US protectionism hits China hardest, and Chinese are more averse to trade because of it, study finds
If China makes trade concessions to US in the face of strong domestic opposition, it ‘would risk a potentially destabilising domestic backlash’, according to a PIIE study that cites ‘worrying implications’ for open trade. ⌘ Read more

R&B star R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years for sex crimes
The singer was earlier convicted of leading a decades-long effort to recruit and trap teenagers and women for sex. ⌘ Read more

Lone surviving attacker in Paris massacre guilty of murder, jailed for life
Islamic State extremist Salah Abdeslam was given the most severe sentence possible for his role in the deadly 2015 bombings and shootings that killed 130 people. ⌘ Read more

Forever Covid-19? Reinfections more likely as virus evolves, experts warn
Some people are bound to get hit more than twice, and repeat cases could mean higher risk for health problems, new research is showing. ⌘ Read more

Croatia’s China-built, EU-funded bridge to open over troubled waters
Beijing’s way of doing business and its rigid Covid-19 response have damaged its relationships in key belt and road corridor, experts say. ⌘ Read more

Beijing’s human rights policies drive unfavourable views of China, Pew survey finds
Negative views of China rise in most of 19 countries surveyed by the Pew Research Centre, setting record highs in nations including the US, Canada, Germany and South Korea. ⌘ Read more

US sanctions 25 more Chinese entities, including firm that touted its technology could help Russia monitor Ukraine’s submarines, frogmen
Marine technology company Highlander, one of the 25 new Chinese entities sanctioned by Washington, allegedly acquired US-origin items for use in military applications. ⌘ Read more

Nato leaders say China is a ‘systemic challenge to Euro-Atlantic security’
For the first time, the Western military alliance singles out China by name in its strategy document, which had not been updated for 12 years. ⌘ Read more

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth meets Scottish leader Sturgeon amid new independence vote push
The monarch met Nicola Sturgeon at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh a day after Scotland’s First Minister announced plans for a 2023 referendum. ⌘ Read more

British MPs call for sanctions on Hong Kong, Chinese officials over breaches of handover agreement
A cross-party group of backbenchers questions why Britain has not joined the United States in imposing sanctions over the national security law and other challenges to Hong Kong’s autonomy. ⌘ Read more

It’s a wrap for China’s Tianwen-1 Mars mission, but rover and orbiter still ready to work
China’s space agency marks completion of Tianwen-1 mission with new photos of red planet volcano and polar cap. ⌘ Read more

Nato invites Sweden and Finland to join, calls Russia a ‘direct threat’
Russia, previously classed as a strategic partner of Nato, is now identified as the 30-nation bloc’s main threat. ⌘ Read more

UK’s Johnson says don’t boycott Indonesia G20 summit if ‘pariah figure’ Putin attends
Boris Johnson said snubbing the November event in Bali would hand a ‘propaganda opportunity to others’. ⌘ Read more

How old are our earliest human ancestors? A million years older than we thought, study finds
Discovery could alter our understanding of hominid history, which is ‘more complex than linear evolution’, says scientist. ⌘ Read more

China jobs: ‘arduous’ task to stabilise employment and boost economy, Premier Li Keqiang says
Premier Li Keqiang urged action to curb rising unemployment to aid the struggling economy with China’s headline urban unemployment rate standing at 5.9 per cent last month. ⌘ Read more

South China Sea: Philippines protests over Taiwan’s live-fire drills
Manila condemns military exercises near Taiping Island as ‘unlawful’. ⌘ Read more

Seoul ranked world’s second-best city for studying abroad, while Hong Kong climbs 3 spots to 12th place in annual QS report
South Korean capital comes in at second place for the first time in global list ranking 140 cities, while London takes top spot. ⌘ Read more

Japan eyes restart of nuclear plants offline since 2011 Fukushima disaster as temperatures soar
Soaring temperatures and a looming power crunch have prompted Japan to speed up reviews of the dozens of nuclear reactors that were shut down in the wake of Fukushima disaster. Nuclear power used to account for about 30 per cent of Japan’s energy mix before 2011. ⌘ Read more

China tells UN expansion of Nato, or a Nato-like body, into the Asia-Pacific will stir up conflict
Beijing is concerned US is building an Asian version of Nato as Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea join the Nato meeting for the first time. ⌘ Read more

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan expected to join Xi Jinping on two-day visit to Hong Kong this week for July 1 celebrations
She is likely to visit the Xiqu Centre for Chinese opera after arriving on Thursday, says government source. ⌘ Read more

Hong Kong could issue No 1 typhoon warning signal on Wednesday night, forecaster says, ahead of expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping
Hong Kong Observatory warns strong winds and showers are possible with tropical depression heading towards west of Hong Kong and Guangdong province. ⌘ Read more

Hong Kong’s resilient SMEs have weathered every storm since handover, but can they bounce back from Covid-19?
Some find it hard to be optimistic, others bank on city’s proven record of thriving despite crises. ⌘ Read more

China’s easing of zero-Covid restraints set to release stocks into bull-market territory for first time in three years
A change in quarantine rules comes as the CSI 300 Index is within about 2 per cent of bull-market status, but opinions differ over how heavily Beijing’s zero-Covid policy still weighs on the market ⌘ Read more

Coronavirus: Hong Kong business leader calls for quota boost in quarantine-free ‘Return2HK’ scheme in light of mainland China easing rules for arrivals
Allen Shi of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong says he expects more residents to travel to mainland China as a result of Beijing relaxing its policy. ⌘ Read more

Six arrested by Hong Kong police after two cars alleged to be involved in illegal racing crash
Six drivers arrested on suspicion of illegal road racing after Hong Kong police launch blitz ⌘ Read more

South Korean workers resort to shop-bought snacks as ‘lunch-flation’ starts to bite
Sales are surging at South Korea’s convenience stores as office workers seeks ways to cut costs amid the biggest jump in the price of restaurant dishes for 24 years. ⌘ Read more

Pro-China agents posed as activists to protest US, Canada mines: security firm
A pro-China propaganda campaign used fake social media accounts to try to stir up opposition against mining firms that challenge China’s business interests, cybersecurity firm Mandiant said. ⌘ Read more

Russia’s Putin visits ‘friendly’ Central Asia on first trip abroad during war
Russia has been at pains to show it’s not under international isolation despite unprecedented US and European sanctions imposed over its attack on Ukraine. ⌘ Read more

Scotland takes fight for independence vote to UK’s top court
Scotland’s government drew the battle lines for a historic tussle with London as it announced plans to hold a second independence referendum on October 19, 2023. ⌘ Read more

Hindu man beheaded in India over support for Prophet Mohammed remarks
The victim was a tailor who shared a social media post supporting former BJP spokeswoman Nupur Sharma, according to local media. A video of the attack was widely shared online. Two men have been arrested. ⌘ Read more

China to start building giant telescope to monitor solar winds that can knock out satellites and power grids
Researchers say work will start soon to assemble the three antennas that will make up the Mingantu telescope in Inner Mongolia. ⌘ Read more

Hong Kong’s economy of the future: plugged into Greater Bay Area, but still a global financial centre?
Some are bullish about city’s prospects, others fear its global city status will diminish in future. ⌘ Read more

G7 infrastructure plan to rival Belt and Road Initiative could force Chinese firms to ‘match global standards’
The G7’s Global Investment and Infrastructure Partnership, which is seen as an alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative, is likely to force Beijing to pay greater attention to the standards of its own investments, analysts say. ⌘ Read more

At least 52 die in Colombia prison riot fire after mattresses set alight
Officials said inmates had set mattresses on fire without considering the consequences. ⌘ Read more

Philippine news site Rappler ordered to shut down ahead of Duterte’s exit
The site co-founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa has had to fight for survival after being accused of tax evasion and violating a foreign-ownership ban. ⌘ Read more

Instagram hides some posts mentioning abortion with ‘sensitive content’ label
After accounts run by abortion rights advocacy groups found their stories hidden, the Meta-owned platform described the issue as a ‘bug’. ⌘ Read more

Majority of Australians support defending Taiwan against invasion, survey finds
A Lowy Institute Poll found 51 per cent were in favour of Australia using its military forces to defend Taiwan. Just 12 per cent of those surveyed said they trust Beijing to act responsibly in global affairs. ⌘ Read more

Shenzhen tightens security ahead of Chinese president’s trip to Hong Kong
Covid-19 prevention measures also increased despite small number of community infections. ⌘ Read more

Coronavirus: faced with mounting costs, some ask whether China can afford to maintain mass testing
Extensive mass testing for Covid-19 is extracting a huge toll on regional finances, raising questions over the long-term sustainability of China’s zero-Covid policy. ⌘ Read more

Police in China arrest twin sisters who used each other’s passports more than 30 times to travel the world
Police in northern China arrested twin sisters under suspicion of swapping passports to visit various countries to skirt visa rules. ⌘ Read more

Coronavirus: Indonesia urged to tighten curbs during 4th wave as cases of Omicron subvariants rise
On Tuesday, Indonesia had 2,167 new infections, with at least 143 cases of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 – a number health experts said was ‘the tip of the iceberg’ due to a lack of testing. ⌘ Read more

Is Chinese University of Hong Kong head Rocky Tuan a patriot? Vice-chancellor addresses criticism, vows CUHK will link China and West
Vice-chancellor, whose term has been extended by another three years, says his institution aims to link China and the West, and is committed to joint projects with mainland. ⌘ Read more

Singapore’s US$40 billion mega-port aims to solve shipping chaos
The world’s largest automated port, to be completed by 2040, will double the existing space and feature drones as well as driverless vehicles. ⌘ Read more

2 Indian women arrested for trying to smuggle more than 100 live animals at Bangkok airport
The creatures, including two armadillos, 35 turtles and 50 chameleons, were found in a pair of bags belonging to the women. ⌘ Read more

US ‘smart city’ tech highlights contrasts with China over privacy and control
American communities try to balance the benefits of new technology with the threats of a surveillance state. ⌘ Read more

Türkiye lifts its objections to Sweden, Finland joining Nato – triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Invasion of Ukraine has prompted Sweden and Finland to abandon their nonaligned status – Turkish president objected to their stance on Kurdish rebel groups his country considers terrorists. ⌘ Read more

Ronald Reagan shooter says sorry for wounding former president and injuring 3 others
The assassination attempt paralysed Reagan’s press secretary James Brady, who died in 2014. It also wounded a police officer and a Secret Service agent. ⌘ Read more

Donald Trump tried to strangle Secret Service agent in attempt to reach Capitol on day of riots, aide testifies
‘The president had a very strong, very angry response to’ being told that he was not being taken to the Capitol that day, Cassidy Hutchinson said. Trump lunged towards Secret Service agent Bobby Engel. ⌘ Read more

China-Australia relations: chance for ‘thaw’, but can Beijing, Canberra mend fractured trade ties?
Canberra and Beijing have been at odds for two years, but a leadership change in Australia presents an opportunity for at least a ‘thawing’ of trade ties and diplomatic exchanges with China. ⌘ Read more

Amid heatwaves and floods, time is running out for rich nations to fulfil climate pledges and avert catastrophe
The current pledges of financial and policy support are nowhere near enough to meet the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. Instead of protecting carbon-emitting industries, the world needs economic diversification and green jobs for a just, sustainable transition. ⌘ Read more

US seeks China pressure on Russia to end Ukraine war as it weighs economic options against Beijing
‘China cannot evade responsibility, given its relationship with Russia, for speaking more clearly to them,’ says US national security adviser ahead of Nato summit. ⌘ Read more

Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls
The British socialite was convicted for grooming 4 girls to have sexual encounters with Epstein, then her boyfriend. Trial was seen as the reckoning Epstein – who killed himself in a Manhattan prison cell – never had. ⌘ Read more

More than 10 journalists denied permission to cover Hong Kong handover anniversary events due to security reasons, reporters’ group says
Post photographer among those denied permission to cover celebratory events on July 1. Other rejected applicants include photographer from Information Services Department and journalists from Reuters and Agence France-Press. ⌘ Read more

G7 to back Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes’, explore cap on Russian oil price
The Group of Seven leaders said they are considering barring service providers such as shippers or insurers from dealing with Russian oil priced above a fixed level. ⌘ Read more

Quarter of world’s population at risk from once-in-a-century floods
Around 1.8 billion people face a “significant” risk, including hundreds of millions in the world’s two most populous countries – India and China. ⌘ Read more

Chinese breakthrough lets human brains beam radio waves
Researchers say new technology could be used for mind-controlled military radar and other devices. ⌘ Read more

Coronavirus: Hong Kong could cut hotel quarantine to 5 days, with another 2 in home isolation, incoming health minister says
Professor Lo Chung-mau, who will be new secretary for health on July 1, reveals ‘5+2’ option among possibilities being considered to help shorten quarantine ⌘ Read more

Chinese video gaming billionaire plans relocation with family abroad after draconian Shanghai lockdown
XD co-founder and CEO Huang Yimeng has told colleagues he is making preparations to move out of China, as a rising number of Chinese middle-class families are contemplating relocation to escape strict Covid-19 control measures. ⌘ Read more

2 arrested after armed jewel heist at art fair in Netherlands
Four smartly dressed suspects raided The European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht and threatened people with what appeared to be handguns. ⌘ Read more

Maritime authorities yet to announce Jumbo Floating Restaurant’s fate as Hong Kong expert says sinking it might not be possible
Maritime authorities look into what actions may be taken according to local and international rules. ⌘ Read more

Supermarket boss says Britons buying more cheap frozen food as cost of living crisis worsens
Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts said shoppers were visiting stores more often but buying less on each trip as after UK’s inflation reached new highs. ⌘ Read more

Hong Kong Palace Museum ‘ready to be fully opened’ on July 2, with security checks in place
Visitors to pass through metal detectors at entrance and belongings to be scanned; daily shuttle service around West Kowloon Cultural District available. ⌘ Read more

China, Nato and how the Ukraine war is spilling over into the Asia-Pacific
Indo-Pacific partners are joining the bloc’s summit for the first time as the US seeks to counter China’s influence. ⌘ Read more

Australia says committed to Southeast Asia’s stability, allays fears over Aukus nuclear submarines
Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who wrapped up the last leg of her regional tour in Malaysia, said the new Labor government is ‘listening’ to the concerns of its neighbours. ⌘ Read more

China’s vice-president to attend Marcos inauguration in Philippines
Wang Qishan will be Xi Jinping’s special representative at event on Thursday. ⌘ Read more

Taiwanese drinks shop owners jailed for up to 7 months over social media posts calling on others to flout Hong Kong’s Covid-19 curbs
Social media posts published by pair said official endeavours to curb spread of Covid-19 were either politically motivated or driven by bad faith. ⌘ Read more

Taiwan slams Beijing for blocking UN Ocean Conference delegates
Taipei vows to oppose mainland’s ‘malign influence’ in organisation following latest diplomatic snub. ⌘ Read more

Love and courage in China: woman proves children don’t get in the way of goals, 12-year-old helps minor get home and son builds 700kg bust to honour father
This week in ‘love and courage in China’, we highlight stories that celebrate the human spirit featuring a woman graduating with her toddler, a boy helping a minor home and a university student building a bust to honour his dad. ⌘ Read more

Africa would welcome G7’s US$600 billion infrastructure push – if it happens
Mega spending plan Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment aims to counter influence of China’s belt and road strategy. ⌘ Read more

China pledges aid for Afghanistan after deadly quake but also seeks action from Taliban on terrorism
During call between foreign ministers, Wang Yi describes China as a ‘true friend’ to its neighbour and promises tents and beds among US$7.4 million aid package. ⌘ Read more

Which tech firms qualify as ‘little giants’? Beijing releases criteria for the ideal industrial enterprise
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has published detailed criteria for determining which industrial enterprises qualify as ‘little giants’, the term given to small tech firms that dominate their niche. ⌘ Read more

Philippines’ Marcos Jnr will take presidential oath at venue linked to father’s brutal legacy
At noon on Thursday, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr will take his presidential oath on the steps of the Philippines’ former legislature, where his late father-president was once confronted by student activists with a black paper-mache coffin and a crocodile. His inauguration as the nation’s 17th president will be “very solemn and simple … ⌘ Read more

Carrie Lam makes final comments on social media as Hong Kong’s leader, will shut down accounts after stepping down on Thursday
She says in her final social media posts that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit and speech will set a direction for Hong Kong. ⌘ Read more

Divers angered by Vietnam ban to protect damaged coral reefs, blaming fishing boats for the problem
Divers are unhappy with a decision to ban swimming and diving around Hon Mun island, a popular spot off Nha Trang, while officials evaluate damage to the area’s coral reefs and associated ecosystem. ⌘ Read more

Australian PM warns China to learn from Russia’s ‘strategic failure’ in Ukraine
Anthony Albanese said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had brought democratic nations together and ‘shown attempts to impose change by force on a sovereign country meet resistance’. ⌘ Read more

Police in China hunt for dirty dancing woman filmed in ‘too hot’ routine performed in front of little boy on train
Chinese police are seeking a mystery woman filmed dancing provocatively in a train carriage in front of a small boy after the video went viral on social media and prompted a public outcry. ⌘ Read more

No-fly zone above high-speed rail terminus part of area lockdown, as Hong Kong rolls out security blanket for Xi Jinping’s visit to mark 25th anniversary of handover
Other measures include multiple patrol posts lining perimeter of railway station, high-rise observation spots nearby and restricted area at Victoria Harbour. ⌘ Read more

First-ever Hong Kong Science Fair Supports Hong Kong’s Innovation Development
[Sponsored Article]

The Hong Kong Government is committed to promoting the development of innovation and technology and to grow Hong Kong as an international technology hub. Scientific work and technology has helped humankind in amazingly creative and innovative ways. Last year, the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (HKIF) launched the first-ever Hong … ⌘ Read more

Thailand tops 2 million tourists this year, as it longs for absent Chinese visitors
Thailand’s tourism ministry voiced hopes that Chinese holidaymakers – who made up nearly 30 per cent of the country’s 40 million foreign tourists pre-pandemic – may return before the end of the year. ⌘ Read more

‘Died as they danced’: Speculation swirls in South Africa over tragic teen party
South African authorities were still seeking answers after 21 underage teenagers partying after the end of school exams died in a mysterious incident at a bar. ⌘ Read more

Evergrande crisis: embattled developer could face liquidation as creditor files winding-up petition in Hong Kong
The embattled developer received a winding-up petition from a creditor reportedly owned by a member of Hong Kong’s leadership election committee, for failing to pay US$109.91 million. ⌘ Read more

Australia-China relations: Canberra to set up Pacific defence school as Beijing seeks rival regional meeting
Canberra also plans to double funding for aerial surveillance in the Pacific region to recoup US$150 million lost each year to illegal fishing, a government minister said. ⌘ Read more

Hong Kong opposition camp rues its future: will it be able to find its place in new political landscape?
Left out in the cold, activists are uncertain about the future, with colleagues behind bars or in exile. ⌘ Read more

China’s H-6 bombers in show of air-navy coordination near southern Japan, military experts say
3 PLA planes fly near Okinawa while carrying powerful cruise missiles after Japanese defence minister expresses concern over warship activity. ⌘ Read more

Tragedy in Texas as 46 migrants found dead in truck trailer, likely victims of heat
It may be the deadliest incident of human smuggling along the US-Mexico border in recent decades. ⌘ Read more

Singapore man who preyed on disabled children jailed for record 45 years in ‘exceptionally sickening’ case
Prosecutors said the man committed his crimes over the span of 16 years, including from 2005 to 2018 when he worked as a part-time tutor to ‘gain access to a ready pool of children’ – many of whom were disabled. ⌘ Read more

Chlorine gas blast at Jordan port kills at least 12, injures over 250
A chlorine gas explosion killed 12 people and injured more than 250, authorities said, when a tank that fell from a crane released a poisonous yellow cloud at Jordan’s Aqaba port. ⌘ Read more

Priced out of Hong Kong, young home buyers look to Greater Bay Area for space and value
Twenty-five years after the handover, home ownership in Hong Kong is further out of reach than ever for first-time buyers, some of whom are finding value in Dongguan and other cities in the Pearl River Delta. ⌘ Read more

How an expanded BRICS could lead the world instead of the waning West
Adding new members to BRICS would fragment the world on a scale not seen since the Cold War and amplify the new era of ‘vertical globalisation’. The US would not be at the centre of geopolitics for the first time since World War II, and even France may switch sides. ⌘ Read more

Xi Jinping points to public opinion campaign as example of ‘whole-process democracy’
Month-long effort sets the stage for Communist Party’s national congress, Xi says. ⌘ Read more

China’s yuan liquidity reserve pool highlights efforts to loosen US dollar hegemony
China’s plan to establish a yuan liquidity reserve pool with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) could help boost international use of the currency, while highlighting attempts to loosen US dollar hegemony. ⌘ Read more

Police in China investigate death of two-year-old girl who fell out of 8th-floor window after being forgotten in lift by nanny
Police in China are investigating the death of a two-year-girl who seemingly fell from an eighth-floor window after she was accidentally left behind in a lift and taken to that floor. ⌘ Read more

Can Hong Kong’s next leader John Lee fix the city’s housing crisis?
Years of lethargy have set Hong Kong on its way to an entrenched housing crisis, with homes growing smaller but more expensive. ⌘ Read more

Malaysian immigration slammed over deaths of 149 Indonesians: ‘No clean water, atrocious food’
A report by Indonesian NGOs on Malaysia’s allegedly gross mistreatment of immigration detainees found that some had died due to a lack of basic care. ⌘ Read more

Coronavirus: airlines want to return to Hong Kong but city’s chance of regaining status of global aviation hub fading by the day, trade body chief warns
Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, says some carriers have ‘abandoned plans to regain their Hong Kong network for the moment’. ⌘ Read more

US urged to plan minelaying campaign to halt mainland Chinese attack on Taiwan
A US navy commander suggests that laying mines in the Yellow Sea and Pearl River Delta could help bring Beijing to the negotiating table. ⌘ Read more

Joe Biden swipes at China, signing pledge to combat illegal fishing
The US president’s new national security memorandum comes as Washington seeks to counter Beijing’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. ⌘ Read more

US-led rare earths pact satisfies South Korea’s ‘definite need’ to cut China dependency
South Korea joined the US-led Minerals Security Partnership earlier this month alongside the likes of Germany, France, Britain, Australia and Japan in a move designed to reduce its dependency on China for key resources, including rare earths. ⌘ Read more

US man shoots Subway worker dead over ‘too much mayo on sandwich’
The gunman argued with two female staff before opening fire, killing one and injuring the other; the wounded woman’s 5-year-old son was at the restaurant at the time. ⌘ Read more

Belgium prime minister cautions against treating China as if it is another Russia
‘The last thing we should do is turn our backs to China the way we are turning our backs to Russia,’ Alexander de Croo says. ⌘ Read more