News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 11:07 AM
The global business appetite for China’s yuan is strengthening as Beijing’s long-term campaign to internationalise its currency gains traction, according to a new industry white paper. More than 95 per cent of overseas companies expect to maintain or increase their cross-border yuan settlements over the coming year, according to the latest findings from Bank of China, one of the country’s leading state-owned lenders. The report, released this week, showed that 34.5 per cent of surveyed overseas...
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 11:01 AM
India’s new ambassador to China has paid his first visit to Tibet in the latest sign of thawing relations between the two Asian neighbours. Vikram Doraiswami – who speaks Chinese and took up the post in Beijing last month – arrived in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region, on Thursday, according to a statement posted on social media by the Indian embassy. The visit was to “review arrangements made by the local government for Indian pilgrims proceeding to Mount Gang Renpoche and Lake...
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM
A one-legged teenage boy from a mountainous village in southwestern China has gone viral on social media for excelling at basketball using a wooden crutch handmade by his father. The story of the 13-year-old boy, nicknamed Apei, was first shared by an influencer under the handle @awenzaidajiating in late May, garnering one million likes. On June 5, the boy finally was able to wear an artificial limb which was tailor-made in Shenzhen, also in southern China, and donated by the charity Shenzhen...
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 10:57 AM
A Hong Kong school recovering from the suicides of a Primary Six pupil and her mother does not subject students to intense academic pressure, a student and the vice-principal have said, emphasising that promotion to its secondary section is automatic. Their remarks came on Friday as an experienced psychologist advised against allowing surviving relatives to return home immediately after the suicide of a family member at the residence. A 48-year-old woman took her own life at her flat in Lu Shan...
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Tajikistan News
June 12, 2026 at 10:45 AM
KABUL, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Police in the drive against illegal drugs discovered 13 kg of opium and took into custody three drug traffickers in Takhar province, north of Afghanistan, on Thursday, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said Friday. The alleged drug smugglers, all Afghan nationals, were attempting to take the contraband out of Takhar on Thursday, but police identified and took them into custody
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Turkmenistan News
June 12, 2026 at 10:45 AM
KABUL, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Police in the drive against illegal drugs discovered 13 kg of opium and took into custody three drug traffickers in Takhar province, north of Afghanistan, on Thursday, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said Friday. The alleged drug smugglers, all Afghan nationals, were attempting to take the contraband out of Takhar on Thursday, but police identified and took them into custody
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Kyrgyzstan News
June 12, 2026 at 10:45 AM
KABUL, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Police in the drive against illegal drugs discovered 13 kg of opium and took into custody three drug traffickers in Takhar province, north of Afghanistan, on Thursday, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said Friday. The alleged drug smugglers, all Afghan nationals, were attempting to take the contraband out of Takhar on Thursday, but police identified and took them into custody
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Tajikistan News
June 12, 2026 at 10:04 AM
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Friday wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, urging him to reconsider the proposed greenfield airport at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar in Great Nicobar Island, citing severe ecological and social impacts.Congress General Secretary (In-charge of Communication) continued to raise strong objections to the Great Nicobar Island mega infrastructure project
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Kyrgyzstan News
June 12, 2026 at 10:04 AM
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Friday wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, urging him to reconsider the proposed greenfield airport at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar in Great Nicobar Island, citing severe ecological and social impacts.Congress General Secretary (In-charge of Communication) continued to raise strong objections to the Great Nicobar Island mega infrastructure project
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Turkmenistan News
June 12, 2026 at 10:04 AM
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Friday wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, urging him to reconsider the proposed greenfield airport at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar in Great Nicobar Island, citing severe ecological and social impacts.Congress General Secretary (In-charge of Communication) continued to raise strong objections to the Great Nicobar Island mega infrastructure project
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The Astana Times
June 12, 2026 at 9:59 AM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Kazakh and French experts have presented interim findings for a master plan to safeguard the Lake Balkhash ecosystem, with the final strategy expected by the end of this year. Photo credit : advantour. Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The Astana Times. The project will provide a scientific framework for managing water resources in one of Central Asia’s most important lake basins amid growing climate challenges. During a working group meeting, specialists reviewed research on hydrology, glacier runoff, groundwater resources, agriculture, and water allocation across the Lake Balkhash basin. Particular focus was placed on assessing the impacts of climate change and developing tools to forecast future water availability. The project, being implemented jointly by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the French Geo…
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 9:34 AM
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Was Xi’s stance on North Korea military ties also a message for US, Russia? During his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said both sides should “enhance exchanges in diplomacy, law...
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 9:32 AM
A mechanical technician has died after he was injured and left unconscious during an inspection of an amusement ride at a Hong Kong theme park. Police received a report at 9.08am on Friday that the 63-year-old man was found unconscious in Ocean Park’s mountain area, with injuries to his head and shoulders. Emergency personnel transported the victim to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai at around 9.30am. He was pronounced dead at 10.33am following unsuccessful efforts to resuscitate him. The cause of...
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 9:28 AM
It’s the ultimate symbol of American politics under Donald Trump – a blood-soaked cage match on the lawn of the White House for the US president’s 80th birthday. A giant arena dubbed “The Claw” has been built on the famed South Lawn for Sunday’s tournament featuring 14 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contestants. Critics have panned the unprecedented US$60 million “UFC Freedom 250” event as tone-deaf at a time when Trump’s war in Iran has sent the cost of living soaring for ordinary...
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Investors across Asia have been largely shut out of the world’s largest-ever initial public offering, which has forced them to find creative ways to make bets on SpaceX’s US$75 billion global spectacle. With no direct access to the IPO, traders from Seoul to Shanghai are piling into companies along the space supply chain, industry-themed exchange-traded funds (ETF) and Nasdaq 100 Index-tracking funds in hopes of eventually capturing some of the gains that many expect once SpaceX shares hit the...
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Hong Kong’s catering industry is aiming for 6 to 8 per cent business growth during this year’s Fifa World Cup, with the sector exploring creative ways to attract customers and keep fans from travelling to mainland China, despite time differences for matches. Edward Leung Hei, chairman of the Hong Kong Feast and Retreat Association, said on Friday that measures included offering discounts on snacks and drinks, broadcasting match replays during happy hours, hosting lucky draws to boost the...
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM
The vulnerability of submarine cables during conflicts has made seabed infrastructure a fresh concern for global communication and maritime safety, prompting 17 Asian and European nations to step up collaboration on defence strategies in recent months. But the two largest marine powers, China and the United States, were not among those countries. From the blow-up of the Nord Stream pipeline to the development of new technology such as China’s deep-sea cable cutter, the seabed has become the...
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BBC News
June 12, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Prosecutors argued that Yoon ordered the operation to provoke Pyongyang and create a pretext for martial law.
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 8:15 AM
This article was first published on June 13, 1966 36 feared dead in storm horror At least 36 people are feared to have died in the fierce floods following one of the worst rainstorms in Hongkong’s history. Last night (June 12, 1966) officials— still working on rescue operations — revealed that 32 people were still missing, and 33 were injured. More than 600 people were rendered homeless by the 78 landslides which occurred. Among the dead are two journalists, Mr John A. Stuart, 31, and Mr Kevin...
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News - South China Morning Post
June 12, 2026 at 7:31 AM
A South Korean court sentenced ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol to 30 years in prison on Friday for sending military drones into North Korea, saying he planned the action as pretext for his disastrous martial law declaration in 2024. The drone flights two months before Yoon suspended civilian rule had sparked anger in North Korea, which accused the South of dropping propaganda leaflets as well. Judges said Yoon intended to provoke Pyongyang “into carrying out armed or equivalent acts against South...
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