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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.

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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
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Chinese culture

Reflections | History of Chinese flatbreads reflects how food has echoes of faraway places

How ‘hubing’ came to China is reflected in Hong Kong’s Jenny Bakery cookies smelling like Malaysia’s Rotiboy coffee buns, Wee Kek Koon says.

Today, the descendants of “hubing” Chinese flatbreads survive in everyday foods like “shaobing” (pictured), the ubiquitous flatbread sold at neighbourhood food stalls, and “nang”, the naan-like Xinjiang flatbreads still baked by pressing the dough against the walls of clay ovens. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong

Hong Kong ice hockey boss eyes next step as players take on region’s best

Sherman Chan hopes elevation to third tier of city’s Sports Institute marks start of journey towards professionalism.

Sherman Chan is focused on a bold future for ice hockey in Hong Kong. Photo: Karma Lo

Video | Shenzhen mall toilet doors expose smokers

Special technology has been introduced in men’s toilets as shoppers ignore smoking bans.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

The region’s creators are going global, but the structures to sustain them are still catching up.

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Illustration: Mario Rivera

China Economy

Australia’s 180-degree shift from 5 years ago: China in favour; US out

Aussie comedian exposes the truth about nation’s feelings towards US president, democracy and public safety.

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An Australian tour revealed the nation’s growing sentiment of warming to China, while Trump’s tariffs and foreign policy have increasingly seen the US viewed with suspicion or as ‘unsafe’. Photo: AP
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Opinion

Editorial | Moves to clean up Hong Kong building renovation sector can’t come too soon

Crackdowns by the ICAC and Competition Commission are a timely reminder of Hong Kong’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption.

The damaged buildings of Wang Fuk Court (right) in Tai Po are seen on March 27. The Competition Commission has launched proceedings targeting alleged corruption and anti-competitive practices in the bids for several projects, including one linked to the Wang Fuk Court inferno. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Health & Wellness

‘A shell of myself’: colon cancer survivor who became viral fitness influencer

Bill Maeda, 57, is an unconventional fitness influencer who doesn’t count reps and has some clients exercise for just 10 minutes a day.

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Unconventional fitness trainer Bill Maeda prefers letting his body and mood guide how he trains each day rather than following rigid programmes. Photo: Bill Maeda

Opinion

Editorial | Hong Kong’s world-first Alzheimer’s blood test will strengthen city’s healthcare

This breakthrough in screening marks another step in Hong Kong’s broader moves to identify and tackle health problems early.

Professor Nancy Ip, president of HKUST, attends the press conference for the launch of the project to screen 6,000 elderly people for Alzheimer’s disease, at HKUST in Sai Kung on March 23. Photo: Dickson Lee

Diplomacy

Cambodia’s high-stakes war on online scam compounds

Cambodia has vowed to stamp out the scam compounds on its soil by month’s end – but perpetrators remain drawn to the potential for huge profits.

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Illustration: Davies Christian

Trends

Is your skin stressed? Experts explain how to fight inflammation and keep it calm

Unlock the science behind anti-stress products by the likes of Chanel, Laneige and SkinCeuticals, and help your skin stay calm and resilient.

Products like Chanel’s Hydra Beauty Camellia Glow Concentrate promise to tame inflammation. Photo: Handout