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Politics

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

After the US migration to RedNote, experts say transforming engagement into influence will require a ‘light touch’ from Beijing.

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A social media influencer in New York City films a video for RedNote after leaving TikTok in January. Photo: Reuters

Travel

What the festive season looks like across Asia’s most vibrant cities

Christmas markets, fireworks and giant lanterns are all in store if you’re seeing in the season elsewhere in Asia.

New Taipei City Christmasland, Taiwan’s largest Christmas celebration, runs until December 28 this year in Banqiao district. Photo: Shutterstock

China Economy

China’s growing young billionaire class masks innovation hurdles, analysts say

Technological innovation – one of Beijing’s top priorities – is helping to drive wealth creation, report says.

Wang Ning, the 38-year-old founder and CEO of Pop Mart, is one of China’s youngest billionaires.

Russia & Central Asia

Europe fears hidden Russian threat in Trump-backed Ukraine peace plan

Europe worries a US plan for a demilitarised zone in the Donbas region may help Moscow to reinvade Kyiv.

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A Ukrainian soldier jumps down from a tank in Kharkiv, Ukraine, last month. Photo: AP

Opinion

Asian Angle | Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

Rising anxieties over Beijing and Moscow have united Berlin and Manila in an axis that must now be institutionalised to ensure it endures.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (left) mets his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro Jnr in Manila last year to discuss defence cooperation. Photo: Reuters
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Society

From workers to leaders: Operation Santa Claus empowers Hong Kong’s migrants

Uplifters and EmpowerU join forces to train domestic workers as community leaders who can support their peers.

Filipino domestic worker Ailenemae Ramos (left) has been helping other migrant domestic workers with her newly gained knowledge and skills. Photo: Handout

Politics

After The War | Virtual reality and the Nanking massacre: where does immersion become trauma?

Amid push in China for museum digitalisation, one educator seeks to help students ‘feel history without being flooded by it’.

Simon Li, executive director of the Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Centre, with students (from second left) Kavira S. Kazimoto, Gem Peduche and Josue Camarena, at Andrews University’s Hong Kong campus. Photo: Handout

Other Sport

China fans flock to WTT Finals in Hong Kong, with unlimited budgets for some

But tight security at Hong Kong Coliseum, few attractions nearby and costly hotels proving to be drawbacks for others.

A fan of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha taking photos with her idols as a backdrop. Photo: Ada Li

Other Sport

Age just a number for Singapore’s Lim, 71-year-old sets world darts record

Paul Lim becomes oldest winner of match in history of World Darts Championship, stuns Jeffrey de Graaf.

Paul Lim celebrates beating Jeffrey de Graaf on day three of the World Darts Championship. Photo: AP

Politics

Security or freedom? Japan’s proposed anti-spy laws raise human rights concerns

Prime Minister Takaichi’s plans to tighten spying and secrecy rules could be used to stifle free speech and media freedom, analysts say.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters
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Hong Kong Opinion

Opinion | Frank Gehry’s vision for Hong Kong’s arts hub was an opportunity lost

Years after Gehry delivered the Guggenheim Bilbao, one of the world’s most successful museums, his vision for Hong Kong was rejected.

Architect Frank Gehry at a press conference in front of a model of Luma Arles in Arles, France, in 2014. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

‘Did you think I’d face jail time?’: deported porn star Blue mocks Bali arrest

The adult content creator returned to the UK, saying it cost her less than ‘US$20 to get out of prison’ in Indonesia.

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British adult content creator Bonnie Blue arrives at Denpasar court for her trial in Indonesia’s Bali on Friday. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Economy

Destroyed homes, cancelled events: Hong Kong counts economic cost of Tai Po fire

Wang Fuk Court flats that went up in flames worth about HK$5 billion, while losses from cancelled mega-events, banquets are likely to rise.

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The Tai Po fire destroyed seven of the eight buildings of Wang Fuk Court estate, with the devastated properties previously valued at a total of HK$5 billion. Photo: Karma Lo

China Business

China’s EV battery giants wade into shipbuilding to bolster Beijing’s dominance

CATL and Gotion add momentum to China’s efforts to build new-energy vessels amid an accelerated decarbonisation drive.

A vessel powered by CATL batteries. Photo: Handout

Trending in China

China engineer fired for taking hour-long loo breaks, longest lasting 4 hours

Haemorrhoid-suffering employee loses appeal after drawn-out legal tussle; court rules time spent in toilet ‘greatly exceeded’ his physical needs.

A Chinese engineer has been fired for taking too many bathroom breaks, one of which lasted four hours. Photo: Shutterstock
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Racing

Hong Kong heavyweights headline action-packed international day at Sha Tin

Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising are poised to add to their already glittering CVs on the city’s biggest day of racing.

Sha Tin will be heaving on Sunday. Photo: Kenneth Chan

Lifestyle & Culture

‘It’s all in English now’: South Koreans fall out of love with K-pop

Long-time listeners say the genre has lost its identity, with English lyrics and shorter tracks alienating the local fan base.

Members of K-pop act BTS attend the 2022 Grammy Awards in Las Vegas. Photo: TNS

Opinion

Editorial | Hong Kong needs MPF to build on successful first 25 years

The city’s statutory pension scheme is on pace for record returns, but the rising cost of living means it cannot rest on its laurels.

People cross a road in Central during lunch hour on January 6. Photo: Jelly Tse

Chinese culture

5 of the best-known horses in Chinese legend, from the Red Hare to qilin

Horses play a fascinating role in Chinese folklore, ranging from the downright disturbing – one kidnaps a girl – to the gently auspicious.

Warlord Lu Bu and his famous horse Red Hare are depicted in the 2013 video game Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends.

Opinion

Editorial | Christmas brings hope at time of heartbreak

Sense of love and sharing inspired by seasonal events may help ease Hong Kong’s pain in wake of blaze tragedy and encourage an outpouring of charity for victims.

(From left) Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law, Swire Properties chief executive Tim Blackburn and Post editor-in-chief Tammy Tam at the tree lighting ceremony. Photo: Dickson Lee
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United States & Canada

Police hunt for suspect after 2 killed in Brown University shooting

Eight others were critically injured in the incident, which US President Trump called ‘terrible’.

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Law enforcement officials walk on a street in a neighbourhood near Brown University. Photo: AP

Europe

‘Make Christmas Great Again’: hundreds join far-right Robinson’s London rally

UK bishops express grave concern over the use of Christian symbols to ‘justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric’.

British far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses supporters in central London on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Trends

Why men with large, muscular builds should go for a relaxed-cut suit

The action stars showed off sophisticated tailoring and better proportions at the premieres of The Smashing Machine and In the Hand of Dante.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson traded in his usual muscle-hugging tailoring for something more refined at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Photo: Reuters

Africa

6 UN peacekeepers killed in Sudan drone strike blamed on RSF paramilitary group

The victims were all Bangladeshi nationals working at a United Nations logistics base in Kadugli.

Protesters take part in a rally in support of the Sudanese Army and against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Merowe on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong Opinion

Opinion | How Hong Kong can capitalise on Chinese creative destruction

The Greater Bay Area’s success shows that with the right environment, creative destruction can generate inclusive growth.

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An electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, developed by Chinese drone maker EHang, carries out a demo flight at the urban air traffic operation demonstration centre in Bao’an district, Shenzhen, on April 16. Photo: Xinhua
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Middle East

Israel says it killed Hamas weapons chief in Gaza

PM Netanyahu said arms production head Raad Saad was ‘one of the architects’ of the October 7 attack that sparked the war.

A car destroyed in an Israeli strike is seen on Saturday near the Nablusi junction in the Gaza City area. Photo: EPA

Europe

Belarus agrees to stop balloon flights into Lithuania amid hybrid attack fears

The incidents have caused over a dozen closures of Vilnius airport in recent months, prompting Lithuania to declare a state of emergency.

An undated image shows an officer inspecting a balloon used to smuggle cigarettes into Lithuania. Photo: State Border Guard Service via AP

Europe

UK police won’t investigate ex-prince Andrew over Virginia Giuffre allegation

Giuffre, one of the women at the centre of the Epstein scandal, had accused the British royal of asking his bodyguard to dig up dirt on her.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor looks on as he leaves after attending the Easter Matins Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in April. Photo: Reuters

Opinion

My Take | What Hong Kong can learn from deadly London flats blaze

Grenfell Tower fire eight years ago shows why we must ensure justice for Tai Po victims, as well as timely, effective reforms.

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A general view of the Grenfell Tower apartment block fire on 14 June 2017, in which 72 people died. File photo: EPA-EFE

Middle East

Trump vows retaliation after 2 US troops and a civilian killed in Syria ambush

This is the first attack on American service members to inflict casualties since the fall of Assad a year ago.

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US President Donald Trump talks to the press before boarding Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House on Saturday. Photo: AFP