Luminary Times

  A Boeing-made satellite has disintegrated in orbit following an “anomaly,” leaving operators scrambling to restore service. The satellite, Intelsat 33e, which was launched in 2016 with a projected 15-year lifespan, broke apart on Saturday, resulting in widespread communication and power outages across Europe, Africa, and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. Intelsat, the service provider, reported the incident on Monday and confirmed it is working with Boeing and government agencies to analyse the cause. The U.S. Space Force is tracking around 20 pieces of debris from the satellite, but they assert that it does not pose any immediate threat. The full extent of the issue remains under investigation. Read More: https://luminarytimes.com/boeing-satellite-disintegrates-in-space-following-mysterious-anomaly/

  The culinary landscape is evolving rapidly, with the Asia Pacific (APAC) region emerging as a powerhouse inthe global food industry. The recently launched Future of Food Report 2025 Marriott International's LuxuryGroup highlights this transformation, drawing insights from over 30 chefs, mixologists, and industry insiders across the APAC region. The report emphasises how the rise of new food trends, advanced technology, and sustainability-focused initiatives are shaping the future of global dining, positioning APAC as a premier destination. Asian cuisine, in particular, is gaining increased global recognition. With Michelin stars now being awarded to APAC restaurants more frequently than to those in Central London, the region has achieved a status equal to that of Europe. The report also suggests that an Asian restaurant could soon become the world's top-rated dining destination. Japanese cuisine continues to be a significant global influence, while Cantonese flavors are being...

  A remarkable discovery has uncovered underground marine life near deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Researchers from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, led by marine biologist Sabine Gollner, made the groundbreaking find. They explored the Pacific seabed using the deep-diving robot SuBastian. This area, the East Pacific Rise, is where tectonic plates meet and gradually separate. In the volcanic rock beneath the ocean floor, scientists found cavities teeming with life. These underground spaces revealed a unique marine ecosystem. Giant tubeworms, snails, and bristle worms, all known to inhabit hydrothermal vents, were found in these lava cavities. This is the first time such species were discovered living beneath the ocean floor. The hydrothermal vents release superheated. chemical-rich water, creating ideal conditions for these organisms to thrive. The discovery also changes our understanding of marine ecosystems by showing that life extends beyond the ocean floor. Read ...

  Netflix's shares soared to a record high on Friday, driven by strong subscriber additions and a robust content lineup that continues to attract viewers. The stock surged nearly 10%, poised to add more than $28 billion to its market value, currently standing at about $295 billion.  The company added 5.1 million new subscribers in the third quarter, surpassing analyst expectations, although this number was lower than last year's 8.76 million additions. Netflix expects even higher subscriber growth in the last quarter, fueled by the much-anticipated return of the hit South Korean drama "Squid Game." Financial Performance Exceeds Expectations Netflix's profit and revenue outperformed estimates, signaling a positive shift in investor sentiment. Recent price hikes in regions like Japan, Europe, and Africa have contributed to the revenue boost, with analysts expecting a similar price increase in the U.S. next year. Read More: https://luminarytimes.com/netflix-hits-reco...

  A NASA spacecraft embarked on a mission on Monday to explore Jupiter's intriguing moon. Europa, in hopes of uncovering whether its vast hidden ocean might offer clues to the existence of life. Europa Clipper will take 5 1/2 years to reach Jupiter, where it will enter orbit around the gas giant and conduct dozens of flybys of Europa, braving intense radiation. Scientists are confident that a deep global ocean lies beneath Europa's icy shell. With water often considered a key to life, Europa is regarded as one of the most promising places in the search for extraterrestrial life. The Europa Clipper isn't designed to detect life directly. Instead, it will focus on identifying the building blocks essential for life, such as organic compounds, and look beneath the ice for conditions that could support life. Read More: https://luminarytimes.com/nasas-mission-to-jupiters-moon-europa-launches-successfully/

  Notre-Dame-du-Mont in Marseille has been named the world's coolest neighbourhood. Known for its rebellious spirit, this vibrant area is full of energy. It's a hub of creativity, with hip bakeries, indie bookstores, and eclectic art galleries that draw locals and tourists alike. Located in the heart of Marseille, Notre-Dame-du-Mont reflects the rich cultural diversity of the city. Visitors can explore its lively streets, enjoying a mix of old and new as they wander through vintage shops and street art-filled corners. Read More: https://luminarytimes.com/discover-the-worlds-coolest-neighbourhood-in-france/

  Veteran Taiwanese producer Patrick Mao Huang has established Eyes Wide Open Productions, a film production company based in China. This venture kicks off with As The River Goes By, which is already a competitor in Busan's New Currents category. Huang's entry into China signifies a bold expansion in his accomplished career within international film production. Huang has gained recognition through his Taiwan-based Flash Forward Entertainment, where he has produced several successful Southeast Asian films. Notably, his credits include Tiger Stripes, which won the Critics' Week award at Cannes 2023, and Pierce, recognized as the best director at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2024. Read More: https://luminarytimes.com/patrick-mao-huang-opens-new-film-production-company-in-china/

  If you enjoy a glass of fruit juice with breakfast or a fizzy drink after dinner, it may be time to reconsider. A new study suggests that these drinks could be linked to a higher risk of stroke. Frequent consumption of fizzy drinks or fruit juice has been associated with an increased stroke risk, according to global research co-led by the University of Galway, in collaboration with McMaster University, Canada, and an international network of stroke researchers. Coffee lovers aren't exempt either – the study also found that drinking more than four cups of coffee daily seems to raise the likelihood of stroke. Read More: https://luminarytimes.com/new-study-reveals-potential-link-between-fizzy-drinks-fruit-juice-and-stroke-risk/

  Tesla has initiated a recall of over 27.000 Cybertrucks in the U.S. due to delayed rear-view camera images. This defect increases the risk of impaired driver visibility, raising potential safety concerns. Tesla plans to address the issue with a software update, marking the fifth recall for the Cybertruck in 2024. The problem, according to Tesla, involves a delay of six to eight seconds in the rear-view camera display when the vehicle shifts into reverse. This delay could lead to a blank screen, affecting driver awareness. 'Tesla's Cybertruck, which first rolled out in late 2023, has faced several recalls related to various defects. Read More:  https://luminarytimes.com/tesla-issues-recall-for-27000-cybertrucks-over-camera-display-delay/

  Hong Kong continues to attract global acclaim for its robust business and investment climate, solidifying its position as a global financial hub. A recent pilot Business Ready 2024 Report by the World Bank Group ranked Hong Kong among the top-performing economies in terms of business environment, further boosting the city's appeal to international investors and entrepreneurs. According to the report, which assessed so economies worldwide. Hong Kong performed exceptionally well across various metrics. It ranked fifth in the "Operational Efficiency" pillar with a score of 78.52 points out of 100. Additionally, Hong Kong achieved impressive scores in categories such as "International Trade" (90.77 points), "Business Entry" (85.49 points), and "Utility Services" (77.71 points), emphasising the ease of doing business in the city. Read More:  https://luminarytimes.com/hong-kong-strengthens-global-reputation-as-a-top-business-destination/

  VAustralian technology startup, OneTap Loyalty, has made significant strides towards global expansion after securing major investments from high-profile international retail leaders. The innovative platform, designed by Carly Neubauer and Jodie Wilson, has garnered the interest of multinational retailers, with a new company, OneTap Group Ltd, being established in the UK to introduce the technology to international markets. Revolutionary Loyalty Solution One Tap Loyalty simplifies the customer experience by allowing shoppers to link their payment cards directly to loyalty programs. This enables automatic accrual of loyalty points and rewards whenever a payment card is used, even without the physical loyalty card present. The versatile platform works with any existing loyalty program, making it a seamless solution for both customers and retailers. Read More: https://luminarytimes.com/onetap-loyalty-secures-major-investment-for-global-expansion/

  Verizon has fully restored its network after a major disruption impacted thousands of users across the U.S. The outage, which started around 9:30 a.m. ET, left many customers without service in cities like Chicago, Seattle, and Phoenix. Some iPhone users were stuck in "SOS" mode, unable to connect to a cellular network. At the peak of the disruption, there were over 105.000 reports of outages. The outage tracking service showed widespread issues in areas including Minneapolis, Omaha, and Denver. Verizon engineers quickly began resolving the issue, and by later in the day, services were returning to normal levels. Read More:  https://luminarytimes.com/verizon-restores-network-after-major-outage-disrupts-thousands/

  The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially approved Bristol Myers Squibb's latest oral medication, Cobenfy, for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. This marks a significant breakthrough as Cobenfy becomes the first new type of schizophrenia medicine in decades, offering symptom relief without the usual side effects associated with conventional treatments. A New Era for Schizophrenia Management Chris Boerner, board chair and CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, emphasised the importance of this development, describing it as a transformative moment in the field of schizophrenia treatment. He noted that Cobenfy's approval introduces an entirely new pharmacological approach, which has the potential to reshape the way schizophrenia is managed, especially given the limited advancements in treatment options over the past three decades. With the launch of Cobenfy. Bristol Myers Squibb aims to address the unmet needs in neuropsychiatry. starting with this breakthrough in s...

  Nearly a year after Cairo imposed stricter visa measures on Canadian passport holders, Canada has confirmed that Egypt will soon stop requiring cumbersome visas for Canadian tourists. Last October, Egypt suspended the option for Canadians to obtain a visa online or upon arrival, which previously cost around $35 for a single individual. Since then, Canadians have been required to pay $150 and submit an application form, passport, and itinerary by post to obtain a visa. Read More: https://luminarytimes.com/canadian-tourists-can-again-obtain-online-visas-for-egypt-says-joly/