New Orleans attacker plotted carnage weeks ago, kept suspected bomb materials at home: officials
By Associated Press
The man who rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revellers in New Orleans had suspected bomb-making materials at his home and reserved the vehicle used in the deadly attack more than six weeks earlier, law enforcement officials said on Friday.
Federal authorities searching the home of Shamsud-Din Jabbar in Houston found a workbench in the garage and hazardous materials believed to have been used to make explosive devices, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the search. The officials were not authorised to speak about the ongoing inquiry and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The FBI investigation also revealed that Jabbar bought a cooler in Vidor, Texas, hours before the attack and gun oil from a store in Sulphur, Louisiana, the officials said. Authorities also determined Jabbar booked his rental of the pickup truck on November 14, suggesting he may have been plotting the attack for more than six weeks.
Authorities said 14 people were killed and about 30 were injured in the attack early Wednesday by Jabbar, a former army soldier who posted several videos on his Facebook hours before the attack previewing the violence he would unleash and proclaiming his support for Islamic State militant group. The coroner’s office listed the cause of death for all 14 victims as “blunt force injuries”.
Jabbar, 42, was fatally shot in a firefight with police at the scene of the deadly crash on Bourbon Street, famous worldwide for its festive vibes in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.
Authorities found crude bombs that had been planted in the neighbourhood in an apparent attempt to cause more carnage. Two improvised explosive devices left in coolers several blocks apart were rendered safe at the scene, officials said. Other devices were determined to be non-functional.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Associated Press
The man who rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revellers in New Orleans had suspected bomb-making materials at his home and reserved the vehicle used in the deadly attack more than six weeks earlier, law enforcement officials said on Friday.
Federal authorities searching the home of Shamsud-Din Jabbar in Houston found a workbench in the garage and hazardous materials believed to have been used to make explosive devices, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the search. The officials were not authorised to speak about the ongoing inquiry and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The FBI investigation also revealed that Jabbar bought a cooler in Vidor, Texas, hours before the attack and gun oil from a store in Sulphur, Louisiana, the officials said. Authorities also determined Jabbar booked his rental of the pickup truck on November 14, suggesting he may have been plotting the attack for more than six weeks.
Authorities said 14 people were killed and about 30 were injured in the attack early Wednesday by Jabbar, a former army soldier who posted several videos on his Facebook hours before the attack previewing the violence he would unleash and proclaiming his support for Islamic State militant group. The coroner’s office listed the cause of death for all 14 victims as “blunt force injuries”.
Jabbar, 42, was fatally shot in a firefight with police at the scene of the deadly crash on Bourbon Street, famous worldwide for its festive vibes in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.
Authorities found crude bombs that had been planted in the neighbourhood in an apparent attempt to cause more carnage. Two improvised explosive devices left in coolers several blocks apart were rendered safe at the scene, officials said. Other devices were determined to be non-functional.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Pay cut for Hong Kong lawmakers would not benefit city: Legco president
By Harvey Kong
A reduction in lawmakers’ salaries will not benefit Hong Kong, the head of the city’s legislature has said as he denied the body was a “hand-raising machine” or “rubber stamp” for its support of government bills and funding requests.
Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen on Saturday also defended a recent trip made by him and other lawmakers to Japan, which drew criticism of unnecessary spending from the public.
Asked if there was a need to cut lawmakers’ and civil servants’ pay as the government deficit for the financial year ballooned to about HK$100 billion (US$12.86 billion), Leung warned such a move could be counterproductive.
“A lot of people are watching the salaries of civil servants as a benchmark. When civil servants reduce their salaries and the business sector reduce their salaries as well, everyone would have even less confidence in spending money,” he said.
“Everyone needs to be aware, it is easy to say, but the problems that would appear as a result would be much more serious.”
He argued that the best way to counter the effects of the deficit would be to boost public confidence by growing Hong Kong’s economic pie, so residents would be encouraged to invest, purchase homes and spend money.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Harvey Kong
A reduction in lawmakers’ salaries will not benefit Hong Kong, the head of the city’s legislature has said as he denied the body was a “hand-raising machine” or “rubber stamp” for its support of government bills and funding requests.
Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen on Saturday also defended a recent trip made by him and other lawmakers to Japan, which drew criticism of unnecessary spending from the public.
Asked if there was a need to cut lawmakers’ and civil servants’ pay as the government deficit for the financial year ballooned to about HK$100 billion (US$12.86 billion), Leung warned such a move could be counterproductive.
“A lot of people are watching the salaries of civil servants as a benchmark. When civil servants reduce their salaries and the business sector reduce their salaries as well, everyone would have even less confidence in spending money,” he said.
“Everyone needs to be aware, it is easy to say, but the problems that would appear as a result would be much more serious.”
He argued that the best way to counter the effects of the deficit would be to boost public confidence by growing Hong Kong’s economic pie, so residents would be encouraged to invest, purchase homes and spend money.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
China’s civil servants to get long-delayed pay rise, but will it boost economy?
By William Zheng
After a few years of belt-tightening, millions of Chinese civil servants are expected to bring home a much-delayed pay rise ahead of Lunar New Year later this month.
Several civil servants and workers at public institutions in China said they had received notification from their finance or human resources departments about an increase in their basic monthly pay.
They said the amount, ranging from 300 to 500 yuan (US$41 to US$69), would be effective before the holiday, also known as Spring Festival, which falls on January 29. But the exact amount will vary depending on location, local budgets, position and seniority.
An official in the central government in Beijing said he and his colleagues were formally notified about the pay rise in the last week of December.
“It certainly helps to improve morale in the office as the festive season is just around the corner. But we are also reminded not to openly discuss it,” he said, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.
For those whose pay will rise by 500 yuan, the net increase in take-home pay is around 350 after social security contributions.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By William Zheng
After a few years of belt-tightening, millions of Chinese civil servants are expected to bring home a much-delayed pay rise ahead of Lunar New Year later this month.
Several civil servants and workers at public institutions in China said they had received notification from their finance or human resources departments about an increase in their basic monthly pay.
They said the amount, ranging from 300 to 500 yuan (US$41 to US$69), would be effective before the holiday, also known as Spring Festival, which falls on January 29. But the exact amount will vary depending on location, local budgets, position and seniority.
An official in the central government in Beijing said he and his colleagues were formally notified about the pay rise in the last week of December.
“It certainly helps to improve morale in the office as the festive season is just around the corner. But we are also reminded not to openly discuss it,” he said, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.
For those whose pay will rise by 500 yuan, the net increase in take-home pay is around 350 after social security contributions.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Japan firm uses AI to train new staff in handling difficult customers, coping with stress
By Zoey Zhang
A company in Japan has turned to artificial intelligence (AI) technology to train staff how to deal with demanding customers.
The move is aimed at boosting the adaptability of staff and enhancing their ability to cope with stress.
Constant exposure to high-pressure customer interactions has left many employees in the telephone service industry overworked, resulting in persistent labor shortages.
The technology company Interactive-Solutions has recently created iRolePlay, a ChatGPT-powered AI tool that trains customer service staff using simulated conversations.
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI and launched in 2022, enables lifelike dialogue and smart text responses.
Tokyo Television reported that iRolePlay can simulate a range of customer personalities to provide training for customer service personnel.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Zoey Zhang
A company in Japan has turned to artificial intelligence (AI) technology to train staff how to deal with demanding customers.
The move is aimed at boosting the adaptability of staff and enhancing their ability to cope with stress.
Constant exposure to high-pressure customer interactions has left many employees in the telephone service industry overworked, resulting in persistent labor shortages.
The technology company Interactive-Solutions has recently created iRolePlay, a ChatGPT-powered AI tool that trains customer service staff using simulated conversations.
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI and launched in 2022, enables lifelike dialogue and smart text responses.
Tokyo Television reported that iRolePlay can simulate a range of customer personalities to provide training for customer service personnel.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Japan’s Nippon to file lawsuit over Biden’s decision to block US Steel sale
By Kyodo
Nippon Steel Corp. is set to file a lawsuit in response to US President Joe Biden’s decision to block its US$14.1 billion takeover of United States Steel Corp., sources close to the matter said on Saturday.
Biden on Friday said the deal posed a risk to national security while urging the Japanese and US steelmakers to “fully and permanently” abandon their plan, which has been backed by US Steel shareholders. The leadership of the powerful United Steelworkers union strongly objected to the acquisition.
Nippon Steel, the world’s fourth-largest steelmaker, and the smaller US Steel immediately released a joint statement saying the US authorities’ review of their deal was “manipulated to advance President Biden’s political agenda” and that they will “take all appropriate action to protect our legal rights”.
Biden’s order marked the first time an American president has banned a merger and acquisition deal involving a Japanese firm.
Japan’s industry minister Yoji Muto said: “It is incomprehensible and regrettable that the Biden administration has made this kind of decision, citing national security concerns.”
“The Japanese government has no choice but to regard this seriously,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Kyodo
Nippon Steel Corp. is set to file a lawsuit in response to US President Joe Biden’s decision to block its US$14.1 billion takeover of United States Steel Corp., sources close to the matter said on Saturday.
Biden on Friday said the deal posed a risk to national security while urging the Japanese and US steelmakers to “fully and permanently” abandon their plan, which has been backed by US Steel shareholders. The leadership of the powerful United Steelworkers union strongly objected to the acquisition.
Nippon Steel, the world’s fourth-largest steelmaker, and the smaller US Steel immediately released a joint statement saying the US authorities’ review of their deal was “manipulated to advance President Biden’s political agenda” and that they will “take all appropriate action to protect our legal rights”.
Biden’s order marked the first time an American president has banned a merger and acquisition deal involving a Japanese firm.
Japan’s industry minister Yoji Muto said: “It is incomprehensible and regrettable that the Biden administration has made this kind of decision, citing national security concerns.”
“The Japanese government has no choice but to regard this seriously,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
US agencies warn of possible copycat attacks after New Orleans truck rampage
By Reuters
US law enforcement and intelligence agencies are concerned about copycat vehicle-ramming attacks following the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans by a US Army veteran, according to a US law enforcement intelligence bulletin published on Friday.
The bulletin was issued a day after the FBI said Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas native, was “100 per cent inspired” by Islamic State militant group to drive a truck into New Year’s Day revellers in New Orleans, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens of others.
Jabbar, who flew an Isis flag from the rear of the truck he had rented, subsequently was killed in a shoot-out with police.
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the US National Counterterrorism Center “are concerned about possible copycat or retaliatory attacks,” said the intelligence bulletin published by the three agencies and reviewed by Reuters.
Such attacks “are likely to remain attractive for aspiring attackers given vehicles’ ease of acquisition and the low skill threshold necessary to conduct an attack,” said the bulletin issued to US law enforcement agencies.
The bulletin noted that as of Thursday, Isis had not claimed responsibility for the New Orleans attack. But the group’s online supporters celebrated it and a December 20 vehicle-ramming in Germany even though that incident did not appear to have been Isis-inspired, it said.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Reuters
US law enforcement and intelligence agencies are concerned about copycat vehicle-ramming attacks following the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans by a US Army veteran, according to a US law enforcement intelligence bulletin published on Friday.
The bulletin was issued a day after the FBI said Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas native, was “100 per cent inspired” by Islamic State militant group to drive a truck into New Year’s Day revellers in New Orleans, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens of others.
Jabbar, who flew an Isis flag from the rear of the truck he had rented, subsequently was killed in a shoot-out with police.
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the US National Counterterrorism Center “are concerned about possible copycat or retaliatory attacks,” said the intelligence bulletin published by the three agencies and reviewed by Reuters.
Such attacks “are likely to remain attractive for aspiring attackers given vehicles’ ease of acquisition and the low skill threshold necessary to conduct an attack,” said the bulletin issued to US law enforcement agencies.
The bulletin noted that as of Thursday, Isis had not claimed responsibility for the New Orleans attack. But the group’s online supporters celebrated it and a December 20 vehicle-ramming in Germany even though that incident did not appear to have been Isis-inspired, it said.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong villagers making way for new town hope to be resettled together
By Vivian Au
Retired fish farmer Lai Koon-shing has spent most of his life in a quiet corner of Hong Kong, a rural area set against a backdrop of mountains in the New Territories.
Yau Tam Mei Tsuen in Yuen Long has long been home to a farming community that produced rice, vegetables, poultry, pigs and fish.
Lai, 76, and his wife raised their four children there. Their extended family of 19 individuals from three generations occupy two village houses built on 8,000 sq m (86,111 sq ft) leased from the government.
When it is mealtime, everyone comes together. “This is one of the happiest moments for me,” Lai said.
He still has his fish pond, and some of his neighbours continue keeping chickens, but the close-knit community of about 1,300 knows their days there are numbered.
Yau Tam Mei Tsuen lies within the 63,790 sq m development site for the new development of Ngau Tam Mei, a key centre in the proposed Northern Metropolis megaproject near the border with mainland China.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Vivian Au
Retired fish farmer Lai Koon-shing has spent most of his life in a quiet corner of Hong Kong, a rural area set against a backdrop of mountains in the New Territories.
Yau Tam Mei Tsuen in Yuen Long has long been home to a farming community that produced rice, vegetables, poultry, pigs and fish.
Lai, 76, and his wife raised their four children there. Their extended family of 19 individuals from three generations occupy two village houses built on 8,000 sq m (86,111 sq ft) leased from the government.
When it is mealtime, everyone comes together. “This is one of the happiest moments for me,” Lai said.
He still has his fish pond, and some of his neighbours continue keeping chickens, but the close-knit community of about 1,300 knows their days there are numbered.
Yau Tam Mei Tsuen lies within the 63,790 sq m development site for the new development of Ngau Tam Mei, a key centre in the proposed Northern Metropolis megaproject near the border with mainland China.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Quiet on set: China’s film industry fights for relevance in changing media landscape
By Daisy Wu
Cecilia Hu, a 25-year-old marketing professional based in Wuhan, used to be an avid movie-goer, visiting the cinema at least once a month. However, last year she only went once – to see Big World, a new release starring her idol, pop star Jackson Yee.
Despite her initial enthusiasm, Hu left the theatre disappointed.
Yee performed well, she said, but the film otherwise lacked appeal, with a romantic storyline feeling particularly out of place.
Now, instead of going to the cinema to serve as a “guinea pig,” Hu said she prefers to watch time-tested classics at home. Skipping the cinema no longer feels like a “social disconnect”, she added, since “no one else is going” either.
Hu’s choice is symbolic of the broader issues faced by China’s film industry as it attempts to stem audience losses and compete with other forms of entertainment in an increasingly saturated market.
Chinese box office tracker Dengta Data revealed in a report this week that 57 per cent of viewers went to the cinema only once last year, and overall attendance fell to 1.01 billion – a 22.3 per cent drop from the previous year.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Daisy Wu
Cecilia Hu, a 25-year-old marketing professional based in Wuhan, used to be an avid movie-goer, visiting the cinema at least once a month. However, last year she only went once – to see Big World, a new release starring her idol, pop star Jackson Yee.
Despite her initial enthusiasm, Hu left the theatre disappointed.
Yee performed well, she said, but the film otherwise lacked appeal, with a romantic storyline feeling particularly out of place.
Now, instead of going to the cinema to serve as a “guinea pig,” Hu said she prefers to watch time-tested classics at home. Skipping the cinema no longer feels like a “social disconnect”, she added, since “no one else is going” either.
Hu’s choice is symbolic of the broader issues faced by China’s film industry as it attempts to stem audience losses and compete with other forms of entertainment in an increasingly saturated market.
Chinese box office tracker Dengta Data revealed in a report this week that 57 per cent of viewers went to the cinema only once last year, and overall attendance fell to 1.01 billion – a 22.3 per cent drop from the previous year.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
‘Power player’ Elon Musk turns his gaze on Europe’s far-right politics
By Agence France-Presse
He demanded new elections in Britain, promoted Germany’s far-right, blasted the European Commission – and that is just the start. Elon Musk is pushing the hard-right in Europe, where progressives are grappling with how, or even whether, to contain him.
The interventions by the world’s wealthiest man – who also owns one of the planet’s largest megaphones, social media platform X – have already seen him secure unprecedented influence thanks to his proximity to US president-elect Donald Trump.
Now the evermore powerful Tesla and SpaceX chief is turning his gaze on Europe, where many governments are already grappling with the rise of populism and the far-right.
“(Keir) Starmer must go and he must face charges for his complicity in the worst mass crime in the history of Britain,” the multi-billionaire posted recently.
He was referring to the British prime minister’s time as chief state prosecutor in England and Wales, which coincided with a child grooming scandal – posting about it repeatedly on Friday.
Musk has also called for the release from prison of Tommy Robinson, an extremist agitator, and boosted the fringe anti-immigration Reform UK party, whose leader Nigel Farage he met with recently.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Agence France-Presse
He demanded new elections in Britain, promoted Germany’s far-right, blasted the European Commission – and that is just the start. Elon Musk is pushing the hard-right in Europe, where progressives are grappling with how, or even whether, to contain him.
The interventions by the world’s wealthiest man – who also owns one of the planet’s largest megaphones, social media platform X – have already seen him secure unprecedented influence thanks to his proximity to US president-elect Donald Trump.
Now the evermore powerful Tesla and SpaceX chief is turning his gaze on Europe, where many governments are already grappling with the rise of populism and the far-right.
“(Keir) Starmer must go and he must face charges for his complicity in the worst mass crime in the history of Britain,” the multi-billionaire posted recently.
He was referring to the British prime minister’s time as chief state prosecutor in England and Wales, which coincided with a child grooming scandal – posting about it repeatedly on Friday.
Musk has also called for the release from prison of Tommy Robinson, an extremist agitator, and boosted the fringe anti-immigration Reform UK party, whose leader Nigel Farage he met with recently.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong police arrest man over fatal stabbing outside public housing estate
By Jeffie Lam
Hong Kong police have arrested a man over his suspected connection with the murder of a victim who was repeatedly stabbed outside a public housing estate earlier this week.
The 56-year-old man was arrested in Ngau Tau Kok for alleged murder on Friday night, the force said, adding another 44-year-old woman was also arrested for allegedly misleading police officers during their investigation.
Both suspects were being detained for further inquiries.
On Thursday night, a 33-year-old man was found unconscious on the ground at Po Tin Estate in Tuen Mun, and was pronounced dead after being taken to Tuen Mun Hospital.
A source earlier said both the victim and suspect were drug users, and had previously had a conflict over issues involving a woman.
The source added the suspect approached the victim after he left the building and “repeatedly used a sharp object to stab him in the chest”.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Jeffie Lam
Hong Kong police have arrested a man over his suspected connection with the murder of a victim who was repeatedly stabbed outside a public housing estate earlier this week.
The 56-year-old man was arrested in Ngau Tau Kok for alleged murder on Friday night, the force said, adding another 44-year-old woman was also arrested for allegedly misleading police officers during their investigation.
Both suspects were being detained for further inquiries.
On Thursday night, a 33-year-old man was found unconscious on the ground at Po Tin Estate in Tuen Mun, and was pronounced dead after being taken to Tuen Mun Hospital.
A source earlier said both the victim and suspect were drug users, and had previously had a conflict over issues involving a woman.
The source added the suspect approached the victim after he left the building and “repeatedly used a sharp object to stab him in the chest”.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Indonesia’s Widodo slams ‘baseless’ report listing him as leading corruption enabler
By Amy Sood
Former Indonesian president Joko Widodo has slammed a “baseless” report for listing him as one of the world’s leading individuals for enabling corruption in 2024, but analysts say the findings reflect significant setbacks in Jakarta’s fight against corruption during his tenure.
“Corruption? What corruption? What’s the proof? Just prove it,” Widodo told reporters on Tuesday at his residence in Solo, Central Java. “There’s so much slander, malicious framing, and baseless accusations nowadays. That’s what’s happening.”
His comments were in response to a report by the Amsterdam-based Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which named Widodo a finalist in its annual list of individuals who have “done the most to advance crime and corruption globally thus damaging democracy and human rights”, with toppled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad earning its ignominious “Person of the Year” award.
Other notable figures on the list included former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Indian businessman Gautam Adani.
Popularly known as Jokowi, Widodo stepped down as president in October after completing two terms spanning a decade. While he was hailed for overseeing major transport and other development projects, his tenure was marred by concerns over the weakening of the anti-corruption agency and judiciary and democratic backsliding, which his critics say have enabled Widodo to maintain his and his family’s political influence.
Widodo blasted the OCCRP report as being politically motivated, saying: “People can use any vehicle to create such a horrible framing, whether through NGOs, political parties or mass organisations.”
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Amy Sood
Former Indonesian president Joko Widodo has slammed a “baseless” report for listing him as one of the world’s leading individuals for enabling corruption in 2024, but analysts say the findings reflect significant setbacks in Jakarta’s fight against corruption during his tenure.
“Corruption? What corruption? What’s the proof? Just prove it,” Widodo told reporters on Tuesday at his residence in Solo, Central Java. “There’s so much slander, malicious framing, and baseless accusations nowadays. That’s what’s happening.”
His comments were in response to a report by the Amsterdam-based Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which named Widodo a finalist in its annual list of individuals who have “done the most to advance crime and corruption globally thus damaging democracy and human rights”, with toppled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad earning its ignominious “Person of the Year” award.
Other notable figures on the list included former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Indian businessman Gautam Adani.
Popularly known as Jokowi, Widodo stepped down as president in October after completing two terms spanning a decade. While he was hailed for overseeing major transport and other development projects, his tenure was marred by concerns over the weakening of the anti-corruption agency and judiciary and democratic backsliding, which his critics say have enabled Widodo to maintain his and his family’s political influence.
Widodo blasted the OCCRP report as being politically motivated, saying: “People can use any vehicle to create such a horrible framing, whether through NGOs, political parties or mass organisations.”
via SCMP Full Text Feed
How a Hong Kong DJ is bringing tunes of Joey Yung, Eason Chan to world
By Lo Hoi-ying
With his trademark Hawaiian shirts and skills on the turntable, Cantopop DJ Pete Sabine knows full well how to captivate the crowd with surprising remixes.
In one of his sets, he blended nostalgic Cantonese cartoon theme songs with the jingle from Japanese discount chain Don Don Donki.
The 43-year-old Hongkonger, born to British and American parents, has a knack for gauging the audience’s mood when playing his Cantopop remixes for hours with seamless transitions.
“Mee & Gee is something I play in almost every set and the crowd would open a circle pit. The lyrics are very easy to learn and not too serious,” he told the Post at his studio, referring to a song by indie band NYPD about a trip to a second-hand clothing store in Hong Kong.
At a performance at the West Kowloon Cultural District in November, the Post observed that a few young attendees inched closer to the stage, exclaiming in surprise and awe that a Caucasian DJ was behind the string of hit tracks.
“Sometimes I would receive direct messages from people who were surprised that I could speak Cantonese and that I was the one who put together the set lists,” he said.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Lo Hoi-ying
With his trademark Hawaiian shirts and skills on the turntable, Cantopop DJ Pete Sabine knows full well how to captivate the crowd with surprising remixes.
In one of his sets, he blended nostalgic Cantonese cartoon theme songs with the jingle from Japanese discount chain Don Don Donki.
The 43-year-old Hongkonger, born to British and American parents, has a knack for gauging the audience’s mood when playing his Cantopop remixes for hours with seamless transitions.
“Mee & Gee is something I play in almost every set and the crowd would open a circle pit. The lyrics are very easy to learn and not too serious,” he told the Post at his studio, referring to a song by indie band NYPD about a trip to a second-hand clothing store in Hong Kong.
At a performance at the West Kowloon Cultural District in November, the Post observed that a few young attendees inched closer to the stage, exclaiming in surprise and awe that a Caucasian DJ was behind the string of hit tracks.
“Sometimes I would receive direct messages from people who were surprised that I could speak Cantonese and that I was the one who put together the set lists,” he said.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Shock as China vice-principal’s affair with ex pupil exposed amid US$96,000 loan row
By Yating Yang
Controversy has erupted over a school vice principal in China who has been accused of having an extramarital affair one of her former male students.
The reported relationship between the teacher and her former student, who is more than 10 years her junior, came to light after the latter sought the return of what he claims is 700,000 yuan (US$96,000) in money and gifts she solicited from him during their five years together.
The financial claim led to a report being made to the educational authorities about her conduct, sparking a public outcry.
In a video posted online, a man surnamed He, accused Xie Jiaxiong, his former vice principal from Ningxiang, Hunan province, in central China, of having an extramarital affair with him.
According to He, Xie was also at one point his secondary school teacher.
At that time, He was attracted to Xie and she responded by complimenting his looks.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Yating Yang
Controversy has erupted over a school vice principal in China who has been accused of having an extramarital affair one of her former male students.
The reported relationship between the teacher and her former student, who is more than 10 years her junior, came to light after the latter sought the return of what he claims is 700,000 yuan (US$96,000) in money and gifts she solicited from him during their five years together.
The financial claim led to a report being made to the educational authorities about her conduct, sparking a public outcry.
In a video posted online, a man surnamed He, accused Xie Jiaxiong, his former vice principal from Ningxiang, Hunan province, in central China, of having an extramarital affair with him.
According to He, Xie was also at one point his secondary school teacher.
At that time, He was attracted to Xie and she responded by complimenting his looks.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
China hits record panda bond issuance in 2024, with analysts bullish for 2025
By Alice Li
The issuance of “panda bonds” – yuan-denominated debt securities from overseas institutions operating in China – hit a record high in 2024, bolstered by lower funding costs and heightened efforts from Beijing to expand use of the currency.
Analysts expect even more growth this year, given the country’s need to shore up its economy and a long-term campaign to widen adoption of the yuan for international settlements.
China saw 109 issuances of panda bonds last year at a volume of 194.8 billion yuan (US$26.7 billion) according to Wind, a Chinese financial data provider. This marked a 16 per cent increase in the number of issuances and a 26 per cent year-on-year rise in value.
“The yield differential between China and the world is the primary driver, which is also supported by the previous change in using proceeds for repatriation,” said Gary Ng, a senior economist at Natixis.
“In addition, more sovereign issuers seek to diversify their forex funding exposure.”
To stimulate market liquidity, the People’s Bank of China made cuts to interest rates and reduced the reserve requirement ratio last year, which in turn helped lower borrowing costs for issuers.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Alice Li
The issuance of “panda bonds” – yuan-denominated debt securities from overseas institutions operating in China – hit a record high in 2024, bolstered by lower funding costs and heightened efforts from Beijing to expand use of the currency.
Analysts expect even more growth this year, given the country’s need to shore up its economy and a long-term campaign to widen adoption of the yuan for international settlements.
China saw 109 issuances of panda bonds last year at a volume of 194.8 billion yuan (US$26.7 billion) according to Wind, a Chinese financial data provider. This marked a 16 per cent increase in the number of issuances and a 26 per cent year-on-year rise in value.
“The yield differential between China and the world is the primary driver, which is also supported by the previous change in using proceeds for repatriation,” said Gary Ng, a senior economist at Natixis.
“In addition, more sovereign issuers seek to diversify their forex funding exposure.”
To stimulate market liquidity, the People’s Bank of China made cuts to interest rates and reduced the reserve requirement ratio last year, which in turn helped lower borrowing costs for issuers.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
