Trading Avocadoes for Political Influence 
How banking giant ICBC helped Chinese firms gain a foothold in Europe’s wind market 
A reclusive billionaire, a ‘fearless’ dealer and a globe-spanning feud over priceless art Scott Bessent confirms weekend meeting with He Lifeng days before Xi’s US visit
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday confirmed that he will meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng this weekend for the final preparatory talks between…
Samantha Johnson
Paris court convicts school aide for sex abuse, orders ankle tag
A Paris court on Tuesday sentenced a man to one year under house arrest with an ankle tag for sexually assaulting primary schoolchildren in his…
Japan jails man for forcing Thai girl, 12, into sex work
A Japanese court on Tuesday sentenced a 52-year-old man to five years in prison and fined him 1 million yen (US$6,500) for forcing a 12-year-old…
Hong Kong finance chief urges Cathay to keep fares attractive, add routes
Hong Kong’s finance chief has called on Cathay Pacific Airways to offer attractive fares and expand its route network, as China’s national development plan reinforces…
How Okinawa’s political shift could make Japan more prepared for a Taiwan contingency
Okinawa’s election on Sunday of a governor backed by Japan’s ruling party ended 12 years of local leadership opposed to the relocation of a US…
How Canada’s Trump headache is fuelling a China trade boom
Canada’s exports to China jumped by 30.1 per cent in the first half of 2026, led by crude oil, copper and other energy and mineral…