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Europe

Malta’s ‘golden passports’ ruled illegal for breaking citizenship law: EU court

The European Court of Justice ruled that an EU nation cannot grant nationality or citizenship for payments or investments, as it would commercialise the process.

Skyline from Marsans Harbour at sunset in Valletta, Malta. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong courts Middle East tourists with ‘high-end’ sports offerings

Government touts Hong Kong’s competitive advantages in attractions such as horse racing and yacht tourism.

Tourism chief Rosanna Law (leftmost) witnesses the signing of Memorandums of Understanding in Dubai. Photo: Handout

Lifestyle & Culture

Air Busan passenger detained by Chinese police after latest emergency door scare

South Korean airlines have been urged to enhance their security measures following a spate of mid-flight incidents.

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There has been a spate of incidents where passengers attempt to open emergency exit doors on board South Korean flights. Photo: Shutterstock

Society

Fire at Hong Kong kindergarten forces 270 pupils and teachers to evacuate

Police say blaze at Yuen Long Lutheran Life Kindergarten was linked to air-conditioning unit.

The fire started in a classroom at about 3.40pm at the Yuen Long Lutheran Life Kindergarten on On Shun Street. Photo: Facebook/至尊寶

Politics

Taiwan sets up platform for coordinated response to undersea cable disruptions

Authorities say there have been two incidents of major damage to the island’s ‘digital lifeline’ this year, claiming Beijing was behind them.

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Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council called undersea cables the island’s “digital lifeline”. Photo: Shutterstock
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China Economy

Hollywood faces defining moment in China as Disney prepares new releases

Beijing appears to be holding off on a drastic curb of American film imports – for now, at least – as US-China tensions simmer, analysts said.

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Hollywood has struggled to compete with domestic productions such as “Ne Zha 2” in China over the past few years. Photo: Xinhua

China

Video | Narrow escape as falling crane in China almost crushes man

No casualties have been reported, local police say.

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Narrow escape as falling crane in China almost crushes man

Other Sport

China women’s volleyball coach Zhao says ‘hard work’ can take team back to top

Zhao Yong is overhauling the squad, bringing in youngsters as they aim for medal at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Zhao Yong, the new head coach of China’s women’s national volleyball team, held his first training session on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Video | China and Philippines clash over disputed Sandy Cay

Beijing urges Manila to ‘stop its infringement’ after Philippine personnel land on reef that has become a South China Sea flashpoint

China and Philippines clash over disputed Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands
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Europe

For ‘the good of the church’ disgraced Cardinal withdraws from conclave

Angelo Becciu was forced to resign as head of the Vatican’s saint-making office and his rights as a cardinal because of allegations of financial misconduct.

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Cardinal Angelo Becciu renounced his claim to vote in the conclave to elect the next pope. Photo AP
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Entertainment

Jensen McRae’s journey from Phoebe Bridgers parody to full-fledged singer

In 2021, a viral ‘cover’ song parodying Phoebe Bridgers led to McRae’s debut album and tour. Today, people love her deeply personal songs.

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Jensen McRae released her debut EP in 2021. Photo: AP

Video | Narrow escape as falling crane in China almost crushes man

Narrow escape as falling crane in China almost crushes man
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Southeast Asia

Philippines to slash rice prices in half amid election season

The programme will cost the Marcos government about US$178 million to help the poor, but critics say it is a tool to support government candidates in midterm polls.

Workers move sacks of rice for transport from a National Food Authority warehouse in Metro Manila, Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong Opinion

Opinion | Hong Kong SMEs must act boldly to survive Trump’s tariffs

To chart new paths in uncertain environments, SMEs need to go beyond knowing their business and customers, and see things with fresh eyes.

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Customers browse in an antique shop in Sheung Wan on January 19. Businesses with price-sensitive customers may need to pivot and provide other goods or services. Photo: Dickson Lee

Fashion & Beauty

ChatGPT’s new shopping feature ramps up rivalry with Google

The new capability signals OpenAI’s ambition to compete with Google in a market the latter has controlled for decades.

ChatGPT’s new shopping feature initially focuses on fashion, beauty and home electronics. Product recommendations are personalised and come from the web, not advertisements, OpenAI said. Photo: Reuters
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Video | First batch of Hong Kong subversion offenders freed from jail

Gary Fan, Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam and Claudia Mo served four years and two months behind bars after being convicted of subversion in a major national security trial

Hong Kong 47: first 4 subversion offenders walk out of prison after completing sentences
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Hong Kong

Gallery | In pictures: explore Hong Kong through miniature art

“Night Vibes: Temple Street” by Ian Choi and Tim Ho. Photo: May Tse

Global Economy

US, China seen cutting tariffs this year, but much damage already done: analysts

Unless tariff-related uncertainty is resolved quickly, a ‘sharp, synchronous slowdown’ is possible, Morgan Stanley warns.

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Washington has imposed tariffs totalling 145 per cent on Chinese imports so far this year. Image: Shutterstock

Health & Environment

Asia’s clean energy aim at risk as nations mull US gas deals amid tariff fears

The sector can weather the impact of Trump’s tariffs through regional cooperation and finding trade routes outside the US, experts suggest.

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A liquefied natural gas tanker is tugged towards a thermal power station in Futtsu, east of Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Reuters

Football

Could Hong Kong v India football clash take place at Kai Tak? Officials coy

New stadium listed as venue for June’s match by Asian federation, meaning Hong Kong could play three matches at three stadiums in 12 days.

Hong Kong’s footballers could be set to face India at Kai Tak Stadium in June. Photo: Dickson Lee
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East Asia

Singapore elections, Thai park ranger sacked: 7 Asia highlights

From Singapore’s election to Southeast Asians being deported from the US, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (second from left) waves with fellow People’s Action Party team members after delivering their speeches at a nomination centre on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Mao’s protracted war insights offered as inspiration in US-China trade conflict

Beijing Daily commentary said the famous 1938 essay would encourage people to remain confident of eventual victory.

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Mao Zedong, the founder of China’s ruling Communist Party, whose 1938 essay predicted that the country would prevail after a prolonged and difficult war with Japan. Photo: Handout

Travel & Leisure

What to do in world’s ‘best value’ holiday spot, Portugal’s Algarve

From stunning beaches to nature and water parks, here’s how to have a great family holiday in the Algarve, plus when to go and where to stay.

A surfer looks out over Praia do Amado, a beach and surf spot near Sagres and Lagos in Portugal’s southern Algarve region. Photo: Shutterstock

Racing

No Rebel’s Romance but Stellenbosch among overseas Champions & Chater Cup entries

Voyage Bubble remains on track for the race but could face a stern challenge from the foreign contingent.

Stellenbosch works under Joao Moreira at Sha Tin in December. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Politics

China mulls law on standards for national 5-year plans

Draft legislation goes before the NPC, a decade after first being mooted.

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The legislation is meant to improve strategic guidance for national development plans. Photo: AP
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Design & Interiors

Hong Kong architect designs his young family’s first home

A Hong Kong architect navigates the challenges and rewards of designing his young family’s first home.

Living room of the Tai Hang apartment designed by Arnold Wong, of ARTA Architects. Photo: @matteisthenewblack

People

Student in South Korea injures 7 during stabbing rampage at Cheongju high school

Police are investigating the motive behind the shocking attack that injured educators, staff and a parent.

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Members of a South Korean Police Crime Scene Investigation team probe at a high school in Cheongju on April 28, 2025, after a knife attack by a student. Photo AFP

Economic Indicators

Shenzhen lags China in GDP, exports as tech hub preps for tariff wave

The southern metropolis failed to beat the national average, even as exporters locked in early orders to get ahead of US tariffs.

Shenzhen’s first-quarter GDP and export figures fell behind those of China as a whole, a worrying sign as US tariffs begin to take effect. Photo: Reuters

Companies

Evergrande chairman Hui Ka-yan refuses to disclose assets, liquidators say

Hui expressed his intention to the court on April 23 that he would not be disclosing his assets, a lawyer for the liquidators said.

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Evergrande chairman Hui Ka-yan pictured in November 2017. Photo: Visual China Group via Getty Images

South Asia

Kashmir gunfire persists as Pakistan flags ‘immediate’ war threat

For a fifth straight night, soldiers have exchanged fire along the tense Line of Control. Islamabad says the next few days are crucial.

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Indian paramilitary troopers stand guard at a market area in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, on Monday. Photo: AFP