Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s financial free zone has strengthened its standing as a global insurance centre after gross written premiums climbed to $4.2 billion in 2025, up 20 per cent from $3.5 billion a year earlier. Underwriting volumes at Dubai International Financial Centre have doubled since 2022, marking a sharp expansion in the emirate’s role as a booking, structuring and specialist underwriting platform for risks flowing […]
Cybercriminals are exploiting Microsoft’s Phone Link app to intercept text messages and one-time passwords from connected smartphones without installing malware on the phone itself, exposing a fresh weakness in cross-device authentication systems. The activity centres on CloudZ, a modular remote access trojan deployed on Windows machines, and a previously undocumented plugin called Pheno. The malware has been observed in an intrusion active since at least January 2026, […]
Cybersecurity investigators have linked a deceptive ransomware-style intrusion to MuddyWater, a state-sponsored hacking group associated with Tehran’s intelligence apparatus, after forensic evidence showed the operation was built around espionage rather than financial extortion. The campaign, observed in early 2026, was presented to victims as an attack by an affiliate of the Chaos ransomware-as-a-service ecosystem. Yet the intrusion lacked a defining feature of ransomware: there was no file […]
Edelman Smithfield has announced a series of senior promotions and appointments across its Middle East business, reflecting its focus on building talent and leadership in the region. These moves underscore the firm’s commitment to developing senior expertise and strengthening its capabilities across key client accounts. Dhanya Issac has been promoted to Managing Director, Edelman Smithfield Middle East. In this expanded regional role, she will continue to lead […]
Omani government networks have been hit by a wide-ranging espionage campaign attributed to Iran-linked operators, with evidence pointing to the theft of judicial records, identity data, staff credentials and internal system files from multiple state entities. The operation centred on the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, where attackers used a custom ASP. NET webshell to maintain access, issue commands and extract data. Exposed attacker infrastructure showed […]
Dubai’s property market has absorbed a sharp geopolitical jolt without sliding into a systemic downturn, with transaction data pointing to a bruised but functioning sector after two months of regional conflict. The market entered 2026 with exceptional momentum. January produced AED104.1 billion in transactions, marking a historic high and reinforcing Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most active property investment destinations. That pace was disrupted when […]
Kuala Lumpur-based International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation has raised $1.475 billion through a US dollar-denominated short-term sukuk auction, marking its largest single issuance since its first auction in August 2013 and underscoring the continuing depth of demand for high-quality Islamic liquidity instruments. The auction was 2.07 times oversubscribed, with bids reaching $3.05 billion even as investors weighed geopolitical tensions, shifting expectations on US interest rates and uneven […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai ADNOC Drilling is targeting an equal revenue split between its core drilling business and manufacturing-linked oilfield services within five years, signalling a deeper push into local industrial capacity as Abu Dhabi’s energy sector widens its role beyond upstream operations. Youssef Salem, Chief Financial Officer of ADNOC Drilling, said the company aims to generate about 50 per cent of revenue from drilling and 50 […]
According to Bank Negara Malaysia’s (“BNM”) Annual Report 2025, Islamic financing continues to show strong growth, accounting for approximately 48% of Malaysia’s total financing or equivalent to RM1.219 trillion, reflecting increasing demand for Shariah-compliant offerings.
Through this partnership, IBPO aims to further strengthen its Shariah Governance framework and ensure that its financial products and programs are structured in accordance with recognised Shariah Principles. This reflects IBPO’s continued focus on transparency, responsibility and inclusivity across its financial services offerings while supporting BNM’s efforts to promote a progressive and inclusive Islamic Financial system.
The MOU signing ceremony was officiated by Andy Lim, Founder and Group Managing Director of IBPO Group Berhad and M. Aminuddin Bin Ismail, Managing Director of Afsha Shariah Advisory Sdn. Bhd.
In conjunction with this appointment IBPO is also introducing its latest financing program, i-Personal Financing. With Afsha’s appointment as official Shariah Advisor, IBPO’s Islamic financing programs including i-Personal Financing, i-Bridge Financing and Payday Financing will be supported by Afsha in ensuring consistent Shariah Compliance.
i-Personal Financing is designed to give customers easy access to cash based on their income levels. It offers responsible and affordable financing amounts along with flexible payment options of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, aligned with monthly salary cycles for greater convenience and peace of mind.
All financing solutions are accessible via IBPO’s Online Customer Financial AI Portal which provides a 360-degree view of customers’ financial commitments including those with other financial institutions while offering AI-driven insights to help users better manage and optimise their finances. This initiative is part of IBPO’s ongoing efforts to leverage AI-driven capabilities to build an integrated financial ecosystem across the Group and its subsidiaries including IBPO Genesis Sdn. Bhd., IBPO Credit System Sdn. Bhd., IBPO Capital Ventures Sdn. Bhd. and IBPO Property Sdn. Bhd.
“We are proud to have Afsha as our official Shariah Advisor as we strengthen our position as Malaysia’s trusted choice for Islamic financing. This further reinforces our ongoing commitment to delivering inclusive, ethical and comprehensive Islamic Financial ecosystem that contributes positively to the economy and broader society. This allows us to deliver value to those seeking Shariah-aligned options, while remaining accessible to all, giving our customers greater confidence in what we provide,” said Andy Lim, Founder & Group Managing Director of IBPO Group Berhad.
“We are honoured to partner with IBPO Group Berhad as their official Shariah Advisor. At the core of actively disseminating Shariah principles across the financial sector, our mission is to enable our clients to achieve their optimum potential by ensuring that their policies and practices strictly comply with Shariah rules and regulations through the highest standards of professional competence. We look forward to guiding IBPO in structuring ethical and transparent Shariah-compliant financing solutions that meet the growing demand in Malaysia’s Islamic financial ecosystem,” said M. Aminuddin Bin Ismail, Managing Director of Afsha Shariah Advisory Sdn. Bhd.
Hashtag: #IBPOGroupBerhad #IslamicFinancing #ShariahCompliance
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
www.ibpo.com.my. 
[email protected] [email protected] Microsoft has warned of a large-scale credential theft operation that used fake workplace compliance emails to target more than 35,000 users across over 13,000 organisations in 26 countries, underscoring how cybercriminals are refining corporate-style social engineering to bypass both human caution and automated defences. The campaign, observed between April 14 and 16, 2026, relied on emails that appeared to come from internal human resources, regulatory or conduct […]
Lebanese soldiers entered Beirut’s southern suburbs and detained suspected gunmen after celebratory fire and rocket-propelled grenades were discharged during a Hezbollah funeral, an unusual assertion of state authority inside one of the group’s most sensitive urban strongholds. The operation in Kafaat followed gunfire during a procession for Hezbollah supporters killed in Israeli strikes, with residents reporting panic as bullets rang out across densely populated neighbourhoods. Army units […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Parkin has signed a long-term framework agreement with Arada to operate parking assets at Aljada in Sharjah, marking the Dubai-listed company’s first expansion into the emirate and a key step in its plan to grow beyond its home market. The agreement appoints Parkin as the sole parking operator at Arada’s flagship mixed-use Aljada development, where up to 9,900 spaces will be brought into […]
Panthalassa has secured $140 million in Series B financing to push artificial intelligence computing into open waters, backing a plan to run inference workloads on floating platforms powered by ocean waves rather than land-based grids. Peter Thiel led the round, joined by John Doerr, Marc Benioff’s TIME Ventures, Max Levchin’s SciFi Ventures, Susquehanna Sustainable Investments, Hanwha Asset Management’s venture fund, Fortescue Ventures, Future Positive, Super Micro Computer […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s family business ecosystem is set for a new layer of banking support after the Abu Dhabi Family Business Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank to provide tailored financial services, priority banking access and dedicated digital channels for member companies. The agreement establishes a structured framework for cooperation between ADFBC and ADIB, bringing together a council […]
OpenAI plans to open its Trusted Access for Cyber programme to government cyber defenders across federal, state and local levels, marking a broader push to place advanced artificial intelligence tools in the hands of public agencies responsible for protecting critical systems. The expansion is aimed at agencies handling national security, emergency response, public health systems, benefits delivery, municipal infrastructure and other services that face rising digital threats. […]
Gobind, who is also national chairman of the Democratic Action Party and MP for Damansara, called on Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail to state whether individuals and companies cited in the allegations had been questioned, and to outline the next steps in the investigation. His intervention has kept public scrutiny on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission at a sensitive moment, with the agency preparing for a leadership change and facing questions over institutional independence.
The allegations centre on claims that a network of businessmen worked with MACC officials to pressure company executives, including through raids and investigations, in order to influence ownership and control of businesses. MACC and outgoing chief commissioner Azam Baki have denied wrongdoing, describing the claims as unfounded. Police have said they have so far found no evidence of MACC involvement, while investigations ordered by the government remain under public watch.
Gobind said transparency was essential because the allegations were specific and involved named individuals, companies and officials. He said the probe must extend to every person, entity and officer implicated in the complaints, adding that the matter touched directly on market integrity and trust in national institutions. He also said the Securities Commission should explain whether it had examined any possible market manipulation, particularly if force or pressure was allegedly used to transfer shares in companies.
The issue has drawn wider political attention because DAP is a key component of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government. Party leaders have argued that a denial by MACC is not enough to settle the controversy and have backed calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry with powers to compel evidence and testimony. That position has placed pressure on the administration, which came to power promising institutional reform and stronger action against corruption.
Azam’s tenure has been marked by both high-profile enforcement action and repeated scrutiny. He has led MACC since March 2020 and continued beyond the usual retirement age through contract extensions in 2023, 2024 and 2025. His current term ends on May 12. The government has appointed former High Court judge Abdul Halim Aman as the next MACC chief commissioner from May 13, after the King assented to the appointment on the advice of the prime minister.
The appointment came ahead of a planned Kuala Lumpur rally demanding Azam’s removal and broader reforms at MACC. Activist groups behind the campaign have called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into controversies surrounding the agency’s leadership, a parliamentary mechanism to vet future chief commissioners, fixed tenure for the top post and stronger safeguards to ensure MACC is accountable to Parliament rather than the executive.
The controversy has revived long-running concerns about the structure of Malaysia’s anti-corruption framework. MACC is a central enforcement body in the country’s governance system, but critics have argued that its leadership appointment process leaves room for political pressure. Supporters of reform say the agency’s credibility depends not only on pursuing graft cases but also on being seen to operate independently when allegations touch its own officers or senior leadership.
Anwar’s government has made anti-corruption enforcement a major plank of its reform agenda. Since taking office in 2022, his administration has overseen investigations involving former senior officials, political figures, military procurement and state-linked financial matters. The approach has won praise from some governance advocates, but it has also faced claims of selective enforcement from opponents and unease among allies when politically sensitive cases remain unresolved or unpublished.
The “corporate mafia” allegations carry additional weight because they involve not only possible misconduct by public officers but also the risk of abuse in the corporate sector. If executives were pressured to sell shares or surrender control of businesses through investigations or enforcement threats, the case would raise questions about investor protection, corporate governance and the ability of regulators to shield markets from coercive conduct.
The proposed platform is being developed around the Clearing Corporation of India’s market infrastructure and is expected to be placed before the Reserve Bank of India for regulatory approval. Market participants have been working with the clearing corporation on design features, including trade execution, clearing, margining and reporting, with a rollout being discussed for the current financial quarter if approvals and operational testing proceed on schedule.
Bond forwards allow investors to buy or sell government securities at a pre-agreed price for settlement at a future date. The instrument is designed to help banks, insurers, primary dealers, overseas investors and other large holders manage interest-rate risk without requiring an immediate exchange of securities. Its wider use has become more important as India’s sovereign debt market draws larger cross-border flows after entry into major global bond indices.
The initiative follows the Reserve Bank of India’s February 2025 framework permitting forward contracts in government securities. The rules allow residents and eligible non-residents to undertake bond-forward transactions, while scheduled commercial banks and standalone primary dealers are permitted to act as market-makers. At least one party to a transaction must be a market-maker or a central counterparty authorised by the central bank.
Market officials see the platform as a step towards shifting a largely bilateral market into a more standardised structure. The present system is dominated by negotiated trades, with pricing often shaped by dealer relationships and limited visibility beyond counterparties. A screen-based mechanism could help create firmer reference prices, reduce information gaps and support more consistent valuation of related interest-rate products.
The bond-forward market is estimated at about ₹4 trillion to ₹4.5 trillion, with foreign banks accounting for the bulk of activity. That concentration has helped establish liquidity in parts of the curve but has also limited wider participation by domestic lenders, insurers and other institutional investors. A platform backed by central clearing could lower operational uncertainty for new entrants and improve confidence in settlement arrangements.
Clearing will be central to the reform. A centrally cleared structure would place the clearing corporation between counterparties, reducing bilateral credit exposure and applying margining standards across participants. The Reserve Bank’s directions already require non-centrally cleared bond-forward transactions to comply with margin rules for over-the-counter derivatives, while market-makers must use robust methods to mark positions to market.
The move also fits a wider regulatory push to improve surveillance of over-the-counter derivatives. Reporting of forward contracts in government securities to CCIL’s trade repository began on May 2, 2025, giving regulators access to transaction data through the life of a contract. A separate framework will require unique transaction identifiers for eligible over-the-counter derivative trades from January 1, 2027, improving traceability across counterparties and systems.
Foreign investor access is another factor behind the timing. Electronic trading providers have been building links to India’s government securities market as global investors increase allocations. MarketAxess executed its first platform trade in India government bonds between BlackRock and Standard Chartered Bank in 2025, using an integration with CCIL’s NDS-Order Matching system. Overseas investors bought nearly ₹1 trillion of government bonds over 13 months after inclusion in JPMorgan’s emerging market debt index, while other index inclusions have kept the market on global fixed-income desks’ radar.
The proposed bond-forward platform will still face practical tests. Dealers will need clarity on eligible securities, collateral treatment, settlement failure procedures, reporting formats, position limits and margin models. Participants will also need to align front-office systems, treasury risk controls and back-office processes before meaningful volumes migrate from bilateral trades to a shared electronic venue.
For insurers and long-duration investors, the instrument could become a more precise hedging tool across rate cycles. For banks, it could deepen market-making opportunities while making price discovery more transparent. For regulators, the key benefit lies in cleaner data, stronger risk monitoring and a structure that may reduce opacity in a derivatives market linked directly to sovereign bond pricing.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai London-listed Man Group is moving to establish an office in Abu Dhabi, adding fresh momentum to the UAE capital’s drive to become a larger global centre for hedge funds, alternative assets and private capital. The firm, one of the world’s biggest publicly traded hedge fund managers, has applied for a Category 3A licence at Abu Dhabi Global Market, the emirate’s international financial centre. […]
Bullish has agreed to acquire Equiniti from Siris Capital in a $4.2 billion transaction that marks one of the largest moves yet by a crypto exchange into mainstream capital markets infrastructure. The deal gives Bullish control of a regulated transfer agent serving nearly 3,000 issuer clients, 15,000 corporate clients and more than 20 million shareholders. Equiniti processes about $500 billion in annual payments, making it a significant […]
Located in Minamisenba, Chuo Ward, the hotel sits in the heart of Osaka’s vibrant Shinsaibashi district—one of the city’s most popular areas for shopping, dining, and nightlife. The hotel is just steps from Shinsaibashi Station, with immediate access from North Exit 3 for seamless connectivity across the city. With more than 300 rooms, the property will be the largest Travelodge hotel in Japan and one of the biggest in the Shinsaibashi area, offering newly renovated, modern accommodation for both leisure and business travelers.
“We are excited to introduce Travelodge Osaka Shinsaibashi to our hotel collection in Japan. It is an important milestone that reflects Travelodge Hotels Asia’s commitment to regional growth, especially in Japan,” said Pinky Lam, Chief Operating Officer of Travelodge Hotels Asia. “Osaka continues to attract travelers from around the world, and we are confident in our ability to continue delivering our signature experience—comfortable stays in strategic locations at great value—in one of the city’s most dynamic districts.”
Comfortable Rooms for Every Traveler
The hotel offers a range of thoughtfully designed rooms to suit different travel needs, from solo travelers to groups.
Room categories include:
Prime Location in the Heart of Osaka
Guests will enjoy convenient access to Osaka’s top attractions, including the iconic Dotonbori, just a 10-minute walk away and known for its vibrant neon lights and street food scene.
Other nearby attractions include:
With multiple transport stations within walking distance, guests can also easily access major attractions across the city, including Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
Exclusive Pre-Order Sale
To celebrate the upcoming opening, Travelodge Hotels Asia is launching a limited-time Pre-Order Sale, offering 50% off stays at Travelodge Osaka Shinsaibashi.
The promotion is available exclusively for bookings made through www.travelodgehotels.asia, allowing guests to secure exceptional value for upcoming trips—whether for summer holidays, autumn foliage season, winter festivities, or spring travel next year.
Strengthening Travelodge’s Presence in Japan
The opening marks another milestone for Travelodge Hotels Asia as it continues to expand across key destinations in Asia. With its prime location, large room inventory, and accessible pricing, the hotel is expected to become a preferred choice for travelers seeking accommodation near Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, and Namba.
More details about the hotel and its opening promotions will be announced closer to the launch.
Hashtag: #TravelodgeHotelsAsia #TravelodgeOsakaShinsaibashi
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Travelodge Hotels Asia is a fast-growing hotel management and franchise company headquartered in Singapore, with operations across Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand.
With 20 hotels currently in operation and plans to expand to over 50 properties by 2030, the company focuses on delivering value-driven stays in strategic locations. Backed by more than 80 years of global brand heritage, Travelodge offers its signature experience centered on comfort, convenience, and connectivity.
Kenya is moving to keep more value from its minerals at home, signalling a sharper shift from raw exports towards processing, refining and manufacturing as global competition for critical minerals intensifies. President William Ruto set out the policy direction while opening the 2026 Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Expo in Nairobi, telling investors and government delegations that Kenya no longer wants to serve mainly as a supplier […]
Dubai has moved a new cluster of mega projects from ambition to execution, tying transport, aviation, finance, mobility and artificial intelligence into a single development push aimed at reshaping how the emirate lives, works and competes. The programme is anchored by the Dubai Metro Blue Line, the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, future mobility systems, a major widening of Dubai International Financial Centre and an AI-powered […]
Wall Street’s latest rally is being driven less by relief over geopolitics than by a force investors can measure more easily: earnings. Morgan Stanley strategists say the strength of US corporate profits, led by technology companies, is giving equities enough support to look beyond the market risks created by the Iran conflict and the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. The bank’s team, led by Michael Wilson, […]
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson’s claim that he has been kept outside crypto’s most powerful policy and industry circles has sharpened a wider argument over influence, visibility and technical delivery in the digital-asset sector. Hoskinson, who co-founded Ethereum before building Cardano through Input Output Global, said in an interview that he had been excluded from key conversations despite Cardano’s sustained engineering output. His remarks landed as development metrics […]
