Latest

Companies

Chinese cosmetics challenge global brands with affordable allure

China’s cosmetics exports rose 12 per cent year on year in the first half to US$2.6 billion, according to customs data.

videocam
Affordable Chinese skincare and colour cosmetics were expanding “aggressively” in Southeast Asia. Photo: Shutterstock

Health & Environment

Typhoon Podul: Hong Kong issues black rainstorm warning, classes cancelled

At 7am, Tropical Storm Podul was estimated to be about 260km northeast of Hong Kong.

Children at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront on August 4, 2025. Photo: Jelly Tse

Comment

Editorial | Trump-Putin summit only a first step towards ending Ukraine war

Any territorial settlement will take time, but the fact that the US and Russian leaders will talk face to face is a landmark event.

US President Donald Trump (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin walk together at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019. The two are expected to meet in Alaska this Friday. Photo: AP

Entertainment

Love One Piece? Inside the new viral US cafe based on hit Japanese anime

Fans of Monkey D Luffy, Sanji et al are flocking to the One Piece Cafe in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo neighbourhood for food, merch and more.

videocam
People queue for lunch at One Piece Cafe in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles on July 18, 2025, during the cafe’s soft opening. Photo: TNS

East Asia

Kim Yo-jong denies that North Korea is removing its border loudspeakers

The powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un says Pyongyang has no interest in reviving stalled talks with South Korea and the US.

videocam
Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un, attends a wreath laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi in March 2019. Photo: AFP
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sport

From doping to damaged goods: Russian athletics’ long road to reintegration

As Russia sits out September’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, its national federation is battling to rebuild trust.

Illustration: Brian Wang

China Economy

‘It takes time’: China’s shipping edge likely safe from South Korean investments

New ventures in Vietnam and the Philippines may ease domestic constraints but unlikely to challenge Chinese dominance, analysts say.

A general view shows HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Ulsan Shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. Photo: Reuters

Comment

Editorial | DSE needs oversight to ensure growth in popularity remains healthy

The boom in DSE courses on the mainland speaks to Hong Kong’s appeal as an education hub, but better oversight is needed to ensure quality.

Yew Chung International School in Beijing is among the most expensive institutions offering Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) curriculum in mainland China. Photo: Handout

Celebrities

Who is Audrey Nuna, who plays Mira on Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters?

The Korean-American musician released her debut single in 2020, works with Burberry and Coach, and loves fashion.

Audrey Nuna lends her voice to Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters. Photo: @audreynuna/Instagram

Europe

Europe wildfires kill at least 3 and displace thousands amid heatwave

Firefighting resources are stretched thin in many countries after weeks of temperature spikes across the Mediterranean region.

A man runs out of the flames during a wildfire near the village of Larouco in northwestern Spain on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

United States & Canada

US appeal court lets Trump cut billions in foreign aid

In a 2-1 decision, the court lifted an injunction requiring the State Department to continue making payments previously approved by Congress.

videocam
Demonstrators protest at the US Capitol in February against the Trump administration’s decision to virtually shut down USAID. Photo: AFP

World Opinion

Opinion | How Trump’s anti-Brics crusade is giving bloc new strength and meaning

Trump’s attacks are driving what Brics was meant to do: encourage cooperation among non-Western powers and reduce dependence on the US.

videocam
Leaders from Brics member nations take part in the bloc’s 17th annual summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6. Photo: AP

Money & Wealth

China’s Ganfeng to develop major lithium project in Argentina with Swiss partner

Move follows closure of China’s Jianxiawo mine.

Argentina’s former economy minister, Sergio Massa, left, meets with director of Ganfeng Lithium Li Liangbin in Shanghai in May 2023. Photo: DPA

World

Plastic pollution talks in disarray as nations reject draft treaty

Some countries blasted the lack of legally binding action, while oil-producing states say the text goes too far.

videocam
“The Thinker’s Burden” by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong is seen in front of the United Nations Offices in Geneva on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Russia & Central Asia

Trump floats meeting with Putin and Zelensky if Alaska talks go well

The US president also said Russia would face consequences if Putin does not agree to stop the war in Ukraine.

videocam
US President Donald Trump speaks during an event at the Kennedy Centre in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Economy, Trade & Business

From friends to foes: what’s behind Trump’s Brazil-India wrath

Experts see Washington drawing new map, and the president’s frustration with Brasilia and New Delhi has put its contours into sharper relief.

17
Illustration: Davies Christian Surya

Russia & Central Asia

Putin may soon test ‘invincible’ missile that could overshadow Trump summit

The Russian leader says the nuclear-armed Burevestnik – dubbed Skyfall by Nato – has almost unlimited range and can evade missile defences.

videocam
Television footage from March 2018 shows the launch of what President Vladimir Putin said was a new nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile. Putin announced in October 2023, that Russia had effectively completed the development of the Burevestnik cruise missile. Photo: RU-RTR Russian Television via AP

Europe

Zelensky warns Trump that Putin is ‘bluffing’ ahead of summit

The comments came after Trump’s virtual meeting with European leaders, which prioritised a ceasefire and future talks on Ukraine’s territorial issues.

videocam
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint press statement with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz following talks with European and US leaders in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Entertainment

Review | Nobody 2: Bob Odenkirk returns as a family-minded hitman in flat sequel

Odenkirk and Sharon Stone’s performances can’t save this over-the-top action film that lacks depth and feels more like a John Wick knock-off.

videocam
Bob Odenkirk (front) as Hutch Mansell in a still from Nobody 2.

Law and Crime

Hong Kong slams ‘smear campaigns’ as Jimmy Lai returns to court for trial

Government spokesman warns on eve of trial resuming against anyone trying to interfere with the court.

Jimmy Lai has been remanded in custody for more than 1,700 says. Photo: Sam Tsang
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Politics

Hong Kong holds first meeting of new top-level anti-terrorism group

City leader John Lee says a large-scale exercise to simulate terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure will be held this month.

Officers stage a counterterrorism drill during a police open day. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

China Economy

What does the Beidaihe guest list tell us about China’s economic priorities?

The invitees to the Communist Party’s annual summer getaway offer clues about Beijing’s priorities ahead of a crucial October meeting.

videocam
Cai Qi, a member of the Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee, hosts a group of scientists and entrepreneurs in Beidaihe, a seaside resort in China’s northern Hebei province, on August 3. Photo: Xinhua

Russia & Central Asia

Russia restricts calls on Telegram, WhatsApp, accusing apps of law breaches

The curbs are part of Russia’s push for ‘digital sovereignty’, which includes a new state-backed messaging app to reduce dependence on foreign tech.

videocam
Russia is restricting Telegram, and WhatsApp calls, citing security concerns. Photo: Shutterstock

Diplomacy

Beijing summons Japanese diplomat over ‘Taiwan and Chinese citizens’ safety’

The foreign ministry did not provide details of the ‘grave concerns’ it expressed in the run-up to World War II commemorations.

videocam
China is gearing up to mark the end of the second world war and victory over Japan. Photo: Reuters

Other Sport

China extend World Games golden lead through Bai Yulu, Han Yu, Shang Chunsong

Current world snooker champion, former pool and parkour global winners give hosts three more wins, with billiards hoping to add more.

China’s Yu Han celebrates winning the women’s pool final against the Philippines’ Chezka Centeno on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

People

Malaysian ex-minister Rafizi Ramli’s son, 12, wounded in syringe attack

Rafizi says he believes the attack is premeditated and a ‘warning’ for him to stop being vocal on issues.

Malaysia’s former minister Rafizi Ramli. Photo: handout

Banking & Finance

HKMA, HSBC allay fears about Hong Kong’s loan risks amid property glut

Risks associated with commercial real estate loans were manageable, HKMA and HSBC said in separate statements on Wednesday.

A view of Hong Kong from Red Incense Burner Summit at Braemar Hill in North Point on August 12, 2025. Photo: Sam Tsang

China

Chinese families in ‘broken houses’; PLA’s warning: SCMP daily highlights

From China sanctioning two European banks to a Chinese-owned aircraft detained in Russia, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

A file picture of the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins, which has entered the South China Sea, according to the PLA Southern Theatre Command. Photo: Getty Images

Politics

‘Extraordinary’: Taiwan’s William Lai hit by strong Japanese media backlash

Sharply worded editorials across media spectrum seen to reflect Japan’s concerns over Lai’s political direction after failed recall vote.

videocam
Supporters of Taiwan’s main opposition party Kuomintang rally against the recall vote, in Taipei on July 25. Photo: AFP

Big Tech

Apple eyes Douyin Pay for China App Store while speculation swirls on new iPhone

The potential addition of Douyin Pay to Apple’s China App Store reflects the continued growth of mobile payment services in the country.

Apple’s China App Store currently offers mobile payment services from Alipay, WeChat Pay and China UnionPay. Photo: Shutterstock