Hull Kingston Rovers hold off Brisbane Broncos to win World Club ChallengeAFP, LONDONEngland’s Hull Kingston Rovers on Thursday overcame a ferocious second-half fightback by Australian NRL champions Brisbane Broncos to win rugby league’s World Club Challenge 30-24. Reigning Super League title-holders Hull KR, once on the brink of going out of business before winning a domestic treble last season, led by 26 points early in the second half. Mikey Lewis’ kicking game led to a succession of Broncos’ errors, with tries from Tom Amone, Elliot Minchella and Joe Burgess leaving Hull KR 18-4 ahead at halftime in front of their own fans. Dean Hadley of Hull Kingston Rovers, front right, is tackled by Patrick Carrigan of the Brisbane Broncos, front second right, in their World Club Challenge match in Kingston upon Hull, England, on Thursday. Photo: APGehamat Shibasaki scored the Broncos’ lone try before the break against a Hull KR side transformed after starting their Super League title defense with a shock loss to promoted York City Knights last week.

Insights from felines could help better treat certain cancers, a study showsAFP, WASHINGTONOwning a cat offers many health benefits, including reduced stress and emotional support, and new research suggests that our feline friends might also offer clues to better treat certain cancers. “They develop other illnesses that we do when you get cancer,” Van der Weyden said, adding that cancer could be accompanied by ailments such as diabetes or heart disease. Indiana University professor Harikrishna Nakshatri said the data could help scientists gain better understanding of how cancer develops. For Van der Weyden, the findings could result in a “win-win” for humans and our beloved pets. “We’re genomically so similar, the tumors we develop are so similar,” she said.

Kimonos getting vibrant and sustainable revampAP, TOKYOThe kimono, that elaborate, delicate wrap-around garment worn by geisha and samurai from centuries back, is getting a vibrant remake, appreciated these days for a virtue that is more relevant than ever: sustainability. Designer Tomoko Ohkata, left, and her assistant hold Ohkata’s designs made from old kimono in Tokyo on Jan. 15. What designer Tomoko Ohkata loves most about the products she designs using old kimonos is that she does not have to live with a guilty conscience, and instead feels she is helping solve an ecological problem. Recycling venues in Japan get thousands of old kimonos a day as people find them stashed away in closets by parents and grandparents. These days, Japanese generally wear kimonos just for special occasions such as weddings.

Venezuela Assembly approves amnesty billAFP, CARACASThe Venezuelan National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved a long-awaited amnesty law that could free hundreds of political prisoners jailed for being government detractors. Venezuelans embrace upon learning of the approval of the amnesty law for political prisoners in Caracas on Thursday. In one of the first releases after the bill passed, Machado ally and former National Assembly vice president Juan Pablo Guanipa announced his release from detention after about nine months in prison and under house arrest. “I thank all Venezuelans for fighting for my release and that of all political prisoners,” he wrote. Article 9 of the bill lists those excluded from amnesty as “persons who are being prosecuted or may be convicted for promoting, instigating, soliciting, invoking, favoring, facilitating, financing or participating in armed actions, or the use of force against the people, sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Venezuela “by foreign states, corporations or individuals.”The Venezuelan National Assembly had delayed several sittings meant to pass the amnesty bill.

Spain courts China in new strategy as US ties grow sourBloombergSpain is planning to build political and financial links to China as US President Donald Trump upends the global economic order. The document, which was released yesterday, calls for more high-level meetings and economic exchanges between Spain and China. “Spain seeks to advance a positive and ambitious bilateral agenda with China, reinforcing the comprehensive strategic partnership as well as the excellent bilateral relationship,” the strategy says. Photo: ReutersThe strategy reaffirms Spain’s position as Europe’s leader on efforts to deepen ties with China — and its willingness to rebuff warnings in doing so from the Trump administration. Spain’s push to deepen its relationship with China not only risks irking the US, but even some of its European neighbors.

US trade deficit expands sharply as imports surgeReuters, WASHINGTONThe US trade deficit widened sharply in December amid a surge in imports, and the goods shortfall last year was the highest on record, despite US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign manufactured merchandise. The second straight monthly deterioration in the trade deficit reported by the US Department of Commerce on Thursday suggested that trade made little or no contribution to GDP in the fourth quarter. Record goods trade deficits were reported with Taiwan, Mexico, Vietnam, Ireland, Thailand and India. The goods trade deficit with China shrank to US$202.1 billion from US$295.5 billion in 2024. The goods trade deficit widened 18.8 percent to US$99.3 billion in December.

Utah affirms relationship with Taiwan in resolutionBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe Utah State Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, as Taiwan donated US$200,000 to Washington State for flood recovery. Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco Director-General David Wu, front center, attends a session of the Utah State Legislature on Thursday. Photo courtesy of the Utah State Legislature via CNAThe resolution also marked the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. Taiwan and Utah established a sister-state relationship in 1980, while Taiwan was the first nation to establish a reciprocal driver’s license agreement with Utah, the resolution said. The friendship between Washington State and Taiwan is steadfast and both sides would continue to deepen cooperation, he said.

“This deal respects the sovereignty of both countries,” Airlangga said during an online news conference, describing the deal as a “win-win” for both countries. Investor confidence in Indonesia could improve if Jakarta uses the US deal as a springboard for further reform, CSIS Indonesia executive director Yose Rizal Damuri said. Under the deal, textile products from Indonesia would be subject to zero tariffs under a quota mechanism that is still to be discussed. Under the agreement, Indonesia would implement restrictions on “excess production” by foreign-owned mineral processing facilities by ensuring production conforms to Indonesian mining quotas. Earlier this week, Indonesian and US companies signed deals worth US$38.4 billion.

Photo: EPANations that have joined the Pax Silica framework include Japan, South Korea, the UK and Israel. “Pax Silica will be a group of nations that believe technology should empower free people and free markets. India’s entry into Pax Silica isn’t just symbolic. Pax Silica is aimed at strengthening cooperation among partner countries on semiconductor design, fabrication, research and supply chain resilience. “From the trade deal to Pax Silica to defense cooperation, the potential for our two nations to work together is truly limitless,” Gor said.

Brazil and India to deepen critical mineral, tech tiesBloombergBrasilia and New Delhi are set to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI) when Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the two nations position themselves as leading voices for the developing world amid a fragile global order. Lula is to hold bilateral talks with Modi today after attending the AI Summit in New Delhi. As competition between the US and China intensifies over AI and critical minerals, closer cooperation between countries such as Brazil and India could strengthen the collective clout of developing nations in shaping how the technology is developed and regulated. New Delhi and Brasilia sought closer ties as US President Donald Trump slapped both countries with 50 percent tariffs. Both nations want to enter into processing of critical minerals rather than remaining suppliers of raw materials.

ANALYSIS: Britain grappling with surge in youth unemploymentReuters, LONDONThe rise in the Britain’s youth unemployment rate to a 10-year high is posing tough questions for the center-left government about its policy of phasing out a lower minimum wage for younger workers. Youth unemployment in the UK now exceeds that in the EU. The headline unemployment rate hit its lowest since the 1970s at 3.6 percent in 2022. Approaches to youth minimum wage rates vary widely across Europe. “In a world where the youth labor market looks rocky ... big increases in the youth minimum wage rate are probably the wrong way to go,” he said.

Lake boating death under investigationBy Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNAOfficials yesterday said they are investigating video footage to determine whether a boat’s speed or watercraft zoning were factors in a boating accident on Thursday that resulted in the death of a nine-year-old boy in Hualien County. The boy was among a group of family members from Hualien who arrived at Liyu Lake (鯉魚潭) at about 2pm, where they boarded the pedal boat. Tourists pilot a pedal boat on Liwu Lake in Hualien County yesterday. Officials are investigating the cause of the incident, which might include watercraft congestion, powered and unpowered boats operating in close proximity or collision with shoals, he said. Park regulations limit boat speed to 10 knots and detectors are in place to monitor watercraft speeds, he said.

Warmer weather due next weekBy Lin Chih-yi and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writerTemperatures should rise through Tuesday next week, with highs of more than 20°C and possibly as warm as 30°C in the south over the weekend, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. Next week, most of the nation would see cloudy to sunny skies with only light, sporadic rainfall in windward areas, it said. Sightseers visit the Wenhua Road Night Market in Chiayi City earlier this week. Rainfall tapered off yesterday as moisture decreased, bringing drier conditions for the weekend, with only sporadic rain in eastern Taiwan, he added. The monsoon is expected to weaken by Thursday, bringing warmer temperatures, he said.

Anisimova rallies to oust AndreevaAFP, DUBAI, United Arab EmiratesAmanda Anisimova on Thursday ended a tearful Mirra Andreeva’s Dubai title defense with a comeback 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) victory in the quarter-finals. The second-seeded American trailed fifth seed Andreeva by a set and a break before rallying to complete a 2 hour, 38 minute win. Amanda Anisimova of the US returns to Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in their Dubai Championships women’s singles quarter-final in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. Andreeva took the first set with two breaks and grabbed a 2-0 advantage in the second set before Anisimova retaliated and clinched the next five games. Anisimova served for the match at 5-3, but Andreeva sliced and lobbed to stay alive, and soon drew level.

Bennett stars as Zimbabwe beat Sri LankaAP, COLOMBOBrian Bennett on Thursday finished what captain Sikandar Raza started as Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by six wickets to head into the Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights unbeaten. Sri Lanka are to host England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, tomorrow. Sri Lanka opted to bat first and notched 178-7, and Zimbabwe overhauled it with 182-4 and three balls to spare. Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett plays a shot against Sri Lanka in their Men’s T20 World Cup match in Colombo on Thursday. Photo: AFPPavan Rathnayake hit two sixes and three fours in a 25-ball 44 to help Sri Lanka to a competitive total.