Day: June 10, 2026

Tamil Cinema Legend Bharathiraja Dies at 84, Leaving Behind an Enduring Legacy

The Indian film industry is mourning the loss of one of its most influential filmmakers, Bharathiraja, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 84 following health complications. Fondly known as "Iyakkunar Imayam" (Director Supreme), Bharathiraja's death was confirmed by the Tamil Film Producers Council. He reportedly breathed his last at his residence in Chennai after battling prolonged health issues, including lung infections and respiratory complications. His health had reportedly declined significantly over the past year, particularly following the death of his only son, Manoj Bharathiraja, who passed away from a heart attack at the age of 48. Born on July 17, 1941, Bharathiraja was widely regarded as a pioneering force in Tamil cinema. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, he transformed the industry's storytelling style by moving away from studio-bound productions and bringing authentic rural landscapes, cultures and characters to the forefront of Indian cinema. His groundbreaking directorial debut, 16 Vayathinile, released in 1977, revolutionised Tamil filmmaking and is still considered one of the most important films in Indian cinema history. The film introduced a new wave of realism that influenced generations of filmmakers. Bharathiraja's unique vision helped launch and shape the careers of numerous actors who later became icons of Indian cinema. Throughout his illustrious career, he worked with legendary stars such as Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Sivaji Ganesan. His emphasis on natural performances and realistic storytelling earned him widespread admiration from audiences and critics alike. Beyond directing, Bharathiraja also established himself as a respected actor in later years. His final screen appearance was in the Malayalam film Thudarum, while the unreleased film Pulavar is expected to be his last acting project. In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian arts and culture, Bharathiraja was honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards. More than a filmmaker, Bharathiraja was a visionary who reshaped Tamil cinema by giving a voice to rural India and bringing authenticity to the silver screen. His films captured the emotions, struggles and aspirations of ordinary people, creating stories that resonated across generations. With his passing, Indian cinema loses not only a celebrated director but also a cultural icon whose influence will continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences for years to come. His remarkable body of work remains a timeless testament to his artistry, innovation and enduring impact on the world of cinema. -- MINUTESMY / SUGAN BALAN

The Indian film industry is mourning the loss of one of its most influential filmmakers, Bharathiraja, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 84 following health complications. Fondly known as “Iyakkunar Imayam” (Director Supreme), Bharathiraja’s death was confirmed by the Tamil Film Producers Council. He reportedly breathed his last at his residence in […]

/C O R R E C T I O N — The Hashgraph Group/

ZURICH, June 9  -- The Hashgraph Group (THG) today announced a strategic collaboration with science and technology company Merck, that extends its TrackTraceDigital Product Passport (DPP) platform. Built on Hedera and designed to support compliance requirements for the global supply chain industry, the collaboration aims to meet the EU's incoming product transparency regulations, ensuring product trust, quality, and improved sustainability. This integration of digital and physical authentication technologies is an initiative enabled through Merck's participation in the Enterprise Accelerator Program of The Hashgraph Association (THA), the Swiss-based non-profit advancing digital enablement, innovation, and education across the Hedera ecosystem.     The technical integration brings together THG's Hedera-powered digital traceability infrastructure with Merck's M-Trust™ physical authentication technology system, offering the global supply chain ecosystem of physical goods a single trust system for proof of quality, proof of traceability, proof of authenticity, and proof of value transfer, all supported digitally by product passport, with Hedera as single source of truth. Where TrackTrace creates tamper-proof digital records of a product's origin and lifecycle, Merck's M-Trust™ technology adds something digital systems alone cannot deliver: verification that the consumer product in your mouth is the real thing, not a counterfeit. The integrated solution - already demonstrated in a first working supply chain pilot to be announced soon - is designed to help businesses across any sector prepare for the EU Digital Product Passport and deforestation traceability requirements now taking effect. Regulation is raising the bar New EU regulations are tightening up what companies must prove about the products they sell. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will require Digital Product Passports via QR code detailing a product's origin, composition, sustainability credentials and lifecycle from 2026 onwards, whereas the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires importers of commodities including cocoa, coffee, and timber to provide verified, farm-level traceability data. The collaboration between THG and Merck is designed to support the entire supply value chain in meeting applicable regulatory compliance requirements, with traceability and authentication built into the trust system. Reliable product traceability also underpins sustainability commitments, ethical sourcing, carbon reporting, and consumer trust. Companies making public promises about where their products come from increasingly need the infrastructure to back those claims with verifiable proof. The consequences of weak traceability are already visible. In 2026, cocoa and food fraud risks have been rising due to high prices and strict new regulations, leading to increased adulteration and fake sourcing documentation. Key frauds include blending low-quality cocoa with fillers like husks, and falsifying deforestation-free certificates to meet the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). How it works Merck embeds invisible security markers directly into a product and packaging using patented pigment technology. When scanned with an M-Trust™ handheld device, the product's physical authenticity is confirmed, cryptographically signed, and recorded within TrackTrace on the Hedera network - becoming a permanent, verifiable part of its Digital Product Passport. The result: a chain of proof connecting the actual product to every claim made about it. TrackTrace complements M-Trust™ by providing real-time tracking of origin, ethical sourcing, and carbon emissions data. TrackTrace also supports quality assurance (QA) data, enabling the capture and integration of product quality metrics directly into the Digital Product Passport. Each instance of tracked process is issued with its own decentralized identifier, acting as an immutable and verifiable record that aggregates all data, credentials, and validations, which allows any authorized third party to independently audit a product, business process, or claim without relying on a central authority, while supporting the automation of reporting processes through integrated Agentic AI. The combined architecture is built to work across any sector where product authenticity, provenance, and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable – from foods to pharmaceuticals and luxury goods to electronics and industrial components. "Digital records alone are not sufficient for high-stakes supply chains," said Stefan Deiss, CEO and Co-Founder of The Hashgraph Group. "Enterprises need to prove the physical product is genuine, not just the paperwork. This unique integration with M-Trust covers all layers from the first mile to the last mile – physical authentication through Merck's technology and digital verification through TrackTrace - creating the foundation for trusted Digital Product Passports across any industry." "Product authentication has always required bridging the physical and digital worlds," said Dr. Thomas Endress, Executive Director, Head of M-Trust in Group Science & Technology Office of Merck. "Integrating M-Trust's verification with TrackTrace's digital traceability creates exactly the kind of end-to-end trust infrastructure that enterprises and regulators are asking for. This is what product authentication looks like when it is built for the scale and complexity of modern supply chains." Building momentum The Merck and THG collaboration is the latest in a rapid sequence of milestones for The Hashgraph Group. Since launching its IDTrust self-sovereign identity platform in August 2025, followed by its EcoGuard carbon credit platform in December 2025 - now deployed with government institutions in both India and the Philippines and more recently the launch of its BrandBoost product in May 2026, THG has moved to establish and position Hedera-based infrastructure as a serious option for enterprises and governments navigating complex regulatory environments. With EU Digital Product Passport deadlines approaching and global demand for verifiable supply chain and sustainability data intensifying, THG is positioning its enterprise Web3 suite of products for further integrations and sector-specific deployments throughout 2026, and beyond.  About The Hashgraph Group The Hashgraph Group (THG) is a Swiss-based Web3 and AI technology engineering company operating within the Hedera ecosystem. Specialized in the design, development, and deployment of enterprise-grade solutions on Hedera, THG is focused on building business without barriers by converging agentic intelligence and workflow automation with decentralization and trusted data infrastructure, enabling sustainable competitive advantage for its clients in the digital economy. For more information about THG, visit www.hashgraph-group.com. -- PRNewswire -- Source: The Hashgraph Group

ZURICH, June 9  — The Hashgraph Group (THG) today announced a strategic collaboration with science and technology company Merck, that extends its TrackTraceDigital Product Passport (DPP) platform. Built on Hedera and designed to support compliance requirements for the global supply chain industry, the collaboration aims to meet the EU’s incoming product transparency regulations, ensuring product trust, quality, and improved […]

SingPost Unveils S$30 Million Automated Sortation Hub, Announces Islandwide Rollout of ‘SingPost@MyBlock’

SINGAPORE, June 10 -- Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) today unveiled a S$30 million automated parcel sortation facility at its Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub, alongside the nationwide rollout of its neighbourhood-based service, SingPost@MyBlock.      The launch was attended by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information. Both initiatives represent the first major milestones following the Group's Strategy Update announced in May 2026, demonstrating SingPost's commitment to strengthen core fundamentals, build scalable capabilities, and capture new growth opportunities.      Tripling Processing Capacity to Drive Network Efficiency The investment in two new automated machines - a 3D Sorter and an Intelligent Flexi Sorter (IFS) - was first announced in March 2025. The completion of the construction of these new systems will triple SingPost's small and medium parcel processing capacity from 100,000 to 300,000 parcels per day. When combined with existing large-parcel operations, total daily throughput capacity at the Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub now stands at 400,000 parcels a day. This upgrade solidifies SingPost's position as Singapore's most robust parcel delivery network. This automated infrastructure significantly boosts operational productivity, ensuring that seasonal spikes such as 11.11 and Black Friday are handled with greater speed and efficiency while seamlessly scaling to meet demand.     Consolidated Operations at Tampines Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub Previously, SingPost sorted parcels across two geographically separated facilities based on size: smaller items were handled at SingPost Centre in Paya Lebar, while larger packages were processed at the Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub in Tampines. This dual-site workflow required continuous cross-island trucking, which added transit time, operational costs, and network complexity. With this, all parcel sortation is now consolidated at the Tampines facility. This migration creates a single, streamlined parcel flow across Singapore's delivery network. Enhancing Neighbourhood Convenience with SingPost@MyBlock As part of its ongoing efforts to maintain public convenience, SingPost will officially expand its SingPost@MyBlock service islandwide by September this year following successful trials. To be rolled out in three phases islandwide by 30 September, the service allows residents to drop off letters and small packets directly at the designated letterbox nest of their HDB or residential block, reducing the need to visit a post office or street posting box. This neighbourhood framework leverages SingPost's existing postal network, which serves more than 1.9 million addresses every working day. To ensure comprehensive public accessibility across Singapore, SingPost remains committed to maintaining its Post Office network of approximately 40 manned and unmanned touchpoints by investing in technology. "Today's launch marks a major operational milestone in the execution of our strategy. This centralised, automated hub for parcels unlocks an improved operating model enabling us to move towards a highly flexible network that scales with market demand. These measures serve as levers to cut our cost-to-serve by more than 10%", said Mark Chong, Chief Executive Officer, SingPost. "Crucially, even as we raise back-end efficiency, we are equally focused on improving public convenience. Through initiatives like SingPost@MyBlock, we are expanding our reach directly into local communities to bring doorstep convenience to residents. We are modernising our infrastructure to serve Singapore and our global partners with greater reliability and agility", he added.  About Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) Singapore Post (SingPost) is a leading postal and eCommerce logistics provider in Asia Pacific. The portfolio of businesses spans from national and international postal services to warehousing and fulfilment, international freight forwarding and last mile delivery, serving customers in more than 220 global destinations. Headquartered in Singapore, SingPost has approximately 3,000 employees. Since its inception in 1858, the Group has evolved and innovated to bring about best-in-class integrated logistics solutions and services, making every delivery count for people and planet. www.singpost.com        -- PRNewswire -- Source: Singapore Post     

SINGAPORE, June 10 — Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) today unveiled a S$30 million automated parcel sortation facility at its Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub, alongside the nationwide rollout of its neighbourhood-based service, SingPost@MyBlock. The launch was attended by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information. Both initiatives represent the first major milestones following the Group’s […]

HKC, ANTGAMER, KOORUI Make Strong Debut at COMPUTEX 2026 with World-First Display Innovations

TAIPEI, June 10 -- HKC, ANTGAMER, and KOORUI have successfully concluded their presence at COMPUTEX 2026. Under the theme "Win Beyond the Frame," the three brands unveiled multiple world-first display products and advanced technologies, demonstrating the innovative strength of Chinese display brands on the global stage.     HKC: Three World Premieres Redefine Professional Display Boundaries HKC introduced three "world's first" flagship products. The Shield C83U60 is the world's first 83.4-inch 12K ultra-wide curved monitor, featuring a 11520×2160 resolution, R1000 curvature, and 60Hz refresh rate. The Apex 32U165VD is the world's first 31.4-inch 4K RGB-MiniLED monitor with independent RGB light-color control technology. The Apex 27U165D is the world's first 27-inch 4K RGB-MiniLED monitor, delivering precise color reproduction for professional creators. ANTGAMER: Native 1000Hz Redefines Esports Performance Limits ANTGAMER showcased the world's first native 1000Hz Fast-TN esports monitor, the ANT25ASF, with a 1920×1080 resolution and 0.8ms GTG response time. The company also presented the world's first dual-mode 1080Hz HMO esports monitor, the ANT275PQ Ultra; the world's first 750Hz esports monitor, the ANT257PF; and the world's first dual-mode 720Hz OLED monitor, the ANT275ZQE. With a complete high-refresh-rate product matrix spanning from 750Hz to native 1000Hz, and from Fast-TN to its proprietary HMO oxide technology and Tandem WOLED, ANTGAMER has achieved comprehensive coverage in esports display technology applications, leading industry development. KOORUI: Diverse Visuals for Every Scenario KOORUI presented its lineup of versatile display solutions, including the S2741LM, a 4K MiniLED dual-mode monitor with 1152 dimming zones, VESA DisplayHDR 1400 certification, and instant switching between 4K 160Hz creation mode and FHD 320Hz gaming mode. Another highlight was the S4941XO, a 49-inch QD-OLED ultra-wide curved monitor featuring a 32:9 aspect ratio, 5120×1440 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, HDR True Black 400, a 90W USB-C port, and KVM functionality, serving as a replacement for traditional dual-screen office setups. From HKC's professional displays and ANTGAMER's esports innovations to KOORUI's versatile solutions, the three brands together embodied the theme "Win Beyond the Frame" at COMPUTEX 2026. --  PRNewswire -- Source: HKC, ANTGAMER and KOORUI

TAIPEI, June 10 — HKC, ANTGAMER, and KOORUI have successfully concluded their presence at COMPUTEX 2026. Under the theme “Win Beyond the Frame,” the three brands unveiled multiple world-first display products and advanced technologies, demonstrating the innovative strength of Chinese display brands on the global stage. HKC: Three World Premieres Redefine Professional Display Boundaries HKC introduced three […]

Irish government urged to support motion to boycott soccer match with Israel

LONDON: Ireland's opposition party has urged the government to support a motion calling for the country to refuse to play in a football match against Israel, according to media reports on Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Sinn Fein sports spokeswoman Joanna Byrne told reporters in Dublin that the government and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) needed to "do the right thing" and "refuse to get involved", according to public broadcaster RTE. The move comes ahead of a Sinn Fein motion due to be debated later on Tuesday and a motion by the Social Democrats on Wednesday, amid public protests in Ireland over the country's upcoming international football match against Israel. The FAI said on Monday that its board of directors continued to meet to "discuss the operational aspects" of hosting the Nations League men's international football match scheduled to take place on Oct 4 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Meanwhile, Social Democrat MP Sinead Gibney said the proposal to move the Ireland-Israel match to a neutral venue would "put us in the most difficult position", as "all the pressure would be put on the players." "And that's something we wanted to avoid from day one," he said. Gibney said the government should “bar or exclude Israel from any international sporting competition” and that “tremendous” public sentiment was being expressed through the “Stop the Match campaign”. The Social Democratic Party politician said he considered the actions of government officials who said they would not attend any such matches to be "extremely hypocritical". People Before Profit-Solidarity MPs Richard Boyd Barrett, Ruth Coppinger and Paul Murphy also voiced similar concerns, with Barrett insisting that “simply moving it to neutral territory is not enough.” Commenting on leaked suggestions that the FAI was open to moving the match from Dublin to Hungary, he insisted: "Our message is clear, the match should be cancelled completely and should not take place at a neutral venue." Labour Party MP Duncan Smith also stated that the match should be boycotted. Aontu party leader Peadar Toibin said he did not think the match should continue and insisted his party would support the opposition motion. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

LONDON: Ireland’s opposition party has urged the government to support a motion calling for the country to refuse to play in a football match against Israel, according to media reports on Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Sinn Fein sports spokeswoman Joanna Byrne told reporters in Dublin that the government and the Football Association of Ireland […]

PM Anwar Congratulates Modi on Becoming India’s Longest-Serving Elected Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on achieving the historic milestone of becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister. In a message conveyed to Modi, Anwar described the achievement as a testament to the Indian leader's years of dedicated public service and leadership in driving India's development, prosperity and growing influence on the global stage. "Heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Modi on this historic milestone. This achievement reflects his unwavering commitment and leadership in advancing India's progress and elevating its standing internationally," Anwar said. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to strengthening its longstanding relationship with India, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between the two nations. Anwar noted that Malaysia highly values its close friendship with India and expressed his desire to further enhance bilateral ties across various sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries. "I look forward to continuing our cooperation in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding opportunities for our peoples," he said. Anwar also conveyed his best wishes for Modi's continued success in leading India and expressed hope for enduring peace, progress and prosperity for the Indian people. Malaysia and India share strong diplomatic, economic and cultural ties, with both countries continuing to collaborate in areas such as trade, investment, digital economy, education and regional cooperation. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on achieving the historic milestone of becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister. In a message conveyed to Modi, Anwar described the achievement as a testament to the Indian leader’s years of dedicated public […]

5G, AI AND AUTOMATION KEY TO STRENGTHENING MALAYSIA’S INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS – DATUK FAHMI

SHAH ALAM, June 10 – Communications Minister YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today attended the launch of CelcomDigi’s Advanced Intelligent Warehouse in Shah Alam, describing the initiative as a significant step forward in Malaysia’s digital transformation journey and preparations for the Industrial Revolution 4.0. The facility showcases the practical application of advanced technologies such as 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and automation in modern logistics operations, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, productivity and overall industry competitiveness. Speaking at the event, Fahmi said initiatives such as the Advanced Intelligent Warehouse demonstrate that digital transformation is no longer merely a concept or policy discussion but is already being implemented on the ground across key sectors of the economy. “This facility illustrates how emerging technologies can be integrated into everyday business operations to improve efficiency, optimise processes and strengthen the competitiveness of Malaysian industries,” he said. Fahmi noted that the government remains committed to expanding the nation’s digital infrastructure, particularly through the continued rollout of 5G services nationwide. He said Malaysia’s current implementation plan aims to achieve 98 per cent 5G coverage, enabling more industries, including the logistics sector and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to benefit from advanced digital technologies and accelerate their own transformation efforts. “The expansion of 5G coverage will create greater opportunities for businesses to adopt innovative solutions and unlock new growth potential across various sectors,” he added. Fahmi also encouraged more local companies to embrace technologies such as 5G, AI and automation, stressing that technological adoption is crucial for Malaysia’s long-term economic resilience and competitiveness. “We want to see more Malaysian companies boldly exploring and adopting these technologies so that our nation is not merely a consumer of innovation, but is fully prepared to ride the next wave of industrial transformation with confidence and purpose,” he said. The launch of the Advanced Intelligent Warehouse reflects growing collaboration between government and industry players in driving digital innovation and positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in technology-enabled economic growth.

SHAH ALAM, June 10 – Communications Minister YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil yesterday attended the launch of CelcomDigi’s Advanced Intelligent Warehouse in Shah Alam, describing the initiative as a significant step forward in Malaysia’s digital transformation journey and preparations for the Industrial Revolution 4.0. The facility showcases the practical application of advanced technologies such as 5G […]

DATUK FAHMI FADZIL REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING LOCAL MUSIC INDUSTRY, CALLS FOR GREATER AIRPLAY OF MALAYSIAN SONGS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 – Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil yesterday met with representatives of the Malaysian Indian Recording Artist Association (MINDRAA) at Angkasapuri to discuss efforts to strengthen the local music industry and expand support and opportunities for Malaysian artists through radio broadcasting platforms. During the meeting, various views and proposals were raised on the need to increase the exposure of locally produced songs on radio stations, including those that broadcast Tamil, Chinese and English-language music. Fahmi said Malaysia is home to a wealth of talented artists and high-quality musical works that deserve wider recognition and stronger support across the broadcasting landscape. “We need to take a more serious look at ways to ensure local songs are given greater prominence alongside, and where appropriate ahead of, foreign music. This is essential to supporting the growth of our creative industry and creating more opportunities for Malaysian artists,” he said. He noted that various forms of support have already been put in place to assist local musicians and creative practitioners, including grants for arts activists and performance platforms such as RTM programmes that showcase Malaysian talent. Fahmi stressed that the continued growth of the local music industry depends on a strong and collaborative ecosystem encompassing content creation, broadcasting, promotion and sustained support for artists. “The local music industry will only continue to thrive if the entire ecosystem moves together in supporting the creation of quality works, increasing visibility, and nurturing local talent for the long term,” he said. The meeting with MINDRAA reflects the Ministry of Communications’ ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and sustainable creative industry that supports artists from Malaysia’s diverse cultural and linguistic communities. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB FAHMI FADZIL

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 – Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil yesterday met with representatives of the Malaysian Indian Recording Artist Association (MINDRAA) at Angkasapuri to discuss efforts to strengthen the local music industry and expand support and opportunities for Malaysian artists through radio broadcasting platforms. During the meeting, various views and proposals were raised on […]