https://www.scmp.com/rss/525317/feed Theodora joined the Post in 2026 and covers Hong Kong current affairs. Prior to joining the Post, she was a reporter at the Washington Post covering Hong Kong and mainland China. She is interested in business, climate and the environment, oral history and open-source investigations. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Buyers of illicit fuel in Hong Kong could face a maximum penalty of HK$1 million (US$127,687) and one year in prison under proposed legal amendments aimed at curbing illegal refuelling amid surging global oil prices, the South China Morning Post has learned. According to a government source, the Security Bureau has also proposed tougher penalties for sellers, increasing the maximum fine for a first conviction from HK$100,000 to HK$3 million and raising the maximum jail term from six months to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350922/hong-kong-aiming-curb-illicit-fuel-trade-tougher-penalties-source?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350922/hong-kong-aiming-curb-illicit-fuel-trade-tougher-penalties-source?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:53:57 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong authorities have developed an artificial intelligence-driven flood forecasting and alert system capable of three-dimensional simulations, aimed at enabling more timely pre-emptive measures and emergency responses to flooding. The technology is the latest addition to the existing territory-wide flood risk visualisation system, which was deployed after Super Typhoon Ragasa struck the city last year. “This is to foster Hong Kong as a future-facing and climate-resilient city,” Ringo Mok... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3350748/hong-kong-launches-ai-flood-alert-system-boost-forecasting-and-response?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3350748/hong-kong-launches-ai-flood-alert-system-boost-forecasting-and-response?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:37:21 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong landlords who fail to fix water seepage affecting flats below face a minimum inspection bill of HK$17,000 (US$2,170) if they take no action within 28 days of notification under a pilot scheme designed to fast-track such cases. The plan, launched by a joint office under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and Buildings Department, shifts the responsibility of shouldering inspection costs from the government to flat owners who fail to address water seepage... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350088/hong-kong-landlords-face-hk17000-inspection-bill-over-ignored-water-seepage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350088/hong-kong-landlords-face-hk17000-inspection-bill-over-ignored-water-seepage?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:40:38 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu An international animal rights group and a veterinary organisation have called for a public boycott of Hong Kong’s major online retailer, HKTVmall, after its parent company revealed a life science project testing the viability of detached animal heads and limbs. The two groups staged an hour-long protest on Friday outside the HKTVmall building in Tseung Kwan O, demanding the company disclose more details of the experiments and stop animal testing. The Hong Kong Technology Venture Company, parent... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349654/hong-kong-animal-groups-urge-hktvmall-boycott-over-life-science-experiments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349654/hong-kong-animal-groups-urge-hktvmall-boycott-over-life-science-experiments?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:30:08 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong customs has seized about 10,000 suspected counterfeit football jerseys and other unlicensed goods worth an estimated HK$64 million (US$8 million) ahead of the World Cup finals in June. Three people aged 25 to 56 were also arrested on suspicion of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance during the operation Customs and Excise Department carried out from March 9 to 27. Officers targeted cross-boundary transshipment and local deliveries, seizing about 110,000 items, including jerseys,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3349490/10000-suspected-fake-football-jerseys-seized-hk64-million-customs-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3349490/10000-suspected-fake-football-jerseys-seized-hk64-million-customs-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:30:34 +0000 Danny Mok,Theodora Yu Danny Mok,Theodora Yu Hong Kong food safety authorities have ordered an immediate halt to the sale of oysters from a French brand, after suspected gastroenteritis cases emerged in the Netherlands, which some catering industry operators said weakened consumer confidence and added to the woes of the already struggling sector. The Centre for Food Safety on Wednesday also ordered the trade to suspend imports of raw oysters from the French brand Josephine that were produced and packed between March 5 and 25. Chris Chung,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3349442/hong-kong-halts-raw-oyster-sales-french-brand-over-possible-gastroenteritis-link?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3349442/hong-kong-halts-raw-oyster-sales-french-brand-over-possible-gastroenteritis-link?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:33:07 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Cinema box office takings in Hong Kong over the first four days of the Easter break more than doubled year on year, reaching HK$25.93 million (US$3.31 million) compared with HK$12.75 million over the same period in 2025, despite a holiday exodus. According to the Immigration Department, residents made around 2.13 million outbound and 1.81 million inbound trips between Good Friday and Monday, resulting in a net outflow of 319,173. For the five-day break to Tuesday, Hongkongers made 2.56 million... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349404/easter-box-office-takings-twice-2025-break-despite-exodus-hongkongers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349404/easter-box-office-takings-twice-2025-break-despite-exodus-hongkongers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:06:01 +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 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Fans and cosplayers flooded an intellectual property (IP) festival that debuted in Hong Kong on Saturday, featuring pop culture exports such as the hit franchise Godzilla as well as local designs and trademarks. Long queues formed at Con-Con Hong Kong 2026, a two-day event at AsiaWorld-Expo bringing together exhibitions, music performances, licensing showcases and IP business matching opportunities. Visitors stocked up on exclusive merchandise at booths and took pictures of the latest figurine... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349040/hong-kong-ip-festival-con-con-draws-crowds-opening-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349040/hong-kong-ip-festival-con-con-draws-crowds-opening-day?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:45:14 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong is expected to be hit by thunderstorms and showers on Saturday, with the weather to remain unsettled for the rest of the Easter holiday, the local forecaster has warned. The Hong Kong Observatory said on Friday that occasional showers – which would be heavier at times – and some fast-moving thunderstorms brought by a trough of low pressure would hit... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348947/hong-kong-set-thunderstorms-and-showers-saturday-observatory-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348947/hong-kong-set-thunderstorms-and-showers-saturday-observatory-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:41:41 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Wynna Wong,Theodora Yu Matthew Cheng,Wynna Wong,Theodora Yu More than 685,000 residents left Hong Kong as the Easter break got under way on Friday, even as some said ongoing geopolitical tensions had made them more cautious about drawing up future travel plans. An industry leader noted that more Hongkongers had chosen to travel to mainland China, with the ongoing war in the Middle East disrupting air traffic and prompting local airlines to raise fuel surcharges. Immigration statistics for Friday showed that 685,149 residents had left Hong Kong as of 9pm,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348874/hongkongers-opt-mainland-chinese-tours-during-easter-amid-middle-east-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348874/hongkongers-opt-mainland-chinese-tours-during-easter-amid-middle-east-war?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 02:58:57 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu More than 30 groups and individuals have collectively called on the government to close loopholes in Hong Kong’s child sexual offence bill and provide greater protection to survivors. In a paper released on Thursday, the non-profit organisations and professionals also urged the judiciary to review its practice directions to safeguard child abuse victims who often suffered from intense cross-examination in court, which could lead to secondary harm. They highlighted the urgent need to examine... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348839/call-close-loopholes-hong-kongs-child-sexual-offence-bill?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348839/call-close-loopholes-hong-kongs-child-sexual-offence-bill?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:46:22 +0000 Fiona Sun,Theodora Yu Fiona Sun,Theodora Yu Shortly before the evening rush hour recently, chaos erupted at Hong Kong’s Wu Kai Sha MTR station when a wild boar stormed through the concourse. The animal, about 1.2 metres long and weighing around 40kg, knocked down an elderly man. The charging boar left a trail of blood on the station floor, injuring three other residents in a frenzied dash towards a nearby bus terminus and housing estates. “I saw it rampaging at the bus terminus while residents followed, snapping photos,” a woman working... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348718/it-time-call-end-hong-kongs-boar-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348718/it-time-call-end-hong-kongs-boar-war?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:30:10 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A permanent exhibition showcasing Hong Kong’s history reopened on Wednesday after a major revamp that emphasised the city’s roots in Chinese culture, with visitors expressing mixed reactions to the changes. The “Hong Kong Story” exhibition – which opened in 2001 and closed for renovation in late 2020 – has been reduced from two storeys to a single floor, but expanded from eight to 10 galleries. The revamped exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of History in Tsim Sha Tsui features more than 2,800... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348678/revamped-hong-kong-story-exhibition-spotlights-citys-roots-chinese-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348678/revamped-hong-kong-story-exhibition-spotlights-citys-roots-chinese-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:15:39 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A planned supercomputing hub in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis could overtake the MTR Corporation rail operator as the city’s single largest electricity consumer, prompting a green group and experts to call for setting energy efficiency standards to limit the sector’s carbon emissions. According to The Green Earth’s estimates, the new project – set to begin operating in 2029 – could increase the industry’s annual carbon emissions by about 70 per cent compared with current levels. Experts have... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348294/northern-metropolis-data-hub-may-surpass-mtr-corp-hong-kongs-top-power-consumer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348294/northern-metropolis-data-hub-may-surpass-mtr-corp-hong-kongs-top-power-consumer?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A Hongkonger has been rescued from Myanmar and transferred to Thailand after being held captive and forced to do illegal work, in an ordeal he described as a “horror movie”. The Security Bureau on Saturday said its dedicated task force had earlier received a request for help from the 25-year-old man who was trapped in Myanmar. It then liaised with the Chinese embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, the city’s economic and trade office in Bangkok and Thai authorities to launch a joint operation. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348261/horror-movie-hongkonger-rescued-after-forced-labour-ordeal-myanmar?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348261/horror-movie-hongkonger-rescued-after-forced-labour-ordeal-myanmar?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:55:41 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong customs has seized about 20 million illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of HK$92 million (US$11.46 million) from a cargo vessel during a joint anti-smuggling operation with authorities in mainland China. The cigarettes would have generated about HK$68 million in tax revenue, authorities said on Saturday. Officers from the Customs and Excise Department, marine police and mainland law enforcement agencies conducted the operation in the early hours of Friday based on risk... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348248/4-held-hong-kong-seizes-hk92-million-illicit-cigarettes-cargo-vessel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348248/4-held-hong-kong-seizes-hk92-million-illicit-cigarettes-cargo-vessel?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 09:17:35 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong commuters have complained about chaotic scenes after services on a section of the East Rail line were suspended for about 2½ hours on Friday when a passenger opened an emergency exit on a train and was later found injured in a tunnel. The disruption caused chaos during rush hour. Affected stations were packed with passengers who later had to wait in long queues for alternative transport. A passenger on the affected train said a sudden power cut occurred, leaving people feeling... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348209/anger-after-chaotic-2-1/2-hour-disruption-east-rail-line-man-opens-train-exit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348209/anger-after-chaotic-2-1/2-hour-disruption-east-rail-line-man-opens-train-exit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:20:46 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong’s competition watchdog has taken legal action against a syndicate it accuses of trying to corner a quarter of the building maintenance market, with one of the bids under scrutiny involving the Tai Po housing complex destroyed in a deadly blaze last year. The Competition Commission said on Wednesday it had launched proceedings at the Competition Tribunal over six undertakings involving eight companies and 12 individuals concerning building maintenance projects worth nearly HK$700... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347803/hong-kongs-icac-charges-5-over-alleged-building-renovation-bribery-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347803/hong-kongs-icac-charges-5-over-alleged-building-renovation-bribery-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:03:53 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings has expanded international arbitration claims against Panama, alleging damages have “escalated beyond US$2 billion” in what it called an “illegal takeover” of ports and property. The Panama Ports Company (PPC), part of Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s family-owned conglomerate, announced the expanded claims on Tuesday local time - a month after the takeover of terminals at the ports of Balboa and Cristobal at the Panama Canal. The move... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347783/hong-kongs-ck-hutchison-expands-panama-ports-claim-losses-surpass-us2-billion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347783/hong-kongs-ck-hutchison-expands-panama-ports-claim-losses-surpass-us2-billion?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:12:22 +0000 Emily Hung,Theodora Yu Emily Hung,Theodora Yu After decades at the front lines campaigning for environmental protection, The Green Earth founder Edwin Lau Che-feng is slowing down to focus on his health and hobbies. The 68-year-old has been one of the most vocal environmentalists championing a waste-charging scheme for more than two decades. Lau still remembers May 27, 2024, when the government abruptly paused the waste-charging bill, as if it were yesterday. The suspension was the biggest blow in his 36-year career. “It feels impossible.... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3347420/veteran-activist-warns-shrinking-space-green-advocacy-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3347420/veteran-activist-warns-shrinking-space-green-advocacy-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 09:00:20 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Popular doll Labubu and Blackpink’s Jennie were among the headline names and brands from the city and abroad that drew thousands of fans to Hong Kong’s third edition of pop culture festival ComplexCon on Saturday. Organisers said this year’s edition had broken records and would draw tens of thousands across the two-day event at AsiaWorld-Expo. On Saturday morning, attendees took selfies with sculptures of Labubu and queued for exclusive merchandise, while others explored local vinyl record... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347422/labubu-blackpinks-jennie-draw-thousands-complexcon-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347422/labubu-blackpinks-jennie-draw-thousands-complexcon-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 08:37:10 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu About 94 per cent of Hong Kong’s students do not get enough daily exercise and 17.5 per cent are overweight, authorities have warned, urging schools and parents to tackle the growing fitness crisis together. A government report released on Tuesday also flagged low fruit and vegetable intake, poor vision health and excessive recreational screen time among students. The findings were based on surveys and annual health assessments conducted by the Department of Health for the 2024-25 school year,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3346918/94-hong-kong-students-are-couch-potatoes-175-overweight-study-shows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3346918/94-hong-kong-students-are-couch-potatoes-175-overweight-study-shows?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:39:11 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A Hong Kong researcher has called for stricter regulations and urged the public to use electronics more responsibly after a study found toxic pollutants from laptops, televisions and smartphones in the bodies and brains of endangered dolphins and porpoises that washed up on the city’s beaches. Yuhe He, an associate professor at City University of Hong Kong and one of the study’s authors, said he was alarmed to find that liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) – the pollutants identified in the research –... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3346676/hong-kong-researcher-sounds-alarm-after-toxic-electronic-waste-found-dolphins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3346676/hong-kong-researcher-sounds-alarm-after-toxic-electronic-waste-found-dolphins?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:28:11 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Joe*, a 20-year-old Hong Kong student, began seeking emotional support for dating advice, family relationships and stress management a few months ago to ease his anxieties. He asked questions during his commute to school, while studying in the evening and even when he could not sleep late at night. His go-to chatbot: OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which he accesses through the artificial intelligence (AI) aggregator app, Poe. “To a certain extent, AI may know me better than my friends,” Joe said. Joe is... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3346592/ai-may-know-me-better-why-hongkongers-turn-chatbots-mental-health-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3346592/ai-may-know-me-better-why-hongkongers-turn-chatbots-mental-health-help?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong’s fresh graduates are facing increasingly challenging career prospects, with 69 per cent of job sectors recording their fewest vacancies in six years, a trend experts attribute to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and a sluggish economy. Figures from the Joint Institution Job Information System, a centralised online job information platform shared by the city’s eight publicly funded universities, also showed that the number of job vacancies fell to a five-year low of 30,798 last... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346406/hong-kong-job-openings-hit-6-year-low-69-sectors-amid-ais-ascent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346406/hong-kong-job-openings-hit-6-year-low-69-sectors-amid-ais-ascent?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 02:00:15 +0000 Harvey Kong,Theodora Yu,Oscar Liu Harvey Kong,Theodora Yu,Oscar Liu Hong Kong customs officers have intercepted more cross-border vehicles suspected of smuggling petrol into the city as fuel prices surge amid the war in the Middle East. Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat said some vehicles had even increased the capacity of their fuel tanks to carry more petrol for supplying illegal filling stations. “In the past few weeks, we have uncovered many such cases including private cars that had enlarged their fuel tank capacity and made other... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346170/hong-kong-customs-seizes-more-fuel-smuggling-trucks-iran-war-lifts-prices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346170/hong-kong-customs-seizes-more-fuel-smuggling-trucks-iran-war-lifts-prices?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 03:28:47 +0000 Oscar Liu,Theodora Yu Oscar Liu,Theodora Yu Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has extended the suspension of all flights to and from Dubai until the end of March amid the war in the Middle East. The airline announced on Tuesday that all services between Hong Kong and the commercial hub in the United Arab Emirates would be cancelled up to March 31. Flights travelling between the city and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will also be suspended until the end of the month. The move extends an earlier suspension that had been set to run until... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3346081/cathay-extends-flight-suspension-dubai-riyadh-until-march-31-amid-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3346081/cathay-extends-flight-suspension-dubai-riyadh-until-march-31-amid-war?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:28:51 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A wild boar bit a hiker in Hong Kong before it fell down a flight of stairs and died, according to police. A police spokesman said the victim, 57, had arrived at a public toilet at Boon Kin Village in Tseung Kwan O on Friday morning while hiking with her husband, also 57, and a friend, when the boar suddenly emerged and chased her. Shocked, the woman fell, hitting her head – resulting in swelling on her forehead – and scratching her limbs, police said. Some witnesses reportedly said nearby... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345776/wild-boar-bites-hiker-tumbles-its-death-down-flight-stairs-village?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345776/wild-boar-bites-hiker-tumbles-its-death-down-flight-stairs-village?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:55:57 +0000 Ambrose Li,Connor Mycroft,Theodora Yu,Leopold Chen Ambrose Li,Connor Mycroft,Theodora Yu,Leopold Chen Hong Kong authorities are trying to reserve seats for residents on weekend flights leaving Dubai, with some of those stranded in the Middle East having exhausted all options to secure tickets to get back home amid the escalating regional conflict. The government also said on Thursday that it had urged carrier Emirates to run more flights between Dubai and Hong Kong, as regional airspace remained largely closed. According to the government, Emirates plans to operate direct flights from Dubai to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3345535/safe-air-corridors-enable-stranded-hongkongers-return-middle-east-amid-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3345535/safe-air-corridors-enable-stranded-hongkongers-return-middle-east-amid-war?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 06:32:15 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Landlords or operators of subdivided flats in Hong Kong that meet new government living standards can apply to CLP Power for smart meter installation. The smart meters, which now cover 90 per cent of residential households supplied by CLP Power, are open for application following the Basic Housing Units Ordinance taking effect on March 1. CLP, the city’s largest power supplier, provides electricity to Kowloon and the New Territories, including Lantau and Cheung Chau. Equipped with advanced... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3345480/smart-meters-available-hong-kong-subdivided-flats-meeting-new-living-standards?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3345480/smart-meters-available-hong-kong-subdivided-flats-meeting-new-living-standards?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:35 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong’s Ocean Park will transform its North Pole Encounter zone into a marine mammal conservation centre featuring the skeleton of a whale that washed ashore in Sai Kung in 2023. The new exhibit, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027, will highlight the park’s marine mammal research and rescue efforts. Visitors can explore other exhibits and animals, such as seals and sea lions, at Pacific Pier, an attraction in the Marine World section, the theme park said. The new centre will... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345348/hong-kongs-ocean-park-open-new-conservation-centre-featuring-whale-skeleton?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345348/hong-kongs-ocean-park-open-new-conservation-centre-featuring-whale-skeleton?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 03:28:11 +0000 Edith Lin,Theodora Yu Edith Lin,Theodora Yu The first planeload of Hongkongers stranded in the Middle East returned home on Wednesday night as the regional conflict continued to spiral, with an insider saying the government was exploring ways to bring the others back sooner. That could mean prioritising work with airlines to secure seats for Hongkongers and keep taxpayer costs down, an aviation expert said amid calls from stranded residents for chartered flights. According to the Dubai Airports website, Emirates flight EK380 departed at... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345337/do-we-have-wait-until-someone-gets-hurt-hongkongers-stuck-dubai-face-travel-chaos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345337/do-we-have-wait-until-someone-gets-hurt-hongkongers-stuck-dubai-face-travel-chaos?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 02:26:34 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Some Hongkongers stranded in the Middle East following a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran have called for greater help from the Chinese embassy and the Hong Kong government, as others consider travelling by road to another city to fly back home. As of Tuesday, at least 585 residents were stranded in the region, immigration authorities said. On social media, some residents wrote they had been unable to contact the Chinese consulate in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by phone and had to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345197/we-want-go-home-hongkongers-trapped-mideast-call-more-official-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345197/we-want-go-home-hongkongers-trapped-mideast-call-more-official-help?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 02:00:37 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Passengers flying with Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways have criticised the flag carrier over its compensation and rebooking policies after flights to the Middle East were cancelled due to the joint United States-Israeli attack on Iran. Cathay Pacific said on Sunday evening that the airline adhered to international aviation standards and consumer protection regulations in the jurisdictions where it operated. “In cases of cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances outside Cathay’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3345034/cathay-passengers-bemoan-refund-policies-us-israel-exchange-strikes-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3345034/cathay-passengers-bemoan-refund-policies-us-israel-exchange-strikes-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 11:37:24 +0000 Oscar Liu,Natalie Wong,Theodora Yu,Fiona Chow Oscar Liu,Natalie Wong,Theodora Yu,Fiona Chow At least 35 flights from Hong Kong to the Middle East originally scheduled for Sunday and Monday have been disrupted following the joint United States-Israeli attack on Iran, with further cancellations and delays likely to follow. Sunday morning also saw hundreds of passengers pack Hong Kong International Airport to inquire about the suspended departures of flights initially scheduled for the previous day. The flights were primarily to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Doha in Qatar and Dubai in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3345005/travellers-stranded-hong-kong-airport-some-27-middle-east-flights-disrupted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3345005/travellers-stranded-hong-kong-airport-some-27-middle-east-flights-disrupted?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:05:46 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong’s decision to end tax breaks for private electric cars has sparked a rush to the showrooms, with some residents even selling their eligibility for the incentive scheme. A car dealer told the South China Morning Post on Thursday that sales had surged by a factor of 17, adding that one customer broke into tears just after midnight, fearing he had missed the registration deadline. “Last night there were many people … there was a queue at one point,” said Eric Wong Ngai-lik, the Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344754/hongkongers-rush-showrooms-ev-tax-breaks-end-quotas-sell-hk60000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344754/hongkongers-rush-showrooms-ev-tax-breaks-end-quotas-sell-hk60000?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:02:22 +0000 Olga Wong,Matthew Cheng,Theodora Yu Olga Wong,Matthew Cheng,Theodora Yu Hong Kong’s finance chief will earmark substantial funds for a new innovation hub near the border with mainland China and include incentives to attract more aerospace players to the city in his budget, government sources have said. Highlighting innovation as a key theme of Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s budget speech to be delivered on Wednesday, the insiders told the South China Morning Post that the blueprint would provide significant impetus to the new San Tin Technopole. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344512/huge-funds-tech-hub-incentives-aerospace-sector-hong-kong-budget-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344512/huge-funds-tech-hub-incentives-aerospace-sector-hong-kong-budget-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:32 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Campers and hikers have urged Hong Kong authorities to step up public education, law enforcement and impose foot traffic limits at campsites after some areas were flooded with visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday. A visit by the South China Morning Post on Saturday to Ham Tin Wan, a beach in Sai Kung, found about 50 visitors and 30 tents. Empty plastic bottles, used tissue paper and chocolate wrappers were seen lying on the sand and in bushes and shrubs. Officers from the Agricultural,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3344225/calls-better-supervision-hong-kongs-campsites-after-areas-inundated?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3344225/calls-better-supervision-hong-kongs-campsites-after-areas-inundated?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 14:03:04 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu At a rehearsal studio in Hong Kong on an early February morning, a group of 12 dancers gathered around a table, hands on deck and eyes locked in intense glances. They slammed the counter in unison. Then they twisted and turned their bodies with fierce precision, as a wave of energy swept through the room. Half stood, while the others moved in wheelchairs. The dancers dispersed into the four corners of the room. Evina Wong Wai-king, a 65-year-old wheelchair dancer, lifted her hand. Tilting her... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344206/belongs-everyone-wheelchair-dancers-move-beyond-boundaries-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344206/belongs-everyone-wheelchair-dancers-move-beyond-boundaries-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong police are investigating the suspected poisoning of four dogs on farms in the northern New Territories, with an animal welfare group saying another canine was missing and describing the cases as “heartbreaking”. The Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation said on Friday that the incidents were among at least 19 cases documented by the group and linked to poisonings in the local area since last year. The group added that lethal poison baits had been placed on farms in areas such as Kwu Tung... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344167/police-probe-suspected-poisoning-4-dogs-2-more-canines-missing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344167/police-probe-suspected-poisoning-4-dogs-2-more-canines-missing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:53:45 +0000 Theodora Yu,Connor Mycroft Theodora Yu,Connor Mycroft The pedestrian footbridge linking Hong Kong’s Central Pier with the International Financial Centre (IFC) will be demolished and replaced by a temporary one, with Wednesday marking its last day open to the public. A new temporary passageway, located near the current footbridge, will be open for use on Thursday, according to Henderson Land Development. On Wednesday, some residents came to take a final look at the old bridge before its closure. Lukas Mok, 25, was among those snapping photos to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343929/footbridge-linking-hong-kongs-central-pier-ifc-close-demolition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343929/footbridge-linking-hong-kongs-central-pier-ifc-close-demolition?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:01:53 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu A 92-year-old man has died after apparently choking on glutinous rice balls in Hong Kong, according to sources. Police received a call for help from the man’s family on Wednesday at around 9am, saying the victim had collapsed and lost consciousness while eating. The man, surnamed Sung, was believed to have been eating glutinous rice balls, according to sources. The incident happened at the man’s residence in Sau Wah House at Sau Mau Ping Estate in Kowloon. Officers arrived at the scene and took... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343883/man-92-dies-after-allegedly-choking-glutinous-rice-balls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343883/man-92-dies-after-allegedly-choking-glutinous-rice-balls?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:34:39 +0000 Wynna Wong,Theodora Yu Wynna Wong,Theodora Yu Tens of thousands of Hongkongers and tourists lined the streets in Tsim Sha Tsui on Tuesday evening for the city’s annual Lunar New Year float parade, with the crowd left in awe as they saw dancers, dragons and other delights. The two-hour Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade began at 8pm on Tuesday with an East-meets-West street party featuring dozens of local and overseas performers, although many people arrived hours in advance to claim prime viewing spots. This year’s event,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343835/excited-spectators-pack-streets-hong-kong-lunar-new-year-night-parade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343835/excited-spectators-pack-streets-hong-kong-lunar-new-year-night-parade?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:27:45 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Visitors have started filling campsites along the seashore in Sai Kung near Hong Kong’s famed MacLehose Trail for the Lunar New Year break, with officers patrolling to monitor and prevent littering following previous complaints. At Sai Wan Beach, a picturesque spot popular with tourists on mainland Chinese social media, around two dozen visitors were seen camping and swimming on Monday. Among the campers were Jiang Li, 24, and Wu Handeng, 23, from Guangdong province, who had pitched their yellow... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3343765/few-signs-littering-hong-kong-campsites-fill-lunar-new-year-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3343765/few-signs-littering-hong-kong-campsites-fill-lunar-new-year-break?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:35:59 +0000 Ng Kang-chung,Theodora Yu Ng Kang-chung,Theodora Yu Some Hong Kong restaurant operators have urged authorities to clearly tell the public about the origins of problematic raw oysters following a spate of food poisoning cases, so that diners can make informed decisions in the lead-up to Lunar New Year, their peak business season. Consumers are becoming increasingly wary about oysters, with some restaurants saying demand has plunged amid calls from health officials for diners to avoid consuming them raw as the number of norovirus-related food... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343555/share-where-risky-oysters-are-authorities-urged-after-food-poisoning-cases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343555/share-where-risky-oysters-are-authorities-urged-after-food-poisoning-cases?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 02:50:35 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying,Danny Mok,Theodora Yu Lo Hoi-ying,Danny Mok,Theodora Yu Some recent food poisoning cases in Hong Kong have been linked to raw oysters supplied by a company in Spain, prompting authorities to instruct the food trade to suspend imports and sales from the firm. The Centre for Food Safety revealed the latest results of its investigation into dozens of recent food poisoning cases on Friday night – hours after a restaurant chain told the South China Morning Post that raw oysters consumed by diners who fell ill came from France and were supplied by a Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3343376/hong-kong-diners-urged-avoid-raw-oysters-more-food-poisoning-cases-found?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3343376/hong-kong-diners-urged-avoid-raw-oysters-more-food-poisoning-cases-found?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:31:43 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong’s leader John Lee Ka-chiu has pledged to establish a “systematic policy framework” to align development goals with mainland China’s 15th five-year plan, aiming to formulate the city’s own blueprint by the end of the year. The chief executive made the remarks during a steering group meeting on Thursday convened to discuss Hong Kong’s participation in the nation’s five-year plan, which will guide the mainland’s economic and social development from 2026 to 2030. Lee brought up his... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343367/john-lee-vows-systematic-framework-align-hong-kong-chinas-blueprint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3343367/john-lee-vows-systematic-framework-align-hong-kong-chinas-blueprint?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:54:00 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu An Asia-wide intellectual property festival will be held in Hong Kong in April, featuring Japanese musicians – including Cocomi as its ambassador – and pop culture exports such as hit franchises Gundam and Godzilla. Con-Con Hong Kong, held at AsiaWorld-Expo on April 4 and 5, will also showcase immersive exhibitions and dialogue sessions with Asian creators. “Con-Con”, which stands for Convention for Connection, was designed as a cross-sector platform with intellectual property (IP) at its core,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3343203/gundam-godzilla-headline-asian-ip-festival-con-con-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3343203/gundam-godzilla-headline-asian-ip-festival-con-con-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:49:51 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong authorities are considering allowing a maximum of two dogs per diner into restaurants licensed under a new pet-friendly policy, with the permits possibly being granted only to larger premises at the outset. A day after authorities told lawmakers that they had no intention of setting limits on the number of dogs per customer allowed into restaurants, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said on Wednesday that the government was reconsidering the matter after receiving... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3343161/hong-kong-government-may-set-limit-2-dogs-diner-under-new-pet-friendly-policy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3343161/hong-kong-government-may-set-limit-2-dogs-diner-under-new-pet-friendly-policy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:17:25 +0000