Hong Kong residents flocked to the Ngong Shuen Chau Naval Base for a second day on Thursday to tour two People’s Liberation Army vessels, saying the event gave them a rare chance to see the country’s military up close. The vessels – training ship Qi Jiguang and landing ship Yimengshan – arrived on Tuesday for a port call. A military enthusiast said he was pleased to board the ships. “It feels great. I hope more different naval vessels can visit Hong Kong in the future so the public can see a wider variety,” he said. Cadet Luo Jiayi from Guangdong said the warm response from Hongkongers gave him a strong sense of connection. “It feels like being with family. Over the past two days, every time I spoke Cantonese with visitors they were surprised, and it felt like chatting at a family gathering – a real two-way exchange,” he said. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law said it was her first time stepping onto a PLA warship. “Since the military parade in Beijing last month, we know that our country loves peace, but our military power needs to be strong so others won’t dare to invade us. So this visit to the PLA ship makes me feel the power as a Chinese,” she said. The ships will depart on Friday for exchanges in Cambodia, Thailand and Singapore.

A tourism sector representative says he expects more mainland tourists to arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday as their National Day Golden Week continues. More than 224,000 mainlanders arrived in the SAR when the eight-day mainland holiday began on Wednesday. Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, told an RTHK radio show on Thursday that he believes many visitors are still on their way to the SAR by high-speed rail or plane, as they only finished work the day before National Day. He said that among the 1,200 tour groups that are expected to arrive, half of them will be one-day tours, while the rest are on a multi-destination basis. Chui, who is also the managing director of O'Hotel, said many tourists chose to stay in Hong Kong after the National Day fireworks, despite room rates in Tsim Sha Tsui being up by five to 10 percent. "The room rate for boutique hotels like ours, or luxury hotels, even though it is higher than usual, the difference is not too significant," he said. "The travelling habits of many mainland tourists were: if they could reserve a hotel room after enjoying the fireworks, they would book it, or return to Shenzhen where they would definitely be able to book a hotel room if they failed to do so." Meanwhile, wholesale and retail sector lawmaker Peter Shiu said the long holiday, along with discounts and perks at restaurants and half-price movie tickets as part of the National Day celebrations, boosted business. Queues were seen outside stores selling luxury goods and jewellery, he said. Shiu said at least 226,000 SAR residents left Hong Kong on Wednesday, but the impact on the retail sector was not too significant. "With people leaving Hong Kong, of course sales would decline. But I believe people heading north has become a routine, and the number of people leaving Hong Kong to the Greater Bay Area is even higher over the weekend. As today is not a public holiday, so there should be fewer people leaving the city yesterday," he said. "Also, as the government rolled out many discounts on National Day, it might have reduced the number of people heading north."

Three suspected members of Palestinian militant group Hamas were arrested in Berlin on Wednesday for allegedly planning attacks on Jewish and Israeli sites, German prosecutors said, with weapons and ammunition also seized. The male suspects were "foreign operatives" of Hamas, who have "have been involved in procuring firearms and ammunition for the organisation" in Germany, said federal prosecutors in a statement. But Hamas denied any connection to the three men. According to German prosecutors, an AK-47 assault rifle and several pistols, along with a stash of ammunition, were seized when the suspects were arrested. "The weapons were to be used by Hamas for deadly attacks targeting Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany," added the statement. According to news outlet Der Spiegel, searches were also carried out in the eastern city of Leipzig around the same time as the arrests in Berlin. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt hailed law enforcement officials for "averting a terrorist threat." A suspect with Hamas connections had entered Germany several months ago and had been under observation since, Dobrindt told reporters in Brussels. "We are clearly a target for terrorists, which is why we must always be well prepared to defend ourselves against them," he added. But in a statement, Hamas said it has "no connection with the individuals arrested today in Germany," adding the allegations that the detainees had links to the Islamist group were "completely unfounded." The suspects will appear in court on Thursday. (AFP)

With just over a month to go before the 15th National Games begin, the police said they would ensure that all events are carried out in a safe, orderly and secure manner. Ensuring a smooth Games is among the police commissioner's top operational priorities for the year. Hong Kong will co-host the Games, which begin on November 9, for the first time along with Guangdong and Macau. Since November last year, the force has been carrying out cross-departmental exercises at all competition venues, as well as test events, to step up the city's coordination and emergency response procedures. Senior superintendent Lok Wai-lurk, from the operations wing for the National Games, said police would continue to assess the situation and deploy resources accordingly, even though the SAR's terrorist threat level currently stands at moderate. "This means that there is a possibility of an attack, but there is no specific intelligence suggesting that Hong Kong will likely become a target," he said. "But I reiterated that we will continuously assess the situation and intelligence, and carry out appropriate operational deployment. We already have relevant response plans in place." As for possible bogus bomb threats during the Games, senior superintendent of operations, Yip Kit-fai, said the force is confident that they can handle such cases. It comes after two bomb hoaxes were reported at Kai Tak Sports Park in April and May, respectively. "During large-scale events, we will carry out a search at the event venues before the start of competitions to ensure safety. During the competitions, we will also search spectators when they enter the venue," he said. "As for how to handle such cases, we have already carried out a lot of table top exercises. The aim is to cover various emergencies, such as bogus bomb threats. We already have an established mechanism with venue operators and security guards on how to handle such incidents." Lok noted the weekend of November 15 -16 would be the busiest for the National Games in Hong Kong, as golf, men's U22 basketball, track cycling, fencing, triathlon and cross-boundary athletics (marathon) would be held during that period. He said the force would work with the National Games co-ordination office and other government departments on crowd and traffic management, and reduce the time needed for road closures for cross-boundary events, so as to minimise disruptions to the public.

Hong Kong residents turned up in droves on Wednesday for a close look at two People’s Liberation Army naval vessels docked in the city as part of National Day celebrations, with many saying the ships showed China’s growing strength and military power. The vessels – training ship Qi Jiguang and dock landing ship Yimengshan – arrived on Tuesday for a port call and are berthed at the Ngong Shuen Chau Naval Base on Stonecutters Island. They are open to the public until Thursday and will depart on Friday. Many residents queued early in the morning to ensure they could get on board. One woman said she arrived around 7am because she was so eager to see the ships and their weapons. A young boy said he was most excited over the opportunity to see “how big” the vessels are. Visitors took photos with navy service personnel, toured weapon systems and collected commemorative stamps in special booklets. Navy personnel were roundly applauded for staging a musical performance on the pier. Navy cadets explained the ships’ weapon systems as well as daily life aboard the vessels to visitors. One cadet, Jing Haifeng, said: “Hong Kong visitors asked us whether being in the military is tough, and how we feel about coming to Hong Kong. "We feel that residents here really care about us, and this exchange brings us closer together.” As for the visitors, some said they were glad for the opportunity to see the country's military capabilities during the National Day, calling them a symbol of the nation's prosperity and strength.

A hotel representative said more mainland families are spending the National Day Golden Week holiday in Hong Kong this year as it overlaps with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Alan Chan, chief operations officer at Miramar Group, told RTHK the company's hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai are more than 90 percent full and that room rates have gone up by 9 to 11 percent from a year ago. He said spectacles like the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance are a proven attraction for tourists. "Because the National Day Golden Week holiday this year is quite long, and it overlaps with Mid-Autumn Festival, the festive atmosphere is strong," he said. "When it comes to travelling, Hong Kong's festive atmosphere is better than foreign places." As for the High Island Reservoir East Dam, New Territories South East constituency lawmaker Stanley Li said the popular tourist attraction could be inundated with taxis, even though the Transport Department has arranged for the number of minibuses heading to the scenic area to be stepped up during the Golden Week holiday. The stepped-up service will see at least 30 minibuses, along with standby vehicles and drivers, operate over the eight-day mainland break, instead of the four that usually ply the route during weekends and other public holidays. However, Li said: "Tourists, especially those from the mainland, may head to East Dam directly by taxi once they pass through border checkpoints. So you have people heading there from different places, and you don't know [how they get there]. So it is difficult to tell. "Also, the passenger volume of a taxi is low. A minibus has more than a dozen seats, while a taxi only has a few. So I'm a bit worried, and I expect there could be hundreds of taxis causing congestion there." But Li believes the number of taxis is sufficient to handle the expected surge in tourists, as not all minibuses were used up when the same arrangement was put in place during the Labour Day Golden Week. More than 1.5 million visitors and about 1,200 tourist groups are expected to head to Hong Kong between October 1 and 8.

Chief Executive John Lee said on Wednesday Hong Kong will actively develop in line with the country’s strategies while leveraging the city’s unique advantages. Speaking at a National Day reception, Lee praised China’s achievements, saying the nation has made an extraordinary journey to prosperity and strength and is now firmly established as the world’s second-largest economy by achieving a remarkable rate of progress that is admired globally. Lee outlined three main priorities for Hong Kong as it supports the nation’s development goals. First, he stressed the importance of safeguarding national security while co-ordinating security and development. "Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the highest principle of One Country, Two Systems," Lee said. "The government is committed to continuously enhancing the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security to ensure security and promote development, striving for a vibrant economy, pursuing development and advancing infrastructure construction." He added the government seeks to ensure the upcoming Legco election will be successfully held. "We will devote all efforts in preparing for the upcoming general election for the eighth-term Legislative Council on December 7 this year, ensuring that the election is conducted in a fair, just, honest, safe and orderly manner." Second, Lee stressed the need to facilitate economic growth and improve people's livelihoods. He said stronger economic development would boost demand, increase government revenue and allow more investment in infrastructure and public services, ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared across society. Third, Lee said the government would press ahead with implementing measures set out in his Policy Address last month and deepen reforms. "I attach great importance to swiftly resolving livelihood issues, as well as setting out long-term planning and systematic layout," he said. The CE said government policies have helped to boost Hong Kong’s international ratings, its competitiveness as a financial centre, its ability to attract talent, and its standing as one of the world’s safest cities – showing that the administration is moving in the right direction. Before the reception, a flag-raising ceremony was held at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Those in attendance included Lee and his wife, senior government officials, Executive Council members, as well as Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference vice chairman and former chief executive CY Leung and two other former CEs Donald Tsang and Carrie Lam. Flag-raising ceremonies were also held at the Office of the Commissioner for China's Foreign Ministry and Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the military should use US cities as training grounds for a "war from within," in a speech to a rare meeting of top officers. Republican Trump told hundreds of generals and admirals summoned from around the world to be ready for a greater role in crackdowns on Democrat-run cities, including Chicago. The assembled top brass were separately warned by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth of a different challenge, as he vowed to eliminate "fat generals" and to roll back what he called "decades of decay." "I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military," Trump said in front of a huge American flag at a military facility in Quantico, Virginia. Trump added that "we're going to straighten them out one by one, and this is going to be a major part for some of the people in this room. That's a war too – it's a war from within." Trump began his speech by railing against so-called "woke" practices in the US military, saying that under his administration, it was now "reawakening the warrior spirit." His hour-long address then took on an even more overtly political tone, in a break with previous presidents who have tended to avoid domestic politics when addressing troops. Former Fox News host-turned Defence Secretary Hegseth summoned the meeting last week before Trump then announced that he would also speak. Speculation had swirled about the purpose of gathering the whole US top brass in one place, with talk of a major military announcement. But in the end it was largely a doubling down on restoring what Iraq war veteran Hegseth called the "military ethos." Striding the stage, Hegseth told all ranks they must now take a physical fitness test twice a year. "It's completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon," he said. Hegseth also insisted on "grooming standards" including short hair and shaving, adding: "If you want a beard you can join special forces. If not, then shave. We don't have a military full of Nordic pagans." He also declared an end to "ideological garbage," citing concerns over climate change, bullying, "toxic" leaders and promotions based on race or gender as examples. The speeches by Trump and Hegseth came as the US military faces controversy both at home and abroad, with Trump deploying troops in Los Angeles and Washington, and shortly in Portland, Oregon and Memphis, Tennessee. (AFP)

Rescuers ran oxygen and water to students trapped in the unstable concrete rubble of a collapsed school building in Indonesia, as they desperately worked to free survivors on Tuesday, a day after the structure fell. At least three students were killed, more than 100 were injured and dozens were presumed buried in the rubble. Rescue workers, police and soldiers digging through the night pulled out eight weak and injured survivors more than eight hours after the collapse at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in the East Java town of Sidoarjo. Rescuers saw additional bodies, indicating the death toll was likely to rise. Rescue efforts were temporarily suspended at 10.15am as the collapsed concrete shook suddenly. People immediately ran for their lives, fearing another collapse, as rescuers urged everyone in the area to avoid the building, including more than a dozens of ambulances that parked near the scene. The work resumed around 1.45pm. The students are mostly boys in grades seven to 11, between ages 12 and 18. Families anxiously awaited news at hospitals or near the collapsed building. A notice posted at the school complex on Tuesday morning listed 65 students as missing. National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Abdul Muhari revised the number of people presumed buried in the rubble to 38 by midday. “Oh my God... my son is still buried, oh my God please help!” a mother cried hysterically upon seeing her child’s name on the board, followed by the cries of other parents whose relatives had suffered a similar fate. “Please, sir, please find my child immediately,” cried a father, holding the hand of one of the rescue team members. Heavy slabs of concrete and other rubble and unstable parts of the building hampered search and rescue efforts, said Nanang Sigit, a search and rescue officer leading the effort. Heavy equipment was available but not being used due to concerns that it could cause further collapse. “We have been running oxygen and water to those still trapped under the debris and keeping them alive while we work hard to get them out,” Sigit said. He added that rescuers saw several bodies under the rubble but were focused on saving those who were still alive. Several hundred rescuers were involved in the effort and had equipment for breathing, extrication, medical evacuation and other support tools. Islamic boarding schools are commonly called as “pesantren” in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, and its students are called “santri." Unlike students in public schools, the santri board in dormitories, because apart from studying formal education, they also study Islamic religious knowledge intensively, and they return home only during school holidays. Government data showed more than 42,400 pesantren listed in 2024 in Indonesia with 3,4 million santris and 370,000 Islamic teachers and preachers. More than 2,000 santris study at al Khoziny, ranging from junior high school level to college. The students had been performing afternoon prayers in a building that was undergoing an unauthorized expansion when it suddenly collapsed on top of them, provincial police spokesperson Jules Abraham Abast said. Residents, teachers and administrators assisted injured students, many with head injuries and broken bones. Female students were praying in another part of the building and managed to escape, survivors said. One male student, a 13-year-old boy, was found dead on Monday and 102 students and teachers were injured and taken to hospitals, some of them in critical condition, Muhari said. By Tuesday, 75 students and two teachers were still hospitalized, he said. On Tuesday, two male students died from their injuries while being treated in Notopuro General Hospital, the hospital director Atok Irawan said. The two were among 11 students who initially were pulled out alive from the rubble by rescuers, he said. (AFP)

Chief Executive John Lee stressed on Tuesday that the government's efforts to reduce waste and encourage recycling will not stop even though the waste-charging scheme has been shelved. The administration has announced that it will not implement the scheme for the remainder of its current term, which ends in June 2027. Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said the implementation of any policy requires comprehensive consideration, such as the degree of social acceptance of an issue. He said society had not reached a consensus over the charging scheme. "Our resolve to promote waste reduction and recycling measures remains unchanged," Lee said. "Our goal remains unchanged, to achieve zero landfill by 2035. "Waste charging is one of the tools to promote waste reduction and recycling, but it requires social consensus. "We have carefully studied surveys and listened to the views of citizens, trades and industry. We understand a consensus has not been reached." Lee said the public had become more aware of the need to reduce waste as the amount of rubbish being sent to landfills dropped by 5 percent in the first half of this year. Average daily disposals of solid waste decreased by 7.5 percent from 2021 to 2024 while per capita disposal fell by about 8 percent, he added. Recycling volume also increased by one third during the five-year period ending 2024, Lee said, attributing the improvement to the government's multi-pronged efforts. Looking ahead, Lee said the administration would continue to promote waste reduction and recycling through various ways, such as strengthening education, as well as exploring and promoting practical and feasible environmental protection measures with industry.

Diplomatic missions in Hong Kong should perform their duties appropriately and refrain from interfering in China’s internal affairs or engaging in "destructive activities", the chief executive said. That came when John Lee was asked, during a regular press briefing ahead of his weekly Executive Council meeting, about a reception hosted by US consul general Julie Eadah, who assumed office last month, that was attended by some opposition figures. "Consuls have the responsibility to abide by relevant international conventions and established diplomatic practices," Lee said. "They should perform their duties in Hong Kong in a manner befitting their diplomatic status and refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs – and Hong Kong's affairs – under any pretext or in any form. "They should respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong. I hope all consuls in Hong Kong will engage in constructive activities, not destructive activities." Eadeh paid Beijing’s top diplomat in the SAR, Cui Jianchun, a courtesy call last week. Cui urged Eadeh to "play a constructive role in promoting China-US relations, Hong Kong-US relations and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability", according to a statement by the Commissioner's Office of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong. "Ms Julie Eadeh said that she would lead the US consulate general to advance positive agendas and promote exchanges and cooperation between the US and Hong Kong," the statement added. On a separate note, Lee vowed to pursue “for life” all absconders who fled the city, after he was asked whether SAR authorities had sought to extradite Nathan Law during his recent trip to Singapore. Authorities in Singapore had denied entry to Nathan Law on Saturday, and he returned to San Francisco the next day. Local newspaper Lianhe Zaobao quoted the Ministry of Home Affairs as saying that granting Law entry was "against the interests of Singapore". "Nathan Law allegedly committed offences endangering national security. The court has issued a warrant for his arrest. He is a fugitive under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The SAR government will pursue his legal liabilities for life," Lee said. "No country should harbour criminals. Endangering national security is a serious offence and the SAR government will abide by the law and enforce it strictly, while offenders will be held accountable. "We will use all possible means to pursue criminals for life, and will not let any fugitives go unpunished."

Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said the government will seriously consider bringing in a specific law to ban "storm chasing". This comes after several people were arrested last week on suspicion of child neglect for allegedly taking children to coastlines to watch the waves as Super Typhoon Ragasa hit Hong Kong. Speaking to reporters ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee described storm chasing as “irresponsible” behaviour that poses unnecessary risks to those taking part, as well as to rescue workers in the case of an accident. “The police have held people responsible for chasing winds and waves during the typhoon, arresting four individuals... This demonstrates that the government holds people accountable for acts of irresponsibility that endanger lives,” he said. “I understand that there is public support for legal measures against storm chasers. The government will conduct a comprehensive review, and the Security Bureau will carry out a study.” The CE also said that the government and community worked closely together to minimise the damage caused by Ragasa, allowing normality to be restored the day after the typhoon departed. Lee added that he has asked the steering committee on handling extreme weather to conduct a comprehensive review of their experience, to see what aspects of prevention and response can be further improved.

President Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state attended a ceremony on Tuesday morning at Tiananmen Square in central Beijing to present flower baskets to fallen national heroes. The event was held to mark Martyrs' Day, a day ahead of the National Day in China. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The other leaders included Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng. They were joined by representatives from all walks of life at the ceremony. At 10am, all attendees sang the national anthem, followed by a moment of silence in tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Chinese people and the development of the People's Republic of China. Nine large flower baskets were placed in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes. Xi and other leaders walked up to the foot of the monument, where he straightened the ribbons on the baskets. Then, they walked around the monument to pay their tributes. The baskets, with ribbons reading "Eternal Glory to the People's Heroes," were presented in the name of the CPC Central Committee; the National People's Congress Standing Committee; the State Council; the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; the Central Military Commission; non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and patriots without party affiliations; people's organisations and people from all walks of life; veterans, retired senior officials and the relatives of martyrs; and Chinese Young Pioneers. The ceremony was presided over by Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee. (Xinhua) _____________________________ Last updated: 2025-09-30 HKT 13:16

Chief Executive John Lee says he has instructed government departments to make comprehensive preparations for an expected tourism surge during the upcoming National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays. More than 1.5 million visitors and about 1,200 tourist groups are expected during the mainland's eight-day Golden Week holiday from October 1. The CE said the chief secretary has chaired an interdepartmental meeting to coordinate festival arrangements and guide cross-agency efforts. "This includes increasing staff at border checkpoints, setting up additional counters and improving the flow of people and vehicles. During Golden Week, the Security Bureau's Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre and an interdepartmental joint command centre will be activated to closely monitor the situation," Lee said. "Transportation arrangements will also be strengthened, including an increased frequency of cross-boundary shuttle buses. MTR services will be adjusted based on actual demand." The police will deploy additional manpower to enhance crowd management at major tourist hotspots and large-scale events, including the National Day fireworks display, Lee said. The Travel Industry Authority will conduct inspections at attractions and shops to ensure tourists receive proper treatment, the CE added. To improve the tourist experience, efforts will be made to combat bad business practices and illegal activities, such as taxis overcharging or refusing to pick up passengers. The chief executive noted that tourists can also check waiting times for major attractions - including the Peak Tram, Ocean Park and Disneyland - through a one-stop portal.

US President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponents appeared to make little progress at a White House meeting aimed at heading off a government shutdown that could disrupt a wide range of services as soon as Wednesday. Both sides emerged from the meeting saying the other would be at fault if Congress fails to extend government funding beyond a Tuesday midnight deadline. "I think we're headed to a shutdown," Vice President JD Vance said. Democrats say any agreement to extend that deadline must also preserve expiring health benefits, while Trump's Republicans insist health and government funding must be dealt with as separate issues. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the two sides "have very large differences." If Congress does not act, thousands of federal government workers could be furloughed, from Nasa to the national parks, and a wide range of services would be disrupted. Federal courts might have to close and grants for small businesses could be delayed. Trump is threatening to extend his purge of the federal workforce if Congress allows the government to shut down. Only a handful of agencies have so far published plans detailing how they would proceed in the event of a shutdown. At issue is US$1.7 trillion in "discretionary" spending that funds agency operations, which amounts to roughly one-quarter of the government's total US$7 trillion budget. Much of the remainder goes to health and retirement programs and interest payments on the growing US$37.5 trillion debt. Prior to the White House meeting, Democrats floated a plan that would extend current funding for seven to 10 days, according to Democratic sources, which could buy time to hammer out a more permanent agreement. That is shorter than the timeline backed by Republicans, which would extend funding to November 21. After returning to the Capitol, Schumer told reporters he would not accept a shorter funding bill. Senate Republican Leader John Thune sought to pile pressure on Democrats by scheduling a Tuesday vote on the Republican bill, which has already failed once in the Senate. Healthcare is a key issue. Roughly 24 million Americans who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act will see their costs rise if Congress does not extend temporary tax breaks due to expire at the end of this year. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Congress needs to make those tax breaks permanent now because higher health insurance premiums are being finalized and the new signup period starts November 1. "We believe that simply accepting the Republican plan to continue to assault and gut healthcare is unacceptable," Jeffries said at a Monday press conference. Republicans say they are willing to consider the issue, but not as part of a temporary spending patch. "They had some ideas that I actually thought were reasonable, and they had some ideas that the president thought was reasonable. What's not reasonable is to hold those ideas as leverage and to shut down the government," Vance said. (Reuters)

A North Korean minister said on Monday in a rare address to the UN that Pyongyang would never surrender its nuclear weapons, but left open the door to diplomacy. Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Kim Son Gyong made the trip to New York to attend the United Nation's annual high-level week – a role previously performed at a lower level by the country's ambassador. "(The) imposition of 'Denuclearisation' on the DPRK is tantamount to demanding it to surrender sovereignty and right to existence and violate the Constitution," said Kim. "We will never give up nuclear which is our state law, national policy and sovereign power as well as the right to existence. Under any circumstances, we will never walk away from this position." North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said last week that he was open to talks with the United States, provided that he can keep his nuclear arsenal, according to a report by the official Korean Central News Agency. North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 is under rafts of UN sanctions for its banned weapons programmes. The country is believed to operate multiple uranium enrichment facilities, South Korea's spy agency has said, including one at its Yongbyon nuclear site, which Pyongyang purportedly decommissioned after talks – although it later reactivated the facility in 2021. South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung vowed last week at the United Nations to work to end the "vicious cycle" of tensions with the North as he promised not to seek regime change. "The DPRK will, as in the past, so in the future, collaborate with all countries and nations that oppose and reject aggression, intervention, domination and subjugation and aspire after independence and justice, irrespective of differences in ideas and systems," said Kim Son Gyong, without specifically referring to any country. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump secured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's backing for a wide-ranging Gaza peace plan on Monday, as the two leaders warned that Israel would "finish the job" against Hamas if the Palestinian militant group rejects the deal. Hamas had yet to give its judgment on the proposal that Trump unveiled at the White House alongside Netanyahu, leaving uncertainty swirling around the fate of the 20-point plan to end the war. The plan calls for a ceasefire, release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, disarmament of Hamas and gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, followed by a post-war transitional authority headed by Trump himself. "I support your plan to end the war in Gaza which achieves our war aims," Netanyahu said in a joint press conference with the US president. "If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr President, or if they supposedly accept it and then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself." Trump said that Israel would have his "full backing" to do so if Hamas did not accept the deal. But he insisted peace in the Middle East was "beyond very close" and described the announcement of the plan as a "potentially one of the great days ever in civilisation." In a sign of the uncertainty, however, the normally talkative Trump said the two leaders would not take questions from reporters as talks with key parties were ongoing. Trump's plan sparked mixed reactions in a region scarred by nearly two years of devastating war. A senior Hamas official told AFP that the group would "respond once we receive it." Qatari and Egyptian mediators later shared Trump's proposal with Hamas, another official briefed on the talks said. Eight Arab or Muslim-majority nations in a joint statement said they "welcome the role of the American president and his sincere efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza." They said they "affirm their readiness to engage positively and constructively with the United States and the parties toward finalising the agreement and ensuring its implementation." The countries include Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey – which all recognise Israel, although some have turbulent relationships. Also signing the statement were Qatar, which has played a key mediatory role, and Saudi Arabia, whose future normalisation with Israel is a key goal for Trump and Netanyahu. Indonesia and Pakistan, the world's two most populous Muslim-majority countries, also joined the statement. The Palestinian Authority, which is based in the West Bank but would be set for a role in a post-war Gaza government, also welcomed Trump's "sincere and determined efforts." But the deal is full of pitfalls for both Hamas and Israel, while the details could be battled over for weeks or months. For Hamas, it demands the militants fully disarm and be excluded from future roles in the government, although those who agree to "peaceful co-existence" would be granted amnesty. But Netanyahu could also face trouble selling the deal to far-right members of his cabinet. Netanyahu stressed to reporters that Israeli forces would retain responsibility for Gaza security "for the foreseeable future" and cast doubt on the Palestinian Authority's role. Trump's plan, meanwhile, leaves hope for Palestinian statehood – something he said Netanyahu had strongly objected to during the meeting. While Trump hailed Netanyahu as a "warrior," he has shown increasing signs of frustration ahead of the Israeli premier's fourth White House visit this year. Trump was infuriated by Israel's recent strike on Hamas members in key US ally Qatar and he warned Netanyahu last week against annexing the Israeli-occupied West Bank. During their meeting, Trump arranged for Netanyahu to call Qatar's prime minister from the Oval Office to express "deep regret" for the strike and promise not to do so again, the White House said. Other key points in Trump's plan include deployment of a "temporary international stabilisation force" – and the creation of the transitional authority headed by him and including former British premier Tony Blair. Blair, still a controversial figure in much of the Middle East for his role in the 2003 Iraq war, hailed the "bold and intelligent" plan. (AFP)