HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2024 – Black Spade Capital Limited (“Black Spade”), the family office of Mr. Lawrence Ho, hosted a successful business reception with UBS in Hanoi on 31 May 2024 to engage directly with the local business community. Third from the right, Mr. Dennis Tam, President and CEO of Black Spade and Mr. John Lee, UBS Global Banking Vice […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – Hong Kong was awash with colour and creativity during “Art March”, a month-long celebration of arts and culture. More than a dozen major events, including Art Basel Hong Kong, the Asian debut of ComplexCon and the inaugural Hong Kong International Cultural Summit, as well as various open-air programmes transformed the cityscape into a colourful canvas. […]
HKSTP delegation to Australia unveils Innovation Mixer and Market Discovery initiatives in Melbourne to pave way for Asia’s growth opportunities HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), has joined forces with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) to lead aspiring innovators to global growth opportunities, and extend Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem to GEN’s 200 markets […]
Agreement signed at the at Belt and Road Summit to promote trade and business between the two regions Middle East delegation showcases market and growth opportunities in the Kingdom and beyond HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 16 September 2023 – Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneurs Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong Trade Development Council (“HKTDC”) to promote trade and business between Hong […]
Marked a milestone in the Golden Age for Middle East and Hong Kong relations HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 September 2023 – The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) welcomed an official United Arab Emirates (UAE) delegation led by the Minister of Economy marking a milestone in the Golden Age for Middle East and Hong Kong relations and further deepening the collaboration […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 27 July 2023 – Value Partners Group (together with its subsidiaries, “Value Partners”, Hong Kong Stock Code: 806.HK) and Aldiracita Group (Aldiracita Sekuritas together with its subsidiaries, “STAR Asset Management”), a prominent capital markets player in Indonesia, are pleased to announce the formation of a strategic partnership to foster stronger cross-border collaboration to capitalize on and address the fast-growing wealth […]
The establishment of the new office was announced on the sidelines of the UAE-Hong Kong Business Forum in the presence of Honourable John Lee, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, with attendance of a high-level delegation. At the forum, Dubai Chambers and HKTDC signed an MoU to enhance collaboration for the support and advancement of mutual goals including fostering a positive economic environment and developing trade relationships and business […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 20 October 2022 – Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) strongly supports the policies proposed in Chief Executive John Lee’s first Policy Address, in particular the government’s initiatives to foster the development of Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, in accordance with the 14th Five-Year Plan. In fulfilling this role, HKDC believes it would also be important […]
A Salute to Outstanding Contributions and Extraordinary Precedents HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 October 2022 – Sing Tao News Corporation Limited’s “Leader of the Year 2021” Awards Presentation Ceremony and Gala Dinner, was held today at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong to pay tribute to the distinguished individuals. The annual event is organised by Sing Tao Daily, Headline Daily and The Standard of Sing […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 19 May 2021 – As Singapore continues to roll out its COVID-19 vaccination programme in its steady efforts to contain the virus with hopes of gradual return to normalcy, Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (“Etiqa Insurance Singapore”) extends its Financial Assistance Benefit for side effects of COVID-19 vaccine to all existing and new individual customers of Maybank Singapore. Application is not required and […]
A selection of films from around the world are to be showcased next week at the 13th annual Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), its organisers have announced. Held at the Madinat Theatre at Dubai’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah, the festival runs from December 7-14 and includes numerous cinema screenings and red carpet gala events. On December 8, festival goers will experience the world premiere of ‘Befikre’, a Hindi […]
Senior officials in Washington have quietly activated contingency plans for military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, marking a dramatic shift in US posture amid escalating Israeli–Iranian hostilities. According to multiple reports, including Bloomberg and Reuters, the White House and Defence Department are preparing the operational infrastructure needed to engage Tehran directly.
President Donald Trump, speaking on 18 June outside the White House, offered only ambiguity: “I may do it. I may not do it… nobody knows what I’m going to do.” Meanwhile, senior US generals, defence secretaries and intelligence chiefs are said to be readying federal agencies for a possible weekend strike. Forces in the Middle East have been repositioned; aircraft and ships have been moved from bases such as Al‑Udeid in Qatar and Bahrain’s Fifth Fleet port to reduce vulnerabilities.
Sources indicate that the primary target could be Iran’s underground Fordow uranium enrichment plant — a hardened bunker facility situated within a mountain and long deemed beyond Israel’s military reach without US bunker‑busting capacity. With Israel continuing airstrikes on Iran as part of ‘Operation Rising Lion’, analysts assess that a US strike would dramatically escalate the conflict.
Within the White House, debate is intensifying. The New York Times and Washington Post report that Trump, influenced by hawkish advisors such as Senator Lindsey Graham and defence chiefs, has signed off on strike plans but is awaiting final approval. His delay aims to allow Iran a final diplomatic window — offering a chance to curb uranium enrichment before force is used.
Opposition persists even within Trump’s own camp. A divide between hawks, advocating for decisive action, and MAGA-aligned isolationists, including Vice President Vance and media figure Tucker Carlson, highlights the internal tug-of-war shaping presidential decision‑making. Trump has underscored this dynamic: advisors like Gen. Dan Caine and CIA Director John Ratcliffe have pressed for a more aggressive stance, while isolationists urge restraint.
Politically, the administration faces calls for a formal congressional mandate. Critics argue the Constitution requires authorisation for military action beyond self‑defence; proponents counter the urgency of neutralising Iran’s perceived nuclear threat demands swift action.
Diplomacy continues in parallel. The UK, France and Germany are convening in Geneva to press Iran on de-escalation — a track the US has distanced itself from. Tehran has responded with warnings to Washington, promising strong retaliation if US forces become involved.
Markets have reacted with caution. Observers note fears of a broader Middle East conflict, amplified oil price volatility, and rising inflationary risks tied to increased military spending. Central banks, notably the Federal Reserve and Bank of England, must weigh geopolitical shocks alongside inflation outlooks.
On the ground, Israeli airstrikes have continued across Iran, targeting nuclear infrastructure including Arak and Natanz, with over 1,100 sites reportedly struck since mid‑June. Iran has launched multiple missile barrages at Israeli territory; civilian casualties are said to be in the hundreds on both sides.
The timing of any US strike remains uncertain. Sources cite a possible weekend window, with final orders likely to be issued at the last moment. Pentagon leadership, including SecDef Hegseth and Gen. Caine, are expected to have operational control, while the president retains final authority.
As conflicting pressures swirl — military readiness, strategic diplomacy, domestic political debates — all eyes are on whether President Trump will strike at Iran’s underground sites or continue hedging amid rising global risk.
A growing chorus of lawmakers, legal experts, and digital rights advocates is calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the Bank Secrecy Act , contending that its extensive financial surveillance provisions infringe upon constitutional rights and hinder the advancement of cryptocurrency technologies.
Enacted in 1970, the BSA mandates that financial institutions report specific transactions to the federal government, aiming to combat money laundering and other illicit activities. However, critics argue that the law’s expansive reach has led to mass surveillance practices that conflict with the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
In 2023, approximately 300,000 financial institutions filed nearly 30 million BSA reports, yet only about 1,575 cases were referred for prosecution based on these filings. This disparity has raised concerns about the efficacy and proportionality of the BSA’s reporting requirements.
The rise of cryptocurrencies has intensified these debates. Digital assets, by their nature, offer users a degree of privacy and autonomy in financial transactions. However, the BSA’s current framework does not adequately address the nuances of blockchain technology, leading to calls for reforms that balance regulatory oversight with individual privacy rights.
President Donald Trump’s administration has signaled a shift in approach. In January 2025, an executive order titled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology” was issued, emphasizing the promotion of digital assets and blockchain technologies. The order established the Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, tasked with developing a federal regulatory framework for digital assets and evaluating the creation of a national digital asset stockpile. Notably, the order also prohibited the establishment of central bank digital currencies , citing concerns over financial stability and individual privacy.
Despite these initiatives, critics argue that without substantive reforms to the BSA, the executive order’s goals may be undermined. They contend that the BSA’s current provisions allow for warrantless access to individuals’ financial records, a practice they believe is incompatible with constitutional protections.
Legal precedents have further complicated the landscape. In the 1976 case United States v. Miller, the Supreme Court held that individuals do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in financial records held by third parties. This “third-party doctrine” has been a cornerstone in upholding the BSA’s provisions. However, more recent decisions, such as Carpenter v. United States in 2018, have begun to challenge the breadth of this doctrine, particularly in the context of digital data.
Advocates for reform suggest that Congress could amend the BSA to maintain its record-keeping requirements while eliminating or modifying its reporting mandates. Such changes would ensure that law enforcement agencies obtain warrants based on probable cause before accessing individuals’ financial information, thereby aligning the law with Fourth Amendment protections.
Some legislative efforts have been initiated. In the 118th Congress, Representative John Rose introduced the Bank Privacy Reform Act, aiming to reaffirm Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights in the context of financial transactions. Similarly, Senator Mike Lee proposed the Saving Privacy Act, which seeks to address concerns over mass financial surveillance. However, these bills have yet to gain significant traction.
Looking for gear that keeps up with tough conditions without sacrificing comfort? Tactical clothing is designed for more than just appearance — it’s made to perform under stress, protect from the elements, and let your body move freely. Whether you’re in the field, on duty, or exploring the outdoors, what you wear can make a big difference. Understanding the science behind tactical wear helps you make better […]
A constellation of jazz virtuosos illuminated Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on April 30, marking the culmination of the 14th International Jazz Day. The event, orchestrated by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, showcased a tapestry of performances that underscored jazz’s enduring global resonance. Herbie Hancock, the event’s artistic director, led a diverse ensemble of musicians from 14 countries. The concert featured luminaries such as Dee […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 May 2025 – From March to April 2025, JCI Victoria conducted an online survey to examine the current situation, barriers, and needs of people with disabilities in Hong Kong regarding sports participation. The survey received responses from 285 participants. Over half of the respondents felt that the current sports resources provided by the government or sports organizations do […]
Wave 2 Nominations Now Open HONG KONG SAR- Media OutReach Newswire – 25 April 2025 – In a city built on precision, resilience and reinvention, Hong Kong’s corporate leadership is entering a new era—where governance, innovation, and sustainability are not just trends, but imperatives. The Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2025 has opened Wave 2 nominations, calling on Hong Kong-based businesses and leaders to benchmark […]
By Pablo Castaño ROME: There may come a time when we look back on the last decade as an anomaly in the modern history of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis — the figurehead of these years, and a radical by the standards of the Catholic hierarchy — is gone, and we are now likely to […]
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Neswire – 14 April 2025 – Together with world-renowned scientists including Prof. Joel F. Habener, Prof. Jens Juul Holst and Assoc. Prof. Svetlana Mojsov, Prof. Daniel Drucker at the University of Toronto and the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, has discovered the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), leading to life-changing therapies for people with diabetes and obesity while stimulating emerging applications for neurodegenerative diseases. […]
Janus Marine and Defense, a U.S.-based marine autonomy specialist, in collaboration with Nexus Remote Solutions, has announced plans to establish the United Arab Emirates’ inaugural center dedicated to the testing, hiring, and maintenance of unmanned vessels. The Remote Operations Center , aptly named ‘The Quarterdeck,’ is set to be located at Addax Tower on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in the region’s maritime industry.
This initiative represents a pioneering effort to provide industry and small to medium-sized enterprises with access to advanced facilities for unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vessels . The Quarterdeck aims to serve both commercial offshore and defense sectors, fostering innovation and development in marine autonomy technologies.
Jack Dougherty, owner of Janus Marine and Defense and a former U.S. Navy seafarer with extensive experience in naval and commercial marine autonomy, highlighted the strategic advantages of operating in the UAE. He noted that the country’s open policy towards USV operations in its territorial waters offers favorable conditions, free from the bureaucratic hurdles and regulations encountered in other parts of the world.
The Quarterdeck is scheduled to officially open in June, positioning itself as a unique facility in the Gulf region. Currently, the UAE hosts three ROCs spanning the offshore, commercial, and defense markets; however, all three are privately owned and inaccessible to external contractors. The establishment of the Quarterdeck aims to bridge this gap by providing private companies with access to state-of-the-art technology and facilities typically reserved for private ROCs.
This development is poised to significantly enhance the capabilities of startups and scale-ups in the region, enabling them to innovate and advance USV and UUV technologies. By offering a dedicated space for testing and maintenance, the Quarterdeck is expected to accelerate the growth of the unmanned vessel industry within the UAE and beyond.
The collaboration between Janus Marine and Defense and Nexus Remote Solutions underscores a shared vision for industry standardization and practical cooperation. In May 2024, the two companies unveiled the Nexus-Janus Portal, a groundbreaking USV payload management system designed for universal compatibility. The NJ Portal aims to standardize payload integration across various vessel builders, payload providers, and autonomous control manufacturers, thereby enhancing the modularity and operational flexibility of USVs.
The NJ Portal is a scalable, versatile server solution that simplifies the integration and management of payload systems on USVs. It adapts to diverse data processing requirements and power needs, ranging from single-board computers to powerful 8U GPU servers. This ensures easy management of payload integrations and rapid deployment or modification of configurations across different vessels. Jack Dougherty, CEO of Janus Marine and Defense, emphasized the portal’s versatility, stating, “Whether it’s a tow-behind side scan sonar performing a hydro survey or a .50 caliber machine gun in a remote weapon system, the principle is the same. We take a manned or wired system and make it work on an autonomous platform where it wasn’t designed to be.”
John Woroniuk, Director of Nexus and Portal Development Engineer, highlighted the portal’s potential, noting, “With version 3 of our system, we offer nearly unlimited integration possibilities. This enhances payload efficiency and allows preprogrammed accommodation for additional payloads yet to be installed. Whether your fleet consists of 11-meter USVs equipped for varied missions, our system delivers the seamless integration needed.”
The establishment of the Quarterdeck aligns with the UAE’s broader strategic objectives to position itself as a leader in maritime innovation and technology. By providing a dedicated facility for the development and maintenance of unmanned vessels, the UAE is set to attract global attention and investment in the marine autonomy sector.
The Quarterdeck’s location at Addax Tower on Al Reem Island offers strategic advantages, providing easy access to key maritime routes and infrastructure. This prime location is expected to facilitate seamless operations and collaborations with local and international partners.
The launch of the Quarterdeck is anticipated to have a ripple effect across the maritime industry in the region. By offering accessible facilities for testing and maintaining unmanned vessels, the center is likely to encourage more companies to explore and invest in marine autonomy technologies. This could lead to increased innovation, job creation, and economic growth within the sector.
The Quarterdeck is expected to serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and collaboration. By bringing together industry experts, researchers, and companies, the center aims to foster a community dedicated to advancing unmanned vessel technologies. This collaborative environment is likely to spur new ideas, partnerships, and solutions to existing challenges in the maritime industry.
The initiative also reflects a growing global trend towards the adoption of unmanned systems in various sectors, including defense, oil and gas, and environmental monitoring. The ability to operate vessels remotely offers numerous advantages, such as increased safety, reduced operational costs, and the capability to perform tasks in hazardous environments.
As the maritime industry continues to evolve, the establishment of facilities like the Quarterdeck will play a crucial role in shaping the future of marine operations. By providing the necessary infrastructure and support, such centers enable the development and deployment of advanced technologies that can transform traditional practices.
Three Iconic Stages Feature a Spectacular Celebration of Music and Entertainment MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2025 – Galaxy Macau™, the world-class luxury integrated resort, has become a popular choice for visitors to Macau, offering a one-stop leisure vacation experience. Especially with its three iconic performance venues — Galaxy Arena, Broadway Theatre, and the newly launched G Box — each venue radiates unique […]
Winner for Best Deal of the Year Winner for Valuation Team of the Year HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2024 – Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm, has again been recognized for its leading professional service excellence at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards in Hong Kong. The firm was awarded with wins in the Best […]
HANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 October 2024 – BERLANDES, a pioneer in cellular regeneration and biotechnology, has announced the launch of its new product, the PCCIDINCT2™ Ovarian Capsules. This revolutionary product aims to support ovarian health and address common reproductive health issues among women, leveraging decades of research and development in biological sciences. Since the end of the last century, BERLANDES has been exploring […]
Hurricane Milton, now a dangerous Category 5 storm, is on a collision course with Florida’s Gulf Coast, prompting emergency evacuations for over a million residents. As it intensified over the Gulf of Mexico, authorities scrambled to clear vulnerable areas, particularly Tampa Bay, where memories of 2017’s Irma fuel concern. With wind speeds of 175 mph, Milton threatens widespread destruction, leading to clogged highways and depleted fuel supplies. […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 October 2024 – Sometimes in October Hong Kong gets typhoons and thunderstorms, while on rare occasions at the season opener CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks there is blue sky, baking sun with record temperatures well over 30c, which is what happened Sunday, making the climbing over the 934m Lantau Peak and 800m+ Sunset Peak, close to 1900m elevation gain […]
By Rabindra Nath Sinha KOLKATA: Tripura’s most prominent TIPRA Motha leader Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarman (ex-royal scion) and Chakma student outfits are in limelight following their successful protests to highlight atrocities against minorities and indigenous people in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh. The interesting part is that Debbarman himself leads from the front but […]
A prestigious accolade in the realtors’ community, boasting 199 members in its inaugural year 27 top-tier Millionaire Members, 44 Elite Members, 128 Members from Singapore and Malaysia Year-long exclusive benefits to Club Members, from award presentations to exclusive event invitations SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 September 2024 – In a landmark event, the real estate industry’s most distinguished professionals from Singapore and Malaysia gathered for […]
By Debabrata Biswas from Boston The narrow escape of the Republican candidate Donald Trump from the gunshot at the campaign meeting in Pennsylvania on Saturday has imparted a more confrontationist dimension to the Presidential elections scheduled on November 5. The shooting incident just on the eve of the four day Republican convention beginning on July15 […]
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced a significant pilot recruitment campaign to support its ambitious growth strategy. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier aims to double its fleet size by 2030, necessitating the hiring of hundreds of pilots over the next 18 months. This expansion plan reflects a renewed optimism within Etihad Airways. The airline, like many in the industry, navigated a turbulent […]
Hongkong Land commits US$400 million (HK$3.1 billion) strategic investment to launch “Tomorrow’s CENTRAL”, a planned transformation of LANDMARK Hongkong Land estimates an additional US$600 million (HK$4.7 billion) capital investment from retail tenants across LANDMARK, reimagining the luxury landscape of Hong Kong Cartier, CHANEL, Dior, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Saint Laurent, Sotheby’s, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels have committed to create world-class destinations Featuring 10 […]
