Sunmaya Budha of Jumla has secured victory in the 100km Ultra Marathon held in Hong Kong. Born in Patarasi Rural Municipality-2, Pere village, she completed the gruelling race in 11 hours, 11 minutes, and 47 seconds, outperforming her Slovakian rival Veronika Leng by 14 minutes and 25 seconds. Leng finished second with a time of 11 hours, 25 minutes, and 22 seconds, followed by Vietnam’s Ha Thi Hau, who secured third place in 12 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.

Saroj Shahi, chair of the Karnali Sports Club, praised Sunmaya’s performance, calling it “an inspiration to all.” He highlighted her achievement not only as a victory but also as a record-breaking accomplishment that elevated her name to new heights.

Sunmaya strategically balanced her pace throughout the race, maintaining high energy and determination until the finish line. Despite the challenges posed by Hong Kong’s terrain, fatigue, and unpredictable weather, her resilience and mental preparation proved key to her success. “Her perseverance and focus earned her this victory,” said world-record-holder Hari Bahadur Rokaya.

Growing up amidst the rugged terrain of Jumla prepared Sunmaya for the challenges of ultra-marathon racing. Shahi attributed her success to her deep dedication to the sport, disciplined lifestyle, and unwavering commitment to her goals. “This achievement reflects the rigorous training, sacrifices, and determination she has shown over the years,” he remarked.

Sunmaya described her win as the result of immense effort, commitment, and relentless perseverance. “This success is not just personal but a victory for the entire nation,” she said. “I will not stop here. My journey of continuous effort will continue.”

Her triumph has become a source of inspiration for Nepali women, showcasing their potential to excel in sports on international platforms. “Sunmaya’s determination and success demonstrate that women can make significant contributions in sports,” added Rokaya.

In the men’s race, China’s Meng Guangfu claimed the HK100 title for the second consecutive year, finishing in 9 hours, 43 minutes, and 10 seconds. The event took place from January 16 to 18, attracting elite athletes from around the globe.

19th January 2025 – (Washington) On 19th January, the U.S. government enacted a law mandating the cessation of TikTok’s operations, effectively banning the popular app for around 170 million American users. This legislation, which received significant bipartisan support and was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, compels ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its ownership or face a complete prohibition in the country.

In the wake of the ban, users reported being unable to access TikTok, encountering a message stating: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.” The ban arises from growing concerns regarding data collection practices and the potential for the Chinese government to exploit user data for surveillance or propaganda.

President-elect Donald Trump took to social media, proclaiming his intent to “SAVE TIKTOK!” He hinted at the possibility of granting a 90-day reprieve to allow for negotiations, stating that this extension is “very likely” and may be officially announced shortly after his inauguration. Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz, suggested that the option for Chinese ownership of TikTok could remain on the table, provided that measures are implemented to safeguard U.S. data.

The law requires TikTok to separate from ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban, igniting fears among users who depend on the app for entertainment and social interaction. In light of TikTok’s uncertain future, competing platforms such as Meta and Snap are already observing an upsurge in user activity, as individuals and businesses seek alternatives in the rapidly shifting social media landscape.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Recent reports from Tseung Kwan O have raised concerns over the emergence of a group of suspected scam artists. A local resident shared a video on social media, highlighting an encounter with two women, believed to be attempting to con single men outside the Don Don Donki store on Tong Chun Street. The footage shows one of the women allegedly using smoke tactics to incapacitate victims.

The incident occurred on the evening of 29th December, and the video has since sparked significant discussion online, with many users expressing gratitude to the original poster for the warning. Comments ranged from calls for increased vigilance to reports of similar tactics observed in other districts.

In the video, the women, described as one tall and one short, approached men in dimly lit areas, claiming they were unable to afford food. However, their attempts were unsuccessful, and they fled the scene, covering their faces and running through several streets in a bid to evade capture.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) A 44-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive in her subdivided flat on Ki Lung Street, Sham Shui Po, yesterday, leading to a tragic and perplexing situation for her family. Initial reports suggest that her death may be linked to an electric shock, although she had also been suffering from acute pharyngitis in recent days.

The deceased, identified as Ms Chao, was found by her husband, Mr Fong, who arrived at the flat after receiving a distressing notification earlier that morning. Upon arrival, he found his wife slumped in the bathroom, where she was later pronounced dead at the scene.

It has emerged that residents in the building had reported issues with electrical leakage to the landlord just the night before. Mr Fong speculated that his wife might have inadvertently touched the electric water heater while it was leaking electricity, a claim supported by preliminary investigations from the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), which noted that the unit’s circuit breaker may not have tripped due to the fault.

The flat, located at 142 Ki Lung Street, is one of several subdivided units in the building, each measuring between 100 and 200 square feet. Neighbours had also expressed concerns about potential electrical issues in their bathrooms, but the landlord had been unable to contact Ms Chao until the following day.

Reports indicate that Mr Fong and Ms Chao had been married for over 20 years but had been living apart for several years, although they maintained contact. Ms Chao had recently undergone treatment in mainland China for her throat condition.

In response to the incident, the EMSD dispatched a team to investigate the suspected electrical accident and has since cut off power to the unit. The department issued a notice to the landlord, instructing them to hire a licensed electrical contractor to ensure the safety of all electrical installations before power can be restored.

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19th January 2025 – (Xi’an) China has successfully conducted three ignition tests for liquid oxygen-kerosene engines, as announced by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). This achievement, which took place on Sunday, is notable for being the first instance in which the country has executed three ignition tests on two different types of liquid oxygen-kerosene engines within a single day.

The tests were performed by the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology, a CASC subsidiary, at their facility located in the Baolongyu area of Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in northwest China. The testing involved two 120-tonne liquid oxygen-kerosene rocket engines and one 18-tonne variant.

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18th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) A fire erupted in a 2-dish rice shop on Ichang Street in Tsim Sha Tsui today at 3.59pm today, causing a significant scare but fortunately no injuries. The establishment, known for its rice dishes, was ablaze for approximately 15 minutes before firefighters managed to extinguish the flames using a hose and smoke containment equipment.

Initial reports suggest that the fire was ignited when an employee attempting to prepare food accidentally set fire to the oil extractor in the kitchen. At the time of the incident, the owner and two staff members were present in the restaurant. Despite their efforts to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher, they were unsuccessful, leading to the evacuation of ten individuals who were able to leave the premises safely.

The fire also caused a power outage in a neighbouring convenience store, halting its operations. Several residents nearby were affected by the thick smoke and were forced to evacuate to the rooftop for safety. Eyewitness accounts describe a scene where thick black smoke billowed out of the eatery, reaching upwards towards adjacent residential units.

Video footage provided by local residents captured the dramatic moment, showing the heavy smoke pouring from the establishment as individuals fled the scene. Firefighters were seen at the location, battling the blaze while the restaurant’s signage and interior suffered significant smoke damage.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of Hong Kong has officially concluded its “Pilot Scheme on Collection and Recycling Services of Plastic Recyclable Materials,” with the transition of waste plastic collection services to the GREEN@COMMUNITY operators across all 18 districts. This change, effective from January 18, promises to enhance the efficiency and scope of plastic recycling in the territory.

A spokesperson for the EPD confirmed that the handover to the GREEN@COMMUNITY recycling network has been executed smoothly. The operators will now provide a door-to-door collection service for waste plastics in various housing estates, which has been successfully extended territory-wide. Following inspections conducted across districts on January 19, the EPD reported a well-organised operation, with no complaints regarding the collection service from residents or housing estates. Furthermore, no instances of unattended or uncollected waste plastics were observed.

In a significant shift from the previous arrangement, the operators of GREEN@COMMUNITY are now permitted to pass the collected plastics to any EPD-approved recyclers, expanding the number of downstream recyclers from three to ten. This move is expected to foster greater competition in the market, thereby reducing the costs associated with the collection and recycling of waste plastics. The EPD indicated that it is accelerating the approval process to introduce more qualified recyclers in the future.

The department reiterated its commitment to ensuring that plastic collection services remain uninterrupted following the pilot scheme’s conclusion. GREEN@COMMUNITY operators are expected to maintain close communication with housing estates to provide flexible collection services for plastics and other recyclables, thereby enhancing cost-effectiveness.

Moving forward, the EPD plans to strengthen collaboration with GREEN@COMMUNITY operators, downstream recyclers, and relevant housing estates to ensure that plastic recycling services continue to meet residents’ needs. The department will also intensify its monitoring efforts, including more frequent inspections of downstream recyclers, to guarantee that all collected waste plastics are processed appropriately, converting waste into valuable resources.

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Post Report

Published at : January 19, 2025

Updated at : January 19, 2025 19:40

Kathmandu

President-elect Donald Trump will take a victory lap on Sunday with a campaign-style rally in Washington, DC, a day before he is sworn in for a second term four years after losing the White House to Joe Biden.

Trump’s “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” - scheduled for 3 pm ET (1900 GMT) at the Capital One Arena - marks his first major speech in Washington since he urged his supporters to march on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, in protest against his defeat.

Thousands of people breached the building in an unsuccessful effort to prevent Congress from certifying the results. Trump has vowed to pardon many of the more than 1,500 people charged in connection with the attack.

His rally remarks, along with his inaugural address on Monday, could offer a preview of the tone he plans to adopt in the early days of his second term in office. In recent weeks, Trump has disconcerted foreign allies by musing aloud about taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal and turning Canada into a US state.

The rally is likely to resemble the free-wheeling arena speeches that have been a Trump staple since his first White House campaign in 2016.

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, who has become a close Trump confidant since spending more than $250 million to boost his campaign, is scheduled to speak at the event, along with Vice President-elect JD Vance, Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White, conservative activist Charlie Kirk and conservative commentator Megyn Kelly.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday said he would most likely give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential federal ban after he takes office on Monday.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew also plans to attend the rally, amid uncertainty over whether Trump will take steps to rescue the app from a US ban set to take effect on Sunday. Chew is expected to join other tech executives at Trump's inauguration on Monday.

Singer and rapper Kid Rock, disco group The Village People, singer Billy Ray Cyrus and singer Lee Greenwood are all scheduled to perform at the rally.

President Joe Biden will meanwhile make his last official trip as president on Sunday to Charleston, South Carolina, to mark Martin Luther King Jr Day, which is on Monday, the White House said. He will attend services and speak about King's legacy at Royal Missionary Baptist Church.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. In the evening, he will address well-heeled supporters at a dinner in Washington.

The inauguration is scheduled for noon ET (1600 GMT) on Monday, when Trump will take the presidential oath of office inside the rotunda of the Capitol building, after the cold weather prompted organizers to move the ceremony indoors. Approximately 25,000 law enforcement personnel will be on hand to provide security.

Ghanashyam Gautam

Published at : January 19, 2025

Updated at : January 19, 2025 18:23

Butwal

Ghanashyam Gautam

Ghanashyam Gautam is the Butwal correspondent for Kantipur Media Group.

Nepal’s Bipin Joshi, held captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023, will not be released in the first phase of the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire agreement. Israel has put out a list of 33 hostages to be freed in this phase, but Bipin’s name is missing.

Bipin was abducted by Hamas while he was in Israel under the “Learn and Earn” agricultural study programme. He was taken from Alumim Kibbutz during the group’s attack.

Hamas abducted 251 individuals during the assault, including Bipin, with 94 of them still in captivity—81 men and 13 women. Among the hostages are one Tanzanian, eight Thais, and 84 Israelis. Israeli authorities report that 60 hostages remain alive under Hamas’s control.

Three hostages—Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari, and Romi Gonen—will be freed on the first day of the ceasefire. Steinbrecher, 31, is a veterinary nurse who was taken from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Damari, 28, a dual British-Israeli citizen, was also abducted from Kfar Aza, whereas 24-year-old Gonen was captured while fleeing the Supernova Festival.

The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, includes the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel in exchange for hostages. During the six-week first phase, the Israeli military will withdraw from residential areas in northern Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return home and humanitarian aid to be delivered.

In later phases, Israeli forces are expected to fully withdraw from Gaza, with Hamas releasing additional hostages, including soldiers. The final phase will focus on rebuilding Gaza under international supervision in exchange for the return of remaining hostages or their remains.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has appealed to Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, to secure Bipin’s release. While the initial effort has not succeeded, discussions for later phases may provide hope for his freedom.

Since the conflict’s escalation on October 7, over 46,800 Palestinians, including more than 18,000 children, have died, according to Gaza's health ministry. Israeli fatalities have exceeded 1,400. The ceasefire marks a crucial step toward resolving the humanitarian crisis and securing the release of hostages.

Fighting in the Gaza Strip halted on Sunday as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas took effect after a brief delay, pausing a 15-month-old war that has brought devastation and seismic political change to the Middle East.

Residents and a medical worker in Gaza said they had heard no new fighting or military strikes since about half an hour before it was finally implemented.

Israeli airstrikes, artillery and tank attacks continued in northern Gaza after the initial deadline of 0630 GMT, Gaza-based paramedics said, killing at least 13 Palestinians and wounding dozens more before the ceasefire actually took effect at 0915 GMT. Israel’s military said it had carried out air and artillery strikes against “terror targets”.

Israel blamed Hamas for the delay after the Palestinian militant group failed to provide a list naming the first three hostages it would release later on Sunday as part of the agreement.

“Hamas was obliged to provide the names of the first female hostages to be released at 4:00 pm. yesterday (1400 GMT on Sunday),” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told journalists shortly after the ceasefire started. “We received the list over 18 hours after it was due.”

Hamas said “technical” reasons had caused the delay, without elaborating.

A Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, blamed ongoing Israeli air and ground bombardments, saying this made it physically difficult to send the list to mediators.

In a statement issued two hours after the ceasefire deadline, Hamas said it had sent the list of names, and Israeli officials confirmed receipt. Hamas named the hostages it was to release on Sunday as Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari.

Israel did not immediately confirm the names.

The highly anticipated 42-day ceasefire deal could pave the way for an end to the Gaza war, which has sparked a wave of fighting across the Middle East that largely pits Israel and its Western and US allies against Iran and the paramilitary groups Tehran supports, including Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah, the Houthis of Yemen and Iraqi militias.

Hamas, which controls the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza, sparked the war by attacking towns in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Most of those have since been released or killed.

A further 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat in Gaza.

Israel's bombardment of Gaza in retaliation against Hamas has killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza-based health officials.

Those include thousands of Hamas fighters and the group’s top military leaders, but the UN human rights office says the majority of deaths it has verified are women and children.

The assault has destroyed the territory’s infrastructure and made almost all its 2.3 million residents homeless.

Hostages for Detainees

The Gaza ceasefire deal provides for the phased release of dozens of hostages Hamas still holds in Gaza in return for Israel's release of hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

Hamas is set to release the first three female hostages on Sunday in exchange for 30 Palestinians each.

The group will inform the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) where the meeting point will be inside Gaza and the ICRC is expected to begin driving to that location to collect the hostages, an official involved in the process told Reuters.

The releases are part of the first stage of the deal, in which over six weeks 33 of the remaining 98 hostages in Gaza - women, children, men over 50, the ill and wounded - will be released in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

The Palestinians include 737 male, female and teen-aged prisoners, some of whom are members of militant groups convicted of attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, as well as hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza in detention since the start of the war.

Ending the War?

Israeli forces started withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza in another part of the ceasefire agreement, pro-Hamas media reported early on Sunday.

The three-stage agreement follows months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and comes just ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

US President Joe Biden’s team worked closely with Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to push the deal over the line.

If the ceasefire leads to a prolonged halt in fighting, what will come next in Gaza remains unclear in the absence of a comprehensive agreement on the postwar future of the enclave, which will take billions of dollars and years to rebuild.

Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for almost two decades, has survived despite losing its top leadership and thousands of fighters.

The ceasefire has laid bare tensions within Israel’s government, where powerful religious rightwing members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for months blocked attempts at the ceasefire deal.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two other ministers from his nationalist-religious party resigned from the cabinet, their party said on Sunday.

Middle East Turmoil

The Gaza war has shaken the Middle East out of a few years of relative calm and upended its geopolitical balance.

After 15 months of fighting, Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”, a network of paramilitary groups it nurtured over decades in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza lies largely in tatters. Iran has meanwhile been able to inflict only minimal damage on Israel in two major missile attacks.

Israel killed most of the top leadership of Hezbollah in a massive bombardment on Beirut and southern Lebanon last year, as well as several commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in strikes on Syria.

In a shock knock-on effect, Syrian rebels toppled President Bashar al-Assad last month, changing the balance of power in Damascus, which had been a key Russian and Iranian ally since the 1970s.

Israel’s assault on Gaza has also come at a diplomatic price as it faces outrage and isolation over the death and devastation.

Netanyahu faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant on war crimes allegations and separate accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Israel has reacted with fury to both cases, rejecting the charges as politically motivated and accusing South Africa, which brought the original ICJ case as well as the countries that have joined it, of antisemitism.

Kathmandu,January 19

The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index increased by 12.58 points on Sunday, the first trading day of the week, closing at 2601.21 points.

On the last trading day of the previous week, Thursday, the index had dropped by 7.33 points to 2588.62. Similarly, on Wednesday, the index had closed at 2585.86 points.

Despite significant declines in the finance sector last week, Sunday saw a rebound. Other sectors such as hydropower, investment, life insurance, manufacturing, microfinance, non-life insurance, banking, development banks, and others also showed gains. However, the hotel and tourism sector and mutual funds experienced declines.

Investors in finance companies had perceived higher risks last week, leading to an increase in share sales. On Sunday, the share prices of 171 companies rose, while 68 saw declines. Prices of four companies remained unchanged.

According to Nepse, a total of 12.98 million shares were traded on Sunday, amounting to a turnover of Rs 6.25 billion.

Among the gainers, Bottlers Nepal Balaju saw its share price surge by 10%. Similarly, Win Nepal Microfinance increased by 9.09%, Samling Power Company by 7.46%, Nepal Republic Media by 7.37%, and NMB Debenture by 7.35%.

Conversely, the shares of Super Madi Hydropower dropped the most, declining by 10%. Other decliners included NIC Asia Select Fund (6.93%), River Falls Power (6.45%), KBL Debenture 11% (5.25%), and Upper Hewakhola Hydropower (4.42%).

The highest turnover of the day was recorded by NRN Infrastructure, with transactions worth NPR 268.5 million. This was followed by Super Madi Hydropower with Rs 244.5 million and Sanima Middle Tamor Hydropower with Rs 151.5 million.

Post Report

Published at : January 19, 2025

Updated at : January 19, 2025 17:33

Kathmandu

Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Maharajgunj has suspended its health insurance program for the past five months, citing an inability to implement the new tariff rates proposed by the Health Insurance Board (HIB) since August.

According to the hospital administration, services such as inpatient care and surgeries under the health insurance scheme have been completely halted since August. TUTH had initially introduced the health insurance program in December 2020.

“The Health Insurance Board introduced a revised package system last August, but the rates are not viable for the hospital,” said Acting Director D. Ghanshyam Gurung. “Patients admitted to the hospital have not been able to access services through the insurance scheme.”

Revised tariff sparks issues

The Health Insurance Board began implementing new tariffs under the revised package system on August 17, setting specific rates for various services. For instance, outpatient department (OPD) tickets were priced at Rs 50, general bed charges at Rs 250 per day, and some surgical procedures were capped at Rs 70,000. Additionally, 1,290 types of medicines were included under the insurance scheme.

The board reimburses hospitals based on package rates for surgeries and other services. However, TUTH found the revised rates insufficient to cover expenses, forcing it to suspend the program.

“The package system requires hospitals to absorb additional costs when the reimbursement amount is insufficient,” explained Dr Gurung. “Until the package rates are revised, we cannot resume the health insurance program.”

Thousands deprived of services

TUTH serves hundreds of referred patients daily, but the suspension of the health insurance program has left thousands of insured individuals without access to essential medical services. Currently, only minimal services, such as emergency care and OPD fees, are being provided under the insurance scheme.

Repeated appeals ignored

The hospital administration has repeatedly urged the Health Insurance Board to address the issue, but no resolution has been reached. The board reportedly owes the hospital around Rs 700 million in unpaid claims, further exacerbating the crisis.

“Patients requiring intensive care, ventilator support, or prolonged treatment for complex surgeries incur higher costs than the package rates allow,” Dr Gurung said. “The lack of reimbursement has made it challenging to procure medicines, repair equipment, and pay staff salaries.”

In August, the hospital temporarily resumed services after then-Board Chair Dr Gunraj Lohani and Executive Director Dr Damodar Bista personally intervened and promised a solution. However, Dr Lohani resigned on August 13, 2024 and Dr Bista’s tenure ended on November 10, 2024 leaving the issue unresolved.

Interim leadership and new promises

The Ministry of Health and Population has since appointed Dr Saroj Sharma, the Head of the Quality Assurance and Regulation Division, as Acting Director of the Health Insurance Board. Dr Sharma has pledged to resolve the issue within a week.

“We are committed to resolving TUTH’s concerns promptly. Citizens will soon regain access to health insurance services at the hospital,” Dr Sharma told onlineKhabar.

Unpaid claims and financial strain

TUTH estimates that the Health Insurance Board owes approximately Rs 700 million, including Rs 100 million in rejected claims and NPR 220 million in pending files yet to be reviewed.

“The board is supposed to settle claims within two to three months, but payments for services rendered years ago are still pending,” Dr. Gurung said. “Patients collect three months’ worth of medicines at once, and the hospital has to purchase those medicines upfront. How long can we sustain this program at a loss?”

Despite its challenges, Dr. Gurung emphasized the potential of the health insurance program. “If managed properly, health insurance could greatly benefit the public. However, delays in reimbursement and inadequate package rates undermine its effectiveness,” he added.

Eroding trust in health insurance

The ongoing issues with the health insurance program have reduced public trust. Insured patients face difficulties accessing timely services, endure long waiting lines, and encounter discrimination compared to uninsured patients. Furthermore, insufficient documentation during referrals to larger hospitals has caused additional complications.

According to the Health Insurance Board, 440 health institutions across the country currently implement the health insurance program, with most being government-run facilities.

The board’s inability to address operational challenges, such as ensuring timely reimbursements and revising tariffs, has raised concerns about the program’s long-term viability.

Call for reforms

Dr Gurung urged the government to reform the health insurance system to prevent further setbacks. “If the government fails to address these issues, the program could collapse,” he warned. “Timely reimbursements and realistic package rates are essential for effective program implementation.”

As the hospital and board grapple with unresolved issues, thousands of patients continue to be deprived of vital medical services, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms in Nepal’s health insurance framework.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has instructed the Ministry of Health and Population to prepare an action plan for health insurance reforms based on recommendations from the Health Insurance Reform Task Force.

During a briefing at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar on Sunday, PM Oli emphasised the urgency of implementing reforms to ensure that citizens are not deprived of treatment due to financial constraints. He stressed the importance of educating citizens about health and working towards the goal of a healthier Nepal.

The Prime Minister noted that the task force had provided objective reviews and recommendations for improving the health insurance program and directed the ministry to draft a reform action plan within a week.

Task force findings and recommendations

The briefing was attended by Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel, Task Force Coordinator Dr Shambhu Acharya, and members Dr Bhagwan Koirala, Dr. Raghuram Kafle, and Member Secretary Dr Saroj Sharma. They highlighted the need for policy, legal, and structural changes in the health insurance program.

The task force report reveals that approximately Rs 11 billion remains unpaid under the program. Currently, 27% of the country’s population is enrolled in the health insurance scheme, with 48% of the enrollees utilizing the services.

The report recommends making the program mandatory for all citizens and providing free healthcare services to those below the absolute poverty line. It also suggests integrating the health insurance scheme with basic healthcare services and other social security fund programs.

The task force submitted its report to the Ministry of Health and Population on December 29, 2024.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Regina Ip, the chairperson of the New People’s Party, was rushed to the hospital on 18th January after discovering a painful abscess on her right thigh. The condition, characterised by redness and swelling, required immediate surgical intervention to drain the pus and clean the wound. She attributed the sudden onset of the abscess to her habit of wearing tight-fitting leggings while hiking, explaining that the accumulation of oil obstructed her pores and led to bacterial infection.

In a candid post on Facebook titled “I Have Lost This Battle,” Ip expressed her apologies for missing a scheduled community engagement in the Central and Southern Districts, acknowledging that her condition may have been exacerbated by her travels.

Despite the setback, Ip remains active on social media, frequently sharing her hiking adventures and showcasing her stylish outfits. Her Instagram feed is filled with images of her enjoying the outdoors, often highlighting her well-toned legs.

Following the procedure, which included anaesthesia and a prescription for antibiotics to be taken over the next week, Ip reported significant improvement in her condition. She noted that her wound felt much more comfortable after the surgery.

Ip has urged fellow fitness enthusiasts to prioritise hygiene, especially when wearing close-fitting clothing during summer activities. She emphasised the importance of regular washing to prevent similar issues, advising those who exercise frequently to be vigilant about skin care.

As she prepares to travel to Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum’s Women Political Leaders Forum, Ip is grateful that her health is on the mend

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) The recent romantic entanglements surrounding the Ma family have captured the attention of the public, particularly in light of Patrick Ma’s high-profile relationship with social media influencer Rachel Chung. At 34, Chung has risen to fame through her nine-year relationship with the 66-year-old chairman of Tai Sang Bank, Patrick Ma Ching-hang. Known for her candid advice on dating and personal growth, Chung’s journey from humble beginnings to affluence has resonated with many, adding layers to her public persona.

Patrick Ma, a prominent figure in Hong Kong’s financial landscape, hails from a distinguished lineage; his father, Ma Kam-chan, was one of the five wealthiest tycoons in the 1960s and the founder of Tai Sang Bank and Tai Sang Properties. Despite his age, Ma remains active and vibrant, often seen enjoying life with Chung, who he reportedly cherishes despite her past marriage and child.

However, the narrative does not end with Patrick. His brothers, William and Philip Ma, have also found themselves in the spotlight due to their romantic escapades, further complicating the family’s public image. William Ma Ching-wai’s tumultuous past includes a marriage to actress Maggie Chan, which ended amid allegations of infidelity involving actress Rosamund Kwan. After a series of high-profile relationships, including a brief marriage to socialite Fanny Sieh, William’s romantic history has kept tabloids buzzing. Together, they have two sons and one daughter.

Philip Ma Ching-yeung’s love life has been no less dramatic. Following his marriage to former Miss Hong Kong runner-up Winnie Chin, reports surfaced of his affair with Ukrainian model Ksenia, resulting in their separation in 2018. Recently, Philip has been romantically linked to 2022 Miss Hong Kong champion Denice Lam, but their relationship has reportedly fizzled out.

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19th January 2025 – (Gaza) The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has officially commenced, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the ceasefire for phase one took effect at 11.15 local time (09:15 GMT), following a brief delay. This initial phase includes the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas over a six-week period, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners currently detained in Israel.

Among the first to be released are Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and dual British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, 28, both abducted from their kibbutz, along with Romi Gonen, 24, who was taken during the Supernova Festival in October 2023. The hostages are expected to be freed later today, with the Israeli Prime Minister’s office stating that their release will take place after 14:00 GMT.

The ceasefire is structured in three stages, with the first phase anticipated to see the release of more than 30 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly. The subsequent phases are set to follow, although some hostages—believed to include four taken as far back as 2014 and 2015—remain unaccounted for, with concerns that they may be deceased.

Despite the progress, tensions remain high. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that Israeli strikes in the territory resulted in the deaths of eight Palestinians shortly after the ceasefire was meant to take effect. The Israeli government faces internal dissent as well; Itamar Ben Gvir, the far-right national security minister, announced his resignation from the ruling coalition, denouncing the ceasefire as a capitulation to Hamas.

Qatar, a key mediator in the negotiations, has confirmed the ceasefire’s initiation alongside the United States and Egypt, which will monitor the agreement through a body based in Cairo. As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely, hopeful that this ceasefire could pave the way for lasting peace in the region.

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Today marks a historic day for Nepali kho kho. Both the men’s and women’s teams have reached the finals of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup being held in India.

Nepal’s women’s national kho kho team has achieved a historic milestone by reaching the final of the ongoing Kho Kho World Cup in India. On Saturday, the Nepali team defeated Uganda in the first semifinal, securing their spot in the championship match.

The match, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Hall in New Delhi, saw Nepal dominate Uganda with a convincing 89-18 victory. Nepal will now face the winner of the second semifinal between South Africa and India in the title clash.

This marks the first time any Nepali team has reached the final of a World Cup in any sport, making it a monumental achievement for the nation. Competing in the Kho Kho World Cup and remaining undefeated on their way to the final represents a historic moment for Nepal’s sports history.

Undefeated streak

Nepal’s women’s team has maintained an unbeaten record throughout the tournament. They have played six matches so far and won all of them. Competing in Group C, Nepal secured victories in all four group-stage matches to emerge as the group winners and advance to the quarterfinals.

In the group stage, Nepal defeated Bhutan 93-24, Germany 73-34, Sri Lanka 110-10, and Bangladesh 84-24. In the quarterfinals, Nepal triumphed over Iran with a massive 103-8 victory to secure their place in the semifinals.

Men’s team in action

Meanwhile, Nepal’s men’s team also competed in the Kho Kho World Cup and faced Iran in the semifinal on Saturday. The achievements of Nepal’s kho kho teams are a significant boost for the country’s sports scene, highlighting the growing prominence of traditional sports on the global stage.

The finals for both teams are scheduled for today, with Nepal facing India in the title clash. The women’s final will begin at 7 pm, followed by the men’s final at 8:15 pm.

Both matches will take place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.

The construction of a Kankai Bridge that connects Jhapa Rural Municipality-2 and Gauriganj Rural Municipality-1 has been stalled for the past 13 years.

The locals are suffering as the bridge, for which the construction contract was signed in 2011, remains incomplete.

Unheeded from concerned bodies

Transportation between Jhapa and Biratnagar would have been much easier if this bridge had been completed. Its incomplete status has affected the business and tourism sectors of the Koshi Province.

According to the Department of the Road Directorate, Planning Office, Itahari, the contract for the bridge construction was awarded on June 13, 2011, with a stipulated completion deadline of June 12, 2015. However, despite the passing of several years since the deadline, only 58 per cent of the bridge’s physical progress has been achieved so far.

Engineer Prabhat Kiran Rai, the Information Officer at the Department of Road, stated that despite extending the contract five times, the construction progress failed to accelerate. The deadline for the fifth extension expired in June 2024, yet significant work on the bridge remains incomplete.

After discovering a technical issue in the bridge’s construction, the experts from Pulchowk Engineering Campus studied it and submitted a report. 

“Despite being asked multiple times to resume work after studying the report, the construction company has not yet resumed the work,” says Rai. 

He further says if they remain unwilling to start the work, they are preparing to cancel the contract and initiate a new process.

Despite the continuous efforts of the chief minister, construction businesspersons, and other stakeholders remained unresponsive to the issues, says Lakhi Kumari Ganesh, a Member of the Koshi Province Assembly. 

“It is understood that the work has been halted because the construction process did not align with the cost estimation,” says Ganesh. “If the current contract is cancelled and a new process is initiated, it could take longer, so it is better to resume construction under the existing contract.”

Suffering of locals

Tanka Prasad Shrestha, a resident of Gauriganj Rural Municipality 1, laments that over the past 13 years, multiple governments have been formed, and different ministers have come and gone. However, despite these changes, the bridge, which was supposed to be completed within four years, has not been finished. 

“The construction company has already taken the construction materials from the site. Now the hope of travelling on the Kankai Bridge has been ruined,” says Shrestha.

Himal Kumar Chamlagai, Ward Chair of Jhapa Rural Municipality 2, says that there is no information as to why the construction of the bridge has been stopped for the past year.

“We have requested the concerned authorities several times to complete this bridge but they have remained indifferent to us,” says Chamlagai. 

People are compelled to travel at their own risk as the Kankai Bridge has remained incomplete for ages. 

The inappropriate temporary solution

Kartik Lal Rajbanshi, the Ward Chair of Gauriganj 1, mentioned that his rural municipality has allocated a budget of 2,30,000 for the operation of a boat during the monsoon season. He added that the individual who took the contract has taken the initiative to build a bamboo bridge during the winter, specifically for motorcyclists and pedestrians.

According to Ishwar Majhi, who took the contract for building the temporary bamboo bridge on the Kankai River, the toll for using the bridge is Rs 50 for motorcycles and Rs 20 for pedestrians. 

However, there has been increasing protest from the locals regarding the toll collection.

In response to these protests, Rajbanshi mentioned that there are ongoing discussions about potentially making travel across the bamboo bridge free of charge, as the public dissatisfaction continues to grow.

Kathmandu, January 19

The price of gold has decreased in the domestic market today after the fall in the price in the international market. The price of gold fell by Rs 800 per tola (11.66 gm) while that of silver by Rs 30 per tola.

The price of the yellow metal was Rs 157,900 on Friday. Gold is being traded at Rs 157,100 per tola today, according to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association.

The price of silver is fixed at Rs 1,860 per tola today. It was Rs 1,890 on Friday. The price of hold in the international market has dropped by 16.25 US dollars per ounce and fixed at 2,703.2 US dollars.

file

Biratnagar, January 19

Three people have died in elephant attacks in Sundarharaicha Municipality, Morang, over the past month. One person each was killed in Wards 5, 7, and 8 of the municipality. The victims were residents of settlements bordering the forest, according to police.

On Saturday morning, 71-year-old Hariprasad Ghimire of Sundarharaicha-8 was killed by a wild elephant. Police reported that the elephant attacked Ghimire at dawn, killing him on the spot. His house is just 20 meters away from the forest.

On January 1, 61-year-old Chandrakumari Limbu of Gurung Tole, Sundarharaicha-5, died in an elephant attack while returning home with firewood from the forest. Similarly, on December 21, 40-year-old Ganga Shrestha of Sundarharaicha-7 was attacked and killed by an elephant while collecting firewood in Srijana Community Forest.

Sundarharaicha Mayor Kedar Prasad Guragai stated that elephants have made life difficult for residents. “Elephants have been wreaking havoc. People can’t sleep at night due to constant alerts. Police and even fire brigades have to be dispatched frequently,” he said, adding that elephants have destroyed crops and homes, even uprooting potatoes like monkeys.

The mayor also mentioned that affected residents are not receiving adequate compensation. “If the damage amounts to Rs 100,000, only Rs 10,000 is provided. The government must revise its compensation policy,” he said.

The municipality has sought support from the central and provincial governments to prevent elephants from entering settlements. “Fencing wires in Jhapa have helped reduce such incidents. We need similar support from the central government to control elephants,” Guragai added.

TikTok disconnected access to its users in the United States late Saturday shortly before a national ban on the app was to take effect, with President-elect Donald Trump unable to intervene until he takes office.

The TikTok Logo is displayed on a billboard at Times Square in New York City on January 17, 2025. Photo: Leonardo Munoz/AFP.

“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US,” said a message to users attempting to use the app. “Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”

“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,” the message added. “Please stay tuned!”

After months of legal tussles, the US Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law that would ban the popular video-sharing platform in the name of national security, unless its Chinese owners reach a deal to sell it to non-Chinese buyers by Sunday.

From teenage dancers to grandmothers sharing cooking tips, TikTok has been embraced for its ability to transform ordinary users into global celebrities when a video goes viral.

It also has a fan in Trump, who has credited the app with connecting him to younger voters, contributing to his election victory in November.

After discussing TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump told NBC News on Saturday that he could activate a 90-day reprieve after he reclaims the Oval Office.

Donald Trump. Photo: The White House, via Flickr CC2.0.

“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” he said, ahead of Monday’s inauguration.

“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

The law allows a 90-day delay if the White House can show progress toward a viable deal, but TikTok owner ByteDance has flatly refused any sale.

The administration of outgoing President Joe Biden has said it will leave the matter to Trump, and White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre qualified TikTok’s latest statements as a “stunt.”

After the court defeat, TikTok CEO Shou Chew appealed to Trump, thanking him for his “commitment to work with us to find a solution.”

Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, at the European Commission, on November 7, 2023. Photo: Wikicommons.

Trump “truly understands our platform,” he added.

Chew is also set to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

The law requires Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, blocking new downloads. The companies could face penalties of up to $5,000 per user who can access the app.

Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s servers, would also be legally obligated to enforce the ban.

None of the companies responded to requests for comment on Saturday.

Offers for TikTok

A last-minute proposal made Saturday by the highly-valued start-up Perplexity AI offered a merger with the US subsidiary of TikTok, a source with knowledge of the deal told AFP.

That deal could allow parent company ByteDance a possible solution without selling off the app entirely.

The US Supreme Court. Photo: Wikicommons.

The plan, first reported by US broadcaster CNBC, would create a new joint venture combining the assets of US TikTok and Perplexity AI, which has been backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The proposal did not include a price for the transaction, but the source estimated it would be at least $50 billion.

Frank McCourt, the former Los Angeles Dodgers owner, has also made an offer to purchase TikTok’s US activity and said he’s “ready to work with the company and President Trump to complete a deal.”

Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary, who is involved in that offer, told Fox News that ByteDance was offered $20 billion for TikTok’s US operation.

He acknowledged the legal uncertainty over the case, with it remaining an open question whether an executive order by Trump to halt the ban would override the law.

TikTok. Photo: Solen Feyissa via Flickr.

“Congress wrote this law to be virtually president-proof,” warned Adam Kovacevich, chief executive of industry trade group Chamber of Progress.

Sarah Kreps, a professor of government and law at Cornell University, said that “if an executive order conflicts with an existing law, the law takes precedence, and the order can be struck down by the courts.”

With TikTok forced into a shutdown, its US-based rivals Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts could reap benefits.

Thousands of worried TikTok users have protectively turned to Xiaohongshu (“Little Red Book”), a Chinese social media network similar to Instagram.

Nicknamed “Red Note” by its American users, it was the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week.

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LATEST FROM HKFP

TikTok shuts down in US as incoming president Donald Trump to work with app ‘on a solution’

5 years on, Wuhan keen to shake off pandemic label

‘They are not alone’: The Hongkongers who give up their free time to visit prisoners they have never met in person

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Built in just days as Covid-19 cases spiked in Wuhan in early 2020, the Huoshenshan Hospital was once celebrated as a symbol of the Chinese city’s fight against the virus that first emerged there.

Chinese employees work at the construction site of the Huoshenshan hospital, which means “Fire God Mountain”, before handed over to China’s army in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province on February 2, 2020. Photo: AFP/China Out.

The hospital now stands empty, hidden behind more recently built walls — faded like most traces of the pandemic as locals move on and officials discourage discussion of it.

On January 23, 2020, with the then-unknown virus spreading, Wuhan sealed itself off for 76 days, ushering in China’s zero-Covid era of strict travel and health controls and foreshadowing the global disruption yet to come.

Today, the city’s bustling shopping districts and gridlocked traffic are a far cry from the empty streets and crammed emergency rooms that marked the world’s first Covid lockdown.

“People are moving forward, these memories are getting fuzzier and fuzzier,” Jack He, a 20-year-old university student and Wuhan local, told AFP.

He was in high school when the lockdown was imposed, and he spent much of his sophomore year taking online classes from home.

“We still feel like those few years were especially tough… but a new life has started,” He said.

Official silence

At the former site of the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, where scientists believe the virus may have crossed over from animals to humans, a light blue wall has been built to shield the market’s closed-down stalls from view.

Tazihu Sports Centre in Wuhan turned into a “Fangcang Hospital.” Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

When AFP visited, workers were putting up Chinese New Year decorations on the windows of the market’s second floor, where a warren of opticians’ shops still operates.

There is nothing to mark the location’s significance — in fact, there are no major memorials to the lives lost to the virus anywhere in the city.

Official commemorations of Wuhan’s lockdown ordeal focus on the heroism of doctors and the efficiency with which the city responded to the outbreak, despite international criticism of the local government’s censorship of early cases in December 2019.

The market’s old produce stalls have been moved to a new development outside the city centre, where it was clear that the city was still on edge about its reputation as the cradle of the pandemic.

Over a dozen vendors at the aptly named New Huanan Seafood Market refused to speak about the market’s past.

Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city, walk at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan on January 25, 2020. Photo: Hector Retamal/AFP.

The owner of one stall told AFP on condition of anonymity that “business here is not what it was before”.

Another worker said the market’s managers had sent security camera footage of AFP journalists out to a mass WeChat group of stall owners and warned them against speaking to the reporters.

At least one black car followed AFP journalists across the city, including to the new market.

‘City of heroes’

One of the few remaining public commemorations of the lockdown is next door to the abandoned Huoshenshan hospital — an unassuming petrol station that doubles as an “anti-Covid-19 pandemic educational base”.

One wall of the station was dedicated to a timeline of the lockdown, complete with discoloured photographs of President Xi Jinping visiting Wuhan in March 2020.

An employee told AFP that a small building behind the facility’s convenience store housed another exhibit, but it was only open “when leaders come to visit”.

Ferry sails in Wuhan after lifting travel restrictions. Photo: GovCN.

But days before the fifth anniversary of the lockdown, those memories seemed far away, the city now a hive of activity.

Locals thronged the Shanhaiguan Road breakfast market, munching on bowls of noodles and deep-fried pastries.

In the upmarket Chuhe Hanjie shopping street, people walked dogs and promenaded in designer outfits while others queued to pick up bubble tea orders.

Chen Ziyi, a 40-year-old Wuhan local, said she believed the city’s increased prominence has actually had a positive impact, with more tourists visiting.

“Now everyone pays more attention to Wuhan,” she said. “They say Wuhan is the city of heroes.”

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) As the northeast monsoon gradually moderates its grip on southern China, the Hong Kong Observatory reports generally fine and dry weather for the region. Temperatures around noon today rose approximately two degrees compared to yesterday, but a notable drop is on the horizon. The minimum temperature is expected to decline to 12°C on 27th January, followed by a further decrease to 11°C on 28th January, coinciding with Chinese New Year Eve.

This afternoon and tonight, residents can expect clear skies and dry conditions, accompanied by light winds. The outlook for the coming days indicates continued fine and dry weather, with cool mornings anticipated. Winds are forecast to strengthen by Tuesday, bringing cloudier conditions by midweek.

As the week progresses, the temperature difference between day and night will be significant. A fresh to strong easterly airstream is likely to cloud the coastal areas of Guangdong, while the latter part of the week promises milder daytime temperatures. However, the arrival of an intense winter monsoon over the weekend will usher in colder conditions along the coast, leading to predominantly fine and dry weather early next week.

Source: Hong Kong Observatory

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A total of 97 Nepali nationals are currently being sought by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), with 72 of them under red notices and 25 under diffusion notices. Nepal Police is searching for 16 foreigners within Nepal, with red notices for five and diffusion notices for 11 others.

According to the police, over the past 10 years, 66 individuals have been brought back to Nepal with Interpol’s assistance. The highest number of individuals, 25, was brought back from the UAE, followed by ten from Qatar, five from Kuwait, and three each from Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, among others.

Red notices were issued against 53 individuals, while 13 were under diffusion notices. Among them, the highest number were charged with murder (15), followed by rape (9), gold smuggling (8), fraud (7), human trafficking (6), kidnapping, cybercrime, and foreign employment fraud (5 each), and wildlife crimes and corporate fraud and banking scams (2 each).

During the same period, seven foreigners were arrested and sent back to their respective countries. Of these, four were from China, and one each from Sweden, South Korea, and India.

A diffusion notice is issued when a suspect’s whereabouts are unknown, and a red notice is issued once the location is found for arrest. Interpol assists in locating individuals across its 196 member countries, including Nepal.

Among the individuals sought by Interpol in Nepal, the majority are Indian nationals, with four under red notices and two under diffusion notices. These include suspects allegedly involved in drug smuggling, kidnapping, and murder. Additionally, one Korean national is under a red notice for involvement in illegal wildlife trade.

The longest sought suspect by Interpol is a Pakistani national allegedly involved in counterfeit currency transactions, with a diffusion notice issued for him in 2011. Moreover, two Romanian citizens are wanted for banking fraud, and six Chinese nationals are being sought for gold smuggling.

A ceasefire in Gaza set for Sunday morning was delayed after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Hamas to provide a list of the hostages who were to be released during the day and Hamas said it could not do so for “technical” reasons.

An Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement given at 0630 GMT, when the ceasefire was meant to take effect, that Hamas was not meeting its obligations and that Israel would continue to attack as long as Hamas did not meet its demands.

The highly-anticipated ceasefire would open the way to a possible end to a 15-month war that has upended the Middle East.

Netanyahu announced one hour before the ceasefire was meant to take effect that it would not begin until Hamas provided a list of the first three hostages who were meant to be released on Sunday.

“The prime minister instructed the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) that the ceasefire, which is supposed to go into effect at 8:30 a.m., will not begin until Israel has the list of released abductees that Hamas has pledged to provide,” his office said on Sunday.

Hamas affirmed its commitment to the Gaza ceasefire deal and said the the delay in disclosing the names of hostages to be released in first phase was due to “technical field reasons”, without elaborating.

Israeli forces had started withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to the Philadelphia corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza, pro-Hamas media reported early on Sunday.

Explosions were heard in Gaza right up until the deadline. At 0630 GMT (8:30 a.m. local time), Gazans cheered and some gunshots were heard being fired into the air in the southern city of Khan Younis.

Israel’s military warned Gaza residents not to approach its troops or move around the Palestinian territory ahead of the ceasefire deadline, adding when movement is allowed “a statement and instructions will be issued on safe transit methods”.

The three-stage ceasefire agreement followed months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and came just ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

Its first stage will last six weeks, during which 33 of the remaining 98 hostages - women, children, men over 50, the ill and wounded - will be released in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

They include 737 male, female and teen-aged prisoners, some of whom are members of militant groups convicted of attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, as well as hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza in detention since the start of the war.

Three female hostages are expected to be released on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross, in return for 30 prisoners each.

After Sunday’s hostage release, lead US negotiator Brett McGurk said, the accord calls for four more female hostages to be freed after seven days, followed by the release of three further hostages every seven days thereafter.

During the first phase the Israeli army will pull back from some of its positions in Gaza and Palestinians displaced from areas in northern Gaza will be allowed to return.

US President Joe Biden’s team worked closely with Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to push the deal over the line.

As his inauguration approached, Trump had repeated his demand that a deal be done swiftly, warning repeatedly that there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages were not released.

POST-WAR GAZA?

But what will come next in Gaza remains unclear in the absence of a comprehensive agreement on the postwar future of the enclave, which will require billions of dollars and years of work to rebuild.

And although the stated aim of the ceasefire is to end the war entirely, it could easily unravel.

Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for almost two decades, has survived despite losing its top leadership and thousands of fighters.

Israel has vowed it will not allow Hamas to return to power and has cleared large stretches of ground inside Gaza, in a step widely seen as a move towards creating a buffer zone that will allow its troops to act freely against threats in the enclave.

In Israel, the return of the hostages may ease some of the public anger against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government over the Oct. 7 security failure that led to the deadliest single day in the country’s history.

But hardliners in his government have already threatened to quit if war on Hamas is not resumed, leaving him pressed between Washington’s desire to see the war end, and his far-right political allies at home.

If war resumes, dozens of hostages could be left behind in Gaza.

MIDEAST SHOCKWAVES

Outside Gaza, the war sent shockwaves across the region, triggering a war with the Tehran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah movement and bringing Israel into direct conflict with its arch-foe Iran for the first time.

More than a year later, the Middle East has been transformed. Iran, which spent billions building up a network of militant groups around Israel, has seen its “Axis of Resistance” wrecked and was unable to inflict more than minimal damage on Israel in two major missile attacks.

Hezbollah, whose huge missile arsenal was once seen as the biggest threat to Israel, has been humbled, with its top leadership killed and most of its missiles and military infrastructure destroyed.

In the aftermath, the decades-long Assad regime in Syria was overturned, removing another major Iranian ally and leaving Israel’s military effectively unchallenged in the region.

On the diplomatic front, Israel has faced outrage and isolation over the death and devastation in Gaza.

Netanyahu faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant on war crimes allegations and separate accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Israel has reacted with fury to both cases, rejecting the charges as politically motivated and accusing South Africa, which brought the original ICJ case as well as the countries that have joined it, of antisemitism.

The war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. More than 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat in Gaza since.

Israel’s 15-month campaign in Gaza has reduced much of the narrow coastal territory to rubble and killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health ministry figures. The U.N. human rights office says the deaths it has verified so far show that the majority are women and children.

19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) University of Hong Kong has alerted its students following a surge in scam incidents, with over 60 students reportedly losing a combined total of more than HK$60 million in recent months. The average loss per victim stands at approximately HK$1 million, with most affected individuals being mainland Chinese students.

In a recent email sent on 16th January, the university’s Centre of Development and Resources for Students requested all students to complete a police-issued questionnaire aimed at enhancing awareness and vigilance against scams. Failure to submit the questionnaire will result in restricted access to the university library and shared learning spaces, making Hong Kong University the second institution among the “eight major universities” to implement such a measure, following Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

The email, titled “Joint Action Against Cash Scams: Protecting University of Hong Kong Students,” was distributed through the Faculty of Social Sciences. It included a warning graphic that advised students to hang up on unfamiliar calls from individuals claiming to be officials requesting money. The communication also provided contact information for the university’s student support centre and the 24-hour hotline for the police’s anti-fraud coordination centre.

The email emphasised that scams are a global issue, taking various forms including telephone fraud, online shopping scams, investment schemes, and romance cons. The university has mandated that students complete the questionnaire between 20th January and 10th February to bolster their protective measures against fraud. Those who do not complete it may face access restrictions.

While initially, it appeared that only students from the Faculty of Social Sciences received the email, further investigations revealed that all local and non-local students would be required to fill out the questionnaire upon logging into the university’s intranet. This initiative is part of the university’s broader effort to cultivate a heightened awareness of scams among its students, with restrictions being less stringent than those enforced by Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which previously stated that students would not receive their student cards without completion of similar requirements.

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19th January 2025 – (Washington) The popular video-sharing app TikTok went offline late Saturday in the United States, leaving millions of users with a message stating, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.” The notification indicated that a new law banning the app had been enacted, effectively suspending its services for American users.

The message also expressed hope, noting, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!” This came after President-elect Donald Trump hinted earlier that he would likely grant TikTok a 90-day extension on the impending ban.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump stated he had not yet made a final decision but acknowledged that a 90-day extension was a strong possibility. “We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation,” he remarked, underscoring the complexity of the matter.

TikTok, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, had warned on Friday that it would be forced to cease operations for its 170 million U.S. users unless President Joe Biden provided a “definitive” assurance about its future. The urgency was amplified by a recent Supreme Court ruling mandating that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, must sell the app to an American entity or face a nationwide ban.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, a wave of support surged on TikTok’s platform as users rallied to voice their concerns. The White House quickly shifted the onus back to TikTok and Trump, emphasising that the responsibility rested with them to navigate the legal landscape.

In April 2024, Biden had signed legislation requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok within 270 days, citing national security concerns. Should the company fail to comply, app store operators such as Apple and Google would be mandated to remove TikTok from their platforms starting 19th January, 2025.

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19th January 2025 – (Seoul) South Korea’s acting President, Choi Sang-mok, has called for a thorough investigation into the violent outburst of supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol at a Seoul court that approved a warrant for Yoon’s extended detention. In a statement issued on Sunday, Choi expressed strong regret over the illegal violence, characterising it as inconceivable in a democratic society.

The acting president has directed police to investigate the incident rigorously and ensure that those responsible are held legally accountable. He also emphasised the need to enhance security around relevant facilities and manage protest rallies concerning Yoon’s detention.

The Seoul Western District Court issued a warrant early Sunday, allowing for Yoon’s detention for up to 20 days. This marks a historic moment as Yoon becomes the first sitting president to be formally arrested, following allegations surrounding his declaration of martial law.

In the aftermath of the court’s decision, a group of Yoon’s supporters reacted angrily, storming the court premises by climbing walls and breaking windows. Reports indicate that they vandalised property, threw objects, and threatened police officers, resulting in 86 arrests at the scene.

The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on 14th December, 2024, and is currently under review by the constitutional court, which has up to 180 days to deliberate. During this period, Yoon’s presidential powers remain suspended. He has been identified by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader in an insurrection charge related to the martial law he imposed on 3rd December, 2024, a decision that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong singer Eason Chan has recently cancelled his concert scheduled for 22nd February in Bangkok due to safety concerns for Chinese citizens and fans travelling to Thailand. The decision has garnered significant support from fans online, who have praised the singer for prioritising safety.

While currently performing in Foshan, Chan took to a private jet to share a surprise for his fans. In a light-hearted video, he wrote New Year blessings on white paper, only to reveal a rather unusual preference: his private space was meticulously lined with white towels. Surfaces throughout the room, including chairs and tables, were covered in neatly arranged towels, showcasing a distinctive quirk of the singer.

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19th January 2025 – (Sihanoukville) On 16th January, a 36-year-old Chinese man, Zhu Gaofu, died after falling from a balcony at a casino in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Zhu, who worked as a computer technician, reportedly exhibited unusual behaviour prior to the incident, according to a fellow resident, Mei Aoting.

Mei informed local authorities that Zhu had been acting strangely on the day of his death before stepping out onto the balcony and jumping. The circumstances surrounding the fall are currently under investigation by local police.

Zhu’s body has been transferred to a provincial hospital in Sihanoukville, where it awaits identification and claims by family members.

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19th January 2025 – (Osaka) In Osaka, police have arrested two 29-year-old Chinese women, Chen Weiyan and Qiu Mengjiao, for allegedly running an unlicensed karaoke bar in the vicinity of the city’s notorious red-light district, Tobita Shinchi. The arrests were made in the Nishinari Ward on 16th January, following reports of illegal operations in the area.

Qiu Mengjiao

According to local media, the women are identified as the operator and manager of the bar “ANGEL.” Since November of last year, they have reportedly been arranging for female staff to entertain and engage with customers without the necessary operational permits, violating regulations governing nightlife establishments in Japan.

The karaoke bar is situated on a shopping street in Sannō 1-chōme, close to Tobita Shinchi, which is a well-known route frequented by patrons of various bars and entertainment venues. The establishment has also been accused of soliciting customers at its entrance, contravening local entertainment business laws.

Authorities from the Nishinari police station noted an increase in illegal karaoke bars within the district. Despite prior warnings issued to Chen, the establishment continued operations, prompting police intervention. Concerns were also raised regarding the possibility of employing undocumented workers, leading to a search of the premises.

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Mahesh KC

Published at : January 19, 2025

Updated at : January 19, 2025 11:53

Rukum West

The Statesman

Published at : January 19, 2025

Updated at : January 19, 2025 11:05

Mumbai

19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) The Hong Kong International Airport’s three-runway system, which became fully operational last November, is already showing significant benefits. Chairman of the Airport Authority, Fred Lam Tin-fuk, announced in a recent radio programme that the new system has allowed for increased flight frequencies, particularly during peak travel periods.

Lam highlighted that, during the upcoming Lunar New Year, the airport will facilitate 75 pairs of flights daily between Hong Kong and 13 cities in Japan, averaging one flight every 15 minutes. This enhanced capacity not only supports economic development but also bolsters the airport’s competitiveness, contributing to a natural reduction in ticket prices due to increased supply.

By last Christmas, flight frequencies had returned to pre-pandemic levels, and Lam expressed optimism regarding further growth in the upcoming holiday season. The Authority has collaborated with the government to attract more airlines and expand flight options, resulting in multiple signed air service agreements that are anticipated to positively impact the airport’s operations.

Despite these advancements, Lam acknowledged challenges such as global economic uncertainties and a worldwide shortage of aircraft, which may slow down the return to 2019 capacity levels. Nevertheless, he remains confident that the overall flight volume will gradually increase in a structured manner as the airport adapts to the new operational landscape.

Looking ahead, the Authority aims to develop the airport area into a tourism hub, enhancing the region’s appeal to travellers. This includes plans for a marina with 500 yacht berths to attract high-spending visitors from the Greater Bay Area and beyond, ensuring that Hong Kong continues to be a desirable stop for international passengers.

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Nepal’s men’s and women’s kho kho teams have reached the finals of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025 in New Delhi, India, marking the country’s first-ever appearance in a World Cup final in any team game.

Nepal’s teams advanced to the final from a pool of 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams. On Saturday, the women’s team, captained by Saraswati Kadayat, triumphed over Uganda with a dominant 89–18 victory in the semi-finals at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, securing their place in the final.

In the semi-finals, Puja Oad was named the best player, Deepa BK earned the title of best defender, and Uganda’s Nagawa Dorothy was recognised as the best attacker.

Nepal remained unbeaten en route to the final. During the group stage, Nepal secured victories over Germany (74–34), Bhutan (83–24), Sri Lanka (110–10), and Bangladesh (83–24), emerging as Group C winners. They then triumphed over Iran with a commanding 103–8 win in the quarter-finals.

In the other semi-finals on Saturday, India defeated South Africa 66–16, setting up a final showdown with Nepal on Sunday evening,

Shortly after the women’s team advanced, Nepal’s men’s team also secured their place in the final with a commanding 72–20 victory over Iran in the semi-finals. Led by captain Hemraj Paneru, Nepal delivered an outstanding performance. Janak Chand was named the best player, while Suraj Pujara received the best attacker award. Iran’s Mehrab was recognised as the best defender.

In the group stage, Nepal suffered a close 42–37 loss to India but triumphed over Peru (80–34), Brazil (134–8), and Bhutan (98–8). As Group A runners-up, Nepal overcame Bangladesh 67–18 in the quarter-finals. Nepal’s men’s team will now face India in the final after India defeated South Africa 62–42 in the other semi-final.

Nepal have previously won medals in kho kho at the 12th and 13th South Asian Games (SAG). Ahead of the World Cup, both captains had set their sights on winning a medal. Women’s captain Saraswati Kadayat aimed for at least a silver, while men’s captain Hemraj Paneru expressed confidence in securing a medal, highlighting Nepal’s strength in South Asia, behind only India and Bangladesh.

In the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) held in Nepal in 2019, the Nepali women’s kho kho team won a silver medal, having been defeated by India 17–5 in the final.

Nepal have the opportunity to avenge its South Asian Games defeat against India on Indian soil in the World Cup final. In the 13th SAG, the Nepali men’s team was denied a place in the final after losing to Bangladesh 24–23 in the quarter-finals. However, Nepal have already exacted revenge by eliminating Bangladesh in the World Cup quarter-finals. Nepal secured a bronze medal in the South Asian Games by defeating Sri Lanka 17–7, with India claiming the gold.

In the 12th SAG held in Guwahati in 2016, Nepal’s and women’s teams won bronze medals, while India took the gold and Bangladesh claimed silver.

Before heading to the World Cup, the teams underwent a month-long closed training session at the covered hall in Kirtipur.

Nepal’s men’s squad includes Hemraj, Janak, Suraj, Yemen Puri, Bed Bahadur Oli, Jhalak BK, Bikral Singh Ratgainya, Bishal Tharu, Rajan Bal, Jogendra Rana, Samir Chand, Bishwas Chaudhary, Rohit Kumar Barma, Bharat Saru, and Ganesh BK.

The women’s squad features Saraswati, Pooja, Deepa, Manmati Dhami, Khushbu Rana, Barsha Pandit, Gita Chaudhary, Asha Tharu, Deepa Kumari BK, Nisha Shahi, Karma Kumari Shahi, Kanchan Chaudhary, Punam Tharu, Samjhana BK, and Anisha Gole.

19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) David Hui a professor of respiratory medicine at Chinese University, has expressed concerns regarding the rising flu cases across the northern hemisphere, particularly with the H1N1 strain becoming predominant in regions such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and parts of Europe and North America. During a radio broadcast today, Hui warned that Hong Kong residents returning from overseas holidays may inadvertently bring the virus back to the city.

Currently, Hong Kong is in the second week of its flu season, with expectations that peak activity will occur between the fourth and sixth weeks, or early next month, before receding around mid-March. Last year, the city experienced a significant outbreak of the H3N2 strain, followed by a surge in H1N1 cases, which contributed to an extended flu season lasting nearly six months. Hui noted that similar patterns could emerge this year, but the situation remains unpredictable.

Hui also highlighted an alarming increase in hospital admissions, particularly among young children aged 0 to 5 and seniors aged 65 and above. In the second week of January alone, 37 severe adult cases were reported, with 15 fatalities. 25 of these severe cases involved individuals who had not received the flu vaccine.

The professor highlighted the importance of vaccination, stating that an ideal coverage rate should be between 70% and 80%. However, current statistics reveal that the vaccination rates are concerningly low: only 48% for infants and young children, 20% for those aged 50 to 64, and approximately 45% for seniors, primarily those living in care facilities. Many elderly individuals in the community remain unvaccinated, prompting Hui to urge high-risk groups to seek vaccination promptly.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Paul Chan, Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, is set to depart for Davos, Switzerland, in the early hours of 20th January to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, which runs from 20th 24th January. This prestigious gathering will convene nearly 3,000 political leaders, financial officials, and executives from major international organisations and academic institutions, representing over 100 countries and regions.

The 2025 WEF Annual Meeting is themed “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” focusing on critical global and regional challenges. Key discussions will revolve around rebuilding trust both internationally and within societies, exploring new avenues for economic growth, investing in human capital development, safeguarding the planet, and transforming industries in this new era of intelligence.

During the meeting, Mr Chan will engage in several keynote sessions, luncheons, and dinners, where he will have the opportunity to meet with influential political, business, and financial leaders. His agenda includes briefing these stakeholders on the latest developments and advantages of Hong Kong, highlighting new opportunities for collaboration and investment.

Representatives from the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the MTR Corporation Limited, and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited will also participate in the Annual Meeting, further underscoring the importance of Hong Kong’s presence on the global stage.

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TikTok stopped working in the United States late on Saturday and disappeared from Apple and Google app stores ahead of a law that takes effect Sunday requiring the shutdown of the app used by 170 million Americans.

President-elect Donald Trump said earlier in the day he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after he takes office on Monday, a promise TikTok cited in a notice posted to users on the app.

TikTok, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, told users attempting to use the app around 10:45 p.m. ET (0345 GMT): “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned.”

Other apps owned by ByteDance, including video editing app Capcut and lifestyle social app Lemon8, were also offline and unavailable in US app stores as of late Saturday.

“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

TikTok users logging on late on Saturday were met with a message that said the law would “force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. We’re working to restore our service in the US as soon as possible.”

It was not clear if any US users could still access the app, but it was no longer working for many users and people seeking to access it through a web application were met with the same message that TikTok was no longer working.

The Chinese-owned app, which has captivated nearly half of all Americans, powered small businesses and shaped online culture, said on Friday it will go dark in the US on Sunday unless President Joe Biden’s administration provides assurances to companies such as Apple and Google that they will not face enforcement actions when a ban takes effect.

Under a law passed last year and upheld on Friday by a unanimous Supreme Court, the platform has until Sunday to cut ties with its China-based parent ByteDance or shut down its US operation to resolve concerns it poses a threat to national security.

The White House reiterated on Saturday that it was up to the incoming administration to take action, increasing the likelihood of a shutdown on Sunday.

“We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

TikTok did not respond to a request for comment on the new White House statement.

The Chinese embassy in Washington on Friday accused the US of using unfair state power to suppress TikTok. “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” a spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh, Aditya Soni in Bengaluru and Mrinmay Dey, David Shepardson in Washington, Doyinsola Oladipo in New York and David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Editing by Nick Zieminski, Rod Nickel, Heather Timmons, Daniel Wallis, Deepa Babington and William Mallard)

19th January 2025 – (Washington) Apple and Google have removed TikTok from their app stores, effectively halting new downloads of the popular short-form video app in the United States. This action aligns with a recently enacted U.S. law that mandates ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its ownership or face an operational ban in the country.

The delisting of TikTok follows a unanimous Supreme Court ruling that upheld the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, legislation signed by President Joe Biden in April. As a result of these developments, TikTok announced that its services would cease for American users unless the Biden administration intervened.

Upon attempting to access TikTok, users were met with notifications stating, “App Not Available” on the Apple App Store and “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now” on the Google Play store. The messages indicated that the app would not be accessible in the U.S. due to the newly implemented law.

The law stipulates that service providers must discontinue support for TikTok if ByteDance fails to execute a qualified divestiture by the deadline. Consequently, companies like Apple, Google, and Oracle face potential penalties for non-compliance. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, highlighted the platform’s significance, arguing that its use constitutes a First Amendment right, and emphasised that over seven million American businesses rely on it for revenue generation and customer engagement.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision, Chew expressed gratitude towards President-elect Donald Trump, who hinted at a potential 90-day extension for TikTok’s operations, allowing for further review of the situation. Trump stated that he would announce his decision shortly, suggesting that an extension could be a viable option.

As the situation develops, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, with the company urging the Biden administration for immediate clarification regarding the enforcement of the new law. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed TikTok’s announcement of a service shutdown as merely a “stunt,” reiterating that the implementation of the law would fall to the next administration.

In a surprising turn, AI startup Perplexity AI has submitted a bid to acquire TikTok, proposing to merge its operations with new capital partners.

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19th January 2025 – (Taipei) Taiwanese superstar Jay Chou and his model wife Hannah Quinlivan have long been regarded as a quintessential couple in the entertainment industry, known for their enduring love and family values. Their social media accounts frequently showcase heartwarming family moments, highlighting their enviable lifestyle and the admiration they receive from fans.

On 18th January, the couple marked two significant occasions: Chou’s 46th birthday and their tenth wedding anniversary. Dressed in elegant attire, they shared a delightful video online of themselves performing a playful finger dance, exuding charm and chemistry. Quinlivan, in a stunning low-cut dress, captivated viewers with her radiant smile, while the couple’s loving interactions sparked a flurry of admiration from netizens.

In their post, they shared a heartfelt message: “Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary! May everyone continue to find happiness.” This sentiment resonated widely, drawing numerous comments of congratulations.

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19th January 2025 – (Washington) TikTok announced late on Saturday that it would be “temporarily unavailable” on Sunday, coinciding with the enforcement of a new law banning the app due to national security concerns. Users attempting to access the platform were greeted with a message stating that the law would compel the service to go offline, though they could still navigate the app for the time being.

The impending shutdown comes as the platform, which boasts approximately 170 million American users, has been under intense scrutiny from US lawmakers. The law, upheld by a unanimous Supreme Court ruling on Friday, requires TikTok to sever ties with its China-based parent company, ByteDance, by Sunday or face a complete ban in the U.S.

President-elect Donald Trump indicated during an NBC interview that he would likely grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve, allowing the app to continue operating while negotiations continue. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump stated, implying an announcement could come as soon as Monday.

The law poses severe penalties for app store operators such as Apple and Google, as well as internet service providers like Oracle, if they facilitate access to TikTok. Fines could reach as much as $5,000 per user, creating significant financial implications for those involved.

As the deadline approached, TikTok made last-ditch appeals to both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration, seeking a resolution. However, the uncertainty surrounding the app’s fate remains palpable, particularly as no precedent exists for an app with such a vast user base being banned overnight in the United States.

The situation presents a major setback for TikTok and ByteDance, particularly given the platform’s lucrative appeal in the American market. Legal experts suggest that even a temporary shutdown could lead to lasting damage, with users migrating to competing platforms and potentially not returning if the ban is lifted.

In the final days of the Biden administration, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that the government would not begin imposing fines on companies immediately. “We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” she clarified.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Recent reports indicate a troubling rise in smoking violations within the MTR, Hong Kong’s mass transit system. Following a series of incidents involving passengers smoking in carriages, a new video has surfaced showing a man smoking openly on the platform at Hong Kong Station on the Tung Chung Line, further igniting public concern.

The footage, shared on social media platform Threads, depicts the man, dressed casually in flip-flops, strolling on the platform while puffing on a cigarette. Eyewitness accounts describe him as nonchalantly raising the cigarette to his lips, seemingly oblivious to the rules against smoking in MTR facilities.

This incident follows prior occurrences where both a man and a woman were seen smoking in the train carriages, leading to a wave of criticism online. Many users expressed disbelief at the blatant disregard for regulations and questioned why such behaviour continues unabated.

Under the Hong Kong Railway Ordinance, smoking is explicitly prohibited in MTR stations and trains, with violators facing hefty fines of up to HK$5,000. Despite these regulations, the apparent increase in smoking incidents raises concerns about enforcement and public compliance.

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19th January 2025 – (Santa Clara) Leaders at Oracle, the primary cloud computing provider for TikTok’s U.S. data, have instructed certain staff members to prepare for the shutdown of servers hosting U.S. TikTok data. This action is set to take effect as early as 9pm ET on Saturday (0200 GMT on Sunday), according to a report by The Information.

The shutdown is in anticipation of a new U.S. law that will come into force on Sunday, effectively banning the popular social media app due to national security concerns. This development highlights the increasing scrutiny TikTok faces over its ties to China and the implications for data privacy and security.

As the deadline approaches, the implications for TikTok’s extensive user base in the U.S., which numbers around 170 million, remain uncertain. The law mandates that TikTok sever its connections with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a complete ban from American markets.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) An image of a strongman seemingly carrying 336 cans of beer, weighing an estimated 242 pounds, has gone viral, leaving netizens both astounded and sceptical. The photograph, shared in a Facebook group titled “Tai Po,” depicts the muscular figure navigating a staircase while shouldering an impressive load.

Critics have raised eyebrows about the logistics of such a feat, with some questioning whether the image had been digitally altered. Detailed analyses from eagle-eyed users suggested that the top two containers, which appeared to hold 48 cans of BLUE GIRL beer, looked suspiciously disproportionate. Comments ranged from admiration for the strength displayed to concerns about the potential for injury, with many urging caution regarding such extreme physical exertion.

One user calculated that the combined weight of the beer would indeed be considerable, mentioning that 14 packs of 24 cans each, at approximately 340 grams per can, would total around 110 kilograms. This raised further doubts about the practicality of the task, especially given the height of the stacked cans and the absence of support on the staircase.

While some commenters defended the strongman’s ability, citing anecdotal evidence of local workers routinely carrying heavy loads, the sceptics remained unconvinced. They pointed out the potential hazards of such an endeavour, warning that lifting such weight improperly could lead to serious injuries.

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19th January 2025 – (Shenzhen) Two women were apprehended at Futian Port while attempting to smuggle nearly 50 pounds of frozen chicken into mainland China. The women were flagged by customs officers during routine checks at the immigration hall, where abnormal images were detected on the luggage scanning equipment.

Upon inspection, authorities discovered that the women were concealing 10.5 kilograms and 13 kilograms of frozen chicken, respectively, wrapped in plastic bags within their suitcases.

Chinese customs regulations strictly prohibit the importation of meat products, including both raw and cooked varieties, as outlined in the “Prohibited Items for Import and Quarantine Regulations.” This incident serves as a reminder of the stringent measures in place to prevent the illegal transport of food items across borders.

Customs officials continue to urge travellers to adhere to regulations to avoid legal repercussions and ensure food safety standards are maintained. The enforcement of these rules is critical in safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of animal diseases.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) In a much-discussed appearance at the lavish wedding of Christopher Cheng, son of prominent entrepreneur Henry Cheng, 66-year-old Patrick Ma Ching-hang, chairman of Tai Sang Bank, was accompanied by his long-term mistress, 34-year-old internet personality Rachel Chung. Their relationship, which has reportedly spanned nearly a decade, has become something of an open secret within Hong Kong’s elite circles.

Chung, who has frequently referred to Ma on social media as Rich Man A, has openly acknowledged her role as a mistress, revealing that she was aware of Ma’s marital status from the outset. This admission has not deterred her from embracing her position within the social elite, as she has often portrayed herself as a “young lady” and “wealthy wife” in her online content. The couple’s public appearances, including their recent attendance at the wedding held at the Rosewood hotel, have only solidified their status within high society.

The wedding on 10th December attracted a host of dignitaries and tycoons, including Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, and other influential figures.

Following the wedding, Chung took to social media to discuss the pervasive “wealth envy” among Hong Kong residents, highlighting the traffic chaos in Tsim Sha Tsui caused by the extravagant celebration. She noted how the presence of the city’s elite can incite strong reactions from the public, stating, “Wealthy people aren’t as grand as they seem; their weddings can disrupt the whole area.” In her characteristic candid style, Chung advised viewers to embrace ambition and strive for financial success, suggesting that ingratiating oneself with the wealthy could yield personal benefits.

Ma, who comes from a distinguished family with roots as one of Hong Kong’s “Five Great Tycoons” of the 1960s, has maintained a low profile regarding his personal life. Married for over three decades, he has rarely mentioned his wife, Kung Lin-chi, and has faced challenges balancing his professional commitments with family life.

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19th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) A recent report from the New Youth Forum reveals that Hong Kong’s overall housing price index has soared by an astonishing 957.7% from 1988 to 2023. This dramatic increase highlights the formidable challenges faced by younger generations striving for homeownership in a city where property prices remain prohibitively high.

The report indicates that the housing price index has escalated from 31.9 to 337.4 points over the past 35 years, while the rental index also saw significant growth, climbing 230.5% from 54.8 to 181.1 points. In sharp contrast, inflation during the same period has risen a mere 204%, as evidenced by the index’s increase from 34.7 to 105.5 points. This disparity underscores the escalating difficulty for young professionals in securing affordable housing.

The New Youth Forum further investigated the income dynamics of university-educated individuals in relation to property prices in the New Territories. The findings revealed a slight easing in the homeownership burden, with the ratio of median income to property prices dropping to 60.4% in 2023, compared to 61.8% a decade earlier in 2013. This indicates a marginal improvement for graduates entering the housing market.

Historically, the fluctuations in the housing market have mirrored the economic climate. In 1993, the ratio of property prices to income was relatively manageable at 33.5%. However, during the 1998 Asian financial crisis, this figure fell to 30.1%, reflecting a temporary easing in the housing burden for graduates. The onset of SARS in 2003 saw this ratio dip further to 19.4%, suggesting that economic downturns can create short-lived opportunities for home seekers.

By 2013, however, the situation had shifted dramatically, with the proportion soaring to 61.8%. This trend continued, reaching a staggering 84.6% in 2018. Recent market adjustments, however, have led to a reduction in this ratio, providing a glimmer of hope for aspiring homeowners.

The report also examined the income shifts for young professionals aged 20 to 24 entering the workforce. In 2003, the median income for this demographic peaked at $16,233, the highest recorded. In contrast, by 2013, after adjusting for housing prices, this figure had plummeted to just $5,156, with a further decline to $4,028 in 2018. However, the latest data for 2023 shows a modest recovery, with median income rising to $5,927 as housing prices have begun to stabilise.

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A ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is set to come into effect on Sunday morning with a hostage release to follow hours later, opening the way to a possible end to a 15-month war that has upended the Middle East.

Israeli forces started withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza, pro-Hamas media reported early on Sunday.

The ceasefire agreement followed months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and came just ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

The three-stage ceasefire will come into effect at 0630 GMT on Sunday.

Its first stage will last six weeks, during which 33 of the remaining 98 hostages - women, children, men over 50, the ill and wounded - will be released in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

They include 737 male, female and teen-aged prisoners, some of whom are members of militant groups convicted of attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, as well as hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza in detention since the start of the war.

Three female hostages are expected to be released on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross, in return for 30 prisoners each.

After Sunday’s hostage release, lead US negotiator Brett McGurk said, the accord calls for four more female hostages to be freed after seven days, followed by the release of three further hostages every seven days thereafter.

During the first phase the Israeli army will pull back from some of its positions in Gaza and Palestinians displaced from areas in northern Gaza will be allowed to return.

US President Joe Biden’s team worked closely with Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to push the deal over the line.

As his inauguration approached, Trump had repeated his demand that a deal be done swiftly, warning repeatedly that there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages were not released.

POST-WAR GAZA?

But what will come next in Gaza remains unclear in the absence of a comprehensive agreement on the postwar future of the enclave, which will require billions of dollars and years of work to rebuild.

And although the stated aim of the ceasefire is to end the war entirely, it could easily unravel.

Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for almost two decades, has survived despite losing its top leadership and thousands of fighters.

Israel has vowed it will not allow Hamas to return to power and has cleared large stretches of ground inside Gaza, in a step widely seen as a move towards creating a buffer zone that will allow its troops to act freely against threats in the enclave.

In Israel, the return of the hostages may ease some of the public anger against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government over the Oct. 7 security failure that led to the deadliest single day in the country’s history.

But hardliners in his government have already threatened to quit if war on Hamas is not resumed, leaving him pressed between Washington’s desire to see the war end, and his far-right political allies at home.

And if war resumes, dozens of hostages could be left behind in Gaza.

MIDEAST SHOCKWAVES

Outside Gaza, the war sent shockwaves across the region, triggering a war with the Tehran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah movement and bringing Israel into direct conflict with its arch-foe Iran for the first time.

More than a year later, the Middle East has been transformed. Iran, which spent billions building up a network of militant groups around Israel, has seen its “Axis of Resistance” wrecked and was unable to inflict more than minimal damage on Israel in two major missile attacks.

Hezbollah, whose huge missile arsenal was once seen as the biggest threat to Israel, has been humbled, with its top leadership killed and most of its missiles and military infrastructure destroyed.

In the aftermath, the decades-long Assad regime in Syria was overturned, removing another major Iranian ally and leaving Israel’s military effectively unchallenged in the region.

But on the diplomatic front, Israel has faced outrage and isolation over the death and devastation in Gaza.

Netanyahu faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant on war crimes allegations and separate accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Israel has reacted with fury to both cases, rejecting the charges as politically motivated and accusing South Africa, which brought the original ICJ case as well as the countries that have joined it, of antisemitism.

The war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. More than 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat in Gaza since.

Israel’s 15-month campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health ministry figures, which do not distinguish between fighters and civilians, and left the narrow coastal enclave a wasteland of rubble.

Health officials say most of the dead are civilians. Israel says more than a third are fighters.