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Tag: release

  • Cathay Pacific Makes Historic Move with HKD Fixed-Rate Notes Release: A Milestone in Hong Kong’s Airline Sector

    Cathay Pacific Makes Historic Move with HKD Fixed-Rate Notes Release: A Milestone in Hong Kong’s Airline Sector

    Cathay Pacific, headquartered in Hong Kong, has unveiled its intention to release three-year benchmark-sized Hong Kong dollar senior unsecured fixed-rate notes. The airline has set the initial price guidance in the area of 4.1%.

    Details of the Bond Issuance

    The bonds are expected to come to maturity on April 29, 2029, with interest payments to be made on a semi-annual basis. The settlement of the bonds is anticipated to occur on April 29, 2026. The proceeds from the bond issuance will be lent to the airline and its subsidiary companies to be used as working capital and for other general corporate purposes.

    HSBC has played an instrumental role as Joint Bookrunner and Joint Lead Manager in Cathay’s public bond issuance of HKD2,080 million. The bond issuance also coincides with Cathay’s celebration of its 80th anniversary in Hong Kong.

    Significance of the Bond Issuance

    This represents Cathay’s inaugural HKD public bond issuance, marking its first re-entry into the public bond market since 2021. Eugene Ng, HSBC Head of Debt Capital Markets, Greater China, emphasised the importance of the bond issuance, calling it a testament to the strength of the HKD bond market as a reliable source of local-currency funding for top-tier Hong Kong corporations.

    Ng further highlighted that this is the largest HKD public bond issuance by a Hong Kong non-public sector corporate and the first from the airline sector, thereby indicating an expansion in the local issuer base. He expressed HSBC’s commitment to continue to leverage its local-currency expertise and capabilities to assist issuers in gaining access to the HKD market as part of their solid funding strategies. This move supports Hong Kong’s Fixed Income and Currency Roadmap to deepen liquidity and broaden participation.

    Bank of China (Hong Kong), BNP Paribas, and DBS are the other joint bookrunners and joint lead managers for this bond issuance.

    Questions & Answers

    When are the bonds expected to mature?
    The bonds are set to mature on April 29, 2029.

    What will the proceeds from the bond issuance be used for?
    The proceeds will be directed towards the airline and its subsidiaries for purposes such as working capital and other general corporate needs.

    Who are the joint bookrunners and joint lead managers for this bond issuance?
    HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), BNP Paribas, and DBS are the joint bookrunners and joint lead managers for this bond issuance.

  • Gold’s Gym Partners With Img Licensing To Launch Branded Consumer Products Globally

    Gold’s Gym Partners With Img Licensing To Launch Branded Consumer Products Globally

    Gold’s Gym, a long-standing name in the fitness industry, is expanding its horizons beyond its health centers. The company has entered into an exclusive multi-year agreement with IMG Licensing, marking a significant move towards the introduction of branded consumer products on a global scale.

    Sven Thierhoff, Vice President at IMG Licensing, expressed his excitement about the venture. He referred to Gold’s Gym as a legacy fitness brand, and together, they have ambitious plans to deliver high-quality, sustainable products and experiences that will further consolidate Gold’s Gym’s reputation as a trusted pioneer in serious training and fitness culture.

    This strategic move will propel the 60-year-old fitness brand into new markets, such as nutrition and supplements, footwear, travel gear, and sports and leisure goods. This will also lead to an expansion of their existing range of apparel and fashion items.

    Danny Waggoner, CEO of Gold’s Gym, commented on the partnership with IMG. He emphasized that the collaboration allowed them to extend their philosophy from the confines of the physical fitness center into products and experiences. The goal is to inspire people to lead healthier and stronger lives every day.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the primary aim of Gold’s Gym’s partnership with IMG Licensing?
    The primary aim of the partnership is to roll out branded consumer products worldwide.

    What new markets will Gold’s Gym enter with this expansion?
    With this expansion, Gold’s Gym will be entering new markets, including nutrition and supplements, footwear, travel gear, and sports and leisure goods, while also broadening their existing apparel and fashion lines.

    How does the CEO of Gold’s Gym, Danny Waggoner, view this partnership?
    Danny Waggoner views this partnership as an opportunity to extend their philosophy beyond the physical gym, inspiring people to live healthier and stronger lives every day through their products and experiences.

  • Apple releases iOS 17.5 beta 2 giving EU iPhone users more unique capabilities

    Apple releases iOS 17.5 beta 2 giving EU iPhone users more unique capabilities

    Surely there are iPhone users living outside of the EU who wish that their country had something like the Digital Market Act (DMA) that forces Apple to unbutton locked-down iPhone capabilities. For example, with iOS 17.4, iPhone users in the EU could install browsers using browser engines other than Apple’s WebKit. It also allows iPhone users in the EU to sideload apps from third-party App Stores and use alternative payment options in the App Store among other things.

    Outside of the 27 member EU countries, none of the actions that Apple is forced to allow in the EU because of the DMA is available. What gives the DMA its bite is the penalty that can be imposed on tech companies that don’t follow the rules. The penalty could be as much as 10% of a company’s global revenue during the most recent year. If Apple, for example, failed to abide by DMA rules, it could face a fine as large as $38.3 billion

    Today, Apple released the second developer beta for iOS 17.5 and with this update, iPhone users in the EU can download apps directly from the websites belonging to app developers instead of having to install these apps from the App Store or another app storefront. Developers offering their apps through websites must protect iPhone users by meeting certain criteria. Developers need to be members of the Apple Developer program for at least two consecutive years.

    Apple has released iOS 17.5 beta 2 – Apple releases iOS 17.5 beta 2 giving EU iPhone users more unique capabilities
    Apple has released iOS 17.5 beta 2

    Apps that can be downloaded from a website must have rung up at least one million installs on iOS in the EU during the preceding year. Developers offering their apps through their websites will need to show their policies toward collecting data from users. Additionally, apps offered outside of the App Store need to include a way for iPhone users to get refunds, access customer service, and manage these apps.

    Apps distributed through developer websites avoid having to pay Apple its cut of revenue known as the Apple Tax. However, they must pay Apple a 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee for each install over 1 million over the past 12 months. Some organizations such as nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions, and government entities do not have to pay the fee.

    There might be a time when other countries institute their own versions of the DMA, but for now, installing apps from developer websites is limited to iPhone users in the EU.

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  • Google confirms Samsung’s Galaxy A35 key specs and design

    Google confirms Samsung’s Galaxy A35 key specs and design

    Samsung is gearing up to launch at least two mid-range handsets, the Galaxy A35 and A55. Information about both devices leaked in the least few months, but nothing official has been confirmed to this date.

    Despite the fact that all the sources that leaked information about both Galaxy A35 and A55 are reliable, it’s always nice to have something confirmed before these devices become official.

    This time around it’s Google, not Samsung, that’s revealing some of the Galaxy A35’s key specs. Thanks to a Google Play Console listing, we now know for certain that the Galaxy A35 will be powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 processor, the same packed inside the newly released Galaxy Tab Active5 rugged tablet.

    The listing also confirms that the upcoming phone will pack 6GB RAM and a display with a 2340 x 1080 pixels resolution (450 DPI). Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy A35 will run on Android 14, although the One UI version isn’t mentioned in the listing.

    A picture of the phone is attached to the Google Play Console listing, once again confirming the new design change that Samsung calls “Key Island.” The Galaxy A35 features a flat design, an Infinity-O display and rounded camera cutouts.

    The unannounced Galaxy A35 has already popped up on the NBTC and Indian BIS certification websites, which suggests that Samsung is about to make this official. The Galaxy A55 is likely to be announced around the same time, although this is just a guess.

  • Apple releases iOS 16.6 to patch several software flaws some of which have been actively exploited

    Apple releases iOS 16.6 to patch several software flaws some of which have been actively exploited

    Apple has released iOS 16.6 for the iPhone and iPadOS 16.6 for, well, the iPad. The updates will patch several vulnerabilities including one that impacts the Apple Neural Engine. The latter delivers on-device natural language processing and image analysis faster and with more energy efficiency than the CPU or GPU. Apple says that an app might be able to  execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges which means an attacker could run any command on a targeted iPhone or iPad.

    This patch is heading to iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (3rd generation) and later, iPad Air (3rd generation) and later, and iPad mini (5th generation). A vulnerability on the Find My app could allow sensitive location information to be divulged via an app. This patch will be available to the iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

    Several patches for the Kernel are part of the update. This is the core part of an operating system. With one flaw, Apple says it is aware of reports that the vulnerability has been actively exploited on versions of iOS released before iOS 15.7.1. With this vulnerability, “an app may be able to modify sensitive kernel state” allowing the attackers to manipulate how the operating system runs.

    Other possible attacks against the iOS and iPadOS kernels listed by Apple include one that could allow the attackers to elevate privileges giving them the ability to do more than standard users. Another flaw could lead to a denial-of-service attack that could prevent users from accessing the features and apps they want to use. And another vulnerability can give an attacker root privileges. This could allow an attacker to create a backdoor, add a trojan, or delete any information on an iPhone or iPad.
    There are two vulnerabilities listed for the WebKit browser engine including one that has been actively exploited according to reports that Apple has become aware of. With these security issues, it is a good idea to install the update now. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the directions. Other updates available today include watchOS 9.6, macOS 13.5, and tvOS 16.6.
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  • Google releases Android 12 beta 2 to compatible Pixel models

    Google releases Android 12 beta 2 to compatible Pixel models

    Pixel owners are another step closer to receiving Android 12 as said today that Google has started to push out Android 12 beta 2 to Pixel users. The update includes several of the new privacy features being added to the operating system with the new build including a 24-hour timeline showing which apps have accessed your phone’s camera, microphone, and location data.

    Another feature found in the new beta is a message that pops up to alert you when an app is reading your clipboard. Since users often copy important account numbers or passwords on their clipboards, it is important to know who is getting to read this data. The only time this message doesn’t appear is when the data on the clipboard that an app can read was copied from that very app.

    Similar to the Orange and Green dots found above the cell signal bars on an iPhone (which indicates when an app is using your handset’s microphone and camera respectively), Android 12 beta 2 users will see microphone or camera indicators when apps are using those two sensors.

    A new “Internet” tile in Quick Settings will show you your phone’s online connections including the name of your Wi-Fi network. Tapping on the Wi-Fi icon will allow you to quickly disable your Wi-Fi connection and will also show you a list of nearby Wi-Fi signals and give you the option to turn off/on your cellular network. The update also adds a GPay tile to Quick Settings to replace “Cards & passes.”

    To become an Android 12 beta tester for your Pixel, open the Android Beta Program site and tap the button that says “View your eligible devices.” Follow the directions and you’ll receive the Android 12 beta 2 update OTA. Once you receive notification that the update is on your phone, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update.

    If your Pixel is your daily driver, you might want to wait for the final version of Android 12 before installing it. After all, the Android 12 beta 2 update is not stable and apps that you might need for work or play might not be working at full capacity during the beta testing.

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  • Apple seems to have revealed the date of its iPhone 11 event

    Apple seems to have revealed the date of its iPhone 11 event

    Less than two weeks after the iPhone 11’s release date was seemingly revealed, an iOS 13 screenshot found within the latest beta version appears to confirm when Apple will be announcing its next-gen devices.

    The screenshot is named “HoldForRelease” and features the Calendar app with the date clearly set to Tuesday the 10th. The month isn’t displayed but the day lines up perfectly with September, which itself coincides with Apple’s usual announcement schedule. Lending further credence is the fact a similar screenshot was found in one of Apple’s iOS 12 beta releases last year which showed September 12th, the date that was subsequently confirmed for the iPhone XS and iPhone XR introductions.

    Considering the iPhone 11 series is now expected to debut on Tuesday, September 10, pre-orders for Apple’s upcoming trio of devices will likely commence on Friday, September 13. The actual launch, on the other hand, should happen on Friday, September 20. This coincides perfectly with the previously reported release date.

    On an unrelated note, an iPadOS 13 screenshot showing the same date was also spotted. Apple has been rumored to be planning the debut of a new 10.2-inch iPad alongside its next-generation iPhones and this image suggests this will indeed be the case.

    If Apple sticks to its typical iOS launch schedule, the upcoming iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 releases will be made available to download for devices such as the iPhone 8, iPhone XS, iPad Pro (2018), and iPad Air (2019) on Monday, September 16. However, today’s findings suggest this may not be the case.

    Another pair of iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 screenshots which are destined to be used on older devices show the Calendar display Monday the 23rd. This is one week later than expected and ultimate suggests Apple may be giving its developers an extra week to ensure everything’s in working order on previous-gen products. After all, unlike iOS 12 which was largely bug free, iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 beta releases have been plagued with issues since the beginning, many of which are still unresolved.

    The downside to this move is that iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 will be exclusive to the iPhone 11 series and 10.2-inch iPad (2019) for roughly three days because these are all set for release on Friday, September 20, as mentioned above.

    The upcoming iPhones have been consistently referred to as either the iPhone XI or iPhone 11 lineup over the course of the past year but a reliable tipster recently suggested Apple’s final names may be slightly different. Specifically, they mentioned the ‘Pro’ moniker but left quite a bit of room for speculation because they didn’t elaborate on the matter.

    The most logical strategy would be the creation of two very separate lineups. The successor to the iPhone XR could be marketed simply as the iPhone (2019) while the iPhone XS and XS Max replacements could be called the iPhone Pro (5.8-inch) and iPhone Pro (6.5-inch).

    An alternative strategy which was recently mentioned by a case maker would also make sense, although the names would ultimately be more clunky. In this case, the 2019 iPhone XR would be branded as the iPhone 11 and the iPhone XS’s successor would be called the iPhone 11 Pro. Meanwhile, the 6.5-inch model could land as the iPhone 11 Pro Max.The final possibility is perhaps the most straightforward one of all. It’d involve the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max replacements being marketed as the iPhone 11R, iPhone 11, and iPhone 11 Pro respectively.

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