Author: Verified News Online

Hong Kong has taken a monumental step forward in expanding its global economic footprint. Last week, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, leading a high-level business delegation, wrapped up a successful five-day mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
This historic visit – marking the first time the chief executive has led a mission to Central Asia – yielded 96 cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding valued at more than US$1.65 billion. The exceptional results signal a major pivot…

US President Donald Trump nominated Todd Blanche, acting US attorney general, to fill the position on a permanent basis, rewarding a loyal ally whose controversial actions ensure an uphill Senate confirmation fight.
The White House announced on Monday it had sent Blanche’s nomination to the Senate, a move Trump telegraphed last week during remarks at a private event in the Rose Garden. Blanche formerly served as one of Trump’s personal lawyers before the president picked him for the No 2…

A 22-year-old Penn State student was shot dead in Philadelphia after trying to stop robbers who had stolen his mobile phone, leaving family, friends and neighbours devastated by a senseless act of violence.Billy Schmidt was killed in the early hours of Saturday morning, just steps away from his family home in south Philadelphia. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed Schmidt being confronted by suspects at around 1.30 am before a gunshot was heard moments later.Schmidt was heard pleading, “Give me back my phone” shortly before he was shot, reports the New York Post.Emergency responders rushed him to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, but he later died from his injuries.The killing has shocked residents in the neighbourhood, many of whom struggled to understand how a dispute over a phone could end in tragedy.”Over a phone. It’s abhorrent,” local resident Ezra Roulinavage told NBC 10. “It’s just unbelievable that someone would kill someone over a phone.”Schmidt's fathe..

Philadelphia police have announced a reward of $20,000 for information leading to an arrest in the killing of Anshul Kuncha, a 28-year-old Indian man from Telangana who was shot dead while delivering a pizza to a vacant property in North Philadelphia.Kuncha was killed shortly after 12.30 am on Friday after responding to a fake delivery order. He was delivering three pizzas to a vacant apartment at the Raymond Rosen Homes housing complex on Edgley Street when he was shot in the back of the head.Officers found him unresponsive and bleeding heavily at the scene. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at around 12.43 am.No arrests have beem made so far. However, police said they have obtained the phone number used to place the pizza order and are working to find the caller.According to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, surveillance footage showed two people dressed in dark clothing following Kuncha as he walked from his vehicle towards the property. ..

When foreign ministers of countries that are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) gathered in New Delhi last week, the agenda looked familiar: supply chain resilience, telecommunications security and maritime domain awareness. The talking points have evolved, the initiatives have multiplied and the meetings have become routine.
Asia is entering a new strategic era. However, its geopolitical debate remains stuck in the previous one. Across the region, governments are investing in…

US President Donald Trump lasted through scrutinising questions about his Iran war strategy and repeated weather disruptions during an interview with US broadcaster NBC – but angrily stormed out when confronted over his unfounded claims of election fraud.
“You’re a one-sided, crooked network. Sorry. Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time,” Trump told Meet the Press host Kristen Welker before standing up and walking out of the interview that aired…