Minimalist News

South China Morning Post

1. Mexican navy ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge in New York scmp.com 41 minutes ago by Associated Press

   The top of Cuauhtemoc’s mast brushed the span as it sailed through the East River, halting the vessel’s international tour.

2. UK, EU still at odds over students and workers ahead of post-Brexit reset summit scmp.com an hour ago by Bloomberg

   British and EU negotiators struggle to agree on multiple issues ahead of the London meeting to revive ties.

3. Pope Leo stands as a counterpoint to Trump’s polarising leadership scmp.com an hour ago by Peter T. C. Chang

   Despite reservations about his US background, Leo’s ties to the Global South and support for the marginalised have won him global acceptance.

4. Austria wins Eurovision crown with JJ’s ‘Wasted Love’ scmp.com 4 hours ago by Reuters

   The 24-year-old’s performance combined elements of opera, techno and high-pitched vocals.

5. 1 killed in ‘bomb attack’ at California fertility clinic scmp.com 5 hours ago by Agence France-Presse

   The FBI is investigating the blast, which damaged the facility and nearby buildings in Palm Springs.

6. Kanye West’s pro-Hitler song gets millions of views on X after being banned elsewhere scmp.com 6 hours ago by Agence France-Presse

   The video shows the hip-hop star rapping about ex-wife Kim Kardashian and ends with an extract of a speech by the Nazi leader.

7. US tornadoes kill more than 20 in Kentucky and Missouri scmp.com 9 hours ago by Agence France-Presse

   Severe storms laid waste to local communities and cut off electricity to nearly 200,000 people.

8. Lufthansa plane flown by autopilot after pilot faints in cockpit scmp.com 10 hours ago by dpa

   The captain was in the bathroom when his colleague lost consciousness, leaving the aircraft carrying 199 passengers without a pilot.

9. Trump says China and Walmart should ‘eat the tariffs’ instead of raising prices scmp.com 10 hours ago by Associated Press

   The US president lashed out at the retail giant after it warned that everything from bananas to child car seats could get more expensive.

10. 10 escape from US jail through hole in wall when guard left to get food scmp.com 12 hours ago by Associated Press

    7 of the escapees remain on the lam following the breakout that the local sheriff says may have been aided by members within the department.

11. Gaza ceasefire talks resume as Israeli assault kills hundreds in 72 hours scmp.com 14 hours ago by Reuters

    Hamas official Taher al-Nono said the two sides were discussing all issues without ‘preconditions’.

12. Musician charged with US singer Chris Brown in alleged London nightclub attack scmp.com 16 hours ago by Associated Press

    Omololu Akinlolu, 38, who performs under the name Hoody Baby, was due to appear in court for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

13. No, stock markets are not a barometer of the world’s economic health scmp.com 18 hours ago by Anthony Rowley

    Markets have largely returned to calm after the US-China trade truce but all is not as it seems.

14. How Europe went ‘crazy’ for Chinese blind-box toys – and why it matters scmp.com 19 hours ago by Xiaofei Xu

    The craze is the latest sign that Chinese brands are becoming more skilled at winning over Western consumers.

15. Trump hints at meeting Russia’s Putin to ‘make a deal’ on Ukraine war scmp.com a day ago by Bloomberg

    ‘There can’t be a meeting without me,’ the US president says after pulling back from first direct peace talks in Putin’s absence.

16. US police name Chinese and Italian tourists killed in Yellowstone crash scmp.com a day ago by Associated Press

    Chinese nationals made up 12 of the 13 passengers in the van, which caught fire after colliding with a pickup truck, police say.

17. Mexican influencer Valeria Marquez’s death highlights ‘level of saturation’ over femicide scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    Mexico had 852 femicides in 2023, the fourth highest rate per capita in Latin America, according to a UN report.

18. US plans immigrant reality TV competition for citizenship to ‘revive patriotism’ scmp.com a day ago by Agence France-Presse

    The proposed show would see contestants face off in one-hour episodes to prove they are the most American.

19. Ex-US ambassador to Ukraine says she quit because of Trump ‘appeasement’ scmp.com a day ago by Agence France-Presse

    Bridget Brink says the policy since the start of the Trump administration was to put pressure on the victim instead of the aggressor, Russia.

20. Senior US Democrat slams reversal of AI rule as ‘horrible idea’ helping China scmp.com a day ago by Bochen Han

    Trump administration’s move to rescind Biden-era prohibitions said to enable Saudi Arabia, UAE to make advanced chips ‘available’ to Beijing.

21. Moody’s strips US of AAA credit rating, citing failure to rein in debt scmp.com a day ago by Associated Press

    In response, the White House adopted an aggressive tone towards the agency, singling out its economist, Mark Zandi, for criticism.

22. Melania Trump statue missing in her native Slovenia after last one set on fire scmp.com a day ago by Associated Press

    The life-size bronze sculpture – unveiled in 2020 near the US first lady’s birthplace – was reportedly sawed off at the ankles and removed.

23. Who took the iconic Napalm Girl image? World Press Photo says it’s not clear scmp.com a day ago by Agence France-Presse

    The organisation has removed Nick Ut’s credit for the prize-winning picture, after a documentary cast doubt over its authorship.

24. Trump says Taylor Swift ‘no longer HOT’ in Air Force One rant scmp.com a day ago by Agence France-Presse

    The US president also called Bruce Springsteen an ‘obnoxious jerk’ after the legendary rocker criticised Trump in front of a UK audience.

25. Man who stabbed Salman Rushdie sentenced to 25 years in prison scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    Hadi Matar charged on stage and attacked the novelist, partially blinding him, during an event in New York in 2022.

26. Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill blocked by hardline Republicans scmp.com a day ago by Bloomberg

    It is rare for bills to fail in such committee votes, which often act as a rubber stamp before legislature moves to the House floor.

27. Trump to speak to Putin, Zelensky by phone after Ukraine-Moscow talks in Turkey scmp.com a day ago by Agence France-Presse

    A potential meeting between Zelensky and Putin was discussed in the talks, but there were few signs of significant progress towards ending the…

28. Brazil confirms bird flu outbreak, sparking China shipments ban scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    The South American nation exported US$10 billion of chicken meat last year, accounting for about 35 per cent of global trade.

29. US to set tariff rates ‘in weeks’, says Trump, with letters to be sent out scmp.com 2 days ago by Bloomberg

    US president says government lacks capacity to negotiate deals with all trade partners, does not say which of them will receive letters.

30. China’s bid to survive trade war, PL-15 missiles’ first combat test: SCMP daily highlights scmp.com 2 days ago by SCMP

    From the maiden voyage of a record-setting Chinese vessel to Beijing doubling down on its domestic economy, here’s a round-up from today’s cov…

31. Trump caps Gulf tour with America-first policy for peace in Middle East, South Asia scmp.com 2 days ago by Tom Hussain

    Trump’s vision sits well with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, two Gulf nations closest to Washington, but its feasibility remains to be determined, …

32. Dozens more die in Israeli strikes on Gaza scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    Over 250 people are said to have been killed since Thursday, while Trump says residents are starving and he expects ‘a lot of good things’ in …

33. Russia, Ukraine meet in Turkey in first direct peace talks in 3 years, but little progress expected scmp.com 2 days ago by Associated Press

    The officials present in Turkey – including Ukraine’s defence minister – sat together around a table, but the two sides are far apart in their…

34. Sweden school shooter’s motive was suicide: police scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    Police say there was no sign that Rickard Andersson, who had mental health problems and financial troubles and killed 10 people, had ideologic…

35. US aid cuts leave food for millions, including biscuits, grains, oil, decaying in warehouses scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    Vital items for hungry people in need have been stuck inside US government warehouses since January’s decision to cut global aid programmes, s…

36. Trump wraps up his Middle East tour with deals galore scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    The US president made scoring business deals a centrepiece of the first major foreign trip of his second term.

37. UK talking with several countries to set up ‘return hubs’ for rejected asylum seekers scmp.com 2 days ago by Associated Press

    The British leader is under pressure to reduce immigration and cut the number of irregular migrants arriving on UK shores.

38. Another Chinese car carrier sets record, putting spotlight on vehicle export ambitions scmp.com 2 days ago by Carol Yang

    With a maximum capacity of 9,500 vehicles, Anji Ansheng is the world’s largest car carrier, beating a record only set late last month.

39. China’s J-10C vs French Rafale, fans defend Blackpink’s Lisa: SCMP 7 highlights scmp.com 2 days ago by SCMP

    From to China’s J-10C vs French Rafale to a Hongkongers ‘freaking out’ over BN(O) rules, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

40. Europe warned to change fast or become a ‘shock absorber’ of US-China trade war scmp.com 2 days ago by Finbarr Bermingham

    Continent’s outlook is bleak despite reduced Sino-American tensions as it needs to adapt quickly amid Washington’s efforts, analysts say.

41. US investigating perceived ‘threat’ to Trump over ex-FBI chief Comey’s ‘86 47’ post scmp.com 2 days ago by Associated Press

    James Comey deletes Instagram post after uproar from Trump supporters who say it called for killing the US president.

42. Thanks to Trump, we now have a profound appreciation of supply chains scmp.com 2 days ago by Bernard Chan

    The US president’s tariffs revealed the fragility of the global trading system, highlighting the costs of disrupting intricate supply chains.

43. Criminal investigation opened in rape, sexual assault allegations against Smokey Robinson scmp.com 2 days ago by Associated Press

    Investigation announced days after the Motown legend was sued by four former housekeepers.

44. Trump announces US$14.5 billion Etihad commitment with Boeing, GE Aerospace scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    White House on Thursday said Abu Dhabi-based Etihad will buy 28 American-made Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft powered by GE engines.

45. Mexican influencer likely killed by hitman during TikTok live stream, prosecutors say scmp.com 2 days ago by Associated Press

    Mexico’s president said her administration was working with local investigators to track down the killer.

46. UAE to build biggest AI campus outside US in Trump deal, bypassing past China worries scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    Deal is a major win for the UAE, which has been trying to balance its relations with ally US and largest trading partner China.

47. Taiwan more likely to face blockade or economic warfare from Beijing than invasion: panel scmp.com 2 days ago by Bochen Han

    Still, witnesses testifying before influential US House committee urge America to prepare for all scenarios.

48. US tariffs on pharmaceuticals could hit Chinese export firms’ profit margins: analysts scmp.com 2 days ago by Sylvia Ma

    America is reliant on mainland companies for the raw materials needed to make life-saving drugs, but experts say duties are likely.

49. 4 lessons for China as Pakistan J-10s down Indian Rafale jets scmp.com 2 days ago by Zhou Bo

    It is a boost for China’s defence industry, arms exports and the PLA’s confidence – and should encourage Beijing to increase its nuclear stock…

50. Harvard thought it had cheap copy of the Magna Carta – it turned out to be extremely rare scmp.com 2 days ago by Associated Press

    The Magna Carta is seen as a precursor of democracy and the basis of legal systems across the world.