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 April 7 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.

Simify Launches Unlimited eSIM Roaming for Aussie Travellers

Sydney, April 2: Australian international roaming provider Simify has introduced unlimited eSIM roaming data plans with no extra fees, catering to the growing demand for flexible and affordable mobile data options among travellers. As international travel surges past pre-pandemic levels—with Australians making 11.6 million overseas trips in 2024—Simify says more travellers are turning to eSIMs for convenience and ease of use.
The rebranded company, formerly known as SimsDirect, offers coverage in over 150 countries with unlimited data plans lasting up to 90 days. Co-founder Aidan Butler highlighted the advantages of using eSIMs over traditional SIM cards, especially as major telcos continue to impose limits on daily roaming data. Founded in 2018, Simify now boasts over 300,000 customers.
More info: simify.com/en-au

Homeowners Skip Maintenance

Sydney, April 2: New research commissioned by Allianz reveals that 84 per cent of Australian homeowners are not conducting regular home maintenance, with only 26 per cent performing annual checks. Despite $864 million in insurance claims for burst pipes over the past two years, maintenance often falls by the wayside due to cost, time, and lack of knowledge.
To address this, Allianz has partnered with Scotty Cam for a new 7-part series alongside Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli and Tanya Hennessy, offering tips on preventative maintenance. The initiative, part of Allianz’s Blue Eagle campaign, aims to help homeowners identify and fix simple home issues to avoid costly future damage.
The series is available via Allianz’s website.

Running Meets Audible

Sydney, April 9: With marathon participation up 115 per cent over the past five years and audiobooks growing in popularity, Audible has launched a series of initiatives to support runners. Research shows 80 per cent of Aussie runners benefit from listening to audiobooks while exercising, citing entertainment, relaxation, and distraction as key advantages.
Audible has partnered with Strava for the “Run with Audible Challenge,” encouraging runners to complete 6 hours and 5 minutes of activity to unlock a 2-month free trial. The campaign also features athlete influencers and an Audible takeover of the Unofficial Run Club on 2 May at Milsons Point, along with Audible’s role as an event partner for the HOKA Runaway Sydney Half Marathon on 4 May.
Participants will be treated to audiobook excerpts during races and post-run perks, positioning Audible as the go-to audio companion for fitness fans.

Wise Launches Interest

Sydney, April 9: Global fintech company Wise has officially launched its new Interest feature in Australia, with more than A$30 million already invested during early access. The product allows individuals and businesses to earn returns on their AUD and USD balances by investing in low-risk government-backed money market funds from Franklin Templeton.
The feature simplifies earning interest, avoiding the complex conditions tied to traditional bank accounts. With no lock-in periods, a low A$11 minimum investment, and daily gains, Interest offers flexibility, transparency, and competitive rates of 3.16 per cent (AUD) and 3.25 per cent for USD.
More than A$1 billion is already held on Wise by over 1 million Aussie customers, who can now use Interest to grow their money without the need for multiple accounts or complicated savings terms. The product supports use cases from freelancers saving for gear to startups managing international revenue.
Tim Cameron, APAC Product Lead at Wise, said the product was built in response to demand for a transparent, flexible way to earn returns—without financial gymnastics.

Alibaba Cloud Expands AI

Kuala Lumpur, April 9: Alibaba Cloud has launched a range of new AI models, tools, and infrastructure upgrades for international users during its Spring Launch 2025 event, signalling its commitment to global AI innovation. Over A$53 billion (RMB 380 billion) has been allocated for cloud and AI infrastructure over the next three years.
Key offerings include advanced large language models from the Qwen series, visual reasoning and multimodal models, and upgrades to the Platform for AI (PAI), which now includes distributed inference, model evaluation, and model distillation tools. Enhancements to its PolarDB and AnalyticDB databases support real-time AI applications with improved efficiency and scalability.
The AI-powered search assistant on Alibaba Cloud’s website helps SMEs discover tailored solutions, while improved partner incentives and training aim to foster ecosystem growth. These developments are supported by a global network of 87 availability zones in 29 regions.

SumiSaujana Lists on ACE

Kuala Lumpur, April 9: SumiSaujana Group Berhad, a specialty chemicals manufacturer for the oil and gas industry, debuted on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad today under the stock name “SUMI” and code “0349.” Shares opened at RM0.18.
Established in 2010, the company serves the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the O&G industry, with over 70 per cent of revenue derived from international markets.
SumiSaujana raised RM74.40 million through its IPO, with funds allocated to infrastructure acquisitions, R&D, IT upgrades, and listing expenses.
RHB Investment Bank Berhad acted as the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Sole Underwriter, and Sole Placement Agent.

Lungscreen Adopts AI Tech

Sydney, April 10: Lungscreen Australia has adopted Annalise.ai’s clinical decision-support technology to enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in lung screening services across the country.
The integration of Annalise Enterprise CXR, capable of detecting up to 124 findings on chest X-rays, will support radiologists in identifying potentially critical conditions such as lung nodules more quickly and confidently.
Following a comprehensive evaluation process, Lungscreen Australia has officially partnered with Annalise.ai to improve patient outcomes through AI-driven diagnostics.

ABEA, IAPCO Join Forces

Sydney, April 10: The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) have announced a three-year Strategic Partnership aimed at enhancing membership value, global collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, includes joint initiatives such as educational sessions, white papers, trade show meetups, and discounted professional development opportunities for members.

Wireless World Ranks #32 on Inc. 5000 Pacific List

New York, April 10: Wireless World has secured the #32 spot on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in the Pacific region. Specializing in wholesale and distribution of brand-new consumer electronics, the company has experienced rapid growth thanks to its strategically located, privately owned warehouses in California, Delaware, and Dubai.
Founded in 2009 by Ben Daneshgar and Sam Delafraz, the company has carved out a niche as an Apple Premium Reseller, supplying over 30 countries, with a strong client base in Dubai and the Middle East. Wireless World remains a bootstrapped and owner-operated business, with its founders still deeply involved in daily operations.
The company’s direct control of its inventory—avoiding third-party logistics and brokers—has contributed to its ability to scale. A proprietary B2B suite is set to launch this summer, promising bulk Apple product orders delivered globally in under three days.
For more, visit wirelessworld.us.