona and experience the excitement and mysteries of the Wizarding World in an enchanting new way. Unlocking Wizarding World elements, including new spells and brewing potions as they progress, players will encounter the most iconic moments and memorable faces from the original Harry Potter films. Utilising magic abilities and objects to prevail, players will face matching puzzles populated with Chocolate Frogs and other obstacles as they “swish and flick” through fanciful levels.

Proving their magical mettle, players will earn experience points as they progress in the game. From Daily Events to interactive puzzles, players will earn XP to gain new magical abilities and rewards, level up their skills and spells, as well as customise their unique, in-game personas. Players will also have the option to form clubs and join forces with other fans to socialise, participate in special in-game cooperative activities and experience the camaraderie of the Wizarding World.

Fans can visit www.zynga.com to stay tuned for further updates for Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells, which will launch worldwide for iOS and Android devices, as well as Amazon Kindle and Facebook.

About Zynga
Zynga is a global leader in interactive entertainment with a mission to connect the world through games. To date, more than one billion people have played Zynga’s franchises, including: CSR Racing™, Empires & Puzzles™, Merge Dragons! ™, and Words With Friends™. Zynga’s games are available in more than 150 countries and are playable across social platforms and mobile devices worldwide. Founded in 2007, the company is headquartered in San Francisco with studios in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, India, Turkey and Finland. For more information, visit www.zynga.com or follow Zynga on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or the Zynga blog.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third-party game titles.

About Portkey Games
Portkey Games, from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, is the games label dedicated to creating new Wizarding World mobile and videogame experiences that place the player at the center of their own adventure, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s original stories. Portkey Games offers players the opportunity to make their own narrative choices and engage with the Wizarding World setting to create new and unique experiences. The label was created to bring gamers and fans new gaming experiences that allow them to delve into the magic of the Wizarding World in immersive ways where they can define their own Wizarding World story.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the name, release timeframe, and gameplay details of an upcoming Harry Potter game. Forward-looking statements often include words such as “outlook,” “projected,” “planned,” “intends,” “will,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “target,” “expect,” and statements in the future tense are generally forward-looking. The achievement or success of the matters covered by such forward-looking statements involves significant risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update such statements. More information about these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions are or will be described in greater detail in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at http://investor.zynga.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

WIZARDING WORLD, HARRY POTTER Publishing Rights © J.K. Rowling. HARRY POTTER: PUZZLES & SPELLS, PORTKEY GAMES, WIZARDING WORLD and HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia © and ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. ™ Zynga Inc. All Rights Reserved.

WBIE LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s20)

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/52182639/en

Contact

Zynga Media:
Dana Whitney (US)
dwhitney@zynga.com
Or
Jonathan Lopera (UK)
jlopera@zynga.com

Source : Zynga

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=36900

BluJay Solutions acquires Australian customs, forwarding technology provider

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 -- BluJay Solutions has acquired Expedient Software, expanding its customs and forwarding technology offerings, along with its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Based in Melbourne, Expedient is a leading provider of customs and forwarding software for the logistics market in Australia and New Zealand.

“This region, Australia and New Zealand in particular, represents a significant market for global trade,” said BluJay Solutions chief strategy officer, Doug Surrett.

“Joining forces with Expedient not only expands our customs connectivity in these countries but also demonstrates our commitment to serving multi-national companies and domestic forwarders in this region.”

According to a statement, Expedient will integrate with the global BluJay team, which has Asia-Pacific offices in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and India.

BluJay Solutions is a provider of supply chain applications, networks and data solutions, helping global companies to achieve excellence in logistics and trade compliance.

-- BERNAMA

MTCC RECOGNISES OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN FORESTRY-RELATED STUDIES

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Year 2020 sets the fourth edition of the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) Academic Award on Sustainable Forest Management & Timber Certification (MTCC Academic Award) – a mark of recognition for academic excellence among students of forestry-based studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

This year, MTCC presented the awards to two graduating students from the Faculty of Forestry for their overall academic performance and final year projects related to environmental aspect and the country’s furniture industry. Muhammad Iqbal Ishak received the award for his thesis titled “Soil Erosion on Deforested Land in Cameron Highlands”, while Tan Xu Chee was given the recognition for his research on “Labour Composition, Productivity and Skill Developments in the Malaysian Furniture Sector.” Each recipient received RM1,000 in cash and a certificate from MTCC.


http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=36894

​ZILLIONE TOGETHER WITH SMARTSTREAM PROVIDES RECONCILIATIONS SOLUTION TO PEOPLE'S BANK OF COLOMBO

​ZILLIONE TOGETHER WITH SMARTSTREAM PROVIDES RECONCILIATIONS SOLUTION TO PEOPLE'S BANK OF COLOMBO

BEST'S MARKET SEGMENT REPORT: AM BEST ASSIGNS STABLE OUTLOOK TO JAPAN'S LIFE INSURANCE INDUSTRY

BEST'S MARKET SEGMENT REPORT: AM BEST ASSIGNS STABLE OUTLOOK TO JAPAN'S LIFE INSURANCE INDUSTRY

WEEKEND BAZAAR @ THE HUB SS2, 7TH & 8TH OF MARCH 2020

PETALING JAYA, March 4 (Bernama) -- In conjunction with International Women’s Day, flakes.my and Selangor Dredging Berhad will be organising a weekend bazaar this weekend consisting of small local business selling their offerings. Flakes.my is a café located at the Hub SS2 that specialises in croissants and has an extensive breakfast and brunch menu.

The bazaar will be located on the landscaped gardens from 10am to 5pm on the 7th and 8th of March at Hub SS2, Seksyen 19. Besides the different offerings by the stalls, there will also be buskers performing sweet melodies. There will be Psyndrome, launched in 2018 with an all-female operation team that creates beautiful, long lasting jewellery that empowers women, embrace individuality and are affordable. Your closet needs its fair share of clothes, so shop to your heart’s content with Summerveil as they aim to bring you utmost satisfaction with their wide range of casual clothing and style.

Knotjustheadbands is a social enterprise driven with a purpose to help the Malaysian communities. Their headbands are one of a kind, hand-picked from local block batik factories in Kelantan and hand-sewn by Malaysians of different socioeconomic status.

If you have an eye for beautiful artpieces, Qlarai offers decoupaged products which is a form of art craft where cut-outs are pasted on their exquisite products such as bags, clutches, diffuser and accessories. Solecase Malaysia is founded by David Cheng, an enthusiastic sneaker collector with an inspiration of innovating the best way to store shoes in their best condition yet being able to showcase them in any angle. Today, Solecase Malaysia flagship product has become the nation’s only crystal-clear show box provider.

Indulge in guilt-free snacks from Mooit which stands for malaysian, original, outstanding, indulgence, treats like granolas that are freshly made with premium and natural ingredients in a variety of local flavours you can't resist. Founded in 2016, Merry Me comes from the idea of ice-cream bringing joy in every meal and has been designing unique concept stalls of local-inspired ice-cream flavours like Gula Melaka and Teh Tarik.

Imagine working out under a spectrum of lights and reaping the benefits of the energy-giving properties of light. Space Studio is a modern workout space that connects the art of lights and sound with the physical practice of movement. They will be offering their membership and yoga packages with an attractive discount during the bazaar.

The Hub developed by Selangor Dredging Berhad is a 2.51-acre freehold mixed-use commercial development comprising of 13 low-rise retail offices and 276 signature suites in a 44-storey tower. The Hub also offers public spaces such as promenade, sheltered courtyards, signature water features and landscape that aim to create a nurturing and conducive environment for people to work in.

Located in the trendy and youthful part of Seksyen 19 Petaling Jaya, The Hub lets you experience a stylish lifestyle and youthful energy on one side, and the best of Petaling Jaya’s charms, classic rustic food and good old fashioned values on the other. As to accessibility to the rest of the Klang-Valley, The Hub is close to 3 major highways – SPRINT, LDP and the Federal Highway.

The Hub is also an outdoor art gallery that uses the landscape as a soothing backdrop for birds to perch on trees, flowers to awaken your sense of smell, and water features to tickle your ears. Every now and then, you will encounter works of art and sculptures that double up as seats, to stimulate your mind as well as to offer relaxation.

Kindly download pictures from this link: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/fc4d1b839
5d90a718ca2b0992b0260c720200304032123
/4c94b0489e0a7cd2622a5f52295982be20200304032123/2fae07

About Selangor Dredging Berhad (SDB)
Starting off as a tin mining company, SDB is now mainly focused on property development, property management and hotel operations. Our brand promise “Driving Excellence, Building Lifelong Relationships” sums up what we strive to do – driving excellence in terms of products and services to build a lifelong relationship with purchasers, hotel guests and all stakeholders.

SOURCE: Selangor Dredging Berhad (SDB)

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=36881

PICOMS INKS COLLABORATIONS WITH 6 INDONESIAN INSTITUTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- PICOMS International University College has entered into collaborations with 6 institutions in Indonesia to host a Global Mobility (Inbound) 2020 programme (GM2020) starting from Feb 22 till March 8 2020.

PICOMS Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Wan Mohd Azizi Wan Sulaiman said the programme aims to provide international exposure to PICOMS students, enhance a shared heritage, and facilitate information and technology exchange between participating institutions.

It is the perfect platform to promote PICOMS and the integrated learning system in Malaysia, he said in a statement today.

Some 66 students and 16 chaperones are participating in the programme. They come from higher learning institutions such as Gunung Rinjani University, West Nusa Tenggara; Muhammadiyah Ciamis Health High School, West Java; Bima High School & Linguistics Centre, Nusa Tenggara; Bima Economics High School, West Nusa Tenggara; Bandung Polytechnic, West Java, and Medica Farma Husada Mataram Polytechnic in Nusa Tenggara.

The programme seeks to instil self-confidence and self-esteem, and promote cultural assimilation in the students. It also serves to promote the local tourism and hospitality industry via field visits to medical facilities such as hospitals and student laboratories, Prof. Dr. Wan Mohd Azizi said.

GM2020 was initiated by Prof. Dr. Wan Mohd Azizi in pursuance of the 10 PICOMS Transformation Plans which call for establishing collaborations with other higher education institutions and smart partnerships with industry players.

The programme also features a Science and PICOMS Management 2020 (PICOMSAM) Symposium held on March 3, 2020 in conjunction with the International Conference on Science, Technology and Management 2020 (InSTEM).

Apart from PICOMS Chairman Prof. Dr. Abdul Latiff Mohamed, symposium speakers included, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Salleh bin Mohamed Yassin, Prof. Dr. Wan Mohd Azizi who presented his paper on The Resurgence Of Traditional Malay Medicine Between Bomoh And Therapist, while Doni Setiawan from the M. Biotech Muhammadiyah Ciamis Health Education High School, Indonesia touched on Thalassemia Beta Minor Screening in High School Students in Ciamis.

Meanwhile PICOMS FEST 2020 on March 4, 2020 targets to boost the capabilities of small and medium-size enterprises, enhance community cooperation, and raise awareness on the needs of today’s children.

It aims to enlighten the Indonesian students with educational programmes that comprised of practical demonstrations, cultural exhibition and sales, forum management and education sharing, Information Day, aerobics demonstration, and musical performance by local artistes.

PICOM Fest 2020 will be staged in the Main Hall at PICOMS campus in Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur from 8.30am to 5.00pm. It is open to the public.

SOURCE: PICOMS International University College

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=36890

SUN LIFE MALAYSIA TAKAFUL RAMPS UP EFFORTS IN SPRINT TWO OF RACE FOR COVER: TOWARDS TAKAFUL 2020

Efforts to reduce the protection gap and raise the penetration rate of the Family Takaful segment in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 2 (Bernama) -- Sun Life Malaysia Takaful Berhad (Sun Life Malaysia Takaful) continues to empower more Malaysians to achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives with its firm support towards Sprint 2 of the Race for Cover Towards Takaful 2020 (RFCTT 2020) Programme (July - December 2019) organised by the Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA).

As one of the leading players within the Bancatakaful space, Sun Life Malaysia Takaful has been intensifying its efforts to communicate the importance of Takaful in achieving financial security. These efforts tied in seamlessly with RFCTT 2020’s objectives to create sustained awareness to all Malaysians and ensure an increased take up rate of Family Takaful coverage.

For Sprint 2, Sun Life Malaysia Takaful focused on SunLink Istismar Plus Plan, a regular contribution investment-linked Takaful plan with the option to add on critical illness coverage. Distributed via its bancatakaful partner CIMB Islamic Bank, more than 1,000 contracts were issued during the 6-month programme period. The outstanding achievement of Sprint 2 was a 300% increase from Sprint 1 (July – December 2018) where over 320 contracts were issued for its Takaful Mulia plan which provides protection, savings and spiritual fulfilment.

Chief Executive Officer of Sun Life Malaysia Takaful, Muhammad Fikri Mohamad Rawi said, “Sprint 2 of RFCTT 2020 was to encourage Malaysians to obtain protection to stem against the rising healthcare cost. In 2018, our medical and health insurance market recorded the highest average medical inflation at 15.4% and hence, it’s crucial for Malaysians to ensure they have adequate health protection for future peace of mind.”

“Besides distribution efforts, our strong awareness programmes and exceptional client service led to the encouraging response to our SunLink Istismar Plus Plan, which comes with Takaful Multiple Pay Critical Illness Benefit Rider to offer our Clients additional coverage for critical illnesses on top of death and Total and Permanent Disability (TPD),” Fikri added.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=36859

Advantest's virtual tradeshow next week shares valuable technical, market data

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 -- Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier, Advantest Corporation will organise a virtual tradeshow on March 10 and 11 to share valuable technical and market data with customers worldwide.

The tradeshow would not risk attendees’ exposure to potential illness from the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a statement.

Using web conferencing, technical experts from Advantest will present the newest semiconductor-testing technologies and best practices as well as interact with strategic partners, current and potential customers.

In addition, the online forum will feature talks on the state of the industry and the market outlook from two senior executives of SEMI, the global industry organisation representing the electronics-manufacturing supply chain.

The tradeshow will feature presentations by an international array of nine speakers sharing their expert insights in various languages. To promote the broadest use of the information presented, sessions will be presented in English, Mandarin Chinese and Korean.

Each session will be interactive, providing audience members with opportunities to ask questions. The sessions will be recorded and posted online for continued reference following the two-day event.

All sessions will be streamed. It is recommended that audience members listen to the audio via computer speaker instead of via phone. More details at www.advantest.com.

-- BERNAMA

MANULIFE INSURANCE BERHAD PROVIDES SPECIAL COVID-19 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CUSTOMERS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Manulife Insurance Berhad (MIB) has announced that the company is providing a special financial assistance to customers diagnosed with COVID-19. This financial assistance is on top of the company’s recent announcement on 31 January 2020 stating that customers who are seeking treatment related to COVID-19 within Malaysia will be covered by the company’s medical plans. The company will also waive the 30-day waiting period for medical policies issued or reinstated before 30 January 2020 and extend the grace period to 90 days for policyholders who are diagnosed with COVID-19. MIB’s enhanced protection benefits support the Malaysian government’s effort in dealing with the evolving COVID-19 situation. Starting from 26 Feb 2020 until 30 June 2020, MIB customers who are diagnosed with COVID-19, and kept in quarantine in any Ministry of Health Malaysia’s designated hospitals will be provided with daily benefit of RM200 per day for up to 30 days. In the case of loss of life due to COVID-19, an additional lump sum amounting to RM10,000 will be provided. The lump sum amount given due to loss of life is offered to customers and their immediate family members (parents, spouse & children up to age 18). MIB appreciates the high risk medical personnel face amidst a public health outbreak. An additional RM5,000 lump sum will therefore be given on top of the RM10,000, if the loss of life due to COVID-19 happens to a medical staff who works in a registered hospital in Malaysia. More information on this special financial assistance is made available in our website, www.manulife.com.my. “As a company that is committed to doing the right thing and helping make decisions easier and lives better for our customers, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and look for ways to further support our customers,” said Manulife Insurance Berhad Chief Executive Officer, Lee Sang Hui. About Manulife Malaysia Manulife Holdings Berhad is part of Canada-based Manulife Financial Corporation. Through its subsidiary companies, Manulife Malaysia offers an innovative range of financial protection, health and wealth management products and services to meet different customer needs. Manulife Malaysia currently serves the needs of over 270,000 policyholders and wealth management customers. Manulife Holdings Berhad has been listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia since 1984. As at 31 December 2019, its assets under management were over RM11 billion. To learn more about Manulife Malaysia, visit: www.manulife.com.my. http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=36848

CYBERSECURITY GUARANTEES BRAND POWER -- ONWARD SECURITY'S AI-BASED PRODUCTS WIN 7 AWARDS IN INTERNATIONAL CYBERSECURITY COMPETITION

CYBERSECURITY GUARANTEES BRAND POWER -- ONWARD SECURITY'S AI-BASED PRODUCTS WIN 7 AWARDS IN INTERNATIONAL CYBERSECURITY COMPETITION

Mary Kay-SPICE partnership spices up sustainable packaging future

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 -- Mary Kay Inc, a cosmetic industry leader in corporate and social responsibility has joined the Sustainable Packaging Initiative for Cosmetics (SPICE), along with 17 current member organisations including Hermes, Chanel, Coty and Estee Lauder.

The initiative is to guide sustainable packaging policies, drive packaging innovation and meet consumer’s expectations on understanding the environmental performance of products, according to a statement.

“Together with SPICE and other industry leaders, Mary Kay is firmly committed to building a future that’s healthier, greener and more sustainable for generations to come,” said Mary Kay’s Procurement and Supplier Development vice-president, Keith Learn.

Co-founded by L’Oréal and Quantis in 2018, SPICE will develop and publish business-oriented methodologies and data to support resilient decision making to improve the environmental performance of the entire packaging value chain.

These developments will be the result of collective working sessions where members will share experience and knowledge for the benefit of the initiative and eventually to cosmetics packaging sustainability achievements on a grand scale.

Joining SPICE is just the latest in a series of steps Mary Kay has taken to continue its commitment to sustainability. In 2018, the company opened the Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing/R&D Center in Lewisville, Texas which functions as a Zero Waste to Landfill facility.

More details at https://www.marykay.com/

-- BERNAMA

​AM BEST REVISES OUTLOOKS TO NEGATIVE FOR GENERAL INSURANCE CORPORATION OF INDIA

​AM BEST REVISES OUTLOOKS TO NEGATIVE FOR GENERAL INSURANCE CORPORATION OF INDIA

Energous receives regulatory approval for WattUp wireless charging technology in Japan

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 -- Energous Corporation, the developer of revolutionary wireless charging 2.0 technology WattUp®, has received regulatory approval for its WattUp Near Field wireless charging technology in Japan.

“Having secured regulatory approval for our WattUp wireless charging technology in Japan is a major regulatory milestone for Energous. This opens the door to sell WattUp-enabled products in a major Asia Pacific market,” said Energous Corporation's president and chief executive officer, Stephen R. Rizzone.

Energous’ WattUp wireless charging technology underwent testing by independent, accredited test labs and was determined to be compliant with all regulatory requirements in Japan, according to a statement.

“With this breakthrough, Energous continues to show progress in advancing its WattUp technology to meet the needs of partner and customer companies,” said Dinesh Kithany, lead industry analyst, wireless power and power supply at Omdia.

Some of the benefits of Energous’ WattUp technology for manufacturers include a small footprint allowing WattUp to be integrated into products of various form factors, as well as orientation freedom and 90-degree angle support.

To date, Energous has secured regulatory approval for its WattUp wireless charging technology in numerous countries. The company anticipates it will receive regulatory approval in additional markets later this year.

More details at https://energous.com.

-- BERNAMA