DP World plans to invest about $3 billion during 2026 as the Dubai-based ports and logistics group expands capacity across the UAE, Britain, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India and Saudi Arabia while navigating disruption to Middle East trade routes. The investment programme will focus on port capacity, terminal development and logistics infrastructure. Major projects include Jebel Ali Port and EZ World in the UAE, London Gateway […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has opened official live market data to conversational artificial intelligence platforms, allowing investors and institutions to interrogate exchange information through tools including ChatGPT and Claude using ordinary language. The initiative makes ADX the first exchange in the Middle East and North Africa to provide such access through a governed Model Context Protocol, or MCP, server. The system connects compatible […]
SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 August 2026 – XTransfer, the World’s Leading B2B Cross-border Trade Payment Platform, successfully hosted China’s premier annual foreign trade event, XTransfer Summit 26, in Shenzhen. The summit gathered over 4,500 foreign trade enterprises, more than 50 top-tier banks and financial institutions, and numerous industry experts for in-depth discussions on global trade opportunities, business growth strategies, and digital intelligence in cross-border finance.
The summit explored how SME foreign traders can navigate global uncertainties. According to an XTransfer client survey, SME export performance remains optimistic this year. Despite geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions, SMEs are reporting healthier payment collections and stronger bargaining power in international markets.
Serving Over 1 Million Enterprise Clients: Protecting Every Foreign Trader’s Global Dream with Fintech
Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, said, “SMEs are stabilisers of globalisation. Facing de-globalisation, geopolitical risks, and logistics volatility, they continue to show remarkable resilience. SMEs are more agile in adjusting market strategies while steadily improving pricing power and operational quality.”
Deng emphasised, “SMEs are the most capable force in global trade, and every foreign trader’s global dream deserves to be protected.” He added, “Through years of dedicated focus on SME cross-border payment pain points, XTransfer delivers secure, compliant, and efficient solutions to help more businesses go global. Since our founding, we have served over 1 million enterprise clients and continue to expand our local collection and settlement capabilities globally, optimising collection experiences and working capital efficiency.”
XTransfer’s pioneering Local Account service now covers nearly 60 countries and regions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand, enabling buyers to pay sellers in local currencies and significantly boosting capital turnover.
AI and Global Risk Control Enhance Compliance Efficiency: TradePilot Drives Audit Automation
To address SMEs’ core needs for security, compliance, efficiency, and cost optimisation, XTransfer has ramped up fintech investments, scaling AI applications in risk control and business processes.
XTransfer has also built a unified global B2B cross-border trade settlement and risk management system to safeguard SME transactions. According to CIC, TradePilot is the world’s first and most advanced AI model for B2B cross-border trade payments. With 72 AI agents embedded in TradePilot’s review workflow, covering KYC onboarding, transaction authenticity verification, and ongoing AML monitoring, TradePilot delivers industry-leading performance in risk control accuracy and user experience.
Hashtag: #XTransfer #XTransferSummit #Crossborder #Payment #SMEs
https://www.xtransfer.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtransfer.cn
https://www.instagram.com/xtransfer.global
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
XTransfer is the world’s largest B2B cross-border trade payment platform with over US$60 billion TPV in 2025, according to CIC. Founded in 2017 as one of the first payment platforms worldwide dedicated to B2B cross-border trade, we serve the largest customer base of over 1,000,000 registered SMEs globally.
We connect top-tier financial institutions directly to SMEs, the backbone of global trade, giving businesses of every size access to the same secure, compliant and seamless payment infrastructure once reserved for multinationals. As of March 31, 2026, we provide payment services across more than 200 countries and regions through partnerships with financial institutions, including some of the most established international banks around the world.
XTransfer has obtained required licenses in major hubs, including the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada.
For more information, please visit: https://www.xtransfer.com
The global race to develop new medicines is entering a new phase, and the UAE is positioning itself as one of the regions investing heavily in that transformation. Biotechnology companies, artificial intelligence researchers, healthcare providers, and government institutions are increasingly working together to accelerate drug discovery, improve clinical research, and reduce the time it takes for promising treatments to reach patients. For decades, medicine development has been […]
As a leading overseas payment service provider (PSP), PayerMax has integrated Rakuten Pay to enable international merchants to adopt this payment method in Japan. This integration marks a significant milestone in the technical collaboration, successfully supporting merchants in leveraging Rakuten Pay for their local operations.
The milestone not only enhances the localized payment experience for Last War players in Japan, but also demonstrates how international game publishers can leverage trusted local payment partnerships to accelerate market entry, strengthen localization and better engage Japanese consumers.
Connecting with Japanese Players Starts with Local Payments
As more global game publishers expand into Japan, localized payment experiences have become an increasingly important part of player acquisition, monetization and long-term growth.
As one of the flagship payment services within the Rakuten Ecosystem, Rakuten Pay plays a central role in Japan’s digital commerce landscape. The Rakuten Ecosystem connects more than 100 million registered members across e-commerce, financial services, travel, mobile and offline retail, and Rakuten Pay has become one of Japan’s most widely adopted local payment methods.
For international game publishers, integrating Rakuten Pay is about more than offering another payment option. It provides access to one of Japan’s most established consumer ecosystems, allowing games to deliver payment experiences aligned with local player preferences while building stronger engagement in one of the world’s most competitive gaming markets.
Supporting Last War Highlights PayerMax’s Local Payment Expertise in Japan
As one of the fastest-growing strategy games worldwide, Last War continues to expand its global footprint, with Japan representing one of its key strategic markets. As expectations for localized payment experiences continue to rise, enabling familiar and trusted local payment methods has become an important part of enhancing player experience and supporting sustainable growth.
With support from PayerMax, Last War successfully integrated Rakuten Pay, becoming a leading overseas game to support the payment method and offering Japanese players a more localized and seamless payment experience.
Designed to support international businesses entering Japan, PayerMax provides a unified payment solution that bridges the gap between global merchants and the local ecosystem. By leveraging PayerMax’s integration with Rakuten Pay, PayerMax serves as a gateway for international businesses to establish a strong presence in the Japanese market.
Faster Market Entry
Through PayerMax’s system integration with Rakuten Payment, eligible merchants benefit from a standardized integration pathway that shortens implementation timelines and accelerates go-to-market execution in Japan.
Reliable Compliance and Fund Management Enablement
Leveraging the established business relationships between PayerMax and Rakuten Pay, merchants are empowered to integrate Rakuten Pay through a streamlined, standardized pathway which is aligned with Japan’s local regulatory and operational requirements, thereby delivering a payment experience that resonates with the everyday spending habits of Japanese players. Furthermore, within this collaborative framework, PayerMax and Rakuten Pay facilitate the unified orchestration of critical processes including KYC, anti‑money laundering (AML) and fund management, effectively alleviating the operational complexities and associated costs of local payment execution. This enables merchants to refocus their resources on sustainable business growth and enriched player engagement.
Access to Japan’s Consumer Ecosystem
Through PayerMax, businesses can better engage local consumers, strengthen brand presence and build sustainable long-term growth in Japan.
The successful integration for Last War not only demonstrates the commercial value of the partnership between PayerMax and Rakuten Payment, but also provides a proven reference for more global game publishers and digital content companies expanding into Japan.
Executive Quotes
Hiroki Sogawa, Executive Officer, Rakuten Payment, said:
“We are pleased to partner with PayerMax and to see Last War, a leading title, successfully integrate Rakuten Pay as a payment option. Through this collaboration, we look forward to supporting more international businesses and digital content providers in delivering trusted, localized payment experiences for Japanese consumers.”
Will, APAC General Manager of PayerMax, said:
“Integrating with Rakuten Pay marks an important milestone in PayerMax’s expansion of local payment capabilities in Japan. The successful launch of Last War reflects the strength of our partnership and demonstrates our ability to help global game publishers and international businesses localize faster through trusted local payment infrastructure. Looking ahead, we will continue working with leading local payment partners worldwide to deliver secure, compliant and scalable payment solutions for global merchants.”
Strengthening Local Payment Infrastructure for Global Growth
The partnership with Rakuten Payment represents another important milestone in PayerMax’s strategy to strengthen local payment infrastructure across key global markets and further expand its local payment capabilities in Japan.
Today, PayerMax supports businesses across more than 150 markets and offers access to over 600 payment methods worldwide, backed by an extensive network of local payment partners spanning Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and other high-growth regions.
Rather than simply aggregating payment methods, PayerMax focuses on connecting businesses with the local payment ecosystems that shape consumer behavior in each market. By combining enterprise-grade payment technology with trusted local partnerships, PayerMax enables international businesses to localize faster, operate more efficiently and achieve sustainable global growth.
Hashtag: #PayerMax #RakutenPay
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The Trump administration is intensifying economic pressure on Iran as Washington struggles to translate months of military operations into political concessions from Tehran. The strategy combines tighter sanctions, restrictions on oil exports and a renewed naval blockade while preserving the threat of further strikes. President Donald Trump’s government appears increasingly focused on weakening Iran’s ability to finance the state, military forces and regional operations rather than relying […]
The UAE’s new restrictions on social media access for children under 15 could reach far beyond conventional social networks, drawing gaming, streaming, education, ecommerce and other digital services into a widening child-safety compliance regime. Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026 sets 15 as the minimum age for maintaining a personal social media account. Children below that threshold cannot create, use or operate covered accounts or access features […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 August 2026 – Experts in premium residential real estate note that a distinct new category is forming at the top of the market, and that demand for it is rising around the world. Property market specialists describe the emerging tier as the presidence: a self-contained community of private residences bound together by shared infrastructure and anchored by a five-star hotel under an international brand — a format designed to be lived in and passed down across generations, rather than simply owned.
The trend reflects a structural shift in global wealth. According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026, the number of individuals worth more than US$30 million climbed from 551,435 to 713,626 between 2021 and 2026 — a gain of more than 160,000, equivalent to 89 people crossing that threshold every day. Forbes, meanwhile, records 3,428 billionaires worth a combined US$20.1 trillion.
This wealth is also increasingly mobile. Henley & Partners projects that 165,000 high-net-worth individuals will relocate internationally in 2026 — a 16 per cent rise on the record 142,000 of 2025 — as affluent families build cross-border portfolios of homes and residence rights rather than tying themselves to a single jurisdiction. The appetite for professionally serviced, brand-anchored homes is visible in the development pipeline: Savills reports that the number of branded residential schemes worldwide grew 19 per cent in 2025, to around 910, and is on course to reach 1,747 by 2032, with the Middle East and North Africa the fastest-growing region over the past five years, at 187 per cent.
As the apex of the wealth pyramid rises, specialists say, demand at the very top is moving away from headline price-per-square-foot toward space, privacy, wellbeing, autonomy and a home that can be held and handed down across generations. The case for treating this as a distinct category was set out in a recent column by real estate adviser Ku Swee Yong, CEO of International Property Advisor Pte Ltd and an adjunct faculty member at Singapore Management University, where he teaches Real Estate Investments & Finance.”Luxury residence has a new crown, and it has a name: presidence,” he writes.
According to the expert, a property of this kind should meet several defining criteria: it should occupy an exceptional location among peer residences, be built to the highest standards of quality, provide space, a healthy natural environment, security and self-sufficiency, and create a place where owners and their families can live out every stage of life — building careers, raising children, enjoying leisure, prioritising health and wellbeing, welcoming family and friends, and ultimately passing the home down through generations. Privacy in this case does not mean isolation: rather than retreating behind their own gates, members of the presidence become part of a carefully formed community of peers, surrounded by people with comparable values, interests and ways of life.
These principles are, in practice, being formalised into a fuller set of criteria that distinguish a presidence from a conventional luxury development. At its most complete, the format is defined by:
Fully integrated examples remain rare worldwide, and demand, specialists say, is running ahead of supply as the number of ultra-wealthy households continues to grow.
Hashtag: #property #realestate #residentialproperty #hnwi
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Prosvet Communication Studio is a full-cycle communication studio working across PR and communications strategy, media relations and influence, personal branding, digital PR, events and production.
BALI, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2026 – For many travelers, exploring local culinary traditions is the trip itself. New Airbnb data highlights the popularity of culinary Experiences across Indonesia, with both domestic and international travelers seeking out food-led activities for a more authentic taste of the culture.
Since its launch, Food & Drink has become Airbnb Experiences’ third-most-popular category in Indonesia, behind only Nature & Outdoors and History & Culture[1]. Bali sits at the heart of this culinary interest, with over 90% of all culinary Experience bookings in Indonesia taking place on the island1.
Guest feedback backs this up. Indonesia’s culinary Experiences carry a 4.94 average rating, with reviewers most often reaching for words like “authentic,” “traditional,” “hands-on,” “local,” and “family”[2].
The appetite extends beyond Experiences, too: searches for Airbnb homes with kitchen amenities in Indonesia are up over 20% year-on-year[3], suggesting that more guests are choosing stays where they can cook together and recreate the local flavours they discover during their trip.
Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for Southeast Asia & India, said, “Today’s travelers are increasingly looking for experiences that help them connect more deeply with the places they visit, and food has become one of the most meaningful ways to do that. Whether it’s shopping at a neighbourhood market, learning a family recipe, or cooking together in an Airbnb, these moments create lasting memories while supporting local communities. Through Airbnb Experiences, we’re proud to help travelers discover Indonesia in a way that feels more personal, immersive, and connected to local culture.“
To spotlight this growing appetite for culinary travel, Airbnb recently hosted a one-off Culture & Culinary Trail luncheon in Bali with renowned chefs Arnold and Reynold Poernomo — a chef-curated dining moment celebrating Bali’s culinary heritage through local ingredients and stories. The luncheon offered a preview of what travelers can already find on Airbnb Experiences: intimate sessions on local food culture, interactive dining sessions, and meals hosted by local chefs in Bali and beyond.
Arnold Poernomo said, “As chefs, we’ve always believed that some of the most memorable travel memories happen around the dining table. Food has a unique way of bringing people together and telling the story of a place through its ingredients, traditions, and the people behind them. By hosting this luncheon with Airbnb, we wanted to celebrate Bali’s rich culinary heritage and inspire travelers to look beyond the plate, to discover the culture, communities, and local stories.“
For Reynold Poernomo, the most memorable travel experiences often begin with discovering the people behind the food.
“For the more adventurous, go to the markets, and you’ll discover some unique produce that you’ll most likely not find in any other part of the world. That’s part of why we love what Airbnb Experiences does – it connects you directly with local hosts who can take you to those markets and show you ingredients you’d never find wandering on your own.”
The Poernomo brothers recommend three Airbnb Experiences worth booking on a Bali trip:
As travelers continue seeking slower, more meaningful ways to explore destinations, Airbnb Experiences inspire visitors to discover a different side of Bali — through the people, ingredients, and stories shared around the table.
Disclaimer: All Experiences referenced are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific listings on the Airbnb platform.
Hashtag: #Airbnb #AirbnbExperiences #Travel #TravelTrends
https://www.airbnb.com/https://www.instagram.com/airbnb/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5.5 million hosts who have welcomed 2.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way. https://news.airbnb.com
For more information, please contact:
Nicolette Koh, Airbnb – nicolette.koh
@ext.airbnb.com
Maverick Indonesia – [email protected]
July’s US inflation report gave markets precisely for what they were braced. Headline CPI rose 3.4% year-over-year, core CPI came in at 2.5%, both a tenth of a point softer than June, both landing squarely on consensus. Stocks will likely take this as vindication, but I believe that investors should read it more carefully. An in-line print sounds reassuring by definition. It confirms the disinflation trend everyone […]
President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing White House construction and modernisation projects costing at least $927 million, with much of the expenditure expected to be financed with public money transferred through federal accounts. The planned spending represents a substantial expansion of work across the presidential complex, encompassing the East Wing redevelopment, security infrastructure, a visitor screening centre, improvements around Lafayette Square and a new helipad. More than […]
Earlier this year, Singaporean drivers crossing into Malaysia began receiving SMSes that appeared to come from a government transport agency, claiming they had outstanding road charges to settle. Those who clicked the link and entered their payment details had their banking credentials stolen — at least 10 victims lost a combined S$24,000. Around the same time, a separate wave of phishing messages impersonating a well-known delivery service tricked victims into making payments for fake parcel notifications, resulting in another S$22,000 in losses.
These are the kinds of everyday scams — a convincing text message, a familiar brand name, a moment of inattention — that Allianz Scam Protect is designed to cover. In the first three months of 2026 alone, more than 7,800 scam cases were reported in Singapore with losses exceeding S$144.4 million. Singapore has now lost more than S$4 billion to scams since 2019.
The name change reflects how Singaporeans actually talk about these incidents. When someone loses money after clicking a phishing link in an SMS, they don’t think of it as a “cyber incident” — they call it what it is: a scam. By renaming the product, Allianz ensures that every Singaporean searching for protection against scams can find it immediately. The coverage hasn’t changed — but the name now speaks the same language as the people it protects.
Allianz Scam Protect covers financial losses from phishing, smishing, stolen payment credentials, and unauthorised transactions (up to S$25,000 for Gold; up to S$60,000 for Platinum), as well as online shopping disputes involving undelivered, damaged, or incorrect items. Existing policyholders will see the updated name at their next renewal — no action is required.
Allianz Scam Protect is available from S$8.91 per month at www.allianz.sg and through Allianz’s network of authorised distribution partners. For enquiries, customers may contact the Allianz Customer Service Team at +65 6222 1919 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, excluding public holidays).
Hashtag: #AllianzInsuranceSingapore
https://www.allianz.sg/https://www.linkedin.com/company/allianzinsuressg
https://www.facebook.com/allianzsghttps://www.instagram.com/allianz.sg/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
At Allianz Insurance Singapore, we aim to secure the future and create a positive impact on society and the environment by leveraging our expertise in risk management. As we work toward strengthening our position as one of Singapore’s leading risk solutions providers, we deliver innovative and customer‑focused protection solutions for individuals, SMEs, and mid‑corporate clients – spanning Motor, Home Content, Travel, Personal Accident, Cancer, Hospital Income, and a comprehensive suite of commercial insurance offerings.
Installation of SOKOYO‘s split solar street lights for the project being built by Samsung C&T Corp. was completed in July. The arrangement of solar panels was customized at the customer’s request for ease of maintenance.
“SOKOYO provided us with a specially customized solution for our power station,” said Ms. Kathy, senior procurement manager for Samsung. “The entire solar street lighting system consistently met our expectations for brightness, battery life and overall reliability.”
SOKOYO, founded in 2008, has manufactured more than 1 million lighting units installed in a wide range of settings across SoutheastAsia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
The company manufactures its own LED modules, solar panels, batteries, light housings and light poles. They have third-party certification for European Union and other safety and reliability standards, which qualifies them for export to global markets.
SOKOYO is regularly appointed to bodies that establish national and industry standards.
SOKOYO‘s product line includes all-in-one solar street lights, all-in-two solar street lights and split-type solar street lights. They can be controlled remotely with IoT technology to improve safety and efficiency. Using solar power makes them immune to disruptions in supplies of oil and gas.
As the industry evolves to focus on “system-level R&D,” SOKOYO is reducing customer costs by enhancing reliability and resistance to heat and cold. To improve efficiency, it is developing smart lighting and IoT applications. It is promoting modular production, intelligent manufacturing and standardized process management.
The research team has seven engineers, some with more than two decades of industry experience. They develop technology for a wide range of environments and customer needs.
SOKOYO has experience in markets including Thailand, thePhilippines, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. It has developed technology to cope with heat, humidity, sandstorms and low light during extended rains, a challenge in central Africa and other areas.
In Uganda, SOKOYO supplied 1,000 light sets to help improve safety on a busy expressway between the capital, Kampala, and the eastern industrial center of Jinja. They provide the first nighttime lighting on a 22-kilometer section of road crowded with trucks, buses and motorcycles.
In Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, SOKOYO lights use LED modules developed to cope with heat, sun and sand.
The company supplied more than 2,000 light units to Saudi Arabia‘s planned high-tech city of NEOM as part of the Saudi 2030 Vision plan.
Customers can use SOKOYO‘s test facilities to try out different light configurations. Lights can be tested on roads of up to four lanes in an1,100-square-meter darkroom. Designers and urban planners can ensure light is distributed effectively, eliminating dark areas on the road and improving safety.
Batteries are tested to confirm they resist crushing, heat and cold, vibration, overcharging or being dropped. LED modules are drenched in salt spray for up to 72 hours to make sure they resist corrosion.
SOKOYO has been chosen for bodies that formulated eight national and industry standards including the “General Technical Specification for Solar Photovoltaic Lighting Devices” in 2025 with definitions and standards for split-type and integrated solar devices.
SOKOYO products have third-party certification that they meet standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and other bodies.Its batteries meet the requirements of the CB scheme under the IEC, recognized in more than 50 countries. Tests confirm they withstand overcharging, high temperature, vibration, impact and short circuit.
The company‘s solar panels received IEC certification that they meet standards for electric shock protection, temperature changes, damp, heat, humidity, hail impact and other factors.
SOKOYO participates in efforts to improve the industry‘s reputation by promoting “zero false labeling” and reliable products that refuse to cut corners.
SOKOYO pays attention to the environment. Its products are designed to minimize light pollution and limit disruption for wildlife, stargazers and the public.
Hashtag: #SOKOYO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Multidisciplinary Tertiary Hospital with Comprehensive Surgical Capabilities
As a multidisciplinary tertiary hospital, Thomson offers minimally invasive surgery across a broad range of specialties through laparoscopic, thoracoscopic (VATS), endoscopic, arthroscopic, and microsurgical approaches.
Thomson has also further expanded to its wide range of surgical offerings with two advanced procedures: the Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA), a scarless thyroid surgery performed through the mouth that eliminates visible neck incisions, and laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis, a keyhole procedure that enables the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis through small incisions. Together, these procedures provide patients with more treatment options while supporting faster recovery where clinically appropriate.
Dr Savitha Dharan, Chief Executive Officer of Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara, explains, “Our aim is to provide patients with access to comprehensive, outcome driven surgical care under one roof. By continuously expanding our minimally invasive surgical capabilities, we empower our multidisciplinary teams to tailor the most appropriate treatment for every patient while delivering care that prioritises safety, precision and better patient outcomes.”
Advancing Surgical Care Through Technology
This next-generation integrated surgical energy platform brings multiple surgical energy technologies together on one platform, equipping surgeons with advanced technology that supports greater surgical precision and shorten overall procedure times. By combining tissue dissection and vessel sealing on a single platform, it enables more efficient surgical workflows targeted in reducing operating times, tissue trauma and recovery time where clinically appropriate.
“When investing in technology, Thomson’s main priority is delivering value-based care; we want better patient outcomes, operational efficiency and long-term value for both patients and our clinical team. This platform allows us to do just that – perform precise minimally invasive procedures and help deliver safe, effective care tailored to each patient’s clinical needs,” Dr Savitha expanded further.
Supported by experienced multidisciplinary teams and modern operating theatres, Thomson continues to invest in technologies that enhance surgical capabilities and improve the overall patient journey.
Supporting Sustainable Healthcare
Beyond its clinical benefits, this advanced integrated surgical energy platform aligns with Thomson’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments by reducing equipment redundancy and improving operating theatre efficiency. This enables the hospital to optimise resource utilisation while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care.
The introduction of the advanced integrated surgical energy platform marks another milestone in Thomson’s ongoing investment in advanced medical technologies, reinforcing its position as one of Malaysia’s leading private hospitals committed to innovation, clinical excellence and patient-centred care.
KKLIU 3218 / EXP 31.12.2028
Hashtag: #ThomsonHospital
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara (“Thomson”), the flagship hospital of TMC Life Sciences Berhad, is a multi-disciplinary tertiary care centre strategically located in the prime alcove of Kota Damansara, Selangor, established in 2008. Thomson holds a capacity for 554-beds including 25 critical care beds, and houses more than 160 consultant specialists across over 60 specialties and sub-specialties.
An award-winning institution, Thomson’s regional accolades include recognition by Newsweek and Statista as one of Asia’s Top Private Hospitals and Clinics 2026, awarded the Specialist Hospital of the Year, and Specialty Hospital of the Year – Malaysia in 2024 for paediatric services and in 2025 for pulmonology services.
Guided by its vision to be the “Premier Provider of Outstanding Value-Based Medical Services in Southeast Asia”, Thomson remains committed to clinical excellence and is poised for continued growth to meet evolving healthcare needs.
For more information, please visit thomsonhospitals.com or follow THKD on social media platforms @thomsonhospitalKD.
Championing Design Excellence, Innovation and Sustainable Water Technologies
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 August 2026 – Hansgrohe Group, one of the world’s leading premium bathroom and kitchen brands, celebrates its 125th anniversary with an official visit to Hong Kong by Christophe Gourlan, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Sales Officer of Hansgrohe Group. As a key stop in the Group’s Asia anniversary programme, the visit reaffirms Hansgrohe’s long-term commitment to the Hong Kong market and formally introduces VSC Building Products Company Limited as the brand’s newly authorised distributor in Hong Kong, marking the beginning of a new phase of growth and collaboration.
The anniversary celebrations in Hong Kong also mark a significant milestone for the premium hansgrohe brand locally — the grand opening of a dedicated hansgrohe display at the VSC A&D Centre, located at 1/F, East Town Building, 41 Lockhart Road, Wanchai. The newly unveiled showroom showcases multiple award-winning collections and the latest innovations, offering architects, designers, developers and consumers an immersive experience of the brand philosophy: “Life is Waterful.”
125 Years of Heritage: Where Design Meets Innovation
Founded in 1901 in Schiltach, Germany, in the Black Forest, Hansgrohe has evolved from a small workshop into a globally renowned premium brand with a presence in over 150 countries. For 125 years, the company has been synonymous with German engineering excellence, technological innovation and award-winning design, earning prestigious international accolades including the iF Design Award, Red Dot Design Award and German Design Award.
Among its most iconic and celebrated product innovations are:
Raindance series, including the new Raindance Alive, redefining showering with distinctive spray technology and elegant aesthetics;
Rainfinity, offering a new dimension of immersive showering with ultra-soft PowderRain spray and avant-garde design;
Pulsify, a compact shower solution ideal for urban living, featuring water-saving PowderRain technology;
Finoris faucet collection, equipped with a pull-out spray and dual spray modes, combining flexibility with contemporary design;
Kitchen innovations such as Talis M54 and Metris M71, enhancing kitchen functionality with precision engineering and premium materials.
Hansgrohe’s pioneering technologies include Select technology, enabling intuitive control of water flow at the touch of a button, alongside sustainability-driven innovations such as EcoSmart, AirPower and CoolStart, significantly reducing water and energy consumption without compromising comfort.
Under its ambitious “ECO 2030” initiative, Hansgrohe aims to equip all products with water-saving technologies by 2030, embedding sustainability at the core of product development.
Today, approximately 200 employees worldwide are dedicated to research, development and innovation management. The Group operates innovation centres in the Black Forest and, since 2023, in Shanghai, strengthening localisation and responsiveness to the China and Asia-Pacific markets. Products launched within the past three years account for approximately 30% of the Group’s total revenue — a testament to its dynamic innovation pipeline and market competitiveness.
Deepening Presence in Hong Kong: A New Milestone with VSC
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Hansgrohe and VSC will focus on enhancing customer touchpoints and brand visibility across Hong Kong. Key initiatives include strengthening point-of-sale presentation, elevating experiential showroom displays, and supporting trade partners through comprehensive product training, marketing activations and after-sales excellence.
VSC has also outlined a strategic development plan encompassing showroom enhancements, PR and digital marketing campaigns, product portfolio alignment and sales team training, reinforcing the brand’s position in Hong Kong’s high-end residential and commercial project segments.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Christophe Gourlan, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Sales Officer of Hansgrohe Group, said:
“Hong Kong remains an important market for Hansgrohe, and our 125th anniversary is a meaningful moment to reaffirm our long-term commitment to the region. With VSC as our new authorised distributor for the hansgrohe brand, we are strengthening our ability to bring premium German quality, innovation and sustainable water experiences closer to customers, designers and trade professionals. We also deeply appreciate the continued support of our long-term partners, including H2O, as we build the next chapter of Hansgrohe’s growth in Hong Kong together.”
Hashtag: #HansgroheGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Founded in 1901 in the Black Forest, Germany, Hansgrohe stands for holistic bathroom and kitchen experiences that combine water- and energy-saving technologies, intelligent functionality and long-lasting quality. With timeless design and innovative premium products, the brand supports sustainable lifestyles and transforms everyday water routines into extraordinary experiences.
Established in 1997, VSC Building Products Company Limited specialises in supplying sanitary ware, fittings and kitchen cabinet solutions for commercial buildings, shopping malls, hotels, hospitals, residential developments and airports. The company provides free consultation and design services, logistics coordination, technical support and kitchen installation.
In April 2013, VSC opened its first Architectural & Design Centre in Hong Kong. The company has also recently introduced integrated Smart Toilet IoT solutions, enhancing both user experience and property management efficiency.
Enquiries:
VSC A&D Centre
1/F, East Town Building, 41 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2238 2628
Fax: (852) 2169 2980
Email: [email protected]
OPEC crude production climbed sharply in July as Gulf producers restored output disrupted by the Iran war and restrictions on tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz, extending the oil market’s recovery from severe supply losses earlier this year. Production by the 11-member Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries increased by about 1.17 million barrels per day from June to 19.85 million bpd. Iraq recorded the largest […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 August 2026 – DHL Express has added a new direct flight between Shanghai and Bangkok, increasing capacity on a trade lane linking China and the rapidly growing economies of Indochina. The new flight route, Shanghai-Bangkok-Bahrain*-Brussels-Shanghai, significantly enhances connectivity among manufacturing, sourcing, and consumption markets across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Operated by a DHL Boeing 767 freighter with a maximum payload of 50 tons, the new daily service demonstrates DHL Express’s ongoing investments in network capacity and infrastructure to strengthen connectivity for customers in high-growth markets. Equally, it also reflects DHL’s constant review of evolving trade patterns and swift action to adapt to those changes.
“This route is a direct response to how trade flows in Asia are shifting,” said Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “We’re seeing increasing movement of goods between China and Southeast Asia, alongside continued demand from customers in Europe and the Middle East for products manufactured across the region. This new route boosts our network where customers need it most, providing additional capacity and more direct connections between key production and consumption markets.”
Bangkok serves as a strategic gateway to the Indochina region, while Bahrain and Brussels are key DHL Express hubs. The introduction of the Shanghai-Bangkok route enables DHL Express to efficiently consolidate shipments originating from China and Southeast Asia before connecting them to destinations across Europe and the Middle East.
The direct flight comes at a time when manufacturers and traders in markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are sourcing more from China. For many customers, those shipments are part of production chains that stretch across multiple countries. As trade links between China and Southeast Asia deepen, DHL Express is improving speed, flexibility and network resilience for customers moving materials, components and finished products across Asia and onward to global markets. Last month, DHL Express also expanded its Shenzhen gateway, located at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. The facility can handle 900 tons of cargo daily – approximately three times the original throughput – as it supports booming cross-border trade and e-commerce shipments in China.
At the same time, businesses in Europe and the Middle East continue to trade heavily with their peers in China and Southeast Asia for a wide range of products, from electronics and industrial components to consumer goods. As international business activity remains highly dispersed across global markets rather than concentrating within regions, the new route opens more trading opportunities for businesses while strengthening access for both regions.
As both intra-Asia and global trade flows continue to show resilience, DHL remains focused on investing in its dedicated air network. Another recent example includes the introduction of a new transpacific service by DHL Global Forwarding that connects Southeast Asia and the United States. These expansions seek to better connect businesses to global markets as well as build more agile supply chains.
*Note to editor: Due to the current conflict in Middle East, flights are tentatively diverted to other locations in the Middle East.
Hashtag: #DHLExpress #Globaltrade #Indochina
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DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivaled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 389,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.
DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion euros in 2025. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
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The proposed allocation is expected to exceed NT$1.1 trillion, or roughly US$34 billion, when broader defence-related spending is included. The package is due to be unveiled on August 20 and will cover the armed forces as well as expenditure linked to the coast guard, veterans and special military programmes.
The increase would maintain Taiwan’s defence expenditure above 3 per cent of gross domestic product, extending a shift towards substantially higher military budgets under President Lai Ching-te. Taipei has been expanding funding for weapons, ammunition, drones, missile systems, naval platforms and military infrastructure as China strengthens its forces across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan’s 2026 defence expenditure calculated under a broader methodology covering coast guard spending and military pensions stands at NT$949.5 billion, equivalent to about 3.32 per cent of GDP. The Ministry of National Defence’s own allocation is NT$806 billion, NT$161.1 billion higher than the previous year.
Lai has set a longer-term objective of raising defence expenditure to 5 per cent of GDP by 2030, arguing that Taiwan must demonstrate greater capacity to defend itself while adapting to China’s rapid military expansion. The policy also responds to pressure from Washington for Taipei to shoulder a larger share of the cost of deterring an attack.
The spending expansion comes as Taiwan conducts its annual Han Kuang exercises, which this year involve large-scale simulations of invasion, blockade, cyber disruption and attacks on critical infrastructure. About 20,000 reservists have been mobilised as the military tests decentralised command, communications under disrupted conditions and stronger integration between civilian agencies and the armed forces.
Taiwan is placing greater emphasis on asymmetric capabilities designed to make a cross-strait assault costly. Drones, mobile missile launchers, sea-denial weapons and dispersed command systems have become important elements of planning. Military exercises have also incorporated lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where inexpensive unmanned systems have demonstrated their ability to damage far more costly military assets.
The island is developing its domestic defence industry alongside purchases from the United States. Projects include locally built submarines, missiles and unmanned systems, while American arms orders include F-16V fighters, HIMARS rocket launchers, torpedoes and stand-off weapons. Some deliveries have been delayed because of production and supply-chain constraints, although parts of the HIMARS programme have moved ahead of schedule.
Political approval remains an important hurdle. Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature has challenged parts of Lai’s military programme and previously reduced or delayed special defence spending proposed by the administration. Lawmakers in May approved additional defence expenditure worth about US$25 billion, substantially below the amount originally sought by the government.
Those disputes are likely to shape scrutiny of the 2027 proposal once the cabinet sends the wider government budget to parliament. The administration argues that higher expenditure is necessary because military preparedness requires long-term procurement, stockpiling and infrastructure investment rather than emergency spending after a crisis emerges.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the democratically governed island under its control. Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim. Chinese aircraft, naval vessels and coast guard ships operate regularly around Taiwan, while Beijing has repeatedly staged major exercises intended to demonstrate its ability to surround or blockade the island.
Beijing has also continued expanding its own military budget. China announced a 7 per cent increase in defence expenditure for 2026, taking officially declared spending to about US$283 billion, leaving a wide financial and numerical gap between the People’s Liberation Army and Taiwan’s forces.
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