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Europe

Rubio meets Pope Leo at Vatican to defuse tensions with Trump

The meeting comes amid the US president’s repeated attacks on the pontiff over the Iran war and nuclear weapons.

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Pope Leo (centre) meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on Thursday. Photo: EPA/Vatican Media

China Opinion

Opinion | Why Beijing wants provinces to find their own ‘productive forces’

Beijing wants provinces to compete, but not across identical wish lists. Whether that works will become visible over the next five years.

An aerial view of the Maerdang Hydropower Station on the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Qinghai province in 2024. The central government wants provinces like Qinghai to find their rightful place in national development, instead of becoming yet another manufacturing base. Photo: Xinhua

Global Economy

Beijing vows action after EU cuts funding for projects using Chinese inverters

The commerce ministry warns the move will backfire on the EU, hitting its energy security and green transition.

The European Commission announced the funding ban on Monday, prompting Beijing to warn it could take retaliatory measures. Photo: Shutterstock

Global Economy

China, US drive global debt to record $353 trillion – what’s behind the surge?

New report warns that rising conflicts, AI spending and energy security push are all expected to further increase global debt levels.

Global debt hit a record high of nearly US$353 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF), with China and the United States largely driving the trend. Photo: EPA-EFE

Asia

Video | How India is turning cow dung into cooking fuel

In the Hindu-majority nation, where cows are revered and their dung is widely available, biogas is a natural lifeline.

This photograph taken on April 24, 2026 shows a villager collecting cow dung from her cattle stable near her residence in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district. Across much of India, an energy crunch caused by the Iran war has prompted long queues for cooking gas cyclinders. However, since the 1980s India has also promoted biogas as a low-cost rural energy source, subsidising more than five million “digester” units that convert farm waste into methane for cooking, and nitrogen-rich slurry for fertiliser. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
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China

Ex-China gymnast ‘regains dignity’ after paying off family’s debt via social media

Wu Liufang’s content on Douyin features her in traditional Chinese clothing promoting cultural heritage dances to her followers.

Wu Liufang intends to use future savings to buy a flat with a lift for her parents to ease their mobility issues. Photo: Wu Liufang’s Douyin screenshot

China Business

As US stocks hit record highs, will investors keep buying or stay diversified?

US equities rally amid easing Middle East tensions, but global investors remain cautious, focusing on diversification and China’s prospects.

American flags fly outside the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: AP

Economics

India’s military turns to green energy options as Iran war prompts new strategy

The Indian army is looking to green sources for its cooking, vehicles and installations due to surging oil prices.

Indian soldiers perform drills in Kargil, Ladakh, India, in July last year. The Indian army is increasing its use of green energy sources due to rising oil prices caused by the impact of the Iran war. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images

Property

Hong Kong’s secondary luxury home deals rise as business families hunt for value

Family behind Nameson buys Tai Po flats at prices near 2014 levels, while Tat Ming-linked couple sells Repulse Bay unit for HK$170 million.

Private residential developments Mayfair by the Sea Phase 1 and 2 in Tai Po. Photo: Martin Chan

Law and Crime

Court overturns murder conviction of man who killed girlfriend, orders retrial

Court of Appeal rules in favour of Law Wai-man, saying trial judge had not properly directed jury to fully consider his violent personality traits.

Police escort the murder suspect to Po Lam Estate for investigation in March 2019. Photo: Handout
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Asia

Video | What’s changed in North Korea’s overhauled constitution?

Analysts say Pyongyang’s amendments could signal a shift to coexistence with South Korea.

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Business

After accounting overhaul, can Wuliangye share buys restore investor confidence?

Investors welcome Wuliangye’s multibillion-yuan share purchase plan after weak earnings and industry destocking hit sentiment.

The Wuliangye Group share purchase follows a prolonged downturn in China’s baijiu sector. Photo: Getty Images

Racing

Royal Ascot needs Ka Ying Rising, but the world’s best horse does not need it

After beating Australia’s best sprinters in their own backyard, and Japan’s top-notcher at home, there is nothing a trip to the UK would prove.

Ka Ying Rising hoses up at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong restaurants can apply from May 18 to become dog-friendly venues

First phase of new scheme capped at 1,000 eateries, with successful applicants expected to be able to admit pets from July.

Hong Kong restaurants will be able to apply for licences from May 18 to allow dogs under a new scheme. Photo: Sam Tsang

Africa

Nations race to trace passengers of hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Cruise operator says 29 passengers left the MV Hondius in St Helena on April 24, after the first death.

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A person in a white hazmat suit disembarks a medical aircraft in Amsterdam on Wednesday. Photo: ANP via AFP
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Society

Inspector failed to spot illegal alterations, Hong Kong fire probe hears

Senior maintenance surveyor Nick Yung thought wooden boards used to cover temporary openings at Wang Fuk Court designed to protect ‘broken’ windows.

Yung Siu-lun arrives at City Gallery in Central for the fire hearing. Photo: Edmond So

Southeast Asia

Singapore isolates 2 residents linked to cruise ship hantavirus outbreak

If the two men test positive for hantavirus, they will remain in hospital for monitoring and treatment.

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The hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius leaves Praia, Cape Verde, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Other Sport

Visually impaired Hongkonger ready for challenge of making Hyrox debut in city

Max Lam will compete in mixed doubles alongside guide runner Aileen Wong, with pair sharing workout stations after three months of training.

Max Lam (left) will make his Hyrox debut in Saturday’s mixed doubles format alongside his event partner and guide runner Aileen Wong. Photo: Elson Li

Tech

Kimi developer Moonshot AI valued at US$20b as it navigates new IPO rules

Firm raised US$2 billion from investors including Meituan’s venture and China Mobile, taking total to US$3.9 billion in the last six months.

Moonshot AI, best known for its Kimi chatbot, saw its annual recurring revenue exceed US$200 million in April. Photo: Shutterstock

Law and Crime

Alleged Gundam figurine thief injured after jumping from building in Hong Kong

Police say the man, aged 40, was linked to the theft of 10 boxes of Gundam models from a building in To Kwa Wan.

Police cordon off the scene of the accident. Photo: Handout
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Military

2 former Chinese defence ministers handed suspended death sentences

Sentences for Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu most severe of senior military officers since Xi Jinping started anti-corruption campaign in 2012.

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Former Chinese defence ministers Li Shangfu (left) and Wei Fenghe were sentenced over corruption charges on Thursday. Photo composite: AP and Reuters

Diplomacy

What did China tell a close Trump ally ahead of the US leader’s Beijing trip?

Top diplomat Wang Yi advises visiting delegation of US senators that the two countries should be ‘partners rather than adversaries’.

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US Senator Steve Daines is greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: AP

Global Economy

Fuel shocks, thin margins: why China’s airlines should ‘heed Spirit’s mistakes’

Demise of US budget carrier seen as a warning sign of how turbulent it could get for China’s airlines with fragile bottom lines.

Spirit Airlines jets sit on a tarmac in the US state of Florida on Sunday after the company ceased operations. Photo: EPA

100 Top Tables

Drink in Focus: Lee cocktail at The Green Door

The Lee drink at The Green Door – part of a new menu in collaboration with local indie band Mr Koo – pays tribute to cornbread and the Gold Rush.

The Lee cocktail is part of a new collaboration menu between The Green Door and Mr Koo in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Celebrities

Meet Princess Eugenie’s ‘commoner’ husband and baby daddy, Jack Brooksbank

The British royal is expecting a third child with Brooksbank, who once worked for George Clooney and Rande Gerber’s tequila brand, Casamigos.

Britain’s Princess Eugenie of York is expecting her third child with husband Jack Brooksbank. Photo: AFP
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Trending in China

China woman sacked over husband’s rival firm job gets US$101,000 for unjust firing

Company alleges potential sabotage in counter lawsuit but fails as court rules there is no evidence that woman passed secrets to her man.

A woman in China was fired because her husband was the general manager of a rival company. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu

Economics

Indonesia posts fastest first-quarter growth in 3 years, but headwinds loom

The 5.6 per cent growth was propelled by robust household consumption during the festive season and a surge in government spending.

Buyers and sellers at the Al Mahira traditional market in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Monday. Increased spending during Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr-related travel boosted first-quarter growth, officials say. Photo: EPA

Southeast Asia

‘Why waste a crisis?’: AirAsia to launch new airline, defying high oil costs

‘We can’t control what happens in the Middle East, but we have to take a view that it’s not going to last for two years,’ CEO Tony Fernandes says.

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AirAsia planes stand on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. Photo: Reuters

World

Video | Hantavirus-hit ship sails for Canary Islands

The World Health Organization (WHO) said eight cases of hantavirus – three confirmed and five suspected – have been identified so far on the ship.

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Entertainment

Hong Kong reggae festival to celebrate 10 years with a Jamaican music legend

Hong Kong International Reggae Ska Festival planner Paul Thompson shares why the city jives with Jamaican music and 2026’s ambitious line-up.

The Wailers perform at the Hong Kong International Reggae Ska Festival 2024, near the Hong Kong Observation Wheel in Central. Organiser Paul Thompson talks about how the event has “snowballed” in recent years ahead of its 10th edition, taking place at PMQ on May 30, 2026. Photo: Lusher Photography