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Farage's Reform in spotlight over record donations A second cryptocurrency billionaire revealed on Saturday he had matched a £36 million (HK$382.1 million) donation — the largest gift in UK political history — given to Nigel Farage's Reform party the previous day. The twin donations come despite anti-immigration Reform being mired in several funding scandals, including one involving the Thai-based British businessman, Christopher Harborne, who made the latest contribution. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Harborne said it was "a philanthropic gift to our country" aimed at helping the party prepare for government and create the kind of infrastructure older more established parties have built. It follows fellow crypto-magnate Ben Delo, who is based in Hong Kong, revealing in the same newspaper his record donation, insisting he wanted Reform to face "a fair fight and a level playing field". Delo, co-founder of the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange, said he wanted to give the party £1 million a month until the next general election — due by mid-2029 — and so had "front-loaded these donations" into a single £36-million payment. The 42-year-old, who pleaded guilty in the United States in 2022 to violating the Bank Secrecy Act but was pardoned by US President Donald Trump in 2025, had already given Reform £4 million this year, according to election watchdog filings. The new twin gifts each smash the previous reported record for a single donation from a living person to a UK political party, which Harborne himself had set last year when he gave Reform £9 million. The record for a bequest remains the £10 million left to the centre-right Conservatives by the late British businessman and politician John Sainsbury in 2022. Farage, a leading figure in the Brexit movement before founding Reform in 2021, welcomed the donations. "Thanks to the generosity of Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo, Reform will now be able to fight and win the next general election on a level playing field," he said on X. His party had topped national opinion polls since early last year, but has seen its lead slip to centre-left Labour in recent months amid multiple funding controversies. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham replacing Keir Starmer in Downing Street in July is also seen as having rejuvenated the ruling Labour's prospects. News of the mega-donations came just days after police confirmed they had widened a criminal investigation into allegations Reform accepted illegal donations following fresh claims last week. (AFP) Edited by Tony Sabine
Philippine ferry death toll rises to 76 The death toll from a Philippine ferry fire jumped to 76 on Saturday after the coast guard confirmed the discovery of 41 more bodies aboard the burnt-out vessel. The remains will be transported to a port in Coron, Palawan, coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said in a statement. AFP watched hours earlier as disaster agency workers carried coffins to a cemetery in the resort town, intended for the temporary burial of victims of the fire that tore through the M/V June Aster on Wednesday. The first 30 bodies arrived by sea earlier on Saturday as forensic specialists began the painstaking process of identifying the remains. The confirmed death toll now stands at 76, including five bodies recovered in the immediate wake of the incident. The ship sits grounded about 7.5 kilometres off the coast. One-metre deep graves have been dug to hold the victims' remains until DNA testing is completed, Kristine Ablana, a tourism official serving as an official spokesperson, told reporters on Saturday. Relatives will be brought to identify personal items that may have belonged to family members. "Once someone is able to verify... that this photo or these belongings are indeed those of their relative, they will be asked to provide a DNA sample," Ablana said. Thirty passengers, including two Chilean nationals, and 13 crew have been rescued, according to the coast guard. Around a dozen people are believed to remain unaccounted for. Cayabyab said in a radio interview that the fire had begun in the cargo hold, then tore through the ship within seconds. "From the time that they heard the loud explosion, the appearance of smoke, and then fire. It spread very quickly," she said of survivors' accounts. "Everything happened in seconds," she said, adding that those who made it off the ship had not even had time to put on life jackets. Near the pier where the bodies were to be returned, an emotional Josenit Mayo, 40, told AFP her daughter had been aboard the ferry, returning from the capital Manila for a family visit. Hundreds of people desperate for news about the incident have taken to leaving comments on the Facebook page of a local mayor, searching for relatives, friends and even a dog. The archipelago nation of 116 million has a long history of disasters involving inter-island ferries that ply its seas. In January, a triple-decker ferry carrying more than 340 people sank off the southern Philippines, killing at least 52 people. On Thursday, the company that owns the M/V June Aster, Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc, said it was fully cooperating with the investigation. (AFP) Edited by Tony Sabine
Trump goes back to Washington in Smithsonian tussle US President Donald Trump has asked the Smithsonian Institution to install statues of George Washington in his latest bid to reshape the treasured museum he has faulted over its presentation of American history and values. Trump, who has sought to root out what he called "woke" culture, has accused the Smithsonian – which operates 21 museums and galleries – of trying to rewrite American history on issues of race and gender. A 162-page White House report said that Smithsonian leadership has "consistently denigrated and displaced whites, males, Christians, and Americans in educational materials and programming". Trump called on Friday for the installation of a nine-metre "Colossus statue" of George Washington, a founding father and the first US president, and an exhibition honouring his legacy at the The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington. Trump also said he wanted a three-metre statue of Washington that featured in August's Freedom 250 IndyCar motor race to go on display in the museum's Flag Hall. The president asked for a five-year exhibition continuing through February 22, 2032 – the 300th anniversary of Washington's birth – to honour his "Life and Legacy". "He is easily America's Greatest Hero. Without him, our Country and our Freedoms wouldn't exist," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The Smithsonian was created by the federal government in 1846 but operates in a unique position outside any branch of government. (AFP) Edited by Tony Sabine
Trump praises idea of Irish reunification Donald Trump on Saturday said he would "love to see" a united Ireland, wading into a politically sensitive subject as he embarked on a two-day Irish visit that blurs the lines between his presidency and personal business interests. After meeting Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin, Trump said reunification of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland — split for over a century — would be "a fantastic thing". "The way I look at it, it's going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now," he told reporters, adding though that "the UK will have something to say about it, obviously". The island of Ireland has been split between the Irish Republic in the south and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, since 1921. Under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland that killed about 3,000 people, a referendum can be held if the UK government determines a majority there is likely to favour joining the Republic of Ireland. The people of the Republic of Ireland would also have to vote in favour for reunification to occur. The United States has previously adopted a position of neutrality on the issue. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham insisted last month that a unity referendum was "off the table", drawing a sharp response from the pro-unity party Sinn Fein. Asked about Trump's comments, a spokesperson for his Downing Street office referred reporters to comments Burnham made in parliament Wednesday when he vowed to "stick to the Good Friday Agreement 100 percent". However Gavin Robinson, leader of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party, said on X that "as unionists we are not interested in the destruction of our country by joining with the Irish Republic". The US president had touched down at Dublin airport under a security operation dubbed one of the largest ever mounted in Ireland. At least 4,000 police and other personnel, including snipers, are mobilised for the visit, which will see Trump fly to his luxury resort in Doonbeg on Ireland's west coast to watch the Irish Open golf tournament. He inspected a military guard of honour after being received by left-wing President Catherine Connolly, an outspoken critic of the US leader. "I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted," Connolly said in a post-meeting statement. He then met Martin, when the Iran war and US tariffs on EU pharmaceuticals and immigration were on the agenda. Ireland and the United States have long been close allies, partly because of their common ancestral ties. But the Irish government's politics diverge sharply from those of the Trump administration on many issues, with Ireland being one of Europe's most pro-Palestinian countries. Ireland is among several countries, including Spain, the UK and France, that have announced a trade ban targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. After a brief visit to the US embassy, Trump then flew to his Doonbeg resort — a remote, coastal site in County Clare that the Trump Organisation purchased in 2014. In Dublin, at least 2,000 protesters waving Palestinian flags and holding placards rallied against the visit, chanting "Donald Trump's not welcome here", according to AFP reporters. One sign read "no imperialists in Ireland" while some held explicit inflatable balloons showing Trump in sex acts with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Trump is a warmonger," student Cillian Whelan, 19, told AFP. "He has no right to be in my country. He should be on trial." Trump's attendance at the Irish Open adds an extra layer of complexity to a security effort that is reportedly costing Ireland 20 million euros (HK$182.1 million). Some 40,000 fans are expected at the tournament over the weekend, with six-time major winner and current world number two Rory McIlroy the main draw. The 80-year-old billionaire has promoted his family's golf business since returning to the White House as president in January 2025. Last summer, he welcomed then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen to his plush resort at Turnberry on Scotland's west coast. (AFP) Edited by Tony Sabine
Anthropic boss wants AI firms to slow development Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called on AI companies to moderate the rate at which they advance model capabilities amid mounting fears of misuse of artificial intelligence, outlining a three-step framework intended to pace development and create more time to manage its risks. "We must slow the pace at which we improve the capabilities of AI models. Progress will still seem fast, and we must make wise use of the time we gain," Amodei said in an essay shared on X. His essay comes after Anthropic released a threat intelligence report on Thursday detailing how several actors had used its Claude AI models for activities ranging from weapons development and cyber operations to surveillance and fraud. Alarm about the potential harm from AI grew this week when Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon resigned, stating that the "people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade." Amodei clarified that he was not calling for halting model training or technical progress, but ensuring that companies take adequate time to align and safeguard their models, and for third-party evaluators to confirm these steps. As part of his proposed three-step framework, Amodei said Anthropic would install permanent third-party reviewers inside frontier AI companies, with access to relevant tools and internal risk-assessment processes. Reuters reported last week that a swarm of rogue OpenAI agents hijacked a German website and transformed it into a bulletin board for other AI agents, with the ChatGPT maker's officials keeping the incident under wraps as executives grappled with the fallout from the July breach of the open-source repository Hugging Face. Many incidents where AI agents from developers such as Anthropic's rival OpenAI have hacked or attempted to access external systems have heightened concerns over the increasing capacity of AI models and developers' ability to contain them. Amodei said AI companies should voluntarily work together to set standards as growing numbers of US lawmakers are calling for new rules to govern AI systems. (Reuters) Edited by Tony Sabine
Firefighters upgrade gear and training <img src="https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2026/09/20260911/20260911_155748_312/images/20260911171302068.JPG" /><p><p>A new generation of breathing apparatus has hit the frontlines of Hong Kong’s fire services, marking a significant technological leap designed to withstand the increasingly volatile conditions of modern fire scenes.</p><p> </p><p>Firefighters from stations across the city recently gathered for a live simulation drill, testing equipment with comprehensive upgrades. The new gear aims to boost operational efficiency while providing enhanced safeguards for crews in the line of duty.</p><p> </p><p>Navigation lifeline</p><p>Fire Services Department Assistant Divisional Officer (Breathing Apparatus) Yip Chi-ho highlighted how the gear upgrade directly addresses the most hostile environments faced by frontline crews.</p><p> </p><p>"Thick smoke is a great threat at a fire scene because the carbon monoxide and toxic gases inside can be lethal," Mr Yip said. "That is why firefighters must wear breathing apparatus when entering a fire scene."</p><p> </p><p>The department has introduced an Emergency Breathing Safety System to protect frontline crews when air supplies run dangerously low during rescue operations.</p><p> </p><p>The system features a dedicated hose with a quick-connect fitting, allowing firefighters to share air with a colleague in distress. By simply connecting the two hoses, the system instantly diverts and supplies air to both users simultaneously, facilitating a safer, joint evacuation.</p><p> </p><p>Pressure-proof communication</p><p>The new masks feature an integrated team communication device, a hands-free system designed to provide clear audio, even in the loudest environments.</p><p> </p><p>Senior Fireman Wesley Chiu described how the new design transforms frontline operations compared to older gear. "The team communication device has a built-in microphone and earphone inside the face mask," he said.</p><p> </p><p>"We can speak directly through the inner mask and hear clearly, even with the mask on. There is also a full duplex so that everyone can talk at the same time and still hear each other perfectly, just like face-to-face conversation."</p><p> </p><p>Rapid sanitisation</p><p>Time is the most critical resource on the front lines. The upgraded model features a simplified quick-connect coupling, slashing the time required to change an air cylinder. A procedure that previously took about 1.5 minutes, can now be completed in under 10 seconds.</p><p> </p><p>Beyond operational speed, the department is safeguarding the long-term health of its crews by prioritising hygiene. The new shoulder straps and waist belts are crafted from non-textile materials that do not absorb water or fire contaminants, meaning the gear can be cleaned more easily.</p><p> </p><p>Adaptive training</p><p>The evolution of the service extends beyond the equipment itself. The department has also overhauled its training facilities, moving away from fixed layouts. New operable partition systems allow for rapidly reconfigurable spaces, enabling instructors to simulate a wider variety of environments.</p><p> </p><p>Fireman Leung Hoi-tik noted the importance of this shift.</p><p> </p><p>"The biggest advantage is to create a truly unknown training environment. Previously, the layout was fixed, so we got used to it after repeated drills " he said.</p><p> </p><p>The new facility can simulate residential units, mini-storage facilities, subdivided flats and industrial buildings.</p><p> </p><p>"Closely reflecting real fire scenes, tying in with drills using different equipment and search and rescue modes, it greatly enhances our adaptability and psychological resilience," Mr Leung added.</p><p> </p><p>Following the successful deployment of the operable partition system at Wong Tai Sin Fire Station, a similar training facility has now officially launched at Pok Fu Lam Fire Station. With three further facilities scheduled for completion, the roll-out underscores a commitment to bolstering the capabilities of frontline firefighters across Hong Kong.</p></p>
China, India can learn from each other: Xi President Xi Jinping said India and China should "keep the future of humanity in mind" and work together to advance cooperation within the greater Brics framework. Xi made the comments on Saturday alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the opening day of the Brics summit in New Delhi, his first visit to India in seven years. Xi told Modi that China views ties with India from a strategic long-term perspective. "In the face of a complex international landscape marked by intertwined changes and challenges, China and India, as the world's two most populous countries and important members of the Global South, shoulder significant responsibilities," Xi said. "We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive, mutually beneficial form of economic globalisation, injecting more positive energy into the promotion of world peace, stability, development and prosperity." Xinhua reported that both leaders agreed that China and India should be partners. Ties between the Asian giants have improved in recent years, marked by a resumption of flights, visas and high-level exchanges, including Modi's visit to China last year. Together, the 11-nation Brics bloc accounts for more than 40 percent of the world's population and almost a quarter of the global economy. (Xinhua/Reuters) Edited by Azam Khan
China, India can learn from each other: Xi President Xi Jinping said India and China should "keep the future of humanity in mind" and work together to advance cooperation within the greater Brics framework. Xi made the comments on Saturday alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the opening day of the Brics summit in New Delhi, his first visit to India in seven years. Xi told Modi that China views ties with India from a strategic long-term perspective. "In the face of a complex international landscape marked by intertwined changes and challenges, China and India, as the world's two most populous countries and important members of the Global South, shoulder significant responsibilities," Xi said. "We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive, mutually beneficial form of economic globalisation, injecting more positive energy into the promotion of world peace, stability, development and prosperity." Xinhua reported that both leaders agreed that China and India should be partners. Ties between the Asian giants have improved in recent years, marked by a resumption of flights, visas and high-level exchanges, including Modi's visit to China last year. Together, the 11-nation Brics bloc accounts for more than 40 percent of the world's population and almost a quarter of the global economy. (Xinhua/Reuters) Edited by Azam Khan
