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Hong Kong

Panama orders control of canal ports run by Hong Kong firm after court ruling

The decree authorises the Panama Maritime Authority to occupy the ports, run by CK Hutchison, for ‘reasons of urgent social interest’.

The port of Balboa, managed by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, at the entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Bird flu outbreaks in parts of Japan, Denmark trigger Hong Kong poultry bans

Holbaek municipality in Denmark and Japan’s Iwate prefecture have been hit by outbreaks of highly pathogenic strains.

Outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 and H5 strains of bird flu have been reported in the two countries. Photo: EPA-EFE

Diplomacy

‘China shock’ hangs over German leader Merz’s first visit to Beijing

Chancellor must strike a balance between those wanting a toned-down Brussels trade policy and those backing tougher action against Beijing.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to depart for his first official trip to China, with scheduled stops in Beijing and Hangzhou. Photo: AP

Hong Kong Economy

Mainland China group wins deal to operate Hong Kong harbourfront event space

Bay Area Media wins three-year tenancy to turn former railway freight pier into event space featuring food and entertainment facilities as well as pet-friendly park.

A view of Victoria Harbour from Hung Hom. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong businesses take Trump’s latest tariff surprise in stride

Industry representatives convinced impact of new 15 per cent global tariff on city will be ‘limited’, echoing opinion of financial officials.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at the White House last week. The US Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by Trump under an emergency powers law. Photo: AFP
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Tech

Ant’s AQ health app tops 100 million users amid holiday surge

Growth comes as China’s ageing population fuels demand for AI-assisted health monitoring tools.

The rise of AI health apps in China comes as the country navigates a rapidly ageing demographic. Photo: Handout

Education

Hong Kong universities enjoy ‘growing appeal with belt and road, Asean students’

Secretary for Education Christine Choi speaks at ‘Study in Hong Kong Week’ event, says city attracting more students from outside China.

Hong Kong hopes to grow its appeal as a tertiary education destination. Photo: Elson Li

Asia

Video | Fans flock to Japan zoo to see viral baby monkey

The baby monkey went viral for dragging a stuffed orangutan around as a surrogate mother after he was abandoned.

Fans have been flocking to a zoo in Ichikawa, Japan, to catch a glimpse of a baby monkey who went viral on social media.
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Transport

Hong Kong autonomous vehicle tests move up a gear with longer routes

Routes on the North Lantau trial will cover up to 43.2km, with more vehicles allowed to operate at the same time.

The route extensions cover Tung Chung and Sunny Bay on Lantau Island. Photo: Nora Tam

Economics

Cross-border trips to Johor push Singapore checkpoint traffic to new high

About three-quarters of the record 245 million travellers who crossed Singapore’s checkpoints last year went via the land border.

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Vehicles travel across the causeway from Malaysia’s southern state of Johor to the Woodlands immigration checkpoint in Singapore on October 10, 2025. Photo: AFP
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World Opinion

Opinion | Germany’s outreach to China signals a reckoning, rather than a shift

The German chancellor realises that while China poses a long-term economic challenge, the United States is currently the more disruptive partner.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

Rugby

Rugby 7s royalty Ben Gollings bringing Chennai Bulls to play in Hong Kong

World Series record points scorer believes sport’s chiefs need to find ‘sweet spot’ to restore shorter format’s charm.

Former England sevens star Ben Gollings (seated, right) with his Chennai Bulls rugby team. Photo: Chennai Bulls

Military

China’s 155mm naval gun on test vessel signals boost to amphibious landing power

The weapon – reportedly capable of firing guided munitions – represents a significant upgrade for PLA Navy.

Photos of China’s new 155mm weapon mounted on the bow of a test vessel have recently emerged on Chinese social media. Photo: Handout

Law and Crime

Hong Kong court dismisses appeals of 12 activists over landmark subversion case

Court also upholds acquittal of Lawrence Lau Wai-chung, with Department of Justice to consider appealing ruling.

A correctional services vehicle transports the appellants to court. Photo: Dickson Lee

Southeast Asia

Duterte was ‘pivotal’ in murder of thousands, ICC prosecutors say

He has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the drug crackdown.

People protest in favour of the detention of former Philippines’ president Rodrigo Duterte outside the International Criminal Court where he will be questioned on charges of crimes against humanity, in The Hague on Monday. Photo: AFP
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Politics

Taiwan seeks clarity after US Supreme Court upends Trump’s tariff powers

Taipei scrambles to ensure trade exemptions remain intact, but opposition warns the ruling ‘completely overturned’ tariff deal.

Taiwanese exporters face fresh uncertainty as the Trump administration turns to other trade tools following the US Supreme Court’s ruling. Photo: EPA

Global Economy

What next for China’s export machine after top US court blocks Trump’s tariffs?

The high-stakes meeting between Trump and Xi may determine whether current reprieve gives way to a more durable trade deal, analyst says.

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By invalidating duties imposed under emergency presidential powers, the US Supreme Court ruling removes a powerful tool the White House had used to pressure Beijing, potentially weakening Washington’s bargaining position. Photo: Shutterstock

Transport

Hong Kong launches own rail standards to boost efficiency and cut costs

New standards will enable use of a broader selection of advanced construction technologies, materials, equipment and systems for railway projects.

Work on Kwu Tung MTR station is scheduled for completion in 2027. Photo: Sam Tsang

Entertainment

Are you addicted to social media, is it a problem and what can you do about it?

Social media addiction is not officially registered as a mental illness, but it affects adults and children. Here are tips on cutting down.

Social media addiction is not a recognised mental health problem, but affects adults and children alike. Photo: Shutterstock

China Economy

Boom or bust? China’s Lunar New Year spending data is in – here is what we know

Initial figures show record travel, shifting spending patterns and a weak box office.

Customers choose mobile phones at a consumer electronics store in Zaozhuang, east China’s Shandong province, on Saturday. Local authorities rolled out a series of stimulus programmes and policies to help boost consumer spending during the holiday. Photo: Xinhua
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Law and Crime

Dad throttled wife, child in rage over trivial quarrels, Hong Kong court hears

49-year-old defendant, who works with Immigration Department, pleads guilty to six counts of common assault.

Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts. Photo: Sun Yeung

Law and Crime

Hong Kong protests: former young offenders sent on mainland China exchange tours

Head of correctional authorities says expansion of existing scheme aims to boost patriotism and understanding of Chinese culture.

Inmates access computers during a media tour of a Hong Kong prison. Photo: Jonathan Wong

China EVs

Low-cost models dominate China EV sales, surpassing Tesla and BYD

Geely’s and Wuling’s sub-100,000 yuan battery EVs ranked first and second in mainland China last year, each selling over 400,000 units.

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Geely’s Xingyuan was the top-selling EV on the mainland last year. Photo: Weibo

Tech Trends

Zhipu AI’s shares tumble nearly 23% on computing woes, user complaints

The Hong Kong-listed firm is the first Chinese AI developer to issue a public call urging support for its GLM model.

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Zhipu apologised on Saturday after users in China and overseas reported issues with the company’s flagship “GLM coding plan” product. Photo: Shutterstock

Europe

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

Ministers of the new three-party minority government pose with King Willem-Alexander (middle right, Prime Minster Rob Jetten (middle left) and Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yesilgöz (front row right) on the steps of Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. Photo: AP
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Politics

Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts

Using AI-generated images and simplified Chinese characters, a network of 3,000 fake accounts reportedly tried to sway Japan’s election.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen on Liberal Democratic Party poster boards in Date, Hokkaido prefecture, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong

Hong Kong 4 Trails Ultra Challenge finisher to ‘do something else with my life’

‘Completely dedicated’ Englishman Scott Pugh says everything came right on the day as he completes the race in less than 60 hours.

It took Scott Pugh three attempts and seven-and-a-half years, and quitting alcohol, to get to the pinnacle of the Four Trails challenge. Photo: HK4TUC

Celebrities

Meet hockey player Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal for Team USA

Hughes, who comes from a family of hockey players and may be dating Tate McRae, broke two of his teeth shortly before winning the Olympic gold for his team.

Jack Hughes receiving his gold medal after the US defeated Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Photo: AP

Trending in China

‘Sportcation’ gets popular with China youth, makes romantic getaway an athletic hub

Indonesian island renowned for parties and chilling turns holiday spot for fitness-mad travellers who seek ‘military-style’ boot camps.

A new trend called “Sportcation” is gaining popularity among young Chinese travellers. It has turned Bali, Indonesia, from a honeymoon destination to a place for athletic activities. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote

Diplomacy

Xi Jinping hoping China can open ‘new chapter’ in relations with North Korea

Chinese leader sends message of ‘high trust and wholehearted support’ to Kim Jong-un after major party event.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pictured at the party congress which concluded on Monday. Photo: AFP