As China's Spring Festival approaches, China Media Group (CMG) released a copyright notice for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, the nation's most anticipated televised celebration of the Chinese New Year.
According to the statement, CMG retains the sole authority to license the mascots, logo, and creative products globally for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.
Without CMG's written permission, organizations and individuals are prohibited from using any the gala's logo, mascots or designs across any medium, including reproduction, distribution, exhibition, and advertisements of these copyrighted items.
The mascots for this year's gala include four majestic ponies to welcome the Year of the Horse, which begins on February 17, 2026.
Horse is one of the most dynamic and spirited in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac cycle, representing strength, perseverance, and unstoppable momentum.
Inspired by classic representations of horses across different periods of Chinese history, the mascots are adorned with classic elements of traditional Chinese clouds and thunder.
A series of cultural and creative products have also been released to highlight people's aspiration for prosperity, success, health and happiness in the upcoming year.
CMG issues statement on copyright of 2026 Spring Festival Gala
Spanish health authorities on Friday identified a second monitored contact linked to the hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship MV Hondius after tracing a woman living in Catalonia who had shared a flight with a Dutch traveler died from the virus.
Spain's Center for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies said the woman is asymptomatic and was initially missed during contact tracing because of a seat change on the aircraft.
According to health authorities, the woman now meets the criteria for monitored contact under a newly approved national surveillance protocol and will remain under medical observation.
This came after the suspected case of hantavirus detected in Alicante. Spanish Secretary of State for Health Javier Padilla said on Friday that the health authorities had taken relevant measures.
In addition, Padilla confirmed that all 14 Spanish passengers aboard the MV Hondius had agreed to undergo voluntary quarantine measures in order to minimize the risk of further transmission.
The Dutch-operated expedition cruise ship, currently heading toward Spain's Canary Islands, has so far been linked to three deaths.
Padilla said a team from the Spanish Health Ministry would travel to Tenerife on Saturday ahead of the ship's expected arrival on Sunday.
Passengers are expected to disembark by small boats before being transferred under strict isolation measures. Spanish citizens aboard the vessel will be transported to Madrid for quarantine observation.
The British Health Security Agency announced Friday that a suspected hantavirus case has been detected on the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, linked to the ongoing outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.
The vessel stopped at Tristan da Cunha between April 13 and 15.
Spain identifies second suspected hantavirus case linked to cruise ship outbreak
