Author: Isla

This undated file photo shows the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY) HONG KONG – At the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), students are taught that to innovate, one must first master the ancient. As the institution climbs the global rankings, it is becoming a high-tech laboratory for the future of Asian culture.In a city known for its vertical skyline and its role as a dynamic link bridging different regions, the HKAPA stands as a quiet yet powerful force for cultural integration. Here, the air is filled with the scent of sawdust from traditional carpentry…

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Monday, Apr 27, 2026 08:28 | 18 mins ago | By: EarthquakeMonitor An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 occurred only 10 minutes ago 117 km southwest of Modisi, Indonesia, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency reported.The quake hit at an intermediate depth of 118. km beneath the epicenter near Modisi, Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia, in the afternoon on Monday, April 27th, 2026, at 4:17 pm local time. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.Our monitoring…

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Historically, real estate performance in Dubai has followed accessibility. What is changing now is the precision with which infrastructure is guiding development. Instead of reactive growth, we are seeing more deliberate alignment between transport corridors and new communities, which reduces fragmentation and creates more sustainable urban clusters.Connectivity as a pricing mechanismConnectivity has evolved into a measurable component of property value. Residential properties in areas connected to the metro network recorded price growth of over 26%. While the differential may appear modest, it reflects a consistent premium tied to accessibility and reduced dependency on private transport.This dynamic is particularly relevant as…

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I got the opportunity with my dealer hat on to visit the Beijing Auto Show last week – first time to a Chinese show since pre-pandemic, and my first time to Beijing. As I am sure that you are all aware, the Beijing Show is on a different scale to any other, so comfortable shoes were critical, but it was great to see the industry on Chinese home ground. Clearly, the largest number of stands were taken up by the domestic brands with BYD and Chery Group dominating their respective halls. The foreign brands were mixed in across the halls,…

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A gorgeous garden walk that brings a touch of Japanese culture to the Scottish countryside is just an hour’s drive from Edinburgh – and it’s perfect for familiesThe ‘magical’ gardens bring Japanese design to Scotland (file)(Image: Getty Images)You could experience a tranquil Japanese garden without ever leaving the country.If you’ve always wanted to travel to Japan but don’t have the deep pockets needed to fund such a trip, then visiting a Japanese garden in the heart of Scotland could be just the thing you need. Travelling isn’t cheap, and if Japan is on your radar, you’ll need to have at…

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Minor Hotels has contributed more than 1.6 million baht (US$44,000) to the Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Center at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok through its Dollars for Deeds programme. The centre, established in honour of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, operates under the Thai Red Cross Society and the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University. It is the first facility in South-east Asia dedicated to craniofacial conditions, providing specialised treatment for patients, many of them children, with conditions affecting the head and facial structure. The funds support craniofacial care for children at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Care is delivered by a…

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Ageas Federal Life is placed at around 12th in life insurance. Credit: otello-stpdc/Shutterstock.com. Belgium-based Ageas is targeting a top ten spot in India’s insurance market and is willing to examine acquisition options when suitable opportunities emerge, the Times of India (ToI) reported. The plan follows earlier steps by the Belgian insurer, including raising its holding to more than 70% in an Indian life insurance venture in September 2022 and buying a 40% stake in Royal Sundaram General Insurance. Access deeper industry intelligence Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise. Find out more…

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Hongkongers and visitors will be able to enjoy large-scale events such as beer and barbecue festivals at three public beaches under a pilot scheme that will allow private-sector operators to upgrade facilities, a district councillor has suggested, with a top administrator saying fees must be kept affordable.Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Manda Chan Wing-man told a radio programme on Monday that the government would not set strict key performance indicators (KPIs) for commercial operators, but stressed that they would need to ensure responsible public use of the designated beaches.The government began inviting companies last week to submit expressions of…

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