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US space weapons move has ‘broken taboo’, could spark new arms race, Beijing forum told
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US space weapons move has ‘broken taboo’, could spark new arms race, Beijing forum told

The US deployment of space weapons has shattered a long-held taboo and risks igniting a fresh arms race, with the world at a “breaking point in history”, speakers at a major security conference in Beijing have warned. Experts at the Xiangshan Forum this week also called for US-China dialogue on space security, just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping makes his first state visit to the US in m...

China-led study reveals ‘Greater Gondwana’ was 80% of Earth’s crust 500m years ago
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China-led study reveals ‘Greater Gondwana’ was 80% of Earth’s crust 500m years ago

Fragments of a long-disappeared ancient giant land mass have been discovered buried deep beneath parts of the modern continents that once formed it, according to an international team led by Chinese scientists. Published this month in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, the discovery reveals that Gondwana – a land mass that dominated Earth some 500 million years ago – was much larger than ...

AI: 10 days that changed the course of artificial intelligence
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AI: 10 days that changed the course of artificial intelligence

For years, the race to build ever more powerful artificial intelligence followed a well-worn Silicon ⁠Valley principle: move fast and break things. But in a series of cascading events over a 10-day stretch, the largest ⁠AI labs found themselves reeling as their own creations threatened to break humanity itself. An Anthropic researcher quit the firm, warning that the pace of AI development poses an...

Customs seizes record HK$125 million worth of marijuana shipped by sea, arresting 3
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Customs seizes record HK$125 million worth of marijuana shipped by sea, arresting 3

Customs has made the largest seizure of drugs shipped by sea in Hong Kong’s history, discovering HK$125 million (US$15.93 million) worth of marijuana in a 40-foot container and arresting three people The Customs and Excise Department revealed on Saturday that it had selected a seaborne container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound for inspection earlier in September after cond...

Malaysia’s Loke resigns as transport minister following Najib’s house arrest approval

Malaysia’s Loke resigns as transport minister following Najib’s house arrest approval

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Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary general Anthony Loke has stepped down as transport minister a day after the Pardons Board decided to allow incarcerated former prime minister Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his jail term at home. “I have decided to resign as the minister of transport to the prime minister, and this only involves me as minister,” Loke said. Loke said that wh...

Trump’s Greenland deal aims to boost leverage at Xi summit, midterms: analysts

Trump’s Greenland deal aims to boost leverage at Xi summit, midterms: analysts

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US President Donald Trump’s claim of “permanent” security control over Greenland just days ahead of a state visit by his Chinese counterpart is an effort to boost US leverage, according to analysts. However, they warned of a potential negative impact on the high-stakes talks, citing broader risks to major-power trust and peaceful Arctic development. In a social media post on Friday, Trump said: “I...

Cathay Pacific retains third-best airline title, wins cabin crew and lounge awards

Cathay Pacific retains third-best airline title, wins cabin crew and lounge awards

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Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has been ranked the world’s third-best airline for the second consecutive year, while also taking top awards for best cabin crew and first-class lounge in new industry rankings. Singapore Airlines reclaimed the top spot in the British-based Skytrax World Airline Awards, moving up from second place last year and swapping positions with Qatar Airways, wh...

Hong Kong police arrest 3, seize HK$23 million of Ice in Fanling bust

Hong Kong police arrest 3, seize HK$23 million of Ice in Fanling bust

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Police have arrested three people and broken up a large-scale drug production factory in northern Hong Kong, seizing HK$23 million (US$3 million) worth of suspected methamphetamine, or Ice. The force said on Saturday that two men and a woman, aged 49 to 56, were arrested on Thursday night. Police in Fanling first intercepted one of the men, who was holding a two-way permit, a document issued by ma...

Ukraine war: US approves potential US$2.7 billion sale of air defence equipment

Ukraine war: US approves potential US$2.7 billion sale of air defence equipment

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The United States has approved a potential US$2.68 billion sale of air defence equipment to Ukraine, after Kyiv made repeated pleas for support to fend off Russian attacks. The State Department said in a congressional notification on Friday that it made “a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine” for buying air defence development upgrades and related ...

People in China earn between US$7 and US$15,000 by licensing faces to AI content producers

People in China earn between US$7 and US$15,000 by licensing faces to AI content producers

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In China, an increasing number of digital face-licensing platforms are connecting ordinary individuals with content creators, enabling them to authorise the use of their likenesses in AI-generated short dramas, advertisements, and games. Since April, private “face-selling” transactions that once circulated within film and television industry chat groups have progressively transitioned to public pl...

Is Africa becoming a ‘testing ground’ for Chinese power projection?

Is Africa becoming a ‘testing ground’ for Chinese power projection?

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Six Chinese J-16 fighter jets arrived in Egypt last month for a joint exercise in what was the aircraft’s first known deployment in Africa. In Egyptian airspace, Chinese pilots had the rare chance to train against the Rafale, an advanced French-built fighter. The 6,000km (3,700-mile) deployment was completed in about nine hours with aerial refuelling, and tested China’s ability to move and support...

Iran medicine shortages deepen as war, shipping restrictions continue

Iran medicine shortages deepen as war, shipping restrictions continue

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For Ali Mohseni, the impact of the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran is measured not in missile ranges or battlefield maps, but in the insulin pens his 74-year-old mother needs every day. Before the conflict, the Tehran resident said, a five-pack of insulin pens could usually be found at almost any pharmacy, but the price has since more than tripled, while supplies have become so scarce that he ...

Reporter’s notebook: Kazakhstan trip highlights promise and limits of Central Asia ties

Reporter’s notebook: Kazakhstan trip highlights promise and limits of Central Asia ties

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When I began planning a work trip to Astana this month, the first challenge was simply finding a flight. With no direct service from Hong Kong to the Kazakh capital, I could transfer in Guangzhou, Beijing, Urumqi or Seoul. I chose Guangzhou, which offered a direct flight lasting about seven and a half hours, but the limited schedule meant there was no flight on Saturday, forcing me to leave earlie...

Hong Kong hopes to begin Victoria Park Tennis Centre redevelopment by 2030

Hong Kong hopes to begin Victoria Park Tennis Centre redevelopment by 2030

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The Hong Kong government hopes to begin redeveloping the Victoria Park Tennis Centre by 2030, the sports minister has said, stressing the city needs to host higher-tier tournaments and create another multi-purpose venue. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said on Saturday that authorities were conducting feasibility studies on upgrading the popular tennis facility in Ca...

Hong Kong hoping to begin Victoria Park Tennis Centre redevelopment by 2030

Hong Kong hoping to begin Victoria Park Tennis Centre redevelopment by 2030

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Hong Kong hopes to begin redeveloping the Victoria Park Tennis Centre within the current five-year plan, with its completion timetable yet to be set, as the city aims to host higher-tier tournaments and create a multipurpose venue. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rossana Law Shuk-pui said on Saturday that authorities were conducting feasibility studies for the popular tennis facility in ...

Malaysia deploys air force aircraft for cloud seeding to combat worsening haze

Malaysia deploys air force aircraft for cloud seeding to combat worsening haze

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Cloud seeding operations will be carried out in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya following worsening haze conditions in Malaysia, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. The agency said the operations would be scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. “However, the operations are subject to weather conditions and the availability of suitable clouds for the seeding process,” its director...

Hong Kong to open waters to Guangdong yachts under southbound scheme from October

Hong Kong to open waters to Guangdong yachts under southbound scheme from October

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A southbound scheme allowing Guangdong-registered yachts to sail in Hong Kong waters is expected to launch in October, the transport minister has said, with the city continuing preparations and discussions with provincial authorities. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan revealed the plan on Saturday after the latest policy address and the city’s first five-year plan, both unveiled thi...

Top Hong Kong officials, business leaders mourn Tung Chee-hwa – as it happened

Top Hong Kong officials, business leaders mourn Tung Chee-hwa – as it happened

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Hong Kong mourned the loss of its first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, in a vigil on Saturday, with tributes pouring in from political and business heavyweights as well as members of the public. Tung, who died at the age of 89 on September 8, led Hong Kong through ups and downs – the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the Sars outbreak in 2003 and a V-shaped rebound in the economy that followed. Sat...

Hong Kong’s top officials, business leaders stream into vigil for Tung Chee-hwa

Hong Kong’s top officials, business leaders stream into vigil for Tung Chee-hwa

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Hong Kong is mourning the loss of its first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, in a weekend vigil, with tributes pouring in from political and business heavyweights as well as members of the public. Tung, who died at the age of 89 on September 8, led Hong Kong through ups and downs – the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the Sars outbreak in 2003 and a V-shaped rebound in the economy that followed. Sat...

Hong Kong leader John Lee joins mourners at vigil for Tung Chee-hwa

Hong Kong leader John Lee joins mourners at vigil for Tung Chee-hwa

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Hong Kong is mourning the loss of its first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, in a weekend vigil, with tributes pouring in from political and business heavyweights as well as members of the public. Tung, who died at the age of 89 on September 8, led Hong Kong through ups and downs – the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the Sars outbreak in 2003 and a V-shaped rebound in the economy that followed. Sat...

City leader John Lee joins mourners at vigil for Tung Chee-hwa

City leader John Lee joins mourners at vigil for Tung Chee-hwa

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Hong Kong is mourning the loss of its first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, in a weekend vigil, with tributes pouring in from political and business heavyweights as well as members of the public. Tung, who died at the age of 89 on September 8, led Hong Kong through ups and downs – the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the Sars outbreak in 2003 and a V-shaped rebound in the economy that followed. Sat...

‘Like a father to me’: Hong Kong bids farewell to Tung Chee-hwa in weekend vigil

‘Like a father to me’: Hong Kong bids farewell to Tung Chee-hwa in weekend vigil

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Hong Kong is mourning the loss of its first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, in a weekend vigil, with tributes pouring in from political and business heavyweights as well as members of the public. Tung, who died at the age of 89 on September 8, led Hong Kong through ups and downs – the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the Sars outbreak in 2003 and a V-shaped rebound in the economy that followed. Sat...

New York fashion chief quits after physical clash with Peta activists goes viral

New York fashion chief quits after physical clash with Peta activists goes viral

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The long-time chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced he was stepping down, days after he was filmed physically restraining two protesters during an altercation at a New York runway show. “I am enormously proud of what we have built together and believe this is the right moment for both me and the organisation to begin a new chapter,” Steven Kolb said in a s...

Hong Kong leader says firms must strive to survive despite government support

Hong Kong leader says firms must strive to survive despite government support

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Hong Kong’s leader defended measures in his policy address to boost the economy and improve livelihoods, stressing that businesses must also do their part to remain competitive and survive, even with government aid. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Saturday that the livelihood section was the longest and broadest in scope in his policy address when asked about residents who had yet to bene...

Young Nepalis battle climate dread in wake of flood disaster

Young Nepalis battle climate dread in wake of flood disaster

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Alina B.K. should have been preparing for her end-of-year university exams, but news of devastating floods along the Nepal–Tibet border kept pulling her back to a troubling question: what kind of future awaits her? The 21-year-old forestry student, who coordinates the Pokhara network of Nepalese Youth for Climate Action, said she struggled to concentrate as reports of death and destruction deepene...

Patriot dedicated to Hong Kong: business heavyweights remember Tung Chee-hwa

Patriot dedicated to Hong Kong: business heavyweights remember Tung Chee-hwa

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This weekend, Hong Kong mourns the loss of former chief executive and elder statesman Tung Chee-hwa. The shipping tycoon who became the city’s first leader after its transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997 died on September 8 at the age of 89, leaving a legacy of determined stewardship and dedicated public service. This weekend, a state funeral will be held to honour Tung, who was also a former v...

31 dead in Pakistan after suicide bomber, gunmen attack police complex

31 dead in Pakistan after suicide bomber, gunmen attack police complex

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The death toll from an explosion and gun attack at a police headquarters in northern Pakistan rose to at least 31, including 16 police personnel, a senior police official said on Saturday. “At least 31 people, including 16 police personnel, have been killed and more than 100 injured so far in the militant attack and suicide bombing,” the official said, adding that fighting was ongoing. An attacker...

Google says Gemini AI model breached real systems in security test

Google says Gemini AI model breached real systems in security test

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Google’s consumer AI model Gemini hacked multiple systems through guessing login credentials, the company said, the latest case of rogue AI cybersecurity transgressions, which have generated safety concerns. The hacks, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, took place in May and were discovered by Google in July. “In a standard evaluation, the model found public information online and guessed ...

Friend, leader, mentor: how political veterans remember Tung Chee-hwa

Friend, leader, mentor: how political veterans remember Tung Chee-hwa

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This weekend, Hong Kong mourns the loss of former chief executive and elder statesman Tung Chee-hwa. The shipping tycoon who became the city’s first leader after its transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997 died on September 8 at the age of 89, leaving a legacy of determined stewardship and dedicated public service. He is remembered for steering Hong Kong through uncharted waters following the end...