Brussels has warned that Europe’s aviation fuel market could tighten further within weeks if disruption around the Strait of Hormuz continues, raising the prospect of higher fuel costs, pressure on airline schedules and fresh strain across the bloc’s energy supply chain before the peak summer travel season. The warning, issued after meetings of the European Commission’s oil and gas coordination groups, marks a sharper assessment of the […]
Bitcoin’s key US demand gauge has stayed under pressure for much of 2026, reinforcing signs that large investors remain selective despite periods of price recovery and continued interest in spot exchange-traded funds. The Coinbase Premium Index, which tracks the price gap between Bitcoin on Coinbase’s dollar market and Binance’s global market, has struggled to hold positive territory since the start of the year. A weak or negative […]
Carnival Corporation has begun notifying nearly 6 million people after a cyber intrusion exposed personal information, intensifying scrutiny of data protection practices at one of the world’s largest cruise operators. The Miami-based company said unauthorised activity was detected on April 14 after an attacker used social engineering to deceive an employee and gain access to a limited part of its IT environment. Regulatory filings show 5,995,277 people […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi has won five global titles at Eventex 2026, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s standing as a major international hub for exhibitions, conferences, sporting events and large-scale gatherings. The flagship venue of ADNEC Group, now part of Modon, secured the titles of World’s Best Sustainable Venue, World’s Best Convention Centre, World’s Best Exhibition Venue, World’s Best Sports Venue and World’s Best Wedding […]
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2026 – Taiwan’s talent market has gradually shifted from an employer-driven to a candidate-driven market through globalisation, digital transformation and pandemic-driven disruption. Meanwhile, the rapid advancement of technology and AI is not only accelerating demand for critical skills, but also reshaping industry structures and redefining the rules of talent competition.
Robert Walters, the world’s most trusted talent solutions business, said in its latest 15th anniversary report, Taiwan’s Talent Market: The New Rules of Competition, that “critical skills” are increasingly replacing tenure and job titles as the primary indicators of talent value and compensation. Particularly as Taiwan’s semiconductor industry strengthens its strategic position within the global technology supply chain, professionals with in-demand capabilities are seeing salary growth significantly outpace the broader market, making salary polarisation an increasingly structural feature of Taiwan’s labour market.
As competition for high-skilled talent intensifies, candidates are placing greater emphasis not only on compensation, but also on Career Value Proposition (CVP), including career development, workplace flexibility and management culture. The report also highlights the rise of a candidate-driven market, where professionals are becoming increasingly selective about what they expect from employers.
In today’s market, growing uncertainty and increasing business complexity are shifting competition away from workforce scale towards the ability to secure critical capabilities and high-value talent. John Winter, Country Manager of Robert Walters Taiwan, noted: “Since entering the Taiwan market in 2011, we have seen talent strategy evolve into a core business strategy. Organisations that can identify critical capabilities early, integrate talent effectively and continuously strengthen organisational resilience will be best positioned for long-term success.”
Global Supply Chain Restructuring Accelerates the Shift Towards a Skills-Based Talent Market and Salary Polarisation
Amid geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing global supply chain restructuring, organisations are increasingly reshaping their structures and global workforce strategies to strengthen resilience and competitiveness. As a result, hiring priorities are shifting away from narrow technical expertise towards cross-functional integration, strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities. At the same time, talent assessment is moving beyond tenure and job titles, with greater emphasis placed on practical capability, skill scarcity and immediate business impact.
Rapid AI adoption is further accelerating demand for critical skills, driving increasingly concentrated salary growth across the market.
In semiconductor and high-tech industries, professionals changing jobs may see salary increases of 15–20%, while talent with expertise in AI, High-Performance Computing (HPC), Edge Computing and cross-border supply chain management may achieve salary growth of up to 30% reinforcing the growing shift towards a labour market increasingly defined by “skills value”. In contrast, salary growth among execution-focused roles has remained relatively moderate. According to Taiwan’s Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS), nearly 70% of employees in 2025 earned below the average salary level — the highest proportion on record — highlighting widening salary polarisation across the labour market.
Candidate-Driven Market Takes Shape:
Career Value Proposition Emerges Alongside Salary as a Key Driver of Employer Attractiveness
The rise of in-demand skills is accelerating Taiwan’s shift towards a candidate-driven labour market, with professionals becoming increasingly selective about what they expect from employers. According to Robert Walters Taiwan’s 15th Anniversary Report, candidates are moving beyond a compensation-led mindset and placing greater emphasis on Career Value Proposition (CVP), including career growth, workplace flexibility and management culture.
As AI adoption and industry transformation continue to reshape the workforce, professionals are placing greater importance on long-term career development and employability. Robert Walters Taiwan’s research found that 54% of professionals view continuous learning and development opportunities as a key reason for staying with their current employer.
Expectations around workplace culture and working models are also evolving. The report shows that beyond salary and benefits (75%), professionals increasingly prioritise flexible working arrangements (36%) and an open, effective management culture (32%) when evaluating employers. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s National Development Council projects that Gen Z will account for approximately 30–33% of the labour force by 2030. As the influence of this generation continues to grow, priorities such as work-life balance, workplace flexibility and transparent organisational culture are becoming defining factors in employer attractiveness.
Reflecting on the findings, John Winter noted: “The rise of a candidate-driven market reflects a broader shift in how professionals evaluate employers. Beyond compensation, talent is increasingly prioritising long-term growth, flexibility and organisational culture. Companies that can provide meaningful career development and adaptability will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent.”
Five Strategies Reshaping Talent Competition:
Building Organisational Resilience Through Critical Capabilities and Skills Value
As geopolitical uncertainty, global supply chain restructuring and rapid AI adoption continue to reshape business environments, organisations are increasingly competing on critical capabilities and organisational resilience rather than scale alone. In this context, talent strategy is no longer a back-office HR function, but a core driver of transformation, competitiveness and long-term business sustainability.
Robert Walters Taiwan’s report identifies five key strategies organisations should focus on to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market:
1. Shift from workforce expansion to critical capability planning
Hiring success will increasingly depend on the ability to identify and secure high-value talent with in-demand, business-critical skills.
2. Build compensation strategies around skills value
As skills replace tenure as the key measure of talent value, organisations must redesign salary structures and talent evaluation frameworks to remain competitive.
3. Strengthen long-term learning and capability development
AI-driven transformation will require organisations to proactively build reskilling and upskilling cultures to reduce future capability gaps.
4. Redesign workplaces around flexibility and employee experience
Beyond compensation, organisations must strengthen career development, flexibility and workplace culture to attract and retain high-performing talent.
5. Elevate talent strategy to a core business priority
Future talent competition will increasingly shape organisational agility, transformation capability and long-term competitiveness.
Reflecting on the evolving talent landscape, John Winter said: “In the past, talent strategies were largely designed to address immediate hiring needs. Today, the nature of talent strategy has fundamentally changed. Organisations must shift from asking ‘Who do we need now?’ to ‘What capabilities will we need in the future?’ The businesses that can continuously build adaptable talent and resilient organisations will be the ones best positioned for long-term success.”
-END-
About Taiwan’s Talent Market: The New Rules of Competition
Published as Robert Walters Taiwan’s 15th anniversary report, Taiwan’s Talent Market: The New Rules of Competition explores how globalisation, digital transformation, the pandemic, AI adoption and geopolitical uncertainty have structurally reshaped Taiwan’s labour market over the past 15 years.
The report combines Robert Walters Taiwan’s long-term market observations, talent insights and findings from the Salary Survey 2026, covering key sectors including semiconductors, high technology, manufacturing, digital transformation and cross-border operations. It also examines the major workforce trends redefining talent competition, salary structures and employer attractiveness in Taiwan’s evolving labour market.
To access the full report, please visit: https://reurl.cc/9W97bn
Hashtag: #RobertWalters
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Robert Walters is the world’s most trusted talent solutions business. Across the globe, we deliver recruitment, recruitment process outsourcing and advisory services for businesses of all shapes and sizes, opening doors for people with diverse skills, ambitions, and backgrounds. We help organisations find the skills and solutions to reach their goals and assist talented professionals to power their unique potential.
The Taipei office specialises in placing candidates in the following specialities: accounting & finance, electronics & industrial, healthcare, human resources, IT & digital transformation, marketing, manufacturing, sales, semiconductors, software, supply chain, logistics & procurement.
Hackers are using GHOSTYNETWORKS and OMEGATECH to sustain a global JavaScript malware operation that has targeted organisations across energy, finance, retail, automotive and government-linked sectors, underlining the expanding role of bulletproof hosting in large-scale email fraud. The campaign, tracked across March 2026 activity, used malicious ZIP and RAR attachments to deliver an obfuscated JavaScript backdoor through malspam waves sent to victims in multiple regions. Targets included energy […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – Johnson Electric Holdings Limited (“Johnson Electric”), a global leader in electric motors and motion subsystems, today announced its results for the twelve months ended 31 March 2026.
Group sales for the 2025/26 financial year were US$3,650 million, an increase of 0.1% compared to the prior year. Net profit attributable to shareholders decreased by 23% to US$202 million or 21.59 US cents per share on a fully diluted basis. Adjusted net profit, excluding the effects of non-cash foreign exchange rate movements, the impairment of intangible assets, restructuring charges, and adverse fair value movements in investments, declined by 13% to US$234 million.
Sales Performance
The Automotive Products Group (“APG”) achieved sales of US$3,054 million, which amounted to 84% of total Group sales. Excluding currency effects, APG’s sales decreased by 3%.
Global automotive industry production volumes increased slightly over the prior year, but growth remains lacklustre in most markets due to affordability concerns and the challenges faced by OEMs and suppliers in adjusting to geopolitical uncertainty, tariff pressures, and the shifting economics of battery electric vehicles that continue to be shaped by the level of government subsidies available to consumers.
APG’s sales are divided broadly equally across the three major geographic regions of demand, but performance over the past year reflected distinct variations in local market conditions, as well as APG’s own mix of OEM customers and the timing of new program launches.
In Asia, the division’s sales declined by 7% on a constant currency basis primarily due to the ongoing erosion in market share held by Sino-foreign joint venture OEM customers in China. APG has continued to win significant new business awards from Chinese domestic OEMs and their suppliers, which now account for the majority of its sales in China. However, the division’s historically large share among joint venture customers has acted as a drag on its recent sales performance that is taking time to reverse. The domestic passenger vehicle market in China itself experienced a sharp slowdown in sales in the first quarter of 2026 due to the phasing out of trade-in subsidies designed to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles.
APG’s sales to the Americas increased by 1% on a constant currency basis in a market that saw total light vehicle production volumes broadly flat. The predominant factor constraining new car sales in North America is cost of living concerns, with many low to middle income car buyers struggling to afford new vehicles that, on average, have increased in price by over 30% since 2020.
In Europe, APG’s sales decreased by 2% on a constant currency basis. The European auto market continues to experience sluggish consumer demand at the same time that OEMs are hampered by excess production capacity and the impact of shifting emissions regulations on their product model line-ups.
APG’s strategy in the context of the varied and unpredictable operating environment for component suppliers is, firstly, to focus on bringing to market innovative motion technologies that enable electrification, reduce emissions, and enhance passenger safety and comfort. Secondly, APG aims to offer its diverse base of customers an unrivalled total cost and value proposition that combines speed, scale, and reliability of production with an adaptable global operating footprint.
The Industry Products Group (“IPG”) achieved sales of US$596 million – an increase of 2% compared to the prior year on a constant currency basis. After three successive years of declining sales, this marks an important return to growth for the division. In more commoditized product application segments, new business development has been redirected towards the rapidly growing base of Chinese manufacturers who are capturing an increasing share of the global market for consumer and commercial hardware goods – particularly for low-priced, entry-level products. In parallel, IPG is focused on supplying motion subsystem solutions to more specialized, higher-growth segments, including humanoid robotics, warehouse automation, medical devices, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and liquid cooling applications.
Gross Margins and Operating Profitability
The Group’s gross profit of US$840 million, or 23.0% of sales, was essentially flat compared to the prior financial year. Slight increases in production staff costs, depreciation, and raw materials were offset by savings in other production overheads and direct labour.
Reported earnings before interest, tax and amortization (“EBITA”) amounted to US$258 million, a decrease of 22% compared to US$331 million achieved in the prior year. The decline was due to a combination of factors, including higher selling and administrative staff costs and other provisions, an impairment of intangible assets arising from a past acquisition, and reduced other income due to an adverse net change in the fair value of certain investments.
Net Profit and Financial Condition
Net profit attributable to shareholders decreased by 23% to US$202 million or 21.59 US cents per share on a fully diluted basis. Adjusted net profit, excluding the effects of non-cash foreign exchange rate movements, the impairment of intangible assets, restructuring charges, and adverse fair value movements in investments, amounted to US$234 million compared to US$268 million in the prior year.
The Group’s overall financial condition remains robust with a total debt to capital ratio of 10%, an interest coverage ratio of 22 times, and year-end cash reserves of US$902 million.
Dividends
The Board considers it appropriate to recommend maintaining the final dividend of 44 HK cents (5.64 US cents) per share, which together with the interim dividend of 17 HK cents per share, represents a total dividend of 61 HK cents (7.82 US cents) per share.
Chairman’s Comments on the Annual Results and Outlook
Commenting on the annual results for the financial year 2025/26, Dr. Patrick Wang, Chairman and Chief Executive, said, “Operating conditions for global manufacturing businesses during the financial year 2025/26 remained challenging, with end-market demand in most regions subdued and geopolitical events and uncertainties placing upward pressure on input costs.”
Dr. Patrick Wang further commented: “In the face of these headwinds, Johnson Electric maintained its long-standing resilience with sales and gross profit margins both holding up comparatively well. The bottom-line result, however, was negatively impacted by the effects of higher overhead expenses on a flat sales base, adverse net changes in the fair value of investments, and a non-cash intangible assets impairment charge.”
Concerning the near-term financial outlook, Dr. Patrick Wang said: “The global economy demonstrated resilience over the past year, despite the protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the geopolitical shock of tariffs being imposed on US imports of goods from almost all countries. Looking ahead, the unstable and unpredictable conditions for trade and global manufacturing have been made even more precarious by the outbreak of war in the Middle East.”
“Johnson Electric has a long-standing track record in successfully navigating volatile global markets. In the near term, with geopolitical and macro-economic dynamics impossible to forecast with precision, management remains focused on cost control, managing the effects of inflation, and maintaining a prudent financial risk profile.”
“In parallel, however, we are also committed to invest in adapting and scaling our business model to meet strong underlying demand for our motion subsystem solutions in several high-growth end-markets and new product applications. Included among these are: thermal management systems for electric and hybrid vehicles that depend on a combination of water pumps, valves and actuators to support optimal vehicle cabin temperature, extend electric vehicle driving range, and contribute to longer battery life; solid oxide fuel cell power generation systems that are becoming established as an important source of low-emission, on-site electricity supply to AI data centres; and AI-enabled humanoid robots, which are widely viewed as one of the most significant industrial and commercial opportunities over the next ten to twenty years.”
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Johnson Electric and certain plans and objectives of the management of Johnson Electric.
Words such as “outlook”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believe”, “estimates”, “projects”, variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of Johnson Electric to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Johnson Electric’s present and future business strategies and the political and economic environment in which Johnson Electric will operate in the future.
Note to Editors and Securities Analysts: The full text of the Annual Results announcement, includingfinancial statements, is available through the Investors section of company’s website at www.johnsonelectric.com
Hashtag: #JohnsonElectric
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
At Johnson Electric, our vision is to be the world’s definitive provider of innovation and reliable motion systems.
We are a global leader in electric motors, actuators, motion subsystems and related electro-mechanical components, serving a broad range of industries including Automotive, Liquid Cooling, Robotic Joints, Smart Metering, Business Equipment, Ventilation, Home Automation, Large Appliances, Power Tools, Medical Devices and Lawn & Garden Equipment. The Group is headquartered in Hong Kong and employes over 30,000 individuals in more than 20 countries worldwide. We are listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ( Stock no. 179). For further information, please visit: 
www.johnsonelectric.com.
Cybercriminals behind the ClearFake campaign have shifted deeper into blockchain-based command infrastructure, using BNB Smart Chain testnet contracts to deliver malicious code and frustrate conventional takedown efforts. The campaign marks an escalation in the abuse of decentralised infrastructure for malware operations. Instead of relying on domains, hosting providers or disposable servers that can be suspended, the operators are storing payload logic and routing instructions inside smart contracts […]
Roundcube Webmail administrators are being pressed to install emergency updates after maintainers fixed a set of security flaws that could expose email systems to database manipulation, script injection, server-side request forgery and other attacks. Versions 1.6.16 and 1.7.1, released on 24 May 2026, address vulnerabilities affecting the 1.6 long-term support line and the 1.7 branch. The most closely watched issue is a pre-authentication SQL injection flaw in […]
Kuwait’s air defence systems intercepted hostile missiles and drones targeting its airspace early Thursday, triggering loud explosions across parts of the country but causing no casualties or damage, the army said, as Gulf states remained on high alert amid a volatile security environment. The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army said air defence units detected multiple aerial threats attempting to enter national airspace and dealt with them […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Washington carried out defensive strikes against Iranian drone operations near the Strait of Hormuz after what it described as imminent threats to American forces and commercial shipping, deepening strain around one of the world’s most important oil transit routes while both sides claim they remain committed to a ceasefire. US forces shot down four one-way attack drones and struck a ground control station […]
Google Cloud has moved deeper into AI-native cybersecurity with Google AI Threat Defence, an autonomous security platform aimed at helping enterprises detect, prioritise and remediate attacks at machine speed as rivals Anthropic and OpenAI push frontier models into vulnerability discovery and code defence. The launch marks a sharper contest in enterprise security, where artificial intelligence is shifting the centre of gravity from manual patching and alert handling […]
InMotion Hosting said it contained a critical cPanel and WHM authentication-bypass flaw that threatened one of the web-hosting industry’s most widely used management platforms, after blocking exposure across its network and patching affected systems. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-41940, created a high-impact route for unauthenticated attackers to gain access to cPanel and WebHost Manager interfaces. The issue drew urgent attention because cPanel is used by hosting providers, […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Deloitte has expanded its alliance with Netskope to deliver managed Secure Access Service Edge services across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, targeting large enterprises reshaping networks for cloud workloads, hybrid work and AI adoption. The offering brings together Deloitte’s cyber operations, advisory and managed security capabilities with Netskope’s cloud security platform, giving clients a single service model for network transformation, access control, […]
The ‘Xpress Sale’ is open for bookings from May 27 to May 31, 2026, with travel valid from June 15 to October 10. The discount applies to Lite and Value fare categories, giving passengers a wider window to plan summer, festive and early autumn trips across the carrier’s network. The airline began the sale through its website and mobile app on May 27, before widening access to major booking platforms from May 28.
The scale of the offer points to a calibrated push by Air India Express to fill capacity across a network that now spans 42 domestic and 17 international destinations. The carrier operates more than 500 daily flights and has been expanding its presence across South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Gulf, where demand is shaped by migrant traffic, family visits, business travel and holiday movement.
Passengers booking directly through the airline’s website or app during the sale are being offered zero convenience fees, adding a direct-channel incentive to the headline fare reduction. The campaign also includes additional benefits for Tata NeuPass members, including 20 per cent off Business Class fares, an extra discount of up to ₹300 on flight bookings and the opportunity to earn up to 8 per cent NeuCoins.
The Business Class offer covers seats with extra legroom, complimentary hot meals under the airline’s Gourmair product, enhanced check-in baggage allowance and priority services under Xpress Ahead. The airline is also offering up to 30 per cent off selected add-ons, including meals, seat selection, excess check-in baggage and extra cabin baggage options.
Air India Express is positioning the sale as both a demand-generation exercise and a customer-retention tool at a time when fare-sensitive travellers are comparing airlines more actively across direct platforms and online travel agencies. Promotional fare campaigns have become a central part of the low-cost aviation model, helping carriers improve forward bookings while encouraging passengers to buy optional services that raise ancillary revenue.
The offer arrives against a backdrop of steady aviation demand. Domestic air passenger traffic in FY2026 stood at about 167.7 million, reflecting moderate growth despite pressure from high operating costs and capacity adjustments across the sector. March 2026 alone recorded about 14.68 million domestic passengers, higher than both the previous month and the same month a year earlier.
Fuel remains one of the largest cost variables for airlines, often accounting for a major share of operating expenditure. Volatile jet fuel prices, currency pressure and airspace disruptions have added complexity to airline planning, making advance sales an important tool to manage load factors, cash flow and route economics. Discounted inventory can support demand on thinner routes while helping carriers protect aircraft utilisation during shoulder periods.
The campaign also fits into Air India Express’s broader transformation after the merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express was completed in October 2024. The merged low-cost carrier had a fleet of 88 aircraft at the time and has been working towards a larger narrow-body operation built around domestic and short-haul international markets.
The airline’s growth strategy includes a plan to more than double capacity over four to five years and build a fleet of more than 200 aircraft. Domestic routes are expected to take a larger share of capacity over time, rising towards about 60 per cent of operations, while short-haul international flying remains a key component of the network.
Gulf connectivity remains central to the carrier’s overseas strategy. Air India Express has been rebuilding and expanding services to West Asia, including Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, with more than 40 daily services to Gulf destinations after route resumptions and frequency additions. This market is especially important for travellers from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and other states with deep labour, family and business links to the region.
State Bank of India has warned customers against a phishing campaign that falsely claims its YONO app will be deactivated unless Aadhaar details are updated through a shared link or APK file. The country’s largest lender has said the messages are fraudulent and should be ignored. Customers have been advised not to download files received through SMS, WhatsApp, email or social media, and not to share account […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai MarsLab Pte Ltd has introduced a Singapore-based roadmap for AI inference infrastructure, positioning the company around enterprise and edge deployment at a time when organisations are shifting from model experimentation to production-scale artificial intelligence systems. The roadmap, announced on 28 May, centres on what MarsLab describes as a system-first approach to inference, the stage at which trained AI models generate outputs in live […]
The guidance, issued on May 25 in a 38-page blueprint, reflects growing official concern that attackers are using generative AI, large language models and autonomous tools to discover exposed systems, weaponise flaws, craft phishing lures and scale malware operations faster than conventional security programmes can respond. The document places rapid remediation, continuous monitoring and exposure reduction at the centre of enterprise cyber defence.
CERT-In’s most stringent timeline applies to known exploited vulnerabilities affecting internet-facing and critical systems, including applications, identity platforms, cloud assets, APIs, operational technology and systems supporting essential business functions. Organisations are advised to patch, mitigate or isolate such weaknesses within 12 hours where feasible. Critical externally exposed vulnerabilities should be addressed within one day, while known exploited flaws inside internal systems should be fixed within one day unless compensating controls are implemented and documented.
The blueprint also recommends that critical internal vulnerabilities affecting high-value systems be remediated within three days, and high-severity vulnerabilities within five days based on risk prioritisation. Where patches are unavailable, organisations are expected to use temporary protections such as isolation, access restrictions, web application firewalls, API shields, feature disabling and enhanced monitoring until permanent fixes are deployed.
The directive signals a shift from audit-driven cybersecurity to continuous exposure management. CERT-In has warned that organisations can no longer depend on periodic assessments or reactive incident response when automated tools can identify weak credentials, misconfigured systems, insecure APIs and vulnerable internet-facing services at machine speed. The approach requires security teams to maintain live inventories of assets, prioritise exposed systems and test whether controls work under attack conditions.
AI is changing both sides of the cyber equation. Attackers can use it to automate reconnaissance, write exploit code, refine phishing messages, generate synthetic identities and adapt malicious software. Defenders are being pushed to use similar capabilities for anomaly detection, threat hunting, automated triage and faster containment. The risk, however, is that poorly governed AI systems can themselves become attack surfaces through prompt injection, data leakage, model manipulation, poisoned training data, model theft and compromised orchestration pipelines.
The guidance gives particular weight to organisations operating in banking, financial services, telecom, healthcare, government, energy, transport, cloud services and other critical infrastructure-linked sectors. These environments often rely on interconnected digital systems, third-party software, outsourced technology providers and legacy platforms, creating wider exposure when a single flaw is weaponised quickly.
Global breach data has reinforced the urgency behind faster patching. Software vulnerability exploitation has overtaken stolen credentials as a leading breach entry point in major datasets, while ransomware remains a high-impact threat. Security teams also face growing pressure from supply-chain compromise, shadow AI usage, cloud misconfiguration and business email compromise. Unauthorised use of public AI tools has become a data governance issue as employees may upload source code, business documents, credentials or customer information into platforms outside corporate oversight.
CERT-In’s blueprint calls for a zero-trust approach, least-privilege access, layered controls and secure-by-design practices across applications, infrastructure and AI workflows. It urges organisations to maintain visibility into AI deployments, restrict sensitive data uploads to public AI platforms, log AI activity, conduct adversarial testing and keep human approval for critical autonomous actions.
Software supply-chain visibility is another major focus. Organisations are encouraged to use software bills of materials and related inventories for AI models, cryptographic assets and hardware components to understand dependencies, validate provenance and coordinate remediation when vulnerabilities emerge in third-party products.
The new expectations build on India’s existing cyber incident reporting framework, under which specified cyber incidents must be reported to CERT-In within six hours. The latest blueprint does not merely extend compliance obligations; it raises operational expectations for boards, chief information security officers and technology vendors by linking resilience to the speed of response.
Smaller organisations may struggle with the 12-hour benchmark because patch testing, downtime concerns, legacy dependencies and staffing shortages often slow remediation. The guidance therefore recognises feasible mitigation as part of the response, but it also makes clear that unmanaged exposure is no longer acceptable when attackers can exploit public-facing weaknesses within hours.
Cisco researchers have warned that leading open-weight large language models can be manipulated through sustained conversations that gradually push them past safety controls, exposing a weakness in systems now being adopted across business, public services and consumer applications. The assessment tested eight widely used open-weight models from Alibaba, DeepSeek, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral, OpenAI and Zhipu AI. The models were examined through automated adversarial testing designed to […]
Thousands of fraudulent FIFA-themed domains are being positioned to exploit supporters before the 2026 World Cup, with cyber-security researchers tracking more than 4,300 suspicious registrations since August 2025. The domains mimic FIFA’s official web presence and are designed to lure fans seeking tickets, merchandise, travel packages, streaming access, betting platforms and hospitality deals. Some use names close to FIFA, the World Cup, host cities or national teams, […]
Hackers are exploiting shared content delivery network infrastructure to hide malicious traffic behind trusted domains, exposing a weakness in DNS-based security controls used by enterprises to block command-and-control activity, data theft and unauthorised tunnelling. The technique, named Underminr by ADAMnetworks, takes advantage of the way large CDNs host many unrelated websites on the same edge IP addresses. A compromised device can make a legitimate DNS lookup for […]
Results Highlights:
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 27 May 2026 – The board of directors of Oi Wah Pawnshop Credit Holdings Limited (HKEx stock code: 1319.HK, the “Group” or “Oi Wah”) announced its annual results and its financial position. For the year ended 28 February 2026 (“FY2026“), the Group recorded revenue of approximately HK$164.4 million. Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company reached approximately HK$82.6 million, representing an increase of 47.8% compared to the year ended 28 February 2025 (“FY2025“). During the year, net interest margin expanded to approximately 17.2%.
As of 28 February 2026, the cash and cash equivalents (net of bank overdraft) amounted to approximately HK$376.9 million, representing a substantial increase of approximately 74.8% YoY. The net assets increased to approximately HK$1,155.7 million. Concurrently, the gearing ratio dropped to 4.1%. During the year, the earnings per share increased by approximately 48.3% YoY to HK 4.3 cents. The Board of Directors recommends a final dividend of HK 1.15 cents per share.
BUSINESS REVIEW
Mortgage loan business
In FY2026, the economy entered a phase of gradual recovery, leading to a steady resurgence in financing demand. The revenue from the mortgage loan business was approximately HK$65.8 million and accounted for approximately 40.0% of the Group’s total revenue during the year. The gross mortgage loan receivables were approximately HK$612.5 million as at 28 February 2026. During the year, net interest margin of the mortgage loan business was approximately 10.1%.
In FY2026, the Group maintained a disciplined and risk-sensitive approach in its lending activities. While we observed an encouraging stabilization in the residential property market, the Group exercised intensified vigilance toward the commercial and industrial sectors due to persistent supply overhangs and valuation pressures. Our underwriting strategy remained focused on building a resilient loan portfolio by prioritizing high-quality collaterals and prudent loan-to-value ratios. During the year, the average loan-to-value ratio for first mortgage was approximately 56.27%, while overall average loan-to-value ratio for subordinate mortgage was approximately 40.82% of which, average loan-to-value ratio of subordinate mortgage that the Group participated in was approximately 3.73%.
Reflecting our robust credit risk management, the charge for impairment losses recognized on loan receivables decreased from approximately HK$46.3 million to approximately HK$12.7 million, representing a decrease of approximately 72.6% or HK$33.6 million.
Pawn Loan Business
The revenue from the pawn loan business increased by approximately 12.9% to approximately HK$98.6 million in FY2026. The business’s profitability was further bolstered by a significant 73.0% increase in the gain on disposal of repossessed assets, which reached approximately HK$19.2 million as compared to approximately HK$11.1 million in FY2025. This performance was mainly attributed to the unprecedented strength of gold prices and a highly active secondary market for luxuries, particularly high-end timepieces. These factors have further solidified the pawn loan business as a resilient and strategic hedge against broader economic volatility.
During the year, the Group continued to channel resources to advertising and promotion to enhance the Group’s brand exposure. Such effort has generated demand for one-to-one pawn loan appointment services for pawn loans exceeding HK$0.1 million.
PROSPECTS
Looking ahead, the Group maintains a stance of cautious optimism regarding the global economic recovery. While macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties may persist, we remain dedicated to a proactive yet prudent strategy to ensure sustainable long-term growth and maximize returns for our shareholders.
Within the mortgage loan market, our strategy will be characterized by a calibrated and divergent approach. We continue to hold an optimistic outlook on the residential property segment, where we intend to capitalize on the stabilizing interest rate environment by identifying high-quality mortgage opportunities. Conversely, we maintain cautious and vigilant towards the commercial and industrial sectors. Given the structural challenges of inventory overhang and the increasing prevalence of distressed assets, the Group will exercise intensified oversight in its credit underwriting and collateral appraisal to mitigate valuation risks.
Regarding our core operations, we anticipate our pawn loan business to remain resilient, supported by a firm gold price trajectory and sustained demand for liquidity management. To further enhance operational efficiency, the Group is actively optimizing its pawn shop network. We are strategically identifying more cost-effective locations within our established service areas, aiming to relocate our pawn outlets to premises with more competitive lease terms to reduce operating overheads while maintaining our leading market presence.
Simultaneously, our strategic partnership with PACM Group remains a key driver for geographic diversification. By proactively exploring institutional credit opportunities in developed markets while maintaining rigorous investment oversight, the Group is well-positioned to navigate evolving industry dynamics and deliver stable value to all stakeholders.
Mr. Edward Chan, Chairman and CEO of the Company, said, “Global geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties intertwine, placing pressure on the global economic recovery and posing ongoing challenges to the local property market. In the face of a complex external environment, Oi Wah has consistently adhered to a proactive yet prudent management strategy. Our core pawn loan business has fully demonstrated its role as a strategic tool to hedge against macroeconomic fluctuations, showcasing the Group’s strong resilience amidst market challenges.
Looking forward, we will adopt a carefully calibrated differentiation strategy and continue to drive regional diversification. Under strict investment monitoring, we will actively explore business opportunities in developed markets to further expand our revenue streams and customer base, striving to deliver long-term, stable, and sustainable returns for our shareholders.”
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Oi Wah is a financing service provider in Hong Kong, mainly providing short-term secured financing, including pawn loans and mortgage loans. The Group established its first pawnshop in 1975 and currently owns 10 pawnshops and one premium service center in various locations in Hong Kong. Oi Wah diversified into mortgage loan business in 2009. The Group is the first local pawn shop which successfully listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 12 March 2013.
Jazeera Airways has launched a limited Eid and summer fare campaign, offering one-way tickets from KD15, or about $48.75, as Kuwait’s low-cost carrier moves to capture holiday demand across leisure, family and business routes. Bookings under the Special Eid and beyond sale are open until 31 May 2026, with travel valid from 27 May to 30 September 2026. The campaign covers selected destinations on the airline’s network […]
The arrangement makes BlockShoals the approved local intermediary under the SEC’s StratBox framework, while Binance supplies technology, security systems, operational support and compliance expertise developed across regulated markets. The sandbox phase is expected to begin in the second half of 2026 and run for at least two years, giving regulators direct oversight of product testing before any wider rollout to users.
The move marks a notable shift in Binance’s strategy in the Philippines. Rather than seeking to restore access through an offshore model, the exchange is now pursuing market participation through a domestic company operating under SEC supervision. BlockShoals, a Philippine-incorporated fintech firm, secured approval under the crypto asset intermediary framework after a multi-year process involving regulatory conditions, compliance checks and investor-protection requirements.
Binance’s online presence in the Philippines was blocked in 2024 after the SEC said the platform had offered investment and trading services without the necessary licence. The regulator had warned the public about the exchange in November 2023, then moved to restrict website access through telecommunications authorities the following year. The action became one of the clearest signals that Manila intended to bring offshore digital-asset platforms under local rules.
That enforcement drive has since widened. The SEC’s crypto-asset service provider rules, issued in 2025, require firms serving Philippine users to register, maintain sufficient capital, observe marketing standards, and meet operational and reporting obligations. The framework is intended to protect retail investors while allowing controlled innovation in a market where crypto use remains high by regional and global standards.
The Philippines ranked ninth in the 2025 global crypto adoption index, reflecting strong activity across retail centralised services and digital-asset platforms. Usage has been driven by a young, mobile-first population, remittance demand, online work, gaming-linked crypto activity and a broad appetite for alternative financial products. That adoption has also heightened regulatory concern over fraud, weak disclosures, market volatility and the risks of foreign platforms serving users without domestic accountability.
Seker, Binance’s head of Asia-Pacific, described the Philippines as one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic digital economies, saying frameworks such as StratBox create a channel for regulators and industry participants to work together while maintaining user protection and market integrity. The company has presented the BlockShoals partnership as part of a compliance-first approach rather than a conventional market relaunch.
BlockShoals has framed its role around local accountability. A company representative said the partnership was an opportunity to show that global digital-asset platforms and domestic regulatory frameworks could operate constructively together, adding that the firm would work under direct SEC supervision while building a secure platform for users.
The sandbox structure gives the SEC room to monitor how products are configured, how customer onboarding is handled, how risks are disclosed, and how safeguards such as know-your-customer checks, anti-money-laundering controls and transaction monitoring are applied. It also gives Binance a pathway to rebuild trust after a period in which its Philippine operations were defined by access restrictions and licensing concerns.
The Philippine approach mirrors a broader shift across Asia, where regulators are moving away from informal tolerance of offshore crypto activity and towards domestic licensing regimes. Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan have tightened rules for exchanges, stablecoin activity, custody, marketing and investor suitability. The result is a more fragmented operating environment for global platforms, with access increasingly dependent on local registration, capital commitments and regulator-facing governance.
For Binance, the Philippine partnership carries strategic value beyond one market. The exchange has spent the past several years seeking to repair relations with regulators after facing scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions. A successful sandbox test in Manila would support its argument that global crypto platforms can adapt to local rules through partnerships, product controls and supervised deployment.
