China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region holds 8th Legislative Council election

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) started its 8th Legislative Council election at 07:30 on Sunday with all 612 polling stations across the region opened to over 4.13 million eligible voters.

A total of 90 members will be elected to the Legislative Council. Specifically, there will be 40 Members returned by the Election Committee, 30 Members returned by functional constituencies, and 20 Members returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections. Their four-year term will begin on January 1, 2026.

The voting time of Sunday's election has been extended to 23:30 with the result to be released early Monday.

To facilitate voting for different groups, dedicated polling stations have been set up for civil servants, healthcare workers, ethnic minorities, and other communities.

For eligible voters affected by the fire at the housing complex Wang Fuk Court, free shuttle bus services and special notifications from social workers will be provided.

John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, has called on all eligible voters to actively participate in the election. He noted that completing the election as scheduled will help maintain social stability and is also a strong support for the post-disaster work of the Wang Fuk Court.

Currently, investigation is underway after the search was completed at the Wang Fuk Court.

The blaze had claimed 159 lives by 14:00 on Wednesday, with 31 people still missing, the Hong Kong Police Force said at a press briefing earlier Wednesday.

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region holds 8th Legislative Council election

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region holds 8th Legislative Council election

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region holds 8th Legislative Council election

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region holds 8th Legislative Council election

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region holds 8th Legislative Council election

U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 224.23 points, or 0.48 percent, to 46,565.74. The S&P 500 added 46.8 points, or 0.72 percent, to 6,575.32. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 250.32 points, or 1.16 percent, to 21,840.95.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in the green, with industrials and communication services leading the gainers by each going up 1.65 percent. Meanwhile, energy and consumer staples led the laggards by dropping 3.89 percent and 0.57 percent, respectively.

US stocks close higher

US stocks close higher