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South China Morning Post
44 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
Elon Musk says he's created new America Party, in challenge to Trump's Republicans
Elon Musk, an ex-ally of US President Donald Trump, said on Saturday he had launched a new political party in the United States to challenge what the tech billionaire described as the country's 'one-party system'. Advertisement Musk, the world's richest person and Trump's biggest political donor in the 2024 election, had a bitter falling out with the president after leading the Republican's effort to slash spending and cut federal jobs as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). 'When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy,' the SpaceX and Tesla boss posted social media. 'Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.' Musk cited a poll – posted on X, the social media platform he owns – on Friday, US Independence Day – in which he asked whether respondents 'want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system' that has dominated US politics for some two centuries. 03:02 US House passes Trump's bill, sending it to White House for president to sign US House passes Trump's bill, sending it to White House for president to sign The yes-or-no survey received more than 1.2 million responses.


South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong housing authorities quietly open door for same-sex couples
Hong Kong's housing authorities have opened up applications for public rental and subsidised homes to same-sex couples as part of efforts to address a ruling from the city's top court last year, the Post has learned. The measures, including modifying the application form for seeking second-hand subsidised homes, were implemented without any public announcement. While lawmakers said the government had responded to the Court of Final Appeal's decision prudently and within a reasonable time frame, a concern group expressed hope that the changes could have been publicly announced. In a reply to the Post, the Housing Authority said: 'Upon receiving [public rental home] applications involving same-sex married spouses, we will handle the case in accordance with the practice adopted for the 'ordinary families' applicant category.' A spokesman added that the authority would continue to process such applications and those for buying subsidised flats from same-sex married couples. The authority had yet to receive any public rental housing applications from any same-sex couples as of Thursday.


South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong will benefit from recognising the rights of same-sex couples
The landmark ruling by Hong Kong's top court requiring the government to recognise same-sex relationships was a defining moment for the city. Grounded in law, but also basic human decency, the court gave officials two years to put in place a framework protecting the core rights of such couples, who are not permitted to marry in the city. The government unveiled its proposals last week, just four months ahead of the deadline and no one is happy with them. Members of the LGBTQ community are disappointed because they do not go far enough. Lawmakers are also angry. They hit out at the government for leaving insufficient time for the legislative process and failing to launch a public consultation. Some claimed the proposals would undermine Hong Kong's traditional family values. There is a need for calm and clarity. Some legislators appear to want to roll back the ruling because they disagree with it. But the judgment must be implemented. That should be non-negotiable. Otherwise, there will be a continuing breach of the law. Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai was spot on when he said: 'A decision of the Court of Final Appeal, whether you like it or not or agree with it or not, is part of our judicial system,' adding that it must be respected. The legislators are on firmer ground when they complain about the late submission of the proposals and lack of public consultation.