National Security Case: A 19-year-old Hongkonger was convicted of sedition for anti-government graffiti in a commercial building toilet, with the court rejecting a defence claim of a congenital mental disorder. Tax & Finance Policy: KPMG says Hong Kong’s fund tax exemption and carried interest changes could attract more global asset managers, citing a 0% effective tax rate for qualifying carried interest/performance fees and retrospective application from 2025. Capital Markets & Regulation: HKEX is set to allow confidential filings and lower the market cap threshold for start-ups, according to sources—another tweak aimed at easing listings. Digital Assets & Compliance: Bitget reiterated it has no MAS licence or authorization and keeps Singapore access restricted, underscoring ongoing regulatory friction for crypto firms. Tech & Cross-Border Health Security: A HKU study argues targeted viral surveillance at just Hong Kong and the UAE could speed variant detection by about three days, using existing aviation hubs for early warning. Trade & Aviation: Cathay Pacific flagged a potential 76% jump in H1 profit on strong passenger and cargo demand, while fuel costs remain a major headwind. Mainland-HK Payments Rails: China’s mBridge hit a milestone with large cross-border transactions involving Hong Kong dollars, pointing to Beijing’s push for alternative settlement networks. Start-ups & AI Growth: InvestHK says Hong Kong’s start-up count hit a record 5,221 last year, but notes the ecosystem still needs help moving from prototype to commercial scale. Corporate Appointments: Allianz Trade created a new Hong Kong-based regional surety business development role for Asia-Pacific, signaling expansion plans.