Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will raise fuel surcharges by up to 41 per cent on most passenger flights from August, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East. The airline said on Friday that the higher passenger and cargo fuel surcharges would take effect on August 1, following a brief period of declines…
Even as local retail spending remains resilient, Hong Kong consumers are shopping more across the border in mainland China, drawn by lower prices and wider adoption of digital payments, according to data from payment giant UnionPay International. Offline UnionPay card spending in mainland China by Hong Kong residents rose nearly 30 per cent year on…
LONDON, July 23 (Reuters) – Britain said on Thursday its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a warning over allowing U.S. bombers to fly from UK bases. “Our Armed Forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s…
MANILA, July 22 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he discussed with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday the need to identify areas of cooperation to lay the groundwork for a “very positive visit” to Washington in September by President Xi Jinping. Meeting with Wang in Manila on the sidelines of…
MANILA, July 22 (Reuters) – Australia’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that Asian countries face a choice in how they respond to instances of aggressive conduct in the South China Sea that were of concern to Canberra. A recent encounter in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines was a real concern, in addition…
The US State Department has issued a worldwide travel alert for Americans, warning that Iran-supportive groups could target US citizens abroad, as fighting between the US and Iran intensifies. The US has issued a worldwide travel caution for Americans. ((Reuters/AFP)) State Department issues worldwide caution alert The US State Department on Saturday issued a “Worldwide…
The US is urging Americans to reconsider traveling to the Middle East as war with Iran continues to escalate in the Gulf region. The State Department warned Friday that Saudi Arabia in particular is not safe for Americans after the Iranian-backed Houthis terror fired a ballistic missile at Saudi Arabia. “Due to high tensions in the Middle…
The airline said on Friday that its daily passenger flights to Dubai would be postponed until October 25, while its four weekly services to Riyadh would be delayed to October 26. Earlier this month, the airline said it planned to resume passenger services to the two destinations on September 1, following signs of de-escalation under…
Hong Kong’s short-haul visitor arrivals plunged by 15 per cent in June despite an overall growth in traffic, as higher fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict reduced flight capacity and weaker regional currencies dampened travel demand, tourism authorities have said. The Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Thursday that the city received 3.72…
LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) – Britain’s government on Monday targeted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and another Iran-linked group after a string of antisemitic attacks on British streets, using proscription-like powers designed to tackle state-backed threats. The power would effectively outlaw support for those groups and give police and intelligence agencies new powers to tackle…