How will Jimmy Lai’s conviction affect China-UK ties, Starmer’s planned visit?
Outcome of ex-media tycoon’s Hong Kong trial poses stern test for Labour government’s balancing act with Beijing, observers say
· Shi Jiangtao
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Newest first · UTC+10:00UK secures return to EU Erasmus student exchange program
The United Kingdom is set to rejoin the European Union's Erasmus program in 2027, following its Brexit departure in 2021, a joint UK-EU statement confirmed on Wednesday.
· Alex Berry
Gov't approves P7,000-gratuity pay for its contract, job order workers: Are you eligible?
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· Mia Gonzalez
The Billion Dollar Balcony. ASIO's sovereignty failure - Michael West
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· David Tyler
Cabinet nod for SLFEA, Japan EUC MoU to enhance jobs - DailyNews
Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (15) approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (Pvt) Ltd (SLFEA) and Japan’s Enterprise United Cooperative (EUC) to expand employment opportunities for Sri Lankan youth in Japan.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Sri Lanka Embassy, Romanian Immigration Authorities to safeguard Migrant Workers - DailyNews
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Romania, led by Ambassador Madurika Joseph Weninger, recently held a strategic meeting with the Chief of Police, General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), Tiberiu Giurea, to address critical concerns affecting Sri Lankan migrant workers. The discussions focused on illegal recruitment, f…
· Gayan Abeykoon
Union Chemicals donates Rs. 1 Mn to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund - DailyNews
The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to restore the livelihoods of people affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to rebuild the country in the aftermath of the disaster, continues to receive daily contributions from local and international organizations, business entities and philanthropists.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Public cautioned on fake currency notes circulating during festive season - DailyNews
Police Media Spokesperson ASP F. U. Wootler said that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has received several complaints about fake currency notes being circulated during the present festive season and cautioned the public to pay special attention to this matter.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Zelensky demands justice as nations back Ukraine reparations; will Russia pay?
US$232 billion in frozen Russian assets are central to a new Hague-based commission managing Ukraine war damage claims
· Agence France-Presse
China slaps anti-dumping duties on EU pork, but lowers final rates
Beijing goes ahead with tariffs of up to 19.8 per cent on pork products from the European Union after intense lobbying by several leaders
· Ji Siqi
Hong Kong jobless rate unchanged at 3.8% on back of ‘solid’ economic expansion
Improving consumer confidence, economic growth supporting overall market but some sectors may remain under pressure, labour chief says
· Oscar Liu
31% of Hong Kong firms to boost hiring next quarter but AI threatens junior jobs
Artificial intelligence could take over junior roles in professional, scientific and technical services, which has net employment outlook of minus 15 per cent
· Ambrose Li
Worker unconscious with head injury after falling from scaffolding in Hong Kong
Police say male construction worker, 65, was conducting renovation works at house in Tai Po when he fell and lost consciousness
· Wynna Wong
Uniparty Grab. Independents take electoral reform to the High Court - Michael West
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· Kim Wingerei
Dirty, dangerous, cancer-prone: toxic truth about Vietnam’s recycling villages
‘There’s no shortage of cancer cases in this village,’ a worker, who has been sorting plastic in Xa Cau for a decade, says
· Agence France-Presse
Hong Kong classical concert to pay tribute to fallen Tai Po firefighter
Proceeds from the December 22 show, featuring some of Hong Kong’s biggest classical musicians, will go to the family of Ho Wai-ho
· Syrena Jin
Mexico stands by its decision for 50% tariffs on Chinese goods
Government defends tariff package as vital to supporting domestic workers and producers, and not aimed at curbing imports from China
· Igor Patrick
Sri Lanka records highest ever remittances in 2025 - DailyNews
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) announced that the country has recorded its highest-ever remittances in 2025, citing data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
· Thushan Jayasuriya
Boy, 16, jailed for 3½ years for joining Hong Kong pro-independence group
Judge rules he was ‘active participant’ in Taiwan-based Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union
· Emily Hung
No Sri Lankans injured in Sydney Bondi Beach shooting, authorities confirm - DailyNews
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism has confirmed that no Sri Lankan nationals were injured in the shooting incident at a Jewish festival celebration held at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday.
· Supuni Kulasinghe
Michael West Media merchandise - Michael West
Local supplier using ethically sourced materials, no sweatshops or child labour, and sustainable methods to reduce waste.
· Kim Wingerei - Admin
Butt out Netanyahu. Ugly political point-scoring follows Bondi Beach tragedy - Michael West
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· Michael West
Scalpers profit at WTT Finals Hong Kong with fans desperate to see Chinese stars
Fans charged thousands of dollars extra by touts at Coliseum, but local table tennis chief says real-name sales ‘difficult to implement’
· Stephy Zhang
Human capital for agritech - DailyNews
The evolution of agricultural development is grouped into four eras. The operation of farming-based human power is the first era, known as traditional agriculture. It refers to Agriculture 1.0. The second era is the introduction of machinery, replacing labour with machines, known as agricultural mechanisation. This …
· Gayan Abeykoon
SL - Romania strengthen cooperation in political, economic and labour sectors - DailyNews
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Romania Madurika Joseph Weninger met Romania’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Director-General for Asia and the Pacific Calin Mitri in Bucharest for discussions aimed at further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
· Gayan Abeykoon
‘Unprecedented’ increase in poliovirus spread alarms Pakistan’s Sindh Govt - DailyNews
There has been a sharp surge in circulation of poliovirus in the province, affecting at least 21 union councils, forcing the chief minister to direct concerned officials to look into the emerging public health crisis and take targeted measures to strengthen immunisation efforts against the crippling disease.
· Gayan Abeykoon
My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel
From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally
· Alex Lo
China to cover childbirth costs for all in latest bid to avert population crisis
Aim is to achieve ‘no out-of-pocket expenses’ for baby deliveries, along with better coverage for prenatal check-ups and labour pain relief
· William Zheng
Vanke’s bondholders reject payment extension, raising default risk
The rejection in a three-day vote that ended late on Friday gives the developer a grace period of five business days to pay 2 billion yuan of onshore bond
· Reuters
Speed up innovation, create jobs key facets of next Hong Kong budget: Paul Chan
Finance chief says public consultation for next budget will start soon and he ‘looks forward’ to ideas from residents
· Wynna Wong
Australia's security abandoned to the folly of declining US empire - Michael West
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· Michael Pascoe
Another Lionel Messi farce as angry Indian fans riot, vandalise stadium
Video shows fans, who had paid ‘a month’s salary’ to see touring Argentine superstar, throwing ripped-up seats, other objects onto field
· Agence France-Presse
Italy: Thousands demonstrate against Meloni's budget
Thousands of people took to the streets across Italy on Friday, for a national strike that was called by the country's largest union to protest the government's 2026 budget.
· Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
Forget "the rules", pollies should get their snouts out of the travel trough - Michael West
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· Rex Patrick
EU beschließt neue Abgabe auf Importe von Billigwaren
Im Kampf gegen unerwünschte Billigimporte erhöht die Europäische Union die Importkosten. Die Mitgliedsländer verständigten sich darauf, dass jedes Paket mit einem Warenwert bis 150 Euro ab Juli 2026 mit einer Abgabe in Höhe von drei Euro belegt wird. Erhoben werden soll sie von den nationalen Zollbehörden. Bisher kö…
· Deutsche Welle
Alipay and Rokid open up AI payment function on smart glasses to developers
The function has been made available to participants in the Rokid Spatial Joy 25 Global AR and AI Developer Competition
· Eunice Xu
Profile | From China factory worker to US$1.4 billion entrepreneur, Guan Yuxiang defies age
Following setback of first factory venture, Guan embraces failures as crucial stepping stones on her path to success
· Fran Lu
Scaffolding worker pay likely to rise in Hong Kong amid roll-out of new mesh
City is expected to install new fire-tested plastic meshes at more than 200 buildings from next month
· William Yiu
Trump 'gold card' fast-tracks US visas for the wealthy
President Donald Trump's administration has launched a new, accelerated visa processing scheme for foreigners willing to pay a $1 million (€855,000) "contribution" for US residency.
· Louis Oelofse
Political Fix Live: Labour’s year in review
PublishedDecember 12 2025
Nothing to see here, says Penny Wong about Israel brief she hasn't read - Michael West
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· Stephanie Tran
Focus must shift on accelerating GDP growth at over 7% pace - WB - DailyNews
Sri Lanka’s economy has recovered following a period of obviously deep crisis and focus now must shift to accelerate GDP growth at the pace of over 7% and creating more and better jobs, Imad N. Fakhoury, Regional Director for IFC South Asia opined addressing an economic summit held in Colombo recently.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Honouring a Muslim pioneer of the Kandyan region - DailyNews
I am happy that a book about the life and contribution of Sath Korale Mohandiram Lagedara Segu Abdul Cader Hajiar Mohamed Mohideen, better known as Meezan Hadjiar or Meezan Mudalali of Matale [1911—1964], written by Mohammed Fuaqi—a former Principal of Zahira College Matale, has now been published by a group of his …
· Gayan Abeykoon
President’s Fund renovates Panadura Wijewardane Children’s Home - DailyNews
With the intervention of the President’s Fund, the Wijewardane Children’s Home in Panadura has been renovated and was returned for use on Wednesday (10). Following a request from the Home’s Board of Management, the renovation work was carried out with the technical assistance and labour support of the Sri Lanka Navy…
· Gayan Abeykoon
European Union grants Euro 1.8 Mn for recovery efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah - DailyNews
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath posting a message on X said, “Today, I thanked Ambassador Carmen Moreno of the European Union to Sri Lanka, and the Ambassadors & Representatives of the EU countries present in Sri Lanka (Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania) for the …
· Gayan Abeykoon
Separated by Design: Why Affordable Housing Is Built in Areas With High Crime, Few Jobs and Struggling Schools
HARTFORD, Conn. — The moon pulls 6-year-old Romeo Lugo to the window at night.
· Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax
In 2007, Jeff Bezos, then a multibillionaire and now the world’s richest man, did not pay a penny in federal income taxes. He achieved the feat again in 2011. In 2018, Tesla founder Elon Musk, the second-richest person in the world, also paid no federal income taxes.
· Jesse Eisinger, Jeff Ernsthausen, and Paul Kiel
How the Trump Tax Law Created a Loophole That Lets Top Executives Net Millions by Slashing Their Own Salaries
In the months after President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, some tax professionals grew giddy as they discovered opportunities for their clients inside a law that already slashed rates for corporations and wealthy individuals.
· Robert Faturechi and Justin Elliott
Hypocrisy Blitzkrieg: Anika Wells' expenses meltdown opens can of worms - Michael West
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· Andrew Gardiner
China husband seeks help after late wife’s video game house ‘legacy’ is torn down
Wife’s pride and joy built in virtual realm disappears after she dies from brain haemorrhage; couple’s real-life home sold to pay medical bills
· Fran Lu