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Law and Crime

Hong Kong reports 99% participation of young 2019 protest convicts in rehab project

Security Bureau says nearly all young protest offenders have taken part in Project PATH, with a recidivism rate of just 0.2 per cent.

A total of 1,768 inmates convicted of protest and national security-related offences have taken part in Project PATH as of the end of February. Photo: Edmond So

Politics

Macau finance minister steps down for ‘personal reasons’

Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai thanks Tai Kin-ip for his hard work and temporarily assumes duties until a new candidate is appointed.

Macau finance minister Tai Kin-ip has stepped down. Photo: Government Information Bureau of the Macau Special Administrative Region

IPO Quote Profile

Sigenergy jumps 83% in Hong Kong debut on rising energy storage demand

The Shanghai-based firm’s shares opened at HK$581, versus its offer price of HK$324.20 after it raised US$560 million from its IPO.

Visitors learn about products at the booth of Sigenergy Technology during the Solar and Storage Live Africa 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 25, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Diplomacy

China’s Wang Yi calls on Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through strait

In phone call with Iran’s top envoy, China’s foreign minister says situation is at ‘critical stage of transition between conflict and peace’.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Iranian counterpart in a phone call on Wednesday regarding the Iran war and access to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Xinhua

Economics

Petrol patrol: Malaysia sends police to guard border stations as fuel leaks rise

Malaysia is trying to prevent its heavily subsidised petrol and diesel from being siphoned across land and sea borders as the global energy crisis bites.

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A man fills his car with RON95 petrol at a station in Malaysia on March 25. Photo: EPA
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Food & Drink

Want an authentic farm-to-table experience in Hong Kong? Here’s one

A weekend event in rural Hong Kong teaches guests the true meaning of sustainability through mindful activities and delicious seasonal food.

A spread of baked goods by Formless Daily at the Easter potluck gathering at Blue Girl Organic Farm in April 2026. Photo: Hei Kiu Au

Other Sport

Switzerland fire ice hockey coach who entered China on false Covid-19 vaccine certificate

Patrick Fischer admitted he made a ‘serious mistake’ travelling to Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics using fake paperwork.

Patrick Fischer was one of Switzerland’s most successful ice hockey coaches and had been in the post since 2015. Photo: dpa

Middle East

Trump says Israel and Lebanon to hold talks Thursday

A potential Lebanon ceasefire is seen as a critical condition for US-Iran peace and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli army vehicles and bulldozers operate in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Markets

Mark Mobius, pioneering investor in China, dies at 89

‘Father of emerging markets’ was among the first fund managers to champion investments in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Mark Mobius, pictured during a media event on May 30, 2024, in Hong Kong. Photo: Enoch Yiu

Science

Beijing tried to reduce desertification. Now it battles ‘snowstorm’ of allergens

City officials and university scientists are teaming up to tackle the annual spring arrival of allergy-inducing catkins.

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Catkins absorb bacteria, pollen and dust from the air, triggering respiratory and skin allergies in many people. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
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Tech

ASML boosts 2026 sales forecast despite shrinking China sales

The Dutch chipmaker expects annual net sales of €36 billion (US$42.5 billion) to €40 billion after releasing its first-quarter results.

The ASML logo is seen at the company’s headquarters in Veldhoven, Netherlands. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Residents on Indonesia’s Bali burn trash after landfill ban on organic waste

Near-capacity Suwung landfill stopped taking organic waste, which makes up about two-thirds of all rubbish in Bali, from April 1.

An excavator moves trash at the Suwung landfill in Denpasar on April 2. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Jailed Iranian Nobel winner ‘critical’ after heart attack

Supporters say the life of 2023 peace laureate Narges Mohammadi is at ‘immediate and irreparable risk’ in an Iranian prison.

Iranian rights campaigner Narges Mohammadi. Photo: Narges Mohammadi Foundation via AFP

Society

Tai Po fire probe: resident recalls deaths of 3 family members, domestic helper

Resident says he kept calling his mother every 15 minutes and made a video call at around 9pm during which he saw the flat in complete darkness.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Sam Tsang

Economic Indicators

China beats expectations with 5% growth in first GDP release since Iran war

‘Stronger than expected’ growth figure indicates minimal impact from the conflict and a low likelihood for near-term stimulus, analysts said.

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A coil of copper is moved at an electrical materials factory in Dongyang, Zhejiang province, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
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Watches

Style Edit: Breguet’s Tradition collection puts the movement on show

The most beautiful part of a watch may be the one you weren’t supposed to see – as the Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7037 and Tradition GMT 7067 prove.

Breguet is revitalising its Tradition collection in 2026. Photo: Handout

Australasia

Huge blaze at Australian refinery threatens petrol supply amid global oil crisis

The Geelong plant is one of only two operating oil refineries in Australia and supplies 10 per cent of the country’s total demand.

Flames shoot out from the Viva Oil Refinery in Geelong early Thursday morning. Photo: Handout/Giuliana Elakis/AFP

Hong Kong Opinion

Legal Tales | How the law protects when a parent abducts their child across borders

Hong Kong is a signatory to a law that enables children to be returned to their habitual residence, and the local court to make a determination.

Hong Kong is a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction 1980. Photo: Getty Images

Economics

Desperate times, drastic measures? Filipinos call for fuel caps as crisis bites

The Philippines is one of the worst hit by the oil crisis, but its deregulation law prevents the government from capping fuel prices.

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A pump attendant uses adhesive tape to change figures of fuel prices in Quezon City on April 7. Photo: EPA

China Opinion

Opinion | By voicing their needs, Chinese women are normalising them

In films and on social media, women in China are openly advocating for themselves and fighting taboos around women’s health.

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Women eat lunch in a female co-living space in Hangzhou, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, on July 14, 2025. Photo: AFP
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Europe

BBC to slash 2,000 jobs in biggest redundancy drive in 15 years

The British broadcaster will axe 10 per cent of its workforce as it navigates ‘financial pressures’.

The viewfinder of a camera outside the offices of the BBC in London. Photo: AFP

Trending in China

Why China jobseekers use dating apps for work, recruitment sites for matchmaking

Many believe a recruitment-based dating app mitigates dishonesty, serves as an effective tool for risk management.

Chinese jobseekers are using dating apps to find work while recruitment platforms have transformed into matchmaking sites for greater reliability. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Diplomacy

The next frontier: China maps seabed resources as Japan races to tap rare earths

Atlas charts location, concentration and distribution patterns of dozens of elements in seabed sediments.

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China surveyed more than 20,000 observation points, culminating in a geochemical data set of eastern waters, according to state media. Photo: CCTV

Golf

LIV Golf boss tells players, staff league charging ahead ‘full throttle’

Speculation over future of tour has swirled online for past day, but LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil strikes bullish tone in message to staff.

Bryson DeChambeau signs autographs before practice for LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec. Photo: Getty Images

Food & Drink

On the Menu | Hong Kong has how many rice varieties? A woman’s drive to celebrate them all

An ambitious decade-long effort to catalogue and preserve Hong Kong’s many local rice types has led to a new book and exhibition.

Five types of local Hong Kong rice are presented at a rice tasting meeting. A new book and exhibition shines a light on Hong Kong’s local rice varieties. Photo: Instagram/giftfromland
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HK Sevens

Aussie Howe eyes Paralympic gold in wheelchair rugby, but first a bit of sevens

Having reached top of his sport after accident left him a quadriplegic at 20, Australian Jake Howe is showing no signs of slowing down.

Jake Howe (left) was drawn to wheelchair rugby by the physicality of the sport. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Economy

Are special laws a quick fix for speeding up Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis?

Syncing megaproject with key infrastructure and turning it into a ‘living laboratory’ are equally important to its success, tech experts say.

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Politics

Japan backs a female emperor while Takaichi pushes conservative succession plan

A new poll shows most Japanese support a woman taking the throne, even as the prime minister moves to preserve male-line succession.

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(From R) Japan’s Princess Aiko and her parents, Empress Masako and Emperor Naruhito, wave to well-wishers after arriving at the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7. Photo: Kyodo

Global Economy

Record-setting Canton Fair under Middle East cloud as costs hit China’s exports

Manufacturers and buyers offer on-the-ground perspectives at China’s largest trade exhibition, swapping stories and predictions amid massive turnout.

Buyers browse household electrical appliances at the 139th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, in Guangdong province on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Passions

Former Hong Kong rugby team captain reflects on the first Sevens tournament in 1976

The former England international rugby player tells Annemarie Evans about his turn as captain of the Hong Kong team at the inaugural Sevens tournament here in 1976.

Bob Lloyd poses for a portrait at the Hong Kong Football Club, Happy Valley, Hong Kong. Lloyd served as the captain of Hong Kong team during the first Hong Kong Sevens in 1976. Photo: Alexander Mak