Tai Po fire report: lessons from a tragedy

Hands shot up in a Hong Kong Primary Two classroom as pupils debated what their digital pet needed more, meal vouchers or the latest game cards. Their teacher at SKH Kei Oi Primary School in Sham Shui Po had created the virtual pet using artificial intelligence (AI) and web tools for a lesson on saving and budgeting. With each spending decision, the pet’s mood and savings changed on screen, helping pupils discover the consequences of careless spending. Such lessons are becoming more common...

Seventy-something Hong Kong retiree Leung Ching says a meal for four in Shenzhen, the megacity in mainland China roughly an hour’s train ride away, that cost just over 300 yuan (US$45) a few years ago now runs to 500 to 600 yuan. It would cost around HK$1,000 (US$127.50) in Hong Kong, but only 300 yuan in Guangzhou and just 200 yuan in Zhongshan, two cities within two hours of Hong Kong. “Shenzhen is becoming less and less affordable,” said Leung, a retired vendor. Last year, consumer prices in...

Prominent biologist Rao Yi is refusing to back down after Cell Press said it had found no evidence that top journal editor Steve Mao sought bribes from Chinese scientists. In a statement published on Thursday evening, Cell Press – one of the world’s leading scientific publishers, owned by Elsevier – said its investigation had “largely concluded” and “found no evidence to support the aforementioned allegations”. Nevertheless, Rao, a tenured chair professor at Peking University who stepped down as...

The 41-year-old will face court on Saturday after she is alleged to have deliberately lit multiple fires in Forrestfield on Thursday.

This story was first published on October 31, 1971. Aberdeen was yesterday (October 30, 1971) rocked by a tremendous explosion followed by fire which swept through the $14 million Jumbo Restaurant, killing 13 and injuring at least 42 others on board. It happened so quickly that within five minutes, fire engulfed the four-decked floating restaurant, reducing it to a charred hulk. Hundreds of people leapt for life from the decks and from the pagoda-shaped towers of the palatial restaurant. It was...

After alleging that noncitizens are registered to vote in L.A. County, the U.S. Department of Justice recently sent subpoenas to local elections officials, calling them to testify before a grand jury. The move may signal that criminal charges are in the works — but the county has ways to fight back.

Even as Hong Kong remains the world’s least affordable housing market, many buyers still shun heavily discounted homes linked to an “unnatural death”, such as murder or suicide, according to property agents. Prices for such properties could fall by as much as 50 per cent, while rents were typically about 20 per cent below market rates, they added. The aversion stands in stark contrast to parts of Europe, particularly in France, where buyers are often willing to purchase homes under a “vente en...

Hainan's digital reporting system streamlines grassroots governance

China's first shipborne stealth reconnaissance-strike integrated drone GJ-21 has recently completed its first takeoff and landing operation aboard the Sichuan, China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, a navy source said.

Police have urged the public to avoid the area while an investigation is under way.

Footage of the little girl being carried out of Terrence Kelly’s home went viral in what crime analysts have called a rare happy ending.

There’s no metro for another year at least. But other public transport is functional, and in some cases, free.