https://www.scmp.com/rss/519390/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen Rare earths are needed for everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, wind turbines and fighter jets – and China controls the supply chain. In a four-part series, we look at the race for rare earths, starting with the contest for reserves in developing countries. Former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping once said that “the Middle East has oil, China has rare earths”. His words carry new weight today as China’s stranglehold over the rare earths supply chain gives it leverage in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3320666/us-china-battle-over-rare-earths-developing-nations-are-front-line?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3320666/us-china-battle-over-rare-earths-developing-nations-are-front-line?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Aug 2025 22:00:08 +0000 For centuries, royal women have wowed crowds with their jewellery on special occasions. And such sophisticated pieces are not only historically rich, but worth a fortune too. In fact, some of the world’s most expensive jewels are in the hands of its royal families, according to jewellery experts from Jewellery Box. Among them, the British royal family takes the crown, but which princess or queen has the most precious piece? 10. Empress Farah of Iran’s Harry Winston Noor-ol-Ain tiara – US$10.6... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3211447/10-most-expensive-royal-jewellery-pieces-ranked-late-queen-elizabeths-cartier-and-grannys-chips?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3211447/10-most-expensive-royal-jewellery-pieces-ranked-late-queen-elizabeths-cartier-and-grannys-chips?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Feb 2023 21:00:10 +0000 A former Nazi encampment on a tiny Channel Island is up for sale for about US$48,000. The Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, just off the coast of France, were the only British territory to be occupied during the Second World War. The site is on Alderney, just north of Guernsey, and features several acres of trenches, multiple gun stations, two bunkers, and numerous battlements. It was home to 24 soldiers and three officers from Nazi Germany. Hitler heavily fortified the Channel Islands... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3201171/nazi-germany-site-alderney-tiny-channel-island-yours-us50000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3201171/nazi-germany-site-alderney-tiny-channel-island-yours-us50000?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Nov 2022 11:29:17 +0000 Hong Kong’s legal fraternity was left with much to reflect on when Britain withdrew its last two serving judges from the city’s highest court last month, citing concerns over the Beijing-imposed national security law and its implications for political freedom. The resignation of the UK Supreme Court’s president and vice-president from their concurrent positions on Hong Kong’s apex court closed the chapter on a long-standing arrangement often viewed as a strong endorsement of the city’s rule of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3175236/will-hong-kong-join-singapore-malaysia-ditching-foreign-judges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3175236/will-hong-kong-join-singapore-malaysia-ditching-foreign-judges?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Apr 2022 00:00:30 +0000 Hong Kong’s Ng On-yee will be aiming for her fourth World Women’s Championship snooker title when she lines up at the Ding Junhui Academy in Sheffield, England. Ng won the last of her three world crowns in 2018 and was beaten in the quarter-finals by Thailand’s Nutcharut “Mink” Wongharuthai in the 2019 tournament in Bangkok. The tournament was cancelled in 2020 and last year because of Covid-19, but the top players are all gathered in the academy launched by Chinese star Ding for its... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3166656/ng-yee-eyes-fourth-world-womens-snooker-title-defending-champion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3166656/ng-yee-eyes-fourth-world-womens-snooker-title-defending-champion?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Feb 2022 05:30:58 +0000