Meta has prohibited TikTok parent ByteDance from advertising on Facebook and Instagram in seven countries, extending the restriction to independent advertisers promoting the competing video platform. The ban, introduced on October 8, covers the United States, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. It applies to advertisements purchased directly by ByteDance and campaigns operated by third parties that direct users towards TikTok or other ByteDance properties. Meta […]
SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 October 2026 – Global smart device brand OPPO today announced a collaboration with Manus, a leading AI agent platform, to bring next-generation agentic AI experiences to smartphones. By integrating Manus’ agentic capabilities to OPPO AI Mind Pilot, the collaboration will help users turn complex, multi-step tasks into ready-to-use results—advancing OPPO’s vision for Personalized Proactive Intelligence, where AI understands users and proactively helps them get things done.
“Agentic AI marks an important shift from answering questions to helping users get things done.” said Kai Tang, President of Software Engineering at OPPO. “Together with Manus, we are bringing more proactive and capable experiences to AI Mind Pilot, enabling AI to better understand users’ intentions, take actions and complete tasks. Our goal is to make personal AI a natural part of everyday life and work.”
“Smartphones are central to people’s daily lives and support many of the tasks they handle every day, making them a natural platform for personal AI agents,” said Tao Zhang, Co-Founder & CPO of Manus. “By bringing together Manus’ agentic capabilities and OPPO’s system-level integration, we can make advanced AI agents more accessible and help users complete multi-step tasks through simple, natural interactions.”
Manus Capabilities Debut in AI Mind Pilot’s New Agent Mode
The collaboration will debut through the integration of Manus’ agentic capabilities into AI Mind Pilot’s new Agent Mode on the upcoming OPPO Find X10 Series with ColorOS 17.
Designed to move beyond simple question-and-answer interactions, AI Mind Pilot can understand a user’s end goal, break it down into multiple steps, identify relevant information, select the appropriate tools, and deliver a finished result, including by working directly with files and photos stored on the device.
For example, a user planning a trip could simply ask AI Mind Pilot to organize their travel plans. It can find flight tickets, hotel bookings, restaurant reservations, and attraction tickets scattered across different apps on the smartphone, organize them, and combine them with relevant online information to create a personalized, day-by-day itinerary—without requiring users to manually gather and upload the information.
The same capabilities can support everyday creative and professional tasks. Users can ask AI Mind Pilot to find and organize photos from a trip, locate specific images, or bring together existing files and online information to create a presentation, proposal, portfolio, or other ready-to-use content, all with just one single prompt.
Powerful Agentic AI Built Around User Control and Privacy
As AI moves from providing information to working with personal context and completing tasks, privacy, security, and user control become increasingly important. AI Mind Pilot is designed with these priorities at its core.
ColorOS 17 uses on-device models to understand and organize relevant information locally. For local tasks such as finding, organizing, or renaming files and photos, the original content remains on the device and is not shared with Manus. When a task requires external processing, AI Mind Pilot will ask for the user’s explicit confirmation before relevant content is uploaded or shared.
Users remain in control of what information is accessed, which actions are taken and whether external processing is allowed. Through on-device processing and transparent authorization, OPPO and Manus aim to make agentic AI more capable while maintaining a clear fucus on users’ choice and control.
Launching on OPPO Find X10 Series
The Manus-powered capabilities in AI Mind Pilot will debut on the OPPO Find X10 Series with ColorOS 17. Further details on availability, supported markets, and user benefits will be announced at launch.
Hashtag: #OPPO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
COFE Tech has announced an investment from KSH Investments, the international investment platform of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan’s Private Department, strengthening the Gulf enterprise technology company’s investor base ahead of a planned public listing. The Abu Dhabi-based investment firm acquired its stake through an arrangement involving Phoenix Venture Partners Innovation Fund CEIC Limited, the company said on Tuesday. The transaction was completed earlier this year, […]
KFC will introduce its Kentucky Town festival in Kenya on 20 October, combining locally inspired food, Kenyan-made clothing and weekend events across Nairobi in the concept’s first East African outing. The campaign, called Kentucky Town 254, will run until 15 November, with seven special menu items offered at selected restaurants and four shopping centres hosting pop-up events. The restaurant menu will remain available between the weekend events, […]
Building on its basketball partnerships announced in March, Sprite unites three-time MVP and NBA Champion Nikola Jokić with Olympic Gold Medalist and NBA superstar Anthony Edwards to lead a global movement celebrating the continuous evolution of basketball culture.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 October 2026 – Today, Sprite officially unveils its new global platform, “Never Stop Refreshing the Game,” with the addition of three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić to its global basketball athlete roster alongside superstar Anthony Edwards.
Sprite is doubling down on its basketball legacy on a global stage. Earlier this year, Sprite announced its return as the NBA’s Official Global Soft Drink.
For decades, Sprite has sat at the intersection of sport, fashion, music, and culture. Since first partnering with the NBA in 1986, Sprite has remained a constant presence in basketball culture, connecting with generations of players and fans through iconic campaigns, unforgettable moments, and partnerships that reflect the sport’s evolution. From neighborhood courts to the game’s biggest stages, Sprite has continued to show up wherever basketball culture moves next.
“Sprite has a history of championing the athletes, creators and communities that shape basketball culture,” said Oana Vlad, Global Brand Vice President of Sprite. “‘Never Stop Refreshing the Game’ is about finding new ways to refresh the game for fans, from the unmistakable refreshment Sprite brings on and off the court to the experiences, stories and moments that make basketball culture so powerful. By spotlighting original voices and game changers, delivering fresh entertainment, and giving fans access to experiences they might not otherwise have, we’re committed to helping move the game forward. Nikola and Ant represent that spirit perfectly.”
Two Icons with the Drive to Keep Refreshing the Game
To ignite its next era in basketball, Sprite is bringing together two of the game’s most dynamic forces. While Nikola Jokić and Anthony Edwards represent distinct paths to greatness, they share a singular instinct: a refusal to settle and a relentless drive to evolve the sport.
Nikola Jokić, freshly named the #1 player for the 2026–27 NBA season in ESPN’s NBA Rank for the third consecutive year*, brings masterclass precision, an unselfish high-IQ playstyle, and massive international reach that bridges fans from North America to Europe and beyond.
Anthony Edwards, Olympic gold medalist and four-time NBA All Star, brings explosive athleticism, clutch shot-making, and an electric charisma that has made him the undeniable face of basketball’s next generation.
“Basketball brings people around the world together,” said three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić. “Sprite has been part of the story for decades and I’m excited to partner with them to continue bringing the game to the next generation.”
Anthony Edwardsadds: “From Anta Claus to Obey Your Thirst, Sprite’s been cooking up some of the best campaigns that will live on forever. ‘Never Stop Refreshing the Game’ is no different, reminding every player out there to give it their all and stay true to who they are every time they step on the court.”
These game-changers will star in Sprite’s global campaign. The campaign will roll out worldwide starting now and into 2027. Across the ASEAN & South Pacific region, the platform will reach fans across passionate basketball hubs including the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand– nations where basketball culture is deeply rooted in everyday life. Over the coming months, fans can expect upcoming global spots starring both Jokić and Edwards.
Bringing Fans Closer to the Game
Off the screen, fans can grab limited-edition NBA and signature Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokić cans with scannable QR codes that unlock prizes like VIP courtside tickets, official Wilson game balls, and exclusive gear through interactive digital games. In communities worldwide, Sprite is leveling up local hoop culture by restoring neighborhood courts with vibrant “Hoops of Refreshment” murals and bringing live experiences to major events. Plus, fans can bring the energy home with NBA 2K in-game power-ups and special game-day food delivery deals.
Growing Wherever the Game Goes
By expanding its footprint across the NBA Global Games, Sprite is meeting fans where the sport is being redefined. Through immersive experiences and exclusive promotions, the brand will bring fans closer to the game, including at the NBA Mexico City Game 2026, when Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets face the Indiana Pacers, as well as the NBA Manchester and Paris Games in early 2027.
The game is changing, and Sprite is leading the play.
Watch the first campaign film here Jokes Aside. For more information, follow @Sprite on social media.
Hashtag: #Sprite
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The Coca Cola Company
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. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and Santa Clara. 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 employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Microsoft has unveiled its third-generation Maia 300 artificial intelligence chip, announcing plans to deploy its proprietary processors across data centres at multi-gigawatt scale from 2027 as it seeks greater control over the cost of running AI services. The company said on Monday that the new accelerator would become the principal system for AI inference across its products, including Copilot, as demand grows for computing resources capable of […]
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is considering an anchor investment in Zetwerk’s forthcoming stock market flotation, as the Bengaluru-based manufacturing platform prepares to open institutional bidding on Wednesday. The sovereign wealth fund is among more than 30 domestic and international investors examining participation in the offering, according to people familiar with the discussions. No allocation to ADIA has been confirmed, and expressions of interest do not guarantee an […]
Live translated subtitles help users talk across languages, while multi-model moderation and multimodal age-risk detection support user protection
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 October 2026 – Chamet, a global live streaming and video chat platform with more than 50 million downloads on Google Play worldwide, today detailed two AI systems behind its experience: real-time translation during video calls, and multi-model AI for content moderation and user protection.
Real-time AI translation
Chamet’s AI translation turns spoken dialogue into translated on-screen subtitles as people speak. It supports more than 50 languages and is free for users. Subtitles appear within the call itself, so people across Asia, the Middle East, the United States and other regions can talk without language barriers.
AI for a safer community
Chamet uses AI detection and human review together to find and act on violations in real time. Two methods sit at the centre of this work.
Multimodal detection of suspected minors: Chamet has zero tolerance for underage users. Instead of relying on a single signal, its system combines profile photos, live-stream frames, video, voice, text, self-reported age and account behaviour to assess whether an account may belong to a minor. Each case receives a risk level based on model confidence. Depending on that level, the system can restrict content, limit interactions or restrict the account, and human reviewers check cases before final decisions. Accounts found to have falsified their age are permanently suspended.
Multi-model fusion for content review: Chamet uses several moderation models and third-party services, each with its own labels, confidence scales and strengths. The platform maps all of their outputs onto one shared risk scale. It then weighs the results by content type, such as images, video, audio or text, by where the content appears, such as a live stream or a profile, and by each model’s track record. The result is a single risk level and a consistent action for each piece of content, with the highest-risk cases prioritised for reviewers.
These systems work alongside real-person face verification, client- and server-side safeguards against unauthorised screen recording, in-app reporting and blocking, and an appeals process. Together they help reduce risk on the platform.
“Our commitment to ‘Make Chat Borderless’ starts with helping people understand one another,” said David Qi, Chief Marketing Officer of Chamet. “We built translation into the call and kept it free. And because these are live conversations, we use AI to help our review teams spot risk sooner and act more consistently.” Hashtag: #Chamet
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Chamet
Chamet is a global live streaming and video chat platform. It offers live streaming, video chat, party rooms and feeds for social discovery. AI-powered real-time translation helps people talk across languages. Community guidelines, AI-assisted and human moderation, and in-app report and block tools support user safety. Learn more at https://www.chamet.com/.
Chamet is owned and operated by FULIAO HONG KONG LIMITED (HK Fuliao), a Hong Kong-based technology company. HK Fuliao provides the development, localisation, content management, customer service and operations behind Chamet. Learn more at https://www.hkfuliao.com/.
Cybersecurity researchers have identified a text-message scam that places recipients’ names on fabricated Facebook Marketplace listings, encouraging them to respond to enquiries about goods they never offered for sale. The scheme, described by Malwarebytes researcher Pieter Arntz on 6 October, uses an apparently ordinary buyer enquiry accompanied by an image resembling a Marketplace advertisement. The message asks, “Is this still available for purchase?”, while the supposed seller […]
Showcasing Smart Lighting, Innovative Display Technologies and Outdoor Lighting Solutions that Shape the Future of Smart and Sustainable Lighting
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 October 2026 – Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 28thHong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the 11thHong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo will be held in late October. The Autumn Lighting Fair will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 27 to 30 October, while the Outdoor and Tech Light Expo will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo from 26 to 29 October.
Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition)
Renowned as two of the world’s premier lighting trade fairs, this year’s twin lighting fairs will be held under the theme “Beyond Illumination“. Bringing together some 3,000 exhibitors from more than 20 countries and regions, the fairs will showcase a diverse range of innovative lighting products and solutions that blend smart connectivity, healthy living, immersive spatial experiences and sustainability.
Share your bright moments at the twin Autumn Lighting Fairs with #HKLIGHTINGFAIR and @HKTDCLIFESTYLE, and capture your shot at the AI immersive photo experience next to booth GH-D02, Hall of Connected Lighting.
Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) – HKCEC A highlight zone of the Autumn Lighting Fair, the Hall of Connected Lighting makes a return this year with a line-up of some 70 leading global brands, including local brands Dimon and Viliya; Inventronics and TUYA from Chinese Mainland, as well as international names such as Viso Systems from Denmark; Casambi from Finland; and Signify from the Netherlands, etc. The zone will also feature global major industry alliances, including the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the DALI Alliance, the SILA-EMN Alliance and the Zhaga Consortium, alongside KNX, the global standard for smart building and home automation, which will make its debut at the fair.
Exhibitors will showcase an array of award-winning designs, design aesthetics and lighting solutions featured in landmark projects. Combined with diverse themed scenarios and immersive lighting installations, visitors will gain first-hand experience of the latest smart lighting products and solutions.
Leading lighting brand Signify will collaborate with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team to present a racing simulator experience that extends the excitement of motorsport beyond the screen into a physical environment through innovative lighting technologies. Two professional racing simulators will allow visitors to experience the thrill of high-speed driving and sharp cornering in a highly immersive setting. Also, Philips Sky professional lighting solutions will be showcased, featuring the light formula, VitaUp and BioUp technologies. VitaUp uses low-dose UVB light to mimic natural sunlight and support natural vitamin D production, while BioUp adjusts lighting to the body’s circadian rhythm, delivering a healthier and more comfortable indoor lighting experience.
Expanding the event’s product scope, the Autumn Lighting Fair will launch the new LED Display Solution Zone to foster the development of a commercial LED display ecosystem. The zone will feature LED video walls, commercial displays, transparent and flexible LED panels, immersive audio-visual systems and integrated display solutions, covering applications ranging from retail environments and corporate presentations to exhibitions, virtual production and major commercial projects.
First-time exhibitor Ledman Hong Kong will present the QS Series IceScreen LED Display, which was deployed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Featuring large-scale 8K display technology, the solution delivers highly realistic and impactful visual experiences. The company will also introduce the LEDHUB Smart Conference Solution, which integrates large-format display, video conferencing and collaboration functions into a single platform. Winner of the 2025 TITAN Innovation Awards Gold Award, the solution has been adopted by leading institutions including The University of Hong Kong, the University of Warwick and Fudan University.
Another fair spotlight, the Hall of Aurora, will feature some 500 renowned brands, presenting lighting fixtures and products that blend creativity, design aesthetics, and superior craftsmanship. Exhibitors include local pioneers Prosperity Group and Profiled Group, major players from Chinese Mainland such as Eaglerise, FSL, LEEDARSON and OPPLE, as well as international brands like Lival from Finland, Cupower from Germany, and Beghelli from Italy.
Hong Kong exhibitor Sunricher will present the award-winning Desktop Wizard, a portable smart home controller that offers a flexible and space-saving alternative to conventional remote controls and fixed wall switches. Featuring modular buttons and multiple control modes, it delivers an intuitive, user-friendly experience tailored to diverse needs. The product has earned international recognition, including the Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award and German Design Award.
Another highlighted zone, the Residential Lighting, will showcase an array of functional and decorative household lighting products. Chinese Mainland exhibitor Yndlux Lighting will display its self-developed 5272 modular linear light, combining a flexible modular design and intelligent controls to meet diverse lighting and interior design needs.
Other zones include:
The Commercial Lighting zone will showcase a wide range of commercial lighting products designed to meet the diverse needs of buyers across various industries, addressing the distinct lighting needs of retail, office, and other commercial spaces;
The LED Essentials zone will feature a diverse collection of lighting accessories and components;
The LED Lighting zone will display a diverse range of LED light sources, including LED tube, panel light, bulb etc., providing the fundamentals for energy-efficient solutions;
The Testing, Certification & Inspection zone with companies providing professional light quality testing and certification services;
The Trade Service & Publications zone with companies offering market intelligence, industry publications, as well as business support services for the lighting industry.
Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo– Hall 6, 8 @AsiaWorld-Expo) The Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo will be held from 26 to 29 October at AsiaWorld-Expo, showcasing a comprehensive range of outdoor, commercial and industrial lighting products and solutions to drive smart city development. The expo will feature three thematic zones, including: the Smart Pole and Solution zone will showcase technologies and integrated solutions to optimise energy efficiency, improve urban management and elevate the quality of life for city residents; the Landscape and Architectural Lighting zone will present advanced lighting solutions that enrich urban ambience while enhancing safety, functionality and aesthetic appeal across public and commercial spaces; the Outdoor, Industrial and Technical Lighting zone will feature a wide spectrum of professional-grade lighting products designed for outdoor environments, industrial applications and technical settings such as warehouses, factories and infrastructure projects.
The expo will present newly introduced photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solutions to help cities enhance energy efficiency, alongside lighting applications for smart city development, industrial environments, professional settings, landscape projects and architectural illumination. Among the highlights, Lansine Intelligent (Zhongshan) will present t he LX‑LC01 energy storage power station and foldable solar panel series, providing green power solutions specially designed for off‑grid applications, outdoor camping, emergency backup power, as well as small‑scale and residential energy storage.
A Rich Programme to Stay Ahead of Innovative High-End Design and the Latest Market Trends The twin lighting fairs will collaborate with prestigious international lighting organisations to feature a series of thematic seminars, product launches and networking events. The Innovative Lighting Design Forum will take place on 27 October at the HKCEC under the theme “Treasures of Light: Artistic Brilliance Beyond Exhibitions“. Award-winning lighting designers renowned for their work on museums, exhibitions and art galleries will share the latest market trends through case studies. Featured speakers include Dr Yan Liu, Design Director, China at AT Design & Consulting Co. Ltd., who has contributed to the lighting design of the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Palace Museum in Beijing; Adam Meredith, Lighting Designer at MEGS Lighting from Australia, who led the lighting design projects for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and M+ in Hong Kong; and Omar Elkerm, Lighting Design Manager (Africa) at Signify, who led the lighting design for several major pyramid illumination projects in Egypt.
Following this forum is “Award-Winning Illumination: Highlights from the IES Illumination Awards“, a new event co-organised with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). Winners of one of the industry’s highest honours—the “IES Illumination Awards”—will analyse the artistic and technological developments in different lighting design categories. Featured speakers include Hiroyasu Shoji, Representative and Lighting Designer at Lightdesign Inc., who led the lighting design for the Grand Ring at Expo 2025 Osaka, and Kelly Jones, Principal at Lighting Design Alliance, a Salas O’Brien Company, whose portfolio includes numerous projects for Disney and Universal Studios.
Another debut event, “Circularity in Lighting Design“, will be co-organised with Women in Lighting(WIL) on 28 October. Influential female designers, including Sophie O’Rourke, Principal Lighting Designer at AECOM and Co-Founding Member of the Green Light Alliance, who is working on the ongoing Gilston Park Estate project, a new mixed-use community ; Pavlina Akritas, Founder of Akritas Lighting Design, known for her work on lighting projects for some of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands; Yah Li Toh, Founder and Principal of Light Collab, who designed the lighting for the Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai; Jinkie de Jesus, Founder of Light Plan Inc., who led the lighting design of Mactan-Cebu International Airport and some of Manila’s most prestigious hotels; and Kael Gillam, Principal Lighting Designer at Buro Happold, who designed the lighting f or Bromley Old Town Hall, will discuss relevant topics in detail.
Another key event, the Connected Lighting Forum, co-organised with the Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association (SILA), will be held under the theme “Healing Light for the Future: Illuminating Emotional Well-being“, exploring the development of intelligent and human-centric lighting technologies for psychological wellness and sharing case studies on light healing and therapy.
In addition, numerous exhibitor and buyer activities will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo, including a seminar titled “Smart Tech Integration in Outdoor Lighting” on 27 October, which will bring together experts from the Alliance of Smart Pole Industry and another industry organisation to examine how AI is driving the next generation of smart pole applications.
Providing Buyers with a Seamless Sourcing Journey The events will adopt the EXHIBITION+hybrid model, enhanced by the Click2Match online smart business matching platform, which will be available from 19 October to 6 November. Additionally, the Scan2Match feature in the HKTDC Marketplace App will be accessible onsite for buyers to scan dedicated QR codes from exhibitors to:
Bookmark favorite booths and products
Instantly access detailed product information
View interactive electronic floor plans
Continue conversations with exhibitors after the fair
The seamless experience ensures a smoother, more connected sourcing journey—before, during, and after the fair.
Fair websites
Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition):
Dubai’s Global Village will reopen at 6pm on Wednesday, 14 October, launching its 31st season with expanded cultural displays, new entertainment productions and additional attractions. The seasonal destination will operate until May 2027 under the theme “A More Wonderful World”. Organisers have announced 29 pavilions representing more than 90 cultures, alongside over 3,500 shopping outlets. The line-up includes a standalone Sri Lanka pavilion, a combined Russia and […]
By Arun Srivastava Antonio Gramsci in his Prison Notebooks (written between 1929 and 1935) explains how a ruling class maintains power not through military or physical force (coercion), but through ideology, culture, and consent (hegemony). He argued that the capitalist state is divided into two spheres: political society (which uses force, like the police and […]
The partnership combines the catalytic capital capabilities, convening platforms, and innovation networks of the Temasek Trust Collective with the World Bank Group’s global development expertise, reach, and country-level insights to help promising solutions move from pilot to scale.
Both organisations will explore co-financing and innovative financing approaches to mobilise additional resources, initially focusing on climate and energy, water, agriculture, and health.
A regional Knowledge Node will be established at Temasek Shophouse in Singapore to connect philanthropic partners with development expertise, networks, and opportunities, and to help promising solutions move from pilot to scale.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 October 2026 – Temasek Trust and the World Bank Group today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership aimed at harnessing the complementary strengths of philanthropy and development finance to advance shared development priorities. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the inaugural World Bank Group Philanthropy Forum held as part of its Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
Desmond Kuek, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Trust, and Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group, at the MoU signing for a strategic partnership between Temasek Trust and the World Bank Group to advance shared development priorities.
The partnership combines the Temasek Trust Collective’s catalytic capital capabilities, convening platforms, and innovation networks with the World Bank Group’s global development expertise, reach, and country-level insights. Together, they will strengthen cross-sector collaboration and help promising solutions achieve impact at scale.
Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer, World Bank Group, said: “As development needs grow and resources come under pressure, partnership matters more than ever. Philanthropic organizations bring deep expertise and innovative solutions that align closely with our core missions and jobs agenda. The Philanthropy Hub will connect ideas, resources, and partners to take those solutions to scale, and to deliver for people and communities around the world.”
Desmond Kuek, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Trust, said: “Today’s development challenges do not fit neatly into silos – and neither can our response. Philanthropy can move early, take risks, and unlock the partnerships and capital needed to turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Working in concert with the World Bank Group and its Philanthropy Hub, we can bridge systemic gaps, scale what works, and forge new pathways for collective action.”
Under the MoU, Temasek Trust and the World Bank Group plan to collaborate across three areas:
Convening and knowledge exchange: Bringing together governments, development institutions, businesses, philanthropies, and other partners to deepen collaboration, learning, and partnership development around shared priorities. This includes mutual participation in platforms such as the World Bank Group Philanthropy Forum and the Philanthropy Asia Summit; engaging senior leaders in high-level dialogues; and facilitating dedicated exchanges on World Bank Group missions, including Mission 300 and Water Forward, as well as approaches to co-funding, building coalitions, and developing country compacts.
Shared knowledge and insights: Connecting philanthropic partners more effectively with World Bank Group platforms, expertise, programmatic support, and institutional knowledge. The collaboration may also facilitate country-level engagement by providing insights into local development challenges, innovations, and opportunities, together with guidance and connections to relevant stakeholders, knowledge, and partnerships. By building shared knowledge and a repository of effective solutions, the parties aim to help translate promising pilots into replicable and scalable models that can advance impact outcomes.
Coordinating partners and capital towards shared priorities: Identifying capital mobilisation approaches to support larger, more coordinated, mission-aligned partnerships. Temasek Trust and the World Bank Group will also assess how their respective philanthropic networks and partners can be better aligned around common interests, while sharing knowledge on models for deploying and aggregating capital to support development solutions. Any specific financing arrangements or projects would be considered separately and remain subject to each party’s mandates, policies, procedures, resources, and approvals.
Initial priority areas include water, agriculture, health, climate, and energy, with potential collaboration linked to relevant World Bank Group initiatives.
Knowledge Node at Temasek Shophouse
In 2027, under the strategic partnership and as part of the Philanthropy Hub, Temasek Trust will establish a Knowledge Node at Temasek Shophouse in Singapore. It will connect philanthropic partners with a wide range of World Bank Group datasets, expertise, and relevant networks to support evidence-building and collaboration and will help promising solutions progress towards wider adoption.
Hashtag: #TemasekTrust
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Temasek Trust
Temasek Trust is the philanthropic arm of Temasek Holdings, with community stewardship goals of protecting the planet, uplifting communities, connecting people, and advancing capabilities. By forging new pathways in philanthropy and impact investing with like-minded partners, Temasek Trust advances catalytic philanthropy as a force for good. Through the Temasek Trust Collective, an ecosystem of organisations united by a shared purpose of building better for every generation, Temasek Trust builds capacity, convenes partnerships, mobilises capital, and catalyses solutions to drive positive impact. For more information, visit www.temasektrust.org.sg. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Ransomware operators Qilin and Settra are exploiting a five-month-old vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks’ remote-access software to penetrate corporate networks, cybersecurity company ReliaQuest warned on 9 October. The activity targets CVE-2026-0257, an authentication bypass flaw affecting certain configurations of GlobalProtect, the virtual private network service used by organisations to give employees access to internal systems. Palo Alto Networks issued fixes on 13 May, but attacks against unprotected […]
Highlights: Arabic edition now live at znaki.fm/ar Politics, economy, sport, culture, celebrities and lifestyle, written in Arabic for the region Persons, Events, Places, Companies and Lifestyle sections add the background behind the headlines One of more than 40 local ZNAKI FM editions, each built for its market DUBAI, – ZNAKI FM today announced the expansion of its Arabic edition at znaki.fm/ar. The multilingual platform offers Arab […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Hundreds of flights were cancelled across Saudi Arabia on Monday as attacks on major airports continued to disrupt passenger services and international connections. Flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 listed 436 cancellations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport at approximately 5.30am Saudi time, representing 64 per cent of scheduled services. The capital remained the centre of the disruption after authorities suspended operations following a deadly weekend […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Artificial intelligence is becoming embedded across government services, education, healthcare and transport in the UAE, as new adoption figures confirm the country retains the world’s highest measured rate of generative AI use. Microsoft’s latest Global AI Diffusion Report, covering the second quarter of 2026, places UAE usage at 73.3 per cent of the working-age population, up from 70.1 per cent in the first […]
Debut of ASEAN and Qinghai Pavilions alongside four key themes spanning energy, technology, green cities and waste management
ECO Expo Asia 2026 – Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 October 2026 – Eco Expo Asia 2026, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), will be held from 26 to 29 October at AsiaWorld-Expo.
HKTDC Associate Executive Director Silas Chu said: “Last month, the Hong Kong SAR Government unveiled the Policy Address and first Five-Year Plan, setting out a vision for building a green and liveable city. Across the region and beyond, China, the European Union and many ASEAN economies are actively pursuing carbon-neutrality or net-zero emission targets, and driving decarbonisation through regulations and industrial policies. Green transformation has shifted from policy aspiration to market rule. As global demand for ESG and green solutions continues to grow, Eco Expo Asia will bring together green technologies, innovative solutions, and global business opportunities to help enterprises capitalise on the new prospects emerging from this transition.”
He added, “This year’s Eco Expo Asia brings together over 340 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, including first-time participants from Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, highlighting the Expo’s growing international reach. Some 200 key officials and representatives of semi-official organisations from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Belt and Road countries, and ASEAN, will attend and tour the Expo, further promoting cross-regional cooperation and exchange.”
Speaking at the press conference, the Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR Government, Dr Vanessa Au, expressed: “The 21st edition of Eco Expo Asia, held under the theme ‘Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future’, dovetails with the HKSAR Government’s First Five-Year Plan, and implements the Policy Address precisely aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. It underscores our commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s green transformation, fostering green innovation, seizing the opportunities presented by the low-carbon economy, creating economic benefits and enhancing citizen well-being. Key highlights of this year’s expo include the HKSAR Government booth, the Environmental Campaign Committee Pavilion, the Hong Kong Pavilion and the newly established comprehensive experience zone for green technology. This year during the expo, the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China will, for the first time, co-host the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Hong Kong. In addition, the Environmental Protection Department, in association with the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will jointly organise the second edition of the ‘Green Silk Road’ International Training Programme. This expo brings together stakeholders from all sectors, uniting our efforts to advance global carbon neutrality and sustainable development.”
Businesses show continued strong confidence in Hong Kong as an ESG business hub
The HKTDC has also released the “HKTDC ESG Index 2026”. The latest ESG Index stood at 67.3, up from 64.2 last year and well above the neutral threshold of 50, reflecting the continued strengthening of corporate confidence in Hong Kong’s role as an ESG hub. The survey also showed that 93% of respondents have integrated ESG into their overall business decision-making processes, while the share of businesses sourcing or selling ESG-related products and services rose from 29% in 2025 to 46% in 2026.
Silas said, “The rise in the ESG index reflects the continued strengthening of global businesses’ confidence in Hong Kong’s role as an ESG business hub. Results further demonstrate that ESG is increasingly being built into business decisions on investment, sourcing, and supply chain management, fuelling steady growth in demand for ESG products, services and solutions. ESG has evolved beyond a compliance requirement into a source of competitive advantage for companies.”
With strong demand for ESG solutions, Hong Kong is well positioned to unlock commercial opportunities across banking and finance, professional services, and innovation and technology. In terms of technological innovation, surveyed businesses identified the most impactful Hong Kong digital and ESG platforms for boosting performance as sustainable supply chain platforms (45%), AI analytics (37%), and cloud data reporting (30%). On supply chain management, respondents most valued Hong Kong’s ESG certification services (50%), followed by transparency and traceability tools (41%), and ESG audit and risk analysis solutions (36%).
Pavilion line-up expands with ASEAN and Qinghai Pavilion debuts
Eco Expo Asia brings together green innovations and technologies from around the world, offering the industry a platform to exchange ideas and explore new business opportunities. This year, the number of participating pavilions has risen to 18, covering a wider spread of regions. On the Chinese Mainland front, Qinghai Province makes its first appearance with a pavilion of its own, joined by the nine Chinese Mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area, Macao, Guangxi, Hunan, Shanghai, and Nanjing in Jiangsu Province.
Among the international group pavilions, the headline addition is a new ASEAN Pavilion, featuring 13 green technology companies from eight member countries, including Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. An ASEAN networking reception on the opening day will further strengthen business ties with the region. In addition, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE), bringing two companies, will showcase their marine environmental technologies and waste gas treatment equipment. The US State of Illinois returns after several years, while Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands maintain their regular presence.
Regarding Hong Kong exhibitors, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation once again leads 11 start-ups to the Expo to showcase local green innovation achievements. The Hong Kong Pavilion, supported by the Environmental Protection Department and coordinated by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, is back with 19 local exhibitors presenting a diverse range of eco-friendly products, technologies and solutions. Rounding off the home-grown line-up, the HKSAR Government booth, featuring 11 bureaux and departments including the Environment and Ecology Bureau, and the Environmental Campaign Committee Pavilion, will highlight the city’s latest work in environmental protection and green development.
As a member of the HKSAR Government’s GoGlobal Task Force, the HKTDC will set up a GoGlobal Connect Zone, helping Chinese Mainland environmental enterprises tap international markets through Hong Kong’s professional services. A seminar on going global rounds out the programme, sharing practical experiences in expanding overseas.
Four thematic areas spotlight green innovation
Aligned with global trends and policy directions, this year’s Expo centres on four areas: Green Energy in Motion, Frontier Green Tech, Building for a Greener City and From Waste to Worth, showcasing the latest innovative green technologies, products, and solutions.
Under”Green Energy in Motion“, the Expo features green energy solutions spanning the maritime, land transport and aviation sectors. Echoing the call in the Policy Address and Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan to build a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry chain, EcoCeres Ltd. (Booth: 3-F30), a global leading SAF producer, makes its Expo debut with its advanced renewable SAF made from waste materials, alongside Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Pavilion (Booth: 3-E02) will also focus on energy, with start-ups presenting innovations such as EV chargers and modular EV conversion technology.
Under the “Frontier Green Tech” theme, around 30 start-ups and university spin-offs will show how research achievements have been transformed into practical environmental applications. Among them, first-time exhibitor Stellerus Technology Limited (Booth: 6-D27) will display the Multi‑Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO), the world’s first lightweight, high‑resolution, high‑precision synergistic greenhouse gases observatory, which has already been deployed on China’s Tiangong space station. MUSICO monitors greenhouse gas emissions, supporting enterprises in formulating emission-reduction measures and supplying precise data to green finance institutions.
In keeping with the “building a green and liveable city” policy direction under Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan, the “Building for a Greener City” theme gathers a host of innovations now in real-world use. Green Vigor Limited (Booth: 3-E02) will exhibit a modular hydropower system that converts wasted hydraulic resources from water tanks and cooling systems in buildings into electricity, a solution already in use in local shopping malls, commercial buildings and schools. AEC GreenTech Innovations Limited (Booth: 3-C20) brings a robot designed for plastering and paint spraying, which works at least five times faster than manual labour while halving material use, delivering environmental benefits. The technology has been adopted in local construction projects.
The fourth area, “From Waste to Worth“, assembles a number of leading Chinese Mainland enterprises in the waste management sector, including Chongqing Sanfeng Environment Group (Booth: 3-E30), named among Top 50 Environmental Enterprises in China and the Top 10 Influential Enterprises in China’s Solid Waste Industry, as well as listed environmental companies Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group (Booth: 3-B30) and Beijing Enterprises Environment Group (Booth: 3-D30), showcasing their waste management and resource circular solutions. Hong Kong-based Green AI Technology Limited (Booth: 3-E26) will launch REV, its new generation of the unmanned recycling station at the Expo, demonstrating how AI and automation can be applied to recycling.
Over 30 key events to gather experts from government, industry, academia and research
More than 30 forums and seminars will be held during the Expo, bringing together over 80 government officials, industry leaders and business representatives from the Chinese Mainland, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, and other Belt and Road countries to share insights on green opportunities, success stories and forward-looking strategies.
The annual flagship event, Eco Asia Conference, will also feature a series of seminars centred on four key themes, with industry and academic experts presenting the latest developments. On 26 October, Professor Su Hui, Chair Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at HKUST, who spearheaded the development of MUSICO, will join ProfessorKenneth Leung, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health at CityUHK, to discuss technologies for monitoring extreme weather and explore Hong Kong’s role as a regional green innovation hub. On 27 October, representatives from the Construction Industry Council and China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Ltd will examine green building development from the perspectives of policy, certification and practice.
On 28 October, Avinash Persaud, Special Advisor on Climate Change to the President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and a member of the High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance for the COP26, 27 and 28 Presidencies, will take to the stage. Drawing on his extensive experience spanning international finance, public policy, and climate finance, he will analyse emerging global trends in the field.
Public Dayinvites everyone to embrace green lifestyles
The final day of the Expo (29 October) will be Public Day, with free admission for the public, aiming to raise awareness of environmental protection and sustainability and to encourage the adoption of green lifestyles. A series of seminars on climate, environmental protection and food waste upcycling will be held that day. Speakers include representatives from the Hong Kong Observatory, Hong Kong meteorologist and former Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory Leung Wing Mo, and guests from Ways Out HK, a local social enterprise that turns food waste into jewellery. Visitors can also take part in interactive workshops, including a recycled paper making workshop, green cleaners making workshop and green mini games, enabling participants to learn hands-on how to put resource recycling and green living into practice.
BERLIN, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 11 October 2026 – The World Health Summit (WHS) 2026, the leading platform for global health, brings together more than 4,000 participants from 130 countries in Berlin and tens of thousands more online from October 11 to 13. Under the theme “From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health,” the Summit convenes leaders from politics, science, civil society, and the private sector. Discussions address Ebola and other infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, pandemic preparedness, resilient health systems, health care in conflict settings such as Ukraine, and climate-related health threats. The Summit will also address WHO leadership through a conversation with prospective candidates for the next WHO Director-General.
Against this backdrop, WHS President Axel R. Pries emphasized the need for innovation and collaboration: “Past achievements and continued progress in global health are increasingly challenged by multiple and overlapping crises. To build resilient, effective, and equitable health systems, we need innovation across biomedicine and technology, financing, delivery, and political coordination. This requires partnership and trust within and beyond the health sector and is at the heart of the World Health Summit 2026 leitmotif.”
Announcements and new pledges during the official WHS press conference:
Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA, highlighted the Government of Bangladesh’s landmark investment of 250 million euros in women’s health, supported by the European Investment Bank.
John-Arne Røttingen, CEO of Wellcome, launched the Wellcome Global Monitor 2026, which shows trust in science has fallen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ilana Ron Levey, Managing Director at Gallup, shared findings from the State of the World’s Emotional Health 2026 Report, examining the relationship between social media use and emotional well-being.
Turkey has prohibited social media companies from providing services to children younger than 15 under regulations published on Saturday, with the restrictions scheduled to take effect on 1 November. The rules, issued by the Presidency’s Cyber Security Directorate and published in the Official Gazette, require platforms to verify users’ ages, refuse registrations by children below the threshold and close accounts identified as belonging to them. They also […]
Hurricane Isaias struck Florida’s Gulf Coast with destructive winds and heavy rainfall, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without electricity as emergency crews confronted flooding, fallen trees and damaged power lines across the southeastern United States. The hurricane made landfall near Destin in Florida’s Panhandle on Friday as a Category 2 storm, carrying maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour, according to the National […]
A Tokyo court has recognised that a person’s voice can qualify for protection under publicity rights, establishing a significant legal principle in a dispute over allegedly AI-generated narration resembling a prominent anime actor. The Tokyo District Court ruled on 30 September that a voice, like a person’s image, can embody an individual’s identity and possess commercial value. However, it dismissed voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda’s request to remove […]
India’s communications minister has rejected suggestions that powerful business interests are preventing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service from launching, insisting that the country does not permit monopolies and applies common regulatory requirements to competing operators.
Jyotiraditya Scindia responded on Friday after Musk questioned billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s influence over the approval process, escalating a dispute over Starlink’s prolonged wait to begin commercial operations in one of the world’s largest telecommunications markets.
“India does not allow a monopoly in any sector,” Scindia told a media briefing, defending the government’s handling of satellite communications licences and its approach to competition.
The intervention followed Musk’s question on his social media platform X on Thursday: “Is Ambani the real boss of India?” Musk suggested that Starlink’s difficulties reflected the influence of established business interests but offered no evidence that Ambani had interfered with regulatory decisions.
The Ministry of Communications had already dismissed Musk’s earlier allegation that unnamed oligarchs were obstructing Starlink to protect their market position. It described the regulatory framework as fair and non-discriminatory and called suggestions of unequal treatment “baseless and misconceived”.
Officials said three licensed satellite communications operators were undergoing security assessments and remained at broadly comparable stages of the approval process. Those operators are Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite venture and Eutelsat OneWeb, which has links with Bharti Airtel.
Starlink has obtained a licence to provide satellite services, but that authorisation does not itself permit an immediate commercial launch. The company must satisfy security conditions before proceeding to spectrum assignment, another requirement for starting operations.
The distinction has become central to the disagreement. Musk has questioned why his company cannot begin serving customers after years of work to meet regulatory requirements, while the government maintains that obtaining a licence is only one stage of a process applicable to every provider.
Security scrutiny covers issues arising from satellite networks’ ability to deliver communications across borders and from the need for operators to comply with domestic interception, monitoring and other lawful requirements. The government has not announced a date for completing the assessments or assigning spectrum to Starlink.
Musk initially accused unnamed influential figures of seeking to preserve what he described as a monopolistic hold over connectivity. He argued that delays harmed people without adequate internet access, particularly communities that could benefit from satellite connections where terrestrial networks are difficult to extend.
His subsequent reference to Ambani made the dispute more personal. Reliance Jio, part of the conglomerate led by Ambani, is among the dominant providers of mobile connectivity in India, alongside Bharti Airtel. Neither the size of those businesses nor their presence in the satellite sector establishes the interference alleged by Musk.
Reliance Jio had not publicly answered the accusation by Friday. The absence of a response leaves Musk’s specific suggestion about Ambani unsupported, while the government’s explanation addresses the formal approval process rather than every concern raised about its duration.
The controversy has also drawn political attention. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi joined the exchanges on X, responding to Musk’s remarks with a pointed comment about the influence of powerful figures. His intervention widened a disagreement initially centred on satellite licensing into a debate about corporate power and government decision-making.
Starlink’s proposed service differs from conventional mobile broadband. Its network uses low-Earth-orbit satellites to connect customer terminals, potentially extending internet access to remote locations without the same dependence on ground-based fibre or mobile towers.
That potential has made the timing of market entry important for Starlink, although affordability, equipment costs and regulatory obligations will also shape the service’s commercial prospects. No confirmed nationwide launch date or final retail pricing has been announced for customers in India.
The regulatory dispute follows years of preparations by SpaceX to enter the market. Starlink has also explored distribution partnerships with established telecommunications companies, including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, demonstrating that competition in satellite broadband can coexist with commercial cooperation.
India’s satellite spectrum framework envisages administrative assignment rather than conventional auctions, subject to prescribed charges and conditions. Operators still require individual approvals before they can activate services, and holding an authorisation does not remove obligations connected with network security.
The Ministry of Communications has said a licensee may move towards spectrum assignment once its security assessment is completed. That sequence applies to the three companies currently seeking to introduce satellite broadband services under the government’s approval framework.
The Wikimedia Foundation has identified unauthorised activity by artificial intelligence agents it believes were operated by OpenAI, including attempts to misuse online tools and automated traffic that may have disrupted a public data service. The organisation, which operates Wikipedia and other open knowledge projects, said its investigation uncovered unapproved wiki edits, unsuccessful attempts to exploit a shared note-taking service and millions of requests to its public interfaces. […]
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