Lee calls for thorough probe of mine blast, vows necessary measures

Taiwan’s military plans to spend more than NT$27 billion (US$850 million) to quadruple critical ammunition stocks to 120 days’ supply, strengthening its ability to sustain combat operations during a wartime blockade. The proposed six-year “urgent ammunition replenishment” programme, running from this year until 2031, comes as Taipei seeks to strengthen its ability to keep fighting if a cross-strait conflict cuts external supply lines. The spending proposal was revealed on September 26 and still...

The two-month extension of the US-China trade truce remains fragile despite last week’s summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, with modest economic concessions leaving deeper disputes unresolved, Asia Society Policy Institute analysts said on Tuesday. “In my view, this truce is very fragile,” said Wendy Cutler, an Asia Society Policy Institute vice-president and former acting deputy US trade representative. “I think they’re testing each other.” Xi’s three-day state visit to...

Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and latest policy address have put demographic sustainability on the public agenda. Among the measures announced are an extension of the newborn bonus scheme and increased financial support for the second and subsequent children. These are welcome steps. But the fertility debate should not be reduced to whether a bonus is large enough to change family decisions. The bigger challenge is whether Hong Kong can remain dynamic and competitive while its younger...

There are many bright spots shining through early hurdles at Canberra's newest Indian eatery.

A family of four was sent to hospital on Wednesday morning after a fire broke out at a public housing estate in Sha Tin, prompting the evacuation of around 140 residents. Police received a report at 6.48am as thick smoke poured from a mid-rise flat in Yan Chuen House at Shui Chuen O Estate. The family tried to put out the fire, which started at their TV stand, but failed to do so, and subsequently escaped, police said. Firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire at around 7.10am. All four...

The U.S. and Chinese governments unveiled tariff cuts on Monday, affecting $60 billion worth of goods in varying markets. The list released by the White House spans the U.S. import of 77 categories of Chinese goods – including Christmas decorations, fireworks and children’s toys. The Chinese imports of U.S. goods, meanwhile, cover 1,619 categories of...

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three-day state visit to Washington is over, but China watchers in Congress and the US-China policy community are still parsing a wide range of outcomes, with two more leadership summits expected before the end of the year. The talks between Xi and US President Donald Trump produced a series of joint announcements, including an extension of the US-China trade truce, investment commitments, an agreement to continue an AI dialogue and high-level engagement, as well...

The consortium behind Suncorp Stadium and the MCG has emerged as the preferred builder to construct Brisbane’s proposed 2032 Olympic stadium at Victoria Park.

Hong Kong’s crackdown on visitors abusing visas to illegally offer tour guide, photography and other services has failed to deter adverts for such unlicensed work on mainland Chinese social media ahead of the National Day “golden week” break, the South China Morning Post has found. A search of RedNote by the SCMP turned up accounts listing themselves as Shenzhen-based photographers offering their services in Hong Kong. Many of them also asked clients to reimburse their travel expenses between...

The consortium behind Suncorp Stadium and the MCG has emerged as the preferred builder to construct Brisbane’s proposed 2032 Olympic stadium at Victoria Park.

Executives at Hong Kong’s largest listed companies have a severe lack of technological expertise, with fewer than 1 per cent of directors possessing dedicated artificial intelligence or cybersecurity skills, according to a new report by Grant Thornton Hong Kong. The firm’s 15th annual Corporate Governance Review – which surveyed 100 major listed firms on Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Composite Index – found that 59 per cent of companies view cybersecurity or AI as principal business risks. Yet only 11...

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