Authorities have conducted cleaning activities at over 230 hygiene black spots across the territory in a government-initiated city-wide cleanup drive. ?The Home Affairs Department said on Friday that its 18 District Offices had been conducting a series of cleaning operations and publicity work in support of the Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots launched by the District Matters Co-ordination Task Force. The cleaning operations and publicity work were launched in a bid to tackle hygiene black spots and enhance community engagement to improve the cityscape of Hong Kong. From July to October this year, authorities have conducted cleaning activities, including those in coordination with other departments, at over 230 hygiene black spots across the territory. “The Government appeals for the joint efforts of members of the public to enhance the city's environmental hygiene and cityscape,” it added.

Doctors at public hospitals will evaluate incoming Covid patients and allow those with no obvious symptoms or other illnesses to opt for home quarantine, said Lau Ka-hin, Hospital Authority's chief manager for quality and standards. The chief manager said patients could choose to undergo quarantine at home instead in hospital wards if they were asymptomatic or showed no apparent symptoms from their infection. Those who display obvious symptoms like breathlessness and coughing will require hospitalization, he said. He said the public should understand that some of the Covid deaths may not be entirely related to their infection. Separately, Lau defended Authority’s new move in allowing hospital workers who are Covid close contacts to resume duty after they obtained a negative RAT result.

Fourteen people were arrested by Wan Chai police between Tuesday and Thursday for eight cases related to illegal debt recovery worth over HK$1.5 million. The arrestees – 13 men and a woman aged 22 to 57 – were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, criminal intimidation and conspiracy to commit money laundering. One of them was the mastermind of a money laundering syndicate, three were key members of the syndicate and three others were holders of stooge bank accounts. Upon further investigations, police revealed that the so-called “victim” and the other six all belonged to a local money laundering syndicate. The gamblers would then be arranged to stay in hotel rooms so that creditors' money laundering activities would not be disrupted.

realme 10 starting only at P10,999 this coming 11.11 SaleThe realme 10 (8GB+128GB) variant will immediately be available on both Lazada and Shopee as well realme’s official stores and dealers nationwide, starting November 11 at an SRP of P12,999! realme kickstarts #realmeWithYou campaignMANILA, Philippines — Together with realme Global, realme Philippines, the country’s no. Start your Christmas Shopping during realme’s 11.11 Pamasko Sale on realme’s Official Shopee store wherein you can get up to 75% off + 15% off voucher on realme faves! Get a chance to score Crazy Piso Deals on realme’s Official Lazada store during the 11.11 Mega Sale. For latest news and updates about the brand, follow realme on Facebook and/or visit the official realme PH website at https://www.realme.com/ph/.

Banks’ profit up 44% to P243 billion in 9 monthsMANILA, Philippines — The profit of banks operating in the Philippines jumped by 43.7 percent to P243.06 billion from January to September compared to last year’s P169.09 billion, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Banks’ operating income increased by 14 percent to P750.22 billion during the nine-month period from P658.23 billion in the same period last year. The sector’s net interest income increased by 8.8 percent to P542.5 billion from P491.88 billion as interest earnings went up by 10.3 percent to P636.45 billion from P580.23 billion, while interest expenses grew at a slower pace of 6.6 percent to P93.64 billion from P87.84 billion. As the economy continues to recover from the pandemic-induced recession, Philippines banks are allocating less provision for credit losses. For universal and commercial banks, their net income jumped by 45.7 percent to P227.11 billion in the first nine months from a year-ago level of P155.86 billion.

COPENHAGEN — At least 15,000 people have died in Europe because of hot weather in 2022 so far, the World Health Organization said Monday, with Spain and Germany among the worst-affected countries. The three months from June-August were the hottest in Europe since records began, and the exceptionally high temperatures led to the worst drought the continent has witnessed since the Middle Ages. Successive heatwaves between June and July, which saw temperatures top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Britain for the first time, saw some 24,000 excess deaths in Europe. WHO said increasing heatwaves and other extreme weather will “lead to more diseases and deaths” in the next decades unless “drastic” action is taken. RELATED STORIESADVERTISEMENTEurope warms more than any other continent in last 3 decadesUK breaks all-time temperature record as heatwave batters EuropeClick here for more weather related news.

Police were called to a water treatment plant in Aberdeen on Tuesday after the discovery of the body of a premature baby girl. It is understood that the plant on Waterfall Bay Road - managed by the Drainage Services Department - mainly handles wastewater from the nearby Wah Fu Estate. Sources said staffers at the plant alerted authorities of the incident after they found the fetus stuck in one of the plant’s filters at around 11am. The baby girl was pronounced dead on the scene. Officers of the Regional Crime Unit of Western District have taken over the investigation.

A government vaccine advisory panel has recommended that the government authorize the use of an updated version of a Covid vaccine targeting the Omicron Covid variant. A statement late on Monday noted that the panel members considering the application from distributor Fosun Pharma believed that the benefits of authorizing the updated vaccine for emergency use outweigh the risks. Other government advisers had earlier recommended that the updated vaccine, known as a "bivalent" jab, would be suitable as an alternative for booster doses for people aged 12 and above. The jab targets the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants, but experts say it may trigger broader immunity against different strains compared to the original version. BioNTech's bivalent vaccine has already been approved for use in countries such as the United States and UK, as well as the European Union.

BSP’s rediscounting loans hit P15.3 billion in 10 monthsFor October alone, the central bank extended P3.7 billion worth of rediscount loans. MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has extended peso rediscount loans amounting to P15.3 billion to big banks from January to October to finance capital asset expenditures. For October alone, the central bank extended P3.7 billion worth of rediscount loans. The applicable rediscount rate on loans under the peso rediscount facility was set at 5.6701 percent for loans with a loan maturity of up to 90 days and 6.5902 for 180 days for November. Data released by the central bank showed total availments of banks against their rediscounting loans reached only P6.12 million for loans under the peso rediscount facility in 2021 compared to the previous year’s P26.9 billion.

The government planned to build two cross-harbour bridges to divert the traffic in the Lantau Link, aiming to open by 2033. The two cross-harbour bridges, which will parallel the Lantau Link, will span the Ma Wan Fairway and Kap Shui Mun Fairway. The bridge crossing Ma Wan Fairway will be constructed on the west side of Tsing Yi, with a 2.3 kilometres length, to connect with Tsing Sha Highway. "The Lantau Link is the most direct connection between the Lantau region and the urban areas," said the Highways Department. "It is anticipated that the construction of the Tsing Yi - Lantau Link will be necessary," added the department, "for relieving the traffic on the Lantau Link upon the construction of Route 11."

The government announced today that exemption would be granted to inbound tour groups for dining outside and entering designated attractions in November. Inbound group travellers who are received by licensed travel agents and have pre-registered their itineraries will be able to enter designated tourist attractions including theme parks, museums, and temples, even though holding an Amber health code, and dine in the partitioned areas in designated catering premises. "The arrangement can support the gradual resumption of the inbound travel market in an orderly manner and provide a more favourable business environment for the travel trade," noted the announcement. Besides, the announcement added that the authorities are also seeking the possibility to reduce the frequency for inbound group travellers with short-term stays to undergo Covid tests. Many local residents have pointed to inconsistencies in government policy and said authorities should remove the restrictions for everyone equally.

ACEN builds Aussie solar farmMANILA, Philippines — Listed ACEN Corp. is kicking off the construction of its second solar project in Australia after executing key contracts and reaching a final investment decision (FID). For its part, Lumea CEO Richard Lowe said they are pleased to work with ACEN in connecting the Stubbo Solar project. Located within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone in the Mid-Western Regional Council region, the Stubbo solar farm is ACEN Australia’s second solar project after the 720-MW New England Solar Farm in Uralla, New South Wales, which is currently being commissioned. Last September, ACEN committed A$800 million for the construction of the Stubbo Solar project. The Stubbo Solar project will produce enough clean, renewable energy to power more than 185,000 average Australian homes.

Adopting future-ready learning environments through Microsoft TeamsLine Learning delivers a Hybrid Learning Session during the course of the Microsoft Showcase School Accelerator Program. The school continues to work closely with partners Microsoft, Asus and Microsoft Global Training Partner, Line Learning and Development Solutions, to accelerate their school transformation journey. Enriching solutions toward transformationIncluded in SPUQC’s license is Microsoft Teams, an intelligent and collaboration hub for teachers and learners. While this is just one example of the value of Microsoft solutions, the fact remains, that the full potential of Microsoft Teams is unutilized. The training, conducted by Line Learning, focused on Windows 11 in the Classroom, Cybersecurity and Durability of ASUS BR1100, Microsoft 365 and Collaborative Learning Environment with Microsoft Teams.

Powell ends rallyIn the past month, financial markets staged a strong rally, fueled by hopes that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will dial down its ultra-hawkish policy stance. Powell telegraphed that interest rates would stay higher for longer in order to bring down inflation. Medalla emphasized the need to maintain the interest rate differential that was prevailing before the most recent Fed rate hike. He explained that the BSP’s telegraphed rate hike would support price stability and the need to temper sharp peso depreciation. Higher interest rates maintained for an extended duration may exacerbate the ongoing weakness in major economies and precipitate a deep global recession.

Government mulls sale of MRT 3MANILA, Philippines — The government plans to privatize not only the operations, but also the assets of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), as it can no longer afford to spend P9 billion yearly for the maintenance of the railway. For 2018 and 2019, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) had to cut the number of trips in the rail line to repair the train cars. Sobrepeña-led Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) is set to transfer the railway to the government by 2025 under the build-lease-transfer agreement for the MRT-3. The deal has tasked the DOTr to handle the collection of fares and the MRTC to maintain the rail line and its train cars. Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon has urged the DOTr to properly price the MRT-3 before putting it up for sale, especially as privatizing the rail line means letting go of fare revenues as well.