Fears of a widening war gripped capitals across the Middle East after United States and Israeli forces carried out coordinated strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, prompting sharp warnings from Tehran and renewed anxiety over global security and energy markets. Confusion spread further after unverified claims circulated online about the fate of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Authorities in Tehran moved to dismiss speculation about his death, […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A series of powerful explosions shook major Gulf cities, including Dubai, Manama and Doha, as Iran broadened its military response following a coordinated offensive by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets. The strikes triggered widespread airspace closures, significant disruptions in civilian life and travel, and drew sharp condemnations from regional capitals warning of deepening instability. Missiles and drones launched by Iran […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai State television in Tehran has confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after a large-scale military offensive by the United States and Israel that struck multiple targets across Iran’s territory. The announcement marked a dramatic turn in the months-long escalation between Tehran and its adversaries, unfolding as Iranian officials declared a period of national mourning and vowed to continue counter-attacks against […]
Threat actors are exploiting a legacy Windows feature to deliver remote access malware while sidestepping conventional browser safeguards and some endpoint monitoring tools, according to new findings from cybersecurity researchers. Investigators at Cofense Intelligence have identified an ongoing campaign in which attackers abuse the Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol, known as WebDAV, in combination with Windows File Explorer. The technique allows malicious files hosted on remote […]
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 […]
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 […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi has achieved firm pricing on a dual-tranche dollar bond sale, drawing robust global demand that allowed spreads to tighten sharply from initial guidance and underscored sustained investor appetite for high-grade Gulf sovereign debt. The emirate priced a five-year tranche at a 3.75 per cent coupon with a reoffer price of 99.824 per cent, equating to a spread of 20 basis points […]
Kenya’s government has moved to repurchase about $415 million of its outstanding Eurobonds due in 2028 and 2032, a strategic manoeuvre designed to ease looming repayment pressures and recalibrate the nation’s external debt profile. The tender offer, which attracted substantial investor interest, comes amid broader efforts to manage refinancing risk and sustain fiscal stability as the East African economy navigates tight debt dynamics. Officials confirmed that all […]
OpenAI has secured an unprecedented $110 billion investment commitment from Amazon, Nvidia and SoftBank, propelling the artificial intelligence company into what could be the largest private funding round in history and sharply intensifying competition in the AI sector. The financial injection comes as the developer of the ChatGPT generative AI platform prepares for a potential public offering later this year and looks to expand its global infrastructure […]
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 […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Fynd, the Mumbai-headquartered AI-native retail technology company backed by Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, has formally entered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a strategic push to drive unified commerce among leading retailers and enterprise brands. The company’s launch in Riyadh is anchored in partnerships with established local players such as NICE, where its technology is already being used to enhance omnichannel operations, bridging […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ellah Lakes Plc, the Lagos-listed agro-industrial group, confirmed its bid to raise up to ₦235 billion through a public offer for subscription did not reach the minimum subscription threshold required to proceed with share allotment, leading to a full refund of investor funds. The offer, which targeted up to 18.8 billion ordinary shares priced at ₦12.50 each, opened in November and closed in December but failed to […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai-based Emirates Gold has marked 34 years in the precious metals industry by outlining plans to deepen its refining capacity, expand international partnerships and strengthen its role in shaping the region’s bullion trade by 2026. Founded in 1992, the company has grown from a local refinery into one of the Middle East’s established minting and gold refining firms, operating from Dubai Multi Commodities […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2026 – Fast-tracking innovation and technology (I&T) development is a core feature of the 2026-27 Budget, unveiled yesterday (February 25) by Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Mr Chan said Hong Kong would be stepping up support measures such as computing power, land and capital, to enhance the city’s influence as a global source of original innovation.”Hong Kong’s strengths in innovative scientific research and commercialisation of research outcomes lie in our internationalised qualities, strong research capabilities, support of financial sector and a rich pool of high-calibre talents,” Mr Chan said.
He added that the Government is pressing ahead with the industrialisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepening its integration across various industries, while encouraging wider AI application, referred to as AI+, with an initial focus on life and health technology and embodied AI.
HKSAR’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, sets out strategies to propel Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development
“I will establish and chair the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy to formulate strategies and create favourable conditions for AI to empower the transformation and development of industries,” Mr Chan said.
“We are making proactive efforts to align with the National AI+ Initiative by promoting ‘industries for AI’ and ‘AI for industries’ through application.”
The Financial Secretary highlighted that the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute Company Limited will come into operation in the second half of this year, to promote AI+ development and transformation of R&D outcomes and advise the Government on relevant matters.
Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, echoed the need for holistic development of AI+ development. “When you talk about AI, you cannot just talk about AI research, or just talk about the infrastructure, we have to do it together. Actually, that is what we have been doing in the past three years. Everything is very important.”
Central to the Government’s efforts in promoting I&T is the San Tin Technopole area in the Northern Metropolis development.
“The San Tin Technopole will provide a large piece of land which can help accelerate the commercialisation of R&D results and provide industrial space for prototyping, pilot and mass production,” Mr Chan said. He proposed injecting $10 billion (US$1.28 billion) as initial capital to take forward the development, while leveraging market resources to accelerate the progress.
Mr Chan also earmarked $10 billion (US$1.28 billion) to accelerate the development of the Hetao Hong Kong Park by engaging the market to speed up the disposal of the remaining land parcels under Phase 1 development, providing key infrastructure, further strengthening support to start-ups and establishing a venture fund.
Mr Chan set aside about $220 million (US$28 million) to establish in Hong Kong the first national manufacturing innovation centre outside the Chinese Mainland. This, he said, reflects the Government’s commitment to implementing the Co-operation Agreement on the Development of New Quality Productive Forces and the Promotion of New Industrialisation signed with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to promote industrial collaboration.
The Budget also sets out support measures for various technology-related emerging industries. Among them is the aerospace industry. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises will take the lead to identify aerospace enterprises to develop in Hong Kong. Also, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited would review the relevant listing requirements to facilitate and attract the listing of aerospace enterprises in Hong Kong.
Noting that low earth orbit satellites can support the development of high-end industries, Mr Chan said the Government would proactively expand telecommunications infrastructure, streamline the relevant licensing regime and promote future 6G applications.
Meanwhile, the $10 billion (US$1.28 billion) Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, introduced by the Government to channel market capital to invest in emerging fields of strategic importance, such as life and health technology, AI and robotics, as well as future industries, is expected to commence operation within this year.
“The key is to popularise the understanding and use of AI by all levels of society,” Mr Chan said.
Diplomats from Iran and the United States are preparing to examine a detailed framework for a possible agreement in Geneva, as both sides signal cautious openness to narrowing differences over sanctions relief and nuclear restrictions. The discussions come amid renewed diplomatic activity between Tehran and Washington, with officials framing the meeting as a substantive step rather than a symbolic encounter. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Tehran […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Lu Daopei Medical has joined forces with Florence Nightingale Hospital Group in Turkey to establish what the partners describe as the Middle East and North Africa’s first dedicated CAR-T stem cell therapy centre, targeting severe forms of leukaemia including paediatric cases. The initiative, backed by Investcorp through its China Pre-IPO Healthcare Fund, signals a push to expand advanced cellular immunotherapy beyond traditional hubs […]
Shell Plc has opened preliminary discussions to sell a minority interest in the North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia, engaging potential buyers that include a unit of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. and Midocean Energy, according to people familiar with the matter. Talks are centred on Shell’s holding in the A$34 billion development, one of Australia’s longest-running LNG export ventures, located near Karratha […]
Abu Dhabi recorded a sharp rise in new business licences during 2025, underscoring continued momentum in the emirate’s drive to broaden its non-oil economy and attract private investment. The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority, the regulatory arm of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said new economic licences climbed 29 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024. Renewed licences rose 20 per cent over the same period, […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi has appointed a syndicate of international and regional banks to lead its first sovereign bond sale of 2026, launching a dual-tranche, dollar-denominated benchmark with initial price thoughts set at 50 basis points over US Treasuries for five years and 55 basis points for 10 years. The transaction marks the emirate’s opening return to global capital markets this year and is structured […]
Artificial intelligence is triggering frustration across the video game industry as developers deploy automated tools to reduce budgets, only to face backlash from players who say quality and creativity are suffering. Studios under financial strain are increasingly turning to generative AI to assist with coding, artwork, dialogue and quality assurance. While executives argue the technology speeds up production and lowers costs, gamers have highlighted glitches, awkward scripts […]
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