Holmes Chan
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Hong Kong's economic growth slows to 2.5% in 2024
Hong Kong's economic growth slowed to 2.5 percent in 2024 as residents increasingly look to spend elsewhere, the city's government said on Monday, warning that the year ahead will bring "heightened uncertainties". The Chinese financial hub saw a post-pandemic rebound in 2023 after the city reopened to international business and travel but lost some momentum as China's economic slowdown deepened.
HSBC says chief executive Noel Quinn 'to retire'
Banking giant HSBC said Tuesday that chief executive Noel Quinn would retire after overseeing a "successful transformation" of the firm and record profits during almost five years in charge. The surprise news came as the lender reported that pre-tax profits in the first quarter fell by $200 million to $12.7 billion, while announcing a share buy-back. "During his tenure, HSBC has delivered record profits and the strongest returns in over a decade," it announced in a Hong Kong stock exchange filing.
HSBC targets $1.5 bn in annual cost savings after revamp
Banking giant HSBC said Wednesday that CEO Georges Elhedery's plan since October to simplify the company's structure and geographic setup will yield $1.5 billion in annual cost savings by the end of 2026. Elhedery's plan for a "simpler, more dynamic, and agile organisation" has shaken up Europe's largest bank, whose shares in Hong Kong have rallied to an 11-year high.
Experts trash Hong Kong's 'throwaway culture' ahead of plastic ban
Unlike her fellow Hong Kong urbanites toting plastic or paper cups filled with coffee, pet groomer Lucine Mo takes her caffeine hit in a thermal mug with a QR code. The coded mug can be returned to 35 coffee shops taking part in a Greenpeace pilot project aiming to change one of the city's most wasteful consumption habits -- the near-instinctive use of disposable cutlery. "Since I learned about the service, I have stopped using those plastic and paper cups," Mo told AFP.
Experts trash Hong Kong's 'throwaway culture' ahead of plastic ban
Unlike her fellow Hong Kong urbanites toting plastic or paper cups filled with coffee, pet groomer Lucine Mo takes her caffeine hit in a thermal mug with a QR code. The coded mug can be returned to 35 coffee shops taking part in a Greenpeace pilot project aiming to change one of the city's most wasteful consumption habits -- the near-instinctive use of disposable cutlery. "Since I learned about the service, I have stopped using those plastic and paper cups," Mo told AFP.
Grief, trauma weigh on survivors of catastrophic Hong Kong fire
Hong Kong fire survivor Yip Ka-kui has turned happy holiday photos into a heartfelt tribute to his beloved wife a month after she died in the huge blaze that destroyed their home. Yip, 68, is among thousands grieving the 161 killed at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, a disaster few could imagine happening in one of Asia's safest and most developed cities.
Hong Kong leader says 'independent committee' to probe fire
← FIRESTORM | Home FIRESTORM By Holmes CHAN and Tommy WANG Hong Kong (AFP) Dec 2, 2025 AFP Hong Kong's leader said on Tuesday that an independent committee will investigate the causes of the city's deadliest fire in decades, as some residents expressed doubt about getting clear answers and people demanding accountability were questioned by police.
Hong Kong arrests suspects as fire death toll tops 150
← FIRESTORM | Home FIRESTORM By Holmes CHAN Hong Kong (AFP) Dec 1, 2025 AFP Hong Kong has arrested 14 suspects in a probe into the city's deadliest fire in decades, finding "substandard" netting on building exteriors that failed to halt flames from spreading, authorities said Monday. The staggering death toll, which police raised to 151 on Monday after more bodies had been found, has prompted outpourings of grief across the Chinese finance hub.
Grief, trauma weigh on survivors of catastrophic Hong Kong fire
Hong Kong fire survivor Yip Ka-kui has turned happy holiday photos into a heartfelt tribute to his beloved wife a month after she died in the huge blaze that destroyed their home. Yip, 68, is among thousands grieving the 161 killed at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, a disaster few could imagine happening in one of Asia's safest and most developed cities.
Hong Kong leader says 'independent committee' to probe fire
← FIRESTORM | Home FIRESTORM By Holmes CHAN and Tommy WANG Hong Kong (AFP) Dec 2, 2025 AFP Hong Kong's leader said on Tuesday that an independent committee will investigate the causes of the city's deadliest fire in decades, as some residents expressed doubt about getting clear answers and people demanding accountability were questioned by police.
Une dissidente chinoise menacée d’expulsion en Thaïlande se réfugie au Canada
La militante chinoise Zhang Xinyan a rejoint cette semaine le Canada après avoir passé des mois à craindre une expulsion vers la Chine dans un centre de rétention de Bangkok, une menace qui plane sur d’autres dissidents en Thaïlande. « Ce qui me faisait le plus peur chaque jour, c’était de pouvoir être expulsée à tout moment », témoigne Zhang Xinyan, 55 ans, dans un entretien à l’AFP.
Chinese activist held in Bangkok finds Canada refuge
Chinese activist Zhang Xinyan has arrived in Canada after months living in fear of deportation at a Bangkok detention centre, and supporters say others like her remain under threat in Thailand. Beijing has long sought to clamp down on dissidents overseas, and campaigners accuse authorities in the Southeast Asian country -- where several notable activists have moved over the years -- of complicity in China's efforts.
Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights
Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks as a key factor. The troubled carrier, which was looking to emerge from its second bankruptcy in a year, announced it was ceasing operations after a potential White House bailout fell through.
La compagnie américaine Spirit Airlines annule tous ses vols et stoppe son activité
La compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coûts Spirit Airlines, en difficulté depuis des mois et gravement impactée par la hausse des prix du kérosène, a annoncé samedi que tous ses vols étaient annulés et qu’elle entamait « l’arrêt progressif » de ses activités.
Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights
Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks as a key factor. The troubled carrier, which was looking to emerge from its second bankruptcy in a year, announced it was ceasing operations after a potential White House bailout fell through.
La compagnie américaine Spirit Airlines annule tous ses vols et stoppe son activité
Lancée en 1992, Spirit Airlines, connue pour ses avions jaune vif, est l'une des premières compagnies "low cost" du marché américain ( Patrick T. Fallon / AFP ) La compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coûts Spirit Airlines, en difficulté depuis des mois et gravement impactée par la hausse des prix du kérosène, a annoncé samedi que tous ses vols étaient annulés et qu'elle entamait "l'arrêt progressif" de ses activités.
La compagnie américaine Spirit Airlines annule tous ses vols et stoppe son activité
Lancée en 1992, Spirit Airlines, connue pour ses avions jaune vif, est l'une des premières compagnies "low cost" du marché américain ( Patrick T. Fallon / AFP ) La compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coûts Spirit Airlines, en difficulté depuis des mois et gravement impactée par la hausse des prix du kérosène, a annoncé samedi que tous ses vols étaient annulés et qu'elle entamait "l'arrêt progressif" de ses activités.
La compagnie américaine Spirit Airlines annule tous ses vols et stoppe son activité
Lancée en 1992, Spirit Airlines, connue pour ses avions jaune vif, est l'une des premières compagnies "low cost" du marché américain ( Patrick T. Fallon / AFP ) La compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coûts Spirit Airlines, en difficulté depuis des mois et gravement impactée par la hausse des prix du kérosène, a annoncé samedi que tous ses vols étaient annulés et qu'elle entamait "l'arrêt progressif" de ses activités.
La compagnie américaine Spirit Airlines annule tous ses vols et stoppe son activité
Lancée en 1992, Spirit Airlines, connue pour ses avions jaune vif, est l'une des premières compagnies "low cost" du marché américain (Patrick T. Fallon) · Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/AFP La compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coûts Spirit Airlines, en difficulté depuis des mois et gravement impactée par la hausse des prix du kérosène, a annoncé samedi que tous ses vols étaient annulés et qu'elle entamait "l'arrêt progressif" de ses activités.
Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights
Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks that left it no choice. The troubled carrier, which was set to emerge from its second bankruptcy in a year, announced it was ceasing operations after a potential White House bailout fell through.
Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights
Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks that left it no choice. The troubled carrier, which was set to emerge from its second bankruptcy in a year, announced it was ceasing operations after a potential White House bailout fell through. kAm$A:C:E p:C=:?6DV A2C6?E 4@>A2?J[ $A:C:E pG:2E:@? w@=5:?8D[ D2:5 :? 2?
La compagnie américaine Spirit Airlines annule tous ses vols et stoppe son activité
Un Airbus A320 de la compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coût Spirit Airlines atterrit à l'aéroport Hollywood Burbank, le 17 avril 2026 ( Patrick T. Fallon / AFP/Archives ) La compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coûts Spirit Airlines, en difficulté depuis des mois et gravement impactée par la hausse des prix du kérosène, a annoncé samedi que tous ses vols étaient annulés et qu'elle entamait "l'arrêt progressif" de ses activités.
La compagnie américaine Spirit Airlines annule tous ses vols et stoppe son activité
Un Airbus A320 de la compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coût Spirit Airlines atterrit à l'aéroport Hollywood Burbank, le 17 avril 2026 ( Patrick T. Fallon / AFP/Archives ) La compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coûts Spirit Airlines, en difficulté depuis des mois et gravement impactée par la hausse des prix du kérosène, a annoncé samedi que tous ses vols étaient annulés et qu'elle entamait "l'arrêt progressif" de ses activités.
La compagnie américaine Spirit Airlines annule tous ses vols et stoppe son activité
Un Airbus A320 de la compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coût Spirit Airlines atterrit à l'aéroport Hollywood Burbank, le 17 avril 2026 ( Patrick T. Fallon / AFP/Archives ) La compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coûts Spirit Airlines, en difficulté depuis des mois et gravement impactée par la hausse des prix du kérosène, a annoncé samedi que tous ses vols étaient annulés et qu'elle entamait "l'arrêt progressif" de ses activités.
La compagnie américaine Spirit Airlines annule tous ses vols et stoppe son activité
Un Airbus A320 de la compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coût Spirit Airlines atterrit à l'aéroport Hollywood Burbank, le 17 avril 2026 (Patrick T. Fallon) · Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/AFP La compagnie aérienne américaine à bas coûts Spirit Airlines, en difficulté depuis des mois et gravement impactée par la hausse des prix du kérosène, a annoncé samedi que tous ses vols étaient annulés et qu'elle entamait "l'arrêt progressif" de ses activités.
Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights
Spirit Airlines, which began operating flights in 1992, was known for its yellow-colored planes and low-budget offerings (Patrick T. Fallon) · Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/AFP Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks that left it no choice.
Spirit Airlines Begins 'Wind-down', Cancels All Flights
Now Shotlist Brussels, Belgium - Recent (FSN - No access Chinese mainland/Iran/Russia) 1. Various of traveler at airport 2. SOUNDBITE (English) traveler (name not given): "We almost canceled our flight, because I was afraid we couldn't get back from Sri Lanka to Belgium." 3. SOUNDBITE (English) traveler (name not given): "We also traveled to Sicily in September, so we hope that that flight is going to continue." 4.
Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights
Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks as a key factor. The troubled carrier, which was looking to emerge from its second bankruptcy in a year, announced it was ceasing operations after a potential White House bailout fell through. kAm$A:C:E p:C=:?6DV A2C6?E 4@>A2?J[ $A:C:E pG:2E:@? w@=5:?8D[ D2:5 :? 2?
Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights
Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks as a key factor. The troubled carrier, which was looking to emerge from its second bankruptcy in a year, announced it was ceasing operations after a potential White House bailout fell through.
Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights
Dania Beach, Fla. — Low-cost U.S. carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been canceled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks as a key factor. The troubled carrier, which was looking to emerge from its second bankruptcy in a year, announced it was ceasing operations after a potential White House bailout fell through.
Spirit Airlines begins 'wind-down', cancels all flights
Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks as a key factor. The troubled carrier, which was looking to emerge from its second bankruptcy in a year, announced it was ceasing operations after a potential White House bailout fell through.
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