Gaddafi’s son released on bail after 10 years in a Lebanon prison Lebanese authorities released the son of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Monday after he paid a US$900,000 bail, ending his 10-year detention for allegedly withholding information about a missing Lebanese cleric, security officials and a member of his defence team said. One of Hannibal Gaddafi’s lawyers, Charbel Milad al-Khoury, told Associated Press that Gaddafi was released on Monday evening after necessary paperwork was finished. Two security officials, speaking on condition of...

South China Morning Post

Gaddafi’s son released on bail after 10 years in a Lebanon prison

Hannibal Gaddafi was released after a Libyan delegation paid a drastically reduced bail, ending his detention over a missing cleric.

Uproar at Miss Universe event, ‘da ka’ moments in Singapore: 7 Asia highlights We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chinese tourists flock to Singapore for ‘da ka’ moments, despite the high prices Melody Liu had been in Singapore for just three days when she blew past her 5,000 yuan (HK$5,450) travel budget – and reached for her long-sleeved hooded shirt with attached visor to brave...

South China Morning Post

Uproar at Miss Universe event, ‘da ka’ moments in Singapore: 7 Asia highlights

From Chinese tourists flocking to Singapore to Miss Universe turmoil in Thailand, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

As more of China becomes ‘moderately aged’, how will its economy change? Early in the morning in cities across China, groups of people gather in public squares, moving as one in slow, deliberate tai chi routines. Many are in their sixties or seventies – an age group that has long defined the rhythm of daily life in much of the country. While these dedicated practitioners have been a part of the national routine for decades, their ubiquity carries new connotations as the country undergoes a profound shift in population dynamics: China is growing old, fast. As of last...

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As more of China becomes ‘moderately aged’, how will its economy change?

Much of China has passed a key demographic threshold as the population ages, making adaptations necessary for policymakers and businesses.

World-leading cancer drug scientist Lin Wenbin joins China’s Westlake University Lin Wenbin, one of the founders and leading lights in the cutting edge field of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) – an area of chemistry recognised this year with a Nobel Prize – has left the United States for China. The internationally renowned molecular materials chemist and chemical biologist confirmed on Friday that he had retired early from the University of Chicago and joined Westlake University in Hangzhou, eastern China. Westlake University said earlier that Lin was now a full-time chair...

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World-leading cancer drug scientist Lin Wenbin joins China’s Westlake University

The move follows distinguished contributions at the University of Chicago towards developing more effective cutting-edge treatments.

Malaysia boat tragedy reignites concern over rising toll of Rohingya sea exodus The deaths of at least 11 people, including several children, in a boat accident off Malaysia’s coast have reignited fears of a renewed surge in perilous sea crossings by refugees fleeing conflict in Myanmar and worsening conditions in neighbouring Bangladesh. The vessel had reportedly departed from Rakhine State, a region in Myanmar where the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority continue to face severe restrictions on movement, access to aid and basic rights. Many others are stranded in...

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Malaysia boat tragedy reignites concern over rising toll of Rohingya sea exodus

The UN has warned that Southeast Asia risks “another humanitarian disaster” if sea crossings by desperate refugees continue unchecked.

University eyes Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis for nuclear medicine plant Hong Kong’s oldest university plans to support the mass production of nuclear medicine in the city by setting up a production plant in the proposed Northern Metropolis megaproject to halve the cost as it aims to apply such treatment to more types of cancer. University of Hong Kong (HKU) researchers aim to develop a new form of nuclear medicine to treat nasopharyngeal cancer, which has one of the world’s highest incidence rates in southern China, after achieving initial success with two other...

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University eyes Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis for nuclear medicine plant

University of Hong Kong researchers hope to halve the cost of existing imported medicine for cancer treatment through local production.

‘Not in this economy’: why Guangdong is struggling to tempt consumers to spend In early November, China’s most populous province launched its biggest ever consumer subsidy programme, with the government pledging to commit 3.5 billion yuan (US$492 million) to offer discounts on a slew of products: from smartphones to snowboards. Guangdong’s scheme is the latest attempt by Chinese authorities to use consumption vouchers to boost domestic spending – a campaign that is key to China’s efforts to shore up growth and rebalance its economy amid the ongoing US trade war. But on the...

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Huge subsidy scheme in China’s most populous province falls flat with consumers

The Chinese province has launched its biggest ever consumer subsidy programme to revitalise its economy, but shoppers remain cautious.

Mexico unveils security operation in violent state after assassination of mayor The government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Sunday unveiled plans to fight organised crime and improve security in the violence-ridden state of Michoacan after the brazen public assassination of a local mayor sent shock waves through the country. More than 10,500 members of Mexico’s army, air force and National Guard are part of the operation, called the Michoacan Plan for Peace and Justice, to crack down on criminal groups, combat extortion and dismantle drug labs and training...

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Mexico unveils security operation in violence-ridden state after mayor’s killing

More than 10,500 members of Mexico’s armed forces will crack down on criminal groups and combat extortion in Michoacan.

Israel says remains returned by Hamas are those of soldier killed in 2014 war Israel said the remains it received on Sunday from Hamas were those of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, an Israeli officer killed more than a decade ago in the 2014 Gaza war. Goldin was the 24th deceased hostage whose remains have been returned by Hamas since the start of the ceasefire on October 10 that has halted the latest war in Gaza, which broke out in October 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said forensic experts had confirmed the remains were of Goldin. “Today, we are united in...

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Israel confirms receiving remains of soldier killed in 2014 Gaza war

The return of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin’s remains closes an 11-year chapter that has haunted both his family and the nation.

Stunning mix of old and new on show as National Games opened by Xi Jinping President Xi Jinping opened the 15th National Games in Guangzhou on Sunday, on a night filled with symbolism and heavy on emphasising the role the Greater Bay Area will play in the country’s future. As might be expected from an opening ceremony at a major sporting occasion in China, there was a stunning mix of old and new on display, with water at its centre and fire at its end. Hong Kong, co-hosting for the first time in its history, was well represented too, not just by its athletes and Chief...

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Stunning mix of old and new on show as China’s National Games opened by Xi

Opening ceremony in Guangzhou filled with symbolism while emphasising Greater Bay Area’s role in country’s development.

King Charles leads UK’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony for war dead King Charles led Britain’s annual ceremony of remembrance for the country’s war dead on Sunday, under November sunshine and the shadow cast across Europe by the almost four-year-old war in Ukraine. As Parliament’s Big Ben bell tolled 11am, thousands of military personnel, veterans and members of the public gathered in central London fell still for two minutes of silence, broken by a single artillery blast and Royal Marines buglers sounding “The Last Post”. The 76-year-old king, dressed in the...

South China Morning Post

King Charles leads UK’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony for war dead

The annual event to mark the anniversary of the end of WW1 comes amid increased defence spending due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

China quietly curbs abuse of detention procedure linked to suspect deaths China has been quietly restricting the widespread abuse of a form of detention legal critics believe is a key source of illegal interrogation that has led to multiple deaths and blocked suspects’ access to lawyers. There has been no official announcement of the changes. But last month, a leaked file of new guidelines circulated online, adding supervision and restricting the way the measure, known as residential surveillance at a designated location (RSDL), is approved and executed. RSDL was...

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China quietly curbs abuse of detention procedure linked to suspect deaths

New guidelines on supervision, approval and execution of ‘residential surveillance at a designated location’ leaked online.

3 teens arrested over attack on 17-year-old in Hong Kong shopping centre toilet Hong Kong police have arrested three teenagers in connection with an attack on a 17-year-old girl in a shopping centre toilet last month, with the incident allegedly motivated by money and relationship disputes. The force said on Sunday that the three girls, aged 13 to 16, were arrested in Sau Mau Ping, Ta Kwu Ling and Tsuen Wan, on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an investigation by police’s Mong Kok district crime squad. The trio are currently being held for...

South China Morning Post

3 teens arrested over attack on 17-year-old in Hong Kong shopping centre toilet

Three girls, aged 13 to 16, arrested in Sau Mau Ping, Ta Kwu Ling and Tsuen Wan, with incident allegedly linked to money, relationship disputes.

Elephant tramples Indonesian girl to death as human-wildlife conflict escalates The death of an eight-year-old girl in Riau province after being trampled by a wild elephant has reignited concern over Indonesia’s worsening human-wildlife conflict, with conservationists warning that shrinking habitats are pushing animals into increasingly dangerous contact with people. The girl, identified only as Citra, died on Saturday following three days in a coma after suffering severe head injuries in the October 30 incident. She had been fleeing with her family from their wooden home...

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Elephant tramples Indonesian girl to death as human-wildlife conflict escalates

The real issue is not the endangered animals – it is the loss of their habitat, conservationists say.

Outrage in China over release of 1,000 cats into reservoir in ‘life release’ ritual A “life release” event saw 1,100 cats dumped near a protected water reservoir in China, causing many of the animals to panic, jump into the water and drown. On November 1, videos surfaced online showing a group of people wearing masks releasing large numbers of cats near the Yingzui Reservoir in Qingyuan, Guangdong province, southern China. “Life release” is a traditional Buddhist practice where animals such as fish, turtles or birds are released into the wild as a form of compassion and...

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Outrage in China over release of 1,100 cats into reservoir in ‘life release’ ritual

Paddleboarders battle to save terrified felines as they struggle to swim during ‘Buddhist’ ritual; animal protection staff say many perished.

Avoiding ‘strategic suicide’: Vietnam’s US-Russia-China diplomatic dance Half a century after the fall of Saigon, the United States and Vietnam are edging towards deeper defence cooperation built on shared anxieties about China and Washington’s desire to wean Hanoi off its historical dependence on Russian arms. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Hanoi last Sunday for a two-day visit, declaring that establishing stronger security ties would be a win-win. “Deeper [military] cooperation will benefit both of our countries,” said Hegseth, who had travelled to...

South China Morning Post

Avoiding ‘strategic suicide’: Vietnam’s US-Russia-China diplomatic dance

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s visit pushed military cooperation, but Vietnam wants to ensure it keeps all its geopolitical options open.

Singapore PM says election win came after ‘very tough’ constituency battles In the lead-up to the 2025 general election, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong received cautionary messages from People’s Action Party (PAP) members and supporters urging him to “be prepared” to lose some seats. Speaking at the PAP Awards and Convention on Sunday, Wong said these well-wishers had shared various predictions, prompting him to mentally prepare for all possible outcomes. “When the results came out, the same people who had messaged me earlier said to me: ‘Sorry, we should have...

South China Morning Post

Singapore PM says election win came after ‘very tough’ constituency battles

Lawrence Wong told a party meeting that the May victory was not a landslide, but the results showed ‘we don’t take chances with our future’.

Hong Kong to issue No 1 signal on Monday as Tropical Cyclone Fung-Wong approaches This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. The Hong Kong Observatory will issue a No 1 typhoon signal on Monday due to Tropical Cyclone Fung-Wong, while temperatures are expected to drop to around 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) by midweek. The forecaster said the storm would continue moving towards Luzon in the Philippines before entering the South China Sea on Monday and track northwards towards...

South China Morning Post

Super Typhoon Fung-wong: Hong Kong to issue No 1 warning signal on Monday

Windier conditions and temperatures as low as 20 degrees Celsius forecast as storm passes 400km east of Hong Kong at its closest by midweek.

China’s consumer prices return to growth as deflationary pressures persist China’s consumer prices returned to growth in October – though the near-zero figure still pointed to persistent deflationary pressures amid weak domestic demand and trade uncertainties – while factory-gate prices continued to fall. The national consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of inflation, rose 0.2 per cent year on year last month, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Sunday. The reading beat market expectations after a poll by financial provider Wind...

South China Morning Post

China’s consumer prices return to growth as deflationary pressures persist

CPI rises 0.2 per cent in October in a ‘surprise to the market’, while factory-gate prices fall for 37th month in a row.

Ukraine faces blackout crisis after Russian missile barrage on power grids Ukraine was scrambling to turn lights and heating back on Sunday after Russian attacks targeting energy infrastructure reduced the country’s power generating capacity to “zero”. Moscow, which has escalated attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure in recent months, launched hundreds of drones at energy facilities across the country overnight into Saturday. The attacks interrupted electricity, heat and water supplies in several cities, with state power firm Centerenergo warning generating capacity “is...

South China Morning Post

Ukraine faces blackout crisis after Russian missile barrage on power grids

State utility firm Centrenergo said the attacks brought the country’s capacity to generate power to ‘zero’.