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People

South Korean ‘sugar cane killer’ extradited from Philippines over drug empire

Accused of running a drug ring from his Philippine prison cell, ‘VIP’ inmate Park Wang-yeol was extradited after a nine-year legal impasse.

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Park Wang-yeol (centre), a South Korean national detained in the Philippines, arrives at Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/EPA

Law and Crime

Leniency shown to Hong Kong immigration worker who repeatedly assaulted wife and son

Magistrate accepts one-year probation recommendation, citing risk of job and pension loss, after initially imposing a community service sentence.

The senior Immigration Department assistant was granted a one-year probation order at Kowloon City Court on Wednesday. Photo: Sun Yeung

Formula One (F1)

Max Verstappen’s Japanese Grand Prix win streak under threat as Mercedes dominate

The Red Bull driver has raged against the 2026 regulations and new car designs, branding them ‘anti-racing’ and likening them to a video game.

Max Verstappen retired during the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. Photo: Reuters

Trending in China

China yam with human ‘fingernails’, 260 free meals, lottery win after life of play

Yam with digits like a man stuns internet, car buyer maxes out on showroom freebies, jackpot win leaves man all set for retirement.

In Guangdong, a man found a yam resembling a human hand with “fingernails”, a customer at a BYD dealership gained attention for enjoying 260 free meals over a year, and after a lifetime of playing, a Chinese man won 10 million yuan in the lottery. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com/Douyin/Sohu

Southeast Asia

Airline boss flags possible fuel rationing in Philippines as supplies dwindle

Philippine Airlines president Richard Nuttall’s warning came amid a national energy emergency in the country.

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A person on an electric scooter passes a jeepney at a transport terminal in Quezon City, Philippines, on March 19. Photo: EPA
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Middle East

Iranian military mocks US attempts at a ceasefire deal

Military spokesperson dismisses a supposed ‘15-point plan’ while Washington deploys 5,000 more Marines to the region.

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A Palestinian man climbs on the remains of a ballistic missile that landed in the West Bank village of Haris, near Salfit. Photo: EPA

Politics

Hong Kong, Hainan can ‘forge strong partnership’, build on strengths: John Lee

Lee says the launch of Hainan’s separate customs regime presents business opportunities for Hong Kong companies.

A worker keeps an eye on the shelves of a duty-free grocery shop in Hainan province. Photo: Xinhua

Americas

Humanitarian aid boat arrives in Cuba amid US blockade crisis

Shrimp fishing boat with aid docks weeks after the Trump administration cut off fuel supplies to the island nation.

Activists wave Cuban and Palestinian flags from the vessel Maguro in Havana Bay, Cuba. Photo: AP

China Economy

Iran war fallout hits China’s consumer goods factories as high costs force cuts

Some Chinese producers are already feeling ‘intense’ strain as the conflict sends energy, logistics and raw material costs soaring.

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Smoke and flames rise above Tehran after air strikes on an oil depot on March 7. The economic disruptions caused by the US-Israel war on Iran have pushed up costs for Chinese manufacturers, causing some factories to halt production. Photo: TNS

Society

Hong Kong’s ICAC charges 5 over alleged building renovation bribery scheme

Four men and a woman, including middlemen and estate committee secretary, accused of offering bribes to win contracts worth HK$90 million.

Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption has charged five people over alleged bribes offered to flat owners during large-scale renovation projects. Photo: Jelly Tse
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Southeast Asia

Malaysian father of 7 terrorised by loan sharks over ex-wife’s debt

‘What’s most concerning is that they have information on all my children, including my six-month-old baby,’ the victim says.

A Malaysian man is facing threats from loan sharks over his ex-wife’s 130,000 ringgit debt. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Israel’s military to occupy swathe of southern Lebanon amid widening war

Israel plans to hold south Lebanon up to the Litani River, but Hezbollah vows to resist occupation.

A plume of smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike on the eastern outskirts of Tyre, in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

100 Top Tables

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for March 26-29

While Art Month is in full swing, the Grand Hyatt takes on the world record for largest charcuterie buffet, and The Ritz-Carlton’s Tosca di Angelo collaborates with Damiani.

A special dinner at Tosca di Angelo in Hong Kong, a collaboration with jewellery brand Damiani. Photo: Handout

Food & Drink

‘Classic’ Cantonese, Japanese: art curator’s Hong Kong restaurant picks

Art Central 2026 curator Zoie Yung shares her favourite spots for Hong Kong comfort food, brunches, Chiu Chow bites and late-night skewers.

Snow crab with rice vermicelli at Godenya, a Japanese restaurant in Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood that is among Zoie Yung’s favourite joints in the city. The Art Central 2026 programme curator also shares where she goes for great, affordable Cantonese food, Spanish bites and more. Photo: Dickson Lee

China Business

Visa-free travel, rising foreign visitors boost luxury hotel growth in China

China’s luxury hotels thrive as visa-free policies drive international tourism, with Shanghai and Beijing seeing significant growth in high-end stays.

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Tourists pose for photos at the Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua
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Science

China’s 7-day hypersonic design; Andy Lau’s Ming mystery: 7 science highlights

From top mathematician on leaving the US to China’s coal-to-medicine feat, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Hong Kong actor and singer Andy Lau appears to have shared a name with a Ming dynasty brickmaker. Photo: Getty Images

Special Reports

Beyond Art Basel: the best of Hong Kong’s free exhibitions in March

From Tai Kwun to M+, Gagosian and more, here’s a round-up of venues hosting free exhibitions, emerging talent and retrospectives.

M+ is among the venues hosting events in conjunction with Art Basel Hong Kong. Photo: Martin Chan

Travel & Hotels

Review | Explore a new side of the city from the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan

The new Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan, with its futuristic facade, is situated in one of the city’s most stylish areas – and is Hilton’s 888th property in China.

The Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan looks like a cruise ship when seen from across the Huangpu River. Photo: Handout

United States & Canada

Nasa abandons orbital station, plans moon base and nuclear spacecraft

Nasa pivots resources to establish a long-term presence on the moon as the US races China.

An earlier concept of a Nasa moon base. Photo: Nasa via TNS

East Asia

‘A shame’: why Jin was left off official credits for BTS’ latest album

The K-pop band cited scheduling conflicts, saying the star ‘kept touring’, but fans aren’t buying the explanation.

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BTS member Jin in a scene from the 2026 Netflix documentary BTS: The Return. Photo via AP
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Video | Trump: Iran gave US a major energy gift

US President Donald Trump claims the US received a major energy-related ‘present’ from Iran, suggesting it is related to the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 23, 2026. President Donald Trump said Monday that there are "major points of agreement" in US-Iran talks which he said must result in Tehran giving up its nuclear ambitions and enriched uranium stockpile. Trump said the talks -- which Iran denies are taking place -- were being conducted with a "top person" but not the country's supreme leader. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
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Other Sport

World Snooker Championship to stay at Crucible until at least 2045

Traditionalists had feared the global showpiece could vacate the Sheffield venue, with China and Saudi Arabia suggested as possible alternatives.

Reigning world champion Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese player to win the title at the Crucible. Photo: AFP

Health & Wellness

How 9 minutes a day of mobility training helps keep you pain-free as you age

Fitness influencer Joe Yoon has 1.2 million followers on Instagram keen to keep moving pain-free as they age, and counts athletes among them.

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Mobility expert Joe Yoon identifies movement restrictions in clients, gradually correcting them so they see improvements not just in performance, but in injury prevention. Photo: joetherapy.com

Passions

‘We didn’t play with toys, we played with jewels’: meet the man born for the rostrum

The newly appointed president of Christie’s Asia Pacific talks about his favourite part of life as a showman.

Christie’s auctioneer Rahul Kadakia and his billion-dollar gavel. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Banking & Finance

Exclusive | Turkish private bank plans Hong Kong entry amid Middle East tensions: sources

Turkiye Is Bankasi eyes corporate-focused Hong Kong branch, citing the city’s hub role, to complete its China coverage, sources say.

The bank is awaiting clearance from Turkish authorities before formally approaching the Hong Kong Monetary Authority for a banking licence, sources said. Photo: Shutterstock
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Hong Kong Economy

CK Hutchison expands Panama ports claim as losses ‘surpass’ US$2 billion

Subsidiary Panama Ports Company slams Panamanian government’s ‘attack campaign’ as it expands international arbitration claim over damages.

Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings, claims Panama’s seizure of its port concessions have resulted in damages of more than US$2 billion. Photo: AP

China Business

Hong Kong stocks extend rebound on signs of diplomatic path in Iran conflict

Diplomatic progress in the Middle East lifts Hang Seng Index, with Nongfu Spring and Li Auto among the top gainers.

An electronic signboard shows the prices of stocks at the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing building. Photo: AFP

Military

Can Taiwan fulfil Asia-Pacific drone hub goal with ‘non-red’ supply chain push?

Plan is to invest US$1.38 billion between 2025 and 2030 for uncrewed systems industry, but questions linger over scale, politics and timing.

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A Mighty Hornet IV high-speed attack drone, developed jointly by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and US-based Kratos Defence and Security Solutions, is displayed at the Taipei Aerospace and Defence Technology Exhibition on September 18, 2025. Photo: AFP

China Economy

How ‘salmon’ raised in landlocked Xinjiang is netting fans in China

Aquaculture in the far-western region is expected to grow even more rapidly after a dependence on imported eggs is diminished or ended.

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Workers process “Xinjiang salmon” at Xinjiang Tianyun Organic Agriculture’s processing plant in Yili, Xinjiang. Photo: Handout

Banking & Finance

China consumer stocks jump on earnings, but analysts warn of limited recovery

Hong Kong-listed consumer firms report strong results, but analysts say the gains reflect structural shifts rather than broad recovery.

People queue to enter a shop in Liuzhou city, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on March 10. Photo: Xinhua