Rugby Africa has appointed former NBA Africa executive Aïcha Diop as chief of staff to its president, Herbert Mensah, in a move aimed at strengthening the organisation’s governance, commercial execution and continental growth strategy. Diop will work directly with Mensah as Rugby Africa seeks to sharpen coordination across its 40 member unions, expand competitions, deepen partnerships and raise the profile of the sport in markets where participation […]
Tether is preparing to launch GEL₮, a blockchain-based stablecoin tied to the Georgian lari, with backing from Georgia’s government in a move aimed at putting the country’s currency on digital asset rails and strengthening its position as a regional fintech hub. The project, announced on Monday, would make GEL₮ a digital representation of the lari rather than a central bank digital currency. It is being positioned as […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Ras Al Khaimah’s push to build a deeper corporate real estate market has gained momentum after major structural works were completed at RAK Central Square, the emirate’s first luxury Grade A office complex, keeping the project on track for a planned opening in the fourth quarter of 2027. The five-building development will provide 2.27 million sq ft of high-quality workspace, with large, efficient […]
The Tokyo-listed investment group has become one of the most closely watched proxies for AI demand after committing tens of billions of dollars to OpenAI and building exposure across chips, power infrastructure, robotics and data-centre supply chains. The latest rally extended a sharp two-session advance that added tens of billions of dollars to SoftBank’s market value, marking one of its strongest runs since the technology boom that first made the group a symbol of risk-taking capital.
Investor enthusiasm has been driven by two linked expectations. OpenAI is preparing for a confidential US initial public offering filing that could set up a listing as early as September, while SB Energy, a power and data-centre infrastructure company backed by SoftBank and OpenAI, has said it intends to confidentially file for a US IPO. Together, the developments have strengthened the market view that SoftBank’s private holdings may be moving closer to public-market price discovery.
SoftBank’s OpenAI position is the main driver of that reassessment. The group has invested $34.6bn in the ChatGPT maker since September 2024 and has agreed to make a further $30bn investment through SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Completion of those tranches would lift its cumulative investment to $64.6bn for an ownership interest of about 13 per cent. The preferred shares are designed to convert automatically into common shares if OpenAI completes an IPO or related listing transaction.
OpenAI’s valuation has become central to SoftBank’s investment case. The company was valued at $852bn in private markets and preliminary discussions around a listing have included the possibility of a valuation as high as $1tn. The company is also seeking to raise at least $60bn at the lower end of earlier discussions, reflecting the huge capital needs of frontier AI model development, data centres, chips and power supply.
The OpenAI bet has already reshaped SoftBank’s earnings profile. The group reported a sharp profit rebound, helped by valuation gains tied to OpenAI, and said cumulative gains on the investment had reached $45bn. Its annual profit of about ¥5tn was described by the company as the highest recorded by a Japanese company, underscoring how quickly Son’s AI strategy has altered investor perceptions after years of scrutiny over the Vision Fund’s uneven performance.
SB Energy has added another layer to the rally because its business sits at the intersection of AI and power infrastructure. Founded in 2019, the company develops large-scale energy and data-centre projects and has positioned itself to benefit from surging electricity demand linked to AI workloads. It has raised more than $18bn in project capital and has a portfolio of about 5 gigawatts of operating and under-construction energy assets.
The company’s January partnership with OpenAI under the Stargate initiative placed it inside a broader push to build AI and energy infrastructure in the United States. That has made SB Energy more than a conventional renewable power developer in the eyes of investors. Its appeal rests on the argument that AI expansion will require dedicated power generation, grid connections and purpose-built campuses capable of supporting high-density computing.
SoftBank’s rally has also been supported by strength in Arm Holdings, the UK chip designer in which the group holds a large stake. Arm remains a key public asset for SoftBank and is viewed as a beneficiary of AI-related semiconductor demand. Gains in Arm shares have helped reinforce confidence that SoftBank owns multiple assets tied to the same structural theme, rather than a single concentrated wager on OpenAI.
The optimism carries risks. OpenAI faces intensifying competition from Alphabet’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude and other model developers, while the cost of training and operating advanced AI systems continues to rise. Credit analysts have raised concerns that the size of SoftBank’s OpenAI commitment may affect liquidity and asset quality, particularly as the group uses loans, asset sales and financing backed by holdings such as Arm and SoftBank Corp. to fund its strategy.
SoftBank arranged a $40bn bridge loan in March and drew $20bn in April, largely for the OpenAI investment, while also repaying part of that borrowing. The group has sold stakes in holdings including Nvidia and T-Mobile, issued bonds and considered other financing options as it reallocates capital towards AI. Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto has said the group may also explore ways to use its OpenAI assets for financing if market conditions allow.
Australia is moving to extend its domestic gas reservation scheme across liquefied natural gas projects and export arrangements, including volumes tied to existing contracts, sharpening a policy shift aimed at easing pressure on households, power generators and manufacturers exposed to volatile east coast gas prices. The draft design framework for the scheme requires LNG exporters to supply gas equal to 20 per cent of their export volumes […]
Greenlogue/AP UAE officials used the World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition in Rotterdam to reinforce the country’s ambition to become a global hub for low-emission hydrogen, placing cross-border trade, common standards and industrial decarbonisation at the centre of its energy transition agenda. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure represented the UAE at the gathering in the Netherlands, where governments, technology developers, financiers and energy companies examined the commercial […]
Invest Qatar’s delegation, led by its chief executive Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed Al-Thani, held executive-level meetings, site visits and closed-door business discussions with Chinese companies across advanced manufacturing, life sciences, industrial technologies and digital platforms. The engagements included WuXi Biologics, Shanghai SUS Environment, Cainiao Group and Ant International, placing the tour at the intersection of Qatar’s diversification agenda and China’s strengths in biotechnology, logistics, environmental services and digital finance.
The visit was designed to present Qatar as a platform for regional expansion, with Invest Qatar highlighting support for market entry, regulatory coordination, site selection, expansion planning and aftercare services. The pitch reflects Doha’s effort to move beyond energy-led ties and attract capital, technology and operational expertise into sectors linked to the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.
China already occupies a central place in Qatar’s external economic network. Bilateral cooperation spans energy, logistics, manufacturing, technology and financial services, while Qatar hosts about 520 Chinese companies. Over the 2017-2026 period, China has ranked among Qatar’s top 10 sources of foreign direct investment, with 59 projects generating more than $3bn in capital expenditure and creating more than 3,200 jobs across multiple sectors.
The Shanghai and Hangzhou programme signals a more targeted approach by Qatar’s investment promotion authorities. Rather than broad promotional activity, the delegation focused on companies that fit Qatar’s priority clusters. WuXi Biologics brings relevance to life sciences and contract research, Shanghai SUS Environment operates in waste-to-energy and environmental infrastructure, Cainiao Group is a major logistics and supply-chain player, and Ant International strengthens the digital payments and fintech dimension of the outreach.
Energy remains the anchor of Qatar-China economic relations. China is Qatar’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $24.22bn in 2024. China exported goods worth about $4.17bn to Qatar and imported about $20.05bn, led by liquefied natural gas and industrial helium. Qatar is also China’s second-largest source of LNG imports, reinforcing the strategic weight of the relationship at a time when Asian demand remains central to global gas markets.
QatarEnergy’s expansion strategy has further tightened industrial links with China. Long-term LNG supply arrangements linked to the Chinese market, together with major vessel orders placed with Chinese shipbuilders, have created a broader commercial ecosystem around the North Field expansion. Qatar aims to raise LNG production capacity from 77mn tonnes a year to 142mn tonnes by 2030, a target that will require shipping, engineering, financing and downstream partnerships across Asia.
The investment outreach comes as Gulf states increasingly seek to use energy relationships as a foundation for wider economic cooperation with Asia. For Qatar, China offers scale, capital depth and technology capacity. For Chinese groups, Qatar provides political stability, strong transport connectivity, free-zone infrastructure and access to Gulf, African and South Asian markets.
Doha is also seeking to position itself as a business base for companies navigating a more fragmented global trade environment. Regulatory certainty, a relatively high-income market, advanced digital infrastructure and a sovereign investment ecosystem give Qatar tools to compete for regional headquarters, specialised manufacturing and services projects. The challenge will be converting exploratory meetings into project commitments in sectors where regional competition is intense, particularly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Financial services form another important strand of the relationship. Qatar Investment Authority’s moves in China’s asset management sector and broader Gulf interest in Asian financial markets point to a shift from passive portfolio exposure towards more strategic investment channels. That trend could support new capital-market links, fintech partnerships and investment vehicles connecting Doha and Chinese financial centres.
The latest Invest Qatar tour also reflects a diplomatic-economic strategy that has become more visible across Asia. Qatar has sought to deepen ties with major economies while keeping its partnerships diversified across the United States, Europe, China and other Asian markets. This balancing approach allows Doha to pursue commercial opportunities while avoiding excessive dependence on any single investment corridor.
For Chinese companies, Qatar’s offer is strongest where national development goals align with corporate expansion plans. Life sciences companies can tap healthcare investment and research partnerships, logistics operators can link into Hamad Port, Hamad International Airport and regional re-export networks, and digital platforms can benefit from a market that has been investing in cashless payments, cloud services and smart-city infrastructure.
For many Pakistani families residing across the GCC, conversations around long-term residency planning have started to change in recent months. While the UAE remains one of the world’s leading destinations for expatriates and international business, broader regional developments appear to be pushing more families to think about what additional long-term options may look like outside the region. The Strait of Hormuz has once again become part of […]
Gold prices advanced by more than 1 per cent on Monday as a weaker dollar and a sharp fall in crude oil prices strengthened demand for bullion, with investors reassessing inflation risks and the likely course of US monetary policy amid signs of progress in Washington’s talks with Tehran. Spot gold traded near $4,560 an ounce, extending gains after the dollar slipped against major currencies and oil […]
This latest agreement marks a continuation of the strategic partnership between the two organizations, building upon the success of Shama Lakeview Asoke, which ONYX manages on behalf of JR Kyushu Group. The property has earned recognition as one of the leading serviced apartments in Bangkok’s central business district, reflecting the Japanese partner’s strong confidence in ONYX’s management capabilities and in-depth market expertise.
The development of Shama North Pattaya therefore represents not only an expansion into a high-potential location, but also a reaffirmation of ONYX’s disciplined growth strategy. By collaborating with globally respected partners, the group continues to strengthen its footprint in the EEC.
Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta, Chief Executive Officer of ONYX Hospitality Group, stated that this joint venture with JR Kyushu Group reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to growing alongside its partners. It also marks ONYX’s second joint venture with an international partner under its strategic expansion plan, underscoring continued investor confidence in the company’s capabilities, as well as its ongoing pursuit of investment opportunities and strategic collaborations with high-potential partners.
“For ONYX Hospitality Group, growth is not defined merely by the number of projects we develop, but by the strength of the partnerships we cultivate. Our joint venture with JR Kyushu Group reflects a shared vision and a commitment to creating long-term value together.
The Shama brand has grown from a deep understanding of the long-stay market, which we have consistently studied and monitored over the years. We see clear future potential in this segment. Each Shama development is founded on comprehensive insights into resident needs and expectations, placing emphasis on the core of the living experience — comfort, flexibility and a genuine sense of home — all delivered to international standards.
Shama North Pattaya represents another important strategic property in strengthening and completing ONYX Hospitality Group’s presence in Pattaya, a high-potential destination within the EEC, alongside our key brands Amari and OZO, helping to create a more integrated and cohesive hospitality cluster in the area.”
Yuthachai added, “Shama North Pattaya reflects ONYX’s commitment to strengthening Thailand’s position as a leading destination for long-term residents while supporting the sustainable growth of the residential hospitality sector.”
Mr. Toshihiro Mori, Representative Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer of Kyushu Railway Company stated that this joint venture marks an important next step in JR Kyushu Group’s continued partnership with ONYX Hospitality Group in Thailand, building on the success of Shama Lakeview Asoke.
“Following our successful collaboration on Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok, we are pleased to deepen our partnership with ONYX Hospitality Group through Shama North Pattaya. We see strong potential in Pattaya as a leading resort destination within the EEC, and we have full confidence in ONYX’s hospitality expertise to deliver an exceptional property that meets the evolving needs of both Thai and international guests. We look forward to creating lasting value together.”
Strategically located in North Pattaya, a key tourism and economic hub within the EEC, Shama North Pattaya is designed to blend the comfort and convenience of serviced apartments with the refined services of a leading hotel brand. The project aims to cater to the steadily expanding long-stay segment, which is projected to continue its upward trajectory in 2026 and beyond.
The partnership between ONYX Hospitality Group and JR Kyushu Group not only highlights the complementary strengths of both organisations, but also serves as a strong indicator of Japanese investor confidence in Thailand’s economic stability and long-term prospects. At the same time, it signals the readiness of Thai hospitality brands to compete and grow alongside global partners in a sustainable and forward-looking manner.
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ONYX Hospitality Group, a reputable force in the Asia-Pacific hospitality industry, operates a collection of comprehensive yet complementary brands – Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence – catering to the distinctive needs of discerning business and leisure travellers across the region where it has deep expertise. In addition to its brand portfolio, ONYX Hospitality Group also operates additional hospitality services across spa and food & beverage. With six decades of management experience, the company extends its innovative solutions throughout the region, upholding internationally recognised standards and ensuring optimal operational manoeuvrability. By fostering enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers unparalleled experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, meeting the ever-evolving demands of travellers.
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Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu), headquartered in Fukuoka, Japan, and listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is a diversified group operating across Transportation, Real Estate and Hotels, Retail and Restaurants, Construction, and Business Services. Building on more than three decades of experience since its establishment in 1987, JR Kyushu has expanded beyond its core railway operations into a wide range of community-based and lifestyle businesses. In Thailand, JR Kyushu Business Development (Thailand) Co., Ltd. serves as the group’s investment platform for hospitality and real estate, building on the success of Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok and continuing to pursue long-term growth opportunities in the region.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s Emirates NBD Bank will open its offer on June 1 to buy up to 26 per cent of RBL Bank from public shareholders, marking the next decisive phase in one of the largest foreign investments in the country’s private banking sector. Public shareholders will be able to tender shares until June 12 under the open offer, which has been priced at ₹282.38 […]
Recent Google search trends in Thailand show continued growth in interest for both asset classes. Gold trading-related searches such as “XAUUSD today” have consistently generated between 1,000 and 10,000 monthly searches over the past year, while cryptocurrency-related keywords including “crypto” have maintained similarly strong search volumes.
The trend is also reflected in internal traffic data from BrokersThai.com. Pages related to Forex brokers for gold trading generated more than 5,000 impressions over the last year, highlighting continued interest from Thai traders seeking reliable broker comparisons and trading cost information.
The data also reveals that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are no longer seen as just tools for quick gambling. Instead, users search for risk management, such as how to handle price drops and volatility, spike every time the stock market experiences volatility. This proves that traders are carefully weighing crypto risks against the steady safety of gold.
Justin Grossbard, CEO of BrokersThai.com, commented: “Thai traders are now interested in trading multiple assets, especially gold and Bitcoin, while paying more attention to trading costs and broker transparency. Many traders are carefully comparing spreads and execution speeds to reduce unnecessary trading costs as much as possible.”
The findings indicate that Thai retail traders are adapting to uncertain market conditions by conducting deeper research before making investment decisions. Rather than choosing between gold or Bitcoin, many traders are now using both together — relying on gold to help preserve capital while viewing Bitcoin as a long-term growth opportunity.
For broker comparisons, visit: https://www.brokersthai.com
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Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Sharjah has waived truck toll gate fees for cargo vehicles arriving from Oman and operating along approved logistics corridor routes, in a move aimed at cutting freight costs, easing cross-border movement and strengthening the emirate’s role in regional supply chains. The measure applies to cargo trucks entering through the Khatmat Malaha and Al Madam border crossings, provided shipments meet the initiative’s conditions and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Canada hosted Defence Minister David J. McGuinty in Ottawa, underscoring a continuing effort by both governments to deepen diplomatic, security and economic engagement after years of strain in the relationship. Ambassador Amal Almoalimi received McGuinty at her official residence on May 22, where the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed the strength of relations between the […]
Masdar has signed an agreement with China’s Sungrow to supply battery energy storage and photovoltaic inverter systems for Abu Dhabi’s round-the-clock renewable energy project, strengthening the supply chain behind one of the world’s most ambitious attempts to make solar power available as firm baseload electricity. The agreement covers 7.5 gigawatt-hours of Sungrow’s PowerTitan 3.0 battery energy storage systems and 2.6 gigawatts of PV inverter solutions. The equipment […]
Huawei has deepened its Saudi Arabia cloud strategy through a distribution partnership with Gulf Applications, widening enterprise access to cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence tools and disaster recovery services as the kingdom pushes ahead with its Vision 2030 digital agenda. The agreement appoints GAPP as Huawei Cloud’s official cloud solutions distributor in Saudi Arabia, placing the company at the centre of Huawei’s channel expansion in one of the […]
British Columbia fusion developer General Fusion is weighing a Toronto Stock Exchange listing alongside its planned Nasdaq debut, a move that would give Canadian investors a direct public-market route into one of the most closely watched private energy technologies. Vancouver-headquartered General Fusion, backed over the years by investors linked to Jeff Bezos and Shopify founder Tobias Lütke, is preparing to go public through a business combination with […]
Bangladesh Bank has launched a 600 billion-taka support package to revive closed factories, expand credit to small businesses and lift growth after a prolonged slowdown in production, exports and private investment. Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman announced the programme at the central bank headquarters in Dhaka, setting out a refinancing and support structure aimed at restoring industrial capacity, creating jobs and easing pressure on businesses hit by high […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s ports and customs authorities have opened fresh discussions with Kuwait to strengthen maritime transport, customs cooperation and trade flows, as Gulf economies push for more resilient supply chains amid shifting regional trade conditions. Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation in Dubai, met Khaled Abdulrahim Al Zaabi, Consul-General of Kuwait in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, at […]
Dogecoin’s volatile online following has seized on a playful remark by co-creator Billy Markus after he floated the idea of a $20 trillion valuation for DOGE, reigniting speculative debate around the meme token even as its market price remains near a fraction of its 2021 peak. Markus, who posts on X under the name Shibetoshi Nakamoto, is known for sharp, ironic commentary on cryptocurrency culture. His latest […]
Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company has completed a Dhs110m transaction using DDSC on ADI Chain, marking one of the first live institutional-scale tests of a UAE dirham-backed stablecoin on a regulated blockchain infrastructure. The transfer, valued at about $30m, was executed on ADI Chain, an institutional Layer-2 blockchain developed by ADI Foundation. DDSC is designed as a digital payment token backed one-for-one by UAE dirham reserves, positioning […]
Abu Dhabi has cast its departure from OPEC as a strategic move to protect national revenue before global oil demand enters a long-term decline, marking one of the sharpest shifts in Gulf energy policy in decades. The UAE ended nearly 60 years of membership in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries on May 1, stepping away from both OPEC and the wider OPEC+ framework after years […]
Anthropic PBC is moving towards closing a funding round that could exceed $30 billion at a valuation above $900 billion, a transaction that would place the Claude maker among the world’s most valuable private companies and intensify the capital race reshaping artificial intelligence. The San Francisco-based company is expected to complete the round as soon as next week, though final terms could still change. The deal, if […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s exit from OPEC has placed the UAE at the centre of a wider debate over how Gulf producers should manage oil wealth as long-term demand faces pressure from the energy transition. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said the decision was shaped over three years and reflected the leadership’s view that the world is approaching […]
