Bloomberg Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying is taking additional steps to cool the world’s costliest property market, where prices have rebounded after a short-lived dip. The government raised the stamp duty to 15 percent for all residential purchases except for first-time buyers who are permanent residents. Until now, the highest levy for residents was 8.5 percent, while foreigners ...

  Bloomberg Egyptian stocks rallied a seventh day on bets an unprecedented decision to float the pound will help cement a $12 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. The currency weakened. The EGX 30 Index surged 6.1 percent, extending the longest winning streak since March. Members of the benchmark gauge traded at the most expensive in almost 17 months ...

  ANICK JESDANUN / AP Google’s new smart speaker is at once a secretary, a librarian and a radio. Ask about your day, and the Home speaker will give you the time, weather, estimated commute, the news and upcoming calendar appointments. It will convert miles into feet, and dollars into euros. Want to hear Adele or Coldplay? Home will fetch ...