j e s s e

j e s s e Sunday brings arguably the most significant Minnesota Vikings regular season game in years. The Green Bay Packers come in with 11 wins and looking to avenge an early-season loss . Kevin O’Connell’s squad is pretty healthy, and a full complement of their defensive roster would be great to see. Minnesota Vikings get a big boost Harrison Smith returning to the starting lineup is a significant boost. His lack of presence was felt last weekend in how organized the Minnesota Vikings defense appeared. The veteran captain has no injury designation and is ready to rock. It would be great if linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. joined him. Final #GBvsMIN injury report OUT: Fabian Moreau QUESTIONABLE: Ivan Pace Jr.* *Currently within 21-day practice window pic.twitter.com/PgGASDzos1 Minnesota has been without Pace Jr. since Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. He missed the last four games while stashed on injured reserve, but there is optimism that he can play. Ivan Pace played just 26 snaps in his return from injury, but made his presence felt in a big way with 6 total tackles, including a sack and a TFL. Here are a number of those plays. He is just electric. Special mover. pic.twitter.com/y3m7szg39M Pace Jr. was not available for Minnesota’s first game against Green Bay this year. If he can go Sunday, the Vikings would have their top linebacker pairing to deal with talented Packers running back Josh Jacobs. Pace Jr. has 59 tackles and three sacks in nine games this season. Smith making his absence a brief one and being back for the biggest game of the season is a big development. Pace Jr. has seen a more extended absence, but will quickly be a difference maker once again. Packers missing talent against Vikings While Minnesota is healthy, the Packers do not have the same good fortune. Cornerback Jaire Alexander continues to duck the Vikings wide receivers and won’t be on the field Sunday. He isn’t the only player Matt LaFleur will be without. Christian Watson and Javon Bullard are questionable for Sunday's game in Minnesota. Jaire Alexander, Evan Williams, Quay Walker and Andre Dillard are out. Ty'Ron Hopper is also questionable. Starting linebacker Quay Walker can’t go against Minnesota. He has 72 tackles and 2.5 sacks this season. The former first round pick is on pace to set career-high tallies across the board. The Vikings can hope to exploit the middle of Green Bay’s defense without one of their key contributors. It remains to be seen if Christian Watson can play. He suffered a knee injury last week and would leave quarterback Jordan Love with one less weapon to utilize. With a questionable designation, his status is one to monitor on Sunday. This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.

“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them,” Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks “ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting'”, adding: “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action.” Swatting entails generating an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretences. The FBI said in a statement that it is “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners”. It added: “We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” Among those targeted was Elise Stefanik, Mr Trump’s choice to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations. Her office said that she, her husband, and their three-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. “New York state, county law enforcement, and US Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism,” her office said in a statement. “We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.” In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9am this morning”. While a family member resides at the address, they said “former congressman Gaetz is not a resident”, adding: “The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.” Mr Gaetz was Mr Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Mr Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by unusual violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The US Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Mr Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a fence while Mr Trump was playing golf.No. 7 Tennessee extends its season-opening winning streak to 7 games in 78-35 win over UT MartinOne of Australia's governments is considering the idea of a minister for as a new . or signup to continue reading NSW is conducting a state inquiry into as it has become a public health issue following the pandemic. Groundswell Foundation chairman Martin Blake said the impacts of loneliness are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes or having six alcoholic drinks per day. "Loneliness has a measurable economic impact - in Australia, the healthcare costs associated with loneliness are estimated at up to $2.7 billion each year in a 2021 report from Curtin University," he said. A - filed for the inquiry - suggested Australia appoint a minister for social connectedness, similar to Japan and the UK's ministers for loneliness, to help raise the topic as a priority issue. Part of the isolation is not knowing how to get help. More than 130 submissions were submitted for the inquiry from organisations including , , , and . VIEW Club's submission said women in its clubs report lower levels of depression and anxiety. "The strong social ties formed within these clubs contribute to better physical health, lowering the risk of chronic diseases and easing the overall burden on healthcare systems," it said. State mental health minister Rose Jackson said besides being an emotional experience, loneliness has profound impacts on people's mental and physical health. "While some people call loneliness the silent epidemic, it doesn't have to be suffered in silence. If you are experiencing loneliness, please speak up and reach out," she said. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare analysis of (HILDA) data showed in 2022, one in six people aged 55-64, and in 65+ felt lonely. Councillor Drew Staunton is a volunteer facilitator of Chatty Cafe, a charity-based initiative that aims to increase social interactions between people in communities. While he was undecided about whether a dedicated Loneliness Minister might help, he did call for more funding to promote and advertise existing services that connect people. "I think part of the isolation is not knowing how to get help," he said. He hosts a table at a cafe inside the Upper Coomera Centre on the Gold Coast each Thursday at 10am for about an hour, where anyone can sit and chat with others. Mr Staunton said people who are socially isolated, feel bewildered, or have experienced loss, can go along for a "good chat with some lightheartedness [and] try and make some friendships." "There's a lot of gratitude and a lot of relief that they can come and just have a chat with someone ...[about] what's happening for them," he said. Mr Staunton said the benefit of being in a group scenario was potentially meeting someone and befriending them. "That can be one of the major factors on recovery and getting better... or feeling normal, when someone else has been through something similar and they've come out the other side, and they're OK and they can empathise with you," he said. Mr Staunton said the modern means of communication didn't help mature Australians with loneliness and social isolation. "Back in their heyday, things were different and it's social media and everything has changed so much now," he said. "Sometimes it's hard to articulate and move forward if you're not familiar with that sort of technology." While some people call loneliness the silent epidemic, it doesn't have to be suffered in silence. Bobby Blake, 66, of Upper Coomera, is a full-time carer to her partner, who lives with dementia. She goes to Drew's Chatty Cafe as an opportunity to mingle and relax with others. "It can be quite difficult to get out about and socialise, so something like the Chatty Cafe is a good platform to meet people," she said. "It's good to talk to people... if you've had an awful week or whatever, you can talk about things. "It's good knowing that people are willing to listen and hearing your story." DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement

CLEVELAND — Two days before recording another milestone, resume-building sack on Sunday at Cincinnati, Myles Garrett delivered a jarring hit — on the Browns. In this case, any roughness could be deemed necessary. Garrett piled on to what has been a painful and puzzling season in Cleveland by saying he doesn't have any interest in going through another rebuild and wants to know exactly what the organization's offseason plans are to fix things. If that wasn't enough, Garrett indicated for the first time that he would consider leaving the Browns if his vision doesn't mesh with the team's ambitions. “It’s a possibility,” he said of playing elsewhere. "But I want to be a Cleveland Brown. I want to play my career here.” It's unclear how Garrett's comments were received by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, who have plenty to consider as the Browns (3-12) head into the final two weeks of a season that began with playoff expectations and could be followed by upheaval. The Browns haven't been this bad since going 0-16 in 2017. Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. Credit: AP/Jeff Dean Garrett, who reached 100 career sacks by taking down Cincinnati's Joe Burrow late in the first half of Sunday's 24-6 loss, may have either added to the Haslams' long list of concerns — the Deshaun Watson contract situation is a priority — or brought them clarity. There's no denying that Garrett's remarks carry substantial weight, which is partly why he spoke up. He's the Browns' best player, a franchise cornerstone, a future Hall of Famer and arguably the most disruptive defensive force in the game today. He's also leading with actions. Garrett showed extraordinary effort in chasing down and tackling Burrow before tumbling out of bounds and crashing into Cleveland's bench and some portable heaters. He might be frustrated, but he's not giving up. “A testament of who he is as a player and who he is as a person,” linebacker Jordan Hicks said. Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. Credit: AP/Jeff Dean What the reigning Defensive Player of the Year says matters. It will be interesting to see if the Haslams listen. At this point, there are indications the Browns intend to stick with coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, whose major misses in recent drafts have become more magnified with each loss. There will be changes; it's just a matter of how drastic and if they'll be enough to satisfy Garrett's wishes. He turns 29 on Dec. 29 and has two years left on a $125 million contract extension. The All-Pro is in his prime and doesn't want to waste another season in a pointless pursuit of a Super Bowl title. His goal is to win a championship with Cleveland — or someone. Garrett's serious. He's asking the Browns to show him they are, too. What's working Cleveland's defense is doing its part. For the second week in a row, the Browns contained one of the NFL's most talented offenses, holding the Bengals and their top-ranked passing game below most of their season averages. Burrow did throw three TD passes — for the seventh game in a row — but Cincinnati scored fewer than 27 points for the first time in seven games. What needs help The Browns continue to beat themselves with costly turnovers, some more costly than others. They drove to the Cincinnati 1-yard line in the opening minutes only to have D'Onta Foreman fumble as he neared the goal line. The Bengals capitalized by driving 99 yards to take a 7-0 lead that could have been Cleveland's. Stock up Running back Jerome Ford is making the most of a heavier workload and finishing strong. He ripped off a 66-yard run on the game's first play and finished with 131 all-purpose yards, including 92 on 11 carries and scored Cleveland's only TD. Ford's emergence as a potential No. 1 back — Nick Chubb's injuries have clouded his future — gives the team one less thing to worry about as it retools the roster. Stock down Kicker Dustin Hopkins hasn't shaken a startling slump. After being benched for a week to work through his struggles, Hopkins missed his only kick, pushing an extra point to the right. Hopkins felt confident going in, but he's back to trying to identify issues that could be equally mechanical and mental. He's just 16 of 25 on field goals, 16 of 19 on PATs and the Browns' decision to sign him to a three-year, $15.9 million extension this summer looks worse every week. Injuries QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson injured his calf early in Sunday's game, leaving his status in doubt for a second straight start this week. If Thompson-Robinson can't go, the Browns could go back to Jameis Winston, but he's dealing with a sore right shoulder. ... Tight end David Njoku is dealing with yet another injury after hurting his knee. The team is awaiting results on an MRI, perhaps a sign of the severity. Njoku has missed time with injuries all season. He finished with eight catches for 66 yards. Key number 20 — Interceptions for the Browns this season. Thompson-Robinson's two picks on Sunday gave the team 10 in the last four games. What's next Probably a half-empty stadium for a final home game on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, who are still in the hunt for a wild-card spot.“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them,” Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks “ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting'”, adding: “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action.” Swatting entails generating an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretences. The FBI said in a statement that it is “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners”. It added: “We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” Among those targeted was Elise Stefanik, Mr Trump’s choice to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations. Her office said that she, her husband, and their three-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. “New York state, county law enforcement, and US Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism,” her office said in a statement. “We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.” In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9am this morning”. While a family member resides at the address, they said “former congressman Gaetz is not a resident”, adding: “The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.” Mr Gaetz was Mr Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Mr Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by unusual violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The US Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Mr Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a fence while Mr Trump was playing golf.

Mohamed Salah’s landmark goal pulls Liverpool clear in Champions LeagueOne of Australia's governments is considering the idea of a minister for as a new . or signup to continue reading NSW is conducting a state inquiry into as it has become a public health issue following the pandemic. Groundswell Foundation chairman Martin Blake said the impacts of loneliness are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes or having six alcoholic drinks per day. "Loneliness has a measurable economic impact - in Australia, the healthcare costs associated with loneliness are estimated at up to $2.7 billion each year in a 2021 report from Curtin University," he said. A - filed for the inquiry - suggested Australia appoint a minister for social connectedness, similar to Japan and the UK's ministers for loneliness, to help raise the topic as a priority issue. Part of the isolation is not knowing how to get help. More than 130 submissions were submitted for the inquiry from organisations including , , , and . VIEW Club's submission said women in its clubs report lower levels of depression and anxiety. "The strong social ties formed within these clubs contribute to better physical health, lowering the risk of chronic diseases and easing the overall burden on healthcare systems," it said. State mental health minister Rose Jackson said besides being an emotional experience, loneliness has profound impacts on people's mental and physical health. "While some people call loneliness the silent epidemic, it doesn't have to be suffered in silence. If you are experiencing loneliness, please speak up and reach out," she said. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare analysis of (HILDA) data showed in 2022, one in six people aged 55-64, and in 65+ felt lonely. Councillor Drew Staunton is a volunteer facilitator of Chatty Cafe, a charity-based initiative that aims to increase social interactions between people in communities. While he was undecided about whether a dedicated Loneliness Minister might help, he did call for more funding to promote and advertise existing services that connect people. "I think part of the isolation is not knowing how to get help," he said. He hosts a table at a cafe inside the Upper Coomera Centre on the Gold Coast each Thursday at 10am for about an hour, where anyone can sit and chat with others. Mr Staunton said people who are socially isolated, feel bewildered, or have experienced loss, can go along for a "good chat with some lightheartedness [and] try and make some friendships." "There's a lot of gratitude and a lot of relief that they can come and just have a chat with someone ...[about] what's happening for them," he said. Mr Staunton said the benefit of being in a group scenario was potentially meeting someone and befriending them. "That can be one of the major factors on recovery and getting better... or feeling normal, when someone else has been through something similar and they've come out the other side, and they're OK and they can empathise with you," he said. Mr Staunton said the modern means of communication didn't help mature Australians with loneliness and social isolation. "Back in their heyday, things were different and it's social media and everything has changed so much now," he said. "Sometimes it's hard to articulate and move forward if you're not familiar with that sort of technology." While some people call loneliness the silent epidemic, it doesn't have to be suffered in silence. Bobby Blake, 66, of Upper Coomera, is a full-time carer to her partner, who lives with dementia. She goes to Drew's Chatty Cafe as an opportunity to mingle and relax with others. "It can be quite difficult to get out about and socialise, so something like the Chatty Cafe is a good platform to meet people," she said. "It's good to talk to people... if you've had an awful week or whatever, you can talk about things. "It's good knowing that people are willing to listen and hearing your story." DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement

TORONTO — Everything changed for Kia Nurse when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the 2021 WNBA playoffs. The basketball star from Hamilton was locked in as starter for a team in the semifinals. She’d been selected as an all-star just two years prior. But in one awkward fall three years ago, she was plunged into the depths of surgery and rehab. Nurse would miss the entire 2022 season due to the injury. She signed with the Seattle Storm for the 2023 campaign before a trade landed her with the Los Angeles Sparks last season. Meanwhile, Nurse represented Canada at the Paris Olympics in August, but she struggled as the team failed to reach the knockout round for the second straight time. The common thread throughout Nurse’s recent basketball journey? She just hasn’t quite felt like herself. “I still love basketball with all of my heart, and it's my favourite thing that I get to do. And I'm so privileged to be able to say that I get to do it as a job,” Nurse said. "But the last two years for me have been just really rocky, up and down.” Nurse, 28, will become a WNBA free agent as of Feb. 1. For now, she’s continuing her Raptors broadcast work with TSN and, on Monday, announced a new playing gig. In February, Nurse will join fellow WNBAers Alysha Clark and Sydney Colson among 37 others for Athletes Unlimited’s third basketball season in Nashville. Athletes Unlimited was founded as a women’s professional softball league in 2020 before expanding to basketball, volleyball and lacrosse. Its 24-game hoops campaign switches teams weekly and concludes by crowning a season-long individual champion. Players earn points through a fantasy-style system that rewards team successes like wins as well as individual accomplishments from made three-pointers to steals to drawn fouls. Outside of the unique scoring system, the game looks like traditional basketball — a major appeal to Nurse as she attempts to tap back into her roots. “I am not proud of my performance at the Olympics and not necessarily proud of how I’ve been playing over the last two years. I just have goals of finding my true love of the game and kind of coming back and being stronger physically, being more fit and just ultimately having a good year,” Nurse said. When Nurse’s career began in 2018, many WNBA players would ply their trade overseas during the off-season as a way of staying in shape and making additional money. But over the past half-decade — and perhaps expedited by Brittney Griner’s 2022 detainment in Russia — more options have emerged stateside, including Athletes Unlimited. “The (WNBA) now has a lot of the teams that have practice facilities, so they have full-time player development, practice-facility access and that's a big piece as well. But now ultimately we have these leagues at home like AU,” Nurse said. Athletes Unlimited will not be the only professional women’s basketball operation in North America this winter. A three-on-three league called Unrivaled, founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, will tip off in January in Miami. Nurse said Unrivaled was an option for her, but she preferred Athletes Unlimited. “I wanted a place where I'm happy with basketball again, really happy with myself and how I'm playing and a having a little more confidence boost from what I've had over these last two years. And I feel like AU, for me, that five-on-five setting was a big piece of it,” Nurse said. The timing of the Athletes Unlimited schedule — deep enough into the WNBA off-season but with enough leeway to fine tune things before the 2025 campaign begins — also stood out to Nurse. Ahead of AU, Nurse said she moved her training from Toronto to Hamilton, where she could stay closer to home and avoid the long highway drives. And following two seasons in which Nurse’s WNBA teams suffered a combined 61 losses, she’s hoping to find a landing spot in free agency with a winning franchise. “I want to ... have an opportunity make a deep playoff run, be kind of like an X-Factor player, somebody who can go out there, be a three-and-D player, can help make winning plays,” she said. Nurse said she and fellow WNBA veteran Bridget Carleton have discussed what went wrong in Paris and how it can be fixed ahead of Los Angeles 2028. Management changes have already occurred with the retirement of GM Denise Dignard and a mutual parting with head coach Victor Lapena. The national team recently met up in Toronto for an informal training camp where Nurse and Carleton aimed to lay the groundwork for the culture they hope to create over the next four years. “Getting back to the basics and just enjoying playing for Canada Basketball, but also creating a really strong, bonded culture where everybody does what they need to do for our team to win," she said. "We understand our roles (and) we understand the commitment piece of it because now there's so much going on and people are all over the place." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. Myles Dichter, The Canadian PressHONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 December 2024 – The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA)’s “Hong Kong Innovation & Invention” (HKII) today showcased over 40 locally invented innovations at Entrepreneur Day 2024. Exhibited inventions have undergone rigorous evaluation by a distinguished panel of industry professionals. The shortlisting process will be conducted based on novelty, level of innovation and invention, technical utility, and symbolic significance. All exhibits are original inventions manufactured and launched in the market with patent protection or are under patent filing. Various companies participated in HKII and displayed their innovations at Entrepreneur Day, covering classes from Smart City, Smart Home & Living, Smart Finance, Health Technologies and Medicine, and Smart Transportation to Smart Industry. This year, HKII introduced a new Youth class for young inventors below 18 to exchange creative, innovative ideas with global I&T leaders. Several innovations showcased in HKII won awards at the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong : For more images, please refer to: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11pIe36n1sh5axW7VxzGfIwjPkhE6Brqp?usp=sharing “Connectivity” has been one of the core values of the HKEA”, said Alice Lai, Vice Chairman of HKEA and Project Convenor of HKII . “The HKII project aims to showcase Hong Kong inventors’ innovations at top international exhibitions, demonstrating the city’s strengths of innovation and technology while fostering collaboration among innovative talents, entrepreneurs and investors. In April, we are going to exhibit at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions hosted in Geneva, Swissland, helping local SMEs and startups to expand oversea markets.” HKII is also committed to strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a hub of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and promoting connectivity between the I&T industry in Hong Kong, the Mainland and the world. In the spring of the coming year, the project will organise a delegation trip to Shenzhen to learn about the low-altitude economy, drones and unmanned vehicle technology. Another delegation trip to Zhuhai will also be held in the second quarter to explore the aerospace industry. Hashtag: #HongKongExportersAssociation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Founded in May 1955, the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA) is a non-profit making trade association registered under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. The Association’s mission is to develop Hong kong as a trading hub for exporters, dedicating its efforts to serve and add value for the exporter community. “Hong Kong Innovation & Invention” (HKII), organized by the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA) and sponsored by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is an initiative dedicated to showcasing and promoting Hong Kong’s immense potential in innovation and technology (I&T) to a global audience. The Project aims to facilitate collaboration within the industry and cultivate a vibrant I&T culture among the general public. For more details on the Project, visit https://hk-ii.com