A wave of forced liquidations that ripped through digital-asset markets on October 10, erasing positions at a pace unseen in the sector’s history, was driven primarily by a sudden global risk-off shock rather than a failure of trading infrastructure, according to Binance. The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange said the flash crash unfolded as macroeconomic pressures triggered rapid price declines across major tokens, setting off automated margin calls […]
By K Raveendran The sharp note of disappointment sounded by Scott Bessent over the India–European Union free trade agreement says less about a single deal and more about a changing geometry of power in the global economy. At one level, Washington’s frustration reflects a familiar concern that sanctions and trade penalties are losing their bite […]
Federal authorities have taken legal control of assets valued at roughly $400 million that prosecutors say were generated through a darknet cryptocurrency mixing service known as Helix, marking one of the largest forfeiture actions tied to illicit crypto activity. The Department of Justice said the haul spans digital currency, cash-equivalent instruments and property interests traced to transactions that laundered proceeds from online drug markets. According to court […]
Ethereum slid sharply after losing key technical support near the $2,700 mark, triggering renewed anxiety about a deeper correction across digital asset markets and amplifying a risk-off tone that has weighed on crypto trading through January. The move extended a prolonged pullback for the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, which has erased a significant portion of gains accumulated during the final quarter of last year and underperformed several large-cap […]
Shiba Inu’s supply reduction drive has accelerated sharply, with community-led burns eliminating roughly 28.8 billion SHIB tokens and sending the burn rate soaring by more than 1,500%, according to on-chain trackers and project updates. The spike has reignited debate around scarcity dynamics in meme-linked assets and has coincided with a technical pattern that traders interpret as a potential upside continuation. The burn acceleration has been driven by […]
Dubai’s real estate market has been on a historic bull run. For the past five years, it has been a story of soaring property prices in Dubai, record-breaking foreign investment, and skyrocketing rental rates. However, a new market driver is set to define the Dubai property market 2026–2028: a massive influx of new housing supply largely from off-plan properties, many of which haven’t reached completion yet. Understanding […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 January 2026 – The Asian Financial Forum (AFF), Asia’s flagship annual financial event, successfully wrapped up its 19th edition yesterday (January 27), following two days of high-powered discussions and intelligence sharing involving more than 4,000 business leaders and officials from over 60 countries and regions.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under the theme of “Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape”, the AFF welcomed more than 150 distinguished speakers from around the world.
A new Global Business Summit was held throughout day-two of the AFF yesterday, to further integrate finance with key industries and drive innovation and economic development.
Co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, the summit explored how finance empowers businesses. It also examined how Hong Kong can support Chinese Mainland enterprises to “go global”, and the prospects for foreign enterprises entering the Mainland market.
In his opening remarks at the summit, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, highlighted trade, finance and innovation and technology as the three principal drivers of future economic growth.
“Hong Kong is not just a platform that connects capital, market, projects, talent and opportunity. Hong Kong is willing to be a strategic partner to help you grow, scale up and go global,” Mr Chan said.
On building a more vibrant tech ecosystem, Mr Chan said the HKSAR Government is determined to attract the world’s leading frontier-technology enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong.
“We welcome technology and industrial enterprises to establish a presence in the Northern Metropolis. Where justified, we are prepared to tailor incentive packages, which may include land grants, premium concessions, tax incentives and other facilitation measures. Everything is negotiable,” he said.
Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, in his welcome remarks at the summit, said: “In these unpredictable times, working together on shared goals adds to the agility and resilience of our economies, our industries and businesses, and our communities. Hong Kong, under the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement, is perfectly suited to host these conversations and promote cross-sector collaboration, as a super connector, super value-adder and super collaborator.”
A series of plenary sessions held during the summit included the Business Plenary I – Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global, and Business Plenary II – Strategic Collaboration for Shared Growth, focusing on the latest opportunities in global market expansion and inbound foreign investment.
The Global Business Summit also featured a series of discussion sessions covering high‑growth, high‑value sectors, including biomedicine and healthcare, green energy, new consumer trends, artificial intelligence and robotics.
Speakers included representatives of prominent enterprises in the respective fields, such as Banking Circle, Infineon AG, Investcorp, JP Morgan, Revolut, Triton Partners, Amgen, Merck, DexForce Technology, JD.com, Pictet Group, AI² Robotics, Galbot and Tencent.
Paul Polman, a business leader, investor and philanthropist who is dedicated to advocating for systemic change, climate action, and social equality, delivered the Keynote Luncheon speech (January 27). He shared his “Net Positive” corporate sustainability strategy, which he has championed in recent years, focusing on advancing sustainable development.
Meanwhile, this year’s AFF Deal-making session, co-organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, attracted over 280 investors and over 600 investment projects, resulting in more than 800 one-on-one meetings that successfully connected global capital with investment opportunities.
The AFF also marked the start of this year’s International Financial Week, featuring14 industry events that span a wide range of globally watched financial and business topics, including ASEAN opportunities, digital finance, green finance, family offices, private equity and alternative investments. Together, these events underscore Hong Kong’s unique role as the region’s most comprehensive and diversified international financial centre.
A humanoid robot with a deliberately unsettling face has shown a new way machines can learn the mechanics of speech, using a mirror and online video rather than human instruction. The system, known as EMO, learned to move its silicone lips with greater accuracy by observing its own facial movements and then analysing how people speak in video clips. Developed by researchers at Columbia University’s engineering school, […]
Automated software agents powered by generative artificial intelligence are taking control of programmatic advertising workflows in 2026, shifting decision-making from human traders to systems that plan, execute and optimise campaigns with minimal oversight. Major ad-tech platforms and industry bodies say the change is redefining how digital advertising is bought and sold, accelerating efficiency while raising questions around transparency, accountability and market power. Programmatic advertising, which already accounts […]
Intel’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results point to a company that has steadied its core operations after several turbulent years, even as its ambition to reposition itself as a competitive force in artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing remains largely untested. The numbers indicate improving execution and cost discipline, but they stop short of demonstrating a clear and durable return to growth in the markets now driving the […]
France has moved to sharply restrict children’s access to social media after lawmakers approved legislation that would bar users under 15 from creating or holding accounts without verified parental consent, marking the most far-reaching national intervention of its kind in Europe. The bill, passed by the National Assembly after months of debate over online harms, places legal obligations on major platforms to prevent under-age access and to […]
Soybean and corn futures edged higher in global trade as a softer US dollar improved export competitiveness and intensifying heat across Argentina raised questions over yield prospects, even as ample worldwide supplies continued to cap gains and keep prices well below the highs seen during 2022. Soybeans led the advance, with prices supported by currency moves that made US shipments more attractive to overseas buyers and by […]
Salesforce has secured a 10-year contract worth up to $5.6 billion with the United States Army to overhaul the service’s digital infrastructure, embedding cloud computing, advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence across a wide range of defence operations. The Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity agreement, executed through Salesforce’s specialised subsidiary Computable Insights, is intended to unify fragmented data systems, streamline workflows and accelerate decision-making from recruitment and training […]
Bitcoin slipped below a widely watched technical support zone as BlackRock moved to expand its digital-asset line-up with a filing for a premium income exchange-traded fund linked to the world’s largest cryptocurrency, underscoring how product innovation is accelerating even as prices wobble. Market charts showed Bitcoin breaking beneath the lower boundary of an inverted flag formation, a pattern traders often read as a pause before a continuation […]
Google is preparing a notable shift in Android’s visual language with a leaked system-level feature known as WindowBlur, signalling a more deliberate move towards refined interface effects that have long been associated with Apple’s mobile software. The capability, expected to debut with Android 17, introduces background blur at the operating-system level, allowing apps and system surfaces to soften content beneath translucent panels without relying on custom, app-by-app […]
By Asad Mirza In today’s fractured world, fissures caused mostly by the ongoing Trumpomania, every nation is working post haste to forge new alliances particularly focussed on trade. The best example of this is the India-EU partnership FTA, to be formalized on January 27.. The enhanced partnership is going to eliminate tariffs on more than […]
Emirates NBD, Dubai’s largest bank by assets, posted a four per cent rise in full-year net profit on Monday, underpinned by record lending growth as borrowing demand strengthened across domestic and international markets. The lender said net profit reached 24 billion dirhams for the year, surpassing market expectations of about 22.8 billion dirhams based on analyst estimates tracked by LSEG. The performance was driven by what the […]
Bringing together local and overseas innovation talents and leaders to deepen cross-border, cross-campus collaboration
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 January 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), together with 15 local tertiary institutions, marked a major milestone as Hong Kong Techathon+, the city’s largest international intercollegiate innovation and technology (I&T) annual event, celebrated its 10th anniversary. The Hong Kong Techathon+ Finale was successfully held recently (on 24 January) at Hong Kong Science Park. The team “Cresento” from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology won the Gold Award in the category of Trusted AI and Data Science under the Local Track (Open Group) as well as the Best Presentation Award voted by the audience.
The 10th anniversary finale of Hong Kong Techathon+, co-organised by HKSTP and 15 local tertiary institutions, took place at Hong Kong Science Park, bringing together representatives from local and overseas institutions, industry partners, and innovation teams to mark this milestone.
In parallel, the Global University Innovation Network (GUIN), jointly established by HKSTP and its 15 local tertiary institution partners, convened its inaugural forum on 23 January. The forum brought together GUIN member representatives and academic I&T leaders for in-depth exchanges on innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem development, further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international I&T and talent hub.
Hong Kong Techathon+ is co-organised by HKSTP and 15 local tertiary institutions, including: City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Lingnan University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The University of Hong Kong, Tung Wah College; and three institutions under the Vocational Training Council – The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, and Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology.
Record-high International Participation Highlights Hong Kong’s Role as a Hub for Talent, Markets and Opportunity
This year’s Techathon+ attracted enthusiastic participation from both local and overseas universities, Approximately 1,900 participants formed over 470 teams. Notably, 215 overseas teams joined, underscoring the event’s growing international appeal.
Following rigorous selection, 172 teams advanced to the finale, including 122 local teams and 50 overseas teams from Australia, Brazil, Chinese Mainland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Portugal, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, the UK, and the US. Kazakhstan, Japan, Korea and the UK participated for the first time through their university representatives, further demonstrating Techathon+’s reach as an international platform for I&T exchange.
A Decade of Growth: From a Local Challenge to One of Asia’s Major Inter-University I&T Platforms
HKSTP Chief Executive Officer Mr Terry Wong said: “Since its launch in 2015, Hong Kong Techathon+ has grown from a local challenge to one of Asia’s largest intercollegiate I&T events — driving creativity and collaboration while creating international impact. Techathon+ brings together outstanding young talents across tertiary institutions, turning ideas into innovative solutions that respond to societal needs and carry strong potential for real-world application. The platform has expanded the global pipeline of innovators and entrepreneurs, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a hub connecting talents, markets, and opportunities, and writing the next chapter of Hong Kong’s I&T story.”
Beyond a Competition: A Comprehensive “Soft-landing” platform for Entrepreneurship
Hong Kong Techathon+ is more than a university innovation competition. Over the past decade, the platform has engaged over 9,000 participants, nurturing innovative talents and supporting the growth of startups.
Non-local teams also participated in a four-day immersive programme, featuring I&T ecosystem seminars, mentorship, investor matching, visits at Hong Kong Science Park, and tours to Chinese Mainland I&T bases, helping participants explore market expansion opportunities across the Greater Bay Area.
HKSTP also invites selected high-potential finalist teams and winners to join its Ideation Programme, offering up to HK$100,000 in seed funding (along with support aligned with participating universities’ startup programmes), free co-working spaces, access to advanced technology resources and professional mentorship. Through HKSTP’s incubation and industry networks, teams are supported from prototype development to sustainable startups operations – scaling progressively and building international impact.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the exclusive Technology Enabler for the 10th Edition of Hong Kong Techathon+, providing participating startups with access to leading cloud and artificial intelligence technologies and platforms. Through this collaboration, AWS offered competing teams technology resources in generative AI and machine learning, professional technical support, and workshop to accelerate innovation and drive Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T hub.
Inaugural GUIN Forum: Deepening Global University Innovation Collaboration
The first Global University Innovation Network (GUIN) Forum was successfully held on 23 January at Hong Kong Science Park, bringing together GUIN member institution representatives and I&T experts. The forum focused on three key areas:
Exploring strategies for university-industry technology transfer collaboration to achieve win-win innovation outcomes
Examining the Greater Bay Area as a hub for international innovation collaboration, including opportunities for research commercialisation and cross-border partnership, and
Strengthening global collaboration networks through actionable pathways.
Speakers included Dr Tony Raven, former CEO of Cambridge Enterprise; Professor Poh Kam Wong, Emeritus Professor at National University of Singapore; and Dr Alwin Wong, Chair of the Association of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP), among others.
Co-founded last year by HKSTP and 15 local tertiary institution partners with support from multiple overseas institutions and partners, GUIN aims to bring together leading minds to advance international collaboration in innovation and entrepreneurship, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a global talent and innovation hub.
In his welcome address at the forum, Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP remarked: “We are building GUIN into a ‘global platform for innovation exchange and incubation’ — sharing knowledge, co-creating initiatives, and connecting startups with campus incubation resources and markets worldwide to turn concepts into tangible outcomes.”
Since last summer, HKSTP and university partners have launched the Theme-based Global Incubation Programmes under GUIN with three initiatives currently underway focusing on dentistry, visual technology, and the circular economy. The inaugural ” Global Hub for Future Dentistry” programme has attracted 40 top applicants worldwide. Additional thematic incubation programmes are in preparation, and GUIN members and partner organisations are welcomed to co-develop this expanding international collaboration.
The 10th Edition of Hong Kong Techathon+ Partial Awards List:
Local Track (Student Group)
Technology Theme
Award
Winning Team
Project Brief
Trusted AI & Data Science
Gold
SpeakRight
An AI‑powered voice‑changing solution designed to demonstrate and enhance speech training applications.
Sustainability & ESG
Gold
Hydroforge Tech
Development of cost‑efficient AEM electrolysis systems using a binder‑free, self‑growing electrode technology to enable scalable green hydrogen production.
Life Science & Healthcare
Gold
Nanos
A tech‑driven Contract Development & Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) platform that rescues undeliverable drug candidates through proprietary drug‑carrier optimisation, targeting breakthrough therapies including Alzheimer’s.
Digital Economy & Smart City
Gold
Smart Mall Wayfinding with AI Paedestrian Dead Reckoning Technology
An AI-powered Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) solution – an infrastructure‑light indoor navigation that delivers accurate mall wayfinding using AI‑powered pedestrian dead‑reckoning with minimal deployment cost.
Tech FYP Group
Gold
OmniWatch AI – A Scalable, Multi-Model AI Proctoring Engine and Invigilator Dashboard
A privacy‑preserving, multi‑modal AI platform for onsite digital exam proctoring that detects suspicious behaviours in real time and enables scalable, non‑intrusive invigilation.
Local Track (Open Group)
Technology Theme
Award
Winning Team
Project Brief
Trusted AI & Data Science
Gold
Cresento*
A Hong Kong–based sports technology startup developing AI‑powered smart shin guard solution, delivering actionable performance insights for safer, smarter football training.
Sustainability & ESG
Gold
Off-Grid AEM Hydrogen Production Driven by Fluctuating Renewable Energy
A modular off‑grid AEM electrolysis system designed for stable hydrogen production from fluctuating renewable energy sources.
Life Science & Healthcare
Gold
Illuminatio Medical Technology
A medical imaging startup developing non‑invasive diagnostics to improve the assessment of chronic liver disease (CLD).
Digital Economy & Smart City
Gold
MicroLink
A micro‑LED‑based optical interconnect technology enabling faster, more energy‑efficient data transfer for next‑generation AI data centres.
Global Track
Technology Theme
Award
Winning Team
Project Brief
Life Science & Healthcare
Gold
Cancer Immunotherapy
A next‑generation cancer immunotherapy programme developing novel PD‑1 combination treatments to improve outcomes for solid tumours.
Non-Life Science & Healthcare
Gold
ROTOBOOST
ROTOBOOST develops Thermo‑Catalytic Decomposition (TCD) technology to produce low‑cost, low‑carbon hydrogen from diverse hydrocarbon feedstocks, enabling efficient pre‑combustion carbon removal at industrial scale.
*Winner of Best Presentation Award voted by the audience.
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
South Africa’s vast grasslands have become the testing ground for what is being described as a global first in community-led carbon markets, as farmers and pastoral groups begin to earn tradable carbon credits through regenerative land management verified under a new international standard. The initiative centres on Verra’s recently approved methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, which allows greenhouse gas reductions and soil carbon gains from grazing […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 January 2026 – The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), opened this morning (January 26) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with more than 3,600 influential leaders from over 60 countries and regions joining the two-day summit, the region’s first major international financial event of 2026.
Co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), this year’s AFF, themed “Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape”, takes on added significance being the first such event of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
“Featuring more than 150 prominent speakers, from Hong Kong, throughout the Asian region and around the world, the Forum will inspire insight and innovation, create partnerships and explore fresh business opportunities,” John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, said in his opening remarks at the Forum.
Mr Lee also spoke of the boundless opportunities for Hong Kong under the unique principle of “one country, two systems”, that assures Hong Kong of the unwavering support of China, while continuing to expand its global markets and reach.
“This unparalleled positioning solidifies our institutional strengths: the rule of law, a judiciary that exercises its power independently, an open and transparent market, the free flow of capital and a low and simple tax regime,” Mr Lee said.
Mr Lee later witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement between the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Shanghai Gold Exchange, marking a new milestone in deepening co-operation between the gold markets of Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The agreement was signed by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui, and the Chairman of the Shanghai Gold Exchange, Yu Wenjian.
“The agreement just now signed is far more than a formal document,” said Mr Hui.
“It represents a resolute commitment to advancing the synergistic development of Hong Kong and Shanghai as premier international financial and gold markets. It reflects our joint determination to deepen the integration and complementary strengths of Hong Kong and Shanghai, so that together we can expand our share and influence in the global gold market, and better support Renminbi internationalisation.”
Mr Hui outlined the strategic significance of the agreement and the overall development blueprint for Hong Kong’s gold market.
“In recent years, amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and ongoing restructuring of the international monetary system, the strategic importance of gold has become even more pronounced,” Mr Hui said.
The agreement covers two major forward-looking areas of co-operation: establishing a high-level, collaborative governance structure for Hong Kong’s new gold central clearing system; and opening new avenues for physical infrastructure synergy and market interconnectivity.
“The signing of this agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange marks the dawn of a new chapter—one in which Hong Kong and Shanghai join forces to shape the future of global gold markets,” Mr Hui said.
A discussion session on gold trading themed “Global Spectrum – Gold Exchange” features expert panelists invited to examine recent market developments and share insights on Hong Kong’s role, potential and opportunity as a world-class gold trading centre. Speakers include overseas experts James Emmett, Chief Executive Officer, MKS PAMP SA and David Tait, Chief Executive Officer, World Gold Council.
Other highlights on day one of the AFF include a keynote luncheon speech by Dr José Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, former Prime Minister of Portugal, and current Chairman of Goldman Sachs International Advisory Board, to share his insights on the current global landscape and macro‑level challenges.
Other notable speakers today include Zou Jiayi, President of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Scott Morris, Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific) of the Asian Development Bank; Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Treasury and Finance of Türkiye; Klemen Boštjančič, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Slovenia; H.E. Waleed Saeed Abdul Salam Al Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of Securities and Commodities Authority of United Arab Emirates; Burkhard Balz, Member of the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank; Rhee Chang-yong, Governor of the Bank of Korea; and Gokul Laroia, Chief Executive Officer Asia of Morgan Stanley.
The AFF serves as the opening event of the International Financial Week in Hong Kong, featuring over 10 partner activities covering a range of global financial and business topics, including ASEAN opportunities, asset and wealth management, and artificial intelligence.
Comments from Chris Pratt have reignited discussion around the direction of Nintendo and Illumination’s next animated Mario feature, with the actor suggesting that the follow-up to The Super Mario Bros. Movie will broaden its character roster and explore corners of the franchise that were only lightly touched in the first film. Pratt, who voices Mario, has spoken in promotional interviews for other projects about returning to the […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Casagrand has begun construction of Casagrand Hermina at Dubai Islands, signalling the Chennai-headquartered developer’s formal entry into the emirate’s premium waterfront housing market and marking a strategic expansion beyond South Asia. The ground-breaking ceremony, held at the project site, brings Casagrand’s development playbook to one of Dubai’s most closely watched island clusters, where large-scale regeneration plans are reshaping the northern coastline. Casagrand Hermina […]
Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate General Authority has brought into force a sweeping set of legal changes that widen access to property ownership for foreign companies and expatriate residents, marking a significant shift in how the Kingdom regulates and opens its real estate market. The new framework, effective from January 22, integrates these provisions into the national real estate legislative system, making all rules immediately enforceable under a […]
Open-source compiler infrastructure project LLVM has formally clarified how contributors may use artificial intelligence tools when submitting code, allowing AI-assisted contributions while placing clear responsibility on human reviewers to understand, verify and stand behind every line. The policy, adopted after months of internal discussion, reflects a wider reckoning across open-source communities grappling with the growing presence of generative coding systems. LLVM’s leadership has made it clear that […]
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