84 m. ago Alibaba’s US$7 billion subsidy deepens China’s instant shopping battle

Alibaba Group Holding’s instant commerce service announced on Wednesday a substantial subsidy programme totalling 50 billion yuan (US$7 billion) over the next 12 months for both consumers and merchants, intensifying the fierce competition in China’s on-demand delivery sector, where JD.com and Meituan are also major players. Consumers using Taobao’s in-app Shangou service, the instant commerce business of Alibaba, will enjoy significant incentives, including cash vouchers, free purchase coupons,...

Economics

3 h. ago Indonesian tourist arrested at Hong Kong’s The Peak after tumbler hits woman

An Indonesian tourist who was sightseeing at The Peak in Hong Kong has been arrested after a tumbler fell out of his backpack and hit another visitor walking below. Police said they received a report at 12.16pm on Wednesday that a mainland Chinese woman had been hit by an unknown object at The Peak Tower and reported injuries to her head. “A man standing on the floor above was sightseeing. He had put his backpack on a fence, but his tumbler fell out from a side pocket, falling to the floor below...

Events

5 h. ago Potential cyclone to set temperatures soaring in Hong Kong in coming days

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong is set to be hit by inclement weather this week with the city’s observatory forecasting the potential development of a tropical cyclone near Luzon by Thursday. The forecaster also said on Wednesday that temperatures would soar over the next couple of days to a maximum of 33 degrees...

Sport

11 h. ago Outrage as Korean cabby uses translate app to ask Thai tourist to ‘pay with body’

A South Korean taxi driver who harassed a tourist from Thailand by suggesting that she could “pay” the fare with her body has sparked anger online in both countries. A woman visitor posted a video clip on a social media on June 19, which shows an unidentified taxi driver communicating with her using a translation app while she was in his cab. He was asking her inappropriate personal questions, like whether she had a boyfriend and why was she not married. The driver also said that he could find...

Politics

12 h. ago Nuclear talks ‘a trap’? North Korea doubts US intentions after Iran bombing

When the US bombed Iran’s nuclear sites last month, Washington may have inadvertently sent Pyongyang the clearest signal yet that relinquishing its nuclear arsenal could expose North Korea to the very attacks it aims to avoid. Political analysts say Washington’s hardline approach to Iran’s uranium enrichment has only cemented the North Korean leadership’s deep-seated conviction that nuclear weapons are the ultimate deterrent. Compounding this, as Pyongyang has forged closer strategic bonds with...

Events

25 h. ago TikTok Shop launches in Japan as app faces uncertainty in US

TikTok has launched its e-commerce platform in Japan, enabling users to directly buy products featured in videos, as the app continues to face an uncertain future in the US. TikTok Shop’s launch in Japan on Monday confirms the Post’s earlier report that the popular short-video app is seeking to diversify its global footprint while reducing its reliance on the US market, as President Donald Trump has demanded the app’s US operations be sold to American investors. Trump said in an interview with...

Politics

25 h. ago Hundreds of mainland visitors in Hong Kong enjoy July 1 celebrations, deals

Hundreds of mainland visitors have made the most of Hong Kong’s holiday marking the city’s return to Chinese rule by flocking to popular tourist sites and enjoying discounts, free museum visits, ferry and tram rides, and cheap tickets at several major attractions. Undeterred by the cloudy and rainy weather on Tuesday, they gathered at popular locations across the city, including Central, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, with many planning to spend good money on the 3,800 restaurants...

Politics

25 h. ago Hundreds of mainland visitors enjoy July 1 celebrations and deals in Hong Kong

Hundreds of mainland Chinese visitors have made the most of Hong Kong’s holiday marking the city’s handover by flocking to popular tourist sites and enjoying discounts, free museum visits, ferry and tram rides, and cheap tickets at several major attractions. Undeterred by the cloudy and rainy weather on Tuesday, they gathered at popular locations across the city, including Central, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, with many planning to spend at the 3,800 restaurants offering...

Politics

26 h. ago Alleged rape of Kolkata student sparks debate over women’s safety in India

The alleged rape of a law student at a Kolkata college – less than a year after a trainee doctor’s rape and murder sparked national outrage – has reignited debate over women’s safety in India and triggered political infighting in West Bengal’s ruling party. The latest case took place on June 25 at South Calcutta Law College, where the student was allegedly lured to stay after hours by Monojit Mishra, a temporary college staff member who is also a former student previously affiliated with the...

Events

26 h. ago ByteDance pushes recruitment of fresh robotics talent as AI remains a priority

Chinese social media giant ByteDance, the owner of TikTok and Douyin, has ramped up recruitment of fresh talent for robotics development, as a growing number of artificial intelligence (AI) engineers are being lured by high pay to work in the fast-evolving sector. The more than 10 job vacancies recently posted on ByteDance’s website included two directors responsible for robot products and for hardware-embedded AI models. The Beijing-based unicorn also posted vacancies for roles involving “robot...

Politics

26 h. ago Korean eatery’s sexy dance move for women staff ‘like working in a brothel’

A South Korean barbecue restaurant has sparked controversy after posting a video of women staff performing the provocative “Terminal Dance”. Eatery bosses also promised dancing staff a bonus if the clip reached 1 million views. Controversy surrounds Gopchang House in Seoul after asking its women employees to perform a suggestive “dance service” in front of customers by mimicking the viral, so-called Terminal Dance. The restaurant filmed their provocative moves and uploaded the video to social...

Politics

27 h. ago Beijing slams US official, EU body for attack on Hong Kong national security law

Beijing has hit out at a United States official and the European Union’s diplomatic wing for attacking Hong Kong’s national security legislation, criticising their “hypocrisy” and “malicious intention” of containing China by going after the city. The statement from China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong on Tuesday was in response to remarks by Jim Risch, the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the European External Action Service. Risch said that Hong Kong had become...

Events

29 h. ago Hong Kong residents and tourists revel in handover anniversary festivities

From free museum visits and tram rides to discounted meals and fun runs, residents and tourists took full advantage of offers by thousands of businesses, braving the frequent showers to revel in the celebrations of the city’s 28th anniversary of its handover to Beijing. Rows of bright red national and Hong Kong flags adorned the streets and tourist attractions on Tuesday, as around 3,800 restaurants offered special discounts, hoping to attract diners and boost spending. A parade of about 30...

Politics

29 h. ago From free rides and museum visits to cheap meals, Hong Kong laps up July 1 deals

From free museum visits and tram rides to discounted meals and fun runs, residents and tourists took full advantage of offers by thousands of businesses, braving the frequent showers to revel in the celebrations of the city’s 28th anniversary of its handover to Beijing. Rows of bright red national and Hong Kong flags adorned the streets and tourist attractions on Tuesday, as around 3,800 restaurants offered special discounts, hoping to attract diners and boost spending. A parade of about 30...

Politics

29 h. ago Thai court suspends PM over leaked phone call as political crisis deepens

Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday pending an investigation into a leaked call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen – a move analysts say could destabilise the government, heighten divisions within the ruling coalition and embolden opposition forces. The court agreed to hear a petition filed by 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution following the leak of the...

Events

35 h. ago China ‘folded boy’ stands up straight for first time after gruelling surgeries

A university student, known as China’s “folded boy” due to his spinal condition, has inspired countless people online after undergoing a series of complex surgeries and achieving the remarkable milestone of straightening his body and lying flat in bed for the first time in his life. Jiang Yanchen, 21, hailing from Shandong province in northern China, has fought against ankylosing spondylitis – a form of arthritis causing severe inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine – since his...

Politics

36 h. ago ‘I’d rather be an arduous reformer than complacent idler’: Hong Kong’s John Lee

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong marks the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty on Tuesday. The day’s events start with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will...

Politics

36 h. ago Hongkongers, visitors enjoy discounts, freebies as city marks July 1 anniversary

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong marks the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty on Tuesday. The day’s events started with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu...

Politics

36 h. ago Hongkongers, visitors enjoy discounts, freebies as city marks July 1 anniversary – as it happened

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong marked the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty on Tuesday. The day’s events started with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and a reception at the nearby Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu...

Politics

48 h. ago Hong Kong sea patrol officers to use body cameras to help in investigations

Sea patrol officers from Hong Kong’s Marine Department will start using body cameras from Tuesday to help them perform their duties more effectively. Frontline officers of the harbour patrol section across all districts would be fully equipped with the devices to help in investigations, evidence collection and documenting maritime conditions during major events at sea for safety purposes, a department spokesman said on Monday. Other government departments that have equipped frontline officers...

Events