Berkeley Group is halting new land purchases and slowing construction, marking one of the sharpest signals yet that Britain’s housing recovery remains vulnerable to higher costs, planning friction and tighter development economics. The FTSE 100 housebuilder said the pressure from taxes, regulation and wider market uncertainty has made fresh land buying harder to justify, even as it tries to protect margins and preserve cash. The decision […]
French President Emmanuel Macron is due to meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Wednesday, with the war involving Iran and the growing scramble for critical minerals set to dominate talks that reach far beyond bilateral ties. The meeting comes as Japan and France face the same strategic question from different angles: how to protect economic security in a world where energy supplies, shipping routes […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Nothing is developing artificial intelligence-enabled smart glasses for a planned launch in the first half of 2027, marking a potentially significant expansion beyond smartphones and audio devices as chief executive Carl Pei leans more openly into AI-led hardware. The move, first reported by Bloomberg on March 31, would place the London-based company into a fast-forming contest over wearables that many technology groups increasingly […]
Anthropic has acknowledged that an internal release mistake exposed part of the source code behind Claude Code, its AI coding assistant, in an incident that has sharpened scrutiny of the startup’s internal controls at a time when it is selling safety, reliability and enterprise trust as core parts of its pitch. The company said the exposure was caused by a packaging error linked to human mistake rather […]
Ripple’s partnership with Convera has pushed the crypto company further into mainstream cross-border finance, linking its blockchain infrastructure with a commercial payments group that serves businesses across more than 140 currencies and 200-plus countries and territories. Announced on March 31, the deal is designed to let corporate customers move money across borders more quickly by using stablecoins as settlement rails while keeping the customer-facing transaction anchored in […]
Bhutan has moved another 374.9 bitcoin, valued at about $25.2 million, out of wallets linked to the Royal Government, extending a wave of transactions that has sharply reduced one of the world’s most closely watched sovereign crypto holdings. Blockchain data tracked by Arkham and cited by multiple market outlets showed the transfer took place on March 31, with the coins routed to an external address beginning with […]
Pressure on the rupee is poised to intensify after the Reserve Bank of India ordered banks to sharply cut net open rupee positions in the onshore market, forcing a scramble to unwind large arbitrage trades that had linked domestic and offshore pricing. Bankers have warned that the adjustment could amplify volatility, strain treasury books and unsettle corporate hedging activity even as the central bank seeks to restore […]
Breaches involving employee information reported to the UK’s data regulator climbed again in 2025, reaching their highest level since the Information Commissioner’s Office began publishing comparable incident data in 2019, according to an analysis by law firm Nockolds that draws on ICO reporting. The rise adds to mounting concern among employers that staff records, payroll details and internal HR files are becoming harder to protect as […]
Apple has brought end-to-end encryption for RCS messages back into developer testing with iOS 26.5 beta, reviving a privacy feature that appeared in the iOS 26.4 beta cycle but was withheld from the public release. The move sharpens focus on how quickly Apple can close one of the last major security gaps between iPhone and Android texting, even as the feature remains labelled beta and is not […]
Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has begun to edge higher for ships deemed acceptable by Tehran, but the Gulf’s main maritime chokepoint remains tightly controlled and effectively shut to most commercial operators without Iranian clearance. Tracking data cited by Bloomberg showed a gentle rise in signal-on transits, while Reuters and other maritime reports indicate that only a narrow stream of ships linked to countries Iran […]
Warren Buffett has left open the possibility of making further donations to the Gates Foundation, even as renewed scrutiny of Bill Gates’ past dealings with Jeffrey Epstein complicates one of the most prominent relationships in modern philanthropy. The 95-year-old investor said he is watching developments before deciding whether his long-running annual gifts should continue. The remarks mark a careful shift rather than a clean break. Buffett said […]
Apple has begun offering unusual stock awards worth as much as $400,000 to members of its iPhone product design team, moving to shore up one of its most prized groups as OpenAI and other artificial intelligence rivals intensify their push into consumer hardware. The bonuses, reported by Bloomberg, were granted outside Apple’s normal compensation cycle and are structured to vest over four years, tying the awards to […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Sharjah Islamic Bank is pressing ahead with a rights issue worth up to AED2.59 billion, or about $705 million, in a move designed to reinforce its capital base, fund balance-sheet expansion and preserve financial flexibility as the lender pushes for further growth. The bank said the offer will raise issued capital from about AED3.24 billion to as much as AED4.31 billion through the […]
Australia has moved towards court action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube after officials said the platforms may have failed to keep children under 16 off their services, escalating a world-first test of how far governments can force technology groups to police the age of their users. The warning follows the first compliance review of the law, which took effect on 10 December 2025 and allows […]
The adviser search points to a shift in how school systems with substantial reserves are treating their balance sheets. What might once have been handled more conservatively through deposits and internal oversight is now increasingly being managed with the same disciplines used by foundations, family offices and other long-horizon institutions. In ESF’s case, the task appears especially significant because the group’s endowment is no longer a marginal reserve but a material financial resource that can influence scholarships, strategic projects, property decisions and resilience during periods of market or enrolment volatility.
ESF’s own disclosures show why the mandate matters. In its 2023/24 annual report, the foundation said its endowment includes both a residential property portfolio and investments held in ESF Investments Limited. It reported that the fair value of investments held in that vehicle rose 13.4% to HK$587.7 million from HK$518.2 million a year earlier, while finance and investment committees continued to focus on asset performance monitoring and strategic asset allocation. The same report said three companies had been set up to restructure the holding of residential assets within the ESF endowment, with a new operating model expected to launch in the first half of 2025.
That helps explain why an external adviser would be attractive now. Once a fund reaches this scale, the main challenge is not simply preserving capital. It is deciding how much risk an education group should take, how liquid the portfolio needs to be, whether alternative assets belong alongside traditional holdings, and how to align returns with liabilities such as campus upgrades, technology spending and support programmes. For a school operator, there is also a reputational dimension: parents and staff expect prudence first, even when boards are under pressure to extract higher returns from idle capital.
ESF’s finances show both stability and constraints. The group reported total operating income of HK$2.85 billion in 2022/23, with tuition fees accounting for 84.3% of operating income and government grants 5.3%. It also said the long-running phase-out of government subvention, which began in 2016/17, was continuing, with the phase-out for secondary schools having started in 2022/23. By 2023/24, ESF said strong interest income had allowed it to seed a HK$10 million scholarship fund and a HK$30 million development fund, including support for a project researching the use of AI in teaching and learning.
Those figures matter because they show that investment income is becoming more relevant to the group’s strategic flexibility even as tuition remains the dominant revenue line. They also suggest that endowment governance is no longer peripheral to education policy inside ESF. A stronger investment framework could help smooth cyclical swings in income, but it could also expose the group to debate over mandate design, manager selection and tolerance for drawdowns in volatile markets. Educational institutions globally have wrestled with that trade-off for years: conservative portfolios can struggle to keep pace with inflation and capital needs, while more ambitious allocations can attract scrutiny when markets turn.
The Hong Kong backdrop adds another layer. Authorities are trying to reinforce the city’s appeal as an asset and wealth management centre, with proposed tax reforms aimed at making it easier to attract managers and capital. The Securities and Futures Commission said total assets under management in Hong Kong’s asset and wealth management business rose 13% to HK$35.1 trillion at the end of 2024, while the number of firms licensed for asset management increased 4% to 2,212. That means ESF is seeking advice in a market that is both deep and actively competing for institutional mandates.
Founded by ordinance in 1967, ESF occupies an unusual place in Hong Kong’s education landscape: a statutory body with a large footprint, significant fee income and a legacy of government support that is being phased out over time. Its latest public materials describe a group with more than 18,500 students and a broad mix of Hong Kong permanent residents and overseas passport holders, reflecting its role as a major English-medium provider in the city. That scale means any change in how it manages long-term capital is likely to be watched closely by school operators, fund managers and policymakers alike.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 March 2026 – The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Voxovation together with Thailand’s S2O Productions and Channel 3 today announced the debut of Eurovision Song Contest Asia in 2026, with Bangkok selected as the Host City for its inaugural edition, bringing together ten countries across Asia.
South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are confirmed alongside Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos, as well as Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, with more countries expected to join as the competition expands.
Bringing the world’s largest live TV event to Asia, Eurovision Song Contest is now opening a new chapter shaped by the region’s diversity, creativity and cultural identity, and grounded in the same spirit that has always defined the contest: United by Music.
ZOOP is the revolutionary new social media platform launching globally on 9th of April with a dedicated channel covering the new Eurovision Song Contest Asia. ZOOP will place the audience at the centre of the action, driving participation, community and interaction, with cutting-edge technology behind the experience.
Evolving Eurovision Song Contest with Asia
For seven decades, the Eurovision Song Contest has brought countries together through music, storytelling and live television, reaching audiences of hundreds of millions every year.
Now, in collaboration with leading broadcasters and production companies across Asia, Eurovision Song Contest Asia will build on that legacy, creating a new shared stage where cultures meet, voices are amplified, and creative communities connect across borders.
Rooted in the same spirit that has defined Eurovision Song Contest for generations, the contest carries forward a simple but powerful idea, connecting people through music and shared experiences. In Asia, that idea will take on new meaning, shaped by the region’s extraordinary diversity and creative energy.
Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said:
“As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity and talent.
This is about evolving the show together with Asia, building something that reflects the voices, identities and ambitions of the region, while staying true to what has always made the Contest special.
Eurovision Song Contest Asia will be shaped by the artists, broadcasters and audiences who make it their own, continuing our shared journey of being United by Music.”
Shaping the Future of Eurovision Song Contest in Asia
Designed to grow with the region, the format brings together countries representing more than 600 million people. With no comparable pan-Asian platform today, it is set to become one of the region’s most talked-about entertainment events.
Powered by exclusive social partner ZOOP, the contest will introduce a fan participation platform where audiences do more than watch. ZOOP gives fans new ways to engage with artists, join communities, and be recognised and rewarded for real participation, while helping create a more direct and meaningful connection between talent and audience.
Peter Settman, CEO & Co-Founder of Voxovation, the exclusive licensee of Eurovision Song Contest Asia said:
“From day one, our ambition has been to build the Eurovision Song Contest Asia together with the region’s best creative talent, creating a show that truly reflects Asia’s identity and creative energy.
Together with S2O Productions, we are shaping a show where artists and fans connect across borders in new ways, through participation, community and deeper engagement beyond the stage, with ZOOP helping bring that fan experience to life.
To bring this incredible show to a new continent is something very special. I look forward to millions of people in Asia watching the competition and singing in front of the TV, dancing to the performances and predicting the outcome.”
Bangkok: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow
Bangkok is a city where tradition and modern expression coexist seamlessly, it offers a natural home for a contest built on diversity and exchange, connecting artists and audiences from across the region and beyond.
The Contest will be broadcasted in partnership with Thailand’s Channel 3, alongside broadcasters from at least 10 countries across Asia, each bringing their own voice, identity and storytelling to the stage.
Hosting Eurovision Song Contest Asia is expected to generate strong international visibility for Bangkok, while supporting tourism, job creation and the continued growth of Thailand’s creative industries.
Thailand Welcomes The Region And The World
Eurovision Song Contest Asia will provide a powerful platform for artists to share their music, stories and identities with audiences across the region and globally, strengthening cultural exchange between Asia and Europe.
The event further reinforces Thailand’s position as a destination for world-class cultural and entertainment experiences.
Chuwit Sirivajjakul, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning, at the Tourism Authority said:
“When I heard that the European Broadcasting Union and Voxovation were considering Bangkok as the home for the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, I thought, of course, it should be Bangkok, because this city has always been a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life.
It is a place where tradition and innovation do not compete. They collaborate. That is the spirit of Eurovision, which celebrates the unity of diverse musical voices from across Asia and beyond.
We believe travel is in the moments that restore you, inspire you, and connect you to something larger than yourself. Eurovision Song Contest Asia embodies exactly that, and we are proud to welcome it home, marking a new chapter for Thailand’s global presence.”
Participating Countries
The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia will bring together broadcasters from across the region, each representing their country with original music and national talent.
Confirmed participating broadcasters include:
Thailand — Channel 3 produced by S2O productions
South Korea
Philippines — ABS-CBN Corporation
Vietnam — Vietnam Television (VTV3) produced by Dao Music Entertainment
Malaysia — Media Prima (TV3)
Cambodia — TV5 Cambodia produced by GIGIL Cambodia
Laos — Vientiane Capital Television (VTE9) produced by 3SD Group & SG Music
Bangladesh — NTV produced by Bongo Holdings
Nepal — Himalaya TV produced by Saujanya Media
Bhutan — Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS)
Additional countries and broadcasters are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as the line-up continues to expand.
Journey to the Grand Final
The Grand Final of Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 is scheduled to take place in Bangkok on 14 November 2026.
Be part of the journey and follow Eurovision Song Contest Asia at www.eurovisionasia.com
Hashtag: #Voxovation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the world’s leading alliance of public service media, representing over 110 member organizations in more than 50 countries, with an additional 30+ associates worldwide. The EBU operates Eurovision, the premier global media exchange network, and produces the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the world’s most watched live entertainment events, reaching hundreds of millions of viewers annually. Through its work, the EBU supports collaboration, innovation and the sharing of high-quality content across borders.
Voxovation is a global entertainment company focused on developing, producing and scaling large-format television and live events. Founded by industry leaders with extensive experience in international entertainment formats, Voxovation specializes in bringing globally recognized IP to new markets and building original formats that connect audiences across cultures. The company is the exclusive licensee of Eurovision Song Contest Asia and is leading its development, production and commercialization across the region.
S2O, one of Asia’s most iconic live entertainment and production companies known for delivering large-scale events and premium experiences across Asia. Renowned for its world-class production, immersive water elements, and high-energy experiences, S2O will bring its creative and technical expertise to reimagine the Eurovision format for audiences across the Asian region and beyond. As a production partner for Eurovision Song Contest Asia, S2O will support the delivery of world-class live experiences in Bangkok.
ZOOP is a next-generation social platform designed to connect creators, fans and communities through interactive digital experiences. As the exclusive social partner of Eurovision Song Contest Asia, ZOOP powers fan engagement across the platform, enabling participation, content interaction and community-driven experiences at scale. Built on Hedera technology, ZOOP delivers secure, transparent and scalable infrastructure for digital engagement, bringing audiences closer to the action than ever before.
For media enquiries on ZOOP, contact: 
Winyee.lai@redhill.asia
AD Ports Group has used its 2025 Annual Report to make a broader point than a set of earnings figures: Abu Dhabi’s state-backed ports and logistics champion is seeking to prove that scale, corridor strategy and selective overseas expansion can keep lifting returns even as conflict, tariff friction and supply-chain disruption continue to unsettle global trade. The company said revenue for 2025 reached AED 20.77 billion and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai authorities were battling a fire aboard a Kuwaiti oil tanker on Tuesday after a drone struck the vessel in waters near Anchorage “E”, with officials saying no injuries had been reported and emergency teams were working under established maritime safety protocols. The incident unfolded off Dubai’s coast as maritime firefighting units moved to secure the tanker, contain the blaze and prevent any […]
Global shipments of OLED monitors jumped 92 per cent in 2025, giving Asus the leading position in a fast-growing segment of the display market as falling prices, broader model line-ups and stronger gamer demand pushed the technology further into the mainstream. Industry tracker TrendForce said shipments reached 2.735 million units last year and forecast another 51 per cent rise in 2026, suggesting that momentum is carrying into […]
Nasdaq is accelerating the route into its flagship Nasdaq-100 index for large newly listed companies, a rule change that could materially benefit future market debuts such as SpaceX by shortening what has often been a wait of many months. The exchange said the revised methodology will take effect on May 1, allowing certain newly public companies to be assessed by their seventh trading day and, if they […]
Japan’s investors are being pushed back towards overseas yield trades as the war involving Iran unsettles the country’s traditional refuge assets, weakens the yen and lifts the cost of imported energy. What had looked like a steadier domestic backdrop at the start of 2026 has been disrupted by a surge in oil prices, renewed pressure on the currency and a sharp reassessment of where Japanese savers and […]
Omniyat Holdings has said it has enough liquidity to handle its debt obligations after Fitch placed the Dubai ultra-luxury developer on Rating Watch Negative, citing geopolitical risk linked to the Iran war and the potential for weaker buyer demand in Dubai and across the Gulf. The company said it held more than AED 5.3 billion in cash, cash equivalents and other financial assets at the end of […]
North Korea has carried out a ground test of a newly upgraded high-thrust solid-fuel engine, with leader Kim Jong-un saying the development would strengthen the country’s strategic strike capability and advance its military modernisation drive. State media said Kim observed the test and described it as an important step in the ruling party’s five-year defence plan, a programme that has centred on building faster-launching missiles and a […]
Mubadala Energy has tightened its grip on one of Southeast Asia’s most closely watched offshore gas provinces after winning the Southwest Andaman exploration Production Sharing Contract in Indonesia, a move that extends the Abu Dhabi-based company’s push to build scale in the country’s Andaman basin. The block was awarded by Indonesia’s oil and gas regulator, Direktorat Jenderal Minyak dan Gas Bumi, under the second bid round for […]
