Hong Kong authorities will tighten the regulations governing a labour importation scheme by introducing a two-tier vetting system and raising the maximum penalty for non-compliant employers, with the new arrangements taking effect on Tuesday. Following a review of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), the Labour Department announced on Monday that the system would distinguish between general applications and sectors with shortages. The long-awaited move to amend the legal regime...

By many historical accounts, the Ming dynasty’s doom was sealed when Li Zicheng, the leader of a peasant rebel army, invaded Beijing in 1644. Less than 24 hours after the rebel forces breached Beijing’s inner defences, Chongzhen, the Ming dynasty’s emperor, hanged himself on Jing Hill behind the Forbidden City. The moment marked the end of 276 years of Ming rule. The Ming dynasty’s eunuch dictatorship, factionalism among civil officials, devastating peasant uprisings and the rise of the Manchus...

Hong Kong authorities will tighten the regulations governing a labour importation scheme by introducing a two-tier vetting system and raising the maximum penalty for non-compliant employers, with the new arrangements taking effect on Tuesday. Following a review of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), the Labour Department announced on Monday that the system would distinguish between general applications and sectors with shortages. The long-awaited move to amend the legal regime...

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has urged hotels and online booking platforms to clearly outline their responsibilities in cases of reservation changes or refunds, after general complaints reached up to 1,050 annually over the past three years. The Consumer Council also said on Monday that it had received 3,346 complaints about lodgings in the city since 2023, with 2,670 coming from non-local travellers. For the larger figure, about 58 per cent involved the termination and amendment of contracts,...

Taiwan has launched a website for Chinese citizens to leak intelligence, inviting those “who share the same values of democracy” to collaborate on reporting on Beijing. China claims democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to take it, while Taipei accuses Beijing of using espionage and infiltration to weaken its defences. The headquarters of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau in Taipei. Photo: Taiwan’s National Security Bureau. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) introduced the platform with a one-minute AI-generated video showing a Chinese civil servant witnessing colleagues being removed and investigated, “reflecting a pervasive atmosphere that everyone is on edge under China’s totalitarian regime”, it said in a statement. An “increasing number” of people have approached agencies in Taiwan “wishing to provide various types of information”, it said. It added the reporting channel was based on “practices adopted by intelligence agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel”. The NSB said it would “rigorously filter”, evaluate and follow up submissions to the platform using technology. The bureau did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for further comment on Monday.

Vulnerable Hongkongers are being urged by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to get their Covid-19 jabs before current stocks expire. A baby receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. Photo: GovHK. The renewed call comes after the government confirmed two severe paediatric cases of Covid-19 infection, involving a one-year-old boy and a 19-month-old boy. The CHP said last week that the two children were in critical condition and neither had received a Covid vaccine. CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui warned that “certain high-risk individuals, especially young children, who have not received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and have not developed immunity through natural infection, face a higher risk of serious complications if they become infected.” He urged that those who have not yet received their initial dose of the vaccine, including children aged six months or above, should get vaccinated as soon as possible and that high-risk individuals, especially the elderly and those with underlying comorbidities, should also receive a booster dose. For children aged between six months and 11 years old, vaccination services will be available until July 10. Services for those aged 12 or above will continue until September 5. A senior citizen receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. Photo: GovHK. A new batch of the LP.8.1 mRNA Covid-19 vaccines will be available in the final quarter of 2026, according to the CHP. “During this transition period, eligible individuals will not be able to receive free COVID-19 vaccines through the Programme for a short period. As such, those in need are advised to make appointments as early as possible,” the CHP said. Initial doses are free for residents aged six months and older. Currently, priority groups eligible for a free booster under the Government Vaccination Programme include those over 65, residents of elderly care homes, people aged 50 to 54 with underlying comorbidities, anyone aged over six months who is immunocompromised, pregnant women and healthcare workers. Dr Mike Kwan, president of the Asian Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases, said on Sunday that it takes a fortnight for the body to fully develop immunity after getting the jab, so high-risk individuals should act now. “Pending the new strain of the vaccine coming to Hong Kong at the end of this year… there will be a gap where there will be no Covid vaccine available in Hong Kong,” Kwan said after a Commercial Radio programme, according to RTHK. “If any individual, especially those high-risk individuals, including small children, elderly and compromised people, if they have not yet received the Covid vaccine or their vaccine was received more than six months ago since the last dose, please [get your] vaccination as early as possible to increase your immunity to protect against Covid infection,” he said. Visit the CHP website for more information or details on where to book a jab privately.

China to legislate on preschool education

China to legislate on preschool education

More than 30 members of Early Rain Covenant Church were taken for interrogation midway through Sunday service.

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The US and Iran say they have reached a deal. Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid explains how both sides are claiming victory

US President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders say a deal has been agreed to end more than 100 days of war.