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Sri Lanka ends 10-year wait for Test win in England | Pathum Nissanka's superb unbeaten century guided Sri Lanka to an ultimately commanding eight-wicket win at The Oval on Monday as they ended a decade-long wait for a Test-match victory in England. Sri Lanka, set a target of 219, reached that total for the loss of two wickets before lunch on the fourth day, with Nissanka 127 not out and Angelo Mathews 32 not out in an unbroken stand of 111. Victory gave Sri Lanka just a fourth Test win in England and first since a 100-run success at Headingley back in 2014. England, however, took this three-match series 2-1 after wins at Old Trafford and Lord's Cricket Ground. But defeat meant England, who whitewashed the West Indies 3-0 earlier in the season, failed to achieve a first home campaign clean sweep since 2004, when Michael Vaughan oversaw seven successive wins. "It was a great opportunity to play in England and I enjoyed that innings," said Nissanka, who was named player-of-the-match after also making 64 in the first innings. "I just wanted to play my normal game and I have done that," added the opener, who spent two years out of the Test side. (AFP) | 2024-09-10T08:19:00 |
England women bowl out Ireland in record-breaking win | England thrashed Ireland in a record-breaking 275-run win as they skittled out the hosts for just 45 in Monday's second women's one-day international (ODI) in Belfast. Experienced opener Tammy Beaumont's unbeaten 150 – her 10th century at this level – powered England to a total of 320-8 in their 50 overs. It was far too much for a fledgling Ireland team, who were bowled out inside 17 overs, with England captain Kate Cross taking 3-8 and new-ball partner Lauren Filer 3-10. Ireland opener Una Raymond-Hoey's 22 was the only double-figure score of an innings that ended with England 2-0 up in a three-match series. England's largest women's ODI win in terms of runs was achieved by a mainly second-strong team, with the majority of their T20 World Cup squad not involved. "Cricket is a sport of ups and downs, and today was definitely a down day," said Ireland captain Gaby Lewis, one of three home batters out for a duck. "We are a very young squad, we're learning on the go," she added. "We've got three bowlers under the age of 19, it's very hard on them." But Beaumont insisted that she found it tough early on, and that Ireland were "bowling tight lines with a slower pace on the pitch." (AFP) | 2024-09-10T08:26:00 |
France, Italy win in Nations League, Norway on target | France picked up their first win of the Uefa Nations League on Monday when they defeated Belgium 2-0 in Lyon, with Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele getting the goals as the home side won despite captain Kylian Mbappé being left out of the starting line-up. The game was a repeat of the Euro 2024 last-16 tie which France won 1-0 in Duesseldorf thanks to a late own goal. Meanwhile, Italy kept up their perfect start to the Nations League, while Erling Haaland struck a late winner for Norway against Austria. The Italians built on an impressive win away in France at the weekend as they beat Israel 2-1 in a game played on neutral territory in Budapest due to the security situation in the Middle East. Goals in each half from Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean were enough for Italy to win in a subdued atmosphere at the Bozsik Arena, home of Honved. Luciano Spalletti's team have reacted well to their disastrous European Championship title defence, which ended at the last-16 stage, and deserved their second win in a matter of days. Frattesi followed his goal in the 3-1 win in France by chesting home Federico Dimarco's pinpoint cross in the 38th minute to open the scoring. Fiorentina striker Kean made it 2-0 just after the hour mark with his first Italy goal in almost exactly three years, before Mohamed Abu Fani pulled one back at the end for Israel. Italy are top of Nations League Group A2 with the maximum six points, while France and Belgium are level on three points apiece. In Group B3, Norway beat Austria 2-1 in Oslo as Manchester City star Haaland fired in the winner 10 minutes from time. Felix Myhre gave Norway an early lead only for Marcel Sabitzer of Borussia Dortmund to equalise for Austria before the break. (AFP) | 2024-09-10T08:33:00 |
US House passes bills targeting Chinese companies | The US House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill that aims to restrict business with China's WuXi AppTec, BGI and several other biotech companies on national security grounds. This was the first floor vote for the Biosecure Act, which would prohibit federal contracts with targeted firms and those that do business with them. It passed by 306 to 81, easily topping the two-thirds majority necessary under the process. The legislation must pass the Senate before it can be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. In March, the Senate's Homeland Security committee voted to approve a similar bill, but it is unclear whether the full Senate will vote on the legislation. Other companies named are MGI and its California-based subsidiary Complete Genomics. The targeted companies say the measure is based on false and misleading allegations and that it would limit competition. They deny posing any threat to US national security and each say they should not be included in the bill. The US House of Representatives has also voted to bar new drones from Chinese drone manufacturer DJI from operating in the United States. The bill still needs to be approved by the Senate before it could become law. It would not prevent existing DJI drones from operating in the United States. DJI sells more than half of all drones in the US. It said the law would hurt the very industry Congress is trying to support. (Reuters) | 2024-09-10T09:20:00 |
Fashion designer Peter Nygard sentenced to 11 years | Peter Nygard, the founder of one of Canada's largest clothing brands, was sentenced Monday to 11 years in prison for four counts of sexual assault of women and a girl in Toronto. He could be released in about six and a half years with credit for time spent in pre-trial custody, or sooner if he is granted parole. Nygard, 83, is "a Canadian success story gone very wrong," Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein said in handing down the sentence. He called him "a sexual predator," adding that "Mr Nygard used his wealth, power and profile to prey on his victims." Wearing a dark hoodie and a makeshift visor to shield his eyes in court, Nygard did not appear to react to the decision. His lawyer Gerri Wiebe said he planned to appeal the sentence while continuing to "maintain his innocence" in several other criminal cases pending against him. Outside the Toronto courthouse, a spokesperson for one of Nygard's victims, whose identities are protected by court order, read a statement describing a sense of closure after "four years of hell." "We did this to ensure every victim of sexual assault will remember this trial and feel the strength and confidence to come forward and not be threatened by social status or money," read the statement. Nygard was convicted in November 2023 of using his status as the head of one of Canada's largest womenswear makers to sexually assault three women and a 16-year-old girl between 1988 and 2005. His trial heard he had invited them to his opulent Canadian offices on the pretence of lucrative modelling or other opportunities, only to find themselves trapped in a top floor bedroom suite with a hot tub where he preyed on them. The case marked a spectacular fall for a man who once oversaw 170 of his eponymous stores in Canada and the United States, and threw lavish parties at his homes in the Bahamas -- a Mayan-inspired playground with fake volcanoes -- and Los Angeles. Prosecutors had sought to have Nygard incarcerated for at least 15 years while the defence, citing his advanced age and failing health, urged releasing him within two years. The judge noted in his sentencing decision a high level of "violence, degradation and (the) duration of these sexual assaults, (as well as) the manipulations used to get the victims into (his) private apartment" in Toronto. Nygard also did not moderate his behaviour over the years, the judge noted. At the height of his success, Nygard dined with Queen Elizabeth II and rubbed shoulders with political leaders and Hollywood stars. He had long boasted about his rise from humble beginnings, as a young Finnish immigrant who built a fashion empire, and amassed a personal fortune worth US$620 million. But it all came crashing down in 2020, when police raided his Manhattan corporate headquarters, and his company filed for bankruptcy protection shortly afterward. His arrest in Canada the same year came after a whistleblower released footage that included a 17-year-old dancing on a stripper pole on Nygard's private Boeing 727 plane. One of his Canadian accusers called Nygard "a monster." In the United States, prosecutors allege Nygard used company funds to host "pamper parties" where minor girls were drugged and women assaulted if they did not comply with his sexual demands. They have sought his extradition to the United States. Nygard also still faces trials on separate charges in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Quebec. (AFP) | 2024-09-10T09:06:00 |
Hang Seng Index opens flat after US rebound | The Hang Seng Index gained 8.46 points, or 0.05 percent, to open at 17,205.42 points on Tuesday. This comes after Wall Street staged an impressive rebound overnight, after all three major US stock indexes surged more than 1 percent, recovering from last week's selloff. A reading on US inflation is due on Wednesday, where expectations are for the headline number to have further slowed to an annual 2.6 percent in August. (with additional reporting from Xinhua and Reuters) | 2024-09-10T10:48:00 |
Trial removal of nuclear debris from Fukushima starts | A difficult operation to remove a small amount of radioactive debris from Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear plant began on Tuesday, after technical issues suspended an earlier attempt. Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) said in a statement that its "pilot extraction operation" had started. It will take about two weeks, according to the company. The tiny sample will be studied for clues about conditions inside the reactors – a crucial step towards decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant. About 880 tonnes of extremely hazardous material remain 13 years after a tsunami caused by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered one of the world's worst nuclear accidents. Removing the debris from the reactors is regarded as the most daunting challenge in the decades-long decommissioning project. "The government would like to urge Tepco to respond with an even higher sense of urgency as we enter the most difficult work phase, which will be the basis for decommissioning the plant," chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters on Tuesday. Tepco originally planned to start its first trial removal on August 22, aiming to collect just three grams for analysis – if the extraction process is successful. But the company had to stop the work at a preliminary stage after detecting a problem involving the installation of the necessary equipment. Three of the Fukushima plant's six reactors were operating when the tsunami hit on March 11, 2011, sending them into meltdown. The debris within has radiation levels so high that Tepco had to develop specialised robots able to function inside. Tepco deployed two mini-drones and a "snake-shaped robot" into one of the three nuclear reactors in February, as part of the preparations for the removal task. (AFP) | 2024-09-10T10:52:00 |
HK will continue to nurture young entrepreneurs: CE | Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said the SAR will continue its role as a pioneer and will unite patriotic young people to contribute to national development. Speaking at a forum on young entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, Guangdong, Macau and Taiwan, Lee said Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. "Hong Kong is an international financial, shipping, and trade centre. It's the only city in Asia with five universities ranked in the world's top 100," he said. "With its strong scientific research capabilities and advanced technological foundation, Hong Kong attracts talent from both home and abroad to develop their careers, and strives to establish itself as a hub for high-end international talent." The CE also highlighted the government's efforts in promoting youth innovation in the Greater Bay Area, including a funding scheme which helped over 200 young entrepreneurs in the region set up businesses. Meanwhile, a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, CY Leung, told the same event that the nation has provided "bigger stages" for young people on both sides of the strait and in the two SARs. Leung added that he hopes political, business, academic and media figures from Taiwan can visit these stages more often to see for themselves the opportunities. | 2024-09-10T12:29:00 |
Last batch of Paris Paralympians welcomed back to HK | Wheelchair shuttler and Paris Paralympics silver medallist Daniel Chan on Tuesday said he hopes people will remember that he's won medals for the SAR, as he retires from international competition. This summer's Games were his last after a 16-year career playing for Hong Kong, China. Chan, 39, said while it's unlikely he will be in the public eye from now on, he hopes he has left his mark. "I hope people will remember there's a wheelchair badminton player Daniel Chan who got some good results in international competitions for Hong Kong, got medals, and in his last Paralympics, he won a silver. I hope people will remember me," he said. Speaking at the airport as part of the last group of Paralympians returning from France, Chan also called on the public to cherish athletes who didn't win medals, saying everybody worked really hard and deserves support. He noted that badminton only became a Paralympic event three years ago and said many athletes like himself hung on for years before they could shine on the brightest stage. Chan said he won't become a coach because there's no other wheelchair shuttler in Hong Kong at the moment, but he hopes to set up an academy focusing on education and social inclusion, while using his own story to encourage disabled people or students with special educational needs. For their part, swimmers Jasmine Ng and Chan Yui-lam, who both won their first Paralympic medals in Paris, thanked the public for their support, as well as those around them who contributed to their sports journeys. Ng, 14, said she was honoured to have unseated legendary sprinter So Wa-wai to become Hong Kong's youngest ever Paralympic medallist. At the age of 15, So struck gold at the Atlanta Games in 1996 as part of a 4x100m relay team. Chan said she was touched by the welcome home, saying it provided a rare chance to share her joy at winning a medal. Six-time Paralympian Alison Yu, meanwhile, said while the wheelchair fencing team of Fan Pui-shan, Irene Chung, Tong Nga-ting and herself didn't bring home any medals from Paris, they still gained so much from the experience. "We now know for the new training cycle, we know where to put our emphasis on. And we had four girls that went to Paris, one more than in Tokyo. We had debutant Tong Nga-ting this time," she told reporters. "So we hope for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, we hope the team can get more qualifying spots and that more new faces will make the Paralympics." The fencers finished fourth in three different events in Paris. | 2024-09-10T11:47:00 |
Macau's Sam Hou-fai submits CE nominations | Former Macau top judge Sam Hou-fai on Tuesday submitted his nominations to run for chief executive, making him likely the sole candidate for the post. Sam put forward 383 nominations from the 400-strong election committee. Committee members can only nominate one person, which means any other hopefuls won't be able to secure the minimum 66 nominations required to enter the election. "So many election committee members support me, up until now, I am very satisfied. I didn't have expectations as to how many [would nominate me], I didn't think about it," Sam told reporters. "The key is to conduct the electioneering work according to my own election process." He said in the coming weeks he will listen to more views and engage the public in a bid to persuade the remaining 17 committee members who didn't nominate him to vote for him in the election on October 13. To become a candidate, Sam still needs to be officially vetted for eligibility. The current chief executive, Ho Iat-seng, announced last month that he would not seek another term in office, citing health reasons. Both of his predecessors, Edmund Ho and Fernando Chui, served the maximum two five-year terms allowed under the law. | 2024-09-10T12:53:00 |
High Court allows challenge on prison clothing rule | The High Court has agreed to hear a legal challenge against a policy requiring women on remand to wear long trousers, even in the hot summer months. Judge Russell Coleman on Tuesday approved the application for a judicial review from Chow Hang-tung, former vice-chairwoman of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, who has been remanded in the Tai Lam Centre for Women since September 2021. The commissioner of correctional services is named as the respondent. A hearing date hasn't been decided yet. Chow applied for a judicial review on September 6, arguing that the trousers rule amounts to sex discrimination and disregards the health of women on remand. | 2024-09-10T13:38:00 |
Gym-goers wait in vain for Physical Fitness to reopen | People gathered outside a shuttered Physical Fitness gym in Wan Chai on Tuesday after a message circulating online claimed the branch would reopen today under a different name. But the doors remained locked. A woman, surnamed Fung, whose membership would remain valid until 2026 was one of them. “We got a message saying the branch would reopen, but we didn't know whether it was genuine or not, and we were sceptical, that’s why we decided to come and have a look,” she said. “But from what we’ve seen, it seems to be closed as no one was going in and out of the branch.” Another member, Keith, paid HK$7,400 for a 54-month membership. He still has two years of membership left, but is not considering a switch to other fitness centres. “If I can, I will stay. Because I don’t want to spend more money on other [companies] or other clubs right now.” Another customer, named Regina, told RTHK that she and around 4,000 other members, who lost money due to the closure of Physical Fitness, have joined a group on social media. She wasn’t sure if the chain would reopen. “I think [we] need to wait for one or two weeks. Maybe Physical [Fitness] is finding some new bosses to pay up a large capital for them to pay the loan,” Regina added. She said she would consider filing a report to the Consumer Council if she managed to find the receipt to prove she paid HK$11,000 for membership during the pandemic. The consumer watchdog said it had received more than 1,700 complaints due to the closure of Physical Fitness, involving nearly HK$60 million in claims. | 2024-09-10T14:49:00 |
Chinese FA bans 43 for life for gambling, match-fixing | The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced on Tuesday that 43 individuals have been banned for life from participating in football-related activities for gambling and match-fixing. Among those banned for life are former Chinese internationals Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao, as well as South Korean player Son Jun-ho. At a press conference in Dalian, Zhang Xiaopeng, a senior official from the Ministry of Public Security, revealed details of a two-year investigation that uncovered a series of online gambling, match-fixing and bribery cases. "The Ministry of Public Security reported the details of the first batch of 61 people involved in the cases to the General Administration of Sport of China and the CFA," Zhang said. He added that 44 individuals face criminal penalties for bribery, gambling and the illegal opening of casinos, while 17 others were found to have engaged in bribery and match-fixing and will be punished with according to regulations CFA president Song Kai confirmed that 43 of the 44 facing criminal penalties have been banned for life from football-related activities, and 17 others have received five-year bans. (Xinhua) | 2024-09-10T14:01:00 |
Beijing says US discriminating against Chinese biotech | The passage of a bill by the US House of Representatives that aims to restrict business with Wuxi AppTec, BGI and other biotech firms was a "discriminatory" measure against Chinese companies, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. At a press briefing, spokeswoman Mao Ning urged the US to respect market principles and trade rules, and stop pushing forward the bill and misusing all kinds of excuses to suppress Chinese companies. This was the first floor vote for the Biosecure Act, which would prohibit federal contracts with targeted firms and those that do business with them. The legislation must pass the Senate before it can be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. (Reuters) | 2024-09-10T16:05:00 |
Huawei unveils new trifold phone | Tech giant Huawei on Tuesday unveiled its new smartphone, billed as the world's first trifold phone, just hours after US competitor Apple lifted the curtain on its new iPhone built for AI. The Mate XT was officially launched in a keynote presentation by Huawei executive Richard Yu at the firm's headquarters in Shenzhen. Originally designed as a premium phone for a niche audience, over three million people registered interest in buying the Mate XT ahead of its launch. Advertised in a sleek red and gold design, the phone officially goes on sale on September 20. "Huawei has always been a leader in the foldable phone industry," Yu said. "This is the world's first triple-folding phone," he said. "We have put in a huge amount of effort into solving the problems regarding mass production and product reliability," he added. Its release comes a day after Huawei competitor Apple announced its iPhone 16, built for generative artificial intelligence as it seeks to boost sales and keep up in the technology race. (AFP) | 2024-09-10T16:06:00 |
New batch of silver bonds to be issued | The government on Tuesday announced the launch of a new batch of silver bonds, to support infrastructure projects. The three-year bond programme, for residents aged 60 or above, will have a guaranteed interest rate of 4 percent, down from 5 percent last year. Interest will be paid every six months. At a press briefing, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui said he was confident that people will find the bonds appealing, despite the lower guaranteed returns. "Many people in the market are expecting an interest rate reduction... We consider this offering interest rate appealing. Taking into account this is a three-year guaranteed return, that's why we are very confident that it's going to attract a lot of attention," he said. Wong Tsz-cheuk, head of HSBC's Greater China FX Cash and EM Rates Trading, echoed Hui's views, saying he expects a good response. "Many of the tenants are reflecting below three percent market yield. Therefore, we actually think this four percent is very attractive, given all the considerations about risk premium," he said. The target issuance size is HK$50 billion, with a possibility of this being increased to HK$55 billion subject to market response. Each unit of bonds will be offered at HK$10,000, with each investor allocated 100 units at most. People can subscribe from September 30 to October 14. In a statement, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said this batch of silver bonds will be issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. "This will support infrastructure projects for the good of the economy and people's livelihood, and provide our citizens with a 'sense of participation' and a 'sense of gain' in support of Hong Kong's long-term development projects," he said. The proceeds of the bonds will be put into the Capital Works Reserve Fund for investment in infrastructure projects. | 2024-09-10T16:51:00 |
'More subsidies needed for young children with eczema' | Eczema concern groups on Tuesday called on the government to subsidise young children to receive biological therapy to help them treat eczema. Speaking at a press briefing organised by Atopic Dermatitis Concern Group and Hong Kong Allergy Association, Ho King-man, who is a doctor who specialises in dermatology, said nearly 10,000 children under the age of six suffer from eczema in Hong Kong. However, Ho noted that only children aged six or above can get government subsidies for biological therapy, which is a type of targeted therapy to treat eczema. "The efficacy of the newly developed targeted therapy has been well proven by a well-designed clinical trial - what we call evidence-based in terms of efficacy," Ho explained. "The safety profile of the newly developed targeted therapy is also well proven not only by a well-designed clinical trial, but also there is already a few years of post-marketing experience of using such medication." Ho also urged authorities to offer more support to people who need to take care of children with eczema, citing the financial burden the treatment placed on the families. | 2024-09-10T17:06:00 |
Hong Kong stocks close higher | Hong Kong stocks ended higher on Tuesday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index up 0.2 percent at 17,234. The Shanghai Composite Index finished up 0.3 percent at 2,744, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.1 percent higher at 8,073. (Xinhua) | 2024-09-10T16:53:00 |
China exports surge but imports slow | China’s exports grew at their fastest pace in nearly 1 1/2 years in August, in a sign of growing demand abroad even as imports posted slower growth. The mixed trade data highlights the challenge facing Beijing as policymakers try to bolster overall growth without becoming too reliant on exports, especially given the tightening of consumers' purse strings. Outbound shipments from the world's second-largest economy grew 8.7 percent year-on-year in value last month to US$308.65 billion, the highest since March 2023, customs data showed on Tuesday, beating a forecast 6.5 percent increase in a Reuters poll of economists and a 7 percent rise in July. It's also the fifth consecutive month exports have gone up. In the January-August period, exports rose 6.9 percent year on year. But imports increased by just 0.5 percent last month, missing expectations for a 2 percent boost and down from the 7.2 percent growth a month prior. Imports rose 4.7 percent in the first eight months of the year from a year ago. China’s trade surplus in August widened to US$91 billion, compared with US$84.6 billion in July. The trade surplus in the January-August period came in at US$608.5 billion. "The strong export performance and trade surplus is favourable to economic growth in the third quarter and whole year," said Zhou Maohua, a macroeconomic researcher at China Everbright Bank. "However, the global economic and geopolitical environment is complicated and China's exports face a lot of headwinds," he added. Zichun Huang of Capital Economics said, "Imports volumes fell last month, but they will probably rebound in the coming months, with strong external demand lifting imports for processing and re-export, and increased fiscal spending boosting industrial commodities demand." (Agencies) | 2024-09-10T17:07:00 |
11 mainland tourists report vomiting and diarrhoea | A travel agents regulator on Tuesday said nearly a dozen visitors from two mainland tour groups fell ill with suspected food poisoning. Eleven tourists were sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital after experiencing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea at noon. The tourists fell ill as they were visiting a watch shop on Kowloon City Road in To Kwa Wan and several ambulances were deployed to the scene. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said the 11 tourists, aged between 55 and 68 years old, were in stable condition and did not need to remain in hospital. Meanwhile, the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) said the visitors had dinner at a restaurant in To Kwa Wan on Monday night. The CHP and the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) inspected the restaurant where the visitors had dinner and took food samples for laboratory testing. The CFS instructed the restaurant to suspend their operations immediately for cleaning and disinfection. Officers said the cause of food poisoning could be cross-contamination of food, premature preparation of food or failure to reheat the food thoroughly. The TIA added the remaining 52 tourists from the tour groups did not exhibit similar symptoms and have proceeded with their travel plans as scheduled. It said the tour groups were operated by the same travel agent. Separately, the Tourism Commission said it was highly concerned about the incident and has contacted the TIA to better understand the situation and provide assistance to the visitors concerned. _____________________________
Last updated: 2024-09-10 HKT 22:17 | 2024-09-10T17:27:00 |
GBA Culture and Arts Festival coming to HK | Hong Kong will host the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time next month. The festival, the fourth of its kind, will run from October 19 to November 24, and will feature more than 100 programmes, including the opening programme "Sound River", a music in motion programme "ChoreoMusica Soiree", and dance drama "Wing Chun". Doreen Lau, chief manager (cultural exchange and pop culture) at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, said the festival will foster cultural exchanges and talent co-operation between the 11 cities in the GBA. "The first characteristic is to collaborate with arts institutes and artists in the Greater Bay Area to co-produce programmes to be performed in Hong Kong, showcasing the in-depth exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and other GBA cities," she said. "Second, we create some cross-disciplinary performing arts programme so that the audience can enjoy a new theatre experience. Thirdly, we will tour high-quality programmes produced by the Hong Kong arts groups to the GBA cities to promote the Chinese culture and to tell a good Chinese story to the world." Lau said the festival, themed “Integration in Diversity - Power and Possibilities”, will showcase the city's strength as an East meets West centre for international cultural exchange. "We encourage our artists and arts groups to collaborate with the arts institutes and artists in the GBA area so that they could bring new productions to all audiences in the GBA cities and all the world," she said. | 2024-09-10T18:04:00 |
Teenage female suicide rate on the rise, study finds | An annual study conducted by the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong is sounding alarm bells on teenage suicide. Latest figures released by the centre on Tuesday showed the suicide rate in Hong Kong for 2023 dropped to 13.6 from 13.7 in 2022, meaning that for every 100,000 people 13.6 took their own lives. But the centre noted the suicide rate among teenagers under 15 had increased to 2.9 from 0.9, and the number even reached 4.2 when looking at teenage girls. Lisa Ho, a clinical psychologist from the centre said this is probably due to girls simultaneously having to handle the pressure that comes from puberty as well as the resumption of face-to-face teaching. “Our speculation is the crossover with the female hormones during the entering of puberty and at that time, they started to have face-to-face schooling again and they are encountering more interpersonal stress and academic stress,” she said. “So we speculated that it would be because of the fluctuations of oestrogen and also other female hormones that may contribute to the mood fluctuations during that time for female students.” The centre’s head Professor Paul Yip said the issue of suicide among youngsters is something the entire world has had to face after the pandemic. “So I think what we are dealing with now is a long COVID problem. I think the disruption of the school does have some negative impact on social development,” he said. With the new school term just beginning, Prof Yip appealed to schools to give more time and space to students to adjust to the new curriculum and let them cultivate relationships among peers. Meanwhile, the study also identified Kwun Tong and Kowloon City as teenage suicide hotspots. Kowloon East DAB lawmaker Frankie Ngan said young people in those two districts were not receiving sufficient mental health support and faced many family problems. "First of all, the proportion of young people in Kwun Tong is relatively low so that the related resources from the government are quite low actually. And the second thing is Kwun Tong is a poor community,” he said. “And they live in public housing and also their living environment is so crowded so that their family relationship is not good enough... also, Kowloon City is very similar to Kwun Tong.” | 2024-09-10T18:31:00 |
5 workers injured at Lok Ma Chau construction site | Police on Tuesday said five men were injured when concrete fell from a crane in Lok Ma Chau in the afternoon. Officers suspect the crane malfunctioned, causing the concrete to fall and hitting five workers on the ground at the construction site on Castle Peak Road. Four of the injured were sent to North District Hospital, while one was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital. | 2024-09-10T21:02:00 |
China lose 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifiers | China lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in the third round of World Cup qualifiers for Asia. China went ahead in the 14th minute in Dalian through an Ali Lajami own goal but failed to take advantage of Saudi midfielder Mohamed Kanno being red-carded a few minutes later. Defender Hassan Kadish equalised with a header from a corner before half-time and repeated the feat in the 90th minute to spark wild celebrations from the visitors. China fought hard against a side ranked almost 30 places above them in FIFA's world rankings and had a goal disallowed, but they remain rooted to the bottom of Group C. The result is China's second straight defeat of their campaign after suffering a 7-0 loss against Japan. (Additional reporting from AFP) | 2024-09-10T22:30:00 |
Vietnam typhoon Yagi death toll climbs to 127 | Tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes on Tuesday as massive floods inundated northern Vietnam in the wake of Typhoon Yagi, while the death toll climbed to 127. Yagi struck Saturday bringing winds in excess of 149 kilometres per hour and a deluge of rain that has caused flooding not seen in decades, according to locals. More than 59,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in Yen Bai province, local authorities said on Tuesday, after the floodwaters engulfed almost 18,000 homes. Floodwaters in Hanoi have reached levels not seen since 2008, state media reported, citing a senior local official, and forecasters have warned more is expected in the city's historic centre. Phan Thi Tuyet, 50, who lives close to the swollen and fast-moving Red River which runs through the capital, said she had never experienced such high water. "I have lost everything, all gone," she told AFP, clutching her two dogs as she was evacuated by boat, along with other residents whose homes were flooded. "I had to come to higher ground to save our lives. We could not bring any of the furniture with us. Everything is under water now." Typhoons in the region are forming closer to the coast, intensifying more rapidly, and staying over land longer due to climate change, according to a study published in July. Yagi downed bridges, tore roofs off buildings, damaged factories and triggered widespread flooding and landslides. The north of the country, densely populated and a major manufacturing hub for global tech firms including Samsung, was badly hit, with floodwaters in the city of Yen Bai at record levels, meteorologists said. Authorities have issued flood and landslide warnings for 401 communes across 18 northern provinces. As well as the dead and missing, flooding and landslides have also injured at least 752 people, officials at the ministry of agriculture said on Tuesday. (AFP) | 2024-09-11T01:14:00 |
SpaceX launches crew for first all-civilian spacewalk | SpaceX launched its historic Polaris Dawn mission on Tuesday, an audacious orbital expedition that will catapult civilians into a high-radiation region of space and see them attempt the first-ever spacewalk by non-professional astronauts. Led by Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman, the four-member crew aims to journey farther into the cosmos than any other manned mission in more than half a century, since the end of the Apollo era. On the mission's first day, they will soar to a peak altitude of 1,400 kilometers before returning into a lower orbit. "Dragon will travel repeatedly through the orbital altitudes of over 10 thousand satellites and bits of space debris," SpaceX founder CEO Elon Musk wrote on X. "No room for error in our calculations." The highlight of the voyage is slated for as early as Thursday: the first ever spacewalk by civilians, outfitted in sleek, newly developed SpaceX extravehicular activity (EVA) suits with heads-up displays, helmet cameras and an advanced joint mobility system. Since the Crew Dragon capsule lacks an airlock, the entire crew will be exposed to the vacuum of space for the duration of the spacewalk, as two venture out, tethered to the spaceship. "I think the world is a more interesting place when you can journey among the stars," Isaacman said in a video message released by SpaceX. "We will develop technologies and test technologies that will help SpaceX ultimately achieve its long-term ambitions of making human life interplanetary." The capsule blasted off early Tuesday atop a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Applause broke out across the mission control center as it separated successfully from the main engine and the first glimpses of Earth came into view. Musk joined in the celebrations, a photo reposted by him on X showed. At its upper altitudes, the capsule will enter the Van Allen radiation belt, a region teeming with high-energy charged particles that can pose health risks to humans over extended periods. (AFP) | 2024-09-11T04:17:00 |
US stocks mostly rise ahead of inflation data | Wall Street stocks mostly rose on Tuesday ahead of key US inflation data and a hotly contested presidential debate. Markets are eyeing Wednesday's consumer price index report, with the Federal Reserve having signaled a likely interest rate cut later this month in light of moderating inflation. Investors are also anticipating the first, and perhaps only, debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, which will take place Tuesday night in Philadelphia. The debate "could potentially move the market a little bit but the uncertainty is not going to go away tonight," said Tom Cahill of Ventura Wealth Management. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished down 0.2 percent at 40,736. The broad-based S&P 500 gained 0.5 percent to 5,495, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gained 0.8 percent to 17,025. The Dow's losers included JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, which dropped 5.2 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively following commentary about their banks' financial performance that disappointed investors. Boeing was another weak link, falling 1.7 percent amid worries that a machinists union will reject a new contract with the company and vote to strike. Apple declined 0.4 percent after the European Court of Justice ruled that the iPhone maker must pay US$14.3 billion in back-taxes to Ireland. Oracle jumped 11.4 percent after reporting better than expected earnings. Revenues rose seven percent, boosted by gains in the cloud services business. (AFP) | 2024-09-11T04:36:00 |
SAR government slams US House over ETO legislation | The government on Tuesday condemned the United States House of Representatives of making use of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act, saying it is slandering laws on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and smearing the human rights situation. It made the comment after the House voted to advance legislation that could close the SAR's trade offices in New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. In a strongly-worded statement, the SAR government described the bill as a self deception of double standards. It said the legislation was a fact-twisting attack on Hong Kong that was politically driven, violated international law, and grossly interfered in Hong Kong's affairs. It said the three economic trade offices in the US were operating in accordance with local legislation in areas such as trade, investment, culture and the arts and that they were mutually beneficial to the US and Hong Kong. The statement said despite the US having strong national security legislation, the act slanders the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. | 2024-09-11T09:12:00 |
Pochettino appointed as new coach of USA national team | Argentine Mauricio Pochettino has been named as the new head coach of the United States national team, the US Soccer federation announced on Tuesday. The former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Espanyol coach replaces American Gregg Berhalter who was fired in July after a disappointing Copa America campaign. Pochettino is the biggest name coach to take charge of the USA and the first foreigner since German Juergen Klinsmann, who was sacked in 2016. Pochettino, 52, has been unemployed since his abrupt departure in May from Chelsea after just a single season in charge. No detail of the contract length was provided by US Soccer but Pochettino will lead the team in the 2026 World Cup which the USA is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada. "Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams," said Matt Crocker, US Soccer's sporting director who led the search for a new coach. "His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad," he added. Pochettino has a track record of promoting young talent at Southampton, Tottenham and Spanish side Espanyol earlier in his managerial career. (AFP) | 2024-09-11T08:07:00 |
Kane scores twice in 100th appearance for England | Harry Kane celebrated his 100th England cap in memorable style as the striker's superb double sealed a 2-0 win against Finland in the Uefa Nations League on Tuesday. England captain Kane struck with a pair of eye-catching finishes in the second half at Wembley to mark the latest landmark in his remarkable career. The 31-year-old is the 10th man to reach a century of England appearances, joining the likes of David Beckham and Bobby Moore in the exclusive club. Goalkeeper Peter Shilton holds England's caps record with 125 appearances, while Wayne Rooney is the country's most capped outfield player on 120, and it would be little surprise if Kane passed both of them. He is only the third England player to score on their 100th appearance, after Rooney against Slovenia in 2014 and Bobby Charlton against Northern Ireland in 1970. Kane became England's record scorer in March 2023 and the Bayern Munich striker now has 68 goals for his country. "His finishing is very good, even in training," England interim boss Lee Carsley said. "It's not a surprise when he scores goals as his habits are so good." While Kane took the spotlight, it was also another encouraging game for Carsley, who oversaw a 2-0 victory against Ireland in his first game in charge on Saturday. Carsley is the first England manager to win his first two competitive games since Fabio Capello in 2008. (AFP) | 2024-09-11T08:12:00 |
F1 design guru Newey signs with Aston Martin | Formula One design guru Adrian Newey is plotting to turn Aston Martin into world champions after he was named managing technical partner at the team's Silverstone headquarters on Tuesday. The widely anticipated announcement comes after it was confirmed in May that the Briton, regarded by many as the greatest designer in the sport's history, would be leaving Red Bull. Aston Martin F1 team owner Lawrence Stroll said Newey, who will start his new job in March 2025, "arguably is the greatest in the world at what he does". "There's nobody who's come close to winning as many world championships," said the Canadian billionaire. "He's a gentleman, he's a winner, and he's a competitor," Stroll said. "He has the passion and desire to win, as do I." Newey, who will also become an Aston Martin shareholder, said he was flattered to have had "a lot of approaches from various teams" but added he was won over by Stroll's passion. "Lawrence is determined to create a world-beating team," he said. "He is the only majority team owner who is actively engaged in the sport." Newey will work with the team's drivers, Stroll's 25-year-old son, Lance, and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, 43. (AFP) | 2024-09-11T08:18:00 |
Belt and Road brings great benefits to SAR: CE | Chief Executive John Lee on Wednesday called on foreign investors to make good use of Hong Kong for their Belt and Road projects, saying connections with the economies under the global infrastructure initiative has boosted the city's trade. Speaking at the Belt and Road Summit, Lee said the SAR, as China's most open and international city, is perfectly positioned to play a pivotal role in the initiative. "Investors around the world, and that includes over 2,700 family offices here, can take full advantage of Hong Kong, and its broad range of professional services, from financial and legal services, to architectural, engineering, logistics and more, for their Belt and Road projects," he said. Citing recent economic figures, Lee lauded the impact brought by the Belt and Road Initiative. "Between 2013 and 2023, Hong Kong's external trade with Belt and Road economies, other than the mainland, has surged by almost 60 percent, 3.8 times the growth rate of our trade with all economies," he said. "Last year, Belt and Road economies accounted for more than 43 percent of Hong Kong's external trade, in value, with the rest of the world other than the mainland. That compares with less than one-third in 2013. These figures reflect the enormous potential, and promise, of the Belt and Road." The chief executive also said more than 4,000 students from Belt and Road countries had come to study in publicly funded university programmes through a scholarship, adding that they could benefit from the city's talent admission schemes and stay for up to two years after graduation to look for opportunities. Li Yongjie, the deputy China international trade representative of the commerce ministry, told the same event that Beijing would further expand the scope of a free trade agreement signed between the mainland and Hong Kong and give the city more room to to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. "We support Hong Kong in signing free trade and investment protection agreements with more countries and regions, while backing Hong Kong in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as soon as possible," she said. "We support Hong Kong in enhancing its status as an international financial, maritime and trade centre and in playing an important role as a hub and platform in the Belt and Road economic and trade cooperation." Speaking at the same occasion, Financial Secretary Paul Chan called on businesses and countries along the Belt and Road to consider listing in Hong Kong. "We provide an ideal environment for Belt and Road governments and companies to raise funds for infrastructure, green transition, and community projects," he said. "With a capitalisation of about US$4 trillion, we welcome companies and projects from the Belt and Road economies to come to Hong Kong to list on our stock exchange, where they could get access to both mainland and international capital." More than 6,000 people from 70 countries and regions, including delegates from 38 state-owned enterprises, are attending the two-day summit in Hong Kong. | 2024-09-11T11:40:00 |
'US advancing trade office legislation does no good' | Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau on Wednesday hit out at the United States for advancing legislation that could close Hong Kong's trade offices in the country, saying the move was "not creating any benefit to anybody at all". The Republican-led House of Representatives has voted to pass a bill which could shut Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC. "We strongly condemn the action by the House of Representatives passing the bill. There is no reason behind, it is purely political. [It] slanders the laws safeguarding national security of Hong Kong and smears the human rights [situation] without any reason at all," Yau said. "The passing of the bill and other reports actually are not creating any benefit to anybody at all." Washington previously also warned firms operating in Hong Kong that they are facing increasing risks. But Yau said American investors feel safe and have confidence in doing business in the SAR. Executive Council convenor Regina Ip, for her part, urged US President Joe Biden to refrain from signing the bill into law, warning of possible countermeasures from China. "The act not only affects economic and trade relations, but it also represents the US government's suppression of 'One Country, Two Systems'," she said. "There is a high chance for the Senate to pass the bill. However, I am calling on President Biden not to sign the bill [into law] before he leaves office. The US must take into consideration our country's countermeasures." Ip, who's also the chairwoman of the New People's Party and a former security chief, said she was not surprised that the House passed the bill. She said a number of people who have left Hong Kong had been lobbying Congress to pass the legislation, in retaliation for certain important national security trials in the SAR. But she said she does not believe other countries and regions with Hong Kong trade offices would take similar action. Executive Council member and Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker Jeffrey Lam said it would "undesirable" for the US to shut trade offices through administrative or legislative means. But he also said such a move would not greatly affect the business community, because sanctions in the past have not stopped exchanges between the two places. DAB legislator Nixie Lam, meanwhile, accused Washington of "politicising and weaponising" economic and trade issues, saying Hong Kong's development has only been beneficial to the US._____________________________
Last updated: 2024-09-11 HKT 17:16 | 2024-09-11T12:44:00 |
Admission drills too stressful for children: principal | A kindergarten principal on Wednesday urged schools and parents not to drill children for primary school admission, fearing that it could dampen their enthusiasm for learning. The comments came after the Education Bureau inspected all government-funded kindergartens and asked some of them to cease interview drills for pupils preparing for admission to primary school. Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, principal Lam Chui-ling from the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers insisted it is uncommon for kindergartens to provide interview drills. She explained teachers could be under pressure from parents who wish to enrol their children to prestigious or "unconventional" primary schools. Apart from kindergartens, tutorial centres are also offering mock interviews for a fee. Some even promised to mimic the interviews from certain popular schools by teaching children how to answer questions such as, 'How do you get to school?' and 'What is the name of the Secretary for Justice?'. "I believe this approach puts pressure on children. In certain instances, particularly for top primary schools, such as certain international or prestigious schools, they have high requirements. That will prompt parents to pursue prestige, inevitably adding more burden on the children," Lam warned. She added some parents go as far as filming multiple videos of their children for admission purposes and the kids may become nervous in front of cameras in the future. | 2024-09-11T12:15:00 |
Harris and Trump trade blows in first debate | Kamala Harris pressed a forceful case against Donald Trump on Tuesday in their first and perhaps only debate before the US presidential election, repeatedly needling him in an event that showcased their starkly different visions for the country on abortion, immigration and American democracy.
Setting the stage After the handshake. The gloves came off. The Democratic vice president seemed to get under the skin of the Republican former president, provoking him with reminders about the 2020 election loss that he still denies, mocking his rally crowds and delivering derisive asides at his other false claims. Trump tore into Harris as too liberal and questioned why she was proposing ideas she hadn't accomplished while serving as vice president. He often launched into the sort of freewheeling personal attacks and digressions from which his advisors and supporters have tried to steer him away.
Debating the issues Harris promised tax cuts aimed at the middle class and said she would push to restore a federally guaranteed right to abortion overturned by the Supreme Court two years ago. Trump said his proposed tariffs would help the US stop being cheated by allies on trade and said he would work to swiftly end the Russia-Ukraine war — though he twice refused to say he wanted Ukraine, which bipartisan majorities in Congress have backed, to win the war. Harris’ performance by nearly every measure seemed to be the opposite of President Joe Biden’s in June, with sharp, focused answers designed to showcase the contrast between her and Trump, whereas Biden at times was muddled, halting and at times incoherent. Harris used her body language and facial expressions to confront Trump and express that she found his answers ridiculous or amusing — or both — a pronounced change from Biden's slack-jawed expression when Trump attacked him. In one moment, Harris turned to Trump and said that as vice president, she had spoken to foreign leaders who “are laughing at Donald Trump,” and said she had spoken to military leaders, “and they say you’re a disgrace.” As Trump, 78, again questioned her racial identity, the 59-year-old Harris, the first woman, Black person and person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, pointedly gestured to Trump and responded, "I think the American people want better than that, want better than this.” Trump in turn tried to link Harris to the still-unpopular Biden, questioning why she hadn’t acted on her proposed ideas while serving as vice president. “Why hasn’t she done it?” he said. Trump also focused his attacks on Harris over her assignment by Biden to deal with the root causes of illegal migration. He repeatedly dismissed her and Biden as weak, and cited the praise of Hungary’s nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán to show that he is a widely respected by leaders around the world, saying Orbán calls him the “most feared person.”
Swift's support for Harris Pop superstar Taylor Swift made up her mind after the encounter, endorsing Harris soon after the debate finished. Swift made the endorsement in a post on Instagram and said she would vote for the US vice president in the November 5 elections which polls show to be very tight. Swift's post included an image of the singer with a cat and her statement was signed off as "childless cat lady" in an apparent dig at remarks previously made by Trump's running mate JD Vance. (Agencies) | 2024-09-11T12:57:00 |
Teachers need help to tackle bullying: concern group | A concern group on Wednesday urged the government to provide more support to schools to deal with bullying, saying many teachers feel they lack the skills needed to deal with the issue. The Council of Early Childhood Education and Services said it surveyed over 500 upper primary students, parents and teachers in July. One in three pupils said they had experienced bullying. Among those who had been bullied, over 40 percent wanted to take revenge while others said they had suicidal or self-harm thoughts, the group said. Over 80 percent of teachers said they would refer bullying cases to social workers, but council director Sansan Ching said the situation was not ideal. "Teachers are very preoccupied with teaching, and they don't feel that it's their status or their role to identify children who are being bullied," she said. "We don't have enough social workers in each school to deal with all sorts of social problems, including abuse, bullying and depression." Ching said schools should be allocated more resources to deal with bullying, and the issue should be incorporated into teacher training programmes. "Too many schools are not aware of how to deal with [bullying]. They don't have the skills, education, background or expertise of how to deal with problem cases like these, so they go unnoticed or ignored," she said. Psychiatrist Doris Chan added that bullying can lead to serious mental health issues, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, so early detection of bullying in schools is crucial. | 2024-09-11T13:58:00 |
Pope arrives in Singapore on last stop of SE Asia tour | Pope Francis touched down in Singapore on Wednesday, the last stop of a 12-day four-nation Asia-Pacific trip aimed at boosting the Catholic Church's standing in the world's most populous region. Crowds waved Vatican and Singapore flags as Francis's plane arrived at the city-state's Changi Airport. The 87-year-old pontiff has defied doubts about his health during a journey that has taken him from a Jakarta grand mosque to a remote jungle of Papua New Guinea. In recent years, the ailing pope has undergone hernia surgery and has been plagued by respiratory issues. He now relies on a wheelchair, walking sticks or aides to get around. But throughout the trip, he has carried out dozens of public engagements, energised congregations through impromptu call-and-response and repeatedly sat for hours in the brutal tropical heat. In East Timor, he held a mass for 600,000 faithful -- almost half the nation's population -- before flying on Wednesday to finance hub Singapore. About 30 percent of Singaporeans are Buddhist, 20 percent have no religion and the rest are a mix of Catholic, Protestant, Taoist and Hindu. Erik Hon, a 45-year-old Buddhist fintech worker, said he was "delighted" by the pope's visit, hoping it would "spread the message of love, peace and unity to all stripes of humanity". "He sought to reach out to the marginalised and to deepen dialogue between different faiths and those without any faith." Like many businesses, Francis is likely to use Singapore as a platform to reach the rest of the region and the world. "The pope will most likely continue to underline a number of global issues that are not specific to a single country," said Michel Chambon, an expert on Christianity in Asia at the National University of Singapore. "The importance of inter-religious harmony and international peace, the need for a more resilient and equitable development as well as the necessity for stronger efforts to fight climate change," he said, suggesting familiar themes for this leg of the pope's trip. (AFP) | 2024-09-11T16:01:00 |
Hong Kong stocks close lower | Hong Kong's stock market ended lower on Wednesday, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index down 0.7 percent at 17,108. The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 0.8 percent at 2,721. (Agencies) | 2024-09-11T16:57:00 |
Two directors arrested after Physical Fitness closure | The Customs and Excise Department on Wednesday said they had arrested two individuals in connection with the shuttered Physical Fitness gym chain. The arrestees, a 67-year-old man and 68-year-old woman, were both directors of the company. The pair will be given bail pending an investigation. As of noon on Wednesday, customs officers had received 900 reports regarding the closure of Physical Fitness, involving prepaid fitness and beauty services amounting to some HK$38 million. Fong Kwun-ting, Group Head of Customs Unfair Trade Practice Investigation, revealed the department had reached out to over 500 complainants over the past four days and looked into the operations of the company. "Some of the branches have rent arrears. Moreover, we found that a day before the company announced its closure, meaning on September 5, it still sold prepaid gym and beauty services and accepted pre-payment from consumers," she said. "It has allegedly violated the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by engaging in wrongly accepting payments." Fong added her department would continue to look into the company's financial status before it ceased operations and whether it had any abnormal sales activities. Police officers also said they received 20 reports related to membership, personal trainer and beauty services. The amount of losses incurred range from HK$2,000 to HK$660,000. Police superintendent Eddie Chow added the police would treat the case as a criminal matter. Meanwhile, speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Consumer Council chief executive Gilly Wong revealed that a woman who paid HK$1.8 million for membership, as well as private classes for boxing, stretching and weightlifting, filed a report on Tuesday. The victim reportedly signed three contracts with the gym chain, including a 10-year contract that would become effective in 2026 and a three-year contract that would only commence in 2037. Some of the complainant's unused classes would remain valid until 2050, Wong added. | 2024-09-11T17:44:00 |
Man arrested as police rescue 'kidnapped' cat | A man, 25, was arrested on suspicion of theft on Wednesday over a cat that went missing from a temple in Hung Hom. Nine-year-old Lok Lok disappeared almost a week ago from Pak Tai Temple. Police said they found him alive and well after raiding a flat in Hung Hom Estate. "Staff from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were at the scene for inspections, and the cat was in a safe and healthy situation. It did not sustain any apparent injuries," said Inspector Siu Yan-ting from the force's animal crime team. Siu added that officers would look into whether any offences related to cruelty to animals had been committed. | 2024-09-11T17:33:00 |
Govt launches recruitment drive | The government held a jobs fair at City University on Wednesday as part of an expanded recruitment drive. It was the largest of 10 such events in the coming weeks at the city's tertiary institutions. Civil Service Secretary Ingrid Yeung said the fairs cover 50 grades and positions, including administrative officer, executive officer, government lawyer, town planner and roles in the disciplined services. Government officials were on hand to answer questions, and some officers also gave career talks. "Apart from the immeasurable sense of fulfilment, joining the civil service also provides you with a promising career path in a caring environment with ample opportunities for personal and professional growth," Yeung said in a speech. She said that as Hong Kong's largest employer, the government offers young people different types of career opportunities. In a related development, the administration is launching an online recruitment drive on Saturday. The aim is to hire 50 administrative officers, 200 executive officers, as well as more than a dozen trade and transport officers. Those interested must submit an application via the Civil Service Bureau website by October 4. | 2024-09-11T17:52:00 |
Rethink EU electric vehicle tariffs plan: Sanchez | Visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday the European Union should reconsider a plan to impose tariffs of up to 36 percent on Chinese electric cars, calling for a compromise between the economic powerhouses. He added that there doesn't need to be a trade war between China and the EU. The European Commission, which oversees the bloc's trade policy, announced last month that it planned to levy five-year import duties of up to 36 percent on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China. This week, Beijing renewed negotiation efforts seeking to overturn the proposed duties on Chinese EVs. "I have to be blunt and frank with you that we need to reconsider all of us, not only member states but also the commission, our position towards this," Sanchez told journalists after being asked about the tariffs at a news conference near Shanghai. "We don't need another war, in this case a trade war. I think we need to build bridges between the European Union and China, and from Spain we will be constructive and try to find a compromise between China and the European Commission." Sanchez was in China for a regular state visit. On Monday, in a meeting with President Xi Jinping, he also said he hoped the EU could avoid a trade war with China. "The government of Spain wants to consolidate the growth of our trade relations and investment with China, with a focus on green and innovative industries and avoiding that trade and geopolitical tensions damage them," Sanchez said on Wednesday. "Nevertheless, as I said earlier, I believe that it is undeniable that these relations need to be balanced." China and the EU have butted heads in recent years on a range of issues relating to trade, technology and national security. (Reuters/AFP) | 2024-09-11T18:00:00 |
Po Lin Monastery finds one of the missing dogs | Po Lin Monastery on Wednesday said it had found one of the two lost stray dogs, after they went missing last month. The Buddhist institution in Ngong Ping on Lantau revealed on social media that the canine named Sai Mui was found in a catchwater in Sham Wat Village. It will arrange for a body check for the dog soon, while the search is ongoing for the other canine named Dai Mui. The stray dogs went missing after two workers from the monastery allegedly abused them before setting them free. Police earlier arrested the pair. Writing on social media, the monastery expressed its gratitude to those who paid attention to the unfortunate incident. It said it deeply disagreed with and worried about how its staff treated the animals and its management also expressed deep regret. The monastery says it's working to prevent similar incidents from happening again. It added that it wishes to cooperate with life protection groups to care for stray dogs in the area and provide the animals with the rights they are entitled to. | 2024-09-11T18:55:00 |
17-year-old girl arrested for phone 'scams' | Police said on Wednesday that they have arrested a 17-year-old girl in suspicion of obtaining property by deception, adding that she’s believed to be involved in several other phone scams. Officers said they launched a probe after an 82-year-old man filed a report on Monday, saying that he had earlier received a call from someone claiming to be his son's friend. The caller claimed the man’s son had committed a criminal offence, and needed to pay HK$100,000 in bail money. Shortly after the suspect headed to the man's home to collect the cash, she asked for another HK$200,000. The girl was apprehended when she arrived at the 82-year-old’s apartment to pick up the second batch of money. Officers said follow-up investigation showed that the suspect could be linked to five other phone scams. The six victims, aged between 74 and 93, were believed to have lost around HK$478,000 between them. The girl remains in detention pending further investigation. | 2024-09-11T22:11:00 |
Li Na named Hong Kong Tennis Open's director | Organisers of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Wednesday named two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na as the tournament's director. The former world number two from China said she looks forward to watching top female players at the competition, with former US Open Champion Emma Raducanu, Paris mixed doubles silver medallist Wang Xinyu and defending Hong Kong Open champion Leylah Fernandez among the field. "I also hope to add my own experience to help participating players push their own personal limits in achieving tournament success," Li, who retired a decade ago, said in a video conference. The president of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, Michael Cheng, thanked Li for agreeing to oversee the event, which he called one of the most significant sporting occasions in Hong Kong's sporting calendar. The tournament, which is part of the WTA 250 series, will take place at Victoria Park from October 26 to November 3. | 2024-09-11T22:20:00 |
Local star shuttlers begin HK Open with wins | Hong Kong badminton stars Tse Ying-suet, Jordan Tang and Lee Cheuk-yiu were among SAR players securing wins in their first games at the Hong Kong Open on Wednesday. Mixed doubles pair Tse and Tang won 22-20, 21-17 against Chinese Taipei's Hsu Yin-hui and Paris Olympics gold medalist Wang Chi-lin, who's competing in both the mixed doubles and men's doubles events at the Hong Kong Coliseum. Team Hong Kong, China's top men's singles player, Lee Cheuk-yiu, beat the national team's Lu Guangzu 21-19, 21-18. Joining Lee in the round of 16 is the SAR's 20-year-old Jason Gunawan, who stunned last year's runner-up at the tournament, Kenta Nishimoto from Japan, 21-13, 21-18, to the delight of a roaring home crowd. Hong Kong's Angus Ng, however, was swept aside by the tournament's top ranked player, Dane Viktor Axelsen, 11-21, 12-21. In the women's singles, Paris Olympian Happy Lo was knocked out by fellow SAR shuttler Saloni Mehta 14-21, 21-9, 17-21. Former world number one Tai Tzu-ying from Chinese Taipei, who's playing in her last Hong Kong Open before retirement, is also through to the last 16. | 2024-09-12T00:14:00 |
US consumer inflation eases more than expected | US consumer inflation eased more than expected last month, according to government data published on Wednesday, likely bolstering calls for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates next week. A rate cut by the independent US central bank would act to boost demand in the world's largest economy. That would give the Democratic party some good economic news to run on going into the final stretch of the 2024 presidential elections. The consumer price index (CPI) slowed to 2.5 percent in August from a year ago, down from 2.9 percent in July and the lowest annual figure since February 2021, the Labour Department said in a statement. This was slightly lower than the median forecast of economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. A measure of inflation that strips out volatile food and energy costs remained largely unchanged at an annual rate of 3.2 percent. The monthly inflation rate picked up by 0.2 percent after declining in June, in line with expectations. Alongside the ongoing slowdown in consumer inflation, the Fed's favoured inflation measure, known as the personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE), has also eased towards the bank's long-term two percent target. The labour market has also cooled. Against this backdrop, Fed policymakers have shifted attention from inflation to the unemployment part of the bank's dual mandate, and hinted at rate cuts to come. Traders remain divided over whether the Fed will start with a quarter-percentage-point cut next week, or move ahead with a larger half-point cut instead. (AFP) | 2024-09-11T22:25:00 |
Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president | Taylor Swift, a self-declared "childless cat lady" and one of the world's most popular and influential stars, has endorsed Kamala Harris for president of the United States. Swift broke her silence on Tuesday, voicing support for Harris over Donald Trump, and calling the Democratic candidate a "steady-handed, gifted leader." "I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election," she wrote on Instagram. The post landed in the minutes following the televised presidential debate that saw the two candidates face off for the first time, which the singer said she tuned in to. "I'm voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them," Swift said. "I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos." She signed off her Instagram post by dubbing herself a "childless cat lady," a swipe at a much-mocked sentiment expressed by Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance, which he had wielded in a bid to insult Democratic women. On Wednesday, Trump panned Swift for the endorsement in an appearance on Fox News. "I was not a Taylor Swift fan... she's a very liberal person. She seems to always endorse a Democrat, and she'll probably pay a price for it in the marketplace," he said. Until Tuesday, Swift had been conspicuously quiet on the 2024 race, even as many of her fans began organising under the banner "Swifties for Kamala." But the 34-year-old said discovering AI-generated images of her falsely endorsing Trump – which "conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation," she said – had inspired her to speak up. "It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter," she said. "The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth." She encouraged her legions of loyal fans to "do your research." Swift, fresh off the European leg of her blockbuster "Eras" tour, balked at explicitly telling her ardent supporters to vote Harris, instead saying "I've done my research, and I've made my choice." "Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make." She also shared the post to her Instagram "stories" with a voter registration link. The artist voiced special support for Harris's running mate Walz, praising the Minnesota governor for "standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman's right to her own body for decades." Team Harris has been quick to latch on to any boost she can get from the pop world, which generally skews left, and a number of stars have publicly backed her. Beyonce has not outright endorsed the Democrat but she allowed the Harris camp to use her song "Freedom" in advertisements and on the campaign trail. And British artist Charli XCX saw her smash album "brat" become core to the early Harris campaign, as the Democrats vie to stay on social media's pulse. A global celebrity with hundreds of millions of loyal fans, Swift's influence is vast and her approval coveted. For years the "Blank Space" singer stayed out of politics, including in 2016 when Trump won the presidency. Speculation abounded that she was a closet Republican until 2018, when she endorsed the Democratic opponent of far-right politician Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee. Blackburn won anyway, but it ushered in a new chapter for Swift. She later explained that handlers had urged her against voicing political opinions, telling her it could damage her career – particularly in the country music industry, which is often associated with conservatism. Since then, Swift endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and has conveyed pro-LGBTQ messages through her songs and music videos. She also condemned the Supreme Court's reversal of the federal right to abortion, and has encouraged her fans to register to vote. Speaking out on her own terms gripped the news cycle within seconds on Tuesday night, and her post notched more than two million "likes" after just 30 minutes. "With love and hope, Taylor Swift," she concluded her message. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T01:08:00 |
US, UK pledge more aid for Ukraine but coy about arms | The United States and Britain on Wednesday committed to nearly US$1.5 billion in support for Ukraine and promised to consider quickly requests to ease restrictions on weapons to strike deeper into Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy paid the rare joint visit to Kyiv in a show of solidarity as concerns mount. Russia's alleged acquisition of new short-range Iranian missiles threatens to ramp up Moscow's firepower and the US election in less than two months could dramatically shift the stance of Ukraine's top backer. Blinken, who took a nine-hour train ride to Kyiv alongside Lammy, said the United States would offer US$717 million in new economic help to Ukraine. About half of it will consist of US support to strengthen Ukraine's electricity infrastructure, which has been pounded by Russia just as winter sets in. Blinken accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of dusting off "his winter playbook" to "weaponise the cold against the Ukrainian people." "Our support will not wane, our unity will not break," Blinken told a joint news conference in Kyiv. "Putin will not outlast the coalition of countries committed to Ukraine's success, and he is certainly not going to outlast the Ukrainian people." Lammy recommitted his two-month-old Labour government to providing 600 billion pounds (US$782 million) in economic assistance to Ukraine. He said that Britain, which has consistently pushed to ease restrictions on Ukraine's use of weapons, would provide hundreds of new air defence missiles to Ukraine this year. Russia has been advancing on the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region, a month after Kyiv launched a shock counter-offensive into Russia's Kursk region. President Volodymyr Zelensky has ramped up his requests over recent months to the West to provide weapons with more firepower and fewer restrictions. "It is important to lift any restrictions on the use of US and British weapons against legitimate military targets in Russia," Ukrainian foreign minister Andriy Sybiga told the joint conference with his counterparts, who earlier met Zelensky. Blinken said that the United States would look at the requests "with urgency" and that they would be discussed on Friday in Washington when President Joe Biden meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Biden, asked in Washington on Tuesday whether he would let Ukraine use longer-range weapons for strikes on Russian targets, said: "We're working that out right now." Biden, while strongly supportive of Ukraine, has previously made clear he wants to avoid devolving into direct conflict between the United States and Russia, the world's two leading nuclear powers. Asked how Moscow would respond to expanded missile ranges, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday the response "will be appropriate," without providing specific details. He said the authorisation of Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory would serve as "further proof" of why Moscow launched its offensive, which he said was itself an "answer" to the West's support for Ukraine. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T02:35:00 |
Man Utd post losses for fifth straight year | Manchester United on Wednesday posted net losses of £113.2 million (US$148 million) for 2023/24 despite earning record revenues – their fifth straight year of losses. In the year to June 30, 2024 the Premier League club recorded record revenues of £661.8 million – up 2.1 percent – driven by record commercial and matchday revenues. United incurred costs of £47.8 million in "exceptional items," mostly related to Jim Ratcliffe's purchase of a minority stake in the club, which was completed in February. United finished eighth in the Premier League in the 2023/24 season – their lowest finish since 1990 – and exited at the group stage of the Champions League. But Erik Ten Hag's men won the FA Cup – beating arch-rivals Manchester City in the final at Wembley for a second trophy in two years. United have embarked on a major backroom shake-up in recent months, including bringing in a new chief executive, Omar Berrada, poached from Premier League champions Manchester City. "As I embark on my new role as chief executive officer of this historic club, we are all extremely focused on working collectively to create a bright future with football success at the heart of it," said Berrada. "We are working towards greater financial sustainability and making changes to our operations to make them more efficient, to ensure we are directing our resources to enhancing on-pitch performance." The Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules allow a maximum loss of £105 million over a three-season period, but within that certain losses are deemed "allowable" such as infrastructure, youth team and women's team spending. Everton and Nottingham Forest both incurred points deductions last season after being found to be in breach of PSR. United, who have started the new Premier League season with two defeats in three matches, return to action at Southampton on Saturday. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T03:17:00 |
Malaysia police rescue 400 kids from care home abuse | Malaysian authorities have rescued hundreds of children from care homes where they were allegedly physically and sexually abused and have arrested scores of people in large scale raids, police said on Wednesday. Police inspector-general Razarudin Husain said 402 children, aged between one and 17, were rescued during raids at various charity homes in the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan on Tuesday. The morning raids involved almost 1,000 personnel from police and other agencies. That led to some 170 arrests, including Islamic religious teachers and caretakers at the welfare homes, he added. Initial investigations revealed that the victims were sexually abused by their caretakers and forced to abuse other children, Razarudin told a news conference in Pahang state. "Victims who were ill were not allowed to seek treatment at clinics until their condition became critical," he said, adding that some as young as five were also burnt with hot spoons. He said the children would be temporarily housed at a police training centre in the capital Kuala Lumpur and would undergo health checks. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T03:48:00 |
Chip stocks rise as US stocks rebound to finish higher | Wall Street stocks finished higher on Wednesday, reversing early losses following an inflation report expected to keep the Federal Reserve on track to cut interest rates next week. Semiconductor companies – which have been under pressure in recent weeks – led Wednesday's gains, with artificial intelligence star Nvidia rising eight percent and Micron and Intel also notching big gains. The tech-rich Nasdaq led major indices, rising 2.2 percent to 17,395. The Dow Jones gained 0.3 percent to 40,861, while the S&P 500 advanced 1.1 percent to 5,554. The consumer price index rose 2.5 percent in August from a year ago, down from a 2.9 percent increase in July. It was the lowest annual figure since February 2021. However, a measure of inflation that strips out volatile food and energy costs rose by a larger-than-expected 0.3 percent from a month earlier. While investors widely expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates later this month, markets have been unsure of how big the cut will be. Following Wednesday's inflation data, futures markets showed a jump in expectations for a smaller 0.25 percent cut instead of a half-point cut. As the day progressed, investors realised the initial sell-off was an overreaction to the CPI data and that a Fed rate cut will still be positive, said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth Among individual companies, Trump Media & Technology Group tumbled 10.5 percent following a presidential debate in which some observers pegged Vice President Kamala Harris the winner over former president Donald Trump. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T05:15:00 |
Mbappé set for legal showdown with former club PSG | Kylian Mbappé's entourage said on Wednesday they had refused the French football league's (LFP) offer to act as a mediator between the France captain and Paris Saint-Germain in their dispute over unpaid wages and bonuses for the striker. Mbappé claims PSG owe him US$60 million, which the Parisians say the 25-year-old had agreed to waive in August 2023. The Real Madrid forward has demanded the sum, which includes a signing bonus he was expecting to receive in February, the three final months of his salary, as well as an "ethical bonus" covering the period. Lawyers representing the two parties met early on Wednesday after Mbappé, who joined Madrid this summer, had referred his case to the LFP's legal committee. The league then offered to mediate. "The eventuality of a mediation was mentioned this morning," Mbappé's entourage said in a statement. "This possibility was rejected during the meeting by the player's representative," it added. "A mediation would be useless to establish a lack of payment that can be seen from a simple analysis of the player's payslip." The LFP said it would notify Mbappé and PSG of its decision in the case on Friday. Earlier in the day, PSG had welcomed the proposition. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T08:12:00 |
Head, Zampa star as Australia beat England in 1st T20 | Travis Head made a valuable 59 and leg-spinner Adam Zampa took two cheap wickets as Australia beat England by 28 runs in the first T20 international at Southampton on Wednesday. Opening batsman Head's quickfire innings was the cornerstone of Australia's seemingly below-par 179 all out. But with Zampa taking an economical 2-20 in a match where England's slow bowlers also impressed, it was more than enough as the hosts were dismissed for 151 to leave Australia 1-0 up in a three-match series. "It was a nice start," said player-of-the-match Head at the presentation ceremony. "For me it was about using the pace well which I think I did." "Everything was good about captaincy, apart from the result," said stand-in England captain Phil Salt, who was leading the team in place of the injured Jos Buttler. Australia captain Mitchell Marsh praised Head and opening partner Matthew Short for their "exciting" start before also lauding Zampa and experienced fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. "We're lucky to have guys like Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood in our team, especially for some of our younger guys to learn from," he said. "I went back to them and they both applied the pressure when needed." (AFP) | 2024-09-12T08:18:00 |
North Korea fires ballistic missiles into East Sea | North Korea fired multiple short range ballistic missiles into waters east of the Korean peninsula Thursday, Seoul's military reported, days after the nuclear-armed North marked a state anniversary. Seoul's Joint Chief of Staff said it had detected multiple "short-range ballistic missiles launched into the East Sea around 07:10 from Pyongyang today (2210 GMT on Wednesday)," referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan. It said it was analysing details of the launch and "closely sharing information on the North Korean ballistic missile with the U.S. and Japanese authorities, while strengthening surveillance and vigilance in preparation for further launches". Japan's defence ministry also confirmed the launch of at least one suspected North Korean ballistic missile, with the coastguard warning vessels to take care. It is Pyongyang's first apparent weapons test since July 1, and comes days after the isolated, nuclear-armed country marked a key anniversary celebrating the founding of the ruling regime. North Korea has regularly launched missiles around September 9, its foundation day, including conducting its fifth nuclear test on the same day in 2016. The country's sixth nuclear test was conducted on September 3 in 2017. At a speech to mark the 76th anniversary of its founding this week, leader Kim Jong Un said the country was moving to steadily increase its nuclear arsenal. North Korea "will steadily strengthen its nuclear force capable of fully coping with any threatening acts imposed by its nuclear-armed rival states", Kim said. Relations between North and South Korea are at one of their lowest points in years, with the North recently announcing the deployment of 250 ballistic missile launchers to its southern border. The North has also been bombarding the South with trash-carrying balloons, including a five-day straight blitz last week. North Korea has sent more than 5,000 trash-filled balloons south since May, saying they are retaliation for propaganda balloons launched northwards by South Korean activists. In response, Seoul has suspended a tension-reducing military deal with Pyongyang and restarted some propaganda broadcasts from loudspeakers along the border. North Korea has recently bolstered military ties with Moscow, and analysts have said the North could be testing and ramping up production of artillery and cruise missiles before sending them to Russia for use in Ukraine. The United States and Seoul have accused North Korea of supplying ammunition and missiles for Russia's war effort, a claim Pyongyang has called "absurd". Earlier this year, Pyongyang declared the South its "principal enemy". It has shuttered agencies dedicated to reunification and threatened war over "even 0.001 mm" of territorial infringement. The North's latest ballistic missile launch comes weeks after South Korea and the United States wrapped their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills. North Korea -- which attacked its neighbour in 1950, triggering the Korean War -- has always been infuriated by joint US-South Korean military exercises, decrying them as rehearsals for invasion. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T08:22:00 |
Australian hockey player banned over cocaine bust | Australian hockey player Tom Craig has been banned for 12 months following his arrest during the Paris Olympics last month on suspicion of buying cocaine, Hockey Australia said Wednesday. Craig will serve at least half of the ban, which began on September 9, with the remaining six months to be suspended if the player met conduct requirements, a Hockey Australia statement said. The 29-year-old was released without charge, but was given a warning by a judge after French police detained him for allegedly trying to buy cocaine in Paris days after Australia lost their hockey quarter-final at the Games. "Craig is required to complete mandatory training and education programs as part of his sanction," the statement read. "Tom has had access to all of the athlete support services under our program and he will continue to do so throughout his suspension," it added. "His welfare remains our priority." Craig will be eligible for the 2025 Australia squad, which will be announced at the end of the year. The midfielder admitted he had "made a terrible mistake" following his release from custody, and apologised to his family, friends, team-mates and the Australia Olympic team. Craig made his international debut in 2014 and has played more than 100 times for Australia. He was part of the silver medal-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T08:26:00 |
Alcaraz lifts Spain to winning start in Davis Cup | Spain's Carlos Alcaraz returned to action after his shock US Open loss to help his country get off to a winning start in the Davis Cup on Wednesday. The 21-year-old French Open and Wimbledon winner was knocked out of the Flushing Meadows Grand Slam in the second round last month. With time on his hands he made an impromptu trip to Monza to watch the Formula One Italian Grand Prix then was back on court in Valencia as Spain opened their group stage finals campaign against the Czech Republic. Roberto Bautista Agut bagged Spain's first point with a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka. Alcaraz then entered the frey, recovering from a 6-7 (3/7) first-set loss to Tomas Machac to wipe the floor in the second 6-1 before Machac retired. Alcaraz followed that up by partnering Marcel Granollers to a tense 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) doubles win over Jakub Mensik and Adam Pavlasek to claim the Group B tie 3-0. Earlier in China, the United States began their hunt for a record-extending 33rd Davis Cup title by sweeping aside Chile. Bob Bryan's side belied their underdog status in terms of rankings to down the more fancied South Americans 3-0 in their group stage opener in Zhuhai. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T08:33:00 |
Former president of Peru Alberto Fujimori dies aged 86 | Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, who steered economic growth during the 1990s but was later jailed for human rights abuses stemming from a bloody war against Maoist rebels, died on Wednesday. He was aged 86. Close colleagues visited him earlier in the day, reporting that he was in a critical condition. "After a long battle with cancer, our father... has just departed to meet the Lord," his daughter Keiko Fujimori wrote in a message on X, also signed by the former leader's other children. Fujimori, the son of Japanese immigrants, was the little-known chancellor of a farming university when elected to office in 1990. He quickly established himself as a cunning politician whose hands-on style produced results even as he angered critics for concentrating power. He slayed hyperinflation that had thrown millions of Peruvians out of work, privatised dozens of state-run companies, and slashed trade tariffs, setting the foundations for Peru to become, for a while, one of Latin America's most stable economies. Under his watch, the feared leader of the Maoist Shining Path, Abimael Guzman, was captured - dealing a crucial blow to a movement that in the 1980s seemed close to toppling the Peruvian state. Guzman died in prison in September 2021. But many Peruvians saw Fujimori as an autocrat after he used military tanks to shut down Congress in 1992, redrafting the constitution to his liking to push free-market reforms and tough anti-terrorism laws. A slew of corruption scandals during his 10-year administration also turned public opinion against him. Shortly after he won a third election in 2000 - amending the constitution to run - videos emerged of his top adviser and spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos doling out cash to bribe politicians. Fujimori fled to exile in Japan. He resigned via fax from Tokyo and then unsuccessfully campaigned for a Japanese senatorial seat. Montesinos was later captured in Venezuela and jailed, convicted by the hundreds of videos he recorded of himself handing out cash bribes to politicians and business and media executives. The cases against Fujimori piled up - including accusations that he had ordered the use of death squads in his battle against Shining Path militants. Fujimori was safe in Japan - he was a dual citizen and Japan does not extradite its citizens. So many were shocked when in 2005 he decided to head back to Peru, apparently in hopes of forgiveness and a return to politics. Instead, he was detained during a layover in Chile, extradited to Peru in 2007, and in 2009 he was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Once jailed, Fujimori's public appearances were limited to hospital visits where he often appeared dishevelled and unwell. While detractors dismissed his health complaints as a ploy to get out of prison, then-president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski briefly pardoned Fujimori in 2017. Months later Kuczynski was impeached and the pardon overturned by Peru's top constitutional court, sending Fujimori back to the special prison that held him and no other inmates. The court restored the pardon in December 2023, releasing the ailing Fujimori, who had suffered from stomach ulcers, hypertension and tongue cancer. In May 2024, Fujimori announced he had been diagnosed with a malignant tumour. Fujimori's legacy has been most passionately defended by his daughter Keiko, who has been close to clinching the presidency herself three times on a platform that has included pardoning her father and defending his constitution. The late Fujimori was born in Lima on Peruvian Independence Day, July 28, 1938. A mathematician and agricultural engineer, Fujimori was a political nobody when he decided to run for the presidency, driving a tractor to his campaign rallies. He surprised the world by defeating renowned writer Mario Vargas Llosa in the 1990 election, with heavy support from the left. He touted himself as an alternative to the country's white elite and gained crucial support from Peru's large Indigenous and mixed race populations. As Peru battled what was among the world's worst hyperinflation, Fujimori promised not to carry out drastic measures to tame it. But on his second week in office he suddenly lifted the subsidies that kept food essentials affordable, in what became known as the 'Fuji-shock.' "May God help us," Fujimori's finance minister said on TV after announcing the measure. Inflation worsened in the short-term but the bet paid off, eventually stabilising the economy after over a decade of crisis. Even as support for him started to wane, Fujimori pulled off audacious stunts in his second term. In 1997, he devised a plan to dig tunnels under the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima to end a four-month hostage crisis after another insurgency, the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, took 500 people captive for 126 days. In a surprise attack, Fujimori sent in more than 100 commandos in a raid that killed all 14 insurgents. Only two commandos and one of the remaining 72 hostages died. Television footage showed Fujimori calmly stepping over the corpses of the insurgents after the raid. Fujimori was married twice. A public falling-out with his first wife Susana Higuchi while he was president led him to name daughter Keiko as the first lady. The couple had three other children, including Kenjo Fujimori, also a politician. (Reuters) | 2024-09-12T08:58:00 |
HSI rises in spite of smaller rate cut expectations | The Hang Seng Index climbed 68.59 points, or 0.40 percent, to open at 17,177.30 points on Thursday. Overnight, US data showed core consumer price index rose 0.28 percent in August, compared with forecasts for a rise of 0.2 percent. It was enough of a steer for markets to almost abandon the chance of a half-point rate cut from the Federal Reserve next week, with probability for such a move at just 15 percent. (With additional reporting by Xinhua and Reuters) | 2024-09-12T10:34:00 |
HK moving towards clean energy vehicles: Tse Chin-wan | Environment minister Tse Chin-wan on Thursday said Hong Kong is moving at full speed in its transition towards electric vehicles, in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Speaking at the ReThink HK forum for industry leaders to discuss sustainability initiatives, Tse said the government hopes to see 700 electric buses and 3,000 electric taxis on the city's streets by 2027. "With the support of first registration tax concessions for EVs and expansion of the EV charging network, now over 60 percent - actually nearly 70 percent - of the newly registered private cars are EVs in Hong Kong," he said. "To support the continuous transition to EVs, we are expediting the retrofit of quick charging station facilities and petrol fuelling stations in Hong Kong. Looking ahead, we will accelerate the adoption of commercial EVs." Tse also said the government has set aside HK$400 million for the Green Tech Fund to support research and development projects that aim to reduce carbon emissions. "Thirty projects involving a total grant of about HK$130 million from local universities and companies have been approved. These research projects involve a wide range of subjects, including hydrogen fuel storage and release, production of green hydrogen with renewable energy, aqueous batteries for electric vehicles, and production of noise-absorbing metal materials using recycled plastics," he said. The environment chief also called on different sectors to work together and capitalise on opportunities to move towards carbon neutrality. | 2024-09-12T11:40:00 |
'Well-being guide inspires public housing development' | Housing minister Winnie Ho on Thursday said the well-being design guide dedicated to public housing development would serve as a reference for future public housing designs and improvement of existing estates. Speaking at a symposium, she said authorities from the Housing Bureau and Housing Authority visited 26 estates to collect the opinions of over 3,000 residents. She said the team considered different age groups when creating suggestions to help public housing tenants build a sense of belonging and cultivate a positive neighbourhood image. "There are public spaces on the public housing estates. The elderly can rest under the trees. They can get lonely from living by themselves, so if we can encourage the elderly to come down and [use these facilities], it can create a good routine for them," she said. "Every day they can come down to sit and chat with others. There are information boards with activities that could broaden their body and mind." Ho said the team came up with eight concepts, 55 strategies and 170 design recommendations based on the information they gathered as well as from practices from around the world. The eight concepts are health and vitality, green living and sustainability, age-friendliness, inter-generational and inclusive living, family and community connection, urban integration, upward mobility and perception and image. | 2024-09-12T12:38:00 |
Five arrested over counterfeit mooncakes | Customs officers on Thursday said they have arrested five people on suspicion of selling counterfeit mooncakes, cutlery and lanterns worth some HK$28,000. In an operation ahead of next week's Mid-Autumn Festival, undercover officers were deployed to buy the goods. They ended up arresting two men and three women, aged 21 to 70, who are suspected of running two online shops and three retail outlets in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. A residential unit in Southern district was also raided, with 26 boxes of suspicious mooncakes and some cutlery seized. Senior intellectual property and technology crime inspector Liu Man-chun said some of the goods were branded as being from a fashion company that is not in the mooncake business. "One of the brands mainly sells leather goods and clothing. According to information from the trademark holder, they don't design or manufacture mooncakes or associated cutlery that we suspect to be counterfeits. These goods sell as a package online for around HK$600 to HK$800," he said at a press briefing. Liu said another suspected counterfeit mooncake product had a spelling mistake on the box. The inspector said officers are concerned about the quality of the goods and they have been sent to the government laboratory for tests. Officers also seized more than 500 lanterns from the three shops that were being sold for between HK$8 and HK$40. | 2024-09-12T13:02:00 |
China committed to high-quality development: Xi | President Xi Jinping said China is pushing ahead with promoting high-quality development and boosting the service sector. In a congratulatory letter sent to the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) that opened in Beijing on Thursday, Xi said the fair reflected the high-quality development of the country's service industry and service trade. He said China will work towards further opening up its service market to the outside world, innovating and upgrading trade in services, and forging a market-oriented business environment, among other efforts. The president added that Beijing is ready to work with all countries to jointly share opportunities and promote global economic growth. In a keynote speech at the fair's opening, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who's also a Politburo Standing Committee member, said China will work with other countries to boost service trade development, creating more opportunities for foreign firms. This year's CIFTIS is being held from September 12 to 16. The fair features exhibitions from more than 80 countries and international organisations, with more than 420 Fortune Global 500 companies and leading enterprises confirmed for offline participation. (Reporting by Xinhua) | 2024-09-12T13:57:00 |
'Allow all swimming clubs to use public pools' | New People's Party lawmaker Adrian Ho on Thursday called on the authorities to allow all clubs under the Hong Kong China Swimming Association to be allowed to use lanes in public pools. Under the association's three-tiered membership system, only clubs in the top two tiers are allowed to apply to use lanes, while the "competition clubs" from the lowest tier are excluded. At a press briefing, Ho called on the authorities to allocate more resources to the training of swimmers with potential, adding that the government should designate specific hours at selected pools for swimming clubs. "Possibly, (there will be) restrictions on hours as well as swimming lanes too. That still needs to be refined. But there will be a limitation on the amount of bids that people can put out, as well as that, there will be lanes reserved for competition clubs, which were not previously eligible for applying for any of such entering the lottery pool," he said. Ho also urged the two bodies responsible for issuing swimming coach licences to incorporate English materials in their programmes. People hoping to become licensed swimming coaches must undergo courses and examinations conducted by either the Hong Kong Swimming Teachers' Association or the Hong Kong China Swimming Association. However, neither of these associations offer English materials for non-Chinese speakers. "There's a huge demand for English speakers to be able to apply for coaching licences. While this being a preliminary discussion, the swimming association has told me that this problem has been raised at their executive level for a period of time. They just haven't come around to figuring out how to do it," Ho said. | 2024-09-12T16:11:00 |
More charging devices on mainland for HK vehicles | A Hong Kong-based electric vehicle (EV) charging operator, Marsbu Group, on Thursday said it would join hands with YKC Technology, a mainland EV charging platform, to provide charging services for vehicles heading north from the SAR. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Marsbu Group’s chairman and CEO Peter Chen noted the company would offer such services across hundreds of mainland cities. “This is a historic moment for Hong Kong's electric vehicle charging industry. For the first time, Hong Kong and mainland China's electric vehicle charging networks are interconnected,” he said “Marsbu will use cloud technology to connect to over 520,000 charging devices in over 380 cities across the mainland, enabling Hong Kong vehicles to charge when travelling north and providing charging services for the seven million Hong Kong people who want to rent cars in the mainland.” YKC Technology’s operations director Steven Xu, for his part, said he hopes the partnership could foster the development of new energy in Hong Kong. “The interconnectivity of charging platforms is already very mature in mainland China. This partnership leverages the strengths of both our charging networks, operating platforms, and technical capabilities,” he said. “I hope that the collaboration will enable Hong Kong residents to experience better and more convenient charging services when driving their new energy vehicles to mainland China for tourism.” | 2024-09-12T15:57:00 |
Former Physical Fitness branch reopens with new name | A Physical Fitness gym branch in Wan Chai on Thursday reopened under the new name of "HEALTHY". Last week, Physical Fitness announced it was closing down all of its branches temporarily and looking for new investors. According to an announcement at the Wan Chai branch, the new "HEALTHY" gym would be free for existing Physical customers and would not charge extra for unused services. "HEALTHY will ONLY provide all remaining fitness cards, personal trainer sessions and beauty treatment services to customers of Physical on a complimentary basis. HEALTHY shall not be responsible for any financial or contractual disputes arising from Physical," the announcement read. Physical Fitness member Mr. Lu, who was at the Wan Chai branch, said he thinks the arrangement was reasonable. Lu said he signed a consent form offered by HEALTHY, stating that the gym would provide remaining services at no extra cost. The form also authorises HEALTHY to collect the personal information of customers. "The current approach is reasonable for old members. At least we don't have to spend extra money and can continue enjoying services with the new company. There should be no loss," Lu said. But another member said she did not sign the consent form. "The staff didn't explain many things clearly, so I didn't sign [the consent form]. I'm now trying to get my money back through different channels, including customs. Also, I don't have time to hit the gym today, so I didn't sign." As of 4pm, customs officials said they had received 1,492 complaints regarding the gym's closure, involving around HK$72 million. Two directors were arrested in connection with its closure. Separately, the Consumer Council said it received 3,289 complaints relating to the chain, involving more than HK$113 million, or an average of HK$34,430 per case. _____________________________
Last updated: 2024-09-12 HKT 19:00 | 2024-09-12T16:29:00 |
Hong Kong stocks close higher | Hong Kong stocks ended higher on Thursday, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index up 0.8 percent at 17,240. The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 0.2 percent at 2,717, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.6 percent lower at 8,054. (Xinhua) | 2024-09-12T17:06:00 |
Man dies after being knocked down by coach | A man, 51, was killed on Thursday after being knocked down by a coach in Mong Kok. He was on a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Hoi Ting Road and Hoi Wang Road when the accident happened at around midday, police said. The man suffered multiple injuries and was declared dead after being taken to Kwong Wah Hospital. The coach driver, 50, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death. | 2024-09-12T17:04:00 |
EU launches data privacy probe into Google's AI tools | Google's lead EU privacy regulator opened an inquiry on Thursday into whether the search engine giant adequately protected European Union users' personal data before using it to help develop its foundational AI Model. Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), the lead EU regulator for most of the top US Internet firms due to the location of their EU operations in Ireland, said the probe concerned the Alphabet Inc unit's Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM 2). "This statutory inquiry forms part of the wider efforts of the DPC, working in conjunction with its EU/EEA (European Economic Area) peer regulators, in regulating the processing of the personal data of EU/EEA data subjects in the development of AI models and systems," the DPC said in a statement. Social media platform X agreed last week not to train its AI systems using the personal data collected from European Union users before they had the option to withdraw their consent following court action taken by the Irish regulator. Meta Platforms paused its plans to use content posted by European users to train the latest version of its large language model after apparent pressure from the Irish regulators. The decision "followed intensive engagement" between the two, the watchdog said in June. Italy's data privacy regulator last year temporarily banned ChatGPT because of data privacy breaches and demanded the chatbot's maker OpenAI meet a set of demands to resolve its concerns. (Agencies) | 2024-09-12T17:16:00 |
Man killed as industrial oven falls off lorry | A man was killed in a work-related accident in Yau Ma Tei on Thursday when he was hit by an industrial oven weighing 1.7 tonnes that slipped off a lorry in a cargo area. The 29-year-old suffered multiple injures in the incident at about 1pm and was certified dead after being taken to Kwong Wah Hospital. The Labour Department said it sent staff to the scene of the accident to conduct an investigation. The chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, Siu Sin-man, said there have been several accidents in the past in the same cargo working area. "We urge the authorities to investigate whether there are any safety problems with the area, and how to improve, to prevent more accidents," she said. "In terms of occupational safety, normally workers need machinery, like truck cranes, to assist them when unloading heavy goods. But we couldn't see any machinery at the scene," Siu added. | 2024-09-12T17:40:00 |
Spain's PM meets Venezuela's exiled opposition leader | Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday met with Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who fled to Madrid last weekend requesting asylum. It was billed as a "private meeting" between Gonzalez Urrutia and Sanchez, who returned early on Thursday from an official visit to China. Spanish media reports said the Venezuelan opposition figure would meet with Sanchez and Spanish Foreign Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. Gonzalez Urrutia, 75, has not spoken publicly since he arrived in Madrid on Sunday to seek political asylum, having fled the Latin American country after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government ordered his arrest. He had been in hiding following a July 28 presidential election that the opposition insists he won but was claimed by incumbent Maduro. After his arrival in Spain, Gonzalez Urrutia said he had decided to leave "so that things can change and so we can build a new stage for Venezuela." "I have taken this decision thinking of Venezuela and that our destiny as a country cannot, must not, be that of a conflict of pain and suffering." he added in a letter posted on social network X on Wednesday. On Wednesday, Sanchez said that granting Gonzalez Urrutia asylum was a "gesture of humanity". While the United States has recognised Gonzalez Urrutia as the winner of the election, Spain and other European Union nations have so far limited themselves to refusing to accept Maduro as the victor and calling on the Venezuelan government to release the voting tally sheets. Spanish lawmakers on Wednesday approved a nonbinding motion calling on Sanchez's government to recognise Gonzalez Urrutia "as the legitimate winner of the presidential elections", angering Caracas which threatened to cut ties with Madrid in response. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T17:46:00 |
UK health system must reform or perish: PM Starmer | British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned on Thursday that the UK's state-run National Health Service must "reform or die", after an independent report said the venerated institution was in a "critical condition". Starmer, whose Labour party was elected by a landslide in July, promised "the biggest reimagining" of the NHS since it was founded 76 years ago. His speech in central London followed the publication of a 142-page investigation which found that the health of Britons had deteriorated over the past 15 years. The report's author, Ara Darzi, an unaffiliated Lord in parliament's upper chamber, said the NHS had fallen into "disrepair" due to a lack of investment compared to peer countries, top-down reorganisation and the pandemic. "What we need is the courage to deliver long-term reform -- major surgery not sticking plaster solutions," Starmer said, adding the service would take a decade to rebuild. "The NHS is at a fork in the road, and we have a choice about how it should meet those demands. Raise taxes on working people to meet the ever-higher costs of ageing population -- or reform to secure its future. Working people can't afford to pay more, so it's reform or die." Starmer outlined the three areas of reform for a 10-year plan to "turn around the NHS", whose universal model is a source of pride, despite its shortcomings in meeting demand. He said the NHS would fully switch from analogue to digital, move more care from hospitals to communities and be "bolder" in switching the focus from sickness to prevention. Starmer insisted the reforms would not mean "abandoning the founding ideal" of the NHS, which is free treatment at the point of need and added he would not spend more money "without reform". "The 2010s were a lost decade for our NHS, a lost decade in which the Conservatives left the NHS unable to be there for patients today and totally unprepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow," he added. Darzi's report notes the NHS was seeing a surge in patients suffering multiple long-term illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure. It said the UK has higher cancer rates than other countries and was lagging behind in its treatment of major conditions. It also noted that waiting lists have swelled to 7.6 million and that a 10th of patients at accident and emergency wards now wait 12 hours or more before being seen. Darzi said that he was "shocked" by what he discovered but added the NHS's vital signs "remain strong". (AFP) | 2024-09-12T18:11:00 |
Jared Isaacman makes first private spacewalk on SpaceX | A billionaire stepped out for the first private spacewalk Thursday, teaming up with SpaceX on the daring endeavour hundreds of miles above Earth. Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman and his crew waited until their capsule was depressurized before popping open the hatch. Isaacman emerged first, joining a small elite group of spacewalkers who until now had included only professional astronauts from a dozen countries. “Back at home, we all have a lot of work to do. But from here, it sure looks like a perfect world," said Isaacman. The commercial spacewalk is the main focus of the five-day flight financed by Isaacman and Elon Musk’s company, and the culmination of years of development geared toward settling Mars and other planets. All four on board donned SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits to protect themselves from the harsh vacuum. They launched on Tuesday from Florida, rocketing farther from Earth than anyone since NASA’s moonwalkers. The orbit was reduced by half — to 740 kilometres — for the spacewalk. This first spacewalking test, expected to last about two hours, involved more stretching than walking. The plan called for Isaacman to keep a hand or foot attached to it the whole time as he flexed his arms and legs to see how the new spacesuit would hold up. The hatch sported a walker-like structure for extra support. After about 15 minutes outside, Isaacman was to be replaced by SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis to go through the same motions. Each had 3.6-metre tethers but no intention of unfurling them or dangling at the end unlike what happens at the International Space Station, where astronauts routinely float out to do repairs at a much lower orbit. More and more wealthy passengers are plunking down huge sums for rides aboard private rockets to experience a few minutes of weightlessness. Other have spent tens of millions to stay in space for days or even weeks. Space experts and risk analysts say it’s inevitable that some will seek the thrill of spacewalking, deemed one of the most dangerous parts of spaceflight after launch and reentry but also the most soul-stirring. This operation was planned down to the minute with little room for error. Trying out new spacesuits from a spacecraft new to spacewalking added to the risk. So did the fact that the entire capsule was exposed to the vacuum of space. Scott “Kidd” Poteet, a former Air Force Thunderbird pilot, and SpaceX engineer Anna Menon stayed strapped to their seats to monitor from inside. All four underwent intensive training before the trip. Isaacman, 41, CEO and founder of the Shift4 credit card-processing company, has declined to disclose how much he invested in the flight. It was the first of three flights in a program he’s dubbed Polaris; this one was called Polaris Dawn. For SpaceX’s inaugural private flight in 2021, he took up contest winners and a cancer survivor. Until Thursday, only 263 people had conducted a spacewalk, representing 12 countries. The Soviet Union’s Alexei Leonov kicked it off in 1965, followed a few months later by NASA’s Ed White. (AP) | 2024-09-12T19:18:00 |
Sports commissioner resigns on 'personal grounds' | Sports commissioner Sam Wong has resigned due to personal reasons, after only being in the job for a little more than a year. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau announced on Thursday that Wong had "requested for termination of his employment agreement on personal grounds". He will formally leave the post on September 20. "[The bureau] would like to thank Mr Wong for his contribution towards promotion of sports policies and sports development of Hong Kong in the past year, and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours and that he would continue to contribute to the sports sector of Hong Kong," it said in a statement. "[The bureau] will identify Mr Wong's successor according to the established practice." Wong took up the post in August 2023 for a three-year term with a number of responsibilities, including formulating sports policy, promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports and promoting Hong Kong as a centre for major international sporting events. Wong – the husband of Hong Kong's first Olympic gold medallist Lee Lai-shan – had represented the city in major international competitions as a windsurfer, including the Olympic Games and the Asian Games. A two-time Asian Games silver medallist in 1994 and 1998, he retired in 2000 and became a coach for the SAR's windsurfing team before joining a number of sports associations and institutes. | 2024-09-12T21:59:00 |
Jon Bon Jovi helps woman standing on edge of US bridge | US rocker Jon Bon Jovi was celebrated this week, not for a new song, but for helping a woman in need, according to police. The Grammy-winning rock star was shooting a video on Tuesday on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee when he and another person saw a woman standing outside the guard railing of the bridge and helped her to safety, US entertainment outlet Deadline reported. "A shout out to Jon Bon Jovi & his team for helping a woman on the Seigenthaler Ped Bridge Tue night," the Nashville police department wrote on X on Wednesday. "Bon Jovi helped persuade her to come off the ledge over the Cumberland River to safety." In a video of the incident published by NBC news affiliate WBIR, a woman can be seen in a blue T-shirt standing on the ledge of the bridge, outside the guard railing. Bon Jovi, frontman of the rock group of the same name from New Jersey, and another woman walk toward her and briefly speak with her before they help the woman climb over the railing and onto the bridge. Bon Jovi is then seen embracing the woman and later walking with her away from the scene of the incident toward one end of the bridge. With a string of quickly memorable hits such as "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name," Bon Jovi's band packed arenas in the 1980s on their marathon, pyrotechnic-fuelled tours. (AFP) | 2024-09-12T21:38:00 |
Mid-Autumn lantern show lights up Victoria Park | The week-long lantern carnival in Victoria Park opened its doors on Thursday, with Mid-Autumn Festival just round the corner. It is one of three carnivals to mark the festival this year, with the other two held in Tsing Yi Park and Cultural Centre Plaza in Tsim Sha Tsui. One of the highlights of the Causeway Bay edition – themed "Charm in the Air: Chinese Style, Hong Kong Flair" – is a 12-metre tall lantern display that is based on the Tang suit and qipao. Lantern designer Leo Tang revealed it took him about three months to come up with the design. "This is because such a tall installation has never been placed in Victoria Park, that's why I would prioritise safety first." He added that he put a lot of effort in featuring local cuisine in his design, which included a char-siu rice lantern with local street-food stalls as a backdrop. Another giant lantern "Phoenix Dancing with the Full Moon to Celebrate the National Day” was created by veteran local paper craftsman Hui Ka-hung. "Two days ago, we were still worried whether the installation could spin and light up," he said. "We've been stuck on the issue for so long, and we're really happy after we managed to solve the problem." Chris Chan, Community Programmes Manager at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department said revellers should not miss out on the 7.5-metre tall installation named “The Tree of Budding Creativity”. "There are actually 750 lanterns created by students, and they are from primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong," he said. "Basically they have their own creativity on how to celebrate the National Day and also how to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival." Like last year, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon will join the crowd at Victoria Park on Mid-Autumn Festival next Tuesday at 10.30pm. On the same day, all lanterns at the park will be lit until midnight. | 2024-09-12T21:40:00 |
Hospital probes 'rare' X-ray machine blunder | Hospital bosses on Thursday said they have launched an investigation and temporarily stopped using a model of an X-ray imaging machine after the device malfunctioned during a procedure at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, leaving a patient fighting for his life. The Hospital Authority said the 66-year-old male patient with cerebellar arteriovenous malformation, a condition involving abnormal connections between the arteries and veins in the brain, is in a high dependency unit in a critical state. The authority said the angiography machine on Monday failed to show the normal flow of tissue glue injected into the patient to control bleeding during an embolisation, which is a procedure that stops blood flow to a certain part of the body. "The clinician considered that the situation was unusual at the time and suspended the injection procedure immediately," the authority said. "The clinician then used the angiography machine to scan the blood vessels in the patient's brain again, and found that tissue glue was found in other blood vessels in the brain. Besides, bleeding was found in the blood vessels in the cerebellum. The clinical team then immediately stabilised the patient's condition with appropriate treatment." The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation, the authority added. "Representatives of the [Hospital Authority] and [Queen Elizabeth Hospital] met with the equipment company on September 10 and learnt that the incident was rare and the cause had yet to be determined," it said. "The angiography machine in [Queen Elizabeth Hospital] has been temporarily suspended from service. Another angiography machine of the same model is also temporarily suspended at Queen Mary Hospital. The two hospitals will utilise other medical equipment for relevant procedures such that patient services will not be affected." The Department of Health said the medical device received its last maintenance check by German manufacturer Siemens on July 24 and no abnormalities were found. Other than Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary Hospitals, the department added the machine in question is also being used at another private hospital. | 2024-09-12T22:50:00 |
Millions in SE Asia battle floods, toll passes 250 | Millions of people across Southeast Asia struggled on Thursday with flooded homes, power cuts and wrecked infrastructure after Typhoon Yagi swept through the region, as the death toll passed 250. In worst-hit Vietnam, the fatalities rose to 226, with nine confirmed dead in northern Thailand – where one district is suffering its worst floods in 80 years. Myanmar's national fire service confirmed the country's first Yagi-related deaths after 17 bodies were recovered from flooded villages in the Mandalay region, while more than 50,000 people have been forced from their homes. Yagi brought a colossal deluge of rain that has inundated a swathe of northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, triggering deadly landslides and widespread river flooding. One farmer on the edge of Hanoi said his entire 1,800 square metre peach blossom plantation was submerged, destroying all 400 of his trees. "It will be so hard for me to recover from this loss – I think I will lose up to US$40,000 this season," said the farmer, who gave his name only as Tu. "I really don't know what to do now, I'm just waiting for the water to recede." The United Nations children's agency (Unicef) said the typhoon had damaged more than 140,000 homes across 26 provinces in Vietnam. Floodwaters in Vietnam are receding, draining through the Red River – the main watercourse in the area – into the sea. Authorities in several districts in the Red River delta ordered more than 50,000 people to evacuate their homes as a precaution while the runoff passes through. The floods have devastated more than 250,000 hectares of crops and huge numbers of livestock, Vietnam's agriculture ministry said, with farmland around Hanoi hit hard. In the deadliest single incident, a landslide in Lao Cai province annihilated an entire village of 37 houses, killing at least 42 people with 53 still unaccounted for. Rescue teams pulled victims from the mud on Thursday, carrying them on stretchers to makeshift shelters where neighbours and relatives carefully washed the bodies in readiness for burial. Survivors picked through the mud and wreckage to retrieve what family heirlooms and possessions they could find. Fifteen bodies have been recovered in Cao Bang province after a landslide on Monday pushed a bus, along with several cars and motorbikes, into a stream, state media said on Thursday. Myanmar's junta government has set up around 50 camps to help people affected by the floods, said Lay Shwe Zin Oo, director of the social welfare, relief and resettlement ministry. The Global New Light of Myanmar, the state-run newspaper, said train services on the main line between Yangon and Mandalay were suspended because some sections were flooded. The Mekong River Commission, the international body overseeing the crucial waterway, issued a flood warning on Thursday for the historic Laotian city of Luang Prabang. The Mekong is expected to hit flood levels in the coming days in Luang Prabang, a Unesco world heritage site, the commission said in a bulletin. In Thailand the death toll has risen to nine, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said, including six killed in landslides in Chiang Mai province. All flights were suspended in and out of the airport in Chiang Rai, some 145 kilometres northeast of Chiang Mai, aviation authorities said. Further north, Mae Sai district on the border with Myanmar is suffering its worst floods in 80 years, Suttipong Juljarern, a senior interior ministry official said in a statement. The Jet Ski Association of Thailand has sent 16 jet skis to help with relief efforts, said Dechnarong Suticharnbancha, the body's president. Some of the currents in the floodwaters are too strong for normal boats but jet skis are able to navigate them because of their powerful engines. A video showing champion jet skier Kasidit Teeraprateep rescuing an old woman from a torrent of murky water circulated on Thai social media. (AFP) | 2024-09-13T00:18:00 |
Mikel Arteta agrees new Arsenal contract | Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium, the Premier League title chasers announced on Thursday. The Gunners said in a statement that the 42-year-old Spaniard, who has reportedly agreed a three-year deal, "has been a key figure in re-establishing us as a force back at the top of English and European football." Arteta, who became Arsenal boss in late 2019, said he felt "extremely proud." "I feel extremely lucky to work every single day with good people and the ambition we have here," he said. "I feel very inspired, I feel challenged, I feel supported and I want to do much more than what we've already done together." Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke said he was delighted with the new deal. "Mikel is a dynamic and passionate manager, who is relentless in the pursuit of excellence," he said. "He has a deep understanding of Arsenal's values, and since joining us as head coach, he has taken the team to another level in an Arsenal way." Arteta, who had been working as an assistant coach under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, replaced compatriot Unai Emery as Arsenal boss in December 2019. He won the FA Cup in his first season in charge – his first silverware as a manager. Arsenal have finished as runners-up to City in the Premier League for the past two seasons, going agonisingly close to lifting the trophy for the first time since 2004. Arteta's men, who face north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, are currently fourth in the table after two wins and a draw. They begin their Champions League campaign next week against Atalanta. Arteta, who played 150 times for Arsenal and captained the side, called for calm last month regarding his contract situation, insisting his focus had been on the transfer window. "We are on it and we will take care of that in the right moment," said Arteta, who had previously been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. "I don't think anybody has to panic. I am in the place where I want to be and am really happy. "Hopefully the club thinks the same thing and the players I work with, who in my opinion are the most important ones." Arsenal strengthened in the summer transfer window, bringing in a clutch of players including Raheem Sterling, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori. But there are still questions over whether they have enough firepower to overhaul champions City. (AFP) | 2024-09-13T00:55:00 |
Israel intel unit chief quits over October 7 failure | The Israeli army said on Thursday that the head of an elite intelligence unit will resign over the failure to prevent Hamas's October 7 attack. "The commander of the 8200 unit, (Brigadier General) Yossi Sariel, has informed his commanders and subordinates of his intention to end his position," the army said in a statement. "The officer will conclude his role in the near future." The prestigious and secretive Unit 8200 is in charge of decoding and analysing intercepts and other signals intelligence. In the wake of October 7, Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate was thrown into a crisis that led to its commander, Major General Aharon Haliva, announcing his resignation in April 2024. The army said then that Haliva had asked to be relieved of his duties for the directorate's failure to foil the October 7 attack. Israeli media on Thursday broadcast a copy of Sariel's resignation letter in which he asked for "forgiveness" for "not fulfilling the mission we were entrusted with" on October 7. In June, public broadcaster Kan disclosed the existence of an intelligence brief prepared by Unit 8200 in September 2023 that warned military officials of Hamas's preparations for the attack. Kan said the Unit 8200 document included details of elite Hamas fighters training for hostage-taking and plans for raids on military positions and Israeli communities in southern Israel. The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to a tally based on official Israeli figures. Included in that count are hostages who were killed in captivity. Israel's retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 41,118 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly refused to open an official inquiry into October 7 until the war in Gaza is over. (AFP) | 2024-09-13T03:37:00 |
ECB cuts rates again as inflation slows | The European Central Bank cut its key interest rate again on Thursday as inflation cools but warned of continuing price pressures and gave no indication of the path ahead. The Frankfurt-based central bank reduced its key deposit rate a quarter point to 3.5 percent, as expected, providing further relief to eurozone households and businesses. It was policymakers' second cut, after a move in June, since a record hiking cycle that began in mid-2022 to a tame a surge in consumer prices. Inflation rates have been falling back in recent times, and are now only a whisker off the ECB's two-percent target. "Recent inflation data have come in broadly as expected," said the ECB in a statement. But it warned the path ahead would be bumpy, saying that "inflation is expected to rise again in the latter part of this year, partly because previous sharp falls in energy prices will drop out of the annual rates." The ECB also cited continued pressure from fast-rising wages although it said that labour cost pressures were easing. The central bank for the 20 countries that use the euro left its inflation forecasts unchanged from its last projections in June, forecasting the figure would drop below two percent in 2026. However, it slightly lowered its growth outlook, predicting the eurozone would expand 0.8 percent this year down from a previous projection of 0.9 percent. But, as expected, the ECB statement gave no guidance on its next moves – in line with its recent policy that it will not foreshadow future decisions. It repeated language from previous statements that it would "keep policy rates sufficiently restrictive for as long as necessary to" bring inflation to two percent, following a "data-dependent and meeting-by-meeting approach." While concerns remain about sticky inflation, policymakers have grown more confident that inflation is now on a more sustained downward trajectory. Eurozone inflation fell to its lowest level in more than three years in August, according to official data. Consumer price rises slowed to 2.2 percent compared to the same month last year, down from 2.6 percent in July, leaving the figure just a whisker off the ECB's target. The US Federal Reserve looks poised to start cutting rates at its meeting next week, following recent weak data and market turmoil. This will boost confidence among ECB policymakers about forging ahead with their own cuts. (AFP) | 2024-09-13T02:13:00 |
US stocks finish higher, adding to weekly gains | Wall Street stocks shook off early weakness and finished higher on Thursday, adding to weekly gains as markets eye an expected US Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week. The gains followed benign wholesale inflation data and unremarkable weekly jobless claims, along with another interest rate cut by the European Central Bank. "The data helped validate the soft landing argument," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare, who said investors were also motivated by a "fear of missing out" on gains. The Dow Jones finished up 0.6 percent at 41,096. The S&P 500 gained 0.8 percent to 5,595, while the Nasdaq jumped 1.0 percent to 17,569. US wholesale prices rose by 0.2 percent in August, putting the benchmark on an annual basis at 1.7 percent, down from a revised 2.1 percent last month. However, when volatile food and energy components were stripped out, wholesale prices rose by 0.3 percent, topping estimates. The dynamic is similar to Wednesday's consumer price index report, which analysts said kept the Fed on track to cut interest rates next week. Among individual companies, Moderna plunged 12.4 percent after announcing it will reduce its annual research and development expenses by US$1.1 billion starting in 2027. Wells Fargo dropped 4.0 percent after the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced an enforcement action that will require the bank to fix defects in its financial crimes risk management and anti-money laundering controls. Norfolk Southern rose 0.3 percent as it named Mark George as CEO, replacing Alan Shaw who is leaving the rail company amid an investigation into a consensual relationship with another executive that violated company rules. Kroger jumped 7.2 percent as it reported better-than-expected profits despite flat sales. The supermarket chain expressed confidence in its legal position as it fights an antitrust case brought by US regulators over its proposed acquisition of Albertson's. (AFP) | 2024-09-13T04:53:00 |
Super Rugby revamps format for 2025 knock-out stages | The head of Super Rugby said Friday there would be new additions for the 2025 season including a six-team format in the knock-out stages and a "lucky loser" slot in the semi-finals. The changes come after the top competition for clubs in New Zealand and Australia was reduced to 11 teams following the demise of the debt-ridden Melbourne Rebels this year. The 2025 season, which kicks off next February, has been expanded to 16 rounds with each team playing 14 matches and having two byes. The top six teams in the table at the end of the regular season will qualify for the finals, held over three weekends. The winners from the first three games in the knock-out stages will progress to the last four, joined by the highest-ranked losing team – the "lucky loser". "We're particularly excited about the new finals series, which is designed to produce highly competitive matchups while still rewarding the teams that finish at the top of the table," Super Rugby chief Jack Mesley said in a statement. There will also be three Sunday afternoon games next season, Mesley added. The fixtures draw has yet to be announced. (AFP) | 2024-09-13T08:18:00 |
Nadal withdraws from 2024 Laver Cup | Rafael Nadal will not compete at the Laver Cup next week in Berlin, said the 22-time Grand Slam champion in a statement released by tournament organisers on Thursday. The Laver Cup pits a European team against a World team. Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the two six-player squads, as they have in all the six previous editions. Nadal pulled out of the US Open in August as he did not feel he could perform at his best. "I'm really disappointed to share that I won't be able to compete at the Laver Cup in Berlin next week," the 38-year-old said in a statement. "This is a team competition and to really support Team Europe," he added. "I need to do what's best for them and at this moment there are other players who can help the team deliver the win." Nadal missed virtually all of the 2023 season because of a hip injury and has only taken part in one of the last seven Grand Slams, ousted in the first round of this year's French Open. The Laver Cup said a replacement player for Team Europe would be announced soon, to join other stars including Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev. (AFP) | 2024-09-13T08:24:00 |
Corinthians unveil new player Memphis Depay | Brazilian football club Corinthians presented Dutch striker Memphis Depay as their latest acquisition on Thursday. Terms of the deal were not announced but local media reported the contract would be worth at least $US12 million. Depay said he was excited to play in the country that created the concept of ‘joga bonito', which translates to 'beautiful play' in English. The 30-year-old began his career at PSV Eindhoven and has had spells with Olympique Lyon, Barcelona and Manchester United. He made 31 appearances in all competitions for Atletico Madrid last season, scoring nine goals. (Reuters) | 2024-09-13T08:31:00 |
N Korea gives first glimpse at key nuclear facility | North Korea for the first time showed images of the centrifuges that produce fuel for its nuclear bombs on Friday, as leader Kim Jong Un visited a uranium enrichment facility and called for more weapons-grade material to boost the arsenal. The state media report on Kim's visit to the Nuclear Weapons Institute and a production base for weapon-grade nuclear materials was accompanied by the first photos of the centrifuges, providing a rare look inside North Korea's nuclear programme, which is banned under multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. The photos showed Kim walking between long rows of metal centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium. The report did not make clear when the visit occurred nor the facility's location. Kim urged workers to produce more materials for tactical nuclear weapons, saying the country's nuclear arsenal is vital for confronting threats from the United States and its allies. The weapons are needed for "self-defence and the capability for a preemptive attack," he said. The North Korean leader said "anti-DPRK nuclear threats" from the "US imperialists-led vassal forces" have crossed the red-line, according to the report. North Korea is believed to have several sites for enriching uranium. Analysts say commercial satellite imagery has shown construction in recent years at the main Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, including its uranium enrichment plant, suggesting possible expansion. Uranium is a radioactive element that exists naturally. To make nuclear fuel, raw uranium undergoes processes that result in a material with an increased concentration of the isotope uranium-235. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday that the UN nuclear watchdog had observed activity consistent with the operation of a reactor and the reported centrifuge enrichment facility at Yongbyon. Kim stressed the need to increase the number of centrifuges so as to "exponentially increase" the nuclear weapons and expand use of a new type of centrifuge to further strengthen the production of weapon-grade nuclear materials. (Reuters) | 2024-09-13T10:13:00 |
Alibaba, rate hopes boost HK market | Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.34 percent, to open at 17,298 points on Friday after another healthy day on Wall Street as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut next week. E-commerce titan and market heavyweight Alibaba was a key driver of the gains, building on this week's rally as mainland investors snap it up after it was included Tuesday in a programme that allows them to buy stocks in Hong Kong-listed firms. The Shanghai Composite Index opened at 2,719 points, up 0.07 percent. The Shenzhen Component Index opened flat at 8,054 points. (AFP/Xinhua) | 2024-09-13T11:00:00 |
Govt working to strengthen Asean ties: John Lee | Chief Executive John Lee on Friday said his government is doing everything it can to strengthen ties with members of Southeast Asia's Asean bloc. This includes the planned opening of an Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur. The SAR already has such offices in Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta. Speaking at a summit, the CE said connections don't just focus on trade, but also shared values and cultural links between Hong Kong and Asean members. "The Hong Kong SAR government is doing everything in our power to build on our long-term promise with Asean," he said in the speech. "Hong Kong has long been an open economy, a world city built on free trade. And we are eager to expand our regional co-operation and uphold multilateralism in international trade." Lee also renewed calls for the SAR to be allowed into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), more than two and a half years after it applied to join. "Given our role as the 'super connector' and 'super value-adder' between the mainland and economies worldwide, Hong Kong is primed to bring singular and significant value to RCEP and its members," he said. "We are ready and fully prepared to join RCEP, to play an active role in realising regional integration and creating opportunity for all concerned." The chief executive also stressed that Hong Kong is the only city in the world with a China advantage and a global advantage, and the only common law jurisdiction within the country. | 2024-09-13T12:04:00 |
Govt plans to boost start-ups with investor scheme | The head of the government's investment vehicle on Friday said it plans to boost local start-ups with millions of dollars it will manage under a scheme to draw wealthy investors to Hong Kong. People arriving under the scheme will have to invest at least HK$30 million here, including HK$3 million in a portfolio managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation. The corporation's CEO, Clara Chan, told a summit on start-up investment and development that authorities will unveil details of the plan soon. "Strengthening and activating the front end of the funding chain are essential for the long-term growth of the start-up ecosystem," she explained. "One of the new initiatives we will announce shortly includes capital management by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme. We will explore collaboration opportunities in the form of parent funds or guiding funds with venture capital funds and partners, which have experience or have contributed to Hong Kong." Chan also said the corporation is planning to organise a delegation of start-ups to visit countries in Southeast Asia or the Middle East next year to "tell the good stories of Hong Kong". Speaking at the same event, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said resources and policies have been in place to promote innovation, but the city needs to continue its efforts to attract and nurture innovation and technology professionals. "What we need most is talent. Talent is the core driving force of technological innovation. They are the most precious resources in the innovation and technology ecosystem. Hong Kong has made remarkable achievements in cultivating and attracting talent, but we still need to continue our efforts," he said. The finance minister noted that the government has attracted more than a hundred technology enterprises to establish or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, with their investments amounting to over HK$50 billion. | 2024-09-13T12:21:00 |
Tagovailoa out with concussion, Dolphins fall to Bills | Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's concussion problems returned on Thursday as he was taken out of his team's 31-10 home loss to divisional rivals Buffalo Bills. Tagovailoa, who had endured a miserable night throwing three interceptions, was hurt with 4:24 remaining in the third quarter and with his team already 31-10 down. Running with the ball on a fourth down, Tagovailoa lowered his head into the body of Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin. After receiving on-field treatment, the 26-year-old quarterback left the field under his own power and peaking to Dolphins staff. Miami later confirmed he had been taken out and replaced by Skylar Thompson due to a concussion. Tagovailoa endured a series of injuries during the 2022 season, including two documented concussions which raised questions over his long-term future in the game, but stayed injury-free last season. The injury came after Buffalo had emphatically shown they have no intention of giving up their domination of the AFC East, looking far superior to their rivals in all areas. The Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, have won the last four AFC East divisional titles and Allen now has an 11-2 record against the Dolphins. Tagovailoa's injury adds fresh concerns over his durability, on a night when Buffalo showed they remain a cut above their closest divisional rivals in recent seasons. (AFP) | 2024-09-13T12:01:00 |
Cathay completes buyback of warrants from SAR govt | Cathay Pacific on Friday said it has bought back warrants worth HK$1.53 billion it issued to the government as part of a bailout plan in 2020. The city's flag carrier said it also paid HK$2.44 billion in preference share dividends. In a statement, Cathay thanked its shareholders and the government for their support during the pandemic, adding that it would now embark on a HK$100 billion investment programme. "Cathay is spreading its wings as we embark on a bold new strategy, underscored by our recently announced commitment of more than HK$100 billion in investments over the next seven years," said CEO Ronald Lam. "These substantial investments will further elevate the experience we provide to our customers and strengthen Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status with the opening of the Three-Runway System." | 2024-09-13T13:32:00 |
Everyone plays a role in cybersecurity: Sun Dong | Technology minister Sun Dong said on Friday that everyone in Hong Kong has a role to play in ensuring cybersecurity. Sun made the comment at a forum marking this year's Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign, which runs alongside the annual China Cybersecurity Week. He said officials are working with public and private organisations to build a comprehensive cybersecurity network, and members of the public should also be involved. "As the application of innovative technology spreads, such as the digitalisation of government services, the development of a smart city and the digital Bay Area, societal demands for a safe online environment will increase. We must increase people's awareness of cybersecurity and build a cybersecurity defence line together, to protect our information systems and data from cyber attacks," he said. Sun added that the Digital Policy Office has been working with industry experts in strengthening defence and resilience capabilities against cyber attacks among different sectors, such as by providing free-of-charge cybersecurity services, setting up training platforms, and promoting a partnership programme to share information. The office will also hold the city's first real-life cybersecurity attack and defence drill in November, aiming to increase the cybersecurity protection and emergency response capability of the government and local organisations. | 2024-09-13T13:23:00 |
Six police found guilty of framing homeless man | Six police officers were on Friday found guilty of perverting the course of justice for falsely accusing a man of possessing drugs and blocking CCTV cameras during an operation involving homeless people. Three officers accused of assaulting the homeless people were acquitted, as was another officer who went on trial over an alleged misconduct offence. The case involved two anti-drugs operations at Tung Chau Street Park in Sham Shui Po in February 2020. District Court judge Kathie Cheung found officers Leung Fei-pang, Pong Chun-sze, Lam Wah-ka, Mok Chi-shing, Wan Pak-sze and Chan Sau-yip guilty of perverting the course of justice. She found Leung, Chan and another officer, Kwok Chin-sing, not guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm and cleared their colleague Hon Ting-kwong of misconduct in public office. The judge adjourned the case until October 8 to hear the convicted officers' mitigation pleas. Those found guilty were released on bail. They were ordered to surrender their passports and report to the police every week. | 2024-09-13T17:03:00 |
Govt urged to slash spirits tax to 20 percent | Hong Kong should slash taxes on strong alcohol to 20 percent so mainland companies can use the city as a platform to take traditional Chinese liquor to the world, industry leaders said on Friday. The SAR hasn't imposed duty on wine since 2008, but there's a 100 percent levy on liquor with an alcohol strength of more than 30 percent. Raymond Luk, from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Wine and Spirits, said the tax doesn't bring in a lot of revenue. "We don't think lowering the spirits tax will give a very huge impact to the general government revenue. On the other hand, we think that lowering tax will strengthen the bilateral trade between mainland China and Hong Kong, and also make Hong Kong a very good platform for Chinese baijiu to extend the trade to the international market," Luk said. Baijiu, which translates as "white alcohol", typically has an alcohol content of between 40 and 60 percent. Jojo So, the chamber’s president, brushed aside suggestions that lowering the duty would encourage more alcohol consumption. Citing government data, she said the average alcohol consumption per capita of Hong Kong stood at 2.8 litres in 2008 when the government scrapped the wine tax, and the figure dropped to less than 2.3 litres last year. Liberal Party lawmaker Peter Shiu, meanwhile, said lowering the levy could benefit the city through increased tourism and spending. | 2024-09-13T17:15:00 |
China to gradually raise retirement age | The nation's top legislative body on Friday voted to gradually raise the statutory retirement age on the mainland. China's retirement ages are currently amongst the lowest globally and its the first such adjustment since the 1950s. The statutory retirement age for men will be raised from 60 to 63 over 15 years starting from 2025, while that of women in white collar work will go up to 58 years from 55. For women in blue collar work it will be adjusted to 55 from 50, according to Xinhua News Agency. And starting from 2030, the minimum year of basic pension contributions required to receive monthly benefits will be gradually raised from 15 years to 20 years at the pace of an increase of six months annually. It added the new rules will also allow people "to postpone retirement to an even later date if they reach an agreement with employers, but such a delay should be no more than three years". The plan was formulated on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the average life expectancy, health conditions, the population structure, the level of education and workforce supply in China. (Agencies) | 2024-09-13T16:52:00 |
'Xiangshan Forum can help address security challenges' | President Xi Jinping on Friday expressed the hope that the Beijing Xiangshan Forum will continue to uphold the spirit of equality and openness, and address global security challenges. In the congratulatory letter, Xi pointed out that China had continuously consolidated consensus among all parties and promoted the elimination of the root causes of international conflicts in the face of global changes of a magnitude not seen in a century. He added that Beijing has also been improving global security governance and making efforts to build a world of lasting peace and universal security. In a wide-ranging speech to the annual forum, Defence Minister, Dong Jun, said China would enhance military ties with its neighbours and with developing countries in particular. "Major countries must take the lead in safeguarding global security, abandon a zero-sum mindset and refrain from bullying the small and the weak," Dong said. In a "multipolar" world, "no one can afford to be an outsider or onlooker", he added. "Countries, no matter big or small, developed or developing, should have an equal right to participate in international affairs and voice their needs, and uphold their legitimate rights and interests," Dong said. Russian deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin was blunt in his speech, accusing the United States of trying to contain China and Russia, while preparing for war in Asia by creating new security blocs. More than 500 representatives from all over the world are taking part in the forum in the capital. | 2024-09-13T17:16:00 |
Hong Kong stocks end higher | Hong Kong stocks closed higher on Friday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index up 0.8 percent at 17,369. The Shanghai Composite Index ended down 0.5 percent at 2,704, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.9 percent lower at 7,983. (Xinhua) | 2024-09-13T17:17:00 |
'Sam Wong's resignation won't affect sports sector' | Sports minister Kevin Yeung on Friday said the resignation of Sam Wong as sports commissioner won't affect the sector's development. Wong has cited personal reasons for his departure, just a little over a year since he took up the role. The former international windsurfer will leave his post on September 20. Speaking to reporters after a visit to Beijing, Yeung said the government respects Wong's decision and will name a replacement as soon as possible. "Of course, with one less person, his colleagues might have to do more work and become busier. However, our government work or sport work has always been teamwork rather than a one-man band," Yeung said. "So I believe it won't affect our Kai Tak Sports Park project or sports promotion as a whole." But Lobo Louie, associate head of the department of health and physical education at Education University, told RTHK that it will not be so easy to find a replacement for Wong. "Looking at the job duties, the sports commissioner needs to formulate sports policies and have good communication and partnership with the industry. So it is very difficult for Hong Kong to identify suitable talent. You need to be very familiar with government structure and the sports industry," Louie said. He expressed concern that the vacancy will hinder major sports projects and said he hopes the recruitment process will be speedy. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Eric Chan thanked Wong for his contribution over the past year, agreeing with Yeung that the departure won't affect the SAR's sports development. | 2024-09-13T17:41:00 |
Come forward if you're harassed: official tells press | A top security official on Friday said illegal activities of any kind must be condemned, and called on anyone feeling threatened to come forward after the Hong Kong Journalists Association reported what it called a "systematic and organised attack against journalists" in the city. The industry body said dozens of journalists had reported being harassed and intimated, with the individuals - and their family members - facing threats on social media, via email or letters between June and August this year. Michael Cheuk, the under secretary for security, said the people in question should inform the authorities. "Hong Kong is a place of rule of law. We condemn all sorts of actions that should be outlawed. Any individual should be free from threats, free from fear, and free from harassment... Irrespective of who you are, if you are receiving such threat or harassment, please come out and report," Cheuk said. "Anyone's freedom, not just about freedom of the press, free from fear, freedom of expressions, whatsoever, those rights should be respected and should not be compromised." The association also raised concerns about an apparent government data leak, saying certain individuals received threatening messages shortly after being searched by customs officers upon entering Hong Kong. "I don't think there's any basis of that allegation. At the moment, we haven't received any information that our database of any individual department has been compromised," Cheuk said. | 2024-09-13T19:19:00 |
Tour guide loses licence over abusive behaviour | The Travel Industry Authority has for the first time revoked the licence of a tour guide, after a disciplinary hearing found his behaviour "unacceptable" and had tarnished the reputation of Hong Kong's tourism industry. Lam Chun-fai hurled abusive language towards his mainland clients who visited the SAR on a package tour in February. He criticised them not for shopping in stores, and threatened to change their itinerary while on a coach. "The [authority] immediately launched an investigation after receiving complaints from the tourists involved," the authority said in a press release on Friday, adding Lam had admitted wrongdoing. "After considering the results of the investigation, the authority believes Lam was unfit to continue as a tour guide and decided to take disciplinary action in accordance with Section 111 of the Travel Industry Ordinance." Established in 2020, the authority aims to "promote the integrity, competence and professionalism" of the travel industry practitioners and regulate shops frequented by inbound tour groups. It was set up after a raft of complaints from inbound visitors regarding poor service and coerced spending. The regulator is also empowered to take a range of disciplinary actions against tour guides, escorts and travel agents. Three tour guides have previously been given reprimanded and received demerit points. | 2024-09-13T21:49:00 |