4 h. ago Is Indonesia ready to roll the dice on casinos at the risk of social costs?

The potential legalisation of gambling in Indonesia has resurfaced as a means for higher state revenue, but opponents argue the activity risks fraying the cultural fabric of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. Lawmaker Galih Kartasasmita floated the idea during a meeting with the finance ministry on May 8, where he said Indonesia should follow the footsteps of the United Arab Emirates, which legalised gambling last year. “The UAE is ready to run a casino, [an] Arab country [finally] runs...

Events

5 h. ago China’s Wang Yi decries ‘unacceptable’ Israeli attack on Iran, urges diplomacy

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called Israel’s attack on Iran an “unacceptable” breach of international law and urged measures to de-escalate tensions in phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts on Saturday. He told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar that China could play a “constructive role” in the peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue, saying diplomatic solutions remained viable and a peaceful resolution was still achievable, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign...

Politics

14 h. ago Trump’s military parade ends, protest tensions in downtown Los Angeles

This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. For the first time in more than three decades, the United States has held a major military parade in the nation’s capital – fulfilling a long-standing desire of US President Donald Trump on a day that was marred by a political assassination. Echoing displays more typically seen in...

Events

14 h. ago Trump’s military parade ends, protest tensions in Los Angeles – as it happened

This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. For the first time in more than three decades, the United States has held a major military parade in the nation’s capital – fulfilling a long-standing desire of US President Donald Trump on a day that was marred by a political assassination. Echoing displays more typically seen in...

Events

22 h. ago Canada to mine more amid geopolitical tensions: former minister Bill Morneau

Canada’s new government will invest more in mining at a time when the country’s economy and manufacturing sector are facing “challenges” related to China’s curbs on rare earth exports, Bill Morneau, former Canadian finance minister, told the Post. “One of the challenges for Canada is that we will need to increase our own mining,” Morneau, who was in office between 2015 and 2020 under then-prime minister Justin Trudeau, said in Shanghai on Friday. “The initiative by new [Prime Minister] Mark...

Politics

26 h. ago Hong Kong restaurants may start testing alternatives to plastics in next 2 months

Hong Kong restaurants may start testing alternatives to certain single-use plastics for items such as food containers in the next two months, the environment minister has said, as the government gauges the business sector’s feedback before expanding the scope of a ban. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan on Saturday gave the update on the second phase of the government’s plan to rid the city of disposable plastic items, after the first stage was introduced in April last year. “We...

Politics

29 h. ago Hong Kong Instagram influencer pleads for release of father arrested in Cambodia

A Hong Kong-based Instagram influencer has written an open letter to Cambodia’s prime minister, calling for the immediate release of her father, who needs urgent medical care. Stephanie Cheng, also known as Laparasian on Instagram, posted a copy of the letter in English, French and Chinese on her social media early Saturday morning. In a separate post the previous day, the influencer said that her father, Cheng Chi-gian, a French citizen, had been “kidnapped in Phnom Penh just before exposing a...

Events

31 h. ago ‘Probe under way on whether Beijing will take over collusion case in Hong Kong’

Beijing’s national security arm in Hong Kong conducted its first publicly known joint operation with the city’s police to determine whether a suspected collusion case is complex to the extent that it requires mainland China to take over, the security minister has revealed. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Saturday that no arrests had been made so far, adding it would require the central government’s approval if the case were to be handed over. His remarks were made after the...

Politics

31 h. ago Authorities still studying if Hong Kong collusion case needs to be handled by Beijing

Beijing and Hong Kong are investigating the complexity of a suspected collusion case to determine whether mainland China needs to take over, security minister has said, in what may become a precedent for the central government to exercise its jurisdiction over such matters. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Saturday that authorities were gathering information to ascertain if Article 55 of the national security law, which applies to complicated and severe cases, should be...

Events

31 h. ago Chinese envoy urges Israel to halt ‘risky’ Iran attacks, warns of consequences

A senior Chinese diplomat has urged Israel to halt its military actions against Iran as tensions between the two Middle Eastern rivals mount, warning the escalating conflict could have “serious consequences”. Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday that the surging tensions in the region did not serve the interests of any party. “China urges Israel to immediately stop all risky military actions to avoid further escalation of...

Events

47 h. ago Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s Regular Press Conference on June 13, 2025

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s Regular Press Conference on June 13, 2025  mfa.gov.cn

Politics

48 h. ago China extracts critical mineral rubidium from brine for first time

Chinese scientists have achieved a breakthrough in the commercial extraction of the critical metal rubidium directly from salt lake brine, potentially slashing dependence on imports – mostly from Canada – that now supply two-thirds of China’s needs. This industrial-scale method produces ultra-pure rubidium chloride from ultra-low concentrations, offering a new domestic source for this strategically vital material. The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes (ISL) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)...

Politics

49 h. ago China and India to work to bring back direct flights between two countries

China and India have agreed to work towards the resumption of direct flights and take other moves to boost exchanges as the latest step in their efforts to stabilise relations. The measures were announced after Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri held talks with Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong, who was on a two-day visit to India. New Delhi’s statement released on Friday said the two sides had reviewed developments since their last meeting in January and “agreed to continue to...

Politics

49 h. ago China calls on Niger to tackle disputes with energy firms through dialogue

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Niger’s junta government to resolve disputes with Chinese energy companies operating in the West African nation through dialogue. Wang made the remarks during talks with his Nigerien counterpart Bakary Yaou Sangaré in the central Chinese city of Changsha on Wednesday. “The two sides should properly handle the differences and problems encountered in cooperation through dialogue,” Wang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout of the meeting, which...

Politics

52 h. ago China steps up global aviation expansion as Comac bids for Laos carrier

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has reportedly bid to take a majority stake in the flag carrier of Laos, as the state-owned Chinese aviation firm continues its push to expand its market in Southeast Asia. The deal – which is pending approval by the Lao authorities – would see Comac help Lao Airlines overhaul its operations and stem its losses in exchange for the carrier agreeing to use the Chinese company’s passenger jets, Vientiane Times quoted Prime Minister Sonexay...

Politics

57 h. ago Embassy urges Chinese in Iran to stay alert after Israeli airstrikes, explosions

The Chinese embassy in Tehran called Iran’s latest security situation “severe and complicated” following Israel’s military strikes early on Friday, while also warning its citizens and businesses to monitor the situation and take precautions. “The embassy in Iran reminds Chinese citizens and businesses in the country to closely monitor the situation, enhance their safety awareness, and strengthen security measures,” it said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed...

Events

57 h. ago Chinese citizens in Iran, Israel need to prepare for attacks, embassies warn

The Chinese embassy in Israel warned its citizens on Friday morning to take safety precautions for potential attacks as Tehran considers a retaliation against Israeli strikes targeting its nuclear sites. The Israeli strikes were “significantly escalating the tensions” in the Middle East, the embassy said in a statement that urged Chinese citizens in Israel to closely monitor the evolving situation, remain calm, and stay vigilant. “Citizens are advised to prepare for potential attacks involving...

Events

57 h. ago China warns of fallout from Israel’s strikes on Iran, eyes role in easing crisis

Beijing has voiced “grave concern” over the potential fallout from Israeli strikes on Iran and urged all sides to prevent further escalation, while diplomatic observers highlighted China’s potential in coordinating with stakeholders and brokering a ceasefire. At a regular press briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that China firmly opposed any violations of Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, as well as actions that “escalate the tension”. “The sudden...

Events

59 h. ago Japan warns of collision risks after Chinese fighter jet manoeuvres

Japan has expressed serious concerns to Beijing through diplomatic and defence channels after a Chinese fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong made “abnormal approaches” to a Japanese patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. In a statement, Tokyo’s defence ministry said a J-15 fighter shadowed its P-3C patrol aircraft operating over the Pacific for about 40 minutes from 10.30am on Saturday and again for around 80 minutes from 2pm on Sunday. The ministry said the Chinese fighter approached...

Events

63 h. ago China, Japan: Close Encounter in the Air as Beijing Shows Off Naval Capabilities

China, Japan: Close Encounter in the Air as Beijing Shows Off Naval Capabilities  Stratfor: The World's Leading Geopolitical Intelligence Platform

Politics