Two days before my wedding last May, my 23-year-old brother was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and underwent emergency surgery. I had bought cancellation cover 18 months previously from The Insurance Emporium (TIE) and immediately submitted a claim as we cancelled the wedding. The staff expressed no sympathy, then lost the claim forms, requiring me to resubmit. I had to chase for updates con...
Two days before my wedding last May, my 23-year-old brother was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and underwent emergency surgery. I had bought cancellation cover 18 months previously from The Insurance Emporium (TIE) and immediately submitted a claim as we cancelled the wedding. The staff expressed no sympathy, then lost the claim forms, requiring me to resubmit. I had to chase for updates continually. Two months later, my claim was denied because my brother had suffered daytime drowsiness prior to the commencement of the policy. Doctors had found no cause for concern and made no diagnosis. The insurers decided these were symptoms of a tumour. Last October, five months after the claim, the company said it would pay £9,000 to reflect the uncertainty of the medical evidence and the sensitive circumstances. Three weeks later it withdrew the offer. We have lost £22,000 and can’t now afford a new wedding date. KW, London This is heartbreaking and highlights the traps that lurk in many insurance contracts. You told me that, in 2020 and 2022, your brother, a medical student, consulted doctors about a drooping eyelid and recurring drowsiness. He was referred both times to a sleep clinic and given advice on sleep hygiene. “No additional red flags,” confirmed a medical letter in 2022. You bought the insurance policy in December 2023. The declaration form asked if anyone critical to the wedding, from flower girls to grandparents, had any previous or existing medical conditions. Your brother’s undiagnosed fatigue did not cross your mind. A separate list of exclusions included any claim arising from a pre-existing condition. Its terms and conditions define this as any illness that showed “clinical signs” before the policy commenced. TIE accepts that it was not unreasonable to omit your brother’s fatigue on the form, given that doctors had given him a clean bill of health, but insists that his symptoms were, in retrospect, related to the tumour and that the exclusion therefor...
In this freewheeling film Lana Daher draws from more than 20,000 hours of archival footage to channel the resilient spirit of Beirut As freewheeling as a travelogue, Lana Daher’s mercurial documentary eschews talking heads and voiceover, drawing instead from more than 20,000 hours of archival footage to channel the resilient spirit of Beirut. Reflecting the non-linear movement of history, the film...
In this freewheeling film Lana Daher draws from more than 20,000 hours of archival footage to channel the resilient spirit of Beirut As freewheeling as a travelogue, Lana Daher’s mercurial documentary eschews talking heads and voiceover, drawing instead from more than 20,000 hours of archival footage to channel the resilient spirit of Beirut. Reflecting the non-linear movement of history, the film abandons chronology, zigzagging between disparate events, film clips and newsreels, TV programmes and home videos. Rich with a sense of play as well as melancholy, this stylistic approach conjures the precarity of life in the Lebanese capital. Moments of everyday joy – a wedding celebration, a family outing – are interspersed with startling images of hollowed-out buildings and bombed cars. Here, war seems never-ending and peace is fragile. The film resurrects painful sociopolitical chapters, including the brutal 15-year Lebanese civil war and Israel’s repeated invasions of the country, yet also makes room for gentle humour and beauty. There’s also a deliberate emphasis on popular culture, with the inclusion of hit pop songs; one particularly exhilarating section is set to Dalida’s classic disco track Laissez-Moi Danser , played over dancing scenes both fictional and real. The sequence is immediately followed by a shot of a garbage dump, a stark reminder of reality; off kilter as it is, this tongue-in-cheek edit feels like an ode to the collective courage of Lebanese people. Amid the wartime upheavals, the music goes on. Continue reading...
In a city packed with bakeries, how do you find the best? I risked tooth decay to track down the quintessential blend of crisp pastry, an oozy centre and sugary cinnamon Open sandwiches ( smørrebrød ), meatballs ( frikadeller ), crispy pork belly ( stegt flæsk ) … There are many must-eat dishes for food lovers visiting Denmark, though perhaps nothing springs to mind as readily as the Danish pastry...
In a city packed with bakeries, how do you find the best? I risked tooth decay to track down the quintessential blend of crisp pastry, an oozy centre and sugary cinnamon Open sandwiches ( smørrebrød ), meatballs ( frikadeller ), crispy pork belly ( stegt flæsk ) … There are many must-eat dishes for food lovers visiting Denmark, though perhaps nothing springs to mind as readily as the Danish pastry. But how are you supposed to choose from the countless bakeries on offer? And once you have decided which to visit, which pastry to eat? As a long-term resident of Copenhagen and pastry obsessive, I took on the Guardian’s challenge to find the best Danish pastry in town. Let’s get started with the shocking fact that Danish pastries are not actually Danish. In Denmark they’re called wienerbrød (Viennese bread) and made using a laminated dough technique that originated in Vienna. There’s also no such thing as a “Danish” in Denmark – there are so many different types of pastry that the word loses meaning. What we know as a Danish is a spandauer – a round pastry with a folded border and a circle of yellowy custard in the middle. Then there’s the tebirkes , a folded pastry often with a baked marzipan-style centre and poppy seeds on the top; a frøsnapper , a twist of pastry dusted with poppy seeds; and a snegl , which translates as “snail” but is known as a cinnamon swirl in English. Continue reading...
AgniKul Cosmos Co-Founder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran says he's looking at scaling to 25-50 launches a year, and that a fund raise is on its way. His company specializes in 3D-printed rocket engines and small-satellite launch vehicles. He speaks with Avril Hong from the sidelines of Space Summit 2026. (Source: Bloomberg)
AgniKul Cosmos Co-Founder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran says he's looking at scaling to 25-50 launches a year, and that a fund raise is on its way. His company specializes in 3D-printed rocket engines and small-satellite launch vehicles. He speaks with Avril Hong from the sidelines of Space Summit 2026. (Source: Bloomberg)
gahsoon Alibaba ( BABA ) announced a 3B yuan (~$431M) investment to promote its Qwen AI app during the Lunar New Year holidays. The campaign launches February 6, ahead of the public holiday starting February 15, offering rewards for dining, entertainment, and leisure via "large red envelopes." Alibaba ( BABA ) has not specified whether rewards are cash or platform discounts like on Taobao. The e-c...
gahsoon Alibaba ( BABA ) announced a 3B yuan (~$431M) investment to promote its Qwen AI app during the Lunar New Year holidays. The campaign launches February 6, ahead of the public holiday starting February 15, offering rewards for dining, entertainment, and leisure via "large red envelopes." Alibaba ( BABA ) has not specified whether rewards are cash or platform discounts like on Taobao. The e-commerce giant ( BABA ) is also looking at launching Qwen 3.5—its new flagship AI model specifically optimized for complex reasoning tasks—during the same holiday period. Alibaba's ( BABA ) spending is almost triple the amount pledged by competitors and targets user acquisition through incentives. The Chinese tech firms battle over user acquisition during Lunar New Year, with companies like Tencent ( TCEHY ) ( TCTZF ) and Baidu ( BIDU ) ( BAIDF ) spending 1B yuan and 500M yuan, respectively, on similar promotions for their AI chatbots. Besides, ByteDance ( BDNCE ) plans to release three new AI models next month — Doubao 2.0, a large language model for text generation; Seedream 5.0 for image creation; and SeedDance 2.0 for video synthesis. These tools integrate with platforms like Douyin (TikTok's Chinese version), targeting consumer and enterprise use during high-traffic holiday periods. More on Alibaba Alibaba: Brace For Dip After Exceptional Price Performance YTD (Rating Downgrade) Alibaba Qwen Upgrade: The Market Can No Longer Ignore This AI Catalyst Alibaba: H200 Provides A Massive Growth Catalyst Alibaba joins hands with China's Zelos for $2B robovan business - report China said to greenlight first batch of Nvidia H200 chip imports
Major Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers got off to a bumpy start in 2026 as they reported falling deliveries in January due to softening government support. Xpeng , Shares of Hong Kong-listed BYD Li Auto and Nio plummeted on Monday morning, battered by a bearish delivery outlook in the cutthroat mainland EV market. “Lacklustre [sales] data in January represented a rude reminder that the industr...
Major Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers got off to a bumpy start in 2026 as they reported falling deliveries in January due to softening government support. Xpeng , Shares of Hong Kong-listed BYD Li Auto and Nio plummeted on Monday morning, battered by a bearish delivery outlook in the cutthroat mainland EV market. “Lacklustre [sales] data in January represented a rude reminder that the industry will face a difficult year,” said Ivan Li, a researcher at Loyal Wealth Management in Shanghai. “Nearly all EV makers have become victims to a resumption of purchase tax, and manufacturers of low-priced cars will also suffer a big setback from an adjusted cash subsidy policy.” Advertisement BYD, the world’s largest EV builder, handed 210,051 vehicles to customers at home and abroad in January, down 50 per cent from a month earlier and the lowest since February 2024, when it sold 122,311 cars. Its Hong Kong-listed shares plunged 7.8 per cent to HK$90.10 on Monday morning. Xpeng posted a 46.7 per cent month-on-month decline in sales in January, delivering a total of 20,011 units. Its Hong Kong shares dived 9 per cent to HK$65.20. Advertisement Li Auto added an eighth month to a losing streak, as January sales slid 37.5 per cent from December to 27,668 vehicles. Its shares lost 3.6 per cent to HK$65.55.
Sweden’s Alight AB struck a £34 million ($47 million) financing deal with lender SEB AB to expand in the UK with several new solar parks backed by long-term electricity deals. The power producer plans a 50-megawatt portfolio of projects expected to be commissioned no later than 2027, Alight said Monday in a statement. The installations will be so-called ‘behind-the-meter’ projects, built on or adj...
Sweden’s Alight AB struck a £34 million ($47 million) financing deal with lender SEB AB to expand in the UK with several new solar parks backed by long-term electricity deals. The power producer plans a 50-megawatt portfolio of projects expected to be commissioned no later than 2027, Alight said Monday in a statement. The installations will be so-called ‘behind-the-meter’ projects, built on or adjacent to customer sites that bypass the grid. Alight says the users will be established industrial companies, without providing further details. Behind-the-meter projects are easing the pressure on networks by reducing demand. Alight, one of the early adopters, has signed more than 60 power-purchase agreements across Europe, including with Toyota Material Handling Inc. in France and Lear Corp. in the UK. Swedish bank SEB has previously financed some of the firm’s solar farms in the Nordic region through green loans. The new portfolio financing facility provides more flexibility in deployment of existing and future projects, Alight said.
UK business confidence leaped to its highest in eight months, adding to evidence that the economy may be gaining momentum after the budget . The Institute of Directors’ economic confidence index climbed to minus 48% in January 2026 from minus 66% previously, continuing a rebound from near record lows. While that index remains in negative territory, business chiefs’ confidence in their own firms ro...
UK business confidence leaped to its highest in eight months, adding to evidence that the economy may be gaining momentum after the budget . The Institute of Directors’ economic confidence index climbed to minus 48% in January 2026 from minus 66% previously, continuing a rebound from near record lows. While that index remains in negative territory, business chiefs’ confidence in their own firms rose to plus 14% in January from minus 4% in December. Specifically, expectations for investment, hiring and sales all soared. The survey was the latest to suggest the UK economy is improving after a weak second half of 2025 dominated by speculation ahead of the Labour government’s tax-raising budget on Nov. 26. It follows a sharp jump in the UK PMI in January to its highest in 21 months, an uptick driven by technology and financial services firms. While Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves revealed plans to hike taxes by a further £26 billion ($36 billion), households are bearing the brunt of the revenue-raising measures and businesses were largely spared. Pubs and live music venues have also been given some help from the chancellor after a backlash against a sharp rise in business rates. “After record weakness last year, January saw a welcome – and fairly chunky – rise in the confidence of business leaders,” said Anna Leach , chief economist at the Institute of Directors. “The year has begun with a high level of policy activity, including a number of packages designed to support businesses.” The IoD said expectations for revenue hit the highest since September 2024. Its indicators tracking headcount and investment intentions also rose sharply, though remained marginally in negative territory.
"Energy Suicide": Slovak PM Fico To Sue After Brussels Issues Total Ban On Russian Gas Via Remix News, Slovakia is obliged to stop taking over Russian gas by Nov. 1, 2027, at the latest, and according to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the EU decision to ban all gas from member states amounts to “energy suicide.” As a result, Bratislava will file a lawsuit at the Court of Justice of the Europea...
"Energy Suicide": Slovak PM Fico To Sue After Brussels Issues Total Ban On Russian Gas Via Remix News, Slovakia is obliged to stop taking over Russian gas by Nov. 1, 2027, at the latest, and according to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the EU decision to ban all gas from member states amounts to “energy suicide.” As a result, Bratislava will file a lawsuit at the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) against the newly adopted regulations. On Monday, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament formally adopted the new legislation on the gradual phase-out of Russian gas and oil imports. The move is part of the REPowerEU plan, which aims to become independent from Russian energy carriers. Fico immediately criticized the move, calling it “energy suicide,” and said that “when the military conflict ends, everyone will be breaking their legs, rushing to go to Russia to do business.” Fico announced that Slovakia will file a lawsuit against the adopted regulation at the Court of Justice of the European Union based in Luxembourg, writes Hlavnespravy.sk . According to Fico, the country will argue that the regulation violates the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. He added that the Slovak Ministry of Justice, together with the portfolio responsible for foreign and European affairs, had prepared a “very professional document” and that they would be asking for the regulation to be declared contrary to the basic principles of the EU. Fico also announced that Hungary, which voted against the legislation together with Slovakia, is also filing a lawsuit. It is not possible to file a joint action, but the argument is coordinated with the Hungarian side. Fico says the war in Ukraine will be over by Nov. 1, 2027, “and everyone comes to their sense.” He believed that detaching from Russian energy in this way was suicide, and that not only he, but also German economists, politicians, and other EU politicians see it that way. According to his claim,...
The tech-dominated Nasdaq-100 index grew a solid 20% in 2025, mainly driven by continued optimism surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI). This burgeoning industry is far from profitable. In fact, early leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic are burning billions of dollars every single quarter, with much of that money going to the expensive, depreciating hardware needed to make large langua...
The tech-dominated Nasdaq-100 index grew a solid 20% in 2025, mainly driven by continued optimism surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI). This burgeoning industry is far from profitable. In fact, early leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic are burning billions of dollars every single quarter, with much of that money going to the expensive, depreciating hardware needed to make large language models (LLMs) possible. Going into 2026, investors should remain focused on the pick-and-shovel side of AI by betting on the hardware companies that make the technology possible. Let's discuss why Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) and Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) could be two of the best buys. With shares up almost 400% over the last 12 months, Micron Technology is finally having its time in the sun after decades of lackluster performance. But despite the growth, Micron's shares remain attractively valued considering how rapidly generative AI data center demand is transforming the market for its high-bandwidth memory hardware. Continue reading
Pixxel Founder and CEO Awais Ahmed sees India moving from a space faring nation to a space solutions provider for the world. He speaks with Avril Hong from the sidelines of Space Summit 2026. (Source: Bloomberg)
Pixxel Founder and CEO Awais Ahmed sees India moving from a space faring nation to a space solutions provider for the world. He speaks with Avril Hong from the sidelines of Space Summit 2026. (Source: Bloomberg)
A Cotti Coffee shop bustles with customers in Wuhan on Jan. 30. Photo: VCG Cotti Coffee has scaled back its sweeping discount campaign that sold drinks for 9.9 yuan ($1.4), signaling a potential truce in the brutal price war that has gripped China’s coffee market for three years. In February 2023, the company rolled out a store-wide “9.9 yuan unlimited” promotion across most of its outlets. As of ...
A Cotti Coffee shop bustles with customers in Wuhan on Jan. 30. Photo: VCG Cotti Coffee has scaled back its sweeping discount campaign that sold drinks for 9.9 yuan ($1.4), signaling a potential truce in the brutal price war that has gripped China’s coffee market for three years. In February 2023, the company rolled out a store-wide “9.9 yuan unlimited” promotion across most of its outlets. As of Sunday, however, the number of menu items priced at 9.9 yuan has been sharply reduced.
(RTTNews) - Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. (YATRY, YATRF, 9064.T), a Japanese door-to-door delivery and logistics company, on Monday reported its net income declined despite an increase in the operating revenue compared with the previous year. For the nine months, profit attributable to owners of the parent declined to 25.19 billion yen from 28.88 billion yen in the same period last year. Basic earning...
(RTTNews) - Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. (YATRY, YATRF, 9064.T), a Japanese door-to-door delivery and logistics company, on Monday reported its net income declined despite an increase in the operating revenue compared with the previous year. For the nine months, profit attributable to owners of the parent declined to 25.19 billion yen from 28.88 billion yen in the same period last year. Basic earnings per share were 79.36 yen versus 84.40 yen last year. Operating profit surged to 38.59 billion yen from 26.26 billion yen in the prior year. Operating revenue increased to 1.44 trillion yen from 1.344 trillion yen in the previous year. Looking ahead, the company expected operating revenue for fiscal year 2026 to be 1.86 trillion yen, representing a 5.5% increase. Operating profit for the fiscal year 2026 is expected to be 28 billion yen, 97.1% increase from the previous year. The company anticipated Profit attributable to owners of parent to be at 15 billion yen, representing a decrease of 60.5% and Basic earnings per share at 47.29 yen. Yamato Holdings Co. closed trading 1.41% higher at JPY 2,049 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.