Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi Arabia’s benchmark Tadawul All Share Index suffered a sharp sell-off at the open of trading on Sunday, with equities tumbling more than 4 per cent as geopolitical conflict tied to escalating tensions involving Iran and Western forces rattled investor confidence across the Gulf. Traders dumped risk assets within the first minutes of trading, driving the benchmark down to levels not seen in […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Customs has unveiled a Corporate Resilience Programme aimed at bolstering institutional preparedness, strengthening risk management frameworks and safeguarding long-term operational sustainability as the emirate deepens its role as a global trade hub. The initiative forms part of the authority’s broader strategy to future-proof customs operations against geopolitical shifts, supply chain disruptions and rapid technological change. Officials said the programme will integrate resilience […]
A prominent XRP investor has publicly defended an ambitious $31 price projection for Ripple’s XRP token, arguing that long-term technical indicators and structural shifts in the digital-asset market could propel the cryptocurrency into a new valuation range. The projection, which has circulated widely across trading forums and social media platforms, suggests XRP may be approaching what chart analysts describe as a “springboard” formation. Supporters of the view […]
Crypto markets are drawing fresh attention towards supply-focused narratives as Hyperliquid’s native HYPE token climbed about 5 per cent in tandem with strong weekly gains in Jupiter’s JUP token, propelled by strategic supply interventions that traders believe could tighten circulation and support prices. HYPE’s uptick came despite a significant unlock of tokens this week, raising questions about market resilience around deflationary mechanisms as Bitcoin continued range-bound trading. […]
Bitcoin’s steep fall from its record highs has wiped out trillions of dollars in market value across the digital assets sector, yet some of the world’s largest financial institutions are signalling that their appetite for the asset class remains intact. At the iConnections Global Alts conference in Miami, attended by hedge funds, private equity firms and institutional allocators, speakers described digital assets as an established component […]
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Polymarket has drawn record global trading activity after a contract tied to possible military strikes involving the United States and Iran surged past $529 million in cumulative volume, placing it among the most heavily traded markets in the platform’s history. Data published on the decentralised prediction platform show that wagers on whether the United States would carry out military action against Iran before a specified deadline eclipsed […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – As design increasingly proves its power to transform creativity into a strategic force of macroeconomic competitiveness, Bangkok Design Week 2026 (BKKDW2026), organized by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, together with its partners, enters its ninth edition with a bold ambition — evolving from a national design festival into a leading creative platform for Asia. By uniting networks of designers and international partners from more than 17 countries across Asia and Europe, the festival plays a pivotal role in positioning Bangkok as Asia‘s Creative Festival Hub (Creative Hub of Asia).
Under the theme “DESIGN S/O/S,” Bangkok Design Week 2026 highlights design and creativity as practical tools to help societies act, adapt, and survive amid global challenges. The festival significantly expands its international partnerships, opening new spaces for designers, artists, and creative entrepreneurs to exchange knowledge, technology, and business models. These collaborations aim to foster a new creative business ecosystem as one that leads to investment opportunities, business matching, and the development of Thai creative products capable of competing in global markets.
Explore perspectives from international partners, who shed light on the role of design as a universal language — a borderless bridge between cultures that generates tangible opportunities for Thailand’s creative economy in the global arena.
FROM LEGACY TO THE FUTURE. RESTORATION AS A DESIGN PROJECT
Sustainable Cultural Asset Management for Future Generations
by Embassy of Italy in Bangkok
The first international highlight comes from Italy, through the project Italia Reloaded, presented by the Italian Cultural Institute and the Embassy of Italy in Thailand. The initiative introduces the concept of “Restoration as Sustainability.”
Maria Sica, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, explains “Restoration is not about the past, it lies at the heart of sustainability. It focuses on reusing existing resources rather than producing new ones, guided by the principle of ‘Not Fake’- repairing without imitation. By integrating innovation, restoration preserves the authenticity and living value of cultural heritage. The project also draws on the historical relationship between Florence and Bangkok, inspired by the legacy of Silpa Bhirasri, serving as a foundation for knowledge transfer and hands-on workshops. These activities aim to elevate Thai craftsmanship to international standards while supporting high-quality cultural tourism. Together, these efforts frame restoration as a strategic pillar of urban cultural asset management — revitalizing historic districts, generating economic vitality, and strengthening a creative business ecosystem that grows sustainably from the city’s existing foundations.
LAHI (Heritage): The Philippine Fashion Exhibition
Fashion as Cultural Diplomacy and a New Economic Bridge in ASEAN
by the Philippine Embassy in Thailand
Representing the Philippines, Bangkok Design Week 2026 serves as the launch platform for “LAHI (Heritage): The Philippines Fashion Exhibition,“ presented through a collaboration between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Bangkok, and the Philippine Embassy in Thailand. Using fashion as a tool of both economic development and creative diplomacy, the initiative underscores Thailand’s role as a strategic partner for the Philippines within ASEAN.
A representative from DTI noted “Bangkok Design Week is a key platform for showcasing Philippine design capabilities to regional and global markets. It also serves as a gateway for cross-border business and investment opportunities, particularly through co-creation.The collaboration explores hybrid products that combine Thailand’s strength in international-standard manufacturing with Philippine design and craftsmanship. This approach not only strengthens the ASEAN brand and elevates products into high-value market segments, but also demonstrates how fashion — when rooted in cultural heritage — can become a competitive economic asset on the global stage.”
Ephemeral Sounds of the Gulf
Listening to Impermanence Through Design That Is Meant to Dissolve
The project “Ephemeral Sounds of the Gulf“ by Japanese mixed-media artist and producer Erika Tsuchiya (VCUarts Qatar) examines the tension between permanence and impermanence in contemporary production and consumption. The work experiments with biomaterial records, using physical media as a sonic and conceptual platform.
Erika Tsuchiya explains “The project reflects the continued economic potential of the physical format market even in a digital era — especially in Bangkok, where vinyl culture is experiencing a revival. At the same time, the project functions as research and development for a future green supply chain in the music industry. By recording natural soundscapes from the Arabian Gulf region and distributing them globally through biodegradable records, the work challenges conventional expectations of sonic perfection, while raising awareness of digital pollution and resource-intensive mass reproduction.
“Presently, designers and creators must be conscious of where materials come from and the impact of their choices. Understanding costs and consequences from the very beginning of the supply chain is the foundation of business models that grow not only in profit, but in long-term sustainability.” Tsuchiya concludes.
People Pavilion: Reimagining Streetlights as Urban Landmarks
Shade, Light, and Inclusive Design for the Tropical City
Another tangible example of urban innovation is People Pavilion, or Lan Prakai Muang, a collaboration between Urban Ally and HAS design and research, led by Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee. The project reinterprets “the Streetlight Pole” an existing piece of urban infrastructure transforming it into a functional and inclusive public architecture.
The design is grounded in a shared perspective that “the tropical climate is not a constraint, but an urban resource.” Drawing from everyday life in Bangkok where people seek shade during the day and light at night, the pavilion upgrades existing infrastructure into usable public space. This approach reduces construction waste while adding value to existing urban assets through the concept of infrastructure upcycling.
The core of the project goes beyond creating a new space. People Pavilion functions as an urban prototype for sustainable city-making, offering alternative solutions to public space challenges without relying on large-scale budgets. Through cross-sector collaboration and inclusive design, underutilized or neglected areas are transformed into places of tangible social and economic impact supporting a more resilient, adaptive, and people-centered city. Ultimately, the project demonstrates that meaningful urban transformation can be achieved through strategic design, rather than heavy financial investment.
HONG KONG: Projecting Future Heritage
When Everyday Architecture Becomes Tomorrow‘s Blueprint
The exhibition “HONG KONG: Projecting Future Heritage,“originally presented at the Venice Biennale Architettura in 2025, arrives in Bangkok curated by Hong Kong architects and urbanists Sunnie S.Y. Lau and Fai Au. It offers a perspective on social innovation by re-examining architecture embedded in everyday life. Moving beyond iconic landmarks, it invites critical reflection on ordinary buildings and familiar urban structures.
The two creators explain “Under the concept of Future Heritage, we explore strategic commonalities among historic port cities such as Hong Kong, Venice, and Bangkok. Those highlight the role of urban water systems as foundational infrastructures that have shaped these cities’ transformation from historic settlements into economic centers. We also present local architectures that reflect real everyday life, which may become valuable historical heritage in the next 20 – 30 years.”
From a sustainability perspective, the exhibition proposes an approach to urban development that integrates traditional wisdom with contemporary technology. Rather than viewing existing buildings as obsolete or burdensome, it advocates adaptive reuse — reimagining and repurposing structures without demolition — so they can continue to support living, working, and everyday life in meaningful ways. The exhibition underscores that looking back at what already exists is a crucial key to transforming cultural heritage into economic and intellectual capital capable of sustainable growth in the future.
Elevating Bangkok Design Week as the Creative Hub of Asia
These collaborations represent only a fraction of what unfolds at Bangkok Design Week 2026, taking place from 29 January – 8 February 2026. Through CEA’s strategic direction, the festival is being elevated as an international creative platform connecting designers, cities, businesses, and investors from Thailand and abroad. The goal is clear to transform cultural capital into measurable economic value, while firmly establishing Bangkok as one of Asia’s leading creative festival hubs. Driven by the power of the creative economy and sustained through long-term cross-border collaboration, Bangkok Design Week continues to advance a vision of inclusive, competitive, and sustainable growth for the region and beyond.
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Bangkok Design Week, first launched in 2018, has long been a fixture on the Bangkok event calendar. It plays a pivotal role in fostering the creative economy and propelling Bangkok to stand out as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a City of Design. Organized by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, in collaboration with over 60 public and private organizations, educational institutions, and international partners, the festival draws an estimated 400,000 visitors from both Thailand and abroad each year. Bangkok Design Week serves as a growth engine for Thailand’s creative industries in multiple ways, including showcasing creative businesses and designs, stimulating competitiveness, providing local and international business networking opportunities, and generating economic momentum for downstream sectors such as marketing, printing, online media, galleries, cafes, restaurants, gifts and souvenirs, travel, hotels, and public transportation.
The Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, is a government agency dedicated to promoting creativity as a key driver of Thailand’s creative economy. CEA supports the development of various creative industries and encourages the manufacturing sector to adopt creative approaches, enhancing the value of products and services and boosting Thailand’s global competitiveness.
New York’s attorney general has sued Valve Corporation, accusing the video game developer of running unlawful gambling schemes through loot boxes embedded in some of its most popular titles. The civil complaint alleges that digital items sold in Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2 function as games of chance and expose minors to gambling mechanics in breach of state law. Attorney General Letitia James contends […]
Security conditions across the United Arab Emirates remain stable, authorities have said, as regional tensions escalate following coordinated military strikes on Iran by Israel and the United States. The National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority stated that the situation within the country is under control and that relevant entities are maintaining round-the-clock monitoring. The authority added that contingency plans are in place and that coordination with […]
South Korea has approved the export of high-precision digital map data to Google, reversing a stance that had restricted full functionality of Google Maps for nearly two decades and placing strict security conditions on how the information can be used.
The decision, confirmed by government officials in Seoul, means that Google will be able to access detailed geospatial data that had until now been kept on domestic servers. For years, South Korea was among a small group of countries where Google Maps could not provide full navigation and mapping services comparable to those available elsewhere, largely because authorities refused to allow sensitive map data to be transferred overseas.
At the centre of the dispute has been a law requiring foreign companies to store high-resolution map data within the country and to obscure sensitive military and national security sites. Successive administrations had argued that exporting such data could pose security risks, given the peninsula’s unresolved conflict with North Korea and the concentration of military facilities across the country.
Government officials said the new approval was contingent on compliance with domestic security requirements. Google must ensure that certain locations, including military bases and other designated facilities, remain blurred or restricted. Authorities also require that the company adhere to data protection rules and co-operate with regulators in the event of security concerns.
Google has sought access to South Korea’s detailed mapping data for more than a decade, arguing that restrictions placed it at a disadvantage compared with domestic platforms such as Naver and Kakao, which provide comprehensive navigation services. Visitors to South Korea have long found that Google Maps lacked turn-by-turn driving directions and detailed public transport information, relying instead on locally licensed data sets with limited functionality.
The dispute dates back to 2007, when Google first requested permission to export high-resolution maps. Further requests were submitted in 2016 and 2023, but regulators rejected them, citing national security. The approval now marks a significant policy shift as Seoul seeks to balance security concerns with digital competitiveness and foreign investment.
Officials familiar with the review process said the government assessed technological safeguards, including the ability to mask sensitive sites automatically and to comply with takedown requests. The review involved multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and security agencies, reflecting the political sensitivity of the issue.
The move comes at a time when South Korea is positioning itself as a hub for advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and smart city development. High-precision mapping is considered a critical component of these sectors. Industry analysts note that restrictions on cross-border data flows can deter global technology firms and complicate integration into international digital ecosystems.
Domestic mapping companies have built strong businesses under the existing regulatory framework. Naver’s Map service and KakaoMap dominate local navigation, offering features tailored to South Korean users, including real-time traffic data and detailed indoor mapping for shopping centres and transit hubs. Some industry observers say opening access to global competitors could intensify competition, though others argue that the overall market may expand as services improve.
Security experts have long warned that high-resolution mapping data could be exploited for hostile purposes if improperly handled. South Korea’s proximity to North Korea, where tensions periodically flare over missile tests and military exercises, has shaped policymaking on sensitive technologies. The government’s conditions are designed to mitigate such risks while avoiding outright prohibition.
Civil society groups have also raised privacy concerns, urging regulators to ensure that location data collected through mapping services is not misused. South Korea has some of the world’s most stringent personal data protection laws, and regulators have previously imposed fines on global technology firms for breaches.
The approval aligns South Korea more closely with other advanced economies that permit cross-border transfer of geospatial data subject to safeguards. Countries such as Japan and members of the European Union allow global platforms to operate mapping services with local compliance requirements, rather than mandating domestic data storage.
For foreign tourists and business travellers, the change is expected to improve usability of Google Maps within South Korea. Travel industry representatives have long argued that the limitations caused confusion for visitors accustomed to relying on Google’s navigation tools. Enhanced functionality could support tourism and international business activity, particularly in major cities such as Seoul and Busan.
Technology policy specialists say the decision reflects a broader recalibration of digital regulation. As data becomes central to economic growth, governments are reassessing rules designed in an earlier era of the internet. South Korea has faced pressure from trade partners to ease data localisation requirements, especially under digital trade provisions in bilateral and regional agreements.
Block, Inc. disclosed a strategic increase in its Bitcoin holdings during the fourth quarter of 2025, purchasing 340 bitcoins valued at roughly $22 million and bringing its total treasury reserve to about 8,883 BTC. The acquisition forms part of the fintech company’s long-term asset allocation strategy, underscoring its continued commitment to digital asset accumulation even as broader market conditions fluctuate. This move emerged alongside earnings results that […]
Trading activity across major perpetual-futures decentralized exchanges has weakened, with key protocols reporting lower volumes as market sentiment across digital assets shows persistent strain. Data compiled by industry trackers indicates that the leading perpetual DEX, Hyperliquid, saw its trading volume fall by about 15.5 per cent over one 24-hour period, even as it remained by far the largest venue by daily activity. Hyperliquid processed roughly $60.3 billion […]
Abu Dhabi is preparing to export increased volumes of its flagship Murban crude for April delivery as part of a broader effort by Gulf producers to strengthen supply ahead of a pivotal OPEC+ gathering and amidst mounting geopolitical uncertainties. The state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has offered additional barrels to its partners in the onshore concession that produces the light, low-sulphur grade, traders said. It remains […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai President Donald Trump announced early on Saturday that the United States military had launched “major combat operations” in Iran, marking a dramatic escalation in long-running tensions between Washington and Tehran. Trump said the strikes were intended to target what he described as imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime, and declared that American forces were acting to protect the United States, its military […]
A wave of class-action lawsuits filed by individual customers against large corporations has brought Washington’s tariff reversal into a new legal front, as shippers and retail buyers press for restitution of fees they say were unlawfully imposed. Plaintiffs have targeted delivery giant FedEx and eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica, which owns the Ray-Ban brand, arguing that costs passed on to consumers after a Supreme Court ruling invalidating former President […]
Matein Khalid Mr. Market is a metaphorical schizophrenic pendulum who swings between extremes of fear and greed, thus giving us a chance to make money at inflection points on both ends of the spectrum. So here we are in a surreal world of extreme fear on Nasdaq where the PEG ratios for Procter & Gamble is 5.4, for Coca Cola is 3.64, Johnny-Johnny is 2.4, Pepsi is […]
Bitcoin weakened sharply amid a broader shift in investor sentiment after the release of United States inflation figures that showed producer prices rising more than expected, prompting traders to dial back risk exposure and temper expectations of near-term interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The world’s largest cryptocurrency slipped back toward the key $65,000 level, erasing much of the mid-week rally that had pushed prices toward […]
Despite the complex and ever-changing external environment, Mr Chan noted that Hong Kong’s financial market had performed strongly and the city’s financial system remains robust.
In 2025, Hong Kong ranked first globally for funds raised through initial public offerings.
“We will continue to consolidate our existing strengths, tap into emerging fields, strengthen market systems and risk control and deepen financial co-operation in the Greater Bay Area,” Mr Chan said. “By doing so, we will enhance Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre on all fronts and contribute to the national strategic goal of ‘accelerating China’s development as a financial powerhouse’ “.
With Hong Kong being the world’s largest hub for offshore Renminbi (RMB) business, the Financial Secretary said the city would leverage its unique strengths and proactively align with national development strategies.
For advancing the internationalisation of the RMB, Mr Chan said Hong Kong would facilitate the wider use of RMB in activities such as trade and cross-boundary business; reduce transaction costs; enrich product offerings in the offshore RMB market; improve price discovery in the short-to-medium-term-interest-rate market; and attract high-quality issuers to increase RMB bond issuance in Hong Kong.
In 2025, the stock market delivered a stellar performance. The Hang Seng Index rose by 28 per cent over the year. The daily turnover surged by 90 per cent to a historic high of close to $250 billion (US$32 billion).
Mr Chan said the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) would continue enhancing the securities market, attracting issuers and boosting market efficiency.
“We will also introduce the next stage of reforms, including enhancing the regulatory regime for listed companies, providing specific guidelines for overseas companies seeking secondary listing in Hong Kong, offering more overseas markets as recognised exchanges, and continuing to explore with the market the provision of an over-the-counter trading platform for delisted stocks or those requiring special handling.
“The electronic bond-trading platform will also be launched in the second half of this year, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global fixed income and currency hub,” he said.
To attract more family offices and funds to set up in Hong Kong, Mr Chan said Hong Kong would enhance the tax regime, including expanding the scope of “fund” to cover specific funds-of-one, as well as classifying digital assets, precious metals, and specified commodities, etc. as qualifying investments eligible for tax concessions.
Regarding the development of digital assets, the Government published the second policy statement for developing Hong Kong into a global hub for digital asset innovation through the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework.
A bill will be introduced this year to establish licensing regimes for, among others, digital asset dealing and custodian service providers.
“We will also explore the adoption of electronic signature for bond issuance documents and the digitalisation of bearer bonds,” Mr Chan said.
To promote the application of fintech and enhance the efficiency of the asset management market, the CMU OmniClear, a market infrastructure operator established by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, will establish a digital asset platform this year. It will support the issuance and settlement of digital bonds. The platform will also be gradually extended to other digital assets and linked with other tokenisation platforms in the region, consolidating Hong Kong’s leading role in the realm of digital assets.
In order to build an international gold trading market in Hong Kong, Mr Chan said the Government would explore offering tax incentives for eligible institutions conducting gold trading and settlement in Hong Kong; assist the industry in setting up an industry-led trade association to consolidate resources, step up promotion, and foster ties with industry stakeholders from around the world; and help the industry keep abreast of the latest gold market developments, acquire relevant skills and develop a training framework.
Hashtag: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #Budget #International #Financial #Hub
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By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers NEW YORK: When Narendra Modi walked into the Knesset and told Israel’s parliament during his visit to Israel on February 25-26, that “peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India’s security,” he was doing more than delivering a diplomatic courtesy. He was planting a flag. India, under its […]
The article How Narendra Modi Shattered The Indian Foreign Policy Tradition During Visit To Israel appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi has signed a 50-year land lease agreement with Galadari Brothers’ Heavy Equipment Division to develop a large-scale logistics and distribution hub at KEZAD A in Al Ma’mourah, marking another long-term industrial commitment within Abu Dhabi’s flagship manufacturing and trade zone. The agreement covers a 150,000 square metre plot and represents an investment of AED75 million by Galadari to establish a purpose-built facility […]
A 20-year-old woman has taken the stand in Los Angeles County Superior Court to describe what she says was a damaging childhood addiction to social media platforms owned by Meta and Google, in a landmark civil trial that could reshape how tech companies are held accountable for harm to young users. Known in court as Kaley G. M., the plaintiff testified that heavy use of YouTube from […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Aerospace Enterprise has agreed to acquire Macquarie AirFinance in an all-cash transaction valued at about $7 billion, marking one of the largest aircraft leasing deals of the year and significantly expanding the Gulf-based lessor’s global footprint. The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026 subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions, will create a combined fleet of […]
Super Micro Computer Inc. and Abu Dhabi-based EHC Investment have unveiled plans to develop sovereign artificial intelligence data centres in the United Arab Emirates, positioning the Gulf state to expand domestic control over high-performance computing infrastructure amid accelerating demand for AI workloads. The partnership seeks to deliver modular, rapidly deployable data centre facilities designed to support advanced AI training and inference while ensuring data residency within the […]
