57 h. ago Chinese man, 35, refuses to work or get married, lives in a cave for 4 years

A 35-year-old man in China who believes work and marriage are redundant notions has been living in a cave for four years. Min Hengcai from southwestern China’s Sichuan province calls home the adapted cavern in the town where he was raised. At the end of 2021, he gave up a ride-hailing driving job, which earned him 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) a month in the city, and returned home to live a life of seclusion. Min said he found work meaningless. He had previously worked for 10 hours a day to repay a...

Politics

3 d. ago Labubu becomes bait for China’s Ping An Bank to lure young customers

Hoping the world’s trendiest monster will scare up some new customers, China’s Ping An Bank is rewarding those who open new accounts with a Pop Mart Lababu doll amid fierce competition for young customers among Chinese retail banks. New clients who open a savings account and deposit more than 50,000 yuan (US$6,954) for at least three months could receive a blind box from the first or second series of the Chinese toy retailer’s popular collectibles, according to media reports. Customers who also...

Economics

8 d. ago Man arrested in Hong Kong for impersonating police, officials in 3 scams

Hong Kong authorities have arrested a 57-year-old man for allegedly scamming three victims out of HK$310,000 (US$39,500) by pretending to be a police officer or government officials while claiming he could help them buy concert tickets and mobile phones at discounted prices through his contacts. Police said on Thursday they received reports from two of the three victims last month, who handed over around HK$11,000 to the suspect before losing contact with him. A broader investigation showed the...

Events

9 d. ago Why is a Singapore health clinic paying US$40,000 monthly rent?

A healthcare firm clarified that its record high rental bid of more than S$52,000 (US$40,300) per month for a clinic space in a Singapore public housing estate was driven by the location’s appeal, sparking public debate over rental and healthcare costs. Andrew Chim, co-owner of I-Health Medical Holdings, explained that the unit in Tampines – which has a monthly rent of S$52,188 – is located in an area where five Build-To-Order public housing estates are being developed, which will accommodate...

Economics

9 d. ago Singapore’s health minister ‘dismayed’ at GP clinic with US$40,000 rental bid

Singapore’s health chief Ong Ye Kung has expressed dismay at a local healthcare firm’s record rental bid of more than S$52,000 (US$40,300) per month for a clinic space in a public housing estate. I-Health Medical Holdings’ bid for the unit – which has a monthly rent of S$52,188 – in Tampines has sparked public debate about rental and healthcare costs in the city state. In a Facebook post late on Wednesday, Ong said he was “dismayed” at the costly bid that was likely to result in higher...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong McDonald’s spot close to topping London as world’s busiest

McDonald’s flagship store in Hong Kong is close to claiming the crown as the busiest in the fast-food chain’s global network of more than 40,000 outlets, a capstone in a half-century of operating in the city. The 9,000 sq ft (836 square metre) Admiralty Centre store, which reopened for business last month after a three-week renovation, serves more than 1,000 customers an hour during peak periods, putting it on a trajectory to surpass the chain’s outlet in the concourse of London’s Liverpool...

Politics

1 week ago Member loses HK$38,000 as Hong Kong branch of Singaporean 1880 club faces probe

The sudden closure of 1880 Hong Kong, a private members club based out of Singapore, left members reeling, with one losing HK$38,000, paid out for a full-year membership just two months prior, while others have complained to Customs, alleging a violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. The club, located in Quarry Bay’s Two Taikoo Place, operated for only seven months before shutting down last Friday due to “cash flow difficulties”. It has been accused of owing rent and wages to more than...

Politics

1 week ago Keeta rider with no ID or work visa risks arrest to eke out living in Hong Kong

Azfar* struggles to make ends meet by working illegally as a rider for food delivery platform Keeta in Hong Kong, putting him at risk of arrest as he lacks an ID card and work visa. For the past eight months, the 27-year-old Pakistani has used the Keeta rider account belonging to his cousin, a Hong Kong resident whom he pays HK$3,000 (US$382) a month under a “rent” deal they struck. “My cousin has been living in Hong Kong for a long time and he suggested that I use his food delivery [platform]...

Events

2 w. ago China breaks its own world record set just a month ago with this 21,000

China breaks its own world record set just a month ago with this 21,000-ton giant capable of transporting 9,500 cars in a single trip.  Farmingdale Observer

Politics

4 w. ago Hong Kong family happiness score improves for first time in 3 years

But annual survey shows happiness has not returned to pre-Covid levels, with mental health experts citing Singapore as model for developing policies.

Politics