South China Morning Post

A dispute between South Korea and Ukraine over prisoners of war is threatening relations between the two countries. The disagreement risks undermining South Korean support for Kyiv as Ukraine continues its defence against Russia, according to the South China Morning Post. Officials on both sides have yet to resolve the standoff, raising concern that Seoul's aid to Ukraine could be reduced.

China has announced a sweeping reform of its higher education system that officials say will allow 'everyone can attend university'. The plan, reported by the South China Morning Post, points to a major expansion of university access across the country. Details of how the reform will be implemented, and what it means for admissions and funding, have not yet been made fully clear.

China is considering measures to make open-weight artificial intelligence models less dangerous as risks from the technology grow, according to the South China Morning Post. The discussion focuses on how freely available model weights could be misused, and what safeguards Beijing might apply. The report comes amid intensifying global debate over regulating powerful AI systems.

Chinese researchers say they have developed an electron gun beam described as world-leading, a key step toward building an advanced 'super microscope' for studying materials at extremely small scales. The announcement, reported by the South China Morning Post, is being read as another signal of China's push to compete with the United States and others in cutting-edge scientific instruments.

A South China Morning Post commentary argues that Hong Kong and mainland China cannot afford to ignore the need for greater transparency in their property markets. The piece suggests opaque market practices carry risks for buyers, investors and the wider economy, and that both governments should address disclosure and information gaps in the housing sector.

Hong Kong is pursuing a new approach to tackling its long-standing land value problem, according to a South China Morning Post opinion piece. The city's high property costs and government reliance on land sales have long strained public finances and housing affordability, and the debate over how to capture land value is once again drawing attention.

South China Morning Post's The View column argues that Hong Kong and mainland China cannot afford to ignore the need for greater transparency in their property markets. The piece frames openness in real estate data and dealings as essential to market confidence, at a time when both markets face questions over pricing, demand and developer finances.

A South China Morning Post piece argues that greater transparency in property markets is a driver of real estate investment in Hong Kong and mainland China. The article examines how clearer information on pricing, ownership and regulation supports investor confidence across both markets, amid ongoing interest in the region's property sector.

Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, has died at the age of 100. The South China Morning Post reported the death as a developing story. Siti Hasmah was a prominent figure in Malaysia in her own right, long seen at Mahathir's side during his decades dominating Malaysian politics. Tributes and condolences are flowing from Malaysians and regional figures.

Italy is drawing growing interest from wealthy Chinese buyers seeking property in the country, attracted by its food, fashion and lifestyle as well as a flat tax regime for high-net-worth foreign residents. The South China Morning Post reports on how the tax incentive is positioning Italy as a destination for affluent Chinese looking to invest in homes abroad.

A South China Morning Post report examines whether paying people to read and using gamification can reverse declining literacy rates across Southeast Asia. The piece explores incentive-based programmes that reward reading with cash, asking whether such schemes can meaningfully improve reading habits and comprehension in a region struggling with falling literacy levels.

The South China Morning Post reports on the hidden risks of combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western prescription drugs. The piece highlights concerns that herbal remedies can interact with pharmaceuticals, altering their effectiveness or causing harmful side effects, particularly when patients do not tell their doctors about everything they are taking. It calls for greater awareness among patients and practitioners about these potential interactions.