1 hour ago How North Korea’s missile breakthrough could make it world’s ‘fourth ICBM power’

A new era in North Korea’s missile programme may be dawning, as analysts warn of an imminent test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads to the US mainland. Fresh from his appearance at China’s Victory Day parade in Beijing last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally oversaw the trial of a lighter, more robust solid-fuel ICBM engine, state media reported on Tuesday, touting the achievement as a “strategic” breakthrough. Reportedly built...

Events

2 h. ago Hong Kong to secure deals worth US$1 billion with belt and road countries

Hong Kong will sign nine agreements with countries of the Belt and Road Initiative, with companies sealing dozens of business deals amounting to nearly US$1 billion (HK$7.8 billion), the city’s leader has announced at a major summit as he pledged to enter into more collaborations in the future. At the 10th edition of the two-day Belt and Road Summit on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also said Hong Kong’s external trade with countries under the initiative exceeded US$276 billion last...

Economics

2 h. ago Alibaba’s ‘Amap Street Stars’ is latest salvo against Meituan in e

Alibaba Group Holding on Wednesday launched an artificial intelligence-powered ranking feature on its online mapping service Amap, as the tech giant doubles down on AI applications and deepens its rivalry with food delivery leader Meituan. Amap Street Stars, a ranking featured on the app’s homepage, used AI algorithms to rank offline destinations including restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions, to “advance Amap’s role as the gateway for lifestyle services”, Alibaba said at the launch event...

Politics

5 h. ago Chinese consumer prices slip back into decline amid deflationary pressures

China’s consumer prices slipped back into decline in August, highlighting persistent deflationary pressures, while a narrower drop in factory-gate prices suggested Beijing’s “anti-involution” campaign may be starting to take hold. The national consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of inflation, fell 0.4 per cent year on year last month, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday. The reading fell short of market expectations after a poll by financial provider...

Events

5 h. ago China narrows AI development gap with US, but still lags in advanced chips: CLSA

China has significantly closed the gap with the US in artificial intelligence development, but remains years behind in cutting-edge semiconductors, according to analysts at investment group Citic CLSA. The China-US AI gap has narrowed to around three months from more than a year, thanks in part to the influx of AI talent, fast technology iteration and a boom in AI applications on the mainland, said Tony Zhang, head of China technology research at CLSA, in a media briefing on Tuesday. While...

Politics

6 h. ago What’s working in Hong Kong’s talent scheme and what needs tweaking?

With Hong Kong leader John Lee set to deliver his annual policy address on September 17, the Post examines key topics the chief executive is expected to focus on, including a mega infrastructure project near the border, new economic drivers and livelihood issues. In the fourth of a seven-part series, Willa Wu gives an update on the city’s talent schemes and examines how they can be refined to match Hong Kong’s economic needs. Zhang Jun* had a bittersweet moment when he renewed his visa under...

Politics

6 h. ago Japan’s Ishiba poised to give a speech on WWII. Why is his party so worried?

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly later this month when he is expected to share his views on the causes of World War II, prompting concerns among conservatives that he may offer a more sweeping apology than any previous Liberal Democratic Party leader. Ishiba announced on Sunday that he would step down, with an election to replace him as party president and prime minister of the nation expected to take place in early...

Events

9 h. ago New British trade minister heads to China for first talks since 2018

New British trade minister heads to China for first talks since 2018  uk.finance.yahoo.com

Politics

9 h. ago Israel strike on Hamas leaders in Doha draws rare rebuke from Trump

US President Donald Trump made a rare public break with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the leader’s decision to launch a unilateral attack against Hamas in Qatar “does not advance Israel or America’s goals”. The strike on the militant group’s leadership in Doha, the capital of a US ally, dramatically escalated regional tensions and risked derailing US-backed efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. “This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made...

Politics

9 h. ago US Supreme Court puts tariff case on fast track; no halt on levies yet

The US Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to review a ruling that struck down most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, fast-tracking a case that will determine whether the duties – still in effect – stand or fall by year’s end. The decision sets up a high-stakes test of presidential power on trade, a hallmark of Trump’s economic agenda. The justices will hear a one-hour oral argument in early November, with the court’s 6–3 conservative majority – including three Trump appointees – poised to shape...

Events

12 h. ago Pacific Islands leaders hold summit clouded by China tensions

Pacific Islands leaders hold summit clouded by China tensions  France 24

Politics

12 h. ago Kim Jong Un treated as a world leader at the summit in Beijing

Kim Jong Un treated as a world leader at the summit in Beijing  Asia Times

Politics

12 h. ago France’s Macron names loyalist Lecornu as new prime minister

French President Emmanuel Macron named loyalist Sebastien Lecornu, a one-time conservative protégé who rallied behind his 2017 presidential run, as prime minister on Tuesday, defying expectations he might tack towards the left. The choice of Lecornu, 39, indicates Macron’s determination to press on with a minority government that stands firmly behind his pro-business economic reform agenda, under which taxes on business and the wealthy have been cut and the retirement age raised. Macron was...

Politics

17 h. ago Explosions rock Doha as Israeli air strike targets Hamas leadership

Israel launched a strike targeting Hamas’ leadership in Qatar on Tuesday, officials said, further widening its campaign against the militant group as negotiations over ending the war in the Gaza Strip appears stalemated before a new military offensive there. Black smoke rose over the skyline of the Qatari capital, Doha, with authorities there acknowledging the strike. It was not immediately clear if anyone was hurt in the attack, marking the second time the energy-rich nation has been directly...

Events

17 h. ago Explosions rock Doha as Israeli strike targets Hamas leaders

Israel struck the headquarters of Hamas’ political leadership in Qatar on Tuesday as the group’s top figures gathered to consider a US proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The strike on the territory of a US ally marked a stunning escalation and risked upending talks aimed at winding down the war and freeing hostages. The attack angered Qatar, an energy-rich Gulf nation hosting thousands of American troops that has served as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas throughout the...

Events

17 h. ago Can Indonesia’s cabinet reshuffle restore public trust and calm protesters?

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s cabinet reshuffle is a “tactical” step to restore public trust in the government, according to analysts, but they argue it will not be enough to quell the unrest among protesters if it does not lead to more systemic reform. The shake-up on Monday saw the departure of high-profile officials such as Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan, alongside the creation of a stand-alone...

Events

17 h. ago 9 pig heads left outside Paris mosques, French police investigate as hate crime

At least nine pigs’ heads were found outside several mosques in the Paris region on Tuesday, the French capital’s police chief said – an incident that has sparked alarm over rising anti-Muslim hatred. “Pig heads have been left in front of certain mosques Four in Paris and five in the inner suburbs,” Laurent Nunez told a press conference, adding that police were not “ruling out the possibility of finding more”. There may be parallels with past incidents linked to “foreign interference” Nunez...

Events

18 h. ago China leads clean energy revolution, but also CO2 pollution, says report

China leads clean energy revolution, but also CO2 pollution, says report  Al Jazeera

Politics

18 h. ago Opinion | We can’t let China lead in future of automobile industry

Opinion | We can’t let China lead in future of automobile industry  Alabama Political Reporter

Politics

18 h. ago Column: We can’t let China lead in future of automobile industry

Column: We can’t let China lead in future of automobile industry  Alabama Daily News

Politics