Hong Kong Firefighter Set to Marry Next Month Dies in Tai Po Tower Blaze — City Honors Fallen Hero

Ho Wai-ho, 37, killed at Wang Fuk Court ignites outpouring of tribute as investigators probe fatal high-rise fire
A 37-year-old firefighter, scheduled to marry his long-term partner next month, died while battling the inferno that engulfed the high-rise estate Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, as colleagues and citizens across Hong Kong pay moving tribute to his sacrifice.

The firefighter, Ho Wai-ho, lost contact with his team just 30 minutes after arriving at the blaze and was later found with severe burns.

He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

By late Friday, authorities had confirmed at least 128 deaths from the blaze and warned that more casualties remain possible.

:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Ho joined the city’s Fire Services Department nine years ago after previously serving as a special police officer at the airport.

On Wednesday afternoon, as the fire spread rapidly through bamboo scaffolding and flammable renovation wrapping around the tower blocks, Ho entered the building in a ground-floor search operation.

Around 3:30 p.m., contact was lost; thirty minutes later, he was discovered collapsed outside the building with severe facial burns.

He was pronounced dead at about 4:45 p.m. local time.

:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

In public statements, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, the Secretary for Security and other senior officials honoured Ho’s “gallantry and selfless devotion to duty,” offering “deepest condolences” to his family.

The Civil Service Bureau pledged support to Ho’s loved ones and committed to helping them through the coming difficult period.

:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Ho had been due to marry his partner of over ten years in December.

Tributes have poured in on social media from colleagues and netizens.

On Instagram, messages described him as a “hero to Hong Kongers” and mourned the loss of “my superhero.” His partner, grieving publicly, wrote that while she could not accept what had happened, she remained proud of him.

:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

The tragedy has deepened public outrage over building-safety standards and the use of bamboo scaffolding, which authorities now suspect helped the fire spread uncontrollably across seven of the estate’s eight towers.

Investigators have arrested three individuals from the construction firm responsible for the renovation on suspicion of gross negligence.

:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

As the city mourns a fallen first responder, Hong Kong’s government and citizens face a stark reckoning over safety, renovation practices and regulatory oversight.

Ho’s death now stands as a symbol of both ultimate sacrifice and institutional failure — and has intensified demand for accountability, reform, and tribute to those who serve on the front line.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong Investigates Corruption and Safety Failures After Deadliest Fire in Decades

Eleven people detained as authorities examine flammable renovation materials, oversight lapses and possible misconduct at Wang Fuk Court
Hong Kong authorities have launched an extensive investigation into suspected corruption and negligence following the catastrophic fire at Wang Fuk Court that claimed the lives of more than one hundred residents.

The blaze, which spread rapidly across multiple high-rise towers undergoing exterior renovation, has prompted widespread public anger and demands for accountability in one of the city’s most densely populated districts.

Investigators have detained eleven individuals connected to the renovation project, including company directors and subcontractors responsible for scaffolding, cladding installation and site management.

Early findings indicate that the fire ignited on bamboo scaffolding layered with synthetic netting and foam cladding—materials now at the center of scrutiny for their high flammability.

The combination of wind, vertical scaffolding and combustible exterior panels allowed the flames to move swiftly between buildings, overwhelming residents and first responders.

Officials have also confirmed that several fire alarms inside the complex failed to activate during the initial outbreak, delaying evacuation and contributing to the high casualty count.

Previous inspections had warned contractors about unsafe practices, but the renovation work continued with minimal corrective action.

As part of the growing inquiry, the government has suspended all other active projects led by the same construction firms pending safety audits.

The scale of the disaster has triggered a broader review of building-safety enforcement across Hong Kong.

Authorities are now examining whether regulatory loopholes, inadequate inspections or potential misconduct enabled unsafe materials to be used on a large, occupied estate.

For families who lost loved ones — and for thousands displaced — the investigation is seen as a crucial step toward justice and long-overdue reform in high-rise safety standards.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Death Toll Climbs to 128 as Authorities Broaden Criminal Probe

Police arrest additional renovation contractors amid mounting evidence of safety failures in the city’s deadliest blaze in decades
The death toll from the catastrophic fire that swept through a residential tower complex in Hong Kong has risen to 128, authorities confirmed, as investigators made further arrests linked to renovation work at the site.

Emergency teams, who spent days conducting a floor-by-floor search across the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po, warned that the number could still rise, with dozens of residents yet to be identified.

Police announced that eight more individuals connected to the building’s refurbishment had been detained on suspicion of negligence and other offences, expanding the investigation beyond the three people earlier arrested for manslaughter.

The latest group includes contractors, project managers and company directors who were allegedly responsible for scaffolding and insulation installations now under scrutiny.

Fire officials reported that alarms within the building failed to activate, leaving many residents—among them elderly occupants and domestic workers—trapped as smoke and flames moved rapidly up the structure.

Preliminary findings point to combustible materials, including foam insulation and extensive bamboo scaffolding, as factors that intensified the fire’s spread while obstructing rescue operations.

The government has pledged a major relief fund for survivors and launched a territory-wide inspection of renovation projects to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Public pressure is building for an independent inquiry, as the tragedy has raised urgent questions over regulatory oversight, contractor accountability and the enforcement of fire-safety rules in densely populated housing blocks.

Authorities said investigations remain active and further arrests are possible as they assess liability for what has become one of Hong Kong’s most devastating residential disasters in modern history.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong Tower Fire Surpasses Grenfell as One of Worst High-Rise Tragedies — Spark Renewed Focus on Building Safety Worldwide

Deadly blaze at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court kills at least 128, becoming deadliest recent global residential fire while exposing recurring fire-safety failures
The devastating fire that ripped through the Wang Fuk Court high-rise estate in Hong Kong has claimed at least 128 lives, surpassing the fatal toll of the 2017 blaze at London’s Grenfell Tower and becoming the deadliest residential fire in recent decades.

Flames engulfed seven of the estate’s eight towers in a matter of hours — an inferno once again raising global alarms over fire safety, construction standards and regulatory enforcement.

(Reuters graphic analysis)

Officials attribute the rapid spread of the blaze to a combination of highly flammable renovation materials, including bamboo scaffolding wrapped in green mesh and plastic foam-sealed window covers.

These elements acted as kindling, enabling fire to leap across multiple buildings as wind and structural design aided its path.

A lack of working fire alarms and other safety failures further hampered escape efforts.

(Reuters structural breakdown)

A look at recent comparable disasters illustrates the scale of the tragedy.

In 2023, a fire in a nine-storey apartment block in Hanoi killed 56 people, while London’s Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 resulted in 72 deaths after flammable cladding contributed to its rapid spread.

High-rise and public-venue fires in Romania, Brazil, Shanghai and elsewhere have all exposed recurring systemic problems: weak enforcement of fire safety codes, use of combustible materials, and inadequate oversight.

(Reuters comparison)

Despite decades of technological progress in construction and fire prevention, the Hong Kong fire reveals that modern skylines remain vulnerable where regulatory compliance is lax, and cost-driven renovation shortcuts persist.

As the city mourns its dead, building-safety agencies worldwide may face renewed pressure to review standards, especially in dense urban environments with high-rise housing and renovation-driven cladding or scaffolding work.

The disaster adds to a grim global pattern: from entertainment venues to apartment towers, recent fire-related tragedies underscore that survival often depends not on modernity, but on rigorous adherence to safety standards, enforcement and transparency.

For many survivors and onlookers, the calamity at Wang Fuk Court is a painful reminder that even modern cities are only as safe as their weakest building practices.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong Pushes Hydrogen Transport Plan as Part of 2050 Carbon-Neutrality Drive

Government advances legislation, standards and trials for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles under new hydrogen energy strategy
Hong Kong’s government has accelerated efforts to introduce hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) vehicles and supporting infrastructure as part of its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The 2024 “Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong” lays out a roadmap for legislative reform, technical standards, market incentives and pilot projects — marking hydrogen energy as a central pillar in the city’s decarbonisation agenda.

Under the strategy, the authorities have proposed an amendment to the Gas Safety Ordinance to regulate hydrogen used as a fuel.

The bill was submitted to the Legislative Council earlier this year, with key provisions expected to take effect by 2027. The legislative framework will cover the full hydrogen supply chain: production, storage, transport, supply and use.

Complementary to this, technical guidelines and codes of practice for hydrogen vehicles, refuelling stations, maintenance workshops and risk assessment for hydrogen installations have already been drafted and issued.

These measures are intended to ensure high safety standards appropriate to Hong Kong’s dense urban environment.

Since the strategy’s launch, authorities have approved 26 hydrogen-energy trial projects.

Among them are the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell street-cleaning vehicles, and the commissioning of the city’s first public hydrogen refuelling station at Au Tau, Yuen Long.

The government has also greenlit plans to trial hydrogen double-decker buses and heavy vehicles, in line with the commitments laid out in the city’s Climate Action Plan 2050.

Support measures include financial incentives under the New Energy Transport Fund and the Green Tech Fund to encourage operators and businesses to adopt hydrogen technology.

Meanwhile, the government is exploring regional cooperation with the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, leveraging mainland hydrogen production capacity and supply networks to support Hong Kong’s emerging hydrogen economy.

Despite the momentum, officials acknowledge that hydrogen uptake remains at an early stage.

The high cost of hydrogen — especially green hydrogen produced from renewable energy — and the nascent state of refuelling infrastructure mean that mass adoption is not expected in the near term.

Analysts say cost-effectiveness, regulatory certainty, and scale of production will determine whether hydrogen can become mainstream.

Still, the policy framework, pilot projects and early infrastructure developments reflect a clear commitment by Hong Kong’s authorities to place hydrogen at the heart of the city’s green-transport transition.

As trials progress and standards take shape, hydrogen may emerge as a viable pathway for decarbonising transport — especially for heavy vehicles and public transport — on the road to 2050 carbon neutrality.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Families Endure Agonising Wait as Nearly 300 People Remain Missing After Hong Kong Tower Blaze

Residents recount desperate final calls, failed alarms and rapid fire spread as authorities investigate renovation materials and scaffolding
Families across Hong Kong are facing an agonising wait for news after the fire that engulfed the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po left at least 128 people dead and nearly 300 still unaccounted for.

As rescue teams concluded a prolonged firefighting operation, relatives gathered outside hospitals, shelters and the charred towers themselves, clinging to hope despite fading odds.

Among them is Mr Chung, who last spoke to his wife when flames were spreading through their 23rd-floor flat.

She had called in panic, unable to escape with their cat as smoke thickened around her.

He rushed home but found their building engulfed, and spent the night on the street with his brother pleading for updates.

Hours later, the calls between the couple suddenly stopped.

Mr Chung now believes his wife and their pet did not survive.

Many other residents describe similar moments of fear.

Calls from neighbours hiding in bathrooms, messages from elderly parents unable to flee, and silence from children who had been at home alone.

Dozens of families told of an absence of functioning fire alarms, forcing residents to alert each other door to door as smoke surged through corridors.

Authorities say the investigation is now centred on renovation work that wrapped the complex in bamboo scaffolding, plastic mesh and Styrofoam window coverings.

These materials are believed to have accelerated the fire’s explosive spread across seven of the estate’s eight towers within minutes.

Three executives from the renovation firm have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence, and Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has opened a probe.

The fire has devastated a community whose residents are predominantly elderly, with nearly forty percent aged sixty-five or above.

Many were unable to escape quickly, contributing to the high number of missing and injured.

Others who fled early have refused to leave the area, choosing instead to keep vigil outside the blackened towers as the search continues.

The Hong Kong government has announced HK$10,000 in emergency relief for affected households and launched a HK$300 million assistance fund.

Nine shelters have opened to provide temporary accommodation, medical care and psychological support as the long process of identifying victims begins.

Yet for residents like Mr Chung, government assurances cannot ease the immediate pain.

He remains determined to find out what happened to his wife, saying he will search “whether she is alive or gone.” For hundreds of families still awaiting news, the uncertainty remains as devastating as the fire itself.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong Residents, Volunteers and Companies Mobilise Massive Aid Effort After Tai Po Tower Fire

Hundreds of volunteers join government in distributing emergency supplies and launching support fund after the deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze
Communities across Hong Kong have rallied in response to the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po, with hundreds of volunteers mobilising to deliver supplies, offer shelter and provide emotional support to victims and displaced residents.

Aid stations sprang up quickly — from repurposed kindergartens to shelters near Tai Po train station — staffed day and night by local volunteers coordinating donations of food, toiletries, bedding and power-bank charging.

Mobile charging stations, volunteer-operated supply distribution points and donation drives have become a central lifeline for families rendered homeless or traumatised by the blaze.

The government has committed a relief package of HK$300 million, offering HK$10,000 per affected household to help with immediate needs.

Authorities opened temporary shelters in community halls and launched interdepartmental help desks to support residents with housing, mental-health counselling and social services.

Medical and rescue support personnel from neighbouring Guangdong province were dispatched to aid injured residents.

Meanwhile, dozens of businesses and major philanthropic groups responded swiftly: local conglomerates, property developers and logistics firms pledged cash, supplies and transportation support.

Several large corporations also offered logistical assistance, including free delivery of emergency aid supplies and operational coordination for ongoing relief efforts.

At the same time, rescue crews continue the painstaking search and recovery operations.

Officials warn that identification of victims is a lengthy process, and authorities have cautioned the death toll may continue to rise pending full accounting of missing persons.

As the community grapples with grief, the scale and speed of the civilian-driven relief efforts underscore Hong Kong’s resilience — a grassroots solidarity reflecting collective mourning, compassion and determination to help those affected rebuild their lives.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Death Toll Climbs to 128 as Hong Kong High-Rise Inferno Raises Urgent Safety Questions

Authorities investigate failed alarms, hazardous renovation materials and widespread devastation at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court
A devastating blaze that tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has killed at least 128 people, marking the city’s deadliest fire in more than six decades.

The inferno, which erupted on Wednesday afternoon, rapidly engulfed seven of the estate’s eight towers and forced thousands of residents to flee as thick smoke and collapsing scaffolding turned the neighbourhood into a disaster zone.

Emergency teams fought the fire for nearly two days before declaring it fully extinguished on Friday morning.

Officials reported that at least 79 people were injured, and dozens remain unaccounted for.

Investigators said the fire began on a lower level before racing upward, accelerated by Styrofoam panels placed outside windows as part of ongoing renovation works.

Bamboo scaffolding encasing the buildings also intensified the blaze’s spread.

Authorities confirmed that fire alarms across all eight blocks were not functioning effectively at the time of the disaster.

As part of the widening inquiry, three individuals responsible for the renovation project have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and a corruption investigation has been launched.

Police have forcibly entered and searched more than one thousand units in efforts to reach survivors.

The government has established shelters and assistance centres to support displaced residents, offering temporary housing, basic supplies and emergency financial help.

Volunteers have mobilised across Tai Po to distribute clothing, food and necessities.

Officials said DNA analysis will be used to identify the many victims whose remains were recovered amid the charred towers.

With temperatures inside parts of the ruins still exceeding two hundred degrees Celsius, investigators are now preparing for a weeks-long process to gather evidence and determine how a fire of this scale was able to devastate a densely populated estate.

For many families still searching for missing loved ones, the wait continues as the city confronts the full human cost of the disaster.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Swiss Voters Overwhelmingly Reject 50 % Inheritance Tax for the Super-Rich

Referendum fails as over four-fifths of voters oppose sweeping federal levy on estates above CHF 50 million
On Sunday, Swiss citizens emphatically rejected a proposed federal inheritance and gift tax of 50 percent on estates over CHF 50 million (roughly US$62 million).

With a turnout of about 42 percent, more than 80 percent of those voting cast a “no” ballot.

The initiative, advanced by the youth wing of the left-leaning Social Democrats, would have marked a significant shift in Switzerland’s long-standing tradition of canton-level inheritance rules.

Under the proposal, the revenue would have been earmarked for climate-related projects.

However, critics — including the federal government, business leaders and tax professionals — warned the levy would threaten Switzerland’s appeal as a stable, low-tax location for families, entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals.

They argued it could undermine decades of predictability in estate planning and prompt relocation abroad.

Switzerland’s ruling Federal Council, along with both houses of parliament, had advised voters to reject the measure, citing concerns over legal uncertainty, disruption to family-owned businesses, and potential loss of tax revenue if wealthy residents departed.

Some lawyers and bankers had already noted that even the mere prospect of the tax had unsettled private wealth management and prompted a few owners of small and medium-sized enterprises to reconsider their residence in the country.

Supporters of the tax contended that the ultra-wealthy contribute disproportionately to environmental damage, and that the proceeds could fund climate mitigation efforts — a cause aligned with long-term global commitments.

Yet the decisive public rejection underscores prevailing confidence in Switzerland’s decentralized, canton-based fiscal system and its model of moderate, predictable tax burdens.

The outcome preserves the status quo of inheritance and gift taxation across the country’s diverse cantons, at least for now.

The clear margin of rejection diminishes the likelihood of a similar federal proposal being seriously revived in the near future.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

No Verified News Found on Reported Hong Kong Crypto Rebranding Claim

Live research shows no credible or up-to-date reporting matching the described story
A review of current, verified and reputable news sources found no reporting that aligns with the claim that Hong Kong crypto stockpilers have rebranded in a shift described as going “from poker to Pokémon.” Despite examining major financial outlets, regional Hong Kong reporting, crypto-industry publications and regulatory disclosures, no article, announcement or verified event corresponds to the description provided.

While Hong Kong has seen an expansion of cryptocurrency-related rebrandings connected to Web3 investment shifts and tokenisation initiatives, none of the public corporate filings or industry reports reference terminology or narratives involving poker-themed or Pokémon-themed transitions.

Some Hong Kong-listed companies have pivoted toward digital-asset strategies in recent years, but these developments are documented separately and do not match the specifics of the supplied headline.

In the absence of matching evidence, the story cannot be rewritten as a factual news article.

Only developments supported by confirmed and up-to-date information can be reported under standard journalistic requirements.

If additional details or a verifiable source emerge, the event can be re-examined with full live-source research.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Dominate Hong Kong Equity Deals in 2025 Surge

Western banks lead booming IPO and share-sale wave as global investors return to Hong Kong capital markets
In 2025, the equity capital markets of Hong Kong have experienced a remarkable revival — and two Western investment banks, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, have emerged as the principal underwriters of the wave of deals.

Morgan Stanley has raised approximately US$11.6 billion from equity offerings so far, while Goldman Sachs follows with about US$7.4 billion, a ranking that significantly outpaces leading Chinese institutions such as CITIC and CICC.

Their performance reflects a broader resurgence: overall equity capital-market activity in Hong Kong rose 232 percent year-on-year through November, reaching some US$73.1 billion.

The boom has been driven by a surge in both initial public offerings and follow-on share sales.

Large transactions — including share placements by prominent Chinese firms — have contributed heavily to the overall volume.

Observers point to renewed global investor interest in Chinese equities, alongside Hong Kong’s role as a critical financial hub connecting international capital with China’s expanding economy.

Despite heightened geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, foreign institutional investors have returned in force, underwriting demand for deals organised by global banks.

Analysts note that multinational banks continue to offer deep capital-market expertise and global distribution networks — advantages that local rivals struggle to match.

Even as local Chinese banks accelerate efforts to capture greater market share, their progress remains limited.

Goldman Sachs in particular has leveraged regulatory tailwinds and the wave of follow-on offerings — now accounting for the bulk of Hong Kong’s equity capital-market activity — to cement its position at the top of the league tables.

The strength of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong’s 2025 equity-deal surge underscores the enduring role of global finance houses in channeling capital into Chinese markets — and highlights the continuing appeal of Hong Kong as a bridge between East and West in volatile times.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Deadly Hong Kong Tower Fire Intensifies Scrutiny of Safety Enforcement Under Beijing’s Oversight

Mass-casualty blaze at Tai Po housing complex fuels public alarm and prompts broad safety reviews across Hong Kong and mainland China
A catastrophic fire that tore through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has left a large number of residents dead and many more unaccounted for, marking one of the most devastating urban disasters the city has faced in years.

Flames swept through multiple towers after igniting on bamboo scaffolding set up for renovation works, with investigators later indicating that flammable materials used in the façade repairs accelerated the blaze and allowed it to jump rapidly between buildings.

Authorities have launched an extensive criminal inquiry and detained individuals connected to the renovation project, including contractors and subcontractors whose work is now under strict review.

The government has halted ongoing construction activities linked to the same firms while safety audits are carried out.

Emergency teams continue to search affected units, even as families gather near the estate for updates and to honour loved ones.

The severity of the fire has heightened public concern over building oversight in a city defined by dense high-rise living.

Residents have questioned how combustible scaffolding materials, plastic netting and insulation panels were permitted for use on occupied towers undergoing repairs.

The tragedy has prompted Hong Kong’s leadership to pledge full support for survivors, while Beijing has ordered wide-ranging safety inspections across high-rise buildings in mainland cities, particularly those undergoing renovation.

This fire represents a profound test of governance at a time when Hong Kong’s regulatory structures operate under closer alignment with Beijing’s administrative framework.

As investigations progress, pressure is mounting for stronger transparency in construction oversight, stricter controls on renovation standards and more decisive enforcement to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

MIT report: AI can already replace nearly 12% of the U.S. workforce

Artificial intelligence is now advanced and cheap enough to perform work equal to nearly 12% of U.S. jobs, according to a new MIT study—news that’s likely further to intensify pressure on employers, workers, and policymakers to prepare for rapid shifts in business and the economy.
MIT’s research, written in October but released on Wednesday, estimates that current AI systems could already take over tasks tied to 11.7% of the U.S. labor market, representing about 151 million workers and roughly 11.7% of total wage value, or around $1.2 trillion in pay. Unlike earlier estimates that focused on theoretical “exposure” to automation, the MIT research focuses on jobs where AI can perform the same tasks at a cost that’s either competitive with or cheaper than human labor.​

The findings come from Project Iceberg, a large-scale labor simulation developed by MIT in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, home to the Frontier supercomputer.

The model creates what researchers describe as a “digital twin of the U.S. labor market,” simulating 151 million workers as individual agents, each with specific skills, occupations and locations. It tracks more than 32,000 skills across 923 job types in 3,000 counties and maps them against what current AI systems can already do.​​

“We’re effectively creating a digital twin of the U.S. labor market,” Prasanna Balaprakash, a director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and co-leader of the study Tod NBC.

A KEY CAVEAT

MIT’s report makes it clear that the 11.7% figure reflects technical capability and economic feasibility, not a prediction that those jobs will disappear on a set timetable. It also highlights a gap between what is visible today and what is possible.

AI adoption so far has been concentrated in tech work, particularly coding, representing about 2.2% of wage value, or roughly $211 billion in pay. But the researchers find that AI is already capable of handling cognitive and administrative tasks across finance, healthcare, and professional services that together represent around $1.2 trillion in wages—about five times the currently visible impact.​

Early analysis points to significant exposure in white-collar, knowledge-heavy fields that were once seen as relatively insulated from automation. Finance, healthcare administration, human resources, logistics, and professional services such as legal and accounting work are among the areas where existing AI tools, including large language models (LLMs) and other software agents, can already execute many routine tasks.​ In other words, much of the potential disruption sits in more traditional back-office and professional roles that have drawn less public attention in AI debates.​​

At the same time, MIT researchers and other economists caution that capability does not automatically translate into widespread job losses. Earlier work from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory found that, for many roles, fully replacing human workers with AI remained too expensive or impractical in the near term, even where the technology could perform the tasks. Separate research from MIT Sloan concluded that, from 2010 to 2023, AI exposure did not lead to broad net job losses and often coincided with faster revenue and employment growth at adopting firms.​

The Iceberg Index is not designed to forecast specific layoffs. Instead, it gives policymakers and business leaders a way to stress-test different scenarios before they commit training dollars, infrastructure spending or new regulations. Tennessee, North Carolina and Utah have already begun using the platform to evaluate how AI might reshape their workforces and to inform state-level AI workforce action plans, the MIT report said.​

For companies, the study illustrates that the window to treat AI as a distant future issue is closing. For governments, it raises practical questions about how to retrain workers, support regions and sectors with high exposure, and adapt tax and social safety net systems to a labor market where software can already do a meaningful share of the work.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Japan: The Muslim request for more cemeteries is DENIED

Umemura, member of Japan’s House of Councillors: The Muslim request for more cemeteries is DENIED. In Japan, cremation is the tradition. "The appropriate approach is to return the remains to their countries, bury them there."



Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong Harvests a Decade of Growth as Fintech Strategy Takes Full Shape

A long-term policy push and modern regulation are propelling Hong Kong into the ranks of leading global fintech hubs
Nearly ten years after Hong Kong first set out to build a competitive fintech environment, the city is now seeing the results of a deliberate, long-term strategy that has transformed a small experimental sector into a central pillar of its financial economy.

What began as a fledgling gathering of a few hundred innovators has become a global showcase attracting tens of thousands of delegates, major institutions and a rapidly expanding field of digital-finance companies.

Fintech Week, once a modest industry meeting, now draws around 45,000 participants and has become a symbol of the city’s evolution.

Over the same period, Hong Kong’s fintech landscape has grown to more than 1,100 companies spanning digital banking, wealthtech, insurtech, payments, regtech and blockchain-based services.

The sector is forecast to exceed hundreds of billions of dollars in value over the coming decade as adoption accelerates across Asia.

This growth has been underpinned by a broad regulatory and policy framework designed to encourage innovation while preserving Hong Kong’s reputation for financial stability.

Initiatives introduced under Fintech 2025 and expanded through the new Fintech 2030 roadmap have prioritised data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity resilience and tokenisation.

At the same time, clear rules for virtual-asset platforms and stablecoins have provided structure for firms operating in digital markets that were once clouded by uncertainty.

Virtual banks such as ZA Bank and WeLab Bank, early beneficiaries of Hong Kong’s licensing framework, have become established players offering retail services, SME lending and cross-border digital products.

The city’s position within the Greater Bay Area has further strengthened its appeal, providing access to deep capital pools and regional customers seeking sophisticated financial technology.

Industry leaders acknowledge remaining challenges, including competition from neighbouring financial centres and the need to deepen the talent pipeline.

Yet the momentum suggests that Hong Kong’s carefully cultivated transformation is well positioned to continue.

A decade after planting the first seeds, the city is entering a phase in which fintech is no longer an aspirational project but a defining feature of its economic identity.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Tim Cook and Apple Promise Aid after Hong Kong’s Deadly Tower Fire

Tech giant pledges donations as blaze at Wang Fuk Court kills at least 128 and leaves hundreds missing
Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, has pledged company support for victims of the catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, which has so far claimed at least 128 lives and left hundreds unaccounted for.

In a message posted on X, Cook said Apple is “heartbroken by the devastating fire in Hong Kong” and confirmed that the company will contribute to relief efforts on the ground.

Local authorities have declared the blaze the deadliest residential fire in decades after it swept through seven of eight high-rise blocks under renovation.

Emergency services concluded rescue operations Friday.

As investigations continue, police have arrested eight individuals connected to the renovation project over alleged negligence and safety breaches.

Numerous residents remain missing and dozens of bodies are still being identified amid widespread community grief and anger.

Apple’s pledged support joins a broader wave of corporate, civil-society and individual responses — including large-scale volunteer efforts, a government-backed relief fund and donations from numerous organisations — as Hong Kong seeks to care for survivors and rebuild trust in housing safety standards.

The disaster has sparked renewed scrutiny of construction regulations, fire-safety enforcement and the treatment of renovation works — issues that authorities now say they will review comprehensively across the city.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Survivor’s Escape from Hong Kong Tower Fire Gives Human Face to Tragedy

Retiree credits his pet dog’s timely walk for saving him as death toll reaches 128 at Wang Fuk Court
A 70-year-old retiree, known only by his surname Tsang, narrowly escaped the massive blaze that destroyed much of Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court housing estate, offering a harrowing but hopeful personal account amid widespread grief and chaos.

On Wednesday afternoon, Tsang and his small dog went out for a walk — later a decision he said “saved our lives.” While they were away, a fire erupted, engulfing seven of the eight high-rise towers wrapped in combustible scaffolding and renovation netting.

By the time Tsang returned, firefighters had sealed off the area, and the building was already threatened by smoke and flames.

The fire, which ignited around 2:51 p.m. local time on November 26 in one tower under renovation, spread with shocking speed across the complex, aided by bamboo scaffolding, flammable exterior materials and a failure of the internal fire-alarm systems.

As of Friday, authorities confirmed at least 128 deaths and dozens of injuries, with many residents still unaccounted for.

Among those rescued, Tsang’s story underscores the fragility of survival in the face of widespread negligence.

Investigators have arrested multiple individuals connected to the renovation project, charging them with manslaughter and negligence, while authorities and community groups have moved to create emergency shelters, establish support networks, and launch a full safety-code review of renovation practices across the city.

Many survivors describe an agonising scramble to evacuate — not alerted by alarms, but by smoke, shouting or neighbours’ warnings.

Fire services confirmed that alarms in the affected towers failed to operate, and that the external materials used in renovation drastically accelerated the fire’s spread.

On the streets of Tai Po, volunteers are operating supply stations, offering shelter, food and emotional support to displaced residents.

Data-sharing platforms have sprung up so that families can report missing loved ones, mark themselves as safe, or request help.

The government has pledged financial aid, but many affected families say what they need most now is accountability and systemic reform to prevent another catastrophe.

Tsang’s narrow escape — thanks, he says, to a simple walk — reminds many Hongkongers of how arbitrarily hope and tragedy can collide.

His story has become a small symbol of survival in a disaster that has already shattered hundreds of lives and exposed painful flaws in the city’s building-safety system.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

K-Pop Stars, Labels and Fans Launch Wave of Aid After Deadly Hong Kong Tower Fire

Music community pledges millions of Hong Kong dollars to support victims of the Wang Fuk Court blaze as relief efforts intensify
As Hong Kong reels from the devastation of the tower fire at the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po — now confirmed to have killed at least 128 people and left hundreds missing — leading figures in the K-Pop industry, along with fan communities, have mobilised significant support for victims and their families.

South Korean labels and artists have donated millions of Hong Kong dollars to relief organisations and local charities within days of the disaster.

Among the largest contributions, one major entertainment group donated 2,654,216 HKD, while others contributed between 1 million and 500,000 HKD, directed to causes such as emergency aid, temporary housing and medical support through charities including Red Cross Hong Kong and World Vision Hong Kong.

Several idol groups and individual stars added their own donations, reaffirming solidarity with those affected.

Beyond corporate and artist-led giving, fan bases and community groups across Asia and beyond quickly organised grassroots fundraising.

Their efforts supplement government-led relief initiatives and local volunteer support, helping supply shelter, food, clothing and coordination for displaced residents.

Event organisers for the 2025 MAMA Awards — many of whose acts participated — responded by cancelling red carpet events and scaling back celebratory elements.

They announced they will deliver a public message of support for Hong Kong during the ceremony and contribute additional donations to ongoing relief funds.

The rapid and widespread response from the K-Pop world underscores the global entertainment community's capacity to mobilise in the face of tragedy.

As Hong Kong enters a period of mourning and rebuilding, such solidarity channels offer immediate relief while the full scope of the disaster’s human and material cost continues to emerge.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

250 Still Missing in the Massive Fire, 94 Killed. One Day After the Disaster: Survivor Rescued on the 16th Floor

At least ninety-four people have been confirmed dead and more than two hundred and fifty remain missing after a devastating fire in Hong Kong’s residential towers. Firefighting efforts have ended, but rescue teams continue door-to-door searches as investigations focus on alleged negligence by construction managers arrested in connection with unsafe renovation materials.
The death toll from the massive fire in the residential towers in Hong Kong rose overnight (between Thursday and Friday) to ninety-four people, and authorities reported that firefighting operations have concluded.

However, rescue teams on the ground continue searching in an effort to locate survivors in the ruins of the towers that went up in flames.

Nearly twenty-four hours after the disaster, teams rescued a man alive who was found in a stairwell on the sixteenth floor of one of the buildings.

The fire in the Hong Kong residential complex is the deadliest in the territory since nineteen forty-eight, when one hundred thirty-five people were killed.

One of the victims in the current fire is a firefighter.

Seventy-eight people were hospitalized, eleven of them firefighters.

Authorities reported yesterday that more than two hundred fifty people remain missing.

The complex, consisting of eight thirty-two-story towers, was home to about four thousand eight hundred residents—most of them elderly.

Among the residents who managed to flee, more than nine hundred are staying in temporary shelters.

Families of the missing are anxiously awaiting updates on the fate of their loved ones.

Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy head of the fire services, said firefighters found survivors in several towers—but as time passes, the likelihood of finding residents who survived the disaster diminishes.

Rescue teams in the disaster zone are moving with flashlights through the charred towers, going door to door in hopes of finding survivors.

“We expect to finish extinguishing the fire tonight,” Chan of the Hong Kong fire services said.

The fire broke out during renovation work taking place in the residential towers and spread rapidly due to bamboo scaffolding and plastic sheeting surrounding the buildings.

During the investigation, Hong Kong police arrested three managers from a construction company.

They are accused of manslaughter for failing to use safe materials in their work.

According to officials, the fire started in the scaffolding.

Police found the construction company’s name on flammable foam boards that were blocking several windows in the residential complex.

Officials added that they suspect other construction materials in the apartments, including safety netting, canvas fabric, and plastic coverings, did not meet safety standards.

Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo scaffolding remains widely used.

In March this year, the government decided to begin phasing out the traditional scaffolding due to the safety risks it poses and announced that workers on at least fifty percent of public construction projects would be required to use metal scaffolding instead.

“We have reason to believe that the responsible parties at the company were severely negligent, which led to this accident and caused a fire that spread uncontrollably, resulting in many casualties,” Hong Kong police said.

About two thousand housing units are located in the eight towers.

Only one tower was not damaged by the fire.

Residents of the complex said they did not hear any fire alarms in the buildings.

“The fire spread so quickly,” one resident said.

“I saw how they tried to save several buildings with one hose—it was very slow.” He said that because no fire alarm sounded, residents leaving their apartments approached their neighbors.

“People rang doorbells, knocked on doors, warned neighbors, and told them to leave.”

Hong Kong, defined as a semi-autonomous region under its relationship with China, announced that Beijing would help it respond to the disaster in the Tai Po district in the northern part of the city and would provide, among other things, drones and medical supplies.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong Dollar Bond Market Booms After Record-Breaking Year, Analysts Forecast Further Growth

Issuance hits HK$331 billion as lower local rates and global diversification drive demand for HKD-denominated debt
Issuance of bonds denominated in Hong Kong dollar (HKD) soared to a record HK$331 billion (about US$42.6 billion) so far this year — nearly 37 percent more than the entire 2024 volume, as easing local rates and global demand converge to fuel a surge in HKD-denominated financing.

Market participants and analysts say the momentum is likely to carry into 2026 and beyond.

([turn0search0])

Financial institutions such as Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation (HKMC) contributed to the boom: its latest public benchmark bond issuance — totalling HK$25.3 billion (US$3.3 billion equivalent) — marked the largest-ever single offering by the firm, including the biggest 30-year HKD bond tranche in the city’s history.

The deep order-book and broad investor participation underscore growing confidence in Hong Kong’s local-currency market.

([turn0search2])

Analysts cite several structural factors behind the surge.

With interest rates on U.S. dollar borrowing remaining elevated, issuers have turned to HKD as a more cost-effective alternative.

At the same time, Hong Kong’s long-standing USD peg, combined with a deep, liquid bond market and a clear regulatory framework, has made HKD bonds an attractive diversification option for Asian and global investors.

One senior banker described the HKD bond market as a “logical choice” for borrowers with natural HKD funding needs or balance-sheet alignment.

([turn0search0], [turn0search5])

Macroeconomic conditions have also helped.

Lower local interbank rates — driven by a dip in liquidity costs — have enabled issuers to tap the debt market at more favourable yields.

Meanwhile, demand for long-dated bonds appears strong, driven by both institutional investors and pension funds seeking stable income streams and currency-hedged assets.

The recent wave of issuance includes a growing share of social and infrastructure bonds, reflecting investors’ appetite for yield and stable cash flow over extended horizons.

([turn0search2], [turn0search5])

Looking ahead, many market watchers expect the HKD bond market to continue expanding.

The combination of favourable financing costs, regulatory clarity, and increased demand for currency-diversified debt suggests that Hong Kong is likely to consolidate its role as a major international bond-issuance hub.

As companies and public institutions increasingly tap HKD funding, the market could further mature and deepen — offering an alternative to dollar-denominated debt in a shifting global financial landscape.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Deadly Hong Kong Tower Fire Spurs Urgent Push to Scrap Bamboo Scaffolding

Wang Fuk Court blaze highlights fire risk of traditional scaffolding as officials consider full switch to metal frameworks
A fire that swept through the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Hong Kong this week has intensified scrutiny of the city’s longstanding use of bamboo scaffolding — a traditional construction method now under pressure to vanish.

The inferno, which has claimed at least 128 lives and left roughly 200 people missing, began on external bamboo scaffolding at one block and quickly spread to seven neighbouring towers, authorities said.

Flames raced across the exterior netting, plastic-mesh and other renovation materials, turning the scaffolding from structure into kindling under windy conditions.

Experts say that the combination of porous bamboo, flammable sheeting, and dense urban layout helped turn a renovation site into a disaster zone.

While bamboo has built much of Hong Kong’s skyline for centuries — prized for its light weight, affordability and flexibility — many now question whether its days are numbered.

Government officials had already announced a policy to phase out bamboo scaffolding in public construction projects earlier this year; the recent tragedy is likely to accelerate that transition.

Some safety experts argue that metal scaffolding — non-combustible though heavier and more costly — should become the standard for high-risk, occupied buildings, especially during major renovations.

As investigators pursue possible negligence charges against the contractors involved in the renovations, Hong Kong faces a reckoning over the balance between tradition, cost and safety in its built environment.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

MAMA Awards Scaled Back in Hong Kong After Deadly Tai Po Blaze as Mirror Withdraws

Organisers cancel red carpet and adjust performances while the city mourns the Wang Fuk Court tragedy
Asia’s largest K-pop awards ceremony will proceed in a reduced format this weekend after the devastating fire at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court estate prompted organisers to scale back festivities.

The 2025 MAMA Awards, scheduled for two nights at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, will go ahead without the planned red-carpet event and with a programme adjusted to acknowledge the city’s deep mourning.

Mirror, Hong Kong’s leading boy band, announced their withdrawal on Friday through their management company, confirming earlier speculation that prominent performers and international guests might step back in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Their decision follows reports that other high-profile names had also reconsidered appearances as the scale of the disaster became clear.

The fire, which erupted on Wednesday at Wang Cheong House before rapidly spreading across seven additional towers, has resulted in significant loss of life and hundreds of injuries.

Rescue operations have entered their third day, and the city remains shaken by what has become its worst fire in decades.

Authorities continue to conduct building searches and provide updates as displaced families await news about missing loved ones.

A spokesman for the awards show said the event would include a moment of mourning, noting that the organisers wished to balance respect for those affected with their commitment to proceed with the long-planned ceremony.

The downsized format marks the first time in seven years that the MAMA Awards return to Hong Kong, and officials emphasised that the focus would be on solidarity rather than spectacle.

As the city confronts the aftermath of the disaster, the adjustments to the awards programme reflect a broader effort to maintain sensitivity while allowing the event to continue in a manner befitting the solemn mood.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Karl Bushby, a British ex-paratrooper who set out in 1998 to walk around the world, is on the final stretch of his 27-year-long trek home

Karl Bushby, a British ex-paratrooper who set out in 1998 to walk around the world, is on the final stretch of his 27-year-long trek home, and trying to cope with social media pressure in a world that has changed profoundly



Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

China has opened the world’s largest train station



Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

OpenAI Confirms API User Data Exposed After Mixpanel Security Breach

Limited profile data of some API users was leaked via analytics provider Mixpanel; no chat content, payment details, or passwords compromised.
OpenAI has confirmed that a security breach at Mixpanel, one of its external analytics providers, resulted in the exposure of limited profile information belonging to some users of its API services.

The incident occurred on November ninth when Mixpanel detected that an attacker had accessed its systems and exported data tied to OpenAI’s API analytics dashboard.

According to OpenAI, the compromised information included user names, email addresses, approximate geographic location, browser and operating-system details, referral information and internal account identifiers.

No chat content, payment data, API keys, passwords, or any sensitive authentication credentials were exposed, and regular ChatGPT users were not affected.

Upon confirmation of the breach, OpenAI immediately removed Mixpanel from its production environment, halted all data sharing with the service, and began notifying the affected API customers directly.

The company has also committed to tightening its vendor-security requirements and reviewing all third-party integrations.

While the leaked information is considered low-sensitivity, cybersecurity specialists warn that it could still enable targeted phishing or social-engineering campaigns.

OpenAI has advised API users to be alert for suspicious communications but stated that password resets are unnecessary, since no access credentials were stolen.

The incident highlights the broader risks that arise when major technology companies rely on external analytics providers.

As OpenAI continues its investigation, the company says it will strengthen oversight of its supply-chain partners and refine its internal data-sharing policies to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Not everyone needs to know your blessings..



Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

This AI awareness video shows why you shouldn’t share everything online



Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

This is so impressive, good to see



Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Tesla Anticipates Decline in Global Sales Amidst Stagnant Lineup

Company projects a 7% decrease in deliveries this year as focus shifts to robotics.
Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is facing mounting pressure on its global sales, with projections indicating a potential 7% decline in deliveries for the current year.

Analysts cite a growing concern regarding the company's product lineup, which they believe has become increasingly outdated.

This stagnation in innovation is juxtaposed with CEO Elon Musk's shift in focus towards robotics and other technological ventures.

As competition in the EV market intensifies, particularly from established automotive giants and emerging startups, Tesla's once-iconic models have come under scrutiny.

Industry observers have noted that the advancements in production and technology offered by rival companies may be outpacing Tesla's current offerings.

This situation is further exacerbated by fluctuating economic conditions and evolving consumer preferences, which are pushing for more diverse and innovative vehicle features.

Despite these challenges, Tesla has been working to expand its manufacturing capabilities and enhance its supply chain logistics.

The introduction of new models, such as the highly anticipated Cybertruck, has been part of the company's strategy to rejuvenate interest among consumers.

However, production delays and difficulties meeting demand have also raised concerns regarding the execution of these plans.

Moreover, as electric vehicle adoption increases globally, regulatory pressures and government incentives for green technology are influencing market dynamics.

Tesla's ability to adapt to these changes while maintaining its market share is critical as it navigates the current landscape.

As the company prepares for the remainder of the year, stakeholders are keenly observing how Tesla will address these challenges and what steps it will take to regain momentum in a rapidly evolving market.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

IKEA is shutting down in China like rest of the brands which has air conditioning

This is why…



Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

U.S. Eases Bank Controls, Challenging Global Standards of Financial Stability

Washington is rolling back key financial safeguards, prompting global debate over whether other economies will match America’s new, looser regulatory course.
The United States has begun a significant shift in financial policy, advancing a broad rollback of banking regulations that were put in place after the 2008 crisis.

The initiative, supported by the current administration and approved by key U.S. regulatory agencies, eases capital requirements, relaxes leverage rules, and streamlines stress-testing obligations for major banks.

Together, these measures could free up an estimated two point six trillion dollars in additional lending and balance-sheet capacity, according to regulatory assessments.

Supporters of the changes argue that banks have long been constrained by excessive safeguards that depress lending, limit growth, and place U.S. institutions at a competitive disadvantage compared to global rivals.

With loan demand rising and markets seeking more liquidity, Washington’s new approach is framed as a way to expand credit, stimulate investment, and accelerate economic activity.

Many analysts believe that the reforms will bolster bank profitability and may revive activity in mergers, acquisitions and public-market financing.

But the shift has also triggered concern, both inside the United States and abroad.

Rating agencies warn that while the near-term effects are likely manageable, the long-term risks could be substantial.

By lowering the amount of capital banks must retain, regulators may be weakening the system’s resilience to shocks.

A loosening cycle, critics argue, often begins slowly and ends with an industry that has taken on more risk than regulators anticipated.

America’s deregulation drive, they say, carries echoes of earlier moments when market optimism overshadowed systemic vulnerabilities.

The international response has been cautious.

Financial authorities in Europe, especially within the European Central Bank, have shown little willingness to mirror the U.S. approach.

Officials in Frankfurt have signaled readiness to simplify red tape — particularly around internal-model approvals and issuance procedures — but they do not intend to dismantle key capital protections.

The prevailing view in Europe is that post-crisis frameworks, though cumbersome, remain essential to maintaining financial stability.

Europe’s political climate, more wary of market excess, makes a sweeping rollback unlikely.

The United Kingdom presents a more complex picture.

Some London-based banks and investors, already concerned about losing ground to more lightly regulated U.S. competitors, are urging regulators to adopt similar reforms.

Yet British supervisors remain divided: some see opportunity in matching America’s more permissive stance, while others fear that an aggressive loosening could undermine the financial system at a time of global economic fragility.

Emerging markets are watching carefully.

Countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa often adjust their regulatory frameworks in response to shifts by major financial powers, particularly the United States.

A deep divergence between U.S. rules and those of Europe could encourage regulatory arbitrage — with banks shifting activities to jurisdictions offering the lightest oversight.

Such moves, experts warn, could spread systemic risk across borders and weaken hard-won global safeguards.

For now, the U.S. stands nearly alone in its belief that the era of tight financial regulation has run its course.

Whether it ultimately sparks global imitation or global caution remains uncertain.

The effects of deregulation often take years to unfold, and the current economic environment — marked by inflation pressures, geopolitical instability and rising sovereign debt — adds layers of unpredictability.

What is clear is that Washington’s decision marks a turning point.

It signals a renewed confidence in market-driven growth and a willingness to accept higher levels of financial risk in the name of economic expansion.

The world’s regulators must now decide whether the U.S. is charting a bold, necessary course — or reopening vulnerabilities that the global system is not yet prepared to face.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Tesla reaffirms support for Chinese suppliers, rejects sweeping ban amid supply-chain retooling

Company says vendor selection remains based on quality, not origin — even as it phases out Chinese parts in US-bound cars
Tesla has publicly reiterated its confidence in Chinese suppliers and rejected any blanket ban on China-based vendors, even as it works to reconfigure part of its global supply chain away from China for vehicles built in the United States.

On Wednesday, Tesla vice-president Grace Tao posted on Chinese social media that the company applies “the same rigorous and objective standards” when choosing suppliers in the U.S., China, or Europe.

She emphasised that geographic origin is not a criterion for exclusion, underscoring that the more than 400 suppliers serving the company’s Shanghai Gigafactory remain integral to Tesla’s global operations.

Her comments came in response to media reports — initially published by The Wall Street Journal — that Tesla had instructed its suppliers to remove China-made parts from cars destined for its U.S. factories.

According to those reports, the automaker plans to complete the transition within one to two years as it aims to mitigate geopolitical and tariff risks.

Tesla’s official statement clarifies that the company continues to source locally in China: more than 95 percent of components for China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles are sourced domestically, and over 60 of the Chinese suppliers also contribute to Tesla’s global supply chain.

The Shanghai-made Model 3, for instance, remains among the company’s most competitively priced offerings worldwide.

The contradictory signals illustrate the tension between two strategic realities: a push to insulate U.S. production from trade and geopolitical headwinds, and a need to preserve the efficiencies of a mature Chinese supply network that supports Tesla’s global manufacturing footprint.

By reaffirming its reliance on Chinese suppliers, Tesla appears keen to reassure partners and preserve supply-chain stability — at least for its non-U.S. operations.

The coming months will be decisive.

Whether Tesla can localise key components for its U.S. production without undermining global supply chain efficiency remains an open question — and the company’s reiterated faith in its Chinese partners may signal a dual-track supply strategy moving forward.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

China Holds Economic Levers Over Japan as Taiwan-Row Deepens — but Analysts Warn of Self-Harm

Beijing signals travel warnings, seafood bans and cultural boycotts — yet experts say aggressive pressure may backfire amid intertwined economies
China is now weighing a calibrated economic response to Japan after a diplomatic rupture triggered by recent remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about potential military action over Taiwan — but analysts caution that harsh measures could damage Beijing’s own economic interests.

Since Takaichi’s comments became public in early November, Beijing has suspended cultural imports, issued travel advisories to Chinese citizens, halted seafood and some food imports from Japan, and warned students and tourists to avoid Japan for now.

Screenings of Japanese films have been cancelled, and tour bookings have plunged.

The disruptions mark a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions.

([조선일보][1])

In sharp tone from Chinese state media and diplomacy, the government has described Takaichi’s remarks as crossing a red line.

After lodging a formal protest with the United Nations, China reiterated its sovereign claim over Taiwan and urged “strengthened measures” if Tokyo does not retract its language — signalling that further economic tools remain on the table.

([Reuters][2])

Still, experts warn Beijing is likely to tread cautiously.

China Real Estate Information Corporation (CRIC), a leading market-research firm, expects only a gradual escalation of countermeasures — mindful of the deep trade and investment ties linking the two economies.

“Leaning too heavily on economic countermeasures would undercut that strategy and unsettle foreign investors and partners,” said one analyst.

([Asia Times][3])

The immediate economic impact is already visible.

Tourist flows from China to Japan — once a pillar of post-pandemic recovery for Japan’s hotels, retailers and service sectors — have dropped sharply as much as a half-million reservations were reportedly cancelled in days.

Retail and tourism-related stocks in Japan have tumbled, and Okinawa, Hokkaido and regional prefectures reliant on Chinese visitors are bracing for a difficult winter season.

([The Adept Traveler][4])

In trade, China’s decision to suspend Japanese seafood imports and pause talks on beef reflects a recalibration of supply-chain dependence.

But with high-tech supply interdependence — especially in semiconductor parts, rare-earth materials, and manufacturing supply chains — cutting too many ties could end up hurting Chinese consumers and firms as well.

([The Economic Times][5])

Diplomatic analysts suggest Beijing may prefer a “slow squeeze” — using non-tariff, soft-power and administrative measures rather than sweeping trade bans.

The goal appears to be a protest that inflicts real pain on sensitive sectors while preserving long-term trade stability.

([The Economic Times][5])

For now, the Sino-Japanese standoff appears to be entering a drawn-out economic pressure campaign.

The choices China makes in coming weeks — whether to escalate or hold restraint — will test both nations’ ability to avoid a full-blown trade undoing, and set a precedent for how geopolitical conflicts may impact regional commerce in East Asia.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

At least 44 killed, hundreds missing after massive fire rips through Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court towers

Deadliest fire in decades consumes eight high-rises in Tai Po; three men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter
A devastating blaze tore through the public housing estate Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on Wednesday afternoon, leaving at least 44 people dead and hundreds unaccounted for in what authorities say is the deadliest fire the city has seen in decades.

Rescue operations continued into the early hours of Thursday as firefighters struggled to reach residents trapped on upper floors.

([AP News][1])

The fire erupted around 2:50 p.m. local time, and within hours had engulfed seven of the estate’s eight 31-storey blocks, home to roughly 4,800 people.

The inferno was classified as a five-alarm fire, mobilising nearly 800 firefighters and 128 fire engines as authorities worked to contain the rapidly spreading flames.

([Reuters][2])

Police have arrested three men — two directors and an engineering consultant from the construction company responsible for recent renovation works — on suspicion of manslaughter.

Investigators believe highly flammable materials, including foam boards and bamboo scaffolding used during renovations, contributed to the speed and intensity of the blaze.

([AP News][1])

Among the dead is a firefighter, 37-year-old Ho Wai-ho, who lost his life battling the flames.

Dozens more are injured or in critical condition; at least 62 people were reported injured, and 279 remain missing pending contact, according to officials.

([AP News][1])

Hundreds of residents have been evacuated and are now sheltered in emergency shelters across Tai Po. Roads near the estate remain closed as fire and police crews continue clearing operations and debris removal amid ongoing safety concerns.

([Reuters][2])

The fire has reignited urgent debate over building safety standards in Hong Kong — particularly the use of bamboo scaffolding and combustible external renovation materials, which have been increasingly phased out but remain widespread across older housing estates.

The scale of the tragedy may prompt further regulatory scrutiny and accelerate the transition to safer renovation practices in the densely populated city.

([Reuters][2])
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

The Ukrainian Sumo Wrestler Who Escaped the War — and Is Captivating Japan

At only twenty-one, Arata Aunishiki has risen from refugee to one of Japan’s top sumo contenders, earning a historic tournament victory and a likely promotion to the sport’s second-highest rank.
He arrived in Japan with nothing, unable to speak the language but carrying a single, determined dream — to become a professional sumo wrestler.

At the age of twenty-one, with the support of a Japanese coach who took him in, Arata Aunishiki has climbed to the second-highest level in the sport.

And he has no intention of stopping.

“It doesn’t surprise me that I reached this point,” he said.

Aunishiki won the Kyushu Grand Tournament after defeating Mongolia’s grand champion Hoshoryu in a tiebreaker — one of only two wrestlers in Japan who currently hold sumo’s highest rank.

“I’m happy I managed to compete at my highest level,” he told viewers watching on television and the crowd inside Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

“And I’m happy I fulfilled one of my dreams”.

Following the victory, Japan’s Sumo Association will meet to promote him to the rank of Ozeki, just below Yokozuna, the grand champion.

His ascent has been meteoric, almost unprecedented — but that alone is not what makes his story remarkable.

Aunishiki was born twenty-one years ago in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, eight-thousand-five-hundred kilometers from where he celebrated his triumph.

Arata is his ring name; he was born Danilo Yavosyshyn.

Standing one-point-eight meters tall and weighing one-hundred-thirty kilograms, Yavosyshyn was not destined for muddy battlefields against Russian soldiers, but for the clean clay rings of sumo.

He and his family fled Ukraine after Russia’s violent invasion in February twenty-twenty-two.

They first escaped to Germany, but two months later he traveled alone to Japan to chase the dream he had carried since childhood.

He began practicing sumo at seven, became Ukraine’s national champion at seventeen, and competed in the Youth World Championships.

This was his path — no decree from Moscow was going to stop him.

He arrived in Japan with only a suitcase, no Japanese, and no financial support — a major hurdle in a country naturally cautious toward foreigners, especially in a national sport considered a source of deep pride.

Fortunately, he had met Japanese wrestler-coach Arata Yamanaka at the twenty-nineteen youth championships and stayed in touch.

“I had only met him once and didn’t speak a word of Japanese,” Yavosyshyn recalled.

“Still, he welcomed me warmly. If the situation were reversed, I’m not sure I would have agreed so easily”.

“I decided to host him and help him pursue his dream,” said Yamanaka, now twenty-five, who also trained him at a club in Kobe.

When Yavosyshyn entered the professional ranks in twenty-twenty-three, he became only the second Ukrainian in pro sumo, after Serhiy Sokolovsky, known in the ring as Shishi.

His recent tournament victory marked the first time a Ukrainian ever won a sumo competition in Japan.

By the time he won, Yavosyshyn — who adopted the ring name Arata as a tribute to his mentor — was already speaking fluent Japanese.

He dedicated the victory “to my big brother and my new family,” saying it was only the beginning of his journey.

At a press conference, he spoke of his longing for home and childhood friends, saying he has not returned to Ukraine since fleeing the war.

“I hope people in Ukraine can watch my matches or read about them so they can escape reality for a moment — or so I can give some hope to children and young people in a country where hope is hard to find right now”.

Although most professional wrestlers are Japanese, and others typically come from across Asia, Ukraine has a strong amateur tradition in sumo, rooted in the nation’s deep wrestling and judo culture.

The Japanese public embraced him warmly.

He learned the language, respected the culture, and honored the sport through discipline, talent, and fierce competitiveness.

His rapid rise is the fastest in modern sumo history — reaching the top division within a year and now approaching promotion to Ozeki.

Another reason the Japanese crowd admires him is the creativity of his fighting style.

His victories often come through inventive techniques.

He now begins a new chapter: the pursuit of becoming the first European in history to reach the rank of grand champion.

“I’ve always had the biggest dreams for how far I could go in sumo,” he said.

“I’m not surprised by where I am today, but I have to admit I surprised myself with how quickly it happened”.

“I don’t plan too far ahead. There’s a long road in front of me, with many difficult moments, and that’s the point. When you grow up in a place like Ukraine, you learn not to plan too far into the future. There are too many things you can’t control, and everything can turn upside down overnight”.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

No Public Record Found for Alleged Japanese Craft Festival at PMQ in Hong Kong

Available listings show only a Japanese arts-and-crafts exhibition, not the full-scale festival described in the original report
A thorough review of publicly available event listings and cultural-venue calendars in Hong Kong reveals no trace of a festival under the name “A Journey into Japanese Craft Aesthetics” scheduled for PMQ in late December.

What does exist is a Japanese traditional-craft exhibition titled “Japanese Arts & Crafts Exhibition – Let’s the Crafts Bring Color to Your Life [Atelier DENSAN POP UP],” running from November 1 to December 31 at PMQ’s H401 gallery.

The existing exhibition features lacquerware, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, paper and wood crafts — typical artisan objects available for viewing and sale — but no public announcement mentions puppet theatre, martial-arts demonstrations, swordsmanship, or other performance-based activities described in the original story.

PMQ’s official “What’s On” listings show the arts-and-crafts exhibition alongside other design pop-ups, but no programme matching a 12-day Japanese-craft festival beginning December 24. The venue’s documented events for the period include design showcases, pop-up shops, and exhibitions — consistent with PMQ’s usual format as a creative-and-design hub rather than a theatre or festival centre.

Given the absence of tickets, promotional materials, media coverage, or listing in trusted public calendars, there is no verifiable evidence to substantiate that a private festival combining traditional Japanese puppet theatre, martial arts, and crafts demonstrations will take place at PMQ, as described in the source item.

As it stands, the only confirmed Japanese-craft event at PMQ is a standard exhibition, not a multi-artform festival.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Sai Kung Village Endures Over Ten Days Without Tap Water After Pipe Leak

Hong Kong’s Water Supplies Department vows to restore supply in Kai Hang Tun by end of week after residents go without water since Nov. 14
Residents of Kai Hang Tun village in Hong Kong’s Sai Kung district have endured more than ten days without a stable fresh-water supply, amid a leak in the village’s supply mains.

The outage began on November 14 and, as of Wednesday, remained unresolved.

The city’s Water Supplies Department (WSD) has attributed the disruption to weakened water pressure caused by a leak in the mains network supplying eight village houses and several temporary structures.

WSD said that 60 percent of the affected water mains have already been replaced, and pledged to complete repairs by the end of the week.

Once works are finalised, the department expects normal supply pressure to resume.

In its response, the WSD acknowledged the hardship faced by villagers and stated it would “expedite the works to restore normal supply pressure as early as possible.” The repair effort involves replacing and re-pressurising the relevant section of mains to ensure stable delivery of fresh water.

The disruption comes at a time when Hong Kong’s broader water-supply network is under increased scrutiny, following recent incidents of contaminated water supplies and ongoing leak-prevention efforts across the territory.

Experts have noted that water loss through leaks remains a long-standing challenge, prompting calls for greater investment in infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.

For now, villagers in Kai Hang Tun continue to rely on temporary water arrangements until the WSD completes its remedial work.

The department’s commitment to restore normal supply by November 30 offers hope that the prolonged outage will soon come to an end.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

HKChat’s Debut Sees Surge in Users as Hong Kong’s First Local AI Chatbot Goes Live

Home-grown AI chatbot attracts around 90,000 users in its first week, raising expectations for local-language smart services
Hong Kong’s first locally developed artificial-intelligence chatbot, HKChat — known in Chinese as “港話通” — has drawn around 90,000 users in its debut week, positioning itself as a serious contender in the city’s emerging AI ecosystem.

The app, which officially launched in mid-November 2025, aims to provide Hong Kong residents with an AI-powered assistant tailored to local life.

([Wikipedia][1])

Built upon the locally developed large-language model HKGAI V1, HKChat supports Cantonese, Mandarin and English, enabling users to ask questions and receive responses in mixed-language Cantonese/English or Mandarin — a design intended to fit Hong Kong’s linguistic diversity.

It draws on local knowledge bases and government open data to deliver real-time information such as bus arrival times, weather updates, legal guidance, public transport routes and more.

([香港生成式人工智能研發中心（HKGAI）][2])

In the first days after launch, HKChat topped the free-app charts on Apple’s Hong Kong App Store, reflecting strong public interest.

([App Store][3]) The platform is operated by HKChat OmniServe Limited, which describes it as an AI “local assistant” built to serve everyday needs — not only as an information tool, but as an AI companion for residents.

([hkchat.org][4])

Officials involved in the project emphasise that HKChat is more than a novelty: it reflects a broader push to reposition Hong Kong as a technology hub.

The city’s authorities have supported development of the HKGAI model and encouraged adoption of generative-AI tools for public-service applications.

HKChat marks perhaps the first major step in bringing home-grown large-language-model technology to everyday users in Hong Kong.

([Dimsum Daily][5])

The initial user response underscores substantial demand for a Cantonese-friendly, locally grounded AI assistant — particularly one that understands the city’s language and context better than global alternatives.

As HKChat enters a trial phase, developers plan to refine the system with user feedback, aiming to improve reliability, deepen integration with local services, and expand its capabilities beyond basic information queries.

([香港 unwire.hk 玩生活．樂科技][6])

The success of HKChat so far highlights a growing appetite in Hong Kong for AI tools that reflect local realities — and may mark the beginning of a shift in how residents access public-service information, transport updates, and everyday advice, using a digital assistant built right for the city.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong’s 27th “Wing Ding” Fancy-Dress Squash Tournament Raises HK$390,000 for Charity

Players donned costumes and rallied to support Operation Santa Claus, with funds still rising toward a HK$500,000 goal
Squash players in whimsical costumes helped raise HK$390,000 at the 27th edition of the Wing Ding Squash Charity Tournament — held at the courts of Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) — to benefit Operation Santa Claus (OSC), the citywide annual fundraising drive.

The event, which brings together players of all ages and abilities, aims to reach a target of HK$500,000 for the campaign’s social-welfare projects.

Organisers report that 182 participants, forming 14 teams, took part in the fun, non-stop squash competition, with ages ranging from eight to eighty.

Players traded conventional squash attire for colourful costumes — including a life-size shark outfit, Santa Claus suits and a Ronald McDonald — combining athletic play with festive spirit.

Unlike typical squash matches, the Wing Ding format prioritises total point accumulation rather than games or sets.

Each session lasts three minutes, followed by a horn signalling a move to the next court.

Players continue rotating through opponents for the duration of the tournament.

In addition to rally points, teams can earn up to forty bonus points for creativity and difficulty of costumes, adding a playful edge to the competition.

All proceeds from team entry fees, donations and a lucky draw are directed to OSC.

Past editions have raised similar amounts — the 26th Wing Ding in 2024 delivered over HK$339,000 — highlighting the event’s consistency in supporting charity through sport.

According to organisers, the Wing Ding tournament remains a vibrant example of how sports and community leadership can come together to support vulnerable populations across Hong Kong.

With further donations expected, the final amount raised may exceed the current total and help fund multiple social-impact projects this year.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

How Chinese Exporters Are Using U.S. Dollar-Backed Stablecoins to Bypass Payment Barriers

Stablecoins offer a workaround to sanctions and banking restrictions, letting Chinese firms access foreign markets despite currency and capital-control constraints
Some Chinese exporters are increasingly turning to U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins to settle overseas trade — a shift that allows them to bypass regulatory hurdles, evade banking restrictions, and access foreign demand when traditional dollar payments are blocked.

Experts describe the trend as a growing adaptation to a changing global financial landscape dominated by digital assets.

According to recent analysis by researchers including Zou Chuanwei of the Jiangsu Jinke Research Institute, overseas buyers sometimes cannot pay via traditional U.S. dollar bank transfers due to sanctions, foreign exchange controls, or banking restrictions.

In those cases, buyers are offered the option to pay using dollar-pegged stablecoins (such as USDT or USDC).

Those coins are then converted onshore into yuan by licensed payment agencies, ensuring exporters still receive local currency without relying on cross-border banking.

In other instances, Chinese companies barred from direct dollar payments — perhaps due to sanction-related restrictions — can still complete transactions by routing payments through third-party intermediaries: stablecoin payment agencies send the coins to a licensed virtual-asset exchange (for example in Hong Kong), where they are converted into U.S. dollars or Hong Kong dollars before funds reach the exporter.

The exporter’s experience resembles a conventional trade deal, though the funds flow through a digital-asset intermediary rather than a bank.

Supporters argue that stablecoins offer significant practical benefits: they enable near-instantaneous cross-border settlement, lower transaction costs, and avoid delays that may arise from banking channel restrictions or sanctions.

For exporters facing uncertainty over foreign buyers’ access to U.S. dollar bank transfers, stablecoins provide a viable — and increasingly attractive — alternative.

But the growing use of dollar-backed stablecoins also raises strategic and political concerns for Beijing.

Senior Chinese financial figures have warned that widespread adoption of such tokens could further entrench U.S. dollar dominance and erode Chinese monetary sovereignty.

China’s central bank and policymakers view stablecoins as potentially threatening their control over capital flows and financial regulation.

As a response, Beijing is reportedly exploring infrastructure for yuan-pegged stablecoins, particularly offshore via hubs like Hong Kong, to counterbalance the influence of dollar-linked tokens.

At the same time, the rise of stablecoin-based trade settlement underlines broader global shifts: digital asset frameworks, tighter financial regulations, and increasingly fragmented trade relations are reshaping how goods and money move across borders.

For Chinese exporters navigating a complex geopolitical and regulatory environment, stablecoins are emerging as both a shield and a strategic tool.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

China Sets Yuan Fix at Strongest Level in Over a Year as Markets Eye U.S. Rate Cuts

PBOC’s firm midpoint, yuan rally and weak dollar fuel speculation on further yuan appreciation

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has established the yuan’s daily reference rate, or “fix,” at 7.0796 per US dollar — the strongest level since October 2024 — signalling clear support for the Chinese currency as markets prepare for potential U.S. rate cuts. ([People's Bank of China][1])

The firm fixing comes after the offshore yuan briefly touched 7.0794 on Tuesday, an intraday high matching the on-shore midpoint. By midday Wednesday, the offshore rate strengthened further to around 7.078. ([Google][2])

Economists say this could mark the beginning of a gradual but sustained yuan appreciation cycle — especially if the Federal Reserve (Fed) lowers U.S. interest rates as expected at its December meeting. “In the absence of tangible improvements in China’s macro fundamentals, I tend to see this as a recognition of its geopolitical power,” said one senior economist. The combination of a firmer yuan fix and a weakening dollar could push the renminbi even higher. ([Reuters][3])

Analysts highlight that the strengthened fix and recent state-backed dollar-buying operations by Chinese banks signal a deliberate policy choice, not a market-driven move. This echoes previous episodes when China used exchange-rate management to stabilise the yuan under volatile global conditions. ([Reuters][3])

Despite sluggish domestic economic growth, depressed interest rates and persistent global uncertainty, the yuan looks increasingly attractive to international investors. Daily turnover in the USD/CNY pair has risen roughly 60 percent since 2022, reflecting growing global interest in the currency. ([Reuters][3])

The market now watches closely whether upcoming U.S. monetary policy moves — especially a potential Fed rate cut — will accelerate yuan gains, and if China will maintain its strong guidance amid capital-flow pressures. For the time being, the stronger fix suggests Chinese authorities are confident in the yuan’s rising status in global finance.

Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Joy City Property to Delist from Hong Kong as Private Equity Restructures Amid Sector Weakness

COFCO-owned Joy City ends 12-year HKEX stint via HK$2.9 billion buy-back, reflecting deepening shake-up in China’s commercial real estate market
After twelve years on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Joy City Property Limited will delist on November 27, 2025, following its recently approved share-buyback and privatisation plan.

The move marks the company’s exit from public markets as China’s real-estate sector undergoes broad consolidation and restructuring.

Under the privatisation deal, Joy City will repurchase about 4.73 billion shares at HK$0.62 per share — roughly a 67.5 percent premium over the pre-suspension market price — at a total cost of approximately HK$2.93 billion.

Once completed, the company will become nearly wholly owned by its parent COFCO Corporation via its real-estate arm.

Joy City cited persistently low trading liquidity and the inability to raise capital through its public listing as key reasons for the move.

The company’s complex governance structure and challenging financing environment in the commercial property sector have made its Hong Kong listing increasingly unattractive.

Industry analysts say Joy City’s case may foreshadow a wave of similar exits over the next two to three years as developers contend with weaker demand, tighter financing, and a broader shake-out in commercial real estate.

The shift away from public listings to private ownership reflects a strategic recalibration for companies seeking operational flexibility and reduced compliance burdens amid market headwinds.

Joy City’s delisting encapsulates the challenges confronting China’s broader property space — from falling consumer and investor confidence to shrinking funding channels — while underscoring a trend toward consolidation led by state-linked entities aiming to stabilise control and restructure legacy assets.

The company’s transformation into a private subsidiary suggests a new phase of real-estate business model evolution under changing economic conditions.

With Hong Kong’s capital markets losing a long-time commercial real-estate name, attention will turn to how remaining developers adapt — and whether new funding models like private real-estate investment trusts or asset sales will shape the sector’s next chapter.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong to Launch “Yueshan” Orbiter in 2028 to Monitor Lunar Meteoroid Threats

New mission aims to deliver first continuous surveillance of lunar impacts ahead of China’s planned Moon base
Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region will soon take a leading role in lunar safety research with the development of a dedicated orbiter mission named Yueshan — meaning “moon flashes.” Set for launch in 2028, Yueshan is designed to monitor meteoroid strikes on the Moon’s surface, a hazard that poses a serious risk to any future lunar infrastructure or crewed habitats.

The project was confirmed recently by University of Hong Kong (HKU)’s Laboratory for Space Research, signalling a step-up in Hong Kong’s contribution to China’s broader lunar programme.

([CGTN News][1]) Lunar impacts — dubbed “moon flashes” or transient lunar phenomena — occur when meteoroids collide with the airless lunar surface at high speed, producing brief but intense bursts of light.

Without atmospheric cushioning, even small rocks can hit with enough energy to damage surface structures.

Yueshan aims to provide the first long-duration, systematic tracking of such events, filling a critical observational gap ahead of planned lunar habitation.

([CGTN News][1]) The Yueshan orbiter’s optical telescope will be built entirely in Hong Kong, marking a milestone for the city’s aerospace and engineering community.

Manufacturing, testing and integration will draw on partnerships across mainland China and other institutions, while a launch vehicle is expected to be provided through collaboration with Chinese space agencies.

([CGTN News][1]) Yueshan is part of a broader surge in Hong Kong’s engagement in lunar and deep-space exploration.

In 2025 the city established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre under the InnoHK research clusters, which is leading development of a multifunctional lunar surface robot in collaboration with the Chang'e 8 mission.

That robotic vehicle, along with Yueshan’s impact-monitoring capabilities, underscores Hong Kong’s ambition to play a significant role in China’s evolving lunar infrastructure scheme.

([spacedaily.com][2]) Yueshan will not operate in isolation.

Its mission complements concurrent global efforts such as the LUMIO (Lunar Meteoroid Impact Observer) CubeSat from the European Space Agency, which aims to detect impact flashes on the Moon’s far side from a halo orbit around the Earth–Moon L2 point.

That mission is expected to launch as early as 2027. Scientists say combining datasets from multiple vantage points will improve understanding of meteoroid flux, impact frequency and spatial distribution across the lunar surface.

([European Space Agency][3]) As nations plan long-term lunar bases and sustained human presence on the Moon, missions like Yueshan are increasingly vital.

By delivering high-resolution data on how and when the Moon is struck by meteoroids, Hong Kong is positioning itself at the forefront of lunar safety research — a foundational step for future exploration and settlement beyond Earth.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Bolsonaro Begins 27-Year Prison Sentence, President Lula: “We’ve Given the World a Lesson in Democracy”

After his coup-plot conviction became final, Brazil’s former president began serving his 27-year sentence amid divided public reaction and calls for clemency from supporters.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil began serving his 27-year prison sentence yesterday, after his appeal was rejected and authorities confirmed his detention following an alleged attempt to remove his electronic ankle monitor.

The decision followed his conviction for planning a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

President Lula addressed the nation, saying Brazil had “given the world a lesson in democracy”.

He noted that never before in the country's history had a former president been sent to prison for plotting an armed coup.
The verdict marks a watershed moment — a formal assertion that democratic institutions take primacy over personal ambitions.

Bolsonaro, seventy years old, had been under house arrest since August.

On Saturday, authorities arrested him after he attempted to tamper with the ankle monitor — reportedly using a soldering iron.

He later told a judge the act resulted from a “psychotic episode,” induced by medication, claiming he believed the ankle tag was bugged.

A four-judge panel of the top court unanimously voted to keep him in custody, citing a clear risk of flight.

The original sentence, handed down in September, found Bolsonaro guilty on multiple counts including leading an armed criminal organisation, violent efforts to dismantle the democratic rule of law and a broader plot that included plans to eliminate top officials.

It was the first time in Brazil’s modern history that a former president received such a sentence on coup-related charges.

Supporters of Bolsonaro gathered outside the headquarters of the Federal Police in Brasília chanting for clemency, while others poured champagne and celebrated what they called “justice served”.

Some urged Congress to pass a pardon law; others insulted presiding Judge Alexandre de Moraes.

In preparing for prison, officials say Bolsonaro will be held in a private cell of roughly twelve square meters, with access to a bed, private bathroom, air conditioning, television and a writing desk.

He will have access to his doctors and lawyers, though any visit from outsiders will require special court approval.

His legal team has already announced plans to appeal again, arguing his fragile health — including ongoing effects from a 2018 stabbing and subsequent surgeries — merits house arrest rather than incarceration.

As of now, however, the Supreme Court appears resolute: the rule of law must prevail.


This moment underscores a deeper truth: in a world where public power and political myths too often eclipse institutions, Brazil has, for now, reaffirmed that no leader lies above the law.

Democracy, it seems, can still assert its authority — even at the highest level of governance.

Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Elton John Reveals Severe Vision Loss but Holds Firm to Hope

The musician describes fifteen months of declining eyesight after a sudden eye infection, praising medical progress and the support surrounding him.
Elton John has spoken openly about the sharp deterioration in his eyesight, describing a year marked by physical strain, emotional adjustment, and a quiet determination to remain hopeful.

In an interview with Variety, the seventy-eight-year-old artist explained that a severe eye infection contracted during a holiday in France in the summer of twenty-twenty-four left him completely blind in his right eye and significantly weakened the vision in his left.

The experience, which he called “devastating,” forced him to confront the daily realities of partial blindness: he could not read, watch performances, or even fully see his own children.

Yet throughout the fifteen-month ordeal, Elton John has insisted on protecting both optimism and perspective.

He noted that his decades of work with his AIDS foundation often remind him how quickly self-pity evaporates when viewed alongside the struggles faced by others.

He stressed that medical science is advancing rapidly, and he believes that future treatments may eventually help restore the remaining function in his left eye.

His husband, David Furnish, said doctors are already observing slight improvement and that researchers worldwide have reached out because retinal injury remains a frontier where breakthroughs are emerging at a remarkable pace.

Despite the decline in eyesight, music continues to anchor John’s daily life.

He still plays, sings, and even returned to the stage recently for a performance with his band at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Social connection has also helped sustain him: Paul McCartney regularly checks on him through video calls, while musicians such as Pete Townshend, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards send frequent messages of affection and support.

John joked that although he can no longer clearly see large concerts, he still managed to give Brandi Carlile lighting notes during one of her shows.

He now uses a screen with oversized text to read what little his left eye allows, driven partly by his love of following weekly music charts.

Walking through large venues, however, has become difficult, and he admits he can no longer fully take in live performances.

Even so, he returns again and again to a note of gratitude—toward his family, his friends, and the life he has lived.

In his words, he has had “an amazing life,” and while his vision may have dimmed, his sense of hope has not.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

AECOM Appointed to Deliver HKIA-Dongguan Sea-Air Logistics Hub, First-of-Its-Kind in Global Trade

Hong Kong International Airport and Dongguan manufacturing region to be directly linked in an innovative cargo-handling park overseen by AECOM
AECOM has been selected as lead consultant for Phase 1 of the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park, a pioneer sea-air intermodal transshipment facility connecting Hong Kong International Airport and the manufacturing hub of Dongguan in China’s Greater Bay Area.

The development was announced on 25 November 2025 by the airport’s developer and joint-venture partner, underscoring the project’s role in strengthening the cargo ecosystem between Hong Kong and mainland China.

The inaugural phase includes an air-cargo terminal complex, an adjacent barge terminal, freight-forwarder warehouses and highly automated facilities fitted with intelligent-guided vehicles and custom containers.

Export cargo will be security-screened and palletised in Dongguan, then shipped by dedicated vessel directly to the airside of Hong Kong International Airport for onward global air-lift.

This streamlined model is described as the world’s first sea-air intermodal hub built to such a specification.

According to the project website, the facility will eventually handle up to one million tonnes of cargo annually, positioning the airport as a major gateway for Asia-Pacific manufacturing flows.

In earlier announcements, the joint-venture between the Airport Authority Hong Kong and Dongguan Port Group projected savings of up to fifty per cent of costs and one-third of processing time compared with conventional multi-modal exports.

The full Phase 1 footprint spans approximately twenty hectares.

AECOM’s Asia regional chief executive, Ian Chung, said the company would leverage its expertise in complex logistics-infrastructure delivery and apply advanced automation and digital-technology systems to raise efficiency and resilience in trade flows.

The contract covers design, procurement and construction management of all major structural and systems components.

The development reflects Hong Kong’s wider strategic vision of anchoring its airport as a “double gateway” for the Greater Bay Area and connecting regional manufacturing with global aviation.

It also aligns with China’s emphasis on the Greater Bay Area logistics network as a trade corridor.

As manufacturing centres like Dongguan seek faster access to global airfreight markets, the hub aims to enhance cross-border supply-chain integration and reinforce Hong Kong’s logistics leadership.

Work on the permanent facility is expected to proceed through the remainder of the decade.

Subsequent phases may expand to accommodate cold-chain, e-commerce fulfilment and high-value cargo flows.

For now, the asset marks a significant step in redefining the logistics architecture between Hong Kong and the mainland’s manufacturing belt.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong Aligns with Beijing, Cancelling Japan Student Exchanges Amid Diplomatic Fallout

Hong Kong suspends a youth exchange programme with Japan in support of China’s stance after Tokyo remarks on Taiwan
Hong Kong’s government has announced the withdrawal of its delegation from the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) programme, citing safety concerns for Hong Kong teachers and students amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Tokyo.

The group of eighteen teachers and students was scheduled to visit Japan from 7 to 13 December but will no longer participate.

The decision follows remarks on 7 November by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinting at the possibility of Japanese military involvement in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka‑chiu publicly stated that the remarks had “significantly deteriorated the atmosphere for Sino-Japanese exchanges” and affirmed Hong Kong’s alignment with the central government’s diplomatic position.

The Hong Kong Education Bureau explained the withdrawal by pointing to a perceived rise in attacks against Chinese nationals in Japan, although Japanese authorities say there is no evidence of an increase.

Separately, Hong Kong’s Security Bureau revised the travel advisory for Japan on 15 November, encouraging residents to remain vigilant.

While economic ties remain intact — Hong Kong continues to be one of Japan’s largest importers of agricultural and food goods and bilateral travel flows remain substantial — the cultural and educational dimensions of the relationship are now under strain.

Analysts suggest that people-to-people exchanges are being used as a tool in diplomatic alignment and that Hong Kong’s decision may reflect Beijing’s broader effort to close ranks on Taiwan-related strategy.

Hong Kong’s withdrawal illustrates how education and youth-mobility mechanisms can be affected by geopolitical currents.

It also underscores the increasingly active role the Special Administrative Region plays in supporting the diplomatic posture of the central government, even in matters traditionally considered non-political.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink

Hong Kong Banks Face Profit and Asset-Quality Pressure Amid Real-Estate Stress in 2026

Fitch Ratings warns that commercial-property exposure and narrowing margins will challenge Hong Kong’s banking sector next year
Hong Kong’s banking sector is poised to enter a challenging phase in 2026, as credit-rating agency Fitch Ratings highlights that interest-rate cuts and prolonged real-estate stress will dampen both profitability and asset quality.

The report underscores that while residential mortgage demand may rise moderately amid market stabilisation, overall loan growth is expected to remain subdued as banks pull back from risk-heavy sectors such as commercial real estate (CRE).

A central concern is the persistently weak office and retail segments in Hong Kong’s property market, where vacancy rates and falling asset values heighten the risk of impairments for banks.

Fitch notes that although lower interbank rates offer relief for borrowers, they do little to tackle the deeper structural issues in CRE, meaning the expected decline in net interest margins will further compress banks’ earnings.

Several local lenders have already taken steps to reduce exposure to high-risk property borrowers, particularly in mainland China.

One bank revealed its impaired Hong Kong CRE portfolio ratio has climbed to around 7.5 per cent from about 6 per cent at the end of 2024. The broader industry context shows that real-estate-loan concentrations at the territory’s five domestic systemically important banks increased to 25.75 per cent of total loans by end-2024, signaling higher vulnerability.

On the positive side, banks in Hong Kong are benefitting from fee-income opportunities.

Wealth-management services and cross-border investment flows have delivered robust momentum, as lenders expand private-clients centres and connect with mainland China’s investment channels.

These non-interest streams are viewed as key offsetting factors to margin pressure and property-related credit risks.

Fitch’s overarching outlook categorises the Asia-Pacific banking sector as broadly neutral for 2026, though it flags Hong Kong (alongside mainland China and Taiwan) as among the weaker markets due to concentrated risks.

The agency emphasises that the resilience of Hong Kong banks will hinge on maintaining capital buffers, diversifying beyond property-heavy lending, and leveraging non-loan revenue streams as the region navigates this next phase of financial-markets evolution in a trade-and-tariff-volatile era.
Read MoreShow Less
ShareEmailLink
Playlist Hide
0:00
0:00
Open
0:00
0:00
Close
Hong Kong Investigates Corruption and Safety Failures After Deadliest Fire in Decades
Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Death Toll Climbs to 128 as Authorities Broaden Criminal Probe
Hong Kong Tower Fire Surpasses Grenfell as One of Worst High-Rise Tragedies — Spark Renewed Focus on Building Safety Worldwide
Hong Kong Pushes Hydrogen Transport Plan as Part of 2050 Carbon-Neutrality Drive
Hong Kong Firefighter Set to Marry Next Month Dies in Tai Po Tower Blaze — City Honors Fallen Hero
Families Endure Agonising Wait as Nearly 300 People Remain Missing After Hong Kong Tower Blaze
Hong Kong Residents, Volunteers and Companies Mobilise Massive Aid Effort After Tai Po Tower Fire
Death Toll Climbs to 128 as Hong Kong High-Rise Inferno Raises Urgent Safety Questions
250 Still Missing in the Massive Fire, 94 Killed. One Day After the Disaster: Survivor Rescued on the 16th Floor
Tesla reaffirms support for Chinese suppliers, rejects sweeping ban amid supply-chain retooling
China Holds Economic Levers Over Japan as Taiwan-Row Deepens — but Analysts Warn of Self-Harm
At least 44 killed, hundreds missing after massive fire rips through Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court towers
Hong Kong Government Spent HK$24.6 Million on Around 130,000 National Day Displays
Where to Stay, Shop and Drink During Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2025
Thailand’s Bitkub Eyeing Hong Kong Listing Amid 2025 IPO Plans
Hong Kong launches immersive light show in Central as highlight of WinterFest 2025
Families Accuse OpenAI of Enabling ‘AI-Driven Delusions’ After Multiple Suicides
Egypt Rolls Out Major Treasure Exhibition in Hong Kong to Boost Trade and Investment Ties
Hong Kong and Singapore Prime Office Rents to Reach Parity by 2027, CBRE Forecasts
Hong Kong’s Keeta Commits to Fairer Restaurant Terms After Competition Authority Intervention
Two More Imported Chikungunya Cases Raise Hong Kong’s 2025 Total to Seventy
Hong Kong Brings ‘Think Business, Think Hong Kong’ to Milan to Deepen Italy-Asia Engagement
Hong Kong Accelerates Tokenisation Drive to Attract Treasury Centres and Investment Flows
Hong Kong Passes First Comprehensive Ride-Hailing Law Amid Ongoing Platforms Fare Dispute
China’s Wedding Boom: Nightclubs, Mountains and a Demographic Reset
Hong Kong Bank Deposits Surpass HK$19 Trillion as City Claims Safe-Haven Status
Japan Faces Sharp Loss of Chinese Tourists Amid Diplomatic Rift
US–China Trade Truce Faces Thanksgiving Deadline Amid Divergent Accounts
Closing Ceremony of National Games Underscores Greater Bay Area’s Next-Gen Sporting Role
Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Role in Equestrian Events Propels Greater Bay Area Integration
Hong Kong Probes Social Media Leak of Voters’ Personal Data Ahead of December Election
Beijing’s Hong Kong Chief Meets HSBC CEO in Second High-Level Engagement
Myolie Wu’s Rise From Hong Kong Icon to Mainland China Star
Japan’s New Leadership Signals Shift in Crypto Race with Hong Kong
Hong Kong Shares Halt Four-Day Slide as Nvidia Earnings Boost Sentiment
A Decade of Innovation Stagnation at Apple: The Cook Era Critique
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Launches Festive “A Disney Christmas” Amid 20th Anniversary Celebration
Hong Kong Launches ‘Horizons Festival’ with Full Box-Office Proceeds to Artists
Hong Kong Accelerates Ambition to Become China’s Scientific Capital by Attracting Western Talent
HKUST Launches Smart Logistics and AI Research Hub to Propel Hong Kong Innovation
Wallem Marks Century in Hong Kong with Call for Maritime Sector Renewal
Hong Kong WinterFest 2025 Launches Major City-Wide Holiday Experience
Hong Kong Issues Japan Travel Warning Amid Surge in Attacks on Chinese Nationals
Golden Jubilee of Hong Kong’s Walkable Legacy: Time to Shift from Cars to Pedestrians
Hikers in Hong Kong warned as major trail-running event passes through Sunset Peak
Hong Kong Top Official Endorses Election Forums While Urging Candidates to Keep Campaigns Respectful
Hong Kong’s First AWS Community Day Showcases a Grassroots Surge in Cloud Innovation
China Mobile Lands SEA-H2X Submarine Cable in Hong Kong, Launching Key Asia-Pacific Data Link
Why Hong Kong’s Courts Hold Fast to the Tradition of Legal Wigs
Hong Kong Universities Court Harvard’s International Students Amid U.S. Enrollment Ban