The proposed technical standards may result in ‘faster deployment, lower costs, and better investment certainty’ as well as greater energy grid security, AEMC has said.
Industry and community stakeholders are invited to offer feedback on the proposed technical standards until 7 May, before the standards are finalised.
AEMC said the standards would help prevent consumers losing “billions in lost electricity supply or emergency network upgrades” due to fault-related failures impacting energy systems, while enabling investment, instead of blocking it.
The draft rule would raise the current threshold for large inverter-based loads from 5 megawatts (MW) to 30MW and embed this definition directly in the national electricity rules, which AEMO said will ensure that technical requirements will only apply to large scale projects that are most likely to affect power system security.
Nick Li, an energy specialist at Pinsent Masons, said: “The scale and speed of data-centre growth in Australia is now significant enough for AEMO to model data centres at their separate demand category within the NEM and call them ‘active grid participants’, with any sudden disconnection potentially triggering cascading failures and blackouts.”
“The publication of the new standards is intended to ensure that data centre development is smooth and does not impact electricity supply in the future by focusing on projects that have the potential to impact Australia’s energy security,” he said.
“The AEMC has stated that by matching the standards proposed or used in the US state of Texas, Ireland, and Finland, data centre operators can use the same equipment and feasibility studies as elsewhere. Standardising the approach would mean faster deployment, lower costs, and better investment certainty.”
Data centres will be required to meet new performance criteria, ensuring they can withstand disturbances to the power grid without going offline, and provide better data on how they respond to grid disturbances under the new rules.
Data centres currently make up about 2% of energy consumption in Australia, according to AEMO’s estimates. This is expected to grow sharply due to artificial intelligence’s heavy energy requirements.
VALHALLA, N.Y., March 18, 2026 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Optical Devices Division, today announced the development of three new 4K broadcast zoom lenses: FUJINON UA16x4BERD (“UA16x4”), FUJINON UA30x7.3BERD (“UA30x7.3”), and UA94x8.7BESM (“UA94x8.7”). Each of these newly developed lenses covers a wide range of focal lengths in a single unit, providing strong support for immersive storytelling in a variety of broadcast production environments such as sports broadcasts, concerts, live events, and studio production.
UA16x4 and UA30x7.3
The newly developed UA16x4 and UA30x7.3 portable broadcast zoom lenses achieve both an extended wide-angle range and high zoom ratio, fitting a focal length range that surpasses previous models into a compact and lightweight body.
UA30x7.3 delivers a best-in-class 30x zoom range[1] covering 7.3mm-219mm, and UA16x4 delivers a class-leading[1] wide-angle range of 4mm-64mm while also achieving best-in-class[1] 16x zoom range. By optimizing all elements – from optical and mechanical design to production and control technology – these two lenses achieve optimal zoom magnification and wide-angle focal length while reducing size and weight.
In sports broadcasts, UA16x4 and UA30x7.3 support a wide range of framing options, from wide views capturing the entire stadium, to powerful zoom-ins and close-ups for post-game interviews, enabling flexible image creation. Additionally, the flexibility of these lenses enables creative freedom for camera operators in various filming environments.
“In professional production environments such as sports broadcasts, concerts, live broadcasts, and studio production, it is essential to reliably capture moments that are key to the competition or performance,” said Stosh Durbacz, vice president, Sales, Optical Devices Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “We’ve designed these lenses specifically to meet the needs of these high-stake situations, combining zoom performance that covers a wide range of focal lengths from wide-angle to telephoto in a single lens with compact and lightweight designs that allow for agile operation.”
UA94x8.7
UA94x8.7 is a versatile box zoom lens for 2/3-inch sensor broadcast cameras, covering the wide-angle to super-telephoto focal range from 8.7mm to 818mm, providing operational flexibility. It is ideal for a wide variety of applications including sports broadcasts, concerts, and other large-scale live events. UA94x8.7 enables diverse visual creativity, from immersive wide-angle shots that capture the atmosphere to close-up footage that brings subjects vividly into focus.
“As professional video production styles diversify, broadcast equipment is increasingly being utilized across a wider range of settings, resulting in more demand for box lenses that offer high production quality and versatility, yet are still cost effective,” said Durbacz. “UA94×8.7 sits in a sweet spot between our UA70x and UA107x box zooms. It delivers a proprietary image stabilization system offering superior operability during zooming and focusing, reducing the burden on camera operators, and contributing to smooth operation in live production – at a price point we think will better align with their needs.”
Availability
UA94x8.7 is due to be released in fall of 2026, and both UA30x7.3 and UA16x4 are due to be released in spring of 2027. Fujifilm will showcase all three lenses at the 2026 NAB Show, the world’s largest international broadcast equipment trade shows, to be held in Las Vegas from April 19 to 22, 2026.
For more information about FUJINON broadcast and cinema lenses, visit https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/business/cine-and-broadcast.
Tokyo, March 18, 2026 – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) has recognized 23 initiatives that achieved outstanding results by conferring the President’s Award, including exemplary cases demonstrating the implementation of its new management policy, Innovative Total Optimization (ITO).
MHI Group announced its new management policy, ITO, effective May 2025. ITO constitutes a management methodology designed to maximize the potential inherent within the Group and achieve sustainable growth by pursuing group-wide optimization and scope expansion. By implementing ITO, the Group aims to create a virtuous cycle of transformation toward a high-profit structure and the reallocation of resources toward growth investments.
This year’s President’s Award recognized outstanding achievements across all areas of the Group, including exemplary initiatives stemming from putting ITO into practice, developing and implementing products and services contributing to solving social issues, and initiatives related to enhancing productivity and innovating business processes. Of these, 15 projects are highlighted below.
By conferring this President’s Award, MHI aims to enhance allemployee’s motivation to create new value based on its management policy. The Group is committed to achieving its mission in terms of “combining foundational technologies with cutting-edge knowledge to respond to changing societal and customer needs” while continuously striving to enhance corporate value.
World’s First Demonstration of 50% Hydrogen Co-Firing Operation Conducted at a Large-Scale GTCC Plant
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) Energy Systems]
Plant McDonough-Atkinson (Photo courtesy of Georgia Power)
At Georgia Power’s Plant McDonough-Atkinson in the U.S., 50% hydrogen co-firing was successfully demonstrated at the large-scale M501GAC gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power plant (gas turbine output: 283MW). This represents the world’s first achievement in a commercial unit of this output class. In 2024, MHI Group was awarded a contract to conduct modification design and full-scale validation for converting an existing natural gas-fired gas turbine to hydrogen co-firing. The project included replacement of the combustors and installation of a hydrogen supply system. Working together with Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc., a U.S.-based group company of MHI, it successfully completed demonstration testing in June 2025. By leveraging not only combustion technology but also comprehensive technical capabilities—including hydrogen supply systems, operations, and control systems—MHI Group achieved the world’s largest hydrogen co-firing for utility-scale power generation, thereby contributing to the advancement of practical solutions for decarbonization.
Successful Completion of Retrofitting for Other OEM Boilers Driving Expansion in After-Sales Services
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Energy Domain]
On-site Construction Crew
MHI successfully completed a turnkey project for retrofitting other OEM boilers in Indonesia. Leveraging its extensive expertise as a boiler manufacturer, MHI developed an optimal retrofit plan for this project, achieving results that significantly exceeded the guaranteed performance. Additionally for the subsequent unit, MHI completed the project ahead of schedule. This outcome was achieved through detailed on-site surveys, measurements, and proprietary analysis, all of which earned high praise from the client. Building on these results, there is strong potential for expanding similar service projects.
3D Design Service Capable of Shortening Design Lead Times and Cutting Costs for Plant Retrofitting Projects
[MHI Power Engineering Co., Ltd.]
AR-View of Post-Retrofitting Data superimposed onto actual site for Interference Checking
MHI Power Engineering developed a solution for plant retrofitting projects that shortens spatial design lead times and cuts costs by up to approximately 30%. When designing spaces for older plants lacking blueprints, 3D drawings were traditionally created using laser scanning, but this posed challenges such as lengthy data processing times and the need to dispatch specialized measurement technicians. Therefore, MHI Power Engineering developed a method to create 3D data from videos shot with inexpensive commercial cameras, and techniques to display 3D-CAD models on-site using AR (i.e. Augmented Reality technology that superimposes digital information, such as images and audio, onto the physical world to enhance reality). This contributes to shortening lead times and reducing costs, as well as improving quality in spatial design. In addition to thermal power plants, it is increasingly being adopted for spatial design in nuclear power facilities, steelmaking machinery, and naval vessels.
MaiDAS®: Integrated Plant Operations System for Automated Operation and Operational Efficiency Improvement in Waste-to-Energy Plant
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering co., Ltd. (MHIEC) Engineering Division]
MHIEC Remote Operations Center
MHIEC has developed the integrated plant operation system MaiDAS®, which integrates AI/IoT technology with cloud virtualization and advanced security to enable remote monitoring and operational support, including automated operation, for waste-to-energy plants. With successful operation at 20 locations worldwide, this system enables automated operation of waste incinerators where control is challenging due to the variable characteristics of the waste as fuel. The system also integrates functions that contribute to reducing maintenance and administration cost, including the flexibility to enable remote monitoring from a desk PC while maintaining a high level of security, as well as optimal maintenance recommendations based on continuously collected operational data. Furthermore, MHIEC has obtained ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System certification) and ISO 27017 (ISMS Cloud Security certification), a first in the waste-to-energy plant industry. The Company also aims to work in tandem with the “MHIEC Remote Operations Center,” established in December 2025, to further enhance the efficiency of plant operations.
Central Operation Cockpit (COC): Enabling Stable Plant Operation and Reduced Workload in Modern Steel Plants
Primetals Technologies has developed an innovative centralized control system, the Central Operation Cockpit (COC), designed to enable a single operator to oversee major production units of a modern steel plant. The COC utilizes multiple integrated displays to instantly present critical events occurring throughout the plant. These events are detected, e.g., by AI-powered assistant functions. They provide operators with precise operational guidance, enabling rapid corrective actions and reducing downtime. The COC has already been implemented in six plant projects, where it has contributed to more stable operation and a reduced operator’s workload. With its modular design, the COC is adaptable not only to steel plant applications but also can be used in a wide range of industrial sectors, supporting enhanced competitiveness and potential market expansion.
MHI Launches “Prismo,” a Next-Generation Transit System Combining High Environmental Performance with Simplified Infrastructure
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. GX Solutions]
Prismo
The new eco-friendly next-generation Transit System “Prismo” has launched in May 2025. Based on Fully Driverless operated vehicles (Level: GOA4) with extensive proven track records both domestically and abroad, it incorporates innovative energy storage module and energy management systems that eliminate the need for power rail, along with a center guidance system that allows for a slimmer track design. As an innovative new transportation system, it has attracted significant interest from both Japan and overseas, with high expectations arising from the market. Additionally, vehicle manufacturing is carried out at the Mihara Machinery Works Carbon Neutral Transition Hub Mihara (Hiroshima Prefecture), which has reduced CO2 emissions by 97.5% through solar power generation, playing a key role in MHI’s MISSION NET ZERO. This also represents a strong example of business domain expansion, with expectations for enhancing the competitiveness of transit systems and driving business growth.
MHIET Achieves Rated Operation of a 100% Hydrogen Engine Generation Set at Demonstration FacilityRealizing Japan’s Highest Output for 100% Hydrogen
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger, Ltd. Engine & Energy Division]
100% Hydrogen Engine Generation Set
At the demonstration facility for the 6-cylinder 100% hydrogen engine generation set installed at the Sagamihara Plant, MHIET (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger, Ltd.) achieved a rated output (435 kW / 1,500 rpm) during 100% hydrogen operation, marking Japan’s highest ever 100% hydrogen rated operation. Hydrogen engines are prone to unstable combustion due to their large size and high power density, but on this occasion, MHIET successfully suppressed such combustion by controlling the ignition process. Furthermore, the Company established and implemented safety guidelines and design standards to ensure the safe handling of hydrogen. Looking ahead to future societal trends, MHIET will continue working toward the practical application of these engines.
MHI Launches the LXZ / KXZ3 Series of Multi-Split Air-Conditioners for Buildings A Combination of Both Comfort and Energy Efficiency
Multi-Split Air-Conditioners for Buildings in Japan LXZ Series
MHI Thermal Systems has launched the new LXZ / KXZ3 Series multi-split air-conditioners for buildings, which combine both comfort and energy efficiency via structural and design innovations. This new product represents a full model change of the conventional model, more than 20 years after its initial development. The new model features a high-efficiency scroll compressor optimized for the low-GWP R32 refrigerant and variable-temperature and capacity control, enabling reductions in cooling-mode power consumption of approximately 10-21% compared to conventional models. It also supports continuous heating operation using a hot gas bypass method. Additionally, the system maintains a wide operating range of up to 52℃ during cooling and down to -25℃ during heating, ensuring adaptability to diverse environments. The model’s features, designed for serviceability and ease of installation and combined with an innovative design, have been met with high regard. The LXZ series for Japan was awarded the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2025, while the KXZ3 series for Europe received the international Italian design award, A’DESIGN AWARD 2025, and these accolades have further elevated the brand’s value.
MHI Develops Automated Warehouses and Production Processes Maximizing the Throughput of Air-Conditioning Equipment
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – Mahajak Air Conditioners Co., Ltd. (MACO) Business Department]
Exterior of the MACO Automated Warehouse
MHI has developed fully automated warehouses and production processes that enable centralized in-house management of all processes from the production planning of air-conditioning equipment to manufacturing, storage, and shipping. Since becoming fully operational, the system has maintained stable performance, increasing throughput (the capacity for production over a given period) by 40%. It also centralizes the management of previously distributed systems and their associated information, such as orders, production plans, and inventory. This is achieved with QR code-based visualization and AS / RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) using overhead conveyors and stacker cranes, thereby reducing inventory storage and handling costs by 65% compared with conventional warehouses.
Establishment and Company-Wide Rollout of Green Manufacturing Processes Combining Productivity Improvement and Energy Conservation
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Commercial Aircraft Systems]
Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works Oye Plant
By leveraging digital technology and scientific approaches to conduct energy loss diagnostics and visualize factory equipment, this initiative has achieved both productivity gains and energy savings without requiring large-scale investment while still maintaining product quality. Centered on Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works Oye Plant, MHI launched its activities in FY2021. A cross-departmental team has been promoting energy conservation and streamlining of factory equipment with positive results. In FY2024, compared to FY2021, MHI achieved an 18% reduction in energy intensity and a 4,200-ton reduction in CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the Company received the “Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Commissioner’s Award” at 2025 Energy Conservation Grand Prize. This scheme has been standardized and is currently being rolled out to other sites.
Practical Application of “MAG Machining” to Reduce Costs and Environmental Impact Aimed at Skin Panel Manufacturing for Aircrafts
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Commercial Aircraft Systems]
Skin (Bottom) and Frame (Top) Processed by MAG Machining
MHI has put their “MAG (Mitsubishi Advanced Green) Machining Method” into practical use for high-precision machining of large core aircraft structural panels (frames and skins). Conventional chemical milling, which uses large quantities of chemicals to melt aluminum, was previously required for precision machining aluminum alloy panels up to 9 meters long with tolerances in the 10-micron range, meaning that reducing chemical usage to lower costs and environmental impact was a pressing challenge. Therefore, MHI developed MAG machining that combines cutting tool capable of handling complex shapes, technology that controls machining volume while measuring plate thickness using ultrasonic waves, and technology that automatically rectifies machining paths. MHI first adopted this for skin processing in FY2017. Then, by FY2025, the Company achieved the world’s first machining of frames and completed the adoption of MAG machining for all parts previously processed by chemical milling. Compared to before, costs were reduced by approximately 30% and this fundamental machining method for aircraft manufacturing – established globally only by MHI – has been highly praised by The Boeing Company in the U.S.
Autonomous Mobile Collaborative Robot Platform “FCR-PF” Automation and Reduced Processing Times in Manufacturing
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Research Institute]
Flexible Collaborative Robot Platform: FCR-PF
MHI Group has developed and implemented an autonomous mobile robot system (FCR-PF: Flexible Collaborative Robot Platform) to enhance throughput, reduce lead times, and minimize manpower at its manufacturing sites. This collaborative robot system, which can work together with workers in existing production areas, is software-driven and can easily increase the number of tasks it can handle by installing applications and changing the hand at the tip. It is also characterized as a “multi-skilled worker ” that can perform not only one task but various other tasks. In addition, it can perform difficult tasks by cooperating with multiple robots, and it is also possible to combine individually introduced robots according to the situation. The development was completed with specifications that can be operated even in harsh field environments, and the system has already started to be operated in the manufacturing sites of the group. It has contributed to freeing workers from dangerous work and simple repetitive work, shifting to high-value-added work, and robotization/mechanization of skilled skills. In the future, the autonomous mobile multi-skilled worker collaborative robot system, which can improve the capacity utilization rate and investment effect, is expected to expand automation to improve throughput and shorten lead time.
MHI Has Developed Ultrasonic Testing that Significantly Reduces Inspection Lead Times
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Research Institute]
MHI has developed two UT (Ultrasonic Testing) technologies that enable inspections otherwise impossible with conventional methods. The “Adaptive UT” technology estimates the surface profile and corrects wave reflection and refraction, enabling direct inspection of internal defects without modifying complex surfaces. This technology has been implemented in boilers, reducing inspection lead times by 70% during periodic boiler inspections. In steam turbines, commercial aircraft, special vehicles, and other applications, it has enabled the inspection and quality verification of areas that were previously difficult to assess, resulting in greater design flexibility and improved reliability. The “Internal Thread UT” quantitatively measures thread height to determine damage, enabling integrity assessment of threaded sections without removing any bolts. Compared to conventional inspections that required bolts to be removed, this approach significantly reduces inspection lead times by 80% for steam turbines. These UT technologies, which defy industry norms, greatly contribute to the Company’s after-sales service operations and design innovations by expanding design flexibility while ensuring quality, and are also expected to help shorten manufacturing lead times through their application as in-process inspections on production lines.
Maintenance Activities for Factory Infrastructure Equipment Utilizing Digital Technology in Factories
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Value Chain Headquarters]
Advanced Factory Management Using Infrastructure Data Analysis
This refers to activities to advance equipment maintenance, which tasks that tend to depend on experience and skills, by leveraging digital technology. In practice, this involves utilizing digital technologies such as IoT sensors that can be easily retrofitted to equipment and data cleansing to extract key features (numerical representations of data characteristics) from large datasets, thereby streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of infrastructure maintenance operations within MHI factories. The focus was on Hiroshima Machinery Works Kan-on Plant, which has approximately 22,000 terminal electrical systems while IoT sensors have been installed in the transformer rooms at the very top of the electrical system, establishing a mechanism to monitor the entire plant. Previously, manual inspections and meter readings were conducted at all 22,000 terminal equipment points, but now, automatic evaluation can be performed using data from just 350 substations, aiming to reduce the inspection workload by approximately 60%. This reduces the risk of leakage and curtails power outage inspection times for individual equipment inspections, which helps to prevent factory downtime. This is something that can also be deployed at other factories.
MHI Rolls Out Company-Wide XR Platform Accelerating DX in Design and Production Processes
[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Digital Innovation Division]
Improved Layout Marking Efficiency by Overlaying Blocking Plans
MHI has promoted the company-wide deployment of XR(Note) technologies that enable the digital transformation of design and production processes by displaying digital data such as CAD in virtual spaces or on actual products, thereby preventing design rework and streamlining assembly and inspection operations. By standardizing and platformizing XR environment setup and operational procedures, the Company established a system enabling anyone to easily build and operate XR environments. As of the end of December 2025, adoption and pilot implementation have progressed accordingly across 12 departments. In aerospace systems, utilizing XR technology during the initial design phase assisted with identifying issues in product assembly and machining early on, helping to prevent rework. For commercial aircrafts and submarines, overlaying part installation positions onto the actual products has halved the time required for marking and layout work. Further company-wide implementation is expected to enhance profitability across the entire Group.
XR (Cross Reality) is an umbrella term covering VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), MR (Mixed Reality), and other related technologies.
Macquarie Bank has announced it will make changes to interest rates across its variable home loan and deposit products following the Reserve Bank’s decision to increase Australia’s official cash rate.
Macquarie will increase the variable interest rates paid on its transaction and savings accounts by 0.25% p.a. and will increase its variable home loan reference rates by 0.25% p.a. from 2 April 2026.
Ben Perham, Head of Personal Banking at Macquarie Bank, said: “We know the RBA’s decision to lift rates again will come as unwelcome news to many mortgage holders, but we want our customers to know that we’re in your corner. In February, many banks chose to pass on higher home loan rates in just days, while we took a different approach. We were the slowest of the major banks, waiting over two weeks so our customers had more time to adjust and plan their finances. We’re doing that again and want to remind customers that they can easily apply for financial assistance online, at a time that suits them, if they’re concerned about making their loan repayments or their circumstances have changed”.
Australians buying a home, refinancing their loan or purchasing an investment property are partnering with mortgage brokers nationwide and choosing to join Macquarie. Macquarie’s home lending portfolio is growing ~4 times the average of the major banks, with customers across Australia increasingly choosing Macquarie for its competitive home loan rates, market-leading turnaround times and superior digital experiences.1 This offering was recognised by mortgage brokers last week, with Macquarie named ‘Bank of the Year’ five years in a row by Mortgage Professional Australia.
Perham added: “We’re making it even easier for our customers to meet their savings goals by again passing on the Reserve Bank’s rate increase of 0.25% to all customers using our transaction or savings accounts. We’ve seen a number of banks holding back or choosing to selectively pass through higher rates only on certain accounts they offer. Other banks are only lifting their elusive ‘bonus’ rates or ‘welcome’ rates which are only available to their new customers”.
“With the Reserve Bank this year encouraging savers to shop around for the best deposit rates, it’s worth checking whether you’re still getting the best deal. If you’re not, it may be time to switch to Macquarie. Our customers know they are earning a proper rate of interest on all their money, with no Macquarie fees or hoops to jump through”.
With a Macquarie Savings Account, customers will earn an ongoing variable rate of 4.75% p.a. on balances up to $2 million effective from 2 April 2026. Customers can open a Savings Account online within minutes and on their first account they will receive a variable welcome rate of 5.10% p.a. from 2 April 2026 on balances up to $250,000 for four months from account opening. Customers will also receive a variable rate of 2.50% p.a. on Macquarie’s Transaction Account from 2 April 2026. Macquarie charges no monthly account keeping or international transaction fees on its transaction or savings accounts and refunds fees charged by other institutions for withdrawing cash from Australian ATMs when using a Macquarie debit card.2
From 19 March 2026, customers opening a new 12-month Macquarie Term Deposit account will earn 5.00% p.a. on balances up to $1 million.
Macquarie Bank is here to support customers feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living. Customers may be able to access financial assistance if their personal or financial circumstances have changed and they are concerned about making their loan repayments. Customers can easily apply for financial assistance online at a time that suits them, with our specialist team available to provide tailored support as needed.
From February 2 to 4, the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) — North America’s largest heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) trade show — took place in Las Vegas. Hosted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), this year’s event brought together more than 1,800 global companies, showcasing the latest technologies and industry trends from around the world.
At the exhibition, Samsung Electronics operated a 350-square-meter booth and presented its vision for next-generation HVAC solutions under the theme “Enabling Better Living.” Spanning residential to commercial applications, Samsung demonstrated how AI-driven energy management and advanced maintenance innovations can deliver tangible benefits in real-world environments.
Samsung Newsroom sat down with Hye-seong Baek, Vice President of the Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics, to discuss the company’s HVAC innovations and strategies.
▲ Hye-seong Baek, Vice President of Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics
Q. What were the key factors behind Samsung’s participation in this year’s AHR Expo?
Since Samsung’s first official debut in 2015, Samsung has showcased its latest innovations at the AHR Expo every year. Additionally, North America is the world’s second-largest HVAC market, and it represents a critical arena where the industry’s most advanced technologies compete.
At this year’s exhibition, Samsung directly engaged with its partners to share its differentiated business vision and AI-based HVAC solutions, while further strengthening mid- to long-term partnerships built on mutual trust.
Q. What were the key products and solutions showcased at this year’s Expo?
Samsung unveiled a wide range of solutions that bring enhanced convenience and connectivity to diverse industrial applications and customer environments.
In the commercial segment, Samsung introduced the DVM S2+, a high-efficiency, large-capacity air-conditioning solution with significantly enhanced AI capabilities. At its core is on-device AI that learns from its environment in real time to minimize energy consumption while delivering optimal indoor comfort.
In line with residential sustainability trends, Samsung is targeting the North American unitary[1] market with Hylex, an inverter-based outdoor unit that uses the low global warming potential (GWP)[2] R454B refrigerant, as a key product. The newly introduced Hylex features inverter technology that delivers high energy efficiency, low noise and a compact design tailored to North American consumer preferences.
Samsung also strengthened its EHS lineup of residential air-to-water heat pumps (AWHPs), offering a practical alternative to conventional fossil-fuel boilers while maximizing hot-water supply and heating efficiency.
▲ Samsung Electronics showcased its HVAC system and solutions at the AHR Expo 2026
Q. At this year’s CES, Samsung shared its vision of HVAC solutions serving as a new growth engine. Why is Samsung increasingly focusing on the HVAC sector?
HVAC is a core technology that regulates temperature and humidity across residential, commercial and industrial facilities, and the HVAC sector plays an essential role in supporting everyday life by providing optimal air conditions in these spaces. In recent years, the market has gained further momentum amid global efforts to address climate change, paired with increasingly comprehensive regulations on eco-conscious energy use. Looking ahead, Samsung anticipates the market to grow annually at a stable rate of approximately 5%.
Samsung is focusing on scaling HVAC services in connection with smart homes and smart cities. By integrating Samsung’s AI technologies and SmartThings across the broader HVAC market, Samsung expects to see strong potential to create meaningful synergies ranging from remote maintenance to energy cost optimization.
Q. What do you see as the key trends shaping the U.S. HVAC market in 2026?
This year, the key trends in the U.S. market are sustainability and high efficiency. Environmental regulations such as the adoption of low-GWP refrigerants are continuing to expand into the commercial sector, alongside new design and installation standards being introduced. In response, the market is shifting away from high energy-consuming, fixed-speed air conditioners toward high-efficiency inverter heat pump systems.
In the residential segment, demand for eco-conscious HVAC heat pumps is steadily increasing, while the adoption of VRF(Variable Refrigerant Flow) systems is accelerating in the commercial sector. This is driving greater diversification across HVAC solutions, while rising demand for AI data centers and high-performance computing is fueling the growth of precision cooling systems as an increasingly important market segment.
Moreover, AI-based predictive maintenance and optimization technologies — along with comfort and energy-saving solutions enabled by a wide range of IoT sensors — are becoming more widespread, with improvements in energy and operational efficiency emerging as a key industry trend.
Q. What sets Samsung apart from its competitors in the highly competitive North American HVAC market?
In North America, the residential segment accounts for approximately 70% of the HVAC market, while the commercial segment represents about 30%. In the residential space, Samsung is expanding its regional distribution network with Samsung Lennox HVAC North America, its joint venture with leading residential HVAC provider Lennox. Through this venture, Samsung leverages its energy-efficient, inverter-based ductless lineup.
In the commercial segment, Samsung is working closely with FläktGroup, Europe’s largest HVAC equipment provider — which the company recently acquired. Together, the companies offer comprehensive, customized solutions centered on modular chillers,[3] tailored for high-value applications such as data centers and cleanrooms.
Above all, Samsung’s most distinctive strength lies in the hyperconnectivity enabled by SmartThings and SmartThings Pro. In residential settings, this means continuously evolving experiences as a result of seamless connectivity, while in commercial environments, it manifests as advanced solutions that significantly enhance building-wide energy optimization and maintenance efficiency.
Q. What are Samsung’s goals in the North American HVAC market?
The goal is clear: to leap forward as a top-tier HVAC player in the North American market by leveraging advanced technologies and a diverse product portfolio.
Building on Samsung’s unique strengths in the ductless segment, Samsung is planning to expand into the ducted market — where centralized systems are the norm — through strategic synergies with FläktGroup. With the combination of Samsung’s chiller technologies and FläktGroup’s advanced cooling solutions, Samsung will deliver optimized solutions for data center applications.
In parallel, Samsung will continue to accelerate the rollout of products with low GWP and further strengthen AI-powered energy-saving technologies. Through these efforts, Samsung aims to deliver a differentiated, integrated energy management experience for consumers in the North American residential market, where heating and cooling account for a significant share of electricity consumption.
For more information, visit: https://news.samsung.com/my/
[1] Commonly used in North America, residential unitary systems cool homes and mid-sized buildings by distributing chilled air through ductwork.
[2] A metric that indicates the amount of energy the emission of 1 ton of gas will absorb over a given period of time, relative to the emission of 1 ton of carbon dioxide.
[3] A system designed with cooling capacity divided into multiple independent modules, enabling a stable supply of heating and cooling to meet a building or facility’s load requirements.
SHANGHAI and HONG KONG, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Antengene Corporation Limited (“Antengene”, SEHK: 6996.HK) , a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biotech company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class medicines for autoimmune disease, solid tumors and hematological malignancies indications, today announced that it will present results from three preclinical studies in poster presentations at the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR 2026), taking place from April 17th to 22th, at the San Diego Convention Center, California, the United States. The presentations will feature ATG-125 (B7-H3 x PD-L1 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate [ADC]), an IO + ADC dual-function molecule being developed for the treatment of solid tumors, as well as two investigational T cell engagers (TCEs) developed using the company’s proprietary AnTenGager™ TCE platform, including ATG-106 (CDH6 x CD3 TCE) for ovarian and kidney cancers, and ATG-112 (ALPPL2 x CD3 TCE) for gynecological tumors, digestive system malignancies, bladder cancers and NSCLC.
Details of the Poster Presentation: ATG-125 (B7-H3 x PD-L1 bispecific ADC) Title: ATG-125, a novel B7H3 x PD-L1 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate, demonstrates potent antitumor efficacy by dual targeting of immune evasion and direct tumor killing Abstract Number: 5599 Session Category: Immunology Session Title: T Cell Engagers 2 / Antibody-Drug Conjugates 1 Date: April 21, 2026 Time: 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM (Pacific Time) 05:00 AM, April 22, 2026 – 08:00 AM, April 22, 2026 (Beijing Time) Location: Poster Section 8
Introduction: B7-H3 and PD-L1 are immune checkpoint molecules overexpressed in a wide range of solid tumors and are associated with immune evasion and poor prognosis. ATG-125 is a novel bispecific ADC designed to simultaneously target B7-H3 and PD-L1, enabling targeted cytotoxic payload delivery while modulating immune checkpoint signaling. Preclinical studies evaluated binding affinity, internalization, cytotoxicity, immune activation, and antitumor efficacy in solid tumor models.
Results: ATG-125 demonstrated strong binding to both B7-H3 and PD-L1 and efficient antigen-dependent internalization, enabling intracellular release of a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. The molecule showed potent target-dependent cytotoxicity across multiple solid tumor cell lines and enhanced T-cell activation in immune assays. In xenograft models, ATG-125 induced marked tumor regression and demonstrated superior antitumor activity compared with single-target ADC comparators.
Conclusion: ATG-125 represents a differentiated bispecific ADC strategy that integrates targeted cytotoxicity with immune checkpoint modulation, supporting its potential as a next-generation therapy for solid tumors.
ATG-106 (CDH6 x CD3 TCE) Title: ATG-106, a novel “2+1″format CDH6-targeted T-cell Engager (TCE), shows potent T cell dependent cytotoxicity and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy Abstract Number: 1621 Session Category: Immunology Session Title: T Cell Engagers 1 Date: April 20, 2026 Time: 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Pacific Time) 00:00 AM, April 21, 2026 – 03:00 AM, April 21, 2026 (Beijing Time) Location: Poster Section 10
Introduction: Cadherin-6 (CDH6) plays a critical role in embryonic kidney development but shows minimal expression in normal adult tissues. However, CDH6 is frequently overexpressed in several cancers including ovarian and renal cancer, making it a promising therapeutic target. ATG-106 is a novel “2+1” CDH6 x CD3 T-cell engager designed with a sterically masked CD3 binding arm to enable tumor-dependent T-cell activation. ATG-106 was evaluated in a series of in vitro and in vivo studies including binding affinity, CD3 signaling pathway activation, T cell dependent cytotoxicity (TDCC), cytokine release, and antitumor activity in PBMC-humanized xenograft models.
Results: ATG-106 demonstrated reduced binding affinity to CD3-positive cells prior to CDH6 engagement while inducing significantly enhanced cytotoxic activity against CDH6-positive tumor cells compared with conventional TCE formats. In PBMC-humanized xenograft models of renal and ovarian cancer, ATG-106 induced robust tumor regression with complete responses observed in multiple treatment groups. Cytokine analysis showed minimal induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a potentially reduced risk of cytokine release syndrome.
Conclusion: ATG-106 demonstrated potent CDH6-dependent T-cell activation and strong antitumor activity with a favorable cytokine profile in preclinical models, supporting further development as a potential therapy for CDH6-expressing solid tumors.
ATG-112 (ALPPL2 x CD3 TCE) Title: ATG-112, a novel ALPP/G x CD3 bispecific T cell engager, for the treatment of ALPP/G+ solid tumors Abstract Number: 1620 Session Category: Immunology Session Title: T Cell Engagers 1 Date: April 20, 2026 Time: 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Pacific Time) 00:00 AM, April 21, 2026 – 03:00 AM, April 21, 2026 (Beijing Time) Location: Poster Section 10
Introduction: Placental alkaline phosphatase (ALPP) and related placental-like/germ-cell isoforms (ALPPL2 / ALPG) are aberrantly expressed in multiple solid tumors including ovarian, endometrial, gastric and pancreatic cancers, while being largely absent in normal adult tissues. ATG-112 is a novel ALPP/G x CD3 bispecific T-cell engager developed using the AnTenGager™ platform, featuring bivalent binding to tumor antigens and a sterically masked CD3 arm to restrict T-cell activation to the tumor microenvironment. The molecule was evaluated in preclinical studies assessing antigen binding, T cell dependent cytotoxicity, cytokine release and antitumor activity.
Results: ATG-112 demonstrated high binding affinity to ALPP/G-positive tumor cells and induced potent antigen-dependent T cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro. In PBMC humanized xenograft tumor models, ATG-112 showed dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition and robust antitumor activity. Cytokine release assays demonstrated minimal cytokine production, indicating a favorable safety profile with potentially reduced risk of excessive immune activation.
Conclusion: ATG-112 demonstrated potent antigen-dependent T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and robust antitumor activity with minimal cytokine release in preclinical models, supporting its advancement toward clinical development for ALPP/G-positive solid tumors.
About Antengene
Antengene Corporation Limited (“Antengene”, SEHK: 6996.HK) is a global, R&D-driven, commercial-stage biotech company focused on developing first-in-class/best-in-class therapeutics for diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Its pipeline spans from preclinical to commercial stages and includes several in-house discovered programs, including ATG-022 (CLDN18.2 ADC), ATG-037 (oral CD73 inhibitor), ATG-101 (PD-L1 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody), and ATG-125 (B7-H3 x PD-L1 bispecific ADC).
Antengene has also developed AnTenGager™, a proprietary T cell engager 2.0 platform featuring “2+1” bivalent binding for low expressing targets, steric hindrance masking, and proprietary CD3 sequences with fast on/off kinetics to minimize cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and enhance efficacy. These characteristics support the platform’s broad applicability across autoimmune disease, solid tumors and hematological malignancies, with programs targeting CD19 x CD3 (ATG-201 for B cell-related autoimmune diseases; partnered with UCB), CDH6 x CD3 (ATG-106 for ovarian cancer and kidney cancer), ALPPL2 x CD3 (ATG-112 for gynecological tumors, digestive system malignancies, bladder cancers and NSCLC), LY6G6D x CD3 (ATG-110 for microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer), GPRC5D x CD3 (ATG-021 for multiple myeloma), LILRB4 x CD3 (ATG-102 for acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) and FLT3 x CD3 (ATG-107 for acute myeloid leukemia).
To date, Antengene has obtained 32 investigational new drug (IND) approvals in the U.S. and Asia, and obtained new drug application (NDA) approvals in 10 Asia Pacific markets. Its lead commercial asset, XPOVIO® (selinexor), is approved in the Mainland of China, Taiwan China, Hong Kong China, Macau China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia, and has been included in the national insurance schemes in five of these markets (Mainland of China, Taiwan China, Australia, South Korea and Singapore).
Forward-looking statements
The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, please see the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the documents subsequently submitted to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
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Investor Contacts: Donald Lung E-mail: [email protected]
Founded by Prince William in 2020, The Earthshot Prize is the world’s most prestigious environmental award, designed to discover, accelerate and scale solutions to repair and regenerate the planet. It set five Earthshots: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World and Fix Our Climate.
Each year, more than 400 expert nominators from across sectors and regions submit solutions aligned to the Earthshots, creating a global pipeline of over 6,000 innovations. Through a rigorous selection process, including review by an expert advisory panel, The Prize selects 15 Finalists annually. Over the past five years, The Earthshot Prize has supported 75 extraordinary Finalists, and by 2030 will have supported 150. Each year, five Winners receive £1 million to increase their impact, alongside global recognition and visibility.
Beyond the awards, The Earthshot Prize works with its Finalists to help them scale. Through tailored support, partnerships and access to funding, Finalists are connected with investors, corporates and policymakers who can accelerate their progress. Since being selected, the first 60 Earthshot Finalists have collectively raised more than $500 million in grants and investment capital.
Amazon’s participation in The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance of Founding Partners highlights its long-term commitment to sustainability and climate leadership. As part of decarbonising its operations, Amazon has more than 40,000 electric vehicles in its network globally, is one of the world’s leading corporate purchasers of carbon-free energy with more than 700 projects around the world, and is investing $2 billion through its Climate Pledge Fund in visionary companies developing technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
As part of this strategic collaboration, Amazon will join The Earthshot Prize’s Global Alliance of Founding Partners. This group of leading global organisations and philanthropies plays a critical role in identifying, scaling, supporting and catalysing investment in pioneering environmental and climate innovation with the potential to drive systemic and scalable impact, bringing the strength of their robust network and expertise. The Global Alliance includes Bloomberg Philanthropies, Breakthrough Energy, Bezos Earth Fund, Temasek Trust, Standard Chartered and Uber, among others.
The initiative comes at a decisive moment for the planet. Scientific evidence shows that positive tipping points for the five Earthshots are within reach – but only if action accelerates now. Therefore, over the next five years, The Earthshot Prize will focus its next 75 Finalists on the most critical advances needed to achieve the Earthshot goals by 2030, prioritising solutions that can be adopted, replicated or scaled globally.
By working with companies like Amazon that have the global reach to help embed Finalists’ ideas across their global operations, and by connecting Finalists with the right partners, capital and decision-makers, the Prize aims to help scale recognised solutions worldwide, and accelerate meaningful progress for people and the planet.
TAIPEI and SAN DIEGO, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. (TPEx: 6492), a clinical stage company focusing on development of first-in-class therapeutics for oncology, rare diseases, and infectious diseases, today announced that its first-in-class investigational drug Pidnarulex (CX-5461) has demonstrated a significant research breakthrough in the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The research findings have been selected for presentation at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)—one of the world’s most influential conferences in oncology research—highlighting the innovation of the mechanism and its promising clinical development potential recognized by the international scientific community.
In recent years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has increasingly emerged as a promising cancer treatment strategy attracting strong interest from the global pharmaceutical industry. Several major pharmaceutical companies—including Novartis, AstraZeneca, and Roche—have actively invested in related research, acquisitions, and collaborations, exploring the integration of next-generation photosensitizers with photo-immunotherapy approaches.
The pre-clinical study shows that CX-5461 possesses photosensitizing properties. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, the compound generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative DNA damage and enhanced cancer cell death through both direct cytotoxicity and immune-mediated mechanisms. Under the same drug concentration conditions, cytotoxicity against cancer cells increased by approximately ten-fold.
Further investigation revealed that CX-5461’s binding to G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures works synergistically with light-induced ROS generation, significantly enhancing anti-tumor activity and prolonging survival. These findings suggest that, beyond its established anti-cancer mechanisms, CX-5461 also has the potential to be developed as a novel photosensitizer for photodynamic and novel photoimmuno-therapy.
This emerging therapeutic strategy could potentially be applied to superficial tumors, skin cancers, and other localized treatment settings, enabling a cross-indication cancer treatment approach and opening new clinical applications in oncology.
The AACR Annual Meeting serves as a premier global platform for validating groundbreaking science and presenting first-in-class mechanisms of action. Research presented at AACR frequently shapes future directions in biomedical innovation and often facilitates strategic collaborations, licensing agreements, and co-development opportunities with global pharmaceutical companies. Selection of this study for presentation further enhances the global visibility of CX-5461 in the field of innovative cancer therapeutics.
The research will be presented during the “Radiation and Photodynamic Therapy Response Modifiers” clinical research session at the AACR 2026 Annual Meeting. Jason Huang, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Senhwa Biosciences, and Kai‑Wei Hsueh, Ph.D., Associate Director of Clinical Research, will attend the conference and present the findings.
Photodynamic therapy is a medical technology that combines a photosensitizing agent with specific wavelengths of light to activate the compound and generate singlet oxygen or free radicals, selectively destroying diseased cells or tissues. It is widely considered a minimally invasive treatment modality with relatively low systemic toxicity. PDT has already been applied in a range of diseases, including skin cancers, head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, and cervical cancer.
Market research also indicates continued growth in the global photodynamic therapy market. The oncology-focused PDT market was estimated at approximately USD 3.54 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.89 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7–8%. With the increasing demand for precision oncology and minimally invasive therapies, photodynamic therapy is emerging as a key area of interest for global pharmaceutical development.
Senhwa Biosciences stated that the newly identified mechanism and application of CX-5461 in photodynamic therapy further demonstrate the compound’s potential as a multi-platform innovative anti-cancer therapeutic. The company will continue advancing related research and clinical development while actively exploring international partnerships and licensing opportunities to accelerate the global development of next-generation cancer treatments.
Kid Rock thinks its bawita-bad that the US Department of Justice reached a shocking settlement with Live Nation one week into its antitrust trial.
A close ally of Donald Trump, the rightwing rocker expressed bewilderment over the settlement, telling former Rolling Stones editor-in-chief Noah Shachtman that he was shocked by the news.
“I don’t understand why they would negotiate a settlement,” Kid Rock told Shachtman for a New York Times essay about how the settlement is a win for the company. “Why not just let it see its course? Let’s see what 12 people decide.”
After re-entering office, Trump allowed the justice department to continue a lawsuit against Live Nation, Ticketmaster’s parent company, that was started by Joe Biden’s justice department in 2024. The justice department, along with attorneys general from 39 states and Washington DC who joined the suit, said the company abused its market dominance to bolster illegal monopolies in the entertainment industry.
Kid Rock, along with Mumford & Sons’ Ben Lovett and executives from other ticketing concerns and aggrieved venues, were poised to testify at a trial that began earlier in March.
But the prospect of a star-studded antitrust trial was jeopardized when Live Nation and the justice department announced a settlement on 9 March.
The agreement was a sudden about-face from the justice department, which on 3 March said that the concert industry is “broken”.
“It is controlled by a monopolist. It is controlled by Live Nation,” justice department attorney David Dahlquist said in his opening statement.
According to the deal, Live Nation will launch a $280m settlement fund for states that sued. The settlement also stipulates that Ticketmaster must open parts of its platform to other ticketing companies and cap service fees at 15% of the price. It also requires Live Nation to withdraw from exclusive booking deals it has with 13 US venues.
On Monday, Judge Arun Subramanian announced that three states, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota, joined the justice department in its settlement and withdrawing from the case, according to the Associated Press.
That leaves three dozen states still in the lawsuit who said they were not content with the settlement. Subramanian last week directed these states to engage in settlement talks with Live Nation, according to NBC News, before allowing the trial to resume on Monday.
Live Nation insists that Ticketmaster keeps about 5% of what concertgoers pay for tickets and that they were not a monopoly. The company’s attorney, David Marriott, reportedly insisted in court that “every customer we get is a hard-fought battle in a competitive marketplace”.
When the settlement was announced, Michael Rapino, president and CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, said in a statement that it marked “a major step in improving the concert experience for artists and fans”.
“By giving artists greater flexibility in choosing their promotional partners and ticketing strategy while also keeping the cost of a concert more affordable for fans, we are putting more power where it should be – with artists and fans,” he said.
But New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, one of the attorneys general suing Live Nation, said in a statement last week that the settlement “fails to address the monopoly at the center of this case”.
“My attorney general colleagues and I have a strong case against Live Nation, and we will continue our lawsuit to protect consumers and restore fair competition to the live entertainment industry,” she said.
Baker McKenzie M&A partner Piotr (“Pete”) Korzynski has published an article in The M&A Lawyerexploring how the “Dexit” debate impacts merger agreement drafting and governing law decisions.
In the article, Pete examines the ongoing Dexit debate over whether corporations should move away from Delaware as their state of incorporation and its implications for merger agreement drafting, highlighting that distinct contractual considerations apart from incorporation considerations leave Delaware as the governing law and dispute forum of choice for merger agreements.
Drawing on recent deal data, Pete notes that even transactions involving Texas or Nevada target corporations often continue to rely on Delaware law for acquisition agreements. Pete explains why parties might make this seemingly counterintuitive choice even after going through a Dexit, with parties likely citing well-worn concepts from that same debate – like Delaware’s well‑developed jurisprudence, predictable interpretation and the experience of the Delaware Court of Chancery in resolving complex transaction disputes – but applied specifically to contracts rather than incorporation and corporate internal affairs.
And the ultimate result? A Dexit becomes a “Dentry.”
