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 Nov 18 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.

Box Office Update and Upcoming Releases

Sydney, Nov 18: This weekend saw the debut of Gladiator II, starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal, at number one, raking in $7.56M, including advance screenings. The holiday film Red One featuring Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson secured the second spot with $1.34M, bringing its total to $3.87M. At number three, Venom: The Last Dance added $739K, bringing its cume to $12.13M. The Filipino release Hello, Love Again opened at number four with $488K, while Kate Winslet’s war drama Lee rounded out the top five with $318K, taking its total to $3.61M.

Upcoming Releases:
The highly anticipated Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, releases this week with HOYTS Girls’ Night Out advanced screenings on Wednesday, November 20. Wicked has generated significant pre-sale demand, with predictions for record-breaking success.
Next week, Moana 2 will sail into cinemas on November 28, featuring Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. HOYTS guests can collect an exclusive Moana Lorcana card with tickets, while stocks last.

International Films:
Several international titles are releasing at HOYTS Cinemas, including:

• The Trophy Bride (Vietnamese): A family fakes their status to secure a marriage.
• To Gather Around (Mandarin): A man facing job loss takes drastic measures to reclaim his stock options.
• Tel Visa (Nepali): A family navigates cultural challenges in the US.
• I Want to Talk (Hindi): A father rediscovers his bond with his daughter.
• Sookshma Dharshini (Malayalam): A young man’s secret crime is uncovered by a clairvoyant neighbor.

Special Screenings:
Tickets are now on sale for Andre Rieu’s 2024 Christmas Concert: Gold and Silver, showing December 7 and 8.
The weekend gross box office total reached $11.95M, a 50 per cent increase over the prior weekend.

Sabah Boosts Tourism Connectivity

Kota Kinabalu, Nov 18: Sabah is set to achieve its target of 3.0 million arrivals this year with AirAsia’s new direct flights from Shantou (China) and Kaohsiung (Taiwan) to Kota Kinabalu, launched on November 16 and 17, respectively. Both flights were greeted with a water salute at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).
Shantou is now the 9th Chinese city connected directly to Kota Kinabalu, with flights operating three times weekly, contributing to a total of 55 weekly flights from China. Kaohsiung becomes the second city in Taiwan connected to Sabah after Taipei.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew emphasized the significance of diversifying markets, saying, “The launch of Shantou flight will potentially attract more tourists from neighbouring cities as well, such as Chaozhou, Huizhou, Meizhou, Xiamen, Shanwei, and Quanzhou, which have a combined population of over 31.4 million in Southern China.”
On the Kaohsiung route, Liew added, “This creates an opportunity to attract tourists from nearby cities like Tainan, Pingtung, and Yunlin.”
AirAsia Malaysia Managing Director Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra expressed pride in supporting Sabah’s tourism, saying, “We are thrilled to continuously contribute to the tourism growth in Kota Kinabalu, our second-largest hub in Malaysia.”
Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit highlighted the strategic role of increased connectivity in enhancing tourism and preparing for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Master Tec Reports Record Revenue

Alor Gajah, Nov 18: Master Tec Group Berhad achieved its highest quarterly revenue of RM87.6 million in Q3 FY2024, a 20.3 per cent increase from the previous quarter, driven by strong demand for low-voltage power cables in local and export markets.
Gross profit stood at RM9.9 million, with a gross profit margin of 11.3 per cent, while profit after tax reached RM6.0 million.
The Group reported a cumulative nine-month revenue of RM227.6 million and announced a second interim single-tier dividend of 0.180 sen per ordinary share, payable on 16 December 2024.
Master Tec recently acquired a 51 per cent stake in Sediacom Sdn. Bhd. to expand its power infrastructure capabilities, aligning with Malaysia’s infrastructure-focused Budget 2025.
Executive Director Tee Kok Hwa stated, “Our strong Q3 results are a testament to our team’s dedication and the trust our clients place in our solutions.”
As of 18 November 2024, the Group’s share price closed at RM1.22, with a market capitalisation of RM1.24 billion.

Dell Enhances AI Solutions

Sydney, Nov 19: Dell Technologies has expanded its AI offerings with advanced infrastructure, solutions, and services to simplify enterprise AI adoption and improve efficiency.
New updates include the Dell PowerEdge XE9685L and XE7740 servers, designed for high-density AI workloads, set to launch in Q1 and Q2 2025, respectively.
Enhancements to the Dell Data Lakehouse now incorporate Apache Spark for optimized large-scale data analytics.
Generative AI solutions have been bolstered with enterprise-scale RAG capabilities, and updated GPU support will be available by Q4 2024.
Additionally, Dell is providing services to support sustainable data centres, refined data management, and AI-optimized networking.
These advancements reflect Dell’s commitment to streamlining AI integration while fostering sustainability and innovation.

Cybersecurity Awareness Rises

Sydney, Nov 19: New research from trust management platform Vanta highlights growing cybersecurity awareness among Australian businesses, with over half (52 per cent) ranking cyber threats as their top concern.
Despite heightened awareness, the report reveals that small businesses remain vulnerable, with only 44 per cent allocating a dedicated security budget and 62 per cent acknowledging the need for better security measures.
Vanta’s report notes that compliance is becoming more critical, with businesses spending nine working weeks annually to meet standards. Two-thirds (66 per cent) of businesses see efficient security and compliance as drivers for time and cost savings, while 63 per cent link good practices to increased customer trust.
The report emphasizes the need for action among small businesses, as attackers increasingly target their weaker defences. Experts recommend practical steps such as identifying IT assets, centralising identity systems, and leveraging managed security services to enhance protection.

Unite with VEGEMITE

Sydney, Nov 19: VEGEMITE is rallying Australians to share their love for this iconic spread and inspire a new generation to enjoy its distinctively salty and satisfying taste.
With VEGEMITE appearing in fewer households this year*, it’s time to celebrate and share the joy of this Australian staple.
New findings by strategic insights agency Nature reveal that over 30 per cent of Australians don’t eat VEGEMITE, and 40 per cent of those who do limit it to breakfast**. To counter this, VEGEMITE ambassador Ash Barty is calling for action to showcase the versatility of the spread for any meal.
VEGEMITE lovers are encouraged to participate in the “Unite with VEGEMITE” campaign by creating 30-60 second videos demonstrating their favorite ways to enjoy VEGEMITE. Whether it’s a toastie, a unique recipe, or a comforting breakfast tradition, these videos aim to inspire others to give VEGEMITE a go.
Head to unitewithvegemite.com.au to upload your video and potentially score a VEGEMITE merch pack. Let’s unite and spread the love for VEGEMITE across Australia!

ASEAN Carbon Market Collaboration

Baku, Nov 21: The Malaysia Carbon Market Association (MCMA) has partnered with regional counterparts, including the Singapore Sustainable Finance Association, Indonesia Carbon Trade Association, and Thailand Carbon Market Club, to establish the ASEAN Common Carbon Framework (ACCF) under a Memorandum of Cooperation.
This initiative aligns with Malaysia’s 2030 carbon emission reduction targets and its upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. Minister YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad emphasized the framework’s potential to foster an integrated and credible carbon market, unlocking unique regional opportunities and accelerating low-carbon investments.
With ASEAN poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, the unified framework aims to support green finance goals, enhance carbon market efficiencies, and strengthen regional integration. The Malaysia Pavilion at COP29, led by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, showcases this commitment with support from major organizations, including PETRONAS and TNB.

Adobe Empowers Nonprofits Globally

Sydney, Nov 22: Adobe has introduced Acrobat for Nonprofits, a discounted offering that provides qualifying nonprofit organizations with access to Adobe Acrobat Pro for $15 USD per user annually, a 94 per cent savings.
The program builds on the Adobe for Nonprofits initiative, which includes tools like Adobe Express and Creative Cloud to help nonprofits streamline operations, manage contracts, and create impactful content.
Organizations such as the NAACP, International Rescue Committee, and CyArk leverage Adobe technologies to enhance their missions, from managing confidential agreements to creating educational and fundraising materials.
The initiative aims to support nonprofits with best-in-class creative and document management solutions to amplify their social impact.