96 m. ago Hong Kong businesses can see ‘light at the end of tunnel’ but measures needed

A veteran Hong Kong lawmaker, business leader and government adviser has called on the city’s leader to implement measures that will propel the economy in his coming policy address as there is now “light at the end of the tunnel”. Speaking at a fireside chat at the Post’s Hong Kong-Asean Summit on Tuesday, Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung also made the case for investing in the city despite attacks on Hong Kong’s reputation in recent years. Asked about what he hoped to see in Chief Executive John Lee...

Politics

2 h. ago China’s hosting of Russia’s Putin, North Korea’s Kim, and 24 other world leaders at military parade indicates will to champion reform of global governance

China’s hosting of Russia’s Putin, North Korea’s Kim, and 24 other world leaders at military parade indicates will to champion reform of global governance  Janes

Politics

2 h. ago China debuts instant tax refunds for tourists through overseas e

China has introduced its first tax refund service via overseas e-wallets, allowing travellers departing from Shenzhen to instantly claim refunds as part of Beijing’s broader efforts to boost inbound tourism. Backed by the Shenzhen Taxation Bureau and the local branch of the People’s Bank of China, Ant International’s Alipay+ global payment platform partnered with tax refund agent Guangdong Huaxing Bank to launch the service on Monday, the city government announced on its official social media...

Politics

3 h. ago Philippine contractors allege political bribery in flood control scandal

Two contractors at the centre of the Philippines’ growing flood control scandal have named nearly 20 lawmakers and government officials they accuse of demanding kickbacks and offered to turn state witnesses, but legal experts say their alleged role in the scheme could undermine their plea for immunity. In sworn testimony presented to the Senate on Monday, Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya – a married couple – claimed that corrupt politicians and Department of Public Works and...

Events

5 h. ago Dior fined in China for sending data overseas without security screening

Chinese police have fined fashion giant Dior’s Shanghai subsidiary after finding the company guilty of transmitting data overseas without security screening, according to state media. Citing the National Cybersecurity Notification Centre, state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday that the investigation followed media reports of a data breach at the French fashion brand, while users in mainland China received alert text messages from Dior. The cyber police said their findings indicated...

Events

6 h. ago France’s Macron facing critical dilemma after second PM ousted in a year

The challenge French President Emmanuel Macron faces in choosing his fifth prime minister in under two years lays bare the depth of a political crisis that in many ways is of his own making, and one with no clear path out. Francois Bayrou was set to tender his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday, a day after the parliament voted to bring down the government over its plans for taming the budget deficit. Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, had suffered the same fate over his fiscal plans...

Politics

6 h. ago ‘Prosperity for generations’: Malaysia urges Hong Kong to tap Asean ‘as a bloc’

Business leaders and governments should think of Asean as a bloc with nearly 700 million people and an emerging middle class instead of individual countries when considering the vast trade potential of the region, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Tuesday. While Hong Kong was essential to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as an international financial hub that promoted technological innovation with a well-regarded legal system, the bloc could also offer great...

Politics

7 h. ago South Korea overhauls flawed prosecution office accused of selective justice

South Korea’s powerful prosecution service, long accused of wielding justice selectively, is to be dismantled under a sweeping reform plan that government officials and ruling party lawmakers say is necessary to curb abuse of authority. But critics warn the move may create constitutional disputes and deepen political fault lines. President Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which holds a majority in the National Assembly, joined forces with the Presidential Office and the cabinet...

Society

7 h. ago Trump administration launches immigration crackdown in Chicago

US President Donald Trump has started his immigration crackdown in Chicago, with federal agents stepping up enforcement in an escalating campaign against Democratic-run cities that the White House said were suffering from rampant crime and disorder. Operation Midway Blitz has begun in the city and other parts of Illinois targeting “criminal illegal aliens”, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on Monday. DHS blamed Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat and potential...

Politics

17 h. ago Could the US government be helping fund the rise of China's military?

Could the US government be helping fund the rise of China's military?  KATU

Events

19 h. ago French PM Bayrou loses confidence vote, toppling his government

France’s parliament voted on Monday to bring down the government over its plans to tame the ballooning national debt, deepening a political crisis and handing President Emmanuel Macron the task of finding a fifth prime minister in less than two years. Francois Bayrou, 74, took office as prime minister only nine months ago. He will tender his resignation on Tuesday, his office said, leaving Macron to face a narrowing set of options, with financial markets signalling worry at France’s political...

Politics

19 h. ago Macron scrambles to find new French PM after Bayrou is ousted

President Emmanuel Macron will accept the resignation of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Tuesday after his government was ejected in a confidence vote, with the French leader rushing to find a successor and stave off a new political crisis. On Monday, Bayrou suffered a crushing loss in a confidence vote he had himself called, plunging France into fresh uncertainty. The French presidency said in a statement that Macron “took note” of the outcome and said Macron would name a new premier “in the...

Politics

19 h. ago Macron scrambles to find new French PM after government is ousted

President Emmanuel Macron will accept the resignation of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Tuesday after his government was ejected in a confidence vote, with the French leader rushing to find a successor and stave off a new political crisis. On Monday, Bayrou suffered a crushing loss in a confidence vote he had himself called, plunging France into fresh uncertainty. The French presidency said in a statement that Macron “took note” of the outcome and said Macron would name a new premier “in the...

Politics

21 h. ago Hong Kong officials ‘could have provided better guidance to failed balloon event’

Hong Kong authorities could have provided better guidance to the organiser of a HK$30 million (US$3.85 million) botched hot-air balloon festival, lawmakers have said, even as the government stressed it had already offered professional advice. Lawmakers Doreen Kong Yuk-foon and Michael Tien Puk-sun said on Monday that the government should be more proactive when dealing with high-risk or special events and could conduct reviews for activities held in public venues. “I hope the government can...

Politics

21 h. ago China and Russia increasingly working ‘in tandem’ to undermine faith in governance, top Finnish official claims

China and Russia increasingly working ‘in tandem’ to undermine faith in governance, top Finnish official claims  The Guardian

Politics

23 h. ago Spain, Israel ties hit new low after Madrid moves ‘to stop Gaza genocide’

Israel on Monday accused Spain of antisemitism and barred two government ministers from entry after Spanish leader Pedro Sanchez announced measures aimed at stopping what he called “the genocide in Gaza”. The spat marks a new low in relations over the devastating Israeli offensive in the Palestinian territory, launched after an unprecedented Hamas attack in Israel in 2023. Sanchez, one of the most virulent critics of Israel’s military campaign, said the nine measures aimed to “stop the genocide...

Politics

24 h. ago Hong Kong schools required to give reasons for opting out of flu jab scheme

Hong Kong authorities aim to boost the flu vaccine coverage rate for the coming year by requiring schools to provide reasons for formally opting out of an outreach programme and procure jabs for some family doctors to ensure a steady supply. The Department of Health on Monday unveiled the government’s plan to encourage more people to get flu jabs, with the latest seasonal vaccination programme to start on September 25. Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, noted...

Politics

27 h. ago China Scrambles Jets Against Canadian and Australian Warships: What To Know

China Scrambles Jets Against Canadian and Australian Warships: What To Know  Newsweek

Events

30 h. ago France’s political turmoil deepens as parliament prepares to oust PM

France’s parliament is expected to oust Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Monday after just nine months in office, plunging the key EU member into new political uncertainty and creating a painful dilemma for President Emmanuel Macron. Bayrou blindsided even his allies by calling a confidence vote to end a months-long standoff over his austerity budget, which foresees almost €44 billion (US$52 billion) of cost savings to reduce France’s debt pile. Opposition parties across the board have made it...

Politics

30 h. ago Tokyo maps out new disaster plan for an ‘inevitable’ Mount Fuji eruption

As Mount Fuji looms tranquilly over Tokyo’s skyline, city officials are racing to prepare for a disaster that has not struck in more than three centuries – but could happen “at any time”. For the first time, authorities in Japan’s capital have mapped out exactly how they would evacuate millions if the dormant volcano awakens, in an overhaul of the city’s disaster playbook. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s new volcano disaster prevention plan outlines which roads will be cleared first and...

Events