World

Mainland Chinese homebuyers remain a strong driving force in Hong Kong’s residential property market, spending HK$38 billion (US$4.9 billion) to account for 25 per cent of the city’s total home transactions in the third quarter, according to Centaline Property Agency. Buyers with names in pinyin – the mainland’s system of romanisation of Chinese script – registered 3,797 deals between July …

Belarus’ security service chief says he aims to assist President Alexander Lukashenko in reopening dialogue with Kiev The chairman of the Belarusian State Security Committee (KGB) has said his agency is seeking to support efforts to restart talks between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking to national television on Sunday, Ivan Tertel said the KGB is working to assist President Alexander Lukashenko’s …

Donald Trump’s key ally and Secretary of War has been accused of wearing a pro-Russian tie to meet Ukraine‘s Volodymyr Zelensky. Pete Hegseth chose to wear a white, blue and red striped tie during the Ukrainian president’s visit to the White House on Friday (October 17), leading to some alleging that he was matching the Russian flag. Russian state-owned news …

The Hong Kong stock exchange is poised for a blockbuster day next week, as four stocks – including Sany Heavy Industry, China’s largest construction machinery manufacturer – are set to debut, positioning the city to reclaim its status as the world’s top fundraising venue this year. Among the four stocks launching on October 28, Sany Heavy Industry, already listed in …

Russian spies have links to people smuggling gangs trafficking asylum seekers into Europe, senior officials have claimed. Daniel Mitov, Bulgaria’s equivalent of the Home Secretary, said his government has evidence of direct links between Russia‘s foreign intelligence agency and the criminal gangs helping illegal migrants to enter Europe. His claim comes as ministers from across the continent prepare to meet …

US President Donald Trump has said that Russia and Ukraine should freeze the current front line in Donbass, noting that Moscow controls nearly all of the region anyway. Trump made the remark after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Thursday and meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky the next day at the White House. “We think what …

US President Donald Trump reiterated on Sunday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him India would stop buying Russian oil, while warning that New Delhi would continue paying “massive” tariffs if it did not do so. “I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing,” Trump told …

A video circulating on social media shows thieves breaking into the Louvre and stealing French crown jewels in broad daylight. In a short cellphone video, a person wearing a bright yellow vest can be seen tampering with a display case. According to France 24, the thieves drove up to the museum on scooters Saturday, entered the Galerie d’Apollon using an …

Tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday when a cargo aircraft skidded off a runway at Hong Kong International Airport and plummeted into the sea during landing, leaving two people dead and sending shockwaves through the aviation community. The ill-fated flight, arriving from Dubai, was attempting to land at the airport around 3:50 a.m. when the unthinkable happened. According …

The Philippines and Beijing are working on a coastguard cooperation pact as part of efforts to manage recurring flashpoints in the disputed South China Sea, but observers say the step may not be enough to prevent conflict or build lasting trust. Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told the Senate on Tuesday that the proposed plan aimed to …