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The US and Taiwan finalized a trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs, enhancing market access for American goods in Asia, and strengthening economic ties. The deal aims to benefit both regions by promoting closer economic collaboration, increasing exports, and supporting mutual growth. It marks a significant step in their ongoing economic partnership.

Taiwan and the United States have recently signed a significant trade agreement aimed at strengthening their economic partnership. This pact signifies a boost in bilateral trade relations, fostering greater cooperation across various sectors including technology, manufacturing, and agriculture. The agreement is seen as a strategic move to enhance Taiwan’s economic stability and resilience in the face of regional challenges.

The trade pact also emphasizes commitments to fair trade practices and intellectual property protections, which are crucial for innovation-driven industries in Taiwan. For the United States, this agreement reinforces its support for Taiwan’s role as a vital economic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. Both nations aim to create a more predictable and transparent trading environment to benefit businesses and consumers alike.

This development comes amidst increasing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The trade pact not only bolsters economic ties but also signals shared commitments to stability and cooperation in the region. It highlights the importance Washington places on supporting Taiwan’s economic growth and sovereignty through strategic partnerships.

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The Swindon-based furniture retailer posted an operating loss of £4.2m for the year to June 2025, a two-thirds reduction on the previous year

Oak Furnitureland is planning further showroom expansion following an improvement in its profitability. The Swindon-based retailer is aiming to open a series of new stores throughout 2026, following the successful launch of a new showroom in Coventry this past September.

It is also planning to refurbish at least half of its existing store estate by the end of June. Despite posting an operating loss of £4.2m for the year ending June 2025, this represents a two-thirds reduction on the previous year.

Over the course of the year, revenue grew by two per cent to £240.5m, with sales growth accelerating to five per cent in the seven months since the firm’s financial year end. The company, which operates 69 showrooms across the UK, said it had continued to gain market share in a broadly flat market.

This was achieved by innovating its range and diversifying into new categories beyond traditional solid wood cabinetry, whilst also making the brand more accessible through the introduction of no-deposit, interest-free credit offers.

Oak Furnitureland chief executive Alex Fisher said: “Customers are increasingly making more considered purchases, opting for durable, long-life products for their homes.”

He added: “Our objective to take our brand beyond cabinetry and into the whole home, innovate our ranges, and make our offer more accessible to even more customers is now starting to deliver.”

Oak Furnitureland collapsed into administration in 2020 before being rescued by US private equity firm Davidson Kempner Capital Management, as reported by City AM.

The firm was previously the football kit sponsor for football club Burnley.

Oak Furnitureland’s results come after the boss of rival retailer Dunelm warned of continued subdued consumer confidence and said more and more cost-conscious shoppers were looking out for deals and discount prices.

“Customer confidence has remained low over a prolonged period of time,” said Clo Moriarty.

“What that tells me is that every pound of disposable income is hard-earned by retailers and a lot of thought goes in by customers on how and where to spend it.

“We’re definitely seeing high levels of discounting with customers looking for deals. But in equal measure we can see customers now keen to look at what’s fresh for the season.”

Last week, Dunelm reported a 3.6 per cent sales growth to £926m for the second half of 2025, whilst pre-tax profit slipped 7.5 per cent to £114m.

Residents are worried the ‘oversized’ apartment blocks will dominate the skyline

A campaign group is calling for ambitious plans to redevelop a landmark Cornwall hotel to be scaled back in order to prevent what they term as “oversized” apartment blocks from overshadowing the skyline and obstructing sea views in Newquay.

The Save Our Sea Views campaign is advocating for a reduction in the height of a proposed development that aims to refurbish and expand Hotel Victoria on East Street. The project would involve the construction of five residential blocks, housing 81 apartments.

If given the green light, the plans put forward by the Nicolas James Group would result in the demolition of several buildings, including the Griffin Inn, Senor Dicks Mexican Restaurant, a residential property to the north west of the hotel, and 1 Cliff Road.

The applicant intends to redevelop Hotel Victoria under its prestigious Hotel Nici brand, introducing a new 4/5-star hotel to the town.

However, the residents’ campaign group argues the proposals pose a threat to public sea views and could harm the coastal character of the town.

They are appealing to the applicant and Cornwall Council planners to reduce the height and bulk of the proposed apartment blocks, particularly ‘Block G’ on the former Berties nightclub site. They argue that the current designs favour large residential blocks over sensitive, context-led regeneration.

Whilst the campaigners emphasise that they are not against development, they are calling for a “better design that respects Newquay’s identity as a coastal town”.

“Newquay’s connection to the sea belongs to everyone,” said Jessie Jacobs, one of the organisers of Save Our Sea Views.

“From streets like Berry Road and Trenance Road, the sea is part of the public realm. These proposals risk turning open, coastal streets into enclosed corridors of concrete. Once those views are gone, they’re gone forever.”

The campaign raises concerns that the apartment blocks take centre stage in the current proposals, whilst the hotel itself isn’t scheduled for redevelopment for several years.

Locals worry this could lead to oversized residential blocks dominating the skyline, whilst sections of the site lie vacant or underutilised.

“This risks the worst of all outcomes,” said Ms Jacobs. “Permanent harm to public sea views now, with the promised benefits of hotel regeneration delayed for years. That is not balanced, responsible development.

“This is not about stopping regeneration. It’s about shaping it properly. Newquay deserves development that enhances the town, not overwhelms it.”

The campaign group has launched a public petition. They have also urged anyone opposing the development to submit planning objections.

Despite opposition from the Save Our Sea Views campaign group, the planning application has attracted just six public responses on the council’s portal to date – four objections and two in support.

Validated by the council on January 14, the application remains pending a decision.

Representing the Nicolas James Group, architects Kay Elliott have previously said: “The ambition is to reposition Hotel Victoria as a luxury hotel as part of the client’s Hotel Nici brand. In order to support the level of investment the development will include new stand alone residential apartment buildings located on brownfield land to the east and west of the hotel.”

According to a design statement, the site benefits from prominent views from multiple vantage points throughout the town. “It will be important to maintain these views of the hotel and enhance them from the closer views.

“The site sits within the setting of St Michael’s Church, this is an important part of the local area and its tower is a significant feature in the townscape. Proposals will need to maintain the prominence of this feature and blend into the surrounding townscape when viewed from afar.”

The planning documents emphasise that the proposed apartment blocks remain subordinate in height to the hotel, sitting “comfortably” beneath its roofline.

“The massing of these blocks is restrained and set back from the cliff edge to allow for the views into the site to be maintained and enhanced.”

Apple may soon make choosing a MacBook more about personality than processor speed. According to industry reports, the company is testing a range of new color options for its upcoming entry-level MacBook, primarily targeting students and enterprise customers.

Potential finishes include light yellow, soft green, blue, and pink, a notable departure from Apple’s traditionally muted laptop palette.

Competitive Pricing With Strategic Hardware

Apple has also reportedly experimented with classic silver and darker gray tones, according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. While not all versions are expected to reach production, recent product launches suggest the company is increasingly comfortable embracing bold aesthetics. The 2024 refresh of the iMac introduced seven color options, and the latest MacBook Air replaced Space Gray with Sky Blue.

The new MacBook is rumored to target a $699 to $799 price range, potentially making it one of Apple’s most affordable laptops in years. To achieve that price point, the company may integrate iPhone-class silicon, such as the A18 Pro chip, first introduced in flagship iPhones.

Leveraging mobile silicon could reduce production costs while delivering strong efficiency and performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and streaming. However, buyers may see trade-offs in port selection, display technology, or advanced performance features typically reserved for higher-end Mac models.

Premium Materials Remain

Despite its budget positioning, the Cupertino giant is reportedly committed to maintaining a premium aluminum build. Rather than shifting to plastic, the company is said to be refining its manufacturing process to produce durable aluminum enclosures more cost-effectively, per Engadget.

If these reports prove accurate, Apple could unveil the redesigned, student-focused MacBook at a spring event. It will potentially shift expectations for what an affordable Mac can offer in both performance and design.

Originally published on Tech Times

Apple’s compact tablet, the iPad mini, has not seen a major refresh since its 2024 update with the A17 Pro chip, leaving fans eager for the next iteration. As of February 15, 2026, reliable leaks from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, MacRumors, Tom’s Guide, and supply chain reports point to the iPad mini 8 (or next-generation iPad mini) launching in the second half of 2026, likely September to November, with a standout OLED display as its biggest upgrade.

This timing aligns with Apple’s pattern of fall events for premium iPad models, potentially sharing the spotlight with new iPhone releases or other wearables. Unlike the entry-level iPad and iPad Air, which Bloomberg reports are “coming soon” in early 2026 with chip bumps (A18 for base iPad, M4 for Air), the iPad mini is positioned for a more substantial overhaul later in the year. No official announcement has come from Apple, and the company typically reveals products months in advance only through events.

Current Status and Why a New Model Is Anticipated The latest iPad mini (7th generation, released October 2024) features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, A17 Pro chip, Apple Pencil Pro support, and Apple Intelligence capabilities. It remains a strong portable option for reading, note-taking, and media consumption, but its LCD screen has drawn criticism for lacking the contrast, blacks, and efficiency of OLED panels found in the iPad Pro since 2024.

Rumors have circulated since late 2025 that Apple plans to bring OLED to more iPads, starting with the mini as a non-Pro model test case. Bloomberg’s October 2025 report indicated Apple aims to transition OLED across the lineup gradually, with the iPad mini potentially first among non-Pro devices in 2026. Recent February 2026 updates from Gurman reinforce this, noting the mini as “the only new iPad set to get a bigger upgrade this year” beyond processor tweaks.

Mass production could begin in Q3 2026 (July–September), per industry insiders cited on Reddit’s r/ipadmini and ET News, positioning a holiday-season launch. Some analysts speculate a September or October reveal alongside iPhone 18 models, though delays to 2027 remain possible if supply chain issues arise—Apple has occasionally postponed mini updates due to lower priority compared to Pro lines.

Expected Design and Display Upgrades The next iPad mini is rumored to retain its beloved 8.3-inch form factor, with slim bezels, aluminum build, and Touch ID in the power button. Major changes focus on the screen: an OLED panel promising deeper blacks, infinite contrast, vibrant colors, and better HDR support. This upgrade could enable ProMotion-like high refresh rates (potentially 120Hz), addressing long-standing complaints about the current 60Hz LCD.

Additional rumored enhancements include improved water resistance (sealed design for better IP rating) and possibly thinner profiles or refined edges. No drastic redesigns like foldable elements are expected—the mini’s appeal lies in its pocketable size.

Performance and Chip Speculation Powering the device, leaks suggest an A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip (2nm process), delivering significant efficiency gains, faster performance, and enhanced Apple Intelligence features. This would position the mini closer to Pro-level capabilities in a smaller package, with better multitasking, AI processing, and battery life.

RAM could increase to 8GB or more, supporting advanced on-device AI. Storage options likely start at 128GB, with tiers up to 1TB. Connectivity remains Wi-Fi 6E/7 and optional 5G, with USB-C for charging and accessories.

Camera, Accessories, and Software Camera expectations are modest: the 12MP rear and 12MP front (landscape-oriented) may see sensor tweaks or better computational photography, but no major leaps. Apple Pencil Pro compatibility continues, with potential new gestures or features tied to iPadOS 19 or 20.

The device will ship with the latest iPadOS, emphasizing AI tools like enhanced Siri, writing aids, and visual intelligence—features already rolling out in 2026 updates.

Pricing and Market Positioning Starting price could rise slightly due to OLED costs. Current iPad mini starts at $499; rumors from ZDNet and Bloomberg suggest a $100 increase to around $599 for the base model. This keeps it premium yet accessible compared to iPad Air ($599+) or Pro models.

The mini targets users wanting portability without sacrificing power—students, readers, travelers, and creatives. Competition includes Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S series small tablets and Amazon Fire tablets, but Apple’s ecosystem integration (iPhone continuity, Apple Pencil) gives it an edge.

Broader 2026 iPad Lineup Context Apple’s 2026 roadmap appears staggered:

• Early 2026 (March–May): New base iPad (A18/A19 chip) and iPad Air 8 (M4 chip), focusing on performance without design changes.
• Mid-to-late 2026: iPad mini 8 with OLED and advanced chip.
• No major iPad Pro refresh expected until 2027 (M6 or later).

This approach allows Apple to space releases, maintain sales momentum, and prioritize OLED supply for high-margin models first.

What to Watch For As spring 2026 progresses, expect more leaks on prototypes, supply chain shipments, and WWDC previews (June 2026) hinting at software features. If OLED production ramps up as planned, a September event announcement seems likely.

For current owners, the 2024 iPad mini remains capable, but the 2026 model promises the display upgrade many have waited for. Whether it arrives late 2026 or slips to 2027, the next iPad mini could redefine compact tablets with superior visuals and performance.