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South China Morning Post

All the latest breaking news from Hong Kong, China and around the world

Bitcoin ETF investors in the red after cryptocurrency’s US$89,600 level breaks

The bitcoin rally that welcomed a wave of new investors through easy-to-access exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has officially gone underwater. Investors in US ETFs that offer direct access to the cryptocurrency are now sitting on collective losses. The average cost basis across all ETF inflows sits at approximately US$89,600 – a level bitcoin breached on Tuesday, according to Sean Rose at market...
Ant Group unveils AI assistant that builds ‘flash apps’ in 30 seconds

Fintech giant Ant Group, an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, has unveiled what it called China’s first multimodal artificial intelligence assistant capable of producing code-driven outputs, including “flash apps” in as little as 30 seconds. LingGuang, described as a next-generation multimodal AI assistant, was designed to help users create a variety of simple apps – including a calorie...
Japan considers fines for men who buy sex in major policy shift

Japan’s government is weighing the introduction of penalties for men who buy sex, marking a potential sea change in the country’s approach to prostitution. Lawmakers and women’s advocacy groups argue that current legislation, dating back to the 1950s, fuels exploitation and risks the country being branded a sex tourism hotspot. The issue was thrust into centre stage last week, when a member of...
Hongkongers to pay ‘2% less for electricity’ from January 2026

Hongkongers will pay about 2 per cent less for electricity in 2026, the Post has learned, following a nearly 1 per cent price increase last year. A source said on Tuesday, ahead of the December 7 Legislative Council election, that residential bills for both CLP Power and HK Electric would be around 2 per cent lower starting in January, compared with a year ago. The power providers last adjusted...
China team’s super-efficient catalyst turns coal to plastic and other synthetics

Chinese scientists have developed a catalyst that can turn biomass and coal-derived syngas directly into building blocks for plastic and synthetic rubber with higher efficiency and sustainability than existing methods. The iron-based nanoparticle catalyst converts syngas, or synthesis gas, into hydrogen and carbon-based compounds called olefins by coupling two reactions that separately have...
Murderer slathers Australian state with lawsuit over Vegemite ban in prison

Simply tasting Australia’s Vegemite spread might seem like cruel and unusual punishment to some, but one prison inmate from the land down under argues he should be allowed to enjoy the toast topping as a basic human right. Convicted murderer Andre McKechnie has sued the prisons commissioner in the state of Victoria in a novel bid to eat the quintessentially Australian condiment. McKechnie argued...
Why Trump won’t let Thailand keep tariff, border talks separate

Thailand’s insistence trade negotiations with the US can proceed separately from talks over a fractious border dispute with Cambodia has been met with deep scepticism given Washington’s increasing use of economic policy as a political instrument and US President Donald Trump’s personal stake in the ceasefire deal. Bangkok announced on Saturday that tariff talks with the United States would...
Britain reaffirms support for Hongkongers on BN(O) visas amid asylum reforms

Britain has reaffirmed its commitment to the Hongkongers it “repatriated” under a bespoke migration pathway, as it launched asylum reforms that would quadruple the wait for permanent settlement to 20 years. While consultations on the proposed plan will be announced later this week, it remained unclear how what London called “the most significant reform” to its asylum system would affect the...
Japan tells citizens in China to take safety precautions as diplomatic row grows

Japan has urged its citizens in mainland China to take safety precautions as diplomatic tensions sparked by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan continue to escalate. In a message on its website, the Japanese embassy in China said it reiterated “safety measures in light of recent local media coverage concerning Japan-China relations”. “When going out, please remain vigilant of your...
China 3-legged puppy, destined to be put down, becomes effective SWAT police dog

An “awesome” puppy born with only three legs, which was once recommended for euthanasia, has grown up to be a police dog in a specialist crime-fighting unit in China. Barton the Belgian Malinois has formed a deep emotional bond with his trainer, who also has problems with one of his legs and uses a wheelchair. Born in June 2019 at the dog kennel of the Special Force Unit under the Xichuan County...