Diageo is reportedly considering selling its Chinese assets as part of a strategic overhaul under its new chief executive, Dave Lewis. The owner of major brands including Guinness and Johnnie Walker is said to be working with Goldman Sachs and UBS to review its China operations, where sales have been weakening. According to Bloomberg News, the review could lead to the disposal of Diageo’s 63% stake in Shanghai-listed Sichuan Swellfun, a producer and distributor of baijiu. Shares in Sichuan Swellfun have fallen sharply over the past year, reducing its market value to about 19.2bn yuan. Lewis, who took over at…
Author: Andrew Rogers
The “Winter Snow Sunshine” Ice and Snow Festival officially opened in Shenyang’s Heping District, inviting primary and middle school students to participate in winter sports. The event aims to promote physical activity, community engagement, and interest in ice and snow sports among young people. The festival offers students opportunities to try a variety of winter activities, including skating, sledding, and snow games. Organizers emphasized that the event is designed to be safe, fun, and educational, encouraging children to develop skills while enjoying the outdoors during the winter season. Teachers and parents welcomed the festival, noting that it provides a positive…
Same-sex sexual behaviour in non-human primates may help reinforce social bonds and maintain group cohesion during periods of environmental or social stress, according to new research. Writing in Nature Ecology & Evolution, scientists led by Prof Vincent Savolainen of Imperial College London analysed documented cases across primate species and found the behaviour to be widespread, recorded in 59 species including chimpanzees, Barbary macaques and mountain gorillas. The findings suggest either a deep evolutionary origin or repeated independent evolution of the behaviour. The study found same-sex sexual behaviour was more common in species living in harsh, dry environments with scarce resources…
West Ham United edged past Queens Park Rangers after extra time to reach the FA Cup fourth round. The 2-1 win offered rare relief for manager Nuno Espírito Santo, ending a 64-day wait for victory. Championship side QPR pushed West Ham deep into the contest, underlining the Premier League club’s ongoing struggles. The decisive moment came through new signing Taty Castellanos, who headed home the winner in extra time after an assist from Crysencio Summerville. Summerville also scored West Ham’s equaliser before the break, producing one of his stronger performances in claret and blue. QPR had earlier levelled through Richard…
China has made significant progress in vaccine innovation and immunization efforts, marking important achievements for both domestic and global health. The China vaccine innovation progress includes breakthroughs in developing domestic HPV and Ebola vaccines. In addition to new vaccines, China has expanded access to pneumococcal and shingles vaccines. Health officials say these measures help protect vulnerable populations, reduce disease burden, and strengthen national immunization programs. Several Chinese vaccines have received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification. This recognition confirms quality, safety, and effectiveness, enabling these vaccines to contribute to global vaccine supply and international public health initiatives. Experts note that China’s…
Chelsea began the Liam Rosenior era with a comfortable 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup, advancing to the fourth round. Despite the convincing performance, discontent among Chelsea supporters dominated the atmosphere, with chants aimed at the club’s owners continuing throughout the match. Liam Rosenior oversaw a controlled display from a rotated side, resting senior players while giving opportunities to fringe and young talents. Goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández sealed the victory, while Estevão Willian impressed during a lively cameo. Charlton briefly threatened through Miles Leaburn after a defensive lapse,…
Bukayo Saka has agreed a new five-year contract with Arsenal that will make him one of the highest-paid players in the club’s history. The deal, expected to run until 2031, is understood to be worth more than £15m a season, reflecting Saka’s growing importance to Arsenal’s success. The 24-year-old academy graduate had previously said he wanted to win trophies with the club and, despite being in no rush, has now committed his long-term future. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta prioritised securing Saka’s contract after extending deals for several key players last year. Manager Mikel Arteta has repeatedly praised Saka’s influence…
People who stop taking weight-loss injections regain the weight they lost in under two years, according to a major new analysis. The study, led by researchers at the University of Oxford and published in the BMJ, reviewed 37 studies involving more than 9,300 participants using GLP-1 agonist medications. These drugs, originally developed for diabetes, help suppress appetite by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone. Researchers found that after stopping treatment, people regained weight at an average rate of 0.4kg per month, returning to their original weight within about 1.7 years. Weight regain occurred nearly four times faster than in behavioural programmes based…
Hainan tourism 2026 is off to a strong start as the province welcomed a surge of visitors during the New Year period. Popular resort areas like Haikou and Sanya reported full bookings, reflecting high travel enthusiasm and a rebound in leisure tourism. Resorts and hotels in key tourist hubs reached maximum occupancy, while flights and ferry services operated at high capacity. Travelers sought warm-weather getaways, beach activities, and cultural experiences, driving significant local economic activity. Tourism experts say the early success in Hainan indicates growing confidence among travelers. Visitors are increasingly prioritizing high-quality experiences, including luxury resorts, family-friendly amenities, and…
Housing market experts are observing rising domestic demand and new policy measures aimed at supporting the sector. Analysts expect these efforts to boost buyer interest and strengthen the real estate market’s resilience. Policymakers are emphasizing measures to manage inventory, control market risks, and create conditions that encourage responsible buying. These steps are designed to prevent sharp price swings while ensuring steady market activity. Rising domestic demand is being driven by factors such as improved affordability, favorable mortgage conditions, and growing consumer confidence. Analysts note that a combination of policies and economic stability can stimulate both first-time and repeat buyers. In…