Tuesday, 1 July 2025

NETWORK OUTAGES COST GLOBAL FIRMS MILLIONS ANNUALLY - EXPEREO

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- Global businesses are facing significant financial losses due to network instability, with 28 per cent reporting revenue declines of up to US$5 million and another 23 per cent exceeding that figure, according to the latest findings from an IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Expereo. (US$1=RM4.19)

Titled “Enterprise Horizons 2025: Technology Leaders Priorities: Achieving Digital Agility”, the report highlights the mounting toll of network outages or poor performance on enterprise operations, with nearly half (49 per cent) of global organisations re-evaluating their technology infrastructure in response to recent high-profile information technology (IT) disruptions.

As a result, networking and connectivity has emerged as the top investment priority for global businesses over the next 12 months, cited by 43 per cent of respondents, ahead of cybersecurity (38 per cent) and artificial intelligence (AI) (37 per cent).

Expereo Chief Executive Officer, Ben Elms said to drive a sustainable competitive advantage, connectivity is no longer an IT concern; it is a strategic business imperative.

“As organisations adopt new AI solutions, network performance must be prioritised at the same level as cybersecurity and AI, or businesses risk falling behind,” he said in a statement.

Last year, AI led the rankings at 42 per cent, followed by cybersecurity (37 per cent) and networking and connectivity (35 per cent), reflecting a shift in urgency among technology decision-makers.

The study found that 27 per cent of businesses consider inadequate network and connectivity performance a direct threat to growth plans, while 45 per cent said it is limiting their ability to scale data and AI initiatives. Only six per cent of businesses believe their networks are fully equipped to support AI without obstacles.

The report also highlights a widening skills gap, with 41 per cent of organisations struggling to hire or retain cybersecurity professionals, followed closely by networking talent (39 per cent).

In response, 45 per cent of businesses plan to increase reliance on external partners, including vendors and managed service providers, to bridge critical gaps in network capability.

-- BERNAMA

GLOBAL SWF EVALUATES SOVEREIGN INVESTORS; NINE FUNDS SET BENCHMARK

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- Global SWF has published the sixth edition of its annual Governance, Sustainability, and Resilience (GSR) Scoreboard, assessing 200 of the world’s largest Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) and Public Pension Funds managing a collective US$29.4 trillion across 80 countries. (US$1=RM4.19)

The 2025 report, widely considered the global benchmark for best practices among State-Owned Investors (SOIs), is based on 25 different elements that are answered binarily based only on public information.

Global SWF Founder and Managing Director, Diego López emphasised the scoreboard’s role in promoting global standards.

“Our GSR Scoreboard is the only annual, independent assessment of best practices for SOIs. The nine perfect scorers of 2025 prove that excellence is achievable across diverse regions and mandates,” he said in a statement.

The report revealed a flat average GSR score of 61 per cent, with sustainability performance showing modest improvement while governance scores declined slightly due to growing transparency issues.

Geopolitical tensions and shifting trade dynamics have overtaken sustainability as top concerns for the leadership of sovereign investors, with many institutions becoming increasingly inward-focused and opaque, according to the report.

Despite these trends, several funds maintained high marks. Temasek Holdings, BCI, and the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation were among those recognised for consistent leadership in governance, transparency, and responsible investing.

The report also highlighted growing commitments to net zero goals, though only 35 per cent of the 200 funds analysed have set clear targets.

Regional disparities persisted, with North America, Europe, and Oceania outperforming peers in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The full report is available at www.globalswf.com/reports/2025gsr and will be officially presented during a live event in Singapore on July 8.

-- BERNAMA

HCLTECH, OPENAI INK STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO ACCELERATE ENTERPRISE AI TRANSFORMATION

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- HCLTech has entered into a multi-year strategic collaboration with OpenAI to accelerate large-scale enterprise adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).

In a statement, the global technology company said it is among the first strategic services partners to OpenAI, leveraging the latter’s leading AI products alongside HCLTech’s industry expertise and applied AI capabilities.

Through this partnership, HCLTech will embed OpenAI’s models and solutions across its proprietary platforms, including AI Force, AI Foundry, AI Engineering and industry-specific accelerators to support end-to-end enterprise AI transformation.

HCLTech Global Chief Technology Officer and Head of Ecosystems, Vijay Guntur said the collaboration reinforces the company’s engineering heritage and commitment to delivering transformative AI solutions for Global 2000 enterprises.

Meanwhile, OpenAI Chief Commercial Officer, Giancarlo ‘GC’ Lionetti said HCLTech’s AI engineering capabilities set the stage for scalable innovation and enhanced customer experiences.

This deep integration will support clients in modernising business processes, enhancing customer and employee experiences and identifying new growth opportunities, spanning the full AI lifecycle, from readiness assessments to large-scale deployment, governance and change management.

HCLTech will also implement ChatGPT Enterprise and OpenAI’s application programming interfaces (APIs) internally to equip its global workforce with secure, enterprise-grade GenAI tools.

-- BERNAMA

Thursday, 26 June 2025

MINERVA BIOTECHNOLOGIES UNVEILS BREAKTHROUGH TO ENHANCE STEM CELL TREATMENTS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Minerva Biotechnologies has published a study in the journal PLOS ONE detailing findings that could resolve long-standing debates in the scientific community regarding the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human stem cell differentiation and pluripotency.

The study, titled “The Wnt pathway induces a naïve-like subpopulation in primed stem cells, while NME7AB leads to a homogeneous naïve-like population”, offers new insights into how stem cell states can be more effectively manipulated for therapeutic applications.

“These data represent a major breakthrough for the large-scale, GMP-compliant manufacture of patient-derived MSCs for therapeutic uses.

“This approach will replace the current practice of sourcing MSCs from bone marrow donors, whose profiles are often unknown or unverified,” said its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cynthia Bamdad in a statement.

Minerva researchers found that activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, in the absence of other growth factors, created two distinct cell populations—naïve OCT4+ XaXa cells surrounded by differentiating OCT4- XaXi cells.

While activation of the β-catenin pathway prior to or during differentiation enhanced outcomes for primed stem cells, it did not affect NME7AB-induced naïve state stem cells.

The study also found that homogeneous populations of naïve stem cells induced by recombinant NME7AB demonstrated superior differentiation potential compared to their primed counterparts.

Notably, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated and expanded in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-compliant minimal media using NME7AB as the sole growth factor differentiated efficiently into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Minerva’s resulting MSCs resisted senescence and showed the ability to differentiate into highly pure populations of chondrocytes, osteoblasts and adipocytes—cell types crucial for the repair or regeneration of cartilage, bone and fat tissues.

-- BERNAMA

Bitget Powers India Blockchain Tour in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Mumbai


NEW DELHI, June 26 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has joined the 2025 edition of the India Blockchain Tour (IBT) as the exclusive “Powered by” partner for the Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai chapters. The collaboration brings a sharper focus to blockchain education and real-world applications across three major cities through curated networking and knowledge-sharing events in the second half of the year.

Organized by Octaloop, IBT 2025 will span eight cities and feature key voices across policy, investment, development, and product. Hyderabad (June 28), Ahmedabad (July 13), and Mumbai (August 3) will serve as the core cities supported by Bitget, with each stop designed to bring together a local mix of talent and curiosity. Interactive sessions, product showcases, and discussion forums will create an accessible entry point into blockchain technology and digital assets, particularly for students, developers, and working professionals.

"India is a key market for us. Whether it’s working with regulators or engaging directly with blockchain developers, we’re actively building here. As one of the top global exchanges, we see this tour as an opportunity to meet people on the ground and strengthen the trust that drives long-term growth," said Jyotsna Hirdyani, Head of South Asia at Bitget.

This multi-city roadshow marks a return to on-ground activation for Bitget in India, building on the success of its 2023 “India Learns Crypto” initiative. That campaign launched with packed meetups in Delhi and Mumbai, drawing hundreds of attendees and leading to sustained community interest in educational forums. The Delhi session alone brought together over 140 participants, while the Mumbai event hosted over 300. Featuring a blend of speaker panels, partner collaborations, and open Q&A, the series gained traction as a trusted forum for blockchain learning.

India’s role in the global crypto and blockchain landscape continues to expand—marked by growing developer activity, rising user interest in self-custody and DeFi, and increasingly visible local startup innovation. The tour provides a natural format to channel this momentum into more structured learning and collaboration, while offering platforms for emerging voices and projects to gain visibility.

The choice of Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai reflects a broader pattern in India’s web3 evolution. These cities are known for their concentration of technical universities, strong fintech ecosystems, and a rising number of first-time blockchain users. Engaging them through direct, city-level programming allows for a sharper local pulse—one that online campaigns often miss.

As the tour continues across India through the end of the year, Bitget’s participation aims to serve as a touchpoint for those seeking practical exposure to blockchain—beyond market cycles. With a focus on accessibility and relevance, the collaboration intends to build tangible outcomes for the people who will shape India’s next wave of digital innovation.

To join us on the tour, please visit here.

About Bitget

Established in 2018, Bitget is the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin priceEthereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World's Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2825994b-e83a-4a7f-9249-25191557f84a 

SOURCE: Bitget Limited

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.

Tuesday, 24 June 2025

TOSHIBA BEGINS SAMPLE SHIPMENTS OF SMART MOTOR CONTROL DRIVER FOR AUTOMOTIVE USE

Toshiba: TB9M001FTG, the second product in the Smart Motor Control Driver “SmartMCD™” series.


KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has commenced sample shipments of “TB9M001FTG”, marking the second addition to its Smart Motor Control Driver (SmartMCD) series.

The microcontroller in the SmartMCD integrates a relay driver function and a local interconnect network (LIN) transceiver and is capable of driving relays and controlling two brushed DC motors, making it well-suited for automotive applications.

In a statement, Toshiba said the advancement aligns with the growing trend of automotive electrification, which demands higher performance, enhanced functionality, and more compact and efficient systems.

The TB9M001FTG features four built-in low-side drivers, enabling forward and reverse control of two brushed DC motors, alongside two high-side drivers for power supply purposes.

It also includes a built-in Arm Cortex-M0 core microcontroller, high-capacity flash memory, and a power supply system compatible with standard automotive battery levels.

All functionalities are integrated into a compact VQFN48 package (7×7 millimetres), supporting downsized designs.

Toshiba’s new driver is ideal for controlling components such as power sunroofs, electric wipers, power windows, and power seats, as well as various sensors and actuators.

Its LIN transceiver allows communication with a main ECU, enhancing its use as a secondary device across a range of automotive functions.

The company plans to continue expanding its SmartMCD lineup to further support system downsizing and reduction of component counts in automotive applications.

-- BERNAMA

Friday, 20 June 2025

OMS REPORTS GROWTH, EXPANSION AHEAD OF FIRST EARNINGS CALL




KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- OMS Energy Technologies Inc (OMS), a manufacturer of surface wellhead systems (SWS) and oil country tubular goods (OCTG), has issued a business update ahead of its inaugural earnings call following its successful Nasdaq listing in May 2025.

The company's expanding customer base, growing talent pool, and continued investment in research and development (R&D) are positioning OMS for long-term success, according to a statement.

Its Chief Executive Officer, How Meng Hock said OMS enters the public market with a solid foundation, supported by strong partnerships, manufacturing capabilities, and prudent financial management. 

OMS recently secured a letter of award from Grupo Simples Oil for SWS in Angola’s Onshore Kwanza Basin, expanding its presence in West Africa. In Indonesia, new clients such as PT Seleraya Belida and Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga are contributing to sales growth, while PTTEP in Thailand renewed its three-year contract effective July 1.

Long-standing partnerships continue to anchor the company’s revenue stream. A 10-year agreement with Saudi Aramco is expected to generate between US$120 million and US$200 million annually. OMS also maintains a strong supply relationship with Halliburton, with steady order volumes from its Malaysia and Singapore operations. (US$1=RM4.24)

With 11 manufacturing facilities across six countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Indonesia, OMS is strategically positioned in key oil and gas regions. The company’s localisation strategy supports eligibility for government tenders while enriching its workforce through local hiring and compliance with Saudi Arabia’s IKTVA and Indonesia’s TKDN requirements.

In product innovation, OMS invested US$1.1 million in additive manufacturing (AM) R&D to develop a metallic seal for its high-pressure-high-temperature (HPHT) gate valves. The project has completed its initial proof-of-concept phase and is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency and material selection.

OMS continues to collaborate with institutions such as the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SIMTech) to advance its R&D efforts. Its delivery performance under long-term contracts with Saudi Aramco and Halliburton remains strong, supported by balanced manufacturing capacity and strategic facility locations.

The company prioritises workplace safety and environmental compliance, holding ISO 9001, API Q1, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001 certifications across all manufacturing sites. It recently completed its annual surveillance audit, reinforcing its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments.

Development initiatives include joint efforts with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and SIMTech, covering energy efficiency, lifecycle analysis and digital innovation. OMS is also exploring acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances to diversify revenue streams and support long-term growth.

-- BERNAMA