Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A woman was handed over to police after allegedly throwing a slipper and stones at a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Pune’s Sasane Nagar area, triggering anger among residents and a wider debate over the response to the incident. CCTV footage from the site in Hadapsar showed the woman approaching the statue and throwing objects towards it. The statue was enclosed within […]
Suspected China-linked hackers used autonomous artificial intelligence agents to compromise Taiwan government systems, marking a significant escalation in the use of AI for cyber espionage and exposing how software agents can now execute complex attacks with limited human direction. The campaign unfolded over four days at the beginning of July and targeted 21 government systems. The attackers deployed as many as eight AI agents simultaneously to map […]
HandyGames has rebranded its publishing business as THQ Nordic Mobile, sharpening its focus on adapting premium PC and console games for smartphones and tablets while keeping its long-established development operation under the HandyGames Studios name. The change, effective from August 2026, brings the German publisher more visibly under the THQ Nordic brand eight years after the companies joined forces. THQ Nordic Mobile will operate as a dedicated […]
Resilience must be central to data center operations
The sector’s biggest constraints are increasingly physical rather than financial. Competitive advantage is increasingly determined by access to electricity, grid connections, permitting, specialized equipment and skilled labor. In the US alone, the construction industry faces a shortage of around 439,000 skilled workers, while an estimated 349,000 additional workers may be needed in 2026. Climate resilience is increasingly a strategic consideration rather than an operational afterthought. Around 79% of global data center capacity is already located in areas exposed to heightened natural catastrophe risk, while 54% is exposed to chronic heat and drought stress. Some of the fastest-growing AI infrastructure markets are also among the most climate-exposed, including Northern Virginia, US, Johor in Malaysia, and Marseille, France. Acute flood, wildfire and wind exposure is highest in the Americas, affecting 86% of capacity, while chronic heat and drought stress is greatest in Asia Pacific, where 89% of capacity is exposed.
Global data center insurance market will more than double by 2030
Insurance is evolving alongside the sector. As data centers assume a more critical role in infrastructure, comprehensive insurance cover has become a prerequisite for financing many large-scale AI infrastructure projects. Construction costs for a single AI campus can exceed US$20bn, with insured values rising substantially once high-performance computing equipment is installed. The global data center insurance market is projected to grow from around US$11bn today to more than US$24bn by 2030, reflecting rapid capacity expansion, rising insured values and increasing operational complexity. Demand is expected to extend beyond traditional property cover towards integrated solutions spanning construction, engineering, property, business interruption, cyber and liability, while also creating new opportunities in areas such as energy resilience, operational continuity, and technology risk.
Risk and claims trends: fire drives severity; water damage frequency
Allianz Commercial analysis of insurance industry data center-related claims shows that fire is the leading driver of loss severity, accounting for well over 50% of around €700mn (US$800mn) worth of losses. Natural catastrophe activity ranks second, followed by willful acts, which include crime and cyber incidents, followed by power failure. Water damage is the most frequent cause of data center claims, followed by willful acts, fire, and equipment breakdown. Business interruption is the primary driver of claims severity by line of insurance, highlighting the significant financial impact of operational downtime.
The data center risk profile is changing as facilities become larger, more complex, and more increasingly interdependent. Hyperscale and colocation of campuses can bring together multiple tenants, construction works, servers, supporting utilities and on-site infrastructure in one physical or operational space. A single event can therefore trigger claims across property, construction, business interruption, liability, cyber, and financial lines. Real-life claims case studies show that in hyperscale facilities, damage to external cooling systems, hot works-related fire damage, and a delay in start-up caused by power disturbances have each resulted in losses in the US$50mn to US$100mn range.
“For insurers, the key question is not only the value of the building, but the concentration of value and dependency inside and around it. Power, cooling, batteries, fiber routes, testing and commissioning, and business continuity planning are all part of the same risk picture. Effective risk mitigation must begin early and continue throughout the data center lifecycle. Resilience must be designed in from the earliest planning stage,” explains Christian Kolbe, Global Head of Construction Claims at Allianz Commercial.
Clarity between policies essential to avoid ambiguity
Data center projects encompass different project phases with several stakeholders and interests involved, which can create complications. During the construction phase, stakeholders include the owner, developer, contractor, and subcontractors, whereas in the operational phase, the stakeholders include the owner-operator, and potentially multiple tenants or end users. For example, different policies could respond to a hot works-related fire resulting in damage to a data center nearing completion, and this would impact different stakeholders.
“Clarity is critical with an insurance claim,” says Charlotte Field, Regional Head of Short-tail Claims, Asia, at Allianz Commercial. “Clearly documented handovers are essential between your construction all-risk policy and operational policy. There must be no ambiguity about practical completion, in order to avoid disputes over which policy responds to a particular event and the extent of cover.”
Hashtag: #AllianzCommercial
https://commercial.allianz.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/allianz-commercial/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world’s largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry as well as family-owned and medium enterprises which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or film productions. Powered by the employees, financial strength, and network of the world’s #1 insurance brand, we work together to help our customers prepare for what’s ahead: They trust us in providing a wide range of traditional and alternative risk transfer solutions, outstanding risk consulting and Multinational services as well as seamless claims handling. Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property & Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either through our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2025, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated around €17.3 billion in gross premium globally. https://commercial.allianz.com/
US Senator Bernie Sanders has urged OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta to pause the development of advanced artificial intelligence, arguing that emerging evidence of autonomous behaviour and powerful biological capabilities shows existing safety protections may no longer be sufficient. The Vermont senator addressed his demand to OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei and Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. Sanders said the companies should honour […]
Washington’s accelerating adoption of autonomous artificial intelligence is colliding with warnings from cybersecurity specialists that AI agents could inadvertently breach government systems, after a model evaluation led to an intrusion into Hugging Face’s production infrastructure. The General Services Administration has expanded federal access to agentic AI through its OneGov programme, including an agreement with CORAS. ai that gives agencies access to GARY, an AI orchestration platform designed […]
Nvidia is joining forces with six of the world’s biggest investment groups to mobilise more than $500 billion for artificial intelligence infrastructure, creating financing platforms designed to expand access to the computing capacity underpinning the global AI boom. The chipmaker has signed memorandums of understanding with Apollo, BlackRock, Blackstone, Brookfield, Goldman Sachs and KKR. The firms plan to establish independent platforms that will provide dedicated pools of […]
Mark Zuckerberg has laid out his most expansive case yet for putting powerful artificial intelligence into the hands of billions of people, arguing that widely available “personal superintelligence” can improve education, work, healthcare and creativity while preventing control of advanced AI from becoming concentrated among governments and a handful of companies. The Meta chief executive’s essay, titled “The Future is for Everyone”, runs to more than 6,400 […]
Valve has warned Steam hardware customers across Europe that their personal and order information was likely stolen during a cyberattack on CEVA Logistics, the company responsible for distributing its physical products in the region. The attack gave intruders access to CEVA systems between July 29 and August 1, 2026. Valve learned on August 7 that information belonging to its customers was among the data potentially compromised. The […]
Greenlogue/AP A consortium led by EDF power solutions has reached financial close on Oman’s 120-megawatt Jaalan Bani Bu Ali Wind Independent Power Project, clearing a key hurdle for construction and commercial operation targeted for the third quarter of 2027. EDF power solutions is developing the project with Al Khadra Partners, part of the Hind Bahwan Group, and OQ Alternative Energy. The partners secured financing after signing a […]
Meta has released Muse Glimmer, a 30-billion-parameter open-weight artificial intelligence model designed to run agentic workloads on consumer hardware, while preparing an open-weight version of its flagship Muse Spark 1.2 model for release within weeks. The launch marks a renewed push by Meta to make downloadable AI models a central part of its strategy after its Muse family initially moved towards controlled access. Muse Glimmer, released on […]
The compromise of LiteLLM has sharpened concerns that software underpinning artificial intelligence systems is becoming a strategic target for attackers seeking credentials, cloud access and pathways into other technology projects. Two malicious versions of the widely used LiteLLM Python package, 1.82.7 and 1.82.8, were published to the Python Package Index on March 24. They remained available for about 40 minutes before PyPI quarantined the project. The affected […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai dubizzle Cars has partnered with Al-Futtaim Auto Centers to offer prepaid vehicle maintenance packages to buyers in the UAE, extending the online marketplace’s reach deeper into aftersales services and the wider car-ownership cycle. The agreement gives customers purchasing eligible vehicles through dubizzle Cars access to Al-Futtaim Auto Centers’ servicing network. The offering covers scheduled maintenance by certified technicians, quality parts, mobile servicing and […]
MoneyGram has expanded its crypto-to-cash infrastructure to Solana, allowing wallets, exchanges and decentralised applications on the blockchain to connect directly with the payments company’s worldwide network for converting digital assets into local currency. The launch brings MoneyGram Ramps to the Solana ecosystem through a single application programming interface. Developers can now offer cash deposits in more than 25 countries and cash withdrawals across more than 170 countries […]
Coinbase has chosen Abu Dhabi as its international base for tokenised securities after securing regulatory approval to arrange investment transactions and provide custody services within Abu Dhabi Global Market, accelerating its expansion beyond cryptocurrency trading into blockchain-based capital markets. The Financial Services Permission granted by ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority gives the US-listed crypto exchange the regulatory foundation to develop tokenised investment products from the emirate. Coinbase […]
Pokémon trading cards are evolving from childhood collectibles into a multibillion-dollar alternative asset market, prompting blockchain companies to build digital trading systems around physical cards stored securely in vaults. The technology can speed up transactions, but attracting enough buyers and sellers remains the larger challenge. Estimates put the wider trading-card market at roughly $10 billion to $15 billion, while the value of graded cards alone has been […]
Aptoide Games has become the first rival Android app store to be distributed directly through Google Play in the United States, marking a significant change in the mobile software market after years of legal challenges to Google’s control over app distribution. The Portugal-based company’s games marketplace can now be installed from Google Play like a conventional application, removing the need for users to sideload the store or […]
Hackers penetrated a Polish combined heat and power plant through a private cellular network, manipulating industrial controllers and temporarily halting cogeneration at a facility supplying heat to about 50,000 residents. The attack has exposed a previously undocumented route into critical operational technology systems. The intrusion occurred on December 29, 2025, during a broader campaign against Poland’s energy infrastructure. Investigators have now established that attackers moved from a […]
Amazon is facing a direct challenge to its delivery model in New York City after Mayor Zohran Mamdani threw his support behind legislation that would require operators of last-mile facilities to employ delivery and warehouse workers directly rather than relying on networks of subcontractors. The Delivery Protection Act, sponsored by City Council member Tiffany L. Cabán, would impose a licensing regime on certain warehouses and distribution centres […]
OpenAI has restricted development work involving its upcoming Astra artificial intelligence model after internal evaluations raised the possibility that it may possess cyber capabilities powerful enough to cross the company’s highest risk threshold. The company said preliminary testing showed major advances in autonomous coding and cybersecurity performance. Those results were strong enough that it could not rule out Astra reaching what its Preparedness Framework defines as “Critical” […]
Anthropic is introducing invisible, machine-readable markings into Claude-generated text and supported files, adding a new layer of provenance as artificial intelligence companies face tougher transparency requirements in Europe. The system is designed to follow generated material beyond the Claude interface, although the company acknowledges that substantial editing can defeat detection. Claude models launched on or after August 2, 2026 are being designed to support the marking system […]
Championing Design Excellence, Innovation and Sustainable Water Technologies
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 August 2026 – Hansgrohe Group, one of the world’s leading premium bathroom and kitchen brands, celebrates its 125th anniversary with an official visit to Hong Kong by Christophe Gourlan, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Sales Officer of Hansgrohe Group. As a key stop in the Group’s Asia anniversary programme, the visit reaffirms Hansgrohe’s long-term commitment to the Hong Kong market and formally introduces VSC Building Products Company Limited as the brand’s newly authorised distributor in Hong Kong, marking the beginning of a new phase of growth and collaboration.
The anniversary celebrations in Hong Kong also mark a significant milestone for the premium hansgrohe brand locally — the grand opening of a dedicated hansgrohe display at the VSC A&D Centre, located at 1/F, East Town Building, 41 Lockhart Road, Wanchai. The newly unveiled showroom showcases multiple award-winning collections and the latest innovations, offering architects, designers, developers and consumers an immersive experience of the brand philosophy: “Life is Waterful.”
125 Years of Heritage: Where Design Meets Innovation
Founded in 1901 in Schiltach, Germany, in the Black Forest, Hansgrohe has evolved from a small workshop into a globally renowned premium brand with a presence in over 150 countries. For 125 years, the company has been synonymous with German engineering excellence, technological innovation and award-winning design, earning prestigious international accolades including the iF Design Award, Red Dot Design Award and German Design Award.
Among its most iconic and celebrated product innovations are:
Raindance series, including the new Raindance Alive, redefining showering with distinctive spray technology and elegant aesthetics;
Rainfinity, offering a new dimension of immersive showering with ultra-soft PowderRain spray and avant-garde design;
Pulsify, a compact shower solution ideal for urban living, featuring water-saving PowderRain technology;
Finoris faucet collection, equipped with a pull-out spray and dual spray modes, combining flexibility with contemporary design;
Kitchen innovations such as Talis M54 and Metris M71, enhancing kitchen functionality with precision engineering and premium materials.
Hansgrohe’s pioneering technologies include Select technology, enabling intuitive control of water flow at the touch of a button, alongside sustainability-driven innovations such as EcoSmart, AirPower and CoolStart, significantly reducing water and energy consumption without compromising comfort.
Under its ambitious “ECO 2030” initiative, Hansgrohe aims to equip all products with water-saving technologies by 2030, embedding sustainability at the core of product development.
Today, approximately 200 employees worldwide are dedicated to research, development and innovation management. The Group operates innovation centres in the Black Forest and, since 2023, in Shanghai, strengthening localisation and responsiveness to the China and Asia-Pacific markets. Products launched within the past three years account for approximately 30% of the Group’s total revenue — a testament to its dynamic innovation pipeline and market competitiveness.
Deepening Presence in Hong Kong: A New Milestone with VSC
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Hansgrohe and VSC will focus on enhancing customer touchpoints and brand visibility across Hong Kong. Key initiatives include strengthening point-of-sale presentation, elevating experiential showroom displays, and supporting trade partners through comprehensive product training, marketing activations and after-sales excellence.
VSC has also outlined a strategic development plan encompassing showroom enhancements, PR and digital marketing campaigns, product portfolio alignment and sales team training, reinforcing the brand’s position in Hong Kong’s high-end residential and commercial project segments.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Christophe Gourlan, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Sales Officer of Hansgrohe Group, said:
“Hong Kong remains an important market for Hansgrohe, and our 125th anniversary is a meaningful moment to reaffirm our long-term commitment to the region. With VSC as our new authorised distributor for the hansgrohe brand, we are strengthening our ability to bring premium German quality, innovation and sustainable water experiences closer to customers, designers and trade professionals. We also deeply appreciate the continued support of our long-term partners, including H2O, as we build the next chapter of Hansgrohe’s growth in Hong Kong together.”
Hashtag: #HansgroheGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Founded in 1901 in the Black Forest, Germany, Hansgrohe stands for holistic bathroom and kitchen experiences that combine water- and energy-saving technologies, intelligent functionality and long-lasting quality. With timeless design and innovative premium products, the brand supports sustainable lifestyles and transforms everyday water routines into extraordinary experiences.
Established in 1997, VSC Building Products Company Limited specialises in supplying sanitary ware, fittings and kitchen cabinet solutions for commercial buildings, shopping malls, hotels, hospitals, residential developments and airports. The company provides free consultation and design services, logistics coordination, technical support and kitchen installation.
In April 2013, VSC opened its first Architectural & Design Centre in Hong Kong. The company has also recently introduced integrated Smart Toilet IoT solutions, enhancing both user experience and property management efficiency.
Enquiries:
VSC A&D Centre
1/F, East Town Building, 41 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2238 2628
Fax: (852) 2169 2980
Email: 
[email protected]
By Dr. Nilanjan Banik The protesters at Jantar Mantar, whose protest is now over for the time being, had good reason to be angry. The NEET paper leaks are one symptom; the deeper problem is youth unemployment. Young and educated Indians account for a significant share of the unemployed, while underemployment remains widespread. At a […]
The article Beyond Incentives: Why India’s MSMEs Need Stronger Ecosystems? appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
VinFast has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 10 reputable partners across Indonesia, including PT Lampung Auto Mandiri, PT Karoto Seiko Indonesia, CV Agus Lio Ban, CV Family Auto Motor, PT Motoreko Mobilindo, PT Green Mobilitas Indonesia, PT Global Mobil Indonesia, PT Layanan Prima Sejahtera, CV Karya Indah Motor, and PT Prayoga Tangguh Perkasa.
Under the agreements, the partners will join VinFast’s Authorized Service Outlet network to provide vehicle maintenance, general repair, and body repair services in accordance with VinFast’s global standards. They will also distribute genuine VinFast parts and accessories throughout Indonesia.
Pursuant to the agreements, the Authorized Service Outlets will meet VinFast’s stringent requirements for technical capability, facilities, and service quality, while committing to uphold the Company’s core values and brand standards.
The continued expansion of VinFast’s Authorized Service Outlet network enables customers across Indonesia to access genuine aftersales services more conveniently, wherever they are. Supported by VinFast-certified technicians and a reliable supply of genuine parts and accessories, customers can be confident that their vehicles will receive consistent, high-quality care, ensuring safety, reliability, and optimal performance throughout the ownership experience.
To date, VinFast has established a network of more than 100 Authorized Service Outlets across Indonesia. The network extends beyond Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) to major cities nationwide, meeting the growing aftersales needs of both individual customers and commercial fleet operators.
Mr. Antonio Zara, Chief Executive Officer of VinFast Southeast Asia, said: “For electric vehicles, a reliable aftersales network is essential to giving customers confidence throughout their ownership journey. The continued expansion of our Authorized Service Outlet network demonstrates VinFast’s long-term commitment to customers in Indonesia. By partnering with experienced and trusted automotive service providers, we aim to deliver international-standard aftersales services that are convenient, efficient, and dependable, giving consumers greater confidence in choosing VinFast electric vehicles.”
The expansion of the Authorized Service Outlet network is a key pillar of VinFast’s strategy to build a comprehensive EV ecosystem in Indonesia. Together with an increasingly diverse product portfolio, a rapidly expanding charging infrastructure, and the continued development of a broader green mobility ecosystem, the nationwide aftersales network will further strengthen VinFast’s ability to provide Indonesian consumers with a convenient, reliable, and sustainable EV ownership experience.
VinFast has also introduced a range of customer-focused initiatives to make EV ownership more accessible and convenient, including its battery subscription program, guaranteed buyback program, and free charging at V-GREEN charging stations through March 31, 2029. Together with its partners across vehicle distribution, financing, charging infrastructure, and aftersales services, VinFast continues to strengthen its integrated EV ecosystem, reaffirming its long-term commitment to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in Indonesia.
Hashtag: #VinFast
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
