Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: Hong Kong Edition of South China Morning Post

Frequent fliers in Cathay Pacific's cheap seats face big let-down

Cathay Pacific is set to revamp its two frequent-flier programmes - with high-spending customers winning out over regular economy travellers, sources have told the Sunday Morning Post.

Sunday, 11 January, 2015, 10:13am 4 commentsMore on Cathay Pacific

Chinese passengers yank open moving plane's emergency doors after row with pilot

The plane's emergency exits were forced open.

Passengers on a flight to Beijing yanked opened three emergency exit doors just moments before take-off after becoming irritated at delays caused by snow.

11 Jan 2015 - 9:21am 4 comments

Hong Kong Jockey Club donates HK$500m for city's youth

Leung Chun-ying (front row, third from left) and Simon Ip Sik-on (front row, second from right) yesterday. Photo: Felix Wong

The Hong Kong Jockey Club will donate HK$500 million to fund a five-year programme that will help 200,000 young people plan their futures, it announced at a celebration of its 130th anniversary.

11 Jan 2015 - 3:14am More on The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Schoolgirls in China paid large sums to donate eggs to infertile couples on black market

A prospective seller is measured by agents. Photo: SMP

Health experts have called for government regulation to halt the black market trade in women's eggs, following a report on the practice by state broadcaster CCTV.

11 Jan 2015 - 10:09am

Beijing 'won't be swayed' on HK's political reform even if Albert Ho triggers by-election

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam says Albert Ho's plan is impractical - if not impossible.

Top government officials say lawmaker Albert Ho Chun-yan is on a mission impossible if he thinks he can hold Beijing to ransom by triggering a by-election.

11 Jan 2015 - 9:52am 2 commentsMore on Universal Suffrage

Donor steps in to save the sight of Tunisian tourist attacked on night out in Wan Chai

A generous donor has stepped forward to help pay for surgery that may save the sight of a Tunisian tourist attacked on the streets of Hong Kong.

11 Jan 2015 - 6:37am

Rare fish species never before seen in Hong Kong waters are discovered

A 700lb grouper was sold to a restaurant in Jordan after being caught in the South China Sea in 2012. Photo: Samantha Reid

Rare fish species, some of them never found off Hong Kong before, have been identified in a survey of local waters that will form the basis for an online database of reef fish.

11 Jan 2015 - 10:02am 1 comment

Helping improve Hong Kong's communities 'could keep the spirit of Occupy alive'

Kevin Yam says residents can be put off by direct political approaches. Photo: David Wong

Taking the democracy message into communities by helping residents improve the place they live could be a "third way" to keep the Occupy Central spirit alive, members of a new group say.

11 Jan 2015 - 9:44amMore on Occupy Central

Hong Kong property to take centre stage again in 2015

Lining up for subsidised flats. Photo: Felix Wong

While political movements dominated 2014, the major feature in the city this year will be something more familiar - property.

11 Jan 2015 - 4:53am 1 comment

Woman fights HK$80m tax bill on parents' estate

A woman is fighting to overturn an HK$80 million tax bill on her parents' HK$331 million estate, a High Court writ shows.

11 Jan 2015 - 3:14am

Occupy Central 'not reason behind Li Ka-shing's reorganisation of business empire'

Billionaire Li Ka-shing's reorganisation of his business empire has nothing to do with Occupy Central, a director of one of his firms insists.

11 Jan 2015 - 9:40am 5 comments More on Li Ka-Shing

Bookseller Dymocks to close flagship IFC Mall store and Hong Kong office

Hong Kong's largest English- language bookseller, Dymocks, is to end its 15-year local presence in an industry battered by high rents and shifting reading habits.

11 Jan 2015 - 3:14am

The milkman rings twice: Zheng Junhuai's return to the dairy industry

11 Jan 2015 - 3:38am

Partner of French attacker in Syria, sources say

11 Jan 2015 - 9:30am 2 comments

Shanghai joins Beijing in emergency air alert

11 Jan 2015 - 5:19am

China deletes millions of porn files in bid to cleanse the web

11 Jan 2015 - 9:40am

Some Malaysians taking out personal loans to join the Islamic State

11 Jan 2015 - 6:02am

Big nations' aid in AirAsia search may be to boost their soft-power stance, observers say

11 Jan 2015 - 6:08am

Quick-thinking hostages hid in fridge under Charlie Hebdo gunmen's noses

11 Jan 2015 - 9:31am

Militant cleric Abu Hamza, who preached violence and aided al-Qaeda, jailed for life

10 Jan 2015 - 1:54pm 1 comment

Girl bomber kills more after Boko Haram massacre in Nigeria

11 Jan 2015 - 6:28am 1 comment

'Russia's great' and I am sober, Snowden says about his life in the country

11 Jan 2015 - 6:28am 2 comments

SCMP Brand Post

Connected Hong Kong an ideal place for the ‘smart home’ thanks to strong tech infrastructure

The exclusive Aberdeen Marina Club at Island South

How automation firms are rushing to invest in Chinese factories

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SCMP ePaper Edition

11 JAN 2015

Hong Kong Jockey Club donates HK$500m for city's youth
Occupy Central not reason behind Li Ka-shing's reorganisation of business empire, Frederick Ma Si-hang says
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Leader

There has been concern that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would use the commemorations to further a right-wing agenda.

For true reconciliation to work, Shinzo Abe must face up to history

11 Jan 2015 - 7:29am 1 comment

As Hong Kong ponders regulation on milk formula, it's important to remember breast is still best

11 Jan 2015 - 7:29am

Today's Poll

Will Li Ka-shing's corporate restructuring plan hit the Hong Kong stock market badly?

Total number of votes recorded: 204

Opinion

JAKE VAN DER KAMP

Hongkongers survived some deflation, and so will Europeans

11 Jan 2015 - 7:29am

CARY HUANG

Coverage of Shanghai, Harbin tragedies points to constraints on 'free press'

11 Jan 2015 - 7:29am

PHILIP BOWRING

Political inertia the most pernicious cause of road congestion in Hong Kong

11 Jan 2015 - 6:55am 8 comments

SHIRLEY YAM

How Li Ka-shing killed three birds with one restructuring

10 Jan 2015 - 3:12am 6 comments

Insight

For true reconciliation to work, Shinzo Abe must face up to history

SCMP EDITORIAL11 Jan 2015 - 7:29am 1 comment

Blogs

PLATE TO PALATE

F***ie fight! Susan Jung banned from using the F word

SUSAN JUNG10 Jan 2015 - 10:26pm 1 comment

THE GRIFFIN

Savvy turns savage as Suarez syndrome strikes

ANDREW HAWKINS9 Jan 2015 - 9:50am

GET REEL

Film review: 10,000km - fine acting holds up study of a couple thrown apart

YVONNE TEH7 Jan 2015 - 10:13pm

Focus

The milkman rings twice: Zheng Junhuai's return to the dairy industry

ALICE YAN

The man once known as the "Dairy Godfather" of China is making a bid for another title: "Comeback King".

11 Jan 2015 - 3:38am

Beijing 'won't be swayed' on HK's political reform even if Albert Ho triggers by-election

Top government officials say lawmaker Albert Ho Chun-yan is on a mission impossible if he thinks he can hold Beijing to ransom by triggering a by-election.

11 Jan 2015 - 9:52am 3 commentsMore on Universal Suffrage

CHARITY

Hong Kong Jockey Club donates HK$500m for city's youth

The Hong Kong Jockey Club will donate HK$500 million to fund a five-year programme that will help 200,000 young people plan their futures, it announced at a celebration of its 130th anniversary.

11 Jan 2015 - 3:14am More on The Hong Kong Jockey Club

RETAIL

Bookseller Dymocks to close flagship IFC Mall store and Hong Kong office

11 Jan 2015

Chinese passengers yank open moving plane's emergency doors after row with pilot

Passengers on a flight to Beijing yanked opened three emergency exit doors just moments before take-off after becoming irritated at delays caused by snow.

11 Jan 2015 - 9:21am 4 comments

HEALTH

Schoolgirls in China paid large sums to donate eggs to infertile couples on black market

Health experts have called for government regulation to halt the black market trade in women's eggs, following a report on the practice by state broadcaster CCTV.

11 Jan 2015 - 10:09am

ENVIRONMENT

Shanghai joins Beijing in emergency air alert

11 Jan 2015

Some Malaysians taking out personal loans to join the Islamic State

Malaysian militants seeking to join the Islamic State (IS) have been taking out personal loans from local banks or money lenders to fund passage and living expenses in Syria and Iraq.

11 Jan 2015 - 6:02am

AVIATION

Big nations' aid in AirAsia search may be to boost their soft-power stance, observers say

US and Chinese warships have rushed to help Indonesia search for a crashed plane, but analysts say more than altruistic motivations are at play with world powers jostling for influence.

11 Jan 2015 - 6:08amMore on AirAsia flight QZ8501

SRI LANKA

New Sri Lankan President Sirisena tries to form 'national unity' cabinet on first day in office

11 Jan 2015

Quick-thinking hostages hid in fridge under Charlie Hebdo gunmen's noses

From the father who hid his toddler inside a shop's refrigerator to the employee who texted tactical information to police, authorities praised the quick instincts of survivors in the hostage incidents.

11 Jan 2015 - 9:31am

INTELLIGENCE

US mulls charging ex-CIA chief Petraeus suspected of sharing classified papers with mistress

Federal investigators have been looking into whether Petraeus improperly shared classified materials with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, with whom he admitted having an affair.

10 Jan 2015 - 1:59pm

TERRORISM

Militant cleric Abu Hamza, who preached violence and aided al-Qaeda, jailed for life

10 Jan 2015 1 comment

MORE WORLD NEWS

China Insider

The man from Dalian, Liaoning province, was filmed chugging down 20kg of alcohol and swallowing nails and razors as well as shampoo, soap and toothpaste. He was hospitalised. Photo: SCMP Pictures

CHINA DIGEST

Around the nation: Man's alcohol-chugging, razor-swallowing stunt goes viral

9 Jan 2015

Three men stole 240 iPhone 6s from a warehouse in Haidian district by digging a hole through the wall. Photo: Bloomberg

CHINA DIGEST

Around the nation: Man wakes from coma after nurse waves 100 yuan in his face

9 Jan 2015

Didi Dache has become China's most popular mobile app to request a taxi ride. Photo: Simon Song

TAXI-HAILING APPS

Outcry in Beijing as transport authorities ban Uber-like services

8 Jan 2015

ONLINE LITERATURE

Top Chinese media regulator orders online writers, bloggers to register real names

8 Jan 2015

An ageing couple in Anhui were reunited with their daughter, second from right, this week after she was kidnapped 30 years ago, aged four. PHOTO: SCMP Pictures

CHINA DIGEST

Around the nation: Parents reunited with daughter 30 years after she was kidnapped

8 Jan 2015

Didi Taxi is China's most popular mobile app to call for a taxi ride. Photo: Simon Song

TAXI-HAILING APPS

Beijing officials crack down on Uber-like car services

7 Jan 2015 2 comments

Zhao Benshan has become a household name in China for his popular comedy performances over the past two decades. Photo: SCMP Pictures

ANTI-CORRUPTION

Comedian-turned showbiz tycoon Zhao Benshan embroiled in rumours amid anti-graft drive

7 Jan 2015

A shop owner in Hezhou has been showing off a giant lingzhi mushroom he bought.

CHINA DIGEST

Around the nation: massive lingzhi mushroom found in Guangxi

7 Jan 2015

A giant lingzhi mushroom weighing nearly 15kg is displayed in a shop in Guangxi. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Around the nation: massive lingzhi mushroom found in Guangxi

7 Jan 2015

Qin Kou wants to run his alpaca empire from his home town, Wuhan. Photo: SCMP Pictures

CHINA DIGEST

Around the nation: Harvard graduates see big future for alpacas in China

6 Jan 2015

The three imposters, shown at their trial, claimed to be setting up a bank on behalf of the Central Military Commission. Photo: SCMP Pictures

CHINA DIGEST

Around the Nation: Fake generals jailed for cheating bank manager of 13.5m yuan

7 Jan 2015

A Chinese jewellery shop owner giving out precious bracelets was accused of being miserly by people who demanded gold instead. Photo: SCMP Pictures

CHINA DIGEST

Around the nation: New Year's Day gifts from 'miserly God of Wealth' spurned

2 Jan 2015

Two kindergarten teachers are being investigated by police for suspected abuse of a pupil after the boy's mother found bruises on him, the Beijing Times reports. Photo: Simon Song

CHINA DIGEST

Around the nation: Two killed on tour bus in Yunnan

2 Jan 2015

A Hubei driver has been fined 200 yuan after he was caught with a woman on his lap while driving. Photo: SCMP Pictures

CHINA DIGEST

Around the nation: China drivers fined for hugging and kissing while on the road

1 Jan 2015 1 comment

Business

BUSINESS

Occupy Central 'not reason behind Li Ka-shing's reorganisation of business empire'

Billionaire Li Ka-shing's reorganisation of his business empire has nothing to do with Occupy Central, a director of one of his firms insists.

11 Jan 2015 - 9:40am 5 comments More on Li Ka-Shing

RETAIL

Bookseller Dymocks to close flagship IFC Mall store and Hong Kong office

Hong Kong's largest English- language bookseller, Dymocks, is to end its 15-year local presence in an industry battered by high rents and shifting reading habits.

11 Jan 2015 - 3:14am

MARKETS

DOUG YOUNG

WEIBO TALK: Murdoch Back in China, Xiaomi's banner year

9 Jan 2015 - 10:28am

MORE BUSINESS NEWS

Property

PROPERTY

Hong Kong property to take centre stage again in 2015

While political movements dominated 2014, the major feature in the city this year will be something more familiar - property.

11 Jan 2015 - 4:53am 1 comment

RESIDENTIAL

Hong Kong home prices rise for seventh month

Hong Kong home prices rose for the seventh straight month in November, albeit at a slower pace.

8 Jan 2015 - 12:45pm 2 comments

Smithfield Square

7 Jan 2015

MORE PROPERTY NEWS

Lifestyle

ARTS & CULTURE

Music - what to expect in 2015 from a global business that's in turmoil

With the business in turmoil Glenn Gamboa anticipates the people and trends in music in 2015.

10 Jan 2015 - 10:41pmMore on LIFE

Pop stars' row centres on racial identity and hip hop's history

10 Jan 2015

Children of the Sun honours Caribbean influences on Joe Sample and The Crusaders

10 Jan 2015

FOOD & WINE

Ainaz Reihani (far left) introduces guests to Persian cuisine in Kuala Lumpur.

Airbnb for foodies: PlateCulture lets diners book meals in strangers' homes

Bodian Diatta dwarfs the barbecue pit as he tends to the chicken pieces sizzling over charcoal.

9 Jan 2015 - 5:44pmMore on LIFE

Gin is back in demand at bars in Hong Kong and beyond

8 Jan 2015

'Hong Kong-style' milk tea, and other foreign imports

10 Jan 2015

TECHNOLOGY

Wired for sleep: gadgets to give you a good night's rest

New technology is staying up all night, so you don't have to. Many people suffer from a lack of sleep, or what experts call a lack of quality sleep that allows you to feel refreshed.

11 Jan 2015 - 7:57am

Long-buried secret that gave world to Homo sapiens

11 Jan 2015

Eyebrow-raising claims trigger debate in India

11 Jan 2015

FASHION

Gypsy-inspired womenswear the top trend of 2015 resort season

10 Jan 2015

Young Hong Kong designers make debut at Hong Kong Fashion Week

9 Jan 2015

BOOKS

The backlash against Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch - snobbery or necessity?

10 Jan 2015

Book review: The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami - odd but enjoyable

10 Jan 2015

HEALTH

Hong Kong ban on IVF for unwed is discriminatory, say critics

9 Jan 2015 2 comments

Avocados - high fats and calories are no reason to avoid eating them

9 Jan 2015

BEAUTY

Seven shades of nail polish that will make you shine

7 Jan 2015

The best post party-season solutions for your skin

3 Jan 2015

FAMILY & EDUCATION

Student Tracy Tian (left) and English instructor Conor Dawson at the American accent tutorial school in Causeway Bay. Photo: Dickson Lee

Native English-speaking teachers know what sounds right

9 Jan 2015 3 comments

Open University of Hong Kong makes online teaching materials freely available

9 Jan 2015

INTERIORS & LIVING

Industrial style meant hard work for Hong Kong flat owner

10 Jan 2015

Lily Jencks on landscaping Frank Gehry's Hong Kong cancer centre

10 Jan 2015

Magazines

Post Magazine: January 11
11 JAN 2015

One man’s mission to bring down a US Navy plane from the Tai Tam hillside it crashed into 70 years ago
Style: January 2015
9 JAN 2015

Heli-sports is the lastest craze in snowy adventures
48 Hours: January 8
8 JAN 2015

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel has spread his love of music around the world
Post Magazine: January 4
4 JAN 2015

The hot-headed French footballing legend says he is a butterfly really ...
Post Magazine: December 21
21 DEC 2014

The quiz!
48 Hours: December 18
18 DEC 2014

Why director John Woo is so satisfied with his latest historical epic
Post Magazine: December 14
14 DEC 2014

Disney and Pixar creative head John Lasseter is nothing if not animated when talking about the medium he helped to create
Style: December 2014
12 DEC 2014

Private jet industry takes off in China
48 Hours: December 11
11 DEC 2014

Tolkien's epic tale draws to a thrilling close
Good Eating: Winter 2014
19 NOV 2014

Local chefs create spicy menus for the more adventurous diners
Style: November 2014
7 NOV 2014

Cate Blanchett on her love for theatre and her challenges with Blue Jasmine
Good Eating: Autumn 2014
AUTUMN 2014

Alfresco dining is gaining popularity among busy Hongkongers who want to unwind
Good Eating: Summer 2014
SUMMER 2014

Time for tea
Money: April 2014
7 APR 2014

Space invaders: ‘The final frontier’ is ready for tourists later this year

Sport

China's Yu Hai is elated after scoring the second-half winning goal in their group B Asian Cup match against three-time winners Saudi Arabia in Brisbane. China beat the Saudis 1-0. Photo: EPA

China stun with first Asian Cup scalp in 1-0 win over Saudis

Birthday boy Wang Dalei's penalty stop helped China upset Saudi Arabia 1-0 as a string of top saves made all the difference at the Asian Cup on Saturday.

11 Jan 2015 - 12:41am

TENNIS

Maria Sharapova beats Ana Ivanovic to win Brisbane International

Maria Sharapova won the 34th title of her career yesterday when she outlasted Ana Ivanovic in a thrilling final match at the Brisbane International.

11 Jan 2015 - 1:16am

CRICKET

Skippers Steve Smith and Virat Kohli add spark as Australia win series

11 Jan 2015

MORE SPORT NEWS

Magazines

US Navy aircraft strike shipping in Victoria Harbour on January 16, 1945. Photos: Brent Jones Collection; handouts

Remains of US airmen killed in 1945 could still be on Hong Kong hillside

Seventy years ago this Friday, in the heavy swell of the South China Sea, a flight of United States Navy TBM Avenger torpedo bombers took off in stormy weather from the aircraft carrier USS Hancock bound for a target some 150 nautical miles to the north.

10 Jan 2015 - 11:17pm