HONG KONG - Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen has earned a reputation as a fighter -- and the octogenarian's latest battle pits him against Vatican officials and Beijing over a deal he believes would devastate the Catholic Church. Zen's latest cause goes to the heart of his beliefs about the Catholic Church and what it should represent The former Bishop of Hong Kong is well-known in the city for his vocal opposition to political suppression and his support for democratic reform.But 86-year-old Zen's latest cause goes to the heart of his beliefs about the Catholic Church and what it should represent.It comes as the Vatican moves closer to a historic agreement with China over the major stumbling block of who ordains bishops -- a deal Zen fears would backfire against the underground Catholic Church in the mainland which is routinely persecuted by Chinese authorities. "For several decades the government has made it hard for them but they remained loyal to Rome and the pope. And now they're … [Read more...] about Cardinal Zen: The Hong Kong firebrand taking on Beijing
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Court allows Honasan to travel to Hong Kong
The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division has allowed Sen. Gregorio Honasan to travel to Hong Kong from March 15 to 18 to attend seminars. Honasan, who is out on bail, is facing graft cases along with other individuals in connection with alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel allocation totaling P29.1 million in 2012. “Acting on the ‘Motion for an Allow Departure Order’ filed by accused Gregorio B. Honasan on February 19, 2018, praying that he [will]be allowed to travel to Hong Kong on March 15, 2018 to March 18, 2018, after considering the comment of the prosecution, the court hereby resolves to grant the same,” the court said in a ruling. Honasan earlier filed a motion, saying the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc.-Hongkong Executive Council, which “organized two seminars with the theme ‘Cha-cha [Charter change], federalism and the OFW’ aimed at raising awareness on these issues directly affecting … [Read more...] about Court allows Honasan to travel to Hong Kong
Genting Hong Kong expects narrower loss in full year on one-off gain
Cruise ships operator Genting Hong Kong said it is expected to report a consolidated net loss in the range of US$240 million to US$270 million for the year ended December 31. The loss was lower as compared to a consolidated net loss of US$537 million last year, it said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday evening. Genting Hong Kong attributed the expected reduction in losses to several factors, including a one-off gain of US$205 million in respect of the sale of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' shares and The Star Entertainment Group's shares and the absence of an impairment on Norwegian Cruise shares of US$305 million in 2016. Also Read: EZi Wallet, Mastercard, others form consortium to ease digital payments in Singapore The gains were offset by start-up losses in the Dream Cruises brand for World Dream and the repositioning of Genting Dream to Singapore in November 2017, Crystal Cruises brand extensions in river cruises and the launch of AirCruises. Dream Cruises, launched slightly … [Read more...] about Genting Hong Kong expects narrower loss in full year on one-off gain
Shinawatras’ press conference expected in Hong Kong
Both siblings had been in Tokyo since Saturday. It was widely reported that Yingluck, who absconded last year a few days before a Supreme Court was supposed to deliver its verdict in a negligence case connected to her government’s rice-pledging scheme, will hold a press conference in Hong Kong. Yingluck last year was sentenced in absentia by the Supreme Court to five years in prison for negligence regarding the scheme, which incurred major losses for the state coffers. Her elder brother was deposed as prime minister in a military coup in 2006 and subsequently fled abroad to avoid a corruption conviction. Yingluck, who is believed to have visited Japan for the first time after fleeing Thailand, was accompanied by Thaksin as well as Somchai Wongsawat, their brother-in-law and another former prime minister. They stayed in Japan for “private purposes”, sources said. Yingluck was granted permission to enter the country by the Japanese government, the sources said. … [Read more...] about Shinawatras’ press conference expected in Hong Kong
Yingluck may hold press conference in Hong Kong
After her travels to China and Japan, Hong Kong is Yingluck’s next destination and it is where she is likely to muster support, National Legislative Assembly (NLA) whip Somchai Sawangkarn said yesterday, quoting a diplomatic source. “She plans to visit Hong Kong to muster support for her cause. She will call a press conference in late February or early March,” Somchai said. His source said Yingluck would be received by her supporters in Hong Kong. According to Somchai’s source in Japan, Yingluck had tried to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during her stay in that country. She had also sought to meet old business and political connections in Japan. Yingluck and her brother Thaksin travelled to Tokyo after being seen together in Beijing – a photo of them in the Chinese capital was circulated on social media last Saturday. Somchai quoted his source as saying Yingluck’s arrival in Japan had made authorities there … [Read more...] about Yingluck may hold press conference in Hong Kong