FDA approves updated Covid-19 vaccines for dominant XFG variant
The Guardian

FDA approves updated Covid-19 vaccines for dominant XFG variant

Decision allows manufacturers to begin shipping doses, but confusion remains about insurance coverageThe US Food and Drug Administration approved updated Covid-19 vaccines on Thursday, allowing manufacturers to begin shipping doses to pharmacies and doctors’ offices across the country.The FDA approved Moderna, Novavax-Sanofi and Pfizer-BioNTech’s updated Covid vaccines, the companies ⁠said on Thur...

OpenAI, Anthropic join global call to strengthen cyber defences

OpenAI, Anthropic join global call to strengthen cyber defences

France 24

More than 100 organisations, including OpenAI and Anthropic, called Thursday for governments and technology companies to strengthen cyber defences against increasingly sophisticated AI-powered attacks. The open letter warned that these could become far more widespread in the coming months as artificial intelligence models grow more capable.

Expanded Mid-Autumn Festival lantern show to light up Hong Kong. Here’s what to see

Expanded Mid-Autumn Festival lantern show to light up Hong Kong. Here’s what to see

SCMP

A more international and upgraded lantern show is set to light up Hong Kong’s Victoria Park during the Mid-Autumn Festival next month, as part of the city’s efforts to entice locals and tourists alike. The International Lantern Spectacular, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, will be held at the Causeway Bay park between September 17 and 27, complementing other festive activities such as the...

Chinese cinema offers noon nap service with flat seats to boost lunchtime business

Chinese cinema offers noon nap service with flat seats to boost lunchtime business

SCMP

A cinema in northwestern China has gained attention on social media for its unique noon nap service, offering adjustable seats for workers to relax during their lunch breaks. This popular initiative at Lumiai Cinema in Xian, Shaanxi province, has been operational since April last year, according to Jimu News. Priced at 39.9 yuan (US$6) for a single membership and 59.9 yuan for a double pass, the m...

The path to America is narrowing. Here’s what that means for legal immigrants

The path to America is narrowing. Here’s what that means for legal immigrants

SCMP

US green card interviews are on hold worldwide, student and work visas are subject to new restrictions, and citizenship is under fresh scrutiny. Here’s what the latest US immigration crackdown means for people planning to study, work or settle in America. Why did the US cancel immigrant visa interviews? US embassies and consulates around the world have postponed immigrant visa interviews so that o...

Spotting Alzheimer’s Early: Proactive Care Prevent Up to 40% of Dementia Cases

Spotting Alzheimer’s Early: Proactive Care Prevent Up to 40% of Dementia Cases

SCMP

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] As populations age and social stressors increase worldwide, cognitive health has become a pressing public-health concern — especially for older adults. 75% of people living with dementia globally receive no formal diagnosis at all1; the minority who do are then faced with an obstacle course of health system access barriers...

ASEAN Film Festival promotes cinematic diversity and fosters cultural exchange

ASEAN Film Festival promotes cinematic diversity and fosters cultural exchange

SCMP

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] The ASEAN Film Festival (AFF) officially opened on August 20 at an event attended by government officials, Consuls-General, cultural partners, and filmmakers from across the region. Running until September 27, this year’s festival serves as a vibrant crossroads where stories from Southeast Asia and beyond converge to bridg...

AI use on 1823 platform will cut frustration but data safeguards needed: experts

AI use on 1823 platform will cut frustration but data safeguards needed: experts

SCMP

Deploying artificial intelligence on Hong Kong’s 1823 complaint platform will reduce public frustration and strengthen governance, but authorities must also guard against privacy leaks, lawmakers and an expert have said. They described the AI measures announced on Thursday as a step in the right direction, saying the technology could reduce residents’ waiting times and help direct cases to the app...

Australia news live: Greens say Labor immigration policy has ‘no principle’; gambling company calls PM’s ad reforms a ‘missed opportunity’

Australia news live: Greens say Labor immigration policy has ‘no principle’; gambling company calls PM’s ad reforms a ‘missed opportunity’

The Guardian

Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGreens say Australia needs to ‘step up and really commit’ to aiding rebuilding in NepalDavid Shoebridge, the Greens’ spokesperson on foreign affairs, told RN Breakfast earlier the Australian commitment of $5m for affected communities in Nepal “won’t come close to touching the sides” of the calamity.I think Australia...

Hong Kong home prices end 13-month upswing as tax fears weigh on demand

Hong Kong home prices end 13-month upswing as tax fears weigh on demand

SCMP

Hong Kong’s lived-in home prices fell 0.46 per cent in July, halting a 13-month upswing, according to the latest official data. The index tracking second-hand homes slipped to 321.5 in July from 323 in June, Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) data showed on Thursday. It was the first decline in 16 months, following a drop in April last year. Prices were flat that May, then climbed steadily for ...

Hong Kong home prices end 13-month upswing as mainland Chinese tax fears weigh on demand

Hong Kong home prices end 13-month upswing as mainland Chinese tax fears weigh on demand

SCMP

Hong Kong’s lived-in home prices fell 0.46 per cent in July, halting a 13-month upswing, according to the latest official data. The index tracking second-hand homes slipped to 321.5 in July from 323 in June, Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) data showed on Thursday. It was the first decline in 16 months – since April last year. Prices were flat in May last year before climbing steadily for 13 ...

US base dispute hangs over Japan’s Okinawa governor election

US base dispute hangs over Japan’s Okinawa governor election

SCMP

Okinawa’s governor election next month is set to be a major test of whether Japan’s ruling party can win over voters from a prefecture that has long opposed its security agenda and the heavy US military presence on its islands. A victory by Genta Koja, the Liberal Democratic Party-backed candidate, would likely help smooth ties between Okinawa and Tokyo and weaken resistance against the planned re...

One Nation’s new NSW leader Mike Newman is an investment banker who wants to ‘get rid of wokery’

One Nation’s new NSW leader Mike Newman is an investment banker who wants to ‘get rid of wokery’

The Guardian

Son of former ABC chair will contest seat of Cessnock in March state election and says ‘my wife’s Japanese’ so he doesn’t believe party is racistFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation has named investment banker Mike Newman as its New South Wales leader and first lower house candidate ahead of the March 2027 state...

Three journalists sue Pentagon after being fired from military news outlet

Three journalists sue Pentagon after being fired from military news outlet

The Guardian

Three employees of Stars and Stripes, a government-funded news service, allege they were fired after reporting on USS Abraham LincolnThree journalists who were fired by the Pentagon from a US government-funded news outlet sued the Department of Defense in federal court on Thursday, arguing their dismissals were illegal and violated their first amendment rights to free speech.The three journalists ...

Australia news live: One Nation announces investment banker as NSW leader ahead of election

Australia news live: One Nation announces investment banker as NSW leader ahead of election

The Guardian

Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGreens say Australia needs to ‘step up and really commit’ to aiding rebuilding in NepalDavid Shoebridge, the Greens’ spokesperson on foreign affairs, told RN Breakfast earlier the Australian commitment of $5m for affected communities in Nepal “won’t come close to touching the sides” of the calamity.I think Australia...

Tiger, Futu post strong overseas gains after Beijing clampdown stalls mainland growth

Tiger, Futu post strong overseas gains after Beijing clampdown stalls mainland growth

SCMP

Tiger Brokers and Futu Holdings, two of the region’s largest online brokerages, posted robust second-quarter growth as they expanded overseas to absorb Beijing’s toughest crackdown yet on illegal cross-border stock trading. UP Fintech Holding, parent of Tiger Brokers, reported on Wednesday that revenue rose 31.4 per cent year on year to a record US$182.3 million. Net income attributable to shareho...