Greenlogue/AP Cleaner air policies could deliver up to $2.4 trillion in economic benefits by 2040, the World Bank estimates, as governments face mounting pressure to reduce pollution-related deaths and economic losses. The projection, contained in the bank’s report Accelerating Access to Clean Air for a Livable Planet, reflects the estimated value of deaths avoided through coordinated action on pollution and climate emissions. The study, published in March […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC has agreed with OpenAI and technology group G42 to deploy advanced artificial intelligence across its energy business, becoming the first company in the sector to adopt OpenAI’s Frontier platform. The multi-year partnership was announced on Monday at the ADIPEC energy conference as OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman visited Abu Dhabi and met Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Smart home buyers have more practical choices as the Matter connectivity standard expands support for cameras, energy management and household automation, making compatibility an important consideration alongside price and convenience. The Connectivity Standards Alliance introduced Matter 1.6 in June 2026, extending work on simpler device setup and interoperability. Its earlier updates added camera support and improved energy monitoring, although individual products and platforms […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai French natural hydrogen explorer Mantle8 has obtained exclusive rights to negotiate an exploration agreement for Block 7 in Ras Al Khaimah, clearing the way for the emirate’s first dedicated geophysical survey of naturally occurring hydrogen. The arrangement with the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Energy allows the Grenoble-based company to begin a non-invasive investigation of the block’s underground geology before any decision on […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 November 2026 – Banyan Group Residences returns with a two-day sales exhibition on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026, presenting six signature developments from its Phuket collection in the Diplomat Room, St. Regis Singapore, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Singapore buyers are already familiar with Phuket, and demand is shifting from holiday ownership towards long-term residency. This collection is designed for that shift: full-time homes within an established resort community, not just investment property.
The exhibition follows record first-half sales for Banyan Group Residences, up 38% year on year.
“Singapore has long been one of our most important buyer markets, and what we are seeing now is a shift in how buyers think about Phuket – not only as a holiday destination, but as a place to live,” said Stuart Reading, Managing Director of Banyan Group Residences. “More people are choosing to make Phuket home, and that is what makes it a sound long-term investment.”
Laguna Phuket is home to more than 70 nationalities, and across Phuket foreign buyers now account for over 60% of condominium purchases, many choosing to live in their properties rather than simply invest.
Banyan Group Residences expects to launch up to USD 1 billion in new luxury projects in Phuket over the next two to three years.
Ranked first in Asia and fifth globally for branded residences (Savills, 2025-26), Banyan Group Residences will showcase six developments at the exhibition, including some of the most exclusive it has ever released:
Banyan Tree Beach Residences Nerea
Just six three-bedroom duplex residences between Laguna Phuket’s lagoons and Bang Tao Beach, with yacht-inspired design, private pools and a home gym in each.
Banyan Tree Beach Residences Oceanus
Sixteen absolute beachfront residences on Bang Tao Beach, each with a private pool and up to 768 square metres of space – among the most luxurious condominiums ever released in Phuket.
Banyan Tree Beach Residences Varuna
Eight four-bedroom beachfront townhomes on Bang Tao Beach, each with a private lift, garden terrace and rooftop infinity pool facing the Andaman Sea sunset.
Angsana Golf Residences Topaz
Two- and three-bedroom residences and penthouses in three low-rise buildings overlooking Laguna Golf Phuket, with private rooftop pools.
Bellaguna Golf Residences
Low-rise buildings amid tropical gardens overlooking Laguna Golf Phuket, with one- to three-bedroom condominiums and two- to three-bedroom penthouses with private pools.
Bellaguna Lake Residences
One- to three-bedroom condominiums and two- to three-bedroom penthouses on the Laguna Phuket lagoon, with private rooftop pools on selected units.
Owners receive Sanctuary Club membership, with privileges at Banyan Group hotels, RAVA Beach Club and Laguna Golf access, plus a year of complimentary property management.
Banyan Living
Owners can also opt into Banyan Living, the Group’s hospitality-led rental and management platform.
To attend, RSVP to [email protected] or visit go.banyangroupresidences.com/singapore-showcase
Hashtag: #BanyanGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Banyan Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group” – SGX: B58) is an independent, global hospitality company with purpose. The Group prides itself on its pioneering spirit, design-led experiences and commitment to responsible stewardship. Its extensive portfolio spans nearly 130 hotels, resorts and reserves, over 30 branded residences and more than 140 spas and galleries in 28 countries. Comprising 14 hospitality and residential brands, including the flagship brand Banyan Tree, each distinct yet united under the experiential membership programme with Banyan. The founding ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People” is embodied through the Banyan Global Foundation and Banyan Management Academy. Banyan Group is committed to remaining the leading advocate of sustainable travel, with a focus on regenerative tourism and innovative programmes that elevate the guest experience.
About Laguna Phuket
Laguna Phuket is Asia’s premier integrated resort destination, set against the stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea. Spanning over 1,000 acres, the resort features six luxury hotels, an award-winning 18-hole golf course, fine dining, luxury spas, and branded residences. Guests benefit from complimentary shuttle services, a cashless payment system, and access to world-class recreational and wellness facilities.
About Banyan Group Residences
Banyan Group Residences is the property development arm of leading hospitality pioneer Banyan Group, listed on the stock exchange of Singapore. With over 35 years of development experience and an impressive portfolio of residential brands to suit different lifestyles and budgets, it is Thailand’s leading lifestyle property developer with a strong and increasingly international pipeline of projects. The Group’s main residential brands include the flagship luxury Banyan Tree Residences, Angsana Residences, Dhawa Residences, Garrya Residences, Laguna Residences, Cassia Residences, Skypark, Laguna Lakelands, and Bellaguna.
General Motors has agreed to pay $220 million to settle allegations that it improperly collected and sold motorists’ driving behaviour and location data to commercial brokers, allowing insurance companies to use the information when determining premiums. The agreement, announced on October 29, involves a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general representing 35 US states and the District of Columbia. It requires the Detroit-based carmaker to obtain explicit consumer […]
Iranian missile and drone strikes against American military installations across the Middle East initially concentrated on early-warning radars and air-defence systems before expanding to aircraft, warehouses and troop accommodation, exposing extensive damage to Washington’s regional military infrastructure. Satellite imagery and assessments of battlefield damage establish that more than 115 strikes claimed by Iran or Iranian-backed militias damaged or destroyed structures at 26 military bases and other facilities […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 November 2026 – EtonHouse and E-Bridge will deepen their ongoing collaboration with Reggio Children through a new partnership focused on professional learning in infant care and early childhood education. The partnership will deepen this work through regular professional dialogue, research projects and professional learning, connected with Reggio Children and the experience of the infant-toddler centres and pre-schools of Reggio Emilia.
Over two days, from 30 to 31 October, the conference brings together more than 400 educators, school leaders, policymakers, regulators and researchers from Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Australia, the wider ASEAN region, South America, the Middle East and Italy.
Senior Minister of State Goh Pei Ming, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development, attended as the Guest-of-Honour and addressed delegates at the conference.
Singapore participants include representatives from the country’s Anchor Operators, the Early Childhood Development Agency, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Education, alongside educators, trainers and leaders from across the sector.
Organised by REACH (Reggio Emilia in Asia for Children), part of the EtonHouse Group, in partnership with Reggio Children, which works closely with the municipal infant-toddler centres and pre-schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and supported by the Embassy of Italy in Singapore, the conference explores how education can respond to rapid technological change while protecting the deeply human foundations of learning.
Held under the theme “Education in Complex Times: Children, Democratic Cultures and the Role of Childhood in Shaping the Future,” the conference examines how education can nurture the qualities children need to navigate uncertainty: curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, agency and the ability to participate meaningfully in their communities.
By connecting international perspectives with regional experience and Singapore’s early childhood leadership, the conference aims to strengthen Singapore’s position as a hub for early childhood excellence, professional exchange, best practice and global educational thinking.
The conference follows renewed international attention on the Reggio Emilia Approach after Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales visited Reggio Emilia in May 2026 as part of her longstanding work in early childhood development. Her reflections on the importance of nature, creativity and human connection brought to the forefront the significance of an educational philosophy that places children’s rights, relationships and potential at the centre of learning, principles that are especially relevant in today’s complex and rapidly changing world.
Key Conference Initiatives
The conference creates opportunities for participants to engage with:
His Excellency Dante Brandi, Ambassador of Italy to Singapore, said:
“Reggio Emilia has given the world far more than a pedagogy—it has given us a way of trusting children as capable, curious protagonists of their own learning. As artificial intelligence reshapes how the youngest generations engage with knowledge, this Italian approach to early childhood education becomes an even more valuable compass. The Embassy of Italy is proud to support a conference that brings this heritage into dialogue with Singapore and the wider region.”
Speaking at the conference, Ms Bipasha Minocha, Chief Executive Officer of REACH, said: “Alongside our ongoing professional learning, we will be embarking on shared research projects with Reggio Children, involving educators from both EtonHouse and E-Bridge.”
She added: “For me, democratic culture lives in the daily choices of a school. Who is listened to? Can an idea change direction because a child has contributed something none of us expected?”
The conference builds on REACH’s longstanding partnership with Reggio Children and follows the Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material exhibition and conference held in Singapore in 2024, further strengthening the city’s role as a centre for educational dialogue and professional learning.
Attachments:
Dates: 30–31 October 2026
Venue: METT Singapore, 11 Canning Walk, Singapore 178881
Guest of Honour: Senior Minister of State Goh Pei Ming, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development
Languages: English, Italian and Mandarin
Conference information: https://info.reach.edu.sg/2026-reach-conference
Hashtag: #REACH #ReggioEmilia #EarlyChildhoodEducation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Founded in 2013 by EtonHouse International Education Group, REACH is a proud member of the Reggio Children International Network and represents Reggio Children in Singapore and China. REACH is committed to innovation, collaboration, and dialogue among educators across Asia while protecting and advocating the Reggio Emilia Approach to Education. Through international conferences, professional development programmes, publications, webinars, study groups etc, REACH advocates for children’s rights and potential, celebrating their ‘100 languages’ of expression.
As a beacon of the Reggio Emilia philosophy in Asia, REACH is committed to transformative education practices that value lifelong learning, reflective practice, and contextual change. It invites educators to join in its journey of growth, innovation, and advocacy for children’s rights in early childhood education.
Founded in 1995 in Singapore, EtonHouse has grown into a global education group with more than 100 schools across eight countries. The Group offers a highly recognised international education pathway from infant care to high school, including the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, and the Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, all designed to nurture inquiry, creativity, and intercultural understanding. In Singapore, EtonHouse also operates E-Bridge Pre-School, providing high-quality and affordable early childhood education to support local communities. Beyond schools, EtonHouse is deeply committed to community impact through teacher training, philanthropy, and purpose-driven educational initiatives.
The Embassy of Italy in Singapore represents Italy in Singapore and Brunei and supports relations across government, business, culture, education, science and innovation. It promotes Italian excellence while facilitating dialogue and collaboration between Italian and Singaporean institutions, companies and communities.
Italy and Singapore enjoy longstanding diplomatic relations, established shortly after Singapore’s independence in 1965. The Embassy continues to support exchanges that strengthen mutual understanding and deepen cooperation between the two countries.
Reggio Children – International Center for the Defence and Promotion of the Rights and Potential of All Children – starting from 1994, promotes and disseminates through professional development initiatives, research projects, consulting work in the educational field, ateliers, exhibitions and publishing the pedagogical and cultural heritage of Reggio Emilia’s Municipal Infant-Toddler Centres and Preschools, known in Italy and throughout the world as the Reggio Emilia Approach®.
The Reggio Children International Network was established in 2006 and is made up of references in the countries which have collaborated longest and in stable ways with Reggio Children on the realisation of initiatives and activities.
Binance has begun restoring cryptocurrency withdrawals following a $6.3 billion security breach, as an unverified claim that customers withdrew more than $3.75 billion within ten hours raised fresh questions about the scale of outflows from the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The figure circulated on Sunday after Binance reopened withdrawal services in phases. However, the exchange has not publicly confirmed the amount, and independently verified blockchain data establishing […]
Binance will progressively restore customer withdrawals on Sunday after replenishing 95 per cent of the $6.3 billion in cryptocurrencies stolen during an unprecedented cyberattack on the world’s largest digital asset exchange. The company announced that the first phase would begin between 0600 and 0900 GMT, covering 15 blockchain networks and major cryptocurrencies including bitcoin, ether, BNB, Solana, XRP and dogecoin. Additional assets will become available after security […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 November 2026 – ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading hospitality management company in the Asia-Pacific region specialising in hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences, has received three awards at the Ultimate Thailand Green Tourism Showcase 2026, organised by Thailand’s Department of Tourism as part of the Chonburi Smart Green Tourism initiative.
Amari Pattaya and OZO North Pattaya were recognised in the Creativity & Innovation category, while Amari Bangsaen received the Unique WOW Experience award.
The three awards demonstrate how ONYX Hospitality Group is translating sustainability into practical, locally relevant action across its properties in Chonburi. Together, they reflect a holistic approach to sustainability management, covering energy and water efficiency, waste management, carbon reduction, community and stakeholder engagement, recognised environmental standards and measurable results.
These achievements bring ONYX for Planet to life at property level. ONYX for Planet is the Group’s sustainability framework, integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across its business operations and hotel management.
Guided by its Sustainably Crafted Hospitality philosophy, ONYX treats sustainability not as a separate programme, but as part of how it operates, makes decisions, manages resources and creates experiences. This approach includes responsible resource management and procurement, support for local communities and producers, talent development, and guest experiences that connect travellers more meaningfully with the destinations they visit.
Sukamal Mondal, VP – Operations and Sustainability & Community Engagement at ONYX Hospitality Group, said:
“For ONYX Hospitality Group, sustainability creates real value when our principles are translated into meaningful, locally relevant action. Every hotel operates within its own community and environment, so our approach must respond to that context while remaining aligned with ONYX for Planet.
“These awards recognise the work our teams are doing to make responsible practices part of everyday operations and guest experiences. As our approach matures, we are moving beyond individual initiatives to demonstrate impact: what has changed, what value has been created and, wherever possible, how progress can be measured. This is how we strengthen transparency and accountability as we grow.”
Beyond these property-level initiatives, ONYX Hospitality (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has achieved GSTC Hotel Multi-site Certification, demonstrating its alignment with internationally recognised standards for sustainable tourism. The certification was issued by Control Union Singapore Pte. Ltd., a GSTC-accredited Certification Body.
ONYX Hospitality Group has also partnered with CarbonWize to develop its ESG data management system and greenhouse gas emissions monitoring framework, strengthening the Group’s focus on measurement, transparency and accountability.
Through its partnership with SP Group, ONYX is exploring energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions across suitable properties in Thailand. At Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok Hotel, SP Group’s Cooling-as-a-Service solution has been operational since April 2026 and is expected to reduce energy consumption by more than 40%, save approximately 900,000 kWh of electricity and reduce carbon emissions by around 449 tonnes annually.
Together, the awards and Group-level initiatives demonstrate how ONYX for Planet connects locally relevant action with recognised standards, stronger measurement and operational outcomes. As ONYX Hospitality Group expands across the Asia-Pacific region, this integrated approach will remain part of its long-term business strategy, supporting responsible growth and meaningful value for guests, people, communities and destinations.
Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup #ONYXforPlanet #GreenTourism
https://www.onyx-hospitality.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyx-hospitality-group/
https://www.facebook.com/ONYXHospitalityGroup
https://www.instagram.com/onyxhospitalitygroup/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
ONYX Hospitality Group, a reputable force in the Asia-Pacific hospitality industry, operates a collection of comprehensive yet complementary brands – Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence – catering to the distinctive needs of discerning business and leisure travellers across the region where it has deep expertise. In addition to its brand portfolio, ONYX Hospitality Group also operates additional hospitality services across spa and food & beverage. With six decades of management experience, the company extends its innovative solutions throughout the region, upholding internationally recognised standards and ensuring optimal operational manoeuvrability. By fostering enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers unparalleled experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, meeting the ever-evolving demands of travellers.
More information: www.onyx-hospitality.com
Find us on social media:
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onyxhospitalitygroup/
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyx-hospitality-group/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONYXHospitalityGroup
Visa and Senegal’s Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Affairs have signed a two-year cooperation agreement aimed at developing digital payments, improving public services and strengthening financial inclusion across the West African country. The memorandum of understanding, announced on Friday, establishes a framework for collaboration covering financial innovation, cybersecurity and regulatory issues. Both sides will examine potential payment applications linking government agencies and citizens, although no specific platform, […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 October 2026 – Leona Tong, founder and CEO of Singapore-based digital healthcare company OPH Health, was selected for the 2026 Forbes China 100 Most Influential Chinese Selection. The awards ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Oct. 29.
Now in its sixth year, the annual selection recognizes individuals across technology, healthcare, business, investment and sports. Leona joins this year’s honorees as a Value Creator.
Leona founded OPH Health in Singapore in 2023 and leads an international team experienced in large-scale primary healthcare projects. Through collaboration with governments and healthcare organizations, she has led OPH’s expansion into more than 10 countries and regions.
Primary care services are often fragmented, with uneven access to specialist expertise and gaps between screening, treatment and follow-up. OPH integrates medical devices and clinical software to connect care across communities, clinics, hospitals and homes. Its work spans healthcare delivery infrastructure and medical AI, helping frontline providers access specialist resources and coordinate care.
By combining health assessments, telemedicine and clinical software, OPH helps providers coordinate screening, referrals and chronic disease follow-up. This extends care beyond individual appointments and creates a clinical data foundation for medical AI development.
Integrated solutions for public and private healthcare
For public health systems, OPH provides integrated solutions for community screening, referrals between levels of care and regional health information sharing, supporting national primary healthcare programs. Connecting primary care facilities with hospitals helps extend access to specialist expertise and supports earlier detection of health risks, referrals and follow-up.
For private healthcare groups, OPH integrates health assessments, telemedicine and chronic disease management into digital clinic and care management solutions, helping providers deliver ongoing care beyond individual consultations. OPH adapts its solutions to local needs, from building primary care capacity in less-developed countries and regions to supporting clinics and community health services in developed markets.
Integrated tools for frontline care
Primary care workstations bring together screening, outpatient care, chronic disease management and telemedicine, while capturing clinical data. Capsule Clinic provides community-based health assessments and remote consultations. When paired with Smart Pharmacy, it also supports prescription medication pickup. Portable spirometers and companion software support lung function testing and follow-up. Together, these tools help providers bring more services closer to patients.
VIOLA is used in Singapore’s public polyclinics. Its vaccine cabinet and management software help nurses monitor temperatures, verify vaccine retrieval using computer vision, and track inventory and expiration dates. The system maintains traceable records of vaccine handling. Frontline nursing teams contributed to its development and refinement, with project support from OPH Health.
Connecting medical devices and clinical software with AI
OPH is progressively enhancing its distributed medical AI system linking medical devices, clinical software and large AI models. As the system evolves, OPH is integrating data from clinic workstations and home monitoring devices into consultations, referrals and follow-up. AI servers at clinics and hospitals are intended to run models locally to assist with clinical documentation, report interpretation and clinical decision-making. Clinicians would review AI outputs before inclusion in medical records.
OPH is expanding the system’s capacity to maintain a health digital twin for each person: a digital profile updated with test results, clinician-verified records and monitoring data. AI assistants for clinicians and individuals would support care plans, reminders and follow-up between visits. Features derived from clinical data, together with feedback, could support model training, evaluation and improvement, subject to authorization for the intended use and quality review. Model updates would require validation and approval before clinical use. With raw data processed locally under appropriate controls, the system is designed to connect ongoing care with medical AI development.
Hashtag: #OPHHealth
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Founded in Singapore in 2023, OPH Health Pte. Ltd. develops digital primary care solutions for public health systems and private healthcare providers. Its business spans healthcare delivery infrastructure and medical AI, combining medical devices with clinical software to connect community, clinic, hospital and home-based care. With operations in more than 10 countries and regions worldwide, OPH supports national primary healthcare programs, frontline capacity building and digital upgrades to established clinic networks. Its mission is to advance universal health coverage by making equitable, continuous, high-quality care more accessible.
OPH Health Pte. Ltd.
55 Ayer Rajah Crescent, #06-01, Singapore 139949
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ophhealth.com
Britain has defended public backing for Rolls-Royce’s return to the narrowbody aircraft engine market, arguing that international competition and the need to protect aerospace employment justify government involvement despite the manufacturer’s strong profits. Industry Minister Blair McDougall said on Friday that governments had traditionally shared the risks associated with developing aircraft engines. His comments followed an agreement between Rolls-Royce and the government on a proposed £2.5 billion […]
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman met senior Samsung executives in South Korea on Saturday as the companies pursue cooperation on artificial intelligence infrastructure amid mounting pressure on global memory chip supplies. Samsung said approximately 50 executives from its electronics, financial services and biotechnology businesses attended the meeting at its human resources development centre in Yongin, south of Seoul. The discussions focused on how artificial intelligence could transform […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The Central Bank of the UAE has fined an unidentified foreign bank branch Dh200 million after examinations uncovered significant and repeated failures in anti-money laundering, governance, compliance and sanctions controls. The regulator announced the penalty on Friday, 30 October, alongside separate fines against two senior executives and an order requiring the foreign lender to undertake a mandatory programme to correct the deficiencies identified […]
Astronomers have identified a possible new dwarf planet beyond Pluto using observations from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, revealing one of the largest objects in the distant outer solar system. The object, provisionally designated 2026 ED138, was announced by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center on 27 October. Researchers estimate its diameter at between 600 and 1,500 kilometres, although its precise size and classification […]
Polymarket has restored trading on its international prediction market after a compromised external technology provider triggered unauthorised withdrawals from customer accounts, with the company promising to reimburse affected traders fully. The platform suspended trading on Thursday, 29 October, while investigating the security incident. Its official status page marked the disruption resolved at 7.05pm GMT, following approximately one hour of restrictions on trading operations. Polymarket said it had […]
India Blockchain Week 2026 will bring cryptocurrency executives, financial regulators and technology developers to Mumbai on November 1 and 2, with institutional adoption of blockchain and digital assets occupying a prominent place on the conference agenda. The fourth edition, organised by Web3 investment firm Hashed Emergent, will take place at Fairmont Mumbai. It marks the event’s first move to the financial centre after three editions in Bengaluru, […]
