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Tennis

Zheng Qinwen to join Osaka, Alcaraz in 1 Point Slam before Australian Open

Olympic champion to play in A$1 million sudden-death exhibition event after months out with elbow injury.

Zheng Qinwen will attempt another comeback in Melbourne next month. Photo: EPA

East Asia

US to grant Seoul exception on nuclear submarine fuel supply

Seoul to formalise right to build nuclear-powered submarines via Aukus-style waiver requiring approval from Trump and US Congress.

US Navy officers stand aboard a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine in Western Australia in February. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Thai marines rescue starving lions, bears from Cambodian border casino

Officials say the two lions, two Asiatic black bears and one sun bear suffered from underfeeding and prolonged neglect at Thmor Dar Casino.

Two bears found caged inside a Cambodian casino were later rescued by Thai marines. Photo: Facebook/DNP1362

Law and Crime

Hong Kong customs seizes counterfeit goods worth HK$36 million in crackdown

Customs warn criminals using high demand over holiday season as ‘smokescreen’ to move illicit goods.

Some of the counterfeit items seized by customs in the recent operation. Photo: Handout

Military

Top PLA Air Force duo miss key military event led by Xi as graft fight rolls on

Generals Chang Dingqiu and Guo Puxiao were not present at PLA promotions ceremony on Monday, footage broadcast by CCTV shows.

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President Xi Jinping (centre), also chairman of the CMC, poses with top military officers at the promotions ceremony in Beijing on Monday. Pictured at the back are newly promoted generals Yang Zhibin (left) and Han Shengyan. Photo: AP
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Society

Helper who survived Hong Kong fire recovers in Philippines for Christmas

Rhodora Alcaraz earlier lauded by Philippine president as hero for her role in helping save three-month-old baby during last month’s fire.

Rhodora Alcaraz (front right) is still covering after last month’s deadly fire in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

China Personalities

Profile | China actress Mao Xiaotong abandoned by dad, rejects his post-fame cash demands

‘Cute and sweet’ exterior of 37-year-old actress hides an inner strength that saw her stand up to her ‘alcoholic’ father, philandering ex-boyfriend.

Chinese actress Mao Xiaotong, who known for her pure image, has endured severe hardships in her life, including being abandoned at birth by her father and discovering her boyfriend’s affair in 2017. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/QQ.com

Politics

Not for cars: Philippine fugitive accused of building ‘cash basement’

Zaldy Co, who is on the run, has been accused of being involved in the flood-control corruption scandal.

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Anti-corruption prosecutors in the Philippines have accused Zaldy Co, a former congressman, and others of defrauding the state through “ghost” and substandard flood-control projects. Photo: Captured off YouTube

Europe

Zelensky details US-backed 20-point peace plan for Russia and Putin

Zelensky weighs land concessions to Putin in a US-backed deal, seeking a ceasefire and a demilitarised zone in Donetsk to end Russia’s war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine last week. Photo: EPA

Economics

India’s new law to fuel energy needs, drive nuclear power growth

The new law, which will end years of near-exclusive state control, could unlock stalled investment and boost nuclear capacity, analysts say.

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Fishermen tether a boat on the shore near the Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, India. Photo: AP
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Chinese culture

How China fell in love with My Little Pony collectible cards

When My Little Pony first aired on TV in China, it didn’t take off. Instead, it was collectible cards that saw it become a galloping success.

My Little Pony trading cards have become hugely popular across China, with fans hoping to find rare cards in packs.

China Business

China Jinmao sells 5-star Ritz-Carlton hotel in Sanya for US$322 million

Asset restructuring aims to boost liquidity as mainland China developers face a prolonged property downturn.

Ritz-Carlton Sanya Yalong Bay has demonstrated mature and stable operations with favourable profitability and cash flow, says China Jinmao. Photo: Keith Chan

Global Economy

Burglary of JD.com warehouse in France prompts investigation, speculation

The theft, with over 50,000 items stolen by some estimates, casts a shadow over the Chinese e-commerce giant’s first Christmas in France.

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A worker sorts packages for delivery at a JD.com warehouse in Beijing. Photo: AFP

Politics

Najib’s children lament Malaysian court ruling – ‘we thought he was coming home’

The ex-prime minister has lost his case to have his imprisonment commuted to house arrest based on a supposed royal decree.

A supporter of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak wears a t-shirt displaying Razak’s face at the Federal Court in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in August. Photo: EPA

Health & Environment

Cool Christmas break for Hong Kong as temperatures to reach as low as 14 degrees

‘The weather will be cloudier over the region with temperatures falling progressively during the Christmas holiday,’ Observatory says.

The minimum temperature on Christmas Day will be 15 degrees as winds from the north strengthen before going as low as 14 degrees on Boxing Day. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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Southeast Asia

Thailand’s Anutin named PM candidate for ‘consequential’ February poll

Caretaker leader Anutin Charnvirakul named Bhumjaithai’s PM candidate, banking on nationalism and Cambodia tensions to win election.

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Thailand’s caretaker PM Anutin Charnvirakul reacts at a Bangkok event on Wednesday while unveiling policies ahead of February’s general election. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

South Korean webtoon slammed for heroine resembling Kim Jong-un’s daughter Ju-ae

Critics say the romantic comedy ‘Princess Goes to School’ risks softening perceptions of North Korea’s regime.

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Left: The cover image for Princess Goes to School, a South Korean webtoon on Naver. Right: Kim Jong-un walks with his daughter Kim Ju-ae in April. Photos: Naver, EPA-EFE

Asia

Video | Japan’s ‘laughing ritual’ draws thousands

Participants laugh continuously for 20 minutes at the centuries-old ceremony rooted in Japanese mythology.

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Asia

Video | Kim Jong-un visits new resort with daughter

The new facilities feature indoor and outdoor baths, as well as barbecue restaurants.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae attended opening ceremonies for the country’s lavish new mountain resort on December 20, 2025.
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Arts

Meet the Korean viral ‘dancing conductor’ who says he’s not actually dancing

Some conductors are visibly moved by the music, but Korean maestro Baek Yoon-hak takes that concept a step or two further.

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South Korea’s “dancing conductor” Baek Yoon-hak uses his energy-filled moves to get the whole audience joining in.
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China Business

China’s Deep Robotics joins IPO rush as embodied intelligence sector heats up

The Hangzhou robot maker has entered the IPO ‘guidance’ phase, becoming the latest embodied intelligence start-up to eye an A-share listing.

In dogged pursuit: Deep Robotics is the second embodied intelligence company after Unitree to begin A-share IPO guidance, as Chinese tech firms accelerate fundraising plans onshore and in Hong Kong. Photo: Xinhua

Diplomacy

China, Russia partnership ‘stronger than ever’ despite Western sanctions: envoy

Moscow’s ambassador tells Beijing forum that relations between the two countries have reached their ‘highest level in history’.

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The Russian ambassador to China Igor Morgulov addresses a forum at Renmin University on Tuesday. Photo: Handout

Economics

India’s gem exports defy US tariffs as Asia, Middle East demand grows

Shipments rose 19.64 per cent year on year to US$2.51 billion in November, reflecting a successful diversification push, analysts say.

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A salesman checks the quality of a diamond necklace through a magnifier at a jewellery store in Chennai. India is the world’s largest exporter of diamonds due to its dominance in gem cutting and polishing. Photo: AFP

China EVs

BYD’s big plans in Brazil, Xpeng tries to go global: 7 EV reads

From EV battery giants in China venturing into shipbuilding to BYD’s ambitious plans in Brazil, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

BYD’s confidence in Brazil was reinforced in October with the opening of the company’s large passenger vehicle factory in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong

Gallery | In pictures: Hong Kong’s Christmas decorations, lights and festive displays

“Magical Christmas @ Harbour City” presented by Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Eugene Lee
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Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore’s athletes debate on funding after official’s ‘come to party’ review

The debate was prompted by a sports official’s underwhelming assessment of Singapore’s performance in athletics at the recent SEA Games.

Team Singapore marches during the parade of athletes at the SEA Games’ closing ceremony in Bangkok on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

East Asia

‘Juicy, delicious’ and sold out: culled bear meat sparks Japan feeding frenzy

‘With news about bears growing, the number of customers who want to eat their meat has increased a lot,’ an eatery owner says.

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People eat bear meat hot pot at a restaurant in Chichibu, Japan’s Saitama prefecture. Photo: AFP

100 Top Tables

Looking back on a bruising year for Hong Kong’s bar industry

Poignant closures included Stockton, The Daily Tot and Foxglove, but 2025 was also the year of the neighbourhood bar, from Mius and Oasis to Sugar King.

Beloved Hong Kong bar The Daily Tot, one day after its closure this month. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Video | Hongkongers urged to use eMPF to ward off scams

The advice comes with a warning about the recent theft of HK$1.8 million from three MPF accounts by scammers using high-quality ID forgeries.

Hongkongers urged to sign up for eMPF platform as defence against scams

Russia & Central Asia

Moscow blast kills 2 police near site of Russian general’s car bombing

Moscow hit by second bombing in three days, following a series of assassinations Russia blames on Ukraine.

Law enforcement officers block the road near the scene of Wednesday’s deadly explosion. Photo: Reuters