13 h. ago Former residence of South Korea’s Yoon under scrutiny over ‘pet pool’

A shallow pool inside South Korea’s presidential residence has sparked a debate among lawmakers over whether it was used by former president Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife for their pets. There has been increasing speculation that the pool was used for pets and not humans, said Representative Kim Byoung-joo at a meeting held on Monday by the Democratic Party, which became the country’s ruling party following President Lee Jae-myung’s election win last week. “I’ve looked around the space inside the...

Politics

4 d. ago Chinese student’s Harvard speech, Hokkaido tremors spark worry: 7 highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Harvard speech sparks China debate on elite education access, privilege Emotional remarks by a Chinese student who delivered this year’s Harvard University commencement speech have sparked a debate in China about barriers to elite education. 2. Military mishap risks rise with...

Politics

4 d. ago Singapore’s 1880 shuts in Hong Kong, Japanese men on staying young: 7 highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Harvard speech sparks China debate on elite education access, privilege Emotional remarks by a Chinese student who delivered this year’s Harvard University commencement speech have sparked a debate in China about barriers to elite education. 2. Military mishap risks rise with...

Politics

6 d. ago Still ‘over’? Stephen Roach says Hong Kong a surprise winner in US

American economist Stephen Roach has said that Hong Kong has benefited from the US-China trade war despite last year having declared the city to be “over”, even as he claimed that other aspects of the financial hub had worsened. The former Morgan Stanley Asia chairman sparked debate last year after he penned an opinion piece which argued, in part, that Hong Kong would be caught in the “crossfire” of the worsening US-China rivalry. “The word caught is the word that, if I had to write the piece...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong’s still ‘over’ but Stephen Roach says city a surprise trade war winner

American economist Stephen Roach has said that Hong Kong has benefited from the US-China trade war despite last year having declared the city to be “over”, even as he claimed that other aspects of the financial hub had worsened. The former Morgan Stanley Asia chairman sparked debate last year after he penned an opinion piece which argued, in part, that Hong Kong would be caught in the “crossfire” of the worsening US-China rivalry. “The word caught is the word that, if I had to write the piece...

Events

6 d. ago Harvard speech sparks debate, China GDP growth outlook: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Privilege or merit? Harvard speech ignites China debate on elite education access Emotional remarks by a Chinese student who delivered this year’s Harvard University commencement speech have sparked a debate in China about barriers to elite education. 2. China’s GDP growth expected to slow next year amid trade strife: OECD China’s economy is projected to...

Politics

6 d. ago Why is a Singapore health clinic paying US$40,000 monthly rent?

A healthcare firm clarified that its record high rental bid of more than S$52,000 (US$40,300) per month for a clinic space in a Singapore public housing estate was driven by the location’s appeal, sparking public debate over rental and healthcare costs. Andrew Chim, co-owner of I-Health Medical Holdings, explained that the unit in Tampines – which has a monthly rent of S$52,188 – is located in an area where five Build-To-Order public housing estates are being developed, which will accommodate...

Economics

6 d. ago Singapore’s health minister ‘dismayed’ at GP clinic with US$40,000 rental bid

Singapore’s health chief Ong Ye Kung has expressed dismay at a local healthcare firm’s record rental bid of more than S$52,000 (US$40,300) per month for a clinic space in a public housing estate. I-Health Medical Holdings’ bid for the unit – which has a monthly rent of S$52,188 – in Tampines has sparked public debate about rental and healthcare costs in the city state. In a Facebook post late on Wednesday, Ong said he was “dismayed” at the costly bid that was likely to result in higher...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong bank robbery suspect’s ‘illogical’ target sparks online debate

A man suspected of robbing a Hong Kong bank with a knife and injuring a staff member could be charged as soon as Wednesday night, the Post has learned, with the establishment’s proximity to his neighbourhood sparking a heated online discussion. The jobless man, 49, was handed over to Hong Kong police on Tuesday after he was detained in Shenzhen for allegedly robbing a branch of Hang Seng Bank in Sha Tin the day before. His girlfriend, 34, was also arrested on suspicion of aiding his escape after...

Events

6 d. ago Harvard speech sparks China debate on elite education access, privilege

Emotional remarks by a Chinese student who delivered this year’s Harvard University commencement speech have sparked a debate in China about barriers to elite education. The speech by Yurong “Luanna” Jiang, the first Chinese woman chosen as Harvard’s student commencement speaker, called for global unity amid US President Donald Trump’s plan to “aggressively” revoke Chinese student visas. Internet users have since raised questions about a lack of access for many ordinary students who have...

Politics

8 d. ago Taiwan man accused of murdering sick mum who died after left in bathroom for days

A man in Taiwan has shocked the internet and sparked heated debate after he left his mother lying in the bathroom for six days following her collapse from a stroke, which ultimately led to her death. The man, surnamed Zheng, 43, from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, had lived with his 66-year-old mother, also surnamed Zheng, for more than two decades. She suffered from emotional disorders and complications following a stroke. Neighbours revealed that despite having fallen multiple times, she frequently...

Events

1 week ago Chinese university canteen recruits manager who must have PhD, sparks debate

A university in eastern China recruiting a canteen manager has sparked controversy online by requiring job candidates to hold a doctoral degree. Southeast University in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, posted a recruitment advertisement on its official website on May 22. As a top institution in China affiliated with the government’s “985” and “211” projects, Southeast University is among only 39 mainland universities, including the prestigious Tsinghua and Peking universities, considered an entry...

Politics

2 w. ago China stray puppy with 2 arrows in head, leads to crowdfunding for surgery, police probe

Fledgling canine found by passers-by, saved by emergency treatment, case sparks fierce online debate about use of police resources.

Events

2 w. ago Removal of Philippines’ beloved ‘sherpa cat’ Pugal sparks heated debate

Online users berate officials who extracted the animal from popular hiking trail over predatory concerns.

Politics

2 w. ago Bali bans small plastic bottles to tackle waste crisis and microplastics: ‘urgent matter’

Bali’s governor has banned small plastic bottles to combat waste, sparking debate on environmental impact versus industry concerns.

Events