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‘Anti-LGBT’ and ‘nation destroyer’ stickers are seen plastered outside the entrance of a men’s only spa in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, by a Malay nationalist group after the venue was raided by police in November. Photo: Facebook/pekidamalaysiarasmi

Lifestyle & Culture

‘We just want to live’: fear grips Malaysia’s LGBTQ community

With drag clubs closed and spas raided, the shrinking space for queer life in Malaysia leaves a community with nowhere left to turn.

Nuclear-armed North Korea takes aim at Japan’s ambition for atomic weapons

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Hong Kong, Singapore embrace flex offices as multinationals reshape demand

China Economy

China eases visa rules for India, tapping into US$21.6 billion travel market

Indian nationals will now be able to apply for Chinese visas online as Beijing and New Delhi gradually move to normalise economic ties.

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China and India are gradually normalising economic ties five years after a deadly border clash. Photo: AFP
China and India are gradually normalising economic ties five years after a deadly border clash. Photo: AFP

Politics

From Labubu to blockbuster films, was 2025 the year of China’s soft power?

Chinese lifestyle brands and other cultural exports proved to be a hit around the world this year, here are some of our most notable stories.

Science

In eastern China, ancient ruins push back the date of Yangtze delta’s earliest cities

Excavations at the Doushan site near Wuxi suggest water may have spurred the development of the oldest centres in the area.

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China Business

Why global luxury brands are switching to shopping streets in China

Luxury giants are transforming China’s retail scene, blending culture, cuisine and shopping in vibrant street-level destinations.

Stand-alone flagship stores with distinctive architectural facades are gradually gaining traction in China. Above, Beijing’s Taikoo Li Sanlitun North. Photo: Zhu Wenqian
Stand-alone flagship stores with distinctive architectural facades are gradually gaining traction in China. Above, Beijing’s Taikoo Li Sanlitun North. Photo: Zhu Wenqian

United States & Canada

Trump at ‘risk of becoming the deep state’ after Epstein file omissions

Some Republicans fear the controversy is far from over and the limited disclosures could hurt the party at next year’s midterm election.

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Economics

Losing ground: Japan sounds alarm over foreign-owned land

From next year, anyone buying property will have to confirm their nationality – a move some analysts say is overkill.

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Society

Fate of 600 goats in the balance as deadline nears to move for Hong Kong project

Cheung Siu-ling says she has until end of January next year to make way for Northern Metropolis, or her herd will be put down.

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The owner of the 600 goats has struggled to find new land for the herd. Photo: Eugene Lee

Trending in China

Chinese firm gifts renovated flats to employees after 5-year service to retain staff

All flats are located within 5km of the company and vary in size from 100 to 150 square metres.

A Chinese company gained attention for giving flats to employees after five years of service to boost staff retention. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Jimu
A Chinese company gained attention for giving flats to employees after five years of service to boost staff retention. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Jimu

Science

China speeds up armour steel production by 30%, US Conshohocken plant folds

Chinese military supplier solves tech snag to boost manufacturing levels, while American counterpart ceases operations due to financial loss.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Worship to witch hunts: how South Korea’s fandoms turn on their idols

When stars shine brightest in the glare of publicity, the darkness that follows can feel absolute. This December, three more lights went out.

United States & Canada

Will homeless man who helped FBI find Brown shooter get US$50,000 reward?

Investigators struggled for days to locate the suspect – until they got a tip about a Reddit post by a man living in the building’s basement.

A poster seeking information about the shooting suspect is seen on the campus of Brown University on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Tech

Building a humanoid robot without China? Then you better bring a bigger wallet

China has issued five times the number of patents related to humanoid robots than the US, says Morgan Stanley.

A technician teaches a humanoid robot to use a wrench to tighten a bolt at a data collection pre-training center for humanoid robots in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province. Photo: Xinhua
A technician teaches a humanoid robot to use a wrench to tighten a bolt at a data collection pre-training center for humanoid robots in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province. Photo: Xinhua

United States & Canada

At least 16 files gone from Epstein release site, including 1 with Trump photo

The missing documents were originally available but no longer accessible a day later, with no reason given.

Military

Pentagon’s Taiwan war games reflect US anxiety over PLA power: defence experts

Leaked report projects heavy US losses in potential cross-strait conflict and highlights Beijing’s ability to destroy warships and planes.

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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.
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OPINION
Cui Jianchun

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Brian Y. S. Wong

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Outside In | Six years on, are we better prepared for the next pandemic?

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Xiaogang Wu

Opinion | Fix housing to help young Hongkongers feel they belong here

Xiaogang Wu
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MULTIMEDIA
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The beginning of the end for Choi Hung Estate

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Knife-wielding attacker kills 3 in Taipei

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Politics fails to dampen launch of Japanese sushi chain in Shanghai

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Even China’s small factories are turning to robot workers

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