Cyber attackers have compromised hotel and conference-centre Wi-Fi gateways to redirect business travellers towards fake Microsoft authentication pages, creating a scalable route for stealing corporate credentials and cloud-access tokens. The campaign has affected hospitality networks across several US cities, as well as locations in India and Saudi Arabia. Activity has been detected since at least June 2026, with visitors from financial services, law, healthcare, energy, retail and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai ADGM has updated its Commercial Permits framework with new regulations and detailed guidance governing sales and promotional activities, aiming to simplify approvals while strengthening consumer protection across Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre. The revised framework establishes clearer requirements for businesses, professionals and other eligible entities seeking to conduct promotions within ADGM’s jurisdiction, which covers Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island. It applies […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Bahrain and Kuwait carried out covert airstrikes against military facilities inside Iran in early July, marking their first known direct offensive action against Tehran during the widening regional war. The operation targeted storage sites holding missiles and attack drones, along with other military installations linked to Iran’s capacity to strike Gulf countries. The United Arab Emirates supplied intelligence on potential targets and provided […]
A single country raising tariffs dents that country’s exporters. Sixty countries absorbing new US duties on the same day is a different animal entirely, and currency and bond markets have far more reason to be nervous about it than most equity investors currently seem to grasp. The new rates land between 10% and 12.5%, and the split between those two bands is where this gets interesting. Japan […]
Hackers have hijacked GitHub Actions workflows across compromised repositories to create a distributed attack network targeting cPanel and WebHost Manager servers, exposing credentials, databases and cloud accounts. The campaign uses GitHub-hosted computing systems as disposable machines for scanning the internet, exploiting vulnerable hosting platforms and transmitting stolen information to attacker-controlled infrastructure. Security researchers linked the activity to malicious workflow files planted in thousands of repositories. The investigation […]
Iran-linked cyber actors are targeting internet-connected industrial control systems used across US water, energy, manufacturing and public-service networks, prompting an expanded federal warning covering equipment made by Siemens, Schneider Electric and Rockwell Automation. The updated alert says attackers have gained access to programmable logic controllers, or PLCs, which manage physical processes inside critical infrastructure. Intruders have downloaded malicious project files, altered control logic and manipulated information shown […]
Bitcoin derivatives traders are rebuilding bullish positions, creating a multibillion-dollar liquidation risk if the cryptocurrency reverses sharply towards $58,200, while an accompanying warning about Ether falling to $1,700 has been overtaken by market prices. Bitcoin was trading near $65,400 on Friday, July 24, after reaching an intraday high of about $65,750 and falling as low as $64,636. A decline to $58,200 would therefore amount to a drop […]
Dangote Cement Plc is favouring London over Dubai for a planned international listing, arguing that the UK market offers a faster route to investors and better suits the group’s expanding cement business. Mariya Dangote, a board member and executive director responsible for the group’s cement and food businesses, said the company had considered a secondary listing in Dubai but concluded that completing the process there could take […]
President Donald Trump is considering a major expansion of United States attacks on Iran, warning that Tehran has not suffered enough pressure to accept a peace agreement as escalating hostilities drive oil prices above $100 a barrel. Trump said he was close to deciding whether to authorise an assault that would be larger than previous operations against Iran. He described the potential action as a “massive attack” […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Aldar has launched Marsa Al Saadiyat, a Dh100 billion mixed-use waterfront development completing the final phase of Saadiyat Island’s masterplan and expanding Abu Dhabi’s luxury property, tourism and cultural offering. The development will cover 6.4 million square metres and accommodate more than 58,000 residents. It will include Abu Dhabi’s largest marina, luxury hotels, branded residences, private mansions, villas, apartments, schools, healthcare facilities and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A California court has invalidated parts of the state’s Diwali holiday law, creating uncertainty over how schools and public employers must accommodate those observing the Festival of Lights. The ruling leaves the formal recognition of Diwali as a state holiday intact but limits provisions governing its implementation, the Hindu American Foundation said. The organisation described the judgment as a setback for a measure […]
Two-thirds of large organisations have delayed or cancelled Microsoft 365 Copilot deployments amid fears that the artificial intelligence assistant could expose confidential information stored across poorly governed corporate systems. A survey of 279 enterprise technology, security, infrastructure and compliance leaders found that 66% had paused or abandoned rollout plans because of concerns over data that Copilot could retrieve through SharePoint. Nearly three-quarters, or 73%, feared AI tools […]
Chinese refiners are securing Russian crude weeks ahead of normal purchasing schedules as threats to Middle Eastern supply routes intensify, pushing buyers towards oil shipped from Russia’s Pacific coast.
September-loading cargoes of ESPO Blend, Russia’s flagship Far Eastern crude grade, have attracted brisk demand from state-owned and independent refiners despite shrinking discounts. Buyers that would normally enter the market closer to loading dates are moving early to lock in supplies and reduce exposure to possible shipping delays across the Gulf and Red Sea.
ESPO cargoes delivered to China are being offered at discounts of roughly $1 to $3 a barrel against benchmark Brent prices. That compares with discounts near $4 for some August supplies, indicating that demand has strengthened even as the crude becomes less attractive on price.
The buying surge reflects growing concern over the reliability of Middle Eastern flows. Disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, combined with threats to shipping near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, has complicated routes used by Gulf producers to reach Asian customers.
Saudi Arabia has relied more heavily on its East-West pipeline to move crude from production centres near the Gulf to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. That option reduces dependence on Hormuz but leaves shipments exposed to security risks near Yemen and the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
China, the world’s largest crude importer, depends heavily on Middle Eastern producers. Russia offers an alternative supply line that avoids both maritime chokepoints. ESPO is particularly valuable because cargoes are shipped from Kozmino, near the Pacific coast, and can reach northern Chinese ports within days.
The short voyage lowers freight costs, reduces transit risk and gives refiners greater flexibility than crude shipped from the Gulf, Atlantic Basin or western Russian ports. ESPO is also a light, low-sulphur grade that produces relatively high volumes of petrol and diesel, making it suitable for many Chinese refining configurations.
Russia’s seaborne deliveries to China have increasingly centred on Far Eastern supply. ESPO represented about 62 per cent of China’s seaborne Russian crude imports in June, while overall Russian seaborne volumes rose by nearly 9 per cent from the previous month.
Purchases are being supported by competition from buyers elsewhere in Asia. Strong demand from India has helped prevent Russian exporters from offering the wide discounts seen earlier in the year. ESPO cargoes had traded as much as $9 to $10 below Brent for some February loadings before the market tightened.
The latest deals show how geopolitical risk can outweigh concerns surrounding sanctions and payment arrangements. Western measures against Russia have forced traders to rely on alternative shipping, insurance and financial networks, but established routes between Kozmino and China have continued to operate.
Chinese refiners are also examining fresh purchases of Iranian crude, which remains heavily discounted because of sanctions and transport risks. Independent processors concentrated in Shandong province have held talks over Pars and Iran Light cargoes as sellers seek buyers for barrels already moving towards Asia or held in floating storage.
Iranian grades have become cheaper relative to ESPO, although refiners must weigh the discount against possible delays, tanker availability and tighter enforcement. High international prices also restrict the amount smaller plants can purchase, particularly when domestic fuel demand and refining margins are uncertain.
Several independent refiners bought about 20 million barrels of crude from Iraq, the UAE and Qatar for July and August loading when Middle Eastern supplies briefly became cheaper. Some companies are now exploring the resale of those cargoes at higher prices to refiners in Taiwan and South Korea as regional availability tightens.
That shift illustrates the speed with which China’s private refining sector responds to changes in freight, sanctions and physical supply. The plants, often described as teapot refiners, can switch among Russian, Iranian and non-sanctioned Middle Eastern grades depending on margins and import quotas.
Advanced Micro Devices has launched a rack-scale artificial intelligence platform built around its next-generation accelerators, processors and networking technology, stepping up its attempt to weaken Nvidia’s hold over the fast-expanding AI infrastructure market. The Helios system, unveiled at AMD’s Advancing AI event at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, is now in full production and is scheduled to begin shipping before the end of the third quarter of 2026. […]
Two China-linked supertankers carrying about four million barrels of Saudi crude have exited the Red Sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, defying threats against vessels connected to the kingdom’s oil trade. The Xin Long Yang and Cosnew Lake completed the passage on Thursday after sailing south along Yemen’s coast. Their movement provided an important test of whether Saudi Arabia can continue using its Red Sea export route […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s off-plan property boom is pushing developers to offer more distinctive architecture, stronger lifestyle concepts and higher construction standards as buyers become increasingly selective in the emirate’s crowded luxury housing market. The real estate sector recorded about 87,800 transactions valued at AED291.7 billion during the first half of 2026. Off-plan properties represented 71 per cent of all deals, underlining the central role of […]
A limited collection of eight beachfront townhomes offers a rare opportunity to own directly on Bang Tao Beach.
PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2026 – Banyan Group Residences has unveiled Banyan Tree Beach Residences Varuna, a collection of just eight beachfront townhomes within Laguna Phuket. Positioned directly on Bang Tao Beach, the development offers a rare opportunity to own a branded residence on one of Phuket’s most sought-after stretches of coastline.
Inspired by a “Coastal Biophilia” design philosophy, the architecture connects each residence closely to its beachfront setting. Curved building lines echo wave motion, while slatted timber cladding and trellis screening reference sand and shifting coastal light. Floor-to-ceiling glazing along ocean-facing elevations frames sweeping Andaman Sea views, and each residence’s private rooftop infinity pool and terrace are oriented west to capture the sunset.
Each four-bedroom, four-level townhome draws on Southern Thailand’s traditional architecture, with layered thresholds and vertical timber lines. The principal living and dining spaces occupy the upper level behind full-height glazing which opens out fully to allow breathtaking seaviews.
A private lift connects all floors, and each unit includes a ground-floor garden terrace. The master suite occupies its own floor, with a walk-in closet, reading room and ensuite bathroom opening to a private courtyard, finished throughout with premium appliances.
Bang Tao Beach: An Absolute Beachfront Address
Varuna sits directly on Bang Tao Beach on one of the few remaining absolute beachfront sites within Laguna Phuket.
Laguna Phuket spans over 1,000 acres of parkland, lagoons and five kilometres of coastline. Residents have access to the Laguna Golf Phuket 18-hole course, several spas, extensive dining and the new RAVA Beach Club, with Phuket International Airport nearby.
Ownership Benefits
Ownership unlocks membership of The Sanctuary Club, Banyan Group’s owner programme offering discounts across its properties worldwide, plus complimentary RAVA Beach Club membership with priority facility access, dining discounts and marine sports.
Additional benefits include Laguna Golf membership, 24-hour concierge and professional property management. Through the Laguna Advantage programme, owners also receive one year’s complimentary property management and insurance, one year’s free enrolment at Laguna Phuket’s onsite preschool, discounted fees at selected international schools, and access to medical and wellness benefits.
Banyan Living: A Rental Management Solution
Owners are automatically enrolled in Banyan Living, Banyan Group’s rental management platform, which supports property care, guest servicing and rental distribution while giving owners flexibility in how they use their residence.
With its limited collection of eight townhomes, direct beachfront setting and access to Laguna Phuket’s amenities, Banyan Tree Beach Residences Varuna marks a distinctive addition to Phuket’s luxury residential landscape.
Hashtag: #BanyanGroupResidences #LagunaPhuket
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Laguna Phuket
Laguna Phuket is Asia’s premier integrated resort destination, set against the stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea. Spanning over 1,000 acres, the resort features six luxury hotels, an award-winning 18-hole golf course, fine dining, luxury spas, and branded residences.
Guests benefit from complimentary shuttle services, a cashless payment system, and access to world-class recreational and wellness facilities. The property division offers a range of residences, apartments, and villas, perfect for those seeking permanent homes or investment opportunities.
About Banyan Group Residences
Banyan Group Residences is the property development arm of Banyan Group, a global leader in luxury hospitality and sustainable development. With over 35 years of experience, Banyan Group Residences has redefined tropical living with iconic residential developments across Thailand and beyond. Its projects seamlessly blend contemporary design, cultural heritage, and a commitment to sustainability, setting a global benchmark for luxury living.
Ownership privileges, memberships and services are subject to applicable terms and conditions, availability, programme rules and change from time to time. Rental participation is optional and no rental return is guaranteed.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai CycloTech is advancing an unconventional air-taxi concept that replaces exposed horizontal propellers with barrel-shaped CycloRotors capable of directing thrust through 360 degrees. The four-seat design, configured for a pilot and three passengers, has been projected to travel about 85 kilometres, remain airborne for 40 minutes and cruise at 150 kilometres per hour. Those figures remain development targets rather than certified performance data from […]
Argentine football supporters have launched an online petition demanding that FIFA replay the 2026 World Cup final after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time. The Change. org campaign crossed 61,000 signatures within days of the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Support continued to grow on Thursday, with separate live counts showing the total moving well beyond the figure that first […]
Hackers exploited Wanchain’s bridge connecting Cardano and BNB Chain, draining about 515 million NIGHT tokens valued at roughly $9 million and forcing the affected cross-chain route to suspend operations. The attack targeted infrastructure operated by Wanchain rather than the Cardano or Midnight blockchains. Midnight Foundation said its network, validators and consensus system remained secure, seeking to contain concern that the breach had compromised the underlying privacy-focused protocol. […]
Mirae Asset Group has completed its acquisition of Korbit, placing South Korea’s first cryptocurrency exchange under the control of one of the country’s largest financial conglomerates and accelerating the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets. Mirae Asset Consulting became Korbit’s largest shareholder after completing regulatory and transaction procedures. The deal gives the group control of more than 90 per cent of the exchange, following an agreement […]
Three cryptocurrency protocols linked to Bitcoin and Ethereum lost more than $35 million in a series of attacks within about six hours, exposing persistent weaknesses in cross-chain bridges, administrative controls and contract validation systems. The largest loss was recorded by AFX Trade, a perpetual futures platform operating through an independently managed bridge on Arbitrum. Attackers removed about $24.15 million in USDC before transferring the assets from Arbitrum […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank has become the first bank worldwide to deploy Visa’s Threat Intelligence Platform, integrating cyber and payments intelligence into its fraud-prevention operations. The early adoption gives ADIB’s cybersecurity, fraud and risk teams real-time information on threats that could lead to stolen credentials, compromised accounts and fraudulent transactions. The bank is also working with Visa to design the platform’s first use […]
Aldar has launched The Canopies, the first residential community within its AED6 billion Yas Point waterfront development on the northern shore of Yas Island. The project will comprise 592 apartments spread across six mid-rise buildings, with sales scheduled to begin on July 29. Studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom homes will be offered in a park-centred setting designed to link private residences with landscaped outdoor areas and […]
