US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected a report that the military has exhausted nearly 80 per cent of its principal high-altitude missile interceptors during the war with Iran, insisting that American forces retain the weapons required to sustain operations. Hegseth described the account as untrue after CNN reported that the Pentagon had used almost four-fifths of the interceptor inventory for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense […]
By K Raveendran Bankipur may eventually be remembered not as the constituency that discovered Prashant Kishor, but as the first place where the anger dramatised by the Cockroach Janta Party acquired an electoral address. The distinction is crucial. Kishor’s victory does not amount to popular acceptance of a coherent alternative to Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya […]
Qatar said mediators were making progress towards ending the war between the United States and Iran, but an attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz exposed the fragility of the diplomatic effort and renewed concerns over energy supplies. Doha’s assessment followed contacts involving Qatar, Oman and Pakistan, which have been working to move Washington and Tehran towards formal negotiations. The initiative has focused on […]
Wynn Resorts has set September 2027 as the opening date for Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, providing its clearest timetable yet for the UAE’s first licensed integrated gaming resort. The Las Vegas-based company announced the date while reporting stronger second-quarter revenue and profit, supported by a sharp improvement at its Macau properties and sustained demand from wealthy customers. Wynn contributed $48.1 million during the […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The global oil market has lost more than 2.6 billion barrels since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28, Saudi Aramco chief executive Amin Nasser has said, warning that depleted inventories will take more than a year to rebuild. The cumulative loss is equivalent to nearly one month of worldwide oil consumption and reflects the prolonged disruption of shipping through the […]
The government has summoned Meta’s global team for two days of talks beginning on August 5, expanding its scrutiny of the technology company to child safety, artificial intelligence, account restrictions and content moderation.
Officials are expected to question the Facebook and Instagram parent over the handling of child sexual exploitative and abuse material, including allegations that paid advertisements on Instagram promoted access to illegal content. The discussions on August 5 and 6 will also examine the spread of AI-generated material and safeguards governing prominent verified accounts.
Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan confirmed that the issues would be raised during the global team’s visit. The meeting marks a widening of the government’s engagement with Meta beyond an earlier dispute involving the temporary restriction of a Facebook post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The post was briefly limited by Facebook’s automated systems before being restored. Meta apologised for the action, but officials have sought a fuller explanation of how the decision was made and whether algorithmic processes can incorrectly restrict authentic material posted by verified public figures.
The government is expected to ask for technical details about Meta’s moderation architecture, escalation procedures and human-review mechanisms. A technical representative from Instagram has also been sought, reflecting demands for clarity on how advertisements, recommendations and account-level enforcement decisions are assessed.
Concerns over child abuse material intensified after allegations that advertisements on Instagram directed users towards outside channels offering exploitative content. The government subsequently issued a notice seeking information on Meta’s preventive systems, the removal of offending advertisements and action taken against the accounts behind them.
Meta has said it maintains zero tolerance for child exploitation and uses artificial intelligence, behavioural signals and automated detection systems to identify suspicious activity. The company said it removed more than four million suspicious accounts worldwide last year and 160,000 accounts in the country during a six-month period.
It also reported removing 36 million pieces of content linked to child exploitation through automated systems. Meta has argued that several advertisements and accounts connected to the allegations had already been disabled before the matter was brought to its attention, with further action taken after an internal investigation.
Officials are likely to examine whether those measures were fast and comprehensive enough, particularly when paid advertising systems are involved. The appearance of prohibited promotions raises questions about how advertisers pass automated checks, whether commercial incentives weaken enforcement and how recommendation systems may amplify harmful networks.
The talks are also expected to cover generative AI and synthetic media. Revised intermediary rules that took effect in February strengthened duties concerning AI-generated audio, video and images. The framework requires platforms to take reasonable technical measures against unlawful synthetic material and provide prominent labelling or identifiers for permissible AI-generated content.
Those requirements have gained importance as generative tools make it easier to produce convincing impersonations, deceptive political material and synthetic sexual imagery. Child-protection specialists have warned that AI-generated abuse material can revictimise survivors, imitate identifiable children and overwhelm investigators attempting to distinguish synthetic files from evidence of physical offences.
Government representatives are expected to seek assurances that Meta’s AI systems can recognise prohibited synthetic material without indiscriminately restricting lawful content. The challenge is particularly significant for platforms operating at national scale, where automated moderation must interpret multiple languages, dialects, cultural contexts and political references.
The temporary restriction of Modi’s post has placed algorithmic accountability at the centre of the dispute. Officials want to establish whether Meta’s systems treated authentic political communication as manipulated material and what safeguards exist to prevent similar errors involving constitutional authorities, verified journalists or public institutions.
Meta faces a parallel challenge in explaining how it balances automated enforcement with human oversight. Automated tools can act rapidly across billions of posts, but errors can become politically sensitive when they affect influential accounts. Excessive reliance on human review, however, can slow action against abusive content that spreads quickly.
The company’s representatives may also be questioned about the suspension or restriction of other prominent verified accounts and the availability of effective appeal channels. Authorities are seeking more predictable procedures, particularly where platform decisions may affect public communication, access to information or public order.
Apache NiFi has released version 2.11.0 to address four vulnerabilities in its web application programming interface, including high-severity weaknesses that could exhaust server memory or allow users with limited permissions to manipulate sensitive configuration processes. The most broadly applicable flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-68981, affects NiFi versions 1.5.0 through 2.10.0. It stems from the way the platform processed gzip-compressed HTTP requests sent to its REST API. NiFi enforced […]
Apple’s annual sales in India surpassed $10 billion for the first time, strengthening the country’s position as one of the technology group’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
Revenue for the financial year ended March 2026 rose from nearly $9 billion a year earlier, driven mainly by demand for iPhones, Mac computers and services. The increase came as Apple widened its company-owned retail network, expanded financing options and deepened distribution beyond the largest metropolitan centres.
The performance marks a sharp acceleration from the roughly $8 billion recorded in the year ended March 2024. It also underlines Apple’s ability to gain ground in a price-sensitive market where devices using Google’s Android operating system account for the overwhelming majority of smartphone sales.
The iPhone remained Apple’s largest source of revenue in the country. Sales were supported by premiumisation in the smartphone market, trade-in programmes and instalment plans that reduced the upfront cost of devices. Older iPhone models also continued to attract buyers after price reductions following new product launches.
Apple does not disclose country-level sales in its global financial statements. The India figure reflects sales booked through its local operation and may include products distributed through company stores, online channels, authorised resellers and large electronics chains.
The company now operates six physical stores across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune and Noida. Its latest outlet opened in Borivali, Mumbai, in February, adding to Apple BKC, Apple Saket, Apple Hebbal, Apple Koregaon Park and Apple Noida.
Further retail expansion is being prepared, including another store in Bengaluru. Apple has also been recruiting specialists, technical staff and customer-support employees for multiple locations, indicating that its direct-sales presence will continue to grow.
Company-owned stores offer Apple greater control over pricing, product presentation and after-sales support. They also provide space for training sessions, product demonstrations and technical services, helping the group build customer loyalty in a market where many purchases have traditionally been made through third-party retailers.
The Apple Store online, launched in 2020, remains an important part of the company’s strategy. It allows customers across the country to access trade-ins, custom Mac configurations, education pricing and direct delivery, including in cities without a physical Apple outlet.
Apple’s sales expansion has coincided with a substantial increase in local manufacturing. Contract manufacturers Foxconn and Tata Electronics have raised iPhone assembly capacity, while suppliers are expanding component operations to support a broader production ecosystem.
The country is expected to account for about a quarter of global iPhone production during 2026. Apple has also been working to supply a larger share of devices sold in the United States from factories operated by its partners in the country, reducing dependence on China.
The manufacturing network includes operations in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with further investment planned in assembly, enclosures, display components and semiconductor-related infrastructure. The expansion is being supported by production incentives and proposed tax concessions for foreign companies supplying equipment to contract manufacturers.
Authorities have proposed extending exemptions covering machinery provided to electronics producers until 2041. The measures are designed to reduce tax uncertainty for global suppliers and encourage longer-term investment in mobile phones, laptops, tablets and wearable devices.
Local production has helped Apple avoid some import duties and improve product availability. However, the company still relies heavily on components sourced from abroad, and manufacturing costs can remain higher than in China because of logistics, tariffs and a less developed supplier base.
India delivered another record quarter for Apple during the three months ended June. Mac sales reached an all-time high in the country, while demand for iPhones and other devices continued to expand.
Globally, Apple reported revenue of $109.42 billion for its fiscal third quarter, up 16 per cent from a year earlier. iPhone revenue climbed 22 per cent to $54.25 billion, while Mac revenue advanced 29 per cent to $10.35 billion.
Despite its growth, Apple remains a relatively small player by unit volume in the country’s smartphone market. Its share is considerably stronger in the premium category, where consumers are showing greater willingness to spend on high-end devices, financing plans and connected services.
Microsoft has warned travellers and organisations about a Russian state-linked cyberespionage campaign that manipulates hotel and venue Wi-Fi networks to steal credentials, compromise cloud accounts and install surveillance malware. The operation, named CaptiveCrunch, has been active since early May and is attributed to Storm-2945, an operational subgroup of Midnight Blizzard. The wider hacking organisation, also known as APT29 and Cozy Bear, has been linked by the United […]
A tracked firefighting robot developed at Northeastern University is using liquid nitrogen to extinguish small fires, offering a potential new tool for containing wildfire hotspots before they grow beyond firefighters’ control. The prototype sprays the cryogenic liquid directly on burning vegetation. Liquid nitrogen rapidly vaporises when exposed to heat, cooling the fuel while displacing oxygen around the flames. Laboratory tests have shown that the combined effect can […]
Dubai Chamber of Commerce has supported Techies Infotech’s expansion into South Africa, enabling the Dubai-headquartered technology company to establish operations in Johannesburg and Cape Town as part of a wider push into African markets. Techies Infotech registered a local company, opened its South African head office in Johannesburg and established an engineering and technology delivery centre in Cape Town. The expansion followed the company’s participation in a […]
UAE stargazers are preparing for one of the year’s strongest meteor displays as the Perseid shower peaks overnight on August 12 and 13, with moonless skies expected to improve visibility across desert and mountain locations. The annual shower could produce dozens of visible meteors an hour under clear, dark conditions. Observers are likely to get the best views after midnight and before dawn on August 13, when […]
Amazon’s market value crossed $3 trillion for the first time on Monday as accelerating cloud revenue and artificial intelligence demand pushed its shares to a record high. The stock gained about 5% to trade near $285 in New York, valuing the ecommerce and cloud-computing group at roughly $3.08 trillion. The advance extended Amazon’s gain for 2026 to more than 23% and placed it among a small group […]
Bitcoin’s largest holders have accumulated 19,610 coins since July 29, widening a sharp divide with smaller investors who reduced their exposure after a major security failure involving Coldcard hardware wallets. Wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 Bitcoin increased their combined balances by 0.14 per cent over the period. Addresses containing less than 0.01 Bitcoin cut their holdings by 0.55 per cent, indicating that retail investors were more […]
Daily coffee consumption may alter gut bacteria, mood and memory through biological pathways that extend beyond caffeine, offering new evidence that decaffeinated coffee can produce measurable effects of its own. Researchers studying 62 healthy adults found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee changed specific microbial populations and metabolites associated with communication between the digestive system and the brain. The findings suggest coffee’s influence on human physiology may […]
Spotlighting Macao’s Emerging Medical and Wellness Sector
MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 August 2026 – iRad Hospital, a premier medical and wellness facility launched by Melco Resorts & Entertainment and iRad Group, was recently featured in a July 2026 episode of CNN’s internationally broadcast program Meanwhile in Asia. The program discussed Macao’s efforts to diversify its economy beyond gaming, spotlighting its medical and wellness tourism sector.
iRad Hospital at Studio City, Macau
During the episode, CNN examined how destinations across Asia are seeking new growth avenues, noting Macao’s strategic push to develop a niche in medical tourism. The feature included a visit to iRad Hospital, which opened within a luxury integrated resort environment, and highlighted its proposition of allowing visitors to incorporate health screenings and aesthetic treatments into their leisure or family stays.
Located at Melco’s Studio City, iRad Hospital is the world’s first and Macao’s only integrated resort hospital. In partnership with iRad, Melco is playing a leading role in advancing Macao’s medical tourism development by integrating healthcare and wellness services with its world-class Forbes Five-star spa portfolio. The initiative aligns with Macao’s broader economic diversification objectives and contributes to strengthening the city’s appeal to high-value international visitors beyond gaming.
iRad Hospital offers advanced diagnostic imaging, wellness and preventive care, aesthetic medicine, executive health screening, and dedicated medical concierge services. Through partnerships with leading hospitals and institutions in Hong Kong, the United States and Korea, the hospital provides visitors with access to expanded specialty medical resources and healthcare options.
Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, said, “Macao’s next phase of development will be defined by quality, innovation, and diversification. As the leading integrated resort operator, we are committed to advancing the evolution of the integrated resort model beyond traditional hospitality—integrating culture, wellness, and high‑value services that strengthen the city’s long‑term competitiveness. Through initiatives such as iRad Hospital at Studio City, Melco is helping shape the development of integrated medical and wellness tourism and enhancing Macao’s visibility as a diversified international destination.”
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited
The Company, with its American depositary shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq: MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com) and Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com), integrated resorts located in Cotai and Taipa, Macau, respectively. In addition, the Company operates Studio City (www.studiocity-macau.com), a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, the Company operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (www.cityofdreamsmanila.com), an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. In Europe, the Company operates City of Dreams Mediterranean, an integrated resort in Limassol, in the Republic of Cyprus (www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy). In South Asia, the Company manages the Nüwa hotel at City of Dreams Sri Lanka (www.cityofdreamssrilanka.com), an integrated resort in Colombo, Sri Lanka. For more information about the Company, please visitwww.melco-resorts.com.
The Company is majority owned by Melco International Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, which is in turn majority owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
About iRad – Hong Kong’s largest MRI diagnostic services provider
Established in 2006, iRad is a trusted leader in diagnostic radiology across Hong Kong. As at 2024, iRad was the largest MRI diagnostic services provider in Hong Kong by revenue and by the number of MRI scanners. Focused on delivering high-quality imaging services and exceptional patient care, the Group’s strong and extensive client base includes the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, as well as other high-profile medical groups, corporations, private doctors and NGOs. Meanwhile, iRad Hospital is the first and largest private medical imaging and examination service provider within an integrated resort in Macau, making iRad Group the first medical imaging group in the world to offer comprehensive private imaging and examination services, including MRI and CT services, to the integrated resort industry.
CareCloud has begun notifying about 345,000 people that hackers accessed and removed sensitive medical, financial and identity information from an electronic health record environment operated by its CareCloud Health division. The compromised information may include names, residential addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driving licence and passport details, medical record numbers and health insurance information. Clinical data such as diagnoses, treatment details, prescription information, laboratory results […]
Wildfires sweeping through eastern Washington have destroyed about 600 homes, businesses and other buildings, forcing roughly 60,000 people to evacuate as firefighters struggle to contain several fast-moving blazes around Spokane. About 5,000 homes were covered by evacuation orders by Sunday, while thousands of residents remained displaced and large sections of the region were without electricity. No deaths, serious injuries or missing people had been reported, although authorities […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 August 2026 – At a time when travel for Thai people is no longer simply about ‘taking a break’, many are choosing to travel to attend events that interest them, whether sporting competitions, music festivals, seaside activities, art events or city festivals. These experiences can transform an ordinary trip into a journey filled with stories, meaning and lasting memories.
Amari Pattaya and OZO North Pattaya invite travellers to extend their Pattaya Marathon 2026 trip into a seaside escape amid the vibrancy of Pattaya — an event city filled with sport, music, cafés and lifestyle activities throughout the year.
This trend reflects the growth of Event Tourism, or activity-based tourism, which is gaining popularity among a new generation of both Thai and international travellers. Events are not merely a reason to travel; they are also a starting point for sharing experiences with like-minded people, feeling the energy of a city at its liveliest and enriching the journey through food, culture, lifestyle, relaxation and memorable moments along the way.
Pattaya is one destination that clearly reflects this new travel trend. Once best known as a familiar seaside getaway near Bangkok, the city has now evolved into a vibrant year-round destination, with everything from sporting competitions, music festivals and beachfront activities to international lifestyle events such as Wonderfruit, Rolling Loud Thailand, the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival, Pattaya Music Festival, Honda LPGA Thailand and the Pattaya Marathon, as well as many other international events that continue to draw Thai and overseas travellers back at different times of the year.
This September, the 33rd Pattaya Marathon 2026, to be held on 26 and 27 September 2026, is another major event that reinforces Pattaya’s role as an Event Tourism city. This year, more than 40,000 runners and family members from various countries are expected to travel to take part, filling Pattaya with the atmosphere of travel, connection and the energy of people brought together through sport. Adding to its appeal, the race combines a scenic coastal course with Pattaya’s lively urban energy, giving runners the opportunity to enjoy sunrise views over the Gulf of Thailand, refreshing sea breezes and some of the city’s most recognisable beachfront landmarks.
But the appeal of travelling to Pattaya for an event does not end on race day. After the run or activity, travellers can extend their trip with many more experiences, from strolling along the beach and visiting cafés in popular neighbourhoods to dining at well-known local restaurants, spending time at a beach club, trying water activities, or relaxing with family and friends in an easily accessible beach city that stays lively throughout the day.
To complement this style of travel, ONYX Hospitality Group welcomes travellers at its two Pattaya hotels: Amari Pattaya and OZO North Pattaya. Both are conveniently located for easy access to the city’s vibrant attractions and close to the Pattaya Marathon 2026 starting point, making them ideal for runners, families and travellers who want to turn an event trip into a seaside break.
For those looking to make their holiday experience even more complete, Amari Pattaya presents a new definition of multi-generational family holidays. For families travelling together, the hotel offers a balanced approach that allows members of every generation to enjoy their own lifestyle seamlessly before coming together again to share happy moments as a family.
While some family members may choose to explore Pattaya Beach or enjoy outdoor activities, others can unwind at Maai Spa, a premium spa that blends contemporary Thai wellness practices with the refined inspiration of silk to restore both body and mind.
For larger families travelling with little princes and princesses, children can let their imaginations run free through creative activities at The Treehouse Kids Club and the expansive water park, while grandparents can retreat to the peaceful privacy and exclusive service of Club Napha.
Amari Pattaya also brings the whole family together over memorable meals, from authentic Thai cuisine crafted with carefully selected local ingredients and a selection of Western favourites at Amaya Food Gallery, to authentic Italian cuisine served in the warm ambience of Prego Pattaya Pasta Lab and Bar, a beachfront Italian restaurant where families and friends can gather over fresh pasta, handcrafted dishes and contemporary interpretations of Italian classics in a warm and welcoming setting
Meanwhile, OZO North Pattaya is an ideal choice for travellers who want to make the most of every moment of their trip. Its location close to the beach, major shopping centres, cafés, restaurants and the city’s key event venues makes it easy to experience Pattaya’s vibrant atmosphere. Guests can start the day with breakfast at EAT, take a stroll by the sea, stop at a café during the day and conveniently round off the evening with Pattaya’s nightlife. Back at the hotel, they can relax by the large swimming pool or recharge at the fitness centre before retiring to a room designed for a truly restful night’s sleep, ready to welcome a new morning and enjoy the city all over again.
More than just a seaside city near Bangkok, Pattaya today is a destination where travellers can shape their own experiences throughout the day, from relaxing on the beach and enjoying brunch at an inviting café to water activities, art attractions and seaside dining at sunset. This is the appeal of Event Tourism: an event is not merely the reason to travel, but the starting point for a trip filled with people, atmosphere and memorable moments.
For runners, families, groups of friends or anyone look for a seasonal getaway, Pattaya Marathon 2026 could be a good reason to start planning the next trip and use the opportunity to experience a side of Pattaya that goes beyond the beach.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About ONYX Hospitality Group
ONYX Hospitality Group, one of the most respected names in the Asia-Pacific hospitality industry, manages a comprehensive and complementary portfolio of brands — Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence — designed to meet the diverse needs of both business and leisure travellers across the region. Beyond its accommodation brands, the Group also provides additional hospitality services spanning spa, food and beverage.
With more than six decades of management experience, the company has expanded its innovative solutions across the region while maintaining internationally recognised standards and ensuring operational agility and optimal efficiency. By fostering enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers unrivalled experiences in a highly competitive and constantly evolving market, meeting the ever-changing needs of travellers.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Future Foundation and autonomous vehicle technology company Oxa have launched a laboratory to develop, test and commercialise self-driving logistics systems for ports, airports and other industrial sites. The Autonomous Logistics Future Lab will operate through SHIFFT, a joint venture established under the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation Ecosystem. Its first commercial deployment is planned in Dubai before the end of 2027. The […]
Canary Capital’s spot Hedera exchange-traded fund has expanded regulated access to HBAR through Nasdaq, giving investors exposure to the cryptocurrency without requiring digital wallets, private keys or direct custody arrangements. The Canary HBAR ETF, trading under the ticker HBR, is the first US-listed spot fund dedicated to Hedera’s native token. The product began operations on October 27, 2025, and started trading on Nasdaq the following day after […]
Trump Media & Technology Group’s publicly tracked bitcoin holdings have fallen to almost the exact amount it previously disclosed as collateral for convertible notes, intensifying scrutiny over whether a $165 million transfer to Crypto. com was a custody adjustment or a disposal. Wallets linked to the Truth Social parent moved about 2,628 bitcoin to Crypto. com in two transactions during the weekend. The tokens were valued at […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The UAE has approved Lipfendra, a once-daily pill designed to sharply reduce harmful cholesterol, becoming the second country after the United States to authorise the first oral treatment targeting the PCSK9 protein. The Emirates Drug Establishment approved the medicine for adults with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C, including those with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, an inherited disorder that causes dangerously high cholesterol levels. […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Emirates NBD has agreed to acquire HSBC Egypt’s retail banking business, gaining its customer accounts, branches, cash machines and associated employees in a transaction expected to strengthen the Dubai-based lender’s position in one of the Arab world’s largest financial markets. The acquisition will be conducted through Emirates NBD Egypt, the banking group’s wholly owned subsidiary. Completion is targeted for the second half of […]
By K Raveendran Bankipur may eventually be remembered not as the constituency that discovered Prashant Kishor, but as the first place where the anger dramatised by the Cockroach Janta Party acquired an electoral address. The distinction is crucial. Kishor’s victory does not amount to popular acceptance of a coherent alternative to Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya […]
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