Author: admin

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. ‘Elephants trampling on global trade’: EU sidelined by US-China showdownOver two rounds of high-stakes talks on European soil, Europe has watched from the sidelines as the US and China tried to reach a truce that might stabilise the global trading system on which the continent is entirely reliant.2. Chinese citizens in Iran, Israel need to prepare for attacks, embassies warnThe Chinese embassy in Israel warned its citizens on Friday morning to take safety precautions for…

My top 10 things to watch Friday, June 13 1. U.S. stocks are pointing to a lower open following news that Israel struck targets in Iran overnight in what Israel is calling a preemptive strike. Oil, on the other hand, rose: Brent crude futures and West Texas Intermediate crude futures both jumped more than 8%. Gold is also up, adding to its recent gains. 2. American Electric was initiated with an outperform rating and $115 price target at Raymond James, which said it stands out as one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., with lots of potential to…

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has repatriated more bodies of fallen soldiers in line with an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, Ukrainian officials said Friday. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a statement that Russia returned 1,200 bodies, and “according to the Russian side, the bodies belong to Ukrainian citizens, in particular military personnel.”The repatriation of the bodies was carried out with the help of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the country’s Security Service, the Interior Ministry and other government agencies. Forensic experts will now work to identify the…

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 broke and, after falling down, skidded for a few metres…

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, while unveiling the annual budget in the assembly, presented the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2025-26 with a total outlay of Rs1.02 trillion. The provincial ADP is set at Rs520 billion, complemented by district ADP, foreign project assistance (FPA), and federal PSDP grants. “This ambitious development plan focuses on rehabilitation, infrastructure, social services, and sustainable growth across the province,” the CM House said in a statement. Highlights of ADP 2025-26 Provincial ADP: Rs520 billion District ADP: Rs55 billion Foreign Project Assistance: Rs366.72 billion Federal PSDP: Rs76.28 billion The ADP and…

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presented the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 on Friday. The budget size for FY26 is set at Rs3.45 trillion, representing a 12.9% increase compared to the estimated Rs3.05 trillion for the previous year (2024-25). “This budget will play a key role in unleashing Sindh’s untapped potential,” Murad Ali Shah said. “It prioritises inclusive, sustainable, and robust development.” Key highlights of Pakistan budget for 2025-26 The chief minister expressed commitment to social improvement, modernisation of infrastructure, and economic independence. The provincial government allocated Rs1.02 trillion for development in FY26. Salaries and pensions…

The Hong Kong government plans to permit more businesses to test higher-capacity aerial vehicles, aiming to boost the low-altitude economy and assess their impact on logistics efficiency and traffic, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun said.Speaking to more than 100 government officials, company executives, venture capitalists and researchers at the International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo on Friday, he said losses were possible even though these drones are expected to create a global market worth several billion dollars in the next few years.“Amendments to local laws and regulations to promote the development of the low-altitude economy are in the works,”…

The Hong Kong government plans to permit more businesses to test higher-capacity aerial vehicles, aiming to boost the low-altitude economy and assess their impact on logistics efficiency and traffic, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun said.Speaking to more than 100 government officials, company executives, venture capitalists and researchers at the International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo on Friday, he said losses were possible even though these drones are expected to create a global market worth several billion dollars in the next few years.“Amendments to local laws and regulations to promote the development of the low-altitude economy are in the works,”…

China appears on the verge of carrying out a historic satellite-to-satellite refuelling mission in high orbit, a potential advance that has prompted the US to deploy two military surveillance satellites nearby to watch.The Shijian-25 satellite was launched this year to test on-orbit refuelling and mission-extension technologies, and has been drifting towards Shijian-21. The two satellites have nearly synchronised orbits and are primed for rendezvous and docking, according to public tracking data from the US military’s Space-Track.org website.Shijian-25 is expected to use its robotic arms to latch onto Shijian-21 and replenish its fuel. The latter used up much of its propellant…

AstraZeneca has signed an AI-led research agreement with China’s CSPC Pharmaceutical Group worth up to $5.3 billion, which would help the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker develop therapies for chronic conditions, it said on Friday. The deal marks the latest effort by AstraZeneca to revive its business in China, its second-biggest market, where it has faced several challenges including the arrest of its China president last year and potential fines related to imports. Under Friday’s agreement, the two companies will collaborate to discover and develop pre-clinical candidates, including a small molecule oral therapy for immunological diseases, with CSPC conducting AI-driven research in Shijiazhuang…