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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders said Wednesday that he’s returning to the campaign trail, with two weeks to go before a general election after he briefly suspended his election activities following reports that he was a possible target of a suspected plot in Belgium to kill politicians using an explosives-laden drone.Wilders’ populist Party for Freedom, known by its Dutch acronym PVV, won the last election in late 2023 and was the biggest bloc in a four-party ruling coalition until earlier this year, when Wilders pulled his ministers out of the government in a dispute over…

As the workday grinds on in Kuala Lumpur, 23-year-old office worker Adib finds solace in a few quiet cigarettes, but his unhealthy habit is about to come at a higher price.From next month, a new government policy will drive up the price of tobacco and alcohol in Malaysia as higher so-called sin taxes take effect.Unveiled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in last week’s budget, the measure aims to improve public health. Yet it has also raised concerns about the rising cost of living.It represents Malaysia’s first broad-based “sin tax” increase in years, raising duties by 2 sen (less than 1…

Hong Kong stocks rose on Wednesday, halting their longest stretch of declines since January 2024, as growing expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut this month helped offset concerns over renewed tensions between China and the US.The Hang Seng Index gained 1.1 per cent to 25,706.21 as of 11.22am local time, rebounding from a nearly 7 per cent drop over the past seven trading sessions. The Hang Seng Tech Index rallied 1 per cent.On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index fell 0.2 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.1 per cent.China Life Insurance advanced 3.7 per cent…

Hong Kong stocks rose on Wednesday, halting their longest stretch of declines since January 2024, as growing expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut this month helped offset concerns over renewed tensions between China and the US.The Hang Seng Index gained 1.6 per cent to 25,836.06 as of 10.12am local time, rebounding from a nearly 7 per cent drop over the past seven trading days. The Hang Seng Tech Index rallied 1.8 per cent.On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index both added 0.4 per cent.China Life Insurance advanced 3.7 per cent to HK$272.60 and…

Apple is preparing to expand its manufacturing operations in Vietnam as part of a push into the smart home market and an ongoing effort to lessen its dependence on China.The company is developing a range of new home devices for next year, including indoor security cameras and a display designed to control appliances and serve as a house command hub. A more advanced tabletop robot – capable of using motors and sensors to move – is slated to follow in 2027.All three products are on track to be built in Vietnam, a major change in how Apple approaches a new…

Walmart is teaming up with OpenAI to enable shoppers to browse and buy its products on ChatGPT, the retailer’s latest push to incorporate artificial intelligence.Users will be able to shop Walmart’s assortment directly on ChatGPT by clicking a “buy” button, Daniel Danker, Walmart’s executive vice-president of AI, product and design, said in an interview. The catalogue includes apparel, entertainment, packaged food and other products from Walmart and its Sam’s Club chain.“We view this as an opportunity to deliver convenience in a way that meets customers where they are,” said Danker, who joined the company this year from Instacart to accelerate…

As Japan grapples with an uncertain leadership transition, a rash of domestic scandals risks further contributing to its political circus.In recent months, a female mayor has been accused of repeatedly taking a male subordinate to a nearby “love hotel”, another dissolved a city council after it was discovered that she had falsified her academic records, and a male mayor from Okinawa is accused of sexually harassing female staff.Elsewhere, a female mayor stepped down after being accused of having relationships with two men, a 62-year-old mayor was arrested for punching a woman working in a bar, and another arranged for a…

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — When Russian drones smashed into the Shostka train station in northeastern Ukraine earlier this month, they killed a 71-year-old man, injured at least eight people and left train cars buckled by fire and riddled with shrapnel holes.It was one of the latest examples of what Ukrainian officials say has been a surge since mid-summer in attacks on railways, a critical artery for commercial and military logistics. They are part of Russia’s broader targeting of infrastructure that now is being carried out with greater precision thanks to advances in long-range drone technology that include onboard video feed.In…

Beijing has called for de-escalation following the deadliest border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan since 2021, saying it is “deeply concerned” about the hostilities.Analysts suggested the conflict remained manageable but warned that flaring tensions could jeopardise regional stability.“China sincerely hopes that both countries will prioritise the bigger picture, exercise calm and restraint, and resolve their concerns through dialogue and consultation to avoid further conflict,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.He added that China was ready to “continue playing a constructive role” in improving bilateral ties and called on both sides to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects…

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Muhammad Ali Malkani has announced the establishment of a Registration Authority that will issue licenses to investors in all areas of the poultry sector, allowing them to invest across Sindh. He further proposed that the authority should be able to issue licenses to investors within one month. He said that the Sindh government plans to promote the poultry sector through legislation to make the province self-sufficient in poultry production. The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Public Health Saleem Baloch, Secretary Livestock and Fisheries Kazim Hussain Jatoi, DG…