Yemen’s Houthi movement has positioned missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb strait and is prepared to resume attacks on commercial shipping, raising the risk of disruption across one of the world’s most important trade corridors. Maritime security monitors have raised their assessment of the threat after the group declared a blockade targeting vessels connected to Saudi Arabia. Ships calling at Saudi ports have been warned that […]
The United States and Iran have intensified their exchange of attacks, drawing Gulf states deeper into a conflict that has entered an eleventh consecutive night of American strikes and raised the risk of a wider regional war. US Central Command said its latest operation targeted Iran’s military infrastructure, including coastal surveillance systems, air defence installations, maritime assets and storage facilities for missiles and drones. The campaign is […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports fell for a third consecutive month in May, reaching the lowest level recorded in more than two decades as conflict-driven shipping disruption across the Gulf constrained the kingdom’s ability to move supplies to overseas buyers. Exports dropped to 3.434 million barrels per day from 3.986 million bpd in April, data submitted to the Joint Organisations Data Initiative showed. […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Jeddah Islamic Port has introduced temporary storage-fee concessions for transit cargo, seeking to lower logistics costs and attract more shipping lines to Saudi Arabia’s largest Red Sea gateway. The incentive package took effect on July 19 and will remain available for 60 days. It extends the storage-fee exemption for transit containers to 15 days, while general transit cargo will receive five exemption days. […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Yemen’s Houthi movement has declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, adding another unofficial customs authority to one of the world’s busiest and most heavily armed stretches of water. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced on Monday that the measure would take effect immediately, apparently concluding that international shipping had enjoyed far too much clarity about which sea lane might be attacked next. The […]
Toni Pons, the Catalan company whose hand-stitched espadrilles have become one of Spain’s more durable footwear exports, turns 80 this year. It marks the anniversary in the middle of an expansion push — and, increasingly, with the Gulf on the map as a retail market rather than a holiday one. The company closed 2025 with revenue of 32 million euros, three per cent up on the previous […]
The US military has disabled an oil tanker sailing towards Iran’s main crude export terminal, marking the first publicly disclosed attack on a commercial vessel since Washington renewed its blockade of Iranian ports. A US aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into the smokestack of the empty, Curaçao-flagged M/T Belma after the vessel ignored repeated warnings while crossing international waters towards Kharg Island. The strike left the tanker unable […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran has threatened to disrupt energy exports across the Middle East as renewed US military action and a naval blockade deepen the struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz. The warning raised the prospect of attacks extending towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern entrance to the Red Sea and a vital route for oil, liquefied natural gas and container traffic. Iran’s […]
U. S. President Donald Trump has abandoned his proposed 20 per cent charge on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz, replacing it with planned trade and investment agreements with Gulf states while keeping a naval blockade on Iran in force. The reversal came a day after Trump said Washington would collect a “reimbursement fee” from vessels using the strategic waterway, a move that triggered objections over […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 July 2026 – MEINONG ROBOT, a company from the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) ecosystem, won the 2nd Runner-Up in the Rocket Fuel East Startup Competition at LEAP East 2026, secured a US$10,000 equity-free award and gained exposure to global investors to accelerate its business expansion. Another park company, GenEditBio, also outperformed more than 500 competing startups and made it to the Top 6 Finalists.
Making its debut in the Asia-Pacific region, LEAP East chose Hong Kong as its host city, bringing together technology leaders, investors, policymakers and tech ventures. As the event’s exclusive Tech Ecosystem Partner, HKSTP participated alongside more than 30 park companies, facilitating over 1,500 business discussions and meetings from 8 to 10 July.
Under the theme “Gateway to the NEXT”, the HKSTP Pavilion featured innovations from 23 park companies across four key sectors: Life and Health Tech, GreenTech & Sustainability, Smart Cities & Urban Tech, and AI, Data & Robotics, attracting more than 3,000 visits.
Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: “LEAP East’s decision to land its first overseas edition in Hong Kong delivers three important messages to the I&T community. First, Hong Kong has become tech companies’ gateway into the global markets, which reflects the development and achievements of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem over the years and demonstrates the city’s unique ability to connect Middle Eastern capital, Asia-Pacific markets and supply chains in the Chinese Mainland, positioning Hong Kong as a true I&T hub. Second, the Middle East and other emerging markets represent the next strategic destination for tech companies. Driven by numerous application scenarios in smart cities, green energy and AI infrastructure, together with the ambitious transformation agenda under Saudi Vision 2030, these markets offer unprecedented growth opportunities for Hong Kong tech companies. Third, Hong Kong’s I&T community is demonstrating a growing global impact. From HKSTP executives and park companies contributing to international forums and thought leadership discussions, to HKSTP serving as the exclusive Tech Ecosystem Partner, and two park companies reaching the Top 6 of the Rocket Fuel East Startup Competition, with one securing the 2nd Runner-Up, all of these achievements underscore Hong Kong’s increasingly prominent position on the global I&T stage.”
In addition, Terry Wong, CEO, Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, Filla Mak, Chief Property and Asset Officer, and Dr Charleston Sin, Head of AI & Data, took part in keynote sessions and panel discussions throughout the event. They shared strategic insights on HKSTP’s I&T ecosystem, biotech, smart cities, and AI, fostering international dialogue, inspiring new breakthroughs and collaborations, and further strengthening HKSTP’s influence within the global I&T ecosystem.
To strengthen connections between park companies and the international innovation community, HKSTP co-organised “Build East: Agentic AI Demo Day and Tour” with Minds by Animoca Brands one day before LEAP East 2026, inviting global investors and startups to gain first-hand insights into Hong Kong’s largest I&T ecosystem and explore cross-border collaboration and investment opportunities.
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.
Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more.
Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.
More information about HKSTP is available at 
www.hkstp.org.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Gemcorp Capital has completed a $20 million Shariah-compliant structured financing in Saudi Arabia, marking the emerging-markets asset manager’s first direct lending transaction in the kingdom. The financing has been extended to SILQ, a Saudi financial technology platform that provides procurement, payment and funding services to small and medium-sized enterprises. The transaction gives Gemcorp an initial foothold in a market where growing companies often […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Sharjah has secured exclusive rights to develop and operate BookXcess bookstores across the Middle East and Africa, extending the emirate’s publishing ambitions into large-scale international book retail. The agreement places Big Bad Wolf Sharjah, a subsidiary of the Sharjah Book Authority, in charge of developing, managing and marketing the Malaysian bookstore chain throughout both regions. The arrangement also gives the Sharjah entity responsibility […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The United States launched a third round of strikes on Iran this week after Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and Iranian forces attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship attempting to cross the strategic waterway. US Central Command said President Donald Trump ordered the operation after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked the M/V GFS Galaxy, leaving one civilian crew member missing. The […]
The United States has sharply loosened export controls on the UAE, opening wider access to advanced artificial intelligence chips, military equipment, commercial satellites and other sensitive technologies. The Department of Commerce reclassified the UAE under the Export Administration Regulations on Friday, placing it in a group that receives broader licence exemptions for controlled military and dual-use goods. The decision marks a significant upgrade in economic, defence and […]
Interpol has announced 5,811 arrests and the interception of $293 million in illicit assets following a sweeping operation against cyber-enabled fraud across 97 countries and territories. Operation First Light 2026 targeted social engineering scams and related money laundering networks between January 15 and April 30. Authorities identified more than 142,000 victims, analysed 152,808 cases and blocked 31,014 bank accounts linked to suspected criminal proceeds. The China-funded operation […]
By Nitya Chakraborty China is hosting the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on July 17 to 20 the deliberations of which are expected to decide the course of AI development globally as also the scope of AI governance as also collaboration for assisting AI growth in the developing countries. The four day session […]
The article World AI Conference In Shanghai On July 17-20 To Witness The High Tech Battle Between U.S. And China appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of posing a threat to international security, sharpening Ankara’s criticism of Israel as diplomatic efforts continue to contain conflict across the Middle East. Fidan said Netanyahu’s policies had become a burden not only for Türkiye and the wider region, but also for Israel itself. He argued that the Israeli leader and his political allies […]
The United States says technical negotiations with Iran are continuing despite renewed military strikes that have weakened a fragile ceasefire and raised fears of another prolonged conflict across the Gulf. US officials said no additional strikes had been launched for several hours, while diplomatic contacts remained active through technical teams and regional intermediaries. The talks are focused on restoring maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, implementing […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Oil prices edged lower on Friday but remained on course for strong weekly gains as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran kept the risk of Middle East supply disruption firmly embedded in the market. Brent crude futures slipped 6 cents, or 0.08%, to $76.24 a barrel by 0125 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 4 cents, or 0.06%, to $72.04. […]
Iran fired missiles and drones at US military-linked facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait after a new wave of American strikes on Iranian targets, pushing Gulf security concerns sharply higher and raising fresh risks for shipping, energy markets and regional airspace. The attacks targeted areas associated with US forces in Bahrain and Kuwait, two Gulf states that host important American military infrastructure. Air defence systems were activated, sirens […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai US forces hit about 90 targets along Iran’s coast on Wednesday, extending military action for a second straight day and deepening doubts over efforts to turn a fragile truce into a permanent peace deal. US Central Command said the operation was designed to weaken Tehran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which […]
ADNOC Distribution has agreed to buy Shell Downstream South Africa in a $1 billion deal that gives the Abu Dhabi fuel retailer control of one of South Africa’s largest petrol station networks and marks a decisive expansion of Gulf capital into Africa’s downstream energy market. The agreement covers 100 per cent of Shell Downstream South Africa from Shell South Africa Holdings, with the enterprise value subject to […]
President Trump’s declaration on Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran is over immediately pushed oil prices higher, lifted Treasury yields and revived concerns about the security of the Strait of Hormuz. Markets responded in familiar fashion, with traders reassessing energy supplies, inflation expectations and monetary policy. Another consequence deserves equal attention. Higher oil prices strengthen the fiscal position of the Gulf’s major energy exporters. Over time, stronger […]
Spain reached the World Cup quarter-finals by beating Portugal 1-0 in Arlington, Texas, while setting a tournament record with a sixth consecutive match without conceding a goal. Mikel Merino scored in the 91st minute to settle a tight Round of 16 tie at AT&T Stadium, sending Spain through and ending Portugal’s campaign after a match shaped more by control, discipline and defensive concentration than attacking fluency. The […]
