Compass

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- North Atlantic France has raised the price of its mandatory tender offer for the shares of North Atlantic Energies it does not already own to 75 euros per share. (1 Euro = RM4.54) The company said in a statement that the increase followed in-depth discussions with the independent expert, Ledouble SAS. On Nov 28, 2025, North Atlantic France completed its acquisition of 82.89 per cent of the share capital and voting rights of Esso S.A.F., since renamed North Atlantic Energies, at 26.19 euros per share. It had initially set the offer price at 28.93 euros per share. The company also reaffirmed its June 8, 2026, statement that it would not seek a squeeze-out procedure, under which remaining minority shareholders would be compelled to sell their shares as part of the offer. The offer, made under the simplified procedure, will be filed with France’s financial markets regulator, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), in November 2026. The offer documentati...

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct 26 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, BitAuto has successfully concluded its China-Malaysia Automotive Cultural Exchange Tour, strengthening its connection with Malaysian consumers and advancing its commitment to the local market. Held under the theme “Heading South - Setting Off Again After 100,000 Kilometres”, the programme brought together a cross-border drive, automotive cultural visits, community gatherings, and a public showcase. Led locally by BitAuto’s Malaysian team, it united BitAuto’s original content team, Tiandi Studio and creators from Tengyi Technology’s new media organisation with Malaysian media, content creators and car enthusiast communities. Combining automotive storytelling with first-hand vehicle experiences, the tour introduced BitAuto to a wider Malaysian audience. Coverage of the journey, strong participation from local enthusiasts and sustained interest at the public showcase helped deepen the brand’s understanding of the market ...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Henley & Partners’ new data showed a rising interest in additional residence and citizenship rights among wealthy families in some of the world’s most established countries, as political, regulatory and social volatility sharpened the focus on resilience and future optionality. To date this year, the company has assisted clients from over 100 nationalities across 50-plus residence and citizenship country options, with more than a third of applicants already living outside their countries of origin. “Families have long understood the value of diversifying their investments; increasingly, they are applying the same principle to where they have the right to live, work and build their lives,” said Henley & Partners chief executive officer, Dr Juerg Steffen. According to Henley & Partners in a statement, the changing geography of demand is particularly striking. United States (US) nationals remain the firm’s largest source nationality, while the...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Diplomats from Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan and Iraq toured Hangzhou in east China from Oct 17 to 19, visiting an ancient archaeological site, technology exhibitions and a university. According to a statement, the delegation was invited by Haiwainet, part of People’s Daily, as part of the Zhejiang Tour for diplomatic envoys. Chile’s Ambassador to China, Alfonso Silva said he was impressed by the Liangzhu civilisation and described the site as “a great heritage of which the Chinese people must be proud”. The visit began on Oct 17 at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, which marks the 90th anniversary of its discovery this year. At the Liangzhu Museum and the Liangzhu Archaeological Site Park, the diplomats viewed jade cong, stone yue axes, earthen embankments and rice fields from the 5,000-year-old civilisation. On Oct 18, the delegation visited exhibitions in Hangzhou’s new urban centre featuring local technology companies, including th...

A robot performs music at the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, Guangxi. KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Nearly 100 preliminary artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation agreements worth around two billion Chinese yuan were reached in Nanning during the recently concluded 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), including more than one billion Chinese yuan in planned cooperation with ASEAN countries. The expo’s new AI marketplace featured more than 70 companies displaying over 500 products, from large AI models and AI chips to AI glasses and intelligent robots, generating transactions worth over 28 million Chinese yuan (around US$3.9 million). (US$1 = RM4.08). Nanning, the capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and permanent host of CAEXPO, is home to 1,552 AI-related companies, accounting for 57.3 per cent of Guangxi’s total, according to a statement. ArcherMind Technology has set up its ASEAN headquarters in the city, with its robots used in schools in ASEAN countries including...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- SECO, the automotive parts brand of Seojin Automotive, is marking its 60th anniversary this year, highlighting six decades of commitment to quality, durability, safety and competitive value. SECO has built its reputation as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplier to global carmakers, as well as for aftermarket parts designed to meet the needs of distributors, workshops and other end users. According to a statement, SECO Aftermarket offers a broad range of replacement parts covering key vehicle systems, including clutches, brake pads, suspension, shock absorbers, constant velocity (CV) joints, bearings and ignition parts. By combining broad product coverage with a focus on durability and safety, the company aims to support efficient vehicle maintenance and long-term customer satisfaction. The company’s aftermarket portfolio is designed to meet the evolving needs of automotive service and distribution networks, offering businesses a competitive...

  DUBAI, United Arab Emirates and WUHU, China, Oct 21 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In November, LEPAS, Chery Auto’s Premium NEV brand, will officially enter the Middle East market, with its full NEV product portfolio making its first collective appearance in the Gulf. The LEPAS L8 PHEV will launch progressively in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and other markets. Alongside its vehicles, LEPAS will present designs and collaborative initiatives developed for the region, bringing its vision of elegant mobility to local customers. Expanding the Global Footprint with Middle East Entry For LEPAS, 2026 marks the “Year of Elegant Delivery.” Since its European debut during Milan Design Week in April, LEPAS has continued to expand its global presence. Preorders for the LEPAS L8 have begun in several European countries, while deliveries of the LEPAS L6 and L4 continue in Southeast Asia and other regions. Entering the Middle East will mark another step in this expansion, introducing ne...

World Maritime Equipment Conference 2026 opens in Fuzhou, Fujian FUZHOU, China, Oct. 20, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/-- On October 16, the World Maritime Equipment Conference 2026, hosted by the People's Government of Fujian Province, opened in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. Held alongside the conference, the 4th Fujian International Maritime Equipment Expo attracted over 800 domestic and overseas enterprises, showcasing more than 7,000 marine equipment items and technological innovation achievements. With the annual theme of "Green, Smart and Collaborative: Navigating a Shared Blue Ocean", this year's conference aims to promote an in-depth integration of green concepts and intelligent technologies, focus on innovation-driven upgrading of the maritime industry, jointly build a new green and intelligent maritime ecosystem, and center on high-efficiency coordination between upstream and downstream links of the industrial chain as well as close synergy among industry, academia, ...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Chery Auto’s premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand LEPAS will take its L6 EV on its first global drive from Shanghai on Oct 19, as the electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) expands beyond Thailand, where it launched in July. The LEPAS Global Elegance Drive will see 34 Elegant Driving Ambassadors from 15 countries take the L6 EV on a two-day, one-night journey from Shanghai to Wuhu. The drive marks the official opening of the inaugural LEPAS Global Elegant Lifestyle Week, held during the 2026 Chery International User Summit. According to a statement, the route covers city streets, intercity highways, lakeside roads and winding mountain routes, testing the vehicle across varied road conditions. The ambassadors will assess the L6 EV’s power response, driver assistance, ride comfort, range and charging performance. Bends and changing gradients along the route will test its handling, while parking in unfamiliar locations will test its intelligent parking as...

A bittersweet farewell to Bayview Beach Resort Penang as it embarks on a new chapter as Ascott Batu Ferringhi Penang Resort   KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Ascott Malaysia is embarking on transforming and rebranding three long-established Bayview properties in Penang and Langkawi into three distinct hospitality offerings, supported by an estimated reinvestment of approximately RM210 million and a phased reopening planned from early 2028. The strategy sees Bayview Beach Resort Penang rebranded as Ascott Batu Ferringhi Penang Resort, Bayview Hotel Georgetown become Oakwood Georgetown Penang and Bayview Hotel Langkawi become Fox Hotel Langkawi. Together, the three properties represent 989 rooms across Penang and Langkawi and reflect a focused strategy of matching the three brands to suit their destinations and respective guest needs. Ascott Batu Ferringhi Penang Resort will be Malaysia’s first beachfront resort under Ascott’s flagship brand. Set along the golden beach of Batu Fe...

  BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ABB Bank’s transformation journey has become the subject of a case study at IE Business School, one of the world’s leading business schools. The case study, developed by IE Business School Professor Antonio Zabaleta Moreno, is titled “ABB Bank’s Next Frontier: Choosing the Scope and Path of Growth.” It presents the Bank’s successful strategic and digital transformation in recent years, the implementation of an Agile operating model at ABB Bank, its technological modernization, and AI-driven development priorities as a real-world business case for students. The case study covers ABB Bank’s journey from the challenging circumstances it faced in 2016 to a new stage of development achieved through transformation, as well as the Bank’s strategic goals for 2026–2028. In developing the case, Professor Antonio Zabaleta Moreno referred to a number of tangible indicators demonstrating the success of ABB Bank’s transformation. One such in...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Holafly, the global leader in eSIMs for travellers, has launched its Ultra Plan, a new subscription tier combining unlimited mobile data, health and wellbeing services, and help with travel disruptions. Part of Holafly Plans, Ultra is aimed at travellers on the go, such as digital nomads, students abroad and frequent travellers, and is intended to help them look after their health while abroad, the company said. Ultra was developed after Holafly’s own research found that 47.5 per cent of frequent and long-stay travellers surveyed had delayed or avoided medical care abroad despite feeling they needed it. Separate research by MBO Partners found that 23 per cent of American digital nomads cited travel burnout as a challenge, while 19 per cent pointed to loneliness. “Being able to work from anywhere does not mean everyday worries disappear. Getting sick, feeling overwhelmed or dealing with a cancelled flight can be harder when you are far from familiar sup...

Elite women cyclists gear up for three-stage Tour of Chongming Island. KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The Tour of Chongming Island, a premier elite women’s multi-stage road cycling race, concluded on Oct 11, bringing together elite cyclists, amateur riders and fans for a celebration of sport, sustainability and local culture. According to a statement, the event also forms part of the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with riders competing for valuable qualification points. The race opened on Oct 9 with the 110.4-kilometre Chongzhong Stage, a city circuit race, followed by the 129.4-kilometre Chongdong Stage on Oct 10. The second stage started at Changxing Island Country Park and passed through the centre of Chenjia Town in Dongpatan, a popular section among riders in previous editions. The race concluded on Oct 11 with the 108.6-kilometre Chongxi Stage. Across the three stages, professional teams competed for the overall title and distinctive leader’s jer...

HONG KONG, Oct 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On 29 September 2026, Capital Magazine announced the winners of the Capital Merits of Achievement in Banking and Finance 2026. Going International Asset Management Limited received the Capital Excellence Fund Award in recognition of its financial technology innovation, leading quantitative strategy research and development capabilities, and solid fund performance. The honor affirms Going Asset’s strength in asset management and reflects market recognition of its technology-driven approach to business development. Organized by leading financial publication Capital Magazine, the awards recognize financial institutions that have made outstanding contributions to the development of Hong Kong’s financial sector. Winners are selected through a rigorous assessment of criteria including overall performance, service quality and reputation. Joseph Chan Ho-lim, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administra...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Chongqing is accelerating its rise as an international consumption centre, drawing global visitors with its unique landscape, industrial strength and open, inclusive retail environment. According to a statement, the city’s total retail sales of consumer goods reached 1.67 trillion Chinese yuan in 2025, ranking first among Chinese cities, while it welcomes more than 500 million visitors a year. (100 Chinese yuan = RM61.01) Chongqing has topped China’s night-economy rankings for four consecutive years. Its strong manufacturing base, which includes new-energy vehicles, motorcycles and laptops, continues to fuel the consumer market. More than 2,800 domestic and international brands and over 2,000 first stores have established a presence in Chongqing, including 325 Fortune Global 500 companies that chose the city as their first stop in western China. The integration of commerce, culture and tourism continues to attract international travellers. Yangtze Rive...

  Caption: Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas is the newest family vacation delivering summer 2026 adventures to Europe ahead of its grand Caribbean debut from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2026. Vacationers can go all in on bold experiences like the most dining at sea with 28 options, new entertainment, and more ways to thrill, chill and stay. Royal Caribbean research reveals strong interest among Malaysians in experiencing multiple European destinations in one holiday MALAYSIA, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Europe remains high on the travel wish list for Malaysians, with many looking to experience more of the continent in a single holiday. New research commissioned by Royal Caribbean reveals strong interest in multi-destination cruising as a way to explore Europe with greater ease and less travel-related hassle.    According to a YouGov* survey commissioned by Royal Caribbean, 70% of Malaysians are interested in exploring Europe through a multi-destination cruise, high...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Jeppesen ForeFlight has unveiled the first of hundreds of planned artificial intelligence (AI) agents for Jeppesen ForeFlight Airflow, its Aviation Operating Intelligence platform, aimed at helping airlines improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and support decision-making. The platform, introduced as the company’s agentic AI strategy in July, allows customers to use Jeppesen ForeFlight’s agents, third-party tools or their own agents, or combine them according to their operational needs. Customers can also determine the level of automation while retaining human oversight of decisions. “Our industry is unique in terms of the safety, efficiency, comfort and global regulations required to fly passengers and cargo. “Jeppesen ForeFlight Airflow is an aviation-grade platform that every operator can adopt at their own pace and level of automation,” said Jeppesen ForeFlight chief executive officer, Brad Surak in a statement. Built on over 90 years of avia...

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- NTT DATA, a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), digital business and technology services, has launched “Intact, intelligent action”, a global initiative aimed at encouraging people and organisations to translate sustainability commitments into action, with Antarctica as its first focus. As part of the initiative, 12 NTT DATA employees will join polar explorer Robert Swan and more than 60 business and community leaders on the 2041 Leadership on the Edge expedition from Nov 25 to Dec 2. The expedition aboard the Magellan Explorer will take participants to the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands, where they will explore leadership, climate policy, sustainability and innovation, with a focus on applying commitments to practical action. NTT DATA began working with Swan in 2022 and appointed him as its Sustainability Ambassador in 2025. The upcoming expedition will be the final Antarctica expedition that Swan personally organises and leads. NT...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- MidOcean Energy (MidOcean), a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company formed and managed by EIG, has concluded its 2026 equity capital raise, securing more than US$4 billion of closed and pending commitments over the last 12 months. (US$1 = RM4.08) In a statement, the company said the raise included commitments from new strategic and institutional investors, as well as significant re-ups from existing investors, with the capital committed significantly exceeding MidOcean’s original target of US$2 billion. MidOcean Chairman and EIG Chief Executive Officer (CEO), R. Blair Thomas said the progress achieved in this capital raise represents a major milestone for MidOcean and supports its strategy of building a scaled, diversified and resilient global LNG platform. “We believe LNG will continue to play an essential role in supporting energy security and global economic growth, and that MidOcean is well positioned to benefit from these long-term market fundamental...

    Leveraging K-POP’s global fandom to promote Korean seafood worldwide Four campaign videos showcasing the unique appeal of Korean flatfish, oysters, GIM (Korean dried laver), and abalone   SEOUL, South Korea, Oct 2 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) --  South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) is launching a global K-Seafood campaign to raise awareness of Korean seafood and its diverse appeal amid K-food’s growing global popularity. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260920912792/en/ The campaign leverages the global recognition and influence of K-Culture to position K-Seafood as a distinctive brand. ZEROBASEONE , a K-POP group with a worldwide fandom, has been selected as the featured artist to introduce its appeal to global consumers. Under the slogan “ Give it a Kick, Dive into K-Seafood, ” the campaign delivers a clear, memorable message to establish a strong global brand identity. Fou...