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News - South China Morning Post

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Super Typhoon Fung-Wong: at least 2 die in...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

At least two people have died in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Fung-wong lashed central and eastern parts of the country, with heavy rains and strong winds cutting power in large areas ahead of its expected landfall in northern Luzon, the nation’s main island. More than a million people have evacuated vulnerable areas at risk of flash floods, landslides and tidal surges, ahead of Fung-Wong’s projected landfall in Aurora province – as early as Sunday night – with officials urging residents

Why ‘little giants’ thrive in China’s manufacturing...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

Yadea – the world’s leading electric two-wheeler brand for eight consecutive years – runs a plant in its home base of Wuxi, in east China’s Jiangsu province, where a single assembly line can produce 1,300 electric bicycles and scooters a day, offering visitors a glimpse of the country’s manufacturing prowess. As of last year, Hong Kong-listed Yadea had sold over 100 million electric two-wheelers in more than 100 countries. It exemplifies how Chinese manufacturers are leveraging automation to...

Tesla and global carmakers race against Chinese EV...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

International brands led by Tesla are intensifying their efforts to compete with Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturers like BYD, as they showcase advanced intelligence and autonomous-driving technology to attract visitors at the world’s largest import-export trade fair in Shanghai. The 12 major carmakers, including General Motors and Volvo, are leveraging the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which runs through Monday, to promote their latest models featuring longer ranges,

Top astrophysicist moves to Hong Kong to head new HKU...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

World-renowned astrophysicist Zhang Bing has joined the University of Hong Kong as a chair professor after nearly three decades in the United States. Zhang left the University of Nevada, Las Vegas – where he was a distinguished professor of physics and astronomy – to become the founding director of the newly established Hong Kong Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (HKIAA) at HKU. He said his role in Hong Kong was full-time, but he would continue supervising his PhD students in the US

South Korean Red Cross chief quits over...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

The head of South Korea’s Red Cross has resigned after being caught on tape making remarks about “dark-skinned” foreign diplomats – a scandal that has sparked public outrage, drawn a rebuke from the president and renewed scrutiny of racial prejudice in an increasingly diverse society. In the leaked audio, Kim Chul-soo was heard complaining that a recent Red Cross gala had been attended “only [by] the non-significant foreign ambassadors … just the dark-skinned people”, and instructed staff not

5 ways Hong Kong can stand out as a global education hub

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

Hong Kong’s government has repeatedly declared its ambition to turn the city into an international education hub. In speeches, policy documents and investment plans, this vision is portrayed as central to boosting competitiveness, revitalising the economy and deepening integration with the Greater Bay Area development zone. Can Hong Kong truly achieve this goal, and under what conditions? For decades, Hong Kong’s universities have stood among Asia’s finest. With strong English-language...

Jeremy Renner denies sending lewd photos to Chinese...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

Actor Jeremy Renner has denied a series of allegations raised by filmmaker Yi Zhou, including that he sent her unsolicited sexual messages and threatened to call US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the Chinese writer-director. “The allegations are totally inaccurate and untrue,” a representative for Renner told People magazine. Zhou, who says she worked with Renner on both the documentary Chronicles of Disney as well as an animated film, came forward with her allegations against

Hong Kong ‘HKSOS’ app to add live location sharing,...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

A Hong Kong police mobile app that has helped in the rescue of 272 people since its launch last year will soon be upgraded to include live location sharing for groups while the number of emergency contacts will also be increased to enhance users’ safety. Senior Superintendent Swalikh Mohammed of the digital policing services bureau told the Post in an exclusive interview that the force would roll out an upgrade for its “HKSOS” app in December. The app has been downloaded 150,000 times since

China nightclub offers marriage registration with...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

A nightclub in eastern China has teamed up with local authorities to offer a marriage registration service, with electronic music festival tickets as a special gift. The Huangpu district civil affairs bureau in Shanghai has partnered with the nightclub INS Land to offer marriage registration and appointment services during two weekends starting on November 14. Nestled in a century-old park in Shanghai, INS Land covers 20,000 square metres and fuses esports, music and art performances. It has...

Chinese tourists flock to Singapore for ‘da ka’...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/09

Melody Liu had been in Singapore for just three days when she blew past her 5,000 yuan (HK$5,450) travel budget – and reached for her long-sleeved hooded shirt with attached visor to brave another day in the sweltering heat. “I was so shocked when a 10-minute taxi ride cost more than 100 yuan, because it would cost less than 20 yuan back home,” said the 32-year-old from Harbin in China’s northeast. “I knew that Singapore has a high cost of living, but it’s a different matter to experience...

Syria leader arrives in US for Trump visit after...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in the United States on Saturday for a landmark official visit, his country’s state news agency reported, a day after Washington removed him from a terrorism blacklist. Sharaa, whose rebel forces ousted long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad late last year, is due to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The interim leader met Trump for the first time in Riyadh during the US president’s regional tour in May. US envoy to Syria Tom

Hong Kong holds key ‘accelerator’ role as China’s...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

China’s trade has displayed remarkable resilience this year. Its goods trade expanded 4 per cent year on year for the nine months so far in yuan terms, according to customs data. Quarterly growth accelerated from 1.3 per cent at the start of the year, to 4.5 per cent by midyear and finally to 6 per cent. This steady momentum reflects both the robustness of demand and continued refinement of China’s trade structure. But the regional performance has been uneven. Exports to the United States

US unions slam Trump for giving China a pass on...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

A group of trade unions led by the United Steelworkers slammed the Trump administration for suspending port fees on Chinese ships that workers argued would bring about a revival in the once-dominant domestic shipbuilding industry. The unions expressed “strong disappointment” with the administration’s decision and said it would have negative consequences in the nation’s attempt to restore the US maritime sector, according to a letter sent to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The letter,...

State matchmaking and a PR blitz – is this the way to...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

In the central Chinese province of Hubei, one small city is going the extra mile to reverse falling birth rates. Grass-roots volunteers in Tianmen are playing matchmaker for its young singles, combing through the details of all unmarried people in the area, putting the information on community posters and offering their services, according to Guangzhou-based Southern Weekend. Video footage posted on social media showed a swearing-in ceremony for the matchmakers in one village. It is one of a...

Shutdown forces some overseas US military bases to...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

The longest US government shutdown on record is doing more than grind activities to a halt at home; an ocean away in Europe, local workers at US military bases have started to feel the pain. Thousands of people working at overseas bases in Europe have had their salaries interrupted since the shutdown began almost six weeks ago. In some cases, governments hosting the US bases have stepped in to foot the bill, expecting the United States to eventually make good. In others, including in Italy

Powerful Brazil tornado kills 6, injures over 700:...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

A tornado killed at least six people and injured more than 700 as it destroyed most of a town in southern Brazil, authorities said on Saturday. The twister on Friday evening flipped cars like toys and wrecked buildings in Rio Bonito do Iguacu, a town of 14,000 people in Parana state, the local weather service reported. The storm lasted only minutes but hit with hail and ferocious winds swirling at up to 250km/h (155 miles). “It destroyed everything. It destroyed the town, houses, schools.

Excitement builds as Hong Kong embraces pivotal...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

The National Games officially open in Guangzhou on Sunday, but Hong Kong is already well into its role as co-host and a pivotal centre for the action and organisation over the next two weeks. Tens of thousands of athletes, officials and tourists are expected to descend on the city, which is hosting eight events and there were sell-out crowds at the beach volleyball and men’s handball on Saturday. And while there are tickets still available for sports such as the rugby sevens and triathlon,

EU claims agreement with China to unblock Nexperia...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

The European Commission claimed on Saturday to have reached an agreement with China’s Ministry of Commerce to restart the flow of semiconductors that had been disrupted by a crisis surrounding the company Nexperia. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said on social media that, effective immediately, exports of the company’s chips to the bloc for non-military uses would not be subject to Chinese licensing requirements. “My team and I have been in constant contact with the Chinese authorities, and...

Ukrainian commander charged after Russian strike...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

A commander in the Ukrainian army has been charged after he allegedly gathered 100 soldiers for a celebration on the front line despite a ban by the Ukrainian General Staff, making them a target for a deadly Russian attack. Twelve soldiers and seven civilians were killed when Russian missiles and drones struck the gathering in the Dnipropetrovsk region on November 1, the General Prosecutor’s Office said in Kyiv on Saturday. Additionally, 36 soldiers were injured. According to the State...

Hong Kong venues ‘ready’ for National Games, city’s...

News - South China Morning Post ·

2025/11/08

Hong Kong’s competition venues are “ready” to welcome the nearly 4,000 athletes, officials and staff anticipated for the National Games, the city’s No 2 official has stressed. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on Saturday that hosting the multi-sport competition would not only attract visitors to Hong Kong but also showcase the city’s capability in organising major events. “Currently, all the competition venues are fully ready for the National Games. We have also devised detailed

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