Vietnamese crab exporterdouble-skinned crabs
Advertisement
Advertisement
Latest

World Opinion

Opinion | Why Spain’s ‘fruit bowl’ diplomacy with China comes up rather empty

Spain is a secondary actor within a middle-ranking bloc dealing with a major power. Diplomacy can soften but not change that asymmetry.

President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on April 14. Photo: AFP

East Asia

‘I hope it rains’: Japan battles wildfires, thousands evacuate

Climate change linked to the burning of fossil fuels is making droughts more intense and longer lasting, creating ideal conditions for fires.

videocam
Hundreds of firefighters are battling wildfires in the forests of northern Japan. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Trapped in the Gulf, ship crews run low on food, water – and mental health reserves

As US and Iranian representatives descend on Islamabad for possible talks, time is taking its toll on seafarers.

videocam
The Hai Yang Shi You 285, a Chinese oil service support vessel, has been in a holding pattern near Qatar. Photo: CNOOC Engineering

Law and Crime

Hong Kong police arrest 2 men over thefts targeting homeless people

Pair allegedly stole personal belongings such as cash, mobile phones, Octopus and bank cards, and identity documents.

The two men are set to appear at Kowloon City Court on Monday. Photo: Sun Yeung

Motorsport

Hong Kong’s Denise Yeung to become first Chinese woman to race in Road to Le Mans

Competitive mother of three in her 50s says she entered the gruelling race in France in June to tell her children ‘age is just a number’.

Denise Yeung has prepared for more than nine months for the race, which she says typically has only two or three women drivers, who are usually in their 20s. Photo: Denise Yeung
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Military

Did China just hint that its next aircraft carrier will be nuclear-powered?

A video released to mark the PLA Navy’s anniversary uses wordplay to suggest that a new warship is under construction.

videocam
The film features a young sailor named He Jian, a pun on the words for nuclear ship. Photo: CCTV

Europe

Argentina again calls for UK talks on Falklands, US confirms neutrality

Earlier, a leaked Pentagon email had set out options for the US to punish Nato allies for refusing to join US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

US President Donald Trump greets Argentina’s President Javier Milei at the White House in October. Photo: AP

Law and Crime

What smokers need to know about Hong Kong’s new e-cigarette ban

From April 30, anyone found carrying small amount of alternative tobacco products in public for non-commercial purposes will have to pay HK$3,000.

From next week, an individual who possesses a specified alternative smoking product in a public place commits an offence. Photo: Edmond So

Racing

Star gallopers Ka Ying, Warrior headline exciting Champions Day at Sha Tin

Hong Kong’s two equine heroes will take centre stage on the city’s second-biggest race day, while there will also be plenty of excitement off the track.

Jockey James McDonald laps up the love from fans at Sha Tin after Romantic Warrior’s win in the 2024 QEII Cup. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Society

Reverend Derek Li, father of injured Hong Kong Mirror dancer Mo Li, dies

Christian Ministry Institute announces death of elder Li, who spent recent years advocating for son after accident at 2022 concert.

Reverend Derek Li (centre) and his wife leave Queen Elizabeth Hospital a week after their son’s accident in 2022. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Society

Wang Fuk Court resident cherishes chance to capture final photo of sea from flat

Tearful reunions as residents return to fire-ravaged flats to salvage belongings before leaving for final time.

Ian Chu, who took the chance to take a final photo of the Tolo Harbour view from his flat. Photo: Theodora Yu

K-drama

The Scarecrow: serial killer K-drama echoes the landmark Memories of Murder

Park Hae-soo, Lee Hee-joon and Kwak Sun-young lead this engaging police procedural inspired by the serial slayings of Lee Choon-jae.

videocam
Park Hae-soo as big-city police officer Kang Tae-ju in a still from The Scarecrow, a new Korean drama streaming now on Viu.

Diplomacy

Macron touches Beijing’s nerves on Taiwan and Tibet as he heads for the exit

French president is trying to shore up his legacy of strategic autonomy before leaving office next year, analysts say.

videocam
10
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron strike the “Kamehameha” pose from the Japanese manga Dragon Ball at the State Guest House in Tokyo on April 1. Photo: Kyodo

Celebrities

Meet Matt Bomer’s son, Walker Halls – who went to prom with Ava Bozzi

Walker is the son of Bomer and publicist Simon Halls, and Bozzi is the daughter of podcaster Bruce Bozzi and Hollywood bigwig Bryan Lourd.

Matt Bomer, Simon Halls, Walker Halls, Ava Bozzi, Bruce Bozzi and Bryan Lourd. Photo: @brucebozzi/Instagram

China Personalities

China actor gains renewed fame after fellow star’s warlord role mocked for flawless make-up

‘Handsome‘ actor faces wave of ‘pretty boy’ jibes after character in costume drama returns from battle looking fresh as a daisy.

Taiwanese-American actor Peter Ho has gained renewed fame in China for playing warlord Xiang Yu in a 2012 drama following another actor’s recent “foundation general” nickname for his flawless make-up in battle scenes. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/YouTube/QQ.com/FX Networks

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Russia & Central Asia

At least 6 die in Ukraine, over 30 wounded, in massive Russian attack

Moscow launched 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight, said Kyiv, with explosions in several cities.

videocam
Rescue workers clear the rubble of a residential building destroyed by a fatal Russian strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Saturday. Photo: AP

Business

Hong Kong developers clear stock amid strong demand and shrinking supply

Nearly 300 flats released as strong demand meets falling supply, with completions set to decline over the next two years.

Pavilia Farm III – Hong Kong’s residential sales hit a four-year high in 2025 with 62,832 units changing hands. Photo: Handout

China

China’s badminton chief fails to attend finals as whereabouts remain a mystery

Zhang Jun has reportedly been missing for more than 10 days amid an investigation by disciplinary authorities into his conduct at association.

Chinese Badminton Association President Zhang Jun (left) was a two-time Olympic mixed doubles champion. Photo: Getty Images

Entertainment

Review | In Netflix drama Straight to Hell, Erika Toda dazzles as Japan’s celebrity fortune-teller

Erika Toda delivers a memorable turn as Kazuko Hosoki in this series tracing the controversial Japanese soothsayer’s life over 60 years.

videocam
Erika Toda as Kazuko Hosoki in a still from Straight to Hell. Netflix’s new drama charts the life of the real-life celebrity fortune-teller, from her childhood in post-war Japan to run-ins with figures from Tokyo’s underworld. Photo: Netflix

Tech Trends

Underwhelming or underrated? DeepSeek V4 shows “impressive” gains

Benchmark shows V4 trailing Kimi and US frontier models, though gains raise hopes of another R1-style breakthrough.

While V4 Pro marks a clear improvement on its predecessor, V3.2, it still lags top competitors. Photo: Handout
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

World Opinion

Macroscope | The real reason stock markets are still flying high despite grave risks

For all the talk of market resilience, too much portfolio investment is chasing too few real-world investment areas.

videocam
A trader works, as a screen broadcasts a press conference by US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell following a rate announcement, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on March 18. Photo: Reuters

Law and Crime

Hong Kong police bust motorcycle theft syndicate, arrest 5 over 14 cases

The force says gang members split roles, from lookout to hot-wiring and delivery to buyers.

Evidence seized during the operation. Police say the group primarily targeted motorcycles parked in back alleys or secluded areas in West Kowloon and Tsuen Wan, where surveillance coverage was limited. Photo: Handout

Society

SCMP scoops 74 awards, led by Hong Kong fencing infographic in design competition

Strong showing at 47th edition of Society for News Design’s Creative Competition, recognising excellence across digital, print and multimedia work.

An infographic on Hong Kong’s fencing boom was a stand-out winner in results announced by the Society for News Design. Photo: SCMP

Racing

Leung feeling lucky as he prepares to ride Lucky Sweynesse and Numbers

The two-time top-level winner looks to add to his tally with Champions Mile and QEII Cup (2,000m) rides on Sunday.

Lucky Sweynesse and Derek Leung. Photos: Kenneth Chan

United States & Canada

US uses unusual routes to send jet fuel to Asia bases as Hormuz stays shut

The shipments to Subic Bay and Yokose add to a growing trend of US military fuel heading to regions that typically rely on Mideast supplies.

videocam
A Philippine Navy frigate is docked at Subic Bay in Zambales province. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Politics

Could hair or cosmetics be make-or-break for China’s would-be civil servants?

Competition for ‘iron rice bowl’ jobs has intensified, prompting official media to publish advice for jobseekers.

videocam
Civil service exams attract intense competition. Photo: Getty Images

South Asia

Iran war is tearing polyester fabric of fast fashion – and shoes could be next

Conflict-driven oil price spikes are straining Asia’s polyester supply chain, threatening higher costs for firms like Zara and H&M.

videocam
A person carrying a bag walks by a Zara store in Plaza de Espana in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Reuters

Food & Drink

Viral ube drinks and desserts are taking over South Korean cafes

Ube, a vibrant purple yam, is the latest craze in South Korean cafes. Here’s where to go for lattes, cakes, shakes, ice cream and more.

Ube-flavoured drinks from Korean coffee chain A Twosome Place. Photo: Instagram/atwosomeplace_official

Golf

Jim Furyk returns as USA captain for 2027 Ryder Cup after Tiger Woods steps away

Since his debut in 1997, the 55-year-old has been in 14 consecutive editions of the event, serving as a player, vice-captain and captain.

Jim Furyk (holding the trophy) and Tiger Woods before unsuccessfully defending the Ryder Cup in France in 2018. Photo: AP

Politics

India-Germany defence road map ‘good template’ for wider EU cooperation

Deeper defence ties are expected to boost India’s maritime modernisation efforts and Europe’s security role in the Indo-Pacific, experts say.

Submarine U-34 is docked in a shipyard of warship maker TKMS in Kiel, Germany, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters