99 m. ago Hong Kong drones hunt illegal filling stations, diesel worth HK$6 million seized

Hong Kong has started deploying drones to detect illegal refuelling stations in the city, with the Fire Services Department having seized diesel worth more than HK$6 million (US$772,362) in the past month during a crackdown on 23 locations. Bradan Kwok Chi-kwan, divisional officer for dangerous goods enforcement, said the department introduced drones to help uncover illicit operations last month and conducted 41 flights. “When our drone squad detects suspicious activity, it alerts task force...

Events

2 h. ago Why Trump’s ‘best for business’ diplomacy will fail with Russia or China

“All I’ve done all my life is deals,” US President Donald Trump told the Gaza peace summit, going on to say “maybe this is going to be the greatest deal of them all”. Trump has cultivated his image on being the greatest deal-maker, a legacy central to his identity as a business tycoon and now fundamental to his reputation as a world leader. The ceasefire in Gaza has been framed as a crowning achievement in this repertoire. “Together we’ve achieved what everyone said was impossible, but at long...

Politics

3 h. ago Trump is trying to break China’s monopoly on rare earths, but can’t cut deals fast enough to catch up

Trump is trying to break China’s monopoly on rare earths, but can’t cut deals fast enough to catch up  CNN

Politics

4 h. ago Donald Trump is copying the wrong things from China, writes Dan Wang

Donald Trump is copying the wrong things from China, writes Dan Wang  The Economist

Politics

4 h. ago Trump isn’t serious about deterring Beijing from attacking Taiwan: poll

Most people in Taiwan do not see US President Donald Trump as serious about deterring Beijing from a possible attack on the self-ruled island, according to a recent poll released on Tuesday. Asked whether Trump was willing to prevent mainland China from “invading Taiwan by force”, 44.8 per cent of the 1,070 respondents said no, while 34.3 per cent said yes in the poll conducted by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation between October 13 and 15. And on a question as to whether the US leader was...

Politics

4 h. ago Trump retreat from soft power hurts US, Kansas — but helps China | Opinion

Trump retreat from soft power hurts US, Kansas — but helps China | Opinion  Wichita Eagle

Politics

6 h. 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

6 h. ago Can Scott Bessent see China’s trade counterstrike with clear eyes?

After a video call last Saturday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng are expected to meet in Malaysia this week to hopefully ease tensions before US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping potentially meet on the sidelines of this year’s Apec summit. The meeting was in doubt when Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on China, despite later relenting that it might not be sustainable. Washington blamed Beijing for the escalation,...

Events

6 h. ago US doubles down on Trump admin push to rebuild industrial base amid China pressure

US doubles down on Trump admin push to rebuild industrial base amid China pressure  Fox Business

Politics

8 h. ago Air strikes and insults: Trump’s feud with Colombia threatens key alliance

For decades, Colombia and the United States have been devoted allies, sharing military intelligence, a robust trade relationship and a multibillion-dollar fight against drug trafficking. Now that is all at risk as the US ramps up deadly air strikes off Colombia’s coast and the leaders of both nations trade scathing verbal attacks. US President Donald Trump called Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla fighter and Colombia’s first leftist president, an “illegal drug dealer”. Petro called Trump “rude”...

Events

9 h. ago Hong Kong minister admits procurement vigilance ‘below expectations’, vows reform

Civil servants’ vigilance in guarding against potential procurement scams falls short of public expectations, Hong Kong’s treasury minister has admitted, pledging to conduct site visits and prevent the process from becoming a “robotic” arrangement of “checking boxes”. But Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu stressed on Tuesday that the principle of “the lowest bidder wins” did not apply to government procurement procedures this time around and denied that...

Politics

10 h. ago Trump Doubts China Will Invade Taiwan, Confident Ahead of Xi Meeting

Trump Doubts China Will Invade Taiwan, Confident Ahead of Xi Meeting  The Defense Post

Politics

11 h. ago ‘If they don’t do business with us ’: Trump warns China of ‘big trouble’; seeks ‘fair deal’ amid tariff row

‘If they don’t do business with us ’: Trump warns China of ‘big trouble’; seeks ‘fair deal’ amid tariff row  Times of India

Events

11 h. ago ‘If they don’t do business with us ’: Trump warns China of ‘big trouble’; seeks ‘fair deal’ amid tariff

‘If they don’t do business with us ’: Trump warns China of ‘big trouble’; seeks ‘fair deal’ amid tariff  Times of India

Events

11 h. ago Trump warns of 155% tariffs on China if trade deal not finalised by Nov 1

Trump warns of 155% tariffs on China if trade deal not finalised by Nov 1  Business Standard

Events

12 h. ago What Trump told Albanese about Taiwan matters more than AUKUS

What Trump told Albanese about Taiwan matters more than AUKUS  Lowy Institute

Politics

12 h. ago Severe Tropical Storm Fengshen gradually moves away after skirting Hong Kong

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Severe Tropical Storm Fengshen has skirted Hong Kong and will gradually move away from the city on Tuesday, according to the weather forecaster. The Hong Kong Observatory also said that the No 3 typhoon signal currently in effect would remain in force at least until 6pm, with the chance of issuing a higher signal being “relatively low” unless Fengshen, which...

Events

12 h. ago Fengshen: hot weather back by weekend as Hong Kong lowers all typhoon signals

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Daytime temperatures are expected to rise later this week, the Hong Kong Observatory has said, as it cancelled all typhoon signals. The weather forecaster lowered the No 3 signal at 6.20pm on Tuesday as Tropical Cyclone Fengshen, which means “the god of wind” in Chinese, departed. The strong monsoon signal was in force. The Observatory warned that local winds...

Politics

12 h. ago Trump escalates pressure on China, threatens crushing 155% tariff amid rising trade tensions

Trump escalates pressure on China, threatens crushing 155% tariff amid rising trade tensions  Mint

Events

14 h. ago Trump signs $8.5 billion rare earths deal with Australia as China limits exports

Trump signs $8.5 billion rare earths deal with Australia as China limits exports  The Independent

Economics