37 m. ago Chinese scavenger donates tonnes of supplies to flood victims, keeps nothing

A polio-suffering man has once again moved the mainland public by donating tonnes of supplies to the victims of a flood in southwestern China. Hu Lei, 32, who has been dubbed the Kneeling Giant, bought 5,000kg of rice, 500 boxes of instant noodles, 500 bottles of mineral water, 100 torches and 2,000 pairs of gloves at a combined cost of 55,000 yuan (US$8,000). His friends also bought items worth 20,000 yuan (US$3,000). They drove a truck loaded with supplies to flood-hit Rongjiang County in...

Events

4 h. ago Hong Kong to cancel T1 warning on Sunday afternoon as Typhoon Danas moves away

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. The Hong Kong Observatory will cancel a No 1 tropical cyclone warning on Sunday afternoon as Typhoon Danas moves away from the city, with the forecaster also warning residents to be wary of the extreme heat. “In the past few hours, Danas accelerated northeastwards, moving away from Hong Kong...

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4 h. ago Hong Kong cancels T1 warning on Sunday afternoon as Typhoon Danas moves away

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. The Hong Kong Observatory cancelled a No 1 tropical cyclone signal on Sunday afternoon as Typhoon Danas moved away from the city, with the forecaster also warning residents to be wary of the extreme heat. “In the past few hours, Danas accelerated northeastwards, moving away from Hong Kong...

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5 h. ago Brics leaders urge cohesion, trade and use of local currency to grow clout

Brics leaders have called for stronger cohesion, expanded trade and increased use of local currency to improve the Global South’s clout as an alternative to Western power, even as the bloc of emerging markets maintains ties and partnerships with wealthier countries. As two new members joined the New Development Bank, also known as the “Brics bank”, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told business leaders and investors on Saturday that this delicate balancing act and bid for greater momentum...

Politics

8 h. ago Political dynasties threaten Philippines’ democracy, EU observers warn

The stranglehold of political dynasties on Philippine democracy risks deepening public disillusionment and limiting political pluralism, the European Union’s election mission has warned, as it called for sweeping reforms to the country’s “outdated” election code and party-list system. In its final report released on Thursday, the EU Election Observation Mission said political power in the Philippines remained concentrated within a small circle of elite families, even in institutions meant to...

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20 h. ago Thailand, Japan, China, Malaysia, and more Ignite Asia’s Explosive Rise as The Ultimate Winter Long

Thailand, Japan, China, Malaysia, and more Ignite Asia’s Explosive Rise as The Ultimate Winter Long-Haul Escape for German Tourists Through TUI’s Bold, Expansive Travel Program  Travel And Tour World

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24 h. ago ‘Sheer delusion’ for Hong Kong landlords to refuse to cut rents: CY Leung

Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying has challenged landlords to “adjust their mentality” over rental yields as he renewed his call for price cuts to stem a 40-year-high vacancy rate for commercial properties from rising further amid a slackening economy. Leung, now a top political adviser to the country, also warned that landlords would be harmed in the end if they refused to budge on lowering rents. “It is sheer self-delusion if landlords think they can get the rent level they want by...

Politics

24 h. ago China talent agent Yang Tianzhen, who works with top stars, pursues US degree

She is one of the biggest names in China’s entertainment industry, and spotting talent is her business. But Yang Tianzhen is now putting her own skills to the test by studying for a master’s degree in the United States. The famous mainland talent agent and entrepreneur is studying global communication and public policy at the University of Southern California (USC). Her switch from the bright lights of the entertainment industry to the hallowed halls of academia has captivated mainland social...

Politics

27 h. ago ‘Risk is very real’: Malaysia’s Anwar gambles on petrol subsidy cuts

Expertly switching between woks as he whips up appam, the coconut and rice batter pancakes that draw morning commuters to his roadside stall in a Kuala Lumpur suburb, Raj Kumar harbours anxieties that simmer away beneath the calm: petrol subsidy cuts are looming and prices may soon rise again. At 44, Raj feels every shift in Malaysia’s rising cost of living – both in the prices he pays for ingredients and the rueful faces of his customers. “Our suppliers raised prices after diesel subsidies were...

Events

28 h. ago Chinese man caught in wig disguise trying to take exam for woman escapes

A bizarre case of academic fraud has sent shock waves through the Chinese online community, as an impostor was caught red-handed cross-dressing as a woman – complete with a wig and face mask – in an attempt to take an exam on behalf of another student. The scandal came to light on June 24 when a Chinese netizen revealed that a male student from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Wuhan, Hubei province, had attempted to impersonate a woman to take an exam at a public venue. According to...

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29 h. ago Warship Shandong wows Hong Kong tour groups with fighter jets, military displays

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong has left many Hong Kong residents and visitors impressed with its contingent of fighter jets and overall military prowess, while tourism sector veterans have said they are looking at how to capitalise on “future warship visits”. China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier and other vessels in its strike group began accepting tours on Saturday morning while the ships were calling at the city. The tours offer the public the chance to explore designated...

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33 h. ago No 1 typhoon signal to stay in effect on Saturday as hot weather grips Hong Kong

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. Typhoon signal No 1 will remain in force on Saturday, Hong Kong’s weather forecaster said, adding the chance of issuing a higher warning is “rather low”. The Hong Kong Observatory also issued a very hot warning at 6.45am. Temperatures in some districts will reach 35 degrees or above on...

Politics

33 h. ago T1 warning to remain in force on Saturday as hot weather grips Hong Kong

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. A No 1 typhoon warning will remain in force on Saturday, the Hong Kong Observatory has said, adding that the chance of issuing a higher signal is “rather low”. The forecaster also issued a very hot weather warning at 6.45am, with temperatures in some districts expected to reach 35 degrees...

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33 h. ago T1 warning to remain in force until Sunday noon as hot weather grips Hong Kong

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. A No 1 typhoon warning will remain in force until noon on Sunday, the Hong Kong Observatory has said, adding that the likelihood of issuing a higher signal is “rather low”. The forecaster also issued a very hot weather warning at 6.45am, with temperatures in some districts expected to reach 35...

Events

34 h. ago Malaysia’s new ‘luxury’ taxes hit the middle class where it hurts

In the calm of his kitchen, Christy Yoong once raised a glass to retirement – good wine, imported cheese and the spoils of a life’s work. But as Malaysia’s new tax regime lands with a thud, even these modest pleasures are slipping out of reach. When Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unveiled his unexpected tax on imported luxuries in June, he promised the pain would be felt only by the affluent. The intent was clear: shore up government coffers by targeting the better-off. Yet the reality, for many...

Events

47 h. ago Did Trump get his ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ at the US dollar’s expense?

The passage of a sprawling budget bill has raised concerns over the long-term debt of the United States, which analysts said could compound already heightened worries over the reliability of the country’s currency as a safe-haven asset. Winning a narrow 218-214 vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – which raises spending on border security and defence while making the record tax cuts enacted in 2017 permanent – now heads to US President Donald Trump...

Politics

47 h. ago Kuala Lumpur’s Aerotrain suffers double trouble after US$100 million relaunch

Malaysia’s long-delayed Aerotrain at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has suffered fresh embarrassment after experiencing two service disruptions within three days, just a week after its US$100 million relaunch and a test ride by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The most recent incident occurred on Friday morning, when a flooded tunnel forced Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to temporarily halt the 1.2km (0.75 miles) rail service linking the main terminal to its international...

Economics

49 h. ago ‘Powerful’: why Shandong’s visit to Hong Kong is geopolitically significant

As Hong Kong celebrates the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, Beijing has once again deployed a powerful naval fleet, this time spearheaded by the aircraft carrier Shandong, highlighting both symbolic significance and strategic resolve amid escalating geopolitical tensions. China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier and its fleet arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday morning, embarking on a five-day visit, which is set to include public tours this weekend. The Shandong is...

Politics

53 h. ago Tickets for G.E.M.’s 3 shows in Hong Kong mostly snapped up within 30 minutes

Concert tickets for the three shows by Hong Kong singer Gloria Tang Tsz-kei, known as G. E. M., at the Kai Tak Stadium from August 15 to 17 were mostly snapped up within 30 minutes when public sales opened on Friday morning. A Post reporter who visited the HK Ticketing website when sales opened observed that the cheapest seats for the Saturday and Sunday shows on August 16 and 17, which cost HK$680 (US$87) each, were sold out within three minutes. Despite the HK Ticketing website showing that...

Politics

54 h. ago Malaysia’s latest gangland shooting linked to international crime syndicate

Malaysian police believe a man gunned down in his Ipoh home last week was the victim of an international organised crime syndicate, marking the latest in a string of unresolved gang-related assassinations in public places that left five people dead and shocked the country last month. Gun violence is rare in Malaysia, where unlicensed gun ownership and even brandishing a firearm as intimidation are capital crimes. But a series of shootings over 12 days in June has sparked public fear - as three...

Events