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Society

Private jet flap scare triggers ‘local standby’ at Hong Kong airport

Billionaire-favoured G650 jet reported flap problem as emergency crews were deployed to the runway before the aircraft landed safely.

The Gulfstream G650 is a top-tier ultra-long-range jet costing US$35 million to US$70 million depending on age and condition. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

Red carpet for Xi, Trump’s US$5m helipad: US trip day 1 highlights

From first ladies Peng, Melania renewing acquaintance to helicopter that Xi likely won’t board, some highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

US military personnel adjust the red carpet at the foot of the stairs to the Air China plane carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: AFP

Other Sport

Japan men stun China to claim Asian Games table tennis team gold

Sora Matsushima wins decisive match as title fight goes down to the wire at Sky Hall Toyota.

Sora Matsushima won the decisive match to seal the gold for Japan. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Gulf nations keep oil flowing amid Iran war, but it’s getting costly

Despite the Strait of Hormuz blockade and other attacks, oil exporters and the US military have found workarounds, but they may not be sustainable.

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Tech War

US widens pressure on China tech with blacklist proposal, Lenovo patent probe

US lawmakers seek broader powers to restrict technology products as Lenovo faces a patent investigation.

A Lenovo laptop with a transparent screen is displayed at the Mobile World Congress in Spain. Photo: dpa
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Fashion & Beauty

How Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan is a symbol of China’s fashion soft power

Peng once again showed off exclusively Chinese designs as she stepped off the plane for the Xi-Trump meeting in the US.

China's President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan, wearing a grey dress cinched at the waist, wave as they arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to be greeted by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on September 23, 2026. Photo: AP

Trending in China

Chinese retail chain faces rare backlash for limiting new hires to 4-year contracts

Critics brand policy ridiculous, calling it an excuse to exploit young talent and dump them as they grow experienced, harder to control.

China’s “best boss” Yu Donglai, middle, faces backlash after announcing a strict four-year hiring limit at his Pangdonglai supermarket chain. Photo: Sohu

Diplomacy

US tenor Christopher Macchio booked for Xi-Trump state dinner performance

The vocalist has been a feature at a series of the president’s events, most recently at the Republican Midterm Convention.

Tenor Christopher Macchio performs at the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, on September 10. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

South Asia

Sri Lanka’s opposition protests against contentious judicial reforms

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa says the legislation proposed will ‘annihilate’ judicial independence.

Protesters hold placards chant slogans as they protest against the proposed 22nd Amendment to the constitution at Polduwa Junction in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Peng Liyuan’s English takes the spotlight in exchange with Melania Trump

Video of Chinese and US first ladies goes viral as education experts debate the importance of English for students.

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US President Donald Trump and US first lady Melania Trump walk with China’s President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Photo: Reuters
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Global Economy

What a 2-month trade-truce extension reveals as US-China rifts persist

Analysts say that the relatively short window, while a positive sign, could also raise pressure on both Beijing and Washington.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice-Premier He Lifeng met in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: X/SecScottBessent

Society

Hong Kong authorities won’t appeal court halt to 12,000-flat project on golf course

Court earlier revoked project’s environmental approval, with authorities opting not to appeal ‘holistically’ considering legal advice.

A portion of the Fanling Golf Course was previously taken back by authorities, with a section of the recovered land originally set aside for a public housing project. Photo: Elson Li

Arts

Pipe dream: traditional wind instruments blow up a storm in Hong Kong

Wind instruments from China, Japan, Laos and beyond joined the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra to close the International Sheng and Reeds Festival 2026.

Russian musician Olene Uutai playing the Jaw Harp during “Thousand Reeds, One Universe” Yang Zhengping playing the Lusheng during “Love Song from the Countryside”, in an arrangement by Ngai Kwun-wa for the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Reimi Miura playing the shō, a traditional Japanese free-reed mouth organ

Russia & Central Asia

8 killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine, maternity clinic damaged

Moscow has stepped up its air ‌war in recent months, deploying more of its faster and harder-to-stop drones.

Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of an overnight Russian attack on a residential area in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. Photo: EPA/State Emergency Service

Companies

How FDA backing could advance multi-cancer blood tests despite Hong Kong doubts

Doctors say more data is needed despite growing interest in detecting multiple cancers from a single blood sample.

MCED tests seek to identify signs of cancer in healthy, asymptomatic individuals by analysing abnormal molecules. Photo: Shutterstock
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Economics

What can Asia, Global South learn from India’s new digital payment fee?

The roll-out is a good test of whether the system can generate enough revenue to pay for its own maintenance and expansion, experts say.

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A customer makes a payment through the Unified Payments Interface at a shop in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, on September 16. Photo: EPA

Asia

Video | Thai teenage guitar sensation wins America’s Got Talent

The teenage guitar sensation beat 9 other finalists after emerging as the clear favourite before the finale.

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Celebrities

Meet Woody Harrelson’s wife, Laura Louie, who joined him at the Brothers premiere

The couple, who first met during a taping of Harrelson’s hit sitcom Cheers, enjoyed a double date with Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves at the 2026 US Open.

Laura Louie and Woody Harrelson met in 1987 and worked together for three years before declaring their love for each other. Photo: EPA

Diplomacy

Summits for all diplomatic seasons: how the US has set the stage for Xi Jinping

From informal walk-and-talks to a state dinner, Chinese leader’s past meetings reveal the roles of personal rapport and official diplomacy.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and then US president Barack Obama chat as they take a walk at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California, on June 8, 2013. Photo: AFP

Racing

Lor unleashes Stormy Grove, Lucky With You and Salon S on key day at Sha Tin

The top trainer bids to get his season off the ground with two live chances in the feature Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m).

Stormy Grove wins the Classic Cup in March. Photos: Kenneth Chan
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Hong Kong

Video | How to avoid a dog attack

A dog trainer offers some safety tips on how to protect yourself from a canine attack when on foot or on a bicycle.

Dogs living in outdoor storage yard at Pok Wai area in Yuen Long, where a 27-year-old female cyclist found dead approximately 150 metres away in a suspected dog attack on 20 September 2026. 21SEP26 SCMP/ Kit Lai
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Big Tech

Alibaba unveils ‘pragmatic’ AI road map to drive monetisation as capex soars

Current investor sentiment has shifted from enthusiasm for AI catalysts to the need for tangible returns and infrastructure efficiency.

A display promoting the Qwen Intelligence agentic solution is seen at Alibaba’s Apsara Conference on Thursday. Photo: Wency Chen

Policy

China, US hold first AI dialogue amid mounting tech tensions: commerce ministry

He Yadong, a spokesman for the commerce ministry, confirmed the completion of the AI dialogue while briefing reporters on Thursday.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng seen after a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in New York on September 20, 2026. Photo: Kyodo

Diplomacy

US, China agree two-month trade truce extension ahead of summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping received a rare runway reception after touching down on Wednesday ahead of a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Photo: AFP

People

Were smart glasses used in Singapore to film 2 female students?

The incident comes amid rising concerns about surreptitious filming using such glasses and modified spy cameras in Singapore.

A man wearing black-rimmed glasses and a face mask is seen walking behind two female students in Singapore. Photo: Reddit/Bblackjack160
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Markets

China’s humanoid robot IPO slowdown no threat to firms with ‘genuine strength’

The market is shifting from a ‘blind rush’ to ‘fine screening’, but funding is still there for firms with clear strategies, Deloitte China says.

Humanoid robots by Unitree Robotics demonstrate a group dance during an expo in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Philippines weighs pardon for death row inmate repatriated from Indonesia

A full presidential pardon is being ‘seriously’ considered following Mary Jane Veloso’s repatriation in 2024.

The parents of Mary Jane Veloso holding placards demanding clemency for their daughter during a protest in Manila in November 2024. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong exports surge 53% to HK$667.9 billion, second highest on record

Consistent strong demand for AI-related electronic products fuels growth.

Kwai Tsing Container Terminals. Photo: Nora Tam

Politics

Does Philippine rule change clear way to convict vice-president?

Omitting absent senators cuts the votes needed to oust Sara Duterte-Carpio from 16 to 14, setting up a clash over the court’s legitimacy.

Supporters of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio gather as she visits the Quezon city justice hall in Quezon City in September. Photo: AP

Law and Crime

Actress Leila Tong sued over alleged contract breach and ‘manipulative conduct’

Hong Kong actress accused of breaching contract by dyeing her hair without consent and accepting outside engagements.

Actress Leila Tong is now based in New Zealand. Photo: Handout