A new assessment from a Japanese government expert panel anticipates that a worst-case magnitude 7.3 earthquake directly striking the Tokyo metropolitan area could cause approximately 18,000 fatalities and result in staggering economic losses estimated at ¥83 trillion, or roughly HK$4.2 trillion. The forthcoming projections, the first update since 2013, show a notable reduction in anticipated…
Residents across Hong Kong are participating in the Legislative Council (LegCo) general election today, with significantly extended voting hours aiming to maximize participation despite mixed early turnout figures. Running from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., the 16-hour voting window—two hours longer than the previous general election—is accommodating voters at 615 ordinary polling stations citywide. By…
Hong Kong residents are participating in the ongoing Legislative Council general election, featuring an unprecedented 16-hour voting period designed to encourage greater civic participation. Polling stations across the territory, totaling 615 ordinary venues, welcomed voters from 7:30 a.m. and will remain open until 11:30 p.m., extending the available voting time by two hours compared to…
Japanese officials are expressing disappointment with the level of public support received from Washington as tensions with Beijing escalate over Taiwan, threatening to strain the critical security alliance between the two nations. The friction intensified following recent statements from Tokyo defining a Taiwan contingency as an “existential crisis” for Japan, triggering concerns in the region…
A devastating fire tore through a popular nightclub in Goa’s northern resort area early Sunday morning, resulting in the confirmation of 25 fatalities and multiple injuries. The blaze, which began around midnight local time at a venue in Arpora, has been described by state officials as a “painful day” for the coastal state, a global…
Hong Kong voters head to the polls today for the general election of the Legislative Council (LegCo), with authorities extending the voting window to 16 hours—two hours longer than the previous cycle—operating 615 ordinary polling stations across the territory between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. This extensive arrangement aims to maximize participation despite early indications…
Hong Kong authorities announced this week the successful apprehension of a minor and the dismantling of a suspected drug manufacturing operation in a residential flat in the Kai Tak area. Following a targeted anti-narcotics initiative, police seized approximately HK$1.25 million worth of illicit drugs, leading to the arrest of a 16-year-old girl on charges related…
Hong Kong is holding its Legislative Council election today, December 7, 2025, offering citizens a 16-hour window to cast their ballots—two hours longer than the previous cycle. Six hundred and fifteen ordinary polling stations are operating from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., while special arrangements have been implemented for high-profile figures and vulnerable populations. Early…
More than a week after a catastrophic blaze engulfed Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, the confirmed death toll has tragically climbed to 159. Authorities have implemented an intensive, household-by-household outreach initiative, deploying nearly the entire force of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) to verify the welfare of all residents affected by the…
Shanghai, China — While political relations between Beijing and Tokyo remain strained following recent controversial remarks by Japanese officials concerning Taiwan, Chinese consumers demonstrated a keen appetite for Japanese culture on December 6 when conveyor-belt sushi giant Sushiro opened its first two locations in Shanghai. Ignoring calls for boycotts, thousands of eager diners lined up,…
China and Russia recently concluded their third round of joint anti-missile exercises, signaling an ongoing commitment to bolstering military coordination and strategic stability between the two nations. Announced by China’s Ministry of National Defence late Saturday, the drills took place on Russian territory in early December. Beijing emphasized that the maneuvers were defensive in nature,…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in promising high-level diplomatic discussions this weekend amid escalating Russian hostilities, signaling Kyiv’s determined commitment to secure a durable peace framework. On Sunday, Zelensky reported a “very constructive” phone call with key US envoys, including peace facilitator Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, focusing on mechanisms to enforce any potential peace…
Hong Kong is holding its Legislative Council general election today, December 7, 2025, offering citizens a significantly expanded window to cast their ballots. An extensive 16-hour voting period—two hours longer than the previous election—commenced at 7:30 a.m., with 615 ordinary polling stations designated to remain open until 11:30 p.m. Despite the extended hours, early turnout…
Hong Kong, December 7, 2025 – Voters cast ballots across the city today during the ongoing Legislative Council (LegCo) election, an electoral event marked by an extended 16-hour voting window and several logistical changes. Polling stations across the territory, including the main hub at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, opened at 7:30 a.m.…
The highly anticipated Legislative Council general election commenced today, Dec. 7, 2025, across Hong Kong, unfolding under an atmosphere marked by both civic duty and recent adversity. Despite a palpable sense of solemnity across the city, the electoral process is being hailed by officials as a crucial step toward restoring normalcy. With a dedicated voting…
Hong Kong authorities detained a teenage girl Saturday night following an alleged assault involving a box cutter at a busy Diamond Hill shopping mall, leaving another teenager, reportedly her friend, requiring hospital treatment. The incident occurred on the evening of December 7, 2025, when police responded to a report filed by a parent, detailing that…
A 51-year-old woman, identified by the surname Pang, remains in critical condition following a severe head injury sustained Friday morning in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, after being struck by what authorities suspect was a falling metal object. The incident occurred while Pang, reportedly a two-way permit holder collecting recyclables, was gathering cardboard in a rear…
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth staunchly defended recent American military actions against suspected drug cartel vessels in the Caribbean, arguing the operations are a necessary extension of presidential authority to protect national security. Speaking on Saturday, December 7, 2025, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, Hegseth dismissed international law challenges and…
Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism officially announced a new, short-term visa-waiver program for Chinese nationals, effective next year, aiming to significantly increase visitor numbers and inject vitality into the nation’s critical tourism sector. The pilot scheme, which grants visa-exempt entry for up to 14 days, is set to run for four months during the high travel…
In a swift operational adjustment following a devastating fire in Tai Po, the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) has successfully moved three key polling stations to new locations, ensuring local residents can cast their ballots safely and without disruption. This necessary relocation, formalized on December 7, affected voters primarily residing in areas near Wang Fuk…