Hong Kong authorities announced Monday, December 1, that an urgent, comprehensive investigation is underway following a devastating No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, an incident five days earlier, on Wednesday, November 26, that resulted in over 100 casualties. Senior government officials emphasized the immediate priority given to the forensic examination…
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to conduct a high-stakes state visit to China from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5, 2025, following an official invitation extended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday in Beijing. The trip signals a crucial diplomatic engagement between two global powers, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations,…
Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) will enforce a comprehensive restriction on smartphone and smartwatch use for all secondary school students beginning in January 2026. This policy broadens the existing rules, extending the prohibition beyond instructional periods to encompass the entire school day while students are on campus. The strategic move is designed to mitigate the…
A dangerous five-alarm blaze in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on December 1, 2025, has underscored the extraordinary courage routinely displayed by overseas Filipino workers. During the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court, Filipino domestic worker Rhodora Alcaraz was trapped inside an apartment but exhibited profound bravery by shielding a three-month-old infant in her care from…
Following a catastrophic blaze at Wang Fuk Court, residents of On Kay Court in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, are urgently scrutinizing the safety of their ongoing building renovation, prompting an emergency meeting Sunday to address deep-seated concerns. This heightened vigilance stems from the revelation that the Kwun Tong estate utilizes the same project consultant, Will…
The devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, an incident that has reportedly claimed 146 lives and left 79 injured, has intensified scrutiny regarding the building’s pre-disaster renovation work, prompting a local official to request a full criminal investigation. District Councillor Peggy Wong Pik-kiu, who previously advised the building’s owners’ corporation during the…
Hong Kong authorities have rapidly distributed emergency financial assistance to over 1,700 families following the devastating Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, an inferno that tragically claimed 146 lives last Wednesday. This critical early intervention aims to directly mitigate the immediate financial strain and long-term economic instability faced by residents, which includes significant immediate…
A former prominent online personality and chemistry Ph.D. holder, Kenneth Kwong, 66, has been handed a 12-month probation order following his admission of guilt related to filming a woman without her consent on an escalator at the MTR Tai Wai station last year. The retired individual, who achieved recognition through his online presence, formally pleaded…
Five days after a catastrophic five-alarm fire destroyed parts of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, dedicated animal welfare responders successfully recovered 91 displaced pets, illustrating a continuous effort to find life amid significant human tragedy. Rescue missions initiated following the disaster, which tragically resulted in over 100 casualties and injuries,…
Hong Kong’s key stock indices registered modest increases at the start of Tuesday’s trading, signaling guarded optimism among investors who focused on selective buying despite mixed performance across major sectors. The bellwether Hang Seng Index (HSI) showed early strength, climbing 0.33% to open the session at 25,945, driven by gains in financial heavyweights and certain…
A catastrophic fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, which escalated to a No. 5 alarm and spanned several days, has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with over 140 confirmed fatalities and numerous pets killed. Amid the tragedy and the ongoing struggle to formally identify victims due to the conflagration’s intensity, a poignant story…
A new left-wing political entity, formally branded Your Party, convened its inaugural conference in London on Sunday, positioning itself as a democratic alternative for dissatisfied Labour supporters and entering Britain’s increasingly fractured political landscape. Fronted by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and left-wing MP Zarah Sultana, the new organization aims to disrupt the traditional Westminster…
The 2025 MAMA Awards ceremony in Hong Kong delivered global K-pop splendor but unfolded against a backdrop of deep local tragedy and immediate geopolitical controversy. Staged on December 1, 2025, the prestigious South Korean awards show, organized by CJ ENM, returned to the city after a seven-year hiatus. While intended as a celebration of K-pop…
China’s naval power projection significantly strengthened this month as official state media confirmed advanced Type 075 amphibious assault ships are now integrating the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Army’s dedicated Z-10 attack helicopter, marking a substantial leap in cross-service joint warfare capabilities. The Type 075-class vessel, which had its first-in-class sister ship (likely the Type 076)…
Following the devastating No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26, which resulted in over 100 casualties and injuries, Hong Kong authorities have intensified their investigation, focusing on actions related to the incident’s aftermath. The escalating inquiry has led to the detention of three individuals, including a former elected…
Following the devastating No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which resulted in significant casualties and resident displacement, Hong Kong authorities are accelerating efforts across multiple fronts, focusing on relief, recovery, and a rigorous investigation into construction site safety practices. On Sunday, a government spokesperson confirmed that three dedicated task forces,…
HONG KONG — The Immigration Department announced special extended hours at its Tseung Kwan O headquarters to assist residents impacted by the recent catastrophic No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, ensuring rapid replacement of essential identity and travel documents. Beginning December 1 and running through December 6, these extraordinary services…
Hong Kong authorities and the community have mobilized substantial financial and logistical support for victims of the devastating No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which claimed over 100 lives. As of midday Sunday, November 30, the dedicated relief fund had amassed approximately HK$1.2 billion, combining HK$900 million in public donations…
Following a catastrophic No. 5-alarm blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 30, 2025, that claimed over 100 lives, public focus has shifted intensely to the construction and renovation practices used in large housing estates across Hong Kong. Initial investigations suggest that the improper use of highly combustible materials, specifically flammable foam…
Communities in Hong Kong and abroad are uniting in sorrow and support following a catastrophic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 30, 2025, which tragically claimed the lives of numerous foreign domestic workers (FDWs) and left scores missing. The incident, now under investigation for possible safety violations, has prompted an outpouring…