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Tech Trends

Robo financial adviser Syfe bolsters Hong Kong expansion after new funding round

Singapore-based Syfe’s expansion plans reflect the city’s position as the largest hedge fund and cross-border wealth management hub in Asia.

Syfe founder and CEO Dhruv Arora. Photo: Handout

China Economy

AI might solve China’s labour woes, but could also fuel deflation, report says

Morgan Stanley analysts say companies’ spending on artificial intelligence might lead to reduced hiring in an already-weak employment market.

People wearing virtual reality goggles experience an immersive virtual exhibition recreating life during the Tang dynasty at the Hangzhou International Expo Centre on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Policy

China will drop the Great Firewall for some users, but only in southern Hainan

Employees of companies operating in the island province can now apply for the ‘Global Connect’ scheme, but some content will remain restricted.

China’s so-called Great Firewall enforces one of the strictest internet censorship regimes in the world. Photo: Shutterstock

China

Trump’s Harvard ban, how early birds conquered the skies: SCMP daily highlights

From Donald Trump banning new foreign students at Harvard to China’s helicopter engine milestone, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

US President Donald Trump has ordered an end to international student enrolments at Harvard University, citing national security concerns. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Unacceptable’: Thai teachers’ group slams deal on beer discounts

Teachers’ network calls for partnership between state agency and brewery to be withdrawn as it promotes harmful behaviour.

People enjoy drinks in a bar in Bangkok. A Thai teachers’ network has protested against a state agency’s partnership with a beer company to offer beer discounts for teachers. Photo: AFP
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Diplomacy

Breaking | Trump and Xi break months-long stand-off with a phone call

US and Chinese presidents speak directly for the first time since the fresh outbreak of their tariff war.

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The phone call between Donald Trump (left) and Xi Jinping is seen as endorsement of efforts to de-escalate the trade war. Photo: AFP/TNS

China Business

Chinese app firm Newborn Town sets up in Hong Kong for AI, global push

Firm plans to make use of city’s capital markets, international connections and talent while also collaborating with local universities.

Newborn Town developed and operates the Mico, Yoho, TopTop and Sugo apps. Photo: Handout

World Opinion

Opinion | Geneva deal can’t hide fact US-China trade war has no end in sight

Negotiation will likely see Trump trying to extract maximum benefit from a defiant China that won’t stand for its bullying demands.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

Africa

Oscar Pistorius competes in triathlon 12 years after murdering girlfriend

Pistorius’ parole officer would have needed to approve him travelling from where he lives to another district.

Oscar Pistorius competes in a triathlon event, 12 years after murdering his girlfriend and a year after his release on parole, in the coastal city of Durban, South Africa on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Science

US still king of critical tech, but China quickly closing gaps: report

Contrary to other global trackers, university’s tech race scorecard puts US in front in critical fields with China gaining from ‘research achievements, human capital’.

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A staff member stands under a robotic hand at an exhibition centre at Beijing Robotics Industrial Park last month. According to a Harvard report, China largely trails the US in all key technology fields, but it is steadily narrowing the gaps, despite structural challenges. Photo: Reuters
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Football

‘Italian genius’ Inzaghi to coach Al-Hilal – starting against Real Madrid

The Italian, whose Inter Milan lost heavily in Saturday's Champions League final, will take four-time Asian champions to Club World Cup.

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Simone Inzaghi has signed a two-year contract with the Saudi club, in a deal Italian media said could be worth up to US$34.25 million a season. Photo: EPA-EFE

Food & Drink

Move over sesame – in Korea, perilla oil is making a comeback

Believed to have been introduced from China and in use in Korea since the 15th century, perilla oil is a mainstay of Korean cuisine.

A collection of perilla oils and dishes from Okhee Mills. Photo: @okhee_mill/Instagram

Military

Indonesia considers buying Chinese J-10 jets that played lead role in Kashmir

The country’s deputy defence minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto said the planes ‘meet our criteria and are affordable’.

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Pakistan Air Force J-10C fighter jets. Photo: AFP

Law and Crime

Second man arrested in connection with Hong Kong knifepoint bank hold-up

Transport worker arrested on suspicion of receiving HK$100,000 from proceeds of armed robbery at Hang Seng Bank branch.

The bank branch was robbed on Monday afternoon by a man armed with a knife. Photo: Handout

K-drama

Review | Nine Puzzles: Disney+ serial killer mystery reaches satisfying conclusion

The jigsaw pieces Kim Da-mi’s criminal profiler has been sent after each murder fall into place and tee up K-drama for a second season.

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Kim Da-mi as criminal profiler Yoon E-na in a still from Disney+ Korean drama series Nine Puzzles. Photo: Disney+.
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China Economy

China hopes to power AI boom with green energy in new data centre strategy

Beijing’s new plan links data centres to renewables as power demand from high-end computing surges.

Workers carry solar panels to be installed in the desert at the Ningguoyun Lingwu 1 million kilowatt photovoltaic project in Lingwu, in China’s northern Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on April 14, 2025. Photo: AFP

Basketball

NBA Finals 2025: when is Thunder v Pacers, where can I watch the series?

Everything you need to know as the season comes to a climax in the best-of-seven match-up.

The Oklahoma City Thunder players celebrate winning the Western Conference finals after victory in Game 5 gave them a 4-1 overall triumph against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo: EPA

Business

NWD and partners set record-low price for Southside Hong Kong flats

The sale will provide some relief for the cash-strapped developer, which last week postponed interest payments on US$3.4 billion in bonds.

NWD owns 50 per cent of the 447-unit Deep Water Pavilia project in Wong Chuk Hang. Photo: Handout

Law and Crime

Hong Kong producer Raymond Wong to plead not guilty to insider trading

79-year-old allegedly advised another person to deal in shares of a company he was the chairman and controlling shareholder of in 2017.

Veteran movie producer Raymond Wong Pak-ming leaves the Eastern Court, Photo: May Tse

Health & Environment

Philippines urged to ratify UN marine resource treaty or risk being sidelined

France is seeking ratification of the High Seas Treaty by at least 60 countries ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice next week.

The High Seas Treaty, aimed at protecting marine life in international waters, requires ratification by at least 60 countries for it to take effect. Photo: Shutterstock
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China Opinion

Opinion | How China could benefit from a ‘Mar-a-Lago Accord’

Trump’s economic adviser has proposed a plan to get some countries to help devalue the US dollar. This might not be a bad option for China.

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US President Donald Trump (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk together at the Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Florida, on April 7, 2017. Relations between the two countries have soured during Trump’s second term in office. Photo: AFP

Law and Crime

Man arrested for allegedly impersonating Hong Kong police, officials in 3 scams

Authorities say 57-year-old used false identities to con victims out of HK$310,000 by claiming he could help buy discounted concert tickets, phones.

Authorities say the suspect convinced the owner of a watch shop that he was a police officer and subsequently conned him out of HK$7,500. Photo: Jelly Tse

Politics

Beijing sanctions company owned by father of Taiwanese lawmaker Puma Shen

Beijing says it will not allow businesses affiliated with Taiwan independence supporters to seek profits in mainland China.

Beijing has called Taiwanese lawmaker Puma Shen a “stubborn Taiwan independence figure”. Photo: CNA

Family & Relationships

‘For the first time, I saw people like me.’ A gay Malaysian’s UK epiphany

Warren Hallett talks of an abusive childhood in Malaysia, making a new life and his pride at giving back by volunteering for LGBTQ charities.

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Warren Hallett at a Pride event in the UK with a placard that plays on a Malaysian tourism promotion slogan. Photo: Warren Hallett

Banking & Finance

Citigroup to cut 3,500 tech support jobs in China to trim costs

Bank offers above-average separation packages in a move that is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter.

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A Chinese national flag is hoisted near the Citigroup Tower in Shanghai. Photo: AP
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Big Tech

Xiaomi founder stays on as honorary chairman at Chinese software firm

Kingsoft Office is best known for its WPS Office software, a popular local alternative to Microsoft Office.

Xiaomi founder, chairman and CEO, Lei Jun. Photo: AFP

Entertainment

Meet Katie Holmes’ 3 older sisters, Nancy, Holly and Tamera

Holmes is close to her family and says she has always looked up to her 3 older sisters: the trio went to New York to support the actress during her latest Broadway show Our Town.

Katie Holmes is close with her three sisters, Tamera, Nancy and Holly. Photo: @katieholmes/Instagram

Entertainment

Meet Agatha All Along star Kathryn Hahn’s husband, Ethan Sandler

Hahn and Sandler – no relation to Adam Sandler – met during university and dated for a decade before tying the knot in 2002; the couple even got married on screen in Crossing Jordan.

Kathryn Hahn and husband Ethan Sandler at the premiere of her film Bad Moms in July 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images

Entertainment

Who is Gracie Abrams’ mother – and J.J. Abrams’ wife – Katie McGrath?

Katie McGrath started out in politics working for Ted Kennedy, and the production company she shares with her husband was behind hits including Star Trek, Lost, Person of Interest and Westworld.

Gracie Abrams’ mother, Katie McGrath, produces films with her husband J.J. Abrams. Photo: @ktmcgrath, @gracieabrams/Instagram

Trends

How luxury houses are embracing a renewed appreciation for dandyism

Fancy walking sticks and umbrellas were also out in force at the Met Gala, which paid tribute to Black dandyism – see Shah Rukh Khan, Usher, Central Cee, A$AP Rocky and Teyana Taylor, among others.

Luxury houses are embracing a return to refined accoutrements, with this year’s Met Gala reflecting the trend as A-listers went all out in paying tribute to Black dandyism – among them, musician and actress Teyana Taylor. Photo: AFP