The Hong Kong government is launching a pilot scheme next month offering a 20 per cent bonus plot ratio to developers to accelerate urban renewal in seven aging districts, including Sham Shui Po, aiming to improve financial viability for stalled projects.
An independent monitor's report on Villawood detention centre reveals open drug dealing, makeshift weapons, violence, and children denied schooling, prompting urgent calls for reform.
Legendary makeup effects artist Rick Baker reflects on his illustrious Hollywood career, his iconic movie monsters, mentoring the next generation, and his views on AI during an interview at the Locarno Film Festival.
George Finch, 20-year-old leader of Warwickshire county council, defends his polarising leadership amid multiple code of conduct investigations, a library dispute, and allegations of bullying council officers, dismissing the backlash as an establishment attempt to thwart change.
France introduces a strict new law banning unsolicited commercial sales calls without prior consent, replacing previous opt-out systems with heavy fines of up to 375,000 euros for companies.
Indian cities face recurring road excavations due to poor coordination among multiple utility agencies, leading to traffic congestion, fuel wastage, increased emissions, and deteriorating road quality. Experts advocate for better governance, digital mapping, and common utility corridors to mitigate these economic and social costs.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri, awarded the Golden Ball after captaining Spain to a World Cup win, faces potential back surgery that could sideline him for the season's start. His contract expires next June, adding uncertainty to his future amid Real Madrid interest.
The northeastern US faces severe thunderstorms and flash flooding, compounded by Canadian wildfire smoke in NYC. Meanwhile, Texas continues to battle destructive floods, with two deaths and hundreds rescued, as major rivers are expected to surge, following weeks of relentless downpours.
Thailand's central bank is increasing stablecoin oversight, focusing on USDT, to curb illicit finance and "gray money." Measures target cash, forex, and gold trading, expanding compliance for regulated entities and requiring source-of-funds declarations for high-value transactions.
Prominent economists, including Jim O’Neill and Jonathan Portes, have urged the likely next UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to implement radical tax and spending reforms. They propose a single 'national contribution' levy to replace six key taxes, potentially raising £75bn annually, to fund universal public services.
Trainer Francis Lui is set to field multiple contenders in Sunday's Class One Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy, with promising three-year-old Gold Patch and hat-trick seeker Meaningful Dragon expected to draw significant attention. Gold Patch returns from a minor setback, while Meaningful Dragon aims for his third consecutive win.
Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner has withdrawn his candidacy in Maine following a rape allegation. Platner, a Marine veteran and political newcomer, was set to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins. His withdrawal leaves Maine Democrats scrambling to find a replacement before a July 27 deadline.
Ukraine's state-owned Danube Shipping Company (UDP) has suffered significant losses and market share decline due to persistent corruption and mismanagement, despite the Danube River becoming a key export route. A supervisory board member cited a 62% freight division collapse and a drop in market share from 3.11% to 1.1% between 2020-2024.
The Yale Environmental Performance Index ranks Estonia first for its environmental efforts, followed by Luxembourg and the UK. While progress is noted in reducing air and water pollution, global action on climate change remains insufficient, with many countries off track for net-zero commitments.
The death of Nathan Fitzgerald, a 27-year-old amateur Aussie Rules player, after a head clash and fall onto a concrete cricket pitch has reignited calls to eliminate these dangerous surfaces from shared sports grounds in Australia.
Neymar, 34, announced his retirement from the Brazil national team after their 2-1 loss to Norway in the World Cup round of 16. He stated, "It is now over." Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer, played his first game in 2010 and was hampered by injury during the tournament.
A government-backed report found "nepotism and bias" in UK police leadership, with many senior officers losing focus on fighting crime. The inquiry highlighted systemic issues, inconsistent capability, and a broken professional culture, leading to calls for significant reform and a new national police leadership academy.
Donald Trump's "Freedom 250" State Fair in Washington, intended to celebrate America's 250th birthday, has been plagued by low attendance, severe weather, power outages, and a disorganized entertainment lineup, drawing widespread criticism and mockery despite Trump's claims of success.
Tencent, Alibaba, Meituan, and Xiaomi are initiating large share buy-back programs to counter low stock prices and investor skepticism. Analysts suggest the sector may be nearing a bottom, with companies using buy-backs and leadership appearances to restore market confidence.
Victoria's massive 'Big Build' infrastructure projects are reportedly rife with organised crime, intimidation, extortion, fraud, and bribery. The Victorian premier attributes cost escalations to inflation, not corruption, while critics demand a royal commission due to the limited powers of the state's anti-corruption body, Ibac, and the systemic nature of the alleged misconduct.
Congressional Democrats are demanding investigations into the $16 million Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, citing alleged corruption, no-bid contracts to Trump-linked vendors, and ongoing issues like peeling paint and algae blooms, while President Trump blames vandals.
Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup is overshadowed by controversy, including fake quotes and social media backlash. A post-match interview by Joao Neves about Ronaldo's role sparked unprecedented reactions from fans and Ronaldo's inner circle, dividing the Portugal squad and raising questions about team dynamics.
Ancient DNA from Lake Baikal burial sites in Siberia reveals the earliest known traces of plague, dating back 5,500 years, among hunter-gatherers, pushing back the history of the disease and raising questions about its spread in prehistoric populations.
President Trump announced immediate repairs for the Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. after inspecting it, citing vandalism that marred a recent renovation. Five people were arrested for vandalism.
