EDGECONNEX BREAKS GROUND ON AI-READY HYPERSCALE CAMPUS IN GREATER OSAKA

Sam Lee, Managing Director, Market & Commercial Development for EdgeConneX APAC performing the ground‑breaking ritual during the Shinto ceremony.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- EdgeConneX, a pioneer in global Build-to-Suit and Build-to-Density data centre solutions, has commenced development of its first 200-megawatt (MW), artificial intelligence (AI)-ready data centre campus in Greater Osaka.

The milestone project, in partnership with Kagoya Asset Management, reinforces the company's commitment to the Japanese market and aims to meet the region’s growing demand for secure, resilient, and advanced digital infrastructure.

“Breaking ground on our first data centre campus in Japan is a landmark moment for EdgeConneX and a significant step in our strategy to bring advanced, AI-ready infrastructure to this critical market.

“With a combined 350MW of capacity planned for the Greater Osaka region, we are well-positioned to support the next wave of cloud and AI adoption, helping to establish Osaka as a top destination for cutting-edge IT infrastructure,” said EdgeConneX Managing Director, Market & Commercial Development APAC, Sam Lee.

Meanwhile, Kyotanabe City Mayor, Takashi Kamimura welcomed the project, expressing confidence that the facility will contribute to the regional economy and support sustainable community development.

According to EdgeConneX in a statement, the new hyperscale campus will span 130,000 square metres, with a 200MW power capacity, and is located approximately 30 kilometres from Osaka’s central business district.

The first phase is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2028, following the company’s January 2025 market entry and local team expansion.

Designed for high-density AI workloads, the Osaka campus will feature a liquid-cooling-capable architecture offering flexibility, modularity, and mission-critical resilience. The facility will fully comply with Japan’s stringent building and seismic codes to ensure operational reliability.

-- BERNAMA

MALAYSIA HEALTHCARE STRENGTHENS ENGAGEMENT IN BANGLADESH AHEAD OF MALAYSIA HEALTHCARE WEEK IN DHAKA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Bangladesh’s medical travel landscape is evolving as patients increasingly explore alternative destinations for specialised treatment abroad. For many years, Bangladeshi patients travelled primarily to India for medical care due to its proximity and established referral pathways. However, recent visa restrictions affecting Bangladeshi travellers have disrupted this long-standing treatment corridor, prompting patients and healthcare facilitators to explore new healthcare destinations across the region.

In response to this shift, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) is strengthening its engagement with Bangladesh as part of the ongoing initiatives under the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 (MYMT 2026), which was officially launched in July 2025. Guided by its “Healing Meets Hospitality” positioning, Malaysia Healthcare brings together internationally accredited hospitals, specialised medical expertise and patient-centred care to offer Bangladeshi patients a trusted destination for quality treatment abroad.

As part of these efforts, Malaysia Healthcare will bring its healthcare ecosystem closer to Dhaka through Malaysia Healthcare Week in Dhaka, a series of engagements designed to connect Bangladeshi healthcare facilitators, travel partners and prospective patients directly with Malaysia’s leading medical institutions. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration, build referral networks and enhance awareness of Malaysia as a trusted medical travel destination. Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry continues to demonstrate strong growth and international confidence. In 2025, the sector generated RM3.34 billion in healthcare travel revenue and welcomed 1.84 million healthcare travellers, reflecting Malaysia’s strong reputation as a leading medical travel destination in the region. This growth underscores the country’s ability to deliver high-quality care supported by internationally accredited hospitals, advanced medical technologies and a patient-centred healthcare ecosystem.

Hence, Malaysia Healthcare’s engagement in Dhaka seeks to further strengthen ties with Bangladesh’s growing medical travel ecosystem. By connecting local healthcare facilitators and industry partners with Malaysian hospitals, the initiative aims to expand referral networks and increase access for Bangladeshi patients seeking trusted healthcare options abroad. Mr. Suriaghandi Suppiah, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, said Malaysia is committed to strengthening healthcare collaboration with Bangladesh as demand for quality medical care abroad continues to grow.

“Bangladesh remains an important market for Malaysia Healthcare, and we are seeing growing interest from Bangladeshi patients seeking trusted and high-quality treatment overseas. We also congratulate Bangladesh on the formation of its new government and look forward to strengthening Malaysia–Bangladesh relations under the new Prime Minister's leadership. Healthcare and medical tourism present strong opportunities for collaboration between our two countries. Through initiatives such as Malaysia Healthcare Week in Dhaka, we aim to bring Malaysia’s healthcare ecosystem closer to local partners and patients, strengthen referral networks, and showcase Malaysia’s medical expertise and patient-centred care. As part of the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 initiatives, Malaysia continues to expand healthcare collaboration across the region while ensuring patients have access to reliable, high-quality and compassionate care,” added Suriaghandi.

Demand for overseas medical care among Bangladeshi patients remains strong, driven by the need for specialised procedures, advanced medical technologies and faster access to treatment. Complex areas such as cardiology, oncology, organ transplantation, and advanced surgeries continue to drive outbound medical travel, with patients increasingly comparing regional healthcare destinations, including Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Within this competitive landscape, Malaysia offers a compelling value proposition that combines internationally trained specialists, modern healthcare infrastructure and competitive treatment costs. Strong air connectivity between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur, supported by multiple daily flights, further enhances Malaysia’s accessibility for Bangladeshi patients and their families seeking reliable healthcare abroad.

As Malaysia drives the momentum of the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 (MYMT 2026), initiatives such as Malaysia Healthcare Week in Dhaka reflect the nation’s commitment to bringing the spirit of “Healing Meets Hospitality” to patients and partners across the region. By combining high-quality medical care with Malaysia’s renowned warmth, compassion and cultural understanding, Malaysia Healthcare continues to strengthen cross-border healthcare collaboration while building enduring partnerships that expand patient access to trusted treatment and elevate healthcare standards across the region.

About Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council

Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), established in 2009 under the purview of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is entrusted with developing and nurturing the “Malaysia Healthcare” brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates, and promotes Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. With 80 member hospitals nationwide, MHTC continues to elevate the healthcare travel ecosystem through strong branding, seamless patient experiences, and strategic market initiatives. In line with these efforts, MHTC is spearheading the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, the nation’s first dedicated year to celebrate and advance healthcare travel. MYMT 2026 serves as a milestone initiative to showcase Malaysia’s world-class healthcare offerings, strengthen its position as the premier global healthcare destination, and highlight the industry’s significant contribution to the national economy.

More information can be found at https://malaysiahealthcare.org/.

SOURCE: Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi
Head, Communications
Tel: +603 8776 6168
Email: shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my

Name: Muhammad Rasydan Ma’at
Asst. Manager, Communications
Tel: +603 8776 6168
Email: rasydan.m@mhtc.org.my

--BERNAMA

Bitdeer Launches SEALMINER DL1 Air: Achieving 149 J/GH Power Efficiency and 25 GH/s for Scrypt Mining

 

SINGAPORE, March 17 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) (“Bitdeer” or the “Company”), a world-leading technology company for AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure, today announced the launch of its latest self-developed mining machine, the SEALMINER DL1 Air. Optimized for the Scrypt algorithm, the DL1 Air provides a robust, industrial-grade solution for professional operators, supporting a range of coins headlined by Litecoin (LTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE).

By leveraging Bitdeer’s proprietary ASIC technology, the DL1 Air focuses on long-term operational stability and advanced power management to meet the growing demand for high-efficiency mining hardware. 

Key Specifications of the SEALMINER DL1 Air*:

• Hash Rate: 25 GH/s
• Power Efficiency: 149 J/GH
• Power Consumption: 3725W
• Supported Coins: Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Bellscoin (BELLS), Junkcoin (JKC), Luckycoin (LKY), and Pepecoin (PEP)

The DL1 Air features three distinct operating modes—Normal, High Hashrate, and a proprietary Low Power Mode—allowing operators to seamlessly tailor performance to their environment. While the Normal and High Hashrate settings balance stable output with energy efficiency, the Low Power Mode offers a strategic advantage for cost optimization or navigating grid constraints. In this mode, the hashrate can reach 20.5 GH/s, with power efficiency further optimized to 136 J/GH.

The unit inherits the validated SEALMINER Air Cooling architecture, featuring compact dimensions of 197 × 365 × 292 mm and a net weight of 15.5 kg for ease of maintenance and high-density deployment.

The SEALMINER DL1 Air underscores the Company’s commitment to technical excellence and transparency across the Scrypt ecosystem. Bitdeer will continue to uphold the principles of "Innovation, Efficiency, and Stability,” offering global miners higher-quality and more reliable products and services.

*Note: Product performance may vary by ±5% in hashrate and power efficiency, and ±10% in power consumption. Final specifications are based on the delivered units.

About Bitdeer Technologies Group

Bitdeer is a world-leading technology company for AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure. Bitdeer is committed to providing comprehensive Bitcoin mining solutions for its customers and building AI computational infrastructure to support the AI revolution. Bitdeer handles complex processes involved in computing such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, data center design and construction, equipment management, and daily operations. Bitdeer also offers advanced cloud capabilities to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore, Bitdeer has deployed data centers across multiple countries, including the United States, Norway, Bhutan, and Ethiopia. 

About SEALMINER

SEALMINER, a pioneering brand of mining machines under Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR), specializes in offering efficient and sustainable mining solutions. SEALMINER integrates Bitdeer's self-developed SEAL series of mining chips manufactured using advanced process nodes. By continuously improving power efficiency ratios, SEALMINER is dedicated to providing innovative, efficient, and reliable products and services to customers worldwide. To learn more, visit https://www.bitdeer.com/ or follow Bitdeer on X @BitdeerOfficial and LinkedIn @Bitdeer.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the expected performance, efficiency, deployment, mining output, or potential returns relating to Bitdeer’s products. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in cryptocurrency market prices, network difficulty and global hash rate, mining pool performance, electricity costs, operating conditions, regulatory developments, supply chain constraints, technological performance of the products, as well as potential risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Bitdeer’s annual report on Form 20-F, as well as those discussed in Bitdeer’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond Bitdeer’s control. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate after its publication date.

Contacts

For Promotional Partnerships
marketing@bitdeer.com
For Sales Consultations
sales@bitdeer.com

Public Relations
pr@bitdeer.com
Investor Relations
tesh.dahya@bitdeer.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99ce2e9f-69cc-46b5-bce8-2697790af1da 

SOURCE: Sealminer 

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.

AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of Energas Insurance (L) Limited

SINGAPORE, March 13 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “a-” (Excellent) from “a” (Excellent) of Energas Insurance (L) Limited (ENERGAS) (Malaysia). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from negative.

The ratings reflect ENERGAS’ balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. In addition, the ratings factor in neutral impact from the parent company, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), which is the national oil and gas company of Malaysia.

The rating downgrades reflect a trend of deterioration and increased volatility in ENERGAS’ operating performance in recent years, with higher-than-expected frequency of large losses resulting in large underwriting deficits for the company. Underwriting performance in 2025 remained negatively impacted by adverse loss experience, soft market conditions and reserve strengthening, although ongoing portfolio remediation measures are expected to support earnings recovery over the medium term. Investment performance remains as a robust positive contributor to overall earnings and is expected to remain as a key contributor to the company’s bottom line over the medium term.

ENERGAS’ balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which is expected to be at least at the very strong level over the medium term. AM Best views ENERGAS’ investment portfolio as conservative, with a majority of investments allocated to cash and deposits, and the remainder invested in good quality government and corporate bonds. The company’s high reliance on reinsurance to manage its risk accumulation is an offsetting balance sheet factor, which makes it susceptible to changes in the availability and costs of reinsurance capacity.

AM Best assesses ENERGAS’ business profile as neutral. As a single-parent captive to Petronas, ENERGAS benefits from business access to the group’s insurance risks. However, the company’s underwriting portfolio shows concentration by line of business and geography, with a significant focus on upstream and downstream energy risks located in Malaysia.

AM Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated throughout the world. For current Best’s Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive.

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 Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2026 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/20260312909965/en/

Contact

Xin Ya Ong, CA
Financial Analyst
+65 6303 5024
xinya.ong@ambest.com

Chris Lim, FCII, CFA
Director, Analytics
+65 6303 5018
chris.lim@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
al.slavin@ambest.com


Source : AM Best

SMITHS DETECTION SELLS 2,000TH HI-SCAN 6040 CTIX SCANNER

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 March (Bernama) -- Smiths Detection has announced the sale of its 2,000th HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX, a 3D X-ray scanner designed to enhance aviation security screening through high-resolution computed tomography images and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automatic detection.

The system is deployed at more than 100 airports across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and the Americas, helping improve screening efficiency and passenger flow.

In locations where regulations permit, passengers are no longer required to remove laptops or liquids from their bags, helping reduce congestion at airport security checkpoints.

“Our technology is helping airports improve passenger flow, strengthen security outcomes and stay ahead of evolving threats through intelligent, AI-enabled screening solutions.

“This exciting milestone underscores Smiths Detection’s engineering heritage, sustained investment in innovation and our commitment to creating a better passenger experience,” said Smiths Detection Vice President Commercial, Matt Clark in a statement.

The HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX has become widely adopted in aviation security, with its upgradeable platform designed to adapt to evolving threat environments while maintaining operational efficiency.

Smiths Detection will showcase the system at the upcoming Passenger Terminal Expo, where visitors can see live demonstrations of the technology and its application in airport checkpoint screening.

Smiths Detection is a global provider of threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports and borders, urban security and defence, helping enhance safety and facilitate efficient passenger movement worldwide.

-- BERNAMA

PERSONA AI APPOINTS MICHAEL PERRY AS HEAD OF COMMERCIAL STRATEGY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Persona AI, a pioneering robotics company, has appointed Michael Perry as Head of Commercial Strategy, signalling the company’s shift toward commercial deployment as it builds infrastructure to bring humanoid automation to markets such as shipyards, steel mills, and construction sites globally.

“We are building Persona to solve real problems in some of the hardest industrial environments. Now we need someone who has taken robots from the lab to the factory floor and built the commercial engine to sustain it,” said its Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Nicolaus Radford.

In his new role, Perry will focus on building Persona AI’s commercial framework, engaging strategic partners, enabling early adopters and scaling customer engagements, including working with clients to deploy their first humanoids focused on heavy industrial tasks.

Perry’s appointment comes on the heels of Persona’s agreements with HD Hyundai and POSCO Group to advance humanoid automation in shipyards and steel manufacturing, as well as a pilot programme with the state of Louisiana targeting active heavy-industry environments.

A seasoned robotics and automation executive, Perry has a distinguished track record in driving commercial growth, strategic partnerships, and market expansion for advanced robotics technologies.

Persona AI in a statement said Perry’s experience across DJI, Boston Dynamics, and Dexterity AI has focused on scaling promising robotic and physical AI technology with enterprise customers.

Operating across Houston and Pensacola, Persona AI is backed by leading investors in robotics and industrial technology. The company develops humanoid robots designed to use standard industrial tools such as welding torches, grinders and power tools in human-scale environments.

Persona AI will exhibit at NVIDIA GTC 2026 from March 16 to 19 in San Jose, California, where attendees can meet the team and learn more about the company’s approach to industrial humanoid deployment.

In addition, Radford will appear as a speaker at SXSW 2026 in Austin, Texas, sharing insights on the rise of humanoid robotics, physical AI and the future of automation in real-world industrial environments.

-- BERNAMA

EGG MEDICAL UNVEILS TRIAL SHOWING APRON-FREE PROTECTION FOR INTERVENTIONAL TEAMS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Egg Medical, a leader in enhanced radiation protection devices (ERPD), has unveiled the results of a Late-Breaking Trial presented at the Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT) 2026 conference.

“Our goal is to give clinicians a choice, but one backed by rigorous, published data. By providing personalised data through live dosimetry, the EggNest supports apron-free or ultralight apron workflows where approved, rather than forcing a specific behaviour,” said Egg Medical Chief Commercial Officer, Gavin Philipps in a statement.

Presented by Santiago Garcia of The Christ Hospital, the study confirms that the EggNest system significantly reduces levels of scatter radiation for all members of the interventional team, whereby users could perform procedures safely without lead aprons or while wearing ultralight aprons.

“This data proves that we no longer must choose. By using the EggNest system, we can provide the entire team with protection that is superior to the status quo, either by going apron-free or while wearing aprons that feel like a light vest. This is about ensuring that the next generation can have healthy careers without the physical toll,” said Garcia.

The study showed that annualised collar doses over standard lead aprons were 25.5 mrem for the primary operator, 9.8 mrem for the assistant, and 10.2 mrem for the nurse. When combined with ultralight aprons, total annualised body doses dropped significantly to 1.41 for the primary operator, 2.1 for the assistant, and 1.0 for the nurse.

At these levels, clinicians would need to work an entire career to receive the same radiation dose they currently absorb in just one year under standard practices. The research also confirmed that whether clinicians chose to go apron-free or wore aprons 55 per cent lighter than standard lead, the entire team remained below traditional exposure levels.

Under the banner of “Protection Is Personal”, Egg Medical promotes a flexible and responsible approach, empowering clinicians to choose their preferred level of protection without compromising safety.

-- BERNAMA