-

News

Asia
World
Hong Kong
China
Senior Hongkongers enjoy a sunny day in North Point on January 15, 2026. Photo: Jelly Tse

Banking & Finance

Hong Kong authority presses banks to shape up services for seniors

The monetary authority requires lenders to improve banking apps, branch premises and sales processes to suit the city’s ageing population.

Shanghai to open ‘free-to-fly’ zones covering 46% of city for consumer drones

videocam

Homebuyers snap up latest Sierra Sea flats as SHKP set for another sell-out

Military

Could China draw battlefield inspiration from Ukraine’s drone-borne micro bombs?

Leading defence scientist shares details of the creative ways Ukrainian forces are modifying hand grenades and other devices.

videocam
The merits of modified explosives carried by drones is the subject of an article in a magazine managed by China’s state-owned defence industry giant Norinco. Photo: Getty Images
The merits of modified explosives carried by drones is the subject of an article in a magazine managed by China’s state-owned defence industry giant Norinco. Photo: Getty Images

Trending in China

China mum makes daughter walk on knees during cold night, berates worried passers-by

Mother blames stress of debt incurred to give girl a ‘better’ education for punishment; netizens say she should ‘see a psychiatrist’.

Health & Environment

Malaysia’s Johor books 5 Singaporeans for littering under new enforcement regime

The cases come as the country enforces new rules sending littering offences to court as the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign rolls out.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

United States & Canada

Larry Fink considers rotating World Economic Forum away from Davos

The interim co-chief, and BlackRock CEO says the ‘mountain must come down to earth’ proposing a rotation to hubs like Detroit, Dublin and Jakarta.

videocam
Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, Larry Fink, attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, Larry Fink, attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Education

Hong Kong teams up with experts to develop AI tailored for schools

Secretary for Education Christine Choi tells legislature authorities are exploring launching a large language model relating to city’s school curriculum.

China Economy

How China is rethinking export-led growth as global trade walls rise

Protectionism is forcing a shift towards balancing exports with outbound investment, analysts say.

Policy

Beijing outlines tech push with focus on AI, 6G, humanoid robots

Tech ministry’s plan targets breakthroughs in AI models, agents and chips, as well as AI’s spread into diverse sectors.

A child interacts with a robot at a store in Shenzhen, in south China’s Guangdong province, on January 16, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Law and Crime

Helper in Hong Kong charged, another held, over alleged abuse of 2 children

Helper, 28, faces holding charge of ill-treatment after four-month-old baby hospitalised with brain injury suspected to have been caused by shaking.

The four-month-old is currently in the intensive care unit of Prince of Wales Hospital after undergoing emergency brain surgery. Photo: Handout
The four-month-old is currently in the intensive care unit of Prince of Wales Hospital after undergoing emergency brain surgery. Photo: Handout

Politics

Singapore’s Workers’ Party rejects Leader of the Opposition position

WP says ‘the leader of the largest opposition party in parliament is the leader of the opposition’ in a statement.

Southeast Asia

US clears US$2.3 billion jet and torpedo sale to Singapore

Pending US Congress approval, the US$2.3 billion Boeing P-8A deal announced at Pentagon talks will upgrade Singapore’s anti-submarine capabilities.

Policy

China fines e-commerce firm PDD for tax violations amid probe

Operator of leading online retail platform was cited for failure to comply with Shanghai’s tax requirements.

The logo of Chinese e-commerce platform Pinduoduo. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysia’s primary school changes spur fears of ‘herd effect’ competition

From 2027, children can enter Year One of primary school at age six instead of seven, fuelling fears of limited teaching staff and space.

videocam
Standard One students attending a class at a primary school in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock
Standard One students attending a class at a primary school in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock

East Asia

Why South Korea’s flight attendants are forced to brave bitter cold in uniforms

Flight attendants commute in uniform due to lack of changing rooms at Incheon Airport as labour groups fight for better conditions.

Politics

Malaysia media groups urge action after reporter allegedly assaulted at event

The incident follows the detention of another journalist under the Sedition Act, sharpening concerns about intimidation and press freedom.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Banking & Finance

Xi’s appointments underscore his policy priorities as economy slows

China’s government promoted Yi Huiman, the chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), to head of the securities regulator to help steer the stock market toward an avenue for fundraising.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, visits a farm in Jiansanjiang in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province on September 25, 2018. Xi was on an inspection tour of the region as China has slapped tariffs on US agricultural imports and looked to increase farming self-sufficiency amid a growing trade war with the United States. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, visits a farm in Jiansanjiang in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province on September 25, 2018. Xi was on an inspection tour of the region as China has slapped tariffs on US agricultural imports and looked to increase farming self-sufficiency amid a growing trade war with the United States. Photo: Xinhua

Companies

Son of Hong Kong's ‘Superman’ tycoon reinvests in home town

Analysts say Victor Li, who has been frustrated by his attempts to acquire overseas assets because of protectionism, trade disputes and rising interest rates, has once again started looking at Hong Kong’s property market for reasonable returns on its investments.

Companies

Sun Hung Kai pays US$1.43 billion for fourth Kai Tak runway plot

Companies

China pharma has a bitter pill to swallow: R&D

Beijing wants cheaper, better drugs. That’s pressuring drug makers to innovate as generics become more competitive.

Beijing has moved to cut prices of drugs and improve their efficacy and safety. Here a woman works at the pharmacy of a state-owned hospital in a town in Hebei province, China, in this photo taken in 2008.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Göktuğ Çalışkan

Opinion | Why so many states reject bloc rivalry to choose partnership with China

Göktuğ Çalışkan
Arash Beidollahkani

Opinion | Will Iran’s instability force China to rethink its Middle East strategy?

Arash Beidollahkani
Alex Lo

As I see it | How Donald Trump could break up Canada

Alex Lo
4
Brian Y. S. Wong

Opinion | Why isn’t Trump learning from past foreign policy mistakes?

Brian Y. S. Wong
Andy Xie

Opinion | China’s focus is on stability as the US rocks the global boat

Andy Xie
Massoud Amin

Opinion | Why we should aspire to raising living standards for all

Massoud Amin
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MULTIMEDIA
Video

Malaysia’s king vows to ‘hunt for the corrupt’

February 25, 2024, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 25/02/2024.- A handout photo made available by Malaysia’s Department of Information shows Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (C) inspecting the guard of honor during the opening of the third session of the 15th Parliament at the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 26 February 2024. ‘The success or failure of this country doesn’t solely rest on the shoulders of the Prime Minister but on all 222 Members of Parliament entrusted by the people as their government representatives,’ Sultan Ibrahim said. (Malasia) (Credit Image: © Information Department Of Malays/Handout via ZUMA Press Wire)
Video

Man disqualified from HK marathon for running with baby

Man running marathon with baby
00:32
Video

How might China address its historic low birth rate?

baby
02:58
Video

Knife-wielding man fatally shot by Hong Kong police

Knife-wielding man fatally shot by Hong Kong police
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
US-China relations
Hong Kong reopens: life after quarantine
Trending in China
Coronavirus China
China’s 20th Party Congress
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MOST POPULAR
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement