IKON Archives - Page 3 of 68

From Shohei to ‘Zelda’, Japan’s big soft-power year

4Jan

By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments

Opinion

From Shohei to ‘Zelda’, Japan’s big soft-power year

In a year in which Walt Disney Co struggled with expensive flops and audiences finally fell out of love with superhero movies, Japan scored a best-ever series of soft-power hits. Little by little, the country is getting better at pitching its copious wares overseas, and 2023 proved that. From Super Mario’s domination at the theatre to Netflix Inc’s adaptation of best-selling manga “One Piece”, it was a year when audiences demonstrated their increasing fondness for the soft-power super-power. With “The Super Mario Bros Movie”, Nintendo Co’s tie-up with “Minions” creator Illumination Entertainment Inc, the Kyoto-based video game maker scored the second-highest grossing movie of the year worldwide, beaten only by Warner Bros Discovery Inc’s “Barbie”. Nintendo is the prime example o...

Turkey’s IC, MAHB seek deal on 2nd Istanbul airport

4Jan

By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments

Business

Turkey’s IC, MAHB seek deal on 2nd Istanbul airport

IC Holding AS and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) agreed to collaborate for Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen, as Turkish company explores acquiring a stake in the airport. Discussions are at a preliminary stage between MAHB and IC Holding, a Turkish infrastructure company and airport operator, and may or may not result in the latter acquiring a stake at the airport, according to people, who asked not to be named as the deliberations are confidential. IC Holding declined to comment. MAHB said it is entering a “strategic collaboration” with IC Holding but refrained from disclosing further details. Sabiha Gokcen Airport named Serhat Sogukpinar as the new chief executive as part of the collaboration, according to a separate statement on Dec 26. Sogukpinar currently serves as head o...

Elvis to get hologram treatment at new London show

4Jan

By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments

Entertainment

Elvis to get hologram treatment at new London show

A new immersive Elvis Presley show will open in central London later this year, bringing the king of rock ‘n’ roll back to life with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), organisers said Thursday. “Elvis Evolution”, featuring a life-size digital Elvis performing on stage, is designed to be the first of a series of shows in cities including Las Vegas, Tokyo and Berlin. British company Layered Reality put together the spectacle using AI, holographic projections, augmented reality, live theatre and multi-sensory effects to celebrate the singer’s life and legacy. It promises previously unseen performances created through access to thousands of personal photos and home-video archive after striking a deal with Authentic Brands Group, which owns his estate. Layered Reality ch...

Michelle Yeoh Welcomes Grandmotherhood with Heartwarming Photos

3Jan

By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments

Entertainment

Michelle Yeoh Welcomes Grandmotherhood with Heartwarming Photos

In a delightful announcement, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, the esteemed actress, and her French husband, Jean Todt, kicked off the new year with the heartwarming revelation of their newfound roles as grandparents. Yeoh shared this joyous news through a series of captivating photos on her Instagram account on Tuesday, January 2. The first image captured the Oscar winner alongside her husband, 77-year-old Jean Todt, in a hospital room setting, joined by Todt's 46-year-old son Nicolas and his partner Darina. The family radiated happiness in a moment that marked the beginning of a significant chapter. The second photo showcased Michelle Yeoh's beaming smile as she cradled her grandchild, named Maxime, in her loving arms. The genuine happiness on Yeoh's face resonated with the joy of embra...

Samsung to unveil new Galaxy S series later this month

3Jan

By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments

Innovation/ Technology

Samsung to unveil new Galaxy S series later this month

Samsung Electronics Co said Wednesday it will unveil new Galaxy S series smartphones later this month, with a focus on artificial intelligence, Yonhap news agency reported. The world’s largest smartphone maker said it will hold a Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California, on Jan 17 (local time), with the theme “Galaxy Unpacked 2024: Opening a New Era of Mobile AI.” “Get ready to discover a new era full of possibilities with the latest Galaxy innovations, designed to transform how you live, connect and create. “The new Galaxy S series will set a higher standard for the most intelligent mobile experience yet,” Samsung said in its invitation to the event. While Samsung did not share the detailed product lineup, Galaxy S24 flagship smartphones are expected to be unveiled a...

Proton Ends 2023 with Best Sales Growth Since 2012

3Jan

By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments

Business

Proton Ends 2023 with Best Sales Growth Since 2012

National automaker Proton achieved its strongest sales performance in a decade in 2023, marking five consecutive years of growth. Proton sold 154,611 units last year, a 9.3% increase over 2022. This included 12,711 units moved in December. The company held 19.4% market share for the year. CEO Li Chunrong credited the rebound in demand for Proton's PIES models - the Persona, Iriz, Exora and Saga. The Persona saw sales jump 48.9% to 24,362 units, making it the number two model in its segment. The Saga was Proton's top seller at 70,184 units, up 25.6% and driven by first-time buyers. Proton's SUV lineup, including the X50, X70 and X90, has sold over 200,000 units since its launch. With its position as Malaysia's number two automaker solidified for a fifth straight year, Proto...

Tragedy Averted as Japan Airlines Plane Catches Fire in Tokyo Runway Collision

3Jan

By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments

News

Tragedy Averted as Japan Airlines Plane Catches Fire in Tokyo Runway Collision

In a harrowing incident at Tokyo's Haneda airport, a Japan Airlines plane burst into flames following a collision with a smaller coastguard aircraft on the runway. The catastrophic event unfolded as the Airbus, arriving from Sapporo, skidded on the blazing tarmac, resulting in a fire that engulfed the aircraft. All 379 passengers and crew aboard the Japan Airlines Flight 516 were successfully evacuated, displaying commendable efforts by the flight crew. Unfortunately, five of the six crew members on the coastguard plane lost their lives, with the captain sustaining injuries. The incident occurred shortly before 18:00 local time after the flight had departed from Sapporo's New Chitose airport. Video footage captured the dramatic moment when the plane burst into flames upon landin...

Hilton’s 600th hotel opens, upbeat about tourism recovery

3Jan

By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments

Lifestyle

Hilton’s 600th hotel opens, upbeat about tourism recovery

The nation saw the 600th Hilton hotel opened recently in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. The global hospitality company is steadfast in its commitment to accelerating further expansion, banking on the thriving tourism market, according to a top Hilton executive. Qian Jin, president of Hilton Greater China and Mongolia, emphasised the significance of China as its second-largest market globally after the United States. “As one of the fastest-growing international hotel groups in China, Hilton has opened 100 new hotels annually over the past four years. This rapid expansion showcases our collaborative efforts, a pace we proudly refer to as Hilton speed,” he said.According to JLL, a leading provider of commercial real estate solutions, this year has seen a significant increase in Chinese...