Chinese team creates ‘lifelike’ hydrogel that changes shape for smart devices
Chinese researchers have developed a “lifelike” shape-changing hydrogel they say could provide a platform for next-generation developments, such as flexible tissue engineering scaffolds, brain-computer interfaces and humanlike robots. Inspired by living organisms, the team created a light-triggered system called STERS, which uses liquid metal particles to generate slow, self-sustaining chemical reactions that allow a hydrogel to change its structure over time. Capable of growing and changing...
Read full articleMORE NEWS
Greenpeace catches Hong Kong geopark ‘golden week’ visitors damaging marine life
About 100 incidents of visitors catching sea cucumbers and digging up sea snails and clams were recorded at a popular spot in Hong Kong’s Unesco-listed geopark on a single day of the National Day “golden week”, a green group has found, following similar incidents last year. The Po Pin Chau section of the High Island Geo Trail in Sai Kung was also strewn with rubbish on a separate day, Greenpeace said on Tuesday. At nearby Long Ke Beach, the group recorded nearly 90 instances of environmentally...
Indonesia to take delivery of first Chinese J-10CE fighter jets in 6 months, report says
Indonesia is expected to receive its first Chengdu J-10CE fighter jets in six months, according to an Indonesian media report, which would make it the third international operator of the Chinese-made aircraft. Jakarta confirmed an order of 42 of the 4.5-generation fighter jets – known as Vigorous Dragons – last October, with an approved budget of US$9 billion. The first delivery is expected in April though it is not known how many aircraft will be delivered, Indonesian news outlet Republika...
Fire breaks out on rooftop of residential building in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok
Firefighters are battling a rooftop blaze at a residential building in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The Fire Services Department received a report at about 5.20pm on Tuesday that items stored on the rooftop of the 26-storey Block B at the Shun King Building on Nelson Street had caught fire. No casualties had been reported as of 7pm, while some residents self-evacuated the building. Firefighters were tackling the blaze with one water jet. Strong flames and...
Hong Kong’s Generation Y unhappiest amid housing and economic pressures, poll finds
Hong Kong’s Generation Y residents – those aged 30 to 45 – are the city’s unhappiest age group, largely because of dissatisfaction with economic and housing conditions, a poll has found. The Hong Kong Happiness Index stood at 5.87 out of 10, according to a survey of 1,039 adults conducted by HK.WeCare, an initiative under non-profit organisation Wofoo Social Enterprises. The score remained below the passing level for a fourth consecutive year, despite an overall upward trend since 2024. More...
Behind the scenes at Perth’s most controversial expo
Some of the biggest defence companies in the world including Boeing and BAE Systems are among the 964 exhibitors at Land Forces.
Customers sent rogue message as major fashion retailer caught in apparent hack
Customers of the popular online clothing retailer ASOS have received an alert that appears to threaten the company’s IT department with a data release.
Construction worker jailed for life for killing bus driver after smoking dispute
A construction worker has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a man who confronted him about smoking while they were waiting for a lift at a private housing estate in Hong Kong. A High Court jury on Tuesday found Tam Yun-chiu, 52, guilty of killing Ho Lok-man after hearing that he repeatedly punched the victim in the face, knocked him to the ground and kicked his head on the podium floor of Amoy Gardens in Kowloon Bay on September 19, 2023. Ho, a 48-year-old bus driver, became...
Hong Kong remains world’s freest economy as Switzerland overtakes Singapore
Hong Kong has retained its status as the world’s freest economy in the latest annual ranking by a top Canadian think tank, although its score has declined in recent years. Switzerland overtook Singapore to claim second place in 2026, pushing the city state down to third in the league table released by the Fraser Institute on Tuesday. The Economic Freedom of the World report, compiled by the Vancouver-based public policy research organisation using data from 2024, ranked Hong Kong first among 165...
Germany joins France in call for China trade defences
Germany and France, the European Union’s two largest economies, jointly called for tougher EU trade defences, as European and Chinese negotiators prepare for crunch talks this week under the shadow of a potential trade war. “The open and rules-based trade system is massively affected by weaponisation of trade, systemic market-distorting practices, and global macroeconomic imbalances,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron said in an open letter. “We need urgent...
Sam Wood charged with domestic violence offences
The fallout is escalating for reality TV star Sam Wood after he was charged with domestic violence allegations.
Why this Brisbane band kept their misspelt name
Sun-soaked indie rockers Mid Drift tell CityChats about turning female rage into fun, floaty tunes, and the dream venues where they’d love to play.