Latest

Video | Gang drills into German bank vault in US$35 million heist

Thieves use quiet Christmas period to drill their way into vault, smash open more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes and make off with the loot.

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Tech Trends

Former DJI self-driving unit seeks edge in adapting drone tech to heavy vehicles

The latest moves mean ZYT is opening up new battlefronts in China’s fiercely contested autonomous driving landscape.

ZYT is working with nine carmakers on more than 50 mass-produced models. Photo: Handout

China Personalities

China widow runs late hero husband’s eatery with local support, shares memories with patrons

Memory of brave Good Samaritan who plunged into river without a thought for his own safety to save children lives on in top-ranked restaurant.

After a hotpot restaurant owner in China died saving three children from drowning, his widow stepped in to run the business with community support. Photo: RedNote/Baidu

Politics

Multiple Chinese cities curb New Year’s Eve countdowns over safety

Authorities have issued pre-emptive notices and detained those who spread rumours of non-existent fireworks displays and mass celebrations.

Canton Tower in Guangzhou is among popular landmarks in China where no large-scale mass activity will be organised for New Year’s Eve. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images

Southeast Asia

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July

The neighbouring nations agreed a truce on Saturday, ending renewed clashes that spread to nearly every border province on both sides.

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A Cambodian soldier, captured by Thai soldiers in July, waves from a bus after being released on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
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Politics

As commissioners quit, Philippines’ flood-control probe faces credibility crisis

Analysts said the exits risk deepening public scepticism over whether politically connected contractors can be held to account.

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Independent Commission for Infrastructure chair Andres Reyes Jr (left) oversees the submission of investigation reports to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City, Metro Manila, on October 29 as the panel probes alleged corruption in flood-control infrastructure projects. Photo: EPA

Banking & Finance

China housing market gets VAT relief on resales but demand outlook stays subdued

Policy lowering VAT to 3 per cent reduces seller costs but demand recovery is key to stabilising the housing sector, property agents say.

Individuals selling homes within two years of purchase will be subject to a VAT rate of 3 per cent, down from 5 per cent, from January 1. Photo: Getty Images

China

Injured China table tennis stars Sun, Wang facing month out, will miss Doha event

World No 1s Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin withdraw from WTT Doha Champions. Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi-kem added to women’s tournament in Qatar.

Wang Chuqin (left) and Sun Yingsha compete during the mixed doubles final against South Korea’s Lim Jonghoon and Shin Yubin of South Korea at the WTT Finals Hong Kong. Photo: Xinhua

Travel & Leisure

Track history – a 43-hour train trip from Los Angeles to Chicago

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train route runs between Los Angeles and Chicago on a 43-hour trip, with a dining car and a great viewing carriage.

Passengers on the Southwest Chief train relax in the Sightseer Lounge on the trip between Los Angeles and Chicago. Photo: TNS

Big Tech

Nvidia asks chipmaker TSMC to ramp up H200 production amid China demand: sources

Chinese tech companies place orders for more than 2 million H200 chips for 2026, according to sources.

The exact additional volume of H200 chips Nvidia intends to order from semiconductor foundry TSMC remains unclear. Photo: Shutterstock
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Policy

China rolls out trade-in funding for 2026 as campaign to spur spending continues

The programme, which has helped stimulate consumption increases, will continue to subsidise purchases of big-ticket goods and refurbishments.

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China’s consumer goods trade-in programme subsidises, among others, the purchases of big-ticket items such as automobiles and home appliances. Photo: Getty Images

Politics

‘Clear advantage’: why return of Zia’s son may influence Bangladesh’s election

The death of ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia may have boosted voter support for her son Tarique Rahman, who is contesting in the election.

Then acting Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman addresses his supporters after his return from London in Dhaka on December 25. Photo: Reuters

China Opinion

Opinion | How China’s home-grown luxury labels took on Western brands

Chinese brands are gaining ground at home and worldwide as domestic consumers increasingly turn to labels with Chinese imagery and values.

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People walk past Christmas decorations outside a store of Swiss luxury watchmaker Rolex along a shopping street in Beijing on December 15. Photo: AFP

China Business

Beijing renews trade-in subsidy scheme amid domestic car market’s gloomy outlook

Buyers who replace their petrol and electric cars with new vehicles will receive a cash subsidy of up to US$2,858 per unit.

A BYD electric car at an exhibition in Shanghai. Buyers of an electric vehicle for replacement purposes would get a subsidy equivalent to 12 per cent of the newly bought car’s price. Photo: AFP

Travel & Leisure

2026 is a stellar year for supermoons and eclipses: what to look out for

The coming year is packed with cosmic events, from a ‘ring of fire’ eclipse to two six-planet line-ups to several supermoons.

A “ring of fire” solar eclipse seen from Tahai, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile, in 2024. In 2026, another will occur in February, but over the Antarctic. Photo: AP
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Racing

Who wins at Sha Tin? Circuit Grand Slam can be a knockout bet

Owen Goulding runs through his tips ahead of a bumper Group Three card on New Year’s Day.

Circuit Grand Slam makes a winning Hong Kong debut. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Celebrities

Meet Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova – Ilya’s friend Svetlana in Heated Rivalry

A model and trained dancer, the native Russian speaker’s credits also include The Boys and Slip.

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Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova plays Svetlana Vetrova in the hit series Heated Rivalry. Photo: @kseniadaniela/Instagram

Hong Kong

Gallery | The most striking photos from SCMP photographers in 2025

Around 4,000 swimmers compete in the Victoria Harbour Race 2025 on November 22, starting from the public pier off Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and finishing at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui . Photo: Dickson Lee

Law and Crime

Hong Kong police officer jailed for forging statements to close 10 cases

According to probation officer’s report, Wong Yiu-chung failed to manage stress at work, driving him to forge statements from complainants.

The defendant’s lawyer said in mitigation that his client had made a “stupid mistake”, having hoped to avoid responsibility at work. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong

Gallery | In pictures: scores of purple tabebuia in full bloom in Hong Kong

Purple tabebuia in full bloom at Tamar Park in Admiralty. Photo: Eugene Lee
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Science

How China cracked US ‘super code’, health benefits of lard: 7 science highlights

From China building world’s largest smart transformer to health benefits of lard, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

China’s Southern Regional Electricity Market, the world’s largest unified power market, has fully switched to the homegrown Tianquan solver, which is 14 per cent faster than US rivals. Photo: EPA-EFE

Food & Drink

Where an Italian likes to eat pizza, pasta and Peking duck in Hong Kong

Lorenzo Antonio Iosco from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra loves Chinese dumplings and Peking duck, and he has to have good coffee.

A Margherita pizza from Little Napoli in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district. Little Napoli is a favourite destination for Hong Kong clarinettist and conductor Lorenzo Iosco. Photo: Kylie Knott

Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong restaurants, bars gear up for packed 2026 countdown parties

Lan Kwai Fong’s restaurants and bars nearly 90 per cent booked, while seaview eateries in Kowloon could take a hit from cancelled fireworks show.

The countdown event and lights show on Chater Road are expected to draw large crowds of residents and tourists. Photo: Edmond So

Southeast Asia

Malaysian forced to scam Hongkongers recalls nightmare in Myanmar

Chew said he would be ‘beaten, electrocuted or starved for more than a week’ if he ‘failed’ in his task.

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Myanmar soldiers raid a scam centre in Myawaddy township, Karen state, in October. Photo: Myanmar Military True News Information Team via AP

Other Sport

China boat honouring Min River takes Sydney to Hobart title after French penalty

Jiang Lin and Alexis Loison had initially finished second, but French entry BNC was penalised for ‘inappropriate use of spinnaker’.

Min River, sailed by Jiang Lin and Alexis Loison, approaches the finish of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Photo: AP
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Americas

CIA behind drone strike on ‘big facility’ in Venezuela: sources

Sources divulge details of a US strike mentioned by Trump, as Colombia’s president says US bombed a suspected cocaine factory.

Personnel work on a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone at Rafael Hernandez Airport in Puerto Rico. Photo: Reuters

Society

Tourist killed after fall from 70-metre cliff while taking photos in Hong Kong

Post learns victim was tourist from Guangzhou who was hiking on Po Pin Chau with three friends.

The viewing platform on Po Pin Chau. Photo: RedNote

Muay Thai

Yod-IQ Pimolsri secures contract, eyes rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev

Thai striker earned a permanent place on ONE Championship’s main roster, hopes to compete at ONE 175 in Tokyo.

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Yod-IQ Pimolsri, right, earned a US$100,000 contract and a permanent place on ONE Championship’s main roster. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

Beijing hits back at ‘extremely hypocritical’ critics of drills around Taiwan

Japan, Australia, Britain and the EU express concern about live-fire and blockade exercise around island.

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The Japanese government reportedly expressed concern to Beijing over conducted around Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Economics

Muslim businesses in China target Malaysia as global halal gateway

The growing presence of China’s Muslim entrepreneurs at a festival in Kuala Lumpur reflects their trust in Malaysia’s strong halal standards.

A vendor grills skewered meats at the Pasar Eatai Chinese Muslim Festival at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof