South China Morning Post SCMP

14 hours ago | scmp.com | Natalie Wong

Hong Kong will not destroy its “successful DNA” and jeopardise its free-port status by retaliating with counter-tariffs on the US even if geopolitical tensions with China escalate further, the city’s leader has promised. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said his administration had made “contingency plans for the worst” and would increase support for local businesses in finding “blue oceans” in new markets.

16 hours ago | scmp.com | Annie Brown

Here comes the bride, all dressed in white. Or at least, almost always dressed in white – so deeply steeped in tradition is the hue for this one important day. And yet, until Britain’s Queen Victoria created a new trend with a white satin gown for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, brides mostly wore a variety of colours on their special day. A dress from Danielle Frankel’s X bridal collection.

1 day ago | scmp.com | Gloria Tso

For the better part of the past decade, South Korea has reigned supreme as the epicentre of entertainment and celebrity-driven trends in Asia. But Thailand, with its own brand of bankable stars, fast-growing economy and inviting culture, is on the rise. Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of beauty: Thai brands, bolstered by a booming creative scene and promoted by local celebrities with a global reach, are quickly taking over.

1 day ago | scmp.com | Luna Sun |Kandy Wong |Ralph Jennings

Caught in the undertow of swirling power plays between China and the United States, Asia has become like a piece of driftwood battered by the pounding of opposing tides.

2 days ago | scmp.com | William Zheng

Taiwanese politicians have voiced concerns that the island risks being further sidelined following the recent phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump. The call focused on easing trade tensions, but Xi also said that the US “must handle the Taiwan question with prudence” and make sure “fringe separatists” did not drag China and the US into “confrontation or even conflict”, according to state news agency Xinhua.