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Military

Could next-gen fighter jets and ‘loyal wingmen’ help US offset China’s numbers?

America is making progress on a collaborative combat aircraft programme but the technology gap with China is said to be ‘narrowing’.

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The YFQ-42A drone is being developed as part of the US Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft programme. Photo: X/David Allvin

Racing

SCMP Best Bets: Debutant an Invincible prospect for punters at Sha Tin

SCMP Best Bets: Debutant an Invincible prospect for punters at Sha Tin

Society

Hong Kong may redefine ‘high-risk carer’ after girl found in flat with dead mum

But community organisations face hurdles in reaching out to some families in need due to restrictions arising from privacy law.

Neighbours became alarmed upon hearing the girl’s cries from her public housing flat at Lok Wah North Estate in Kwun Tong on Friday. Photo: Google Map

Big Tech

Alibaba chairman Joe Tsai says company on a ‘good path’ after years of setbacks

Alibaba is ‘on a very good path looking forward’ as it focuses on core businesses including e-commerce, cloud computing and AI.

Alibaba’s Joe Tsai speaking at the Beyond Expo in Macau on Saturday. Photo: Handout

South Asia

Bangladesh’s interim govt warns of authoritarianism’s return

The government said it had faced unreasonable demands, provocative and overreaching statements, and continuos obstruction of their work.

Nobel laureate and Chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government Muhammad Yunus. Photo: AFP
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Society

‘L1KE’ beats ‘L0VE’? Hong Kong romantics pay top dollar for prized number plates

Auction also sees ‘2 P00R’ number plate sold for a couple thousand dollars more than ‘WEALTHY’.

“L0VE UUU” fetched HK$52,000, “X LK X” reached HK$48,000 and “L0VEEE” went for HK$30,000 at the auction. Photo: Dickson Lee

Politics

Hongkongers on BN(O) visas rethink options over UK migration policy uncertainty

One student weighs moving elsewhere, while mother of two says she will feel ‘scammed’ if her children fail to get citizenship.

Britain introduced the new visa scheme in January 2021 for Hong Kong residents in response to Beijing’s imposition of a national security law on the city. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Chinese vice-premier meets US finance chiefs amid trade war charm offensive

He Lifeng told senior executives from Citigroup and Carlyle Group that the country’s economy was showing ‘resilience and vitality’.

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Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng has met a number of US business leaders in recent months. Photo: Reuters

United States & Canada

US EPA wants to end greenhouse caps for coal, gas-fired power plants

The EPA argued in its proposal that eliminating those emissions would have no meaningful effect on public health and welfare.

President Donald Trump signs an executive order to ‘Make Coal Clean Again,’ in Washington on April 8. Photo: TNS

Science

Taipei to Okinawa? China achieves 600km ‘error-free’ underwater communication

Achievement may help pave the way for long-range undersea messaging that could assist with important military tasks.

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Underwater sound transmission over hundreds of kilometres is challenging as a rocket launch blast can be reduced to a mosquito’s hum. Photo: Shutterstock Images
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Politics

Hong Kong tax chief dismisses claims reporters singled out for audits

‘I want to emphasise that we absolutely do not do this,’ inland revenue commissioner says after journalists’ group raises concerns.

Revenue Tower at Wan Chai. 01JUN22. SCMP / Dickson Lee

China

Hong Kong pair told to work on mental toughness ahead of LA Olympics

Doo Hoi-kem and Wong Chun-ting have been mixed doubles partners for a decade, but head coach says hard work needed to be competitive in 2028.

Doo Hoi-kem (left) and Wong Chun-ting won their fourth bronze medal at the World Championships in Doha. Photo: ITTF

Americas

Suriname poised for oil wealth injection as voters head to the polls

Besides investing in agriculture, tourism, health, education and green energy, some of the oil money is being paid directly to Surinamese citizens.

Suriname’s President Chan Santokhi speaks at an event where he distributed certificates for interest-bearing savings notes to elderly and disabled people, as part of the ‘Royalties for Everyone’ program drawing on oil revenues, ahead of the May 25 National Assembly election, in Paramaribo, Suriname, on May 14. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

Hong Kong environment chief says voluntary green measures better given economy

Environment minister Tse Chin-wan warns that mandatory measures could force more businesses to close as he unveils plans for phase two of plastics ban.

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Hong Kong began enforcing the first stage of the single-use plastics ban in November last year after a six-month grace period. Photo: Edmond So

Entertainment

Exit 8’s director and star on turning the video game into a thrilling film

Genki Kawamura and Kazunari Ninomiya talk about the challenges they overcame – including completing the stressful cult hit game themselves.

Kazunari Ninomiya, a popular Japanese singer-songwriter, actor and member of J-pop group Arashi, in a still from Exit 8.
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Politics

China security tech expos seize opportunities to guard state secrets

In a flourishing industry, country’s top tech companies showcase latest products to compete for military, police contracts.

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A visitor tries a sniper simulation training system during the 10th China (Beijing) Military Intelligent Technology Expo in Beijing on May 15. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images

Trending in China

China students trek 2km to gravely ill classmate for last photo, boy dies next day

More than 50 classmates of cancer-stricken15-year-old help him put on school uniform, take him in his bed to hospital garden for photo.

A group of junior secondary school students in China walked two kilometres to visit their gravely ill classmate in hospital and take a group graduation photo with him. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Europe

EU weighs new Russia sanctions, may cut 20 banks from SWIFT

As part of the sanctions under discussion, the bloc’s executive is planning to propose lowering the G-7 oil price cap to about US$45.

Flags of the European Union wave in the wind in front of the Berlaymont building of the European Commission. Photo: dpa

K-drama

K-drama casting news about Bae Suzy, Park Bo-gum and more

Bae Suzy has been offered the lead in Men of the Harem, while Jung Hae-in and Ha Young are set to lead Netflix drama The Damned Love.

Bae Suzy as Lee Doona in a still from Doona! Photo: Netflix

Hong Kong Economy

What can Hong Kong learn from Shanghai’s aggressive mega-event strategy?

Shanghai is already signing up American pop stars for concerts, and has 178 sporting events and other shows lined up so far this year.

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Shanghai hosted two concerts by American diva Mariah Carey last week. Photo: Getty Images
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China Economy

China’s internet watchdog cracks down on false financial claims, stock touting

Top cybersecurity agency shuts down more than a dozen social media accounts amid growing concerns over finance influencers.

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An electronic board shows Shanghai and Shenzhen stock indices as people cross a pedestrian bridge in Shanghai on April 3. China’s top internet watchdog is targeting social media accounts that spread false information about the capital markets. Photo: Reuters

Business

Hong Kong homebuyers flock to latest Sierra Sea units as mortgage rates ease

The temporary truce in the tariff wars between the US and China also helped improve sentiment in the property market, according to agents.

The Sun Hung Kai Properties’ Sierra Sea residential development in the New Territories. Photo: Edmond So

Politics

Pakistan intensifies Balochistan insurgency crackdown after deadly bus bombing

Islamabad also needs to end the rebellion to attract foreign funds to its vast reserves of copper and other ‘critical metals’, analysts say.

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Human rights activist hold portraits of children killed in the school bus bombing in Balochistan, during a rally in Karachi on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

PostMag

This week in PostMag: from Milan’s Chinatown to nomads in Malaysian Borneo

Movement sparks creativity, as Hong Kong photographer South Ho proves, but did you know that the city has a history of capital trials?

Artist South Ho Siu-nam, photographed on the rooftop of his studio in Fo Tan, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Racing

Minor joint issue forces Jockey Club to cancel Warrior’s welcome home ceremony

Ten-time Group One hero will not parade in front of fans on Sunday after scans reveal ‘potential changes’ in one of his legs.

Romantic Warrior wins January’s Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan. Photo: Alex Evers/HKJC
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World Opinion

Macroscope | Money talks and Trump should pay attention to Asia’s bond markets

Asia’s local currency bond markets are worth US$25 trillion. The belief that the world can’t do without US capital markets is misplaced.

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US President Donald Trump is seen on a television screen while a trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York on May 12. Photo: EPA-EFE

South Asia

Monsoon early arrival in India raises hopes for bumper harvests

This is the rains’ earliest arrival in 16 years and offers the promise of a bumper harvest and relief from a gruelling heatwave.

Motorists drive through a waterlogged street following heavy rainfall in Bengaluru, India, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Family & Relationships

11 big relationship deal-breakers, from flirting to porn to phone snooping

A recent survey reveals top relationship killers, from lies about finances and birth control, to porn consumption and flirting with friends.

A recent survey reveals the top things that can end a relationship, from lying about finances to flirting with friends. Photo: Shutterstock

Trending in China

China therapist collects waste on side, earns more than in clinical post

Full-time rehab therapist finishes day job before sorting, carrying waste metal at parent’s recycling firm, builds strong arm muscles.

A clinician in China says she makes more money collecting metal waste on the side than she does from her full-time medical position. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

World

Gallery | Pictures of the week: Mexican ship stranded in New York, bull race in Pakistan

A traditional bull race in Malal, a village in Pakistan, on May 15, 2025. Photo: AP