MELBOURNE, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) — Scientists have uncovered new insights into hydrogen’s role in gut health, revealing that commonly expelled as flatulence, hydrogen plays a critical part in maintaining digestive function.
Published in Nature…
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WHO sounds alarm over “sharp increases” in HIV cases in Philippines, Fiji, Papua New Guinea-Xinhua
MANILA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) — The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific region has raised alarm about the “sharp increases” in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the Philippines, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea in recent…
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FIG, Fujitsu, Acer Medical collaborate to develop health-promoting insurance concept to support preventative care in aging societies
The three parties will carry out a field trial from October 23 to October 24, 2025 at the 53rd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta where local seniors will be able to experience the app.
Furthermore, the three parties will develop a points-based health-promotion insurance concept. This proposed service will convert users’ exercise assessments from the app and participation in health check-ups into points, which can then be used for insurance premium discounts or other benefits. Participating insurance companies will be selected by the parties at a later date.
Through this initiative, FIG aims to promote the widespread adoption of gymnastics programs for seniors and accelerate its contribution to extending healthy life expectancies through sports, as envisioned by the ASWG. The initial target for this insurance service will be the estimated 30 million worldwide participants in FIG’s Gymnastics for All sports program. FIG will also contribute to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia [1].
Fujitsu will contribute to promoting the health of seniors through its advanced skeleton recognition AI technology. Furthermore, under its Uvance business model, which addresses societal challenges, Fujitsu will continue to co-create with Uvance Partners to realize advanced health management services through Decision Intelligence powered by data and AI, thereby advancing people’s well-being.
Acer Medical will enhance the abnormal gait pattern detection function in aiGait to meet the growing demand for preventive medicine and smart healthcare in aging societies. Acer Medical is transforming routine movements—like standing, sitting, and walking—into valuable clinical insights. The goal is to help caregivers and clinicians detect subtle changes early, enabling timely intervention and improving patient outcomes.
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Microdramas bank on social ads to drive growth
Key stat: 68% of US ad spending by microdrama apps went to social networks from January to September 2025, according to US ad spend reports from ReelShort, DramaBox, GoodShort, NetShort, and ShortMax, compiled by Sensor Tower.
Beyond the chart:
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Japan’s Kirin to seek buyer for Four Roses US whiskey line
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Japan’s Kirin Holdings has put its Kentucky bourbon brand Four Roses up for sale at a price of $1bn, as the brewer pivots away from the struggling spirits sector towards healthcare.
Kirin has been working with advisers from UBS to test interest from potential buyers in recent weeks, with first-round bids expected as early as next month, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The sale process comes during a tough period for brewers and distillers as they contend with changing habits among younger consumers, who are reducing alcohol consumption. In Japan, beer consumption has dropped, hurting Kirin’s core product.
Kirin and UBS declined to comment.
Kirin, a Japanese conglomerate that generates more than $15bn a year in sales and produces everything from lager and spirits to rare diseases medicines under its Kyowa Kirin subsidiary, has owned Four Roses since 2002.
Tracing its origins back to 1888, Four Roses is produced in a distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, in the heart of so-called Bourbon Country. Four Roses generated about $70mn in adjusted earnings annually and was expected to fetch as much as $1bn, the people said.
After first entering the pharmaceutical sector in the 1980s, Kirin has accelerated its push into healthcare in recent years, as well as shedding non-core beverage assets, such as a soft drinks joint venture in China.
Last year the company bought the skincare and supplements company Fancl as part of the effort. And in 2023 it launched a $1.3bn takeover for Australia’s largest vitamin company Blackmores.
Across 2024, Kirin’s pharmaceutical division generated 23 per cent of the group’s $15.4bn in total revenue, up from 20 per cent in 2020. Shares in Kirin are up 14 per cent so far this year, giving it a market value of nearly $13.6bn as of Thursday’s close.
Four Roses was likely to draw interest from strategic buyers, but some large drinks conglomerates might remain on the sidelines as they grappled with problems with their own product portfolios, the people said.
The S&P food and beverage index is down 4.9 per cent over the past year, whereas the wider S&P 500 index is up 16 per cent over the same period.
There were no guarantees that the sale process would result in a deal, the people cautioned. It is also possible that Kirin may opt to sell off a stake in the business through a joint venture, they added.
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Trump’s Russian oil sanctions shake energy markets
This is an audio transcript of the FT News Briefing podcast episode: ‘Trump’s Russian oil sanctions shake energy markets’
Marc Filippino
Good morning from the Financial Times. Today is Friday, October 24th, and this is your FT News Briefing….Continue Reading
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Fancy a change from a chintsy Alpine hotel? Try this new Aman
In December 2015 I was staying at the Rosa Alpina in the South Tyrolean village of San Cassiano and the hotel was dancing towards another busy Christmas. That dance was a snow dance. Outside, strips of artificial snow snaked down the green…
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Baker McKenzie Advises Pinnacle on Strategic Investment in Advantage Partners | Newsroom
Baker McKenzie has advised Pinnacle Investment Management Group Limited (ASX: PNI) (“Pinnacle”) on its strategic investment in Advantage Partners, Japan’s largest independent, locally-grown, diversified private markets platform.
The transaction also involves distribution services arrangements covering global distribution of Advantage Partners’ strategies.
This strategic investment will deepen Pinnacle’s presence and participation in Japan, and aligns with the company’s objective to diversify internationally and increase exposure to global private assets, particularly in the attractive mid-market area.
Pinnacle is a global multi-affiliate investment management firm that provides specialist investment managers with superior global distribution, fund infrastructure, and support services.
For further details about the transaction, please refer to the Company’s announcement.
The Baker McKenzie team was led by partners Robert Wright, Lance Sacks and Shirin Tang*, alongside counsel, John Nielsen, with support from associates Thara Ing**, Allan Yang**, Mathew Leow** and Samiha Asim.
With more than 2,700 deal practitioners in over 40 jurisdictions, Baker McKenzie is a transactional powerhouse. The Firm has the broadest M&A footprint of any law firm globally, with more than 1,300 locally qualified and globally experienced M&A lawyers. The team excels at advising clients on their most complex, cross-border M&A matters and has advised on more than USD 600 billion in M&A transactions in the last five years (Refinitiv; 2020-2024).
* Principal, Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow, Singapore
** Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow, SingaporeContinue Reading
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How strong is your weed, really? Scientists say labels often mislead
Nearly half of cannabis flower products sold in Colorado are inaccurately labeled for THC potency, with most overstating how strong they really are. In contrast, cannabis concentrates such as oils and waxes were found to be largely accurate, with…
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How to filter pathogens, drug residues and microplastics from wastewater
wastewater treatment in sewage treatment plants is essential for environmental and health protection. Before treated water can be discharged into rivers or lakes, it must meet strict quality requirements. These stipulate, for…
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