Chinese envoy urges Israel to halt ‘risky’ Iran attacks, warns of consequences

A senior Chinese diplomat has urged Israel to halt its military actions against Iran as tensions between the two Middle Eastern rivals mount, warning the escalating conflict could have “serious consequences”. Advertisement Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday that the surging tensions in the region did not serve the interests of any party. “China urges Israel to immediately stop all risky military actions to avoid further escalation of tensions,” Fu said, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.…

Trump approves Nippon Steel’s $15bn takeover of US Steel

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free Your guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the world Donald Trump has approved Nippon Steel’s $14.9bn bid for US Steel after an agreement to settle national security concerns swayed the US president into backing the takeover. In a White House executive order issued on Friday, Trump approved the “historic partnership”, which comes with conditions including a golden share for the US government and a commitment to invest $11bn by 2028. The deal’s approval caps 17 months of…

End of political chaos in South Korea sparks pickup in Chinese visitors

Chinese tourism to South Korea is picking up with the end of political instability in Seoul and the two nations pledging closer relations shortly before visa exemptions take effect, travel industry sources said this week. Advertisement Bookings from China to South Korea for the three months from April to June have been about 24 per cent higher than for the three months ending in February, according to data compiled by China Trading Desk, a travel marketing and technology company. China is South Korea’s largest source of foreign visitors. Chinese bookings…

Aukus pact up in the air but US to stay focused on China: analysts

The United States may be rethinking its Indo-Pacific strategy with its review of the Aukus security agreement, but its focus on countering China is unlikely to change, according to analysts. Advertisement The pact with Australia and the United Kingdom has been thrown into doubt with the Pentagon’s announcement this week that it is reviewing the US’ role in the Biden-era agreement to supply nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. Some observers suggested that this could be cause for celebration in Beijing, but others cautioned that the US was unlikely to back away…

Indonesia launches rare crackdown on nickel mines in ‘last paradise’

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. By cancelling the permits of four out of five nickel mining companies operating in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago, President Prabowo Subianto this month handed a rare win to environmental groups that have long criticised the rapidly growing industry. Prabowo’s intervention followed a report by Greenpeace that said nickel exploitation on three Raja Ampat islands had destroyed more than 500 hectares of forest and caused soil run-off threatening the coral reefs…

Grief and anger as relatives seek remains of those killed in Air India crash

At noon on Friday, Manish Namdar entered the examination hall of Ahmedabad’s BJ Medical College, now converted to a DNA collection room for the next of kin of the more than 250 people who died in the Air India crash a day earlier. Namdar and his family had driven 800km overnight, desperate to see the faces of his 32-year-old daughter Raxa Modha and one-and-a-half-year-old grandson Rudhra, who were on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that fell on a nearby college student hostel on Thursday. But officials told Namdar the bodies…

Are US student visa curbs a self-inflicted wound on US innovation?

Jason, a Chinese geology student studying at a university in the American Midwest, was stunned when he read the news. Advertisement “I could feel the hostility of the American government and voters toward China,” he said. “I was angry and confused. I also could not believe language like that would appear in an official announcement from any civilised country.” “We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. Advertisement…

China labor rights group shuts down in latest setback for civil society in Hong Kong

A Hong Kong-based labor rights group founded by prominent Chinese labor activist Han Dongfang has announced it is shutting down after three decades of tracking workers’ protests in China, citing financial difficulties and debt woes. The closure of China Labor Bulletin, announced Thursday, came as authorities launched a new national security investigation into six unnamed people and one organization suspected of “colluding with a foreign country.” Shortly after officials launched the probe, China Labor Bulletin – which receives funding from various foundations based outside China – announced its closure, saying:…

Vietnam officially joins Brics as ‘partner country’, Brazil announces

Vietnam officially gained admission to Brics as a “partner country” on Friday, joining a growing group of emerging economies connected to the bloc’s widening agenda urging global cooperation and governance reform. Advertisement The announcement came from Brazil, which holds Brics’ rotating presidency in 2025. In a statement, the Brazilian government welcomed Hanoi’s decision, highlighting shared goals of building “a more inclusive and representative international order.” Brazil touted Vietnam’s population of nearly 100 million and its “dynamic economy” as key factors in the country’s admission. “Vietnam stands out as a significant…

North Korea’s relaunches ‘restored’ warship with fanfare, 3 weeks after failure

A North Korean warship damaged during its launch three weeks ago was set afloat on a second attempt as leader Kim Jong Un looked on, but analysts say the 5,000-ton destroyer may not yet be fully operational. On Thursday, North Korea held a formal launch ceremony for the repaired naval destroyer named ‘Kang Kon’ at the Rajin dockyard, 45 miles (72 kilometers) up the coast from Chongjin shipyard where the warship on May 21 fell sideways into the sea, leaving it partially submerged. “The warship was safely raised and floated…