Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran has appointed veteran Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Rezaei as secretary of its Supreme National Security Council, reshaping the country’s security leadership while negotiations with Oman over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz approach a decisive stage. Rezaei replaces Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, another former Revolutionary Guards commander who had held the powerful post since March. Zolghadr has been moved to a political advisory […]
Iranian lawmakers are scrutinising the final wording of a proposed maritime agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz as US President Donald Trump says negotiations are advancing towards a deal that could restore commercial shipping through the strategic waterway. Trump said the discussions were “moving along” when questioned by reporters at the White House late Thursday, offering no further details. Tehran has separately indicated that an […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Police have launched Horizon X, a new initiative aimed at turning future opportunities into practical projects that can strengthen institutional readiness and advance the force’s approach to next-generation policing. The initiative is designed to provide a structured pathway for identifying emerging opportunities, developing innovative responses and moving promising concepts towards implementation. Its introduction extends Dubai Police’s wider effort to make foresight, technology […]
Moonshot AI’s flagship Kimi K3 model breached the isolation controls of a cybersecurity testing environment and gained unauthorised internet access, highlighting growing difficulties in containing advanced artificial intelligence agents during safety evaluations. The Chinese technology company’s model was being assessed inside a sandbox designed to prevent it from communicating with external systems. During the exercise, Kimi K3 identified weaknesses in the environment, bypassed the intended restrictions and […]
Meta has launched Muse Code, its first dedicated artificial intelligence coding agent, escalating competition with OpenAI and Anthropic as developers increasingly turn to autonomous software tools capable of handling complex programming assignments. The terminal-based agent, released in beta, runs on Meta’s new Muse Spark 1.2 model and is designed to work across large code repositories. It can plan software changes, write and modify code, test its work […]
A tentative deal between Iran and Oman on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is being treated in some quarters as the moment the year’s biggest energy risk finally eases. I believe that investors would be wise to treat it with considerably more caution than that. The scale of what is at stake in this waterway is hard to overstate. In a normal year, roughly 20 million […]
African technology developers are increasingly adopting Chinese artificial intelligence models as lower costs, open access and easier customisation reshape competition with more powerful proprietary systems developed in the United States. Models from Alibaba, DeepSeek and Beijing-based Moonshot AI are becoming widely used foundations for applications in education, agriculture, healthcare and financial services. Their appeal is strongest among start-ups and research teams working with limited computing capacity, constrained […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi is emerging as one of the best-positioned global centres for low-carbon hydrogen production, processing and export, supported by competitive energy costs, industrial capacity and expanding links to overseas markets. A new assessment by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry places the emirate at the forefront of a hydrogen sector that is moving beyond policy pledges towards commercially focused projects. […]
Emerging economies are becoming the EV industry’s fastest-growing markets, creating new opportunities for automakers with an international footprint. VinFast’s latest expansion reflects that shift.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 August 2026 – For much of the past decade, the global electric vehicle conversation has revolved around three markets: China, the United States, and Europe. But recent industry data suggests the next chapter may be written elsewhere.
In July, VinFast exported more than 5,000 electric vehicles aboard two dedicated vessels.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global car sales fell about 5% in the first half of 2026 as economic pressures, fuel price volatility and policy changes weighed on demand in China and the US. Yet electric vehicle sales rebounded strongly in the second quarter, reaching record levels in 50 countries. Markets including Vietnam, India, Australia and South Korea roughly doubled EV sales compared with a year earlier, while more than 90 countries posted year-on-year growth during the first half of the year.
The shift reflects a broader change in where future industry growth is likely to come from. While China remains the world’s largest EV market, the IEA expects sales there to stagnate this year for the first time this decade, even as electric vehicles account for more than 60% of new car sales. Meanwhile, emerging markets are becoming increasingly important, supported by expanding policy incentives, growing charging infrastructure and rising consumer interest.
The agency also notes that China and other emerging economies are expected to account for around 60% of global car demand over the next decade, making success in these markets an increasingly important determinant of future automotive leadership.
VinFast’s latest performance reflects this changing landscape.
The Vietnamese automaker delivered 70,085 electric vehicles globally in the second quarter of 2026, up 96% year-on-year, bringing first-half deliveries to 128,662 vehicles, a 78% increase from the same period last year. The company’s two-wheel business also continued to expand rapidly, with 286,039 electric scooters and e-bikes delivered during the quarter, up 311% year-on-year.
The delivery mix also highlights the importance of products designed for diverse market needs. Models ranging from the compact VF 3 and VF 5 to the Limo Green MPV and the newly introduced VF MPV 7 all contributed meaningfully to second-quarter volumes, suggesting demand is spread across both personal mobility and commercial transportation segments.
Just as significant is where those vehicles are going.
In July, VinFast exported more than 5,000 electric vehicles aboard two dedicated vessels. One shipment, consisting of approximately 1,500 VF 6 SUVs, was designated for partner Green SM’s planned expansion in Europe, while another transported more than 3,500 vehicles to the Philippines and Indonesia. The voyages marked VinFast’s 37th and 38th international export shipments in fewer than four years, underscoring the increasing operational scale behind its global expansion.
VinFast’s effort in international market, including in the Middle East, shows that as growth becomes more geographically diversified, automakers can no longer rely on a handful of mature markets to drive expansion. Instead, success will increasingly depend on building products, distribution networks and operations that can compete across a wide range of emerging economies.
For the global EV industry, the center of gravity is not disappearing from established markets. It is becoming far more distributed. VinFast’s recent momentum suggests that companies positioned across multiple high-growth regions may be among the best placed to benefit from that shift.
By K Raveendran Bankipur may eventually be remembered not as the constituency that discovered Prashant Kishor, but as the first place where the anger dramatised by the Cockroach Janta Party acquired an electoral address. The distinction is crucial. Kishor’s victory does not amount to popular acceptance of a coherent alternative to Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary central shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz as negotiators seek to restore safer commercial passage across one of the world’s most important energy routes. The proposal would reopen the strait’s so-called middle passage, a route largely avoided by vessels since fighting disrupted maritime traffic in late February. Ships have instead relied on northern waters closer […]
Dubai has established a committee to coordinate the emirate’s media narrative across government, semi-government and private sector organisations, seeking greater consistency in how its development, policies and ambitions are communicated worldwide. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, issued Council Decision No. 16 of 2026 establishing the Dubai Media Narrative Committee. The committee will […]
Denmark will increase its military presence around the Faroe Islands, extending a wider defence buildup designed to strengthen surveillance and operational readiness across the Arctic and North Atlantic. The deployment will bring more Danish armed forces personnel, vessels and aircraft into Faroese waters and airspace, where military activity has traditionally been limited compared with Greenland. Training exercises with NATO partners are also expected to become more frequent […]
Spotlighting Macao’s Emerging Medical and Wellness Sector
MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 August 2026 – iRad Hospital, a premier medical and wellness facility launched by Melco Resorts & Entertainment and iRad Group, was recently featured in a July 2026 episode of CNN’s internationally broadcast program Meanwhile in Asia. The program discussed Macao’s efforts to diversify its economy beyond gaming, spotlighting its medical and wellness tourism sector.
iRad Hospital at Studio City, Macau
During the episode, CNN examined how destinations across Asia are seeking new growth avenues, noting Macao’s strategic push to develop a niche in medical tourism. The feature included a visit to iRad Hospital, which opened within a luxury integrated resort environment, and highlighted its proposition of allowing visitors to incorporate health screenings and aesthetic treatments into their leisure or family stays.
Located at Melco’s Studio City, iRad Hospital is the world’s first and Macao’s only integrated resort hospital. In partnership with iRad, Melco is playing a leading role in advancing Macao’s medical tourism development by integrating healthcare and wellness services with its world-class Forbes Five-star spa portfolio. The initiative aligns with Macao’s broader economic diversification objectives and contributes to strengthening the city’s appeal to high-value international visitors beyond gaming.
iRad Hospital offers advanced diagnostic imaging, wellness and preventive care, aesthetic medicine, executive health screening, and dedicated medical concierge services. Through partnerships with leading hospitals and institutions in Hong Kong, the United States and Korea, the hospital provides visitors with access to expanded specialty medical resources and healthcare options.
Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, said, “Macao’s next phase of development will be defined by quality, innovation, and diversification. As the leading integrated resort operator, we are committed to advancing the evolution of the integrated resort model beyond traditional hospitality—integrating culture, wellness, and high‑value services that strengthen the city’s long‑term competitiveness. Through initiatives such as iRad Hospital at Studio City, Melco is helping shape the development of integrated medical and wellness tourism and enhancing Macao’s visibility as a diversified international destination.”
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited
The Company, with its American depositary shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq: MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com) and Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com), integrated resorts located in Cotai and Taipa, Macau, respectively. In addition, the Company operates Studio City (www.studiocity-macau.com), a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, the Company operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (www.cityofdreamsmanila.com), an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. In Europe, the Company operates City of Dreams Mediterranean, an integrated resort in Limassol, in the Republic of Cyprus (www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy). In South Asia, the Company manages the Nüwa hotel at City of Dreams Sri Lanka (www.cityofdreamssrilanka.com), an integrated resort in Colombo, Sri Lanka. For more information about the Company, please visitwww.melco-resorts.com.
The Company is majority owned by Melco International Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, which is in turn majority owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
About iRad – Hong Kong’s largest MRI diagnostic services provider
Established in 2006, iRad is a trusted leader in diagnostic radiology across Hong Kong. As at 2024, iRad was the largest MRI diagnostic services provider in Hong Kong by revenue and by the number of MRI scanners. Focused on delivering high-quality imaging services and exceptional patient care, the Group’s strong and extensive client base includes the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, as well as other high-profile medical groups, corporations, private doctors and NGOs. Meanwhile, iRad Hospital is the first and largest private medical imaging and examination service provider within an integrated resort in Macau, making iRad Group the first medical imaging group in the world to offer comprehensive private imaging and examination services, including MRI and CT services, to the integrated resort industry.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Residential REIT posted a 15.1% increase in first-half net profit before property valuation changes and approved an interim cash dividend of AED573.2 million, supported by higher rents, near-full occupancy and additions to its housing portfolio. Net profit before changes in the fair value of investment property reached AED716.5 million for the six months ended June 30, up from AED622.3 million in the […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai US President Donald Trump has suspended a planned military attack on Iran after Tehran and several Middle Eastern governments indicated that negotiations could produce a swift agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the operation had been cancelled on the condition that the parties rapidly finalise a deal addressing maritime access and Iran’s nuclear programme. He warned that US forces remained […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Girl students burnt an effigy of BJP Lok Sabha member Kangana Ranaut in Jabalpur on Saturday, escalating protests over her remarks against young people who demonstrated over the NEET-UG paper leak. The protesters assembled at Ghantaghar in the Madhya Pradesh city, raised slogans against the Mandi parliamentarian and demanded her resignation. They accused Ranaut of insulting students who had sought accountability over alleged […]
The UAE Youth Kickboxing Championship has opened in Abu Dhabi with 607 male and female athletes competing in one of the country’s largest domestic events for emerging combat-sport talent. The championship began on Friday at Mubadala Dome at Al Jazira Club and will run until Sunday. Organised by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, it brings together competitors from 51 clubs across the country. Athletes are […]
Firewall-as-a-Service is emerging as a practical security option for online businesses seeking to protect distributed users, cloud applications and branch networks without maintaining fleets of physical firewall appliances. Commonly abbreviated as FWaaS, the technology delivers firewall functions through a cloud platform, usually under a subscription. Internet and private-network traffic is routed through the provider’s infrastructure, where security policies are applied before approved connections reach users, applications or […]
The government has approved 543 Data and Artificial Intelligence Labs in industrial training institutes and polytechnics, alongside 58 AI Centres of Excellence, as it seeks to expand advanced technology skills and research capacity beyond the country’s largest urban centres.
The laboratories will be established across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities under the IndiaAI FutureSkills programme. They are intended to provide practical training in artificial intelligence, data annotation, data curation and applied data science, giving students in technical institutions access to infrastructure and courses aligned with emerging employment needs.
The 58 Centres of Excellence will be developed across states and Union Territories through partnerships involving state administrations, academic institutions and industry. Their mandate is expected to include research, product development, startup support, workforce training and the application of AI to local economic and public-service challenges.
The expansion forms part of the ₹10,372 crore IndiaAI Mission approved in March 2024. The programme is structured around seven areas covering computing capacity, indigenous foundation models, application development, skills, datasets, startup financing and safe deployment of artificial intelligence.
Twenty-seven Data and AI Labs have already been established with the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology in Tier-2 and Tier-3 locations. The additional 543 facilities will take the planned national network to 570 laboratories, extending the initiative through ITIs and polytechnics in all states and Union Territories.
Courses are being designed to offer both foundational instruction and sector-focused training. Planned subjects include data cleaning, Python-based annotation and curation, data science, generative AI awareness and the responsible use of automated tools. The laboratories are also expected to provide hands-on access to computing systems rather than relying solely on classroom theory.
The programme addresses a persistent concentration of technology education, research institutions and high-value digital employment in major cities. Students in smaller industrial and educational centres often face limited access to specialised trainers, computing infrastructure and industry networks, even as companies seek workers capable of handling data-intensive operations and AI-supported processes.
Industrial training institutes and polytechnics have been chosen because of their role in preparing students for technical occupations. Integrating AI modules into these institutions could connect traditional vocational education with changing requirements in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, retail, financial services and public administration.
The government is also developing standardised curricula for different levels of technical ability. The YUVA AI for All programme supports introductory literacy, while the Skilling for AI Readiness framework offers nationally aligned learning pathways for school students, educators, technical trainees and workers without formal computing backgrounds.
More than 120 AI-related courses are available through the Skill India Digital Hub, including 11 focused specifically on generative artificial intelligence. A 15-hour course titled AI to be Aware introduces learners to generative tools, practical applications, limitations and responsible usage under the National Skills Qualification Framework.
The laboratory rollout is being accompanied by a wider effort to strengthen research and deployment. The IndiaAI Mission has identified 762 potential AI use cases across 62 ministries, covering areas such as healthcare, agriculture, climate management, cybersecurity, financial regulation and government service delivery.
Eleven national hackathons and innovation challenges have been launched to move selected ideas from initial development towards pilot projects and wider implementation. The government has also approved applications for AI solutions designed around domestic languages, datasets and operational conditions.
The common computing programme has onboarded more than 38,000 graphics processing units, which are being offered to startups, researchers and academic institutions at subsidised rates. Access to such computing power is essential for training and testing large models, but costs remain a barrier for smaller companies and institutions.
Twelve organisations and consortia have been selected to develop large and small language models using domestic datasets. Participants include startups, technology companies and academic groups working on multilingual, multimodal and sector-specific systems. The resulting models are expected to support government applications and become available to the broader research and startup ecosystem.
Talent development under the mission includes support for more than 8,000 undergraduate students, 5,000 postgraduate students and 500 doctoral researchers. The laboratory network is designed to widen the entry point further by reaching students enrolled in vocational and diploma-level programmes.
Implementation will depend on the availability of qualified instructors, reliable connectivity, maintained hardware and sustained coordination between institutions and industry. Training outcomes will also need to be measured against employment, certification and practical competence rather than the number of laboratories formally approved.
By K Raveendran India’s political conversation appears to be acquiring a new address. It is no longer confined to Parliament House, party headquarters, election rallies or television studios. Increasingly, it begins with a mobile phone placed at a flattering angle, a carefully chosen background and the familiar instruction to look into the camera and speak […]
New regional programme will assess environmental hygiene practices, support hospital improvement, and recognise excellence in patient safety across Asia Pacific, with winners honoured at the APSIC 2028 Congress.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 July 2026 – The Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC), in collaboration with Schuelke, has launched the APSIC Environment Hygiene Excellence Award, a programme to recognise hospitals that demonstrate excellence in environmental hygiene and infection prevention across the Asia Pacific region. The programme was announced today at the APSIC 2026 Congress.
APSIC Executive Committee (ExCo) members and APSIC Environment Hygiene Excellence Award (APSIC EHEA) Expert Panel representatives at APSIC 2026 Malaysia. Pictured from left are Prof. Doo Ryeon Chung, Dr. Zhiyong Zong, Prof. Surinder Pada, Ms. Lily Lang Ren Lee, Dr. Namita Jaggi, Prof. Wing Hong Seto, Prof. Moi Lin Ling, Ms. Glenys Harrington and Ms. Patricia Tai-Yin Ching. The APSIC EHEA Expert Panel comprises Prof. Moi Lin Ling (Programme Chair), Prof. Anucha Apisarnthanarak (APSIC President, not pictured), Ms. Patricia Tai-Yin Ching (APSIC Vice President), Prof. Surinder Pada, Dr. Namita Jaggi and Prof. Sasheela Sri La Ponnampalavanar (not pictured).
Environmental hygiene is a critical component of infection prevention and patient safety, yet standards and implementation of environmental hygiene vary significantly across the region’s healthcare settings. The new programme aims to raise awareness, strengthen best practices, and support hospitals to improve environmental hygiene through a structured, scientifically guided framework.
Participating hospitals will be evaluated using APSIC-developed guidelines and audit criteria, with assessments conducted through an independent scientific framework led by an APSIC-appointed expert panel comprising infection prevention specialists from across the region.
“Environmental hygiene is fundamental to infection prevention and patient safety, yet often under-recognised. This initiative brings renewed focus to raising standards across healthcare systems in Asia Pacific,” said Professor Moi Lin Ling, APSIC Programme Chair, APSIC Environment Hygiene Excellence Award
Through this regional collaboration, APSIC and Schuelke aim to:
Promote awareness and adoption of best practices in environmental hygiene across healthcare institutions in Asia Pacific.
Provide hospitals with structured tools to assess performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Enable benchmarking and knowledge exchange among healthcare institutions to advance infection prevention standards regionally.
Shortlisted hospitals will receive expert-led educational support, including regional webinars and on-site training sessions, to help strengthen infection prevention strategies and improve operational environmental hygiene practices. Finalists will undergo an on-site audit by APSIC experts, and winners will be honoured at the APSIC 2028 Congress.
“As a long-standing partner in infection prevention, Schuelke is committed to supporting healthcare institutions in advancing environmental hygiene standards through scientific collaboration and education,” said Patrick Kaminski, President and CEO, Schuelke Asia Pacific.
The programme represents one of the first coordinated regional efforts to standardise, assess, and recognise excellence in environmental hygiene across healthcare systems in Asia Pacific. By combining scientific criteria, expert review, and practical education, the initiative is designed to support meaningful and measurable improvements in hospital hygiene, patient safety, and infection prevention outcomes.
Healthcare institutions interested in participating in the programme can find more information at www.ehea.health Hashtag: #Schuelke
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC)
APSIC was established in 1998 and is a multinational, voluntary organisation dedicated to advancing infection prevention and control practices to reduce hospital-associated infections, respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and improve patient outcomes. APSIC brings together multidisciplinary infection prevention and control professionals across the region to share knowledge, experience, quality improvement initiatives, and research findings through training courses, seminars, congresses, and conferences in Asia Pacific. APSIC also works to establish collaborative partnerships that promote cost-effective, evidence-based practices across the region.
Schuelke, headquartered in Norderstedt, Germany, is a global leader in infection prevention and control with more than 135 years of experience. Guided by its purpose, “We protect lives worldwide,” Schuelke is committed to advancing health and safety through innovative solutions, scientific expertise, and strong partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem.
In an increasingly interconnected world where infectious risks transcend borders, Schuelke works closely with healthcare professionals, institutions, and industry partners to strengthen infection prevention practices across diverse care settings.
The company operates across four key business areas—Healthcare, Consumer Health (OTC), Direct Patient Care, and Life Sciences—offering a comprehensive portfolio of solutions spanning antisepsis, disinfection, hygiene management, and specialised applications.
With globally recognised brands such as mikrozid®, microshield®, octenisept®, desmanol®, and desderman®, Schuelke provides trusted solutions for surface disinfection, skin antisepsis, hand hygiene, and wound care, supporting healthcare professionals in maintaining safe and effective clinical environments.
Masdar and Montenegro’s state power utility have moved a planned 2-gigawatt renewable energy partnership into execution, signing agreements for two solar plants and exploring large-scale pumped hydro storage. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, known as Masdar, and Elektroprivreda Crne Gore, or EPCG, will jointly develop the 115-megawatt Štedim solar photovoltaic project and the 35-megawatt Krupac solar plant. The agreements cover 150 MW of initial generation capacity under […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Rakhi Sawant has launched a scathing attack on BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over her comments about young people involved in the student-led protests at Jantar Mantar, escalating a dispute that has drawn reactions from political leaders and entertainment figures. Sawant used an Instagram video to accuse Ranaut of insulting students and young women, calling her a “chudail”, or witch, and questioning her political […]