Donald Trump indictment, whale dies in Hong Kong, China’s first home-grown durians: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

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2. Donald Trump indicted on 4 counts over efforts to overturn 2020 election

Former US president Donald Trump campaigning last week in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: AP

Former US president Donald Trump was indicted by federal prosecutors on Tuesday for his role in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, a move that puts Trump further into legal jeopardy as he seeks a return to the White House in next year’s election.

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3. How do China’s first home-grown durians compare to Thai and Malaysian ones?

Shea Driscoll, the Post’s digital editor, is unimpressed with China’s first home-grown durian. Photo: Sun Yeung

China’s much-anticipated first major durian harvest recently took place in Hainan province and the Post’s Shea Driscoll managed to get his hands on one of the spiky fruits for a taste test. He had limited expectations.

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4. Husband of late Hong Kong star Coco Lee speaks out after singer’s fans confront him

Bruce Rockowitz, Coco Lee’s husband, arrives at Monday’s memorial service for the singer. Photo: Elson Li

The husband of late Hong Kong pop diva Coco Lee has defended himself against accusations from her fans that he was responsible for her depression and death and said that he had nothing to do with her decision to end her life.

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5. The ‘most difficult party’ to get into? China toughens Communist Party entry

As Xi Jinping puts his hopes for the future of the party on the younger generation, the focus for party membership has been on quality rather than quantity. The number of those aged below 30 joining the organisation has dropped as prospective members face a stricter recruitment process.

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6. Japanese teens can barely speak English after years of study. What’s to blame?

Plummeting scores in English-language tests among Japanese lower secondary school students have triggered concern that future generations will be unable to communicate in the world’s lingua franca.

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7. Myanmar’s partial pardon of Suu Kyi a ‘cynical ploy’ to ease global pressure

Myanmar activists hold up portraits of Aung San Suu Kyi at an anti-junta demonstration in front of the United Nations building in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Myanmar’s ruling military pardoned former leader Suu Kyi on five of the 19 offences for which she was convicted. This means that six years will be shaved off the democracy icon’s 33-year jail term, and came as part of an amnesty under which more than 7,000 prisoners were freed across the strife-torn country.

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South China Morning Post