Local flair at center stage as Red Bulls-NYCFC rivalry hits playoffsIt's the most wonderful time of the year – to start planning for another cycle of annual leave and grand vacations in 2025, that is. This year, with overtourism unfortunately plaguing hotspots around the world and marring many long-awaited dream vacations, travel experts observe that holidaymakers are resolving to take a different tact next year. So, instead of flocking to the usual bucket list destinations, travellers will instead seek out lesser-known destinations where they will not need to jostle with selfie takers or compete for a spot to enjoy the view. Mike Harlow, general manager of Scott Dunn Asia, said: “Luxury travel is fast evolving, driven by global issues like climate change and overtourism, which are pushing travellers to explore destinations differently. No longer constrained by traditional travel seasons, many are prioritising the journey as much as the destination.” For those yearning to unwind away from the crowds, this is how to travel in style in 2025. TAKE A DETOUR OFF THE BEATEN TRACK No surprises then, that top of the list are “detour destinations”, which according to Expedia Group’s Unpack ‘25 outlook report, are alternative vacation spots that are near popular hotspots that up to 63 per cent of travellers are looking out for on their next trip. This could mean taking a day trip from a busy city or even a standalone destination on its own that is still not too inaccessible. Think Reims, the iconic French champagne region, which is close to Paris; the relatively untouched diving paradise Cozumel in Mexico, a short detour from Cancun; or even the foodie paradise of Fukuoka, which also hosts the annual grand sumo tournaments, instead of Osaka or Tokyo. A post shared by Walk Japan (@walkjapan) According to Hilton’s 2025 trends report , a growing desire to travel like a local has led to international travellers exploring destinations beloved by locals. For instance, Sardinia, a longtime getaway for Italians, is now seeing an uptick of travelers while Bodrum, Turkiye, otherwise known as the Turkish Riviera, is seeing an increase in travellers in the post-summer season. For a touching insider’s perspective on how travel can positively impact a local community, check out Walk Japan’s latest tour offering, Onsen Gastronomy: Noto to the rural Noto peninsula which was greatly affected by the New Year’s Day earthquake in 2024 and severe flooding in September. Created in partnership with Noto locals, the walking tour, which launched in April 2024, highlights the cultural uniqueness of the region, including its traditional regional cuisine, craft traditions and exceptional onsen. LUXURY FIRST MOVERS Travelling to lesser-known destinations can also equate to first dibs on new luxury hotel experiences. For instance, the very refined and understated The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka is the newest international luxury hotel in the city and has already scored one Michelin key. Or, sun worshippers seeking an alternative to the popular (but traffic-plagued) tropical getaway of Bali can easily hop on a connecting flight to Lombok instead, where the newly opened The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Lombok offers direct access to a pristine white sand beach and eye popping views of Mount Agung. Also slated to open next year is Banyan Tree Haeundae Busan, which might have more travellers considering this South Korean port city as an alternative to Seoul. Known for its stunning beaches, vibrant seafood markets and the world-class Busan International Film Festival, the city offers a more laid-back yet equally culturally rich experience as the country’s bustling capital. NOCTOURISM FOR NIGHT OWLS While much has been said about being the early bird to avoid crowds at popular landmarks, it might be time to entirely ditch daylight crowds for midnight magic. According to Booking.com’s annual Travel Predictions research , 67 per cent or two-thirds of Asia Pacific travellers are considering visiting destinations with darker stars for activities like constellation tracking, cosmic events like Northern or Southern Lights or starbathing experiences. Travel company Scott Dunn is also seeing eclipse chasing gaining traction, with Greenland’s High Arctic with its light-pollution free shores expected to be a prime location for the upcoming total lunar eclipse on Mar 14, 2025 and a partial solar eclipse on Mar 29, 2025. For a cultural twist, head to Tasmania, where MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) transforms into an otherworldly spectacle during its midwinter solstice night festival, Dark Mofo. It makes a full return in 2025, where judging by previous iterations of the event, will feature provocative art installations, live music and immersive performances. (As a bonus, the Tasmania government is currently in talks with Singapore Airlines to fly direct to Hobart .) A post shared by Scott Dunn | Luxury Travel (@scottdunn_travel) Besides the Northern Lights, holiday rental platform Vrbo, which has a curation of luxury properties, has found that a growing number of people will travel great distances to see natural phenomena in real life. These include the penguin parade on Phillip Island near Melbourne; bioluminescent plankton at Vero Beach, Florida; and starling murmurations in Somerset, England. With many of these happening in remote locations, it is no wonder up to 80 per cent of travellers would seek out private holiday homes in rural destinations for better and faster access to prime viewing spots. WILL TRAVEL FOR FOOD Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is emerging as a culinary heavyweight that is drawing gourmands seeking foodie experiences. According to the Luxury Group by Marriott International Future of Food 2025 report, in 2023, Asia Pacific commanded the largest share of 37.8 per cent of the total global culinary tourism revenue of US$1.1 trillion (S$1.5 trillion). This figure is projected to increase to US$ 6.2 trillion by 2033. Some up-and-coming culinary capitals to explore in 2025 include Manila, Mumbai and Jeju Island. The Philippine capital has been bubbling with under the radar finds, with buzzy openings in the past year . This includes acclaimed restaurateur-chef Margarita Fores opening a new signature fine dining restaurant called Margarita; Inato by Jepe Cruz which showcases new Filipino cuisine; and two new concepts by Chele Gonzalez including the fine dining Asador Alfonso, which is inspired by the chef’s Spanish heritage. Meanwhile, India’s financial centre Mumbai has slowly been earning its chops as a culinary capital with a diverse dining scene from street food to fine dining. Papa’s, a contemporary counter restaurant has been the talk of the town. There is also Masque, where the team sources hyperlocal ingredients across India from the forests of Kashmir to the shores of Goa for the tasting menu and Ekaa, which brings a new Nordic spin to Indian flavours with fermentation techniques and seasonal ingredients. A post shared by Masque Restaurant (@masquerestaurant) On South Korea’s Jeju Island, a recent boom in luxury resort openings including JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa and Grand Hyatt Jeju has boosted the destination as a culinary escape. Besides its famed black pig, mandarins and traditional rice-based spirits, young chefs and sommeliers have also moved over from Seoul to preserve indigenous Jeju produce and recipes from extinction. At The Flying Hog, executive chef Joon Ko treats the island’s renowned black pig using elevated techniques such as salt curing and wet-aging, while Yeoumul offers Jeju-style omakase by a young Korean chef trained in Michelin-starred kitchens. A post shared by JW 메리어트 제주 리조트 & 스파 (@jwmarriottjeju) Or, for an even more hands-on culinary adventure, niche travel platforms like Traveling Spoon offers immersive experiences ranging from home cooked meals, cooking lessons and market visits. Their personally vetted experiences include Cajun cooking sessions in New Orleans, rum cocktail workshops in Barbados or cooking classes with a Michelin-star chef in Montreal. TRAIN TRAVEL CHUGS ALONG With the allure of slow travel showing no sign of slowing down, luxury train travel continues to be one of the most sought after modes of travel, where the journey is the point of it all. In 2024, Belmond’s Eastern and Oriental Express returned to traverse Singapore and Malaysia – it continues to expand its offerings with a newly launched Essence of Malaysia itinerary which includes excursions including cave explorations in Perlis and a cooking session with home cooks from local charity Angel Community, which supports single parents in Penang. In July 2025, the luxury travel company is also launching the new Britannic Explorer , the first luxury sleeper train between England and Wales. Its sumptuous cabins are designed by design firm Albion Nord and feature heritage-inspired motifs that complement its journey through Cornwall, The Lake District, Northumberland and Wales. The on-board culinary experience will be curated by Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan and feature the regional delicacies of Britain. Another iconic European train, the Venice Simplon Orient Express , will feature a new sleeper carriage L’Observatoire, designed by artist JR who was inspired by astronomy and Renaissance art. In Japan, the exclusive Twilight Express Mizukaze is close to impossible to secure passage on because of its ballot system. But next year, travel company Intriq Journey has exclusively chartered the train for its Intriq Signatures experience from Apr 22 to 27 . The journey through the scenic Kansai region includes stops in Kyoto, Matsue and Tottori. Of course, the highlight is the train itself, with its Art Deco inspired interiors, large windows for sweeping views of Japan’s spectacular scenery and the seasonal cuisine served on board. TRAVEL TO LIVE LONGER Travel is increasingly seen as a pathway to living longer and better with people using vacation time to nurture their health and cultivate better lifestyle choices. In fact, Booking.com found that up to 60 per cent of travellers are interested in a longevity retreat. These are supercharged versions of traditional well-being getaways, with a focus on biohacking and high-tech treatments like cryotherapy, stem cell treatment and red light therapies. Design Hotels’ Further Forecast reported that up to 82 per cent of travellers consider a hotel as a place where they can embark on their quest for long term health. Cue a surge in wellbeing establishments where guests can check in, care for their well-being under expert guidance plus enjoy five-star hotel facilities at the same time. The recently launched Layan Life by Anantara in Phuket offers three- to 10-day programmes that focus on cutting edge technology combined with traditional Thai therapies. In January, Revivo Wellness Resort in Bali will open a Vitality Centre that will offer comprehensive diagnostics and various innovative treatments like IV therapy and a peptide lounge. And in 2026, look out for pioneers in the longevity wellness field opening new facilities. This includes Lanserhof’s new location in Marbella and Health Resort by Clinique La Prairie at Tri Vananda in Phuket. NEW HOTELS FOR WEEKEND GETAWAYS Expect 2025 to be a bumper year for luxury hotel openings, especially in the region – perfect for a quick getaway during the four long weekends . The luxury hotel scene in perennial favourite Bangkok is booming. The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok just launched in the city at the One Bangkok development, which overlooks Lumpini Park. Later in the year, the 224-room Andaz One Bangkok is also slated to open within the same development Plus, in one of the year’s most anticipated launches, the 52-suite Jean-Michel Gathy-designed Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is slated to open in early 2025, bringing its luxe spin to urban sanctuary living to the bustling Thai capital. Neighbouring Malaysia will see the opening of the luxury Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in the third quarter of 2025. Occupying the top floors of Merdeka 118, Asia Pacific’s tallest skyscraper, this 252-room hotel will incorporate local craftsmanship such as batik and wood-carved motifs. The Regent Canggu Bali , opening by March, is just a stone’s throw from surfer’s paradise Echo Beach and will bring a five-star experience to this popular neighbourhood filled with chic shops and trendy eateries. And in Singapore, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree , situated within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, will open in the first half of the year. With 338 rooms in total, this will be Singapore-based Banyan Group’s first hotel on home ground, making this an opening to watch. We bet its 24 treehouses will redefine the concept of a destination staycation with a one-of-a-kind immersive experience amid lush greenery unlike anything else in the country.
With a dearth of attractive power-hitting corner infielder options on the free agent market, the news that St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is available has piqued the interest of numerous needy teams. Arenado's agent saying that his client is open to moving from third to first base only increased the options -- and demand -- for the 33-year-old slugger. The Los Angeles Dodgers opened as the +300 favorite by SportsBetting.ag to add Arenado -- a California native -- to their star-studded lineup. However, where he would fit with Max Muncy at third base and Freddie Freeman at first is a big question. The Dodgers would likely be looking to keep Arenado at third in a corner infield mix that also includes Miguel Vargas. However, it didn't take long for the team the Dodgers dominated in this year's World Series to charge to the front of the pack with oddsmakers. The New York Yankees turned to pitching after losing Juan Soto to the cross-town Mets, agreeing to a $218 million deal with left-hander Max Fried on Tuesday. Could Arenado be next? The Yankees opened at +400 at the sportsbook before those odds shortened significantly to +100. The infield in the Bronx could undergo a major transformation this offseason, with first baseman Anthony Rizzo and second baseman Gleyber Torres free agents. The Yankees could move Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base to make room for Arenado, or keep Chisholm on the hot corner and put Arenado at first base. NOLAN ARENADO NEXT TEAM ODDS* New York Yankees (+400, +100) Los Angeles Dodgers (+300, +300) Detroit Tigers (+600) Houston Astros (+700) Philadelphia Phillies (+800) Toronto Blue Jays (+900) Boston Red Sox (+1000) Kansas City Royals (+1000) Seattle Mariners (+1000) Arizona Diamondbacks (+1400) Texas Rangers (+1600) Atlanta Braves (+1800) San Francisco Giants (+2000) Baltimore Orioles (+2500) Chicago Cubs (+2500) *Odds by SportsBetting.ag provided for entertainment purposes only. Arenado has a full no-trade clause but has reportedly approved the Cardinals to discuss trade possibilities with the Dodgers and Yankees along with the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, according to MLB.com . While the Phillies are +800 to land Arenado and the Red Sox +1000, both are being offered with longer odds than a pair of other 2024 playoff teams. Agent Joel Wolfe told reporters at the Winter Meetings that Arenado is willing to consider "more teams than you think," and USA Today reported that the agent has spoken directly with the Red Sox, Astros, Phillies and Padres. "He would strongly consider it if it's the right place to go," Wolfe said Tuesday, "but he's not going to go just anywhere. We hope something good happens, but he's not going to approve and move his family and go play somewhere that would be (a lateral move). "A team that he thinks is going to win now and consistently for the remainder of his career. He wants a team that has the throttle down -- not saying that the Cardinals don't -- but one where he can jump right in and they're going to win right now," he added. The Astros could make for a potential fit with longtime third baseman Alex Bregman exploring his options in free agency. Arenado is under contract for 2025 at $32 million, 2026 at $27 million and 2027 at $15 million. He is coming off the first of his 12 major league seasons in which he didn't make the National League All-Star team, win a Gold Glove or both. He is an eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove honoree who has finished in the top eight in NL Most Valuable Player voting six times. In 2024, Arenado hit .272 with a .325 on-base percentage, .394 slugging percentage, 16 homers and 71 RBIs in 152 games. The homer and RBI totals were his worst in 10 years, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Arenado owns a career batting line of .285/.342/.515 with 341 homers and 1,132 RBIs in 1,680 games. --Field Level Mediawithout a care in the world is the best way to ring in 2025. or signup to continue reading But if you need something, . Here are the opening hours for major stores, supermarkets and bottleshops in each Australian state and territory so you're well-stocked to greet the new year. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24-hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24-hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Stores in Firle, Tea Tree, Munno Para, Ingle Farm, Kurralta Park, West Lakes, Port Noarlunga, Marion and Churchill are closed on New Year's Day. Adelaide metro stores are open on New Year's Eve but close on New Year's Day. Adelaide's Rundle Place supermarket is the exception, opening from 11am to 5pm. Supermarkets in Berri, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge Green, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Victor Harbor and Whyalla are open from 8am to 8pm on New Year's Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All regional Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. However the Millicent store and metropolitan stores are closed on January 1. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Some stores in SA will close on 1 January 2025. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. However the Northam store is closed on January 1. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Most Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Stores in Byford, Belmont, Trinity, Raine Square, Erskine, Altone Park, Bunbury, Gosnells and Geraldton Bluff Point are closed on New Year's Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and from 8am to 8pm on New Year's Day. However the Gove store opens at 9am and closes at 5pm on January 1. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles in Goondiwindi, Mt Isa and Ayr are closed on December 29, the supermarket said. Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Stores in Milton Village and Red Hill are closed on New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Most Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. The Red Hill and Milton Village shops are closed on New Year's Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.auInnovative VR headsets have been designed for mice, enabling scientists to study brain activity in highly immersive environments. Using these headsets, researchers can observe neural responses during specific behaviours, potentially unlocking new understanding of human neurological disorders. Crafted from readily available components such as smartwatch screens and miniature lenses, these devices are seen as a breakthrough in neuroscience research, offering precise insights into how mammals interact with their surroundings. Development and Functionality of the Headsets According to a study published in Nature Methods, the VR headsets—known as "MouseGoggles"—are paired with a spherical treadmill that keeps the mice stationary while simulating movement. These goggles attach to the mice's heads, displaying sharp, high-contrast visuals that mimic real-world experiences. Dr. Matthew Isaacson, a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University, stated in a press release that prior methods using projector screens failed to engage mice effectively, but the new goggles produced significant behavioural responses, such as startled reactions to simulated predators. Verification of the Technology To confirm the efficacy of the MouseGoggles, researchers examined activity in two critical brain regions. The primary visual cortex revealed that the mice could perceive the projected images clearly, while the hippocampus indicated accurate mapping of virtual environments. These findings underline the potential for the technology to deepen understanding of how mammals navigate and interact with their surroundings. Future Applications and Advancements Dr. Chris Schaffer, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell, noted to phys.org that these headsets could transform neuroscience by enabling the study of naturalistic behaviours. Plans are underway to create lightweight versions for larger rodents like rats and to incorporate sensory elements such as smell and taste into the VR experience. This expanded capability could provide more comprehensive insights into complex decision-making processes and sensory integration. The research team believes this technology could significantly enhance studies into conditions like Alzheimer's, offering critical understanding of spatial navigation and memory deficits.
US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many peopleWhat are deepfake videos Here’s what SBI said in X post 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 More
President-elect Donald Trump is poised to spark what we're calling "Dronegate," alleging on Monday afternoon that the Biden administration is fully aware of the mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey. Trump accused the administration of fueling the mass hysteria that has gripped the nation. "The gov't knows what is happening ... look ... our military knows where they took off from ... and for some reason, they don't want to comment. And I think they would better off commenting on what it is ... our military knows and our president knows ... and for some reason they want to keep people in suspense," Trump told reporters. Trump said, "I can't imagine it was the enemy because if it was the enemy, we would blast it. Something strange is going on and for some reason they don't want to tell the people." "I decided to cancel my trip to Bedminster (Trump National Golf Club Bedminster)," he said. He told the press he did not want to comment on the intelligence briefing about the drones. 🚨 JUST IN: Trump says the White House KNOWS where the drones are coming from, but are hiding it from the public “The government knows what is happening. Our military knows where they took off from. They know where it came from and where it went.” “Something strange is going... pic.twitter.com/RtREXWzPpq Meanwhile, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told the American people on Sunday, "We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast." "There's no question that people are seeing drones. And I want to assure the American public that we, in the federal government, have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology, to assist the New Jersey State Police in addressing the drone sightings," Mayorkas said. On Saturday, we explained one theory of how the purported drone sightings could be psyop to manipulate lawmakers into passing the new H.R.8610 (Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act of 2024), which will include appropriations and enhanced government counter-drone powers. Coincidentally, a Homeland Security joint subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.860 last week. This bill would renew current counter-UAS legal authorities and strengthen the FAA's oversight powers of drones, which expires on Friday. NJ Drone 'Invasion' Just In Time For Congress To Reauthorize Orwellian Law https://t.co/6tLkbDAP8u A separate but less likely theory comes from Saxon Aerospace's John Ferguson: "My belief is that these drones are trying to smell something on the ground - if that's gas leaks or radioactive material - or whatever." New Theory: NJ Drone Sightings May Be "Nuclear Sniffers" Following Elevated NYC Radiation Levels https://t.co/4K9GTgNBYt Hmm. New Jersey Receives Report Radioactive Medical Device "Lost In Transit" https://t.co/wq6zM8O7OG Even the Washington Post's Josh Rogin called out Biden for " the lack of disclosure is damaging public trust ." He added that it's time for the feds "to come clean." If these really are Defense Department drones doing radiation sniffing for possible dirty bombs, one could understand why they wouldn’t want to admit that & panic people. But at this point, the lack of disclosure is damaging public trust. Time to come clean. This administration needs more transparency with the American people. With Trump, the American people are hopeful for more openness and accountability. The feds putting the American people in weeks of 'suspense' is unacceptable.Shoprite has warned that the website checkershypersa.co.za, selling products at significantly discounted prices, is a scam. The supermarket chain told MyBroadband that its cybersecurity team has already initiated a takedown and is closely monitoring the process. MyBroadband was informed about the website by a reader and has reached out to the domain registrar, 1Api. The scam site also appears to use Flutterwave for its payment gateway. Neither Flutterwave nor 1Api had responded by publication. The website bears the Checkers Hyper branding and claims to sell several technology products, including washing machines, laptops, and gaming consoles. To entice buyers, all items are on sale — most of which are roughly 50% off. Shoprite said it notifies its customers about fake websites, competitions, or scams through its official social media platforms. It has also provided several guidelines that users can follow to stay safe when engaging with its platforms online. Scams like this are particularly prominent around Black... Daniel Puchert
Ducks starting to ‘play with an identity’ ahead of hosting OttawaOne thing nearly all former presidents have in common is a love of sports. For Donald Trump, the game was golf. For Barack Obama, the sport was basketball. President George W. Bush owned Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers. For Jimmy Carter, the sport was tennis. At the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is a clay tennis court. The tennis court was installed during Carter’s childhood on the family farm. The farm and his childhood home later became the location for the park in Plains, Georgia. In his 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Carter described how he would play against his father as a teenager. “My father ... was an excellent tennis player,” Carter wrote. “I could never beat my father. He had a wicked sliced ball which barely bounded at all on the relatively soft dirt court.” RELATED STORY | Former President Jimmy Carter dies at age 100 Carter was able to upgrade his court when he entered the White House in 1977. The complex had a court installed during President Theodore Roosevelt’s tenure. But during his time in the White House, the use of the tennis courts became political fodder. Staffer James Fallows wrote in The Atlantic that Carter would personally sign off on when the White House tennis court could be used, and by which staffers. “The in-house tennis enthusiasts, of whom I was perhaps the most shameless, dispatched brief notes through his secretary asking to use the court on Tuesday afternoons while he was at a congressional briefing, or a Saturday morning, while he was away,” Fallows wrote. “I always provided spaces where he could check Yes or No; Carter would make his decision and send the note back, initialed J.” Carter was asked by Bill Moyers about whether he personally signed off on the tennis court’s use. Carter told Moyers he delegated the task to a secretary. Carter’s love of tennis came home to Plains in 1977 during his first year in the White House. World Team Tennis staged a match in the small Georgia town, which was attended by Carter’s mother Lillian. The competition was between a team of Soviet Union stars against top Americans playing on the Phoenix Racquets.
Inspiring Minnesota program steers military medics into medical school1 2 Nagpur: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday informed the legislative council that the probe into the murder of Beed district's village sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh, is being carried out with artificial intelligence (AI) to expedite information gathering, apart from traditional investigative methods. Replying to council leader of opposition (LoP) Ambadas Danve, the CM said police are not sheltering any accused and have also suspended a policeman. While there's no Question Hour or Calling Attention Motion in this winter session, Danve started the discussion under Rule 289 (SEE BOX). Danve said, "In Beed district on December 9, a village sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh, was killed. Three accused were arrested, and later got bail. Photographs of the accused having tea with police officials went viral. This is dereliction of duty by police, who were supposed to act against the accused and here they are partying with them." Fadnavis said his department has acted against those cops. "The police inspector has been sent on forced leave and the in-charge sub-inspector has been suspended," said Fadnavis. The CM added latest technology is being used to track down the accused. "We are using AI and other technical tools to track sequence and involvement of accused. We want to assure people that no one will be spared. And if more cops are found guilty, we will act against them," said Fadnavis. Without taking names, Danve alleged that a minister from Beed district is said to be "close to one of the accused". "There are six accused in this case, of which three have been arrested. I have heard the trio is linked to a political party. Also, it's being said a minister from Beed is close to the accused Valmik Anna. People are saying that Valmik called not only one of the accused, but also police officers." Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said "CM should answer whether Maharashtra is being ruled by law or by criminals." Fadnavis said the investigation is being carried out without prejudice. "I assure the LoP that we will take strict action against the accused irrespective of their political affiliations. I have already transferred the case to CID and directed them to form a SIT," said Fadnavis. The CM added that Danve should refrain from accusing any minister without evidence. "Whatever you say in this house is heard by 14 crore people. So, when accusations are levelled against a minister, without him having any connection to the case, their image gets tarnished. I can assure you there's no pressure to save the accused," he said. BOX What is Rule 289 of Maharashtra Legislative Council Rules? Any member may, with the consent of the chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a particular motion before the council and if the motion is carried the rule in question shall be suspended for time being.
The U.S. Commerce Department is intensifying its scrutiny on China Telecom's American operations, amid fears of potential misuse of access to U.S. data for the benefit of Beijing. This action follows the department's issuance of a preliminary determination indicating the risks to national security posed by the company. A reliable source has confirmed that the department's decision stems from last week's report by the New York Times, which highlighted these concerns linked to China Telecom and its integration in U.S. networks and cloud services. The company has been granted a 30-day period to counter the department's national security risk claims, as the apprehension over potential data leakage to China increases tension in international business relations. (With inputs from agencies.)STATE COLLEGE – Moments before Penn State took the field Saturday to face Maryland, Michigan did the Nittany Lions a huge favor. The Wolverines finished their upset win over Ohio State and opened the door for Penn State to make the Big Ten championship game next week in Indianapolis. The fourth-ranked Lions broke it down, routing the Terrapins 44-7 before a relatively sparse crowd on a cold evening at Beaver Stadium. Penn State (8-1, 11-1) completed its first 11-win regular season since 2008 and sealed a berth in the Big Ten title game against No. 1 Oregon Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. It will be the Lions’ first appearance since they beat Wisconsin 38-31 in 2016. Gov. Mifflin product Nick Singleton accounted for 170 all-purpose yards for Penn State, carrying 13 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns, catching three passes for 17 yards and returning a kickoff 66 yards. Drew Allar completed 17-of-26 passes for 171 yards and one TD and ran for a score. Tyler Warren made six catches for 68 yards and a TD, completed a pass to Singleton for 9 yards and ran three times for 32 yards. Warren broke the Big Ten record for catches in a season and the Penn State record for TD catches in his career when he had a 7-yard reception in the second quarter for his 17th. Maryland (1-8, 4-8) stunned Penn State in the first 14 seconds, recovering Singleton’s fumble on the Lions’ first play and then scoring on MJ Morris’ 25-yard TD pass to Kaden Prather on its first snap. Penn State, however, recovered and shut down the Terrapins the rest of the half, forcing four punts, intercepting two passes (by Audavion Collins and Tony Rojas) and making a stop for no gain on fourth-and-1. Maryland gained just 72 total yards the rest of the half after its touchdown. Backup quarterback Beau Pribula scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter for Penn State, which locked up a berth in the College Football Playoff. The Lions could get a first-round bye in the CFP as the Big Ten champ with a win over Oregon. The Lions put an exclamation point on the win when Pribula threw a 15-yard TD pass to freshman Tyseer Denmark as time expired.
The Chicago Bulls, mired in a three-game losing skid, welcome the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday for the second matchup between the Central Division counterparts in six days. Milwaukee returns to Chicago for the second time this week, having routed the Bulls 112-91 on Monday despite missing All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton picked up the slack, each posting 21 points with NBA scoring leader Antetokounmpo sidelined with an illness. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. As property values continue to outpace inflation, property taxes are taking a bigger bite out of homeowners’ wallets. A new analysis from Construction Coverage breaks down property tax rates by state, county, and city to reveal where homeowners have the greatest burden. Click for more. Where Are U.S. Property Taxes Highest and Lowest? A State, County, and City AnalysisSustainable Philippine transport system
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Maria Gakdeng tied her season high with 21 points and grabbed a season-best 12 rebounds, Alyssa Ustby added 19 points and 13 boards and the No. 17 North Carolina women beat Miami 69-60 on Sunday for their third consecutive win. North Carolina (13-2, 1-1 ACC) lost its conference opener to No. 13 Georgia Tech on Dec. 15 before nonconference wins against Florida and Norfolk State. Gakdeng made 7 of 11 from the field and 7 of 10 from the free-throw line. Indya Nivar finished with 11 points, five assists and three steals for the Tar Heels. Miami (11-2, 1-1) had its four-game win streak snapped. Gakdeng made a layup with 6:14 left in the first quarter that gave North Carolina the lead for good and Ustby followed with a 3-pointer to spark a 9-0 spurt that made it 16-7 about 2 minutes later. The Tar Heels scored eight of the first 10 second-quarter points to push their lead to 13 with 7:25 left in the second quarter before Miami scored the final seven points to trim its deficit to 39-29 at halftime. Jasmyne Roberts hit a 3-pointer for the Hurricanes that made it a seven-point game with 8:11 left in the third quarter but they got no closer. Nivar made a layup with 5:16 remaining until the fourth that made it 48-38 and UNC led by double figures until a 3-pointer by Roberts capped the scoring in the closing seconds. Hannah Cavinder led Miami with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Roberts made four 3-pointers and also scored 19 points, 14 in the second half. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
Exhibition Preview: Tokyo Auto Salon ExhibitionNew Before It Was New: Carolina's Shayne Gostisbehere Was A Pioneer For The Modern Defenseman
US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many peopleUS homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people
While there was high drama in Alexandra Palace on the first day back after the Christmas break, where Damon Heta threw a nine-dart finish, Humphries enjoyed a serene evening. He beat Nick Kenny 4-0 to set up a mouth-watering fourth-round meeting with two-time champion Peter Wright. THE WORLD NUMBER ONE KICKS ON! Luke Humphries comfortably books his spot in the Last 16 with a 4-0 whitewash victory over Nick Kenny, averaging 98.59! 📺 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) Kenny was unable to produce the form that saw him beat Raymond van Barneveld in the previous round and Humphries did not need to be anywhere near his best. “It was one of those games I didn’t want to take for granted,” he said. “I expected a tough game and I wasn’t firing, I felt there is so much more to give, I felt there was more to come out of me. “I didn’t want to give anyone an inch because they can take a mile. “I’m not going to give up this world title without a fight, I wasn’t at my best but when someone pushes me I know I can come up with the goods.” Earlier in the day Heta set the tournament alight on its resumption with a stunning nine-dart finish before bowing out. The Australian, seeded ninth, achieved darting perfection in the second set of his match with Luke Woodhouse to earn a cool £60,000 payday. However, his joy was short-lived as Woodhouse won a thrilling battle 4-3, having trailed 3-1. HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! 🔥 UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! 🤯 Damon Heta lands the second nine-darter of the tournament to raise the roof at Alexandra Palace! — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) Heta was millimetres away from throwing a nine-darter in the previous round when he missed the double 12, but he made no mistake this time in the first match after the Christmas break. Heta’s feat was the second time a nine-darter has been thrown in the 2025 tournament and the 16th of all time at the World Championship, following Christian Kist’s effort before Christmas. As well as landing the Australian a hefty payday, it also saw a lucky fan in Ally Pally win a £60,000, with £60,000 also being donated to Prostate Cancer UK. There were several other titanic battles, none better than Gerwyn Price’s sudden-death leg victory over Joe Cullen. Price looked like he was going to have an easy night when he coasted into a 3-0 lead, but Cullen hit back to send it to a decider, which went all the way. Cullen landed a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout to send the tie to a sudden-death leg on his throw but Price hit some big numbers to steal victory. “That was tough, I just wanted to get over the winning line,” he said during his on-stage interview. PRICE WINS A THRILLER! That might just be the game of the tournament so far! 💥 Gerwyn Price manages to break the Rockstars throw in the final leg of the game, and beats Joe Cullen 4-3 and books his place in the Last 16! 📺 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) “He kept coming back, the crowd were way behind him. “I thought I was going to lose, but I kept in there right to the end and got the win. “He played some good darts at the right times. I put myself in that position, I got myself out of it and I’m still in.” Seventh seed Jonny Clayton also battled to victory after squandering a 3-0 lead against Daryl Gurney. Gurney then had six darts to send the decider to a tiebreaker but lost his nerve and Clayton stole a 4-3 win. Stephen Bunting and Peter Wright, who was suffering from a chest infection, enjoyed much more safe passages with routine wins over Madars Razma and Jermaine Wattimena respectively.
The HondaJet, first developed as the HA-42 model, is a very light business jet manufactured by the Honda Aircraft Company in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. It was first developed in the 1990s and has some interesting design features. It first flew in December 2003 but Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification was not achieved until December 2015, when deliveries also started. As of February this year, 200 HondaJet have been produced and it still remains in production today. Let's find out more about the HondaJet series. A basic rundown The aircraft has space for six or seven passengers and has a composite fuselage and an aluminum wing, It has two GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines attached to pylons above the wing and produce 2,050 pounds of thrust. In the cruise, the aircraft can reach speeds of 422 knots or 782 kilometers per hour. The HondaJet HA-42 has a range of 1,547 nautical miles or 2,865 kilometers. The aircraft manufacturer has received awards for the HondaJet's innovative design. Still in production today, Honda first looked at the development of a small-size business jet in the late 1980s and assembled the MH01 turboprop and the MH02 prototypes at the Mississippi State University Raspet Flight Research Laboratory. Flight testing continued until 1996, when the aircraft was moved to Japan. The aircraft was designed by Honda Aircraft's founder, Michimasa Fujino, who interestingly designed the aircraft's nose, influenced by shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo, or so he said. Another unusual design feature is the Over The Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) and is unique to Honda Aircraft. It maximizes cabin space by removing the structure that is normally used to mount engines near the fuselage and is considered to be one of the most unusual features of the aircraft. Doubts over production In October 2000, Honda R&D Americas built their research facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. Although the first flight took place in December 2003, Honda Aircraft was still unsure of the commercial potential of the aircraft. To understand further, Fujino displayed the aircraft at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow in 2005. After attracting much interest, they decided to announce that the aircraft was going into production, at the same event, the following year. They planned deliveries of the aircraft for 2010 with an asking price of $3.65 million. The first flight of a production aircraft took place in June 2014. It was certified by the FAA in December 2015, by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in May 2016 and in Japan in December 2018. The estimated cost of the HondaJet program was between $1.5 and $2 billion. During 2015, Honda Aircraft hoped to produce 40 aircraft and upped that to 60 aircraft in the following year and 20% of the aircraft were bound for Europe. Honda Aircraft planned to up production further to 80 aircraft per year from 2019. The HondaJet soon was to become the top-selling aircraft in the very light category. The HondaJet Elite - an introduction The HondaJet Elite was introduced in May 2018 with a better performance envelope, updated flight deck and improved interior. The FAA amended the certification, as did EASA. The Elite's takeoff roll was reduced and its range increased, an auxiliary fuel tank was added and the aerodynamics were improved. Vibration and noise in the cabin were reduced and the lavatory was fitted with a seatbelt allowing a seventh passenger to travel. There was a small galley and the cockpit was fitted with the Garmin G3000 avionics suite. The payload was increased and it had a speed of Mach 0.676 or 720 kilometers per hour. In 2019, a medivac version was introduced and in the same year, the HondaJt first flew on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). It was certified in Canada, China and Turkey and cost $5.28 million. In 2020, EASA certified the aircraft for steep approaches and the galley was removed to add an extra seat, so it could now take eight passengers. It now costs $ 5.75 million. The original HondaJet could be upgraded with the Advanced Performance Modification Group (APMG) at a cost of $250,000 for modifications. The HA-480 Echelon Honda Aircraft unveiled the Echelon in 2021 as the HondaJet 2600 concept, which could feature up to eleven seats in the cabin. Its range is 2,625 nautical miles or 4,862 kilometers and it has a cruise speed of 450 knots or 830 kilometers per hour and can reach a ceiling of 47,000 feet. It costs between $10 and $12 million and will be the longest-range single-pilot business jet. The Echelon has the same configuration as the original variant but has a stretched fuselage and a larger wingspan. In June 2023, Honda Aircraft announced the production of the Echelon. Assembly of the aircraft is due to start in 2025 and certification is projected for 2028 or 2029. The aircraft has Williams FJ44-4C turbofan engines which produce 3,450 pounds of thrust, a carbon fiber fuselage and a larger cabin. It is also 20% more fuel efficient than its competitors, the Embraer Phenom 300, the Pilatus PC-24 and the Cessna Citation CJ3/CJ4. HondaJet Elite II The HondaJet Elite II was introduced in October 2022, with improved aerodynamics, more fuel capacity and an increase in gross weight. It has a range of 1,547 nautical miles or 2,865 kilometers and has a cruise speed of 422 knots or 782 kilometers per hour. The flight deck is fitted with the Garmin G3000 avionics suite and features autothrottles and emergency autoland. The aircraft has a new paint scheme and upgraded interior. It was certified by the FAA in November 2022 and costs $6.95 million. Aircraft deliveries Year 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 All Deliveries 2 23 43 37 36 31 37 17 22 248 Billings (million $) (est.) 9 103.5 209.2 183.1 179.5 164.3 199.3 104.8 152.9 1,305.6 Average (million $) (est.) 4.5 4.5 4.87 4.95 4.99 5.3 5.39 6.16 6.95 5.26 In 2018, deliveries were on the slow side, partly due to delivery timings and customer schedules as well as the transition to the HondaJet Elite. Again, deliveries slowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Other issues include a lawsuit with fractional aircraft operator Jet It, after a runway incursion and consequently, Jet It sold their fleet of HondaJets and replaced them with Embraer Phenom 300s. This was settled out of court. There were some safety concerns from the HondaJet Owners and Pilots Association, after eight accidents occured in a twelve-month period. Aircraft specifications comparison (Data from Wikipedia, Honda Aircraft Company) Variant HondaJet Elite Elite II Echelon Cockpit crew 1 or 2 Typical seating 4 or 5 passengers 6, 8 or 9 passengers Maximum seating 7 passengers 10 passengers Length 42 ft 7 in (12.99 m) 57 ft 10 in (17.62 m) Wingspan 39 ft 9 in (12.12 m) 56 ft 9 in (17.29 m) Height 14 ft 11 in (4.54 m) 15 ft 11 in (4.84 m) MTOW 10,600 lb (4,808 kg) 10,701 lb (4,854 kg) 11,100 lb (5,035 kg) 17,550 lb (7,938 kg) Cabin height 4.83 ft (1.47 m) 5 ft 3 in (1.59 m) Cabin width 5 ft (1.52 m) 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) Engine (× 2) GE Honda HF120, 2,050 lbf (9.1 kN) Williams FJ44-4C, 3,450 lbf (15.3 kN) Cruising speed 422 kn (782 km/h; 486 mph) at FL300 450 kn (830 km/h; 520 mph) Range 1,223 nmi (2,265 km; 1,407 mi) 1,437 nmi (2,661 km; 1,654 mi) 1,547 nmi (2,865 km; 1,780 mi) 2,625 nmi (4,862 km; 3,021 mi) Awards and accolades for the HondaJet Designer and Honda Aircraft Company CEO Michimasa Fujino won: Business and Commercial Aviation Vision Award (2008) American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aircraft Design Award (2012) SAE International Clarence L. (Kelly) Johnson Aerospace Vehicle Design and Development Award (2015) International Council of Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS) Award for Innovator in Aeronautics (2017) Living Legends of Aviation Industry Leader of the Year Award (2017) AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award (2021) The HondaJet aircraft awards include: Robb Report: Best of the Best Business Jets (2007) Aviation Week and Space Technology: Techs to Watch (2015) Popular Science: Best of What's Now (2014) Flying Magazine: Flying Innovations Award (2017) AIAA Foundation Award for Excellence (2018) Aviation International News (AIN) Top Flight Award (2021) Read More: What Makes the HondaJet 2600 So Special? In conclusion The HondaJet Aircraft Company uses advanced technology to build safe and efficient aircraft such as the original HondaJet, the HondaJet Elite and the upcoming HondaJet Echelon. They like to defy the norm in the industry and produce aircraft that can meet a variety of different missions. They want to make private aviation more accessible and enhance the benefits of travel by private jet. Their aircraft are suited to business or private owners, entrepreneurs, charter operators and for special missions and medivac services. The aircraft are designed to be safe, comfortable and fuel-efficient through aerodynamic performance. Their aircraft emit less CO2 without inhibiting performance and have lower operating costs than comparable aircraft of a similar class. Over 200 aircraft are in service and have a 99.97% dispatch reliability rate and have logged more than 98,000 flight hours. Related: A Complete Pricing Guide To The HondaJet Elite II