​S BLOCK 1000 PAX INTERSTELLAR QUANTITATIVE SUMMIT CONVENES IN BANGKOK

BERN, Switzerland, Aug 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- On August 21st, "S BLOCK Interstellar Quantitative Summit" officially convened in Bangkok, Thailand!

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190825005035/en/

 

Interstellar Quantification Assists S BLOCK to be Further Technologized

S BLOCK is a brand-new multi-currency, cross-chain technology wallet from Switzerland, which jointly issued by S BLOCK foundation, Cloud Capital, Top Line, DAF, Stanford Blockchain Research center, MIT Media Lab and Cambridge Financial Alternative Center. Since its launch on June 15, it has bring an generous revenue of 6-15% per month for its millions of users.

Interstellar quantification is S BLOCK's biggest source of revenue. Interstellar quantification is to realize timely capital exchanges with the quantification team under the agreement of Interstellar loan contract, so as to enlarge the capital scale at the fastest speed and lock up trading opportunities addition, S Block also allocates its funds to 30 top quantification companies in the world, so as to maximize profits and minimize risks.

Launch of Super Node---MasterNodes, to Truly Realize Benefit Sharing

S BLOCK super node MasterNodes was also officially launched at the summit, aiming to truly realize benefit sharing within the platform.

POS consensus mechanism is faster, cheaper, and more power-efficient, as a result, more than 80% types of tokens are running POS. And Staking is definitely the main way for miners to make money, so they are getting together to build a “mine pool”. The mechanism of MasterNode is to gather scattered coins from users and turn them into POS nodes of the public chain, so as to share profits within the contributors of the mining pool.

Lease of Data Processing Unit, realize S BLOCK powerful service performance

The S BLOCK Data Processing Unit was also officially launched at the summit. Processor leasing and revenue sharing is the first module of the S BLOCK lightning project, which also plays a role in accelerating the construction of the public chain. Through the lightning project, S BLOCK will build an unique ecosystem and create a new powerful cross-chain public chain. More and more cutting-edge technologies and superior services will be launched to achieve S BLOCK's powerful service performance!

In addition, senior leaders of S BLOCK explained its future blueprint and global ecological layout to all guests and members.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190825005035/en/

Contact
SBLOCK FOUNDATION PTE. LTD
Jennifer Bialek
contacts@sblock.com 
www.sblock.com

Source : SBLOCK FOUNDATION PTE. LTD

--BERNAMA

QUEQI MEDIA CULTURE: CHINA-THAILAND STRATEGIC COOPERATION STARTS THREE NEW GROWTH POINTS FOLLOWING TOURISM

BEIJING, Aug 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- After extending landing visa’s free policy, Thailand planned to offer “one-year free visa” to Chinese tourists.

According to Thailand media reports, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports recently submitted a bill to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth to introduce a one-year free visa policy for Chinese and Indian tourists. The move was aimed at stimulating the development of Thailand’s tourism industry as a whole and striving to achieve a tourism revenue of 3.4 trillion baht.

Earlier, Piphat said the lasting impact on Thailand’s tourism development, including economic problems, foreign tourists’ confidence problems, the appreciation of the Thai baht, Chinese tourists’ suspension of travel to Thailand. Therefore, the department planned to introduce a one-year free visa policy and replace the free visa on arrival policy that expires on October 31, 2019.

Not only does Thailand want to boost tourism exchanges with China, the relationship between China and Thailand has been stable. In recent years, with the in-depth development of Sino-Thai relations, the cooperation between the two sides has gone far beyond tourism and agricultural trade. China hopes not only that Thailand will become more prosperous, but also that Thailand will become safer and more innovative. China-Thailand cooperation is moving towards three more strategic areas.

The first is military security cooperation. The long-term stability of China-Thailand relationship has enabled the two countries to form a firm strategic mutual trust. In the future, China and Thailand are expected to carry out more extensive military equipment cooperation, including supporting Thailand in building its own military industry chain and jointly developing weapons and equipment.

The second is medical cooperation. In August 2019, the China-Thailand Joint Research Institute of Natural Medicine held an opening ceremony in Bangkok, which will help promote the health cooperation between the two countries and the industrialization of natural medicines.

Finally, cooperation in scientific and technological innovation. The implementation of protectionism by the U.S. in the field of science and technology has brought about new changes in global science and technology cooperation, while Thailand, due to its political neutrality, will play a more important role in the future.


Contact

Yu.Ji
media.yu@foxmail.com
www.queqicn.com

Source : Queqi Media Culture Co., Ltd

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35323

​MINOR DKL FOOD GROUP (THE COFFEE CLUB) AND INMOMENT TO PRESENT AT CX SINGAPORE 2019

—InMoment hosts leading Australian food franchisor in showcasing how customer experience intelligence is driving company success

SINGAPORE, Aug 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- This week at Forrester’s CX Singapore 2019, InMoment, the leader in Experience Intelligence (XI), will host a session with Minor DKL Food Group, the owner of The Coffee Club, in presenting “The Real Work of Turning CX Insights into Results.” Taking place on 28 August in Singapore, the event will bring together some of the world’s best customer experience thought leaders, technology providers, and professionals.

Minor DKL is a leading food franchisor and owner of several brands, such as The Coffee Club, Ribs & Rumps Restaurants, and Coffee Hit franchises, totaling 450 restaurants throughout 11 countries, with more than 8,000 staff members and an annual turnover at approximately $550 million. Stephen Hazard, COO of Minor DKL, will explain how Minor DKL has successfully operationalised key CX insights that have led to impressive business results.

“By way of listening to and learning from our customers, as well as leveraging experience intelligence, we are progressing to become the most customer connected brand in the world,” said Hazard. “Minor DKL and The Coffee Club are humbled to be among the top CX leaders and professionals at this reputable event.”

“Minor DKL truly is an incredible example of not only being customer-minded, but actually taking action on the intelligence it uncovers,” said Kristi Knight, CMO of InMoment. “It’s proving to be a leader both in the competitive restaurant industry, as well as in the realm of CX as a whole.”

About InMoment
InMoment™ is the leader in Experience Intelligence (XI), helping organizations deliver more beneficial and memorable experiences in every moment. The company’s cloud-native XI Platform is engineered with data science at the core, featuring three clouds that work seamlessly together to give businesses a comprehensive understanding of the most important factors impacting the bottom line: Customer Experience (CX) Cloud, Employee Experience (EX) Cloud, and Market Experience (MX) Cloud. InMoment’s technology, coupled with its deep domain knowledge in experience design and delivery, help more than 500 of the world’s leading brands in 95 countries attract, excite, and retain their most profitable customers and most valuable employees.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190825005011/en/

Contact
Stephanie Creer 
screer@inmoment.com

Source : InMoment

--BERNAMA

AM BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF FOUNDATION LIFE (NZ) LIMITED

SINGAPORE, Aug 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Foundation Life (NZ) Limited (FLNZ) (New Zealand). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect FLNZ’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The company’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalization that was at the strongest level as of fiscal year-end 2018, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). A partially offsetting balance sheet factor remains the company’s moderate-sized absolute capital base, which exposes capital adequacy to volatility in the event of stressed scenarios, including sudden and severe movements in interest rates. The balance sheet assessment also factors in a neutral holding company assessment, following a review of Foundation Life (NZ) Holdings Limited (FLNZH), which owns 100% of FLNZ. While AM Best views the financial leverage of FLNZH as elevated and interest payments historically have been covered by the upstreaming of earnings from FLNZ, any inability to continue to provide such support is not expected to result in pressure from the parent or the ultimate shareholders.

FLNZ has a track record of reporting adequate operating performance, with post-tax profits reported in each of the past five years (fiscal-years 2014-2018). Despite this, dampened earnings were recorded over the past two years, driven by increasing costs associated with Project Scholar (a process aimed at developing a scheme of arrangement proposal for policyholders) and reducing economies of scale, as the company’s business continues to diminish in size.

AM Best views the company’s business profile as limited given its position as a run-off life insurer and its moderate scale of operations in New Zealand. The company is at an advanced stage of developing a scheme of arrangement proposal for its policyholders, as part of Project Scholar. This would see existing FLNZ policyholders offered a cash buyout option, replacement cover from another New Zealand life insurer, or a combination of both. The proposed scheme remains subject to internal, regulatory, legal and policyholder approvals. If successfully implemented, FLNZ is expected to cease insurance activities.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.

Copyright © 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190823005212/en/

Contact
Yi Ding 
Financial Analyst 
+65 6303 5021 
yi.ding@ambest.com

Myles Gould 
Director, Analytics 
+65 6303 5020 
myles.gould@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey 
Manager, Public Relations 
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy 
Director, Public Relations 
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644 
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source : AM Best

--BERNAMA

​32 LEADING GLOBAL FASHION AND TEXTILE COMPANIES MAKE COMMITMENTS ON CLIMATE, BIODIVERSITY AND OCEANS

• 32 global fashion and textile companies have signed a Fashion Pact
• They have committed to achieving practical objectives together in three areas: climate, biodiversity and oceans
• Representatives of these companies have been invited today at the Elysée Palace by French President Emmanuel Macron
• The Fashion Pact will be presented to heads of state during the G7 meeting at Biarritz

PARIS, Aug 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ahead of the G7 meeting at Biarritz from August 24-26, French President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Labour Muriel Pénicaud, and Deputy Minister of Ecological and Solidary Transition Brune Poirson, has invited to the Elysée Palace representatives of the 32 fashion and textile companies who have launched the Fashion Pact by his side.

In April 2019, ahead of the G7 meeting, Emmanuel Macron had given François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kering  (Paris:KER), a mission to bring together the leading players in fashion and textile, with the aim of setting practical objectives for reducing the environmental impact of their industry.

In a historic move, given the scale and importance of the coalition that has been created, 32 leading companies from the fashion and textile industry have given themselves a set of shared objectives in the form of a Fashion Pact. The coalition includes groups and brands in Luxury, Fashion, Sports and Lifestyle, along with suppliers and retailers, all of whom are already involved in separate environmental strategies.

To date, the coalition comprises (in alphabetical order):

ADIDAS, BESTSELLER, BURBERRY, CAPRI HOLDINGS LIMITED, CARREFOUR, CHANEL, ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA, EVERYBODY & EVERYONE, FASHION3, FUNG GROUP, GALERIES LAFAYETTE, GAP Inc., GIORGIO ARMANI, H&M GROUP, HERMES, INDITEX, KARL LAGERFELD, KERING, LA REDOUTE, MATCHESFASHION.COM, MONCLER, NIKE, NORDSTROM, PRADA GROUP, PUMA, PVH Corp., RALPH LAUREN, RUYI, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO, SELFRIDGES GROUP, STELLA MCCARTNEY, TAPESTRY.

The Fashion Pact’s objectives draw on the Science-Based Targets (SBT¹) initiative, which focuses on action in three essential areas for safeguarding the planet:

• Stop global warming: by creating and deploying an action plan for achieving the objective of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in order to keep global warming below a 1.5°C pathway between now and 2100.

• Restore biodiversity: by achieving objectives that use Science-Based Targets to restore natural ecosystems and protect species.

• Protect the oceans: by reducing the fashion industry’s negative impact on the world’s oceans through practical initiatives, such as gradually removing the usage of single-use plastics.

These commitments are designed to be embraced by every company involved and backed by cross-sector initiatives, along with the deployment of innovation accelerators.

Private companies, working alongside nation states, have an essential role to play in protecting the planet. With the Fashion Pact, some leading players in the fashion and textile sector are joining forces for the first time to launch an unprecedented movement. A collective endeavor by its nature, the Fashion Pact is open to any company that wants to help to fundamentally transform the practices of the fashion and textile industry, and to meet the environmental challenges of our century.

Read the full text of the Fashion Pact

¹ The aim of the SBT initiative is to match companies’ objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the data provided by climate science.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190823005065/en/

Contact

Press 
Emilie Gargatte
+33 (0)1 45 64 61 20
emilie.gargatte@kering.com

Emmanuelle Picard-Deyme
+33 (0)1 45 64 61 87
emmanuelle.picard-deyme@kering.com

Source : Kering

--BERNAMA

PURECIRCLE LAUNCHES BRANDED GOURMET ICE CREAM IN CHICAGO. SWEETENED WITH STEVIA. ZERO ADDED SUGAR.

'PureCircle' Ice Cream Demonstrates Great Taste
And Capabilities of Company’s Next Generation Stevia Leaf Sweeteners

PureCircle Partners With JDRF 
Which Supports Type 1 Diabetes Research.

CHICAGO, Aug 21 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PureCircle (LSE: PURE), the world’s leading producer and innovator of stevia sweeteners, is launching a great-tasting branded gourmet ice cream with zero added sugar and sweetened with its next generation stevia leaf sweeteners.  Based in Chicago, the company is debuting the new ‘PureCircle’ ice cream in its hometown at the end of August.  It will initially be distributed around the city via ‘PureCircle’ ice cream trucks.

PureCircle’s next generation stevia sweeteners, like Reb M, are an important break-through.  They have a clean, sugar-like taste, contain no calories and are plant-based.  They work extremely well in dessert products like ice cream and in a wide range of beverage and food products.  That means beverage and food companies – seeking to reduce sugar and calories -- can offer consumers zero- and low-calorie products, sweetened with our plant-based stevia sweeteners.

Several health organizations suggest consumers reduce added sugar in their diets.  For example, the U.S. Government, in its Dietary Guidelines, urges “an eating pattern low in added sugar.”  With no added sugar, PureCircle ice cream helps consumers adhere to that eating pattern.  It also helps with calorie reduction.  PureCircle’s vanilla ice cream, for example, contains less than half the calories of one of the leading full-calorie branded vanilla ice creams, while having the creamy taste characteristic of gourmet ice creams. And as it sweetened with stevia, our ice cream contains no artificial sweeteners.

PureCircle’s new ice cream will be available initially in four flavors: vanilla, chocolate, coffee and salted caramel.  There will also be a vegan fruit-flavored dessert.  The new PureCircle ice cream offerings will be available in 5.3-oz mini-cups and pints at launch.

Initially, the PureCircle Ice Cream will be sold via food trucks circulating in and around Chicago.  In addition, the company plans to offer ice cream products for sale to restaurants, ice cream parlors, hotels and other foodservice outlets; plus the company will offer to sell stevia-based ingredient blends to producers of ice cream sold at retail and in foodservice.

The launch of the new ice cream – with the company’s name on the labels -- demonstrates PureCircle’s confidence in the great taste of its next generation stevia sweeteners.  The capabilities of these sweeteners and the company’s unique expertise in formulating with them are what make possible the new delicious ‘PureCircle’ ice cream.

Commenting on the launch of PureCircle Ice Cream, PureCircle CEO Maga Malsagov said:

“We have worked hard to develop and commercialize our next generation stevia leaf sweeteners.  To demonstrate our confidence in their great taste, we are putting our name on this delicious ice cream.  We hope consumers – and our customers – will drop by PureCircle Ice Cream trucks to savor what our next generation stevia can do in food and beverage products.”

PureCircle has overcome the past challenges facing stevia leaf sweeteners: taste, supply and cost.  The company’s next generation non-GMO stevia sweeteners have a clean, sugar-like taste and work well across multiple consumer product categories. And PureCircle has ramped up its ability to supply the next generation sweeteners, like Reb M, in the large quantities that food and beverage companies require – and cost effectively to them.

The importance of stevia sweeteners to the beverage and food industries is growing, evidenced by its increased use.  Last year, the number of new products launched using stevia globally grew +31%, according to Mintel. That was roughly three times the growth rate in 2017.  Over the last decade, stevia has been used in more than 20,000 beverage and food launches.  Many large and small food and beverage companies globally utilize PureCircle stevia in their low- and zero-calorie products due to its great taste.

In connection with the launch of the new ice cream, PureCircle has partnered with the Illinois chapter of JDRF, which funds research, advocates for government action and provides support to fight type 1 diabetes.  Recognizing the healthy attributes of PureCircle’s zero-added sugar ice cream, JDRF will help PureCircle educate its members about this new product and will provide PureCircle opportunities to sample and sell the ice cream at certain JDRF events.  For example, JDRF is inviting the PureCircle ice cream trucks to provide product, coupons and promotional items at its One Walk Events in late September and early October. PureCircle will also be the “official dessert sponsor” at JDRF’s One Dream Gala in Chicago at the end of the year. PureCircle has pledged to help support JDRF’s work.

For information on the new PureCircle Ice Cream on the internet, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, please use the following links:

Internet: https://www.purecircleicecream.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PureCircleIceCream
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/purecircleicecream/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/pcicecream

Media may direct inquiries to:

Jackson Pillow, Media Relations Manager
Email: jackson.pillow@purecircle.com  Phone: +1 (630) 256 8394

About PureCircle

• PureCircle is the only company that combines advanced R&D with full vertical integration from farm to high-quality, great-tasting innovative stevia sweeteners.
• The Company collaborates with farmers who grow the stevia plants and with food and beverage companies which seek to improve their low- and no-calorie formulations using a sweetener from plants.
• PureCircle will continue to: lead in research, development and innovation; produce a growing supply of multiple varieties of stevia sweeteners with sugar-like taste, using all necessary and appropriate methods of production; and be a resource and innovation partner for food and beverage companies.
• PureCircle stevia flavor modifiers work in synergy with sweeteners to improve the taste, mouthfeel and calorie profile, and enhance the cost effectiveness, of beverage and food products.
• Founded in 2002, PureCircle is continually investing in breakthrough research and development and it has been granted over 130 stevia-related patents with more than 250 applied for patents pending.
• PureCircle has offices around the world with the global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.
• To meet growing demand for stevia sweeteners, PureCircle is rapidly ramping up its supply capability. It completed expansion of its Malaysian stevia extract facility in March 2017, increasing its capacity to rapidly supply the newer and great-tasting specialty stevia sweeteners and helping provide ever-increasing value to its customers.
• PureCircle's shares are listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.
• For more information, visit: www.purecircle.com 

About stevia

• Given the growing global concerns about obesity and diabetes, beverage and food companies are working responsibly to reduce sugar and calories in their products, responding to both consumers and health and wellness advocates. Sweeteners from the stevia plant offer sugar-like taste and are becoming an increasingly important tool for these companies.
• Like sugar, stevia sweeteners are from plants. But unlike sugar, they enable low-calorie and zero-calorie formulations of beverages and foods.
• Stevia leaf extract is a natural-based, zero calorie, high-intensity sweetener, used by global food and beverage companies as a great-tasting zero-calorie alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners.
• Stevia is a naturally sweet plant native to South America; today, it is grown around the world, notably in Kenya, China and the US.
• The sweet-tasting parts of the stevia leaf are up to 350 times sweeter than sugar: stevia's high-intensity sweetness means it requires far less water and land than sugar.
• Research has shown that the molecules of the stevia leaf are present and unchanged in the dried stevia leaf, through the commercial extraction and purification process, and in the final stevia leaf extract product. All major global regulatory organisations, across 65 countries, have approved the use of high-purity stevia leaf extracts in food and beverages.
• For more information on the science of stevia, please visit https://www.purecirclesteviainstitute.com/  

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6d6e429f-0cb6-4420-bb53-2030516198d3
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6fa55e95-79b4-4b09-a605-f0e49a3540de

Source: PureCircle

--BERNAMA

KITO ADDED TO JPX-NIKKEI MID AND SMALL CAP INDEX

TOKYO, Aug 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kito Corporation, (TOKYO:6409) (head office: Yamanashi, Japan; president: Yoshio Kito) industrial hoist and crane manufacturer, pleased to announce that in the latest periodic review, Kito was added to the list of companies that make up the JPX-Nikkei Mid and Small Cap Index for fiscal 2019 (Aug. 30, 2019-Aug. 28, 2020) by the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc. and Nikkei Inc. 
The index applies the concept of the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, comprised of highly attractive listed companies, to equities related to mid-sized and small-capital companies by selecting companies that focus on capital efficiency and investor-focused management perspectives. 
Eligible are common stocks on the TOKYO 1st Section and 2nd Section, as well as the Mothers and JASDAQ markets. Issues are screened based on criteria for global investment standards, first, quantitative factors like total market capitalization, trading value and average return on equity over the most recent three years, then scored based on qualitative factors, such as having outside directors and disclosure of financial statements in English, to select the top 200 of mid and small-sized companies. 
Kito vows to continue working to raise corporate value and build investor confidence.

For more information, visit the JPX Website: 
https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1044/20190807-01.html

Corporate Profile 
Since its founding in 1932, Kito has been a leading manufacturer of materials-handling equipment, supplying safe, high-quality products and detailed services to customers in a wide variety of industries. Kito products are employed and prized by customers in over 50 nations. For more information please visit Kito’s website at www.kito.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190819005645/en/

Contact
Tsuyoshi Oshita 
Corporate Communication Department 
Kito Corporation 
Email: pr@kito.com TEL: +81-(0)3-5908-0161

Source : Kito Corporation

--BERNAMA

​THE WE COMPANY Q2 2019 FINANCIAL RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL

NEW YORK, Aug 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- WeWork Companies LLC (the “Company”), with respect to its 7.875% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “Senior Notes”), will hold a conference call on Monday, August 26, 2019, at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time for the benefit of certain qualified participants in order to discuss the Company’s financial results for the second quarter of 2019.

Current holders and beneficial owners of the Senior Notes, bona fide prospective purchasers of the Senior Notes who are qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) or non-U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933), securities analysts, and market-making financial institutions may gain access to the call information for the conference call by registering on the Company’s secure website at investors.wework.com. Additional information about the call (including dial-in number) will be provided on the secure website.

Parties requesting access to the Company’s secure website will be required to provide certain representations and warranties confirming their status as holders or beneficial owners of the Senior Notes, qualified institutional buyers of the Senior Notes, or securities analysts or market makers and that the information provided on the Company’s secure website will be treated as confidential.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190819005545/en/

Contact
Investor Inquiries: 
Aristaia Vasilakis / Chandler Salisbury 
Investor@we.co 

Press Inquiries: 
Jimmy Asci / Gwendolyn Rocco 
Press@we.co

Source : WeWork Companies LLC

--BERNAMA

AM Best gives China BOCOM Insurance Company Limited solid rating

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘a-’ of China BOCOM Insurance Company Limited (CBIC), Hong Kong.

The stable outlook of these credit ratings reflects CBIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorised as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

It also reflects the wide range of support that the company receives as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Communications Co Ltd (BOCOM), a large state-owned banking group in China and CBIC’s strategic importance to the group.

The company has generated net operating profits consistently over the past five years, which contributed to its capital growth through full profit retention and helped mitigate capital volatility arising from changes in the market value of its investment assets.

It maintains a diversified but small underwriting portfolio in Hong Kong’s non-life market and receives extensive business development and distribution support from BOCOM’s banking network in Hong Kong, mainland China and overseas.

While positive rating actions are unlikely to occur over the near term, negative rating actions could occur if there is a substantial decline in CBIC’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, a material deterioration in its operating performance or if support from BOCOM weakens notably.

AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. More information at http://www.ambest.com.

-- BERNAMA

AM BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF TOKIO MARINE & NICHIDO FIRE INSURANCE CO., LTD. AND ITS US SUBSIDIARIES

HONG KONG, Aug 19 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa+” of Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (TMNF) (Japan) and its U.S. subsidiaries. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies.)

AM Best also has affirmed the FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICR of “aa-” of Tokio Marine Pacific Insurance Limited (TMPI) (Guam), a wholly owned subsidiary of TMNF. The outlook of these ratings is stable.

The ratings of TMNF reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, very favorable business profile and very strong enterprise risk management (ERM).

TMNF’s balance sheet strength is supported by its risk-adjusted capitalization, which is assessed at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). This is supported by a large adjusted capital base, which consists of reported capital, catastrophe loss reserves and price fluctuation reserves. While the high concentration in equity investments is the major strain on its BCAR score, the company has maintained a significant amount of adjusted capital relative to the equity price risk associated with such securities.

TMNF generated positive operating profit in fiscal year 2018, even though its underwriting performance deteriorated with a high combined ratio over 100% and an increased incurred loss ratio caused mainly by natural catastrophes. Underwriting results from overseas insurance business improved, however, which largely offset the negative impact to overall performance due to domestic natural catastrophes. Prospectively, AM Best believes TMNF’s underwriting performance will revert to a strong level.

TMNF’s business profile is diversified with operations spanning across different markets and lines of businesses. It is not only a domestic non-life market leader, capturing more than one-fourth of market share, but also has built a high-quality book of overseas insurance business successfully, with disciplined merger and acquisition strategies. AM Best believes that TMNF’s product and geographical diversification will help it navigate challenging market conditions while enhancing earnings stability over the medium to long term.

AM Best believes TMNF’s ERM program is very effective in managing its group-wide exposure to potential earnings and capital volatility, in which a sophisticated risk management framework is in place and embedded throughout the organization.

The stable outlooks reflect AM Best’s view that TMNF will continue to maintain strong business trends in its domestic non-life business and develop its overseas insurance business in a prudent manner. Negative rating actions could occur if there is a material decline in TMNF’s risk-adjusted capitalization due to a consistent deterioration in the company’s operating performance or a capital erosion from large-scale catastrophe events.

The ratings of TMPI reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. The ratings also reflect the wide range of support that TMPI receives from its parent, TMNF, as well as its affiliates, in areas including brand recognition, reinsurance cession, capital, risk management and operations.

TMPI’s risk-adjusted capitalization remains at the strongest level in 2018, as measured by BCAR, supported by high-quality assets, minimal reinsurance leverage and a conservative investment portfolio. Consistent retention of profits has grown the company’s capital and surplus steadily and organically over the past 10 years. In spite of two large-scale property/casualty losses in 2018, TMPI managed to record a positive, albeit small level of underwriting profit during that year. The company maintains a low operating expense structure and has a low product risk profile, as the majority of its revenue comes from its short-tailed group accident and health (A&H) line of business with high-frequency, low-severity claims. TMPI holds a solid leading position in Guam’s A&H market through a strong distribution partnership with its exclusive managing general agent, Calvo’s Insurance Underwriters.

Offsetting rating factors include TMPI’s concentration risk in the A&H business line. Despite the company’s sustainable competitive position in Guam’s A&H market and its active expansion in other accounts in recent years, there is business concentration in the Guam government’s health plan account, which has been a major source of revenue and is subject to renewal on an annual basis. TMPI also has a geographic concentration in Guam, where soft pricing conditions continue to pose challenges to underwriting profitability. The company is exposed to regulatory risk, as the non-renewal of its tax-exempt status, as well as uncertainties in various regulatory and industry fee requirements, add pressure to its profitability.

While positive rating actions for TMPI are unlikely over the near term, negative rating actions could occur if there is a significant deterioration in the company’s operating performance, a material decline in its risk-adjusted capitalization or a significant decrease in its A&H market share in Guam. Negative rating actions also could occur if there is a reduced level of support from TMNF.

The FSR of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICRs of “aa+”, each with a stable outlook, have been affirmed for the following subsidiaries of Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.:

• Tokio Marine America Insurance Company
• Trans Pacific Insurance Company
• TM Specialty Insurance Company
• TNUS Insurance Company

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.

Copyright © 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190816005304/en/

Contact
Maggie Wu 
Associate Financial Analyst 
+852 2827 3421 
maggie.wu@ambest.com 

Yizhou Hong 
Financial Analyst 
+852 2827 3426 
yizhou.hong@ambest.com 

Samiksha Gupta 
Financial Analyst 
+1 908 438 2200, ext. 5658 
samiksha.gupta@ambest.com 

Christopher Sharkey 
Manager, Public Relations 
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com 

Jim Peavy 
Director, Public Relations 
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644 
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source : AM Best

--BERNAMA

​STEVIE® AWARDS ANNOUNCE WINNERS IN 16TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS® FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

Business Awards Program to Celebrate Excellence Worldwide at Vienna Event

 

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug 15 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High-achieving organizations and executives around the world have been recognized as Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie® Award winners in The 16th Annual International Business Awards®, the world's only international, all-encompassing business awards program.

Nicknamed the Stevies from the Greek word for "crowned," the awards will be presented at a gala event on Saturday, 19 October at the Andaz Vienna am Belvedere Hotel in Vienna, Austria. Tickets for the event are on sale now at www.StevieAwards.com/IBA.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie winners were selected from more than 4,000 nominations received from organizations and individuals in 74 nations. All organizations worldwide are eligible to compete in The International Business Awards, and can submit entries in a wide range of categories, including management awards, company of the year awards, marketing awards, public relations awards, customer service awards, human resources awards, new product awards, IT awards, web site awards, and more.

More than 250 executives worldwide participated on 12 juries this year to determine the Stevie winners.

LLYC, a global communications and public affairs consulting firm headquartered in Madrid, Spain won 17 Gold Stevie Awards, more than any organization has ever won in a single edition of the IBAs.

Among the other top winners of Gold Stevie Awards are MSLGROUP, USA with 10; IBM, USA (nine), ASDA’A BCW, United Arab Emirates (seven); Ooredoo, Qatar (six); Thai Life Insurance Plc., Thailand (six), Dan Lok Education, Canada (five); Jeunesse Global, USA (five), PT Petrokimia Gresik, Indonesia (five); The Audacious Agency, Australia (four), Makers Nutrition, USA (four), The XD Agency, USA (four), and Zeep Medical, Australia (four).

Deutsche Post DHL, with nominations submitted by affiliates worldwide, won eight Gold Stevies and 45 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevies in total.

Other organizations with eight or more Stevie wins include Dell Technologies Ltd., worldwide; KocSistem Bilgi ve Iletisim Hizm. A.S., Turkey; PJ Lhuillier, Inc (PJLI), Philippines; Strategic Public Relations Group, China; Switching-Time, China; Ulled Asociados C.R.P. S.A., Spain; Viettel Group, Vietnam; WNS Holdings (P) Ltd., India; and Yapi Kredi Bank, Turkey. The five nations that have the most winning nominations are the United States, Turkey, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines.

A complete list of all 2019 Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners by category is available at www.StevieAwards.com/IBA.

During the week of 19 August the winners of the Best of the IBA Awards, five best-of-competition prizes, will be announced.  Winners will be determined by a tally of the total number of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevies won by organizations, and will be presented with Grand Stevie Award trophies in Vienna.

For high-resolution photos of the Stevie Award trophy or International Business Awards logo, visit http://stevieawards.com/iba/photos-and-logos. Other information and resources for press are available at http://stevieawards.com/iba/media-inquiries-news-service-list

About the Stevie® Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.

Contact
Daniel Ferguson
Marketing Coordinator
Daniel@StevieAwards.com
+1 (703) 547-8389

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f775086-79cd-4a3e-83b9-a87459c91598

Source: The Stevie Awards

--BERNAMA

TEAMS FROM TAYLOR'S UNIVERSITY MENTORED BY AMINVESTMENT BANK BERHAD SECURED TOP 2 POSITIONS IN THE INTER-VARSITY STOCK CHALLENGE 2019

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- AmInvestment Bank Berhad (“AmInvestment Bank”) is pleased that its mentees from Taylor’s University were the Champion (winning the grand prize of RM 30,000) as well as the 1st Runner-Up (prize money of RM 20,000) at the Inter-Varsity Stock Challenge 2019 (“IVSC”).  The IVSC is a three-month long interactive stock trading competition for local university students. The competition was jointly organised by N2N, an integrated e-commerce securities trading solutions provider, with the support of AmInvestment Bank and three other securities firms. “Congratulations to both teams for clinching the Top 2 placings in the Stock Challenge.  We are delighted to have played a major role in their winning performance and hope that the invaluable experience gained by all the participating teams in this competition will give them a strong foundation in share investments”, said Gan Kim Khoon, Executive Vice President, Head of Equity Markets, AmInvestment Bank Berhad. Seohan Soo, Chief Executive Officer, AmInvestment Bank Berhad commented, “This Inter-Varsity Stock Challenge is a good platform to raise awareness of stock market investing and promote financial literacy amongst millennials who are the next generation of investors. We hope to continue to be part of such events in the future.” A total of 787 teams from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Multimedia University and Taylor’s University participated in the Inter-Varsity Stock Challenge. The teams were put to the challenge of achieving the highest returns from investments with a virtual initial investment capital of RM100,000 each.  Apart from demonstrating the ability to maximise investment returns, they were also required to demonstrate a sound understanding of investment principles and strategies. AmInvestment Bank took the initiative to organize an industry mentorship with a total of six workshops, led by our Joseph Chai Lipe Tatt, Head of Retail Research, AmInvestment Bank Berhad.  The success of the top two winning teams can be attributed to Joseph Chai as he took these students under his wings and provided both guidance and feedback throughout the competition. “The event was an excellent opportunity to introduce the stock market industry, especially Bursa Malaysia and how stock trading works, to students. Not only were they hardworking, the students showed off their creativity in the game by unleashing their potential in stock trading, albeit in a virtual environment. It was exciting to witness the students’ growth in different ways and how they executed various strategies in order to win the competition. The final results showed that they have exceeded all expectations and I believe that we should introduce this competition in more universities as it would allow students to learn and practice in a risk-free environment, providing an avenue to nurture their interest and develop their talent in stock trading,” said Joseph Chai.   About AmBank Group AmBank Group is a leading financial services group with over 40 years of expertise in supporting the economic development of Malaysia. We have over three million customers and employ over 9,000 people. The Group was listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia in 1988. It is the sixth-largest banking group by assets in Malaysia, with a market capitalisation of around RM13.7 billion and assets of RM158.8 billion as at 31 March 2019. AmBank Group serves over three million individual and corporate customers. It provides services in wholesale banking, retail banking, business banking, investment banking and related financial services which include Islamic banking, underwriting of general insurance, stock and share broking, futures broking, investment advisory and management services in assets, real estate investment trust and unit trusts. For more information, please visit www.ambankgroup.com    Source: AmBank Group

UNITED SIKHS aids suspected hate crime victim in Washington DC

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- The UNITED SIKHS legal team is assisting the family of an elderly Sikh following a report today that he encountered several brutal attackers at his home during what was suspected to be a hate crime.

According to details provided by the family, the victim’s home in the Washington DC area was now a bloody crime scene.

The victim, known only as ‘Mr. Singh’ sustained a fractured cheek bone and other bodily injuries requiring emergency surgery.

Following the report, UNITED SIKHS has notified the local authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The family is currently working with the police to identify the perpetrators, who are at large.

“These are monsters that prey on elderly people and are desperate,” said Singh's daughter.

Since October last year, the family allegedly received threats from the Walden Palms Home Owners Association to sell 22 units from their real estate portfolio in Orlando, Florida.

According to the family, the threats included notes, phone calls and in-person conversations with association members who were reported to have repeatedly stated: "You better sell, or else" and "Watch your back."

UNITED SIKHS will continue to make public updates on the situation as developments unfold. Anyone with information on Singh's attackers are urged to call the Montgomery County Police Department at (301) 279-8000.

-- BERNAMA

​TRITON DIGITAL IS ONE OF THE FIRST TO RECEIVE THE IAB TECH LAB PODCAST MEASUREMENT SEAL OF COMPLIANCE

NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Triton Digital^®, the global technology and services leader to the digital audio and podcast industry, announced today that it is among the first companies to secure the IAB Tech Lab Podcast Measurement Compliance verification.

Triton’s Podcast Metrics is a powerful tool for analyzing how, when and where podcast content is being consumed across multiple hosting platforms, with the ability to view metrics by date range, location, device, podcast name, episode, title and more.

The IAB Tech Lab Podcast Measurement Certification verifies Triton’s current metrics, provides credibility of their measurement solution, and makes them the only neutral third-party company to have a CMS/CDN agnostic solution.

In addition, this “seal of approval” extends to Triton’s Ad Server, Tap, and its measurement of impressions, downloads, and more.

“We are incredibly proud of this compliance verification and what it means for our business, and for the industry,” said John Rosso, President, Market Development at Triton Digital. “With our proven record for high quality online audio measurement, it reassures our clients and the industry that both Podcast Metrics and Tap are state-of-the-art, reliable solutions.”

About Triton Digital

Triton Digital® is the global technology and services leader to the digital audio and podcast industry. Operating in more than 40 countries, Triton provides innovative technology that enables broadcasters, podcasters, and online music services to build their audience, maximize their revenue, and streamline their day-to-day operations. In addition, Triton powers the global online audio industry with Webcast Metrics®, the leading online audio measurement service. With unparalleled integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability, Triton remains committed to connecting audio, audience, and advertisers to continuously fuel the growth of the global online industry. Triton Digital is a wholly owned subsidiary of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP). For more information, visit www.TritonDigital.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190813005634/en/

Contact
For Information, Press Only: 
Brittany O’Connor 
Triton Digital 
+514 448 4037 
Brittany.Oconnor@tritondigital.com

Source : Triton Digital

--BERNAMA

GungHo, CAPCOM jointly develop ´TEPPEN´ project

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- GungHo Online Entertainment Inc has launched ‘TEPPEN’, a smartphone game jointly developed with CAPCOM CO LTD.

‘TEPPEN’ is an ultimate card battle, created via a powerful tag-team collaboration between GungHo and Capcom.

This battle game features an original story that unfolds with brand new, impressive illustrations for each of the TEPPEN heroes and is a fusion of real-time gameplay.

TEPPEN began distribution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany and Italy on July 4 (Pacific Daylight Time).

The distribution area in Asia consists of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.

The game is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.

More details at https://teppenthegame.com/

-- BERNAMA

​REVERIE ANNOUNCES PAGE, A SUSTAINABLE FASHION MAGAZINE

NEW YORK, Aug 13 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reverie: Page is a newly-established fashion publication dedicated to the development and success of current and emerging fashion designers. Focusing on sustainability and promoting consciousness while delivering an unbiases perspective of the fashion industry. Page magazine core belief is to bring back the vivacity and alluring nature a fashion magazine once held.  

“Page Magazine will be the first truly sustainable fashion magazine. Our print issues will be made to order. But most importantly, we want to provide insight into fashion that is palatable for any fashion enthusiast who wants a grounded outlook on fashion. We intend to humanize fashion wile informing and enlightening our readers.” - Cassell A. Ferere, Editor-in-Chief.

In an age where pop culture is just as important as world-culture, the dissemination of content is changing, Page aims to produce beautifully stunning content that pleases the reader ascetically. Page provides a fresh, insightful take on fashion, lifestyle and culture. The Magazine’s website reveriepage.com, will provide a new perspective of the entire fashion industry. Page editors are focused on interviews about the internal dialogue of a person more than their external markers of success. Page believes success is often the closing chapter of an individual’s professional story. Reverie: Page is interested in the beginning and the middle chapters of someone’s story, this is often where people struggle, learn and grow.

Besides offering brands a way to connect with an audience through integrated storytelling, page magazine exists to inform and inspire our readers. The quarterly print magazine will feature engaging informative exclusive content covering fashion, Sustainability, and pop culture.

Page Magazine has chosen to offer order-to-print issues. “An authentic experience is what people crave. Order-to-print issues will show our audience how authentic and creative we are.” - Joseph Benjamin, Publicist & OCD.

Page Magazine is a unit of Reverie, a small diversified media and information company. An Online and print fashion magazine that produces content in the areas of, Events & Entertainment and Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle. If you would like more information, please email Joseph Benjamin Publicist & Creative Director at Jbenjamin@reverie-page.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be289bee-c5ee-4a66-9329-980b457669b6

Source: Page Magazine

--BERNAMA