DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Rugby World Cup: After triumphing with the All Blacks, Malakai Fekitoa has found a ‘new purpose’ with Tonga
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Long before he had the chance to travel to New Zealand, Fekitoa set his sights on competing for the All Blacks – undoubtedly the most famous rugby team on the planet. “It was always a dream of mine to play for New Zealand, even though I was born and raised in Tonga,” Fekitoa tells CNN Sport. Fekitoa tries to force his way through a tackle during a Rugby Championship match between New Zealand and Argentina in 2014. The change has proved particularly beneficial for Tonga, which, as well as Fekitoa, has named former All Blacks Vaea Fifita, George Moala and Charles Piutau in its squad for the ongoing Rugby World Cup in France. After the rule change, he thinks more All Blacks players will follow his lead by swapping allegiances.

Persons: Fekitoa, ” Fekitoa, Jonah Lomu, Cameron Spencer, –, haven’t, Fifita, George Moala, Charles Piutau, Leon Lord, Adam Coleman, Israel Folau, “, ”, “ I’m, I’ve, Richard Heathcote, It’s, James Crombie, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, All Blacks, New Zealand, CNN Sport, Tonga, Wellington Sevens, Wesley College, Rugby, Blacks, Fiji, Getty, Australia, Ireland, Wasps, Gloucester, Tonga –, Rugby Championship, Nations, United Rugby, Munster, Romania, Tonga’s, Tongan, Kiwi, New Locations: Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Auckland, Argentina, Europe, Monaco, France, AFP, New, England, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Scotland, Samoa

☆ Wanted: Female Athletes. Multiple Vacancies.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Rory Smith | More About Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Brooke Walker spent that first night watching as much Australian rules football as she could. She did the same the next night, and the night after that. Walker had not grown up playing what is, depending on whom you ask, Australia’s most popular sport. As a child, she had played touch, the minimal-contact version, and rugby league. “Even when I was 14 or 15, I wouldn’t ever have seen it,” she said.

Persons: Brooke Walker, Walker, ”, “, — Organizations: league, Australian Football, — Carlton Locations: New Zealand, Australia, Melbourne

☆ Versions of Hong Kong protest anthem no longer available on iTunes and Spotify
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, June 14 (Reuters) - Various versions of the pro-democracy protest anthem "Glory to Hong Kong" were unavailable on Apple’s iTunes Store, Spotify, Facebook and Instagram’s Reels on Wednesday after the government sought an injunction banning the song outright. “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has a duty and obligation to safeguard national security, and we should do it proactively and also preventively,” Lee said. "Glory to Hong Kong", including its various versions, dominated the top ten in Apple’s Hong Kong iTunes Store chart as people rushed to buy the song after the government announced its bid to ban it. "Glory to Hong Kong" has been played mistakenly instead of the Chinese national anthem "March of the Volunteers". Hong Kong's security chief said in December Google had refused to change its search results to display China's national anthem instead of "Glory to Hong Kong" when users searched for Hong Kong's national anthem, expressing "great regret" at the decision.

Persons: Hong, ThomasDGX, John Lee, ” Lee, Sarah Brooks, Hong Kong, HongKongers ”, Jessie Pang, Josh Ye, Nick Macfie Organizations: iTunes, Spotify, Facebook, Reuters, Rugby Sevens, “ Hong, Amnesty, High Court, Hong Kong iTunes, Apple, Google, Volunteers, Asia Rugby Association, Hong, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, “, “ Hong Kong, Hong, British

☆ Masks off, beer poured at Hong Kong Rugby Sevens after COVID restrictions dropped
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The general view of Hong Kong Stadium during the first day of the Hong Kong Sevens tournament in Hong Kong, China November 4, 2022. The Hong Kong leg of British music festival Creamfields is also taking place on April 1-2. The Chinese special administrative region has hosted financial summits in the past two weeks as well as Art Basel Hong Kong, one of Asia's leading contemporary art fairs. Scores of events were cancelled, postponed or taken to other Asian cities such as Singapore, Bangkok and Seoul because of Hong Kong's rigid coronavirus rules. "Over 20% of tickets purchased in the public sale are coming from overseas audiences, signalling Hong Kong’s return is in full swing."

☆ Hong Kong government announces measures to lure wealthy family offices
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, March 24 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's government announced a series of measures on Friday to attract wealthy family offices to set up in the financial hub as authorities try to restore business confidence and investor allure after three years of severe COVID-19 rules. "The policy statement demonstrates our determination to develop Hong Kong into a leading global family office hub," Paul Chan, the city's financial secretary said. Chan said this would help bolster Hong Kong's financial sector as well as areas including technology, green, arts and culture and philanthropy. City leader John Lee said last year that he had set a target of attracting 200 large family offices to set up in Hong Kong by 2025. Hong Kong's push to attract wealthy families comes as many wealthy individuals and companies shifted to rival financial hubs such as Singapore after Beijing's imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020.

☆ Crowds swarm Art Basel Hong Kong as galleries report sales bonanza
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] An installation titled "Calligraphic Wig" by Daniel Knorr is displayed at Art Basel in Hong Kong, China, March 23, 2023. Art Basel Hong Kong is one of the first big events the city has held since dropping its COVID-19 mask mandate this month. City authorities are welcoming the art fair as they try to reinvigorate the economy and promote Hong Kong as a vibrant cultural hub. Teresa Choi, a visitor from Macau, said Hong Kong was much busier than during COVID times. "Hong Kong has always been the international financial hub for Asia ... Travellers are regaining their confidence about Hong Kong and the economy and want to come."

☆ Black Ferns secure Olympic berth with fourth world series title
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Black Ferns, who won in Tokyo in 2021 by beating France in the final, added to their success in the world series following their triumphs in Sydney, Hamilton and Cape Town. They extended their lead at the top spot of the standings with two tournaments remaining - in Hong Kong and Toulouse. "Our goal from the beginning of this season was to qualify for Paris 2024. While we have now qualified for the Olympics, our season hasn't finished yet," said Black Ferns captain Sarah Hirini after Sunday's win over their trans-Tansman rivals. The Olympic Games will be held in Paris next year from July 26 to Aug. 11.

☆ Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 flights this year—here’s what to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you're looking for a fun trip and a free flight, it might be time to turn your eye to Hong Kong. On Thursday, the city's leader John Lee announced Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 plane tickets this year to encourage tourism. In 2020, the Airport Authority spent $2 billion to buy tickets from airlines, including HK Express, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Hong Kong Airlines. Hong Kong will also give away 80,000 flights to city residents this summer, and another to 80,000 residents of the Greater Bay Area in the U.S., Lam said. The city's "Hello Hong Kong" campaign will include events like the Rugby Sevens tournament and a city marathon.

Hong Kong CNN —The Hong Kong government on Monday demanded an investigation after a song associated with the city’s pro-democracy movement was played instead of the Chinese national anthem before a rugby sevens match between Hong Kong and South Korea. The song, an unofficial anthem of the city’s 2019 pro-democracy protests, includes lyrics that a Hong Kong court has previously ruled could incite secession – a national security offense. “Korea Rugby Union will take all measures to prevent a repeat of such an occurrence in future matches,” the organization said, adding that its “Hong Kong” folder has now been erased. In a statement, the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) said it “expressed its extreme dissatisfaction” over the incident to the organizers. Hong Kong, a former British colony handed over to Beijing’s rule in 1997, sends its own representative teams separate from mainland China to a wide range of sporting events, including the Olympics.

HONG KONG — After mass unrest in 2019, a pandemic that left it isolated from the world and the imposition of a national security law that has crushed dissent, Hong Kong is ready to turn the page. According to government statistics, about 319,000 people arrived in Hong Kong last month, down 97% from 10.8 million in October 2019. According to one report last month, Hong Kong has lost its status as Asia’s top financial center to Singapore. While it may not be realistic to expect businesses to turn away from China’s huge market, global business leaders “need to recognize that there’s a new situation in Hong Kong, there’s a new reality,” said Brian Kern, the lead researcher for a report on doing business in Hong Kong that was published last month by the Hong Kong Democracy Council, a nonprofit group based in Washington. Lee also pointed to a report in September in which Hong Kong topped Singapore as the world’s freest economy.

☆ Hong Kong Rugby Sevens is back. Rugby union says demand is high despite Covid measures
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament kicks off Friday for the first time since Covid-19 hit. While the city's pandemic regulations remain strict, Chris Brooke, chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, claimed demand to attend the event remains high. Brooke said about 26,500 tickets have been sold and a majority of attendees are likely to be Hong Kong residents. In 2019, overseas visitors accounted for half of attendees and the tournament contributed approximately 400 million Hong Kong dollars ($50 million) to the city's economy, according to Reuters. Instead of the usual 24 teams, only 16 teams will be competing at the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens this year.

☆ Demand to attend Hong Kong Rugby Sevens is high despite Covid rules: Hong Kong Rugby Union
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDemand to attend Hong Kong Rugby Sevens is high despite Covid rules: Hong Kong Rugby UnionChris Brooke, chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, says about 26,500 tickets have been sold and a majority of attendees are likely to be Hong Kong residents.

☆ Dennis Ombachi: How the Kenyan rugby player learned to live with bipolar
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But it was Ombachi’s mental health that would take a bigger hit than his broken leg. With the Sevens circuit canceled and the Kenya Rugby Union terminating his contract, Ombachi suddenly was once again stuck indoors and without an income. That is one of the chief reasons he is so open with his mental health struggles. Plenty of athletes and social media figures have used their platform to speak out about mental health and partner with organizations and charities to spread awareness. Ombachi supports that work, but he also sees an important role for those with public profiles to simply embrace their struggles with mental health.

☆ Hong Kong finance chief stuck in Saudi Arabia after catching COVID
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan tested positive for COVID-19 during a visit to Saudi Arabia and will stay there for a "short while" to observe health requirements, the city's government said on Thursday. Chan had been due to complete his visit to Saudi Arabia and return to Hong Kong on Thursday but had tested positive before setting off for home. Hong Kong has scrapped mandatory hotel quarantine but international arrivals still can not enter some places, like bars and restaurants, on the first three days of their visit. Participants in the banking event from abroad will be have to take a COVID test before beginning their journey to Hong Kong, upon arrival and throughout the three-day medical surveillance period, the HKMA said. Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Monae said she uses both she/her and they/them pronouns. Jerrod CarmichaelJerrod Carmichael accepts Outstanding Writing for "Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel" at the 74th Primetime Emmys in Los Angeles, on Sept. 12, 2022. Charlee CorraCharlee Corra speaks at Human Rights Campaign dinner on March 12, 2022 in Los Angeles. Ellia GreenEllia Green, right, with his partner Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts and their daughter in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 15, 2022. Blair came out publicly this year after serving as a consultant for Amazon Prime’s very queer TV reboot of the decades-old film.

☆ Wall Street titans to join Nov 2 summit in Hong Kong as COVID rules relaxed
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Scott Murdoch | Donny Kwok | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG (Reuters) -The heads of some of the world’s top banks and asset managers will attend an investment summit in Hong Kong on Nov. 2, the city’s financial regulator said on Thursday, signalling a re-opening of the financial hub after strict pandemic-linked curbs. Goldman Sachs Group Inc CEO David Solomon, Citigroup Inc head Jane Fraser, Morgan Stanley boss James Gorman and BlackRock Inc President Rob Kapito will be among the speakers at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said. Hong Kong’s unrelenting COVID curbs have battered its economy and standing as a financial centre. Some banks had warned top bosses would not attend if any restrictions remained in place. HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue said on Thursday the final guidelines for those attending the summit were still being finalised.

☆ Hong Kong will scrap COVID hotel quarantine from Sept. 26
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Travellers queue up for shuttle bus to quarantine hotels at the Hong Kong International Airport, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Hong Kong, China, August 1, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone SiuHONG KONG, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Hong Kong will scrap its controversial COVID-19 hotel quarantine policy for all arrivals from Sept. 26, more than 2.5 years after it was first implemented, in a long-awaited move for many residents and businesses in the financial hub. The former British colony is a global outlier outside mainland China in imposing hotel quarantine for international arrivals, in line with the country's "dynamic zero" COVID strategy. Both events have been widely seen as a bid to show that Hong Kong can resume business as usual. Hong Kong has reported more than 1.7 million COVID infections and 9,934 deaths since the pandemic began.

Search resuls for: "Rugby Sevens"

17 mentions found