India's IT services giants, including Infosys Ltd. and Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., may face challenges justifying their valuations as they begin Asia's reporting season with expected weak earnings, the weakest in years. Despite a 12% rally in the tech sector index over the past three months, IT earnings are still under pressure.

Anti-government protests in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning led to significant delays and disruptions in train services as protesters targeted the MTR Corporation, demanding accountability for not protecting passengers during violent attacks at Yuen Long station on Sunday. Protesters obstructed train doors at Admiralty station, causing delays and a standstill at North Point station. Commuters faced inconvenience, with some supporting the protests and others frustrated by the impact on their daily lives. MTR operations were affected, with an increase in train delays compared to normal days. The MTR Corp CEO expressed respect for public opinion and a willingness to improve services.

Three parents and a merchant in Hong Kong have been charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption for offering bribes totaling HK$340,000 to secure kindergarten placements at ESF Wu Kai Sha International Kindergarten. The bribes were allegedly made to former administrator Fatima Rumjahn between 2019 and 2021. The defendants face charges under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Crimes Ordinance and are set to appear in court. The ICAC has previously charged Rumjahn and other parents in a related bribery case involving over HK$900,000.

Hong Kong's economy grew by 2.7% in the first quarter, ending four consecutive quarters of contraction, with Chief Executive John Lee attributing the growth to promotional activities that stimulated tourism and consumption. Over 760,000 tourists visited during the Labour Day golden week, with expectations of 600,000 mainland tourists by the holiday's end. The 'Happy Hong Kong' campaign and e-vouchers are part of efforts to strengthen economic recovery. The IMF has lowered Hong Kong's growth forecast to 3.5% for the year, while economists from Natixis and ING provided analysis on the recovery's pace and potential challenges from a forecasted US recession.

During the Labour Day golden week, Hong Kong saw a significant influx of mainland Chinese tourists, with hotels near popular destinations reaching high occupancy rates. High hotel prices and convenient travel options influenced tourists' decisions to not stay overnight. On the second day of the holiday, over 329,000 people entered Hong Kong, while about 341,000 departed. Mainland tourists accounted for 86% of inbound travelers on the first day. There were chaotic scenes at the Star Ferry Pier, and the cultural district's museums reported record visitor numbers. The golden week holiday is the first extended break since China dropped its Covid-19 travel restrictions, with an estimated 600,000 mainlanders visiting Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's food and catering sector anticipates a 20% increase in business during the mainland China 'golden week' holiday, despite a significant staff shortage that could result in long queues for diners. Kam Kee Holdings, which operates 44 restaurants, is concerned about its ability to serve the influx of tourists due to manpower shortages, despite offering higher salaries. The Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades confirms the staff shortage, with an estimated deficit of over 60,000 workers. Harbour Cruise – Bauhinia, a cruise operator, does not expect strong business growth as it mainly relies on tour groups, and the majority of visitors are predicted to be individual travelers. The Travel Industry Council estimates 600,000 mainland visitors, with 80% being individuals. Food court operator Food Republic is listed as a recommended dining spot but has not made special arrangements for tour groups.

Hong Kong hotel room rates have increased up to five times ahead of the Labour Day 'golden week' holiday, with industry leaders optimistic about reaching 90% occupancy rates despite slower bookings compared to pre-pandemic years. Prices remain 10% below 2018 and 2019 levels. The Travel Industry Council expects 600,000 mainland visitors, fewer than in 2019. The government's 'Happy Hong Kong' campaign aims to boost tourism and includes free air tickets and events. Cathay Pacific released over 27,000 tickets to promote travel. Despite the surge, Easter weekend saw sluggish business in catering and retail, with mainlanders constituting the majority of visitors.

Hong Kong's Immigration Department anticipates over 9 million people will travel through the city's border control points during the Ching Ming Festival and Easter, marking a sharp increase from last year's figures. The majority of travelers are expected to use land boundary control points from April 1 to 10. The department has taken measures to handle the surge, including minimizing leave for frontline officers, operating extra clearance counters, deploying additional security guards, and coordinating with mainland officials. Citybus and Long Win Bus will increase services to border checkpoints and the airport. Additionally, the department announced new online services for birth and death registrations.

Tony Leung, a renowned Hong Kong actor, is set to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Venice Film Festival. His career began with TVB in 1982, and he has since starred in numerous acclaimed films, including 'In the Mood for Love' and 'Infernal Affairs.' Leung's acting has earned him international fame, notably with his role in Marvel's 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.' Officials and industry figures, including Venice festival director Alberto Barbera, have praised Leung's contributions to cinema. His wife, actress Carina Lau Kar-ling, also celebrated his achievement on social media.

Asia's largest banks are set to report earnings with a focus on lending margins affected by peaking interest rates and bad loans, particularly from China's real estate sector. HDFC Bank's positive report contrasts with challenges faced by Wall Street banks and Japan's Nomura. Upcoming reports from United Overseas Bank and Standard Chartered are expected to show flat-to-lower margins. China Construction Bank may reveal impacts from the property loan crisis, while Reliance Industries is anticipated to have strong results. Other companies like Nidec, CNOOC, and SK Hynix will also report earnings, with various factors influencing their financial outcomes.

The article discusses the concerns of international students and their families regarding the ongoing political crisis in Hong Kong, which has escalated from peaceful rallies to violent confrontations. Students from Baptist University and other institutions are uncertain about their safety and the continuation of their studies due to the protests stemming from the now-abandoned extradition bill. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating the police's failure to protect the public during a violent incident at Yuen Long MTR station. Despite the unrest, local universities like Baptist University are taking measures to ensure student safety, and some students, such as those from Chinese University, have not felt threatened by the protests. The article also highlights the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a study destination for international students due to its global connections and English-taught degree programs.

Anti-government protests at Hong Kong International Airport have led to significant disruptions for a second consecutive day, with the Airport Authority suspending check-in services for all departing flights. The protests, which began in the check-in area and spread to the departure gates, have resulted in flight cancellations and delays, affecting thousands of passengers. Some travelers expressed frustration and anger, while others were sympathetic to the protesters' cause but criticized the impact on their travel plans. Airlines, including Cathay Pacific Airways and Hong Kong Airlines, have condemned the protests for the disruption caused. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has made arrangements to assist travelers, and Air China has added extra flights. The protesters are demanding the full withdrawal of the extradition bill and an independent investigation into police actions, among other things.

The article discusses the role of the online forum LIHKG in the Hong Kong protests against the extradition bill. LIHKG, established in 2016, has become a central platform for protesters to organize, share information, and raise funds. It is compared to Reddit but is preferred by locals as it primarily uses Cantonese. The forum played a significant role in crowdfunding for international newspaper adverts during the G20 summit and has been a space for anonymous political discourse. However, the use of LIHKG has also raised concerns about cybersecurity and doxxing. The article also touches on the cultural impact of the protests, mentioning the adoption of Bruce Lee's phrase 'Be water, my friend' as a protest mantra.

The article discusses how young Hongkongers are using memes as a form of protest against the controversial extradition bill. A 16-year-old student, Ho, turned his meme page into a platform for political expression when his parents forbade him from joining the protests. The article highlights the growth of meme pages like @dankmemeshongkong, @memes.hk, and @Hkmehmeh, which have seen a surge in followers and are being used to spread awareness and criticize the bill, the government, and the police. It also mentions the caution exercised by meme creators in concealing their identities due to fear of backlash. The article includes insights from Professor Clement So of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who notes the effectiveness of memes in communicating with younger audiences and the improved use of the internet for political purposes since the 2014 Occupy protests.