Edinburgh’s world-famous New Year celebrations cancelled due to bad weather
By Bloomberg
Edinburgh’s famous New Year celebrations were cancelled due to safety concerns as stormy weather hit the Scottish capital during one of the busiest times for the tourist industry.
Organisers scrapped the city’s Hogmanay Festival, including the street party, concert by rock band Texas and fireworks from Edinburgh Castle, after heavy rain and winds exceeding 40 miles per hour (64km per hour) were expected to sweep the region.
The decision followed the abandonment of a torchlight procession that was set to officially kick off proceedings on Sunday. Events scheduled for Monday, such as a festive funfair on Princes Street, opened later than usual because of the winds.
While the city is often known more for its August arts and comedy festivals, the holiday season around late December is a key pillar of Edinburgh’s tourism. The Hogmanay Festival, which the city council started running in 1993, was set to generate more than £48 million (US$60.4 million) for the economy and attract more than 100,000 visitors, organisers said.
The industry accounts for more than 12 per cent of employment in the city, and international and domestic visitors spent £2.24 billion (US$2.8 billion) in 2023, according to figures from Visit Scotland.
Bad weather forced the cancellation of the Hogmanay events in 2003 and 2006, while in recent years they were halted because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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By Bloomberg
Edinburgh’s famous New Year celebrations were cancelled due to safety concerns as stormy weather hit the Scottish capital during one of the busiest times for the tourist industry.
Organisers scrapped the city’s Hogmanay Festival, including the street party, concert by rock band Texas and fireworks from Edinburgh Castle, after heavy rain and winds exceeding 40 miles per hour (64km per hour) were expected to sweep the region.
The decision followed the abandonment of a torchlight procession that was set to officially kick off proceedings on Sunday. Events scheduled for Monday, such as a festive funfair on Princes Street, opened later than usual because of the winds.
While the city is often known more for its August arts and comedy festivals, the holiday season around late December is a key pillar of Edinburgh’s tourism. The Hogmanay Festival, which the city council started running in 1993, was set to generate more than £48 million (US$60.4 million) for the economy and attract more than 100,000 visitors, organisers said.
The industry accounts for more than 12 per cent of employment in the city, and international and domestic visitors spent £2.24 billion (US$2.8 billion) in 2023, according to figures from Visit Scotland.
Bad weather forced the cancellation of the Hogmanay events in 2003 and 2006, while in recent years they were halted because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Trump endorses Mike Johnson to stay on as House Speaker despite government funding turmoil
By Associated Press
US president-elect Donald Trump on Monday endorsed House Speaker Mike Johnson, providing crucial backing for the Louisiana Republican as he prepares for what is expected to be another contentious speakership race this week.
Trump said in a post on his social media platform that Johnson “is a good, hard working religious man” and he “will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN”.
“Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement,” he wrote.
Johnson thanked Trump for the endorsement and said: “The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work!”
The signal of support from Trump comes despite his frustration with a spending deal Johnson pushed through the House days before Christmas that failed to achieve his central goal of raising the debt limit.
But other Republicans have been less forgiving. Far-right criticism over the spending ordeal has left Johnson’s continued leadership of the incoming Republican majority once again in jeopardy. Though a deal was reached, averting a holiday shutdown, Johnson had to rely on Democrats to keep the government running, highlighting the limits of his influence and exposing cracks in his party’s support.
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By Associated Press
US president-elect Donald Trump on Monday endorsed House Speaker Mike Johnson, providing crucial backing for the Louisiana Republican as he prepares for what is expected to be another contentious speakership race this week.
Trump said in a post on his social media platform that Johnson “is a good, hard working religious man” and he “will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN”.
“Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement,” he wrote.
Johnson thanked Trump for the endorsement and said: “The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work!”
The signal of support from Trump comes despite his frustration with a spending deal Johnson pushed through the House days before Christmas that failed to achieve his central goal of raising the debt limit.
But other Republicans have been less forgiving. Far-right criticism over the spending ordeal has left Johnson’s continued leadership of the incoming Republican majority once again in jeopardy. Though a deal was reached, averting a holiday shutdown, Johnson had to rely on Democrats to keep the government running, highlighting the limits of his influence and exposing cracks in his party’s support.
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Argentina charges five people over death of One Direction star Liam Payne
By Agence France-Presse
Five people have been indicted in Argentina over the death of British singer Liam Payne, who fell from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony in October after consuming alcohol and drugs, prosecutors said on Monday.
Three of the five were charged with manslaughter and the other two with supplying the former One Direction pop star with illegal drugs, prosecutors said, identifying the suspects only by their initials.
The latter two have been taken into custody but the others have been allowed to remain free, the prosecutors said.
Payne died on October 16 after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room at the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital.
His death at age 31 prompted a global outpouring of grief from family, former bandmates, fans and others, with thousands gathering in cities around the world to offer their condolences.
The unnamed people charged with manslaughter are Payne’s manager who was travelling with him, a woman managing the hotel where Payne died, and the head of its reception desk, they added. They face five years in prison if convicted.
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By Agence France-Presse
Five people have been indicted in Argentina over the death of British singer Liam Payne, who fell from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony in October after consuming alcohol and drugs, prosecutors said on Monday.
Three of the five were charged with manslaughter and the other two with supplying the former One Direction pop star with illegal drugs, prosecutors said, identifying the suspects only by their initials.
The latter two have been taken into custody but the others have been allowed to remain free, the prosecutors said.
Payne died on October 16 after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room at the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital.
His death at age 31 prompted a global outpouring of grief from family, former bandmates, fans and others, with thousands gathering in cities around the world to offer their condolences.
The unnamed people charged with manslaughter are Payne’s manager who was travelling with him, a woman managing the hotel where Payne died, and the head of its reception desk, they added. They face five years in prison if convicted.
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Donald Trump’s first 100 days: can Beijing stop downwards spiral in US-China ties?
By Orange Wang
The first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term could offer the Chinese leadership an “extremely important” window of opportunity to make contact with him in an effort to avoid an immediate spike in tensions.
The period may provide an early test of the US president-elect’s approach towards China in his second term and this – as well as uncertainty over some of his policies – has led some observers to suggest that Beijing’s efforts to connect with Trump and his senior aides before he returns to the White House will help set the course for the relationship.
However, they do not expect these to have a far-reaching impact, given Trump’s “unpredictability” and deep-seated structural strains between the two powers.
Relations are expected to deteriorate further under Trump who is expected to take a hard line approach on issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea and fentanyl, and may even revive the debate about the origins of Covid-19.
He has already pledged to impose new duties on Chinese products as soon as he takes office, raising questions about whether Beijing will retaliate with new restrictions of its own.
“If the opening phase proves that his policy is successful and effective, he is likely to continue on that path after the 100-day mark,” Wu Xinbo, dean of the institute of international studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said. “If he feels that it has not had the desired effect, he may then begin to adjust it later on.”
Wu also said it was not clear what Trump’s priorities would be or what approach he would adopt to achieve his goals.
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By Orange Wang
The first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term could offer the Chinese leadership an “extremely important” window of opportunity to make contact with him in an effort to avoid an immediate spike in tensions.
The period may provide an early test of the US president-elect’s approach towards China in his second term and this – as well as uncertainty over some of his policies – has led some observers to suggest that Beijing’s efforts to connect with Trump and his senior aides before he returns to the White House will help set the course for the relationship.
However, they do not expect these to have a far-reaching impact, given Trump’s “unpredictability” and deep-seated structural strains between the two powers.
Relations are expected to deteriorate further under Trump who is expected to take a hard line approach on issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea and fentanyl, and may even revive the debate about the origins of Covid-19.
He has already pledged to impose new duties on Chinese products as soon as he takes office, raising questions about whether Beijing will retaliate with new restrictions of its own.
“If the opening phase proves that his policy is successful and effective, he is likely to continue on that path after the 100-day mark,” Wu Xinbo, dean of the institute of international studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said. “If he feels that it has not had the desired effect, he may then begin to adjust it later on.”
Wu also said it was not clear what Trump’s priorities would be or what approach he would adopt to achieve his goals.
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Why the Philippines’ latest budget has been called ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘a moral failure’
By Alan RoblesRaissa Robles
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has signed a controversial national budget that critics call “heartbreaking” as it is set to gut social and health protection for the country’s poorest while putting billions in the hands of politicians for their pet projects.
Marcos Jnr had delayed signing the budget by three days to conduct “a review” of what detractors said was 361 billion pesos (US$6.1 billion) sliced off by Congress from social protection and medical services to underprivileged Filipinos.
The slashed funds include a 74 billion pesos state subsidy to the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to provide free medical insurance to the poor, elderly and disabled.
State funding for this and the “4P’s Programme”, a law designed to help the poorest families rise from poverty, has been reduced to zero, with the latter originally allocated 12.45 billion pesos.
Such allocations were diverted to lawmakers and Marcos Jnr and designed to win over their supporters in next year’s midterm elections, former Senate President Franklin Drilon said last week.
The coming polls are important because they are a gauge of the president’s public support. They will also determine his power over Congress to pass pet legislation and anoint his successor.
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By Alan RoblesRaissa Robles
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has signed a controversial national budget that critics call “heartbreaking” as it is set to gut social and health protection for the country’s poorest while putting billions in the hands of politicians for their pet projects.
Marcos Jnr had delayed signing the budget by three days to conduct “a review” of what detractors said was 361 billion pesos (US$6.1 billion) sliced off by Congress from social protection and medical services to underprivileged Filipinos.
The slashed funds include a 74 billion pesos state subsidy to the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to provide free medical insurance to the poor, elderly and disabled.
State funding for this and the “4P’s Programme”, a law designed to help the poorest families rise from poverty, has been reduced to zero, with the latter originally allocated 12.45 billion pesos.
Such allocations were diverted to lawmakers and Marcos Jnr and designed to win over their supporters in next year’s midterm elections, former Senate President Franklin Drilon said last week.
The coming polls are important because they are a gauge of the president’s public support. They will also determine his power over Congress to pass pet legislation and anoint his successor.
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China’s C919 preps for busy 2025 as manufacturer makes expansion plans
By Frank Chen
After a banner year, China’s leading aircraft manufacturer is set to ring in an even busier 2025 as it scales up production to fulfil a bevy of orders for its home-grown planes – particularly the C919 narrowbody jet.
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is planning a series of expansions for the new year, previewing new projects on Saturday to boost factory output in its home base of Shanghai.
In a statement, the manufacturer said it will intensify cooperation with industrial chain partners in the coming year.
Though details were scarce, Comac said it will augment its capacity by building next to its existing facilities in China’s financial centre – a necessary move as the company’s backlog of invoices grows and turbulence on the horizon for global supply chains in the coming year.
“To build more planes, it first needs more production lines in Shanghai,” said a source with Comac subsidiary Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing.
In October, Comac renewed deals with Shanghai officials intended to put the Chinese city on a par with Everett in the United States and Toulouse in France – enormous production hubs for aerospace manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, respectively.
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By Frank Chen
After a banner year, China’s leading aircraft manufacturer is set to ring in an even busier 2025 as it scales up production to fulfil a bevy of orders for its home-grown planes – particularly the C919 narrowbody jet.
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is planning a series of expansions for the new year, previewing new projects on Saturday to boost factory output in its home base of Shanghai.
In a statement, the manufacturer said it will intensify cooperation with industrial chain partners in the coming year.
Though details were scarce, Comac said it will augment its capacity by building next to its existing facilities in China’s financial centre – a necessary move as the company’s backlog of invoices grows and turbulence on the horizon for global supply chains in the coming year.
“To build more planes, it first needs more production lines in Shanghai,” said a source with Comac subsidiary Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing.
In October, Comac renewed deals with Shanghai officials intended to put the Chinese city on a par with Everett in the United States and Toulouse in France – enormous production hubs for aerospace manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, respectively.
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China mandates 30% EVs in government fleets in boost for carmakers, decarbonisation
By Daniel Ren
Chinese government departments have been told to prioritise electric vehicle (EVs) purchases for official use, as Beijing ramps up efforts to promote the use of environmentally friendly vehicles while providing another boost for the industry.
A circular from the Ministry of Finance on Monday said that ministry-level authorities and their units across the country should make sure that EVs account for at least 30 per cent of their total annual purchases. The minimum requirement will be raised in the coming years.
“The circular has been released to better regulate government procurement of new-energy vehicles [NEVs],” the statement said. “The goal is to promote the use of electric cars.”
Sales of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in China, the world’s largest automotive and EV market, account for more than 60 per cent of the global total. Since July, demand for EVs has outpaced that for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
“Government departments at different levels will be able to meet the requirement easily now that the market abounds with EV models that are seen as value for money,” said Gao Shen, an independent analyst in Shanghai. With charging infrastructure rapidly expanding, EVs will grow in popularity on the mainland, he added.
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By Daniel Ren
Chinese government departments have been told to prioritise electric vehicle (EVs) purchases for official use, as Beijing ramps up efforts to promote the use of environmentally friendly vehicles while providing another boost for the industry.
A circular from the Ministry of Finance on Monday said that ministry-level authorities and their units across the country should make sure that EVs account for at least 30 per cent of their total annual purchases. The minimum requirement will be raised in the coming years.
“The circular has been released to better regulate government procurement of new-energy vehicles [NEVs],” the statement said. “The goal is to promote the use of electric cars.”
Sales of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in China, the world’s largest automotive and EV market, account for more than 60 per cent of the global total. Since July, demand for EVs has outpaced that for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
“Government departments at different levels will be able to meet the requirement easily now that the market abounds with EV models that are seen as value for money,” said Gao Shen, an independent analyst in Shanghai. With charging infrastructure rapidly expanding, EVs will grow in popularity on the mainland, he added.
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Hong Kong earmarks Sha Tin site for self-financing institution’s campus expansion
By William Yiu
Hong Kong education authorities have reserved a 1,210-square metre land site in Sha Tin for a self-financing institution to expand its campus in early 2026.
The site, which is now a public car park, is located next to a former campus owned by the operator of Hong Kong’s first Catholic university.
The Education Bureau said on Monday it was offering the Sha Tin site and an interest-free loan scheme for the development of a university campus and student hostels, as part of plans to support the sector.
“To further support the capacity expansion and quality enhancement of the self-financing sector, the government has launched a series of support measures for self-financing institutions in developing and enhancing their campuses, and developing their niche areas,” the bureau said.
The site is currently leased as a fee-paying public car park under a short-term tenancy agreement that could be terminated with a three calendar months’ notice, according to the government.
Located along Man Lai Road in Sha Tin, the site is next to a former campus of the Caritas Institute of Community Education and the Caritas Shatin Marden Foundation Secondary School before they closed in 2020 and 2008, respectively.
The operator of the former campus, Caritas Hong Kong, obtained the government approval to turn its self-financing institution – Caritas Institute of Higher Education – early this year, into Hong Kong’s first Catholic university, Saint Francis University (SFU).
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By William Yiu
Hong Kong education authorities have reserved a 1,210-square metre land site in Sha Tin for a self-financing institution to expand its campus in early 2026.
The site, which is now a public car park, is located next to a former campus owned by the operator of Hong Kong’s first Catholic university.
The Education Bureau said on Monday it was offering the Sha Tin site and an interest-free loan scheme for the development of a university campus and student hostels, as part of plans to support the sector.
“To further support the capacity expansion and quality enhancement of the self-financing sector, the government has launched a series of support measures for self-financing institutions in developing and enhancing their campuses, and developing their niche areas,” the bureau said.
The site is currently leased as a fee-paying public car park under a short-term tenancy agreement that could be terminated with a three calendar months’ notice, according to the government.
Located along Man Lai Road in Sha Tin, the site is next to a former campus of the Caritas Institute of Community Education and the Caritas Shatin Marden Foundation Secondary School before they closed in 2020 and 2008, respectively.
The operator of the former campus, Caritas Hong Kong, obtained the government approval to turn its self-financing institution – Caritas Institute of Higher Education – early this year, into Hong Kong’s first Catholic university, Saint Francis University (SFU).
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India’s BJP accuses the US ‘deep state’ of meddling – is it a ploy to cover its flaws?
By Vasudevan Sridharan
Allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the US “deep state” is interfering in India’s affairs are seen by analysts as a move by the ruling party to bolster domestic support even if it risks worsening bilateral ties.
The American “deep state” is accused by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP of wrongdoings ranging from helping to disrupt parliamentary proceedings and manipulating stock markets to undermining the judiciary.
At a press conference on December 6, BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said the US State Department was “behind this agenda”.
A deep state refers to a secretive and powerful network that carries out unauthorised activities in the pursuit of its agenda without the involvement of a state’s leaders or agencies.
The accusations come even as India and the US have undertaken steps in recent months to improve relations on several fronts.
Modi was one of the first world leaders to congratulate US president-elect Donald Trump following the Republican’s election victory last month while Trump reciprocated by praising him and India as “a true friend” in a phone call. Both leaders had also met to discuss closer bilateral ties during Trump’s first term in the White House.
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By Vasudevan Sridharan
Allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the US “deep state” is interfering in India’s affairs are seen by analysts as a move by the ruling party to bolster domestic support even if it risks worsening bilateral ties.
The American “deep state” is accused by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP of wrongdoings ranging from helping to disrupt parliamentary proceedings and manipulating stock markets to undermining the judiciary.
At a press conference on December 6, BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said the US State Department was “behind this agenda”.
A deep state refers to a secretive and powerful network that carries out unauthorised activities in the pursuit of its agenda without the involvement of a state’s leaders or agencies.
The accusations come even as India and the US have undertaken steps in recent months to improve relations on several fronts.
Modi was one of the first world leaders to congratulate US president-elect Donald Trump following the Republican’s election victory last month while Trump reciprocated by praising him and India as “a true friend” in a phone call. Both leaders had also met to discuss closer bilateral ties during Trump’s first term in the White House.
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China charges Myanmar Golden Triangle syndicate suspects with murder and telecoms fraud
By Sylvie Zhuang
Chinese authorities have charged 16 Myanmar citizens with crimes including murder and telecoms fraud as part of a crackdown on cross-border cybercrime.
Criminal gangs are accused of luring hundreds of thousands of people to cross the border into Myanmar and then forcing them to take part in telecoms scams in the so-called Golden Triangle.
Myanmar authorities have handed over more than 31,000 telecoms fraud suspects to China since law enforcement officers from both countries started targeting cross-border gangs last September.
Crime syndicates are believed to have made millions of US dollars a day from the scams, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Last year Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the authorities believe that up to 100,000 people in one city alone – Myawaddy on the border between Myanmar and Thailand – were involved in telecoms fraud.
The latest charges, filed in the eastern province of Zhejiang, involve 39 people, 16 of whom are citizens of Myanmar. They are accused of offences that include murder, fraud, unlawful detention, organised gambling and prostitution, and drug trafficking
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By Sylvie Zhuang
Chinese authorities have charged 16 Myanmar citizens with crimes including murder and telecoms fraud as part of a crackdown on cross-border cybercrime.
Criminal gangs are accused of luring hundreds of thousands of people to cross the border into Myanmar and then forcing them to take part in telecoms scams in the so-called Golden Triangle.
Myanmar authorities have handed over more than 31,000 telecoms fraud suspects to China since law enforcement officers from both countries started targeting cross-border gangs last September.
Crime syndicates are believed to have made millions of US dollars a day from the scams, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Last year Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the authorities believe that up to 100,000 people in one city alone – Myawaddy on the border between Myanmar and Thailand – were involved in telecoms fraud.
The latest charges, filed in the eastern province of Zhejiang, involve 39 people, 16 of whom are citizens of Myanmar. They are accused of offences that include murder, fraud, unlawful detention, organised gambling and prostitution, and drug trafficking
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Elderly Hongkongers struggle with dental bookings as online system launches
By Winnie Wong
Some elderly Hongkongers have expressed frustration over a new online booking system for appointments at public dental clinics on the first day of its launch, despite it replacing an arrangement in which residents had to queue for hours to secure a slot.
The Post spoke to several residents at one of 11 public dental clinics on Monday morning and found they were aware of the new online arrangement but stymied by a lack of staff to help them use the new platform.
A 67-year-old man surnamed Wong said he had spent about HK$80 (US$10) on a taxi and arrived at the clinic in Kowloon City at 4am to secure one of the last remaining physical tokens for an appointment before the Department of Health transitioned to the online system.
“I can’t even remember my own phone number, how will I know how to register online?” Wong said.
He struggled to register online and suggested the government reserve half of the appointments for those who preferred in-person queuing.
The Post observed during a visit to the clinic that no staff members were deployed to the queueing area to guide patients with using the online systems, nor were there signs to tell the public about the changes.
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By Winnie Wong
Some elderly Hongkongers have expressed frustration over a new online booking system for appointments at public dental clinics on the first day of its launch, despite it replacing an arrangement in which residents had to queue for hours to secure a slot.
The Post spoke to several residents at one of 11 public dental clinics on Monday morning and found they were aware of the new online arrangement but stymied by a lack of staff to help them use the new platform.
A 67-year-old man surnamed Wong said he had spent about HK$80 (US$10) on a taxi and arrived at the clinic in Kowloon City at 4am to secure one of the last remaining physical tokens for an appointment before the Department of Health transitioned to the online system.
“I can’t even remember my own phone number, how will I know how to register online?” Wong said.
He struggled to register online and suggested the government reserve half of the appointments for those who preferred in-person queuing.
The Post observed during a visit to the clinic that no staff members were deployed to the queueing area to guide patients with using the online systems, nor were there signs to tell the public about the changes.
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Chinese tunnel crews punch through Xinjiang mountains for record-setting expressway
By Leopold Chen
More than four years after they started, construction crews in western China have bored through more than 22km of mountain rock to complete a milestone in the world’s longest expressway tunnel.
The crews working on the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel punched through the final section of rock in the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Monday morning, more than a year and a half ahead of schedule, state media reported.
The 22.1km (13.7-mile) expressway tunnel is expected to be the longest of its kind, and improve links within the region and with neighbouring countries.
The mountain range divides Xinjiang into north and south, and the tunnel will cut travel time between the two areas from about three hours to just 20 minutes.
Work started on the project in April 2020, with crews deploying boring machines built specifically for the job.
The project comprises two traffic tunnels and a service tunnel running between them.
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By Leopold Chen
More than four years after they started, construction crews in western China have bored through more than 22km of mountain rock to complete a milestone in the world’s longest expressway tunnel.
The crews working on the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel punched through the final section of rock in the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Monday morning, more than a year and a half ahead of schedule, state media reported.
The 22.1km (13.7-mile) expressway tunnel is expected to be the longest of its kind, and improve links within the region and with neighbouring countries.
The mountain range divides Xinjiang into north and south, and the tunnel will cut travel time between the two areas from about three hours to just 20 minutes.
Work started on the project in April 2020, with crews deploying boring machines built specifically for the job.
The project comprises two traffic tunnels and a service tunnel running between them.
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