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Allowance raised to $100k for Tai Po fire residents as govt updates relief measures

As winter looms, the HK$50,000 living allowances to households affected by the devastating Wang Fuk Court fire will be increased to HK$100,000, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen announced Thursday. 

No time limit on support, official says as 1,600 households matched with social workers

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has pledged that its support for residents affected by the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire will carry no time limit, with the department continuing assistance until residents are fully settled.

Four arrested for inciting non-voting at upcoming LegCo Election

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) apprehended four men for allegedly encouraging others not to vote at the Legislative Council General Election (LegCo Election).

Mainland woman granted bail in alleged Tai Po fire donation laundering case

A 27-year-old mainland woman with a two-way exit permit was granted bail on Thursday after being accused of laundering HK$50,000 in fraudulent donations linked to a scam targeting fundraising efforts for victims of the deadly Tai Po fire.

Over 140 private family doctors join free consultation program for Tai Po fire residents

The Primary Healthcare Commission announced on Thursday the establishment of a family doctor free consultation program to support residents affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, with over 140 doctors participating.

Scaffold safety under scrutiny: Hung Hom residents report suspicious certificates to police

Amid mounting citywide concern over scaffold safety following the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire, police are investigating a suspected case of forged scaffold netting certificates at a residential building in Hung Hom.

Business Today

Hong Kong stocks rebounded to just shy of the 26,000 level on Thursday

Hong Kong stocks rebounded to just shy of the 26,000 level on Thursday.

HK new credit card openings drop 23.5 pc in Q2 amid weaker hiring: TransUnion

Hong Kong's new credit card openings declined by 23.5 percent year-on-year in the second quarter - the most significant drop since the COVID-19 pandemic period, dragged down by a higher unemployment rate and softened consumer demand, according to TransUnion's report.

Two-thirds HK companies expect steady economic expansion next year: CPA Australia

Nearly two-thirds of Hong Kong businesses expect the city's economy to expand steadily next year, supported by a resilient financial ecosystem and this year's broader recovery, according to a new survey by Certified Practising Accountants Australia.

Country Garden's offshore debt restructuring plan approved by HK court

Country Garden’s (2007) US$14.1 billion (HK$110 billion) offshore debt restructuring plan has been officially approved by a Hong Kong court after more than two years of restructuring negotiations, Bloomberg reported, easing the embattled developer’s debt burden.

HKIC says invested in over 150 projects, posts $2.3 bln investment income

Hong Kong Investment Corporation, the city's strategic investment fund, said on Thursday it has invested in more than 150 projects as of October 2025 while generating investment income of HK$2.3 billion last year.

World/China

Taiwan to ban China's Xiaohongshu app for one year on fraud concerns

Taiwan's interior ministry said on Thursday it would suspend access to Instagram-like Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu for one year, citing security risks and its alleged involvement in over 1,700 fraud cases since 2024.

Italian police seek governance documents from 13 fashion firms in labour abuse probe

Italian police on Wednesday visited the headquarters of 13 high-end fashion firms, asking them to hand over documents on governance and supply-chain controls as part of an investigation into alleged worker abuse at fashion subcontractors, judicial documents showed. 

Japan's Takaichi is winning fans not with politics but with her style and 'work, work, work' mantra

The pledge by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to “work, work, work, work and work” for her country has been named the catchphrase of the year, recognizing the effort Japan's first female leader had to make to reach the top.

IndiGo's third day of mass cancellations throws Indian airports into disarray

Thousands of IndiGo passengers were stranded by flight cancellations on Thursday - a third day of chaos after India's biggest airline did not make sufficient changes to its roster planning to accommodate new government regulations.

 Singapore upholds opposition leader's conviction for lying

Singapore's High Court on Thursday upheld the conviction of opposition leader Pritam Singh for lying to a parliamentary committee while helping cover up a false account by a fellow party member.