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Thailand, Cambodia seek to calm escalating dispute over US$300 billion seabed
SCMP •

Thailand, Cambodia seek to calm escalating dispute over US$300 billion seabed

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to dial down the rhetoric and use a hotline between their navy commanders to avoid flashpoints over a vast contested patch of energy-rich seas in the Gulf of Thailand, according to a UN-backed mediation panel at The Hague tasked with helping to settle the dispute between the neighbours. The Southeast Asian countries have also squabbled for decades over the demarca...

Thailand, Cambodia seek to calm escalating dispute over US$300 billion seabed
SCMP •

Thailand, Cambodia seek to calm escalating dispute over US$300 billion seabed

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to dial down the rhetoric and use a hotline between their navy commanders to avoid flashpoints over a vast contested patch of energy-rich seas in the Gulf of Thailand, according to a UN-backed mediation panel at The Hague tasked with helping to settle the dispute between the neighbours. The Southeast Asian countries have also squabbled for decades over the demarca...

Chinese AI idol’s ‘pregnancy’ stunt sparks backlash, debate over digital boundaries
SCMP •

Chinese AI idol’s ‘pregnancy’ stunt sparks backlash, debate over digital boundaries

A Chinese AI girl group has sparked intense online backlash after announcing that one of its virtual members was “pregnant” to explain her departure. BABYQUEEN, a four-member, K-pop-style AI girl group managed in Liaoning province in northeastern China, formed in September and has around 1,100 followers. On October 13, the group posted an announcement written from member Mity’s perspective. Saying...

Chinese AI idol’s ‘pregnancy’ stunt sparks backlash, debate over digital boundaries
SCMP •

Chinese AI idol’s ‘pregnancy’ stunt sparks backlash, debate over digital boundaries

A Chinese AI girl group has sparked intense online backlash after announcing that one of its virtual members was “pregnant” to explain her departure. BABYQUEEN, a four-member, K-pop-style AI girl group managed in Liaoning province in northeastern China, formed in September and has around 1,100 followers. On October 13, the group posted an announcement written from member Mity’s perspective. Saying...

Hong Kong mother spared trial over neglect of chronically underweight daughter

Hong Kong mother spared trial over neglect of chronically underweight daughter

SCMP •

A Hong Kong mother accused of neglecting her 12-year-old daughter who had been chronically underweight has been spared trial as the prosecution agreed to place her on a good behaviour bond, with the justice department saying public interest is generally a key factor in such decisions. The South China Morning Post has learned that prosecutors at West Kowloon Court dropped a child abuse charge again...

Hong Kong mother spared trial over neglect of chronically underweight daughter

Hong Kong mother spared trial over neglect of chronically underweight daughter

SCMP •

A Hong Kong mother accused of neglecting her 12-year-old daughter who had been chronically underweight has been spared trial as the prosecution agreed to place her on a good behaviour bond, with the justice department saying public interest is generally a key factor in such decisions. The South China Morning Post has learned that prosecutors at West Kowloon Court dropped a child abuse charge again...

Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’ summit to 2027 after deadly attacks

Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’ summit to 2027 after deadly attacks

SCMP •

Saudi Arabia has decided to postpone its flagship investment conference until next year, organisers confirmed in a statement on Monday, following deadly attacks which rocked ‌the kingdom in recent weeks as the Middle East conflict widens, disrupting business. The Future Investment Initiative, or FII, was planned for October 26 to 29, but will now take place in 2027, with a new date to be announced...

Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’ summit to 2027 after deadly attacks

Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’ summit to 2027 after deadly attacks

SCMP •

Saudi Arabia has decided to postpone its flagship investment conference until next year, organisers confirmed in a statement on Monday, following deadly attacks which rocked ‌the kingdom in recent weeks as the Middle East conflict widens, disrupting business. The Future Investment Initiative, or FII, was planned for October 26 to 29, but will now take place in 2027, with a new date to be announced...

South Korea’s Seoul wants to put brakes on taxi overcharging

South Korea’s Seoul wants to put brakes on taxi overcharging

SCMP •

As South Korea seeks to attract more visitors to tap into the global popularity of K-pop, a lawmaker has warned that taxi overcharging of foreign tourists could tarnish the country’s image, with official figures pointing to a perceived lack of punishment against offenders. Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Mo Gyeong-jong cited Seoul city government data on Sunday showing only 204 of 6,481 complai...

South Korea’s Seoul wants to put brakes on taxi overcharging

South Korea’s Seoul wants to put brakes on taxi overcharging

SCMP •

As South Korea seeks to attract more visitors to tap into the global popularity of K-pop, a lawmaker has warned that taxi overcharging of foreign tourists could tarnish the country’s image, with official figures pointing to a perceived lack of punishment against offenders. Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Mo Gyeong-jong cited Seoul city government data on Sunday showing only 204 of 6,481 complai...

Cell publisher investigates editor accused of soliciting bribes from China

Cell publisher investigates editor accused of soliciting bribes from China

SCMP •

Cell Press, one of the world’s leading scientific publishers, has launched an investigation after prominent Chinese biologist Rao Yi accused the editor-in-chief of a top medical journal of soliciting bribes from mainland authors. “Several important international academic journals have seen editors, and even editors-in-chief, soliciting and accepting bribes,” said Rao, a tenured chair professor at ...

Cell publisher investigates editor accused of soliciting bribes from China

Cell publisher investigates editor accused of soliciting bribes from China

SCMP •

Cell Press, one of the world’s leading scientific publishers, has launched an investigation after prominent Chinese biologist Rao Yi accused the editor-in-chief of a top medical journal of soliciting bribes from mainland authors. “Several important international academic journals have seen editors, and even editors-in-chief, soliciting and accepting bribes,” said Rao, a tenured chair professor at ...

The evolution of China’s active defence doctrine

The evolution of China’s active defence doctrine

SCMP •

The British Army’s miraculous escape from Nazi Germany’s encirclement at Dunkirk is considered by some to be the greatest military retreat in modern history and a prime example of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Yet years before Dunkirk, the military retreat by the Chinese Red Army, known as the Long March, was more impressive and consequential. While the Dunkirk evacuation remains in H...

The evolution of China’s active defence doctrine

The evolution of China’s active defence doctrine

SCMP •

The British Army’s miraculous escape from Nazi Germany’s encirclement at Dunkirk is considered by some to be the greatest military retreat in modern history and a prime example of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Yet years before Dunkirk, the military retreat by the Chinese Red Army, known as the Long March, was more impressive and consequential. While the Dunkirk evacuation remains in H...

What exactly is an ‘AI city brain’ and should Hong Kong follow Hangzhou’s lead?

What exactly is an ‘AI city brain’ and should Hong Kong follow Hangzhou’s lead?

SCMP •

When Severe Typhoon Dolphin approached eastern China in August, more than 110,000 delivery riders across Hangzhou received automatic alerts and personalised safety guidance on their mobile phones every minute. With a few taps, Hangzhou’s “riders’ code” system navigated them to the nearest shelters, which authorities said had reduced their occupational risks under extreme weather. Behind the tailor...

How smart will Hong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ be?

How smart will Hong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ be?

SCMP •

When Severe Typhoon Dolphin approached eastern China in August, more than 110,000 delivery riders across Hangzhou received automatic alerts and personalised safety guidance on their mobile phones every minute. With a few taps, Hangzhou’s “riders’ code” system navigated them to the nearest shelters, which authorities said had reduced their occupational risks under extreme weather. Behind the tailor...

How smart will Hong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ be?

How smart will Hong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ be?

SCMP •

When Severe Typhoon Dolphin approached eastern China in August, more than 110,000 delivery riders across Hangzhou received automatic alerts and personalised safety guidance on their mobile phones every minute. With a few taps, Hangzhou’s “riders’ code” system navigated them to the nearest shelters, which authorities said had reduced their occupational risks under extreme weather. Behind the tailor...

Japan’s dilemma over frosty ties with Russia deepens after reporter’s arrest

Japan’s dilemma over frosty ties with Russia deepens after reporter’s arrest

SCMP •

The arrest of a Japanese journalist in Russia has finally woken Tokyo up to the fact that Moscow is playing hardball in their diplomatic relationship, and the country’s apparent unwillingness to push back with commensurate force could encourage the Kremlin to test its neighbour’s resolve, analysts say. Japan lodged an official protest with the Russian ambassador in Tokyo on Wednesday, a day after ...

Japan’s dilemma over frosty ties with Russia deepens after reporter’s arrest

Japan’s dilemma over frosty ties with Russia deepens after reporter’s arrest

SCMP •

The arrest of a Japanese journalist in Russia has finally woken Tokyo up to the fact that Moscow is playing hardball in their diplomatic relationship, and the country’s apparent unwillingness to push back with commensurate force could encourage the Kremlin to test its neighbour’s resolve, analysts say. Japan lodged an official protest with the Russian ambassador in Tokyo on Wednesday, a day after ...

Hong Kong to cement its role as a yuan bond hub by appealing to more sovereign borrowers

Hong Kong to cement its role as a yuan bond hub by appealing to more sovereign borrowers

SCMP •

Hong Kong is opening its arms to more sovereign debt issuers, as this week’s Apec Finance Ministerial Meeting (FMM) provides a good opportunity to demonstrate the depth and advantages of the city’s financial markets. Its signature dim sum bond market could leverage low fundraising costs relative to that of developed markets and risk diversification considerations to make the city a magnet for sove...

Hong Kong to cement its role as a yuan bond hub by appealing to more sovereign borrowers

Hong Kong to cement its role as a yuan bond hub by appealing to more sovereign borrowers

SCMP •

Hong Kong is opening its arms to more sovereign debt issuers, as this week’s Apec Finance Ministerial Meeting (FMM) provides a good opportunity to demonstrate the depth and advantages of the city’s financial markets. Its signature dim sum bond market could leverage low fundraising costs relative to that of developed markets and risk diversification considerations to make the city a magnet for sove...

Detained Suu Kyi receives royal package from UK’s King Charles: Myanmar government

Detained Suu Kyi receives royal package from UK’s King Charles: Myanmar government

SCMP •

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi received a package from Britain’s King Charles on Monday, authorities said, releasing the first pictures of the detained Nobel laureate in two months and describing her as a “special female prisoner”. It is the first time Myanmar authorities have used the term to describe Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a military coup in 2021, triggering a civil war that has killed more tha...

Detained Suu Kyi receives royal package from UK’s King Charles: Myanmar government

Detained Suu Kyi receives royal package from UK’s King Charles: Myanmar government

SCMP •

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi received a package from Britain’s King Charles on Monday, authorities said, releasing the first pictures of the detained Nobel laureate in two months and describing her as a “special female prisoner”. It is the first time Myanmar authorities have used the term to describe Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a military coup in 2021, triggering a civil war that has killed more tha...

Alberta voters choose Canada over independence in boost for Carney

Alberta voters choose Canada over independence in boost for Carney

SCMP •

Voters in Canada’s oil-rich Alberta province overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada, with early referendum results Tuesday delivering a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for national unity amid US President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats. With more than 1 million votes counted, 77 per cent supported remaining in Canada, while 23 per cent backed beginning a process towa...

Alberta voters choose Canada over independence in boost for Carney

Alberta voters choose Canada over independence in boost for Carney

SCMP •

Voters in Canada’s oil-rich Alberta province overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada, with early referendum results Tuesday delivering a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for national unity amid US President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats. With more than 1 million votes counted, 77 per cent supported remaining in Canada, while 23 per cent backed beginning a process towa...

Alberta voters choose Canada over independence in victory for Carney

Alberta voters choose Canada over independence in victory for Carney

SCMP •

Voters in Canada’s oil-rich province of Alberta have rejected a proposal to begin a process towards independence, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp projected early Tuesday, delivering a victory for Prime Minister Mark Carney and supporters of Canadian unity amid US President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats. The vote was not a direct referendum on independence but would have set oil-ri...

Alberta votes on path to independence as Carney fights to keep Canada united

Alberta votes on path to independence as Carney fights to keep Canada united

SCMP •

Voters in Canada’s oil-rich Alberta province were deciding on Monday whether to begin a process that could lead to independence, testing national unity as Canadians rally against US President Donald Trump’s trade war and threats to claim Canada as the 51st US state. Monday’s vote is not a direct referendum on independence. Alberta, home to most of Canada’s proven oil reserves – the fourth largest ...

Money manager eyes Asia-Pacific property for growth, but tells investors to keep bet on US

Money manager eyes Asia-Pacific property for growth, but tells investors to keep bet on US

SCMP •

US-based money manager Principal Asset Management says it is poised to become more active in Asia-Pacific property markets, believing investors have been “underweight” in the region’s office property segment. Richard Hill, its senior managing director and head of global real estate research and strategy, said the group was also seeing continued interest from institutional investors in the Asia-Pac...

Money manager eyes Asia-Pacific property for growth, but tells investors to keep bet on US

Money manager eyes Asia-Pacific property for growth, but tells investors to keep bet on US

SCMP •

US-based money manager Principal Asset Management says it is poised to become more active in Asia-Pacific property markets, believing investors have been “underweight” in the region’s office property segment. Richard Hill, its senior managing director and head of global real estate research and strategy, said the group was also seeing continued interest from institutional investors in the Asia-Pac...