ExCo approves bus fare increase of fifty cents to one dollar, sources say
The executive council approved the fare increase proposals for five bus companies on Tuesday, according to sources, with most of the routes’ rates up 50 HK cents to HK$1. The…
China launches mission with first civilian to space station
China sent three astronauts to its Tiangong space station on Tuesday, putting a civilian into orbit for the first time as it pursues plans to send a crewed mission to…
IAEA team in Japan for final review before planned discharge of Fukushima nuclear plant water
An International Atomic Energy Agency team arrived in Tokyo on Monday for a final review before Japan begins releasing massive amounts of treated radioactive water into the sea from the…
Second batch of HK$5,000 e-vouchers to be disbursed on July 16
The next instalment of the consumption voucher will be handed out on July 16, with residents who want to switch electronic payment platforms or newly qualified residents to complete the…
Nepali sherpa scales Everest for record 28th time; death toll at 11
A Nepali sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for a record 28th time on Tuesday, an official said, completing his second ascent in just a week, as the toll…
Seven bodies recovered after Chinese vessel capsized in Indian Ocean
Seven bodies were recovered from a Chinese fishing vessel that capsized in the central Indian Ocean, according to state media on Monday, days after China President Xi Jinping ordered an…
SpaceX sends Saudi astronauts, including nation’s 1st woman in space, to International Space Station
Saudi Arabia’s first astronauts in decades rocketed toward the International Space Station on a chartered multimillion-dollar flight Sunday. SpaceX launched the ticket-holding crew, led by a retired NASA astronaut now…
HK’s health chief attends the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau attended the 76th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. Lo attended the assembly alongside the Director…
China’s Micron ban revives US trade tensions, fuels Asian chip rally
Several Chinese and South Korean chipmaker stocks rallied on Monday after Beijing barred U.S. firm Micron Technology (MU.O) from selling memory chips to key domestic industries over security concerns, reviving…
Biden sees shift in relations with China ‘shortly’, says G7 wants to de-risk, not decouple
U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday said the Group of Seven nations were agreed in their approach to China and the need to diversify their supply chains so they are…
Biden unveils new $375 mln U.S. military aid package for Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden announced a new $375 million package of military aid to Ukraine on Sunday and told President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the United States was doing all it…
At least 12 dead in stampede at El Salvador soccer stadium
At least 12 people died and an unspecified number were injured in a stampede at a soccer stadium in El Salvador on Saturday, the Central American government tweeted. On Saturday…
Japan, South Korea leaders in historic Hiroshima visit
Japan and South Korea’s leaders made a historic visit Sunday to a memorial for Koreans killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, as long-frosty ties between the neighbours warm. Japanese…
Man City win fifth Premier League title in six seasons
Manchester City won the Premier League for the fifth time in six seasons on Saturday, taking a first step to a possible golden treble of trophies as second-placed Arsenal lost…
China’s Xi calls for stable, secure central Asia
China’s President Xi Jinping said on Friday that the security, independence and territorial integrity of central Asian nations must be safeguarded. Delivering the keynote speech at the China-Central Asia Summit…
Hongkongers urged to donate blood as stocks run low to four-day level
Hongkongers aged 16 to 65 who are in good health are urged to give blood as the blood inventories have been depleted to a very low level, with only four…
Two bodies found in Chinese fishing vessel crew search
Two bodies were found Thursday in the search for 39 crew members missing after a Chinese fishing vessel capsized in the Indian Ocean, Beijing’s state media reported. The ongoing search…
Prince Harry, Meghan say they were pursued by paparazzi in New York
Britain’s Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and her mother were involved in a “near catastrophic” car chase with press photographers after attending an awards ceremony in New York, Harry’s spokesperson…
Central Asia leaders converge in China as Xi touts ‘enduring’ friendship
Central Asian heads of state converged in China’s historic city of Xian on Thursday for one-on-ones with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to seal pledges of “enduring” friendship, paving the way…
Montana to become first US state to ban TikTok
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday signed legislation to ban Chinese-owned TikTok from operating in the state to protect residents from alleged intelligence gathering by China, making it the first…
US Cathay ticket giveaway fuels online frenzy
Hundreds of thousands of people queued online for flights to Hong Kong being given away by Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. on its North America website, with 4,445 tickets from the…
John Lee says freedoms in Hong Kong protected as ‘non-factual’ and ‘misleading’ content removed
Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city’s freedom of speech is protected under the Basic Law while the national security law guarantees the respect of human rights. His comments…
China’s Xi pledges deeper Kazakh ties in times of ‘prosperity and adversity’
China wants to further deepen relations with Kazakhstan in times of both “prosperity and adversity”, President Xi Jinping told his visiting Kazakh counterpart on Wednesday. This week, China will for…
Huanggang Port to adopt joint immigration checkpoint, further plans for joint clearance: security chief
The “co-location arrangement” clearance procedures will be adopted at the renovated Huanggang Port, security secretary Chris Tang Ping-keung revealed on Wednesday, adding that the government is also exploring a much…
Reading literacy of HK students at highest tier: international study
Hong Kong students ranked 2nd among 43 countries or regions participating in an international reading literacy study conducted every five years, staying in the global top three in four consecutive…
Australia cancels Quad meeting in Sydney after Biden postponement
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday a Quad summit would not go ahead in Sydney next week without U.S. President Joe Biden, who postponed his trip due to…
Wage increase of up to 4.65pc to be tabled for civil servants
Hong Kong’s civil servants may get pay rises of up to 4.65 percent this year, going by the recommendations of a panel that took into consideration a host of factors,…
Coach, players of Hong Kong First Division League football club among 23 arrested for match-fixing
Twenty-three people, including 11 professional football players, were arrested by ICAC for alleged bribery in fixing the results of football matches involving a local football club. The arrestees, aged 25…
Xi holds talks with Eritrean president
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with President Isaias Afwerki of the State of Eritrea in Beijing. Hailing China and Eritrea’s profound traditional friendship, Xi said the two…
Hong Kong leader says China’s sentencing of US citizen exposes national security threats
Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday said the sentencing on spying charges of a U.S. citizen in China, who was also a permanent resident of the semi-autonomous city, illustrated that the…
First interactive, consultative Q&A session at Legco to touch upon education and land issues, says John Lee
Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city’s first interactive, consultative Q&A session at the Legislative Council on Thursday would touch upon education and land issues. The Hong Kong leader…
John Lee says public libraries must ensure books don’t violate laws
Hong Kong’s leader said on Tuesday public libraries needed to ensure books don’t violate local laws, amid criticism that many books and videos related to China’s Tiananmen Square crackdown have…
Free US to HK ticket giveaway begins tomorrow
The Hello Hong Kong ticket giveaway for flights from the US to Hong Kong begins tomorrow (May 17) at 8 am, with prospective winners required to sign up on the…
G7 leaders meet in Hiroshima to pressure Russia, find China unity
G7 leaders meet in Hiroshima this week looking to tighten the screws further on Russia over the Ukraine war and agree a united line on China’s growing military and economic…
Zelensky on UK trip wins vow of ‘hundreds’ more missiles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Britain on Monday with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who pledged “hundreds” of both air defence missiles and long-range attack drones to fend off Russia’s…
Hong Kong resident sentenced to life in prison for espionage: Chinese court
John Leung Shing-wan, a Hong Kong permanent resident and a U.S. passport holder, was sentenced to life in prison for espionage, according to a statement on the WeChat account of…
Transport chief to attend APEC transportation ministerial meeting in US
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung departed for the United States on Sunday to attend the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transportation Ministerial Meeting. The transportation ministers and senior…
Zelensky arrives in Germany as Ukraine prepares counter-offensive
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived Sunday for his first visit to Germany since Russia’s invasion, with Berlin offering an emphatic show of support in the form of a new military…
Flower market welcomes a busy Mother’s Day
Many families flock to Mong Kok flower market this morning to buy fresh flowers on Mother’s Day. Some children were buying roses and carnations out of their own pockets. A…
President Xi calls for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei to be pioneer in Chinese modernization
President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to reach new heights in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and to make it a pioneer and example in pursuing Chinese…
HK delegation stresses protected freedoms of assembly and procession in UN meeting
A delegation of the SAR government attended the meetings of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Friday and said residents’ freedoms of assembly and procession…
Untrue, biased claims in media must be opposed, says CE John Lee
Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the government must oppose untrue, biased, and misleading messages but stressed Hong Kong still enjoys press freedom, as he responded to newspaper Ming Pao’s…
John Lee promote HK’s tourist hotspots on last day of Chongqing visit
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu used the last day of his three-day trip to Chongqing to promote Hong Kong’s tourist attractions as the journey concluded. Lee wrote on Facebook this…
Musk to step down at Twitter, new CEO lined up
NBCUniversal executive Linda Yaccarino is in talks to become Twitter’s chief executive officer, the Wall Street Journal reported, following owner Elon Musk’s announcement that he had found a new leader…
Around 24 injured in Finland bridge collapse, many of them children
Around 24 people, a majority of them children, were injured on Thursday when a temporary pedestrian bridge collapsed in the Finnish city of Espoo, just outside the capital Helsinki, rescue…
John Lee receives warm welcome upon arrival at Chongqing’s Ciqikou ancient town
Exuberant residents surrounded Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu as he arrived at Ciqikou ancient town today, continuing his three-day trip to Chongqing by visiting the landmark attraction – one of…
Human genome reboot better reflects global population
Scientists on Wednesday unveiled a new accounting of the human genome that improves on its predecessor by including a rich diversity of people to better reflect the global population -…
Finland prime minister divorces husband
Finland’s outgoing Prime Minister Sanna Marin has filed for divorce jointly with her husband of three years Markus Raikkonen, they said on Instagram on Wednesday. “We are grateful for the…
Police say seizure of sculpture legal, reasonable and rational
The Hong Kong Police Force said in a statement early Thursday that a search and seizure involving the sculpture “Pillar of Shame” was legal, reasonable and rational. The comments came…
John Lee arrives in Chongqing for three-day visit
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu arrived in Chongqing on Wednesday and began a three-day visit to the city. Lee and his delegation visited the Chongqing International Finance Square, a development…
Rare day at Vatican as two popes share stage
It was a rare day at the Vatican on Wednesday as two popes shared the limelight in St Peter’s Square – Pope Francis and His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of…
LegCo passes bill mandating foreign lawyers seek CE approval to participate in NSL trials
The Legislative Council on Wednesday passed the third reading of a bill that regulates foreign lawyers not eligible to practice in Hong Kong but wish to participate in national security…
Free tram rides for Hongkongers this Sunday to celebrate International Day of Families
The Family Council of the government will launch a free tram ride day this Sunday (May 14) to celebrate the International Day of Families. Hongkongers are invited to enjoy free…
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s ex-prime minister, arrested in court
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested Tuesday as he appeared in a court in the country’s capital, Islamabad, to face charges in multiple graft cases. Security agents dragged…
UN chief says peace talks in Ukraine conflict not possible right now
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he sees no immediate possibility of reaching a comprehensive ceasefire in the war in Ukraine as both sides are convinced they can win, according…
Hong Kong mulls regional flag law amendment to cover both real-life and internet offenses
The HKSAR government proposed bringing the laws against insulting the regional flag and emblem in line with those pertaining to the national flag, with the desecrating behavior in both real…
LinkedIn cuts over 700 jobs, phases out China app
LinkedIn, the social media network owned by Microsoft Corp that focuses on business professionals, said on Monday it would cut 716 jobs as demand wavers, while also shutting down its…
Singapore firms scramble to soften blow of soaring rent costs
Companies in Singapore are partially paying housing costs of employees and even relocating staff to cheaper neighboring cities to help them tackle home rents that rose last year at their…
UK official visits Hong Kong in years after strained ties
The first British minister visiting Hong Kong in five years said his country will not “duck” its historic responsibilities to people living in its former colony while engaging with China…
John Lee proposes new ‘interactive sessions’ at Legco
Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu proposed on Tuesday a new “interactive sessions” to be held at the Legislative Council for lawmakers to help authorities in policy making and tackling important…
Jury to start deliberations in suit accusing Trump of rape
A jury in New York City is set to begin deliberations Tuesday in a civil trial over advice columnist E. Jean Carroll’s claims that Donald Trump raped her in a…
Bloomberg Wealth Asia Summit on after three-year HK hiatus
The Bloomberg Wealth Asia summit returned to Hong Kong after a three-year break, bringing together the region’s leading investors, economists and money managers. Speakers scheduled for the conference Tuesday include…
CE-led delegation to visit Chongqing to deepen cooperation
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will lead a delegation to visit Chongqing on Wednesday to attend the High-Level Meeting cum First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Chongqing Co-operation Conference. During…
Norway’s aging king hospitalized with an infection
Norway’s aging king, Harald V, has been admitted to a hospital and is receiving treatment for an infection, the Norwegian palace said in a brief statement Monday. ”The king has…
Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong regains world No 1 ranking with Colombia grand prix win
Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai has regained her No 1 world ranking in women’s épée after winning gold at a grand prix event in Colombia. Facing world No 3…
Russia launches mass strikes on Ukraine ahead of May 9 Victory Day holiday
Russia launched a large-scale wave of strikes on Kyiv and across Ukraine sowing destruction and injuries, officials said early on Monday, as Moscow prepares for its cherished Victory Day holiday…
Britain celebrates with street parties and a concert after King Charles’ coronation
Neighbourhoods around Britain will hold street parties and King Charles will attend a concert featuring the likes of singers Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Andrea Bocelli at Windsor Castle on…
Japan, South Korea seek to deepen cooperation, overcome old disputes
Unresolved historical disputes should not block South Korea and Japan from deepening ties in the face of international crises, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said as he welcomed Japanese…
Xi congratulate Britain’s King Charles III on coronation
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan, wife of Xi, sent a congratulatory message on Saturday to Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla on coronation. In their message,…
Japan PM Kishida visits Seoul to forge closer ties amid N.Korea threats
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Seoul on Sunday to meet South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, facing a sceptical public there as the leaders seek deeper ties amid…
Govt to adjust anti-epidemic measures as WHO declares end to Covid as global health emergency
The government will refer World Health Organization’s latest advice on the Covid-19 epidemic situation and adjust the remaining related measures and arrangements accordingly, the spokesman said. The WHO announced that…
King Charles III crowned at Westminster Abbey
King Charles III was crowned on Saturday in Britain’s biggest ceremonial event for seven decades, a sumptuous display of pageantry dating back 1,000 years. In front of a congregation of…
HSBC shareholders shoot down Hong Kong investors plan to carve up bank
HSBC Holdings Plc shareholders voted to reject proposals to shake up the bank that were put forward by a group of Hong Kong-based investors. About a fifth of voting investors…
Civic organizations take to the streets to support district governance reforms
Civic organizations have taken to the streets in various areas across the city to show their support for the Government’s proposals on enhancing governance at the district level. These organizations…
Covid testing centers and stations to be completely shut down next Saturday
The government announced Friday that the remaining five Covid-19 community testing centers and community testing stations will completely cease operation starting next Saturday (May 13). The five testing sites about…
Starry Lee says she won’t run in upcoming District Councils election
Representatives from political parties and different social sectors have formed an alliance in support of the government reform proposal on the District Councils as convener and pro-Beijing heavyweight Starry Lee…
UK Conservatives suffering ‘terrible’ night with local election losses
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives were facing a bleak set of local election results with voters punishing his party over political scandals, sluggish economic growth and high inflation, early…
JPMorgan’s Dimon to visit mainland China for first time in four years: sources
Jamie Dimon, the chief executive of JPMorgan Chase & Co, travels to mainland China this month for the first time in four years, sources said, the latest in a series…
WHO downgrades Covid pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency
The World Health Organization said Friday that Covid-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies…
IMF tells Hong Kong to slowly reduce fiscal deficit to ensure sustained economic recovery
Hong Kong should focus on reducing its fiscal deficit at a gradual pace rather than over two years to ensure a balanced recovery now that its economy is returning to…
U.S. calls Russian claim that Washington was behind drone attack ‘ludicrous’
The United States dismissed Russia’s allegation on Thursday that Washington was behind what it said was a drone attack on the Kremlin, saying Moscow’s assertion was a lie. “Obviously it’s…
Trump says he will probably attend civil rape trial
Donald Trump said on Thursday he will “probably” attend an ongoing civil trial in New York where he is accused of rape and defamation, repeating his denials of the allegations…
WHO experts weigh up whether world ready to end Covid emergency
A panel of global health experts will meet on Thursday to decide if Covid-19 is still an emergency under the World Health Organization’s rules, a status that helps maintain international…
Officials, youth uniformed groups commemorate anniversary of May 4 Movement
Top Beijing and Hong Kong officials, along with members of 19 youth uniformed groups on Thursday attended a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai to commemorate the…
Drone attack sparks Russia oil refinery fire: state media
A drone attack in southern Russia caused a fire at an oil refinery, the state-run TASS news agency reported on Thursday. The alleged incident joins a string of recent drone…
World should prepare for El Nino, new record temperatures: UN
The United Nations warned Wednesday of a growing likelihood the weather phenomenon El Nino will develop in coming months, fuelling higher global temperatures and possibly new heat records. The UN’s…
Man arrested outside Buckingham Palace, police conduct controlled explosion
Police arrested a man outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday for throwing what they believe were shotgun cartridges and officers also carried out a controlled explosion in the area, days before…
Iranian president in Damascus for first visit since Syrian war began
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi landed in Damascus on Wednesday for talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, Syrian state media reported, in the first visit by an Iranian head of…
What to expect from King Charles’ coronation on May 6
King Charles will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony full of pomp, pageantry and solemn religious significance on Saturday, after he became monarch of the United Kingdom and…
LegCo passes third reading of 2023-24 Budget bill
The Legislative Council on Wednesday passed the third reading of the 2023-24 Budget bill with 82 votes for and one abstention, as Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said the government…
Hong Kong Police tweaks hiring standards to entice new recruits
The Hong Kong Police Force has announced that the minimum height and weight requirements for recruits will no longer be applicable to enhance its recruitment efficiency further. The force said…
China’s foreign minister makes rare visit to Myanmar border
China’s foreign minister called for stability and a crackdown on cross-border criminal activity along the country’s border with Myanmar, during an unusual visit to the volatile region on Tuesday. The…
Newly proposed district council reform incites mixed reactions
Most politicians welcomed the proposed district council electoral reform, but opposing voices remain as the plan dramatically slashed the number of elected seats. Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau…
Govt to slash the proportion of directly elected district council seats to 20 pc under electoral reform
The government unveiled an electoral reform of the District Council on Tuesday to reduce the proportion of directly elected seats to about 20%, which has been approved by the Executive…
CE says Q1 GDP grew 2.7 percent year-on-year
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city’s economy grew 2.7 percent in the first quarter of 2023, reversing contractions in the previous four quarters, including a 4.1 percent drop…
Andrew Kan to head national security department of the police force
Andrew Kan Kai-yan was appointed as the head of the department for safeguarding national security of the police force on Tuesday, upon the retirement of the deputy commissioner of police…
Leading Thai opposition PM candidate gives birth two weeks from polling day
An opposition frontrunner in Thailand’s upcoming general elections has given birth two weeks before the polling day, her party confirmed on Monday. The kingdom is entering the final stretch before…
John Lee sends greetings to workers on Labor Day
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu sent his greetings to all laborers on Labor Day via social media while stating that the measures to improve their rights have made good progress.…
Northbound travel for HK vehicles via HZMB open for application next month
Approved Hong Kong private cars will be allowed to travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) starting in July, as the “Northbound Travel for Hong…
Ding Liren becomes China’s first world chess champion
Ding Liren became China’s first world chess champion on Sunday after a rapid-play tie-break victory over Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi in Kazakhstan. Ding, 30, takes over as winner of the World…
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