City Scope

08/01/2025

Hong Kong: A record HK$138 million Mark Six jackpot was split between two winning tickets in Hong Kong. Each winner received HK$ 69.23 million.

The jackpot is the largest in Mark Six history and drew massive crowds to off-course betting stations, with wait times exceeding 40 minutes. The prize grew after a January draw had no first-prize winners.

Fourteen second-prize winners earned HK$ 844,560 each. Total betting for the draw reached HK$ 328.8 million.

During the 2023/2024 season, the Hong Kong Jockey Club saw HK$ 304.9 billion in total bets, with HK$ 8.5 billion on the Mark Six lottery, marking a 13.3% increase.

Revenue from the lottery hit HK$ 3.9 billion.

#852

[Hong Kong Mark Six Jackpot, Record win at HK Mark Six, HK Mark Jackpot of HK$ 138 million]

08/01/2025

2024 is officially the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. Extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, heatwaves, and cyclones, caused devastation worldwide. Scientists confirm that human-caused climate change is behind these disasters.

Despite a US$ 300 billion U.N. climate deal, critics say it falls short of addressing rising climate-related costs. Experts warn high temperatures will persist into 2025, driven by carbon emissions from fossil fuels.



[Hottest year on record, 2024 is the hottest year on record, 2024 was the hottest]

07/01/2025

Trending: A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet, killing over 100 people and causing massive destruction. The quake occurred at 6:35 am at a 10-kilometre depth and was followed by two aftershocks.

The epicentre, Tingri County, saw over 1,000 buildings damaged and destroyed. Nearby areas, including Lhatse County, experienced significant damage.

Tremors were felt in Nepal, Bhutan, and northern India, though no damage was reported in India.

It was the strongest earthquake in the 200-km region in five years. Rescue operations are ongoing in Tibet. The region’s tectonic activity stems from the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, which also uplifts the Himalayas.

City Scope offers its sincere prayers to all those who lost their loved ones and homes in the tragedy.



[Earthquake in Tibet, Earthquake near Mount Everest, Earthquake jolts Tibet, Nepal, India, and China]

07/01/2025

Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation amidst rising discontent and internal government turmoil.

This follows the abrupt resignation of Chrystia Freeland, the minister of finance and deputy Prime Minister, signalling growing challenges.

Trudeau will remain the prime minister until the Liberal Party selects a new leader.

Parliament, initially scheduled to resume on January 27, will now reconvene on March 24 to allow for the leadership race.

Trudeau, who came to power in 2015, faced increasing unpopularity in the last few years due to issues like rising food and housing costs and surging immigration. His tenure marked a shift to liberal governance but ended with mounting voter dissatisfaction.



[Canada PM Justin Trudeau, Justin Trudeau resigns, Candian politics]

06/01/2025

Hollywood’s beloved couple Tom Holland and Zendaya are engaged. As per reports, the on-screen Spider-Man popped the question between Christmas and New Year in an intimate setting at Zendaya’s home in the USA.

was seen flaunting her engagement ring at the Golden Globes. The couple, who first met at the sets of Spider-Man: Homecoming, started dating in 2021.

06/01/2025

The 82nd edition of the Golden Globes Award was held recently at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by American comedian and actress, Nikki Glaser, the ceremony was attended by several cinema A-listers from across the globe.

This year, ‘The Brutalist’ was nominated for seven awards. It won some of the biggest awards of the night, such as best actor in a drama, best director, and the movie won best drama.

Furthermore, the most nominated film, ‘Emilia Pérez’ had 10 nominations and it took home four awards.

For the television series, Sh**un was nominated for four awards and it went ahead to win them all.

Swipe through this CS Special by to know more about the winners for Golden Globes 2025!

**un

[Golden Globes, Golden Globes 2025, Golden Globes Awards, Golden Globes Winners 2025]

06/01/2025

As conversations around mental health are brewing in quaint corners and living rooms, it’s more important than ever to be well-informed about a subject that has long been taboo.

This article talks about some books that will expand your worldview about mental health, one page at a time.

Author: .co
Design:

Link: https://cityscope.hk/books-around-mental-health-you-must-read/

It's crucial to adopt stress management techniques and focus on mental health. Here are some books that will create awareness on the subject.

05/01/2025

India: Indian women collectively own around 24,000 tons of gold, representing 11% of global reserves in jewellery form.

This amount surpasses the combined reserves of the top five gold-holding countries, including the U.S. (8,000 tons) and Germany (3,300 tons).

South India leads in gold ownership, contributing 40% of India’s reserves, with Tamil Nadu accounting for 28%. Gold in India reflects cultural significance, often passed down through generations.

This reserve overshadows even the International Monetary Fund’s gold holdings. Gold remains deeply embedded in India’s traditions and wealth accumulation practices.



[India, Indian women, gold, gold reserve]

05/01/2025

China: China has completed the world’s largest-diameter underwater shield tunnel in Jinan, Shandong Province.

The Jinan Huanggang Road Yellow River Crossing Tunnel has a record diameter of 55.8 feet. Built using the Shanhe shield machine, the world’s largest tunnel boring machine, it achieved excavation speeds of 52.5–59 feet per day. Construction began in September 2024, completing the two-mile underwater section in just 110 days.

The tunnel, featuring six lanes, will open by late 2025, improving transportation efficiency and easing congestion.



[China completes world’s largest underwater tunnel, underwater tunnel in China]

04/01/2025

India: Indore’s administration aims to make the city beggar-free starting January 1, 2025.

FIRs will be registered against individuals giving alms to beggars. District Collector Asheesh Singh announced a formal ban on begging and urged residents not to encourage the practice.

He stated that organised gangs exploit people for begging. An awareness campaign will run until December, with rehabilitation efforts underway for beggars.

Indore is among 10 cities selected for a pilot project under the Union Ministry of Social Justice. Recent rescue operations freed several beggars from key locations, including temples and public areas.



[Indore bans begging, Begging free city, Indore news]

04/01/2025

Brazil leads in cleanliness, with 99% taking weekly showers, averaging 14 showers a week.

In contrast, 32% of people in the UK prefer baths, making it the most bathed country. Germany balances both, with 92% opting for showers and 20% for baths.

In China, 85% favour showers due to practicality, while 11% bathe.

The USA also prefers showers, with 90% choosing them, but 13% still prefer baths, ranking it among the most bathed nations.

Each country’s habits highlight different approaches to hygiene while emphasising the importance of staying clean.



[Did you know, shower trends, Brazil, UK, USA, China]

03/01/2025

China: After five years of the COVID-19 outbreak, China is witnessing a surge of another virus.

What is HMPV?
The Human Metapneumovirus causes upper and lower respiratory infections. While no one is immune to it, children and the elderly are at a greater risk.

What are the symptoms?
HMPV has flu-like and COVID-19-like symptoms. Some common ones include cough, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, and fever. Severe cases can also lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.

How is it transmitted?
HMPV is communicable through cough and sneeze droplets. Touching infected people and contaminated surfaces can also lead to infections.

What are the preventive measures?
Like COVID-19, HMPV can be prevented by regularly washing hands, wearing masks, and not touching surfaces.

The HMPV outbreak in China is causing an overwhelm in hospitals and crematories. Health authorities have launched a monitoring system for unknown pneumonia to manage outbreaks. Proactive measures aim to prevent issues like during the Covid-19 pandemic's early days.



[China battles with HMPV, Another virus outbreak in China, HMPV in China]

03/01/2025

The global population reached 8.09 billion on January 1, 2025, growing by over 71 million people in 2024.

India remains the most populated country with 1.41 billion people, followed closely by China at 1.40 billion. The United States ranks third, with 341 million people.

In January 2025, there will be 4.2 births and 2.0 deaths worldwide every second. The jump of 0.9 per cent in 2024 is lesser as compared with 2023 when the total human population worldwide increased by 75 million.

The US Census Bureau updates the population clock yearly, using revised estimates.



[World population on new year, world population reaches 8.09 billion]

02/01/2025

Netflix’s hit show “Emily in Paris” is set to return for its fifth season. Filming will begin in May 2025, primarily in Paris but also partly in Rome, following season four’s storyline.

The show, starring Lily Collins as Emily Cooper, will continue with its signature French charm and explore a potential third destination like Saint-Tropez or Megeve.

Season 5 will follow Emily balancing her life between Rome and Paris, after moving to Italy for work and starting a romance with Marcello, while Gabriel realizes he wants to be with her.



[Netflix series, Emily in Paris, Emily in Paris Season 5]

02/01/2025

We all have a bucket list full of destinations we aim to visit at some point in our lives. While we might think we have all the time in the world to visit them, that may not be so true.

For several reasons, ranging from natural degradation, the impact of human activity, fire, or even calamities, many tourist attractions that once drew huge crowds now cease to exist. Here is a list of some of the very popular spots that no longer exist.

Azure Window: Collapsed on March 8, 2017 due to stormy weather.

Darwin’s Arch: Collapsed on May 17, 2021 from natural erosion.

The Buddhas of Bamiyan: Destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001.

Christmas Island Coral: Nearly 95% of coral reefs have been dead or bleached due to climate event El Niño in 2015-16.

Wedding Cake Rock: Closed in May 2015 due to vandalism.

Guaira Falls: Inundated by the impoundment of the Itaipu Dam reservoir in 1982.

The Wall Arch: Collapsed in August 2008.

Chacaltaya’s glacier: The warm phase of El Niño, resulted in the glacier’s disappearance in 2009.

The Sutro Baths: Destroyed by a fire in 1966. Cause of the fire was determined to be arson.

Jonah’s Tomb: The building was blown up by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on July 24, 2014.

So, while you can, tick off as many places as possible. CS Special by



[Tourist destinations that don’t exist, Lost tourist destinations, Destinations that don’t exist]

01/01/2025

You will spend the majority of your time in 2025 at work, just like every other year. This year, you must realise that your work life is the backbone of many things that you do — travelling, fulfilling your dreams, caring for your ailing parents, affording luxuries, or giving back to society. All of this becomes possible because of the paycheque that comes home at the end of every month.

Here is how you can ensure your professional life is fulfilling and successful. Once you have this sorted, you’ll be happier in many other aspects of your life.

Here’s to a prosperous and successful new year - 2025!



[New Year 2025, Happy New Year, New Year’s resolutions, New Year’s resolutions for work]

01/01/2025

As your loved ones are your rock-solid pillars of support in times of pain and your biggest cheerleaders during the high points of your life, you must ensure you shower them with similar affection, care, and time.

Here are a few things you can do in 2025 to make sure your personal relationships flourish. Believe us, once this is in place, no problem in life will feel too big.

Here’s to a new year full of love and togetherness!



[New Year 2025, Happy New Year, New Year’s resolutions, New Year’s resolutions for relationships]

01/01/2025

2025 is here, and as you hope this year will be an excellent one full of new opportunities and upgrades, it’s time to consider your health seriously. The good news is that it does not require major, life-altering changes.

Here are a few vows you can make to yourself to ensure that your health remains optimum. Believe us, once your health is great, everything else will fall into place automatically!

Here’s to a healthy new year — 2025!



[New Year 2025, Happy New Year, New Year’s resolutions, New Year’s resolutions for health]