Israeli military ‘paralysis’ on settler violence exposed in West Bank siege

Israeli military ‘paralysis’ on settler violence exposed in West Bank siege

SCMP •

The Israeli military is touted as the most powerful in the Middle East, striking targets deep into enemy territory. But for more than a week, Israeli troops have somehow failed to evict a small group of settlers sitting on rocks in the occupied West Bank. Experts says the military has long shown inertia when its task is stopping surging violence against Palestinians, due to government backing for ...

China debuts regular Arctic shipping service amid Iran war. Is this the Polar pivot?

China debuts regular Arctic shipping service amid Iran war. Is this the Polar pivot?

SCMP •

As the Iran war spills over into the Red Sea – a crucial chokepoint for Asia-Europe trade – China has marked a milestone by launching its first regular service through the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route (NSR), a development welcomed by Russia. The route, which runs along Russia’s northern Arctic coast, slashes travel time compared with alternative paths. A journey from Ningbo city on China’s southeas...

The Polar pivot? China debuts regular Arctic shipping service as Iran war drags on

The Polar pivot? China debuts regular Arctic shipping service as Iran war drags on

SCMP •

As the Iran war spills over into the Red Sea – a crucial chokepoint for Asia-Europe trade – China has marked a milestone by launching its first regular service through the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route (NSR), a development welcomed by Russia. The route, which runs along Russia’s northern Arctic coast, slashes travel time compared with alternative paths. A journey from Ningbo city on China’s southeas...

Meet the Chinese AI star who splashed a reported US$70m on a California mansion

Meet the Chinese AI star who splashed a reported US$70m on a California mansion

SCMP •

Tony Wu Yuhuai, the China-born co-founder of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence lab, sparked discussions across Chinese social media after reportedly spending US$70 million on a six-bedroom Californian mega-mansion. The property deal, the largest so far this year in the Bay Area, pushed the thirty-something AI star under the spotlight, alongside other Silicon Valley-based Chinese talent that has ...

Florida teen Ishanvi Sabniveesu builds AI cane that describes surroundings, works offline and calls for help

Florida teen Ishanvi Sabniveesu builds AI cane that describes surroundings, works offline and calls for help

Times of India •

Ishanvi Sabniveesu is the innovative mind behind CareCane, an AI-powered cane designed specifically for visually impaired individuals. This remarkable device not only helps users navigate obstacles but also enhances their environmental perception. With offline functionality for broader use and emergency assistance features, CareCane has garnered Sabniveesu second place at the prestigious Invention...

In 1919, German crews sank 52 warships at Scotland's Scapa Flow; decades later...

In 1919, German crews sank 52 warships at Scotland's Scapa Flow; decades later...

Times of India •

Following their scuttling in 1919, fifty-two German warships found their final resting place in Scapa Flow. Remarkably, the steel salvaged from these wrecks has been pivotal in numerous modern scientific innovations. This unique pre-nuclear steel has been instrumental in constructing sensitive radiation detectors that safeguard medical imaging and deep-space probes from erroneous readings. To this...

Heavy rain forecast will not reverse widespread drought conditions in UK

Heavy rain forecast will not reverse widespread drought conditions in UK

The Guardian •

Forecasters say intense showers might cause flooding as rain falls on dry, hard groundFloods and drought could hit the UK at the same time this week, with heavy rain forecast to fall on hard, parched soil.While some parts of the UK will have the “first meaningful rain for a long time” in the coming days, it will not reverse widespread drought conditions that have put pressure on wildlife, farmers,...

Hong Kong customs raids office in Opatra London probe after 6 complaints

Hong Kong customs raids office in Opatra London probe after 6 complaints

SCMP •

Hong Kong customs has raided a corporate secretarial office in Sheung Wan as part of an investigation into a local beauty chain linked to UK brand Opatra London, following six complaints alleging high-pressure sales tactics involving up to HK$100,000. Officers from the Customs and Excise Department seized documents from a unit in the Wing On Centre on Connaught Road Central on Tuesday. While liste...

UK risks running out of gas by 2030s, ministers told

UK risks running out of gas by 2030s, ministers told

The Guardian •

Government assessment warns of supply shock that could leave homes and businesses without gas within a decadeGreat Britain risks running out of gas in the 2030s despite its growing clean energy sources, unless ministers take “unprecedented” action to guard against a future gas supply shock, according to an official assessment of the country’s gas security.The government is considering plans to pro...

Labour urges Gambling Commission to investigate firms linked to Reform UK donors

Labour urges Gambling Commission to investigate firms linked to Reform UK donors

The Guardian •

Bridget Phillipson writes to watchdog asking it to look into claims Tether.bet and Fispay operated without a licenceThe Gambling Commission has been urged to investigate claims that companies linked to Reform UK donors and allies of Nigel Farage have been operating without a licence.The Labour party’s chair, Bridget Phillipson, has written to the watchdog asking it to look into Tether.bet, a Monte...

Infertility could affect 79.6 million women by 2036, posing challenge for Hong Kong

Infertility could affect 79.6 million women by 2036, posing challenge for Hong Kong

SCMP •

Global infertility cases among women aged 35 to 49 are projected to almost double to 79.64 million by 2036, posing a major public health challenge for Hong Kong as delayed childbearing becomes increasingly common, a large-scale study has found. The study, co-led by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and shared on Tuesday, said the city’s average maternal age was among the world’s highest and called...

Infertility may affect 79.6 million women by 2036, posing challenge for Hong Kong

Infertility may affect 79.6 million women by 2036, posing challenge for Hong Kong

SCMP •

Global infertility cases among women aged 35 to 49 are projected to rise by almost half to 79.64 million by 2036, posing a major public health challenge for Hong Kong as delayed childbearing becomes increasingly common, a large-scale study has found. The study, co-led by the University of Hong Kong, said on Tuesday that the city’s average maternal age was among the world’s highest and called for s...

When prey instinct strikes: fast ways to save small pets from big dogs

When prey instinct strikes: fast ways to save small pets from big dogs

SCMP •

The safe handling of dogs has become the subject of intense social media debate in Hong Kong after two small pets were fatally mauled by a large canine on the loose on Monday. The 60kg dog, which was not on a leash, killed a miniature poodle near Yoho Mall in Yuen Long and a bichon frise at nearby Lolli Park within 20 minutes of each other. The licensed animal has been captured and an investigatio...

Philippine school shooter kills fellow student and himself in livestreamed attack

Philippine school shooter kills fellow student and himself in livestreamed attack

The Guardian •

Country’s second fatal school shooting in two months took place in southern city of ⁠Zamboanga A student livestreamed himself shooting and killing another pupil in a classroom in the southern Philippines before taking his own ⁠life, ​the second school attack in the country in less than two months.The shooting took ⁠place at a school attached to Ateneo de Zamboanga University in the southern city ...