by Hiroshi HIYAMA / Kyoko HASEGAWA Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Trade on Tokyo’s stock markets, which are among the world’s biggest, was halted for the entire day Thursday after the system was hit by one of the worst glitches in its history. A “hardware failure” created problems with the delivery of market information, operator Japan Exchange Group (JPX) said in a statement. “TSE (Tokyo Stock Exchange) is currently planning to replace the […]
Tag: Hong Kong
Rare white diamond up for auction in Hong Kong
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — A flawless 102-carat oval diamond will head to auction on October 5 in Hong Kong at Sotheby’s. The auction house has not given an official price estimate for the egg-shaped stone of exactly 102.39 carats, which has the highest color grade, D, for a white diamond and is rated Type IIA for its chemical purity and exceptional transparency. Quig Bruning, Sotheby’s New York head of jewelry, said the house […]
Hong Kong: first ‘proven’ case of COVID reinfection
by Marlowe HOOD Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Researchers in Hong Kong Monday identified what they said was the first confirmed case worldwide of COVID-19 reinfection, raising questions about the durability of immunity, whether acquired naturally or with a vaccine. “Our study proves that immunity for COVID infection is not lifelong — in fact, reinfection can occur quite quickly,” said Kelvin Kai-Wang To, a microbiologist at Hong Kong University’s Faculty of Medicine and lead […]
Hong Kong police raid pro-democracy newspaper, arrest owner
by Jerome Taylor and Su Xinqi HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested Monday and led in handcuffs through his newspaper office as police raided the building, part of a sweeping crackdown on dissent since China imposed a security law on the city. Lai, 71, was among seven people detained on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces — one of the new national security offences — and fraud […]
Hong Kong orders mandatory mask wearing to combat new virus wave
by Su Xinqi HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Everyone in Hong Kong will have to wear masks in public from this week, authorities said Monday, as they unveiled the city’s toughest social distancing measures yet to combat a new wave of coronavirus infections. The ramped-up rules came as authorities revealed China would help officials build an emergency field hospital to help deal with a surge in patients. “The epidemic situation in Hong Kong is remarkably […]
Hong Kong sets new virus record
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong reported 113 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, a new daily record as a sudden surge in cases shows no signs of slowing despite ramped up social distancing rules. The finance hub was one of the first places to be struck by the virus when it emerged from central China. But the city had impressive success in tackling the disease, all but ending local transmissions by late June. However, […]
Hong Kong leader says coronavirus now spreading ‘out of control’
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — The deadly coronavirus is spreading out of control in Hong Kong with a record 100 new cases confirmed, the finance hub’s leader said Sunday as she tightened social distancing measures to tackle the sudden surge in infections. The finance hub was one of the first places to be struck by the virus when it emerged from central China. But the city had impressive success in tackling the disease, all […]
Cathay Pacific warns of US$1.3 billon loss in first half
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific issued a profit warning on Friday, estimating it will suffer a historic loss of HK$9.9 billion (US$1.3 billion) in the first half of 2020 as it reels from the coronavirus pandemic. “The Group will record a net loss attributable to shareholders of approximately HK$9.9 billion, which compares to a net profit to shareholders of HK$1.3 billion for the same period in 2019,” the airline said […]
Hong Kong academics fear for freedom under new security law
by Jerome Taylor and Su Xinqi HONG KONG, China (AFP) — China’s new security law has sent a chill through Hong Kong’s schools and universities with many teachers fearful the city’s reputation for academic freedom and excellence is now at risk. Just a week after the sweeping legislation was imposed on the territory, staff at some institutions have already been warned by their administrators to be careful how they teach. “Remain neutral in your teaching […]
Asian markets hit by new lockdown, fresh China-US tensions
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Fears over a spike in infections around the world, the reimposition of containment measures and China-US tensions pushed Asian equities lower Tuesday, while oil prices were also hit by speculation top producers will begin tapering their output cuts. And news that Singapore’s economy, considered a regional barometer, contracted a mind-boggling 41 percent in the second quarter provided a stark reality-check for traders. After hitting lows in March, markets have been […]
Hong Kong patient received blood from donor with coronavirus
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong authorities on Monday said that a patient had received blood from a donor who later tested positive for the coronavirus. Officials were scrambling to trace what happened to the blood after it emerged a man who donated on July 5 was later found to be carrying the virus. “The blood transfusion service has been tracing the blood he donated and for now found that a patient in […]
Taiwan warns of counter measures if new Hong Kong law causes ‘damage’
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-gwen on Tuesday warned of “counter measures” should a sweeping security law China imposed on Hong Kong “damage” the island. The new law has sent chills through self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing regards as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize, by force if necessary. Beijing has taken an especially hardline towards Taiwan ever since the 2016 election of Tsai because she regards the island as […]





