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As AI Reshapes Education, Singapore Convenes Global Dialogue on the Future of Early Childhood Education // Asia Left Behind: Ten international companies have yet to report delivering on their cage-free egg pledges across the region // Fast Just Got Fastest: STING Energy Boost™ Celebrates Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1® World Championship and the Fan Energy Behind It // Vance attributes Republican midterm defeats to Iran conflict // Hong Kong mandates crypto transaction disclosures to tax authorities // BJP’s Aggressive Response Exposes Anxiety Over Opposition Unity // Emirates Group records AED 4.1 billion half-year profit // DIP Holding targets Dh1.12 IPO price and $529m proceeds // ADIA and partners establish $1.4 billion aviation venture // Burying Head In “India Made Poverty Reduction” Data Is Dangerous // Ta’ziz finalises $1.39bn funding for Ruwais industrial facilities // APT29-linked campaign exploits outdated Apple and Android software // SC to examine students’ exam plea today // OpenAI identifies 948 Linux privilege escalation flaws using AI // AI trust gap reveals distinct retail priorities: Divergent paths to consumer growth in Hong Kong and the GBA // Oil and chip shares retreat after Democratic victories // U.S. Mid Term Result Is A Clear Verdict Against Trump’s Authoritarianism // xCube Access Welcomes Entrust Capital Limited  Expanding Access to Professional Portfolio Management // Arrow Electronics showcases technologies advancing intelligent robotics, mobility and digital infrastructure // Democrats capture Senate majority with seven Republican seats //

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MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – Galaxy Macau™ Integrated Resort is delighted to present an evening of operatic splendour with “Galaxy Macau™ Presents – Galaxy Music Gala: Sumi Jo – Mad for Love” as internationally acclaimed South Korean soprano Sumi Jo makes her long-awaited Macau debut at 17:00 on December 28 at Auditorium of the Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC). Tickets will […]

Google has broadened the accessibility of its AI-powered search feature, now available in 35 additional languages and 40 more countries. This global expansion brings cutting-edge search capabilities to millions more users, further solidifying the tech giant’s position in the evolving digital landscape.

The search engine’s AI mode, which has already been integrated into several regions, is designed to enhance user experience by delivering more nuanced, contextually aware responses. It leverages advanced machine learning algorithms to provide users with relevant, personalised information based on their search queries. As a result, users now receive more accurate results and immediate answers, whether they’re looking for detailed technical data, news, or casual information.

The expansion into 35 new languages, including Bengali, Malay, and Persian, marks a significant milestone in Google’s ambition to create a more universally accessible search engine. The company’s efforts to make its AI-powered features more inclusive have resonated with a global audience, particularly in regions with high numbers of native speakers who had previously been underrepresented in AI-driven services.

This development is part of Google’s broader strategy to strengthen its competitive edge in the search market. With AI now becoming a central element in search functionality, the company aims to differentiate itself from other players, such as Microsoft’s Bing, which has also integrated AI technology into its search engine.

Google’s move aligns with its ongoing efforts to prioritise artificial intelligence across its platforms. AI’s role in search has evolved beyond simple query-based responses to complex problem-solving and semantic understanding. By deploying AI in this expanded format, the company is setting a new benchmark for how search engines should interact with users. The introduction of more languages ensures that users worldwide benefit from a more intuitive and responsive search experience.

The roll-out is also designed to capture the attention of non-English-speaking markets, where Google has faced competition from regional players. For example, in countries where local languages dominate, such as parts of Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the ability to use AI-driven search in native languages is a crucial step towards maintaining user loyalty. Google’s strategy appears to be not only about providing relevant information but also tailoring responses in ways that reflect cultural and linguistic contexts.

Industry analysts note that the deployment of AI in search is becoming increasingly vital for tech companies looking to stay ahead in the digital space. By bringing AI to more languages, Google is ensuring its search platform remains at the forefront of technological innovation, offering greater value to users around the globe. Furthermore, the technology promises to assist businesses in connecting with customers more effectively by improving discoverability and delivering content more suited to regional and linguistic preferences.

This step towards universal AI integration is also a response to the growing demand for more accessible, user-centric services. As artificial intelligence continues to mature, users expect it to provide not only immediate answers but also solutions that are tailored to their individual needs and linguistic background.

However, the move is not without its challenges. Ensuring that AI algorithms perform optimally in diverse languages, including those with complex grammatical structures and dialects, remains a significant hurdle. For instance, languages like Bengali or Malay pose unique challenges due to their rich vocabulary and varied sentence structures. Google’s AI team is likely to continue refining its models to handle these nuances, improving accuracy and overall user satisfaction.

The growing global reach of AI-powered search further emphasises the broader trend of AI’s role in shaping future technology. With machine learning increasingly being embedded into everyday tasks, from search engines to digital assistants, the evolution of AI represents both an opportunity and a responsibility for companies like Google. The company must balance rapid innovation with ethical considerations, ensuring that its AI systems are transparent, equitable, and accountable.

Japanese farmers have turned to cutting-edge technology in an attempt to safeguard their poultry from increasingly frequent predation by wild animals. The innovative solution: automated laser drones. These high-tech devices, which combine the precision of laser technology with aerial autonomy, are designed to deter predators like foxes and hawks from attacking chickens.

The rise in wildlife predation on farms has become a growing concern for Japan’s agricultural sector. Predators, often driven by habitat loss or changes in the environment, have been encroaching upon farming areas. The damage caused by these animals is not only costly but can also severely impact food production. With their farms under siege, poultry farmers have sought more advanced methods of protection, beyond traditional fences or scarecrows, that would be both efficient and sustainable.

The solution has come in the form of drones equipped with advanced sensors and lasers that track and identify predators. These drones are programmed to autonomously patrol the skies, scanning the ground for movement. Upon detecting a potential threat, the drones deploy targeted laser beams designed to startle and deter the animal without causing harm. This non-lethal approach ensures that the predator is frightened off but unharmed, which is crucial for maintaining ecological balance while protecting the farm’s livelihood.

This approach also benefits from its efficiency. Unlike human workers who might be limited by time and resources, drones can patrol vast areas continuously and autonomously, ensuring 24/7 protection. The lasers used by the drones are highly focused and can be calibrated to avoid affecting the animals’ surroundings, such as the chickens they are protecting. By using this method, farmers can ensure that their birds remain safe from predators without resorting to harmful chemicals or traps.

The drones are part of a larger trend in Japan, where technology is increasingly being employed to address agricultural challenges. The country has long been at the forefront of adopting technological solutions for its agricultural sector. With a rapidly aging farming population and declining rural populations, the need for automation and innovation in farming practices has never been greater. Japan’s agricultural sector has embraced everything from robotic harvesters to artificial intelligence systems that help optimise crop production.

The laser drone initiative reflects a growing trend in agricultural innovation, particularly as it relates to sustainability. As concerns over the environmental impact of traditional farming practices intensify, more farmers are turning to technology as a way to enhance efficiency while reducing the ecological footprint. The laser drones are a prime example of how technology can provide solutions that not only protect farmers’ assets but also preserve the integrity of local wildlife populations.

While the drones’ use in Japan is still in the pilot phase, the potential for their broader application is clear. With the technology continuing to evolve, it is expected that these drones will become more widespread, not just in Japan, but potentially in other countries facing similar challenges with wildlife. Other regions, such as parts of the United States and Europe, have seen similar problems with predators attacking livestock, making the laser drone solution an attractive option for international markets.

However, the introduction of these advanced technologies is not without its challenges. Critics argue that there could be unintended consequences in the broader ecosystem. For instance, the laser drones’ targeting systems may unintentionally affect non-predatory animals, or the very technology designed to protect could be misused. Some environmentalists express concern about the potential for increased reliance on high-tech solutions that could further disrupt the delicate balance of rural ecosystems.

A wave of AI-generated protest videos created using OpenAI’s Sora 2 technology has sent shockwaves through the online community, fuelling confusion and sparking debates about the integrity of digital media. The rise of these deepfake videos, often portraying political unrest and protests, has raised concerns about the blurring of the line between reality and manipulation in the digital age. The videos, designed to look incredibly realistic, feature […]

Deloitte has agreed to repay a portion of its contract with the Australian government following the discovery of errors generated by artificial intelligence in a series of reports. The company acknowledged the involvement of Azure OpenAI, a generative AI language system, in producing the erroneous documents, which prompted a review of its practices and the government’s decision to seek financial restitution. The AI errors were identified in […]

GITEX, the iconic technology and innovation expo, is broadening its footprint by expanding into Vietnam, heralding a new chapter for the Southeast Asian nation’s burgeoning digital economy. With the event’s successful history in the Middle East and Asia, this expansion signals a strong shift towards positioning Vietnam as a central player in the global digital arena. The launch aligns with Vietnam’s ambitious vision to develop a digital economy worth over $200 billion by 2030, driven by the country’s evolving tech ecosystem, government-backed initiatives, and an increasingly connected population.

GITEX Vietnam, set to take place in Hanoi, is expected to be a major catalyst for the nation’s digital transformation. The expo, known for showcasing the latest advancements in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and smart technologies, will provide a platform for global tech giants and local startups to foster collaboration. This shift not only promises to boost local innovation but also offers international companies the opportunity to tap into Vietnam’s rapidly growing market. The country’s young, tech-savvy population and expanding digital infrastructure make it an ideal destination for the event, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between GITEX’s global platform and Vietnam’s digital future.

The expansion into Vietnam is a testament to GITEX’s strategic move to capture the rising tide of digitalisation across Southeast Asia. According to industry analysts, Vietnam’s digital economy is one of the fastest-growing in the region. With the government’s commitment to building a robust digital infrastructure, the country aims to integrate digital solutions across key sectors, including healthcare, education, logistics, and manufacturing. This government push is expected to further accelerate innovation in AI and blockchain technologies, sectors where Vietnam has begun to make notable strides.

One of the main drivers behind Vietnam’s digital economy ambitions is the government’s Digital Transformation Program, which aims to equip businesses and individuals with the tools to thrive in the new digital world. As part of this initiative, the Vietnamese government has pledged to support local startups and foster an environment conducive to technological advancements. Public-private partnerships are expected to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between government policy and the commercial sector, ensuring that both infrastructure and innovation go hand in hand.

GITEX’s involvement in this transformation is poised to elevate Vietnam’s digital capabilities on the global stage. By offering a comprehensive view of the latest trends, technologies, and business solutions, the event will expose Vietnamese enterprises to the tools and insights needed to enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation. As part of the expansion, Vietnam’s homegrown tech companies will also be able to showcase their capabilities, fostering collaboration with global leaders in digital technologies.

The 2025 edition of GITEX Vietnam will feature a broad spectrum of sectors, including digital health, fintech, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. These areas align closely with the country’s vision to modernise key industries and improve overall living standards through technology. AI, for instance, is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, enabling greater automation and precision in production. Additionally, fintech’s rise in Vietnam promises to boost financial inclusion by offering innovative solutions to underserved populations, with digital payments and mobile banking expanding rapidly in urban and rural areas alike.

The growing momentum of GITEX in Southeast Asia is evident through its ongoing success in regions like the UAE, India, and Saudi Arabia, where it has served as a crucial platform for digital transformation discussions. The move into Vietnam further strengthens its position as a global tech hub, providing valuable opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Vietnamese companies, eager to expand their reach, will benefit immensely from the international exposure GITEX provides, potentially paving the way for future partnerships, investments, and technological breakthroughs.

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Sub-Saharan Africa’s gross domestic product is now projected to grow by about 3.8 percent in 2025, up from 3.5 percent in 2024, as inflation moderates and foreign exchange markets stabilise across many nations. The updated outlook emerges from the latest “Africa’s Pulse” report by the World Bank, which highlights a more favourable macroeconomic backdrop enabling central banks to ease policy constraints and stimulating consumption and investment. The […]

Since its arrival in September 2025, the XPL token has drawn attention as the fulcrum of Plasma’s stablecoin-first blockchain vision. The network, engineered to process high-volume stablecoin transfers with minimal friction, stakes much on XPL’s design, distribution, and incentive architecture. A close look at how the token functions, how it has been received in markets, and what early ecosystem moves suggest reveals both promise and pitfalls.

XPL is conceived as the backbone of network security, transaction operations, and ecosystem growth. Under Plasma’s model, validators will stake XPL to secure the network under the PlasmaBFT consensus protocol, earning rewards in return. Meanwhile, the token also acts as the medium for executing non-basic transactions and participating in governance-like decisions tied to ecosystem programs. In that sense, XPL parallels Bitcoin’s role on the Bitcoin network and Ether’s role on Ethereum, though with nuances shaped by Plasma’s stablecoin orientation. The team states that its architecture deliberately ties token mechanics to campaign-driven incentives designed to migrate traditional financial flows onto its rails.

From a distribution perspective, Plasma launched with a fixed supply of 10 billion XPL. Ten percent was allocated to a public sale, while 40 percent was reserved for ecosystem and growth initiatives. At mainnet beta, 8 percent of the total supply was unlocked to support initial liquidity, partner incentives, and launch integrations. The remainder—particularly allocations for team, investors, and long-term contributors—follows graded vesting schedules to temper sudden sell pressure. In the public sale design, non-U. S. participants’ tokens were fully unlocked at launch, while U. S. participants face a 12-month lockup. This dual-track unlocking scheme aims to balance inclusion and capital discipline.

The tokenomics also include a built-in inflation schedule and fee mechanics intended to contain supply pressure. Initial validator rewards are targeted around 5 percent per annum, with planned reductions over time toward 3 percent baseline. Meanwhile, the protocol supports a form of fee burn inspired by EIP-1559; as transaction usage scales, some portion of fees will be removed from supply, offsetting inflation. The combined effect is intended to sustain staking incentives without runaway dilution. Another technical feature is Plasma’s “paymaster” system, which allows standard USDT transfers to carry zero fees, subsidized by the protocol itself. That mechanism reduces the necessity for every user to hold XPL merely to pay gas, lowering adoption friction.

Market reception to XPL turned dramatic almost immediately. At launch, the network held more than USD 2 billion in stablecoin liquidity across over 100 DeFi protocols. Within 24 hours of trading, XPL surged by over 50 percent in some reports—a mark of speculative demand meeting limited immediate circulating supply. Some early buyers from the public sale reportedly reaped significant multiples, even as Plasma distributed bonus tokens to pre-deposit participants regardless of purchase. At peak, XPL reportedly hit above USD 1.50 before retracing to levels around USD 0.90 to USD 1.10. Observers estimated its fully diluted value approaching USD 8–10 billion, reflecting soaring expectations baked into launch pricing.

Yet that market euphoria also exposes structural tensions. The disparity between circulating supply and total supply creates a potential “float risk”—many tokens locked under vesting may exert downward pressure as unlocks commence. The timing and pacing of those unlocks will test whether early demand can be sustained under growing supply. Furthermore, while the paymaster model reduces friction, it also transfers the burden of fee subsidies to the protocol’s reserves. If usage scales unpredictably, that subsidy cost could challenge sustainability unless fee revenue or ecosystem yield compensates.

Another variable is how decentralized and secure the validator structure becomes. The strength of PlasmaBFT relies on meaningful decentralization and active participation. If validator concentration remains high or slashing risks are unevenly applied, token holders may question whether XPL truly underpins a secure, trust-minimized system. The use of reward slashing somewhat mitigates direct capital loss risk, but critics argue it may weaken incentives for strict validator discipline.

Beyond core mechanics, XPL’s ecosystem deployment matters. Early integrations offer a glimpse: Plasma granted XPL funding to Clearpool to support PayFi, a stablecoin‐settled credit infrastructure. That move reflects a play to establish secondary use cases—credit rails, yield protocols, merchant flows—that could entrench XPL usage beyond staking and fees. Meanwhile, Binance’s announcement of a 75 million XPL airdrop tied to its HODLer program signals aggressive token distribution into retail investor hands. That distribution may expand user base but also risks speculative churn.

On the regulatory front, XPL must navigate emerging scrutiny. Since stablecoins straddle monetary and securities domain, a blockchain built entirely around them invites questions about oversight and compliance. To date, Plasma has employed jurisdictional filtering, KYC onboarding, and cautious distribution to U. S. investors, but scaling into global payments heightens exposure. If major jurisdictions impose stricter rules on stablecoin issuance or transfer, XPL’s value proposition may face constraints or require adaptation.

Tesla has introduced stripped-down “Standard” versions of its Model Y and Model 3 in China, priced at about US$39,990 and US$36,990 respectively, in an effort to stem declining demand. The clean, steep drop into affordability came with a catch: several key features have been removed. The move has triggered wide disquiet and mixed sentiment across Chinese social media platforms as observers weigh its significance for Tesla’s China fortunes.

Tesla said the new models omit elements such as leather seats, a rear-passenger screen, radio functionality and the “Autosteer” feature of Autopilot. The price cut—roughly a 10 per cent reduction from higher-end trims—aims to broaden appeal without launching an entirely new product line. Many Chinese users responded sharply, dubbing the launch a “beggar version” of Tesla. Some highlighted that domestic EV rivals already offer more complete features at similar or lower price points.

Discussions on Weibo ranged from dismissive to cautiously optimistic. One commenter asked, “The beggar’s version of the Model Y costs 230,000 yuan. Would one actually buy it?” Another compared it to offerings from Li Auto, arguing that a similarly priced Li model delivers more “intelligent” content. Others countered that buyers often criticise products online yet still purchase them, suggesting Tesla might yet move significant volume.

Analysts see the move as a double-edged sword. While it could generate volume and help defend market share, it risks cannibalising Tesla’s own higher-margin variants. According to one industry strategist, the success of this strategy depends heavily on Tesla’s ability to squeeze out cost in manufacturing, battery sourcing and logistics. If it fails to manage margins, the gambit could backfire.

Tesla’s share price dropped by about 3.6 per cent in daytime trading following the announcement. One market observer described the shift as symbolic: “Tesla is slipping into a mainstream volume play rather than remaining a luxury-tech halo.” The automaker is being cast less as a disruptor and more as a mass-market player trying to straddle both prestige and affordability.

The pressure on Tesla is mounting. Its China market share has slipped amid surging competition from local automakers such as BYD, Nio and Xiaomi, which are aggressive on both pricing and feature bundles. Earlier this year, Xiaomi unveiled its YU7 SUV boasting strong range, 800-volt architecture and performance metrics designed to challenge Tesla directly. Tesla’s market share in China fell sharply, in part because local brands are better able to integrate battery innovations, in-vehicle entertainment, and smart-home integration.

Tesla’s strategy in China is complicated further by macro and regulatory tension. The company has already suspended orders for its U. S.-imported Model S and Model X in China, possibly in response to trade tensions. Meanwhile, the Gigafactory in Shanghai remains Tesla’s main hub for local and export production of Model 3 and Model Y, representing one of its rare wholly foreign-owned plants in China.

The RNTrust Group is set to roll out its digital-trust architecture under the banner “Infinite Trust” at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai. The offering is built around three flagship technology pillars—BOAT orchestration, cyber-intelligence, and stratum-level time synchronisation—aimed at solving friction points faced by large enterprises operating across complex, digital ecosystems.

At the core of the strategy is Coopera BOAT, RNTrust’s enterprise orchestration and automation engine, which integrates bots, APIs, microservices, content, case-management, and AI agents under a unified platform. The company positions BOAT as a successor to legacy BPM and ECM systems, enabling long-running and cross-domain workflows across IT and business domains. Integrated AI and generative flows help with decision intelligence and unstructured data extraction. RNTrust claims the platform aligns with market forecasts that predict the orchestration market will expand markedly in the coming years.

Complementing BOAT is ThreatLeap, a cyber threat intelligence and compliance platform operating 24/7 to scan external attack surfaces, detect leaks, misconfigurations, phishing domains and advanced threats, and flag compliance gaps across regulations such as NIS2, DORA, GDPR and PCI-DSS. The system is portrayed as proactive, intended to reduce risk exposure rather than simply respond to incidents.

Lastly, the group is spotlighting StratumOne, a time-synchronisation solution leveraging GNSS signals, atomic clocks and precision engineering to deliver nanosecond-level accuracy. Target sectors include finance, telecoms, 5G networks and critical infrastructure where time precision is essential.

RNTrust leadership will host product demos and discussions at the Novotel World Trade Centre during the expo, targeting CIOs, CISOs, system integrators and partner firms. The platform claims deployments and partnerships across the GCC, Europe and the U. S., drawing on R&D centres in Southeast Europe, Italy and the UAE.

The company frames “Infinite Trust” as a unification strategy—bringing orchestration, security and timing coherence into a cohesive architecture that can scale across diverse enterprise landscapes. This positioning aims to appeal to large organisations wrestling with digital transformation, hybrid workloads, compliance burdens and the growing attack surface of distributed systems.

Market watchers note that digital trust is becoming a key battleground for software and cybersecurity vendors. The integration of orchestration and security is a direction echoed by peers embedding zero-trust and AI decision engines into automation platforms. The time-sync component adds a niche yet strategic dimension, tapping into sectors where precision timing is a regulatory and technical requirement.

Apple has removed Eyes Up, an iPhone app that collected and archived videos of U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests, marking the second platform the company has taken down after ICEBlock. The swift removal followed concerns from U. S. law enforcement that such apps pose risks to officers. Eyes Up’s functionality allowed users to upload videos, tag arrest locations, and view past incidents on an interactive […]

Genians and RASInfotech are set to showcase a unified cybersecurity stack centred on Network Access Control, Endpoint Detection & Response and Universal Zero Trust Network Access at GITEX 2025, positioning their approach as a path to measurable security outcomes in the Middle East and Africa.

At the heart of their presentation is the proposition that NAC is not just an access control tool but a foundational anchor for Zero Trust adoption. With RASInfotech acting as their MEA distributor, Genians claims to deliver seamless transitions from on-premises NAC systems to cloud-managed deployment models with no operational downtime, while extending enforcement to both IT and OT environments.

Genians’ EDR offering, emphasised as on-premises to satisfy data sovereignty demands, is promoted as a complement to NAC—working together to fortify visibility, threat response, and enforcement. Executives point to deployments in sectors such as government, healthcare and retail across the MEA region to validate their approach.

Cybersecurity demand in the region is rising sharply. The Middle East cyber market is projected to expand significantly in coming years. Observers note that adversaries are increasingly adopting AI-driven techniques such as deepfake phishing, polymorphic malware and supply chain intrusions, making traditional perimeter defences inadequate. At GITEX, solutions built on identity, device context and continuous monitoring are gaining traction.

To that end, Genians intends to demonstrate how NAC and EDR modules integrate into a unified Zero Trust architecture—eschewing fragmented SASE modules in favour of a cohesive platform. Their roadmap emphasises enforcement from the network layer outwards, rather than additive overlays. The company also claims to have identified threat campaigns—such as a North Korean cyber espionage operation leveraging ChatGPT—that its platform is capable of detecting and analysing, reinforcing its real-world efficacy.

Regional support is central to Genians’ strategy. RASInfotech maintains a technical support centre in India to offer 24/7 engineering backup across time zones, while a regional Korean government–backed cybersecurity initiative taps Genians and partner vendors to strengthen regional infrastructure resilience. The collaboration is framed around “regional sovereignty” in data control and local compliance alignment.

Within the channel ecosystem, the role of integrators and resellers is evolving. Traditional resellers are being pushed to become resilience architects—advisors that guide enterprises from legacy infrastructure to Zero Trust, rather than merely deploying point products. Genians and RASInfotech are reportedly investing in partner training, labs, and enablement to support that shift.

The U. S. Department of Commerce has granted export licences for several billion dollars’ worth of Nvidia chips destined for the United Arab Emirates under a bilateral AI agreement struck in May, paving the way for a high-stakes test of America’s artificial intelligence diplomacy. The licences were issued through the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, marking the first concrete implementation of the Trump-era pact with […]

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company announced that its six publicly traded subsidiaries will distribute AED 158 billion in dividends through to 2030, nearly doubling the AED 86 billion cumulative payout since the first listing in 2017.

The announcement came during ADNOC’s inaugural Investor Majlis in Abu Dhabi, where the group underscored its commitment to shareholder returns and transparent governance. The dividend programme is subject to customary approvals and will provide long-term visibility to investors across its diversified portfolio of listed entities.

ADNOC’s six listed companies currently account for more than AED 550 billion in market capitalisation on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and represent nearly 40 percent of the annual dividends distributed on the market. Under the new plan, three additional entities—ADNOC Distribution, ADNOC Gas, and ADNOC Logistics & Services—will join ADNOC Drilling in issuing quarterly dividends.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, ADNOC’s Managing Director and CEO, also serving as UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, described the dividend target as a “landmark step” adding clarity to the group’s capital return path. He stated the move would “enhance value” for citizens, residents, and partners, and reaffirmed ADNOC’s focus on cost discipline, efficiency and growth.

Each listed unit announced specific dividend floors and policy reforms. ADNOC Drilling set a cumulative floor of AED 25 billion by 2030, representing a 26 percent minimum return over the period. ADNOC Gas pledged a target of AED 90 billion, with dividends moving to a quarterly basis from 2025 onward. ADNOC Logistics & Services raised its guidance to AED 8.1 billion for 2025–2030 and intends to adopt quarterly distributions from the third quarter of 2025.

Other units will also tighten their dividend structures. ADNOC Distribution expanded its dividend policy through 2030 and targets cumulative returns exceeding 30 percent over the 2025–2030 period. Borouge affirmed a dividend floor for 2025 and envisaged a payout ratio of 90 percent of net profit in future years. Fertiglobe flagged interim dividend payments and share buybacks for 2025 to support yield.

Beyond dividends, ADNOC disclosed key developments across its upstream, LNG and petrochemical segments. ADNOC Gas has secured a long-term feedstock agreement worth AED 147 billion with its Ruwais LNG facility. Over 80 percent of project capacity is under contract. The group also reported that the merger of its petrochemical assets with OMV—that is, combining Borouge and Borealis into Borouge Group International —remains on course for completion in Q1 2026. Financing for the transaction, valued at AED 56.6 billion, is in place and synergies of at least AED 1.8 billion annually have been identified.

Earlier this year, ADNOC transferred its stakes in several listed subsidiaries—namely Distribution, Drilling, Gas and Logistics & Services—to its wholly owned investment arm, XRG, via off-market moves. The transfers, completed or pending regulatory clearance, were explicitly stated not to affect operations, leadership or dividend policies. Control remains with ADNOC via its 100 percent ownership of XRG.

Analysts view the dividend pledge as a strategic signal in a more competitive capital-raising environment. It strengthens the case for long-term investor confidence, especially amid global volatility in energy markets and shifting sector dynamics. Some warn, however, that such large commitments require careful balance with capital expenditure demands, especially for exploration, decarbonisation and upstream expansion to meet rising regional energy and gas demand.

Greenlogue/AP A global analysis commissioned by Transport & Environment and conducted by Cerulogy reveals that biofuels now generate 16 percent more carbon dioxide emissions than the fossil fuels they are intended to replace. The finding throws into sharp relief the risks of scaling up crop-based biofuel programmes ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil. The study includes emissions not only from cultivation, harvesting and processing, […]

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – PT Bank Amar Indonesia Tbk. (“Amar Bank”, IDX: AMAR), a pioneer in digital banking serving the retail and MSME segments, today announces that SBI Holdings, Inc. (“SBI Holdings”, TYO:8473), a leading Japanese financial services conglomerate, has taken a stake in Amar Bank. Following this transaction, SBI Holdings now holds more than 5% of Amar Bank’s shares, […]

A Singapore High Court hearing is scheduled on 13 October 2025 to consider WazirX’s proposed Scheme of Arrangement, marking a pivotal moment in the embattled crypto exchange’s restructuring efforts. The court will hear further arguments on HC/SUM 940/2025, a case central to the platform’s ability to repay creditors and revive operations.

The hearing follows a tumultuous legal process. In June 2025, the court declined to sanction the original scheme submitted by Zettai Technologies, WazirX’s parent entity, citing structural concerns and ambiguities in how the proposal would address creditor claims. Zettai responded by seeking an opportunity for further arguments. The court acceded to that request, setting the stage for the October proceedings.

Prior to this hearing, the court has directed both Zettai and opposing parties to submit additional written submissions. Zettai filed on 26 September 2025, and the court issued further directions on 29 September requiring clarifications by 3 October 2025. Until now, no hearing date had been formally fixed.

The background to this process dates to July 2024, when WazirX suffered a cyberattack resulting in the loss of roughly $235 million. Nearly 16 million users were affected, with withdrawals and trading suspended indefinitely. The attack was widely attributed to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.

In January 2025, the Singapore High Court allowed users to vote on a restructuring plan. The vote concluded in March, with approximately 93.1% of users endorsing the scheme. However, in May, the court declined to give the scheme its sanction, stating the proposal failed to meet the required legal standards and flagged concerns over compliance with evolving Singapore regulations. Zettai was then directed to revise the scheme and conduct a revote.

In July 2025, after further oral arguments before the court, the original June decision was set aside and a revote was permitted to consider an amended Scheme. The court also extended the moratorium until 16 September 2025. Zettai responded by preparing an updated Scheme and explanatory statement, organising a town hall for creditors, and initiating a refreshed vote.

Analysts observe that the October hearing is likely to be decisive. If the court approves the amended plan, the process could move quickly toward fund distribution, theoretically within ten business days of the effective date. Should the court require further modifications or reject the proposal, the process could be delayed significantly, potentially pushing payouts into late 2025 or beyond.

Critically, the court has scrutinised how Indian law provisions intersect with its jurisdiction. Much of WazirX’s user base resides in India, prompting concerns about cross-border legal compliance and enforceability of creditor rights. By demanding detailed supplementary submissions, the court signals caution in approving a scheme that might expose it to legal vulnerabilities.

Creditors and industry watchers remain under strain, facing uncertainty over when and whether they will receive recovered funds. Many users have awaited payouts for more than a year, and confidence in centralised exchanges has been tested further by this case.

Portuguese quantum computing firm Quantica Tech has revealed a new digital currency, Quantic Bitcoin, engineered to resist attacks from future quantum computers. The project rests on a proprietary “Quantum Interoperability” protocol designed to allow conventional blockchains and quantum‐era architectures to communicate and co-operate.

BTCQ is intended to preserve Bitcoin’s proof-of-work consensus but replace vulnerable cryptographic signatures with algorithms that conform to NIST-approved post-quantum standards. In transitional phases, the system runs quantum algorithm emulation on classical hardware—enabling development without immediate dependence on quantum hardware. Quantica has also introduced tiered fractional units, named Photons, Quarks and Bosons, to mirror Bitcoin’s Satoshi model at microtransaction scale.

The announcement reflects intensifying concern within cryptographic and blockchain communities about quantum threats to existing systems. Shor’s algorithm, for instance, is capable of undermining widely used public-key schemes, such as ECDSA, that secure most cryptocurrencies today. A literature review of quantum impacts on blockchain estimates that, although scalable quantum machines remain a work in progress, the threat horizon is accelerating, pushing many in the industry to preemptively explore quantum-safe alternatives.

Quantica says its interoperability protocol enables smart contracts in languages such as Solidity, Rust, Plutus and Vyper to invoke quantum layer functions through external script calls. The firm claims it has already shared the initial design of that protocol with the scientific community, though specific cryptographic details remain withheld. Plans are in place to issue Simple Agreements for Future Tokens in late 2025 and conduct a pre-sale of the token units ahead of public launch. The company is also working in parallel on related projects—Quanticacoin, USDT-Q and Q-Solana—to extend its quantum-capable ecosystem.

BTCQ joins a growing number of blockchain initiatives adopting quantum-resistant techniques. The Quantum Resistant Ledger, for example, has long leveraged XMSS to offer protection against quantum attacks, and many networks have begun integrating lattice-based or hash-based post-quantum cryptography.

Still, implementation and security challenges loom. Recent academic analysis warns that purely algorithmic guarantees do not suffice; side-channel attacks and hardware vulnerabilities may undermine post-quantum schemes if not carefully addressed. Analysts caution that the “harvest now, decrypt later” risk remains active: encrypted data captured today may be decrypted when quantum capabilities mature.

Market reception has been cautious. Many observers view Quantica’s claims as ambitious, given the dearth of open cryptographic proofs or independent audits so far. Some see the project as an early bet on quantum transition rather than an immediate substitute for existing value chains. Others argue the broader utility of quantum-resistant assets will depend heavily on regulatory frameworks, interoperability standards, and community adoption.

Quantica’s announcement arrives against the backdrop of intensifying activity in quantum and cryptographic infrastructure. Hardware vendors and research institutions are racing to scale error correction, qubit coherence and interconnects. Meanwhile, financial and security firms are preparing migration strategies for sensitive systems. Among commercial players, SEALSQ has unveiled hybrid cryptographic hardware intended to safeguard blockchain systems and IoT devices against quantum attacks.

Quantica has positioned BTCQ’s development as a shift from theoretical readiness to pragmatic construction. The firm contends it can build bridges between classical chains and quantum systems without heavy disruption to existing protocols. Early access via SAFTs and token presales aim to bootstrap an ecosystem of developers and enthusiasts.

A proposed ETF tracking the TRUMP meme coin has appeared on the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation’s system — an infrastructural step that signals intent, though it falls short of regulatory approval.

Canary Capital, which filed an S-1 registration with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the ETF, now sees its TRUMP Coin fund listed in DTCC systems alongside other altcoin ETF candidates. The DTCC listing enables clearing and settlement readiness should approval arrive.

Analysts view the development as a technical milestone. Bloomberg ETF specialist Eric Balchunas observed that once a ticker appears on DTCC’s eligibility file, it rarely retracts — underscoring the forward momentum for the product. Nonetheless, he and others caution that DTCC inclusion is procedural and does not guarantee SEC consent.

Canary’s filing proposes that the ETF would offer exposure to the price dynamics of TRUMP token without requiring investors to self-custody the asset. To cover transaction costs inherent in the blockchain architecture, the filing permits the fund to hold up to 5 percent in Solana’s native token SOL, although it will not treat SOL as a core investment.

The TRUMP coin is a Solana Program Library token whose market value hinges heavily on political sentiment, community engagement and volatility rather than fundamental utility. Critics have raised concerns about the blending of political interests with speculative finance, warning of conflicts of interest and reputational risks to the broader crypto ecosystem.

This development coincides with DTCC’s addition of other altcoin ETFs — namely Fidelity’s Solana ETF and Canary’s XRP and Hedera funds — to its eligibility files. These moves have injected renewed optimism into altcoin ETF markets, though all such listings still await the SEC’s green light.

Momentum for altcoin ETFs has accelerated since spot Bitcoin and Ethereum funds gained approval. Still, the SEC has kept other proposals on ice, deferring decisions and delaying rulings. The regulator’s patience underscores the risk-management pressures it faces in balancing innovation and investor protection.

Canary’s TRUMP ETF filing follows earlier efforts by Trump Media & Technology Group, which has sought SEC approval for a suite of thematic “Truth Social Funds” ETFs covering areas such as energy, infrastructure and American icons.

Google has broadened the reach of its Opal AI-powered app builder, enabling users in 15 additional countries to create mini web apps using text prompts and visual workflows. The expansion comes with performance upgrades and improved debugging tools to support more complex, no-code app development. Opal now operates in Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, Singapore, Colombia, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Argentina and […]

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health will present a portfolio of artificial intelligence–based healthcare solutions at the upcoming GITEX Global 2025 event in Dubai. The showcase is intended to reinforce the emirate’s ambitions to lead in digital health transformation and embed AI into clinical and public health systems.

DoH plans to display tools ranging from predictive diagnostics to personalised wellness platforms, emphasising preventive care and data-driven interventions. H. E. Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, stated that leveraging AI is central to “reshaping how care is delivered” and enabling people to “live healthier, longer lives.”

The Abu Dhabi delegation will also highlight the emirate’s efforts to integrate AI across healthcare infrastructure, including hospital systems and community services. As part of the pitch, DoH intends to advance models that predict health risks, flag early disease onset, and streamline patient journeys from diagnosis to treatment.

The timing of this unveiling aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader push into AI research and high-tech partnerships. In September 2025, Nvidia and Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute launched a joint lab focusing on robotics and advanced AI models, including deployment of Nvidia’s “Thor” chip for robotic applications. That initiative is part of the UAE’s wider effort to become a global AI player.

At GITEX Global—a technology exhibition scheduled from 13 to 17 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre—the DigiHealth & Biotech track is expected to draw startups, tech firms and health ministries showcasing innovations across genomics, diagnostics, telemedicine and biotech. The exhibition emphasises frontier domains: physical AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and data-centre infrastructure.

Abu Dhabi is also seeking to signal that its AI investments are more than pilot projects. Through collaborations with private technology firms, academic institutions and regional health authorities, DoH aims to build a scalable, interoperable health data ecosystem. Under its strategy, AI modules would be deployed not just in tertiary hospitals, but in primary care, clinics, remote monitoring and wellness programmes.

Critics point to challenges ahead, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, regulatory oversight and integration with legacy systems. Effective AI deployment in health requires robust patient consent frameworks, transparent models and continuous validation across diverse populations. Observers note that many AI health systems falter when scaled beyond controlled environments.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed assertions that the artificial intelligence boom is mirroring the dot-com bubble, saying the current momentum rests on strong fundamentals rather than speculation. He defended Nvidia’s recent investments in AI startups and pitched infrastructure build-out as the engine sustaining growth. During a wide-ranging interview on CNBC, Huang stated that what differentiates today’s environment from the dot-com era is the depth of demand: global […]

Law Blocks AI, a UAE-based legal tech startup, is staging an event titled “From Disputes to Digital Trust: ADR Meets AI & Blockchain” on 14 October at Emirates Financial Towers in Dubai, scheduled alongside GITEX and Future Blockchain Summit. The firm aims to present its integrated platform combining artificial intelligence, blockchain, and alternative dispute resolution to legal professionals, corporates and technologists. At the heart of the company’s […]

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