Nasa’s Parker Solar Probe ventures closer to Sun than ever with Christmas Eve fly-by
By Agence France-Presse
Nasa’s pioneering Parker Solar Probe made history on Tuesday, flying closer to the Sun than any other spacecraft with its heat shield exposed to scorching temperatures of more than 930 degrees Celsius (1,700 degrees Fahrenheit).
Launched in August 2018, the spaceship is on a seven-year mission to deepen scientific understanding of our star and help forecast space-weather events that can affect life on Earth.
Tuesday’s historic fly-by should have occurred at precisely 11.53GMT, although mission scientists will have to wait until Friday for confirmation, as they lose contact with the craft for several days due to its proximity to the Sun.
If the distance between Earth and the Sun is the equivalent to the length of an American football field, the spacecraft should have been about 1 metre (four yards) from the end zone at the moment of closest approach – known as perihelion.
“This is one example of Nasa’s bold missions, doing something that no one else has ever done before to answer long-standing questions about our universe,” Arik Posner, Parker Solar Probe programme scientist, said in a statement on Monday.
“We can’t wait to receive that first status update from the spacecraft and start receiving the science data in the coming weeks.”
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Agence France-Presse
Nasa’s pioneering Parker Solar Probe made history on Tuesday, flying closer to the Sun than any other spacecraft with its heat shield exposed to scorching temperatures of more than 930 degrees Celsius (1,700 degrees Fahrenheit).
Launched in August 2018, the spaceship is on a seven-year mission to deepen scientific understanding of our star and help forecast space-weather events that can affect life on Earth.
Tuesday’s historic fly-by should have occurred at precisely 11.53GMT, although mission scientists will have to wait until Friday for confirmation, as they lose contact with the craft for several days due to its proximity to the Sun.
If the distance between Earth and the Sun is the equivalent to the length of an American football field, the spacecraft should have been about 1 metre (four yards) from the end zone at the moment of closest approach – known as perihelion.
“This is one example of Nasa’s bold missions, doing something that no one else has ever done before to answer long-standing questions about our universe,” Arik Posner, Parker Solar Probe programme scientist, said in a statement on Monday.
“We can’t wait to receive that first status update from the spacecraft and start receiving the science data in the coming weeks.”
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Amsterdam court sentences 5 men for ‘hit-and-run’ style attacks against Israeli football fans
By Agence France-PresseAssociated Press
A Dutch court on Tuesday convicted five men for their part in last month’s violence against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam that shocked the world and sparked accusations of antisemitism.
The Amsterdam district court found them guilty of a range of crimes, from kicking fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv in the street to inciting violence in chat groups.
The court on Tuesday sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months and two to 1 month in jail. A fifth defendant received 100 hours of community service.
The Maccabi Tel Aviv fans came under “hit-and-run” style attacks in the early hours of November 8 after their European League match against Amsterdam giants Ajax.
Images of the violence, which left five fans briefly hospitalised, went around the world and sparked a furious reaction in Israel, including accusations of a “pogrom”.
Some of the violence was condemned as antisemitic, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to evacuate Maccabi supporters. The violence, which garnered headlines worldwide, damaged Amsterdam’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance and a haven for persecuted religions, including Jews.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Agence France-PresseAssociated Press
A Dutch court on Tuesday convicted five men for their part in last month’s violence against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam that shocked the world and sparked accusations of antisemitism.
The Amsterdam district court found them guilty of a range of crimes, from kicking fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv in the street to inciting violence in chat groups.
The court on Tuesday sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months and two to 1 month in jail. A fifth defendant received 100 hours of community service.
The Maccabi Tel Aviv fans came under “hit-and-run” style attacks in the early hours of November 8 after their European League match against Amsterdam giants Ajax.
Images of the violence, which left five fans briefly hospitalised, went around the world and sparked a furious reaction in Israel, including accusations of a “pogrom”.
Some of the violence was condemned as antisemitic, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to evacuate Maccabi supporters. The violence, which garnered headlines worldwide, damaged Amsterdam’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance and a haven for persecuted religions, including Jews.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Wild monkey strays onto private housing estate in Hong Kong
By Ng Kang-chung
A stray monkey wandered onto a private housing estate in Hong Kong on Christmas Eve, triggering brief commotion as residents were asked to keep their windows closed to avoid the animal invading their homes.
The drama unfolded at around 10am at City One Sha Tin in the New Territories when the animal was spotted at an external wall of Block 24 of the estate.
TV news footage showed the monkey repeatedly climbing up and down the water pipes. At times, it would take a rest and stare at agricultural department officers who had responded to calls and were trying to catch it.
Officers placed bananas, apples and other fruits on the ground in an attempt to lure the monkey, but without success.
At one point, police officers advised residents to close their windows to prevent the animal from entering their homes.
Shortly later, the monkey appeared to grow bored by the concrete surroundings and climbed up to the rooftop and disappeared.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Ng Kang-chung
A stray monkey wandered onto a private housing estate in Hong Kong on Christmas Eve, triggering brief commotion as residents were asked to keep their windows closed to avoid the animal invading their homes.
The drama unfolded at around 10am at City One Sha Tin in the New Territories when the animal was spotted at an external wall of Block 24 of the estate.
TV news footage showed the monkey repeatedly climbing up and down the water pipes. At times, it would take a rest and stare at agricultural department officers who had responded to calls and were trying to catch it.
Officers placed bananas, apples and other fruits on the ground in an attempt to lure the monkey, but without success.
At one point, police officers advised residents to close their windows to prevent the animal from entering their homes.
Shortly later, the monkey appeared to grow bored by the concrete surroundings and climbed up to the rooftop and disappeared.
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Israeli army forces patients out of Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, doctors say
By Reuters
Israeli troops forced the evacuation of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza and many patients, some of them on foot, arrived at another hospital miles away in Gaza City, the territory’s health ministry said on Tuesday.
The Indonesian Hospital is one of the Gaza Strip’s few still partially functioning hospitals, on its northern edge, an area that has been under intense Israeli military pressure for nearly three months.
Israel says its operation around the three northern Gaza communities surrounding the hospital – Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabilia – is targeting Hamas militants.
Palestinians accuse Israel of seeking to permanently depopulate northern Gaza to create a buffer zone, which Israel denies.
Munir Al-Bursh, director of the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, said the Israeli army had ordered hospital officials to evacuate it on Monday, before storming it in the early hours of Tuesday and forcing those inside to leave.
He said two other medical facilities in northern Gaza, Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan Hospitals, were also subject to frequent assaults by Israeli troops.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Reuters
Israeli troops forced the evacuation of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza and many patients, some of them on foot, arrived at another hospital miles away in Gaza City, the territory’s health ministry said on Tuesday.
The Indonesian Hospital is one of the Gaza Strip’s few still partially functioning hospitals, on its northern edge, an area that has been under intense Israeli military pressure for nearly three months.
Israel says its operation around the three northern Gaza communities surrounding the hospital – Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabilia – is targeting Hamas militants.
Palestinians accuse Israel of seeking to permanently depopulate northern Gaza to create a buffer zone, which Israel denies.
Munir Al-Bursh, director of the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, said the Israeli army had ordered hospital officials to evacuate it on Monday, before storming it in the early hours of Tuesday and forcing those inside to leave.
He said two other medical facilities in northern Gaza, Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan Hospitals, were also subject to frequent assaults by Israeli troops.
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How friendly will Europe’s right wing be to Trump on China? It’s complicated
By Kawala Xie
“USA today. The future has begun!” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban posted on X this month after visiting Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, along with photographs including one of the Time magazine cover of the president-elect, its person of the year.
Two days earlier, Trump dined with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a reception for the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, telling reporters she was “a real live wire” that he “got along great” with.
That Trump would hit it off with the two European right-wing leaders is no surprise. They share similar views on the challenge of immigration and many other social issues that define the populist fervour that brought each to power.
Trump, who has often treated Brussels with derision, is also well known for trying to work with leaders whom he likes, even if doing so is counter to traditional engagements that US President Joe Biden relied on to shore up Washington’s transatlantic leadership.
Biden has generally been effective working with the European Union and Nato to craft a more unified “China threat” narrative that has helped convince Europe’s leaders to align with his approach to Beijing.
Given Trump’s confrontational approach to international relations in his first term, though, few expect a continuation of Biden’s methods. Indeed, many of Europe’s far-right leaders are celebrating Trump’s return, and analysts speculate that his ties to Europe’s right will influence the EU’s China policy – and vice versa.
Orban and Meloni, two of Trump’s European allies and leaders of the EU’s most successful right-wing factions, however, differ on their China strategies – one is considered “China-friendly”, another is more hardline – complicating forecasts about which way Trump will tack.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Kawala Xie
“USA today. The future has begun!” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban posted on X this month after visiting Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, along with photographs including one of the Time magazine cover of the president-elect, its person of the year.
Two days earlier, Trump dined with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a reception for the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, telling reporters she was “a real live wire” that he “got along great” with.
That Trump would hit it off with the two European right-wing leaders is no surprise. They share similar views on the challenge of immigration and many other social issues that define the populist fervour that brought each to power.
Trump, who has often treated Brussels with derision, is also well known for trying to work with leaders whom he likes, even if doing so is counter to traditional engagements that US President Joe Biden relied on to shore up Washington’s transatlantic leadership.
Biden has generally been effective working with the European Union and Nato to craft a more unified “China threat” narrative that has helped convince Europe’s leaders to align with his approach to Beijing.
Given Trump’s confrontational approach to international relations in his first term, though, few expect a continuation of Biden’s methods. Indeed, many of Europe’s far-right leaders are celebrating Trump’s return, and analysts speculate that his ties to Europe’s right will influence the EU’s China policy – and vice versa.
Orban and Meloni, two of Trump’s European allies and leaders of the EU’s most successful right-wing factions, however, differ on their China strategies – one is considered “China-friendly”, another is more hardline – complicating forecasts about which way Trump will tack.
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Hong Kong logs nearly 1 million arrivals in pre-Christmas travel
By Jiang ChuqinHarvey KongEmily Hung
Hong Kong recorded almost 300,000 more arrivals in the two days before Christmas Eve compared with last year, largely driven by residents returning home via the six land checkpoints connected with Shenzhen.
More than 994,000 entered the city on December 22 and 23 this year, up from about 697,000 in 2023, according to the Immigration Department.
About 50 per cent, or 489,000 of the arrivals this year, were Hong Kong residents returning to the city via the checkpoints. In 2023, this group only accounted for 37 per cent, or 259,000 of the total.
Mainland tourists, meanwhile, recorded a slight decline from 240,000 to 233,000 during December 22 and 23 compared with the same period last year.
About 1.09 million left the city, of which 70 per cent are Hong Kong residents, about 20,000 less than the 1.11 million last year.
Crowds of tourists and locals grew in the evening of Christmas Eve at Instagrammable Christmas hotspots in the evening, while police imposed special traffic arrangements in areas such as Lan Kwai Fong and Tsim Sha Tsui.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Jiang ChuqinHarvey KongEmily Hung
Hong Kong recorded almost 300,000 more arrivals in the two days before Christmas Eve compared with last year, largely driven by residents returning home via the six land checkpoints connected with Shenzhen.
More than 994,000 entered the city on December 22 and 23 this year, up from about 697,000 in 2023, according to the Immigration Department.
About 50 per cent, or 489,000 of the arrivals this year, were Hong Kong residents returning to the city via the checkpoints. In 2023, this group only accounted for 37 per cent, or 259,000 of the total.
Mainland tourists, meanwhile, recorded a slight decline from 240,000 to 233,000 during December 22 and 23 compared with the same period last year.
About 1.09 million left the city, of which 70 per cent are Hong Kong residents, about 20,000 less than the 1.11 million last year.
Crowds of tourists and locals grew in the evening of Christmas Eve at Instagrammable Christmas hotspots in the evening, while police imposed special traffic arrangements in areas such as Lan Kwai Fong and Tsim Sha Tsui.
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American Airlines halts all US flights for an hour on Christmas Eve over technical issue
By Reuters
American Airlines on Tuesday lifted an hour-long ground stop of all its flights in the US due to an unspecified technical issue, a notice on the US aviation regulator’s website showed.
The ground stop, ahead of the busy Christmas travel, had threatened the holiday plans of thousands.
“A technical issue is affecting American flights this morning. Our teams are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and we apologise to our customers for the inconvenience,” the company had said in a statement following the ground stop.
American operates thousands of flights per day to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries.
Shares of the carrier clawed back lost ground and were marginally down before the bell.
Numerous passengers were posting on social media that their flights had been stuck on the runway at various airports and were now being sent back to the gate.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Reuters
American Airlines on Tuesday lifted an hour-long ground stop of all its flights in the US due to an unspecified technical issue, a notice on the US aviation regulator’s website showed.
The ground stop, ahead of the busy Christmas travel, had threatened the holiday plans of thousands.
“A technical issue is affecting American flights this morning. Our teams are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and we apologise to our customers for the inconvenience,” the company had said in a statement following the ground stop.
American operates thousands of flights per day to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries.
Shares of the carrier clawed back lost ground and were marginally down before the bell.
Numerous passengers were posting on social media that their flights had been stuck on the runway at various airports and were now being sent back to the gate.
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National security, murder and minority rights: a look back at Hong Kong’s year in court
By Jess MaFiona ChowBrian Wong
Hong Kong courts heard cases that made global headlines this year, including ones centred on national security involving prominent opposition politicians and the founder of one of the city’s biggest media outlets.
But it was not just security matters that gripped readers – details of a gruesome “exorcism” rocked the city, while minority housing rights scored a victory.
As 2024 draws to a close, the Post reviews the most significant court cases of the year.
Hong Kong’s largest national security trial to date came to a close this year after 45 former opposition politicians and activists were convicted of subversion under the Beijing-imposed national security law. The sentences were handed down more than three years after the initial charges were issued on February 28, 2021.
In the 118-day trial, only two ex-district councillors – barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung and social worker Lee Yue-shun – were acquitted in May. However, prosecutors have filed an appeal over Lau’s acquittal.
Former legal academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting, 60, received the heaviest sentence of 10 years for masterminding the unauthorised “primary” election by the opposition camp. The remaining defendants, most of whom were candidates in the primary, were jailed for 50 to 93 months.
Judges had earlier ruled that the unofficial poll served to maximise the chances for the opposition camp to seize control of the legislature in September 2020, turning it into a “lethal constitutional weapon” that could bring down the government.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Jess MaFiona ChowBrian Wong
Hong Kong courts heard cases that made global headlines this year, including ones centred on national security involving prominent opposition politicians and the founder of one of the city’s biggest media outlets.
But it was not just security matters that gripped readers – details of a gruesome “exorcism” rocked the city, while minority housing rights scored a victory.
As 2024 draws to a close, the Post reviews the most significant court cases of the year.
Hong Kong’s largest national security trial to date came to a close this year after 45 former opposition politicians and activists were convicted of subversion under the Beijing-imposed national security law. The sentences were handed down more than three years after the initial charges were issued on February 28, 2021.
In the 118-day trial, only two ex-district councillors – barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung and social worker Lee Yue-shun – were acquitted in May. However, prosecutors have filed an appeal over Lau’s acquittal.
Former legal academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting, 60, received the heaviest sentence of 10 years for masterminding the unauthorised “primary” election by the opposition camp. The remaining defendants, most of whom were candidates in the primary, were jailed for 50 to 93 months.
Judges had earlier ruled that the unofficial poll served to maximise the chances for the opposition camp to seize control of the legislature in September 2020, turning it into a “lethal constitutional weapon” that could bring down the government.
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Blast at Turkish explosives plant kills 12, echoing past incidents
By Agence France-Presse
A powerful blast ripped through an explosives plant in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, killing 12 people and injuring five others, officials said.
Footage showed shards of glass and metal scattered outside the plant, where ambulances stood by.
“According to initial reports, 12 employees died and four were taken to hospital with injuries as a result of the explosion” in the Karesi district of Balikesir province, local governor Ismail Ustaoglu said.
“I wish God’s mercy upon our deceased citizens and a speedy recovery to our wounded,” he added.
Officials later revised the number of the injured to five and added they were not in a serious condition.
There were no staff members left inside the factory and the blaze was put out, they added.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Agence France-Presse
A powerful blast ripped through an explosives plant in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, killing 12 people and injuring five others, officials said.
Footage showed shards of glass and metal scattered outside the plant, where ambulances stood by.
“According to initial reports, 12 employees died and four were taken to hospital with injuries as a result of the explosion” in the Karesi district of Balikesir province, local governor Ismail Ustaoglu said.
“I wish God’s mercy upon our deceased citizens and a speedy recovery to our wounded,” he added.
Officials later revised the number of the injured to five and added they were not in a serious condition.
There were no staff members left inside the factory and the blaze was put out, they added.
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Christmas on the mainland? Hongkongers opt for festive fun across the border
By Oscar Liu
Some Hongkongers have embraced a festive twist this Christmas season by choosing to celebrate the holiday in mainland China, drawn by the open spaces and wallet-friendly options.
Although Christmas is not an official holiday on the mainland, many shopping centres joined in the festivities with elaborate decorations and setting up themed photo spots.
In Nanshan district, MixC World mall offers a winter wonderland with snowscapes, reindeer and huge Christmas trees. The shopping centre features hourly artificial snow showers from 3pm to 8pm.
Raymond Chan Bik-wah, 59, a corporate consultant, relished a quiet family holiday away from the crowds in Hong Kong during a five-day getaway to Shenzhen with his wife and 25-year-old son after their winter solstice dinner last Saturday.
“Big malls are everywhere in Shenzhen where budget-friendly options are widely available with quality service. Most importantly, I don’t feel claustrophobic at all,” Chan said.
“Apart from hotels which cost around HK$1,000 [US$129] per night, other expenses are relatively more budget-friendly than in Hong Kong with more choices in terms of dining and leisure activities,” Chan said.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Oscar Liu
Some Hongkongers have embraced a festive twist this Christmas season by choosing to celebrate the holiday in mainland China, drawn by the open spaces and wallet-friendly options.
Although Christmas is not an official holiday on the mainland, many shopping centres joined in the festivities with elaborate decorations and setting up themed photo spots.
In Nanshan district, MixC World mall offers a winter wonderland with snowscapes, reindeer and huge Christmas trees. The shopping centre features hourly artificial snow showers from 3pm to 8pm.
Raymond Chan Bik-wah, 59, a corporate consultant, relished a quiet family holiday away from the crowds in Hong Kong during a five-day getaway to Shenzhen with his wife and 25-year-old son after their winter solstice dinner last Saturday.
“Big malls are everywhere in Shenzhen where budget-friendly options are widely available with quality service. Most importantly, I don’t feel claustrophobic at all,” Chan said.
“Apart from hotels which cost around HK$1,000 [US$129] per night, other expenses are relatively more budget-friendly than in Hong Kong with more choices in terms of dining and leisure activities,” Chan said.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong customs arrests 2 women for allegedly smuggling cocaine in their bodies
By Lo Hoi-ying
Hong Kong customs officers have arrested two women at the airport for allegedly smuggling about HK$1.3 million (US$167,378) worth of suspected cocaine in pellets by concealing them within their bodies.
Officers of the Customs and Excise Department said on Tuesday two female passengers, aged 46 and 42, aroused suspicion during immigration clearance after they arrived from Entebbe, Uganda via Doha, Qatar on the weekend.
The women were escorted to the hospital for examination after their arrival on Sunday. Medical personnel confirmed the presence of foreign objects in their bodies and arrested them on the spot.
As of 2pm on Tuesday, they had discharged 115 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1.5kg (3.3lbs) in total, with an estimated street value of about HK$1.3 million.
Both women were charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at West Kowloon Court on Thursday.
The department said it would continue to apply a risk assessment approach to cross-border crimes to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Lo Hoi-ying
Hong Kong customs officers have arrested two women at the airport for allegedly smuggling about HK$1.3 million (US$167,378) worth of suspected cocaine in pellets by concealing them within their bodies.
Officers of the Customs and Excise Department said on Tuesday two female passengers, aged 46 and 42, aroused suspicion during immigration clearance after they arrived from Entebbe, Uganda via Doha, Qatar on the weekend.
The women were escorted to the hospital for examination after their arrival on Sunday. Medical personnel confirmed the presence of foreign objects in their bodies and arrested them on the spot.
As of 2pm on Tuesday, they had discharged 115 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1.5kg (3.3lbs) in total, with an estimated street value of about HK$1.3 million.
Both women were charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at West Kowloon Court on Thursday.
The department said it would continue to apply a risk assessment approach to cross-border crimes to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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China’s finance ministry vows measures to boost consumption and investment next year
By Frank Chen
The Ministry of Finance has vowed concerted efforts to expand domestic demand next year as well as more and quicker fiscal expenditure after Beijing elevated consumption to a top priority and pivoted to more active policies to revitalise the economy.
The ministry will “appropriately increase” pensions and medical insurance subsidies to underpin consumption growth and give more support to consumer goods trade-in schemes, according to a statement released after Tuesday’s conclusion of a ministry conference on next year’s work agenda. It said the ministry will also promote effective investment, issue new bonds and boost spending.
“In 2025, we will implement a more proactive policy combination for a higher fiscal deficit ratio, increase expenditure intensity and accelerate the speed of spending to drive investment and consumption,” Finance Minister Lan Foan said at the meeting.
Beijing has identified key tasks for next year to put the growth of the world’s second-largest economy back on track. On top of reviving consumption as a top target, the top leadership also stressed the need for more active fiscal policies, including raising the deficit ratio, at this month’s tone-setting central economic work conference.
While Beijing has also shifted its monetary policy stance for 2025 to “moderately loose”, some economists have called for the onus of economic policy boosts next year to be placed on the fiscal side.
Economist Tao Dong told a forum last week that the focus of China’s fiscal policy next year will shift from stimulating investment to stimulating spending and that more consumption-boosting fiscal policies are in the pipeline.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Frank Chen
The Ministry of Finance has vowed concerted efforts to expand domestic demand next year as well as more and quicker fiscal expenditure after Beijing elevated consumption to a top priority and pivoted to more active policies to revitalise the economy.
The ministry will “appropriately increase” pensions and medical insurance subsidies to underpin consumption growth and give more support to consumer goods trade-in schemes, according to a statement released after Tuesday’s conclusion of a ministry conference on next year’s work agenda. It said the ministry will also promote effective investment, issue new bonds and boost spending.
“In 2025, we will implement a more proactive policy combination for a higher fiscal deficit ratio, increase expenditure intensity and accelerate the speed of spending to drive investment and consumption,” Finance Minister Lan Foan said at the meeting.
Beijing has identified key tasks for next year to put the growth of the world’s second-largest economy back on track. On top of reviving consumption as a top target, the top leadership also stressed the need for more active fiscal policies, including raising the deficit ratio, at this month’s tone-setting central economic work conference.
While Beijing has also shifted its monetary policy stance for 2025 to “moderately loose”, some economists have called for the onus of economic policy boosts next year to be placed on the fiscal side.
Economist Tao Dong told a forum last week that the focus of China’s fiscal policy next year will shift from stimulating investment to stimulating spending and that more consumption-boosting fiscal policies are in the pipeline.
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Hundreds protest in Syria after burning of Christmas tree sparks outrage among Christians
By Agence France-Presse
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus early on Tuesday to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama in central Syria, journalists said.
“We demand the rights of Christians,” protesters chanted as they marched through the Syrian capital towards the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate in the Bab Sharqi neighbourhood.
The protests come a little more than two weeks after an armed coalition led by Islamists toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad, who had cast himself as a protector of minorities in the Sunni-majority country.
A demonstrator who gave his name as Georges said he was protesting “injustice against Christians”.
“If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here any more,” he said.
The protests erupted after a video spread on social media showing hooded fighters setting fire to a Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Agence France-Presse
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus early on Tuesday to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama in central Syria, journalists said.
“We demand the rights of Christians,” protesters chanted as they marched through the Syrian capital towards the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate in the Bab Sharqi neighbourhood.
The protests come a little more than two weeks after an armed coalition led by Islamists toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad, who had cast himself as a protector of minorities in the Sunni-majority country.
A demonstrator who gave his name as Georges said he was protesting “injustice against Christians”.
“If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here any more,” he said.
The protests erupted after a video spread on social media showing hooded fighters setting fire to a Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama.
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China names Chen Hui to lead PLA ground force political work amid personnel shake-up
By Sylvie Zhuang
China has promoted a long-time airforce officer, Chen Hui, to the rank of general, confirming him as the new army political commissar, according to a report by state news agency Xinhua on Monday.
Chen has replaced Qin Shutong, 61, whose appointment as the army political commissar was made public in January 2022. Qin’s whereabouts are unknown.
In China, a political commissar is a military official in charge of ideology, political education and ensuring unit morale.
The appointment comes amid a slew of personnel changes within the People’s Liberation Army, with the latest being Miao Hua, a member of the powerful Central Military Commission and the director of its political work department, who was placed under investigation for corruption in November.
Qin’s 2022 promotion happened while Miao was the head of the political work department, which is in charge of military personnel changes.
A promotion ceremony was held for Chen on Monday. It was the first such ceremony since Miao’s downfall last month.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Sylvie Zhuang
China has promoted a long-time airforce officer, Chen Hui, to the rank of general, confirming him as the new army political commissar, according to a report by state news agency Xinhua on Monday.
Chen has replaced Qin Shutong, 61, whose appointment as the army political commissar was made public in January 2022. Qin’s whereabouts are unknown.
In China, a political commissar is a military official in charge of ideology, political education and ensuring unit morale.
The appointment comes amid a slew of personnel changes within the People’s Liberation Army, with the latest being Miao Hua, a member of the powerful Central Military Commission and the director of its political work department, who was placed under investigation for corruption in November.
Qin’s 2022 promotion happened while Miao was the head of the political work department, which is in charge of military personnel changes.
A promotion ceremony was held for Chen on Monday. It was the first such ceremony since Miao’s downfall last month.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Biden to decide fate of Nippon Steel’s ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ US$15 billion bid for US Steel
By Reuters
Nippon Steel’s US$15 billion bid for US Steel has been referred to US President Joe Biden, a White House spokesman said, giving the president 15 days to decide on a tie-up he has previously said he opposes.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews foreign investments in the US for national security risks, referred the deal to Biden after it was unable to reach a consensus, the companies and two sources said.
That gives Biden, who has long opposed the tie-up, 15 days to block the deal. If he takes no action in that time, the merger would get an unexpected greenlight.
“We received the CFIUS evaluation and the President will review it,” White House spokeswoman Saloni Sharma said.
The referral to Biden paves the way for the deal to be killed before president-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, has also opposed the deal, which was first announced last December.
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By Reuters
Nippon Steel’s US$15 billion bid for US Steel has been referred to US President Joe Biden, a White House spokesman said, giving the president 15 days to decide on a tie-up he has previously said he opposes.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews foreign investments in the US for national security risks, referred the deal to Biden after it was unable to reach a consensus, the companies and two sources said.
That gives Biden, who has long opposed the tie-up, 15 days to block the deal. If he takes no action in that time, the merger would get an unexpected greenlight.
“We received the CFIUS evaluation and the President will review it,” White House spokeswoman Saloni Sharma said.
The referral to Biden paves the way for the deal to be killed before president-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, has also opposed the deal, which was first announced last December.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
