Apple slashes prices of iPhone 15 models to new low in China amid heated competition in world’s largest smartphone market

Mainland online retailers JD.com and Alibaba’s Tmall on Monday started offering deeper discounts on iPhone 15 models.

Mon, 20 May 2024 17:00:22 +0800
[Xinmei Shen] [Full Text]

Fancy a cold one? Chinese scientists have found a very good reason why beer tastes better ice cold

It is an indisputable fact that there’s nothing better than a cold beer on a hot day. Now it can be backed up with science.

Mon, 20 May 2024 17:00:18 +0800
[Victoria Bela] [Full Text]

AstraZeneca to build US$1.5 billion cancer drug plant in Singapore, reduce industry’s reliance on China

CEO Pascal Soriot is working to ensure AstraZeneca can independently supply drugs to major markets as the US pushes to reduce the industry’s reliance on China.

Mon, 20 May 2024 16:43:14 +0800
[Reuters, Bloomberg] [Full Text]

Why China should step up aid to Afghanistan

The Taliban has been accused of being slow to act on deadly flash floods that have killed more than 300 and left 40,000 children homeless. Also vulnerable to climate change, China can share its experience in mitigating floods with Afghanistan and increase aid to help the country rebuild

Mon, 20 May 2024 16:35:42 +0800
[Chris Fitzgerald] [Full Text]

No delay to Hong Kong’s plan to allow stock market to stay open in typhoons, Treasury secretary says

The financial services secretary, Christopher Hui Ching-yu, has denied media reports that a major stock market reform that would see trading continue as normal during typhoons and torrential rains has been postponed.

Mon, 20 May 2024 16:30:12 +0800
[Enoch Yiu] [Full Text]

South China Sea: Philippines calls for Beijing to prove Scarborough Shoal undamaged

Philippine officials said on Monday they were ‘alarmed’ by Chinese activities at Scarborough Shoal, which Manila has accused Beijing of destroying.

Mon, 20 May 2024 15:29:25 +0800
[Reuters] [Full Text]

Hong Kong police conduct manhunt of 2 assailants linked to knife attack on suspected triad member

Suspected 14K triad member, 51, injured in knife attack in early hours of Monday, source says.

Mon, 20 May 2024 15:15:23 +0800
[Clifford Lo] [Full Text]

Mokhber to assume Iran presidency following Raisi’s death in helicopter crash

Iran’s first vice-president, Mohammad Mokhber, is expected assume the presidency after Ebrahim Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash as the country gears up elections within 50 days.

Mon, 20 May 2024 15:11:24 +0800
[Agence France-Presse] [Full Text]

South China Sea: Philippines ‘may be forced to sue’ if Chinese coastguard arrests trespassers

Philippine lawmakers and officials are protesting against a new policy allowing China’s coastguard to detain suspects from next month.

Mon, 20 May 2024 15:00:38 +0800
[Raissa Robles] [Full Text]

Beijing in no rush to respond to new Taiwanese leader’s ‘pro-independence’ speech

William Lai Ching-te’s ‘very intense’ address after his inauguration was peppered with references to the island’s ‘sovereignty’, mainland observers noted.

Mon, 20 May 2024 14:41:24 +0800
[Amber Wang] [Full Text]