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Food assistance funded by Japan is reaching refugees and returnees in Burundi through the World Food Programme, easing acute hunger pressures in camps and host communities strained by displacement, erratic harvests and rising food costs.

The support targets families who fled violence in neighbouring states and Burundians who have returned after years abroad, many arriving with limited assets and few income options. WFP officials say the funding is enabling monthly rations and nutrition support at a time when humanitarian needs remain elevated across the Great Lakes region.

The programme, implemented by the World Food Programme, prioritises refugees in camps and settlements as well as vulnerable returnees integrated into surrounding communities. Assistance includes staple cereals, pulses and fortified oil, with specialised supplements for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children at risk of malnutrition. Cash-based transfers are also being expanded where markets function, allowing households to choose foods locally and supporting small traders.

Japan’s contribution comes amid sustained displacement into Burundi, primarily from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and a steady flow of returnees following regional diplomatic efforts. According to humanitarian agencies, Burundi hosts tens of thousands of refugees, while returnees often face land disputes, limited livelihoods and overstretched public services upon arrival. Food insecurity has been aggravated by climate variability that has disrupted planting seasons and by global price pressures that have raised the cost of basic staples.

A senior WFP official in Bujumbura said the Japanese funding was critical to stabilising rations and preventing harmful coping strategies such as skipping meals or pulling children out of school. “This support allows us to protect the most vulnerable while we scale solutions that build self-reliance,” the official said, noting that nutrition indicators had shown signs of strain in several camps before the funds were confirmed.

Japan has framed the assistance as part of its broader humanitarian engagement in Africa, with a focus on lifesaving aid and resilience. A representative of the Japanese government said the funding reflected a commitment to human security, adding that food assistance was paired with investments in health, water and education delivered through multilateral partners. Japan has been a long-standing donor to WFP operations worldwide, frequently emphasising efficiency and accountability.

Burundi’s government has welcomed the support, saying it complements national efforts to integrate refugees and returnees while maintaining social cohesion. Officials have encouraged aid agencies to align food assistance with agricultural recovery programmes so that communities can transition from relief to production. WFP has responded by linking rations to community assets projects and by sourcing food locally when possible, a move that shortens supply chains and injects cash into rural economies.

The assistance also intersects with protection efforts led by UNHCR, which coordinates shelter, registration and legal support for displaced populations. Aid agencies say synchronising food distributions with protection services has reduced tensions and improved access for women-headed households and people with disabilities. Monitoring systems track deliveries and outcomes to ensure aid reaches intended recipients.

Analysts caution that funding gaps persist across the humanitarian response in Burundi, where needs compete with crises elsewhere. While Japan’s contribution has stabilised a portion of WFP’s pipeline, agencies say predictable financing remains essential to avoid ration cuts later in the year. Market volatility and climate shocks continue to pose risks, underscoring the importance of flexible programming that can pivot between in-kind food and cash.

Plans to turn India into a major semiconductor manufacturing hub are moving from policy to execution, with four companies scheduled to begin chip production during 2026 and the government setting its sights on becoming one of the world’s leading producers by 2035. The transition marks a decisive phase for a country long dependent on imported chips but now seeking to embed itself in global electronics supply chains amid geopolitical realignments and rising demand for secure manufacturing bases.

The most advanced of the announced projects is the large-scale fabrication facility planned at Dholera in Gujarat, a joint venture between Tata Electronics and Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation. The plant, cleared with government backing and financial incentives under the Semiconductor Mission, is designed to manufacture mature-node chips used in automobiles, power electronics, consumer devices and industrial equipment. Construction work has progressed through 2025, with commercial production targeted to start the following year, according to timelines shared with policymakers and industry partners.

Alongside the Dholera fab, three other facilities are slated to commence output in 2026, primarily in the assembly, testing, marking and packaging segment. Micron Technology’s ATMP plant at Sanand in Gujarat is expected to be the first major operational unit, focusing on memory products for global markets. Two domestic groups, Tata Electronics and Kaynes Semicon, are also developing advanced packaging facilities, while CG Power, in partnership with Japan’s Renesas Electronics and Thailand’s Stars Microelectronics, is setting up an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test unit in Gujarat. Together, these projects are intended to establish a foundational ecosystem rather than a single flagship plant.

Government officials argue that the emphasis on both fabrication and packaging reflects a deliberate strategy. While advanced-node fabs require decades of experience and heavy capital, mature-node manufacturing and packaging are seen as realistic entry points that align with India’s strengths in engineering talent, scale and cost efficiency. Officials involved in the programme say the objective is to capture value across the semiconductor chain while gradually building capabilities for more complex processes.

Public funding has played a central role. Under the incentive framework, the central government is offering support covering up to half the project cost for approved semiconductor and display manufacturing units, with additional incentives from host states. The total committed investment across approved projects runs into tens of billions of dollars, according to official estimates, making it one of the most capital-intensive industrial initiatives undertaken in the country.

Industry analysts note that the timing coincides with a global rethinking of chip supply chains. Disruptions during the pandemic years, coupled with trade and technology tensions, prompted governments and companies to seek diversified manufacturing locations. India’s pitch combines policy stability, a large domestic electronics market and strategic partnerships with established chipmakers. Executives at electronics firms say the presence of local chip production could shorten supply chains and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.

Challenges remain substantial. Semiconductor manufacturing demands ultra-reliable power, water and logistics, as well as a deep supplier base for chemicals, gases and equipment. Skills development is another constraint. While India produces large numbers of engineers, chip fabrication requires specialised expertise built through years of hands-on experience. To address this, training collaborations with overseas partners and academic institutions have been initiated, and several universities have launched semiconductor-focused programmes.

There is also scepticism about the 2035 ambition. Market researchers point out that becoming a “top” producer can be defined in different ways, whether by volume, value or technological sophistication. Countries such as Taiwan, South Korea and the United States dominate advanced-node manufacturing, while China has invested heavily across the value chain. India’s near-term projects focus on mature technologies, which serve vast markets but command lower margins. Supporters counter that demand for such chips is set to remain strong due to electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and industrial automation.

The greenback edged higher against a basket of major peers in early European dealings, with the yen drifting back towards levels last seen in the spring and the euro slipping slightly after gains built up over the previous year. Market participants described the move as cautious rather than decisive, reflecting thin liquidity and lingering uncertainty over policy direction in Washington.

Currency strategists said the dollar’s fragile recovery followed heavy selling through much of last year, when expectations of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and easing inflation undercut the yield advantage that had supported the currency in earlier cycles. At the same time, improving growth prospects outside the United States encouraged investors to rotate towards higher-yielding or undervalued alternatives.

Against the yen, the dollar climbed back towards the upper end of its trading range, hovering near a ten-month high. The Japanese currency has remained under pressure amid a persistent gap between domestic borrowing costs and those in the United States, even as Tokyo has signalled a gradual move away from ultra-loose policy. Traders noted that the yen’s slide was less abrupt than in past episodes, reflecting continued sensitivity to the risk of official intervention.

The euro eased after a strong performance last year, when slowing inflation and steady growth in parts of the euro zone boosted confidence in the region’s economic resilience. Analysts cautioned that the single currency’s trajectory would depend heavily on whether European policymakers deliver further easing or pause to assess wage pressures and fiscal spending plans.

Sterling traded in a narrow band, supported by signs of stabilising inflation but weighed by questions over the durability of domestic growth. Emerging market currencies showed mixed moves, with higher-yielding units holding up better as investors searched for carry opportunities, while those linked to commodities reacted to softer prices in energy and metals.

Market focus remains fixed on forthcoming United States data releases, including employment and inflation indicators that could shape expectations for policy adjustments later in the year. While inflation has moderated from its peak, officials have stressed that decisions will be driven by incoming data rather than preset timelines, a stance that has kept rate forecasts in flux.

Some investors argue that the dollar’s decline last year went too far, pointing to the size and liquidity of United States markets and the economy’s capacity to absorb tighter financial conditions. Others counter that structural forces, including a narrowing growth gap with other advanced economies and rising fiscal deficits, could cap any sustained rebound.

Central banks outside the United States are also recalibrating. In Japan, policymakers are weighing how quickly to normalise after years of stimulus without destabilising markets. In Europe, debates continue over balancing support for growth with the need to anchor inflation expectations. These cross-currents have injected volatility into foreign exchange markets, even as overall trading ranges remain narrower than during periods of crisis.

Commodity prices have added another layer of complexity. Oil has softened amid ample supply, trimming support for currencies of major exporters, while gold’s pullback has reduced its appeal as a hedge against currency weakness. Equity markets have started the year on a cautious note, reinforcing demand for safe and liquid assets.

Largest-ever Hong Kong Tech Pavilion features 3 Innovation Award-winning game-changers showcasing immense potential to scale

LAS VEGAS, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 January 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will join hands in spearheading the largest-ever Hong Kong Tech Pavilion to the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas from January 6-9 (Tue-Fri). The showcase features 61 tech companies in a dynamic mix of early-stage and mature companies in AI, robotics, healthtech, and sustainability, to signify Hong Kong’s fast-rising technology advancements and the ability to empower innovators in and out of the city to scale imagination to global impact.

Taking centre stage this year, Hong Kong Tech Pavilion stars with several CES Innovation Award winning solutions, as well as world-firsts, in a display of technology strength across the Eureka Park and Global Pavilion that includes companies less than five years old and more established ventures. Highlights include:

• Widemount Dynamics Tech: named Best of Innovation for Product in Support of Human Security for All, their Smart Firefighting Robot is designed to detect fires, navigate smoke-filled environments, provide real-time mapping, and determine the best extinguishing agent to minimize costs and risks for losses of life and asset.
• PointFit: honored under the Digital Health category, the PF-Sweat Patch is an ultra-thin wearable built with patented biomarkers tracking technology, it offers a non-invasive alternative with continuous monitoring of vitals and performance for athletes and wellbeing enthusiasts.
• Eieling Technology: honored under the Digital Health category, FattaLab® is the world’s first intelligence-driven compact fatty liver diagnostic device, delivering assessment results with medical-grade accuracy in just 30 seconds. The high level of convenience promotes early treatment to those who suffer from the disease, enabling immediate preventive care, and potentially boosts longevity.

Happenings such as announcement, product launches and briefings, and conversations to business-match at the Pavilions are lining up. That includes an introduction of GumAI, a smart oral healthcare solution developed by Dentomi, sharing more on the “Dentist coming in handy” approach; a demonstration of how DRESIO puts forth its “AI Physiotherapy for Everyone” solution; the launch of “wuBiee & wuBiee wrap” that moftBODY integrates neuroscience into smart textile onto daily shapewear, and more awaits at the Pavilions. Click here for the full line-up at Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, and schedule your visit now.

In addition, a Hong Kong Tech Networking Reception will be held on Day 2, welcoming all interested parties to engage in conversations of potential partnerships, and explore on business opportunities with Hong Kong tech companies. Registration is now open with details of the Reception as follows:

• Date: 7 January 2026
• Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
• Venue: Mercato Della Pescheria, The Venetian

Appendix: List of 61 tech companies at Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, including 47 within the HKSTP ecosystem (in alphabetical order)

Remarks:

• The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion is located across Eureka Park (booth #63200, Hall G) and Global Pavilion (booth #50732, Hall A-D) at The Venetian Expo.

Hashtag: #HKSTP

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

HKSTP

More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

Global equity funds attracted sizeable inflows in the final week of 2025, reflecting sustained investor confidence as artificial intelligence-driven gains and expectations of resilient corporate earnings buoyed risk appetite across major markets. Fund flow data compiled from multiple tracking agencies showed investors adding billions of dollars to equity-focused vehicles, extending a trend that had strengthened through the closing quarter of the year.

The late-year surge followed a period of steady gains in global stock indices, underpinned by enthusiasm around productivity improvements linked to AI adoption and comparatively stable macroeconomic conditions in several advanced economies. Technology-heavy markets led the inflows, with North America and parts of Asia drawing particular interest, while Europe also registered net additions after earlier bouts of volatility tied to growth concerns.

Market participants pointed to a recalibration of expectations around monetary policy as another driver. With major central banks signalling that the peak of the tightening cycle had passed, investors appeared more willing to increase exposure to equities, especially companies positioned to benefit from automation, data analytics and cloud computing. Portfolio managers noted that the narrative around AI had broadened beyond a narrow group of mega-cap technology firms, supporting inflows into diversified equity funds rather than only thematic products.

Corporate earnings guidance also played a role in shaping sentiment. As the reporting season unfolded, many large firms indicated that margins were holding up better than feared, aided by cost discipline and selective price increases. While earnings growth varied by sector, analysts highlighted that consensus forecasts for the coming quarters stabilised after repeated downgrades earlier in the year, giving investors greater confidence to deploy capital before year-end.

Flows into emerging market equity funds showed a more nuanced picture. Some regions benefited from improving external balances and easing inflation pressures, which encouraged selective inflows, while others continued to see outflows amid currency volatility and geopolitical uncertainty. Asset managers said global investors remained discriminating, favouring markets with credible policy frameworks and exposure to global technology supply chains.

Bond funds, by contrast, recorded more modest movements during the same period, with some investors reallocating from fixed income to equities as yields plateaued. Mixed flows into money market funds suggested that cash levels remained elevated, reflecting a degree of caution even as equity allocations rose. This balance underscored what strategists described as a “measured optimism” rather than an unqualified risk-on shift.

Industry data indicated that passive equity funds and exchange-traded funds accounted for a significant share of the inflows, highlighting the continued appeal of low-cost vehicles tracking broad indices. Active equity funds also saw net subscriptions, particularly those with mandates focused on innovation, healthcare and industrial automation, sectors viewed as long-term beneficiaries of technological change.

Regional allocation patterns revealed that United States-focused funds captured the largest share of new money, supported by strong performance in technology and communication services stocks. Asia-Pacific equity funds followed, aided by signs of recovery in key economies and policy measures aimed at supporting growth. European equity funds experienced steadier, though smaller, inflows as investors weighed valuation appeal against ongoing structural challenges.

Market analysts cautioned that the momentum seen at the end of the year did not eliminate underlying risks. Valuations in some AI-linked stocks were described as demanding, leaving markets vulnerable to corrections if earnings failed to meet elevated expectations. Geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainty and uneven global growth were also cited as factors that could test investor confidence in the months ahead.