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Law and Crime

Hong Kong commentator remanded over ‘seditious’ posts, including about Tai Po fire

Wong Kwok-ngon is first person to be prosecuted over comments made after Wang Fuk Court tragedy.

A Hong Kong court has remanded a news commentator in custody for allegedly violating the domestic national security law. Photo: AP

Africa

Benin hunts leader behind short-lived coup that left casualties on both sides

Authorities in the west African country confirm arrests were made and hostages released, but apparent coup leader remained at large.

Soldiers patrol in Cotonou, Benin, after the country’s armed forces thwarted an attempted coup against the government. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Elected, outgoing Hong Kong lawmakers jointly meet media in show of solidarity

Outgoing Legco president Andrew Leung calls on veteran and new legislators to communicate with one another, serve residents in wake of Tai Po fire.

Lawmakers of Hong Kong’s seventh and eighth Legislative Councils pose for photos during a media event at the Legco building in Central on Tuesday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Diplomacy

Developing | Tokyo ‘closely monitoring’ backlash from China, Japanese PM tells lawmakers

Parliament hears concerns about economic effects of Chinese countermeasures in the wake of Sanae Takaichi’s comments.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press on Sunday as the diplomatic row with China continues to intensify. Photo: Kyodo

East Asia

‘Only option I had’: as Seoul rents jump, many forced back into tiny rooms

More youngsters are being pushed into cramped goshiwon units as affordable housing crisis in the South Korean capital deepens.

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A man studies in his small room in a dormitory-style accommodation in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Reuters
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Celebrity Style

2025’s best archival fashion moments on the red carpet

Hailey Bieber stunned in a Chanel skirt suit, TSITP and Y2K style queen Lola Tung donned a Dior dress, while Sabrina Carpenter channelled Madonna, Cher and Britney Spears.

Celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter gave new life to archival fashion in 2025. Photo: Reuters

Trending in China

China woman arrested for stealing fish waste to feed restaurant staff and customers

‘Cheerful and friendly’ elderly boss of ‘cheap’ eatery accused of being a serial leftover thief; arrest divides online opinion.

A Chinese woman has been arrested for stealing 30kg of leftover fish bones at a Japanese wet market and reportedly using them to prepare meals for herself, her staff and customers. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/JHN

Racing

‘Very happy’ Docklands ready for another crack at the Hong Kong Mile

Harry Eustace’s charge is enjoying a fine year, headlined by his first Group One win at Royal Ascot.

Docklands gallops on the Sha Tin dirt ahead of Sunday’s Hong Kong Mile. Photos: Kenneth Chan

China

Su, first Chinese to run 100m under 10 seconds, says ‘goodbye, my dearest track’

Also the first Chinese man to reach an Olympic 100m final, Su announces his retirement from track and field in a social media post.

Su Bingtian after running for Guangdong in the 4x100m relay final at the National Games in Guangzhou last month. Photo: Xinhua

Africa

‘Miracle’ Africa peace deal, signed at Trump’s urging, already unravelling

A US-backed agreement to end one of Africa’s longest wars is at risk as DR Congo and Burundi condemn Rwanda and M23 rebel advances.

M23 rebels earlier this year. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of violating its commitments to a US-brokered peace deal. Photo: Reuters
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Military

Why is China’s Liaoning carrier on a unique route amid Beijing-Tokyo tensions?

While the PLA Navy strike group heads east of Japan, the Japanese aircraft carrier JS Kaga is sailing southwest.

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The aircraft carrier Liaoning appears to be heading in the opposite direction to the route traditionally taken by Chinese warships. Photo: AP

Racing

J-Mac bids for breakthrough IJC success: ‘we’re due one, but you never know’

Runner-up in the prestigious contest at Happy Valley three times, the superstar jockey is optimistic about his rides.

Jockey James McDonald greets the Happy Valley crowd aboard recent winner Ocean Impact. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Racing

Hong Kong Cup reduced to eight runners after withdrawal of Japanese raider Lord Del Rey

A $31 outsider for the HK$40 million contest, the five-year-old is found to be lame in his right foreleg.

Japanese raider Lord Del Rey arrives in Hong Kong. Photo: HKJC

Asia

Singaporean Chinese ‘least attractive’, Philippines cyclones: 7 Asia highlights

From a viral image prompting a beauty debate to Chinese marriage brokers eyeing Nepal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Satellite imagery taken by the US’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Super Typhoon Fung-wong approaching the Philippines on November 9. Photo: NOAA/NESDIS/AFP

Health & Wellness

Health benefits of mugwort and its role in TCM and Japanese herbal medicine

Mugwort is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb with warming properties, used in East Asian traditional medicine and modern spas.

Dried mugwort leaves are burned on or near the skin’s surface in the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of moxibustion, a form of heat therapy used to relieve joint pain, indigestion and menstrual cramps, and even to treat infertility. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images
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Southeast Asia

Starving Myanmar fighters join enemies for money as ‘dirty reality’ bites

‘We don’t have any other options,’ a pro-democracy fighter says as many rebels switch sides for survival.

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Soldiers of the Myanmar junta-linked Democratic Karen Benevolent Army guard a checkpoint in Payathonzu, Kayin state, on October 4. Photo: Kyodo

Europe

Powerful wave at Spanish tourist island sweeps swimmers to sea, killing 4

The foreigners were bathing in a natural swimming pool on the western coast of Tenerife when the huge wave struck.

People swimming at Isla Cangrejo on Tenerife’s Los Gigantes coast. File photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong

China’s Wu and Shang join Rublev, Coleman Wong in Hong Kong Tennis Open line-up

Tournament will feature all three National Games medallists as Wu Yibing and Jerry Shang sign up alongside Hong Kong’s Wong.

Wu Yibing celebrates winning men’s singles tennis gold at China’s National Games last month. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Fighting rages across Thai-Cambodian border as US calls for calm

Tens of thousands have fled their homes for the second time this year as Thailand and Cambodia trade heavy fire, leaving at least eight dead.

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Cambodians flee renewed fighting along the border with Thailand in Oddar Meanchey province on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

Science

China tests super wireless rail convoy that could carry 3 Eiffel Towers

The technology that virtually links locomotives could boost the country’s freight capacity by 50 per cent, state broadcaster CCTV says.

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Virtual coupling tested in China may allow braking distance to be shortened by helping trains adapt dynamically to changes in speed. Photo: CCTV
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Banking & Finance

Hong Kong launches HKEX Tech 100 Index in pivot towards innovation-driven growth

Unveiling of benchmark tracking Hong Kong-listed tech firms comes amid a wave of property stock delistings.

The HKEX Tech 100 Index “covers the leading innovative sectors in our listed issuer universe that have transformed the DNA of Hong Kong’s markets”, says HKEX CEO Bonnie Chan. Photo: Handout

Law and Crime

Probe into allegedly fake mesh certificates widened to 6 Hong Kong estates

Earlier discovery of fake documents at two estates after Tai Po inferno prompted authorities to order removal of mesh at 200 sites last week.

Workers are removing mesh netting at Sui Wo Court in Fo Tan. Photo: Dickson Lee

Watches

Omega unveils fourth generation of the Planet Ocean in Chongqing, China

First released as part of Seamaster, the Planet Ocean is one of the most famous diving watches – actors Wei Daxun, Song Weilong and Gulf Kanawut attended the recent launch.

Omega has just revealed its fourth generation of the iconic Planet Ocean. Photo: Handout

Asia

Video | At least 30 injured after magnitude 7.5 quake in Japan

Authorities issued tsunami warnings following the powerful earthquake in northeastern Japan’s Aomori prefecture.

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Diplomacy

Hitting China with tariffs should be ‘last resort’, German foreign minister says

During two-day visit to the Chinese capital, Johann Wadephul also calls for Beijing to recognise Europe’s concerns and ‘take action’.

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters that Europe must be “extremely cautious” about imposing duties on China. Photo: Reuters
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Politics

Can Singapore’s cyber laws keep pace with speed of borderless online threats?

Long-term resilience will hinge on complementary measures such as deeper regional cooperation and improved digital literacy, analysts say.

Singapore’s central business district. The city state has a tailored and multilayered system to deal with misinformation and inflammatory online material. Photo: Reuters

China Business

Hong Kong stocks extend losses amid rate-cut caution, muted China policy outlook

Global banks cite lack of urgency in policy signals; Wall Street retreat adds pressure on sentiment.

Shares of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation decline in early Tuesday trading in Hong Kong. Photo: Shutterstock

Society

Operation Santa Claus helps Hong Kong children with rare rheumatic diseases

Hong Kong Paediatric Rheumatism Association subsidises medicine and provides support for children with rheumatic diseases and their carers.

(From left) Apple Kwok, Rain Shiu, Florence Chow and Raymond Chung make heart signs to show the love patients get from the charity. Photo: Cindy Sui

Markets

Hong Kong’s MPF marks 25 years with strong returns, ‘growing public confidence’

Doubling of voluntary contributions reflects retirement scheme’s importance to local residents, MPFA chairwoman says.

Commuters walk in Central on October 20, 2025. Photo: Sun Yeung

Southeast Asia

Chinese tourist’s Penang panda mural that drew criticism turns crowd-puller

Local officials review an application to keep the unauthorised artwork at Chew Jetty intact after ordering the painting to be removed.

Shen Shishi with her finished painting of a panda. Photo: Handout