Attackers are shifting credential theft campaigns towards QR codes, fake CAPTCHA pages and ClickFix-style prompts, turning familiar security checks into tools for large-scale account compromise. Fresh threat telemetry for the first quarter of 2026 shows email-based phishing remains vast in scale, with about 8.3 billion threats detected between January and March. Although monthly volumes eased from 2.9 billion in January to 2.6 billion in March, the composition […]
Japan’s yen rallied sharply against the dollar on Friday as traders braced for further official action from Tokyo after suspected currency intervention jolted global markets during a packed week of central bank decisions.
The dollar fell to around 155.60 yen at one point in London trading, before recovering part of the move to trade near 156.40. The rebound in the yen followed a dramatic reversal on Thursday, when the Japanese currency strengthened by about 3 per cent after the dollar briefly climbed above 160 yen, a level widely viewed in markets as politically sensitive for Tokyo.
Japan’s top currency official Atsushi Mimura said authorities remained concerned about speculative moves and were watching markets closely. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama had already warned that Tokyo was ready to take decisive action if currency movements became disorderly. The comments reinforced market expectations that further intervention could follow, particularly during Japan’s Golden Week holiday period, when thinner trading conditions can magnify exchange-rate swings.
Bank of Japan money-market data suggested authorities may have spent about 5.48 trillion yen, or roughly $35 billion, to support the currency on Thursday. The scale would be close to the size of Japan’s July 2024 intervention, when authorities moved after the yen weakened to a 38-year low near 162 per dollar. Tokyo typically does not confirm intervention immediately, preferring to disclose monthly figures later, but unusually large projected fund flows at the central bank often provide an early signal of official activity.
The pressure on the yen has been building for months as the interest-rate gap between Japan and the United States remains wide. The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate at around 0.75 per cent this week, although three board members dissented and argued for a rise to 1 per cent. That split underlined growing concern inside the central bank that imported inflation, higher energy costs and yen weakness could feed into domestic prices.
The Federal Reserve also left rates unchanged, keeping its target range at 3.5 to 3.75 per cent. The gap between US and Japanese yields continues to encourage carry trades, in which investors borrow cheaply in yen and invest in higher-yielding dollar assets. Such positioning has made the yen vulnerable whenever markets believe Tokyo’s warnings lack force.
The intervention threat gained urgency after oil prices climbed on concerns over disruption linked to the Iran conflict and risks around the Strait of Hormuz. Japan, heavily dependent on imported energy, faces a double blow from higher crude prices and a weaker currency, which raises the local cost of fuel, food and raw materials. That dynamic complicates the Bank of Japan’s effort to normalise policy gradually without damaging a fragile recovery.
The broader central bank backdrop added to volatility. The European Central Bank kept its deposit rate at 2 per cent while signalling that inflation risks had intensified. The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75 per cent in an 8-1 vote, with one policymaker favouring an increase. Across major economies, policymakers are balancing weaker growth signals against renewed price pressures from energy and supply disruptions.
Currency traders said Japan’s challenge is that intervention can slow a slide but rarely reverses a trend unless supported by monetary policy or a shift in global rates. A one-off operation may force investors to cut speculative positions, but renewed dollar strength can quickly restore pressure on the yen if US yields remain elevated and the Bank of Japan moves cautiously.
The timing of the suspected intervention was also significant. With European markets partly thinned by the May Day holiday and Japan heading into an extended holiday stretch, liquidity conditions were expected to remain fragile. Authorities have often chosen moments of thin trading to maximise the impact of currency operations, but such moves also increase the risk of sudden reversals when full market participation returns.
For households and companies in Japan, the exchange-rate battle has direct economic consequences. A weaker yen benefits exporters by raising the value of overseas earnings, but it also lifts import bills and squeezes consumers through higher costs. Large manufacturers have been able to absorb some of the pressure, while smaller businesses reliant on imported inputs face tighter margins.
By Dr. Gyan Pathak The theme of May Day 2026 focuses on “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment” which reminds us how the working environment has deteriorated in recent times. In India, the recent workers unrests in April in Noida and the states in the National Capital Regions, show it. Protesting workers demanded chiefly two […]
MILAN, ITALY – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 May 2026 – As the dynamic interplay of light and shadow along the Putuo District section of Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, known as the “Half Marathon Suzhou Creek,” met the artistic atmosphere of Milan Cathedral, a spring dialogue spanning continents opened warmly as part of the “Shanghai in My Mind · Spring Shanghai” pop-up event series in Milan. On April 25, the “Putuo Day” themed event was held at a newsstand in Largo Augusto, Milan. Centered on the theme “Half Marathon Suzhou Creek · Garden of Light,” the event offered local residents an immersive experience of the distinctive charm of Shanghai’s Putuo District.
Light as a Bridge: A Garden of Light in Miniature
Centered on the theme of “Garden of Light,” the pop-up event blended Putuo’s cultural heritage with Milan’s artistic aesthetic, transforming the compact newsstand into four themed spaces: the Light of Development, the Light of Vitality, the Light of Warmth and the Light of Craftsmanship. Together, they created a refined and richly layered exhibition of urban aesthetics.
The Garden Walk zone conveyed the “Light of Vitality,” with artificial greenery recreating the energy of the Suzhou Creek waterfront. Cultural and creative products from the “Half Marathon Suzhou Creek” collection, including sand-art magnets, liquid-motion coasters and custom scarves, added to the lively atmosphere. The Interactive Experience zone embodied the “Light of Warmth,” linking stamp collecting, message sharing and film screenings to create a welcoming space where every visitor could take part in the cross-cultural exchange. The Craftsmanship Heritage zone interpreted the “Light of Craftsmanship,” featuring century-old Hero pens, intangible cultural heritage bamboo weaving and pieces from the Shanghai Mint, highlighting the brilliance of Eastern craftsmanship through light and shadow. The Light and Shadow Window zone represented the “Light of Development.” Warm light passed through suspended golden bookmarks, casting colorful reflections across the walls and floor, echoing the stained-glass windows of Milan Cathedral.
At the event, local residents and visitors posed for photos with light-and-shadow bookmarks, wrote heartfelt messages on postcards, and captured joyful moments with instant cameras. They collected commemorative stamps as keepsakes, experienced the elegance of Eastern writing with Hero pens, and watched the VR film “HI, This Is Half Marathon Suzhou Creek” for an immersive introduction to Putuo. The pop-up event transcended barriers of language and distance, bringing the urban charm of Putuo to people in Milan through experiences that were tangible, engaging and memorable.
Spring Echoes: Suzhou Creek’s Story Continues in Light
The “Spring Shanghai” themed pop-up was not only a city showcase in Milan, but also a dialogue between two cities across Europe and Asia. To extend the memory of this celebration of light, Putuo has created a “Garden of Light” themed corner at the Half Marathon Suzhou Creek Café & Cultural Creative Store, allowing cultural exchanges between the two places to continue to grow.
Inside the store, white magnolias and azaleas feature throughout the décor, symbolizing friendship and dialogue between the two cities. Decorative decals inspired by the stained-glass windows of Milan Cathedral cast colorful patterns of light across the floor, creating an aesthetic connection between Shanghai and Milan. Messages from visitors collected during the Milan event, handwritten postcards and instant photos will be displayed in artistic installations, including a corridor of greetings and a light-and-shadow photo wall reflecting a blend of Chinese and Italian culture. Limited-edition light-and-shadow bookmarks and other themed merchandise will also be introduced, while messages written by Shanghai residents in response will be compiled into a collection, creating a two-way bond of mutual goodwill.
From Milan to Suzhou Creek, Putuo used light as a bridge to continue the friendship between China and Italy across the two cities, while enabling more people to see and understand the story of “Half Marathon Suzhou Creek.”
Vibrant Putuo: Half Marathon Suzhou Creek in Full Flow
Putuo District is actively participating in China’s Yangtze River Delta integration strategy. It supports the development of the Shanghai–Nanjing Industrial Innovation Belt, advances the “one belt, one core, one city” framework, and promotes a vision of a coordinated innovation zone and a high-quality Half Marathon Suzhou Creek area. A digital-driven upgrade of the bulk commodity trade supply chain is currently taking shape. Along the Suzhou Creek waterfront, ecological landscapes are increasingly being transformed into spaces for industrial development. The Zhenru sub-center is speeding up its digital transformation, combining heritage with modern urban functions and integrating cultural and commercial activity. Taopu Smart City is emerging as a hub for R&D and advanced manufacturing, as it moves toward becoming a model for integrated urban-industrial development. Together, these developments are helping drive Putuo’s high-quality growth.
Industrial growth brings urban vitality, and a vibrant city improves people’s quality of life. Building on a solid foundation of high-quality development, Putuo is shaping a livable and business-friendly district defined by energy and human warmth. It is both a hub for sports and an appealing place to live. Major events such as the Suzhou Creek Half Marathon, dragon boat races, the 10km Elite Race and the National Curling Championships showcase the district’s dynamism and competitive spirit. Daily life offers a different rhythm. TOP Central Park provides expansive green space, the RV Music Festival draws crowds with live performances, M50 Creative Park remains a center for arts and culture, and Hong Shou Fang blends Shanghai-style charm with the atmosphere of neighborhood street life. Putuo is working to build a district-wide “15-minute community living circle,” giving residents convenient access to education, healthcare, eldercare and retail services. It is advancing child-friendly urban development, expanding the silver economy to better serve seniors, and creating homes and support services for the city’s builders and frontline workers. Through these efforts, openness, inclusiveness and warmth have become defining features of the district.
America’s four largest AI spenders are pushing capital outlays towards a record level this year, betting that demand for computing power will justify one of the most expensive investment cycles in corporate history. Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta are preparing to spend roughly $680 billion to more than $700 billion on data centres, chips, servers, networking equipment and related infrastructure in 2026, after quarterly earnings showed […]
Global internet reliability came under sharper pressure in the first quarter of 2026 as shutdowns, war damage, power failures and cable incidents disrupted connectivity across several regions, exposing a widening risk for enterprises that depend on cloud platforms, cross-border data flows and always-on digital services. Cloudflare’s review of disruptions from January to March showed that the most damaging incidents were not dominated by software faults alone. Political […]
MCP’s rapid rise as the preferred bridge between AI assistants and external tools is running into a harder test inside production software teams: whether convenience justifies the security, reliability and governance risks now surfacing around the protocol. Model Context Protocol, introduced by Anthropic in November 2024 and later moved into broader open governance under the Linux Foundation’s Agentic AI Foundation, was designed to solve a real engineering […]
The current trend creates increased demand for tangible assets which provide investors with actual possession and permanent worth. The market has started to recognize rare diamonds as a valuable investment option. The current financial climate presents traders with an attractive investment opportunity through diamonds because their limited supply and high fundamental value create a trading asset that operates outside normal banking systems. The main advantage of rare […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Samsung Electronics has signalled plans to expand its wearable device ambitions into AI glasses, even as it warned that a deepening global memory shortage could intensify through 2027 and raise costs across consumer electronics, servers and mobile devices. The remarks came during the company’s first-quarter 2026 earnings call, where executives linked the squeeze in RAM and storage supply to the rapid build-out of […]
A fake video meeting can now be enough to breach a Web3 company, with North Korea-linked BlueNoroff hackers using bogus Zoom calls, clipboard tricks and fileless PowerShell malware to steal credentials from cryptocurrency targets across multiple countries. The campaign marks a sharper turn in social engineering against the digital assets sector, where attackers are no longer relying only on malicious attachments or crude phishing pages. Instead, they […]
Cyber literacy has become the leading global people risk as employers confront ransomware, AI-enabled fraud, technology skills gaps and fragile workforce readiness, Marsh’s 2026 People Risks survey has found. The report, based on views from 4,517 human resources and risk professionals across 26 markets and 12 industries, places inadequate cyber threat literacy at the top of the global risk list. Technology skills shortages, including cyber and artificial […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – AI for Global Civilization: China-Singapore Dialogue was held in Singapore on April 28. The event gathered around 100 participants, including experts, scholars, and representatives from Chinese and Singaporean academic institutions, cultural organizations, as well as technology and cultural enterprises. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on China-Singapore digital industry cooperation and how digital and intelligent technologies empower inter-civilizational mutual learning. They also jointly showcased innovative achievements and frontier practices of both sides in the integrated field of culture and technology.
Event Highlights
Opening remarks were delivered by Yuan Lin, Executive Assistant to the President of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, and Wang Donghai, Associate Director of NUS Enterprise. Keynote speeches were delivered by Cai Yiyu, Professor at Nanyang Technological University; Director of the Computer-Aided Engineering Labs and The Strategic Research Program on Virtual Reality; Co-President of Association of Global Technomics Education and Exchange; Cui Kai, Director of the Digital Culture Promotion Department, Center for International Cultural Communication, China International Communications Group (CICG); and Yang Jianwei, Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore.
Yuan Lin stated that the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology has injected new momentum into China-Singapore cultural exchanges. He stressed the importance of innovating cultural expression forms empowered by digital intelligence, upholding a correct value orientation in technological application, deepening people-to-people exchanges enabled by smart technologies, and actively exploring the profound value of intelligent technologies in advancing cross-cultural understanding.
Wang Donghai pointed out that it is essential to prioritize the integration of technological applications with social needs. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence to build bridges for civilizational exchange helps enhance cross-cultural understanding, enabling technology to better serve humanity and drive social progress.
Cai Yiyu noted that Singapore is forging ahead in cutting-edge fields including semiconductors, aerospace and artificial intelligence, opening up broad prospects for bilateral cooperation between China and Singapore. He emphasized that digital and intelligent technologies can be harnessed to revitalize and inherit traditional culture via youthful, trendy formats, thereby further deepening scientific, technological and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Cui Kai stated that intelligent imaging technology is profoundly reshaping the logic of cross-cultural narrative. Digital content creation is not merely about keeping pace with technological advancement; more importantly, it should take emotional resonance as the bond to break down cultural barriers, foster in-depth empathy, mutual learning and appreciation among global civilizations, and enable more outstanding civilizational achievements to be seen, understood and respected worldwide.
Yang Jianwei noted that artificial intelligence is becoming an important vehicle for inter-civilizational mutual learning, while cultural differences remain a core obstacle to cross-cultural communication. He advocated for the innovative and rational use of artificial intelligence in the future to eliminate prejudices and enhance civilizational understanding through technological power.
In the Case Sharing Session, guest speakers included Lisa Meng, Head of Singapore of Tencent Cloud International; Koh Chin Yee, Managing Director of Singapore Eye; Bai Yu, Director and Partner of LAiPIC; Hu Chengchen, Founder & CEO of ClariPpi (Singapore); Jane Zhao, SVP and Head of Global Business at Mininglamp Technology; and Jerry Tuo, AI Technology Director of Red Fun Planet. They delivered insightful presentations on the application prospects of artificial intelligence in content production as well as inter-civilizational mutual learning and exchange.
The participating guests agreed that artificial intelligence has brought revolutionary changes to the intelligent production, targeted communication and immersive presentation of cultural content. China and Singapore boast strong complementarity in digital infrastructure and cultural resources. Going forward, the two sides may deepen cooperation in joint research and development and scenario-based application, develop benchmark cultural-technology products and integrated solutions tailored for Southeast Asia, and jointly advance the high-quality development of the digital cultural industry.
This event was jointly hosted by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and the Center for International Cultural Communication,CICG, with Nanyang Technological University and other cultural and business exchange institutions participating as supporting partners.
Hashtag: #ACCWS
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Damac International has launched Harir Residences inside its Damac Hills Baghdad master community, adding twin premium residential towers to a capital city property market increasingly shaped by private developers, affluent buyers and demand for planned urban living. The project comprises two 12-storey towers with 210 apartments, offering one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The towers are positioned within a larger community near Baghdad International […]
Having led 100+ Hong Kong tech firms to SE Asia over the past year, accelerating global expansion through strategic collaboration
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation continues to deepen its innovation and technology (I&T) collaboration with Southeast Asia, actively playing an orchestrating role in supporting Hong Kong’s tech firms go global. HKSTP debuted as an official exhibitor at Southeast Asia’s largest public safety conference, Milipol TechX Summit 2026 (MTX 2026). Under the theme “Supercharging Innovation for Our Safer Tomorrow”, MTX 2026 is a strategic platform to advance business opportunities through government-backed collaboration. HKSTP showcased 10 park companies presenting breakthrough public safety solutions and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore’s TechX Ventures (TechX, a private subsidiary by the HTX – Home Team Science and Technology Agency of Singapore) — HKSTP’s first MoU signed with an organization in Southeast Asia — establishing a structured framework to advance cross-border innovation partnerships focused on practical applications in public safety.
HKSTP debuted as an official exhibitor at Southeast Asia’s largest public safety conference, Milipol TechX Summit 2026 (MTX 2026). Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer and Gladys Oon, Director of Partnerships and Account Management of HKSTP, officiated the opening of HKSTP Pavilion.
Singapore and Hong Kong share a substantive relationship, grounded in regular high-level engagement. These include the Prime Minister of Singapore’s official visit to Hong Kong last month, during which he met with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and visited the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park in the Loop). The I&T connection also features HKSTP-led delegations to Singapore platforms such as Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) and SLINGSHOT 2025, etc. Over the past year, more than 100 HKSTP park companies explored Southeast Asian opportunities, securing over HK$25 million in confirmed business deals with additional potential contracts exceeding HK$20 million directly supported by HKSTP.
Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, HKSTP, said, “At HKSTP, we enable innovators to solve real public safety challenges where trust and demonstrated results matter most. Collaborating with TechX and Singapore’s Public Safety ecosystem gives ventures faster access to decision-makers, enables solution testing in operational environments, and supports scaling validated technologies across Asia.”
Eric Chua, Chief Executive Officer, TechX Ventures said: “SPINN District was designed to be more than a startup village — it is a proving ground where bold founders showcase innovations that matter. Seeing HKSTP’s park companies engage meaningfully with the global public safety ecosystem at MTX 2026 reflects exactly the kind of cross-border momentum we built this platform for. This MoU marks the beginning of something lasting: a structured pipeline that turns innovation into operational impact, as we work together to build a safer world.”
The collaboration between HKSTP and TechX is aimed to establish a comprehensive framework to identify, co-create, and validate operational public safety solutions. Under the partnership, HKSTP and its counterparts will move from identified needs to real deployment through annual solution scouting visits to Hong Kong Science Park, funding of around HK$600,000 (S$100,000) per company for proof-of-concept trials with Singapore Public Safety experts, and an ongoing exchange of challenges and insights. This demand-led model accelerates problem-solution fit and reinforces HKSTP’s leadership in regional safety technology collaboration.
The HKSTP Pavilion, themed “Hong Kong’s Technology for Public Safety and Security — Global Application and Global Impact,” featured 10 park companies showcasing solutions proven in deployments across Hong Kong enforcement departments, the Greater Bay Area, and Singapore-related projects. Cutting-edge public safety technologies were showcased across AI-Driven & Robotics, Network & Communications Infrastructure, and Drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) & Low-altitude Economy (LAE). MTX is the largest public safety conference in Southeast Asia, the HKSTP pavilion is strategically positioned within the startup-centric SPINN District, effectively facilitated targeted engagements, secured curated matching opportunities with Singapore government agencies for each participating company, and advanced pilot projects and partnerships.
Park companies eSIX and Weitu AI participated in the signature global innovation challenge Dimension X Cohort 6 and the inaugural cohort of the In-Beta tech verification capability programme organized by Hatch, the innovation centre of Singapore’s HTX, achieving significant success. These companies were the only Hong Kong representatives selected for the programmes, underscoring the global competitiveness and real-world impact of Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem. eSIX, which delivers patented high-speed networking for Industrial IoT and 5G-enabled remote machine control, was awarded a place at Dimension X. The company received S$100,000 in prize money to complete a four-month proof-of-concept and was invited to showcase its solutions. Weitu AI, which provides world-leading multimodal video understanding for fast, accurate analysis across industries was awarded a place at In-Beta, received S$30,000 in prize money with opportunities to verify their promising tech through rapid experimentation and onsite demo.
Building on existing engagement across the region, HKSTP will continue to strengthen collaboration with regional partners, expand support for park companies, and promote technology‑driven solutions that enhance safety and resilience. The initiative reflects HKSTP’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustained innovation and regional cooperation.
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), established in 2001, has built a thriving innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem in Hong Kong, supporting 12 unicorns, nurturing over 17,000 research talents, and hosting more than 2,500 technology companies from 26 countries and regions specializing in biomedicine, AI and robotics, fintech, and smart city development. HKSTP is dedicated to positioning Hong Kong as an international I&T hub.
To align with Hong Kong’s future development, HKSTP is committed to attracting and cultivating I&T talent, accelerating the commercialization of innovative outcomes, and providing comprehensive support for technology companies and professionals on their innovation journey. Its vibrant I&T ecosystem continues to grow, encompassing Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, and three InnoParks in Tai Po, Yuen Long, and Tseung Kwan O. These facilities drive advancements in applied technology, focusing on industries such as advanced manufacturing, micro- electronics, and biotechnology, steering Hong Kong toward new industrialization.
Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch, located in Futian, Shenzhen, leverages the strategic advantage of “support of the Motherland, connecting to the world.” It serves as a bridge for “bringing in and going global,” actively fostering cross-border I&T collaboration. The Shenzhen Branch supports global technology companies and professionals by providing research and collaboration spaces, with a focus on enterprises in seven key sectors: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech, and sustainable development.
HKSTP is dedicated to advancing Hong Kong’s I&T development by providing research infrastructure, startup and enterprise support services, professional investment and business expertise, fostering partnership networks, and attracting top talent. These efforts drive innovation as a new engine for economic growth for Hong Kong.
More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.
About TechX Ventures
TechX Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore’s Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) that operates at the intersection of government mandate and entrepreneurial drive. TechX serves as the engine behind a thriving innovation ecosystem where cutting-edge science and technology are put to work protecting people.
At the heart of it, TechX is established to connect global innovators and partners in advancing public safety innovation. Guided by our Safer World philosophy — the belief that progress means nothing if it doesn’t safeguard public safety — TechX approaches safety not as a sector, but as a shared mission. This conviction shapes every partnership forged, every programme designed, and every measure of success. Safety, at TechX, is our purpose.
TechX delivers its mission through two core areas of expertise: to build and to connect. TechX designs and develops innovation initiatives and programmes alongside partners from across the globe, including flagship platforms such as HTX’s Innovation Centre, Hatch — a structured innovation centre that gives frontier deep-tech a clear pathway to validate and deploy solutions for real public safety challenges. TechX also bridges industry, startups, and government agencies into a global network, producing landmark events such as Millipol TechX, and bringing international communities like DEF CON® to Singapore for the first time.
With active partnerships spanning over 30 ecosystems globally — from Hong Kong to South Korea, and the United States, TechX sits at the heart of a growing worldwide alliance united by one ambition: Bringing Together a Safer World.
New strategy highlights synergy among Global Payment, Global Account and Inclusive and Embedded Finance services built on progress in AI and interoperability.
As a foundation to the business, Ant International’s global payment services support over 300 payment methods, including more than 10 national QR systems and 50 digital wallets and bank apps, and exceed 20 million daily transactions on average.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – Ant International now connects over 150 million global merchants with more than 2 billion user accounts globally, the company disclosed at its flagship MoMents 2026 fintech executive forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ant International CEO Peng Yang shares the company’s global strategy for the era of AI commerce
Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. The company now supports 300+ payment methods in over 220 markets, including all card schemes, 50 mobile payment partners and more than 10 national QR systems, including Singapore’s SGQR, Malaysia’s DuitNow, South Korea’s ZeroPay, Thailand’s PromptPay, Indonesia’s QRIS, Sri Lanka’s LankaPay, and more. It recently onboarded more leading global e-wallets and bank apps such as iFAST Global Bank from the UK, KBank and SCB from Thailand, barq from Saudi Arabia and ShopeePay from Southeast Asia.
With an average of over 20 million transactions daily, Ant International is building broader market reach through new licenses and partnerships in Asia, Latin America and EMEA. In Vietnam, it partners with NAPAS and Vietcombank to roll out cross-border QR payment service, and is also working with the Ho Chi Minh City government on the development of an international financial centre. In Latin America, it formed a strategic partnership with Mexican fintech company R2 in late 2025, supporting the expansion of SME lending across the region. In the Middle East, Ant International collaborates with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and national payment network mada, with plans to introduce Alipay+ cross-border QR payments in 2026. Its recent initiatives also include plans to roll out Islamic finance programs in Southeast Asia and other emerging markets.
While serving businesses in their global expansion, Ant International also ranks in first place in terms of the number of global accounts it has been managing for businesses, particularly SMEs, engaged in cross-border commerce.
“New models of financial interoperability and AI commerce give us powerful tools to help global giants as well as mom-and-pop shops to increase resilience and expand revenue streams,” said Peng Yang, CEO, Ant International. “A broader and deeper network means we can work with more partners on more levels to deliver more innovative, trusted, and high ROI fintech solutions in the world’s fastest growing markets.”
Layered solutions for enterprises, SMEs and emerging markets to achieve inclusive growth
Yang underlined a strategy to combine the forces of its four main businesses – Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst – to offer more connected growth solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Global payment: Making payments a growth engine for businesses of all sizes to thrive in the global digital economy.
Global account: Enabling AI-powered borderless global accounts for businesses of all sizes, and serving as the ticket to digital trade and commerce. This makes ‘born global’ a reality for all businesses from day one.
Strategic value boosters: Leveraging innovation and technology to deliver embedded financing, credit and treasury solutions that power inclusive growth.
Innovation and technology leadership: Grounded in extensive expertise in supporting global payments and businesses of all sizes, Ant International’s leading AI and blockchain solutions are co-developed with customers, partners and regulators to deliver real impact while ensuring security and compliance.
Go-to-market FinAI solutions for real-world problem solving
Working with top LLMs, card schemes and other fintechs, Ant International builds out FinAI capacities and solutions for merchants and financial institutions to tackle real-world growth and security challenges. Key examples include:
Agentic Mobile Protocol (AMP)
At MoMents 2026, Ant International has introduced the open-sourced AMP – the world’s first agentic payment framework designed for mobile interfaces – to help drive AI commerce. The protocol enables secure, AIOps-native agentic payment connection to mobile services including digital wallets, banking apps, super apps, and mobile portals from phones to wearable devices.
AI-as-a-Service Platform
Ant International’s AI-as-a-Service platform GenAI Cockpit equips fintech partners with tools to build a wide range of agentic solutions, from customer-service assistants to sales copilots. Malaysia’s leading e-wallet TNG eWallet, and easypaisa, Pakistan’s first digital bank, are using the platform to deliver better customer experiences with AI.
AI SHIELD
Ant International’s 3-in-1 risk management transformer maintains trust in the ecosystem by providing a robust security layer underpinning all transactions processed by the company. The model is supported by over 7 billion parameters, and combines graph, sequential and tabular data to identify high-risk transactions with over 95% precision, while improving payment success rates by up to 13.5%.
Falcon TST AI FX model
The industry-first MoE-based AI FX model makes long-term forecasts with prediction accuracy of up to 93%, leveraging over 8.5 billion parameters. Deployed internally at Ant International to manage cashflow and FX exposure on an hourly, daily and weekly basis, Falcon TST has helped to cut the company’s FX costs by up to 60%. The model was open-sourced in 2025 to expand access to its capabilities and invite collaboration to advance time-series learning.
EPOS360
A pioneering AI-powered SME app, EPOS360 integrates practical AI tools with POS system, payments, banking, financing and growth operations for small businesses. The suite of AI-powered tools and payment capabilities was launched in Singapore, and is also available to merchants in Malaysia as a mini-programme via TNG eWallet.
Antom Copilot
Antom Copilot provides automation and assistance for merchants based on learnings from real-world cases, improving efficiency of services such as chargeback dispute handling by up to 46%. Within a year of its launch, 72% of Antom-onboarded merchants completed self-service payment integration with the copilot.
At the MoMents 2026 fintech executive forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, executives from global payment networks, banks, fintechs, tech companies, and governors came together to discuss the future of financial services in the era of AI commerce. Conversations focused on new forms of payment transformation, multi-layer global interoperability, super app evolution with AI-native tech, innovation of Islamic financing and initiatives around trust and security.
Ant International launched its Digital Business Center in Kuala Lumpur in 2024. Hashtag: #AntInternational
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Ant International
Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai has lowered a key entry barrier for property-linked residency, allowing sole owners of completed real estate to apply for a two-year visa without meeting the previous Dh750,000 minimum property value threshold. The revised criteria, published through the Dubai Land Department’s Cube platform, shift the visa framework away from a single asset-value test and towards ownership structure. Sole owners can now seek the […]
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 April 2026 – Auto China 2026 officially opened in Beijing. Under the theme of “Commitment & Integrity,” GWM unveiled its comprehensive global localization strategy for the first time. Backed by a compelling product lineup and cutting-edge technology, the GWM booth quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the show.
Left — GWM ONE Platform; Center — GWM CEO Mu Feng Delivers Keynote Speechat Auto China 2026; Right — High-Performance V8
In his speech, GWM CEO Mu Feng emphasized that commitment and integrity are essential to accelerating high-quality growth. Guided by the GWM ONE (Guiyuan) philosophy, GWM continues to focus on real user needs, building solid product strength, technological excellence, and global brand value.
“Trust built on commitment and integrity is the strongest foundation in business,” Mu said. From a global perspective, he reaffirmed GWM’s commitment to deepening its roots in international markets, constructing a complete business ecosystem, and advancing what he called “ecosystem-based globalization.” Based on respect, long-term dedication, and genuine local cultivation, the company aims to forge lasting bonds of trust with users worldwide.
A Robust Portfolio Defining Elevated Product Excellence
At Auto China 2026, GWM showcased a comprehensive portfolio spanning six major lineups. From family SUVs to premium off-road vehicles, from urban commuting to long-distance motorcycle touring, the offerings are thoughtfully engineered to meet the diverse demands of today’s mainstream global consumers.
The WEY V9X is the first flagship model built on the GWM ONE S Platform. With its spacious six-seat layout, native AI agent, and Super Hi4 hybrid architecture, the V9X was developed not just for China, but as a global model for users worldwide.
The all-new TANK 700 made a strong impression with dual-flagship powertrain options: 3.0 Hi4-T and 2.0 Hi4-Z, making it the first body-on-frame model to integrate a VLA large model. The GWM P300 Hi4-T adopts the Hi4-T hardcore off-road super hybrid architecture, equipped with the Coffee OS 3 smart cockpit and high-power external discharge, delivering intelligence, reliability, and all-scenario adaptability. The P500 Hi4-T offers higher performance and greater luxury, ushering pickups into a new 4.0 era of “all-scenario, intelligent, and new energy.”
For key markets such as Australia and Thailand, where off-road culture is deeply rooted, these two models powerfully demonstrate GWM’s localized product expertise.
Designed for young users seeking individuality and a lifestyle-oriented mobility experience, the GWM ORA 5 Sport has already generated strong interest in Europe and Southeast Asia. During the auto show, overseas media also took part in in-depth test drives, allowing the product itself to prove GWM’s technological claims.
The entire SOUO Motorcycles lineup stole the spotlight with the world’s only 2,000 cc horizontally opposed eight-cylinder engine, redefining the premium long-distance motorcycle touring experience. Within GWM’s brand matrix, SOUO is the clearest expression of the brand’s “confidence in driving culture.”
Behind every compelling vehicle lies deep technological strength. The GWM technology zone drew large crowds eager to explore the company’s latest R&D advancements firsthand.
High-Performance V8: At the auto show, GWM introduced a new high-performance powertrain architecture headlined by an all-new in-house high-performance V8 engine — a major step forward in GWM’s powertrain capabilities. The company also showcased a world-class lightweight solution featuring extensive carbon fiber, as well as a newly adopted mid-engine layout designed to deliver exceptional handling performance.
GWM ONE Platform: In intelligent technology, GWM has built a formidable competitive moat across data, algorithms, and computing power. Its VLA assisted-driving large model and other intelligent technologies have received wide acclaim. The GWM ONE Platform supports five powertrain variants: PHEV, HEV, BEV, FCEV, and ICE. It enables one platform to support multiple powertrains, product categories, body styles, and global markets. Built on native AI, the platform integrates dual VLA large models and creates a native full-stack intelligent agent. It also uses AI to redefine safety logic, deeply fusing active and passive safety systems and reinforcing GWM’s commitment to safety.
GWM Hi4 has evolved into a comprehensive powertrain family tailored to different driving scenarios and user needs. The new-generation Hi4 technology continues to deliver “the performance of four-wheel drive with the energy consumption of two-wheel drive,” making advanced all-wheel-drive capability more accessible than ever. Hi4-Z is designed for general off-road scenarios, while Hi4-T is for hardcore off-road demands, each bringing distinctive strengths and further consolidating GWM’s leadership in off-road mobility.
GWM also presented its forward-looking diesel hybrid technology for demanding off-road and towing scenarios. The new powertrain is expected to cut urban fuel consumption by 15% while boosting acceleration performance by 40%.
Ecosystem-Based Globalization Builds Stronger Global Brand
At Auto China 2026, the GWM booth attracted large numbers of overseas visitors, media journalists, dealers, and investors, becoming a key platform connecting GWM with global users. The invitation of 1,500 media and dealers reflects GWM’s growing global appeal. According to some overseas media reports, Chinese automakers are reshaping industry norms through shorter R&D cycles, innovative concepts, and well-coordinated supply chains.
Amid rising complexities and tariff barriers, GWM is shifting its global strategy from simple product exports toward comprehensive local ecosystem development — an approach increasingly recognized across the industry. The future of global competition will no longer be about exporting products, but about the coordinated global expansion of technology standard-setting, supply chains, and brand value as an entire ecosystem.
At Auto China 2026, GWM showcased core technologies including the super V8, Hi4 Hybrid, and ADAS — technologies that will help the company participate in setting global industry standards and building a lasting brand moat.
Reliable products remain GWM’s promise to users. Accessible technology is its contribution to the industry. Ecosystem-based globalization is its commitment to local communities. GWM is taking root and growing in every aspect of its global operations — from technical architecture and product definition to manufacturing, after-sales service, compliance, and cultural integration. While the industry remains focused on overseas sales growth, GWM has already elevated “deep localization” as a new benchmark for global success, building a shared future with users through genuine, long-term commitment.
Hashtag: #GWM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Modern Platform Enhances Business Travel Within Energy, Marine, Mining and Other Complex Sectors
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 April 2026 – Direct Traveltoday announced the expansion of Avenir, its global travel platform, across its specialty market divisions, including Energy, Marine and Mining. Delivered through ATPI’s specialist businesses, Avenir provides a single global platform and unified service model for executive and project-based business travel, complementing the company’s established sector specific logistics and workforce mobility solutions.
Avenir Tech HotList
With this expansion, organizations operating in complex and logistically demanding environments will benefit from a more consistent and scalable approach to business travel, bringing modern infrastructure to corporate travel while continuing to rely on proven specialist solutions for crew and workforce logistics.
A Comprehensive Approach to Specialty Travel Industries such as energy, marine and mining manage multiple types of travel simultaneously, from large scale workforce and crew movements to executive, commercial and project travel. These needs are fundamentally different and require distinct solutions.
Avenir is designed to support traditional business travel within these sectors, bringing structure and consistency to:
Executive leadership travel
Commercial and client facing teams
Project based and technical specialists
This sits alongside ATPI’s established specialist services, which continue to manage:
Crew and workforce mobility
Offshore and rotational travel
Highly customized logistics to remote and complex destinations
Together, this creates a more coordinated and complete travel framework.
Strengthening Sector Expertise with a Modern Business Travel Platform Avenir enhances ATPI’s specialist offerings by introducing a consistent global foundation for business travel, while preserving the depth and specialization of existing solutions.
“Our long-standing leadership in specialty travel is built on deep sector expertise and a strong focus on our customers, and we remain committed to strengthening how we serve these markets,” said Christal Bemont, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Travel. “As travel becomes more complex, that foundation becomes even more important. Avenir is an important step forward, giving our customers a more consistent approach to global business travel, combined with the specialized solutions they rely on to support their operations.”
Energy With decades of experience supporting global energy organizations, ATPI delivers specialized travel solutions across offshore, project and executive travel. From complex international operations to high risk environments, the focus is on operational continuity, cost control and the safety and wellbeing of traveling personnel.
Marine With a long history in maritime travel, ATPI supports global shipping and offshore organizations with highly coordinated travel services. Expertise in crew movements, vessel rotations and global logistics ensures reliable, efficient operations across ports and regions worldwide.
Mining and Other Specialty Markets In mining and similarly complex sectors, ATPI provides tailored travel management solutions designed for remote operations and workforce mobility. This includes managing fly in fly out schedules, navigating challenging destinations and supporting safe, efficient travel for workers and project teams globally.
Specialist Technology and Capabilities These sector specific services are supported by ATPI’s specialist technology and service capabilities, including Crewhub and Crewlink, which are designed to manage workforce mobility and crew travel at scale.
Improving Visibility and Consistency for Business Travel While workforce and crew travel remain highly specialized, business travel within these sectors is often managed across fragmented regional systems.
Avenir brings greater consistency by enabling:
One global platform for business travel across regions
Centralized visibility and governance for travel and finance teams
Standardized policies with controlled local flexibility
A consistent traveler experience for employees worldwide
The result is better oversight, improved efficiency and a more streamlined experience for business travelers operating within complex global organizations. Hashtag: #atpi #directravel #avenir #globaltravelplatform
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Direct Travel, Inc
Direct Travel is one of the world’s largest travel management companies, focused on delivering exceptional, innovative solutions to every client and traveler. With a long history of proven market expertise, we blend advanced technology, superior service and expert insight to drive tangible value and meaningful savings across Corporate Travel, Leisure Travel, Meetings & Events and specialty travel businesses.
Through Avenir, our next-generation platform developed with leading technology partners, we provide the industry’s broadest inventory and a modern, real-time shopping experience that empowers travelers and simplifies program management. What truly sets us apart is the human care behind the technology, delivered by an experienced, passionate team dedicated to anticipating needs and delivering exceptional service at every step.
For more information about Direct Travel, visit www.dt.com
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Rhenus Group acquires remaining 49 percent of LBH Group, achieving full ownership
Partnership further strengthens global maritime and port logistics network
LBH continues operating under its renowned brand while maintaining its recognized service quality
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 April 2026 – Rhenus Group announced the successful closing of the acquisition of the remaining 49 percent stake in LBH Global Agencies Inc. LBH Group is a globally active port agency with business sites in 24 countries worldwide. As an international maritime shipping agency, LBH Group manages incoming and outgoing vessels handling bulk goods, liquid cargo, containers, and general cargo. With the acquisition of the remaining shares from the Lagendijk family, the company is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Rhenus – a strategic step that has been pursued since the two companies joined forces in 2023. For many years, both parties have fostered a close and trustful relationship based on a shared goal.
Joined expertise for strong international customer service
The partnership between Rhenus and LBH Group was initially established with the shared objective of combining LBH’s global reach in port agency services with the international logistics network of Rhenus. Since then, the collaboration has strengthened both companies’ capabilities, enabling the development of more comprehensive service offerings and supporting customers with increasingly customized, resilient, and efficient supply chain solutions. Uniting two highly skilled and specialized teams marks another milestone in the Rhenus Group’s strategic growth plan in global trade, aiming to expand its network and foster supply chains worldwide. Under full ownership, LBH Group will remain a central pillar of the maritime strategy of Rhenus. The company will continue to operate under its established brand, maintaining its market presence and well-recognized service quality. Inspired by the vision of expanding global logistics operations as one global team, the acquisition underscores the importance of reliable partnerships that continue to pave the way for the Rhenus Group’s growth trajectory.
Hashtag: #Rhenus
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Rhenus
The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to EUR 8.2 billion. 39,000 employees work at 1,300 business sites in more than 70 countries and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times.
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/directtravelinc
