Latest

Entertainment

How Barbra Streisand, 83, found her voice for new duets album

For The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2, Barbra Streisand teamed with Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Hozier and Sam Smith and more.

videocam
Barbra Streisand performs in New York on October 11, 2012. The US singer has released a new album of duets with stars from Bob Dylan to Paul McCartney and Laufey. Photo: AP

Law and Crime

Hong Kong, Macau police smash cross-border syndicate behind 168 scam cases

Officers arrest three men and four women over investment-related scams involving HK$22 million in losses.

The Macau skyline. Hong Kong and Macau police have collaborated on a cross-border anti-scam operation. Photo: Edmond So

Military

Taiwan’s ex-leader Ma Ying-jeou calls for ‘peaceful and democratic’ unification

It is the first time Ma has expressed his views on unification while visiting mainland China.

Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou says cross-strait unification should not be achieved through “the use or threat of force” and must “respect the will of the people of Taiwan”. Photo: AP

Companies

NWD meets 2025 sales target and wins commitment to refinancing

New World reaches sales goal thanks in part to success of Deep Water Pavilia project in Wong Chuk Hang.

The Deep Water Pavilia development in Wong Chuk Hang. Photo: Handout

Society

Hong Kong eyes hosting Brazil’s national football team at Kai Tak Stadium

City’s finance chief reveals hopes for future as he speaks at event marking local debut of country’s traditional Carnival festival.

Hong Kong hopes to host Brazil’s national football team at Kai Tak Stadium, the city’s finance chief has said. Photo: Reuters
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

East Asia

Video | Tourists skip Japan after quake prediction in viral manga

Experts have dismissed the concerns raised by the prophetic manga Watashi Ga Mita Mirai warning of a July 2025 disaster 

Why a viral manga warning of a megaquake has some travellers cancelling Japan trips
10:45

Law and Crime

Hong Kong father’s anguish after inquest rules teen died of natural causes

Tai Shun-keung labels verdict on his 14-year-old daughter’s sudden death ‘unacceptable’ after family’s Covid-19 vaccination concerns.

A five-member jury at the Coroner’s Court delivered a unanimous verdict that Tai Shun-keung’s 14-year-old daughter Tai Yee-ting died of natural causes. Photo: Fiona Sun

Politics

Groundhog Day in Thailand as Shinawatra clan faces protests, courts and crisis

Court rulings, street protests and coalition rifts could force Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step down.

videocam
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (centre) speaks to troops during a visit to the Royal Thai Army’s Morakot Operations Base in Ubon Ratchathani province on June 20. Photo: AFP

Global Economy

China becomes bright spot at uncertain time: SCMP’s ‘Summer Davos’ highlights

The World Economic Forum event was held in an atmosphere of global tension, but attendees did see some hope in China’s tech advancements.

videocam
At the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as “Summer Davos”, representatives of emerging economies gathered in Tianjin, China. Photo: Xinhua

Trending in China

Chinese monk ‘Papa Wu’ famous for support of orphaned babies faces fraud probe

Police say Wu and 3 suspected accomplices have been subjected to criminal procedures, relevant assets have been sealed, seized, or frozen.

A Chinese monk, known for his dedication to caring for hundreds of abandoned infants and single mothers, is under investigation for alleged fraud involving at least 10 million yuan (US$1.4 million). Photo: SCMP composite/The Paper
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Science

Chinese team deploys new all-in-one research buoy in the South China Sea

Floating platform can monitor both atmospheric and oceanic changes and is designed to withstand extreme conditions like typhoon-force winds.

The “innovative” research platform powered by a hybrid energy system took three years to develop. Photo: Handout

Politics

Ex-liaison office chief in Hong Kong takes No 2 spot on NPC special committee

Zheng Yanxiong named vice-chairman of Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee, a body under country’s legislature.

Zheng Yanxiong served as the director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong from January 2023 to May this year. Photo: Sun Yeung

Economic Indicators

China industrial profits sink 9% in May on ‘weak demand’, US trade dispute

‘Fairly clear deceleration’ in last month’s manufacturing profits suggests trade frictions with Washington are having an impact, analyst says.

A worker handles machinery at a new-materials company in China’s Jiangxi province earlier this month. Many industrial companies saw their profits take a hit in May, according to official figures released on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Ex-PLA ideology chief Miao Hua removed from China’s Central Military Commission

The news comes two months after top general was stripped of membership in legislature amid corruption investigation.

The downfall of former PLA ideology chief Miao Hua, pictured, comes as President Xi Jinping continues to press ahead with his sweeping anti-corruption purge of China’s military. Photo: Handout

Tech Trends

Anker partners with Apple battery supplier ATL after massive power bank recall

Anker partners with the battery supplier for Apple and Samsung, confirms cutting ties with Apex Wuxi after reports of overheating.

Anker and rival Romoss have recalled more than 1.2 million power banks amid fire risks. Photo: Handout
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Lifestyle & Culture

Filipinos turn to online scams after losing jobs in Pogo crackdown

Many of those recently arrested for online scams were former Pogo workers who ‘branched out on their own’, cybercrime chief says.

videocam
Philippine Interior Secretary Juanito Remulla places a closure sign at a Pogos hub last December. Photo: AFP

Business

Buyer linked to Agile’s lender picks up Hong Kong sites at 63% discount

Receivers hand over Hong Kong Island asset to buyer with ties to Agile’s mezzanine lender, records show.

videocam
Agile surrendered the Hong Kong sites to its mezzanine lender after a default amid China’s housing crisis. Photo: AFP

Military

Chinese navy chief of staff and nuclear scientist expelled from top legislature

Vice Admiral Li Hanjun is the latest in a string of PLA generals caught in a sweeping crackdown in the military.

5
Vice Admiral Li Hanjun has been stripped of his membership of the National People’s Congress. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Economy

Explainer | Hungry for savings? Hong Kong restaurants, shops offer July 1 anniversary deals

More than 8,800 stores and restaurants offering consumers discounts to commemorate 28th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule.

More than 8,800 stores and restaurants are offering consumers discounts to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on July 1. Photo: Dickson Lee

Food & Drink

Is Meghan Markle’s jam a scam? Report casts doubt on ‘authentic’ claims

A new report suggests it is Netflix, not the duchess, that is responsible for creating Meghan’s As Ever line of jams, tea, honeys and more.

videocam
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in an episode of Netflix’s With Love, Meghan. A report on how Meghan’s As Ever range is created by Netflix raises questions about authenticity. Photo: TNS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Politics

Philippines and Malaysia navies renew close ties, sidestep maritime claims

Relations between the two countries have been tested over the Malaysian state of Sabah and Manila’s maritime laws.

Admiral Tansri Zulhelmy Bin Ithnain, chief of Malaysia’s Royal Navy (front row, left), meets with vice-admiral Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta, flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy (front row, right), in Manila on Wednesday. Photo: Facebook/Philippine Navy

China Economy

Will Guangdong’s plan for a domestic version of Canton Fair pay off?

Provincial government has released a work plan that aims to help exporters find customers at home.

This year’s spring session of the Canton Fair, from April 15 to May 5, attracted a record number of foreign buyers. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

Ahead of a crunch summit with China, the EU is complaining of ‘stinking fish’

Diplomatic sources vent frustration that punishing trade measures are still on the table, with few concessions from Beijing.

videocam
The European Union wants China to permanently remove its export restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets. Photo: Reuters

China

Gallery | In pictures: the county in eastern China that has become a global centre for hanfu

A woman promotes hanfu during a live stream at a hanfu base. Photo: Xinhua

Southeast Asia

High times over? Thailand slams brakes on recreational cannabis

More than 18,000 licensed shops now face closure if they fail to comply with the new, stricter medical-only requirements.

A member of staff arranges bongs at a cannabis shop in Bangkok. Violations of the ban could result in a maximum one-year jail term and a 20,000 baht fine. Photo: AP
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Health & Environment

Hong Kong public hospitals to limit ‘as needed’ medication to 8-week supply

New arrangement will cover 14 types of drugs for relieving symptoms, including laxatives and creams for bruises.

The Hospital Authority has said the revised drug dispensing measures will help reduce wastage of as-needed drugs by 65 per cent. Photo: Jelly Tse

Celebrities

The Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sánchez wedding, day 1 – who wore what?

Domenico Dolce was in attendance amid rumours that Sánchez will wear a Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown; she left the Aman hotel in a Schiaparelli corset dress, while Ivanka rocked Oscar de la Renta.

Discover who wore what on day one of the Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sánchez wedding in Venice. Photo: AP

Southeast Asia

Video | Scam compounds ‘deliberately ignored’ by Cambodia

The human rights group identified 53 scam farms in the country that were staffed by trafficking victims, including children from China

Amnesty says Cambodia’s multibillion-dollar scam industry thrives with government blessing
03:47

World Opinion

Opinion | Why Egypt is welcoming China with open arms instead of the US

Beijing offers not only the expertise needed for economic growth but also an equal partnership – delivering results without imposing conditions.

videocam
Pedestrians pass through the central business district of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo, on October 21, 2024. Chinese lenders provided 85 per cent of the funding for the new district’s construction. Photo: Xinhua

Health & Environment

The future of climate migration? Tuvalu’s people seek a new home in Australia

About 3,125 Tuvaluans have entered the ballot for a climate visa to live in Australia, but analysts warn of brain drain.

The serpentine coastline of Funafuti Atoll of Tuvalu. Scientists have warned Tuvalu is likely to have only 80 years before it becomes uninhabitable. Photo: AFP