Saudi Arabia confirmed on Sunday that 12 people were killed and 309 injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, prompting a temporary suspension of operations and widespread flight disruptions amid escalating hostilities with Yemen’s Houthi movement. The General Authority of Civil Aviation said Saturday’s attack caused extensive casualties and material damage to airport facilities. Several injured passengers and other victims remained in critical […]
The United States has lifted a tsunami threat alert issued after a powerful earthquake struck Panama, as authorities assess widespread damage and injuries from two major tremors that shook the Central American country on Friday. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially identified a potential threat to coastal areas across Central and South America following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake on October 9. Subsequent assessments found no continuing tsunami […]
By Dr. Gyan Pathak Hundreds of protesters ultimately were able to reach near Jantar Mantar on October 10 to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar despite the Union Government’s unprecedentedly locking off the venue and the entire Central Delhi, heavy deployment of police force in entire Delhi, internet shut down, erecting blockades across Delhi and its […]
Greenlogue/AP Khalifa University has completed the main conference programme of the Abu Dhabi Climate Solutions Summit 2026, recording more than 1,000 registrations and accepting over 100 research posters focused on practical responses to climate change. The university said the gathering brought together scientists, policymakers, investors, businesses and young innovators to examine how promising technologies could move beyond laboratories into affordable, commercially viable applications. Five dedicated youth sessions […]
The UAE will participate in the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Bangkok from 12 to 18 October, with senior financial officials pursuing discussions on global economic stability, development financing and international cooperation.
Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, will lead the Ministry of Finance delegation, which is scheduled to attend ministerial discussions, multilateral consultations and bilateral meetings with representatives of participating countries.
The Ministry of Finance announced the participation on Friday, identifying financial resilience, sustainable development funding and stronger institutional partnerships as principal priorities. The meetings come amid mounting concerns over sovereign debt, borrowing costs, geopolitical tensions and uneven economic growth.
Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE and the country’s governor to the IMF, will separately lead the central bank delegation. Assistant governors and senior officials will participate in discussions covering monetary policy, financial stability and emerging challenges affecting international markets.
Al Hussaini said the annual gathering offered an opportunity to coordinate economic positions and strengthen dialogue among governments and international financial institutions. The UAE would seek partnerships supporting inclusive development while examining financing mechanisms capable of improving economic resilience.
The Ministry of Finance delegation will attend the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Regional economic developments, financing requirements and financial stability are expected to feature in those discussions.
Its programme also includes the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, the annual plenary session and consultations involving the International Monetary and Financial Committee, which advises the IMF on the international monetary and financial system.
A separate meeting of Arab governors with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga will provide another forum for discussing development priorities and cooperation with multilateral lenders. UAE officials will also hold bilateral engagements with representatives of partner countries.
The central bank has identified digital transformation, artificial intelligence, financial inclusion and climate resilience among its priorities. Its delegation intends to examine how technological developments can support economic growth while strengthening financial systems against emerging risks.
These discussions will take place against a difficult international economic backdrop. IMF Managing Director Georgieva has warned governments about mounting public debt and the need for credible fiscal policies, particularly as higher borrowing costs constrain spending and investment.
Geopolitical disruptions and pressure on energy markets have added uncertainty to economic forecasts. Policymakers attending the Bangkok meetings will face questions about balancing inflation control, financial stability and growth while addressing the financing needs of developing economies.
The World Bank Group has placed employment, private investment and development opportunities among the central themes of its programme. Scheduled discussions include mobilising private capital for jobs and examining how artificial intelligence can support employment and economic development.
For the UAE, these subjects intersect with its stated priorities of expanding international financial cooperation and supporting development financing. The Ministry of Finance said its delegation would examine opportunities for practical collaboration with governments and international institutions.
Bangkok will also provide the setting for preparations linked to the UAE’s hosting of the institutions’ 2029 Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi. The World Bank Group and IMF announced that decision in April following approval by their boards of governors.
An official signing ceremony associated with the 2029 hosting arrangements is scheduled during the Bangkok gathering. Abu Dhabi’s selection will bring the meetings back to the UAE after Dubai hosted them in 2003.
The annual meetings bring together finance and development ministers, central bankers, institutional leaders, private sector representatives and civil society organisations. Their principal forums address the world economic outlook, monetary cooperation, development challenges and the operations of the two institutions.
The main venue this year is Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The formal plenary session is scheduled for 16 October, while the International Monetary and Financial Committee plenary is scheduled for 17 October.
The UAE programme also includes a reception bringing together banks from the country and their regional and international counterparts. The Ministry of Finance said the gathering was intended to strengthen institutional relationships and create opportunities for financial cooperation.
Other scheduled engagements include discussions with partner governments on bilateral economic relations and possible areas of collaboration. The ministry has not announced individual bilateral agreements or financing commitments ahead of the meetings.
Public sessions will accompany the ministerial programme, including discussions on artificial intelligence, private investment and development. Selected events will be streamed internationally, with interpretation available in several languages, including Arabic.
Gold prices climbed to a one-week high on Friday as declining oil prices eased inflation concerns and pressure on US Treasury yields, encouraging investors to return to bullion despite uncertainty over further Federal Reserve interest rate increases. Spot gold advanced 1.4% to $4,190.49 an ounce during US trading, extending gains for a second consecutive session. The metal was heading towards a weekly increase of approximately 1.2%, recovering […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2026 – ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading hospitality management company in Asia-Pacific specialising in hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences, is bringing its 60th anniversary campaign, “More of What You Love,” to life through a series of collaborations designed to create new experiences for today’s travellers.
Strategic collaborations with partners including ChaTraMue, Benzilla and Grab bring together Thai heritage, contemporary creativity and seamless travel experiences.
Bringing together Thai heritage, contemporary creativity and digital connectivity, ONYX Hospitality Group is collaborating with ChaTraMue, Thailand’s iconic tea brand; internationally recognised Thai artist Benzilla; and Grab Thailand, a leading digital platform for mobility and everyday services. Each partnership adds a different dimension to the ONYX experience, spanning food and beverage, art, lifestyle and mobility, while connecting the Group’s Thai roots and hospitality expertise with the way people travel, dine and discover today.
Two Thai Brands, One Shared Heritage
ONYX Hospitality Group and ChaTraMue unite two Thai brands with longstanding legacies and generations of consumer recognition. With a tea-making heritage dating back to 1925, ChaTraMue contributes one of Thailand’s most familiar flavours, complemented by ONYX’s expertise in hospitality, dining and experience creation.
The collaboration will introduce new menus, beverages and guest experiences that give a much-loved part of Thai culture a fresh expression across ONYX hotels and restaurants. From a familiar cup of Thai tea to new interpretations created for different occasions, the partnership invites guests to experience more of a flavour they already know and love.
OZO Meets the Creative World of Benzilla
For OZO, Thai artist Benzilla brings the brand’s playful personality to life through a collection of four specially designed luggage stickers, turning the suitcase into a canvas for travel memories. Inspired by OZO’s lively, youthful spirit and interpreted through Benzilla’s bold contemporary style, the collection captures the fun and spontaneity at the heart of the brand. Designed to travel beyond the hotel, the stickers give guests a reminder of their journey while showing how Thai creative talent can translate OZO’s personality into something personal, expressive and shareable.
Connecting Travel and Discovery with Grab Thailand
ONYX Hospitality Group’s collaboration with Grab Thailand brings hospitality and digital convenience closer together, connecting Grab’s ecosystem and consumer reach with ONYX hotels, restaurants and lifestyle experiences. By integrating transport, dining and destination discovery, the partnership helps make the guest journey more seamless while allowing travellers to engage with ONYX through a platform already part of their everyday lives. It also creates new opportunities for the Group to reach digitally active consumers before, during and beyond their stay, making its brands, dining and destinations easier to access and enjoy.
Different Strengths, More to Experience
While each initiative is distinct, they share a common idea: combining ONYX’s hospitality expertise with the strengths of each partner to create meaningful value for today’s guests.
Pornthip Paothong, Vice President, Brand and Marketing, ONYX Hospitality Group said: “Our 60th anniversary celebrates our Thai roots and the hospitality experience we have built over the past six decades, while also looking at what guests value today. ‘More of What You Love‘ is about giving people more reasons to enjoy their time with us – from the hotels they stay in and the food they discover to the destinations they explore. Together, they allow us to create experiences that reflect how people live and travel today.”
The collaborations form part of ONYX Hospitality Group’s wider 60th anniversary campaign, creating new reasons for guests to engage with and return to its brands. Across Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence, ONYX Hospitality Group continues to develop experiences shaped around the distinct character of each brand, supported by its deep understanding of hospitality and destinations across Asia-Pacific.
As ONYX enters its seventh decade, the Group will continue to explore partnerships that connects its heritage with creativity and contemporary lifestyles, with further anniversary initiatives to be introduced throughout the year.
Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About ONYX Hospitality Group:
ONYX Hospitality Group is a leading hospitality management company in Asia-Pacific, with a complementary portfolio of brands comprising Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence. Together, these brands serve the diverse needs of business and leisure travellers across the region, where ONYX has deep market expertise. Beyond accommodation, the Group also operates spa and food and beverage businesses. Drawing on six decades of management experience, ONYX delivers innovative hospitality solutions across the region while upholding internationally recognised standards and maintaining operational agility. By building enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers distinctive experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, responding to the evolving needs of today’s travellers.
By Rahil Nora Chopra Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi stole the spotlight with a display of athleticism, seamless climbing over a police barricade during the Opposition MPs’ march to the Election Commission headquarters. Dressed in his trademark white collared T-shirt, Rahul stood atop the barricade, waving the Tricolour in the face […]
Abu Dhabi has launched a new artificial intelligence training programme targeting 20,000 government employees this year, advancing its Dh13 billion strategy to establish the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027. The Department of Government Enablement announced the AiNative programme on October 7, partnering with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence to develop practical AI capabilities across the public sector and eventually among […]
By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers NEW YORK: The latest Donald Trump–Gavin Newsom confrontation began, as many of their earlier clashes have, with California. Trump has done it before and he has done it again and he will do it again. Trump is known to make off the cuff remarks, knowingly or unknowingly, of the impact it […]
France has suspended the use of stun grenades against demonstrators as nationwide student protests over deteriorating school conditions intensify, placing the government under mounting pressure to address education shortages and allegations of excessive police force. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered the suspension following serious injuries to teenage protesters, including a 15-year-old who lost a hand during clashes with riot police in Lens. Authorities are investigating allegations of […]
Gulf Business Machines has established what it describes as the UAE’s first AI Lab built on the Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA, giving organisations across the Gulf a controlled environment for moving artificial intelligence projects from trials into production. The Dubai-based technology company said on Wednesday that the facility combines pre-validated computing, networking, security and AI software to support on-premises and hybrid deployments. GBM said the […]
By Dr. Gyan Pathak Tamil Nadu politics is undergoing a great churning. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by CM Chandrasekaran Joseph Vijay has formally joined the INDIA bloc on October 3, 2026. It is indeed the biggest strategic shift in Tamil Nadu politics in recent times, which the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore […]
By Arun Srivastava The political economy of a state is the interdisciplinary study of how a government’s political institutions, laws, and power dynamics interact with its economic system to produce, distribute, and manage wealth and public policy. The political economy of Uttar Pradesh is shaped by its massive electoral weight, profound caste-class cleavages, and a […]
Red Hat and IBM have identified and remediated more than 400 previously unknown vulnerabilities in widely used Java libraries through their Lightwell open-source security initiative, while making its enterprise Clearinghouse service generally available. The companies said on Tuesday that Lightwell engineers had also backported fixes for the flaws into versions of software already deployed in production, seeking to close security gaps without forcing organisations into disruptive upgrades. […]
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US$10 Billion in Venture Capital Convenes to Meet Hong Kong Start-ups; Government, Business and Young Professionals Explore Opportunities in the New Economy
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 October 2026 – The Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2026, organised by Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy, was held on 5 October at the Conrad Hong Kong. Now in its third edition, the Summit coincides with the release of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026–2030) and the latest Policy Address, which together set a clear blueprint for the city’s future. Anchored on these core themes and conducted entirely in English, the full-day programme focused on artificial intelligence, geopolitics, Hong Kong as an education hub, capital markets, life and health technology, and start-up financing. Government and business leaders, corporate representatives and young professionals were invited to examine Hong Kong’s strategic opportunities in the new economic landscape.
The Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2026 brings together more than 600 young professionals, government and business leaders and corporate representatives
The Summit aims to connect young professionals with international resources, enabling participants to engage directly with industry leaders, grasp developments at the frontier of industry, and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges arising from artificial intelligence and Greater Bay Area integration. Previous editions have drawn a strong response. Across three editions, the Summit has attracted more than thousands of in-person participants and about 17,000 online participants from over 30 countries and regions, with social media reach exceeding 50 million.
This year’s Summit was the largest yet, bringing together more than 600 young professionals, government and business leaders and corporate representatives. Participants from over 60 countries and regions joined online. More than 30 distinguished speakers and moderators were invited, including officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and representatives of leading local and international organisations such as Huawei, the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Bullish and Endowus. In addition, consular representatives from up to 20 countries attended the Summit.
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr John Lee, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, delivered a pre-recorded video speech, encouraging young professionals to seize the opportunities of the times and inject fresh momentum into Hong Kong’s high-quality development. He said: “For our young people, I firmly believe that your opportunities ahead outweigh the difficulties. The HKSAR Government will join hands with all sectors to build platforms for you to thrive in Hong Kong, in our country, and in the global arena.”
The Deputy Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, SBS, JP, delivered an opening keynote entitled “Opportunities for the Professional Development of Young People”, and stressed: “As the saying goes, ‘Change is the only constant’—or as our Cantopop classic famously put it, ‘變幻原是永恆’. Today, we no longer measure change in years or decades, but in months and days. For our young professionals, this fast-paced era unlocks unprecedented career horizons. By accelerating Greater Bay Area integration through our new GBA Task Force and empowering you to act as the ultimate ‘super-connectors’ and ‘super value-adders’ helping Mainland enterprises go global, we are turning rapid change into your greatest professional advantage.”
Dr Kevin Lau, MH, Founding Convenor of Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy, said: “This is more than a high-level forum. It marks a milestone in the maturing of our network of young professionals. This afternoon, venture funds managing an estimated US$10 billion in assets gathered in the room — and what they are looking at is Hong Kong’s next generation. In life and health technology, our core belief is clear: artificial intelligence can assist imaging and diagnosis, but a physician’s care, and the warmth of a human hand, can never be replaced by technology.”
Other distinguished guests included Mr Kevin Choi, JP, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Professor Frederick Ma, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; Ms Bonnie Y Chan, JP, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; and Mr James Chau, President of the China-United States Exchange Foundation and World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals. Mr Bryan Che, Chief Strategy Officer of Huawei, and Ms Cindy Chow, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, also attended in person to exchange views with young professionals.
Panel discussions
Artificial intelligence: from first-time users to advanced users The opening session began with remarks by Mr Kevin Choi, JP, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and was moderated by Ms Stephaine Chan, Director of the Office of the Vice Chairman of Esquel Group. Panellists included Ms Ilaria Chan, Chair of the Tech For Good Institute; Mr Bryan Che, Chief Strategy Officer of Huawei; and Ms Cindy Chow, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund. The discussion focused on whether small and medium-sized enterprises, non-governmental organisations and schools can genuinely put artificial intelligence to use, and on the talent, trust and practical-application issues Hong Kong faces in driving “AI for all”.
Mr Kevin Choi, JP mentioned: “Every major technology shift brings uncertainty. Our theme today from entry-level shock to AI-powered users building the next talent leader.”
Ms Stephaine Chan said: “Every AI conversation ends in the same place, right? More investment, better people, better models and stronger policy.”
Ms Ilaria Chan said: “These days, Al is so powerful that they can scan the Internet and social media and find vulnerable young people or old people. They can find it instantly and have a very sophisticated way to trick them and fraud them from scamming.”
Mr Bryan Che: “One of the opportunities of Al is because the interface is much more natural for most people to interact with. On one sense, it’s a lot easier for everyone to get started.”
Ms Cindy Chow said: “So I guess some of the most damaging thing is not allowing people to use or not, you know, really have the attitude to embrace all this new technology, what this new technology has to bring to you.”
Geopolitics: the super-connector This session was moderated by Mr James Chau, President of the China-United States Exchange Foundation and World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals. Speakers included Ms Ilaria Chan, Chair of the Tech For Good Institute; Ms Ellana Lee, Senior Vice President, Managing Editor, Asia Pacific, and Global Head of Productions at CNN; and Professor Frederick Ma, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
Mr James Chau said: “Against this backdrop, we often hear Hong Kong described as a super connector, typically framed in terms of trade volumes, capital markets and logistics but I think that these connections that we’re speaking of really only become very valuable and we understand and recognize the human bonds that pin these together.”
Professor Frederick Ma , GBS, JP said: “We are part of China. And yet we are under one country 2 systems connected to the rest of the world. That is the power of Hong Kong.”
Ms Ellana Lee said: “We made a very strategic decision when the times were tough to stay and remain in Hong Kong. I think that has and you know, we make these decisions not just out of a whim, but we are very calculative on why we need to stay. I have 8 cities across Asia Pacific. Hong Kong happens to be the hub for Asia Pacific. And there’s it boils down to four major reasons.”
Ms IIaria Chan: “Simple of how tech is helping people, there is an organization, WHO care for children that was founded 20 years ago that helps orphans in developing China back then Vietnam, Thailand now in Africa, Middle East to find loving permanent homes. But their bottleneck is how they train social workers and governments on how to take care of orphan welfare. Now this year we’ve actually been launching an online product that is able to scale these bottlenecks, especially in areas that are underfunded. This is a great example of Al tech.”
Education: Hong Kong as Asia’s education hub This session was co-moderated by Mrs Jennifer Yu Cheng, JP, Founder of the Future Leaders Foundation, and Ms Jennifer Ma, Founder of JM Edu Consulting. Speakers included Ms Maggie Chau, School Partnership Advisor at the Academy for Educational Development and Innovation of The Education University of Hong Kong; Mr Dion CHEN, MH, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council; and Professor Charles Ng Wang-Wai, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Mrs Jennifer Yu Cheng, JP said: “An education hub is more than a place with excellent institutions. It is a place that students and families choose, where young people flourish, and connects education with research, innovation, careers and a wider community.”
Professor Charles Ng said: “With our national policy. And I think we should do better to support this great initiatives and thinking back actually 2023 and home government already in in the government policy in October, if I remember correctly to start to increase the local student quota from 20% to 40%.”
Ms Jennifer Ma said: “As a consultant we need demand to meet supply and we are definitely seeing the demand for Hong Kong education at K12 level…….The advocacy for Hong Kong to be the gateway for China Resources and talents to leave China and go into international arenas. But at the same time, we also see a lot of international people interested in what’s happening in mainland, and therefore Hong Kong is a great gateway. So, with that global education, global education philosophy, that means they really appreciate Hong Kong trilingual education by cultural mindset.”
Mr Dion CHEN, MH mentioned: “In 2026, a lot of DSS schools will work very hard to try to welcome and also promote welcome to Hong Kong and also promote Hong Kong’s education to the students in different countries.”
Ms Maggie Chau said: “Maggie: I can see that all the universities are actually implementing AI in their curriculum. Talking about teacher education, the programs we offer, I mean, not just The Education University of Hong Kong, the programs we offer in all universities implement Al in the curriculum in a way that we draw attention to the use of Al is it has to be ethical.”
Capital markets: AI listings, asset tokenisation and the new economy This session was moderated by Ms Emily CHAN Tan, a former CNBC anchor. Speakers included Ms Bonnie Y Chan, JP; Ms Clara CHAN Ka Chai, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited; Mr Michael Lau, Senior Vice President and Head of Group Business Development at Bullish and Chairman of Consensus; and Mr Samuel RHEE, Co-founder, Chairman and Group Chief Investment Officer of Endowus.
Ms Clara CHAN Ka Chai said: “We always say that from zero to 1 is the most challenging part. So, the patients in terms of having staying power is the core, but it has to go in hand with other qualities like being proactive, being professional.”
Mr Michael Lau said: “I think it’s an interesting proposition to consider that these types of companies that are so capital. I would start looking beyond the current horizon of where we are to see where it could go next. And so I do think that there is a demand looking to that future where this idea of a tokenized capital market could be quite interesting.”
Mr Samuel RHEE mentioned: “First of all, maybe we just take a step back and just try to understand all of the capital markets, not just equities.”
Ms Bonnie Y Chan, JP said: “I want to point out one thing. I mean, we are operating a stock exchange and I think capital markets at the end of the day, the basic function is to match capital with opportunity. So what I’m very focused on is that I’m not just focused on technology or AI.”
Ms Emily CHAN Tan said: “We are not just witnessing a cyclical recovery, but also some would call this the threshold of a capital markets renaissance.”
Life and health technology: building a health-industry hub This session was moderated by Professor Lo Yuk-lam, BBS, Founding President of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organisation. Speakers included Professor LI King-Chuen, Founding Dean of the School of Medicine at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Dr Sarah SALVILLA, Director of Health and Strategic Partnerships at FWD Group; and Professor Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, GBS, JP, former Chairman of the Hospital Authority and Non-executive Chairman of Trinity Medical Group. The discussion focused on how AI in healthcare can strengthen the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s health industry.
Professor Lo Yuk-lam, BBS said: “Building HK’s holistic wellness hub, this year marks a defining moment for HK. With the release of our first ever five year plan and their chief executive policy address just a few weeks ago, our city’s road map for healthcare and biotechnology knowledge has never been clearer or more ambitious.”
Professor Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, GBS, JP said: “Every country every city is trying to recruit more talent and I think Hong Kong is an ideal position to attract talents.”
Professor LI King-Chuen said: “Our education system will be individualized. And we will do the factual knowledge transfer through mostly self-directed learning. So we guide them, we build an AI system with prescribed information.”
Dr Sarah SALVILLA said: “Prevention for sure in terms of how do we educate people to be much more proactive in their everyday lives, yes you know, kind of the lifestyle things.”
Start-up pitching: connecting with capital The closing session was moderated by business journalist Ms Elaine Yu, with Mr LU Chin Yung, Senior Vice President (Start-ups) of the Sector Specialist Group at Invest Hong Kong. Representatives of 11 venture funds were present, including the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Clee Capital, Click Ventures, GT Healthcare Capital Partners, Gobi Partners GBA, HKSTP Ventures, MindWorks Capital, Ryoden Medical Holdings, Seveno Capital, Verge HealthTech Fund and W2 Venture Partners. Together, the funds manage an estimated US$10 billion, have invested in more than 600 start-ups across more than 30 economies, and have backed at least nine unicorns, including Airwallex, Animoca Brands, Prenetics and GoGoX. Start-ups taking part in the pitching session included CELLmeric, Entoptica, PointFit, Syngular, Kodifly, AilsynBio, EveryBaby, A-grade, Orimmune Biotech, Nordia Biotech, Oncolmmu Nostics Limited, The Harbour School (THS), VisionBridge, Eden’s Garden, and CARE CONNECT.
Ms Elaine Yu said: “We have 15 startups and I think a group of students as well, very precocious students WHO are already thinking of ideas, real businesses with commercial viability at the cutting edge of science, research, healthcare and so forth. So, this should be a fun dynamic session.”
Mr LU Chin Yung pointed out: “Hong Kong is great in a lot of rankings in the world and this is not given, this is hard earned by your parents, by some of you sitting here. But as a young founder in Hong Kong, if you come to Hong Kong, you get to enjoy all this very safe environment. You have efficiency and then you also have a very clean government. This one I can say for sure. Yeah. And and all this, it helps the the founders to focus on your business, focus on grow, growing instead of you have to deal with many, many things.”
The Summit closed amid lively exchange. Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy said it will continue to build the Summit into a platform for dialogue between young professionals and leading figures in government and business, helping Hong Kong’s young talent seize the opportunities of the new economy.
Vice-Chairman, Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council
Mrs Carrie Cheng, JP
Founder, Future Leaders Foundation
Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, SBS, JP
Deputy Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Mr Kevin Choi, JP
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Ms Cindy Chow
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund
Dr Kevin Lau, MH
Founding Convenor, Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy
Mr Lau Tak-ho
Senior Vice President and Head of Group Business Development, Bullish, and Chairman, Consensus
Ms Ellana Lee
Senior Vice President, Managing Editor, Asia Pacific, and Global Head of Productions, CNN
Professor King Li
Founding Dean, School of Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Professor Lo Yuk-lam, BBS
Founding President, Hong Kong Biotechnology Organisation
Mr Raymond Lui
Senior Vice President (Start-ups), Sector Specialist Group, Invest Hong Kong
Ms Michelle Ma
Founder, JM Edu Consulting
Professor Frederick Ma, GBS, JP
Chairman, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Professor Charles Ng
Vice-President for Institutional Advancement, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Mr Samuel Rhee
Co-founder, Chairman and Group Chief Investment Officer, Endowus
Dr Sit Wai-nga
Director, Health and Strategic Partnerships, FWD Group
Professor Anthony Wu, GBS, JP
Former Chairman, Hospital Authority, and Non-executive Chairman, 全仁醫療集團
Ms Elaine Yu
Business Journalist
Ms Jeanne Cheng, JP
District Officer (Central and Western)
Dr Elsie Leung, GBM, JP
Former Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Professor Teresa Cheng, GBM, GBS, SC, JP
Secretary-General, International Organization for Mediation, and former Secretary for Justice
The Hon Tommy Cheung, GBM, GBS, JP
Non-official Member, Executive Council
The Hon Dr Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP
Non-official Member, Executive Council
The Hon Chan Hoi-fung, BBS, MH, JP
Legislative Council Member
The Hon Chan Kin-por, GBM, GBS, JP
Non-official Member, Executive Council
The Hon Nixie Lam
Legislative Council Member
Mr Andrew Yao, SBS, JP
Hong Kong Deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress
Professor Herman Hu, GBS, JP
Hong Kong Deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress
Mr Gordon Lam
Hong Kong Deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress
Mr Chan Chung-ni, SBS, JP
Hong Kong Deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress
Mr Ho Hon-kuen, BBS, MH
Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
Mr Tu Haiming, BBS
Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
Mr Kung Wing-tak
Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
Dr Lo Kam-wing, BBS, JP
Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and President, The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong
Mr Li Tai-chong, SBS, OM, JP
Member, National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
The Hon Lam Wai-chuen
Legislative Council Member
The Hon Lau Man-kwan, JP
Legislative Council Member
The Hon Chong Ho-fung
Legislative Council Member
The Hon Lee Kwong-yu, MH
Legislative Council Member
The Hon Leung Tsz-wing, MH
Legislative Council Member
Mr Ng Yuk-yeung
Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
The Hon Fong Kwok-shan
Legislative Council Member
The Hon Lau Ka-keung, BBS, MH, JP
Legislative Council Member
The Hon Revd Canon Peter Koon, SBS, JP
Legislative Council Member
Mr Pablo Macedo Riba
Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong
Dr Esteban Ramírez González
Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong
Mr Alberto Martínez
Representative, Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong
Ms Silvia Civera
Representative, Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong
Mr Javier Sampedro
Commercial Representative, Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong
Mr Juha Niemi
Consul General of Finland in Hong Kong and Macao
Mr O’Brien Ernesto Guerra Córdova
Consul General of Venezuela in Hong Kong
Mr Ammala Saenchonghack
Consul General of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Hong Kong
Mr Riaz Ahmed Shaikh
Consul General of Pakistan in Hong Kong
Mr Yos Sokhemrin
Consul General of Cambodia in Hong Kong
Mr Maurits Ter Kulve
Consul General of the Netherlands in Hong Kong
Ms Lim Kim Suan
Consul General of Brunei Darussalam in Hong Kong
Mr Hassan Doutaghi
Consul General of Iran in Hong Kong
Mr Ali Abdulla Al-Hitmi
Deputy Consul General of Qatar in Hong Kong
Ms Helen Silvester
British Council
Mr Wilhelm Brauner
Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
Professor Sin Kuen-fung, MH
Co-Executive Director, Academy for Educational Development and Innovation, The Education University of Hong Kong
Mr Lam Siu-hong, JP
Commissioner for Youth, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau
Mr Arnold Lau
Assistant Director-General, Invest Hong Kong
Professor James Dai
Associate Dean of Students, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Chan Pui-yin
Vice-President, Hong Kong Medical Association
Ms Cecilia Ho
Chief Executive, Lee Hysan Foundation
Mr Quentin Merour
Consulate General of France in Hong Kong
Ms Christine Ma Lau
Founder and Principal, JEMS Character Academy
Ms Agnes Chan, BBS
Senior Advisor, Office of the Chairman, Greater China, EY
Ms Melissa Pang, BBS, MH, JP
Former President, The Law Society of Hong Kong, and Member, National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
Mr Patrick Yeung
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Ms Kimberly Kwok
Founder, Mighty Oaks
Mr Larry Chiang
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, International Finance Capital Group Limited
Ms Sophia Kao, GBS, JP
Former Chairperson, Women’s Commission, and founding Chairperson, Financial Reporting Council
Ms Marie Mercy
Consulate General of France in Hong Kong
Mr Peter Shum
Deputy Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries
Mr Daryl Lin
JCI Hong Kong
Mr Jacky Chung
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (represented by Mr Andrew Chui)
Mr Silas Chu
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Mr Lot Chan
Assistant Director of Health (Preparatory Office for Centre for Medical Products Regulation)
Dr Jeff Lee
Head of the Health Informatics and Technology Office
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Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy
Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy is a community organisation founded in 2023 by young professionals in Hong Kong. It seeks to serve as a bridge between Hong Kong and the world, uniting Hong Kong young people globally through a range of exchange activities and cultivating an overseas youth network that supports “Hong Kong opportunities”. The organisation brings together more than 120 young professionals across finance, real estate, building surveying, manufacturing, environmental protection, healthcare, law, accounting and technology, and works closely with professional bodies, industry associations and the media. Through monthly salons and online exchanges with the Greater Bay Area, Southeast Asia and countries along the Belt and Road, it promotes understanding of the development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chinese Mainland, explores opportunities for collaboration, and ultimately aims to build a stronger network of professional youth and deepen exchange and cooperation with young people around the world.
By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers WASHINGTON: The battle lines for America’s November 3 midterm elections are now unmistakably drawn. With barely a month remaining, President Donald Trump is turning the contest for control of Congress into a personal referendum on his presidency, urging Americans to vote as though his own name were on the ballot. For […]
Qualcomm has agreed to license patents underpinning Huawei Technologies’ LogicFolding chip architecture as part of a broad multiyear intellectual-property agreement spanning 5G, artificial intelligence, computing and networking technologies.
The agreement gives Qualcomm access to technology Huawei has presented as an alternative route to higher semiconductor performance when conventional transistor shrinking becomes harder and more expensive. It also marks an important commercial endorsement of Huawei’s expanding patent portfolio as the company seeks a larger role in global AI and computing markets.
Huawei and Qualcomm said the arrangement includes cross-licences to their patent portfolios across multiple technology fields. Qualcomm will separately purchase certain Huawei patents registered in the United States covering computing, AI, networking and other technologies. That purchase remains subject to required regulatory approvals.
Financial terms and the duration of the agreement were not disclosed. Huawei said completion of the transaction would lift the cumulative value of its patent licensing agreements above $6.9 billion. The company has said its intellectual-property licensing operation has generated positive revenue since 2021.
LogicFolding forms part of Huawei’s Tau Scaling Law, a semiconductor design framework unveiled in May. Rather than depending solely on geometric scaling — making transistors progressively smaller — the approach seeks to reduce the time required for signals to travel through chips and electronic systems.
Huawei says LogicFolding can shorten critical signal paths by reorganising circuits across vertically integrated layers. The company argues that compressing signal-propagation delay can raise effective transistor density and improve performance and energy efficiency without relying entirely on successive advances in lithography.
The technology has particular strategic importance for Huawei because US export controls have restricted its access to some advanced semiconductor equipment and technologies. China-based chipmakers cannot obtain the most advanced extreme-ultraviolet lithography systems made by ASML, complicating efforts to manufacture chips using leading-edge processes through conventional methods.
Huawei has therefore increasingly emphasised architecture, packaging, interconnection and system-level optimisation as ways of extracting more computing performance from available manufacturing technology. LogicFolding is one element of that effort, although Huawei’s performance claims and longer-term projections remain subject to commercial-scale validation.
Huawei has already introduced the architecture in its latest Kirin processors. The Kirin 9050 Pro used in the Mate XT 2 foldable smartphone incorporates LogicFolding, providing an early commercial application of the design approach. Huawei has also outlined plans to extend the underlying method beyond mobile processors towards AI accelerators and other high-performance computing systems.
The patent arrangement does not mean Qualcomm is adopting Huawei’s complete chip architecture in its products. Patent licensing provides legal rights to use covered inventions under agreed terms, while individual product designs, manufacturing decisions and implementation choices remain separate. Neither company disclosed which Qualcomm products, if any, could eventually incorporate technologies covered by the LogicFolding patents.
The broader agreement also deepens a long-running intellectual-property relationship between the companies. Huawei made its first patent-licensing payment to Qualcomm in 2001, while the new pact is their first licensing agreement to encompass 5G technologies.
John Han, executive vice-president and general manager of Qualcomm Technology Licensing, said the agreement recognised Huawei’s continuing innovation and intellectual property in 5G and other technology fields. He also said it reaffirmed recognition of Qualcomm’s 5G technology and its standard-essential-patent licensing programme.
Huawei chief intellectual property officer Alan Fan said the agreement demonstrated the value of Huawei’s innovations while recognising Qualcomm’s foundational contributions to modern communications technology. Both companies said their licensing practices were intended to be consistent with fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory principles.
The deal comes as Qualcomm broadens its business beyond smartphone processors into personal computers, automotive systems, networking and data-centre computing, areas where efficient AI processing and high-speed interconnects are increasingly important.
Qualcomm’s licensing business remains central to its model, with the company saying its portfolio contains 200,000 granted and pending patents across more than 100 countries and jurisdictions, including foundational cellular and AI inventions.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Yemen’s internationally recognised government has ordered its armed forces into a nationwide campaign to retake Houthi-held territory, marking a sharp expansion of fighting after weeks of escalating confrontation involving the Iran-backed group and Saudi Arabia. Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and supreme commander of the armed forces, announced the operation on Sunday, saying the government was moving from preparation to […]
Slovenia’s. si internet domain has recorded an extraordinary registration surge after US President Donald Trump moved to replace “artificial intelligence” with “super intelligence”, turning the country-code suffix into a sought-after shorthand for the technology sector. Register. si, Slovenia’s national domain registry, recorded 46,066 new. si domains in September, compared with 3,515 in August. Its published statistics showed more than 250,000. si domains registered by early October, a […]
A US federal judge has dismissed with prejudice a proposed class action over the LIBRA and M3M3 token launches, rejecting claims against Kelsier Ventures, its principals, Meteora and former Meteora chief executive Benjamin Chow. US District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon of the Southern District of New York granted the defendants’ dismissal motions and denied plaintiffs Omar Hurlock and Anuj Mehta permission to file a second amended complaint. […]
Transforming QS Practice in a New Era: Integrating Digital Construction, Collaborative Contracting and Payment Security
HONG KONG, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 October 2026 – The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) Quantity Surveying Division hosted the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division Conference 2026 (the Conference) today at the CIC-Zero Carbon Park.
This year’s theme, “Transforming QS Practice in a New Era: Integrating Digital Construction, Collaborative Contracting and Payment Security”, reflects the evolving role of Quantity Surveyors during a time of economic restructuring.
The Conference brought together around 200 participants both in person and online, including government officials, industry leaders, professionals, academics, and young practitioners.
Mr LAU Chun Kit, Ricky, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) for Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government, attended as the Guest of Honour and delivered a keynote speech.
Quantity Surveyors are trained professionals with expert knowledge of construction costs and contracts who play a crucial role throughout the project development cycle, from investment feasibility studies and procurement strategy to commercial governance, contract administration, and dispute management. The seminar aims to explore how, amidst the ever-changing landscape of the digital revolution and the implementation of new legislation, quantity surveyors can evolve from their traditional roles in contract and cost management into enablers who drive successful value creation in construction projects.
Mr. LAU Chun Kit, Ricky, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Development Bureau, said: “The theme of this year’s conference is both timely and visionary. The Conference serves as a strategic platform for surveying practitioners and professionals to exchange insights, explore best practices, and formulate a collective vision for the future of the surveying profession. The insights and best practices generated will not only contribute in advancing the role of surveying profession in the new era, but also reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a leader in construction excellence.”
The conference featured 20 distinguished speakers from Hong Kong Government bureaux and departments, the private sector, academia, professional institutions, and law firms to share their insights and best practices in the quantity surveying field. Through thought-provoking discussions, the event not only enhanced participants’ technical knowledge but also catalyzed long-term cross-sector collaboration, empowering the industry to continuously deliver highly efficient and resilient built assets in the future.”
Sr WAN Wai Ming, Tony, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, noted in his welcome speech, “As the construction landscape undergoes profound shifts, quantity surveyors are evolving from traditional cost guardians into strategic value architects. Under this year’s theme, we gather to explore emerging challenges, tackle critical issues, and seize new opportunities. Together, we redefine our professional identity, share actionable insights, and shape a forward-looking roadmap for the quantity surveying industry in Hong Kong.”
Sr TING Yuen Chun, Eric, Chairman of the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division, acknowledged that the built environment is facing increasingly complex social and economic pressures. He emphasised that these challenges serve as an important reminder that, while technology is a vital enabler of progress, built-environment professionals must continue to apply their expertise and professional judgement, while strengthening collaboration across disciplines, to navigate change and deliver sustainable value to society.
Sr WONG Kin Yan, Winnie, Organising Committee Chair of the Conference stated in her closing remarks, “Developments in Collaborative Contracting, Digital Construction, and Payment Security present an opportunity for our profession to evolve beyond traditional cost management.
Today’s quantity surveyors are increasingly called upon to serve as trusted advisers, driving collaboration, leading digital transformation, and championing transparency and fairness across the entire project lifecycle. By embracing these changes, we can continue to play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable, resilient and high-performing built assets for our community.”
List of Speakers (in order of presentation delivery)
Keynote Speech by Guest of Honour
Mr LAU Chun Kit, Ricky, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Development Bureau, HKSARG
Session 1: Collaborative Contracting
Mr LEUNG Lap Ki, Francis, Team Leader (Trade & Procurement), Development Bureau, HKSARG
Sr CHOI Wing Chung, Hayman, Project Strategy and Delivery Leader (Asia), Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited
Ir LEUNG Cheuk Lun, NEC Strategic Advisor, Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSARG
Ir WANG Yan Hua, Chairman and Managing Director, China Road and Bridge Corporation (Hong Kong)
Sr Yau Wan Fong, Deputy Director, WT Partnership (HK) Limited
Mr Put HUI, Senior Digital Transformation Lead, Innovative Technology, Gammon Construction Limited
Mr Ronald CHAN, Head of Sustainability for APAC, Currie & Brown
Sr Sunny CHOI, Chairman of Digitalisation Sub-committee, Quantity Surveying Division, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors; Past Chairman of Quantity Surveying Division, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (2021-2023)
Sr Dr Paul HO, Past Chairman of Quantity Surveying Division, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (2005-2006)
Session 3: Payment Security
Sr Tommy CHAN, Executive Director, Arcadis Hong Kong Limited
Cr Sr Ir ZA Wai Gin, Tony, Executive Director, Hip Hing Construction Co., Ltd.
Sr Hinson CHEUNG, Partner, Pinsent Masons
Sr Terry CHAK, Director of North Asia Region, Rider Levett Bucknall Limited
Sr TT CHEUNG, BBS, JP, Past President, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
Sr CHONG Lui Chuen, Executive Committee Member, CSHK Professional Committee
Mr Eric CHUNG, Barrister-at-Law, Pacific Chambers
Sr Prof LEUNG Hing Fung, Professor and Head, Department of Law and Business, Hong Kong Shue Yan University; Adjunct Professor, Department of Real Estate and Construction, University of Hong Kong; Barrister-at-law, Arbitrator and Mediator
Ir Prof Thomas HO, JP, Chairman, Construction Industry Council;
Sr Amelia FOK, Chairman, The Association of Consultant Quantity Surveyors;
Ir Prof Michael YAM, Head of Department and Professor, Department of Construction Management and Intelligence, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University;
Sr Renee CHAN, Senior Lecturer, Department of Design and Architecture, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong
First Row: Past Presidents of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, and Council Member of the Quantity Surveying Division, the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
007 Sr Winnie WONG, Organising Committee Chair of the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division Conference 2026, delivered closing remarks.
008 The Conference gathered around 200 industry professionals, participating in person and online.
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About the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
Established in 1984, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) is the only surveying professional body incorporated by ordinance in Hong Kong. As of 30 September 2026, the number of members reached 11248, of which 8301 (FHKIS: 579, MHKIS: 7722) were corporate members, 49 were associate members and 2898 were probationers and students.
HKIS work includes setting standards for professional services and performance, establishing codes of ethics, determining requirements for admission as professional surveyors, and encouraging members to upgrade skills through continuing professional development.
The Institute has an important consultative role in government policy making and on issues affecting the profession. We have advised the government on issues such as building safety and unauthorized building works, problems of property management, town planning and development strategies, construction quality, construction costs and housing problems. We have also issued guidance notes on floor area measurement, real estates valuation and land boundary survey, etc.
We have an established presence in the international arenas, have overseas connections, and have entered into reciprocal agreements with professional surveying and valuation institutes in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Mainland China recognizing the counterpart’s member’s qualifications. In addition, HKIS is a member of various leading international surveying organisations.
By Dr. Gyan Pathak On the very first day of the protests on October 2, by INDIA bloc and other opposition political parties, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Civil societies, and common people against CEC demanding his resignation across the country, particularly in Delhi and Mumbai, the campaign entered a consequential phase and at a political […]
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