China has successfully launched the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, marking another milestone in its ambitious space program. The mission, which took off at 11:44 p.m. local time on Friday from the Jiuquan launch center in northwestern China, is sending three astronauts and four mice to the Tiangong space station. The crew includes mission commander Zhang Lu, a veteran of the Shenzhou-15 mission, alongside first-time astronauts Wu Fei, a 32-year-old engineer, and Zhang Hongzhang, a payload specialist with a background in new energy and materials research. The astronauts are expected to stay aboard the station for approximately six months, conducting 27 scientific experiments in fields such as biotechnology, aerospace medicine, and materials science. Notably, this mission includes the first-ever mice sent to China’s space station, with the aim of studying the effects of weightlessness and confinement on their behavior. The mice, selected from 300 candidates after rigorous training, will remain in space for five to seven days before returning to Earth. China’s space program, a source of national pride, continues to advance, with plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2030. The Tiangong space station, entirely Chinese-built, underscores China’s growing role in space exploration, particularly after being excluded from the International Space Station due to U.S. security concerns. Additionally, China is collaborating with Pakistan to train two Pakistani astronauts, one of whom may visit the Tiangong station in the future.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Adnoc Distribution raises expansion targets and dividend outlook
Adnoc Distribution, the UAE’s largest fuel and convenience retailer, has announced its strongest quarterly earnings since its 2017 IPO. For Q3 2025, the company reported a 15.9% year-on-year increase in EBITDA, reaching $319 million, while net profit surged 21.5% to $221 million. The first nine months of 2025 also saw record results, with EBITDA rising 12% to $885 million and net profit climbing 15.6% to $579 million. This performance was driven by robust fuel volumes, network expansion, and growth in non-fuel retail, with fuel volumes hitting a historic high of 11.7 billion litres. The company added 85 new service stations in the first nine months, including 72 in Saudi Arabia, marking a 150% year-on-year increase in its network there. Adnoc Distribution has now raised its full-year expansion target to 90–100 new stations, up from the previous guidance of 60–70. At its inaugural Investor Majlis event, the company announced plans to extend its dividend policy to 2030, subject to shareholder approval. Starting Q1 2026, dividends will be paid quarterly, with a minimum commitment of $4.9 billion between 2023 and 2030. CEO Bader Saeed Al Lamki attributed the success to the company’s transformation into a mobility and convenience retail leader, emphasizing its flexible platform and long-term growth strategy. Non-fuel retail also saw significant growth, with Q3 gross profit up 14.7% year-on-year and 39.6 million transactions recorded in the first nine months, a 10.2% increase. The company relaunched its convenience store brand as ‘Oasis by Adnoc’, offering upgraded food and beverage options, and expanded its lubricant brand, Adnoc Voyager, to 50 export markets. Additionally, its E2GO network of EV charging points grew to 368 across the UAE. With nearly 980 service stations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, Adnoc Distribution is focused on innovation, regional growth, and customer-centric execution to redefine convenience and mobility in the region.
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Tecom Group posts Dh1.1 billion net profit in nine months
Tecom Group PJSC, a leading Dubai-based developer and operator of specialised business districts, has announced impressive financial results for the first nine months of 2025. The company reported a net profit of Dh1.1 billion, marking an 18% year-on-year increase. This growth was fueled by higher occupancy rates, increased rental income, and strategic portfolio expansion. Revenue for the period surged by 20% to Dh2.1 billion, while EBITDA rose to Dh1.7 billion, maintaining a robust margin of 79%. Funds from operations also grew by 16%, reaching Dh1.5 billion. The Group’s operational performance was strong across its Commercial, Industrial, and Land Lease segments. Commercial and Industrial assets achieved a 96% occupancy rate, up 2% from the previous year, while Land Lease occupancy jumped 8% to 98%. Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of Tecom Group, attributed the success to the company’s agility in navigating market dynamics and its disciplined focus on delivering customer value. He highlighted the Dh4.3 billion strategic expansion plan and Dubai’s appeal as a top destination for Greenfield FDI projects as key drivers of momentum. In Q3 2025 alone, Tecom Group generated Dh724 million in revenue, a 19% year-on-year increase, with net profit rising 10% to Dh373 million. EBITDA for the quarter reached Dh563 million, up 13% from the same period last year. A significant milestone was the Dh1.6 billion acquisition of 138 land plots in Dubai Industrial City, adding 33 million sq.ft. to its portfolio. This expansion increased the Group’s total Land Lease holdings to over 209 million sq.ft., solidifying Dubai Industrial City’s position as a hub for manufacturing and logistics. The acquisition aligns with national initiatives such as Operation 300bn, Make it in the Emirates, and the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, which aim to accelerate industrial growth in the UAE. Additionally, Tecom concluded its dividend policy with a final Dh400 million payout for H1 2025, bringing the total dividends over three years to Dh2.4 billion, in line with its commitment to shareholder returns following its 2022 listing.
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Fusion energy gains global momentum as CFS secures Dh3.17 billion in funding
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), a Massachusetts-based fusion energy startup, has successfully raised $863 million (Dh3.17 billion) in its Series B2 funding round, marking one of the largest deep tech clean energy investments outside the AI sector. The funding round attracted a diverse array of strategic investors, including tech giants like Google and NVIDIA, as well as major international banks and energy companies from Japan, Korea, Europe, and the UAE. This significant financial boost underscores the growing global interest in energy innovation, particularly at the intersection of AI and clean energy. CFS, a spin-off from MIT, is currently constructing its Sparc facility in Devens, Massachusetts, with supply chain partners from over 30 countries. The project, which is 70% complete, aims to demonstrate net energy gain—producing more power than it consumes—within the next two years. CFS’s approach combines proven Tokamak science with cutting-edge high-field magnets, which are now being mass-produced and installed in the Sparc facility. Fusion energy, which replicates the reaction powering stars, promises a future of abundant, clean, and dispatchable power. It offers energy independence by decoupling power generation from natural resources, making it ideal for urban centers and regions with limited land. CFS Co-Founder and CEO Bob Mumgaard highlighted the relevance of fusion energy to AI, which demands constant, high-volume energy. ‘AI is the fastest-growing energy consumer. Fusion pairs well with its needs—technically and philosophically,’ he said. Mumgaard also praised the UAE for its strategic vision and execution in energy infrastructure, from nuclear power to AI-driven innovation. ‘Energy is prosperity, and prosperity is change. The UAE understands this deeply and is well-positioned to lead the energy transition,’ he noted. With Sparc nearing completion and commercial fusion power on the horizon, CFS is not just chasing scientific milestones—it’s building the future of energy. The next step involves selling electricity from fusion, turning science fiction into reality.
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Philippines confirms death of Filipino seafarer aboard cruise ship
The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has officially confirmed the tragic death of a Filipino crew member aboard the MV Arvia, a passenger cruise ship operated by P&O Cruises. The incident, reported on October 30, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the maritime community. While the exact cause of death remains under investigation, the DMW has assured the public of its commitment to ensuring a thorough and transparent inquiry. The department is actively coordinating with the vessel owner and the licensed manning agency responsible for deploying the seafarer. The agency has already notified the deceased’s family and is providing regular updates on the case. The DMW expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, emphasizing the loss as a significant blow to the maritime sector. The department reiterated its dedication to safeguarding the welfare, safety, and dignity of Filipino workers abroad, particularly during such challenging times. The incident underscores the risks faced by seafarers and highlights the need for enhanced safety measures in the maritime industry.
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Aljomaih Energy and Water-led consortium achieves financial close for Jubail–Buraydah Water Transmission Project
A consortium led by Aljomaih Energy and Water, in collaboration with Buhur Investment Company and Nesma Group, has successfully achieved financial closure for the Jubail–Buraydah Independent Water Transmission Pipeline Project. The project, valued at SAR 8.5 billion ($2.26 billion), marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance its water infrastructure. The financial close follows the signing of the Water Transmission Agreement between the project company, Stream Water Transmission Company, and the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC). The ownership structure of the project is divided among Aljomaih Energy and Water (45%), Buhur Investment Company (35%), and Nesma Group (20%). The project, which will link the Eastern Province with the Qassim Region, is the Kingdom’s first independent water transmission initiative and features reverse pumping capabilities. Financing was secured through a consortium of prominent local and regional lenders, including Al Rajhi Bank, National Infrastructure Fund, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, among others. The financing structure is entirely based on Islamic principles, a unique feature for projects of this scale. The Jubail–Buraydah project will transmit 650,000 cubic meters of desalinated water daily, supported by a storage capacity of 1,634,500 cubic meters, and will span 587 kilometers. Developed under a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model, the project has a 35-year concession period, with construction expected to be completed by 2029. Once operational, the project will serve over two million beneficiaries, providing a reliable and sustainable water source with an availability rate of up to 98%. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Water Strategy 2030 and Vision 2030 objectives, emphasizing long-term water security and infrastructure resilience. Key stakeholders, including Ibrahim Aljomaih, Eng. Adnan Buhuligah, and Faisal Alturki, highlighted the project’s strategic importance and the consortium’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and local content development.
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Video: Oman Police arrest 5 members of international drug gang in major bust
In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking, Oman’s Royal Police have successfully arrested five members of an international drug gang. The suspects, all of Asian nationality, were apprehended in coordinated raids across various locations at different times. The operation was led by the General Directorate for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in collaboration with the South Al Batinah Police Command. The gang is accused of smuggling drugs into Oman, preparing them for re-export to other countries, and distributing a portion within the Sultanate. A 2.56-minute video released by the police details the meticulous planning and execution of the raids. Authorities noted that the gang attempted to cross into Oman but were intercepted following suspicious activities. This bust follows another major arrest in October, where an Arab national was caught with over 24 kilograms of narcotics on a passenger bus. These operations underscore Oman’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and protecting its borders.
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Philippines’ Kanlaon Volcano spews ash; alert level 2 remains
The Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island in the Philippines has once again made headlines with its recent ash emission on the morning of October 31, 2025. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the volcano’s summit crater spewed ash for seven minutes starting at 6:30 AM local time. The event produced grayish plumes that rose 250 meters above the crater before drifting northwest, as captured by the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory’s IP camera. This latest activity follows the volcano’s eruption on October 24, which prompted authorities to maintain Alert Level 2, indicating heightened unrest and the potential for sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions. Under this alert level, entry into the four-kilometre Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and any aircraft activity near the volcano are strictly prohibited. The ongoing volcanic activity has already displaced thousands of residents earlier this year. In July, over 94,000 individuals across 30 neighbourhoods were affected, with nearly 6,000 seeking refuge in evacuation centres and over 10,600 finding temporary shelter elsewhere. The Philippine government has responded by providing more than Php192.7 million in humanitarian aid to support the affected communities. As the situation remains volatile, residents and authorities are on high alert, with PHIVOLCS continuing to monitor the volcano closely.
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Global ESG Awards third edition recognising leaders shaping a sustainable future
The third edition of the Global ESG Awards, held on October 2, 2025, at the Al Habtoor Grand Resort in Dubai, marked a significant milestone in recognizing global leaders driving sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) excellence. The event attracted unprecedented participation, with 170 delegates representing over 35 companies from across the Middle East and India. The awards spotlighted organizations making tangible contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and national sustainability agendas. Participants underwent a rigorous three-stage evaluation process, ensuring that only those with genuine achievements and measurable impact were honored. Awards were presented in two categories: Gold and Platinum. Notable winners included Agthia Group PJSC for Renewable Energy Integration, AJi Group for Sustainable Community/City and Green Buildings, and Aster DM Healthcare Ltd for Terrestrial Biodiversity Conservation. Platinum accolades were awarded to organizations like ADNOC Distribution for Women Empowerment and Emirates Global Aluminum for Safeguarding Marine Biodiversity. The event also celebrated Emirati Women’s Day, honoring 40 inspiring women leaders. Supported by sponsors such as Agile Advisors and EMSTEEL Group, the Global ESG Awards reinforced the importance of sustainability as a shared responsibility. Atul Gulati, the event facilitator, emphasized that sustainability is not a choice but a duty. Looking ahead, the awards aim to continue fostering collaboration, innovation, and a collective commitment to a sustainable future.
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Kuwait: Resident arrested with 10 kgs of pure drugs worth nearly 170,000 dinars
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Kuwaiti authorities have arrested an Asian resident in the Al-Mangaf area for possessing 10 kilograms of pure narcotics. The seizure, conducted by the General Directorate for Drug Control, included six kilograms of pure heroin and four kilograms of shabu (crystal meth), with an estimated market value of 170,000 Kuwaiti dinars (over Dh2 million). This operation underscores Kuwait’s intensified efforts to combat the illegal drug trade. Police investigations revealed that the suspect was receiving instructions from abroad and utilized a social media platform’s location-sharing feature to coordinate deliveries to pre-determined locations. Authorities have urged residents to report suspicious activities through official channels, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in these efforts. This arrest follows another recent raid on October 24, where Kuwaiti authorities uncovered a marijuana cultivation farm in the Sabah Al-Salem area, seizing 27 marijuana seedlings, one kilogram of processed marijuana, 50 grams of seeds, and two precision scales. These operations highlight Kuwait’s commitment to eradicating drug-related crimes through continuous field monitoring and enforcement.