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Year of the Horse Kicks Off with a Multi-Category Procurement Boom on Yiwugo

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YIWU, China, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Yiwugo.com, the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world. With the 2026 Lunar New Year barely behind us, Yiwu International Trade City has set out on a new journey amid the festive atmosphere of its market reopening, carrying forward the strong momentum of 2025 and igniting a fresh wave of global procurement. As a core platform anchored in Yiwu’s physical marketplace and bridging supply and demand across the world, Yiwugo has seen rising demand across multiple product categories, including perler beads and pet toys. Orders are pouring in, painting a vivid picture of the “world’s supermarket” kicking off the Year of the Horse with remarkable vitality. It also underscores Yiwugo’s role in empowering the real economy and linking domestic and global markets.

Product images from relevant stores on Yiwugo.com
Product images from relevant stores on Yiwugo.com

Since the reopening, perler bead toys have become one of the market’s standout categories, extending the explosive growth recorded in 2025. Demand has remained strong both at home and abroad, leaving many merchants in the hectic yet enviable position of scrambling to keep up with customers’ requests for restocking.

Yan Lijuan, owner of Bright Toys on Yiwugo, has been in the industry for seven years. The company specializes in 2.6 mm perler beads, handmade beaded products, and related items. Since the perler bead market surged in the second half of 2025, her business has entered a period of rapid expansion. Orders from domestic and international markets are now roughly evenly split, including purchases from several high-quality Amazon clients. On peak days, order volumes can reach as high as RMB 20,000. Such a robust demand has carried over from last year into the new market-opening season, keeping her workshop running at full capacity.

With Yiwugo’s support, Set Sail DIY Gift Firm, another business long engaged in the perler bead industry, has grown from an export-oriented enterprise into one thriving in both domestic and international markets. Its owner, Wu Yin, has been involved in the production and sales of perler beads since 2013. In the early years, she capitalized on Yiwugo’s strengths to introduce 5 mm perler beads to overseas markets. Known for their premium quality—eco-friendly and non-toxic, free of burrs and holes, and featuring a high melting point and remarkable durability—the products quickly gained popularity in Spain, Mexico, Chile, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Through Yiwugo’s precise business matchmaking, these high-quality perler beads have built a stable and loyal customer base, including a Spanish client who has maintained the partnership for more than a decade, with monthly purchases consistently ranging from RMB 30,000 to RMB 50,000.

As demand for perler beads surges in China, Yiwugo’s market insights and extensive customer network have also encouraged overseas buyers to source 2.6 mm perler beads, creating a positive cycle in which domestic and international markets energize and empower each other. Today, Set Sail DIY Gift Firm offers up to 296 color options for the Chinese market, while its international product line includes more than 70 varieties. Such a broad portfolio enables the company to meet the diverse needs of customers across different markets.

Since the beginning of the Year of the Horse, one of Wu Yin’s long-standing clients in Wuhan has referred 15 owners of brick-and-mortar handmade craft stores from across China to her. Meanwhile, a steady flow of accurately matched Yiwugo customers from Wuhan, Shanghai, Lanzhou, and other regions has provided fresh impetus for the growth of Set Sail DIY Gift Firm. On the day of our interview alone, Wu Yin secured two trial orders from new clients via Yiwugo, each valued at RMB 10,000. The outstanding quality of her products has left her highly confident in winning repeat orders.

The surging popularity of perler beads is by no means an isolated phenomenon. On Yiwugo, other categories such as pet toys have also seen a strong start to the trading season. Their emergence as frequently searched products in overseas markets highlights Yiwugo’s diversified and forward-looking category strategy.

With Yiwugo’s support, Ninghai Dougez Pet Products Co., Ltd. is exporting its products to Europe, the United States, South America, Southeast Asia, Japan, the ROK, and other countries and regions. Its operator, Lu Yanfei, has devoted 18 years to this industry and runs a modern factory integrating manufacturing and sales. Recently, procurement demand for pet toys on Yiwugo has continued to grow, while customer preferences have become increasingly segmented: some buyers prioritize premium quality, whereas others place greater emphasis on value for money. Among these products, electric cat teaser wands have seen particularly strong demand in the US and Southeast Asian markets, with Dougez’s top-performing clients purchasing up to 20,000 units per month. At the same time, a steady stream of high-quality overseas buyers, precisely matched and connected through Yiwugo, has provided the company with sustained confidence in expanding its global presence.

From the perler bead boom at home and abroad to the growing overseas demand for pet toys, each wave of activity on Yiwugo offers a vivid testament to the dynamism of the “world’s supermarket”. Anchored in Yiwu’s physical marketplace and powered by digital technology, the platform bridges offline stores with buyers around the world. It helps local merchants bring their premium products beyond Chinato the international stage, while enabling overseas buyers to source directly from primary suppliers without ever leaving home. With the Year of the Horse off to a strong start, Yiwugo will continue to capitalize on its strengths to help more merchants capture business opportunities, enhance the global influence of Yiwu’s small commodities, and usher in a new chapter in the high-quality development of the “world’s supermarket”.

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MOVA Unveils the “Infinite Smart Universe” at AWE, Presenting the Vision of All-Scenario Smart Living

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SHANGHAI, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — After its stunning debut at AWE last year, global premium smart technology brand MOVA is set to make a strong return in 2026 with significant technological and brand evolution. This year, MOVA’s exhibition scale has expanded sixfold compared to its debut, unveiling a 768㎡ “Infinite Smart Living Pavilion” and a 744㎡ “Immersive Technology Experience Pavilion”. From deep specialization in the cleaning sector, MOVA now extends across multiple product domains, including major kitchen appliances, consumer electronics, and eVTOLs. This expansion goes far beyond physical scale, representing the strategic concentration of MOVA’s technological innovation and ecological vision. The brand is evolving from a creator of excellent products into a builder of a smart ecosystem that is shaping future lifestyles.

This year, two themed Pavilions are designed to work in synergy to present MOVA’s comprehensive ecosystem. At the Infinite Smart Living Pavilion, the famous Chinese actor Song Weilong will engage with MOVA products and share his user experience, offering a personal perspective on how technology enhances daily life. Meanwhile, the Immersive Tech Pavilion debuts the MOVA chip.


Deep Evolution: From Single-Task Cleaning to All-Scenario Awareness in an Infinite Smart Ecosystem

At this year’s AWE, MOVA’s 768㎡ “Infinite Smart Living Pavilion” fully showcases the brand’s strategic evolution from a leader in smart cleaning to a builder of comprehensive smart living. The pavilion brings together 20 product lines, including cleaning appliances and kitchen appliances, forming an integrated ecosystem spanning cleaning, dining, creation, and climate control. This expansion underscores MOVA’s transformation from a single-category technology leader into a comprehensive architect of full-scenario smart living.

After attracting global attention at CES, the MOVA Pilot 70 overcomes the single-floor cleaning limitations of traditional robot vacuums through the innovative integration of a drone and a transport module. The drone is equipped with a flight control system, a fusion perception system, and a 6-fold active protection design, enabling it to safely and precisely transport the vacuum to upper floors, balconies, or even glass-roofed sunrooms. This breakthrough significantly extends cleaning coverage to previously inaccessible areas.

MOVA unveils its new flagship robot vacuum, the Z70 Pro, delivering a smart evolution in whole-home cleaning with three MOVA-first* innovations. The Z70 Pro features MOVA’s first InfiniteEye™ technology, allowing users to label specific objects and customize cleaning strategies—getting closer to trash cans and table legs for deep coverage while keeping a safe distance from vases and mirrors to avoid collisions. For battery performance, it introduces MOVA’s first* Smart-Protect Fast Charging Technology. A 6,400mAh battery with intelligent temperature control enables 30%* faster charging and smart recharging during cleaning cycles, extending runtime and lifespan. To address edge-cleaning challenges, MOVA’s AI-Powered Dynamic Edge Technology automatically retracts the roller by 10mm* upon wall contact, ensuring thorough edge coverage while protecting walls.

Designed to tackle the challenges of deep cleaning, the X60 Ultra Steam floor washer resolves three major pain points: sterilization and stain removal, edge-to-edge coverage, and flexible maneuverability. It debuts* a dual-mode steam and hot water cleaning system, combining the sanitizing power of 200°C* steam with the rapid stain-dissolving ability of 90°C* hot water. The result is ultra-hygienic deep cleaning—instantly breaking down stubborn grease and sauce stains while delivering bacterial removal. The product features the industry-leading Fin AI Mechanical Arm and Running Water Cleaning Disc, breaking the structural limitations of traditional floor washers to achieve zero-gap* edge cleaning on the left, right, and front sides. With an ultra-slim 9.9cm body design, it can easily reach traditional cleaning blind spots such as under beds and cabinets.

In the vacuum category, MOVA has unveiled its next-generation flagship model, the Z200 Ultra, featuring the revolutionary “Handheld Station” technology. The core breakthrough lies in MOVA’s first* handheld vacuum with a large-capacity integrated dust bag. It eliminates the need for frequent dust cup emptying, enabling vacuuming and dust collection in one go. The innovative dust bag design, combined with a dedicated hygiene mode and H14-grade HEPA filtration, forms a comprehensive hygiene protection system that maintains a consistently clean internal environment. Users can enjoy up to 45 days* of maintenance-free operation, making daily cleaning more effortless and worry-free. In addition, the Z200 Ultra is equipped with MOVA’s first* Dynamic Dual-Action Pressure System, which automatically adjusts brush performance to different floor conditions, enhancing cleaning efficiency with every push and pull. Working in tandem with the front-mounted mechanical arm structure, it further improves front-edge precision cleaning, making it easier to reach tight areas such as corners and table legs for a more effortless and efficient cleaning experience.

MOVA T1 Station window cleaning robot elevates the cleaning dimension from horizontal surfaces to vertical facades. T1 Station introduces MOVA’s first* warm water window cleaning technology, using 40°C water to soften stains and adhesive residue on glass surfaces for deep cleaning. It is equipped with NooksErasing™ edge-cleaning technology—integrating side brushes into the four corners of the square cleaning pad to ensure real-time edge-to-edge fit along window frames, significantly improving edge coverage. The BoostBay™ multi-function base station supports long runtime and automatic cable retraction for enhanced convenience.

At the “Infinite Smart Living Pavilion,” visitors will experience a reality: true smart living begins with cleaning, yet opens up infinite possibilities.

Beyond Boundaries: From Chip-Level Innovation to an Expanding Smart Ecosystem

MOVA has unveiled not only the Infinite Smart Living Pavilion but also a dedicated Immersive Technology Experience Zone, showcasing its cross-category ecosystem expansion. The zone brings together multiple product lines—including 3D printing, energy storage, and eVTOLs. Through interactive displays, the space transforms into a hands-on “tech museum”. One of the highlights of this experience zone is the MOVA chip—the brand’s first publicly showcased ecosystem core.

As a key part of MOVA’s cross-category ecosystem, the Palette 300 3D printer—developed under the Atomform ecosystem brand—fully demonstrates the company’s technical expertise in precision control and system coordination. Featuring 12 fully automatically switching nozzles in a dedicated one-filament-one-nozzle configuration, it supports up to 12 materials and 36 colors when paired with six RFD-6 filament boxes, along with four different nozzle diameter options—offering unprecedented creative freedom. The streamlined design of the self-developed integrated nozzle, combined with a high-precision positioning system, ensures consistent precision during nozzle transitions. Over 50 embedded sensors and four cameras work in concert to enable five key perception systems that cover filament delivery, thermal regulation, and system stability throughout the printing process.

MOVA also introduced the MOVA LumeGret A4000 Solar Power System, an intelligent, plug-and-play home energy solution designed to maximize solar efficiency and flexibility. Featuring an integrated microinverter, battery, and solar charge controller, the system simplifies installation while supporting up to 3600W PV input and 4–20kWh scalable storage to adapt to different household energy needs. Featuring 2500W off-grid backup power, built with LumeGret Orbit™ technology, a 20-year design lifespan with up to 10,000 battery cycles, and smart energy management through app control and dynamic tariff optimization, the system helps households significantly reduce electricity costs. Under typical conditions, the system can achieve up to 79% self-consumption, enabling annual savings of over €1,500 and delivering an estimated 2–3 year payback period.

From cleaning to creation—MOVA is advancing through its core technological strengths to connect every dimension of smart living.

Towards Infinity, Defining the Ecosystem—MOVA embodies the vision of “Infinite Smart Universe,” transforming its deep expertise in cleaning into the foundation of an interconnected ecosystem. The unveiling of the two experience pavilions not only showcases MOVA’s strategic leap from a single category to full-scenario coverage but also marks the brand’s evolution into an architect and shaper of smart lifestyles. Here, technological breakthroughs are integrated into daily life, and product innovations evolve toward ecosystem synergy. A truly human-centric, borderless new world of smart living is unfolding.

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Former DHS Sec. Jeh Johnson: We can’t tie policy disagreements to keeping the government funded

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Former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson joins ‘Squawk Box’ to discuss the TSA staffing shortages, impact on travel, DHS funding battle, the Iran war, and more.

09:40

Fri, Mar 13 20268:40 AM EDT

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DPC Dash Ltd (1405.HK) to Announce Full Year 2025 Financial Results on March 25, 2026

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HONG KONG, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DPC Dash Ltd – Domino’s Pizza China (“DPC Dash” or the “Company”) (1405.HK), Domino’s Pizza’s exclusive master franchisee in the China Mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, and the Macau Special Administrative Region of China, will release its audited consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025 on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

The Company will hold a conference call on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7:00 pm Hong Kong Time (or Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7:00 am Eastern Time) to discuss the financial results.

A live audio-only webcast of the call can be accessed directly at https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=nHRXnD0d.

To participate by phone, participants are strongly encouraged to pre-register for the conference call, by using the link provided below. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers, the event passcode, and a unique access PIN, which can be used to join the conference call.

Pre-registration Link: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10206649/1034ed20f15

An audio-only replay of the call will also be accessible through April 1, 2026, by dialing the following numbers:

United States Toll Free:

+1-855-669-9658

International:

+1-412-317-0088

Access Code:

2877882

Additionally, the earnings release and presentation slides for this conference call will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website www.dpcdash.com

About DPC Dash Ltd.

DPC Dash is Domino’s Pizza’s exclusive master franchisee in the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China and the Macau Special Administrative Region of China. Domino’s Pizza, Inc., DPC Dash’s global franchisor, is one of the most widely-recognized global consumer brands and the world’s largest pizza company. Led by a seasoned and visionary management team, DPC Dash is a market leader that differentiates from competitors with, among others, a continually innovated and localized pizza-focused menu, unique expertise and leadership in delivery, technology focus and scalable and replicable store economic model. DPC Dash operates 1,315 stores in 60 cities in the Chinese mainland as of December 31, 2025.

For more information, please visit www.dpcdash.com 

For official company announcements, please visit www.hkexnews.hk  

CONTACTS

DPC Dash Ltd Investor Relations:
DPC Dash Ltd
IR@dominos.com.cn

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Alibaba’s MAISEAT Secures Primary Ticketing Role for GAI EVOLUTION 2026 World Tour in Malaysia

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MAISEAT, the global events ticketing platform of Damai Entertainment (HKEX: 1060), an Alibaba Group subsidiary, has secured its first primary ticketing role, becoming the official primary ticketing partner for Chinese rapper GAI’s upcoming concert in Malaysia.

The GAI EVOLUTION 2026 World Tour in Malaysia is scheduled for May 10 at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, in Kuala Lumpur.
The GAI EVOLUTION 2026 World Tour in Malaysia is scheduled for May 10 at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, in Kuala Lumpur.

Under the partnership, MAISEAT will manage ticket distribution and sales channels for the show, and will also serve as a co-organizer for the Malaysia stop of the tour. Users can purchase tickets on the MAISEAT website or app, among other platforms.

The concert, GAI EVOLUTION 2026 World Tour – Malaysia, is scheduled for May 10 at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, in Kuala Lumpur. Exclusive presales on MAISEAT began on March 10, with official ticket sales starting on March 13. All presale tickets have sold out.

As the primary ticketing partner, MAISEAT will use Damai Entertainment’s technology infrastructure and service capabilities to ensure a seamless and secure ticket‑purchasing experience.

“Securing the primary ticketing role for GAI’s Malaysia show marks an important milestone for MAISEAT and strongly validates our capabilities in international live event ticketing,” said Walter Zheng, Head of MAISEAT. “From ticket distribution to customer service, we have implemented a localized end-to-end model that meets the standards of international markets. We plan to bring this model to more markets, helping Chinese artists connect with fans worldwide, and build MAISEAT into a trusted platform for international event organizers and cross‑border audiences.”

The MAISEAT platform supports multiple languages, including Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean. It is fully integrated with Alipay’s global payment network and offers multiple payment methods and multi-currency settlement options. A dedicated MAISEAT mobile app was also launched in December last year.

GAI, whose real name is Zhou Yan, is one of China’s best-known rappers, singers, and songwriters. His 2026 world tour opened in Singapore on March 7, with subsequent stops scheduled for Las Vegas and Sydney.

About Damai Entertainment
Damai Entertainment is a technology-driven company delivering immersive, real-world entertainment experiences. Its diverse ecosystem spans film production, live events, IP commercialization, TV series, artist management, and ticketing platforms. Anchored in its dual strategic pillars of entertainment and AI, Damai is committed to creating unparalleled live, interactive, and immersive experiences for audiences around the world.

Media Contacts
maiseat.press@member.alibaba.com

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Melbourne: World’s Best City is also it’s biggest property bargain

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Melbourne has just landed on a double-win that seems statistically impossible: it’s officially the best city on the planet to live in and it’s currently the cheapest major capital in Australia to buy a house. Forget London. Move over, Manhattan. According to the 2026 Time Out global survey of 24,000 urbanites, Melbourne is the world’s top dog for culture, food and liveability.

Time Out Melbourne editor Leah McGlynn said: “Melbourne scored well across the board, particularly among its younger residents, whose positive responses landed the Victorian capital the third-best city in the world for Gen Z to live in. “A whopping 94 percent of locals rate the city’s food scene highly, while 92 pe rcent approve of its art and culture scene and 77 per cent recommend its nightlife.”

It’s the first time an Australian city has worn the crown, leaving Sydney (21st) and Adelaide (29th) in the rearview mirror.

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But while the rest of the world is looking at our laneways and coffee culture, Australian property analysts are focusing on a very different number – a $629,467 price gap between Melbourne and Sydney house values.

The Spreadsheet Shocker

The latest Home Value Index from Cotality shows Melbourne’s median house value sits at $977,579. That’s dramatically lower than Sydney, where the median house value has surged to $1,607,046.

This property in the inner west suburb of Brooklyn located 10km out of the Melbourne CBD is listed with a price guide between $680,000 - $730,000.
This property in the inner west suburb of Brooklyn located 10km out of the Melbourne CBD is listed with a price guide between $680,000 – $730,000. Credit: View

The difference – $629,467 – effectively creates what some analysts are calling a “Sydney discount” for buyers willing to consider Melbourne instead.

In a twist no one saw coming five years ago, Melbourne is now officially cheaper than Brisbane ($1.17 million), Perth ($1.03 million), and even Adelaide ($980,000). For the first time in recent memory, the “World’s Best City” is also the nation’s most attainable mainland market.

“It’s the ultimate property glitch,” says one local analyst. “You’re getting a New York lifestyle at a (relative) Hobart price point.”

If you’re wondering why the median is dropping while the vibes are high, look to the leafy Inner East. The prestige suburbs that usually drive Melbourne’s prices into the stratosphere are currently in a tactical retreat. In the last three months, Stonnington (think Toorak and Armadale) saw values slide 1.8 per cent, followed closely by Port Phillip and Boroondara.

According to David Sciola, a partner at Jellis Craig Stonnington, homeowners in these blue-chip pockets are moving for reasons that don’t fit on a balance sheet. He calls it “Life Tetris.”

“Kids are born. Careers change. Relationships evolve. Circumstances intervene. A home is part of the journey, not just a financial instrument,” he said.

“Capital growth is not a given, but homes provide benefits spreadsheets can’t measure. Security. Stability. Control. Pride.” .

For the thousands of buyers currently locked out of Sydney’s $1.6 million median market, Melbourne’s slower recovery looks less like a slump and more like a golden ticket.

Melbourne has the world’s best coffee, the world’s best galleries, and for this year at least, Melbourne is the world’s best city.

The only question left for Sydneysiders is: Are Harbour views worth an extra $600,000?

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Warren calls on State Department to provide more aid to Americans stuck in Middle East

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), accompanied by Sen. Angus King (I-ME) (L), speaks as United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (USNORTHCOM) Commander Gen. Gregory Guillot, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas Security Affairs Mark Ditlevson, and Department of War Principal Deputy General Counsel Charles Young III, appear at a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing on Capitol Hill on Dec. 11, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Andrew Harnik | Getty Images

Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Thursday questioned why the U.S. Transportation Command and the State Department were not doing more to get stranded American citizens out of the Middle East amid the war with Iran.

There may still be tens of thousands of U.S. citizens stuck in the region, and the Trump administration has been too slow to act as violence spilled out of Iran into surrounding countries, the Massachusetts Democrat said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

“Let’s be clear, the Trump administration chose this war. They planned this war for months, and they made no plans to safeguard hundreds of thousands of Americans in the region. There is no excuse for this,” Warren said.

Americans reported feeling stranded in the region in the days immediately after war broke out. A State Department warning for U.S. citizens to “DEPART NOW” to Americans in 14 countries set off a scramble, with some saying they were left to fend for themselves. Amid the criticism, the State Department said last week they were ramping up flights for American to get out of the region.

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While President Donald Trump suggested earlier this week the war would end “very soon,” there is no immediate end in sight, and Americans in the region are trying to contend with an ever-evolving regional conflict.

The State Department has published regular updates on the amount of Americans relocated out of the region since Trump announced the war with Iran on Feb. 28, and on Thursday a spokesperson said nearly 47,000 citizens had returned to the U.S.

The State Department had completed more than two dozen charter flights, and at this point the number of seats offered on those flights outstrips demand, the spokesperson said. 

“While commercial flight availability across the region continues to improve, Department of State charter flight and ground transport operations continue to operate,” the spokesperson said without providing a name, responding to an email sent to the agency’s media inquiries account.

Gen. Randall Reed, commander of TRANSCOM, testified at the Thursday hearing that his command had assisted in the airlift of hundreds of Americans out of the region.

But Warren said the effort has fallen short.

“What I’m trying to understand is why you’re not doing more,” Warren asked Reed. “Because I’m hearing from my constituents who are stranded there, who’ve been stranded there for two weeks and they’re asking for help, and they’re not getting help from the U.S. government.”

Bringing Americans home

While many Americans have left and some are choosing to stay in the region, others are still stuck. The State Department spokesperson said the department was “now working 24/7 to bring Americans home.”

Some lawmakers are taking matters into their own hands.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., posted to X about a trip she took this week to the Middle East to help a family from her district that was stuck there.

“The family I traveled here for are safely home. But then I learned about more families. Hundreds of families. Thousands. Still stranded,” Mace wrote.

Congressional caseworkers, the aides who field inquiries from constituents, have similarly reported that Americans are feeling stranded and frustrated with the federal government’s response to the war.

One Senate Democratic caseworker — who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she is not authorized to speak to the press — said she has heard from constituents in places like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Israel and Kuwait. Some are tourists, others are students or Americans in the region for work, in some cases with their families. 

“People there that are in the Middle East, just wanting to leave but having absolutely no way to leave, they are scared, they are terrified and they are feeling abandoned,” the caseworker said. “Their families here are scared and terrified and wondering why the U.S. government has not already gotten their loved one home.”

Inconsistent messaging from the government did not help, the Senate caseworker, and a House Democratic caseworker, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, both said.

In the first days of the war, the guidance to Americans in the region was to shelter in place, the House aide said. But the “DEPART NOW” message on March 2 caused panic. The air space was closed in many countries in the region, making commercial flights an unlikely route home. The government provided a phone number for a help line, but that had a long wait. When they did get through, they were at times told they were on their own, the caseworker said. 

“What we were hearing from constituents was absolute panic,” the House aide said.

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Airports set up donation drives for unpaid TSA officers during DHS funding crisis

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As the lapse in funding at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues, many Transportation Security Administration officers (TSA) are “struggling.”

Fundraisers have begun popping up at airports across the country.

Some TSA officers are receiving only partial paychecks — while many are receiving no pay at all.

AIRPORT SECURITY STRAIN DURING SHUTDOWN GROWS AS UNPAID TSA OFFICERS WARN, ‘WE’RE HURTING’

Deondre White, a TSA officer at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in D.C., told Fox News Digital this week that officers are “financially trying to do the best that they can.”

Denver International Airport in Colorado posted on X, “DONATIONS NEEDED! Support the dedicated TSA employees working without pay by donating $10 and $20 grocery store and gas gift cards.”

Houston Airport passengers waiting in busy TSA lines

Airports nationwide are launching donation drives to support TSA officers who are working without pay during the government funding lapse. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

The post continued, “Visa gift cards cannot be accepted.”

It suggested that “drop-off locations can be found at Final Approach cell phone lot and in the Jeppesen Terminal,” the post continued.

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) in Nevada announced it’s partnered with the Children’s Cabinet to deliver critical resources directly to impacted federal employees, such as weekly groceries.

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Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority President and CEO Cris Jensen announced the collaboration in a press release.

Flight passengers wait in long TSA line at Houston Airport.

Hundreds of airport security officers have left the TSA since the start of the DHS shutdown this year. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“We are incredibly grateful to our TSA officers at RNO, who continue to show up every day to keep our community safe, even while facing uncertainty,” said Jensen in the release.

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“Their commitment to public safety does not go unnoticed, and we appreciate our community and the Children’s Cabinet for stepping up to support them,” he added.

backs of tsa officers at airport

“Their commitment to public safety does not go unnoticed.” (Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images)

In Seattle, the airport opened a TSA food pantry to support officers.

“If you’d like to help, donations of non-perishable food, hygiene items, and diapers can be dropped off at the SEA Conference Center between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m,” the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport posted on X.

Over 300 airport security officers have left TSA since the start of the DHS shutdown, with callouts — or unscheduled absences — rising to an average of 6% during the shutdown, a TSA official confirmed to Fox News Digital this week. 

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White said that thanks to the financial support of his family, he’s been able “to show up” for his work.

“I’m thankful for my family to be able to come to work and be able to provide gas [to travel to work] because the gas prices have been rising,” he said. 

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“However, there are a lot of officers here who do not have those resources or family commitments from others [to help them out].”

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Sands China Makes Grand Debut at Hong Kong’s Art Central

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Sands Gallery serves as international cultural portal showcasing emerging Macao artists

MACAO, March 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sands China has long supported the Macao SAR government’s policy of diversified development by actively promoting the high-quality development of Macao’s arts and cultural sector and its talent pool. From March 25 to 29, the company will further leverage Sands Gallery as an international cultural portal for Macao by presenting the works of three outstanding emerging Macao contemporary artists – Lei Ieng Wai, Leong Chi Mou, and Dor Lio Hak Man – at Art Central, an international art event during Hong Kong’s art month. Sands China is the first integrated tourism and leisure enterprise from Macao invited as an Associate Partner at this prestigious art event. Through Art Central, the company aims to promote young Macao artists onto major international art stage, demonstrating the vitality of Macao’s new generation of contemporary artists, highlighting Macao’s attributes through artistic lens, and further advancing the city’s cultural talent development.

From March 25 to 29, Sands China is debuting its Sands Gallery at Art Central, an international art event during Hong Kong’s art month, and presenting three outstanding contemporary young artists from Macao – Lei Ieng Wai, Leong Chi Mou, and Dor Lio Hak Man – to showcase the emerging strength of Macao’s art scene.
From March 25 to 29, Sands China is debuting its Sands Gallery at Art Central, an international art event during Hong Kong’s art month, and presenting three outstanding contemporary young artists from Macao – Lei Ieng Wai, Leong Chi Mou, and Dor Lio Hak Man – to showcase the emerging strength of Macao’s art scene.

The Sands Gallery booth at Art Central will feature selected works by the three young artists, including multi-media paintings and thematic installation. Each artist brings a distinctive style: Lei Ieng Wai centres his practice on optical exploration, responding to the rhythm of urban life through precisely structured colour fields and geometric compositions; Leong Chi Mou employs gilding techniques to construct richly textured surfaces that evoke the memory and landscape of Macao; Dor Lio Hak Man offers an authentic perspective, blending a delicate painting style with depictions of urban life that resonate deeply with audiences.

All three are rising forces within the Macau Artist Society, whose creativity, craftsmanship, and conceptual approaches demonstrate international vision and professional standards, and they have begun to make a name for themselves in the art world both at home and abroad. Their diverse and high-quality works align with this year’s Art Central theme, “Discover Art. Make It Yours.” Sands Gallery aspires to reflect Macao’s deep cultural heritage emanating from the city’s East-West fusion – through presenting the works of these promising Macao artists, allowing the world to better appreciate the city’s creativity and vitality.

Since its founding in 2015, Art Central has been a highlight of Hong Kong Art Month and an important global platform for creative exploration and cultural exchange. This year’s edition will be held over five days at the Central Harbourfront, bringing together emerging artists, international masters, collectors, and art institutions from around the world, injecting fresh perspectives into the global and regional art scenes.

Sands Gallery was established in 2022 at The Grand Suites at Four Seasons in Macao and has curated 12 exhibitions of varied styles to date, featuring outstanding works by more than 60 esteemed artists from China, Japan, Korea, Italy, the United States, and other countries and regions, spanning the Chinese and international art scene. It has provided a professional showcase for Macao artists and participated in multiple editions of “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale,” supporting the city’s development as a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.

As a leading integrated tourism and leisure enterprise in Macao, Sands China has been committed to promoting the integrated development of culture and tourism. Its presence at Art Central through Sands Gallery represents significant recognition from the international art community and further reinforces its role as an international cultural portal for Macao. By creating opportunities for Macao artists to step onto the world stage, Sands China leverages art as a drawcard to promote Macao tourism, enhancing the international competitiveness of the city’s cultural sector and fostering new momentum to Macao’s diversified development.

For more information about Art Central and ticketing, please visit artcentralhongkong.com.

About Sands Gallery
As an art space located at The Grand Suites at Four Seasons in Macao, Sands Gallery is dedicated to bringing diverse art exhibitions to the city, fostering the sustainable development of Macao’s cultural and creative industries.

Since its establishment in 2022, the gallery has hosted 12 exhibitions of varied styles, introducing artworks of international and national calibre while also providing opportunities for local artists to showcase their works and connect with the global art stage.

Through continued endeavours in Macao’s arts and cultural sector, Sands China has built the Gallery into a platform of artistic weight and cultural depth, injecting multicultural vitality into Macao, enriching the artistic experiences of residents and visitors, and enhancing public appreciation of art. At the same time, it fully supports the Macao SAR government’s policy of promoting non-gaming development, contributing to Macao’s growth as “a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.”

About Sands China Ltd. 
Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company’s integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao, The Parisian® Macao and The Londoner® Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, The Londoner Theatre and Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company’s Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao’s transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).

For more information, please visit www.sandschina.com.

About Art Central
Art Central, a cornerstone event of Hong Kong Art Month, presents the next generation of talent from Asia’s most forward-thinking galleries alongside celebrated artists from across the globe. Since its inaugural edition in 2015, Art Central has established itself as a leading platform for innovation in contemporary art, advancing the profiles of artists and galleries and reinforcing their presence within the international art landscape. Today, the Fair is recognised for the strength of its curatorial programming and as a vital meeting point for discovery and exchange among collectors and curators representing private, corporate, and institutional collections worldwide.

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Artist Profiles

Lei Ieng Wai

The 39-year-old artist is a graduate of the Oil Painting Department of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, holding both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He currently serves as director of the Macau Artist Society, and vice president of the Macau Youth Art Association, and is a renowned and influential artist in Macao.

 

Lei acquires creative inspirations from the tension of light and shadow in everyday life. He draws on scientific theory as the foundation of aesthetics, transforming artificial spectra, proportional values, and geometric structures into repetitive and precise blocks of colour and surfaces of light, exploring urban changes and the lives of city dwellers.

 

He has held solo exhibitions in Portugal, Taiwan, and Macao, and participated in group exhibitions in the Chinese mainland, Macao, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, and the United States, including Art Madrid 2018, Affordable Art Fair New York, Affordable Art Fair Hampstead, and the collateral exhibition of “Art Macao: Macau International Art Biennale 2023.”

Leong Chi Mou

The 34-year-old artist graduated from the Macao Polytechnic University’s Faculty of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Arts (Oil Painting). He is a member of the Macau Artist Society and one of Macao’s most influential emerging artists.

 

His works span both painting and installations. His practice interrogates shifting notions of value and the cultural interfaces that shape identity, informed by personal migration histories and Macao’s post-colonial context. Through these inquiries, Leong’s works examine the conditions of cultural survival and the intricate entanglements between artistic essence and value systems.

 

Beyond his solo exhibitions in Macao, he has participated in group exhibitions across the Chinese mainland, Portugal, Belgium, Japan, and other countries and regions. Notable appearances include the 23rd Shanghai Art Fair, the Shenzhen Art Fair, the Guangzhou International Art Fair, the collateral exhibition of “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2023,” and the Belgian exhibition “Surrealistic Chinoiserie: Golden City of Seres – A Cultural and Artistic Exchange Exhibition and Performance between Macao and Antwerp.”

Dor Lio Hak Man

The 49-year-old artist serves as vice-director of the Macau Artist Society, vice president of the Macau Youth Art Association, council member of the Society of Urban Sketchers Macao, and a member of Comic’s Kingdom Macau. He teaches visual art at a Macao high school and via private lessons.

 

Born into an artistic family and graduating from City University of Macau, he channels influences from Japanese manga and Western painting into a practice grounded in everyday observation. His work records daily encounters, emotional impressions, and imaginative associations with a relaxed sensibility. He shapes a refined, philosophically attuned visual language that bridges interior experience with an outward-facing openness.

 

He has held solo exhibitions such as “Festa – Exhibition of Works by Lio Hak Man” in Macao and participated in group exhibitions in the Chinese mainland, Portugal, and South Korea, including “FEBRE: 15 Contemporary Artists from Macao” in Lisbon, “Beijing-Macao Art Teachers Group Exhibition,” and the “South Korea-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Art Exhibition.”

Source: Sands China Ltd.

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Inside India newsletter: How the war in the Middle East is set to determine India’s trade route to Europe

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This report is from this week’s “Inside India” newsletter which brings you timely, insightful news and market commentary on the emerging powerhouse. Subscribe here.

The big story

India rarely ties its foreign policy to a single partner or bloc. But war has a way of forcing choices.

The escalating U.S.–Israel war with Iran is now compelling New Delhi to reassess the two major trade corridors it had been quietly developing to cut transit costs and time to Europe — one of its largest trading partners, with whom it recently finalized the “mother of all trade deals.”

One route runs north. The International North–South Transport Corridor — a project designed to facilitate transport of Indian goods to Russia, Europe and Central Asia via Iran’s Chabahar Port.

Another runs west. The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, which would link India to Europe through Gulf ports, and Israel’s Haifa Port via a railway corridor.

An aerial view of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group while operating at the Arabian Sea, escorted by two military replenishment ships and two U.S. Coast Guard vessels, as fighter jets from Carrier Air Wing Nine conducted flight operations overhead in the Arabian Sea, on Feb.6, 2026.

US CENTCOM | Anadolu | Getty Images

As the U.S.-Israel war with Iran rages on, experts say that only one of India’s two grand connectivity bets has a realistic future to support India’s export ambitions: IMEC.

“If Israel and U.S. win, IMEC will likely be Israel’s preference over the revival of Chabahar,” said Rafiq Dossani, an economist at U.S.-based think tank RAND.

The IMEC corridor has powerful backers. U.S. President Donald Trump called it “one of the greatest trade routes in history” during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described it as the “largest cooperation project in our history,” that will change the face of Middle East.

Iran’s uncertain future is also central to the equation shifting in favor of IMEC.

“If Iran does not lose the war, it will remain under sanctions. If it does lose the war, the sanctions may be lifted but the benefits will be captured by the winners,” Dossani said arguing that India’s route through Iran is a dead end.

As Tehran faces the fire of U.S. aerial attacks, structural realities are reinforcing pessimism around the Chabahar trade route.

Chietigj Bajpaee, senior research fellow for South Asia at Chatham House, points out that the Chabahar-Zahedan railway — a key component of the INSTC — due for completion in 2026 will likely face “indefinite delays.”

The uncertainty comes on top of doubts already surrounding India’s more than $120 million investment in the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Iran’s Chabahar Port. The U.S. waiver that allowed India to operate the terminal despite sanctions is due to expire this April.

IMEC economics

“IMEC may gain momentum now that the INSTC has stalled,” Bajpaee said.

While experts dismiss the possibility of INSTC via Iran, the very crisis destabilizing this route is also making a case for India to now double down on the IMEC.

Goods trade between India and Europe usually transits via the Suez Canal, but due to the disruptions caused by the conflict in Middle East, ships now have no option but to take an even longer route via Cape of Good Hope.

According to a recent report by Indian newspaper Mint, major carriers have suspended or restricted transit via Red Sea–Suez Canal, which has led to an increase in transit times by 10–20 days and 40%–50% higher freight rates on key India–Europe routes.

“This conflict has made a strong case for why IMEC is a necessity and its [the conflict’s] outcome would be a very important factor shaping how the trajectory of IMEC evolves,” Harsh Pant, vice president of studies and foreign policy at the Observer Research Foundation, said on CNBC’s “Inside India.”

IMEC is expected to reduce logistical costs by up to 30% and transportation time by 40%, as compared to traditional routes like the Suez Canal, Piyush Goyal India’s commerce and industry minister said last year.

“IMEC presents a more significant opportunity,” said Rick Rossow, senior adviser and chair on India and emerging Asia economics at U.S.-based policy think tank CSIS, adding that it “tracks geographically” with the markets with which India is signing trade deals.

While IMEC is set to emerge as a clear winner between India’s two connectivity bets, experts warn that its success hinges on a crucial element: regional stability — something which is in short supply right now.

Need to know

Restaurants in India are under threat. India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed oil refineries to prioritize supplying cooking gas to its 330 million households, risking operations of over 3 million businesses that use its for commercial purposes.

India hints at a reset of ties with China. India is easing rules that will allow Chinese investments into the country, in a move that marks New Delhi’s push to boost economic ties with Beijing after nearly six years of friction.

India’s Reliance Industries funds refinery in U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. will get its first oil refinery in 50 years, funded by investments from Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries.

Coming up

March 12: India consumer inflation data for February.

March 13: Weekly RBI updated on India FX reserve.

March 16: Wholesale inflation data for February.

March 16: India unemployment rate for February.

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