54 m. ago PM says Japanese ‘uneasy’ over foreigners as ‘deportations’ rumours spread

Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Friday that the country needs foreign workers to address labour shortages due to a declining population but some “rule breaches” had made the public feel “uneasy”. “Some illegal activities and breaches of rules by certain foreigners have created situations where members of the public feel uneasy and perceive unfairness,” Takaichi said in her first policy speech. “While we draw a clear line from xenophobia, the government will respond resolutely...

Politics

17 h. ago Is the ‘Big One’ coming? Earthquake mania grips Philippines as fears mount

A spate of powerful earthquakes across the Philippines has triggered widespread panic, sparked a flood of misinformation and prompted officials to take decisions that experts warn could undermine long-term disaster readiness. Analysts say the anxious public reaction – from mass hysteria in schools to viral conspiracy theories about “The Big One” – underscores a pressing need for better science communication and coordination between government agencies, especially in a country highly exposed to...

Politics

32 h. ago New Phnom Penh airport opens with fanfare as Cambodia touts regional, China ties

With an eye to transforming Cambodia into a Southeast Asian travel and cargo hub, a new US$2.3 billion airport – developed by a venture affiliated with one of the country’s wealthiest men – was opened at a grand ceremony near Phnom Penh, where officials and business leaders praised the project for enhancing regional connectivity and deepening links with Hong Kong and mainland China. Techo International Airport (TIA), which has replaced the Cambodian capital’s previous facility, has been forecast...

Politics

33 h. ago Trump, Xi and the ‘green paradox’: how China is building a climate

China and the United States often find themselves sharply at odds on policy, but nowhere is the divide between the rival powers more striking than on climate change – as their leaders made clear at last month’s United Nations General Assembly in New York. Even as US President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world”, his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, used the moment to unveil Beijing’s latest strategies for addressing the issue. Xi said...

Politics

33 h. ago How the ‘green paradox’ is driving Trump to fossil fuels and China to renewables

China and the United States often find themselves sharply at odds on policy, but nowhere is the divide between the rival powers more striking than on climate change – as their leaders made clear at last month’s United Nations General Assembly in New York. Even as US President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world”, his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, used the moment to unveil Beijing’s latest strategies for addressing the issue. Xi said...

Politics

38 h. ago Louvre chief says heist enabled by CCTV gaps, offers to resign

The director of the Louvre on Wednesday admitted there was inadequate security camera coverage of the outside walls of the museum, three days after a brazen daytime heist stunned the French capital. Senators grilled Laurence des Cars over how thieves were able on Sunday to make off with an estimated €88 million (US$102 million) in jewels from the world-famous museum in just seven minutes. The heist has renewed scrutiny of security at French museums. “Despite our efforts, despite our hard work on...

Politics

38 h. ago Louvre chief admits CCTV gaps enabled heist, says she offered to resign

The director of the Louvre on Wednesday admitted there was inadequate security camera coverage of the outside walls of the museum, three days after a brazen daytime heist stunned the French capital. Senators grilled Laurence des Cars over how thieves were able on Sunday to make off with an estimated €88 million (US$102 million) in jewels from the world-famous museum in just seven minutes. The heist has renewed scrutiny of security at French museums. “Despite our efforts, despite our hard work on...

Politics

44 h. ago China's reusable rocket near launch after successful static fire test

China's reusable rocket near launch after successful static fire test  Interesting Engineering

Events

46 h. ago Hong Kong customs seize HK$10 million of bogus Nike, Adidas shoes

Hong Kong customs officers have seized HK$10 million (US$1.29 million) worth of suspected counterfeit sports and luxury shoes such as Nike, Adidas, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, believed to be intended for overseas markets to capitalise on a demand driven by global mega-events. “At mega-events such as sports shoes exhibitions, many collectors and enthusiasts will trade items on site, driving up demand for high-quality counterfeit sports shoes,” said Inspector Yeung Tit-fung of the Customs and Excise...

Economics

46 h. ago Hong Kong customs seizes HK$10 million of bogus Nike, Adidas shoes

Hong Kong customs officers have seized HK$10 million (US$1.29 million) worth of suspected counterfeit sports and luxury shoes such as Nike, Adidas, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, believed to be intended for overseas markets to capitalise on a demand driven by global mega-events. “At mega-events such as sports shoes exhibitions, many collectors and enthusiasts will trade items on site, driving up demand for high-quality counterfeit sports shoes,” said Inspector Yeung Tit-fung of the Customs and Excise...

Economics

48 h. ago China’s double threat, a hidden card in the trade war: 7 science highlights

We have put together stories from our coverage on science from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘Potassium railway’: China’s hidden card in the trade war For over a decade, China has invested heavily to build a dual-purpose passenger and freight railway through the thick rainforest between Kunming and Vientiane, the capital of Laos. This railway has become a critical conduit for China to secure potassium...

Events

50 h. ago Peru declares state of emergency in capital to combat spiralling crime

Peru’s interim president Jose Jeri announced a state of emergency in Lima and the neighbouring port of Callao on Tuesday, after weeks of anti-government protests over corruption and organised crime. “The state of emergency approved by the Council of Ministers will take effect at midnight on Wednesday and will last for 30 days in Metropolitan Lima and Callao,” Jeri said in an address to the nation broadcast by state television. Under the state of emergency, the government can send the army to...

Events

57 h. ago Can Trump’s pragmatism override China hawks to keep ties from rupture?

China’s rocky trade relationship with the United States was on full display this month as US President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports. Separately, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent denounced China’s move to expand curbs on rare earth exports, calling it “a sign of how weak their economy is”. He also described Li Chenggang, one of China’s trade negotiators, as “pretty unhinged and very aggressive”. Trade ties between the rival powers remain fraught, even...

Politics

58 h. ago China's 1st reusable rocket test fires engines ahead of debut flight (video)

China's 1st reusable rocket test fires engines ahead of debut flight (video)  Space

Events

63 h. ago Three’s a crowd: China’s efforts to woo North Korea away from Russia

Three’s a crowd: China’s efforts to woo North Korea away from Russia  The Economist

Politics

2 d. ago Why top Chinese scientist warned public against ‘hubris’ over country’s advances

The Chinese people have been urged to stay “calm and objective” about the country’s advances in cutting-edge weapons by a veteran rocket scientist, who warned “a lot of effort” was still needed. An array of advanced rockets, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, featured in last month’s Victory Day parade in Beijing along with other hi-tech weapons, generating considerable public enthusiasm. In an interview for a popular video account, Zhao Ruian, 84, a former researcher with the China...

Events

2 d. ago Sea CEO sees path to US$1 trillion market cap with help of AI

Sea founder Forrest Li told employees a trillion dollar market capitalisation – an increase of about 10 times – is possible as the Southeast Asia e-commerce leader joins tech companies globally betting on artificial intelligence for growth. In a memo to staff Monday, seen by Bloomberg News, Li compared the rapid growth of AI to the personal computer and smartphone revolutions that expanded consumer access to products and services once available only to the wealthy. But Li said it would not be...

Economics

3 d. ago Beijing Braces for Early Winter as Cold Wave Hits Capital: What Travelers Need To Know

Beijing Braces for Early Winter as Cold Wave Hits Capital: What Travelers Need To Know  Travel And Tour World

Events

3 d. ago Mysterious smoldering wreckage in Australian Outback is likely part of a Chinese rocket

Mysterious smoldering wreckage in Australian Outback is likely part of a Chinese rocket  Space

Events

3 d. ago US to seek rival bids for Artemis 3 moon landing as SpaceX lags, Nasa chief says

Nasa’s top official on Monday said the US space agency was opening up the contract for its Artemis 3 astronaut moon landing to compete against billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the mission’s current contractor, which was running late. “I’m in the process of opening that contract up. I think we’ll see companies like Blue [Origin] get involved and maybe others,” Nasa administrator Sean Duffy, who also serves as US transport secretary, told Fox News’ Fox & Friends programme. Blue Origin is a SpaceX...

Technology