Travel Industry Pushes for Broader Access to Hong Kong for Mainland Visitors
Hong Kong's tourism industry could be on the cusp of a major resurgence as officials consider expanding travel endorsements for mainland Chinese visitors, according to industry leaders. The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) has proposed broadening the "one trip per week" visit endorsements to include all cities within Guangdong province, arguing that the relaxation is unlikely to lead...
Former One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies in Hotel Fall in Argentina at 31
BUENOS AIRES — Liam Payne, the former member of the popular boyband One Direction, has died at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel in the upscale Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, according to Argentine police. The incident occurred on Wednesday, with authorities initially responding to reports of an "aggressive man who may have been under the effects...
Hong Kong Tops Global Economic Freedom Ranking
Hong Kong has once again been named the world's freest economy, according to the annual report from the Fraser Institute released on Monday. The global think tank's "Economic Freedom of the World" report ranked the city first out of 165 economies, up one spot from the previous year. Hong Kong topped the rankings in two key areas - "Freedom to...
Hong Kong Unveils Ambitious Plans to Boost Arts, Sports, and Tourism
Chief Executive John Lee on Wednesday outlined a sweeping set of initiatives to position Hong Kong as a premier global destination for arts, sports, and tourism. In his highly anticipated Policy Address, Lee said the newly formed Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) will release a comprehensive blueprint later this year to promote Chinese culture, develop an international arts scene,...
Two Filipinas Deported from South Korea’s Childcare Pilot Program
SEOUL, South Korea — Two Filipino domestic workers who fled their jobs without permission under a pilot program in Seoul have been deported back to their home country, the South Korean Justice Ministry announced Monday. The pair, who were part of a six-month project to provide foreign nannies to households with children, abandoned their posts on September 15, during the...
DMW and TESDA Join Forces to Empower Overseas Filipino Workers
MANILA (AP) – In a significant step towards enhancing the skills and employability of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) formalized a partnership on Tuesday. The memorandum of agreement, signed by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and TESDA Director-General Jose Francisco Benitez, aims to provide comprehensive...
Overseas Filipino Workers Boost Remittances Amid Global Economic Uncertainty
MANILA – Despite the economic challenges facing the world, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have stepped up their financial support for their loved ones back home. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) shows personal remittances from OFWs rose 3.3% in August 2024 compared to the same month last year, reaching $3.2 billion. This growth was driven by increased remittances...
Massive Fire Engulfs Yau Ma Tei Cargo Facility
Firefighters in Hong Kong battled a towering blaze at a public cargo working area in the Yau Ma Tei district on Monday, as billowing smoke and flames engulfed the facility. The fire, which was upgraded to a three-alarm incident, broke out around 5 p.m. local time at the new Yau Ma Tei public cargo working area on Hoi Fai Road,...
Philippines Shines at Asian Kickboxing Championship
MANILA – The Philippines showcased its prowess in the martial arts arena, clinching an impressive 16 medals at the recent Asian Kickboxing Championship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, who also serves as the President of the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP), praised the athletes for their remarkable achievements, emphasizing their "skills, heart, and huge potential...
PhilHealth Increases Hemodialysis Coverage to P1-M per year
MANILA — In a significant move to alleviate the financial strain on chronic kidney disease patients, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has announced an increase in the reimbursement rate for hemodialysis sessions from PHP4,000 to PHP6,350. This change took effect on October 7, according to PhilHealth Circular No. 2024-0023. This adjustment is aimed at providing better financial support to...
