2025-01-20 HKT 18:44
The outgoing chairman of the Bar Association, Victor Dawes, said on Monday that while protecting national security is fundamentally important and helps to ensure Hong Kong's economic development, the authorities need to exercise their powers in a proportionate manner.<br/><br/>In his speech at a ceremony marking the start of the Legal Year, Dawes said common law and the judicial system are pivotal to the success of Hong Kong and the constitutional order in the city.<br/><br/>He cited Lord Hodge, deputy president of the United Kingdom's top court, as saying that the quality of a place's legal institutions is important to investment levels, innovation and economic growth.<br/><br/>Dawes said there is no doubt that protecting national security is fundamentally important and essential for economic prosperity and people's well-being. <br/><br/>He said there continued to be unfair criticism overseas regarding security matters linked to incidents that took place in Hong Kong in 2019, and some of the criticism was aimed at undermining the SAR's prosperity.<br/><br/>The Bar Association chief said it's important for the authorities to exercise powers derived from national security laws in a considered and proportionate manner, to show that Hong Kong, as a jurisdiction, respects the rights of the people.<br/><br/>"Ministers and public officers at all levels must be able to show that their powers are exercised in good faith, fairly, and for the purpose for which the powers are conferred," he said.<br/><br/>"Businesses must have the confidence that they will be dealt with on a principled and not an arbitrary basis. In this regard, powers under our new national security legislation should be used in a considered and proportionate manner."<br/><br/>The president of the Law Society, Roden Tong, said his organisation will do its best to preserve the legal sector's self-regulatory regime, saying this is seen as an important part of the profession's independence.<br/><br/>"The independence of the profession will give the public confidence that it can take an objective view and effectively uphold the rule of law," he said.<br/><br/>"This is particularly important when our systems are under close scrutiny in the geopolitical climate, and the Law Society will strive to preserve the profession's self-regulatory status."<br/><br/>Tong also called on the sector to play a bigger educational role to help tackle misinformation.
'Quality judicial system key to economic success'
2025-01-20 HKT 18:29
Justice Secretary Paul Lam on Monday hit out at attempts to "exert improper pressure" on overseas judges serving on Hong Kong's top court.<br/><br/>In a speech marking the beginning of the Legal Year, he also said people should not overlook the fact that some foreign non-permanent judges (NPJs) have decided to stay on the bench at the Court of Final Appeal.<br/><br/>In 2024, five foreign judges decided to step down from the court. There are now 10 NPJs, six of them from overseas.<br/><br/>Lam said the "participation of eminent foreign judges" in the work of the top court benefits both the SAR and the common law world as a whole. <br/><br/>"It's most regrettable that there were attempts mainly from overseas to exert improper pressures on foreign judges to dissociate themselves from the Hong Kong court. These attempts pose a threat to not only the rule of law in Hong Kong but also the development of common law in general," Lam said. <br/><br/>"The government is in full support of the judiciary in its continuous efforts to appoint and retain foreign NPJs in future."<br/><br/>He also criticised individuals who "intimidate" national security judges or "interfere" with judicial proceedings. <br/><br/>"It's vital to bear in mind that the enforcement of the national security law is subject to the supervision of the Hong Kong court exercising its independent judicial power," Lam said. <br/><br/>"Anyone who intimidates judges handling national security cases or interferes with the relevant judicial proceedings in whatsoever manner cannot be genuinely concerned about the rule of law in Hong Kong."<br/><br/>He said the homegrown national security law, which took effect in March last year, aims to ensure "the hard-won peace and stability" that Hong Kong enjoys can be preserved. <br/><br/>"Unless security is first safeguarded, it will be impossible for Hong Kong to utilise its unique strengths at full strength under the principle of One Country, Two Systems, and serve as an international financial, shipping and trade centre," Lam said.
Paul Lam slams 'efforts to exert pressure' on judges
2025-01-20 HKT 18:02
Hong Kong's judges have upheld fundamental legal principles in hearing all cases, including national security trials, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung said on Monday. <br/><br/>In a speech marking the start of the Legal Year, the SAR's top judge said the city's national security laws have brought with them "cases that attract heightened attention", particularly due to their political sensitivity.<br/><br/>But Cheung stressed the same legal principles apply in national security cases as in others. <br/><br/>"The presumption of innocence, the requirement that guilt be proved beyond reasonable doubt, and the right to a fair trial are all essential safeguards that remain firmly in place," he said.<br/><br/>"Our courts do not merely pay lip service to these fundamental principles. Judges at all levels are expected to, and indeed do, adhere to them in the adjudication of cases."<br/><br/>Cheung said tensions often exist between protecting basic rights and safeguarding national security, both of which the judiciary is firmly committed to upholding. <br/><br/>"Striking the right balance can be challenging, and outcomes in individual cases may be contentious at times, nor is the interpretation or application of newly enacted statutory provisions always straightforward," he said. <br/><br/>"However, it is one thing to disagree with a legal provision or a court decision in applying it, but entirely another to suggest that the justice system has been undermined by political expectations or societal atmosphere."<br/><br/>Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Cheung said the city's judges faced threats, and stressed that judicial officers should not be interfered with by any countries, bodies or organisations.<br/><br/>"Threatening sanctions against judges simply doing their work goes directly to the question of judicial independence and interfering with judges' work and therefore it is objectionable," he said.<br/><br/>"It is objectionable as a matter of principle and it is a direct affront to the rule of law and to judicial independence."<br/><br/>The chief justice also said while the departure of foreign judges from the city's top court "caused concerns in some quarters", it has not affected judicial independence.<br/><br/>"It is unfortunate that a few of these judges have felt unable to continue their service. They are, of course, entitled to their views, and their decisions ought to be respected. However, their premature departures do not mean a weakening of the quality or independence of the judiciary," Cheung said in his speech. <br/><br/>"It is true that, given the current geopolitical headwinds, recruiting overseas judges with the right stature and experience may be less straightforward than it once was. After all, overseas judges are appointed to our highest court on account of their acknowledged eminence and legal expertise, not merely to sustain the system of overseas judges for its own sake."<br/><br/>In 2024, five foreign judges decided to step down from the Court of Final Appeal (CFA). Following their exits, there are 10 non-permanent judges (NPJs) left sitting on the top court, six of them from overseas.<br/><br/>In comments made to the media, Cheung expressed confidence that the city will be able to recruit more overseas judges.<br/><br/>"Given the rather stable number of appeals heard by the CFA in recent years, the number of 10 NPJs – six overseas NPJs, plus four local NPJs – plus possible appointment of further NPJs in the future, would be more than sufficient to allow us to cope with our very steady workload on the court," he said.<br/><br/>"I'm reasonably confident of keeping our existing NPJs as well as recruiting new NPJs in the future when we can identify suitable candidates to be appointed."<br/><br/>The top judge also said the presence or absence of individual judges will not undermine the integrity of Hong Kong's judicial system.<br/><br/>Cheung said the city has faced significant political, social and economic challenges in recent years, which tested the resilience of the territory's legal system and the strengths of its institutions. Despite that, he said, the judiciary continued to uphold the rule of law and ensured that legal procedures remain transparent, fair and independent.<br/>_____________________________<br/><font style="font-size:90%" my="my"><i>Last updated: 2025-01-20 HKT 21:50</i></font>
Legal principles upheld in all cases: chief justice
2025-01-20 HKT 13:27
The government department responsible for attracting foreign investment on Monday expressed optimism that American companies will continue to be attracted to set up shop in Hong Kong after Donald Trump begins his second term in office. <br/><br/>InvestHK said of the record 539 non-local companies it helped establish or expand in the SAR last year, US firms were the second biggest group, following those from the mainland.<br/><br/>The department's director-general, Alpha Lau, said while it remains to be seen what the incoming US administration's policies will be, companies from many American industries will still come to Hong Kong in search of profit.<br/><br/>"Because in the end, American companies are very pragmatic, as well as very practical. And the growth is in Asia, and in mainland China," she told a press conference.<br/><br/>"So if they want to look for business opportunities and look for growth, then this is where they want to be."<br/><br/>Lau said Hong Kong is seen as a testing ground or springboard for foreign companies seeking to enter the mainland market.<br/><br/>The director-general expressed optimism that her department can meet the government target of attracting 1,130 companies to the SAR in the three-year period ending this year.<br/><br/>The firms last year created more than 6,800 jobs in Hong Kong, with total investment reaching HK$67.7 billion, around 10 percent more than in 2023, InvestHK said. <br/><br/>The top five sectors were innovation technology, finance, family offices, tourism and professional services.
US firms will keep coming to Hong Kong: InvestHK
2025-01-20 HKT 11:59
Josh Allen scored two touchdowns as the Buffalo Bills punished a slew of mistakes to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 27-25 and set up a blockbuster NFL playoff clash with the Kansas City Chiefs.<br/><br/>Bills quarterback Allen barged over for two first-half rushing touchdowns at a snowy Highmark Stadium in New York as the Baltimore opposite number Lamar Jackson and the Ravens were left ruing a string of costly errors.<br/><br/>The visitors had a golden chance to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining, but tight end Mark Andrews fluffed a simple catch attempting a two-point conversion to effectively seal the Bills win.<br/><br/>"How about that Buffalo Bills defence?" Allen said afterwards. "All year we heard this team has no talent, we're too small, we can't stop the run? We're not good enough to compete?"<br/><br/>"We just put our head down and worked hard," he added. "I'm so proud of our defence."<br/><br/>The AFC divisional round battle had been hyped as a duel between two of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL, pitting this season's Most Valuable Player front-runner Allen against the Ravens' reigning MVP Jackson.<br/><br/>But the quarterback shoot-out largely failed to materialise in a gritty contest that ultimately pivoted on the Ravens' mistakes at key times. A Jackson fumble following a sack by Damar Hamlin led to Allen's opening touchdown in the second quarter that put the Bills 14-7 ahead.<br/><br/>Allen then scored his second rushing touchdown in the closing moments of the first half to help put the Bills 21-10 up at the break.<br/><br/>The Ravens threatened a comeback with a field goal and a Derrick Henry touchdown in the third quarter that cut the Bills lead to three points. But another Ravens turnover in the fourth quarter, Andrews fumbling under pressure led to a Bills field goal that stretched the hosts lead to 27-19.<br/><br/>Baltimore hit back with a superb Isaiah Likely touchdown from Jackson's 24-yard bullet pass, but with overtime looming, Andrews botched the two-point conversion attempt.<br/><br/>The Bills will now meet Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City in next week's AFC Championship game, with the winner advancing to the February 9 Super Bowl in New Orleans.<br/><br/>It will be the latest instalment of a fierce rivalry between the two teams, who have met three times in the playoffs since 2021 – the Chiefs winning them all. The Bills, however, were one of only two teams to beat the Chiefs in the regular season this year.<br/><br/>"We're going to enjoy this tonight and then turn our attention to the Chiefs tomorrow," said Allen. "They're the perennial of what you want to be in the NFL – you've got to beat them to get past them."<br/><br/>Meanwhile, running back sensation Saquon Barkley rushed for two long-range solo touchdowns as the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 to reach the NFC Championship game.<br/><br/>The Eagles will host NFC East divisional rivals the Washington Commanders next week for a place in the Super Bowl.<br/><br/>Philadelphia's power in the running game proved decisive in a game played in heavy snow with Barkley, a candidate for the league's Most Valuable Player, putting up 205 yards on 26 carries.<br/><br/>Even before the snow began to fall late in the first quarter, the Eagles exposed the Rams' run defence, opening the scoring on the opening drive of the game when quarterback Jalen Hurts broke out and sprinted 44 yards for the touchdown.<br/><br/>The Rams fought back quickly though with quarterback Matthew Stafford leading a 13-play, 67-yard drive which ended with a four-yard touchdown pass to tight-end Tyler Higbee.<br/><br/>Los Angeles had spent all week preparing for the threat of Barkley, but they were still unable to stop him when he found a gap and sprinted 62 yards to put the Eagles up 13-7 at the end of the first quarter.<br/><br/>The Eagles extended their lead with two field goals in the fourth before Barkley turned on the turbo chargers again with just over four minutes left, with the snow showing no obstacle to his power and speed as he burst 78 yards for his second touchdown.<br/><br/>The Rams threatened a remarkable comeback with a quick Colby Parkinson touchdown, but a last gasp drive for a go-ahead touchdown faltered. (AFP)
Bills, Eagles advance to NFL conference championships
2025-01-20 HKT 05:23
Palestinians burst into streets to celebrate and began returning to the rubble of bombed-out homes on Sunday after a ceasefire deal halted fighting in Gaza, while three female hostages freed by Hamas were reunited with their mothers inside Israel.<br/><br/>Hamas fighters drove through the southern city of Khan Younis with crowds cheering and chanting. In the north of the territory, bombed into oblivion in the war's most intense fighting, people picked their way on narrow roads through a devastated landscape of rubble and twisted metal.<br/><br/>"I feel like at last I found some water to drink after being lost in the desert for 15 months," said Aya, a displaced woman from Gaza City who has been sheltering in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip for over a year.<br/><br/>In Tel Aviv, hundreds of Israelis in a square outside the defence headquarters watched a live broadcast from Gaza showing the hostage release on a giant screen. <br/><br/>The crowd cheered, embraced and wept as three female hostages could be seen getting into a Red Cross vehicle surrounded by armed Hamas fighters.<br/><br/>Soon after, the Israeli military said Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari had been reunited with their mothers at a meeting point inside Israel, close to the kibbutz and nearby music festival where they had been abducted in the October 7, 2023 Hamas raid.<br/><br/>The three appeared in good health in a video later released by the military. Damari, who lost two fingers when she was shot the day she was abducted, could be seen smiling and embracing her mother as she held up a bandaged hand.<br/><br/>"I would like you to tell them: Romi, Doron and Emily – an entire nation embraces you. Welcome home," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a commander by phone as the hostages were driven across the border.<br/><br/>In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, buses awaited the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli detention. Hamas said the first group to be freed in exchange for the hostages includes 69 women and 21 teenage boys.<br/><br/>The first phase of the truce in the 15-month-old war between Israel and Hamas took effect following a three-hour delay during which Israeli warplanes and artillery pounded the Gaza Strip.<br/><br/>That last-minute Israeli blitz killed 13 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel blamed Hamas for being late to deliver the names of hostages it would free, and said it had struck terrorists. Hamas said the holdup in providing the list was technical.<br/><br/>"Today the guns in Gaza have gone silent," US President Joe Biden said on his last full day in office, welcoming a truce that had eluded US diplomacy for more than a year.<br/><br/>"It was a long road," Biden said. "But we've reached this point today because of the pressure Israel built on Hamas, backed by the United States."<br/><br/>The truce calls for fighting to stop, aid to be sent in to Gaza and 33 of nearly 100 Israeli and foreign hostages to go free over the six-week first phase in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. (Reuters)
Freed Israeli hostages reunited with mothers
2025-01-19 HKT 13:03
The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and RTHK on Sunday announced they have jointly produced a series of programmes to promote patriotism and the rule of law. <br/><br/>The initiative follows last year's establishment of the Working Group on Patriotic Education, which aims to strengthen education about national history and Chinese culture. <br/><br/>The working group's convenor Starry Lee, who is also Hong Kong's sole delegate to the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said there are four major programmes. <br/><br/>"The purpose of [these programmes], as a combination of other tasks and events, is to help to build up the cultural awareness of Hong Kong people and their understanding towards our country," she told reporters.<br/> <br/>Lee added that the working group will cooperate with different government departments and community stakeholders to organise events this year. <br/><br/>At a launch ceremony on Sunday, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Clement Woo, said the programmes will explain the Basic Law and the Constitution through everyday scenarios. <br/><br/>Woo said the government has been working hard to help people understand these two documents better through diverse channels and innovative ways.<br/><br/>Director of Broadcasting Angelina Kwan, working group member and National People's Congress deputy Cally Kwong, and Basic Law Committee member Simon Lee also attended the ceremony.
New RTHK programmes to promote patriotism
2025-01-19 HKT 12:21
The Airport Authority on Sunday gave assurances that transportation services to and from the airport will not be affected by the development of SKYTOPIA.<br/><br/>Earlier, the authority revealed the new expansion of Hong Kong's Airport City, which will include an arts hub, aimed at attracting visitors from both home and abroad.<br/><br/>"We have developed an autonomous vehicle system that would link from the border point and also from 11 Skies all the way to the MTR station in Tung Chung, which means that in [the] future, for the people from Hong Kong who want to go to SKYTOPIA, they don't actually have to use the Airport Express link," the authority's chairman Fred Lam told reporters after attending a Commercial Radio show.<br/><br/>He said the vehicle system will connect Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge's Hong Kong port with the Airport City by the start of 2026, and be extended to Tung Chung station by 2028. This, he explained, would relieve pressure on the Airport Express line.<br/><br/>"We are also developing two autonomous car parks at the restricted area of the border control area. Very soon, cars from Macau and Guangdong will be able to use the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to reach the airport and also the SKYTOPIA area, this will also alleviate traffic problems in the future," Lam added. <br/><br/>The Airport Authority chief also said the development will see the construction of the city’s largest yacht bay, that would provide at least 500 docking spaces, as well a jet fresh market. <br/><br/>"I hope the majority of parking spaces will be for yachts from around the Greater Bay Area and even other regions in Asia. We also hope to accommodate larger yachts, such as those longer than 70 metres, so yachts from further away can also come. Our positioning is towards those with better economic conditions, allowing them to drive their yacht and spend a few days in the city," Lam said. <br/><br/>He added that the jet fresh market would allow visitors to enjoy the best fruits, meat and seafood from around the world due to the city's strong aviation network, import control and food safety standards. <br/><br/>The Airport Authority had said the project would cost about HK$100 billion, including HK$30 billion for infrastructure.
'Transportation to airport will remain smooth'
2025-01-18 HKT 13:02
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Algernon Yau, said it's important for the city's retail, catering and hotel sectors to be adaptable and innovative - to attract a broader consumer base. <br/><br/>Speaking on an RTHK programme on Saturday, he said the total number of visitors to Hong Kong last year surpassed 44 million, marking a 30 percent annual increase. <br/><br/>He added that despite the SAR experiencing a 7.3 percent year-on-year decline in retail sales value last November, there was a positive shift during the Christmas and New Year period, with some businesses reporting double-digit growth.<br/><br/>"Apart from an increase in visitors from mainland China, there were also many more visitors from Southeast Asia under the new 'multiple-entry visa' scheme. I believe that, especially this year, this should greatly benefit the retail sector, particularly during holidays," he said. <br/><br/>"But given the overall global economic environment and changing consumer patterns, we need to adapt. The retail and catering sectors need to think about how to transform. Hong Kong has many eateries with long queues, indicating their popularity. We can look at why these eateries are so successful."<br/><br/>He also said online shopping is going to become the dominant trend in the global retail landscape, making it necessary for businesses to revamp their business models.<br/><br/>Yau said the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo this year will be promoted on e-commerce platforms across mainland China and Southeast Asia. <br/><br/>He added that the SAR offers a plethora of sought-after brands and products, including food, cosmetics, and health items that hold significant popularity in mainland markets.<br/><br/>Asked if recent cases of Hong Kong residents being forced to work on illegal scams in several Southeast Asian countries would impact Hong Kong businesses' willingness to invest and operate in those areas, Yau said the two issues should not be intertwined.<br/><br/>"Hong Kong has been doing business in Southeast Asia for a long time. There are many Hong Kong businesses in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. When I went to Cambodia, there were also many Hong Kong people who are living happily there and setting up business there. Similarly, there are Hong Kong businesses in Laos," he said. <br/><br/>"I think these are two separate matters that should not be confused. The occurrence of such events should not affect people's willingness to do business."
'Businesses need to adapt and innovate'
2025-01-18 HKT 12:24
Chief Executive John Lee on Saturday wrapped up a visit to the harbourfront boardwalk in North Point to talk to Hongkongers – and managed to fit in an impromptu jog. <br/><br/>The walkway – built under the Island Eastern Corridor – spans 2.2 kilometres in total. <br/><br/>The section from Fortress Hill to North Point will open to the public on January 26. <br/><br/>The boardwalk will have viewing platforms and shared spaces for pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, and pet owners. <br/><br/>Movable bridges have also been installed to allow vessels access to the inner waters. <br/><br/>The Development Bureau and the Eastern District Office invited some people on Saturday to try out the boardwalk – while Lee was there for an inspection. <br/><br/>After an inspection of about half an hour, Lee invited some Hongkongers to join him for a jog along the boardwalk.<br/><br/>“My personal feeling is that whether you run, jog, or cycle along the boardwalk, the scenery is amazing. It’s nice to take in the views in a busy schedule, and Hong Kong is a beautiful place to call home,” he said after the run. <br/><br/>The Development Bureau earlier announced that the section between North Point and Quarry Bay will be opened in phases in the second half of this year.<br/><br/>After the completion of the project, a 13-kilometre harbourfront promenade will connect Kennedy Town in the west with Shau Kei Wan in the east of Hong Kong Island.
CE puts best foot forward in North Point visit
2025-01-18 HKT 11:25
A paediatrician has urged parents planning Lunar New Year travels with their kids to ensure their children get their flu jabs immediately, citing an increased risk of influenza-related complications following the pandemic. <br/><br/>Speaking to reporters after appearing on a radio programme on Saturday, Dr Patrick Ip, from the University of Hong Kong's department of paediatrics, said severe influenza infections could result in complications such as pneumonia, pneumococcal infection or respiratory syncytial virus infection, posing a heightened risk, especially for children.<br/><br/>He added that the vaccination rate among children is still low, with more than 50 percent yet to receive their jabs.<br/><br/>"We are already entering into the winter and already entering into the peak season of influenza outbreak. We want to encourage all the parents to try to bring your children to receive influenza vaccination as quickly as possible. Now for those younger children younger than nine years old, they need to receive at least two doses of influenza vaccine separated by four weeks," he said.<br/><br/>"For each dose of influenza, usually after the vaccination, it takes two weeks to become much more effective in protection."<br/><br/>He said parents have different vaccination options available for their children, which can be accessed at different locations.<br/><br/>"The vaccination programme this year actually has been well being conducted in the different areas including by hospital clinic settings, but also with a very good outreach programme," he said. <br/><br/>"This year, the government ... allowed a very flexible on-site vaccination scheme to the schools. They can choose either to receive the conventional injection of inactivated vaccine or they could also choose the nasal influenza live-attenuated vaccine option."<br/><br/>Ip added that the upward trend in influenza cases is expected to continue, predicting more severe instances in the next few weeks.
Children should get flu jabs 'before LNY travel'
2025-01-18 HKT 11:03
Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho on Saturday said the government is confident of passing a law change this legislative session making serious misuse of public housing a crime. <br/><br/>Under the proposed amendments to the Housing Ordinance, people who break the rules - such as subletting units or using them for business without living there - can face fines of up to HK$500,000 and jail terms of up to a year. <br/><br/>Currently, the toughest punishment for rule-breakers is eviction. <br/><br/>Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, Ho gave some examples of what might qualify as serious misuse.<br/><br/>“For example, one unit had lots of mirrors installed and was used as a dance studio. And we found a unit which had fitness equipment in which the tenant was training gym-goers. In these situations, people aren't living there, and they're using public housing to make money, so we class this as serious misuse of public housing,” she said. <br/><br/>Ho said the administration would look at each instance on a case-by-case basis, and would be reasonable and compassionate in enforcing the law. <br/><br/>For example, residents who hold small-scale tutorial classes for money, or make handcrafts for online businesses might not be seen as seriously misusing their units, the housing minister said. <br/><br/>She added that the administration had held talks with major parties and received their support. <br/><br/>The Legco's panel on housing is scheduled to discuss the legislation change next month. <br/><br/>Meanwhile, the cash reward scheme for people who want to report illegal public housing use kicked off on Wednesday. <br/><br/>Ho said about 200 reports had been submitted in the last two days, although one-fourth of informants didn’t want the reward, and there were some false claims. <br/><br/>She estimated there would be about 1,300 successful reports this year, with authorities giving out more than HK$4 million in cash.
Law change on public housing misuse on its way
2025-01-17 HKT 16:53
Three lawyers who once represented the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny were jailed on Friday in Russia.<br/><br/>Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser were jailed from 3.5 to five years by a court in the town of Petushki, about 100 kilometres east of Moscow. <br/><br/>They were arrested in October 2023 on charges of involvement with extremist groups, as Navalny’s networks were deemed extremist by authorities.<br/><br/>The case was widely seen as a way to increase pressure on the opposition to discourage defence lawyers from taking political cases.<br/><br/>At the time, Navalny was serving a 19-year prison term on several criminal convictions, including extremism. <br/><br/>He died in a Russian prison camp in February 2024.<br/><br/>Navalny, an anti-corruption campaigner and outspoken opponent of President Vladimir Putin, was arrested in 2021 upon his return from Germany, where he was recuperating from a nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin. <br/><br/>He was ordered to serve 2.5 years in prison.<br/><br/>After two more trials, his sentence was extended to 19 years. <br/><br/>He and his allies said the charges were politically motivated and accused the Kremlin of seeking to jail him for life.<br/><br/>In December 2023, Navalny was moved from a penal colony in the Vladimir region east of Moscow to one above the Arctic Circle, where he died in February at the age of 47 under still-unexplained circumstances. <br/><br/>His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, and members of his team alleged he was killed on orders from the Kremlin. <br/><br/>The Russian government has rejected the accusation. (AP)
Russia jails lawyers of late dissident Navalny
2025-01-17 HKT 16:39
Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Friday said Hong Kong would see more opportunities than challenges this year.<br/><br/>Speaking at a forum organised by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Chan said the city's economy saw improvements in the past year in areas like innovation and technology, while attracting enterprises and investment.<br/><br/>The finance chief said the economic performance of Asian countries was strong, which included China recording five percent GDP growth in 2024.<br/><br/>He said Hong Kong should continue to leverage its unique advantages, and reinforce its connectivity with both the mainland and the world.<br/><br/>"While consolidating traditional markets in Europe and the United States that are closely connected to Hong Kong, we have to fully explore new markets and sources of capital at the same time," Chan said.<br/><br/>"Hong Kong not only acts as a bridge for the mainland and advanced economies like Western countries and the United States, but it also serves as a link for the mainland and Global South countries, including in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Central Asia."<br/><br/>Chan said Hong Kong's economy would still undergo a structural adjustment this year, and the United States' presidential handover would bring uncertainties to the market.<br/><br/>But he stressed that the SAR would have a "better future" through reform and change.
HK to see more opportunity than challenges in 2025: FS
2025-01-17 HKT 15:29
A concern group representing scaffolding workers on Friday said they opposed the idea of stopping the use of bamboo scaffolding in construction. <br/><br/>A scaffolding collapse at a construction site in Kai Tak injured 11 workers earlier this week, sparking conversations about completely replacing bamboo with metal scaffolding. <br/><br/>At a press conference on Friday, the group said they believe the many incidents involving scaffolding were caused by poor site safety management, not the safety of bamboo scaffolding structures. <br/><br/>Ho Ping-tak, from the Hong Kong and Kowloon Bamboo Scaffolding Workers Union, noted that currently more than 80 percent of sites use bamboo scaffolding and thousands of workers would be affected if it were banned.<br/><br/>"We have to think about the sustainable development of bamboo scaffolding in the construction industry. If people insist on hindering our development, it could cost some 4,000 scaffolding workers their jobs, hurting the livelihood of some 4,000 households,” he said. <br/><br/>He urged the government and various stakeholders to join hands and come up with a long-term plan to improve construction procedures. <br/><br/>Meanwhile, the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions called for more training for safety inspectors at construction sites. <br/><br/>The federation said more than 16 percent of 310 respondents to a recent survey said they had been injured at least once in industrial accidents. <br/><br/>Under current regulations, one safety supervisor should be appointed to every 20 workers at a construction site. <br/><br/>But lawmaker Lam Chun-sing, who also chairs the federation, said many supervisors receive inadequate training and were not qualified to guide workers.<br/><br/>"From our survey, many workers believe that there's nobody to supervise them and monitor them and tell them about their occupational health and safety issues,” he said. <br/><br/>“The supervisor may be a general worker and they do not receive professional training and so in fact they cannot play the function of the safety supervisor... So we hope that the government can strengthen their professional training and also strengthen their role.” <br/><br/>Reacting to the Kai Tak incident, Lam said it was not optimal that a serious accident occurred just months after the government published a revised safety code. <br/><br/>Lam said other than enhanced inspections, the government should also consider whether sites can use other materials to replace bamboo scaffolding at construction sites.
'Bamboo scaffolding ban not a wise move'
2025-01-17 HKT 07:16
Amad Diallo scored a sensational 12-minute hat-trick as Manchester United roared back to beat Premier League basement club Southampton 3-1, narrowly avoiding a humiliating fourth straight home defeat.<br/><br/>The Ivory Coast international – United's standout player this season – levelled in the 82nd minute before putting the hosts ahead in the dying seconds of the 90 minutes.<br/><br/>He was still not done, capitalising on an error from Taylor Harwood-Bellis to grab a third in stoppage time, giving the scoreline a skewed look.<br/><br/>It was cruel luck on a Saints side battling to avoid finishing the season as the worst side in Premier League history, still with just one win to their name.<br/><br/>Ivan Juric's men had deservedly taken the lead through a Manuel Ugarte own goal towards the end of the first half and had numerous chances to extend their lead.<br/><br/>But Diallo was once again the saviour for misfiring United following his winning goal at Manchester City and his late equaliser against Liverpool in recent weeks.<br/><br/>"Today we showed at the end we were the best team," the winger said. "I am so happy for the win today because this team deserves it. I am ready to play every position where the manager likes to put me."<br/><br/>United manager Ruben Amorim praised his forward, underlining his attacking threat.<br/><br/>"He pushes the other team into the final third – that is really important," he said. "We didn't have a good game, but at this moment – winning is the most important thing." <br/><br/>United secured a morale-boosting FA Cup win at Arsenal on Sunday, which followed a battling 2-2 draw at league leaders Liverpool. (AFP)
Diallo's 12-minute hat-trick rescues Man Utd
2025-01-16 HKT 21:27
Police on Thursday said a Hongkonger who was rescued after being trapped in Southeast Asia was forced to work 17 hours a day and beaten for not meeting targets.<br/><br/>Officers said the victim, 25, was lured by a social media job advertisement offering HK$120,000 to transport diamonds from Thailand to Taiwan. <br/><br/>After arriving in Bangkok last October, he was taken to Myanmar and held in a mountain compound guarded by armed men. <br/><br/>Lau Ho-tak, a chief inspector with the force, said the victim was forced to conduct online scams on social media. <br/><br/>"Over the past three months, the victim was repeatedly beaten and denied meals because he failed to meet the fraud targets set by management staff at the compound. There are still visible injuries on his body," he said.<br/><br/>Police did not disclose whether the victim's family paid ransom in this case.<br/><br/>Officers added that they are still in contact with some of the remaining 11 Hongkongers held captive in Southeast Asia and are trying all means to rescue them. <br/><br/>The force warned members of the public to stay vigilant against overseas job offers that promise high salaries without requiring professional skills.
Rescued HKer forced to work 17 hours a day: police
2025-01-16 HKT 19:41
Hong Kong Disneyland said on Thursday that it’s pleased with the theme park’s performance last year in terms of visitor numbers and revenue, and expects it to continue doing very well this year. <br/><br/>The theme park’s vice president for communications and public affairs, Anita Lai, said the new 'World of Frozen' attraction, which opened in November 2023, was a big draw for tourists. <br/><br/>“A year ago, we launched 'World of Frozen'. This is a movie and a story that people love,” Lai told reporters, adding that there’s been a surge in the number of mainland tourists buying the park’s annual pass. <br/><br/>She pointed out that there was a double-digit growth in the number of Shenzhen visitors during last year’s Halloween compared to the same period in 2023, and that Hong Kong Disneyland Resort hotels reached 90 percent occupancy during the Christmas period.<br/><br/>She said the park will step up promotions in both the mainland and Southeast Asian countries to entice more visitors during the Lunar New Year period. <br/><br/>Asked if the park is worried about vigorous competition with Ocean Park -- which will be putting the twin panda cubs on display next month -- Lai said Hong Kong Disneyland welcomes new events and highlights to inject momentum into the city's tourism industry.
Hong Kong Disneyland pleased with 2024 performance
2025-01-16 HKT 18:38
Israel on Thursday accused Hamas of backtracking on parts of the Gaza ceasefire deal announced a day earlier, and said the cabinet will not meet on the deal until Hamas's agreement is confirmed.<br/><br/>"Hamas has reneged on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last-minute concessions," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement, adding the situation created a "last minute crisis."<br/><br/>It did not specify which parts of the deal were at issue.<br/><br/>The statement added that the Israeli cabinet, which has yet to approve the agreement, "will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement."<br/><br/>Key mediator Qatar said on Wednesday that Israel and Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza starting on Sunday, along with a hostage and prisoner exchange after more than 15 months of war.<br/><br/>The United States also announced the deal, which largely reproduces the framework of a blueprint presented by President Joe Biden in May 2024.<br/><br/>Thirty-three Israeli hostages will be released in the first, 42-day, phase of the agreement, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said. (AFP)
Israel accuses Hamas of 'reneging' on parts of deal
2025-01-16 HKT 18:24
Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Thursday said Hong Kong is the most preferred platform for mainland enterprises to expand their business overseas, as Tencent-backed digital lender WeBank opened a Hong Kong headquarters for its new tech arm.<br/><br/>Speaking at the inauguration and signing ceremony for WeBank Technology, Chan said the city's financial technology ecosystem has seen positive growth in recent years, with the number of firms in the sector growing 15 percent year-on-year to 1,100 in 2024, including eight digital banks and four digital insurance companies.<br/><br/>"Under One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong has the unique advantage to connect the mainland with the world, and is also the most preferred platform for mainland enterprises to go overseas," he said.<br/><br/>"As we have a full chain of financing and professional services, this could support WeBank Technology to export its advanced tech and explore business expansion in the international market, especially, to provide more inclusive financial services to countries in the Global South to support local social and economic development." <br/><br/>Shenzhen vice-mayor Luo Huanghao, who also attended the event, said the mainland's tech hub will collaborate with Hong Kong to further promote the application of the digital yuan through more trials.<br/><br/>WeBank president Li Nanqing said the opening of the new headquarters in Hong Kong can help the company expand along Belt and Road countries and boost economic integration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.<br/><br/>WeBank gained regulatory approval to set up its fintech subsidiary in Hong Kong last July and plans to invest up to US$150 million and create high-skilled jobs in the SAR.
'HK a top choice for mainland firms to go global'
2025-01-16 HKT 17:25
China on Thursday said it welcomed a ceasefire agreement in Gaza between Israel and the Hamas militant group, vowing "unremitting efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East".<br/><br/>"We also sincerely hope that relevant parties will take the ceasefire in Gaza as an opportunity to promote the easing of regional tensions," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular briefing.<br/><br/>On Wednesday, Qatar and the United States announced a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas.<br/><br/>The truce would take effect on Sunday and involve the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, after which the terms of a broader peace deal would be finalised.<br/><br/>Beijing on Thursday said it hoped the "agreement can be effectively implemented to achieve a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza".<br/><br/>China would "continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza and make positive efforts to resume post-war reconstruction," Guo said.<br/><br/>"China will work with the international community to make unremitting efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East," he added.<br/><br/>Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial role, said the deal was the "right move" to bring back hostages seized during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war.<br/><br/>That attack, the deadliest in Israeli history, resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians, according to a media tallies of official Israeli figures.<br/><br/>Israel's ensuing campaign has destroyed much of Gaza, killing 46,707 people, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. (AFP)
China welcomes Gaza ceasefire deal
2025-01-16 HKT 17:12
Police say they believe they have caught one of four people who raided a jewellery store in Sheung Shui on Wednesday evening and the man, 23, will be charged with robbery.<br/><br/>Jewellery worth HK$1.5 million was stolen from a shop on San Fung Avenue by a group of people wielding knives and hammers who escaped in a private car, officers said.<br/><br/>Weapons believed to be linked to the raid were later found in a car involved in a crash on Lam Kam Road, while clothes and masks officers suspect were worn by the robbers were found on a nearby hillside. <br/><br/>"Through our investigation, we suspect that the vehicle that we mentioned had been surveilling the crime scene a couple of days before the incident took place," Chief Inspector Law Like-him said at a media briefing.<br/><br/>"We suspect this shows it was a pre-planned, organised crime."<br/><br/>The suspect, who was arrested in Pat Heung in the early hours of Thursday, is expected to appear in Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on Saturday, police said.
Man to be charged over Sheung Shui robbery: police
2025-01-16 HKT 16:45
Blue Origin, the space company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, launched its massive New Glenn rocket for the first time early on Thursday.<br/><br/>The rocket, whose inaugural mission had been delayed by several years, blasted off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida.<br/><br/>The mission is seen as critical to Blue Origin's efforts to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX, which dominates the commercial space industry.<br/><br/>"LIFTOFF! New Glenn is beginning its first ever ascent toward the stars," Blue Origin said on social media platform X.<br/><br/>"New Glenn has passed the Karman line, the internationally recognised boundary of space!" the firm posted just a few minutes later.<br/><br/>And then: "Second stage engine cutoff confirmed. New Glenn's second stage and payload are now in orbit."<br/><br/>An initial test launch of the towering 98-metre rocket, dubbed New Glenn in honour of the legendary American astronaut John Glenn, had been scrubbed early on Monday morning after repeated halts during the countdown.<br/><br/>The company later said it had discovered an icing issue on a purge line and would aim for a possible early Tuesday morning launch, but that weather conditions were unfavourable.<br/><br/>On Monday night, Blue Origin announced that launch had been postponed.<br/><br/>With the mission, dubbed NG-1, Amazon founder Bezos is taking aim at the only man in the world wealthier than him: fellow tech innovator Musk.<br/><br/>Musk's company SpaceX dominates the orbital launch market through its prolific Falcon 9 rockets, which have become vital for the commercial sector, the Pentagon and Nasa.<br/><br/>"SpaceX has for the past several years been pretty much the only game in town, and so having a competitor... this is great," G. Scott Hubbard, a retired senior Nasa official, earlier told reporters, expecting the competition to drive down costs.<br/><br/>Upping the high-stakes rivalry, SpaceX also plans another orbital test this week of Starship -- its gargantuan new-generation rocket.<br/><br/>Blue Origin will now attempt to land New Glenn's first-stage booster on a drone ship stationed about 1,000 kilometres downrange in the Atlantic Ocean.<br/><br/>SpaceX has made such landings now routine, but this will be Blue Origin's first shot at the sci-fi feat.<br/><br/>High seas last week caused the New Glenn launch to be pushed back several days.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the rocket's upper stage will fire its engines toward Earth orbit, reaching a maximum altitude of roughly 12,000 miles above the surface.<br/><br/>A US Defence Department-funded prototype of an advanced spaceship called Blue Ring, which could one day journey through the solar system, will remain aboard for the roughly six-hour test flight.<br/><br/>Blue Origin has experience landing its New Shepard rockets -- used for suborbital tourism -- but they are five times smaller and land on terra firma rather than a ship at sea.<br/><br/>Physically, the gleaming white New Glenn dwarfs SpaceX's 230-foot Falcon 9 and is designed for heavier payloads.<br/><br/>It slots between Falcon 9 and its big sibling, Falcon Heavy, in terms of mass capacity but holds an edge with its wider payload fairing, capable of carrying the equivalent of 20 moving trucks.<br/><br/>Blue Origin has already secured a Nasa contract to launch two Mars probes aboard New Glenn. <br/><br/>The rocket will also support the deployment of Project Kuiper, a satellite Internet constellation designed to compete with Starlink.<br/><br/>For now, however, SpaceX maintains a commanding lead, while other rivals -- United Launch Alliance, Arianespace, and Rocket Lab -- trail far behind. (AFP)
First successful launch for Blue Origin rocket
2025-01-16 HKT 14:26
A charity concert is set to take place on Saturday at Kai Tak Sports Park, marking the main stadium's inaugural non-sporting event, with authorities saying it will serve as a test to simulate the logistics for future large-scale performances at the venue.<br/><br/>Authorities said approximately 18,000 spectators will attend, with about 4,000 gathering on the ground-level turf area. <br/><br/>Tang King-shing, the venue's director for strategic planning, said that assessing the turf's use will be one area of focus during their testing.<br/><br/>"The stage and the spectators will be sitting on protective layer using I-track, it's the name of the protective layer, so there won't be any question of damaging the turf itself. So that's why before we have been emphasising the fact that as far as the surface of the main stadium is concerned, it's a flexible arrangement," he said. <br/><br/>"We can use genuine turf for high-quality football or rugby events and use the layer underneath, the I-track, for concert events like the one coming this Saturday by simply removing the turf."<br/><br/>Commissioner for Sports George Tsoi said event organisers have chosen to close the roof for this concert to better test their acoustics and audio effects.<br/><br/>"We hope we can have the opportunity to test out all the different elements and the coordination amongst our different staff and as well as the arrival and dispersal of our audience," he said. <br/><br/>"We hope that we can have good experience and further improve our operations in future."<br/><br/>Tsoi said doors will open for concert goers at 4pm, with the performance scheduled to start at 6pm and wrap up before 8pm. <br/><br/>He added that attendees should have already gotten their tickets in advance and they should review the list of prohibited items prior to arriving. <br/><br/>Tsoi said more test events are to come, with each one increasing in scale and sophistication, highlighting another large test on January 24 with over 60,000 participants to prepare for the official opening of the Sports Park in March. <br/><br/>Principal Transport Officer/Urban of the Transport Department Eric Wan said the MTR will implement special service arrangements, including increased train frequencies, and KMB and Citybus will organise three bus routes serving East Kowloon, West Kowloon and Hong Kong Island during the dispersal period.
First concert test to happen at main Kai Tak Stadium
2025-01-16 HKT 10:55
South Korea's arrested President Yoon Suk Yeol does not intend to take part in a second day of questioning on Thursday, his lawyer said, further stonewalling a criminal probe into whether he committed insurrection with his martial law bid.<br/><br/>Yoon, the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, was taken to the Seoul Detention Centre on Wednesday evening after refusing to cooperate, where he was expected to have spent the night in a solitary cell.<br/><br/>Authorities have 48 hours to question the suspended president, after which they must release him or seek a warrant to detain him for up to 20 days.<br/><br/>Yoon's refusal to cooperate with investigators comes as the Constitutional Court is due to hold a second hearing in his impeachment trial to determine whether to remove him permanently or reinstate his presidential powers.<br/><br/>South Korea is grappling with a political crisis sparked by Yoon's brief attempt to impose martial law on December 3 that was voted down by parliament.<br/><br/>Yoon's arrest on Wednesday ended a weeks-long standoff with authorities after police swooped before dawn on his fortified hillside villa in Seoul to the despair of followers at the site.<br/><br/>Yoon said he turned himself in for questioning by corruption investigation officials to prevent what he called the risk of "unsavoury bloodshed", though he continued to protest that it was an illegal investigation and invalid arrest warrant.<br/><br/>Yoon has up to now refused to talk with investigators who had prepared a questionnaire of more than 200 pages, an official from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) that is heading the criminal inquiry said on Wednesday.<br/><br/>The embattled leader did not even reply to a question, a CIO official said.<br/><br/>His questioning is due to resume at 2 pm local time, on Thursday, according to CIO.<br/><br/>But Yoon Kab-keun, one of Yoon’s lawyers, said in a text message to reporters that Yoon would not show up for the questioning.<br/><br/>Yonhap reported the same lawyer as citing Yoon's health as a factor and saying further questioning was pointless, without elaborating.<br/><br/>The CIO official said he understood it was possible to forcibly bring Yoon for questioning but would make further checks on relevant laws.<br/><br/>A small crowd of protesters supporting Yoon gathered and sat on a road outside the CIO office, calling the president's arrest illegitimate.<br/><br/>Opinion polls show a majority of South Koreans support impeaching Yoon, but the attempts to arrest him appear to have rallied his hardcore supporters. (Reuters)
South Korea's Yoon refuses to attend questioning
2025-01-16 HKT 10:12
President Joe Biden urged Americans on Wednesday to "stand guard" against threats from oligarchs, disinformation and AI in a future under Donald Trump as he delivered a dark farewell address ahead of stepping down next week.<br/><br/>Biden, who will be succeeded by Trump on Monday, touted his achievements in steering the US economy out of the deep crisis inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and said he had made the nation's alliances abroad stronger.<br/><br/>However, in his brief Oval Office speech on live television, the Democrat quickly turned to painting a series of dangers facing the United States.<br/><br/>Clearly referring to Trump's close ties to the world's richest man Elon Musk and other tech tycoons, Biden said an "oligarchy is taking shape in America" - and "a dangerous concentration of power."<br/><br/>He said the ultra-rich around Trump represented a concentration of "extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy."<br/><br/>Biden recalled the stark warning issued by president Dwight Eisenhower in his own farewell address in 1961 about the dangers of an out-of-control military industrial complex.<br/><br/>"I'm equally concerned about the potential rise of a tech industrial complex," he said.<br/><br/>And a "crumbling" media means Americans are increasingly vulnerable.<br/><br/>"Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling the abuse of power," the outgoing president said.<br/><br/>Also clearly referring to Trump's plans to roll back environmental protections and withdraw from a major international global accord on combating global warming, Biden said "powerful forces want to wield their unchecked influence to eliminate the steps we've taken to tackle the climate crisis, to serve their own interest for power and profit."<br/><br/>Naming another increasingly global challenge, Biden said artificial intelligence "is the most consequential technology of our time" that could bring huge benefits but also poses "risks for our economy and our security, our society." (AFP)
Biden warns dangerous oligarchy taking shape in US
2025-01-16 HKT 06:31
Crowds of Gazans chanted and embraced on Wednesday as news spread that a ceasefire and hostage release deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending more than 15 months of war in the Palestinian territory.<br/><br/>After a US official and a source close to the negotiations first revealed the agreement, Israel cautioned that several points "remain unresolved" that it hoped would be addressed.<br/><br/>But celebrations were already underway in Gaza, where journalists saw crowds of people hugging and taking photos to mark the announcement.<br/><br/>"I can't believe that this nightmare of more than a year is finally coming to an end. We have lost so many people, we've lost everything," said Randa Sameeh, a 45-year-old who was displaced from Gaza City to the Nuseirat Camp in the centre of the territory.<br/><br/>"We need a lot of rest. As soon as the truce begins, I will go to the cemetery to visit my brother and family members. We buried them in Deir el-Balah cemetery without proper graves. We will build them new graves and write their names on them."<br/><br/>Outside Deir al-Balah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where so many of the war's casualties have been taken, hundreds of Palestinians gathered to chant, sing and wave flags, AFPTV footage showed.<br/><br/>At one point, a member of the crowd and a journalist in body armour were raised on people's shoulders to conduct an interview above the mass of elated Palestinians.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, The "final details" of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal are still being worked on, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in the early hours of Thursday.<br/><br/>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday to thank them for helping to secure a deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza, his office said.<br/><br/>Gaza's civil defence agency said at least 20 people were killed in Israeli strikes after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced on Wednesday. (AFP)
Thousands across Gaza celebrate ceasefire deal
2025-01-15 HKT 14:55
The Consumer Council on Wednesday urged charging service providers to improve transparency following complaints about electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities across Hong Kong. <br/><br/>The watchdog received 179 complaints last year on issues such as unstable power supply, insufficient charging spots and fee disputes. <br/><br/>In one case, an EV owner found his overnight charging sessions had been interrupted and his vehicle was left without sufficient power.<br/><br/>Another complainant reported she was charged HK$150 in idle fees without being notified – nearly ten times the actual charging cost. <br/><br/>The council’s chief executive, Gilly Wong, said service providers should explain the way they set fees.<br/><br/>"This is a free market, they can charge according to different business models. It could be charged by kilowatts, it could be charged by time, or it could be charged by a monthly plan,” she said.<br/><br/>“We urge the service providers to align and standardise the unit that they use."<br/> <br/>The council reminded EV owners to carefully review charging plans and pricing details before use, and to promptly vacate charging spots to avoid idle fees.
EV charging providers urged to improve transparency
2025-01-15 HKT 13:33
Some brands of tumblers and travel mugs have a lower capacity than is claimed, the Consumer Council said on Wednesday. <br/><br/>The watchdog also found that plastic mugs are not as effective in keeping drinks hot or cold. <br/><br/>The council tested 18 models of tumblers and travel mugs, which claimed a capacity from 350ml to 900ml. <br/><br/>But only four models had the actual capacity that was stated. The rest of them held less liquid than claimed. <br/><br/>Five mugs or tumblers, from Muji, 24Bottles, Decathlon, National Geographic, and PoleBear, were found to have a discrepancy in capacity of more than 10 percent. <br/><br/>“The Council reminds manufacturers that their product design must take into consideration the actual usage by consumers and clearly and accurately state on the product label the actual capacity,” said convenor of the council’s advisory group on digital economy and information technology Jack Poon. <br/><br/>The watchdog also passed the results to the Customs and Excise Department for potential follow up actions.<br/><br/>In the thermal insulation efficacy test, two stainless steel tumblers from NOC and Stanley performed well as they were able to keep the water temperature at over 60 degrees Celsius after six hours. <br/><br/>Thirteen models could maintain the water temperature at above 40 degrees Celsius, but the water temperature in three plastic mugs or tumblers, dropped significantly to between 29 and 26.3 degrees. <br/><br/>For cold drinks with temperatures from five degrees to minus one degree Celsius, temperatures from three plastic models rose to as much as 22 degrees after six hours. <br/><br/>Two-thirds of samples showed a satisfactory performance in the leak-proof test. <br/><br/>The council reminded people to clean their tumblers or mugs as often as they could and recommended they use tools like small brushes to wash narrow bottles.<br/><br/>“It's better for you to clean it thoroughly because you never know when the pathogenic bacteria will breed in your container. So the cleaner it is, the better for your food safety,” the council’s chief executive Gilly Wong said.<br/><br/>“When you buy this kind of tumbler, check out how many parts they have so that you know you have to open it up and how to clean it and put it back, ensure that you know it performs as well as its original,” she said.
'Some tumblers have lower capacity than advertised'
2025-01-15 HKT 13:05
A pilot scheme which helps separating or divorcing couples from low-income families handle spouse maintenance has processed nearly 40 cases in the first two months since its introduction, taking less than a month on average to close a file.<br/><br/>In October last year, authorities introduced a programme through the Community Care Fund to offer free mediation services. <br/><br/>The initiative, set to last for three years, aims to process a total of 1,200 cases and help 2,400 people who are going through a separation or divorce.<br/><br/>Alice Mak, secretary for home and youth affairs, said the scheme handled 38 cases relating to alimony as of the end of November. <br/><br/>"Sixty percent of the cases have either reached an agreement or partially made an agreement, meaning there's an outcome from the mediation. For those completed cases, it takes roughly 24 days from opening to closing a file," she said during an exclusive interview with RTHK.<br/><br/>"We can see that these mediation services have indeed helped some divorcees to reach maintenance agreements. Some of the participants told us that they found it helpful and they would recommend programme to those in need around them."<br/><br/>As for the remaining 40 percent, Mak said the administration would look into possible follow-up actions after collecting more data. <br/><br/>Separately, the minister said her bureau and the Family Council will jointly organise the "Hong Kong Excellent Family Awards" in the second quarter, with participants being judged on a number of areas. <br/><br/>She said families must show how well they support each other and whether they have experiences on educating the next generation which are worthy of being referenced, among other criteria.
'Alimony mediation helps divorcees reach settlement'
2025-01-15 HKT 11:20
Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk said he hopes 12 Hong Kong residents who remain unlawfully detained in Southeast Asia can come home before Chinese New Year, as a six-member task force he led concluded their two-day trip to Thailand.<br/><br/>Cheuk was also pleased with the progress made by the task force, and expressed gratitude to their Thai counterparts for attaching great importance to the matter.<br/><br/>Speaking to reporters upon landing at Hong Kong airport on Tuesday evening, the former assistant police commissioner confirmed that 11 of the trapped SAR residents are in Myanmar, while the remaining one is in Cambodia.<br/><br/>He described their locations as chaotic and not safe, while armed forces are also present.<br/><br/>Cheuk pointed out that all of the victims fell for job scams, and were lured by the syndicates to Bangkok and picked up at the airport.<br/><br/>"So far, none of the 72 people who sought assistance were abducted. In this regard, Thailand remains a very safe place," he said, although he cautioned against visiting regions bordering Myanmar, Laos or Cambodia.<br/><br/>SAR authorities will now reach out to their counterparts in Myanmar, but admitted the situation was quite complicated.<br/><br/>Cheuk also quoted Thai officials as saying that safety measures will be rolled out this week to enhance the safety of tourists.<br/><br/>These include a 24-hour hotline that supports eight languages, and a mobile app that allows users to share their real-time location to law enforcement in emergency situations.<br/><br/>The number two security official in Hong Kong also explained why the task force embarked on a visit to Thailand when the SAR residents are held elsewhere.<br/><br/>He said Thailand has a lot of exchanges with neighbouring countries both historically and culturally, and Thai officials have numerous ways to talk to people in the region, including unofficial means.<br/><br/>Before he left the airport, Cheuk received a petition letter from a man whose brother is among those unlawfully detained.<br/><br/>The man, who gave his name as Kelvin, hopes to meet the task force soon and receive the latest update on the situation.
Govt eyes end-of-month return for trapped HK residents
2025-01-15 HKT 10:18
Police will begin using rapid test kits to detect a regulated sedative from Saturday to tackle the emerging use of the space oil drug.<br/><br/>Chief Inspector of the narcotics bureau Kelvin Cheung said the test will serve as an aid during operations when officers suspect products could contain etomidate, a short-acting anaesthetic normally used as an ingredient for the narcotic.<br/><br/>"The officers will conduct the stop-and-search in an ordinary manner. When they find the vapes, they will conduct enquiries, they will ask questions, and they will also conduct observations before conducting the interception," Cheung said.<br/><br/>"If they, after conducting all the necessary enquiries at the scene, are still unable to form the reasonable belief, and they still suspect that the vapes actually contain etomidate... they will use the test kit."<br/><br/>The kit contains a testing strip used to swab samples of alternative smoking products. It will then be mixed with a solution that can show a positive or negative result in less than a minute.<br/><br/>The accuracy of the test can reach up to 99 percent, Cheung said, adding that the force has procured a sufficient amount of testing kits.<br/><br/>Etomidate is a controlled drug that is prescribed by a doctor and is currently classified as a Part 1 poison.<br/><br/>The number of arrests relating to the controlled drug skyrocketed from eight in 2023 to 206 in the first 11 months of last year. Nearly 23 percent of those arrested last year were people aged below 21, with the youngest being only 12 years old.<br/><br/>Sky, who is said to be about 20 years old, first got a taste of the space oil drug at a bar. Speaking at a police press event, Sky said it looked like a normal e-cigarette. Sky later became addicted to the drug and started experiencing memory loss.<br/><br/>"Sometimes I forgot what I did. I also had errors in my judgement. When my friends saw the traffic light was red, I thought it was green and walked out onto the road," Sky said.<br/><br/>Leo Man, from the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, told the same event that etomidate is very addictive. He said there has been a case where someone taking the drug died after mistaking a window for a door.<br/><br/>The government is planning to list etomidate as a dangerous drug on February 14.<br/><br/>Once listed, those illegally possessing or consuming space oil drugs containing the sedative would face a maximum of seven years in prison and a fine of HK$1 million.<br/><br/>And those trafficking or illegally importing the drug would be liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million.
Test strips to be used to detect space oil drug
2025-01-15 HKT 10:11
South Korean authorities arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday over insurrection accusations related to his December 3 martial law declaration, investigators said.<br/><br/>A motorcade was seen leaving the gates of his hillside residence where Yoon has been holed up for weeks behind barbed wire barriers and a small army of personal security.<br/><br/>More than 3,000 police officers and anti-corruption investigators had gathered there before dawn, pushing through throngs of Yoon supporters and members of his ruling People Power Party who protested attempts to detain him.<br/><br/>Yoon's lawyers have argued attempts to detain Yoon are illegal and are designed to publicly humiliate him. The warrant investigators secured for his arrest is the first-ever issued against an incumbent South Korean president.<br/><br/>Yoon has justified his declaration of martial law as a legitimate act of governance against an "anti-state" opposition employing its legislative majority to thwart his agenda.<br/><br/>The anti-corruption agency is leading a joint investigation with police and the military over whether Yoon's martial law declaration amounted to an attempted rebellion. <br/><br/>Law enforcement officers had sought to bring him into custody after he ignored several summons for questioning. (Agencies)
South Korea's impeached President Yoon arrested
2025-01-15 HKT 09:52
Millions of Southern Californians faced new wildfire warnings on Tuesday, and tens of thousands saw their power shut off as strong winds blew across the parched landscape around Los Angeles where two massive blazes have been burning for a week.<br/><br/>Santa Ana winds that began gusting over the mountains before sunrise were forecast to continue until Wednesday morning with enough force to carry fire-sparking embers for miles and stoke new outbreaks in a region where at least 25 people have already been killed.<br/><br/>“Life threatening and destructive and widespread winds are already here,” LA city fire chief Kristin Crowley told a news conference.<br/><br/>Much of Southern California was under elevated fire risk, with crews on high alert from the Mexican border to Central California, far north of Los Angeles.<br/><br/>Nearly 90,000 households lost electricity as utilities shut off power to prevent their lines from sparking new blazes.<br/><br/>Weary and anxious residents were told to be ready to flee at a moment’s notice. <br/><br/>Police announced roughly 50 arrests, for looting, flying drones in fire zones, violating curfew and other crimes.<br/><br/>The biggest worry remained the threat from intense winds predicted to reach nearly hurricane force in some areas. Tuesday's forecast included a rare warning: The winds, combined with severely dry conditions, have created a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” the National Weather service said, meaning that any new fire could explode in size.<br/><br/>Gusts were forecast to pick up strength in the evening and into Wednesday before decreasing, and red-flag warnings from Central California to the Mexican border were to remain through most of Wednesday, weather service meteorologist Ariel Cohen said.<br/><br/>Planes doused homes and hillsides with bright pink fire-retardant chemicals while crews and fire engines deployed to particularly vulnerable spots with dry brush.<br/><br/>Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials - who were criticised over their initial response - expressed confidence that the region was ready to face the new threat. <br/><br/>With almost no rain in more than eight months, the brush-filled region has had more than a dozen wildfires this year, mostly in the greater Los Angeles area.<br/><br/>Just under 90,000 people in the county remained under evacuation orders, half the number from last week. (AP)
New wildfire warnings issued as winds rise in LA
2025-01-15 HKT 09:01
As the threat of a TikTok ban looms in the United States, users there are flocking to the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu - making it the top downloaded app in the US.<br/><br/>Some of the “TikTok refugees,” as they call themselves, say the TikTok alternative, a Chinese app, is being chosen in protest of the TikTok ban.<br/><br/>The US Supreme Court is due to rule on a law that stipulates TikTok must be divested from its Chinese parent company ByteDance by January 19 or face a ban in the US over national security concerns.<br/><br/>After the justices seemed inclined to let the law stand, masses of TikTok users began creating accounts on Xiaohongshu, including hashtags such as #tiktokrefugee or #tiktok to their posts. <br/><br/>Since Monday, Xiaohongshu has become the top downloaded free app on Apple’s App Store in the US.<br/><br/>Xiaohongshu, which in English means “Little Red Book”, is a Chinese social media app that combines e-commerce, short video and posting functions.<br/><br/>The app has gained traction in China and other regions and countries with a Chinese diaspora, racking up 300 million monthly active users, a majority of whom are young women who use it as a de-facto search engine for product, travel and restaurant recommendations, as well as make-up and skincare tutorials.<br/><br/>The #tiktokrefugee topic has racked up over 160,000 posts on Xiaohongshu, many of which are videos of American users introducing themselves and asking for tips on how to navigate the app, which they are calling “RedNote”.<br/><br/>An American user with the handle Definitelynotchippy made a video addressed to the Chinese users of Xiaohongshu, explaining why Americans are downloading the app.<br/><br/>“The reason that our government is telling us that they are banning TikTok is because they’re insisting that it’s owned by you guys, the Chinese people, government, whatever,” she said. “And they’re trying to make us think that you guys are bad.”<br/><br/>Chinese users on Xiaohongshu have so far welcomed American users, with some offering to teach them Chinese. Others have offered tips on navigating the Chinese internet. In some cases, Chinese students have asked the Americans for help with their English homework. (AP)
US TikTok users flock to Chinese app Xiaohongshu
2025-01-14 HKT 17:21
The government on Tuesday launched a caring food coupon programme, allowing elderly people in need to taste dishes at discounted prices from the Lunar New Year holiday. <br/><br/>About 50,000 seniors, including those living alone, will receive a set of five coupons so they can try signature dishes from five catering groups for just HK$25 each. <br/><br/>The coupons will be accepted from January 29 to late March.<br/><br/>Chief Secretary Eric Chan, who officiated at a launching ceremony, said he hopes the elderly people will feel warmth through the programme.<br/><br/>"This is a collaboration between the government, the business sector and the community, building a harmonious and caring society together," Chan said.<br/><br/>"We are going to test out this programme, and see how to review it based on the experience. We hope more catering groups and restaurants will participate in the future."<br/><br/>One of the fast food chains taking part in the programme, Café de Coral, said it is a meaningful way to help the elderly.<br/><br/>"This time, we have HK$25 baked pork chop rice, which is our signature dish. All the Café de Coral stores will offer this special price for the programme's participants," general manager Nelson Lo said.<br/><br/>Other chains will offer dishes like boneless Hainan chicken rice, fish burgers, and char siu rice with sunny-side up eggs.
50,000 elderly people to get food coupons
2025-01-14 HKT 16:00
Serious misuse of public housing could be made a criminal offence, Housing Department sources said on Tuesday.<br/> <br/>At present the toughest punishment for tenants who break the rules, for example by subletting their units or using them for business purposes, is eviction. <br/><br/>But plans are in place to amend the Housing Ordinance to allow the Housing Authority to prosecute offenders, with proposed fines of up to HK$500,000 and jail terms of up to a year. <br/><br/>It's understood the authority also wants officials to be given the power to check the identity of any suspicious people they encounter while carrying out inspections at public flats. Anyone who refuses to hand over their details could be fined HK$10,000 or imprisoned for six months. <br/><br/>Providing false statements to the authorities can already lead to prosecution, but officials want to extend the time period for bringing cases to court to six years after the offence, or one year after it is discovered, whichever comes first. <br/><br/>The authority's subsidised housing committee held a meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss the plans. <br/><br/>Speaking to reporters afterwards, Cleresa Wong, who chairs the committee, said she believes the proposed legislation would have a deterrent effect. <br/><br/>“We do not propose to encompass all abuses under the new piece of legislation that we are proposing. We will only focus on the severe abuses and the reason is because if convicted, the people who are charged with these kinds of crimes would be criminalised, and they would have a criminal record. And so that, I think, is a deterrence,” she said. <br/><br/>The proposed legal amendments would not be applied retrospectively, it is believed. <br/><br/>“As a matter of law, legal principles, it is very rare for a government to introduce crimes with retrospective effect because this is somehow contrary to natural justice and fairness,” Wong said. <br/><br/>“I think that would have a very draconian effect and that should be avoided in my personal view.”<br/><br/>Sources said the proposals will be reviewed by Legco's housing panel next month and are still subject to change.<br/><br/>It’s believed the authority hopes to bring a bill to Legco for vetting in April.
Serious abuse of public housing could be made a crime
2025-01-14 HKT 13:55
The impeachment trial of suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol began on Tuesday, with the country's Constitutional Court deciding whether to strip him of his duties over a failed martial law bid.<br/><br/>"It has started," the Constitutional Court's spokesperson told international media, adding that the first hearing -- out of a confirmed five -- ended minutes later with Yoon not in attendance.<br/><br/>The following sessions will take place on January 16, 21, 23 and February 4.<br/><br/>Yoon's December 3 power grab plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades, after he directed soldiers to storm parliament in an unsuccessful attempt to stop lawmakers voting down his suspension of civilian rule.<br/><br/>He was impeached soon after and suspended from duty, but has gone to ground in his residence since, refusing summonses from investigators probing him on insurrection charges and using his presidential security team to resist arrest. (AFP)
Impeachment trial of S Korean President Yoon begins
2025-01-14 HKT 13:16
Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday authorities will comprehensively investigate any suspected links people or organisations may have with those who endanger national security, to see if any support or assistance has been given. <br/><br/>His comments came a day after prominent pollster Robert Chung was was taken away from his home on Monday morning, and brought to the Wong Chuk Hang office of the Public Opinion Research Institute (Pori), of which he is president and chief executive officer.<br/><br/>Officers also took away computers and boxes of materials from his office. <br/><br/>Sources said the investigation was to do with his former deputy at the institute, Chung Kim-wah, who was put on the national security wanted list last month. <br/><br/>Ahead of the Executive Council meeting, Lee said professional bodies have nothing to worry about if they have no intention to break the law, saying the security laws clearly define what constitutes an offence.<br/><br/>"If professional organisations don't have any intention to endanger national security, they just need to follow their own work process, their ethics, their code of conduct in carrying on with their business, and that will be fine," he said.<br/><br/>"It's stated clearly in the law which sorts of acts constitute offences. And then each time, in every operation, the law enforcement agency will explain clearly what sorts of acts constitute the offence of endangering national security."<br/><br/>The chief executive stressed that officers will get to the bottom of every case in accordance with the law.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, sources said the wife and son of Chung Kim-wah were taken to the police station to assist with the investigation.<br/>_____________________________<br/><font style="font-size:90%" my="my"><i>Last updated: 2025-01-14 HKT 16:55</i></font>
Officers will investigate all links to NSL cases: CE
2025-01-14 HKT 13:14
Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that plans to redevelop a cluster of government buildings in Wan Chai will go ahead, even though his predecessor, Carrie Lam, is moving her office there.<br/><br/>Lam's relocation to Immigration Tower later this year comes after lawmakers complained about how much public money is being spent on the rent for her current office in Pacific Place. <br/><br/>Immigration Tower is earmarked for redevelopment, with the building to be used for conventions and commercial use. <br/><br/>Before the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said Lam's move will be temporary and will ensure the proper use of government resources.<br/><br/>"The Wan Chai redevelopment plan will go ahead as planned," he said.<br/><br/>"The buildings that have been vacated, we should make good use of them. That is why we're now renovating, so as to allow the former chief executive to move in."<br/><br/>The government earlier explained that Lam rented the Grade A office space in Admiralty after her term ended in 2022 because there was no room for her at offices for former CEs in Mid-Levels.
Redevelopment still on despite Carrie Lam move: CE
2025-01-14 HKT 12:21
Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said the government is doing what it can to help Hong Kong residents who were reportedly lured to Southeast Asia for illegal work. <br/><br/>Speaking to reporters before the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said a task force led by Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk has made significant progress.<br/><br/>"The visit by the Security Bureau task force I think has achieved some positive results, and they have been met by the Minister of Justice in Thailand," he said. <br/><br/>"Thailand officials have already indicated that they will attach great importance to the cases and try all their means to try to rescue those Hong Kong people who are [in captivity]."<br/> <br/>Lee added that authorities will consider various factors when deciding whether to raise Thailand's travel alert to red. <br/><br/>"We have included a lot of information on the Security Bureau's web page in relation to travel information to Thailand, so I have asked the SB [Security Bureau] to update it regularly with the latest information and developments." <br/><br/>SAR officials have received 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents who are allegedly being detained in various Southeast Asian countries.<br/><br/>Sixteen of these people have already returned to Hong Kong, while the other 12 remain stranded.
Govt trying its best to help stranded HKers: CE
2025-01-14 HKT 12:04
Hong Kong passport holders can obtain tourist visas when they arrive at designated control points in Saudi Arabia starting on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee announced. <br/><br/>Visitors can apply for a multiple-entry visa with stays for up to 90 days or a single-entry visa for a maximum 30-day stay. <br/><br/>"That means holders of [an] SAR passport could visit all six members of the Cooperation Council of the Arab States, including Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman and so on," Lee told reporters on Tuesday. <br/><br/>"So they could all enjoy either visa-free access or visa-on-arrival application on arrival."<br/><br/>Also from Wednesday, Saudi Arabian nationals will be able to visit Hong Kong without a visa for up to 90 days instead of 30, Lee added. <br/><br/>In a statement, the Immigration Department said the new arrangements would foster closer ties between the two places. <br/><br/>"These arrangements and the extension of the visa-free visit period for nationals of Saudi Arabia will enhance tourism, cultural and economic ties between the two places."
HKers to get visa-on-arrival access to Saudi Arabia
2025-01-14 HKT 11:51
Three men were injured on Tuesday when a rubbish truck was crushed by a collapsing noise barrier that had been hit by an out-of-control excavator.<br/><br/>The excavator rolled down a slope at a construction site in Lin Tak Road, Lam Tin at around 9.40am, firefighters said.<br/><br/>The drivers of both vehicles were among those hurt, but were able to free themselves and were said to have suffered minor injuries. <br/><br/>A passenger was trapped in the truck and firefighters spent about two hours freeing him.<br/><br/>“After conducting a risk assessment and stabilising the injured person, the Disaster Response and Rescue Team arranged a crane to secure and lift the excavator and the stone block, while simultaneously using explosive tools to create enough space to enable us to rescue him,” Assistant Divisional Officer Kao Chung-lei said. <br/><br/>The three men aged between 25 to 50, were conscious when taken to United Christian Hospital for treatment.<br/><br/>Police said they were investigating the cause of the incident. <br/><br/>The Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union said frontline staff and inspectors should do more to ensure site safety.<br/><br/>“Working on-site we have safety personnel and construction workers. They all bear significant responsibility. In situations like this, it's important to find out whether the frontline construction workers and management did their jobs properly," said chairman Chau Sze-kit. <br/><br/>Meanwhile, Edward Ma from the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims said the group is really worried about serious industrial accidents occurring two days in a row, adding that safety awareness is still lacking.<br/><br/>Eleven people were injured in a scaffolding collapse at a construction site in Kai Tak on Monday.<br/><br/>The code of practice on bamboo scaffolding safety was revised in October, requiring workers to hold a valid safety training certificate before carrying out such works.<br/><br/>Labour minister Chris Sun said on Tuesday that the administration would hold a conference with relevant stakeholders to seek improvements in the industry workflow.<br/><br/>“Apart from looking into whether or not those involved, have fully complied with the code of practice, we have to look at, which is why we're going to hold a stakeholders conference, inviting not just those involved in scaffolding work, but also the principal contractors as well as those responsible for installing external glass walls,” he said.<br/><br/>“It's because we have to look at not just the scaffolding work itself, but also the workflow, and also the related work procedures.”<br/><br/>He added the government will step up its inspections, as well as take enforcement action against those violating the law. <br/>_____________________________<br/><font style="font-size:90%" my="my"><i>Last updated: 2025-01-14 HKT 16:50</i></font>
Three hurt in excavator, rubbish truck smash
2025-01-14 HKT 08:18
Heavyweight Tyson Fury declared he's retiring from boxing in a brief social media post on Monday.<br/><br/>The former heavyweight champion, 36, claims he's calling it quits for the fourth time. "The Gypsy King" suffered a second consecutive defeat last month to Oleksandr Usyk.<br/><br/>"Hi everybody, I'm going to make this short and sweet. I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing," Fury said in a video shared via Instagram.<br/><br/>In May 2024, Usyk handed Fury his first career loss by split decision to spoil a career 34-0-1 record. Usyk won the rematch in December.<br/><br/>By claiming a unanimous decision, Usyk retained the WBA, WBO and WBC heavyweight championships in the fight held in Saudi Arabia.<br/><br/>Fury retired briefly in 2013, 2017 and 2022. Most recently, he defeated Dillian Whyte via sixth round technical knockout in April 2022 and declared it was his final bout.<br/><br/>But he returned to the ring in October 2023 to defeat Derek Chisora in a trilogy fight that was stopped late in the 10th round. (Reuters)
Former heavyweight champion Fury retires from boxing
2025-01-14 HKT 05:23
US President Joe Biden said on Monday that a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Hamas and Israel is "on the brink" of being finalised, amid growing optimism in Washington about negotiations in the Middle East.<br/><br/>"In the war between Israel and Hamas, we're on the brink of a proposal that I laid out in detail months ago finally coming to fruition," Biden said in a farewell speech at the State Department.<br/><br/>Biden has been working the phones as he seeks a prized peace deal in his final days in office before Donald Trump returns to the White House on January 20.<br/><br/>He said the proposed agreement would include a surge of aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the release of hostages held by Hamas and a halt to the fighting in the enclave.<br/><br/>"We're working urgently to close this deal," Biden said.<br/><br/>The outgoing US president said he would be speaking soon to Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has played a key role in negotiations.<br/><br/>He also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday and called the ruler of mediator Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on Monday.<br/><br/>A peace deal has seemed within reach on a number of previous occasions since the Gaza war broke out following Hamas's October 6, 2023 attack on Israel, only then to collapse.<br/><br/>But optimism is growing in Washington that an agreement is possible.<br/><br/>US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said earlier Monday as that a truce was "close."<br/><br/>"We are close to a deal, and it can get done this week," Sullivan told reporters at the White House.<br/><br/>"I'm not making a promise or prediction, but it is there for the taking, and we are going to work to make it happen."<br/><br/>Sullivan said the "gaps have fundamentally narrowed down" between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
Biden says Gaza ceasefire deal 'on the brink'
2025-01-13 HKT 21:28
A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 has hit south-western Japan, the country's meteorological agency said on Monday.<br/><br/>Tsunami warnings were issued for Miyazaki Prefecture, where the temblor was centred, in the southwestern island of Kyushu, as well as nearby Kochi Prefecture, shortly after the quake struck at 9.19pm local time, according to the agency.<br/><br/>"Tsunami can strike repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or go near coastal areas," the agency said on X.<br/><br/>The extent of damage was not immediately clear. (AP/AFP)
Strong quake hits south-western Japan
2025-01-13 HKT 18:57
Security chief Chris Tang on Monday said senior Thai officials have promised to do all they could to secure the safe return of Hongkongers who were reportedly lured to Southeast Asia for illegal work. <br/><br/>"The minister of justice gave great importance of our concern, and had responded positively. [Thai authorities] said they would do their utmost to help with the safe return of the Hong Kong people," said Tang, who stressed that none of those involved were abducted.<br/><br/>Tang's comments came as a task force, led by Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk, met Thai officials and representatives of the Chinese embassy in Bangkok.<br/><br/>They spoke with representatives from Thailand's justice ministry who sit on the Anti Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the country's prime minister. <br/><br/>Cheuk said he is confident that Thai authorities would do their best to help those affected, noting that Hongkongers involved had been brought to areas near borders with Myanmar and Laos.<br/><br/>He declined to disclose further details, saying that the SAR government wishes to rescue these residents as soon as possible.<br/><br/>The task force also held talks with Wu Zhiwu, the deputy chief of mission at the Chinese embassy in Thailand, on topics such as offering consular assistance, before meeting with staff at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in the Thai capital to discuss further actions. <br/><br/>The delegation is set to meet representatives of the Royal Thai Police on Tuesday. <br/><br/>SAR authorities have so far received 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents alleging to be detained in Southeast Asian countries.<br/><br/>Sixteen of these people have already returned to Hong Kong, while the remaining 12 reported that there were restrictions on their movement but were safe and able to remain in touch with the task force.<br/>_____________________________<br/><font style="font-size:90%" my="my"><i>Last updated: 2025-01-13 HKT 20:55</i></font>
'Thailand vows to help secure safe return of HKers'
2025-01-13 HKT 18:18
A prominent Chinese economist and national political advisor said China is likely to surpass the United States and become the world's largest economy in about five years, as he dismissed concerns of a second Trump administration's impact on the nation.<br/><br/>The remarks came as Professor Justin Lin, former chief economist and senior vice president at the World Bank, spoke to reporters during the 18th edition of the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, following a luncheon speech.<br/><br/>Noting that China's economy was experiencing a slowdown, declining from earlier annual growth rates of around nine percent to now about five percent, Lin said that was still about a couple of percentage points higher than the US, which saw its economy expand at around 2.7 percent for 2024.<br/><br/>Lin said that if such a trajectory continued, the Chinese economy would be able to surpass the US as the world's largest between 2030 and 2035.<br/><br/>Separately, Lin dismissed concerns about the potential impact of tariffs, one week ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.<br/><br/>"We hope Trump will be reasonable, because to charge 60 percent of tariff rates on China, or 25 percent of tariffs on other countries, I don't think that is good for the US, certainly, that's not good for the world [either]," he said. <br/><br/>"We have no control over the trade policies from the US. But if the US is unreasonable, we should be reasonable. And if we maintain togetherness, I think we will be able to weather through any challenges," he added. <br/><br/>On the short-term economic outlook in the country, the senior economist noted the Chinese economy would be able to grow about five percent this year, and the nation would continue to contribute 30 percent or more to global growth.
China's economy to surpass US from 2030: economist