oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | culture, events and festivals, festivals, recreation and leisure activities, tourist attractions
If you want to experience the charm of cherry blossoms combined with the serene ambiance of an ancient hot springs town, then the Arima Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival is your ideal choice. It’s just a half-hour away.
central Kobe
Arima Onsen is famous for its mineral-rich “gold” and “silver” thermal waters, believed to possess therapeutic qualities. Being one of Japan’s most ancient hot spring destinations, Arima combines historical charm with stunning natural landscapes. During springtime, the area comes alive as cherry blossoms adorn the banks of the Arima River, painting a serene and beautiful scene.
Arima Onsen Sakura Matsuri
The Arima Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival was initiated numerous years back to mark the onset of spring and the area’s beautiful cherry blossom season. Over time, this event has evolved into a cherished custom for residents as well as tourists, featuring celebrations timed perfectly with the prime blooming period of the cherry trees. Regardless of whether your visit spans just one day or extends over multiple nights, Arima provides a serene fusion of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and authentic Japanese allure, solidifying it as an essential stopover during the blooms.
sakura
(cherry blossom) season.
Festival Highlights
The Arima Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival features an array of stunning cherry blossom varieties, such as
Someiyoshino
The most prevalent type of cherry tree along with weeping cherries can be found at Zenpuku-ji Temple. The Arima River, bordered by these blooms, offers a serene riverside walkway ideal for casual walks and taking photographs. A notable attraction here is the evening lighting of the cherry trees, which causes the flowers to shimmer beneath lanterns until 10 PM nightly.
Another highlight is the traditional Geisha dances performed by Arima’s
Geiko
(The local term for geisha, pertaining to female entertainers proficient in traditional Japanese arts) provide guests with a unique chance to immerse themselves in genuine cultural practices within Arima’s historical ambiance.
Festival Activities
Past the breathtaking cherry blossoms, the Arima Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival provides an array of activities that enhance its appeal. Visitors can participate alongside locals in various traditions.
hanami
(Flower appreciation) outings, where individuals come together beneath blossoming trees and alongside riversides to savor meals, beverages, and one another’s companionship.
The food stands in the square offer a variety of regional specialties.
oden
(A dish featuring components such as daikon radish, fishcakes, and hard-boiled eggs)
yakitori
(grilled chicken skewers),
onigiri
(rice balls) and
takoyaki
(savory dough balls filled with octopus). Refreshing drinks like beer, wine, and sodas are available for enjoyment. Kids can participate in festive games and have the chance to win little prizes, enhancing the overall celebratory experience.
oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | disaster management, environmental disasters, natural disasters, news, rainfall
Officials caution that increased slope drainage capabilities will be necessary due to anticipated more severe weather conditions in the coming years.
As much as 60 percent of the landslides occurring annually on Hong Kong’s private slopes can be attributed to inadequate upkeep, according to findings from local authorities. They are now pressing for slope owners to address these issues due to the effects of climate change.
Government specialists stated that slopes would become susceptible to more severe weather conditions.
“Given the expectation of more severe weather conditions ahead, we may see increased precipitation during wet seasons, necessitating enhanced drainage capabilities for hillsides,” explained Lawrence Shum Ka-wah, who serves as the assistant director of the Geotechnical Engineering Office located on Hong Kong Island.
Are you curious about the most significant issues and global trends? Find out here.
SCMP Knowledge
Our latest platform offers carefully selected content including explanations, frequently asked questions, detailed analysis, and informative infographics, all provided by our prestigious team.
He mentioned that drainage systems can handle obstructions caused by leaves or branches, yet extremely severe weather conditions have the potential to surpass their capacity.
On average, about 10 to 20 landslides took place annually on privately owned slopes throughout the last ten years, according to Shum, referencing a departmental assessment.
Typically, around 30 to 60 percent of these issues stemmed from inadequate maintenance by property owners.
He stated that the areas affected by landslides were determined by the pattern of rainfall, noting that no particular district needed extra focus. However, he emphasized that upkeep would be the primary issue to address.
Shum stated that authorities reported over 50 landslides on private slopes in 2023, during what was termed a “once-in-500-years storm.” Of these incidents, 30 percent resulted from inadequate maintenance.
The severe weather condition activated the city’s most extended black rainstorm alert, lasting over 16 hours. This transformed roads into waterways and left motorists trapped in their cars, while also inundating malls and train terminals. Over 100 individuals required medical attention at hospitals.
Shum additionally pointed out to the owners that they could bear responsibility for maintaining adjacent land parcels, even though these might not be detailed in their land lease agreements.
Currently, about 2,500 man-made slopes located on government land are maintained by private owners of adjoining lots.
Each year, the department chooses 100 individual ski slopes for safety inspections conducted by them.
When individuals are classified as hazardous, the authorities issue a Dangerous Slope Order (DSO) to the property owners. This order mandates them to conduct investigations and undertake required preventative measures using certified specialists.
By 2023, as stated by Robert Cheng, the chief building surveyor at the Buildings Department, 271 DHOs still remained unfulfilled by private property owners.
He urged the owners to keep their slopes maintained in order to avoid the risk of landslides.
Cheng also mentioned that routine inspections of the slopes as well as underground water pipelines were essential.
The administration likewise provides assistance to proprietors encountering monetary challenges, including grants and financing options.
More Articles from SCMP
Hong Kong coaches lay out year’s plans after teams clinch Melrose Claymores double
Hong Kong rescue team set to begin work in quake-hit Myanmar
Small individuals encounter obstacles yet strive for recognition and social transformation.
Hong Kong Sevens: New Zealand women achieve ‘three-peat’ with victory over Australia in the finals
The article initially appeared on the South ChinaMorning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source for news coverage of China andAsia.
Copyright © 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | billionaires, economics, economy of china, money, wealth
China’s five wealthiest individuals, led by Zhang Yiming, founder of TikTok owner ByteDance, have a combined net worth of US$258 billion, according to Forbes’ real-time billionaire rankings.
1. Zhang Yiming – the founder of the technology company ByteDance
|
|
At a forum held during the 2nd World Internet Conference in eastern China’s Zhejiang province on December 17, 2015, Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, delivered a speech. The photo was taken by Imaginechina through AFP.
|
Zhang Yiming
, aged 41, founded ByteDance in an apartment in Beijing not even a decade back.
With more than a billion users globally, the firm also operates Douyin, which is the China-specific variant of their platform intended for local audiences. They have revolutionized how people interact with social media via their popular short-video sharing application known as TikTok.
Zhang’s wealth has surged by over $10 billion subsequently.
Bloomberg
’ evaluation of valuations provided by multiple investors along with ByteDance’s employee stock purchase plan. Consequently, this set the mean valuation for ByteDance at approximately $365 billion.
In January, TikTok experienced a temporary shutdown in the United States but resumed service within less than 24 hours. Nevertheless, its status in the country continues to be uncertain because President Donald Trump has established an April 5 deadline for ByteDance to divest itself of its American business operations; otherwise, the platform might confront yet another possible prohibition.
As of March 28, Zhang’s estimated net worth stands at US$65.5 billion, according to the records.
Forbes
.
2. Zhong Shanshan – the founder of the bottled water company Nongfu Spring
|
|
Zhong Shanshan, the chairperson of Nongfu Spring, gives a talk during a press briefing in Beijing, China, on May 6, 2013. The photograph was taken by Oriental Image through Reuters.
|
The story of Zhong Shanshan amassing his fortune is a quintessential tale of rising from humble beginnings to great success. After leaving school early, he took on multiple roles such as working in construction, practicing journalism, and selling beverages. Eventually, this led him to found Nongfu Spring, which has become the foremost producer of bottled water in China today.
In addition, he holds an interest in Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprises, which manufactures medical equipment like diagnostic tests and vaccines.
Zhong, who is 70 years old, was at the top as China’s wealthiest individual for many years until his company faced a significant backlash during the previous year. Online nationalistic commentators criticized Nongfu Spring for allegedly utilizing packaging inspired by Japan.
As the competition within the bottled water sector became more intense and online criticism grew, Zhong’s wealth decreased by $8 billion.
During a public gathering in November, he did this.
condemned major online commerce company PDD Holdings
For triggering price battles that he said weakened Chinese manufacturers.
He criticized ByteDance for not stopping social media assaults against Nongfu and requested an apology from its founder, Zhang, due to the harm inflicted by ByteDance’s news app Toutiao.
By March 28, Zhong’s fortune was valued at approximately $54.1 billion.
3. Ma Huateng – Chief Executive Officer and chairperson of the internet company Tencent Holdings
|
|
Pony Ma Huateng, chairman and CEO of Tencent Holdings. Photo by Reuters
|
Pony Ma Huateng, who is 53 years old, ranks among China’s wealthiest people due to his shareholding in Tencent, a diversified media company he helped establish in 1998.
The company started its ascent in 1999 with QQ, an online messaging service that closely mirrored ICQ, one of the first such applications, as indicated.
South China Morning Post
.
Throughout the years, Ma has broadened the company’s scope to include online gaming, digital payment solutions, and mobile apps. In 2011, they launched WeChat, which currently counts more than a billion active monthly users.
Apart from bestowing significant riches upon him, QQ also held a personal significance in Ma’s journey. It is reported that the tycoon crossed paths with his future spouse, Wang Danting, in a chat room on this very platform.
In the past year, Ma’s wealth increased by over a third as Tencent kept flourishing.
As of March 28, his fortune was valued at approximately $53.8 billion.
4. Colin Huang — the founder of the e-commerce company PDD Holdings
|
|
The founder of the online discount platform Pinduoduo, Colin Huang, addresses attendees during the firm’s initial stock listing at the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in New York. The event took place concurrently with a gathering in Shanghai, China on July 26, 2018. The photograph was taken by Yin Liqin for CNS through Reuters.
|
Colin Huang, who is 44 years old, originated from a working-class family where his parents were factory workers before him.
secured an engineering position at Google
by 2004, according to
Business Insider
.
He achieved his major success in 2015 with the launch of Pinduoduo, a quickly popularizing e-commerce site in China.
Renamed as PDD Holdings in 2023, the firm has become one of the nation’s biggest players in e-commerce. In 2022, they launched the international version of their Temu online marketplace, positioning themselves against competitors like Shein.
Even though Huang resigned from his position as the company’s chairperson in 2021, he still holds significant shares.
For several weeks in August, he held the position of China’s richest person until PDD’s stock plummeted by almost 29% later that same month. This decline erased approximately $14 billion from his total wealth, according to reports.
Fortune
magazine.
As of March 28, Huang’s wealth was estimated at $43.8 billion.
5. Lei Jun – the founder of the smartphone and electronic devices company Xiaomi
|
|
On March 28, 2024, Lei Jun, the chairperson and CEO of the Chinese tech firm Xiaomi, unveiled the brand’s latest electric vehicle, the Xiaomi SU7, during a presentation in Beijing. This image was captured by AFP.
|
Lei Jun, 55, founded Xiaomi in 2010 with several partners, became
China’s fifth-richest billionaire
Earlier this year, after the company’s stock saw a 250% increase over the last 12 months.
The rally is partially driven by Xiaomi’s increasing prominence in the smartphone industry, as they have started focusing on high-end, more lucrative devices. As one of the top three smartphone manufacturers globally based on market share, the firm has additionally gained momentum from investor interest in China’s technology sector. This excitement was further boosted by DeepSeek launching an affordable AI model earlier this year.
However, the biggest driver of Xiaomi’s stock surge is the optimism surrounding its electric vehicle business.
Even with fierce competition and continuous pricing battles in the industry, the firm remains poised to achieve its objective of producing 300,000 electric vehicles by 2025, as stated by Lei earlier this year. In the previous year, Xiaomi managed to deliver over 135,000 automobiles.
As of March 28, Lei’s wealth was valued at $40.8 billion.
oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | health benefits, health tips, healthy eating, nutrition, nutritionists
Packed with beneficial fats, proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants, hazelnuts promote cardiovascular well-being, might lower the chance of developing certain cancers, and could aid in regulating blood glucose levels when eaten regularly.
According to
Healthline
Hazelnuts boast an impressive nutritional composition. In each one-ounce (28 grams, approximately 20 pieces) serving, you’ll find around 176 calories, with 17 grams of fat, 4.2 grams of protein, 4.7 grams of carbohydrates, and 2.7 grams of fiber.
This portion offers 21% of the suggested daily amount of vitamin E, 12% for thiamine, 12% for magnesium, 24% for copper, and an impressive 87% for manganese.
Moreover, hazelnuts are abundant in omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids and offer significant quantities of vitamin B6, folate, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
Thanks to their strong nutritional profile, hazelnuts provide these significant health advantages:
1. Preventing aging
Research suggests that eating hazelnuts, whether you consume them with or without their skins, can significantly decrease oxidative stress—an important contributor to aging—due to their high antioxidant content. For optimal antioxidant effects, it’s advisable to have raw, unhulled hazelnuts as opposed to roasted ones because the process of roasting may lower the level of antioxidants present.
2. Enhancing heart health
Consuming hazelnuts can enhance cardiovascular well-being due to their high content of antioxidants, beneficial fats, and dietary fibers. Studies indicate that regular intake of hazelnuts aids in reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In an investigation, participants who ate hazelnuts every day experienced a notable decline in LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, along with improvements in arterial function and reduced inflammation indicators.
The beneficial fats found in hazelnuts, particularly oleic acid, might also assist in managing blood pressure levels.
|
|
A heap of hazelnuts. Illustration photo by Pixabay
|
3. Reducing cancer risk
Hazelnuts include antioxidants and useful components that have been linked to various health benefits.
a reduced chance of developing specific types of cancer
Including proanthocyanidins and vitamin E, these compounds can shield cells from oxidative harm, which is closely associated with cancer progression. Preliminary studies indicate that hazelnut extracts might aid in preventing or managing different types of cancer, like those affecting the breasts, liver, and colon.
4. Reducing inflammation
Hazelnuts are rich in beneficial fats that possess anti-inflammatory characteristics. Consuming them regularly can lead to substantial reductions in inflammation indicators like C-reactive protein (CRP), particularly among those who are overweight or obese.
high cholesterol
.
Although hazelnuts cannot completely eradicate inflammation on their own, incorporating them into a well-balanced diet may assist in managing persistent inflammatory conditions.
5. Assisting in reducing glucose levels in the blood
The main fatty acid found in hazelnuts, oleic acid, is linked to better blood sugar control, which makes these nuts a helpful food choice for people who have or are prone to developing type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, consistent consumption of nuts, such as hazelnuts, has been associated with reduced blood glucose levels.
6. Improving digestion
Hazelnuts offer a significant quantity of
dietary fiber
, supporting overall digestive health. As reported by Medical News Today, eating fiber-rich foods such as hazelnuts aids in maintaining regular bowel movements and helps prevent constipation.
7. Reducing weight gain
New studies suggest that eating nuts like hazelnuts frequently might aid in preventing excessive weight gain. In a 2018 report, people who included nuts in their diet regularly had a lower chance of becoming overweight or obese than those who seldom indulged in them.
oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | business, commerce, manufacturing, technology, transportation
Easytech Integrated Services Limited, a company from Nigeria, has joined forces with Guangzhou Dayun Motorcycle Company Limited, a prominent producer of motorcycles and tricycles based in China, to manufacture affordable yet superior quality tricycles designed specifically for improving the transport of farm products in countryside regions.
A press release provided to reporters in Lokoja by Oyigu Elijah outlined that the collaboration intends to manufacture tricycles tailored for effective cargo and baggage transport.
During a joint meeting with its partners, the Managing Director and CEO of Easytech Integrated Services Limited, Alhaji Abdulsalam Iyaji—a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police from Kogi State—highlighted the significant impact that transportation has on Nigeria’s socioeconomic growth.
“Our mission is to tackle issues, and our objective here is to resolve the transportation difficulties affecting the everyday routines and economic endeavors of our community members, with special emphasis on those residing in rural regions,” Iyaji noted.
“We decided to collaborate with Dayun due to their established success and stellar standing in the market for crafting robust and effective items,” he noted.
Edo government collaborates with LAPO to address issues affecting women and girls; Okun Development Association organizes security conference; Abia government plans to work with NASS on renewable energy projects
Alhaji Iyaji emphasized the advantages of the newly introduced pickup tricycles. These vehicles are well-suited for carrying merchandise and farm products. He pointed out their efficient fuel usage, robust construction, and ability to handle demanding tasks effectively.
“These tricycles are specifically designed for transporting goods and baggage. They are robust, dependable, and boast great fuel efficiency, which makes them an ideal choice for small enterprises and personal use,” he clarified.
The partnership is set to launch cutting-edge tricycle designs powered by alternative energy sources. Iyaji shared intentions to produce electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) tricycles aimed at decreasing dependence on fuel-driven versions and adhering to international environmental objectives.
“We are currently investigating methods to manufacture electric tricycles and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compliant versions. Our objective is to reduce the difficulties related to transport, thereby simplifying and lowering costs for people in Nigeria,” he stated additionally.
Ms. Heidi, the Sales Manager at Guangzhou Dayun Motorcycle Co. Ltd., conveyed her company’s excitement about the collaboration during the event.
“We are delighted to join forces with Easytech Integrated Services Limited, a reliable and forward-thinking firm. This partnership represents a crucial move toward enhancing our reach and influence in Nigeria, which stands as the continent’s most populated nation,” she stated.
The event saw the presence of important delegates from both organizations, featuring Mr. Niu, who holds the position of Technical Officer at Dayun, alongside Mr. Suleiman Iyaji, serving as the Sales Director for Easytech Integrated Services Limited.
FURTHER READING FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel now
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
