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The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk’s news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity. Read MoreTHIS is the incredible moment Ukraine unleashes a shotgun-wielding drone to hunt down and destroy Russians on the battlefield. The impressive footage, captured from the frontlines, shows the powerful mounted UAVs taking on Russian drones single-handedly and blasting them out of the sky with ease. Foundation for Assistance to Defenders of Ukraine shared a compilation of the drone-on-drone executions on social media. The minute-long clip shows a small Russian aircraft soaring above a Ukrainian warzone before being ruthlessly targeted. In the insane video a Ukrainian drone stealthily appears above its Russian counterpart with two shotguns attached to its front. The operator takes aim and with near pinpoint accuracy fires - launching a deathly bullet straight to the Russian drone. A quick flash of light erupts as the shotgun strikes the drone and sends it tumbling to the ground. Another clips sees the Russian war weapon approaching the destructive new invention over a snowy battleground. Within seconds, a shotgun bullet is fired and splits Vladimir Putin's drone in two as it plunges downwards and smashes off the ground. A third video shows a pair of drones battling it out in a wild chase. The shotgun-wielding Ukrainian can be seen hunting down the fleeing Russian drone. After a long, daring flight the flashy new Ukrainian weapon takes charge and finds its target with a devastating strike. The compilation of videos were followed by the caption: "For the first time on video - hard drive drones shoot down other drones with shotguns. "Defenders of Ukraine are testing the developments of Lesia UA technology." Ukraine's use of drone warfare has kept Putin's troops at bay since the conflict started almost three years ago. They have repeatedly used impressive aerial tactics to strike key Russian infrastructure and to take out incoming fighters with ease. One of the most advanced drones being used is the dragon drone which spews flesh-melting thermite onto Russian bunkers. Terrifying footage has shown the drone beginning to spew the thermite across a trench and into the entrance of a snowy Russian bunker . Anyone caught underneath the iron oxide and aluminium combination would be burned to death. After shooting the lethal mixture for around 20 seconds the drone catches fire itself and flies inside the bunker hoping to take Russian soldiers with it. Kyiv has been deploying the menacing weapon over tree lines and forests - attacking Russia with scorching hot molten. Earlier this month footage also showed Ukrainian drones equipped with machine guns being used for the first time to ambush Russian troops. Ukrainian soldiers fitted a Wild Hornets drone with an AK-47 assault rifle and used it to fire on opposition forces . It comes just days after Russian despot Putin admitted he's open for peace talks with Ukraine again - but only "if it comes to that". The ageing tyrant welcomed Slovakian PM Robert Fico to the Kremlin before Christmas and claims the pair spoke about using Slovakia as a negotiating headquarters to help solve the nearly three-year conflict. Despite the comments, Putin launched a brutal missile and drone barrage on Ukraine in a horror Christmas massacre. Over 70 missiles, including ballistic projectiles, and more than 100 kamikaze drones were launched in a coordinated assault early on December 25. The attack disrupted festive celebrations across Ukraine, with families forced to take shelter in metro stations as air raid sirens wailed across the country.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder run their winning streak to 11 games with a 130-106 home victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. The loss snapped the Grizzlies' two-game winning streak and was just their fourth in 18 games. The Thunder had a season-high 35 assists, led by eight from Jalen Williams. Without Ja Morant, who sustained a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder in Friday's win over New Orleans, and several other key players, Memphis didn't have an answer for the Western Conference-leading Thunder. The Grizzlies also were without Zach Edey (concussion) and Brandon Clarke (right knee soreness). While Memphis was without plenty of production, Oklahoma City's Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace returned after missing Saturday's win in Charlotte. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, Oklahoma City missed its first five shots and had two turnovers in the first three minutes before Gilgeous-Alexander got going. After falling behind 9-0, Oklahoma City took over. Gilgeous-Alexander made his first six shots, extending into the second quarter, and the Thunder led by as much as 29 in the first half. Gilgeous-Alexander kept his foot on the pedal deep into the second half, even with the game well under control. In the final seconds of the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander jogged to halfcourt, crossing with about three seconds left. Then Gilgeous-Alexander blew past Luke Kennard to get to the bucket, finishing with a scooping layup as Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. stepped his direction too late to contest the shot. It was Gilgeous-Alexander's 17th game with at least 30 points this season. Gilgeous-Alexander finished 14 of 19 from the floor -- 13 of 14 inside the arc -- as Oklahoma City outscored Memphis in the paint 56-36 for the game. Oklahoma City scored 33 points off Memphis' 21 turnovers. The Grizzlies shot a season-low 38.1 percent from the floor, with starters Jaylen Wells and Jackson combining to shoot just 5 of 29. Desmond Bane led Memphis with 22 points. Six other Oklahoma City scorers joined Gilgeous-Alexander in double figures, including 17 points off the bench from Ajay Mitchell and 16 from Aaron Wiggins. --Field Level Media

Pack your bags and dust off your travel bucket list! Starting January 1, 2025, UAE residents no longer need to endure the hassle of embassy appointments to visit Thailand. With the launch of a global e-visa system, travelling to the Land of Smiles just got a whole lot easier. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is rolling out this digital initiative, e-visa for UAE to boost tourism and make the visa process easy. Let’s break it down for you. Your Ticket To Thailand Simplified: E-Visa Perks Gone are the days of queuing at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate-General in Dubai. UAE residents can now apply for their visas online through Thailand’s official e-visa portal. This means no more lugging around original documents or passports to embassy counters. The process is designed to be as smooth as Thai curry, but there’s a catch. Only use the official portal (www.thaievisa.go.th) for applications and payments. Beware of sneaky middlemen claiming to simplify the process for you, they’re not authorised! What You’ll Need to Get Started Before you dive into the e-visa process, here’s a checklist of what you’ll need: The e-visa fee is AED 400 (around $109) and grants you a 60-day stay in Thailand. Make sure you plan ahead, as processing can take anywhere from five to 20 days. Also Read: Ready For Your Thai Vacation? Here’s A Step-By-Step Guide For How To Apply For The Thailand E-Visa Why This Matters For UAE Travelers This global e-visa launch isn’t just about convenience, it’s part of Thailand’s grand plan to welcome more visitors from across the world. For UAE residents, this means less stress and more time dreaming about spicy street food, tropical beaches, and bustling markets. Thailand’s e-visa system marks a big leap in modernizing travel for UAE residents. Whether you’re planning a getaway to Phuket’s beaches, Bangkok’s vibrant streets, or Chiang Mai’s serene temples, the journey begins with just a few clicks. So, why wait? Start your application, book your tickets, and let Thailand’s charm sweep you off your feet. Safe travels! Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Stock Images

The number of people in prison in the north has fallen to 840 , ‘interior minister’ Dursun Oguz said on Friday night. Addressing the ‘parliamentary’ finance committee, where his ‘ministry’s’ budget was being deliberated, he said the 840 are of 35 different nationalities. He added that there are a total of 51 women from 15 countries and a total of 17 people under the age of 21 years old in prison in the north. Additionally, he said, there are no minors under the age of 14 in prison in the north at present . This figure has fallen from the total of more than 1,000 which was reported by Cyprus Turkish civil servants’ trade union (Ktams) leader Guven Bengihan in July. He said at the time that there were an exact total of 1,050 currently inside, despite the prison’s stated capacity of 625 inmates. With this in mind, he said “the workload of the 275 prison guards has increased”, and that they were being “constantly called to work” and being asked to work overtime. He had added that the root cause of the problem is the number of third country nationals being employed illegally in the north . “The prison is overflowing because the country is being treated like an inn and is telling people, ‘don’t ask, just come in’,” he said. He added that the flow of migrants into the north is “causing serious social and criminal problems”. “People coming from African countries in particular enter the country for the purpose of working illegally. They usually come to the country through the universities ,” he added. The issue of migration was also touched on by Oguz on Friday night, He made reference to the “migration amnesty” scheme, which saw a total of 6,165 undocumented migrants in the north given permanent status in August and September. He said “nobody can enter the country with ease”, and added that “we want to preserve the TRNC’s feature of being a safe country”. The amnesty had allowed undocumented migrants in the north, including those fined for having lived there illegally on or after January 1, 2021, to register and be incorporated into the north’s system with a work permit if they could find a job. They were also required to pay a fine of 33,926TL (€887 at the time) within ten days of their registration.

New research recently published in the journal International Social Work observing how marital status effects the aging of men and women reported a pattern of married men aging slower than those who were single, while for women, there was minimal difference present. Mabel Ho, Eleanor Pullenayegum, David Burnes, and Esme Fuller-Thomson, the researchers behind the Canada-based study, said it examines the “sex-specific impact of marital trajectories among older adults on successful aging to help social workers identify those most at risk for sub-optimal outcomes who may benefit from targeted interventions.” They explained that they used binary logistic regression analyses to investigate 7641 Canadians who were classified as ‘aging successfully’ in the baseline wave of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, which tracked the health and well-being of adults aged 45 to 85 over a period of 20 years. According to their findings, men who were continuously married, continuously widowed, or got married between the waves were more probable to age “successfully” as opposed to their single counterparts. Whereas for women, their marital trajectories reportedly played a modest role in their aging. Of the 3926 male respondents, “significant positive associations” between marital status and successful aging were observed in respondents who were continuously married (aOR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.53, 4.28), continuously widowed (aOR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.22, 5.09), or became married since baseline (aOR = 3.83, 95% CI = 1.67, 8.77) when compared to their never-married peers. As a contrast, there were no significant differences in regards to successful aging between never-married individuals and any of the other marital categories (i.e. continuously married, continuously widowed, continuously divorced or separated, became married since baseline, and other trajectories of marital status since baseline) for the 3715 female respondents. However, the authors reported one exception of the women who transitioned from married to not married between the waves having significantly lower odds of “successful aging” (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.28, 0.81). According to another study recently published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, women were observed to be more content living on their own, as they were found to be less likely to want a significant other, and more sexually satisfied. The authors of the analysis suggested this is because women were more likely to report having supportive platonic relationships, and because they reported romantic relationships are less beneficial for them, as they’re more likely to take on a larger share of household and romantic duties while having their sexual pleasure undervalued. Overall however, marriage in the US is reported to have jumped from 5.1 per 1,000 people in 2020 to 6.2 by 2022, the highest rate observed since 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

US stock indices pushed to fresh records Tuesday, shrugging off tariff threats from President-elect Donald Trump while European equities retreated. Trump, who doesn't take office until January 20, made his threat in social media posts Monday night, announcing huge import tariffs against neighbors Canada and Mexico and also rival China if they do not stop illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Both the Dow and S&P 500 notched all-time highs, with investors regarding the incoming president's words as a bargaining chip. "In theory, higher tariffs should not be good news for stocks. But, you know, I think the market's chosen to think of (it) as a negotiating tactic," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers. "You have bullish sentiment," said LBBW's Karl Haeling. "People are tending to look at things as positively as possible." But General Motors, which imports autos from Mexico to the United States, slumped 9.0 percent, while rival Ford dropped 2.6 percent. Overseas bourses were also buffeted by the news. European stocks followed losses in Asia, despite Trump excluding Europe as an immediate target for tariffs. "These are his first direct comments on tariffs and tariff levels since becoming president-elect, and they have roiled markets," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB trading group, ahead of the Wall Street open. "It is early days, and there are plenty of opportunities for Trump to direct his attention to Europe down the line," Brooks added. The US dollar rallied against its Canadian equivalent, China's yuan and Mexico's peso, which hit its lowest level since August 2022. In other economic news, the Conference Board's consumer confidence index rose to 111.7 this month, up from 109.6 in October, boosted by greater optimism surrounding the labor market. "November's increase was mainly driven by more positive consumer assessments of the present situation, particularly regarding the labor market," said Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board. Pantheon Macroeconomics chief US economist Samuel Tombs added in a note that the increase in consumer confidence overall "likely was driven by euphoria among Republicans." "The index also jumped in late 2016, when Mr. Trump was elected for the first time," he said. Federal Reserve meeting minutes showed policy makers expect inflation to keep cooling, signaling a gradual approach to interest rate cuts if price increases ease further and the job market remains strong. New York - Dow: UP 0.3 percent at 44,860.31 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.6 percent at 6,021.63 (close) New York - Nasdaq: UP 0.6 percent at 19,174.30 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.4 percent at 8,258.61 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.9 percent at 7,194.51 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.6 percent at 19,295.98 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.9 percent at 38,442.00 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 19,159.20 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,259.76 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0482 from $1.0495 on Monday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2567 from $1.2568 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 153.06 yen from 154.23 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 83.41 pence from 83.51 pence Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.3 percent at $72.81 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $68.77 per barrel bur-jmb/stThe Smartest Index ETF to Buy With $200 Right Now

THE shock departure of heart-throb dancer Giovanni Pernice left Strictly Come Dancing with a vacancy for a “smouldering womanising hunk” in urgent need of filling. But luckily, Beeb producers catering to women of a certain age did not have to travel to Italy to find a replacement — they just had a short drive down the A13 to Essex. Pete Wicks, the heavily-tattooed former bad boy of reality show The Only Way Is Essex, has been billed “the new Giovanni” by Strictly bosses — and it is not because of his dance moves. Indeed, Gio 2.0 Pete, who at 36 is just two years older than his counterpart, has become a huge hit with middle-aged female viewers. He is the new “bit of rough” they can gawp at on a Saturday night — and he has certainly been up for the task. From gyrating in tight pink PVC trousers to thrusting his schlong in a George Of The Jungle leopard-print outfit and choosing risqué songs, like Right Said Fred’s I’m Too Sexy, Pete has been hamming it up. A show insider said: “Strictly have turned Pete into the new Giovanni, there’s no doubt about that. It’s been quite deliberate. “Women are swooning over him and it’s keeping him in the competition, week after week. “It wouldn’t be wrong to say many viewers had no idea who Pete was before this series. They certainly do now. “With their matching brooding looks, tanned, rugged features , chiselled physiques and muscles on display, Pete has been a like-for-like swap for Gio. “He has even amassed an entirely new fanbase. Plus there are no dark tales of bad behaviour or bullying.” Strictly bosses, who consist of mostly women, have been clever in moulding Pete into Giovanni and they share many parallels — even when it comes to their romances. Pete currently has an on-off relationship with Irish Love Island beauty Maura Higgins, a contestant on the new series of I’m A Celebrity , who also happens to be Gio’s ex after the pair dated in 2021. He also had a relationship with former Towie co-star Jess Wright, who Giovanni dated in 2018. Plus, Pete is growing increasingly close to his current dance partner Jowita Przystal , 30, who was linked to Gio last year. Of course, when Giovanni stepped down earlier this year — amid the bullying investigation into his treatment of former dance partner and actress Amanda Abbington , 50 — the biggest outcries came from his army of middle-aged female fans. Amanda became the target of trolls and even received death threats. As with Giovanni in previous series, Pete’s outfits have certainly been the most eye-catching out of all the male stars’. Namely, the barely-there leopard-print outfit for his samba routine in Movie Week, which made a lasting impression on judge Craig Revel Horwood, and last weekend’s Cha Cha costume, featuring the tightest (hot pink) PVC trousers the dance series has ever seen. He even appealed to acid-tongued Craig with a fake tattoo of the judge’s face on his body and proudly flashing his abs to the cameras. Those who know Pete well will appreciate he has stepped out of his comfort zone to embrace his risqué fashion choices, which has pleased show bosses. The insider added: “Pete made it clear he’s up for anything. He would never have dreamed of wearing outfits such as these previously “He knows he’s not the best dancer, but is well aware voters appreciate a trier. “Bosses have deliberately assigned Pete as this year’s hunk in Giovanni’s absence and want to dress him as sexy as possible. “He would never have dreamed of wearing outfits such as these previously, but Pete’s just got on with it — no questions asked. “Albeit he does joke he’s been made to look outrageous at times, but that’s just part of his ‘moody’ character. “He knows what he’s doing.” Pete’s signing to Strictly came as a surprise to those in the industry. He has only ever been associated with reality shows, which is usually a Strictly no-no, and has no real previous connection to the BBC. But his likeness to the controversial Italian and willingness to step out of his comfort zone secured his place on the show. And his progression to the latter stages of the competition should not come as a surprise to those who follow Pete outside of Strictly. His association with I’m A Celebrity 2023 winner Sam Thompson, who he met on E4 show Celebs Go Dating, has been a career booster of epic proportions. The best friends’ Staying Relevant podcast is so popular that they sold out a UK tour, and their TikTok videos bag millions of viewers. And it is their vocal young fanbase, who voted in their droves to secure Sam’s jungle win, coupled with Pete’s newfound love from middle-aged Strictly fans, which has kept him away from the dreaded dance-off. Pete’s chemistry with his dance partner Jowita is also a contributing factor to their success. The pair have sparked romance rumours, with one source saying: “Pete loves Jowita, he has the utmost respect for her.” Whether it is enough to secure him a spot in the final remains to be seen, but he has certainly made his mark on the hearts of millions. BLIND comedian Chris McCausland has revealed he calls pro partner Dianne Buswell “Nicole Kidman”. The 47-year-old said that he and Australian dancer Dianne, 35, are always swamped by fans when they are seen in public, leading him to compare the experience to socialising with another famous Aussie red-head – Hollywood actress Nicole, 57. Speaking on the Graham Norton Show about popping out with Dianne for lunch, he said: “It has got to the point that, for two months, I have been saying, ‘Come on Nicole, let’s go get some spaghetti bolognese’.” MONTELL Douglas has joked that pro partner Johannes Radebe’s bum is too big for PVC trousers like the ones worn by Pete Wicks. The 38-year-old, aka Fire on BBC’s Gladiators, said she would love to see him in skin-tight bottoms like the pink ones fans believe helped save Pete on last week’s show. It came after Montell and Johannes, 37, inset, ended up in the dance-off while Pete and Jowita Przystal sailed through as fans swooned over his revealing strides. Asked if she and Johannes need a pair of pink pants to win extra votes, Montell said: “They’re not going to fit Johannes’s behind. But we all want to see it though, right? “We would pay to see that! I would, I would just stand there and watch.” Meanwhile, the former Team GB athlete said she has dropped two dress sizes training for up to ten hours a day. She added: “I’m shredded and I’m 38 years old. I haven’t looked like this since I was 20, before my first Olympic Games. “I’ve dropped two dress sizes. I’ve lost a stone – it’s wild. It’s changed my whole physique. “Even the Gladiators have mentioned it and said, ‘Oh, my gosh, you look insane’. “Legend was like, ‘Mate, you look shredded’. It’s a different body type. But it’s been nice because I still feel really strong. “Usually, if you would lose that muscle tone and mass as a Gladiator, you would feel it. But I still feel like I could take someone on right now. “I will be going back to the gym after Strictly.”

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It seemed like companies couldn’t hire information technology analysts fast enough in 2014 when Michael Deneen began his IT career. Job counts nationally soared in the 2010s and early 2020s, but then the market flattened and a profession that looked like it might grow uninterrupted started shedding jobs. Laid off twice this year from Minnesota IT jobs, Deneen said he’s found it hard to snag the next gig. “Before I could have three, four offers lined up and would have to choose between them,” the Columbia Heights man said. “It’s like I’m struggling to even get a foot in the door in places that I’m more than qualified for.” ADVERTISEMENT Even with the state’s relatively low 3.5 percen t unemployment rate, some mid-career Minnesotans and those just coming out of college are seeing a job market now that worries them. Recent layoffs at Cargill in the Twin Cities and last week’s announcement that Arctic Cat, the Minnesota snowmobile maker, will shutter its manufacturing operations next year in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud, have added to the anxiety. Analysts say Minnesota’s job market remains robust, but for some there’s a skills matchup problem as some sectors grow while others flatten or decline. “I’m not gonna lie, it’s been hard,” Deneen said of finding the next IT job. “I’ve had a lot of self-doubt now, like questioning is this really an industry I am good at? Is this something I should even be in anymore? I’m also 40. It’s like, I can’t really switch careers at this point.” ‘Shouldn't be this way’ Health care, government, leisure and hospitality and transportation are among the Minnesota sectors that continue to show strong job growth, according to state data. Other industries are growing slower, including construction and manufacturing. “We’ve heard from some folks that maybe it has taken a little longer than what they remember in the past if they were previously unemployed. Some individuals don’t say that at all,” said Sara Garbe, workforce development supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “November and reaching December, we certainly see a slowdown of hiring and folks may mention things like that they’ve heard from recruiters that maybe a decision won’t be made until after the holidays or after the first or the last quarter of the year,” added Garbe, whose staff works with new job seekers and those in mid-career. For recent college grads who haven’t landed work, the holiday season can bring its own pressures. ADVERTISEMENT Raina Hofstede, 22, studied English at Harvard University. Since graduating in May and coming back to Minnesota, she said job prospects have been nearly nonexistent. “I feel kind of directionless in the time period that I’m waiting,” said Hofstede, who grew up in Coon Rapids. “I feel like I really want to plan. I’m at a point where, like, I’d love to get things moving.” She’s applied to post-undergrad internships and career-advancing work. She’s looking into publishing, creative writing spaces and museums and hopes a stint working in comedy clubs while at Harvard might intrigue an employer. The search and the uncertainty around it is a grind, she acknowledged. “I think, as time goes on, and this feels sad, but I think as time goes on, my belief in myself slowly drops a little bit more with more rejections, and so I feel like I’ll be applying to less and less competitive things as I move forward,” Hofstede said. ' Minnesota showed strong steady job growth coming out of the Great Recession in 2009, reaching nearly 3 million jobs by February 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic torpedoed that growth — the state lost more than 400,000 jobs, nearly 14 percent of its employment, in the span of a few months. Job counts didn’t return permanently to pre-pandemic levels until September last year. The current state and national unemployment rates are relatively low, although they have ticked up over the past year. Minnesota’s unemployment rate is lower than the U.S. unemployment rate at 4.2 percent. Based on the most recent data, Minnesota has six unemployed people for every 10 job openings where nationally there are nine unemployed people for every 10 openings. ADVERTISEMENT Knowing that doesn’t make it easier for those looking for work, waiting for answers from prospective employers. “It just kind of feels like they have no respect for a candidate or their time, or them as a person,” Deneen said of the current market. “It’s an entire game, and it shouldn’t be this way.” ‘A little community’ Garbe said technology is transforming job searches in ways that may make landing work more challenging for some in mid-career or just starting out. Companies are using automated systems or in some cases artificial intelligence systems to screen applicants before a human gets to them. She encourages job seekers to reach out to one of DEED’s more than 50 CareerForce offices across the state where analysts can review resumes or cover letters with job seekers and offer help with writing and strategy. They can also connect people to needed training or certifications. Garbe also suggests reflecting on what you’ve accomplished to boost your self-confidence if you get overwhelmed. Social media has become a resource for job seekers as they look. Groups on Reddit like r/StudentJobSearch have become a space for venting and advice with conversations about job searching and applications. LinkedIn is also seeing similar support groups, including two Deneen is in that focus on networking and project management. ADVERTISEMENT Hofstede said she’s found solace leaning on those around her who are going through these same experiences. She and a group of new graduates meet at their public library to sift through job postings and work on cover letters and resumes together. “Something of a little community of people who are unemployed and looking for jobs, and I like having the friends support,” she said. “It is harder to go through something uncertain like this alone.”Cross-border shopping has become increasingly popular as more Hongkongers head north for better value for money. While the lower price tags for many goods and services on the mainland appeal to consumers, there is every reason to resist when it comes to fresh produce and uncooked food. During the first eight months of this year, the number of illegal imports of food items at land border checkpoints had already reached 1,324, surpassing the total of 1,019 cases for the whole of last year. The majority involved raw meat, up from 467 cases last year to 817 cases by August this year. There were 374 caught with uncertified eggs, more than triple the 118 intercepted over the whole of last year, according to the Customs and Excise Department. There is arguably nothing wrong with consumers opting for cheaper prices elsewhere. But to do so at the expense of the law is unacceptable. There are reasons why the import of raw food is under strict control. Some countries are known for their zero tolerance and stiff penalties against unauthorised import of fresh produce and food products. The tough regime serves to protect food safety and avoid spreading plant pests and animal diseases. In Hong Kong, anyone importing “game, meat, poultry and eggs” must have a health certificate from the place of origin or written consent from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Failing to do so can lead to a fine of up to HK$50,000 and up to six months in jail.Trump and NATO Chief Meet for Crucial Global Security Talks

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