https://www.scmp.com/rss/33571/feed Easter is a Christian festival marking the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Preceded by Lent - a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance - Easter begins on Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the Last Supper of Christ and his disciples. Good Friday symbolises Christ's crucifixion and subsequent death while Pentecost Sunday celebrates the day Christ rose from the grave. Families traditionally attend church services and Easter parades during this period, and children join in egg... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A truce between Russia and Ukraine to mark the Orthodox Easter formally expired on Monday, both sides having accused each other of thousands of violations, despite a lull in Russian air raids. The truce lasted 32 hours, from 4pm on Saturday until the end of the day on Sunday. Both sides had agreed to observe the ceasefire, which Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered on Thursday and which Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky proposed more than a week earlier. But as with a similar... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349820/russia-and-ukraine-accuse-each-other-violating-putins-easter-ceasefire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349820/russia-and-ukraine-accuse-each-other-violating-putins-easter-ceasefire?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:44:53 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine entered into force on Saturday, with Kyiv warning it would respond “immediately” if Russia violated it. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the ceasefire on Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Easter, more than a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky first made the proposal. Both sides have agreed to observe it. The ceasefire is due to last for 32 hours, from 4.00pm on Saturday until the end of the day on Sunday, according to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349757/russia-and-ukraine-begin-32-hour-ceasefire-orthodox-easter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349757/russia-and-ukraine-begin-32-hour-ceasefire-orthodox-easter?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:25:14 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The British royal family stepped out for an Easter service last weekend, and royal watchers are buzzing over the appearance of one young man in particular. James, Earl of Wessex, was spotted sharing a warm conversation with Catherine, Princess of Wales, ahead of the service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. He is the 18-year-old son of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. A lovely interaction between the Princess of Wales and James, Earl of Wessex, at St George’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3349587/meet-prince-harry-and-williams-cousin-james-earl-wessex-who-was-easter-service?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3349587/meet-prince-harry-and-williams-cousin-james-earl-wessex-who-was-easter-service?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Ukrainians on Friday were wary of Russia’s pledge to pause fighting for an Orthodox Easter ceasefire – first proposed by Kyiv – this weekend. The Kremlin said it had ordered a temporary truce to be in effect from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday, a 32-hour period during which Russia would stop fighting “in all directions”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – who has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the four-year war – said Kyiv was willing to reciprocate. But in Kyiv there was... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349710/ukrainians-sceptical-russias-putin-orders-easter-truce?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349710/ukrainians-sceptical-russias-putin-orders-easter-truce?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:06:03 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s authorities are finally getting serious about enforcement against reckless behaviour threatening our precious countryside. While there is no shortage of laws for protection in this respect, our natural assets are left at the mercy of visitors with little awareness of wildlife conservation or respect for the environment. The 18 enforcement actions taken at Sai Kung East Country Park over the first four days of the Easter break may appear too little, too late, but they signal a turning... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349359/site-patrols-good-start-better-protection-hong-kongs-countryside?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349359/site-patrols-good-start-better-protection-hong-kongs-countryside?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Mud and rainy weather caused chaos and frustration at a high-profile open-air coffee festival in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District over the Easter weekend, with the arts hub’s managing authority urging the organiser to take timely and appropriate measures to respond to vendors. The weather put a dampener on the four-day 2026 Coffee Hong Kong @WestK, which was held at the Great Lawn of the district’s Art Park. Some festival visitors were seen wearing shoe covers as they walked over the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349293/backlash-brews-hong-kong-coffee-festival-over-response-bad-weather?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349293/backlash-brews-hong-kong-coffee-festival-over-response-bad-weather?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:10:38 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong’s East Dam welcomed about 1,400 visitors daily over the first four days of the Easter break, despite the adverse weather, conservation authorities have said, while revealing littering and illegal camping figures for the site and the surrounding area. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said on Tuesday that it recorded 18 cases of law enforcement action being taken at Sai Kung East Country Park for such offences between Good Friday and Easter Monday. “The AFCD... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349292/hong-kongs-east-dam-welcomes-1400-visitors-daily-over-first-4-days-easter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349292/hong-kongs-east-dam-welcomes-1400-visitors-daily-over-first-4-days-easter?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:44:42 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Residents made more than 2 million outbound passenger trips over the first four days of the Easter break, while the number of motorists using the city’s border checkpoint for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge hit a single-day record on Monday. Immigration Department figures published on Tuesday showed that the number of outgoing Hong Kong residents rose by 14.34 per cent year on year to 2.12 million over the period. This year’s Easter holiday runs from Friday to Tuesday, while the break in 2025... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349222/slump-fb-sector-over-easter-break-28-hongkongers-leave-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349222/slump-fb-sector-over-easter-break-28-hongkongers-leave-city?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:55:06 +0000 Agencies Agencies US President Donald Trump did not take a break from his polarising rhetoric on Easter Sunday, delivering an expletive-laden attack on Iran that sparked criticism on Capitol Hill and beyond. “Open the F****n Strait, you crazy b******s, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!” the president wrote early on Sunday, renewing his threat to unleash heavy bombing on Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran refused to unblock the strategic Strait of Hormuz. “Praise be to Allah,” Trump added,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3349103/trump-draws-criticism-fiery-expletive-laden-easter-message-attacking-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3349103/trump-draws-criticism-fiery-expletive-laden-easter-message-attacking-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:45:02 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Three people, including a 10-month-old girl, were killed on Sunday when high winds toppled a tree in northern Germany during an Easter egg hunt, police said. Around 50 people from a nearby residential facility for new mothers, pregnant women and children were attending the event in woods near the town of Satrupholm at around 11am when a 30-metre tree fell on the group, police said in a statement. Four people were pinned under the tree. A 21-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl were treated by... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349101/3-killed-including-baby-high-winds-topple-tree-during-easter-egg-hunt-germany?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349101/3-killed-including-baby-high-winds-topple-tree-during-easter-egg-hunt-germany?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:33:52 +0000 Reuters Reuters An Israeli air strike on Kfarhata, a village in south Lebanon, killed seven people on Sunday, including a four-year-old child, Lebanon’s health ministry said in a statement. Another Israeli attack on the Jnah neighbourhood in Beirut killed four people and injured ‌39 others, the ministry added. The strike on Kfarhata followed an overnight evacuation order by the Israeli military instructing residents to leave the village. As Lebanese Christians, who make up roughly a third of the population,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3349099/israeli-strikes-kill-11-lebanon-israel-announces-security-buffer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3349099/israeli-strikes-kill-11-lebanon-israel-announces-security-buffer?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:14:58 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Pope Leo celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff with a call on Sunday to lay down arms and seek peace to global conflicts through dialogue, but he departed from a tradition of listing the world’s woes by name in the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. Leo, the first US-born pope, emphasised Easter’s message of hope as a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection after being crucified, in both the blessing and his homily. “Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349090/pope-leo-calls-peace-dialogue-amid-ukraine-iran-wars-easter-mass?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349090/pope-leo-calls-peace-dialogue-amid-ukraine-iran-wars-easter-mass?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:35:27 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong has swapped the Easter bunny for a festive feline, with giant cat installations and murals delighting visitors and residents citywide. A gigantic ginger cat has been greeting travellers at Hong Kong International Airport while three inflatable marmalade felines lie sprawled across a lawn at the West Kowloon Cultural District, delighting visitors to the arts hub. In Yau Ma Tei, local artist German Li and his students have reimagined Vincent van Gogh’s classic painting The Starry Night... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349088/move-over-easter-bunny-cats-are-stars-hong-kong-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349088/move-over-easter-bunny-cats-are-stars-hong-kong-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:44:22 +0000 Fiona Sun,Edith Lin Fiona Sun,Edith Lin Hongkongers crossed the border into Shenzhen in droves on the second day of the Easter holiday on Saturday, drawn by a wider range of bargain-priced shopping, dining and entertainment options, as well as new landmark attractions including a futuristic tech museum. While bracing for heavy rain, many travellers cited mainland China’s broader selection of shopping centres and restaurants, along with more affordable prices as key draws. Some also said neighbouring Shenzhen boasted fresh cultural and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349029/thousands-hongkongers-brave-heavy-rain-shenzhen-trip-day-2-easter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349029/thousands-hongkongers-brave-heavy-rain-shenzhen-trip-day-2-easter?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:15:30 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Pope Leo lifted a wooden cross and held it aloft from his waist at the start of the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on his first Good Friday as pontiff, marking the first time in decades that a pope has set out to carry the cross to every station. “I think it will be an important sign because of what the pope represents, a spiritual leader in the world today, and for this voice, that everyone wants to hear, that says Christ still suffers,” Leo told reporters this week... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349008/pope-leo-carries-cross-full-good-friday-procession-first-do-so-decades?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349008/pope-leo-carries-cross-full-good-friday-procession-first-do-so-decades?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:50:00 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong begins a five-day long weekend break for the Easter and Ching Ming Festival holidays on Friday, with authorities expecting busy inbound and outbound travel during the period. Mainland China marks the festival, also known as tomb-sweeping day, between Saturday and Monday. For Hongkongers remaining in the city and visitors from the mainland and elsewhere, the South China Morning Post lists key activities open to the public. Coffee festival The popular coffee festival returns to the West... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348841/looking-easter-holiday-inspiration-heres-whats-happening-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348841/looking-easter-holiday-inspiration-heres-whats-happening-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:03:18 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Whether you are looking for lavish seasonal menus, creative chocolate treats or festive-themed workshops, Easter in Hong Kong is full of flavour and fun. During the long weekend, adults can indulge in the best brunch spots and must-try seasonal pastries, while children can join beginner-friendly art classes in some of the city’s premier hotels and restaurants and catch a special visit from the Easter bunny. Why put all your eggs in one basket when the city has so many Easter activities to offer?... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3348617/easter-2026-food-highlights-hong-kong-sunday-lunch-hot-cross-doughnuts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3348617/easter-2026-food-highlights-hong-kong-sunday-lunch-hot-cross-doughnuts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:45:07 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng It’s new menus galore for your long Easter weekend. First, The St Regis Bar is bringing your Indonesian getaway straight to you. Fahri Yusuf of The St Regis Jakarta will be taking on Hong Kong. Friday After Class doubles down on the nostalgia by introducing a menu focused on third-culture backgrounds, while Bourke’s refreshes its bar programme to focus on native Australian ingredients. Thursday, April 2 Sip & Savor Vol 9: The Art of Timeless Pour Even if you’re not on a getaway this Easter... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3348603/your-hong-kong-drinks-guide-easter-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3348603/your-hong-kong-drinks-guide-easter-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer This Easter, the city’s kitchens are rolling out chocolate-centric tea sets, skyline specials, carving-station brunches and festive baked goods. Here’s where to book or stop by this weekend for holiday eating that balances grown-up refinement with kid-friendly fun, from harbour-view Valrhona indulgences to DIY baked goods kits you can take home. For more dining recommendations, see our 2025 100 Top Tables Guide, and stay tuned for the announcement of the 2026 list. Friday, April 3 Kick off your... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3348346/your-hong-kong-food-guide-easter-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3348346/your-hong-kong-food-guide-easter-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:45:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate mass on the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday for the first time in centuries, the Latin Patriarchate said on Sunday. Jerusalem’s major holy sites, including the church, are closed because of the continuing war in Iran, as the city has come under frequent fire from Iranian missiles. The Catholic Church called the police decision “a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3348322/israeli-police-prevent-catholic-leaders-celebrating-palm-sunday-mass-jerusalem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3348322/israeli-police-prevent-catholic-leaders-celebrating-palm-sunday-mass-jerusalem?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:43:39 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A huge shipment of KitKat chocolate bars has been stolen in Europe, the brand said, warning that the heist risked causing shortages in stores right before Easter. KitKat, owned by Swiss food giant Nestlé, confirmed in a statement on Saturday that “a truck transporting 413,793 units of its new chocolate range has been stolen during transit in Europe”. The shipment, weighing around 12 tonnes (13.2 tons), disappeared last week while heading between production and distribution locations, it... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348270/over-400000-kitkat-bars-stolen-thieves-make-break-12-tonne-shipment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348270/over-400000-kitkat-bars-stolen-thieves-make-break-12-tonne-shipment?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 19:12:05 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu The escalating conflict in the Middle East is set to drive up travel costs for Hong Kong passengers as many are forced to opt for more expensive direct routes to Europe, according to analysts. They said on Monday that the suspension of major transit hubs in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Doha in Qatar had left travellers scrambling for seats on direct flights or “conflict-free” paths to Europe, with surging demand set to trigger a spike in airfares. A check of Hong Kong flag carrier... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345146/middle-east-conflict-drive-airfares-hong-kong-travellers-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345146/middle-east-conflict-drive-airfares-hong-kong-travellers-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:00:15 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong authorities expect the mainland China’s coming five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday to boost the average number of visitor arrivals heading to the city from across the border each day by 10 per cent. But local business leaders have set their expectations low after the retail and catering sectors performed poorly over the Easter break. The latter camp’s worries also stemmed from Labour Day landing on a Thursday this year, which encouraged residents to take a five-day break to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3307828/will-hong-kong-firms-feel-brunt-labour-day-golden-week-exodus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3307828/will-hong-kong-firms-feel-brunt-labour-day-golden-week-exodus?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:30:09 +0000 Pope Francis thanked his personal nurse for encouraging him to greet the crowds in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, according to the Vatican, which said that these were among his last words. The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on Monday morning from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia. “Thank you for bringing me back to the square,” Francis told his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, after what would be his final Popemobile ride,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307485/vatican-recounts-popes-last-words-thank-you-bringing-me-back-st-peters-square?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307485/vatican-recounts-popes-last-words-thank-you-bringing-me-back-st-peters-square?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Apr 2025 11:45:23 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu Hong Kong’s box office revenue during the Easter holiday shrank by 65 per cent compared with the same period last year, prompting a firm that tracks cinema bookings to call for more public support given the difficult operating environment. Revenue from film screenings in Hong Kong and Macau across four days from last Friday to Monday stood at HK$13.5 million (US$1.7 million), 65 per cent less than the HK$38.4 million generated during the same period in 2024. “This shows that the operating... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3307475/hong-kong-box-office-receipts-drop-65-during-easter-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3307475/hong-kong-box-office-receipts-drop-65-during-easter-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:40:43 +0000 Hongkongers going north for shopping and entertainment during weekends has become a trend that cannot be easily reversed. It is no surprise that the sluggish local economy was dealt another blow by residents who ventured further afield in the biggest post-pandemic Easter exodus. Affected businesses must think of better ways to attract customers if they are to survive what appears to be an intensifying cross-border economic restructuring. Various sectors felt the heat as their commercial returns... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3307368/lessons-learn-hong-kong-exodus-easter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3307368/lessons-learn-hong-kong-exodus-easter?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:45:08 +0000 US President Donald Trump on Monday said he and his wife Melania plan to travel to Rome to attend Pope Francis’ funeral, in what would be Trump’s first trip abroad since taking office in January. “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “We look forward to being there!” Pope Francis died on Monday morning aged 88 after suffering a stroke and subsequent heart failure, according to the Vatican. His funeral will... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307373/trump-says-he-will-attend-funeral-pope-francis-rome?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307373/trump-says-he-will-attend-funeral-pope-francis-rome?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Apr 2025 21:46:56 +0000 Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on Monday bilateral talks with Ukraine for the first time in years, and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was prepared for any discussion to halt attacks on civilian targets. Putin and Zelensky face pressure from the United States, which has threatened to walk away from its peace efforts unless some progress is achieved. Russia and Ukraine have said they are open to further ceasefires after a 30-hour Easter truce declared by Moscow... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307369/putin-proposes-direct-peace-talks-ukraine-says-he-open-more-ceasefires?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307369/putin-proposes-direct-peace-talks-ukraine-says-he-open-more-ceasefires?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:54:13 +0000 Ng Kang-chung,Oscar Liu,Reuters Ng Kang-chung,Oscar Liu,Reuters Hong Kong paid tribute to Pope Francis after his death on Monday at age 88, with religious and political figures worldwide praising him as a champion of peace and an “inspirational leader” who pushed to reform the church. The first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia earlier this year, raising fears over his long-term health, but he appeared to have recovered and greeted cheering crowds in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Easter... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3307353/hong-kongs-catholic-church-recalls-inspirational-leader-pope-francis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3307353/hong-kongs-catholic-church-recalls-inspirational-leader-pope-francis?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:39:29 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying,Ambrose Li Lo Hoi-ying,Ambrose Li Residents made more than 2 million trips out of Hong Kong over the past four days, a nearly 9 per cent increase against the same period last year, while a catering representative lamented a drop in business of up to 50 per cent from normal weekends. The number of visitor arrivals between Thursday and Sunday rose by 20 per cent compared with the same period last year, reaching 522,000. The 365,000 arrivals from mainland China made up nearly 70 per cent of the figure. Hong Kong residents made 2.22... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3307293/hongkongers-holidaying-home-enjoy-fewer-crowds-head-busy-coffee-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3307293/hongkongers-holidaying-home-enjoy-fewer-crowds-head-busy-coffee-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Apr 2025 07:33:30 +0000 A Pentecostal church in South Africa celebrated Easter Sunday with mass wedding ceremonies for around 3,000 people, with many of them entering into polygamous marriages. The International Pentecost Holiness Church said mass weddings are part of its Easter festivities and the tradition of polygamy, which is observed in some African cultures, has been incorporated into the church. Sunday’s ceremonies would see some men marry their sixth or seventh wives, church spokesman Vusi Ndala said. Other... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3307251/south-africa-church-holds-mass-easter-weddings-3000-people-some-polygamous?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3307251/south-africa-church-holds-mass-easter-weddings-3000-people-some-polygamous?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Apr 2025 20:57:44 +0000 US Vice-President J.D. Vance briefly met Pope Francis on Sunday to exchange Easter greetings, after they got into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans. Francis, who is recovering from a near-fatal bout of pneumonia, received Vance in one of the reception rooms of the Vatican hotel where he lives. The 88-year-old pope offered the Catholic vice-president three big chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three young children, who did not attend, as well as a... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307237/vance-meets-pope-francis-amid-row-over-trumps-migrant-plans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307237/vance-meets-pope-francis-amid-row-over-trumps-migrant-plans?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Apr 2025 13:53:12 +0000 Ethiopians marked Easter festivities on Sunday with vows to embrace sacrifice, love and peace in a country facing armed conflict and other challenges. During Fasika, as Easter is known in Ethiopia, Christians of all denominations – including the majority Orthodox group – come together to celebrate Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. For some Ethiopians, religious festivals in recent months have acquired more meaning with the conflict in the Amhara region and instability in neighbouring... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3307234/ethiopians-mark-easter-call-peace-and-charity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3307234/ethiopians-mark-easter-call-peace-and-charity?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Apr 2025 12:27:22 +0000 Lisa Lim Lisa Lim “Happy Easter!” is a wish that will be articulated by many this Sunday, certainly by those observing the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus – with both Western (Gregorian) and Orthodox Easter being celebrated on the same day this year. What is interesting is that among the European languages, the word “Easter” is only found in English and German, while in other Germanic languages and most European languages, the word for the festival is derived from the corresponding word for... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3307051/where-word-easter-comes-and-how-only-2-european-languages-use-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3307051/where-word-easter-comes-and-how-only-2-european-languages-use-it?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:45:08 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong A popular area in Hong Kong’s internationally recognised geopark has been attracting fewer visitors over the Easter holiday after social media users posted warnings about long waiting times for public transport. The small crowds on Saturday afternoon at High Island Reservoir’s East Dam in Sai Kung were in sharp contrast to the chaos of previous weekends, when visitors reportedly had to wait hours for taxis and minibuses. The site, which is part of the city’s Unesco Global Geopark, has become a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3307183/what-crowds-hong-kong-geopark-hotspot-quiet-easter-holiday-after-warnings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3307183/what-crowds-hong-kong-geopark-hotspot-quiet-easter-holiday-after-warnings?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Apr 2025 14:12:39 +0000 For more than 400 years, Catholic and Orthodox churches have used different ways to determine the date of Easter. But this Sunday will mark a special moment for Christians, as the churches celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on the same day. What’s more, top religious leaders – including Pope Francis – are expressing a desire to keep it that way. But the unusual alignment has stirred underlying mistrust between the two major Christian communions. Calendars and calculations differ The movable date for... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307150/easters-date-remains-divisive-4-centuries-some-church-leaders-want-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3307150/easters-date-remains-divisive-4-centuries-some-church-leaders-want-change?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Apr 2025 06:03:37 +0000 Catholics in the Philippines marked Good Friday with gory re-enactments of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, including one grandfather nailed to a cross for his 36th time, amid warnings of temperatures reaching dangerous levels. Churches nationwide were also packed with devotees attending Masses and prayers, while others joined various religious processions despite temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in places. In over a dozen areas in the country, penitents were nailed to wooden... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3307121/philippine-man-nailed-cross-36th-time-mark-good-friday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3307121/philippine-man-nailed-cross-36th-time-mark-good-friday?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:25:16 +0000 Jess Ma,Vivian Au Jess Ma,Vivian Au Hong Kong’s border crossings were packed on the first day of the Easter holiday, with residents making 705,863 outbound trips as they headed off seeking good food and affordable activities. Residents had made more than 1.3 million trips out of the city by Friday evening, taking into account the 605,240 outbound trips the day before, according to the Immigration Department. The number of residents leaving on the Thursday just before Good Friday rose by 15 per cent compared with last year, or by... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3307025/crowds-pack-hong-kong-land-checkpoints-250000-leave-city-easter-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3307025/crowds-pack-hong-kong-land-checkpoints-250000-leave-city-easter-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Apr 2025 04:09:29 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong is bracing for a surge in travel during the Easter weekend, with an expected 6 million trips in and out of the city between Thursday and Monday – a significant jump compared with last year. Outbound travel is expected to peak on Friday, with around 759,000 trips, as Hongkongers continue heading to Shenzhen and elsewhere in mainland China for leisure. But many will also be visiting Hong Kong to enjoy what the city has to offer. The Post highlights the cultural experiences, fun-filled... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3307009/where-go-and-what-do-egg-citing-easter-weekend-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3307009/where-go-and-what-do-egg-citing-easter-weekend-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Apr 2025 02:00:08 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hongkongers are choosing destinations in mainland China including Greater Bay Area cities and western regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet for Easter getaways over Japan because of earthquake concerns, industry leaders have said. High-speed rail tickets are already sold out for many mainland destinations three days ahead of the holiday weekend. Certain travel agencies have reported a 30 per cent jump in the number of Hongkongers travelling to the mainland for Easter, while Japan tour groups have... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3306668/more-hongkongers-choosing-easter-breaks-mainland-china-over-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3306668/more-hongkongers-choosing-easter-breaks-mainland-china-over-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Apr 2025 05:00:07 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer Hong Kong’s restaurants are fully embracing the Easter holiday and keeping things sweet for the long weekend. Whether you’re sick of the egg-themed offerings or that’s exactly what you’re looking for, we’ve got a recommendation for everyone – from Friday through to Monday. For those with a taste for fine dining, our 100 Top Tables Guide 2025 also has more foodie suggestions, perfect for a family Easter meal or otherwise. Friday, April 18 For an intimate Italian-style Easter celebration, Cantina... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3305926/your-hong-kong-food-guide-easter-weekend-april-18-21?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3305926/your-hong-kong-food-guide-easter-weekend-april-18-21?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:45:07 +0000 Easter is coming, so cue the egg puns! Ahead of the brunches, chocolate and roast dinners you’re sure to indulge in this weekend, we’re highlighting a slightly different Easter tradition. Once a forbidden food during the 40 days of Lent, eggs became a treat to tuck into on Easter Sunday, and were eventually crafted out of chocolate in celebration of the spring holiday. More than just a protein-packed breakfast staple, eggs are used creatively by many across Hong Kong’s F&B scene. So, besides... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3306590/6-signature-egg-dishes-worth-celebrating-hong-kong-easter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3306590/6-signature-egg-dishes-worth-celebrating-hong-kong-easter?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:00:29 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong restaurants expect a 20 per cent drop in business during the coming Easter holiday, an industry leader has said, while the government estimates 6 million people will enter and exit the city during the five-day period, a 34 per cent increase over last year. Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said on Monday that the weaker business forecast had already factored in a 10 to 15 per cent increase in transactions as more mainland Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3306457/hong-kong-restaurants-face-20-drop-business-over-easter-holiday-expert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3306457/hong-kong-restaurants-face-20-drop-business-over-easter-holiday-expert?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:43:59 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Easter is the most important festival for Christians, as they commemorate the resurrection of Jesus in church services, vigils and parades. It is also a time for fun, with Easter egg hunts. Food plays an important role, too. In the Philippines, people enjoy bilo-bilo, a sweet coconut soup made with sweet potato, jackfruit, tapioca pearls and rice balls. In Switzerland and Germany, Osterfladen – a rice or semolina pudding, baked in a pastry shell – is popular during Easter, while in Mexico... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3305832/13-easter-treats-hong-kong-eggs-hot-cross-buns-and-brunches?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3305832/13-easter-treats-hong-kong-eggs-hot-cross-buns-and-brunches?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Apr 2025 04:45:07 +0000 A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalisation for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favourite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery. The 88-year-old pope sat in the front passenger seat of his white Fiat 500L wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen as he entered the Perugino gate of Vatican City, Italy, where his return brought relief after fears that his... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3303553/pope-francis-back-home-after-5-week-hospital-stay-life-threatening-double-pneumonia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3303553/pope-francis-back-home-after-5-week-hospital-stay-life-threatening-double-pneumonia?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Mar 2025 18:17:02 +0000 Even though the indulgence of festivities like Easter and Eid al-Fitr is weeks away, shoppers are best advised to start buying their chocolate as soon as possible, lest the increasingly expensive treats see further price hikes. Poor harvests in recent years in Ghana and the Ivory Coast have reduced the supply of cocoa, which will, in turn, make it more expensive for chocolate producers and consumers once the costs are passed on. Mondelez International, the parent company of British confectionery... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3300563/why-chocolate-getting-more-expensive-poor-harvests-pushing-prices-so-shop-early?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3300563/why-chocolate-getting-more-expensive-poor-harvests-pushing-prices-so-shop-early?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Mar 2025 10:15:07 +0000 The United Nations on Sunday urged Sri Lanka to bridge its “accountability deficit” and ensure justice as the country commemorated the 279 victims of its worst-ever attack against civilians five years ago. The UN’s top envoy to the country, Marc-Andre Franche, told a remembrance service in Colombo that there should be a “thorough and transparent investigation” to uncover those behind the Easter carnage in 2019. Islamist bombers hit three churches and three hotels in the island’s deadliest... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3259795/sri-lanka-marks-5-years-hundreds-died-easter-bombings-un-calls-justice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3259795/sri-lanka-marks-5-years-hundreds-died-easter-bombings-un-calls-justice?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Apr 2024 07:35:56 +0000 Hong Kong’s bars and restaurants appear to have had quite a reversal of fortunes over the past two weekends. Over Easter, multiple media reports detailed the dire situation for the hospitality and luxury retail sectors, with a disproportionate number of people leaving compared to those coming in. According to Immigration Department numbers, over half a million Hong Kong residents took off between March 29 and April 1, either overseas or to China to get more bang for their buck eating and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3258393/hong-kongs-shift-fortunes-easter-rugby-sevens-shows-why-city-must-appeal-more-western-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3258393/hong-kongs-shift-fortunes-easter-rugby-sevens-shows-why-city-must-appeal-more-western-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Apr 2024 23:45:10 +0000 Cross-border tours to Guangdong, Fujian and Guizhou provinces in mainland China have gained in popularity among Hong Kong residents who made nearly 1.76 million outbound trips over the Easter break. The number of Hongkongers who headed out of the city over the four-day holiday from Friday to Monday dwarfed the 400,000 or so inbound trips made by mainland visitors and other tourists, Immigration Department figures showed. About 1.51 million, or 86 per cent, of the outbound trips by residents were... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3257614/hong-kong-residents-make-176-million-outbound-trips-over-easter-break-mainland-china-tours-surge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3257614/hong-kong-residents-make-176-million-outbound-trips-over-easter-break-mainland-china-tours-surge?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Apr 2024 01:00:14 +0000 More Hongkongers opted for shopping and entertainment on the mainland after the city emerged from the prolonged pandemic. A year has passed and numbers continue to grow. While the “go north” trend is beneficial to cross-border integration, it does not bode well for many local businesses during a weaker-than-expected economic recovery. The figures speak for themselves. More than half a million residents went elsewhere on the first day of the Easter holiday. The number continued to rise, reaching... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3257630/hong-kong-businesses-must-adapt-residents-go-north?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3257630/hong-kong-businesses-must-adapt-residents-go-north?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Apr 2024 22:30:25 +0000