The United States has imposed sanctions on cryptocurrency platform Shelbit, its founder Siavash Kayvanpour and affiliated companies after investigators linked the network to billions of dollars in digital-asset flows involving Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other sanctioned entities. The action by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control places Shelbit and associated entities on Washington’s sanctions list, effectively freezing assets under US jurisdiction and exposing […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Flowdesk has secured a full broker-dealer licence from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, allowing its local entity to provide regulated digital-asset services to qualified and institutional investors from the emirate. The authorisation for Flowdesk Omega FZE completes a regulatory process that moved from in-principle approval in June to full licensing in August. It gives the digital-asset trading and technology company an operating base […]
Turkey has signalled that Egypt could join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, widening a new security arrangement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan that carries a collective-defence commitment resembling NATO’s Article 5. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted the three-country alliance to expand and identified Egypt as a potential participant once outstanding technical issues were resolved. His comments have shifted attention towards Cairo […]
Alleged organised crime leader Daniel Kinahan has been charged in Dublin with directing a criminal organisation after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates, bringing one of Ireland’s most prominent international organised-crime investigations before the courts. Kinahan, 49, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Sunday under heavy security following his transfer from Dubai. Prosecutors charged him with directing the activities of a criminal organisation during a […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai US President Donald Trump has signalled that Washington is holding back from another major military escalation against Iran while allowing sanctions, a naval blockade and severe economic pressure to increase the strain on Tehran. Trump said the United States was “low-keying it” and described contacts with Tehran as only partial negotiations. His remarks indicated that the White House currently sees Iran’s worsening economic […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Qatar’s inward foreign direct investment rose 3.3% in the first quarter of 2026 to QAR172.2 billion, while the country’s investments abroad climbed 3.5% to QAR221.7 billion, strengthening signs of expanding cross-border capital activity. The figures, covering January to March, show foreign investment positions increasing on both sides of Qatar’s balance sheet as Doha pursues a strategy of attracting international capital while expanding its […]
Taiwan’s cabinet is preparing to raise defence spending by about 16 per cent in 2027, pushing total security-related expenditure above NT$1 trillion for the first time as Taipei accelerates military modernisation amid sustained pressure from Beijing.
The proposed allocation is expected to exceed NT$1.1 trillion, or roughly US$34 billion, when broader defence-related spending is included. The package is due to be unveiled on August 20 and will cover the armed forces as well as expenditure linked to the coast guard, veterans and special military programmes.
The increase would maintain Taiwan’s defence expenditure above 3 per cent of gross domestic product, extending a shift towards substantially higher military budgets under President Lai Ching-te. Taipei has been expanding funding for weapons, ammunition, drones, missile systems, naval platforms and military infrastructure as China strengthens its forces across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan’s 2026 defence expenditure calculated under a broader methodology covering coast guard spending and military pensions stands at NT$949.5 billion, equivalent to about 3.32 per cent of GDP. The Ministry of National Defence’s own allocation is NT$806 billion, NT$161.1 billion higher than the previous year.
Lai has set a longer-term objective of raising defence expenditure to 5 per cent of GDP by 2030, arguing that Taiwan must demonstrate greater capacity to defend itself while adapting to China’s rapid military expansion. The policy also responds to pressure from Washington for Taipei to shoulder a larger share of the cost of deterring an attack.
The spending expansion comes as Taiwan conducts its annual Han Kuang exercises, which this year involve large-scale simulations of invasion, blockade, cyber disruption and attacks on critical infrastructure. About 20,000 reservists have been mobilised as the military tests decentralised command, communications under disrupted conditions and stronger integration between civilian agencies and the armed forces.
Taiwan is placing greater emphasis on asymmetric capabilities designed to make a cross-strait assault costly. Drones, mobile missile launchers, sea-denial weapons and dispersed command systems have become important elements of planning. Military exercises have also incorporated lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where inexpensive unmanned systems have demonstrated their ability to damage far more costly military assets.
The island is developing its domestic defence industry alongside purchases from the United States. Projects include locally built submarines, missiles and unmanned systems, while American arms orders include F-16V fighters, HIMARS rocket launchers, torpedoes and stand-off weapons. Some deliveries have been delayed because of production and supply-chain constraints, although parts of the HIMARS programme have moved ahead of schedule.
Political approval remains an important hurdle. Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature has challenged parts of Lai’s military programme and previously reduced or delayed special defence spending proposed by the administration. Lawmakers in May approved additional defence expenditure worth about US$25 billion, substantially below the amount originally sought by the government.
Those disputes are likely to shape scrutiny of the 2027 proposal once the cabinet sends the wider government budget to parliament. The administration argues that higher expenditure is necessary because military preparedness requires long-term procurement, stockpiling and infrastructure investment rather than emergency spending after a crisis emerges.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the democratically governed island under its control. Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim. Chinese aircraft, naval vessels and coast guard ships operate regularly around Taiwan, while Beijing has repeatedly staged major exercises intended to demonstrate its ability to surround or blockade the island.
Beijing has also continued expanding its own military budget. China announced a 7 per cent increase in defence expenditure for 2026, taking officially declared spending to about US$283 billion, leaving a wide financial and numerical gap between the People’s Liberation Army and Taiwan’s forces.
AI Financial Corp has sold its main operating subsidiary for a $12 million secured promissory note and shares in the buyer, marking a dramatic reversal for a fintech company that surged past a $1 billion market valuation after tying its fortunes to the Trump family’s cryptocurrency venture. The Las Vegas-based company, formerly known as ALT5 Sigma Corp, completed the sale of Quebec-based ALT 5 Sigma Canada Inc […]
Meta has been ordered to bear costs totalling $942 million in New Mexico after a judge found that Facebook and Instagram contributed to a public nuisance involving harm to children, adding sweeping safeguards for young users as the company prepares for a potentially far larger legal battle in California. Judge Bryan Biedscheid of the First Judicial District Court directed Meta to place $567 million into a five-year […]
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 […]
Dubai-listed Emaar Properties posted a 9 per cent increase in second-quarter net profit attributable to shareholders, reaching AED 3.67 billion, as property demand and recurring income businesses helped the developer withstand geopolitical disruption across the region. The April-June performance extends a strong start to 2026 for one of Dubai’s largest listed property groups, although the quarter unfolded against a substantially more difficult backdrop. Conflict in the region […]
A charity games bundle organised by Necrosoft Games is approaching its $200,000 fundraising goal, offering financial assistance to developers and other industry workers struggling after widespread job losses across the video game sector. The Game Industry Hardship Fund bundle, sold through itch. io for a minimum contribution of $10, has gathered momentum since launching at the end of July. The collection brings together more than 100 games […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 August 2026 – Henderson Sunlight Asset Management Limited (the “Manager“) announces the interim results of Sunlight REIT for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (the “Reporting Period“).
For the Reporting Period, Sunlight REIT recorded revenue of HK$382.4 million, a year-on-year decline of 2.2%. After deducting property operating expenses of HK$82.7 million, net property income came in at HK$299.7 million. Aided by a 7.9% saving in cash interest expense to HK$84.3 million, distributable income for the Reporting Period was HK$164.0 million, a 2.7% drop from the corresponding period in the previous year.
The Board has resolved to declare an interim distribution per unit of HK 8.8 cents, representing a payout ratio of 94.3% and an annualized distribution yield of 8.1% based on the closing unit price of HK$2.16 on the last trading day of the Reporting Period.
The appraised value of Sunlight REIT’s portfolio was HK$17,118.1 million at 30 June 2026. Gross assets and net assets of Sunlight REIT were HK$17,728.3 million and HK$12,168.2 million respectively, and the net asset value per unit was HK$6.92.
Operating Highlights
At 30 June 2026, the overall occupancy rate of Sunlight REIT’s portfolio stood at 90.8%. Occupancy rates of the office and retail portfolios came in at 92.0% and 88.4% respectively, while their corresponding passing rents were HK$30.6 per sq. ft. and HK$62.2 per sq. ft., down 1.3% and 2.7% from six months ago.
Dah Sing Financial Centre, the flagship office property of Sunlight REIT, recorded an occupancy of 91.8%, while its passing rent stayed largely unchanged at HK$35.2 per sq. ft. Regarding the retail portfolio, the occupancy of Sheung Shui Centre Shopping Arcade came in at 86.9%, mainly attributable to the prolonged vacancy pending the replacement of a kindergarten tenant. Passing rent of this property was HK$98.2 per sq. ft. Meanwhile, Metro City Phase I Property reported an occupancy rate of 88.0%, while its passing rent was HK$52.0 per sq. ft.
Mr. Au Siu Kee, Alexander, Chairman of the Manager, said, “The sound financial position of Sunlight REIT provides a degree of assurance, as demonstrated by the favourable refinancing of over HK$3,600 million in debt facilities over the past 12 months. Meanwhile, we will prioritize strengthening operational resilience through disciplined cost management, prudent capital allocation and selective asset enhancement initiatives that support long-term value creation. In approaching its 20th listing anniversary, Sunlight REIT will endeavour to create sustainable value for the benefit of unitholders, while harnessing innovation and technology to bolster portfolio robustness and support future-ready asset management.”
Remarks: Attached financial highlights of 2026 interim results of Sunlight REIT.
Financial Highlights of 2026 Interim Results (in HK$’ million, unless otherwise specified)
Six months ended
30 June 2026
Six months ended
30 June 2025
Change
(%)
Revenue
382.4
391.2
(2.2)
Net property income
299.7
307.4
(2.5)
Cost-to-income ratio (%)
21.6
21.4
N/A
Loss after taxation
(124.1)
(172.2)
N/A
Distributable income
164.0
168.6
(2.7)
Distribution per unit (HK cents)
8.8
9.1
(3.3)
Payout ratio (%)
94.3
93.8
N/A
At 30 June
2026
At 31 December
2025
Change
(%)
Portfolio valuation
17,118.1
17,403.0
(1.6)
Net asset value
12,168.2
12,402.6
(1.9)
Net asset value per unit (HK$)
6.92
7.09
(2.4)
Gearing ratio (%)
28.3
27.8
N/A
Disclaimer: The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer or invitation to sell or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for units in Sunlight REIT in Hong Kong or any other jurisdiction.
Hashtag: #SunlightREIT #REIT
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Sunlight REIT
Listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited since 21 December 2006, Sunlight REIT (stock code: 435) is a real estate investment trust authorized by the Securities and Futures Commission, and constituted by the trust deed dated 26 May 2006 (as amended and restated) (the “Trust Deed”). It offers investors the opportunity to invest in a diversified portfolio of 11 office and six retail properties in Hong Kong with a total gross rentable area of approximately 1.3 million sq. ft. The office properties are located in both core and decentralized business areas, while the retail properties are situated in regional transportation hubs, new towns and urban areas with high population density.
About the Manager
The Manager of Sunlight REIT is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Henderson Land Development Company Limited. Its main responsibility is to manage Sunlight REIT and all of its assets in accordance with the Trust Deed in the sole interest of its unitholders.
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. […]
Wintermute has secured US broker-dealer registration, opening the door for the digital-asset market maker to trade equities and equity options and take a bigger role in exchange-traded products as the boundaries between crypto and conventional securities markets narrow. The expansion is being carried out through Wintermute USA LLC, its New York-based affiliate, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member of the […]
Coinbase has opened US stock trading to customers in the UK, accelerating its push beyond cryptocurrencies as the exchange seeks to become a broader financial platform spanning digital assets, equities, savings and borrowing. The service began rolling out progressively to eligible UK users on August 6, giving customers access to nearly 4,000 US stocks through the same Coinbase application used for crypto and fiat holdings. Trading is […]
Roblox shares have lost about 70% of their value over the past year after weaker-than-expected second-quarter monetisation and a subdued bookings outlook intensified concerns about the gaming platform’s ability to turn expanding engagement into sustained spending growth. The sell-off accelerated after Roblox released its second-quarter results on July 30, with the stock suffering its worst one-day decline as a public company. Shares dropped nearly 27% in the […]
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 […]
A Canadian hacker has pleaded guilty to taking part in a sweeping cybercrime operation that compromised accounts belonging to more than 165 organisations using cloud data platform Snowflake, exposing sensitive information belonging to at least 100 million people. Connor Riley Moucka, 26, of Kitchener, Ontario, admitted computer fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy in federal court in Washington state. He is scheduled to be sentenced […]
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 […]
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 […]
Anchored by the TIGER framework, CUHK leaps toward new heights of academic excellence and global impact
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 August 2026 – The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) today (6 August) unveiled its new five-year strategic plan, titled “CUHK 2026–2030: Leaping to Greatness” (the “CUHK 2026-2030“), outlining the University’s development priorities and strategic direction for the next five years. With the ambition to create greater impact on humanity and global communities, CUHK adheres to its vision of becoming a first-class comprehensive research university whose scholarly output, bilingual and multicultural education, and community contributions consistently meet global standards of excellence. As a publicly funded university, CUHK will leverage its strengths in talent cultivation, knowledge innovation and global engagement to contribute to the development of China and the Hong Kong SAR in alignment with priorities in the national 15th Five-Year Plan and the city’s first five-year planning.
CUHK hosts a media luncheon to launch its five-year strategic plan. (From left) Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming and Professor John Chai Yat-chiu
The “TIGER” action framework of CUHK 2026–2030 forms five interconnected strategic directions. It reflects a united, well-coordinated and actionable commitment from the entire University to progressively realise our vision of “Leaping to Greatness” that symbolises CUHK’s continued evolution to pursue purpose-driven excellence, impact-oriented outcomes and lasting societal contributions with innovation, rigour and responsibility.
The five interconnected strategic pillars in CUHK 2026–2030 include:
T – Talent Attraction and Development
I – Institutional Development
G – Global and Alumni Engagement
E – Education and Student Experience
R – Research and Innovation
Embracing the new vision with agility characterised in the spirit of a tiger
In his remarks, Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, said: “The five key areas of the Strategic Plan form the ‘TIGER’ action framework that embodies courage, agility and drive, underscoring CUHK’s development vision which will be realised through precise planning and rigorous execution. CUHK will continue to drive breakthroughs in life and health sciences, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum science and other frontier fields, and participate in national scientific research initiatives, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages and position as China’s most international city, with an aim of cultivating world-class talent and new knowledge that benefit the world.”
Aligning with the strategic planning of China and the Hong Kong SAR
Professor Lo said: “CUHK 2026–2030is the first five-year strategic plan formulated since I assumed office in 2025. It marks a major milestone in the University’s development in timely alignment with the five-year planning of China and the Hong Kong SAR. At a time of profound global transformation, technological advances are reshaping the world and redefining the role of universities in society. CUHK has joined the world’s top 20 for the first time in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, rising to the 18th place. This is a testament to the University’s progress in the past 63 years signifying our global academic influence.”
ProfessorJohn Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council; Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin, Provost of CUHK, Professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Alumni / Community Engagement & Institutional Advancement), Professor Jiang Liwen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & External Affairs) and Mr Albert Chow Hing-pong, Vice-President (Administration), together with other members of the University’s senior management, attended the media luncheon today to mark the official launch.
Creating value to benefit humanity
Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin, Provost of CUHK, introduced the University’s priority areas and said: “In face of global challenges such as the AI revolution, sustainable development and climate change, universities carry an unprecedentedly vital mission. A truly impactful university does not merely respond to the present needs of the era, but will also actively shape the direction of our future. Through interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector collaborations, we aim to translate CUHK’s deep academic foundation, unique collegiate system and global network into a driving force for social progress and innovation.”
Team spirit of CUHK leadership in co-creating the development blueprint
The formulation of CUHK 2026–2030 was a year-long collaborative effort overseen by the Strategic Plan Steering Committee chaired by Professor Lo with support from the senior management team and consultation from the broad CUHK community, from conceptualisation, drafting to visual design. This multi-faceted collaboration fully demonstrates the team spirit of the CUHK community in propelling the University toward a new chapter. The visual design of the Strategic Plan agenda features circular lines and patterns representing the letters “C” and “U” for CUHK. The concentric-circle motif also symbolises CUHK members coming together like concentric circles, uniting their strengths to work towards common goals. The visual palette centres on the university colours of purple and gold, representing passion and loyalty (purple), alongside perseverance and resolve (gold). For details of the Strategic Plan, please refer to https://www.cuhk2030.cuhk.edu.hk.
The visual design of the Strategic Plan agenda features circular lines and patterns representing the letters
Key Initiatives
Establishing the 10th College for postgraduates
CUHK will establish a postgraduate college as its 10th college. This initiative will extend the University’s long-standing collegiate system to the postgraduate community, creating a vibrant, international environment for cross-disciplinary dialogue, holistic development and lifelong networking.
In addition, CUHK will develop flagship international undergraduate programmes and signature schemes embedding innovation, entrepreneurship and concepts of sustainability into the curriculum. It will also strengthen industry-academia collaboration and knowledge transfer to attract and nurture outstanding local and international innovative talents. CUHK will also revitalise its General Education curriculum with national and global perspectives. Moreover, the University will strengthen collaboration with CUHK-Shenzhen and other institutions in the GBA and expand opportunities for exchange and internships abroad to support students’ holistic development and lifelong learning.
Attracting global talent and expanding international impact
CUHK will leverage its strengths as an international research university to attract outstanding students, scholars and researchers from around the world, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. Currently, approximately 56% of CUHK’s professors come from outside Hong Kong while the University achieved a perfect score in the QS international faculty ratio indicator, demonstrating its success in attracting top academic talent globally.
This year, applications from non-local students increased by about 20% compared with last year. Applications from regions outside the Chinese Mainland rose even more significantly, by 75%, with most applicants coming from Southeast Asia and the Middle East, reflecting CUHK’s growing international appeal. To attract exceptional students, CUHK launched the Fenghuang Scholarship this year. The scholarship offers outstanding students who achieve excellent results in local and overseas public examinations financial support, together with overseas exchange opportunities. Through this initiative, the University aims to attract high-calibre young talent and nurture future leaders with a global vision, innovative capabilities and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Driving interdisciplinary research to address global challenges
CUHK will seize opportunities arising from the Northern Metropolis, the Hetao Cooperation Zone and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while focusing on frontier fields including life and health technologies, AI, quantum science and green technology. The University will further integrate into the national research and innovation ecosystem and actively participate in major scientific initiatives spanning space, polar research and deep-sea studies, fostering comprehensive development from Antarctic expeditions and space missions to the translation of world-class innovations.
In recent years, CUHK has been actively demonstrating its research excellence. Notable achievements include the successful launch of CUHK Sat-1, the world’s first AI satellite dedicated to urban sustainable development, and leading the development of the laser heterodyne spectrometer selected for the nation’s Tianwen-3 Mars exploration mission. These accomplishments underscore the University’s pivotal role in supporting national strategic science and technology development. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Centre for Logistics Robotics, an InnoHK centre established by CUHK, founded Hong Kong’s first full-stack embodied intelligence laboratory in 2026 to drive frontier technologies in embodied AI and robotics, further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a leading comprehensive research university with a global reputation and world-leading rankings. Located in the heart of Asia, CUHK has a vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. Under the University’s unique collegiate system, the programmes and activities offered by its nine colleges complement the formal curricula by delivering whole-person education and pastoral care. The University has eight faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. Together with the Graduate School, the University offers over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. All faculties are actively engaged in research in a wide range of disciplines, with an array of research institutes and research centres specialising in interdisciplinary research of the highest quality.
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