(UPDATE) WASHINGTON, D.C.: NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has detected its highest concentrations yet of organic molecules, in a potential signal of ancient microbes that scientists are eager to confirm when the rock samples are eventually brought to Earth. "It is very fair to say that these are going to be, these already are, the most valuable rock samples that have ever been collected," David Shuster, a Perseverance return sample scientist, told reporters during a briefing. Organic molecules — compounds made primarily of carbon that usually include hydrogen and oxygen, but also at times other elements — are not always created by biological processes. The results showed a class of organic molecules called aromatics, which play a key role in biochemistry. There have been other tantalizing clues about the possibility of life on Mars before, including repeated detections of methane by Perseverance's predecessor, Curiosity.

Prices in the world’s most expensive housing market are set to fall to the lowest since 2017 as surging borrowing costs deter buyers. Mortgage rates may jump to the highest since 2008, in tandem with US rate hikes, BI analysts Patrick Wong and Francis Chan wrote in a note on Friday. But it’s the rise in interest rates that has most changed the dynamic between buyers and sellers, according to property agents. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said in March that home prices in Hong Kong will drop 20 percent by 2025. In addition, home owners are more able to withstand higher rates following stress tests that were introduced in the 2010s.

Some 2,300 Communist Party delegates from 38 election divisions, including those representing Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, will gather in Beijing for the 20th national congress from October 16 to decide on the party's leaders for the next five years. The five-yearly event, usually lasts for seven days. It will be attended by party representatives from 32 provincial and municipal divisions, including one for People's Liberation Army and People's Armed Police. The three major items on the agenda includes the review of a report by the General Secretary, Xi Jinping, and ironing out future directions, to revise the party's constitution and to elect around 200 members and 170 alternate members. Members of the new central committee will also elect the next party general secretary.

A school bus driver narrowly escaped death on Friday morning when a tree measuring 10 meters collapsed onto the vehicle in Ho Man Tin. Online footage shows that the school bus, along with three other private vehicles were stopped at a red traffic light when the tree suddenly collapsed and landed on them. The tree crushed the roof right above the driver’s seat of the school bus, smashing its windshield, while the other vehicles suffered slight damage. The driver was taken to the hospital with a hand injury, while the school bus nanny and one other driver were also hospitalized for a leg injury and back pain, respectively. Speaking to reporters at the scene, the school bus nanny said that all students had fortunately alighted right before the accident, or else some might have gotten injured.

THE Board of Investments (BoI) further brings more opportunities through investment, as it celebrates its 55th Founding Anniversary. BoI sent its virtual assistants, Bordie and Vestie to a new mission of providing investment-related information to make more investments happened in the country. In Batangas, BoI approved the P60-M high-value crops producer project. Local investments accounted for 77% of total approved investments with Php503.63 billion while approvals from foreign sources amounted to Php151.80 billion or a 23% share. BoI is responsible for the development of investments in the Philippines and for leading the promotions of various industries and investment opportunities.

Next year's Eurovision Song Contest host country has confirmed their selection plans for the show. "After Sam Ryder's incredible result in Turin, we have a hard act to follow, but are looking forward to the challenge of finding a stand-out act and song for Eurovision 2023 that will be cheered on by a home crowd!" BBC Studios musical director Suzy Lamb stated. "TaP are very excited to be back working with the BBC to select the UK entry for Eurovision 2023," the record executives said in a statement. "I hope we can find another artist who will not only be a brilliant ambassador for Eurovision but like Sam will sing their head off with a stand out song."

Since Saturday, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal air pollution levels. It is expected that the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at some monitoring stations may reach the "Serious" health risk category today (Sept 11) and remain higher during the next couple of days. Under the influence of a dry continental airstream, the weather in Hong Kong is fine and scorching with light winds, which is unfavourable for pollutant dispersion and results in rising regional pollution levels. EPD expects that the regional pollution level affecting Hong Kong will remain higher than average until the advent of stronger wind. The general public is advised to reduce outdoor physical exertion to a minimum and to reduce time staying outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic.

A private car rammed into a taxi after rejecting inspection by the police in Kwai Chung this morning. The black private car arrived at Texaco Road - where police officers of New Territories Southern Regionals Division set up roadblocks - while it refused to stop for the investigation and rushed through the roadblock. The car, with four men and one woman inside, was reported to be speeding along the Kwai Chung section towards Tsuen Wan of Castle Peak Roads for around seven kilometres and collided with a taxi, then overturned after crashing into a kerb. The taxi driver was found injured and sent to hospital by an ambulance when police arrived. The accident was identified as “furious driving” and “suspicious vehicles found” and under investigation, according to the police.

(UPDATE) ALEX Eala made history as she became the first Filipino tennis player to reach the final of a Grand Slam singles event. The 17-year-old Eala did so by defeating Canadian Victoria Mboko, 6-1, 7-6(5), in the semifinals of the US Open Girls Singles at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York City early Saturday (Philippine time). The two-time Grand Slam girls doubles champion, however, had to dig deep to overcome the 16-year-old Mboko in the second frame. Like Eala, the 17-year-old Havlickova has two grand slam juniors titles and used to be the world's No. Eala got her grand slam doubles titles in the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open, while Havlickova got hers in the 2022 French Open Girls Singles and Doubles Grand Slam titles last June.

A 44-year-old driver who locked himself and burned charcoal in his car at Pat Sin Leng Country Park was sent to hospital after he was rescued by a hiker who shattered the window with a rock. The suicide attempt was discovered by the hiker around 7am Saturday on Hok Tau Road, who found the driver surnamed Liu lying on his seat unconsciously in his black Mercedes-Benz. Suspecting Liu was trying to kill himself, the hiker shattered the back seat window by the left with a rock and filed a report to the police. Liu later regained consciousness after he was rescued by paramedics and sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. It was understood that Liu attempted suicide because of financial problems.

Police have successfully detonated an old naval mine in waters near Cape D'Aguilar at around 1pm on Friday, with the controlled explosion sending water meters high in the air. The police force said tremors were felt at the nearby Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve, while marine police vessels nearby also felt the shockwave generated by the blast. The operation came after a diver had reported spotting what looked like a mine while he was to the east of Cape D'Aguilar on August 9. Follow-up investigations confirmed there was what looked like a mine 15 meters down on the seabed 1.4 kilometers to the northeast of Cape D'Aguilar near Stanley on Hong Kong Island. "The detonation will not affect the coastal reserve and residents around Cape D'Aguilar but there will not be huge waves," Suryanto said.

Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II has been placed under medical supervision because doctors are "concerned for Her Majesty's health." Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II has been placed under medical supervision because doctors are "concerned for Her Majesty's health." AP PHOTO Britain's Queen Elizabeth II looks on during a visit to officially open the new building at Thames Hospice, Maidenhead, England July 15, 2022. AFP PHOTOLONDON: Queen Elizabeth 2nd, the United Kingdom's longest-reigning monarch and a symbol of stability across much of a turbulent century, died on Thursday. Their first child, Prince Charles, was born on Nov. 14, 1948.

New Delhi, India — An Indian mother fought off a tiger with her bare hands to save her toddler from its jaws, an official said Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENTA tiger believed to have strayed from the nearby Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve pounced on them, local official Sanjeev Shrivastava told AFP. It attacked and tried to sink its teeth into the child’s head but the mother leapt to the rescue, he said. The mother suffered punctured lungs and wounds to her abdomen while the toddler had deep gashes on his head. India is home to around 70 percent of the world’s tigers and the tiger population was estimated at 2,967 in 2018.

The challenge endeavors to discover more world-class Filipino talents from all over the country. The GalingDITO movement was launched on July 12 with the tagline "Ipakita ang galing, saan man galing," which celebrated homegrown, up-and-coming Filipino talents all over the nation. Besides highlighting the creativity of the Filipino people, the "Galing DITO" movement also aims to inspire every Filipino to take the stage, proudly represent their regions, and be part of a bigger digital community that shares a common heritage. "The movement is a form of bayanihan with Filipinos supporting fellow talents while also celebrating and encouraging one another. With this second wave, which just concluded on August 31, the challenge endeavors to discover more world-class Filipino talents from all over the country.

A female volunteer sustained an injury to her eyes and was rushed to hospital after being splashed in the face with bleach by a fellow worshiper due to an alleged row over the LeaveHomeSafe app at a church in Central. The incident occurred at St. Joseph Church on Garden Road in Central and was reported to police at 7.37am this morning. Live sources said a row broke out between the two Filipina women over issues related to the government's Covid tracing LeaveHomeSafe app. The volunteer's eyes became swollen, and she was sent to the hospital by paramedics. Police have listed the case as an assault and are now hunting down the female worshiper.