News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs. Below are snippets of all the media releases we received from Feb 12 till the end of the week. This article updates throughout the week.

Australia Post: Love is in the Air

Sydney, Feb 13: Australia Post has unveiled South Australians as the nation’s most romantic bunch, with the southern state leading the pack in Valentine’s Day affection.
Last year witnessed a seven per cent surge in parcel deliveries in South Australia, setting the stage for another love-filled Valentine’s Day.
Tasmania and Victoria are in close pursuit, both experiencing a four per cent increase in parcel deliveries, showcasing love knows no bounds across state lines.
However, Queensland appears to have missed Cupid’s arrow, with only a modest 0.5 per cent uptick in parcel deliveries in 2023, leaving Queenslanders with less love in the air this Valentine’s Day.
In the realm of Valentine’s Day gifts, one coffee-related customer saw a staggering 4000 per cent surge in deliveries last year, ensuring caffeine-fueled romance well past bedtime.
Australia Post’s top ten Valentine’s Day deliveries for 2024 include coffee, underwear and lingerie, flowers, chocolate, card games, wine, custom framed photos, hosiery, beer, and novelty gifts.
Gary Starr, Australia Post’s Executive General Manager Parcel, Post, and eCommerce Services, expressed excitement about facilitating the nation’s love fest. “Australia Post looks forward to helping our customers spread the love this year, for what is shaping up to be another big Valentine’s Day,” Starr stated. “We love helping our community bring that element of surprise to their V-Day gifts, whether it’s a thoughtful card or surprise parcel delivery. We hope all our customers are swept off their feet this February 14,” he added.

FreedomPay Launches EFTPOS Least Cost Routing in Australia

Sydney, Feb 13: FreedomPay, a global leader in integrated commerce solutions, has announced the successful certification and launch of EFTPOS Least Cost Routing on its PCI P2PE integrated payments platform in Australia. This advancement enhances the platform’s capabilities, offering a seamless and cost-effective solution for domestic and international merchants in the Australian market.
With the addition of EFTPOS Least Cost Routing, FreedomPay extends its commitment to providing innovative payment solutions. The platform now integrates with over 1000 Electronic Cash Register (ECR) and point-of-service (EPOS) applications, enabling merchants to offer fully integrated contact and contactless transactions for EFTPOS, along with support for popular international card schemes.
Tony Hammond, SVP of Global Product Delivery at FreedomPay, expressed excitement about the deployment, stating, “This milestone reflects our dedication to empowering merchants with cutting-edge solutions that enhance the customer experience and drive operational efficiency and cost savings.”
FreedomPay’s PCI P2PE solution offers significant advantages by reducing the time and costs associated with PCI DSS compliance. Merchants can now benefit from enhanced security features while lowering their overall costs of card processing. The integration of EFTPOS Least Cost Routing aligns with FreedomPay’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the payments landscape.
Additionally, FreedomPay’s omnichannel solution strengthens its position as an industry leader, seamlessly integrating with all sales channels to deliver a consistent and user-friendly experience across the entire merchant enterprise. This approach enables merchants to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction, regardless of the chosen sales channel.

Tindo Launches Aussie Summer Heroes Campaign

Sydney, Feb 14: Australia’s sole solar panel manufacturer, Tindo, has unveiled its Aussie Summer Heroes Campaign in collaboration with Cancer Council Australia.
The initiative marks Tindo’s rebranding effort aimed at enhancing accessibility of Australian-made solar panels to households nationwide.
Based in Adelaide, Tindo’s rebranding initiative seeks to recognize other Australian heroes while positioning renewable energy as an integral part of the national identity.
The company’s partnership with Cancer Council Australia highlights the importance of community impact and aligns with Cancer Council’s renowned efforts in promoting sun safety and preventing cancer.
Tindo’s CEO, Richard Petterson, expressed excitement about celebrating the company’s new identity alongside Cancer Council, emphasizing their commitment to making quality, locally produced renewable technology available across the country.
Todd Harper AM, CEO of Cancer Council Victoria, hailed the partnership for advancing cancer prevention efforts and promoting environmental sustainability, emphasizing the shared vision for a healthier future.
Cancer Council Chair of Marketing and Fundraising, Lyrian Fleming-Parsley, expressed gratitude for Tindo’s support, emphasizing the critical role in saving lives and promoting sun-safe practices.
Professor Roger Milne, a World Cancer Research Fund grant recipient, commended Tindo Solar for its contribution to cancer research and corporate social responsibility, highlighting the significance of partnerships in advancing understanding and breakthroughs in cancer treatment.

ANDHealth Accelerator Boosts Digital Health Sector

Sydney, Feb 14: An independent report highlights the significant economic impact of ANDHealth’s digital health accelerator.
For every $1 million invested, it generates $19.70 in capital, creates 56 jobs, and delivers $4.2 in gross economic value by digital health SMEs.
ANDHealth+ participants secure an average of $1.1 million in capital within six months, double the industry average.
The report underscores the potential for greater health and economic gains with continued investment in digital health innovation.

Sophos Uncovers Global Expansion of Cryptocurrency Fraud Rings

Kuala Lumpur, Feb 14: After an extensive two-year investigation, cybersecurity firm Sophos reveals the alarming sophistication of sha zhu pan scammers, who engage in romance-based cryptocurrency fraud. These scammers have adopted a business model akin to “cybercrime-as-a-service,” offering sha zhu pan kits on the dark web and expanding their operations globally.
Known for their elaborate DeFi savings schemes, which masquerade as passive investment opportunities, these fraudsters target unsuspecting victims, enticing them to connect their crypto wallets to fraudulent brokerage accounts. Once connected, victims unwittingly contribute to a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading pool, allowing scammers to drain their funds.
According to Sean Gallagher, Principal Threat Researcher at Sophos, these scams have evolved rapidly, facilitated by readily available scam kits on the dark web. Gallagher warns of the proliferation of unaffiliated pig butchering rings in regions such as Thailand, West Africa, and the U.S., fueled by the increasing sophistication of these fraud operations.
Sophos’ investigation traces the evolution of these scams, from initial CryptoRom schemes targeting dating app users to the infiltration of legitimate app stores with fraudulent applications. Notably, recent developments include the emergence of DeFi savings scams, representing the culmination of two years of refinement by fraudsters.
To combat these scams, Sophos advises vigilance against unsolicited communication and offers tips to avoid falling prey to pig butchering schemes, including skepticism towards “get rich quick” schemes and familiarity with the tactics of romance and investment scams.

Fujifilm Unveils “Giving our World More Smiles” Global Purpose for 90th Anniversary

Sydney, Feb 15: Fujifilm commemorates its 90th anniversary with the launch of its inaugural Global Purpose, “Giving our world more smiles,” signifying the company’s dedication to fostering unity, innovation, and positive change worldwide.
The new Global Purpose encapsulates Fujifilm’s legacy of enriching lives through diverse ideas and pioneering technologies over the past nine decades. It aims to inspire employees, customers, and communities to collaborate towards a shared future.
Richie Matoba, CEO of Fujifilm Australia, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our 90th anniversary celebration not only honors our brand’s rich history but also reaffirms our commitment to bringing joy through innovative products and technologies.”
Since its inception, Fujifilm has championed advancements in technology to bring happiness to people’s lives. Through its new Global Purpose, the company aspires to address societal challenges and contribute to sustainable development.
Teiichi Goto, President and CEO of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, emphasized the company’s dedication to social impact, stating, “By leveraging our technological expertise and diverse workforce, we aim to address global issues across all our business domains.”
To coincide with its milestone, Fujifilm has launched a dedicated 90th anniversary website, offering insights into its history and societal contributions.
The new Global Purpose marks a significant milestone for Fujifilm, encompassing its various divisions and aligning with its global CSR plan for sustainable development. As the company looks towards its centennial milestone, it remains committed to innovation, resilience, and societal contribution.
Richie Matoba concluded, “As we journey towards our 100th anniversary, Fujifilm remains steadfast in our pursuit of innovation and sustainable growth, guided by our new Global Purpose. We are poised to shape a brighter future by building on our past achievements.”

Tindo Launches Aussie Campaign

Sydney, Feb 16: Tindo, Australia’s sole solar panel manufacturer, unveils the ‘Aussie Summer Heroes Campaign’ alongside its company rebrand, aiming to democratize Australian solar panels for all households.
Partnering with Cancer Council Australia, Tindo’s rebrand signifies a commitment to promoting Australian renewables as integral to the nation’s identity.
CEO Richard Petterson expresses enthusiasm for supporting Cancer Council’s initiatives while providing affordable renewable energy to Australians.
Todd Harper AM, CEO of Cancer Council Victoria, applauds the partnership, emphasizing the joint focus on cancer prevention and environmental sustainability. Lyrian Fleming-Parsley, Cancer Council’s Chair of Marketing and Fundraising, appreciates Tindo’s support in advancing cancer research and sun-safe initiatives. Professor Roger Milne, a recipient of World Cancer Research Fund grants, commends Tindo’s corporate social responsibility in aiding critical research efforts against cancer.

MR D.I.Y. Back-to-School Sale

Sydney, Feb 16: As the 2024/2025 school term nears, MR D.I.Y. Group [M] Berhad launches its ‘Back to School’ initiative to assist Malaysian families with affordable school essentials.
From 15 February to 15 March 2024, the campaign offers up to 30 per cent discounts on items like bags, stationery, and school shoes.
Highlights include black school shoes at RM10.90, socks from RM1.90, and water bottles at RM9.90.
MR D.I.Y. aims to ease the financial burden on parents, ensuring a stress-free start to the school year.