https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/325311/feed en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Agencies Agencies The winner of this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature is Canada’s Anne Carson, an essayist and classicist who brings a modern twist to mysticism and antiquity in her writings about love, desire and despair. The 76-year-old won “for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature”, the Swedish Academy said on Thursday. Carson is widely known for her translations of classical Greek literature, which heavily... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3370205/canadas-anne-carson-wins-2026-nobel-prize-literature?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3370205/canadas-anne-carson-wins-2026-nobel-prize-literature?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:07:24 +0000 Reuters Reuters Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former politician who was jailed for lying in a high-profile libel case, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said on Monday. Archer sold over 300 million copies worldwide and was known for pacy thrillers like ‌his 1976 debut Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less and 1979’s Kane & Abel. His final novel, Adam and Eve, was due to be published on Tuesday. Kate Elton, HarperCollins’ UK CEO and Archer’s editor, said in a statement: “We’re all... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3369841/jeffrey-archer-former-british-politician-and-novelist-dies-aged-86?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3369841/jeffrey-archer-former-british-politician-and-novelist-dies-aged-86?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:11:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Fifty years after Sylvester Stallone pulled off one of Hollywood’s all-time long shots with Rocky (1976), the star of the Oscar-winning film still identifies with the character who for many embodies the outsider proving all the naysayers wrong. But he no longer claims to be an underdog. “It would be so disingenuous to say you’re an underdog, ‘as he said from his penthouse’,” Stallone says, on a high floor of a luxury Manhattan hotel. “Yeah. Come on. I am a lucky dog.” Stallone, who turned 80 in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3369520/lucky-dog-sylvester-stallone-80-fate-insecurity-and-his-rocky-road-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3369520/lucky-dog-sylvester-stallone-80-fate-insecurity-and-his-rocky-road-success?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Quentin Parker Quentin Parker More than three years ago, I articulated concerns regarding the existential threat of artificial intelligence in a piece entitled “How Hong Kong can play a role in preventing AI Armageddon”. There is an increasing number of articles about exactly this. Here I concentrate on a more insidious encroachment on our humanity – how AI is capturing our creative expression and replacing us in a way that is making it harder to discern what is creatively human. As a scientist, my inclination is to filter... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3368408/dont-let-ai-take-over-our-human-creative-expression?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3368408/dont-let-ai-take-over-our-human-creative-expression?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:30:14 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Designer Cordelia de Castellane, artistic director of Dior Maison and Baby Dior, has recently partnered with Sofitel – one of the world’s top hotel brands – on Le Vestiaire, a collection of uniforms for Sofitel’s 25,000 employees. We asked the Paris-based designer to tell us about the range, which blends functionality and elegance to cater to the needs of the company’s staff, from front of house to housekeeping. She also shares her favourite finds from Paris and around the world. Beauty... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3365210/style-according-dior-maison-and-baby-diors-artistic-director-cordelia-de-castellane?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3365210/style-according-dior-maison-and-baby-diors-artistic-director-cordelia-de-castellane?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:06 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre This year marks the 20th anniversary of Marie Antoinette, director Sofia Coppola’s third film. Starring Kirsten Dunst as the Queen of France and Jason Schwartzman as King Louis XVI, the film is still remembered for its performances, cool soundtrack and Oscar-winning costume design, not to mention the countless trays of Ladurée macarons and Manolo Blahnik heels that also played pivotal roles. The film’s enduring legacy lies in its ability to present historical narrative in a modern, vibrant way.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/entertainment-news/article/3367943/kirsten-dunst-manolo-blahnik-heels-features-new-marie-antoinette-book?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/entertainment-news/article/3367943/kirsten-dunst-manolo-blahnik-heels-features-new-marie-antoinette-book?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:09 +0000 Pierce Conran Pierce Conran 4/5 stars Lead cast: Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, Nana Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons), an 18th century novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, is an erotically charged tale of aristocrats indulging in illicit games of seduction that may not seem like an ideal fit for a Joseon-era Korean adaptation at first. The period’s patriarchal nature, however, makes it the perfect backdrop for The Scandal, Netflix’s glossy adaptation of the novel starring Son Ye-jin (No Other Choice), Ji... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3367939/netflix-k-drama-scandal-review-son-ye-jin-nana-anchor-dangerous-liaisons-adaptation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3367939/netflix-k-drama-scandal-review-son-ye-jin-nana-anchor-dangerous-liaisons-adaptation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:00:07 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Few figures in Qing dynasty (1644-1912) history embody the tragedy of shifting tides quite like Duanfang, a Manchu statesman born in 1861. Duanfang rose through the imperial ranks, earned distinction for his service during the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) and went on to hold major regional posts, such as governor of China’s Hubei province and viceroy of the Liangjiang region. His career took a bizarre turn when he was stripped of his viceroyalty in 1909 for supposedly showing disrespect by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3367584/tragic-qing-dynasty-politician-whose-legacy-lives-descendants-new-novel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3367584/tragic-qing-dynasty-politician-whose-legacy-lives-descendants-new-novel?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:15:04 +0000 Fionnuala McHugh Fionnuala McHugh On a recent afternoon, Paul French – British author, broadcaster, blogger but definitely not, as he always stresses, an academic – is explaining his technique. “My trick, which I suppose is reasonably successful, is to try and write Chinese history linked to a genre that lots and lots of people read, [because] there’s that many people” – his finger and thumb indicate a space so narrow you’d hardly be able to pass a sliver of paper between them – “who read books on China. And there’s this many... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/postmag/culture/article/3367403/paul-french-lifts-veil-final-months-chinas-last-emperor-forbidden-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/postmag/culture/article/3367403/paul-french-lifts-veil-final-months-chinas-last-emperor-forbidden-city?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:06 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak Women are vastly under-represented in ancient Chinese literature. The few who appear, often in myth or semi-fiction, serve primarily to reflect that era’s moral expectations for women. From filial warriors to patriotic seductresses and femmes fatales, these women have one thing in common – they all trade personal autonomy for survival in a man’s world. Here are three fictional women in Chinese history and what makes their names live on to this day. 1. Hua Mulan The only historical record of Hua... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3366929/famous-chinese-women-folklore-hua-mulan-consort-who-brought-down-dynasty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3366929/famous-chinese-women-folklore-hua-mulan-consort-who-brought-down-dynasty?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:15:04 +0000 Divia Harilela Divia Harilela Rare books are having a moment in the spotlight. In the past year, major auction houses have seen record-breaking sales for first editions, landmark historical texts and medieval manuscripts, including the almost £2.25 million (HK$23.7 million) realised by Christie’s in July for the Clermont-Tonnerre Grail, one of the earliest documents narrating the legend of King Arthur and his search for the Holy Grail. Antiquarian booksellers and bibliophiles are trending across social media while more... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3365329/why-rare-books-harry-potter-first-editions-are-trending-investments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3365329/why-rare-books-harry-potter-first-editions-are-trending-investments?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Faye Bradley Faye Bradley To many, Nancy Kwan Ka-shen is the actress who rose to international stardom for her role in the 1960 film The World of Suzie Wong, based on the book of the same name, about a sex worker in Wan Chai who meets a wealthy American (played by William Holden). Kwan’s story, however, is far richer than any single role. From breaking barriers for Asian actors in Hollywood and standing her ground in an industry that was rigid and often prejudiced, to founding her own ballet studio, producing films and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/postmag/culture/article/3365826/nancy-kwans-enduring-legacy-six-decades-after-release-world-suzie-wong-interview?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/postmag/culture/article/3365826/nancy-kwans-enduring-legacy-six-decades-after-release-world-suzie-wong-interview?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Whether you’re searching for sculptural furniture or gem-encrusted decor, the following interior design pieces are sure to bring a little personality to your home, or at the very least serve as conversation pieces. Ginger & Jagger Made of marble and brass, this console from Portuguese furniture maker Ginger & Jagger stands out for its cactus leaf “legs”. It is part of the brand’s nature-inspired Earth to Earth collection. Place it against a white wall to add a sculptural element to a minimalist... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3365170/3-eye-catching-home-decor-items-ginger-jagger-panconesi-and-marc-newson-x-taschen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3365170/3-eye-catching-home-decor-items-ginger-jagger-panconesi-and-marc-newson-x-taschen?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2026 02:00:06 +0000 Chow Chung-yan Chow Chung-yan Elon Musk called it a fundamental catalyst for SpaceX. Nobel laureate Paul Krugman credited it with shaping his career. Newt Gingrich made it required reading for his congressional staff, and even Japanese cult leader Shoko Asahara was reportedly inspired by it. Isaac Asimov’s Foundation was published as a book series 75 years ago this week, and it has lost none of its relevance or poignancy today. Unlike Frank Herbert’s Dune, which is evocative, poetic and elegantly composed, Asimov’s style was... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3364964/why-asimovs-foundation-series-still-resonates-ai-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3364964/why-asimovs-foundation-series-still-resonates-ai-era?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Aug 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Matt Glasby Matt Glasby One of the greatest films of the 1980s, Rob Reiner’s Stand by Me turns 40 this month. And, just as its hero discovers while looking back on the events of a summer long past, time and tragedy have only made it burn brighter. Based on a novella by Stephen King and sensitively adapted by Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans, Stand by Me is a film about, rather than for, kids. As with much of King’s work, the main theme is the harm that adults do to children, and the scars it leaves. In the years since... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3364230/why-stand-me-remains-dark-coming-age-masterpiece-40-years-after-its-release?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3364230/why-stand-me-remains-dark-coming-age-masterpiece-40-years-after-its-release?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:15:06 +0000 Chow Chung-yan Chow Chung-yan In every civilisation, certain stories capture the psyche so profoundly that they are retold across centuries. In the West, Homer’s Odyssey is the one. Countless adaptations have emerged over millennia, inspiring literary giants from Dante Alighieri to James Joyce. Christopher Nolan’s cinematic adaptation is merely the latest. While it reflects the British-American filmmaker’s personal vision, it also offers a glimpse into the anxieties and self-reflections of today’s Western elite. Homer’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3363689/what-nolans-odysseus-tells-us-about-western-elites-existential-angst?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3363689/what-nolans-odysseus-tells-us-about-western-elites-existential-angst?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Aug 2026 01:30:07 +0000 Winnie Chung Winnie Chung For the better part of two decades, Helen Goh has existed at a rare culinary and clinical intersection: the quiet intimacy of the psychotherapist’s consulting room and the exacting, warm chemistry of the pastry kitchen. While these disciplines might seem worlds apart, they share a fundamental core. Both are obsessed with process, both search for connection and both seek to answer a deceptively simple question: what brings comfort and meaning to a human life? Those tracks ran parallel, never to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363597/how-baker-and-psychologist-helen-goh-aims-create-recipes-make-your-life-better?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363597/how-baker-and-psychologist-helen-goh-aims-create-recipes-make-your-life-better?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Aug 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Matt Glasby Matt Glasby Throughout his career, Wayne Wang has cemented his legacy as one of the great Asian-American filmmakers, consistently exploring the East-West divide in acclaimed films such as The Joy Luck Club (1993) and Chinese Box (1997). Born in Hong Kong in 1949 and living in California since the 1960s, he is uniquely positioned to do so. “I’m proud to have been born in Hong Kong, when it was a British colony, to very traditional Chinese parents,” he told the Traveling Boy website. “I was educated by Irish... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3362779/how-did-wayne-wangs-snow-flower-and-secret-fan-become-such-ambitious-failure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3362779/how-did-wayne-wangs-snow-flower-and-secret-fan-become-such-ambitious-failure?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Aug 2026 11:15:06 +0000 Reuters Reuters The man who stabbed and partially blinded author Salman Rushdie at a speaking engagement in 2022 was found guilty on Wednesday of federal terrorism charges for the attack, which prosecutors said was incited by death threats over Rushdie’s novel The Satanic Verses. Hadi Matar, 28, already serving a 25-year prison term on state charges of attempted murder for ‌the knife assault, now faces a maximum penalty of life behind bars when he is sentenced on his federal conviction, scheduled for November... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3362314/hadi-matar-convicted-terrorism-trial-over-salman-rushdie-stabbing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3362314/hadi-matar-convicted-terrorism-trial-over-salman-rushdie-stabbing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:33:28 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The man on trial in the stabbing of Salman Rushdie chose on Tuesday not to testify or call any witnesses in the federal terrorism case, which is expected to head to the jury as soon as Wednesday. Hadi Matar’s lawyer told the court that the 28-year-old – who already has been convicted of state-level attempted murder charges – would not take the stand at his trial on charges that include engaging in an act of transnational terrorism. “At this time, the defence rests,” lawyer Nathaniel Barone said.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3362182/defendant-salman-rushdie-stabbing-declines-testify-federal-terrorism-trial?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3362182/defendant-salman-rushdie-stabbing-declines-testify-federal-terrorism-trial?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:46:18 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Japanese mystery fiction author Keigo Higashino died from colon cancer on July 23 aged 68, triggering an outpouring of grief among fans across Asia. Higashino wrote more than 100 books. His works have been translated and published in more than 40 countries and territories and widely adapted for film and television. A statement posted on Higashino’s X account said that the author’s “published works, from his debut novel After School, released in September 1985, to his latest book Eternal Memory,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3362102/asia-mourns-japanese-mystery-novelist-keigo-higashino-who-died-68?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3362102/asia-mourns-japanese-mystery-novelist-keigo-higashino-who-died-68?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Alex Lo Alex Lo I once came across a book titled, The Last Walk, with a worn-out dog collar on the front cover. I lost all interest in browsing and quickly left the bookstore. As a lifelong owner of cats and dogs as well as other animals, I have had too many last walks. Some walks I knew were likely to be our last together. Others I didn’t suspect would come to an end; I thought there was still time. I often wonder whether that book sold well. Perhaps it appealed to some people. My wife and I, though, have been... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3361551/how-death-argos-odysseus-faithful-dog-still-haunts-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3361551/how-death-argos-odysseus-faithful-dog-still-haunts-us?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:30:08 +0000 Matt Glasby Matt Glasby Planet of the Apes is one of the most feted of all film franchises. Based on the 1963 book by French author Pierre Boulle, who also wrote The Bridge over the River Kwai, it includes the 1968-73 movie series, a 1974 TV show, a 2011-17 trilogy, and Tim Burton’s 2001 outlier, which turns 25 this month. Released at the height of the American civil rights movement, the original 1968 adaptation starred Charlton Heston as an astronaut who crash-lands on a planet where humans are slaves to apes. It... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3361171/what-made-tim-burtons-much-hyped-planet-apes-such-confusing-mess-25-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3361171/what-made-tim-burtons-much-hyped-planet-apes-such-confusing-mess-25-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:15:04 +0000 Christopher DeWolf Christopher DeWolf Ackbar Abbas, a Hong Kong-born scholar whose influence extended beyond academia to shape artists, filmmakers, writers and many others, died on July 13 at the age of 84 after a brief battle with cancer. Over decades of teaching at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Abbas did not simply analyse Hong Kong – he altered the way Hong Kong could be described. His 1997 book Hong Kong: Culture and the Politics of Disappearance was particularly influential.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3361422/how-scholar-ackbar-abbas-changed-way-people-thought-about-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3361422/how-scholar-ackbar-abbas-changed-way-people-thought-about-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak Social media is full of cooking videos today, but it was not long ago that only those who had earned their stripes in a professional kitchen – and gained the approval of a publishing house – could create culinary content for the masses in the form of cookbooks. In Hong Kong, the 1960s saw an influx of immigrants and an expanding middle class whose interest in home cooking fuelled a surge in popularity of cookbooks and food-themed TV shows. This is the starting point of “Treasured Recipes”, a new... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3361426/vintage-cookbooks-trace-hong-kongs-food-heritage-hakka-haute-new-exhibition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3361426/vintage-cookbooks-trace-hong-kongs-food-heritage-hakka-haute-new-exhibition?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Douglas Parkes Douglas Parkes We live in an era when food is celebrated more than ever. The number of restaurant awards is at an all-time high. Thanks to the internet’s amplifying effects, a single review, professional or not, can generate headlines and effects previously unimaginable. Chefs are the new rock stars. Millions of food-related posts flood social media channels every day. Yet the culinary culture behind this frenzy is often ignored or cynically deployed as fluff (“This dish is inspired by my grandmother…”) in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361528/how-hong-kongs-pmq-offering-fresh-perspectives-culinary-traditions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361528/how-hong-kongs-pmq-offering-fresh-perspectives-culinary-traditions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:30:15 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The joy of reading books is easily overlooked when so much time is now devoted to scrolling on social media and conversing with artificial intelligence (AI). People’s attention spans are shorter and the idea of spending hours enjoying a medium offering no interaction might be viewed as belonging to the distant past. But the timeless pleasure of reading a book remains. The buying and reading of books needs support, both for the good of the publishing industry and for the benefits brought to the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3361443/hong-kong-book-fair-offers-hope-future-full-reading?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3361443/hong-kong-book-fair-offers-hope-future-full-reading?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:15:12 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The man convicted of trying to kill Salman Rushdie spent years researching the writer’s whereabouts before stabbing him on a lecture stage, federal prosecutors said Wednesday at the opening of his federal terrorism trial. It is a second trial for Hadi Matar, who was found guilty in a New York state attempted murder case last year. The federal terror charges focus more on Matar’s alleged motive for the attack on the renowned author and free-speech advocate in 2022. Prosecutors started working on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3361512/terrorism-trial-opens-stabbing-author-salman-rushdie?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3361512/terrorism-trial-opens-stabbing-author-salman-rushdie?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:05:15 +0000 Alex Lo Alex Lo Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has hit theatres across North America. Suddenly, everyone has Homer on their mind. If China has Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Journey to the West, the West has The Iliad and The Odyssey. These are civilisation-defining monuments, about which children know the stories and scholars spend a lifetime probing every detail. The identity of Homer has always intrigued scholars over the ages. Samuel Butler, who translated both The Iliad and The Odyssey, was convinced a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3361090/how-obscure-psychologist-reshaped-homeric-hero?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3361090/how-obscure-psychologist-reshaped-homeric-hero?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jul 2026 01:30:10 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong’s biggest annual book fair opened on Wednesday, with many exhibitors launching new offerings to improve business while fans hoping to see a local girl group complained about poor crowd control. Hundreds of fans of Cantopop group Collar said chaos broke out after they waited overnight for autographs only to miss their chance as queues intersected. “The arrangement is an absolute mess … This was my first time at the book fair, and it has been deeply disappointing,” said 15-year-old Lucas... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3360643/hong-kong-book-fair-early-birds-slam-chaotic-queues-meet-girl-band-collar?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3360643/hong-kong-book-fair-early-birds-slam-chaotic-queues-meet-girl-band-collar?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:44:09 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu New York-based author Elizabeth Lim grew up hearing her grandmother’s stories about Hong Kong in World War II, Guangdong during the Sino-Japanese war and the sweeping immigrant journey that eventually brought their family to American shores. Those ancestral memories form the backbone of her latest novel, Fishbone Cinderella, set to hit shelves on July 28. Known widely for her young adult high fantasies such as Spin the Dawn (2019) and Six Crimson Cranes (2021), The New York Times bestselling... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3359950/i-never-felt-ready-elizabeth-lim-writing-her-chinese-grandmothers-story-and-soy-milk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3359950/i-never-felt-ready-elizabeth-lim-writing-her-chinese-grandmothers-story-and-soy-milk?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Jul 2026 11:15:05 +0000 Richard James Havis Richard James Havis Who is the real Jet Li Lianjie? That is a question being asked not by journalists and his fans, but by the martial arts film legend himself. In his new book Beyond Life and Death: The Way of True Freedom, Li says he has always been searching for his true self, and finally found it through practising Tibetan Buddhism. He wrote the book to share the spiritual benefits of these practices. Martial artists have, in history and legend, always been entwined with Buddhism, although not typically of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3359680/6-facts-jet-lis-new-book-we-didnt-know-life-changing-injury-almost-dying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3359680/6-facts-jet-lis-new-book-we-didnt-know-life-changing-injury-almost-dying?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:15:05 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who attended Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s extravagant wedding at Madison Square Garden last Friday, couldn’t be more grateful to the bride and groom. The power couple donated around US$26 million to various organisations – including the Paisleys’ free grocery non-profit The Store – before their wedding. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brad Paisley (@bradpaisley) “We’re incredibly grateful to Taylor... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3359729/meet-paisleys-whose-non-profit-taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce-donated-millions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3359729/meet-paisleys-whose-non-profit-taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce-donated-millions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:00:10 +0000 Fionnuala McHugh Fionnuala McHugh The first time Michelle Garnaut visited Nanteuil-en-Vallee in southwestern France was in 1990. The previous year, she had opened M at the Fringe in Hong Kong, a restaurant that set such a high standard for fine dining that it had already attracted a devoted clientele. Some of these patrons invited her to Nanteuil, a village of historic charm – an 8th century abbey, a medieval church – listed as one of France’s “small towns of character”. On that initial trip, Garnaut, who is Australian,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3359098/rich-and-fascinating-new-literary-festival-france-has-hong-kong-connection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3359098/rich-and-fascinating-new-literary-festival-france-has-hong-kong-connection?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Jul 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Eiko Kadono, the author behind Japan’s most famous – and almost certainly most beloved – literary witch, has a little trouble going up the stairs these days. At 91, she is still writing every day and has not stopped loving the colour pink, dressing up or believing in the magic of books. Kiki’s Delivery Service, which was published in 1985 and turned into a 1989 animation by Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli, is among more than 200 books she has written. “I never tire of writing,” she says at her... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3359097/kikis-delivery-service-author-eiko-kadono-91-loves-pink-and-never-tires-writing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3359097/kikis-delivery-service-author-eiko-kadono-91-loves-pink-and-never-tires-writing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Jul 2026 11:15:05 +0000 Wynna Wong,William Yiu Wynna Wong,William Yiu Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has said he is deeply saddened by the death of Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee, who publicly recounted being abducted and detained by mainland Chinese authorities in 2015. Lam died at the age of 70 after a years-long battle with lung cancer, according to Taiwanese media. Local reports said Lam, who moved to Taiwan in 2019, was admitted to Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei on Tuesday, but his condition worsened and he fell into a coma. He was pronounced... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3359216/lam-wing-kee-hong-kong-bookseller-detained-mainland-china-dies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3359216/lam-wing-kee-hong-kong-bookseller-detained-mainland-china-dies?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:42:50 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong national security police have arrested the owners of an independent bookshop for alleged sedition and money laundering. Officers searched Hunter Bookstore in Sham Shui Po on Wednesday and arrested the owners, former district councillor of the now-disbanded Civic Party Leticia Wong Man‑huen, 33, and a 32-year-old local man. They were detained on suspicion of committing acts with seditious intent and laundering money in breach of the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance, according to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3358252/national-security-police-arrest-2-people-hong-kong-bookshop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3358252/national-security-police-arrest-2-people-hong-kong-bookshop?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:03:32 +0000 Douglas Parkes,Betty Lan Douglas Parkes,Betty Lan There’s no shortage of exceptional mixology experiences to elevate your weekend in Hong Kong. Stop by Jordan rooftop hotspot Terrible Baby, where Cambodian gem Sora from Rosewood Phnom Penh is taking over, or sneak a peek at Bangkok bar Sundry’s upcoming menu at Friday After Class. Alternatively, head to Alibi to savour an immersive, literary-inspired cocktail journey curated by Madara’s Rayven Leung. Thursday, June 25 Terrible Baby x Sora from Rosewood Phnom Penh Terrible Baby is welcoming... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358209/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-june-25-27?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358209/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-june-25-27?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:17 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Hongkonger Davina Chang has called a cosy corner of Paris’ 3rd Arrondissement hers for the past three and a half years, along with the many customers from near and far who have stopped by her cafe, Bing Sutt. They come in search of a slice of life – and a warm pineapple bun – from her home city. Chang’s cafe is inspired by the old-school bing sutt, or “ice rooms”, which have offered generations of Hongkongers respite from the brutal summer heat with Western-influenced snacks and drinks. It’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3358051/davina-changs-paris-cafe-bing-sutt-was-tribute-hong-kong-so-whats-next-cookbook-author?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3358051/davina-changs-paris-cafe-bing-sutt-was-tribute-hong-kong-so-whats-next-cookbook-author?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:00:07 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Reading Intimate Audrey feels like cuddling into your favourite reading nook and wrapping yourself in a real-life fairy tale. In this book, the authors take you on a most personal journey into Audrey Hepburn’s life from her childhood to her death. Filled with stories of victory – such as being declared the only person to play Gigi in the Broadway show of the same name by the novelist on whose book the show was based – and tragedy, such as when her housekeeper revealed the extent of her husband’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3357373/new-audrey-hepburn-biography-emotional-roller-coaster-joy-and-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3357373/new-audrey-hepburn-biography-emotional-roller-coaster-joy-and-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Jun 2026 11:15:05 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwan’s first International Booker Prize-winning novel has reignited debate over the island’s shifting identity, with its portrayal of a distinctly Taiwanese historical experience at odds with narratives long promoted by Beijing. The attention surrounding Taiwan Travelogue comes at a sensitive time in cross-strait relations, as rival interpretations of Taiwan’s history increasingly shape public discussion over the island’s future and its relationship with mainland China. Set in Japanese-ruled... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3357758/how-prize-winning-taiwanese-novel-could-stoke-beijings-worries-over-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3357758/how-prize-winning-taiwanese-novel-could-stoke-beijings-worries-over-history?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Jun 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Alex Lo Alex Lo Carl Jung was a big fan of the I Ching, also known as the Book of Changes. He was also a close friend of Richard Wilhelm, whose German translation was probably the most influential Western version of the ancient Chinese text in the last century. But over the years, I have become convinced that the great Jung didn’t really get it. A red flag is that he thinks it is very difficult for the Western mind to grasp what I will call the Chinese spirit of the I Ching, which he claims is completely... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3357512/what-i-ching-really-about?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3357512/what-i-ching-really-about?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Jun 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Inside an unassuming room of the Huntington Library in Los Angeles, California, author Lisa See unfolds a stack of court records. At first glance, they look like a centuries-old love letter. The paper has yellowed from age, and the cursive is so ornate that the words are hard to make out. “This is the case of the Wing Chun store,” See explains. “This is where a lot of the violence happened.” The store was run by Sam Yuen, head of one of Los Angeles’ tongs, which were secret societies made up of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3357286/night-horrors-las-chinese-massacre-1871-brought-fore-new-book?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3357286/night-horrors-las-chinese-massacre-1871-brought-fore-new-book?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Sheena Khemaney Sheena Khemaney Many great writers also possess a distinct sense of style. Some notable names from the past even went on to become fashion icons in their own right – think of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s dapper tailoring or Virginia Woolf’s maximalism. Read on to explore the personal style of four more recent literary giants with sartorial flair. Colson Whitehead This two-time Pulitzer Prize winner often opts for casual wardrobe staples that can be mixed and matched. Visvim T-shirt Manolo Blahnik sneakers Fedeli... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3357160/how-style-4-authors-distinctive-personal-styles-joan-didion-zadie-smith?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3357160/how-style-4-authors-distinctive-personal-styles-joan-didion-zadie-smith?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:05 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Prince George turns 13 next month and, on June 16, Kensington Palace announced he will follow in his father’s footsteps and enrol at Eton College this fall. The prince has been studying at Lambrook School in Ascot with his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, who is now 12, and Prince Louis, eight. Prince William, who attended Eton from 1995 to 2000, was spotted touring the school with his fashionable wife Kate Middleton and son George before the latter’s 10th birthday, back in June 2023. The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3357444/6-famous-eton-college-alums-prince-harry-tom-hiddleston-prince-george-set-join-them?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3357444/6-famous-eton-college-alums-prince-harry-tom-hiddleston-prince-george-set-join-them?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:18:30 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa From June 11 to July 19, the Fifa World Cup 2026 will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico on a continent where football is gaining ground against the locally dominant sports of American football, basketball and baseball. With 48 teams competing for the title in 104 matches across 16 cities, it is set to be the biggest World Cup tournament in history, expected to draw more than 5 million fans into stadiums and billions more to screens in bars and living rooms around the world. Modern... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3356303/celebrate-fifa-world-cup-2026-football-photo-book-charting-sports-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3356303/celebrate-fifa-world-cup-2026-football-photo-book-charting-sports-history?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Bernice Chan Bernice Chan Vancouver-based chef Robin Kort loves foraging for mushrooms. “I like the treasure hunt. It’s been sort of a lifelong passion, and because I’m a chef, my palate has led me into the forest,” she explains. “Going into the forest and picking mushrooms is super fun and exciting, because they’re just weird little creatures. And as you’re walking along, if you approach the forest from that sort of way of finding treasure, walking slowly, it’s very meditative.” She says the assortment of mushrooms in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3356301/magic-mushrooms-unexpected-health-booster?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3356301/magic-mushrooms-unexpected-health-booster?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:00:06 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Whether you’re summering in Los Angeles, Paris or London, these curated highlights offer a glimpse into the worlds of fashion and luxury lifestyle shaping the season – from fashion photography and designer retrospectives to luxe wellness spaces and ultra-exclusive retail experiences. Arthur Elgort exhibition If you happen to be in Los Angeles this summer, drop by The Beverly Hills Hotel – known as the “Pink Palace” for its bright exterior – to check out an exhibition held in partnership with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3355573/what-do-summer-fashion-capitals-world-exhibitions-saunas-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3355573/what-do-summer-fashion-capitals-world-exhibitions-saunas-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:00:06 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Franco-Iranian author and film director Marjane Satrapi, renowned for her graphic novel and film Persepolis, has died aged 56, a year after the passing of “the love of her life”, a member of her close circle said on Thursday. “Marjane Satrapi died of sadness a little over a year after the death of Mattias Ripa, her husband and the love of her life,” they said in a statement. Born in 1969 in Rasht in northern Iran, Satrapi arrived in France in 1994 and gained French nationality in 2006. An... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/middle-east/article/3356010/persepolis-author-marjane-satrapi-dies-aged-56?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/middle-east/article/3356010/persepolis-author-marjane-satrapi-dies-aged-56?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:20:18 +0000 Fionnuala McHugh Fionnuala McHugh The writer Kit Fan likes his readers to know, at least initially, where – and when – he is taking them. His first novel, published in 2021 and set in 1987, is called Diamond Hill, and its location is mostly confined to the Hong Kong neighbourhood it is named after. Diamond Hill was Hong Kong’s equivalent of Hollywood during its heyday after World War II. But by the late 1980s, it had lost its movie glamour. In that book, Fan played with a colourful, often profane, cast of nuns, triads and drug... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3354739/hong-kong-author-kit-fan-food-identity-and-reverse-migration-goodbye-chinatown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3354739/hong-kong-author-kit-fan-food-identity-and-reverse-migration-goodbye-chinatown?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2026 23:15:09 +0000