7 h. ago Air India crash witnesses recount horrific scenes of corpses and dead dogs

It was just another long and languorous summer afternoon for Chirag Patel at his mobile phone retail shop near Ahmedabad’s airport on the outskirts of the western city when he was greeted by a shocking sight in the sky – a massive Air India plane was plunging towards a building. “We are used to seeing planes taking off or landing at the airport, but I was horrified to see one heading right at us. The plane’s tail struck a building that houses a student hostel and got stuck. The front portion...

Events

7 h. ago How China is driving a surge in shipping along Arctic sea routes

Chinese companies are showing growing interest in shipping goods to the West via the Northern Sea Route – an icy Arctic passage that opens up each summer – according to Rosatom, the Russian company that operates infrastructure along the route. The firm anticipates a significant uptick in voyages by Chinese companies along the NSR during the coming summer-autumn shipping season, and is adding more nuclear-powered icebreakers to its fleet to handle the growing traffic flow. Cargo traffic on the...

Politics

8 h. ago Smiling, friendly China a perfect antidote to Trump’s angry America

Following the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, China experienced a sharp drop in the number of international visitors and many foreign residents left the country. International tourism was still below pre-pandemic levels as late as 2024. When tourists did not return in large numbers after it reopened its borders in 2023, China began to take measures to reverse the trend and bring foreigners back, rolling out a unilateral 30-day visa-free entry scheme, which now encompasses 47 countries,...

Politics

9 h. ago ‘Any time, any place’: Philippine army to be deployed to South China Sea islands

A senior Philippine military official has revealed a soon-to-be-deployed strategy that would involve an army contingent to support law enforcement units on occupied islands in the South China Sea. Observers said the strategy would align with Manila’s policy shift from an internal to external defence posture aimed at protecting the country’s territorial waters. One expert, however, warned that it could lead to more aggressive moves by the Chinese navy and coastguard if Beijing were to view...

Politics

9 h. ago Israel’s attacks risk pushing Iran towards nuclear weapon development

Israel’s attacks against Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities and assassinations of several of the regime’s leadership figures could pile pressure on Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei to drop his long-standing ideological opposition to Tehran’s construction of nuclear weapons. To arrive at that seminal moment, Tehran must first decide whether to carefully calibrate its response to the hundreds of Israeli attacks conducted overnight so as to avoid direct military intervention by the United States,...

Events

10 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

11 h. ago China expresses deep concern about Israel's attacks on Iran, urges de

China expresses deep concern about Israel's attacks on Iran, urges de-escalation  Reuters

Politics

12 h. ago Beijing International Book Fair 2025 looks to the kids’ and academic markets

Beijing International Book Fair 2025 looks to the kids’ and academic markets  The Bookseller

Society

13 h. ago China is highly concerned Israel’s attacks on Iran; deeply worried about potential consequence: FM spokesperson

China is highly concerned Israel’s attacks on Iran; deeply worried about potential consequence: FM spokesperson  Global Times

Politics

14 h. ago Veteran lawyer Moses Cheng picked to steer Hong Kong’s maritime hub push

Top government adviser and veteran lawyer Moses Cheng Mo-chi has been appointed to steer a high-level body established to develop Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime hub. Cheng’s appointment as the board chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board (HKMPDB) was announced on Friday. The 74-year-old is a senior consultant at a law firm and a member of the Executive Council, the city’s top decision-making body. Discussing the selection, Secretary for Transport and...

Politics

14 h. ago As Chinese exporters explore home market, how are letters of credit helping?

After the United States imposed so-called reciprocal tariffs on imports from China in April, Beijing took steps to help Chinese exporters sell their products domestically. In addition to the staging of product promotion events across the country and the offering of fiscal and financial incentives, Beijing also encouraged the increased use of letters of credit (L/Cs) to help such businesses switch focus to the domestic market. What is a domestic letter of credit? A letter of credit, also known as...

Politics

14 h. ago Cheerleaders to critics: German machinery makers call for EU action on China

Germany’s iconic machine makers used to be among the loudest cheerleaders for ever-closer economic ties between China and Europe. Now, as exports dwindle and facing “increasingly strong [Chinese] competitors” beefed up by “unfair state subsidies”, the industry is demanding that Brussels put in place trade barriers to protect it. A new position paper published on Thursday by the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), representing medium-sized manufacturers that help constitute...

Politics

17 h. ago China cautions citizens in Iran, warns those in Israel of potential attacks

China cautions citizens in Iran, warns those in Israel of potential attacks  Reuters

Events

18 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

18 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

18 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

19 h. ago Study suggests pigs may have been domesticated in China as early as Neolithic

Research by archaeologists from Chinese and US institutes suggests that pigs were already domesticated in southern China around 8,000 years ago. The team, which included researchers from Dartmouth College and the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, analysed two early Neolithic sites in the province’s Yangtze Delta region. The study – published on June 9 in the prestigious international journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) – “is the first to...

Politics

19 h. ago Pigs may have been domesticated in China as early as Neolithic era: study

Research by archaeologists from Chinese and US institutes suggests that pigs were already domesticated in southern China around 8,000 years ago. The team, which included researchers from Dartmouth College and the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, analysed two early Neolithic sites in the province’s Yangtze Delta region. The study – published on June 9 in the prestigious international journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) – “is the first to...

Politics

23 h. ago Trump seems to reverse course on Chinese students in US, saying he supports them

US President Donald Trump reiterated his support for Chinese students in America on Thursday and pledged to help them remain in the country after graduation, distancing himself from initiatives that his administration has announced to limit or block international students because of national security concerns. “I’ve always been strongly in favour of it. I think it’s a great thing,” Trump said on Thursday, referring to Chinese nationals seeking to study in the US. “It’s also good for our schools....

Politics

31 h. ago Sending two carrier groups through First Island Chain shows China's 'growing capability': Analysts

Sending two carrier groups through First Island Chain shows China's 'growing capability': Analysts  Breaking Defense

Politics