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Empowers Hong Kong’s next generation of innovators to responsibly apply AI to drive social impact

Aveline San, CEO and Head of Banking at Citi Hong Kong said the AI Day was designed to help students translate innovative ideas into real-world applications, with a strong focus on human-centered design and the responsible use of AI, bringing their purpose-driven ideas one step closer to real-world impact.

With the help of Citi AI mentors and David Kwan, Founder and CEO of AI advisory platform JobsTaylor, student teams from six secondary schools worked on concept testing, building app prototypes and applying AI to enhance user experience. The Citi mentors also shared their own experience in using AI to raise productivity and address business pain points at work.

Vicky Kong, Head of Wealth for Asia North and Australia at Citi, who served as a judge at the pitch competition final commended the students for their creativity, energy and passion for driving positive change. She encouraged them to stay curious, embrace feedback and build on their ideas beyond the competition as they continue their innovation journey.

In a fireside chat moderated by Sarah O, Head of Digital Growth & Cards and Unsecured Lending Sales at Citi Hong Kong, the students also had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Miles Wen, Co-Founder and CEO of Fano Labs who shared his entrepreneurial journey, experience in navigating the startup ecosystem, as well as advice on dealing with challenges and setbacks.

Organized by the SEED Foundation, the IdeaPOP! program has engaged over 3,000 students in Hong Kong since its inception in 2022. Participants have developed more than 750 technology-based solutions aimed at addressing local societal needs.

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Photo 1:Aveline San, Citi Hong Kong’s CEO and Head of Banking(middle in the front row) hosted an AI Day for students at Citi’s office alongside Citi AI mentors, Ken Lo, SEED Foundation CEO (left in the front row) and David Kwan, Founder and CEO of JobsTaylor (right in the front row) guiding students on turning their ideas into real-world social solutions.

Photo 2: Vicky Kong, Head of Wealth for Asia North and Australia at Citi (right), Dr. Miles Wen, Co-Founder and CEO forFano Labs (middle) and Sarah O, Head of Digital Growth & Cards and Unsecured Lending Sales at Citi Hong Kong (left)exchanged ideas on the art of pitching and entrepreneurial mindset with student teams during the workshop. Dr. Wen shared his own entrepreneurial journey as well as advice on navigating the startup ecosystem and mastering investor pitches.

Hashtag: #Citi

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Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Law announced that this year’s Hong Kong Fashion Fest will make its much-anticipated return from September 1 to 14 under the theme “Rhythm of the Heart”. The event will bring together eight flagship programmes curated by six industry bodies and, for the first time, will be combined with CENTRESTAGE — the annual fashion extravaganza organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) — to generate stronger synergies. She added that the Government will continue to work together with the industry to help Hong Kong’s fashion industry shine on the international stage.

This edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest continues to be spearheaded by CCIDA, in collaboration with the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Design Centre, the Clothing Industry Training Authority, the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, the Hong Kong Fashion Council, and the Hong Kong Design Institute. The rich variety of events spans haute couture, cross-regional menswear, denim culture, sustainable design and more. During the two-week Fashion Fest, Hong Kong will be transformed into a dazzling stage for embracing Eastern and Western fashion cultures and fostering creative exchanges, not only showcasing the creative power of emerging local and international fashion designers, but also sharing the vibrant energy of Hong Kong’s fashion with the public and fashion enthusiasts worldwide.

Since its inauguration in 2024, the Hong Kong Fashion Fest has developed into an annual fashion mega event over the past two years through introduction of new elements and strengthening of international crossover collaborations, bringing top-tier global fashion talents and industry elites to Hong Kong and help local fashion designers develop local and outside markets. For more detailed information and the latest updates on Hong Kong Fashion Fest, please visit the official website (www.hongkongfashionfest.com), or follow the official social media channels on Instagram (www.instagram.com/hkfashionfest), Facebook (www.facebook.com/hongkongfashionfest) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/@hkfashionfest).

Hashtag: #HongKongFashionFest #hkfashionfest #CSTB #CCIDA #CCIDAHK

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About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA)

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) since 2009, was established in June 2024. CCIDA is a dedicated office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative sectors with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate development of the arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. CCIDA’s strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration, promoting industrialisation of the arts, culture and creative sectors under the industry-oriented principle, and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and our positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Geological Wonder: Exploring an Ancient Underwater World from 460 Million Years Ago

Located in Taiyanghe Township in the northwest of Enshi City, Suobuya Stone Forest is approximately a one-hour drive from the city center. The scenic area was formed during the Ordovician Period 460 million years ago. Originally covered by an ancient ocean, it gradually evolved through geological transformations over hundreds of millions of years into the extraordinary stone forest landscape seen today. Covering a total area of 21 square kilometers, the area features towering stone peaks surrounded by lush greenery, resembling a vast “underwater labyrinth.” As a “crowned stone forest” with one of the highest vegetation coverage rates in China, the scenic area enjoys a cool and pleasant average summer temperature, making it an ideal destination for summer retreats and nature-based relaxation.

The four major scenic areas currently open to visitors each have their own unique appeal. Qinglongtai serves as the highest point of the scenic area, offering panoramic views of the entire stone forest from above. Lianhuazhai features the breathtaking “Xiniugou” secret landscape, where towering cliffs on both sides and changing light and shadows create a dreamlike atmosphere. Mozigou is rich in ancient biological fossils, allowing visitors to touch traces of life from the Ordovician Period with their own hands. Jiulonghui features circular rock walls and groups of waterfalls, with stone peaks rising dramatically from the ground to create a magnificent landscape. The scenic area also features the 5D theater “Shanhaijing,” where visitors can enjoy an immersive experience of the evolution of the Ordovician ocean world. With gentle walking trails and an easy travel route, the area is suitable for families and nature exploration enthusiasts.

Cultural Feast: Immersive Experiences of Tujia Folk Traditions

Suobuya Stone Forest is not only a treasure trove of geological wonders but also an important carrier of Tujia culture. The Tujia ethnic group is one of the major ethnic minorities in the Enshi region, with a long history and distinctive cultural traditions. The “Baishou Dance” is one of the most representative folk dances of the Tujia people and has been listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The dance movements often imitate scenes such as hunting, farming, and warfare, featuring a lively rhythm. Visitors can personally participate in this cultural experience at the Tiejiazhai Square and Duigetai Stage.

The Tujia Girls’ Festival is one of Enshi’s most distinctive traditional folk festivals and has been held at Suobuya Stone Forest during the seventh month of the lunar calendar for many consecutive years. The festival is a traditional social activity where young Tujia men and women use songs as a medium for communication and dances to express emotions. It carries the unique marriage customs and collective memories of the Tujia people and has been recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage of Hubei Province and one of the “Top Ten Most Charming Festivals in China.” During the festival, the scenic area hosts a variety of activities, including matchmaking through folk songs, traditional cultural parades, and traditional handicraft exhibitions, allowing visitors to experience the rich ethnic culture amid the stone forests and mountain scenery. Suobuya Stone Forest has therefore also been recognized as the “Hometown of Chinese Folk Art” and the “Hometown of Mountain Folk Songs.”

Since 2026, the scenic area has continued to enhance its tourism products and cultural experiences. During the May Day holiday, it launched the “Exploring Wonders on Horseback · Fun in the Million-Year Stone Sea” folk culture series, featuring interactive programs such as folk song and dance flash mobs, the “Nature Guardians” activity where visitors exchange collected litter for cultural souvenirs, the immersive intangible cultural heritage experience “Stone Workers’ Chant,” and the outdoor role-playing game “Stone Forest Secret Order · Pursuing the Shadow of Rocks.” These activities allow visitors to explore the ancient stone sea while deeply engaging with Tujia cultural traditions.

Improved Transportation: Easier Access to Enshi for Southeast Asian Tourists

Since the opening of Enshi Xujiaping International Airport’s aviation port, the international flight network has continued to improve. In 2026, the Enshi–Hong Kong route achieved year-round regular operation, while flights between Enshi and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have resumed successively, creating a dual-route network connecting Vietnam’s two major cities in the north and south. According to the development plan of the Enshi aviation port, new routes to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and other destinations will be steadily promoted in the future, further strengthening the Southeast Asian aviation network. Tourists from major Southeast Asian cities can fly directly to Enshi and reach this 460-million-year-old underwater world after only a one-hour drive. Hidden deep within the Wuling Mountains, this ancient stone forest wonderland is welcoming visitors from around the world with a more open and international approach.
Hashtag: #SuobuyaCulturalTourism

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By Dr. Gyan Pathak Inflation – both wholesale and retail – in India has been rising sharply since January 2026. Wholesale inflation for all commodities rose from 1.19 per cent in January 2026 to 9.87 per cent in June 2026, while retail inflation during this period rose from 2.74 per cent to 4.38 per cent. […]

The article Inflation In India Rising Sharply Since January 2026, Highest In June appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

England completed a commanding nine-wicket win in Bristol on Thursday, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The opening match was abandoned without a result, leaving Harry Brook’s side with the chance to complete a 4-0 sweep in Southampton on Saturday and replace India at the head of the rankings.

India made 158 for seven after choosing to bat, with captain Shreyas Iyer carrying the innings through an unbeaten 80. England reached 159 for one in only 13.5 overs, finishing the chase with 37 balls unused as Brook and Phil Salt dismantled a bowling attack that struggled for control.

Brook struck an unbeaten 79 from 35 deliveries, while Salt made 59 not out from 42. Their unbroken 146-run partnership turned what could have been a competitive chase on a slow surface into a one-sided contest.

The result extended India’s sequence of defeats across Ireland and England. Their tour began with a 2-0 series loss in Belfast, where Ireland recorded their first men’s international victory over India before completing a clean sweep. England then won three completed matches in succession, exposing weaknesses in India’s batting, bowling and fielding.

The slide represents an abrupt reversal for a team that entered the tour as the leading side in the format after defending its T20 World Cup title. India’s depth, power-hitting and varied bowling attack had made it the standard-setter in international T20 cricket, but a reshaped squad has struggled to reproduce that authority in unfamiliar conditions.

Iyer’s innings in Bristol prevented a lower total, yet India failed to build partnerships around him. The captain arrived after the early loss of Abhishek Sharma and watched the middle order repeatedly surrender momentum. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shivam Dube offered brief support, but England’s bowlers controlled the scoring rate and forced mistakes.

Jofra Archer led the attack with two wickets for 20 runs, combining pace with well-directed slower deliveries. England also fielded sharply, cutting off boundaries and converting pressure into dismissals as India failed to accelerate decisively during the closing overs.

Iyer acknowledged that 158 was below the total required and said India had fallen short in all three departments. His unbeaten effort offered evidence of personal form, but it also highlighted the dependence on one batter during a series in which the top order has been inconsistent.

England’s chase demonstrated the growing confidence within Brook’s side. An early wicket did little to interrupt their approach. Brook attacked the shorter boundaries while Salt maintained the tempo, ensuring India could not settle into defensive bowling patterns.

The hosts have won 19 of their 22 completed T20 internationals since Brook assumed the captaincy, a run built on aggressive batting, flexible selection and an increasingly effective pace group. Their victories against India have come through different routes, underlining the balance of the squad.

Jacob Bethell guided England through an early collapse in Manchester, scoring an unbeaten 76 as the hosts chased 191 with six balls remaining. At Trent Bridge, the pace attack dominated after England posted 201 for seven. India were dismissed for 76, suffering their heaviest defeat by runs in a T20 international.

Josh Tongue took four wickets in that match and Archer claimed three as India lost by 125 runs. Iyer described the batting display as unacceptable, but the response in Bristol was limited despite his own substantial contribution.

The tour has also intensified scrutiny of India’s transition under a new captain. Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to represent the country at senior level when he debuted at 15 in Manchester. His selection reflects an effort to prepare a new generation, although the decision to introduce inexperienced players during a demanding away campaign has increased the pressure on the established members of the squad.

Injuries have further disrupted India’s plans, with fast bowler Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Washington Sundar among the players rotated into the side. The changes have complicated efforts to establish a settled combination and clear roles.

The state-owned telecom company said the device can provide voice calls and text messaging in isolated regions, including mountainous terrain, forests, offshore locations, mining zones and areas affected by natural disasters. The quoted handset price includes taxes, while customers must separately subscribe to an approved Global Satellite Phone Service plan.

The phone is being positioned primarily for defence units, maritime operators, emergency agencies, mining companies, remote infrastructure teams and adventure travellers. Unlike ordinary mobile phones, it communicates directly with a satellite rather than depending on nearby ground towers, allowing connectivity across large areas where terrestrial coverage is unavailable or unreliable.

BSNL’s announcement represents an expansion of an established service rather than the introduction of satellite calling for the first time. The company has offered voice and SMS connectivity through its Global Satellite Phone Service to the public and private enterprises since January 1, 2018.

The renewed commercial push comes as satellite communication assumes greater importance in disaster management and strategic operations. Cyclones, floods, earthquakes and landslides can damage mobile towers, sever fibre links and disrupt electricity supplies. Satellite phones provide an alternative channel for coordinating rescue teams, sharing field information and maintaining contact with command centres.

The service can also support personnel stationed along remote borders and crews operating far offshore. Mining, energy and construction businesses may use the handset at project sites where installing mobile towers or fibre infrastructure is technically difficult or commercially unviable.

BSNL offers separate plans for government and commercial customers. Post-paid monthly charges begin at ₹3,500 for government users, with 16 minutes of voice usage or an equivalent number of SMS messages included. Another government plan costs ₹5,835 a month and includes 30 minutes or messages.

The commercial post-paid package costs ₹11,670 a month and provides 60 minutes of calls or SMS messages. Once the included allowance is exhausted, government users pay ₹18 per minute or message, while commercial subscribers pay ₹25. Taxes are charged separately on the service plans.

Pre-paid options are also available. Government customers can choose a ₹3,500 monthly package carrying 20 minutes or messages, or an annual plan costing ₹38,500 with an allowance of 240 minutes or SMS messages. Commercial packages cost ₹5,835 a month for 30 minutes or messages and ₹64,185 a year for 360.

Additional pre-paid top-ups are available in denominations ranging from ₹200 to ₹10,000. The pricing underlines the specialised nature of the service and is likely to limit widespread consumer adoption, particularly when compared with conventional mobile connections and emerging satellite messaging features on premium smartphones.

Satellite phone ownership and use remain subject to strict security requirements. Subscribers must undergo the prescribed customer verification process and disclose where the handset will be used, the period of intended operation and the purpose for which it is required. These conditions are designed to maintain traceability because satellite devices can function independently of domestic terrestrial networks.

The communication transmitted through the Global Satellite Phone Service is encrypted. However, the service currently supports only voice calls and SMS, not high-speed internet access or the broader applications available on modern smartphones.

Customers have been advised to approach the nearest BSNL office for purchasing and activation details. Availability may depend on documentation, regulatory clearance, service eligibility and the user’s stated operational needs. The company has not announced a mass-market retail network or consumer financing options for the handset.

The move is distinct from direct-to-device satellite technology, which seeks to connect ordinary mobile handsets to satellites without requiring a dedicated satellite phone. BSNL has also worked with US-based Viasat on trials of direct satellite connectivity, including messaging and emergency communication applications.

Competition is developing in the broader satellite communications market as global and domestic companies prepare broadband services for homes, enterprises and remote locations. Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, Jio Satellite Communications and other operators have pursued regulatory approvals and spectrum access, although satellite broadband requires different equipment, licensing and commercial models from BSNL’s voice-focused service.

By Arun Srivastava The Loot of the huge funds and jewelleries from the coffers of Ram Mandir Trust has led to intensification of factional battles between the VHP and the RSS on the one hand and the RSS-BJP on the other. Interestingly, insiders say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken his position supporting the […]

The article RSS And VHP Are At Loggerheads On The Issue Of Loot Of Ram Mandir Funds appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).