We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Pakistan claims Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets used against India’s air … Read more
Both countries have substantial nuclear arsenals. International concern is mounting over the India-Pakistan conflict, as both are armed with substantial nuclear arsenals. Atomic bombs have only been used twice – 80 years ago on Japan. What nuclear risks do the current hostilities pose? Presenter: James Bays Guests: Dan Smith – Director of the Stockholm International … Read more
African nations are drowning in debt. A halt of US aid to many countries on the continent could worsen the crisis. Africa is a continent rich in natural resources with a young population. African nations in theory have the potential to transform their economies. But many of them are facing mountains of debt. Africa’s external … Read more
Trump aims to drum up financial support for the US with his Middle East trip, but Iran and Gaza also hang in the balance. United States President Donald Trump plans to tout trillions of dollars of Arab investments in the US as a major achievement, but other issues are at stake, says University of Maryland … Read more
Seoul’s military says launches may have been to test weapons intended for export. North Korea has fired a flurry of short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, South Korea’s military has said, in what Seoul called a possible test of weapons intended for export. North Korean forces launched the missiles from an … Read more
China’s Xi Jinping likens ‘US hegemony’ to ‘fascist forces’ ahead of Vladimir Putin summit Financial Times China’s Xi arrives in Moscow in show of support for Putin after Ukrainian drones target capital Reuters Xi’s Visit to Russia Complicates China’s Courtship of Europe The New York Times Xi Jinping begins four-day Russia visit after Ukrainian drones attack Moscow The Guardian … Read more
The United States and the Houthis have agreed to a ceasefire. The Houthis, who control large areas of Yemen, began attacking Israel and commercial shipping and some US navy vessels in the Red Sea after Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023. In response to Houthi attacks on shipping lanes, the US carried … Read more
The Catholic church’s College of Cardinals has gathered at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, and will begin the process of electing a new pontiff to replace Pope Francis on Wednesday. Francis, the church’s 266th pontiff, died on Easter Monday (April 21), after leading the church for 12 years. Voting during the so-called papal conclave takes … Read more
Drones struck a Freedom Flotilla ship carrying aid bound for Gaza. Organisers believe Israel was behind the attack. Drones struck the Conscience, a ship carrying humanitarian aid in international waters, after more than two months of an Israeli blockade on all aid trying to enter Gaza. Freedom Flotilla Coalition organisers believe Israel, which has attacked … Read more
Australian driver Jack Doohan has been axed by Alpine, giving Franco Colapinto five races to impress on his F1 return. The Renault-owned Alpine Formula One team confirmed that Argentine driver Franco Colapinto would replace Jack Doohan for the next five races, starting at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The 22-year-old Doohan, son of Australian MotoGP great … Read more