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United States & Canada

‘America First’ reimagined: new Trump strategy readjusts US global presence

The strategy shifts US foreign policy from its traditional global role, prioritising dominance in the Western Hemisphere and ending mass migration.

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the White House Religious Liberty Commission in September. Photo: Reuters

China Business

BYD founder bets on new tech to win back customers as sales decelerate

Company is pinning its hopes on the 12,000-strong R&D team to come up with technological breakthroughs.

In 2022, BYD dethroned Tesla for the first time as the world’s largest EV builder. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

France poised to get two giant pandas in 2027 after Macron’s visit to China

New decade-long loan agreement involving the soft-power ambassadors struck as countries’ leaders seek to boost Sino-French exchanges.

Giant panda Yuan Meng was born in France and now lives in Chengdu. The new 10-year loan agreement will send two giant pandas from China to France in 2027. Photo: Reuters

Policy

China’s regions roll out 5-year plan priorities, with tech topping the list

Following Beijing’s proposals for its next half-decade of policymaking, localities are following suit, with a focus on emerging fields.

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An employee produces semiconductor chips for export at a factory in Binzhou, in eastern China’s Shandong province. Photo: AFP

Society

Hong Kong steps up mental health support for Tai Po fire victims

About two-thirds of patients injured in last week’s fire at Wang Fuk Court have been discharged from hospitals, authorities also reveal.

At least 159 people died in last week’s fire. Photo: Karma Lo
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Society

Hong Kong’s religious communities unite in prayer to mourn Tai Po fire victims

Muslims and other faith groups express solidarity and sorrow for victims of deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court.

The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong held a special prayer session at Kowloon Mosque in Tsim Sha Tsui to pay respect to the victims of the Tai Po fire. Photo: Dickson Lee

South Asia

Video | Travel chaos in India after over 1,200 flights cancelled

IndiGo attributed the chaos to a combination of operational and weather-related challenges.

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Photo: SCMP

China Economy

China’s economic focus in 2026: what to expect as leaders prep for major meeting

Growth of ‘around 5 per cent’ may be revised to between 4.5 and 5 per cent, analysts say, as leadership gears up for tone-setting conference.

Chinese leaders will hold the central economic work conference in December, a closed-door meeting to discuss the top policy goals for 2026.

Health & Wellness

Why you should take up swimming after your retirement

Swimming takes pressure off joints, builds muscle strength and cardiovascular health, boosts mental health, and can improve your social life.

When compared with other low-impact activities like walking or cycling, swimming is a safer exercise for people who struggle with balance, works more muscle groups, and is something you can do all year round, one expert says. Photo: Shutterstock

Military

Australia on high alert as PLA Navy fleet in Philippine Sea sails south

Type 075 amphibious attack ship triggers concern in Canberra after Chinese navy’s unprecedented circumnavigation of Australia this year.

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The Hainan is China’s first 40,000-tonne landing helicopter dock and was commissioned in 2021. It has been leading a naval fleet in the Philippine Sea this week, triggering a response from Australia. Photo: Eugene Lee
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People

Malaysia under pressure to explain police shooting of trio as outcry mounts

Audio recording and forensic claims released by the men’s families appear to contradict police accounts of the confrontation.

A village in Durian Tunggal, in Malaysia’s Melaka state. Three men were killed during a police operation in Durian Tunggal on November 24. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

China and France agree to work together on nuclear issues as Macron visit ends

The two sides expressed support for non-proliferation and efforts to bring about peace in Ukraine and Gaza.

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Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pictured during their trip to Dujiangyan in Sichuan. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

‘China (Taiwan)’ on South Korea tourist arrival card prompts protest from Taipei

Move from Seoul comes as Beijing and Tokyo are locked in a diplomatic spat over the Japanese leader’s comments on a Taiwan contingency.

Tourists dressed in traditional Korean hanbok pose for photos at the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. Photo: EPA

Asia

Video | Travel chaos in India after over 1,200 flights cancelled

IndiGo attributed the chaos to a combination of operational and weather-related challenges.

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Entertainment

Review | Under Current: Aaron Kwok, Francis Ng seek justice in fun but silly thriller

This Hong Kong tale of greed and corruption is a watchable portrait of greed and corruption, but it is also thoroughly detached from reality.

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Aaron Kwok in a still from Under Current (category IIB, Cantonese), directed by Alan Mak. Francis Ng and Alex Fong co-star.
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World

Video | ‘Please help us’ appeal from Indonesia flood survivor

Death toll has risen to more than 830 with hundreds still missing in Sumatra.

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Big Tech

China’s Xiaomi says returns from AI investments ‘far exceed expectations’

Xiaomi’s smart EV, AI and other new initiatives turned a profit for the first time in the third quarter.

A Xiaomi SU7 Ultra electric vehicle is displayed during a media day for the Shanghai Auto Show, April 23, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Is the Philippines vulnerable to another military-triggered political crisis?

Analysts said an alleged plot by retired generals to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr appears inspired by 2001’s EDSA Dos uprising.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr walks with armed forces chief General Romeo Brawner Jnr at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City in July 2024. Brawner has since confirmed that the military is investigating alleged destabilisation efforts involving retired officers. Photo: AP

Gender & Diversity

‘Breasts will be larger’: China parenting app messages leave expectant dads uneasy

Customer service representative from Baby Tree clarifies that these notifications are generated automatically by an AI tool.

A parenting app in China sent expectant fathers uncomfortable messages about body changes of pregnant women. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Muay Thai

Phetjeeja says fighting Rodrigues could be ‘classic like Rodtang v Superlek’

She is set to return to Muay Thai after two years against Martyna Dominczak at ONE Fight Night 38.

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Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom, ONE women’s atomweight kickboxing world champion, will return to Muay Thai at ONE Fight Night 38. Photo: Handout
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Australasia

TikTok will block under-16s in Australia to comply with ‘upsetting’ new law

Australia’s world-first legislation banning under-16s from social media platforms and websites comes into effect on December 10.

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TikTok will comply with an under-16 ban in Australia on social media use. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong Economy

K-pop girl group Twice to proceed with Hong Kong concert this weekend

Concert organiser Live Nation says it will donate part of revenue from ticket sales to support relief measures for victims of Tai Po blaze.

K-pop girl group Twice will perform in Hong Kong on Saturday and Sunday. Photo: Twice

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Better late than never’: Singapore parents laud curbs on phone use in schools

The city state is among countries that have stepped up measures to curb screen time and tighten social media restrictions for adolescents.

Singapore is among countries that have stepped up measures to curb screen time and tighten social media restrictions for adolescents. Photo: TNS

China Economy

From steel to space: China giant sells first 2 satellites in bold pivot

Once forging steel for skyscrapers, Jigang Group is now in a race to the skies with Geely and 90,000 other Chinese companies.

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A rocket launchpad is seen amid flags at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on October 30. China’s commercial space industry is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Photo: EPA

China

China can’t rule Olympic cycling until provinces put own agendas aside: coach

National Games prove ‘big frustration’ for China’s coach Benoit Vetu, who says he must start from zero to chase world domination.

Zhong Tianshi (left) and Bao Shanju of China win women’s team sprint gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE
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Australasia

Swallowed Faberge pendant exits suspect after 6-day wait

The US$19,000 diamond pendant inspired by the film James Bond film Octopussy was recovered naturally by New Zealand police.

An officer displays a recovered diamond-encrusted green Faberge egg on Friday in Auckland, New Zealand after keeping a six-day watch over the thief accused of swallowing it. Photo: New Zealand Police/AFP

People

Hong Kong fire: dead Indonesian helper found huddled with ward hailed as selfless

Her grieving husband says his wife would have survived had she fled first, as the flat where she worked was on the fourth floor.

Indonesian domestic worker Sri Wahyuni had told her husband Sugeng Widodo that she liked her job in Hong Kong. Photo: Sugeng Widodo

Culture

What does a city do after the unthinkable? It shows up

Near Wang Fuk Court, volunteers from across the city gathered to offer help, lay flowers and turn Tai Po into a place of shared care.

Friends Irena Leung (left) and Valerie Kwok, both 15, hug in front of the Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, on November 28. Photo: Alexander Mak

Business

Hang Seng Bank co-founder’s kin pays US$9.3 million for Hong Kong luxury flat

Magdalene Ho acquired a 1,806 sq ft, three-bedroom flat in Sun Hung Kai Properties-developed Dynasty Court in Mid-Levels this week.

Residents of the Dynasty Court enjoy sea view and proximity to Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Photo: Handout

Arts

Exclusive | Tai Kwun art head Pi Li to step down for new role in Shenzhen

Tai Kwun is closing in on a successor for Pi, who leaves in February after his contract at the Hong Kong heritage and arts centre expires.

Pi Li will step down as Tai Kwun’s head of art when his three-year contract expires in February 2026. The Hong Kong heritage and arts centre is yet to name his replacement. Photo: Xiaomei Chen