Leaders from fire and emergency services, government, industry, academia, and international organizations gathered today for the opening of the second edition of the World Fire Congress (WFC), a global platform established to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and address some of the most pressing fire and life safety challenges facing communities around the world. Bringing together delegates from more than 60 nations, the Congress reflects the increasingly international nature of fire and emergency management challenges. From climate-driven disasters and urbanization to evolving infrastructure risks and community resilience, participants are convening to identify practical solutions and drive collective action on issues that transcend borders.

To mark the forum’s conclusion and celebrate a decade of global dialogue, a PBC 2026 Gala Dinner was held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. It brought together delegates from the Chinese Mainland and across the world including foundation leaders, government officials, tertiary institution representatives and community leaders. Among the distinguished attendees were Dr the Hon Starry Lee, Member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and President of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR; The Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council of the HKSAR; Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao; Club Deputy Chairman and IoP Chairman Lester Huang; Club Stewards; Club CEO and IoP Director Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; and other members of the Club’s Board of Management.

ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, delivered strong growth in the first half of 2026, with Assets Under Management rising 54% year on year and its workforce reaching 49,027 professionals. Meanwhile, the number of active licences also climbed to almost 14,000. The results reflect the continued expansion of capital, business activity and talent across ADGM, as global institutions increasingly structure, deploy and manage investment through Abu Dhabi. These results reinforce Abu Dhabi’s growing position as the leading global financial hub of the MEASA region and the “Capital of Capital.”

The week will feature over 850 speakers through a coordinated programme of more than 85 high-level events including 12 signature forums across 14 stages around Dubai. Held under a central theme of “Finance Reimagined: Where Innovation Meets Policy and Purpose,” the programme spans six defining verticals including FinTech, Tokenisation, Islamic Finance, Family Wealth, Sustainable Finance and Private Capital. Every event under Dubai Future Finance Week targets a unique facet of financial evolution, enabling connections with global enterprises, market leaders and regulators across a series of interlinked forums.

Step into the kitchen and a simple question: “What should I make?” can set the experience in motion. The AI Companion Refrigerator recognizes stored ingredients and suggests meal ideas based on personal preferences. Once a recipe is selected, it can sync with the AI Companion Oven to support automatic cooking, while the AI Companion Wine Cabinet recommends pairings and maintains suitable storage conditions. After the meal, the AI Companion Dishwasher recognizes dish conditions and adjusts cleaning, demonstrating how AI can support the journey from planning dinner to cleaning up. In the laundry area, visitors can see how the AI Companion Laundry Suite turns a routine load into a simpler, more automated experience. By recognizing clothing characteristics, it selects suitable wash and dry cycles and adjusts the process automatically, creating a load-and-go experience. The experience continues in the living space. The AI Companion Air Conditioner senses indoor conditions and user presence, adapting airflow as people move through the room. Meanwhile, the AI Companion Energy System considers weather and time-of-use electricity pricing to help optimize household energy use.

The new connectivity enables brands, retailers and logistics providers to streamline fulfilment and delivery operations through NAQEL Express’s integrated logistics capabilities. Anchanto customers can now seamlessly connect with NAQEL Express across the Order Management System (OMS), Warehouse Management System (WMS), Operations Experience and Parcel Tracking platforms. The integration enables retailers and logistics providers to automate fulfillment, shipping, returns, and tracking while improving operational efficiency and delivery visibility. The collaboration reinforces Anchanto’s long-term investment in the Middle East, expanding its ecosystem of over 200 commerce, logistics, and enterprise integrations worldwide.

“Organizations are operating in a more complex and connected environment than ever before,” said John Speakman, director of cybersecurity services, EMEA, Rockwell Automation. “Cybersecurity has become fundamental to operational resilience. These discussions highlight how manufacturers can move beyond compliance toward building the capabilities needed to manage risk, maintain continuity and secure their operations at scale.”

In March 2026, Westwell achieved normal autonomous operations under Zero-GNSS conditions across its fleet at CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal (CSP ADT) at Khalifa Port, marking a further step in the development of smart autonomous container handling in the region. The milestone builds on Westwell’s automation program operations at CSP ADT. Today, Westwell’s fleet consists of 12 Q-Trucks and six Q-Chassis (IGV), while the terminal has continued to expand its autonomous capabilities.

Jassper Shipping, a project logistics and specialised cargo solutions company, today announced a growth capital programme of up to US$50 million, subject to prevailing market conditions, requisite regulatory approvals and internal corporate authorizations, to be deployed over the next three years. The intended capital infusion aligns to India’s infrastructure, manufacturing and energy expansion, while integrating industrial supply chain capabilities across India, the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Red Sea and the Far East.

Twelve days before opening to the public, the 18th Lyon Biennale – Contemporary Art is preparing to welcome artists, contemporary art professionals, collectors, institutions and members of the international art community for two professional preview days, on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026. Then, from Saturday 19 September, the Biennale will open its doors to everyone for nearly three months of exhibitions across 11 venues in Lyon and its metropolitan area, until 13 December 2026.

Marking the event’s 10th anniversary and as one of the highlights of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, PBC 2026 has adopted the theme “Leap for Impact”. Drawing inspiration from the world’s leading sports and top athletes, PBC 2026 explores how qualities essential to success in sport – discipline, focus, resilience and teamwork – can drive enduring, tangible social change. It aims to examine how these qualities can be transformed into a powerful force for philanthropy, generating deeper and more enduring social impact. The Trust has long sought to transform lives and strengthen communities through the power of sport. This aligns with the National 15th Five-Year Plan’s emphasis on talent cultivation, youth development and the advancement of a strong and healthy sporting nation.

Through the partnership, Dyna.Ai and GAPP will explore opportunities to introduce Dyna.Ai’s enterprise agentic platform, including voice and text-based AI agents and AI Employee solutions, to organizations across the Kingdom, based on their specific needs and use cases. Potential applications may include embedding agents into day-to-day operations, from internal workflows to client-facing service delivery, rather than deploying them as standalone tools, while supporting applicable local data-governance requirements.

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, said: “The introduction of the three new Harry Potter–themed lands represents a significant milestone in the continued evolution of Yas Island and the emirate of Abu Dhabi. This expansion further reflects our long-standing partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, whose collaboration brings globally recognised stories and characters to life through imaginative and immersive design. Aligned with Abu Dhabi’s broader vision for economic diversification, enhanced tourism appeal, and the continued growth of a dynamic entertainment landscape, this expansion further reinforces Yas Island’s position as a leading global leisure and entertainment destination. It underscores our commitment to delivering world-class experiences that inspire, engage, and create lasting memories for visitors and residents for generations to come.”

Anchor Oral Care, a reputable oral care brand from Anchor Consumer Products, has appointed England cricketer, World Cup-winning captain and global cricket icon Jos Buttler as its Brand Ambassador in the Middle East. The association marks an important milestone for Anchor in a region where the brand has built a presence over two decades, bringing together Buttler’s global sporting stature, leadership and winning mindset with Anchor’s legacy of quality and trust. The partnership will strengthen Anchor Oral Care’s connection with consumers and families across the region, while bringing greater visibility to its 100% Vegetarian and 100% Vegan oral-care portfolio.

PAL-V has obtained its European Production Organisation Approval (POA). With this milestone, PAL-V now holds both the automotive and aviation production approvals required to manufacture its products on an industrial scale. This approval authorises PAL-V to manufacture aviation products under EASA regulations and marks a significant step toward bringing certified FlyDrive mobility solutions to market. PAL-V is the first company in the FlyDrive segment of Advanced Air Mobility to receive this approval, placing the company in a unique position worldwide, well ahead of both American and Chinese initiatives within the sector.

Inspur Communication showcased its full-stack solutions covering data centers, network management software, and AI applications, and officially launched its AIO (All-in-One) Modular Data Center for the Middle Eastern market, addressing the challenges of computing infrastructure deployment in the region’s extreme high-temperature environments. The highlight of the exhibition was Inspur Communication’s 20-foot AIO Modular Data Center, developed specifically to address the demanding environmental conditions of the Middle East. The modular data center integrates IT racks, power and electrical systems, HVAC, fire protection, and intelligent monitoring and management systems within a single prefabricated unit.

Dariba Technologies (“Daribatech”), a Dubai-based tax technology company and Accredited Service Provider (ASP) with the UAE Ministry of Finance, today announced a strategic partnership with Gateley Middle East ahead of the UAE’s mandatory e-invoicing regime, effective 1 January 2027. Under the partnership, the two firms will help organisations assess readiness, implement the right technology, and maintain ongoing compliance. Businesses with AED 50 million+ revenues must appoint an Accredited Service Provider by 30 October 2026.

Roborock, a global leader in home robotics engineered to simplify daily life, reported revenue of RMB 10.084 billion in the first half of 2026, up 27.6% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 45.6% to RMB 986 million. The company also reached a new global milestone, with Roborock recognized as the world’s No.1 robotic vacuum cleaner brand by both IDC and Euromonitor International.

MIAX Exchange Group reached a record year-to-date (YTD) average daily volume (ADV) of 11.0 million contracts through August 2026, a 25.5% increase from the same period in 2025.

Hisense’s football journey began with UEFA EURO 2016 and has grown ever since, extending across successive UEFA EUROs and the FIFA World Cups in 2018, 2022 and 2026. For Hisense, the final whistle is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of the next chapter.