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• Through the partnership, Ant International secures comprehensive marketing rights of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and world-class players of the Argentine National Football Team to launch strategic activations across its brand portfolio, including Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst

BUENOS AIRES and SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 March 2026 – Ant International, a leading global payment, digitisation, and fintech solutions provider for merchants and financial institutions, today announced a partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), becoming an Official Sponsor of the Argentine National Football Team for the Asia region (excluding the Middle East).

With over 30 offices around the world, Ant International provides AI- and blockchain-empowered cross-border digital payment, treasury and digitalisation solutions for global merchants and financial institutions. Building on broad regional collaborations, its digital payment and account services connects 150 million+ merchants to 1.8 billion consumer accounts in the Asia Pacific by integrating 300+ of mainstream and alternative payment methods.

This agreement unites the reigning FIFA World Cup Champions with one of the world’s most innovative financial technology providers. Through this partnership, Ant International secures comprehensive marketing rights to launch strategic activations across its brand portfolio, including Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst, by leveraging the intellectual property of the AFA and the world-class players of the Argentine National Football Team.

“We are incredibly proud to support the Argentine national team, a beacon of excellence, teamwork, and global inspiration,” said Peng Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Ant International. “Sports and tech are two critical bonds for communities and markets that break barriers and connect people. Together we will bring more extensive and enriched football experience and community impact through our Asia fintech and digital services network.”

With three FIFA World Cup triumphs in 1978, 1986, and 2022, and having reached the global final on six historic occasions, the Argentine National Team occupies a hallowed place in the pantheon of sporting legends. As the standard-bearers of the “Albiceleste” spirit, the team is defined by a century-old lineage of virtuosity and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of glory.

“Football is the ultimate universal language. It serves as a powerful bridge that transcends borders and connects the entire world,” said Claudio Fabian Tapia, President of AFA. “Through this partnership, we are excited to bring that connection to an even wider audience in Asia.”

“This partnership is a commitment to long-term success and a strategic union of two global leaders,” said Leandro Petersen, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer of AFA. “By joining forces, we aim to deepen our presence in Asia and achieve new heights in both sports and fin-tech.”

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Ant International

Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/

Central Board of Secondary Education has cancelled all Class 12 board examinations scheduled between March 16 and April 10 across several Middle Eastern countries, citing security concerns linked to the widening conflict involving Iran and regional powers.

The decision affects CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where thousands of expatriate students were preparing for the final phase of the 2026 board examination cycle. The board said all remaining and previously postponed examinations for Class 12 in these locations stand cancelled and that an alternative evaluation method for students will be announced separately.

Officials indicated that safety considerations were the primary factor behind the move as tensions and military activity across parts of West Asia disrupted normal operations, including international travel and school schedules. Schools across the region had already reported logistical difficulties, uncertainty among students and disruptions to classroom teaching as governments issued security advisories and airlines altered flight routes.

The cancellation marks the culmination of a series of escalating measures by the board over the past weeks. Earlier in March, several examinations scheduled for overseas centres in the region were first postponed following a review of the geopolitical situation. Papers scheduled between March 9 and March 11 were delayed, with authorities saying conditions would be reassessed before deciding whether to continue with the examination calendar.

Subsequent circulars extended the postponement to additional dates as regional uncertainty deepened, affecting exam centres that serve large expatriate student communities in Gulf states. The board had already cancelled Class 10 examinations in the region earlier in the month, indicating that authorities were increasingly concerned about the ability of schools to conduct secure and orderly examinations during the conflict.

CBSE-affiliated institutions in the Gulf represent a significant segment of the overseas education network linked to the board’s curriculum. More than 150 schools operate across West Asia under CBSE affiliation, serving children of expatriate professionals working in sectors ranging from construction and healthcare to technology and finance. These schools follow the same academic calendar and examination framework as institutions in India, with board examinations playing a decisive role in university admissions.

Students and parents across the region had been closely monitoring official notifications as the situation evolved. The postponements earlier triggered confusion among candidates preparing for key subjects, particularly because board examinations typically determine eligibility for higher education programmes both in India and internationally.

Education administrators say the uncertainty surrounding examinations has added pressure on students who had spent months preparing for the crucial assessments. Community organisations representing expatriate families in Gulf countries had appealed to authorities for a decision that would prioritise student welfare and minimise academic disruption.

School leaders in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia described the board’s decision as a difficult but necessary step given the circumstances. Administrators had warned that maintaining examination schedules amid heightened security concerns could expose students, invigilators and school staff to unnecessary risks, especially in locations where travel advisories or temporary airspace restrictions complicated logistics.

Education experts note that examination cancellations in overseas centres remain rare, reflecting the exceptional circumstances affecting the region. Board examinations are normally conducted simultaneously across India and international centres to maintain standardised assessment procedures.

Authorities are now expected to announce a mechanism for evaluating the performance of affected students. Education analysts say possible options could include internal assessment scores, practical examination results or a formula combining school-based evaluations with earlier academic performance. Similar methods have been used during extraordinary disruptions in the past to ensure students are not disadvantaged in university admissions.

Universities and higher-education institutions that admit CBSE students are also monitoring developments closely. Admission timelines in many countries coincide with the board examination season, making timely declaration of results critical for students applying to degree programmes abroad.

Parents and teachers say clarity on the evaluation process will be essential in the coming days. Many schools have begun counselling sessions and online support programmes to help students manage anxiety and remain focused on academic planning despite the upheaval.

Rising oil prices linked to the war involving Iran are creating fresh economic strain for Indonesia just as millions prepare for the annual Eid al-Fitr travel surge, placing President Prabowo Subianto’s administration under mounting pressure to shield consumers from higher fuel costs.

Energy markets have been rattled by escalating conflict across the Persian Gulf, where attacks on shipping routes and oil infrastructure have disrupted global crude supplies. A large share of the world’s petroleum exports passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime corridor connecting Gulf producers with international markets. Disruption to tanker traffic through this chokepoint has pushed benchmark crude prices sharply higher, triggering fuel price increases across Asia and raising fears of supply shortages in import-dependent economies.

Indonesia faces particular vulnerability because it relies heavily on imported energy. Around a quarter of its crude oil and roughly a third of liquefied petroleum gas supplies originate in the Middle East. Shipping disruptions in the Gulf have already complicated trade flows, with tanker movements slowed by security risks and insurance costs rising for vessels operating in the region. Market volatility has driven crude prices beyond the psychological threshold of $100 per barrel, fuelling concern that further escalation could drive them even higher.

The timing of the price shock has heightened the challenge for Jakarta. Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, triggers one of the largest annual travel movements in the country as families journey from major cities to hometowns across the archipelago. State energy company Pertamina anticipates gasoline demand during the holiday period to climb by more than 10 per cent, intensifying pressure on supply chains already strained by global market turbulence.

Authorities have attempted to reassure the public that domestic fuel supplies remain sufficient. Officials say government stockpiles and logistics networks can support the expected surge in consumption during the festive season. At the same time, policymakers have signalled that subsidised fuel prices will remain unchanged until the Eid holidays conclude, a move designed to prevent abrupt increases in transport costs during the peak travel period.

Holding prices steady carries significant fiscal implications. Indonesia already devotes substantial resources to energy subsidies, allocating more than 380 trillion rupiah in the state budget to keep fuel and electricity costs manageable for households and businesses. Sustaining those subsidies while global oil prices rise could widen the fiscal deficit or force adjustments elsewhere in the budget.

Economists warn that prolonged turbulence in global oil markets may reverberate across the broader economy. Higher crude prices increase the cost of imports and can erode Indonesia’s trade balance, particularly because the country has transitioned from being an oil exporter to a net importer over the past two decades. Analysts estimate that each $10 increase in the price of oil could shave hundreds of millions of dollars from the country’s trade surplus while raising domestic inflationary pressures.

Currency markets have already reacted to the geopolitical shock. The rupiah has faced downward pressure amid investor concerns about rising energy import costs and potential fiscal strain from expanded subsidies. A weaker currency makes fuel imports more expensive, compounding the burden on state finances and increasing the risk that domestic prices may eventually need to adjust.

Officials are exploring alternative strategies to mitigate the impact. One approach involves diversifying crude imports away from the Middle East by securing additional shipments from suppliers such as the United States and other regions less affected by the conflict. Authorities are also considering longer-term measures including accelerated blending of biofuels and the expansion of renewable energy capacity to reduce dependence on imported oil.

Energy security has become a central concern for policymakers across Southeast Asia as the Gulf crisis unfolds. Countries throughout the region rely heavily on imported petroleum and have limited capacity to absorb sustained price shocks. Governments have begun introducing conservation measures, adjusting subsidies, and seeking alternative suppliers as they attempt to stabilise domestic markets.

Indonesia’s logistical challenges are magnified by its geography. The archipelago spans more than 17,000 islands, making fuel distribution complex even during stable market conditions. Sudden shifts in global prices can ripple quickly through domestic supply chains, affecting transportation costs, food prices, and broader consumer inflation.

Political pressures add another layer of complexity for the administration. Public sensitivity to fuel prices has historically been high, and previous attempts to reduce subsidies have sparked protests and social unrest. Managing the current crisis therefore requires balancing fiscal prudence with the need to maintain social stability and support economic growth.

Market analysts say the duration of the Middle East conflict will determine how severe the economic impact becomes. If disruptions to shipping lanes and energy infrastructure persist, global crude supplies could tighten further, pushing prices to levels that strain government budgets and household finances alike. A prolonged crisis could also prompt broader shifts in energy policy, encouraging faster investment in domestic energy resources and renewable alternatives.

New Delhi has pressed Tehran to allow more India-bound vessels to cross the Strait of Hormuz after two liquefied petroleum gas carriers carrying critical fuel supplies cleared the strategic waterway, highlighting the vulnerability of energy flows through one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

Officials confirmed that two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, passed through the strait with cargo bound for ports in Gujarat, transporting roughly 92,700 tonnes of cooking gas. The shipments represent more than a day’s requirement for household LPG consumption, providing partial relief amid tightening supplies.

Government representatives indicated that discussions with Iranian authorities are continuing to secure safe transit for additional tankers waiting in the Persian Gulf. More than twenty vessels carrying crude oil and gas destined for India have been held up near the waterway during the standoff, raising concerns over prolonged disruptions to fuel deliveries.

The Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran and Oman, handles about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Any disturbance along this narrow corridor has the potential to reverberate across global energy markets and shipping routes. Escalating tensions across West Asia have already led to attacks on several vessels and heightened security risks for commercial shipping in the region.

Iran’s decision to permit the two LPG carriers to sail through the strait marked an exception to restrictions imposed after military action targeting Iranian infrastructure triggered a broader confrontation. Tehran has maintained that vessels from most countries can navigate the passage but warned that ships from states viewed as hostile could face restrictions or heightened scrutiny.

Diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Tehran played a role in securing the initial transit. Conversations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian, along with discussions between foreign ministers, focused on safeguarding energy shipments and the safety of nationals in the conflict-affected region.

India depends heavily on Middle Eastern suppliers for its energy needs. About 90 per cent of the country’s imported LPG originates from the region, while a substantial share of crude oil imports also passes through the Strait of Hormuz. That reliance has made the stability of the shipping lane central to the country’s energy security strategy.

Officials from the shipping ministry confirmed that Indian authorities are coordinating with regional partners and monitoring maritime traffic closely. Naval vessels deployed in the Gulf under Operation Sankalp have been keeping watch over merchant ships heading towards the subcontinent, providing situational awareness and escort support where necessary.

Energy analysts say the partial reopening of the route for Indian cargo illustrates the delicate balance between geopolitical confrontation and commercial necessity. Countries reliant on Gulf hydrocarbons have sought diplomatic channels to keep trade flowing even as military tensions complicate navigation in the region.

Oil markets reacted sharply to the conflict surrounding the strait, with benchmark crude prices surging amid fears of prolonged disruption to supply. Traders remain wary that even isolated incidents could affect tanker movements through the corridor, where narrow shipping lanes and heavy traffic leave little room for error.

The two LPG carriers now sailing toward the western coast highlight the importance of maintaining uninterrupted access to the strait. With domestic demand for cooking gas remaining high, authorities have prioritised household supply chains while assessing contingency measures for industrial users if shipments continue to face delays.

Shipping industry figures note that vessels have increasingly adopted precautionary routes or delayed departures until security conditions improve. Insurance costs for tankers operating in the Gulf have also climbed, reflecting the heightened risk environment created by missile strikes, drone attacks and naval deployments in surrounding waters.

Strategic calculations extend beyond immediate fuel deliveries. India has been strengthening diplomatic engagement with Gulf producers and maritime partners to ensure continued energy access during periods of instability. The country has also expanded storage capacity and diversified crude sources over the past decade to mitigate supply shocks.

Even with those measures, the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for trade between the Gulf and Asia. Any sustained restriction would affect not only India but also large importers such as China, Japan and South Korea, which depend on the same route for oil and gas shipments.

By K Raveendran #Oil markets have entered a phase of acute uncertainty as military escalation involving strikes on Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz begin to reverberate through global energy supply chains. Within just over a week of the disruption, more than 12 million barrels of oil equivalent per day of […]

The article Analysts See Prolonged War Cutting Up To 70% Of Crude Output appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).