Disaster Recovery
Hong Kong extends rental aid for Wang Fuk Court fire victims amid rehousing doubts
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Victims of Hong Kong's deadly Wang Fuk Court fire will keep receiving HK$150,000 annual rental subsidies until rehoused—even if it takes 2½ years—Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun confirmed, as the HK$6.8 billion buyback plan faces concerns over flat allocation fairness.
In Japan's Tohoku region, colorful seasonal flowers are blooming as a symbol of resilience in communities devastated by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. In Rikuzentakata city, Iwate Prefecture, a nonprofit organization is planting 17,000 cherry trees along a 170-kilometer stretch marking the tsunami's reach to preserve the disaster's memory for future generations. The initiative highlights efforts to educate about past events to prevent future losses.
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President Donald Trump has pledged $10 million in economic assistance to East Palestine, Ohio, to aid recovery from the 2023 train derailment. The announcement, made on Thursday night near the disaster's third anniversary, includes criticism of former President Joe Biden for neglecting the community. Funds will support economic recovery alongside an ongoing health study.
PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk has ensured all its banking services in North Sumatra and West Sumatra are back to normal following floods and landslides. Twelve affected outlets are now fully operational, including 47 ATMs that have been reactivated. The swift recovery utilized satellite connectivity to support customers amid the emergency.
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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako plan to visit Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures in 2026, 15 years after the massive earthquake and tsunami. The trip, announced by people familiar with the matter, reflects their ongoing commitment to the affected regions.