Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has received five awards from the British Safety Council for 2025, reinforcing its standing in occupational health, environmental management and organisational wellbeing, according to official announcements from the utility and the London-based safety body. The awards include the Sword of Honour for Health and Safety, the Globe of Honour for Environmental Management and the Shield of Honour, […]
By K Raveendran The sharp note of disappointment sounded by Scott Bessent over the India–European Union free trade agreement says less about a single deal and more about a changing geometry of power in the global economy. At one level, Washington’s frustration reflects a familiar concern that sanctions and trade penalties are losing their bite […]
UAE and India have moved to deepen cooperation in civil aviation as senior officials reviewed capacity, connectivity and regulatory coordination, underlining the scale and strategic importance of one of the world’s busiest air travel corridors. The discussions highlighted sustained growth in passenger flows and the need to align policy, infrastructure and airline strategies to keep pace with demand.
Speaking during the engagement, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, said air traffic between the UAE and India continues to show strong momentum, with around 1,231 direct flights operating each week between cities in both countries. Those services are spread across multiple carriers and hubs, reflecting the depth of commercial, tourism and people-to-people ties that underpin the aviation relationship.
The scale of connectivity has few parallels globally. The UAE serves as a critical transit and destination market for travellers from India, while Indian cities form the largest single source of international passengers for UAE airports. Industry data indicates that traffic has surpassed pre-pandemic benchmarks on several routes, driven by a rebound in business travel, a sustained flow of expatriate workers, and rising leisure demand in both directions.
Officials discussed measures to ensure that bilateral air services arrangements remain responsive to market realities. Capacity management, slot allocation at congested airports, and coordination on safety and security standards featured prominently. There was also a focus on ensuring that regulatory processes keep pace with airline expansion plans, particularly as carriers introduce new wide-body aircraft and add frequencies to secondary cities.
Bin Touq noted that aviation cooperation has spillover benefits for wider economic engagement, supporting tourism, trade in services and cargo connectivity. Air freight was identified as a growing pillar, with belly-hold capacity on passenger aircraft playing an increasing role in moving high-value and time-sensitive goods, including pharmaceuticals, electronics and perishables.
From the Indian side, officials emphasised the importance of predictable access to UAE hubs for carriers as they scale up international operations. India’s airport expansion programme, which has added new terminals and greenfield airports across several states, is expected to unlock further growth in outbound travel. That expansion has altered traffic patterns, enabling more direct international services from tier-two and tier-three cities, many of which already have links to the UAE.
Airlines operating on the corridor include network carriers and low-cost operators, creating a competitive landscape that has helped keep fares in check while expanding choice. The presence of multiple hubs in the UAE has also diversified routing options, strengthening resilience during peak travel periods and operational disruptions.
Beyond capacity, the talks addressed cooperation on sustainability and workforce development. Both sides acknowledged mounting pressure on the aviation sector to curb emissions and improve fuel efficiency. While sustainable aviation fuel remains limited in supply and expensive, officials discussed the importance of policy alignment, pilot projects and knowledge sharing to accelerate adoption over time.
Training and skills were another area of interest, as airlines and airports face shortages of pilots, engineers and air traffic management professionals. Partnerships between training institutions and recognition of certifications were flagged as practical steps to ease bottlenecks without compromising safety standards.
Technology and digitalisation also featured, with attention on passenger processing, biometric systems and data sharing to improve the travel experience. As passenger volumes rise, authorities are seeking to reduce congestion through smarter border controls and interoperable systems that can be scaled across airports.
The civil aviation dialogue sits within a broader economic partnership that has deepened over the past two years, including trade and investment initiatives across manufacturing, energy and digital services. Aviation remains a visible barometer of that relationship, given its sensitivity to economic cycles and consumer confidence.
Federal immigration authorities have launched employment audits at multiple Minnesota businesses following their refusal to cooperate with workplace enforcement actions, triggering a sharp response from state and city officials who argue the move amounts to retaliation that could chill lawful commerce and labour compliance. The audits, confirmed by company executives and local authorities, are being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security and its enforcement arm, Immigration […]
Bitcoin could reach $6.5 million within two decades, according to Matt Hougan, the chief investment officer at Bitwise, who argues that the asset’s structural supply limits and expanding institutional demand outweigh cyclical volatility. Hougan’s outlook lands after a punishing year for digital assets in 2025, when tighter financial conditions, regulatory uncertainty and a cooling risk appetite weighed on prices. He expects a period of sideways trading to […]
OpenAI has introduced an internal data agent known as Kepler, designed to let employees interrogate one of the largest private data estates in the technology sector through natural-language queries. The system, powered by a GPT-5.2 class model, is built to handle more than 600 petabytes of internal information, a scale that reflects both the company’s rapid growth and the expanding complexity of training, safety, product telemetry and […]
Project: Gorgon has made a significant milestone in its development with the launch of its 1.0 version, marking its transition out of Early Access and broadening its world with a substantial new map, expanded progression systems and deeper endgame mechanics. The update introduces Statehelm, a sprawling capital city designed as the largest and most intricate area the indie fantasy MMO has ever seen, featuring over 200 quests […]
OPEC+ is expected to keep its pause on planned oil output increases for March when key ministers meet on Sunday, according to people familiar with the discussions, as crude prices move above the $70-a-barrel mark amid heightened geopolitical risk in the Middle East. Brent crude has climbed to nearly $72 a barrel, the highest level since August, reversing earlier expectations that ample supply would weigh on prices […]
Civil aviation stands at the centre of economic expansion, tourism development and global connectivity as governments and industry leaders recalibrate policies to meet rising passenger demand and shifting trade patterns, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said while addressing a high-level ministerial gathering in Hyderabad. Speaking at the “Wings of India 2026” conference, the Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi has approved the consolidation of Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Group’s portfolio under a newly created sovereign investor, L’IMAD, a move designed to sharpen capital allocation and scale the emirate’s investment reach across strategic sectors. The decision was issued by the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, the body that sets public policy on finance, investment, the economy, petroleum and natural […]
A materials engineering breakthrough that allows perforated aluminium structures to float indefinitely is prompting fresh thinking about ship safety, offshore platforms and ocean-energy systems, with researchers demonstrating that ordinary metal can be made effectively unsinkable by altering its surface at the microscopic level. The advance centres on aluminium tubes whose surfaces are engineered to repel water so strongly that air becomes permanently trapped inside them. Even when […]
A warning from a long-standing crypto fund manager has reignited debate over Bitcoin’s long-term viability, with claims that the world’s largest cryptocurrency could face a structural security breakdown within the next seven to eleven years unless its economic model changes. Justin Bons, founder and chief investment officer of Cyber Capital, has argued that Bitcoin’s reliance on declining block subsidies will eventually undermine the incentives that secure its […]
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have unveiled a platform technology designed to strengthen the potency of RNA interference therapies, a field that has promised targeted gene silencing yet has struggled with delivery efficiency and durability inside cells. The work centres on improving how small interfering RNA molecules reach the cytoplasm, where they can shut down disease-driving genes with greater precision. RNA interference, […]
atNorth has unveiled plans to build a new high-density data centre in Stockholm, strengthening its Nordic presence as cloud providers, enterprises and artificial intelligence developers push demand for low-carbon digital infrastructure across Europe. The Iceland-based operator said the Stockholm facility would be designed to support compute-intensive workloads, including high-performance computing and AI training, with a focus on energy efficiency and heat reuse. The project adds to atNorth’s […]
Video games once trained patience through repetition and failure, according to a senior psychologist who says the design logic of modern titles has altered how younger players engage with attention, effort and reward. Speaking in his professional capacity, the president of Drugzone Pharmaceuticals Inc said the shift from finite, skill-based progression to systems built around constant engagement marks a decisive break from the gaming culture of the […]
SpaceX is weighing internal consolidation across Elon Musk’s corporate universe as it prepares for what investors describe as one of the largest public listings ever attempted, with discussions touching on potential combinations involving Tesla or the artificial intelligence venture xAI, according to people familiar with the matter. The deliberations, still exploratory, reflect a broader strategy to position SpaceX as the backbone of a vertically integrated space, energy […]
Budapest’s mayor, Gergely Karácsony, now confronts formal charges from Hungarian prosecutors for organising and leading a Pride march that defied a government-imposed ban under new assembly laws last June, officials confirmed this week. Prosecutors have proposed fining Karácsony without a full court hearing, accusing him of violating the law on freedom of association and assembly by staging a public gathering despite an explicit police prohibition. The legal […]
Abu Dhabi has begun consolidating its $263 billion wealth fund ADQ under the umbrella of a newly established sovereign entity, L’imad Holding Co., marking one of the most significant restructurings of the emirate’s investment architecture in years. The move adds another heavyweight to a capital ecosystem already dominated by state-backed investors controlling assets estimated at close to $2 trillion, underscoring the emirate’s push to sharpen coordination […]
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, arrived in Moscow on an official visit to the Russian Federation, underscoring a phase of high-level engagement between Abu Dhabi and Moscow as both sides seek to broaden cooperation across energy, trade, technology and geopolitics. As the presidential aircraft entered Russian airspace, a formation of military jets escorted it in a ceremonial welcome, a gesture […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 January 2026 – Madame Tussauds Hong Kong welcomes the wax figure of all-round entertainer Tan Jianci, launching a nearly three-month-long limited tour from today until 12 April 2026. Tan Jianci wax figure will greet everyone in the “Hong Kong Glamorous” zone, exquisitely presented in a classic black suit, ready to interact with visitors and adding a touch of star-studded brilliance to the upcoming Spring festival.
Celebrate the New Year of the Horse with Tan Jianci’s Wax Figure
From Stage to Screen: A Journey of Multi-Directional Development
Hailed as a “Hexagonal Warrior” for his all-around prowess, Tan Jianci has delivered eye-catching performances across multiple fields. In film and television, from the calm portraitist Shen Yi in “Under the Skin” to the impressive and stunning dual roles of Xiang Liu and Fangfeng Bei in “Lost You Forever,” he has won widespread acclaim for his nuanced and powerful acting. In 2025, his roles in the film “I Miss You” and the TV series “Under the Skin 2” earned him dual nominations for Best Actor at the Macau International Film Festival’s Golden Lotus Awards, making him the first actor ever to achieve simultaneous nominations in both film and television categories at the same ceremony.
Meanwhile, Tan Jianci has achieved remarkable success in music. His personal albums, such as “DREAMS” and “HUAN,” showcase his depth and diversity as a creator. His single “Bad Monalisa” not only dominated major charts but also won “Annual Chinese Digital Single” at the 2025 TMEA Awards, where he himself was awarded “Annual Best All-Round Singer.” At the end of 2025, the two lead singles, “PROOF” and “DEAD REFLEX,” from his third album rapidly topped daily charts on multiple music platforms upon release, once again proving his powerful appeal in music.
Furthermore, Tan Jianci actively shines in variety shows and the fashion world. In 2025, he graced the covers of three major mainstream women’s fashion magazines—”ELLE,” “Harper’s Bazaar,” and “Marie Claire”—becoming the first male celebrity that year to achieve covers on all three of these top five publications. Notably, the sales for his “ELLE” New Year issue broke industry records, showcasing his strong commercial value and fashion influence.
Tan Jianci Wax Figure Limited-Time Tour: An Immersive Star-Studded Experience
Tan Jianci’s wax figure now resides in the “Hong Kong Glamorous” zone. Dressed in a classic black suit, the figure’s highly accurate facial features and meticulous details showcase masterful craftsmanship, earning it the affectionate nickname “God of Unfiltered Photos” from fans. Running from 30 January to 12 April 2026, this nearly three-month exhibition allows visitors not only to take close-up photos with the figure but also to engage with interactive installations in the zone. The charm of Tan Jianci’s diverse talents across film, music, and fashion offers visitors a dreamy moment of being “in the frame with their idol” and embarking on a personalised star-studded journey.
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong warmly invites visitors to participate in the “Celebrate the New Year with Tan Jianci” engagement game. From 9 February to 23 February 2026, fans are encouraged to share their own creative photos or videos with Tan Jianci’s wax figure on social media. Participants should tag Tan Jianci and the official accounts of Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and include the hashtags #MeetMoreInTheNewYear and #MadameTussaudsHongKong.The most creative participants will have the chance to win a mystery gift. Welcome to The Peak to capture a unique interactive moment with Tan Jianci wax figure.
Exclusive New Year Surprises Unlocked: Multiple Perks for Festive Joy
In celebration of the New Year, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is launching a variety of exclusive offers. From 13 February to 23 February 2026, all paid guests will receive a “Mystery Red Packet,” which contains a randomly selected mini card of a celebrity wax figure from Madame Tussauds Hong Kong—each card is a unique collectible. The attraction will also feature the “Year of the Horse Wishing Tree,” where visitors can write down their wishes for the new year, hoping that all their wishes will come true.
To further enhance the festive vibe, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong introduces a limited package—enjoy admission to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, plus a VR experience and a selected beverage to elevate your immersive visit while sipping on a delightful drink. Adult package prices have been reduced from HKD 370 to just HKD 285.
Combo Ticket Details: Experience The Peak for HKD 390
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is reintroducing Peak Tram combos (2-in-1 and 3-in-1) at attractive package prices for more surprises and value. From now on, visitors can purchase the following combo tickets at valued rates on the official website:
Combo Ticket Type
Guest Category
Price (HKD)
3-in-1 Combo
（ Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Ticket + Peak Tram Return Ticket + Sky Terrace Ticket）
Adult
390
Child / Senior (65+)
320
Under 2
FREE
2-in-1 Combo
（ Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Ticket + Peak Tram Return Ticket）
Adult
335
Child / Senior (65+)
290
Under 2
FREE
3-in-1 Morning Combo
Adult
380
Child / Senior (65+)
310
Under 2
FREE
2-in-1 Morning Combo
Adult
325
Child / Senior (65+)
275
Under 2
FREE
Limited Package
（ Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Ticket + VR Experience + selected beverage）
Adult
285
Child / Senior (65+)
250
Visitors from around the world are invited to celebrate the New Year at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, capturing unforgettable photos and creating cherished memories with Tan Jianci and more other star figures. Join the festivities and make this celebration special. Hashtag: #MadameTussaudsHongKong #MeetMoreInTheNewYear
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds has been inviting people to walk the red carpet and get closer to the revered for over 250 years. With 17 Merlin-operated attractions in the world’s top destination cities, we are dedicated to giving millions of visitors the opportunity to mingle with the mighty from A-listers to music legends, heroes of sport, to world leaders. Today, we continue to partner with the global icons of a generation to create astonishing lifelike figures from sittings and offer exciting and interactive experiences to ensure guests have never felt closer to fame.
About Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-centre gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 62 million guests annually to its diverse global estate in over 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 January 2026 – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) yesterday unveiled the PolyUResearch Excellence Report at a high-profile forum co-hosted with Clarivate, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. The landmark report provides a comprehensive evaluation of PolyU research achievements and impact, reaffirming the University’s position as a global innovation powerhouse. The event, “Research Excellence Report Launch cum Impact Forum: Innovating for Global Impact”, drew around 100 distinguished attendees, including academic leaders from other tertiary institutions in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, industry partners and policymakers. According to Clarivate, PolyU achieved a remarkable 65% surge in high-impact research output and a 55% rise in highly cited papers from 2020 to 2024, and led all University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions in research publications in 2024, underscoring its position at the forefront of Hong Kong’s academic excellence.
The event was officiated by Prof. Timothy TONG, Chairman of the Research Grants Council (RGC); Mr Osher GILINSKY, Vice President for Asia Pacific, Academia and Government, Clarivate; and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, who delivered opening remarks.
Celebrating PolyU’s exceptional research achievements and their far-reaching impacts on society, the Nation and the world, Prof. Tong stated, “The PolyU Research Excellence Report vividly demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development, reflecting the dedication and innovation of its faculty, researchers and students.” Prof. Tong commended PolyU for its effective use of research resources, noting the significant advancements in AI-driven medical breakthroughs, climate solutions and sustainability. He further emphasised the RGC’s ongoing commitment to supporting research that addresses major societal challenges, exemplified by initiatives such as the Research Impact Fund. Additionally, he reaffirmed the RGC’s partnership with universities in strengthening Hong Kong’s status as a global knowledge hub.
Recognising PolyU’s outstanding global research performance, Mr Gilinsky elaborated, “In recent years, PolyU has demonstrated high research productivity in high quality, driving for high impact for the society. PolyU was granted 1,020 patents between 2020 and 2024, the second highest among UGC-funded universities. To enhance research translation, PolyU has formed partnerships with companies including NVIDIA, Huawei and Alibaba. These achievements illustrate PolyU’s international connectivity, diverse disciplinary strengths and strong culture of research translation. Leveraging its strength with the Chinese Mainland resources, PolyU is also accelerating knowledge transfer and identifying emerging areas for discovery, particularly in AI-powered healthcare, sustainable engineering, advanced manufacturing and smart city development—fields where it aims for global leadership.”
Prof. Chao emphasised, “The report is a testament to years of dedicated effort, groundbreaking innovation and the unwavering commitment of the PolyU academic community. In 2025, we are proud to have 21 PolyU scholars named Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate, while 428 rank among Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists—placing PolyU second among Hong Kong tertiary institutions. Our Strategic Plan 2025/26 – 2030/31, themed ‘Unite to Meet Challenges, Innovate to Benefit Society,’ will further empower PolyU to deliver even more transformative contributions to society.”
Clarivate has been forging continuous collaborations with numerous institutions, including co-authoring the report series The impact of research undertaken by universities in Hong Kong with UGC in 2022. Produced by Clarivate using authoritative data from the Web of Science, the PolyU Research Excellence Report delivers a comprehensive assessment of the University’s overall research performance and achievements, highlighting PolyU’s global leadership in engineering, advancements in powering medical research with emerging AI technologies, and unique contributions to the hospitality, fashion and textile, design and art disciplines that distinguish the University on the global stage.
PolyU’s strengths are exemplified by its leadership in Hong Kong’s research output growth, achieving the highest number of publications among UGC‑funded universities in 2024. Nearly 40% of its outputs are internationally co-authored, while 27% involve QS Top 50 university partners. The quality and impact of the University’s research output are further evidenced by its strong disciplinary performance. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, seven PolyU disciplines rank in the global Top 30, while, overall, 26 disciplines are listed among the world’s Top 100, underscoring the breadth and depth of the University’s academic excellence across multiple fields.
Following the report launch, the Impact Forum featured a high-level panel discussion on “Innovations and Challenges in Research Evaluation”. The discussion facilitated insightful exchanges between the panel and attendees on evolving approaches to research assessment, the importance of measuring societal impact and strategies for fostering cross-institutional collaboration.
Engineering Leadership: Ranked 6th globally in Engineering and 2nd in Civil Engineering (Subject Rankings of U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2025-2026), with research supporting Hong Kong’s Cross Bay Link project and national space missions. PolyU engineering publications grew by 68% between 2020-2024, with 38% of Hong Kong’s engineering publications affiliated with the University in 2024.
AI-driven Medical Innovations: 261 patents in Computing and Control solutions, including LungRT Pro (a radiotherapy support system), Scolioscan® (radiation-free scoliosis diagnosis) and STARS (a smartphone-based vision screening tool for children). These life‑changing innovations demonstrate PolyU’s strong interdisciplinary integration across computer science, optometry, biomedical engineering, rehabilitation sciences and nursing.
Unique Disciplines: Global top rankings in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Textile Science and Engineering (1st and 5th respectively in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025), as well as Art and Design (22nd in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). Groundbreaking work includes smart wearables for stroke patients, AI-powered tourism demand forecasting platforms and sustainable community design projects.
Collaborative Impact: Over 600 international collaboration agreements with 390+ institutions across 45 countries and regions, and 3,100+ collaborative projects in the Chinese Mainland. Between 2020 and 2024, nearly 40% of its high-quality research publications were co-authored with international institutions. PolyU Unicorn startups have created over 5,000 international job opportunities and generated significant economic value.
Saudi Arabia has begun a broad recalibration of its most ambitious development schemes, signalling a more pragmatic approach to spending after months of official messaging about fiscal discipline. Authorities have ordered sweeping reviews across several headline projects spanning Neom, Jeddah and Riyadh, as pressure mounts to balance long-term transformation goals with near-term economic realities. The shift became visible with the decision to delay the 2029 Asian Winter […]
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 January 2026 – As large AI models accelerate toward commercial application, intelligent algorithmic trading has made breakthrough progress in financial markets. Recently, Axis Quant AI announced the introduction of its product into cryptocurrency trading through API integration, marking a significant step toward more scalable applications of intelligent algorithms.
Unlike traditional trading tools, the core of Axis Quant AI lies in its dynamic algorithmic strategies. By continuously analyzing market data and leveraging API integration, Axis Quant AI connects cryptocurrency exchanges to form a comprehensive trading system covering decision-making, execution, and risk control.
The true value of intelligent algorithmic trading depends on long-term, stable returns. Previously, Axis Quant AI has conducted multiple batches of live account operations, demonstrating outstanding consistency in strategy execution and returns, attracting attention from numerous financial institutions and professional trading teams.
From the perspective of industry development, high volatility and round-the-clock trading have become the norm, making the limitations of manual operations increasingly apparent. Axis Quant AI has elevated intelligent algorithmic trading to a new level, demonstrating clear advantages in execution efficiency, discipline, and risk management.
Notably, the Axis Quant AI team stated in an interview that their current positioning is not to replace professional traders but to emphasize the role division of algorithmic systems within the trading framework. However, future product functions will inevitably become a core component of the financial trading market.
The product capabilities of Axis Quant AI are comprehensive and are entering a broader application phase. It is understood that multiple trading platforms and institutions have already initiated cooperation discussions. As AI algorithms transition from an “auxiliary role” to a “core function,” the trading methods in the crypto market will undergo a disruptive transformation.
Saudi Arabia is preparing draft proposals to widen eligibility for its premium residency programme, potentially extending long-term residency rights to groups ranging from superyacht owners and residents of flagship developments to high-performing international students, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deliberations. The plans, which remain under internal review and have not been finalised, are designed to draw sustained foreign capital and skilled residents into […]
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