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Cathay Pacific Airways has grounded its entire Airbus A350 fleet due to an engine component failure discovered during a Zurich-bound flight. The airline canceled 90 flights and found 15 of its 48 A350s required repairs. The European aviation regulator has mandated inspections for similar aircraft globally, raising safety concerns across the industry as of September 18, 2024.
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Chu Kai-pong, 27, was sentenced to prison for wearing a pro-democracy T-shirt on June 12, marking the fifth anniversary of the 2019 protests. He is the first person convicted under Hong Kong's new national security law, which imposes severe penalties for sedition. Critics argue this law further erodes freedoms in the region.
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The Maryland Zoo mourns the loss of Mr. Greedy, an African penguin who contributed significantly to his species' survival. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's panda twins thrive under their mother Ying Ying's care, and two pandas are set to arrive from China. Aging pandas in Japan are returning home for medical care.
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Two former editors of Stand News, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, were convicted of sedition in Hong Kong, marking the first such convictions since the 1997 handover. This ruling reflects ongoing concerns over press freedom amid a crackdown under the national security law. They face up to two years in prison.
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Tim Burton's long-awaited sequel to 'Beetlejuice' premiered on September 6, 2024, reuniting original cast members Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder. Critics have noted its chaotic narrative and mixed reviews, highlighting both its visual creativity and disjointed storytelling. The film follows Lydia Deetz as she navigates family tragedy and supernatural chaos.
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HSBC is set to recruit hundreds of bankers in the UK to enhance its wealth management services, aiming to double its assets under management to £100 billion over five years. This move comes amid increasing competition from British rivals and follows a successful expansion in Asia.
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A Hong Kong man, previously banned from driving, was arrested for speeding in a Ferrari at over 140 km/h. This incident raises concerns about traffic safety and enforcement in both Hong Kong and the UK, where speed limit debates are ongoing, particularly in Wales.
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Great Britain finished second in the medal table at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, securing 49 golds and a total of 124 medals. The team celebrated record-breaking performances, including Maisie Summers-Newton's gold and Poppy Maskill's five-medal haul. Hong Kong also achieved its best results since 2012, with eight medals, including three golds.
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Recent reports indicate mixed economic growth across the UK, with the services sector experiencing a rebound while the jobs market faces challenges. The Royal Bank of Scotland's tracker shows solid growth in private sector activity, but the BDO report highlights a decline in job vacancies and rising unemployment claims. Meanwhile, China's manufacturing sector shows signs of contraction.
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The final report of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, released on September 4, 2024, attributes the 2017 fire that killed 72 people to decades of regulatory failures, corporate dishonesty, and inadequate responses from authorities. The report highlights a 'web of blame' involving multiple institutions and calls for accountability for those responsible.
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Super Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Hainan, China, on September 6, 2024, causing widespread destruction and fatalities. The storm, packing winds of up to 245 km/h, has led to evacuations, power outages, and severe flooding. It is expected to impact northern Vietnam next, raising concerns about landslides and storm surges.
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On September 12, 2024, the US House passed several bills targeting Chinese influence, including restrictions on electric vehicle tax credits and bans on Chinese biotech firms. These measures reflect a bipartisan effort to counter perceived threats from China, though they face challenges in the Senate.
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The Hong Kong Journalists Association reported a systematic harassment campaign against journalists, their families, and associates, involving threats and doxxing. This follows a crackdown on press freedom in the city, raising concerns about the safety of media workers amid increasing government pressure.
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Sam Bankman-Fried's legal team has filed an appeal against his 25-year prison sentence, arguing that the trial judge limited his defense and that new evidence suggests FTX was not insolvent. Caroline Ellison, a key witness, is set to be sentenced on September 24, 2024.
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As the Federal Reserve prepares for a likely interest rate cut on September 18, 2024, optimism is rising in the commercial real estate sector. Lower rates could stabilize property values and increase transaction volumes, particularly in struggling office markets and emerging living sectors like student housing and co-living spaces.