Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai has approved a comprehensive public safety law aimed at strengthening community protection, regulating behaviour in public spaces and expanding the legal tools available to authorities to respond to emergencies and security threats. The legislation, announced by the government of Dubai, forms part of a broader effort to modernise policing powers while reinforcing the emirate’s reputation as one of the world’s safest cities. […]
Ethereum’s market price has shown muted momentum across parts of the digital-asset market, yet underlying indicators suggest a steady expansion in the network’s financial infrastructure as tokenised real-world assets and Layer-2 platforms gather pace. Data tracking blockchain-based financial products indicates that tokenised real-world assets—commonly known as RWAs—have climbed to roughly $20.4 billion in value across decentralised networks, reflecting growing institutional participation and experimentation with blockchain settlement systems. […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Network usage across the two holy mosques in Saudi Arabia has surged during the mid-Ramadan peak, highlighting the scale of digital demand generated by millions of worshippers and visitors converging on Makkah and Madinah. Telecommunications operator stc Group reported significant increases in data traffic and communication services at both sites, underscoring the growing role of advanced connectivity infrastructure in supporting large-scale religious gatherings. […]
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 March 2026 – CGTN published an article on the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee. Reviewing the work of the CPPCC National Committee in 2025 in areas like its consultative and deliberative work and assisting in the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the article highlights the CPPCC’s role as a dedicated consultative body through which people’s democracy is practiced.
Committed to addressing the difficulties regarding people’s livelihood through the rule of law, Pi Jianlong, a lawyer and a national political advisor, has spent years going deep into factories, workshops, law firms and juvenile probation and rehabilitation centers, making sure that his proposals, grounded in rigorous field research, are precise, practical and responsive to real needs.
Noting the predicament faced by food delivery riders, including the lack of contracts, social security and basic protection, he proposed targeted suggestions such as innovating social security models and strengthening platform responsibilities. In 2025, platforms such as JD.com and Meituan successively introduced social security plans, providing full social insurance coverage for full-time riders and accident and medical insurance for part-time riders.
Awarded for his outstanding performance in 2025 by the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee recently, Pi exemplifies the commitment of thousands of CPPCC members to serving the people through high-quality duty fulfillment, underscoring the CPPCC’s role as a major vehicle through which people’s democracy is practiced.
On Wednesday afternoon, China’s top political advisory body, the CPPCC National Committee, kicked off its annual session in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping, together with other leaders, attended the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee.
99.9% proposals handled
Acting as a dedicated consultative body, the CPPCC has pooled extensive consensus and strength to support the successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and a solid start to the 15th Five-Year Plan over the past year, injecting strong vitality into the practice of whole-process people’s democracy – a key concept put forward by Xi himself to advance China’s political landscape.
Over the years, China has made all-around progress in improving the institutions, standards and procedures of socialist democracy and advanced socialist consultative democracy by way of extensive participation.
According to a work report delivered at the opening meeting, in 2025, the CPPCC National Committee received 5,992 proposals from its members, of which 5,061 were accepted for processing. The response rate for the accepted proposals stood at 99.9%.
The CPPCC National Committee members carried out 6,778 activities to serve the people, along with 11,115 outreach activities engaging people from relevant sectors. These efforts benefited more than 4 million people.
By innovating consultative and deliberative methods, improving consultative democracy institutions, and fostering a culture of consultation, the CPPCC has further strengthened its role in promoting democracy and offering policy advice while building consensus.
Over the past year, the CPPCC National Committee held 98 consultative and deliberative events, ranging from promoting the country’s green and low-carbon transition for the 15th Five-Year Plan and developing the silver economy to improving and innovating social governance. These efforts demonstrate that consultative democracy is grounded in reality and responsive to public needs, pooling support, consensus, wisdom and strength to advance Chinese modernization.
Securing a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan
Supporting the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan serves as a key task of the CPPCC in 2025, representing a vivid practice of whole-process people’s democracy.
From May 20 to June 20 last year, China launched an online public consultation to gather opinions for its next five-year plan. The initiative drew over 3.11 million valid submissions, yielding more than 1,500 constructive suggestions across 27 topics.
A summary of these findings was submitted to the Party leadership, ensuring that the people’s voices were heard at the highest level. By September, a total of 2,112 suggestions had been collected from various regions, departments and sectors, resulting in 218 revisions to the document.
To contribute to the 15th Five-Year Plan, the CPPCC, over the past year, held a special standing committee meeting and carried out 54 special studies, yielding a series of high-quality outcomes. Meanwhile, it launched a special research column, publishing 55 issues to provide evidence-based references for policy-making.
This broad-based participation highlights that national development strategies are rooted in public will, gathering strong momentum for Chinese modernization.
According to the work report, in 2026, the CPPCC will conduct in-depth research and thorough consultations on major tasks and strategic measures of the 15th Five-Year Plan and carry out cross-committee, cross-sector and cross-disciplinary studies, aiming to put forward forward-looking, targeted and operable policy suggestions, according to the report.
Focusing on key issues in areas such as economic development, technological innovation, reform and opening up, social development, and people’s livelihood, the CPPCC will truthfully reflect public opinions based on facts and implement the CPPCC National Committee’s democratic oversight work plan during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
For more information, please click: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-03-04/How-China-builds-consensus-boosts-growth-via-consultative-democracy-1LeSOfZLbk4/p.html
Hashtag: #CGTN
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai SoftBank Group’s digital payments subsidiary PayPay has secured backing from major Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds as anchor investors for its planned Nasdaq listing, signalling growing Gulf interest in Asian fintech assets and global digital payments infrastructure. PayPay Corporation is preparing to raise about $1.1 billion through an initial public offering in the United States, with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and a […]
Kiztopia brings its award-winning “Play to Learn, Learn through Play” concept to Southern Malaysia, marking its 3rd outlet in Malaysia and 22nd across APAC
JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 March 2026 – Kiztopia, Singapore’s leading family edutainment brand, officially celebrated the grand opening of its newest outlet at Toppen Shopping Centre, Johor Bahru on February 26, 2026. This milestone marks Kiztopia’s third outlet in Malaysia since 2024 and its 22nd family edutainment centre across the Asia-Pacific region.
From left: Ms. Li San, Operations Manager of Kiztopia Malaysia; Ms. Heidi Tian, CEO and Founder of Kiztopia; Mr. Sergey Aristarkhov, Centre Manager of Toppen Mall; Ms. Su Wei, General Manager of Kiztopia Malaysia; and Mr. Nicholas Yong, COO of Kiztopia, commemorated the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new outlet.
Founded in Singapore in 2019 with its flagship outlet at Marina Square, Kiztopia was awarded “Best Attraction Experience” at the Singapore Tourism Awards in 2021. Today, the brand operates across Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, with sub-brands including Kiztopia Club, Bouncetopia, SkyPark, Kiztopia Prestige, and Xventure — a sports and adventure concept designed for teens, adults and thrill-seekers.
The Johor Bahru outlet represents Kiztopia’s continued commitment to expanding its footprint in Malaysia, bringing innovative and immersive family experiences to the southern region.
Speaking at the grand opening ceremony, Ms. Heidi Tian, Founder and CEO of Kiztopia, said: “A very warm welcome to our grand opening ceremony at Toppen Shopping Centre today. This marks our third outlet opened in Malaysia since 2024 and our 22nd outlet in the APAC region. We are honoured to collaborate with Ikano Group and delighted to bring memorable experiences and timeless fun to all families in Johor and across Malaysia.
We are fully committed to Malaysia’s market development and hope to bring more innovative and creative concepts and experiences to Malaysian families.”
Ms. Su Wei, General Manager of Kiztopia Malaysia, added: “This expansion reflects how much we value families in the South. Beyond the play zones, our team is here to create lasting memories — and we can’t wait to see the smiles begin at Toppen.”
Mr. Sergey Aristarkhov, Centre Manager of Toppen Mall, shared: “Toppen is not just a shopping mall; it is a place that creates meaningful experiences for families and children. This is what we believe in. We are proud to welcome Kiztopia as part of our experiential offerings, strengthening Toppen’s position as a destination for family bonding and interactive play.”
A world of imaginative play and active learning
Kiztopia is built around its core philosophy of “Play to Learn, Learn through Play.” The Johor Bahru outlet features vibrant thematic play zones inspired by Kiztopia’s eight unique IP-registered characters, each designed to stimulate creativity, physical activity, and social development.
Children can explore large-scale interactive playground structures, role-play zones that spark imagination, obstacle courses that encourage physical agility, and immersive activity areas that nurture teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Designed as a safe, engaging and enriching environment, the centre allows children to build confidence while strengthening family bonds through shared experiences.
Beyond daily play sessions, Kiztopia also offers curated birthday party packages and school visit programmes, providing customised, guided experiences that combine fun, education and memorable celebrations for children of all ages.
Strengthening Malaysia’s family entertainment landscape
The launch at Toppen Shopping Centre reinforces Kiztopia’s long-term commitment to Malaysia as a key growth market in Southeast Asia. By collaborating with Ikano Group and Toppen Mall, Kiztopia aims to deliver not just entertainment, but holistic family experiences that blend education, physical play and emotional connection.
With Malaysia’s growing demand for premium indoor family attractions, Kiztopia continues to innovate with new concepts, seasonal events and cross-brand experiences such as Jumptopia™ and Splashtopia — signature inflatable event experiences that have delighted families across the region.
Visit Kiztopia at Toppen Shopping Centre
Families in Johor Bahru and surrounding areas are invited to experience Kiztopia’s newest outlet at Toppen Shopping Centre and discover a dynamic space where imagination, learning and fun come together.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Kiztopia
Founded in 2019 with its flagship outlet at Marina Square, Kiztopia is Singapore’s leading family edutainment brand, awarded “Best Attraction Experience” at the Singapore Tourism Awards in 2021. Featuring eight unique IP-registered characters, Kiztopia offers a range of programs and activities where children can “Play to Learn, Learn through Play.” Today, Kiztopia operates 22 family edutainment centres (FECs) across Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan, with sub-brands such as Kiztopia Club, Bouncetopia, SkyPark, Kiztopia Prestige, and Xventure, a sports and adventure concept for teens, adults, and thrill-seekers. In 2024, Kiztopia secured its first round of private equity funding to support regional growth and expansion. Beyond its FECs, our signature bouncy castle event, Jumptopia™ and Splashtopia, has delighted families across the region, alongside co-organized events like the Children’s Festival and TriFactor Kids Run, family staycation collaborations, and a kids’ travel product line with American Tourister. For more information, visit http://www.kiztopia.com.my/.
By K Raveendran Escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran are rapidly transforming a regional confrontation into a global economic and geopolitical crisis, raising the spectre of what many analysts are beginning to describe as a Third Gulf War. Tehran’s early warning that Washington might possess the ability to ignite the conflict but […]
Travellers navigating uncertain flight schedules through Dubai are being offered a new support system as visa consultancy firm Visa Services launches a Safe Travel Concierge programme designed to help passengers identify operating flights, manage visa requirements and arrange accommodation during complex travel itineraries. The service, announced by the Dubai-based company, aims to assist passengers departing from or arriving in the emirate who face sudden changes to travel […]
Escalating conflict across the Middle East could force Gulf producers to halt oil and gas exports within weeks, Qatar’s energy minister has warned, raising the prospect of a severe global energy shock and sharply higher fuel prices. Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, who heads the state-run energy group QatarEnergy and oversees the country’s energy policy, said a prolonged war involving Iran could disrupt shipping and production across the Gulf, […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai BlackRock has limited investor withdrawals from one of its largest private credit funds after a surge in redemption requests, underscoring mounting strain in the rapidly expanding market for non-bank lending valued at about $1.8 trillion. The restrictions apply to a private credit vehicle managed by the world’s largest asset manager that oversees roughly $26 billion in assets. Investors had sought to withdraw amounts […]
Roguelite strategy title The King is Watching has surpassed 500,000 copies sold worldwide, marking a notable commercial milestone for Serbian developer Hypnohead and publisher TinyBuild. The kingdom-building game, launched in July 2025 on the PC platform Steam, has gained steady traction among strategy enthusiasts and independent-game audiences, aided by platform policy changes, an expanding international player base and a focused push into the Chinese market. Sales […]
Cardano’s cryptocurrency ADA has entered the Swiss retail landscape through a new payment integration allowing customers to spend the digital asset at 137 SPAR supermarkets across Switzerland. The development follows a collaboration between Cardano-linked payment infrastructure and Swiss crypto-finance firm DFX. swiss, enabling ADA transactions at checkout using existing point-of-sale systems. Shoppers at participating SPAR outlets can now pay with ADA through a system that connects Cardano’s […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai United Arab Emirates and Japan have agreed on the final provisions of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, marking a significant step toward expanding trade and investment ties between the Gulf state and Asia’s third-largest economy. The agreement, the first such partnership Japan has concluded with an Arab country, aims to reduce tariffs, ease market access and deepen cooperation across sectors ranging from energy […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Silicon Oasis has concluded the third cohort of the MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Programme with a Demo Day that brought together start-ups, investors and policymakers to showcase emerging technologies aimed at transforming urban environments and sustainable infrastructure. The programme, organised by Dubai Silicon Oasis, a special economic zone for knowledge and innovation under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, is delivered in […]
Virtual-reality industry veteran Kevin Joyce has launched a new publishing venture aimed at helping independent developers survive a turbulent period for immersive gaming, arguing that the sector’s long-anticipated breakthrough remains ahead despite financial pressure and shifting investment priorities. The company, Evolution Publishing, has been created to support studios developing native VR titles and provide them with marketing, publishing and commercial guidance. Joyce, who has more than two […]
Heavy withdrawals from cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds in the United States interrupted a period of strong investor demand, with both Bitcoin and Ethereum products registering sizeable net outflows after several weeks of steady inflows that had buoyed digital asset markets. Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds collectively recorded net outflows of about $227.9 million during the latest trading sessions, while spot Ethereum ETFs saw withdrawals totalling roughly $90.9 million. The […]
Breakthrough laboratory findings have identified a protein vital to the survival and spread of malaria parasites, offering scientists a promising new target for drug development against one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. Researchers studying the malaria parasite Plasmodium have found that a molecule known as Aurora-related kinase 1, or ARK1, acts as a central regulator during the parasite’s unusual form of cell division. Experiments showed that […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Property developer Aldar Properties has stated that all operations across its portfolio in the United Arab Emirates are continuing without disruption, underscoring the company’s operational resilience as it maintains services across residential communities, commercial offices, retail centres, hospitality assets and development sites. The Abu Dhabi-based developer said activities across its diverse property network — including logistics facilities, schools, hotels and development projects — […]
Credit spreads across Gulf bond markets have stabilised after widening briefly during the opening phase of the Middle East conflict, with investor demand returning to regional debt and supporting prices across several sectors. Trading activity in the days following the escalation showed spreads narrowing from earlier volatility, particularly in high-yield real estate bonds issued by companies across the Gulf Cooperation Council. Market participants say the shift reflects […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Emerging market assets have endured one of their sharpest jolts in years as conflict spreading across the Middle East triggered a global flight from risk, driving currencies, equities and bonds lower while prompting major investment banks to scale back bullish positions. Heightened geopolitical tensions following United States and Israeli strikes on Iran unsettled financial markets, pushing investors towards the safety of the US […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Major companies across the United Arab Emirates say operations remain stable and financial positions strong despite geopolitical tensions affecting parts of the wider Middle East, with executives emphasising that diversified portfolios, strong domestic demand and a stable regulatory environment are helping to cushion potential disruptions. Corporate statements released during the week reflected a cautious but confident tone as businesses across sectors ranging […]
Global cloud communications platform Infobip has opened a new data centre in Saudi Arabia, marking a strategic expansion aimed at supporting the Kingdom’s accelerating digital transformation and growing demand for locally hosted data services. The facility strengthens Infobip’s presence in the Middle East and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build a resilient digital infrastructure under its economic diversification agenda. By locating critical cloud communications infrastructure inside […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Rome hosted high-level talks between the United Arab Emirates and Italy as both sides explored ways to expand economic cooperation and deepen strategic ties across trade, energy, investment and technology sectors. Discussions centred on strengthening an already growing partnership between the Gulf state and one of Europe’s largest economies, reflecting a broader push by both governments to widen collaboration in a shifting geopolitical […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2026 – Money20/20, the world’s leading fintech show and the place where money does business, unveiled its annual Future of Fintech in APAC report ahead of Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok on April 21-23 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The whitepaper reveals APAC’s fintech ecosystem has reached a pivotal inflection point, shifting from experimentation to production-grade innovation across AI, digital payments, and assets.
Source: Money20/20
Based on insights from over 130 senior fintech leaders, the report highlights an industry moving beyond pilot programs toward enterprise-scale solutions that prioritize collaboration, digital trust, and financial inclusion as core business imperatives for 2026.
Key Findings
22.9% of respondents identify the region as their primary growth target, underscoring its continued dominance as the region’s growth engine.
90.6% of executives say social good initiatives are now embedded in corporate strategy — confirming impact has become a commercial imperative.
61.2% of organizations have already adopted AI or machine learning.
New frameworks in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan are driving institutional adoption of stablecoins and tokenized assets.
63.5% of leaders cite fraud prevention as their highest operational priority.
“APAC is no longer experimenting — it’s executing,” said Ian Fong, VP of Content at Money20/20 Asia. “The region is building financial infrastructure that is faster, safer, and more inclusive than ever before. What happens here will influence the future of money globally.”
Digital Trust Becomes the New Currency
With digital adoption accelerating, 63.5% of leaders identify fraud prevention as their top priority. Regulators and industry players are now pivoting toward real-time risk intelligence and AI-driven security.
“The speed of digital adoption in APAC has outpaced traditional fraud models,” said Justin Lie, Founder & CEO of SHIELD. “What we’re seeing now is a shift toward real-time, device-level intelligence that operates silently in the background. Trust is the new currency of digital finance, and the companies that embed it in every interaction while delivering a frictionless experience will define the future of the industry.”
Stablecoins Move into Mainstream Financial Infrastructure
Institutional engagement with stablecoins and tokenized financial instruments has grown significantly, supported by clearer regulatory frameworks emerging across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan.
“Across Asia, stablecoins are already embedded in real economic activity from payments and cross-border settlements to treasury optimization,” said Yam Ki Chan, Vice President, Asia Pacific at Circle. “The region is demonstrating how digital assets can scale within financial systems, and the next phase is about interoperability and the development of an economic operating system for the internet”.
Digital Lending Expands Financial Access
The report highlights 72.9% of respondents believe SME-tailored fintech solutions are key to APAC’s economic growth, signaling a widening opportunity for inclusive financial innovation.
“Financial inclusion isn’t achieved by simply putting products online — it requires building for the realities of everyday consumers,” said Moritz Gastl, General Manager of Tala Philippines. “In markets like the Philippines, trust, transparency, and flexibility matter just as much as credit scoring. Digital lending works when it empowers people, not when it replicates old systems with new interfaces.”
Looking Ahead: Collaboration Will Define the Next Decade
As AI scales, payment rails interconnect, and digital assets enter regulated markets, APAC is emerging as a global blueprint for future financial systems. “The next wave of fintech innovation will be defined by how well we balance technological advancement with social impact,” added Fong. “APAC markets are proving that financial innovation and inclusion can advance together.”
The Future of Fintech in APAC report can be downloaded HERE. Hashtag: #Money20/20
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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By K Raveendran Escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran are rapidly transforming a regional confrontation into a global economic and geopolitical crisis, raising the spectre of what many analysts are beginning to describe as a Third Gulf War. Tehran’s early warning that Washington might possess the ability to ignite the conflict but […]
