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A growing market for products designed to mitigate the effects of alcohol consumption is gaining traction in the United States, thanks to the efforts of Brown University graduates Gene Oh and Felix Lee. Their company, day–guard, is introducing a concept popular in South Korea – “alcohol aid” products – to American consumers, offering a new approach to social drinking, and wellness.

Oh first encountered these products whereas studying abroad in Seoul as a Brown University senior. He discovered a billion-dollar market centered around items designed to support the body during and after alcohol consumption, a stark contrast to the limited options available in the U.S. Recognizing a potential opportunity, Oh, along with Lee, decided to bridge this gap and bring a piece of Korean wellness culture to America. The core product, day–guard, is a jelly stick formulated to protect the liver and gut while drinking alcohol, a concept already widely embraced in South Korea.

The journey from initial discovery to launching a company wasn’t without its challenges. According to Forbes, Oh and Lee navigated cultural barriers to establish relationships with Korean manufacturers. They also undertook rigorous customer research, leading to a pivot in their brand strategy to better resonate with the American market. This involved understanding the nuances of American drinking habits and wellness preferences, and adapting the product messaging accordingly.

day–guard’s launch comes as interest in preventative health measures and functional wellness products continues to rise. The company has garnered attention, even attracting investment from Grammy-nominated DJ Adventure Club and the founders of other established brands, as noted on LinkedIn. Oh himself reportedly put medical school on hold to focus on building day–guard, demonstrating a strong commitment to the venture and his heritage.

Building a Brand from the Ground Up

The founders didn’t wait until after graduation to begin building their company. While still students at Brown, Oh and Lee assembled a team of interns to assist with various aspects of the business, leveraging the university’s network and resources. This early team played a crucial role in market research, product development, and initial marketing efforts. The Brown Daily Herald reported on the rise of student startups like day–guard, highlighting the importance of the university’s alumni network and peer support in fostering entrepreneurial ventures.

The company’s approach focuses on providing a proactive solution for those who choose to drink alcohol, rather than simply addressing the consequences afterward. Day–guard’s jelly stick format is designed for convenience and ease of use, aligning with the on-the-go lifestyle of many consumers. The product aims to support the body’s natural processes, helping to minimize the negative effects of alcohol consumption.

Instagram posts show the product gaining visibility and traction, with the founders highlighting their journey “From Seoul to Brown University” and their mission to build day–guard a U.S. Reality.

The Growing Alcohol Aid Market

The concept of alcohol aid products is well-established in East Asia, particularly in South Korea, where a robust market caters to consumers seeking ways to mitigate the effects of alcohol. These products often contain ingredients believed to support liver function, aid digestion, and boost hydration. While the U.S. Market for such products is still nascent, it is showing signs of growth, driven by increasing consumer awareness of health and wellness.

The success of day–guard could potentially pave the way for other Korean wellness trends to gain a foothold in the American market. The company’s ability to navigate cultural differences, build a strong brand identity, and connect with consumers will be key to its continued growth.

As day–guard expands its reach, it will be important to monitor consumer response and adapt its strategy accordingly. The company’s focus on research and development, combined with its commitment to quality and innovation, positions it well to capitalize on the growing demand for preventative health solutions. The next steps for day–guard will likely involve scaling production, expanding distribution channels, and building brand awareness among a wider audience.

What are your thoughts on the growing trend of alcohol aid products? Share your comments below and let us know what you consider!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Vass, Šiaurės Karolina – Šeštadienį, vasario 14 dieną, Moore apygardos pareigūnai atsakė į pranešimą apie šaudymą Woodlake bendruomenėje ir rado du žuvusius žmones. Aukos buvo identifikuotos kaip 28 metų Matthew Wade’as, aktyvus JAV kariuomenės karys, tarnaujantis Fort Bragg bazėje, ir 21 metų Kateryna Tovmash, ukrainietė pabėgė, kuri rūpinosi savo jaunesniaisiais broliais ir seserimis. Šis tragiškas įvykis sukėlė bangą liūdesio ir nerimo bendruomenėje, o tyrimas vis dar tęsiamas.

Įtariamasis, 25 metų Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh, Katerynos buvęs vaikinas, buvo sulaikytas Ohajo valstijoje, Košoktono mieste, tą pačią dieną, apie 14 valandą. Moore apygardos šerifo biuras pranešė, kad Fosnaugh buvo sulaikytas po koordinuotų pastangų su Ohajo pareigūnais, įskaitant Ohajo valstijos greitkelių patrulį ir Košoktono apygardos šerifo biurą, kaip pranešė ABC11. Jam pareikšti kaltinimai dėl neteisėto įsibrovimo į būstą ir dviejų žmonių nužudymo.

Šerifas Ronnie Fieldsas pavadino šį įvykį „tragišku ir beprasmiu gyvybių praradimu“ ir išreiškė užuojautą aukų šeimoms. Šerifas Fieldsas padėkojo teisėsaugos institucijoms už greitą bendradarbiavimą sulaikant įtariamąjį. Tyrimas vis dar tęsiamas, o detektyvai siekia nustatyti visas aplinkybes, susijusias su šiuo įvykiu.

Kateryna Tovmash į Jungtines Valstijas atvyko prieš dvejus metus su šeima, bėgdama nuo Rusijos invazijos į Ukrainą. Apie jos istoriją anksčiau rašė Kyiv Independent. Ši tragiška žinia atkreipė dėmesį į ukrainiečių pabėgėlių patiriamą pažeidžiamumą ir iššūkius, su kuriais jie susiduria naujoje šalyje.

Žuvusio Matthew Wade’o sesuo Megan socialiniame tinkle „Facebook“ pasidalijo informacija, kad įtariamasis važiavo septynias valandas iš Ohajo, įsilaužė į Katerynos namus ir privertė jaunesnįjį brolį ar seserį pažadinti merginą prieš nušaudamas ją ir šalia miegojusį Matthew. Ši informacija dar nėra oficialiai patvirtinta teisėsaugos, tačiau suteikia įžvalgų apie įvykių eigą.

Šeimos draugas inicijavo „GoFundMe“ kampaniją laidotuvių išlaidoms padengti, pavadindamas nusikaltimą „beprasmiu smurto aktu“. Iki vasario 17 dienos buvo surinkta daugiau nei 15 000 JAV dolerių. GoFundMe platforma tapo svarbiu įrankiu aukų šeimoms, ieškančioms finansinės paramos sunkiomis akimirkomis.

Ši tragedija įvyko praėjus keliems mėnesiams po kito skaudaus nusikaltimo Šiaurės Karolinoje – 23 metų ukrainietės Irynos Zarutskos nužudymo Šarlotėje. Iryna Zarutskaitė buvo mirtinai subadyta traukinyje rugpjūčio mėnesį, o Decarlos Brownas jaunesnysis buvo apkaltintas dėl jos nužudymo. Šis įvykis sukėlė didelį rezonansą ir padidino susirūpinimą dėl smurto prieš moteris ir ukrainiečių bendruomenę.

Tyrimas tęsiamas, o pareigūnai siekia surinkti daugiau įrodymų ir nustatyti motyvus, lėmusius šį tragišką įvykį. Moore apygardos šerifo biuras ragina visus, turinčius informacijos, susisiekti su jais. Atsižvelgiant į šią dvigubą žmogžudystę, bendruomenė susitelkė, kad paremtų aukų šeimas ir ieškotų atsakymų į klausimus, susijusius su šiuo beprasmiu smurto aktu.

Atsižvelgiant į šią tragišką istoriją, svarbu atkreipti dėmesį į ukrainiečių pabėgėlių patiriamą pažeidžiamumą ir teikti jiems reikiamą paramą. Teisėsaugos institucijos tęs tyrimą ir sieks nustatyti visas aplinkybes, susijusias su šiuo įvykiu, o bendruomenė toliau rems aukų šeimas ir ieškos atsakymų.

Sekite naujienas, kad sužinotumėte daugiau apie šį tyrimą ir jo eigą. Jūsų komentarai ir pasidalijimas šia informacija gali padėti skleisti žodį ir paremti aukų šeimas.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has significantly increased its efforts to identify individuals behind social media accounts critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), issuing hundreds of subpoenas to major tech companies including Google, Reddit, Discord and Meta, according to reports from The New York Times.

This escalation in data requests marks a shift from a previously limited practice, with DHS now routinely seeking information about users who do not publicly display their real names. The subpoenas reportedly target accounts that either criticize ICE directly or disclose the locations of ICE agents. The move raises concerns about potential First Amendment implications and government surveillance of dissent.

The increased pressure on tech companies comes after several instances where Homeland Security attempted to identify anonymous Instagram account owners, withdrawing subpoenas in some cases after facing lawsuits. This broader effort utilizes administrative subpoenas, which do not require judicial approval, to gather user data, a practice described as “growing” by The Washington Post. The focus on identifying individuals behind critical social media accounts underscores a heightened sensitivity to public perception of ICE’s activities.

Google, Meta, and Reddit have reportedly complied with at least some of the subpoenas. Google stated it informs users when possible and challenges requests it deems “overbroad.” The tech companies’ compliance, even partial, highlights the legal complexities and ongoing tension between government requests for information and user privacy rights.

Subpoenas Focus on Anonymous Accounts

The subpoenas issued by DHS specifically target accounts lacking readily available identifying information. This suggests a deliberate effort to unmask individuals operating under pseudonyms or anonymously, potentially to deter criticism or investigate perceived threats. The requests reportedly seek data related to accounts criticizing ICE or revealing the locations of its agents, raising questions about the scope of the investigation and the justification for targeting such accounts.

Recent Legal Challenges and Government Practices

The Department of Homeland Security’s pursuit of social media data isn’t new, but the scale appears to be expanding. Bloomberg reported on five previous cases where DHS sought to identify owners of anonymous Instagram accounts, later withdrawing the subpoenas after legal challenges. This pattern suggests a willingness to utilize legal mechanisms to obtain user information, even when met with resistance. The use of administrative subpoenas, which bypass the need for a judge’s approval, has also drawn scrutiny, as it allows DHS to directly request data from tech companies without independent oversight.

Broader Context: ICE and Public Criticism

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has faced increasing public criticism in recent years regarding its enforcement practices, particularly concerning family separations at the border and allegations of human rights abuses. These criticisms have often played out on social media, where activists and concerned citizens share information and organize protests. The agency’s efforts to identify its critics could be seen as an attempt to counter negative narratives and potentially suppress dissent.

In February 2026, Google employees also protested the company’s cloud services provided to ICE, citing concerns about their use in immigration enforcement, as reported by The New York Times. This internal dissent within tech companies further illustrates the ethical and political complexities surrounding their collaboration with government agencies involved in immigration policy.

What to Watch Next

The legal and political ramifications of DHS’s actions are likely to unfold in the coming months. Further lawsuits challenging the validity of the subpoenas are possible, and lawmakers may call for greater transparency and oversight of the department’s data collection practices. The outcome of these challenges will likely shape the future of government access to social media data and the balance between national security concerns and First Amendment rights. The debate over the appropriate level of government surveillance and the protection of online dissent is expected to continue, with significant implications for the future of digital freedom.

What are your thoughts on the government’s access to social media data? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Tokyo – A deepening diplomatic rift between China and Japan is significantly impacting tourism, with Japan experiencing a sharp decline in Chinese visitors during the crucial Lunar Novel Year holiday period. Once a top destination for Chinese travelers, Japan is now falling out of favor as Beijing expresses displeasure over Tokyo’s stance on Taiwan, impacting a sector that was previously experiencing a boost from a weak yen.

The shift in travel patterns comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested the possibility of deploying Japan’s self-defense forces if China were to invade Taiwan. This statement, made in November, ignited a strong reaction from China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has vowed to reunify it with the mainland, by force if necessary. The resulting diplomatic tensions are now directly translating into economic consequences for Japan’s tourism industry.

Dramatic Drop in Chinese Tourism

Chinese tourism to Japan almost halved in December compared to the same period in 2025, according to Japan’s transport ministry. This downturn is expected to continue throughout the current Lunar New Year travel season, a traditionally busy period for inbound tourism. Instead of Japan, South Korea is poised to become the most popular destination for Chinese travelers during the 40-day travel frenzy, with an estimated 250,000 visitors expected, a 1.5-fold increase from the previous year.

Reports indicate that Japan will receive fewer Chinese tourists than other regional destinations, including Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Russia. The anticipated drop in visitors during the Lunar New Year holidays is estimated to be as high as 60% compared to last year. This represents a significant loss for Japan’s tourism sector, which had been hoping to capitalize on the favorable exchange rate.

Escalating Diplomatic Tensions

The dispute over Taiwan has become a central point of contention. Prime Minister Takaichi’s comments in November, asserting that military involvement was an option in the event of a crisis in the Taiwan Strait posing an “existential” threat to Japan, drew sharp criticism from China. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently accused Takaichi of attempting to revive Japan’s militarist past during the Munich Security Conference on Monday, stating, “Japanese people should no longer allow themselves to be manipulated or deceived by those far-right forces, or by those who seek to revive militarism.” He warned that Japan risked “self-destruction” if it continued on this path.

Japan responded by lodging a protest through diplomatic channels and condemning Wang’s claims as “factually incorrect and ungrounded.” The Japanese foreign ministry emphasized that its efforts to strengthen defense capabilities are a response to an increasingly severe security environment and are not targeted at any specific country. However, the ministry likewise acknowledged concerns about the increasing military capabilities of some nations in the region, stating Japan “opposes such moves and distances itself from them.”

Liu Xiaoming, China’s special representative on Korean peninsula affairs, further escalated the rhetoric, claiming Takaichi’s remarks revealed Japan’s “unextinguished ambition to invade and colonise Taiwan once again, and the lingering ghost of revived militarism.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Liu referenced the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, warning that “the lessons of history are not far away and must be heeded.”

Travel Warnings and Public Sentiment

Beijing has repeatedly warned its citizens about potential safety risks when traveling to Japan, although there have been no reported incidents specifically targeting Chinese tourists. On Sunday, the Chinese consulate general in Osaka again advised Chinese nationals to avoid travel to Japan following a fatal stabbing in the city – an incident that did not involve Chinese nationals.

Despite the official warnings, some Chinese citizens remain undeterred. One individual told the Kyodo news agency that maintaining goodwill between ordinary people from both countries is important. Another, a woman from Shanghai, stated her family still plans to visit Japan, believing the travel alert is primarily intended to fuel criticism of Japan, saying, “But my family has not been brainwashed.”

The situation highlights the complex interplay between geopolitics and tourism, and the potential for diplomatic disputes to have significant economic consequences. The coming weeks will be crucial in observing whether the current trend of declining Chinese tourism to Japan persists and how both countries navigate the ongoing tensions surrounding Taiwan.

As the diplomatic situation remains fluid, the impact on Japan’s tourism sector will continue to be closely monitored. Further developments in the dialogue between Beijing and Tokyo, and any shifts in official travel advisories, will be key indicators of the future of tourism between the two nations.

What are your thoughts on the impact of geopolitical tensions on international travel? Share your comments below.