

Online shopping scams cost Hongkongers HK$14 million in first week of 2026
Internet fraudsters tricked more than 270 Hong Kong residents out of nearly HK$14 million (US$1.8 million) through online shopping scams in the first week of 2026, police have said. The average daily loss of HK$2 million prompted the force to issue a scam alert on Monday, urging caution among online consumers and people selling products on the internet. One of the victims was a 26-year-old man who was targeted after he tried to sell a suitcase on the online platform Carousell and left his contact details on the website. Police said a scammer posing as a buyer sent the victim a bogus Carousell link through WhatsApp. At first, the seller refused to enter his details on the site, which was used for phishing. “But later, the scammer told him to contact a fake Carousell ‘customer service’ worker, who claimed he needed to pay a deposit before receiving payment for the suitcase,” the force said. The man followed instructions to transfer HK$210,000 to a bank account in two transactions. Source link

WHO, ex-Hong Kong leader CY Leung’s charity pledge to boost health ties
A UN agency and a charity established by former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying have agreed to strengthen collaboration on public health projects, following talks in Switzerland. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, met GX Foundation chairman Leung and CEO Emily Chan Ying-yang in Geneva, the charity said in a social media post on Tuesday. “Both parties held in-depth discussions [on Monday] on the various medical and public health projects GX is implementing within its 10 project countries across four continents,” GX said. “They agreed to strengthen future collaboration in different areas, including dengue fever prevention and control.” It added that Leung, also vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, expressed “sincere gratitude” to the WHO for recognising and supporting the charity’s work. Ghebreyesus said in his own online post that he looked forward to working with GX on shared health priorities, including eliminating vector-borne diseases. “I was impressed by the Foundation’s focus on practical solutions tailored to the local health needs of the countries where it operates, building local capacities for long-term results and strengthening community engagement, which is critical to achieving disease elimination,” he said. Source link

Hong Kong’s SHKP secures HK$1.4 billion land deal in Northern Metropolis
One of Hong Kong’s largest developers, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), has entered into a land deal worth around HK$1.4 billion (US$179.5 million) with the government for a site in Kwu Tung South, setting up one of the biggest housing projects in the Northern Metropolis. The company said on Monday that the site could yield over 1.2 million sq ft (111,480 square metres) of floor area and more than 2,700 flats, making it the biggest residential development in the area in recent years. SHKP said the project would fully utilise the land to meet the pressing housing demand in the New Territories. A source confirmed that the land premium payment was HK$1.39 billion. With this latest agreement, SHKP now has eight projects in the Northern Metropolis, totalling about 4.74 million sq ft of construction floor area and around 10,000 flats. The Northern Metropolis project, first announced in 2021, aims to turn 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) of land near the border with mainland China into an engine for economic growth and a housing hub. Source link
Hong Kong’s Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao to cease operations in Canada
Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao is winding up its operations in Canada by the end of this month, marking the closure of all newsrooms run by the city’s major print publications in the North American country. Employees working for the Toronto and Vancouver editions of Ming Pao Newspapers (Canada) were notified of the decision on Monday via termination letters sent by the parent company in Hong Kong. Ming Pao Canada reported in its video daily news that its final day of operations would be January 31, with the print editions in Toronto and Vancouver scheduled to cease publication on January 17. “Staff in Canada were informed by management that the decision to cease operations and halt publication was made by the Hong Kong headquarters,” it said. Ming Pao Canada was the country’s only remaining daily Chinese-language print newspaper based in Hong Kong, after the closure of the Sing Tao Daily Canadian edition in August 2022. The print editions in Toronto and Vancouver are scheduled to cease publication on January 17. Photo: Handout Ming Pao’s print editions in Toronto and Vancouver were both established in 1993. Source link

Executive of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily ‘regrets’ not standing up to ex-boss Jimmy Lai
The lawyer representing a former Apple Daily senior executive has said his client regretted not standing firmly by her journalistic principles against the editorial interference of her ex-boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying. Three High Court judges adjourned sentencing Lai and eight others until an unspecified date after defence lawyers wrapped up their mitigation arguments at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday. Appeals for leniency were made on behalf of six former senior executives of Apple Daily, who pleaded guilty before Lai’s conviction for conspiracies to collude with foreign forces and to print seditious articles. Publisher Cheung Kim-hung, associate publisher Chan Pui-man, editor-in-chief Ryan Law Wai-kwong, executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung, managing editor Fung Wai-kong and editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee admitted using the tabloid-style newspaper to instigate hatred against authorities and attract international sanctions before its closure in June 2021. Chan’s lawyer, Marco Li Kwok-wai, said her professionalism had been held in high regard, with the defendant previously receiving journalism awards from the Society of Publishers in Asia and the Chinese University of Hong Kong for her coverage of international events. He highlighted comments by May Chan Suk-mei, a news director at Commercial Radio, who praised the defendant for her professional work ethic. Source link

Beijing calls on Hong Kong to take lead in globalising traditional Chinese medicine
China’s top health official has called on Hong Kong to serve as a key pillar in promoting traditional Chinese medicine globally, as the city’s leader pledged to align local policies with the national development strategy in the field. At a launch ceremony for the Chinese Medicine Hospital and nearby testing institute on Tuesday, National Health Commission head Lei Haichao offered advice for Hong Kong in advancing the development of traditional Chinese Medicine. “Serve the globe for the benefit of humanity and accelerate the internationalisation of Chinese Medicine,” he said. “Hong Kong should leverage its technical strength in Chinese medicine testing and quality control, turning it into a key support pillar for the global expansion of Chinese medicine.” Lei also called on the Chinese Medicine Hospital – which opened last month – to develop an integrated Chinese-Western treatment model and disease-specific programmes tailored to local needs. He added that the hospital should collaborate with the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone on clinical research and technology transfer. Source link
How Back to the Past is fuelling nostalgia for 2000s Hong Kong
The 2000s are experiencing a nostalgia-driven renaissance in Hong Kong, spearheaded by the record-breaking time-travel action fantasy, Back to the Past. A big-screen sequel to the popular 2001 TVB drama A Step into the Past, the film has become a box office sensation since its release on December 31, 2025. Co-directed by Ng Yuen-fai and Jack Lai Chun-lung and starring original lead Louis Koo Tin-lok, the blockbuster – which picks up where the TV series left off – is pure fan service wrapped around the grit and glamour of classic Hong Kong cinema. The movie grossed HK$10.9 million (US$1.4 million) on its opening day, breaking the city’s first-day performance record for a local or Chinese-language film. The record-breaking success continued, with the film accumulating HK$45.4 million across cinemas in Hong Kong and Macau by the end of its first week. Sonija Kwok (left) and Louis Koo in a still from A Step into the Past (2001). Photo: TVB Its local box office gross passed the HK$60 million mark on January 10, and ticket sales are expected to keep climbing in the coming weeks – with one eye on challenging the title of 2024 film The Last Dance as the highest-grossing domestic release in Hong Kong cinema history. Source link
‘Mr and Mrs Ho’ in Hong Kong court unrepresented as assault case draws crowds
Hong Kong internet couple “Mr and Mrs Ho” still have no legal representatives in a domestic violence dispute that escalated into a criminal case, which has drawn wide public attention and filled the courtroom. The District Court heard on Tuesday that Ho Huen, 77, widely known as Mr Ho, and his 44-year-old wife, Ye Xiuding, known as Mrs Ho, had yet to hire lawyers to defend themselves after being charged in May last year with unlawfully and maliciously wounding each other. Judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi noted that the public gallery was filled with observers of various ages, some of whom had chased after Mrs Ho and scolded her as she left the courtroom at the previous hearing. The couple’s age-gap romance came into the public eye after they appeared on a prime-time television programme in 2024 to publicise their relationship, sharing their love story and displaying luxurious gifts, which sparked debate over their eligibility for public housing. Ye Xiuding, known on the internet as Mrs Ho. Photo: Sun Yeung Their relationship later took a downturn as they allegedly became involved in domestic disputes that turned violent. In the present case, Mrs Ho sustained knife injuries to the back of her head, including a 5.1cm (two-inch) wound, while Mr Ho suffered a bite to a finger on his left hand. Source link

US$1.7 billion SciNeuro-Novartis deal offers hope for 55 million Alzheimer’s patients
A partnership between China’s SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals and Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis on Monday has revived hopes for treating Alzheimer’s disease, which affects some 55 million people worldwide and could cost the global economy US$2.8 trillion by 2030. The deal, worth nearly US$1.7 billion, grants Novartis exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise SciNeuro’s antibody candidates to develop drugs for the progressive brain disease. SciNeuro’s novel amyloid beta targeted antibody programme leverages proprietary blood-brain barrier shuttle technology to help more of the drug cross into the brain where Alzheimer’s damage occurs. “The anti-amyloid programme represents one of SciNeuro’s key strategic research and development priorities to target the neurodegenerative disease,” said Li Min, founder and CEO of SciNeuro. “This collaboration delivers an optimal synergy, combining our expertise in disease biology and early development with Novartis’ global leadership in clinical development and commercialisation.” IN A MINUTE: Discos helping Singaporeans with dementia #shorts IN A MINUTE: Discos helping Singaporeans with dementia #shorts Under the agreement, SciNeuro will receive an upfront payment of US$165 million and could earn up to US$1.5 billion in development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as royalties on future sales. Over the past three decades, amyloid beta protein has been a primary drug target for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. This approach has been backed by extensive laboratory and genetic evidence from scientists, according to a 2023 review on amyloid‑based therapy published in a Nature‑affiliated journal. Source link
‘Mr and Mrs Ho’ in Hong Kong court unrepresented as assault case draws crowds
Hong Kong internet couple “Mr and Mrs Ho” still have no legal representatives in a domestic violence dispute that escalated into a criminal case, which has drawn wide public attention and filled the courtroom. The District Court heard on Tuesday that Ho Huen, 77, widely known as Mr Ho, and his 44-year-old wife, Ye Xiuding, known as Mrs Ho, had yet to hire lawyers to defend themselves after being charged in May last year with unlawfully and maliciously wounding each other. Judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi noted that the public gallery was filled with observers of various ages, some of whom had chased after Mrs Ho and scolded her as she left the courtroom at the previous hearing. The couple’s age-gap romance came into the public eye after they appeared on a prime-time television programme in 2024 to publicise their relationship, sharing their love story and displaying luxurious gifts, which sparked debate over their eligibility for public housing. Ye Xiuding, known on the internet as Mrs Ho. Photo: Sun Yeung Their relationship later took a downturn as they allegedly became involved in domestic disputes that turned violent. In the present case, Mrs Ho sustained knife injuries to the back of her head, including a 5.1cm (two-inch) wound, while Mr Ho suffered a bite to a finger on his left hand. Source link

GigaDevice jumps 40% in Hong Kong debut amid China’s chip self-sufficiency drive
Item 1 of 2 Zhu Yiming, GigaDevice’s founder and chairman, speaks at the company’s listing ceremony at Hong Kong Stock Exchange in Hong Kong, China January 13, 2026. REUTERS/Jiaxing Li [1/2]Zhu Yiming, GigaDevice’s founder and chairman, speaks at the company’s listing ceremony at Hong Kong Stock Exchange in Hong Kong, China January 13, 2026. REUTERS/Jiaxing Li Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Company positions itself as a ‘chip department store’ Net profit shot up nearly 7 times in 2024, revenue jumped 28% Chip and AI firms tapping HK market as Beijing seeks self-sufficiency HONG KONG/SINGAPORE, Jan 13 (Reuters) – Shares of GigaDevice Semiconductor soared 40% in their Hong Kong trading debut on Tuesday, with investors latching on to a company with surging earnings as China pushes for chip self-sufficiency amid tensions with the U.S. GigaDevice, which raised HK$4.68 billion ($600 million) in a second listing, is a fabless integrated circuit design house that also trades on the Shanghai bourse (603986.SS), opens new tab and was founded in 2005. Sign up here. Its shares last traded at HK$227.4, compared with their offer price of HK$162, giving the company a market cap of around HK$158.4 billion ($20.3 billion). The shares earlier rose as high as HK$248.8. In NOR flash memory – which is used for storing code that runs devices, it ranks second globally with a market share of 18.5%, the company said, citing research from consultancy Frost & Sullivan. “GigaDevice is a chip company with testing and assembly capabilities, as well as strong earnings and good future development prospects,” said Kenny Ng, strategist at China Everbright Securities International. GigaDevice’s net profit climbed nearly seven times to 1.1 billion yuan in 2024 on a 28% jump in revenue, according to its Hong Kong listing prospectus. Its NOR and other chips are used

More cross-border tours, visitors expected on expanded Hong Kong high-speed rail
More train tour packages to mainland China are expected to be launched with 16 newly added destinations to Hong Kong’s high-speed rail network, industry leaders have said, with the enhanced connectivity expected to boost cross-border traveller numbers in both directions. Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said on Monday that local travel agencies were pivoting to capitalise on this “game-changing” high-speed rail network as a formidable competitor to air travel for mid-range destinations, including cities such as Nanjing. “We will be converting itineraries that were originally flight-based into high-speed rail products,” Chui told a radio programme. “While a flight to Nanjing takes about two and a half hours, once you factor in the time spent travelling to the airport and arriving early for check-in, the total journey can take seven to eight hours. That is roughly the same as the seven-and-a-half-hour direct high-speed rail journey, making the train very competitive.” The MTR Corporation announced on Sunday that 16 new destinations would be added to the Hong Kong section of the high-speed rail system starting on January 26, bringing the total number of mainland stations with direct access to 110. The expansion connects the city with major hubs in eastern China, including Nanjing, Wuxi, and Hefei, alongside 13 other stations across Guangdong, Fujian and Hunan provinces, such as Qingyuan, Shantou South and Fuzhou South. Source link
China’s internet and Hong Kong’s technology sectors are showing new strength, with Sun Hung Kai Properties (00016.HK) breaking out of its multi-year trading range.
The Lyon report indicates that as key indices and leading stocks achieve a series of critical breakthroughs, China’s internet and Hong Kong’s technology sectors are demonstrating renewed strength. The KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB.US) extended its breakout above the 50-day moving average last week, completing a short-term double-bottom pattern. This move initially points to $39.75, with potential to test or even surpass the October 2025 high near $40.87. A broader breakout within the 2024-2025 range continues to support an intermediate target of $50 to $53. Alibaba (BABA.US) has broken through its 50-day moving average and the top of a multi-month descending wedge. This pattern supports a recovery toward the October 2025 high in the $192 to $193 region. The long-term structure remains bullish, with extended targets at $230 to $240. Meituan (03690.HK) is building a base above HK$92, with momentum improving. A breakout above the HK$108 to HK$109 zone would confirm a trend reversal, opening initial targets at HK$130 to HK$131. The Hang Seng Tech Index has held key support and broken above its 50-day moving average, completing a small double-bottom pattern. This establishes an initial target at 6,040 points, with the next resistance near 6,715 points. A broader base formation from 2022 to 2024 continues to support upside toward 7,540 to 7,550 points. The Hang Seng Biotech Index has also broken above its recent downtrend line and the 50-day moving average, signaling the potential for the next leg up toward the October 2025 high in the 18,000 to 18,100 region. Wuxi Bio (02269.HK) has formed a tactical base above the 200-day moving average and broken above the 50-day moving average. Initial upside targets are HK$42 to HK$43, with secondary targets at HK$54 to HK$55. The Hang Seng Index is nearing a breakout from a multi-month triangle consolidation pattern.

How Hong Kong celebrates Year of the Horse
HONG KONG, 13 January 2026: Hong Kong readies to welcome the Year of the Horse with the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, transforming the city into a glittering carnival of light, music, and festive spirit. Beginning at 2000, on 17 February, the Parade will start from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and travel through major roads in Tsim Sha Tsui — including Canton Road, Haiphong Road, and Nathan Road with the theme “Best Fortune. World Party.”, the festivities celebrate the energetic spirit of the horse, a symbol of strength, vitality, progress, and success in Chinese culture. The night-long celebration showcases a spectacular line-up of themed floats sweeping in the best luck of the year. Some float sponsors will celebrate milestone anniversaries — with Cathay Group marking its 80th anniversary, Hong Kong Disneyland celebrating its 20th, and McDonald’s Hong Kong debuting a float in honour of its 50th — adding extra excitement to the Parade. The first-ever float from the Hong Kong Brand Toy Association will energise the event by bringing beloved IP characters to the festivities. The Ocean Park Hong Kong will invite its adorable ‘Panda Friends’ to spread new year blessings to families. At the same time, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will spotlight the zodiac year with shimmering horse installations to bring prosperity to all. Multiple dazzling floats will be on display at Kai Tak Sports Park from 18 to 26 February, extending the Parade excitement to visitors throughout the festive season. Citywide Celebrations Beyond the floats, a dynamic line-up of performances from around the world during the Parade will reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a truly international festival city. Not only will France’s FierS à Cheval set the tone with illuminated horse tableaux that capture the spirit of the Year of the Horse, the exhilarating
Arcesium Opens Hong Kong Office to Support Growing APAC Client Demand
Hong Kong presence marks Arcesium’s commitment to supporting investment firms across the APAC region with investment operations and data strategy HONG KONG, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Arcesium, a leading provider of investment lifecycle and data management technology for the global investment industry, today announces the expansion of its global operations with the opening of a new office in Hong Kong. Arcesium’s on the ground presence in Asia allows the firm to meet growing investment industry demand for sophisticated data infrastructure and operational technology which unlocks scale in any asset class or strategy. Arcesium’s Hong Kong office will support its existing client base of institutional asset managers, hedge funds, banks, and private markets firms operating across the broader Asia-Pacific region, while also providing flexible technology and services for new launches and regional expansions. Arcesium CEO, Gaurav Suri, commented: “We are delighted that Arcesium is officially present in another major financial hub, building on our successful operations across Europe and the US. Hong Kong is acknowledged as a leading financial center in Asia, home to a uniquely dynamic intersection of global capital, regional innovation, and regulatory sophistication. Opening an office in Hong Kong is part of our strategic commitment to supporting clients at the center of Asia’s financial ecosystem.” The new regional hub builds on Arcesium’s expanding client activity across Asia-Pacific, reflecting increasing demand from institutional investment firms for more robust data, operational, and technology capabilities to support multi-asset strategies and regional growth. Chris Barrow, Head of Business Development, EMEA & APAC at Arcesium commented: “We are dedicated to helping APAC firms stay ahead of the fast pace of change in global financial markets so they can get new launches, structures and strategies to market faster. Our on the ground presence in Hong Kong will help us serve our growing client base
Chip designer GigaDevice surges 45% in Hong Kong debut amid China’s self-reliance drive
Mainland chip designer GigaDevice Semiconductor jumped more than 45 per cent on its first trading day in Hong Kong on Tuesday, as the Beijing-based firm’s debut catered to investor appetite for tech companies amid China’s push for self-reliance. The firm’s shares started trading at HK$235, versus the offer price of HK$162. Its shares closed between HK$224.20 and HK$226.80 on the grey market on Monday evening, helping some investors cash in gains of about 40 per cent before the official debut, data from major brokerages showed. Its Shanghai-listed shares rose 1.6 per cent to 266 yuan on Tuesday. Hongxing Coldchain (Hunan) also started trading on the main board on Tuesday, opening at HK$19.58, up 59.7 per cent from the offer price of HK$12.26. On Hong Kong’s GEM board, shares in Malaysian civil engineering contractor BBSB International opened at HK$3, five times the offer price of HK$0.60. Hongxing and BBSB aimed to raise HK$285 million and HK$78.8 million, respectively. GigaDevice’s Hong Kong listing raised HK$4.68 billion (US$600 million) as the company issued 28.9 million shares. Retail investors subscribed for 542 times the number of shares allocated to them, worth HK$468 million in the offering, after borrowing HK$193.7 billion in margin financing from brokers. Chinese chip companies have drawn market attention since Beijing vowed to find domestic alternatives to advanced US products amid trade tensions and the intensifying race in artificial intelligence. In December, graphic processing unit (GPU) start-ups Moore Threads Technology and MetaX Integrated Circuits surged more than 400 per cent and nearly 700 per cent, respectively, in their Shanghai debuts. A general view of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing in Exchange Square. Photo: Sun Yeung But tech firms have logged generally weaker debuts in Hong Kong. GPU maker Shanghai Biren Technology jumped 76 per cent on its debut, while large language
BOCHKTO caps another smash year for tennis
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Thousands of spectators once again visited the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open (BOCHKTO) at the iconic Victoria Park Tennis Centre Court last week, capping an incredible year for the game in Hong Kong on and off the court. Reconfirming its’ position as amongst the most active and innovative sporting communities in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA) celebrated another milestone in the development of the innovative Hong Kong Tennis Season (HKTS) this year. Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina was the first ever UTS Hong Kong Champion, held at Kai Tak Arena. HKTS ties the long-running women’s WTA250 tournament staged here since 2017, with the thrilling annual HKTS finale: the men’s BOCHKTO. Together these bookend events draw thousands of visitors to Victoria Park to celebrate tennis, our community and our city – while also generating a significant contribution to Hong Kong’s burgeoning mega events economy. This year’s HKTS included another ground-breaking event after HKCTA staged its first indoor event at Kai Tak in October, bringing the innovative sports entertainment concept Ultimate Tennis Showdown to Asia for the first time. That moment of sporting history further bolstered the unique capabilities of tennis in Hong Kong with the city joining global centres like the United Kingdom, United States and France as sports hubs capable of hosting both indoor and outdoor tennis tournaments. Hong Kong, China Tennis Association President, Michael Cheng has confirmed that the 2027 AT250 Hong Kong Open will take place next January. Under tireless chief and Association President, Michael Cheng, HKCTA are not slowing down in their race to establish Hong Kong as a global and regional tennis hub. “Ultimate Tennis Showdown is a great product and created a good buzz for Hong Kong

Operation Santa Claus: the charity changing lives through swimming in Hong Kong
When Libby Alexander and Simon Holliday noticed that many domestic helpers and Hong Kong residents at local beaches could not swim, they decided to take action. They soon learned that despite Hong Kong being surrounded by water and having an abundance of pools, many residents did not have the opportunity to learn to swim. Swimming lessons are not mandatory, many schools lack pools and private classes are expensive. A 2014 survey by Baptist University found that 46.7 per cent of Hong Kong secondary students could not swim. The following year, Alexander and Holliday, originally from the US and the UK, founded Splash Foundation to provide swimming lessons for those who lacked the opportunity to learn. The charity began by teaching domestic helpers, and later expanded to include children with physical or mental disabilities, low-income families and ethnic minorities. As of the end of 2025, it has taught 11,145 people from disadvantaged backgrounds to swim for free and aims to raise that number to 25,000 by 2030. This year, Splash is one of 13 charities to receive funding from the annual fundraising campaign Operation Santa Claus (OSC), which will enable it to rent pools and hire coaches and lifeguards for its intensive summer programme, Splash Camp, benefiting another 250 children from low-income families. Source link

Hong Kong and Nansha target global drone benchmark via cross-border trials
Hong Kong has taken a significant stride towards cross-border drone flights by teaming up with Nansha in mainland China to develop unified standards, policies and validation pathways through joint tests and trials – an effort that could set a global benchmark. The collaboration follows an accord signed on December 25 between the Hong Kong Productivity Council and Nansha’s International Advanced Technology Application and Promotion Centre (GBA). Edmond Lai Shiao-bun, the council’s chief digital officer, told the Post that the partnership also held symbolic weight for both sides in advancing the low-altitude economy. It will bring together academics, aviation stakeholders, drone and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) operators, and research institutes from both sides to formulate aligned standards through a closed-loop model spanning technology development, scenario testing and industrial application. Lai said Hong Kong could be positioned as an Asian hub for low-altitude economic development. “The greatest value of the Nansha collaboration is that it will set a global benchmark for unmanned aerial systems – one that can be referenced by Asian cities such as Singapore and Malaysia,” Lai said in an interview on Monday. Source link

民航處與解放軍駐港部隊等舉行搜救演練 模擬有直升機望東灣遇險 (12:46) – 20260112 – 港聞 – 即時新聞
搜救演練按《國際民用航空公約》的建議定期舉行,演練分成兩部分,今早在大嶼山望東灣的「短程搜救演練」模擬一架從本港飛往澳門的直升機,在芝麻灣半島附近的空域通知民航處控制塔其引擎出現問題,並於通知控制塔5分鐘後在雷達螢幕上消失。民航處控制塔宣布涉事直升機進入遇險階段;同時接獲水警通知市民報告,稱有直升機墜落望東灣,處方通知相關搜救單位。 演練時間約一小時,橙色煙霧彈模擬直升機墜落位置。消防處派出滅火輪到場噴水救火,以及由無人機確認受影響乘客位置。涉事直升機載有三名乘客,解放軍駐港部隊及政府飛行服務隊,分別派出直升機在海上及石灘拯救兩名生還者;消防處再派出潛水支援快艇拯救另一名生還者。 解放軍駐港部隊直升機。(廖凱霖攝) 另外,相關部門明天(13日)將於本港以南約50海里的南中國海展開「長程搜救演練」,模擬一架由本港飛往東京的飛機,兩個引擎出現問題並在雷達螢幕消失的處理情况。屆時參與演練的部門包括政府飛行服務隊、天文台及海事處,解放軍駐港部隊、內地交通運輸部救助打撈局及廣東省海上搜救中心亦獲邀參與。 民航處高級民航事務主任陳健忠稱,是次短程搜救演練順利,消防處亦首度出動無人機,相比昔日水面搜救,無人機能以鳥瞰角度,更易搜索生還者及留意其他事項。他稱,民航處現時按情况每2至3年舉行演練,對上一次演練在2023年於西貢完成,相信能針對不同場景,協調各部門爭分奪秒搜救。 是次演練出動解放軍駐港部隊,對於在何情况下啟動兩地合作機制,陳健忠表示,相關機制來自《基本法》第14條,港府在必要時可以向中央請求協助救助災害。 Source link

Canadian PM Carney visits China after a decade of hostility
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is departing for China (13 January) for the first time since 2017, after years of strained diplomatic relations between the two countries that began in the late 2010s with disputes over trade, national security and human rights significantly weakened their ties. Officials from both sides have described this visit as an opportunity to stabilise relations. Canadian government sources have stressed that the talks are intended to reopen channels of communication and manage differences, not to resolve longstanding disagreements. Carney is set to discuss trade and international security at a time when Canda faces uncertain relations with its neighbours the U.S. This time, experts expect some deals – or at least promises of future deals – to be struck. Senior Canadian officials said Carney would sign a number of memoranda that are still under discussion. Deals could include more exports of Canadian crude to China, according to a source informed of the discussions. Canada exports some 90% of its oil to the United States but a planned increase in U.S. oil imports from Venezuela could decrease U.S. demand for Canadian crude. Senior Canadian officials said they expected progress but not the definitive elimination of Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola exports during the visit. China looks forward to deepening mutual trust with Canada during the January 14-17 visit, the Chinese foreign ministry said. “Both Canada and China want to signal their good intentions, so they each need to give away something,” said Lynette Ong, a professor of Chinese politics at the University of Toronto. China announced preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola imports in August, escalating a year-long trade dispute that began with Ottawa’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports a year earlier. The tariffs have virtually eliminated all canola

Cong hits out at BJP over China meet as Beijing lays claims to Shaksgam Valley| India News
A new political row has erupted over China’s claims on the Indian territory of the Shaksgam Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, with the Congress hitting out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for “holding meetings” with the Chinese Communist Party. Congress questioned the optics of the BJP engaging with the CCP, pointing out the “encroachment” and border issues. (X/ Supriya Shrinate) Several years ago, it was the BJP that accused the Congress of “undermining national security” by signing a MoU with the CCP. Now, as Beijing reportedly lays claims to the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, the tables seem to have turned. It’s the Congress that has accused the BJP of sending mixed signals to China over reports of the neighbouring country’s construction activity in the territory. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP following a meeting between senior party leaders and a delegation of the Chinese Communist Party in New Delhi. Raising concerns over national security, she alleged that China was asserting territorial claims while political engagement continued in the capital. “China has claimed the Shaksgam Valley of Jammu and Kashmir as its own territory. For the past several days, construction has been underway in the name of CPEC. After Ladakh, how has China managed to intrude all the way here now?” Shrinate wrote on X. “How is China showing such audacity? And meanwhile, BJP leaders are holding meetings with China’s Communist Party,” Shrinate added. In another post, Shrinate questioned the optics of the BJP engaging with the CCP, pointing out the “encroachment” and border issues. “This photo is of the BJP office. A meeting is taking place between BJP leaders and leaders of China’s Communist Party. China supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Our brave soldiers were martyred in Galwan. China

‘Resolution revolution’ pioneer Alexey Amunts leaves Max Planck to join China’s SMART
Alexey Amunts, whose pioneering work on mitochondrial ribosomes helped catalyse the cryo-electron microscopy “resolution revolution”, has left the Max Planck Institute in Germany to join China’s Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) this month. Amunts confirmed he had joined SMART as a senior investigator and would “contribute to its international relations agenda”. He is internationally recognised for his breakthroughs in visualising life’s molecular machinery at near-atomic resolution. Britain’s Journal of Cell Science featured him as a “cell scientist to watch” in 2021. 08:30 Why are more Chinese scientists leaving the US to return to China? Why are more Chinese scientists leaving the US to return to China? Amunts’ relocation highlights China’s growing appeal as a hub for cutting-edge basic science and translational innovation. “Shenzhen adds another dimension; it is a place where ideas do not remain ideas for long. The density of talent, technology and manufacturing capacity makes it unusually practical to move from concept to implementation,” Amunts said. “I chose SMART because it combines long-term scientific ambition with a system that can execute quickly and connect excellent basic research to translational impact internationally,” he added. SMART announced his appointment on social media on January 7. Its head, Yan Ning, commented on and shared her post to welcome him to the academy’s Institute of Bio-Architecture and Bio-Interactions (IBABI). Russian-born Amunts, who told the South China Morning Post his new position and foreign work permit application were expected to take a few weeks to finalise, reposted the news to his Weibo account, writing, “We’re forming a lab at SMART. Come to SZ to build your next chapter with us”. Source link

How a snap election in Japan could put Sanae Takaichi in a stronger position with China
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is said to be weighing up an early election, a move that could put her in a stronger position with both China and the United States if she secures a decisive win, according to observers. But a diplomatic thaw between Japan and China is not expected any time soon. Citing government sources, the Yomiuri Shinbun reported on Friday that Takaichi was looking at calling an election on February 8 or 15. On Saturday, Kyodo News reported that Takaichi told an official with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that she was considering dissolving the House of Representatives at the start of the parliamentary session that is due to begin on January 23, which would mean a general election could be held early. 04:47 Why have Takaichi’s Taiwan comments sent China-Japan ties into a tailspin? Why have Takaichi’s Taiwan comments sent China-Japan ties into a tailspin? Observers said that by calling a snap poll, Takaichi could use her popularity among voters to strengthen the ruling coalition’s grip on power while at the same time improving Tokyo’s bargaining power on foreign policy. Source link

Trump ‘immediately’ imposes 25% tariffs on countries that do business with Iran. China’s on the list
By Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP / Getty Images North America / Kevin Dietsch President Donald Trump has said countries that do business with Iran will face a new 25 percent tariff. The announcement appears to mean goods from China, a major trading partner of both Iran and the United States, would become significantly more expensive to import. “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday (US time). “This Order is final and conclusive,” he added. The White House declined to share additional information on the tariff and how the Trump administration plans to implement it, referring CNN to the president’s post. Trump did not define what qualifies as “doing business” with Iran. The post raised a number of questions, including how these additional tariffs could work, which countries would be targeted and whether services and not just goods would face higher duties. Trump’s announcement comes as he has floated US military intervention to “rescue” anti-government protesters in Iran, hundreds of whom have been killed. An ongoing communications shutdown, imposed by authorities on Thursday, has mostly isolated people in the country from the outside world. The new tariff could mean a minimum 45 percent tariff rate on goods from China versus the current rate of 20 percent. A trade war between the United States and China last year rocked global markets, with Trump raising tariffs on Chinese goods to a peak of 145 percent last year. The current tariff rate came about after lengthy negotiations. In addition to China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey are considered major trading partners with Iran. Trump doubled duties

G7 finance ministers agree to cut reliance on China for rare earths
WASHINGTON – Finance ministers from the Group of Seven countries agreed Monday to hastily reduce their countries’ overreliance on China for critical minerals. Following a meeting in Washington, also attended by representatives from several non-G7 countries, such as Australia, India and South Korea, Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama disclosed the agreement. The U.S. Treasury said the participants “expressed a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains” throughout the course of discussions. The meeting, hosted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, took place as China has increasingly used its dominance in the processing of rare earth minerals to exert diplomatic and economic leverage. Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks at a press conference in Washington on Jan. 12, 2026, after attending a meeting between the finance ministers of the Group of Seven countries and representatives of other countries including Australia and India on ways to reduce overreliance on China for critical minerals. (Kyodo) Katayama also told reporters that she had explained Japan’s position on the Chinese export controls to her counterparts and imparted to them the country’s hard-won lessons from dealing with China’s 2010 export ban on rare earths. Beijing has been taking aim at Tokyo since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks in parliament in November suggesting an attack on Taiwan could trigger a response by Japan’s defense forces. China last week tightened controls on exports to Japan of dual-use items that have both civilian and military applications, with rare earths possibly included. China mines around 70 percent of the world’s rare earths, which are vital to the manufacturing of high-tech and defense products, and refines about 90 percent of the raw materials. Last year, China also restricted exports of rare earths to the United States, in an apparent attempt to gain an edge

Beverage industry brews holiday consumption boom in SW China
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Threads WhatsApp Telegram A shop assistant makes coffee at a coffee shop in Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, June 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) GUIYANG (Jan 13): While iconic tourist destinations across China drew massive crowds during the New Year holiday, young people in Guiyang, the capital city of southwest China’s Guizhou Province, opted for a unique lifestyle — savoring specialty coffee by day and gathering over innovative local craft beer by night. This “coffee by day, beer by night” culture has emerged as a defining feature of the city’s holiday vibe and a fresh catalyst for its consumption-driven economy. On the afternoon of Jan. 1, a steady stream of customers lined up at Captain George, a local coffee shop near the historic Wenchang Pavilion. Wang Kai, a barista at the coffee shop, noted that they had been bustling nonstop since opening at 8.30am. Li Anqi, a tourist from Beijing who made a stopover in Guiyang during her return from a business trip, visited three coffee shops over the holiday. “I never anticipated being so impressed by the coffee shops here. The quality was exceptional,” said Li, adding that she waited 30 minutes at Captain George, “but it was well worth it.” The café’s reputation rests on quality — its founder won the championship at the 2025 World Brewers Cup in Indonesia. Besides, innovation often incorporates local flavors. Native ingredients such as Roxburgh rose fruit and fish mint evolved from novelties into signature hits. Despite not producing coffee beans, Guiyang has emerged as a coffee powerhouse. The city now boasts over 3,000 cafés and has nurtured more than 10 national and international champions in coffee roasting and brewing. As night fell, the narrow alley of Taiping Road, home to several craft beer bars, buzzed with crowds. During the

New app ‘Are You Dead?’ from China works as check-in tool for people living alone
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Now Playing New app ‘Are You Dead?’ from China works as check-in tool for people living alone 03:19 UP NEXT Grok AI model still generating sexualized content after changes 05:16 Chargers Sold at TJ Maxx, Marshalls Recalled Over Explosion Risk 00:26 Major companies gearing up for robotaxi rollouts 03:35 AI bot ‘Grok’ scrutinized for explicit images of people 01:39 Grok AI under fire for generating explicit images of women and children 03:51 ‘Death clock’ app uses AI to predict how long user might live 04:42 ‘Vintage’ tech trending among younger generations as penny, paper checks phase out 02:30 Rise of AI data centers is increasing job opportunities for electricians 03:01 Inside the On-the-Job Training Program for AI Electricians 03:12 Dangers of rechargeable batteries on planes 02:13 ‘Call of Duty’ creator Vince Zampella killed after Ferrari crash in California 00:38 Plane makes safe emergency landing with first use of Autoland system 02:30 Svedka will run ad made by AI during Super Bowl 05:23 Tech The Halls This Holiday Season With These Fun Gifts 04:13 TikTok owner signs deal to create U.S. joint venture 02:18 TikTok owner signs deal to create U.S. joint venture 03:15 Senators Send Toymakers Warning Letter About AI-Powered Toys 00:31 Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners pulls out of Paramount bid for Warner Bros. Discovery 02:47 How to Empower Kids to Take Control of the Devices in Their Lives 07:25 Hallie Jackson NOW A new app is going viral in China that helps people who live alone to check in with their friends and family. Users hit a green button on the app daily and if there’s no response will reach out to the emergency contacts. NBC News’ Steven Romo looks at the app’s popularity
China woman buys US$28 ‘love insurance’, claims US$1,400 when she gets married a decade later
A Chinese woman who bought a “love insurance” policy for 199 yuan (US$28) in 2016 claimed a 10,000-yuan (US$1,400) payout ten years later. The payout came after she and her partner officially registered their marriage in 2025, following a decade long relationship. The woman surnamed Wu from Xian, Shaanxi province in central China, met her husband, surnamed Wang, in secondary school. The couple, above, say they have not decided what to spend their insurance windfall on yet. Photo: QQ.com The pair began dating and officially entered a relationship in 2015 after enrolling at the same university. They were both born after 1995. In 2016, Wu bought a discounted “love insurance” policy for 199 yuan as a gift for her boyfriend. Wang recalled that he was initially very sceptical, saying: “She said she bought love insurance; my first reaction was that she had been scammed.” The policy, whose standard price was 299 yuan (US$42), was issued by China Life Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited. The couple framed their “certificate of love” and hung it on a wall. Photo: QQ.com Source link

Pirelli Facing Problems In US Market Because Of Chinese Ownership
The Italian government is looking to help Pirelli push out its largest shareholder, a major chemical company from China. If it can’t, it could become a big problem for the tiremaker. It could even force Pirelli out of the US market, where it currently generates around 20% of its revenues and a massive chunk of its profits. Connected Car Tech From China Apparently Includes Tires Close-up of Pirelli P Zero Trofeo Track tirePirelli Last January, the US government finalized a ban on connected car tech from Chinese and Russian companies from being used in cars sold in the US. Since then, the feds have further tightened restrictions on tech from China used in vehicles in the US. What does that have to do with the very Italian Pirelli brand? The tire company’s largest shareholder is Chinese megacorp Sinochem. Sinochem currently owns just over a third of Pirelli, and it has held a controlling interest in the company since 2015. Pirelli CyberTyre Technology. P-Zero tirePirelli The main issue seems to be with Pirelli’s CyberTyre. This high-end tire has built-in pressure and temperature sensors, allowing it to communicate with the vehicle and making it connected-car tech. Last April, the US Department of Commerce told Pirelli that the tires would likely fall under the ban. Any automaker wanting to use them would need to apply for authorization, and that could push those car companies over to one of its competitors. Connected tires are not exactly a high-volume product, at least not yet. But the Financial Times reports that US officials have pressured the Italian government to limit Sinochem’s power at the tire company anyway. Something the Italians started trying to do in 2023. Related Pirelli’s Latest Track Tire Is Made In America, For America Pirelli is after the club racer market. According to

Trump says Russia or China could take Greenland
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Minneapolis Mayor Frey: ICE enforcement ‘not normal’ 00:44 Suspect in murder of Ohio couple makes first court appearance 00:56 Kelly defends lawsuit against Hegseth 00:53 Tiny deer takes on rhino at Polish zoo 00:27 Command change at ISS ahead of Crew-11 return to Earth 00:41 Mattel unveils new Barbie representing people with autism 00:29 Paramount sues Warner Bros. over Netflix deal 00:56 A skier and her dog survive an avalanche 00:39 Now Playing Trump says Russia or China could take Greenland 00:27 UP NEXT New York nurses go on strike over contract disputes 00:21 More immigration officers being sent to Minneapolis 00:36 Trump weighs military options on Iran amid protests 01:10 Bob Weir, Grateful Dead founding member, dies at 78 00:36 Powell says DOJ has subpoenaed the Federal Reserve 00:54 Golden Globes: Teyana Taylor’s message to ‘brown girls’ 00:19 U-Haul drives through a crowd of anti-Iran protesters 00:16 Highlights from the 2026 Golden Globe Awards 01:15 ‘Hamnet’ director Chloe Zhao stunned by Golden Globe win 00:43 Amy Poehler wins Golden Globe for best podcast 00:29 Authorities: Arson fire damages Mississippi synagogue 00:13 Trump says Russia or China could take GreenlandJan. 12, 2026 Read More UP NEXT Minneapolis Mayor Frey: ICE enforcement ‘not normal’ 00:44 Suspect in murder of Ohio couple makes first court appearance 00:56 Kelly defends lawsuit against Hegseth 00:53 Tiny deer takes on rhino at Polish zoo 00:27 Command change at ISS ahead of Crew-11 return to Earth 00:41 Mattel unveils new Barbie representing people with autism 00:29 Nightly News Nightly News Nightly News Play All Source link

Two China-flagged supertankers bound for Venezuela reverse course as US tightens crackdown: Report
Two Chinese-flagged supertankers that were headed to Venezuela to collect crude under long-standing oil-for-debt agreements have abruptly changed direction and are now sailing back toward Asia, according to shipping data referenced by news agency Reuters. The move follows recent US action against a Russian-flagged tanker tied to Venezuela and highlights growing pressure on the country’s oil trade. The very large crude carriers Xingye and Thousand Sunny had been idling in the Atlantic for several weeks, awaiting authorisation to dock at Venezuelan terminals. Their planned cargoes were intended to service loans extended by Beijing to Caracas, which are repaid through oil deliveries rather than cash. Data from LSEG cited by Reuters indicates both ships reversed course amid heightened uncertainty caused by the US embargo on Venezuelan oil and escalating political tensions after Washington seized a tanker linked to Venezuela. Add WION as a Preferred Source Oil exports are central to Venezuela’s economy, accounting for roughly 95% of export revenues, with China representing its most important destination. Research group Beyond The Horizon estimates that Venezuela has already paid back over $50 billion in debt using crude shipments, though around $12 billion remains unpaid. The vessels’ retreat comes shortly after US forces intercepted and confiscated a Russian-flagged tanker, formerly known as Bella 1 and later renamed Marinera, in international waters. The seizure intensified diplomatic strains between the United States and Russia and underscored Washington’s hardline enforcement of sanctions. As part of the embargo, Venezuelan waters are effectively closed to sanctioned tankers, blocking both inbound and outbound oil traffic. In parallel, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has expanded its sanctions list to include four Chinese companies connected to Venezuela’s energy sector: Corniola Ltd., Aries Global Investment Ltd., Krape Myrtle Co, and Winky International Ltd. Four tankers associated with those firms, Della,

The viral Chinese app for young people living alone
Stephen McDonellChina correspondent Getty Images There may be up to 200 million one-person households in China by 2030, according to a report A new bleak-sounding app has taken China by storm. Named Are You Dead? the concept is simple. You need to check in with it every two days – clicking a large button – to confirm that you are alive. If not, it will get in touch with your appointed emergency contact and inform them that you may be in trouble. It was launched in May last year to not much fanfare but attention around it has exploded in recent weeks with many young people, who live alone in Chinese cities, downloading it in droves. This has propelled it to become the most downloaded paid app in the country. According to research institutions, there may be up to 200 million one-person households in China by 2030, Chinese state media outlet Global Times reports. And it’s those people that the app – which describes itself as a “safety company companion… whether you’re a solo office worker, a student living away from home, or anyone choosing a solitary lifestyle” – is trying to target. “People who live alone at any stage of their life need something like this, as do introverts, those with depression, the unemployed and others in vulnerable situations,” said one user on Chinese social media. “There is a fear that people living alone might die unnoticed, with no one to call for help. I sometimes wonder, if I died alone, who would collect my body?” said another. Screenshot/Moonshot Technologies The app requires you to click a large button daily to confirm that you are alive Wilson Hou, 38, who lives around 100km (62 miles) from his family, says that is exactly why he downloaded the app. He works

Democrats warn Trump’s Venezuela gambit could lead to showdown with China and Russia
Trump administration officials have told top lawmakers they want Venezuela to cut all economic ties with China and Russia. So far, most Republicans are supportive of that approach. Democrats, however, warn the policy could sharply escalate international tensions and provoke retaliation from Beijing and Moscow. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said requiring Venezuela to sever economic ties with China and Russia is “insane.” Play “We have to have a policy broadly that decreases Russian and Chinese influence in our atmosphere. So I’m not, I’m not scared of confrontation with Russia and China as a matter of principle,” Murphy said. “It’s whether you do that smartly or boneheadedly. And this is a boneheaded endeavor that is going to have the consequence of increased friction with Russia and China for very little to no benefit.” Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said China and Russia would surely answer if Venezuela were to fall in line with the U.S.’ demands, with unpredictable consequences. “I don’t how this is all supposed to work out,” McGovern said. “How does China respond to that? How does Russia respond to that? I can’t stand the Chinese government, I can’t stand the Russian government, but I also do understand the realities of world politics.” The Trump administration has reportedly told Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, that the country’s government must meet two demands before Venezuela can pump more oil. First, it has to cut those economic ties with nations adversarial to the United States. And second, Venezuela can only partner with the U.S. on selling oil. During a classified briefing last Monday on Capitol Hill, administration officials told lawmakers that was the White House’s position, two people familiar with the exchange told MS NOW. The openness with which President Donald Trump has talked

Project-75I: How India’s $8 billion submarine upgrade reshapes the Pakistan, China equation | India News
NEW DELHI: More than five decades after Indian naval strikes crippled Karachi during the 1971 war, undersea power is once again at the heart of New Delhi’s strategic thinking. As German Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his visit to India on Monday amid a more volatile regional and global security environment, discussions around Project-75I have acquired fresh urgency.The Indian Navy’s plan to induct six next-generation conventional submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion reflects a convergence of hard lessons from history, renewed friction with Pakistan following recent crises, and China’s expanding undersea presence in the Indian Ocean. Together, these factors are pushing India towards one of its most consequential naval procurement decisions in years, one that blends deterrence, indigenisation and long-term strategic signalling. What is Project-75I and why it matters Project-75I is the Indian Navy’s flagship programme to build six modern diesel-electric submarines equipped with fuel-cell-based air-independent propulsion, advanced sensors, torpedoes and missile systems. The Ministry of Defence issued the Request for Proposal for the project in July 2021 under the Strategic Partnership Model, describing it as a key pillar of the government’s Make in India push, according to a PIB statement. The project envisages indigenous construction, long-term technology transfer and the creation of a domestic submarine-building ecosystem. The estimated cost was over Rs 40,000 crore at the RFP stage, with current assessments placing the final contract value closer to $8 billion, or about Rs 72,000 crore, based on configuration and lifecycle support.For the Indian Navy, the programme addresses a critical gap. Its conventional submarine fleet is ageing even as undersea activity by China and Pakistan increases in the Indian Ocean and along India’s maritime approaches. Why the German Type-214NG was selected The Indian Navy has selected the German Type-214 Next Generation submarine, edging out Spain’s S-80 Plus offered by Navantia, defence sources
Europe’s real threat is its own inner ‘demon’, not Russia: former Chinese envoy
Europe made a “misjudgment” in categorising Russia as its top security threat and instead the continent’s real danger lay in Europeans’ inner “demon”, according to China’s longest-serving ambassador to the US. Cui Tiankai, a former Chinese foreign vice-minister, also claimed Nato had outlived its relevance and argued that the transatlantic security alliance no longer served the long-term interests of its members. Cui’s comments came during a discussion examining US relations with its allies under the Donald Trump administration at the World Peace Forum, organised by Tsinghua University’s Institute of International Relations in Beijing on Sunday. The event took place amid widespread speculation about Nato’s role and future as the US president ramps up talk of taking over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, an American ally. US President Donald Trump has ramped up talk of taking over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Photo: AFP Questions have intensified since the US military operation this month in Venezuela that culminated in the abduction of the South American country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife. The two now face narcoterrorism charges in New York. Source link

Trump says U.S. will take Greenland ‘one way or the other,’ China hits back over Arctic threats
His comments come as Danish and Greenlandic envoys are expected in Washington this week for talks. In a post on Facebook, Denmark’s Frederiksen said Sunday that “disagreements and conflicts between the United States and Europe only benefit our adversaries. They weaken us and strengthen them.” “Denmark is a loyal and strong ally. We are in the midst of a significant rearmament, and we are ready to defend our values — wherever it is necessary — also in the Arctic,” Frederiksen added. “We believe in international law and in peoples’ right to self-determination.” Frederiksen said last week that an American attack on a NATO state would mean the end of the alliance, a message echoed Monday by European Union Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius. Kubilius also said that the E.U. Treaty obliged member states to come to Copenhagen’s assistance if faced with military aggression, but that “it will depend very much on Denmark.” Trump told reporters on Air Force One that although he “liked” the alliance, NATO needed the U.S. more than the other way around. Trump also reiterated his previous disparaging comment about Greenland’s defense, saying it consists of “two dog sleds.” “In the meantime, you have Russian destroyers and submarines and China destroyers and submarines all over the place,” he added. Experts have questioned the presence of these ships, and Beijing pushed back Monday at Trump’s assertions that China had designs over Greenland. “The Arctic involves the collective interests of the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a daily briefing, adding that China’s activities in the region were “promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development” while complying with international law. “The United States should not use other countries as an excuse to pursue its own private interests,” she added. Source link

China accelerates AI development push to challenge US tech dominance
FOX Business’ Madison Alworth joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to report on the intensifying global AI arms race as China works to close the gap with the United States. What was once an American-led innovation race has become a high-stakes competition over economic power, national security and technological leadership. FOX Business’ Madison Alworth joined Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings with Maria” to report on how America’s lead in artificial intelligence (AI) is being tested as China accelerates its effort to become a global tech powerhouse. Artificial intelligence is no longer just powering search engines and chat tools like ChatGPT. It is reshaping how companies produce goods, analyze markets, secure networks, and move capital. The country that builds the most advanced AI systems will hold a powerful advantage in productivity and global influence, making this rivalry far more consequential than previous technology races. FORMER INTEL CEO WARNS US CHIP COMEBACK STILL HAS LONG WAY TO GO U.S. companies still dominate global AI development, fueled by robust private‑sector investment in chips, cloud computing, and advanced software. That market-driven system helps American firms stay agile and continue pushing innovation ahead of rivals. China, however, is narrowing the gap. Beijing has made artificial intelligence a national priority, aiming to cut its reliance on Western technology. Substrate CEO James Proud joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to sound the alarm on China’s accelerating AI chip capabilities and what it means for America’s technological edge. Industry leaders say the race remains far from settled. “I expect xAI to continue to be a very strong player. They’re making significant investments in the area of logic and reasoning,” Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch said. “I expect them to continue making incredible progress and I would never rule out Elon [Musk] as one of the top players in this space.” META’S MASSIVE NUCLEAR POWER

USS Abraham Lincoln carries out live-fire drills in South China Sea during ‘routine operations’ after China ‘successfully completed’ drills encircling Taiwan
The United States Navy has said that the USS Abraham Lincoln carried out live-fire drills in the South China Sea as part of what it described as ‘routine operations’ in the Indo-Pacific region. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, which deployed from its homeport in San Diego on November 24, has been operating in the South China Sea for at least two weeks. According to images and captions published on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), the carrier has been present in the area since at least December 26 reports Stars and Stripes. — WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) During this period, the USS Abraham Lincoln has conducted a range of training activities, including flight operations, replenishment-at-sea exercises, damage control drills, and explosive ordnance disposal training. Escort vessels assigned to the carrier strike group, including the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance, have also taken part in the operations, as reported by the outlet. Also Read: Why Russia’s Navy cannot protect its oil tankers on the high seas: Pro-Kremlin analysts expose weaknesses On January 8, the carrier conducted a live-fire exercise involving its Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), a radar-guided defensive turret designed to counter incoming missiles, aircraft, and small surface threats. Photographs released by the U.S. Navy show the system being fired from the ship’s flight deck while underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of operations. Live Events “The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area,” the Navy said in accompanying captions, adding that units assigned to the fleet regularly patrol the Indo-Pacific to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and promote regional stability. As of Friday, the USS Abraham Lincoln remained in the South China Sea, according to the most recent imagery. The drills come amid heightened military activity in the region. Shortly after the
Canadian leader Mark Carney visits China to mend economic relations
BEIJING (AP) — A leader of the Canadian government is visiting China this week for the first time in nearly a decade, a bid to rebuild his country’s fractured relations with the world’s second-largest economy — and reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States, its neighbor and until recently one of its most supportive and unswerving allies. The push by Prime Minster Mark Carney, who arrives Wednesday, is part of a major rethink as ties sour with the United States — the world’s No. 1 economy and long the largest trading partner for Canada by far. Carney aims to double Canada’s non-U.S. exports in the next decade in the face of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the American leader’s musing that Canada could become “the 51st state.” “At a time of global trade disruption, Canada is focused on building a more competitive, sustainable, and independent economy,” Carney said in a news release announcing his China visit. “We’re forging new partnerships around the world to transform our economy from one that has been reliant on a single trade partner.” He will be in China until Saturday, then visit Qatar before attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland next week. Trump’s tariffs have pushed both Canada and China to look for opportunities to strengthen international cooperation, said Zhu Feng, the dean of the School of International Studies at China’s Nanjing University. Stay up to date with the news and the best of AP by following our WhatsApp channel. Follow on “Carney’s visit does reflect the new space for further development in China-Canadian relations under the current U.S. trade protectionism,” he said. But he cautioned against overestimating the importance of the visit, noting that Canada remains a U.S. ally. The two North American nations also share a deep cultural

Move Over, AI Stocks: Wall Street Is Likely to Welcome a New Member to the Trillion-Dollar Club in 2026
The industry leader with the clearest path to become the next trillion-dollar company is one of Wall Street’s most prolific stock-split stocks. One of the only constants on Wall Street is change. Over multiple decades, the stock market’s most valuable publicly traded companies have often changed places, with technological innovations, competition, mergers and acquisitions, and

Graves disturbed in Cornwall after Storm Goretti uproots trees
Jonathan MorrisSouth West BBC Several graves were disturbed after trees were uprooted at Paul cemetery near Mousehole Several graves have been disturbed after trees were uprooted at a cemetery as Storm Goretti lashed Cornwall. The graves, some of them recent, were damaged near Mousehole as the storm hit on Thursday – one resident described the

SIC to write to UK Government after being passed over for local growth funding
SHETLAND Islands Council (SIC) says it will make “urgent representation” to the UK Government after being told it will receive no local growth funding over the next three years. No part of the Highlands and Islands has been allocated any cash from the local growth fund for the next three years. The fund was introduced

Former Fed chairs condemn criminal investigation into Jerome Powell
Danielle KayeBusiness reporter Getty Images Former Fed chair and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is one of several economic policy leaders to rally behind Jerome Powell Three former heads of the US central bank on Monday strongly criticised a criminal investigation into chair Jerome Powell, describing it as a bid to undermine the Federal Reserve’s independence. In a statement, Janet Yellen, Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan, along with 10 other eminent former officials, rallied behind Powell. “This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly,” the former officials wrote. “It has no place in the United States whose greatest strength is the rule of law, which is at the foundation of our economic success,” they added. The move by the Department of Justice (DoJ) comes after a year of relentless attacks on Powell by US President Donald Trump. As well as criticising Powell’s decisions on interest rates, Trump has launched personal attacks, calling the Fed chair a “major loser” and “numbskull”. The president said he did not “know anything” about the investigation. The Justice Department has been contacted for comment. The DoJ probe was first disclosed by Powell in an unscheduled video statement on Sunday. He said the Justice Department had threatened a criminal indictment over testimony he gave to a Senate committee last year about renovations to Federal Reserve buildings. Powell called the investigation “unprecedented” and said he believed it stemmed from Trump’s anger that the Fed had not brought interest rates down more quickly. “This new threat is not about my testimony last June or about the renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings,” Powell said. “Those are pretexts.” The central bank lowered the target for its key lending rate three

Roofing contractor charged with theft; 3 South Milwaukee projects
SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. – South Milwaukee police say a contractor took payments for roof and siding projects, then ghosted his customers. More than a year later, he’s facing criminal charges. Contractor charged The backstory: Following a hailstorm in May 2024, Lisa Allison hired Owen Masters of Property Restoration Professionals to repair her roof. Allison wrote a $5,000 check as down payment. “I thought (the business) was legit,” said Allison. “I thought I was getting a good deal.” Property Restoration Professionals never returned to start her project. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Contact 6 met Allison in the summer of 2025, after she’d paid another company to finish her roofing job. The consumer segment attempted to speak with Masters at two addresses but couldn’t find him. Investigation opened What we know: One day after meeting with Contact 6, Allison visited the South Milwaukee Police Department, and it opened an investigation. Police didn’t locate Masters either, but did find two more unhappy customers. In late December, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office charged Masters with three counts of felony Theft by Contractor, as Party to a Crime. The criminal complaint says Masters’ salesmen solicited the work, but the money went into Masters’ account. Masters’ salesmen cooperated with the investigation. A bench warrant was issued for Masters’ arrest. What police discovered Dig deeper: The prosecutor says Masters also accepted “$20,000 as down payment” to replace one man’s siding and took about $3,800 for another roofing job. Police say Masters never started either job, despite his contracts to do so. “It’s clear that this was intentional,” said Officer Daniel Doering, of the South Milwaukee Police Department. “There was never any attempt to do the job.” Doering says Masters’ bank records revealed no purchases
High-Power Fast Charging Is The Leading Cause For EV Battery Degradation: Report
Batteries in electric vehicles that regularly use 100-plus-kilowatts fast chargers degrade faster than those that rely primarily on slow charging, a new study suggests. Using fast chargers more frequently can cause some packs to lose nearly a quarter of their capacity in eight years, it claims. We’ve seen other studies suggest that fast charging has little impact on long-term battery health, so it’s not a settled debate. America is deploying public fast-charging stations at record speed, as companies build ahead of demand and set the groundwork for an increasingly electric future. Stopping at these high-powered charging stations is undeniably convenient, helping drivers get back on the road quickly. But according to a new study, using them in certain ways may come with unintended consequences for long-term battery health and degradation. Canada-based research firm Geotab analyzed over 22,700 EVs across 21 models and found that high-powered public fast-charging stations are the single largest contributor to accelerated battery aging. No, that doesn’t automatically mean fast-charging is outright detrimental for batteries. Rather, the study outlined specific charging patterns where the cells experience significantly more stress than they would with slower charging. BMW iX At Ionna Rechargery Photo by: Suvrat Kothari The study outlines that frequently using Level 3 charging stations that deliver over 100 kilowatts of power can lead to double the degradation rates compared to regularly plugging in at slower Level 2 charging stations or fast chargers that deliver under 100 kW of power. EVs that used fast-chargers less than 12% of their total charging sessions experienced 1.5% of average degradation annually. Those that fast charge more than 12% of their total sessions saw 2.5% of annual degradation. The results got worse when owners used 100+ kW stations for more than 40% of their total charging sessions. They experienced 3% annual degradation.

‘Miracle baby’ born in a tree above Mozambique floodwaters dies aged 25
SABC Carolina Cecilia Chirindza and Rosita were lifted to safety by a South African helicopter helping recovery operations She was seen as a “miracle baby” after being born in a tree which her mother had climbed to escape flooding, but nearly 26 years on Mozambican Rosita Salvador Mabuiango has died after a long illness, her sister told the BBC. The sight of the newborn and her mother being winched to safety by helicopter amid the deluged landscape became one of the defining images of the Mozambique floods of 2000 – the country’s worst ever. Reflecting on Rosita’s life, President Daniel Chapo described her as a symbol for girls in the country. In February 2000, hundreds died and hundreds of thousands of others were forced from their homes after the Limpopo river burst its banks in southern Mozambique. SABC The TV cameras captured the first images of Rosita Rosita’s mother, Carolina Cecilia Chirindza, was one of those caught up in the crisis. “It was a Sunday afternoon about four o’clock, and the waters began rising,” the Red Cross quoted her as saying later in 2000. “The water was coming right up to the house, and was getting stronger and stronger, so like everyone else in the village, we headed for the trees. “I put my two small children on my back and tried to climb up. It was very difficult. “There were 15 of us all together, and we were there for four days. We prayed and prayed. “We had nothing to eat, and the children cried and cried, but we could do nothing for them.” In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Carolina went into labour and shortly afterwards she and the newborn were spotted by a South African military helicopter that was helping in the rescue operations. The two

Iran’s rulers face biggest challenge since 1979 revolution
Lyse DoucetChief international correspondent Reuters Iran’s rulers are confronting their most serious challenge since their own 1979 revolution. They’re now countering on an unprecedented scale – a ferocious security crackdown and near total internet shutdown has been unleashed on a scale unseen in previous crises. Some of the streets once engulfed by a roar of anger against the regime are now starting to go silent. “On Friday it was extremely crowded – the crowd was unbelievable – and there was a lot of shooting. Then Saturday night it became much, much quieter,” a resident of Tehran told BBC Persian. “You would have to have a death wish to go out now,” one Iranian journalist reflected. This time, an internal upheaval is also compounded by an external threat, with President Trump’s repeated warnings of military action coming seven months after the US carried out strikes on key nuclear facilities during a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, which left the regime weakened. But, to use an analogy often used by the American leader, that has also given Iran “another card” to play. Trump now says Tehran has called to go back to the negotiating table. But Iran doesn’t have a good hand: President Trump says he may still have to take some kind of action before any meeting; talks won’t take all the searing heat out of this unrest. And Iran won’t capitulate to what have been the US’s maximalist demands, including zero nuclear enrichment, which would cross red lines which lie at the very heart of this theocracy’s strategic doctrine. Whatever the pressure of this moment, there’s no sign Iran’s leaders are changing course. Mortuary videos shows violent government crackdown in Iran “Their inclination is to clamp down, to try to survive this moment, and then to figure out where

How one woman lures foreign recruits to Russia’s front line in Ukraine
Nawal Al-Maghafi,Senior international investigations correspondentand Sheida Kiran,BBC Eye Investigations ‘Do you recognise your passport? Now look what will happen to it’, says unseen woman in a video Flames lick around the edges of Omar’s passport. “It’s burning well,” an unseen woman says in Russian in the video. Omar, a 26-year-old Syrian construction worker, had been deployed for about nine months on the front line of Russia’s war in Ukraine when the clip arrived on his phone. He knew the woman’s voice. It was Polina Alexandrovna Azarnykh, who he says had helped him sign up to fight for Russia, promising lucrative work and Russian citizenship. But now she was angry. In a series of voice notes from Ukraine, Omar, speaking under a pseudonym for his safety, describes how he ended up trapped and terrified in the war zone. He says Azarnykh had promised that if he paid her $3,000 (£2,227), she would ensure he stayed in a non-combat role. But, he says, he was sent into battle with just 10 days of training, so he refused to pay and she eventually responded by burning his passport. He says he tried refusing to take part in a mission, but his commanders threatened to kill or jail him. “We were tricked… this woman is a con artist and a liar,” says Omar. Telegram Polina Azarnykh frequently posts images of herself with new recruits, including the Syrian group Omar travelled with A BBC Eye investigation has followed how Azarnykh, a 40-year-old former teacher, uses a Telegram channel to lure young men, often from poor countries, into joining Russia’s military. The former teacher’s smiling video messages and upbeat posts offer “one-year contracts” for “military service”. The BBC World Service has identified nearly 500 cases where she has provided documents, referred to as invitations, which allow

Timothy Busfield Missing 3 Days After Arrest Warrant
AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File Actor and director Timothy Busfield has been missing for three days since a warrant was issued for his arrest for alleged child sex abuse of two boys on the set of one of his shows, and the U.S. Marshals have been called in to help search for him. Busfield, 68, rose to fame with roles on beloved shows like Thirtysomething and The West Wing; his directorial credits include dozens of television programs. He has been married to actress Melissa Gilbert since 2013. He has three children from two previous marriages. On Jan. 9, the Albuquerque Police Department issued a warrant for Busfield, 68, listing three counts: two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor, and one count of child abuse. According to the police affidavit, the two boys, 11-year-old twin brothers, were child actors who met Busfield on the set of the Fox television series The Cleaning Lady, which he joined as director in 2022. To protect their identities, the boys are identified by the initials “SL” and “VL” in the affidavit. The investigation into Busfield originated with a report by a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) in November 2024 of alleged child sexual abuse. The police declined to take the case initially, but in October 2025, the boys’ mother filed a new report with the police and Child Protective Services with additional information that led to the Jan. 9 arrest warrant. The boys’ mother told police that her children “were groomed and sexually abused by Timothy,” and that Busfield had told them to call him “Uncle Tim.” She also added that before Busfield joined the show, it had been common practice for the crew to pass out iPads for the parents of the child actors on set to be able to

Yoweri Museveni and Bobi Wine battle for the votes of a young electorate
Sammy AwamiBBC Africa, Kampala AFP via Getty Images Backers of Yoweri Museveni are hoping for a seventh successive election victory Whether decked in the bright yellow of the ruling party or donning the revolutionary red of the main opposition, young people are dominant among the foot soldiers of Uganda’s election campaign. In crowded public grounds and roadside gatherings, young supporters belting out party songs and filming events on their phones outnumber all others. Their opinions may be diametrically opposed but they are held with equivalent zeal. “Bobi Wine is a good guy. If he gets to power, I believe he will take the country to a certain point in terms of development. We just need to trust him and allow him to bring out his potential,” Steven Bagasha Byaruhanga tells the BBC at a packed opposition rally in a village in south-western Uganda. Although Ndyasima Patrick supports the status quo, he was also at the rally, presumably to hear what Bobi Wine has to say. But Patrick wasn’t swayed. “I support President Yoweri Museveni in this election because he has kept us alive all these years. He may have been in power for a long time but we haven’t got the right one yet. Bobi Wine seems qualified but this is not his time yet, maybe 2031,” he says. Thursday’s presidential election is a rematch of the 2021 contest with 81-year-old Museveni, in power for four decades, being challenged once again by the relatively youthful former pop star, 43-year-old Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi. The campaign’s high energy is a reminder that in a country where the median age is just 17, politics is overwhelmingly fuelled by the young. Getty Images Bobi Wine’s supporters are yearning for a change at the top Forty years ago, Ronald Reagan

The Indian film star turning politician in Tamil Nadu
G Venket Ram Vijay’s new film will open to nearly 5,000 cinemas across India and overseas in January India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu has a long, peculiar political tradition: here, cinema doesn’t merely entertain, it also governs. From extremely successful political stints of MG Ramachandran – popularly known as MGR – and Jayalalithaa to the more ambivalent experiments of Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan, Khushbu and Vijayakanth, the state has repeatedly seen cinema icons turn into full-time politicians. MGR and Jayalalithaa even became chief ministers. Now Tamil superstar C Joseph Vijay, known as “Thalapathy” Vijay (General Vijay), is the latest to join the list. He launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in 2024 and soon after announced that he would retire from films to pursue politics full-time. His upcoming film this month, Jana Nayagan (The People’s Hero), would be his farewell release, he said. Vijay’s reasoning was explicit: politics, he argued, is not something one can dabble in. Tamil Nadu’s voters, he said, deserved nothing less than full commitment. And the state’s political history supports that calculation. MGR and Jayalalithaa withdrew from active stardom before consolidating power. But Kamal Haasan’s hybrid approach, which involves being active in cinema and politics both, has yielded limited electoral results. Vijayakanth’s party rose quickly but faltered organisationally. Tamil politics has little patience for half-measures. It is against this unforgiving backdrop that Jana Nayagan arrives. Steeped in political imagery and rhetoric, Vijay’s new film will open in nearly 5,000 cinemas across India and overseas this month. At 51, the star is stepping away from a career most actors would be reluctant to leave. He remains among Indian cinema’s most bankable stars, driving festival releases and revenues across the global Tamil diaspora – from satellite rights and music to merchandise. x Vijay launched his political

How will investigators determine if ICE shooting was justified?
Video shows moment US immigration agent fatally shoots woman US investigators will face a host of thorny questions in determining whether the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal agent in Minneapolis last week was justified, as local and national officials recount drastically different accounts of an incident that sparked nationwide protests. Several videos have emerged showing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross firing at and killing Renee Good, 37, while she was behind the wheel of her burgundy Honda in a residential neighbourhood of the northern city. President Donald Trump and his administration have described Good as a “domestic terrorist” who was trying to run over the ICE agent, while state officials have said Good, a mother of three, was trying to leave the scene. Former law enforcement officials told the BBC that a review of the incident could plausibly find the agent was justified in using deadly force because he believed Good was a threat. But they said Trump officials’ strong public statements in support of Ross in the immediate aftermath of the shooting could complicate the investigation. “When you have that much command and influence of everyone saying (the shooting) is already justified before the facts are in… I think that’s where you have problems,” former FBI special agent Robert D’Amico said. Officials cite video footage Watch: Video filmed by ICE agent who shot Minneapolis woman Local and federal officials have both cited video footage of the incident to support their interpretations of the event. Multiple angles show ICE agents approaching a car in the middle of the street and asking the driver – Good – to get out. One of the agents then tugs at the driver’s side door handle. As the vehicle begins to move forward, an agent stood in front

How Adelaide Writers’ Week imploded after axing Palestinian author
Macquarie University Randa Abdel-Fattah says a decision to exclude her from the Adelaide Festival was racist One of Australia’s biggest cultural festivals has been left in disarray after a decision to disinvite a prominent Australian-Palestinian writer, triggering a massive backlash and mass exodus from fellow authors. The board of the Adelaide Festival last week said Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, a vocal critic of Israel, had been removed from its Writers’ Week lineup due to “sensitivities” after the shooting of 15 people – by gunmen allegedly inspired by the Islamic State militant group – at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach in December. Though the Adelaide Festival’s board said they “do not suggest in any way” that Abdel-Fattah had “any connection with the tragedy at Bondi”, they made the decision that it would not be “culturally sensitive” to include her “given her past statements”. She called the decision to exclude her a “blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism and censorship” and the attempt to link her with the Bondi attack “despicable”. In the following days, dozens of other writers scheduled to appear withdrew from the festival. By Tuesday the list had jumped to 180, including former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, British author Zadie Smith, beloved Australian writer Helen Garner and British-Australian novelist Kathy Lette. Over the weekend, four members of the eight-member board, including the chair, resigned without detailing their reasons. And on Tuesday the director of the Writers’ Week – who had invited Abdel-Fattah – stood down too. Louise Adler, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors, said art had increasingly come under attack since the start of the Israel-Gaza war and that she could not “be party to silencing writers”. ABC Louise Adler said she would not be ‘party to silencing writers’ “Writers and writing matters, even when

Eyewitnesses describe deadly crackdown across country
Roja Assadiand Sarah Namjoo,BBC Persian Public domain A protester holds up a picture of crown prince Reza Pahlavi in Kaj Square, north-western Tehran on Friday “I saw it with my own eyes – they fired directly into lines of protesters, and people fell where they stood.” Omid’s voice was shaking as he spoke, fearful of being traced. Breaking the wall of silence between Iran and the rest of the world takes immense courage, given the risk of reprisals by the authorities. Omid, in his early 40s and whose name we have changed for his safety, has been protesting on the streets of a small city in southern Iran over the past few days against worsening economic hardship. He said security forces had opened fire at unarmed protesters in his city with Kalashnikov-style assault rifles. “We are fighting a brutal regime with empty hands,” he said. The BBC has received similar accounts of the crackdown by security forces following the widespread protests across the country last week. Since then, internet access has been cut by the authorities, making reporting from Iran more difficult than ever. BBC Persian is banned from reporting inside Iran by the government. One of the largest nationwide anti-government protests took place on Thursday, the twelfth night of demonstrations. Many people appear to have joined the protests on Thursday and Friday after calls from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last shah of Iran who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic revolution. The following day, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said: “The Islamic Republic will not back down.” It appears that the worst bloodshed occurred after that warning as security forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps take their orders from him. Iranian authorities accused the US and Israel of fomenting trouble and condemned “terrorist actions”, state

EF-0 tornado confirmed near Georgia-Alabama border
The National Weather Service has confirmed a second tornado from over the weekend. The NWS has confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down in Cleburne County, Alabama on Saturday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They say the tornado touched down in the woods between County Road 549 and County Road 205 where several small trees were snapped or uprooted, and traveled approximately 7.4 miles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few homes sustained very minor damage, according to the NWS. The tornado also struck four chicken houses. One sustained minor roof damage and a detached garage was hit by a falling tree. TRENDING STORIES: Previously, the NWS confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Carroll County, Georgia. Adam Pecht and his wife told Channel 2’s Cory James that the storms in Carroll County damaged their home and destroyed the barn, talking about the strong winds he and his wife experienced. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Source link

Venezuela: Families demand proof of life as Venezuela releases only dozens of political prisoners. Here’s what we know so far
Lee el artículo sobre los presos políticos en Venezuela en español. Venezuela’s promise last week to release “a significant number” of political prisoners is progressing far slower than many had hoped, as hundreds of families continue to wait in agony for their loved ones to be freed. Of the more than 800 people considered arbitrarily detained for political reasons, the government has released only 49 as of Monday afternoon, according to human rights organization Penal Forum. That count is less than half of the 116 reported by Venezuelan authorities, who did not publish the identities of those freed or say which detention centers they had been released from. Venezuela began releasing high-profile prisoners on Thursday, including opposition politicians, at the demand of the United States. It said the move was a gesture “to seek peace” with Washington days after US forces captured President Nicolás Maduro in a daring military operation. The government said the release of prisoners is part of a review of cases that had been initiated “voluntarily” by Maduro and is now continuing under the mandate of the acting president Delcy Rodríguez. The UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela said Monday that it welcomed the releases, but said the numbers fell “far short” of Venezuela’s human rights obligations. It called for the immediate and unconditional release of all people being held in arbitrary detention, highlighting the trauma their families are also experiencing. “Relatives must be provided with clear and timely information about the fate, whereabouts, and legal status of their loved ones, as well as guaranteed access and regular visits,” the mission said. For days, families of prisoners have been camping outside detention centers, desperately waiting for news about their loved ones. Some have lit candles, hung up protest signs and knelt to pray for their relatives. Many have
Stock Market Today, Jan. 12: CoreWeave Surges After CEO Rebuttal Restores Confidence in AI Cloud Model
On Jan. 12, 2026, investors weighed a forceful CEO rebuttal, fresh Wall Street views, and mounting leverage behind CoreWeave’s AI build-out. Today’s Change (12.22%) $9.79 Current Price $89.93 Key Data Points Market Cap $40B Day’s Range $77.81 – $91.94 52wk Range $33.52 – $187.00 Volume 44M Avg Vol 28M Gross Margin 49.23% CoreWeave (CRWV +12.22%), a cloud-based GPU infrastructure provider for AI workloads, closed Monday’s session at $89.93, up 12.22%. CoreWeave IPO’d in 2025 and has grown 125% since going public. Trading volume reached 42.1 million shares, coming in about 49% above its three-month average of 28.2 million shares. During Monday’s regular session, investors responded to CoreWeave’s CEO commentary, new analyst coverage, and fresh AI infrastructure headlines, while watching how sustained GPU demand shapes future guidance. How the markets moved today The S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.16%) added 0.15% to close at 6,977, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +0.26%) rose 0.26% to finish at 23,734. Within cloud infrastructure services, industry peers Cloudflare (NET +1.98%) and DigitalOcean (DOCN +3.93%) gained 1.96% and 3.97%, respectively, as investors tracked AI-related network demand and evolving cloud pricing power. What this means for investors CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator made headlines after he and another executive spoke on a podcast addressing concerns over the useful life span of graphics processing units (GPUs) the company has accumulated. That helped push investors back into the stock with analysts backing CoreWeave as it plans to add Nvidia‘s (NVDA +0.04%) next-generation Rubin AI architecture to its infrastructure. Nvidia holds a meaningful minority stake in CoreWeave, which also gives investors confidence in its future growth. Howard Smith has positions in Nvidia and has the following options: short February 2026 $170 calls on Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cloudflare, DigitalOcean, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

15,000 Nurses from Major New York City Hospitals Walk Out in Historic Strike
NEED TO KNOW Nearly 15,000 nurses at 3 major New York City hospitals have gone on strike Nurses say they are striking for higher pay, safe staffing, fully funded benefits and an increase in workplace safety protections PEOPLE has reached out to Montefiore, New York-Presbyterian, and Mount Sinai hospitals for comment An historic strike is underway in New York City as nearly 15,000 nurses in Manhattan and the Bronx walked off the job on Monday, Jan. 12. “Striking is always a last resort, but greedy hospital management at wealthy private hospitals have given frontline nurses no other choice,” New York State Nursing Association president Nancy Hagans said in a video statement shared with PEOPLE. The “key sticking points,” Hagans said, were “safe staffing for our patients, protection from workplace violence, and healthcare for frontline nurses.” The union is also demanding higher pay, per The New York Times. The union’s demands come amid a rise in nurses reporting experiencing or witnessing violence while on the job. Per a 2023 survey by National Nurses United, more than 80% of nurses experienced violence within the last year, both from patients and their family members. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Nurses on the picket line in New York City on Jan. 12, 2026. Three main healthcare systems are impacted by the strike: Montefiore, New York-Presbyterian, and Mount Sinai. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stood on the side of the nurses at the strike’s kickoff at New York-Presbyterian, wearing a red scarf emblazoned with the NYSNA logo. “In every one of our city’s darkest periods, nurses showed up for work. Their value is not negotiable,“ Mamdani said in a video of his appearance, shared to the NYSNA Facebook page. “We know that during 9/11 it was nurses that tended to the wounded. We know that during the global pandemic it

Sheriff’s office volunteer killed in line of duty honored with intersection dedication
Community members joined the family of a sheriff’s office volunteer killed in the line of duty to dedicate an intersection in his memory on Monday. Sgt. Rob Muth, a retired law enforcement officer, was directing traffic as a volunteer for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office during the Cumming Christmas Parade Dec. 13 when a vehicle hit him. He died of his injuries Dec. 14. Cumming dedicated the intersection of Castleberry and Buford Dam roads the “Sergeant Rob Muth Memorial Intersection.” On hand for the sign presentation alongside members of Muth’s family were Mayor Troy Brumbalow, City Council members Christopher Light, Joey Cochran, Jason Evans, Susie Charles-Carr and Chad Crane, Sheriff Ron Freeman, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Citizens Emergency Response Team volunteers, Cumming Police Department officers, Forsyth County Fire Department Chief Barry Head and firefighters. Muth was described as “a lifelong public servant,” having retired from the Boca Raton, Florida, Police Dept. after 21 years of service. He served the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office as a Bluecoat Security Officer for two years, as a volunteer with the sheriff’s office Citizens Helping in Policing Unit and, most recently, with Citizens Emergency Response Team. The driver involved in the collision with Muth, Ronnie Jake Kirby, 68, was charged with four misdemeanors. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Source link

Local high school launches coffee kiosk for students
Beavercreek High School has launched a coffee kiosk for students, offering a new beverage option as part of an initiative driven by the Student Advisory Board. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The coffee initiative emerged from conversations among students, particularly members of the Student Advisory Board who wanted to enhance the school’s offerings. “We were hoping to get local places to come in during certain days of the year and then it was thought we could have our own in the school,” Avery Franklin, a senior at Beavercreek High School, said. TRENDING STORIES: Assistant Principal Jason Scott told News Center 7 that while not every request is possible, this one was. Now, in accordance with federal guidelines on calories and caffeinated beverages, students have yet another option during breakfast and lunch. “Here at Beavercreek City Schools we truly believe that we want to work in the best interest of our students, and what’s the best way to do that than to ask them the things they want to see happen because this school is more theirs than ours,” Scott said. For now, students have one caffeinated blend available, served as hot or iced coffee, purchased with their student food account or cash. More options may be added in the future. “It’s such a beautiful thing to feel like your input matters and to leave a lasting legacy on the school like this,” Macey Stewart, a senior, said. “It’s just really special to me.” [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Source link

Fundraiser for ICE Killer Is Busted Spewing Antisemitism
The fundraiser collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars for the ICE agent who killed Renee Nicole Good has been busted spewing antisemitism. A description for the GiveSendGo account, titled “Stand With Our Brave ICE Hero,” called Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey an “anti-American traitor” and pointed out that he is Jewish—a head-scratching aside that was called out by CNN host Jake Tapper, among many others. “But this didn’t happen in a vacuum,” the fundraiser said, continuing, “it’s the direct result of anti-American traitors like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (who is Jewish) fanning the flames of resistance.” The fundraiser quietly edited out “(who is Jewish)” sometime Monday afternoon. An extra space was hastily left in its place. I love how someone appears to have deleted it — but inadvertantly left an extra space there in their haste to change it pic.twitter.com/RaUMn3Or0w — Chris Vanderveen (yep…me) (@chrisvanderveen) January 12, 2026 The Atlantic journalist James Surowiecki called out the antisemitism. “This ‘preferred method to donate’ to the ICE agent who shot Renee Good calls Jacob Frey an ‘anti-American traitor’ and, even more offensively, makes a point of saying he’s Jewish,” he wrote on X. “Seems like a bad sign when the people raising money for you are Nazis.” There was no shortage of outrage in the comments of the GiveSendGo fundraiser. X Neither the fundraiser nor its author, Tom Hennessey, has addressed the edit. X user Mike Nelson pointed out that Hennessey’s X page was making antisemitic posts earlier Monday. “Notice the pattern? Jews arrive in Australia, flood it with non-Whites. Non-Whites rampage—eventually turning on Jews,” Hennessey’s account posted. “Jews then push new anti-semitism laws aka free speech bans, gun control to disarm Whites, and ban White nationalist groups for noticing.” The same page, whose bio describes him as a “White Independent Journalist,” also

Nation Broadcasting returns to Bauer for local news content – RadioToday
Nation Broadcasting has closed its Network News service and returned to Bauer for its local news bulletins. Nation Network News started in 2022 when the company removed Bauer branding from its frequencies, following the end of a franchise agreement to use the Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio names. Under the revised arrangement, Bauer will provide local news content tailored to individual areas served by Nation stations, including weather. RadioToday understands the bulletins are the same as those already broadcast on Bauer stations in the same areas. Nation also recently started taking Bauer’s networked competition, Make Me A Winner, across its radio services. The move means Bauer now provides Nation with competitions, national sales, and local news, whilst Nation continues to invest in local and regional programming and presenters on its FM and digital services. Nation Broadcasting’s Managing Director, Martin Mumford told RadioToday: “As part of our 2026 development plan, we are running enhanced local and regional news content on our stations with bulletins provided by the relevant local news teams at Bauer.” A Bauer Media spokesperson added: “As part of an extension of our existing relationship with Nation Broadcasting we are now supplying our award-winning local news content to Nation listeners across the UK.” Source link

ING names new global head of FX trading
ING has named David Leech as the firm’s new global head of FX trading, succeeding Gary Prince. Prince was made head of financial markets EMEA at ING in October 2025 – ING confirmed that Leech will report hierarchically to Prince and functionally to Niall Carton, global head of financial markets trading. In his new role, London-based Leech will take on the oversight of all

2 No-Brainer Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now
More than 60 straight years of increasing dividends reflects a strong commitment behind these stocks. The stock market has been doing well, and it might seem like that may go on for some time. The S&P 500 gained 16.4% in 2025, and it’s off to a good start this year, up 1.1% through Jan. 8.

Is Netflix Stock a Buy Under $100?
Netflix stock has dropped almost 20% since November. For much of 2025, shares of streaming pioneer Netflix (NFLX 0.06%) were on a roll. Up until mid-November, the stock had gained roughly 25% — beating both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite through that period. But on Nov. 17, Netflix completed a 10-for-1 stock split —

SoundHound AI: Buy or Sell in 2026?
SoundHound continues to post losses, but that’s because it is funding some ambitious plans. For its size, SoundHound AI (SOUN 1.49%) gets a lot of attention. The company has a market capitalization of only $4.5 billion, but its average trading volume exceeds 21 million shares — or more than twice the trading volume of other stocks with similar market caps. One reason SoundHound receives attention is its position in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence (AI) space. SoundHound’s AI platform enables users to engage in conversations with voice-enabled services and applications. It also garnered significant attention in 2024, when Nvidia disclosed that it had taken a stake in the company during an earlier private venture round. And even though Nvidia sold that stake more than a year ago, SoundHound still gets investors’ attention. Image source: Getty Images. Today, SoundHound stock trades at around $11 per share, and the stock price has decreased by 38% over the last year. However, it’s quickly expanding its customer base to include tech companies, automakers, and restaurants, and has a solid cash position with no debt. Should it be part of your investment portfolio in 2026? What does SoundHound AI do? SoundHound AI has numerous applications, including automotive, restaurants, voice commerce, and a music app that identifies music, whether it’s being played or hummed. SoundHound’s customers can create custom AI-powered voice assistants to handle incoming calls, embed brand-specific information into products, and employ custom voice AI products. It can also be used for internal projects, such as providing employees with voice access to manuals and training. SoundHound’s AI platform is capable of listening, reasoning, and acting, with a median latency of only 350 milliseconds. And it’s built to work with all kinds of large language models, including those offered by Mistral AI, OpenAI, and Anthropic. The

3 AI Stocks Poised for Explosive Growth as Enterprise Spending Accelerates in 2026
Sometimes the best stocks are the most obvious ones. Spending on AI capabilities isn’t slowing down in 2026. The reality is, AI hyperscalers are planning to spend more on data centers in 2026 than they ever have before. And if projections beyond 2026 are to be believed, 2027’s levels will be even higher. This places the companies providing this hardware in a great position, and they are slated to deliver explosive growth over the next few years. While many companies will benefit, investors don’t need to overthink this one. Some of the companies that have dominated the artificial intelligence (AI) hardware game for a long time are still top picks. Three that I’m looking at are Nvidia (NVDA +0.04%), Broadcom (AVGO +2.10%), and AMD (AMD +2.23%). While these three may be obvious choices, sometimes the most obvious choice is the best one. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Nvidia Nvidia has been the leader of the AI infrastructure buildout since it began in 2023. While it is acknowledged to have the best graphics processing units (GPUs) technology, it also has other supporting pieces, like full-stack components and controlling software, that beat out the competition. This allowed Nvidia to not only rise to the top in the AI infrastructure realm but also become the largest company in the world by market cap. Just because Nvidia is in the lead doesn’t mean it’s backing off. Nvidia recently unveiled its Rubin platform, which is poised to take generative AI to the next level. This innovation should keep Nvidia on top but also drive future growth. Today’s Change (0.04%) $0.08 Current Price $184.94 Key Data Points Market Cap $4.5T Day’s Range $183.02 – $187.12 52wk Range $86.62 – $212.19 Volume 138M Avg Vol 184M Gross Margin 70.05% Dividend Yield 0.02% For fiscal year 2027 (ending
GW Platt Foreign Exchange Bank Awards 2026: Central & Eastern Europe
Home Awards Award Winners GW Platt Foreign Exchange Bank Awards 2026: Central & Eastern Europe OTP Bank’s Budapest FX hub brings together 10 traders and 25 sales professionals across dedicated spot, money market, and options desks, powered by automated pricing. FX banking in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is dominated by a mix of global investment banks and large European universal banks—particularly Austrian, French, Italian, and German groups—that view the region as a key engine of growth. CEE occupies a unique position in global foreign exchange markets, sitting at the crossroads of the eurozone, emerging Europe, and major trade corridors linking Western Europe with Asia and the Middle East. Against this competitive backdrop, our pick for regional winner has distinguished itself by accelerating CEE’s evolution from a fragmented, post-transition financial system into a strategically important FX hub for corporates, asset managers, and international banks. Best FX Bank In Central and Eastern Europe OTP Bank Budapest-based OTP Bank repeats as CEE regional winner. With branches in 11 countries, the bank estimated total assets in mid-2025 at €111 billion, reporting profits up 10.3% YoY to some €1.3 billion and net income and commissions from FX up 12%. Ten FX traders and 25 salespeople in OTP’s Budapest hub execute deals using automated FX pricing, with three trading desks dedicated to FX spot, FX money market, and FX options. Internet-based systems enable clients to conclude FX transactions and convert funds in over 40 currencies. Building upon its November 2024 agreement with Integral Development to automate pricing and distribution to clients in spot, forwards, and swaps, the bank last year joined CLSSettlement to mitigate FX settlement risk and improve efficiency. CLS uses a payment-versus-payment system to settle transactions in 18 of the world’s most traded currencies. With traders and investors likely to be trading the

Here Are My Top 10 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks for 2026
The AI sector continues to grow, and there are plenty of promising ways to invest in it. Artificial intelligence (AI) investing continues to be a huge theme on Wall Street as we turn the calendar to 2026. Although some investors may be getting tired of it, the reality is that it’s here to stay. So if you’re looking for investment ideas now, I think these 10 stocks belong on your short list. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Nvidia Although this list is not in order of best to worst, I’d still rank Nvidia (NVDA +0.04%) as my top artificial intelligence stock to buy for 2026. It sits at the core of the AI infrastructure buildout, and its graphics processing units (GPUs) remain the best and most popular parallel processing option available. As long as AI hyperscalers continue to spend huge amounts on their data center buildouts, Nvidia will be fine. Its management believes that global data center capital expenditures will rise to $3 trillion to $4 trillion by 2030. If that proves true, Nvidia should not only be a great stock to hold in 2026, but also for the next five years. 2. Broadcom Tech giant Broadcom (AVGO +2.10%) is taking a different approach to AI computing hardware. Instead of designing general-purpose GPUs like Nvidia, it has focused its chip segment on developing application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to meet the needs of its clients. These processors are not well suited to handle a wide variety of tasks, but for the particular workloads that they’re designed around, they can outperform GPUs at a lower cost. Today’s Change (2.10%) $7.24 Current Price $352.21 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.7T Day’s Range $340.95 – $353.90 52wk Range $138.10 – $414.61 Volume 21M Avg Vol 29M Gross Margin 64.71% Dividend Yield 0.69% That trade-off

European shares end choppy session at record high
Mining stocks, Defence stocks lead gains DAX hits record with 10-day winning streak Heineken CEO steps down, affecting stock Porsche, Volkswagen drop on earnings woes Jan 12 (Reuters) – European shares ended Monday’s session at a record high, although gains were small as the U.S. government’s threat to indict Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell renewed investor concerns about central bank independence. The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX), opens new tab ended 0.2% higher at 610.95 points with precious metals companies Aurubis (NAFG.DE), opens new tab and Fresnillo (FRES.L), opens new tab among biggest sectoral gainers. Sign up here. The prospect that U.S. President Donald Trump might be able to force through lower interest rates drove up the price of non-yielding gold, which is also benefiting from safe-haven demand as geopolitical tensions are high. Germany’s DAX (.GDAXI), opens new tab added 0.6% to finish at a record high and logged a 10-day winning streak, its longest since August 2024. Most other regional bourses ended flat. VOLATILITY INDEX RISES TO ITS HIGHEST IN MORE THAN A MONTH The market is grappling with geopolitical risks, including the U.S. capture of Venezuela and violence in Iran. Defence stocks (.SXPARO), opens new tab rose 0.5%, extending gains to seven straight sessions. Reflecting investor nervousness, the Euro STOXX Volatility index (.V2TX), opens new tab rose 0.68 points to 16.2 – its highest in over a month. Swissquote senior market analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya said she expected investment flows to continue into European stocks. “The sectors that are going to be in focus again are going to be mining stocks due to the debasement trade rising prices of hard commodities including gold, silver, copper or any other hard commodity,” she said. BREWING AND AUTO SECTORS ALSO IN FOCUS In corporate news, Heineken (HEIN.AS), opens new tab slid 4.1% to

港元拆息全線向下 港元貶值見4個月最弱 (11:14) – 20260113 – 即時財經新聞
彭博終端機數據顯示,港元現報7.7983元貶值19點子,曾貶值最多27點子,報7.7991元,是2025年9月8日7.7994元後最弱。亦曾升值最多8點子,報7.7956元。 港元拆息、港元存息(彭博社綜合利率)可看附圖。彭博終端機於2024年6月1日起停止提供港元隔夜平均指數(HONIA)數據。 HIBOR短線拆息方面,隔夜HIBOR跌92.88點子至1.46405%,是2025年12月2日後最低;1星期HIBOR跌35.91點子至2.23607%,是2025年12月15日後最低;2星期HIBOR跌29.5點子至2.32571%,是2025年12月15日後最低。 中長線拆息方面,3個月期HIBOR跌5.59點子至2.83411%,是1月5日後最低;6個月期HIBOR跌2.56點子至2.95113%,是1月5日後最低;12個月期HIBOR跌2.77點子至2.98625%,是1月2日後最低。 貨幣基礎貨幣基礎方面,上日總額減26.73億元,至總數20381.36億元,是1月8日後最低。當中的負債證明書(Certificates of Indebtedness)較上一日減29.5億元,至總數6339.05億元,是1月8日後最低。政府發行的流通紙幣及硬幣較上一日增0.04億元,至總數133.41億元,是2025年2月11日後最高。收市總結餘為539.73億元,較再上一日減0.42億元,總結餘是1月8日後最低。未償還外匯基金票據及債券較上一日增2.73億元,至總數13369.17億元,創紀錄新高,其中,持牌銀行所持有數額較上一日增1.3億元,至總數11792.04億元,是1月7日後最高。 總結餘變動原因上日退還貼現窗拆出資金0.42億元。 美匯美息美元指數現報98.977升值0.115點或0.12%。 美元1個月期 CME Term SOFR上日報3.67127%,將同一日的港元1個月期HIBOR減美元1個月期 CME Term SOFR的利差為-0.8076%,終止單日收窄,利差是2026年1月05日後最闊,當日差距為-1.0027%。 對上一次終止單日收窄,是2026年1月07日,當日利差報-0.7172%。 上海銀行同業拆息(Shibor)Shibor全線向上。短線拆息方面,隔夜Shibor升7.5點子至1.391%,是2025年11月19日後最高;1星期Shibor升5點子至1.523%,是2025年12月31日後最高;2星期Shibor升4.5點子至1.534%,是2025年12月31日後最高;1個月期Shibor升0.3點子至1.559%,是1月8日後最高。 中長線拆息方面,6個月期Shibor無升跌報1.62%,是1月12日後最低;6個月期Shibor無升跌報1.62%,是1月12日後最低;1年期Shibor升0.1點子至1.649%,是1月7日後最高。 其他報道 內地生鮮連鎖店錢大媽申請來港上市 Google與蘋果達成AI合作協議 將為語音助手Siri提供支持 花旗本周將裁員約1000人 Meta計劃在Reality Labs部門裁員約10% 特朗普:對伊朗貿易國加徵25%關稅 花旗:黃金目標價5000美元 白銀100美元 聯儲局Williams認為當前利率水平能穩定勞動力市場和通脹 彭博社:貝萊德裁員數百人 恒指高開350點 新股兆易創新升45%、紅星冷鏈升59%、BBSB 升400% 彭博社:中國檢查外國公司參與ETF交易情況 夜期高水386點 兆易創新、紅星冷鏈、BBSB上市 道指升86點 道指標指連升3日、創即市及收市新高 北水增持融創中國 減持盈富 Source link

恒指高開350點 新股兆易創新升45%、紅星冷鏈升59%、BBSB 升400% (09:26) – 20260113 – 即時財經新聞
三新股上市,兆易創新(3986)升45.06%、紅星冷鏈(1641)升59.71%、BBSB INTL(8610)升400%。 藍籌51隻升,16隻下跌,22隻無升跌。阿里巴巴(9988)升4.99%,報162元,是升幅最大的藍籌,康師傅(0322)跌4.18%,報11.93元,是跌幅最大的藍籌。 恒生科技指數成份股26隻升,2隻下跌,2隻無升跌。升幅最大的是阿里巴巴(9988)開市報162元,升4.99%;跌幅最大的是同程旅行(0780)開市報25.2元,跌0.16%。 恒指續高於10天線(26328.84點)。科指續高於100天線(5844.13點)。 個股表現兆易創新(3986)上市,定價162元。開市報235元,升45.06%。紅星冷鏈(1641)上市,定價12.26元。開市報19.58元,升59.71%。BBSB INTL(8610)上市,定價0.6元。開市報3元,升400%。 祈福生活(3686)出售28萬安士銀條套現1.62億元人民幣。創上市新高,見0.9元,開市報0.9元,升2.27%。 榮昌(9995)與艾伯維訂里程碑協議料最多獲付款49.5億美元。開市報101元,升8.84%。 麗展(0488)售準新股有限合夥套現1.14億元。開市報0.6元,升5.26%。 恒隆地產(0101):2021年定可持續發展目標超標完成 ,2030年指標升級與25%租戶合作。開市報9.3元,跌0.75%。 喜相逢(2473)擬購曠時科技51%部署拓無人車業務。開市報8.75元,升0.11%。 丘鈦科技(1478)去年12月攝像頭模組銷量升44%。開市報9.68元,升1.36%。 東風汽車(0489)12月銷量升3%至19.92萬輛。開市報8.55元,升0.12%。 藍月亮(6993)預計去年虧損收窄不少於50%。開市報2.75元,升1.85%。 泡泡瑪特(9992):沒有研發手機計劃,將和知名手機品牌推IP聯名合作。開市報197元,無升跌。 財經花生丨恒生(0011)推新廣告sell扎根香港,布幣標誌變透明。開市報154.4元,無升跌。 藥明康德(2359)發盈喜,料2025年度多賺逾倍至191.5億元人幣。開市報116元,升4.69%。 金沙(1928)發放績效獎金兼加薪,澳娛綜合亦向員工發放特別酌情花紅。開市報18.68元,升0.43%。 瑞銀料澳門賭收升9%,業界EBITDA升9%,金沙銀娛美高梅增派息。濠賭股新濠國際發展(0200)開市報4.11元,升0.49%。美高梅中國(2282)開市報12.53元,跌0.24%。澳博(0880)開市報2.32元,跌0.43%。永利澳門(1128)無成交,報5.82元。銀河娛樂(0027)開市報38.68元,無升跌。金沙中國(1928)開市報18.68元,升0.43%。 破頂股表現創上市新高股包括,紫金礦業(2899)高見40元,開市報40元,升1.83%;祈福生活服務(3686)高見0.9元,開市報0.9元,升2.27%;洛陽鉬業(3993)高見22.48元,開市報22.48元,升0.63%;五一視界(6651)高見49元,開市報49元,升1.87%;豪威集團(0501)高見124.4元,開市報124.4元,升2.13%;兆易創新(3986)開市報235元,升45.06%;紅星冷鏈(1641)開市報19.58元,升59.71%;SPDR金(2840)高見3300元,開市報3300元,升0.09%;價值黃金(3081)高見21.78元,開市報21.78元,升1.02%。 創52周高股包括,百度(9888)高見147.5元,開市報147.5元,升1.94%;長實集團(1113)高見42.64元,開市報42.64元,無升跌;恒地(0012)高見31.1元,開市報31.1元,升0.97%;新地(0016)高見108元,開市報108元,升1.31%;新鴻基公司(0086)高見4.35元,開市報4.35元,升1.16%;三一國際(0631)高見9.3元,開市報9.3元,升1.42%;中國大冶有色金屬(0661)高見0.152元,開市報0.152元,升3.4%;天工國際(0826)高見3.4元,開市報3.4元,升0.89%;賽伯樂國際控股(1020)高見0.53元,開市報0.53元,升7.07%;慶鈴汽車股份(1122)高見1.45元,開市報1.45元,升3.57%;中國中免(1880)高見88.8元,開市報88.8元,升0.79%;正味集團(2147)無成交,報0.85元;創輝珠寶(8537)高見0.345元,開市報0.345元,升15%;安能物流(9956)高見12.12元,開市報12.12元,無升跌;X南方中創業(3147)高見13.45元,開市報13.45元,升1.13%;XL二南方滬深三(7233)高見5.285元,開市報5.285元,升0.19%。 破頂指數成份股包括,紫金礦業(2899)創上市新高,見40元,開市報40元,升1.83%;百度(9888)創52周高,見147.5元,開市報147.5元,升1.94%;長實集團(1113)創52周高,見42.64元,開市報42.64元,無升跌;恒地(0012)創52周高,見31.1元,開市報31.1元,升0.97%;新地(0016)創52周高,見108元,開市報108元,升1.31%。 異動股上升異動股,包括,紅星冷鏈(1641)開市報19.58元,升59.71%;兆易創新(3986)創開市報235元,升45.06%;創輝珠寶(8537)創52周高,見0.345元,開市報0.345元,升15%;細葉榕科技(8107)開市報0.355元,升14.52%;達力普控股(1921)開市報9元,升13.35%;倢冠控股(8606)開市報0.088元,升12.82%;和嘉控股(0704)開市報0.144元,升10.77%;華控康泰(1312)開市報0.033元,升10%;中天順聯(0994)開市報0.395元,升9.72%;致浩達控股(1707)開市報0.057元,升9.62%;中國天保集團(1427)開市報0.237元,升9.22%。 下跌異動股,包括,雙財莊(2321)開市報0.44元,跌5.38%;信越控股(6038)開市報0.355元,跌5.33%;中原建業(9982)開市報0.146元,跌5.19%;時代天使(6699)開市報63.3元,跌4.95%;中國智慧能源(1004)開市報0.022元,跌4.35%;康師傅(0322)開市報11.93元,跌4.18%;佳兆業健康(0876)開市報0.096元,跌4%;XI二南方恒科(7552)開市報1.22元,跌3.79%。 其他報道 彭博社:中國檢查外國公司參與ETF交易情況 夜期高水386點 兆易創新、紅星冷鏈、BBSB上市 道指升86點 道指標指連升3日、創即市及收市新高 北水增持融創中國 減持盈富 Source link
GW Platt Foreign Exchange Bank Awards 2026: Asia-Pacific
Home Awards Award Winners GW Platt Foreign Exchange Bank Awards 2026: Asia-Pacific UOB processes more than $200 billion in daily FX volumes, leveraging disciplined pricing and a deep ASEAN footprint to connect regional flows with global markets. Over the past two decades, Asia-Pacific’s FX infrastructure has evolved from fragmented, voice-driven markets into a highly automated, multi-hub ecosystem centered on Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Sydney. Rising trade flows, regulatory liberalization, and electronic trading transformed FX execution, settlement, and risk management across the region, while preserving local market complexities such as managed currencies and NDFs. Against this backdrop, our regional winner successfully aligned its FX capabilities with Asia’s economic reality. The firm’s deep network, localized liquidity, and integrated digital FX and cash-management platforms position it as a leader supporting trade-driven, multi-currency flows at scale. Best FX Bank In Asia-Pacific UOB United Overseas Bank (UOB) stands out as the regional leader in Asia’s rapidly evolving currency markets. With deep regional reach, consistent liquidity, and a highly sophisticated FX infrastructure, the Singapore-based bank has become the preferred partner for corporates, financial institutions, and investors seeking stability, precision, and seamless execution. With its disciplined pricing approach, extensive ASEAN footprint, and ability to efficiently connect regional FX flows with major global markets, UOB processes over US$200 billion in daily FX transactions, a testament to its scale and the trust it commands across a diverse client base. Supporting the bank’s operational strength is a dedicated FX research team that delivers timely insights, macroeconomic analysis, and market forecasts, helping clients navigate periods of volatility and make informed hedging and trading decisions. Further reinforcing UOB’s leadership is its commitment to digital innovation. The bank’s multi-currency accounts, fully integrated treasury platforms, and streamlined cross-border solutions offer clients transparency, speed, and flexibility. As trade volumes rise, and demand for advanced

道指升86點 道指標指連升3日、創即市及收市新高 (08:21) – 20260113 – 即時財經新聞
特朗普下令對所有與伊朗做生意的國家加徵25%關稅,中美貿易休戰協議面臨考驗。美國共和黨要員抨擊司法部對聯儲局的調查。歐盟擬調整對華電動車關稅,以最低價格機制替代。特朗普政府接近敲定與台灣貿易協議,據報關稅稅率或降至15%。 共和黨要員罕見抨擊司法部對聯儲局的調查,據報財長貝森特曾向特朗普警告此舉可能對金融市場造成不利影響。Pimco等債券巨頭預計美債息可能上行。白宮:特朗普沒有指示司法部調查聯儲局主席鮑威爾。 個股方面。Google與蘋果敲定為期多年的人工智能合作協議,將為蘋果的語音助手Siri提供支持。Google母公司Alphabet市值周一突破4萬億美元。穆迪預計,未來五年至少有3萬億美元勢將流入數據中心相關投資。美國政府據悉將以1.5億美元入股關鍵礦產公司ATALCO,力圖打造大型鎵生產基地以實現自給自足。花旗推進降本增效,本周將裁員約1000人。該公司周三將公布全年業績。 道瓊斯工業平均指數收漲86點,升幅0.18%,報49590點。標普500指數收漲10點,升幅0.16%,報6977點。納斯達克綜合指數收漲62點,或0.27%,報23733點。 Caterpillar升1.97%,報629.77美元(下同),是貢獻道指升幅最大的藍籌,貢獻74點,而美國運通跌4.27%,報359.59元,拖累道指98點。 科技股方面,蘋果(美:AAPL)收市報260.25元,升0.33%,谷歌母公司Alphabet(美:GOOGL)收市報331.86元,升1%,亞馬遜(美:AMZN)收市報246.47元,跌0.36%,Facebook母公司Meta(美:META)收市報641.97元,跌1.69%,英偉達(美:NVDA)收市報184.94元,升0.04%,微軟(美:MSFT)收市報477.18元,跌0.43%,Tesla (美:TSLA)收市報448.96元,升0.88%。 歐洲STOXX 600指數收漲0.21%,報610點。德國DAX指數收漲0.57%,報25405點;法國CAC 40指數跌0.04%,報8358點;英國富時100指數收漲0.16%,報10140點。 納斯達克中國金龍指數收漲4.27%,報8023點。 美國2年期債息曾升最多0.48%,是1月9日後最大升幅,當日升幅為1.5%。高見3.5489厘,是2025年12月23日3.5566厘後最高。收市報3.5343厘,是2025年12月11日後收市新高,當日報3.5404厘。連升5日,累計升0.0836厘,對上一次連升5日是2025年7月7日。 美國10年期債息曾升最多0.95%,是2025年12月31日後最大升幅,當日升幅為1.14%。高見4.2048厘,是2025年12月10日4.2074厘後最高。收市報4.1752厘,是1月2日後收市新高,當日報4.1907厘。 美2年期10年期債息差,曾高見67.109基點,是1月9日68.398基點後最闊。收市報63.879基點,是1月8日後收市新高,當日報67.7點。 美3個月10年期債息差,曾低見52.952基點,是1月8日51.201基點後最窄。收市報55.483基點,是1月7日後收市新低,當日報54.857基點。連跌2日,累計跌1.697基點,對上一次連跌2日是2025年12月16日。 金龍指數曾升最多4.68%,是1月2日後最大升幅,當日升幅為4.74%。高見8056.1點,是2025年11月13日8153.16點後最高。收市報8023.79點,是2025年11月12日後收市新高,當日報8112.98點。 道指曾升最多0.26%,是1月9日後最大升幅,當日升幅為0.62%。高見49633.35點,創上市新高。收報49590.2點,升0.17%,創收市價計新高。連升3日,累計升594.12點,對上一次連升3日是1月6日。連續第3日陽燭,對上一次連續第3日陽燭是1月6日。 標指曾升最多0.29%,是1月9日後最大升幅,當日升幅為0.82%。高見6986.33點,創上市新高。收報6977.27點,升0.16%,創收市價計新高。連升3日,累計升56.34點,對上一次連升3日是1月6日。連續第3日陽燭,對上一次連續第3日陽燭是2025年12月23日。 納指曾升最多0.56%,是1月9日後最大升幅,當日升幅為1.03%。高見23804.04點,是2025年11月3日23976.84點後最高。收市報23733.9點,是2025年11月3日後收市新高,當日報23834.72點。連升2日,累計升253.88點,對上一次連升2日是1月6日。連續第2日陽燭,對上一次連續第2日陽燭是1月7日。 其他報道 北水增持融創中國 減持盈富 Source link
GW Platt Foreign Exchange Bank Awards 2026: Global Winners
This year’s Best FX Banks Global Winners list recognizes the institutions that distinguished themselves by converting market complexity into opportunity. Foreign exchange markets navigated another year of profound adjustment, shaped by shifting interest rates, uneven global growth, and renewed currency volatility. Clients are demanding resilient liquidity, consistent execution under stress, and sophisticated risk-management solutions that work seamlessly across borders, asset classes, and market conditions. This year’s global winners met those demands by converting market complexity into opportunity and setting the benchmark for how banks support corporates, investors, and financial institutions in an increasingly interconnected currency landscape. Best Global Foreign Exchange Bank UBS The tectonic plates of the massive $9.6 trillion-per-day FX market were in flux last year, driven by the dollar’s nearly 10% decline and the Bank of Japan continuing 2024’s hawkish shift in January. This volatile environment created the setting for Swiss giant UBS to leverage its unmatched global position, extensive and complex offerings, and deep expertise to achieve a standout year. Guiding corporate clients through challenging markets on a global scale, the bank achieved record results across all areas of the business. In global wealth management, FX and related transaction income reached $1.37 billion in the first nine months of 2025, a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Within UBS Investment Bank, FX, rates, and credit revenue grew to $536 million in the third quarter, a 12% rise from the same period last year. UBS has continued to invest heavily in technology, which the bank credits with helping to reduce latency on major trading routes and expand streaming coverage across emerging-market currencies. The bank also enhanced its single-dealer platform, UBS Neo. As a result, UBS held a global spot FX market share of over 12%, with dominant positions in key currencies including the Swiss franc, Swedish krona,
GW Platt Foreign Exchange Bank Awards 2026: FX Tech Global Winners
AI, machine learning, and algorithm-driven analytics are changing the face of FX trading and investment. Foreign exchange markets are being reshaped by technology at a pace unmatched in recent decades. As volatility, regulation, and client expectations intensify, banks, fintechs, and market-infrastructure providers are investing heavily in platforms that deliver faster execution, deeper insight, tighter risk controls, and seamless connectivity across the FX lifecycle. From AI-driven trading tools and real-time liquidity management to post-trade netting, cloud-based treasury systems, and tokenized payment experiments, FX technology has moved from back-office support to a strategic differentiator. Collectively, these award recipients demonstrate how advanced technology is enabling more transparent pricing, smarter hedging, improved liquidity efficiency, and end-to-end automation. In a market where milliseconds matter and risk is global, these platforms and solutions are defining the future of FX. Best Bank Digital FX Platform (Overall) BBVA BBVA offers comprehensive FX services to institutional, corporate, and retail clients via platforms including BBVA eMarkets, Net Cash app, BBVA PivotFX MultiBank, and mobile or web portals as well as through ATMs, point-of-sales terminals (POS), OPIs, and APIs. The bank’s offerings range from spot transactions to advanced hedging and payments. Recent initiatives include dynamic currency conversion at POS and ATMs and continuous client-service improvement through an FX API that provides real-time rates and integrated payments. Best Post-Trade Processing Platform (New for 2026) CLS CLSNet is CLS Group’s main offering, an automated service for calculating bilateral payment netting. It supports more than 120 currencies, including some from emerging markets outside the scope of CLS’ original payment-versus-payment service. By substantially reducing liquidity requirements for banks in the FX market, CLSNet significantly mitigates operational risk. Best FX Connectivity Suite (New for 2026) Citi Velocity Citi’s Developer Portal offers a secure, no-touch FX connectivity suite that includes more than 90 APIs including InstantFX and
GW Platt Foreign Exchange Awards 2026
Beyond The Treasurer’s Desk: Record volatility has moved FX-risk management to the center of corporate strategy. The building blocks of the global FX market were shifting in 2025. Between President Donald Trump’s erratic trade policies, which weighed on the US dollar; a Bank of Japan rate hike in January that pushed policy rates to a 17-year-high; and extreme uncertainty over rate expectations across both developing and G7 currencies, trading volumes and risks were arguably at their highest in decades. According to data from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), global FX volumes reached an all-time high of $9.6 trillion per day last April, coinciding with Trump’s “Liberation Day” global tariff announcements. During that same period, interest rate derivatives surged even more dramatically, rising 59% to $7.9 trillion per day. For corporates and treasurers, the volatility left no room for argument. Those looking to succeed in today’s macroeconomic environment need tailored solutions and higher technological capabilities that allow quicker, more-precise settlements. Hedging Takes The Spotlight More than four out of five companies (81%) now hedge at least part of their FX exposure, and a majority expect to either increase the proportion they hedge or extend their hedge horizons, a 2025 MillTechFX study of 750 senior finance leaders across North America, the UK, and Europe found. “With currency volatility looking like it’s here to stay, corporate treasurers are under pressure to protect bottom lines from swings and dips in the currency market,” says Eric Huttman, CEO of MillTechFX. FX swaps—still the primary hedging and funding instrument for corporates—reached a record of around $4 trillion in daily turnover in April. The jump in rate uncertainty also spilled into derivatives. Euro-denominated interest-rate contracts climbed to roughly $3 trillion per day, while sterling and yen contracts increased to $939 billion and $411 billion, respectively.
GW Platt Foreign Exchange Bank Awards 2026: North America
With an advanced technology infrastructure supporting a deep range of services for FX trading, hedging, analytics, and post-trade reporting, J.P. Morgan operates the most powerful FX franchise in North America. Over the past 20 years, the foreign exchange market has undergone a profound transformation. Once dominated by voice trading and fragmented liquidity, FX has become a highly automated, data-driven global marketplace defined by electronic execution, algorithmic pricing, and real-time risk management. Regulatory reform, geopolitical shocks, and shifting monetary policy have increased volatility, pushing banks and clients alike to demand greater speed, transparency, and resilience across the trade lifecycle. Against this backdrop, our regional winner stands out for operating the most powerful FX franchise in North America, combining deep liquidity with advanced trading, analytics, and end-to-end execution platforms that seamlessly support trading, hedging, payments, and reporting at global scale. Best FX Bank In North America J.P. Morgan The bank delivers robust FX execution, liquidity access, and analytics through its Execute macro platform for trading and liquidity in FX and FX options, including the same applications for rates and commodities. Clients benefit from functionality integrated directly into their workflow for efficient market execution, market analytics, competitive pricing, and transparency across the trade life cycle. With one of the largest liquidity pools in the market, J.P. Morgan clients can trade across 300 currency pairs with order routing through multiple electronic communication networks for streamlined access to global markets. The bank’s Transact platform delivers efficient FX trading for cross-border exposures, with end-to-end workflows for risk management, hedging, and payments. The platform is offered through the bank’s global hubs and local markets, giving clients the convenience of a simple and intuitive dashboard and the ability to consolidate accounts for trade aggregation, comprehensive reporting, and settlement options accessed from a single login. J.P. Morgan offers an
Is the Stock Market Going to Crash in 2026? Here Is What History Suggests
Key Points The S&P 500 is currently hovering near all-time highs, which may have some investors concerned. The index’s forward price-to-earnings and CAPE ratios are historically elevated compared to prior norms. Smart investors are stockpiling cash and rotating capital away from speculative or momentum stocks right now. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › Last year, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) gained 16% — marking the third straight year the index generated double-digit returns. While stocks have gotten off to a hot start to begin 2026, two important indicators suggest that a pullback could be on the horizon. Let’s dig into these important metrics to understand just how frothy the market has become. From there, we’ll determine where might be the best place to invest as stocks continue to roar, for now. Image source: Getty Images. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » The S&P 500 is overvalued compared to historical norms According to FactSet Research, the S&P 500 currently boasts a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 22. Not only is this elevated compared to the index’s five-year and 10-year forward P/E levels, it is historically high in general. In recent history, the only other periods when the S&P 500 was trading at such a premium relative to forward earnings estimates were during the dot-com bubble, and during the stock market frenzy during the COVID-19 pandemic’s height (which was supported by abnormal levels of liquidity given the low-interest-rate environment). When forward valuation multiples begin to rise sharply, it could be an indication that expectations are outpacing actual earnings growth. In other words, investors are pricing the market to perfection — a scenario

A Once-in-a-Decade Investment Opportunity: The Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy in 2026
Nvidia has been the star of the artificial intelligence show for three years, and its stellar performance doesn’t appear to be coming to an end. For the last three years, the stock market’s biggest tailwinds have stemmed from virtually anything that touches artificial intelligence (AI). Within the AI landscape, semiconductor giant Nvidia (NVDA +0.02%) has emerged as the most influential business. While Nvidia’s nearly 1,000% stock gains throughout the AI revolution might suggest you’ve missed the boat, smart investors understand that the chip behemoth’s story is really just getting started. Let’s break down what makes Nvidia such a unique opportunity and assess why now is as good a time as ever to scoop up some shares. Image source: Nvidia. AI infrastructure isn’t going anywhere The chart below illustrates quarterly trends in capital expenditures (capex) among AI hyperscalers. AMZN Capital Expenditures (Quarterly) data by YCharts. Indeed, big tech has spent the last three years procuring as many graphics processing units (GPUs) as possible to outfit next-generation data centers. But the subtle theme from the financial profile above is that this spending activity isn’t slowing. In fact, it’s accelerating among the major players. While Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure are designing their own custom hardware, these cloud infrastructure giants still partner heavily with Nvidia. For example, OpenAI recently signed a $38 billion contract with AWS to rent clusters of Nvidia’s GB200 and GB300 GPUs. Per the agreement, OpenAI is targeting all capacity to be deployed “before the end of 2026” with the potential to ramp further. In a similar fashion, Anthropic agreed to buy $30 billion of compute capacity from Azure in a deal featuring Nvidia’s Grace Blackwell and upcoming Vera Rubin chip architecture. Here’s the big picture: Nvidia is becoming a key layer of the
FastBull Launches 2026 GOLD Global S1 Demo Trading Contest
Dubai, UAE, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following the successful conclusion of the 2025 FastBull Trading Contest Asia S1, the global financial information and charting platform FastBull officially announced the launch of its new global competition—the 2026 FastBull GOLD Gold Demo Trading Contest S1- 10 days left to register Registration for the contest has been underway for over two weeks and will close on January 19, 2026, at 23:59 (GMT+0). The competition will officially commence on January 20, 2026, at 00:00 (GMT+0). With 10 days remaining, the contest has attracted 10,282 participants globally, indicating broad engagement in gold-focused short-term trading. Participation is free, and traders can compete for available rewards. FastBull Trading Contest Asia S1 Recap: Trading in a Real Market Environment. The 2025 FastBull Trading Contest Asia S1 attracted 6,167 traders from multiple Asian countries and regions. The contest adopted a standardized contest system, with each participant allocated an initial virtual balance of USD 100,000 and 400x leverage, restricted to trading XAUUSD (Gold) only. Within the highly volatile gold market, participants were required to execute trades under strict competition rules, balancing strategy execution, position management, and risk control. The competition ultimately generated several outstanding performers. The top five winners – Ali (Pakistan), Ahmad (Indonesia), Aman (India), Priyanuj (India), and Mark (Philippines) – achieved a combined total profit of USD 1.5 million, and were awarded real trading account sponsored by BeeMarkets and TMGM. FastBull emphasized that contest results are intended to showcase differences in trading strategies under uniform market conditions and do not constitute investment advice or guarantees of returns. 2026 FastBull GOLD Global S1: Expanding to a Global Stage Building on the success of Asia S1, GOLD Global S1 opens participation to traders worldwide, offering a fair and standardized competition environment to demonstrate performance differences under the same

If You’d Invested $100 in Nvidia 10 Years Ago, Here’s How Much You’d Have Today
Nvidia stock has made fortunes for patient investors. Nvidia‘s (NVDA +0.06%) business has gone through an incredible transformation over the last decade. While the company got its start designing graphics processing units (GPUs) to support high-end video games, its strengths in processing hardware gave it the foundation to be the frontrunner in artificial intelligence (AI) computing and deliver huge wins for long-term shareholders. Image source: Getty Images. Nvidia stock has been an incredible winner As of this writing, Nvidia has a market capitalization of $4.6 trillion and stands as the world’s most valuable company. Over the last decade, Nvidia has delivered a total return of roughly 25,500%. If you had invested $100 in Nvidia a decade ago and held on to your stock, your holdings would now be worth approximately $25,570. Meanwhile, the stock has posted a total return of roughly 1,300% over the last five years — good enough to turn a $100 investment into roughly $1,400. Today’s Change (0.06%) $0.11 Current Price $184.97 Key Data Points Market Cap $4.5T Day’s Range $183.08 – $186.20 52wk Range $86.62 – $212.19 Volume 702K Avg Vol 186M Gross Margin 70.05% Dividend Yield 0.02% In addition to its core strengths in the AI data center market, Nvidia has been making some big moves to diversify its tech portfolio and plant the seeds for potentially explosive new growth shoots. The company has been putting its big cash pile to use with acquisitions, and purchasing businesses and tech licenses that can strengthen its core AI processing business as well as facilitate growth in categories such as robotics and autonomous vehicles. Nvidia looks poised to remain the leader in GPU technologies, and its strengths in AI hardware could help it score wins in other promising markets. This should help grow an Nvidia investment significantly over the
2 Nasdaq-100 Stocks That Are No-Brainer Buys in 2026, and 1 to Avoid
Among the 100 predominantly growth-driven companies that comprise the Nasdaq-100, you’ll find two phenomenal businesses with ample catalysts, as well as a highflier whose valuation premium can’t be justified. The third year of Wall Street’s bull market didn’t disappoint. Throughout 2025, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all rallied to several record-closing highs. However, it was an especially strong year for the Nasdaq-100, which comprises 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. When the final bell tolled in 2025, the Nasdaq-100 had advanced by a cool 20%! Image source: Getty Images. But just because the Nasdaq-100 has rallied more than 130% over the trailing three-year period, it doesn’t mean each of its components is worth buying. The outlooks of the 100 companies that comprise this index vary significantly. As we steam ahead into 2026, two Nasdaq-100 stocks make for no-brainer buys, while another highflier is worth avoiding. The first Nasdaq-100 stock that makes for a no-brainer buy in 2026: Palo Alto Networks Although several Nasdaq-100 components remain attractive in the new year, cybersecurity titan Palo Alto Networks (PANW 0.92%) stands out for all the right reasons. While it’s not a cheap stock, based on the traditional forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, it overcomes this potential headwind in a variety of ways. On a macro basis, it provides a basic necessity service. While cybersecurity solutions may have once been optional, hackers don’t take holidays just because Wall Street had a bad day. Protecting clouds and endpoint users from cyber threats is a 24/7 job that’s agnostic to the performance of the U.S. economy or Wall Street. In other words, investors can expect predictable growth and operating cash flow year after year. Today’s Change (-0.92%) $-1.76 Current Price $189.04 Key Data Points Market Cap

Is This Once-Hyped Stock Finally Worth a Second Look?
Recent housing market-related news may open the door to an Opendoor Technologies rebound. Last August and September, Opendoor Technologies (OPEN +13.38%) was one of the hottest meme stocks around. Today, while shares in the real estate iBuyer have held onto the bulk of these gains, enthusiasm for the stock among retail investors has declined significantly. However, based on recent events, a resurgence in popularity may be underway. A recent announcement from President Donald Trump has spurred a rally for Opendoor and other housing stocks. This specific announcement may mark the start of further promising news for the housing market. As Opendoor continues to trade on hype instead of fundamentals, the resultant sentiment shift alone may be enough to drive another meme wave for the stock. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look and see whether this news should change one’s long-term view on the company’s shares. Image source: Getty Images. Why Opendoor shares surged on Trump mortgage bond news On Jan. 8, Trump noted in a social media post he directed the federal government to repurchase $200 billion worth of mortgage securities. The plan entails having Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, publicly traded but government-controlled entities, to make the purchases. As the objective of this buyback is to drive down interest rates, shares in companies operating in the housing and mortgage markets reacted positively to the news, including Opendoor. The company’s shares surged by around 5% on the day of Trump’s announcement. As of this writing, the stock remained on an upward trend. This makes sense for two reasons. First, other news points to additional efforts ahead by the Trump administration to jump-start to sluggish housing market. Second, much as past positive news has spurred outsize price moves for Opendoor, a similar bullish overreaction could arise on the

USD/JPY Stalls Near One-Year High
The USD/JPY pair paused on Monday after a sharp rally to around 157.95, with the yen holding near its lowest levels of the year. Trading activity was subdued as Japanese markets were closed for a public holiday. Political uncertainty increased after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a key coalition partner, raised the possibility of early elections on 8 or 15 February, adding another layer of caution to the market. The yen also faced pressure from recent mixed macroeconomic data, which have clouded the outlook for the Bank of Japan’s future rate-hike trajectory. Last week, BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated that the central bank would continue to raise interest rates if economic momentum and inflation align with forecasts, while also emphasising a flexible approach to policy adjustments. Over the coming week, traders will focus on a series of key Japanese economic indicators, including current account figures, machine tool orders, manufacturing PMI, and business sentiment data. Any surprises could prompt a shift in the yen’s direction. Technical Analysis: USD/JPY H4 Chart: On the H4 chart, the pair has completed a local advance to 157.77 and is likely to enter a period of consolidation around this level. A break below this range could trigger a corrective move towards 156.60. Conversely, an upward break would open the potential for the rally to extend towards 159.33. This outlook is supported by the MACD indicator, with its signal line positioned above zero and pointing firmly upward, indicating ongoing bullish momentum. H1 Chart: On the H1 chart, the market is forming a consolidation range centred around 157.77, with interim boundaries at 158.18 to the upside and 157.50 to the downside. A downward exit from this range could see a decline towards 156.60, while an upward resolution would signal potential for a further move towards 159.33. The Stochastic oscillator
十大屋苑|中原:周末成交增至9宗 新盤熱賣帶動交投氣氛 市場預期新年前現小陽春
10 二手交投表現向好,據中原地產統計,十大屋苑於周末兩日(10及11日)錄得9宗成交,按周增加1宗或12.5%。當中美孚新邨以3宗買賣表現最佳,其次為沙田第一城錄得2宗,太古城、黃埔花園、新都城及映灣園各錄得1宗成交,共4個屋苑(康怡花園、海怡半島、麗港城及嘉湖山莊)未聞交投。 中原地產亞太區副主席兼住宅部總裁陳永傑表示,周末西沙新盤熱賣,帶動整體交投氣氛,項目應市加推,部分向隅客正等待下一輪銷售,扣起大批市場購買力。整體買家入市信心明顯提升,市場預期農曆新年前小陽春,不少買家加快入市步伐,趁周末四出睇樓比較,料本月一、二手交投暢旺。 中原地產東山閣資深區域營業董事趙鴻運指,太古城周末錄得1宗成交,單位為耀星閣高層E室,實用面積約503方呎,兩房間隔。原叫價868萬元,最後以850萬元易手,呎價約16,899元。原業主於2015年以798萬元入市,持貨約11年,是次轉售帳面賺52萬元,物業期內升值約6.5%。 中原地產西九龍美孚萬事達第一分行區域營業經理林家傑稱,美孚新邨本周末錄得3宗成交,包括2期吉利徑2號中層A室,實用面積約475方呎,一房間隔,以499萬元沽出,呎價約10,505元。據悉,原業主於2010年以275萬元入市,持貨約16年,是次轉售帳面獲利224萬元,物業期內升值約81.5%。 中原地產東涌映灣園第二分行分區營業經理張奇瑋表示,映灣園周末期間錄1宗成交,單位為5座中層E室,實用面積約518方呎,議價後以508萬元售出,呎價約9,807元。據悉,原業主於2011年以327萬元購入單位,持貨約15年,是次沽出帳面獲利181萬元,物業期內升值約55.4%。 原文刊登於 AM730 Source link
太太57歲喜得麟兒 古巨基曾摸頂入市後轉趨保守 西半山3000呎豪宅以租代買
古巨基於元旦公布再當爸爸喜訊,57歲太太 Lorraine順利誕下第二胎,除了喜得麟兒成為熱話外,古巨基多年亦活躍物業投資,他早年曾因「摸頂」入市在樓市受挫,其後投資態度明顯轉趨保守,即使近年舉家豪住西半山羅便臣道約3,000呎豪宅,亦一直堅持「以租代買」。 太太57歲喜得麟兒,古巨基曾摸頂入市後轉趨保守,西半山3000呎豪宅以租代買。(Instagram @leoku) 下載Yahoo財經APP 美股外幣即時報價 多國新聞任睇 翻查資料,古巨基於1997年樓市高峰期,以約926萬元購入跑馬地東山臺德信花園單位自住,惟其後遇上亞洲金融風暴,樓價大幅回落,該單位一度成為蟹貨;至2007年,古巨基最終以約698萬元沽出單位,帳面蝕讓約228萬元,古巨基當年坦言東山臺一役令他對物業投資印象深刻,自此不敢再貿然投資,亦直接影響其往後的置業策略。 2011年古巨基宣傳「港島‧東18」樓盤時,順便以1,300萬元購入兩個高層單位,送予雙親作長線保值用途。(Google街景圖) 雖然投資心態轉趨審慎,但古巨基並未完全離開「買磚頭」市場,1999年,他以約700萬元購入大埔康樂園一幢約1,600呎獨立屋,供父母居住,目前相若單位近日成交價約1,500萬元,升幅逾倍。 2011年,古巨基宣傳西灣河「港島‧東18」樓盤時,順便以1,300萬元購入兩個高層單位,送予雙親作保值用途,不過其中一個實用面積約518平方呎的兩房單位,於2019年以1,000萬元售出,持貨8年帳面僅賺67萬元,扣除印花稅及代理佣金後,實際回報不足2%,只能微利離場。 古巨基居於西半山羅便臣道一個約3,000呎單位,月租據悉達十多萬元,古巨基選擇以租代買,可能對當年高追東山臺仍留有餘悖。(Instagram @leoku) 古巨基居於西半山羅便臣道一個約3,000呎單位,月租據悉達十多萬元,古巨基選擇以租代買,可能對當年高追東山臺仍留有餘悖。(Instagram @leoku) 相比住宅市場,古巨基在工商舖投資上則表現相對穩健,2012年,他以約5,400萬元購入中環擺花街22號地舖,面積約400至500平方呎,屬核心零售地段,舖位多年來一直成功出租,最高峰期月租接近10萬元,不過近年零售市道回落,令舖位租值受到影響,但以收租十多年估計,已幾近回本。 近年古巨基將更多時間擺在家庭生活,與太太及兒子居於西半山羅便臣道一個約3,000呎單位,月租據悉達十多萬元,2022年他為兒子 Kuson慶祝生日時,曾意外曝光單位巨型客廳,空間寬敞、設計簡約。值得留意的是,儘管該區屬傳統豪宅地段,古巨基仍選擇以租代買,可能對當年高追東山臺仍留有餘悖。 Source link
【2025樓市總結】新地350億蟬聯賣樓王| SIERRA SEA天璽·天短炒獲利頻現|一年奪三地土儲增至8000伙
回望過去一年,新盤市場交投熾熱,截至12月中旬,全港錄得近20,000宗成交,創下自一手銷售條例實施以來的新高,全年成交量勢必突破2萬宗。六大發展商合共售出逾13,000伙,佔全年成交量約六成六,其中以新地表現最為矚目,全年合共售出逾3,750伙,套現約350億元,蟬聯「賣樓王」。 新地今年戰跡出眾 — 旗下西沙SIERRA SEA成為「收票王」,全年售出逾1,500伙,吸金82億元,並於入伙初期錄得多宗短炒獲利成交,升幅高達一成半;啟德地王項目天璽·天亦錄得27宗短期獲利個案,最高升幅達兩成半。加上新地一年內連奪三幅地皮,土地儲備增至8,000伙,為未來推盤量提供充足彈藥。 閱讀更多: 回顧2025年新盤市場,截至12月中旬,全港錄得約19,793宗新盤成交,創下自2013年一手銷售條例實施以來的新高,全年成交量預計突破2萬宗。 新地全年合共售出逾3,750伙,套現金額約350億元,並已連續十年穩坐「銷售冠軍」寶座。旗下西沙SIERRA SEA第1A(2)及1B期表現尤為理想,合共售出約1,542伙,吸金逾82億元,成為今年銷售單位數最多的新盤;啟德地王項目天璽·天第二期自10月起推出,至今亦已售出約181伙,進賬36億元,進一步鞏固新地在市場的領先地位。 至於其他發展商,恒地全年售出逾1,200伙,套現近300億元;會德豐錄得約2,200伙,涉及金額逾250億元;新世界連同合作項目售出逾2,200伙,吸金約330億元;信置全年售出逾2,000伙,套現逾170億元;長實則售出不足300伙,套現約51億元。 回顧新地2025年樓市銷情,西沙大型項目SIERRA SEA無疑是新地的「重頭戲」。項目於今年5月連環推出第1A及1B期,新地採用「克制定價」策略,先以低價搶佔市場,再逐步加價。 其中1A期一房入場單位折實呎價僅9,499元,成為全年最平新盤,較同區二手樓價低約兩成。次輪銷售更截收高達43,007票,打破長實油塘東源街項目親海駅II於2023年錄得逾3.8萬票的紀錄,榮登全港歷來一手住宅「收票王」。 當中288伙以價單形式發售並即日沽清,反映市場需求熾熱。至今兩期累積售出約1,542伙,單一項目吸金逾82億元,成為年內銷售單位數目最多的新盤。 值得留意的是,隨着第1B期於聖誕假期間陸續入伙,市場錄得不少宗短炒獲利的成交個案。據消息指出,該盤連錄 3宗二手成交,原業主均於今年5月一手購入,持貨僅約7個月即轉手獲利,升幅介乎 12.9%至16.4%。 其中一宗三房單位更錄得約 90萬元利潤,顯示入伙初期短炒需求強勁,市場承接力不俗。 圖一:西沙SIERRA SEA實景 閱讀更多: 今年首11個月,樓市中持貨年期一年或以下的轉售獲利個案,以新地旗下啟德大型新盤天璽·天表現最為突出,合共錄得27宗帳面獲利成交,成為短期投資者焦點。 其中一宗位於1期3座低層A1室的單位,去年11月以約1,262萬元註冊購入,今年10月便以約1,580萬元轉售,樓價升幅達25.2%,持貨不足一年帳面獲利約 318萬元。另一宗成交為1期6座高層B室,去年11月以約 2,000萬元購入,今年10月以約2,430萬元轉售,樓價升幅約21.5%,同樣不足一年帳面獲利約 430萬元。 市場人士指出,作為新地其中一個旗艦項目的天璽·天,短期獲利成交不僅宗數領先,升幅亦相當可觀,反映啟德區的地段優勢及配套逐步完善,吸引投資者短炒。加上啟德體育園及周邊商業設施陸續落成,區內承接力持續增強,令天璽·天成為今年樓市短期投資的亮點之一。 圖二:啟德天璽·天實景 閱讀更多: 新地除了積極推盤外,亦持續擴充土地儲備。過去一年,集團先後成功投得大圍美田路地皮,可建約360伙;東涌106B區地皮,可建約745伙;以及在上月再下一城,奪得港鐵屯門第16區第一期地皮,預計總投資額約60億元,項目將以中小型單位為主,提供不多於1,280伙。三幅地皮合計,加上其他補地價項目,令新地手頭新增土地儲備可提供約8,000個單位,為未來數年的推盤量提供充足彈藥。 業內人士分析,屯門項目落成後的樓價,預期每平方呎約在13,000至17,000元之間,屬區內具競爭力的新供應。由於地皮鄰近港鐵站,交通便利,加上區內基建逐步完善,料有助吸引首置及換樓客。 市場觀察認為,新地一年內連奪三幅地皮,顯示其在新界及離島區積極吸納土地,既可分散風險,亦能配合不同客層的置業需求。分析指出,隨住屯門南延線發展,最新投資反映新地對屯門樓市前景持樂觀態度。隨着北部都會區規劃推進,屯門有望受惠於交通網絡及社區配套的提升,樓價具一定支持力。新地透過不斷補充土地儲備,確保未來推盤供應穩定,進一步鞏固其「賣樓王」地位。 閱讀更多: 回顧全年,新地不單在銷售量及金額上領跑,更在市場策略上展現攻守兼備,既能把握旺市推盤,亦積極補充土儲,鞏固其在樓市的主導地位。新地憑藉全年售出逾3,750伙、套現約350億元,再度蟬聯「賣樓王」,旗下西沙SIERRA SEA及啟德天璽·天均錄得亮眼銷情及短炒獲利個案,加上全年連奪三幅地皮,土地儲備增至8,000伙,為未來推盤提供穩健基礎。 展望2026年,發展商已部署新一年頭炮。新地乘勢推出SIERRA SEA 第2A期,並已開放位於九龍站環球貿易廣場的示範單位,定於2026年元旦收票,最快下周首輪開售,繼續為明年樓市揭開序幕。市場預期,憑藉西沙項目持續的熱度及啟德地王的支持,新地有望在新一年延續「賣樓王」氣勢,為2026年的樓市再添亮點。 Source link

VAR errors increase – every mistake so far in 2025-26 Premier League
The KMI Panel meets every week to dissect each decision, from goals to penalties to red cards. It has five members: three former players and coaches, plus one representative each from the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). The KMI Panel was created by the Premier League clubs in 2022 to take performance stats out of the hands of the refereeing body. Crucially, it is not intended to look at each incident like any fan or manager would. It takes into account the laws of the game and, crucially, how the Premier League expects its games to be refereed. That is why the list of errors will not be as extensive as supporters would expect. The KMI Panel first looks at the decision of the on-field referee team, and then of the VAR. As the VAR is operating to a higher threshold – clear and obvious – there are times when the KMI Panel will say the referee was wrong but the VAR was correct not to intervene. The KMI Panel also considers second yellow cards which were missed, or incorrectly shown. Source link
Tottenham ‘Hijack’ Premier League Rivals for Ex-Chelsea Star
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly beaten Aston Villa to the acquisition of Atlético Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher. The Chelsea academy graduate moved to Spain 18 months ago and was quickly ingratiated into the squad. A tenacious midfielder nicknamed “The Pitbull” appeared to be the perfect embodiment of Diego Simeone’s ideals, tearing around the pitch with a feverish intensity befitting the red and white stripes. Simeone swiftly shunted Gallagher up the pitch and was rewarded with two goals in his first three La Liga starts. However, the England international’s versatility soon saw him drop into a deeper role and shift out into a wide left position. Gallagher, unfairly or otherwise, became cast a Jack of all trades but a master of none, increasingly finding himself in a substitute’s role ready to come on and plug any gap. Gallagher has started just four of Atlético’s 19 league games this season and that lack of football—particularly in a World Cup year—created some itchy feet. Aston Villa were initially billed as the leading contender for the 25-year-old’s signature. Sky Sports News reported on Saturday that Unai Emery’s side were exploring a six-month loan deal which included an option to buy to bolster a midfield area

cinch returns as official partner of the Premier League Darts
The Professional Darts Corporation has revealed cinch as an official partner of the 2026 Premier League Darts, marking the second year of the partnership. The renewed partnership builds on the momentum from last season, where cinch’s brand presence and fan-focused activations resonated strongly with the sport’s following. Avril Palmer-Lavery, Chairman of Constellation Automotive Group, cinch owners, said: “We’re thrilled to be back for a second year with the Premier League Darts. The 2025 season exceeded expectations, particularly in terms of social engagement and fan connection. “Our broadened cinch offering, spanning used, new and servicing, aligns perfectly with this audience, and we look forward to bringing even more value to fans throughout 2026.” The cinch logo will feature prominently on the Premier League stage, as well as on the shirt sleeves of all players and officials. Fans can look forward to even more cinch-led experiences throughout the season, from competitions and player social content to at-event and online promotions. Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton and debutants Gian van Veen and Josh Rock will compete for the title in 2026. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said: “We are delighted to welcome cinch back as

Why Real Madrid sacked Xabi Alonso – and how it impacts the Premier League
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and get behind-the-scenes access and unrivalled insight Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter It finished as it started, with a new coach like Xabi Alonso apparently totally out of sync with the grand old institution of Real Madrid around him. While many around the club were all too keen to point to Kylian Mbappe allegedly stopping his teammates giving Barcelona a Super Cup guard of honour, as appeared to have been suggested, some went back much further. They went back to Alonso’s first assignment, and a fixture against Al Hilal at the Club World Cup. Although Florentino Perez actively wanted the club to constantly proclaim the historic significance of this new competition, in keeping with his own ambitions for modern football, Alonso couldn’t really hide the fact that he didn’t attribute any sporting importance to it. Sources maintain this immediately created an issue for Perez with his vaunted new appointment. There was barely any public support for Alonso after that, and not even a mention in the president’s annual Christmas message. That’s quite a bookend to a brief coaching tenure, that only symbolises the way

Predicting the Premier League table: How will all 20 teams finish the season?
Ryan O’HanlonJan 13, 2026, 08:31 AM Close Ryan O’Hanlon is a staff writer for ESPN.com. He’s also the author of “Net Gains: Inside the Beautiful Game’s Analytics Revolution.” We’ve already celebrated the not-quite-but-it’s-the-best-we-can-do halfway point of the Premier League season by looking backward. Last week, I picked out my award winners for the first slightly-more-than-half of the year: the best goals, best players, best young players, and best coaches. But I wasn’t trying to predict anything with these selections; the sustainability of your performance didn’t matter. What’s already happened has, well, already happened. What, though, might happen over the final 17 games of the Premier League season? Who’s going to win the league? Who’s getting relegated? And who’s going to be playing in Europe next season? Not only am I giving you my answers to those questions, but I’m also answering a bunch of questions no one is asking. Like, who will finish in 11th place? And will Brighton or Fulham finish higher in the table? Here is my best guess for what the Premier League table is going to look like once the final whistle is blown on May 24. Let’s predict how this season ends: – Predicting the
Kylian Mbappé Criticized For Real Madrid’s Guard of Honor Snub in Barcelona Win
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has launched a critique of Kylian Mbappé following the Real Madrid star’s controversial refusal to engage in a guard of honor after the Spanish Super Cup final. Barcelona president branded the Frenchman’s decision to urge his teammates to leave the pitch as “surprising” and lacking in sportsmanship. Barça won 3-2 to claim their first trophy of 2026 – and what turned out to be Xabi Alonso’s last game as manager for Real Madrid. A sour end to the Saudi spectacle The aftermath of Sunday’s pulsating El Clásico in Jeddah has proven to be just as fiery as the 90 minutes that preceded it. Barcelona retained their Supercopa de España crown with a hard-fought 3-2 victory. However, the celebrations were marred by a flashpoint involving Real Madrid’s marquee talisman, Mbappé. The French forward, who had risked his long-term fitness to play in the final despite nursing a troublesome knee injury, cut a frustrated figure at the full-time whistle. Having collected his runner-up medal, Mbappé was spotted furiously gesturing to his Real Madrid colleagues, urging them to leave the field immediately rather than stay to witness the trophy presentation or offer the customary respect to the victors.

Kylian Mbappé sends farewell to Xabi Alonso after Real Madrid’s viral guard-of-honor controversy
Kylian Mbappé has been portrayed by some as one of the figures linked to Xabi Alonso’s dismissal as Real Madrid head coach on Monday, particularly following the confrontation surrounding a proposed guard of honor for Barcelona. As speculation about tension between the player and coach grew, Mbappé shared a farewell message addressed to Alonso. Real Madrid confirmed Alonso’s departure in an official statement on Monday, announcing the end of his tenure as head coach following Sunday’s defeat to FC Barcelona in the 2026 Spanish Super Cup final. Álvaro Arbeloa has been appointed on an interim basis as the club searches for a permanent replacement for a coach whose spell at the club will not be forgotten by Mbappé. After the announcement, the Frenchman took over to his Instagram account to publish a story with a message to Xabi Alonso: “It’s been short but it was a pleasure to play for you & learn from you. Thank you for giving me the confidence since Day 1. I will remember you as a manager who had clear ideas and knows many things about football. Best of luck for you next chapter.“ Mbappé and the final controversy with Xabi Alonso Despite the warm

Serie A Briefing: McTominay magic and the ripple effect in Italy to Man United sacking Amorim
An explosion in Manchester was felt more than 1,000 miles away. The decision by Sir Jim Ratcliffe to detonate the Ruben Amorim project shook football. Its blast radius even reached as far as southern Italy. Before his Roma side played away at Lecce last Tuesday, Gian Piero Gasperini received an update about the transfer market. The club’s sporting director Ricky Massara sat down with him. Best-laid plans and all that. He hated to be the bearer of bad news. It was about Joshua Zirkzee, the Manchester United striker Roma have, by now, been linked with for months. “At this time, United have put a complete stop to any transfer discussions because of the change of coach,” Massara revealed. “They don’t want to make any moves. Right now, it seems highly unlikely to me that they will change their minds.” Boom. A mushroom cloud rose over Puglia. A loud Gasp even in silence After Roma’s subsequent 2-0 win at Lecce’s Via del Mare, broadcasters were told Gasperini would not appear for his post-match media duties. He was upset. Not about the result or a refereeing decision. But about recruitment. As the shutters on the winter transfer market clattered up and the

Roma closing on impressive Malen and Robinio Vaz deals in January 2026
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Donyell Malen of Aston Villa looks on with a cut on his head during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Aston Villa FC and BSC Young Boys at Villa Park on November 27, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Roma are going full steam ahead for strikers, as it’s reported they agreed a loan with €28.5m option to buy for Aston Villa’s Donyell Malen, while Marseille are ready to sell Robinio Vaz for €25m. The Giallorossi spent weeks chasing first targets Joshua Zirkzee and Giacomo Raspadori, but with the Manchester United change of management adjusting their strategy and the Italy international unsure about quitting Atletico Madrid already, they were forced to look elsewhere. Malen and Robinio Vaz close to Roma BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Donyell Malen of Aston Villa celebrates his team’s second goal scored by teammate Emi Buendia (not pictured) as Arsenal players looks dejected during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on December 06, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) According to Sky Sport Italia pundit Angelo Mangiante, an agreement has been reached with Aston

Napoli stay in touch with leaders Inter
MILAN: Scott McTominay kept Napoli in touch with Serie A leaders Inter Milan with a brace in Sunday’s entertaining 2-2 draw at the San Siro, after AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina. The Scotland midfielder twice equalized to make sure that the reigning champions would stay four points behind Inter, who seemed set to move five clear of second-placed Milan after taking the lead through Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty in the 73rd minute. Instead Inter stay three points ahead of their local rivals, with Roma in fourth and level on 39 points with Napoli who were saved by a stellar performance from McTominay. Calhanoglu’s spot-kick, rattled in off the post past penalty specialist Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, seemed to be the decisive blow with Inter in the ascendency and Napoli livid. The awarding of the spot-kick, for Amir Rrahmani stepping on Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s foot, sent Antonio Conte into a wild rage on the touchline and he was sent off for his rant at officials in which he loudly called the decision “a disgrace”. “I think we should move on and focus on the performance which was excellent, as was the reaction after conceding the penalty,” said assistant coach Cristian

Kylian Mbappé speaks out on Xabi Alonso leaving Real Madrid
1 Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has taken to social media, to send a farewell message the way of departing manager Xabi Alonso. This of course comes fresh off the Spanish tactician being sent on his way by the Santiago Bernabéu brass. Alonso was on Monday afternoon informed that he would no longer be tasked with leading Real Madrid forward, after slipping to a hard-fought defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup last night. Álvaro Arbeloa has since been named as Alonso’s replacement for the time being. Messages of farewell and good luck have since come flooding in for the ex-midfielder, from fans, players and more. And as alluded to above, adding his name to this list of well wishers late this evening was none other than Kylian Mbappé. Taking to his official Instagram account, the Frenchman frontman, who shone bright under Alonso, wrote: ‘It’s been short but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you. Thank you for giving me the confidence since day 1. I will remember you as a manager who had clear ideas and knows many things about football. Best of luck for your next chapter.’ Conor Laird –

Man Utd Face Man City Hijack; Valverde’s €120 Million Premier League Offer
Sports Illustrated rounds up the latest transfer rumors and gossip from around the world. Elliot Anderson could be one of the year’s biggest transfers. / Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar/Getty Images Manchester City have made contact with Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson over a blockbuster transfer in the summer, handing a huge blow to Manchester United’s hopes of signing their top midfield target. (Source: TEAMtalk) Galatasaray are making progress in talks over an initial loan move for Man Utd midfielder Manuel Ugarte, whose temporary switch to Türkiye would include a permanent transfer option. (Source: Yakup Çınar) Chelsea have made an offer of €120 million (£104.2 million, $139.5 million) to sign Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde. (Source: Fichajes) Having lost right back Conor Bradley to injury, Liverpool are ready to make an offer for Borussia Dortmund’s Ryerson as a replacement. (Source: AbsolutFussball) Juventus are set to improve their offer for Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa by meeting the Reds’ demands over a loan with a permanent transfer obligation, although Juve want it to be conditional based on Chiesa’s fitness levels. (Source: Tuttosport) FREE NEWSLETTER. New SI FC Newsletter Global Embed. Sign Up to Get Informed With SI FC. dark There is a mutual interest between Rodri and

Serie A | Juventus 5-0 Cremonese: Spectacular Manita declares Scudetto ambition
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Weston McKennie of Juventus FC is challenged by Emil Audero Mulyadi of US Cremonese during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Juventus declared their Scudetto ambitions after demolishing Cremonese 5-0 to catch Roma and Napoli, including another Jonathan David goal and impressive Weston McKennie. The Bianconeri crushed Sassuolo 3-0 in the midweek round, as Jonathan David found the net to shake off the missed penalty in their 1-1 draw with Lecce. Francisco Conceicao, Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Gatti, Daniele Rugani and Arek Milik were still out of action, but Lloyd Kelly returned to defence, with Fabio Miretti again used as a trequartista. Jamie Vardy spearheaded the Cremonese attack just days after his 39th birthday, missing Martin Payero with flu symptoms after the team fumbled a 2-0 lead to draw with Genoa midweek. See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog. TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by

Barcelona star hit with ban after win over Real Madrid
1 La Liga giants Barcelona will be force to make do without the contributions of Frenkie de Jong in the club’s next Copa del Rey outing. As much comes owing to developments in the Spanish Super Cup final. Barcelona are of course fresh off retaining their Supercopa title on Sunday evening, at the expense of arch rivals Real Madrid. Owing to goals on the part of Raphinha (2) and Robert Lewandowski, Hansi Flick’s troops emerged on the right side of a 3-2 result. Late in proceedings, however, Barca were also dealt a blow on the personnel front. This came after Frenkie de Jong was responsible for a dangerous high challenge on Kylian Mbappé, culminating in a straight red card. And an insight into the punishment awaiting the Dutchman has since come to the fore online. The info comes courtesy of Mundo Deportivo, who have revealed that: ‘De Jong will not be able to play this Thursday (9pm) in the Copa del Rey round of 16 match that Barça will play against Racing in Santander.’ The former Ajax man will be available this weekend, though, when the reigning Spanish champions make the trip to Real Sociedad. Conor Laird – GSFN Source

Report Leeds United winger Harrison targeted by Fiorentina for January 2026
LEEDS, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 04: Jack Harrison of Leeds during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on October 04, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Sky Sport Italia claim that Fiorentina are in advanced negotiations to sign Leeds United winger Jack Harrison, who would be the third big signing of the transfer window. The Viola have already snapped up Manor Solomon on loan with option to buy for €10m from Tottenham Hotspur, then brought in Marco Brescianini from Atalanta. Harrison could be third signing for Fiorentina BURNLEY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Jack Harrison of Leeds United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Leeds United at Turf Moor on October 18, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images) Transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio suggests their next target is Harrison, who celebrated his 29th birthday in November. He can play on the left or the right wing in an attacking role, so his versatility provides coach Paolo Vanoli with different alternatives for the 4-3-3 formation. Spending time in the Liverpool and Manchester United academies, he really kick-started his career in the USA
Vinicius Junior Matches Record Set By Ronaldo With Goal vs. Barcelona In Super Copa Final
Vinicius Junior’s moment of magic for Real Madrid in their Super Cup clash with Clasico rivals Barcelona counted for little in the grand scheme of things, as they suffered a 3-2 defeat, but it did see him match a notable record. The Brazilian forward now sits level with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Ferenc Puskas when it comes to goal contributions in major finals. Vinicius scored stunning solo goal in Super Cup defeat to Barcelona Real looked to Vinicius for inspiration in their latest showdown with arch-rivals Barca. French frontman Kylian Mbappe was back at Xabi Alonso’s disposal after injury, but was only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench. Somebody else in the iconic white jersey was required to step up and produce moments of brilliance in the final third of the field. Vinicius delivered on that remit when scoring a stunning solo goal in first-half stoppage-time. He picked up the ball wide on the left, nutmegged Barca full-back Jules Kounde and burst beyond Pau Cubarsi. With a sight of the target opening up, Vinicius proceeded to lash an unstoppable strike beyond Joan Garcia and into the bottom corner. That effort brought Real level on the night,

Harry Kane keeps shining at Bayern Munich: The English striker matches a historic 60-year Bundesliga scoring record
Even though his arrival in 2023 was heavily criticized, Harry Kane managed to turn criticism into praise, leading the offense in an impressive way. After playing 122 games, the Englishman has scored 116 goals, making it clear that he is one of the best players in the world. Although he is already 32 years old, he has managed to maintain his high level of play, equaling a 60-year-old Bundesliga scoring record and writing his name in the history of the league. Following netting in Bayern Munich‘s impressive 8-1 win over Wolfsburg, Harry Kane reached 20 goals in the 2025-26 season. With this, the Englishman became the first player since Timo Konietzka to score more than 20 goals in each of his first three Bundesliga seasons, equaling the German’s 60-year-old record, making it clear that his impact on the team is already legendary. In case he keeps his scoring rhythm, he could surpass his 36-goal mark from his debut season. Not only is Kane maintaining his brilliance at Bayern Munich, but Michael Olise and Luis Diaz are also leading the offense. Coach Vincent Kompany’s influence has been vital in this regard, imposing a specific style in which the Englishman is the

Atlético Madrid reach Premier League transfer agreement
1 La Liga giants Atlético Madrid have early this week reached a transfer agreement with their counterparts at Premier League outfit Aston Villa. This comes amid confirmation that Conor Gallagher looks primed for a return to his home country this month. Midfielder Gallagher has for his part been hotly tipped for an Atlético Madrid exit for some time now. After failing to see any such move come to fruition over the summer, the former Chelsea man has in turn found himself in and out of Diego Simeone’s XI in Spain’s capital across the season to date. With the transfer market now back in full swing, a number of clubs have returned to the table, though, keen to strike a loan deal with the Metropolitano brass. And as alluded to above, on Monday, one such suitor have positioned themselves at the front of the queue to bring Gallagher in. As per a report from market insider Fabrizio Romano: ‘Aston Villa verbally agreed deal with Atlético Madrid today. Villa had initial green light from Gallagher but waiting for next steps on player side.’ Fellow Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, it is noted, also remain in the hunt. 🚨🏴 More on Conor Gallagher. Aston Villa

Bruno Fernandes set for new coach as Manchester United reportedly close in on team legend as interim
Ruben Amorim appeared to have struck the ideal balance at Manchester United, but persistent team inconsistencies led to his dismissal a few days ago. In response, the club appointed Darren Fletcher, who was managing the U18 team, as the in-charge coach. However, Bruno Fernandes might not be staying under Fletcher’s leadership for long. The Red Devils are considering another team legend to serve as interim coach until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Manchester United appear unlikely to continue with Darren Fletcher as interim coach, as they set their sights on a club legend. According to Fabrizio Romano, Michael Carrick is in direct negotiations with INEOS and the Red Devils’ front office to become the team’s coach at least until the end of the season. Although Ole Gunnar Solskjær also emerged as a candidate, the former English midfielder appears to be leading the race for the job. Like Solskjær, Carrick had a brief stint with the Red Devils, serving as an assistant coach for four seasons and stepping in as interim coach for three games in the 2021/22 season. However, the Englishman may not be the definitive solution for Manchester United, as his only experience as a head coach comes

Odds Slashed On Xabi Alonso Joining Premier League Club After Real Madrid Exit
Odds have been slashed on Xabi Alonso to make a swift return to the management in the Premier League immediately after his Real Madrid exit. Alonso only took the reins at his former club last summer following on from Carlo Ancelotti taking the Brazil national team job. But he only took charge of 34 games at Los Blancos and even though he won 24, it did not take long for the media to report that the former midfielder was under huge pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu. On Monday, a day on from losing the Supercopa de Espana to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia, Real confirmed Alonso’s departure in an official statement. Alonso left Real Madrid via mutual consent. Image: Getty He left via mutual agreement, with the club stating that Alonso “will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club”. Real, who have appointed former right-back Alvaro Arbeloa as their new permanent boss, also wished Alonso and his staff “the best of luck in this new stage of their lives”. And that new stage could well come imminently for Alonso. Straight after his

Real Madrid splits with coach Xabi Alonso
Former head coach Xabi Alonso led Real Madrid into second place in La Liga through 19 appearances this season. Photo by Kiko Huesca/EPA Jan. 12 (UPI) — Real Madrid and coach Xabi Alonso agreed to a mutual split, the Spanish La Liga soccer franchise announced Monday. Alvaro Arbeloa, who coached Madrid’s reserve squad, will replace Alonso as coach of the senior team. Alonso, who was appointed in June, held the role for less than a year. “Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club,” Madrid said in a news release. “Real Madrid will always be his home. We would like to thank Xabi Alonso and all his coaching staff for their hard work and dedication throughout this time, and wish them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.” Alonso, who played for Madrid from 2009 to 2014, led Los Blancos to the semifinals of the Club World Cup. They went 14-2-3 through their first 19 La Liga appearances this season. Los Blancos sit in second place, behind rival Barcelona (16-2-1) in the La Liga standings. They

Italian Referees Association in chaos after 13-month ban for chief
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, shakes Referee, Luca Zufferli’s, hand following the Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at King Saud University Stadium on December 18, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Antonio Zappi, the President of the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA), has been suspended for 13 months after pressuring Serie C and D figures, but will stay in his role anyway. The bizarre situation unfolding leaves the organisation in charge of Italian referees in disarray. The National Federal Tribunal today fully accepted the proposed punishment of a 13-month ban requested by the FIGC Prosecutor. Referees looking for leadership after Zappi ban MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Match referee, Daniele Doveri shows Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, (not pictured) a red card during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Zappi was accused of putting undue pressure on former Serie C designator Maurizio Ciampi and ex-Serie D designator Alessandro Pizzi to resign from their positions in December 2024. This was so that

Manager Alonso leaves Real Madrid after eight months
Xabi Alonso has left his position as Real Madrid manager after just eight months in charge, with his former Liverpool team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa taking over. The La Liga side said former Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso, 44, had left by “mutual consent” and minutes later announced Arbeloa’s appointment. The former Spain and Real full-back has been promoted from coaching Real’s B team. Real were beaten by rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday and trail Barca by four points in La Liga. Alonso – who spent five years with Real as a player – won the Bundesliga with Leverkusen in 2024 and replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu last summer. A club statement said: “Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home. “Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire coaching staff for their work and dedication throughout this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.” Arbeloa has been coaching the club’s youth team since 2020 but has not managed a senior side

Dataforce: Fleets drive growth amid a record year for German EV market
In 2025, the electric car market in Germany grew by a robust 43.2 per cent, according to the recently published annual statistics from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) – reaching exactly 545,142 new registrations. This marked the highest number of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) ever to hit German roads, achieving a market share of 19.1 per cent. For comparison: in 2024, the BEV share stood at 13.5 per cent, while in 2023, it had already reached 18.4%. Importantly, the overall passenger car market in Germany remained largely stagnant in 2025, with 2.9 million new cars registered (+1.4 per cent year-on-year). Dataforce has analysed the German new car market in greater detail and found that the relevant fleet market, with 207,000 BEVs (+38 per cent year-on-year), remains the largest source of demand for electric cars: “Sales reached a new all-time high in the past year.” In November, electric cars even became the most popular drivetrain among fleet customers for the first time. However, over the entire year, the growth of electric cars in fleets remained slightly below the overall BEV market growth of 43.2 per cent. In contrast, the private market saw a significant recovery in BEV demand, with 195,000 electric

Delivery Apps Have Stolen $550M From Workers By Changing How Customers Tip: Mamdani Admin. Report
Delivery workers have lost as much as $550 million in tips since Uber and DoorDash changed their apps so that the tip option appears only after customers place their orders, the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection charged in a new report. The findings come as the companies sue the city over a law set to go into effect on Jan. 26 that requires them to offer the option to tip at or before checkout. New York City’s landmark minimum pay law, which guarantees delivery workers $21.44 per hour, went into effect in December 2023. The day the law went into effect, Uber and DoorDash introduced new after-checkout tipping policies in order to hide the higher costs wrought by the new minimum pay standards. The average tip for a worker making deliveries for UberEats and DoorDash decreased from $3.66 per delivery to 93 cents per delivery in just one week after the companies moved the tipping option, DCWP found. The average UberEats or DoorDash tip has since dropped to just 76 cents per delivery. But for the apps that kept the tipping option before checkout, like Grubhub, workers earn an average tip of $2.17 per order, according to DCWP’s
OneSpan Announces Agreement to Acquire Build38 to Advance Next-Generation Mobile App Protection
The acquisition will expand OneSpan’s SDK-based mobile application security capabilities to help financial institutions combat evolving threats BOSTON, January 12, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–OneSpan Inc. (NASDAQ: OSPN) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Build38, a leader in next-generation mobile application protection solutions, to extend OneSpan’s investment in advanced mobile security technologies. The planned acquisition is expected to enhance OneSpan’s App Shielding offering by adding SDK-based security solutions that integrate in-app, cloud, and AI technologies. These enhancements will provide businesses with unmatched protection against the growing wave of attacks targeting the mobile channel, as well as critical intelligence and telemetry on the mobile devices where the applications are deployed. Banks and financial institutions face growing pressure to secure digital channels while enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. This urgency is underscored by the proliferation of AI-driven attacks and the sharp rise in mobile threats, targeting the primary channel through which customers interact with their banks. These trends illustrate the need for multi-layered security solutions that combine in-app, cloud, and AI-driven defenses. OneSpan plans to integrate Build38’s advanced SDK-based approach to Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) to enhance its mobile security portfolio and deliver deeper in-app protection against attacks

Selectively showing “act on your behalf” warning for GitHub Apps is in public preview
Today we’ve released an update to the consent page to be less alarming when using GitHub Apps only as a form of sign-in. The consent page for GitHub Apps, where a user decides whether to authorize an app or not, has been updated to only show the “Act on your behalf” note if the app is going to access resources or make writes on the user’s behalf. Many GitHub Apps sign in users as a sign in service. They don’t actually access any data on GitHub, they just want to know who the user is as the basis for an account system. We found that upwards of 50% of application authorizations were of this nature—only requesting the ability to read user profile data. In all of these cases, the user signing in was met with a warning that the app would be allowed to act on behalf of the user, followed by a list of permissions they’d be able to leverage. When the app was asking to read the user’s profile, this was confusing to the end user; what else would the app be allowed be allowed to do? This confusion resulted in support tickets for developers and users choosing

Our favorite UGreen 3-in-1 wireless charger is 32 percent off right now
Now that the winter holidays are well and truly past, now’s the perfect time to take stock of your tech setup. If you were gifted (or gifted yourself) some new gear in December, make sure that you’ve got the proper accessories to keep that gear performing at its best. If a new way to power all those batteries would be a benefit, Amazon’s currently running a discount on an excellent wireless charging pad. The is on sale for $95. That’s only a little bit above the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the product (which was $90), and it’s still a 32 percent discount off its usual cost. UGREEN This is for a 3-in-1 charging pad thanks to its versatility. The UGREEN can work equally well as a permanent fixture in your home or act as a portable charging station. It boasts a foldable design and has smart little design details to keep it feeling like a premium product. The Qi2 25W charging works across a range of iPhone models and accessories, such as AirPods. There’s also a dedicated part of the pad’s design for an Apple Watch, which uses a proprietary charging standard, to power up too. Just note

The Disney+ Hulu bundle is on sale for $10 for one month right now
The peak time for deals on streaming services — the holiday shopping season — has come and gone, but Disney is back with a fresh offer for the new year. New and eligible returning subscribers can get one month of the ad-supported Disney+ Hulu bundle for just $10. That’s $3 off the usual monthly rate for the bundle, and more than 58 percent off if you consider the prices for each service individually (Disney+ at $12 per month and, separately, Hulu also at $12 per month). We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that this isn’t quite as good as the Black Friday deal we saw last year, which offered the same bundle for $5 per month for one year. However, if you missed that offer or just want to try out Disney+ and Hulu for a brief period of time, this is a good way to do so. Disney / Hulu / Engadget Try out the ad-supported plan of Disney+ and Hulu for only $10 for one month. $10 at Disney+ Disney+ and Hulu make one of the most balanced streaming pairs available, blending family-friendly favorites with acclaimed originals and network TV staples. Disney+ brings a vast library of

Clicks Power Keyboard Hands-On Review: Perfect for the Pixel 10 Pro
Clicks is on a mission to bring keyboards back to smartphones, giving users the advantage of a physical QWERTY keyboard without compromising on screen space. It’s no secret that the BlackBerry experience is what Clicks aims to reproduce – no surprise with Michael Fisher (YouTuber MrMobile) and Kevin Michaluk (CrackBerry Kevin) involved. The first product – a keyboard case – didn’t excite me that much because it made the phone really long, too long for a normal pocket, but the Power Keyboard is a different story. I tried the Clicks Power Keyboard at CES 2026, and it has me convinced that this is the must-have accessory that I need for my Pixel 10 Pro. A design that just makes sense The Clicks Power Keyboard pulls together a number of different features. Firstly, it’s a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard, which means it doesn’t have to be out all the time. When it’s not in use, it’s tucked away behind your phone. It connects via Bluetooth. Chris Hall / Foundry Secondly, it uses magnets – MagSafe or Qi2 – to connect to the back of your phone. This means it will work with all recent iPhone models (iPhone 12 or later) as
SiC for Wireless EV Charging Market Forecast to 2034
Dublin, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “Silicon Carbide (SiC) for Wireless EV Charging Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025-2034” has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The Global Silicon Carbide (SiC) for Wireless EV Charging Market was valued at USD 4.2 million in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.1% to reach USD 17 million by 2034. The surge in electric vehicle adoption worldwide is driving demand for SiC in wireless EV charging systems, as consumers and commercial fleets increasingly prefer faster, more efficient, and convenient charging solutions. The SiC power MOSFETs segment held a 39.4% share in 2024, driven by their superior efficiency, lower switching losses, and higher power density. These features enable faster, more compact, and thermally efficient wireless EV chargers. Manufacturers are focusing on improving device reliability, gate oxide stability, and packaging to meet high-frequency operational demands. The 651V to 1200V class segment generated USD 1.7 million in 2024, owing to its suitability for mid- to high-power wireless EV charging. These components offer exceptional efficiency and thermal performance, and producers are investing in device robustness, gate reliability, and automotive-grade packaging integration, while collaborating with EV OEMs on inverter

Apple, Google Pressured to Ban Musk’s X, Grok Apps over AI-Generate Sexual Content
💡 ▪️AAF: Trump Saved $130 Billion by Slashing Red Tape in 2025 ▪️Oxenford: FCC Ownership Rules Biggest Issue Facing TV Stations ▪️altafiber Asks Full FCC to Review Nexstar’s Retrans Win ▪️AEI Editors Urge Annual Funding of Reformed USF ▪️GCI Says Subsea Fiber Cut in the Aleutians Fixed ▪️U.K. Regulator: Mobile, Wi-Fi Might Share Upper 6 GHz Band ▪️Fiber: STELLAR Broadband, Grain’s 123NET Announce Michigan Fiber Build ▪️Supreme Court Takes Case on FCC Process Used to Issue Fines ▪️David Smith Promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Lumos ▪️Burlington Telecom Names Mike Callahan as President and GM Musk: Democratic Sens. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Edward Markey of Massachusetts pressed Apple and Google to remove the X and Grok apps from their app stores, citing reports that the Grok artificial intelligence tool had been used in recent days to generate nonconsensual sexualized images of women and children – in the lawmakers’ words, “the most heinous type of content imaginable.” In their Jan. 9 letter to the CEOs of Apple and Google, the Democrats said, “Apple and Google must remove these apps from the app stores until X’s policy violations are addressed.” The lawmakers claimed Apple’s and Google’s terms of service require action against Elon Musk’s apps. “Turning a blind eye to X’s egregious
Cell phone ban, iLottery move through Indiana legislature
Jan. 12, 2026, 6:05 a.m. ET The 2026 legislative session is off to a rapid second start. Though the session officially started in December when lawmakers considered and rejected mid-decade redistricting, the General Assembly picked up its normal course of business on Jan. 5. With two weeks already spent in December, leaders are aiming to wrap up unusually quickly, by the end of February. A number of bills got some action the first week, from a bell-to-bell school cell phone ban to a criminalization of doxing ― an homage to the threats and intimidation lawmakers received over the redistricting drama. Here’s where things stand on the most consequential bills that were heard in committee the week of Jan. 5. Senate Bill 78: Cell phone ban Lead author: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond What it does: The bill would ban cell phones and smart watches for students during the entire school day, rather than just during instructional time as current law states. Status: Passed the Senate education committee on Jan. 7 by a 12-1 vote. More: Indiana’s school cell phone ban could get a lot more strict Senate Bill 199: Social media use by minors Lead author: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond What
Cell phone ban, iLottery move through Indiana legislature
Jan. 12, 2026, 6:05 a.m. ET The 2026 legislative session is off to a rapid second start. Though the session officially started in December when lawmakers considered and rejected mid-decade redistricting, the General Assembly picked up its normal course of business on Jan. 5. With two weeks already spent in December, leaders are aiming to wrap up unusually quickly, by the end of February. A number of bills got some action the first week, from a bell-to-bell school cell phone ban to a criminalization of doxing ― an homage to the threats and intimidation lawmakers received over the redistricting drama. Here’s where things stand on the most consequential bills that were heard in committee the week of Jan. 5. Senate Bill 78: Cell phone ban Lead author: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond What it does: The bill would ban cell phones and smart watches for students during the entire school day, rather than just during instructional time as current law states. Status: Passed the Senate education committee on Jan. 7 by a 12-1 vote. More: Indiana’s school cell phone ban could get a lot more strict Senate Bill 199: Social media use by minors Lead author: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond What

Dump the free apps—Office 2024 is worth it at this price
TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC for $119.97 (MSRP $149.99) is a pay-once, use-forever upgrade that easily beats free apps—and your patience will thank you. We’ve all tried the free apps. They’re fine, sort of. Formatting breaks, spreadsheets get weird, and suddenly that “quick document” turns into a time sink. That’s why Microsoft Office still matters—and why this one-time MS Office 2024 Home purchase is such a win. For a one-time $119.97 payment (MSRP $149.99), you get the latest desktop versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Mac or PC, installed on one device and yours to keep. No monthly fees. No renewal reminders. Just modern upgrades of the classic Microsoft apps that actually work the way you expect them to. Excel gets smarter with dynamic arrays and AI-powered analysis tools that make sorting, filtering, and visualizing data far easier. PowerPoint now supports recording presentations with voice, video, and captions. Collaboration is smoother too, with real-time co-authoring, comments, chat, and version history built right into the apps. And yes, Office now includes AI-powered suggestions for writing, formatting, summarizing, and data analysis—helpful without being overbearing. Office Home 2024 is a modern, reliable productivity suite for anyone who’s ready to stop pretending free apps

Owners of phones more than 10 years old warned
Maisie LillywhiteGloucestershire BBC Older phones, such as these pictured in 2012, may not be able to switch over to 4G or 5G following the shutdown of the 3G network Mobile phone owners with devices more than 10 years old may need to get a new one as 2G and 3G networks are phased out, a tech expert has said. The switch off of the 3G network is almost complete after mobile phone operators were given a 2033 deadline by the government, with O2 to switch off its 3G network gradually in the coming weeks. Gloucestershire-based David McClelland said some older phones, along with burglar and care alarms, will not be able to receive 4G and 5G networks, while others may automatically switch over. A spokesperson for O2 said it had written directly to its customers to inform them and had advised those with incompatible phones on upgrades “at a discounted price”. McClelland said the 4G and 5G networks “have had a shot in the arm” to make the 3G network switch-off work. He said of some users: “If they are still using the 3G network, then instead their phones will use the 4G or the 5G network. “It could be

Sportsbooks prioritize business over addiction tools in their prediction apps — CDC Gaming
Dan Bernstein, Sportico Email, LinkedIn, and more Amid their prediction market launches, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel have wavered on some responsible gaming protocols they once held up as examples of their supposed altruism. At launch, the companies have only brought some of the anti-addiction tools from their mobile sportsbooks into their standalone prediction market apps. While users can set betting limits and lock their accounts in the new apps, all launched last month, the platforms did not immediately provide gambling addiction hotline information, session time data or the same betting history visualizations. In a statement Thursday night, a FanDuel spokesperson said the company, which launched its prediction market app in five states on Dec. 22, would be adding a support hotline to its in-app customer protection suite “shortly” and had just put it in the fine print of its website. Source link

Gmail has a note-taking app hiding in plain sight — and now I use it daily
I open Gmail dozens of times a day. It was where messages landed, and occasionally got starred or archived. I never expected it to be useful beyond email. However, tucked away in the sidebar is a note-taking app I’d overlooked, even though I use Gmail every single day. After I started using Google Keep directly inside Gmail, it changed how I handle notes, ideas, and tasks during the workday. Instead of context-switching or letting thoughts slip away, I now capture them alongside my messages. Related Google Keep is the most underrated focus app on Android — here’s how I use it to stay organized Its simplicity is why it works If you use Gmail on desktop, you’ve probably noticed the slim sidebar on the right. It holds Google Calendar, Google Tasks, Google Keep, and Contacts. I’d always dismissed it as clutter, thinking of it as something Google added to push its ecosystem. Out of curiosity (and mild frustration with my inbox), I clicked the Keep icon one day. A familiar panel slid open, showing my notes exactly as they appear on my phone. By keeping tools like Google Keep just a click away, Gmail offered a lightweight way to capture

Gemini app and Google AI Mode adding product checkout
Google is embracing “agentic shopping” wherein users can easily make purchases through the Gemini app and AI Mode. UCP establishes a common language for agents and systems to operate together across consumer surfaces, businesses, and payment providers. So instead of requiring unique connections for every individual agent, UCP enables all agents to interact easily. Google today launched the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) as an “open standard for agentic commerce.” It covers product discovery, purchasing, and support. UCP was co-developed with industry leaders including Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, and Target, and endorsed by more than 20 others across the ecosystem like Adyen, American Express, Best Buy, Flipkart, Macy’s, Mastercard, Stripe, The Home Depot, Visa, and Zalando. Google will use UCP in the Gemini app and AI Mode for a new checkout feature. If the response features an eligible Google product listing (from a US retailer), tapping “Buy” starts the process. This might include creating an account with the store and then being taken to Checkout. The final Review your order page will be pre-filled with payment methods (Google Pay) and shipping info (Google Wallet). Purchasing with PayPal is coming soon. Retailers remain the seller of record, with the ability to customize the

These are our 12 favorite fitness, health, and nutrition apps we recommend for crushing your 2026 resolutions
Whether you’re trying to hit New Year’s resolutions or just need a good workout or diet tracker, the best health and fitness apps can help you get there. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) by the choices available, I’m here to share personally-tested workout and planning apps to get you started. Some people thrive with personalized, AI-made workout or diet plans. Others benefit from social apps like Strava where challenges and “kudos” from friends keep you motivated. And you’d be surprised how a good spreadsheet or basic workout log might work better than an expensive app with videos and plans. Broken down into specific categories — general health/ fitness apps, workout apps, companion apps for smartwatches, and weight/ diet apps — these are the best apps to help you hit your goals for 2026, with info on key features, pricing, and why they’ve helped our staff succeed with their goals. You may like General health & fitness apps Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central) (Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central) (Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central) Key Health Features: Sleep Score, Daily Readiness Score, Stress Management Score, Menstrual Health, Meal & Water

How to sync local-first apps across your devices without cloud services
Do you love the privacy of local-first apps but hate having your data locked to one device? Want to access your Obsidian notes or KeePassXC passwords on all your devices without using the cloud? Here’s how Syncthing makes local-first apps work like cloud apps—while keeping your data private. What is the biggest problem with local-first apps Credit: Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | Mr.Mikla/Monster Ztudio/Shutterstock Local-first applications are fantastic for a lot of reasons. They keep your data completely private, since nothing you do is saved to the cloud. You don’t have to worry about sharing your data with third parties, or your information being used to train AI models. You have complete ownership and control over your data. On top of that, these apps aren’t dependent on the internet. Even if your connection is down or slow—or if some random server is having issues—the apps keep working. As long as your computer is functioning and your hardware is capable, you can expect smooth performance. Related How Cloudflare’s outage took down half the internet Don’t let a third-party outage keep you from accessing your self-hosted services. All that said, most local-first apps aren’t perfect, and you notice it immediately when you try to

How app stores became the latest age verification battleground
This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on the action (and inaction) of lawmakers seeking to rein in tech platforms, follow Lauren Feiner. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. In the offline world, age verification is often as simple as flashing a cashier your driver’s license to buy a pack of beer, or an adult magazine (for whoever still does this kind of thing). Advocates for stronger barriers preventing children from accessing online porn have long argued for an equivalent on the internet: online age verification. The idea comes with different challenges than those that exist in the physical world, like the possibility of that information getting hacked, which could be enough to chill consumers from trying to access legal speech. In a 2004 Supreme Court ruling, Ashcroft v. ACLU, the justices found that age verification couldn’t be mandated on porn sites since policymakers had yet to show that less burdensome alternatives, like enabling parents to turn content filters on their own computers to block kids from accessing inappropriate sites, were less effective. Still, activists and many legislators continued

The Shroud of Turin, now on cell phones around the world
The digital reading and viewing of the image of the Holy Shroud of Turin is an absolute novelty. In fact, it is possible to connect on Internet to the program from the website avvolti.org as from the official website sindone.org with any device: smartphone, tablet, computer, with access from all over the world. Pope Leo XIV was the first to access this tour of the image of the Shroud, on the 9th at the Apostolic Palace. Path explained by the image Thanks to the program, it is possible to “scroll” the syndonic image on the screen, enlarging the most significant details (the face, the crown of thorns…), in an explained and structured path. They are the following: 1. Deposition 2. Face/Face 3. Crowning 4. Flagellation 5. Transport 6. Crucifixion 7. Each enlargement is accompanied by explanations and links to the Gospel passages describing the passion of Jesus. File photo of the Shroud, during a preview for journalists at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy (CNS photo/Paul Haring). Bringing the Shroud of Turin to the general public The digital reading aims to bring the image of the Shroud and its meanings closer to the general public throughout

Better Casino Applications 2026 Finest 5 Gambling enterprise Apps the real deal Currency
Such, in the uk and most European union countries, web based casinos, along with gambling software, is legal and you will controlled from the suitable bodies. Usually, gambling enterprise programs give in charge gaming products that allow you to put constraints in your losings, playtime, dumps, and wagers. Less than, We security typically the most popular online casino added bonus types you’ll find in the casino apps and you can what they give. Come across a myriad of ports from the local casino programs, along with three-reel layout game, Megaways ports, jackpot games, extra buy harbors, hold and you can twist, and many more. As well as, domestic supervision implies that casinos is accountable for timely and you will constantly spending payouts. Local certification isn’t just regarding the ticking a package; it is more about delivering players that have accessible legal recourse whether or not you to something capture an urgent change. Private within the-household headings are the brand new ultimate victory, proving a casino’s dedication to stay ahead of the newest package and you may provide some thing it is book. I rates platforms to the variety of application business, making sure players rating a combination of globe staples

Do ‘Focus Apps’ Increase Your Productivity? Here’s The Science : ScienceAlert
It’s hardly a revelation that we’re living in an era of distraction and smartphone addiction. Our phones interrupt us, hijack our attention, and tempt us into scrolling. Even when we aren’t interacting with them, their mere presence makes it difficult to concentrate. To address this, app developers have responded with a vast ocean of productivity and focus apps, each promising to tame the chaos with timers, app blocking, habit reminders, and rewards designed to help you stay focused and be productive. To understand whether these apps are worth our while, we first need to consider why staying focused is so difficult in the first place. Related: Losing Focus May Actually Boost Learning, Study Finds Why is it so hard to stay focused? By and large, a lack of focus boils down to difficulties with self-regulation, the ability to monitor and manage thoughts, emotions and behaviors for goal pursuit. In short, when a task feels boring, stressful, or tedious, it creates an unpleasant feeling. We then search for relief, and for most of us that comes by way of our smartphone, which has become our go-to coping device, even if it derails the work we need to do. There’s been much

Indie App Spotlight: ‘Zephy’ makes plane spotting easy, with an AirTag-style interface
Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact. If you’ve ever found yourself looking into the sky and wondered “huh, that plane looks a little interesting’ – Zephy is a fun plane tracking tool that uses your iPhone’s gyroscope to show you what exactly is around you. It’s rather nifty. Top features Maybe you’re not necessarily someone who looks into the sky and questions what plane is above you – though I know I am. Or, maybe, you see something in the sky that looks a bit peculiar, like a military plane, a private jet of sorts, or just a helicopter. If you ever find yourself even slightly curious, Zephy is a neat app for the job. Zephy cuts a lot of the clutter out of traditional flight radar apps, and gives you a simple compass-style radar view of what planes are flying overhead. Then, you can just tap into an individual plane to view more information – including altitude, speed, tail number, destination, plane model, and more. You can also see an example photo

Flying Taxi is coming ..
As the world grapples with the challenges of worsening traffic congestion and the need for more sustainable transportation solutions, a new era of urban air mobility is on the horizon. At the forefront of this revolution is Hyundai, the global automotive giant, which has unveiled its ambitious plans for an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that could transform the way we move through our cities. In recent years, many manufacturers have been preparing flying taxis, which may become the next important development direction of travel vehicles. So nowadays, in major exhibitions, you can always see some of these products. Hyundai released a prototype of the SA-1 aircraft , in CES 2020, built with Uber in the pavilion. It has a huge propeller that can seat a total of four passengers, which is quite pompous in terms of styling (at least on the ground). This year’s CES, Hyundai unveiled a new “flying car” concept called the S-A2. This is a continuation of the S-A1 concept that debuted at CES 2020, and its purpose is roughly the same, which is to carry out short-distance point-to-point transportation within the city, which is the concept of air taxis. The S-A2 has a cruising speed
Prof. Francis Lui said tourism sector may be beneficiary of tariff war
發佈日期: 2025-05-06 20:02 TVB News 粵 已複製連結 Trade tariffs initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump continue to bring uncertainties across the globe. But an economics professor said on TVB’s Straight Talk programme that the tariffs’ overall impact on Hong Kong’s economy will be small, and some sectors may even benefit from the situation. FRANCIS LUI, Chair Professor, Macau Univ. of Science & Technology: “Hong Kong is a major re-export centre. So those people who are involved in re-exporting, or involved in logistics, will all have to suffer so much more. And then there’s another effect, which is quite positive on Hong Kong. Hong Kong will try to retain a zero tariff rate for most of the products, and that will make Hong Kong a paradise for tourism. A lot of people will come to Hong Kong to buy goods which are much cheaper than what they can buy elsewhere. So, people from the mainland and people even from the U.S. may come to Hong Kong, and that could revive the tourism industry here.” Professor Lui also said he agreed with the vast majority of American economists that Trump cannot bring the manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. Lui added Trump

Type 5 diabetes and diet: How are they linked? Dietician explains and shares 4 tips for healthy eating | Health
While most people are familiar with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, type 5 diabetes is an equally important yet often overlooked form. Linked to pancreatic disorders and genetic predispositions, type 5 diabetes is emerging as a growing health concern that warrants greater awareness and understanding. Linked to pancreatic disorders and genetic predispositions, type 5 diabetes is emerging as a growing health concern.(Shutterstock) In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr Simrat Kathuria, celebrity dietician and wellness coach said, “Type 5 diabetes arises with conditions affecting pancreatic function, like pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or even post-pancreatic surgery. Genes take the blame here; lifestyle, however, nurtures or resists their growth. A lot of people fail to realise the sheer power diet holds in managing and preventing these intricate forms.” Also read | What is Type 5 diabetes, the condition that affects 25 million people worldwide? Explaining the power of diet on our health, Dr Simrat Kathuria added, “Our genes are something we cannot change, but our food plate can. Smart dietary choices are your first line of defense, even for rare types of diabetes. Food truly is medicine.” Here’s how diet can manage type 5 diabetes: Follow anti-inflammatory diet A low-glycemic, anti-inflammatory diet

Carb Restriction is Superior to Calorie Counting, Says Science
Counting calories has long been understood to offer the best chance of maintaining a healthy body weight, but many people find it difficult to sustain this approach. Fortunately, a new study by researchers at the University of Surrey in England has found that the far less complicated method of cutting carbs can offer similar benefits. The study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, showed that low carb diets, regardless of calories, let to better metabolic markers and superior handling of high-fat meals including a reduction in circulating triglycerides, the type of fat that is associated with heart disease. How was the study carried out? Overweight or obese participants aged between 20 and 65 were given three different diets to follow: Meals including carbs (55% of total energy) Meals with low carbs (50g) Calorie restricted meals with low carbs (50g) George Rudy What were the results? “We found that by simply restricting carbohydrates, without enduring extreme calorie restriction, we can reap the metabolic effects associated with short-term fasting,” said Dr Adam Collins, co-author of the study and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Surrey. “This suggests that periodically reducing our carbohydrate intake could be a more accessible and

We Recommend Skipping This Chick Fil A Breakfast Item
Crawford Smith/Mashed Chick-fil-A’s breakfast menu debuted all the way back in 2004, and customers could initially choose from items like breakfast burritos, fruit cups, and mini-chicken sandwiches. Since then, the chicken chain’s breakfast menu has expanded in both popularity and selection, as diners can now enjoy spicy chicken biscuits, hash brown bowls, and berry parfaits, in addition to a host of other items. We love a good fast food breakfast, and Chick-fil-A is one of the chains to implement it most successfully, but there was one item in our worst-to-best ranking of Chick-fil-A’s breakfast items that left us distinctly disappointed. While its health attributes can’t be denied, the restaurant’s Egg White Grill left a poor impression on our reviewer, who was not a fan of the breakfast sandwich’s overly moist nature. “The scrambled egg whites released so much liquid into the English muffin that it became soggy,” he explained. He went on to highlight the lack of flavor in the eggs, save for hints of sulfur-tinged unpleasantness, which can sometimes occur when eggs are overcooked. While the grilled chicken breast benefited from the addition of citrus marinade and seasoning, both the meat and the

The breakfast I eat every day to keep my gut health score at 93 out of 100
I’ve been eating the same breakfast every day for years – and it’s helped me keep my gut health score high I’ve been eating the same breakfast every day for years – and it’s helped me keep my gut health score high(Image: Arx0nt via Getty Images) The significance of gut health in maintaining overall wellbeing is increasingly recognised, with more individuals becoming aware and a growing consensus among scientists, doctors and nutritionists. Some experts, including nutritionists, have gone as far as labelling your gut as your “second brain”. Deborah Grayson, a notable nutritionist, has said: “When your gut thrives, so do you.” This sentiment is echoed by Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of Zoe, who also refers to the gut as a second brain that communicates feelings of anxiety and stress to our main brain. Prof Spector highlights the gut’s critical role in mood and energy levels, noting that its chemical makeup is “crucial for controlling inflammation”, and can help reduce the risk of food allergies, immune diseases, and even cancer, reports Surrey Live. Our gut is home to an extraordinary microbiome filled with trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms that are crucial for various health aspects – from reinforcing the
香港壽司郎X排球少年聯乘活動!4款香港限定週邊/3間主題店/人物透明卡 | U Food
壽司郎 排球少年|影山 日向|香港壽司郎首度聯乘日本動漫《排球少年!!》!經過一系列神秘預告以及宣傳,香港壽司郎終於正式公布和日本動漫《排球少年》的 最新聯名活動。 壽司郎x排球少年聯乘活動|特別主題店 壽司郎尖沙咀店 日期:2025 年 4 月 28 日至 5 月 31 日 地點:尖沙咀加連威老道2-6號愛賓商業大廈地下G2, G3 & 103號舖 壽司郎銅鑼灣店 日期:2025 年 4 月 28 日至 5 月 31 日 地點:銅鑼灣駱克道463-483號銅鑼灣廣場2期3樓3A號舖 壽司郎荃灣綠楊店 日期:2025 年 4 月 28 日至 5 月 31 日 地點:荃灣蕙荃路22-66號綠楊坊2樓S20-23號舖 壽司郎x排球少年聯乘活動|4款限定甜品+餐點 除了主題店外,壽司郎還聯同了排球少年推出了4款限定聯名餐點。分別是會附送排球少年!!聯乘限定角色插牌的蝦牛油果海苔包($17)、士多啤梨雲石白朱古力慕絲蛋糕($34)、搖搖脆薯條($29)、 一人前聯乘限定外賣盛盒($99)。 壽司郎x排球少年限定「蝦牛油果海苔包」($17) 附送排球少年聯乘限定角色插牌,共20款款式將隨機派送。選用彈牙鮮蝦,鮮蝦配上奶油口感的濃郁牛油果,以羅勒醬點綴,並淋上濃厚蛋黃醬。豐富口感加上香濃滋味,絕對是完美組合! 壽司郎x排球少年限定「士多啤梨雲石白朱古力慕絲蛋糕」($34) 附送排球少年聯乘限定亞加力鎖匙扣,共16款款式將隨機派送。蛋糕以士多啤梨醬繪上雲石紋,外形簡約吸睛,白朱古力慕絲綿密柔滑,與頂層香甜士多啤梨醬精妙融合。 壽司郎x排球少年限定「搖搖脆薯條」($29) 附送排球少年聯乘限定透明/雙面收藏卡,前半共6款,後半共5款,款式隨機派送。壽司郎破天荒推出搖搖脆薯條,搭配蒜香忌廉味的搖搖粉,叫人令人回味無窮! 壽司郎x排球少年限定1人前聯乘限定外賣盛合($99) 附送排球少年!!聯乘限定圓形小掛袋 。掛袋正面為各大校隊的校徽,背面則是應援橫幅設計。圓形小掛袋除了可掛於手提袋或背包上作裝飾,更可用作收納零散的小物件,一物多用,共5款款式將隨機派送。 壽司郎聯乘排球少年香港限定加購品 除了上述餐點以及附送周邊外,這次壽司郎還推出香港限定加購品。凡於堂食或外賣自取消費滿$200*,即可以加購價購買以下各項聯乘精品。 壽司郎x排球少年襟章($29) 共9款款式隨機,售完即止。襟章的每款設計均印有不同角色,材質厚實具質感,且帶有細閃鐳射效果,十分精美。可以扣在帆布袋、背包、衣服等作裝飾,亦可作珍藏紀念,粉絲務必收藏。 壽司郎x排球少年散紙包($39) 共9款款式隨機,售完即止。散紙包表面印有角色名字,更特別配上角色亞加力吊飾,精緻型格,不但可放入硬幣和小飾物、更可掛在袋或背包上。 壽司郎x排球少年斜孭袋 ($119) 共1款售完即止。斜孭袋以烏野高中的主題色為設計概念,並印有主角日向翔陽的圖案,設計簡約型格,且採用輕巧的尼龍布材質,既方便又百搭實用,不論日常、運動或旅遊都非常適合。 壽司郎x排球少年運動毛巾 ($109) 共4款售完即止。四款運動毛巾分別以各高中校隊為主題,圖案仔細清晰,輕巧易收納且攜帶方便,是外出運動的必備好物。另外,粉絲亦可珍藏, 香港壽司郎X排球少年限定壽司碟+$1,000 優惠券 由即日上午 11 時起至 5 月 31 日,只要到壽司郎參加打卡錦標賽*,最有心思的 50 位參加者即有機會獲得「排球少年!!聯乘限定壽司碟」及高達總值港幣$1,000 壽司郎優惠券,粉絲們快到壽司郎打卡參賽,贏取豐富獎品! 參加方法:1. 讚好或追蹤香港壽司郎(Facebook 或Instagram)專頁2. 拍攝【香港壽司郎 x 排球少年!!】聯乘活動相關食物、周邊或主題店等參賽作品(照片/短片/Reels)* ,公開分享於個人 Facebook 或Instagram,並加上 Hashtag「 #香港壽司郎排球少年 」。3. 活動結束後,香港壽司郎將根據 3 個評分準則:創意度、熱血度、搞笑度,從參賽作品中選出 50 位得獎作品。 活動獎品:1. A 賞(名額共 2 名):「排球少年!!聯乘限定壽司碟」乙隻 及 價值港幣 100 元優惠券 十張※ (總值港幣$1,000) 2. B 賞(名額共 4 名):「排球少年!!聯乘限定壽司碟」乙隻 及 價值港幣 100 元優惠券 五張※ (總值港幣$500) 3. C 賞(名額共 5 名):「排球少年!!聯乘限定壽司碟」乙隻 及 價值港幣 100 元優惠券 兩張※ (總值港幣$200) 4. 優異獎(名額共 39 名):「排球少年!!聯乘限定壽司碟」乙隻 *排球少年!!聯乘限定商品於壽司郎全線分店有售(啟德零售館2店除外)*期間限定商品及加購精品數量有限,售完即止*消費滿$200即可加購每種加購品各2件; 消費滿$400即可加購每種加購品各4件。每單上限為各種4件。*詳情請向店員查詢 同場加映: 台灣壽司郎聯乘排球少年限定主題店 台灣壽司郎聯乘排球少年的活動中,台灣推出了5家壽司郎×《排球少年!!》的限定主題店,分別於台北市、新北市、台中市、台南市以及高雄市。每間限定主題店都設計精美,每一間都超想去打卡! 台灣壽司郎聯乘排球少年周邊精品 台灣壽司郎所推出的排球少年聯乘活動中,推出了多款限定周邊精品,包括「排球少年!!Q版人物插卡」、「排球少年!!環保袋」、「排球少年!!小圓包」、「排球少年!!飲料杯」、「排球少年!!人物透卡」等。其中最特別還有限量50個的壽司郎×《排球少年!!》聯名壽司碟抽獎。不知道香港壽司郎又會不會有呢~ 資料來源:台灣壽司郎/香港壽司郎 香港壽司郎與排球少年聯乘活動推出4款限定餐點,包括蝦牛油果海苔包、士多啤梨雲石白朱古力慕絲蛋糕、搖搖脆薯條及一人前聯乘限定外賣盛盒,並附送不同款式的角色插牌、亞加力鎖匙扣、透明收藏卡及圓形小掛袋。 香港壽司郎與排球少年的聯乘活動主題店設於尖沙咀、銅鑼灣及荃灣綠楊坊的壽司郎分店,活動日期為2025年4月28日至5月31日。 Source link
Costco Frozen Breakfast Options, Ranked Worst To Best
Monika Sudakov/Daily Meal There are a lot of hidden treasures in Costco’s frozen food aisle that members flock to when they hit the retailer to stock up. In addition to its vast array of rave-worthy appetizers, it has a convenient and affordable selection of breakfast food options. Advertisement The breakfast foods available at Costco include something for all tastes, appetites, and dietary needs, including sandwiches, egg dishes, and healthy breakfast bowls. While the inventory at every Costco varies, I was curious to sample as many of these breakfast options as I could find at my local store. I sampled each one to determine which is worth stocking up on and which you might want to skip on your next Costco outing. Read on to find out which frozen breakfast option landed on top and what criteria I used to rank them. Once you do, all you will need to start your morning off right is a cup of Kirkland brand coffee to get your juices flowing. 7. Red’s Turkey Sausage Egg’Wich Monika Sudakov/Daily Meal At the bottom of this ranking of Costco’s frozen breakfast options is the Turkey Sausage

Shocking blood sugar surges hiding in your ‘healthy’ meals like sushi and sweet potato fries
New research by Saga Health Insurance reveals UK Google searches for ‘what foods lower blood sugar immediately’ increased 5,000% in the first three months of 2025 07:51 ET, 05 May 2025Updated 08:24 ET, 05 May 2025 More and more people are becoming health-conscious in their eating habits The buzz around blood sugar control is soaring, with Saga Health Insurance uncovering a staggering 5,000% surge in UK Google searches for “what foods lower blood sugar immediately” in the first quarter of 2025. TikTok’s health-conscious users are also on the pulse, with “blood sugar” tagged in nearly 97K posts. Experiencing a big blood sugar spike is like riding a rollercoaster of energy highs and lows, often caused by indulging in sugary or high-carb treats that lead to temporary pep-ups followed by fatigue, brain fog and more cravings. Saga Health Insurance didn’t just stop at stats; they surveyed 500 Brits and teamed up with Steve Bennett, a health coach and advisor to the House of Lords on food matters, to dissect how our noshing habits affect blood sugar levels. READ MORE: TSA announces five states will not require REAL ID after May 7 deadlineREAD MORE: Experts urge anyone who likes soy sauce to

Healthy Food in Portland | The Official Guide to Portland
i Xocotl serves cold-pressed juices, smoothies and more inside the Portland Mercado. Credit: Christine Dong for Portland in Color Nutritious meets delicious at these healthy, vegetable-centric eateries. Updated Apr. 30, 2025 3 min read Tuck Woodstock Tuck Woodstock wrote and edited content for Travel Portland from 2014–2020. Read More Portland may be known for its ice cream, doughnuts, cured meats and fish sauce chicken wings, but it’s also a heavenly spot for healthy food options such as salads and smoothies. Nourish yourself at these whole-food-focused restaurants. Salads When someone says “healthy food,” most people immediately think of salad, but not all piles of leafy greens are created equal. At Portland’s Crisp Salads, you can build your own nutritious masterpiece from a wide selection of seasonal ingredients, including a variety of greens, 10+ dressings and numerous toppings like toasted pumpkin seeds and cranberries. And with two locations in Portland, you’re never far from a fresh lunch. Another salad standout, Garden Monsters, crushes the “rabbit food” stereotype with massive salads sure to satisfy even the biggest appetites. The “Paul Bunyan,” for example, comes loaded with grass-fed steak, red potatoes, bleu cheese and croutons. Prefer your salads sans meat? Swap out any animal

30 High-Protein Lunch Ideas Perfect for Meal Prep
1 Spice-Rubbed Chicken Lettuce Cups Mike Garten Grill up a big batch of this flavorful chicken over the weekend, then feature the ready-to-go protein in salads, lettuce cups, wraps, grain bowls, you name it. Get the Spice-Rubbed Chicken Lettuce Cups recipe. 2 Avocado Chicken Salad Clubs mike garten Advertisement – Continue Reading Below 3 Steak and Rice Noodle Bowls mike garten With a medley of colorful julienned veggies, cooked rice noodles, grilled skirt steak, fresh herbs and a tangy-sweet dressing, these bowls can be enjoyed hot or cold. Get the Steak and Rice Noodle Bowls recipe. 4 Pasta e Fagioli Mike Garten Advertisement – Continue Reading Below 5 Cottage Cheese Wrap Pinwheels mike garten Create your own wrap — with a blend of cottage cheese, eggs and herbs — that you can fill to your heart’s content. We’re partial to a combo of pesto chicken, hummus, roasted tomatoes and mixed greens. Get the Cottage Cheese Wrap Pinwheels recipe. 6 Soba Noodle Salad with Shrimp and Ginger Vinaigrette Mike Garten Advertisement – Continue Reading Below 7 Salmon Salad Tartines Mike Garten 8 Roasted Chickpea, Tomato and Chicken Bowls Mike Garten Advertisement – Continue Reading Below 9 Avocado and Tuna Salad Wraps

Eating Chicken Could Shorten Your Lifespan, Raise Cancer Risk: Study
Share on PinterestA new study suggests that consuming excess poultry may be associated with all-cause mortality and gastrointestinal cancers. Davide Illini/Stocksy United Consuming more than 300 grams of poultry per week may lead to an increase in all-cause deaths and cancers, according to a new study. The findings contradict existing research and are being approached with caution by experts. Poultry is widely considered a healthier protein source and a cornerstone of healthy eating plans like the Mediterranean diet. Factors that could affect mortality rates and cancer incidence were not considered in the study, prompting calls for further investigation. A surprising new study of people in southern Italy suggests that consuming excess poultry, widely considered a healthier animal protein source, may be associated with all-cause mortality and gastrointestinal cancers. The study’s results largely conflict with previous research and conventional wisdom. Poultry is generally considered a healthy protein source and a mainstay of healthy-diet plans, including the well-regarded Mediterranean diet. The United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), 2020–2025, recommends up to 26 ounces of protein foods, including lean meats, poultry, and eggs, per week, without specific limits on each. The new research, however, suggests that consuming more than 300 grams (10.5

Field Trip Friday, Second Graders Learn Healthy Eating Habits in Classroom Visit – KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News
JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) — Students at East Elementary in Jackson got a colorful lesson in nutrition during this week’s Field Trip Friday. Mrs. Brune’s second grade class welcomed nutrition expert Hannah Schellman, who led a session on the importance of healthy eating and how the right foods fuel both the body and mind. Schellman used a simple comparison comparing food to fuel, much like gas for a car, to help students understand how their diet affects their energy and growth. “Your body needs fuel to get around,” she explained. “So we’re going to talk about what foods help us run and play and do all the things we need.” Using the image of a plate, Schellman encouraged students to think about the healthy food options they can create. Source link

Nicole Danielle Titko of Florida On Creating Healthy, Florida-Inspired Meals Year-Round
Nicole Danielle Titko of Florida has built her culinary brand around the natural bounty and vibrant lifestyle of the Sunshine State. As a personal chef and caterer with a passion for healthy living, she crafts meals that are rooted in Florida’s local produce, coastal seafood, and colorful culture. Her work is more than just cooking—it’s a daily expression of wellness, artistry, and love for her environment. From private dinners to full-scale catered events, Nicole Danielle Titko channels the warmth, brightness, and health-conscious ethos of Florida into every dish she prepares. The Essence of Florida in Every Bite by Nicole Danielle Titko Florida’s geographic and agricultural diversity offers a wealth of culinary inspiration. Nicole Danielle Titko of Florida taps into this rich tapestry by sourcing ingredients directly from local farms, markets, and fisheries. She understands that the freshness of ingredients influences not just the taste of a dish, but its nutritional value and its connection to the land. For Nicole Danielle Titko, cooking with intention begins with understanding where food comes from and honoring its journey. Her dishes often highlight iconic Florida staples—sweet corn, mango, papaya, avocado, and snapper—fused with her health-forward culinary methods. Rather than mask the natural flavors with

LANDMARK Celebrates 18-Year Partnership with L’ATELIER DE JOËL ROBUCHON HONG KONG as the Legendary Restaurant Returns This Summer
World’s Most MICHELIN-Starred Gastronomic Icon returns to a stunning new space in LANDMARK ATRIUM HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 May 2025 – LANDMARK is delighted to announce the highly anticipated return of gastronomic legend L’ATELIER DE JOËL ROBUCHON HONG KONG as the cornerstone of its refined Central dining portfolio this summer. Get the latest news delivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The iconic restaurant has been located at LANDMARK for 18 years and has held the coveted Three MICHELIN Star status – the only L’ATELIER DE JOËL ROBUCHON HONG KONG internationally to do so – for an unprecedented 13 continuous years, since the very first Hong Kong & Macau MICHELIN Guide in 2012 until its temporary closure in January 2025. Following 19 months of planning and design, this acclaimed restaurant now proudly returns to a glamorous 18,000 sq. ft. tailor-made venue on the fourth floor of LANDMARK ATRIUM in August. “L’ATELIER DE JOËL ROBUCHON HONG KONG has been the jewel in the crown of our dining portfolio at

Stop eating one food to keep heart healthy according to surgeon
A heart surgeon has shared the one thing he recommends avoiding in your diet in order to maintain good metabolic health – and avoid ending up on the operating table Eating healthily is important to ensure your heart works as it should (stock image)(Image: d3sign via Getty Images) A heart surgeon has spoken out about the one thing he recommends people eliminate from their diet to stay healthy and avoid ending up on his operating table. On average in the United States, someone dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease. In 2022, 702,880 people died from heart disease nationwide. This accounted for one in every five deaths across the US, making heart disease the leading cause of death. While factors like age and genetics significantly influence the risk of developing heart problems, lifestyle plays an undeniable role as well, and changing our eating habits can drastically increase or decrease our risk. In a clip from British entrepreneur Steven Bartlett’s podcast, Diary of a CEO, Dr Philip Ovadia – author of the book Stay off My Operating Table – highlighted that consuming one specific type of food can increase your likelihood of falling ill. “What I really tried to look at

Blue Zones recipe for longevity includes cooking class mixing rice, beans and community
First they drop the onions into the pot. Then in go the chickpeas and garlic cloves, all under the watchful eyes of chef Luis Montoya. For a group of women in Miami, Florida, mostly mothers and grandmothers, this one-pot meal can solve a challenge: how do you prepare easy and affordable healthy meals in a community considered a food desert? Inside the Overtown Youth Centre in the US city, the women slice and dice and squeeze their way through a recipe for chickpea soup with lemon and herbs, a recipe inspired by the Mediterranean, a region known for populations that can live to 100 and more. “The most difficult part is hitting the pressure button on the pressure cooker,” says Montoya, the South Florida chef leading the class, as the women prepare ingredients near the electric pots. Chickpeas in a strainer during a cooking class staged as part of a 10-week programme by the Blue Zones group in Miami, Florida to encourage healthier eating. Photo: Miami Herald/TNS A group called Blue Zones, which swoops into communities to find ways to improve the health of residents through changes to the environment and diet, brought the cooking classes to Overtown this spring.

Eat Bigger Meals to Cut Down on Ultra-Processed Snacks: Dietitian
Ivy Duong, 26, does an hour of resistance training three times a week, averages 7,000 steps a day, plays intense sports once or twice a week, and has an active job as an ambassador for a nonprofit organization. For the latest installment of Business Insider’s Nutrition Clinic, Duong, who is based in Canada, told Business Insider what she eats on an average day. She said her goals are to boost her longevity, cut down on ultra-processed food, and stay healthy to support her active lifestyle. The dietitian Sophie Medlin reviewed Duong’s daily diet and said that, given her exercise levels, she likely needs to eat more. Duong has a small breakfast or skips it Duong said she normally eats two or three meals a day. She said she often skips breakfast but sometimes makes a smoothie containing almond milk, Greek yogurt, matcha powder, chia seeds, hemp seeds, collagen powder, apples, and frozen berries, adding up to roughly 300 to 350 calories. Alternatively, she has a slice of rye or wholewheat toast with peanut butter and salt, which comes to about 350 calories. Duong regularly eats lunches like quinoa with vegetables. Ivy Duong Duong rotates a selection of dishes for her

Healthy ready meal company enters liquidation
John Campbell BBC News NI economics editor Karri Kitchen Peter Coulter & John Campbell BBC News NI Products from the healthy ready meal company Karri Kitchen have disappeared from shelves across Northern Ireland as the business has entered liquidation. The firm, which was based in Craigavon, County Armagh, had expanded rapidly over the past few years securing deals with Tesco, Lidl, Asda and Spar to become one of NI’s biggest ready meal businesses. Karri Kitchen specialised in healthy Asian-style meals such as Mongolian beef noodles, firecracker chicken and mango chicken curry. The liquidator said the business was “unable to meet rising production costs”. The business was started in 2019 by Shera McAloran with a mantra to “bring healthy south-east Asian cuisine to homes across Northern Ireland”. The business also appeared in the BBC programme Food Fest Northern Ireland featuring some of their unique recipes. The Statement of Affairs which was filed as part of the liquidation process showed the business had net debts of almost £700,000 when it stopped trading. That included almost £200,000 owed to a County Armagh food company and £183,000 which had been loaned to the business by one of its directors, Chris McAloran. The statement also

ProteinHouse to bring healthy eating options to Turlock
Health-food chain ProteinHouse is coming to Turlock. With 17 restaurants in operation throughout the country, Turlock is poised to become home to No. 18 — or 19 if the soon-to-open restaurant in Tempe, Ariz. beats Turlock to the finish line. “We’re set to open sometime late next month,” said Mark Ponticelli, who co-owns ProteinHouse locations in Modesto and Sacramento with his brother-in-law, January Siphan, a former Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Deputy and Modesto police officer. “We’re super excited.” Employees Seth Oaxaca, left, and Beth Mejia blend up protein shakes Tuesday at ProteinHouse Healthy Fit Kitchen in Modesto (JOE CORTEZ/The Journal). Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., ProteinHouse offers a wide array of healthy food and drink options for breakfast, lunch and dinner — for dine-in or to go. From Protein Pancakes to an egg-white and turkey-bacon sandwich served on an Ezekiel English muffin, there’s something for every breakfast appetite. There’s also build-your-own breakfast options. The lunch and dinner menu includes burgers (beef, turkey, salmon, and vegan options), burritos, wraps, salads and more. In addition to açai bowls and shakes, there’s a wide array of protein shakes. The menu also includes side orders and something for kids.

Factor Meals Review 2025: Worth the Cost?
Finding the time and energy to prepare balanced, tasty meals can be a real struggle. Whether you’re in a recipe rut or simply overwhelmed by meal planning after a hectic day, I get it. Cooking takes effort, and grabbing fast food or ordering takeout can feel much easier. As a registered dietitian, I’ve discovered that meal delivery services are a game changer, taking the stress out of healthy eating and making it easier to enjoy nutritious, tasty food without the hassle. Factor is one meal delivery service that’s earned a spot on the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab’s list of the best meal delivery services for weight loss and the best low-carb meal delivery services. To assess the best options, we gathered feedback from over 300 home cooks nationwide and had our experts evaluate more than 50 meal delivery services in our Labs, focusing on taste, nutrition, ease of use and overall experience. Here’s what to know about Factor before signing up. What is Factor? Factor, also referred to as “Factor 75” or “Factor_” is a meal delivery service that offers freshly prepared dishes that arrive ready to heat and enjoy. With a weekly menu featuring 35 options that prioritize

Weaning recipes to use instead of ultra-processed baby food
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Though baby food in plastic pouches has made mealtimes easy and convenient for parents across the UK, an investigation by BBC Panorama has found that baby food from several leading brands offers scant nutritional value and contains shocking amounts of sugar. Pouches of baby food from the likes of Ella’s Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo, Little Freddie, Aldi and Lidl were tested and found lacking in essential nutrients. A “pure mango” pouch from Piccolo contained less than 0.1mg of vitamin C – a fresh mango contains 18.2mg. Many of these brands are marketed as healthy alternatives to homemade food, but critics argue that a mixture of greenwashing, wellness washing and halo marketing could be responsible for poor health from infancy. “The findings are concerning,” says nutritionist Claire Johnson. “Many of these convenient, squeezable products are low in essential nutrients such as iron and vitamin C, both of which are vital for babies’ brain development, immune function and overall

Sick of eating the same things? 5 ways to boost your nutrition and keep meals interesting and healthy
Did you start 2025 with a promise to eat better but didn’t quite get there? Or maybe you want to branch out from making the same meal every week or the same lunch for work almost every day? Small dietary changes can make a big difference to how you feel, how your body functions and health indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. You can meet your nutrient needs by eating a range of foods from the key food groups: vegetables and fruit protein (legumes, beans, tofu, meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds) grains (mostly wholegrain and high-fibre) calcium-rich foods (milk, yoghurt, cheese, non-dairy alternatives). But you also need a variety of foods to get enough vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients from plant foods. Phytonutrients have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and other functions that help keep you healthy. Use these five dietary tweaks to boost your nutrient intake and add variety to what you eat. 1. Include different types of bran to boost your fibre intake Different types of dietary fibre help improve bowel function through fermentation by gut microbes in the colon, or large bowel. This creates larger, softer bowel motions that then stimulate the colon to contract,

Flanders to spend 70 million euros a year on healthy school meals
The Flemish government reached an agreement on Tuesday on how to implement healthy meals in schools. It will provide about 70 million euros – about 170 euros per child – per year, and schools will be allowed to decide how to spend the money. One of Vooruit’s main election platforms last year was “a free healthy meal for every child in kindergarten and primary school in Flanders”. The Socialist party wanted to spend 3 euros per child per day, but Tuesday’s agreement does not go that far. Vooruit, CD&V and N-VA agreed on a budget of 23 million euros for this year. This will rise to 73 million euros per year in the coming legislative years. For every 100 euros spent by Flanders, the cities and municipalities are expected to contribute at least 75 euros. Flanders has about 720,000 pupils in kindergarten and primary education. This means that the budget amounts to about 170 euros per child. Divided by the number of days in a school year, this amounts to just under one euro per child per day. “Every child, whether they have rich or poor parents, (…) has a right to healthy food and the many benefits it brings”

Melbourne named one of the world’s best places to visit in 2026
If you’re deep in 2026 holiday planning mode, you don’t have to look far to find inspiration – with the world’s leading tastemakers (including the global travel editors at Time Out) dropping their definitive guide to the best places to visit in the year ahead. After taking the title as the best destination in the world for big city thrills (according to the experts at Travel + Leisure), Melbourne has just been named among the top global destinations by one of the world’s most trusted travel publications, the New York Times.The renowned publication has ranked the Victorian capital in 49th place on its annual, hotly anticipated travel guide. According to the New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2026 list, Melbourne’s moment in the spotlight this year is fuelled by a heady combination of high-octane sport and its ever-evolving culinary scene.First up, sport. Three decades after the city first hosted the opening race of the Formula 1 season, Melbourne is preparing for another motorsport milestone: the debut of a brand-new Cadillac Formula 1 team – the first new squad to join the grid in a decade. The Australian Grand Prix, running from March 5-8, is tipped to be an unmissable drawcard for

Healthy Exercise and Lifestyle ProgramS (HELPS) now accepting applications
January 12, 2026 Wake Forest’s Healthy Exercise and Lifestyle ProgramS (HELPS) is now accepting applications for the 2026 spring semester’s Heart Health program. The Heart Health Program (HHP) is a 12-week program offered at no cost to full-time, permanent Wake Forest University employees. The program is designed to support individuals who want to make heart-healthy lifestyle changes but are unsure where to begin. HHP is a professionally supervised program that combines structured exercise, nutritional guidance and educational components to promote cardiovascular health. Our goal is to help you develop sustainable, longterm, healthy lifestyle changes! Applications are now being accepted. Weekly group sessions will be held in person on Wednesdays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. starting February 4th. Program highlights: Baseline and follow-up cardiovascular disease risk measurements (blood pressure, lipid collection, body composition analysis, etc). Entry physical activity levels are evaluated. This information is used to determine and define the amount of physical activity you need to foster a healthy and active lifestyle. Entry dietary intake is assessed through computer-analyzed food records. Specific calorie, nutrient and food group changes are identified. Entry body composition (including bone density measures). This will be assessed through a DXA scan. Optional supervised exercise sessions at our conveniently located
Slow Is Healing: Why Ayurveda Warns Against Sudden Lifestyle Changes | Health and Fitness News
Last Updated:January 13, 2026, 07:34 IST Ayurveda emphasises slow, mindful healing over abrupt lifestyle overhauls. Dr. Bindu M. explains how gradual changes support balance, digestion, and long-term wellbeing. Ayurveda recognises that agni (digestive strength) needs time to stabilise, dhatus (body tissues) require steady nourishment, and the mind needs reassurance not force Practised for over 5,000 years, Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine continues to gain global recognition for its holistic approach to health. Rather than offering quick fixes, Ayurveda views healing as a mindful and sustainable return to balance, focusing on addressing root causes instead of merely managing symptoms. “Sudden lifestyle modifications often disrupt the body’s natural equilibrium,” explains Dr Bindu M, BAMS, Senior Physician, Apollo Ayurvaid Hospitals. “Abrupt changes such as drastic dietary shifts, intense exercise routines, or rigid daily schedules can disturb the doshas, particularly vata, which governs movement, nervous system functions, and adaptability.” According to Dr Bindu, such disruptions may manifest as anxiety, digestive disturbances, fatigue, or sleep irregularities. “These conditions usually develop gradually through prolonged imbalance,” she notes. “Healing, therefore, must also be gradual, paced, and methodical rather than rushed.” Ayurveda recognises that agni (digestive strength) needs time to stabilise, dhatus (body tissues) require

減肥針
近年流行「減肥針」「瘦瘦針」,有些女性趨之若鶩,我見社交媒體上不乏「一針輕鬆瘦」「告別肥胖賀爾蒙」等廣告標語。 我也有認識的朋友急不及待地去打,首先,我根本不覺得她肥,現在社會仍吹捧「瘦=美」的扭曲價值觀。一味瘦,但又瘦到不健康、面黃黃和沒精打采的,好嗎?其次,要減肥就要好好注意運動和飲食,這類減肥針有副作用且會反彈,根本不能長期打。 先了解減肥針源起:GLP-1(腸促胰島素肽)原是人體腸道自然分泌的賀爾蒙,功能是促進胰島素分泌、抑制食慾、延緩胃部排空。減肥針就是含有腸泌素(GLP-1)類似物的處方注射藥物,本用於醫治第二型糖尿病,其後醫生與研究人員意外發現,使用者體重明顯下降,從而變成減肥新寵。在醫療界,本只幫患癡肥病人(BMI≥30)作體重管理,但近年卻變成吸引女士們的「瘦瘦針」。 愛美之人要清醒,針無兩頭利。此類針劑絕非完美無瑕。常見副作用包括噁心、嘔吐、腹瀉、便秘等腸胃不適。去年九月在Dermatology and Therapy(Vol. 15)刊登的研究報告顯示,這類減肥針的副作用不能忽視,包括皮疹、大皰性皮疹、血管炎等表現,傷口癒合能力受損,且更增加胃腸道、急性胰臟炎、膽結石和膽囊炎的風險。以上副作用,當然打減肥針的地方不會主動告訴客人或病人。此外,停藥後體重容易反彈,若未同步調整飲食與生活習慣,根本效果短暫。 與其外求針藥,不如靠自己促進身體自然分泌GLP-1:一、高纖飲食:膳食纖維在腸道發酵時,能刺激腸道細胞分泌GLP-1。二、優質蛋白質:魚和蛋有助促進GLP-1釋放並增加飽足感。三、攝取有益脂肪:適量堅果、Omega-3對賀爾蒙分泌有正面影響。四、每日運動:包括帶氧與肌力訓練。五、充足睡眠:睡眠不良會擾亂GLP-1分泌。 世上沒有不勞而獲之事,靠減肥針減了體重,身體其他地方要還。 Source link
Hormonal Inflammation: Why Lifestyle Habits Are Disrupting Metabolic Health In Young Adults | Health and Fitness News
Last Updated:January 11, 2026, 09:36 IST Sedentary lifestyles, poor sleep, stress, and ultra-processed diets are driving hormonal inflammation in young adults. A metabolic expert explains the growing health impact. Persistent activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis leads to elevated cortisol levels Metabolic and endocrine disorders that were once largely associated with middle age are now being diagnosed with increasing frequency among young adults. According to Dr Vimal Pahuja, Associate Director, Internal Medicine & Metabolic Physician, Diabetes & Weight Management Clinic at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, this shift reflects a deeper, lifestyle-driven disruption in the body’s hormonal and metabolic balance. “What we are seeing today is the result of a hustle-driven, convenience-oriented lifestyle that has created the perfect environment for metabolic imbalance,” says Dr Pahuja. “Young adults are presenting with conditions we once expected to see much later in life.” At the centre of this shift lies hormonal inflammation, a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation driven by daily habits that interfere with hormonal signalling and metabolic regulation. “Reduced physical activity, irregular sleep cycles, prolonged screen exposure, and constant stress are some of the biggest contributors,” explains Dr Pahuja. Prolonged sitting, he notes, reduces muscle activity, which in turn depresses insulin sensitivity.

The 18 best places to visit in England
The story of England, a small country with an outsized impact on the rest of the world, stretches back more than 5000 years. When you visit, you’ll find the those layers of history everywhere you go. As you wander historic urban centers, mysterious monoliths, misty landscapes, rugged coastlines and national parks, you’ll discover a country packed with unparalleled places to visit that are the more compelling thanks to those who have visited here before. You could stay a year and not see everything, but we’ve managed to narrow it down to 18 must-see destinations around the country. Use this list of the best places to visit in England to shape your itinerary, whether you’re exploring the southeast, southwest or the north of England. You could visit all of these highlights on one grand tour of the country over the course of a fortnight, or pick the most appealing and plan to explore one region at a slower pace. If you’re a fan of train travel, you’re in luck as most of these destinations can be reached by train, but you’ll need to book ahead to get the best fares. Alternatively you can mix in some road trips, to explore in more depth.

She bought a cheap home in Italy for the lifestyle — then her son’s health dramatically improved
When Lynnette Elser, from Crossville, Tennessee, first arrived in the Italian village of Latronico with her 5-year-old adopted autistic son Kenny, she wasn’t planning on making it her new home. Then, on their first night, Kenny, who has serious respiratory issues, seemed able to breathe without difficulty for what Elser, a retired federal government scientist, says was the first time ever. Normally, she would check his blood oxygen level with a fingertip pulse monitor during the night when she heard him struggle to breathe, but in Latronico something was different. “Truthfully, I thought his blood oxygen meter was broken and not reading the oxygen level correctly,” Elser says. “I switched monitors and it was still a good reading. Then that night as his breathing was steady I was just amazed watching him breathe and not trying to put his head higher on the pillows.” As Elser kept vigil, Kenny’s blood oxygen level stayed steadily above 95%. His heart rate was normal. “It is horrible watching a child not able to breathe, struggling with each breath, the oxygen level in his blood not going up, and with his heart beating at over 250 beats a minute,” she says. “When we were
American College of Lifestyle Medicine supports Dietary Guidelines’ focus on healthy eating
We commend the Dietary Guidelines’ focus on unhealthy food’s connection to chronic disease. Post this Food-based interventions to support healthy dietary patterns span a continuum from health promotion to disease prevention, treatment, and reversal with variations in intensity and therapeutic dosing. We commend the administration for its focus on unhealthy food’s connection to chronic disease and will continue to offer our assistance to advance food as medicine efforts. About ACLM®: The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) is the nation’s medical professional society advancing the field of lifestyle medicine as the foundation of a redesigned, value-based and equitable health care delivery system, essential to achieving the Quintuple Aim and whole-person health. ACLM represents, advocates for, trains, certifies and equips its members to identify and eradicate the root cause of chronic disease by optimizing modifiable risk factors. ACLM is filling the gaping void of lifestyle medicine in medical education, providing more than 1.2 million hours of lifestyle medicine education to physicians and other health professionals since 2004, while also advancing research, clinical practice and reimbursement strategies. Media Contact Jean Tips, American College of Lifestyle Medine, 2142401872, [email protected], https://lifestylemedicine.org/ SOURCE American College of Lifestyle Medine Source link

Princess Charlene’s 125-acre haven is the secret to her healthy lifestyle
Princess Charlene‘s life before becoming a working royal placed a huge focus on health and fitness as an Olympic swimmer. Prince Albert‘s wife, 47, who married into the Monegasque royal family in 2011, swam for South Africa in the 2000 Olympics and at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games, having made her professional swimming debut at the South African Championship in 1996 at the age of 18. Since her 2007 retirement, the princess has continued to share her passion for sport, launching the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation in December 2012 to promote life-saving education around water safety and the importance of sports for children. Her husband’s hideout, which not many people know about as it is off limits to the public, also aligns with Charlene’s focus on a healthy lifestyle. © GettyPrince Albert manages an organic farm Prince Albert’s organic haven Albert maintains Roc Agel, a 125-acre farm that Prince Rainier started, which is home to 12 cows and approximately 100 chickens. “My father [Prince Rainier] started it, really. He wanted Roc Agel to be a working farm since the ’60s,” Albert told People in 2015. “It was his notion. The vegetable garden was already in progress, and my

Healthy lifestyle can be achieved through millet consumption | Mangaluru News
Mangaluru: A healthy lifestyle can be achieved by consuming a variety of dishes prepared from millets. Besides being beneficial for good health, millet crops also support agriculture, help maintain soil health, and contribute to environmental conservation, said Jayaram, project director of the Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat.He was speaking after inaugurating the district-level millet and traditional (forgotten) foods cooking competition held at the office of the joint director of agriculture on Wednesday. He said that millets can be used to prepare a wide range of dishes and are highly beneficial for health. Cultivating millets not only helps conserve water, but is also advantageous for humans, livestock, and environmental protection, he said. Stressing the need to increase the consumption of millets, Jayaram urged people to replace junk food with millets in their daily diet for a healthier life. Joint director of agriculture Honnappa Govinda Gowda said there is a need to introduce the food practices of earlier generations to today’s youth. With this objective, many such programmes will be organised in the future, he said. A total of 51 participants from various taluks of the district took part in the competition. Among them, 10 participants competed in the forgotten foods category, 17

團隊黑洞
工作場景內,有一種人,堪稱「團隊黑洞」——他們彷彿自帶引力場,能將團隊的精力、效率,甚至耐性都吸進無底深淵。更可怕的是,這類人往往具備三大「黑洞特質」,層層遞進。 第一層:能力不足:這本非死罪,惟能力不足卻連份內基本工作都不達標,跟進的項目永遠甩甩漏漏、錯漏百出。 第二層:拙,本可原諒,但又拙又懶,不思進補,乃可恨之始。知不足,若提早準備、反覆檢查,總能將勤補拙。但「黑洞族」偏不,他們懶得做多一步。拙是能力問題,懶是態度問題,兩者疊加極可恨。 第三層:永遠是別人的錯,這是「黑洞」成形的終極封印,最致命。若被指出問題,他瞬間啟動「免責力場」,化身全宇宙最無辜的受害者。 曾親歷一役:推新產品,死綫迫在眉睫,但事交「黑洞族」負責,結果錯漏百出,若產品這樣推出,必是災難,累得其他人要漏夜執手尾。到產品推出,有人問:「產品為何宣傳配套全無動靜?」對方歎氣秒回:「唉,公司高層佔用資源,宣傳新同事又毫無經驗,無計。」我聽畢,差點拍枱大罵:「閣下身為產品負責人,不懂得向上司爭取宣傳資源?新同事新手不熟,你不懂指示和跟進叫他配合執行?」在他那套邏輯裏,上有高層掣肘,下有新手拖累,左右有部門不配合,整個世界都在與他為敵,唯獨他潔白無瑕,毫無責任。這種「無責思維」,是團隊協作中最劇烈的腐蝕劑。 集齊三點者,注定成事不足、敗事有餘,不僅自己停滯,更會磨損他人。經驗之談:與這類人合作,如同拖着秤砣游泳,能掙扎到彼岸已屬萬幸,別奢求速度與姿態。 若對方是年輕人,我還是會願意苦口婆心的。若已屆中年者,積習入骨,炒得就炒,若不在我能炒範圍的話,那就慳返啖氣遠離黑洞。皆因時間寶貴,能量有限,與其將精力消耗在填補無底黑洞,不如專注於與那些負責、自省、遇事會積極處理的夥伴並肩作戰。無他,遠離「無責族」,是為了呵護那點珍貴的、用來建設而非內耗之元氣。 Source link

UAE health survey highlights lifestyle risks and obesity concerns – Dubai Eye 103.8
WAM A major national survey, released by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), has found large numbers of adults in the UAE are not getting enough physical activity, while obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol remain widespread. The findings come from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024–2025, which was conducted in collaboration with federal and local partners and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The survey provides the most comprehensive snapshot to date of population health in the UAE and is intended to guide preventive care, health policy and long-term planning. Key health findings among adults aged 18 and over, the survey found that: 59 per cent do not engage in sufficient physical activity 22.4 per cent are living with obesity 25.9 per cent have high blood pressure 54.2 per cent have high cholesterol 12.5 per cent have elevated blood glucose levels 8.7 per cent are smokers Vitamin D deficiency was also identified as a significant concern, affecting nearly half of adults and more than two-thirds of children aged 6 to 17. Diet and nutrition trends The National Nutrition Survey, conducted alongside the health assessment, showed high levels of sugar and salt consumption: 96 per cent

Combat veteran and lifestyle medicine physician is helping shape digital health
As a physician, veteran and lifestyle medicine leader, Regan A. Stiegmann, DO, MPH, has built a career defined by service. In May of 2011, Dr. Stiegmann enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) Reserve, where she served as a flight surgeon. In the years since, she has combined her osteopathic medical training with her military experience to champion whole-person health, advance lifestyle medicine and help shape emerging digital health solutions for the next generation of physicians and patients. Today, Dr. Stiegmann is a clinical professor at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) and the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. She is also an active member of several professional medical associations and serves on the AOiA’s Digital Health Innovation Steering Committee. Her multifaceted career continues to reflect her commitment to service. Below is an edited Q&A. What was your path to osteopathic medicine? I am a proud Colorado native, and both of my parents are physicians. Both are MDs, and I knew that I was not cut for the common pathway. I ended up looking around for other options that might exist outside of allopathic medical schools, and lo and behold, I found osteopathic medicine. What

一條內褲走天涯
最近台灣網絡熱議一則「六日只穿一條內褲」的旅行糾紛,有位潔癖男生發現女友旅行期間只帶一套內衣褲,穿足全程。 男生在社交討論區抒發感受,說拍拖時以為是「香噴噴的漂亮女孩」,結果同居後才發現她不修邊幅……碗放三天不洗,事主出差回家,會發現垃圾廚餘放一個禮拜都不丟、洗澡完排水孔的頭髮又不撿等,事主訴說,崩潰到考慮想分手。為了一條內褲想分手,看似荒唐,卻赤裸裸揭開親密關係中常被忽略的戰場——個人衞生差距,或是壓垮愛情的最後一根稻草。 伴侶一起生活的衝突源頭,不少與生活習慣差異有關。其中「衞生標準落差」是關鍵——你以為愛的是飄飄仙氣的甜姐兒,同居後才發現對方生活得猶如「麻甩佬」,這種衝擊確實需要點時間消化。那位「香噴噴漂亮女孩」的同居真相,活脫脫是現代親密關係的「開盲盒」體驗——打開前以為是限量版香水,打開後才發現是帶酸餿味的發酵廚餘。故事殘酷揭示真理:約會時的精緻,很多時只是「限期優惠裝」;近距離的真面目,才是見真章時刻。 情侶旅行,正是這場「真相揭露戰」的加速器與高倍顯微鏡。從執行李那刻開始,已是一場「衞生哲學」的預演:你帶齊消毒噴霧、獨立包裝袋,她卻信奉「一條內褲走天涯」。到了異地,壓力與疲勞更會讓所有隱藏習慣原形畢露。 所以說,與其說旅行是浪漫催化劑,不如說是關係的「壓力測試軟件」。它能將未來數十年可能爆發的「家居衞生戰爭」、「責任分工矛盾」,壓縮在短短數日內預演一遍。那條穿了六天的內褲,不僅是一個衞生問題,更是一面照出彼此價值觀、自律程度與互相尊重底綫的鏡子。 若能通過這關「旅行照妖鏡」,恭喜,你們或許已練就「接納彼此最真實模樣」的功力;若然不能,也未必是壞事。早崩潰、早發現、早抉擇,總好過將來在婚書簽妥後,才為誰該清理排水孔的頭髮而日夜嗌霎。畢竟,愛情可以盲目,但一同相處,卻需要一雙能忍受些許灰塵的慧眼。 Source link

Five lifestyle tweaks to help you live well for longer
Socialising with your friends is an enjoyable way of boosting your longevity (Credit: BBC) A mindset change As we strive to live well, we might assume we need to make significant changes. But as I pointed to earlier, research shows that small, consistent changes are key to greater physical and mental wellbeing, rather making radical overhauls to your life. The first step is understanding that we can enact meaningful changes ourselves, and we can do so immediately. As Gow tells me, “If people don’t believe change is possible, it’s very unlikely that they’re going to be open to an intervention… Increasing the knowledge of what we can do to protect and promote brain health, whatever age we are, is fundamental”. For instance simple actions could be trying a new exercise, finding a new hobby or joining a book group. And for anyone ready to take these steps, combining changes in diet, exercise, cognitive training and cardiovascular health have been shown to have a significant improvement on brain health for older adults at risk of dementia. This was shown in the landmark Finger (Finnish Geriatric Intervention) study, which involved 1,260 participants aged 60 to 77 who were randomly assigned into either

近年獨愛Jackson Wang
芸芸年輕表演者中,我獨愛看Jackson Wang(王嘉爾)。當今華語娛樂圈中,能真正稱得上「國際巨星」的年輕偶像,只有他。 這位香港出生的表演者,在海外訪問中,展現出一種「真我」風采–英文流利如母語,對答機智從容,談音樂理念、文化碰撞乃至個人價值觀,皆渾灑自如,毫無滯礙。近排他回港一陣子,接受多間本地媒體訪問,無偶包(偶像包袱)、不扮嘢、坦蕩蕩,甚至承認自己有醫美,率真快人快語,是我喜歡的類型。 偶包,在當今藝能界幾是標準配備。然而,在Jackson身上,卻沒有這種刻意經營的距離感。即使已達「國際範」成就,成為首位華人獨唱歌手登上Coachella音樂節主舞台、社媒追隨者以千萬計,受訪談起香港,最念念不忘的,竟是沙田新城市廣場和好運中心;還說當年學校舞會,以$399在旺角潮流特區買下一整套西裝……能毫不猶豫地道出「地標」,說明其內心深處,依舊與這片土地的尋常脈動緊緊相連。 許多藝人一旦躍升國際,急於擁抱一套「高級」敘事。Jackson卻反其道而行,在中外訪問中,他常坦蕩談及作為運動員(前劍擊代表)轉型藝人的艱辛,談在香港與國際間尋找身份定位的掙扎,甚至其低潮和抑鬱症。這種自然的真實,恰恰打破東西方對亞洲偶像「含蓄拘謹」的刻板印象。 尤其難得的是,他的語言與文化切換,並非「表演」,而是融於骨血的靈活流動。面對西方媒體,他以流利英語談中國文化;回到華語語境,又能用廣東話細數兒時趣事。這種自如,建基於他自身「文化混雜性」的自信,不必割裂任何一部分的自我去迎合某個市場。 Jackson示範出所謂「國際化」並非褪去本土色彩,而是帶着自身文化的根,坦然而自信地走向世界。從沙田和馬鞍山(兒時居所)到世界舞台,他走了一條很遠的路,但心裏那張地圖,起點與座標始終清晰。這種沒有偶包的真實和坦然,比任何光芒都更具力量。 Source link

The five ways to kickstart a healthy lifestyle in 2026 that have nothing to do with losing weight
Every January, internet searches for the terms ‘diet’ and ‘weight loss‘ surge, gyms become busier and diet trends spread across social media. However, research shows that most people who try the latest quick-fix plan to lose weight and improve their health ultimately don’t keep the weight off or the habits up. Focusing on the number on the scale alone can overshadow other changes that improve health in more reliable and sustainable ways. Some of these may lead to weight loss and some may not, but the benefits are clear either way, as they can lead to improvements in heart health, muscle mass and tone, cognitive function and mood. Here are five evidence-based resolutions that can support better health – and none of them have anything to do with shedding pounds. Eat more plants Eating more plants does not mean you have to become vegetarian. If you eat meat and want to continue, that is fine. You can still increase the amount and variety of plant foods on your plate. There is a vast amount of research showing that diets rich in plant foods are linked with lower risks of major diseases. Adding more plants is one of the simplest ways

Keep your brain ‘eight years younger’ with five lifestyle habits, new study finds
Recent research suggests five everyday lifestyle habits may help maintain a younger brain age Fiona Callingham Lifestyle writer 04:00, 04 Jan 2026 A new study identified five lifestyle factors that could keep your brain healthy(Image: Getty) Five simple habits could help keep your brain “younger”, new research has suggested. The study found that following these lifestyle behaviours may keep your brain working as if it were “eight years younger” than your actual age. This trend was notably evident among people living with chronic pain – a condition typically linked to cognitive decline. The new research, published in the journal Brain Communications, explored whether daily habits affect brain ageing in those with ongoing pain. According to Medical News Today, scientists found that people who stuck to healthy lifestyle habits showed a younger brain age. In some cases, participants’ brain age was up to eight years less than their real age. For the study, researchers from three American universities analysed data from more than 100 adults aged 45 to 85, who were followed over two years. These people were already taking part in a larger observational study into pain and osteoarthritis risk. Each person’s chronic pain severity was scored on a scale
Trump Talks About His Health and Lifestyle
Trump Talks About His Health and Lifestyle In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, the American leader spoke about his health and lifestyle. According to Trump, he suffers from swollen legs and has sleep problems. Because of this, he has to take a large dose of aspirin, despite doctors’ recommendations to reduce it. “They say aspirin thins the blood well, and I don’t want thick blood flowing through my heart. I want nice, liquid blood flowing through my heart,” he said. Trump explained that he has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which is a common age-related condition. He has to take 325 mg of aspirin a day and has been doing so for the past 25 years. Sometimes the American leader has to mask blood flow with cosmetics because of the medication. Regarding his lifestyle, Trump admitted that he consumes fast food and does absolutely no physical exercise, except for his favorite golf. At the same time, the White House physician claims that the U.S. president is in exceptionally good health, with a heart age of about 65 years. Source link

6 wellness tips for long-term health and longevity, from two doctors
How to stay healthy in 2026 Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, gives his top health tips for a healthy 2026 on ‘Fox News Live.’ NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! About 30% of Americans make at least one New Year’s resolution, statistics show, generally focused on exercising, eating healthier and losing weight. However, less than 10% of people stick with their resolutions throughout the year, with nearly a quarter quitting in the first week. To boost the success rate of resolutions, two doctors recommend pivoting from “quick fixes” and focusing more on science-based ways to achieve long-term wellness. SCIENTISTS REVEAL THE ONE PRACTICE THAT COULD PREVENT DEMENTIA AS YOU AGE Dr. Shai Efrati, a leading expert in brain health and longevity, and Dr. Joseph Maroon, an 84-year-old NFL neurosurgeon and superager, shared the following six tips with Fox News Digital. No. 1: Don’t retire early Retirement can potentially accelerate physical and cognitive decline, Efrati warned, especially if it means withdrawing from meaningful activity. “A strong sense of purpose is one of the most powerful, and underestimated, predictors of longevity,” a doctor said. (iStock) “Research consistently shows that continued engagement in work — whether full-time, part-time

7 Lifestyle Changes That Help Women Stay Fit In Their 50s | Health and Fitness News
Last Updated:January 01, 2026, 10:44 IST Concentrate on a high-protein, high-fibre diet, aiming for 120–130 grammes of protein and 25–30 grams of fibre per day to preserve gut and muscle health. Strength and endurance are the cornerstones of Dr Dolegowski’s regimen. She described her weekly routine, which included walking for 45 to 60 minutes every morning, lifting weights four days a week, and doing Zone 2 cardio sessions (steady-state aerobic activity) twice a week. Dr Won Dolegowski revealed the key to staying fit for women in their 50s. Taking to Instagram, the personal trainer and nutrition coach shared a set of habits that would improve one’s health and mindset. “At 53, I’ve never been fitter or stronger!” Dolegowski wrote. Here are seven steps you can follow for better health in your 50s. Walk for 45 to 60 Minutes Every Morning Strength and endurance are the cornerstones of Dr Dolegowski’s regimen. She described her weekly routine, which included walking for 45 to 60 minutes every morning, lifting weights four days a week, and doing Zone 2 cardio sessions (steady-state aerobic activity) twice a week. Prioritise A High-Protein And High-Fibre Diet The kitchen is where transformation begins. She concentrated on a high-protein,

Manissa Montour Shares Health, Wellness, And Lifestyle Shifts That Took Over In 2025
As health and wellness continued to evolve in 2025, few voices captured the shift toward sustainability and self-trust quite like Manissa Montour. A wellness entrepreneur, fitness educator, and community builder, Montour is the founder of Nissafit—a platform rooted in strength training, daily movement, and routines designed to support real life, not perfection. Through her work, she has helped thousands of women redefine what it means to “get in shape,” emphasizing consistency, embodiment, and long-term habits over extremes or aesthetics. Exploring the intersection of wellness, discipline, and personal empowerment, Montour reframes fitness as a foundational practice for clarity, confidence, and generational healing. Montour looks back at the health and wellness trends that shaped the year. 1. How would you describe the overall fitness and wellness landscape of 2025, and how is it different from what we were seeing just a few years ago? 2025 feels less extreme and more intentional. A few years ago, fitness was about pushing harder and doing more. Now it’s about doing what you can consistently. Classes are back, Pilates has become mainstream, and community-based movement is having a real moment. You see it with things like Gunna launching a run club—it’s not about elite performance, it’s about culture, accessibility, and showing

‘My hoarding is not a lifestyle choice, it’s a mental health issue’
Bea SwallowWest of England Handout Hoarding was recognised as a complex mental health condition in 2013 A sliver of space left on a mattress, narrow winding pathways carved through clutter and precarious piles of newspapers – this is just a small glimpse behind the curtain of a person living with a hoarding disorder. Jess, not her real name, navigated a turbulent childhood which she said manifested itself in adulthood as a “paralyzing anxiety” when faced with difficult situations. “I feel my environment has always been out of control and that’s part of the problem,” she explained. “It’s an inability to deal with things.” Jess, who lives in north Bristol, said her problem with clutter began innocently through accumulating books in a bid to become more “self-reliant” after moving to university to escape her difficult home life. As the years passed her collection morphed into a hoard that was too “overwhelming” to face – every room in her flat overflowing with boxes of paperwork, food, packaging and clothing. On one occasion, her parents turned up unannounced on the doorstep for a surprise visit but she could not bear to let them in. “I felt absolutely dreadful, I was so embarrassed” she

Chloë Grace Moretz’s Sci-Fi Disaster Movie Is Leaving Netflix Soon
The coming month is not only going to bring a fresh batch of titles to Netflix‘s doors, but will also witness the departure of a host of action, sci-fi, and thriller movies and TV shows. One such dystopian sci-fi action fest, which features Kick-Ass star Chloë Grace Moretz in the lead, is also at the cusp of leaving Netflix, much to the dismay of its fans. The 5th Wave is leaving Netflix next month Netflix subscribers have a little over two weeks left to enjoy 2016’s The 5th Wave on their preferred screen, as the title will be making its way out of the renowned streaming platform’s content library next month. Based on Rick Yancey’s 2013 novel of the same name, The 5th Wave will officially exit Netflix on February 1, 2026. Helmed by J Blakeson, the dystopian thriller revolves around the escapades of an Ohio high schooler, Cassie, played masterfully by Chloë Grace Moretz. The movie showcases Earth sustaining an alien invasion, which leaves the planet in ruins. Having already attacked Earth four times, the extraterrestrial beings prepare for a fifth charge in a bid to completely wipe out humanity. Despite facing the threat of extinction, Cassie decides to

Jacob Elordi Names His Biggest Childhood Crushes
Jacob Elordi, who has been quite busy in the industry lately with multiple projects like Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights, spoke to W Magazine in a recent interview, where he spoke about his childhood crushes. He gave out quite a list, which also included Barbara Eden and Miley Cyrus. Jacob Elordi talks about his crushes from childhood Jacob Elordi has been very active in the industry since his stint on Euphoria. The actor has had multiple acclaimed roles since then. He most recently appeared on Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, where he played the monster. Elordi’s performance received plenty of plaudits and was singled out by multiple critics. The actor will be seen soon on Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights, opposite Margot Robbie. In a recent interview with W Magazine, Elordi discussed his latest film, but also spoke about his childhood crushes. The list was quite substantial. When asked who his crush was growing up, the Saltburn star responded, “I Dream of Jeannie,” referring to the 1960s sitcom starring Barbara Eden. He followed it up with, “And then Mary-Kate and Ashley [Olsen] in New York Minute. Both of them, collectively.” He further added, “Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana.” He finally concluded

Who Is Leaving & Coming to Days of Our Lives This Week (January 12-16)?
Days of Our Lives is heating up with some major plot twists and character changes on the horizon. With new faces set to take over iconic roles and fresh characters joining the fray, viewers are in for a wild ride of secrets, confrontations, and shifting alliances. Here’s a detailed breakdown of who’s joining and who’s leaving the Days of Our Lives cast from January 12 to January 16, 2026: List of everyone who is joining and leaving Days of Our Lives’ cast from January 12-16 Comings Alice Halsey as Rachel Black: The drama surrounding Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) and Brady’s (Eric Martsolf) daughter continues this week on Days of Our Lives. Kim Hawthorne as Dr. Gregory: Brady gets a medical update on Rachel from her doctor on Tuesday, January 13. Hank Northrop as Liam Selejko: The offspring of Wayne Northrop (ex-Roman/Alex) and Lynn Herring (Lucy, GH), Hank Northrop is back in town this week. Northrop who potrays Liam Selejko, will share scenes with Linsey Godfrey’s character Sarah in the upcoming episodes. Peter Porte as Dimitri von Leuschner: Dimitri’s still at the heart of the chaos this week. He will be seen alongside Emily O’Brien’s Gwen, among others. Goings As for exits,

Who Is Leaving & Coming to Bold & Beautiful This Week (January 12-16)?
Eager to know who’s joining and leaving The Bold and the Beautiful from January 12-16? This long-running soap opera has kept viewers hooked with its strong cast performances, interesting storylines, and dramatic twists. It follows the lives of the Forresters, whose empire remains at the forefront of the fashion industry. Beyond the glamour and fame, they navigate eventful challenges in their personal and professional lives. It’s common for soap operas to occasionally see the departure of familiar characters, while also welcoming new ones each week. So, here are the cast shake-up details of this week. Everyone who is leaving and coming to The Bold and the Beautiful’s cast this week Who’s coming: Jennifer Gareis as Donna Logan Forrester She is the wife of Eric Forrester, who will be involved in a few scenes this week. According to the spoilers, she’ll look forward to creating harmony between her daughters, Katie and Brooke. The siblings had a fallout earlier over the Logan name, whose trademark is now officially owned by Katie. However, Donna’s plan might face obstacles, given that Katie goes to meet with Eric to discuss business. Brayan Nicoletti as RJ Forrester He is the son of Brooke and Ridge, who

WWE’s Monday Night Raw Pulled Massive Netflix Viewership in 2025
Netflix’s 2025 data confirms that WWE’s Monday Night Raw did not just find a new home on the platform. It dominated it, pulling in hundreds of millions of views and establishing itself as a global fixture in Netflix’s top rankings. WWE Monday Night Raw posts great numbers across 2025 The flagship program’s performance has been staggering. Since its January 2025 debut on Netflix, Monday Night Raw has averaged over 3 million viewers per week. Its consistency is perhaps most impressive, as the show landed on Netflix’s Global Top 10 English TV chart for 47 out of the 52 weeks it aired during its first year. This dominance was mirrored in key international markets. Raw charted in the United States for 51 weeks, Bolivia for 49 weeks, Canada for 48 weeks, the United Kingdom for 40 weeks, and Mexico for 38 weeks, demonstrating its widespread, cross-cultural appeal as a streaming staple. Moreover, the full scope of WWE’s impact on Netflix in 2025 was monumental. Subscribers watched more than 525 million hours of WWE content throughout the year. Monday Night Raw was the undisputed engine of that engagement, accounting for 340 million views on its own. The remaining 185 million views came

Classic John Hughes 80s Movie With Molly Ringwald Returning to Theaters
One of the most iconic 1980s movies, written by the legendary John Hughes, is coming back to theaters this year for its 40th anniversary. What John Hughes movie is coming back to theaters for its 40th anniversary? The 1986 teen rom-com Pretty in Pink is officially coming back to theaters. The movie will be showing in theaters in partnership between Paramount Pictures and Fathom Entertainment. The movie will screen from February 13-16, 2026, from an all-new remastered 4k film transfer supervised by director Howard Deutch. Tickets for Pretty in Pink’s return to theaters are available now on Fathom’s website. The new release of the film also includes a “filmmaker focus” bonus featurette from director Howard Deutch. Deutch directed the original film from a screenplay written by the legendary Hughes, who also wrote high-profile films like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, and directed other high-profile films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, and more. “Andie is a high school girl from the other side of town. Blane’s the wealthy heartthrob who asks her to prom. But as fast as their romance builds, it’s threatened by the painful reality

MCU & DCU Stars Carry Out Heists in Wild Misdirection Trailer
Cineverse has released the official trailer for Misdirection, the upcoming heist thriller led by Superman star Frank Grillo and Black Widow star Olga Kurylenko. The movie will be available to rent or own on digital platforms starting on February 10, 2026. “The film follows a couple driven to carry out a series of high-end heists to pay off a dangerous mob debt. When their latest break-in — targeting a prominent defense attorney — spirals out of control, the pair find themselves caught in a web of secrets, deception, and deadly consequences,” reads the official synopsis. Check out the Misdirection trailer below (watch more trailers): What happens in the Misdirection trailer? The video features Kurylenko’s Sarah, who devises a plan to rob the house of Grillo’s character with her partner. However, their heist encounters a problem when Grillo’s character comes home sooner than expected. The trailer teases Sarah’s secret connection to Grillo’s character, which creates tension and distrust between Sarah and her heist partner. The cast also includes Oliver Trevena as Jason, Landa as Julie Smalles, and Vladislav Lapidus as Jack. Misdirection is directed by Kevin Lewis (Willy’s Wonderland) from a screenplay written by Lacy McClory. Executive producers are RJ Collins,

Popular Adult Swim TV Show Returns to HBO Max Today
Adult Swim‘s popular action horror series from creator Genndy Tartakovsky has finally returned, more than three years after Season 2 wrapped up its 10-episode run. Following its broadcast premiere on Adult Swim, the first episode of Primal Season 3 is now officially available to stream on HBO Max. What do we know about Adult Swim’s Primal Season 3? “Combining artistry and pulse-pounding action, the first two seasons followed Spear as he formed an unlikely bond with an almost extinct dinosaur and later made the ultimate sacrifice after a final standoff turned fatal,” reads the show’s new synopsis. “Season 3 opens with a shocking twist that resurrects Spear in a new form – stripped of memory and humanity – and forces him to roam a brutal, untamed world as a shadow of his former self. As Spear battles savage landscapes and deadly foes, faint echoes of his past begin to stir, leading him toward an emotional and explosive reunion that will test the limits of survival.” The animated show is created and executive-produced by Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack). It features the voices of Aaron LaPlante as Spear and Laëtitia Eïdo as Mira, and Fred Tatasciore. The creative team includes

Netflix Adds Hit 2024 Music Biopic Today
Netflix is adding a popular 2024 music biographical film to its platform today, allowing fans to check out one of the latest films about one of music’s most iconic performers. What 2024 music biopic is on Netflix today? Beginning today, Bob Marley: One Love will be available on the streaming platform. The film, based on the life of iconic reggae singer and songwriter, Bob Marley, chronicles the rise of the legend in the mid-1970s, all the way to his death in 1981. Bob Marley: One Love was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, from a screenplay written by Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, Zach Baylin, and Green. The movie starred Kingsley Ben-Adir in the titular role, and also featured Lashana Lynch, James Norton, Tosin Cole, Aston Barrett Jr., Anthony Welsh, Hector Roots Lewis, Alexx A-Game, Abijah “Naki Wailer” Livingston, and more. “Bob Marley: One Love celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity,” reads the movie’s synopsis. “On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music.” Upon its release, Bob Marley: One Love received mixed reviews. The film garnered

《棕色塵埃2》和諧服裝惹議,官方大手筆送抽未能完全平息 | 4Gamers
純白的祝福芮彼泰雅 《棕色塵埃2》於上週公開了下次更新的內容,做為新年後的第一次大更新,迎來的就是溫泉主題的新角色與新內容,然而這次的一項修正卻蓋過了所有改版的新內容,就是部分服裝將迎來外觀上的調整,而這個調整說白了就是和諧。 在玩家社群質疑了一天後,官方發出公告,針對玩家部分質疑做出回應 首先是受調整的服裝,受調整的服裝總數比直播中明確提到的更多,而理由以及內容如下: 保健社泰瑞絲:因穿著制服而可能被解讀為暗示未成年,包含觸碰特定部位的演出,以及可能讓人聯想到施虐情境的表現。 純白的祝福芮彼泰雅:新娘概念被指出可能引發對兒童早婚的聯想,其姿勢與演出方式亦具有暗示性。 魯(白色貓咪,自然的腳爪,小紅帽):存在不符合角色年齡形象的服裝設計(如絲襪等),裸露面積較大,並包含強調特定部位的演出。 賽爾(新進員工,惡魔之女,B級偶像):包含施虐情境的設定,恐懼表情的呈現,以及特定服裝與暴露姿勢的表現。 Slap Slap Pop 迷你遊戲(編按:打屁股節奏小遊戲):包含施虐情境相關的描寫。 尚未推出的黎維塔尊絕不凡造型重新製作。 而會和諧這些服裝的理由是「在評估『某一國家停止服務,可能擴散影響至其他國家與平台』的風險後,最終選擇了接受修改的方向。」 雖然有一些玩家質疑是否是為了中國即將營運而做的準備,不過官方澄清表示本次調整的目的並不是為了擴展新市場,而是為了保證能夠持續在現有國家和平台運營,而不被下架。 保健社‧泰瑞絲 官方大灑幣 官方為了平息爭議而豪灑了不少抽卡資源,希望能撫平玩家的不滿,首先全服玩家都可以獲得 100 張一般抽抽券。 此外,針對 8 套被修改的服裝,每 1 套服裝提供 2,000 免費鑽石。總計 16,000 免費鑽石,而持有這些服裝的玩家,會依照一套 2000 鑽石的標準再發放,也就是如果 8 套都有的話,總共可以獲得 32000 鑽石。 依照《棕色塵埃2》 10 抽 2000 鑽的標準來說,相當於 160 抽,加上上述的 100 張抽卡券,等同 260 抽。 如果還是對此不滿意,玩家也可以選擇退款,官方會收回欲退的角色,若希望退款:每 1 次服裝強化返還 13,400 免費鑽石。若 8 套服裝皆為 +5 強化,並申請全數退款,則可返還總計 643,200 免費鑽石,另會返還強化素材「聖石」與「女神的眼淚」。 新進員工·賽爾 未能滿足所有人 有玩過的玩家都知道,《棕色塵埃2》的最大賣點,就是那遊走在 18 禁邊緣以及各種滿足玩家的癖好的角色與服裝、演出設計,因此雖然角色圖和諧在當今手遊圈內早就不是新聞,但對於《棕色塵埃2》這樣的遊戲來說,一旦宣布要改就可以說是傷筋動骨的大事。 因此即便賠了很多,甚至可以就單一服裝退款,還是有玩家對此覺得不滿,不過也是可想而知的事。 這 8 個要更動的服裝,除了保健社泰瑞絲已經有比較明確的修改圖外,其他的角色都還沒能公開會修成怎麼樣,而且玩家最在意的就是,這次開了先例,未來是否會有第 2、第 3 、甚至第 N 次,對於這點,官方在公告中也無法保證。 不管是先前 Steam 上架撤銷,以及意圖打入中國市場,另外信用卡公司近年也對未成年的二次元創作大幅收緊,以及來自各國法律對於未成年色情的限制,都是《棕色塵埃2》的危機,畢竟在這些規則面前,很可能遊戲就是一夜之間面臨下架的結果。 先不論這次的 8 套服裝改了之後還好不好看,可以確定的是,對於之後的角色與服裝,有理由相信開發團隊會更自我約束,因此未來的《棕色塵埃2》,應該會逐漸集中在「看似」以及設定成年的女性身上了。 Source link

One Piece Season 2 Trailer Teases Nico Robin’s Long-Awaited Debut
Netflix has shared a new trailer for One Piece Season 2, the upcoming next chapter to the global hit live-action TV adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s iconic manga series. The show is scheduled to make its return on March 10, 2026. “In Season 2, Luffy and the Straw Hats set sail for the extraordinary Grand Line – a legendary stretch of sea where danger and wonder await at every turn. As they journey through this unpredictable realm in search of the world’s greatest treasure, they’ll encounter bizarre islands and a host of formidable new enemies,” reads the official synopsis. Check out the new One Piece Season 2 trailer below (watch more trailers): What happens in the new One Piece Season 2 trailer? The video highlights the introduction of the Baroque Works syndicate, which is an organization of assassins controlled by Mr. 0. They will be the Straw Hat pirates’ first major challenge in the Grand Line. Key members who will be featured in Season 2 are Lera Abova as Miss All Sunday/Nico Robin, Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday/ Princess Vivi, David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3, Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5, Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss Valentine, Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9, and

Brendan Fraser Attends Crying Session in Rental Family Deleted Scene
ComingSoon is debuting an exclusive Rental Family clip, previewing an upcoming deleted scene from the film’s upcoming home and digital release. Rental Family will release at home on digital on January 13, 2026, and then release on Blu-ray a month later, on February 17, 2026. “Set against modern-day Tokyo, Rental Family follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers,” reads the film’s official synopsis. “As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.” Check out the exclusive Rental Family clip below: What happens in the exclusive Rental Family deleted scene? The deleted scene sees Brendan Fraser’s Phillip Vanderploeg attempting to console a crying woman before speaking with Takehiro Hira’s Shinji about the rental agency program and what it might entail. Alongside Fraser, the film also stars Mari Yamamoto, Takehiro Hira, and Akira Emoto. Rental Family will be available to rent or own on digital platforms starting on Tuesday,

Golden Globes 2026 Ends With a Bittersweet Rob Reiner Tribute From Host
The 2026 Golden Globes closed on an emotional note as host Nikki Glaser used her final moments on stage to honor the late filmmaker Rob Reiner. Glaser paid homage to the director of This Is Spinal Tap with a visual and verbal nod during her closing remarks, offering a subtle tribute. How Nikki Glaser paid tribute to Rob Reiner at Golden Globes Nikki Glaser concluded the 2026 Golden Globes with a careful tribute to filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, closing the ceremony with a series of references that acknowledged his legacy. Glaser, who returned as host for a second consecutive year, delivered the final moments of the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton wearing a black cap embedded with Spinal Tap. It served as a clear nod to This Is Spinal Tap, the 1984 mockumentary that marked Reiner’s feature directorial debut and remains one of his well-known, celebrated works. (via E! News) The 41-year-old continued the tribute in her closing lines. “Well, that’s our show. This one went to 11,” she said, directly referencing the film’s most iconic line. Glaser then thanked the audience for the evening before signing off with, “I hope we found the line between clever and stupid.

Starfleet Academy Season 1 & When Do They Come Out?
Viewers are wondering how many episodes are in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1 and when each new episode comes out. Set within the iconic Star Trek universe, the series follows a new generation of cadets as they train at Starfleet Academy, navigating intense challenges, personal growth, and the pressures of preparing for life in the Federation. Here’s everything you need to know about the total episode count for the first season and the show’s release schedule. How many episodes are in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1? The first installment of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will have 10 episodes. The sci-fi action-drama TV series is created by Gaia Violo and produced by Alex Kurtzman. It is set to debut on January 15, 2026, and aims to be the 12th series in the expanded Star Trek Universe. Taking place in the 32nd century, a distant future era, the show will feature 10 episodes. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s main filming locations were at Pinewood Toronto Studios in Toronto, Canada. The cast of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy includes Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Bella Shepard, Karim Diane, Zoë Steiner, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, and others. When do new Star

古天樂開Threads一晚喪吸逾18萬粉絲 拍片證實真係本人!親自留言一句霸氣教約女同事睇戲 | UHK 港生活
古天樂真身殺入Threads 為答謝影迷支持,身為電影靈魂人物的「項少龍」古天樂,日前正式高調進駐社交平台Threads開設全新帳戶。起初不少網民質疑帳號由PR公關團隊代筆,古仔隨即發布影片證實「親自落場」,更幽默留言:「再講多次,估到你哋唔信,好彩影低咗」,力證自己親手回覆每一則留言。 真係古天樂第一條threads: @kootinlok_louis 古天樂拍片證實親回留言 「黑皮膚手指公」Emoji笑爆嘴 古仔在Threads展現出極強的個人風格,回覆極具霸氣且不失幽默。當有網民展示抽齊全套《尋秦記》小卡的珍藏照時,獲他以招牌「黑皮膚手指公」emoji加持。更有網民開玩笑稱抽到「隱藏版冗員」卡,古仔即以金句回擊:「通常冗員係俾人炒……但唔係炒賣個炒……自己諗」,完美演繹冷幽默。 化身「愛情軍師」教路:Tag佢入嚟 最令網民瘋傳的莫過於有人求教「如何約女同事睇《尋秦記》」,古仔竟霸氣撐腰,化身「愛情軍師」教路回覆:「你話我叫嘅咪得囉!一係你tag佢入嚟我同佢講。」截至目前,古天樂的 Threads 帳戶追蹤人數已飆升至18萬,成功在網絡上掀起新一波熱潮。@kootinlok_louis Source link

Migration’s Digital & Streaming Release Date?
Greenland 2: Migration recently hit theaters, and fans are growing curious about the streaming and digital release date. An official digital or streaming release date has yet to be announced. Lionsgate’s usual release pattern offers insight into when Greenland 2: Migration could arrive on PVOD and subscription-based streaming platforms after its theatrical run. Here are all the details. When could Greenland 2: Migration get its digital release date? The Greenland 2: Migration may arrive on PVOD sometime between February 3 and February 10, 2026. At the moment, Greenland 2: Migration is exclusively playing in theaters. Nevertheless, this theatrical release won’t be the sole option for viewing it for long. Lionsgate usually transitions its films to digital platforms fairly quickly after their cinema premiere. According to Lionsgate’s usual release pattern, Greenland 2: Migration is believed to be available on premium video on demand (PVOD) approximately three weeks to a month following its theatrical launch. If the film adheres to a similar schedule as recent Lionsgate releases, it might be accessible digitally sometime between February 3, 2026, and February 10, 2026, with new PVOD titles generally debuting on Tuesdays. Once it becomes available on PVOD, Greenland 2: Migration is expected to be

General Hospital Head Writer Promises Huge Drama After Drew’s Shooter Reveal
Port Charles is buzzing after a jaw-dropping twist on General Hospital. On the January 8 episode, fans finally learn who shot Drew Cain. It was none other than Willow Tait who pulled the trigger. Behind the scenes, head writers Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten revealed why Willow had to be the one to shoot him. Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten discuss what’s ahead on General Hospital The Drew Cain shooting storyline was years in the making. In a recent interview, Van Etten told Soap Opera Digest that the groundwork started over a year ago, back when Drew and Willow had their secret fling while she was still married to Michael. Their first kiss and meet-up at the Quartermaine mansion stirred up drama that echoed through multiple storylines, eventually leading to the shocking shooting. “The idea was hatched, really, around the time of Drew and Willow’s affair, which would serve as a real split in the family and cause a big reaction across the canvas. It would send both Willow and Drew down a road that could cause a bunch of people to have problems with them … or singularly with Drew,” Van Etten explained. Further, Korte stated that once

Heath Ledger’s $117 Million Medieval Rom-Com Is a Hit on Free Streaming
More than two decades after its theatrical release, A Knight’s Tale is again among the top streaming titles. The late Heath Ledger’s medieval adventure movie has galloped into the Top 10 on Tubi and is proving its lasting appeal with viewers discovering or revisiting the film years later. A Knight’s Tale is a hit on Tubi Initially met with mixed reviews from critics in 2001, A Knight’s Tale has steadfastly evolved into a cult favorite. The film, which creatively mixes jousting tournaments with a modern rock soundtrack, stars Ledger as a peasant who boldly impersonates a knight to change his destiny. Supported by a charismatic cast including Paul Bettany and Mark Addy, the movie’s playful spirit and sweet romance have outlasted its initial critical reception. According to Flix Patrol, A Knight’s Tale has consistently held a position between 6th and 8th in the platform’s Top 10 charts since January 5. With Tubi offering free access, the film has found an ideal home to reach viewers who might have missed it during its theatrical run. While its Rotten Tomatoes scores sit at 59% from critics and 79% from audiences, the film was a commercial success in its era. Made on a

LOTR’s Elijah Wood on if Frodo & Gandalf Will Really Reunite in The Hunt for Gollum
Elijah Wood responded to Ian McKellen’s recent tease about The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and the possible return of familiar characters. The longtime Frodo actor shared his thoughts during a panel appearance. He offered a cryptic but enthusiastic reaction to the upcoming film. Elijah Wood addressed Ian McKellen’s comments about a Frodo and Gandalf reunion in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum during a panel at FAN EXPO New Orleans. Asked about McKellen’s statement, Wood said, “I can neither confirm nor deny. Listen, a wizard is to be trusted. Aside from any of that, I’m not really allowed to confirm.” He continued, “I’m really excited about the film… It really is a creative ‘getting the band back together.’” Wood emphasized the return of key creatives, stating, “Philippa [Boyens] I think, is co-writing it and producing it… that core original group [is] getting back together” (via Screen Rant). Wood added that Andy Serkis directing the film is “unbelievably appropriate” since “he directs a film about his character that he has really made his own.” He also noted, “I know their intention is to make other films in this universe… very exciting.” Wood did not confirm his casting in The Hunt for Gollum. He did, however,

Season 2 of Gritty Detective Thriller To Return on Prime Video Soon
Season 2 of the renowned crime thriller Cross has a release date, setting up its return to Prime Video this year. Cross first premiered on the streaming platform on November 14, 2024. Created by Ben Watkins, the TV show has a large cast, including stars such as Aldis Hodge, Jeanine Mason, Isaiah Mustafa, Samantha Walkes, and Alona Tal, among others. Cross Season 2 to hit Prime Video next month Cross Season 2, featuring Aldis Hodge as the lead, is set to return to Prime Video on February 11, 2026. The trailer for the show was shared by the streaming platform on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. According to a press release made by Prime Video on October 9, 2025, Season 2 will premiere with three episodes. The season will then follow a weekly release pattern. The finale of Season 2 is scheduled to air on March 18, 2026. The show is adapted from the popular Alex Cross novels written by James Patterson. The story of Season 2, according to the press release, will see Cross “in pursuit of a ruthless vigilante who is hunting down corrupt billionaire magnates.” Starring alongside returning cast members from Season 1, new cast members

Hit Prime Video Spy TV Show Returns Today
The award-winning spy thriller drama starring Marvel vet Tom Hiddleston has finally returned, nearly a decade after wrapping up Season 1’s six-episode run, which currently holds an approval rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. The show is based on the characters from John le Carré’s novel of the same name. The first episode of the long-awaited The Night Manager Season 2 is now officially streaming on Prime Video. A new episode drops every Sunday until its season finale premiere on February 1. What do we know about Prime Video’s The Night Manager Season 2? The Night Manager is written by David Farr, with Stephen Garrett and Georgi Banks-Davies serving as the showrunner and director, respectively. Season 2 welcomes back Olivia Colman, Alistair Petrie, Douglas Hodge, Michael Nardone, and Noah Jupe. Besides the returning cast, the new season will also introduce new characters played by Camila Morrone, Diego Calva, Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, and Hayley Squires. Filming took place in the UK, Spain, Colombia, and France. Check out The Night Manager Season 2 trailer below (watch more trailers): “Jonathan Pine thought he’d buried his past. Now living as Alex Goodwin — a low-level MI6 officer running a quiet surveillance unit in

Fallout Season 2 Episode 5 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch
Fallout Season 2 Episode 5 release date and time are just around the corner. In the previous episode, “The Demon in the Snow,” Maximus is dealing with the aftermath of killing Xander. He asks Thaddeus to accompany him, wearing armor, to buy him some time, as he heads back to the headquarters to kill Quintus. Meanwhile, Lucy wakes up at the NCR after the Ghoul saved her from the camp. Later in the episode, the two make it to The Strip, where they prepare to fight a dangerous beast that the Ghoul had a near-death experience with long ago. So, here are all the release details you need to know about the upcoming fifth episode. When is the Fallout Season 2 Episode 5 release date & time? The episode’s release date is January 14, 2026, and its release time is 12 a.m. PT and 3 a.m. ET. Check out its release times in the U.S. below: Timezone Release Date Release Time Eastern Time January 14, 2026 3 a.m. Pacific Time January 14, 2026 12 a.m. Find out how many episodes will be available to watch in the new season right here. Where to watch Fallout Season 2 Episode 5 You can watch Fallout

Sistas Season 10 Episode 2 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch
The Sistas Season 10 Episode 2 release date and time is right around the corner. As per the new season’s official schedule, the upcoming episode is titled “Guilty.” Sistas is a popular comedy-drama television series created, written, and executive-produced by Tyler Perry. The show has recently returned with its tenth season after concluding Season 9 in December 2025 with a total of 22 episodes. The series follows a group of young black women who navigate the complex dating scene in the big city. It features a notable cast lineup that includes KJ Smith, Mignon, Ebony Obsidian, Novi Brown, Crystal Renee Hayslett, Angela Beyince, Devale Ellis, Chido Nwokocha, and many more. So, here are all the release details of Sistas Season 10 Episode 2. When is the Sistas Season 10 Episode 2 release date & time? The episode’s release date is Wednesday, January 14, and its release time is 6:00 p.m. PT and 9:00 p.m. ET. Check out its release times in the U.S. below: Timezone Release Date Release Time Eastern Time January 14, 2025 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time January 14, 2025 6:00 p.m. Where to watch Sistas Season 10 Episode 2 You can watch Sistas Season 10 Episode 2 via

UK and Isle of Man Travel Boom: January Bookings Hit New High as Holiday Demand Swamped with Spain, Italy, Greece and Beyond, Here’s What It Means for You
Home » United Kingdom Travel News » UK and Isle of Man Travel Boom: January Bookings Hit New High as Holiday Demand Swamped with Spain, Italy, Greece and Beyond, Here’s What It Means for You Published on January 13, 2026 For many travellers in the UK and on the Isle of Man, the first month of the year has become synonymous with planning holidays — and in 2026 this tradition has reached new heights. With predictions suggesting around 4.5 million UK residents will book trips in January alone, up by about 200,000 compared with January 2025, travel agents are reporting exceptionally high demand as families, couples and solo explorers look toward sunshine, culture and adventure in destinations such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. Local travel agents describe January as the busiest time of the year, as inquiries span summer getaways and even winter 2026 bookings. One agency noted that clients are planning cruises and city breaks alike, reflecting renewed confidence in travelling abroad since the pandemic. This surge illustrates how pent‑up demand and improving aviation performance have encouraged holidaymakers to secure travel earlier, while also helping businesses in the travel sector plan ahead. January Travel Booking Trends — What’s

Etihad Airways Launches Exciting Global Sale for 2026 Travel: Save Big on Flights to Charlotte, Krabi, Hong Kong, and More
Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Etihad Airways Launches Exciting Global Sale for 2026 Travel: Save Big on Flights to Charlotte, Krabi, Hong Kong, and More Published on January 13, 2026 Get ready for the ultimate travel deal of the year! Etihad Airways, the pride of the United Arab Emirates, is offering a massive global sale with up to 26% off Economy class fares for travel in 2026. Whether you’re dreaming of sun-soaked beaches in Krabi, exploring the bustling streets of Hong Kong, or experiencing the charm of Charlotte, USA, this sale is the perfect opportunity to book your next big adventure. Hurry, though—this incredible offer is available for a limited time only, ending on January 15, 2026! Up to 26% Off on Top Travel Destinations in 2026 This is more than just a sale—it’s your ticket to a new world of travel possibilities. Etihad Airways is offering exclusive discounts on Economy class flights to destinations around the globe. With savings of up to 26%, it’s never been easier to plan your dream vacation for 2026. From the cultural landmarks of Hong Kong to the tropical beauty of Krabi, Thailand, there’s a destination for every kind of traveler. Why Book Now?

Dual British-Australian citizens plan to renounce UK citizenship after passport rule change triggers outrage
Exclusive: Some Australian-British citizens are so upset by the United Kingdom’s new entry requirements that they are forking out thousands to officially renounce their citizenship. The UK Home Office announced some major entry requirement changes for travellers visiting Britain. (Getty) Dual citizen travellers with expired British passports will need to pay a pricey renewal fee to keep their UK passports valid, or in a worst-case scenario risk being barred from boarding their flight. Dual citizen Simon, who did not want his surname published, told nine.com.au he paid almost $3000 to apply to have British citizenship rescinded for himself, his wife and his daughter. However, Simon’s 15-year-old son cannot do the same just yet. UK citizens cannot renounce their citizenship until they are aged over 18. He described this fee as “daylight robbery”. Simon said he let his UK passport lapse due to work reasons and doesn’t want to pay to renew two passports for the rest of his life. He said the process has left him and his family “distraught”. “My wife is extremely upset by the whole thing and now feels scared that if something happens to family in the interim, we won’t be able to attend,” Simon said.
Rick Steves Reveals 5 Big Ways Your United Kingdom Vacation Is Impacted By Brexit
oleschwander/Shutterstock Back in 2021, the United Kingdom finalized its split from the European Union, in an event known as Brexit. No one was sure exactly how Brexit would affect trade, immigration, and business, let alone the nuances of travel. At the regulatory level, travelers to the UK post-Brexit have had to comply with separate entry requirements on a trip spanning both the UK and EU — whereas before Brexit, an EU authorization would allow you to move freely between Britain and the rest of Europe. For example, with the new permit requirements affecting travelers in Europe as of 2025, you’ll need to apply for separate authorization to enter both the UK and the EU if both are on your itinerary. Beyond just administrative changes, though, travel expert Rick Steves has pointed out some of the less obvious ways that Brexit has changed travel experiences in the UK. Writing on his blog, Steves noted changes to prices, the workforce, and availability of tourist-related businesses, among other things. Some of those changes might reshape the way you budget your trip or plan a sightseeing itinerary, considerations that fall under the Rick Steves-approved checklist to

United Kingdom, Germany, India & China Travelers Hit Hard by New U.S. Park Fees: Will British Airways, Lufthansa, Air India & Hilton See a Decline in Bookings?
Home » Airline News In America » United Kingdom, Germany, India & China Travelers Hit Hard by New U.S. Park Fees: Will British Airways, Lufthansa, Air India & Hilton See a Decline in Bookings? Published on January 13, 2026 United Kingdom, Germany, India, and China—four of the largest sources of international visitors to the U.S.—are facing a major setback when it comes to planning their dream vacations. The recent introduction of a $100 surcharge for non-resident visitors to access some of the country’s most iconic national parks, including the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, is casting a shadow over what was once an easy and affordable travel destination. This price hike, aimed at raising funds for park maintenance, is causing a stir not just among tourists, but also within the airline and hospitality industries. Major carriers like British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air India, which have long catered to international travelers, could see a significant dip in bookings as the total cost of visiting the U.S. rises. Similarly, hotel chains such as Hilton and Marriott, which rely heavily on international guests near national parks, might face dwindling reservations. While the U.S. remains a bucket-list destination for many, the additional $100 fee per

Cathay Pacific’s 2026 Expansion: New Flights to Hong Kong to Seattle and Enhanced Service Across North America and Asia!
Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Cathay Pacific’s 2026 Expansion: New Flights to Hong Kong to Seattle and Enhanced Service Across North America and Asia! Published on January 13, 2026 Cathay Pacific is gearing up for a strategic expansion in 2026, with the return of its nonstop service between Hong Kong and Seattle, along with enhanced connectivity across North America and Asia. The airline, known for its world-class service and strong international presence, is focusing on growing its transpacific network by reintroducing routes that were suspended during the pandemic. This expansion is aimed at offering travelers more convenience, flexibility, and global connectivity, particularly between Hong Kong and major markets like Seattle. Return of Hong Kong–Seattle Nonstop Service One of the most significant developments in Cathay Pacific’s 2026 schedule is the return of its nonstop flights between Hong Kong (HKG) and Seattle (SEA), starting March 30, 2026. This long-awaited route will be operated five times a week, offering passengers a direct link between these two vibrant economic hubs. Seattle has long been a key city for transpacific travel, thanks to its position as a center for technology, innovation, and trade. With the return of this nonstop service, travelers will have easier access to Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. The route also benefits both business travelers and leisure tourists, offering a direct, efficient way to travel between North

British and Irish dual citizens bear costly brunt of UK passport changes
British-Australian retiree Ian Fletcher is meant to be going on a seven-week holiday to the United Kingdom with his wife Vicki in April, but it may not go ahead due to new passport rules. The 61-year-old is one of many dual citizens who have expressed their frustration online after the UK government announced changes to passport regulations. It prevents British/Irish dual citizens from entering the UK using a passport from a different country, such as an Australian passport. They will have to use either a valid British or Irish passport, or another valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement (COE). “It’s quite frustrating for me as I am planning to travel Europe towards the end of April and I now have to rush to get a British passport, which I actually haven’t held for 25 years,” Mr Fletcher said. “When you read the online documentation saying that a British passport could take between six and 13 weeks … we are really bordering on not making the flight.“ Mr Fletcher is a keen traveller. (Supplied: Ian Fletcher) To complicate matters more, Mr Fletcher has to get a copy of his UK birth certificate before he can apply for a British passport

Proactive policies needed to promote healthcare integration in GBA
‘Cross-boundary northbound consumption” has become a trend in Hong Kong. Whether it’s the younger generation or seniors, there is a growing tendency to choose leisure and entertainment activities in the north, and medical services too. For many years, Chinese mainland residents often traveled south to Hong Kong for medical treatment. Now, Hong Kong patients and medical professionals are heading north for healthcare services, creating a two-way flow. The reasons attracting people to go north or south can be summarized in one phrase: “Affordable, high-quality, satisfying, and fast” — meaning cost-effective, excellent quality, a satisfactory experience, and fast service. In terms of Hong Kong’s healthcare system, institutions under the Hospital Authority charge relatively low fees with guaranteed service quality, but patients often face long waiting times. Private medical services provide high quality and short waiting times, but the costs are relatively high. In contrast, mainland hospitals are generally more affordable with shorter waiting times, with the quality of medical care varying across different institutions. Healthcare is not limited to diagnosis and treatment but encompasses a broad industry chain. First, in terms of prevention, it includes health maintenance, medical check-ups, and wellness. For example, mainland residents, trusting Hong Kong’s medical standards and

United Kingdom Night Flight Rules Tested as British Airways Boeing 777 Departs London Heathrow for South Africa After Curfew
Home » Airlines News of UK » United Kingdom Night Flight Rules Tested as British Airways Boeing 777 Departs London Heathrow for South Africa After Curfew Published on January 12, 2026 Air travel across the United Kingdom was briefly placed under renewed public scrutiny after a British Airways Boeing 777 was permitted to depart London Heathrow Airport well after midnight on a scheduled long haul journey to South Africa. The departure, recorded at 1:11 am, was approved despite strict night time restrictions that usually govern operations at one of the world busiest aviation hubs. Such an event is rarely observed and was widely discussed within global aviation and travel communities due to its implications for passengers, airlines, and residents living near the airport. Within the context of international travel and tourism, the incident served as a practical example of how tightly regulated night operations are balanced against passenger welfare, network reliability, and long distance connectivity. Heathrow Airport has long been viewed as a cornerstone of European and global aviation, linking the United Kingdom with destinations across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The approval of a post curfew departure therefore attracted attention not only for its operational rarity but also for

United Kingdom–United States Transatlantic Travel Alert: British Airways Los Angeles–London Flight Records Turbulence Injuries Near Greenland
Home » Airlines News of United States » United Kingdom–United States Transatlantic Travel Alert: British Airways Los Angeles–London Flight Records Turbulence Injuries Near Greenland Published on January 12, 2026 Long-haul air travel between the United States and the United Kingdom is widely regarded as one of the safest and most established corridors in global aviation and tourism. However, even the most carefully planned journeys can be affected by sudden atmospheric changes. On 6 December 2024, a British Airways Boeing 787 operating a scheduled service from Los Angeles International Airport to London Heathrow Airport encountered unexpected severe turbulence while cruising near Greenland, resulting in injuries to passengers and a cabin crew member. The incident, later examined by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, underscored the unpredictable nature of high-altitude weather systems over the North Atlantic. For travelers, airlines, and tourism stakeholders across both countries, the event served as a reminder of the importance of seat belt compliance, real-time weather monitoring, and onboard medical preparedness. Although the aircraft ultimately completed its journey safely to London, the episode highlighted how transatlantic tourism and aviation safety remain closely intertwined, particularly on popular routes linking the United States, the United Kingdom, and Northern Atlantic regions. Overview

ITE Hong Kong 2026: Get Ready for the Ultimate Journey Through Asia’s Rich Travel Landscape and Explore World-Class Destinations and Exclusive Offers!
Home » Latest Travel News of Hong Kong » ITE Hong Kong 2026: Get Ready for the Ultimate Journey Through Asia’s Rich Travel Landscape and Explore World-Class Destinations and Exclusive Offers! Published on January 12, 2026 Hong Kong, one of Asia’s most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities, will play host to the 40th ITE Leisure and the 21st ITE MICE events in 2026. Set to be held at the renowned Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from June 11 to June 14, 2026, this global tourism trade show is set to be a landmark event in the travel and MICE industries. As Asia’s premier platform for travel trade professionals, ITE Hong Kong is poised to make history, celebrating its 40th anniversary with an unparalleled lineup of activities and exhibitors. This iconic event will feature both B2B and B2C programs, allowing tourism professionals, businesses, and consumers to engage directly with some of the most significant players in the travel and MICE sectors. Celebrating Milestones: A New Era for ITE Hong Kong In 2026, ITE Hong Kong will bring together an impressive range of over 500 exhibitors from more than 64 countries and regions, including representatives from 22 countries outside Asia, such as

China’s visa-free travel drives holiday tourism surge across China
China’s expanding visa-free travel has ignited a surge of international arrivals, with overseas visitors flocking to its diverse destinations for richer, more immersive holiday experiences. As the world welcomed 2026, more international travelers in China explored a wider variety of places and embraced deeper cultural encounters during the New Year holiday. From Jan. 1 to Jan. 7, Sanya City and Haikou City in south China’s Hainan Province saw a 28 percent and 15 percent increase in inbound tourists, respectively, attracting a significant number of visitors from countries such as South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia. Hainan’s offshore duty-free shopping amounted to 1.21 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 88 percent, with nearly 150,000 shoppers, which represents a year-on-year growth of 38.3 percnent. Influenced by factors such as the 2026 New Year holiday and the 42nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, the number of inbound tourists during the first week of the new year saw an increase of over 70 percent compared to the previous year in Harbin City of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Foreign travelers can be seen at various attractions throughout the city. “Our country does not have such scenery. Very surprising,” said a tourist from Indonesia.

Hong Kong Expands High-Speed Rail Connections to Mainland China, Boosting Travel and Tourism Opportunities
Home » RAILWAY NEWS » Hong Kong Expands High-Speed Rail Connections to Mainland China, Boosting Travel and Tourism Opportunities Published on January 12, 2026 Hong Kong is taking a major step to enhance cross-border travel with its high-speed rail expansion, launching 16 new destinations across mainland China on January 26, 2026. This expansion of the Hong Kong-Mainland rail service is set to revolutionize travel convenience, making it easier for tourists and business travelers to access some of China’s most vibrant cities. As the rail network continues to grow, Hong Kong’s role as a central hub in Greater China’s travel infrastructure strengthens, providing travelers with faster, more efficient options. A Landmark Development for Travel Connectivity The MTR Corporation, responsible for operating Hong Kong’s high-speed rail services, that the new routes will connect Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station to 16 additional cities across mainland China starting January 26. This expansion will bring the total number of direct high-speed rail destinations to 110. The newly added cities include Nanjing, Wuxi, and Hefei, along with several other bustling urban centers spread across Guangdong, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Fujian provinces, making China’s interior more accessible to Hong Kong residents and international visitors alike. Hong Kong’s high-speed

Meghan Markle To Return To U.K. This Summer With Prince Harry
ROYAL FAMILY NEWS Source: MEGA Meghan Markle and Prince Harry set to travel to the United Kingdom this summer for a pre-Invictus Games event. Jan. 11 2026, Published 11:14 a.m. ET Article continues below advertisement Article continues below advertisement Prince Harry Won Government-Funded U.K. Security Source: MEGA The 2027 Invictus Games are set to be held in Birmingham, U.K. Article continues below advertisement Prince Harry Hopes King Charles Will Open the 2027 Invictus Games Source: MEGA Prince Harry is hoping his father, King Charles, will attend the Games next year. “Security is always going to be the deciding factor in this,” a source told the outlet recently. On January 10, it was reported that Harry “desperately” wants Charles, 77, to open the Games with him next year in an attempt to squash their royal beef. “Harry wants it to happen both for the games, and for their relationship. It’s his dream to have his father by his side,” an insider told The Sun. “Invictus always invites Heads of State but Harry wants to go further with Charles involved in the opening ceremony.” MORE ON: Meghan Markle Want OK! each day? Sign up here! Article continues below advertisement Source: MEGA Meghan

All about the new Central Kowloon Bypass
Congestion in Kowloon has been a massive pain in the neck for time immemorial, but you can now breathe easy – a new bypass between Yau Ma Tei and Kowloon Bay opened on December 21, and it’s making motoring and commuting much faster than before. As part of a greater infrastructure revamp that’s designed to relieve traffic jams on the major trunk roads connecting East and West Kowloon from Tseung Kwan O to Yau Ma Tei, the Central Kowloon Bypass comprises two three-lane carriageways that will span 4.7 km once completed. Construction of the project began in December 2017 and cost an estimated $42 billion. With the new section connecting Yau Ma Tei to Kai Tak and Kowloon Bay now open, it cuts down on travel time that would normally take 30 minutes under previous circumstances to just five minutes – that’s an 80-percent reduction! Using the newly opened Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass, vehicles can enter the expressway from the Western Harbour Crossing, Tai Kok Tsui, West Kowloon Highway, and Yau Ma Tei from the West Kowloon side of town, and travel to Kowloon Bay, Kai Tak Sports Park, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, and Kwun

Hong Kong gets its travel mojo back: Travel Weekly Asia
Hong Kong’s tourism sector entered 2025 with cautious optimism and exited the year with renewed confidence, albeit one tempered by structural shifts in traveller behaviour and regional competition. Official figures from the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) show that the city welcomed approximately 45 million visitor arrivals in the first 11 months of 2025, exceeding the full-year total for 2024 and representing year-on-year growth of around 12 percent. Mainland China remained the dominant source market, accounting for roughly 34 million arrivals over the course of the year, while overseas markets – particularly Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia – recorded double-digit growth as flight capacity and connectivity continued to normalise. The city also saw a 15% rise in daily average inbound visitor trips during the festive season, with a whopping 1.7 million people flocking to the city during the 10-day Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Regent Hong Kong’s managing director Michel Chertouh describes the year as one of measured but meaningful progress. “We saw encouraging momentum from our key markets in Mainland China, alongside renewed strength from short-haul destinations across Asia and a welcome increase in long-haul visitors, particularly from the US and Australia,” he notes. Elsewhere in the city,

ITE Hong Kong 2026: The Ultimate Event for Premium Travel and Tourism Experiences
Published on January 12, 2026 The Hong Kong International Travel Expo (ITE), regarded as the premier trade fair of the Asian tourism industry, is going to hold its 2026 edition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from June 11 to 14. This year the event, which is now celebrating its 40th anniversary, encompasses both B2B and B2C parts, thus giving the travel sector a chance to discover fresh opportunities for both businesses and individual travelers. Consequently, ITE Hong Kong has firmly established itself as the indispensable venue for the global supplier-stakeholder connections. ITE Hong Kong 2026: A Global Hub for the Travel and Tourism Industry For four decades, ITE Hong Kong has been at the forefront of connecting the travel and tourism sectors, offering an expansive view of the latest trends, services, and destinations. In 2026, the event will feature a comprehensive programme that spans two business days and two open days, providing valuable networking opportunities for trade professionals, as well as insights for individual travellers. The event has garnered significant support from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and various other organisations, showcasing its importance in the global tourism industry. Exhibitors

Opinion | Hong Kong’s driving licence bottlenecks undermine its car travel scheme
If Hong Kong’s Transport Department couldn’t see that road signs needed to be at eye level when it opened the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass, it makes sense that it couldn’t anticipate the increased demand for test-free driving licences with the launch of the southbound travel scheme. Under the scheme, drivers of Guangdong vehicles can enter via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to either park at a designated car park – transferring to the airport for a flight or to local transport into Hong Kong – or drive straight into the urban areas. Quotas have been set to ensure enough parking and prevent the swamping of our already congested roads. Applicants have to go through a complex process to satisfy the requirements of mainland and Hong Kong departments, which include vehicle inspections, third-party risk insurance and a valid Hong Kong driving licence. Naturally, applications for test-free driving licences for Hong Kong have gone up. The Transport Department didn’t quite anticipate this, for reasons that befuddle us. Official statistics show demand for test-free licences has increased significantly: from 27,000 in 2021 to over 84,000 last year. The abuse of the queuing system is a known problem. The department

Details, Fines & Other Details
Image credit: Wallace Wang/Unsplash Don’t forget to buckle up! Passengers will now be required to wear seatbelts on bus rides or face hefty fines and even imprisonment. While some of us already strap in for dear life on minibus rides, it often slips our minds on other buses. The new seat belt rule for Hong Kong rolls out on January 25, 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Hong Kong seatbelt rule. Details and fines of the new seat belt rule for Hong Kong Image credit: s5a0043/Unsplash Ahead of new regulations taking effect on January 25, Hong Kong’s major franchised bus operators are stepping up measures to remind passengers to fasten their seat belts. If buckling up on the bus will be a new habit for you, here’s everything you need to know to avoid fines and penalties under the incoming rules. Where the mandatory seat belt rule applies: All passengers in public and private buses, including minibuses and school buses, must wear seat belts if they are fitted. And rear passenger seats in private light buses must also wear their seat belts. Fines and penalties: A maximum fine of HKD 5,000 and up to three months

Hong Kong High-Speed Rail Expands Services to Sixteen New Cities, Boosting Access to Key Economic and Cultural Centers Across Eastern China
Home » CHINA TRAVEL NEWS » Hong Kong High-Speed Rail Expands Services to Sixteen New Cities, Boosting Access to Key Economic and Cultural Centers Across Eastern China Published on January 12, 2026 Hong Kong High-Speed Rail is expanding its services to sixteen new cities starting January 26, significantly boosting access to key economic and cultural centers across Eastern China. This expansion will connect Hong Kong to prominent cities such as Nanjing, Wuxi, and Hefei, enhancing travel options and fostering greater business, cultural, and tourism exchanges between Hong Kong and these vital regions. With more direct routes, the expansion strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a major hub for regional and international connectivity. Among the newly added destinations are Qingyuan, Miluodong, Quanzhoudong, Quanzhounan, Huidong, Huizhounan, Fuzhounan, Shantounan, Huilai, Lufengdong, Lufengnan, Chaonan, and Xingningnan. These cities are integral to China’s economic development and are rich in both cultural heritage and growing business opportunities. With Hong Kong’s High-Speed Rail extending to these cities, travelers will have greater access to some of the country’s most dynamic and diverse regions. In an effort to meet the rising demand for high-speed travel between Hong Kong and mainland China, the MTR Corporation will also introduce an additional round-trip

United Kingdom Unveils Stunning Budget-Friendly Travel Train Journeys Across Captivating Landscapes Offering Scenic Escapes and Unforgettable Experiences
Home » United Kingdom Travel News » United Kingdom Unveils Stunning Budget-Friendly Travel Train Journeys Across Captivating Landscapes Offering Scenic Escapes and Unforgettable Experiences Published on January 11, 2026 The United Kingdom is offering travelers an exceptional opportunity to explore its stunning landscapes through affordable and scenic train journeys. From the industrial heartlands of Sheffield to the coastal beauty of Filey, these train routes provide an immersive travel experience that combines natural beauty, historical charm, and a touch of nostalgia. For as little as £4, passengers can journey through vast moorlands, picturesque villages, and breathtaking coastal vistas. This affordable approach to travel allows visitors to discover the UK’s hidden gems, whether it’s the rolling hills of Yorkshire or the serene shores of the North Sea, making it the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Explore the UK’s Scenic Landscapes on Budget-Friendly Train Journeys In just two hours and 24 minutes, you can journey through some of the UK’s most captivating landscapes, all for an incredibly affordable return ticket from Sheffield to Filey. A trip on this scenic Yorkshire route offers a unique opportunity to explore both industrial heritage and the peaceful beauty of the coastline,

SEVENTEEN Is Set To Light Up Kai Tak Stadium In Hong Kong This February
Image credit: SEVENTEEN/Facebook SEVENTEEN is officially returning to Hong Kong, and 2026 is shaping up to be a major year for K-pop fans. The group has confirmed their upcoming concerts as part of SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_], with two shows scheduled for February 28 and March 1 2026. at Kai Tak Stadium. Both concerts will begin at 6 pm, promising a full evening of high-energy performances, sharp choreography, and polished stage production. Discover the best bars in Hong Kong for a memorable night. SEVENTEEN concert 2026: A major moment for the K-pop scene in Hong Kong With its state-of-the-art facilities and stadium-sized capacity, Kai Tak Stadium provides the perfect backdrop for the concerts. Fans from across the region will flock to the two-night run, and they will further cement Hong Kong’s status as a key destination for major K-pop tours. For CARATs, this concert is more than just a live show. It is a chance to experience SEVENTEEN’s latest music and performances in person, while celebrating the bond between the group and their fans. SEVENTEEN: Ticket prices and exclusive benefits for the Hong Kong shows in 2026 Tickets across a wide range of price points make the concert accessible to different

Air India updates its pet policy; passengers can now travel with their favourite four-legged companion | Travel
Pet animals are often the panacea that melts away our stress and anxiety. However, they become a headache when we are planning a long trip or a dream holiday. Most pet parents worry about their pet’s safety and comfort, even when they make alternate arrangements. They might even consider taking their pets along with them to avoid the stress and discomfort. Now, Air India has updated its pet policy, allowing pets to travel with their owners on select flights. Air India’s ‘Paws on Board’ program lets passengers take their furry companions along with them to various global destinations. The airline has simplified the guidelines, allowing fliers to book tickets for their pets as well. As per the latest guidelines, pets up to 10 kg can be taken in the cabin on selected economy-class flights. This facility is available in both domestic and international flights. Earlier, applications had to be submitted at least 72 hours before travel. However, now, it has been reduced to 48 hours. Meanwhile, the booking would be confirmed only after the necessary documents and certificates are checked and verified. Air India plane. Photo: Facebook/Air India 80 destinationsPassengers can take their pet animals to over 80 destinations in
Person of interest for Brown University shooting, released
發佈日期: 2025-12-15 21:09 TVB News 粵 已複製連結 The person of interest detained in connection with Saturday’s deadly shooting at Brown University has been released. The person of interest was taken into custody at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles from Providence, where police officers and FBI agents remained Sunday, blocking off a hallway with crime scene tape as they searched the area. With the release of the person of interest, law enforcement are left without any known suspect. Officials are pledging to redouble efforts in the investigation by canvassing for video surveillance that could help pinpoint the killer’s identity. The gun man killed two people and injured nine at the Brown University campus. Source link

Three scientists at US universities win Nobel Prize in physics for advancing quantum technology
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Three scientists won the Nobel Prize in physics Tuesday for research on the strange behavior of subatomic particles called quantum tunneling that enabled the ultra-sensitive measurements achieved by MRI machines and laid the groundwork for better cellphones and faster computers. The work by John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis, who work at American universities, took the seeming contradictions of the subatomic world — where light can be both a wave and a particle and parts of atoms can tunnel through seemingly impenetrable barriers — and applied them in the more traditional physics of digital devices. The results of their findings are just starting to appear in advanced technology and could pave the way for the development of supercharged computing. Click to Gallery From left, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics Chair Olle Eriksson, Secretary General of the Swedish Academy of Sciences Hans Ellegren and Member of the Nobel Committee for Physics Goran Johansson announce John Clarke, Michel H Devoret and John M. Martinis, on screen behind, as the recipients the Nobel Prize in Physics, at the Nobel Assembly of the Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (Christine Olsson/TT News Agency

黃金搖籃的呼喚:克里米亞韃靼人的流放、返鄉與再流亡 | 文化視角 | 轉角國際 udn Global
烏克蘭現場採訪、攝影/曹雨昕 「克里米亞的傳說裡,山頂有一個黃金搖籃,會像海浪一遍遍打上岸邊那樣,這個搖籃會一直搖響鈴噹,一直、一直,呼喚著人們回家⋯⋯」 2022年,俄羅斯全面入侵烏克蘭,但對克里米亞韃靼人來說,來自俄羅斯的侵略早在更久之前就已開始。不論是2014年在克里米亞升起俄羅斯國旗、又或是1944年向東行駛的單程列車,將克里米亞的韃靼人流放到中亞⋯⋯,「驅逐」、「流放」或是「佔領」雖然是不同字眼、不同名義,但全都指向侵略者赤裸裸的野心。 採訪開始之前,Amet坐在長桌的另一側,將一盤巧克力朝我推了過來。 「你想喝點什麼?茶?還是咖啡?」眼前這位中氣十足的男子,是致力於推廣克里米亞韃靼人歷史文化的Amet。他在成為一名英語教師和文化工作者之前,先是一名克里米亞韃靼人。 出生於前蘇聯時期烏茲別克的Amet接受採訪。Amet是韃靼人,出生於前蘇聯時期的烏茲別克,他的父親則來自克里米亞。 圖/曹雨昕攝 名為克里米亞的鄉愁 Amet出生在1973年蘇聯時期烏茲別克的納曼干(Namangan),距離4000公里遠的克里米亞,是他父親鄉愁的原點。而在Amet出生前、將近30年前的那一天,更是整個民族史的缺頁,與這段橫跨三代的家族史的開始。 1944年5月18日那一天,距離德國投降才過不到兩週,蘇聯便以韃靼人勾結納粹的罪名,驅逐整個民族。當天清晨,人們被敲門聲驚醒,荷槍實彈的秘密警察要求韃靼人馬上收拾行李,離開房子。從集合、整隊到趕上運貨列車,每節車廂還有事先準備好的表格和數字,即可看出這場行動經過精心籌備,才能讓19萬人在3天內從他們的家園裡消失。 此後,克里米亞韃靼語中的「流放」(Sürgünlik或簡稱Sürgün)指的都是1944年5月18日這一天。「流放」對應著蘇聯的「驅逐」,是一個沒有完成式,持續至今的動詞。 那一天,Amet的父親只有5歲。 「這天會一直刻在我們心中,每一年都會隨著更多資訊的揭露而加深這樣的痛苦,尤其是在2014年歷史重演之後。」Amet如此說。每當提到各種數字,他總會豎起食指,講著:「注意!」就像是正在授課的老師,提醒著學生該在哪裡劃記螢光筆。 Amet向筆者展示他身邊的各式臂章。 圖/曹雨昕攝 前往未曾踏上的家鄉 Amet年少時在學校相當活躍,他曾是蘇聯兒童十月團(Little Octobrists)的一份子,隨後又加入了少年先鋒隊(Young Pioneers)。Amet說:「對當時的我來說這一切都像是遊戲,直到後來我才發現,這都是籠罩在鋪天蓋地的政治宣傳下。」。 1984年,年僅11歲的Amet獲得老師推薦,可以參加蘇聯舉辦的夏令營(Artek),地點就在克里米亞的海邊。Amet的父親不敢相信兒子竟然有機會能前往克里米亞,於是一家人湊錢買下昂貴的車票,無論如何都要讓Amet去看一看他那從未踏上過的故鄉。 在營隊的某一天早晨,一個男孩氣喘吁吁地跑向Amet,和他說:「快!你爸爸來了!」男孩喊道。 Amet不明所以地跟上去,才發現原來是一位他從未謀面的叔叔。對方為了見Amet一面,特地從800公里外的烏克蘭北部趕來克里米亞。「我不記得我們說了什麼,只記得大家都哭了。我的父親在我出發前哭了,我見到叔叔的時候,他哭了,我也哭了。」 那是Amet第一次出國,也是他第一次返鄉。 Amet的太太Dilyara也是克里米亞韃靼人。 圖/曹雨昕攝 Amet大學畢業後,在母親的牽線下認識了妻子Dilyara。Dilyara和Amet都是克里米亞韃靼人。「我們人數不多,在流放的日子裡盡量跟同族通婚,維持我們血脈。」Amet說。 1989年,蘇聯的最高蘇維埃通過法令,鬆綁克里米亞韃靼人返鄉的限制,讓返鄉成為可能,許多韃靼人開始踏上返鄉之路。 Dilyara的舅舅是第一批選擇回去克里米亞的人,但情況並沒有想像中的容易。克里米亞長久以來在蘇聯的控制下,幾乎快被俄羅斯人佔據。韃靼人在克里米亞半島沒有房子,沒有信仰,整個半島都說著不屬於他們的話。 改變人生的美國行 2001年,Amet在烏茲別克獲得傑出教師獎,並和其他15個來自前蘇聯加盟國的獲獎者得以一起參訪美國。他也是在那裡第一次聽到了烏克蘭語。 一名來自克里米亞Bakhchysarai的烏克蘭教師和Amet說:「你很快就會回來(克里米亞)的,這裡是你的家鄉,你的土地,回來吧。我會幫你準備一份教職。」 這位烏克蘭教師也確實沒有食言,成為Amet日後返鄉的貴人。 這本古老的《古蘭經》是Dalyala的祖母傳給她的,同時也是她學習母語的契機。克里米亞韃靼人主要信仰伊斯蘭教,所以早期會使用阿拉伯文書寫,而後被俄文的西里爾字母取代,但現在也會使用拉丁字母書寫以擺脫俄文的影響。 圖/曹雨昕攝 這場參訪活動中,獲獎的16名教師分別代表各自國家的文化——Amet是代表「烏茲別克」,而不是他的故鄉克里米亞。這些同樣來自前蘇聯加盟國的獲獎者們,可以手拉著手,一起唱著蘇聯歌曲,表現得像一家人。 當時美國人看到這群來自前蘇聯、但分屬不同國家的人們能如此友好感到驚訝,但Amet知道,這不過是他從小被灌輸的「蘇聯民族神話」而已。正如同他小時候參加過的那些兒少營隊,一切都是政治宣傳的一部分。 Amet也在美國看到截然不同的世界——他在烏玆別克時一個月的薪水只有10美金,而他在美國卻能領著30-40美金的日薪,住在一晚將近400美金的飯店。Amet眼光閃爍地笑著說:「我都想睡在地板,請他們折現給我。」 重返克里米亞 Amet靠著美國之行存下來的錢,決定帶著一家人返回克里米亞。 當時克里米亞已經是獨立烏克蘭的一部分,在烏克蘭政府的支持下,克里米亞的學校有了克里米亞韃靼語的課程,當地的電視台有了屬於韃靼人的節目,克里米亞的韃靼人正努力拼湊自己的根,但親俄勢力早已在這塊土地盤根錯節、根深蒂固。 Amet說:「我甚至看到列寧的雕像矗立在克里米亞。哪怕在烏茲別克,他們也早在1991年獨立時就撤掉了這些東西。」克里米亞首府辛費羅波(Simferopol)的列寧雕像,從1967年落成以來就不曾倒下過。 圖為2014年3月,在克里米亞首府辛費羅波的列寧廣場,親俄派人士高舉俄羅斯國旗搖旗慶祝。 圖/美聯社 或許是巧合,也或許是天注定,Amet一家最後落腳在克里米亞的Bakhchysarai。那既是Dilyara舅舅為他們準備的家鄉,也是那名烏克蘭教師為他找到教職的地方。 Amet和Dilyara成為了學校老師。但因為教材使用烏克蘭語的關係,他們也得從頭開始學習烏克蘭語。但走出教室之外,幾乎沒有人在使用烏克蘭語,因為俄語仍控制著人們的舌頭。 蘇聯當初雖未全面禁止使用克里米亞韃靼語,卻在根源上切斷了它的傳承。克里米亞韃靼人沒有屬於自己的學校和課程,生活和工作也完全使用俄語,人們因此越來越依賴俄語,越來越無法用自己的語言來思考、表達。 Amet的一名親戚為了升遷而改用俄羅斯名字,並和一名俄羅斯女性結婚,這在當時是很常見的情況。 這種「俄羅斯化」(Russification)發生在克里米亞韃靼人和烏克蘭人身上。人們為了讓生活更加簡單,為了更好的工作和更好的機會,漸漸放棄了自己的語言。 —— 克里米亞韃靼人 Amet 圖為2023年12月,克里米亞首府辛費羅波新成立的清真寺外,可以看見克里米亞韃靼人的旗幟(左)、俄羅斯國旗(中)與克里米亞旗幟(右)並列。 圖/路透社 烏克蘭將成下一個喬治亞? 2008年俄羅斯入侵喬治亞,一股不安的情緒開始籠罩在Amet心頭上:「我那時翻閱一本《烏克蘭週刊》,上面寫著:『下一個就是烏克蘭。』」 隔年,Amet一家迎來了新生命,女兒Kamila是一家四口當中,唯一一個在克里米亞出生的人。 與此同時,親俄的情緒在克里米亞擴散開來。2012年夏天,克里米亞自治政府要求關閉教授烏克蘭語的學校與課程,而Amet的兒子當時正就讀其中一所學校。 「從那時起,俄羅斯就準備再一次抹消我們的認同。當基輔流血(按:廣場運動)時,我就感受到有種不可逆的事情正在逼近。」Amet回憶道。 2014年2月,冬日將盡,小綠人(即沒有標誌的俄羅斯軍隊)無預警地出現。這群人佔領了議會,任命了新任行政長官。讓克里米亞時隔70年,再度被推上前線。 或許是不改教師性格,Amet說話時遇到重點會豎起筆,提醒筆者要特別注意接下來這段話。 圖/曹雨昕攝 接下來的佔領過程,快到連Amet至今仍無法理解。從議會通過獨立宣言,到公投加入俄羅斯聯邦,在短短一個月再度噤聲了一整個民族。2014年5月18日的流放紀念日和6月26日的克里米亞韃靼旗幟紀念日,都被迫移往郊區舉行紀念活動。「到處都是軍人,我們甚至看到附近的樓頂有狙擊手⋯⋯」當時Amet就站在圍欄後面,親眼看著俄羅斯再度將韃靼人排除在外。 各級學校很快地收到新的俄語教材,所有教師都必須接受新課綱的訓練。日益漸增的壓力已經讓Amet和Dilyala再也無法繼續工作,而決定離開。 「去吧。」年邁的母親念著禱詞為他們祝福後,輕聲說道。 Amet一家人在克里米亞西部的Cape Tarkhankut待了三天之後,便向故鄉道別。 Amet向筆者展示克里米亞韃靼人的傳統服飾與經典。 圖/曹雨昕攝 離開家鄉的人與選擇留下的人 提到還留在克里米亞的家人,Amet停下揉捏包裝紙的雙手,深吸一口氣說:「這是個痛苦的問題。」原以為Amet不願多談,但他馬上堅決地說道:「不不不,我很樂意回答、我想回答。」 「我想回答。」他近乎是咬牙切齒地說了兩次。 對於Amet的父輩來說,他們為了能夠回家,要花上一輩子的時間。所以一旦踏上克里米亞這塊土地,離開便不再是選項,只想整個餘生都留在故鄉。 「我們已經老了,除了死在這裡沒有其他願望。但你們可以離開,你們必須離開,為了我們的民族和血緣。我們不想成為你們的牽絆。」這是Amet帶著妻小離開克里米亞時,家人留給他的一段話。 歷史總是如此似曾相似(déjà vu)。 Amet一家人離開克里米亞的那一天,Amet的女兒才5歲,正好是Amet的父親1944年被流放時的年紀。 「注意了,關於紀年,我們有我們獨有的數學算法。」Amet再度豎起了食指苦笑著。 從克里米亞到利沃夫 幾經波折,Amet一家人最後搬到烏克蘭西部的利沃夫(Lviv)。Amet成為當地學校的英語老師,他常在課堂中提到克里米亞,像是在討論「家庭」主題時,就以克里米亞韃靼人的傳統紋飾「Örnek」來介紹不同圖案所代表的家族成員。 身為一名老師,我從克里米亞到利沃夫,看著一個民族如何形成,世界觀如何建立。這些烏克蘭的孩子人生才剛起步,但我可以確定的是他們不會成為奴隸。與那些在克里米亞的孩子不同——那是截然不同的世界。 —— 克里米亞韃靼人 Amet 2022年,Dilyala的母親得了COVID,她決定回一趟克里米亞。Dilyala說:「我從來都不想回去被俄羅斯佔領的克里米亞,但這或許是我最後一次能見到她,如果錯過了,我一輩子都不會原諒我自己的。」 Dilyala為了這次返鄉,她刪除了社交媒體,清空了所有發言。她雖然害怕被俄羅斯盤問、被拘留,但更害怕錯過母親的最後一面。 Dilyala開心地與身旁運用傳統紋飾設計的服飾合影。 圖/曹雨昕攝 抵達克里米亞之後,Dilyala看到的是面目全非的家鄉,她沒見過如此「俄羅斯」的克里米亞。 「你永遠不會知道俄羅斯的規則,」她說:「有個女孩因為回去探望父親而入獄了兩年,沒有理由,或者說永遠都會有一個他們的理由。」 訪談進行的過程中,Amet和Dilyala的兒子Mustafa剛好來電。「Mustafa!來跟大家打招呼!」Amet興奮地打開視訊。Mustafa是一名軟體工程師,目前在捷克定居,已取得捷克居留證的他,正準備貸款買下人生第一個住所。 Amet的語氣掩不住內心的驕傲:「我們每一個人都代表著我們的民族,我們的所作所為都決定著別人如何看待我們。」對於家的想像,流流轉轉,似乎仍沒有定錨。 Amet說:「我女兒畫了一隻蝸牛,背上背著他們的房子。這正是我們如何看待自己的——我們一直把家背負在身上。」 在Amet的工作室外面,懸掛著烏克蘭的國旗和克里米亞韃靼人的旗幟。 圖/曹雨昕攝 在俄羅斯全面入侵烏克蘭後,Amet沒有選擇離開烏克蘭。他說,如果離開,就再也回不來了;選擇留在烏克蘭,就能抱著回到克里米亞的希望。 「每一個克里米亞韃靼人,就像是黑海中的每一滴水,」Amet說:「凝聚著記憶和歷史,不能散,不會散。」語畢,Amet打開筆電,展示他最近用AI生成的圖片,是一張身穿克里米亞傳統服飾的男子站在海邊,凝視茫茫月色的圖片。 搭配這張圖片,Amet像是詩一般地寫到: 我靜靜站在海邊 秋意落在我的肩膀,如同我父親長久的夢想 他一直想站在這片海岸 但回到克里米亞後,他便躺下並沉入這片祖先沉默之地 而我站在這裡,每道海浪就像他的腳步 遺憾和實現都在這一刻發生 沒有戰爭 這是我的土地 不是我的暫時 Amet的父親經歷了60年的流放生涯後,雖然回到克里米亞,但兩年後便過世,所以在生命的最後仍無法看到他童年時的海岸。 Amet一家三代的故事,就像克里米亞韃靼人縮影——被迫離開家鄉的上一代、回到家鄉卻又選擇離開的中生代,以及等待返鄉的人們。或許就像Amet女兒所說:「我們一直把家背負在身上」,就算在異鄉漂泊著,有人在的地方,就是克里米亞韃靼人的家。 Amet使用生成式AI合成了一張搭配他寫的詩詞的圖,畫面中的男子身穿克里米亞傳統服飾,站在海邊,凝視茫茫月色,或許反映的正是克里米亞韃靼人對家的想望。 圖/曹雨昕翻攝 Source link

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The initiative has been co-developed by professionals from both Grant Thornton and Teesside University. Credit: Vin1237 / Shutterstock. Grant Thornton UK has collaborated with Teesside University to establish a skills development initiative aimed at enhancing key competencies within businesses. The ‘AI and Digital Skills for Business Impact’ programme focuses on equipping organisations with skills in digital technologies, change management, business process modelling, data essentials, and the use of AI for operational improvements. Access deeper industry intelligence Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise. Find out more Co-developed by professionals from both Grant Thornton and Teesside University, the programme is designed to support employees across different levels of experience and career progression. The structure of the programme consists of four modules delivered over 12 months. The overall cost is £18,000, which corresponds with the Level 4 Business Analyst apprenticeship framework. Grant Thornton UK Partner and Talent Solutions head Ruth Walsh said: “We are excited to announce our new apprenticeship programme, which is specifically designed to empower individuals across a broad spectrum of roles—not just those in traditional tech positions—to learn, understand, and effectively apply AI, digital, and data skills in their everyday work.

Vesper Holdings Expands its Student Housing Portfolio in Michigan with Acquisition of Gateway Lofts Lansing
Vesper Holdings announces its acquisition of Gateway Lofts Lansing, a student housing community located pedestrian to Michigan State University Gateway Lofts Lansing Vesper Holdings announces its acquisition of Gateway Lofts Lansing, a student housing community located pedestrian to Michigan State University New York, New York, Aug. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vesper Holdings (“Vesper”), a privately-held real estate investment firm based in New York City, is pleased to announce its latest student housing acquisition – Gateway Lofts Lansing (“Gateway Lofts”) located pedestrian to Michigan State University. Including this purchase, Vesper has completed twenty student housing transactions totaling over $1 billion over the past 15 months. Gateway Lofts is a luxury student housing community offering one of the most desirable locations in the Lansing market. Delivered in 2022, this five-story property is located less than a half-mile from Michigan State University, providing direct pedestrian access to campus. Gateway Lofts features a highly desirable unit mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. Each apartment features upscale finishes, including wood-style plank flooring, granite countertops with bar seating, stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets, pendant lighting, and in-unit washers and dryers. Residents enjoy a comprehensive suite of amenities including a resident lounge with billiards, a

Is this the FTSE 250’s best ‘unicorn’ stock?
Image source: Getty Images The UK is not taking advantage of some very favourable business conditions. This is one of the biggest complaints about the modern state of the country. We have world-leading research hubs, three of the global top 10 universities, and the ability to attract the best talent. And where has it got us? Where are our dominant tech firms? Why aren’t the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 bursting at the seams with market-disrupting startups? Our country’s under-representation in breakout companies makes for valid criticism. But a few do sneak past the challenging investment and regulatory hurdles and acquire that fabled ‘unicorn’ status — reaching $1bn in market cap. One example is exciting biotech firm Oxford Nanopore (LSE: ONT). Sequencing So, what does the company do? And is it worth investing in? The name gives much of the game away. Oxford Nanopore was spun out of Oxford University in 2005. The company uses nanopore technology to sequence DNA and RNA. Anyone who took GCSE biology knows DNA is a long string of letters (A, T, G, and C). These can be read to derive the properties of living things. Well, the nanopore is a handheld device that allows

Joanne Rhodes crowns Miss Universe Hong Kong 2025 Lizzie Li in Wan Chai – CONAN Daily
Joanne Josephine Rhodes (姚祖恩) is an alumna of Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China and the University of Hong Kong in Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong. She attended the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California, United States in 2020 and entered the University College London in London, England, United Kingdom in 2022. On September 26, 2024, Rhodes competed against 15 other Miss Universe Hong Kong 2024 candidates at AXA Dreamland in New Territories, Hong Kong and won the title. On September 20, 2025, she crowned her successor Li Shi Yi (李詩逸), who is also known as Lizzie Li, at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Miss Universe Hong Kong 2025 results beauty pageant: Miss Universe Hong Kong international membership: Miss Universenational director: Phoebe Chu edition: 2nddate: September 20, 2025venue: Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Chinacandidates: 15 hosts: Sammy Leung, Joanne Josephine Rhodesperformer: Jeffrey Ngai JUDGES Carlos Chan Raymond Wong Rosina Wong FINALISTS PLACEMENT NAME (姓名), AGE Top 15 Chan Sin Ying (陳蒨瑩), 30Chong Ho Ling (蔣浩鈴), 32Chong Ka Wing (莊嘉詠)Lai Pui Lam (黎佩琳), 29Lau Wang Hei (劉泓晞), 27Ma Sze Yee (⾺思儀), 31Mo Chi Sum (⽑志琛), 29Wan Leung Yu (溫亮瑜), 28Wang Jane (王思棋), 30Zhang Yi He (張懿赫), 27 Top 5 Lau Tsz Yee (劉芷⽽), 22Luo Wan Ding (羅婉丁), 27 Top 3 Tam Chin

Joanne Rhodes crowns Miss Universe Hong Kong 2025 Lizzie Li in Wan Chai – CONAN Daily
Joanne Josephine Rhodes (姚祖恩) is an alumna of Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China and the University of Hong Kong in Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong. She attended the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California, United States in 2020 and entered the University College London in London, England, United Kingdom in 2022. On September 26, 2024, Rhodes competed against 15 other Miss Universe Hong Kong 2024 candidates at AXA Dreamland in New Territories, Hong Kong and won the title. On September 20, 2025, she crowned her successor Li Shi Yi (李詩逸), who is also known as Lizzie Li, at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Miss Universe Hong Kong 2025 results beauty pageant: Miss Universe Hong Kong international membership: Miss Universenational director: Phoebe Chu edition: 2nddate: September 20, 2025venue: Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Chinacandidates: 15 hosts: Sammy Leung, Joanne Josephine Rhodesperformer: Jeffrey Ngai JUDGES Carlos Chan Raymond Wong Rosina Wong FINALISTS PLACEMENT NAME (姓名), AGE Top 15 Chan Sin Ying (陳蒨瑩), 30Chong Ho Ling (蔣浩鈴), 32Chong Ka Wing (莊嘉詠)Lai Pui Lam (黎佩琳), 29Lau Wang Hei (劉泓晞), 27Ma Sze Yee (⾺思儀), 31Mo Chi Sum (⽑志琛), 29Wan Leung Yu (溫亮瑜), 28Wang Jane (王思棋), 30Zhang Yi He (張懿赫), 27 Top 5 Lau Tsz Yee (劉芷⽽), 22Luo Wan Ding (羅婉丁), 27 Top 3 Tam Chin

The Ashinaga Kyoto Internship Program 2014 concluded (6-15 September 2014)
Over a ten-day period in September, Kyoto University hosted the second half of this year’s Kyoto Internship Program, which was organized in partnership with the Ashinaga scholarship foundation. The participants comprised 30 students from some of the world’s top universities – mostly those based in Europe and the United States, such as the University of Oxford and Princeton University – who took part in a hands-on course in Kyoto Studies, working together with Japanese students to learn about the history, culture, and various other aspects of the host city. The Kyoto Studies Program came about in response to a request by Ashinaga President Yoshiomi Tamai — made during his visit to Kyoto University in January 2014 — that the University assist with his organization’s internship program by providing lectures and having its students involved. The Program was developed as part of Kyoto University’s community involvement initiative, which had been selected as one of the “Center of Community” (COC) projects subsidized by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. In its role as the “Center” of the local community, Kyoto University is focused on pursuing effective and efficient collaboration with local partners to advance the city’s long-term interests, and
In July, consumer confidence in the United States rose to a five-month high, but concerns about tariffs continue to suppress optimism.
The US consumer confidence index rose to its highest level in five months in July The Zhitong Finance App learned that the latest preliminary data released by the University of Michigan in the US shows that, benefiting from improvements in economic and inflation expectations, the US consumer confidence index rose to its highest level in five months in July. According to the data, the initial value of the consumer confidence index in July was 61.8, up from 60.7 in June. Despite this, the overall level of confidence was still lower than the level for most of last year. In terms of inflation expectations, respondents expect prices to rise at an annual rate of 4.4% over the next year, down from 5% last month, the lowest level since February this year. Meanwhile, consumers expect prices to rise by an average of 3.6% per year in the next five to ten years, which is also the lowest value in five months. Despite a slight recovery in confidence, consumer concerns about the economic outlook have not completely dissipated, and uncertainties relating to tariffs in particular continue to limit overall optimism. “Compared to a year ago, consumer expectations for the business environment, labor market,

亞洲四國菁英齊聚高雄大學 夏日學校打造永續交流新典範 | 焦點時報
姊妹校學生齊聚來臺 學習收穫滿滿 高雄大學舉辦「夏日學校」 深化國際交流與永續關注。〈圖/記者翻攝.下同〉 【焦點時報/記者蔡宗憲報導】 國立高雄大學為期10天的「夏日學校」(Summer School)日前圓滿落幕。來自日本、韓國、越南與泰國等國際姊妹校的學生,透過專題講座、互動中文課程、文化體驗與永續參訪,累積了跨文化交流與議題探討的寶貴經驗。參與者不僅提升語言能力,更深入認識臺灣文化與南臺灣的永續行動。此活動於7月31日至8月9日由國際處主辦。 國際長林倖如表示,「夏日學校」兼具語言學習與國際議題討論,讓青年世代在多元互動中培養跨文化理解力與全球視野。課程結合永續發展與創業挑戰,並融入在地特色,未來將持續深化與姊妹校合作,擴大學生國際移動與交流機會。 林倖如除主持開幕式外,也主持了結業典禮,表達對學員的重視與祝福,並一一頒發結業證書,肯定學員在課堂、文化體驗與參訪中的積極參與與學習成果。典禮播放的回顧影片呈現活動亮點,學員們以中文互道感謝、交換手寫卡片,象徵跨文化交流的真摯情誼。 活動期間,國際處安排多名校內學生擔任小隊輔,全程陪同夏日學校學員適應校園與生活環境。語言課程採遊戲化互動模式,涵蓋自我介紹、日常用語與餐飲點餐等情境,促進雙向交流與學習氛圍。 專題講座邀請了高雄大學副校長吳行浩、南非普馬蘭加大學(University of Mpumalanga, UMP)發展研究學院教授Mazanai Musara、印尼國家研究與創新署(BRIN)法律研究中心博士Laely Nurhidayah,以及銘傳大學國際學院助理教授董珮如。他們從創業策略、氣候治理、國際法制與新創生態等面向,帶領學員比較不同國家的政策與實務,啟發多角度思考。 文化體驗課程包括DIY中藥草包活動,讓學員認識臺灣藥草種類與生活應用,並透過分組合作建立跨國情誼。為呼應「永續」主題,校外參訪安排至國立科學工藝博物館探討能源轉型與氣候變遷;走訪美濃體驗油紙傘彩繪與擂茶,理解傳統工藝在永續觀光中的價值;前往墾丁國家公園認識海洋與陸域生態,討論觀光與環境保育間的平衡。 #高雄大學夏日學校,國際交流,永續發展,跨文化學習,林倖如 Source link

最新全球最佳大學排名!中國醫藥大學輾壓清大陽明交大,輸台大多少?畢業起薪6.6萬、最賺4科系出爐 – 今周刊
2026全球最佳大學排名出爐!據了解,包含台清交成在內,台灣一共有9間大學上榜前1000名,值得注意的是,國內一間私校排名竟輾壓清華大學、成功大學、陽明交大等頂尖名校,且該私校的薪資前景也十分看好,平均起薪來到6萬6千元。《今周刊》本文就帶讀者一次瞭解這間正快速崛起的私立大學。 2026全球最佳大學排名 《美國新聞與世界報告》(U.S. News & World Report)公布最新「2026全球最佳大學」排名,一共涵蓋全球104個國家、2251所大學;其中,台灣有9間大學入榜前1000名。 據了解,全球最佳大學的評鑑依據,是以多項指標進行評比,如全球研究聲譽、區域研究聲譽、出版、會議、圖書、論文總引用次數、引用影響力等,提供全球學生了解本國以外的高等教育參考指標。 全球最佳大學前5名是由哪些名校拿下?根據報告顯示,前3名全由美國的大學通包,分別為哈佛大學(Harvard University)、麻省理工學院(Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT)、史丹佛大學(Stanford University)。 第4、5名則由英國大學拿下,分別為牛津大學(University of Oxford)及劍橋大學(University of Cambridge)。 「2026全球最佳大學」前十名一覽 1.哈佛大學 Harvard University 2.麻省理工學院 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 3.史丹佛大學 Stanford University 4.牛津大學 University of Oxford 5.劍橋大學 University of Cambridge 6.加利福尼亞大學柏克萊分校 University of California Berkeley 7.倫敦大學學院 University College London 8.華盛頓大學 University of Washington Seattle 9.耶魯大學 Yale University 10.哥倫比亞大學 Columbia University 台灣9所大學上榜 1私校當黑馬超車頂校 值得留意的是,在最新「2026全球最佳大學」排名中,台灣一共有9所大學名列榜上,國立台灣大學自然不負眾望居全台之冠,排名第248名。 出乎意料的是,排名位居全台第二的並非是外界眼中的頂大名校,而是私立中國醫藥大學(China Medical University Taiwan),排名第314名。 「2026全球最佳大學」台灣9所大學一覽 1.國立臺灣大學(全球排名第248名、亞洲國家排名第55、台灣排名第1) 2.私立中國醫藥大學(全球排名第314名、亞洲國家排名第75、台灣排名第2) 3.國立清華大學(全球排名第506名、亞洲國家排名第133、台灣排名第3) 4.國立成功大學(全球排名第620名) 5.國立陽明交通大學(全球排名第625名) 6.私立亞洲大學(全球排名第703名) 7.國立臺灣科技大學(全球排名第891名) 8.國立臺灣師範大學(全球排名第930名) 9.私立臺北醫學大學(全球排名第937名) 中國醫藥大學實力竄升 就業出路網路聲量「私校第1」 據悉,中國醫藥大學在1958年創辦,前身名為中國醫藥學院,是台灣第一間中醫藥學的醫學院,自2003年起升格為中國醫藥大學。近年來,中國醫藥大學逐漸發展成為全國最具中、西醫藥學整合特色,以及基礎與臨床整合的頂尖醫藥大學。 剖析「2026全球最佳大學」具體指標細項,其中,以工程相關課程(如醫學工程、航太工程、機械工程、電機工程、土木工程等)來說,中國醫藥大學在排行中名列第125名(共1501名),而生物細胞、內分泌與代謝、腫瘤、公共衛生、食品科技與技術、藥理學與毒理學、傳染病等研究和課程,也在各排行榜上擠進前300名,表現相當亮眼。 另外,根據《網路溫度計DailyView》日前發布的「全台大學就業出路十大口碑榜」中,中國醫藥大學就業出路網路聲量排名第10,不僅是首度衝進前10名,更拿下私校冠軍。 中國醫藥大學「校友薪資指標」 畢業起薪就破6.6萬 連2年發表《大學品牌力》調查的104人力銀行,在今(2025)年2月也發布了2025大學品牌力最新報告,104會依據各校10大指標表現進行排名。 10大指標分別為職務能力、未來能力、產學力、學群力、知名度、研發力、校友薪資、性格優勢、碩士論文力、國際力。 其,「校友薪資」指標方面,今年共有7所大學併列第一,除了成功大學之外,還有政治大、陽明交大、台大、台科大、中國醫藥大學、北醫大等6所,而中國醫藥大學、北醫大更是唯二進榜的私立大學。 從104釋出的「113年畢業生流向調查」顯示,中國醫藥大學學生就業平均起薪約 6.6萬元,而畢業滿3年後的薪資可到7.3萬元,起薪相當不錯,且整體薪資隨年資累計有略微提升的趨勢;而起薪較高的科系包括藥學系、職業安全與衛生學系、護理學系、醫學檢驗生物技術學系。 針對「2026全球最佳大學」排名,中國醫藥大學校方分析,中醫大除了學術研究表現十分突出,平均教授論文引用次數達99.9分,逼近滿分100分,堪比世界排名前10大學校,表現為全台之冠;其次則是國際研究網絡的評比達到75.9分,儘管和世界前10名仍有差距,但表現同樣也是全台所有大學之冠。 本文暫不授權媒體夥伴 Source link

Boston University Student Receives The SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship
The SBB Research Group Foundation has named Mia Madrigal a STEM Scholarship recipient Mia Madrigal Boston University Student Receives The SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship CHICAGO, Aug. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The SBB Research Group Foundation named Mia Madrigal a recipient of its STEM scholarship. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Mia Madrigal, a sophomore, studies human physiology at Boston University. In addition to her studies, Mia volunteers with underserved youth to encourage them to pursue STEM and has contributed to research on campus. “Mia’s commitment to both science and service reflects the kind of impact-driven leadership we’re proud to support,” said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. For eligibility criteria and more information on the Foundation’s STEM scholarship, please visit https://www.sbbscholarship.com/ About the SBB Research Group Foundation The SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that furthers the philanthropic mission of SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), a Chicago-based investment management firm led by Sam Barnett, Ph.D., and Matt Aven. The Foundation sponsors the SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship, supporting students pursuing Science, Technology,

Johns Hopkins University Student Receives The SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship
The SBB Research Group Foundation has named Arjit Singh a STEM Scholarship recipient Arjit Singh Johns Hopkins University Student Receives The SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship CHICAGO, Aug. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The SBB Research Group Foundation named Arjit Singh a recipient of its STEM scholarship. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Arjit Singh, a sophomore, studies neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. In addition to his undergraduate studies, he conducts research at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, focused on improving surgical outcomes for brain tumor patients. He is also a Child Live Volunteer, which allows him to support children and families as they deal with a hospital stay. “Arjit is already so committed to his community and the well-being of patients. We are excited to see what he does as he continues in his studies,” said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. For eligibility criteria and more information on the Foundation’s STEM scholarship, please visit https://www.sbbscholarship.com/ About the SBB Research Group Foundation The SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that furthers the

US Actors launches new nationwide casting website for US Casting Calls
U.S. Actors expands acting opportunities with launch of U.S. Casting Calls Phoenix, AZ, Aug. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — US Actors, a leading freelance casting agency dedicated to connecting actors and media productions across the United States, proudly announces the launch of its new platform, U.S. Casting Calls. This innovative site, accessible at uscastingcalls.com, is designed to streamline the casting process for actors, filmmakers, and content creators nationwide. US Actors – Free Actors Profiles Building on the success of US Actors, which allows actors to list their acting profiles free of charge, U.S. Casting Calls aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of paid casting opportunities. The platform is set to revolutionize the way casting calls are managed, offering a user-friendly interface that caters to both seasoned professionals and aspiring actors alike. Young actors as well as seasoned SAG AFTRA actors can find union and non union casting calls and acting auditions. All casting calls are free for actors to access, free to apply to, and are always paid acting work. Acting Agencies can submit acting talent to casting calls as well. “The launch of U.S. Casting Calls marks a significant milestone in our mission to democratize access to casting
福布斯排名發佈!柏克萊超過哈佛!全美第一大學畢業年薪超80萬… | 美股 | 鉅亨號
前陣子,福布斯20266最佳美國大學榜單在家長圈裡討論度頗高。前10名分別是:麻省理工學院、哥倫比亞大學、普林斯頓大學、史丹佛大學、加州柏克萊、哈佛大學、威廉斯學院、約翰霍普金斯大學、耶魯大學和賓州大學。今年麻省理工超過普林斯頓成為全美第一。根據福布斯資料,麻省理工尤為突出的是畢業生3年後的平均薪資高達110,200美元,20年後的年薪中位數全美最高達到196,900美元,幾乎所有學生(99.8%)在大一結束後仍會繼續返回校園學習,說明學生對學校超級滿意。相較於US NEWS榜單,福布斯的參考指標最主要是校友薪資、債務償還能力、投資報酬率等,可以說是一份非常「實際」的榜單。2026年US NEWS美國大學排名已官宣將於9月23日公佈,其中包含“2026全美最佳綜合性大學排名”與“2026全美最佳文理學院排名”,據說今年會對學校投入、名望等指標相對弱化,而對於畢業與留存、畢業後收入負債等更為強調。不論是QS還是US NEWS,每年榜單出來,朋友圈和家長群裡立刻熱鬧非凡。可是,榜單年年有,靠它給孩子的留學「定終身」真的可靠?況且,榜單這裡頭的門道兒有多深,你根本想像不到。我曾經就有一位朋友為了追求排名更高的學校,花了很多經歷轉學,等到找工作時才發現,留學生要在美國留下來工作,如果是文社科專業是幾乎沒有可能,於是讀了一個普通學校的電腦專業,如今也在科技大廠年薪十幾萬了。你選校會參考排名嗎?會參考那一個排名?是否曾經被排名坑過?歡迎留言和我們分享。01. 美國大學榜單,媒體的流量王者美國大學搞排名榜單已經有四十多年歷史了。1983 年,US News & World Report搞了一個「Best Colleges」榜單,原本目的是想讓雜誌想賣得好點,結果陰差陽錯火了。家長們看榜單挑學校,學校們看榜單改宣傳,久而久之就變成了全美最有影響力的排名。後來諸多媒體發現這生意有搞頭,於是QS、泰晤士高等教育(THE)、福布斯這些機構也紛紛下場,各自整出一套評判體系。每份榜單都會列出自己看重的評判因素,例如聲譽調查(同行和僱主眼中的口碑)、科研產出、師生比例、國際化程度、畢業生就業與收入……聽起來科學又全面,但其實權重怎麼分配全憑發榜方自己的「心情」和解讀,所以就出現了一種現象:同一所大學可能在一個排行榜上跌落三尊榜單到三檔。以華盛頓大學(University of Washington, UW)為例,就是一個非常典型的「跳票」案例。在 US News 全球大學排名(Global Universities)中,UW 曾高居第6名,依靠的是它強大的科研實力和國際聲譽;但同一時段,UW 在 US News 的美國大學全國排名(National Universities)中,位居第40名左右;更換另一個國際排名,如 Times Higher Education(THE)世界大學排名,UW 排名是在第25名;再來看 QS 世界大學排名,它的排名則跌落至大約第81名。同一所學校,卻在不同榜單裡從第6名跳到第40名、再到第25、甚至第81,差距驚人!所以,大學排名發展到現在,大家對這些榜單的品質也逐漸出現了質疑。在Reddit上就有人詢問:自己打算申請大學,想參考一些榜單擇校,到底這些榜單那個更有權威?有一個高贊回覆說得有道理:在美國這個種族和政治正確的大熔爐裡,高校的排名很難只用學術、教學這種本該是教育最重視的因素單一衡量,人種的多樣化、國際生比例、運動比賽項目等各種龐雜因素都會被考慮進去。若論權威性,都是獨一家。另外,有些指標本身就很難真正衡量。就拿「教學品質」來說,有些排名會用「師生比」來評估,聽起來合理,但其實問題很大。師生比例往往直接跟研究規模掛鉤,博士生比例也是研究強度的體現,它更反映的是研究情況,而不是課堂教學。所以這項指標並不能真正衡量本科教育的品質。02. 符合中國家長胃口的兩個名單:竟然沒有USNEWS?巴基斯坦馬拉坎德大學(University of Malakand)的研究員Iftikhar Ahmad 今年發表了一篇名為Ranking the Rankings: A Comprehensive Review of QS, THE, ARWU, and US News的研究報告,對比大榜單排名時看了幾重的因素。概括下來就是:US News(美國新聞與世界報導)榜單:全國大學排名(National Universities)重視畢業率、本科教學品質及學術聲譽,偏向本科教育質量,對家長尤其有參考價值。榜單二:全球大學排名(Global Universities)看重科學研究產出(論文數、引用次數)與國際合作(跨國研究、跨國合著)。偏向科研實力,排名高不等於大學部好讀。QS 世界大學排名重視學術聲譽重視(全球教授們的投票)和論文引用/學術影響、以及國際化程度(國際學生比例、國際教師比例),對要出國的學生和家長「面子工程」有吸引力。Times Higher Education (THE) 泰晤士高等教育排名重視教學品質(學生滿意度、教師、博士比例)、研究數量與聲譽,重點或在研究和聲譽。還有2003年才誕生的「新貴」名單上海軟科世界大學學術排名(ARWU),看重學術獎(諾獎、菲爾茲獎)、高被引科學家數量、Nature & Science 論文數量。幾乎只看硬派科學研究指標。過去,國人家長看重上述榜單,重視學校排名,是因為東亞家長的名校情節嚴重,加上出國申請投入的精力、時間和開銷都是巨資,既然付出那麼多代價讀書,為什麼不選個好學校呢?可現在,好學校、高排名的學校≠好就業。特別是工作不好找的當下,如果一所學校不能在畢業後幫助學生拿到理想工作、進入高薪行業,那麼它的學術聲譽再高也可能「名不副實」。顯然,上述這些榜單在父母重視的「只有讀書高」和「一生求一份好工作」的期待面前,有些過時了。不過,最近新出爐的兩個榜單,我認為還挺適合中國家長胃口的。01. 「學生最刻苦的學校」榜單最近,The Princeton Review 發布了一份名為“Students Who Study the Most” (學生最用功的高校)排名。這份榜單調查了全美400多所大學後,對該校學生在課堂外每天花多少時間學習的評價進行排名,以下是前25名的高校:這份榜單上的大學,除了個別是中國家長耳熟能詳的名校,更多可能都沒人聽過。但這些學校在理工科教學方面品質都非常高。比如:👉 法蘭克林歐林工程學院(Olin College)該校提供以專案為導向的工程教育,強調跨學科合作和實踐經驗。學生在解決實際工程問題中累積經驗,培養創新和領導能力。根據Research.com 的數據,該校畢業生的中位數薪資為$112,500。The Princeton Review 2025年選出Olin College為“最佳價值大學”,其投資回報率(ROI)評分為93/99,位列前50名公立和私立最佳價值大學之中還有哈維穆德學院,提供以STEM 為核心的課程,強調跨學科的學習和實踐,培養學生的創新和解決問題的能力。根據Orbit 的數據,Harvey Mudd College 畢業生在畢業後十年的中位數薪資為$177,800,顯示出其在STEM 領域的高薪就業潛力。這份榜單值得中國家長在擇校時參考:一方面是STEM 專業傾向強。中國家長歷來偏好理工科,認為理科基礎紮實、就業前景穩定、邏輯思考能力強。榜單上的學校大多以理工科為核心。正好符合家長對專業方向的偏好。另一方面,榜單反映的是學生課外學習時間長、學術負荷大。這意味著孩子身邊的同學普遍聰明又刻苦,有著強烈的學習氛圍。中國家長向來重視環境效應,喜歡讓孩子物以類聚、近朱者赤。02. LinkedIn 2025美國大學就業人數名單(LinkedIn Top Colleges for Career Growth 2025)前不久,LinkedIn推出了一份非常接地氣的大學就業力榜單。這份榜單基於超過3.8億美國在LinkedIn平台上的用戶職業數據,首次打破傳統學術排名的評價邏輯,它從就業率、實習參與度、校友網絡強度、職業成功度和知識廣度五大維度,綜合評估各大高校對畢業生就業競爭力的實際影響力。讀大學是一項重大的時間和金錢投資,尤其是在學費上漲和就業市場變化的情況下。對留學生來說,這份榜單所列出的投資報酬率也許含金量更高、在擇校時更值得參考。03. 孩子的教育和成就,不該是一個排名數字決定的雖然現在的榜單琳瑯滿目、是家長擇校時的重要參考,但盡信書不如無書。這麼多榜單能流行起來,答案很簡單:👉 對媒體來說,排名能製造焦慮、選擇和操作空間,而這些對媒體意味著點擊量和市場。發布大學排名榜單的媒體通常是獲利性機構,其商業模式依賴高流量和訂閱收入。這些排名榜單的發布不僅影響了大學的聲譽和招生情況,也直接影響了媒體的經濟利益。2014年,《US News & World Report》發布大學排名的當天,其網站usnews.com獲得了260萬獨立訪客和1890萬頁瀏覽量,創下歷史新高。除去排名外,雜誌社還以書籍的形式出版最佳學院指南。點擊量、流量帶來廣告,也就是看得見的真金白銀。👉 對學校來說,大學排名榜單的發布則影響了大學的聲譽、招生以及捐贈。研究發現,大學排名每提升一個名次,申請量平均增加約3.9%,同時新生的SAT 平均分數提高約1.2 分;排名前20 的學校,每提升一個名次,接受學生的入學機率增加約0.45%。每當各大學排名榜單發佈時,相關學校的媒體曝光度和招生諮詢量通常會顯著增加。所以,許多大學將提升排名作為發展目標,並採取具體措施。比如–克萊姆森大學(Clemson University)在2001年制定了「進入公立大學前20」的計劃,透過縮減班級規模等方式提升排名;亞利桑那州立大學(Arizona State University)在2007年將校長薪酬與排名提升掛鉤;貝爾蒙特大學(Belmont University)在2010年將「進入前五名」列入策略規劃。👉 對家長們而言,面對陌生的教育體系,他們需要一個“可以抓得住的指標”,而排名正好滿足了這種心理。雖然大家也明白榜單≠全部,但在幾十萬美金的教育投資面前,家長們還是需要一個指標去評判自己扔出去的真金白銀聽見了聲響。但正因為榜單帶來的利益巨大,這也意味著為了“上榜”“升名次”,大學在追求排名的過程中會採取不當手段,從而誤導家長和學生的選擇。例如,2021年,天普大學(Temple University)商學院前院長因操控排名數據被判刑14個月,並被罰款25萬美元。他與該院教職員向《US News & World Report》提交虛假訊息,誇大線上MBA和兼職MBA課程的學生數量和就業率,讓該校商學院在2015至2018年間排名上升。黑幕爆出後,他成為第一位因商學院排名醜聞而被定罪的院長。2022年,哥倫比亞大學被指控向《US News & World Report》提交虛假的班級規模、師生比例、教學支出等數據,使其在2022年排名中升至第二位。最後,哥倫比亞大學已同意支付900萬美元,以解決因提交虛假數據而引發的集體訴訟。這些因為排名「可操作空間」而爆出的醜聞提醒我們,選擇學校時不能盯著榜單一個指標死磕,而要把視野放寬,綜合考量多方面因素。首先,不必糾結於細微的名次差異。不同的排名體系確實會給出略有出入的排序,但對於前50 名左右的大學,大體範圍是一致的。也就是說,只要結合孩子的學術水平、興趣方向和未來規劃確定好一個合理的目標區間,那麼在不同榜單上上下浮動幾位,其實並不會真正影響學校的整體品質和教育資源。換句話說,與其花心思糾結某校在某榜單上是第18 還是第23,不如關注學校是否適合孩子的發展。■前十的大學在不同榜單上的名次浮動其次,選綜合排名、不如選專業排名。我認識一個朋友,她申請大學時拿到了佛羅里達大學和耶魯大學的錄取,但最後還是選擇前者。因為她心儀的方向是海洋生物與環境,從學術資源、研究方向、地理環境各方面,佛羅里達大學都要比耶魯大學更有利。中國家長和學生,習慣了以綜合排名擇校,綜合排名高固然有光環效應,但真正決定學生未來競爭力的,是專業的硬實力。學生走向社會靠的是一技之長在打拚。沒有過硬的、有潛力空間的專業技術傍身,即便掛著名校頭銜,也容易在未來的職場中失去優勢和被淘汰。在名校光環的性價比早已大不如前的當下,我們是時候更務實去擇校了。 (爸爸真棒) Source link
美國未生育女性暴增 570 萬人,為何她們選擇不生? | TechNews 科技新報
新罕布夏大學最新研究指出,美國家庭結構正出現深刻變化。科學新聞網站 PsyPost 報導指出,至 2024 年,20 至 39 歲處於主要育齡期的女性中,有 2,310 萬人尚未生育,比依 2006 年模式推算的預期多出 570 萬人。研究估算,自 2007 年金融危機以來,累計出生人數比趨勢少了 1,180 萬,凸顯「人口懸崖」隱憂。 研究分析2006年至2024年美國人口普查局《當前人口調查》與國家衛生統計中心數據。結果顯示,30歲以下女性的無子女率增幅最大,生育率降幅亦最明顯;30歲出頭女性生育率僅小幅下降,而35歲以上女性的生育率略有上升,但不足以抵消年輕群體的下滑。 此趨勢背後有多重因素。除了2007年經濟大衰退與新冠疫情衝擊外,女性教育與職業機會提升、住房與養育成本高昂、托育及帶薪家庭假不足,以及婚姻率下降等,都改變了美國人對家庭與生育的選擇。值得注意的是,無子女人數不僅在未婚女性中增加,已婚女性的無子女比率也高於歷史趨勢,顯示文化觀念的廣泛轉變。 資料顯示,2006年至2024年間,美國20至39歲女性人口增加10%,但未生育者比率卻上升45%。如果經濟衰退前的生育模式保持穩定,2024年應有約440萬女性生兩胎以上,另130萬生一胎,如今卻未實現。 學者警告,低生育率將在短期內減少對學校與兒童產業的需求,長遠則縮小勞動力規模,衝擊經濟成長、創新力與稅基,並加重對老齡人口社會保障的壓力。研究將美國現況定義為「人口斷崖」,其後果恐持續數十年。 ▲ 到 2024 年,20 至 39 歲女性數量將增多,但生育人數將減少。(Source:新罕布夏大學) (首圖來源:Unsplash) 延伸閱讀: 想請我們喝幾杯咖啡? 每杯咖啡 65 元 您的咖啡贊助將是讓我們持續走下去的動力 總金額共新臺幣 0 元 《關於請喝咖啡的 Q & A》 從這裡可透過《Google 新聞》追蹤 TechNews 科技新知,時時更新 Source link

U.S. News & World Report最新大學排名出爐!
儘管美國高等教育界經歷了資金削減、白宮施壓和招生挑戰等動盪的一年,備受關注的《美國新聞與世界報導》(U.S. News & World Report)於本週二發布的最新大學排名卻顯示出驚人的穩定性。普林斯頓大學、麻省理工學院和哈佛大學繼續穩坐前三,而加州大學伯克利分校則榮登全美最佳公立大學榜首,顯示了頂尖名校在評分體系中的強勢地位。 榜單頂端波瀾不驚 據《紐約時報》報道,在今年的全國性大學榜單上,頂級排名幾乎沒有變化。普林斯頓大學(Princeton University)、麻省理工學院(MIT)和哈佛大學(Harvard University)再次佔據前三名。斯坦福大學(Stanford University)與耶魯大學(Yale University)並列第四。在公立大學方面,加州大學伯克利分校(University of California, Berkeley)取代了去年的冠軍加州大學洛杉磯分校(University of California, Los Angeles),成為新的第一。此外,威廉姆斯學院(Williams College)和斯佩爾曼學院(Spelman College)也分別蟬聯了全國文理學院和傳統黑人院校的榜首。 排名產業的爭議 《美國新聞》(U.S. News)的大學排名長期以來都是一個充滿爭議但又極具影響力的行業。該出版商稱其排名是幫助消費者做出重大決策的「必要服務」,但批評者和許多大學管理人員對其數據和方法的可靠性持懷疑態度。儘管如此,大多數學校仍然選擇參與,甚至支付數百萬美元的營銷許可費來宣傳自己的排名,因為好的排名能直接影響學校的捐款和申請人數。 方法論的微調 在長期負責排名的主管莫爾斯(Robert Morse)退休後,今年的排名方法論備受關注。但《美國新聞》表示,除了為反映招生趨勢變化而進行的「微小調整」外,其核心計算公式並未改變。這與兩年前因方法論大改而導致排名劇烈波動的情況形成鮮明對比,也解釋了為何今年榜單頂端如此穩定。 另一種聲音:社會流動性排名 文章同時指出,排名的結果完全取決於其背後的價值觀。例如,《華盛頓月刊》(Washington Monthly)的排名就以社會流動性和「性價比」為核心標準。在其榜單上,伯利亞學院(Berea College)和加州州立大學(California State University)系統的多個校區名列前茅,因為它們在幫助來自非富裕家庭的學生取得成功方面表現卓越,而哈佛在該榜單上僅排第28位。 《美國新聞與世界報導》最新前30名大學排名 1 普林斯頓大學(Princeton University)2 麻省理工學院(Massachusetts Institute of Technology)3 哈佛大學(Harvard University)4 史丹佛大學(Stanford University)4 耶魯大學(Yale University)6 芝加哥大學(University of Chicago)7 杜克大學(Duke University)7 約翰霍普金斯大學(Johns Hopkins University)7 西北大學(Northwestern University)7 賓夕法尼亞大學(University of Pennsylvania)11 加州理工學院(California Institute of Technology)12 康奈爾大學(Cornell University)13 布朗大學(Brown University)13 達特茅斯學院(Dartmouth College)15 哥倫比亞大學(Columbia University)15 加州大學柏克萊分校(University of California, Berkeley)17 萊斯大學(Rice University)17 加州大學洛杉磯分校(University of California, Los Angeles)17 范德堡大學(Vanderbilt University)20 卡內基梅隆大學(Carnegie Mellon University)20 密西根大學安娜堡分校(University of Michigan–Ann Arbor)20 聖母大學(University of Notre Dame)20 華盛頓大學聖路易斯(Washington University in St. Louis)24 埃默里大學(Emory University)24 喬治城大學(Georgetown University)26 北卡羅來納大學教堂山分校(University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill)26 維吉尼亞大學(University of Virginia)28 南加州大學(University of Southern California)29 加州大學聖地牙哥分校(University of California, San Diego)30 佛羅里達大學(University of Florida) 封面來源:普林斯頓大學(Princeton University)。Adobe Stock Source link

Palladium Global Science Award: Hong Kong Hosts Ceremony Honoring the Most Innovative Palladium-Based Technologies
HONG KONG, Nov. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The inaugural Palladium Global Science Award ceremony was held in Hong Kong, celebrating the most advanced innovations in industrial palladium applications. Established in 2025, the international scientific competition aims to stimulate and promote groundbreaking research in new palladium-based technologies. Five scientists from Canada, Japan, India, the United States, and Saudi Arabia were named laureates, sharing a total prize fund of USD 350,000. The ceremony brought together leading scientists, business representatives, government officials and international partners. Attendees witnessed the formal announcement of the winners and recognized the high level of innovation shaping the future of palladium applications. The event highlighted the global scope of the competition and its role in advancing cutting-edge palladium technologies. In its first year, the competition received nearly 100 submissions from over 30 countries, covering fields such as traditional and alternative energy, metallurgy, chemistry, nanotechnology, medicine, electronics, and environmental technologies. The International Expert Council evaluated each entry based on scientific novelty, technological feasibility, and industrial applicability. Winners were recognized in three nominations: Best Scientific Developments in New Palladium Applications Best Scientific Article in New Palladium Applications Best Applied Concept in New Palladium Applications In the Best Scientific Developments nomination, Distinguished

UNCF Kicks Off Nation’s Largest Walk for Education Season to Support HBCUs and Students
UNCF will host 14 Walk for Education events throughout the country, starting Aug. 2, 2025 UNCF National Walk for Education Season UNCF hosting nation’s largest walk for education season. Washington, DC, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Starting Aug. 2, 2025, through Oct. 18, 2025, UNCF will be hosting 14 Walk for Education events throughout the country to support historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUS) and help students journey to and through college, with a goal of raising $2 million for the organization. These annual events aim to support UNCF’s mission of providing scholarships, internships and other resources to help students attend and graduate from college. “I invite everyone to join UNCF in transforming futures whether you walk, run, cycle, or donate, your support directly empowers students and strengthens our nation’s HBCUs. Together, we can ensure that more students get to and through college.” said Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer, UNCF. This year’s UNCF Walk for Education season’s national sponsor is long-time UNCF supporter Colgate-Palmolive. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to contact their local UNCF office for sponsorship and other support opportunities. Key Features of the Walks: Fundraising: The primary goal of these walks is

HL Celebrates Global Scholars: Mayor Hsu Honors Returnees and Sends Off New Students Abroad
(中央社訊息服務20250708 10:28:27)On July 1, the Hualien County Government hosted a press conference at the county hall to mark the achievements of the 2025 Education Hope Program, which provides full scholarships for study abroad and international affairs training. The event brought together 16 students who had recently returned from the United States, 17 junior and senior high school students preparing to depart for overseas studies, and 5 university and high school students set to join a cultural exchange program in Germany. Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei, joined by guests including County Councilor Dibus Ilai and Charlotte Han, President of the Sino-German Cultural and Economic Association, congratulated the returning students and encouraged those about to leave to follow in their predecessors’ footsteps. She urged them to embrace new cultures, expand their global horizons, and help shape a promising future for themselves and Hualien. HL Celebrates Global Scholars: Mayor Hsu Honors Returnees and Sends Off New Students Abroad Mayor Hsu emphasized that the Education Hope Program is one of the county’s most significant initiatives, backed by substantial resources and long-term commitment. She expressed special appreciation for the Department of Education and President Han, who has been instrumental in advancing the study-abroad program in

National Higher Education Nonprofit Launches Creative Commons Photo Library to Reflect the Realities of Today’s Students
Complete College America Photo Library offers authentic images of today’s college students and campuses for use by media, institutions and advocates Complete College Photo Library Real students. Real stories. Real campuses. The Complete College Photo Library is now live at CompleteCollegePhotoLibrary.org. Indianapolis, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Complete College America (CCA)—a national nonprofit on a mission to raise postsecondary attainment in the United States—today announced the launch of the Complete College Photo Library, a free public collection of Creative Commons photography featuring authentic images of today’s college students. The library showcases the wide range of student experiences and campus settings across the country—including community colleges, HBCUs, regional universities and workforce training programs—highlighting how many of today’s students are balancing college with jobs, family, and other complex real-world responsibilities. “College students are more likely to be working learners, parents, veterans, first-generation college-goers, and professionals seeking to upskill, rather than the full-time, residential, straight-from-high-school archetype depicted in the majority of media and publications on higher education,” said Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of Complete College America. “The way we depict students—regardless of the medium—has to evolve beyond the outdated stereotypes of the past. This project is about shifting the visual narrative

Bezos thinks you’ll give up your home PC for a rented cloud PC — will there be a choice?
I was recently reminded of something Amazon chairman and founder Jeff Bezos said at a talk a few years ago, and given the direction artificial intelligence is taking, it seems increasingly relevant today. Microsoft has made no secret of its plans to create an “AI first” Windows, with tensions between users and shareholders essentially reaching fever pitch over the last year or so. Microsoft (oft-nicknamed Microslop in the AI era) has been leveraging its OpenAI-powered chatbot Copilot in a variety of half-baked integrations across its various products. There’s a Copilot button in Outlook now, not that it can read your emails. There’s a Copilot button in Microsoft Paint, for some pointless reason. And even Notepad, which was supposed to be the light-weight alternative to Word, now also inexplicably has Copilot text generation integration. The list goes on. You may like Over the past few weeks, I’ve been trying very hard in good faith to understand Microsoft’s consumer strategy here. The consumer-grade Copilot apps and features simply aren’t good by any objective measure. In years past, Microsoft would’ve slapped a (beta) tag on this type of thing to explain the performance delta. Yet here, Microsoft is actively marketing Copilot — and

Elon Musk’s Grok AI being adopted by Pentagon despite growing backlash against it
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok will join Google’s generative AI engine in operating inside the Pentagon network, as part of a broader push to feed as much of the military’s data as possible into the developing technology. “Very soon we will have the world’s leading AI models on every unclassified and classified network throughout our department,” Hegseth said in a speech at Musk’s space flight company, SpaceX, in South Texas. The announcement comes just days after Grok – the chatbot developed by Musk’s company xAI, which is embedded into X, the social media network Musk owns – drew global outcry and scrutiny for generating highly sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent. Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked Grok, while the U.K.’s independent online safety watchdog announced an investigation Monday. Grok has limited image generation and editing to paying users. Scrutiny has also been increasing in the European Union, India and France. Malaysian regulators said Tuesday they would take legal action against X and xAI over user safety concerns sparked by Grok but didn’t say what form the proceedings would take, reports French news agency AFP. Hegseth said Grok will go live

Greenland not yet in Trump control, Bill Gates and other tech tycoons already planning to mine big island
Everything is going according to the plan. Or so it seems as far as Greenland is concerned. The island, which has become a major diplomatic flashpoint between Denmark and US President Donald Trump, is also seemingly a big attraction for a number of tech billionaires who are already preparing various plans around it. While Denmark bristles at Trump’s demand that the US should control and own Greenland, tech billionaires like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Peter Thiel are busy investing money in companies that will economically exploit the natural resources at the pristine island. Greenland is currently a Danish territory. However, it is close to the US, and American President Donald Trump has demanded that it should be sold to his country. In case Denmark refuses to do so, Trump has said that the US might even use military invasion to take control of Greenland. While diplomats are trying to solve the tussle between Denmark and the US, tech billionaires are not waiting for the issue to be resolved. Instead, they already have big plans involving the natural resources in Greenland, and they are investing money into companies that are expected to be on the island in the coming months

Trump warns of ‘complete mess’ if supreme court rejects tariffs | Trump tariffs
Donald Trump has said “it would be a complete mess” if the US supreme court were to strike down his global trade tariffs. In a lengthy post on social media, the US president said “WE’RE SCREWED” if the supreme court rules against the tariffs, before the decision, which could come as soon as Wednesday. It is a crucial legal test of his controversial economic strategy and his power. Trump said it would be difficult to reverse the tariffs as businesses and countries could claim refunds, saying “it would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay”. He added: “It would be a complete mess, and almost impossible for our Country to pay.” In November, the supreme court appeared sceptical of the legal basis of the Trump administration’s sweeping global tariff regime when justices questioned the president’s authority to impose the levies. Justices heard oral arguments on the legality of Trump’s tariffs. The sweeping global tariffs that were first announced by Trump last April are being challenged by small businesses and 12 US states, which argue that the president overstepped his authority in imposing the new levies on goods

Fighting the Fed, Trump tries credit easing by decree
LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) – By hook or by crook, U.S. President Donald Trump seems intent on cutting the cost of credit further – potentially stoking GDP growth already north of 4% and underscoring concerns about overheating the economy. Over the past week alone, Trump’s administration has launched what Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell described as a “pretext” for dismantling Fed independence, proposed a cap on credit card rates and ordered the purchase of $200 billion of mortgage bonds to help cut housing credit costs. Sign up here. US credit card rates and proposed cap Dissatisfied with the Fed’s unwillingness to cut interest rates faster and deeper, Trump’s political capture of the central bank could take some time and will meet considerable opposition from within the Fed, finance grandees and even some Republicans in Congress. But time for easier credit to make a difference to voters in a midterm election year is running thin. Awaiting a more compliant Fed, the administration appears hell-bent on using a mix of regulation and Treasury cash to cut credit card bills and mortgage rates further. The efficacy of these moves is still unclear – with some fearing a credit card rate cap at 10%

Iran’s trading partners that face 25% US tariffs
Jan 13 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said any country that does business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on trade with the U.S., as Tehran grapples with its most substantial anti-government protests in years. Iran, a member of the OPEC oil producers group, exported products to 147 trading partners in 2022, according to the most recent data from the World Bank. Sign up here. Its top trade partners include China, other countries in East Asia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Germany. Fuel is Iran’s biggest export item by value, while major imports include intermediate goods, vegetables, machinery and equipment. CHINA China is Iran’s largest trading partner. Iranian exports to China amounted to $22 billion in 2022, with fuels accounting for more than half of the total, according to the World Bank. Imports from China stood at $15 billion. In 2025, China bought more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil, according to data from Kpler, an analytics firm. Iranian oil has a limited pool of buyers because of U.S. sanctions that seek to cut off funding to Tehran’s nuclear programme. INDIA India’s total bilateral trade with Iran stood at $1.34 billion for the first

Court says Trump illegally blocked clean energy grants to Democratic states | Donald Trump News
A US district judge ruled that Trump’s decision singled out states that voted for Democrats in the 2024 elections. Published On 13 Jan 202613 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share A United States judge has ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump acted illegally when it cancelled the payment of $7.6bn in clean energy grants to states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. In a decision on Monday, US District Judge Amit Mehta said the administration’s actions violated the Constitution’s equal protection requirements. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “Defendants freely admit that they made grant-termination decisions primarily – if not exclusively – based on whether the awardee resided in a state whose citizens voted for President Trump in 2024,” Mehta wrote in a summary of the case. The grants were intended to support hundreds of clean energy projects across 16 states, including California, Colorado, New Jersey and Washington state. The projects included initiatives to create battery plants and hydrogen technology. But projects in those states were cancelled in October, as the Trump administration sought to ratchet up pressure on Democratic-led states during a heated government shutdown.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejects Trump negotiations amid threats
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel declared Monday that his administration is not negotiating with Washington, despite President Donald Trump’s threats to push Cuba into a deal now that Venezuelan oil will no longer be supplied. “There are no conversations with the U.S. government, except for technical contacts in the migration field,” Díaz-Canel said in a post on X. Díaz-Canel continued to denounce the U.S., accusing it of applying hostile pressure on the island, and insisted that negotiations would only take place if they are conducted in accordance with international law. “As history demonstrates, relations between the U.S. and Cuba, in order to advance, must be based on International Law rather than on hostility, threats, and economic coercion,” he said. TRUMP ADMIN TO CONTROL VENEZUELAN OIL SALES IN RADICAL SHIFT AIMED AT RESTARTING CRUDE FLOW Cuba President Miguel Diaz-Canel walks through the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Peter Dejong/AP Photo) “We have always been willing to engage in a serious and responsible dialogue with the various governments of the United States, including the current one, on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, principles of International

US revokes more than 100,000 visas since Trump’s return to office | Donald Trump News
The US State Department says visa revocations have more than doubled as President Trump continues his immigration crackdown. The State Department in the United States says it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office last year, as his administration continues with a hardline crackdown on immigration. The visa purge includes 8,000 students and 2,500 specialised workers, according to a social media post from the State Department on Monday. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list It added that the majority saw their visas withdrawn due to “encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity”, though it was not clear whether those encounters resulted in charges. The volume of the revocations reflects the broad nature of the crackdown Trump initiated when he returned to the White House last year. The administration has claimed to have overseen more than 2.5 million voluntary departures and deportations, a “record-breaking achievement”, it said last month. Some of those deportations, however, have included immigrants who held valid visas, raising questions about due process and human rights. The administration has also adopted a stricter policy for granting visas, with tightened social media vetting and expanded screening. “We will continue to

Trump says countries doing business with Iran face 25% tariff on US trade | Trump tariffs
Donald Trump said on Monday any country that does business with Iran will face a tariff rate of 25% on trade with the US, as Washington weighs a response to the situation in Iran, which is seeing its biggest anti-government protests in years. “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” the US president said in a post on Truth Social. Tariffs are paid by US importers of goods from those countries. Iran has been heavily sanctioned by Washington for years. “This Order is final and conclusive,” Trump said without providing any further detail. Top export destinations for Iranian goods include China, the United Arab Emirates and India. There was no official documentation from the White House of the policy on its website, nor information about the legal authority Trump would use to impose the tariffs, or whether they would be aimed at all of Iran’s trading partners. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Iran, which had a 12-day war with US ally Israel last year and whose nuclear facilities the US

Google cofounder follows Jeff Bezos in purchasing multiple waterfront mansions in region to save millions on taxes: ‘[Next to] Billionaire Bunker’
Google co-founder Larry Page bought two beachfront homes in Miami’s Coconut Grove area for around $173 million, reported Fortune. Page joins a wave of California-based billionaires relocating to Florida before a possible state wealth tax. Page acquired the two properties in transactions completed during the final days of 2025 and the opening days of 2026. One home sold for around $101.5 million and features more than a dozen bedrooms, over 15 bathrooms, with direct waterfront access. The second property went for approximately $71.9 million. Page’s real estate shopping follows a pattern set by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who moved to Miami in 2023. Bezos bought several properties in Indian Creek Village, known as the “Billionaire Bunker,” to create his Florida compound. Those purchases totaled roughly $237 million over about nine months. The tech billionaires traded their higher-tax home states for Florida, which imposes no income tax at the state level. Page’s exit comes as California looks at a 5% yearly tax targeting the global wealth of billionaire residents. The proposed tax would hit anyone who lived in California on January 1, 2026. TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight 💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium

As Donald Trump returns, the ‘Michigan miracle’ he promised remains far off
by Lauren Gibbons and Paula Gardner, Bridge Michigan January 12, 2026 Republican President Donald Trump will return to Michigan on Tuesday for an economic speech in Detroit After making bold promises to Michigan, Trump’s made some policy progress but economy remains sluggish The president’s visit comes as the Detroit Auto Show prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors President Donald Trump is due back in Michigan on Tuesday to deliver an economic speech in Detroit, returning to a state for which he promised an economic miracle by the end of his four-year term. Roughly one year in, much work remains for the Republican president to fulfill that promise. Michigan has added jobs but continues to have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. Inflation has slowed, but many costs remain high. Tariffs have sparked uncertainty, but not decimated the auto industry, as his detractors feared. That’s the backdrop as Trump prepares to address members of the Detroit Economic Club, a group of regional business leaders he last spoke to in 2024 during his winning presidential campaign. Related: He’s also expected to tour the Ford Rouge Center factory in Dearborn, but is not currently scheduled to tour the

Billionaire Warren Buffett Said If He Were A Handy Guy, He’d ‘Short the Dollar’ By Buying Distressed Homes With A 30-Year Mortgage And Rent Them Out
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Warren Buffett isn’t the handy type. But in 2012, during a CNBC interview, he explained exactly how someone with a wrench—and a little nerve—could make serious money in real estate. “I would say that single-family homes are cheap now too,” he said. “If I had a way of buying a couple hundred thousand single-family homes and had a way of managing—the management is enormous—is really the problem because they’re one by one. They’re not like apartment houses. But I would load up on them, and I would take mortgages out at very, very low rates.” That wasn’t just a casual suggestion. Buffett was spelling out a playbook: use low-interest 30-year fixed-rate debt, buy income-producing assets, and let inflation work in your favor. Don’t Miss: “If I was an investor that was a handy type, which I’m not, and I could buy a couple of them at distressed prices and find renters… again, take a 30-year mortgage… it’s a leveraged way of owning a very cheap asset now.” Then came the line that summed it all up: “It’s a way, in effect, to short

Elon Musk says he will file for full custody of child over mom’s transgender statement
WASHINGTON (TNND) — Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk said he would file for full custody of one of his children after the mother recently backtracked on her statements on the transgender community. Ashley St. Clair, a former conservative influencer had a child with Musk about a year ago. She wrote a children’s book a few years ago called “Elephants Are Not Birds” which tackles gender identity and explains that “boys are not girls, and Elephants Are Not Birds.” One account asked St. Clair on X that she engaged in transphobia and and asked how she feels about her role in it. “I feel immense guilt for my role,” she said in a lengthy response. “And even more guilt that things I have said in the past may have caused my son’s sister more pain. Idrk how to make amends for many of these things but I have been trying incredibly hard privately to learn + advocate for those within the trans community that I’ve hurt.” Musk has a transgender daughter, Vivian Wilson, who is 21. In the past, Musk said his child was “not a girl” and he was tricked into authorizing transgender treatments for the child when

10 Minutes with Bill Gates
Introduction Spending 10 minutes with Bill Gates may sound brief, but even a short conversation with one of the world’s most influential innovators can offer insights that last a lifetime. As the co-founder of Microsoft, a philanthropist, an author, and a global thought leader, Bill Gates has shaped how the world uses technology and how it addresses some of its most pressing challenges. In just ten minutes, one could explore decades of experience in innovation, leadership, failure, success, and global responsibility. This article imagines what those ten minutes might reveal—lessons not just for entrepreneurs and technologists, but for students, policymakers, and anyone interested in shaping a meaningful future. A Mind Built on Curiosity and Learning One of the first things that becomes clear when listening to Bill Gates is his relentless curiosity. Gates has often emphasized that learning does not stop with success. Even after stepping down from day-to-day operations at Microsoft, he continues to read extensively—reportedly around 50 books a year. In a ten-minute conversation, Gates would likely stress that curiosity is the foundation of innovation. Whether it is understanding artificial intelligence, global health systems, or climate change, he approaches problems by first learning deeply about them. His message

As Canada tries to reduce its dependence on the U.S., its leader will visit China to rebuild ties
BEIJING — A leader of the Canadian government is visiting China this week for the first time in nearly a decade, a bid to rebuild his country’s fractured relations with the world’s second-largest economy — and reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States, its neighbor and until recently one of its most supportive and unswerving allies. The push by Prime Minster Mark Carney, who arrives Wednesday, is part of a major rethink as ties sour with the United States — the world’s No. 1 economy and long the largest trading partner for Canada by far. Carney aims to double Canada’s non-U.S. exports in the next decade in the face of President Trump’s tariffs and the American leader’s musing that Canada could become “the 51st state.” “At a time of global trade disruption, Canada is focused on building a more competitive, sustainable, and independent economy,” Carney said in a news release announcing his China visit. “We’re forging new partnerships around the world to transform our economy from one that has been reliant on a single trade partner.” He will be in China until Saturday, then visit Qatar before attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland next week. Trump’s tariffs

Greenland rejects US takeover under ‘any circumstance’ | Donald Trump News
Self-governed Danish territory says that NATO is in charge of defence of the island and that it will not accept US takeover. Published On 12 Jan 202612 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share The government of Greenland has firmly rejected threats from United States President Donald Trump, stating that it will not accept a US takeover under “any circumstance”. The self-governed Danish territory also underscored its NATO membership in a statement on Monday, saying that the territory’s defence falls to the transatlantic alliance. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something that the governing coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstance,” said the island’s coalition government. “As part of the Danish commonwealth, Greenland is a member of NATO, and the defence of Greenland must therefore be through NATO,” it added. Trump has continued to insist that he will seize Greenland, threatening that the territory will be brought under US control “one way or another”. Those threats have sparked outrage from European allies who have warned that any takeover of Greenland would have serious repercussions for ties between the

Bill Gates Climate Warning For Aviation
Bill Gates said that aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize, warning that it will require urgent innovation and stronger government policies to drive down emissions. “The world has made meaningful progress in the last decade, cutting projected emissions by more than 40%,” Gates wrote in his annual note for 2026. “But we still have a lot of innovation and scaling up to do in tough areas like industrial emissions and aviation.” Aviation is especially hard to decarbonize due to long aircraft lifespans and the high cost of sustainable aviation fuel, which is three to five times that of jet fuel. And SAF still makes up just 0.7% of global supply. Gates warned that unchecked climate change will cause suffering on par with

Elon Musk just got permission to launch 7,500 more Starlink satellites
Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Elon Musk’s SpaceX has secured permission to launch a further 7,500 Starlink satellites to add to its space-based internet network. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also approved upgrades to the firm’s Gen2 satellites that will allow it to expand its broadband and mobile services to more parts of the world. “Under this grant, SpaceX is authorised to construct, deploy, and operate an additional 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites, bringing the total to 15,000 satellites worldwide,” the US regulator said in a statement. “This expansion will enable SpaceX to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet service globally, including enhanced mobile and supplemental coverage from space.” The world’s richest person already controls more than two thirds of all active satellites, with a network of more than 9,000 Starlinks currently in low Earth orbit. The latest approval follows a 2022 ruling that granted permission for 7,500 Starlink satellites, bringing the total authorised constellation to 15,000 by 2031. Mr Musk hopes to eventually extend the Starlink network to 34,400 satellites, pending approval. The latest ruling will allow SpaceX to operate

Trump regrets not seizing voting machines after 2020 election loss | Donald Trump
Donald Trump has said he regrets not getting the US national guard to seize voting machines after his 2020 election defeat ended his first presidency, as he continues to falsely claim that he won the race. But he has also questioned whether national guard troops would be “sophisticated enough” to pull something like that off. Trump made those remarks in an interview with the New York Times published on Sunday. The outlet had questioned him about a plan reportedly floated in late 2020, after he lost that year’s presidential election to Joe Biden, to seize voting machines in several key swing states in an effort to search for evidence of fraud. The Times reported that the idea was discussed during a December 2020 meeting in the Oval Office, where several of Trump’s advisers, including lawyer Sidney Powell and former national security adviser Michael Flynn, reportedly urged him to use the military or federal authorities to seize Dominion voting machines in states where Trump baselessly claimed that voter fraud had occurred, with the aim of conducting a recount. According to reports published in 2022, the advisers even presented Trump with draft executive orders outlining how such a seizure could be carried

Jeff Bezos tells Gen Z entrepreneurs to gain work experience before launching new companies
Some of Big Tech’s greatest success stories are from college dropouts. Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook in 2004 from his Harvard University dorm room (and later dropped out). Bill Gates also left Harvard and cofounded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975. But Jeff Bezos, founder of the world’s largest online retailer Amazon, said Zuckerberg and Gates are the “exception” to the idea that all major tech companies were founded by college dropouts and that a degree doesn’t matter as much these days. While it’s “possible” to be 18, 19, or 20 years old and drop out of college to become a great entrepreneur, Bezos said these tech leaders are an exception. “I always advise to young people: Go work at a best-practices company somewhere where you can learn a lot of basic fundamental things [like] how to hire really well, how to interview, etc.,” Bezos said during an interview at Italian Tech Week last fall. “There’s a lot of stuff you would learn in a great company that will help you, and then there’s still lots of time to start a company after you have absorbed it.” Working at a company, instead of immediately trying to start one, “increases your odds”

Hailee Steinfeld, Kate Hudson, more
And we’re off! Another awards season has officially begun, with Sunday’s Golden Globes 2026 red carpet setting a high bar for the step-and-repeats to come over the next several months. Dozens of stars opted to wear black, white or a combination of the two — but despite their classic color palettes, these outfits were anything but boring. The neckline of Selena Gomez‘s velvet Chanel gown, for instance, was embellished with fringe-like “flowers” that took 323 hours to craft from feathers and silk. “Heated Rivalry” star Hudson Williams looked hot enough to melt ice in his two-tone Giorgio Armani look, complete with a dapper cummerbund. And who other than Teyana Taylor could pull off a rhinestone thong on one of the year’s biggest step-and-repeats? Bringing some welcome color to the carpet were Hailee Steinfeld, who draped her baby bump in pretty peach Prada, and Tessa Thompson, resplendent in green sequined Balenciaga. Emma Stone, meanwhile, looked as cool as ever in her butter yellow Louis Vuitton crop top and matching fringed skirt. Below, our best-dressed picks from this year’s Globes. Hailee Steinfeld WireImage Wearing a Prada dress and shoes and Repossi jewelry Selena Gomez WireImage Wearing a Chanel dress, shoes and jewelry Tessa

Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as protest crackdown death toll rises, activists say
Iranian officials have suggested that they are indeed ready to talk — while still warning against any attack. The situation was now “under total control,” Iranian foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a briefing to foreign ambassadors in Tehran. He blamed the United States and Israel for the violence, without offering evidence. “The demonstrations turned violent and bloody to give an excuse to the American president to intervene,” he said, according to the Qatar-owned news network Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned Washington against “a miscalculation.” “Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all U.S. bases and ships will be our legitimate target,” said Qalibaf, a former commander in Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards. A mosque is set on fire during protests in Tehran, on Saturday. Social Media / ZUMA Press via Reuters And there are few signs that the crackdown will ease up soon. “We do truly believe that a massacre has taken place, and the extent and dimensions of it are yet to be known as the country comes out of the internet blockade, if it does,” Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the

Hang Seng Bank buyout clears vote, Hong Kong court date looms
London, Jan 10, 2026, 19:28 GMT — The market has closed for the day. HSBC shares closed Friday down 0.1%, hovering close to this week’s 52-week high Shareholders of Hang Seng Bank approved HSBC’s move to purchase the remaining 36.5% stake it doesn’t already hold Investors are turning their attention to the Hong Kong court hearing on Jan. 23 and HSBC’s earnings report due Feb. 25 HSBC Holdings Plc shares slipped 0.1% to 1,194.2 pence on Friday following Hang Seng Bank shareholders’ approval of HSBC’s plan to take the Hong Kong lender private. The move would bring a major local franchise entirely under HSBC’s control. The stock traded between 1,188.4 and 1,197.8 pence during the session and stayed just shy of its 52-week peak at 1,227 pence. (Reuters) The vote is crucial, clearing a major obstacle for an Asia-focused bet that carries real cash costs amid a complicated backdrop. The Hang Seng index has struggled due to its heavy ties to Hong Kong and mainland China property sectors, while HSBC is ramping up efforts in markets where it claims a competitive advantage. HSBC’s investor materials lay out the timeline for key upcoming events. A Hong Kong High Court hearing to

Here’s everything we know so far about Hong Kong’s first official Comic Con
Geeks, assemble! Hong Kong will be hosting its first-ever official Comic Con in May 2026, and if this event is planned to be anything like the world-renowned San Diego Comic-Con and New York Comic Con, then Hongkongers are in for a real treat. Comics, anime, film, television, games, and collectibles will be celebrated at this pop culture event, creating a space for fans to connect. Hong Kong is already home to an annual Ani-Com & Games convention – which typically takes place in the summer – so Hong Kong Comic Con will be in good company. Considering the robust turnouts for the Ani-Com & Games events, we can only imagine fans and enthusiasts will be just as keen to check out the debut of the internationally renowned Comic Con format in Hong Kong. When and where will Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 take place? Hong Kong Comic Con (HKCC) 2026 is scheduled to take place from Friday, May 29, 2026 to Sunday, May 31, 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai, offering three full days of pop culture excitement. Anticipated hours on Friday and Saturday will be from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday will

Tender for Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space opens with stricter standards
Hong Kong authorities have tightened requirements for future tenants of the Central Harbourfront Event Space by introducing key performance indicators (KPIs) for tenders and penalties for poor execution, with some analysts saying the move would help improve the city’s image after the fiasco of a hot-air balloon festival last year. The Development Bureau said on Monday that an open tender was under way until mid-February for a new tenant of the roughly 3.7-hectare (9.1-acre) site, with the winning bid to be chosen by April. The move came after stricter standards were also imposed on the tendering of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and The Pier, the former Hung Hom railway freight yard. A bureau spokeswoman said an external party had operated the prime site in Central over the years and hosted a number of mega-events such as the annual Wine and Dine Festival, Art Central and the Clockenflap Music Festival. “Such a management model will be maintained under the tender exercise, but there will be enhancements in two areas to further unleash the potential of the event space, promote the mega-event economy, and strengthen venue management with a view to enhancing visitors’ experiences,” she said. The current tenant, Central Venue Management,

3 Year of the Horse 2026 events in Hong Kong to welcome the new year with a gallop
Hong Kong’s long affiliation with horses goes back to the mid-19th century, when the first official race meeting was held at the Happy Valley Racecourse in December 1846. There are various equine-themed events planned around town to celebrate the coming Year of the Horse, both at and outside the racecourse. Here are three that are worth checking out. 1. Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show 2026 The Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show will return to the AsiaWorld-Expo in Chek Lap Kok from January 30 to February 1. It will feature competitions and activities suitable for the entire family. This year, travel companies and hotels are offering all-inclusive travel and experience packages designed for all ages, blending equestrian sport with lifestyle and culinary enjoyment. For groups of friends and equestrian enthusiasts, China Travel Service Hong Kong’s Package 8 offers show tickets, a dining experience, live professional commentary and an exclusive visit to Sha Tin Racecourse. More information can be found here. JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong is offering the JW Equestrian Sojourn room package. Perfect for couples, it combines tickets, luxury accommodation and a nostalgic tram ride to The Peak. More information can be found here. Source link

The Wedding Planner Hong Kong Shares Insights Into Its Event Planner Service and the Evolving Landscape of Structured Event Management – Delaware Online
HONG KONG, HK – January 02, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE – The Wedding Planner Hong Kong has released an announcement outlining its approach to event planner services and how structured event management continues to evolve in response to changing expectations, logistics, and cultural considerations. The announcement provides an overview of how professional event planning functions as a coordinated process rather than a single-point service, particularly within Hong Kong’s diverse and fast-paced environment. According to The Wedding Planner Hong Kong, modern events require detailed coordination across timelines, stakeholders, regulatory requirements, and creative elements. The Wedding Planner Hong Kong’s event planner services reflect this expanded scope, where planning now includes research, feasibility analysis, vendor coordination, risk assessment, and on-the-day execution, all managed within a clearly defined framework. The announcement explains that event planner services are often engaged to bring structure to complex occasions such as weddings, private celebrations, corporate functions, and social gatherings. Each event type presents distinct requirements, from guest flow and space utilization to cultural traditions and compliance with venue or municipal guidelines. Professional planning aims to ensure these elements align cohesively. One of the central aspects highlighted is pre-event planning. This phase typically involves understanding the event’s purpose, scale, and

Tourism in Hong Kong Thrives in with Key Events and Expanding Visitor Numbers
Home » Hong Kong News » Tourism in Hong Kong Thrives in with Key Events and Expanding Visitor Numbers Published on January 2, 2026 Hong Kong has welcomed the start of 2026 with renewed momentum in its tourism industry. Following a year marked by a sharp rebound in visitor arrivals, the city is experiencing a surge in both tourism and mega events, driven by the launch of new sports and entertainment infrastructure. This momentum is expected to continue into 2026, as Hong Kong seeks to position itself as one of Asia’s leading destinations for cultural experiences, international events, and leisure travel. Tourism in Hong Kong is experiencing a significant recovery after the challenges posed by the global pandemic. The city’s proactive approach to hosting major events and improving infrastructure has attracted a steady flow of visitors from both regional markets and international destinations. The combination of newly introduced mega events, world-class infrastructure, and Hong Kong’s iconic attractions is creating a dynamic tourism environment that promises to captivate travelers throughout 2026. A Surge in Visitor Arrivals and New Infrastructure Hong Kong has seen a marked increase in visitor arrivals as part of its tourism rebound. According to the Hong

Cruise hub operators ‘showing interest in Kai Tak’
Tourism Commissioner Angelina Cheung on Friday said a number of cruise terminal operators had expressed interest in taking over the Kai Tak facility since the government’s launch of an open tender last month. Speaking on RTHK’s Backchat programme, she emphasised that the new operator had to be able to hold events at the terminal when it wasn’t hosting any cruise ships. “Of course, cruise deployment is always a priority. It is a cruise terminal, so we will always give priority for cruises coming to Hong Kong. We welcome all cruises from around the world,” Cheung said. “During the low season or when there’s… no cruise ship coming, we expect the new operator to consider holding more events at the terminal. “And that’s why in this tender, we have consolidated the management, and we will include the public spaces, including the rooftop garden, as well as two podium gardens on the second floor… under the management of the operator.” Cheung also said Kai Tak Sports Park had attracted some cruise passengers to Hong Kong for concerts and sports events. “Our policy is actually a plus tourism idea. That means everything plus tourism. You could bring out the tourism angle,” she said.

Happy New Year for Hong Kong’s Tourism and Mega Events Economy
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 January 2026 – As Hong Kong welcomed the New Year in style on January 1, the city can look back on a pivotal past 12 months during which visitor numbers rebound sharply, driven, in large part, by the dawn of a new era for sports and entertainment events following the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP). And the positive momentum appears set to continue in 2026. As crowds gathered for the New Year Countdown, they were able to enjoy a new format experience, with this year’s main event taking place at the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central, sitting next to the Winter Wonderland display, which transformed Statue Square Gardens into a magical Christmas Town complete with a magnificent 20-metre tree and charming decorations. Crowds gather for the New Year Countdown in Hong Kong A series of events including music performances and a light show were arranged by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) with the aim of conveying positive energy, care, and blessings of peace to both locals and visitors, and to welcome a hopeful new year together. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government had anticipated

Happy New Year for Hong Kong’s Tourism and Mega Events Economy
Hong Kong, SAR–(Newsfile Corp. – January 1, 2026) – As Hong Kong welcomed the New Year in style on January 1, the city can look back on a pivotal past 12 months during which visitor numbers rebound sharply, driven, in large part, by the dawn of a new era for sports and entertainment events following the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP). And the positive momentum appears set to continue in 2026. As crowds gathered for the New Year Countdown, they were able to enjoy a new format experience, with this year’s main event taking place at the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central, sitting next to the Winter Wonderland display, which transformed Statue Square Gardens into a magical Christmas Town complete with a magnificent 20-metre tree and charming decorations. Crowds gather for the New Year Countdown in Hong Kong Cannot view this video? Visit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3UQeepcSX0 A series of events including music performances and a light show were arranged by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) with the aim of conveying positive energy, care, and blessings of peace to both locals and visitors, and to welcome a hopeful new year together. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government

Hong Kong New Year 2026 LIVE: Countdown and celebration at Victoria Harbour | Ap Video
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What major New Year’s Eve events are being canceled? – Deseret News
Cities worldwide are canceling New Year’s events due to safety and crowd concerns. The cancellations come as the FBI busted an alleged New Year’s Eve bombing plot. Paris canceled its famous New Year’s Eve concert over crowd unpredictability. Sydney canceled Bondi Beach fireworks following a recent mass shooting incident. People around the world are prepping to ring in the new year, but some cities have called off or made drastic changes to their planned New Year’s Eve celebrations. Some of these changes are due to safety and crowd concerns. The changes are being made in cities around the world such as Paris and Tokyo. The cancellations come as the FBI stopped a New Year’s Eve bombing plot in Los Angeles in mid-December, per Fox News. The agency arrested four alleged gang members, according to reports. Allegedly the plot included a plan for coordinated bombing attacks meant to target five separate locations across the city. Officials say the attacks were planned using improvised explosive devices. One year ago, 14 people were killed and more were injured in an attack in New Orleans when a truck drove into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street early on New Year’s Day. Paris cancels

Hong Kong to close roads in Central from 2pm on New Year’s Eve ahead of countdown
Hong Kong police will close roads in Central starting from 2pm on New Year’s Eve ahead of a countdown event at the Chater Road pedestrian zone, featuring music and light shows to replace fireworks displays after the deadly inferno in Tai Po. Mason Hung Chung-hing, the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s lead adviser for event and product development, said on Monday that organisers hoped the event, themed “New Hope, New Beginning”, could foster a sense of renewal. “We will use a new format that combines singing and multimedia light performances to convey positive energy, care and peaceful blessings,” Hung said. The 2026 countdown event will also feature performances by Australian soft rock duo Air Supply, local artists Jay Fung and Cloud Wan, a children’s choir and the Hong Kong Police Band. At midnight, eight landmarks in Central will display a three-minute light show that also serves as 20-second countdown clocks. Live broadcast zones will be located at Chater Garden and Edinburgh Place. The countdown clock will also be projected on the facade of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Source link

HK to ring in 2026 with countdown, light show
An artist’s rendering of Hong Kong’s New Year’s Eve countdown light show planned for Chater Road pedestrian precinct in Central. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY) Hong Kong is set to welcome 2026 with a dazzling multimedia spectacle, blending live music and an architectural light show across Central’s iconic skyline, the Hong Kong Tourism Board announced on Monday. Under the theme “New Hopes, New Beginnings”, the celebration will begin at 11:28 pm on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, at Chater Road pedestrian precinct. A 20-second countdown will be projected onto eight landmark buildings, including Hong Kong City Hall High Block, the Court of Final Appeal, HSBC Main Building, and the Bank of China Tower. ALSO READ: Hong Kong temperatures set to drop further to 12°C on Saturday At midnight, the facades of these buildings will ignite in a three-minute themed light show, marking the arrival of the new year. The public can join the festivities at two main outdoor viewing zones — Chater Garden and Edinburgh Place — where giant screens will broadcast the spectacle live. In addition, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui will feature a simulcast projection, while a giant countdown clock will be projected onto Wan Chai’s

Soft rock duo Air Supply to headline Hong Kong’s New Year countdown celebrations
Australian soft rock duo Air Supply will headline Hong Kong’s New Year countdown after the fireworks show was cancelled, with authorities expecting more than 11 million travellers to cross the city’s borders during the festive period. The government also said on Tuesday that they were in discussions with the Shenzhen government to extend border crossing hours on New Year’s Eve, pending approval from the national port authorities. The Hong Kong Tourism Board announced on Tuesday that Air Supply will perform at the countdown event on December 31, alongside Cantopop singers Jay Fung and Cloud Wan. “The event will feature a brand-new format combining live performances by renowned singers and a light show, aiming to spread positive energy and heartfelt blessings,” it said. The 40-minute event will take place at the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central. The facades of eight buildings in the business district will also be illuminated with immersive light projections of a giant countdown clock and festive patterns, forming a three-minute light display themed “New Hopes, New Beginnings”. Last week, the board announced that the New Year’s Eve fireworks display at Victoria Harbour would be cancelled but did not give a reason for the decision. Source link

Many Chinese cities cancel New Year’s Eve countdown events; Hong Kong cancels Victoria Harbour fireworks show – VOCO News
As 2025 draws to a close, many places in China have cancelled New Year’s Eve celebrations at the last minute and urged people not to gather in popular areas, causing disappointment among many netizens; Hong Kong has also cancelled its New Year’s Eve celebrations on November 26th. Hongfuyuan fire The incident resulted in at least 160 deaths, and the New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Victoria Harbour was cancelled, with the countdown event to be held in Central instead. According to multiple media reports, the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau in Guangdong Province reminded the public that no large-scale mass activities of any kind, such as New Year’s countdowns, will be held in public places such as Beijing Road, Dongshankou, Guangzhou Tower, Yongqingfang, Huacheng Square, and the surrounding areas along the Pearl River on the evening of December 31. Citizens are urged not to bring drones, balloons, sky lanterns, or other flammable and explosive items into the aforementioned areas. Zhengdong New Area in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, also issued a reminder that no official New Year’s countdown or New Year’s Eve performances or other large-scale public events will be organized in the Qianxi Plaza, Financial Island, Smart Island areas and surrounding business

New Year’s Eve in Hong Kong: Celebrating with Light Shows and Live Music
Published on December 29, 2025 Hong Kong, December 29, 2025 – The Hong Kong Tourism Board has high hopes for the approaching New Year’s Eve event even in the light of the cancellation of the fireworks event above the majestic Victoria Harbour. Indeed, this year’s countdown activity will have a musical performance at the pedestrian zone of Chater Road in the Central district in lieu of the previous fireworks event, in commemoration of the ill-fated Wang Fuk Court fire tragedy. A Shift in Tradition: No Fireworks, But New Celebrations Await For the first time in years, Hong Kong’s New Year’s Eve celebration will proceed without its customary grand fireworks display, a spectacle that has long drawn millions of tourists and locals to Victoria Harbour. The decision to forgo the fireworks comes as a mark of respect for the victims of the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire, which claimed the lives of multiple residents. Despite this major change, the HKTB is confident that the revised celebration will still captivate revellers and offer a unique experience for both tourists and locals. The focus of this year’s festivities will be a three-minute live music and light show staged at Chater Road, located in

Hong Kong’s Resurgent Tourism: New Venues and Mega Events Attract Global Visitors
Published on December 28, 2025 The tourism industry in Hong Kong has experienced an unprecedented resurrection, as the number of visitors that came to the city has exceeded the combined number of visitors from the previous year in the first 11 months of 2025. The impact brought about by this resurrection is a clear manifestation of the commitment of the said city to the regeneration of its tourism industry after the occurrence of the pandemic, and this can be primarily attributed to those programs that are spearheaded by significant personalities such as Rosanna Law, the Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government. In a recent interview held with Xu Hua of CGTN, Secretary Law discussed the factors that contributed to this resurrection of its tourism industry. Tourism Growth Driven by Infrastructure and Major Events Hong Kong’s tourism resurgence is the result of a variety of initiatives aimed at enriching the city’s appeal as a global destination. One of the key factors behind the success is the opening of the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park, a significant addition to Hong Kong’s infrastructure. This facility, which houses the Kai Tak Main Stadium, has already

From Hong Kong’s Epic Fireworks to the Maldives’ Cultural Extravaganza – Discover the Islands that Will Blow Your Mind with These New Year Events!
Home » Latest Travel News » From Hong Kong’s Epic Fireworks to the Maldives’ Cultural Extravaganza – Discover the Islands that Will Blow Your Mind with These New Year Events! Published on December 11, 2025 As 2025 dawned, islands across the world greeted the New Year with fireworks, music and cultural rituals sponsored by tourism boards and public agencies. From bustling harbours to quiet beaches, these official celebrations showcased local heritage while ensuring safety for residents and visitors. Many events also aimed to reduce environmental impact through sustainable practices and to boost local economies during the holiday season. Each event reflected a unique island identity yet shared a common desire to mark the passage of time in spectacular fashion. Hong Kong’s tourism board staged a signature countdown in Victoria Harbour. The twelve‑minute show, named “Symphony of Happiness,” lit up the waterfront with fireworks and lighting effects symbolising the elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Organisers choreographed the fireworks to a soundtrack that fused modern pop with traditional melodies, reflecting the city’s blend of heritage and innovation. Performances complemented the show. Thousands of residents, tourists and cruise passengers lined the harbour, and the festivities were broadcast worldwide, highlighting the city’s

Hong Kong’s popular New Year’s Eve fireworks have been cancelled
If you had your heart set on catching a magnificent display of fireworks over Victoria Harbour on December 31 to ring in 2026, we have disappointing news: Hong Kong has cancelled its popular annual fireworks show, and will relocate its New Year’s Eve countdown event to the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central instead. In the official statement released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board on Wednesday, December 17, no reason was given for the change, but it’s not a huge stretch to imagine this decision had most likely come about in light of the recent tragedy in Tai Po last month. Under regular circumstances, Hong Kong puts on quite a show for the annual NYE countdown programme. In 2024, for example, the ‘Symphony of Happiness’ themed celebration featured four captivating fireworks displays over Victoria Harbour totalling 12 minutes, in addition to live performances by local and international singers and dancers. Whether we will get as much fanfare this year following the transplant of the NYE countdown programme to the Chater Road pedestrian zone remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: elaborate fireworks will not be part of the equation. As of today, not much other information about the

First Speakers Revealed for Asia’s Biggest Crypto Event
Hong Kong, Dec. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hong Kong Web3 Festival announced the first confirmed speakers for its upcoming 2026 edition on April 20-23 at HKCEC. Co-hosted by Wanxiang Blockchain Labs and HashKey Group, the event will welcome up to 10,000 of the most impactful Web3 leaders and practitioners, setting the stage for conversations shaping the digital future. The Festival’s stages will feature leaders from across Web3 and crypto and also include media, scholars, and others. The first confirmed speakers are: The Honourable Paul CHAN Mo-po,Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Xiao Feng, Chairman and Executive Director, China Wanxiang Holdings; Chairman, Wanxiang Blockchain; Chairman and CEO, HashKey Group Duncan Chiu,Legislative Council Member (Technology & Innovation Constituency), Hong Kong Lily Liu,President, Solana Foundation Cynthia Wu,Founding Partner & Chief Commercial Officer, Matrixport Yat Siu,Co-Founder and Chairman, Animoca Brands David Lee,Chairman, Global Fintech Institute Web3 Festival ultimately will have up to 300 speakers representing all aspects of Web3 and crypto on its stages. It has also attracted registrations from over 500 executives and corporate decision-makers in traditional finance and real economies. For its upcoming event next year, the Web3 Festival has forged a strategic alliance with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council

The Wedding Planner Hong Kong Announces Structured Approach to Event Planning Services
HONG KONG, HK – December 17, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE – The Wedding Planner Hong Kong has announced a continued focus on its event planning services, reflecting evolving expectations in the organization and coordination of formal celebrations and private events. As events increasingly involve multiple stakeholders, venues, and regulatory considerations, the announcement outlines how structured planning methodologies and systematic coordination have become essential to ensuring operational clarity, schedule reliability, and cohesive execution. The company notes that modern event planning extends beyond creative concepts and aesthetic decisions. It now requires detailed logistical frameworks that account for venue management, supplier coordination, scheduling accuracy, and compliance with local guidelines. The Wedding Planner Hong Kong’s event planning approach is built around clearly defined processes designed to support transparency, accountability, and predictable outcomes throughout each stage of an event lifecycle. According to the announcement, initial planning stages emphasize requirement assessment and scope definition. This phase involves documenting event objectives, guest capacity considerations, venue constraints, and timeline parameters. The Wedding Planner Hong Kong explains that establishing these foundational elements early allows for realistic scheduling, appropriate resource allocation, and risk identification. Clear documentation at this stage supports informed decision-making as the planning process progresses. The announcement highlights the

Hong Kong cancels New Year’s Eve fireworks
The Hong Kong government has called off the New Year’s Eve fireworks display following the deadly Tai Po fire, replacing it with an alternative countdown event aimed at conveying “positive energy.” Mourners pay their respects to those who died in the fatal fire in Tai Po, pictured on November 30, 2025. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The government said in a press release on Wednesday night that this year’s countdown will “forgo” the fireworks display. In a separate statement after that, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said a countdown event will be held at the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central on New Year’s Eve. “Through this event, the HKTB hopes to convey positive energy, care, and blessings of peace to both locals and visitors, and to welcome a hopeful new year together,” HKTB said, adding that it will announce more details later. Both statements did not directly mention the Tai Po fire, which broke out in late November and killed at least 160 people. The government held a three-day mourning period in its aftermath, with the Chinese and Hong Kong flags flown at half-mast. New Year fireworks on January 1, 2025. Photo: GovHK. Since last week, some activities that were suspended

France Joins Italy, Japan, Serbia, and Hong Kong in Cancellations of Major New Year’s Eve Events: Is Public Safety Taking Precedence Over Tradition in 2025?
Home » France Travel News » France Joins Italy, Japan, Serbia, and Hong Kong in Cancellations of Major New Year’s Eve Events: Is Public Safety Taking Precedence Over Tradition in 2025? Published on December 15, 2025 By: Paramita Sarkar In an unexpected and unprecedented move, Paris, Tokyo, Venice, Belgrade, and Hong Kong have decided to cancel or restrict major public New Year’s Eve events for 2025. These changes come amid increasing concerns over crowd control, public safety, and logistical challenges. Cities that are known for their grand celebrations, such as Paris with its iconic Champs-Élysées concert and Tokyo with the Shibuya Countdown, are opting for alternative formats to ensure safety and minimize the risks of overcrowding. This year’s events are a sharp contrast to past years when millions gathered to usher in the New Year. Authorities in these cities have acted decisively, citing security concerns, crowd management issues, and the safety of attendees as the key reasons behind these significant changes. Paris, France — Concert Canceled for Safety but Fireworks and Light Show Go On What Happened:In Paris, the live concert on the Champs-Élysées, a central feature of the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration, has been canceled. This decision was

Explainer | Hong Kong is revamping its Covid-19 entry rules – here’s what you need to know
Hong Kong has streamlined its categorisation of places deemed Covid-19 risks, condensing a five-tier system into three risk levels – high, medium and low – and changed travel rules for overseas arrivals. Countries currently categorised as extremely or very high risk will be consolidated into a new top tier labelled as “high risk”, while those currently deemed high- and medium-risk will be merged into a new medium-risk tier that will include most countries. With the new measures kicking in next Monday, the Post unpacks what you need to know about the latest rules. In general, what rules have been relaxed or tightened? All arrivals must show a negative Covid-19 test taken 72 hours before their flight. In the past, some vaccinated travellers were exempted from the requirement. Under the new measures, only fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents can fly in from high-risk countries, such as Britain, the Philippines and Indonesia. 03:18 Mass Covid-19 testing under way across China amid rising infections fuelled by Delta variant Mass Covid-19 testing under way across China amid rising infections fuelled by Delta variant Fully vaccinated non-residents can enter the city from medium-risk countries, such as Singapore, Japan and the United States. Previously, only non-residents

Explainer | Singapore trades Covid-Zero for ‘Covid Resilience’. How will it work?
Singapore will from September remove quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers from Germany and Brunei, in a signal to the world it is cautiously reopening while managing the Covid-19 threat. By trading its previous Covid-Zero approach for a new policy of “Covid resilience”, the city state is setting itself apart from neighbours that are either still grappling with rising caseloads or are pressing on with an elimination strategy that comes with its own set of costs. Speaking to Bloomberg on Friday, Transport Minister S. Iswaran said the government’s thinking was that the sooner society learned to live with Covid-19, it could adjust “protocols … and processes to return to normalcy as much as possible”. “If we don’t do that and if we’re waiting for an eradication type of approach it might not be possible given the way the virus is mutating,” he said. But what exactly does “Covid resilience” entail? A near-empty street in the Chinatown area of Singapore on August 3, 2021. Photo: Bloomberg What’s life like now in Singapore? Source link

Explainer | Why US probe into coronavirus origins may make health cooperation with China difficult
President Joe Biden in May tasked US intelligence agencies with reaching a “definitive conclusion” on the origins of the Covid-19 virus, including the possibility that it emerged from a lab accident, after a first American probe proved inconclusive. While the findings of the 90-day US investigation have yet to be released, the process itself has already drawn the ire of Beijing, which is opposed to inquiries that aim to study whether the coronavirus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, in the central Chinese city that reported the first major Covid-19 outbreak. This includes plans by the World Health Organization (WHO) to revisit the lab for a new investigation. How has China reacted to the US investigation? China is opposed to the US probe because it is being conducted by American intelligence agencies, not scientists from across the world working under the banner of the WHO. “Origin-tracing needs science, not intelligence,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday. 02:23 Covid-19 returns to China’s Wuhan as Delta variant spreads to 10 provinces Covid-19 returns to China’s Wuhan as Delta variant spreads to 10 provinces Lu Xiang, a senior researcher on US-China relations at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences,
Explainer | Coronavirus: why a third vaccine shot is important for people who are immunocompromised
A number of countries including the United States and the United Kingdom are moving to make a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine available to people who are immunocompromised. But why are people with weaker immune systems at the front of the queue for a third dose? As the global Covid-19 vaccine roll-out continues, emerging data is showing those who are immunocompromised are not necessarily as well protected by the first two doses. So for these people, a third dose, sooner rather than later, could be particularly beneficial. Who is ‘immunocompromised’? People who are immunocompromised have conditions called immunodeficiencies, where part of their immune system is missing or not functioning as well as it should. Around 2.8 per cent of adults in the US are immunocompromised, and the rate is expected to be similar in Australia and other countries. Immunodeficiencies are broadly divided into two categories: – primary immunodeficiencies are very rare, often inherited conditions caused by mutations in our DNA Source link

Explainer | Coronavirus: Did the US fund risky research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology?
A theory that the Covid-19 pandemic could have been sparked by the escape of a virus from a Chinese laboratory has amped up tensions between Washington and Beijing. It has also raised questions about US funding for bat coronavirus research at a lab at the heart of the controversy. Among those driving the questions is US Senator Rand Paul, who has repeatedly accused Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), of lying about US financing for gain of function research enhancing bat viruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and suggested that Fauci is complicit in the start of the pandemic. Dr Anthony Fauci testifying at a US Senate hearing in Washington on July 20. Photo: AP There is no evidence linking the viruses studied at the institute to the outbreak, and Fauci has repudiated the accusations. Fauci has denied that his agency funded gain of function work at the lab and railed against the senator for what he contends is Paul’s misconstruing of the research and its implications. Even so, Paul, a Kentucky Republican, upped his claims last week following the release of documents from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) obtained through
Why China’s lockdown protests pose an unprecedented challenge to Beijing
While local protests in China over environmental, labour and land disputes are not uncommon, the rare wave of blank-paper protests that spilled across China’s wealthiest cities – all targeting President Xi Jinping’s zero-Covid policy – represents a challenge of the type the country’s leaders have not faced for decades. The protests erupted last weekend after a fire at a residential block in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, claimed 10 lives. University students and angry citizens staged vigils on campuses and took to the streets in more than 10 cities – some holding blank sheets of paper to protest against censorship or shouting inflammatory slogans rejecting lockdowns and endless PCR tests, while some called for constitutional reform and regime change. Although things appear to have quietened down since last weekend – and some cities have started easing their controls – analysts said the size and scale of the protests meant Beijing should not underestimate their political implications and give a clear signal about how and when the zero-Covid policy would end. “Given how the party is centred on [Xi] now, this moment is a test of his leadership,” said Dali Yang, a political scientist at the University of Chicago. Xi, who

Nasal spray Covid-19 vaccine co-developed by Hong Kong scientists approved for emergency use in mainland China in ‘historic breakthrough’
A nasal spray Covid-19 vaccine co-developed by Hong Kong microbiologist Professor Yuen Kwok-yung and his team with a mainland China university and pharmaceutical firm has been approved for emergency use by the national authorities. Yuen, from the University of Hong Kong (HKU), on Monday night said the development was a “historic breakthrough”. “The biggest meaning is that Hong Kong has made a vaccine itself for the first time and got an approval from the National Medical Products Administration for emergency use at the end,” Yuen said. The historic main building at the University of Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee HKU, Xiamen University and Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy started clinical trials for the nasal spray vaccine on the mainland and in Hong Kong last March after central authorities gave the go-ahead. The drug company confirmed in an announcement on Monday that the nasal vaccine had obtained approval for emergency use on the mainland. Yuen said it would be a commercial decision for Wantai to decide it would apply for emergency use for the vaccine in the city. The company said the phase-three clinical trial for the new vaccine, which was carried out in South Africa, the Philippines, Colombia and Vietnam, was

‘It’s like being in prison’: unvaccinated Hongkongers warn of social isolation, health struggles after 20,000 Covid jab exemptions voided
Alan* was barred from entering a Hong Kong restaurant where his family had gathered to commemorate his late wife after her funeral in April because he had not received a Covid-19 vaccine. “It was shameful. It was upsetting. It was my wife, a senior member of the family,” the 63-year-old owner of an IT company who suffers from strokes said. “For me not being able to host my wife’s lunch … It was very frustrating.” Desperate and helpless, he later found a doctor who issued him a vaccination exemption certificate after evaluating his health. Under the vaccine pass scheme, residents who are not inoculated cannot enter places such as restaurants, bars and gyms. Photo: Xiaomei Chen But in September, that doctor was among seven people arrested for allegedly issuing fraudulent documents. A total of 20,000 vaccine exemptions issued by the medical practitioners, including Alan’s, were annulled. Under Hong Kong’s vaccine pass scheme, which began in February, unvaccinated individuals cannot enter places such as restaurants, bars and gyms. Those who are medically unfit for the jabs are allowed to obtain a vaccination exemption certificate, which is valid for three to six months, after undergoing clinical assessments. But for patients such as

Coronavirus: mainland China’s easing should spur Hong Kong to ask for border reopening, business leaders and health experts say
Beijing’s long-awaited easing of coronavirus precautions has sparked hopes that Hong Kong may soon be able to fully reopen its border with mainland China, as well as do away with traveller entry restrictions, the city’s business leaders and health experts have said. Commerce sector lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, also a member of the key decision-making body the Executive Council, appealed to the government on Wednesday to restart discussions on reopening the city’s border with the mainland, saying Beijing’s move had offered some light at the end of the tunnel. “It has to be a step-by-step procedure, so I don’t think we should expect a quarantine-free entry to the mainland like tomorrow. But if we do everything right, I hope we can see that maybe early next year,” he said. 03:27 China further eases pandemic restrictions in latest step towards reopening after zero-Covid China further eases pandemic restrictions in latest step towards reopening after zero-Covid Lam also asked the government to first talk to mainland authorities about increasing the quarantine hotel quota from 1,000 to 2,000 or more a day by the end of the year to make business and family visits easier. The mainland moved a step closer to reopening

Coronavirus: 400 per cent jump in number of Hongkongers taking fourth jab after Omicron-targeted shots become available
The number of Hongkongers receiving their fourth coronavirus jab has risen more than fivefold in the past week, with about 81 per cent of them opting for the Omicron-specific vaccine available since last Thursday. The government announced on Wednesday that more residents would be eligible for the BioNTech bivalent shots, which contain components of the original coronavirus strain and Omicron one. The bivalent vaccine was made available last Thursday to uninfected adults as a fourth dose and recovered individuals as a third dose. The Chinese-made Sinovac shots are also being offered, along with the original doses made by Germany’s BioNTech. Official statistics show 47,742 people were given a fourth shot in the week up to Wednesday, compared with 9,232 seven days earlier. Among them, 38,654 received the bivalent vaccine. The number of residents who have received a fourth dose now stands at more than 632,000. Authorities have ordered 1.9 million shots of the BioNTech bivalent vaccine so far, with the first batch of 770,000 arriving in the city on November 25. Starting from Friday, adults can book appointments for the new vaccine as their third dose, or second shot if they were previously infected, after experts from the city’s scientific

Coronavirus: Hong Kong further eases isolation rules but ongoing surge in cases keeps city from lifting social-distancing measures over holidays
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong has further eased its quarantine and isolation measures following mainland China’s major shift away from its zero-Covid policy, but a continuing surge in daily infections is keeping the city from lifting social-distancing rules over the coming holiday season. From Friday, residents and arrivals infected with Covid-19 will be allowed to leave isolation on the fifth day, instead of the seventh, if they test negative for two days in a row by then. But health officials sparked disappointment in the restaurant and bar trade after saying current social-distancing measures would remain in place over Christmas, as they reported 14,373 new coronavirus cases, including 798 imported infections, on Thursday, the highest since March 19. Another 27 deaths were also recorded. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city had adjusted its policies with the “same scientific and precise principles” adopted by mainland authorities, which had announced their long-awaited easing of pandemic rules a day earlier. “I fully understand citizens’ expectations for the reopening of the [mainland] border,” Lee said during a reception. Source link

‘Bigger than just Covid vaccines’: US drug giant Moderna wants to collaborate with Hong Kong scientists on mRNA technology with local branch
US pharmaceutical giant Moderna is looking to collaborate with Hong Kong scientists on vaccine development after setting up a local manufacturing branch, with a long-term goal to tap into the mainland Chinese market. In an interview with the Post, Patrick Bergstedt, Moderna senior vice-president and head of emerging markets, said the Hong Kong subsidiary would focus on introducing the mRNA technology to the city, with plans to engage local professionals and other stakeholders. “The most immediate opportunity is for us to do clinical research in Hong Kong … Because Hong Kong already has a very established network, excellent healthcare system, excellent academic system, excellent hospitals,” he said. Patrick Bergstedt, Moderna senior vice-president of commercial vaccines. Photo: Edmond So “In the short term, we want to look at how we can do clinical research for our respiratory vaccines, for latent viruses or some of our Moderna therapeutics.” Unlike other vaccines that introduce a weakened or inactivated virus into the bodies, mRNA or messenger RNA jabs use a molecule that teaches human cells how to make a protein, which triggers an immune response in the body by producing antibodies. Moderna also has Covid-19 vaccines but these are as yet not available for

Hong Kong’s latest ‘0+0’ Covid policy a long-awaited change, but how soon can city bounce back and fix its economy?
Hong Kong residents, businesspeople and visitors all have high hopes that the long-awaited lifting of the city’s travel restrictions and the end of medical supervision rules for arrivals will help put the bounce back in the economy. But business leaders and economists said it could take more than a year for the city to recover its shine after the border with mainland China fully reopened. The introduction of the “0+0” arrangement was welcomed as a breath of fresh air for a city stifled by three years of strict coronavirus rules – some of the toughest in the world because of the zero Covid-19 policy imposed in line with the mainland. But, from Wednesday, the city will become one of the last places in the world to remove its travel restrictions for arrivals with the scrapping of the amber health code for people who test negative for Covid-19. It is the biggest relaxation made by the authorities to lessen the frustration of arrivals since the start of the pandemic. Passengers arrive at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Jelly Tse The city has gone from total closure, a maximum of 21 days quarantine down to seven days, to a further “3+4” and

Singapore doctors expect more PCR testing as China eases Covid measures
Singapore healthcare providers are expecting a wave of travellers requiring pre-departure PCR coronavirus tests in the coming months as China eases its border measures. Unihealth handles around 100-150 swabs for such tests across its four clinics each week, and it expects these numbers to increase. Medical director and family doctor Xie Huizhuang said there had been a 15-20 per cent increase in demand for the tests since mid-November, with much of it coming from Chinese nationals returning home. Since mid-November, those going to China are required to take one PCR test within 48 hours of travelling, instead of the two previously required. China also loosened Covid curbs nationwide earlier this month, lifting restrictions on entry to public spaces and allowing those infected to isolate at home instead of being taken to a hospital. 01:59 Shanghai schools switch online as China braces for soaring number of Covid-19 cases Shanghai schools switch online as China braces for soaring number of Covid-19 cases Source link

Coronavirus: close contacts of Covid patients at Hong Kong care homes will no longer be sent to quarantine centres to free up space
Close contacts of Covid-19 patients at care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong will no longer be sent to quarantine centres, while extra hospital beds and manpower will be added to cope with a potential influx of people at public health facilities, authorities have said. The government on Thursday announced the new measures in response to patients swarming public hospitals in recent weeks, with one health expert saying adjustments should have been made earlier. More than 1,600 residents from care homes for the elderly have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the past week amid the recent surge of infections locally. Patients wait in the accident and emergency area of United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong. Photo: May Tse The Social Welfare Department said close contacts at the homes would be allowed to stay at their residence instead of being sent to quarantine centres, as was the case under previous guidelines. Grace Li Fai, an executive council member of the Elderly Services Association of Hong Kong, welcomed the measures, saying it was pointless to move the elderly “back and forth” between facilities. “The new measure will allow more beds for infected elderly, as close contacts will no longer be occupying

Private sector medicine pours cold water on prospects of demand for paid-for coronavirus vaccination in Hong Kong
Private hospitals and doctors in Hong Kong have cast doubts on the viability of them giving Covid-19 jabs for a fee, despite a government insistence that manufacturers were “striving” to offer vaccines to the sector. The private operators on Friday said they were sceptical about the scheme because free shots were easily available to residents and there were uncertainties on when and how many mainland China or non-resident patients would travel to pay for vaccination. Doctors and patients’ rights groups have already highlighted the need to maintain government-subsidised Covid-19 vaccinations in the long term because the coronavirus was likely to become endemic. Private hospitals and doctors say free shots are easily available to residents. Photo: AFP William Ho Shiu-wei, chairman of the Hong Kong Private Hospitals Association, told that Post that, without clear market demand, there was “little incentive” for the sector to acquire vaccines for sale to the public. Ho said demand among city residents for private vaccination was non-existent, not only because of the cost, but also because jabs given outside the government programme would not be covered by an indemnity fund set up to provide financial support to people who suffered serious vaccine-related complications. Medical sector lawmaker

Apple Watch, protein powders are all the rage in China as Gen Zs rediscover the benefits of good health amid resurging Covid infections
A lot of people have been turning to wearable fitness devices to help them get into shape. The wearable devices market in China is expected to grow 20 per cent per year to reach a market size of over US$20 billion in 2025, a joint report by BDA and OC&C found. Wearable technology such as headsets and smartwatches can track performance during exercise and measure body functions like heart rate. George Yang, 22, said he bought his Apple Watch when Shanghai went into a strict lockdown in April. The university student said he had suffered chronic neck pain for over a year, which he believes was caused by too much time spent on his computer attending online courses. Yang said the smartwatch helps him stay on track with his fitness goals. He downloaded China’s most popular fitness app, Keep, and hopes to be able to run a full marathon next year. “Young, healthy people [in China] look for wearables that feature health monitoring as well as other functionalities such as entertainment and smart-home functions,” said Anthony Siu, partner and co-head of BDA Shanghai. Source link

Coronavirus: Hong Kong drops on-arrival PCR tests and vaccine pass, city set to reopen its border with mainland China on January 10 at the earliest
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong will drop almost all Covid-19 measures starting from Thursday, including mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for arrivals, its vaccine pass scheme and quarantine requirements for close contacts, following similar action by mainland China. In a related development, the Post learned on Wednesday that Hong Kong is set to reopen its border with the mainland on January 10 at the earliest, with those travelling to the city for business and family needs to be given priority. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reiterated on Wednesday his aim to fully resume cross-border travel progressively and in an orderly manner starting from mid-January. Travellers in Hong Kong wait to cross the border to enter mainland China. Photo: Sam Tsang From Thursday, the city will become one of the last places in the world to do away with pandemic restrictions. Confirming the Post’s earlier reports, the government announced that it would lift most of the Covid-19 measures imposed in the past three years, but a mandate requiring the wearing of masks would remain. Source link
Exclusive | Hong Kong to host global central banks meeting next month as it steps up efforts to rebuild reputation as finance hub
Scores of central bankers from around the world will gather in Hong Kong next month for a meeting to be hosted by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), marking the first major international financial event since the city fully reopened its border in December. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is getting ready for the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision meeting to be held in March, Clara Chan, acting deputy chief of the de facto central bank, told lawmakers. “We have been preparing for the meeting of central bankers, international financial regulators and the global financial leaders. We encourage more international financial organisations to host events and seminars in Hong Kong,” Chan said during a monthly meeting of the financial affairs panel on Monday. “The HKMA will also work with the local financial sector to visit Southeast Asia and the Middle East to exchange views with the central banks and other financial leaders this year to enhance cross-border cooperation.” The authority is keen to use overseas roadshows to convince central banks and finance companies that it is “business as usual” in Hong Kong after three years of disruptions caused by the pandemic. The city’s reputation as a leading financial hub suffered

Hey big spenders! China’s richest consumers will keep splashing out on luxury goods even as economy slumps, Bain says
China’s wealthiest consumers will continue to splurge on luxury items like designer bags and watches as the economy reopens, even as middle-class shoppers refrain from buying big-ticket items, unnerved by worries about their job prospects and wages, according to Bain & Company. The global consultancy said in its latest report on China’s luxury market that the top 2 per cent of mainland Chinese spenders, who account for more than 40 per cent of spending on luxury items, will be a key driver of market growth in 2023 after Covid-19 restrictions ended a five-year winning streak last year. “There’s no reason why the VIC [very important customers] should stop buying [luxury items] in 2023, because even during the downturn in 2022 they were spending,” said Bruno Lannes, a Shanghai-based senior partner with Bain. “We will see more spending by them in 2023.” Lockdown measures and standstill orders to guard against the spread of Covid-19 across the mainland in 2022 prevented millions of consumers from buying long-coveted personal care products or leather shoes. As shopping malls grappled with a decline in foot traffic, sales skewed toward very wealthy customers, with some high-end brands achieving VIC sales higher than 40 per cent, Bain

Hong Kong’s favourite Covid news tweeter Tripperhead wins official recognition and says the tweets will go on
Hong Kong’s unofficial spokesperson for all things Covid has been recognised with an Australia Day Award, honouring his diligent and dogged determination to get the facts to people during a time of fear and uncertainty. Aaron Busch – better known by his Twitter handle Tripperhead – received the award at the residence of the Australian consul general to Hong Kong and Macau, Elizabeth Ward, in Repulse Bay last week. “Honoured to present the Australia Day Community Award 2023 to @tripperhead,” Ward tweeted. “Thank you for keeping the international community in #HK informed. A reminder of the power of citizen journalism.” Busch was modest about the recognition. “In that typical Aussie way, I don’t feel I deserve it, I was doing what I do. But you don’t say no to the consul general. It was incredibly nice to receive it and I will have it on the wall for the rest of my life.” Source link

Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority steps up efforts to ease burden on its facilities, says flu cases already past peak
Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority has stepped up efforts to ease the burden on its facilities from rising Covid-19 infections, but noted that flu cases had already peaked and were on the decline. The measures included opening another ward at an infection control centre, transferring stable patients to private hospitals, and adding manpower and beds as needed. “We noticed that for influenza, the number of cases has risen sharply in the past few weeks, but it seems over the past week it has already reached its peak,” said Simon Tang Yiu-hang, director of cluster services at the authority. “For Covid-19, we see the trend is still rising. It’s difficult to say whether it has reached its peak, we need to closely monitor the situation.” He said more than 6,000 people visited accident and emergency departments at public hospitals every day. More than 1,200 patients were hospitalised this week, up from 950 in the previous one. About a third of this week’s admissions were Covid-19 cases, he said, adding he expected the number of infections to remain high in the coming weeks. Dr Larry Lee Lap-yip, a chief manager at the authority, said the government would open another ward with about 140
India poised for hospitality boom as hotel brands such as Hilton, Radisson race to meet surging demand from tourists
The country’s huge and increasingly prosperous population – it recently superseded China as the world’s most populous country – and an estimated threefold rise in foreign tourists in the next few years will ensure a race among hospitality providers to meet rapidly expanding demand for accommodation, analysts said. American hotel operators Hilton and Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) are rushing to capture a share of the growing Indian market. Hilton is planning to double its portfolio there every three to five years, according to Alan Watts, its Asia-Pacific president. RHG, meanwhile, aims to open its very first Radisson Collection hotel, in India in 2026. Global sporting events and political gatherings are helping prime the market for a near-term boom, guaranteeing vast waves of visitors from overseas. 02:36 India set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country in 2023, UN predicts India set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country in 2023, UN predicts The Cricket World Cup will be held in the last quarter of the year in the western coast city of Ahmedabad, and the biennial South Asian Football Federation championship will take place in June and July in Bangalore, the capital of southern Karnataka state.



