Iranian lawmakers are scrutinising the final wording of a proposed maritime agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz as US President Donald Trump says negotiations are advancing towards a deal that could restore commercial shipping through the strategic waterway. Trump said the discussions were “moving along” when questioned by reporters at the White House late Thursday, offering no further details. Tehran has separately indicated that an […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation while calling for intensified diplomatic efforts to ease tensions across the Middle East. The two leaders held a telephone conversation on Friday, reviewing cooperation under the UAE-Russia strategic partnership and reaffirming their commitment to expanding ties in areas of mutual interest. Their discussions […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has warned that sustained attacks on its vessels, employees and assets are significantly disrupting operations as insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz deepens pressure on Gulf energy supplies and commercial shipping. ADNOC said on Friday that 15 of its vessels had been targeted by missiles and drones while passing through the strategic waterway since the regional conflict erupted. […]
President Donald Trump has ordered a new layer of trade protection for the US solar supply chain, imposing tariffs and minimum import prices designed to favour domestic manufacturing while raising the prospect of higher costs for developers and households adopting solar power. The measures place a 15% tariff on imported polysilicon and products derived from it, alongside minimum prices covering key stages of crystalline-silicon solar manufacturing. The […]
AMD has agreed to acquire Toronto-based chip startup Taalas, adding technology that embeds artificial intelligence models directly into silicon as the semiconductor group intensifies its push into the fast-growing AI inference market. The deal, announced on August 6, will bring Taalas’s specialised inference technology and engineering team into AMD’s Artificial Intelligence Group. Financial terms were not disclosed. Completion remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. […]
Tether is expanding its asset-tokenisation business into Saudi Arabia, beginning with institutional real estate as the stablecoin group deepens its move into blockchain-based financial infrastructure beyond its core USDT franchise. The company’s Hadron platform will provide the technology needed to issue and manage tokenised property assets for institutional investors. Riyadh-based First Data will serve as issuer and market operator, while fintech company BKN301 will connect the system […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Gold prices strengthened on Friday, putting the precious metal on course for its biggest weekly gain since January as easing energy costs reduced inflation concerns and investors awaited US employment data that could reshape expectations for Federal Reserve policy. Spot gold rose 0.6% to about $4,262 an ounce during Asian trading, after touching its highest level in seven weeks. Prices have gained more […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran is advancing plans to bar American, Israeli and other designated hostile vessels from the Strait of Hormuz while demanding compensation from countries blamed for attacks on its territory. A draft law under review by the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee would prohibit vessels linked to the United States and Israel from using the strategic waterway. Ships from other states […]
China has launched a cybersecurity review of products made by Palo Alto Networks, widening its scrutiny of US technology suppliers as trade and security tensions with Washington intensify. The Cyberspace Administration of China said the review was intended to identify risks that could affect the country’s critical information infrastructure, network security and national security. The regulator did not specify which products were being examined, how long the […]
A tentative deal between Iran and Oman on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is being treated in some quarters as the moment the year’s biggest energy risk finally eases. I believe that investors would be wise to treat it with considerably more caution than that. The scale of what is at stake in this waterway is hard to overstate. In a normal year, roughly 20 million […]
Bitcoin miners are facing an intensifying profitability crisis as the average cost of producing one coin approaches $78,000, leaving about one-fifth of the global mining fleet operating at a loss. Bitcoin was trading near $64,500 on Thursday, roughly 17% below the estimated industry-wide production cost. The gap has persisted for several months, forcing operators to shut down older machines, sell cryptocurrency reserves and redirect capital towards artificial […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Strong occupier demand and limited availability of high-quality warehouses continued to support the UAE’s industrial property market during the second quarter of 2026, even as the pace of rental increases eased from earlier highs. Dubai industrial rents rose 6.8% year on year and 2.3% from the previous quarter. Abu Dhabi recorded annual growth of 5%, reflecting continued demand from logistics providers, manufacturers, technology […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi is emerging as one of the best-positioned global centres for low-carbon hydrogen production, processing and export, supported by competitive energy costs, industrial capacity and expanding links to overseas markets. A new assessment by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry places the emirate at the forefront of a hydrogen sector that is moving beyond policy pledges towards commercially focused projects. […]
Leaked Google Pixel 11 promotional material has revealed a rear notification system called HiLight while casting doubt on an eye-catching claim that one model can reach 55% battery capacity after five minutes of charging. The apparently official marketing images describe HiLight as a discreet illumination feature that activates when the handset is placed face down. It is expected to signal calls from selected contacts and interactions with […]
Gold prices surged above $4,200 an ounce on Wednesday as weaker US employment data, a softer dollar and falling Treasury yields drove investors towards the precious metal, although claims that bullion gained 4.5% during the day appeared to overstate the move recorded by leading benchmarks. Spot gold climbed more than 3% to about $4,200 an ounce, its highest level since late June. US gold futures advanced roughly […]
Emerging economies are becoming the EV industry’s fastest-growing markets, creating new opportunities for automakers with an international footprint. VinFast’s latest expansion reflects that shift.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 August 2026 – For much of the past decade, the global electric vehicle conversation has revolved around three markets: China, the United States, and Europe. But recent industry data suggests the next chapter may be written elsewhere.
In July, VinFast exported more than 5,000 electric vehicles aboard two dedicated vessels.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global car sales fell about 5% in the first half of 2026 as economic pressures, fuel price volatility and policy changes weighed on demand in China and the US. Yet electric vehicle sales rebounded strongly in the second quarter, reaching record levels in 50 countries. Markets including Vietnam, India, Australia and South Korea roughly doubled EV sales compared with a year earlier, while more than 90 countries posted year-on-year growth during the first half of the year.
The shift reflects a broader change in where future industry growth is likely to come from. While China remains the world’s largest EV market, the IEA expects sales there to stagnate this year for the first time this decade, even as electric vehicles account for more than 60% of new car sales. Meanwhile, emerging markets are becoming increasingly important, supported by expanding policy incentives, growing charging infrastructure and rising consumer interest.
The agency also notes that China and other emerging economies are expected to account for around 60% of global car demand over the next decade, making success in these markets an increasingly important determinant of future automotive leadership.
VinFast’s latest performance reflects this changing landscape.
The Vietnamese automaker delivered 70,085 electric vehicles globally in the second quarter of 2026, up 96% year-on-year, bringing first-half deliveries to 128,662 vehicles, a 78% increase from the same period last year. The company’s two-wheel business also continued to expand rapidly, with 286,039 electric scooters and e-bikes delivered during the quarter, up 311% year-on-year.
The delivery mix also highlights the importance of products designed for diverse market needs. Models ranging from the compact VF 3 and VF 5 to the Limo Green MPV and the newly introduced VF MPV 7 all contributed meaningfully to second-quarter volumes, suggesting demand is spread across both personal mobility and commercial transportation segments.
Just as significant is where those vehicles are going.
In July, VinFast exported more than 5,000 electric vehicles aboard two dedicated vessels. One shipment, consisting of approximately 1,500 VF 6 SUVs, was designated for partner Green SM’s planned expansion in Europe, while another transported more than 3,500 vehicles to the Philippines and Indonesia. The voyages marked VinFast’s 37th and 38th international export shipments in fewer than four years, underscoring the increasing operational scale behind its global expansion.
VinFast’s effort in international market, including in the Middle East, shows that as growth becomes more geographically diversified, automakers can no longer rely on a handful of mature markets to drive expansion. Instead, success will increasingly depend on building products, distribution networks and operations that can compete across a wide range of emerging economies.
For the global EV industry, the center of gravity is not disappearing from established markets. It is becoming far more distributed. VinFast’s recent momentum suggests that companies positioned across multiple high-growth regions may be among the best placed to benefit from that shift.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa has backed a major financing package to rehabilitate and expand Angola’s Lobito railway, strengthening a trade route designed to connect Central Africa’s copper and cobalt-producing regions with Atlantic markets. The bank is providing up to $200 million in senior debt alongside $553 million from the US International Development Finance Corporation. The $753 million package has reached financial close, allowing work to […]
Abu Dhabi’s luxury housing market is entering a more discerning phase as affluent buyers increasingly favour design quality, liveability and enduring value over short-term price gains. The shift is unfolding alongside strong market activity. Property transactions across the emirate reached about AED117 billion during the first half of 2026, while foreign direct investment in real estate rose to AED13.8 billion. International demand has broadened as Abu Dhabi […]
Qatar said mediators were making progress towards ending the war between the United States and Iran, but an attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz exposed the fragility of the diplomatic effort and renewed concerns over energy supplies. Doha’s assessment followed contacts involving Qatar, Oman and Pakistan, which have been working to move Washington and Tehran towards formal negotiations. The initiative has focused on […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary central shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz as negotiators seek to restore safer commercial passage across one of the world’s most important energy routes. The proposal would reopen the strait’s so-called middle passage, a route largely avoided by vessels since fighting disrupted maritime traffic in late February. Ships have instead relied on northern waters closer […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The global oil market has lost more than 2.6 billion barrels since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28, Saudi Aramco chief executive Amin Nasser has said, warning that depleted inventories will take more than a year to rebuild. The cumulative loss is equivalent to nearly one month of worldwide oil consumption and reflects the prolonged disruption of shipping through the […]
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 August 2026 – The World Council on City Data (WCCD) has officially awarded Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio the InterimCustom ISO 37122Smart CityCertification. This milestone marks another significant step in Vinhomes Green Paradise’s journey toward becoming the first mega urban development in Vietnam to achieve an internationally recognized smart city certification, setting new benchmarks for sustainable urban development on a global scale.
The certification recognizes the substantial progress Vinhomes Green Paradise has made in advancing its smart city development in alignment with international standards. WCCD acknowledged that the project has achieved remarkable progress in its design, planning, and development strategy. This WCCD Certification serves as an important foundation for the project as it advances toward Full Certification upon commencement of operations.
The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification follows a comprehensive assessment conducted by the WCCD and based upon the customized indicators framework WCCD specifically developed for greenfield development projects. The framework incorporates the core principles of ISO 37122, one of the world’s most respected international standards for measuring and evaluating smart city performance.
Dr. Patricia McCarney, President & CEO of the World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director of Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM), stated: “This WCCD InterimCustom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification recognizes Vinhomes’ long-term vision and commitment to developing a smart, sustainable, and future-ready urban model. The Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio urban development project is now equipped with a powerful baseline of data designed to propel success, providing a strong foundation for year-over-year monitoring of development goals in smart urban governance, infrastructure development, technology adoption and sustainability, ensuring Full ISO 37122 Certification once operations commence. We congratulate Vinhomes on this important certification milestone, a global first, setting a new precedent for greenfield developments in cities worldwide.“
Mr. Chulse Oh, Head of AX Group at Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC), commented: “The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification marks an important milestone in realizing the vision of a world-class smart city in Vietnam. KMAC will continue to support the project in developing smart city solutions and implementation strategies and refining the criteria for a comprehensive smart city model during the operational phase.”
In March 2026, Vinhomes Green Paradise officially launched its Smart City Certification Project in partnership with WCCD, SUM, and KMAC. Under the agreed roadmap, the Interim Custom Certification represents the first major milestone in the process of assessing and refining the criteria for a comprehensive smart city model aligned with international standards.
Vinhomes Green Paradise benefits from a unique geographical setting, overlooking the Can Gio Sea and adjacent to the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, which spans over 75,000 hectares. The development features a total area of 2,870 hectares, and a construction density of only 16%. Vinhomes is pioneering the project under its enhanced ESG++ model, structured around five pillars: Environment, Social, Governance, Regeneration, and Climate Adaptation.
Upon full operation, the entire urban management system will be greened, with the goal of utilizing 100% clean electricity generated from renewable energy sources and achieving 100% net-zero emission transportation. In addition to strict compliance with environmental protection standards, the project places a strong emphasis on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem regeneration, aligned with Ho Chi Minh City’s climate adaptation strategy.
To support these efforts, a Forest Regeneration and Climate Adaptation Fund will be established to finance research, restoration, and long-term resilience initiatives. A key focus of the fund is the regeneration of the Can Gio mangrove ecosystem, helping to create a protective green belt for the entire development.
With its pioneering ESG++ vision, Vinhomes Green Paradise has become the first Official Participant in the “7 Wonders of the Future Cities” campaign initiated by New7Wonders.
The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification further reinforces Vinhomes Green Paradise’s pioneering vision in advancing a smart and sustainable urban model that meets international standards, while progressing toward becoming a benchmark future city for the region and the world.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Vinhomes
Vinhomes is Vietnam’s leading real estate investment, development, and management company. It currently operates 32 urban developments while expanding its portfolio of flagship projects across strategically important provinces and cities nationwide. By integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles with modern, highly connected infrastructure, Vinhomes is creating world-class integrated townships and megacities that are redefining Vietnam’s real estate market, driving sustainable development, and elevating the country’s urban landscape to international standards.
About the World Council on City Data (WCCD):
Established in Canada in 2014, the World Council on City Data (WCCD) is committed to helping cities and communities of all sizes globally embrace ISO standardized, independently verified, and globally comparable city data. The organization facilitates data-driven decision-making processes in management, planning, and investment, enabling cities to become more sustainable, safe, resilient, prosperous, inclusive, and smart.
The WCCD team of professionals spearheaded the development and implementation of three international standards on city data, which have been published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Geneva. These standards, referred to as the WCCD ISO 37120 Series on City Data, encompass ISO 37120 (Indicators for Sustainable Cities), ISO 37122 (Indicators for Smart Cities), and ISO 37123 (Indicators for Resilient Cities).
Since its inception, the WCCD has been expanding its global network of cities dedicated to high-caliber data. The WCCD collaborates with more than 125 cities across 40 different countries.
About Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM):
Cities worldwide are taking centre stage in the drive toward sustainable development and the prosperity of nations. Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) is designed to build on the strengths of its rapidly expanding global network of city leaders, senior levels of government officials, private capital market professionals and key international organizations and industry innovators dedicated to securing a better future for cities.
SUM’s service provision spans services connected to the ISO 37120 Series (ISO 37120 – Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life, ISO 37122 – Indicators for Smart Cities and ISO 37123 – Indicators for Resilient Cities) in partnership with the World Council on City Data (WCCD). The SUM team work with city leaders and private developers to customize these ISO certifications for new greenfield developments – new cities, new business districts and new communities.
SUM houses a new global first – the ISO 37125 International Standard on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Indicators for Cities and Regions. The SUM ISO 37125 certification protocol supports cities to report ESG city level data in conformity with the ISO globally standardized definitions and methodologies. SUM’s third-party verification process ensures the highest calibre data for cities across the globe. This Standard provides city leaders, governments, and the private sector with a robust, data-driven framework to guide ESG initiatives, drive infrastructure investment, attract investment, create and implement strategic planning decisions, propel innovation, and ensure socially inclusive planning and management. SUM is welcoming cities to join an exciting global cohort of World Premiere Cities – the first ISO 37125-certified cities.
SUM establishes a global hub for innovative learning partnerships among leaders of cities and private capital markets. Together, SUM and its partners foster innovation, imagine alternative futures, and create more livable cities. Certification by SUM underscores a collective commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future for cities and regions.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Patricia McCarney President & CEO, World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director, Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) patricia.mccarney@globalcities.ca
About KMAC
Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC) is one of Asia’s leading management consulting firms, delivering end-to-end capabilities from strategy formulation and transformation design to operational implementation and performance improvement. For decades, KMAC has served as a trusted innovation partner to the Korean government, public institutions, and leading private-sector enterprises, helping shape and execute initiatives that strengthen national competitiveness, modernize industries, and advance digital and AI transformation, sustainability, and organizational excellence. By combining deep sector expertise, rigorous strategic insight, and proven execution capabilities with an extensive regional network, KMAC enables clients to convert ambitious visions into actionable roadmaps, measurable operational outcomes, and sustainable growth across Asia and global markets.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Young Hwan Park Team Lead of Asia Business Center, Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC) Davidpark819@kmac.co.kr
US President Donald Trump has made Saudi Arabia’s entry into the Abraham Accords a condition for advancing a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, adding a major political hurdle to a partnership designed to reshape energy and security ties between Washington and Riyadh. Trump said the proposed programme would be confined to civilian purposes and would not permit uranium enrichment. His intervention came after the two governments signed a […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 August 2026 – Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) is advancing Thailand–Canada collaboration by piloting carbon capture technology in the Thai cement industry. The initiative designates the “Saraburi Sandbox” as a low-carbon technology testbed, bringing together industry, government, academia, and global partners to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, while enhancing the long-term competitiveness of Thailand’s industrial sector.
From Thailand–Canada Collaboration to Industrial-Scale Deployment
TCMA announced progress in its strategic Thailand–Canada partnership under the project “Decarbonization of the Cement and Concrete Sectors in Thailand.” As part of the initiative, a Mobile Carbon Capture Unit (MCCU) has been deployed in Thailand for the first time to test the technology’s performance in real industrial conditions within the cement sector.
The deployment of the MCCU marks a significant step in strengthening technological readiness for carbon capture—one of the key solutions for high-emission industries such as cement—while supporting the Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete Roadmap.
Dr. Chana Poomee, Honourary Chairman of TCMA and President of the ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM), stated that the project reflects Thailand’s strong commitment to driving industry toward Net Zero through international collaboration. TCMA serves as a central platform linking industry, government, academia, and global organizations to develop practical carbon reduction solutions.
“The transition to Net Zero for hard-to-abate sectors such as cement cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires policy support from the government, as well as international collaboration in technology, finance, and knowledge transfer to accelerate real-world implementation,” Dr. Chana said.
Connecting Technology and Investment Through Global Collaboration
The project is funded by the Government of Canada through Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) serving as the implementing agency. The initiative aims to develop a technology and innovation ecosystem for decarbonizing Thailand’s cement and concrete industries.
Ms. Richelle Bourgouin, Deputy Minister of Trade and Export Development, Saskatchewan, Canada, noted that the collaboration highlights the power of integrating knowledge, technology, and innovation to support the transition toward a low-carbon economy.
“This partnership also opens opportunities to connect expertise in clean technology, research, and innovation between the two countries, enabling the development of practical solutions and fostering future trade and investment cooperation in Thailand and across ASEAN,” Ms. Richelle said.
A key outcome of the project is the deployment of the MCCU, developed by the Clean Energy Technologies Research Institute (CETRI) at the University of Regina, Canada. The unit will be tested in Thailand to evaluate its performance and applicability within the Thai cement industry.
“Saraburi Sandbox”: A PPP Model for Accelerating Low-Carbon Industry
Under the project, TCMA is collaborating with Chulalongkorn University to study and transfer knowledge on carbon capture technology while building human capacity. The MCCU will be rotated across cement plants operated by TCMA member companies in Saraburi province to test performance, collect technical data, and assess future investment pathways.
The “Saraburi Sandbox” serves as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) platform, bringing together government, industry, academia, and international partners to pilot and scale carbon reduction technologies, while establishing investment models for a low-carbon economy.
The area is being developed as a prototype low-carbon city, integrating technology, infrastructure, standards, and investment frameworks to support Thailand’s long-term industrial transition.
Accelerating Readiness for a Low-Carbon Future
Dr. Chana emphasized that deploying the MCCU in Thailand represents an important step in enhancing technological and knowledge readiness, particularly in carbon capture technologies that are essential for industries facing significant decarbonization challenges.
Preparation must begin today, as the transition to Net Zero requires time for technological development, workforce readiness, and infrastructure buildout, alongside appropriate support mechanisms. This is especially important as global carbon measures—such as carbon pricing and emissions trading systems (ETS)—become increasingly stringent.
“The success of decarbonizing the cement industry depends on collaboration across all sectors to create an enabling ecosystem for investment and to accelerate the adoption of technologies at scale,” Dr. Chana said.
TCMA’s efforts not only reflect the Thai cement industry’s commitment to translating decarbonization plans into action, but also reinforce the importance of Thailand–Canada collaboration in advancing clean technologies and innovation in the industrial sector. This includes knowledge transfer, technology development, and expanding future investment partnerships.
This collaboration represents a key mechanism in laying the foundation for Thailand’s cement industry to remain competitive in a low-carbon economy, while accelerating progress toward Net Zero 2050 and strengthening Thailand’s role as a regional model for low-carbon industrial development in ASEAN.
https://me.vinfast.com/en
patricia.mccarney@globalcities.ca
