Hong Kong police smash alleged Thai prostitution ring, seize HK$13 million cash

🔮 How to zoom through new Huanggang Port crossing at Hong Kong’s border Here is your guide to registration, clearance and transport at revamped crossing opening on Monday, promising five-minute processing times The Huanggang Port will open on Monday after more than six years of redevelopment and rounds of preparatory drills.

🔮 Travellers must use authorised buses, taxis at Huanggang Port, Hong Kong authorities say Residents must use licensed taxi fleets as other ride-hailing vehicles cannot enter port’s designated pickup and drop-off areas Travellers heading to and from the revamped Huanggang Port must use authorised public transport services only, including pre-booked licensed taxi fleets, as other ride-hailing services would not be available inside the boundary control area, according to the Hong Kong government. At a press conference on Wednesday, transport officials also urged travellers not to rush to use the new port in the initial phase of its operations.

🔮 “We expect that as we gradually enter the three-year grace period, as people become familiar with the certification process and find suitable renovation companies and professionals to handle it, the certification numbers will rise.”

🔮 Hong Kong crowds brave the heat to secure spots for National Day fireworks About 260,000 people are expected to watch the 23-minute spectacle over Victoria Harbour with many arriving hours early despite the sweltering heat Hongkongers and tourists have packed promenades on both sides of Victoria Harbour hours before Thursday’s National Day fireworks, braving the scorching heat. By mid-afternoon, photography enthusiasts, tourists and residents had claimed spots along the harbour, settling in for the hours-long wait with umbrellas, folding chairs and picnic mats. Authorities expected the 23-minute extravaganza to draw 260,000 people. With the sun beating down, revellers braved the heat to secure the best views of the display, which was due to start at 8pm.

🔮 City leader also calls on journalists to remain alert to ‘hidden dangers’ that could disrupt society Hong Kong’s media should eliminate falsehoods and expand their global reach, the chief executive has said, urging news workers to serve as “spokespeople” for good stories about mainland China and Hong Kong.

🔮 Authorities may appeal engineer’s non-custodial sentence in Queen Mary Hospital lift case

🔮 Top official to pick lead department in complex 1823 cases ‘If every department has a similar share of the responsibility, we will operate a roster system like the chief executive mentioned,’ Warner Cheuk says A top official will determine where responsibility lies when a public complaint spans multiple departments under a new handling mechanism for the 1823 hotline, set to be implemented early next year. Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said on Monday that he would ensure a “very fair” distribution of responsibility when assigning complaints that implicated more than one government department.

🔮 “First, we must grow the overall economy so that everyone benefits, but as the pie grows bigger, there are indeed certain groups that may need extra help.”

🔮 Hong Kong to recruit AI chief by mid-2027, with confidence in local talent pool Post will pay up to HK$278,200 per month, authorities reveal, adding they also understand public concerns over bolstering cybercrime laws Hong Kong will begin recruitment for an artificial intelligence (AI) commissioner in the second quarter of next year to assist in drafting policies for the technology and risk governance, with authorities confident the city does not lack suitable talent.

🔮 Hong Kong to woo finance and tech firms with new tax breaks Chief Executive John Lee says Hong Kong aims to attract more commodity traders to set up or expand their businesses in city To speed up the growth of Hong Kong’s international gold trading market, the city will push to slash the profits tax rate for qualifying physical commodity traders from the standard 16.5 per cent to 8.25 per cent by next year.