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Americas

Brazil judge orders house arrest for coup plot convicts after ex-police chief flees

Alexandre de Moraes’ decision came after Paraguay arrested Silvinei Vasques, who is also convicted in the plot, and returned him to Brazil.

Silvinei Vasque, left, former director-general of the Brazilian Federal Highway Police, after his arrest at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion, Paraguay on Friday. Photo: Paraguay’s National Migration Directorate / AFP / Handout

Society

Clip of 3 hikers scaling slope at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park goes viral

Video from December 23, which appears to be taken from cable car at resort, shows hikers climbing along giant seahorse carved into Brick Hill.

The footage has prompted condemnation by some internet users. Photo: Handout

Politics

Requests for help after 2 Hongkongers reportedly killed in Ukraine war

Two men reportedly volunteered to fight for Ukraine in war, but died in Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Members of the Ukrainian military take cover during an operation in June. Photo: AFP

Europe

Ukraine’s parliament rocked by new bribery scandal as Zelensky heads to US talks

Guards try to block anti-corruption officials from entering parliament offices as part of their investigation into MPs taking bribes.

Participants at a rally react after Ukrainian lawmakers vote to reinstate the independence of anti-corruption bodies on July 31. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Hong Kong’s role to be discussed in China’s top legislature annual session

Sole delegate to National People’s Congress Starry Lee expects the city’s role in finance, trade, and innovation to be discussed in 15th five-year plan.

China’s top legislative body will discuss the nation’s next five-year development plan in its annual session in March. Photo: AP
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Opinion

My Take | Eye-opening court judgment a snapshot of issues that have plagued city for years

Case involved a common but illegal practice in which developers collude with indigenous villagers to abuse the city’s ‘small-house’ policy.

The court delivered its written ruling on Tuesday. Photo: Sun Yeung

Transport

Hong Kong’s Tseung Kwan O–Lam Tin Tunnel fully reopens after fuel truck crash

Police received report at 12.52pm on Saturday that medium-sized truck had crashed into right wall of tunnel.

The fuel truck tipped over in Tseung Kwan O–Lam Tin Tunnel on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Handout

Military

China-Pakistan jet deal with Libyan group ‘may help expand Beijing’s influence’

The agreement will supply the Libyan National Army with 16 fourth-generation JF-17 fighters.

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The JF-17 jet was jointly developed by China and Pakistan. Photo: AP

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Lacrosse Sixes a ‘chance to test strategies’ for 2028 Olympics

Home teams make mixed start on day one of three at Hong Kong Football Club.

Poon Tsz-yeung (left) in action for Hong Kong’s men against Fogo Grizzlies on Saturday. Photo: Elson Li

Europe

Italy arrests 9 suspected of funding Hamas via charities

Among those arrested was the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who reportedly funnelled funds to Hamas’ military wing.

Police officers inspect a charity for Palestinian civilians in Milan on Saturday. Photo: LaPresse/AP
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Science

Chinese nuclear experts believe Japan could build nukes in less than 3 years

Late US statesman Henry Kissinger’s dire warning about Tokyo aiming to become a nuclear power by 2028 is being re-examined by Beijing.

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Some Chinese nuclear experts estimate that Japan has the capacity to develop nuclear weapons in less than three years. Photo: Shutterstock

Racing

Ferraris bags birthday winner as Mount Everest scales new heights at Sha Tin

South African jockey guides David Eustace’s Happy Boss to a thrilling victory.

Jockey Luke Ferraris and connections of Happy Boss lap up his Sha Tin triumph. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Europe

Everyone’s a winner: Spanish town agrees to share El Gordo jackpot after mix-up

The local festival committee accidentally sold more ticket shares than it bought, which initially meant that some might not get the payout.

Lottery office staff celebrate selling a winning ticket for the Spanish El Gordo Christmas draw. Photo: dpa

Entertainment

How mega-hit Kokuho could make Japanese live-action films global contenders

Kokuho, Japan’s record-breaking cinematic triumph, is helping to redefine global perceptions of Japanese live-action film for modern viewers.

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A still from Kokuho. The three-hour epic is now Japan’s top-grossing live-action movie of all time and has been shortlisted for the 2026 Academy Awards’ international feature film category. Photo: courtesy of Toho Co

Science

China puts drone rules into law as low-altitude economy takes off

Decades-old legislation overhauled to plug gaps in the safety of uncrewed civilian aircraft.

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Changes to China’s Civil Aviation Law affecting drones will come into effect on July 1. Photo: Xinhua
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Society

Hong Kong records 10% rise in festive period visitors as outbound trips surge 22%

Despite increase in tourists, merchants warn absence of New Year fireworks may impact visitor numbers and, in turn, the retail sector.

Hong Kong recorded 404,559 inbound visitor trips from December 24 to 26, a 10 per cent increase compared with last year. Photo: Eugene Lee

Science

China hits milestone in building Beishan laboratory for managing nuclear waste

Team finishes construction of steep spiral ramp leading to underground facility where nuclear waste will be secured for thousands of years.

The spiral ramp of the Beishan Underground Research Laboratory features tight turns and a steep descent. Photo: People’s Daily

Racing

Magnifique bound for rating ‘close to 100’ after successful return from setback

David Hall lauds his talented sprinter after his impressive comeback at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Magnifique returns with a strong win at Sha Tin under James Orman. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Society

Hong Kong police arrest off-duty officer after elderly man knocked down by car

Police say driver was travelling along On Lok Road towards Tai Kiu Road on Saturday afternoon when he lost control of his Porsche.

The driver of the white Porsche lost control and crashed through a barricade. Photo: Handout

Law and Crime

2 more arrested in Hong Kong over illicit cigarette murder, taking tally to 27

Two men, aged 29 and 32, apprehended at border crossing, police say.

One of the two men arrested on Friday takes part in a reenactment on Yick Yuen Road. Photo: Dickson Lee
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Racing

Lor reaches landmark 500 winners and unleashes impressive Derby hope

Numbers and Salon S were both winners as the top trainer celebrated a milestone day at Sha Tin.

Frankie Lor celebrates his 500th winner at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Europe

Zelensky says Kyiv strike proves Russia does ‘not want to end war’

Moscow hit the Ukrainian capital with nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles a day ahead of US-Ukraine talks, leaving a third of Kyiv without heat.

An explosion lights up the sky over Kyiv during a Russian missile and drone strike on Saturday, Photo: . Reuters

Celebrities

Q&A | What’s next for Katseye after their Beautiful Chaos Tour?

In just a year, Megan Skiendiel, Daniela Avanzini, Sophia Laforteza, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman and Yoonchae went from trainees to global pop stars.

Katseye are embarking on their first tour, the Beautiful Chaos Tour. Photo: @katseyeworld/Instagram

Gender & Diversity

China woman shocked to see male therapist at spa appointment; mocked for ‘ignorance’

Undressed client balks on hearing voice of masseur; spa boss tells her ‘she is old enough to be his mum’ so he would not be ‘interested’ in her.

A woman in China has been mocked after she expressed shock on finding a male therapist at her spa appointment. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo

K-drama

Idol I: Choi Soo-young, Kim Jae-young lead K-pop-infused legal K-drama

Choi Soo-young plays a lawyer defending Kim Jae-young’s K-pop star – who she’s secretly obsessed with – in this new Korean drama.

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Choi Soo-young as lawyer Maeng Se-na in a still from Idol I, a new K-drama on Netflix.
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Hong Kong

Comanche, LawConnect continue duel in Sydney to Hobart race, Hong Kong boat 3rd

With more than half the race completed, the city’s SHK Scallywag 100 was third, while Wild Thing 100 became the first supermaxi to retire.

Master Lock Comanche was four nautical miles ahead of LawConnect on Saturday morning, the second day of the race. Photo: Rolex/Andrea Francolini

Southeast Asia

Spanish father, 3 children missing in Indonesia after tourist boat sinks

High waves are believed to have caused the sightseeing boat to capsize en route to popular tourist destination Labuan Bajo.

Indonesian rescuers prepare to look for missing foreign tourists in the Padar Island Strait on Saturday. Photo: Basarnas/AFP

Law and Crime

Hong Kong man arrested after extendable baton found in US-bound air luggage

Preliminary investigations show man, 62, hid suspected extendable baton, an unauthorised weapon, in his checked suitcase, police say.

Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Jelly Tse

Asia Opinion

Macroscope | Can AI deliver the economic goods and high returns? Don’t count on it

The dash towards AI might become a rout as the public rebels against the environmental costs while investors worry about the returns.

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A construction worker stands outside a data centre being built in Sedenak Tech Park in Johor, Malaysia, on September 27, 2024. Emerging AI data centres are giving the region’s main data centre hubs, Japan and Singapore, a run for their money. Photo: AP

Lifestyle & Culture

How the Peranakan Chinese built one of Southeast Asia’s most powerful networks

Born of trade and migration, the Peranakan community has forged a distinct identity that has bridged China and Southeast Asia for centuries.

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The Khoo elders observe the Tung Chen prayer ceremony in the ancestral hall of the Long San Tong Khoo Kongsi on December 20. Photo: Ushar Daniele