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Sonos and Lazada Turns Up the Volume on Super Brand Day

The first online-to-offline Super Brand Day collaboration of its kind in Singapore

SINGAPORE, July 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TC Acoustic, the authorised distributor of Sonos in Singapore, and Lazada, Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce platform, have hit play on a Super Brand Day campaign that breaks new ground on two fronts where it is Sonos and Lazada’s first-ever online-to-offline (O2O) collaboration, and is an O2O activation of this scale mounted for a Super Brand Day. 

Sonos and Lazada collaborate on an online Super Brand Day on 11 July, with a pop-up at Plaza Singapura during 6-12 July for an innovative O2O experience.
Sonos and Lazada collaborate on an online Super Brand Day on 11 July, with a pop-up at Plaza Singapura during 6-12 July for an innovative O2O experience.

Lazada Super Brand Day is a dedicated 24-hour sales event on Lazada where a single brand takes centre stage with its biggest discounts, exclusive bundles, and limited-time deals of the day. This 11 July (Saturday), the spotlight falls on Sonos, one of the top-selling audio brands on Lazada.

Running from 6 to 12 July 2026, the entire campaign blends an immersive retail experience with an exclusive one-day online sale — inviting consumers in Singapore to discover Sonos not just as a speaker, but as a complete whole-home sound system that fills every corner of the home with quality music.

Online Super Brand Day: Exclusive One-Day Sale on 11 July

On 11 July (Saturday), Sonos will headline Lazada Singapore’s Super Brand Day with a one-day-only online sale, providing shopping discounts of up to 40% off across the Sonos range through exclusive platform vouchers on Lazada.

This is the moment to finally bring Sonos home — with the brand’s most sought-after products, from home theater and soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra to smart and wireless speakers such as the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300, at exceptional value.

Offline Pop-Up Store: 6-12 July at Plaza Singapura

In the days leading up to Super Brand Day, Sonos takes up the spotlight at a dedicated pop-up store in the L1 Atrium of Plaza Singapura, with Lazada stepping offline to co-present the pop-up experience with the brand. The seven-day pop-up is designed to build excitement and familiarity with the Sonos brand ahead of the 11 July online sale, giving shoppers the time and space to experience the full Sonos ecosystem firsthand before they make a purchase.

Beyond showcasing individual speakers, the pop-up will allow visitors to explore Sonos as a whole-home sound system — a seamlessly connected audio experience that moves with you through every room. Visitors can see how Sonos integrates into daily life, from the morning routine to evening wind-downs, and discover how music deepens our emotional connection to the spaces we inhabit.

Highlights of the pop-up experience:

  • Immersive Sonos Multi-Room Experience — A fully connected Sonos home where every room works in harmony. You can follow the music through the living room, study, bedroom, kitchen, and outdoor spaces.
  • Home Theatre Showcase — A dedicated living room set-up featuring the Arc Ultra and its 9.1.4 surround sound, the kind of immersive experience that creates your very own home cinema.
  • Music Lovers’ Lounge — A relaxed listening corner for turntable enthusiasts and individual Sonos Ace headphone sessions.

Activities visitors can expect:

  • Sonos Sticker Journey with Sure-Win Gachapon — Complete three stations across the pop-up to earn a spin at the gachapon, and stand a chance to win a Sonos speaker in the lucky draw.
  • Homeowner Floor Plan Workshops — Personalised sessions to help you plan sound for your new home or renovation. Build a Sonos system tailored to your floor plan, lifestyle, and the way you live.
  • Audio Expert Consultation Areas — One-on-one discussions for homeowners seeking guidance on designing a whole-home sound system.

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ABOUT TC ACOUSTIC 

The exclusive regional distributor for Sonos, Marshall, as well as Bowers & Wilkins audio products, TC Acoustic has been the leading player in audio distribution since 1966. With flagship stores and about 500 distribution points across the region, it is recognized as one of the most innovative lifestyle technology distributors in Singapore and the rest of Asia. In 2025, TC Acoustic expanded its portfolio into smart lighting solutions with the launch of Lutron in Singapore, furthering its commitment to connected home experiences. Previously voted No 1 in Singapore’s Best Customer Service Survey by the Straits Times, TC Acoustic also ranked #1 in the 2025 Singapore Best Workplaces™ by Great Place To Work®. Learn more at www.tcacoustic.asia.

ABOUT LAZADA GROUP

Lazada Group is Southeast Asia’s pioneer eCommerce platform. For the last 14 years, Lazada has been accelerating progress in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam through commerce and technology. Today, a thriving local ecosystem links about 160 million active users to more than one million actively selling sellers every month, who are transacting safely and securely via trusted payments channels and Lazada Wallet, receiving parcels through a homegrown logistics network that has become the largest in the region.

Sonos and Lazada collaborate on an online Super Brand Day on 11 July, with a pop-up at Plaza Singapura during 6-12 July for an innovative O2O experience.
Sonos and Lazada collaborate on an online Super Brand Day on 11 July, with a pop-up at Plaza Singapura during 6-12 July for an innovative O2O experience.

Jollibee Group Brands Recognized as Top Three Most Valuable Restaurant Brands in Brand Finance Philippines 50 2026 Report, Led by Jollibee’s 32% Brand Value Growth to USD3.3 Billion


Key Highlights:

  • Jollibee Group brands Jollibee, Mang Inasal, and Chowking ranked as the Philippines’ top three most valuable restaurant brands in the Brand Finance Philippines 50 2026 report.
  • The Philippine restaurant sector reached approximately USD4.1 billion in brand value, growing 29% year-on-year, with Jollibee accounting for around 80% of total sector value.
  • Jollibee ranked No. 2 in brand value across all Philippine brands for the third consecutive year, with brand value rising by approximately 32% to USD3.3 billion, supported by strong brand strength and global recognition as the fifth-strongest restaurant brand worldwide.
  • Mang Inasal rose significantly in brand strength, emerging as No. 2 across Philippine restaurant and non-restaurant brands, with brand value increasing 28% to USD482 million, and earning recognition among Brand Finance’s “Brands to Watch” for 2026.
  • Jollibee Foods Corporation’s broader portfolio includes Tim Ho Wan, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Compose Coffee, reflecting a multi-brand, multi-market platform that extends beyond its Philippine restaurant brands.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2026 – Jollibee Group brands Jollibee, Mang Inasal, and Chowking were recognized in the Brand Finance Philippines 50 2026 report as the country’s top three most valuable restaurant brands, with Jollibee leading the restaurant sector and accounting for around 80% of total restaurant brand value.

Jollibee Group brands Jollibee, Mang Inasal, and Chowking, were the top 3 restaurant brands in the Brand Finance Philippines 50 2026 ranking, reflecting the strength and value of the Group's portfolio of homegrown restaurant brands.
Jollibee Group brands Jollibee, Mang Inasal, and Chowking, were the top 3 restaurant brands in the Brand Finance Philippines 50 2026 ranking, reflecting the strength and value of the Group’s portfolio of homegrown restaurant brands.

The report places the three brands within the broader context of the Philippines’ top-performing corporate brands, where brand value and brand strength are increasingly tied to consumer demand, pricing strength, resilience, and long-term business value.

According to Brand Finance, the Philippine restaurant sector reached approximately USD4.1 billion in brand value, growing 29% year-on-year, with Jollibee accounting for around 80% of total restaurant brand value.

Jollibee Ranks No. 2 Most Valuable Philippine Brand for Third Consecutive Year; Mang Inasal Rises to No. 2 Strongest Brand Overall

The report ranked Jollibee No. 2 in brand value across Philippine restaurant and non-restaurant brands for the third consecutive year. The brand also received a Brand Strength Index score of 87.9 out of 100, placing it as the fifth-strongest restaurant brand worldwide in the Brand Finance Restaurants 25 2026 report, where it was cited as the only Philippine and Southeast Asian brand included in the global ranking.

Brand Finance attributed Jollibee’s performance to stronger brand strength, sustained customer demand, and strong brand appeal across core markets. The report also linked the brand’s momentum to same-store sales growth, rising transaction volumes, revenue growth, record systemwide sales, continued U.S. expansion, and successful expansion in Vietnam, marked by the opening of its 200th store in the market.

Mang Inasal delivered one of the report’s most notable improvements, rising from seventh to second in brand strength across Philippine restaurant and non-restaurant brands. Its Brand Strength Index advanced 7.4 points to 95.2 out of 100, from 87.8 in 2025, lifting its brand strength rating from AAA to AAA+. Its brand value grew 28% to USD482 million, supporting its inclusion among Brand Finance’s “Brands to Watch” for 2026.

Brand Finance credited Mang Inasal’s performance to its position within Jollibee Foods Corporation, including scale, operational support, and broad market visibility.

Chowking also advanced in the Brand Finance Philippines 50 2026 report, rising to No. 31 among the country’s most valuable brands.

Beyond these Philippine brand rankings, Jollibee Foods Corporation operates a broader global portfolio of 20 brands with more than 10,400 stores and cafés across 33 countries, including Tim Ho Wan, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Compose Coffee, Smashburger, Highlands Coffee, Milksha, and other brands across fast food, coffee and tea, bakery, casual dining, and beverage technology.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, Chief Executive Officer of Jollibee Foods Corporation, said: “These recognitions reflect the enduring strength of our brands and the trust we have earned from consumers across generations. Strong brands are strategic assets: they deepen customer loyalty, support sustainable growth, and enhance the resilience of our business, particularly in a dynamic operating environment.

“These rankings are more than brand accolades; they offer a view into the intrinsic value we are building every day. Notably, Jollibee’s brand value of USD3.3 billion alone represents a substantial level relative to our current market capitalization, highlighting a meaningful opportunity to convert brand strength into sustained, long-term value for our shareholders.”

Hashtag: #JollibeeGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (PSE: JFC) (the “Company”) is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, driven by its purpose of spreading joy through superior taste. It manages and operates a portfolio that includes 20 brands (the “Jollibee Group”) with over 10,400 stores and cafés across 33 countries.

The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine (9) wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five (5) franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), Shabu All Day (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S., and in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.

The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The Company has been recognized as the Philippines’ Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a five-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit

Cigna Healthcare Hong Kong Enhances VHIS Flexi Plan (Superior) with Expanded Regional Medical Coverage and Recovery Support

Delivering greater flexibility in accessing care across locations, with enhanced support from treatment through recovery

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2026 – Cigna Healthcare Hong Kong today announced enhancements to its Cigna VHIS Series – Flexi Plan (Superior), strengthening its medical insurance offering to help customers better manage rising healthcare costs and access quality health care locally, regionally and overseas.

Rising medical costs and mobility reshape healthcare needs

Hong Kong’s healthcare landscape is evolving amid rising cost pressures. The Hospital Authority’s revised public healthcare fees, effective from January 1, 2026, are driving high out-of-pocket expenses. As these trends persist, individuals face greater exposure to rising and unpredictable medical costs underscoring the need for adequate health protection such as VHIS to help manage financial risk.

At the same time, increased mobility is reshaping healthcare needs. Hong Kong residents made over 117 million outbound trips in 2025, according to the Census and Statistics Department*, driving greater cross-border spending and numbers of customers requiring medical care outside Hong Kong, particularly between Hong Kong and Mainland China. This is fueling demand for health coverage that provides seamless access to quality health care across markets.

Strengthening Care Access and Recovery Support

In response, the Cigna VHIS Series – Flexi Plan (Superior) introduces enhanced proposition1 on access, support and recovery:

  • Extended coverage in Mainland China to all Tier 3 hospitals
  • Upgraded Accommodation Room Type outside Hong Kong, Macau and the United States to Private Room level2
  • Rehabilitative care coverage2 of up to HK$80,000 per policy year (up to 60 days)
  • The coverage2 for follow-up outpatient visits per Confinement after major or complex surgery, covering all visits within 365 days after discharge from Hospital

In addition, this product continues to offer value to customers with access to existing benefits including:

  • Worldwide emergency assistance services³ at no additional cost
  • Coverage of up to US$1,000,000 for emergency medical evacuation to an appropriate location for treatment, or for repatriation to the home country or usual country of residence
  • Personalized support throughout the care process, including a dedicated one-on-one Cigna Care Manager⁴ to assist with hospital stay, surgery or other treatment arrangements, as well as access to virtual consultations⁵ with exclusive discount

Promotional Offer6

Eligible customers who enrol in the Cigna VHIS Series – Flexi Plan (Superior) on or before September 30, 2026 can enjoy premium discounts of six months in the first policy year. As part of a limited-time offer, customers enrolling together with family and friends may receive up to ten months of premium discount in the first two policy years.

For more information about the Cigna VHIS Series and the promotional offers, please visit Cigna Healthcare Hong Kong’s website at: Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme – Cigna Healthcare

Notes:

  1. The product information above is for general reference only and does not constitute the full terms and conditions of the policy. For detailed definitions of specified terms, specific coverage conditions, exclusions, and complete terms, please refer to the policy document.
  2. Only applicable to policies with the Accommodation Room Type as Semi-Private Room.
  3. This service is a value-added service provided by an independent third-party service provider and does not form part of the contractual benefit under your policy. Cigna Healthcare reserves the right to amend or cancel the service at any time without prior notice at its absolute discretion. Cigna Healthcare is not the service provider for this service. The relevant service provider is not our agent, and vice versa. We make no representation, warranty or undertaking as to the quality and availability of the service, and do not accept any responsibility or liability for the service provided by the service provider. Under no circumstances will Cigna Healthcare be responsible or liable for acts or omissions of the service provider in the provision of the service.
  4. Cigna Care Manager Service is a value-added service and subject to terms and conditions. Medical support service and value-added services arranged by Care Manager are subject to individual cases.
  5. The virtual consultation and medication delivery services are value-added services only and are subject to the terms, conditions and availability of the relevant service providers.
  6. The above promotional offers are subject to terms and conditions.

Remarks:

The above product is intended for sale in Hong Kong only. The above information should not be regarded as any form of offer or recommendation to purchase insurance.

*https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/data/stat_report/product/B1010006/att/B10100062026AN26B0100.pdf

Hashtag: #CignaHealthcareHongKong

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Cigna Healthcare

Cigna Healthcare is a health benefits provider that advocates for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the health care system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality.

Founded in 1933, our Hong Kong business provides comprehensive health and wellness solutions to employers, employees and individual customers. Leveraging on our extensive global healthcare network, we offer global group medical benefits that provide comprehensive and tailored coverage for a wide range of organizations. For individual customers, we also offer a full suite of health insurance plans to cater for their diverse needs. For more details, please visit .

Former EDL Executives, Senior Officials Get Life in Landmark Laos Corruption Cases

Laos sentenced at least ten Lao officials and a Thai businessman to life imprisonment in four major corruption cases spanning multiple state institutions.

On 1 July, the Vientiane Capital People’s Court announced verdicts in four major corruption cases involving 17 defendants, among them former senior government officials, state enterprise executives, and businesspeople. 

The court handed down life sentences to at least ten defendants, including senior figures from the inspection, banking, energy, and foreign affairs sectors, as well as a foreign businessman. 

Among those sentenced were former Electricity of Laos (EDL) executive Thongphet Duangngeun, former officials from the State Inspection Authority (SIA) and the Bank of the Lao PDR, two officials from the Agricultural Promotion Bank (APB), a former Ministry of Foreign Affairs employee, and four former EDL executives. 

Thai businessman Aphichart Vannakul also received a life sentence for his role in a major hydropower corruption scheme.

Taken together, the four cases involved allegations of corruption, bribery, abuse of office, embezzlement, fraud, and document forgery across several key state institutions.

Senior Officials Receive Life Sentences

In addition to prison sentences, the court ordered the confiscation of cash, vehicles, land, bank accounts, and other assets, along with substantial financial compensation to state entities. 

The first case involved corruption within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Former ministry employee Soukkhounkham Keomano was convicted of corruption and document forgery after the court found she had unlawfully obtained funds and falsified official documents. She was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to repay THB 6.5 million (nearly USD 200,000) to the ministry in civil damages.

The ruling underscored the court’s growing focus on document fraud and the misuse of official authority within central government ministries.

The second case centered on a bribery network involving eight officials linked to the State Inspection Authority, the Bank of the Lao PDR, the Party Inspection Committee, and other agencies. Senior officials were accused of facilitating corrupt transactions, abusing their positions, and acting as intermediaries in bribery schemes.

Former SIA official Sithone Souliyavong and former Bank of the Lao PDR official Ot Phonxiangdy were each sentenced to life imprisonment. Three other defendants received 12-year prison terms, while two were sentenced to two years and later released. The court also ordered the confiscation of cash, vehicles, and land connected to the scheme, reinforcing the authorities’ increasing emphasis on recovering illicit assets.

The third case involved fraud at APB. Four defendants, including government officials and businesspeople, were convicted of defrauding state assets, corruption, bribery, and document forgery.

Two bank officials, Viengsouk Simmakone and Boumlom Phochaleun, received life sentences after the court found they had abused their positions to facilitate the misappropriation of bank funds and accepted bribes in return for favorable treatment.

Businessman Duangta Hanuovong was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Khampheng Vichitvongsa received a two-year sentence after cooperating with investigators and helping compensate for part of the losses.

The court also imposed financial penalties based on damages exceeding LAK 14.3 billion (about USD 650,000) and levied fines equal to twice the value of the bribes paid, seeking to recover illicit gains and compensate the state.

The fourth, and largest,case involved corruption in an EDL hydropower project – no specific information on such project was made public. Thai businessman Aphichart Vannakul and four former senior EDL executives, identified as Thongphet, Phonevixay, Saysanit, and Khambon, were convicted of embezzling state funds, abuse of office, and bribery. All five were sentenced to life imprisonment.

The court ordered Aphichart to pay more than USD 24.8 million in compensation to EDL and authorized the seizure and sale of his assets, including ten bank accounts, 11 land plots, and a vehicle. If those assets prove insufficient, the court ruled that assets belonging to the four former EDL executives will also be confiscated and sold. In addition, more than USD 1 million in bribe payments will be confiscated and returned to the state.

Part of a Broader Anti-Corruption Drive

The verdicts form part of a wider anti-corruption drive that Lao authorities say has intensified in recent years.

In November 2025, the State Inspection Authority reported uncovering corruption involving 334 individuals between 2021 and 2025, with losses exceeding LAK 642.93 billion (approximatelyUSD 30 million). Investigators also identified losses totaling USD 66.8 million, THB 68.95 million (about USD 2.1 million), CN    Y 7.8 million (about USD 1.1 million), and VND 1.5 billion (USD 57,000). Officials said 86 suspects had been referred for prosecution during that period, while 23 had already been convicted.

Several of the most high-profile investigations have centered on EDL, one of Laos’ largest state-owned enterprises and the backbone of the country’s hydropower industry. In March 2025, authorities detained the utility’s former deputy director and four contractors, including a foreign national, over the alleged misappropriation of government assets valued at about USD 90 million.

Later, in September 2025, two more former EDL officials were detained over alleged corruption linked to the 230-kilovolt Tha Vieng–Km 20 and 115-kilovolt Nam Phai–Thong Khoun transmission line projects after investigators uncovered suspected embezzlement and other financial irregularities. 

The latest convictions also come as Laos has shown modest improvement in international anti-corruption rankings. In the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, the country ranked 114th out of 182 countries with a score of 34, surpassing Thailand for the first time. Despite that progress, Laos remains below the global benchmark score of 50.

Laos also remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring for deficiencies in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures, placing additional pressure on the country.

Natixis CIB bolsters technology and innovation hub in India with strategic leadership appointment


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2026 – Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Luc Bernard as Chief Executive Officer, Natixis Services in India.

Luc reports to Cécile de Sousa, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific & Middle East, Natixis CIB and Etienne Huret, Head of Portugal and India Hubs, Natixis.

Luc Bernard - Natixis
Luc Bernard – Natixis

He brings to the role nearly two decades of experience in Global Capability Center management and offshoring strategies, entrepreneurship, delivery, software engineering, financial markets, architecture, data, digital transformation and innovation.

Luc was instrumental in establishing Natixis Services in India, Natixis CIB’s technology and innovation hub in Bangalore. He previously held the position of Executive Director and Head of CIB Operations and IT and served on the Board of Directors at Natixis Services in India from 2021 until 2025. He then transitioned to Natixis Investment Managers in Paris, where he has been serving as Head of IT Production until his current appointment. Prior to joining the IT team at Natixis CIB in 2014, Luc gained experience as a Software Developer at Société Générale and Partners Advisers SA. He holds a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering from Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Brest and an Executive MBA from HEC Paris.

In his new role as Chief Executive Officer, Luc will support the growth of Natixis Services in India and strengthen its integration within Natixis’s global processes.

Cécile de Sousa said, “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Luc back to Bangalore to lead our India center of expertise as it celebrates its five-year anniversary. He has been pivotal in setting up this crucial operation, and spearheading technology-driven transformation and process optimization. Luc’s extensive knowledge of our internal processes, coupled with his proven track record in India, positions him perfectly to assume the leadership responsibilities of Natixis Services in India.”

Etienne Huret said, “Luc’s appointment is a key milestone in our commitment to further developing Bangalore as a critical hub for the Groupe BPCE and Natixis businesses. I look forward to working with him closely as we continue to grow synergies between our Portugal and India hubs and collaborate closely with the Group on strategic initiatives.”

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking is a leading global financial institution that provides advisory, investment banking, financing, corporate banking and capital markets services to corporations, financial institutions, financial sponsors and sovereign and supranational organizations worldwide.

Our teams of experts in close to 30 countries advise clients on their strategic development, helping them to grow and transform their businesses, and maximize their positive impact. Natixis CIB is committed to aligning its financing portfolio with a carbon neutrality path by 2050 while helping its clients reduce the environmental impact of their business.

As part of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne retail networks, Natixis CIB benefits from the Group’s financial strength and solid financial ratings (Standard & Poor’s: A+, Moody’s: A2, Fitch Ratings: A+, R&I: A+).

About Natixis Services in India

Natixis Services in India is a Center of Expertise for Groupe BPCE, a banking group of French origin, and its subsidiary, Natixis. Natixis Services in India delivers operational excellence and agile solutions by leveraging advanced technologies to address challenges in the banking industry. Natixis Services in India’s focus is on enhancing the client experience, mitigating risks, and strengthening competitive positioning. The team is committed to enriching career development opportunities within an inclusive and dynamic work environment.

Jamf launches AI Governance, a first-of-its-kind native AI control plane for Mac

New capability gives enterprises visibility, control and governance for AI tools running across managed Mac fleets, addressing today’s gap between usage and confidence


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2026 – Jamf, the standard in managing and securing Apple at work, has announced general availability of AI Governance, a new capability within Jamf for Mac that enables IT and security teams to discover actively-used AI tools, enforce policy controls, and generate audit-ready reporting. This move makes Jamf first-to-market to deliver native, OS-level AI governance controls for Mac.

Many organizations struggle to confidently audit and report on AI tool usage across their device fleet, including both sanctioned applications and unsanctioned or prohibited tools. AI Governance provides comprehensive visibility into which AI applications are in use, along with detailed insights into how they behave on the endpoint. This enables organizations to understand AI activity at a level that network- and cloud-based reporting solutions alone cannot provide, helping security teams identify risk, support compliance, and make informed governance decisions.

With launch support for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and OpenAI Codex, the capability provides deep governance coverage across model access, tenancy, network permissions, file system controls, MCP server restrictions, and other vendor-specific AI configurations. A vendor control tracking engine continuously monitors supported AI platforms for new or updated controls, helping organizations keep governance policies current as AI tools rapidly evolve. All of these policies are in place offline and before a user’s first login to an AI agent, enforcing a foundational day-zero and tamper-resistant policy baseline.

The only native Mac control plane for enterprise AI

AI tools run natively on Apple Silicon and operate as processes that existing network proxies and cloud-based tooling cannot fully see or govern. No existing tool unifies platform-native device management, deep AI tool configuration coverage, and a workflow that translates governance intent into vendor-correct configuration on macOS.

Jamf AI Governance closes that gap by enabling visibility of Shadow AI and providing granular AI configurations natively, deployed in minutes, through the same endpoint management control plane that admins use today, offering:

  • Visibility: AI application visibility and shadow AI discovery surface AI tools, agents, and LLM runtime across the fleet (including CLI-based developer tools and background agents) using Jamf’s existing telemetry agent, which uses native and high-performance macOS frameworks. No new agent is required.
  • Control: AI access policy controls let IT define sanctioned tools, deploy access policy at scale, and scope different postures to different teams. Vendor-correct configurations can be applied automatically at scale.
  • Governance: An executive AI posture report provides CIOs and CISOs with a snapshot-in-time summary of AI usage. The capability offers SIEM compatibility and is designed to assist companies in reporting against their existing compliance frameworks.

“AI adoption across the enterprise is moving faster than existing technology policies can keep up,” said Beth Tschida, CEO at Jamf. “Organizations need governance that matches the way AI tools actually operate on Mac. This means visibility into what’s running, policy controls enforced directly on the endpoint, and reporting that helps security teams demonstrate compliance. Our AI Governance capability delivers that natively from the same platform customers already trust to manage and secure Apple devices.”

“Like many organizations, we want to enable teams to use AI tools productively while maintaining appropriate governance and oversight,” said Sam Lalli, Security Engineering & SOC Manager at Eventbrite “What impressed us about Jamf’s AI Governance was how quickly we could apply policy across our Mac fleet without adding another point solution or creating friction for developers. Having this critical capability built into the same device management platform we already use, really simplifies AI governance for our team.”

Jamf enables partner AI solutions to thrive on the Mac

Beyond essential visibility and control, Jamf’s AI Governance policies can more effectively deploy and govern partner AI solutions.

IT and security teams can use Jamf to discover AI tools running across MacOS devices and register those agents directly with Okta for AI Agents. This gives each one a managed identity and scoped access to only the resources it is allowed to reach. Jamf controls which MCP servers can run on the device while Okta controls what cloud resources those MCP servers can reach. Rather than long-lived static keys, agents use short-lived, vaulted credentials, and every action is authorized and logged from the endpoint to the cloud. The Okta integration deploys directly from Jamf’s console without manual API setup or certificate management required.

Organizations can also configure their preferred agent builder platform, such as Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, ensuring AI traffic routes through and is processed on sanctioned cloud infrastructure.

With Jamf handling device visibility and policy enforcement, and Okta managing agent identity and access, organizations can answer: which agents ran on which endpoints, what they were authorized to reach, and what they did along the path from a MacOS device to the SaaS app.

“While some enterprise AI agents run locally, they access data across a vast cloud ecosystem, requiring coordinated security between the endpoint and identity layers,” said Harish Peri, SVP & GM of AI Security, Okta. “By anchoring Okta for AI Agents to Jamf’s endpoint enforcement, every agentic connection on a managed Mac is authenticated, authorized, and fully visible from the device to the data. Together, we’re helping organizations become secure agentic enterprises by giving them more control over what AI agents can access and on whose behalf.”

AI governance urgency is accelerating

The need for enterprise AI governance is accelerating as organizations rapidly adopt AI-powered tools across employee workflows. Jamf’s recently released AI Governance Survey found that organizations with deeply integrated AI are 40% more likely to report an incident than those still in the exploration phase, suggesting AI governance is quickly becoming an operational requirement rather than a future planning exercise.

Gartner® mentions, “With spending on AI governance expected to reach $492 million in 2026 and surpass $1 billion by 2030, organizations are reassessing the tools and strategies needed to stay ahead of both regulatory and operational risk.” Further, in its Top Cybersecurity Trends for 2026 report, Gartner also says that, “Cybersecurity leaders must identify both sanctioned and unsanctioned AI agents, enforce robust controls for each and develop incident response playbooks to address potential risks.”

Jamf’s AI Governance capability is now available in Jamf for Mac with immediate support for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and OpenAI Codex. Learn more about Jamf AI Governance at: https://www.jamf.com/solutions/ai-governance

Hashtag: #software #apple #Jamf

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Jamf

Jamf’s purpose is to simplify work by helping organizations manage and secure Apple devices while delivering an experience end users love and organizations trust. Built for the AI-enabled Apple enterprise, the Jamf platform provides a complete management and security solution with autonomous endpoint management and AI governance across cloud and on-device models. Today, Jamf helps over 78,000 organizations across 100 countries manage and secure over 35 million devices. To learn more, visit .

Vientiane Completes New 9.3-Kilometer Mekong Embankment

A picture of hand over ceremony. (Photo by Lao Economic daily)

On 1 July, Vientiane officially opened a new 9.3-kilometer stretch of Mekong riverfront featuring parks, walking and cycling paths, sports facilities, and flood protection infrastructure following the completion of Phase II of the Mekong River Integrated Management Project.

The new embankment extends from Wat Nak village in Sisattanak District to Hatdokkeo village in Hadsayfong district, serving 19 villages and adding 13 public parks, a riverside promenade, boat landings, street lighting, sidewalks, and drainage systems.

Construction began in February 2022 using a riprap design that employs large stones to reduce erosion and withstand floods expected once every 100 years.

The USD 67.56 million project was financed through a USD 57.6 million low-interest loan from South Korea, with the Lao government contributing USD 9.96 million.

The new embankment extends Vientiane’s riverfront protection system, which began with Phase I in 2014. That earlier phase stretches 12 kilometers from Kaoliew Village in Sikhoittabong District to Wat Nak Village in Sisattanak District and includes Chao Anouvong Park.

Several of the new parks opened to the public in June, adding green space and recreational areas for residents. The completed riverfront now offers expanded opportunities for walking, jogging, cycling, and other outdoor activities along the Mekong River.

China-Laos Low-Carbon Project Expected to Cut Emissions by More Than 1,200 Tons Annually

The picture used for illustration only, this is the the development zone.

The Vientiane-Saysettha Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 1,200 tons annually through a range of clean energy and low-emission technologies, according to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA).

According to CIDCA, the project has introduced solar-powered street lights, electric buses, new-energy trucks, environmental monitoring vehicles, and environmental law enforcement vehicles to promote greener urban development in Laos.

Tang said the initiative has improved urban services and environmental management in the demonstration zone while creating jobs and supporting business operations for hundreds of Chinese and regional companies based there.

The Vientiane-Saysettha Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone is one of 10 low-carbon pilot projects launched by China in partner countries under its South-South climate cooperation program.

Officially inaugurated in 2022, the zone spans about 11.5 square kilometers in Vientiane and is one of the largest Laos-China cooperation projects. Designed as both an industrial park and a new urban area, it is expected to attract about USD 5 billion in investment.

In addition to low-carbon infrastructure, the initiative includes training programs to strengthen Laos’ environmental management capacity.