Tag: business

Accertify’s Q2 Global Air Travel Fraud Report Finds Fraud Pressure Intensifying Across Middle East and Africa

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

Analysis of nearly 133 million airline booking transactions finds bookings departing from Cairo carried the world’s highest fraud rate this quarter, while departure cities across the United States and Australia posted among the lowest fraud rates

ITASCA, Ill., July 16 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Accertify, a leading fraud decisioning provider whose Predictive Yes Platform helps merchants say yes to more good customers, more revenue, and more growth, today announced the release of its Global Air Travel Fraud Report: Q2 2026, a quarterly analysis examining how fraud pressure varies across global airline markets based on departure city at time of booking.

Based on analysis of 132.9 million airline booking transactions processed between April and June 2026, the report evaluates prevented fraud rates across 537 departure cities that each processed at least 10,000 transactions during the quarter, providing airlines with a data-driven view of where Accertify’s Predictive Yes platform intervened most frequently at booking.

The Q2 findings reveal that fraud pressure continues to vary significantly by market, with the most notable shift occurring across the Middle East and Africa. The region’s average prevented fraud rate more than doubled quarter over quarter, from 0.95% to 2.03% — the highest of any region analyzed, against a global average of 0.29% — while bookings departing from Cairo, Accra, Tunis, and Casablanca posted the four highest fraud rates worldwide (Source: Accertify client data, Q2 2026). Meanwhile, departure cities across the United States and Australia continued to register some of the world’s lowest booking-stage fraud rates, reflecting the more mature fraud-prevention practices commonly found in those markets.

Key findings from the Accertify Q2 2026 Global Air Travel Fraud Report include:

  • Middle East and Africa recorded the highest average fraud rate of any region. The region’s average prevented fraud rate reached 2.03%, up from 0.95% in Q1 and well above the global average of 0.29%, with bookings departing from Cairo, Accra, Tunis, and Casablanca recording the four highest fraud rates worldwide.
  • Cairo reached the highest fraud rate in the world this quarter. The fraud rate on bookings departing from Cairo rose from 1.43% in Q1 to 6.57% in Q2 — moving it from 15th to the highest globally in a single quarter.
  • The United States and Australia reflected some of the world’s lowest fraud rates. Both remained well below the global average of 0.29%, with bookings departing from U.S. cities averaging 0.07% and bookings departing from Australia and Pacific cities averaging 0.08%.
  • East Asia posted the largest proportional improvement of any region. Its average prevented fraud rate nearly halved year over year, falling 43% from 0.20% to 0.11% — a steeper percentage decline than any other region, though Latin America + the Caribbean’s rate fell by more in absolute terms (0.91% to 0.69%).
  • Quarter-over-quarter rankings provide new insight into changing fraud patterns. For the first time, the report tracks how individual departure cities move within the global rankings from one quarter to the next, providing airlines with additional context into where fraud pressure is accelerating or easing over time.

The report underscores that fraud pressure is highly localized, often varying significantly between departure cities within the same region. By examining prevented fraud at the point of booking, airlines can better benchmark their own performance, identify emerging areas of elevated risk, and adapt fraud prevention strategies as booking patterns evolve.

Note on methodology: Fraud rate figures reflect prevented fraud – bookings denied for a fraud reason before travel occurred – denoted by departure city, the point of booking. Regional and global averages are calculated as the mean of each qualifying departure city’s individual fraud rate.

The Global Air Travel Fraud Report: Q2 2026 is hosted on Accertify’s website at https://www.accertify.com/q2-2026-global-air-travel-fraud-report/.

About Accertify

Accertify enables commerce by doing one thing extraordinarily well: pinpointing fraud. The company’s Predictive Yes Platform helps businesses say yes to more – more good customers, more revenue, and more growth – without getting burned. It’s a precise, confident, data-backed yes, made possible by joining signals across the entire customer lifecycle through unmatched data volume, layered AI-powered models, and a consortium approach that protects clients from bad actors spotted anywhere in the network while unlocking business with good actors verified anywhere in the network. With more than 10 billion transactions and over $1 trillion in commerce processed in 2025 alone, Accertify delivers the intelligence and precision that fraud and payments teams need to say yes confidently and enable growth. That’s the More Yes difference. Learn more at accertify.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260715427770/en/

Contact

Media Contact
Tylor Tourville
T2 PR
tylor@t2pr.agency

Source : Accertify

SINGAPORE’S TOP 100 BRANDS RISE 7 PCT TO US$84.1 BLN VALUE IN 2026

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) — Singapore’s top 100 brands rose seven per cent year-on-year to a combined value of US$84.1 billion in 2026, driven by growth across the banking, engineering, food and real estate sectors, according to the Brand Finance Singapore 100 2026 report. (US$1 = RM3.95)

DBS Bank retained its position as Singapore’s most valuable brand for the 14th consecutive year, with brand value rising eight per cent to US$18.6 billion, supported by regional expansion and diversification efforts.

Marina Bay Sands ranked second in brand value at US$8 billion, rising 35 per cent, supported by strong revenue performance and ongoing upgrade investments that enhanced its premium positioning in the tourism sector, while OCBC Bank ranked third at US$6.8 billion, reflecting steady performance in wealth management and regional expansion initiatives.

The report highlighted strong performance across sectors, with engineering benefiting from aerospace and defence demand, food and agriculture supported by commodity trends, and real estate remaining stable on steady transaction activity, according to a statement.

Meanwhile, Changi Airport was named Singapore’s strongest brand, with a Brand Strength Index score of 91.2 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating, driven by record passenger traffic, expanded connectivity and continued service investment.

TeleChoice International was the fastest-growing brand in the ranking, with brand value surging 288 per cent to US$52.7 million, driven by strong demand in semiconductor-related segments and product expansion.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts was the top hotel brand, ranking 27th overall, supported by digital transformation initiatives, loyalty programme growth and expansion of its global property portfolio.

Separately, Singapore Airlines led sustainability perceptions among Singaporean respondents, particularly for its decarbonisation strategy, including its net zero emissions target by 2050 and investment in sustainable aviation fuel.

Other brands showing strong sustainability perceptions included Ascott and Banyan Tree for environmental sustainability, CapitaLand, Singapore Land and FairPrice in social sustainability, and DBS in governance, reflecting strong domestic recognition across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pillars.

— BERNAMA

KWM Signs Exclusive Global Distribution Agreement with HYBE Covering BTS, SEVENTEEN, LE SSERAFIM, and More — Targeting Annual Revenue in Excess of $100 Million

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

Through Play Company, KWM secures worldwide distribution rights for concert DVDs and digital codes. Substantial revenue generation expected as BTS launches its first world tour since members’ return from mandatory military service

NEW YORK and SEOUL, South Korea, April 13 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — K Wave Media Ltd. (“KWM” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: KWM), a global K-content, intellectual property (IP), and artificial intelligence (AI) technology platform, today announced via Form 6-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it has entered, through its wholly owned subsidiary Play Company Co., Ltd. (“Play Company”), into a global distribution agreement with HYBE for video and print merchandise related to 2026 concert activities. The agreement became effective on April 3, 2026, carries an initial term of one year, and may be extended upon mutual consent. The agreement encompasses not only BTS but also SEVENTEEN, LE SSERAFIM, and additional HYBE artists.

Under the agreement, KWM will distribute and monetize digital video products derived from BTS live concert performances to global audiences, including in the United States and key Asian markets. BTS is widely regarded as one of the most influential global music acts, with a substantial international fan base and strong consumer engagement.

The most significant component of this agreement centers on BTS. Prior to the group’s activity hiatus, BTS generated approximately $80 million in revenue in 2022 solely through video merchandising via Play Company. With all members having completed their mandatory military service and the 2026 world tour confirmed, market observers and analysts anticipate significant demand.

BTS’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, has already surpassed four million pre-orders. The accompanying world tour, launching in Korea on April 9th, encompasses 79 confirmed performances over an 11-month run through March 2027, with additional dates anticipated in Japan, the Middle East, and other markets that could bring the total to between 90 and 100 shows. In January, tickets for 41 stadium performances across North America and Europe sold out immediately upon release, with venues in Madrid, Brussels, London, Munich, and Paris selling out within 60 minutes.

Industry analysts project the tour could generate approximately $1.45 billion (approximately KRW 2.14 trillion) in revenue, placing it alongside Taylor Swift and Coldplay among the world’s highest-grossing concert tours. The Guardian reported that “BTS’s world tour as a reunited group has the potential to generate an economic impact that surpasses Taylor Swift’s records.”

The Company expects the renewed collaboration to reestablish a scalable, fandom-driven revenue stream as BTS resumes global activities. KWM intends to leverage its existing production, localization, and distribution capabilities to expand monetization across multiple formats, including digital content, fan-focused commerce, and related offerings.

Play Company has an established track record of working with leading Korean entertainment companies to develop and distribute official K-pop content globally. The Company believes this agreement represents a meaningful step in strengthening its position within the global fandom economy and expanding its portfolio of high-value entertainment IP.

In addition, KWM recently completed the acquisitions of Rabbit Walk and a controlling interest in Inticube Co., Ltd., further expanding the Company’s content production and AI-driven engagement capabilities. These acquisitions are projected to increase KWM’s pro forma annual revenue by approximately 50–70%.

When combined with the recently completed acquisitions, KWM expects total incremental revenue contributions to exceed $50–$75 million on a pro forma basis, representing an estimated 50–70% increase relative to the Company’s prior revenue base. This growth is expected to propel the Company’s total revenue beyond $100 million over the next 12 months and enable the Company to turn profitable for the current fiscal year.

Ted Kim, Chief Executive Officer of KWM, stated: “We will continue to pursue strategic partnerships, investments, and acquisitions to expand our IP portfolio and develop an integrated platform that combines content, commerce, and technology.”

The Company expects to explore potential synergies between its global content IP and Inticube’s technology capabilities, with a focus on enhancing fan engagement, personalization, and digital commerce initiatives. KWM intends to continue developing new revenue streams beyond traditional content distribution, including data-driven services, digital goods, and platform-based monetization strategies.

About K Wave Media

K Wave Media (KWM) is a publicly listed entertainment and Bitcoin treasury company dedicated to creating, distributing, and monetizing high-quality content across multiple platforms. Since going public in 2025, KWM has focused on strategic growth initiatives, including acquisitions, digital platforms, and digital asset treasury management.

Through its subsidiaries, KWM currently works with major K-pop entertainment companies, including HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and KQ Entertainment.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, and on the current expectations of K Wave Media’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of K Wave Media. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements could include changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political, and legal conditions.

If any of these risks materialize or K Wave Media’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that K Wave Media does not presently know, or that K Wave Media currently believes are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect K Wave Media’s current expectations, plans, and forecasts of future events and views as of the date hereof. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this communication, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein and the risk factors of K Wave Media described in K Wave Media’s Form 20-F initially filed with the SEC on May 14, 2025, as amended, including those under “Risk Factors” therein. K Wave Media anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while K Wave Media may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, K Wave Media specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing K Wave Media’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Media Contact
Investor Relations: info@kwavemedia.com
Public Relations: info@redroosterpr.com 

SOURCE: K Wave Media 

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Curia Expands Glasgow Manufacturing Capacity and Enhances Cell Line Development Platform

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

ALBANY, N.Y., March 24 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Curia, a leading contract research, development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced progress on the expansion at its Glasgow, UK sterile drug product facility as well as enhancements to its proprietary platform for cell line development.

The Glasgow, UK, site is well known throughout the industry for its more than 25 years of experience with formulation, lyophilization development and sterile fill-finish capabilities, including ADCs and other highly potent products. The current expansion is expected to be completed by early 2027. The investment will add an Annex 1 compliant isolator-based vial filling line and lyophilizer. Once complete, Glasgow will be able to fill batches up to 20,000 vials and will be well‑positioned to support future small‑scale commercial fills.

“This expansion in Glasgow comes as Curia is nearing completion of our significant expansion in our commercial drug product facility in Albuquerque, NM,” said Ron Aungst, VP, Drug Product Business Unit Operations. “Curia has already secured crucial equipment with long lead times to help the Glasgow expansion project stay on track, and we do not anticipate any disruption to current operations during the expansion.”

Curia’s clinical drug substance development capabilities have also been enhanced with improvements to the company’s cell line development (CLD) platform. The CLD offering at Curia’s Hopkinton, MA facility has been enhanced to incorporate IP-free semi-targeted integration technology that results in 6-fold higher titers compared to random integration technology. Curia’s stable platform, CHO-GSN®, was derived from the same parental cell line as its transient platform, TunaCHO®, allowing partners to efficiently scale-up from discovery to GMP.

“Our biologics division has always had end-to-end capabilities, and we are excited to offer a cell line that makes it more cost-efficient and faster to advance partners through early-stage clinical manufacturing,” said Jamie Grabowski, President, Research & Development. “With biotech-friendly licensing terms, reengineered cell line will be a critical component of successfully guiding partners on their path to commercialization.”

About Curia
Curia is a contract research, development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with over 30 years of experience, an integrated network of 20+ global sites and 3,100 employees partnering with biopharmaceutical customers to bring life-changing therapies to market. Our offerings in small molecule, generic APIs and biologics span discovery through commercialization, with integrated regulatory, analytical and sterile fill-finish capabilities. Our scientific and process experts, along with our regulatory compliant facilities, provide a best-in-class experience across drug substance and drug product manufacturing. From curiosity to cure, we deliver every step to accelerate your research and improve patients’ lives. Visit us at curiaglobal.com.

Corporate Contact:
Viana Bhagan
Curia
+1 518 512 2111
corporatecommunications@CuriaGlobal.com

SOURCE: Curia Global, Inc.

XSOLLA PROMOTES WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL GAMING INDUSTRY

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) — Xsolla has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women across the global gaming ecosystem through curated community initiatives, industry events, and thought leadership platforms in key growth markets, including Türkiye, Dubai, and Cyprus.

“By fostering mentorship, creating visible role models, and building meaningful connections between regional talent and global networks, Xsolla helps create real pathways for the next generation of women entering the industry.

“A more inclusive ecosystem drives stronger innovation, better decision-making, and long-term growth for the entire ecosystem,” said Xsolla Vice President of Business Development EMEA, Ilayda Bayari in a statement.

As the gaming industry continues to expand across emerging and high-growth markets, Xsolla is focused on empowering developers globally by fostering an inclusive ecosystem that provides women founders, studio leaders, publishers, and entrepreneurs with greater access to visibility, networks, and opportunities.

Through targeted industry gatherings and community-led discussions, Xsolla has also supported conversations around women in leadership in gaming. Recently, the company hosted an event in Dubai that brought together women founders and senior leaders from across the Middle East and neighbouring markets.

In 2025, Xsolla co-organised the Women in Games Cyprus conference, which gathered more than 70 senior leaders for panels, roundtables and workshops designed to help women and allies connect, collaborate and grow professionally and personally.

With a rapidly growing gaming ecosystem that generated US$1.01 billion in revenue in 2025, Türkiye represents another key focus market. Xsolla sees significant opportunities to support the market by connecting regional talent to the global gaming industry through its international network and sector expertise. (US$1=RM3.95)

Xsolla aims to increase visibility for women leaders and founders in gaming, encourage mentorship and peer-to-peer collaboration, facilitate cross-border connections between regional studios and global markets, and support sustainable growth across emerging gaming hubs.

A global video game commerce company, Xsolla is also championing female leaders within the organisation and across the wider industry through roles in legal, human resources, office leadership, business development, training and customer success.

— BERNAMA