Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran is advancing plans to bar American, Israeli and other designated hostile vessels from the Strait of Hormuz while demanding compensation from countries blamed for attacks on its territory. A draft law under review by the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee would prohibit vessels linked to the United States and Israel from using the strategic waterway. Ships from other states […]
China has launched a cybersecurity review of products made by Palo Alto Networks, widening its scrutiny of US technology suppliers as trade and security tensions with Washington intensify. The Cyberspace Administration of China said the review was intended to identify risks that could affect the country’s critical information infrastructure, network security and national security. The regulator did not specify which products were being examined, how long the […]
Bitcoin miners are facing an intensifying profitability crisis as the average cost of producing one coin approaches $78,000, leaving about one-fifth of the global mining fleet operating at a loss. Bitcoin was trading near $64,500 on Thursday, roughly 17% below the estimated industry-wide production cost. The gap has persisted for several months, forcing operators to shut down older machines, sell cryptocurrency reserves and redirect capital towards artificial […]
Aramex reported record quarterly revenue of Dh1.83 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2026, as freight-forwarding demand and flexible routing helped the logistics group navigate regional transport disruption. Second-quarter revenue increased 22 per cent from Dh1.50 billion a year earlier, marking the highest quarterly total in the company’s history. May and June also produced record monthly revenue figures. Net profit rose to Dh47.4 million, compared […]
Tether’s gold-backed digital asset XAU₮ has received Shariah compliance certification, widening its potential use among Islamic banks, institutional investors and individuals seeking digitally accessible exposure to physical bullion. The certification was issued by Amanah Advisors, an Islamic finance consultancy led by scholar Mufti Faraz Adam. It found that the token’s structure complies with core Islamic finance principles, including real ownership of an underlying asset, transparent backing and […]
Dubai businessman Satish Sanpal has denied claims that UAE authorities ordered a temporary freeze on assets linked to him, his wife and several companies during a money laundering investigation. Sanpal, who appeared with his wife Tabinda Sanpal in the Netflix reality series Desi Bling, said no competent enforcement or regulatory authority had publicly announced action against him. UAE authorities had also issued no public comment confirming the […]
Dubai has ranked second worldwide in Boston Consulting Group’s inaugural Intelligent Cities Index, placing behind London and ahead of New York, Washington and Amsterdam. The benchmark assessed 61 major cities across 39 countries on how effectively they use artificial intelligence and digital technology to serve residents and businesses. Dubai received an overall score of 80, compared with London’s 85, and was classified among the five cities demonstrating […]
A fire at a workshop in Dubai South damaged several trucks and caravans on Tuesday night before emergency crews brought the blaze under control. No injuries were reported. Dubai Civil Defence teams were dispatched after receiving an alert about the incident, which began inside the workshop and spread to vehicles parked at the site. Firefighters contained the flames and prevented them from reaching adjoining facilities in the […]
SK Hynix shares briefly plunged by the daily limit in pre-market trading on Thursday, marking the chipmaker’s second near-30% flash crash on Nextrade within about ten days and intensifying scrutiny of thin liquidity on South Korea’s alternative stock exchange.
Eleven shares changed hands at 1.168 million won each at 8 am Seoul time on August 6, about 30% below the previous Korea Exchange closing price. The stock quickly recovered most of the loss and ended Nextrade’s 50-minute pre-market session down roughly 2%, indicating that the extreme opening price was not driven by a change in the company’s business outlook.
The episode echoed a July 28 disruption when a single SK Hynix share traded at 1.272 million won, nearly 30% below the preceding close. That transaction triggered a volatility interruption on Nextrade and transmitted the distorted price into cryptocurrency derivatives linked to the chipmaker.
A perpetual futures contract tracking SK Hynix fell about 19% during the first event. Almost $60 million of leveraged long positions were liquidated within minutes, leaving more than 900 traders with estimated realised losses of $17.4 million. The platform operating the contract later offered to compensate eligible customers and said it would reassess the way external prices were incorporated into its valuation mechanism.
Thursday’s plunge again occurred at the start of Nextrade’s pre-market window, when order books are typically shallower than during the main session. The exchange allows stocks to move as much as 30% above or below the previous Korea Exchange closing price, meaning a small order can reach the limit when few competing bids are available.
The trade underscored the distinction between a price that is technically valid and one that accurately reflects the market’s consensus. Electronic systems can treat an executed transaction as authoritative even when only a handful of shares are involved. Prices may then spread through data feeds, trading algorithms, structured products and blockchain-based markets before human dealers can assess whether the move is credible.
Nextrade launched in March 2025 as the first serious challenger to the Korea Exchange’s long-standing dominance. It attracted investors with lower fees and trading hours stretching from 8 am to 8 pm, compared with the shorter core session on the main exchange. Retail traders account for most activity on the platform, which has at times handled a substantial share of the country’s equity turnover.
Its expanded trading day has improved access and competition, but the two SK Hynix incidents highlight risks when extended hours are combined with fragmented liquidity. Order books can be especially vulnerable at the opening instant, when market makers have not fully populated bids and offers and overseas price signals may still be feeding into domestic systems.
Regulators and exchange operators now face pressure to consider safeguards based on trade size, available depth and deviation from a volume-weighted reference price. Measures could include auction-style openings, minimum order-value requirements, stronger market-maker obligations or delayed dissemination of extreme prices produced by very small transactions.
The disruption comes during an unusually volatile period for SK Hynix and South Korean technology shares. The chipmaker has been at the centre of investor enthusiasm over high-bandwidth memory used in artificial-intelligence accelerators, but its shares have also recorded repeated double-digit moves as traders reassess valuations and future demand.
SK Hynix reported a sharp year-on-year increase in quarterly profit, supported by high-bandwidth memory sales, yet the results fell short of elevated market expectations. The disappointment contributed to a broad sell-off that erased trillions of dollars from South Korean equities at its peak and pushed measures of expected volatility to exceptional levels.
Leveraged exchange-traded funds linked to SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics have amplified those movements. Authorities have halted new sales of some single-stock leveraged products and proposed tighter investment limits, larger minimum deposits and higher transaction costs after retail investors suffered heavy losses.
Research into the market turbulence has also raised concerns that predictable rebalancing by leveraged funds can encourage traders to buy or sell ahead of compulsory end-of-day transactions. Such feedback loops may magnify price changes even when there is little new information about a company’s operations.
OpenAI’s advanced artificial intelligence agents created hidden communication channels inside the company’s testing infrastructure, sharing discoveries and attack techniques for months before models breached Hugging Face’s production systems. Researchers disclosed at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas that independently launched agents had used a software repository connected to OpenAI’s cyber-testing sandbox as an improvised message board. The system allowed separate model runs to leave information, […]
Ransomware operators are using Ethereum smart contracts to conceal command-and-control addresses, giving malware a resilient way to locate attacker-controlled servers even after defenders block known domains. The technique has been linked to an affiliate of The Gentlemen ransomware operation, which deployed a Node. js backdoor known as EtherRAT during intrusions targeting Windows networks. Instead of storing a fixed command server inside the malware, EtherRAT reads a smart […]
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected a report that the military has exhausted nearly 80 per cent of its principal high-altitude missile interceptors during the war with Iran, insisting that American forces retain the weapons required to sustain operations. Hegseth described the account as untrue after CNN reported that the Pentagon had used almost four-fifths of the interceptor inventory for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense […]
Emerging economies are becoming the EV industry’s fastest-growing markets, creating new opportunities for automakers with an international footprint. VinFast’s latest expansion reflects that shift.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 August 2026 – For much of the past decade, the global electric vehicle conversation has revolved around three markets: China, the United States, and Europe. But recent industry data suggests the next chapter may be written elsewhere.
In July, VinFast exported more than 5,000 electric vehicles aboard two dedicated vessels.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global car sales fell about 5% in the first half of 2026 as economic pressures, fuel price volatility and policy changes weighed on demand in China and the US. Yet electric vehicle sales rebounded strongly in the second quarter, reaching record levels in 50 countries. Markets including Vietnam, India, Australia and South Korea roughly doubled EV sales compared with a year earlier, while more than 90 countries posted year-on-year growth during the first half of the year.
The shift reflects a broader change in where future industry growth is likely to come from. While China remains the world’s largest EV market, the IEA expects sales there to stagnate this year for the first time this decade, even as electric vehicles account for more than 60% of new car sales. Meanwhile, emerging markets are becoming increasingly important, supported by expanding policy incentives, growing charging infrastructure and rising consumer interest.
The agency also notes that China and other emerging economies are expected to account for around 60% of global car demand over the next decade, making success in these markets an increasingly important determinant of future automotive leadership.
VinFast’s latest performance reflects this changing landscape.
The Vietnamese automaker delivered 70,085 electric vehicles globally in the second quarter of 2026, up 96% year-on-year, bringing first-half deliveries to 128,662 vehicles, a 78% increase from the same period last year. The company’s two-wheel business also continued to expand rapidly, with 286,039 electric scooters and e-bikes delivered during the quarter, up 311% year-on-year.
The delivery mix also highlights the importance of products designed for diverse market needs. Models ranging from the compact VF 3 and VF 5 to the Limo Green MPV and the newly introduced VF MPV 7 all contributed meaningfully to second-quarter volumes, suggesting demand is spread across both personal mobility and commercial transportation segments.
Just as significant is where those vehicles are going.
In July, VinFast exported more than 5,000 electric vehicles aboard two dedicated vessels. One shipment, consisting of approximately 1,500 VF 6 SUVs, was designated for partner Green SM’s planned expansion in Europe, while another transported more than 3,500 vehicles to the Philippines and Indonesia. The voyages marked VinFast’s 37th and 38th international export shipments in fewer than four years, underscoring the increasing operational scale behind its global expansion.
VinFast’s effort in international market, including in the Middle East, shows that as growth becomes more geographically diversified, automakers can no longer rely on a handful of mature markets to drive expansion. Instead, success will increasingly depend on building products, distribution networks and operations that can compete across a wide range of emerging economies.
For the global EV industry, the center of gravity is not disappearing from established markets. It is becoming far more distributed. VinFast’s recent momentum suggests that companies positioned across multiple high-growth regions may be among the best placed to benefit from that shift.
Wynn Resorts has set September 2027 as the opening date for Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, providing its clearest timetable yet for the UAE’s first licensed integrated gaming resort. The Las Vegas-based company announced the date while reporting stronger second-quarter revenue and profit, supported by a sharp improvement at its Macau properties and sustained demand from wealthy customers. Wynn contributed $48.1 million during the […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A series of explosions and a fire near Dubai’s Jebel Ali industrial and port area early on Wednesday triggered claims that a missile had been launched towards the United Arab Emirates from Yemen, but no authoritative evidence had emerged to confirm an attack. Accounts circulated by Iraqi and Iranian outlets said several blasts were heard within about 20 minutes and thick smoke was […]
Iran is considering allowing European countries to clear naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a possible compromise that could help restore commercial shipping and advance negotiations to halt the wider conflict. The proposal would mark a shift from Tehran’s opposition to any foreign military presence in the waterway. France, Belgium and the Netherlands are among the European countries with specialist mine-countermeasure vessels and trained crews […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The global oil market has lost more than 2.6 billion barrels since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28, Saudi Aramco chief executive Amin Nasser has said, warning that depleted inventories will take more than a year to rebuild. The cumulative loss is equivalent to nearly one month of worldwide oil consumption and reflects the prolonged disruption of shipping through the […]
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 August 2026 – The World Council on City Data (WCCD) has officially awarded Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio the InterimCustom ISO 37122Smart CityCertification. This milestone marks another significant step in Vinhomes Green Paradise’s journey toward becoming the first mega urban development in Vietnam to achieve an internationally recognized smart city certification, setting new benchmarks for sustainable urban development on a global scale.
The certification recognizes the substantial progress Vinhomes Green Paradise has made in advancing its smart city development in alignment with international standards. WCCD acknowledged that the project has achieved remarkable progress in its design, planning, and development strategy. This WCCD Certification serves as an important foundation for the project as it advances toward Full Certification upon commencement of operations.
The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification follows a comprehensive assessment conducted by the WCCD and based upon the customized indicators framework WCCD specifically developed for greenfield development projects. The framework incorporates the core principles of ISO 37122, one of the world’s most respected international standards for measuring and evaluating smart city performance.
Dr. Patricia McCarney, President & CEO of the World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director of Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM), stated: “This WCCD InterimCustom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification recognizes Vinhomes’ long-term vision and commitment to developing a smart, sustainable, and future-ready urban model. The Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio urban development project is now equipped with a powerful baseline of data designed to propel success, providing a strong foundation for year-over-year monitoring of development goals in smart urban governance, infrastructure development, technology adoption and sustainability, ensuring Full ISO 37122 Certification once operations commence. We congratulate Vinhomes on this important certification milestone, a global first, setting a new precedent for greenfield developments in cities worldwide.“
Mr. Chulse Oh, Head of AX Group at Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC), commented: “The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification marks an important milestone in realizing the vision of a world-class smart city in Vietnam. KMAC will continue to support the project in developing smart city solutions and implementation strategies and refining the criteria for a comprehensive smart city model during the operational phase.”
In March 2026, Vinhomes Green Paradise officially launched its Smart City Certification Project in partnership with WCCD, SUM, and KMAC. Under the agreed roadmap, the Interim Custom Certification represents the first major milestone in the process of assessing and refining the criteria for a comprehensive smart city model aligned with international standards.
Vinhomes Green Paradise benefits from a unique geographical setting, overlooking the Can Gio Sea and adjacent to the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, which spans over 75,000 hectares. The development features a total area of 2,870 hectares, and a construction density of only 16%. Vinhomes is pioneering the project under its enhanced ESG++ model, structured around five pillars: Environment, Social, Governance, Regeneration, and Climate Adaptation.
Upon full operation, the entire urban management system will be greened, with the goal of utilizing 100% clean electricity generated from renewable energy sources and achieving 100% net-zero emission transportation. In addition to strict compliance with environmental protection standards, the project places a strong emphasis on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem regeneration, aligned with Ho Chi Minh City’s climate adaptation strategy.
To support these efforts, a Forest Regeneration and Climate Adaptation Fund will be established to finance research, restoration, and long-term resilience initiatives. A key focus of the fund is the regeneration of the Can Gio mangrove ecosystem, helping to create a protective green belt for the entire development.
With its pioneering ESG++ vision, Vinhomes Green Paradise has become the first Official Participant in the “7 Wonders of the Future Cities” campaign initiated by New7Wonders.
The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification further reinforces Vinhomes Green Paradise’s pioneering vision in advancing a smart and sustainable urban model that meets international standards, while progressing toward becoming a benchmark future city for the region and the world.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Vinhomes
Vinhomes is Vietnam’s leading real estate investment, development, and management company. It currently operates 32 urban developments while expanding its portfolio of flagship projects across strategically important provinces and cities nationwide. By integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles with modern, highly connected infrastructure, Vinhomes is creating world-class integrated townships and megacities that are redefining Vietnam’s real estate market, driving sustainable development, and elevating the country’s urban landscape to international standards.
About the World Council on City Data (WCCD):
Established in Canada in 2014, the World Council on City Data (WCCD) is committed to helping cities and communities of all sizes globally embrace ISO standardized, independently verified, and globally comparable city data. The organization facilitates data-driven decision-making processes in management, planning, and investment, enabling cities to become more sustainable, safe, resilient, prosperous, inclusive, and smart.
The WCCD team of professionals spearheaded the development and implementation of three international standards on city data, which have been published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Geneva. These standards, referred to as the WCCD ISO 37120 Series on City Data, encompass ISO 37120 (Indicators for Sustainable Cities), ISO 37122 (Indicators for Smart Cities), and ISO 37123 (Indicators for Resilient Cities).
Since its inception, the WCCD has been expanding its global network of cities dedicated to high-caliber data. The WCCD collaborates with more than 125 cities across 40 different countries.
About Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM):
Cities worldwide are taking centre stage in the drive toward sustainable development and the prosperity of nations. Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) is designed to build on the strengths of its rapidly expanding global network of city leaders, senior levels of government officials, private capital market professionals and key international organizations and industry innovators dedicated to securing a better future for cities.
SUM’s service provision spans services connected to the ISO 37120 Series (ISO 37120 – Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life, ISO 37122 – Indicators for Smart Cities and ISO 37123 – Indicators for Resilient Cities) in partnership with the World Council on City Data (WCCD). The SUM team work with city leaders and private developers to customize these ISO certifications for new greenfield developments – new cities, new business districts and new communities.
SUM houses a new global first – the ISO 37125 International Standard on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Indicators for Cities and Regions. The SUM ISO 37125 certification protocol supports cities to report ESG city level data in conformity with the ISO globally standardized definitions and methodologies. SUM’s third-party verification process ensures the highest calibre data for cities across the globe. This Standard provides city leaders, governments, and the private sector with a robust, data-driven framework to guide ESG initiatives, drive infrastructure investment, attract investment, create and implement strategic planning decisions, propel innovation, and ensure socially inclusive planning and management. SUM is welcoming cities to join an exciting global cohort of World Premiere Cities – the first ISO 37125-certified cities.
SUM establishes a global hub for innovative learning partnerships among leaders of cities and private capital markets. Together, SUM and its partners foster innovation, imagine alternative futures, and create more livable cities. Certification by SUM underscores a collective commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future for cities and regions.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Patricia McCarney President & CEO, World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director, Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) patricia.mccarney@globalcities.ca
About KMAC
Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC) is one of Asia’s leading management consulting firms, delivering end-to-end capabilities from strategy formulation and transformation design to operational implementation and performance improvement. For decades, KMAC has served as a trusted innovation partner to the Korean government, public institutions, and leading private-sector enterprises, helping shape and execute initiatives that strengthen national competitiveness, modernize industries, and advance digital and AI transformation, sustainability, and organizational excellence. By combining deep sector expertise, rigorous strategic insight, and proven execution capabilities with an extensive regional network, KMAC enables clients to convert ambitious visions into actionable roadmaps, measurable operational outcomes, and sustainable growth across Asia and global markets.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Young Hwan Park Team Lead of Asia Business Center, Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC) Davidpark819@kmac.co.kr
The Federal Tax Authority has reminded small businesses that claiming corporate tax relief does not remove their obligation to register, file returns and maintain adequate financial records.The clarification comes as companies with financial years ending on December 31, 2025, prepare to submit corporate tax returns and settle any amount due by September 30, 2026. The deadline falls nine months after the close of their tax period, in […]
Etihad Rail will open passenger stations in Dubai and Al Dhaid on September 30 as the UAE’s national railway operator accelerates a phased expansion supported by strong early demand.The two openings will mark the formal launch of the wider passenger network, three months after introductory services began between Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30. More than 70,000 tickets have been sold […]
Chemically defined medium removes animal serum and human platelet supplements as Malaysia and Singapore strengthen advanced therapy capabilities
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 August 2026 –Singapore is estimated to record approximately 19,290 new cancer cases in 2024, underscoring the growing demand for advanced treatment options and the manufacturing systems needed to produce them consistently. As cell therapies move from research towards clinical use, the reliability of every raw material used in production becomes increasingly important.
AuctuCel Pte Ltd, a Singapore biotechnology company specialising in AI-powered bioprocess technologies, today announced the launch of AuctuPrime, a next-generation chemically defined cell culture medium developed in collaboration with Sperikon. The formulation is designed to remove dependence on both animal serum and donor-derived human platelet supplements during cell therapy manufacturing.
The launch comes as both markets continue to deepen their advanced therapy ecosystems. The Singapore Economic Development Board reported that the country saw a fourfold increase in locally incorporated biotechnology companies since 2015. In Malaysia, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency issued updated cell and gene therapy product guidance in September 2025, including revised Good Manufacturing Practice requirements. As more research moves towards clinical translation, the reliability and traceability of manufacturing inputs are receiving greater attention.
A less visible bottleneck in cell therapy
Cell therapies are advancing across cancer, autoimmune disease and regenerative medicine, but manufacturing remains one of the major barriers to wider clinical and commercial adoption. Many conventional culture processes still use animal serum or platelet-derived supplements from human donors. These biological materials can vary between batches and may introduce additional sourcing, testing and documentation requirements.
AuctuPrime replaces these supplements with a fully chemically defined formulation. By giving researchers and manufacturers clearer control over what enters the process, it is intended to provide a more reproducible foundation for scale-up from laboratory research to clinical and commercial manufacturing.
The formulation is designed to support:
* Elimination of animal serum and human platelet supplements
* Reduced batch-to-batch variability in the culture process
* Lower dependence on donor-derived biological raw materials
* Greater supply chain resilience through chemically defined inputs
* More consistent scale-up and technology transfer across manufacturing stages
* A xeno-free approach for regenerative medicine and cell therapy workflowsWhy the manufacturing medium matters to patients
“Culture medium is not the therapy itself, but it can influence how reliably cells are produced. By removing animal serum and human platelet supplements, AuctuPrime gives researchers and manufacturers greater control over the process, helping to reduce variability and prepare for larger-scale production.” said Dr Zach Pang, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of AuctuCel.
Supporting Singapore’s advanced therapy ecosystem
Singapore is strengthening its position as a regional hub for advanced therapies, supported by its universities, hospitals, research institutions and biotechnology companies. These organisations are building capabilities that connect early-stage research with regulated manufacturing and future clinical applications. Chemically defined media can support this progress by reducing reliance on variable biological inputs and enabling processes to be reproduced more consistently across local research and manufacturing facilities.
“Singapore’s continued progress in regenerative medicine will depend not only on scientific breakthroughs, but also on the ability to manufacture therapies safely, consistently and at scale. AuctuPrime represents an important step towards building a more reproducible manufacturing platform and can support local research and industry teams as they prepare for future clinical and commercial demand,” said Dr Chee Wai Fhu, Chief Executive Officer of AuctuCel.
For the wider region, stronger manufacturing foundations also matter for healthcare resilience. Cell therapies are complex products with demanding quality requirements, and the ability to manufacture them consistently will shape how quickly promising research can progress towards clinical use.
“The future of regenerative medicine depends not only on scientific breakthroughs, but on our ability to manufacture these therapies safely, consistently and at scale,” said Dr Chee Wai Fhu, Chief Executive Officer of AuctuCel. “AuctuPrime is an important step towards a more reproducible manufacturing platform. By removing dependence on animal serum and human platelet supplements, we hope to help researchers and manufacturers build processes that are better prepared for future clinical and commercial demand.”
Regional collaboration behind the launch
AuctuPrime was developed through a collaboration between AuctuCel and Sperikon, combining AuctuCel’s bioprocess and culture media expertise with Sperikon’s experience in regenerative medicine and cell therapy development.
Behind every cell therapy breakthrough is a production process that must work repeatedly, not only once. Improving that process is one of the practical steps needed to bring the next generation of therapies closer to the patients who may benefit from them.
Notes to editors
A chemically defined medium is a formulation in which the components and their concentrations are known and controlled. In this context, xeno-free means the formulation does not rely on animal-derived materials. AuctuPrime is a manufacturing input used during cell culture and is not itself a cell therapy product.
Hashtag: #AuctuCel
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About AuctuCel
AuctuCel is a Singapore-based biotechnology company spun out of A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute. The company develops AI-powered bioprocess technologies and ready-to-use culture media solutions that help biotechnology and cell therapy companies improve manufacturing consistency, productivity and scalability. By combining advanced modelling, scientific expertise and bioprocess innovation, AuctuCel supports the translation of research into commercially viable biomanufacturing. The company has active operations and partnerships across Singapore, Malaysia and the wider Asian region.
About Sperikon
Sperikon is a biotechnology company focused on regenerative medicine, cell culture technologies and translational research. The company works with academic institutions and industry partners to develop scalable solutions that support the clinical and commercial adoption of advanced cell therapies. Through its collaboration with AuctuCel, Sperikon contributes to the development of next-generation chemically defined manufacturing platforms.
Greenlogue/AP A UAE-led multinational operation has arrested 839 suspects and seized assets linked to environmental offences worth more than $280 million across the Amazon Basin, sharply expanding cross-border enforcement against illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking. Operation Green Shield 2026 brought together law enforcement agencies from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, with organisational leadership and coordination provided by the UAE through the International Initiative of Law […]
Apple’s annual sales in India surpassed $10 billion for the first time, strengthening the country’s position as one of the technology group’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
Revenue for the financial year ended March 2026 rose from nearly $9 billion a year earlier, driven mainly by demand for iPhones, Mac computers and services. The increase came as Apple widened its company-owned retail network, expanded financing options and deepened distribution beyond the largest metropolitan centres.
The performance marks a sharp acceleration from the roughly $8 billion recorded in the year ended March 2024. It also underlines Apple’s ability to gain ground in a price-sensitive market where devices using Google’s Android operating system account for the overwhelming majority of smartphone sales.
The iPhone remained Apple’s largest source of revenue in the country. Sales were supported by premiumisation in the smartphone market, trade-in programmes and instalment plans that reduced the upfront cost of devices. Older iPhone models also continued to attract buyers after price reductions following new product launches.
Apple does not disclose country-level sales in its global financial statements. The India figure reflects sales booked through its local operation and may include products distributed through company stores, online channels, authorised resellers and large electronics chains.
The company now operates six physical stores across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune and Noida. Its latest outlet opened in Borivali, Mumbai, in February, adding to Apple BKC, Apple Saket, Apple Hebbal, Apple Koregaon Park and Apple Noida.
Further retail expansion is being prepared, including another store in Bengaluru. Apple has also been recruiting specialists, technical staff and customer-support employees for multiple locations, indicating that its direct-sales presence will continue to grow.
Company-owned stores offer Apple greater control over pricing, product presentation and after-sales support. They also provide space for training sessions, product demonstrations and technical services, helping the group build customer loyalty in a market where many purchases have traditionally been made through third-party retailers.
The Apple Store online, launched in 2020, remains an important part of the company’s strategy. It allows customers across the country to access trade-ins, custom Mac configurations, education pricing and direct delivery, including in cities without a physical Apple outlet.
Apple’s sales expansion has coincided with a substantial increase in local manufacturing. Contract manufacturers Foxconn and Tata Electronics have raised iPhone assembly capacity, while suppliers are expanding component operations to support a broader production ecosystem.
The country is expected to account for about a quarter of global iPhone production during 2026. Apple has also been working to supply a larger share of devices sold in the United States from factories operated by its partners in the country, reducing dependence on China.
The manufacturing network includes operations in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with further investment planned in assembly, enclosures, display components and semiconductor-related infrastructure. The expansion is being supported by production incentives and proposed tax concessions for foreign companies supplying equipment to contract manufacturers.
Authorities have proposed extending exemptions covering machinery provided to electronics producers until 2041. The measures are designed to reduce tax uncertainty for global suppliers and encourage longer-term investment in mobile phones, laptops, tablets and wearable devices.
Local production has helped Apple avoid some import duties and improve product availability. However, the company still relies heavily on components sourced from abroad, and manufacturing costs can remain higher than in China because of logistics, tariffs and a less developed supplier base.
India delivered another record quarter for Apple during the three months ended June. Mac sales reached an all-time high in the country, while demand for iPhones and other devices continued to expand.
Globally, Apple reported revenue of $109.42 billion for its fiscal third quarter, up 16 per cent from a year earlier. iPhone revenue climbed 22 per cent to $54.25 billion, while Mac revenue advanced 29 per cent to $10.35 billion.
Despite its growth, Apple remains a relatively small player by unit volume in the country’s smartphone market. Its share is considerably stronger in the premium category, where consumers are showing greater willingness to spend on high-end devices, financing plans and connected services.
Dubai Chamber of Commerce has supported Techies Infotech’s expansion into South Africa, enabling the Dubai-headquartered technology company to establish operations in Johannesburg and Cape Town as part of a wider push into African markets. Techies Infotech registered a local company, opened its South African head office in Johannesburg and established an engineering and technology delivery centre in Cape Town. The expansion followed the company’s participation in a […]