Hong Kong issued its highest storm alert on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha swept through the territory with winds exceeding 167 km/h (103 mph), bringing torrential rain and strong gusts that led to the cancellation of over 200 flights. The city’s weather observatory raised the storm signal to No. 10 at 9:20 a.m. (0120 GMT) and warned that the alert would likely remain in place “for some time.” Wipha will skirt around 50 km to the south of the observatory, the warning showed. Hurricane-force wind is affecting the southern part of Hong Kong, the...

Pakistan’s two major commercial hubs, Karachi and Lahore, came to a near standstill on Saturday as traders launched a strike against what they termed as oppressive and anti-business tax measures introduced in the Finance Act 2025-26. Organised by the Karachi and Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the strike marked one of the most extensive business community protests in recent years. In Karachi, nearly 90 per cent of commercial activity remained suspended, including wholesale markets, retail shops, industries, and fruit and vegetable markets. KCCI President Jawed Bilwani said that this was the first...

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