US vetoes Gaza ceasefire call at UN, says no link to hostage release

The UN Security Council voted 14-1 in favour of the resolution, but it was not adopted because of the US objection.

One Direction stars join mourners at Liam Payne’s funeral

The singer was found dead after a fall from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, triggering an outpouring of grief from fans around the world.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s ex-deputy Gary Wang spared prison time over FTX fraud

Wang cooperated with the prosecution and testified in the trial that led to Bankman-Fried’s conviction on fraud and other charges.

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai admits donating money to overseas groups but denies having agenda

Former media boss goes into witness box for the first time and gives 6½ hours of testimony in his high-profile national security trial.

Xi Jinping meets with Brazilian president Lula, signing over 30 agreements

After President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomes Xi in Brasilia, negotiations are expected to deliver opening of markets.

Hong Kong government condemns red paint attack at headquarters

Glass bottle filled with red paint hurled from footbridge at headquarters in Tamar, Admiralty, as authorities vow to pursue offender.

Shanghai court says crypto ownership legal under China law amid bitcoin price surge

In an opinion on a recent lawsuit, a Shanghai judge wrote that cryptocurrencies have the attributes of property and thus holding it is legal.

Hong Kong sports bodies have 2 years to fall into line or risk losing funding: officials

New code of governance sets out three major areas where the city’s National Sports Associations need to improve by 2026.

Alibaba raises US$5 billion from dual-currency bond issue, boosting Hong Kong’s hub status

The deal marks the biggest corporate bond issue of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region this year.

China’s ‘significant challenge’ to US, Elon Musk’s security ‘threat’: SCMP daily catch-up

From to Elon Musk’s security ‘threat’ to PLA’s strategy to throw US off, here’s a round-up from today’s China and Economy coverage.