Iranian authorities have arrested four people, including two foreign nationals, over the alleged import of SpaceX Starlink terminals, sharpening a crackdown on one of the few remaining channels for uncensored internet access inside the country. Iranian state-linked reporting, carried by Reuters on Sunday, said the arrests were made in the north-west and linked by officials to an alleged espionage network tied to the United States and Israel. […]
The deal did not arrive in isolation. It came only weeks after KKR invested $95 million, taking the wider financing linked to that phase of fundraising to about $315 million. Lenskart said the fresh capital would support expansion of its online business and physical store network, reinforcing its strategy of building an omni-channel model rather than relying solely on digital sales. That approach helped distinguish it from many internet-first companies that were still testing how to translate app traffic into durable consumer brands.
Founded in 2010, Lenskart entered physical retail in 2013 and built its business around prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and sunglasses, using technology tools such as virtual try-on features and a tightly managed supply chain to bring down delivery times and widen consumer choice. The 2021 fundraising gave investors another signal that eye care and vision products could support a scaled consumer business in a market where organised retail had long remained fragmented. It also underlined growing confidence that health-linked discretionary categories could attract repeat spending even outside the big metropolitan centres.
At the time, the broader market backdrop was unusually supportive. India’s start-up sector went through a record funding cycle in 2021, with Reuters later reporting that start-ups in the country raised about $35 billion that year before the market turned more difficult in 2022. Lenskart’s round therefore became part of a larger story: global investors were competing for exposure to domestic consumption, digital adoption and a new generation of companies that blended software, logistics and offline distribution. That enthusiasm also produced a wave of unicorns, richer private valuations and a heavier pipeline for later public listings.
What makes the Lenskart story more durable than a single boom-year headline is what followed. The company continued to attract capital after the 2021 round, raising another $200 million in 2024 from Temasek and Fidelity in a deal that valued it at about $5 billion, according to reports. That step-up suggested investors still saw room for growth despite the post-2021 funding reset that hit many privately held technology firms. It also showed that consumer-facing businesses with large store networks, repeat demand and clearer revenue visibility were being treated differently from cash-burning platforms built around discount-led expansion.
By 2025, Lenskart had moved into the next phase of that journey, filing for an initial public offering and seeking a valuation of nearly $8 billion at the top end of its price band. Reuters reported that the company had 2,067 stores across the country and another 656 overseas, reflecting a business that had grown well beyond its original online-only identity. That proposed public market debut placed Lenskart among a wider group of venture-backed companies testing whether private-market optimism could translate into sustained investor demand on the stock exchange.
Operationally, the business has also shown signs of maturing. Reuters reported in November 2025 that Lenskart had turned profitable in financial year 2025 and posted a 23% rise in revenue to 66.53 billion rupees. Another Reuters report in February 2026 said about 80% of its revenue came from prescription eyeglasses, while international revenue from Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East was rising strongly. Those figures matter because they suggest the company’s scale is now being supported not only by funding rounds and valuation jumps, but by a more established earnings and expansion profile.
Greenlogue/AP Dahbashi Engineering has moved its headquarters in Dubai Industrial City onto on-grid solar power, marking a sustainability push by a company better known in the Gulf for heavy machinery spare parts, service operations and industrial battery solutions. The company said the installation is expected to meet about half of the site’s annual electricity demand and cut operating costs by roughly 30 per cent under Dubai’s Shams […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Prestige One Developments has begun handing over Vista, a 140-home residential project in Dubai Sports City, marking a delivery milestone for the developer as it expands construction activity across the emirate. The handover comes as Prestige One says it has more than 20 active developments under way and about 2,500 residential units under construction, underscoring how mid-sized developers are trying to convert off-plan […]
Dubai’s commercial property market opened 2026 with fewer deals but a sharply higher value profile, as investors paid more for offices, warehouses and retail assets in a market increasingly defined by scarcity, asset quality and longer-term positioning. CRC, the commercial arm of Betterhomes, said 3,619 commercial units changed hands in the first quarter, down 3% from a year earlier, while total sales value rose 30% to AED37.9 […]
Medical robots are moving from specialist showcases into mainstream care, changing how operations are performed, how scans are read and how hospitals manage overstretched staff. The shift is being driven by better imaging, faster computing, advances in minimally invasive surgery and growing pressure on health systems to cut delays, improve precision and reduce administrative burden. At the same time, regulators and clinicians are warning that the rush […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Smart mirrors are moving beyond novelty status and into the broader smart home conversation as manufacturers pitch them as practical devices for grooming, fitness, wellness and household control. What began as a niche category tied to luxury bathrooms and connected exercise is being reshaped by cheaper components, better voice software and wider smart home compatibility, although the sector still faces questions over privacy, […]
Bitcoin and Ethereum are once again at the centre of aggressive year-end forecasts, but the gap between analyst optimism and market reality remains wide, with Bitcoin trading near $75,699 and Ether around $2,343 on April 19 while investors weigh ETF demand, treasury buying and network upgrades against a far shakier macro backdrop. The strongest bullish call on Bitcoin in current circulation comes from Bernstein, which has reaffirmed […]
Shiba Inu came under fresh selling pressure over the weekend, with the token falling about 5% on the daily chart and slipping to roughly $0.000006088 after failing to hold a short-lived push higher. By Sunday, live market data still showed SHIB trading near $0.00000603, leaving it around 4% lower over 24 hours with a market capitalisation of about $3.55 billion and daily turnover above $110 million, a […]
Air passengers face a tougher booking season as airlines trim connections, suspend weaker routes and ground aircraft to absorb a jet-fuel shock that has spread from energy markets into ticket prices and network planning. Industry officials are warning that the disruption could deepen through the northern summer, especially on thinner international and regional links where carriers have little room to absorb higher costs. Jet fuel prices have […]
While fertility discussions often centre on women, statistics show that male factors contribute to approximately 50% of all infertility cases. Male factor infertility can arise from a range of factors, including low sperm count, reduced sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology, hormonal imbalances, genetic conditions, or underlying medical issues. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, and environmental exposures may also affect sperm quality over time.
Despite its prevalence, male factor infertility is often less discussed in Singapore, which can lead to delays in assessment and treatment. Early evaluation, including semen analysis and medical consultation, can help identify potential concerns and guide appropriate next steps for couples.
To support greater awareness, Monash IVF is launching a series of digital educational content aimed at de-stigmatising male reproductive health and providing actionable insights for men to take charge of their fertility. These resources will cover common causes of male infertility, when to seek medical advice, and the types of assessments and treatment options available. By making this information more accessible, the clinic aims to encourage earlier evaluation and more open conversations about male factor infertility, both within relationships and in the wider community.
As Singapore’s demographic landscape evolves, Monash IVF Singapore is contributing to broader discussions on reproductive health. With the national Total Fertility Rate (TFR) reaching a record low of 0.87 in 2025, the need for comprehensive and patient-centred fertility care continues to grow.
Understanding Modern Fertility Challenges: Beyond Biological Factors
The decline in fertility is not merely a biological hurdle but a reflection of the intense pressures that Singaporeans face today. The “workplace rat race”, high-stress environments, and environmental factors have contributed to a trend of delayed parenthood. Many individuals are choosing to start families later due to career progression, financial considerations, and evolving life priorities. At the same time, age remains a key factor, as both egg and sperm quality may decline over time.
As such, these same pressures do not just delay parenthood; they also make it more difficult for individuals to pursue fertility treatments in Singapore. Managing appointments, coping with the physical and emotional demands of treatment, and balancing work responsibilities can become an added strain for many.
“Fertility is often treated as a private struggle, but it is a societal challenge,” says June Jonet, Marketing and Business Development Head of Monash IVF Singapore. “We are calling for greater understanding and support within the workplace. Employees undergoing fertility treatments or preservation need an environment that recognises the physical and emotional toll of this journey, rather than one that penalises them for it.”
Monash IVF’s Approach to Assisted Reproductive Care
Monash IVF Singapore’s clinical and laboratory team is led by Chief Embryologist Ng Pei Hui, supported by a team of senior embryologists and Fertility Specialists, including Dr Kelly Loi, Dr Suresh Nair, and Dr Yap Lip Kee.
The clinic applies a range of established assisted reproductive techniques to enhance success rates, tailored to individual clinical needs. These include:
The Power of Planning: Fertility Preservation
Alongside treatment, Monash IVF Singapore highlights the importance of proactive planning. As more women and couples choose to delay parenthood, elective egg freezing (a form of fertility preservation) has become a vital tool. At the same time, early assessment of male factor infertility, including semen analysis, can identify potential concerns and help couples prepare more confidently.
“Even with the range of treatments available today, timing still matters,” says Chief Embryologist Ng Pei Hui. “Early consultation allows patients to better understand their options and make informed decisions.”
With infertility affecting approximately 1 in 6 individuals, it is now recognised as a relatively common medical condition rather than a rare exception. This is why at Monash IVF Singapore, fertility care is not only about addressing challenges as they arise but also about supporting early planning for both men and women. With options such as elective egg freezing, male fertility assessment, and fertility health checks, the clinic aims to help Singaporeans better understand their reproductive health and make informed decisions at different stages of their journey.
For more information about Monash IVF Singapore and what they do, visit their website.
Hashtag: #MonashIVF #malefertility #mensfertility #reproductivehealth #fertilityawareness #menswellness
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Monash IVF Singapore is part of the global Monash IVF Group, a pioneer in reproductive medicine since achieving the world’s first IVF pregnancy in 1973. We provide a full suite of fertility services, combining compassionate patient care with the latest scientific breakthroughs.
To support its planned product launch in June 2026, VinFast has continued to partner with leading motorcycle distributors in the Philippines, including Wheeltek Motor Sales Corporation; Gentrade International Phils., Inc. (Transcycle); Superbikes Corporation; Motoxpress Sales Corporation; FMN Industrial Corp.; Eduhome Enterprise, Inc.; Keymotors Incorporated; Motorpro by Abenson Ventures Inc. and Aserco; Moto Atelier Inc.; Ciclo Suerte; HG Motorzone; HGC Main Marketing (Motorboy); BLC Cycle Parts Supply; and Auto Ten Trade & Services Corp. Similar to the partners signed in January 2026, these partners have extensive networks, demonstrate strong operational capabilities, and possess longstanding experience in the motorcycle business, alongside a clear orientation toward the green transition.
VinFast and its partners will collaborate to rapidly roll out a showroom network across the market, with many outlets expected to be launched in parallel at the time of product introduction, laying the foundation for accelerated expansion of nationwide sales and after-sales services. The showrooms will be developed in high-demand areas with strong potential for green transition such as Metro Manila, Metro Davao, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Metro Cebu, Bulacan, and other major urban provinces, and will adhere to VinFast’s global standards for operations and brand identity.
In the initial phase, the network will distribute a portfolio of swappable-battery e-scooters, including Evo, Feliz II, Viper, and other models expected to be launched in the near future, alongside upcoming models that will be further adapted to local infrastructure conditions and consumer usage patterns in the Philippines.
The Philippines is one of Southeast Asia’s largest motorcycle markets, characterized by strong demand for personal mobility and rapid urbanization. Amid fuel price volatility and a growing shift toward sustainable solutions, e-scooters are emerging as a promising pathway, particularly when supported by an integrated ecosystem.
VinFast is pioneering the development of a comprehensive e-scooter ecosystem in the Philippines, encompassing dealer networks, after-sales services, financing solutions, and energy infrastructure. Notably, the company aims to deploy approximately 30,000 battery-swapping stations nationwide in the near term, in collaboration with infrastructure partners, to deliver a convenient and flexible user experience.
Earlier in 2026, VinFast announced plans to expand its e-scooter business across five key international markets, including the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Malaysia, as part of its global strategy to scale a green mobility ecosystem.
Ms. Vo Thi Cam Tu, Managing Director of VinFast E-Scooters Overseas Market, said: “Our partnerships with 14 major dealers in the Philippines mark an important step in rapidly establishing a strong distribution and service foundation from the outset. We are not only introducing products tailored to local needs, but also developing an integrated ecosystem, from battery-swapping infrastructure to after-sales services, enabling consumers to access and adopt e-scooters in a convenient, efficient, and sustainable manner.”
In recent years, VinFast has steadily built its presence across key Southeast Asian markets, including the Philippines, through a diverse electric vehicle portfolio and strategic partnerships in infrastructure and services. The expansion into e-scooters further completes its green mobility ecosystem in the market and the region, while providing consumers with more flexible options in the transition to sustainable transportation.
Hashtag: #VinFast
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Polygon has launched a native liquid staking token called sPOL, a move designed to free up roughly $330 million worth of staked POL for use across decentralised finance, while drawing fresh market attention to whether the network can convert technical upgrades into stronger token demand. The launch gives users who stake POL on Polygon’s proof-of-stake network a liquid token in return, allowing them to keep earning staking […]
Axight, the Abu Dhabi private equity investment manager established by Lunate, has agreed to buy a significant minority stake in Australia’s La Trobe Financial from Brookfield Asset Management in a transaction that values the alternative asset manager at about A$3 billion, or roughly US$2.1 billion. Brookfield will remain the majority shareholder after the deal, which the companies said is intended to support La Trobe’s next stage of […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed to suspend its nuclear programme without a fixed end date, lifting market hopes that a broader settlement could be close after Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz open again to commercial shipping during the ceasefire period. Trump said in a phone interview on Friday that the halt would be “unlimited”, while also projecting confidence that […]
Jagex is preparing to take RuneScape: Dragonwilds into the Asia-Pacific market later this summer, extending the survival-crafting spin-off beyond its existing footprint and giving the long-running franchise a new test of international reach as it marks its 25th year. The Cambridge-based developer said the game will launch in Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean, a move it described as the most significant international expansion in its history. Dragonwilds […]
Ethereum held its upward footing even after blockchain data showed Aztec-linked wallets sending millions of dollars’ worth of ether to Coinbase, a transfer that would normally stir fears of near-term selling pressure in a market still sensitive to large treasury moves. The transaction that drew attention amounted to about 12,000 ETH, valued near $37 million at prevailing prices, and followed Aztec’s broader fund-raising cycle tied to its […]
Enterprises are moving into a more consequential phase of artificial intelligence adoption, one in which software no longer just drafts, suggests or summarises but can carry out multi-step work across finance, customer service, coding, procurement and compliance. That shift is forcing boards, risk teams and technology leaders to rethink an assumption that has shaped enterprise software for decades: if a human still presses the final button, responsibility […]
Solana’s network activity has moved into new territory, with data compiled by Artemis showing the blockchain generated about $1.1 trillion in total economic activity in the first quarter of 2026, the first time it has crossed the trillion-dollar mark in a single quarter. The figure has drawn attention because it arrived during a broader crypto market pullback, suggesting Solana’s ecosystem remained heavily used even as digital asset […]
Payward, the parent of crypto exchange Kraken, has agreed to buy Chicago-based derivatives venue Bitnomial for up to $550 million in cash and stock, a deal that would hand the group a full set of US licences for trading, clearing and broking digital-asset derivatives under Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight. Announced on April 17, the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject […]
Etihad Airways has set out one of its biggest Africa pushes in years, unveiling six new destinations across the continent as Abu Dhabi’s flag carrier deepens its reach into markets it says are being shaped by trade growth, cargo demand and rising cross-border mobility. The expansion adds services to Accra, Asmara, Kinshasa, Lagos, Harare and Lubumbashi, with the first of the new routes due to begin in […]
OpenAI has moved deeper into the scientific market with the launch of GPT-Rosalind, a specialist artificial intelligence model designed for biology, drug discovery and translational medicine, marking the company’s first dedicated push into life sciences as pharmaceutical groups and research institutes race to test whether advanced reasoning systems can shorten the slow and costly path from laboratory insight to new treatments. Announced on April 16, GPT-Rosalind is […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi has moved to expand lower-cost rental housing through a new partnership between the Department of Municipalities and Transport and Aldar, with the two sides planning about 9,000 value housing units across Mohamed Bin Zayed City and Baniyas in a scheme aimed at easing pressure on tenants and broadening access to professionally managed homes. The projects, announced on 17 April, sit within […]
Singapore Gulf Bank has launched a USDC mint-and-redeem service on the Solana blockchain, opening a round-the-clock channel for corporate and high-net-worth clients to move between fiat currency and digital dollars directly from their bank accounts as it pushes deeper into cross-border payments and treasury services. The bank said the product is designed to bypass delays tied to correspondent banking and standard settlement windows, offering near-instant conversion and […]
