The independent committee set up after the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire has submitted its report to the Chief Executive, with the government expected to release its contents and a series of reforms as soon as Thursday, according to Sing Tao, The Standard's sister publication. The fire in November last year killed 168 people. The independent committee carried out about nine months of work and held 30 hearings before submitting its report to Chief Executive John Lee last Thursday. Lee said the government would carry out comprehensive reforms in building maintenance supervision, building management and fire service installations regulation, and would study the report carefully.
Videos circulating online show rats at Kwai Fong MTR station and on a Kwun Tong pavement. Netizens question the effectiveness of rodent control after multiple sightings across Hong Kong, including Hung Hom, Kwai Chung and Tai Kok Tsui.
Footage shows more than a dozen rats in alley next to Baker Circle restaurant. Councillor Lam Tak-shing inspected site with FEHD and mall management, calling for patrols, rodent control and waste management improvements.
A 56-year-old local man was arrested on Tuesday over an indecent assault at Tsing Yi MTR station on Sunday. Police identified the suspect through CCTV footage and detained him at a bus terminus.
A food delivery rider suffered hand and leg injuries after his motorcycle collided with a private car at a Yuen Long junction on Tuesday night. The non-Chinese rider was taken conscious to Pok Oi Hospital. Witnesses suggested a failure to stop at a give-way line may have caused the crash, which rema
Edmund Yeung, executive director and CFO of Towngas, argues that climate resilience must be embedded in infrastructure planning and investment. He says the Hong Kong government's Northern Metropolis and China's 15th Five-Year Plan align with this approach, and that Towngas uses AI and scenario analy
Vaginal itching, burning or unusual discharge may indicate vaginitis, but causes range from yeast infections to bacterial vaginosis. A doctor should diagnose the type, as similar symptoms require different treatments. Consult a gynaecologist if symptoms persist or recur.
The body of an 80-year-old man surnamed Leung was found floating near Waterfall Bay in Aberdeen on Monday afternoon. Police and firefighters recovered the body after a passer-by reported the discovery around 3pm. The case has been classified as a body discovery, and the cause of death is under inves
Tourism Commissioner Ann Chan Wai-yan and district councillors inspected The Peak light show project on Tuesday after resident complaints. The Tourism Board said no trees had been removed or pruned and that arborists would monitor the site regularly.
Hong Kong Ballet’s new production Dunhuang: In Search of Light completed a five-performance world-premiere run to packed houses at the Cultural Centre. The ballet, inspired by ancient Silk Road murals, showcases the company’s growing international reputation ahead of its move to a new West Kowloon h
MTR is building Hung Shui Kiu station on the Tuen Ma Line using offsite prefabrication to minimise disruption. Two 10,000-tonne steel halves will be skidded into place, reducing reliance on the nightly two-hour construction window.
Hong Kong Customs arrested a 30-year-old male pharmacy employee in Tsim Sha Tsui for using unfair trade practices, including revealing the total price of Chinese medicinal herbs only after grinding them. Authorities warn businesses to comply with regulations and consumers to verify pricing.
The Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair returns from 5-7 November, featuring over 620 exhibitors from 25 countries. Organised by HKTDC, the event highlights emerging wine regions, Chinese baijiu brands, and Hong Kong’s role as a global trading hub, amid rising import and export values.
The Water Supplies Department said emergency repairs to a damaged water main on Shau Kei Wan Road were completed. Water supply for Shau Kei Wan and parts of Sai Wan resumed from 9:30 pm on 27 October.
Hong Kong will host the Consensus digital asset and AI conference from 2027 to 2029 under a partnership between the Hong Kong Tourism Board and CoinDesk. The deal aims to boost Hong Kong's innovation hub status and attract high-value business visitors.
The International Gas Union (IGU) will hold its 2026 Council Meeting and summit in Hong Kong for the first time on 29 October, bringing together over 400 energy experts. The event will focus on Asia-Pacific gas market growth, energy transition, and green finance.
A Housing Department officer pleaded guilty to misconduct for falsely telling two applicants their requests were approved without submitting them for review. She forged a tenancy addition and an activity approval letter. Sentencing is set for 10 November.
Hong Kong police arrested two drivers in an undercover operation targeting illegal cross-border taxi services advertised on social media. Officers posing as passengers booked trips to Shenzhen, paying fees of HK$950 and HK$1,050 before arresting the drivers for carrying passengers for reward without
Sa Sa Ladies' Purse Day returns to Sha Tin Racecourse on 8 November, featuring horse racing, a pink-themed fashion show with Hong Kong Design Institute graduates, and live music by singer Kenny Kwan. Racegoers in pink can enter the Best Dressed Award to win beauty products.
Hong Kong Legal Week will be held 2-6 November, gathering global legal experts to discuss cross-border issues. The event marks UNIDROIT's centenary and UNCITRAL's 60th anniversary.
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-125 in overtime, ending Minnesota's perfect start to the NBA season. Anthony Edwards scored 47 points but missed a potential winning layup. Donovan Mitchell added 26 points for Cleveland.
A burst water main on Shau Kei Wan Road disrupted supply to about 10,000 households in Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho. The Water Supplies Department said repairs should be completed by midnight.
A 17-year-old girl was forced to remove her socks for a stranger who followed her in Tin Shui Wai late at night. Police arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of loitering with intent to cause fear.
Yuen Long District Councillor Sei Chun-hing, 39, was remanded in custody after being convicted of unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in 2011. Sentencing set for 3 November. He was acquitted of a separate indecent assault charge. Defence cited mutual affection and his community service.
Hong Kong customs officers intercepted a speedboat without navigation lights off southeastern waters early on 27 October, arresting two mainland Chinese men and seizing about HK$10 million worth of smuggled cigarettes.
On day 24 of the Abby Choi murder trial, a hardware store clerk testified about a hammer and tape purchase by the former brother-in-law. An estate agent recalled the victim's efforts to sell a HK$67 million flat owned by her former father-in-law. The trial continues.
MTR Corporation told the Legislative Council that two incidents at Lam Tin station on 13 and 14 October were caused by failed insulation and wear at a ground busbar connection. The first involved a short circuit from an unexpected conductive path; the second saw overheating after a portable earthing
Hong Kong's food safety watchdog reported no radiation exceeding safe levels in 166 Japanese seafood samples tested from 26-27 October 2026. Local fishery products also passed all 50 tests. Since August 2023, over 270,000 Japanese food samples and 57,660 local fishery samples have been tested, all c
HSBC's Hong Kong unit reported a 26.6 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to US$18.78 billion for the first three quarters, accounting for 64.65 per cent of group profit. Revenue grew 13.88 per cent to US$30.16 billion, while the group's Hong Kong business segment also saw an 11.57 per cent profit incre
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee accepted a recommendation to appoint Sir Terence Arnold as a non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal. The appointment brings the number of overseas judges to six, drawing from the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and is seen as a sign of international confid
Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced that mobile libraries No. 4, 8 and 11 will suspend services at various dates in November, affecting multiple housing estates and districts. Readers can use other public libraries or renew online during the suspensions.
A suspected water-main burst during roadworks in Shau Kei Wan on Tuesday morning sent floodwater into a care home, injuring an elderly woman and suspending water supplies across four districts.
Sino Group chairman Wong Wing-kwong said the developer will study any government project in the Northern Territories, after partnering with five mainland firms for the area's first plot. The company reported acquiring four quality sites in the past year, adding nearly 1.4 million sq ft to its land b
Nine people, including a pregnant woman, were hurt in a three-vehicle crash on Kwai Chung Road on Tuesday morning. A private car, a light goods vehicle and a green minibus were involved. The injured were taken to Yan Chai Hospital.
Three men aged 16 to 19 with triad links were arrested over an October 21 attack in Tseung Kwan O industrial area. Police suspect the assault is linked to an illegal fuel trade dispute. A separate raid seized 750 litres of untaxed diesel.
Hong Kong stocks edged down by noon on Tuesday, with the Hang Seng Index falling 31 points to 23,180. Turnover dropped to HK$88 billion. Mainland markets also declined.
Hong Kong's Labour Department imposed administrative sanctions on two employers for breaching rules under the Supplementary Labour Optimisation Scheme, including submitting false numbers of local staff and failing to maintain the required 2:1 local-to-imported worker ratio.
Hong Kong's privacy commissioner has issued guidance on smart glasses, warning users about risks of covert data collection and AI processing. Advice includes limiting recording, respecting privacy in sensitive places, and reviewing privacy settings.
A survey by the Heep Hong Society and Hong Kong Baptist University found that 29 per cent of 100 children with special educational needs had self-harmed. Researchers said parents who proactively seek support with their children reduce the risk of self-harm, and a new app for parents is being trialle
Legislative Council president Starry Lee said a planned university city in the northern district will be a key platform to attract global talent and boost industry-academia-research collaboration. She spoke at the Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit, emphasising higher education as the s
CUHK president Professor John Lu says the Northern Territory University City project will help expand the footprint of Hong Kong's eight public universities. He calls for larger government loans, noting HK$10 billion can only build five buildings, and warns separated bidding timelines increase plann
Lawmakers and experts suggest real-time traffic info, dedicated bus lanes, and emergency plans to ease weekend congestion at the new Huanggang checkpoint connecting Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Hong Kong's privacy commissioner confirmed data breach reports from Hong Kong Airlines, YOHO Hong Kong and Broadway Photo, affecting over 1,600 people. The breaches exposed names, phone numbers and travel or order details. The watchdog has received 23 complaints and 20 inquiries, and launched invest
Maxim's Group will mark its 70th anniversary with a food street at Hong Kong's Wine & Dine Festival from 29 October. The boulevard offers 10 brands serving nostalgic Cantonese bites, creative reinterpretations and upcycled creations, including beer made from surplus bread.
Hong Kong police received 18 reports of online romance scams in a week, with losses over HK$13m. A middle-aged engineer lost HK$8.5m to a scammer posing as a Taiwanese dancer. Police urge caution and zero transfers to strangers.
Hong Kong Customs and the Fire Services Department dismantled an illegal petrol station near residential buildings in Man Kam To on Monday, seizing about 1,560 litres of duty-not-paid petrol worth HK$54,000. A 33-year-old Chinese national was arrested.
A 20-year-old convenience store employee was arrested in Tuen Mun after his employer reported HK$81,000 missing. Police suspect the man transferred payments to digital wallets. The Tuen Mun crime investigation team is following up.
Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has caught nearly 60 rats over two months at a Kwai Chung refuse point after burrows were found. It is stepping up cleaning, rodent-proofing and night patrols, while urging cross-departmental cooperation and public action.
Hong Kong Customs arrested a 46-year-old man and seized about 120,000 suspected illicit cigarettes worth HK$540,000 from a subdivided flat in Mong Kok. The unit was used as a storage warehouse. The man has been charged.
Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman Martin Liao attended a ceremony for the Nagoya Asian Games delegation, celebrating a record 54 medals. The club announced HK$37.5 million in incentives for over 110 medallists, HK$5 million more than previous games.
