By K Raveendran The Narendra Modi government’s position on fuel prices now looks less like prudent caution and more like an overly defensive reading of a market that has already absorbed much of the Iran-US risk. The more calibrated question, therefore, is not whether New Delhi is right to watch the West Asian security situation, […]
Attackers are hiding machine-readable instructions inside websites to manipulate AI agents, turning ordinary web pages into a new security battleground as automated systems begin browsing, summarising and acting on behalf of users. Zscaler’s ThreatLabz has documented two live campaigns using indirect prompt injection, a technique in which malicious instructions are planted in third-party content that an AI system reads during a task. Unlike a direct prompt attack, […]
Cybercriminals are using fake cracked-software downloads to infect consumers and smaller businesses with a double payload that steals credentials and mines Monero, underscoring how commodity malware operators are combining immediate data theft with longer-running attempts to profit from compromised machines. The campaign delivers Vidar, a widely used information stealer, alongside XMRig, an open-source cryptocurrency miner often abused in cryptojacking attacks. Victims are lured through malvertising into downloading […]
Epic Games has moved to end its lawsuit against former contractor Hayden Cohen, accused of leaking confidential Fortnite collaboration plans involving major entertainment and gaming franchises before they were made public. The proposed settlement, filed in a North Carolina federal court, would permanently bar Cohen from possessing, accessing, using or disclosing Epic’s confidential information and trade secrets. It would also prevent him from helping others obtain or […]
US officials have reportedly cleared OpenAI to widen access to GPT-5.6, allowing the company to move its most advanced model series from a restricted partner trial towards a broader commercial release after cybersecurity and national security checks. The decision covers GPT-5.6 Sol, the flagship version, alongside lower-cost Terra and Luna models. OpenAI has said the models will be made available after an initial period in which access […]
By Satyaki Chakraborty Amidst Trump-Modi bonhomie and the continuation of India-US trade talks, former Indian intelligence chief Vikram Sood said on Sunday in an interview to a British network that the present U.S. deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau told Indian officials during his visit to India in March 2026 that Washington would use tariffs, […]
Majid Al Futtaim’s VOX Cinemas at Mall of the Emirates has been recognised as the first fully accessible cinema in the Middle East, marking a significant shift in how entertainment venues in the region are adapting to universal design standards. The flagship Dubai cinema has secured Dubai Municipality’s Wosool Certificate of Compliance with Accessibility Regulations for Existing Buildings, becoming the first cinema in the GCC to receive […]
By Nantoo Banerjee Despite never qualifying for the FIFA (Federations of International Football Associations) World Cup, India has emerged as one of the largest global markets for the current tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches played across 16 official host cities. In the opening weekend alone, the tournament reached […]
Nissan Americas has disclosed a cyber breach involving employee records after attackers exploited a critical Oracle PeopleSoft flaw used in a wider data-theft campaign linked to the ShinyHunters extortion group. The carmaker said personnel information belonging to current and former staff in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil may have been accessed through Oracle PeopleSoft, the enterprise platform it uses for payroll, tax administration and other […]
A newly identified cyber-espionage group has targeted government agencies and electricity-sector organisations in Russia, Brazil and Kazakhstan, using phishing emails to deploy a Windows information stealer designed to extract credentials, documents and browser data. The group, named Armored Likho and provisionally linked to a cluster known as Eagle Werewolf, has emerged as a notable threat because its operations combine espionage against institutions with financially motivated attacks against […]
Mexico-focused companies are facing a sharper wave of TimbreStealer attacks as operators behind the information-stealing malware combine tax-themed phishing with cloud-hosted delivery, DLL side-loading and layered evasion designed to defeat automated analysis. The campaign marks a technical step-up for a malware family first tracked in late 2023, when attackers used fiscal and invoice lures to push an obfuscated stealer at users in Mexico. The latest activity keeps […]
Scammers are using fake Google Play Store pages and paid social media adverts to push gambling-linked Progressive Web Apps, exploiting consumer trust in well-known retail, banking and streaming brands. The campaign uses polished advertisements on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads and TikTok, with some creatives carrying simple “Brand Slots” labels and others mimicking official product launches. The adverts borrow logos, colour schemes, app-style layouts and fabricated testimonials […]
By K Raveendran The alleged theft of donations from the Ayodhya Ram Temple has pushed a long-simmering question into the national foreground: who should guard the wealth of religious institutions when faith, money and power converge without adequate public accountability? The issue is not confined to Ayodhya, nor to Hindu institutions. Across denominations, religious endowments, […]
Opera has rolled out Paste Protect, a built-in browser defence designed to stop malicious clipboard commands before users can paste them into terminals, run boxes or other command-line tools. The feature, launched on 2 July 2026 and switched on by default in Opera’s desktop browsers, targets a fast-growing class of social engineering attacks known as ClickFix. These scams usually begin with a familiar-looking prompt: a failed video […]
By R. Suryamurthy Every war leaves behind shattered cities, broken societies and grieving families. But some wars destroy something less visible yet infinitely more consequential: faith in the institutions created to prevent humanity from repeating history’s darkest chapters. The latest report of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Israel and the Occupied […]
Singapore-based companies have committed more than S$5.5 billion in Johor since the JS-SEZ memorandum of understanding, while IMFC-J reported 1,000 enquiries linked to RM73 billion in potential investment in March 2026.
JOHOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2026 – Forest City Special Financial Zone (Forest City SFZ) today issued a progress update on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), pointing to early implementation milestones in investment facilitation, financial-services incentives and cross-border connectivity.
Forest City, Johor
The JS-SEZ agreement, signed on 7 January 2025, covers approximately 3,588 square kilometres across southern Johor. It comprises nine flagship areas and targets investment in 11 sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, financial services, the digital economy, tourism, education, healthcare and the green economy. Forest City is the designated financial-services flagship within the framework.
“The JS-SEZ has moved beyond framework design and into early-stage execution. Forest City has a defined role in financial services and family-office activity, while the wider zone is building a pipeline across multiple industries,” a Forest City SFZ spokesperson said.
Investment pipeline builds across the JS-SEZ
Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry said Singapore-based companies had committed more than S$5.5 billion in investments into Johor since the JS-SEZ memorandum of understanding was signed in January 2024. The figure was highlighted at the second JS-SEZ Joint Investment Forum in Singapore in October 2025.
On the Malaysian side, the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFC-J) reported in March 2026 that it had received 1,000 investor enquiries and was facilitating RM73 billion in potential investment.
IMFC-J is a joint federal-state one-stop centre led by the Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Invest Johor and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
The figures represent investment commitments and potential project value rather than fully realised capital expenditure, but provide an early measure of the commercial pipeline forming around the economic corridor.
Forest City builds financial-services proposition
Malaysia announced the Forest City SFZ incentive package in September 2024, followed by the gazettement of the Single Family Office (SFO) tax rules in October 2025. Under the scheme, a qualifying SFO vehicle may receive a 0% tax rate on eligible investment income for an initial 10-year period, with a possible extension for a further 10 years, subject to asset, local investment, staffing and operating-expenditure requirements.
The initial phase requires at least RM30 million in assets under management. The wider Forest City incentive framework also includes a 5% corporate tax rate for qualifying global-services and selected relocation activities, while eligible knowledge workers in the JS-SEZ may qualify for a 15% personal income tax rate, subject to prevailing rules and approvals.
According to Forest City data, nine family offices had received approvals under the scheme by June 2026. The Securities Commission Malaysia had previously reported more than 30 expressions of interest and has set a target of RM2 billion in SFO assets under management by the end of 2026.
Separately, Forest City said 593 applicants were approved for the SFZ category of the Malaysia My Second Home programme between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2026, indicating demand from investors, professionals and long-stay residents alongside the financial-services push.
Cross-border measures support the dual-market model
The JS-SEZ framework is intended to combine Johor’s land, industrial capacity and cost base with Singapore’s capital, connectivity and business ecosystem. Measures under the bilateral framework include investor facilitation, automated immigration channels, paperless goods clearance and improved transport links.
Singapore has rolled out QR-code immigration clearance across travel modes at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. Travellers should continue to carry their passports, which may still be required for verification and for clearance at the Malaysian border.
The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link is targeted to begin passenger service by the end of 2026. The four-kilometre line will connect Bukit Chagar and Woodlands North in about five minutes and is designed to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods.
Execution and conversion remain the next test
The World Bank projects Malaysia’s economy to expand by 4.4% in 2026, supported by domestic demand, while warning that trade restrictions, global policy uncertainty and weaker external demand remain downside risks.
For the JS-SEZ, the next phase will be measured by the conversion of enquiries and commitments into approved projects, realised investment, skilled employment and operating businesses. Delivery of transport, utilities, talent development and regulatory coordination will also determine the pace at which companies adopt a cross-border operating model.
“The early indicators are encouraging, but the economic impact should be assessed over a multi-year horizon. The priority now is to convert the pipeline into sustainable business activity, jobs and a deeper professional-services ecosystem,” the spokesperson said.
Forest City SFZ said it will continue working with public agencies, financial institutions and professional-service providers to support family offices, international investors and companies evaluating Johor as part of their regional growth strategy.
Key figures
Indicator
Latest stated figure
JS-SEZ coverage
Approximately 3,588 km²; nine flagship areas; 11 priority sectors
Singapore-linked commitments
More than S$5.5 billion committed into Johor since January 2024
IMFC-J pipeline
1,000 enquiries; RM73 billion in potential investment as at March 2026
SFO incentive
0% on eligible investment income for 10 years, with a possible further 10 years
RTS Link
Targeted passenger service by end-2026; up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction
Malaysia 2026 GDP outlook
4.4% growth forecast by the World Bank
Hashtag: #ForestCity
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Forest City Special Financial Zone
Located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Forest City Special Financial Zone (FCSFZ) is Malaysia’s pioneering special financial zone and the financial-services flagship within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone. It is positioned to attract financial institutions, multinational corporations, high-net-worth individuals and businesses operating in wealth management, financial technology and global business services.
Its incentive framework includes a 0% income tax rate for qualifying Single Family Office Vehicles for up to 20 years, a preferential 5% corporate tax rate for approved qualifying activities, and a special 15% personal income tax rate for eligible knowledge workers, subject to the applicable conditions, regulatory approvals and prevailing legislation. Forest City also holds duty-free island status, further strengthening its appeal as a regional investment, business and wealth-management destination near Singapore.
By Satyaki Chakraborty The U.S.-China high tech battle for supremacy has reached a new peak after the China manufactured Supercomputer LineShine was adjudged the best among the Top 500 supercomputers made by various nations including the USA, at the International Supercomputing Conference in Hamburg, Germany held on June 23.China got this top slot recognition after […]
A Brazil-linked banking trojan has shifted its focus to Spain and Portugal, using fake PDF files, hidden code and location checks to reach banking customers while keeping analysts and automated security tools away from its payload. The malware, known as Ousaban or Javali, has long been associated with attacks on financial users in Brazil. Its latest campaign shows a more selective and evasive operation aimed at Windows […]
A fileless malware framework is abusing Google’s Blogspot platform to deliver PureLog Stealer directly into computer memory, sharpening concerns that trusted web services are being turned into staging grounds for credential theft. The campaign, tracked as Veil#Drop, begins with a JavaScript file disguised as a document, such as “transcript. pdf. js”. Once opened on a Windows system, the file runs through Windows Script Host and launches PowerShell […]
By K Raveendran The arithmetic of India’s fuel market has long been sold as market-driven, but the latest price movements expose a more selective discipline. When crude oil rises, the pass-through to consumers and businesses is quick, stern and explained as unavoidable. When the same crude oil retreats, the adjustment becomes cautious, partial and wrapped […]
By Nitya Chakraborty The joint statement of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued in Beijing on June 26 following the visit of Tarique to China has drawn the attention of the global diplomatic circles due to the sweep of the nature of collaboration between the two countries mentioned […]
Alibaba Cloud has been named a Leader in Omdia’s Market Radar for Agentic AI Cloud Titans in Asia & Oceania, 2026, strengthening its position in a fast-expanding field where cloud providers are racing to turn generative AI into autonomous enterprise systems.
The ranking places Alibaba Cloud among the region’s most advanced providers of agentic AI infrastructure and development platforms. The company achieved the highest scores across six of nine evaluation dimensions, with its full-stack agentic AI approach highlighted as a key differentiator. That framework spans infrastructure, foundation models, model services, enterprise development tools and deployment systems designed to help companies build AI agents capable of planning, reasoning and executing tasks across business workflows.
The recognition comes as agentic AI shifts from experimental pilots to enterprise adoption. The Asia and Oceania market for agentic AI software is projected to grow from $782 million in 2025 to $11.2 billion by 2030, implying a compound annual growth rate of about 94 per cent. The surge reflects demand from banks, retailers, logistics companies, manufacturers and public-sector organisations seeking systems that can automate multi-step work rather than merely generate text, code or images.
Alibaba Cloud’s pitch rests on a vertically integrated stack. Its Qwen foundation models underpin a growing range of cloud services, while Model Studio gives developers access to Qwen-Max, Qwen-Plus, Qwen-Turbo, Qwen-VL, Wan and other model families. The company has also been expanding Platform for AI, Lingjun infrastructure and agent-building toolkits intended to make AI deployment easier for enterprises that lack large in-house research teams.
The company’s Singapore push has become central to its international AI strategy. At its first international Qwen Conference in Singapore in May, Alibaba Cloud introduced Qwen3.7-Max through Model Studio in the Singapore region, unveiled Qwen Cloud as an AI-native platform, and launched agent products aimed at helping companies build and manage autonomous systems. The Skills portal converts capabilities across more than 60 cloud products into agent-callable functions, allowing AI agents to interact with databases, security tools, big-data services and operations systems.
Alibaba Cloud’s commercial momentum has also improved. Cloud Intelligence Group revenue rose 38 per cent year on year to RMB41.63 billion in the January-March quarter, while external cloud revenue grew 40 per cent. AI-related products accounted for about 30 per cent of external cloud revenue and delivered triple-digit growth for the eleventh consecutive quarter. Annualised AI-related product revenue surpassed RMB35.8 billion, indicating that enterprise demand has moved beyond proof-of-concept budgets.
The company is investing heavily to defend that position. Alibaba has indicated that spending on AI and cloud infrastructure will exceed its earlier three-year plan of up to RMB380 billion, as executives prioritise market share and capacity expansion over near-term margins. That strategy carries risks. The group’s earnings have been pressured by high capital expenditure, competition in commerce and infrastructure costs linked to advanced computing demand.
The broader market remains intensely contested. Regional and global cloud providers are building agentic AI platforms that combine foundation models, orchestration layers, retrieval systems, governance tools and specialised compute. Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Tencent Cloud and Baidu AI Cloud are all competing for enterprise workloads tied to automation, coding agents, customer-service agents and industry-specific decision systems.
Alibaba Cloud’s advantage in Asia rests partly on its ability to link AI models with commerce, logistics, finance, cloud and developer ecosystems. Its Qwen family has gained traction among developers because of open-source releases and multilingual capabilities, while its enterprise services are being positioned for customers that need lower latency, data-residency options and region-specific compliance controls. The company also benefits from its leadership in Asia-Pacific infrastructure-as-a-service revenue, where it held a 22.5 per cent regional share in 2025.
The agentic AI market, however, faces unresolved issues around reliability, accountability and security. Autonomous agents can call tools, access corporate data and act across software systems, raising concerns over permission controls, audit trails, hallucinated actions and exposure of sensitive information. Enterprise buyers are increasingly looking for guardrails, monitoring, role-based access and human approval mechanisms before allowing agents to handle financial, legal or operational decisions.
OpenAI has begun a tightly controlled preview of GPT-5.6 Sol, a new flagship artificial intelligence model with stronger cybersecurity, coding and scientific capabilities, restricting access to vetted partners while it works with US authorities on safeguards for frontier systems. The rollout covers three models under the GPT-5.6 family: Sol, the most advanced tier; Terra, a lower-cost model designed for everyday work; and Luna, a faster and cheaper […]
A major supply-chain attack has hit ClawHub, exposing deep security gaps in the fast-growing market for AI-agent skills after scans identified 1,184 malicious packages linked to 247,693 installations. The campaign, tracked as ClawHavoc, targeted ClawHub, the official skill marketplace for OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent platform that allows users to install add-ons for tasks such as browser automation, file handling, coding support, messaging, crypto tracking and productivity […]
