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Hong Kong

Seeking answers to a tragedy Hong Kong could have avoided

A multimedia guide to the Tai Po fire

Seeking answers to a tragedy Hong Kong could have avoided

Science

China team releases world’s first bamboo drone flight control software – for free

Breakthrough in low-cost, eco-friendly UAVs as researchers unveil open-source software to enhance development.

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The system tackles a key bottleneck in sustainable drone design: integrating non-traditional materials like bamboo with high-performance autonomous controls. Photo: Xinhua

Trending in China

Chinese woman whose dog was poisoned to death by neighbour, sacrifices job for cause

Battling pet lover spends years fighting for justice for her beloved canine, facing down bullies, rumour-mongers.

A Chinese woman studied law to fight for her pet dog which a neighbour poisoned. After her pet died in 2022, she sacrificed her job and social life for the cause. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote

Today in Photos

Gallery | In pictures: Spain marks Holy Week with colourful celebrations

Catholics join a Holy Monday procession in the northern town of Zamora on March 31, 2026. Photo: AFP

Racing

Newnham hopes return to mile and Group Two level propels My Wish to victory

After a last-start fourth behind Romantic Warrior over 2,000m, the classy five-year-old drops back to his best trip on Easter Monday.

My Wish warms up for the Chairman’s Trophy with an impressive trial win under Hugh Bowman. Photos: Kenneth Chan
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Middle East

Israel sets sights on Lebanon’s Hezbollah sites after blowing up crucial bridges

Lebanon was drawn into the Iran war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

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An Israeli air strike hits a bridge over the Litani River in Qasmiyeh, southern Lebanon, on March 22. Photo: Xinhua

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysian bookshop hits on novel idea to hook readers addicted to ‘brain rot’

BookXcess’ ‘Brain Un-Rot Library’ turns 100 books into short TikTok clips similar to the type of videos blamed for wrecking attention span.

A couple reads using different methods at a Kuala Lumpur Reads event. Photo: Instagram/kualalumpurreads

Culture

Our cheat sheet for the best things to do in Hong Kong, April 5-18

Enjoy Easter at The Repulse Bay, Hong Kong Palace Museum’s equine exhibition, a kitchen takeover at Zozzona and Aussie cocktails at Bourke’s.

The Repulse Bay’s Easter campaign features a host of activities. Photo: courtesy The Repulse Bay

Law and Crime

Probe launched after Hospital Authority data breach involving 56,000 patients

Patients’ names, identity card numbers, genders, dates of birth, dates of hospital visits and medical history compromised.

The Hospital Authority building in Mong Kok. Photo: Felix Wong

East Asia

Safety fears bloom in Japan as ageing cherry trees collapse in Tokyo parks

People love walking or picnicking under the trees during the cherry blossom viewing season.

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People picnic outside a cordoned-off area set up to inspect the health of cherry blossom trees at Kinuta Park in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: AP
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Health & Environment

Amber rainstorm warning in Hong Kong, with thunderstorms expected over weekend

Particularly heavy rain at more than 70mm per hour expected in Tai Po and might cause serious flooding, Observatory says.

Tourists take pictures at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront amid cloudy weather on Friday. Photo: Jelly Tse

Food & Drink

Crispy, chewy, soft: why texture rules South Korea’s viral food trends

Korean food trends are prioritising texture over taste thanks to social media videos in which food can be experienced as a tactile sensation.

Texture, not taste, is driving South Korea’s viral food trends. Think chewy, crispy snacks like butter rice cakes (pictured) and gelatinous ice goby sashimi. Photo: courtesy of Mond Cookie

Society

KMB told to probe machines that gave free bus rides as new HK$2 scheme launched

Faulty machines offered full rebates to customers who tapped their Octopus cards, rather than charge them HK$2 or 20 per cent of trips above HK$10.

Passengers at a bus stop at Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei. Photo: Jelly Tse

Opinion

Asian Angle | Hormuz is sending Southeast Asia a warning – and we can no longer ignore it

The crisis has shown we must invest in renewables rather than staying in a fossil fuel comfort zone.

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People wait to refill their motorbikes at a petrol station in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Monday. Photo: EPA

Diplomacy

In a time of war, Chinese museums are a safe haven for ancient treasures of Iran

Cultural exchanges established with the Middle East are underscoring China’s role as a safe harbour for vulnerable global heritage.

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An image showing damage to a room in Tehran’s Golestan Palace. Photo: AP
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Southeast Asia

Singapore’s Workers’ Party finishes probe into chief Pritam Singh’s conduct

The disciplinary panel will present its final report and recommendations to the Central Executive Committee later in April.

Worker’s Party chief Pritam Singh (centre) is followed by journalists as he leaves the Supreme Court during an appeals hearing on November 4, 2025. Photo: AFP

Business

Taiwan’s chip windfall redraws wealth landscape as global banks carve out roles

From family offices to ETFs and cross-border deals, global lenders are targeting different layers of a chip-fuelled boom.

The capital generated by Taiwan’s technology boom is today spreading across multiple layers of the economy. Photo: EPA

Europe

London mayor’s bodyguards relieved of duties after bag of guns ‘misplaced’

A pregnant passer-by found the bag, containing guns, a taser and ammunition, on a road outside Sadiq Khan’s home.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (centre) joins a prayer at a Ramadan dinner event at Trafalgar Square on March 16. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong

Seeking answers to a tragedy Hong Kong could have avoided

A multimedia guide to the Tai Po fire

Seeking answers to a tragedy Hong Kong could have avoided

United States & Canada

‘Space plumber’ to the rescue as Artemis astronauts navigate life aboard Orion

It is the first time astronauts venturing into deep space have had a real toilet on board, allowing the crew some ‘alone’ moments.

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The Artemis II crew speak to Nasa Mission Control in a video conference while en route to the moon on Thursday. Photo: Nasa/AP
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South Asia

Here comes the ‘Mounjaro bride’: Indian pre-wedding prep includes obesity drug

Many Indian marriages are arranged by families, often bringing expectations around physical appearance and financial status.

Brides sit during a mass marriage ceremony in Mumbai. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong

Feel good factor now driving fitness trends, with ‘looking good’ era fading away

Industry veteran Charlz Ng believes sense of community now most important to Gen Z when it comes to wellness.

Sport and wellness industry veteran Charlz Ng believes the feel good factor is driving Gen Z’s fitness trends. Photo: Charlz Ng

Big Tech

Competition or ‘co-opetition’: how is convergence shaping Sino-US AI race?

Speech by CEO of Chinese AI start-up at Nvidia event in US highlights symbiotic nature of tech relationship despite geopolitical tensions.

Illustration by Victor Sanjinez

Politics

South Korea and Indonesia’s fighter jet is ready. But will it sell?

Only a handful of nations have ever built a supersonic fighter jet from the ground up.

The first mass-produced KF-21 fighter jet is unveiled during a ceremony at the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon on March 25. Photo: Yonhap/EPA

South Asia

Pakistan offers free public transport for 30 days following 40% petrol hike

The announcement of free travel for residents of Islamabad and Punjab came after people protested the steep rise in fuel prices.

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Passengers board a government bus in Islamabad on Friday. Photo: AFP
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World Opinion

Being Chinese | Chinese overseas need not keep to ourselves. I certainly don’t

Half of my close friends in London are Chinese; the other half are not. This balance did not happen by accident.

People take selfies in front of the archway of Chinatown in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

Presidents Lee and Macron have agreed to cooperate on safety in the strait but they are likely to wade in only after the war, analysts say.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (right) toasts with Emmanuel Macron during a luncheon for the French leader at the presidential office in Seoul on Friday. Photo: Yonhap/dpa

Asia

Video | Iran conflict shatters India’s centuries-old glass industry

Prospects dim for India’s glass hub as gas supplies hit by energy crisis triggered by US-Israeli war on Iran.

Glassblowers in India
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Trending in China

Chinese woman spits blood on train, receives US$58,000 in donations after viral video

23-year-old with rare condition moves many online with selfless clean-up actions; pledges to open care home for sick and their relatives.

A Chinese woman who was travelling on an underground train and spat blood then wiped it from the floor with her jacket has received US$58,000 in donations after her video went viral. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Health & Environment

Hong Kong airport opens sensory space for passengers with invisible disabilities

Room near Gate 10 in Terminal One designed for passengers with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, claustrophobia and dementia.

Shing Wai-in and her son Justin at the Hong Kong airport’s sensory corner. Photo: Dickson Lee