2 h. ago Nuclear talks ‘a trap’? North Korea doubts US intentions after Iran bombing

When the US bombed Iran’s nuclear sites last month, Washington may have inadvertently sent Pyongyang the clearest signal yet that relinquishing its nuclear arsenal could expose North Korea to the very attacks it aims to avoid. Political analysts say Washington’s hardline approach to Iran’s uranium enrichment has only cemented the North Korean leadership’s deep-seated conviction that nuclear weapons are the ultimate deterrent. Compounding this, as Pyongyang has forged closer strategic bonds with...

Events

2 h. ago China Urged to Embrace Stablecoins as US Moves to Cement Lead

China Urged to Embrace Stablecoins as US Moves to Cement Lead  Bloomberg.com

Politics

3 h. ago Iran Pivots Toward China, But Is Beijing Ready To Play Ball? – Analysis

Iran Pivots Toward China, But Is Beijing Ready To Play Ball? – Analysis  Eurasia Review

Events

5 h. ago China boosts tech outreach to Global South as US collaboration dips: analysts

China is ramping up its science and technology outreach to the Global South while its collaboration with the US on the same front is receding, analysts said on Tuesday at an event hosted by the Institute for China-America Studies, a Washington think tank. “China is very heavily engaging with those countries,” said Caroline Wagner of the Ohio State University, noting Beijing has signed science and technology agreements with “dozens and dozens of countries”. That development marks a “critical...

Politics

5 h. ago US strikes on Iran: The impact ripples on, from Baghdad to Beijing

US strikes on Iran: The impact ripples on, from Baghdad to Beijing  The Straits Times

Events

9 h. ago US Senate, passing Trump bill, bars energy tax credits for China

The US Congress is poised to bar companies with ties to China from gaining clean energy tax credits – a move that critics warn could jeopardise dozens of planned projects and freeze investment in a sector already struggling to decouple from the country. After an overnight series of amendment votes, the Senate on Tuesday passed its version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – which would also remove the decades-old “de minimis” trade rule that allows low-value packages to avoid duties and rigorous...

Politics

11 h. ago India vs. China vs. Japan: Who Leads in Online Travel and Hotel Loyalty

India vs. China vs. Japan: Who Leads in Online Travel and Hotel Loyalty  Skift

Politics

11 h. ago Iran Pivots Toward China, But Is Beijing Ready To Play Ball?

Iran Pivots Toward China, But Is Beijing Ready To Play Ball?  Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Events

12 h. ago Pentagon reliant on Chinese suppliers and ‘not prepared’ for war, report warns

The US defence industrial base remains dependent on Chinese suppliers despite efforts to decouple – and that raises concerns over war readiness, according to a report by data analytics firm Govini. Chinese firms still made up 9.3 per cent of the primary contractors, or Tier 1 suppliers, involved in major US defence programmes across nine critical sectors in 2024, Govini said in its annual National Security Scorecard. “The United States is not prepared for the war that we may have to enter if...

Events

13 h. ago China’s Xi calls for oversight, Trump’s Golden Dome: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump’s Golden Dome: will the numbers add up to deter China in the Indo-Pacific? The planned defence system could make it harder for the PLA to strike US bases like those in Guam and Okinawa, or warships trying to defend Taiwan. 2. Beijing sanctions South China Sea legal claim architect Francis Tolentino China has sanctioned the former Senate majority...

Politics

15 h. ago Why the US could be China’s biggest ally in reining in Asia’s nuclear ambitions

Iran’s crushing defeat in its brief but devastating war with Israel has sent shock waves far beyond the Middle East, casting fresh doubts on the viability of nuclear non-proliferation and raising fears of a renewed global push to acquire nuclear weapons. Without a credible nuclear deterrent, Tehran proved unable to effectively defend or retaliate against Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on key personnel and nuclear facilities, despite its much-touted strategic alignment with China and Russia. While...

Events

16 h. ago China sanctions Philippine leader who probed Chinese spying, contested Beijing’s South China Sea claims

China sanctions Philippine leader who probed Chinese spying, contested Beijing’s South China Sea claims  Firstpost

Politics

16 h. ago CKGSB Launches New White Paper on China's Role in the Global AI Race

CKGSB Launches New White Paper on China's Role in the Global AI Race  PR Newswire

Events

16 h. ago Korean eatery’s sexy dance move for women staff ‘like working in a brothel’

A South Korean barbecue restaurant has sparked controversy after posting a video of women staff performing the provocative “Terminal Dance”. Eatery bosses also promised dancing staff a bonus if the clip reached 1 million views. Controversy surrounds Gopchang House in Seoul after asking its women employees to perform a suggestive “dance service” in front of customers by mimicking the viral, so-called Terminal Dance. The restaurant filmed their provocative moves and uploaded the video to social...

Politics

17 h. ago Record rainfall in central China leads to flooding and evacuations

Record rainfall in central China leads to flooding and evacuations  NBC News

Events

17 h. ago Beijing slams US official, EU body for attack on Hong Kong national security law

Beijing has hit out at a United States official and the European Union’s diplomatic wing for attacking Hong Kong’s national security legislation, criticising their “hypocrisy” and “malicious intention” of containing China by going after the city. The statement from China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong on Tuesday was in response to remarks by Jim Risch, the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the European External Action Service. Risch said that Hong Kong had become...

Events

17 h. ago China's top leaders vow crackdown on price wars as deflation risks mount

China's top leaders vow crackdown on price wars as deflation risks mount  Reuters

Events

19 h. ago Malaysia faces judicial void as chief justice set to retire without successor

Malaysia’s judiciary faces a leadership vacuum as Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat prepares to step down on Wednesday without a successor named – a gap lawyers warn could undermine judicial independence and public trust. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration has opted not to extend the tenure of Tengku Maimun or Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, the president of the Court of Appeal, both of whom reach the mandatory retirement age of 66 this week. The constitution allows for a six-month...

Politics

20 h. ago Thai court suspends PM over leaked phone call as political crisis deepens

Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday pending an investigation into a leaked call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen – a move analysts say could destabilise the government, heighten divisions within the ruling coalition and embolden opposition forces. The court agreed to hear a petition filed by 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution following the leak of the...

Events

20 h. ago Musical Chinese man, 102, strikes up sweet bond with grandma in nursing home

A 102-year-old man in central China has formed a sweet bond with an 85-year-old woman at a nursing home by charming her with his artistic talent, winning the admiration of many online. Centenarian Jiang Weidi has lived at Enjoy Ages Nursing Home in Wuhan for over three years, according to Hubei Daily. His room is filled with books, calligraphy, and paintings. He also plays the hulusi, a traditional Chinese cucurbit flute, and taught himself to play the piano. Carers at the home say Jiang is...

Events