Internet access and telephone networks across Iran were cut late on Thursday after crowds poured onto streets and residents shouted from rooftops in multiple cities, according to witnesses and digital rights monitors, marking a sharp escalation in nationwide unrest. Demonstrations flared after an appeal by exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi for a coordinated show of defiance, prompting gatherings in the capital Tehran and other urban centres. Within […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Sharjah Public Libraries has drawn its centennial programme to a close after a year of events that traced a century of public access to knowledge in the emirate, ending with a children’s puppet theatre performance at the Heart of Sharjah and creative workshops at Kshisha Park. The finale brought together families, educators and cultural practitioners, reflecting the institution’s long-standing focus on literacy, learning […]
Discord has taken a decisive step towards becoming a publicly traded company, confidentially filing paperwork for an initial public offering that could come as early as March and valuing the platform at about $15 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The move places one of the world’s most influential online communities at the centre of a tentative revival in technology listings after a prolonged […]
Brussels has directed European Union regulators to compel X to retain internal records linked to its Grok chatbot through the end of 2026, widening a probe into allegations that the tool surfaced antisemitic material and generated non-consensual sexual content. The preservation order, issued under the bloc’s digital rules, is designed to prevent the loss or alteration of documents while investigators assess whether safeguards were adequate and whether […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Las Vegas — Yarbo used CES 2026 to sharpen its pitch that outdoor maintenance can be handled by a single, adaptable robot rather than a shed full of specialised machines. The company presented updates to its modular “yard robot system”, arguing that advances in onboard intelligence, perception and autonomy are bringing the category closer to everyday household use rather than niche early adopters. […]
HCMC, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 January 2026 – For years, ESG occupied an ambiguous position in the global discourse. It was widely acknowledged, frequently discussed, yet often postponed, something to be integrated gradually, when conditions allowed. Today, that ambiguity has vanished. ESG has become a hard requirement for cities, assets, and investments that aim to survive in a rapidly changing world.
According to research by Knight Frank, demand for sustainable real estate is being led decisively by younger generations. A significant majority of respondents in its Next Generation Survey indicated they are willing to pay up to 20 percent more for environmentally friendly products. More importantly, this preference is already translating into action: 63 percent of Millennials have invested in sustainable portfolios, compared with just 35 percent of Baby Boomers.
At the very top of the wealth pyramid, ultra-high-net-worth individuals are setting explicit targets to reduce their personal carbon emissions. Real estate, among the most carbon-intensive and capital-heavy asset classes, is therefore under direct pressure to evolve. At the same time, institutional investors are placing growing emphasis on social outcomes, from workplace wellbeing to broader community health. Assets that fail to meet these expectations increasingly face liquidity risk.
In this context, ESG is now widely understood as a form of future-proofing. Like a massive ship altering course in open waters, the global real estate industry may take time to visibly change direction. But once the new trajectory is set, those that fail to adapt will inevitably be left behind.
The Limits of Retrofitted Sustainability
Yet most cities were never designed for this moment. Built for speed, density, and economic efficiency, they now struggle to reconcile legacy structures with contemporary ESG demands. The prevailing response has been retrofitting, adding green technologies, improving energy efficiency, or introducing pockets of open space where possible.
These measures are necessary, but they reveal a fundamental limitation. ESG, when layered onto an outdated urban model, can only go so far. There is a ceiling to how sustainable a city can become if its foundations were never meant to support that vision.
This raises a more radical question: What if ESG were not an upgrade, but the starting point? What if a city were conceived entirely around environmental balance, social wellbeing, and long-term governance from its very first blueprint?
An answer to that question is emerging, not from Europe or North America, but from Vietnam.
Vinhomes Green Paradise and the Idea of “ESG++ from the Ground Up”
On the southern edge of Ho Chi Minh City, where land meets sea, Vingroup is developing what many observers consider one of the world’s rare examples of a truly next-generation urban model, Vinhomes Green Paradise.
This is not a conventional large-scale real estate project with sustainability features added along the way. It is a city built entirely on the logic of ESG, what some experts have begun to describe as “ESG++ from the ground up”.
The location itself tells the first chapter of that story. Vinhomes Green Paradise is framed by the East Sea and a vast mangrove ecosystem recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Spanning more than 75,000 hectares, the Can Gio mangrove forest is one of Southeast Asia’s most important natural assets, functioning as a carbon sink, a biodiversity haven, and a natural coastal defense system.
Rather than pushing against this environment, the project is shaped by it.
Covering 2,870 hectares, Vinhomes Green Paradise maintains a construction density of just 16 percent. The overwhelming majority of land is dedicated to green space and water. A 121-kilometer coastline defines the city’s interface with the sea, while at its heart lies an 800-hectare natural seawater lagoon, an ecological and civic centerpiece rarely seen even among the world’s most ambitious coastal cities.
Here, nature is not an amenity. It is infrastructure.
A Global Contender for the Cities of the Future
Because of this foundational approach, Vinhomes Green Paradise is increasingly viewed as a strong Asian contender, often described as a “hidden gem”, in global initiatives recognizing future-ready urban developments.
Environmental integration alone, however, does not define the project. Its aspiration extends equally to technology, governance, and human experience.
Designed as a fully integrated smart city, Vinhomes Green Paradise applies IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence across urban management, operations, and environmental monitoring. The objective is not technological spectacle, but a city that operates intelligently, efficiently, and transparently, one that adapts in real time to how people live, move, and interact.
If the environment forms the foundation and technology provides the nervous system, people are unmistakably at the center of Vinhomes Green Paradise.
The project’s social infrastructure is planned as a cohesive ecosystem rather than a collection of isolated amenities. Healthcare is anchored by Vinmec, in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, bringing international clinical standards into everyday urban life. Education is delivered through Vinschool alongside Brighton College, ensuring continuity from early education to globally benchmarked schooling.
The city’s vision extends across generations. Purpose-built senior living, cultural venues, and public spaces are seamlessly integrated. A seven-hectare waterfront theater establishes a cultural anchor, while sports and recreation are elevated through two championship 18-hole golf courses designed by firms founded by Tiger Woods and Robert Trent Jones. Large-scale entertainment and lifestyle destinations further contribute to a city that is not only sustainable, but vibrant.
According to Arnaud Ginolin, Managing Director of Boston Consulting Group in Vietnam, Vinhomes Green Paradise brings together all the elements required to establish a new global benchmark, one that balances sustainability with dynamism and ESG principles with holistic human experience.
Vietnam’s Statement to the World
In the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam recorded more than 58,000 successful real estate transactions, doubling year on year. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, primary residential prices have reached historic highs, compressing opportunities and pushing investors toward new frontiers.
Can Gio has emerged as one of those frontiers. Once viewed as a geographic dead end, the district is now being repositioned as Ho Chi Minh City’s strategic gateway to the sea. Search interest has surged, and capital flows from northern Vietnam are increasingly directed southward.
Infrastructure is the catalyst behind this transformation. Planned high-speed rail will connect central Ho Chi Minh City to Can Gio in just minutes. The long-awaited Can Gio Bridge is set to remove persistent bottlenecks. New interregional road links, port developments, and proximity to Long Thanh International Airport are integrating the area into regional and global trade networks.
What was once peripheral is becoming strategic.
In an era when many of the world’s great cities are struggling to reinvent themselves, Vietnam is offering a different answer: Build differently from the start. Use ESG not as a corrective tool, but as a foundation.
Vinhomes Green Paradise is therefore a statement, about where the next ideas in urban living may come from, and how sustainability, human wellbeing, and long-term value can be aligned rather than traded off.
While the ESG conversation has long been dominated by Western capitals, one of its most ambitious realizations is taking shape in Southeast Asia, guided by willingness to rethink the fundamentals of urban life.
The latest addition to Kenanga Investors’ flagship series follows the same proven investment objective and philosophy to meet the evolving needs of today’s investors.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 January 2026 – Kenanga Investors Berhad (“Kenanga Investors“) has announced the launch of the Kenanga Growth Fund Series 3 (“KGFS3” or “the Fund“), its third fund in its flagship conventional fund series.
Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenanga Investors Berhad.
KGFS3 utilises the asset manager’s proven investment objective and philosophy whilst driven by a differentiated strategy to meet the evolving needs of investors. The Fund seeks to provide capital growth over a medium to long term investment horizon. It will be managed with an active investment strategy depending on the market conditions and outlook, combining a top-down asset and sector allocation process with a bottom-up stock selection methodology.
Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer of Kenanga Investors Berhad.
“Kenanga Growth Fund Series 3 continues our commitment to disciplined growth and investor-focused solutions. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we believe in refining our methods. As a result, the Fund builds on a proven philosophy that has delivered consistent value to our investors, while adapting to today’s market realities. We prefer to stay practical and to apply what works to continue earning the trust of our investors. Simultaneously, the Fund provides investors flexibility and accessibility while benefiting from a professionally managed, mandate-style investment strategy”, said Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenanga Investors.
Since the inception of the Kenanga Growth Fund on 17 January 2000, followed by Series 2 in 2018, both funds have displayed consistent performance. As of November 2025, both funds have surpassed RM1 billion in assets under management*, a testament to the fund house’s disciplined investment approach and commitment to long-term value creation.
While equities remain the central focus for KGFS3, the investment team will strategically allocate the remaining net asset value into other permitted asset classes, guided by market conditions and potential growth prospects, ensuring a well-balanced and opportunistic portfolio.
“Our asset allocation decisions are driven by a comprehensive review of macroeconomic trends across global economies. Particularly, we look at key indicators such as GDP growth direction, interest rate movements, inflation patterns and government policies. We believe these factors are critical to determine corporate earnings, allowing us to identify predictable trends that inform our sector selection. This structured approach helps keep us nimble, responsive and grounded in fundamentals”, explained Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer of Kenanga Investors Berhad.
The minimum initial investment amount is RM10,000 while subsequent investments are at a minimum of RM5,000. The Fund will be measured against a benchmark of 8% growth per annum. It is suitable for Sophisticated Investors who have a high-risk tolerance, have a medium to long term investment horizon; and are looking to achieve high returns through investments in multi-assets.
Kenanga Investors is known for its investment offerings and expertise within the equities space, making this latest launch a strategic addition for its product expansion efforts. The Hong Kong-based Asia Asset Management’s 2025 Best of the Best Awards recognised Kenanga Investors under the following categories, Malaysia Best Retail Asset Management Company and Malaysia Best Equity Manager. The FSMOne Recommended Unit Trusts Awards 2025/2026 awarded the Kenanga Growth Fund Series 2 with the “Sector Equity — Malaysia Focused” award for the fourth consecutive year since 2022.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Kenanga Investors Berhad 199501024358 (353563-P)
We provide investment solutions ranging from collective investment schemes, portfolio management services, alternative investments, as well as wills and trusts for retail, corporate, institutional, and high net worth clients via a multi-distribution network.
The Morningstar Awards 2025 has recognised the Kenanga Blue Chip Fund as Best Malaysia Large-Cap Equity Fund. The Bursa Excellence Awards 2024 awarded KIB’s exchange-traded funds’ arm, Eq8 Capital Sdn Bhd with the Special Award – Thought Leadership for launching Eq8WAQF, the world’s first Waqf-featured Exchange Traded Fund. Introduced under a newly established category, the award highlights innovations that are reshaping the investment landscape.
At the LSEG Lipper Fund Awards Malaysia 2025, KIB received awards for the Kenanga DividendEXTRA Fund (“KDEF”) under the Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Funds over 3 years, Kenanga Malaysian Inc Fund (“KMIF”) under the Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Provident Funds over 10 years, Kenanga Balanced Fund (“KBF”) under the Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Provident Funds over 10 years, Kenanga Managed Growth Fund (“KMGF”) under Best Mixed Asset MYR Flexible – Malaysia Provident Funds over 10 years, and Kenanga SyariahEXTRA Fund (“KSEF”) under the Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Islamic Funds Awards over 10 years.
The Hong Kong-based Asia Asset Management’s 2025 Best of the Best Awards awarded KIG under the following categories, Malaysia Best Impact Investing Manager, Best Impact Investing Manager in ASEAN, Malaysia Best Equity Manager, Malaysia CEO of the Year (Co-Winner), Malaysia CIO of the Year, Malaysia Best House for Alternatives, Malaysia Best ESG Engagement Initiative, Malaysia Fund Launch of the Year, and Malaysia Best Retail Asset Management Company.
The FSMOne Recommended Unit Trusts Awards 2025/2026 has awarded the Kenanga Growth Fund Series 2 with the “Sector Equity – Malaysia Focused” award for the fourth consecutive year since 2022. We were also recognised at The BrandLaureate BestBrands Awards 2024 – Brand of the Year under the category Wealth Management & Investment Solutions. For the ninth consecutive year, KIB was affirmed an investment manager rating of IMR-2 by Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad, since first rated in 2017.
This Press Release was issued by Kenanga Group’s Marketing, Communications & Sustainability department.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 January 2026 – MOONTON Games, the international video game company behind Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with 1Play, a rising brand in youth-focused cultural collectibles. As the Official Trading Card Partner of the M7 World Championship (M7), 1Play will roll out a multi-year lineup of M Series collectible cards that pays homage to the tournament’s qualified teams. Featuring M Series teams, players, key competitive moments and more, the launch aims to enrich the MLBB Esports experience by allowing fans to relive the tournament’s legacy through physical collectibles.
1Play and MOONTON Games Introduce First Official M Series Trading Card Collection in Multi-Year Strategic Partnership
Designed to bring fans closer to the competitive action, the partnership extends MLBB Esports engagement beyond viewership. Through the collectible cards, the title’s passionate fanbase will be able to connect with the M Series, its teams, and its players both during and outside of tournament periods.
According to Esports Charts, MLBB emerged as 2024’s most popular mobile esports title with over 475 million Hours Watched (HW). At the heart of the MLBB Esports circuit stands the M Series, the title’s flagship international tournament. Uniting players and fans from across the world, the M Series has become the main competitive stage for the world’s best MLBB teams and a driver of the game’s global esports ecosystem. In previous editions, the M6 and M5 reached 4.13 million and 5.06 million Peak Concurrent Viewers (PCV) respectively. The tournaments ranked ninth and sixth amongst the most-watched esports events of all time, according to Esports Charts. Backed by millions of viewers and a seven-year legacy of competitive excellence, the M Series has established itself amongst the biggest names in global sports and entertainment.
Just as trading cards have been a cornerstone of fan culture in traditional sports such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), English Premier League (EPL), and the FIFA World Cup—the MLBB Official Trading Card collection brings this longstanding tradition to MLBB Esports. It celebrates the game’s competitive excellence while giving fans a tangible way to connect with the M Series, commemorate iconic moments, and honour the players who define its legacy. Its launch also extends a global, time-honoured collectibles tradition into MLBB Esports, creating a new avenue for the community to engage with the tournament beyond the screen.
Through this partnership, MOONTON Games and 1Play will introduce the M Series’ first official trading card system, which includes:
All 22 participating teams and all players competing at the M7
A premium lineup of Player Signature Cards, Jersey & Materials Cards, and Match Moments Cards
Two flagship product lines for the M7: the Super Series and the Elite Series
Fans will be able to purchase the collections through 1Play’s official platforms and participate in offline retail experiences, pop-up events, card-trading sessions, exclusive onsite drops, and other interactive activities at future M Series editions. By integrating digital touchpoints with offline engagement, the partnership aims to strengthen the presence of MLBB Esports in global mainstream culture through an immersive collectibles experience for fans.
At the same time, as 1Play’s key strategic retail and offline experience partner across Southeast Asia and other core markets, OH!SOME will establish a long-term and stable collaboration framework with 1Play, playing a deep role in the overall planning and ongoing development of offline showcasing, retail infrastructure, and fan engagement experiences for the official M Series esports trading card collection. 1Play and OH!SOME will work closely across product presentation, spatial design, and user experience, jointly defining new standards for esports collectibles within offline consumer and cultural spaces.
With over 180 stores across Asia—including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong of China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines—OH!SOME has developed into a beloved and widely recognized regional retail brand. Leveraging OH!SOME’s established regional retail network and its strategic presence in major urban consumer hubs, 1Play will collaborate with OH!SOME to advance the rollout of offline experiences. Fans will be able to purchase, showcase, and engage with official 1Play card packs and trading cards at selected OH!SOME locations, achieving an explosive market presence for M Series collectibles across core cities.
Adrian Cher, Global Head of Partnerships, MLBB Esports at MOONTON Games, said: This partnership with 1Play marks a strategic step in how we extend MLBB Esports beyond the screen and into the everyday lives of our fans. As trading cards gain renewed traction among younger audiences, this partnership allows us to connect with the next generation through an avenue that reflects their interests and self-expression. By bringing the M Series into physical collectibles, we’re not only enriching the M7 experience, but also reinforcing MLBB’s place alongside traditional sports ecosystems where memorabilia plays a central role in fan culture. The upcoming collectibles launch reflects our long-term commitment to building MLBB Esports as a global sports and entertainment IP.”
AnJie, Founder & CEO of 1Play, said: “1Play is dedicated to creating collectible items that resonate with young audiences and express cultural identity. Our partnership with MOONTON Games represents a milestone in the development of esports collectibles. We aim to build a defining collectible ecosystem for this era—one that allows every fan to record their passion, celebrate their heroes, and collect the moments that matter.”
The 1Play × M Series Official Trading Card Collection is scheduled to launch during the M7, with its first edition dedicated to the tournament. Additional experiences—including team collaborations, onsite exclusives, signing sessions, and community-driven fan events—will be rolled out to further expand the cultural reach of MLBB esports.
By K Raveendran The sharp criticism mounted by Opposition leaders against the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case has been foregrounded as a defence of constitutional liberty. Yet, when examined closely, the argument appears driven more by political optics than by a […]
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd has moved to the international debt markets with plans for a benchmark-sized, dollar-denominated Regulation S senior unsecured bond with a seven-year tenor, as the aircraft leasing and aviation services group looks to extend its maturity profile amid steady demand for high-quality aviation credit. The proposed notes will be issued through DAE Funding LLC under the company’s Global Medium Term Note Programme and are […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd has moved to the market with a mandate for a benchmark-sized, dollar-denominated Regulation S senior unsecured bond with a seven-year tenor, marking a strategic step in its funding programme amid steady demand for aviation finance assets. The transaction, expected to draw interest from global fixed-income investors, reflects confidence in the aircraft leasing sector’s cash-flow resilience and in the issuer’s […]
LAS VEGAS, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 January 2026 – The 2026 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026) opened on January 6 in Las Vegas, bringing together leading global technology companies. As the barometer of industry trends, CES highlights rapid advances in consumer electronics. This year, Changhong presented a new portfolio of AI-driven home appliances under the concept of “AI Technology + Human-Centric Design”, blending advanced intelligence with a distinctive design identity.
Changhong is accelerating the integration of AI across its home‑appliance lineup. Its panda-themed AI series merges this widely welcomed Chinese cultural symbol with AI capabilities, utilising anthropomorphic interaction, environmental sensing, and adaptive control to recreate a naturally intuitive and comforting user experience. The AI TV features the intelligent “Panda Xiaobai,” offering round-the-clock interaction. Complementing it, the AI refrigerator introduces cloud-based humidity control to maintain ingredients in an optimized freshness chamber, while the AI air conditioner delivers a gentle adaptive cooling experience reminiscent of a natural breeze. Completing the ecosystem, the AI washing machine employs triple-power cleaning for efficient fabric care. Blending everyday technology with humanistic warmth, Changhong aims to create smart home experiences that feel more intuitive and emotionally engaging.
Moreover, Changhong also unveiled several breakthroughs: The 100-inch RGB MiniLED TV, boasts an ultra-slim profile, an anti-glare display, and immersive audiovisual performance, complemented by industry-leading large-scale AI models like DeepSeek for enhanced voice interaction. The AI Air Manager 360° air conditioner extends beyond temperature control to incorporate air‑quality management, learning user habits to optimize comfort and energy efficiency. The full‑space preservation refrigerator applies AI freshness algorithms and dual‑system temperature control to eliminate odor mixing and temperature fluctuations. The AI washer‑dryer set intelligently identifies fabric types and automatically adjusts washing programs.
Changhong presents a holistic smart home ecosystem designed around user experience, further enhancing its visibility and presence in the international smart home landscape. Driven by its global “Technology + Sports” branding strategy, the brand has established an overseas network encompassing R&D, manufacturing, products, and services. Through intelligent sensing, natural interaction, and multi-scenario coordination, its AI appliances deliver a more efficient, convenient, and comfortable home experience, reflecting the Company’s forward-looking vision for smart living.
Through its fusion of AI innovation and vivid design, Changhong is shaping a distinct global brand presence, delivering smart home solutions that resonate both emotionally and technologically with users worldwide.
Hashtag: #Changhong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Integrity is often spoken of as though it were universal: one definition, one standard, one moral yardstick by which trust is measured everywhere. In reality, integrity is deeply shaped by culture. What one society considers faithfulness, another may experience as rigidity. What one views as flexibility, another may interpret as unreliability. These differences are not signs of moral deficiency; they are reflections of distinct histories, social structures, […]
LAS VEGAS, UNITED STATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 January 2026 – Amidst a CES 2026 landscape dominated by AI headlines and humanoid robots, a quiet corner of the Lens Technology booth has unexpectedly become a focal point for commercial space analysts.
There are no flashy RGB lighting effects here, only a sheet of glass as thin as a cicada’s wing, being repeatedly rolled and unrolled like a tape measure. This is the public debut of Lens Technology’s aerospace-grade UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) photovoltaic encapsulation solution. This technology marks the official entry of the manufacturing titan—best known as a giant in the Apple supply chain—transferring its precision manufacturing capabilities from consumer electronics to humanity’s next trillion-dollar market: space infrastructure.
As leading global satellite companies begin the mass deployment of third-generation (V3) satellites, the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) internet race is entering a “second half” defined by heavy payloads, long lifespans, and low costs. Lens Technology’s entry aims to untie the knot that has long plagued the aerospace industry: the trade-off between flexibility and durability.
Farewell to the “Plastic Feel”: The Material Battle in Space
At the Lens Technology booth, engineers demonstrated the core contradiction to the audience: Traditional aerospace solar cell covers are either heavy Cerium-doped Glass (CMG) or expensive Fused Silica, typically ranging from 100μm to 500μm in thickness. They are robust, but too heavy and impossible to bend.
To adapt to the massive power demands of next-generation satellites (such as those supporting direct-to-cell services), solar wing designs are rapidly evolving from rigid panels to Roll-Out Solar Arrays (ROSA-like structures). This shift forced designers to temporarily turn to polymer materials like transparent Polyimide (CPI).
“However, polymers have a fatal weakness in space,” explained a Lens Technology on-site technical lead. “The LEO environment is filled with high-energy Atomic Oxygen (AO) and strong UV radiation. Under long-term exposure, polymer molecular chains break, causing the material to yellow, become brittle, and suffer a drastic drop in light transmission. This efficiency decay was tolerable for early satellites with 5-7 year lifespans, but for the new generation of mega-constellations pursuing higher commercial returns, it is unacceptable.”
Lens Technology’s answer is Aerospace-Grade UTG. As an inorganic material, glass possesses innate “immunity” to Atomic Oxygen and UV aging, ensuring high light transmission throughout the satellite’s lifecycle. More importantly, its dense structure provides an effective barrier against water vapor and micrometeoroids, offering physical protection for delicate ultra-thin HJT or future Perovskite batteries.
The 30-Micron “Moat”: A Perfect Match for Next-Gen Satellites
In the demo area, a piece of glass only 30μm-50μm thick is bent to an astonishing radius of R1.5mm. This level of flexibility drew gasps from the audience.
This is exactly the characteristic most coveted by top global satellite companies today. To reduce the cost per launch, next-generation mega-satellites must be stowed with origami-like efficiency inside the rocket fairing. Lens Technology’s UTG solution allows solar wings to be tightly wound like a tape measure during launch, and instantly recover to a flat state upon orbital deployment.
However, making glass thin is the first step; keeping it from shattering during the violent vibration of a rocket launch is the real challenge.
Analysts point out that Lens Technology’s core competitiveness lies in its proprietary chemical strengthening processes and laser/diamond wire cutting technologies. Glass fractures often originate from micro-cracks invisible to the naked eye. Leveraging processes honed on foldable smartphones, Lens has significantly reduced the density of micro-defects on the glass edges and surfaces. This means that even under immense tension and vibration, this “glass skin” remains tough and resilient.
Dimensional Strike: Reshaping Aerospace Costs with “Consumer-Grade” Capacity
If technical specifications are the ticket to entry, then capacity and cost control are Lens Technology’s ultimate weapons.
“The logic of commercial space has changed; it is now the era of industrial mass production,” commented an industry analyst at the scene. Compared to the small-batch, lab-grade customization model of traditional aerospace glass manufacturers, Lens Technology brings the scale of consumer electronics manufacturing.
Facing the grand ambition of global satellite leaders planning to launch tens of thousands of satellites annually, supply chain elasticity is critical. Lens Technology stated that it has the capability to rapidly expand existing pilot lines or flexibly retrofit mass production lines. This potential for “ten-thousand-satellite scale” delivery and yield control can significantly lower the BOM (Bill of Materials) cost per satellite—addressing the most sensitive pain point for commercial space giants today.
Outlook: The New Cornerstone of Next-Gen Space Energy
At CES, Lens Technology also “spoiled” its future technology roadmap.
As Perovskite/Silicon tandem cells are viewed as the mainstream for future satellite power, UTG will serve not just as a cover, but as an encapsulation substrate. Lens Technology revealed it is developing next-generation composite UTG integrated with Anti-Static (ESD) coatings and Selective Radiation coatings, which will not only protect chips from electrostatic discharge damage but also assist in regulating battery temperature.
Although this business currently accounts for a tiny fraction of Lens Technology’s massive revenue and is in a period of intensive validation with global top-tier photovoltaic component manufacturers (Tier 2) and top commercial space clients (Tier 1), its signal significance cannot be ignored.
From smartphone screens to satellite wings, Lens Technology is proving that in the era of scaled expansion for space infrastructure, ground-based industrial giants possessing extreme craftsmanship and mass manufacturing capabilities will be indispensable “pavers” for the interstellar journey.
Hashtag: #LensTechnology
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Dubai World Trade Centre has confirmed plans to host 71 events during the first half of 2026, underscoring the emirate’s position as a regional hub for global exhibitions, conferences and large-scale trade gatherings. The schedule reflects a familiar rhythm for the venue, with activity slowing during Ramadan before resuming after Eid. According to the centre, the post-Eid calendar will open with the Dubai International Pharmaceutical and Technologies […]
Meta’s plan to expand artificial intelligence across private messaging on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp has triggered a wave of privacy concerns, as users, civil society groups and regulators question how conversational data will be used and protected under the company’s 2026 policy framework. The update, disclosed as part of Meta’s broader AI roadmap, allows automated systems to analyse interactions in private chats to refine content recommendations and […]
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 January 2026 – The TVBS Foundation’s “Infinite Love” charity campaign raised over NT$32 million (around US$1.02 million) in 2025, reaching 15 counties and cities across Taiwan in its sixth consecutive year. The initiative integrates fundraising, emergency assistance, city prayer breakfasts, charity dinners, Christmas celebrations, sports philanthropy, and special television programs. The foundation connects government agencies, churches, civil organizations, and corporate partners to channel resources toward disadvantaged communities, education, and post-disaster reconstruction.
Christmas Eve Special Program Achieves High Ratings, Spreading Warmth on Christmas Eve.
The fifth annual “Share Infinite Love” (分享愛無限) campaign raised NT$5,535,590 (around US$176,856), with donations distributed to 12 social welfare organizations across Taiwan. Recipients include Libertas Educational Foundation and Blessed Children Education Association of Taiwan, which provide ongoing support for disadvantaged education and family care programs. The foundation emphasizes that “Infinite Love” serves as a long-term platform for action, striving to make goodwill visible and reach those who truly need assistance.
In response to the Mataian River Barrier Lake disaster in Hualien, a county on Taiwan’s eastern coast, the TVBS Foundation launched a special fundraising project that collected NT$26,902,435 (around US$859,503). The foundation established the “Guangfu Township Home Recovery Network” with local organizations, distributing NT$5,000 (around US$160) in settlement assistance to each affected household. Recipients expressed gratitude, saying, “TVBS Foundation’s care has helped us feel less alone during post-disaster reconstruction, knowing that people are walking alongside us.”
Connecting Local Governments and Churches: City Prayer Breakfasts and Charity Dinners Across Taiwan
The “City Prayer Breakfasts and Charity Dinners” serve as a key annual platform, held across 15 counties and cities in partnership with the Christian Cultural Exchange Association and local churches. In Taipei, Mayor Chiang Wan-An participated under the theme “Love in Taipei, Moving Forward Together.” New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi attended for the fourth consecutive year, incorporating anti-fraud awareness campaigns with police collaboration. Taichung hosted its fifth consecutive event, connecting over 50 local churches and providing long-term care to more than 45,000 disadvantaged households, with resources exceeding NT$210 million (around US$6.71 million).
Events also took place in Miaoli, Nantou, Yunlin, Taoyuan, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Changhua, Penghu, and Kinmen, each developing unique city-focused charitable initiatives. Hualien held a “Guangfu Township Special Session,” combining year-end care with post-disaster reconstruction efforts following the Mataian River Barrier Lake disaster. Teams went directly into communities to support recovery, distributing settlement assistance and ensuring that charitable efforts extend beyond formal events.
Taipei Christmas Infinite Love Attracts 240,000 Visitors, Creating a Shared Urban Festive Atmosphere
The “2025 Taipei Christmas Infinite Love”event at Daan Forest Park attracted approximately 240,000 visitors over three days, featuring a Christmas Music Concert and “International Christmas Culture Carnival.” Artists including Kelly Tsai (蔡家蓁), Black Storm (黑旋風) and David Lin (林道遠) ),and others, performed in rotation. Over 100 market booths and six major light installations created an immersive festive atmosphere, extending the foundation’s charitable reach into urban public spaces.
The TVBS Foundation partnered with the New Taipei Kings, a professional basketball team in Taiwan’s T1 League, for the “Infinite Love Charity Program,” extending charitable care through sports initiatives. Through basketball camps and community outreach programs, children from disadvantaged families across Taiwan received invitations to attend home games throughout the season. The program utilizes sports to convey positive energy and broaden the foundation’s reach to additional communities, illustrating how athletic partnerships can amplify charitable impact.
Christmas Eve Special Program Achieves High Ratings, Spreading Warmth on Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, Wednesday (Dec. 24), the TVBS Foundation aired its annual Christmas Eve Special Program featuring over 50 artists, reaching families across Taiwan through television screens. Through music, storytelling, and special segments, the program created a heartwarming celebration that extended the foundation’s spirit of accompaniment to viewers at the end of the year. The broadcast demonstrated the foundation’s commitment to utilizing media platforms to extend its charitable reach beyond in-person events.
In the special episode hosted by Kuo Tze Cheng (郭子乾) and Action Tang (唐從聖), representatives from different political parties set aside their differences to perform “Silent Night” together. The segment conveyed reconciliation and blessings through humor and music, becoming a ratings highlight that reached a peak. The cross-party performance demonstrated how charitable events can foster unity and goodwill across Taiwan’s political spectrum.
For the first time, the program introduced an “Online Prayer Room,” enabling viewers to write down their Christmas wishes and receive personalized prayers from pastors. Over 700 viewers participated, leaving messages of hope for peace and safety that religious leaders individually addressed. The interactive feature spread blessings through the screen to households across Taiwan, extending the foundation’s reach beyond traditional broadcast formats.
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Cameroon booked a place in the quarter-finals with a disciplined victory over South Africa, extending a run that has turned early promise into tangible progress and setting up a meeting with hosts Morocco. The result was settled by composure at key moments rather than spectacle, with Cameroon absorbing pressure and striking when chances appeared, a pattern that has defined their campaign. From the opening exchanges, South Africa […]
Apollo Global Management has agreed to anchor an investor group committing more than $1bn to QXO, the building products distributor led by Brad Jacobs, strengthening the company’s balance sheet as it presses ahead with an ambitious acquisition-led expansion.
People familiar with the transaction said the capital injection is structured to provide QXO with flexibility to pursue large-scale deals while maintaining access to public markets. The funding is expected to be deployed alongside existing cash and debt capacity to accelerate consolidation across a fragmented construction materials supply chain that spans roofing, insulation, waterproofing and related products.
QXO, chaired and controlled by Jacobs, was formed to assemble a scaled distribution platform capable of competing with established regional and national players. Jacobs, known for building multibillion-dollar logistics businesses through serial acquisitions, has positioned QXO as a long-term consolidator targeting steady cash flows and pricing power in non-cyclical end markets such as residential repair, maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
Apollo’s participation signals institutional backing for that strategy at a time when dealmaking in building products is reshaping supply networks in North America. The alternative asset manager has extensive experience in industrial and services investments, and its involvement is expected to reassure lenders and potential sellers as QXO negotiates transactions that could reshape the sector’s competitive landscape.
People briefed on the matter said the investment gives QXO additional firepower to support a transformative purchase announced earlier, while also preserving capacity for follow-on acquisitions. The company has indicated that scale is critical to improving procurement economics, expanding private-label offerings and deploying technology to optimise inventory and logistics across a wide branch network.
Market participants note that building products distribution has drawn sustained private equity interest due to its resilience during economic slowdowns and its exposure to long-term housing and infrastructure demand. While new construction can fluctuate with interest rates, repair and renovation spending tends to be more stable, supporting predictable earnings for distributors with diversified customer bases.
Apollo’s investment arrives amid cautious optimism in credit markets. Financing conditions have improved compared with earlier tightening cycles, though borrowers remain selective and focused on leverage discipline. By bringing in a deep-pocketed sponsor, QXO reduces reliance on debt at a time when acquisition multiples remain elevated for high-quality assets.
Executives close to the company have said QXO aims to balance rapid growth with operational integration, avoiding the pitfalls that can accompany aggressive roll-up strategies. Jacobs has emphasised disciplined capital allocation, standardised systems and experienced management teams as cornerstones of value creation.
The transaction also underscores Apollo’s broader strategy of partnering with founder-led platforms that can compound value through scale rather than short-term financial engineering. The firm has increasingly favoured equity-heavy structures in sectors where operational improvements and market positioning drive returns over extended horizons.
Analysts covering the building products space say the investment could intensify competitive pressure on mid-sized distributors, many of which face succession challenges or capital constraints. For sellers, a well-capitalised buyer with public currency and sponsor backing can offer certainty of execution, a factor that often influences deal outcomes alongside price.
QXO’s shares have reflected heightened investor attention since the company outlined its acquisition plans, with trading volumes increasing as the market digests the implications of a more aggressive growth profile. The Apollo-backed financing is expected to reduce uncertainty around funding while sharpening focus on execution and integration milestones.
Smart speakers made by Apple, Amazon and Google are facing renewed scrutiny after accusations that the devices can listen to radio broadcasts in homes and use elements of that audio to refine advertising profiles and digital services, raising questions about consent, transparency and the limits of data collection inside private spaces. The allegations centre on claims that smart speakers equipped with always-on microphones are capable of detecting […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Belkin has unveiled a wireless HDMI adapter that removes the need for Wi-Fi networks, aiming to simplify screen sharing in offices, classrooms and homes where reliability and security often trump convenience. Introduced at CES 2026, the ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Adapter promises stable, low-latency transmission over distances of up to 130 feet, positioning it as a practical alternative to software-based casting systems that depend […]
Stone structures lying beneath the Atlantic off the western coast of France have drawn renewed scientific attention, with researchers saying the scale and organisation of the remains point to a large human settlement dating back about 7,000 years. The find centres on a sprawling network of granite walls resting on the seabed, including a continuous section extending close to 400 feet, assembled from megaliths whose combined weight […]
Private equity investor Oakley Capital has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in Global Loan Agency Services, the London-headquartered provider of loan administration and trustee services to global capital markets, marking one of the most significant deals in the debt services sector this year. Oakley, deploying capital through its Fund VI vehicle, will take a majority position from US buyout firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, which has owned the business since 2022 and will retain a modest shareholding after the transaction. The Canadian pension investor La Caisse, known formally as Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, is co-investing with Oakley, taking a minority stake alongside the new majority holder. Completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.
GLAS has carved out a niche as a specialist provider of services that support the lifecycle of debt instruments, from syndicated loans and direct lending to private credit and leveraged finance transactions. Founded in 2011 by Mia Drennan and Brian Carne, the firm oversees administration for a substantial portfolio of assets under management running into the hundreds of billions of dollars and employs over 450 staff across 16 offices worldwide. Drennan is expected to remain at the helm as chief executive, reflecting continuity in leadership amid the change in ownership.
The strategic rationale behind the investment reflects broader shifts in global credit markets. Demand for outsourced loan administration and trustee services has grown as lenders and borrowers navigate increasingly complex financing arrangements and regulatory requirements. Private credit, in particular, has expanded sharply, with non-bank lenders and institutional investors seeking specialist support for documentation, compliance and reporting functions that underpin large, bespoke transactions. GLAS’s suite of services has made it a go-to partner in this space, particularly for institutional clients negotiating intricate debt structures.
Financial terms of the deal disclosed by Oakley indicate its indirect contribution via Fund VI will be up to about £55 million, but wider valuations implied by market coverage suggest a total enterprise value near £1 billion. That figure aligns with expectations from advisers and reflects both GLAS’s established market position and the strategic value investors place on firms that facilitate the expanding private credit ecosystem. Oakley’s purchase follows a period of growth for GLAS under Levine Leichtman’s ownership, during which assets under administration reportedly rose from roughly $120 billion in 2021 to more than $750 billion today, driven by geographic expansion, technology investment and targeted acquisitions.
Oakley Capital’s profile has broadened in recent years as the firm has backed a variety of businesses across sectors including consumer brands, technology and business services. Its backing of GLAS reflects a deliberate push into specialised financial services where structural trends favour outsourced, technology-enhanced solutions. The involvement of La Caisse, a major institutional investor, underscores the appeal of GLAS’s business model to long-term capital allocators seeking exposure to the infrastructure of global credit markets.
Industry analysts have noted the appetite for loan agency services has been underpinned by the proliferation of private credit funds and a resurgence of syndicated lending activity following periods of market volatility. As banks and alternative lenders diversify their portfolios and jurisdictions tighten reporting standards, demand for independent administrators with global reach has grown. GLAS’s deep bench of expertise in handling complex transactions and its geographic footprint are seen as competitive advantages that could support accelerated growth under Oakley’s stewardship.
Executives from both sides have highlighted the strategic fit. Mia Drennan said the partnership with Oakley and La Caisse positions GLAS to expand its offerings and deepen client relationships, building on a track record of innovation in service delivery. Josh Kaufman, partner and head of Europe at Levine Leichtman, expressed pride in the firm’s role in GLAS’s development and confidence in its future trajectory under new ownership. Advisers on the transaction included Deutsche Bank and Robert W. Baird, working with GLAS and Levine Leichtman, reflecting the complexity and market interest in the deal.
Europe’s ambitions in semiconductors, embedded software and advanced electronic systems have been sharpened with the release of the Electronic Components and Systems Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2026, a document that sets priorities for research, industrial deployment and public investment across the continent’s technology base. The updated agenda outlines how Europe plans to strengthen technological sovereignty in electronic components and systems at a time of intense global […]