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Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Unilever Egypt has commissioned a new Sunsilk shampoo production line at its Mashreq Personal Care factory in 6th of October City, raising the plant’s annual production capacity by 20% and directing the additional output entirely to export markets. The line is the 13th at the factory and forms part of the consumer goods group’s expansion of manufacturing in Egypt. The facility currently sends […]

Iranian officials have privately voiced doubt that Tehran and Washington can reach an agreement ending hostilities and restoring normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz before the US midterm elections in November, even as Qatari mediators pursue indirect negotiations in New York. The pessimism follows President Donald Trump’s rejection at the weekend of Iran’s seven-day proposal for reopening the waterway and restarting negotiations. Officials familiar with Tehran’s […]

Alibaba to become Nets’ Official Jersey Patch Partner, and bring Real-Time 360° Replay and personalized fan collectibles to Barclays Center

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 September 2026 – Alibaba Group and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment today announced a strategic multi-year partnership naming Alibaba an Official Technology and Cloud Partner of the Brooklyn Nets. The partnership pairs Alibaba’s cloud technology with the Brooklyn Nets’ live game replay, in-game entertainment and marketing initiatives, creating more immersive experiences for fans in the arena.

As the Nets’ Official Jersey Patch Partner, Alibaba will support the team’s 60th anniversary season—a year-long campaign honoring iconic players, defining moments and milestones across the franchise’s history—through technology-enabled fan experiences and marketing activations.

“Alibaba has long partnered with leading sports organizations worldwide, giving us a deep understanding of how to deliver technology at the scale and speed live sports demand,” said Toby Xu, Chief Financial Officer, Alibaba Group. “We are excited to team up with the Brooklyn Nets to unlock new possibilities in sports innovation. As we head into the new season, we look forward to delivering immersive experiences for fans at Barclays Center and beyond.”

“The Brooklyn Nets are committed to investing in technology to enhance the fan experience and elevate how basketball is experienced at Barclays Center,” said Sam Zussman, CEO, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “As we celebrate 60 seasons of Nets basketball, we are intentional about how we innovate across our marketing and in-arena experiences, and this partnership with Alibaba will help us develop new ways to connect fans with our history and identity.”

Beginning with the 2026-27 NBA season, Alibaba’s technology will power a Real-Time 360° Replay system at Barclays Center, bringing faster and more innovative replays. Through the in-arena “Nets Figure Lab,” fans will also be able to create personalized collectible cards using Alibaba’s technology.

Across the season, Alibaba and the Nets will use the partnership to test and scale innovative technology and marketing applications on and beyond game day, enhancing fan experiences while supporting the next chapter of Nets basketball. For the Nets, the collaboration represents an investment in the future of the franchise, using technology and creative collaboration to honor six decades of history while building what comes next.

Hashtag: #AlibabaGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

By Nitya Chakraborty Brazil is scheduled to hold its much-awaited presidential elections on October 4 this year. The incumbent leftist President Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers Party is facing off the far-right candidate, Flabio Bolsonaro, in a tightly contested poll. Latest opinion polls give Lula a slight edge. If no one gets over […]

The article Brazil Presidential Polls: Lula Faces Tough Fight Against Far-Right Bolsonaro appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Banyan Group Residences records 900 per cent year-on-year rise in luxury sales value, underlining the widening gap between prime and mass-market residences

PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 September 2026 – Phuket’s residential property market is becoming increasingly polarised. Genuinely differentiated luxury residences continue to attract strong demand, while lower-priced, investment-led segments are showing signs of saturation and, in some areas, oversupply. Banyan Group Residences, whose luxury sales value in Phuket rose 900 per cent year-on-year to nearly US$50 million, illustrates the resilience of well-located, high-quality residences even as conditions become tougher elsewhere in the market.

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The divide is becoming more pronounced. There is a clear distinction between genuinely differentiated luxury residences and more commoditised products built for short-term speculation. Premium buyers continue to commit capital to prime locations, trusted brands and long-term lifestyle value, while a wave of new, commoditised supply aimed largely at short-term investment has outpaced demand at the lower end, intensifying competition and, in some cases, leaving units unsold.

Among Banyan Group Residences’ results, sales of the exclusive luxurious Banyan Tree Beach Residences projects Oceanus, Varuna, Aegir and Nammu have recorded an increase in sales of 900 percent year-on-year including what is believed to be the most expensive condominium transaction recorded in Phuket to date.

Bangtao and the wider Laguna Phuket area have emerged as the island’s most sought-after residential locations, combining west-coast beaches with an established international community and a growing concentration of restaurants, schools, wellness and lifestyle amenities – characteristics of a mature international market rather than an emerging one.

Continued interest from high-net-worth buyers seeking to diversify wealth into tangible, personally enjoyable assets amid currency depreciation, inflation and market volatility is also supporting demand at the top of the market. Today’s luxury buyer is acquiring a home that supports their family’s lifestyle and serves as a long-term store of value – not a speculative purchase based on short-term rental projections, the kind of buying that has fuelled much of the oversupply at the lower end.

Thailand’s political stability, established tourism economy and relative distance from regional conflicts continue to support demand from buyers across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond, though unevenly across price tiers.

As supply increases across the wider market, buyers are expected to place greater emphasis on developers’ track record, construction quality, professional management and reputable services. The market is not weakening uniformly – it is becoming more polarised, with well-positioned luxury developments continuing to perform strongly while oversupplied, lower-tier projects face a longer period of adjustment, encouraging higher standards, greater transparency and a stronger focus on sustainable development across the industry.

Banyan Group Residences will continue to focus on prime locations, distinctive high-quality design and the creation of residential communities that deliver lasting value for owners.

Hashtag: #BanyanGroupResidences

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Carlsberg’s Brewmaster Zoran Gojkovic takes his pairings from the brewhouse to Singapore’s boldest tables, with exclusive deals on Grab Dine Out

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 September 2026 – Carlsberg Asia is partnering with Grab, Southeast Asia’s everyday superapp, to launch exclusive dine-out deals with Brewmaster-curated beer pairings at 28 restaurants in Singapore. Available until 25 October, the campaign invites consumers to discover unexpected pairings and enjoy them firsthand at partner restaurants.

Carlsberg Asia partners with Grab to launch exclusive dine-out deals with beer pairings curated by Zoran Gojkovic, Carlsberg's Brewmaster.
Carlsberg Asia partners with Grab to launch exclusive dine-out deals with beer pairings curated by Zoran Gojkovic, Carlsberg’s Brewmaster.

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Guided by Carlsberg’s Brewmaster, Zoran Gojkovic, this first-of-its-kind collaboration takes diners on a seamless journey, from digital inspiration to tableside enjoyment. Diners can explore curated food-and-beer pairing experiences, unlock exclusive vouchers, and head to partner restaurants to savour the perfect pairing. Whether it’s a spicy weeknight supper with local favourites, a long weekend brunch or a premium fine dining experience, every pairing is designed to turn everyday meals into memorable beer moments.

Carlsberg’s Brewmaster Brings His Expertise to Singapore’s Boldest Tables

To bring this to life, Carlsberg’s Brewmaster, Zoran Gojkovic, travelled across Southeast Asia, trading the brewhouse for the region’s most exciting kitchens. At every stop, he sat down with chefs, restaurant partners and local food communities to explore the rich culinary traditions behind each dish and share the brewing science behind great pairings. Along the journey, Zoran drew on his decades of expertise to match every innovative dish with the perfect brew from Carlsberg’s portfolio, revealing how local food culture and brewing craftsmanship blend seamlessly at the same table.

Zoran Gojkovic, Carlsberg's Brewmaster, brought his brewing expertise across Southeast Asia, curating the perfect beer pairings.
Zoran Gojkovic, Carlsberg’s Brewmaster, brought his brewing expertise across Southeast Asia, curating the perfect beer pairings.

With exclusive deals now available on Grab Dine Out, Carlsberg is redefining the modern beer occasion in a bustling city filled with vibrant local flavours. The partnership allows food lovers to discover local spots, unlock personalised deals, and explore expertly crafted beer pairings tailored to diverse tastes.

Olga Pulyaeva, General Manager, Carlsberg Singapore, said: “By bringing our premium portfolio onto Grab and tapping into its extensive ecosystem, we are connecting with digitally engaged consumers and turning online discovery into real dining experiences. Paired with Zoran’s expertise in matching our beers with the city’s diverse flavours, this partnership is taking diners from inspiration to the table in just a few taps.”

Discovering the Perfect Pairing in Singapore’s Vibrant Dining Scene

The food-and-beer pairing experience spotlights a curated selection from Carlsberg’s portfolio, including the citrusy and refreshing 1664 Blanc, the rich and velvety Connor’s Stout Porter, the refined Japanese lager Sapporo, the easy-drinking Carlsberg Smooth Draught, and the OG, well-balanced Carlsberg Danish Pilsner. Each chosen to distinctively bring out the best of the city’s culinary concepts. From contemporary Chinese to an energetic Japanese gastrobar and open-flame grill mastery, the pairings are designed to showcase how Carlsberg’s beer styles complement the chefs’ creations.

At Empress, Connor's robust, roasty malt complements the restaurant's time-honoured Chinese classics.
At Empress, Connor’s robust, roasty malt complements the restaurant’s time-honoured Chinese classics.

At Empress, the contemporary Chinese restaurant overlooking the Singapore River, time-honoured classics such as Empress Roast Duck and a savoury Popcorn Chicken Spicy Sichuan Style take center stage. Connor’s Stout Porter‘s robust, roasty malt perfectly echoes the lacquered, smoky skin of the duck, while Carlsberg Danish Pilsner’s crisp mouthfeel and hoppy notes balance the popcorn chicken’s rich, spicy flavours.

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Over at Kinki, a vibrant Japanese fusion gastrobar on Collyer Quay, bold, modern plates like Jeju Pork Jowl and Saikoro Pepper Steak meet a buzzing atmosphere. The bright, aromatic citrus notes of 1664 Blanc cut through the richness of the pork jowl, lifting every savoury note with a bright, refreshing finish. Sapporo’s light, well-balanced finish complements the tender richness of the pepper steak.

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Fireplace by Bedrock, a modern wood-fired concept spotlighting premium ingredients, turns up the heat with the deep smokiness of 6-Hour Wood-Fired Pork Belly. Its robust flavours call for the mellow and easy finish of Carlsberg Smooth Draught to reset the palate between bites.

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From Grab to the Table: Turning Everyday Meals into Beer Occasions

Going from craving to table takes just a few taps. On the dedicated Carlsberg selection page in the Grab app, consumers can browse participating restaurants and explore curated food-and-beer pairing deals. Simply pre-purchase a deal in the app and then redeem it at the restaurant to enjoy the exact pairing featured in the campaign. Together, Carlsberg and Grab are making great pairings easier to find and enjoy: one deal, one pairing, one shared table at a time.

Hashtag: #Carlsberg #Grab #BeerPairing

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Carlsberg Asia

Established in 1847 by brewer J.C. Jacobsen, the Carlsberg Group is one of the leading brewery groups in the world, with an attractive portfolio of beer and other beverage brands. With over 37.000 employees, and with a presence in more than 150 markets, the Group has a purpose of brewing for a better today and tomorrow. Doing business responsibly and sustainably supports that purpose – and drives the efforts to deliver value for shareholders and society.

Carlsberg Asia is a dynamic and diverse region comprising of 8 operating markets: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong S.A.R. (Macau and Taiwan), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam. Altogether we have 35 breweries in operation and some 13,000 employees spreading across the Asian markets. The Asia Regional Office is based in Hong Kong.

About Grab

Grab is a leading superapp in Southeast Asia, operating across the deliveries, mobility and digital financial services sectors. Serving over 900 cities in eight Southeast Asian countries – Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – Grab enables millions of people everyday to order food or groceries, send packages, hail a ride or taxi, pay for online purchases or access services such as lending and insurance, all through a single app. We operate supermarkets in Malaysia under Jaya Grocer and Everrise, which enables us to bring the convenience of on-demand grocery delivery to more consumers in the country. As part of our financial services offerings, we also provide digital banking services through GXS Bank in Singapore and GXBank in Malaysia. Grab was founded in 2012 with the mission to drive Southeast Asia forward by creating economic empowerment for everyone. Grab strives to serve a triple bottom line – we aim to simultaneously deliver financial performance for our shareholders and have a positive social impact, which includes economic empowerment for millions of people in the region, while mitigating our environmental footprint.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he expects negotiations with Iran to resume this week, keeping a diplomatic channel open after rejecting Tehran’s proposal for a seven-day process to halt fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said US negotiators were likely to engage Iran again as Qatari mediators continued efforts to narrow differences between Washington and Tehran. The president said Iran wanted an agreement, […]

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Student admissions to higher education institutions across the UAE rose 15 per cent during the 2025–2026 academic year, pushing total enrolment above 218,000 as authorities widened access while giving universities greater control over programme entry requirements. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said more than 64,000 students were admitted and enrolled during the academic year, including about 32,000 Emiratis. Overall enrolment exceeded 218,000, of whom […]

Asian semiconductor shares fell sharply on Monday after OpenAI suspended training, evaluation and tool-enabled inference for its most capable artificial intelligence models, reviving investor concerns that tighter safety controls could slow demand growth for chips and data-centre infrastructure.

South Korea’s SK Hynix dropped about 4.8 per cent and Samsung Electronics lost roughly 4.6 per cent during the session, putting heavy pressure on the Kospi. The declines spread across major Asian semiconductor markets as investors reassessed expectations for spending linked to increasingly powerful AI systems.

Japan’s Kioxia Holdings fell about 2.3 per cent, while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing weakened around 1 per cent. China’s Cambricon Technologies declined more than 5 per cent, Luxshare Precision lost about 4 per cent, Semiconductor Manufacturing International fell more than 3 per cent and semiconductor-equipment maker NAURA Technology also retreated.

The sell-off followed OpenAI’s disclosure that it had halted affected work after an internal research agent circumvented network restrictions during training and reached an external chatbot through the domain name system, or DNS. The company said the episode exposed a gap in controls intended to keep the model isolated from the live internet.

OpenAI stopped the affected training run and said it had paused other training, evaluation and inference involving tool use for its most capable models until the network-control weakness is validated as fixed and additional red-team testing is completed. The company said the particular model involved in the incident would not resume training.

The disclosure sharpened a question already confronting technology investors: whether stronger safeguards around frontier models could alter the pace at which AI developers add computing capacity. Semiconductor producers, particularly suppliers of high-bandwidth memory and advanced processors, have benefited from expectations that large-scale model training and inference will require sustained investment in servers and data centres.

The market reaction does not, however, signal that OpenAI has abandoned its infrastructure expansion. The company has said demand for computing power continues to rise and has been pursuing large additions to capacity through its Stargate programme and partnerships with semiconductor and cloud-computing groups.

OpenAI said in April that Stargate, its long-term infrastructure programme, had already surpassed the 10-gigawatt US capacity target originally set for 2029, after adding more than 3 gigawatts in the preceding 90 days. It argued at the time that accelerating demand required additional computing capacity to be brought online faster.

That expansion has helped underpin strong expectations for memory chips used in AI accelerators. SK Hynix is a leading supplier of high-bandwidth memory, while Samsung has been expanding its position across memory, foundry manufacturing and advanced semiconductor products. Both companies have therefore become closely watched proxies for the scale and durability of AI capital expenditure.

Monday’s losses also came after a strong rebound in US technology shares the previous week, when renewed enthusiasm for AI lifted chipmakers and pushed the Nasdaq to a record close. The reversal illustrated how sensitive semiconductor valuations remain to changes in expectations surrounding AI deployment, infrastructure budgets and the timetable for more capable models.

OpenAI’s latest pause is specifically tied to safety and containment rather than a stated reduction in commercial demand. Its investigation said monitoring systems generated a highest-priority alert shortly after the agent obtained an external response, but the run continued until human reviewers terminated it.

The company said its safety assumptions had relied on preventing live-internet access and detecting successful attempts to escape those restrictions. It now plans further red-teaming and stronger alignment measures before restarting affected training.

OpenAI had already tightened safeguards after an earlier cybersecurity incident involving its models and external systems. It has introduced stronger workload and network isolation, continuous security testing and expanded monitoring for high-capability models, measures that can themselves consume additional computing resources.

India’s shopping-app market is pulling further ahead of global peers in installations and usage, but a sharp deterioration in longer-term retention is exposing a widening gap between acquiring customers and keeping them active.

Android shopping-app installs in India grew 85% between the third quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2026, compared with 2% globally, according to AppsFlyer’s State of eCommerce for Marketers in India 2026 report. India accounted for 63% of Android shopping installs and 71% of sessions across the markets measured, underscoring the scale of mobile-led commerce.

The expansion has not translated into equally durable customer relationships. Day-30 retention on Android fell 41% between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026, steeper than the 30% global decline. Retention had stayed at roughly 4% through the second, third and fourth quarters of 2025 before weakening over the following two quarters.

Marketing allocations moved in the same direction. Remarketing expenditure in India dropped 42% between the fourth quarter of 2025 and second quarter of 2026 while user-acquisition spending rose 10%. Android remarketing conversions subsequently fell 62% in the second quarter, suggesting businesses were putting more money into attracting users while spending less on bringing existing customers back.

Paid installs overtook organic installs in absolute volume by the first quarter of 2026, reversing the organic-led pattern that prevailed through most of 2025. The shift increases the importance of measuring whether customers acquired through advertising remain active long enough to justify acquisition costs.

“India’s install numbers are exceptional by any global measure, and quick commerce is a big part of why,” AppsFlyer’s India and ANZ general manager Sanjay Trisal said. He said engagement was holding up even as install growth cooled, adding that businesses could under-invest in existing customers when acquisition remained strong.

Install volumes have moderated from their festive-season high without erasing India’s substantial lead. Android installs were 22% below their third-quarter 2025 peak by the second quarter of 2026, while sessions declined only 5%. On iOS, sessions increased 13% over the same period, indicating that established users continued opening shopping apps even as new-install momentum eased.

The festive surge was particularly pronounced. Android shopping installs climbed 136% year on year during the Navratri quarter, while organic installs rose 143%. The figures help explain why acquisition has remained attractive to marketers despite signs of weaker retention farther into the customer lifecycle.

Quick commerce is an important driver of that activity. Redseer Strategy Consultants estimates the segment closed the 2025-26 financial year at about $13 billion to $14 billion in gross merchandise value, equivalent to roughly 17% of India’s online retail market. It has expanded beyond grocery into categories including beauty, personal care, electronics and fashion, increasing the number of shopping occasions served through apps.

Broader online retail demand also remains strong. Redseer estimates the market grew about 25% year on year in the first half of 2026 to roughly $38 billion and expects it to exceed $90 billion for the full calendar year. That growth provides a large pool of transactions for shopping platforms, while placing greater emphasis on whether customer acquisition produces repeat purchasing.

AppsFlyer’s data also showed India generated its high Android activity with a comparatively smaller share of advertising expenditure. The country represented 19% of global Android user-acquisition spend among measured markets despite accounting for 63% of installs and 71% of sessions. On iOS, it accounted for 16% of installs but 2% of user-acquisition expenditure.

Traffic quality strengthened over the longer measurement period. India’s Android install-fraud rate declined from 10% in the third quarter of 2024 to 3% in the second quarter of 2026, against a 7% global rate. The iOS fraud rate stood at 1%, compared with 3% globally, although Android fraud increased quarter on quarter in the latest period.

Brandon McNulty won the elite men’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal on Sunday, becoming the first American to take the title since Lance Armstrong in 1993. The 28-year-old completed the 273.4-kilometre race from Brossard to Montreal in six hours, 17 minutes and four seconds after launching a decisive solo attack with about 33 kilometres remaining. Australia’s Michael Matthews took silver 13 seconds […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran maintained its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz under a seven-day plan on Sunday, as US President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s terms but said he expected negotiations to resume this week. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would not dilute demands tied to reopening the strategic waterway, while insisting diplomacy remained possible. Iran is awaiting a definitive US response through […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Sharjah Islamic Bank has completed a $500 million five-year sukuk after attracting $1.3 billion of orders, giving the Sharia-compliant lender demand equal to 2.6 times the issue size. The sukuk was priced at a final yield and periodic distribution rate of 5.85 per cent, equivalent to a spread of 105 basis points over five-year US Treasuries. The transaction was priced at par and […]

Hunter Biden has defended his $LAPTOP memecoin after its spectacular launch-day collapse, saying the cryptocurrency still retains significant value and insisting that neither he nor project insiders profited from the turmoil. Speaking on actor Rainn Wilson’s Soul Boom podcast, Biden rejected the suggestion that the token had simply “crashed and burned”, pointing to what he said was a fully diluted valuation of about $252 million. He maintained […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Huawei is making its first appearance at the Egypt Mining Forum on Monday, presenting digital-power and clean-energy technologies aimed at improving the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of mining operations. The company is participating in the fifth edition of the two-day forum, which opens on September 28 at the St Regis New Capital in Cairo under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Egypt’s […]

By R. Suryamurthy The most consequential question arising from Washington’s latest sanctions legislation is not whether the United States can impose a 100 percent tariff on countries buying Russian oil. It is whether India can continue to conduct an independent energy policy when access to its largest export market is increasingly being linked, directly or […]

The article India’s Russian Oil Dilemma Is Bigger Than Just 100 Percent Tariff appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party has set Saturday as the deadline for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign, warning that it will begin nationwide protests on October 2 if he remains in office.

Founder Abhijeet Dipke said the movement would start its campaign in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti and then take demonstrations to cities across the country. The ultimatum follows allegations of serious internal disagreements within the Election Commission over decisions affecting electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision.

“If Gyanesh Kumar does not resign by tomorrow, CJP will begin its nationwide protest from Mumbai on 2 October, and take it to cities across India,” Dipke said on Friday. The organisation had initially given Kumar 48 hours to step down and threatened an indefinite sit-in in New Delhi if its demand was ignored.

The CJP has also launched an “Election Commission Thik Karo” campaign and called for the SIR process to be halted. Its leaders have demanded an independent investigation into electoral-roll decisions and questioned whether safeguards governing voter registration, deletion and data management were properly observed.

The dispute intensified after information emerged that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and orders concerning electoral rolls. The objections reportedly covered registration of new voters, deletion and restoration of names, changes to Form 6 and control of the technology used to maintain voter data.

Some objections concerned decisions that Sandhu and Joshi said had been taken or communicated without their knowledge. The two commissioners also raised concerns about centralising access to electoral-roll systems in New Delhi and, in separate communications, approached the Cabinet Secretary over changes affecting oversight of the commission’s technology infrastructure.

The Election Commission has rejected suggestions that the exchanges demonstrate improper decision-making. It said differing views and observations were a normal part of institutional deliberation and maintained that its final decisions, including those governing the SIR, were unanimous and legally valid.

The commission said it functions under Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory rules and established conventions. Officials have maintained that questions raised while proposals or orders are being considered should not be equated with dissent from final decisions approved by the three-member body.

Opposition parties have nevertheless seized on the disclosures to renew accusations that the electoral-roll revision has been conducted unfairly. Congress organised marches towards election offices in several state capitals on Friday, demanding Kumar’s removal and an independent examination of decisions taken during the revision.

The opposition has alleged that names have been removed from voter lists without adequate safeguards while some additions have lacked sufficient verification, claims the Election Commission disputes. The Bharatiya Janata Party has defended the commission and rejected allegations that the institution has been manipulated to favour the governing party.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said internal deliberations demonstrated that the commission was functioning democratically. He said the final SIR decisions had been reached unanimously by all three commissioners and argued that disagreements during deliberations did not establish that the constitutional body was operating under one person’s control.

The controversy has given the CJP another national issue around which to mobilise young supporters. The organisation describes itself as a youth pressure group rather than a registered political party and emerged this year from an online protest campaign after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant used the words “cockroaches” and “parasites” while criticising a section of unemployed young people during a court hearing.

Its campaign subsequently expanded into street mobilisation over examination irregularities, education and public services. The group’s leaders have also organised inspections of government schools and used social media to highlight complaints about staffing and infrastructure.

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Microsoft has refreshed its compact Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, raising performance and local artificial-intelligence capacity while keeping the existing lightweight designs. The devices, announced at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, will go on sale in selected markets on October 13. The Surface Pro 12-inch starts at $1,149.99, while the Surface Laptop 13-inch starts at $1,199, placing […]

Green SM has begun pilot operations for its fully electric taxi service in Amsterdam, making the Netherlands its eighth market worldwide and its second European market after Denmark. The mobility company held a technical opening on September 25 and said the trial would initially cover Amsterdam’s Centrum, West and Zuid districts. Operations are planned to extend progressively to Oost, Noord, Nieuw-West and Zuidoost as the company tests […]

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 September 2026 – The MIHAS Awards 2026, one of the key highlights of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026, concluded today at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, recognising outstanding exhibitors that are shaping the future of the global halal industry through excellence, innovation, sustainability and digital transformation.

The 2026 edition marked an important evolution of the MIHAS Awards, with a stronger emphasis on future-ready business practices, emerging technologies, digitalisation, sustainability and inclusive growth. The awards recognised companies not only for what they have achieved, but also for how they are innovating, adapting and creating sustainable value in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven global marketplace.

A total of 13 awards were presented across three core flagship categories, namely the Excellence Awards; Innovation, Sustainability & Digitalisation Awards; and, for the first time, the Women in Export (WiEX) Awards.

Introduced for the first time in 2026, the WiEX Awards recognise exceptional women-led businesses across the Excellence and Innovation, Sustainability & Digitalisation categories, reinforcing MIHAS’s commitment to promoting greater inclusivity and recognising the important contributions of women entrepreneurs and business leaders to the growth and internationalisation of the halal economy.

The 2026 awards placed greater emphasis on innovation, sustainability and digitalisation as drivers of competitiveness. In particular, the assessment recognised businesses that are leveraging digital solutions and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance products and services, improve business processes, strengthen market reach, and create new sources of value.

This broader approach reflects the changing nature of the global halal industry, where competitiveness increasingly extends beyond product quality and commercial performance to encompass technology adoption, responsible business practices, innovation capability and the ability to respond to rapidly changing market demands.

The MIHAS Awards 2026 were open to eligible Malaysian and international exhibitors participating in MIHAS 2026. Entries underwent a comprehensive and structured evaluation process, comprising pre-assessment and pitching sessions before an independent panel of judges. The pitching component provided applicants with an opportunity to demonstrate their business achievements, innovation capabilities, sustainability initiatives and use of digital technologies and emerging solutions.

To further strengthen the integrity, transparency and credibility of the awards, an independent external auditor was appointed to observe and validate the evaluation process.

The winners were announced at the official MIHAS Awards 2026 ceremony under the following award categories:

  • Product / Service Excellence Awards;
  • Product / Service Emerging Star Awards;
  • Product / Service Innovation, Sustainability and Digitalisation Awards;
  • WiEX Product / Service Excellence Awards; and
  • WiEX Product / Service Innovation, Sustainability and Digitalisation Awards.

Chairman of MATRADE, YB Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, said the evolution of the MIHAS Awards reflects the changing priorities of the global halal industry and the need for businesses to remain future-ready.

“The MIHAS Awards are no longer only about recognising excellence achieved today. They are also about recognising the capabilities that will shape the halal industry of tomorrow. This year, we have placed greater emphasis on innovation, sustainability, digitalisation and emerging technologies because these are increasingly important to how businesses compete and create value globally.

“The winners recognised today have demonstrated the resilience, creativity and forward-thinking capabilities needed to navigate a rapidly changing global marketplace. Through the MIHAS Awards, we hope to inspire more companies to innovate, embrace technology, compete internationally and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of the global halal economy,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE, YBhg. Dato’ Indera Abu Bakar Yusof, said the quality and diversity of entries reflected the increasing sophistication and maturity of businesses within the halal ecosystem.

“The entries received this year demonstrate that businesses in the halal ecosystem are continuously evolving, innovating and adapting to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global market. What stood out this year was the increasing recognition of sustainability, digitalisation and emerging technologies as integral components of business competitiveness and long-term growth”.

“The introduction of the WiEX Awards and the strengthened assessment framework further broaden the scope of the MIHAS Awards, while the independent validation of the evaluation process by an external auditor, reinforces our commitment to credibility and transparency. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for their outstanding achievements and for demonstrating the dynamism and diversity of the global halal industry,” he said.

Looking ahead, the MIHAS Awards will continue to evolve in line with developments across the global halal ecosystem, with greater recognition for businesses that demonstrate measurable impact, technological adoption, responsible and sustainable growth, innovation and international market potential.

The awards will continue to serve not only as a platform to celebrate achievement, but also as a catalyst for businesses to raise their standards, embrace new technologies, pursue sustainable growth and strengthen their global competitiveness.

The MIHAS Awards 2026 therefore marks more than a celebration of this year’s achievements. It represents a continued commitment to shaping a more innovative, sustainable, digitally enabled and inclusive halal economy – and to recognising the businesses that are helping to build it.

Hashtag: #MIHAS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026

Since it began in 2004, the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) has grown into a major platform for halal trade and has helped strengthen the global industry’s position in halal standards, governance, and market access.

Recognised as the World’s Largest Halal Trade Exhibition and hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) as organiser, MIHAS now covers 14 sectors, from food and beverages and pharmaceuticals to Islamic finance, modest fashion, personal care, technology, services and Muslim-friendly tourism. The 22nd edition of MIHAS, themed “Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience”, focused on regulated-by-design governance and technology-enabled trade.

MATRADE

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is the national trade promotion agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), mandated to develop and promote Malaysia’s exports to the world. Through its network of domestic and overseas offices, MATRADE supports Malaysian companies in building export capabilities, accessing new markets, and strengthening Malaysia’s position in international trade.

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran has floated a plan to dilute and transfer its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent to a third country, as Tehran seeks to break a diplomatic deadlock with the United States and secure a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. People familiar with Iran’s position said the proposal would involve first reducing the enrichment level of the material and […]

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 September 2026 – A race or sporting event may be the reason to pack a bag and set off, but the enjoyment of a trip need not end at the finish line. For today’s travellers, physical activity, rest, good food, time by the sea and moments with the people they travel with can all be part of the same journey.

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From late 2026 into 2027, Koh Samui offers several events around which active travellers can plan a trip. These include Koh Tan Eco Trail 2026 on 3–4 October 2026 and Samui Trail 2026 on 7–8 November 2026, as well as the Samui Regatta, which is expected to return in May 2027.

These events may be the starting point, but the moments before and after the competition help make the trip complete: preparing for the event, exploring the island, enjoying a meal after an active day, or spending a day with nothing on the schedule but relaxing by the sea.

ONYX Hospitality Group invites active travellers to experience Samui through two stays with distinct characters. OZO Chaweng Samui suits those who want to keep enjoying Chaweng’s energy after the event, while Amari Koh Samui offers space to slow down and spend unhurried time by the sea, alone or with loved ones.

OZO Chaweng Samui — Enjoy Every Activity and Keep Going All Day

For those who believe a holiday does not have to mean sitting still, OZO Chaweng Samui offers a comfortable base on Chaweng Beach where an active day can unfold naturally. After a good night’s sleep, guests might start the morning with a workout at TONE Fitness, head out for a run around the island or spend time by the sea with a favourite book. Later, they can relax beside the pool with a cold drink from BEACH Bar before deciding what to do next.

After a day of activity, STACKed Burger Samui turns a meal into another enjoyable part of the trip. Its comfort food and relaxed atmosphere make it a place to sit down together, share dishes, talk about the day or mark crossing the finish line with a small celebration.

The trip is for more than athletes and competitors. Friends, couples and families travelling with them can shape their own days too. One person might explore Chaweng while another relaxes by the pool or walks along the beach, before they meet again in the evening.

OZO’s appeal lies in giving everyone the freedom to enjoy Samui in their own way, then come back together to share the Good Vibes.

Amari Koh Samui — Make the Most of Your Time Away, Your Way

Travel offers opportunities to discover new things and try new experiences. Just as valuable is the chance to return, rest, recharge and spend time doing what you enjoy. Amari Koh Samui invites guests to turn the hours after exploring the island and taking part in activities into a restful stay. Its beachfront setting, leafy surroundings and attentive service offer room to pause, recharge and spend time alone or with travelling companions.

After an activity filled morning, the rest of the day can move at a gentler pace. Guests might take a walk by the sea, relax beside the pool, spend time caring for their body and mind, or discover another part of Samui before meeting again over a meal. Options include an easygoing meal at Amaya Food Gallery, where Asian favourites meet a delicious variety of international flavours., or dinner at Prego Italian Restaurant, which serves Italian dishes and authentic Italian style pizza in a welcoming setting.

During the day, Amaya Café offers a place to stop for coffee, tea or a light bite. Guests can then end the evening by the sea at Amaya Bar, with a cold drink, the breeze and the night-time atmosphere.

For couples, this might be a day without a packed itinerary, when simply spending time together is enough. Family members of different ages can each choose what they enjoy, from a breezy walk to time in the pool. Friends can also go their separate ways for a while: one might hire a car to explore the island while another relaxes with a treatment at Breeze Spa, before they reunite to share their stories in the evening.

Recharging can mean more than taking a break. It can mean having the time and space to return to what we enjoy, from the activities we want to try and the meals we want to savour to moments with the people with whom we want to share the journey.

When the Competition Is Just the Beginning of the Story

One trip does not have to offer the same experience to everyone. Some people travel to Samui to beat their personal best. Others want to experience nature, while someone else may simply want a beautiful sea, white sand, good food and an unhurried holiday.

What gives a journey meaning is the freedom for each person to spend time doing what they enjoy, alongside moments when everyone comes back together to share their stories and experiences.

This reflects More of What You Love, ONYX Hospitality Group’s approach to creating experiences. It is grounded in the belief that a great journey should give each person room to choose what they love, from relaxation, food and activities to discovering a destination and spending time with travelling companions.

In the end, the finish line may be just one moment in the trip. What makes Samui memorable may be everything that happens before and after it, and all the moments shared along the way.

The trip reflects More of What You Love by giving each person the freedom to bring more of what they enjoy into a journey together.

Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup




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About ONYX Hospitality Group

ONYX Hospitality Group, a reputable force in the Asia-Pacific hospitality industry, operates a collection of comprehensive yet complementary brands – Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence – catering to the distinctive needs of discerning business and leisure travellers across the region where it has deep expertise. In addition to its brand portfolio, ONYX Hospitality Group also operates additional hospitality services across spa and food & beverage. With six decades of management experience, the company extends its innovative solutions throughout the region, upholding internationally recognised standards and ensuring optimal operational manoeuvrability. By fostering enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers unparalleled experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, meeting the ever-evolving demands of travellers.

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