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Hong Kong watchdog warns against using Musk’s Grok AI...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has raised concerns over the potential misuse of the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s company, warning that using its image-generation function to create indecent or malicious content could amount to criminal offences. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) issued a statement on Thursday after various countries raised concerns about Grok’s image-editing function that allowed users to digitally “undress”

Asean urged to rethink stance as Myanmar election...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

With Myanmar in the throes of an election widely expected to return its military junta to power, calls have renewed for Asean to rethink its approach of not engaging the regime. The region, observers warn, should also brace itself for the “very real possibility” that half of Southeast Asia might eventually recognise the results of Myanmar’s election and by extension the ruling junta. On Sunday, Myanmar began its second round of voting in the country’s first general election since the military...

Bid-rigging clamp, smoke-free construction sites:...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

Hong Kong’s new Legislative Council held its first meeting on Wednesday, with lawmakers focusing on follow-up work after last November’s deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which claimed the lives of 161 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and government officials outlined priorities including rehousing the displaced residents, reforming industry practices and holding those responsible for the tragedy accountable. The Post looks into the measures...

Hong Kong, Shenzhen push secure data corridor to...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

Hong Kong and Shenzhen are establishing a white list for data transfers as part of an overarching effort to forge closer cross-border ties, which policymakers and business leaders see as essential to unlocking opportunities in artificial intelligence and fintech in the region. “If you have a white list to facilitate the movement of sensitive data, biological data and samples between Hong Kong and [mainland] China, it would ensure trust between [parties sending and receiving information]

Hong Kong police hunt trio after HK$838,000 watch...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

A 21‑year‑old Hong Kong woman’s Van Cleef & Arpels watch worth HK$838,000 (US$107,000) has gone missing from the city’s oldest luxury hotel after she invited three men to her room for drinks in the early hours of Thursday. Police said staff at The Peninsula Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui filed a report at 10.55am that day after the guest claimed her Lady Arpels Pont des Amoureux timepiece had been stolen. The case has been classified as theft. Investigators said the woman rented a room at the

China folk custom beats women to boost fertility,...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

An uncivilised folk custom in ancient China known as Pai Xi, or “Beating for Joy”, involved striking women with sticks in an attempt to exorcise evil spirits and pray for conception. Pai Xi, also known as Da Sheng, meaning “Beating for Birth”, is believed to have originated in southern China, particularly in Jiangsu and Fujian provinces. It was a fertility ritual that gained popularity during the Song dynasty (960–1279). According to the Records of National Customs of China, in rural areas of...

US aircraft carrier steams from South China Sea to...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

A US aircraft carrier has reportedly left the South China Sea after a live-fire drill and is heading to the Middle East amid anti-government protests in Iran. US cable news network NewsNation reported on Thursday that the Pentagon ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group, which includes Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, to leave their position in the South China Sea and sail towards the Middle East. According to the US Naval Institute’s carrier tracker, there...

India’s aim to diversify trade via Iran faces US...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on countries that do business with Iran has dented India’s ambition for the strategic Chabahar port and affected New Delhi’s trade with Tehran. Trump’s latest threat could curtail shipments of Indian basmati rice to Iran, but is likely to have a limited impact on India’s trade competitiveness since Iran accounts for about 0.3 per cent of its overall exports, according to analysts. Shipments of the rice, one of India’s biggest...

Softcovers and selfies: China’s bookshops find fame...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

In China, bookstores are the new hotspot, but not because of what’s on the shelves. Eye-catching interior designs are drawing photographers and influencers to snap photos among the bookshelves. But not everyone is happy about this new trend. China’s bookworms argue that the crowds, noise and flash photography are ruining the vibe of these once tranquil spaces.

Taco Trump? It’s traders who are chickening out now

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

One acronym has epitomised investors’ perception of US President Donald Trump’s resolve in following through on his threats to impose sky-high tariffs on America’s trading partners.On May 2 last year, Financial Times commentator Robert Armstrong came up with “Taco”, which stands for “Trump always chickens out”. This was meant to describe the sharp rally in stock markets following Trump’s decision in April to suspend his “reciprocal” tariffs. Further climbdowns, albeit partial ones, convinced...

Singapore’s PM Lawrence Wong removes Pritam Singh as...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has stripped Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh of his role as the city state’s first Leader of the Opposition following Singh’s conviction for lying under oath to a parliamentary committee. Singh assumed the official role in 2020 following the general election where his party secured a record 10 elected seats in parliament. Then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong announced during a press conference that Singh would be provided with staff and...

Hong Kong authorities halt use of elevating platform...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

Hong Kong labour authorities have suspended the use of elevating platforms at a construction site where a 65-year-old worker died after getting trapped between the device’s railing and a wall. The Labour Department on Thursday said it was “saddened” by the death and had launched an investigation to identify the cause of the accident that took place at the Victoria Blossom housing project on Shing Fung Lane in Kai Tak on Wednesday afternoon. A spokesman said the department had issued

South Korean leader Lee takes ‘pragmatic approach’ to...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s back-to-back visits to China and Japan suggest a “pragmatic approach” to reset ties with both countries as tensions soar between Beijing and Tokyo, analysts said. Lee met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday during a two-day trip to Japan. Speaking to reporters after their summit in Nara – Takaichi’s hometown – Lee said there was “unprecedented turmoil” in the global political landscape and trade order. He stressed the need for South Korea

Why US is splurging US$45 million on Thai-Cambodian...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

Washington’s recent offer of US$45 million in funding to reinforce the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire is a sign that the US is scrambling to regain the upper hand over China in mediating the rift between the Southeast Asian neighbours, according to analysts. Announcing the funding on Friday, Michael DeSombre, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said the Thai and Cambodian governments would strive to implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, signed last year when US...

Malaysia says X must prove Grok is safe before ban is...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

Malaysia is amenable to lifting its ban on Grok – but only if Elon Musk’s microblogging site X proves that its AI chatbot can no longer be used to generate sexualised images of women and minors, according to its communications minister. “X must prove that there will no longer be incidents of videos or images that can be misused by users. If that is settled, we can release the temporary ban,” Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Thursday. Over the weekend, Malaysia and Indonesia became...

China to cut relending rates, widen credit support...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

China’s central bank is looking to pump 900 billion yuan (US$129.2 billion) worth of additional funds into private and technology firms, alongside slashing key policy relending rates by a quarter of a percentage point, in a fresh round of monetary easing designed to shore up the economy. The new plan includes an extra 500 billion yuan for agriculture and small businesses, said Zou Lan, a deputy governor of the bank, at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday. The bank will also expand its...

China’s SpacemiT to launch server-class RISC-V...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

Chinese semiconductor start-up SpacemiT, fresh off an over US$86 million funding round, is gearing up for mass production of its new RISC-V chips, using an architecture rivalling Intel’s and Arm’s, which is seen as Beijing’s hope for achieving chip self-sufficiency. The Hangzhou-based company recently completed a series B funding round raising more than 600 million yuan from investors, including fellow Hangzhou firm Huaxia Hengtian, the Beijing Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund...

China’s Ningbo cuisine; Hong Kong goes Back to the...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘Umami, salty, stinky’: how 3 flavours define China’s Ningbo cuisine Located directly south of Shanghai across Hangzhou Bay, Ningbo is just a two-hour ride away from China’s biggest city on the high-speed rail. For many, the first thing that may come to mind is the city’s famous tangyuan (glutinous rice dumplings).

Malaysia’s super-rich get cold feet as Langkawi...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

For the very rich, a dream car like a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche used to cost 2.5 million ringgit (US$617,240) in Langkawi, a duty-free island in Malaysia’s Kedah state. They will now cost about 5 million ringgit. Industry players say the federal government’s move to abolish tax exemptions for luxury vehicles priced above 300,000 ringgit in Langkawi is expected to hurt the automotive sector and reduce long-term government revenue. Industry veteran Mohamad Azhar Mohd Jamil said the

Mapping issues in 7 of 8 power bank rental platforms...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2026/01/15

Map applications used by seven of eight power bank rental platforms display inaccurate navigation or location data, which may cause delays and extra charges for users, Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has found. The Consumer Council on Thursday also found a significant variance in rental fees across different stations within the same platforms, with charges for a 30-minute rental differing by nearly 1.3 times and the daily cap on charges differing by more than 2.3 times. “When in urgent need of

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