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SCX Logistics Reports More Than 240% Revenue Growth in the First Half, Reflecting Demand for Next-Generation Industrial Infrastructure Sets Roadmap to Expand Its Logistics Portfolio Beyond 1,000,000 sq.m. and Further Strengthen Its Presence in Bangna and the EEC

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 September 2026 – SCX Corporation, SC Group’s recurring-income business platform, is advancing sustainable growth through the strategic expansion of SCX Logistics. The company has set a roadmap to expand its logistics portfolio to more than 1,000,000 sq.m. by 2029, following strong demand from customers across diverse industries. SCX Logistics reported revenue growth of more than 240% in the first half of 2026, compared with the same period last year.

Rachod Nantakwang, CEO, SCX
Rachod Nantakwang, CEO, SCX

The company also highlights the completion of SCX Logistics Bangna Km.20, an 80,000 sq.m. logistics development that embodies SC’s three promises: Quality, Care, and Responsibility. Combining a strategic location, total cost efficiency, flexibility, and future readiness, SCX Logistics is designed to meet the increasingly complex needs of the industrial sector. The company plans to expand across the strategic Bangna and EEC corridors by a further 200,000 sq.m. by 2027.

Mr. Rachod Nantakwang, Chief Executive Officer of SCX Corporation Co., Ltd., said that SCX continues to advance SC Group’s recurring-income businesses to build a stronger and more sustainable foundation for long-term growth. SCX Logistics is a key part of this strategy, and the company remains committed to its 2029 roadmap to expand its logistics portfolio from 200,000 sq.m. at the end of 2025 to more than 1,000,000 sq.m. in strategic logistics locations nationwide. The objective is to create greater value for customers while developing infrastructure that genuinely meets business needs.

Warehouse 1
Warehouse 1

“The warehouse market continues to experience strong demand. However, customer requirements today are markedly different from the past. Customers no longer assess warehouses solely on rental rates per square metre. They consider the entire production and logistics ecosystem: locations that reduce transportation time, flexible functionality that can adapt to future change, clean-energy solutions that support business sustainability, and, critically, a warehouse partner that can work alongside them to solve their business challenges.

Warehouse 2
Warehouse 2

We understand these evolving needs. This understanding has earned us the trust of customers across a wide range of industries and contributed to SCX Logistics achieving revenue growth of more than 240% in the first half of 2026, compared with the same period last year,” Mr. Rachod said.

SCX has consistently upheld SC’s three promises: Quality, Care, and Responsibility. The company also applies SC’s strengths in Design, Function, and Trust to its logistics developments, placing a strong emphasis on understanding each customer’s operations from the outset. This enables SCX Logistics to design spaces around actual business requirements, from building layouts and transportation flows to loading and unloading areas, as well as future energy and technology needs.

This approach is reflected in SCX Logistics Bangna Km.20, which has recently been completed across the full 80,000 sq.m. development. The project demonstrates SCX’s customer-centric approach to warehouse development, beginning with an understanding of customer requirements rather than a building concept. The project is currently fully occupied, with an occupancy rate of 100%.

SCX Logistics Bangna Km.20 is located on Bangna-Trad Road at Km.20 in Samut Prakan, on a site of more than 90 rai. It is a strategic location for logistics and transportation, serving warehouses, distribution centres, and industrial facilities across a range of sectors. The development offers both ready-built buildings and built-to-suit solutions tailored to specific customer requirements.

The project serves international customers from Asia and Europe across industries including logistics, manufacturing, data centres, and digital infrastructure.

Mr. Rachod added that SCX Logistics’ expansion plans for 2026 and 2027 will focus on strategic locations that play an important role in Thailand’s logistics network. Under the concept “Corridor, Not Just Land,” SCX selects investment locations based on the role each area plays in the supply chain and its ability to connect businesses with regional markets, rather than simply on the size of the land plot.

The company plans to add approximately 200,000 sq.m. of logistics space across key locations, including Bangna, Laem Chabang, Amata Chonburi, and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). This expansion is expected to bring SCX Logistics’ total warehouse portfolio to approximately 400,000 sq.m. by the end of 2027.

“Each location plays a distinct role in supporting our customers’ businesses. Bangna is a key connection between Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport, and the EEC. Laem Chabang is an important gateway for international trade, while Amata and the EEC are among the country’s major manufacturing bases.

We therefore do not see ourselves simply as a warehouse developer and operator. We aim to be an infrastructure partner that can deliver solutions tailored to the needs of customers across industries, while contributing to the development of Thailand’s infrastructure and supporting investment that drives national economic growth,” Mr. Rachod said.

SCX Logistics will continue to be a new and recurring source of income for SC Group over the long term. The company expects SCX Logistics’ full-year revenue to grow by approximately 280% from the previous year.

SCX Corporation operates under the vision “The Prospering Expedition” and the mission “The Way Forward,” with a focus on exploring new business opportunities that generate consistent recurring income over the long term.

Its portfolio includes SCX Logistics, which operates the warehouse business and has developed five projects totalling more than 200,000 sq.m. in strategic locations; SCX Hospitality, which operates hotels in Bangkok and other key destinations, including KROMO Bangkok, Curio Collection by Hilton, The Standard Pattaya Na Jomtien, and YANH Ratchawat; and SCX Working Solutions, which operates more than 120,000 sq.m. of office space, including Shinawatra Tower 3.

SCX’s growth is supported by a diverse and capable team, strong strategic partnerships, and a corporate culture that places customers and the environment at the heart of business development.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit https://www.scx.co.th.
Hashtag: #SCXcorporation #SCXLogistics #SC #SCWarehouse #Logistics #Engine2 #RecurringIncome




The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

SCX Corporation

SCX Corporation operates under the vision “The Prospering Expedition” and the mission “The Way Forward,” with a commitment to exploring new business opportunities that generate consistent recurring income.
Its portfolio comprises SCX Logistics, which operates in the warehouse business and has developed a cumulative portfolio of five projects, totaling more than 200,000 sq.m. across strategic locations; SCX Hospitality, which operates hotels in Bangkok and other provinces, including KROMO Bangkok, Curio Collection by Hilton, The Standard Pattaya Na Jomtien, YANH Ratchawat, and voco Bangkok Siam; and SCX Working Solutions, which operates office buildings with a combined area of more than 120,000 sq.m., including Shinawatra Tower 3.
SCX is supported by a diverse and capable team, strong strategic partnerships, and an organizational culture that places customers and the environment at the heart of its business.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit https://www.scx.co.th.

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 September 2026 – Amicura, innovative brand in the smart pet products sector, today announced that its flagship product, the X1 Max fully automatic smart cat litter box, is now officially available for shipment from the AliExpress France official certified warehouse, providing faster localized delivery services to consumers in France and across European countries.

The product is a newly launched upgraded open-style model, designed specifically for large cats and multi-cat households, Equipped with a 16-sensor safety system, enhanced odor-sealing technology, and APP-based smart control, the X1 Max aims to address everyday pet care challenges through intelligent solutions.

Designed for Large Cats and Multi-Cat Households

X1 Max features a 60L interior space, accommodating large breeds such as Maine Coons and Ragdolls, allowing them to turn around freely and use the litter box comfortably. Paired with an 8L waste container, it significantly reduces cleaning frequency, making it particularly suitable for multi-cat households.

16 Sensors for Multi-Layer Safety Protection

The product is equipped with 16 sensors, including 4 weight sensors, 4 Hall effect sensors, 6 infrared sensors, and 1 current sensor. This system accurately detects when a cat enters or exits, and automatically stops the cleaning cycle upon detecting anomalies (such as a cat approaching or motor overload) to prevent safety risks like pinching.

Upgraded Odor Control – Sealed Deodorization & Silent Operation

The X1 Max utilizes a high-density brush seal that compresses waste securely, minimizing odor spread at the source. With an operating noise level below 32 decibels, it runs more quietly than a normal conversation.

APP Remote Control & Health Monitoring

The device connects via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi to a dedicated mobile application. Users can remotely set cleaning schedules, adjust cleaning modes, receive waste bin full alerts, and view each cat’s usage frequency and duration records – providing valuable data reference for pet health management.

Availability
Sales Platform: AliExpress–Redroad Store
Price: €185.39 (Reference price: €218.33),free shipping from France warehouse
Early Bird Limited Offer: 4 units only (at super low price)

BUY IT NOW:
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005012398938788.html
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005012399226255.html
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005012946800638.html
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005009530743037.html

Contact Email: [email protected]

Hashtag: #Amicura

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Amicura

Amicura develops smart pet devices focused on safety, functionality, and user convenience, offering reliable solutions for pet owners worldwide.

Adobe has expanded its partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and state-backed AI company HUMAIN, offering more than 27 million eligible citizens and residents a year of free access to its AI-powered creative tools. The US software company said the programme, announced at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh on Monday, is valued at more than $4 billion and will provide eligible people aged 13 […]

Highlights of the Interim Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2026:

  • Benefiting from sustained strong chip demand across the AI data center (“AIDC”), storage and robotics sectors, the Group’s revenue increased by approximately 98.4% year-on-year to approximately RMB13,249.2 million;
  • The Group recorded gross profit of approximately RMB799.7 million and net profit of approximately RMB373.0 million. Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company amounted to approximately RMB278.9 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 111.1%;
  • The Group has strategically upgraded from an “AI hardware distributor” into a “Token computing power operator”, opening up a second growth curve; and
  • The Group has formally entered into Token computing power services contracts worth more than US$1 billion, with delivery expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 August 2026 – Ingdan, Inc. (“Ingdan” or the “Company”; Stock Code: 400.HK, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), an ecosystem services platform anchored in artificial intelligence (“AI”) chips and principally engaged in the businesses of “Comtech” and “Ingdan” today announced its unaudited interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2026 (the “First Half of 2026” or the “Period”).

Financial Highlights for the First Half of 2026

During the Period, benefiting from sustained strong chip demand across the AIDC, storage and robotics sectors, the Group recorded revenue of approximately RMB13,249.2 million, representing an increase of approximately 98.4% from approximately RMB6,676.5 million for the corresponding period in 2025.

The Group’s gross profit amounted to approximately RMB799.7 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 36.5%. Operating profit was approximately RMB517.2 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 87.7%. Net profit after tax amounted to approximately RMB373.0 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 96.3%.

Business Review

Strategic Upgrade Milestone: Token Factory Order Formally Secured, Opening Up a Second Growth Curve

During the First Half of 2026, the Group achieved a landmark breakthrough in its AI-driven strategic upgrade. The previously disclosed intent service orders exceeding US$1 billion have now been formalized into services contracts. Delivery is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the contracts expected to generate aggregate service revenue of more than US$1 billion over the next five years. This milestone signifies a fundamental evolution in the Group’s growth model—from “selling chips” to “selling computing power”—and its formal upgrade into an “Token computing power operator”, presenting a compelling new value proposition to the capital markets.

Three Growth Drivers for Rapid Expansion

The Group’s performance growth is supported by three core drivers:

  • AI computing power: The accelerating development of global data centers continues to drive strong demand for GPUs and CPUs. The Group provides full-stack computing power support, from chips to application solutions, and is deeply involved in the development of cloud-based intelligent computing centers;
  • Storage cycle: Surging demand for AI foundation model training and inference is driving expansion in the memory chip market. Leveraging the resources of leading global suppliers, the Group ensures a reliable supply of memory chips and complementary solutions; and
  • Embodied intelligence and robotics: As humanoid robots enter the mass-production stage, the Group is strengthening its full-stack deployment, from edge AI computing solutions built around platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson to enterprise-level computing clusters.

Full-Chain Technology Services Platform

As a technology services platform based on AI chips, the Group connects upstream AI chip technologies with the needs of downstream innovative enterprises. Leveraging the resources of leading global chip manufacturers, including NVIDIA, Intel, AMD and SanDisk, the Group has established a comprehensive product portfolio covering GPUs, CPUs, FPGAs, ASICs, memory chips and software ecosystems. With chip distribution serving as its entry point, the Group provides customers with integrated, full-chain services encompassing technology solutions, supply chain management, technical training, and after-sales operation and maintenance. Its services cover a broad range of application scenarios, including cloud-based intelligent computing centers, edge AI, robotics, drones and enterprise-level computing power services.

Global Computing Power Network Deployment

To support the large-scale delivery of its Token factory business, the Group is accelerating the development of a global computing power network. In the near term, it plans to expand its computing centers footprint into multiple Asian countries, with total planned computing capacity exceeding 100 megawatts. Through its proprietary Token computing power scheduling platform, the Group provides one-stop services encompassing computing power scheduling, cluster operation and maintenance, and Token computing power services. Its customers include leading internet cloud service providers and market-leading enterprises in vertical robotics segments, demonstrating the commercial viability of the Group’s business model.

Outlook

Mr. Jeffrey Kang, Chairmanand CEO of Ingdan, Inc., commented: “As demand across AIDC, storage, robotics and AI Token services continue to grow, the Group’s strategic positioning as a ‘Token computing power operator’ has been further strengthened. We expect robust customer demand in the second half of the year, while the AI Token factory business is expected to become the Group’s second growth curve. This will further enhance the capital market’s recognition of the visibility of the Company’s growth and its long-term development potential.”

Cautionary Statement

The information contained in this document has not been independently verified. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates, advisers or representatives makes any express or implied representation, undertaking or warranty as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information or opinions presented or contained herein. No person should rely on this document as a basis for any decision.

The information contained in this document should be considered in the context of the circumstances prevailing at the relevant time and is subject to change without notice. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information contained herein to reflect any developments occurring after the date of this document. This document is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon as providing, a complete or comprehensive analysis of the Company or its financial or operating condition or prospects. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates, advisers or representatives shall have any obligation or accept any liability, whether in negligence or otherwise, for any loss arising from any use of this document or its contents or otherwise arising in connection with this document.

This document may contain statements reflecting the Company’s current intentions, beliefs and expectations regarding the future as of the relevant dates indicated herein. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance. They are based on certain assumptions concerning the Company’s operations and on factors beyond the Company’s control, and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates, advisers or representatives has any obligation or undertakes to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or unforeseen circumstances arising after the relevant date.

Hashtag: #Comtech #Ingdan #AI #AIDC #TokenFactory #IC #Chips #humanoid #Intel #AMD #Sandisk #NVIDIA #Tech #RevenueGrowth #TechGrowth #AIInvestment #ProprietaryProducts #KeplerLab #Comtech #IngdanTechnology #IngdanAcademy #AIAcceleration #TechTransformation

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Ingdan, Inc.

Ingdan, Inc. (Stock Code: 400.HK) is an ecosystem services platform anchored in artificial intelligence (“AI”) chips. The Group captures the rapidly growing demand across numerous industries, from AI computing centers to AI-powered intelligent terminals, by converting AI chip resources into a broad range of rapidly deployable application solutions that provide the core driving force for customers’ intelligent upgrade. Through its proprietary AI technologies, large models and specialized industry knowledge bases, the Group provides customers with advanced chip application technology solutions and efficient supply chain management services.

Headquartered in Shenzhen, the Group operates offices and branches across major cities in China, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou , Suzhou, Wuhan and Chengdu, as well as operations in Singapore and Japan. The Group’s core businesses are Comtech — a technology services platform for the chip industry; and Ingdan — a platform providing Artificial Intelligence of Things (“AIoT”) technology and services.

For further information, please refer to the Company’s website at

Proposed an interim dividend of HK11.0 cents per share

Highlights:

  • Revenue increased to approximately HK$1,450.9 million.
  • Gross profit increased to approximately HK$518.8 million.
  • Profit attributable to owners of the Company amounted to approximately HK$116.2 million.
  • As at 30 June 2026, the Group operated a total of 190 chain retail stores
  • Basic earnings per share was approximately HK11.6 cents. The Board recommended the payment of interim dividend of HK11.0 cents per share.

Financial Highlights:

For the 6 months ended 30 Jun
HK$’000 2026 2025 Change
Revenue 1,450,897 1,436,576 +1.0%
Sales derived from private label products 277,194 251,203 +10.3%
Gross profit 518,758 518,177 +0.1%
Interim dividend per share (HK cents) 11.0 11.0 –

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 August 2026 – Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited (“Best Mart 360” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 2360.HK), a leading leisure food retailer in Hong Kong, announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (“the Period under Review”). During the Period under Review, the revenue recorded by the Group amounted to approximately HK$1,450,897,000, representing an increase of approximately 1.0% as compared to approximately HK$1,436,576,000 for the six months ended 30 June 2025 (the “Corresponding Period Last Year”).

During the Period under Review, profit attributable to owners of the Company amounted to approximately HK$116,221,000.

For the six months ended 30 June 2026, gross profit of the Group was approximately HK$518,758,000, representing an increase of approximately 0.1%, as compared to gross profit of approximately HK$518,177,000. Gross profit margin during the period was approximately 35.8%. During the Period under Review, basic earnings per share of the Group was approximately HK11.6 cents. The Board recommended the payment of interim dividend of HK11.0 cents per share.

BUSINESS REVIEW

CHAIN RETAIL STORES

As at 30 June 2026, the Group operated a total of 190 chain retail stores, including 184 chain retail stores in Hong Kong and 6 chain retail stores in Macau, respectively. During the Period under Review, the Group continued to implement its store network optimization strategy to fully showcase its diverse product portfolio, further enhance its overall brand image and provide customers with a more comfortable shopping environment.

Since 2021, the Group has launched its brand of global wine and food stores “FoodVille”, which provides mid-to-high-end, premium food products from around the globe. These include fine wines, premium chocolates, health foods, cheese, Western sauces and ingredients from around the world, aming to cater to the market’s pursuit of a quality of life and expanding the Group’s customer base. As at 30 June 2026, the Group operated a total of 8 retail stores under the brand.

During the Period under Review, the rental expenses (on a cash basis) of the Group’s retail stores accounted for approximately 9.7% of its sales revenue.

THE PRODUCTS

During the Period under Review, the Group adhered to its global procurement strategy, sourcing high-quality products from around the world to provide customers with a diversified range of choices. During the Period under Review, the Group sold over 1,045 brands and more than 3,054 stock keeping units (“SKUs“) of products in total. The Group continuously optimised its product portfolio and actively introduced a variety of new products and flavours to meet customers’ ever-changing needs.

To enrich its product mix and maintain effective control over product quality, supply stability and profit margins, the Group continued to actively develop its private label products. During the Period under Review, sales derived from private label products amounted to approximately HK$277,194,000 (six months ended 30 June 2025: approximately HK$251,203,000), which accounted for approximately 19.1% of the Group’s total revenue for the Period under Review. The Group had a total of 12 private labels covering approximately 272 SKUs of products, including masks, canned Chinese delicacies, cereals, milk, honey, nuts and dried fruits as well as a wide range of leisure food products.

MEMBERSHIP SCHEME AND MARKETING & PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES

As at 30 June 2026, the Group had a cumulative total of approximately 2,469,754 registered fans and members (30 June 2025: approximately 2,243,198). As at 30 June 2026, the number of mobile app members reached approximately 1,374,462 (30 June 2025: approximately 1,238,775).

During the Period under Review, the Group continued to carry out a variety of marketing activities, including “Best Price”, “Instant Redemption upon Purchase” and other promotional campaigns, which provided customers with a series of special offers on selected quality products as a way to show its appreciation for their support and effectively enhance customer loyalty. The Group also launched a new brand promotion campaign, namely “Best Mart, Always a Friendly Buy”, in 2026. By integrating online and offline promotional channels, the Group further strengthened its brand image and enhanced its interaction and connection with customers.

The Group also utilised a variety of outdoor media, such as large-scale advertisements at MTR stations and truck wraps, together with marketing strategies on digital media and social platforms, to further increase its brand exposure and market penetration, thereby attracting more new customers to shop at its stores.

In addition, the Group actively fulfilled its corporate social responsibility by partnering with the charitable foundation under China Merchants Group to launch the “Care 360˚” Neighborhood Support Programme, which aids families in need, continuously promotes community care and inclusion and actively puts into practice the core principles of corporate sustainability.

EMPLOYEES

As at 30 June 2026, the Group employed a total of 1,257 full-time and part-time employees (31 December 2025: 1,227). The increase in the total number of employees was primarily due to the Group’s recruitment of additional staff for its newly opened stores. To retain talent and provide its employees with appropriate incentives to enhance their sense of belonging and loyalty, the Group regularly reviews and updates its employee remuneration packages and benefit plans, taking into account labour market supply and remuneration trends as well as individual employee performance. During the Period under Review, the staff costs of the Group (excluding emoluments of the Directors) accounted for approximately 9.6% of its total revenue (six months ended 30 June 2025: approximately 9.7%).

OUTLOOK

Global geopolitical tensions remain high, and uncertainty persists regarding the pace of the external economic recovery. Meanwhile, the active expansion of mainland Chinese e-commerce platforms into Hong Kong has driven the popularity of cross-border online shopping, further intensifying competition in the local retail market. Amid complex and increasingly competitive market conditions, the overall business environment for the retail sector is expected to remain under pressure in the second half of 2026. However, as Hong Kong hosts a series of major international events and exhibitions as well as cultural and sports activities, the number of visitors to Hong Kong and their willingness to spend are steadily recovering. At the same time, consumption of daily necessities has demonstrated strong resilience. Market demand for value-for-money globally sourced food products and healthy snacks continues to grow, presenting the Group with solid development opportunities. Looking ahead, the Group remains cautiously optimistic about its business prospects. To address intense market competition, we are committed to refining operational management, optimizing business processes, and maintaining strict cost controls.

To further strengthen its connection with consumers, the Group officially launched a rebranding campaign in June 2026, adopting “Best Mart, Always a Friendly Buy” as its new core brand value and striving to build a more welcoming, youthful, vibrant and creative brand image. Regarding its store network management, the Group will balance strategic expansion with operational optimization. On one hand, the Group will capitalise on appropriate market opportunities and continue to expand its footprint through a “dual-brand” strategy featuring “Best Mart 360˚” and “FoodVille”, aiming to precisely meet the demand for high-quality food across different customer segments. On the other hand, the Group will adhere to strict capital-return discipline by actively negotiating with landlords for more flexible and reasonable lease terms, while regularly reviewing the operational efficiency of existing stores. Through these efforts, the Group aims to comprehensively enhance the overall profitability of its network and deepen its presence in the mass retail market.

Faced with a complex, ever-changing and highly competitive market environment, the Group is comprehensively exploring and researching the application of artificial intelligence in its business processes, aiming to enhance operational efficiency through innovative technology. The Group will further deepen its online-offline integration strategy, fully leverage the advantages provided by the extensive member database of its mobile app and implement targeted marketing through big data analysis to effectively increase member engagement and overall repeat purchase rates.

In terms of online channels, the Group will strengthen its collaboration with the foodpanda mall platform to ensure a seamless shopping experience. The Group will also remain agile in our operational strategies to optimize overall sales performance.

Guided by its core brand philosophy of “Best Quality” and “Best Price”, the Group will make every effort to expand its upstream supplier network while ramping up the development of its private label products. These initiatives will solidify our competitive pricing advantage while effectively meeting the market demand for daily necessities. The Board is confident that, through prudent yet flexible strategic planning, strong brand appeal and an optimised product portfolio, the Group will successfully enhance customer loyalty. This will steadily drive the business toward sustainable growth, thus creating long-term and robust returns for shareholders.

Hashtag: #BestMart360

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited

Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited, mainly operates chain retail stores under the brand “Best Mart 360˚”. It offers a wide collection of imported prepackaged leisure foods and other grocery products, principally from overseas. The Group’s business objective is to offer “Best Quality” and “Best Price” products to customers through continuous efforts on global procurement with a mission to provide comfortable shopping environment and pleasurable shopping experience to customers. As at 30 June 2026, the Group operates 190 retail stores that are strategically located across 18 districts in Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, the Group’s new global gourmet store, “FoodVille”, was officially opened in September 2021, which mainly provides globally sourced medium-to-high-end quality food products.

Partnered with CB Insights to unveil Hong Kong leads Asia and ranks fifth globally for high-potential start-ups, orchestrating the next era of global tech innovation

Key Takeaways:

  • HKSTP’s 25th Anniversary Prelude theme, “Innovation. Next by Nature.”, brings together great minds and bold ideas to inspire what comes next for Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem.
  • The CB Insights-HKSTP white paper ranks Hong Kong first in Asia and fifth globally, with a Mosaic score of 370 — a key indicator of high-potential ventures and future unicorns.
  • The research highlights Chinese Mainland’s lead in Asia’s physical AI wave, as the region powers global growth in robotics and AI funding.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 August 2026 – The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today officially kicked off its year-long 25th anniversary celebration with a landmark event “Together to NEXT”, bringing together Innovation and Technology Partners, Park Companies, industry leaders, academia and startups to mark a quarter-century of transforming bold ideas into global impact.

HKSTP's 25th Anniversary Prelude theme, "Innovation. Next by Nature.", brings together great minds and bold ideas to inspire what comes next for Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem. Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP (6th from left), Mr Terry Wong, CEO at HKSTP (6th from right), Mr Aldous Mak, Chief Financial Officer of HKSTP (5th from left), Ms Hilda Chan, Chief Marketing Officer, HKSTP (5th from right), Ms Filla Mak, Chief Property and Asset Officer, HKSTP (4th from left), Mr Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, HKSTP (4th from right), Ms Fanny Wong, Chief Talent Officer, HKSTP (3rd from right), Mr Oscar Wong, Acting Chief Business Development Officer, HKSTP (2nd from right) and members from the management team officiate the event.
HKSTP’s 25th Anniversary Prelude theme, “Innovation. Next by Nature.”, brings together great minds and bold ideas to inspire what comes next for Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem. Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP (6th from left), Mr Terry Wong, CEO at HKSTP (6th from right), Mr Aldous Mak, Chief Financial Officer of HKSTP (5th from left), Ms Hilda Chan, Chief Marketing Officer, HKSTP (5th from right), Ms Filla Mak, Chief Property and Asset Officer, HKSTP (4th from left), Mr Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, HKSTP (4th from right), Ms Fanny Wong, Chief Talent Officer, HKSTP (3rd from right), Mr Oscar Wong, Acting Chief Business Development Officer, HKSTP (2nd from right) and members from the management team officiate the event.

To commemorate this milestone, HKSTP unveiled its anniversary theme, “Innovation. Next by Nature.”, a vision that signals its evolution from ecosystem enabler to orchestrator of the next era of global innovation. HKSTP also announced the findings of a landmark study, “Inside Asia’s Fast-Track to Global Tech Scale,” conducted in partnership with the leading technology market intelligence firm CB Insights, revealing Hong Kong ranks first in Asia and fifth globally, with a Mosaic score of 370. Mosaic score is CB Insight’s proprietary and industry-recognised indicator of high-potential ventures and future unicorns, evaluating momentum, financing, market opportunity and leadership quality. Hong Kong’s top ranking among Asian markets reflects a concentrated pool of scale-ready ventures and highly-investable innovation.

Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, said: “For 25 years, HKSTP has driven I&T as Hong Kong’s economic engine. Across our 240-hectare infrastructure and service ecosystem—comprising Science Park, InnoCentre, three InnoParks, and our Shenzhen Park—we turn research into real-world impact. Looking ahead, our ‘What’s Next’ vision is built on four dimensions, ‘Broad and Deep, Far Yet Near’: Broad means building a diverse talent ecosystem where human minds leverage technology; Deep involves advancing tech-industry convergence; Far entails expanding our global footprint; and Near focuses on drawing the future nearer with immediate action. Our community is our heartbeat. Together, we must strengthen, enhance, and collaborate, harnessing Hong Kong’s unique advantages to shape a better future for all.”

To kick off this next era, HKSTP has partnered with CB Insights to launch a white paper titled “Inside Asia‘s Fast-Track to Global Tech Scale.“ The report shows how Asia is reshaping the global innovation playbook with a network of specialist clusters, each optimised for a different stage of the innovation journey and built for today’s multipolar market landscape. CB Insights is a global tech intelligence leader and predictive data platform trusted by Fortune 500 companies.

Mr Terry Wong, CEO at HKSTP, said: “Asia’s rising innovation power is rewriting the global innovation map. While Silicon Valley grew as a single, all-in-one hub, Asia, with the Chinese Mainland as a key technology engine, is evolving an accelerated and more specialised network for global innovation. Hong Kong’s role as a super connector and value-adder has never been more important as Asia sets a new benchmark for start-up ecosystems. As HKSTP steps up as an ecosystem orchestrator, we are connecting innovators with capital, talent, deep Mainland China links and trusted pathways to global markets.”

Other Key Report Findings:

  • Chinese Mainland drives physical AI takeover
    Asia’s AI investment exploding as physical AI leads the way with robotics raising US$26.1B and AI infrastructure hit US$21.4 billion in 2025, outpacing generative AI and fintech. China dominates region with close to 100% of deals in emerging segments: robot/industrial humanoid robot foundation models, vision language and autonomous driving models.
  • Asia‘s specialist hubs as accelerators of growth across innovation lifecycle
  • Asia vies for global R&D lead to complement established manufacturing and consumer power
    The region’s global R&D expenditure surge from 24% in 2007 to 45% in 2024, according to WIPO, while already the dominant region for global manufacturing as well as driving global consumption with growing purchasing power with Asia’s GDP reaching 48.6 percent in 2025, according to Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).


HKSTP: Global
I&T Ecosystem Orchestrator and Innovation Accelerator

HKSTP’s 25th anniversary signals a renewed mission to make Hong Kong the global heartbeat of what’s next in innovation and technology (I&T). As HKSTP approaches its 25th anniversary, the new brand theme, “Innovation. Next by Nature.”, positions HKSTP as inherently built to lead the change. The year-long celebrative campaign “25 to NEXT” starts from August 2026 to July 2027 with 25 high-impact activations and cultural moments.

Anchored by three core goals — The Next Habitat (cultivating an innovation culture by connecting ecosystem stakeholders with signature events), The Next Horizon (broadening perspectives through industry-guiding insights, including the landmark study in partnership with CB Insights and 25 KOL collaborations), and The Next Pinnacle (developing overseas delegations and platforms across international markets). The campaign positions HKSTP as a more connected engine and forward-oriented convener of talent, capital, infrastructure and partnerships across sectors and borders.

Since its establishment, HKSTP has grown into Hong Kong’s largest I&T ecosystem, driving breakthroughs across Life and Health Technology, AI and Data Science, Microelectronics and Advanced Manufacturing, and GreenTech and New Energy. As the ecosystem orchestrator, HKSTP is committed to powering Hong Kong’s rise as the international I&T hub, underpinned by leading critical partnerships across Hong Kong and beyond, attracting talent, engaging stakeholders, and building a connected, forward-looking I&T community for the next era of global innovation.
Hashtag: #HongKongScienceandTechnologyParksCorporation #HKSTP

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 and has built a proven foundation as Hong Kong’s leading innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem. Established for 25 years, HKSTP is supporting 14 unicorns, has nurtured more than 17,000 research professionals and built a community of over 2,600 technology companies from 26 countries and regions across four strategic technology clusters: Life and Health Technology, AI and Data Science, Micro-electronics, and New Energy and Green Technology.

As an ecosystem orchestrator, HKSTP provides end-to-end support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate commercialisation and help technology ventures scale. Its innovation infrastructure spans over 240 hectares covering Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long, advancing Hong Kong’s vision for new industrialisation and smart manufacturing.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen, strengthens cross-border collaboration by connecting Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and global innovation networks and propels Chinese innovators onto the world stage, while also delivering comprehensive GBA landing support to accelerate cross-border success for local and international ventures.

As HKSTP enters its next chapter with strong foundations, it continues to deepen impact, elevate quality and create value for innovators. As an ecosystem built to lead change, HKSTP is empowering Hong Kong to define what comes next in innovation, growth and opportunity.

More information about HKSTP is available at .

By Nantoo Banerjee The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is going great guns. The country’s national space agency plans to launch its own independent orbital outpost, named the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035. If it succeeds, India will be the only country after China to have an independent space station. Neither the US nor Russia […]

The article India plans own orbital space outpost, second after China appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

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Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Jordanian air defences intercepted and destroyed eight missiles early Monday as Iran launched retaliatory attacks against US military facilities in Jordan following an American strike on Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz. The Jordan Armed Forces said the missiles had penetrated the kingdom’s airspace and were destroyed before they could threaten civilians or property. Its statement did not identify the missiles’ origin, […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai US and Iranian forces exchanged direct attacks on Sunday for the first time in about a month, with Washington striking two Iranian launchers on Larak Island and Tehran answering with missile attacks aimed at US military sites in Jordan. Jordan’s armed forces said on Monday that its air defence systems intercepted eight missiles that entered the kingdom’s airspace at dawn. The military said […]

  • Jungheinrich marks 25 years of presence in Singapore, as country’s backbone for material flow of goods and a driver of sustainable intralogistics solutions, with more than 7,000 machines in the market and over 100 warehouse solutions implemented
  • Jungheinrich Singapore established itself as one of the few full-liner suppliers of material handling equipment and solutions in the country, and the pioneer of electrification, with an estimate market share of 25% in electrified machines
  • Milestone marked with an anniversary dinner on 28 August 2026, attended by Guests of Honour: Thomas Motak, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore, and Nadine Despineux, Member of the Board of Management, Chief Sales Officer, Jungheinrich

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 August 2026 – Jungheinrich, a global leader in sustainable material handling solutions, celebrated 25 years of presence in Singapore as country’s backbone for material flow of goods and a driver of sustainable intralogistics solutions, with more than 7,000 machines in the market and over 100 total warehouse solutions implemented.

Jungheinrich Singapore celebrates 25 years of material flow excellence, marking the milestone with Managing Director, Singapore and Malaysia, Benedict Kothe; Guest of Honour Thomas Motak, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore; Jungheinrich Chief Sales Officer Nadine Despineux; and key industry leaders and guests.
Jungheinrich Singapore celebrates 25 years of material flow excellence, marking the milestone with Managing Director, Singapore and Malaysia, Benedict Kothe; Guest of Honour Thomas Motak, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore; Jungheinrich Chief Sales Officer Nadine Despineux; and key industry leaders and guests.

On 28 August 2026, Jungheinrich celebrated this silver jubilee with an anniversary gala dinner at Pan Pacific Orchard Singapore, graced by Guests of Honour: Thomas Motak, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore, and Nadine Despineux, Member of the Board of Management, Chief Sales Officer, Jungheinrich, alongside key attendees such as, Manojit Acharya, Vice President – Asia Pacific & Managing Director, India, Benedict Kothe, Managing Director, Singapore and Malaysia, Jungheinrich, Jens Rübbert, President of the European Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, Soo Haw Yun, Vice President, Global Enterprises, Singapore Economic Development Board, and the various Jungheinrich teams, customers and partners in the APAC region.

A special toast was raised to mark Jungheinrich Singapore’s 25-year journey and its evolution into a strategic hub for Asia-Pacific (APAC). Established on 21 February 2001 as the first country unit in APAC, Jungheinrich Singapore is now part of a regional network spanning eight country units and 14 partner companies, supported by over 1,500 employees. The Singapore operation oversees key regional functions including training, automation, dealer management, sales, customer service and human resources, with the APAC spare parts distribution centre also based here.

Jungheinrich has also established itself as one of the few full-liner suppliers of material handling equipment and solutions in Singapore, offering warehouse trucks, racking, automation, digital solutions and customer service all under one roof. The Singapore team, comprising of 150 employees, works closely with Jungheinrich’s partners across APAC, supporting the company’s regional reach and market development.

Over the past 25 years, Jungheinrich Singapore has pioneered the adoption of electric material handling equipment in the country, with an estimated 25% share of the electrified machines market. Its team of 50 technicians strive to provide industry-benchmark service, supporting the logistics sector’s shift towards more efficient and professional operations. In recognition of its innovation and education initiatives, Jungheinrich Singapore was named Supply Chain Innovator of the Year (CSR) at the prestigious Supply Chain Asia Awards 2025, and has also achieved Great Place To Work® Certified™ status.

Notably, Jungheinrich Singapore was the first in APAC to open a Jungheinrich Experience Centre, established in May 2024, to showcase product innovation and illustrate how material flow interacts within a warehouse setting. The centre has since welcomed visitors including Kuehne & Nagel, Supply Chain Asia, the German Embassy in Singapore, and a slew of students from Republic Polytechnic (Singapore) and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).

Jungheinrich Singapore has also played an active role in supporting the local community, serving as the official logistics sponsor for the annual National Day Parade for 2 consecutive years in 2025 and 2026, deploying electric forklifts, pallet trucks and reach trucks to help distribute close to 250,000 fun packs to spectators. The organisation also donated warehouse trucks to support Willing Hearts and Food Bank Singapore in their operations, and provided pallet jacks and forklifts for the United Buddy Bears Exhibition at Gardens by the Bay in September 2025, which marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Germany.

Since 2024, Jungheinrich Singapore and Malaysia have jointly run the “The Environment Wins Twice” campaign with Animal Projects & Environmental Education (APE) Malaysia, planting a tree for every electric forklift sold, and as of 2025, 455 trees have been planted, turning each sale into a tangible contribution to reforestation while supporting Jungheinrich’s global sustainability commitments.

While Southeast Asia’s warehouse automation market is projected to nearly double from US$0.87 billion in 2025 to US$1.95 billion by 2032, and Singapore’s land and labour constraints driving to demand for smarter, space-efficient solutions, Jungheinrich sees significant opportunities for further growth in the region.

Looking ahead, Jungheinrich Singapore will focus on developing localised automation solutions, expanding the rollout of AntOn by Jungheinrich, and introducing sustainable material handling solutions tailored to customers across APAC. Building on the launch of its first electric van in July 2025, the organisation is also targeting a fully green-energy service fleet by 2030, supporting its commitment to Carbon Neutrality by 2030 for Scope 1 emissions.

“As we celebrate 25 years in Singapore, we are proud of the strong foundation we have built with 150 intralogistics experts who support our customers across industries. Our journey has been defined by innovation, partnership, and a commitment to improving material flow efficiency. Looking ahead, we remain focused on helping businesses enhance productivity, increase warehouse safety and quality, and achieve sustainable growth through advanced material handling solutions,” said Benedict Kothe, Managing Director, Singapore and Malaysia, Jungheinrich.

“We congratulate Jungheinrich on 25 years in Singapore. Over the years, Jungheinrich has grown its Singapore operations into a strategic APAC hub, driving initiatives such as automation, innovation, and sustainability. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Jungheinrich as it contributes to Singapore’s logistics sector and develops solutions for the region,” said Soo Haw Yun, Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board.

As Jungheinrich Singapore enters its next chapter, the organisation remains committed to supporting customers’ growth with innovative, sustainable and increasingly automated material handling solutions.Hashtag: #Jungheinrich #Manufacturing #Logistics




The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Jungheinrich Singapore

As one of the world’s leading providers of material handling solutions, Jungheinrich has advanced the development of innovative, sustainable products and solutions for material flows for more than 70 years. The family-owned, listed business generated revenue of €5.5 billion in the 2025 financial year with a workforce of over 21,000, and service and sales companies across 42 countries. In APAC, the company has established eight country units and over 14 partner companies, supported by over 1,500 employees. Established in Singapore in 2001, Jungheinrich Singapore marks its 25th anniversary in 2026 as the company’s strategic hub for the region.

Find out more at .

European Central Bank Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel has called for central bank money to become a native programmable asset on distributed-ledger platforms, arguing that smart contracts could make monetary policy operations faster and more flexible as finance becomes tokenised. Speaking at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium on August 28, Schnabel said central banks need to extend their operational reach into tokenised markets rather than leave […]

Artificial intelligence adoption has spread across Gulf businesses, but only a small minority are converting deployments into measurable financial gains, exposing a gap between experimentation and value creation. About 84 per cent of organisations in the Gulf Cooperation Council use AI in at least one business function, up from 62 per cent in 2023, according to a McKinsey survey conducted with the GCC Board Directors Institute. Yet […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez faced criticism on Sunday from opposition figures and former Chavista officials over a sweeping oil agreement that gives the United States majority control over output tied to 65 billion barrels of proven crude reserves. Rodríguez defended the 25-year arrangement in a televised address, insisting Venezuela would retain ownership and sovereignty over its natural resources while using US capital, […]

Norway’s government digital services have largely returned to normal after a sustained distributed denial-of-service attack against infrastructure supporting the Norwegian Digitalisation Agency ended on Wednesday evening, following more than two days of disruption. Digitaliseringsdirektoratet, known as Digdir, said the attack stopped at about 7.30pm on Wednesday, August 26, after beginning at 3.38am on Monday. By Thursday morning, most systems were operating normally, although some traffic from outside […]

US authorities have warned that a China-linked hacking group built a distributed ecosystem of scanning, exploitation and proxy tools to target government networks and critical infrastructure, while court-authorised action has disabled two central platforms. The FBI, National Security Agency and US Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force said QTFY, also known as QT and QTCYBER, developed purpose-built systems that allowed hackers to identify vulnerable devices at scale, […]

Greece and Israel are preparing to sign a €3.1 billion agreement on Monday for a nationwide multilayered air and missile defence network, moving Athens’ Achilles’ Shield programme from approval into implementation. The agreements are scheduled to be signed in Tel Aviv on August 31 between Greece’s General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments and SIBAT, the international defence cooperation directorate of Israel’s Ministry of Defence, alongside participating […]

India’s hotel industry is expected to strengthen in the second half of FY27 as robust domestic leisure travel, improving corporate demand, weddings and a seasonal recovery in international arrivals support occupancy and room rates.

A sector assessment by PhillipCapital said the April-June quarter had already shown resilience despite geopolitical disruptions, with industry occupancy rising by two to four percentage points from a year earlier. Average room rates increased 6-8 per cent, while revenue per available room, or RevPAR, advanced 11-13 per cent.

The brokerage expects business conditions to improve further during the October-March period, helped by a heavier wedding calendar, stronger meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions activity and higher international travel during the traditional peak season. Corporate travel, which was softer earlier in the year amid uncertainty linked to the West Asia conflict, has also shown signs of gradual recovery.

Limited additions to room supply in key markets are expected to give operators continued pricing power if demand strengthens as projected. That imbalance between demand and new capacity has been an important support for average room rates across several major destinations and is likely to remain favourable through the second half of the financial year.

The outlook is consistent with ICRA’s projection that hospitality industry revenues will rise 7-9 per cent year on year in FY27, following an estimated 9-12 per cent increase in FY26. The ratings agency expects pan-India premium hotel occupancy to remain at 72-74 per cent, broadly unchanged from FY26, while average room rates for premium hotels rise to Rs 8,600-8,800 from Rs 8,200-8,500.

Domestic travellers remain the principal source of demand and have helped cushion the industry from weaker foreign arrivals and disruptions to international air routes. ICRA estimated occupancy at 66-68 per cent during the first two months of FY27, compared with 62-64 per cent a year earlier, while average room rates were estimated at Rs 7,800-8,000 against Rs 7,500-7,700.

Leisure destinations have generally performed better than business-focused hotels during the opening months of the year. Indian Hotels Company reported strong demand across its domestic portfolio, with revenue from operations within India rising during the June quarter and leisure markets contributing significantly to growth.

Other listed hotel operators have also reported positive RevPAR trends, though performance has varied by city, customer mix and exposure to international guests. The sector’s recovery in the first quarter was more occupancy-led than in earlier periods, when sharp increases in room rates were the dominant driver of revenue growth.

Demand from corporate customers is expected to become more supportive as travel budgets normalise and business activity strengthens. Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi have shown firmer room rates in parts of the second quarter, aided by technology, global capability centre and broader corporate travel demand.

International traffic remains a key variable. Foreign tourist arrivals were hit earlier by disruptions associated with the conflict in West Asia, but the Ministry of Tourism’s data portal indicates arrivals during 2026 have begun to show year-on-year improvement in available updates. A seasonal rise from October would add higher-paying international travellers to the domestic base.

Wedding demand is also expected to provide a material lift. Hotels typically benefit not only from room bookings during large celebrations but also from food and beverage, banquet and event revenue, making the wedding calendar an important contributor during the second half.

Meetings and exhibition business is another area expected to improve as companies resume travel and events. Stronger MICE demand can lift weekday occupancy at city hotels, complementing leisure traffic that is often concentrated around weekends, holidays and destination markets.

Risks to the outlook remain. A prolonged escalation in West Asia could again disrupt international travel and corporate spending, while inflation could weigh on discretionary consumption. ICRA has said these factors remain monitorable even though domestic demand has so far limited the direct impact on the sector.

Mistral AI and Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN have agreed a strategic collaboration worth hundreds of millions of euros, linking local computing infrastructure with model development and enterprise deployments across the kingdom and the wider Middle East. The agreement, announced on August 24, will see Paris-based Mistral explore using HUMAIN’s data centre infrastructure to meet growing local computing demand while the companies jointly develop and localise advanced artificial intelligence […]

A Japanese industry consortium has begun full operations at a shared humanoid-robot training facility in Chiba Prefecture, pooling costly equipment, staff and industrial data to accelerate factory and logistics automation.

J-HRTI, short for Japan Humanoid Robot Training & Implementation, opened its Kanto Data Factory in Narashino on August 26 with 35 humanoid robots across about 1,400 square metres. The centre can expand to 40 machines and is designed to generate, label and test the physical data needed to train robots for practical industrial work.

The consortium says the facility is Japan’s first physical-AI and robot data factory operated by a group composed solely of private companies. Its model is intended to reduce the cost and duplication involved when manufacturers try to build large robot-training systems independently, while allowing participating businesses to share common training data and testing infrastructure.

Operators telecontrol the humanoids to create imitation-learning data from tasks such as gripping, moving and handling objects. Cameras mounted on the robots record movements while motor parameters are also collected. Specialist staff then annotate the footage and motion information so AI systems can distinguish actions, errors and acceptable performance before the robots are tested in environments designed to resemble participating companies’ workplaces.

J-HRTI says members divide the cost of equipment and data generation while contributing real-world tasks from their own operations. Common datasets can be reused across companies, reducing the thousands or tens of thousands of training repetitions that an individual business might otherwise need to undertake from scratch. Sensitive company-specific work can be handled separately in a secure area, where information is not shared with other members.

That approach could widen access to humanoid development beyond the largest manufacturers, although J-HRTI has not published membership fees or a standard deployment price for factories. Claims that the system makes humanoids broadly affordable for mid-sized manufacturers therefore remain difficult to quantify. What is established is that participating companies can spread investment and technical risk rather than financing a dedicated data facility alone.

The operating group includes machinery trader Yamazen, pharmaceutical manufacturer Tsumura, direct-mail and logistics company DMS and Fuyo General Lease, alongside another participant that was not publicly identified in the August 26 announcement. INSOL-HIGH serves as the consortium secretariat and operates the data platform and overall system design.

J-HRTI’s programme is aimed initially at straightforward industrial duties. The group plans to place humanoids into workplaces for tasks such as material transport during the 2026 financial year, which ends in March 2027. It then intends to broaden the range of tasks and improve autonomy as more operational data becomes available.

The consortium is also developing a physical-AI foundation model using data collected at the Chiba site. Several thousand datasets had already been accumulated and annotated by the time full operations began, according to INSOL-HIGH officials. Participating companies are expected to use the model and return additional operating data and feedback, creating a cycle in which the shared training resource is continually updated.

Plans call for the data-factory network to expand to 10 locations nationwide during the 2027 financial year. The Chiba facility is intended to serve as the first “mother” site, with future centres positioned closer to industries that can supply specialised tasks and operational conditions. J-HRTI has said those regional facilities could also support maintenance after robots are deployed.

By the 2028 financial year, the group aims to provide foundation models specialised for sectors including manufacturing and logistics. The timetable remains a target rather than a guaranteed commercial rollout, and performance will depend on whether robots trained in controlled environments can operate safely and reliably in varied workplaces.

Nepal could need $4 billion to $5 billion to rebuild after catastrophic Himalayan floods, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has said, putting the preliminary bill at nearly a tenth of the country’s economy. Wagle said the estimate remained provisional while authorities conduct a detailed assessment of losses from the August 26 disaster, which devastated settlements and infrastructure along river systems descending from the Nepal-Tibet border. He said the […]

OpenAI has appointed Meta’s India and Southeast Asia vice-president Sandhya Devanathan as its vice-president for Southeast Asia and Australia, strengthening the ChatGPT maker’s regional leadership as it expands consumer, enterprise and government engagement across Asia-Pacific.

Devanathan is due to take up the newly created role in October and will be based in Singapore, reporting to Kiran Mani, OpenAI’s managing director for Asia-Pacific. Her responsibilities will cover consumer growth, enterprise adoption and partnerships, regulatory engagement and operations across Southeast Asia and Australia.

The move gives OpenAI an experienced technology executive as competition intensifies among artificial intelligence companies for users, corporate customers, developers and public-sector partnerships. Devanathan has spent more than a decade at Meta and has held senior roles spanning ecommerce, gaming and country leadership across Asia-Pacific.

Devanathan announced her departure from Meta on Friday, describing the decision as “bittersweet” and saying she would take a short break before beginning her next chapter. OpenAI subsequently confirmed that she would join the company in the regional position.

Her departure also reshapes Meta’s reporting structure in one of its largest markets. Arun Srinivas, Meta’s managing director and country head for India, will report directly to Benjamin Joe, the company’s vice-president for Asia-Pacific. Srinivas had been reporting to Devanathan.

Devanathan joined Meta in 2016 and helped build its businesses and teams in Singapore and Vietnam, as well as ecommerce initiatives across Southeast Asia. She moved in 2020 to lead Meta’s gaming business in Asia-Pacific before being appointed vice-president and head of India, taking up that position in January 2023. Her remit was later expanded to include Southeast Asia.

At Meta, her work covered the company’s business and revenue priorities, relationships with major brands, advertisers, creators and partners, and the expansion of digital commerce and messaging services. She has more than 25 years of experience across banking, payments and technology.

OpenAI’s appointment places Devanathan in charge of markets where governments and companies are accelerating investment in generative artificial intelligence while also debating rules on safety, data, copyright and the use of advanced models. Her remit includes regulatory engagement, making her role important to OpenAI’s efforts to navigate differing policy regimes across Southeast Asia and Australia.

The company has been expanding its physical and management presence across Asia-Pacific, with offices in Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and Delhi. It has also strengthened its leadership in India, where it appointed former Uber executive Prabhjeet Singh as managing director earlier this year.

OpenAI has made India a significant part of its regional growth strategy as demand for generative AI tools rises among consumers, developers and businesses. In February, the company launched OpenAI for India, an initiative focused on artificial intelligence infrastructure, enterprise adoption, skills development and education partnerships.

Devanathan’s appointment extends that regional build-out beyond India, giving OpenAI a senior executive responsible for Southeast Asia and Australia from Singapore. The role combines commercial expansion with policy and operational responsibilities rather than focusing solely on sales or partnerships.

For Meta, the leadership change comes as the company continues to manage its advertising, messaging and social-media businesses across the region while increasing investment in artificial intelligence. Devanathan’s departure removes an executive who had overseen both India and Southeast Asia and had been part of Meta’s Asia-Pacific leadership structure.

When Meta appointed Devanathan to lead its India operations in 2022, the company said she would bring together its business and revenue priorities and strengthen relationships with brands, creators, advertisers and partners. She moved back to India for the role after earlier assignments in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

In her departure message, Devanathan highlighted work involving government citizen services delivered through WhatsApp in India and small businesses using Meta’s applications as digital storefronts in Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. She also referred to her experience helping technology companies and creators grow across the region.

Formula One world champion Lando Norris has signed a new long-term agreement with McLaren that will keep him at the team until at least the end of 2030, with an option extending beyond that date. McLaren announced the deal on Saturday at its Technology Centre in Woking, where Norris told staff and guests that he wanted to continue the partnership that began when he joined the team’s […]

SpaceX shares ended Friday at $141.50 after Elon Musk said the rocket and satellite company could generate about $3.5 trillion in annual revenue by 2033, setting out a growth expectation seven years ahead of Morgan Stanley’s long-range estimate. The Nasdaq-listed stock gained 0.45 per cent on August 28, closing above the previous session’s $140.87 but remaining well below its post-flotation peak above $225. The shares have nevertheless […]

Polkadot’s DOT token fell below $0.85 on Saturday as selling pressure returned after a brief August rebound, leaving the cryptocurrency struggling to reclaim the psychologically important $1 level despite favourable network decentralisation metrics. DOT was trading near $0.84, down about 4 per cent over 24 hours and roughly 9 per cent over seven days. Its market value stood near $1.42 billion, with about 1.7 billion tokens circulating. […]

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