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Hong Kong Opinion

Editorial | It’s time for expos to reinvent themselves

Such events can no longer rely on tradition. More attractive and creative offers and features are needed to entice customers to dig deeper.

People shopping on the last day of Hong Kong Brands & Products Expo, at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay on January 6, 2025. Photo: Sam Tsang

United States & Canada

Trump prosecutor Jack Smith resigns from US Justice Department

The special counsel says he has completed his work and submitted his final confidential report on the cases against the US president-elect.

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US Special Counsel Jack Smith speaks to the media about an indictment of former president Donald Trump in August 2023. Photo: AP

Hong Kong Opinion

Editorial | Targeting medical mistakes a vital step towards a better system

Clearer guidance for disclosure of blunders is part of a ‘full body check’ for the Hospital Authority that is to be welcomed.

Henry Fan Hung-Ling, chairman of Hospital Authority, attends a press conference at Hospital Authority Building on November 22, 2024. Photo: Edmond So

Military

What does 2025 hold for China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun?

Key promotions have eluded Dong, two of whose predecessors fell in corruption probes, with implications for Beijing’s military diplomacy.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Entertainment

Meet Mette-Marie Kongsved, who Elijah Wood secretly married on New Year’s Eve

The couple met on the set of the 2017 film I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, and collaborated most recently on 2024’s adventure comedy-drama Bookworm.

Elijah Wood may have tied the knot with long time partner Mette-Marie Kongsved on New Year’s Eve. Photo: @Crumpemag/X
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Entertainment

Painted Faces, film about the schoolmaster of Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung

1988 Hong Kong film follows Yu Jim-yuen, the master of the Peking opera school in Kowloon whose pupils included Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung.

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Lam Ching-ying and Sammo Hung in a still from Painted Faces. Photo: Celestial Pictures

Asia Opinion

Opinion | Why the US will not allow a nuclear-armed South Korea

While Seoul’s own nuclear defence would lessen the US security burden, it would also undermine American interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

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(From left) Incoming commander General Xavier Brunson, outgoing commander General Paul LaCamera, US Navy admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, and South Korea’s acting defence minister Kim Seon-ho inspect troops during a change-of-command ceremony for the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on December 20. Photo: EPA-EFE

Entertainment

Who is Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo’s husband, Jonathan Steinberg?

A new book reveals that Donald Trump almost chose Bartiromo as his running mate before selecting J.D. Vance – but what do we know about the conservative journalist’s low-key millionaire husband?

Meet Jonathan Steinberg, husband of Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo, who allegedly came close to being picked as Trump’s running mate. Photo: @mariabartiromo/Instagram

Watches

The art and jewellery designs redefining timepieces, from Cartier to Chanel

When telling time alone isn’t enough, these spectacular timepieces from luxury watchmakers are pushing the art of horology to the realms of the spectacular.

Dazzling designs (from left): Bulgari Serpenti Misteriosi Pallini, Vacheron Constantin Grand Lady Kalla and Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Secret Necklace. Photos: Handout

United States & Canada

Trump Jnr got homeless Greenlanders to don Maga hats for free lunch: report

Trump employees recruited people on the street by promising them an expensive restaurant meal, according to a Danish radio station.

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A resident wearing a Maga hat stands in front of the Hotel Hans Egede during Donald Trump Jnr’s visit to Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
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Wellness

Run clubs have arrived in Hong Kong to combine exercise and community

This booming subculture is attracting runners of all abilities and from all walks of life to join up and enjoy a workout together – and buy the merch.

Running clubs, such as the She Runs Collective, are putting people through their paces all over Hong Kong. Photo: She Runs Collective

Entertainment

Who is Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s son Tyler?

During the first day of the new Congress last week, controversial Trump supporter Lauren Boebert brought her whole family along to see her being sworn in.

Lauren Boebert’s eldest son Tyler ran into trouble with the law last year. Photo: @laurenboebert/Instagram

Middle East

Israeli PM sends Mossad chief to Gaza ceasefire talks in sign of progress

Spy agency director David Barnea’s presence means high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement are now involved.

People protest against the Israeli government and to show support for the hostages in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Europe

German far-right party wants to limit Chinese role in ports, digital networks

The Alternative for Germany has added the demands to its election manifesto, saying key infrastructure should remain under local control.

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A Chinese flag flies in front of the country’s embassy in Berlin, Germany, in April 2024. Photo: dpa via AP

Europe

Daughter of French rapist Pelicot thinks he drugged and abused her too

In her first TV interview since her father’s trial, Caroline Darian calls him a dangerous man who should die in prison.

Caroline Darian (centre) arrives at the courthouse in Avignon in December. Photo: AFP
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Law and Crime

Hong Kong woman, 24, back home after suspected abduction in Southeast Asia

Security Bureau says Immigration Department followed up on case and ‘it is understood that the person has returned to Hong Kong’.

The Immigration Department followed up on the matter, the Security Bureau said. Photo: Sun Yeung

Transport

Luggage woes for HK Express passengers after system fault at Hong Kong airport

Cathay Pacific’s budget arm, HK Express, says around 300 bags had to be taken on later flights after luggage system malfunctioned.

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The baggage handling system was back to normal at 11.30am, the Airport Authority said. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Europe

Germany races to save a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker to prevent an oil spill

The tanker was sailing from Russia to Egypt with almost 100,000 tonnes of oil when its engine failed and it lost manoeuvring ability.

The tanker ‘Eventin’, flying the Panama flag, as a towing connection is established from the emergency tug boat Bremen (right) at sea north of the German Baltic Sea island of Ruegen, on Friday. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

China calls for closer financial ties with Britain as both sides seek reset

Economic benefits can be ‘stabilising anchor’ for ties, Vice-Premier He Lifeng tells revived event co-hosted with Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

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Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng with British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves ahead of the 11th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, in Beijing on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Law and Crime

2 hikers rescued as hill fire rages for hours in Hong Kong’s Yuen Long

Government Flying Service team retrieves man and woman from mountain top, with neither suffering injuries.

The fire at Kai Kung Leng, a mountain range in Lam Tsuen Country Park. Photo: Facebook/ 元朗區議會黃紹聰議員
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Racing

SCMP Best Bets: Punters can Master Sha Tin with promising prospect

Russia & Central Asia

Ukraine’s captured North Korean soldiers reveal DPRK’s role in Russia’s war

Investigators said the two soldiers provided ‘indisputable evidence’ that North Koreans were fighting for Moscow.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, Italy, on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Health & Environment

Hongkongers can expect frost on high ground, New Territories on Sunday

Observatory also says temperatures hit a minimum of 11.5 degrees on Saturday, the lowest since the start of winter.

Frost on the peak of Tai Mo Shan on Wednesday morning. Photo: Elson Li

Military

US ‘risks electronic warfare’ with China after unveiling anti-satellite jammers

The network of jammers that aim to disrupt communications could prompt an escalating game of ‘cat-and-mouse’, analysts warn.

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The Space Force’s Remote Modular Terminal is designed to jam enemy satellite signals. Photo: US Space Force

Africa

Somalia’s president to visit Ethiopia over Red Sea access, mounting tensions

The two countries are looking to build on a recent peace deal that aims to defuse mounting tension in the Horn of Africa.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (centre) poses with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (right) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, following a press conference at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey. Photo: dpa
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Diplomacy

Why TikTok verdict will be a crystal ball for US-China ties under Trump 2.0

Both Beijing and Chinese firms seeking US business will be following the TikTok case for signals on what the future holds, analysts say.

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Short-video app TikTok has 170 million American users. Photo: Reuters

Global Economy

China gets major Nigeria rail project back on track by granting key loan

Chinese state lenders had pulled the plug on the Kaduna-Kano project in 2020, but have greenlit new financing on commercial terms.

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Trains are parked along the Lagos-Ibadan railway in Nigeria, one of several rail projects China has funded in the country. Photo: Xinhua

Society

Hong Kong police officer hurts hand after gun accidentally fired in station

Officer was unloading firearm in Happy Valley Police Station when it accidentally discharged, source says.

The gun discharged accidentally at Happy Valley Police Station. Photo: Google Maps

Property

Creditors pursue court action against Evergrande, Shimao amid housing slump

China’s developers collectively have over 700 billion yuan worth of property bonds due this year.

Evergrande Centre in Shanghai, China. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Syrians sing songs of victory, revolution a month after Assad’s overthrow

Singer Wasfi Maasarani marked his return to Syria after 13 years in exile, having toured the US and Europe in support of the rebels.

Syrians sing and hold a post-Assad flag during a concert by the recently returned ‘revolutionary’ singer Wasfi Maasrani, in Damascus on Wednesday. Photo: AP
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