Macao – October 17, 2026 -- International travel has reached 690 million trips so far this year, 3 million more than in the same period last year, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais told the 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) in Macao on Saturday, despite geopolitical tension and conflict in the Middle East.

The forum opened at the MGM Theater at MGM COTAI under the theme "Crisis, Resilience, Evolution." It returns to its founding host city after the 11th edition was held in Harbin, Heilongjiang, in December, the first time the event left Macao.

United States – – October 17, 2026 -- Seventy percent of Americans buy food or drinks from fast food restaurants at least once a month, and 30% do so weekly, according to YouGov's Best Bites 2026: U.S. restaurant brand rankings.

Younger, middle-income diners drive weekly fast food demand

Of weekly fast food diners, 51% are under 45 and 49% live in middle-income households. Value and discount menus are the biggest drivers of visits, followed by a clean dining environment.

National Harbor, Maryland – October 17, 2026 -- Five Guys will award $100,000 to the winner of its Five Guys Games final on May 13 at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland, closing a six-month internal contest open to the chain's 50,000 employees.

Three timed events decide the $100,000 grand prize

Finalists compete in a potato race, a cheese stack race and a QC wrapping race. The Five Guys Training Team judges the events, watching and timing each competitor for speed and accuracy.

Alexandria, Va. – October 17, 2026 -- Jonathan Martinez of Kingston, New York, won the 2026 Five Guys Games and took home a tax-free $100,000 check, headlining a finale that closed the burger chain's 40th Anniversary Conference at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

Eight finalists compete across three speed-and-accuracy events

Eight finalists went head-to-head on May 13 in three events: the potato race, the cheese race and the dressing/QC race. Each event tests speed, skill and accuracy. Every finalist received at least $10,000.

Arlington – October 17, 2026 -- Five Guys has earned its ninth successive Great Place To Work® certification, with 82% of Five Guys Enterprises LLC corporate and store employees calling it a great place to work. That compares with 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company, a gap of 25 percentage points.

Survey shows 91% of employees have the resources to do their jobs

The survey results cover corporate staff and company-owned store teams. Employee responses included:

Beijing – October 16, 2026 -- More than 200 domestic and international dignitaries attended the opening of the World Winter Sports Expo 2026 (WWSE 2026) in Beijing on October 15, a event aligned with the directives of China's 15th Five-Year Plan for the ice and snow industry.

ATLANTA – October 16, 2026 -- Sumo Championship League (SCL) added 14 athletes to its roster, lifting the total to 59 athletes representing 15 countries as the new professional league builds its competitive depth during its inaugural season.

SCL signs former Japanese Grand Sumo competitors

The new additions include former Japanese Grand Sumo competitors and international champions. Shijirbayar Chimidregzen reached the rank of Maegashira 9 in Japanese Grand Sumo, while Delgersaikhan Uuganbaatar reached Makushita 7.

Nashville – October 16, 2026 -- Doussan Music Group (DMG Presents) has opened a second office in Nashville's Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood and appointed three executives, as the independent concert promoter prepares a 16-date fall tour with Jon Pardi and 10 November dates with Aaron Lewis.

Ljubljana – October 16, 2026 -- Slovenia presented its pavilion concept for EXPO 2027 Belgrade at a Ljubljana networking event, as bilateral goods trade with Serbia stood at approximately USD 2.04 billion in 2025, according to Serbia's Statistical Office.

Bangkok – October 16, 2026 -- World Gym Corporation (TWSE: 2762), Taiwan's largest fitness operator, has signed a lease for a second Bangkok club of more than 3,000 square meters at S-OASIS, a commercial and office development by SET-listed Singha Estate. The deal is the first phase of a plan to open 30 fitness centers in Thailand within five years.