Bitcoin’s upward momentum has softened after a sharp recovery phase, while XRP has slipped to about $1.86, underscoring a pause in risk appetite even as exchange-traded fund assets linked to XRP reach roughly $1.25 billion. The divergence highlights a market grappling with profit-taking, regulatory recalibration and shifting liquidity conditions across major digital assets. Bitcoin’s price action shows signs of consolidation following a rebound that drew fresh inflows […]
A London-based stablecoin infrastructure startup is seeking to accelerate how banks and regulated fintechs move money across borders after securing $1.45 million in pre-seed funding, underscoring growing institutional interest in blockchain-based settlement that aligns with European compliance rules. Nodu said the round was led by Digital Space Ventures and will be used to expand operations across Europe, hire engineering and compliance specialists, and deepen partnerships with regulated […]
A sweeping federal decree-law has set out a unified legal framework aimed at protecting minors from online harm across the UAE’s fast-expanding digital ecosystem, placing clear duties on internet service providers and digital platforms that operate within the country or target users based there. The legislation signals a tougher regulatory posture as children’s screen time rises and online services become more embedded in everyday life. The decree-law […]
Infleqtion has secured a $2 million contract from the United States Army to develop artificial intelligence systems that can navigate and make decisions in environments where communications are degraded, denied or entirely unavailable, underscoring the military’s accelerating interest in edge-based AI for future operations. The award focuses on advancing autonomous navigation and sensing technologies that can function without constant access to cloud computing or satellite links. For […]
Toyota Motor has begun informing key parts suppliers that it expects global vehicle production to exceed 10 million units in 2026, reflecting confidence that demand for its petrol-electric hybrids will remain strong, particularly in the United States, while battery-electric sales grow at a steadier pace. The guidance, shared during routine planning discussions with suppliers, signals that the world’s largest automaker is preparing for volumes that would place […]
IonQ has confirmed plans to deliver a next-generation 100-qubit quantum computing system to South Korea, reinforcing the company’s push into Asia’s accelerating quantum ecosystem and extending a strategic partnership with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information. The deployment is positioned as a milestone for the country’s national research infrastructure, giving scientists and industrial users local access to higher-capacity trapped-ion quantum hardware designed for advanced simulations and algorithm development.
The system is scheduled to be installed at facilities operated by Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, which manages high-performance computing resources for universities, laboratories and government programmes. IonQ said the platform will integrate with existing supercomputing assets, enabling hybrid classical-quantum workflows that are increasingly seen as the most practical near-term use of quantum machines. Officials involved in the project describe the installation as part of a broader effort to ensure domestic capability in a field viewed as strategically significant for science, security and economic competitiveness.
For IonQ, the agreement deepens a relationship that began with earlier access to its systems through cloud services and collaborative research. The 100-qubit platform represents a step up from earlier machines made available to Asian partners, with IonQ highlighting gains in algorithmic performance driven by longer coherence times and high-fidelity gates inherent to its trapped-ion approach. The company argues that these characteristics allow useful problem sizes to be tackled with fewer physical qubits than some rival architectures.
The project comes as South Korea accelerates state-backed investment in quantum science. Government roadmaps call for expanded talent development, dedicated funding lines for hardware and software, and closer links between public laboratories and industry. KISTI’s role as a national computing hub makes it a focal point for these ambitions, with the new system expected to support work ranging from materials discovery and chemistry to optimisation and machine learning. Researchers anticipate that local access will shorten development cycles compared with reliance on overseas cloud resources.
IonQ executives frame the delivery as part of a long-term regional strategy rather than a one-off sale. Asia has become a key battleground for quantum providers as countries seek sovereign capabilities while remaining connected to global research networks. China, Japan and South Korea are all funding large-scale programmes, and regional universities are increasing output in quantum algorithms and error-mitigation techniques. By embedding hardware within national facilities, vendors aim to secure early loyalty among researchers who may later influence commercial adoption.
Competition in the sector is intensifying. Superconducting-qubit systems from established technology firms and photonic approaches backed by start-ups are all vying for attention, each claiming advantages in scalability or manufacturability. IonQ’s bet on trapped ions prioritises precision and stability, though critics note challenges in scaling to very large numbers of qubits. The company counters that its roadmap focuses on algorithmic qubits and error-corrected performance rather than raw counts, a metric increasingly favoured by parts of the research community.
The South Korean installation also reflects a broader trend toward hybrid computing. Rather than replacing classical supercomputers, quantum systems are being linked to them to tackle specific sub-problems where quantum effects offer potential speed-ups. KISTI engineers are working on software layers to manage job scheduling and data movement between systems, an area seen as critical to extracting value from early quantum machines.
Commercial implications are closely watched. South Korean conglomerates in electronics, chemicals and logistics have signalled interest in quantum applications, and access to domestic hardware could encourage pilot projects. Analysts caution that widespread industrial impact remains some distance away, but note that early experimentation helps firms build expertise ahead of future breakthroughs.
Thousands of users of Trust Wallet suffered losses estimated at about $7 million after a malicious browser extension masquerading as the official Trust Wallet add-on circulated on Google Chrome’s extension store, prompting renewed scrutiny of security gaps in decentralised finance tools and browser marketplaces. The attack centred on a fake extension designed to mimic Trust Wallet’s legitimate Chrome interface. Once installed, the malicious software harvested private keys […]
Trump Media and Technology Group has moved bitcoin valued at about $174 million following a fresh purchase, signalling a more active approach to managing its digital-asset exposure rather than holding the tokens passively in long-term storage. Blockchain data reviewed by market analysts shows transfers between wallets linked to the company, a pattern that points to internal reallocation rather than liquidation. The movement comes after disclosures that Trump […]
CachyOS is moving beyond its reputation as a desktop-focused Arch-based Linux distribution by outlining plans for a hardened server image aimed at improving performance, security and operational stability in production environments. The initiative, confirmed by the project’s developers in community briefings and development notes, signals an effort to position CachyOS as a credible option for administrators seeking finely tuned Linux systems without extensive manual optimisation. Known primarily […]
BinDawood Holding Company has agreed to acquire a controlling 51% stake in UAE-based Wonder Bakery in a deal valued at 96.9 million dirhams, marking a significant step in the Saudi retailer’s regional expansion strategy and its push into food manufacturing. The Riyadh-listed group said the share purchase agreement will be funded through internal resources alongside existing financing facilities, underlining a balance-sheet-led expansion rather than reliance on new […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi sovereign investor ADQ has closed a $5 billion five-year syndicated term financing deal in the Greater China region, strengthening its liquidity while broadening access to Asian capital markets at a time of shifting global funding dynamics. The transaction marks one of the largest offshore syndicated loans secured by a Middle East sovereign-backed investor this year and reflects sustained appetite among Asian […]
In partnership with SBS, Australia’s multicultural and multilingual public broadcaster, Coca-Cola delivered a 24-hour Christmas Day broadcast of heartfelt carols and messages of gratitude, bringing Filipino families closer to loved ones working in Australia this festive season.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 December 2025 –For millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Christmas carries a quiet longing: another year spent celebrating from thousands of miles away. This year, Coca-Cola set out to bring the warmth of home back to them through SoundOfHome.FM, a 24-hour Christmas broadcast that turned Australia’s airwaves into a powerful audio love letter from families in the Philippines, connecting people across thousands of miles.
The holiday season is meant to be joyful, yet for many OFWs, the weight of distance can dim the spirit they work so hard to sustain for others. Grounded in the global Christmas insight that “the pressures of the holidays steal the Christmas spirit from the true givers,” Coca-Cola sought to uplift these unsung heroes in a way that only Coca-Cola could: through the familiar, comforting Sounds of Home.
More than an airwave takeover, SoundOfHome.FM became an emotional conduit, a continuous stream of Caroloke (carol + karaoke), touching dedications, and heartfelt messages of gratitude recorded by families across the Philippines dedicated for the loved ones they miss every day. It allowed love to travel across oceans in the most human way possible.
“This initiative comes from a place of deep respect for the people who give so much of themselves from far away, a recognition of their immense, yet quiet sacrifices,” shared Francis Izon Reyes, Coca-Cola Marketing Director for ASEAN & South Pacific. “We know that during the holidays, the distance and not being with family can feel heavier than ever. With SoundOfHome.FM, we wanted to bring a moment of comfort, a small piece of home to Filipinos overseas – a familiar voice, a favourite carol, something to remind them that their sacrifice, love, and dedication are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated. That is the real spirit of Christmas, and we are honoured to help bring it to life.”
The groundwork started weeks before Christmas Day, where Coca-Cola brought the Philippines together through a nationwide Caroloke Caravan —visiting key cities and major Pasko (Christmas) Festivals to help families record personalised messages and carols. From children singing their parents’ favourite Christmas songs to spouses whispering the ‘thank you’ they’ve held onto all year, each message carried profound emotional weight.
Families also had access to a digital platform where they could upload dedications remotely. A unique notification system ensured OFWs received personalised alerts inviting them to tune in once their family’s message was scheduled to air, guaranteeing the moment would reach its intended recipient.
The 24-hour broadcast went on air from 6pm on Christmas Eve to 6pm on Christmas Day, bringing festive cheer to listeners throughout the broadcast. It was a day of celebration and nostalgia, a reminder that even when ocean separate families, the sound of home can still find a way.
Coca-Cola also released a powerful Christmas film titled, ‘Sound of Home’. Filmed across Australia, it captures real, authentic reactions from OFWs as they hear their families’ voices mid-shift: a mechanic wiping away tears inside a garage, a convenience store clerk stunned into silence, a kitchen hand breaking into a smile that says everything. These moments reveal a simple truth — sometimes, hearing someone you love is enough to feel home again.
Reyes added, “Our simple wish is that with this project, we hope we were able to bring even a moment of warmth to those spending Christmas far from home. If the Sound of Home helped one person feel remembered even for a few seconds, then we’ve done something meaningful this season.”
Nikhil Panjwani, Executive Creative Director Ogilvy @WPP OpenX, the creative agency supporting the campaign, commented, “Christmas is about togetherness, but for millions of OFWs, it’s defined by distance. SoundOfHome.FM was our way of using something as simple as radio to bring families closer — if only for a moment — on a day when it matters most. We couldn’t shorten the distance — but we did close the silence with a 24-hour love letter, in audio form.”
The Sound of Home initiative reinforces the Coca-ColaTM brand’s longstanding belief in the power of human connection. By uplifting those who give so much of themselves during the holidays, Coca-Cola celebrates the real magic of Christmas — the simple yet profound moments that bring us back to one another.
Even when families are oceans apart, the feeling of home can still find its way through.
Watch the Sound of Home film on YouTube or visit SoundOfHome.FM to learn more. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news about the brand.
Hashtag: #Coca-Cola
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. The Coca-Cola ASEAN and South Pacific (ASP) operating unit serves 25 diverse countries across Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. We offer a diverse portfolio of great-tasting beverages including sparkling beverages, water, juices, dairy, nutrition, sports, and tea. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities, and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices, and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain.
Together with our bottling partners, we help bring economic opportunity to local communities across the region.
WPP Open X is a bespoke global agency model created in November 2021 for The Coca-Cola Company that’s integrated at its core and unprecedented in its scale. Our work spans across over 200 brands in 195 countries and provides access to the entire agency network and the best talent, capabilities and resources in and outside of WPP. Combining scale and agility, WPP Open X supercharges creativity and is a multiplier for growth and innovation.
As Web Summit Qatar approaches, we spoke with Marina Levina, CEO of WISH, an international communications agency, about several persistent myths around PR. “During this marathon season of startup and investor events from Web Summit and Slush to GITEX Global, we at WISH keep hearing the same assumptions about PR repeated over and over again. Many of them sound reasonable at first, but in practice, they hold […]
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 December 2025 – As Malaysians gear up for multiple financial commitments in the upcoming weeks and months, especially during the year-end holidays, back-to-school and double festive season, AEON Bank (M) Berhad, Malaysia’s first digital Islamic bank, strengthens its commitment to financial inclusion by offering accessible support through its Personal Financing-i (PF-i).
From December 2025 till March 2026, the bustling seasons present convergence of multiple spending needs for many households. Acknowledging that this might raise the need for flexible liquidity, AEON Bank provides a solution to address such budgetary constraints in the form of the PF-i; an inclusive, hassle-free financing facility, easily accessible via its digital banking app.
Optimising a Risk-Based Pricing (RBP) framework to determine a competitive and personalised profit rate, AEON Bank ensures that customers can seamlessly apply for PF-i online, as long as they are Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 55, with a minimum monthly gross income of RM2,500 – be it salaried employees or self-employed individuals, freelancers, as well as gig economy workers.
Aligned with Shariah banking principles, PF-i offers financing facility from RM1,000 up to RM100,000 with flexible tenure options ranging from 3 to 84 months, allowing for repayments tailored to individual budget needs. The Flat Profit Rate starting from 3.88% p.a. and a nominal Wakalah Fee of RM1 is applicable upon acceptance.
The entire process, from the application to fund disbursement are all managed online via the AEON Bank app. This simplifies the process and eliminates the need for physical paperwork or branch visits. To apply for PF-i, customers simply need to follow these steps :
Download the AEON Bank app and activate the Savings Account-i, prior to applying for PF-i.
Step 2 : Eligibility check and employment details
Applicants must be Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, earning a minimum monthly gross income of RM2,500 – either as salaried employees, self-employed or gig workers.
Step 3 : Financing selection
Select the preferred financing amount ranging from RM1,000 up to RM100,000 and flexible repayment tenure, with options between 3 to 84 months.
Step 4 : Supporting document submission
Upload the latest EPF (KWSP) statement, reflecting the latest consecutive 6-months contributions (for salaried workers) or latest consecutive 6-month bank statement (for self-employed/gig workers).
Step 5 : Approval and fund disbursement
Applications will be processed immediately and upon approval, funds will be disbursed directly into the applicant’s AEON Bank Savings Account-i. Repayments will be automatically deducted via monthly auto-debit.
PF-i enables Malaysians to access a Shariah compliant financing facility to ease their needs; be it an emergency financial support, family budget constraint, small renovation, vehicle repair or a much needed financial aid to bridge the temporary cashflow gaps.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
AEON Bank (M) Berhad
AEON Bank (M) Berhad is the first digital Islamic bank in Malaysia, licensed and regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Ministry of Finance. Officially launched on 26 May 2024, we currently offer a suite of Shariah-compliant products and services under the Personal Banking and Business Banking (AEON Bank Biz).
Our Personal Banking offerings are 100% accessible via the AEON Bank app, namely the deposit Savings Account-i, AEON Bank x Visa Debit Card-i, Personal Financing-i, Term Deposit-i, Savings Pots, DuitNow QR, utility bill payments, personal financial management and budgeting tools with Neko Sensei, and a range of digital payment services with strategic partners and merchants, as well as Neko Missions, Malaysia’s first gamified digital banking interactive rewards programme.
On 8 August 2025, AEON Bank (M) Berhad officially launched AEON Bank Biz, anchored by the Current Business Account-i and integrated cash management capabilities, with the initial onboarding of vendors from AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad and suppliers within the broader AEON ecosystem. The targeted approach is designed to create an integrated value chain linking AEON’s retail and financial services networks, supporting strategic growth and greater inclusivity. AEON Bank Biz offers streamlined processes for account onboarding, credit assessments and financial services, utilising AI-driven fintech solutions to enable simplified procedures, faster approvals, and an enhanced digital banking experience for business owners and entrepreneurs. AEON Bank Biz’s products and services will soon be extended to more local businesses and entrepreneurs across Malaysia.
Being part of the AEON Group conglomerate, AEON Bank (M) Berhad is equally held by AEON Financial Service Co. Ltd. (AFS Japan) and AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad (ACSM). AFS Japan is responsible for the AEON Group’s financial services businesses, with strong roots in the retail sector which operates in Japan and 10 countries across Asia and it is. AEON Group is Japan’s largest retail group and it is a pure holding company that comprises eight core businesses.
AEON Group Malaysia consists of several entities, namely, AEON Co. (M) Bhd, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad, AEON Bank (M) Berhad, AEON BiG (M) Sdn Bhd, AEON Fantasy (M) Sdn Bhd, AEON Delight (M) Sdn Bhd, AEON Global Supply Chain Sdn Bhd and Malaysian AEON Foundation (MAF). AEON Group has been a recognizable household brand with more than 200 years of history and evolution in Japan since the Edo era, along with 4 decades of growth in Malaysia, providing consumers with daily financial solutions and diversified retail convenience.
Our cloud native agility and AI optimisation, combined with the strength of our Shariah DNA, Malaysian roots and Japanese heritage are our distinguishing factors, while the integration with the AEON ecosystem gives us a competitive advantage of being the only bank in Malaysia with its own nationwide retail network. On top of that, AEON Points loyalty programme offers customers value-added benefits and meaningful rewards, as the AEON Points can be redeemed into cash value, deposited directly into customers’ AEON Bank Savings Account-i.
AEON Bank (M) Berhad is committed to provide accessible financial solutions for Malaysians and we aim to empower the community in pursuing their financial aspirations and achieve economic independence, hence fostering a more inclusive financial future for all. We will continue to contribute towards the Islamic banking development in the region and the nation’s digital economy.
Thailand is moving quickly to reshape the digital map of Southeast Asia, with a surge in data centre construction and artificial intelligence investment shifting the country from a long-standing data transit role to a regional convergence point. New facilities clustered around Bangkok, Chonburi and the Eastern Economic Corridor are altering traffic flows, shortening latency across borders and drawing cloud, AI and content providers seeking scale outside established hubs.
The expansion reflects a change in how data moves across the region. Historically, much east-west traffic between South Asia, Greater China and the Pacific routed through Singapore before fanning out. With hyperscale campuses multiplying in Thailand, workloads are increasingly being processed and stored closer to end users, easing congestion and improving resilience. Network operators say the shift is visible in peering arrangements and cross-border fibre utilisation, with Bangkok emerging as a preferred interconnection point.
Policy has been a key driver. Authorities have offered investment incentives, fast-tracked permits and clarified power and land-use rules to attract large campuses. Grid upgrades and new renewable capacity have been prioritised to address the energy intensity of AI-ready facilities. The strategy aligns with a broader push to anchor higher-value digital services domestically, from cloud platforms and analytics to language models and industry-specific AI tools.
Global technology firms are responding. Cloud providers including Google, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services have expanded or announced investments to serve regional customers from Thai infrastructure, while chipmakers and systems integrators are working with local partners to deploy accelerated computing suited to AI training and inference. Industry executives cite Thailand’s central geography, improving power availability and maturing regulatory environment as decisive factors.
Domestic players are also scaling up. Telecom operators and property developers have formed joint ventures to build carrier-neutral sites, while energy companies are pairing data centres with solar and gas assets to stabilise supply. Universities and research institutes are increasing AI programmes to address talent gaps, with a focus on data engineering, cybersecurity and model governance. The goal is to ensure that infrastructure growth translates into local capability rather than pass-through capacity.
Competition across the region remains intense. Singapore retains strengths in finance, regulation and dense interconnection, but land and power constraints have pushed expansion elsewhere. Malaysia and Indonesia are adding capacity to serve fast-growing domestic markets, while Vietnam is drawing manufacturing-linked digital workloads. Against that backdrop, Thailand is positioning itself as a neutral aggregation point serving multiple neighbours within ASEAN, balancing scale with proximity.
Connectivity improvements underpin the shift. New submarine cable routes landing on both coasts, alongside terrestrial links to neighbouring countries, are diversifying paths and reducing dependence on a single choke point. Operators say this redundancy matters as enterprises distribute AI workloads across regions for cost, performance and regulatory reasons. Financial services, e-commerce and media firms are increasingly adopting multi-cloud strategies that favour locations offering reliable interconnection.
AI demand is shaping design choices. Facilities are being built with higher power densities, advanced cooling and space for accelerated hardware to support model training, while edge nodes closer to population centres handle inference and latency-sensitive tasks. This layered approach is changing how content delivery, language services and real-time analytics are deployed across Southeast Asia.
By Ashis Biswas How serious is the slogan for wresting the seven sister states in India’s northeast region, raised by Islamic extremists in Bangladesh, for New Delhi? For a proper assessment of the political challenge this poses for India, a brief study of background information is necessary. Bangladesh sought to revive old links with Pakistan […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 –As Christmas and New Year holiday draw near, UnionPay International has launched a promotional campaign spanning 26 countries and regions, which includes over 170 marketing activities across more than 100,000 merchant stores, with selected offers providing discounts of up to 33%.
Aligned with the travel peak season at the end of the year, the campaign covers key destinations including Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. Offline promotions extend to 30 major international airports, 65 premium shopping districts, 40 leading department stores, 15 outlet villages, as well as duty-free shops and luxury boutiques within 30 major global airports. The initiatives also encompass daily consumption, such as supermarkets, cosmeceutical retailers, dining spots, tourist attractions, entertainment, accommodation, local transportation and telecommunication services.
UnionPay has also customized activities for mobile payment methods, including UnionPay mobile QuickPass and UnionPay QR code payment, which are accepted in more than 100 countries and regions. For instance, in Australia and New Zealand, UnionPay cardholders can enjoy instant discounts when using UnionPay mobile QuickPass at participating merchants nationwide.
The year-end incentives have been further expanded to online scenarios. UnionPay has collaborated with digital entertainment platforms to accommodate the high-frequency online spending during the holiday, such as Hoyoverse Honkai: Star Rail top-up promotion, Apple Services promotion. In Australia, UnionPay has launched an online tuition payment promotion for students.
In select markets, UnionPay has partnered with local issuing banks to provide exclusive privileges for cardholders. For example, DBS Bank in Singapore offers UnionPay Platinum debit cardholders value-added benefits, such as cashback, fee waivers, airport lounge access and other travel-related perks.
UnionPay has built up a global payment network covering 183 countries and regions, providing stable and convenient payment support for cross-border travel and holiday consumption. Through in-depth cooperation with issuing banks, financial institutions and merchants, UnionPay has provided diverse holiday discounts and supporting services to optimize the consumption experience for cardholders.
Hashtag: #UnionPay
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Boeing has appointed Omar Arekat as vice-president for the Middle East, Gulf and North Africa, a senior leadership move that places a long-serving regional executive at the helm of one of the company’s most strategically important markets. The appointment comes as aircraft demand across the region continues to be shaped by fleet expansion, widebody replacement cycles and sustained defence procurement.
Arekat, who will be based in Dubai, takes charge of Boeing’s commercial and defence engagement across a region where the aerospace group employs more than 700 people and supports over 30 commercial airline customers alongside 12 armed forces. His remit covers government relations, industrial partnerships, customer support and business strategy across markets ranging from the Gulf to North Africa.
The leadership change underscores Boeing’s intention to maintain continuity in a region that has long been central to its widebody sales, particularly for long-haul aircraft. Airlines in the Gulf operate some of the world’s largest fleets of twin-aisle jets, while carriers in North Africa are increasingly modernising fleets to support tourism recovery and regional connectivity. Defence ties, including fighter aircraft, rotorcraft, training systems and sustainment contracts, also form a significant pillar of Boeing’s regional presence.
Arekat is widely regarded within the industry as a seasoned regional hand. Before taking on the vice-presidential role, he held senior commercial positions within Boeing’s Middle East operations, working closely with airline leadership teams, civil aviation authorities and defence ministries. His career has been closely tied to the region’s aviation growth story, particularly the expansion of hub-based carriers and the emergence of maintenance, repair and overhaul ecosystems in the Gulf.
Boeing’s Middle East footprint extends beyond sales offices. The company has invested heavily in training, engineering and supply-chain partnerships, working with local firms on aerostructures, composites and advanced manufacturing. These initiatives are often framed as part of national industrial diversification strategies pursued by several Gulf states, where aerospace has been identified as a priority sector.
The appointment takes place against a complex commercial backdrop for Boeing globally. The manufacturer continues to navigate production stabilisation, regulatory scrutiny and supply-chain constraints, particularly in its narrowbody programmes. While these issues have been most visible in North America, their implications are closely watched by Middle East carriers, many of which have large order backlogs and tightly planned delivery schedules.
Industry analysts note that leadership continuity and strong regional relationships are especially important for Boeing in this market. Gulf airlines tend to place large, long-term orders, often timed around major fleet renewals or network expansion phases. Any disruption to deliveries can have cascading effects on capacity planning, route launches and leasing strategies, making senior-level engagement critical.
Defence remains another key dimension of Boeing’s regional strategy. Several armed forces across the Middle East and North Africa operate Boeing platforms, including fighter aircraft, transport planes, helicopters and surveillance systems. The company’s regional leadership is typically involved in government-to-government frameworks, offset arrangements and long-term sustainment planning, areas that require deep familiarity with local regulatory and security environments.
Arekat’s appointment also reflects a broader trend among global aerospace firms to elevate executives with strong regional expertise rather than rotating leadership from headquarters. This approach is seen as a way to navigate increasingly complex geopolitical, regulatory and industrial landscapes, particularly in regions where aviation policy, defence procurement and industrial strategy are closely intertwined.
Boeing has indicated that the Middle East and North Africa will remain a growth priority over the coming decade, driven by air traffic growth above the global average and continued investment in defence modernisation. The company’s market outlooks have consistently pointed to strong demand for both single-aisle aircraft, supporting intra-regional travel, and widebodies for long-haul connectivity linking the region to Asia, Europe and the Americas.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 December 2025 – Although wellness conversations are rising, many Malaysians still struggle with consistent daily self-care. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, 54.4% of Malaysian adults are overweight or obese, highlighting widespread lifestyle-related health risks linked to poor diet, inactivity, and inconsistent preventive care. As healthcare costs continue to increase and lifestyle-driven diseases become more common, practical and preventive self-care at home has never been more crucial.
In response to this growing need, Alpro Group Malaysia (parent company of Alpro Pharmacy, Malaysia’s largest prescription pharmacy chain) today launched the 2026 Health & Habit Calendar, a nationwide self-care education initiative developed to bring simple, credible, and actionable health guidance into Malaysian households throughout the year.
Drawing from daily patient engagements across Alpro’s nationwide network, this calendar compiles real-world self-care gaps frequently observed by pharmacists. It further includes insights curated together with family doctors, nutritionists, and dietitians to ensure each habit is both practical and medically credible.
The 2026 Health & Habit Calendar covers five key foundations of daily wellbeing like nutrition: healthier everyday food choices; rest: better sleep routines and fatigue reduction; movement: simple physical activities suitable for all ages; emotional Wellbeing: stress management and mindful practices; preventive care: small reminders that reduce long-term health risks.
The cover of the calendar presents easy-to-follow habits designed to support gradual, sustainable lifestyle improvement, making self-care more achievable for Malaysian families.
“Most people only start thinking about their health after something goes wrong, and as pharmacists, we see this every day,” said Pharmacist Lim En Ni, Chief Pharmacist and Engagement Director of Alpro Group. “This calendar brings self-care earlier into daily life. When families practice small habits consistently, it can significantly reduce long-term health risks.”
Beyond health education, the initiative also embodies a strong social mission. 100% of proceeds from the 2026 Health & Habit Calendar will be donated to the Alpro Foundation’s Growing Stars Project, providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children nationwide. Each calendar purchased directly contributes to improving both community health and children’s access to education.
The 2026 Health & Habit Calendar is now available for purchase online via Alpro OneClick: https://bit.ly/Alpro-2026-HealthandHabitCalendar . Customers may also receive the calendar with a minimum spend of RM288 at any Alpro subsidiary, including Alpro Pharmacy, Alpro Sugi Pharmacy, Alpro OptiSaver, and Alpro Baby. Members of the public, organisations, and corporate partners are encouraged to support this initiative and help make preventive self-care a visible, daily habit in Malaysian homes.
Hashtag: #Alpro
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Alpro Group
Founded in 2002, Alpro Group’s ecosystem has grown to include Alpro Pharmacy, Apotek Alpro, Alpro スギ (Sugi) Pharmacy, Alpro Physio, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Baby, Alpro OptiSaver, Alpro Audiology, and Alpro Health. Supported by a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, optometrist and many others, Alpro serves over 5 million families in Malaysia and Indonesia through its extensive network of 500 physical outlets.
Alpro Pharmacy is the first and only community pharmacy in the region to offer product liability insurance of MYR 1 million in Malaysia and IDR 3 billion in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of genuine medications and enhancing consumer trust.
With the vision of a healthy and vibrant world, Alpro Group aims to become the No. 1 prescription pharmacy chain in Southeast Asia.
Google has committed USD 8 million to support a network of artificial intelligence Centres of Excellence in India, signalling a deeper push into applied AI for public services, health care and local-language technologies while tying the investment to a parallel clean-energy partnership aimed at powering digital infrastructure sustainably.
The funding, announced by Google, is designed to accelerate research, product development and deployment across priority areas that include healthcare delivery, Indic language models and urban governance tools. The company said the centres will work with academic institutions, startups and public-sector bodies to translate laboratory advances into systems that can be deployed at scale, reflecting a broader shift among global technology firms towards mission-oriented AI programmes.
The allocation targets three primary domains. In healthcare, the centres are expected to focus on AI-assisted diagnostics, disease surveillance and workflow automation to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians. Google has previously tested AI models for medical imaging and population health analytics, and the new funding is intended to localise such tools for regional health systems, with attention to data privacy and clinical validation. Researchers involved in early-stage planning say the emphasis will be on interoperable platforms rather than standalone pilots, a response to criticism that many AI health projects fail to move beyond proof of concept.
Language technology forms the second pillar of the initiative. India’s linguistic diversity has long posed challenges for digital inclusion, and the centres are tasked with advancing large language models and speech systems that perform reliably across Indic languages and dialects. Google has already released open datasets and models for low-resource languages; the new programme seeks to improve accuracy, reduce bias and expand access for education, e-governance and small businesses. Industry observers note that competition in multilingual AI has intensified as regional startups and global rivals race to build models that can handle code-switching and local context.
Urban governance rounds out the focus areas, with planned projects covering traffic management, air-quality monitoring and municipal service delivery. Smart-city programmes have generated mixed results over the past decade, often constrained by fragmented data and procurement hurdles. By situating research within Centres of Excellence, Google aims to create replicable frameworks that cities can adapt, rather than bespoke systems tied to individual vendors.
Beyond the AI investment, Google has paired the announcement with a new solar partnership intended to support the energy needs of data centres and AI workloads. The company has pledged to match growth in computing capacity with clean-energy procurement, aligning with its global goal to operate on carbon-free energy around the clock. Analysts say the coupling of AI funding with renewable energy reflects mounting scrutiny of the environmental costs of large-scale computing, particularly as generative AI drives higher power demand.
The USD 8 million commitment is modest compared with Google’s global AI spend, yet its targeted design has drawn attention from policymakers and researchers. Government officials involved in discussions around the Centres of Excellence say the model allows for shared governance, with academic rigour balanced against industry deployment expertise. The approach also aligns with national ambitions to position the country as a hub for responsible AI development, emphasising safety, transparency and societal benefit.
Competition among technology firms has sharpened as Microsoft, Amazon and others expand partnerships with universities and public agencies across the Global South. In this context, Google’s move is seen as both a strategic investment and a reputational play, aimed at demonstrating that advanced AI can address public-interest challenges rather than solely commercial applications. Startups working in health tech and language processing expect spillover benefits through access to datasets, compute resources and mentorship.
Brazil’s youngest investors are reshaping the country’s crypto economy, pushing demand beyond speculative trading towards stablecoins and tokenised income products that mirror traditional fixed income while operating on blockchain rails. Platforms catering to this shift say participation from users in their late teens and twenties has climbed sharply, reflecting a broader generational move towards digital-first savings tools amid stubbornly high interest rates and volatile global markets. Data […]
Steven McClurg, chief executive of Canary Capital, has told investors that XRP could reach its cycle high in 2026, diverging from the typical pattern that sees alternative tokens fall sharply when Bitcoin weakens. His remarks come as Bitcoin shows signs of having already topped out for the current cycle, raising questions about whether parts of the digital-asset market are entering a phase of decoupling. McClurg said Bitcoin’s […]
PeerTube, the decentralised video-sharing platform positioned as an open-source alternative to YouTube, has rolled out a set of updates aimed squarely at creators, signalling a strategic push to make the network more attractive to professional and semi-professional video producers who have grown uneasy with the economics and governance of large, centralised platforms. The most significant change is the introduction of “Creator Mode”, a feature set designed to […]
Google is preparing a possible reversal of one of its most debated Android interface decisions, with beta indicators suggesting that separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles could reappear in Quick Settings after being merged three years ago. The change, still under development, signals a renewed focus on usability following sustained feedback from users and developers who argued that the combined control added friction to everyday connectivity tasks. […]
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