Staycations across the Northern Emirates and quieter destinations beyond Dubai and Abu Dhabi are gaining momentum as UAE residents rethink holiday plans amid flight disruption and wider uncertainty linked to the Iran war. Hotels in Umm Al Quwain, Hatta, Al Ain and parts of Fujairah have reported firmer domestic demand, with some properties saying residents are choosing short road trips over overseas travel during the Eid period […]
Oil prices jumped sharply on Thursday after US President Donald Trump said the United States would step up attacks on Iran over the coming weeks, stoking fears that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz could last longer and tighten supplies of crude and refined fuels across global markets. West Texas Intermediate settled at $111.54 a barrel after surging more than 11%, while Brent closed near $109.03, extending […]
President Donald Trump on Thursday sharpened his threat against Iran by publicly celebrating the destruction of a major bridge and warning that more infrastructure could be hit unless Tehran accepts a deal, a move that deepened concern over the direction of the conflict and added to volatility across energy and financial markets. In a social media post, Trump said “the biggest bridge in Iran” had come […]
U. S. defence shares have failed to sustain the geopolitical bounce that often accompanies armed conflict, with the sector sliding in March even as tensions around Iran intensified. The NYSE Arca Defense Index, which tracks 34 large and small-cap companies, fell nearly 8% during the month, a steeper decline than the S&P 500’s roughly 5% drop, underscoring how investors have become more cautious about paying up […]
Japan’s retail earnings season has opened with a split verdict for two of its best-known consumer groups, as Fast Retailing, owner of Uniqlo, delivered stronger profit momentum while Seven & i Holdings, parent of 7-Eleven, continued to face weaker earnings and a more clouded outlook. The divergence has sharpened investor attention on how Japanese retailers are handling softer demand, overseas expansion and trade uncertainty. Fast Retailing […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A three-way alliance between the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group and the International Energy Agency has opened a new front in the battle against the widening energy and economic turmoil linked to the war in the Middle East, with the institutions agreeing to form a coordination group to help governments manage price shocks, funding strains and supply disruptions. The move, announced […]
India has opened talks with leading global producers of nitrogen and phosphatic fertilisers to secure supplies directly, as the war involving Iran continues to disrupt Gulf trade routes, lift freight costs and unsettle prices ahead of the kharif planting cycle. Officials have moved to widen procurement channels after supply risks from the Middle East, a major source of imported urea and diammonium phosphate, sharpened over the past month.
The push reflects both urgency and caution. Government officials have said fertiliser stocks stand at about 18 million tonnes, up from 14.7 million tonnes a year earlier, against expected demand of roughly 39 million tonnes for the coming season. That gives policymakers some room, but not enough to ignore the exposure created by conflict near the Strait of Hormuz and tighter supply from traditional exporters. India has already been seeking larger volumes from Russia, Belarus and Morocco, while also sounding out other producers as insurance against further disruption.
At the heart of the concern is the structure of India’s import dependence. Reuters reported in March that more than 40 per cent of the country’s urea and phosphatic fertiliser needs are tied to the Middle East. Disruption there has a double effect: it threatens cargo availability and also raises the cost of natural gas, a crucial feedstock for nitrogen fertilisers. Domestic production has also come under pressure. Output of urea was reported at about 1.8 million tonnes a month during plant maintenance, below the more usual 2.4 million tonnes, adding to the need for timely imports even as officials insist there is no immediate shortage.
Price risk is now as important as volume risk. Fertiliser prices had already been climbing before the latest procurement outreach, with Reuters reporting that benchmark prices for some products rose to more than $600 a tonne from about $425. Wider market reporting has shown the same direction of travel. ICIS described March conditions as a period of heightened volatility across nitrogen, phosphate and sulphur markets as conflict in the Middle East hit trade flows and sentiment. Reuters and other industry reporting have also pointed to sharp jumps in urea and ammonia prices as shipping through Hormuz became more uncertain.
For the government, the political and economic challenge is to prevent that international surge from reaching farms at full force. Urea continues to be sold at a notified price of ₹242 for a 45-kg bag, while the Department of Fertilizers said in March that the retail price of DAP had been maintained at ₹1,350 for a 50-kg bag for the rabi season through subsidy support. That pricing shield helps farmers, but it also increases the fiscal burden when import costs rise. Industry material published in February said the state still bears about 90 per cent of the cost of urea, underlining how exposed the subsidy bill becomes when global markets tighten.
India has not relied on a single response. Apart from direct talks with overseas suppliers, firms have secured long-term volumes from Russia, including 2.8 million tonnes under reported arrangements, while a global tender for 1.3 million tonnes of urea was issued to reinforce reserves. Officials have also taken steps to support domestic output by prioritising gas allocation to fertiliser plants. The strategy suggests New Delhi is trying to build overlapping buffers rather than betting on a quick stabilisation in Gulf shipping.
The market backdrop gives that strategy added weight. Industry executives and analysts have warned that a prolonged conflict could squeeze farmers globally, alter crop choices and feed through into food inflation. Yara, one of the world’s largest fertiliser companies, has said farmers are being squeezed by the jump in input costs, while broader reporting has shown developing economies to be especially vulnerable because they are more dependent on imported fertilisers and have less room to absorb price shocks. For India, where fertiliser availability is tied directly to crop yields, rural incomes and food-price management, the issue is not only one of trade logistics but of macroeconomic stability.
Rising global energy prices are adding a fresh inflation risk to the United States even as the International Monetary Fund said the world’s largest economy remains on a solid growth path, with trade and fiscal changes expected to narrow the current-account deficit only modestly over the medium term. The IMF’s latest assessment said growth in the US is projected to reach 2.4 per cent in 2026, while […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai lender Emirates NBD has won approval from the Reserve Bank of India to acquire up to 74 per cent of Mumbai-based RBL Bank, a decision that moves one of the largest cross-border banking deals in the country closer to completion and could reshape the private lender’s ownership, governance and market position. The approval, disclosed on April 2, allows Emirates NBD to […]
Arabian Post’s website was dealing with disruption on Thursday after website security provider Sucuri disclosed an unresolved incident affecting its Paris region and said it was mitigating the impact of a distributed denial-of-service attack, a form of assault designed to overwhelm servers with traffic and degrade access for readers. On its public status page, Sucuri first marked the incident as “Investigating” at 08:19 UTC on 2 April, […]
US-based Patel Family Office and Dammam-headquartered Abdel Hadi A. Al-Qahtani & Sons have signed a $1 billion agreement to build 50 business hotels across Saudi Arabia by 2029, betting that the Kingdom’s fast-growing corporate travel market now needs more standardised mid-market accommodation than luxury-led supply can offer. The partners said the platform, branded AYARA, was signed at the FII PRIORITY Summit in Miami and is expected to […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s off-plan apartment market has continued to draw buyers despite geopolitical turbulence, with sales in March reaching AED 17.5 billion, or about $4.8 billion, and transaction volumes climbing to 7,983 deals, according to an analysis of Dubai Land Department data. The figures suggest that investor appetite in the emirate’s residential market has so far remained intact even as regional conflict has unsettled broader […]
China’s central bank has pulled cash from the banking system for the first time in about a year, signalling a more cautious near-term approach to liquidity management as higher oil prices begin to feed into factory costs, transport bills and corporate margins.
The People’s Bank of China conducted a small reverse repo operation on 2 April while a far larger batch matured, producing a net daily withdrawal of 223.5 billion yuan. The move came after policymakers had spent months leaning towards support for growth, and it suggests Beijing is trying to preserve room for manoeuvre rather than rushing into broader easing while imported inflation risks build.
That calibration matters because China is facing two conflicting pressures at once. On one side, domestic demand remains weak, producer prices are still soft, and policymakers have already acknowledged that supply continues to outstrip demand in parts of the economy. On the other, the oil shock linked to the Middle East conflict is lifting input costs and complicating the case for an immediate flood of fresh liquidity. China’s central bank said after its first-quarter monetary policy committee meeting that it would maintain an “appropriately loose” stance while keeping liquidity ample and supporting a recovery in prices.
The timing of the drain is striking because it follows signs that parts of the economy had started to stabilise before energy costs became a bigger threat. Official manufacturing activity returned to expansion in March, with the PMI rising to 50.4 from 49.0 in February, while a private survey showed factory output and orders still growing even as cost pressures intensified. Those readings pointed to a modest improvement in momentum, but they also showed that the rebound is vulnerable to rising commodity prices and longer supplier delivery times.
Economists and policy advisers in China have begun to frame the challenge less as a choice between stimulus and restraint, and more as a balancing act between supporting growth and containing imported inflation. Huang Yiping, a central bank adviser, said this week that oil-led price pressure was hurting profitability and narrowing the room for policy to respond, even though broader inflation remains below the official target. China’s consumer inflation rose 1.3% in February, the highest in more than three years, but still below Beijing’s target of around 2% for 2026.
For markets, the signal is not that Beijing has turned hawkish. The seven-day reverse repo rate remained unchanged at 1.4%, and the central bank has continued to stress that it can still use rate cuts, reserve requirement reductions and other tools if needed. What has changed is the sequencing. Officials appear unwilling to react to every external shock with an immediate dose of easier money, especially when higher oil prices could push up headline inflation even as underlying demand stays fragile.
That caution is also tied to the broader policy picture. China set a 2026 growth target of 4.5% to 5%, below last year’s goal, reflecting weaker confidence in the external environment and the unfinished task of shifting growth away from debt-heavy sectors and towards household consumption. Policymakers have pledged to support demand, private investment and prices, but the tone from Beijing has been measured rather than aggressive. The central bank’s liquidity withdrawal fits that pattern: it does not amount to a policy reversal, but it does show a preference for targeted fine-tuning over blunt stimulus.
The oil backdrop helps explain why. China has entered the current energy shock in a stronger position than some of its Asian peers, with strategic stockpiles, diversified power supply and a large electric-vehicle base helping to soften the blow. That resilience has supported Chinese assets during wider market turbulence. Yet the country is not immune. Independent refiners have already been cutting processing rates as crude costs climb and domestic fuel demand stays under pressure, while manufacturers are reporting the fastest increase in output prices in years.
Britain has sharpened its language on security, raised its military ambitions and promised a larger defence budget, but the test now lies in whether those commitments produce forces that can respond quickly and credibly to a widening arc of threats from Europe to the Middle East. The question has come into sharper focus after London moved a nuclear-powered submarine into the Arabian Sea about a month into […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Oil prices leapt on Thursday after President Donald Trump said the United States would keep striking Iran for at least the next two to three weeks, dashing hopes that Washington was preparing to scale back military action and easing concerns in energy markets only briefly. Brent crude rose above $108 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbed past $106 in early trade, reversing […]
South Korea’s consumer prices rose 2.2 per cent in March from a year earlier, quickening from 2.0 per cent in both January and February as higher energy costs fed through the economy and kept inflation above the Bank of Korea’s medium-term 2 per cent target. The increase was milder than market expectations for 2.4 per cent, but it still marked the fastest annual pace since December and underscored the strain created by elevated crude prices linked to conflict-driven instability in the Middle East.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.3 per cent in March, matching February’s pace. Petroleum products were a major driver even after Seoul introduced emergency measures to curb the blow to households and businesses. Government controls on fuel prices helped limit the pass-through, yet petroleum product prices still rose sharply from the previous month, showing how external energy shocks are overpowering domestic stabilisation efforts.
The inflation print matters because it lands at a moment when policymakers are trying to balance stronger export-led growth against mounting imported price pressures. The Bank of Korea said in its February outlook that consumer-price inflation for 2026 was expected to average 2.2 per cent, slightly above its previous 2.1 per cent forecast. That projection was made before the latest oil surge intensified, leaving economists to question whether the central bank’s assumptions have already been overtaken by events.
Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy items, eased slightly to 2.2 per cent in March from 2.3 per cent in February. That suggests underlying domestic demand pressures remain contained, even as headline inflation is being pushed up by imported costs. Another closely watched measure, which excludes agricultural products and petroleum, had been running at 2.5 per cent in February, indicating that sticky service-sector and household spending components have not fully disappeared.
Food prices offered some relief. Agricultural product prices fell in March as supply conditions improved, helping offset part of the jump in fuel-linked costs. That softer food picture helped explain why the overall figure came in below forecasts despite the energy shock. Still, analysts say the cushion from better farm output may prove temporary if transport, fertiliser and logistics costs keep climbing with oil.
South Korea is especially exposed because of its dependence on imported energy. About 70 per cent of its crude oil imports come from the Middle East, leaving the country vulnerable whenever shipping routes or production in the region come under threat. The government has already floated wider demand-management steps, including possible driving curbs beyond the public sector if crude prices climb further, a sign of how seriously officials are treating the supply risk.
Seoul has also moved on the fiscal side. This week the government proposed a supplementary budget of 26.2 trillion won, or about $17.3 billion, aimed at cushioning the economy from the oil shock and supporting low-income households and affected businesses. Of that, 10.1 trillion won is earmarked for measures tied to surging oil prices, including support for refiners operating under the emergency pricing system. The package highlights concern that inflation and slower consumption could combine to weaken the broader recovery.
For the central bank, the March data complicate an already delicate policy setting. The Bank of Korea’s next rate decision is due on April 10. Policymakers had held rates steady in February, and the latest inflation reading, while lower than forecast, is unlikely to offer much comfort because upside risks remain tied to oil, the exchange rate and transport costs. At the same time, softer core inflation argues against an aggressive response unless the energy shock broadens into wages and services.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Gold fell sharply on Thursday, but the viral claim that bullion had crashed below $4,600 and lost more than $1 trillion in market value in a single day appears to overstate what can be firmly confirmed from broad market data. By late trading, spot gold was quoted at $4,664.39 an ounce and US gold futures at $4,691.10, after a strong rebound a day […]
Global energy markets are facing a supply shock more severe than the oil crises of 1973 and 1979 combined with the gas disruption that followed Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol, who said mounting losses of oil and liquefied natural gas from the Middle East were set to intensify through April. Birol said more than 12 million barrels of […]
KKR is preparing to take Taiyo Holdings private in a deal that values the Japanese electronics materials and pharmaceuticals group at about ¥528.56 billion, marking one of the bigger private equity transactions in Japan this year and signalling renewed appetite for take-private deals built around manufacturing, healthcare and semiconductor-linked supply chains. Taiyo’s board has backed the move, while major shareholders including DIC, Kowa and Oasis Management have agreed to participate in the transaction or related steps, giving KKR support tied to roughly 42.2% of the company’s outstanding shares.
The proposed tender offer price is ¥4,750 a share. That figure carries an unusual wrinkle: Reuters reported it stood 4.7% below Taiyo’s last closing price, reflecting how market speculation had already lifted the stock, while the joint company release framed the offer as carrying a steep premium to unaffected average prices before the bidding process became public and before activist-related filings stirred the shares. The contrast underlines how Japan’s take-private deals are increasingly playing out in markets already primed by rumour, activism and expectations of strategic change.
Taiyo is not a household consumer name, but it sits in businesses that have become more visible to global investors. The group is a leading producer of solder resist and other materials used in printed circuit boards and semiconductor packaging substrates, while also operating a medical and pharmaceutical arm that makes prescription drugs and provides contract development and manufacturing services. In its own long-term planning, Taiyo has pointed to growth opportunities from generative AI, data centres and communications infrastructure on the electronics side, alongside structural reform and expansion in contract manufacturing for pharmaceuticals.
That mix helps explain why KKR sees room for a private-market strategy. Taiyo said privatisation would allow it to pursue long-term investments and quicker decision-making with less pressure from the public market. The company’s “Beyond Imagination 2030” plan targets a rise in net sales to ¥180 billion by fiscal 2031 from ¥119 billion in fiscal 2025, while operating income is targeted to more than double to ¥47 billion from ¥22 billion. Management has also been trying to improve capital efficiency after sustained dialogue with shareholders, including a focus on profitability in the medical and pharmaceuticals unit and a review of portfolio positioning across the group.
For KKR, the Taiyo bid fits a broader pattern in Japan. The firm said it has been investing in the country for two decades and manages more than $20 billion there. Its existing investments span semiconductor equipment, pharmaceuticals, information technology and logistics, sectors where global funds have been seeking companies with specialised technology, export potential or scope for operational overhaul. Taiyo gives KKR exposure to electronics materials tied to advanced manufacturing as well as a pharmaceuticals platform that could benefit from demand for contract manufacturing and stable domestic drug supply.
The shareholder line-up behind the offer is also notable. DIC, Taiyo’s largest shareholder, and Kowa, which is affiliated with the founding family, have agreed to sell through a share consolidation and buyback process after the tender offer is completed. The founding family plans to reinvest in the KKR-managed vehicle that will own Taiyo after privatisation. Oasis Management, long known for active positions in Japan, has separately agreed to tender shares representing about 15.62% of the company. That combination reduces execution risk and suggests the deal has been designed to balance continuity with outside capital and governance pressure.
Still, the transaction comes with questions that investors and analysts will watch closely. A take-private at a headline valuation above ¥500 billion will invite scrutiny over whether minority holders are being offered enough upside after the stock’s sharp re-rating. The tender offer has yet to begin formally and remains subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. Any delays or shifts in market conditions could test sentiment, especially at a time when deal financing and foreign buyouts in Japan are being judged against a higher bar on governance, transparency and shareholder treatment.
Taiyo’s business profile gives the story wider significance than a conventional chemicals buyout. Its electronics arm remains the core earnings driver, but the medical and pharmaceuticals business has been gaining attention as order volumes rise in contract manufacturing and as the group tries to lift margins. Taiyo’s own targets show electronics sales climbing to ¥128 billion by fiscal 2031 and medical and pharmaceuticals sales to ¥43 billion, with the latter expected to deliver a marked improvement in profitability. That combination of steady industrial demand and a healthcare growth angle is the sort of hybrid case private equity firms have been seeking across Japan’s listed mid-cap sector.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2026 -Tim Ho Wan, the dim sum brand hailing from Hong Kong under the Jollibee Group, continues to be recognized in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau, with its Sham Shui Po store receiving the Bib Gourmand distinction in the 2026 edition. The Bib Gourmand distinction is awarded to restaurants that offer high-quality food at excellent value for money, reinforcing Tim Ho Wan’s long-standing positioning.
Carrying forward a legacy of excellence. Tim Ho Wan’s culinary team upholds the brand’s signature Cantonese craftsmanship, sustaining the consistency and quality behind its 17 consecutive years of Michelin recognition— its most recent earned under the Jollibee Group.
The recognition marks the 17th consecutive year the same store has been included in the Michelin Guide—a milestone achieved during Tim Ho Wan’s first full year under the Jollibee Group following its acquisition in January 2025. Over the past year, the brand has focused on strengthening systems, chef training, and food quality, reinforcing the consistency that has long defined Tim Ho Wan in its home market.
“Tim Ho Wan’s recognition in the Michelin Guide is a reflection of the care and discipline behind the brand,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Group Global President and CEO. “At the Jollibee Group, we are committed to growing brands like this in a way that stays true to their roots while allowing more people around the world to experience what makes them special.”
Founded in Hong Kong in 2009 by chefs Mak Kwai Pui and Leung Fai Keung, Tim Ho Wan quickly rose to prominence after earning a Michelin star within its first year. Its Sham Shui Po branch, opened in 2010, has since remained a consistent presence in the Michelin Guide, underscoring the brand’s enduring culinary standards.
Scaling a Heritage Brand Through Operational Discipline
Under the Jollibee Group, Tim Ho Wan has strengthened its operating model to support consistent execution and long-term growth across markets.
Ongoing investments in kitchen systems, chef training, menu development, and store operations have enhanced consistency across locations while preserving the craftsmanship rooted in its Hong Kong origins. The continued recognition in Hong Kong reinforces the market’s role as the brand’s culinary and operational benchmark.
“These capabilities allow us to stay true to what makes Tim Ho Wan special, while ensuring we can deliver that same experience consistently as we grow,” said Sheng Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Tim Ho Wan.
“This recognition reflects the discipline of our teams in delivering consistent quality day in and day out. We remain focused on elevating our craft through rigorous training, responsible sourcing, and thoughtful service so that high-quality meals remain welcoming to guests around the world,” Lee added.
A Distinct Concept for Global Expansion
Tim Ho Wan’s combination of quality and value positions it as a distinctive concept in the global restaurant landscape.
Supported by strengthened systems and operating discipline, the brand offers a compelling platform for growth across international markets—anchored on consistency in its home market and enabled by replicable operating standards.
A Global Brand Rooted in Hong Kong
From a 20-seat dim sum shop in Hong Kong to a globally recognized brand, Tim Ho Wan continues to demonstrate how culinary heritage and operational discipline can come together to create a strong and scalable business.
The latest Bib Gourmand recognition reinforces Tim Ho Wan’s position as a globally relevant dim sum brand—rooted in Hong Kong and supported by the Jollibee Group’s platform for sustained and disciplined growth.
Disciplined Growth Backed by the Jollibee Group
The continued recognition also reflects the Jollibee Group’s approach to scaling heritage brands through operational excellence and long-term stewardship.
“Tim Ho Wan’s sustained recognition reflects the strength of its heritage and the discipline behind its execution,” said Richard Shin, CEO of JFC International and Global Chief Financial and Risk Officer of the Jollibee Group. “At the Jollibee Group, we focus on strengthening the systems and platforms that allow brands like Tim Ho Wan to grow while preserving the authenticity and craftsmanship that made them successful.”
System-wide sales (SWS) expanded significantly from Php1.3 billion in 2024 to Php8.1 billion in 2025, highlighting the brand’s accelerating scale and growing contribution to the Group’s global operations.
In its home market, Tim Ho Wan has strengthened its core Hong Kong footprint, doubling its store network to 10 locations within approximately one year. Recent store openings have delivered attractive payback periods (circa 1.5 years) and profitability, reinforcing confidence in the brand’s unit economics and disciplined growth approach.
Growth has been broad-based across both company-operated and franchise markets. Sales performance strengthened across markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and China, while franchise markets, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Japan, continue to build momentum, further validating the brand’s strong international resonance and scalability.
The brand also reached an important milestone in its global expansion with the opening of its first company-operated North America store in Irvine, California, marking a significant step in establishing a direct presence in one of the world’s largest consumer markets. This re-entry into North America reflects the transportability of the brand’s operating model and positions Tim How Wan for a new phase of long-term growth and further global brand development.
Hashtag: #JollibeeGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Jollibee Group
Jollibee Foods Corporation (PSE: JFC) (the “Company”) is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, driven by its purpose of spreading joy through superior taste. It manages and operates a portfolio that includes 19 brands (the “Jollibee Group”) with over 10,000 stores and cafés across 33 countries.
The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine (9) wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five (5) franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S. and in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.
The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The Company has been recognized as the Philippines’ Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a four-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Danube Properties has moved beyond its apartment-led playbook with the launch of Greenz by Danube, a master-planned townhouse and villa community in Dubai International Academic City, as developers race to capture demand for larger family homes even as caution is building around the wider property cycle. The project is the company’s first large-scale integrated community of this kind, with handover targeted for the […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2026 – OceanX today announced A Shared Voyage: OceanX China 2026, a joint U.S-Chinese goodwill mission that will bring together 10 American and 10 Chinese early-career ocean scientists, students, and instructors in pursuit of their shared goal to better understand the ocean and each other. OceanX is the ocean exploration, science, and education initiative founded by Ray and Mark Dalio. This initiative will be the first voyage of OceanX’s flagship research and media vessel, OceanXplorer, to China, starting in Hong Kong on March 29 and concluding in Shanghai on April 8, 2026.
The mission is an extension of the 42-year relationship Ray Dalio has had with China and its people, and it is delivered in collaboration with the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), the Second Institute of Oceanography (SIO), and the China-U.S. Exchange Foundation (CUSEF). The mission’s goals are to promote high quality people-to-people exchanges between nations, advance ocean literacy and scientific understanding, and equip participants with the skills to communicate the importance of our shared ocean to broader audiences.
Expanding Access to Ocean Science and Education
The China 2026 program represents a milestone in OceanX’s global engagement efforts, creating new opportunities for students and researchers to access hands-on learning at sea. Participants from the United States and China will take part in a structured program designed to build practical knowledge, develop interpersonal connections, and strengthen individual capabilities in ocean science, operations, and communication.
“At this time of great conflict in the world, I believe more than ever in the power of people-to-people exchanges to create mutual understanding” said Ray Dalio, Founder of OceanX. “Understanding the ocean is a shared interest for both the U.S. and China—and for the scientists and students who are on this joint mission. It is a thrill to see them working together.”
Hands-On Learning Across Science, Operations, and Media
The program delivers a structured curriculum that combines lectures, workshops, and applied learning experiences across three focus areas:
Marine Exploration: Ocean data collection methods, ecosystem observation, and introductions to oceanographic research tools
Operations: Life aboard a research vessel, including equipment demonstrations such as ROV operations, water sampling, and microscopy
Media & Communication: Science communication and media production training to support clearer public understanding of ocean issues
Participants will develop individual and small-group projects as part of the program, focused on applying knowledge gained throughout the voyage. They will also forge new connections and build mutual understanding with their peers.
“Understanding the ocean requires both scientific insight and the ability to communicate it clearly,” said Vincent Pieribone, Co-CEO and Chief Science Officer of OceanX. “This program is designed to give participants exposure to the tools, technologies, and storytelling approaches that are shaping how ocean science is conducted and shared.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Ocean Leaders
By combining advanced marine technology, scientific research, and immersive storytelling, OceanX is working to broaden access to ocean discovery and inspire future generations to engage with ocean science.
“A Shared Voyage: OceanX China 2026 represents an important opportunity to support ocean education and public awareness,” said Ms. Lyu Tin, director of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA).
“This initiative highlights the importance of continued investment in ocean science education and capacity building,” said Prof. Huang Wei, Chinese Chief Scientist for the mission and research at Second Institute of Oceanography (SIO).
A Shared Voyage: OceanX China 2026 supports OceanX’s mission to unlock the ocean’s sustainable potential through science and education, while advancing ocean literacy and long-term stewardship. Hashtag: #OceanX
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About OceanX
OceanX is a nonprofit working to unlock the ocean’s sustainable potential. Through a dual focus on science and education, we’re building a new paradigm where humanity and the ocean mutually thrive. Our approach is fueled by exploration, leveraging advanced research, multimedia educational programs, cross-sector partnerships, and advanced technology to help transform how people understand and value the ocean. Our work strives to fortify biodiversity and increase the sustainable use of ocean resources to help ensure the ocean remains a foundation for human wellbeing and potential. OceanX is a nonprofit operating program of Dalio Philanthropies. For more information, visit www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
French President Emmanuel Macron is due to meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Wednesday, with the war involving Iran and the growing scramble for critical minerals set to dominate talks that reach far beyond bilateral ties. The meeting comes as Japan and France face the same strategic question from different angles: how to protect economic security in a world where energy supplies, shipping routes […]
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2026 – Tenchijin Inc., a space-tech innovator transforming sustainable water infrastructure management, is pleased to announce its participation in ASIAWATER 2026, the region’s leading platform for the water and wastewater industry in developing Asia.
The event will take place from 7–9 April 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in the heart of Malaysia’s vibrant capital city. Now in its 14th edition, ASIAWATER is expected to welcome over 20,000 industry professionals and more than 1,000 exhibiting brands and companies from across the region and around the world.
As a key gathering for water industry stakeholders, ASIAWATER 2026 provides a valuable opportunity to explore the latest technologies, solutions, and innovations shaping the future of water and wastewater management. The event will also host a series of flagship conferences and seminars, where global thought leaders and experts will discuss pressing industry challenges and drive forward transformative policies. The 14th ASIAWATER Conference tackles this head-on with the theme “Building Nations: Leveraging Technology-Driven Water Services for Inclusive Growth.”
This marks Tenchijin’s second participation in the event, following its successful presence last year. Tenchijin will showcase “KnoWaterleak,” our water leakage assessment and management platform, at the exhibition booth. Additionally, Yohei Nishiyama, VP of Business Development, will deliver a presentation at the conference on sustainable water management solutions.
This marks Tenchijin’s second consecutive year of participation, following its successful presence last time. At the exhibition, Tenchijin will showcase “KnoWaterleak,” our water leakage assessment and management platform. In addition, Yohei Nishiyama, VP of Business Development, will deliver a presentation on “Space to Ground: AI-Powered NRW Reduction in Asia” during the technology seminar.
Event Overview
■ Event: ASIAWATER Expo & Forum 2026 ■ Organizer: Informa Markets Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. ■ Date: April 7 to 9, 2026 ■ Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) ■ Event URL: https://www.asiawater.org/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Tenchijin Inc.
About Tenchijin KnoWaterleak
KnoWaterleak is an innovative platform that harnesses satellite data and AI to predict and prevent water infrastructure risks. The system analyzes space-derived data to identify potential leaks within 100-meter square zones, providing unprecedented insights through a 5-level risk evaluation system. Through continuous AI learning and data collection, the platform demonstrates efficiency in sustainable water management. This technology has earned recognition from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare at the 7th Infrastructure Maintenance Grand Prize.
About Tenchijin Inc.
Tenchijin Inc. is a space-tech innovator leveraging satellite data and AI to detect hidden water infrastructure risks, predict potential leaks, and drive more sustainable, efficient water management through space-derived insights. Our flagship product, KnoWaterleak, combines satellite technology with advanced AI algorithms to proactively identify and prevent costly infrastructure failures, enabling organizations to manage their water systems more sustainably.
Company Overview:
Company Name: Tenchijin Inc.
Address: 5F, Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Yasuhito Sakuraba, CEO
Business Content: Land evaluation consulting using satellite data