British musician finds his forte: saving unwanted pianos
In a deserted former department store near the port of Leith in Edinburgh, Tim Vincent-Smith reaches inside a grand piano’s open top, his fingertips lightly plucking at the taut strings.…
Michelle Yeoh’s success encourages Asian actors, says China’s Gong Li
Gong Li, one of China’s best actors, told media on Wednesday that Michelle Yeoh’s recent success at the Oscars and Golden Globes was particularly encouraging for Asian actors. “Since the…
Free tram rides for Hongkongers this Sunday to celebrate International Day of Families
The Family Council of the government will launch a free tram ride day this Sunday (May 14) to celebrate the International Day of Families. Hongkongers are invited to enjoy free…
Austrian billionaire’s jewels seen fetching over $150 mln at auction
The 700-piece private jewellery collection of the late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten, the world’s largest and most valuable collection of its kind to come to auction, could sell for more…
AIA Carnival returns to Hong Kong in December; tickets available in late-September
The AIA Carnival, one of the city’s largest outdoor event, will return to Hong Kong at the Central Harbourfront on December 21, the organizers announced Wednesday. Tickets will be available…
Hong Kong’s cuisine scene is still hot despite years of Covid curbs
Hong Kong’s dining scene is going strong, despite intense Covid-related restrictions over the past year. There’s a new three-star restaurant in town, Ta Vie, in the boutique Pottinger hotel in…
Newly Michelin-starred restaurant said to be shut down, owing salaries
A seafood restaurant in Wan Chai was said to be closed its door on the same day it was awarded One Michelin Star by the renowned dining guide, while staff…
Over 500 participate at “The Avenue of Pop Dreams” parade as tribute to 4 late superstars
The Breaking parade and celebrity exhibition “The Avenue of Pop Dreams” attracted over 500 participants to the Avenue of Stars on Sunday to promote Hong Kong pop culture and to…
M+ and HK Palace Museum implement special opening arrangements during Labour Day holidays
The M+ Museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum will open to the public on May 1 and 2 (Mon and Tue) to welcome visitors during the Labour Day Golden…
K-pop singer Moonbin, member of boy band Astro, dies aged 25
South Korean singer Moonbin, a member of K-pop boy band Astro, has died at the age of 25, his music label Fantagio said on Thursday. “Members of Astro and fellow…
Dim Sum crowned king in ‘Hong Kong Best Picks’ list compiled by HKers
Consolidated by Hong Kong Tourism Board, “Hong Kong’s Best Picks” for visitors, as recommended by the locals, are now available! The “Hello Hong Kong ? My Best Picks – Most-liked…
K-pop star and BTS member J-Hope starts mandatory military service
J-Hope, a member of Grammy-nominated K-pop boy band BTS, began his mandatory military service in South Korea on Tuesday, the second member of the group to do so. The singer…
Aroma of Chinese Lamian noodles wafts to Belt and Road countries
Lamian noodles, or hand-pulled noodles, is a traditional Chinese dish. It has a variety of appetizing flavors such as Qinghai Lamian noodles and Lanzhou beef Lamian noodles. In recent years,…
‘Phantom of the Opera’ ends record run with final Broadway bow
After 35 years and almost 14,000 performances, the curtain fell for the final time Sunday on the longest-running show in Broadway history—“The Phantom of the Opera.” Since opening in January…
Coachella globalizes in step with international music trends
The original 1999 Coachella lineup was decidedly oriented towards rock acts and full of white men, but today, the premier music festival’s lineup is more diverse and international than ever.…
Consumer watchdog finds all 27 samples of dried goji berries it tested contain heavy metals
The Consumer Council said Monday that all 27 samples of dried goji berries it tested were detected with different types of heavy metals, with two samples found with lead concentration…
Controversial schoolgirl documentary won HK Film Awards’ best picture
Controversial documentary To My Nineteen Year Old Self was crowned best film in Hong Kong’s most prestigeous movie award in a shocking turn two months after the movie was pulled…
Michelle Yeoh makes post-Oscars appearance at Hong Kong Film Awards
Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh Choo Kheng graced the red carpet at the 41st Hong Kong Film Awards as she presented Best New Performer to Sahal Zaman at the start of…
Hong Kong Ballet joins hands with American Ballet Theatre Studio Company to showcase the ballet superstars of the future
Enjoy an unforgettable evening of thrilling ballet as Hong Kong Ballet (HKB), with the generous support of the Hong Kong arts patron Elaine Forsgate Marden, presents American Ballet Theatre (ABT)…
Happy Songkran Festival returns to Kowloon City after 3-year hiatus
The largest celebration of the Thai new year was held in Kowloon City on Sunday following the hiatus caused by the three-year-long pandemic. A Buddha bathing ceremony was held in…
Warner Bros nears deal for Harry Potter streaming series
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is close to a deal for a new online TV series based on Harry Potter, the best-selling young adult books, according to two people with knowledge…
Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto dies at 71
Ryuichi Sakamoto, a world-renowned Japanese musician and actor who composed for Hollywood hits such as “The Last Emperor” and “The Revenant,” has died. He was 71. Japan’s recording company Avex…
Pop icon Leslie Cheung’s legacy endures 20 years after death
Fans of late Canto-pop icon Leslie Cheung, one of the first singers to come out as gay in Hong Kong, flocked to the city this week to commemorate their idol’s…
Customs request model of baby cot pulled from shelves over safety concerns
Customs on Friday reminded the public to stop using a model of a baby cot after test results indicated the cot might pose a safety hazard. Traders are also advised…
Rare sneaker collection to be shown in HK before auction
Auction house Sotheby’s is selling a set of six individual Air Jordan sneakers, to be showcased in Hong Kong from the 1st to the 5th of April, with appraisers forecasting…
Plastic shopping bag use drops 60pc by March with increased tariff
The environment authority announced on Thursday that plastic bag use across the city dropped significantly, by more than 60 percent, as the charge per piece rose to HK$1 this year.…
Tarantino says script finished on his final film
Cult film director Quentin Tarantino said on Wednesday he has finished the script for what will be his “last” movie. The US director of hit films including “Kill Bill”, “Inglourious…
Rare pink diamond worth $35 mn set for auction in New York
A rare, vividly rosy-purple diamond, called the Eternal Pink and valued at $35 million, is set to be auctioned off by Sotheby’s as part of its Magnificent Jewels sale in…
WHO revises COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for Omicron-era
The World Health Organization has tailored its COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for a new phase of the pandemic, suggesting that healthy children and adolescents may not necessarily need a shot but…
Venice Film Festival to honour Tony Leung with Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement
The Venice Film Festival will this year honour Tony Leung Chiu-wai, the acclaimed Hong Kong actor of “In the Mood for Love” and Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the…
Crowds swarm Art Basel Hong Kong as galleries report sales bonanza
Thousands of people thronged on Thursday into Art Basel Hong Kong, one of Asia’s largest contemporary art fairs, to view large-scale installations from hanging money trees to a pumpkin 8…
Young people visit temples to catch the trend, relieve pressure
Temples in China, which used to be the realm of the silver-haired, have been receiving more and more visitors from the younger generations – young people take pictures in smoky…
A sprinkling of movie and music magic as first Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival kicks off in April
The government announced on Wednesday that a series of pop culture performances featuring multiple Hong Kong local movies as well as music would be presented to more than 140,000 attendees…
Art Basel aims to bounce back after Covid years
The organisers of Art Basel Hong Kong, one of Asia’s leading contemporary art fairs, said on Tuesday they are bullish on art market prospects in the region, with China and…
How AI could upend the world even more than electricity or the internet
The rise of artificial general intelligence — now seen as inevitable in Silicon Valley — will bring change that is “orders of magnitude” greater than anything the world has yet…
Mickey, Woody, Snow White… 18,000 runners racing in HK Disneyland
Around 18,000 runners dressed in Disney-themed costumes raced in Hong Kong Disneyland on Sunday for the “10K Weekend” event after a three-year hiatus. The two-day race began yesterday in honour…
‘The Wire’ star Lance Reddick dead at 60
Actor Lance Reddick who played steely Baltimore police lieutenant Cedric Daniels in hit TV show “The Wire” has died, his publicist said Friday. He was 60. Reddick, who also appeared…
Jurassic Park star Sam Neill reveals blood cancer diagnosis
Actor Sam Neill has revealed he is being treated for stage-three blood cancer, writing in a memoir that he was “possibly dying” from the illness diagnosed a year ago. The…
Child emperor Puyi’s rare Patek Phillippe wristwatch to go under the hammer
A Patek Philippe watch owned by the last emperor of China’s Qing dynasty and worn through his five years as a captive of the Soviets in Siberia, will come to…
‘Wholesome’ South Korean reality TV proves a global hit
The challenge is straight from Greek mythology: hold a boulder aloft as long as possible. Korean car dealer Jo Jin-hyeong lasted over two hours, captivating global audiences in a reality…
Hon Fat Noodle preserves local food culture at new Wan Chai branch
Hon Fat Noodle at Sham Shui Po has been a stalwart favorite of many city dwellers since 1973 and now, foodies have an additional choice at the restaurant’s brand new…
EU approves 2035 ban on new fossil fuel car sales
The European Parliament on Tuesday gave its final approval to a ban on new sales of carbon-emitting petrol and diesel cars by 2035, with a view to getting them off…
‘Enlightened tingle’: Aussie cafe offers $140 cup of coffee
At US$140 a pop, one cafe in Melbourne, Australia is serving up no ordinary cup of joe. Melbourne has long been famed for its coffee culture, with Italian and Greek…
Japan launches whale meat vending machines to promote sales
A Japanese whaling operator, after struggling for years to promote its controversial products, has found a new way to cultivate clientele and bolster sales: whale meat vending machines. The Kujira…
Battle for the ages
Experience helps Golden Sixty but momentum is on the side of Romantic Warrior and California Spangle in G1 Stewards’ Cup on Sunday. Jockey Vincent Ho is holding firm in his…
Paris Hilton announces birth of first child
Media personality and hotel heiress Paris Hilton announced Tuesday that she and husband Carter Reum had welcomed their first child. Hilton posted a photo on Instagram of what appeared to…
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” leads Oscar nominations list
Dimension-hopping adventure “Everything Everywhere All at Once” topped the list of movies nominated on Tuesday for this year’s Oscars as Hollywood’s film academy chose several crowd-pleasing hits to compete for…
World of Warcraft China shutdown cuts off millions of gamers
Millions of Chinese gamers have lost access to World of Warcraft after a furious dispute between US title owner Activision Blizzard Inc. and NetEase Inc., its longtime local partner in…
Friday Beyond Spotlights – Donnie Yen: Punch Above Your Weight
Friday Beyond Spotlights is an informative yet light-hearted talk show airing every Friday at 8:30pm on Hong Kong International Business Channel (#76). The English language program features the most influential…
Leap into the Year of the Rabbit in style
With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, get yourself a festive wardrobe, reinvigorate your beauty plans and bless your loved ones with fine gifts from Lane Crawford. Hong…
How to “prosper” in the Year of the Rabbit
According to the Chinese zodiac, the upcoming Year of the Rabbit symbolizes the convergence of longevity, peace, hope and prosperity. To make the most of these positive cosmic elements, Café…
Marvel actor Jeremy Renner in ‘critical but stable’ condition after snow plow accident
Marvel actor Jeremy Renner is in “critical but stable” condition after being injured in an accident while plowing snow, entertainment magazine Variety reported on Monday. Oscar-nominated Renner, 51, has owned…
Celine Dion’s rare condition, stiff person syndrome, explained
Singer Celine Dion paused all of her performances after she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, bringing attention to this rare disorder. The five-time Grammy winner posted an emotional video…
Kirstie Alley, Emmy-winning ‘Cheers’ star, dies at 71
Kirstie Alley, who won an Emmy for her role on “Cheers” and starred in films including “Look Who’s Talking,” died Monday. She was 71. Alley died of cancer that was…
Oxford Dictionaries names ‘goblin mode’ its word of the year
Asked to sum up 2022 in a word, the public has chosen a phrase. Oxford Dictionaries said Monday that “goblin mode” has been selected by online vote as its word…
Shanghai cancels auto event as rising Covid cases add to reopening worries
A rise in the number of new Covid-19 infections in China prompted the commercial hub of Shanghai to abruptly cancel an auto industry event on Wednesday, creating more uncertainty about…
(Pictures) Qing Dynasty shipwreck salvaged in Shanghai
An ancient shipwreck, one of the largest and best-preserved wooden shipwrecks discovered underwater in China to date, was lifted out of waters in Shanghai early Monday. The Yangtze No. 2…
HK actor Anthony Wong wins at Taiwan’s Golden Horse film awards
Veteran Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong took top honours at Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards Saturday while a Chinese short film won for the first time since Beijing shunned the event…
Upset Taylor Swift says she was told Ticketmaster could handle demand
Pop superstar Taylor Swift said on Friday it was “excruciating” for her to watch fans struggle to secure tickets for her upcoming U.S. tour after she had been assured that…
With Twitter in chaos, some ways to protect your account
Twitter is in chaos. Elon Musk, its new owner, has decimated its staff and this week gave those remaining an ultimatum – work grueling hours and be “extremely hardcore” or…
Tesla recalls about 30,000 Model X cars over air bag issue
Tesla Inc recalled nearly 30,000 Model X cars in the United States over an issue that may cause the front passenger air bag to deploy incorrectly. The air bag could…
Hong Kong films defy warnings with strong Golden Horse presence
Crime thriller “Limbo” leads the pack at the Golden Horse Film Awards in a strong showing for Hong Kong despite veiled warnings from Chinese authorities against joining the prestigious Taiwan-based…
Over 130 Chinese higher education institutions to admit HK students
The number of higher education institutions in China participating in the scheme for admission of Hong Kong Students will increase to 132, the Ministry of Education of China announced Thursday.…
Nine Hong Kong unis in QS top 100, lower rankings than last year
Nine Hong Kong universities occupy positions in the top 100 of the 2023 QS World University Rankings of Asia, but all have seen a drop in their ranking compared to…
Hong Kong French Film Festival celebrates 50th anniversary with a selection that celebrates women and French film icons
Hong Kong French Film Festival is celebrating its 51st edition this year, from November 13 to December 13, 2022, with more than 150 screenings at 6 cinemas across Hong Kong,…
Students should opt for more quality reads in the digital age: HKEAA
Students are used to expressing themselves with emoticons and fragmented sentences on social media, and they should read more quality passages to absorb advanced writing skills and structure, authorities said…
Tesla recalls 24,000 US vehicles over seat belt issue
Tesla Inc is recalling just over 24,000 U.S. 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles over a seat belt issue. The Austin-based electric vehicle company said the second row left seat belt buckle…
Arts election lays bare Hong Kong censorship fears
Three years after his failed first attempt, Chinese painter Zhao Zhijun got what he wanted: an elected role to influence Hong Kong’s arts industry at a time when free expression…
Climate protesters throw mashed potatoes at Monet painting
Climate protesters threw mashed potatoes at a Claude Monet painting in a German museum to protest fossil fuel extraction on Sunday, but caused no damage to the artwork. Two activists…
Lingnan University appoints Qin Sizhao as next president
The Council of Lingnan University approved the recommendation of its search committee to appoint Joe Qin Sizhao, a data science expert, as the next president for five years. Qin received…
Two HK films to open Asian Film Festival
More than 60 Asian films will be shown in this year’s Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, which will run from October 25 to November 13. According to the Festival presenter…
UK police charge two women after soup thrown at van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’
Two women have been charged with criminal damage after climate change protesters threw soup over Vincent van Gogh’s painting “Sunflowers” at London’s National Gallery, British police said on Saturday. A…
Harry Potter’s Hagrid, Robbie Coltrane, dies aged 72
Robbie Coltrane, the larger-than-life Scottish actor who played the beloved half-giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, died on Friday at the age of 72, his agent said. Coltrane’s more…
BTS to hold free concert to support South Korea’s bid to host World Expo
K-pop boy band BTS is reuniting on Saturday for a concert in the southern port city of Busan, which the city and the South Korean government hope will help win…
Five HK universities named among the top 100 in world ranking
Five of Hong Kong’s top tertiary institutes were listed in the top 100 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023. The newly released ranking, published on Wednesday,…
‘Spirited Away’: Ghibli theme park prepares for visitors
Beyond the gates, a whimsical world awaits, complete with a fluffy Cat Bus, the toothy grin of Totoro and a life-sized No-Face seated on a train: welcome to Ghibli Park.…
Tesla’s China-made sales hit record following Shanghai factory upgrade
Tesla Inc delivered 83,135 China-made electric vehicles (EVs) in September, smashing its monthly record, according to a report released on Sunday by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The number…
Pink diamond sells for nearly HK$453.2 m in Hong Kong
A rare pink diamond has sold in Hong Kong for nearly US$58 million, setting a record for price per carat paid at auction for any diamond or gemstone, according to…
Oktoberfest returns with endless options of German beer, cuisines and beer-themed games
Rejoice beer fans in Hong Kong! It’s finally the time to celebrate Oktoberfest, one of the three largest beer festivals in the world, with a sip of malt-flavored beer delivered…
Toyota says about 296,000 pieces of customer info possibly leaked
Toyota Motor Corp said on Friday it had found that about 296,000 pieces of customer information from its T-Connect service might have been leaked. Toyota said 296,019 email addresses and…
Korean immersive art exhibition to be held in HK
One of Korea’s leading commercial design companies, famous for its site-specific media art installations, will present its first overseas exhibition in Hong Kong starting tomorrow (Fri). Dubbed “ARTE M,” a…
French author Annie Ernaux wins Nobel Literature Prize
French author Annie Ernaux, known for her deceptively simple novels drawing on personal experience of class and gender, won the Nobel Literature Prize on Thursday, the jury announced. Ernaux, 82,…
Kevin Spacey faces civil trial on sexual assault claims
Kevin Spacey heads to court Thursday to defend himself in a lawsuit filed by Anthony Rapp, the actor who in 2017 made the first in a string of sexual misconduct…
Hong Kong’s Tony Leung says acting gets more rewarding with age
Legendary Hong Kong film star Tony Leung said that after 40 years in the business, he’s having more fun than ever playing diverse roles — though he’s still hoping to…
Hong Kong political writer Lee Yee dies at 86
Prominent writer and commentator Lee Yee died at 86 in Taiwan, his family said. Lee died Wednesday morning in Taipei, his daughters wrote in a Facebook statement. The media reported…
Angelina Jolie details Brad Pitt abuse allegations in court filing
A court filing Tuesday from Angelina Jolie alleges that on a 2016 flight, Brad Pitt grabbed her by the head and shook her then choked one of their children and…
Asia’s biggest film festival back in top form in 2022
Movie stars, directors and fans descended on South Korea’s port town of Busan Wednesday as Asia’s largest film festival returned at full power post-pandemic, with an Iranian film opening the…
‘A Soldier’s Play’ playwright Charles Fuller dies at 83
Charles Fuller, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of the searing and acclaimed “A Soldier’s Play” who often explored and exposed how social institutions can perpetuate racism, has died. He was 83.…
Hollywood sign gets makeover ahead of its centennial in 2023
The Hollywood sign is getting a makeover befitting its status as a Tinseltown icon. After a pressure-wash and some rust removal, workers this week began using 250 gallons (946 liters)…
Car rental giant Sixt to buy 100,000 electric vehicles from China’s BYD
Sixt has committed to buying around 100,000 electric vehicles from China’s BYD in the coming years under a new partnership agreement signed by the two companies, the German car rental…
Never-before-seen Beatles footage released in Japan
Beatles fans have hailed the release of never-before-seen footage showing the Fab Four on tour in Japan, following a fierce court battle over the 35-minute video. The silent black-and-white footage…
Grammy-winning rapper Coolio dies in Los Angeles at 59
Grammy-winning rapper Coolio died on Wednesday after being found unresponsive at a friend’s Los Angeles home, the New York Times reported. He was 59. Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr.,…
Explore treasures of art and culture of the Belt and Road countries
Embark on an eye-opening journey to nearly 20 exotic countries and regions at The Belt & Road National Art & Culture Expo, to be held in AsiaWorld-Expo from 23 to…
‘The Phantom of the Opera’ to close on Broadway next year
“The Phantom of the Opera” — Broadway’s longest-running show — is scheduled to close in February 2023, the biggest victim yet of the post-pandemic softening in theater attendance in New…
Over 90 percent of margarine sold in Hong Kong could increase your risk of cancer
A consumer watchdog’s test has found that over 90 percent of margarine containing vegetable oils sold in Hong Kong contain genotoxic carcinogen glycidol – a substance that could increase the…
Truly autonomous cars may be impossible without helpful human touch
Autonomous vehicle (AV) startups have raised tens of billions of dollars based on promises to develop truly self-driving cars, but industry executives and experts say remote human supervisors may be…
Japan liquor businesses turn to non-alcoholic drinks to attract Gen Z
Bucking the age-old stereotype of hard-drinking college students, Manaka Okamoto considers the next day’s schedule before cracking open an alcoholic beverage. “If I have to get up early, and I…
The first-ever World of Frozen is coming to HK Disneyland in 2023
To commemorate the 17th-anniversary celebration, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort announced the Frozen-themed land, World of Frozen, will be opened in the second half of 2023. Guests will be able to…
Chinese actor Evan Li detained on suspicion of soliciting prostitutes -CCTV
Chinese actor Li Yifeng, who played former Communist Party leader Mao Zedong in a 2021 movie, was detained recently by Beijing police on suspicion of soliciting prostitutes, China’s state broadcaster…
Dazzling pink diamond could fetch more than HK$164 million at auction
A dazzling pink diamond, described as one of the world’s purest, could fetch more than HK$164 million ($21 million) when it goes under the hammer in Hong Kong in October,…
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Hong Kong United Times 