Motive for Wisconsin school shooting was a ‘combination of factors’, police chief says
By Associated Press
The motive for a shooting that killed a teacher and a student and wounded others at a Wisconsin school appears to be a “combination of factors”, a police chief said on Tuesday as he appealed to the public to share what they might know about the 15-year-old girl who attacked a study hall before shooting herself.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes offered no details about a possible motive, though he said bullying at Abundant Life Christian School would be investigated.
Barnes said police have not confirmed the authenticity of a “manifesto” that might have been written by Natalie Rupnow and could shed light on her actions.
“Identifying a motive is our top priority, but at this time it appears that the motive is a combination of factors,” the chief told reporters.
Barnes gave the number to a tip line for anyone who might have known the shooter and her feelings.
“There are always signs of a school shooting before it occurred. We’re looking into her online activity,” he said.
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By Associated Press
The motive for a shooting that killed a teacher and a student and wounded others at a Wisconsin school appears to be a “combination of factors”, a police chief said on Tuesday as he appealed to the public to share what they might know about the 15-year-old girl who attacked a study hall before shooting herself.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes offered no details about a possible motive, though he said bullying at Abundant Life Christian School would be investigated.
Barnes said police have not confirmed the authenticity of a “manifesto” that might have been written by Natalie Rupnow and could shed light on her actions.
“Identifying a motive is our top priority, but at this time it appears that the motive is a combination of factors,” the chief told reporters.
Barnes gave the number to a tip line for anyone who might have known the shooter and her feelings.
“There are always signs of a school shooting before it occurred. We’re looking into her online activity,” he said.
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13,000 complaints about Hong Kong public transport logged over 3 months
By Johnny Wan
More than 13,000 complaints related to public transport services in Hong Kong were recorded in the third quarter this year, mostly involving bus and taxi operators.
The Transport Advisory Committee revealed on Tuesday that it had received 13,160 such complaints in the July to September period, marking a 16 per cent increase from the previous quarter, and a 26.1 per cent rise year on year.
Bus firms, franchised buses in particular, including operators such as KMB, Citybus, Long Win Bus and New Lantao Bus, accounted for 6,232 complaints, the most among all transport sectors.
However, the committee excluded 1,125 complaints filed by just four people, dropping the total to 5,107. The revised number still marked a 21.6 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 28.4 per cent year-on-year rise.
Issues mostly concerned the regularity of services and the conduct and performance of staff, including drivers.
Taxis were the second-biggest source of complaints, with 3,438 cases filed in the third quarter. The number of complaints increased by 17 per cent compared with the previous quarter and by 6.1 per cent over the same period in 2023.
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By Johnny Wan
More than 13,000 complaints related to public transport services in Hong Kong were recorded in the third quarter this year, mostly involving bus and taxi operators.
The Transport Advisory Committee revealed on Tuesday that it had received 13,160 such complaints in the July to September period, marking a 16 per cent increase from the previous quarter, and a 26.1 per cent rise year on year.
Bus firms, franchised buses in particular, including operators such as KMB, Citybus, Long Win Bus and New Lantao Bus, accounted for 6,232 complaints, the most among all transport sectors.
However, the committee excluded 1,125 complaints filed by just four people, dropping the total to 5,107. The revised number still marked a 21.6 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 28.4 per cent year-on-year rise.
Issues mostly concerned the regularity of services and the conduct and performance of staff, including drivers.
Taxis were the second-biggest source of complaints, with 3,438 cases filed in the third quarter. The number of complaints increased by 17 per cent compared with the previous quarter and by 6.1 per cent over the same period in 2023.
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Father, stepmother sentenced to life for murdering daughter Sara Sharif in UK
By Associated Press
The father and stepmother of a severely abused 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England were sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison for murder.
Urfan Sharif, 42, and Beinash Batool, 30, were convicted of murder last week in her death in what prosecutors called a “campaign of abuse”.
The girl’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was found guilty of causing or allowing the girl’s death. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
After the girl died, the three fled to Pakistan, where Urfan Sharif phoned UK police to say he “legally punished her, and she died”, prosecutors said. He said he “beat her up too much” but did not intend to kill her.
Police in London then went to the family’s home and discovered Sara’s body under a blanket in a bunk bed on August 10, 2023.
The three later returned to Britain more than a month after they fled and were arrested on suspicion of murder.
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By Associated Press
The father and stepmother of a severely abused 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England were sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison for murder.
Urfan Sharif, 42, and Beinash Batool, 30, were convicted of murder last week in her death in what prosecutors called a “campaign of abuse”.
The girl’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was found guilty of causing or allowing the girl’s death. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
After the girl died, the three fled to Pakistan, where Urfan Sharif phoned UK police to say he “legally punished her, and she died”, prosecutors said. He said he “beat her up too much” but did not intend to kill her.
Police in London then went to the family’s home and discovered Sara’s body under a blanket in a bunk bed on August 10, 2023.
The three later returned to Britain more than a month after they fled and were arrested on suspicion of murder.
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Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park holds counterterrorism drill with 400 officers
By Jess Ma
Hong Kong’s soon-to-open Kai Tak Sports Park has held its first counterterrorism drill, as authorities mobilised 400 officers to deal with four armed assailants simulating an attack on a football match.
The mock assault on the 5,000-seat Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Tuesday involved 10 government units, which sprang into action to protect members of the public in the packed stands.
“Prevention is very important. Current terrorism trends are still complicated and ever-changing, while many large-scale events and crowded locations have become targets this year,” said Peter Leung Wai-ki, senior superintendent of the Interdepartmental Counterterrorism Unit.
He said public participation was essential in such drills and the unit had plans to involve more residents from all walks of life.
As part of the simulation, which was code-named “Wisdomlight”, four terrorists rose from their seats to shoot and stab members of the audience.
The crowd was made up of hundreds of volunteers recruited from various youth groups under the city’s disciplined forces and community organisations.
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By Jess Ma
Hong Kong’s soon-to-open Kai Tak Sports Park has held its first counterterrorism drill, as authorities mobilised 400 officers to deal with four armed assailants simulating an attack on a football match.
The mock assault on the 5,000-seat Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Tuesday involved 10 government units, which sprang into action to protect members of the public in the packed stands.
“Prevention is very important. Current terrorism trends are still complicated and ever-changing, while many large-scale events and crowded locations have become targets this year,” said Peter Leung Wai-ki, senior superintendent of the Interdepartmental Counterterrorism Unit.
He said public participation was essential in such drills and the unit had plans to involve more residents from all walks of life.
As part of the simulation, which was code-named “Wisdomlight”, four terrorists rose from their seats to shoot and stab members of the audience.
The crowd was made up of hundreds of volunteers recruited from various youth groups under the city’s disciplined forces and community organisations.
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China permits Philippine ship to deliver supplies to Second Thomas Shoal outpost
By Orange Wang
China has allowed a Philippine civilian ship to deliver supplies to a warship long grounded by Manila at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, the Chinese coastguard said on Tuesday.
The move appeared to be a rare act of de-escalation amid continued clashes between the two neighbours over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
“On December 12, with the permission of the Chinese side, the Philippines sent a civilian boat to deliver daily necessities to its illegally ‘beached’ warship on Renai Jiao,” China Coast Guard spokesman Liu Dejun said in a statement, using Beijing’s term for the Second Thomas Shoal, a contested reef in the strategically important waterway.
“The Chinese coastguard inquired and confirmed the Philippine vessel while supervising it throughout the whole process,” he added.
A day later, the Chinese defence ministry accused the Philippines of “stirring up troubles” in several spots in the South China Sea “with US support and solicitation”.
The Second Thomas Shoal, claimed by both China and the Philippines, and the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era tank landing ship that Manila deliberately stationed there in 1999, have taken centre stage in the growing frictions between the countries over the past two years.
Beijing has repeatedly used water cannons, blockades and other measures to prevent Philippine resupply missions from reaching the rusting warship on the shoal, which is known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines.
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By Orange Wang
China has allowed a Philippine civilian ship to deliver supplies to a warship long grounded by Manila at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, the Chinese coastguard said on Tuesday.
The move appeared to be a rare act of de-escalation amid continued clashes between the two neighbours over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
“On December 12, with the permission of the Chinese side, the Philippines sent a civilian boat to deliver daily necessities to its illegally ‘beached’ warship on Renai Jiao,” China Coast Guard spokesman Liu Dejun said in a statement, using Beijing’s term for the Second Thomas Shoal, a contested reef in the strategically important waterway.
“The Chinese coastguard inquired and confirmed the Philippine vessel while supervising it throughout the whole process,” he added.
A day later, the Chinese defence ministry accused the Philippines of “stirring up troubles” in several spots in the South China Sea “with US support and solicitation”.
The Second Thomas Shoal, claimed by both China and the Philippines, and the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era tank landing ship that Manila deliberately stationed there in 1999, have taken centre stage in the growing frictions between the countries over the past two years.
Beijing has repeatedly used water cannons, blockades and other measures to prevent Philippine resupply missions from reaching the rusting warship on the shoal, which is known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines.
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Why China may be less patient with Donald Trump the second time around
By Dewey Sim
After Washington announced fresh curbs on semiconductor exports to China this month, Beijing condemned the move as “malicious” suppression and said it would firmly defend the rights of Chinese businesses.
A day later, the Chinese government unveiled its own restrictions on mineral exports to the US including gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials, which are used in military and technological production.
Analysts say that swift retaliation – although aimed at measures implemented by the current Joe Biden administration – offers clues as to how China will approach the incoming government led by Donald Trump.
Speculation has been rife about how Beijing will take on Trump in his second presidency, given that the Republican’s first term was marked by a trade war with China and he has repeatedly vowed to slap additional tariffs on Chinese goods.
According to analysts, China is now more confident about dealing with Trump compared to the first time around, with Beijing expected to be less patient when faced with American tariffs and that it could instead respond with harsher restrictions of its own.
Robert Ross, a political science professor at Boston College, said Beijing’s response to the latest US technology restrictions was an effort to convey to the incoming administration that it will retaliate against such moves.
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By Dewey Sim
After Washington announced fresh curbs on semiconductor exports to China this month, Beijing condemned the move as “malicious” suppression and said it would firmly defend the rights of Chinese businesses.
A day later, the Chinese government unveiled its own restrictions on mineral exports to the US including gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials, which are used in military and technological production.
Analysts say that swift retaliation – although aimed at measures implemented by the current Joe Biden administration – offers clues as to how China will approach the incoming government led by Donald Trump.
Speculation has been rife about how Beijing will take on Trump in his second presidency, given that the Republican’s first term was marked by a trade war with China and he has repeatedly vowed to slap additional tariffs on Chinese goods.
According to analysts, China is now more confident about dealing with Trump compared to the first time around, with Beijing expected to be less patient when faced with American tariffs and that it could instead respond with harsher restrictions of its own.
Robert Ross, a political science professor at Boston College, said Beijing’s response to the latest US technology restrictions was an effort to convey to the incoming administration that it will retaliate against such moves.
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Hong Kong police to install 6,385 surveillance cameras over next 3 years
By Winnie Wong
Hong Kong police aim to install up to nearly 6,400 sets of surveillance cameras over the next three years, with the force revealing that the more than 600 devices already set up under the initiative’s first phase have helped to crack 97 cases so far.
Superintendent Leung Ming-leung laid out the plan at a meeting of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) on Tuesday, explaining that the force was in the process of installing 2,000 sets of cameras under the scheme’s ongoing first phase.
Police said 612 sets had already been installed in various districts, with three more to be added by the end of the year and the remaining 1,385 to be set up over 2025.
The force would then install up to 2,500 sets annually, reaching about 7,000 in 2027, Leung said, adding that the figure could be even higher depending on how technology developed.
The first stage of the scheme has largely focused on installing cameras at government facilities, transport hubs and on standard and smart lamp posts.
“We hope to enhance the local security level, especially to deter street crimes,” the superintendent said.
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By Winnie Wong
Hong Kong police aim to install up to nearly 6,400 sets of surveillance cameras over the next three years, with the force revealing that the more than 600 devices already set up under the initiative’s first phase have helped to crack 97 cases so far.
Superintendent Leung Ming-leung laid out the plan at a meeting of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) on Tuesday, explaining that the force was in the process of installing 2,000 sets of cameras under the scheme’s ongoing first phase.
Police said 612 sets had already been installed in various districts, with three more to be added by the end of the year and the remaining 1,385 to be set up over 2025.
The force would then install up to 2,500 sets annually, reaching about 7,000 in 2027, Leung said, adding that the figure could be even higher depending on how technology developed.
The first stage of the scheme has largely focused on installing cameras at government facilities, transport hubs and on standard and smart lamp posts.
“We hope to enhance the local security level, especially to deter street crimes,” the superintendent said.
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Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China and economy stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
China will now offer 10 days of visa-free transit for international travellers, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on Tuesday.
China’s tax revenue rose for the second straight month in November on the back of supportive domestic policies, while local governments continued to struggle with shrinking land sales income amid a prolonged property market slump.
After three decades of distinguished work in the United States, world-leading cancer researcher Sun Shao-Cong has returned to China to establish a new lab in Beijing, following what a source said were investigations of him by the US government.Flats under construction in Tianjin in June. Land sales revenue plunged 19.7 per cent last month. Photo: AFP
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Tom Cruise honoured with US Navy’s top civilian award
By Associated Press
The world’s most famous fictional Top Gun is now a decorated naval hero.
Tom Cruise was awarded the US Navy’s top civilian honour on Tuesday for “outstanding contributions to the navy and the Marine Corps” with Top Gun and other films.
Cruise, who has been working in the UK, was given the Distinguished Public Service Award by US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony at Longcross Studios near London.
The 62-year-old actor said he was proud to receive the “extraordinary acknowledgement,” which came with a medal and a certificate.
“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said. “I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that is to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women.”
The navy said Cruise had “increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform”.
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By Associated Press
The world’s most famous fictional Top Gun is now a decorated naval hero.
Tom Cruise was awarded the US Navy’s top civilian honour on Tuesday for “outstanding contributions to the navy and the Marine Corps” with Top Gun and other films.
Cruise, who has been working in the UK, was given the Distinguished Public Service Award by US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony at Longcross Studios near London.
The 62-year-old actor said he was proud to receive the “extraordinary acknowledgement,” which came with a medal and a certificate.
“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said. “I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that is to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women.”
The navy said Cruise had “increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform”.
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What is neijuan, and why is it worrying China’s economic policymakers?
By Daisy Wu
In recent years, neijuan – involution – has been identified as an obstacle to China’s economic development.
During last week’s central economic work conference, the country’s leadership emphasised the need to fight against neijuan-style competition and rectify related behaviour by local governments and enterprises.
It refers to excessive competition, where more resources are invested without increasing returns or reinvestment in research and development.
For some industries, companies may attempt to gain a temporary competitive advantage by lowering prices at the cost of profit margin to undercut rivals. This behaviour may force all parties to invest greater effort, leading to a deterioration of the overall industry environment, increased pressure to survive, and stagnant or declining growth for all participants.
The central government has increasingly focused on involution in its economic policies.
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By Daisy Wu
In recent years, neijuan – involution – has been identified as an obstacle to China’s economic development.
During last week’s central economic work conference, the country’s leadership emphasised the need to fight against neijuan-style competition and rectify related behaviour by local governments and enterprises.
It refers to excessive competition, where more resources are invested without increasing returns or reinvestment in research and development.
For some industries, companies may attempt to gain a temporary competitive advantage by lowering prices at the cost of profit margin to undercut rivals. This behaviour may force all parties to invest greater effort, leading to a deterioration of the overall industry environment, increased pressure to survive, and stagnant or declining growth for all participants.
The central government has increasingly focused on involution in its economic policies.
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Hong Kong students to learn about Chinese science feats in subject revamp plan
By William Yiu
Junior secondary school students in Hong Kong will have to learn about mainland China’s achievements in science under a proposed revamp of the subject.
The Education Bureau on Tuesday published a consultation draft of the science curriculum framework for Form One to Three, following up on the city leader’s pledge to update the subject in his policy address in October.
The bureau said one of the aims of the revamp was to help students “recognise the contributions and major achievements made by our country in scientific development”.
“It also enhances the content of scientific inquiry and cross-disciplinary learning, including applications of artificial intelligence, engineering practices and data processing, facilitating students’ understanding of scientific and technological developments in the contemporary world and in the country,” it said.
The updated curriculum, once confirmed, will be applied from the 2027-28 academic year and schools can start pilot implementation in 2025-26.
The bureau said the subject would cover 13 topics. Authorities will add a new study unit called “Earth and Space”.
Under this new unit, students will be required to learn about the major achievements in China’s space exploration initiatives, such as the Tiangong Space Station.
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By William Yiu
Junior secondary school students in Hong Kong will have to learn about mainland China’s achievements in science under a proposed revamp of the subject.
The Education Bureau on Tuesday published a consultation draft of the science curriculum framework for Form One to Three, following up on the city leader’s pledge to update the subject in his policy address in October.
The bureau said one of the aims of the revamp was to help students “recognise the contributions and major achievements made by our country in scientific development”.
“It also enhances the content of scientific inquiry and cross-disciplinary learning, including applications of artificial intelligence, engineering practices and data processing, facilitating students’ understanding of scientific and technological developments in the contemporary world and in the country,” it said.
The updated curriculum, once confirmed, will be applied from the 2027-28 academic year and schools can start pilot implementation in 2025-26.
The bureau said the subject would cover 13 topics. Authorities will add a new study unit called “Earth and Space”.
Under this new unit, students will be required to learn about the major achievements in China’s space exploration initiatives, such as the Tiangong Space Station.
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Trump effect already felt as China scrambles to mend ties with US allies
By Shi Jiangtao
The Donald Trump effect is already in play around the world, accelerating the realignment of powers and inducing policy changes in many places, including China, even before the former US president’s return to the White House next month.
While Chinese officials seldom admit fears about Trump’s re-election and tariff threats, Beijing has scrambled to take some unusual steps to offset the potential disruption in bilateral ties. These include patching up ties with important neighbours such as Japan and India.
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi and India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval are scheduled to meet in Beijing on Wednesday for their first high-level border talks since a deadly clash along their Himalayan frontier in June 2020.
This marks the latest attempt by the Asian powers to ease acrimonious tensions following a surprise border patrol agreement between Beijing and New Delhi in late October aimed at ending four years of hostilities along their disputed border.
On Tuesday, China announced it would extend its visa-free transit policy for eligible foreign travellers from 54 countries, including the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia, allowing them to stay for up to 10 days.
The unusual measure, effective immediately, is aimed at attracting foreign tourists and investors and repairing Beijing’s image, which has been tarnished by its rancorous feuds with Washington and its hyper-nationalistic “wolf warrior” diplomacy.
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By Shi Jiangtao
The Donald Trump effect is already in play around the world, accelerating the realignment of powers and inducing policy changes in many places, including China, even before the former US president’s return to the White House next month.
While Chinese officials seldom admit fears about Trump’s re-election and tariff threats, Beijing has scrambled to take some unusual steps to offset the potential disruption in bilateral ties. These include patching up ties with important neighbours such as Japan and India.
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi and India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval are scheduled to meet in Beijing on Wednesday for their first high-level border talks since a deadly clash along their Himalayan frontier in June 2020.
This marks the latest attempt by the Asian powers to ease acrimonious tensions following a surprise border patrol agreement between Beijing and New Delhi in late October aimed at ending four years of hostilities along their disputed border.
On Tuesday, China announced it would extend its visa-free transit policy for eligible foreign travellers from 54 countries, including the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia, allowing them to stay for up to 10 days.
The unusual measure, effective immediately, is aimed at attracting foreign tourists and investors and repairing Beijing’s image, which has been tarnished by its rancorous feuds with Washington and its hyper-nationalistic “wolf warrior” diplomacy.
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Chinese space defence expert Zhang Xiaoxin dies in car crash in Beijing
By Dannie Peng
A top Chinese space expert who specialised in weather monitoring and early warning systems died in a car crash in Beijing on Sunday night aged 62.
Zhang Xiaoxin, a space expert who had long been involved in space weather research, was mourned in an obituary issued on Tuesday by the National Satellite Meteorological Centre (NSMC), an affiliate of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), where he worked.
Zhang won a top award given by the Chinese military for science and tech progress, although little information is available about his research project.
He is the second Chinese scientist with close ties to the military to die in a car crash in recent years.
In July last year, Feng Yanghe, an outstanding young expert in artificial intelligence related to China’s defence sector, died in Beijing on the way to “a major mission” at the age of 38.
Feng was an associate professor at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) in Changsha, Hunan province, and led teams in developing the War Skull I and War Skull II AI programs used by the People’s Liberation Army to simulate joint operation military war games.
Zhang was born in 1962 in Shandong province in eastern China. He received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Jilin University in 1987 and a doctorate in space physics from Auburn University in the United States in 2003.
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By Dannie Peng
A top Chinese space expert who specialised in weather monitoring and early warning systems died in a car crash in Beijing on Sunday night aged 62.
Zhang Xiaoxin, a space expert who had long been involved in space weather research, was mourned in an obituary issued on Tuesday by the National Satellite Meteorological Centre (NSMC), an affiliate of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), where he worked.
Zhang won a top award given by the Chinese military for science and tech progress, although little information is available about his research project.
He is the second Chinese scientist with close ties to the military to die in a car crash in recent years.
In July last year, Feng Yanghe, an outstanding young expert in artificial intelligence related to China’s defence sector, died in Beijing on the way to “a major mission” at the age of 38.
Feng was an associate professor at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) in Changsha, Hunan province, and led teams in developing the War Skull I and War Skull II AI programs used by the People’s Liberation Army to simulate joint operation military war games.
Zhang was born in 1962 in Shandong province in eastern China. He received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Jilin University in 1987 and a doctorate in space physics from Auburn University in the United States in 2003.
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