Category: Uncategorized

AdvertisementHong Kong propertyBusinessHong Kong tests student housing land sales as office market slowdown curbs tendersGovernment invites interest in three sites for student hostels, signalling a shift from office sites to education-focused development
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPPeggy YePublished: 2:00pm, 22 Jan 2026Hong Kong is testing purpose-built student housing as an alternative land-sale model, as weak demand for commercial sites pushes the government to explore uses that can still attract investor interest.The Development Bureau on Tuesday invited expressions of interest (EOI) for student hostel development on three commercially zoned sites in Kai Tak, Siu Lek Yuen in Sha Tin, and Tung Chung East, marking the first time the government had proposed selling land through open tender with use restricted exclusively to student accommodation.
The move comes after the government effectively halted commercial land sales due to high office vacancy rates and ample exist..

JD Vance and Usha Vance Expecting Fourth Child: A Look at Their Family Journey Today the spotlight is on Usha Vance and US Vice President JD Vance, as the couple joyfully announced recently that they are expecting their fourth child, a baby boy due in July 2026. The news that has captivated media and social feeds worldwide and we can't help but go down their relationship journey, from law school beginnings to life in the political spotlight.JD Vance and Usha Vance's announcement that broke the Internet
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance shared the pregnancy news in a heartfelt post across social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, expressing excitement about welcoming their fourth child and gratitude for the support of military medical staff and their team. The couple, who already have three children (sons Ewan and Vivek and daughter Mirabel), said that they are thrilled and looking forward to late-July arrival.Taking to her X handle, ea..

Sharjah unveils major employment plan for 2026, with 2,000 government jobs / image: file In a move that has sparked excitement across the emirate, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, has officially approved the hiring of 1,000 Emirati men and women into government positions. This isn't just a small hiring spree; it brings the total number of job opportunities announced under the Sharjah 2026 budget to a staggering 2,000 positions.Specifically designed to accommodate newly graduated degree holders, this initiative spans all cities and regions of the emirate. The message from the leadership is clear: no graduate will be left behind. By focusing on the youth, Sharjah is ensuring that its next generation of professionals has a direct path into the workforce, supporting the wider national goal of a stable and prosperous community.Sharjah’s 2026 jobs surge: What’s happening?If you are a job seeker, you won't have to wait long. The Sharjah Depart..

AdvertisementUS-Asean relationsThis Week in AsiaPoliticsWhy Southeast Asia is wary of Trump’s ‘pay-to-play’ global peace boardNations are likely to try to avoid early commitment while steering clear of outright rejection to minimise US retaliation, analysts say
Reading Time:4 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPKolette LimandAidan JonesPublished: 2:30pm, 21 Jan 2026Southeast Asian countries invited to join Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” should think carefully before entering what looks like a “more exclusive version” of the United Nations Security Council with the US president in ultimate control, analysts caution.Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam are among about 60 countries that have reportedly received invitations, alongside South Korea and India.The initiative, presented by Trump as a new international body to promote global stability, was initially authorised by the United Nations Security Council to help oversee the Gaza peace plan and post-war reconstruction. But dra..

AdvertisementSouth KoreaAsiaEast AsiaSouth Korea’s ex-PM Han gets 23 years in prison for insurrection tied to martial lawA ‌judge said Han Duck-soo failed ⁠to hold a lawful cabinet meeting needed for ‌martial law under South Korean ‌rules
Reading Time:1 minuteWhy you can trust SCMPReutersPublished: 2:26pm, 21 Jan 2026Updated: 2:43pm, 21 Jan 2026A ‌South Korean ‍court on Wednesday sentenced former prime minister ⁠Han Duck-soo to ‍23 years in prison ‍for charges including ‌engaging in key action ‍of insurrection concerning ‍ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol’s short-lived ‌declaration of martial law ‍in December 2024.
The Seoul Central ‍District Court found Han guilty on the charge because ‌he was considered instrumental in setting ‍up the outward appearance of a cabinet meeting that worked to facilitate the martial law ‌declaration, ⁠a judge said.
Han, 76, is the first former cabinet minister to be handed a ruling by ‌a lower court on criminal charges directly related to martial ‌law.
Advertise..

Love, Luxury and Obsession: Netflix’s 2026 Arabic Shows Are About to Take Over Your Screen Netflix has just unveiled its much-anticipated Arabic-language entertainment slate for 2026, sending fans across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) into a frenzy. The streamer’s new roster spans drama, reality TV, romance, horror and psychological thrillers, marking another bold push into regional storytelling that blends local flavor with global appeal. This comes as part of Netflix’s strategy to nurture original content from diverse voices while expanding its international footprint.The lineup includes returning favourites like Love Is Blind, Habibi and Dubai Bling, fresh original films such as From the Ashes: The Pit and Love in Slow Motion and new series including Chasing Shadows and Obsess. With several star casts and genre-hopping offerings, 2026 is shaping up to be Netflix’s most ambitious year yet for Arabic productions.Reality TV reloaded: Love Is Blind, Habibi returns for season 2
..

The UAE MoD denied Yemen allegations, confirming full withdrawal of forces, weapons, and assets from Riyan Airport/Image: WAM The United Arab Emirates has firmly rejected recent claims made by the Governor of Hadramawt, Salem Al-Khanbashi, regarding supposed discoveries of weapons, explosives, and secret detention facilities at Riyan Airport in Mukalla, Yemen. The UAE Ministry of Defence described the allegations as completely unfounded, misleading, and lacking any factual evidence.According to the Ministry, the statements presented during the press conference attempt to misrepresent the UAE’s role in Yemen, damage the reputation of its armed forces, and cast doubt on a decade of military commitments and operations.Full withdrawal from Yemen
The Ministry emphasized that UAE forces officially concluded their withdrawal from Yemen on 2nd January 2026. This exit included the transfer of all equipment, weapons, and assets following established military protocols. The Ministry stated this ..

AdvertisementHong Kong societyHong KongSocietyHong Kong strives to be ‘fortress’ that safeguards digital security, I&T minister saysCity will respond to national initiatives, Sun Dong says, noting that today’s cyber warfare is a ‘full-spectrum contest’ that integrates AI
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPHarvey KongPublished: 2:28pm, 20 Jan 2026Hong Kong is striving to become a “fortress” that safeguards digital security, the city’s innovation and technology (I&T) minister has said, noting that cyber warfare is not just a confrontation of technologies but a “full-spectrum contest” that transcends geographical boundaries and integrates artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking at a conference organised by the Digital Policy Office at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Tuesday, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong also said the city would actively respond to national initiatives.
Citing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks during ..

AdvertisementDonald TrumpWorldEuropeTrump threatens 200% wine tariff to push France to join ‘Board of Peace’US president targets France after it was lukewarm about the US$1 billion invitation to join his new global body
Reading Time:1 minuteWhy you can trust SCMP1ReutersPublished: 2:21pm, 20 Jan 2026Updated: 2:23pm, 20 Jan 2026US President ‌Donald Trump said he will impose a 200 per cent tariff ‍on French wines and champagnes, a move he claimed would push French President Emmanuel Macron to join Trump’s Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.
When ⁠asked by a reporter about Macron saying he will not join the board, Trump said: “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon.”
“I’ll put a 200 per cent ‍tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he ‍doesn’t have to join,” Trump said.
AdvertisementFrance intends to decline the invitation to join the initiative, at this stage, ‌a source close to Macron said on Monday.
..

Dubai’s RTA pilots a luxury shared transport service for students, offering 15% cheaper fees / AI Generated Image The traditional big yellow bus is getting a high-tech makeover. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially rolled out a pilot program that lets students trade the standard bus seat for a luxury SUV. Launched in mid-January 2026, this “pooled transport” initiative is designed for students aged 14 and above who attend schools in high-traffic clusters.Instead of a fixed, long-winded bus route that stops at every corner, these high-end vehicles use smart data from Yango Group and Urban Express to pick up students living in the same neighborhood. By grouping children heading to nearby schools into one premium vehicle, the RTA hopes to slash the number of private cars clogging up school gates every morning.How does it work?Dubai’s pooled system is a shared ride model designed to be efficient, safe and modern:Shared Rides with Tech-Enabled SUVs: Instead of every fa..