Deadly fire

Hong Kong residents headed to the polls on Sunday for a Legislative Council election overshadowed by the city’s deadliest fire in nearly eight decades. Officials tightened security and appealed for calm as public anger over the tragedy, which killed at least 159 people, threatened to depress turnout and deepen distrust in the government.

The vote is the latest under Hong Kong’s overhauled electoral system, which allows only China-vetted “patriots” to run for office. With opposition voices sidelined and residents still reeling from the November 26 blaze, the election has become a critical test of public sentiment and Beijing’s political grip …