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Military

J-16s vs Rafales: Chinese air force puts jets to the war-game test

State broadcaster offers a look at a PLA exercise simulating an air combat scenario between Chinese and foreign forces.

The war game simulated an encounter between Chinese and French multi-role fighters. Photo: CCTV

China Personalities

Chinese food vlogger banned after vinegar-soaked chewing gum videos go viral

The influencer accumulated 700,000 followers and achieved 10 million likes across three platforms before being banned.

A Chinese food vlogger faces online backlash for eating fish oil pills and vinegar-soaked chewing gum. Photo: Douyin

Celebrities

Who is Oona Chaplin, who plays Varang in Avatar: Fire and Ash?

The granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin has a long family legacy in film, and is perhaps best known for her appearance on Game of Thrones.

Oona Chaplin was hand-picked by director James Cameron for her role in the new Avatar movie. Photo: Invision/AP

Society

Hong Kong water pipe leak leaves 3,000 households dry during winter solstice

Repairs continue after a burst pipe on San Wan Road in Sheung Shui leaves thousands without water and gatherings severely disrupted.

A burst pipe on San Wan Road in Sheung Shui, has left thousands of households without water. Photo: Eugene Lee

Society

Filipino helper killed in Hong Kong fire hailed as heroine on repatriation

Filipino official says Maryan Pascual Esteban’s body arrives in country while Hong Kong authorities vow long-term support for affected residents.

Secretary for Migrant Workers Hans Leo Cacdac (second from right) and others bow their heads next to the coffin of Maryan Pascual Esteban. Photo: Handout
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Entertainment

3 forgotten Hong Kong wuxia gems from director Chor Yuen

Chor Yuen’s Duel for Gold, Clans of Intrigue and Jade Tiger may be less famous than some of his other films, but are just as groundbreaking.

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Ti Lung in a still from Clans of Intrigue (1977). Photo: Celestial Pictures

China’s cabinet clears path for VAT law to take effect next month

State Council approves draft regulations to implement the new law, which aims to govern China’s biggest source of tax revenue.

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Shoppers browse goods in a gift shop in Beijing, China on December 8. Chinese authorities have highlighted tax policy as a way to support growth amid weak demand. Photo: EPA

Society

Hong Kong man rescued after paraglider spirals out of control, hits trees

Paraglider, 49, winched to safety by government helicopter after hiker spots him crashing near Pyramid Hill in Ma On Shan.

Pyramid Hill in Ma On Shan is said to be Hong Kong’s largest paragliding site. Photo: Handout

Africa

South African gun violence kills 9, wounds 10 in pub shooting

With almost 26,000 homicides in 2024, or more than 70 per day on average, South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

Family members of a victim react at the scene of an attack at a tavern in Bekkersdal, Johannesburg, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Economics

Why India to Europe trade corridor is stalling even as talks continue

A key hurdle hampering the progress of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is the lingering uncertainty over Gaza.

Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi (left) and then US President Joe Biden attend the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and India-Europe-Middle East Corridor meeting on September 9, 2023. Photo: Indian Press Information Bureau/EPA-EFE
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Today in Photos

Gallery | In pictures: Santa Claus celebrations for Christmas 2025

A person dressed as Santa Claus dives with sharks, rays, and fish at the AquaRio aquarium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: EPA

China Opinion

Opinion | Arguing about China’s overcapacity overlooks its drive for clean energy

What is often described as overcapacity is the outcome of a development strategy that treats energy as the foundation of economic capability.

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Fields of solar panels at a power station in Weining, Guizhou province, in China on July 3. Photo: Xinhua

Racing

Hewitson ‘striving for even more’ as he looks to continue strong start

The South African rides the likes of Shanwah, Sky Song and Shinkansen at the city circuit on Tuesday night.

Lyle Hewitson has a useful book at Happy Valley. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Other Sport

Fake snow shortage for Winter Olympics? Ski chief urges organisers to hurry

Italy government has not released funding, skiing boss says as he calls situation ‘unexplainable’ with less than 50 days until Games.

There have been problems over producing artificial snow for the Winter Olympics’ skiing and snowboarding venues. Photo: Reuters

People & Culture

Bangkok puppy yoga studio offers comfort and stress relief for US$60 per session

Studio collaborates with local dog shelters and breeders, showcasing breeds such as Samoyeds, golden retrievers, and huskies.

A puppy yoga studio in Bangkok offers visitors comfort and stress relief for US$60 for each one-hour session. Photo: RedNote
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Science

Exclusive | ‘No need to explain’: leading mRNA vaccine expert Hu Haitao leaves US for China

China is catching up fast in mRNA-related fundamental research and technological development, Hu says.

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Leading mRNA immunologist Hu Haitao has joined the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Microbiology in Beijing. Photo: Handout

Politics

Bondi Beach attack sparks global misinformation crisis, and AI-driven hate

A leading counterterrorism expert warns that ‘agentic AI’ and political point-scoring are fuelling a toxic symbiosis between extremists.

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A memorial is seen on the footbridge used in the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Middle East

No phones and cameras: inside Saudi’s discreet expansion of booze sales

The kingdom’s only outlet that sells liquor has expanded access to rich expatriates, marking a bold shift in Riyadh’s social policies.

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Festivalgoers gather near a booth serving non-alcoholic beer during the Soundstorm music festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 11. Photo: AP

Fashion & Beauty

Explainer | What is horse oil and why is it a popular skin treatment in East Asia?

Horse oil is said to intensely hydrate skin, fortify hair, and diminish the appearance of wrinkles, but research is lacking on such claims.

Horse oil has been used for centuries to treat burned and chapped skin, and later as a beauty product. Photo: Shutterstock

Culture

In pictures: Hong Kong’s Christmas festivities, from the 1970s to 90s

In the late 20th century, Hong Kong transformed into a hub of festive cheer with bright lights, seasonal decor and plenty of Christmas treats.

Christmas decorations in Landmark in Central, Hong Kong, in 1988. Photo: SCMP Archives
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Society

Chocolate, cheer and charity: Hong Kong children whip up treats at festive workshop

From cupcake decorating to chocolate treats, Nina Hospitality and Operation Santa Claus team up to bring seasonal joy to youth in need.

Children from the Hong Kong Paediatric Rheumatism Association enjoyed a festive workshop organised by Hong Kong’s Nina Hotel Island South and Operation Santa Claus. Photo: Handout

Southeast Asia

Thailand strikes Cambodia casino, bridge as Asean pushes for peace

Bangkok is expected to urge Phnom Penh to declare a ceasefire at Monday’s Asean talks and join an effort in clearing mine fields.

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Smoke rises from a building following an explosion near the Trat and Thmar Dar border between Thailand and Cambodia on December 10. Photo: Royal Thai Navy via Reuters

Hong Kong Economy

New bypass and transport links to boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness: Paul Chan

Finance chief also says city’s planned major road and rail expansion will drive deeper Greater Bay Area integration.

The long-awaited Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass has officially opened on Sunday. Photo: Eugene Lee

United States & Canada

Massive San Francisco power outage leaves thousands in the dark

The blackout in the US city forced many businesses to close for the day at the height of the holiday shopping period.

Fog and power outages darken the skyline as traffic moves in San Francisco on Saturday. Photo: AP

Tech Trends

Moore Threads unveils new AI chips to challenge Nvidia

The Shanghai-listed chipmaker launched the Huashan chip for AI and the Lushan chip for gaming, promising superior performance for both.

Moore Threads’ shares have soared since their debut in Shanghai on December 5. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
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Racing

Frankie Lor hopes Regal Gem can answer mile question at the Valley

His improving galloper stretches out to the distance for the first time with Zac Purton in the saddle on Tuesday.

Regal Gem wins at Happy Valley in November. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Politics

Deadly Tai Po blaze affected Hong Kong Legco election voter turnout: minister

Constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang says city’s worst fire in decades ‘dampened enthusiasm’, leading to second-lowest rate since 1997.

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Hong Kong’s Legco election turnout rose slightly from 2021, but officials say the deadly fire in Tai Po impacted the public’s will to vote. Photo: Sam Tsang

China Personalities

Ex-painter is first China woman in world slap contest, says helps to confront fears

Ding leaves a thriving career in gaming industry as art director with an annual salary of US$43,000.

A former art director, who became China’s first woman contestant in a world slapping competition, says it helps her to confront fears. Photo: Douyin.QQ.com

Lifestyle & Culture

How Singapore’s unforgiving food scene can go hot and cold on brands

Over 3,000 eateries shut their doors last year, the highest since 2005, in one of the world’s most competitive dining markets.

The opening of Chick-fil-A’s first outlet in Singapore on December 11 drew a long queue. Photo: YouTube/Chick-fil-A

Russia & Central Asia

Russia says Putin open to Ukraine war talks with France’s Macron

Moscow’s response came after the French president urged Europe to ‘re-engage’ with the Russian leader.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin tastes pastries in Moscow on Saturday. Photo: Sputnik/Kremlin via AP