Dubai has set out the biggest public-transport expansion in its history with approval of the Metro Gold Line, a Dh34 billion underground corridor designed to bind older neighbourhoods to newer growth districts and give the emirate a fresh rail spine by 9 September 2032. The scheme covers 42 kilometres and 18 stations, will run as Dubai’s first fully underground metro line, and is intended to serve 1.5 […]
Investcorp Capital has deployed $200 million into a three-asset US residential real estate portfolio, betting that demand for senior living and rental housing in supply-constrained metropolitan markets will stay firm as demographic pressure builds. The Abu Dhabi-listed alternative investment company said the portfolio spans nearly 500 units and includes two senior housing properties in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas, alongside a multifamily community […]
GamesIndustry. biz is set to return to Brazil next week to cover Gamescom Latam in São Paulo, as the event prepares for a five-day run from April 29 to May 3 at the Anhembi District, with April 29 reserved as a VIP day before the main public programme opens. The trip places the publication back at one of the gaming sector’s fastest-expanding regional gatherings, at a time […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 April 2026 – One year after the US Liberation Day, tariffs continue to disrupt global trade and supply chains while many economies and corporates still struggle to find their footing. The broke out of the Middle East conflict has compounded on the effect by driving lower global GDP growth (+2.6% in 2026), higher global inflation (4.3% in 2026) and stronger fiscal pressure. Amid such highly uncertain times, Allianz Trade in Hong Kong partnered with DBS for an exclusive session where industry experts and thought leaders dissected into today’s shifting geopolitical landscape and heightened credit risks, and offered their views on trade opportunities in an increasingly fragmented world.
“The Middle East conflict has added a new layer of shocks to an already fragile environment shaped by tariffs, weakening demand and declining consumer confidence. The good news is that firms have taken operational steps to adapt since the trade war began, with the most common strategies including inventory building, market diversification, sourcing from new suppliers and rerouting through third markets. Asia Pacific has emerged as the clear structural beneficiary of supply chain realignment. Hong Kong, as a major trading and financing hub in the region, continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating trade and investment flows. Together with DBS, we are here to offer our combined intelligence and support to help companies achieve customer and market diversification, better risk selection, and providing them with confidence to trade and grow safely,” states Hassan Omaish, CEO for Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan at Allianz Trade.
Jolynn Wong, Managing Director and Head of Global Transaction Services, DBS Hong Kong, says, “We are witnessing a lengthening of cash collection cycles across sectors impacted by trade route and inventory disruptions, leading to a growing proportion of receivables held at extended tenors. In this climate of heightened volatility, the role of trade finance extends beyond mere credit extension; it must now assure corporates of timely critical cash flow realisation and enable strategic suppliers to maintain production amidst disruptions. Leveraging DBS Hong Kong’s robust capital and liquidity, we provide clients with the necessary extended tenors and contingent liquidity to navigate prolonged inventory and shipping cycles, thereby fortifying their resilience. By integrating guarantees, letters of credit, credit insurance, and treasury hedging into a unified architecture through our digital platforms, we empower clients to transform volatile receivables into reliable cash flows and turn disruptions into investable growth opportunities.”
Notes to editors:
To gauge how global exporters fared through tariffs and the Middle East conflict, Allianz Trade recently published its flagship Global Survey, where 6,000 exporters across 13 countries were polled on their export performances over the past year, as well as outlook and coping strategies for the short- to medium-term. The Survey revealed that 75% of exporters expect positive export growth in 2026, which was much more optimistic than the 2025 tariff shock where expectations dropped by -40pp.
“For now, the impact of the Middle East conflict seems moderate, but such level of optimism remains fragile and could quickly fade if the conflict drags on. Allianz Trade’s Global Survey revealed that geopolitical and political risks are the leading threat globally for corporates (65%), while supply-related issues, such as bankruptcy of suppliers and shortage of inputs, came at second place (57%). The Middle East conflict has also tightened trade finance conditions. Not only payment cycles are lengthening, 43% of companies expect payment terms to deteriorate further. Pharmaceuticals, construction and computers/telecom are the most exposed sectors, while larger companies face disproportionately longer payment cycles,” says Ana Boata, Head of Economic Research at Allianz Trade.
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https://www.allianz-trade.com/en_HK.html
https://www.linkedin.com/company/allianz-trade-apac/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Allianz Trade is the global leader in trade credit insurance and a recognized specialist in the areas of surety, collections, structured trade credit and political risk. Our proprietary intelligence network is based on instant access to data of 289 million corporates. We give companies the confidence to trade by securing their payments. We compensate your company in the event of a bad debt, but more importantly, we help you avoid bad debt in the first place. Whenever we provide trade credit insurance or other finance solutions, our priority is predictive protection. But, when the unexpected arrives, our AA credit rating means we have the resources, backed by Allianz to provide compensation to maintain your business. Headquartered in Paris, Allianz Trade is present in over 40 countries with 5,900 employees. In 2025, our consolidated turnover was EUR4 billion and insured global business transactions represented EUR1,400 billion in exposure. For more information, please visit allianz-trade.com.
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named World’s Best Bank by Global Finance, World’s Best Bank by Euromoney and Global Bank of the Year by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named World’s Best Digital Bank by Euromoney and the world’s Most Innovative in Digital Banking by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the Safest Bank in Asia award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
By K Raveendran Oil’s refusal to break decisively towards $100 a barrel, despite a tense geopolitical backdrop and repeated threats tied to the Strait of Hormuz, says something important about how markets are reading the balance between rhetoric and reality. At one level, the price action looks counterintuitive. A blockade or even a serious disruption […]
The article Oil Refusal To Hit $100 Reveals Confidence Against Supply Disruption appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Greenlogue/AP Rainfall has transformed parts of Al-Asyah Governorate in the northeast of Qassim into a striking rural landscape, sending water through wadis and ravines, softening the terrain and drawing residents and visitors into open spaces as milder conditions settled over the area. The heaviest visual impact was seen around Wadi Dhaidah and nearby ravines, including Hani, where runoff traced its way between rocky outcrops and elevated ground. […]
Mozilla has released Firefox 150 with a broad security update that fixes 41 vulnerabilities, including multiple high-impact flaws tied to memory handling, browser components and privilege controls, prompting renewed calls for users and enterprise administrators to move quickly on patching. Mozilla’s advisory for the release was published on April 21, 2026, and classed the overall impact as high. The most serious issues include CVE-2026-6746, a use-after-free flaw […]
Source: Cushman & Wakefield Research
The report finds that while operational energy efficiency has improved significantly across the sector, embodied carbon and Scope 3 emissions now represent the majority of total lifecycle emissions in many commercial buildings.
A Shift to Whole-Life Carbon Thinking
As building efficiency improves and electricity grids decarbonise, the relative importance of embodied carbon is increasing. The report highlights the “redevelopment paradox”: while new buildings are more energy efficient, demolition and reconstruction can generate such high upfront carbon that total lifecycle emissions may exceed those of retained and refurbished assets.
This shift is particularly relevant in rapidly evolving urban markets such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, where redevelopment cycles are frequent and asset repositioning is common.
Scope 3 Becomes a Core Market Driver
Scope 3 emissions – covering embodied carbon, tenant energy use, and supply chain activities – are now the largest emissions category for most real estate portfolios.
The report shows that leased office space is increasingly a key Scope 3 exposure point for occupiers, especially multinational companies operating under global net-zero commitments. As a result, Scope 3 performance is now influencing:
Carbon as a Financial Factor
Embodied carbon and Scope 3 emissions are no longer just sustainability metrics – they are collectively a financially material driver of asset value. The report demonstrates that differences in whole-life carbon performance can create meaningful divergence in asset outcomes through:
A comparative analysis shows that carbon performance alone can drive a value differential of approximately 37% between otherwise identical assets.
From Risk to Opportunity
While regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, global capital and leading occupiers are already embedding whole-life carbon considerations into decision-making. The report highlights a clear opportunity for market participants who act early through:
Beyond the Carbon Blind Spot concludes that the Chinese mainland commercial real estate sector is entering a decisive new phase where whole-life carbon performance is becoming central to competitiveness, asset value, and investment strategy. Stakeholders who integrate embodied carbon and Scope 3 considerations into core decision-making today will be best positioned to enhance resilience, unlock capital, and deliver long-term value in a rapidly evolving market.
Alton Wong, Executive Director, Head of Sustainability Advisory Services, Head of Advisory Services, Valuation and Advisory Services, Greater China, said, “Embodied carbon and Scope 3 emissions are now firmly at the centre of the decarbonisation agenda for commercial real estate. As operational performance improves, the industry is being forced to confront the much larger, and more complex, emissions embedded across the full asset lifecycle. This is driving a fundamental shift in how buildings are designed, constructed and managed, with increasing emphasis on material choices, retrofit strategies, and supply chain engagement. What was once considered a technical sustainability issue is now a core strategic priority for investors and occupiers alike.”
Shaun Brodie, Head of Research Content, Greater China, said, “Our research shows that carbon is rapidly becoming a defining factor in commercial real estate performance on the Chinese mainland. The transition to whole-life carbon thinking is not just about reducing emissions – it is about understanding how sustainability directly impacts asset value, leasing dynamics, and investment outcomes. As occupiers and capital providers place greater weight on embodied carbon and Scope 3 emissions, assets that fail to adapt risk accelerated obsolescence, while those that lead on carbon performance stand to capture a clear competitive advantage.”
Please click here to download the full report
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 53,000 employees in nearly 350 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2025, the firm reported revenue of $10.3 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.hk or follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cushman-&-wakefield-greater-china).
Google appears to be edging towards a new chapter in wearables, with leaks pointing to a screen-free fitness band branded as Fitbit Air and a broader push to fold Fitbit more tightly into a wider Google health ecosystem. The device, if launched in the coming weeks as tipped, would mark one of the clearest signals yet that the company sees room for simpler, lower-distraction health hardware alongside […]
Greenlogue/AP ENOC Group used Earth Day 2026 to showcase a larger point than a one-day observance, saying energy efficiency has become a core operating discipline across its businesses after cumulative savings passed AED 478 million. The Dubai-based energy group said the gains were built over more than a decade through tighter control of energy use, lower emissions and upgrades across its refinery, terminals, retail network and head […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Raimondi Middle East has crossed the threshold of 100 cranes in operation across the UAE, underscoring how deeply the company has embedded itself in one of the Gulf’s busiest construction markets. The 100th machine, a Raimondi LR273 luffing jib crane, has been deployed in Dubai and is the first unit of that model to be installed in the country. The milestone is more […]
Blackstone-owned AirTrunk is preparing what could become a landmark financing for Asia-Pacific digital infrastructure, with the data-centre operator seeking to raise at least A$500 million through asset-backed bonds backed by its facilities, according to market reports and company disclosures on its broader funding platform. The move would mark a notable step in bringing securitised debt structures, long familiar in other asset classes, into the region’s fast-growing data-centre […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Washington’s suggestion that the United Arab Emirates might need outside financial support has drawn a swift rebuttal from Abu Dhabi, with the country’s envoy in the United States saying such claims misread the strength of the federation’s economy and balance sheet. The response followed remarks by President Donald Trump that a currency swap arrangement with the UAE was under consideration and that he […]
Ministers are moving to turn England’s school mobile phone rules into law, shifting a long-standing policy push from guidance into statute as the government tries to tighten control over children’s screen use and strengthen schools’ hand in enforcing phone-free days. The change is being advanced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill after fresh parliamentary pressure over children’s online safety and time spent on devices. The proposal […]
Cyber criminals are using a tampered Android app to steal payment card data and PINs in a campaign that marks a more aggressive phase in near-field communication fraud, with the latest NGate malware variant targeting users in Brazil and enabling both unauthorised payments and cash withdrawals at contactless ATMs. The newly identified strain hides inside a doctored version of HandyPay, a legitimate NFC relay application, and appears […]
Forza Horizon 6 has reportedly crossed 500,000 pre-sold copies on Steam with about a month still to run before its full launch, a figure that, if borne out, would mark one of the strongest pre-release performances yet for a first-party Xbox racing title on Valve’s platform. The game is officially due on 19 May 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam and Game Pass, with […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai International Financial Centre has unveiled plans to remake itself as what it describes as the world’s first AI-native financial centre, tying the ambition to a projected $3.5 billion contribution to Dubai’s economy and the creation of 25,000 jobs as artificial intelligence is woven into regulation, operations, talent development and the district’s built environment. The move marks a step beyond the common industry […]
Strategy has stepped up its bitcoin buying spree with a $2.54 billion acquisition of 34,164 tokens, marking one of the largest purchases in the company’s history and pushing its total holdings to 815,061 bitcoin. The purchase, made between April 13 and April 19, was funded through sales of perpetual preferred stock known as STRC and the company’s common stock, extending a capital-raising model that has turned the […]
Tether has led an $8 million strategic funding round in Abu Dhabi-based tokenisation firm KAIO, backing a business that says it wants to move institutional funds onto blockchain rails and widen access to products that have traditionally sat behind high minimum investment thresholds. The deal places one of the digital-asset sector’s most influential companies behind a UAE platform seeking to turn regulated fund interests into on-chain instruments. […]
Thailand has wrapped up the second Thailand Kickboxing World Cup in Bangkok and used the event to unveil KATPRO, a new professional league aimed at turning the country into a more prominent force in global kickboxing. The tournament was staged at the Bangkok Youth Center, also known as the Thai-Japanese Youth Center, with WAKO listing the event in Bangkok from 7 to 12 April 2026, while organisers said the main World Cup competition ran from 9 to 11 April and the professional launch followed on 11 April.
Organisers said the World Cup drew athletes and officials from 32 countries, underlining the scale of the event and the growing international pull of combat sports in Thailand beyond its traditional Muay Thai base. One published account put attendance at more than 1,500 athletes and officials, while another report ahead of the competition cited more than 720 athletes and over 1,200 supporters and officials. The difference appears to reflect varying methods of counting participants and delegations, but both sets of figures point to a sizeable international turnout.
Bangkok crowns a bigger kickboxing ambition became the broader message around the event, as sport officials and tourism planners tied the competition to a larger push to position the country as a year-round destination for international sports events. The Kickboxing Association of Thailand organised the tournament with WAKO and in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Bangkok authorities, giving the competition both sporting and promotional value.
For Thailand, the timing is significant. Combat sport is already central to the country’s international sporting identity, but kickboxing has long occupied a secondary place to Muay Thai in public visibility and commercial development. By hosting another WAKO-recognised World Cup and pairing it with a new professional platform, Thai organisers are signalling that they want to build a parallel ecosystem: one that can develop amateur athletes, attract overseas fighters and sponsors, and create a clearer route into paid competition.
That strategy also reflects the changing shape of global striking sports. Kickboxing has grown through international federations, regional circuits and commercial promotions that reward standardised rules, television-friendly formats and cross-border matchmaking. Thailand already has the infrastructure, coaching depth and fight culture to compete in that space. What it has lacked is a more structured domestic platform designed specifically for kickboxing rather than adapted from Muay Thai. KATPRO appears intended to fill that gap. Organisers described it as the country’s first structured professional kickboxing league, launched at the same venue as the World Cup. The opening gala featured seven bouts with fighters from more than 10 countries and followed professional procedures including weigh-ins and face-offs.
The official messaging around the World Cup and league launch stressed athlete development as much as spectacle. That matters because Thailand’s long-term credibility in kickboxing will depend not only on hosting events, but on producing fighters who can succeed regularly under international kickboxing rules. WAKO’s event listing confirms that the Bangkok competition sat within a wider calendar of World Cups and championships across multiple countries, placing Thailand within an established global circuit rather than a standalone showcase.
There is also an economic calculation behind the push. Sports tourism has become a more deliberate policy tool across Asia, with governments and city administrations using tournaments to drive hotel occupancy, transport demand, media attention and repeat visits. Holding a multinational combat sports event in Bangkok during April gives organisers a chance to blend competition with destination marketing, and tourism officials made clear they view such events as part of a wider international branding effort.
Still, the bigger test lies ahead. Hosting a successful World Cup is one thing; building a durable professional league is another. Professional combat sports require dependable matchmaking, medical oversight, sponsorship, broadcast distribution, fighter pay structures and fan interest strong enough to support repeated cards. Thailand has advantages in venue culture, gym networks and audience familiarity with striking sports, but kickboxing still has to define its identity in a market where Muay Thai remains the dominant brand.
Hedge funds and other large money managers are stepping up bets against the dollar, using options and other derivatives to position for further weakness as demand for traditional safe-haven assets eases and investors look beyond the shocks that had briefly lifted the US currency. The shift reflects a market mood that has turned more sceptical about the dollar’s ability to hold its defensive premium. After climbing sharply […]
Nvidia has delivered another blockbuster quarter, posting revenue of $68.1 billion and giving a next-quarter forecast of $78 billion, a result that underlined how aggressively the world’s largest technology groups are still spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure. Data centre sales reached $62.3 billion, up 75 per cent from a year earlier, showing that demand for high-end chips, networking gear and full AI systems remains strong despite growing […]
Bitcoin clawed back above $76,000 at the start of the week, holding firmer than much of the wider digital-asset market even as decentralised finance absorbed the shock of a major exploit tied to KelpDAO that has drained close to $300 million and triggered a sharp retreat in capital across lending and restaking platforms. Market pricing on 21 April showed bitcoin near $75,745 after touching an intraday high […]
Grinex, a Kyrgyzstan-based cryptocurrency exchange under Western sanctions, has suspended operations after losing about one billion roubles, or roughly $13.1 million, in what it described as a highly organised cyber attack. The platform said the breach was a targeted operation and alleged that intelligence services from “unfriendly” Western states were behind it, though it did not provide public evidence to support that claim. The theft has drawn […]
