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MTR Corp profit more than doubles to HK$15.8 billion on property gains

Hong Kong’s rail operator more than doubled its net profit to HK$15.87 billion (US$2 billion) in the first half of 2026, up from HK$7.70 billion a year earlier, as strong gains from property development offset largely flat performance in its rail and commercial operations. “Although the corporation delivered solid results in the first half of the year, we will continue to undertake forward-looking...

MTR Corp profits more than double to HK$15.87 billion on property gains

Net profit for Hong Kong’s rail operator more than doubled to HK$15.87 billion (US$2 billion) in the first half of 2026, up from HK$7.70 billion a year earlier, as strong gains from property development offset largely flat performance in its rail and commercial operations. The MTR Corporation reported a 120.7 per cent year-on-year increase in property-development profit, bringing it to HK$12.23 bi...

Hong Kong’s MTR Corp profit more than doubles to HK$15.87 billion on property gains

Net profit at Hong Kong’s rail operator MTR Corporation more than doubled to HK$15.87 billion (US$ 2 billion) in the first half of the year, from HK$7.70 billion a year earlier, as strong gains from property development offset largely flat performance in its rail and commercial operations. The partly privatised corporation reported a 120.7 per cent year-on-year increase in property-development pro...

Total eclipse plunges Spain’s Segovia into darkness for 59 seconds of wonder (4/4)

A total solar eclipse on Wednesday plunged Spain’s Segovia into daytime darkness for 59 seconds. Perched high up on the city's iconic cathedral bell tower, locals and visitors from and wide watched, in awe, as the moon’s shadow blotted out the sun.

Bangladesh humble Australia with worst total in contest as Hasan takes 6-55

Australia dismissed for lowest total against Bangladesh as Hasan Mahmud claims career-best on Day One of first Test.

Photos: Hope fades in Colombia as teams dig for earthquake survivors

Colombian rescuers battle time to save lives after deadly 7.4 earthquake, as hopes dwindle in search for survivors.

Polls open in Clacton, where Farage spent more than £10,000 in byelection against Count Binface – UK politics live

The Reform UK leader resigned as the MP for Clacton at the start of July and forced a byelectionEconomic growth slowed in the second quarter of the year, as the disruption unleashed by the Iran war began to take its toll, official figures show. Heather Stewart has the story.Good morning. In the media, August is known as the “silly season”. With parliament not sitting and many people on holiday, th...

Aerial footage captures total solar eclipse over Spain

Spain witnessed a rare total solar eclipse on Wednesday, the first visible from the country in more than a century. In Getxo, in the Basque Country, the eclipse was seen near the Port of Bilbao as the moon passed directly between the Earth and the sun.

'I really doubt I'll carry on': Messi sees end of football career in farewell to his father

The Argentinian footballer has published an open letter bidding farewell to his father and agent Jorge Messi, who died on 8 August in Rosario after a long illness. In it, the Argentina captain admits he is unsure whether he will carry on playing.

"I really doubt I'll carry on": Messi's stark words in farewell to his father

The Argentinian footballer has published an open letter bidding farewell to his father and agent Jorge Messi, who died on 8 August in Rosario after a long illness. In it, the Argentina captain admits he is unsure whether he will carry on playing.

US diplomat calls Israeli settler siege of West Bank homes ‘act of terror’

Israeli settlers have blocked the homes of three Palestinian families in Qusra, cutting them off from food and supplies.

Solar eclipse 2026 in pictures: The best shots from around Europe

Millions witnessed the most significant eclipse in Europe for decades yesterday evening as the Sun disappeared behind the Moon. Here are some of the best shots taken from the celestial event.

Student Lillie Vehling rescued 3 girls drowning in Lake Washington during Blue Angels weekend

College student Lillie Vehling rescued three girls from Lake Washington during Seafair weekend. She noticed the girls struggling beyond the buoy line and immediately entered the water. Vehling, a former lifeguard and water polo player, brought the girls to safety one by one. First responders arrived and provided medical assistance after the successful rescue. Seafair honored Vehling as the "La...

Paris Saint-Germain retain Super Cup title by seeing off Aston Villa

Reigning European champions PSG kicked off the new season by retaining their UEFA Super Cup title, beating Premier League side Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué scored the goals for Luis Enriqué's team.

Alaska restored a gold-mined creek—salmon runs rose six-fold

Florida turns degraded farmland into 700-acre coastal refuge drawing 240,000 visitors

Beijing’s offshore insurance tax tests Hong Kong wealth management

Financial markets have been gripped by concern in recent days over reports that China was introducing a new tax on returns from offshore insurance policies. The significance of the episode could prove more complex than the initial market reaction suggests. According to a report from Caixin, Chinese tax authorities have sought to collect tax on investment returns generated by offshore insurance pol...

How Hong Kong can protect manual workers bearing brunt of heatwave

At a bustling fruit store in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay, a crowd of workers sporting damp towels around their necks or fan vests buy up chilled drinks to stay hydrated as temperatures hit 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit) on a busy weekday morning. Soaked in sweat, 29-year-old construction worker Yau buys a litre of water to help beat the heat on Wednesday. “I spend at least HK$100 per day to buy...

How to stay safe during an earthquake: A visual guide

Earthquakes can happen suddenly, but knowing what to do before, during and after one can reduce the risk of injury.

Polls open in Clacton, as research shows Farage has spent more than £10,000 in byelection – UK politics live

The Reform UK leader resigned as the MP for Clacton at the start of July and forced a byelectionGood morning. In the media, August is known as the “silly season”. With parliament not sitting and many people on holiday, there is less proper news than normal, which means the nonsense stories get (even) more attention than usual. We are almost slap bang in the middle of the month, and today we’ve got...

Part of children’s hospital collapses in Colombia earthquake

Security cameras captured the moment part of a children's hospital in Cali collapsed.

Pentagon official and former Aukus sceptic says deal is ‘full steam ahead’, echoing Trump

Elbridge Colby, a US under secretary of war, says he is ‘very pleased’ with the nuclear submarine program’s progressElbridge Colby, the third-highest-ranking official at the Pentagon and formerly an avowed Aukus sceptic, has mirrored his president’s language on the nuclear submarine deal, saying it is “full steam ahead”.Colby, a US under secretary of war, was the author of the Trump administration...

3 mainland Chinese scholars honoured as Future Science Prize returns to Hong Kong

Three mainland Chinese scientists have won this year’s Future Science Prize, China’s first privately funded award recognising scientific achievement, for breakthroughs in molecular mechanisms, porous materials and arithmetic geometry. The event, being held in Hong Kong for a fourth consecutive year, underscores the city’s growing role as an international hub for scientific development, according t...

Inflation in Spain rises to 3.6% in July, the worst rate in over two years

Spain has logged five months in a row of annual inflation above 3%, driven by costlier electricity and fuel as the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz persists. In July, power prices top €100 per MWh, the highest year-on-year figure since 2022.

Inflation in Spain rises in July to 3.6%, worst rate since May 2024

Spain has logged five months in a row of annual inflation above 3%, driven by dearer electricity and fuel as the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz persists. In July, power prices top €100 per MWh, the highest year-on-year figure since 2022.