https://www.scmp.com/rss/270128/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP SCMP We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Got knee pain? How exercise can help you avoid surgery, as a rugby player found Exercise and other therapies are often preferred treatment alternatives to knee replacement surgery. Former Hong Kong rugby team player Rob Naylor experienced this first-hand. 2. Is the Year of the Horse’s third month lucky for you?... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3351118/alternative-treatments-knee-pain-monthly-zodiac-forecast-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3351118/alternative-treatments-knee-pain-monthly-zodiac-forecast-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:15:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP Twin brothers Hugo and Jayden Pang often struggle to use words to communicate. But the violin has given them a language in which they are always understood. The Hong Kong brothers turn 26 this month. They were diagnosed with autism when they were two years old. Their mother, Elaine Tang, had to learn how to accommodate their different learning needs. When the twins were first diagnosed with autism, Tang had no understanding of the condition. There were also not many government facilities she... https://www.scmp.com/spark/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351087/how-hong-kong-violinist-twins-autism-found-confidence-music?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/spark/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351087/how-hong-kong-violinist-twins-autism-found-confidence-music?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:13 +0000 SCMP SCMP The number of secondary school students leaving Hong Kong to pursue a higher education outside the city dropped to a 14-year low in 2025. An expert attributed this trend to a rise in the number of mainland Chinese students targeting local universities. Only 2,671 students, or 6.5 per cent of 40,948 Form Six graduates pursuing full-time courses, chose to study outside Hong Kong last year, a survey by the Education Bureau showed. The number was a 13 per cent drop from the 2024 figure of 3,061 and... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/education/article/3350980/hong-kongs-secondary-school-students-studying-abroad-hits-14-year-low?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/education/article/3350980/hong-kongs-secondary-school-students-studying-abroad-hits-14-year-low?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:36:51 +0000 SCMP SCMP Malaysian comedian Rizal van Geyzel keeps his three children – aged six, 14 and 15 – off social media. He calls it a “gateway drug” to fake news and doom-scrolling. “Do I risk them resenting me? Sure, but these are the sacrifices of parents for their children’s mental health and physical safety,” the 43-year-old said. Across Southeast Asia, governments are increasingly siding with parents like him. Indonesia last month became the first country in the region to bar under-16s from major social... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/asia/article/3350805/after-australia-southeast-asia-wants-ban-children-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/asia/article/3350805/after-australia-southeast-asia-wants-ban-children-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:00:13 +0000 SCMP SCMP Despite China’s recent economic growth, young jobseekers found little respite as March brought a rise in youth unemployment across urban areas, snapping six straight months of decline. The jobless rate for the 16-to-24 age group, excluding students, edged up to 16.9 per cent in March from 16.1 per cent in February, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday. The job market has proved particularly challenging for young people with limited professional... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/china/article/3350884/unemployment-chinas-young-people-worsens-record-graduation-season-looms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/china/article/3350884/unemployment-chinas-young-people-worsens-record-graduation-season-looms?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:00:16 +0000 SCMP SCMP When the Duchess of York gave birth to a baby girl exactly 100 years ago, nobody expected that the young princess would one day sit on the throne. Queen Elizabeth II would eventually become Britain’s longest serving monarch, reigning for over 70 years. A hundred years on, the South China Morning Post looks back at how it covered the queen during her life, beginning with the announcement of her birth in the newspaper on April 22, 1926. Training the heiress to Britain’s throne This article,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3350825/look-back-queen-elizabeth-iis-life-100-years-her-birth-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3350825/look-back-queen-elizabeth-iis-life-100-years-her-birth-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:31:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Singapore balances national interest with rising anti-US sentiment In a rare public protest in Singapore, hundreds gathered in Hong Lim Park over the weekend to denounce the “US war machine”. They brandished placards and banners, including one with horns drawn on US... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3350808/singapores-us-interest-balancing-act-viral-songkran-clash-7-asia-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3350808/singapores-us-interest-balancing-act-viral-songkran-clash-7-asia-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:15:10 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Lesson for China? Iran’s low-cost 358 missile takes out million-dollar US assets 2. Hong Kong Sevens: Blitzboks win first title, Black Ferns go unbeaten again 3. The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America 4. Closed? Open? Closed? Why is Iran changing course on the Strait of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3350679/irans-lesson-china-record-breaking-hong-kong-sevens-5-weekend-reads-you-missed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3350679/irans-lesson-china-record-breaking-hong-kong-sevens-5-weekend-reads-you-missed?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:59:54 +0000 SCMP SCMP Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3) In ancient China, there was a very profitable and competitive job called the “dung collector”. These people collected human waste, called night soil, from residents’ chamber pots. Because there were no modern toilets, people had to use chamber pots to hold their waste, and they couldn’t just throw it away whenever they wanted. Waste from each home was collected by special workers called “dung collectors”. Every day at the same time, these workers went from house... https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3349201/unexpected-wealth-dung-collectors-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3349201/unexpected-wealth-dung-collectors-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:30:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3) Many schools in Hong Kong are closing because not enough students are enrolled. This is worrying for families with children who have special educational needs (SEN). Parents feel that the schools facing closure often give better SEN support than other schools. Last month, the Education Bureau said that 15 public primary schools were at risk of closure. These schools cannot run subsidised Primary One classes in the next school year because they do not have enough... https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3349200/hong-kong-parents-special-needs-pupils-worry-about-school-closures-due-low-enrolment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3349200/hong-kong-parents-special-needs-pupils-worry-about-school-closures-due-low-enrolment?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-read articles provide context to grasp what’s happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page. News: Officials face questions about plans for Hong Kong’s new university town Universities urge the government to explain how much land they will get in the Northern Metropolis Baptist University is thinking of moving its campus to the new academic town In... https://www.scmp.com/spark/news/hong-kong/article/3350435/spark-deep-dive-hong-kongs-plans-academic-hub-northern-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/spark/news/hong-kong/article/3350435/spark-deep-dive-hong-kongs-plans-academic-hub-northern-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:00:17 +0000 SCMP,Kelly Fung SCMP,Kelly Fung Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-read articles provide context to grasp what’s happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page. News: Officials face questions about plans for Hong Kong’s new university town Universities urge the government to clarify how much land they will get in the Northern Metropolis Baptist University is considering moving its campus to the new academic town In... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3350420/deep-dive-what-hong-kongs-plan-northern-metropolis-university-town?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3350420/deep-dive-what-hong-kongs-plan-northern-metropolis-university-town?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:45:11 +0000 SCMP SCMP Every week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we’ve written. In cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, people are often focused on making money, and they do not think art is important. But for Singaporean artist Toby Tan, known as Tobyato, the fast pace of city life has inspired his art. “Both Hong Kong and Singapore have that pressure, but it also breeds a very competitive ... creative environment. And I feel like that helps... https://www.scmp.com/spark/trending/culture/article/3350325/singaporean-artist-tobyatos-advice-aspiring-creatives-dont-be-afraid-start?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/spark/trending/culture/article/3350325/singaporean-artist-tobyatos-advice-aspiring-creatives-dont-be-afraid-start?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:00:10 +0000 SCMP SCMP In ancient China, collecting people’s waste used to be a good way to make money. But it could be a competitive job. These workers were called “dung collectors”. Since there were no modern toilets, people used chamber pots to hold their waste. They could not just throw their waste away when they wanted. Every day, workers picked up waste from each house and took it to the countryside to sell. Farmers bought this waste to use as fertiliser for their plants. People who collected dung could make... https://www.scmp.com/spark/news/china/article/3350263/how-ancient-chinas-dung-collectors-made-money-peoples-waste?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/spark/news/china/article/3350263/how-ancient-chinas-dung-collectors-made-money-peoples-waste?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 06:00:13 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. 3 satellites to track all? Chinese radar images confirm US military fears Last month, China released a series of undated radar images of the Towa Maru. It marked the first time ever that a geosynchronous orbit (GEO) synthetic aperture... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3350385/chinas-3-satellite-surveillance-network-hong-kongs-inflation-surge-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3350385/chinas-3-satellite-surveillance-network-hong-kongs-inflation-surge-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:12:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering US-China relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts The lead-up for the consequential Trump-Xi summit has been compressed and rather disjointed given the Middle East war and Trump’s preference for making last-minute decisions based on his “gut”. One source told the South China... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3350227/trump-xi-summit-worries-tariffs-tested-diaspora-drama-7-us-china-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3350227/trump-xi-summit-worries-tariffs-tested-diaspora-drama-7-us-china-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:11 +0000 SCMP SCMP The number of secondary school students in Hong Kong who have been diagnosed with mental illness has doubled over the past five academic years. Still, education authorities warn that this sharp increase may not represent the full picture, as a lingering social stigma makes some students and parents reluctant to disclose their health information to schools. According to official figures submitted by the Education Bureau to the legislature on Tuesday, April 15, the recorded number of secondary... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350331/number-hong-kong-secondary-school-students-mental-illness-doubles-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350331/number-hong-kong-secondary-school-students-mental-illness-doubles-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:30:10 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. All 7 are dentists and hot. The Asian-American family blowing up social media The Chen family shot to social media stardom over their shared career, good looks and closeness – all achieved without tiger parenting. 2. Hainanese chicken rice origins and its versions in Singapore, Malaysia and more With roots in Hainan’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350267/asian-american-family-hot-dentists-hainan-chicken-rice-roots-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350267/asian-american-family-hot-dentists-hainan-chicken-rice-roots-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:45:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP Nepal has instructed private schools to cease the practice of double-charging fees, refund any illegally collected funds and clearly disclose their fee structures. The move has sparked a renewed discussion about education costs throughout South Asia. From Dhaka to Delhi, parents have consistently voiced concerns that private schools charge excessive fees. This situation raises important questions about whether governments should regulate private schools, improve the quality of state schools or... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/world/article/3349992/private-schools-nepal-face-crackdown-excessive-fees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/world/article/3349992/private-schools-nepal-face-crackdown-excessive-fees?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:12 +0000 SCMP SCMP The number of non-local students admitted to government-funded degree programmes at public universities in Hong Kong with Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) qualifications has increased fivefold over four years, according to the Education Bureau. By comparison, the number of local DSE candidates who qualified for those universities fell by 5 per cent over the same period, the bureau said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, universities admitted more students with non-DSE certificates who paid higher... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3350159/non-local-student-admissions-soar-hong-kong-universities-sparking-mobility-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3350159/non-local-student-admissions-soar-hong-kong-universities-sparking-mobility-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:10:29 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Tesla outraces China’s BYD in pure electric car sales to regain world’s top spot Tesla has regained the global pure electric vehicle (EV) crown for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2024, after its deliveries rose 6.5 per cent year on year in the three months ending March. 2.... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3350112/brazil-blacklists-chinas-byd-how-batteries-might-get-quality-upgrade-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3350112/brazil-blacklists-chinas-byd-how-batteries-might-get-quality-upgrade-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:30:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP Students sitting the citizenship and social development (CSD) paper in Hong Kong’s university entrance exams on Tuesday were tested on the “One Country, Two Systems” governing principle and faced more questions that needed explanation using their own knowledge. About 50,300 candidates sat the CSD paper for the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) this year, up from 48,000 last year. The CSD subject, which replaced the controversial Liberal Studies curriculum, is graded only as “attained” or “not... https://www.scmp.com/yp/learning-zone/study-tools/exam-tips/article/3350053/dse-2026-more-external-knowledge-questions-citizenship-and-social-development-exam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/learning-zone/study-tools/exam-tips/article/3350053/dse-2026-more-external-knowledge-questions-citizenship-and-social-development-exam?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:10:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP Several industries in Hong Kong are facing significant challenges due to the world’s highest petrol and diesel prices. Economists and business leaders warn that the oil crisis resulting from the conflict in the Middle East is likely to cause a wave of imported inflation. This surge in costs is expected to impact a wide range of items, including toilet paper, laundry services and asphalt. Analysts have warned that the adverse impact on inflation will be more immediate than the effect on economic... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3350024/soaring-oil-prices-threaten-hong-kongs-economic-stability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3350024/soaring-oil-prices-threaten-hong-kongs-economic-stability?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:09:47 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz creates waves in Malaysia Singapore’s pushback against negotiating with Iran over access to the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a backlash from Malaysian politicians, who saw its statements as “lecturing” them on how best to... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3349997/singapores-hormuz-stance-manila-hong-kong-housing-gap-7-asia-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3349997/singapores-hormuz-stance-manila-hong-kong-housing-gap-7-asia-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:15:09 +0000 SCMP SCMP Hong Kong routinely tops global rankings of unaffordable cities. But it is the residents of Manila in the Philippines, Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Yangon in Myanmar who are far more likely to tell pollsters they cannot afford shelter. The Philippines recorded the world’s highest share of people reporting difficulty affording housing in a new survey from US-based firm Gallup, with 55 per cent saying they had struggled to pay for shelter in the past 12 months. Sri Lanka followed at 54 per cent,... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/asia/article/3349909/forget-hong-kong-philippines-and-sri-lanka-housing-least-affordable-survey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/asia/article/3349909/forget-hong-kong-philippines-and-sri-lanka-housing-least-affordable-survey?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:00:14 +0000 SCMP SCMP US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping naval operation targeting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit chokepoints, which risks deepening a global crisis. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said in a social media post on Sunday. Later in the day, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces would begin... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/world/article/3349896/trump-announces-us-blockade-strait-hormuz-warns-iranians-will-be-blown-hell?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/world/article/3349896/trump-announces-us-blockade-strait-hormuz-warns-iranians-will-be-blown-hell?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:42 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘Cancelling orders’ in China: Hormuz oil crisis hits transport and manufacturing 2. ‘A big deal’: military drills show Tokyo’s growing focus on deterring China 3. UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation 4. Why has China mapped out a third new county in Xinjiang on its... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349833/hormuz-oil-crisis-hits-china-family-dentists-5-weekend-reads-you-missed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349833/hormuz-oil-crisis-hits-china-family-dentists-5-weekend-reads-you-missed?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:12:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3) People from Hong Kong’s ethnic minority groups are not benefiting from government service apps. The Equal Opportunities Commission is urging the government to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help with language support and make app registration easier. A research team from the University of Hong Kong talked to 412 people from different ethnic groups between July 2024 and March of last year. They wanted to see how members of these communities used devices to... https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3348413/hong-kong-ethnic-minorities-face-challenges-accessing-online-services?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3348413/hong-kong-ethnic-minorities-face-challenges-accessing-online-services?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP,Charlotte Kwan SCMP,Charlotte Kwan Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-read articles provide context to grasp what’s happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page. News: New graduates face tough outlook as Hong Kong’s job market declines Local job vacancies in 23 out of 33 sectors fell to the lowest in six years AI is taking over data entry and bookkeeping tasks, and even customer services Hong Kong’s fresh graduates are... https://www.scmp.com/yp/learning-zone/study-tools/deep-dive/article/3348879/deep-dive-hong-kongs-new-university-graduates-face-tough-job-outlook-amid-rise-ai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/learning-zone/study-tools/deep-dive/article/3348879/deep-dive-hong-kongs-new-university-graduates-face-tough-job-outlook-amid-rise-ai?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:45:10 +0000 Young Post,SCMP Young Post,SCMP Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-read articles provide context to grasp what’s happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page. News: New graduates face tough outlook as Hong Kong’s job market declines Local job vacancies in 23 out of 33 sectors fell to the lowest in six years AI is taking over data entry and bookkeeping tasks, and even customer services Hong Kong’s fresh graduates are... https://www.scmp.com/spark/learning-zone/study-tools/deep-dive/article/3348878/spark-deep-dive-hong-kong-university-graduates-face-tough-job-outlook-amid-rise-ai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/spark/learning-zone/study-tools/deep-dive/article/3348878/spark-deep-dive-hong-kong-university-graduates-face-tough-job-outlook-amid-rise-ai?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP Students taking the English paper in Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exam on Friday were pleasantly surprised by relatable topics such as bubble tea and YouTube channels. But many candidates sitting the city’s university entrance exam were caught off guard by the use of two poems in the reading section for the first time. Still, teachers said this year’s content was manageable. The exam steered clear of niche topics, unlike in past exams that featured pop culture icons and... https://www.scmp.com/yp/learning-zone/study-tools/exam-tips/article/3349738/dse-2026-english-reading-and-writing-papers-were-straightforward-and-relatable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/learning-zone/study-tools/exam-tips/article/3349738/dse-2026-english-reading-and-writing-papers-were-straightforward-and-relatable?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:51:12 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Indonesian fisherman nets surprise catch – a Chinese underwater drone A Chinese underwater drone was caught by an Indonesian fisherman near a key waterway leading to Australia, local media reported. 2. What is the war on Iran teaching... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349469/fisherman-catches-chinese-drone-iran-wars-lessons-china-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349469/fisherman-catches-chinese-drone-iran-wars-lessons-china-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:30:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected five Trending in China stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. How Gingle Wang went from clueless novice to one of Taiwan’s top young actresses For an actress often hailed by the Taiwanese press as the “box office guarantee” of her generation, Gingle Wang Ching began her career with a startling lack of vocabulary: she had no idea what the word “action” meant on a film... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3349505/gingle-wangs-rise-top-apps-help-fight-jet-lag-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3349505/gingle-wangs-rise-top-apps-help-fight-jet-lag-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:37:01 +0000 SCMP SCMP Hong Kong is set to build a world-class fencing hall and a stand-alone swimming pool complex as part of its Northern Metropolis megaproject. This decision aims to address the significant shortage of professional training venues in the region. According to a report by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to the North District Council, the government has revised its plans for Kwu Tung North. The previous proposal for a multipurpose sports hall will be replaced by a large-scale venue... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3349446/hong-kong-build-top-tier-fencing-hall-and-swimming-complex-northern-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3349446/hong-kong-build-top-tier-fencing-hall-and-swimming-complex-northern-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:00:09 +0000 SCMP SCMP Last month in Seoul, South Koreans rushed to the shop. It wasn’t food or medicine that people were after; it was bin bags. On average, nearly 2.7 million of the city’s mandatory “pay-as-you-throw” bags were sold each day, almost five times the usual volume. Residents rushed to stockpile these bags, fearing that they might soon become scarce. City regulations require that prepaid bags – made from naphtha, a derivative of petroleum – be used for household waste disposal. However, the nation’s oil... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/world/article/3349444/south-koreans-stockpile-bin-bags-amid-oil-crisis-fears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/world/article/3349444/south-koreans-stockpile-bin-bags-amid-oil-crisis-fears?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:00:13 +0000 SCMP SCMP People from Hong Kong’s ethnic minority groups are not benefiting from government service apps. The Equal Opportunities Commission is urging the government to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help with language support and make app registration easier. A research team from the University of Hong Kong talked to 412 people from different ethnic groups between July 2024 and March of last year. They wanted to see how members of these communities used devices to find public information, healthcare... https://www.scmp.com/spark/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349285/hong-kongs-digital-divide-ai-could-bridge-language-barriers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/spark/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349285/hong-kongs-digital-divide-ai-could-bridge-language-barriers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:00:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP This article was first published on April 8, 1986. Billion dollar brilliance by Staff Reporters The new $5.2 billion headquarters of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpn was formally opened last night (April 7, 1986) when the Governor, Sir Edward Youde, snipped a simple ribbon. The building, every light ablaze, was a symbol of the bank’s faith in the future of Hongkong, said the bank’s chairman, Mr Michael Sandberg. Many also saw it as a vindication of Mr Sandberg’s own commitment in his... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3349377/hsbcs-hk5-billion-headquarters-opens-hong-kong-1986-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3349377/hsbcs-hk5-billion-headquarters-opens-hong-kong-1986-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:30:16 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on science from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chinese embassy in US confirms death of semiconductor researcher Wang Danhao Chinese semiconductor researcher Wang Danhao died at the University of Michigan last month, shortly after being questioned by US federal law enforcement. 2. ‘Impossible for Chinese’: Yale scientist Zhang Kai leaves US for China Zhang... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3349349/chinese-embassy-confirms-wang-danhao-death-spacex-challenger-fails-7-science-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3349349/chinese-embassy-confirms-wang-danhao-death-spacex-challenger-fails-7-science-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP Seven murals celebrating the Thai and Chiu Chow heritage of Kowloon City in Hong Kong will be installed in the district, known for its ethnic Thai population and traditional stores. This initiative is part of a public scheme aimed at encouraging building renovations in the area. The first on Jenford Building has been completed on South Wall Road in the heart of the city’s “Little Thailand”, featuring a purple cartoon elephant dressed in a blue Hawaiian shirt, grinning with its trunk lifted as if... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3349323/kowloon-city-unveils-7-vibrant-murals-celebrating-thai-and-chiu-chow-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3349323/kowloon-city-unveils-7-vibrant-murals-celebrating-thai-and-chiu-chow-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:51:29 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks 2. Untouchable no more: Nepal to apologise to Dalits for first time 3. Bali rocked by spate of murder cases – is Indonesian island more dangerous now? 4. Australia receives fuel export guarantees from... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3349208/uae-retaliates-against-iran-balis-spate-murders-7-asia-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3349208/uae-retaliates-against-iran-balis-spate-murders-7-asia-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:30:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP In May last year, the United States implemented stricter visa regulations for students from mainland China and Hong Kong, resulting in a year-on-year decrease of 42 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively, in the number of permits issued. However, a consultant has noted that the impact of these changes has been temporary. One PhD student from the mainland said US President Donald Trump’s actions had led to him giving up an offer to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to enrol... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/education/article/3349182/mainland-chinese-hong-kong-students-rethink-us-education-visa-rules-tighten?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/education/article/3349182/mainland-chinese-hong-kong-students-rethink-us-education-visa-rules-tighten?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:00:11 +0000 SCMP SCMP These articles were first published on April 8, 1966. Quiet day explodes into violence by SCMP reporter After a quiet but tense day, Kowloon and New Kowloon last night were again in the grip of riotous mobs, who roamed the streets of Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei uncontrolled, stoning buses and cars, setting fires to vehicles and buildings and challenging police and troops. For seven hours, they ran wild until two hours after the reimposition of the curfew when an uneasy quiet again returned. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349129/riots-over-star-ferry-fare-increase-kill-1-1800-arrested-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349129/riots-over-star-ferry-fare-increase-kill-1-1800-arrested-scmp-archive?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:00:26 +0000 SCMP SCMP The growing number of Hong Kong schools facing closure due to insufficient enrolment has raised concerns about the impact on students with special needs, as parents say these at-risk institutions often provide better care and instruction than more stable ones. Marcia Ng Mun-chi, co-founder and executive director of the Hong Kong Association for AD/HD, recently raised concerns following the Education Bureau’s announcement last month that 15 public primary schools were at risk of closure. These... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/education/article/3349122/hong-kong-schools-risk-closure-threaten-vital-support-special-needs-students?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/education/article/3349122/hong-kong-schools-risk-closure-threaten-vital-support-special-needs-students?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:52:31 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Iran points finger at Saudis and UAE after Chinese-made drone was shot down 2. Lead scientist reveals true purpose of China’s ultra-large underwater drone 3. Hongkongers crossing border for Easter break wowed by new Shenzhen tech museum 4. Australia’s 180-degree shift from 5 years ago: China in... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349117/chinese-made-drone-shot-iran-australias-diplomacy-pivot-5-weekend-reads-you-missed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349117/chinese-made-drone-shot-iran-australias-diplomacy-pivot-5-weekend-reads-you-missed?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:30:26 +0000 SCMP SCMP Difficulty: Challenger (Level 2) For many foreigners who come to Hong Kong for work, one of the city’s appeals is the widespread use of English. Many never feel compelled to learn Cantonese. But 29-year-old Australian Jonas Groom has made a splash on social media doing exactly that. His videos follow his Cantonese language-learning journey, with some clips garnering hundreds of thousands of views. Groom moved to Hong Kong a little over a year ago. He works as a strategy consultant and wanted to... https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/big-read/article/3348369/australians-cantonese-language-learning-journey-wins-hearts-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/big-read/article/3348369/australians-cantonese-language-learning-journey-wins-hearts-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 01:00:09 +0000 SCMP SCMP Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3) Pancakes are a common breakfast in many parts of China today, but few people are aware that the popular food has been around for 5,000 years. An ancient griddle unearthed a few decades ago from a site in central China’s Henan province reveals that the history of Chinese pancakes could date back to five millennia ago. Chinese legend has it that pancakes came into being when the mother goddess Nuwa mended the heavens. When the world fell apart, Nuwa gathered stones... https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3348616/ancient-origins-chinese-pancakes-culinary-journey-through-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3348616/ancient-origins-chinese-pancakes-culinary-journey-through-time?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:30:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3) More than 1,200 musicians set a Guinness World Record for the largest reed ensemble featuring the sheng – a traditional Chinese instrument – at a Hong Kong concert last month. The “Endless Sheng, Thousand Reeds in Harmony” marathon opened the International Sheng and Reeds Festival of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. At the event, 1,230 players of all ages, including musicians from mainland China, performed together on instruments including the sheng, bagpipes and... https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3348610/hong-kong-concert-sets-guinness-world-record-over-1200-musicians?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/eye-news/article/3348610/hong-kong-concert-sets-guinness-world-record-over-1200-musicians?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP,Posties readers SCMP,Posties readers A hamster was caught hitching a ride on a bus from Central to Sha Tin last month. It ended up in the custody of a Hong Kong animal welfare group. The hamster was placed in a translucent plastic bag beside the bus driver’s seat, right next to a sign warning that anyone “impeding a bus captain wilfully may commit an offence”. Staff writers Do you think the hamster enjoyed the ride? Send us a fun caption by emailing us at editorial@posties.hk or filling out this form. The deadline is at 12pm on... https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/ha-ha-happenings/article/3348500/write-funny-caption-unusual-hong-kong-bus-passenger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/posties/kids/ha-ha-happenings/article/3348500/write-funny-caption-unusual-hong-kong-bus-passenger?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 22:30:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP 2/5 stars It will come as a surprise to absolutely no one that Nintendo’s crown jewels, those lovable plumbers Mario and Luigi, are back. The Super Mario Bros Movie was a staggering hit in 2023, grossing US$1.36 billion – showing just how beloved these video game icons really are. Now comes the inevitable sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Loosely inspired by the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy and its 2010 follow-up, the film takes us back to the hallucinogenic Mushroom Kingdom and its... https://www.scmp.com/yp/trending/entertainment/article/3348913/review-nintendo-sequel-super-mario-galaxy-movie-looks-great-lacks-laughs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/trending/entertainment/article/3348913/review-nintendo-sequel-super-mario-galaxy-movie-looks-great-lacks-laughs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 01:00:21 +0000 SCMP SCMP Hong Kong’s Ocean Park has started using AI to better track the behaviour of its giant panda twins and golden monkeys, allowing for more personalised care and improved habitat design. There are plans to extend the technology to dolphin research. The theme park’s chairman, Paulo Pong Kin-yee, also reported a surge in overseas visitors over the winter period, fuelled by a 60 per cent jump in long-haul arrivals, notably from the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. On Wednesday, the... https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3348548/hong-kongs-ocean-park-uses-ai-track-giant-pandas-and-monkeys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/hong-kong/article/3348548/hong-kongs-ocean-park-uses-ai-track-giant-pandas-and-monkeys?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:00:09 +0000