Hong Kong’s 21 ministerial-level officials spent more than HK$46.6 million (US$5.9 million) on trips over the past three financial years, with finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po accounting for nearly a quarter of the total. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah was the most frequent traveller, making 50 trips in the past three…
Hong Kong’s smoking rate fell to 8.5 per cent last year, missing an ambitious target of 7.8 per cent, but health authorities have hailed the success of the city’s tobacco control strategy, which led to a 30 per cent decline in overall cigarette consumption. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau told a Legislative Council meeting on…
SARAJEVO, April 1 (Reuters) – Bosnians woke with heavy heads and light hearts on Wednesday, buoyed by their soccer team’s dramatic playoff shootout win over Italy that sent them to the World Cup finals for only the second time. Celebrations went late into the night on Tuesday after teenager Esmir Bajraktarevic squeezed his penalty past…
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has further extended its suspension of all flights to and from the Middle East until the end of May, amid a regional conflict that shows little sign of abating. But the airline will increase flights to Europe starting next month to cater to surging demand. In an announcement…
Switzerland announced closing its airspace for US military flights amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, citing its tradition of neutrality in armed conflicts. Switzerland closed its airspace for US military flights, citing its tradition of neutrality in armed conflicts. (AFP) The development comes even as US President Donald Trump urged other countries to…
Hong Kong has struck a deal with the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) to deepen cross-border connectivity in bullion trading, as the city steps up efforts to build a broader gold ecosystem spanning trading, clearing and storage. The agreement comes as gold prices hit a record high of US$5,110 per ounce on Tuesday morning, buoyed by…
Hong Kong, SAR–(Newsfile Corp. – January 21, 2026) – Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), has joined about 3,000 world leaders attending the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland (January 19-23). During the WEF Annual Meeting 2026, themed “A Spirit of Dialogue”, Mr…
Hong Kong’s finance chief has promoted the city’s regulatory regime for digital assets as “responsible and sustainable” at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos. Delivering opening remarks at a closed-door workshop on Tuesday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said finance and technology were “mutually reinforcing”, but a balanced approach was needed to support their…
A UN agency and a charity established by former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying have agreed to strengthen collaboration on public health projects, following talks in Switzerland. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, met GX Foundation chairman Leung and CEO Emily Chan Ying-yang in Geneva, the charity said in a social…
The decision to jail a former world record holder for contravening China’s strict firearms laws by buying gun parts overseas and smuggling them onto the mainland via Hong Kong has sparked serious debate among the country’s shooting fraternity. Tian Hong, who equalled the world record in the 60-shot prone rifle event at the National Games…