Illustration For US Election Day

Illustration For US Election Day

File photo dated August 31, 2010 - A member of the Secret Service stands guard in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington DC, USA. U.S. President Barack Obama tonight will give the second Oval Office address of his presidency to mark the transition from a U.S. combat role in Iraq, a shift that won't end the risks to administration policy or to American troops. - American voters go to the polls on Tuesday to choose their next president. US election results are sometimes declared within hours of the polls closing, but this year's tight contest could mean a longer wait. Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, the former president, have been running neck-and-neck for weeks. Photo by Brendan Smialowski/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration For US Election Day

Illustration For US Election Day

File photo dated August 31, 2010 - The desk of President Barack Obama sits on top of a new rug in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington DC, USA. Obama tonight will give the second Oval Office address of his presidency to mark the transition from a U.S. combat role in Iraq, a shift that won't end the risks to administration policy or to American troops. - American voters go to the polls on Tuesday to choose their next president. US election results are sometimes declared within hours of the polls closing, but this year's tight contest could mean a longer wait. Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, the former president, have been running neck-and-neck for weeks. Photo by Brendan Smialowski/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration For US Election Day

Illustration For US Election Day

File photo dated August 31, 2010 - New furniture sits in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington DC, USA. U.S. President Barack Obama tonight will give the second Oval Office address of his presidency to mark the transition from a U.S. combat role in Iraq, a shift that won't end the risks to administration policy or to American troops. - American voters go to the polls on Tuesday to choose their next president. US election results are sometimes declared within hours of the polls closing, but this year's tight contest could mean a longer wait. Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, the former president, have been running neck-and-neck for weeks. Photo by Brendan Smialowski/ABACAPRESS.COM

Lebanon: Israel Carries Out Airstrikes Near Sidon

Israel carried out 2 airstrikes targeting alleged Hezbollah weapons warehouse locations near Sidon on Monday, February 19. Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported that "Israeli warplanes carried out strikes on the town of Ghaziyeh". The Israeli army said that the attack was in "response to to the explosion of an enemy drone, the wreckage of which was found near the Tiberias area this afternoon." This live footage shows smoke billowing as seen from Sidon.

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

(231026) -- HONG KONG, Oct. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attends a press conference, in south China's Hong Kong, Oct. 25, 2023. Lee delivered his second policy address to the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo) in Hong Kong on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

(231026) -- HONG KONG, Oct. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), speaks at a press conference, in south China's Hong Kong, Oct. 25, 2023. Lee delivered his second policy address to the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo) in Hong Kong on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

(231026) -- HONG KONG, Oct. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), speaks at a press conference, in south China's Hong Kong, Oct. 25, 2023. Lee delivered his second policy address to the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo) in Hong Kong on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

(231026) -- HONG KONG, Oct. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- John Lee (L, front), chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), delivers his second policy address to the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo), in south China's Hong Kong, Oct. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

(231026) -- HONG KONG, Oct. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), delivers his second policy address to the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo), in south China's Hong Kong, Oct. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

HKSAR chief executive unveils measures to safeguard national security

STORY: HKSAR chief executive unveils measures to safeguard national security DATELINE: Oct. 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:40 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): ZHANG YICHI, Xinhua correspondent 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): JOHN LEE, HKSAR chief executive STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): ZHANG YICHI, Xinhua correspondent "John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Wednesday unveiled measures to further safeguard national security." In his second policy address delivered to the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo) since taking office, Lee pledged to improve Hong Kong's relevant legal system and enforcement mechanisms to continue to safeguard national security. The HKSAR government is pressing ahead to draw up effective legislative options and will complete the legislative exercise in 2024 for Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, which stipulates that the HKSAR shall enact laws on its own to prohibit acts and activities that endange

HK introduces stamp duty suspension arrangement for incoming talents' acquisition of residential properties

STORY: HK introduces stamp duty suspension arrangement for incoming talents' acquisition of residential properties DATELINE: Oct. 26, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:02 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of John Lee's second policy address 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): JOHN LEE, HKSAR Chief Executive 3. various of Hong Kong STORYLINE: Hong Kong introduces a stamp duty suspension arrangement for incoming talents' acquisition of residential properties, John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Wednesday. Under the suspension arrangement, the payment of stamp duty concerned is suspended at the time of property acquisition, but the talent is required to pay the relevant amount if he or she is subsequently unable to become a Hong Kong permanent resident, Lee said while delivering his second policy address to the HKSAR Legislative Council. This is an enhancement of the stamp duty refund arrangement introduced last year for eligible incoming

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-POLICY ADDRESS (CN)

(231025) -- HONG KONG, Oct. 25, 2023 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), delivers his second policy address to the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo), in south China's Hong Kong, Oct. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

PM Noda gives policy address

PM Noda gives policy address

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (front) makes a policy speech in the Diet's House of Representatives in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2011. In his second policy address since assuming office in September, Noda expressed his eagerness to take all possible steps to tackle the yen's appreciation but kept mum about whether he believes Japan should join negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework.

PM Noda gives policy address

PM Noda gives policy address

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda makes a policy speech in the Diet's House of Representatives in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2011. In his second policy address since assuming office in September, Noda expressed his eagerness to take all possible steps to tackle the yen's appreciation but kept mum about whether he believes Japan should join negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework.

PM Noda gives policy address

PM Noda gives policy address

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (front) makes a policy speech in the Diet's House of Representatives in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2011. In his second policy address since assuming office in September, Noda expressed his eagerness to take all possible steps to tackle the yen's appreciation but kept mum about whether he believes Japan should join negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework. (Kyodo)

PM Noda gives policy address

PM Noda gives policy address

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda makes a policy speech in the Diet's House of Representatives in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2011. In his second policy address since assuming office in September, Noda expressed his eagerness to take all possible steps to tackle the yen's appreciation but kept mum about whether he believes Japan should join negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework. (Kyodo)