https://www.scmp.com/rss/501963/feed Better Life is the ultimate resource for that difficult transition from childhood to adult life, featuring stories on issues such as physical and mental health, dating, identity, careers, climate change, budgeting and travel - plus some really useful "how tos" en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ben Jiang Ben Jiang Alibaba Group Holding has rolled out a major update to its flagship Qwen artificial intelligence app, integrating it more deeply into the company’s expansive ecosystem, from online shopping to travel booking, as it pushes to make the service an AI-powered gateway to daily life. The upgrade came as Qwen surpassed 100 million monthly active users (MAUs) as of January, said Wu Jia, vice-president of Alibaba, at a corporate event on Thursday in Hangzhou, capital of eastern Zhejiang province, where... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3339968/alibabas-qwen-ai-app-hits-100-million-users-upgrade-broadens-role-daily-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3339968/alibabas-qwen-ai-app-hits-100-million-users-upgrade-broadens-role-daily-life?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:44:55 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Despite China-EU trade frictions, Paris and other European cities remain the top destinations for Chinese travellers, with growing China-France trade and visa-free entry spurring companies like Air France-KLM to explore new opportunities. The Franco-Dutch airline group reported strong inbound demand from Europe in 2025, driven by China’s visa-free policy for travellers from more than 30 European nations, covering both business and leisure segments. In the first three quarters, the company posted... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3337588/china-europe-travel-markets-resilience-keeps-air-france-klm-optimistic-despite-headwinds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3337588/china-europe-travel-markets-resilience-keeps-air-france-klm-optimistic-despite-headwinds?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 03:30:10 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Thanks to tighter budgets and a growing taste for retro tech, Chinese millennials and Gen Z consumers – who once chased the latest iPhone or Android handset – are increasingly turning to second-hand markets for upgrades or bargains. “Consumers on tighter budgets no longer consider buying used items a shameful thing,” said Rex Chen, president and chief financial officer at ATRenew, China’s largest second-hand electronics recycler and trading platform operator. With most the platform’s users born... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338093/chinas-second-hand-boom-fuels-bruising-battle-trade-traffic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338093/chinas-second-hand-boom-fuels-bruising-battle-trade-traffic?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 23:30:08 +0000 Zhang Shidong Zhang Shidong China Jinmao Holdings, the property development arm of state-backed Sinochem Holdings, has sold a tourism subsidiary that owns the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel on Hainan Island for 2.26 billion yuan (US$322 million), as it pursues asset restructuring amid a prolonged downturn in mainland China’s real estate market. Shanghai Jinmao, the developer’s wholly owned unit, reached an agreement with Sanya Luanmao on Tuesday to sell its 100 per cent stake in Sanya Tourism, which solely owned the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3337614/china-jinmao-sells-five-star-ritz-carlton-hotel-hainans-sanya-us322-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3337614/china-jinmao-sells-five-star-ritz-carlton-hotel-hainans-sanya-us322-million?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 09:00:15 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian The global air travel market has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, with the industry upbeat about 2026 and the Asia-Pacific region expected to lead worldwide traffic growth, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Monday. Load factors in Asia-Pacific were projected to hit an all-time regional high of 84.4 per cent next year, according to IATA, which represents some 370 airlines, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the world’s air traffic. Passenger demand was strong,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3336513/china-led-asia-pacific-region-lifts-global-aviation-outlook-profits-set-soar?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3336513/china-led-asia-pacific-region-lifts-global-aviation-outlook-profits-set-soar?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:53:19 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Chinese airlines have recorded about 491,000 cancellations of tickets to Japan since Saturday – roughly 32 per cent of their total bookings to the typically popular destination – after Beijing advised citizens to avoid travelling there amid a diplomatic spat, according to a veteran aviation analyst. The percentage of flights affected skyrocketed to 82.14 per cent on Sunday and 75.6 per cent on Monday, according to independent analyst Li Hanming, citing his research data covering all mainland... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3333106/491000-japan-bound-air-tickets-cancelled-china-warns-people-avoid-travel-amid-spat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3333106/491000-japan-bound-air-tickets-cancelled-china-warns-people-avoid-travel-amid-spat?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:32:07 +0000 Kun Tian Kun Tian The way people eat, make nutritional decisions and monitor health is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation in Asia. Artificial intelligence (AI), wearables and online applications are reshaping the food landscape, embedding personalised nutrition services into daily life. From WeChat’s nutrition-tracking mini-programmes to Grab’s food delivery algorithms helping users discover healthier options, digital platforms are becoming sophisticated intelligent systems that help advance... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3325488/ai-enhanced-nutrition-must-enhance-our-agency-not-undermine-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3325488/ai-enhanced-nutrition-must-enhance-our-agency-not-undermine-it?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:30:08 +0000 Advertising partner Advertising partner [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] As the saying goes, “There is only a fine line between genius and madness.” From the legendary painter Vincent van Gogh to the enigmatic billionaire Elon Musk, their creativity is celebrated yet occasionally viewed as eccentric.  While creativity is often regarded as a hallmark of humanity, mixed perspectives exist on how creativity intertwines with well-being and career success. How does creativity influence mental... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/transformative-leadership-creativity-and-accountability/article/3316733/science-creativity-genetics-and-careers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/transformative-leadership-creativity-and-accountability/article/3316733/science-creativity-genetics-and-careers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:12:47 +0000 Mia Nulimaimaiti Mia Nulimaimaiti To fuel its growing AI sector and computing prowess, China is integrating the development of power-hungry data centres into its national energy strategy. Under a new action plan released on Wednesday, Beijing would coordinate data centre planning with energy infrastructure in areas and regions rich in new energy resources, to meet the surging electricity demands of high-performance computing facilities. “We will focus on national hub nodes and resource-abundant non-hub regions such as Qinghai,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3313194/china-hopes-power-ai-boom-green-energy-new-data-centre-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3313194/china-hopes-power-ai-boom-green-energy-new-data-centre-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jun 2025 11:00:11 +0000 These are testing times for real estate markets the world over. United States President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade protectionism and his erratic and unpredictable policies have injected a large dose of uncertainty into the outlook for the global economy. Yet a cursory glance at the performance of luxury residential property markets reveals a remarkably resilient sector. According to Knight Frank’s prime international residential index, which monitors movements in luxury prices in the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3303582/why-future-looks-so-promising-luxury-property-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3303582/why-future-looks-so-promising-luxury-property-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:30:09 +0000 Summer is here and it is internship and graduation season for another batch of Generation Z students. Savannah Lai, who has just completed her third year studying law at City University of Hong Kong, has packed her schedule with internships and exchange programmes. With her ultimate goal being either working for the city’s Department of Justice or serving as a barrister-at-law, there is no slowing down for her. “I feel like I don’t need a transition period from graduation to the start of a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3266439/lying-flat-difficult-work-gen-zers-some-wrong-ideas-about-young-people?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3266439/lying-flat-difficult-work-gen-zers-some-wrong-ideas-about-young-people?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Jun 2024 05:15:08 +0000 A Chinese tech company has completed the world’s first successful drone delivery tests on Mount Everest, transporting cargo between camps and removing waste left behind on the mountain by climbers at altitudes above 6,000 metres (19,685 feet). The feat by drone maker DJI could one day reduce demands on local Nepalese guides who make treacherous climbs to remove the tonnes of rubbish discarded by thousands of climbers and even deliver life-saving supplies to people in distress. On Wednesday, DJI... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3265666/chinese-drone-scales-new-heights-mount-everest-supply-delivery-waste-removal-missions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3265666/chinese-drone-scales-new-heights-mount-everest-supply-delivery-waste-removal-missions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:06:03 +0000 International sports events need to double down on their sustainability efforts to reduce the “huge negative environmental impact” they generate, according to Great Britain rugby sevens player Jamie Farndale. Speaking at the Hong Kong Sport & Sustainability Summit ahead of last weekend’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Farndale said that, according to his research, professional sport emits 350 million tonnes of greenhouse gases – the same amount as countries such as Poland or Spain. Of the 40,000... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3258203/global-sport-emitting-much-poland-or-spain-major-events-including-sevens-must-double-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3258203/global-sport-emitting-much-poland-or-spain-major-events-including-sevens-must-double-down?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:02:41 +0000 HSBC Holdings is set to debut an international payments app aimed at directly challenging the dominance of fintechs like Revolut and Wise that have gathered tens of millions of retail customers by offering cheap foreign exchange. Zing will initially be offered in the UK, but Europe’s largest bank is planning to roll out the service in other places in the coming months as it looks to grab a share of the fast-growing market servicing affluent consumers. The app will be available on Apple’s... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3246984/hsbc-takes-revolut-wise-new-forex-app-non-customers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3246984/hsbc-takes-revolut-wise-new-forex-app-non-customers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Jan 2024 07:57:48 +0000 The recently concluded Cop28 UN climate change conference took place while two major wars are being fought. Until we can foster peace among ourselves, achieving a harmonious coexistence with nature seems improbable. A key focus of the Dubai summit was to establish a “loss and damage” fund to help developing countries cope with and recover from the devastating impact of climate change. There is no denying that the world’s most impoverished countries are being hit the hardest by global warming and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3244982/climate-action-first-we-must-stop-fighting-among-ourselves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3244982/climate-action-first-we-must-stop-fighting-among-ourselves?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Dec 2023 21:30:12 +0000 [Sponsored article] The affluent in Hong Kong are re-evaluating their financial priorities as prevailing economic challenges lead many to reconsider ways of meeting their goals for long-term wealth preservation. That is according to the “HSBC Premier 2023 Affluent Survey”, which aims to assess the financial needs and aspirations of Hong Kong’s affluent demographic, which collected responses from individuals aged between 24 and 64 years old with liquid assets of at least HK$1 million... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/banking-future/article/3238076/hong-kongs-affluent-become-millionaires-average-age-33-hsbc-premier-survey-suggests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/banking-future/article/3238076/hong-kongs-affluent-become-millionaires-average-age-33-hsbc-premier-survey-suggests?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Oct 2023 04:00:08 +0000 The molecular biologist who pioneered non-invasive prenatal testing will launch a blood test kit with Hong Kong’s Prenetics Group to find the genetic material of cancer cells, a game-changing approach to detect one of humankind’s biggest killer diseases and propel the city’s role as a research and development hub for life sciences. Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Prenetics will establish a US$200 million venture called Insighta to provide clinically... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3225286/cuhks-dennis-lo-launches-blood-tests-prenetics-group-find-cancer-cells-liver-and-lungs-propelling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3225286/cuhks-dennis-lo-launches-blood-tests-prenetics-group-find-cancer-cells-liver-and-lungs-propelling?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:00:11 +0000 [Sponsored article] HSBC is continuing to deliver digital innovation for clients in Hong Kong. It is one of the first banks globally to offer a fully digital Lombard lending solution through its mobile banking app. “Our clients want an increasing range of wealth solutions made available via their mobile phone,” says Ryan Haugarth, head of self-directed trading, capital market platforms and wealth financing solutions, wealth and personal banking, at HSBC in Hong Kong. “Lombard lending was... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/digital-wealth-financing/article/3220728/how-lombard-lending-helps-wealth-management-clients-stay-invested-flexible-financing-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/digital-wealth-financing/article/3220728/how-lombard-lending-helps-wealth-management-clients-stay-invested-flexible-financing-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 May 2023 08:21:24 +0000 [Sponsored article] After Covid-19 pandemic restrictions kept people largely at home for more than two years, hybrid working is now the norm as the world swings back towards normalcy. The nature of work has become more flexible, with many people working remotely using video conferencing and digital collaborative tools. However, maintaining face-to-face interaction remains crucial, as it can foster a strong company culture, make collaborations more efficient and improve workers’ well-being.... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/environment/topics/building-future/article/3213080/how-office-space-can-be-designed-remain-relevant-new-era-hybrid-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/environment/topics/building-future/article/3213080/how-office-space-can-be-designed-remain-relevant-new-era-hybrid-work?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2023 10:00:12 +0000 One early morning almost four years ago, two world-renowned Hong Kong clinician-scientists in gastrointestinal disease sat down in a coffee shop at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin to discuss a subject that is not considered acceptable in such a setting: Human waste. Over a napkin, Francis Chan Ka-leung and fellow professor Siew Ng sketched out their idea to found a business based on an unorthodox-sounding idea: using faecal material from a healthy person to restore the balance of good and... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3211412/how-two-renowned-hong-kong-doctors-went-chats-about-faeces-leading-biotech-start-us3-billion-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3211412/how-two-renowned-hong-kong-doctors-went-chats-about-faeces-leading-biotech-start-us3-billion-market?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Feb 2023 03:00:15 +0000 [Sponsored article] The continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which triggered widespread lockdowns, social-distancing restrictions and halted passenger flights worldwide, have sparked greater interest and acceptance of new technological innovations, including remote working practices and online learning. It has led to a major shift in the way many businesses, schools and universities operate, including the growing demand to adopt innovative new ways of providing postgraduate... https://www.scmp.com/native/better-life/career-education/topics/taylors-university/article/3210450/why-online-postgraduate-programmes-prove-good-option-busy-professionals-post-covid-19-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/better-life/career-education/topics/taylors-university/article/3210450/why-online-postgraduate-programmes-prove-good-option-busy-professionals-post-covid-19-world?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Feb 2023 08:00:09 +0000 The world’s top universities have to include more climate change elements to their curriculum to equip students with the skills required to respond to global warming and sustainability, according to a report from a climate action group. Mock COP, an international, youth-led climate change organisation under the charity Student Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK), last week released the “1.5 Degrees” league table that assessed the world’s top universities that have performed the “worst” in... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3207784/worlds-top-20-universities-are-failing-offer-adequate-courses-fight-climate-crisis-youth-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3207784/worlds-top-20-universities-are-failing-offer-adequate-courses-fight-climate-crisis-youth-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Jan 2023 10:30:10 +0000 [Sponsored article] It takes an arduous eight-hour bus ride along winding, undulating roads from Chengdu, capital of China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, to reach the remote Yilong County Yinshan Primary School, where a sports playground has been built in the mountains. Yet this sports area created for the use of the 120 children and wider community in the city of Nanchong, is not an ordinary playground; instead of its surface made of the usual hardwood and rubber, it has been layered with... https://www.scmp.com/native/better-life/environment/topics/sustainability-solutions-based-science/article/3203009/why-was-sustainable-playground-built-chinese-mountain-out-old-bicycle-tyres?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/better-life/environment/topics/sustainability-solutions-based-science/article/3203009/why-was-sustainable-playground-built-chinese-mountain-out-old-bicycle-tyres?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Dec 2022 03:00:20 +0000 [Sponsored Article] It is not news that Hong Kong students can feel stressed out. According to a 2017 study on academic stress in the city, contributing factors include perfectionism, a socially oriented motivation for achievement, and heavy emphasis on rote learning and traditionally taught academics in the school setting. The Harbour School (THS) – a private primary and secondary school in Hong Kong taking a progressive approach within an American curriculum – is championing a different... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/edtalk-harbour-school/article/3199785/rethinking-5-educational-myths-through-experiential-learning-approach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/edtalk-harbour-school/article/3199785/rethinking-5-educational-myths-through-experiential-learning-approach?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Nov 2022 08:00:11 +0000 [Sponsored article] The AISL Harrow scholarships for 2023–2025 are now open for application, with 12 highly coveted spots available. The scholarships are for students who hope to embark on the British A-Level programme at one of six distinguished AISL Harrow Schools campuses across Asia: Beijing, Bangkok, Haikou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Drawing on a 450-year-old heritage from the prestigious Harrow School in the United Kingdom – which boasts alumni such as English poet Lord Byron,... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/shaping-future-leaders/article/3199679/aisl-harrow-schools-opens-applications-sixth-form-scholarships-aimed-shaping-future-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/shaping-future-leaders/article/3199679/aisl-harrow-schools-opens-applications-sixth-form-scholarships-aimed-shaping-future-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Nov 2022 08:00:09 +0000 [Sponsored article] The perceived threshold of the middle-class demographic in Hong Kong is HK$5.9 million (US$760,000), according to the recent “HSBC Premier 2022 New Middle Class Study”. The figure reflects the evolving financial needs and aspirations of this demographic, who cite children’s education, early retirement, wealth growth and property investment among their wealth management needs. The study of Hong Kong’s middle class is the first of its kind, assessing the financial needs and... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/premier-offerings-grow-wealth/article/3199639/hongkongers-believe-they-need-hk59-million-qualify-middle-class-hsbc-study-shows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/premier-offerings-grow-wealth/article/3199639/hongkongers-believe-they-need-hk59-million-qualify-middle-class-hsbc-study-shows?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Nov 2022 08:00:12 +0000 [Sponsored article] The investment landscape is becoming increasingly complex due to a combination of inflation, geopolitics and shifts in the world’s economies. High-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals and families not only wish to grow their wealth, but are also increasingly focused on preserving it. HSBC Global Private Banking (GPB) is evolving to meet these changing needs, and assist clients in passing their wealth down through the generations to ensure the long-term... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/investing-long-term-wealth/article/3198297/how-hsbc-global-private-banking-adapting-meet-changing-needs-its-clients?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/investing-long-term-wealth/article/3198297/how-hsbc-global-private-banking-adapting-meet-changing-needs-its-clients?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Nov 2022 03:30:08 +0000 To the sound of calming piano music, you are transported to a wooden bench, overlooking the ocean and a deserted beach. You breathe deeply, taking in the surroundings and the calming rhythm of the waves – and focus on the present. This is an experience of VRM – or virtual reality meditation. Slip on a headset and choose to teleport yourself to a locale of your choice. Meditation has existed since ancient times to increase mindfulness and bring our focus to the present moment to help manage... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3198695/vr-meditation-how-it-can-help-you-battle-stress-anxiety-and-insomnia-and-focus-present-moment-better?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3198695/vr-meditation-how-it-can-help-you-battle-stress-anxiety-and-insomnia-and-focus-present-moment-better?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:15:09 +0000 [Sponsored article] Ageing populations are a global concern requiring significant social transformation, according to the World Health Organization, with cities and communities playing a vital role. The proportion of people in Hong Kong aged 65 or above increased to 20 per cent of the total population last year and will reach one-third within 20 years, according to the government’s latest census, making the transformation to an age-friendly city a top priority that will better accommodate the... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/well-being/topics/inspiring-age-friendly-community/article/3196560/jockey-club-fosters-cross-sector-collaboration-help-build-age-friendly-culture-hong-kong-community?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/well-being/topics/inspiring-age-friendly-community/article/3196560/jockey-club-fosters-cross-sector-collaboration-help-build-age-friendly-culture-hong-kong-community?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Oct 2022 04:00:14 +0000 [Sponsored article] The need to develop more sustainable cities has been highlighted by the financial and social fallout caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. People in cities have had to re-evaluate their priorities, with many realising that lifestyle and well-being are intrinsically linked. On average, people in Hong Kong spend more than 85 per cent of their time indoors, according to a study published by the Housing Authority, so the built environment and the way it functions is crucial to the... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/environment/topics/building-sustainable-future/article/3194865/how?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/environment/topics/building-sustainable-future/article/3194865/how?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Oct 2022 04:00:09 +0000 [Sponsored article] In the Asia-Pacific, the number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) – people with a net worth of at least US$1 million – and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) – those with a net worth of at least US$30 million – is set to increase faster than in any other part of the world. In fact, The Wealth Report 2022, a study by Knight Frank, also found the number of billionaires in the Asia-Pacific is on the rise, with one-third of the world’s total predicted to reside in the... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/maximising-wealth/article/3190916/prudential-launches-investment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/maximising-wealth/article/3190916/prudential-launches-investment?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Sep 2022 03:15:28 +0000 Bangalore’s new Museum of Art and Photography is far more eclectic than it sounds. As its founder Abhishek Poddar explains, the non-profit private museum that will open on December 11 has six categories in its collection, including textiles and design. “It could have been the Museum of Art and Design, or the Museum of Art and Textiles. But you can do a lot more with [the acronym] MAP than MAD or MAT,” says the Indian businessman, who runs an 80-year-old family tea business and a chemicals and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3186864/museum-art-and-photography-bangalore-india-opening-soon-will?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3186864/museum-art-and-photography-bangalore-india-opening-soon-will?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Jul 2022 08:15:18 +0000 Baking might be a science, but creating custom cakes is very much an art. In Hong Kong, Alison Chan, owner of Dear Harley Bakery, has become known as the master of illusionary confections. Her skill for turning sponge cake and fondant into exact replicas of any object or item is now so celebrated, the popular Hong Kong mall K11 Musea is presenting an exhibition of her “illusion cakes” as part of its Art Karnival that starts on July 29. Not bad for a self-taught baker who used to be a news... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3186601/hello-kitty-rolex-watches-custom-cakes-hong-kong-baker-are-so?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3186601/hello-kitty-rolex-watches-custom-cakes-hong-kong-baker-are-so?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jul 2022 23:15:20 +0000 I had a dysfunctional childhood. I was born in Wigan, in Lancashire – northern England – in 1963 and I have a twin brother and a sister who is three years younger. When I was four, we moved to Cheshire, a county not far from Lancashire, and I grew up in Lynn, an upmarket rural community. My mum was very unstable. She threatened to commit suicide quite a few times and had mental health problems, which were not understood back then. After many years of misery, my parents divorced in my early years... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/3186287/life-coach-reveals-how-near-death-experience-shipwrecked?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/3186287/life-coach-reveals-how-near-death-experience-shipwrecked?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Jul 2022 05:15:17 +0000 I always wanted to be part of the hand-baggage-only crowd – the people who smugly stepped off the plane and into a taxi and were sipping a cocktail while I was still struggling with my oversized suitcase. But having to decant my moisturiser and only bring one book never made it feel worthwhile. Until now, that is. Wherever you are in Europe or the United States, airport chaos reigns. In Amsterdam, people are waiting six hours for their baggage; in Nice in the South of France, bags are being lost... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3186191/how-pack-light-and-avoid-lost-or-delayed-baggage-summer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3186191/how-pack-light-and-avoid-lost-or-delayed-baggage-summer?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Jul 2022 09:15:15 +0000 A lot of Instagram bakers are easily impressed when they make a pretty cupcake, but Siamy Tan is taking dessert design to another level. Malaysian-born Tan is personally reviving the lost art of decorating jelly cakes – cakes where coloured agents are injected into a clear layer of jelly and sculpted into an edible design. From colourful flowers and petals to koi fish, the possibilities in her three-dimensional canvas of translucent gelatin are endless. According to her, the trick is to master... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3185899/jelly-cake-enthusiast-creates-incredibly-lifelike-flower?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3185899/jelly-cake-enthusiast-creates-incredibly-lifelike-flower?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Jul 2022 04:45:17 +0000 With the rising cost of oil pushing up fuel surcharges on China’s domestic flights tenfold in the span of just five months, some budget travellers are deciding that flying is strictly for the birds. In some cases, the unprecedented surcharges are nearly as much as the base fare of the flight itself, prompting people to seek out other modes of transport, such as high-speed rail. Since July 5, the additional fuel charges for domestic flights up to 800km (500 miles) have reached 100 yuan (US$15)... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3185816/china-travellers-reconsider-flights-high-oil-prices-see-fuel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3185816/china-travellers-reconsider-flights-high-oil-prices-see-fuel?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Jul 2022 20:30:11 +0000 [Sponsored article] Investors are currently experiencing a period of heightened volatility due to global market uncertainty. High inflation, rising interest rates and economies still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic have created a challenging investment landscape. The current volatility heightens the importance of having a well-diversified portfolio. For high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) who hold a professional investor status, private-market assets help them achieve... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/private-market-investing/article/3184289/private-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/money/topics/private-market-investing/article/3184289/private-market?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2022 04:00:25 +0000 When we think about ways to prevent heart disease, looking after our teeth and gums is probably not something that comes to mind. But in recent years, studies have established a closer link between poor oral hygiene and inflammation – a known trigger for many serious illnesses, including heart disease. Studies that examined the association between oral health and heart health found that people with gum disease are at an increased risk of up to 25 per cent for heart disease, says Dr Derek Baram,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3184463/why-good-dental-hygiene-essential-reduce-inflammation-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3184463/why-good-dental-hygiene-essential-reduce-inflammation-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Jul 2022 00:15:18 +0000 As more becomes known about the effects of sleep on our overall physical and mental health, research into this area is increasing. The idea that we simply “recharge our batteries” while sleeping is long since dead, as it’s been shown that our brain is very active while we sleep, and carries out important tasks. We look at some recent research papers on sleep – and how to get more of it. Are your pets damaging your sleep? Pets are known for their ability to help alleviate depression, but some of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3183768/how-sleep-well-have-dog-your-room-share-your-bed-partner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3183768/how-sleep-well-have-dog-your-room-share-your-bed-partner?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Jul 2022 10:15:27 +0000 Model and host of US reality TV series Top Chef Padma Lakshmi said in a 2016 interview that it was “not as gross as it sounds”. Reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian wrote in a 2015 Instagram post that it was life-changing. And, during a television interview in 2014, actress Alicia Silverstone called them her “happy pills”. What these celebrities were referring to was their placenta, which they’d consumed in one form or another after giving birth. They’re not the only ones who’ve openly sung the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3183578/kourtney-kardashian-ate-her-placenta-and-called-it-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3183578/kourtney-kardashian-ate-her-placenta-and-called-it-life?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jun 2022 10:15:20 +0000 “Healing begins with an aromatic bath and daily massage,” said Hippocrates. Even 2,400 years ago, the “father of medicine” understood the power of aromatics in restoring one’s health. Yet many people don’t realise the powerful role scent plays in our lives – a role so significant that incorporating aromatherapy into our routines can have notable benefits for our mental, physical and holistic health. Aromatherapy’s history Essential oils – compounds extracted from plants to preserve their odour... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3182877/how-aromatherapy-can-benefit-your-mind-and-body-and-how?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3182877/how-aromatherapy-can-benefit-your-mind-and-body-and-how?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jun 2022 00:15:15 +0000 The pandemic has chipped away at everyone’s mental health. For 15-year-old Faith Hui, the many months of online schooling in Hong Kong, separated from classmates and friends, left her feeling lonely and disconnected. She put her hand up for voluntary work to do something for the community. What she didn’t expect was the boost it would give her own emotional well-being and mental health. “I got to meet new people, which was good for me. It expanded my social circle and I wasn’t as lonely,” says... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3182371/how-volunteering-benefits-your-mental-health-and-self?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3182371/how-volunteering-benefits-your-mental-health-and-self?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Jun 2022 23:15:09 +0000 A widely shared video circulating on social media purports to show detox foot pads removing toxins from the bottom of the feet. “Cleansing Foot Pads provides a healthy and fast effect to your body while you are sleeping,” reads the text of a Facebook post shared April 21. “From reducing inflammation, relieving the body, to detoxifying your body from all the impurities.” The video generated over 300,000 views and close to 500 interactions within two weeks. Several other Facebook users have shared... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3181930/cleansing-foot-pads-do-not-remove-toxins-your-body?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3181930/cleansing-foot-pads-do-not-remove-toxins-your-body?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jun 2022 09:15:18 +0000 Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are among some of the healthiest berries around, but there’s another, little-known berry variety that’s being hailed as a new superfood. Also known by its Sanskrit-derived name amla, the Indian gooseberry is packed with nutrients and is said to benefit human health in many ways. Amla’s historic use in Ayurveda Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine, or Ayurveda, have long known about the health-giving properties of amla (also called... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3181577/what-amla-indian-gooseberry-hailed-superfood-its-apparent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3181577/what-amla-indian-gooseberry-hailed-superfood-its-apparent?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jun 2022 23:15:21 +0000 At 46 years old, Alex Mearns is in excellent shape and the fittest and healthiest he’s ever been. He sprints, swims, power walks and strength trains weekly, and enjoys a diet filled with what he calls “real food” – organic meats free of antibiotics and added hormones, wild-caught fish, and vegetables, rice and fruit. He was a different man a decade ago. “I smoked up to 20 cigarettes a day, drank alcohol several times a week, and subsisted on a less-than-ideal diet of cereal, sandwiches, and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3181479/high-cholesterol-high-blood-pressure-and-prediabetes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3181479/high-cholesterol-high-blood-pressure-and-prediabetes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Jun 2022 10:15:15 +0000 With food and energy prices soaring in Asia, what can households and consumers do to deal with inflation? Whether it be higher grocery bills, utilities or petrol costs, most of us have been forking out extra in recent months. Across the region – from China to Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Singapore and South Korea – inflation readings have spiked. Even the cost of household staples such as bread, eggs and meat have risen. Cheap, cheerful, coveted: why Japan is falling back in love with dollar... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3176023/save-money-house-brands-side-gigs-budget-apps-inflation-hits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3176023/save-money-house-brands-side-gigs-budget-apps-inflation-hits?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 May 2022 03:30:23 +0000 Changi Airport was crowned the world’s best aerodrome for 15 years straight before Covid-19 due to its superior traveller offerings and hi-tech customer service. Now it’s readying to welcome back visitors en masse, hoping improvements made during the pandemic will cement its status as Asia’s premier aviation hub. Most of the shops at the two Changi terminals that are operating have reopened and business partners like Singapore Airlines Ltd. and ground handling and catering outfit SATS Ltd. are... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3174605/singapore-aims-be-asias-busiest-international-airport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3174605/singapore-aims-be-asias-busiest-international-airport?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Apr 2022 00:45:43 +0000 Food prices are soaring around the world, while recent global events, including the Covid-19 pandemic, have led to food shortages and disruptions in our food supply chains. Food producers are also having to deal with issues related to climate change. One-third of global food production will be at risk by the end of the century if greenhouse gas emissions continue to escalate at their current rate, according to research from Aalto University in Finland, published in May 2021 in the journal One... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3173376/world-health-day-2022-how-whole-food-plant-based-diet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3173376/world-health-day-2022-how-whole-food-plant-based-diet?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Apr 2022 08:15:18 +0000 International Women’s Day on March 8 is a time to celebrate the achievements – social, economic, cultural, and political – of women worldwide. The Post spoke to three women in Hong Kong making changes for the better. Mashiat Lamisa Mashiat Lamisa arrived in Hong Kong almost five years ago from Bangladesh. But images from her home country of children rummaging through toxic rubbish, some of it imported electronic waste (e-waste), have not left her. “Electronic goods – whether it’s an iPhone or a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3169574/international-womens-day-2022-three-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3169574/international-womens-day-2022-three-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Mar 2022 23:15:12 +0000