after

applicationId

count

entityId

scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds

superTopicQueueName

topicPageQuery

hooksTopicWidgetQuery

topic

discoveryWidgetPostMagazineQueueQuery

chinaScienceDiscoveryWidgetQuery

hundredTopTablesDiscoveryWidgetQuery

openQuestionsSeriesDiscoveryWidgetQuery

appConfig

filter

entityUuid

advertZone

sponsor

name

urlAlias

hooksTopic

hooksUseDynamicMetaTags

topicAdsTopic

topicDescriptionTopic

topicHeaderTopic

topicRestContentsTopic

topicSeoTopic

topicTopContentsTopic

topicTopicPageTopic

queue

items

section

query topicPageQuery(
  $after: String
  $applicationId: String!
  $count: Int = 28
  $entityId: String!
  $scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds: [String]
  $superTopicQueueName: String!
) {
  ...hooksTopicWidgetQuery_49mQWb
  topic(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    entityUuid
    advertZone(version: 2)
    sponsor {
      name
      id
    }
    name
    urlAlias
    ...hooksTopic
    ...hooksUseDynamicMetaTags
    ...topicAdsTopic
    ...topicDescriptionTopic
    ...topicHeaderTopic
    ...topicRestContentsTopic
    ...topicSeoTopic
    ...topicTopContentsTopic
    ...topicTopicPageTopic_44JfPG
    id
  }
  superTopicQueue: queue(filter: {name: $superTopicQueueName}) {
    items(first: 10) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Content {
            __isContent: __typename
            entityUuid
            ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
            ...sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent
            ...topStoriesItemContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment articleCommentArticle on Article {
  ...entityLink
  commentCount
  entityId
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment chinaScienceDiscoveryWidgetQuery on Query {
  chinaScienceSection: section(filter: {entityId: "328475"}) {
    ...latestDiscoveryWidgetSection
    id
  }
  chinaScienceQueue: queue(filter: {name: "section_top_328475"}) {
    ...latestDiscoveryWidgetQueue
    id
  }
}

fragment contentActionBarContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  createdDate
  updatedDate
  publishedDate
  ...articleCommentArticle
  ...helpersIsArticleVideoAsHeroArticle
  ...helpersGetContentTypeNameContent
  ... on Article {
    hasVideoContent
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    size1200x800: style(filter: {style: "1200x800"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_34Njms on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    landscape250x99: style(filter: {style: "landscape_250_99"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_4hzFNJ on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    size768x768: style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentLiveTagContent on Article {
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentReadingTimeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  readingTime
  flag
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment contentSummaryContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  summary {
    text
  }
}

fragment contentTopicLinkContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    urlAlias
    ...entityLink
    ...topicLinkTopic
    id
  }
}

fragment discoveryWidgetPostMagazineQueueQuery on Query {
  postMagazineDiscoveryQueue: queue(filter: {name: "section_top_71"}) {
    items(first: 6) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...postMagazineDiscoveryItemContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment entityFollowButtonBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Section {
    entityId
    name
  }
  ... on Author {
    entityId
    name
    disableFollow
  }
  ... on Topic {
    entityId
    name
    disableFollow
  }
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment followButtonBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  entityId
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Article {
  paywallTypes {
    entityUuid
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeNameArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetContentTypeNameContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    ...helpersGetArticleTypeNameArticle
  }
}

fragment helpersIsArticleVideoAsHeroArticle on Article {
  multimediaEmbed {
    json
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment homePrimaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3ULXzP
}

fragment homeSecondaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_1YUsN1
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_14w7Xi on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentReadingTimeContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_1YUsN1 on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentLiveTagContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSubHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3TpHBe on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSubHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3ULXzP on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_2m5Gjt
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentLiveTagContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_Y5tau on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_4hzFNJ
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
  }
}

fragment hooksTopic on Topic {
  types
  sponsor {
    __typename
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksTopicWidgetQuery_49mQWb on Query {
  topic(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    ...hooksTopic
    ...topicAdsTopic
    ...topicMetadataDisplayTopic
    id
  }
  ...discoveryWidgetPostMagazineQueueQuery
  ...chinaScienceDiscoveryWidgetQuery
  ...hundredTopTablesDiscoveryWidgetQuery
  ...openQuestionsSeriesDiscoveryWidgetQuery_2uEaAo
  appConfig(filter: {entityId: "scmp_pwa_widget"}) {
    json
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksUseDeepLinkTagsBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  urlAlias
  entityId
}

fragment hooksUseDynamicMetaTags on DynamicMetaTags {
  __isDynamicMetaTags: __typename
  metatags {
    key
    value
  }
}

fragment hundredTopTablesContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...entityLink
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_Y5tau
}

fragment hundredTopTablesDiscoveryWidgetQuery on Query {
  hundredTopTablesQueue: queue(filter: {name: "section_top_517759"}) {
    items(first: 5) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...hundredTopTablesContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
  hundredTopTablesSection: section(filter: {entityId: "517759"}) {
    ...entityLink
    id
  }
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment latestDiscoveryWidgetQueue on Queue {
  items(first: 6) {
    edges {
      node {
        __typename
        ... on Article {
          entityId
          ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
        }
        ... on Node {
          __isNode: __typename
          id
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment latestDiscoveryWidgetSection on Section {
  urlAlias
  name
  entityId
  parentSection
}

fragment openQuestionsSeriesDiscoveryWidgetQuery_2uEaAo on Query {
  openQuestionSeriesTopic: topic(filter: {entityId: "518656"}) {
    name
    urlAlias
    contents(exclude: {paywallTypeIds: $scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds}, first: 6, orderBy: {field: PUBLISHED_DATE, direction: DESC}) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Article {
            entityId
            ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
          }
          id
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment postMagazineDiscoveryItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...articleCommentArticle
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_14w7Xi
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  topics {
    ...followButtonBase
    id
  }
  ...entityLink
  ...contentCoverImageContent_34Njms
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3TpHBe
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}

fragment topStoriesItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...homePrimaryContentItemContent
  ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment topicAdsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicDescriptionTopic on Topic {
  ...topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  ...hooksTopic
  ...topicMetadataDisplayTopic
  extraMetadata {
    __typename
  }
  ...entityLink
  mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
    style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  name
  description {
    text
  }
  chineseName
  updatedDate
}

fragment topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic on Topic {
  ...hooksTopic
  relatedLink {
    title
    url
  }
  relatedTopics {
    name
    urlAlias
    id
  }
}

fragment topicHeaderTopic on Topic {
  ...topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  ...hooksTopic
  ...entityLink
  mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
    style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  name
  chineseName
  sponsor {
    ...sponsorTagSponsor
    id
  }
}

fragment topicLinkTopic on Topic {
  ...entityLink
  name
  shortName
}

fragment topicMetadataDisplayTopic on Topic {
  ...hooksTopic
  extraMetadata {
    key
    value
    topic {
      name
      ...entityLink
      types
      urlAlias
      mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
        style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
          url
        }
      }
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment topicRestContentsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicSeoTopic on Topic {
  name
  description {
    text
  }
  urlAlias
  metaDescription
  ...hooksUseDeepLinkTagsBase
  ...hooksUseDynamicMetaTags
}

fragment topicTopContentsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicTopicPageTopic_44JfPG on Topic {
  contents(after: $after, exclude: {paywallTypeIds: $scmpPlusPaywallTypeIds}, first: $count, filter: {applicationIds: [$applicationId]}, orderBy: {field: PUBLISHED_DATE, direction: DESC}) {
    edges {
      node {
        __typename
        __isContent: __typename
        entityUuid
        ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
        ...sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent
        ...topStoriesItemContent
        id
      }
      cursor
    }
    pageInfo {
      endCursor
      hasNextPage
    }
  }
  id
}

fragment videoDurationOverlayVideo on Video {
  duration
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}


types

extraMetadata

relatedLink

relatedTopics

image

description

chineseName

updatedDate

metaDescription

parentSection

json

section_top_71

section_top_328475

section_top_517759

China’s high-speed rail enthusiasts glimpse the future as 450km/h train spotted

The CR450 seen heading towards Beijing this week will be the fastest commercial service in the world when it starts operations next year.


China launches deep-sea icebreaker to help forge path in research and Arctic influence

In announcing Tan Suo San Hao launch, state media says its Chinese engineers broke through foreign-controlled technological bottlenecks.


Chinese firm unveils world’s first ride-on robot dog for all-terrain adventures

The B2-W’s ability to carry an adult safely and comfortably across challenging landscapes attracts online interest.


Will delayed launch put China’s plans to build Starlink rival at long-term risk?

Qianfan’s pause may affect 2024 goals but network of 10,000 satellites is an endeavour of a decade or more, experts say.


Chinese scientists say new sunblock can cut body temperature by up to 6 degrees Celsius

Tsinghua University researchers say their product offers the same protection as SPF 51 sunblock after 12 hours.


China approves Tibet mega dam that could generate 3 times more power than Three Gorges

Hydropower project on Yarlung Tsangpo River could get unprecedented investment to tackle daunting engineering challenges.


Science

Dish in Focus: Marmitako at Spanish restaurant 22 Ships

7 of the most luxurious afternoon tea sets in Hong Kong

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for December 27-29

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for December 27-29

The 7 best New Year’s Eve dinners in Hong Kong for 2024

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

From a Nobel laureate and economists to scholars and historians, here are some of our best Open Questions interviews of the year.


Trump, Cop29 and why Chinese eco-warrior Ma Jun sees green shoots of hope

NGO founder explains how mapping initiative helps hold authorities and companies accountable for carbon emissions and cover-ups.


Historian Jay Winter on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

US historian Jay Winter explains how the nature of war shifted after WWI and WWII, and the impact it has on the world today.


Middle East ‘the best place’ for China and US to cooperate, observer says

Prominent academic Pan Guang gives his view on Beijing’s role in conflict mediation, its engagement with the Global South, and belt and road security.


China’s property bender has led to long, tough hangover: economist Mao Zhenhua

Chinese economist Mao Zhenhua, who was among the first to spot weaknesses in the country’s real estate sector, says the era of large-scale construction which fuelled the property crisis has ended.


Justin Lin Yifu on China’s third plenum, overcapacity and avoiding Japan’s fate

Professor and economist Justin Lin Yifu says China’s industrial policy is paramount to continued development, tech innovation and the transition to higher productivity.


Open Questions series

Can this new wave of Hong Kong farmers bring agriculture back to the city?

Netflix docu Kiss The Ground argues that sustainable regenerative farming practices are a potential solution to our climate crisis – meet the Hong Kong food producers getting down to earth.


Our favourite PostMag long reads of 2024, from Taiwan’s disco era to typhoon predictions

A Shanghai nurse’s drug smuggling saga, to a thriving Chinese family in a US town, and more.


Hong Kong’s darkest December brought a season without peace or goodwill

Hong Kong’s array of wartime memorials means the city will never forget those lost in the traumatic aftermath of December 1941 and the surrender on Christmas Day.


Should museums return antiquities to their countries of origin? Some say no

New fronts have opened up in the war of cultural restitution, raising complex ethical and legal questions as some argue against museums returning foreign artefacts.


The rocky path to enlightenment: the building of Hong Kong’s Big Buddha

Plans for the ‘Big Buddha’ on Lantau Island were first announced in 1969, but the statue was not completed until 1990 – and opened only 3 years later.


Our favourite PostMag music stories of 2024, from Herbie Hancock to St Vincent at Clockenflap

From post-punk rock and rap to jazz and classical, it was a bustling year for Hong Kong’s music scene, capped by the Clockenflap festival.


Departure of Barnes & Noble chief may put focus on retail

Barnes & Noble chief resigns after Nook sales slump

Barnes & Noble retreats from tablet wars as Nook sales plummet

Founded in 1886, Barnes & Noble was bought in 1971 by Leonard Riggio, who built up the business into the United States’ biggest book retailer. However, it lost market share in the early 21st century to e-books, and because of tough online competition from Amazon.com.


Barnes and Noble

(巴诺书店)

Departure of Barnes & Noble chief may put focus on retail

Barnes & Noble chief resigns after Nook sales slump

Barnes & Noble retreats from tablet wars as Nook sales plummet