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United States & Canada

House votes to extend Obamacare subsidies, thanks to revolt among Republicans

17 conservative lawmakers defied party leadership to vote with the Democrats, putting pressure on the Senate to follow suit.

US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer holds a news conference following Senate votes on competing healthcare plans in Washington in December. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong Economy

Thousands of passenger, cargo drones will fill Hong Kong skies in decade: expert

Mainland Chinese eVTOL leader AutoFlight will spread wings in Hong Kong amid global push into flying taxi market.

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Autoflight’s Prosperity was on show at last year’s Super Terminal Expo 2025 in Hong Kong. Eugene Lee

Banking & Finance

Chinese financial firms press on with debt issuance to fund overseas expansion

Guangzhou-based GF Securities announces plan to raise US$780 million after mainland Chinese finance firms raise over US$10 billion in 2025.

Chinese financial firms raised over US$10 billion last year to fund their overseas expansion. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Editorial | For South Korea to reset relations with China, it must withstand US pressure

The South Korean president’s visit to China was a sign of a more pragmatic approach that departs from that of his US-leaning predecessor.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (left) takes a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a Xiaomi smartphone following a state dinner in Beijing, China, on January 5. Photo: EPA/Yonhap/Pool

Food & Drink

Why are Korean-style cafes proving so popular in Hong Kong?

With immersive themes and Instagram-worthy interiors, Korean-style cafes offer comfortable ‘third places’ for Hong Kong’s busy populace.

Jasmine Mok, owner of Haus Coffee Club, is pictured at her shop in Central, Hong Kong. Korean-style coffee shops like Haus offer immersive themes and Instagram-worthy interiors that appeal to Hong Kong’s social-media-savvy customers. Photo: Edmond So
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Tech Trends

China’s Xpeng unveils hybrid SUV boasting world’s longest driving distance

Launch of new G7 edition underscores Xpeng’s go-global push and rising competition with Tesla and BYD.

The hybrid G7 super utility vehicle boasts a range of more than 1,700km without charging, according to Xpeng. Photo: Handout

Health & Fitness

Runners struggling to prepare for upcoming Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground closed in June last year, Kowloon Bay Sports Ground closed this month for renovation.

Runners compete for space at Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground. Photo: Handout

Opinion

Editorial | Interpol meet will enable Hong Kong to bolster global crime-fighting ties

As host of Interpol’s 94th general assembly, the city will be able to show that its ‘superconnector’ role extends to international law enforcement.

Hong Kong Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming at the 93rd Interpol general assembly in Marrakech, Morocco, in late November 2025. Photo: Handout

China Business

Shanghai steps up oversight of delayed payment practices hurting suppliers

Task force set up to protect supply-chain vendors and stabilise manufacturing amid fierce price wars.

The move comes after Shanghai published its latest action plan to build a world-class business environment. Photo: AFP

Americas

Venezuela releasing ‘significant number’ of prisoners in bid to ‘seek peace’

Journalists, lawyers and human rights activists – including citizens and foreigners – were among those freed.

Relatives of prisoners hug each other as they wait in front of El Rodeo jail in Caracas on Thursday. Photo: AFP
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Diplomacy

China warns of ‘law of the jungle’ as US exits global bodies

Opportunity and challenge for Beijing on world stage amid Donald Trump’s order suspending support for 66 international organisations.

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US President Donald Trump’s executive order suspends American support for 31 United Nations agencies. Photo: AFP

Beauty News

Beauty drops to watch: Sweeney’s bob, Balenciaga’s scents and Buly’s balm

This month we’re coveting a stunning blonde bob, a chic lip balm carrier, and beautiful new fragrances based on a classic.

Balenciaga has launched an entire collection of 10 new fragrances based around a 1947 vial of Le Dix, the first and original scent developed by the maison’s founder Cristóbal Balenciaga. Photo: Handout

World Opinion

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

United States & Canada

Rare genius dogs learn vocabulary by eavesdropping, study shows

Some gifted canines pick up words simply by overhearing people speak to each other without needing to be taught.

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A dog named Mugsy in Massachusetts has learned the names of many of her toys. Photo: Francine Hannan/Shany Dror via AP

United States & Canada

US will end China’s dominance of rare earths, Trump adviser Navarro predicts

The president’s trade aide says American innovation will ‘quickly wipe away’ Beijing’s ‘weaponisation’ of critical minerals.

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White House trade adviser Peter Navarro speaks to reporters in Washington in August. Photo: TNS
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United States & Canada

US Senate rejects Trump’s Venezuela threats with war powers vote

The US president slammed the 5 Republicans who joined Democratic lawmakers to advance the resolution.

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People attend an anti-Trump protest over US action in Venezuela near the US embassy in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

United States & Canada

Minnesota investigators barred from probe into ICE officer’s killing of woman

The shooting investigation will instead be led solely by the FBI, and local authorities have no access to case materials and evidence.

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A demonstrator protests outside the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Americas

Brazil’s Lula vetoes law cutting Bolsonaro’s 27-year jail sentence

Congress has the last word, however, and can in turn reject the president’s veto.

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Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left) vetoed a bill to reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s coup sentence on the third anniversary of the January 8 insurrection. Photo: AFP

Europe

France’s Macron slams US over Venezuela, Greenland actions

The French President condemned Washington’s isolationism after the capture of Venezuela’s leader and designs to take over the Danish territory.

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French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to French ambassadors on Thursday in Paris. Photo: AP

Law and Crime

Hong Kong social worker who had sex with teenager jailed for 2 years, 3 months

Court says Wong Lok-tin abused victim’s trust and tried to manipulate her into thinking nothing was wrong with their illicit relationship.

The court heard that the defendant became acquainted with the girl during an extracurricular programme soon after her enrollment in 2013. Photo: Jelly Tse
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United States & Canada

China and US coexistence in Venezuela possible, US energy chief says

Chris Wright sees a constructive role for Beijing but insists Washington must remain the dominant force controlling Venezuela’s oil flows.

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US Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright attends an event in New York City in September 2025. Photo: Reuters

Society

Faulty appliance sparks fire at Hong Kong housing estate, prompting 300 to flee

Fire at Lam Wai House in Lam Tin Estate triggered by a short circuit in an electrical appliance.

The fire broke out at Lam Wai House of Lam Tin Estate. Photo: Handout

Health & Environment

Hong Kong’s late summer flu season is over. But official says jabs still vital

Controller of Centre for Health Protection says seasonal influenza activity has dropped below baseline level over the past week.

A health official has urged people to get vaccinated to help prevent a surge in winter flu cases. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong

Courageous Hongkonger Chloe Leung ignores illness for Asean track cycling medals

National Games gold medallist banks silver and bronze in Malaysia, as head coach introduces teenagers to senior competition.

Chloe Leung is enjoying a productive start to 2026. Photo: Karma Lo

Military

Trump wants US$1.5 trillion for military. Will China boost spending too?

Analysts say Donald Trump’s military budget proposal aims to blunt China’s influence, but some dismiss the spending plan as ‘fanciful’.

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US President Donald Trump says his administration’s tariffs on other countries will help fund his proposed increase in defence spending. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
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Military

PLA drills target swarms of suicide drones – Taiwan’s front line of defence

CCTV footage shows naval unit conducting anti-drone and uncrewed target exercises as mainland China’s military launches 2026 training cycle.

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The People’s Liberation Army has been monitoring the use of counter-drone technology on the battlefield and testing its capabilities through regular exercises. Photo: CCTV

Law and Crime

Ex-PLA soldier remanded in Hong Kong for offering illegal ride-hailing services

Zeng Yulin, 39, earned more than HK$73,000 in two months by providing paid rides in his Tesla Model S sedan.

Mainland resident Zeng Yulin, who says he was a former squad leader of the People’s Liberation Army, leaves Fanling Court after securing bail in a hearing in October 2025. Photo: Brian Wong

Russia & Central Asia

Russia slams West’s ‘axis of war’ as Kyiv says US guarantees ‘essentially ready’

Moscow warns ‘axis of war’ peacekeepers potentially being deployed to Ukraine are targets, overshadowing Zelensky’s claim a US pact is almost ready.

Ukrainian recruits attend training at an undisclosed location in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine on January 1. Photo: EPA/65th Separate Mechanised Brigade press service

Banking & Finance

China’s Sinopec, CNAF to undergo consolidation, creating energy powerhouse

State Council approves reorganisation between Sinopec and China National Aviation Fuel Group, state asset regulator says.

A Sinopec worker walks past LNG storage tanks in Tianjin, China. Photo: Reuters

Tech Trends

Core team of Chinese researchers behind AI model R1 remains intact: DeepSeek

The 18 core scientists behind R1 continue to power the start-up’s AI ambitions and capabilities amid growing anticipation of a new release.

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The updated technical paper of DeepSeek’s R1 development shows the start-up retained all 18 scientists behind the much-acclaimed AI model. Photo: Shutterstock