Minimalist News

South China Morning Post

1. Rapper Kid Cudi tells court Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs broke into his house scmp.com 21 minutes ago by Reuters

   Mescudi says he also questioned Diddy about his car catching fire in his driveway after he started dating the hip-hop star’s ex-girlfriend.

2. FCC votes to bar Chinese labs from testing US tech if they’ve been deemed security risks scmp.com an hour ago by Reuters

   About 75 per cent of US devices such as phones, cameras and computers are tested in facilities located in China.

3. Woman detained near CIA headquarters after guards open fire on her car scmp.com 3 hours ago by Reuters

   The incident came after two Israeli embassy staff were killed by a gunman in Washington, in what appeared to be an unconnected shooting.

4. UK signs ‘essential’ Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius, says China sought its ‘collapse’ scmp.com 4 hours ago by Khushboo Razdan

   Multibillion-dollar agreement for 99 years sees Britain keep control of military base on Diego Garcia jointly run with the US.

5. Multiple people dead after private jet crashes in US suburb, setting homes, cars on fire scmp.com 5 hours ago by Associated Press

   Many military service members live in the neighbourhood, which also is heavily populated by small civilian and military aircraft.

6. China strikes new Asean trade deal, Beijing rebukes parcel fees: SCMP daily highlights scmp.com 5 hours ago by SCMP

   From China and Asean updating their free trade pact to Beijing’s strong words on EU handling fees, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

7. Britain to start chemically castrating sex offenders scmp.com 5 hours ago by Associated Press

   Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said studies show that chemical castration can lead to a 60 per cent reduction in reoffending.

8. If China wants the EU as a partner, it must offer concrete cooperation scmp.com 6 hours ago by Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa

   China must stop ignoring EU trade complaints and offer a meaningful compromise – or see Europe’s China policy become a bargaining chip in US t…

9. Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill moves on to Senate after US House passes it scmp.com 6 hours ago by Reuters

   The bill would fulfil many of Trump’s campaign pledges and add about US$3.8 trillion to the federal government’s debt over the next decade.

10. Norway cabin owner sleeps on as cargo ship runs aground outside scmp.com 7 hours ago by Agence France-Presse

    None of the container ship’s 16 crew members were injured in the incident, the cause of which is being investigated by Norwegian police.

11. France arrests 55 men in Telegram paedophile ring crackdown scmp.com 8 hours ago by Agence France-Presse

    The suspects, aged 25 to 75, include a priest, a paramedic and a music teacher.

12. Europe’s clash with China on EVs not ‘existential’, former EU official says scmp.com 9 hours ago by Sylvia Ma

    Trump is pushing Europe and China to cooperate more closely despite disagreements, according to former trade negotiator.

13. China delivers strong words to EU over proposed small parcel fees scmp.com 11 hours ago by Xiaofei Xu

    The per-package fee put before European lawmakers would increase costs for Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu.

14. Latest Oval Office ambush by Trump could make world leaders think twice scmp.com 14 hours ago by Reuters

    Ramaphosa meeting marked Trump’s second major ambush of an Oval Office visitor.

15. Israel to tighten security at diplomatic missions worldwide after Washington killings scmp.com 15 hours ago by Agencies

    Suspect in custody after two staff members of Israel’s embassy were killed in a shooting near a Jewish museum in DC.

16. PLA helicopter in close encounters with foreign aircraft over East China Sea scmp.com 16 hours ago by Liu Zhen

    ‘Provocations’ take place 11 times in 10 days, with two aircraft coming as close as 10 metres.

17. Hongkongers deserve a financial education that empowers them scmp.com 17 hours ago by Tarun Gulabani

    Knowing how to spend, save and invest shouldn’t be a luxury for bankers in Central but a necessity for people to thrive.

18. Nasa’s Mars Perseverance snaps a selfie as a Martian dust devil blows by scmp.com 18 hours ago by Associated Press

    The composite of 59 images taken by the rover’s robot arm camera took an hour to capture.

19. Removing US tariffs would ‘kneecap’ president amid China trade talks: Trump team in court scmp.com 19 hours ago by Khushboo Razdan

    In lawsuit involving 12 states, judges review whether president’s invocation of 1977 law is justified to support the controversial levies.

20. Aid trucks enter Gaza after delays, as pressure mounts on Israel scmp.com 19 hours ago by Reuters

    Israel says 100 trucks enter, but UN officials say aid has so far not reached people in need.

21. Gulf states are playing the long game between the US and China scmp.com 21 hours ago by Karim Alwadi

    While the Gulf states seek benefits from Washington and Beijing, Chinese leaders must deliver more tangible support to secure recent gains.

22. Trump admin’s South Sudan deportation bid violates court order, US judge says scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    The men from Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Mexico, Cuba and South Sudan were convicted of murder, armed robbery and other crimes, US officials say.

23. European Parliament names 5 lawmakers targeted in Huawei bribery scandal scmp.com a day ago by Finbarr Bermingham

    Authorities ask lawmaking body to waive the accused’s immunity so that they can be investigated under the two-month probe.

24. Trump ambushes South Africa’s Ramaphosa with false ‘white genocide’ claims scmp.com a day ago by Agence France-Presse

    US president baselessly alleges mass killings of white South Africans during a tense White House meeting.

25. US officially accepts Qatar luxury jet to serve as Trump’s Air Force One scmp.com a day ago by Bloomberg

    The massive gift has raised both ethical and security concerns, with both Democrats and Republicans questioning the president’s decision.

26. Germany busts group suspected of procuring visas for wealthy Chinese scmp.com a day ago by dpa

    The network is believed to have helped a large number of Chinese nationals enter and stay in Germany, charging up to US$260,790 per case.

27. Donald Trump Jnr says ‘maybe one day’ he could run for US president scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    ‘That calling is there,’ he said when asked at an event if he would ‘pick up the reins’ after his father leaves office.

28. Trump White House urges Supreme Court to shield Musk’s Doge from transparency orders scmp.com a day ago by Associated Press

    The US government argues that Doge is a presidential advisory body, not a federal agency, and is exempt from Freedom of Information Act reques…

29. Outrage at Israeli ‘warning shots’ as foreign diplomats tour West Bank scmp.com a day ago by Agence France-Presse

    Israel says diplomats deviated from approved route and entered a restricted zone, fired warning shots.

30. Beijing vows tit-for-tat in chip war, top US-China diplomats meet: SCMP daily highlights scmp.com a day ago by SCMP

    From Beijing vowing to react to a possible Huawei ban to ‘candid’ talks between US and China envoys, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

31. Trump forced to bargain with China as US mourns loss of supremacy scmp.com a day ago by Terry Su

    As Trump tries to package his US trade climbdown as a win, it’s clear that China is now on an equal footing, heralding a new phase in power dy…

32. British climbers conquer Mount Everest in record time using Xenon gas innovation scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    Xenon is a colourless, odourless gas with anaesthetic properties that can improve acclimatisation and protect against altitude sickness.

33. Teen health at ‘tipping point’ as 464 million youth at risk of obesity by 2030, report warns scmp.com a day ago by dpa

    Teens worldwide are moving away from alcohol and cigarettes, but are facing increasing obesity and mental health issues, a new Lancet report r…

34. Israeli strikes kill 82 in Gaza, as desperately needed aid fails to reach Palestinians scmp.com a day ago by Agencies

    The strikes occur amid halted aid delivery as international pressure, including from the new pope, increases for Israel to ease its offensive.

35. Ukraine war: Putin’s visit to Kursk highlights Russia’s efforts to regain control scmp.com a day ago by Associated Press

    It was the Russian leader’s first visit to the region, since Moscow said it drove out Ukrainian forces last month, a claim Kyiv has denied.

36. Hong Kong firms must take initiative on safe AI practices scmp.com a day ago by Ada Chung Lai-ling

    While leveraging AI to boost their competitive edge, companies should not allow the technology to run wild or become their new master.

37. Top aides to Mexico City mayor killed in brazen daytime ambush by motorbike gunmen scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    Mayor vows no impunity for killers as assassinations shock Mexico’s relatively secure capital city.

38. Syria on the brink? Rubio warns of ‘full-scale civil war of epic proportions’ scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Syria’s transitional government facing potential collapse, more war, and ‘country splitting up’.

39. Judge challenges US deportation of Asians to conflict-plagued South Sudan scmp.com 2 days ago by Associated Press

    Judge says US officials must keep control of migrants sent to African nation in case removals are unlawful.

40. US surgeon accused of removing woman’s kidney instead of ruptured spleen scmp.com 2 days ago by Tribune News Service

    Patient Wendy Rappaport says her body is failing after the alleged botched operation and is suing for over US$50,000 in damages.

41. US limits Covid-19 boosters to over-65s or those at high risk scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    The FDA will require vaccine makers to run fresh clinical trials before offering shots to younger and healthier individuals.

42. US to cut Newark airport flights after series of major disruptions scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    Equipment outages, runway construction and air traffic control staffing issues have all contributed to ‘excessive’ delays.

43. Secretary of State Rubio, clashing with senators, says China will not replace US on global aid scmp.com 2 days ago by Bochen Han

    Top US diplomat defends State Department shifts and cuts that Democrats say reduce US soft power and give Beijing a propaganda win.

44. How Gulf states could unlock US investment in Iran after sanctions end scmp.com 2 days ago by Mohammad Khatibi

    Given their ties with both China and the US, Gulf states could act as economic intermediaries and help normalise US-Iran business relations.

45. Trump picks US$175 billion ‘Golden Dome’ missile shield to counter China, Russia scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    US Space Force general will lead the ambitious missile shield programme involving a network of satellites.

46. US military faces ‘readiness crisis’ to modernise as China advances: Pentagon scmp.com 2 days ago by Zhao Ziwen

    Top brass eye speeding up integration of manned and unstaffed systems to overcome shortfalls in shipbuilding, other areas.

47. Kevin Spacey gets charity award at Cannes, says ‘glad to be working again’ scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    The event on the film festival sidelines marks another step in the rehabilitation of the Hollywood star dogged by sexual assault allegations.

48. US clears way for stiff tariffs on Southeast Asian solar imports scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    China-based firms are accused of flooding the US with unfairly cheap panels and other products via Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

49. Trump backer Elon Musk says he will spend ‘a lot less’ on political campaigns scmp.com 2 days ago by Associated Press

    The decision could reflect the world’s richest man’s disenchantment with politics after his tenure at Doge saw intense blowback on Tesla.

50. Ukraine war: EU and UK hit Russia with new sanctions without waiting for Trump scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    The measures come after the US president’s call with Putin did not yield any promise of a ceasefire.