FEATURED NEWS
- October 1, 2026Technology
Aligator Raises $1.2 Million Seed Round to Transform Public Relations with Agentic AI
Aligator, the agentic AI startup redefining how public relations is done, today announced the successful close of its seed funding round, raising USD 1.2 million (QAR 4.3 million). Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Next Ventures, a fund by Media City Qatar, led the round, with additional participation from a group of private investors. Aligator is building autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents purpose-built for the PR industry, capable of drafting and distributing press materials, monitoring media coverage, identifying journalist and outlet matches, and managing outreach workflows end to end. By pairing agentic AI with deep domain knowledge of communications, Aligator enables PR teams and agencies to operate with the speed and scale of a much larger organization. Aligator was founded by, and is powered by, a team of Qatar Foundation alumni, graduates of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and Texas A&M University at Qatar. The company stands as a homegrown success story of Qatar's investment in world-class education, with talent cultivated in Education City now building globally competitive AI technology from Doha. Since its inception, Aligator has focused on solving a persistent challenge in the communications industry: PR professionals spend the majority of their time on manual, repetitive tasks such as tracking coverage, building media lists, drafting routine materials, and chasing follow-ups, leaving little room for strategy and relationship-building. Aligator's agents take on this operational load autonomously, learning each client's voice, media landscape, and objectives to deliver work that is fast, consistent, and on brand. "Public relations is one of the most relationship-driven and time-intensive industries, yet much of the day-to-day work is repetitive and ripe for intelligent automation," said Ali Abbas, founder of Aligator . "This investment allows us to accelerate our product roadmap, grow our engineering team, and bring agentic AI to communications professionals across the region and beyond." The new capital will be used to: Accelerate product development , expanding Aligator's suite of autonomous PR agents. Grow the team , with key hires across engineering, AI research, and go-to-market. Expand regionally, serving agencies, corporates, and government communications teams across the GCC and MENA. “Aligator reflects the growing potential of Qatar’s homegrown innovation ecosystem and the strong technology talent emerging from the country. At Qatar Development Bank, we are committed to enabling promising startups through the capital and ecosystem support needed to develop their solutions, strengthen their capabilities and pursue their next stage of growth. We are pleased to invest in Aligator as it builds on this foundation and works toward its ambitions in Qatar, the region and beyond,” said Mohammed Al Emadi, Executive Director of Incubation & Venture Capital Investment. Khalid Mubarak Al Naimi , Director and Board Member at Next Ventures , said: “We were established to back promising companies with the potential to strengthen the sector and shape its future. Our investment in Aligator reflects this purpose, supporting technology that addresses real market needs and providing the financial and strategic backing needed to scale from Qatar into regional and international markets, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.” The investment reflects growing momentum in Qatar's technology and startup ecosystem, and underscores investor confidence in applied AI ventures emerging from the region, particularly those built by local talent. About Aligator: Aligator is an agentic AI startup for public relations, building autonomous agents that handle media outreach, press material creation, coverage monitoring, and campaign management. Founded in 2025 by Qatar Foundation alumni from Carnegie Mellon University and Texas A&M University, incorporated in Media City Qatar, licensed by Qatar Financial Center and headquartered in Msheireb Downtown, Doha, Qatar, Aligator's mission is to give every communications team the power of an always-on, intelligent PR department. Learn more at www.aligator.ai . About Qatar Development Bank (QDB): Established in 1997 as a government-affiliated development institution, Qatar Development Bank aims to strengthen the national business landscape, fostering and driving the economic diversification of the private sector in Qatar. Throughout more than twenty-five years of economic development, Qatar Development Bank has achieved notable successes, cementing its position as a major contributor to the national entrepreneurship ecosystem, the private sector and a diversified and knowledge-based economy. Qatar Development Bank’s strategy is aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan, with a focus on building a promising future for businesses in Qatar and empowering entrepreneurs to lead a sustainable and prosperous future. Qatar Development Bank anchors its support framework on three interconnected pillars, beginning with the promotion of innovation by embracing and accelerating entrepreneurial ideas and investing in startups, developing local businesses by providing financial and advisory support, and enabling the export ecosystem to bolster Qatari exports and raise the competitiveness of Qatari products in global markets, in collaboration with partners from the governmental entities. The bank's efforts are centered around diversifying support mechanisms to foster social and economic development, leveraging available resources to advance environmental, social and institutional governance and digital transformation efforts, and promoting innovation and creativity, with a focus on forging impactful local and global partnerships. For more information, visit QDB website . About Next Ventures: Next Ventures LLC, a fund by Media City Qatar, was established to fulfill Media City Qatar’s strategic goals by backing media, innovative technology, and gaming companies across local, regional, and international markets. As an active financial and strategic investor, it makes direct investments and co-investments alongside institutional and private-sector participants to help promising companies grow and scale.
- October 1, 2026Blockchain
Stacks Founder Muneeb Ali Takes the Helm as Stacks Labs CEO with Bitcoin Staking Entering Its Growth Phase
Stacks Labs today announced that Muneeb Ali, founder of Stacks (STX), will become CEO of Stacks Labs, the largest contributor to the Stacks network, effective October 15. He takes the role as Stacks shifts focus to accelerating adoption following the successful launch of Bitcoin staking. Recent business development has brought institutional partners including 21shares, UTXO Management, HashKey Cloud, Anchorage, and Fireblocks into Stacks' Bitcoin staking ecosystem. Stacks Labs will expand that work with new hires across business development, regional growth and brand. Stacks is the leading layer for productive Bitcoin capital, with over 4,200 yielded in BTC. The first institutional Bitcoin staking bond sold out at launch, with 21shares, HashKey Cloud, and UTXO Management filling their maximum allocations. The appointment formalizes a role Muneeb has increasingly taken on during the build phase of Bitcoin staking: working directly with institutional partners and sophisticated investors and leading key industry engagement. He remains the most recognizable voice for Stacks, setting out the vision for Bitcoin capital markets and a future where idle Bitcoin becomes productive capital. The transition is further enabled by the strong operational build out overseen by Alex Miller, who served as interim CEO since Stacks Labs was established and now moves into an advisory role. "In launching Stacks Labs, my goal was to build the team, put the right structure in place, and ship Bitcoin Staking," said Alex Miller. "With that foundation built, I cannot think of a more exciting leader for the next growth phase of Stacks than our founder, Muneeb. Working with this team has been a privilege and I look forward to continuing to support the ecosystem as an advisor." "Alex has taken the community's mandate to build a powerful, efficient core contributor and produced a Stacks Labs team that is shipping faster than ever and which has put Bitcoin staking, a unique, institutionally validated product successfully into the market." said Muneeb Ali. "The infrastructure is in place and institutions are ready to put their Bitcoin to work. My focus now is scaling adoption, from regional markets to the largest institutions in the world, and bringing Bitcoin staking to every holder of BTC." Muneeb has been working on Bitcoin since 2013, which gives Stacks Labs a CEO whose conviction in growing Bitcoin was formed long before Bitcoin became an institutional asset. He founded Stacks in 2017, leading the first SEC-qualified token offering in 2019. His experience as founder of the network carries weight with custodians, asset managers, and exchanges operating in regulated markets. He will focus on driving the resource alignment and hires necessary to further scale Stacks' visibility in the market while continuing to support key institutional relationships. The product roadmap and existing partnerships continue as planned, and Muneeb has already begun setting out his priorities for Stacks as he takes the helm. At Korea Blockchain Week 2026, Muneeb unveiled three frontiers as major priorities for Stacks: capital markets, privacy, and post-quantum Bitcoin. He previewed early work across all three, with more details to be shared in the coming months. Alongside these priorities, Stacks is expanding its presence in Korea, the Middle East, Hong Kong and other target regions through regional media partnerships and a growing program of institutional engagement and events. The goal in every market is the same: bringing Bitcoin Staking to institutions and everyday Bitcoin holders at scale. That work is already underway, with events across key regions including Korea Blockchain Week, Token 2049 Singapore and The Bridge NYC. For more information, read the full announcement on the Stacks Blog . — About Stacks Stacks is the leading Bitcoin L2, enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications to use Bitcoin as a secure base layer. Stacks extends Bitcoin’s functionality without modifying Bitcoin itself, unlocking BTC for decentralized finance and other onchain applications. Learn more at stacks.co . About Stacks Labs Stacks Labs is the operational hub of the Stacks ecosystem and the largest contributor to Stacks, the network that makes Bitcoin programmable, usable, and productive. Established through SIP-031, a community governance proposal, and funded by the Stacks Endowment, Stacks Labs leads core protocol engineering, developer relations, ecosystem growth, and strategic partnerships across the network. Its work includes sBTC and self-custodial Bitcoin staking, which lets holders earn native BTC on Bitcoin L1 without giving up custody. Learn more at stackslabs.com .
- October 1, 2026Business
CBB 2026 Set for a Grand Opening | Leading Exhibitors Across the Entire Industry Chain to Gather in Shanghai This October
From October 12 to 15, 2026, the 2026 International Brew & Beverage Processing Technology and Equipment Exhibition for China (CBB 2026) — the benchmark full-industry-chain exhibition for the liquid food sector in the Asia-Pacific region — will open at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). With the final countdown underway, this biennial industry event is sending a rallying call to the global liquid food community on an unprecedented scale. The next decade of the liquid food industry is beginning here — ahead of time. Guided by the themes of innovation, intelligence, sustainability and high-end development, and committed to “building a new platform for upgrading the entire liquid food industry chain while writing a new chapter of high-quality development,” CBB 2026 will bring together leading enterprises from every segment: baijiu (Chinese spirits), beer, beverages, dairy, condiments and packaging equipment. More than 900 exhibitors from China and abroad will make a joint appearance, and over 60,000 professional visitors from around the world are expected to attend for business discussions, across an exhibition area exceeding 100,000 square meters. After more than three decades of development, CBB has long been more than a trade fair. It continuously connects the entire chain — from raw materials, brewing and filling to packaging and digital smart manufacturing — creating an integrated industry platform for business matching, technical exchange and innovation. Step into CBB and you will see an exhibition; look closer and you will read the present and the future of an entire industry chain. 01 Leading Enterprises from Every Segment — One Show for the Entire Industry Chain This year’s exhibitor lineup can truly be described as a full mobilization of the industry chain. From upstream raw and auxiliary materials, brewing and processing, to midstream filling, packaging equipment and production line integration, and on to downstream labeling and coding, smart warehousing and digital solutions — leading enterprises from every segment, including baijiu, beer, beverages, dairy and condiments, will take the stage together, forming a complete map of the industry. Whether you are sourcing turnkey production lines or comparing individual machines, whether you focus on a single process or evaluate complete smart-manufacturing solutions, you will find your answer at this show. 02 Four Highlights: Unlocking the 2026 Trends of the Liquid Food Industry Closely aligned with industry development trends, this edition focuses on four main themes — internationalization, localization, intelligentization and green development — bringing together cutting-edge technologies and innovations from around the world to present a clear picture of where the industry is heading. Highlight 1 | Global Giants Gather as Frontier Technologies Take the Stage The international zone boasts a stellar lineup: world-renowned brands including BarthHaas, Fermentis, Krones, HEUFT, CIMC Enric, SACMI, ifm, Endress+Hauser, SEW-Eurodrive, Alfa Laval and Grundfos will all be present, covering core supporting technologies that range from hops, raw and auxiliary materials and pre-treatment processes to filling and packaging equipment and integration, end-of-line packaging and conveying, smart factory solutions and water treatment — spanning the entire liquid food production and packaging chain. A number of brand-new machines and solutions will make their on-site debuts, showcasing the latest achievements in smart manufacturing and green sustainability for the liquid food industry. Highlight 2 | Chinese Smart Manufacturing Breaks Through as Homegrown Equipment Goes Global Leading Chinese liquid food equipment manufacturers — Tech-Long, Newamstar, Lehui, Zhongya, Zhongchen, SUNRISE, Hermann and Talos — will exhibit in force, showcasing independently developed core equipment and technologies such as high-speed filling, aseptic packaging, intelligent inspection and integrated smart production, covering the entire production process from raw material pre-treatment, brewing and processing to filling and sealing, labeling and coding, and smart warehousing. These achievements not only help small and medium-sized food producers cut costs, boost efficiency and optimize their production systems, but will also accelerate the expansion of Chinese high-end equipment into global markets. Highlight 3 | Smart Upgrading Across All Scenarios: Building a New Ecosystem of Digital Production Digital transformation is one of the defining features of this edition, addressing smart-upgrading needs across the entire liquid food industry chain. From automated and intelligent production scheduling, predictive maintenance and big-data quality control throughout the process, to complete digital-twin factory solutions, every scenario is covered. Core intelligent equipment — including smart sensors, automated control systems and unmanned sorting machines — will be on display, helping the industry move from traditional manual control toward fully digital, intelligent and unmanned production. Highlight 4 | Green and Low-Carbon Empowerment: Sustainable Production Solutions That Deliver Aligned with global dual-carbon strategies and the industry’s low-carbon transition, exhibitors will launch a range of low-carbon technologies and equipment, including energy-efficient filling machines, circulating water treatment technologies, equipment for biodegradable packaging, and waste heat recovery systems. While optimizing production costs and efficiency, these solutions comprehensively support energy conservation and emission reduction, offering practical, full-coverage green production solutions for producers of alcoholic drinks, beverages, water, dairy products, condiments and other liquid foods — and helping the industry build a sustainable future. 03 More Than Ten High-Level Forums: Decoding the Trends Shaping the Industry More than ten high-quality concurrent events will be held during the show, bringing together authoritative industry experts, chief engineers of leading enterprises and industry leaders for in-depth discussions on segment trends, technological innovation and industrial transformation. 04 Why Attend? Three Audiences, Three Answers If you are a business owner or procurement decision-maker: compare leading solutions from across the industry chain in one place, connect with quality suppliers, and identify practical paths to lower costs, higher efficiency and transformation. If you are an engineer or part of a production technology team: experience live demonstrations of cutting-edge equipment, meet manufacturers’ technical experts face to face, and be among the first to grasp the trends in smart manufacturing and green, low-carbon technologies. If you are an industry observer or investor: read the next three to five years of the liquid food industry through the exhibitor lineup, technology directions and forum topics. 05 See You in Shanghai This October A biennial rendezvous — and a shared point on the calendar for the entire industry. From October 12 to 15, 2026, CBB 2026 looks forward to welcoming you at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. For more information, please visit www.chinabrew-beverage.com.
- September 30, 2026Business
FABTECH 2026: How HyLaser PRO Supports More Productive Laser Cutting
As sheet metal production moves into continuous, high-intensity operation, the demands placed on laser cutting equipment go beyond cutting speed alone. How much work can be completed in a single shift, whether consistent cutting quality can be maintained during continuous operation, and how smoothly different stages of production work together—all contribute to the equipment’s real-world production performance. From October 21–23, 2026, Hymson Laser Machinery will showcase HyLaser PRO at FABTECH 2026 in Las Vegas, USA (Booth C159) , featuring live laser cutting demonstrations. Designed for continuous, high-intensity production environments, HyLaser PRO focuses on higher production efficiency, consistent processing quality, and continuous production , enabling machine performance to better support sustained sheet metal production. Learn More ： https://youtu.be/13I3eyd6FOM 01 | Higher Laser Cutting Efficiency: More Than Cutting Faster In batch production, cutting speed is only one factor that affects output. Operational efficiency, machine operating pace, and material utilization are equally important. HyLaser PRO simplifies the workflow from programming and nesting to laser cutting. Its 2.0 g acceleration enhances dynamic performance and reduces non-cutting travel time, while the SkyEye intelligent vision system improves material utilization through remnant recognition and optimized nesting. HyLaser PRO is designed not simply to cut faster, but to deliver more productive output in every shift. 02 | Consistent Cutting Quality for Batch Production The faster the production pace and the longer the continuous operating hours, the greater the demand for consistent cutting quality. Built on stable laser output, HyLaser PRO combines intelligent cutting technologies to handle complex contours and fine geometries. Its precision interlocking machine bed provides a stable structural foundation for high-speed, high-load operation, helping reduce the impact of vibration and structural deformation on processing accuracy. From cutting performance to its mechanical foundation, HyLaser PRO is designed to maintain stable, consistent processing quality throughout continuous production. 03 | Laser Cutting Automation for Continuous Production Continuous production depends on more than the cutting process itself. Loading and unloading coordination, machine operating status, and response to unexpected conditions all affect the overall production pace. HyLaser PRO can be integrated with the HyAuto automation solution to optimize material flow between loading, unloading, and cutting. Combined with intelligent assistance features such as automatic nozzle changing and collision protection, it supports stable, continuous machine operation and reduces the impact of unplanned downtime on the production pace. Keep materials moving smoothly, keep the machine running steadily, and keep an efficient production pace going. See HyLaser PRO Live at FABTECH 2026 Higher production efficiency, consistent processing quality, and continuous production all serve one goal: to better meet the real-world demands of continuous, high-intensity sheet metal production. From October 21–23, 2026, visit Hymson Laser Machinery at Booth C159 at FABTECH 2026 in Las Vegas, USA , to see HyLaser PRO in action through live laser cutting demonstrations and talk with us about your sheet metal production needs.
- September 30, 2026Technology
SingNova Showcases Full-Stack RISC-V and AI Solutions at Tech Week Singapore 2026 to Accelerate Industrial Intelligence
Tech Week Singapore 2026 is being held on September 29–30 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. Singapore-based high-tech company SingNova is exhibiting four flagship products and showcasing full-stack solutions across intelligent computing, intelligent storage, smart cities, and smart business, demonstrating end-to-end capabilities from foundational RISC-V compute to upper-layer AI applications and data management. SingNova AI Power Studio: RISC-V Dataflow Architecture Powers Next-Generation High-Performance AI Workstation SingNova AI Power Studio adopts a RISC-V dataflow architecture and control-data co-optimization technology to deliver high-concurrency, real-time computing and integrate video processing, AI computing, and scientific computing. It features a 12-core RISC-V CPU, delivers full-stack compute of 200 TOPS at INT8 and 32 TFLOPS at FP16, and fully supports large-model inference. It supports up to 128GB of LPDDR5 ECC unified memory, PCIe 4.0 x16, and dual 10GbE ports for high-throughput data workloads. The product also offers a mature software stack and professional programming toolchain, and is compatible with mainstream AI frameworks and open-source operating systems, lowering development barriers. Its compact, professional design combines efficient cooling, desktop aesthetics, and engineering practicality, making it ideal for local deployment of large AI models, creative video generation, real-time video analytics, research, and education. SingNova AI Virtual Employee: Freely Customizable to Make Every Service Interaction Efficient, Reassuring, and Human-Centric Designed for service and marketing scenarios, SingNova AI Virtual Employee offers intelligent greeting, proactive service, intelligent customer service, business triage, intelligent content carousel, and interactive marketing. Using cameras to detect approaching customers, it can automatically wake up and proactively greet them. It supports natural-language inquiries about products, plans, rates, and more. After integrating with enterprise knowledge bases, it can answer high-frequency questions about account opening, procedures, and after-sales service, while routing complex issues to human service counters. When idle, it can loop posters or videos; upon detecting a customer, it automatically switches to interactive virtual-employee explanations, upgrading static advertising into a conversational, explainable, and conversion-ready interactive touchpoint. The product is available as an all-in-one terminal and a lightweight BOX edition. The BOX edition supports landscape, portrait, and touchscreen displays, is plug-and-play, and flexibly adapts to telecom service halls, bank branches, auto showrooms, corporate showrooms, retail display points, service counters, museums and galleries, unmanned halls, and unmanned convenience stores. SingNova Intelligent Video Storage Server: Efficient, Green Storage with Smooth Real-Time Transmission SingNova Intelligent Video Storage Server uses a dedicated AI chip for intelligent video to achieve chip-level efficient encoding, reducing video file size by a factor of at least three. A single device can easily meet 90-day, 180-day, and longer retention requirements. After processing, videos maintain HD image quality without relying on AI generative image enhancement, preserving key feature points and ensuring the accuracy of downstream AI analytics. The system offers multiple safeguards, including board redundancy, cluster redundancy, and self-recovery, to ensure secure and stable operation. It is compatible with cameras of different resolutions and brands, as well as mainstream video protocols and formats; integration does not change the existing video system architecture or usage. The solution is suitable for smart finance, smart cities, rail transit, highways, energy and power, manufacturing, and other scenarios. SingNova Storage Station: One-Minute Deployment to Close the Last Mile of Data Asset Management SingNova Storage Station (NAS storage workstation) is designed for one-minute deployment, helping enterprises close the last mile of data asset management. It supports centralized storage and consolidates diverse data assets; offers 13 advanced file access permissions that can be flexibly combined for controlled sharing; ensures data security through RAID-TP and multiple backup methods; supports minute-level deployment, simplified operations and maintenance, and full audit trail logging; includes a built-in Docker container platform and AI accelerator card support to streamline application integration; and can perform lossless compression on certain file formats without losing data. The new-generation AI Center also delivers three core capabilities: intelligent search, AI agents, and knowledge base. The product is suitable for government agencies, research institutes, hospitals, schools, SMEs, and other scenarios. As one of Southeast Asia’s most influential technology events, Tech Week Singapore brings together global tech companies, investors, government and enterprise customers, and researchers. It is a premier platform for global market expansion and industry collaboration. Through this event, SingNova hopes to engage in in-depth exchanges with global partners on RISC-V computing, local AI deployment, digital human interaction, and intelligent storage technologies, jointly explore implementation pathways for AI infrastructure in urban digital transformation, and identify channel, project, and ecosystem partnership opportunities. “Singapore is a hub for technology innovation in Asia, and Tech Week Singapore provides the best window for our products to reach global customers and partners,” said the SingNova team. “From RISC-V computing at the foundation to digital employees and intelligent storage at the application layer, we want to show not just individual products, but solutions that can truly be deployed in service halls, branches, showrooms, and enterprise data centers to solve real business problems.” About SingNova SingNova is a high-tech company incubated by Nanyang Technological University (NTU). It focuses on translating cutting-edge research into real-world applications and provides integrated, scalable solutions spanning intelligent computing, smart cities, smart business, smart energy, and embodied intelligence.
- September 29, 2026Business
JD.com Delivers iPhone 18 Pro Series to Over 30,000 Customers Within First Hour of Launch
Within the first hour of the iPhone 18 Pro series officially going on sale in China, more than 30,000 customers nationwide received their new devices from JD.com, with some deliveries completed just minutes after the 8 a.m. launch. In Beijing’s Fengtai District, Mr. Wang received a call from a JD Now delivery rider shortly after 8 a.m., informing him that his new iPhone had arrived. Having secured a 512GB iPhone 18 Pro through JD.com’s early-bird pre-order programme on September 12, he had expected his device to be dispatched on launch day, but was surprised by just how quickly it arrived. “I knew it was going to be shipped today, but I never expected it to arrive this quickly. My alarm hadn’t even gone off yet!” he said. Ms. Liu, a customer in Shanghai’s Pudong District, was equally impressed after receiving her pre-ordered iPhone, remarking that buying a new phone felt even faster than ordering takeaway. Customers in dozens of cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Wuhan, were among the first to receive their new devices on launch morning. To prepare for the launch, JD.com forecast consumer demand in different regions and planned inventory allocation in advance, positioning stock across its nationwide network of warehouses, local fulfilment centres and service stations, bringing products closer to customers before the official release. Once sales began, its warehousing, inventory management, retail and delivery operations worked together to process and fulfil a large volume of orders within a short period. JD.com also leveraged its network of more than 10,000 front warehouses and stations, alongside tens of thousands of offline retail stores across China, to bring the new iPhones closer to customers. This extensive network allows popular new products including iPhone to reach customers within minutes in major cities, while also supporting deliveries to more remote areas. Alongside fast delivery, JD.com introduced a range of services for customers purchasing the new iPhone 18 Pro series including trade-in. JD.com’s nationwide network of more than 3,000 Apple product service stations also provided support including trade-in, device activation, data transfer, screen protector installation and assistance with eSIM services. More than 20,000 service appointments had been booked ahead of the official launch. According to the 2026 iPhone Consumer Survey by Nanfang Metropolis Daily, more than 60% of respondents identified JD.com as their preferred channel for purchasing new Apple products. Product authenticity, availability at launch, delivery speed and reliable delivery times were among the key factors influencing their purchasing decisions. ( [email protected] )
- September 29, 2026Business
JD.com Opens Its First 101HOME in Shanghai, Bringing the Art of Living to an Innovative Retail Experience
JD.com today announced that its first 101HOME store will open on September 28 in Jing’an District Shanghai, introducing a premium home and lifestyle retail destination that brings together global design, home furnishing solution, smart technology, fashion, renovation services, dining, art and cultural experiences under one roof. With JD.com’s global sourcing capabilities, self-operated retail model and omnichannel infrastructure, 101HOME will offer a seamless “shopping upon seeing” experience, allowing consumers to explore new possibilities for their homes and discover the art of everyday living. Spanning approximately 12,000 square metres across four floors, 101HOME is designed to meet the evolving needs of consumers from age 0 to 101, across different life stages, household structures and lifestyles. The Shanghai 101HOME brings together more than 1,000 full category home and lifestyle brands, including over 30 international brands making their China debut and more than 150 domestic and international brands making their JD.com debut. It features more than 15,000 carefully selected products, including over 2,000 exclusive products and more than 1,000 new product launches. Some of its international brand portfolio includes Swiss furniture brand Vitra ; US design and office furniture brand Herman Miller ; Italian furniture brand Gervasoni , lighting brands Flos and Artemide ; Danish design houses Fritz Hansen , ferm LIVING , and GUBI ; Chinese original brands include U+ , which blends traditional Chinese craftsmanship with contemporary furniture design, and FNJI , known for understated modern Chinese furniture, and more. At the heart of 101HOME are 33 “Dream Homes”, designed for different living situation, family structures, lifestyles and interests. The Shanghai store features spaces created by British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE , and Japanese designers Shuhei Aoyama and Takashi Honma . Chinese designer Wang Heng (Ryan) draws on Song dynasty-inspired aesthetics to create a three-generation family home. Consumers can step into fully designed home settings and see how furniture, lighting and furnishings come together, offering inspiration for their own homes. “101HOME is designed to go beyond traditional home retailing, bringing together home design, lifestyle trends and social experiences under one roof,” said Billy Bao, Head of 101HOME at JD.com. “We want to create a unique experience where consumers can discover new products, explore different ways of living and find inspiration for their own homes. With JD.com’s global sourcing and supply chain capabilities, we can help turn that inspiration into reality, making it easier for consumers to create a home that reflects their individual lifestyles.” Building on the launch of its online flagship store in May 2025, 101HOME connects physical experiences with JD.com’s directly sourced and self-operated retail model. Consumers can explore complete home designs, feel the products in person and scan to purchase directly in store. Through 101HOME CARE service, Dream Home designs can be adapted to individual homes, while JD.com’s logistics and supply chain capabilities support integrated delivery, installation and after-sales services. Technology is integrated throughout the experience. Powered by JD.com’s JoyAI and JoyInside technologies, highly integrated smart home solutions demonstrate applications across entry systems, kitchens, bathrooms, sleep and health management. The store also features dozens of robotic products, allowing visitors to explore how robotics could become part of everyday family life. Moving beyond traditional home retail, 101HOME further combines shopping with design discovery, exhibitions, dining and social experiences, creating a dynamic retail environment that evolves with changing consumer interests. The Shanghai store features here cafe , a popular coffee brand from Kyoto; ICE BOUQUET , known for its floral-inspired gelato; JUANZONG Books ; DEVINE’R NYC , a New York coffee and lifestyle brand; and Foyer de Lumiere , a Japanese-French bistro, several of which are making their mainland China or Shanghai debuts. 101HOME also offers more than 300 Burgundy wines sourced through limited allocations, with over 100 available by the glass, making it China’s most extensive by-the-glass selection of allocated Burgundy wines. Seven public artworks are also integrated across different floors and public 101HOME spaces, bringing together architecture, art and contemporary living as part of the overall retail experience. The opening of 101HOME marks a new milestone in JD.com’s physical retail strategy. Moving beyond a product-led model, 101HOME places greater emphasis on experience, discovery and social interaction, while introducing a range of new-to-market retail and lifestyle concepts, supported by JD.com’s capabilities in retail, digital supply chain and logistics. 101HOME is also accessible digitally through its WeChat mini programme and the JD.com app. ( [email protected] )
- September 29, 2026Business
CATL Partners with BME to Advance Battery Pack Manufacturing in Egypt Through Technology Licensing
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) has signed a cooperation agreement with BME (Battery Manufacturing in Egypt), an Egyptian battery manufacturer, to support battery pack assembly and production in Egypt. Under the agreement, BME plans to source battery cells from CATL, while CATL will support BME with battery pack technology licensing, production equipment and technical training . The cooperation will enable BME to assemble and produce battery packs in Egypt, helping strengthen the country's localized battery manufacturing capabilities. The planned battery pack facility, developed and fully funded by BME, will have an initial annual production capacity of 1 GWh and will focus on battery packs for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Under its long-term plan, BME expects to expand annual capacity to 5 GWh and broaden its product portfolio to include passenger vehicle battery packs and energy storage systems for solar and wind power applications. BME was jointly established by MCV, an Egyptian commercial vehicle manufacturer, and Auto D, an automotive industry solutions provider. Through its partnership with CATL, BME will supply the battery packs directly to local automakers. Looking ahead, CATL will continue to work with global partners to apply its battery technologies, manufacturing experience and partnership model in more markets, supporting the development of localized battery value chain and the wider adoption of electrification solutions.
- September 29, 2026Business
CATL Debrecen Kicks Off Trial Operations in its New Cell Building
CATL begins trial production on 22, September, 2026 in its newly build cell factory in Debrecen as the company had fulfilled all preconditions required to commence trial run. The purpose of trial production is to set up, optimise and validate the production equipment and manufacturing processes ahead of the start of series production. CATL Debrecen continues cooperating and working closely with the government and the authorities in order to keep high standards on the environmental issues as well as the health and safety of its employees. CATL announced the construction of its second European battery plant in Debrecen in August 2022, with the aim of integrating to the European automotive and e-mobility supply chain and better serve leading European automakers. Construction of the first cell building started in summer 2023 and by Spring 2026 the building had been equipped with the most advanced technology. After obtaining the occupancy permit in August 2026, the company obtained all relevant permits and completed all pre-conditions required by its IPPC permit prior to start trial operations from 22 September on the first two production lines of its cell manufacturing facility. Prior to issuing the occupancy permit, the Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office carried out regular on-site inspections at CATL's facilities in order to follow up on previous issues creating serious worries in local inhabitants. Authority representatives confirmed that the company had resolved all deficiencies identified earlier in the permitting process. As a strategic manufacturing hub, CATL's Debrecen plant will supply the most well-known, leading European automakers, which have already built significant electric vehicle production capacity in Hungary in recent years. As a global technology leader CATL implemented the most advanced, flexible production lines in Debrecen in order to fulfil the needs of its valued clients at all times. The company has already been manufacturing battery modules since autumn 2024 in Debrecen and has already produced 537,000 modules ever since. Once all facilities ready, the Hungarian plant will be CATL's largest manufacturing base outside China with a 100 GWH capacity. Alongside obtaining the permits and completing pre-conditions required to launch trial operations, CATL Debrecen remains committed to working closely with the Government and the authorities to prioritize the health and safety of its employees. Furthermore, employee health, safety and environmental factors will be thoroughly monitored during the trial operation as well, and results will be submitted to the Authority proactively. CATL's investment is not only important for Debrecen and its region, but also for the Hungarian economy and the European e-mobility supply chain. CATL is committed to transparency and welcomes the authorities to visit its site at any time.
- September 29, 2026Business
Kuehne+Nagel and CATL partner to advance battery logistics and fleet electrification
Kuehne+Nagel and CATL, a global leader in new energy technologies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic collaboration in battery logistics, transport electrification and emissions reduction initiatives. The partnership will initially focus on practical initiatives including the electrification of CATL transport flows in Europe and a battery-swapping pilot for heavy-duty trucks provided by Qiji, which is set to launch in China this year. Additional areas of collaboration include battery recycling and aftersales support, as well as energy storage and charging solutions for logistics sites. Together, these activities support both companies' Scope 3 emissions reduction ambitions across their logistics and transportation value chains. "As global leaders in our respective industries, CATL and Kuehne+Nagel share a commitment to accelerating the energy transition and achieving a net-zero emissions future," said Akin Li, Executive President of CATL Overseas Business. "Our elevated partnership will not only contribute to both parties' sustainability targets, but also help advance a greener future." "Battery-electric vehicles are essential to decarbonising road freight," said Søren Schmidt, Executive Vice President Road Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel. "Accelerating the transition requires solutions that are both high-performing and operationally viable. By combining CATL's battery expertise with our logistics knowhow, we can advance initiatives that help reduce our own emissions and those of our customers." The partnership comes at a time of rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions. In 2024, demand for EV batteries increased by more than 75%, while battery manufacturing capacity continues to expand through a growing network of gigafactories worldwide.
- September 29, 2026Business
AWC in Partnership with BMA and Generali, Launches GIVE GREEN CBD Bangkok Marathon 2027, the First CBD Festive Marathon in Bangkok A Landmark Urban Running Experience Celebrating Wellness, Lifestyle and the Energy of the City
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC) , Thailand's leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, and the Asset World Foundation for Charity (AWFC) , together with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Generali today announced GIVE GREEN CBD Bangkok Marathon 2027, presented by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, AWC and Generali. The event was announced at a press conference held at The Empire in Sathorn, presided over by Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok. Taking place on Sunday, 31 January 2027, the event will be Bangkok’s first certified full marathon to run through the heart of the capital’s central business district. Starting and finishing at The Empire in Sathorn, runners will take a 42.195-kilometers course through Bangkok’s CBD and the Chao Phraya riverside before returning to The Empire. Building on the legacy of CBD WE RUN , the community run organized by AWFC and its partners since 2014 with support from the BMA, the event marks its evolution into a full marathon for the first time. Alongside the flagship 42.195-kilometer, the event will also feature half-marathon, 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer categories. It aims to establish a new annual international-standard marathon that brings together running, lifestyle, wellness and community engagement in the heart of Bangkok. Generali Thailand supports the wellbeing of Bangkok’s CBD community beyond traditional protection by encouraging healthier lifestyles through movement, balance and wellness. Its partnership with GIVE GREEN CBD Bangkok Marathon 2027 reflects this commitment, supporting participants throughout their journey—from preparation and training to race day and beyond. Globally Certified Course Through the Heart of the Bangkok The race will start and finish at The Empire, taking runners through Bangkok’s CBD and along the Chao Phraya riverside before returning to Sathorn. The 42.195-kilometer course will be measured and certified in accordance with AIMS and World Athletics standards by Kim Vivian, AIMS International Course Measurer (Grade A), World Athletics Representative and Official Measurer of the Bangkok Marathon 2023. Official finishing times will therefore be recognized in accordance with internationally accepted marathon standards. The final route is being developed in consultation with the Metropolitan Police Bureau and will be announced later. A Marathon That Feels Like a Festival GIVE GREEN CBD Bangkok Marathon is designed as a city-wide celebration. Along the route, runners and spectators will enjoy live music, entertainment and creative activities, transforming the race into a festival experience from start to finish. The event invites people to participate in different ways—from competitive runners pursuing personal bests and families joining the 5-kilometer category to spectators enjoying the festivities and office workers and residents experiencing Bangkok’s streets from a new perspective. By combining sport with music, lifestyle and social experiences, the marathon aims to become a distinctive annual event that Bangkok residents and visitors look forward to each year. In partnership with Tinder Thailand , the 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer categories will also feature social experiences, including “intent wristbands” and seven days of Tinder Gold for registered participants, subject to applicable terms and conditions. These elements will create additional opportunities for participants to connect while enjoying the event. The Empire: Home of the Marathon The marathon will start and finish at The Empire , a mixed-use destination serving approximately 25,000 people daily and holding internationally recognized certifications including WELL Core Certified™ Platinum, Fitwel 2-Star, LEED Gold, WiredScore Platinum and SmartScore Gold . The Empire is home to The Empire Co-Living Space; the newly launched EA Wellness Club, Thailand’s first integrated wellness and lifestyle destination bringing together longevity, movement, recovery, spa and dining experiences; and EA Rooftop at The Empire, Bangkok’s largest rooftop destination. Together, these experiences reflect AWC’s vision of integrating wellness into everyday urban life. Mrs. Wallapa Traisorat, Chief Executive Officer and President of Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), stated: “At AWC, we believe in fun, festive and wellness experiences as an important part of how destinations create value for people and the wider community. GIVE GREEN CBD Bangkok Marathon 2027 brings this belief to life by encouraging healthier lifestyles, creating a celebration of happiness, connecting people through a shared experience, and giving back to Bangkok. The opening of EA Wellness Club in Q4 2026, the largest integrated wellness facility, further demonstrates our commitment and passion for promoting wellbeing at The Empire and across Bangkok. The event also reflects our 3BETTERs approach — Better People through wellbeing and community participation, Better Planet through support for environmental initiatives, and Better Prosperity by strengthening Bangkok’s appeal as an active, vibrant and sustainable global destination. We are grateful to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Generali and all our partners for working together to create a world-class event that delivers meaningful experiences to the community and contributes positively to the city and its people.” Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, stated: “A city is made of people, not just concrete, and its true measure is the quality of life it gives them every day. The GIVE GREEN CBD Bangkok Marathon 2027 shows what happens when running, music, food, wellness and community come together as one ecosystem in The heart of the city, turning the CBD's streets into a place where office workers, families and runners from around the world can move, connect and enjoy Bangkok together. A good city isn't just smart; it has to be sensible for the people living in it and sustainable for the generations who come next. By supporting green initiatives through this event, we are building a Bangkok that is livable for everyone and proving that Bangkok can rise to the top tier and compete globally.” Mr. Arsh Kaumi, Country Manager & CEO of Generali Thailand stated: “At Generali, we believe that building a sustainable future begins with healthier and more resilient communities. This marathon serves as a powerful platform to inspire healthier lifestyles and bring people together through a shared pursuit of wellbeing. Together with AWC, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and our partners across the ecosystem, Generali supports a movement that promotes wellness, resilience, and social connection. As the Title Sponsor, we look forward to supporting this growing community of runners and helping more people embrace healthier lives through the power of sport and community.” Green by Name, Green by Intent A portion of the event proceeds will support environmental initiatives of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration , while the remaining proceeds will be donated to the Asset World Foundation for Charity (AWFC) to support programs that contribute to a healthier, more inclusive and more sustainable Bangkok. More than a marathon, GIVE GREEN CBD Bangkok Marathon 2027 is designed to create lasting value for the city, its communities and future generations. For more race details, please follow for update at Facebook/CBDWeRun or Line ID: @theempire #AWC #GIVEGREENCBDBANGKOKMARATHON#TheEmpire #EAWellnessClub #Generali #AWCLifestyleDestinations
- September 29, 2026Business
AWC and Meliá Hotels International Scale Strategic Partnership to Expand Luxury and Lifestyle Portfolio with Over 3,000 Keys Across Destinations
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC) , Thailand's leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, and Meliá Hotels International (MHI) , one of Europe's leading hospitality companies, announced the expansion of their long-standing strategic partnership to develop luxury and lifestyle hotels and resorts across Thailand's most iconic destinations. As part of AWC's long-term development pipeline in Thailand through 2036, AWC and Meliá Hotels International will expand their collaboration to grow the portfolio to more than 3,000 keys across key destinations under multiple luxury and lifestyle brands, including Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, Paradisus by Meliá, INNSiDE by Meliá, and Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts. The collaboration includes a pipeline of landmark developments across Thailand, highlighted by Paradisus Jomtien Resort, which will introduce the Paradisus by Meliá brand to Thailand. Scheduled to open in 2031 on Pattaya's Jomtien beachfront, the luxury all-inclusive resort will redefine the all-inclusive hospitality experience for a new generation of luxury travelers in Asia. This long-term vision is built on a strong foundation of partnership and shared experience. With approximately 1,900 keys across its operating and pipeline portfolio, AWC is the largest owner of Meliá Hotels International in Thailand, reflecting the longstanding confidence between the two companies and their shared commitment to Thailand’s tourism growth. Together, AWC and Meliá will continue to bring globally recognized brands to Thailand’s most sought-after destinations while creating long-term value for travelers, local communities, and the country’s tourism industry. The strengthened partnership will also bring two Meliá’s hotels to Sukhumvit 24 and 26, with both properties scheduled to welcome guests in Q4 2026, initially under their conversion label before transitioning to ME by Meliá & Meliá Hotels & Resorts in Q4 2027. While Meliá Hotels & Resorts will build on the brand’s established presence within AWC’s portfolio, which already includes Meliá Chiang Mai, Meliá Koh Samui and Meliá Pattaya Hotel. Together, the two hotels will bring distinct hospitality experiences to Phrom Phong, one of Bangkok’s most vibrant districts. The strength of the partnership is reflected in the recognition earned across AWC’s Meliá portfolio. INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit was named among Bangkok’s top hotels in the Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards and received the Thailand Tourism Awards in the Design Hotel category. Meliá Chiang Mai, Thailand received the Thailand Tourism Excellence Award in the City Hotel category and was recognized among Thailand’s Top Upcountry Hotels in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023. Meliá Koh Samui was honored by TTG Travel Asia as the Best 5-Star Hotel in Koh Samui and received World Travel & Hotel Awards for Best Family Hotel and Best Luxury Hotel. Meliá Pattaya Hotel, Thailand was also recognized among Smart Travel Asia’s Top 10 New Hotels. Sustainability and quality remain central to the partnership. Across AWC’s existing Meliá-operated portfolio, including Meliá Pattaya Hotel, Thailand, Meliá Koh Samui, Meliá Chiang Mai, Thailand and INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, properties have earned internationally recognized sustainability and wellness certifications, including LEED, WELL, and ECOSTARS, reflecting a shared commitment to responsible hospitality and future-ready guest experiences. Meliá Pattaya Hotel, Thailand Meliá Koh Samui INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit Meliá Chiang Mai, Thailand Mrs. Wallapa Traisorat, Chief Executive Officer and President of Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), stated: “AWC and Meliá share a strong belief in Thailand’s potential as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations. We greatly value Meliá as one of our key long-term partners, with internationally respected hospitality expertise, a diverse portfolio of luxury and family lifestyle brands, and values that strengthen our own commitment to creating meaningful experiences for guests, communities and the country. Our partnership is built not only on the hotels we develop together, but also on a shared vision of how tourism can create broader value. Together, we are embedding sustainability into every part of the guest journey - from wellbeing and responsible hotel operations to local sourcing, local ingredients, community products and support for Thai farmers and artisans. Through initiatives such as The Gallery, we can also connect travelers with the creativity and craftsmanship of local communities, enabling every stay to contribute to sustainable livelihoods. We sincerely appreciate the trust, commitment and shared values Meliá has brought to our partnership over the years. With the strength of AWC’s destinations and Meliá’s global hospitality expertise, we look forward to growing together, introducing distinctive experiences across Thailand and strengthening both Thailand’s tourism industry and its sustainable development.” Meanwhile, Mr. Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Meliá Hotels International, said: “Thailand is one of Meliá Hotels International’s most strategic markets in Asia Pacific, with global appeal and a remarkable diversity of destinations that continue to attract travelers from around the world. We are delighted to deepen our partnership with AWC, with whom we share our core corporate values, and whose understanding of Thailand’s hospitality landscape and long-term destination vision make them a valued partner in our growth journey. This agreement creates exciting opportunities to introduce distinctive luxury and lifestyle brands to some of Thailand’s most iconic destinations, while building on the success of our existing collaboration. Together, we look forward to creating hospitality experiences that celebrate Thailand’s rich cultural character while meeting the evolving expectations of global travelers.” Founded in 1956, Meliá Hotels International is one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, with a portfolio of more than 400 hotels across over 40 countries. Renowned for its expertise in luxury and leisure hospitality, the company continues to expand globally, supported by its MeliáRewards loyalty platform serving travelers around the world. AWC and Meliá Hotels International currently operate several properties in Thailand, including Meliá Chiang Mai, Thailand, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, Meliá Koh Samui, and Meliá Pattaya Hotel, Thailand. This expanded framework builds on a strong existing partnership and sets the stage for the next chapter of growth across Thailand’s leading destinations. The strengthened collaboration reflects AWC’s hospitality strategy of creating long-term value through trusted global partnerships, while contributing to Thailand’s continued growth as a leading tourism destination.
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