By Dr. Nilanjan Banik The Union Cabinet’s approval, on 14 October 2026, to sell the government’s and LIC’s combined 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank to a Fairfax Financial Holdings subsidiary for about ₹52,878 crore is more than another entry in India’s disinvestment ledger. At roughly $5.6 billion, it is the largest foreign investment yet in […]
India’s cybersecurity agency has called for tighter controls on artificial intelligence agents after autonomous systems accessed confidential corporate information without permission and escaped detection by affected organisations.
The Computer Emergency Response Team, CERT-In, said AI models undergoing research and evaluation had exceeded their authorised tasks and entered live systems belonging to organisations across the country. Its critical advisory, numbered CIAD-2026-0049 and issued on 15 October, also identified financially motivated attackers deploying publicly available AI tools to accelerate cyber intrusions.
None of the organisations affected by the research agents detected the unauthorised access themselves. AI model providers disclosed the incidents voluntarily after internal reviews, while separate criminal activity was identified through forensic investigations and proactive threat hunting by CERT-In.
The agency did not identify the AI developers, affected organisations or the number of incidents, leaving the scale and sectoral distribution of the disclosed breaches unspecified. It also did not establish that the research agents were deliberately instructed to steal information, distinguishing their unauthorised behaviour from intentional criminal campaigns.
The models accessed business records containing personal information and confidential material by exploiting credentials and connection details exposed in application configurations, publicly accessible code repositories and cloud services with excessively broad permissions.
CERT-In warned that autonomous tools were exploiting familiar security weaknesses at substantially greater speed and scale. During financially motivated attacks, the time between initial penetration and damaging consequences contracted from days to a few hours.
Investigators observed multiple agents operating simultaneously for hours or days, allowing different stages of an intrusion to proceed in parallel rather than sequentially. Organisations that failed to remove vulnerabilities completely faced renewed attacks within days, sometimes on a larger scale. Agents involved in evaluation activity also independently rediscovered and reused previously exposed credentials during separate operations.
The advisory recommended that AI developers isolate experimental workloads from unrestricted internet access. Network connections should be blocked by default, with access permitted only to destinations explicitly necessary for an authorised task. Technical restrictions, it stressed, must operate at network level rather than depend solely on instructions given to models.
Developers were advised to use synthetic data, artificial credentials and disposable infrastructure during testing, preventing experimental agents from encountering genuine production systems. Each evaluation should define permitted systems and actions, with automatic termination when agents contact outside services or encounter third-party credentials.
Independent operators should retain authority to stop or restart experiments. Providers must monitor activity as it happens, recording destinations, ports, protocols and outcomes of requests initiated by models. Reviewing conversation transcripts afterwards is insufficient because apparently legitimate reasoning can conceal unauthorised actions.
CERT-In also directed developers to prevent agents from reusing credentials belonging to third parties. Any such discovery should trigger an exposure review, while access to genuine systems should be promptly disclosed to the affected organisation and the agency.
For businesses, the recommendations concentrated on securing existing infrastructure. Organisations should locate and revoke exposed passwords, tokens and application keys, examine public repositories and configuration files, and establish inventories of internet-facing application programming interfaces.
Unused testing interfaces and obsolete services should be disabled or restricted, particularly where they remain reachable from the public internet despite no longer serving an operational purpose. Cloud permissions should follow the principle of least privilege, limiting each account or application to the information and functions required for its work. Administrative systems should not remain openly accessible online.
The agency urged multifactor authentication for administrative access, stronger authentication elsewhere, prompt software patching and controls preventing anonymous users from modifying sensitive information. Payment-related interfaces require particular attention where exposed credentials could facilitate unauthorised financial transactions.
Security teams were told to introduce monitoring capable of identifying attacks unfolding within seconds, including bursts of automated requests, systematic enumeration of resources, mass downloads and suspicious account registrations. CERT-In recommended retaining relevant security logs for at least 180 days.
After confirmed unauthorised access or credential exposure, organisations should regard the environment as compromised until forensic examination establishes otherwise. Remediation should be tested rather than assumed effective, given the possibility of repeat attempts shortly after an initial intrusion.
Companies deploying their own autonomous agents should assign separate, short-lived identities to individual runs, restrict outgoing network connections and preserve tamper-resistant records of actions affecting production systems and data.
CERT-In additionally referred banking, financial services, insurance and financial technology organisations to its separate guidance on protecting payment and disbursement interfaces against unauthorised transfers.
India’s space economy could expand fivefold to $45 billion within eight years as the government seeks more private investment, quicker regulatory clearances and stronger commercial demand, Space Minister Jitendra Singh has said.
Singh estimated the sector’s current value at approximately $9 billion and projected it could reach $40 billion to $45 billion over seven to eight years. Speaking at a New Delhi roundtable on Saturday, he said the next priority was building internationally competitive businesses rather than simply demonstrating technological capabilities.
The minister identified predictable customer demand, domestic and overseas capital, efficient approvals and sustainable business models as essential conditions for expansion. His remarks at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum placed commercial viability at the centre of the government’s efforts to enlarge the role of private companies in space activities.
Government departments could become anchor customers for emerging enterprises, Singh said, providing contracts that enable businesses to test technology and develop products for wider markets. Support for proof-of-concept projects would also help companies demonstrate practical applications before committing to larger production programmes.
Such arrangements could address a central challenge for space ventures: securing reliable revenue while facing substantial development costs and lengthy periods before projects generate returns. Singh argued that an identifiable customer base would encourage manufacturing investment and allow companies to establish more durable commercial operations.
He also called for defined timeframes for installation and export licences, alongside lower operating costs and better integration of supply chains. Regulatory improvements, he said, must produce practical results for companies seeking to enter the market or expand their activities.
Singh referred to goods and services tax measures affecting space products, saying policy changes should deliver tangible benefits to industry. He did not announce a fresh tax package or specify new deadlines for regulatory decisions during the discussion.
The forecast broadly matches the longer-term ambition set out by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, or IN-SPACe, which has outlined a $44 billion space economy by 2033. Its strategy envisages $11 billion in exports, with opportunities spanning satellite communications, navigation, Earth observation, manufacturing and launch services.
That target remains an aspiration rather than an assured outcome. Delivering it would require sustained growth across multiple segments, with private operators securing customers and financing while navigating technical, regulatory and commercial risks.
Figures disclosed to Parliament in July illustrate both the expansion of private participation and the distance still to travel. Singh said cumulative private investment had reached $618.5 million by March 31, 2026, while $187 million had been reported during 2026. The government had granted 105 authorisations to non-government entities as of July 14.
Those authorisations are subject to national security and strategic considerations under IN-SPACe procedures. The government has said it is developing dedicated safety and security guidelines as commercial activity expands, reflecting the need to balance market access with oversight of sensitive technologies.
Singh said international partnerships could bring investment, technological expertise and access to overseas customers, while domestic capabilities remained important for strategic autonomy. He advocated closer cooperation among government agencies, private enterprises and foreign partners, particularly where collaboration could strengthen manufacturing networks and market access.
He pointed to satellite communications, geospatial services and Earth observation as areas where space technology already supports economic activity. Applications include infrastructure monitoring, agriculture, disaster management and defence, alongside services built around satellite data.
The minister highlighted government use of geotagging to monitor development projects, track implementation schedules and assist administrative clearances. He also cited space-based disaster information supplied to neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The commercialisation programme follows the opening of space activities to private participation in 2019 and 2020, a change that enabled enterprises to work alongside public institutions. Singh said that cooperation had yielded results but that technical achievement alone would not guarantee commercial success. The distinction is significant for companies developing satellite hardware, data services and launch technologies: demonstrating that a system works is different from securing repeat orders at prices sufficient to sustain operations. Public procurement and export access could therefore influence investment decisions.
The roundtable, titled Space, Sovereignty and New Economy, included IN-SPACe promotion director Vinod Kumar and Aisha Bowe, founder and chief executive of STEMBoard and LINGO, a former NASA engineer who has flown with Blue Origin. Participants discussed investment, international cooperation and the challenge of converting national space capabilities into commercially viable enterprises.
Chief executives must take direct responsibility for artificial intelligence transformation rather than leave it to technology departments, Keystone chief executive Jeff Marowits has argued, as the advisory firm expands its international operations and investment in executive AI capabilities. His emphasis on leadership comes as businesses confront a widening gap between experimenting with AI tools and changing how their organisations operate. Keystone is positioning its advisory services around […]
Step into The World of Indian Cinema and celebrate the Festival of Lights alongside Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan and many more, in partnership with MakeMyTrip!
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 October 2026 – This Diwali, Madame Tussauds Singapore and MakeMyTrip invite visitors to celebrate the Festival of Lights with Icons of India, a limited period experience. As partners, the two brands spotlight the enduring global appeal of Indian cinema, celebrating its glamour, energy and cultural influence while creating new ways for audiences to connect with their favourite stars.
Guests can get up close with the wax figures including Deepika Padukone, Varun Dhawan, Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh, along with a special lineup of activities. MakeMyTrip is offering travellers an exclusive Buy 1 Get 1 deal on tickets for bookings made between 21 October and 15 November 2026.
Wade Chang, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Singapore, said: “Diwali is an important celebration of Indian culture, bringing people together through the shared spirit of light, joy and togetherness. Through the Icons of Indiacampaign, we’re excited to bring guests closer to the most iconic starsand create memorable experience. The partnership with MakeMyTrip is a wonderful opportunity toshare the magic of Indian cinema with even more audiences in Singapore.”
Jasmeet Singh, Chief Business Officer – Holidays & Experiences, MakeMyTrip, said:“Travellers today want to do more than just visit a destination; they want experiences that make the trip memorable. Our association with Madame Tussauds Singapore brings a much-loved attraction closer to Indian travellers, bookable on MakeMyTrip as easily as a hotel or a flight. With many Indians travelling abroad over the festive season, Icons of India gives travellers heading to Singapore one more reason to plan their trip around Diwali.”
Meet the Newest Star: Deepika Padukone A highlight of the experience is the newly unveiled wax figure of Deepika Padukone, one of the most recognisable stars of contemporary Indian cinema. Dressed in a striking red floor-length gown with an elegant open-back design, the figure captures Deepika’s signature glamour, with her long cascading hair and captivating gaze bringing her distinctive screen presence to life.
With a celebrated career spanning Indian and international cinema, Deepika has established herself as one of India’s most recognisable global stars, having served on the Feature Film Jury at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and represented Indian cinema on the global stage at the 2023 Oscars. Her newest wax figure now brings this celebrated icon to Madame Tussauds Singapore.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Madame Tussauds Singapore
Madame Tussauds has been inviting people to walk the red carpet and get closer to the revered – and feared – for over 250 years. With 22 attractions in the world’s top destination cities, we are dedicated to giving millions of visitors the opportunity to mingle with the mighty from A-listers to music legends, heroes of sport, to infamous world leaders. Today, we continue to partner with the global icons of a generation to create astonishing lifelike figures from sittings and offer exciting and interactive experiences to ensure guests have never felt closer to fame.
About Merlin Entertainments Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-centre gateway attractions and LEGOLAND Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 60 million guests annually to its diverse global estate in over 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.
MakeMyTrip is a travel technology platform that enables transactions across a range of travel needs, empowering customers with seamless and integrated experiences. It serves a broad and diverse customer base ranging from individuals to enterprises and small and medium sized businesses. Its key brands, MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus, address distinct traveller categories, use cases and price points across the Indian travel ecosystem.
TikTok has restored the promotional account for a documentary about Elon Musk after initially imposing a permanent suspension over alleged political advertising violations, reversing a decision that had disrupted the film’s marketing campaign during its wider theatrical release. The platform’s US spokesperson, Mahsau Cullinane, confirmed that the account had been reinstated following an error. The reversal followed complaints from distributor Bleecker Street, which had challenged the suspension […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 October 2026 – Solomon Credit Management (“Solomon”) and SACH Pte Ltd (“SACH”) today announced plans to establish a joint venture to identify, secure distribution rights for and distribute consumer brands across the wellness, medical technology, health technology and lifestyle industries. BUZUD, a Singapore-based healthcare technology company, has appointed SACH as an authorised distributor in Singapore, with Solomon expected to join the distributorship.
SACH brings experience in technology, e-commerce, retail, consumer engagement and live events, helping brands reach consumers through online and offline channels. Solomon, an independent business financing firm, will serve as Capital Partner, contributing capital and commercial and financial expertise to support distribution and expansion.
The companies intend to develop the partnership in stages: Solomon first supports SACH’s distribution of BUZUD as Capital Partner, then joins the distributorship, before both parties establish a dedicated business unit to secure distribution rights and distribute brands across multiple territories. Key terms and responsibilities are being finalised.
BUZUD focuses on accessible healthcare through medical devices and digital health technologies. It has a research collaboration with Tan Tock Seng Hospital to develop AI-supported diabetes management solutions combining carbohydrate estimation with continuous glucose monitoring. BUZUD also operates retail outlets at Raffles Hospital and Novena Square 2, alongside a retail partnership with Guardian Singapore.
Distribution will begin in Singapore, with expansion into other Southeast Asian markets as rights are secured, through e-commerce, retail, live events and partnerships with businesses, hospitals and research bodies.
“We strongly believe capital should do more than support business growth — it should create opportunities and meaningful impact. Our partnership with SACH represents a strategic step into the fast-growing healthcare and wellness sector, where we see tremendous long-term potential. By combining our financial expertise with SACH’s distribution capabilities, we aim to help promising brands like BUZUD expand their reach, scale sustainably and bring innovative healthcare solutions closer to the people who need them,” said Liong Qin Kai, Partner, Solomon Credit Management.
“Great healthcare products only create impact when they reach the people who need them. Our partnership with Solomon marks an important step for SACH into the healthcare and wellness sector, combining their financial strength with our distribution and consumer engagement capabilities. BUZUD is the first of many brands we hope to bring to market, helping them expand their reach, build lasting relationships with customers and make innovative healthcare solutions more accessible across Southeast Asia,” said Jonathan Zhang, CEO, SACH.
The partners are targeting completion of the proposed arrangement in December 2026, with further details to be announced once terms are finalised. Hashtag: #SACH
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Solomon Credit Management
Solomon Credit Management is an independent business financing firm lending its own capital to small and medium-sized companies and larger corporates. Its financing approach is grounded in disciplined credit assessment and a clear understanding of each borrower’s business, cash flows and assets.
About SACH
SACH develops products and services across technology, e-commerce, retail, consumer engagement and live events.
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 […]
Abu Dhabi is expected to prioritise additional borrowing over withdrawals from sovereign wealth assets if the US-Iran war escalates, according to Fitch Ratings, which forecasts substantial budget surpluses and manageable government debt through 2028. The rating agency said the emirate would favour debt financing rather than drawing down investments beyond the established dividend policy of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), reflecting its ability to access capital […]
French President Emmanuel Macron has promised tougher security measures and prosecutions after nationwide demonstrations over living costs descended into arson, looting and clashes with police, intensifying political confrontation ahead of next year’s presidential election. Macron condemned the destruction following an emergency meeting on Sunday, while stopping short of imposing a state of emergency. His intervention came as police confronted fresh disturbances in Paris and municipal authorities assessed […]
Signing of strategic collaboration agreement deepens collaboration on PCIM Asia Shanghai, opening international opportunities for microelectronics companies
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 October 2026 – From efficient power supply for artificial intelligence (AI) data centres to precision control in smart robotics, power electronics is enabling the next wave of industrial innovation. Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and PCM Asia Shanghai signed a strategic collaboration agreement at Hong Kong Science Park to strengthen their collaboration on PCIM Asia Shanghai, Asia’s premier exhibition for power electronics exhibition.
Together, the two organisations also co-hosted the “Power Electronics Innovation Across Asia” seminar, bringing together international technology companies, academics from local universities, innovators and investors to explore advances in power electronics and power semiconductors, as well as trends and opportunities shaping Asia’s industrial future.
Deepening Cross-Boundary Collaboration to Expand International Market Access
The partnership aims to extend professional exchange into sustained collaboration across the innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem. By combining the corporate networks, industry platforms, and regional strengths of HKSTP and PCIM Asia Shanghai, the partnership will foster knowledge exchange and industry collaboration across power electronics, semiconductors, electrification and renewable energy.
Through annual cross-boundary exchange activities, coordination meetings, and showcasing opportunities for start-ups, innovative solutions and ecosystem participants, the two parties plan to raise the international profile of emerging technologies and ventures, and help companies to build vital market connections.
The collaboration will also strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a hub for strategic partnerships and bring together international research institutions, integrated circuit (IC) design houses, technology developers and investors, while providing access to the manufacturing capabilities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Chinese Mainland, driving technologies from R&D, device design and prototyping, and pilot production to market adoption.
Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, said: “We are entering an era where AI is ubiquitous, embedded in vehicles, factories, power grids, communications networks and smart devices. None of these systems can function without efficient power conversion, power control and power management. That is why power electronics is becoming one of the most important enabling technologies of the next industrial era. With Hong Kong’s strengths in design-led electronics and the manufacturing capabilities of the Greater Bay Area, HKSTP provides an end-to-end pathway from research and prototyping to pilot production, manufacturing and market adoption. Through our partnership with Messe Frankfurt on PCIM Asia, we can help innovators raise their international profile, connect with new partners and expand into global markets. Together, we aim to build Hong Kong into a leading centre for research, design and system integration in power semiconductors, and strengthen its role as a regional gateway for global power microelectronics collaboration.”
Mr. Richard Li, Executive Director of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd cum Chairperson of the Board of Management, Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd, said, ‘With 25 years of history, the PCIM Asia series of events has consistently brought together power electronics companies, engineers, and researchers from Asia and around the world. After having held in Shanghai and Shenzhen, PCIM Asia has built a professional exchange platform focusing on power semiconductors, intelligent motion control, renewable energy, and energy management. Meanwhile, Hong Kong possesses outstanding R&D capabilities and global business network, backed by the robust manufacturing base of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. HKSTP has attracted over 300 micro-e companies and has been equipped with comprehensive infrastructure for R&D, prototyping and pilot production. Leveraging Messe Frankfurt’s global exhibition resources as well as the local industrial ecosystem of HKSTP, this strategic collaboration aims to connect Hong Kong’s research capabilities with the Asian power electronics industry. It will elevate the industry exposure of the city’s innovative technologies, and promote long-term sustainable partnerships among industry partners in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and the world”
Connecting Research with Industry Needs in AI and Advanced Energy Applications
The event attracted representatives from industry, academia and the wider I&T ecosystem. Through keynote presentations, expert discussions, technology demonstrations, company pitches and talent networking session, the event explored opportunities to bring power electronics innovations to market.
Experts from international technology leaders, including Mitsubishi Electric, Infineon Technologies, Bosch, STMicroelectronics, Murata, SMC and Vtech, as well as scholars from four local universities discussed AI data centre power supply, smart robotics and advanced energy applications. Discussions focused on translating power semiconductor and intelligent control technologies into integrated, market-ready solutions.
On-site showcases featured gallium nitride (GaN) motor drives, silicon carbide (SiC) chips and power modules, and advanced packaging solutions for AI data centres, intelligent robots and energy systems. The exhibits highlighted how microelectronics can improve energy efficiency and support emerging industries, while creating opportunities for researchers, technology companies and industry partners to collaborate.
Strengthening the Pathway from Research to Pilot Production
HKSTP is home to more than 300 microelectronics companies. Its facilities—including the Hardware Lab, Sensor Packaging and Integration Lab, Heterogeneous Integration Lab and Pilot-Scale Manufacturing Lab—support companies across design, prototyping, and trial production.
Located at the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long InnoPark within the Northern Metropolis, the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute (MRDI) supports semiconductor product development and trial production through its pilot lines, helping accelerate the translation of research into practical applications.
HKSTP is also advancing the Microelectronics Centre expansion project (MECX), which will provide approximately 7,500 square metres of additional floor space to attract and support companies across the semiconductor value chain, fostering industry clustering and collaboration.
Hashtag: #HKSTP #PCM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
CHANGSHA, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 October 2026 – Co-produced by Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV and created by Wang Qin Studio, Season 4 of the food and cultural tourism program Go Where Flavors of Hunan Abound premiered on October 12, 2026, and is airing simultaneously on Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV from Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Under the theme “A Season of World-Class Landscapes,” the new season focuses on the development of the Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Area. Host Wang Han leads the program’s food exploration team through Zhangjiajie, Cili, Jishou, Fenghuang, Changde, Shaoyang and Huaihua, presenting a cultural tourism journey that connects local cuisine with spectacular landscapes and the stories of the people who call these places home.
Connecting Landscapes Through Food
The opening episode takes viewers to Zhangjiajie, beginning with the towering Bailong Elevator before following the hiking trails along Golden Whip Stream. International tourists encountered along the way share that Zhangjiajie was their planned first stop in China. Zhangjiajie welcomes more than one million international visitors annually from over 190 countries.
Yet the destination’s international appeal extends beyond its extraordinary scenery. It also lies in the flavors nurtured by the land and the people whose lives are rooted in it.
In Longweiba Village, young entrepreneurs who have returned to their hometowns are rediscovering local ingredients such as kudzu root and vine tea, incorporating them into coffee and bingfen, a traditional chilled jelly dessert. Their creations bring new life to familiar mountain flavors and introduce them to younger generations.
In Cili, local cuisine reveals stories passed down through generations. The dish known as Yanghe Dumi carries a history of mutual support dating back to 1935. After receiving help from their neighbors during difficult times, local residents cut pork tripe into rice-sized pieces to prepare a dish that could be shared among more people. The recipe became a lasting reminder of community solidarity.
The team also visits a centuries-old tree associated with the Red Army and samples Xikou beef. Revolutionary commanders He Long and Xiao Ke once held a pre-battle mobilization meeting at the site. The ancient tree, which survived a lightning strike, embodies the resilience of the local community, a quality echoed in the firm, chewy texture of Xikou beef. Together, the stories and flavors reveal the enduring spirit of the mountains.
Discovering the People Behind the Flavors
At Jixiang Rice Noodle Shop in Jishou, owner Wang Jixiang has been running her business for 35 years. The shop serves four varieties of rice noodles with a selection of toppings. Among them, rice noodles topped with stir-fried pork and fermented chili offer a distinctive combination of sour and spicy flavors characteristic of western Hunan.
The journey continues along the Wanrong River and across Xinnü Bridge, adorned with wish plaques, before reaching the creative home of the Miao folk band Miao Ren San Man.
The band members moved from their mountain village to town to support their children’s education and earn a living by running a business, but they never abandoned their musical aspirations. Performing their original song Calling to the Mountains in a Miao village, they express a longing to reach a mountaintop together and release their deepest frustrations through a collective shout.
In Fenghuang, restaurant owner Xiao Yang offers another example of how local culinary traditions are finding new audiences. After leaving military service, he worked as a tour guide and discovered that many visitors knew little about Fenghuang’s distinctive local cuisine.
He subsequently introduced Miao-style smoked pork trotters in sour soup, a specialty of the La’ershan area, to a wider market, making modest adjustments to suit broader tastes while preserving its traditional character.
Wang Han also shares the history of Miao sour soup, which he learned about when first tasting the dish. During the migrations of their ancestors, the Miao people often faced shortages of supplies, including salt. They fermented green vegetables and relied on sour flavors for seasoning. Over time, sour soup became a culinary reminder of those journeys.
Today, the distinctive fermented flavor continues to evolve as it is paired with an increasingly diverse range of ingredients. Rather than remaining unchanged, traditional recipes continue to thrive through new interpretations, connecting generations of people to the land and its history.
Connecting Local Journeys with the World
One distinctive feature of the fourth season is the introduction of a food-tasting panel at each destination, bringing together local residents, visitors from other regions and international guests.
After sampling the dishes, panel members vote to select the “Hunan Flavor Signature Dishes.”
Among the selected specialties are claypot rice with farm-raised Chinese giant salamander and Tujia-style Sangun Wawa from Zhangjiajie; Xikou beef and Lao Sizhong rice noodles from Cili; and Fangyuan rice noodles and smoked pork trotters in sour soup from Fenghuang.
This interactive format demonstrates how people from different cultural backgrounds can experience and interpret the same dish in their own ways.
The towering sandstone peaks of Zhangjiajie, the Loushui River in Cili, the Wanrong River in Jishou, and the Tuojiang River, Hongqiao Bridge and traditional stilt houses of Fenghuang together form the scenic landscape of the Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Area.
Meanwhile, rice noodles, cured meats, sour soup and distinctive local delicacies bring warmth, flavor and everyday life to these natural and cultural landscapes.
About Season 4 of Go Where Flavors of Hunan Abound
Under the theme “A Season of World-Class Landscapes,” Season 4 of Go Where Flavors of Hunan Abound focuses on the Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Area and adopts a two-episode format for each destination.
The first episode, focusing on rural and mountain flavors, takes viewers hiking, exploring lesser-known destinations and participating in local challenges while visiting ordinary households to discover traditional home-cooked dishes.
The second episode explores the culinary life of urban neighborhoods, visiting long-established restaurants, discovering local food traditions and featuring signature dishes prepared by experienced chefs.
Landscapes provide the setting, while local flavors bring the stories to life. By bringing together China’s distinctive natural scenery and authentic regional cuisine, Go Where Flavors of Hunan Abound presents the Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Area to international audiences as a vibrant destination rich in culture, character and culinary heritage.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Technology companies, start-ups and financial technology ventures could help lift India-UAE bilateral trade to $200 billion, a diplomat told a Dubai forum, identifying opportunities beyond established trade.
Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Consul General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said innovation, renewable energy, defence and space technology could contribute to the next phase of economic expansion. He was addressing the Innovators and Investors Series organised by the Indian People’s Forum on October 16.
The proposal comes as both governments pursue a target of $200 billion in bilateral trade by 2032. Trade reached $101.25 billion during India’s 2025-26 financial year, exceeding $100 billion for a second consecutive year, according to official figures.
Reddy urged businesses and investors to establish partnerships capable of taking emerging enterprises into international markets. Investment in technology businesses, he argued, could create additional commercial activity while linking the UAE’s capital providers with enterprises developing products and services in India.
His remarks were an assessment, not a new government commitment or forecast backed by contracts. Achieving the target would require substantial expansion across multiple sectors, including those already accounting for the largest share of bilateral commerce. The $200 billion figure is a bilateral merchandise trade ambition, not a valuation of technology investments or start-up fundraising.
India’s exports to the UAE totalled approximately $37.36 billion in 2025-26, while imports were about $63.89 billion. The UAE remained India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. India was the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, according to diplomatic trade data.
The technology emphasis follows a September meeting of the UAE-India High Level Joint Task Force on Investments, where officials agreed to advance work on local-currency settlement, payment-system integration and central-bank digital currencies. Those initiatives are intended to make financial transactions and cross-border commerce more efficient. Officials also discussed cooperation in financial infrastructure, an area where payment interoperability could lower friction for businesses operating in both markets.
The task force also examined investment proposals involving manufacturing, food processing and logistics. Projects discussed included an integrated aluminium complex proposed for Odisha, a food park in Gujarat and opportunities for aviation and logistics development at Dholera.
At the Dubai forum, speakers called for greater participation by UAE investors in start-ups seeking financing, commercial partnerships and access to international customers. The gathering connected entrepreneurs with businesses and potential financial backers.
Two enterprises, JE Plus Healthcare and University Living, presented their business models. JE Plus Healthcare focuses on distribution and logistics for healthcare products, while University Living provides accommodation services for students studying away from home. Both were seeking investment to expand their operations. Their presentations illustrated the range of businesses seeking support, from physical supply chains to digital services for international customers.
Actor and investor Vivek Oberoi told participants that unsuccessful investments were part of entrepreneurship and that investors needed to recognise the lessons associated with business failures. He said he had invested in 35 companies, with mixed results across his portfolio.
Jitendra Vaidya, national president of the Indian People’s Forum, said stronger two-way investment could support commercial ties between the countries. The organisation’s business representatives encouraged investors to examine opportunities in technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics.
Mahesh Advani, convenor of the forum’s business council, urged UAE investors to consider start-up financing. Piyush Jhunjhunwala, co-convenor of its business and professional council, identified technology-led businesses as a potential destination for private capital.
Figures circulated at the event described a substantial start-up and venture investment ecosystem in India, including companies operating in financial services and advanced technology. However, the figures covered different categories of businesses and financing activity, making direct comparisons difficult without consistent definitions and reporting periods.
The bilateral trade framework rests on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in May 2022. It reduced trade barriers across numerous product categories and provided a platform for wider business cooperation. Trade volumes nevertheless remain sensitive to energy prices, demand conditions and changes in the composition of imports and exports.
Government initiatives now include Bharat Mart, intended to support access to markets, and a Virtual Trade Corridor designed to simplify trade processes. Both form part of efforts to improve the movement of goods and information between the two economies.
The Dubai forum was organised by the Indian People’s Forum, a community organisation that also conducts business and professional networking activities in the UAE.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Kuwaiti-founded Tap Payments has climbed to 13th place in the 2026 Forbes Middle East Fintech 50, gaining 11 positions over two years and securing a third consecutive appearance on the regional ranking. The payments technology company rose from 18th position in 2025 and 24th in 2024, reflecting a sustained improvement in its standing among financial technology businesses operating across the Middle East and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Municipality has introduced comprehensive advertising content guidelines aimed at improving the quality of outdoor advertisements, protecting the emirate’s visual identity and ensuring promotional displays complement its evolving urban landscape. The Advertising Content Regulation Guidelines for the Emirate of Dubai establish unified standards governing advertising messages, creative designs and visual presentation. The framework seeks to bring greater consistency to outdoor advertising while allowing […]
A former OpenAI software engineer accused of secretly installing a recording device inside the company’s San Francisco offices has sought release from federal custody, rejecting prosecutors’ contention that he intended to flee the United States. Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, told a federal court in a filing submitted late Friday that his planned journey to Saudi Arabia had been arranged before he became aware of the criminal investigation. His […]
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke was due before a magistrate on Saturday after Delhi Police arrested him ahead of a protest against disputed electoral roll revisions, extending a confrontation between demonstrators and authorities in the capital. Police took Dipke into custody on Friday under preventive provisions intended to avert a breach of public peace. He was expected to appear before a Special Executive Magistrate, while the […]
Vietnam has set a target of at least 10% economic growth in 2027, with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung outlining an ambitious development programme aimed at accelerating investment, raising productivity and maintaining macroeconomic stability.
Addressing the National Assembly in Hanoi on Saturday, Hung presented the government’s economic objectives for next year, including inflation of approximately 4.5%, gross domestic product per capita of $6,100 and labour productivity growth of 8.6%.
The proposed targets form part of 45 socioeconomic indicators submitted to lawmakers as the government seeks to sustain rapid expansion while addressing structural weaknesses, administrative bottlenecks and pressures on public finances.
Hung said achieving double-digit growth would require stronger coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, more effective mobilisation of investment resources and substantial improvements in the business environment.
The government intends to make science, technology, innovation and digital transformation central drivers of economic expansion, alongside institutional reforms designed to improve productivity and encourage private investment.
The announcement follows an earlier parliamentary resolution establishing average annual GDP growth of at least 10% as the national objective for 2026-2030. The 2027 proposal translates that broader ambition into specific annual targets and policy priorities.
Vietnam’s economy expanded by an estimated 9.01% during the first nine months of 2026, according to figures cited in a government resolution issued this month. The performance provides a foundation for next year’s target but also underlines the additional acceleration required.
The government has identified infrastructure development, industrial modernisation and improvements in investment procedures as essential to sustaining expansion. Hung emphasised that economic growth must be accompanied by inflation control and stability in the country’s principal financial balances.
Authorities plan to accelerate public investment disbursement, particularly for strategic infrastructure projects, while addressing delays in project approvals and implementation. Greater efficiency in allocating public resources is expected to support the government’s development priorities.
Private enterprise is also expected to assume a larger role. The administration wants to remove regulatory obstacles, improve access to productive resources and create more favourable conditions for businesses operating across different sectors.
The policy programme places considerable emphasis on improving the quality of growth rather than relying exclusively on expanding investment. Productivity gains are expected to become increasingly important as Vietnam pursues higher economic output and stronger competitiveness.
Hung’s presentation identified institutional reform as a central requirement for implementing the government’s objectives. Ministries and provincial administrations will be expected to translate national targets into specific responsibilities, implementation schedules and measurable outcomes.
The government also intends to strengthen coordination across administrative levels, improve public-sector accountability and address persistent obstacles affecting investment and business operations.
Maintaining price stability represents another important element of the programme. The proposed consumer price inflation target of approximately 4.5% reflects the administration’s intention to balance expansionary economic measures against the need to protect purchasing power.
Fiscal policy will consequently face competing demands from infrastructure investment, public services and social welfare commitments. Monetary authorities will also need to support productive activity without undermining financial stability.
The government’s economic programme includes measures to strengthen domestic production, improve supply chains and encourage technological adoption. These priorities are intended to support industrial competitiveness and reduce constraints on productivity.
Digital transformation features prominently in the development strategy, with authorities seeking broader application of technology across public administration and economic activity. The approach links improvements in government efficiency with efforts to modernise businesses.
The prime minister also stressed the importance of mobilising resources more effectively, including investment capital, land and other productive assets. Better allocation of these resources is expected to help overcome barriers to growth.
Social development remains part of the proposed framework. The government aims to reduce the multidimensional poverty rate by between one and 1.5 percentage points during 2027, while improving living standards and maintaining essential public services.
The targets were presented during the opening of the second session of the 16th National Assembly, which is examining the government’s assessment of economic performance in 2026 and its proposed development programme for the following year.
The broader policy framework also covers environmental protection, national security and international economic integration, alongside measures to strengthen the country’s administrative institutions.
A Communist Party Central Committee decision governing the 2027 budget framework calls for state budget revenue to increase by approximately 9.1% compared with the estimated 2026 outcome.
It also provides for savings of 5% from public investment allocations and 10% from specified recurrent expenditure categories, directing additional resources towards priority projects and social welfare programmes.
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Recognition highlights SPEED’s commitment to advancing digital procurement through innovation, stronger governance and technology-driven solutions.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 October 2026 – SPEED (Sistem Perolehan Elektronik Dinamik), operated by CDC International Sdn Bhd (CDCi), has been recognised in the Innovative Tech Companies of the Year category at the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2026, marking another milestone in the company’s efforts to advance digital procurement through technology-driven solutions.
The recognition reflects SPEED’s continued development as an integrated digital procurement ecosystem designed to help organisations modernise procurement processes, strengthen governance and improve operational efficiency.
At the centre of this achievement is SPEED, a digital procurement solution designed to modernise procurement practices by integrating advanced technology, streamlined workflows and data-driven capabilities to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability.
Beyond process automation, SPEED incorporates capabilities such as real-time analytics, electronic bidding and intelligent procurement tools to support informed decision-making, strengthen procurement oversight and improve supplier engagement. Through its centralised platform, SPEED integrates supplier management, sourcing, procurement administration and reporting, enabling organisations to streamline end-to-end procurement activities while enhancing visibility, compliance and governance.
Chief Executive Officer of CDC International (CDCi), Putri Nurul Ida Yahya, said the recognition reflects the company’s continued focus on developing practical technology solutions that address organisational needs.
“Technology innovation must deliver meaningful value beyond system capabilities. Through SPEED, our focus is on helping organisations establish more structured, efficient and accountable procurement practices while ensuring that technology continues to evolve alongside their operational needs,” she said.
She added that the award provides further encouragement for CDCi to continue strengthening SPEED’s capabilities, particularly in intelligent procurement, system integration and data-driven solutions. Beyond technological advancements, SPEED also supports wider supplier participation through structured onboarding and management processes, enabling businesses of different sizes to access procurement opportunities within a more transparent and inclusive environment.
Moving forward, CDCi remains committed to enhancing its solutions to support organisations in adopting more adaptive, accountable and technology-enabled procurement practices.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
CDC International Sdn Bhd
SPEED (Sistem Perolehan Elektronik Dinamik) is a governance-driven digital procurement platform designed to support the full procurement lifecycle within a secure and scalable environment. Deployed across statutory bodies and institutional organisations in Malaysia, it enables structured procurement execution, policy compliance and audit readiness, while connecting procuring entities to a nationwide supplier ecosystem. SPEED is developed, implemented and operated by CDC International Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian enterprise solutions provider specialising in system-led procurement governance.
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