Friday, September 12, 2025

Vimeo Snapped Up By Bending Spoons In Nearly US$1.38 Bln All-cash Deal

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Vimeo Inc, a video platform for business, has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Bending Spoons in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately US$1.38 billion. (US$1=RM4.20)

Under the terms of the agreement, Vimeo shareholders will receive US$7.85 per share in cash, representing a 91 per cent premium over the company’s 60-day average share price, signalling a strong vote of confidence from the buyer.

Vimeo Board Chairman, Glenn H. Schiffman said this deal delivers compelling, certain value to shareholders and accelerates the company’s roadmap.

“We are confident they are the right long-term partner for our customers, employees, and brand,” he added in a statement.

Vimeo chief executive officer (CEO), Philip Moyer called the move “an exciting partnership” and praised Bending Spoons’ intent to invest heavily across all segments of the business, including over-the-top (OTT) streaming and enterprise video solutions.

Meanwhile, Bending Spoons CEO and co-founder, Luca Ferrari said the company is in it for the long haul, pledging long-term investment and a focus on scaling Vimeo’s artificial intelligence-enabled features, performance, and reliability.

The acquisition marks a pivotal turn for the video platform, which will go private following the deal’s expected close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Following the acquisition, Vimeo’s stock will be delisted, and the company will cease earnings calls for the third quarter of this year, although it will continue regulatory reporting through the closing period.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP are serving as legal advisers to Vimeo, and Allen & Company LLC as financial advisors, while Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal adviser to Bending Spoons. J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo acted as joint lead financial advisers, and BNP acted as financial adviser.

-- BERNAMA

Thursday, September 11, 2025

WUHU HIGHLIGHTS BREAKTHROUGHS IN LOW-ALTITUDE ECONOMY AT 2025 CONFERENCE

The 2025 Emerging Air Economy Development Conference Opening Ceremony

 
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The three-day 2025 Emerging Air Economy Development Conference concluded in Wuhu, Anhui Province, as one of the key specialised events of the 2025 World Manufacturing Convention.

Themed "Scenario Innovation Leads to Safe and Orderly Development", the conference focused on policy and industry demands in the low-altitude economy sector, featuring one main report session and multiple parallel sessions.

The 30,000-square-metre exhibition area brought together numerous high-quality enterprises, showcasing cutting-edge achievements, flagship products, and application scenarios in the low-altitude economy, according to a statement.

At the opening ceremony, Wuhu City launched its low-altitude intelligent connectivity system, while the National Low-Altitude Economy Integration and Innovation Research Center released the Low-Altitude Economy Development Research Series.

In addition, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), China Telecommunications Corporation, and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced major achievements in the low-altitude economy, along with the signing and delivery of significant projects.

Wuhu has hosted Emerging Air Economy Development Conference for three consecutive years, since 2022, with this year's event continuing to serve as a platform for industrial resource collaboration in the low-altitude economy, boosting regional industrial influence while facilitating business attraction, project implementation, and talent convergence.

Anhui is the third province in China and the only one in the Yangtze River Delta to pilot comprehensive low-altitude airspace management reforms, while Wuhu is one of the earliest cities to develop the low-altitude economy.

Currently, Wuhu has established 90 provincial- and national-level innovation platforms in the low-altitude economy sector, 14 of which are at the national level, in addition to making every effort to establish itself as a hub of innovation for low-altitude economy applications.

It has introduced China's first long-distance drone logistics route and the first non-stop delivery service for ships on the Yangtze River, with numerous practical application scenarios developed along the river, such as smart supervision, sightseeing tours, and aerial firefighting.

-- BERNAMA

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

WOODSIDE AND PETRONAS STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP WITH 15-YEAR LNG SUPPLY AGREEMENT

[Photo Caption] Ezran Mahadzir, CEO of Petronas LNG Ltd. (right) and Jae Song, Woodside Vice President Business Development – Traditional (left), formalising the exchange of documents.



MILAN, ITALY, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Woodside Energy Trading Singapore Pte Ltd (Woodside) and PETRONAS LNG Ltd (PLL), a subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), have finalised a fully termed sale and purchase agreement (SPA) for the supply of 1 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Malaysia from 2028 for a period of 15 years.

This milestone marks the successful conversion of the non-binding Heads of Agreement (HOA) signed in June 2025 into a binding commitment, reinforcing the shared ambition of both companies to deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain.

Under the agreement, LNG will be supplied from Woodside’s global portfolio, which may include volumes from the recently approved Louisiana LNG project in the United States.

Woodside Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer Mark Abbotsford said: “Finalising this long-term LNG supply agreement with PETRONAS represents a strategic milestone for Woodside as it is our first long-term LNG supply arrangement with Malaysia.”

“The agreement is another demonstration of the strength and flexibility of Woodside’s diversified global portfolio and reinforces our position as a trusted energy supplier in Asia, supporting long-term value creation and regional prosperity.”

The SPA also supports PETRONAS’ efforts to enhance energy security in Peninsular Malaysia by integrating upstream gas developments with LNG imports to meet rising demand from the power and industrial sectors, driven by data centre growth, the wider adoption of artificial intelligence technologies and the transition away from coal-fired generation.

PETRONAS Vice President of LNG Marketing & Trading Shamsairi Ibrahim commented: “As a responsible energy company, PETRONAS is committed to safeguarding Malaysia’s energy security while advancing the transition to a lower carbon future. We see natural gas as a long-term solution in this journey, and our collaboration with Woodside Energy represents an important step towards ensuring reliable and flexible supply for Malaysia’s growing economy, while enhancing PETRONAS’ global portfolio to deliver energy responsibly and sustainably.”

Woodside and PETRONAS share a long-standing relationship, having previously collaborated on exploration studies, research and development initiatives, and both spot and mid-term LNG transactions.

About Woodside Energy
Woodside is a global energy company. Driven by a spirit of innovation and determination, we established the liquefied natural gas industry in Australia in the 1980s. We have safely and reliably delivered gas to homes and businesses in Australia and customers around the world for decades, supporting the development of industry and driving economic prosperity. Today, our strategy is to thrive through the energy transition with a resilient and diversified portfolio of oil, gas and new energy projects in Australia, North America and Africa.

Media contact
Australia
Christine Abbott | M: +61 484 112 469 | E: christine.abbott@woodside.com

About PETRONAS
As a global energy and solutions partner, PETRONAS is driven by its purpose to enrich lives for a sustainable future. With presence in over 100 countries, the group continues expanding its portfolios ranging from conventional and cleaner energy solutions to a diverse range of fuel, lubricants and petrochemical products. While ensuring sustainable practices across its operations, PETRONAS strives to ensure just and equitable outcomes in transitioning to a lower carbon future.

SOURCE:PETRONAS

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Tunku Putri Nur Asma
Tel: +6012 299 5727
Email: tunkuputrinurasma.t@petronas.com

Name: Anisa Adnin Mohamad
Tel: +6013 904 2724
Email: anisaadnin.mohamad@petronas.com

--BERNAMA

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Autel Energy Unveils Ultra-fast EV Charging Platform Built For Europe’s Zero-emission Future



KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- At its “INFINITE POWER – STARTING FROM ZERO” Global Launch Event, Autel Energy Europe has introduced its most advanced electric vehicle (EV) charging platform yet, a high-performance, scalable solution aimed squarely at Europe's growing demand for reliable ultra-fast charging.

"By developing our core power modules in-house and integrating them into scalable cabinet systems, high-performance terminals, and next-generation all-in-one chargers, we are providing flexibility and reliability for the evolving EV charging market.

"Together with our intelligent service platform and AI capabilities, this launch provides a comprehensive foundation for building the charging networks of the future, supporting Europe’s transition to zero-emission transport," said Autel Energy Europe Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Andreas Lastei in a statement.

At the core of the platform are Autel’s proprietary MaxiModule LCM60/120, liquid-cooled power modules designed in-house. Available in 60 kilowatts (kW) and 120 kW versions, they promise higher efficiency, stable long-term performance, and future-ready scalability — cutting downtime and costs for operators.

These power modules anchor the MaxiCharger DS600L, a modular cabinet system that scales up to three megawatts (MW) per cluster.

With built-in redundancy across critical components, the system is engineered for zero downtime, supporting both CCS and MCS standards and integrating with battery energy storage systems (BESS) and photovoltaics (PV).

For high-current charging needs, the MaxiCharger DT1500 terminal supports up to 1,500 amperes (A) and 1.44 MW, meeting the demands of next-generation commercial fleets and heavy-duty vehicles.

Autel also upgraded its compact all-in-one charger with the MaxiCharger DH600, now delivering 600 kW through liquid-cooled cables, ensuring continuous high-power delivery in tight urban or depot environments.

Beyond hardware, Autel introduced MaxiCare, a predictive maintenance and network optimisation service enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI). The platform aims to reduce downtime, improve charging experiences, and prepare operators for future autonomous energy management.

-- BERNAMA


HALO UNVEILS “$1M FOREVER” TO CHALLENGE TRADITIONAL ESM MODELS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Halo, an independent leader in Enterprise Service Management (ESM), has launched “$1M Forever”, a new enterprise package that guarantees predictable, fixed licensing costs for life.

The programme is aimed at large organisations facing rising licensing fees, slow rollouts and inflexible contracts with incumbent platforms, according to a statement.

Halo “$1M Forever” offers transparent pricing capped at US$1 million annually, accelerated deployments, flexible contracts without penalties, and a partnership model built on measurable outcomes. (US$1=RM4.20)

The package also includes an innovation grant that fully funds migration from existing platforms, with no payments required until migration is complete and current contracts have expired.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset how enterprises think about service management. We are giving enterprises the confidence and means to break free from restrictive, overpriced legacy platforms,” said Halo Chief Executive Officer, Paul Hamilton.

The programme is available exclusively to organisations with over 20,000 employees or more than 1,000 service agents, on an application-only basis.

Early participants will benefit from locked-in pricing, bespoke integration and security configurations, and direct influence over the company’s innovation roadmap.

By limiting the number of participants, the company aims to ensure dedicated support, premium resources and closer collaboration with its leadership team.

The initiative represents its commitment to delivering faster, more agile deployments while reshaping the economics of enterprise service management.

-- BERNAMA

CGTN HIGHLIGHTS CHINA’S CALL FOR BRICS UNITY AT VIRTUAL SUMMIT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- In an article published by China Global Television Network (CGTN), China reiterated its call for BRICS countries to jointly defend multilateralism and push for a fairer global governance system, with President Xi Jinping laying out a clear vision during the recent Virtual BRICS Summit.

At the summit, President Xi urged BRICS members to uphold openness and inclusiveness, safeguard multilateralism, and strengthen cooperation to build “a community with a shared future for humanity”, according to CGTN in a statement.

Xi outlined three proposals, namely to uphold multilateralism to defend fairness and justice, advance openness and win-win cooperation to protect international trade, and foster solidarity for common development.

A major focus of the CGTN article was the Global Governance Initiative (GGI)—introduced last week at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit—which Xi reaffirmed as a roadmap for "galvanising joint global action for a more just and equitable global governance system".

CGTN noted that Xi described multilateralism as the cornerstone of this vision, stressing the need for “extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit” while maintaining the international system with the United Nations (UN) at its core.

The article also highlighted the New Development Bank (NDB)—a flagship BRICS institution backed by China—which has financed over 100 projects totalling nearly US$40 billion. Xi hailed it as a “pioneering initiative” that reflects the rising influence and cooperation of the Global South. (US$1=RM4.20)

CGTN added that the initiative has received international support, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres describing the GGI as “anchored in multilateralism” and consistent with the UN’s role at the core of the global order.

Brazilian presidential adviser Celso Amorim also told CGTN that China’s proposal is significant at a time when some countries are undermining the multilateral trading system, saying stronger solidarity among the Global South has become increasingly important.

Established in 2015, the NDB was founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and continues to play a central role in financing sustainable development across emerging economies.

-- BERNAMA

Monday, September 8, 2025

CIMB pledges RM50 million in education over the next five years

 

(From second left) Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Foundation, Novan Amirudin, Group Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Group, Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, Chairman of CIMB Group, and senior leaders of CIMB with the recipients of CIMB ASEAN Scholarship 2025.


Through its CIMB ASEAN Scholarship Programme, CIMB has empowered 144 high-potential youths across the region

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- CIMB Foundation (“CIMB” or “the Bank”) has pledged RM50 million towards implementing education initiatives across the ASEAN region over the next five years (2026- 2030), reinforcing its purpose of advancing customers and society. This commitment includes supporting youths with scholarships and capacity-building programmes, enabling underprivileged students to access quality education and driving financial literacy especially among the low-income communities.

Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Foundation said, “Education is one of the most powerful enablers of progress. With our largest commitment thus far in education, we are deeply committed to empowering the next generation of ASEAN leaders through widening the access to quality education. This renewed commitment is a reflection of just that, elevating the young lives by providing equitable access to impactful learning opportunities. CIMB will continue to implement education-based programmes that equip individuals and communities with essential skills to make informed decisions, strengthen financial well-being, reduce educational disparities, and fostering sustainable community growth.”

Over the years, CIMB has consistently invested in education, youth development and financial literacy empowerment programmes, positively impacting young talents across the region. Through scholarships, capacity-building efforts and collaborative partnerships, the Bank has helped nurture high-potential talents, expand access to quality education and build financial awareness among youth, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become future leaders.

“As part of our broader commitment to creating lasting positive impact for the communities through education, we are proud to continue our CIMB ASEAN Scholarship Programme this year. We take pride in witnessing bright young talents thrive in their academic journeys, uplift their families and contribute to their communities, in line with CIMB’s purpose of advancing customers and society. More than financial support, this Programme nurtures a future-ready, purpose-driven generation equipped to adapt to ASEAN’s evolving landscape. Our aspiration is to continue nurturing the leaders of tomorrow, today,” he added.

11 scholars were selected from a highly competitive pool of over 6,000 applicants, recognised for their outstanding academic achievements, leadership qualities, resilience and grit including individuals from the B40 and underserved communities. This reaffirms CIMB’s commitment in providing high-potential youth across ASEAN with access to tertiary education at top-tier institutions of their choice, among which include University of Sydney, King’s College London, University of Leeds, University of Southampton, London School of Economics, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi MARA and Singapore Management University. To date, the scholarship programme has benefitted 144 scholars with an investment of RM82.4 million.

The scholars’ fields of study span a wide range of disciplines such as Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Actuarial Mathematics, Law, Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics, Psychology, Business Administration, Information Technology, and Computer Science. In addition to financial support, each scholar will be paired with a CIMB career mentor throughout their academic journey, and will be offered internship opportunities during study breaks to gain first-hand experience of working at CIMB. Upon graduation, scholars will also have the opportunity to enter CIMB’s structured management trainee programme called The Complete Banker™ programme. It is designed to cultivate their skills, and provide holistic and strong foundation to thrive as well-rounded professionals.

About CIMB

CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM73.0 billion as at 30 June 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines.

Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 571 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 30 June 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award-winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 92.5% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.8% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.

SOURCE: CIMB Bank Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Anis Azharuddin / Kelvin Jude Muthu
Group Corporate Communications
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Email: anis.azharuddin@cimb.com / kelvinjude.muthu@cimb.com

--BERNAMA