SCMP Style

16 hours ago | scmp.com | Owen Goulding

Californiatotality (inside) and Alexis Badel get on top late to win at Happy Valley. Photo: Kenneth Chan The impressive Californiatotality continued his march up the ratings with his fifth win of the campaign at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. In a well-run Class Two Choi Hung Handicap (1,650m), Tony Cruz’s improver sat midfield under Alexis Badel behind the pace set by Telecom Fighers and stalking $2 favourite Soleil Fighter.

23 hours ago | scmp.com | Thomas Falk

The UK-US trade deal, trumpeted by President Donald Trump as a grand achievement, is no triumph of statecraft. It is a hollow spectacle, political theatre masquerading as economic progress. For Britain, it lays bare the perils of negotiating from weakness. For other major economies – the European Union, Japan or China – it stands as a cautionary tale. They must heed Britain’s experience: strength, not desperation, must define their approach; substance, not optics, must be their demand.

1 day ago | scmp.com | Gloria Tso

There’s plenty to say about what it means to be cultured in this day and age – one of the few words in our modern vernacular which invites some debate depending on who you ask. Perhaps what comes to mind is less a description and more a feeling not too far off from the first sip of a cool glass of aged and refined whisky – something which feels fresh and evocative, deeply personal and always thought-provoking.

1 day ago | scmp.com | Enoch Yiu

Hong Kong retail lender Hang Seng Bank is carrying out lay-offs as part of its parent company HSBC Holdings’ aggressive restructuring aimed at enhancing cost-effectiveness and growth. The lender, 62.14 per cent owned by HSBC, informed staff in various departments over the past few weeks that they would lose their jobs as part of the restructuring plan, two separate sources told the Post.

1 day ago | scmp.com | Andrew Whitelaw

At 38 years old, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao has already achieved more than most fighters could dream of – but the former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai champion isn’t done just yet. “I really want to become a champion again before I retire,” he told the Post. “That’s the No 1 thing that I’ve been thinking about.”Last month in Bangkok, Nong-O returned to winning ways by beating rising Thai star Kongthoranee Sor.Sommai in a closely contested rematch.