32 m. ago Malaysian teenage couple charged with murder of Cyberjaya student in dorm

A Malaysian teenage couple were charged with murder in a court on Thursday over the killing of a 20-year-old student last month, in a case that has caused nationwide concerns over security for students living in the country’s flagship tech hub of Cyberjaya. Prosecutors accused Sri Darvein Manthavan, 19, of killing Malaysian Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara at her dorm on June 23, aided by his girlfriend Thineswary V Devendran, also 19. Both suspects face the death penalty if found guilty, or an...

Events

12 h. ago CHINA Chinese dissidents: Peng Lifa, Beijing’s banner man sentenced to nine years in prison

CHINA Chinese dissidents: Peng Lifa, Beijing’s banner man sentenced to nine years in prison  AsiaNews

Events

17 h. ago JD.com’s US$1.4 billion plan heats up delivery battle with Meituan, Alibaba

JD.com has pledged more than 10 billion yuan (US$1.4 billion) under its ambitious “Double Hundred Plan” to support so-called benchmark brands across various categories, further heating up China’s on-demand delivery sector, as industry-wide daily orders reached a new high of more than 200 million. The Beijing-based e-commerce giant’s latest initiative seeks to elevate sales of select brands beyond one million items on its platform via measures that include increased traffic, marketing incentives...

Society

18 h. ago Hong Kong waiter charged with inciting subversion under national security law

A waiter has become the latest person charged under the national security law, with prosecutors accusing him of inciting others to overthrow Beijing and the Hong Kong government in a series of social media posts. Chan Ho-hin, 22, on Wednesday saw his original sedition charge upgraded to one of inciting subversion after West Kowloon Court approved a prosecution request to amend the indictment. The defendant has been remanded in custody since he was first charged on April 30 with a count of...

Events

19 h. ago ‘Quintessence of animal cruelty’: Singapore court doubles cat killer’s sentence

A Singaporean man who pleaded guilty to killing multiple cats by hurling them from high-rise housing blocks has had his jail term nearly doubled after an appeal court ruled his initial sentence was too lenient given the cruelty of his actions. Barrie Lin Pengli, 33, will now serve 27 months in prison – up from the original 14-month sentence handed down earlier this year – following a successful appeal by prosecutors who argued that the case warranted a far harsher penalty. Lin had pleaded guilty...

Events

20 h. ago Average cost of EV licence in Hong Kong could rise 536% under government proposal

The average cost of an electric vehicle (EV) licence in Hong Kong could increase by more than 500 per cent over the next five years, authorities have said, adding that they will also raise the tolls at two tunnels by 60 per cent amid a significant budget deficit. The proposed measures announced by the Transport and Logistics Bureau on Wednesday also included doubling metered parking fees and a 25 to 50 per cent increase in penalties for illegal parking and 19 other traffic violations. The...

Politics

25 h. ago Hong Kong court orders arrest of singer Tommy Yuen for ignoring theft charge

A Hong Kong court has issued a warrant for the arrest of singer Tommy Yuen Man-on after he failed to appear in court to answer a shoplifting charge. Yuen, a former member of the defunct Cantopop boy band E-kids, was expected to appear in Kowloon City Court on Wednesday on a count of theft for allegedly stealing HK$144.50 (US$18.40) worth of snacks and drinks from a supermarket last month. A charge sheet indicated the 45-year-old defendant stole six bottles of Coke, tea and water, as well as...

Events

25 h. ago Arrest warrant issued for singer Tommy Yuen, who says he has left Hong Kong

A Hong Kong magistrate has issued a warrant for the arrest of singer Tommy Yuen Man-on after he failed to appear in court to answer a shoplifting charge. Yuen, a former member of the defunct Cantopop boy band E-kids, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday night he had already left Hong Kong and had never thought of appearing in court. He was due to appear in Kowloon City Court on a count of theft for allegedly stealing HK$144.50 (US$18.40) worth of snacks and drinks from a supermarket last...

Events

32 h. ago Stow businessman sentenced to over 5 years in prison for smuggling and selling knock

Stow businessman sentenced to over 5 years in prison for smuggling and selling knock-off body armor from China  WKYC

Events

37 h. ago CHINA Tourism from Shanghai to Beijing: foreign visitors double thanks to visa

CHINA Tourism from Shanghai to Beijing: foreign visitors double thanks to visa -free entry  AsiaNews

Politics

41 h. ago China’s ‘telepathy’ radio could hide military units in plain site

Since they debuted in World War I, military radios have played a vital role in sending strategic messages via electromagnetic waves, but it has always been a deadly game of hide-and-seek. The devices present a dilemma: crucial communication at the risk of simultaneously broadcasting the location of their users to adversaries, exposing forces to interception, jamming and missile strikes. But the cat-and-mouse game may soon be over. Chinese researchers have claimed a breakthrough that enables...

Events

41 h. ago Do Singapore’s insurers and private hospitals need a rethink as costs surge?

A major insurer in Singapore has suspended pre-treatment approval for policyholders seeking treatment in two private hospitals due to high costs, in a case that has prompted scrutiny of the city state’s reputable healthcare industry. Great Eastern’s move has spurred industry experts to call for calibrated adjustments to the healthcare insurance system involving the key stakeholders instead of an overhaul, and greater data transparency to help policyholders make informed decisions as expenses...

Economics

41 h. ago Hong Kong’s annual anime fair to double venue size to cut waiting times for fans

Hong Kong’s annual comics and games fair is set to double its venue size this year to shorten waiting times for fans when it launches at the end of the month, according to the organiser. Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong 2025 is set to run from July 25 to 29 at Halls 1 and 3 of the Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the festival to feature a record-high number of 160 exhibitors and more than 788 booths. The event will mark the 26th year of the fair. It will span more than 34,870 square metres,...

Politics

45 h. ago Business leaders call for efforts to combat ‘Hong Kong equals China’ perception

Hong Kong must work harder to be as international as possible under the “one country, two systems” framework to combat a growing perception in Western capitals that it is no different from any other mainland Chinese city, business leaders have urged. The city also maintains a significant lead over regional rival Singapore in key financial metrics, panellists at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference said on Tuesday. “The problem is that many of them feel that Hong Kong equals China,”...

Politics

45 h. ago Efforts needed to combat view ‘Hong Kong equals mainland China’: business leaders

Hong Kong must work harder to be as international as possible under the “one country, two systems” framework to combat a growing perception in Western capitals that it is no different from mainland Chinese cities, business leaders have urged. The city also maintains a significant lead over regional rival Singapore in key financial metrics, panellists at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference 2025 said on Tuesday. “The problem is that many of them feel that Hong Kong equals China,” said...

Politics

46 h. ago Malaysia’s Rosmah wins US$23,600 damages over black magic claims by TikTokker

Former Malaysian first lady Rosmah Mansor has won 100,000 ringgit (US$23,600) in damages in a defamation case against a TikTokker who uploaded a video claiming that she had dabbled in black magic. The Kuala Lumpur High Court said on Tuesday that Rosmah had proven her claim against 35-year-old Ku Muhammad Hilmie Ku Din. “This global award comprises general and aggravated damages,” Justice Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh said during the damages assessment hearing, according to a report by local daily...

Events

49 h. ago Thai PM’s suspension reignites debate, Malaysia’s new tax: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia 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. Malaysia’s new ‘luxury’ taxes hit the middle class where it hurts 2. PM’s suspension reignites debate on ‘judicial activism’ of Thailand’s courts 3. Philippines’ Duterte ends womanising era, leaving ‘13 to 27’ lovers behind 4. Chinese ambassador’s ‘grandstanding’...

Economics

49 h. ago Australia gets ‘unsolicited advice’; Indonesian mine concern: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia 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. Malaysia’s new ‘luxury’ taxes hit the middle class where it hurts 2. PM’s suspension reignites debate on ‘judicial activism’ of Thailand’s courts 3. Philippines’ Duterte ends womanising era, leaving ‘13 to 27’ lovers behind 4. Chinese ambassador’s ‘grandstanding’...

Politics

51 h. ago As US drops among Chinese study preferences, Singapore beckons

Miya Zheng once aimed to earn a master’s degree when she first arrived in the United States for her undergraduate studies. But now, three years later, the Chinese national has shifted her sights halfway across the world – to Singapore. “After staying here for some time, I realised that this isn’t quite the right place for me in the long run,” said Zheng, who is majoring in economics and statistics in the US and aspires to work outside China after graduating. She has faced increasing hurdles as...

Politics

51 h. ago Status, culture, cost: more Chinese students choosing Singapore as US declines

Miya Zheng once aimed to earn a master’s degree when she first arrived in the United States for her undergraduate studies. But now, three years later, the Chinese national has shifted her sights halfway across the world – to Singapore. “After staying here for some time, I realised that this isn’t quite the right place for me in the long run,” said Zheng, who is majoring in economics and statistics in the US and aspires to work outside China after graduating. She has faced increasing hurdles as...

Politics