The United States is reducing staffing at four Middle Eastern embassies after intelligence officials warned that Iranian plots targeting Americans had reached advanced stages, adding to security concerns arising from Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The State Department is adjusting personnel levels at its missions in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while maintaining operations at those posts. The changes follow an order requiring non-emergency […]
Ericsson, Play and Asseco have demonstrated a system for detecting unauthorised drones in Poland, combining radio sensing, acoustic monitoring and mobile connectivity, but have not deployed the technology across the country’s 18,000 telecommunications sites. The companies disclosed details on Thursday of a live demonstration conducted on 15 October at Ericsson’s research and development centre in Kraków. The trial illustrated how existing communications infrastructure could support surveillance of […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile heading towards Riyadh early on Saturday, while coalition forces also brought down a drone in the kingdom’s Eastern Region, military officials said. Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesman for the Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, announced the interceptions in separate statements. He attributed the missile launch to Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has intensified cross-border […]
Exploring Emerging Opportunities in AI, Smart Supply Chain Management, ESG and Sustainability
Free Admission Open for Public Registration Now
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2026 – Amid the reshaping of global supply chains, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and the rise of emerging industries such as the low-altitude economy, the logistics industry is entering a new wave of smart transformation. Organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and funded by the Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme (LPFS) under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund of the Transport and Logistics Bureau of the HKSAR Government, LogTech Expo 2026 will take place on 29 October(Thursday) at the InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong. Under the theme “Smart-Driven Transformation, Leading the Future of Logistics”, the Expo will bring together more than 50 logistics, supply chain and innovation and technology enterprises, alongside logistics industry leaders and experts, to share insights through a series of forums and discussions. The event will provide a one-stop platform for the industry to stay abreast of the latest logistics technology trends and developments. Admission is free, and online registration is now open.
As one of the major annual events in Hong Kong’s logistics technology sector, the Expo will feature the latest applications and achievements in smart logistics. From AI and big data analytics, smart warehousing and robotics, and automated supply chain management systems, to cross-border e-commerce logistics, green logistics, new energy transportation and drone delivery solutions, visitors will be able to experience first-hand how technology is reshaping logistics operations and helping enterprises enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
Renowned Enterprises and Organisations Showcase the Entire Smart Logistics Value Chain This year’s Expo will bring together renowned brands and organisations from the logistics and technology sectors, including SF Supply Chain, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Hongkong Post, Auto-ID Technology, HSM Industrial Solution, Tradelink, GS1 Hong Kong, ShipAny and Axis Communications, showcasing innovative solutions that support digital transformation and intelligent operations across the logistics industry. Visitors can explore the following technology zones:
AI and Data Applications Zone: Leveraging AI, big data and automation technologies to enhance logistics planning and operational efficiency;
Smart Warehousing and Robotics Zone: Showcasing intelligent sorting systems, automated warehousing and robotics solutions;
Smart Supply Chain and Digital Platform Zone: Featuring WMS, TMS and digital supply chain management systems;
Cross-border E-commerce and Delivery Zone: Showcasing innovative models in global fulfilment and smart delivery;
ESG and Green Logistics Zone: Focusing on new energy transportation, carbon reduction technologies and sustainable logistics development;
Low-Altitude Economy Zone: Exploring emerging applications such as drones and last-mile delivery solutions.
Visitors will not only be able to learn how innovative technologies are applied in real-world business scenarios but also engage directly with solution providers and industry experts to explore opportunities for collaboration and transformation.
10 Thematic Seminars and Sharing Sessions Focus on the Future of Logistics In addition to the exhibition, the Expo will feature 10 thematic forums and technical sharing sessions covering key industry topics including AI, supply chain digitalisation, cross-border e-commerce, the low-altitude economy and logistics innovation.
The opening seminar, “Smart Tools for Logistics: Practical AI Applications and Insights”, will be moderated by Ryan IP, Vice President and Executive Director of the Public Policy Institute of Our Hong Kong Foundation, and feature a panel comprising Professor Kee-hung LAI, Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Sunny HO, MH, JP, FCILT, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council; Keno Tai-yip CHEUNG, President of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong; and Suki CHEUNG Shuk-ming, Chief Executive Officer of MG Ship. Together, they will discuss how AI can enhance logistics operational efficiency, drive supply chain digitalisation, and support Hong Kong’s development as a smart logistics hub.
In addition, experts from organisations including Profit Sky International Industrial, ShipAny, Tradelink, Axis Communications and GS1 Hong Kong will share real-life business cases, enabling visitors to gain deeper insights into digital twins, cross-border e-commerce, supply chain visibility and AI applications in logistics.
Promoting Cross-sector Collaboration to Shape the Future of Logistics The Expo is supported by more than 20 industry organisations, including the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Cathay Cargo, Hong Kong Shippers’ Council, Hong Kong Logistics Association, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, Cyberport and the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre. It serves as an effective platform for industry exchange and business matching, fostering innovative collaboration and industry upgrading.
Admission is free. Logistics practitioners, supply chain professionals, manufacturers, e-commerce businesses, technology solution providers, academics, and members of the public interested in the development of logistics technology are welcome to attend.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Hong Kong Productivity Council
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.
HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.
To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.
HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical, assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.
For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Emaar Hospitality Group has confirmed the opening of Emaar South Golf Club in Dubai South, adding an 18-hole championship course to its leisure portfolio and expanding golfing facilities near Al Maktoum International Airport. The club welcomed its first players on 5 October and becomes the group’s fourth golf club. Designed by European Golf Design, the course measures 7,278 yards from the black tees, […]
Japanese banks, airlines and transport operators suspended digital services as companies rushed to install emergency security patches for critical vulnerabilities in PHP, a programming language widely used across the internet. The disruptions spread across Japan on Wednesday and Thursday, affecting online banking, airline applications, airport information systems and commercial websites. Companies temporarily disabled vulnerable services while assessing their exposure to two security flaws that could allow attackers […]
HA NOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 October 2026 – Vietnam Airlines has become the first Asian airline to receive the World’s Best Culinary Airline 2026 award at the World Culinary Awards, earning recognition ahead of leading international carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific and Turkish Airlines.
The accolade recognises Vietnam Airlines’ continued investment in its inflight dining experience as part of its ambition to achieve five star standards by 2030.
An annual global awards programme affiliated with the World Travel Awards, the World Culinary Awards celebrates excellence and innovation across the culinary industry.
The accolade recognises Vietnam Airlines’ continued investment in its inflight dining experience as part of its ambition to achieve five star service standards by 2030. Drawing on Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage and locally sourced ingredients, the airline’s menus bring together regional specialities, contemporary cooking techniques and thoughtful presentation. Dishes are tailored to individual routes and cabin classes, taking into account passenger preferences and the unique demands of dining at altitude.
From Pho and Hue style beef noodle soup to Quang style noodles and Banh Mi Hoi An, iconic Vietnamese dishes feature prominently on Vietnam Airlines’ menus. Each dish is carefully crafted to retain its authentic flavours, taking into account how changes in taste perception at altitude can affect the inflight dining experience. Vietnam Airlines also works closely with its catering partners and cabin crew to ensure consistent food quality, serving temperatures and presentation across its flights.
Beyond its signature dishes, Vietnam Airlines showcases the country’s agricultural diversity through locally grown produce. Seasonal ingredients include strawberries and plums from Son La, lychees from Luc Ngan, egg lychees and longan from Hung Yen, macadamia nuts from Dien Bien, cashews from Dong Nai, and dragon fruit and melons from Lam Dong. The selection varies according to seasonal availability and inflight catering requirements.
In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam Airlines and its affiliated catering companies used a total of 2,260 tonnes of domestically grown fruits and vegetables, supporting local producers and bringing the flavours of Vietnam to passengers on board.
The airline also works with local authorities to share the stories behind these ingredients and the communities that produce them. Through Heritage magazine, inflight entertainment and other communication channels, passengers can discover the origins of the food served on board and the regional traditions behind each speciality.
Dang Anh Tuan, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines, said: “This award is a proud milestone for Vietnam Airlines and a testament to our commitment to delivering an exceptional inflight dining experience. It also underscores the international appeal of Vietnamese cuisine and its potential to connect travellers with our country’s cultural identity. As Vietnam’s national flag carrier, we see every journey as an opportunity to share the richness of our culinary heritage, the diversity of our regional produce and the warmth of Vietnamese hospitality. As we work towards achieving five-star service standards by 2030, we remain focused on meeting the highest international standards while preserving the distinctive Vietnamese character that sets our service apart. Ultimately, we want every meal on board to be a memorable part of the journey and a reason for passengers to fly with us again.”
Beyond inflight dining, Vietnam Airlines incorporates Vietnamese cultural elements throughout the passenger journey, from airport services and Lotus lounges to its onboard products and services. The golden lotus in its brand identity, flight attendants’ traditional ao dai uniforms and the Lac bird motif on its aircraft all reflect the country’s heritage. Vietnamese cuisine adds another dimension to this cultural experience, introducing international passengers to the country’s regional flavours and culinary traditions.
Through these efforts, Vietnam Airlines continues to promote Vietnam’s cultural heritage and share its distinctive identity with the world as the country’s national flag carrier.
An attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed one person and injured eight others, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation regulator confirmed on Thursday, as Washington ordered non-essential diplomatic personnel and their families to leave the kingdom. The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the airport was targeted on Wednesday evening, October 21. The person killed was a resident of Saudi Arabia, while the eight injured people […]
By Jag Mohan Thaken CHANDIGARH: Drug issue has boiled up the political and social atmosphere in the state of Punjab. Seeing the assembly elections on the head, all political parties are trying to get the waves in their own favour and targeting each other for the current deteriorated condition due to root level web of […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Britain will deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabian cities and critical infrastructure against escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, expanding its military involvement in the region. The Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday that British aircraft would undertake defensive counter-air operations over Saudi Arabia, with explicit instructions not to conduct offensive strikes against the Iran-aligned […]
TONGXIANG, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2026 – The 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit will open on Nov. 2, bringing technology leaders, researchers and companies to the historic water town as Tongxiang firms expand AI applications from commercial cleaning and autonomous delivery to industrial control and data-center cooling.
The CenoBot S5 autonomous cleaning robot undergoes real-world testing at a demonstration site in Tongxiang.
For Tongxiang, long associated with the annual internet conference, the summit is also a chance to demonstrate how local companies are commercializing AI technologies for customers at home and abroad.
Ahead of the event, reporters visited seven Tongxiang-based companies working in robotics, intelligent vehicles, synthetic data, industrial automation, logistics and computing infrastructure.
Singapore Changi Airport earlier this year placed a fourth order for commercial cleaning robots from CenoBots, a Tongxiang-based company whose machines are used in airports, supermarkets, hospitals, factories and warehouses.
CenoBots has sold products in more than 40 countries and regions. Its customers include Changi Airport, British retailer Tesco, the University of Minnesota and pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. This year, the company supplied about 600 autonomous cleaning robots for Tesco Express stores across the United Kingdom.
“Cleaning robots are appearing in more and more settings,” said Shen Jizhong, CenoBots’ co-founder and vice president. “It is much like electric vehicles becoming a familiar sight on the roads — a trend that is gathering pace.”
The company’s machines are adapted to different settings. Hospital robots must move through busy corridors without disrupting patient care, while those used in supermarkets navigate around shoppers and carts. Factory robots operate near forklifts, and airport models must handle both fine debris in carpeted areas and small obstacles on smooth floors.
CenoBots continues to refine its robots through real-world testing, focusing on reliable operation and consistent cleaning performance across diverse environments. The company has expanded its research, development and production facilities in Tongxiang from approximately 3,000 square meters in its early years to more than 20,000 square meters. Local malls, hospitals and sports venues have also served as long-term testing sites.
While CenoBots focuses on service robots, TEEMO is developing the vehicle platforms that support autonomous mobility. The company makes drive-by-wire skateboard chassis and core components for autonomous vehicles used in last-mile delivery, patrols and logistics.
Its standardized chassis can be equipped with different vehicle bodies and hardware for specific uses. One of TEEMO’s strategic customers, autonomous delivery-vehicle maker Zelos, was selected for all lots in China Post’s centralized procurement program for 7,000 autonomous delivery vehicles.
TEEMO’s customers already span the United States, the Middle East, India and Russia, said Zhang Yongjian, the company’s director of operations.
“In some overseas markets, distances are long, populations are dispersed and last-mile delivery is difficult to staff,” Zhang said. “Autonomous delivery vehicles have strong potential there, and overseas business will become an important growth driver for us.”
Other Tongxiang companies are concentrating on the data and perception systems that allow machines to function in physical environments.
Dayan Technology, founded in Tongxiang in May 2025, provides synthetic-data and toolchain services for autonomous-driving and humanoid-robotics companies. It combines real-world data collection, digital twins and simulated training environments to help developers train robots before they are deployed.
Its wearable devices record human movement and interactions with objects. A haptic glove uses liquid-metal and pressure sensors to capture hand gestures, finger movements and contact force. A multi-camera headset records a user’s visual field, body posture, hand movements and the position of nearby objects.
Dayan said its tactile-perception model can process touch signals in milliseconds. The technology is intended to help robots do more than identify objects visually: They can learn how firmly to grip an item, recognize when it is slipping and apply force without causing damage.
Freetech Intelligent Factory
Freetech is applying related sensing and decision-making capabilities to intelligent driving. The company develops intelligent-driving systems and 4D imaging radar for passenger and commercial vehicles, and said its technology has been selected for hundreds of vehicle programs.
Its ODIN AI platform supports products at different levels of driving automation. The radar is designed to complement cameras in heavy rain, fog, darkness and abrupt changes in light, including when vehicles enter or leave tunnels.
At its intelligent-manufacturing base in Wuzhen, Freetech is also using AI in production. An in-house system reads customer orders and calculates the components and materials needed for each production line before manufacturing begins. The company said the system has increased overall efficiency by more than 20%.
“Transportation combined with a specialized function will be an important direction for the future,” said Dr. Zhang Lin, Freetech’s founder and CEO.
Freetech sees potential applications beyond passenger vehicles, including robots, elder-care vehicles, mining equipment and agricultural machinery.
Beyond mobility, Tongxiang firms are using AI to address the complexity of industrial operations. Founded in 2019, Shuhan Technologies provides on-premises industrial AI for chemical plants, energy facilities and wastewater-treatment systems. Its AI-driven control layer continuously ingests data from central control systems and field sensors, identifies dynamic conditions and autonomously adjusts operating parameters in real time.
“Fundamentally, all industrial process challenges can be framed as control and optimization problems,” said Zhai Zhengjun, Shuhan’s Chief Technology Officer.
At a coal chemical plant with annual capacity of 1.2 million metric tons, Shuhan said its system reduced raw-material consumption by 6%. The company estimated that the deployment generated more than 176 million yuan, or about $26 million, in annualized economic benefits and reduced carbon emissions by more than 500,000 metric tons.
SENAD is targeting bottlenecks in logistics operations, including loading, unloading, sorting and pallet handling. It develops autonomous loading and unloading robots, as well as a multimodal logistics model called Robot Insight, for sectors including beverages, tobacco, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and logistics.
Tongxiang’s AI sector also includes companies addressing the infrastructure needed to run increasingly powerful computing systems. SynthCool is tackling a basic constraint of the AI boom: heat.
SynthCool develops two-phase liquid-cooling systems to address the heat generated by increasingly powerful processors. Inadequate cooling can trigger thermal throttling, reducing performance and energy efficiency.
“Heat dissipation is infrastructure,” said Zhu Zhijiang, SynthCool’s general manager.
SynthCool’s two-phase cooling technology uses the latent heat of vaporization to remove heat from processors. The cooling fluid absorbs heat and boils into vapor, which is then condensed back into liquid and recirculated.
Depending on ambient conditions and system design, two-phase cooling can also support free cooling and reduce reliance on compressor-based refrigeration. Waste heat may be recovered where temperatures and local demand make reuse practical.
According to SynthCool, its technology supports heat dissipation of more than 3,000 watts per chip and heat flux above 250 watts per square centimeter. Under comparable cooling requirements, the system requires approximately one-third of the flow needed by conventional single-phase water-cooled cold plates, helping reduce piping requirements and pumping demand.
SynthCool’s portfolio includes two-phase direct-to-chip and immersion cooling solutions, along with distribution units and control systems for AI data centers.
Hashtag: #Tongxiang
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative Institute has postponed its flagship investment conference in Riyadh until 2027, abandoning plans to hold the tenth edition from 26 to 29 October this year. The institute announced the decision on Monday, just one week before the scheduled opening of FII10, which was to carry the theme “The Power of Legacy”. It has not specified replacement dates but said a new timetable […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2026 – Choosing a restaurant today may begin with more than the question, “What would you like to eat?” It may also mean asking, “Who would you like to spend time with?” and “What kind of meal would you like it to be?” Whether it is a family meal, a gathering with friends, a celebration of a special occasion or a romantic moment by the sea, each calls for different flavours, atmospheres and experiences.
ONYX Dining invites guests to discover a variety of dining experiences at Amari Bangkok and Amari Pattaya, from family meals with something for every generation and relaxed gatherings over long conversations to opportunities to discover new flavours or dine by the sea. Each offers more than a meal: “More of What You Love”
A family meal with something for everyone at the table — Prego
When dining out as a family, everyone may have a different favourite. Some may be in the mood for pizza, others may prefer pasta, while others may wish to try something new. Prego Italian Restaurant at Amari Bangkok brings a variety of Italian dishes together at one table, from wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta and Italian classics to children’s menus and gluten-free options. Highlights also include Risotto alla Montanara, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, burrata and tiramisu, allowing everyone to choose a dish they love and make the most of their time together.
For those looking to swap the city for the seaside, Prego Pattaya Pasta Lab & Bar at Amari Pattaya welcomes guests with fresh pasta made in-house, pizza and contemporary interpretations of Italian classics, overlooking the curve of North Pattaya Beach. Meanwhile, Amaya Food Gallery offers familiar Thai and international dishes, making a seaside meal another opportunity to relax and spend time with family or someone special.
This November, Prego is set to open a new location at Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok, offering another choice for families looking to spend time together over their favourite Italian dishes, whether in the city, by the sea or close to the airport.
A Thai meal for moments when you want the conversation to last a little longer — ChomSindh
For meals with older family members or friends of different generations, part of the appeal of Thai cuisine lies in gathering around a table to enjoy a variety of dishes, choosing, serving and sharing as the conversation flows. ChomSindh at Amari Bangkok presents Thai cuisine inspired by rivers and the sea, with dishes such as Chaiya-style Pad Thai with River Prawns, ChomSindh Rice Soup, Naree Kansaeng, Tiger Prawns Stir-fried with Herbs and Spices using a traditional recipe, and Grouper with Three-flavour Sauce. These dishes draw on recipes passed down through generations, locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, served in a contemporary setting with an open kitchen.
ChomSindh is also bringing its flavours to Amari Johor Bahru in Malaysia through a pop-up throughout October, followed by Amari Hua Hin throughout November. These pop-ups invite guests to discover Thai cuisine inspired by rivers and the sea, while sharing good food and memorable moments with family and friends. With a selection of dishes brought together at one table, everyone can explore different flavours while talking, exchanging stories and spending time together throughout the meal, bringing the pleasure of good food together with the joy of good company.
Turn an everyday meal into a special occasion with new flavours — NILA
Celebrations need not be reserved for birthdays or anniversaries. Some good news, a new beginning or simply a desire to spend time together can be reason enough. NILA at Amari Bangkok presents a contemporary interpretation of Indian cuisine from across the country, drawing on the heritage, stories and memories behind its recipes. Its approachable flavours make it an inviting choice for couples and groups of friends keen to discover something new.
More than a meal: time spent together, another experience from ONYX Hospitality Group
From family meals where everyone can choose a favourite dish and longer conversations over Thai cuisine to exploring new flavours with friends or enjoying a change of scenery by the sea, food may be the starting point, but it is the time spent together that makes each meal memorable.
For ONYX Hospitality Group, which manages hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences, alongside restaurants and spas across Asia Pacific, dining is another important part of the journey. The Group has therefore developed ONYX Dining to bring together its restaurants with a variety of concepts, from Italian, Thai and contemporary Indian cuisine to seaside dining, while establishing a distinctive identity for each restaurant in its destination.
This approach aligns with ONYX Hospitality Group’s More of What You Love theme, reflecting the idea of choosing to spend time on the things each person enjoys throughout their journey, from dining and relaxation to activities, discovering destinations and moments shared with the people who matter.
ONYX Rewards members can enjoy dining discounts at participating restaurants according to their membership tier, while Prego offers discounts starting from 10% and up to 30% for Platinum members, in addition to accommodation benefits, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
Whatever the occasion, the question may be more than “What would you like to eat today?” It may also be “Who would you like to spend this meal with?”
Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About ONYX Hospitality Group:
ONYX Hospitality Group is a leading hospitality management company in Asia-Pacific, with a complementary portfolio of brands comprising Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence. Together, these brands serve the diverse needs of business and leisure travellers across the region, where ONYX has deep market expertise. Beyond accommodation, the Group also operates spa and food and beverage businesses. Drawing on six decades of management experience, ONYX delivers innovative hospitality solutions across the region while upholding internationally recognised standards and maintaining operational agility. By building enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers distinctive experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, responding to the evolving needs of today’s travellers.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Etihad Airways has extended cancellations on its Abu Dhabi services to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 24, citing continuing regional disruption and warning passengers that further timetable changes remain possible. The airline confirmed that every flight between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and both Riyadh and Dammam will remain cancelled through Saturday. Its suspension of Jeddah services covers four specified flights rather […]
By Nantoo Banerjee The prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, lately due to the ego tussle between the United States and Iran, have inflicted severe financial, operational, and human costs on India’s merchant marine industry and broader import-export trade. But, thanks to an excellent supply chain management effort, it failed to impact the country’s […]
Air passengers across the UAE could face limited flight delays as seasonal weather changes reduce visibility, prompting the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to caution airlines and airport operators about possible operational disruptions. The authority issued its advisory on Saturday, October 17, warning that changing atmospheric conditions could restrict horizontal visibility across parts of the country. Such conditions may affect aircraft movements, depending on prevailing weather and […]
Saudi Arabia is seeking stronger regional military cooperation as escalating Houthi attacks expose security vulnerabilities and threaten Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic transformation programme. Egypt signalled its readiness on Sunday to provide military assistance against the Iran-backed Yemeni movement, following a series of missile and drone strikes that have killed civilians, disrupted international aviation and threatened vital Saudi infrastructure. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for parliamentary […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi-led forces intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at Khamis Mushayt and three drones over other parts of Saudi Arabia early on Sunday, the coalition said, as Houthi attacks continued. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said the missiles had been launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement towards the southern city, which lies near the King Khalid Air Base. Air defences also destroyed two drones […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Team Abu Dhabi will field 15 sailors at the 15th Mussanah Race Week in Oman, joining more than 100 competitors from seven countries as racing begins on Sunday. The squad, drawn from the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club Academy’s modern sailing programme, will compete in Optimist and ILCA dinghy classes at Barceló Mussanah Resort. The event’s competitive programme runs from 18 to 21 […]
By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers NEW YORK: New York’s recurring airport chaos is not simply a problem of bad weather or overcrowded terminals. It is the result of several vulnerabilities converging in one of the world’s most consequential aviation regions: limited airspace, enormous passenger demand, aging and complex infrastructure, construction risks, and a highly interconnected air-traffic-control […]
Britain has advised against all but essential travel throughout Saudi Arabia after escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement heightened threats to airports, major cities and energy installations. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expanded its warning on Friday to cover the entire kingdom, including Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. It retained a stricter instruction against all travel within 10 kilometres of the border with Yemen. […]
Hong Kong property developer New World Development is holding preliminary discussions with banks to extend an approximately HK$88 billion ($11.2 billion) loan by two years, potentially clearing the way for a capital injection.
The proposed arrangement would require unanimous approval from participating lenders and could facilitate a rights issue intended to strengthen the heavily indebted company’s finances, according to people familiar with the private negotiations.
New World is considering repaying approximately 10% of the loan principal as part of the extension, with a target of completing the arrangement before January. That would represent roughly HK$8.8 billion in repayments, although the proposed terms remain subject to negotiations.
Discussions are at an early stage, and the conditions could change before any agreement is reached. There is no certainty that the banks will approve the extension or that the company will proceed with a subsequent equity fundraising.
The negotiations follow months of efforts by the Cheng family, New World’s controlling shareholder, to develop a financial support package for the property group. A potential rights issue or share placement could be announced as early as November, provided the necessary arrangements are finalised.
A rights issue would allow existing shareholders to purchase additional shares, usually in proportion to their holdings. Such a transaction could provide fresh capital without immediately increasing the company’s borrowing, although shareholders declining to participate would face dilution.
The proposed loan extension concerns financing arranged in 2025 through one of Hong Kong’s largest corporate refinancing transactions. That agreement followed prolonged negotiations with creditors as New World sought to avert a potential default and manage substantial repayment obligations.
Under the earlier restructuring, lenders agreed to extend the maturity of approximately HK$63.4 billion in borrowings originally due in 2025 and 2026 by three years. Loans maturing from 2027 onwards retained their original repayment dates, subject to additional credit protection and collateral requirements.
A further two-year extension would give the developer additional time to manage repayments while pursuing equity financing and asset disposals. The precise maturity schedule and interest terms of any revised arrangement have not been publicly established.
New World’s latest financial disclosures underline the importance of securing lender support. Total debt stood at approximately HK$143.3 billion at the end of June 2026, down HK$2.7 billion from the previous financial year.
Net debt nevertheless increased by HK$6.2 billion to HK$126.3 billion, while the company’s net gearing ratio rose to 68.3% from 58.1%. The figures indicate that its balance sheet remains under pressure despite efforts to reduce gross borrowings.
The group reported approximately HK$17 billion in cash and bank balances and HK$15.8 billion in undrawn banking facilities at the financial year-end, giving it total capital resources of about HK$33 billion.
Those resources provide liquidity for operations and financial commitments, but they are considerably smaller than the outstanding debt burden. Access to banking facilities also remains subject to their contractual conditions.
New World’s annual revenue declined to approximately HK$20 billion from HK$27.7 billion a year earlier. However, core operating profit increased to HK$7.7 billion from approximately HK$6 billion, reflecting an improvement in underlying operating performance.
The company reported HK$2.23 billion in net profit from recurring operations, compared with a HK$1.23 billion loss in the preceding year. Gross financing costs fell 15% to HK$6.3 billion.
Its board decided against paying a final dividend for the financial year ended June 30, preserving resources as management continued its financial restructuring programme.
Alongside discussions with banks, New World has pursued exchanges of outstanding securities to lengthen its repayment profile. On October 14, the company indicated that it expected to issue approximately $189.1 million in new secured notes maturing in 2032 following the early results of a debt exchange offer.
The developer has also been restructuring property commitments. At the end of September, it announced arrangements to surrender its operating rights for the 11 SKIES commercial development near Hong Kong International Airport.
The agreement involves a HK$2.3 billion termination payment to the Airport Authority and additional works and services obligations, with the latter subject to a specified cost ceiling.
For the financial year ended June, New World recorded approximately HK$29.6 billion in attributable contracted sales from property developments and asset disposals. Hong Kong accounted for approximately HK$22.1 billion, with mainland China contributing the remaining sales.
The company also reduced capital expenditure by 6% to HK$11.8 billion during the financial year.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi developer Aldar Properties has agreed to acquire nine residential buildings in Sharjah from Arada for AED1.1 billion ($300 million), marking its first property investment in the emirate. The forward purchase agreement, announced on Thursday, covers more than 1,100 homes across three residential blocks at Aljada, Arada’s mixed-use development. Arada is scheduled to deliver the buildings in the fourth quarter of 2029, […]
By Bhasha Singh The clouds of unrest are once again gathering over the Gulf region. This time, the epicentre is Yemen’s internal power struggle, which has spilled over into Saudi Arabia, claiming several lives, including that of an Indian national. The Houthi rebels’ attacks on Saudi airports have prompted retaliatory strikes by the Saudi-led coalition […]
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