Typhoon Jangmi lashed the Tokyo metropolitan area on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, swollen rivers, power cuts and widespread disruption to air and rail services after striking central Japan and moving towards the country’s most densely populated region. The storm, classified as a severe tropical storm as it crossed parts of Japan, pushed flood risks higher across central and eastern prefectures, with authorities warning residents in vulnerable areas […]
The shift reflects a sharp change in investor preference after months of underperformance by Hong Kong equities against mainland peers. Mainland investors sold about HK$3.6 billion of Hong Kong shares through the trading links last month, the first monthly net outflow since June 2023 and one of only a small number of monthly selling episodes since the southbound channel became a key route for mainland money into the city’s market.
The move is striking because southbound buying has been one of the strongest supports for Hong Kong stocks over the past year. Mainland funds poured into high-dividend banks, telecoms groups, energy companies and internet platforms during earlier phases of the rally, helping offset caution among global investors. That support is now weakening as domestic funds chase companies tied to AI infrastructure, chips, optical modules, software and computing power.
Onshore AI shares have delivered a stronger performance than Hong Kong’s technology benchmarks this year. The CSI Artificial Intelligence Index has risen sharply, while the Hang Seng Tech Index has lagged, weighed down by concerns over platform margins, heavy spending on AI models and pressure from subsidy battles in e-commerce and online services. The divergence has encouraged active money managers and retail traders to reassess whether Hong Kong-listed internet giants still offer the most attractive exposure to China’s technology story.
The change in flows also comes as Beijing’s industrial policy continues to favour advanced manufacturing, domestic semiconductors, large language models and high-end computing. Companies linked to AI servers, data centres, optical communications, robotics and chip design have become favoured market proxies for China’s effort to reduce dependence on foreign technology. That policy backdrop has helped support valuations even as questions persist over earnings visibility, capital expenditure demands and competition.
Cambricon Technologies, Zhongji Innolight, Kingsoft Office, iFlytek and other mainland-listed technology names have been among the companies watched closely by investors seeking domestic AI exposure. Hong Kong still hosts major technology groups such as Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu, Meituan and Xiaomi, but the market’s heavyweight structure makes it more exposed to mature platform businesses than to the faster-growing AI hardware and infrastructure supply chain favoured by onshore traders.
Hong Kong’s role as a fundraising centre remains intact despite the outflow. The city has continued to attract listings from technology, healthcare, robotics and semiconductor-related companies, while mainland firms still view it as the most practical offshore venue for raising international capital. Several AI and chip-linked companies are preparing or considering Hong Kong share sales, suggesting the city remains central to China’s capital market architecture even as secondary-market money rotates elsewhere.
The weakness in southbound appetite also reflects broader caution over Hong Kong valuations after a strong earlier advance. Investors who bought the market for dividends and policy support are locking in gains while seeking higher-beta opportunities at home. The shift does not necessarily point to a structural rejection of Hong Kong stocks, but it does show that mainland money is becoming more selective after helping drive earlier momentum.
Regulatory pressure on offshore investment channels may also be influencing behaviour. Authorities have tightened scrutiny of unauthorised cross-border trading accounts and offshore brokerage activity, reinforcing the appeal of regulated domestic routes. While Stock Connect remains an approved mechanism, wider efforts to keep capital within supervised channels have added another layer of sensitivity around outbound allocations.
Market analysts say the key question is whether the AI-led onshore rally can broaden beyond a narrow group of highly valued companies. China’s AI supply chain is benefiting from state support, falling model costs and growing enterprise adoption, but investors face risks from crowded positioning, uneven profitability and rapid technological shifts. Several AI-linked companies still trade more on expectations than on proven earnings, leaving the sector vulnerable to volatility if sentiment turns.
Oil markets are heading towards a possible August inflection point as constrained flows through the Strait of Hormuz, recovering seasonal demand and disrupted supply chains combine to keep upward pressure on crude prices. Philippe Khoury, executive vice-president for sales and trading at ADNOC, told the Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference in London that prices could move sharply higher if demand strengthens while the Iran war supply […]
Qatar Investment Authority has raised its exposure to Anthropic by joining the artificial intelligence company’s $65 billion Series H financing, marking its third consecutive investment in the Claude maker and signalling a deeper Gulf move into frontier AI infrastructure, enterprise software and advanced computing. The Series H round values Anthropic at $965 billion post-money, placing the San Francisco-based company among the most highly valued private technology groups […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group has agreed to acquire Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura, a São Paulo-based agribulk terminal operator, in an AED3.1 billion deal that gives the company its first operating platform in Latin America and a stronger position in global food supply chains. The transaction, valued at about $835 million, is the largest acquisition undertaken by AD Ports Group and is expected […]
BERLIN, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 2 June 2026 – The Virchow Prize 2026 has been jointly awarded to Jean‑Jacques Muyembe and Peter Piot for their pioneering and enduring leadership in the discovery, control, and understanding of epidemic threats, and for advancing equitable, multilateral cooperation and governance that have fundamentally strengthened global preparedness and solidarity in the face of infectious disease outbreaks.
The announcement was made today by the Virchow Foundation which is granting the annual award. The selection of the laureates by the independent Virchow Prize Committee was preceded by a nomination period that ended on February 28, followed by a three-month deliberation period.
This moment resonates with particular historical gravity: 2026 marks both fifty years since the emergence of Ebola and a renewed confrontation with the virus through the current outbreak and unpreparedness.
According to the committee, the careers of Jean‑Jacques Muyembe and Peter Piot are anchored in a defining moment of modern infectious disease history: the first identified Ebola outbreak in 1976. Their collaboration demonstrated the necessity of crossing contextual, disciplinary and geographic boundaries, highlighting both the potential and the inequities inherent in global health partnerships. Over the decades, both Muyembe and Piot have worked – partly closely together, partly independent from each other in complementary ways – to transform epidemic research in an exemplary manner, firmly rooted in equity, reciprocity, and shared leadership.
Taken together, the laureates’ contributions illustrate a continuum that is central to advancing health for all: from discovery to delivery, from local response to global coordination, from emergency action to long-term system strengthening. Their work has directly improved the ability to detect, understand, and control deadly outbreaks, while also influencing broader frameworks for addressing global health challenges in a manner that is equitable and inclusive.
By awarding the Virchow Prize 2026 equally to Muyembe and Piot, their scientific achievements and their commitment to strengthening health systems and fostering global solidarity are honored. The laureates’ work embodies Rudolf Virchow’s legacy that health is inseparable from social organisation, governance, and collective responsibility.
Full Article and detailed Virchow Prize Committee jury rationale at www.virchowprize.org/vp2026
Contact: Virchow Foundation | Dorotheenstr. 83 | DE-10117 Berlin, Germany | [email protected]
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Abu Dhabi has launched an AI-powered parking payment system that automatically records vehicle entry and exit, calculates charges and deducts fees from the user’s Darb wallet without requiring tickets, machines, SMS messages or QR codes. The Free Flow Paid Parking System marks a further shift in the capital’s transport network towards automated, cashless mobility services. Q Mobility said the system uses automatic number plate recognition technology supported […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 June 2026 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today successfully hosted its annual “Unicorn Day,” one of Hong Kong’s flagship innovation and entrepreneurship events. The event brought together over 1,800 participants, including students, faculty, and alumni, as well as international and local government representatives, industry partners, investors, innovation and technology entrepreneurs, and researchers. Participants exchanged insights on strategies to strengthen collaboration across the innovation ecosystem, foster cross-disciplinary partnerships, and accelerate the translation of research outcomes into real-world impact.
The event was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, alongside consuls-generals and senior officials from countries including Australia, Chile, France, Hungary, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates. They were joined by Prof. Nancy IP, HKUST President; Prof. Lionel NI, HKUST (Guangzhou) President; and Prof. Tim CHENG, HKUST Vice-President for Research and Development; in touring over 100 HKUST-nurtured startups, showcasing innovations and applications spanning areas such as healthcare, electronics, and artificial intelligence systems, as well as new materials, green energy, and sustainability.
Prof. Sun Dong remarked, “Innovation and technology (I&T) has always been at the top of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s agenda. We fully recognise the crucial role of local universities — not only as key partners, but as the bedrock of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem. In just three and a half decades, HKUST has risen to become a global powerhouse in deep tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation as demonstrated by its ability to nurture unicorns and deep-tech ventures. Hong Kong is entering a golden era of I&T development. We are building new engines to drive Hong Kong’s high-quality development, focusing on research and development in key fields and leading industry applications. I am confident that Hong Kong will rise as a leading international I&T center and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s high-quality development, and that HKUST will continue to be a driving force in this amazing journey.”
President Ip said, “As we mark the 35th anniversary of HKUST this year, we also celebrate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that has long been embedded in our DNA. Both the Technology Transfer Center and the Entrepreneurship Center were established in the University’s early years to support faculty and students in realizing their entrepreneurial aspirations and to promote the translation of research outcomes into practical solutions. Over the past 35 years, the University has forged ahead with determination, sowing the seeds of innovation and yielding remarkable achievements across multiple frontier fields. Today, HKUST continues to broaden its horizons, strategically positioning itself in key domains. One example is medical education. The establishment of the HKUST Medical School will integrate the life sciences with cutting-edge technologies to nurture a new generation of interdisciplinary medical professionals.
Concurrently, HKUST has been actively involved in national initiatives such as the Chang’E 8 lunar exploration mission and research projects for the Tiangong Space Station, and the launch of the first commercially viable aerospace project under the RAISe+ Scheme. These achievements exemplify HKUST’s enduring ‘can do’ spirit over the past decades and echo the theme of today’s event—’From Ideas to Miracles—35 Years of Impact and Beyond’. Looking ahead, HKUST will continue to nurture bold ideas and action, working hand in hand with partners across different sectors to cultivate a vibrant innovation ecosystem, ensuring that research achievements benefit society and create lasting global impact.”
To support startups in expanding into global markets and to promote cross-border collaboration, HKUST introduced an “International Pavilion,” featuring startups and innovation organizations from various countries and regions. Participants from Thailand, Singapore and Korea were among those represented, strengthening connections between Hong Kong, and countries and regions along the Belt and Road in technology application and industry development.
The event also saw the signing of multiple partnership agreements, including six strategic collaborations with:
to advance talent development and industry–academia integration, and foster innovation-driven research and real-world technology translation.
HKUST’s I&T Strength Driving Economic Growth
In addition, HKUST also released the report Driving Socioeconomic Impact Through Research and Innovation: Insights from HKUST, commissioned by the University and prepared by the international research information analytics organization Elsevier. The report highlights HKUST’s outstanding performance in innovation and entrepreneurship. Over the past five years, research output has recorded an average growth of 10%, approximately 9% higher than that of other local institutions. More than 65% of the research is concentrated in engineering and computer science, while 6.2% involves academia-industry collaboration, significantly higher than the global average of 2.7%. These collaborations have translated into impactful intellectual property, with approximately 1,670 patent applications and 700 grants over the same period, and a high IP utilization rate of above 30%.
Prof. Tim Cheng noted that the findings demonstrate HKUST’s steadily strengthening capabilities in research translation and academia-industry collaboration. HKUST’s publications achieved a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 4.40, indicating that their citation impact is 4.4 times the global average. This underscores HKUST’s significant contributions to advancing Hong Kong’s socioeconomic development and enhancing its competitiveness in innovation and technology.
In addition, a “Marketplace” was also featured, showcasing products already launched by startups, including AI analytics tools, healthcare technologies, and smart city solutions, demonstrating the progress of translating research into practical applications.
Hashtag: #unicorn #unicornday #HKUST #partnership #innovation #startup #tech #AI #space #robotics #materialscience
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Acer has sharpened competition in the entry-level laptop market with the Swift Air 14, a $699 Windows 11 notebook aimed at buyers weighing Apple’s lower-cost MacBook Neo against lightweight PCs with broader connectivity and familiar software flexibility. The Swift Air 14, model SFA14-I31, pairs Intel’s Core Series 3 processors with a thin aluminium chassis, a 14-inch display, AI-focused hardware support and battery claims […]
Mette Frederiksen has secured a third consecutive term as Denmark’s prime minister after reaching a coalition agreement that ends nearly 10 weeks of political deadlock following the March 24 parliamentary election. The Social Democratic leader will head a centre-left minority administration made up of the Social Democrats, the Moderates, the Green Left and the Social Liberal Party. The deal keeps Frederiksen in power despite a weakened election […]
Johannesburg has become the opening stage for a European Union push to turn a pledged €12 billion investment package for South Africa into bankable projects, with about 200 companies joining the bloc’s first investment roadshow in the country as competition intensifies over critical minerals. The event, hosted at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on Monday, marked the first major effort to mobilise private capital under the EU-South Africa […]
KLM has cancelled flights to and from Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport after Ebola-related travel controls made crew movements difficult, adding pressure on East Africa’s aviation links as governments tighten health screening for travellers connected to affected areas. The Dutch carrier halted Entebbe services scheduled for May 30 and June 1, saying passengers would be contacted for rebooking or refunds. The affected flights linked Amsterdam with Entebbe via […]
Russia has imposed a temporary ban on aviation fuel exports until 30 November, tightening control over domestic supplies as repeated Ukrainian attacks on refineries and energy infrastructure strain the country’s fuel system. The measure, announced by the Russian government on Monday, is aimed at stabilising the internal aviation fuel market after a series of refinery disruptions affected output across several regions. The restriction covers aviation kerosene and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Sobha Realty delivered about 3,000 residential units ahead of schedule and launched nearly 15,000 new homes during 2025, marking one of its strongest expansion phases in the UAE property market. The UAE-headquartered developer said at a media briefing that the year’s activity was driven by four major master developments across Dubai and Umm Al Quwain, reinforcing its shift from single-tower launches to larger […]
Shareholders of ČEZ have approved a far-reaching plan to separate key customer and network assets from the Czech Republic’s dominant power utility, advancing a government-backed strategy to secure full control over the company’s core electricity generation business. The vote at the group’s general meeting marks a pivotal step in one of Central Europe’s most closely watched energy restructurings. The plan will carve out electricity and gas distribution […]
Parcel-locker group InPost will invest a further €500 million in France by 2030, strengthening its out-of-home delivery network as e-commerce growth and consumer demand for flexible collection points reshape Europe’s parcel market. The commitment adds fresh weight to the expansion strategy of the Poland-based logistics company, which has been building France into one of its most important markets outside its home base. The investment is intended to […]
GoPro has warned that rising memory component costs, weaker camera demand and tight debt covenants have cast substantial doubt over its ability to continue as a going concern, marking a sharp escalation in the financial strain facing one of the best-known names in action cameras. San Mateo-based GoPro, founded by Nicholas Woodman, updated its 2025 financial statements to include the warning after developments that followed its annual […]
Omoda and Jaecoo are preparing to introduce an AI-powered driverless parking system in the UAE, bringing automated valet-style functions to selected models as the country accelerates its push into smart mobility, artificial intelligence and autonomous transport. The system, called VPD, or Valet Parking Driver, enables a vehicle to identify a vacant bay, navigate through complex parking areas and park itself without the driver remaining inside or standing […]
By Nantoo Banerjee Bangladesh’s involvement of China in the country’s US$ 1.5-billion Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) seems to have posed a significant geopolitical tension for India and its defence concerns. Dhaka made a formal request to China for the project during Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s recent visit to Beijing, reflecting a […]
The article Chinese Part In Bangladesh Teesta Project Alarms India appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Greenlogue/AP Green GSM Philippines has secured a strategic financing and digital banking partnership with Philippine National Bank, giving the all-electric ride-hailing operator fresh support for fleet expansion, driver payroll and nationwide growth as the Philippines accelerates its shift towards cleaner urban transport. The partnership centres on P2 billion in credit facilities extended by PNB to finance the acquisition of electric vehicles and support working capital requirements. The […]
The May figure, based on provisional operational data for the month ended 31 May, came against a monthly target of 66.28 million tonnes. Coal offtake, the volume supplied to power utilities and other customers, rose 2.26 per cent to 66.18 million tonnes, showing that dispatches continued to outpace production as the company worked down inventories rather than pushing output at full pace.
The fall marks the second straight month of reduced production after April output dropped 9.7 per cent to 56.1 million tonnes. The pattern points to a deliberate balancing act by Coal India, which remains central to electricity security but is also facing the consequences of heavy stock accumulation at mines and the growing role of solar, wind, hydro and nuclear generation in meeting demand.
Coal India, through its subsidiaries, accounts for about four-fifths of domestic coal output. Its production in the first two months of the 2026-27 financial year stood at 112.19 million tonnes, below the target of 127.85 million tonnes. The company’s annual production target for the year is 815 million tonnes, a demanding goal at a time when the power market is becoming more seasonal and less dependent on continuous coal expansion.
Demand for coal has not collapsed. Peak electricity demand touched a record level of about 270.8 gigawatts in May as a severe heatwave lifted cooling needs across several regions. Coal-fired plants remain the backbone of the grid, generating more than 70 per cent of electricity despite the rapid expansion of non-fossil capacity. Yet the pressure on Coal India is no longer simply to mine more. It is to supply coal to the right locations at the right time while avoiding excessive stock build-up at pitheads.
Inventories have become a key concern. Coal stocks across the system stood at about 168 million tonnes in late May, including 47.6 million tonnes at power plants and 113.5 million tonnes at Coal India mine-heads. The company has said those reserves are enough for 19 days of consumption. Mine-head stocks were about 10 per cent higher than a year earlier, creating operational and financial incentives to moderate production while dispatches catch up.
The May subsidiary-wise data showed a mixed picture. Mahanadi Coalfields produced 14.26 million tonnes, about 20.1 per cent lower than a year earlier, while Northern Coalfields fell 23.69 per cent to 9.47 million tonnes. Bharat Coking Coal declined 25.51 per cent to 2.28 million tonnes. Western Coalfields dropped 8.4 per cent and Eastern Coalfields was down 3.63 per cent. South Eastern Coalfields was the exception, increasing output 4.53 per cent to 14.42 million tonnes, while Central Coalfields edged up 0.44 per cent to 6.2 million tonnes.
The company’s offtake profile was more resilient. Mahanadi Coalfields dispatched 18.34 million tonnes in May, up 5.77 per cent, while Central Coalfields rose 17.45 per cent and Eastern Coalfields gained 6.48 per cent. South Eastern Coalfields increased dispatches by 3.18 per cent. The weaker areas included Bharat Coking Coal, where offtake fell 16.16 per cent, and Northern Coalfields, down 8.44 per cent.
The wider power sector is changing quickly. Non-fossil fuel capacity reached 283.46 gigawatts by the end of March, including 150.26 gigawatts of solar, 56.09 gigawatts of wind, 51.41 gigawatts of large hydro and 8.78 gigawatts of nuclear power. Renewable energy additions in 2025-26 were driven mainly by solar, which has become a significant contributor during daylight peaks. Even so, the grid still leans heavily on coal after sunset and during periods when renewable output weakens.
That split has created a more complex operating environment. Coal India is being asked to ensure reliability during heatwaves, support power plants with low stocks and maintain supplies to non-power consumers, while policymakers are also pushing cleaner energy, storage and transmission upgrades. The result is a coal market where peak demand can be exceptionally strong even as average growth in coal consumption becomes less predictable.
Alongside the credit facility, the two parties also implemented digital account management and payment systems for Green GSM’s driver network. Through PNB’s corporate banking platform and digitized onboarding processes, account opening and activation times are significantly reduced, helping Green GSM strengthen operational management as it expands driver network.
As cities continue to seek lower-emission transport solutions, financial systems, digital payments, driver management and operating standards are becoming increasingly important to supporting mobility platforms at scale.
In the Philippines, Green GSM is building mobility model through the integration of technology, an all-electric fleet, and standardized operating systems. Following its strategic partnership with Xentro Group in 2025 and the launch of the Green Xentro fleet in Rizal earlier this year, the company continues to expand its presence through long-term collaborations with local partners and domestic financial institutions.
“We appreciate Green GSM’s long-term development direction in the Philippines, not only in advancing low-emission mobility, but also in the way the company is building an operating model with scalability and clear governance foundations,” said Mr. Edwin R. Bautista, President and Chief Executive Officer of PNB. “The transition toward sustainable transport will require ecosystems capable of supporting stable long-term growth, together with the financial and operational foundations needed to enable that expansion.”
Ms. Le Thi Thu Trang, Chief Executive Officer of Green GSM Philippines, said: “For Green GSM, developing an all-electric mobility model is not only about expanding the fleet, but also about building an operating system that is stable, standardized, and capable of sustainable long-term growth. Our partnership with PNB will help strengthen the financial and operational foundations needed to enhance service quality and support Green GSM’s continued expansion in the Philippines.”
Green GSM develops its all-electric mobility model through the combination of technology, standardized operating systems, and professionally trained drivers. The platform is supported by real-time monitoring and operational systems designed to maintain service consistency across major urban areas.
The partnership with PNB further reinforces Green GSM’s long-term direction in the Philippines, where the company continues to strengthen its operating foundations, service standards, and driver support systems in order to maintain service quality as operations scale further.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
GSM (Green Smart Mobility) is a pioneering multi-platform company operating all-electric ride-hailing services. With a focus on sustainable transport development, GSM operates a mobility model powered entirely by VinFast electric vehicles, combining technology, service standards, and operational ecosystems to support the future of low-emission urban mobility.
Green GSM is GSM’s official brand in the Philippines and is part of the broader Green SM global ecosystem, alongside Xanh SM in Vietnam and Laos, and Green SM in Indonesia. Across all markets, the brand focuses on delivering modern mobility experiences through VinFast electric vehicles, professional drivers, and operating systems built around safety, consistency, and service quality.
About Philippine National Bank (PNB)
Philippine National Bank (PNB) is one of the Philippines’ largest private commercial banks in terms of assets and deposits. The bank provides a full range of financial and banking services to individual customers, businesses, institutions, and overseas Filipino communities. With a history spanning more than a century, PNB continues to focus on growth strategies driven by digital transformation, operational efficiency, and sustainable development in the financial sector.
Positron AI has opened its first office outside the United States at Dubai International Financial Centre, placing the AI infrastructure developer inside one of the region’s fastest-growing technology and financial ecosystems. The move gives the US-based company a licensed presence in DIFC as it seeks to expand demand for AI inference systems across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Positron AI has raised more than $300 […]
Sharjah’s eastern coast is preparing for a new high-altitude tourism landmark as “Above the Clouds”, a crescent-shaped retreat on Mount Deem in Kalba, moves towards opening by late 2026 or early 2027, adding a dramatic mountain destination to the emirate’s expanding nature-led visitor economy. The project, positioned 850 metres above sea level, covers 4,700 square metres across two levels and is designed to offer panoramic views of […]
