Category: 3. Business

(Bloomberg) — Japanese assets took the spotlight in Asia on Thursday. The nation’s shares led gains in the region after US data boosted odds of a Federal Reserve interest-rate cut next week, while a sale of its 30-year government bonds drew the strongest demand since 2019.

The Topix and Nikkei 225 rose more than 1.7% each versus a gain of 0.5% for MSCI Inc.’s broader gauge of Asian equities. Indexes in South Korea and Taiwan snapped a two-day advance. US stock futures were steady after the S&P 500 climbed 0.3% overnight, while Bitcoin hovered around $93,000 after a two-day rally.

Data on Wednesday showed US companies shed payrolls in November by the most since early 2023, reinforcing concerns about a more pronounced labor market weakening. Swaps pricing indicated rising expectations for a December cut Wednesday, with traders assigning more than a 90% chance to a 25-basis-point reduction.

“Unlike many other markets in Asia, Japan is more sensitive to developments around Fed rate-cut expectations, partly because the Fed may set the pace for the Bank of Japan via the FX channel” said Frederic Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC Holdings Plc. “A strengthening conviction over Fed rate cuts, by easing pressure on the yen, could offer more runway for the BOJ to remain accommodative for longer.”

Japan’s 30-year bonds gained following the auction result, which came after a sale of 10-year notes earlier in the week also drew firm demand. Together, the results have offered some relief to the market that has seen yields surge due to renewed fiscal concerns and on bets for a potential rate hike at the Dec. 19 BOJ policy decision.

What Bloomberg’s Strategists Say…

“JGB investors seem to have found the yield level they love for 30-year bonds, with a huge 4.04 bid-to-cover ratio. That is the highest demand since 2019, with the low price well above the pre-sale forecast, which is another positive signal. Moreover, Nomura was the biggest buyer — typically a sign of long-term investors getting involved.”

— Mark Cranfield, Markets Live strategist. Click here for the full analysis.

Meanwhile in Australia, bond yields rose to the highest level this year amid growing speculation the central bank will switch back to raising rates to curb inflation.

In currency markets, a gauge of the dollar was steady after dropping 0.4% in the previous session, when US treasuries climbed across the curve, pushing two-year yields down to around 3.48%. The Indian rupee fell to a record low against the dollar as sentiment remained weak amid delays in securing a trade deal with the US.

Separately, China set its daily reference rate for the yuan at a level that was significantly weaker than estimates, suggesting the central bank is aiming to limit gains in the managed currency which is inching close to a keenly watched level of 7 per dollar.

Tech Drags

Cyclical stocks such as industrials and financials were among the top contributors to gains for the MSCI Asia Pacific Index on Thursday. While its moves this week have been small, the regional gauge is on course for a third straight session daily advance. It jumped 2.7% last week, the most since early October.

“The relief over the US November ADP employment data and growing hopes for the Fed’s rate cut next week seem to be contributing to a better sentiment for APAC equity markets,” said Homin Lee, a senior macro strategist at Lombard Odier Singapore.

In commodities, silver fell but continued to trade near an all-time high on the reinforced bets of a Fed cut. Gold edged lower. Oil held a modest gain as investors weighed the outlook for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the fallout from tensions between the US and Venezuela.

Trade and geopolitics were also on investors’ radar. French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Thursday, where they would discuss a range of issues including economic ties, trade tensions, Taiwan and the war in Ukraine. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that the US is expecting a large investment pledge from Taiwan in trade talks.

Fed Outlook

Despite the apparent confidence among investors, US policymakers have been torn as to whether they’ll cut rates for a third straight meeting as they attempt to balance the slowdown in the job market with still-elevated inflation.

Data on Wednesday showed US services activity expanded at a slightly faster pace, while a measure of prices paid dropped to a seven-month low.

Before their final policy meeting of the year, Fed officials will get a dated reading on their preferred inflation gauge. On Friday, the September income and spending report is due to be released — long delayed because of the government shutdown.

The figures will include the personal consumption expenditures price index and a core measure that excludes food and energy. Economists project a third straight 0.2% increase in the core index. That would keep the year-over-year figure hovering just below 3%, a sign that inflationary pressures are stable, yet sticky.

“Right now, the data argues for additional Fed funds rate cuts. US labor demand is weak, consumer spending is showing early signs of cracking, and upside risks to inflation are fading,” said Elias Haddad at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Corporate News

Paramount Skydance Corp. more than doubled the proposed breakup fee in its offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. to $5 billion, according to people familiar with the company’s offer, part of a sweetened proposal designed to outshine rival bids. Singapore’s stock exchange is considering buying Cboe Global Markets Inc.’s Australian unit, the Australian Financial Review reported. On one of Larry Fink’s frequent trips to Australia, the BlackRock Inc. chief sized up a boutique finance firm run by an Olympic swimming champ — a prelude to a A$25 million ($16.5 million) play to crack open one of the world’s richest retirement systems. Hong Kong builder New World Development Co. failed to get full support from creditors in a key bond-exchange plan that required them to accept cuts in the value of their holdings. Microsoft Corp. slid 2.5% on a report of lower demand for some artificial-intelligence tools even as the company said aggregate sales quotas for AI products have not been reduced. Some of the main moves in markets:

Stocks

S&P 500 futures were little changed as of 2:35 p.m. Tokyo time Japan’s Topix rose 1.7% Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.1% The Shanghai Composite fell 0.1% Euro Stoxx 50 futures rose 0.5% Currencies

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed The euro was little changed at $1.1660 The Japanese yen was little changed at 155.35 per dollar The offshore yuan was little changed at 7.0647 per dollar Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin fell 0.7% to $93,075.12 Ether rose 0.6% to $3,184.46 Bonds

The yield on 10-year Treasuries advanced two basis points to 4.08% Australia’s 10-year yield advanced six basis points to 4.70% Commodities

West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.6% to $59.33 a barrel Spot gold fell 0.2% to $4,194.37 an ounce This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation.

–With assistance from Aya Wagatsuma, Winnie Hsu and Richard Henderson.

©2025 Bloomberg L.P.

Trends

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA

Leaders are boosting traditional financial forecasts by using workforce data as an early indicator of business performance. Combined with AI, HR insights on engagement, turnover and skills help spot trends sooner, enabling faster, more accurate decisions and better margin management.

What business leader doesn’t want clearer foresight and better visibility into next quarter’s revenue, upcoming cost pressures and the health of their margins? Yet most forecasting models still rely almost entirely on financial data, even though financials tend to tell the story last.

The earliest signs of change, good or bad, nearly always appear in HR data analytics. And workforce trends may surface weeks or months before they show up on a balance sheet or income statement.

That’s why forward-looking leaders are rethinking their approach. With clean people data supported by responsible artificial intelligence (AI), organizations can turn early signals into reliable forecasts, spot risks sooner, plan resources more effectively and make decisions faster.

You don’t have to replace your existing financial forecasting model. Instead, power it with workforce insights you’ve been leaving untapped.

HR data analytics in motion

Financial outcomes tend to build slowly. When leaders learn to treat people data as “data in motion,” they discover workforce signals consistently move ahead of financial results.

For example, when employee engagement scores slip, production delays, quality issues and customer experience impacts often follow, creating avoidable revenue drag. Higher attrition drives recruitment costs, onboarding time and overtime to cover gaps, forecasting compressed margins in the next quarter. Slow time-to-fill or shortages in critical skills signal that teams may struggle to meet demand, limiting revenue potential or delaying projects.

None of these insights requires complex analytics. They simply require paying attention to how fast certain signals are changing and in which direction. When viewed this way, people data enhances forecasting. Instead of guessing where performance is headed, you observe it in real time through the people who drive it and maximize the value of your investments.

“You need to align your HR data analytics efforts to what’s important to the organization and the HR strategy that you have in place,” said Kathy Gawronski, VP Value Engineering at WorkForce Software – an ADP Company.

“First, it’s important to get support for driving more value out of your HR system and using available data to drive that value. It won’t be that difficult to get support to do that, because it’s getting more value out of what you’ve already invested in,” said Gawronski. “Begin small and leverage the value of initial studies to establish additional support and necessary investments. Be sure to communicate the impact to the bottom line of the initial insights. Lather, rinse, repeat.”

AI as the accelerator

High-quality people data creates early visibility, but responsible AI turns that visibility into sharper, faster and more reliable forecasting. Instead of manually stitching together spreadsheets, leaders can use AI to reduce reporting errors, uncover patterns earlier and model scenarios in seconds.

The benefits are practical and immediate:

• Fewer reporting mistakes: AI reduces manual entry and reconciliation work, helping eliminate the small but costly inaccuracies that distort forecasts.
• Faster scenario modeling: Leaders can test questions like, “What if attrition rises 35%?” or “How would a slowdown in hiring velocity affect project capacity?” without days of analysis.
• Improved budgeting accuracy: By detecting small shifts in workforce behavior early, AI gives HR and finance teams more time to adjust headcount plans, training investments and labor budgets.

According to McKinsey & Company, organizations using AI-driven forecasting saw forecasting errors drop 20% to 50% compared with traditional spreadsheet methods.

Forecast in action

Consider a regional business that began tracking absenteeism in conjunction with team performance. Initially, the metrics appeared unrelated. But eventually leaders noticed a pattern: when absenteeism crept up, productivity dipped shortly afterward, often before anyone flagged a problem.

By linking these signals, the company built a simple model that projected how rising absenteeism would affect output and labor costs. When the data began trending upward for one quarter, the model forecasted a margin decline nearly two months earlier than traditional financial reports would have. Armed with that insight, leaders acted quickly. They adjusted staffing plans, shifted workloads, and tightened scheduling practices, avoiding the overtime expenses that would have eroded margins.

This is the power of forecasting through people data. Even a basic connection between workforce behavior and financial outcomes can reveal issues earlier, strengthen planning and prevent cost overruns before they occur.

Quick start framework

You don’t need a full analytics function or complex modeling to begin forecasting with workforce insights. A simple, structured approach can help HR and business leaders build confidence, improve accuracy and demonstrate value quickly. But you do need technology that’s up to the task; a platform that can flex and expand with your needs and has AI capabilities built in. And it’s essential that you evaluate and address any shortfalls in the quality of your data. Clean and accurate data is essential to the success and output of everything that follows.

Step 1: Clean existing workforce data and link it to business goals

Data quality is critical. Start by validating what you already have, such as turnover, time-to-fill, engagement scores, training hours or skills inventories. The goal is consistency. Tie each data point back to a business question, such as “How does turnover affect margin?” or “How do skills gaps impact project delivery?”

Step 2: Partner with finance to define key forecasting inputs

HR shouldn’t forecast in a vacuum. Collaborate with finance to identify which workforce signals meaningfully impact revenue, cost or capacity. Agree on shared definitions, data sources and the thresholds that should trigger a conversation.

Step 3: Start small: one metric, one model or one reporting cycle

Pick a single leading indicator, such as voluntary turnover. Build a simple predictive workflow around it and track how that metric moves and signals change. This keeps experimentation manageable and shows value early.

Step 4: Expand as patterns emerge

Once you see reliable relationships between people data and financial results, scale gradually. Add new metrics, automate reporting, incorporate AI and refine your models. Each added layer improves accuracy and strengthens long-term planning.

See the road ahead with workforce intelligence

Forecasting through people data transforms traditional HR metrics into true leading indicators of business performance. When leaders understand how shifts in engagement, turnover, skills and hiring velocity shape operational capacity and financial outcomes, they gain a clearer view of what’s coming next.

With an integrated perspective across workforce, payroll and financial data, ADP empowers leaders to make smarter, more confident forecasting decisions.

Learn how ADP helps businesses connect people analytics with profit prediction.

Donald Trump quietly pardoned on Tuesday a sports and entertainment executive, Tim Leiweke, who was indicted by the president’s own justice department this year.

Leiweke, who co-founded Oak View Group, was indicted in July for what federal prosecutors alleged was his role in “orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university in Austin, Texas”.

Leiweke had pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to restrict trade and was due to stand trial next year.

According to a copy of the pardon posted on a justice department website on Wednesday, Trump signed “a full and unconditional pardon” for Leiweke on Tuesday.

The office of the pardon attorney posted the pardon on its website on Wednesday, the fifth Trump granted in the past week to powerful people, with no explanation as to why he had terminated a corruption case brought by prosecutors who work for him.

“As outlined in the indictment, the Defendant rigged a bidding process to benefit his own company and deprived a public university and taxpayers of the benefits of competitive bidding,” assistant attorney general Abigail Slater of the justice department’s antitrust division said in July. “The Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will continue to hold executives who cheat to avoid competition accountable.”

“Unfair business practices, like those employed here, make it very difficult for the American people to pursue prosperity like our founders intended,” Justin Simmons, the US attorney for the western district of Texas said in July. Simmons was appointed interim US attorney for that office by Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi, in June.

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“I do not have the words to adequately convey my profound gratitude to President Trump,” Leiweke said in a statement to Sports Business Journal on Wednesday. “This has been a long and difficult journey for my wife, my daughter, and me. The President has given us a new lease on life with which we will be grateful and good stewards.”

Adidas has fended off an appeal from shareholders who accused it of hiding misconduct by rapper-entrepreneur Kanye West – otherwise known as Ye – before their partnership broke down in 2022.

A San Francisco court said the sportswear giant did not mislead investors, who claimed they had lost money after Adidas shares plunged when it cut ties with West.

The Yeezy tie-up with West had been one of Adidas’ most successful partnerships, but its collapse after a spate of anti-Semitic comments by the rapper cost the brand hundreds of millions of dollars.

The BBC has contacted Adidas for comment but could not reach the firm leading the class action or West’s team.

West, who is not party to the lawsuit, was widely criticised after repeatedly making antisemitic remarks and promoting conspiracy theories.

His Yeezy brand collaboration with Adidas was put under review after he showed a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt design at a fashion show in 2022. Shortly after, he posted anti-Semitic comments online, which prompted Adidas to pull his products from sale.

West’s behaviour also prompted several companies, including Gap and JP Morgan, to sever ties with the rapper.

Court documents filed on Wednesday show that HLSA-ILA Funds, the firm representing investors, alleged that Adidas continued its partnership with West despite knowing about his controversial conduct for years.

The filing claims Adidas “internally grappled” with West’s behaviour but misled shareholders by failing to disclose the risk in its reports.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ultimately sided with Adidas.

The court said on Wednesday that a reasonable investor would know that a partnership with a celebrity like West could come with “inherent risks relating to improper behaviour”.

A district court had previously dismissed HLSA-ILA’s case, and the firm later appealed.

The collapse of Adidas’ partnership with West caused the German firm’s share price to tank in 2023.

Yeezy, luxury sneakers designed by West, had been a particularly lucrative line of products for Adidas, generating around €1.5bn (£870m; $1.17bn) in sales in 2021.

The partnership breakdown left Adidas with more than €1bn worth of Yeezy shoes sitting in storage. In 2023, the brand announced that it would sell those products and donate some of the proceeds to charities who worked on combating hate.

Introduction

The Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) introduces readers to the question whether Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) presents a new market opportunity for US soybean growers. This article wraps up a three-part series on the topic of Africa as a potential export market for US soybeans. The African market presents a very complex landscape. While it is large, diverse, and growing rapidly, there exists great uncertainty, significant business risks, and demand for soybean and associated products are just beginning to emerge.

This first article in the series focused on the larger food and oil trends dominating the African continent (see farmdoc daily from November 13, 2025).  The second article delved into the import flows of soybean, oil, and meal into Africa (see farmdoc daily from November 19, 2025).    Today’s third and final article discusses four specific country examples – Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania – touching on their imports of soy and soy products, logistics infrastructure, and existing policies on genetically modified soybean imports. We also include a list of additional readings on the subject of food and agricultural trade and Africa.

Import Markets for Soybeans, Meal, and Oil

Egypt

Since 2020 soybean import demand in Egypt has been rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% and now amounts to over 172 million bushels a year (Table 1). Import growth will continue to be driven by an influx of foreign currency and growing domestic demand for soy ingredients and soy-based products. U.S. soybeans accounted for almost 70% of Egypt’s total soybean imports over the past five years and that is likely to continue due to the freight advantage over South America.

Soybean oil and meal import demand are relatively minimal and reflect Egypt’s commitment to domestic crush. Local processors supply the Egyptian market with approximately 850,000 metric tons of soybean oil and 3.7mmt of soybean meal. Soybean oil imports amount to 8% of palm oil imports, which are 1,255,925 metric tons, and 47% larger than domestic soy oil output.

Egypt charges no import tariffs on raw oilseeds like soybeans, sunflower seed, and palm kernel, but there are 5% tariffs on oilseed meal and cake, and 2% tariffs on soybean and sunflower seed oil. There are no tariffs on crude cottonseed and palm oil (Morgan, 2025). Egypt’s major ports, Alexandria (including El Dekheila), Damietta, and the ports within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, are critical for handling the nation’s grain and dry bulk imports.

Nigeria

Domestic consumption of soybeans in Nigeria continues to increase. Nigeria’s crush capacity has expanded to 875,000 metric tonnes annually, about 19% of Egypt’s capacity, and is expected to continue to grow. With a strong demand for animal feed, and edible oils, Nigeria’s demand for soybeans is estimated to be over 99 million bushels annually, or 57% of Egyptian soybean imports, significantly outstripping domestic crush capacity.  A soybean oversupply situation of 46% with respect to domestic crush has Nigeria currently importing almost no raw soybeans or soybean meal, and importing 50,000 mt or 22% of its domestic soybean oil needs (Bielecki, 2024a).  Soybean oil imports amount to 4% of palm oil imports, which are approximately 1.1 mmt.

Nigeria’s imports are largely limited by the availability of hard currency, which is strictly controlled by the government.  Generally, Nigeria imposes high tariffs and other trade restrictions on many oilseed products, primarily to protect local producers and manage foreign exchange reserves. The specific tariffs and import eligibility have been more flexible with raw, rather than processed, oilseed imports, particularly to address food shortages and supply chain issues.

Nigeria has several major seaports that handle grain and dry bulk commodities, with the busiest terminals located in Lagos. However, port congestion, inefficient operations, and aging infrastructure have historically presented challenges, though concessioning of terminals and new ports like Lekki aim to improve efficiency.

Ghana

Ghana imports almost no raw soybean and very little soybean oil (~5,000 mt). Meal imports at 230,000 mt are equivalent to 10.8 million bushels of grain. Soybean oil imports amount to only 4% of Ghana’s palm oil imports, which total 132,000 mt, or almost 27 million bushels of soybean grain equivalent.

According to a May 2023 USDA report (Taylor, 2023), Ghana’s import tariff regime for soybeans is described as unfavorable and this has kept imports low.  An import VAT duty is applied to the Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) value, and other taxes and levies are then calculated based on the CIF value plus the import duty, creating a cumulative rate that can exceed 23% in many cases.  Ghana’s primary commercial ports are Tema and Takoradi. Recent upgrades have increased capacity at both ports for various cargo types.

Tanzania

Tanzania has limited oilseed processing facilities, most of which is crushing local sunflower production. Domestic production of oilseed cannot meet domestic demand, therefore the country has historically relied on imports from neighboring countries like Zambia and Malawi, although these can be subject to supply chain disruptions due to poor roads (Koster, 2025).

The Tanzania feed market annually needs approximately 135,000 mt of soybean meal, or 173,000 mt of grain equivalent, primarily for poultry. The largest imported supplies come from Zambia, followed by India and Malawi (Koster, 2025). With Tanzania ports being located on the eastern coast of Africa, the country is at a freight disadvantage for trade with the U.S.

Tanzania’s annual demand for edible oils is around 570,000 mt, while the domestic processors supply only 31% of demand or 180,000 mt, leading to a substantial import dependency (Koster, 2025).  Most of the domestic oil production comes in the form of sunflower oil as the nation only produces 1.9 million bushels of soybean or 1.2% of domestic edible oil demand. Imported oil fills the gap and comprises no soy and 287,000 mt of palm oil or about 50% of national annual demand for edible oil.

Tanzania applies a 10% customs duty on crude soybean oil, which was recently introduced to align with duties on other crude oils like sunflower and cotton seed. Tanzania’s primary port for handling grain and dry bulk cargo is the Port of Dar es Salaam, which manages about 95% of the country’s international trade.

The State of GM Regulations across Four Selected Countries in Africa

Although GM (genetically modified) crops were initially regarded as a technological blessing for reducing food insecurity, many African countries have created regulatory barriers, either to their importation or to their domestic production. And these regulations in Africa “vary widely in their approaches, ranging from cautious approval to outright prohibitions” (Mmbando, 2024).  “Countries like Kenya have embraced GMOs for food security, while others, such as Tanzania and Uganda, remain cautious and in opposition. The regulatory challenges, coupled with infrastructural and economic barriers, continue to hinder widespread adoption in the region” (Escasura, 2025).

Egypt allows the importation of 100% of biotech crops except for seeds used for cultivation (Table 2). Currently, Egypt has strict rules against planting genetically modified (GMO) soybeans, but allows their importation for animal feed, provided they are approved for consumption in the country of origin. The country has been considering an end to its ban on growing GMOs due to factors like grain prices, but a lack of a comprehensive biosafety law and public opinion have slowed progress.

Ghana is open to GM imports whether that be grain or seed. Ghana’s parliament in 2011 passed legislation to allow the use of GMO technology in agriculture. With their open stance toward biotech crops, the country has increased its production capabilities. Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) recently approved the commercialization of 14 new genetically modified products comprising eight maize events and 6 soybean events (Taylor and Beillard, 2024).

Nigeria places more restrictions on grain imports compared with Egypt and Ghana. It permits the import of biotech crops for Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual poultry feed, and seeds for research purposes. An approved NBMA-issued biotech seed import permit is required and needs to be submitted 270 days in advance.  There are currently five biotech crops in different developmental stages, including rice, cassava, sorghum, and potato.  A Bt corn product  called Tela Maize has been registered and commercially released in Nigeria (see https://sciencenigeria.com/tela-maize-transforming-lives-of-nigerian-farmers/ ).

Tanzania maintains the most stringent GM regulations of the four where no GM products may be imported or commercialized in the country. While the country allows limited, contained research and has the legal framework for GMO approval, the stringent liability requirements for any potential harms have prevented the commercial release of any GM agricultural products.

 

Every day, people navigate unique circumstances that shape how they live and interact with their surroundings. At Samsung, we hold fast to our commitment to enhance daily experiences for everyone, developing solutions and technologies that empower people to experience a more personal and impactful world.

 

Reflecting on this purpose as we mark this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we turn the spotlight to inspiring solutions developed by youth in Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow (SFT) 2025—our global flagship corporate social responsibility program now in its 15^th year. The program encourages students to address local and global issues using STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), and we have seen innovative solutions developed by the next generation of changemakers committed to break barriers and drive equity within their communities.

 

 

Innovating for Independence in Sports  

Many of us stay healthy, build friendships, and enjoy the thrill of competition and achievement through sports and physical activity. Yet, individuals living with disabilities often face barriers when taking part in such activities.  

Inspired by real challenges faced by the community and even close friends around them, some of our SFT teams explored how the intersection of sports and technological innovation can create meaningful opportunities for all to participate and compete. Projects from the Indonesia and Singapore teams were recognised for their innovative and impactful ideas, developed in line with SFT 2025’s new global theme—Social Change Through Sport & Technology—created in collaboration with the International Olympic Community.

 



Designed to help visually impaired runners navigate safely, RunSight combines smart glasses with a camera, earbuds, a computing unit, and a mobile app

 

Team LABMINO, winner for the University category in SFT Indonesia, were inspired by a close friend and avid runner who lives with impaired vision due to cataracts. This led them to create RunSight—a wearable device that recognises track lines, detects obstacles, and estimates depth in real time. As it works without internet connectivity, RunSight enables these individuals to run freely and independently, reducing their need for guide runners.

 

 

In Singapore, Team Pei Pei Hwa Hwa set out to improve outdoor experiences for individuals living with hypohidrosis—a condition that limits the body’s ability to produce enough sweat and regulate heat. In tropical climates, overheating can pose a serious risk, often leaving individuals reliant on ice packs, portable fans, or even surgery to stay cool during outdoor activities. To address this, the team developed the Ando Hypohidrosis Vest, an energy-efficient solution designed to keep the wearer’s back cool by circulating chilled coolant, enabling them to participate in everyday outdoor activities and exercise.

 

Bridging Voices, Building Shared Understanding

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals often face difficulties with understanding others and being understood. This prompted our Australian SFT winner to create a solution to support clearer communication.

 



Access Lens helps both Deaf and hard of hearing Auslan users feel more confident, connected, and included in everyday conversations

 

Within Australia’s Deaf and hard of hearing community, accessible and affordable Auslan (Australian sign language) translation tools remain limited. Major Prize SFT winner, Faiz Noorani, created Access Lens, a real-time augmented reality solution that uses smart glasses or a smartphone camera to convert spoken English into Auslan. Designed to run locally, Access Lens enables clearer communications with English speakers while avoiding the common barriers of other translation platforms, such as delays, cloud fees, and advertisements. With his AUD$10,000 (~US$6,574) prize money, Faiz plans to enhance Access Lens’ features, expand its reach, and build strategic partnerships to support long-term impact.

 

Equitable Medical Access and Early Intervention

 

In Thailand, Team AI SpineCheck set out to improve early detection of scoliosis after seeing many high school students needing spinal braces or surgery due to late diagnosis-leading to higher treatment costs for more advanced cases. Current screening methods often depend on medical personnel and can be inaccessible or inconsistent for local communities. AI SpineCheck simplifies this process with an AI-powered platform that analyses photos to assess spinal alignment. This offers a more accessible and convenient way to screen for scoliosis, supporting early intervention and better health outcomes.

 

Creating Better Accessibility and User-Centered Design for All

A key part of inclusion is not only designing innovations specifically for persons with disabilities, but ensuring everyday products and services meet the needs of all users, regardless of ability. Guided by this philosophy, Samsung devices, appliances, and solutions are designed to be inclusive, intuitive and convenient for all.

 

 

Our 2025 Bespoke AI home appliances incorporate more streamlined control experiences that empower all users—including those with limited mobility—towards comfortable and accessible use. With simple voice commands, such as “Open the fridge door” to cue features like Auto Open Door for refrigerators[1], or “I’m going to sleep” to turn off lights and appliances via SmartThings routine once its set up[2]—users can manage their home hands-free. The Bespoke AI Pump Combo also features a large, easy-to-read digital display that replaces traditional dials and small text for smoother wash-cycle selection.

 

Guided by an accessibility-first approach, we constantly refine our designs across product development cycles, working closely with users to test and enhance usability. For instance, Samsung added audio guidance, color inversion or grayscale modes in their screen-equipped appliances for users with visual impairments. To make Samsung appliances easier to navigate, it keeps discovering new ways to enhance accessibility as shown in the award-winning[3] “Samsung Inclusive Essentials” concept, which aims to standardise sensory cues across products.

 

Building a More Inclusive Future Together

 

By seamlessly weaving intelligent, inclusive technology into everyday life, Samsung ensures that everyone—regardless of ability or environment—can enjoy connected and personalised experiences. From empowering communities through programs like Solve for Tomorrow to embedding accessibility into our products and services, we remain committed to enabling individuals to live more independently and open up more possibilities for people in their daily life.

 

[1] Products and models equipped with the feature may vary by market

[2] Requires a wireless network, a Samsung account and the Samsung SmartThings App. Must be manually set up by the user to trigger this command.

[3] At the 2025 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), Samsung received a Gold Award for its “Samsung Inclusive Essentials” concept in the Concepts & Speculative Design category

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — General Dynamics NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), and its long-term partner, DSEC Co., Ltd., together with Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI) of South Korea announced today the signing of a tri-party Memorandum of Agreement – joining forces to collaborate on their industry leading ship design and manufacturing automation and technology in the U.S. market.

The partnership will advance all three companies’ endeavors into commercial, naval, and other government shipbuilding projects, including the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS), and will leverage decades of common experience and success teaming in U.S.-South Korean shipbuilding.

General Dynamics NASSCO has been the U.S. leading designer and builder of major naval auxiliary and commercial vessels since the 1950s, delivering over 150 vessels to date. NASSCO is currently building the U.S. Navy’s 20-ship class of John Lewis (T-AO 205) Fleet Oilers and is designing the U.S. Navy’s future Submarine Tender (AS-X) class. Recent commercial programs include ConRo ships, containerships, and medium range (MR) tankers, all designed with DSEC and other South Korean partners, leveraging NASSCO’s long history of cooperation with some of the world’s leading ship designers and builders.

“This partnership brings together three extraordinary companies with a track record of success and over 160 years of combined shipbuilding and design experience,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “Having worked closely with DSEC over the last two decades and now welcoming Samsung Heavy Industries, there is great opportunity in leveraging our expertise and years of learning to execute on the next generation of shipbuilding.”

DSEC Co., Ltd. provides a complete range of shipbuilding and marine engineering services, including ship design, material procurement, quality management, shipyard operations and development consulting, logistics support, and eco retrofit solutions. With over three decades of experience, DSEC has worked extensively on U.S. built ship designs and material packages throughout the U.S., supporting a wide variety of commercial, naval, and government ship programs.

“This MOA strengthens our long-standing collaboration with General Dynamics NASSCO by combining the capabilities of Samsung Heavy Industries and we look forward to contributing greater value to the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industry,” said Mr. Seogyong Youn, president of DSEC.

Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI) is recognized as one of the world’s leading shipbuilders, specializing in the engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and delivery of advanced commercial vessels. Its portfolio includes liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGC), container ships, drill ships, and floating production units for the oil and gas industry. SHI currently holds the top global market share in drill ships, LNG carriers, and floating LNG production units (FLNG). The company is actively engaged in the construction of three FLNG units and 120 commercial ships.

“Through this tri-party collaboration, SHI is committed to leveraging its technological expertise, skilled workforce and production infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. shipbuilding industries,” said Mr. Joonyun Kang, director of SHI.

SOURCE General Dynamics NASSCO

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One of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds is suing a US private equity firm, accusing it of attempting to short-change investors on the sale of a portfolio company to another one of its funds.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Council is seeking to block Energy & Minerals Group from selling its stake in Ascent Resources, one of America’s largest private gas drillers, to one of the private equity firm’s sister funds. The sovereign fund alleges the deal undervalues Ascent while generating a windfall for the new fund managed by EMG.

The wealth fund said in a court filing unsealed on Wednesday: “Defendants are trying to force a conflicted sale of EMG fund assets to a continuation vehicle to reap a massive benefit for themselves at the expense of ADIC and the other investors to whom defendants owe fiduciary duties.”

The dispute sheds new light on the potential conflicts of interest that arise as private equity firms increasingly exit ageing deals by selling companies between funds they manage instead of taking them public or finding outside buyers such as large corporations or other buyout groups.

Such transactions, known as continuation fund deals, have grown in popularity in recent years as private equity groups have struggled to find buyers for trillions of dollars in unsold assets. Continuation deals amounted to a record 19 per cent of all PE asset sales in the first half of 2025, the Financial Times previously reported. But they are viewed warily by investors, given that buyout groups arrange the deals and are on both sides of the transactions.

An investor in Ascent Resources told the FT they believed the gas driller was worth more than $7bn when including debt. But EMG’s continuation fund plans to buy its over 30 per cent stake in Ascent at roughly a $5.5bn valuation, leaving investors with lower proceeds than what they believe they could get from an initial public offering or a sale to a third party. EMG is also asking to pay its investors over a two-year time period, further lowering the present value of the proceeds, they said.

However, other private equity groups that specialise in energy passed on the deal based on the belief that Ascent was overvalued, other people briefed on the matter said.

EMG, a $12bn Texas-based group founded by John Raymond, the son of former ExxonMobil chief executive Lee Raymond, first invested in Ascent in 2014 when the company, founded by the late shale gas-drilling baron Aubrey McClendon, was called American Energy Partners. It is one of the leading gas drillers in the US with vast resources in Ohio’s Utica shale. In the ensuing decade, many energy-focused private equity groups were stung by deep downturns in the industry. They have since earned lacklustre returns and struggled to raise new money from investors.

EMG’s four most recent funds all have earned net returns of 10 per cent or less, according to public pension documents filed by the Minnesota State Board of Investment. While the group has not announced a new private equity fundraise since 2019, it completed a $1.1bn continuation fund earlier this year for midstream assets it held in decade-old funds.

A continuation fund deal would increase EMG’s ownership in Ascent and restart its ability to earn management fees and potentially lucrative performance fees if the driller’s value rises in the coming years.

The sovereign wealth fund said in its complaint it believed the deal incentivised EMG “to buy out its current investors, including ADIC, at as low a price as possible”.

It also said the PE firm stood to “earn no or minimal carried interest on the asset if an exit to a third-party buyer were to happen now”.

In addition to arguing EMG’s deal might short-change some investors, the sovereign fund criticised the speed at which the private equity group broached the continuation fund deal with its investors and tactics to win their consent which it called “underhanded” and “misleading”, the filing said.

ADIC alleged the PE group coerced investors to support its continuation fund deal by providing them with substantially lower valuations for Ascent than they did to prospective new buyers.

ADIC also claimed EMG concealed alternatives to the fund-to-fund deal, such as internal IPO plans and interest from third-party buyers. It is now asking EMG to launch a formal sale process for Ascent.

The sovereign fund is a part of Abu Dhabi’s broader state-backed investment group Mubadala, which manages more than $300bn in assets and is one of the largest investors in the world.

The sovereign fund said it could not comment on open litigation. EMG and its founder John Raymond did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Additional reporting by Arash Massoudi in London and Chloe Cornish in Dubai

December 4, 2025

NTT DATA, Inc.

Bielefeld, Germany/São Paulo, Brazil – December 3, 2025 – NTT DATA Business Solutions, a leading global IT service provider focused on SAP, today announced the signing of an agreement to acquire SPRO IT Solutions, a leading SAP provider in the agribusiness industry in Brazil. The terms of the acquisition have been finalized and will be completed following approval from the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).

Founded in 2008, SPRO is a national agribusiness leader, with expertise across key production chains including grain origination, animal protein, agricultural inputs, seeds, retail, and biofuels. Serving cooperatives, agro-industries, seed companies and trading firms across Brazil, the company promotes intelligent integration across all aspects of the agribusiness chain, from field to end consumer. As a SAP Gold Partner, SPRO collaborates with major global technology players including SAP, AWS, Microsoft, and Google, accelerating the strategic digitalization of its clients and solidifying its position as one of the leading references in innovation applied to Brazilian agribusiness.

“Brazil is among the top ten global markets for IT services, with agribusiness playing a leading role across many regions of the country. By welcoming SPRO into our organization, we are not only strengthening our SAP capabilities in a key industry, but also deepening our commitment to innovation and sustainable growth in the region. SPRO’s proven expertise and strong customer relationships will help us deliver greater value to our clients and accelerate our global strategy”, said Norbert Rotter, CEO, NTT DATA Business Solutions AG.

SPRO is dedicated to driving end-to-end digital transformation for agribusiness, providing a software platform and services that support operational efficiency, governance, and productive sustainability. Operating in the South, Southeast, Midwest, and North regions of Brazil – where the sector’s main players are concentrated – the company has become a technology leader in agribusiness. The company offers proprietary solutions on the SAP Store and holds various certifications and recognitions, such as the SAP Delivery Excellence Award, which reinforce its leadership, credibility, and commitment to innovation in the sector.
“This acquisition creates new opportunities for cross-selling and upselling, leveraging the strengths of both organizations. SPRO will join our Global Centersof Excellence, fostering knowledge exchange and driving productivity. Agribusiness is a fundamental pillar of the Brazilian economy, representing around 29.4% of the national GDP and accounting for a significant share of the country’s exports. With SPRO’s expertise in SAP for key agribusiness production chains and global collaboration with other NTT DATA units, we will further enhance our ability to deliver innovative solutions and support our international expansion,” said Ricardo Fachin, Managing Director, NTT DATA Business Solutions Brazil.

Almir Miguel Meinerz, CEO at SPRO, comments: “With over 350 employees, our mission is to drive technological innovation in agribusiness, transforming data into intelligence and delivering tangible results for our clients. Joining NTT DATA Business Solutions marks an important milestone for SPRO, our team, and the entire ecosystem of clients and partners we’ve built over 17 years. We are excited by the opportunity to develop joint solutions for SAP clients, expand our market-recognized offerings, and accelerate our growth both in Brazil and beyond.”

The acquisition of SPRO will add around 70 customers to the portfolio of NTT DATA Business Solutions. The company will become a subsidiary of NTT DATA Business Solutions – Serviços de Tecnologia Ltda. in Brazil and will operate as an independent company after the acquisition, using the brand name “SPRO, an NTT DATA Company”.

For more information, please visit nttdata-solutions.com.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world’s leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. Our consulting and industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 70 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D.
Visit us at nttdata.com

About NTT DATA Business Solutions

NTT DATA Business Solutions is a leading global IT service provider focused on SAP with a powerful ecosystem of partners. With more than 35 years of in-depth experience, we enable companies worldwide to become Intelligent Enterprises. We deliver end-to-end solutions that accelerate sustainable growth and success – from strategic consulting and implementation to managed services and beyond. As a global strategic SAP partner, we drive innovation and leverage the latest technologies to support our customers individually and across all industries. Our more than 18,300 dedicated employees in over 30 countries work passionately every day to make it happen.

NTT DATA Business Solutions is part of NTT DATA, a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services headquartered in Tokyo. As One NTT DATA we serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping customers innovate, optimize, and transform for long-term success. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group.