Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi footballer Bayan Sadagah has become a prominent figure at Jeddah club Al-Ittihad as the kingdom’s professional women’s competition enters another season, reflecting opportunities that were unavailable to female players only a few years ago. The 31-year-old midfielder represents a generation whose ambitions developed before Saudi Arabia had an established national league for women. Her journey from informal family matches to professional football […]
Initiative offers 1,000 free paediatric eye examinations, 1,000 free adult myopia screenings and a planned three-year myopia-control trial
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2026 – As part of its mission to eliminate avoidable vision loss, Orbis and the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), partnered to tackle the growing, lifelong burden of short-sightedness (myopia) across Hong Kong. The joint initiative highlights how myopia takes root early in primary school and, if left unmanaged, poses a severe, sight-threatening risk in later life.
Rather than a minor inconvenience corrected by stronger glasses, unmanaged high myopia physically alters the structure of the eye, drastically increasing the lifetime risk of irreversible blindness. Drawing on insights from HKUMed’s academic research and data from the joint Orbis x HKUMed Vision Matters community screening project, this partnership provides a crucial wake-up call on how lifelong visual health is determined during childhood.
In direct response to this public health challenge, Orbis and the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed, are taking immediate action by offering 1,000 free comprehensive eye examinations for local children. This initiative gives families immediate access to expert care, early detection, and evidence-based guidance to safeguard their children’s sight before permanent damage occurs. In parallel, free eye screening will be provided to 1,000 adults aged over 50 years with known myopia. The 1,000 paediatric eye examinations and 1,000 adult eye screenings are all part of the HKUMed 140 for the Community Campaign.
A Lifelong Threat: From Classroom to Later Life
The joint effort establishes a clear, connected narrative across two generations:
Myopia Starts Early: A 2025 HKUMed study conducted at the HKU Eye Centre examined 501 children aged 5–12 and found that nearly 40% suffered from myopia. These findings reinforce the urgent need for regular professional eye examinations, even when a child has not reported any vision problems.
Consequences Last a Lifetime: To evaluate the long-term impact, HKUMed researchers analysed 4,217 adults aged 50 and older through the Orbis x HKUMed Vision Matters: Glaucoma AI-ROTA Screening Project. The analysis revealed that 44.5% of older adults suffer from myopia, with 6.7% suffering from high myopia. Given the historical lack of recent large-scale Hong Kong data based on objective eye measurements in this demographic, these findings represent an important public health update.
Clear Vision Does Not Remove Risk: Myopia develops when the eye grows excessively long, causing distant objects to appear blurred. While glasses can correct distance vision, they do not shorten an elongated eye or eliminate the long-term risks associated with high myopia, including retinal disease, glaucoma, cataracts, and permanent sight loss.
In the adult analysis, visual impairment or blindness was roughly twice as common among individuals with myopia and more than four times (6.3% vs. 1.5%) as common among those with high myopia, compared to those without myopia. Glaucoma—the leading cause of irreversible blindness—was also nearly twice as prevalent among people with high myopia compared to those without (13.1% vs. 6.8%). Together, these findings highlight the critical importance of identifying and managing myopia early, before it progresses into high myopia.
Practical Action: Free Screenings and Clinical Solutions
To bridge medical evidence with practical community action, Orbis and the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed are rolling out complementary initiatives. The 1,000 paediatric examinations and 1,000 adult screenings are all part of the HKUMed 140 for the Community Campaign:
1,000 Free Paediatric Examinations: Providing local families with comprehensive eye checks to help identify eye problems early and obtain professional advice on appropriate follow-up care and myopia management.
Free Eye Screening for 1,000 Adults with Myopia: Providing free eye screening to 1,000 adults aged over 50 years with known myopia.
Landmark “2027 Children Myopia Control Study”: Supporting a three-year HKUMed clinical trial to evaluate three advanced intervention strategies among children aged 5–12: 0.05% atropine eye drops, optical defocus spectacle lenses, and a combination of both therapies.
AT A GLANCE
Children: 39.7% of 501 children aged 5–12 screened had myopia.
Adults: 44.5% of 4,217 participants aged 50+ had myopia; 6.7% had high myopia.
Impact: Visual impairment or blindness affected 6.3% of adults with high myopia, versus 1.5% without myopia.
Action: 1,000 child exams; 1,000 screenings for myopic adults over 50. All are free under the HKUMed 140 for the Community Campaign.
Next step: Three-year trial of 0.05% atropine, defocus spectacle lenses, and combined therapy.
Leadership Quotes:
Professor Chak-sing Lau, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Deanof Medicine, HKU:
“Myopia is an increasingly important public health challenge that places a substantial lifelong burden on individuals and society. Through the HKUMed 140 for the Community Campaign, these initiatives reflect our longstanding commitment to translating academic excellence into meaningful benefits for the community. HKUMed is dedicated to transforming pioneering research into real-world health benefits. Through our partnership with Orbis, we seek to integrate clinical excellence, technological innovation, and population health research to lessen the impact of myopia and its complications in Hong Kong, while providing robust scientific evidence to guide eye health policy and clinical practice in the region. Together, we are working to safeguard the long-term visual health of schoolchildren and the wider population.”
Kathleen Sherwin, President and CEO of Orbis International:
“This partnership connects community service directly with research. The adult screening programme gives us a clearer view of the long-term burden of myopia, while the children’s examinations and planned trial focus on acting earlier. Together, Orbis and HKUMed are turning evidence into practical steps to protect sight.”
Mary Lau, Director of Orbis Hong Kong:
“Parents should see myopia as a condition that needs active management, not simply stronger glasses. By offering 1,000 child exams; 1,000 screenings for myopic adults over 50, we want to help more families identify problems early, obtain professional advice and take action to protect their different generation’s sight.”
Professor Christopher Leung Kai-shun, Albert Bing-Ching Young Professor in Ophthalmology, Chairperson and Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed:
“Vision Matters is showing us that myopia is an important part of the eye-health burden among Hong Kong’s over-50s. Glasses can correct blurred vision, but they cannot reverse the excessive growth of the eye or eliminate the risk of permanent sight loss associated with high myopia. The earlier we act, the greater the opportunity to protect sight over a lifetime.”
Dr Helen Zhang, Principal Investigator of the 2027 Children Myopia Control Study; and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed
“This trial will compare eye drops, myopia-control lenses and both treatments combined. We aim to provide clearer evidence to help families choose the right approach for their children.”
Dr Kendrick Shih, Investigator of the 2027 Children Myopia Control Study; and Clinical Associate Professor of Practice,Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed:
“Myopia can worsen without obvious warning signs. Regular monitoring and timely treatment can help protect a child’s vision for the future.”
What Parents Can Do
Prioritize Annual Checks: Arrange regular professional eye examinations rather than waiting for visual symptoms to appear.
Explore Clinical Control Options: Seek advice from a qualified eye-care professional if myopia is detected.
Look Beyond Standard Glasses: Discuss evidence-based myopia-control options instead of relying only on stronger prescriptions.
Encourage Healthy Visual Habits: Encourage outdoor time, regular breaks from close work, and maintain a comfortable reading distance.
Public Registration & Participation
Registration will open in phases: Phase 1 (Now Open): Free eye screenings for children aged 5–12 (limited quotas, first-come, first-served). Online Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/CzitVUBgJQ
Phase 2 (Coming Soon): Free eye screenings for myopic adults aged 50 or above. Details will be announced on the HKU portal and official Orbis channels.
Hashtag: #Orbis #HKUMed #Myopia
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
By Nantoo Banerjee The prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, lately due to the ego tussle between the United States and Iran, have inflicted severe financial, operational, and human costs on India’s merchant marine industry and broader import-export trade. But, thanks to an excellent supply chain management effort, it failed to impact the country’s […]
India’s space economy could expand fivefold to $45 billion within eight years as the government seeks more private investment, quicker regulatory clearances and stronger commercial demand, Space Minister Jitendra Singh has said.
Singh estimated the sector’s current value at approximately $9 billion and projected it could reach $40 billion to $45 billion over seven to eight years. Speaking at a New Delhi roundtable on Saturday, he said the next priority was building internationally competitive businesses rather than simply demonstrating technological capabilities.
The minister identified predictable customer demand, domestic and overseas capital, efficient approvals and sustainable business models as essential conditions for expansion. His remarks at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum placed commercial viability at the centre of the government’s efforts to enlarge the role of private companies in space activities.
Government departments could become anchor customers for emerging enterprises, Singh said, providing contracts that enable businesses to test technology and develop products for wider markets. Support for proof-of-concept projects would also help companies demonstrate practical applications before committing to larger production programmes.
Such arrangements could address a central challenge for space ventures: securing reliable revenue while facing substantial development costs and lengthy periods before projects generate returns. Singh argued that an identifiable customer base would encourage manufacturing investment and allow companies to establish more durable commercial operations.
He also called for defined timeframes for installation and export licences, alongside lower operating costs and better integration of supply chains. Regulatory improvements, he said, must produce practical results for companies seeking to enter the market or expand their activities.
Singh referred to goods and services tax measures affecting space products, saying policy changes should deliver tangible benefits to industry. He did not announce a fresh tax package or specify new deadlines for regulatory decisions during the discussion.
The forecast broadly matches the longer-term ambition set out by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, or IN-SPACe, which has outlined a $44 billion space economy by 2033. Its strategy envisages $11 billion in exports, with opportunities spanning satellite communications, navigation, Earth observation, manufacturing and launch services.
That target remains an aspiration rather than an assured outcome. Delivering it would require sustained growth across multiple segments, with private operators securing customers and financing while navigating technical, regulatory and commercial risks.
Figures disclosed to Parliament in July illustrate both the expansion of private participation and the distance still to travel. Singh said cumulative private investment had reached $618.5 million by March 31, 2026, while $187 million had been reported during 2026. The government had granted 105 authorisations to non-government entities as of July 14.
Those authorisations are subject to national security and strategic considerations under IN-SPACe procedures. The government has said it is developing dedicated safety and security guidelines as commercial activity expands, reflecting the need to balance market access with oversight of sensitive technologies.
Singh said international partnerships could bring investment, technological expertise and access to overseas customers, while domestic capabilities remained important for strategic autonomy. He advocated closer cooperation among government agencies, private enterprises and foreign partners, particularly where collaboration could strengthen manufacturing networks and market access.
He pointed to satellite communications, geospatial services and Earth observation as areas where space technology already supports economic activity. Applications include infrastructure monitoring, agriculture, disaster management and defence, alongside services built around satellite data.
The minister highlighted government use of geotagging to monitor development projects, track implementation schedules and assist administrative clearances. He also cited space-based disaster information supplied to neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The commercialisation programme follows the opening of space activities to private participation in 2019 and 2020, a change that enabled enterprises to work alongside public institutions. Singh said that cooperation had yielded results but that technical achievement alone would not guarantee commercial success. The distinction is significant for companies developing satellite hardware, data services and launch technologies: demonstrating that a system works is different from securing repeat orders at prices sufficient to sustain operations. Public procurement and export access could therefore influence investment decisions.
The roundtable, titled Space, Sovereignty and New Economy, included IN-SPACe promotion director Vinod Kumar and Aisha Bowe, founder and chief executive of STEMBoard and LINGO, a former NASA engineer who has flown with Blue Origin. Participants discussed investment, international cooperation and the challenge of converting national space capabilities into commercially viable enterprises.
Chief executives must take direct responsibility for artificial intelligence transformation rather than leave it to technology departments, Keystone chief executive Jeff Marowits has argued, as the advisory firm expands its international operations and investment in executive AI capabilities. His emphasis on leadership comes as businesses confront a widening gap between experimenting with AI tools and changing how their organisations operate. Keystone is positioning its advisory services around […]
Bitcoin and US stock futures climbed on Monday after China’s economy expanded faster than expected in the third quarter, while falling oil prices helped improve investor sentiment across global financial markets.
China’s gross domestic product grew 4.5% year on year during July to September, exceeding economists’ forecast of 4.4% and accelerating from 4.3% in the preceding quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Bitcoin briefly climbed towards $82,500 as cryptocurrency traders responded to the stronger economic figures and improving conditions in traditional financial markets. Nasdaq futures also advanced, reflecting renewed demand for technology shares following a difficult period for companies associated with artificial intelligence.
The market recovery was uneven, however. South Korea’s Kospi faced selling pressure after an initial improvement, highlighting continuing concerns about technology valuations and the substantial financing requirements of artificial intelligence development.
US Nasdaq futures gained approximately 1% during Asian trading, while contracts tracking the broader S&P 500 advanced around 0.7%. Lower energy prices provided additional support as investors assessed their implications for inflation, corporate earnings and borrowing costs.
China’s economic figures offered a measure of reassurance about activity in the world’s second-largest economy. Quarterly output increased 1.2% from the preceding three months, exceeding expectations for a 1.1% expansion and improving from 0.9% growth during April to June.
The stronger performance was supported by exports and industrial production, although weaknesses in household consumption and property investment continued to complicate the economic outlook.
Official figures showed industrial production increasing 5.5% year on year in September, compared with 5.2% in August. Retail sales grew 1.1%, indicating modest improvement in consumer spending despite persistent pressure on household confidence.
China’s government has established an annual economic growth target of approximately 4.5% to 5%, making the third-quarter performance significant for policymakers considering whether further stimulus measures are necessary.
Growth during the first nine months reached 4.6%, according to official estimates, keeping the economy within reach of the government’s full-year objective.
Financial markets nevertheless remained sensitive to concerns that China’s expansion depends heavily on exports and industrial investment rather than sustained improvements in domestic demand.
The property sector remained a particular concern, with investment continuing to contract despite measures intended to support homebuyers and stabilise developers.
Oil markets supplied another important influence on trading. Brent crude futures declined approximately 1.7% to $107.95 a barrel, while US crude futures slipped 0.8% to $100.62.
The decline followed developments surrounding Washington’s sanctions policy towards Russia. President Donald Trump indicated that restrictions could be eased, potentially allowing additional Russian energy supplies into international markets, although the administration had not finalised its position.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the administration could take up to 60 days to assess the economic consequences of changing sanctions arrangements.
Lower crude prices helped ease immediate concerns about inflation, particularly because energy costs influence transport, manufacturing and household expenditure across major economies.
US government bonds strengthened as yields declined. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield fell approximately four basis points to 5.0525%, providing some relief to financial markets concerned about elevated borrowing costs.
Expectations surrounding Federal Reserve policy remained important for cryptocurrency investors. Lower inflation could eventually create additional room for monetary easing, although policymakers face competing pressures from energy markets and economic activity.
The Federal Reserve’s benchmark interest rate currently stands between 4.75% and 5%, with financial markets expecting policymakers to leave borrowing costs unchanged at their next meeting.
Across Asian equities, the initial advance reflected bargain hunting following substantial losses in technology stocks. Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi both experienced volatile trading as investors reassessed exposure to semiconductor manufacturers.
Concerns about artificial intelligence spending remained prominent. Goldman Sachs estimates that five major technology companies could increase their combined capital expenditure to approximately $1.2 trillion next year, raising questions about investment returns.
China’s currency strengthened against the dollar, with the yuan reaching approximately 6.6828, its strongest level since July 2022.
Gold traded around $4,181 an ounce, supported by declining bond yields, while the dollar remained under pressure against several currencies.
Elsewhere, European equity futures weakened amid political uncertainty in France, demonstrating the differing regional influences on international investment flows.
Chinese blue-chip shares edged lower after initially benefiting from the economic figures, with investors continuing to assess whether stronger industrial activity would translate into a sustained improvement in domestic consumption.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 October 2026 – Solomon Credit Management (“Solomon”) and SACH Pte Ltd (“SACH”) today announced plans to establish a joint venture to identify, secure distribution rights for and distribute consumer brands across the wellness, medical technology, health technology and lifestyle industries. BUZUD, a Singapore-based healthcare technology company, has appointed SACH as an authorised distributor in Singapore, with Solomon expected to join the distributorship.
SACH brings experience in technology, e-commerce, retail, consumer engagement and live events, helping brands reach consumers through online and offline channels. Solomon, an independent business financing firm, will serve as Capital Partner, contributing capital and commercial and financial expertise to support distribution and expansion.
The companies intend to develop the partnership in stages: Solomon first supports SACH’s distribution of BUZUD as Capital Partner, then joins the distributorship, before both parties establish a dedicated business unit to secure distribution rights and distribute brands across multiple territories. Key terms and responsibilities are being finalised.
BUZUD focuses on accessible healthcare through medical devices and digital health technologies. It has a research collaboration with Tan Tock Seng Hospital to develop AI-supported diabetes management solutions combining carbohydrate estimation with continuous glucose monitoring. BUZUD also operates retail outlets at Raffles Hospital and Novena Square 2, alongside a retail partnership with Guardian Singapore.
Distribution will begin in Singapore, with expansion into other Southeast Asian markets as rights are secured, through e-commerce, retail, live events and partnerships with businesses, hospitals and research bodies.
“We strongly believe capital should do more than support business growth — it should create opportunities and meaningful impact. Our partnership with SACH represents a strategic step into the fast-growing healthcare and wellness sector, where we see tremendous long-term potential. By combining our financial expertise with SACH’s distribution capabilities, we aim to help promising brands like BUZUD expand their reach, scale sustainably and bring innovative healthcare solutions closer to the people who need them,” said Liong Qin Kai, Partner, Solomon Credit Management.
“Great healthcare products only create impact when they reach the people who need them. Our partnership with Solomon marks an important step for SACH into the healthcare and wellness sector, combining their financial strength with our distribution and consumer engagement capabilities. BUZUD is the first of many brands we hope to bring to market, helping them expand their reach, build lasting relationships with customers and make innovative healthcare solutions more accessible across Southeast Asia,” said Jonathan Zhang, CEO, SACH.
The partners are targeting completion of the proposed arrangement in December 2026, with further details to be announced once terms are finalised. Hashtag: #SACH
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Solomon Credit Management
Solomon Credit Management is an independent business financing firm lending its own capital to small and medium-sized companies and larger corporates. Its financing approach is grounded in disciplined credit assessment and a clear understanding of each borrower’s business, cash flows and assets.
About SACH
SACH develops products and services across technology, e-commerce, retail, consumer engagement and live events.
Abu Dhabi is expected to prioritise additional borrowing over withdrawals from sovereign wealth assets if the US-Iran war escalates, according to Fitch Ratings, which forecasts substantial budget surpluses and manageable government debt through 2028. The rating agency said the emirate would favour debt financing rather than drawing down investments beyond the established dividend policy of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), reflecting its ability to access capital […]
PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 October 2026 – At the 2026 Paris Motor Show, Clifford Kang, Board Member and Vice President of SERES Group, announced that AITO plans to officially enter the European market in autumn 2027, marking another major step in its global development. With deep respect for Europe’s automotive heritage, AITO looks forward to collaborating and growing with partners around the world.
In China, AITO has earned the trust of over 1.2 million customers. Globally, in Brand Finance’s Automobiles 100 2026 ranking, AITO ranked among the world’s top 10 luxury automotive brands and was the No.1 Chinese luxury automotive brand by brand value, making it the only Chinese automotive brand.
Driven by its philosophy of “Intelligence Redefining Luxury”, AITO is committed to bringing together traditional luxury and technological luxury to create an elevated intelligent mobility experience.
“AITO stands for ‘Adding Intelligence to Auto’. We believe a vehicle should be a mobile intelligent agent that understands you and responds to your needs. That is why we introduced our brand philosophy, Intelligence Redefining Luxury. It is our interpretation of what New Luxury means for AITO,” said Clifford Kang, Board Member and Vice President of SERES Group. “We come with deep respect for Europe’s automotive heritage. We come to collaborate and grow with partners around the world. And we come with our philosophy: Intelligence Redefining Luxury.”
As AITO strengthens its global presence, it looks forward to working with partners across the value chain to build a healthy automotive ecosystem, foster mutual growth and bring intelligent luxury mobility to more customers around the world.
Hashtag: #AITO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
CHENGDU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 October 2026 – ISYUN, a leading professional Chinese trendy hair dyeing brand, officially announced today that renowned versatile artist and global icon Victoria has been appointed as its Global Brand Ambassador. Marking a milestone strategic move in the brand’s history, this partnership reflects a deep synergy between both parties’ commitment to professional excellence and modern fashion philosophy. The collaboration signifies ISYUN’s accelerated global expansion pace, bringing high-quality at-home hair dyeing and care solutions to the worldwide market, while delivering a brand-new, professional home-styling choice to beauty consumers across Southeast Asia.
China’s Professional Hair Care Brand ISYUN Announces Victoria song as Global Brand Ambassador, Accelerating Global Expansion with Strategic Focus on Southeast Asia
For consumers across Southeast Asia and beyond, Victoria is widely recognized as an influential Asian artist boasting immense popularity and public affinity. Having debuted early in her career as the leader of the top-tier girl group f(x), she established a profound fan base and widespread public recognition throughout Southeast Asia, backed by her solid performance skills, refreshing yet sophisticated personal image, and distinct style identity. Throughout her career, Victoria has consistently approached her artistic endeavors with a rigorous and professional attitude, expanding her footprint into diverse fields including acting, music, and fashion. By continually pushing her own boundaries across Asia, she has cemented her status as a powerhouse of both substance and aesthetic style through her exceptional fashion expression and steady delivery of high-caliber work. Whether effortlessly pulling off sharp, sophisticated professional looks or interpreting dynamic, trendy styles, her daring spirit to break boundaries and pursue meticulous detail perfectly aligns with ISYUN’s brand DNA of “Professionalism, Fashion, and Texture,” while echoing the brand’s dedicated craftsmanship in the hair-coloring sector. As Global Brand Ambassador, Victoria will join hands with ISYUN to champion the brand philosophy of “One Step Closer to Hair Color Freedom,” enabling more consumers—including those in Southeast Asia—to experience the convenience and joy of salon-quality hair care at home.
A Decade of Professional Excellence and Omni-Channel Growth Since its inception in 2013, ISYUN has consistently focused on addressing the core pain points of consumers’ at-home hair coloring experiences, deeply cultivating the niche sector of trendy hair dyes while dedicating itself to creating professional, cutting-edge hair-coloring products tailored to Asian skin tones. Over the past decade, the brand has maintained deep insights into the personalized hair color demands of diverse consumer groups, keeping pace with global beauty trends to continuously expand its trendy color matrix. Currently encompassing six major color families with over twenty distinct shades—ranging from versatile everyday brown tones to highly personalized trendy hues—the brand fully satisfies expression needs across varying scenarios and styles.
Driven by stable product quality and an exceptional user experience, ISYUN has earned widespread recognition and affection from millions of young consumers in the Chinese market. In terms of channel layout, the brand has built an integrated omni-channel sales network: its offline footprint has successfully entered over 10,000 mainstream trendy retail stores nationwide, covering core consumer touchpoints, while its online presence maintains a leading position within the hair-dye category across major e-commerce platforms, backed by sustained sales leadership and stellar user reputation. Furthermore, ISYUN serves as the exclusive official designated professional hair care brand for the China Fashion Week, a testament to its industry-wide product acclaim.
Get Victoria’s Look: Catching the Trend with the All-New “Oxygen Cool Brown” In tandem with the global ambassador announcement, ISYUN is concurrently launching the exact hair color worn by Global Brand Ambassador Victoria: the “Oxygen Cool Brown.” Addressing the industry-wide pain point where traditional hair dyes cause damage during coloring, ISYUN’s product development has always centered on the core concept of “Hair Dyeing and Care in One.” Utilizing the brand’s proprietary essential oil special blending technology, plant-derived extracts such as argan oil, jojoba seed extract, and camellia seed oil are packaged in independent capsules, ready to be poured and mixed directly into the color cream during application. This delivers a simultaneous dyeing and conditioning experience that leaves hair smooth and lustrous post-application, effectively taming frizz and ameliorating post-dye dryness.
The newly introduced “Oxygen Cool Brown” shade—matching Victoria’s stunning hair look—is crafted precisely around the product’s superior color-rendering advantages. The translucent cool brown base blended with natural misty undertones flatters all skin tones while brightening overall complexion, seamlessly adapting to both daily commuting and leisure gatherings as a versatile, high-end, yet practical trendy color. Accompanied by an elegant floral fragrance, the product comprehensively optimizes the at-home coloring sensory experience, breaking public stereotypes regarding pungent chemical odors associated with hair dyes.
Tapping into the Booming Southeast Asian Beauty Market In recent years, Southeast Asia’s beauty and personal care market has experienced continuous expansion, with the rise of younger consumer cohorts driving rapid growth in personalized cosmetic demands. Among these segments, at-home hair care products have emerged as a prominent growth driver in the Southeast Asian market, favored for their operational flexibility, high cost-performance ratio, and diverse stylistic expressions. Simultaneously, Southeast Asian consumers are raising their expectations for hair-dye formulations: demanding both precise color rendering optimized for Asian skin tones and integrated nourishing properties to minimize hair damage. ISYUN’s launch of its global ambassador strategy—exporting mature hair-dye and care portfolios to international markets—precisely meets the soaring demand for professional at-home hair solutions across Southeast Asia.
A senior spokesperson for ISYUN stated, “Signing Victoria as our Global Brand Ambassador marks a vital milestone in our journey toward broader international markets. Victoria’s professional attitude and fashion influence enable us to precisely connect with our core consumer demographic, infusing fresh, trendy vitality into the brand. Leveraging her cross-cultural influence across Southeast Asia, ISYUN will more efficiently engage local youth demographics and communicate our core professional ethos and product value.”
Looking Ahead: Expanding Global Horizons Looking ahead, ISYUN will continue to collaborate with Global Brand Ambassador Victoria to uphold its brand DNA of “Professionalism, Fashion, and Texture,” continually sharpening its product competitiveness and color innovation. The brand remains committed to delivering diverse hair-coloring solutions that integrate trendiness with deep nourishment, bringing the founding vision of “One Step Closer to Hair Color Freedom” to life. As its global footprint steadily expands, ISYUN will continue monitoring the hair characteristics and aesthetic demands of consumers across different global regions, continuously optimizing its offerings to bring professional, convenient, and healthy at-home hair care experiences to more consumers worldwide, collectively exploring new frontiers in home hair-styling aesthetics.
Hashtag: #ISYUN
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Technology companies, start-ups and financial technology ventures could help lift India-UAE bilateral trade to $200 billion, a diplomat told a Dubai forum, identifying opportunities beyond established trade.
Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Consul General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said innovation, renewable energy, defence and space technology could contribute to the next phase of economic expansion. He was addressing the Innovators and Investors Series organised by the Indian People’s Forum on October 16.
The proposal comes as both governments pursue a target of $200 billion in bilateral trade by 2032. Trade reached $101.25 billion during India’s 2025-26 financial year, exceeding $100 billion for a second consecutive year, according to official figures.
Reddy urged businesses and investors to establish partnerships capable of taking emerging enterprises into international markets. Investment in technology businesses, he argued, could create additional commercial activity while linking the UAE’s capital providers with enterprises developing products and services in India.
His remarks were an assessment, not a new government commitment or forecast backed by contracts. Achieving the target would require substantial expansion across multiple sectors, including those already accounting for the largest share of bilateral commerce. The $200 billion figure is a bilateral merchandise trade ambition, not a valuation of technology investments or start-up fundraising.
India’s exports to the UAE totalled approximately $37.36 billion in 2025-26, while imports were about $63.89 billion. The UAE remained India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. India was the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, according to diplomatic trade data.
The technology emphasis follows a September meeting of the UAE-India High Level Joint Task Force on Investments, where officials agreed to advance work on local-currency settlement, payment-system integration and central-bank digital currencies. Those initiatives are intended to make financial transactions and cross-border commerce more efficient. Officials also discussed cooperation in financial infrastructure, an area where payment interoperability could lower friction for businesses operating in both markets.
The task force also examined investment proposals involving manufacturing, food processing and logistics. Projects discussed included an integrated aluminium complex proposed for Odisha, a food park in Gujarat and opportunities for aviation and logistics development at Dholera.
At the Dubai forum, speakers called for greater participation by UAE investors in start-ups seeking financing, commercial partnerships and access to international customers. The gathering connected entrepreneurs with businesses and potential financial backers.
Two enterprises, JE Plus Healthcare and University Living, presented their business models. JE Plus Healthcare focuses on distribution and logistics for healthcare products, while University Living provides accommodation services for students studying away from home. Both were seeking investment to expand their operations. Their presentations illustrated the range of businesses seeking support, from physical supply chains to digital services for international customers.
Actor and investor Vivek Oberoi told participants that unsuccessful investments were part of entrepreneurship and that investors needed to recognise the lessons associated with business failures. He said he had invested in 35 companies, with mixed results across his portfolio.
Jitendra Vaidya, national president of the Indian People’s Forum, said stronger two-way investment could support commercial ties between the countries. The organisation’s business representatives encouraged investors to examine opportunities in technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics.
Mahesh Advani, convenor of the forum’s business council, urged UAE investors to consider start-up financing. Piyush Jhunjhunwala, co-convenor of its business and professional council, identified technology-led businesses as a potential destination for private capital.
Figures circulated at the event described a substantial start-up and venture investment ecosystem in India, including companies operating in financial services and advanced technology. However, the figures covered different categories of businesses and financing activity, making direct comparisons difficult without consistent definitions and reporting periods.
The bilateral trade framework rests on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in May 2022. It reduced trade barriers across numerous product categories and provided a platform for wider business cooperation. Trade volumes nevertheless remain sensitive to energy prices, demand conditions and changes in the composition of imports and exports.
Government initiatives now include Bharat Mart, intended to support access to markets, and a Virtual Trade Corridor designed to simplify trade processes. Both form part of efforts to improve the movement of goods and information between the two economies.
The Dubai forum was organised by the Indian People’s Forum, a community organisation that also conducts business and professional networking activities in the UAE.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Kuwaiti-founded Tap Payments has climbed to 13th place in the 2026 Forbes Middle East Fintech 50, gaining 11 positions over two years and securing a third consecutive appearance on the regional ranking. The payments technology company rose from 18th position in 2025 and 24th in 2024, reflecting a sustained improvement in its standing among financial technology businesses operating across the Middle East and […]
Vietnam has set a target of at least 10% economic growth in 2027, with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung outlining an ambitious development programme aimed at accelerating investment, raising productivity and maintaining macroeconomic stability.
Addressing the National Assembly in Hanoi on Saturday, Hung presented the government’s economic objectives for next year, including inflation of approximately 4.5%, gross domestic product per capita of $6,100 and labour productivity growth of 8.6%.
The proposed targets form part of 45 socioeconomic indicators submitted to lawmakers as the government seeks to sustain rapid expansion while addressing structural weaknesses, administrative bottlenecks and pressures on public finances.
Hung said achieving double-digit growth would require stronger coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, more effective mobilisation of investment resources and substantial improvements in the business environment.
The government intends to make science, technology, innovation and digital transformation central drivers of economic expansion, alongside institutional reforms designed to improve productivity and encourage private investment.
The announcement follows an earlier parliamentary resolution establishing average annual GDP growth of at least 10% as the national objective for 2026-2030. The 2027 proposal translates that broader ambition into specific annual targets and policy priorities.
Vietnam’s economy expanded by an estimated 9.01% during the first nine months of 2026, according to figures cited in a government resolution issued this month. The performance provides a foundation for next year’s target but also underlines the additional acceleration required.
The government has identified infrastructure development, industrial modernisation and improvements in investment procedures as essential to sustaining expansion. Hung emphasised that economic growth must be accompanied by inflation control and stability in the country’s principal financial balances.
Authorities plan to accelerate public investment disbursement, particularly for strategic infrastructure projects, while addressing delays in project approvals and implementation. Greater efficiency in allocating public resources is expected to support the government’s development priorities.
Private enterprise is also expected to assume a larger role. The administration wants to remove regulatory obstacles, improve access to productive resources and create more favourable conditions for businesses operating across different sectors.
The policy programme places considerable emphasis on improving the quality of growth rather than relying exclusively on expanding investment. Productivity gains are expected to become increasingly important as Vietnam pursues higher economic output and stronger competitiveness.
Hung’s presentation identified institutional reform as a central requirement for implementing the government’s objectives. Ministries and provincial administrations will be expected to translate national targets into specific responsibilities, implementation schedules and measurable outcomes.
The government also intends to strengthen coordination across administrative levels, improve public-sector accountability and address persistent obstacles affecting investment and business operations.
Maintaining price stability represents another important element of the programme. The proposed consumer price inflation target of approximately 4.5% reflects the administration’s intention to balance expansionary economic measures against the need to protect purchasing power.
Fiscal policy will consequently face competing demands from infrastructure investment, public services and social welfare commitments. Monetary authorities will also need to support productive activity without undermining financial stability.
The government’s economic programme includes measures to strengthen domestic production, improve supply chains and encourage technological adoption. These priorities are intended to support industrial competitiveness and reduce constraints on productivity.
Digital transformation features prominently in the development strategy, with authorities seeking broader application of technology across public administration and economic activity. The approach links improvements in government efficiency with efforts to modernise businesses.
The prime minister also stressed the importance of mobilising resources more effectively, including investment capital, land and other productive assets. Better allocation of these resources is expected to help overcome barriers to growth.
Social development remains part of the proposed framework. The government aims to reduce the multidimensional poverty rate by between one and 1.5 percentage points during 2027, while improving living standards and maintaining essential public services.
The targets were presented during the opening of the second session of the 16th National Assembly, which is examining the government’s assessment of economic performance in 2026 and its proposed development programme for the following year.
The broader policy framework also covers environmental protection, national security and international economic integration, alongside measures to strengthen the country’s administrative institutions.
A Communist Party Central Committee decision governing the 2027 budget framework calls for state budget revenue to increase by approximately 9.1% compared with the estimated 2026 outcome.
It also provides for savings of 5% from public investment allocations and 10% from specified recurrent expenditure categories, directing additional resources towards priority projects and social welfare programmes.
Adobe is confronting its weakest analyst sentiment on record as Wall Street grows increasingly concerned that artificial intelligence could undermine its established creative software business. A succession of downgrades has pushed the proportion of analysts recommending Adobe shares to buy towards historic lows, reflecting doubts about the company’s ability to sustain growth, protect subscription revenues and defend its position against emerging AI-powered competitors. Only 29% of analysts […]
India’s software stocks have recorded their strongest weekly rally in 18 years, sharply outperforming global semiconductor shares as investors reassess artificial intelligence valuations and respond to improving earnings from major technology services companies.
The Nifty IT index climbed 11.7% during the week ended Friday, October 16, its biggest weekly advance since 2008. Meanwhile, an MSCI index tracking global semiconductor companies had fallen approximately 7.4% during the week, putting software exporters on course for their widest relative outperformance since 2004.
The divergence reflects a significant change in investor sentiment towards technology businesses. Semiconductor manufacturers, previously among the biggest beneficiaries of enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence, have faced selling pressure amid concerns about infrastructure spending, financing costs and the sustainability of earnings growth.
Software services companies, meanwhile, have attracted renewed interest following quarterly results that suggested corporate technology expenditure was stabilising. Investors have also responded to comparatively modest valuations after a prolonged period of weakness in the sector.
HCL Technologies helped initiate the recovery after reporting stronger quarterly performance and raising its full-year revenue growth guidance. Its shares surged 8.4% on Tuesday, their biggest single-session advance in more than six years, while the broader technology index gained 5.2%.
The company reported quarterly net profit of approximately Rs51.32 billion, representing growth of 10.9%. Revenue increased 2.3% sequentially to Rs356.2 billion, supported partly by demand for engineering and research services.
HCL Technologies also disclosed advanced artificial intelligence revenue of $219 million, indicating that established outsourcing companies are beginning to generate identifiable income from technology that investors had previously viewed principally as a competitive threat.
Tech Mahindra reinforced the positive sentiment with quarterly revenue growth of 2.4%, reaching approximately Rs161.8 billion. Net profit rose 8.3% to Rs16.1 billion, supported by improvements in its communications business.
Wipro shares also advanced after the company reported quarterly revenue of Rs247.53 billion, exceeding market expectations. However, its deal bookings declined 45% from a year earlier to $2.6 billion, highlighting continued uncertainty surrounding demand for outsourcing contracts.
Wipro projected constant-currency revenue growth ranging from a decline of 1.5% to an increase of 0.5% for the following quarter. Management indicated that two delayed large contracts could be finalised, although their completion remains uncertain.
The contrasting figures illustrate why analysts remain cautious about treating the market recovery as evidence of a sustained improvement across the entire technology services industry.
Investors have nevertheless become increasingly sensitive to the valuation differences between software exporters and semiconductor manufacturers. Shares linked to artificial intelligence infrastructure had commanded substantial premiums based on expectations of expanding demand for processors, memory and computing capacity.
Those assumptions have come under pressure as investors question whether technology companies can generate sufficient returns from enormous commitments to data centres and related infrastructure.
Higher bond yields have compounded those concerns by increasing financing costs for capital-intensive businesses. Inflation pressures in the United States have also revived expectations that monetary policy could remain restrictive, reducing enthusiasm for highly valued growth stocks.
Semiconductor companies including Nvidia, Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices have faced broader selling pressure, alongside memory manufacturers and businesses supplying artificial intelligence infrastructure.
However, the reversal does not necessarily indicate deteriorating demand for computing hardware. Analysts distinguish between concerns about share valuations and the underlying commercial requirements for advanced processors.
Software exporters face different challenges. Generative artificial intelligence could automate programming, testing and customer support functions, potentially reducing the labour-intensive contracts underpinning traditional outsourcing revenues.
At the same time, businesses adopting artificial intelligence require integration, cybersecurity, cloud management and technology consulting services, creating opportunities for established providers.
The balance between these competing forces remains important for revenue forecasts and profitability expectations.
Friday’s trading demonstrated the strength of the rotation. The Nifty IT index rose 3.9% to close around 31,924 points, while the broader Nifty 50 gained approximately 0.7% to 23,146.
The Sensex finished at 74,729, contributing to the benchmark indices’ strongest weekly performance in six months.
Despite the rebound, technology shares remain below their earlier peaks. Wipro had lost nearly 32% during the year before Friday’s close, compared with a decline of approximately 17% for the broader technology index before the week’s recovery.
32,000+ visitors, RM100,000 in local business revenue and international sporting participation put Sabak Bernam’s unique heritage landscape on the tourism map
SABAK BERNAM, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 October 2026 – From a 30-kilometre British-era waterway built to sustain Selangor’s paddy fields to a destination for sport, culture, tourism and community enterprise, Ban Canal is entering a new chapter — and Karnival Ban Canal 2026 is set to take it further.
Returning for its fourth edition from 6 to 8 November 2026 at Ban Canal Parit 14, Simpang Lima, Sabak Bernam, the award-winning Karnival Ban Canal (KBC 2026) is building a distinctive rural tourism platform around the theme Alam * Budaya * Lestari (Nature * Culture * Sustainability).
The festival attracted more than 32,190 visitors in 2025 and generated over RM100,000 in local business revenue. KBC 2026 aims to build on that momentum, attracting visitors from across Malaysia and internationally while creating greater economic opportunities for local communities.
Where heritage meets adventure
KBC 2026 brings together experiences rarely found in a single festival — from the Larian Bendang and fishing competitions to Kanu Slalom featuring international participants from countries including Japan and China, wall climbing and a flying fox spanning the historic Ban Canal.
The festival will also showcase Sabak Bernam’s multicultural heritage through traditional performances, Bual Bicara Malam Jumaat, local food and produce, Platform Selangor (PLATS) entrepreneur showcases, Jualan Eko Tani and nightly entertainment featuring leading Malaysian artists.
The result is more than a weekend festival. It is a platform connecting tourism, local enterprise, culture, sport and community participation, bringing visitors directly into the rural economy.
A growing platform for brands and partners
As visitor numbers and local economic activity grow, KBC 2026 is also emerging as an attractive platform for corporate partners looking to connect with audiences through experiential, community-driven and sustainability-led engagement.
Corporate partners can gain visibility across the festival ecosystem through digital and social media exposure, main-stage LED presence, on-ground branding and opportunities for direct audience engagement.
Sponsorship opportunities are available across Gold, Silver and Bronze partnerships, with scope for brands to develop activations aligned with their marketing, sustainability and community-impact objectives.
For brands looking beyond conventional advertising, KBC offers something different: the opportunity to be part of a growing destination story while putting the brand directly into the experiences of the people who visit it.
From historic waterway to living tourism destination
Ban Canal sits within the transition and buffer zones of the proposed Anjung Utara Selangor Biosphere Reserve (AUSBR) — Selangor’s 297,661-hectare “ridge-to-sea” living-economy nomination under UNESCO.
Originally constructed to channel water to the state’s interior paddy fields, the historic waterway is being reimagined as a platform for eco-tourism, rural enterprise and community development.
Karnival Ban Canal is a tangible expression of that transformation, demonstrating how natural and cultural assets can generate tourism activity, support local businesses and create new economic opportunities while preserving the character of the landscape.
Driven by the Selangor State Government, MBI Selangor, SABDA and the Sabak Bernam District Council (MDSB), KBC 2026 brings together government, communities, businesses, athletes, artists and visitors around a common proposition: that sustainable tourism can be both commercially vibrant and locally meaningful.
As Ban Canal continues its transformation, KBC 2026 offers visitors a reason to discover Sabak Bernam, businesses a platform to engage new audiences, and sponsors an opportunity to become part of a destination with a story that is still being written.
Hashtag: #SABDA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
SABDA
The Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA) is a strategic economic development initiative of the Selangor State Government under Rancangan Selangor Pertama. SABDA seeks to unlock Sabak Bernam’s full economic potential while strengthening Malaysia’s food production, raising local incomes and improving community livelihoods. Its vision is to establish Sabak Bernam as a driver of sustainable economic growth, food security, resilience and environmental stewardship.
Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) (MBI Selangor)
Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) (MBI Selangor) is the strategic investment arm of the State Government of Selangor, mandated to drive sustainable economic growth and long-term value creation for the state.
MBI Selangor plays a central role in catalysing high-impact developments, facilitating strategic partnerships and unlocking the potential of key sectors to strengthen Selangor’s position as a leading economic hub in Malaysia and the region. Its investment focus spans infrastructure, industrial development, energy, digital economy and other priority sectors aligned with the state’s long-term development agenda.
Guided by the aspirations of Rancangan Selangor Pertama (RS-1), MBI Selangor actively supports initiatives that enhance competitiveness, attract quality investments and create meaningful socio-economic opportunities for the people of Selangor.
Through a disciplined and forward-looking investment approach, MBI Selangor is committed to delivering sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth, while strengthening governance, environmental stewardship and stakeholder value across its portfolio.
Planned high-speed rail and road links are expected to bring the city center within 20 to 35 minutes of the 2,870-hectare ESG++ coastal urban area in Can Gio, while on-site schools, healthcare, offices and parks are designed to reduce the number of trips residents need to make.
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 October 2026 – Vinhomes is developing Vinhomes Green Paradise, a 2,870-hectare ESG++ coastal urban area in Can Gio, southeastern Ho Chi Minh City, around one measure of location: the time residents spend getting where they need to go.
Vinhomes Green Paradise combines new high-speed rail and road links with a self-contained ecosystem of schools, healthcare, workplaces and green space.
The master plan rests on two pillars. First, new transport infrastructure is expected to shorten journeys to the city center: the Ben Thanh-Can Gio high-speed railway, targeted for commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2028, is designed to link the area with downtown in about 20 minutes, while the planned Can Gio Bridge and a widened Rung Sac Boulevard are expected to cut drive times to about 35 minutes.
Second, an on-site ecosystem that includes 104 planned schools, an international general hospital, more than 2 million square meters of office space and more than 370 parks is intended to place most daily needs within reach of home.
The approach responds to a shift in how urban households assess where to live. In fast-growing cities, a home only a few kilometers from the workplace can still require hours in traffic each week. For a resident who saves 15 minutes each way, the gain is about 11 hours a month over 22 working days.
Academic research suggests these hours carry real weight. Using German household data from 1985 to 1998, University of Zurich economists Alois Stutzer and Bruno Frey identified what they termed the “commuting paradox”: people with longer commutes consistently reported lower life satisfaction, contrary to the standard assumption that they are fully compensated by higher pay or better housing. By their estimate, a person commuting one hour each way would need roughly 40% more income to be as satisfied as someone with no commute.
In Ho Chi Minh City, where rapid growth has outpaced the expansion of the road network, traffic congestion remains a significant cost to residents and the local economy. For many homebuyers, the relevant question is increasingly not how far a property is from the center, but how long it takes to get there.
Rail and road links expected to bring the city center within 20 to 35 minutes
Two major infrastructure projects are set to change how Can Gio connects with the rest of Ho Chi Minh City. The Ben Thanh-Can Gio high-speed railway is designed to reach the city’s historic center in about 20 minutes, and the Can Gio Bridge, together with an expanded Rung Sac Boulevard, is expected to bring drive times from downtown to about 35 minutes.
Can Gio, home to a UNESCO-recognized mangrove biosphere reserve, has long been reached mainly by the Binh Khanh ferry. The railway, developed by Vingroup company VinSpeed, will run about 54 kilometers with a maximum design speed of 350 km/h. Construction began in December 2025, and commercial operation is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2028. The line will connect Ben Thanh station in central Ho Chi Minh City with Vinhomes Green Paradise.
On the road network, the Can Gio Bridge, scheduled to open in 2029, will replace the Binh Khanh ferry crossing. Rung Sac Boulevard, the main artery to the area, is being widened to up to 10 lanes. Once complete, the two options are expected to give residents a choice between rail for direct trips to the center and road travel for journeys with multiple stops.
International research points to a link between transit access and property values. A study commissioned by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which tracked five U.S. metropolitan regions from 2006 to 2011, found that homes within half a mile of high-frequency transit outperformed their wider regions by 41.6% over the period, which included the Great Recession. A 2019 follow-up study found that homes near transit sold at median prices 4% to 24% higher than those farther away.
On-site services designed to reduce the number of daily trips
Beyond the commute, Vinhomes Green Paradise is planned to bring education, healthcare, work, retail and recreation inside the community, so that school runs, medical visits, shopping and exercise require shorter trips or none at all. Key components include 104 planned schools, Vinmec Can Gio International General Hospital, more than 2 million square meters of office space and more than 370 parks and green areas.
Education: The master plan provides for 104 schools, including the Vinschool K-12 system and Brighton College Vietnam, reducing the need for long school runs across the city.
Healthcare:Vinmec Can Gio International General Hospital is being developed with Cleveland Clinic as strategic advisor and is designed around the Cleveland Clinic model of care, offering residents access to international-standard treatment close to home.
Work:More than 2 million square meters of office space is intended to allow residents to work near where they live, as financial and technology businesses establish a presence in the area.
Retail and leisure:Planned amenities include Vincom shopping centers, a 20-hectare premium outlet, the 46-hectare Cosmo Bay dining and entertainment complex, two golf courses covering 155 hectares, the 122-hectare VinWonders theme park and Song Xanh Theater.
Green space:More than 370 parks and green areas are planned to place open space within 500 meters of every residence, linked by walking paths and bicycle lanes. The Trust for Public Land estimates, conservatively, that buyers pay 5% to 15% more for homes within three blocks of a well-maintained park.
The project draws on planning principles that cities such as Copenhagen and Singapore have applied for years: development organized around public transit, mixed land use and walkable neighborhoods. At Vinhomes Green Paradise, high-speed rail, education, healthcare, offices and recreation are being planned together from the outset rather than added incrementally, with the aim of measuring a home’s location by the time it returns to residents. Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Vinhomes
Vinhomes is Vietnam’s largest residential real estate and integrated township developer. The company pioneers the development of synchronized, modern large-scale townships, delivering premium living standards and unlocking sustainable investment opportunities for domestic and international clients.
US cybersecurity shares have surrendered part of September’s gains as investors weigh growing demand for artificial intelligence protection against the possibility that AI developers could become competitors to established security companies. Shares in leading vendors fell on Wednesday, 14 October, amid speculation that OpenAI was exploring an acquisition of security specialist Trail of Bits. No transaction had been announced, and the possibility of a deal did not […]
Dell Technologies shares plunged more than 11% on Wednesday after Barclays downgraded the computer and server manufacturer, citing stretched valuations and uncertainty over the sustainability of enterprise artificial intelligence spending. The stock closed at approximately $508, marking one of its steepest daily declines in more than a year. The sell-off followed Barclays analyst Tim Long’s decision to lower Dell’s investment rating from overweight to equal weight and […]
Asia-Pacific economic growth is expected to slow over the next two years despite a powerful boost from artificial intelligence investment, the International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday.
The IMF forecast regional expansion of 4.8 per cent in 2026, compared with 5 per cent last year, followed by a further slowdown to 4.4 per cent in 2027. Its latest estimate for this year nevertheless represents a substantial upgrade from the 4.4 per cent projected in April.
The revised outlook reflects sharply contrasting pressures across Asia. Demand for semiconductors, data centres and other technology equipment has strengthened exports and investment, while higher energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict have squeezed economies dependent on imported fuel.
The fund warned that a reversal in AI investment or technology share valuations could undermine growth disproportionately because Asian manufacturers occupy central positions in global electronics supply chains. Higher sovereign borrowing costs and prolonged disruption to energy supplies present additional threats.
Emerging and developing Asian economies are projected to grow 5.1 per cent this year, down from 5.6 per cent in 2025, before slowing to 4.9 per cent next year. Advanced regional economies are expected to expand 3.2 per cent in 2026, compared with 2.5 per cent last year, then moderate to 2 per cent in 2027.
The IMF upgraded forecasts for South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, where demand linked to AI infrastructure has lifted manufacturing and exports. China and India also received upward revisions, although countries facing higher inflation without equivalent technology gains have experienced weaker growth projections.
Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, said at the fund’s annual meetings in Bangkok that technology exports had accelerated sharply during the first half of 2026. Demand for chips and investment in data centres were important contributors, alongside stronger trade within the region.
He said economies had responded to energy disruptions by diversifying fuel suppliers, reducing consumption, increasing alternative energy use and drawing down inventories. Governments had also introduced measures intended to contain inflation, protect incomes and prevent supply shortages.
Those adjustments have not eliminated the unequal effects of the energy shock. Bangladesh, Cambodia and Laos are among the fuel-importing economies with limited direct exposure to the AI investment boom and comparatively restricted financial resources to absorb further pressure.
The IMF urged monetary authorities to maintain price stability as expensive energy threatens to push inflation expectations higher. It cautioned that central banks could face difficult decisions if weaker growth coincides with persistent price pressures, particularly where currencies and capital flows respond to changes in global interest rates.
Fiscal policy should focus on vulnerable households and businesses rather than costly blanket subsidies, the fund indicated. Elevated public debt and higher bond yields reduce governments’ ability to sustain broad support programmes without increasing financial risks.
The regional assessment comes as investors reassess the durability of spending on AI infrastructure. Asian technology shares suffered steep losses on Thursday, with South Korea’s benchmark stock index falling nearly 8 per cent and Japan’s Nikkei dropping about 5 per cent amid concerns over US inflation and borrowing costs.
The fund also identified concentrated stock market valuations and increased investor leverage as potential sources of instability. A sharp repricing could affect financing conditions and confidence even in economies where orders for technology products remain comparatively strong.
Separately, the IMF expects China’s growth to slow from 5 per cent in 2025 to 4.5 per cent this year and 4 per cent in 2027. It has called for stronger domestic demand and fiscal measures to counter deflationary pressures, rather than continued reliance on external sales.
Beyond financial markets, the fund highlighted employment challenges associated with technological change. Srinivasan said its research found employer demand for jobs more exposed to AI had declined by 10 per cent, although that effect appeared to have stabilised as employers sought workers with relevant skills.
The IMF recommended addressing youth unemployment and skills mismatches, strengthening social protection and improving energy security through diversification and renewable supplies. It also supported deeper regional trade integration as governments seek to preserve access to markets despite tariff barriers.
The regional outlook additionally identified a severe El Niño episode as a potential disruption to agriculture, fisheries and hydropower generation, with possible consequences for food and electricity prices across vulnerable economies, particularly in countries heavily reliant on imported energy.
When Abbie Dibbert and Francoise Albrando took over the day-to-day running of Stay® Property Management, the region was in the middle of a conflict. They chose to keep building. “We saw an opportunity to grow, to expand, and to believe even harder in the UAE and its ability to rise within the chaos,” the directors explain. Over the six months following their March takeover, the live portfolio […]
Global diesel supplies are expected to remain severely constrained well into 2027, threatening to sustain inflation and weaken economic growth as conflicts disrupt refinery operations and fuel exports from the Middle East and Russia, the International Energy Agency has warned. The Paris-based agency said in its October oil market report that recovering refinery production would be insufficient to replenish depleted inventories before the second half of next […]
US Treasury bonds fell sharply on Wednesday after stronger than expected inflation figures drove yields higher and prompted traders to increase bets on further Federal Reserve interest rate rises. The sell-off followed government data showing consumer prices rose 3.7% in September from a year earlier, accelerating from 3.4% in August and exceeding economists’ expectations of 3.6%. The figures complicated the Federal Reserve’s assessment of whether additional monetary […]
Three-year partnership celebrates excellence, ambition and Botswana’s remarkable development story through natural diamonds.
LONDON, UK/ GABORONE, BOTSWANA – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 October 2026 – De Beers Group and the Government of the Republic of Botswana today announced the extension of De Beers’ partnership with Olympic champion and Botswana sporting icon Letsile Tebogo. Originally launched in January 2025, when Tebogo was appointed a De Beers Global Ambassador, the partnership has now been expanded into a three-year programme of work between De Beers and the Government of Botswana as part of their wider collaboration to support natural diamond demand and promote Botswana’s unique contribution to the diamond industry. The extended partnership will help shine a light on the progress Botswana has achieved through diamonds as the nation celebrates its ‘diamond’ anniversary of 60 years since independence.
Building on the success of the initial partnership, the relationship will be anchored in a global storytelling platform themed “The Road to LA28”, following Tebogo’s journey as he prepares for the next chapter of his extraordinary career. The collaboration will spotlight the transformative role that natural diamonds play in creating opportunities, supporting communities and driving long-term prosperity in Botswana.
Letsile Tebogo said: “My success story is connected to Botswana’s diamond heritage. The resources that built our schools and sports facilities helped create opportunities for young athletes like me. This partnership goes beyond sport – it is about showcasing how natural resources can drive positive change and create pathways for the next generation.”
In 2024, Tebogo made history when he won Olympic gold in the men’s 200 metres in a time of 19.46 seconds, becoming the first African athlete to win the event and the first Motswana to claim an Olympic gold medal. His achievement captivated audiences worldwide and cemented his status as one of the most exciting talents in global sport.
Since then, Tebogo has continued to establish himself among the world’s elite sprinters. Named World Athletics Men’s Athlete of the Year in 2024, he has remained a leading force on the international circuit, delivering standout performances across global competitions and inspiring a new generation of athletes throughout Africa.
The partnership reflects the powerful connection between Tebogo’s personal journey and Botswana’s development story. Over more than five decades, Botswana’s diamond resources have helped support investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and sport, creating opportunities for generations of Batswana and helping cultivate talents such as Tebogo. Like a natural diamond formed under pressure and transformed into something exceptional, Tebogo’s rise from Botswana to Olympic glory embodies resilience, determination and the fulfilment of potential.
The Road to LA28
As the face of the campaign, Tebogo will feature in content and storytelling initiatives that explore the dedication, sacrifice and support systems behind elite performance. Building on the Talent Unearthed platform, the campaign will connect sporting excellence with Botswana’s broader story of opportunity, progress and possibility.
Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said: Anything worth having takes time, effort and pressure, whether that’s winning Olympic gold, the growth of a nation or the formation of a natural diamond. We are proud to extend our partnership with Letsile Tebogo, showcasing how Botswana nurtures its human talent just as carefully as it develops its precious natural resources. As Botswana’s approaches its 60th ‘diamond’ anniversary of independence, its people and its diamonds have never shone more brightly.
Honourable Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy, said: “As we celebrate Botswana’s Diamond Jubilee, we have an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable national journey. From independence to today, natural diamonds have helped transform our country and create opportunities for generations of Batswana. Letsile’s rise to Olympic champion is a powerful example of what can be achieved when talent meets opportunity. Through this partnership, the Government of Botswana, De Beers Group and Letsile Tebogo will share Botswana’s story with global audiences while highlighting the enduring value and positive impact of natural diamonds.”
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers London and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology services. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach to sustainability that underpins our efforts to create meaningful impact for the people and places where our diamonds are discovered. Building Forever focuses on three key areas where, through collaborations and partnerships around the globe, we have an enhanced ability to drive positive impact; Livelihoods, Climate and Nature. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
About The Republic of Botswana
Botswana is a peaceful and stable country in the heart of Southern Africa, renowned for its diamonds, spectacular wildlife, rich culture and breath-taking landscapes. In 2026, Botswana celebrates 60 years of independence – its Diamond Jubilee, marking six decades of nation-building, resilience and progress. Since independence in 1966, the country has made significant strides in economic and social development, with diamond revenues contributing to education, healthcare, infrastructure and improved livelihoods. Beyond diamonds, Botswana is a world-class tourism destination, home to the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Makgadikgadi Pans, offering unforgettable wildlife and safari experiences. The country is also celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality and strong traditions, including the internationally recognised Tswana way of life. As Botswana looks to the future, it is embracing economic diversification, investment, innovation, renewable energy and sustainable tourism, creating new opportunities for both local and international partners. Sixty years on, Botswana stands proud as a nation of peace, natural beauty, valuable resources and opportunity—building on its remarkable past while confidently shaping a prosperous future.
