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ROYAL CARIBBEAN DELIVERS MORE ISLAND TIME THAN EVER WITH ROYAL BEACH CLUB LELEPA AND NEW 2027-28 AUSTRALIA SUMMER LINEUP

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Australia’s boldest summer yet features the first-of-its-kind South Pacific island experience, plus more short getaways and longer holidays on Anthem and Voyager of the Seas starting October 2027

SYDNEY, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Royal Caribbean is unveiling its most exciting Australian summer yet with all-in holiday adventures and the debut of Royal Beach Club Lelepa*, the Southern Hemisphere’s first Royal Caribbean exclusive cruise destination for a holiday like no other. From October 2027 to April 2028, travellers can look forward to more short getaways, weekend departures and ways to bask in island time on Anthem of the Seas from Sydney and Voyager of the Seas from Brisbane, delivering 2- to 12-night holidays across Australia, the sun-soaked South Pacific – including the ultimate beach day at the all-new Royal Beach Club Lelepa – and breathtaking New Zealand. The new lineup of 2027-28 holidays on two of the boldest ships at sea are now available to book on Royal Caribbean’s website.

Opening in 2027, Royal Beach Club Lelepa will debut Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive cruise destination in the South Pacific, delivering the ultimate beach day for guests sailing from Australia. Travelers can unwind on two pristine beaches, take on adventure with a nature trail, snorkeling and kayaking, and enjoy locally inspired cuisine with 10 bars and all-inclusive island eats.
Opening in 2027, Royal Beach Club Lelepa will debut Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive cruise destination in the South Pacific, delivering the ultimate beach day for guests sailing from Australia. Travelers can unwind on two pristine beaches, take on adventure with a nature trail, snorkeling and kayaking, and enjoy locally inspired cuisine with 10 bars and all-inclusive island eats.

“As the most trusted holiday partner in Australia, Royal Caribbean continues to raise the bar on the ultimate family holiday with Royal Beach Club Lelepa – a first-of-its-kind destination in the Southern Hemisphere inspired by the natural beauty and spirit of the South Pacific region,” said Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean. “We know Australian families love holidaying in the South Pacific, and Lelepa takes that to an entirely new level with an experience they won’t find anywhere else in the world. With an expanded lineup of weekend sailings, short escapes and longer ways to holiday, we’re giving travellers even more reasons to explore fan-favourite destinations across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.”

The ultimate island time is in store at Royal Beach Club Lelepa – a first-of-its-kind destination located on the island nation of Vanuatu in the Southern Hemisphere, included on every South Pacific getaway from Sydney and Brisbane starting October 2027. Guests can enjoy two pristine beaches, including a serene adults-only retreat and an activity-packed family beach where friendly competitions invite travellers to become the island’s champion. Whether it’s unwinding on sun-soaked shores, hiking a scenic nature trail or snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, Lelepa offers something for every kind of holidaymaker. From 10 bars and unlimited island eats to umbrellas, loungers and towels all included, guests can enjoy the perfect day in untouched paradise.

Australian Summer 2027-2028 Highlights:

Anthem of the Seas – From Sydney, Australia

  • Across 24 headline-making getaways ranging from three to 17 nights, the Quantum Class favourite is providing more ways to celebrate the weekend with 3-night escapes and South Pacific holidays, including visits to Royal Beach Club Lelepa for guests to bask in spectacular island beauty.
  • 9- to 12-night New Zealand holidays take holidaymakers to far-flung destinations, including Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Milford Sound, for families looking to experience landscapes, culture and cuisine that deliver on the wow factor in one seamless getaway.
  • Adding to the adventures are ways to ring in the festivities with a 9-night South Pacific Christmas holiday – featuring Christmas Day at Royal Beach Club Lelepa – and a New Zealand New Year getaway that welcomes 2028 in the beauty of the Sounds, turning the most wonderful time of year into a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
  • The spectacle of the season is a 17-night Transpacific adventure departing from Honolulu. Swapping the long-haul flight for a Pacific crossing, travellers can journey across the world’s largest ocean before arriving in Australia in bold, unforgettable style.

Voyager of the Seas – From Brisbane, Australia

  • Bringing the heat to the Sunshine State from October 2027, Voyager will deliver 29 sun-soaked holidays ranging from two to 25 nights, turning Queensland into the launchpad for memory-maxing adventures and more weekends for families and friends to experience the ultimate getaway.
  • Starting at the beginning of the Queensland summer holidays, travellers can go from Brisbane to beyond beautiful 7-night South Pacific adventures visiting the brand-new Royal Beach Club Lelepa, along with Noumea, Lifou, Mystery Island, Port Vila and Luganville, including Christmas and New Year escapes.
  • Closer to home, 4-night Whitsundays getaways to Airlie Beach, alongside six vibrant short escapes, put bragworthy beach days in Queensland’s own backyard.
  • For those ready to go bigger, a spectacular 25-night Transpacific adventure departing Seattle calls French Polynesia and Hawaii before arriving in Brisbane.

With two iconic ships owning the lineup, the 2027-28 season brings bold adventures to maximise every moment at sea. Thrill-seekers can reach new heights on the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, master the waves on the FlowRider surf simulator, enjoy sweeping 360-degree ocean views from the North Star observation capsule, and have a friendly face off in the glow-in-the-dark Battle for Planet Z laser tag clash. When it’s time to refuel, holidaymakers can discover flavours from around the world, including fresh sashimi at Izumi, premium steaks at Chops Grille, and rustic Italian classics at Giovanni’s Table. World-class entertainment is the star of the show on both ships as Anthem hits the high notes with the Olivier Award-winning phenomenon “We Will Rock You,” while Voyager dazzles with the ice-skating spectacular “Ice Odyssey,” where professional skaters bring the magic and mystery of tarot cards to the rink.

More details on the 2027-28 holidays are available on Royal Caribbean’s website.

About Royal Caribbean  
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line’s game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with industry-leading innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills and ways to chill, to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 23 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including the vacation brand’s Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas, plus four new signature destinations joining the growing lineup by 2027.  

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor. 

Opening in 2027, Royal Beach Club Lelepa will debut Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive cruise destination in the South Pacific, delivering the ultimate beach day for guests sailing from Australia. Travelers can unwind on two pristine beaches, take on adventure with a nature trail, snorkeling and kayaking, and enjoy locally inspired cuisine with 10 bars and all-inclusive island eats.
Opening in 2027, Royal Beach Club Lelepa will debut Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive cruise destination in the South Pacific, delivering the ultimate beach day for guests sailing from Australia. Travelers can unwind on two pristine beaches, take on adventure with a nature trail, snorkeling and kayaking, and enjoy locally inspired cuisine with 10 bars and all-inclusive island eats.
Anthem of the Seas offers a lineup of thrilling experiences. From the RipCord by iFly sky diving experience to the North Star glass observation capsule that takes vacationers more than 300 feet above the ocean, to robust culinary and drink experiences, there are adventures for guests of all ages.
Anthem of the Seas offers a lineup of thrilling experiences. From the RipCord by iFly sky diving experience to the North Star glass observation capsule that takes vacationers more than 300 feet above the ocean, to robust culinary and drink experiences, there are adventures for guests of all ages.

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Kelun-Biotech to Present the Final OS Analysis of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT) from the OptiTROP-Lung03 Study

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CHENGDU, China, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 2026 European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from March 25 to 28, 2026 (local time). At this congress, the final OS analysis from the pivotal study (OptiTROP-Lung03) of sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT, also known as SKB264/MK-2870) (佳泰莱®), a TROP2 ADC developed by Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Kelun-Biotech” or the “Company”, 6990.HK), has been selected as a Late-Breaking Abstract (LBA) (Presentation Number: LBA4). Professor Yunpeng Yang from the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center will present the findings to the global research community during a Mini Oral Session. The abstract was published on the ESMO Open.


The OptiTROP-Lung03 study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of sac-TMT monotherapy (5 mg/kg every other week) versus docetaxel for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC who have previously treated  with an EGFR-TKI and platinum-based chemotherapy. Previously reported results presented at the ASCO 2025 meeting in 137 randomized participants demonstrated that sac-TMT achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to docetaxel——the hazard ratio (HR) for BICR-assessed PFS was 0.30 (95% CI: 0.20–0.46, one-sided p<0.001) and HR for OS was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.27–0.88, one-sided p=0.007)[1]. Based on these positive results, sac-TMT received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for this indication, which has also been included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL).

At the 2026 ELCC, the final OS analysis, along with updated PFS and additional data from the OptiTROP-Lung03 study will be presented. As of December 11, 2025, the median follow-up was 23.8 months. Key highlights are as follows:

  • In the docetaxel control group, 41.3% of patients crossed over to receive sac-TMT after disease progression.
  • Considering the impact of OS from crossover treatment in the control group, adjusted and analysed by the pre-specified rank-preserving structural failure time (RPSFT) model, the median OS was 20.0 months in the sac-TMT group vs 11.2 months in the docetaxel group (HR 0.45, 95% CI: 0.28–0.73), with 18-month OS rate of 54.7% vs 9.1%. Without adjustment for subsequent sac-TMT treatment in the control group, median OS was 20.0 months vs 13.5 months (HR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.40–0.98).
  • Median PFS assessed by investigators (INV) was 7.9 months vs 2.8 months (HR 0.23, 95% CI: 0.15-0.35).

Notably, based on another study, the OptiTROP-Lung04 study, sac-TMT has been approved by the NMPA for the treatment of advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC after progression on EGFR-TKI therapy, with the findings concurrently published in The New England Journal of Medicine[2]. In this study among the EGFR-mutant NSCLC population who have progressed after prior EGFR-TKI and platinum-based chemotherapy, sac-TMT demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful increase in overall survival,with a median OS of 20 months. The consistent positive findings from two pivotal registrational studies further reinforce sac-TMT’s leading position in the treatment landscape for pre-treated EGFR-mutant NSCLC, offering a more definitive and long-term survival benefit option for patients with advanced lung cancer.

About Sac-TMT

Sac-TMT, a core product of the Company, is a novel human TROP2 ADC in which the Company has proprietary intellectual property rights, targeting advanced solid tumors such as NSCLC, breast cancer (BC), gastric cancer (GC), gynecological tumors, among others. Sac-TMT is developed with a novel linker to conjugate the payload, a belotecan-derivative topoisomerase I inhibitor with a drug-to-antibody-ratio (DAR) of 7.4. Sac-TMT specifically recognizes TROP2 on the surface of tumor cells by recombinant anti-TROP2 humanized monoclonal antibodies, which is then endocytosed by tumor cells and releases the payload KL610023 intracellularly. KL610023, as a topoisomerase I inhibitor, induces DNA damage to tumor cells, which in turn leads to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, it also releases KL610023 in the tumor microenvironment. Given that KL610023 is membrane permeable, it can enable a bystander effect, or in other words kill adjacent tumor cells.

In May 2022, the Company licensed the exclusive rights to MSD (the tradename of Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA) to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize sac-TMT in all territories outside of Greater China (which includes Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan).

To date, four indications for sac-TMT have been approved and marketed in China for: EGFR mutant-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC following progression on EGFR-TKI therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy; unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received at least two prior systemic therapies (at least one of them for advanced or metastatic setting); EGFR mutant-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who progressed after treatment with EGFR-TKI therapy; unresectable or metastatic HR+/HER2- (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) BC who have received prior ET and at least one line of chemotherapy in advanced setting. The first two indications listed above have been included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL). This inclusion is expected to bring clinical benefits to a greater number of patients with BC and NSCLC. Additionally, sac-TMT has been granted six Breakthrough Therapy Designations (BTDs) by the NMPA.

Sac-TMT is the world’s first TROP2 ADC drug approved for marketing in lung cancer. As of today, Kelun-Biotech has initiated 9 registrational clinical studies in China. MSD is evaluating 17 ongoing Phase III global clinical studies of sac-TMT as a monotherapy or with pembrolizumab or other anti-cancer agents for several types of cancer. These studies are sponsored and led by MSD.

About Kelun-Biotech

Kelun-Biotech (6990.HK) is a holding subsidiary of Kelun Pharmaceutical, which focuses on the R&D, manufacturing, commercialization and global collaboration of innovative biological drugs and small molecule drugs. Kelun-Biotech focuses on major disease areas such as solid tumors, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases, and in establishing a globalized drug development and industrialization platform to address the unmet medical needs in China and the rest of world. Kelun-Biotech is committed to becoming a leading global enterprise in the field of innovative drugs. At present, Kelun-Biotech has more than 30 ongoing key innovative drug projects, of which 4 projects with 8 indications have been approved for marketing, more than 10 projects are in the clinical stage. Kelun-Biotech has established one of the world’s leading proprietary ADC and novel DC platforms, OptiDCâ„¢, and has 2 ADC projects with 5 indications approved for marketing, and multiple ADC and novel DC assets in clinical or preclinical research stage. For more information, please visit https://en.kelun-biotech.com/.

Reference:

[1] Fang W, Li X, Wang Q, et al. Sacituzumab tirumotecan versus docetaxel for previously treated EGFR-mutant advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: open label, randomised, multicentre trial[J]. BMJ. 2025 Jun 5:389:e085680. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2025-085680.

[2] Fang W, Wu L, Meng X, et al. Sacituzumab Tirumotecan in EGFR-TKI-Resistant, EGFR-Mutated Advanced NSCLC[J]. NEJM. 2026 Jan 1;394(1):13-26. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2512071. Epub 2025 Oct 19.

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8B Opens Weixin Pay in Kazakhstan: Tourism, Aviation, E-commerce & Digital Goods

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Amid a surge in Chinese tourism to Kazakhstan with more than 876,000 visits recorded in the first 11 months of 2025, 8B is providing Kazakhstani merchants with the infrastructure needed to convert this traffic into revenue: Weixin Pay acceptance and access to the Weixin/WeChat ecosystem of 1.4 billion users. 

SINGAPORE, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 8B, a cross-border QR payment provider focused on emerging markets across Asia, has launched Weixin Pay acceptance for merchants throughout Kazakhstan. The integration allows businesses in tourism, retail, HoReCa, and transportation to accept payments directly from Chinese tourists via Weixin Pay, the payment service used by many Chinese consumers for everyday transactions. 

In the first 11 months of 2025, Chinese tourist arrivals in Kazakhstan exceeded 876,000 visitors, already surpassing the full-year total of 655,000 recorded in 2024. The year 2025 has been officially designated the Year of Chinese Tourism in Kazakhstan, with both countries actively implementing bilateral initiatives to expand travel flows. 

Chinese travelers are also among the highest-spending visitors to the country. The average Chinese tourist spends around $1,000 per trip, with the total contribution to Kazakhstan’s economy in 2025 estimated at $500 million. 

Until now, however, Kazakhstani merchants faced a structural challenge: there was no simple way to enable Weixin Pay, the primary payment tool used by the overwhelming majority of Chinese travelers abroad. 8B addresses this gap. 

What Weixin Pay Integration Means for Merchants 

Weixin Pay is more than just a payment method. It represents the financial layer of the broader Weixin/WeChat ecosystem, which determines how hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers discover, evaluate, and interact with businesses abroad. 

A merchant that accepts Weixin Pay gains more than payment capability – they gain visibility within the Weixin/WeChat ecosystem itself. 

Through integration with 8B, Kazakhstani merchants become eligible to appear in the Weixin Pay Global Gift Pack mini-program, an in-app feature within Weixin/WeChat that recommends partner merchants to Chinese users during their international travels. 

For an airline, tour operator, or retail business, being featured in Global Gift Pack is comparable to receiving a native recommendation inside an app that travelers open dozens of times a day throughout their trip. 

The logic is simple: a Chinese traveler who cannot pay with Weixin Pay will often choose a competitor who offers it. Merchants without Weixin Pay are effectively invisible to a significant share of Kazakhstan’s fastest-growing tourist segment. 

Kazakhstan: The Numbers Behind the Launch 

In 2024, Kazakhstan welcomed 28.6 million international visitors, making it one of the most active tourism markets in Central Asia. Among them, Chinese visitors represent the fastest-growing segment with the highest average spending. The rapid growth in Chinese tourism is not a temporary surge. It reflects the structural recovery of China’s outbound tourism after years of restrictions, combined with Kazakhstan’s targeted efforts to position itself as a key destination for Chinese travelers. 

Direct air connectivity between China and Kazakhstan has expanded significantly, with flights operating to Almaty, Astana, and regional destinations. While infrastructure for hosting Chinese tourists has been developing quickly, the infrastructure needed to capture and convert their spending, particularly payment acceptance, has lagged behind. 8B was built specifically to close this gap. 

First Partners and Market Coverage 

The rollout of Weixin Pay in Kazakhstan begins with the travel and transportation sectors, where the majority of Chinese tourist spending is concentrated. 

At the same time, merchants in education, tourism services, retail, restaurants, and entertainment are being onboarded in Almaty and Astana, the two cities with the largest influx of Chinese visitors. The platform was designed for scale from the outset: any merchant in Kazakhstan can connect Weixin Pay through 8B without the technical or compliance barriers that historically made cross-border acquiring inaccessible for small and medium-sized businesses. In Kazakhstan, this is supported through Zesta LLP, a licensed local payment organization (License No. 02-23-179), ensuring full regulatory compliance for every transaction. 

“Kazakhstan is experiencing a real boom in Chinese tourism, and the merchants who benefit most will be those who allow guests to pay the way they do at home. For Chinese travelers, Weixin Pay is not an alternative payment method – it is part of everyday life. The mission of 8B is to ensure Kazakhstani businesses keep pace with this demand rather than losing it due to payment infrastructure limitations.”  â€” Bogdan Zadorozhny, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, 8B

“Kazakhstan is exactly the type of market where Weixin Pay creates immediate and measurable value for Chinese travelers. When our users travel abroad, they expect the same seamless payment experience they enjoy at home. Through our partnership with 8B, merchants across tourism, HoReCa, and retail in Kazakhstan can now meet this expectation and position themselves directly in front of millions of Chinese consumers choosing Central Asia as their next destination. We are proud to support Kazakhstan’s rise as a top destination for Chinese tourists.” — Deven Chen, Director, WeChat Pay Business Group for Northeast Asia and Central Asia

Kazakhstani merchants interested in enabling Weixin Pay through 8B can get started at www.8b.world or reach the team directly at dk@8b.world

About 8B

8B is a cross-border QR payment provider serving fintech, e-commerce, and travel platforms. The company operates across Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, connecting businesses to local payment rails operated by central banks and leading fintech companies. 

About Weixin Pay 

Weixin Pay is the mobile payment solution integrated within the Weixin/WeChat application and is one of China’s leading mobile payment services. Its mission is to provide users and businesses with secure, convenient, and professional payment experiences. In China, Weixin Pay covers nearly every aspect of daily life, both online and offline. The cross-border Weixin Pay service is available in 78 countries and regions, supports 36 currencies, and covers a wide range of scenarios including restaurants, retail, transportation, tourism attractions, and education payments – helping international merchants effectively serve Chinese consumers. 

Contact

Daria Kashurina, dk@8b.world, +34 698 993 638

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The hidden home costs rising faster than your mortgage

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Home owners facing another rate rise wondering how they’re going to make ends meet. But even those who have paid off their mortgage are counting the cost of everyday life and hoping they can keep the bills paid.

This week, the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.10 per cent, the second of back-to-back hikes amid persistent inflationary pressures.

The cash rate hike will have a major impact on borrowers, making it a tough time financially as higher mortgage repayments become the norm. Calculations from Finder based on the average loan repayments for a loan of $736,259 suggest that the average borrower will have to pay $118 more per month, or $1,416 per year.

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But beyond the mortgage, the cost of everything else related to home ownership has been rising as well, and there is simply nothing left in the budget to absorb it.

In fact, every major household cost has outpaced wages. Home and contents insurance alone has risen by nearly three times the rate of pay.

Read more: Rates are up but is now the time to refinance

Not keeping up

While wages have risen by 19.2 per cent since 2020, inflation has risen by 29.7 per cent, meaning Australians have lost around 10 percentage points of purchasing power in five years.

Analysis of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics data paints a pretty grim picture.

The standout cost increases include:

. Home and contents insurance up 51 per cent, from $1,940 to $2,938 annually

. Electricity up 23.4 per cent out of pocket, but 44.1 per cent at true market price, with a record 32.2 per cent spike in the past year alone as government rebates ended

. Health insurance up 19.33 per cent since 2021, with the 2026 rise of 4.41 per cent the steepest yet

. Internet up 23.2 per cent since 2020, with the sharpest jump coming between 2024 and 2025

The monthly cost of internet has risen by 23.2 per cent between 2020 and 2025, electricity has risen by 23.4 per cent, home and contents insurance premiums have experienced a rapid surge between 2020 and early 2026, with average costs rising by 51 per cent between 2020 and early 2026.

Read more: Rate rise confirmed: Here is how much your mortgage will now increase

Among household utility costs internet charges are up 23.2 per cent since 2020, with the sharpest jump coming between 2024 and 2025.
Among household utility costs internet charges are up 23.2 per cent since 2020, with the sharpest jump coming between 2024 and 2025. Credit: View

Stress test

The cost of living in a house has become so expensive that a staggering 84 per cent of Australians experiencing bill stress over the last 12 months, with three in 10 reporting extreme levels.

ING research into bill shock follows a significant rise in utility costs over the last 12 months, with electricity bills rising by 13 per cent and gas bills by 4.3 per cent.

The data also reveals the point at which the average Australian begins to feel financially stressed about their monthly household bills (including rent, electricity, insurance, water etc) is when the total bill exceeds $2,021.

No rent relief

Ray White’s chief economist Nerida Conisbee says higher interest rates on the back of the recent cash rate rise will do nothing to calm rental growth and may also further discourage new housing construction.

The good news is that those who can hold steady will see the value of their home continue to rise, Conisbee says.

“Australia’s housing market has remained resilient despite higher interest rates, Prices rose strongly in 2025, supported by population growth and constrained supply,” she said.

“Higher borrowing costs will limit borrowing capacity and slow price growth in 2026, but the underlying shortage of homes means upward pressure on prices and rents is likely to continue.”

Power in switching

Being sure to switch electricity and insurance providers at least once a year can save homeowners hundreds a year, says Kate Browne, head of research and insights at Compare Club.

“The rule of thumb with energy is that if you’ve been with the same energy supplier for more than a year, then there’s a very good chance that you’re overpaying for your electricity. In deregulated markets, we’re seeing savings of $600 a year in NSW, $300 in Victoria and around $502 in the Australian Capital Territory,” Browne says.

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Breakthrough at 2026 AACR! Senhwa Biosciences’ CX-5461 Enters the Field of Photodynamic Therapy, Opening a New Indication Strategy

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TAIPEI and SAN DIEGO, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. (TPEx: 6492), a clinical stage company focusing on development of first-in-class therapeutics for oncology, rare diseases, and infectious diseases, today announced that its first-in-class investigational drug Pidnarulex (CX-5461) has demonstrated a significant research breakthrough in the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The research findings have been selected for presentation at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)—one of the world’s most influential conferences in oncology research—highlighting the innovation of the mechanism and its promising clinical development potential recognized by the international scientific community.

In recent years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has increasingly emerged as a promising cancer treatment strategy attracting strong interest from the global pharmaceutical industry. Several major pharmaceutical companies—including Novartis, AstraZeneca, and Roche—have actively invested in related research, acquisitions, and collaborations, exploring the integration of next-generation photosensitizers with photo-immunotherapy approaches.

The pre-clinical study shows that CX-5461 possesses photosensitizing properties. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, the compound generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative DNA damage and enhanced cancer cell death through both direct cytotoxicity and immune-mediated mechanisms. Under the same drug concentration conditions, cytotoxicity against cancer cells increased by approximately ten-fold.

Further investigation revealed that CX-5461’s binding to G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures works synergistically with light-induced ROS generation, significantly enhancing anti-tumor activity and prolonging survival. These findings suggest that, beyond its established anti-cancer mechanisms, CX-5461 also has the potential to be developed as a novel photosensitizer for photodynamic and novel photoimmuno-therapy.

This emerging therapeutic strategy could potentially be applied to superficial tumors, skin cancers, and other localized treatment settings, enabling a cross-indication cancer treatment approach and opening new clinical applications in oncology.

The AACR Annual Meeting serves as a premier global platform for validating groundbreaking science and presenting first-in-class mechanisms of action. Research presented at AACR frequently shapes future directions in biomedical innovation and often facilitates strategic collaborations, licensing agreements, and co-development opportunities with global pharmaceutical companies. Selection of this study for presentation further enhances the global visibility of CX-5461 in the field of innovative cancer therapeutics.

The research will be presented during the “Radiation and Photodynamic Therapy Response Modifiers” clinical research session at the AACR 2026 Annual Meeting. Jason Huang, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Senhwa Biosciences, and Kai‑Wei Hsueh, Ph.D., Associate Director of Clinical Research, will attend the conference and present the findings.

Photodynamic therapy is a medical technology that combines a photosensitizing agent with specific wavelengths of light to activate the compound and generate singlet oxygen or free radicals, selectively destroying diseased cells or tissues. It is widely considered a minimally invasive treatment modality with relatively low systemic toxicity. PDT has already been applied in a range of diseases, including skin cancers, head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, and cervical cancer.

Market research also indicates continued growth in the global photodynamic therapy market. The oncology-focused PDT market was estimated at approximately USD 3.54 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.89 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7–8%. With the increasing demand for precision oncology and minimally invasive therapies, photodynamic therapy is emerging as a key area of interest for global pharmaceutical development.

Senhwa Biosciences stated that the newly identified mechanism and application of CX-5461 in photodynamic therapy further demonstrate the compound’s potential as a multi-platform innovative anti-cancer therapeutic. The company will continue advancing related research and clinical development while actively exploring international partnerships and licensing opportunities to accelerate the global development of next-generation cancer treatments.

Source: Senhwa Biosciences, Inc.

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Senate Democrats send DHS counteroffer to Trump as shutdown drags on

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Sen. Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to the media as Cabinet officials deliver congressional briefings on Iran at the Capitol in Washington, March 3, 2026.

Heather Diehl | Getty Images

Congressional Democrats sent a new counteroffer to the White House to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, a step that may indicate a thaw in the shutdown of the agency that began Feb. 14.

The shutdown comes as Democrats demand changes to how federal immigration enforcement operates in exchange for releasing the funding after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by DHS officers in Minneapolis. The Democrats and President Donald Trump‘s White House have been trading proposals for over a month but have not yet clinched a deal.

The latest Democratic counteroffer was sent late last night, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the private negotiations. The person declined to detail what’s in the Democrats’ latest volley.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations, told CNBC the White House has received the counteroffer and is reviewing it. The official also did not offer any details included in the Democrats’ latest proposal.

Later Tuesday, the White House rec detailed what it is offering in a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Katie Britt, R-Ala. The letter was obtained by MS Now.

The letter, written by Border Czar Tom Homan and Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs James Braid, said the administration has “offered to codify improved operational guidelines to its immigration enforcement operations.”

Among the administration’s concessions are greater adoption and enforcement of body camera use, limiting enforcement at hospitals and schools, increased enforcement of visible officer identification, increasing oversight requirements of DHS detention facilities and codifying a practice of not knowingly arresting U.S. citizens unless they commit a crime.

Some of the concessions, however, are assertions that the administration will abide by statutes already codified in law.

The letter from the White House is the first indication of what the Trump administration is willing to agree to in the monthslong talks. Democrats have not detailed how they have budged in their latest counteroffer.

Democrats on Tuesday said the administration’s concessions still fall short.

“They’ve got to get serious,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “The key issues of warrants when you bust in someone’s house, the key issue of identity of police, no masks, they haven’t budged on those, they’ve got to get serious.”

Read more CNBC politics coverage

The shutdown at DHS has been less disruptive than last year’s record-long broader government shutdown. Much of DHS is considered essential, meaning employees are continuing to work without pay.

But the effects of the funding lapse are being seen in airports, where Transportation Security Administration agents are quitting or calling out rather than working without pay. They and other DHS employees missed their first full paychecks last week. The shortage of agents has caused massive pileups at security checkpoints.

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Wealthy golden visa holders evacuated from UAE as Iran conflict escalates

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As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East for the third week, people are looking to evacuate the region — not only tourists, but also golden visa holders.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in an X post that the government has “implement[ed] evacuation plans and facilitate[d] the return of around 500 UAE golden visa holders and residents stranded abroad.”

The post said the actions are “part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all who live in the UAE, at all times and wherever they may be.”

MAJOR AIRLINE SUSPENDS ABU DHABI FLIGHTS UNTIL END OF YEAR AMID AIRSPACE ‘UNCERTAINTY’

The UAE closed its airspace Tuesday after threats from incoming missile and drone ​threats from Iran opening operations shortly after, Reuters reported.

Golden visas have been booming across the globe, attracting some of America’s wealthiest seeking tax havens, safety and warmer weather.

airplane in dubai flying over town

The UAE announces it has evacuated 500 golden visa holders from the Middle East amid current tensions. (AFP via Getty Images)

Mo Bennis, an associate vice president at Arton Capital, a global financial advisory and consultancy firm, told Fox News Digital that geopolitical tensions highlight the value of mobility.

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“Moments like this inevitably remind people of the importance of having mobility and optionality in an increasingly unpredictable world,” said Bennis.

airplane flying over city with smoke in dubai

The UAE closed its airspace Tuesday after threats from incoming missile and drone ​threats from Iran. (AFP via Getty Images)

“In recent days, authorities moved fast to support residents stranded abroad, arranging returns, activating contingency plans and even providing temporary accommodation,” he said. 

“The message is unmistakable: The country stands behind those who call it home.”

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Bennis said the UAE’s response should become a case study for how countries should support their citizens during times of geopolitical uncertainty.

“The UAE golden visa holders are not just investors; they are part of the national fabric,” he said. 

Iran's strikes on UAE

“The UAE golden visa holders are not just investors; they are part of the national fabric,” said one expert. (Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images)

To qualify for the UAE golden visa as an investor, individuals must make a substantial financial investment — such as placing at least $545,000 in a UAE fund or business, or holding an ownership share of similar value in a company. 

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The visa lasts for 10 years.

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Arton Capital’s Passport Index ranked the UAE as the most stable, providing freedom of mobility.

Reuters contributed reporting.

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Cheerble Opens Pre-Orders for Match G1 AI Pet Feeder Following CES 2026 Debut

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HONG KONG, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cheerble today opened pre-orders for the Pet Feeder Match G1, an AI-powered feeding system that uses facial recognition to identify cats and control food access. The product, which debuted at CES 2026 in January, is now available for purchase.

Solving Multi-Cat Feeding Without Wearables

Match G1 targets a specific problem in the 42% of U.S. cat-owning households with multiple cats: preventing food theft and managing individual diets. Traditional solutions require RFID collars or microchip implants. Match G1 uses on-device facial recognition instead.

The system was trained on more than 1,000 cats across multiple breeds. Recognition accuracy reaches 99.9% according to Cheerble’s testing. The feeder identifies cats within 25 centimeters, grants or denies access, and logs each feeding session through a companion mobile app.

All processing occurs locally on the device. No video uploads to cloud servers. The camera activates only during feeding attempts. A physical hood structure prevents unauthorized access even if recognition fails.

Development took nearly three years, with the bulk of engineering focused on two technical challenges: maintaining recognition accuracy across different lighting conditions and cat aging, and processing visual data fast enough to function as a real-time access control system.

Recognition from Tech Media

Tech outlets covering CES 2026 focused on the product’s facial recognition implementation. Interesting Engineering called it the “world’s first facial recognition feeder with 99.9% accuracy for multi-cat homes.” Android Headlines included it in their annual “Best of CES” product selections. TechTimes used the term “Feline Face ID” in their coverage.

Built for Daily Use in Multi-Pet Homes

Beyond AI recognition, Match G1 addresses practical feeding concerns. The whisker-friendly bowl shape reduces stress during meals, a common issue for cats with sensitive whiskers. Dishwasher-safe stainless steel components make cleanup straightforward for owners managing multiple pets. An integrated ice pack slot preserves wet food freshness between feedings. The system supports up to six cat profiles, accommodating households as cats are added over time.

Users can set feeding schedules, portion limits, and access windows through the Cheerble app. The system continues operating offline once configured. If Wi-Fi drops, scheduled feedings proceed without interruption.

Pricing and Availability

Match G1 is priced at $259. Pre-orders opening March 17, 2026 receive from 23% off, bringing the price to $199. The pre-order discount is available for a limited time at the Pre-order Page. First units ship in late May 2026.

About Cheerble

Founded in 2016, Cheerble pioneers smart pet technology designed to enhance quality of life for pets and their owners. Focusing on innovation, sustainability, and enrichment, Cheerble’s products serve millions of pet owners across more than 70 countries.

Instagram: @cheerble_global
Facebook: CheerbleBrand
Official Website: www.cheerble.com
Join the Match G1 Community: Cheerble Multi-Pet Family Hub

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Rate rise confirmed: Here is how much your mortgage will now increase

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Australian home owners with a mortgage are looking towards tightening their belts with interest rates rising again.

As forecast by the big four banks the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised the official cash rate 25 basis points to 4.10 per cent.

They forecast a hike as inflation sits above the RBA’s target, and the war in the Middle East puts pressure on fuel prices and in turn the greater economy,

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It is the second rate rise within two months and with banks expected to raise mortgage rates accordingly, those with a mortgage are looking at extra costs.

For someone with a $600,000 mortgage and 25 years remaining, this would translate into a $91 increase in their minimum monthly repayments according to Canstar modelling.

Across what would then be two back-to-back hikes, following February’s rise, the total increase would be $181 a month.

“This is a tough blow at a time when Aussie families are already feeling the pinch from a volatile global market. Between the rising cost of fuel and now higher mortgage repayments, financial safety nets could be pushed to breaking point,” said Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder

Rises in the regions

Around the country mortgage holders can expect to see their payments rise with exclusive modelling by Canstar for ACM showing the following impact.

All amounts are based on a mortgage being taken out with a 20 per cent deposit for a median priced house in each area.

In the country’s largest regional city, Newcastle, monthly repayments are expected to rise by $130 a month on a loan for a median priced house of $1.075 million.

In Wollongong, the rise in monthly repayments would rise by $139 a month on a loan for a median priced house of $1.145 million.

In Canberra the increase is $127 monthly on a loan for a median price house of $1.051 million.

Homeowners in the Victorian centre of Ballarat can expect monthly payments to rise by $80 a month on a loan for a median price house of $659,476.

In Bendigo the rise is $82 a month on a loan for a median price house of $670,974.

And in Warnambool monthly repayments will rise by $72 on a loan for a median price house of $670,974.

Belt tightening will also be underway in Tasmania with mortgage holders in Launceston, where the median house price is $605,160 and the rate rise will see mortgage prices jump by $73 a month.

Impact on buyers and sellers

The decision by the RBA to combat inflation by increasing interest rates for the second time this year will likely reduce borrowing capacity and soften buyer confidence according to a leading real estate analyst.

Group Head of Research and Business Intelligence, Mathew Tiller, said a strong Australian economy, buoyed by a stable jobs market, has enabled the RBA to take swift action.

It will also be monitoring conflict in the Middle East and fears of a looming oil crisis.

“What happens in the Middle East will matter for Australians, and how much of an impact really depends on how long the conflict drags on,” Mr Tiller said.

“The first impact will be higher fuel and energy prices, and if it continues, that could broaden into higher shipping and import costs. This is the sort of thing that the RBA will be watching closely, and it adds to the case of interest rates staying higher for longer.”

On the property front uncertain times are also having an impact.

Auction clearance rates are slightly down from 12 months ago; however, listing volume has increased.

Data from recent weeks suggests vendors are opting to take attractive early offers rather than put their property under the hammer according to Mr Tiller.

However he said the current situation may create some opportunities for first home buyers with an increase in listings creating new opportunities to take their first steps on the property ladder.

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‘Significant, but not catastrophic’: A fall in Chinese visitors barely dents tourism numbers to Japan

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Visitors (L) dressed in kimonos look at photos they took during a visit to Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa district of central Tokyo on September 16, 2025.

Richard A. Brooks | Afp | Getty Images

After living in Tokyo for over a year, Karin Nordin noticed something peculiar. The hot spring towns of Kusatsu and Zao — normally packed with Chinese tourists — had thinned.

“We have seen less mainland Chinese tourists in Tokyo,” the 33-year-old Malaysian told CNBC after returning from Japan in early 2026.

Hotel prices in tourist areas appear to have stabilized and no longer spike during holidays observed by mainland China, unlike previous years.

Nordin’s experience is representative of Japan’s wider tourism landscape, which saw Chinese tourists stay away from Asia’s third largest economy amid a diplomatic spat that started last November over comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Data from the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) revealed that the number of arrivals from mainland China plunged over 60% year on year in January, but overall tourist numbers were just down 4.9% year on year.

In December, the number of Chinese tourists plunged 43.3%, but the overall number of tourist arrivals from all countries climbed 3.7%.

Before November, mainland Chinese tourists were one of the largest groups heading to Japan.

Tourists from elsewhere

Where are these other tourists coming from? JNTO numbers suggest that more tourists are coming from South Korea and Taiwan — in January alone, South Korean tourist arrivals rose 21.6%, surpassing mainland China as the largest source of overseas visitors.

There were almost twice as many visitors from Taiwan than from China in January, with arrivals from Taiwan up 17%.

TOKYO, JAPAN – FEBRUARY 05: Tourists and shoppers walk through the Tsukiji shopping area on February 5, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.

Tomohiro Ohsumi | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Japan’s appeal to people visiting from nearby countries lies in strong short‑haul flight links, the weak yen, and its reputation as a destination that is close, culturally familiar, and safe, said Zilmiyah Kamble, senior lecturer in hospitality and tourism management at James Cook University (JCU).

When asked about the decline in tourist from mainland China, Kamble said in an email to CNBC that the decline “is significant but not catastrophic.”

Kamble said that while Chinese tourists represent one of Japan’s most valuable inbound markets, being high spenders in retail, hospitality, and luxury goods, Japan has historically had a diversified tourism portfolio, which provides a level of resilience.

Different cities for different folks

But unlike Chinese tourists, who have commonly been perceived to visit tourist heavy spots like Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo, the influx of tourists from other countries seem to be bringing travelers to other regions in Japan.

Prefectures like Shizuoka — which houses the iconic Mount Fuji, and Nara — famous for its temples and deer park, have been harder hit due to the lack of Chinese tourists, according to analysts from Oxford Economics in a Feb. 27 report.

However, places like Fukushima are popular with people from Taiwan, while golf courses and hot springs in Ehime prefecture appeal to South Korean tourists, according to Oxford Economics.

Singapore university student Cheryl Ng, who visited Hiroshima in February, told CNBC the city had a large number of Western tourists. “Like, two‑thirds of the museum were Westerners,” she said, referring to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Oxford Economics echoed that view, noting Americans, Australians, and Europeans are attracted to Hiroshima’s historical sites.

Hiroshima was hit by the first ever atomic bomb on Aug. 6, 1945 as U.S. forces closed in on Imperial Japan during the waning days of World War II.

Oxford Economics noted that “given persistent yen weakness, we think the overall tourist numbers are likely to stay robust, although an increase from the current level is unlikely given the shortage of accommodation.”

David Mann, chief economist for Asia-Pacific at Mastercard, agreed: “The broader picture is still positive,” he said in an email to CNBC.

Mann noted that overall inbound arrivals to Japan are running about 34% above pre‑pandemic levels, with tourism revenue growing even faster than visitor numbers thanks to higher per‑visitor spending driven by the weak yen.

The return of Chinese tourists?

The question then is, will Chinese tourists return to Japan?

Oxford Economics analysts said tourist numbers from China are “unlikely to recover anytime soon” in the near term, saying that Japanese businesses are looking to capture demand from elsewhere.

Department stores are expanding their promotional activities in ASEAN economies, and retailers are increasing their stock of products popular with Europeans, Americans, and Southeast Asians, instead of targeting Chinese tourists, the analysts said.

Mastercard’s Mann said that it was hard to put a precise timeline on the return of Chinese tourists, but any recovery is likely to be gradual.

His sentiment was echoed by JCU’s Kamble, who noted that travel decisions are shaped not only by politics but also by consumer confidence, social media narratives, and broader economic conditions.

Other factors such as airline connectivity, disposable income, and diplomatic stability will also play a role, she said.

“Restoring confidence requires time, particularly in a highly connected digital information environment,” she said.

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