Hegseth pledges stronger military framework with Philippines, but lacks details
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3372492/hegseth-pledges-stronger-military-framework-philippines-lacks-details
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3372492/hegseth-pledges-stronger-military-framework-philippines-lacks-details
South China Morning Post
Hegseth pledges stronger military framework with Philippines, but lacks details
Defence secretary reaffirms US support without specifying how much more funding is involved and what procedures or timeline it will pay for.
South Korea’s chipmakers are raking it in. Can China close the gap?
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3372439/south-koreas-chipmakers-are-raking-it-can-china-close-gap
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3372439/south-koreas-chipmakers-are-raking-it-can-china-close-gap
South China Morning Post
South Korea’s chip giants ride record AI windfall, but can China catch up?
SK Hynix and Samsung are riding the AI chip frenzy to record profits, but Chinese competitors are coming for their market share.
Immigration rules deter nearly half of Asia-Pacific air travellers, survey finds
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3372486/immigration-rules-deter-nearly-half-asia-pacific-air-travellers-survey-finds
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3372486/immigration-rules-deter-nearly-half-asia-pacific-air-travellers-survey-finds
South China Morning Post
Immigration rules deter nearly half of Asia-Pacific air travellers, survey finds
Geopolitical tensions are also influencing travel decisions, annual survey by airline body IATA finds.
What Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs says about the US midterms
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3372177/what-quentin-tarantinos-reservoir-dogs-says-about-us-midterms
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3372177/what-quentin-tarantinos-reservoir-dogs-says-about-us-midterms
South China Morning Post
Opinion | What Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs says about the US midterms
The tipping discussion in Tarantino’s 1992 crime thriller was unexpectedly prescient about American capitalism’s trajectory.
US should spy on Chinese firms to maintain edge in tech race: ex-CIA official
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3372475/us-should-spy-chinese-firms-maintain-edge-tech-race-ex-cia-official
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3372475/us-should-spy-chinese-firms-maintain-edge-tech-race-ex-cia-official
South China Morning Post
US should spy on Chinese firms to maintain edge in tech race: ex-CIA official
Former CIA deputy director’s call to repeal Obama-era ban on economic espionage comes as Beijing rushes to protect trade secrets.
Chinese boy who donated US$1.5 to end power cuts now works for energy company
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3372500/chinese-boy-who-donated-us15-end-power-cuts-now-works-energy-company
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3372500/chinese-boy-who-donated-us15-end-power-cuts-now-works-energy-company
South China Morning Post
Chinese boy who donated US$1.5 to end power cuts now works for energy company
Feeling that his first contribution was far too small for such a massive undertaking, Wang quietly made a second US$1.5 donation shortly after.
Thailand moves to seize US$1 billion in scam assets from money laundering group
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3372504/thailand-moves-seize-us1-billion-scam-assets-money-laundering-group
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3372504/thailand-moves-seize-us1-billion-scam-assets-money-laundering-group
South China Morning Post
Thailand moves to seize US$1 billion in scam assets from money laundering group
The confiscated assets, including US$415 million in shares, will go towards compensating victims of online scams, Thai authorities say.
Regulatory tightening in Hong Kong sees delistings outnumber resumptions: report
https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3372498/regulatory-tightening-hong-kong-sees-delistings-outnumber-resumptions-report
https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3372498/regulatory-tightening-hong-kong-sees-delistings-outnumber-resumptions-report
South China Morning Post
Regulatory tightening in Hong Kong sees delistings outnumber resumptions: report
Grant Thornton says 35 companies were delisted from city’s stock exchange in 12 months to August this year.
No tricks: Japan steps up police patrols, tightens alcohol limits for Halloween
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3372509/no-tricks-japan-steps-police-patrols-tightens-alcohol-limits-halloween
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3372509/no-tricks-japan-steps-police-patrols-tightens-alcohol-limits-halloween
South China Morning Post
No tricks: Japan steps up police patrols, tightens alcohol limits for Halloween
Halloween festivities have increasingly become associated with public disorder – such as street drinking, littering and disturbances.
Brussels wants industry to ditch Chinese suppliers. Businesses are pushing back
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372511/brussels-wants-industry-ditch-chinese-suppliers-businesses-are-pushing-back
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372511/brussels-wants-industry-ditch-chinese-suppliers-businesses-are-pushing-back
South China Morning Post
Brussels wants industry to ditch Chinese suppliers. Businesses are pushing back
Industry groups and firms say a new EU tool is regulatory overreach, and it could drive up costs and force them into impossible decisions.
Tesla owners in South Korea lose legal battle over full self-driving promises
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3372513/tesla-owners-south-korea-lose-legal-battle-over-full-self-driving-promises
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3372513/tesla-owners-south-korea-lose-legal-battle-over-full-self-driving-promises
South China Morning Post
Tesla owners in South Korea lose legal battle over full self-driving promises
A Seoul court ruled that the self-driving option did not promise no human intervention and that Tesla had already provided some functions.
Samsung Electronics reportedly ending home appliance sales in Hong Kong
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372524/samsung-electronics-reportedly-ending-home-appliance-sales-hong-kong
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372524/samsung-electronics-reportedly-ending-home-appliance-sales-hong-kong
South China Morning Post
Samsung Electronics reportedly ending home appliance sales in Hong Kong
South Korean company to focus on TVs and mobile devices as fridges and washing machines listed as sold out on its Hong Kong online shop, amid reports of a withdrawal.
Hello Kitty owner Sanrio scraps Japanese TV show Vivant deal over China backlash
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372526/hello-kitty-owner-sanrio-scraps-japanese-tv-show-vivant-deal-over-china-backlash
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372526/hello-kitty-owner-sanrio-scraps-japanese-tv-show-vivant-deal-over-china-backlash
South China Morning Post
Hello Kitty owner Sanrio scraps Japanese TV show Vivant deal over China backlash
The company best known for its cute characters cut ties with the drama after strong Chinese criticism of its evocation of wartime torture.
Why US allies in Middle East are accelerating direct talks with Iran
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372527/why-us-allies-middle-east-are-accelerating-direct-talks-iran
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372527/why-us-allies-middle-east-are-accelerating-direct-talks-iran
South China Morning Post
Why US allies in Middle East are accelerating direct talks with Iran
Saudi Arabia has directly entered the diplomatic fray for the first time, meeting Iran with Mecca pact partners Pakistan and Turkey.
Hegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3372530/hegseth-fires-pentagons-top-military-planner-trump-weighs-new-iran-strikes
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3372530/hegseth-fires-pentagons-top-military-planner-trump-weighs-new-iran-strikes
South China Morning Post
Hegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia ousted from the Joint Chiefs without explanation while US prepares allies for potential post-election action.
Housing chief Winnie Ho resigns, government admits ‘decades of failure’ led to Tai Po fire
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372542/tai-po-fire-inquiry-hard-hitting-report-tragedy-set-be-released
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3372542/tai-po-fire-inquiry-hard-hitting-report-tragedy-set-be-released
South China Morning Post
Housing chief resigns, government admits ‘decades of failure’ led to Tai Po fire – as it happened
Chief Executive John Lee is holding a press briefing alongside top officials to outline the administration’s follow-up actions and systemic reforms.
Hong Kong police officer denies mishandling DNA samples in Abby Choi murder case
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3372556/hong-kong-police-officer-denies-mishandling-dna-samples-abby-choi-murder-case
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3372556/hong-kong-police-officer-denies-mishandling-dna-samples-abby-choi-murder-case
South China Morning Post
Hong Kong police officer denies mishandling DNA samples in Abby Choi murder case
Officer rejects claims he failed to label Choi’s ex-husband Alex Kwong’s DNA samples and seal them in a tamper-evident bag before laboratory testing.
Tencent targets Southeast Asia as launch pad for AI agent WorkBuddy amid tough local market
https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3372550/tencent-targets-southeast-asia-launch-pad-ai-agent-workbuddy-amid-tough-local-market
https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3372550/tencent-targets-southeast-asia-launch-pad-ai-agent-workbuddy-amid-tough-local-market
South China Morning Post
Cutthroat rivalry at home prompts Tencent to look overseas for AI growth
Tencent is stepping up data centre investment overseas, expanding its cloud footprint to serve clients from more than 150 countries and regions.
2 men charged in Malaysia after dog seen being dragged behind motorbike
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3372561/2-men-charged-malaysia-after-dog-seen-being-dragged-behind-motorbike
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3372561/2-men-charged-malaysia-after-dog-seen-being-dragged-behind-motorbike
South China Morning Post
2 men charged in Malaysia after dog seen being dragged behind motorbike
The dog, named Blacky by its handler, was in court as the two men pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges.
Germany does not want China decoupling but must defend its interests, president warns
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372562/we-dont-want-china-decoupling-we-must-defend-our-interests-german-president-warns
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372562/we-dont-want-china-decoupling-we-must-defend-our-interests-german-president-warns
South China Morning Post
Germany does not want China decoupling but must defend interests, president says
Frank-Walter Steinmeier calls for fairer partnership, telling audience at Peking University that ‘win-win must not turn into win-lose’.