As populations fall, nations that can tap human potential will succeed
For much of the 20th century, many were accustomed to thinking of people as an ever-expanding resource. As the number of
people grew, so did labour markets, consumer markets, scientific communities, production systems and armies. In 1950, the world’s population was about 2.5 billion. In 2026, it is reaching 8.3 billion...
via South China Morning Post
For much of the 20th century, many were accustomed to thinking of people as an ever-expanding resource. As the number of
people grew, so did labour markets, consumer markets, scientific communities, production systems and armies. In 1950, the world’s population was about 2.5 billion. In 2026, it is reaching 8.3 billion...
via South China Morning Post
2 trains collide north of London, killing at least 1 person
Emergency services rushed to the scene of a collision between two trains north of London on Friday afternoon that killed
at least one person. A passenger reported that he was thrown forward by the impact then saw fellow travellers with broken bones and bloody injuries. Both trains were travelling south to London St Pan...
via South China Morning Post
Emergency services rushed to the scene of a collision between two trains north of London on Friday afternoon that killed
at least one person. A passenger reported that he was thrown forward by the impact then saw fellow travellers with broken bones and bloody injuries. Both trains were travelling south to London St Pan...
via South China Morning Post
Trump unveils new Air Force One gifted to him by Qatar
A new Air Force One gifted by Qatar as a replacement aircraft for ferrying US presidents was unveiled Friday by the US A
ir Force. “The Air Force’s VC-25B Bridge aircraft has officially arrived at the Presidential Airlift Group and will commence its initial commissioning flights, marking the successful delivery of a sec...
via South China Morning Post
A new Air Force One gifted by Qatar as a replacement aircraft for ferrying US presidents was unveiled Friday by the US A
ir Force. “The Air Force’s VC-25B Bridge aircraft has officially arrived at the Presidential Airlift Group and will commence its initial commissioning flights, marking the successful delivery of a sec...
via South China Morning Post
Poland’s president strips Ukraine’s Zelensky of top award
Poland’s nationalist president Karol Nawrocki announced on Friday he was stripping Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky of the c
ountry’s top award, escalating a row between the neighbours and allies over World War II massacres. Relations between Warsaw and Kyiv have been tense for days over Zelensky’s naming of a Ukrainian arm...
via South China Morning Post
Poland’s nationalist president Karol Nawrocki announced on Friday he was stripping Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky of the c
ountry’s top award, escalating a row between the neighbours and allies over World War II massacres. Relations between Warsaw and Kyiv have been tense for days over Zelensky’s naming of a Ukrainian arm...
via South China Morning Post
UK PM Starmer braces for cabinet showdown, with Burnham ready to pounce
A clear majority of Keir Starmer’s cabinet believe it is now inevitable Andy Burnham will take over as prime minister, a
ccording to people familiar with the thinking of more than 15 cabinet ministers, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday. However, as of late in the afternoon, most remained unwilling to do anyt...
via South China Morning Post
A clear majority of Keir Starmer’s cabinet believe it is now inevitable Andy Burnham will take over as prime minister, a
ccording to people familiar with the thinking of more than 15 cabinet ministers, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday. However, as of late in the afternoon, most remained unwilling to do anyt...
via South China Morning Post
Zelensky warns Belarus to remove equipment used in Russian attacks or Ukraine will do it
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that a week should be enough for Belarusian leader Alexander Luk
ashenko to remove equipment from his country used by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine, adding a threat of Ukrainian action if Lukashenko did not do so. Zelensky said signal relay stations were locate...
via South China Morning Post
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that a week should be enough for Belarusian leader Alexander Luk
ashenko to remove equipment from his country used by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine, adding a threat of Ukrainian action if Lukashenko did not do so. Zelensky said signal relay stations were locate...
via South China Morning Post
Iran floats insurance fees and asserts control over Hormuz
Iran sought to assert control over Strait of Hormuz by saying that ships need its permission and mandatory insurance to
cross, even as the US said that 20 ships sailed through overnight via a route it recommends along Oman’s coast. The conflicting signals come as the shipping industry tries to assess whether it is safe...
via South China Morning Post
Iran sought to assert control over Strait of Hormuz by saying that ships need its permission and mandatory insurance to
cross, even as the US said that 20 ships sailed through overnight via a route it recommends along Oman’s coast. The conflicting signals come as the shipping industry tries to assess whether it is safe...
via South China Morning Post
Germany hews EU’s tough China line with call for ‘Plaza Accord’ talks on yuan
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signalled a major shift in Berlin’s economic relations with Beijing on Friday, saying t
he Chinese currency was undervalued by 30 per cent, well above the International Monetary Fund’s estimate of “about 16 per cent”. Speaking in Brussels after a European Council summit, Merz said China ...
via South China Morning Post
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signalled a major shift in Berlin’s economic relations with Beijing on Friday, saying t
he Chinese currency was undervalued by 30 per cent, well above the International Monetary Fund’s estimate of “about 16 per cent”. Speaking in Brussels after a European Council summit, Merz said China ...
via South China Morning Post
Taxi fleet severs ties with driver who made mid-road stop to let passengers out
A Hong Kong taxi fleet has terminated its collaboration with a driver after a cab stopped in the middle of the road in T
suen Wan for two passengers to alight and take their suitcases out from the boot, with authorities requesting a report from the operator. A video circulating on social media on Friday shows the two pa...
via South China Morning Post
A Hong Kong taxi fleet has terminated its collaboration with a driver after a cab stopped in the middle of the road in T
suen Wan for two passengers to alight and take their suitcases out from the boot, with authorities requesting a report from the operator. A video circulating on social media on Friday shows the two pa...
via South China Morning Post
Ukraine drone strike brings war to streets of Moscow: ‘this is the new reality’
In the Moscow district of Maryino on Friday, shopkeeper Andrei Kondratyev braced for more Ukrainian attacks and possible
petrol shortages, saying Russians needed to “get used to” a new reality. A day earlier, Kyiv set an oil refinery ablaze in the nearby Kapotnya area in its biggest drone attack on Moscow in years, eng...
via South China Morning Post
In the Moscow district of Maryino on Friday, shopkeeper Andrei Kondratyev braced for more Ukrainian attacks and possible
petrol shortages, saying Russians needed to “get used to” a new reality. A day earlier, Kyiv set an oil refinery ablaze in the nearby Kapotnya area in its biggest drone attack on Moscow in years, eng...
via South China Morning Post
Indonesian police smash turtle-smuggling ring in Bali, rescue 21 live animals | 印尼警方在巴厘岛捣毁海龟走私团伙，救出21只活海龟
印尼旅游岛巴厘岛警方近日挫败一起非法交易受保护绿海龟的企图，查获21只活体绿海龟，并逮捕一名67岁男子。 巴厘岛警方称，他们于6月10日在岛上Pegametan海岸展开突袭行动，当地居民此前举报该地区疑似存在非法海龟交易活动。执法人员在行动中缴获了这些受保护动物，并拘留了嫌疑人KS。
据警方介绍，KS被怀疑负责存放这些海龟，案件仍在进一步调查中。此次行动显示，当地对于野生动物非法交易的监控和打击正在加强，警方也依靠居民提供线索来锁定可疑活动。
via South China Morning Post
印尼旅游岛巴厘岛警方近日挫败一起非法交易受保护绿海龟的企图，查获21只活体绿海龟，并逮捕一名67岁男子。 巴厘岛警方称，他们于6月10日在岛上Pegametan海岸展开突袭行动，当地居民此前举报该地区疑似存在非法海龟交易活动。执法人员在行动中缴获了这些受保护动物，并拘留了嫌疑人KS。
据警方介绍，KS被怀疑负责存放这些海龟，案件仍在进一步调查中。此次行动显示，当地对于野生动物非法交易的监控和打击正在加强，警方也依靠居民提供线索来锁定可疑活动。
via South China Morning Post
Could China make a sea-skimming hypersonic missile a real nightmare for the US? | 中国能否让掠海高超音速导弹成为美国的真正噩梦？
中国科学院周一启动一项新的低空高超音速飞行研究计划，重点研究可支撑相关武器发展的关键技术。该计划引发外界关注，因为若研究取得成果，未来可能帮助中国发展一种贴近海面、速度超过五倍音速、且可低于雷达视距飞行的高超音速导弹。
报道指出，这类武器如果成为现实，可能对美国海军构成新的威胁，因为其低空高速飞行特性将增加探测和拦截难度。此次项目由中国科学院稳定支持计划资助，显示相关研究已进入更系统的推进阶段。
目前报道没有披露该计划的更多技术细节或完成时间，但其研究方向已足以表明，中国正加快对低空高超音速飞行能力的探索。
via South China Morning Post
中国科学院周一启动一项新的低空高超音速飞行研究计划，重点研究可支撑相关武器发展的关键技术。该计划引发外界关注，因为若研究取得成果，未来可能帮助中国发展一种贴近海面、速度超过五倍音速、且可低于雷达视距飞行的高超音速导弹。
报道指出，这类武器如果成为现实，可能对美国海军构成新的威胁，因为其低空高速飞行特性将增加探测和拦截难度。此次项目由中国科学院稳定支持计划资助，显示相关研究已进入更系统的推进阶段。
目前报道没有披露该计划的更多技术细节或完成时间，但其研究方向已足以表明，中国正加快对低空高超音速飞行能力的探索。
via South China Morning Post
Hyrox World Championships may draw high-spenders to Hong Kong, experts say | 专家称Hyrox世界锦标赛或吸引高消费人群赴港
专家表示，Hyrox世界锦标赛亚洲首秀落地香港，可能为本地带来更多高消费旅客；香港之所以被选为主办城市，或与其临近庞大的中国内地市场有关。 这项健身赛事的顶级总决赛将于明年6月在亚洲国际博览馆举行，主办方于周四在瑞典宣布了这一消息，而瑞典正是本周末世界锦标赛的举办地。
报道提到，预计将有约150万名运动员参与相关赛事竞争。业内人士认为，香港承办这一国际大型体育活动，不仅有助于提升城市的国际曝光度，也可能吸引来自区域内的参赛者和观众，带动旅游、酒店及餐饮等消费。
via South China Morning Post
专家表示，Hyrox世界锦标赛亚洲首秀落地香港，可能为本地带来更多高消费旅客；香港之所以被选为主办城市，或与其临近庞大的中国内地市场有关。 这项健身赛事的顶级总决赛将于明年6月在亚洲国际博览馆举行，主办方于周四在瑞典宣布了这一消息，而瑞典正是本周末世界锦标赛的举办地。
报道提到，预计将有约150万名运动员参与相关赛事竞争。业内人士认为，香港承办这一国际大型体育活动，不仅有助于提升城市的国际曝光度，也可能吸引来自区域内的参赛者和观众，带动旅游、酒店及餐饮等消费。
via South China Morning Post
China’s private-jet market finding level flight path after sell-offs: source | 中国私人飞机市场在抛售后逐步企稳：消息人士
据一家航空服务公司称，受疫情影响曾大规模外流的中国私人商务机市场今年似乎正在趋于稳定，显示出跨行业需求可能出现变化，也意味着资金紧张的机主抛售这些数百万美元资产的潮流大致已经接近尾声。
该公司表示，目前中国仍有少量新商务机交付“待定”，但去年实际交付的数量非常少。公司业务运营与分析总监Alud Davies称，疫情后中国商务机市场经历的调整正在放缓，市场正在进入相对平稳的阶段。
这意味着，过去几年因现金流压力而出售商务机的情况可能已大部分完成，而未来市场走向将更多取决于不同行业需求的变化。
via South China Morning Post
据一家航空服务公司称，受疫情影响曾大规模外流的中国私人商务机市场今年似乎正在趋于稳定，显示出跨行业需求可能出现变化，也意味着资金紧张的机主抛售这些数百万美元资产的潮流大致已经接近尾声。
该公司表示，目前中国仍有少量新商务机交付“待定”，但去年实际交付的数量非常少。公司业务运营与分析总监Alud Davies称，疫情后中国商务机市场经历的调整正在放缓，市场正在进入相对平稳的阶段。
这意味着，过去几年因现金流压力而出售商务机的情况可能已大部分完成，而未来市场走向将更多取决于不同行业需求的变化。
via South China Morning Post
University town framework unlikely to be unveiled before five-year plan released | 大学城框架料难在五年规划发布前亮相
香港教育部门很可能无法在今年上半年公布拟建大学城的概念方案，因为该项目必须配合香港首份五年规划，而这份规划预计要到第三季度才会发布。
一名了解该项目进展的人士周五表示，位于北部都会区的大学城第一阶段预计将分配给至少两所高等院校，但相关院校已被告知，项目推进时间可能会受整体规划安排影响，概念方案的推出或将延后。
该大学城是北部都会区大型发展项目的一部分，外界一直关注其选址、分阶段建设和院校分配安排。由于需要与未来五年整体教育和城市发展方向保持一致，项目后续规划节奏将取决于五年计划的最终内容。
via South China Morning Post
香港教育部门很可能无法在今年上半年公布拟建大学城的概念方案，因为该项目必须配合香港首份五年规划，而这份规划预计要到第三季度才会发布。
一名了解该项目进展的人士周五表示，位于北部都会区的大学城第一阶段预计将分配给至少两所高等院校，但相关院校已被告知，项目推进时间可能会受整体规划安排影响，概念方案的推出或将延后。
该大学城是北部都会区大型发展项目的一部分，外界一直关注其选址、分阶段建设和院校分配安排。由于需要与未来五年整体教育和城市发展方向保持一致，项目后续规划节奏将取决于五年计划的最终内容。
via South China Morning Post
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi at 81: son pays tribute to mother’s spirit that ‘cannot be caged’ | 缅甸昂山素季81岁：儿子致敬母亲“无法被囚禁”的精神
缅甸被囚禁的亲民主领袖昂山素季迎来81岁生日，她的儿子在一段视频致意中表示，母亲的“精神无法被囚禁”。昂山素季曾是缅甸事实上的领导人，直到2021年军方政变推翻其政府。政变后，她因包括选举舞弊和腐败在内的多项指控被判33年监禁，如今仍被军政府关押。
这段生日问候凸显了她长期遭拘押的处境，也反映出支持者对她的持续关注。国际观察人士和亲民主支持者一直认为，这些指控带有政治动机，旨在削弱她在缅甸的影响力。
via South China Morning Post
缅甸被囚禁的亲民主领袖昂山素季迎来81岁生日，她的儿子在一段视频致意中表示，母亲的“精神无法被囚禁”。昂山素季曾是缅甸事实上的领导人，直到2021年军方政变推翻其政府。政变后，她因包括选举舞弊和腐败在内的多项指控被判33年监禁，如今仍被军政府关押。
这段生日问候凸显了她长期遭拘押的处境，也反映出支持者对她的持续关注。国际观察人士和亲民主支持者一直认为，这些指控带有政治动机，旨在削弱她在缅甸的影响力。
via South China Morning Post
Ukrainian, Romanian jailed in UK over Starmer arson plot ordered by mystery Russian | 乌克兰、罗马尼亚男子因英国斯塔默纵火阴谋被判入狱，幕后神秘俄罗斯人下令
英国法院周五判处两名男子入狱，原因是他们在一场由一名神秘的俄语人物策划的阴谋中，纵火袭击与首相基尔·斯塔默有关的财产。 22岁的乌克兰籍男子罗曼·拉夫里诺维奇被判7年监禁，27岁的罗马尼亚公民斯坦尼斯拉夫·卡尔皮乌克被判2年监禁。两人被认定犯有“串谋以纵火方式破坏财产罪”。
案情显示，这两人在2025年5月连续三个夜晚，针对一辆汽车和两处与斯塔默有关的房产实施了袭击。案件背后被指有一名身份不明、会说俄语的人物进行组织和操控，但报道未进一步说明其身份或动机。
目前公开信息显示，此案涉及对英国首相相关财产的蓄意破坏，法院已对两名直接实施者作出判刑。报道内容截断于案情描述，未包含更多关于调查进展或其他涉案人员的信息。
via South China Morning Post
英国法院周五判处两名男子入狱，原因是他们在一场由一名神秘的俄语人物策划的阴谋中，纵火袭击与首相基尔·斯塔默有关的财产。 22岁的乌克兰籍男子罗曼·拉夫里诺维奇被判7年监禁，27岁的罗马尼亚公民斯坦尼斯拉夫·卡尔皮乌克被判2年监禁。两人被认定犯有“串谋以纵火方式破坏财产罪”。
案情显示，这两人在2025年5月连续三个夜晚，针对一辆汽车和两处与斯塔默有关的房产实施了袭击。案件背后被指有一名身份不明、会说俄语的人物进行组织和操控，但报道未进一步说明其身份或动机。
目前公开信息显示，此案涉及对英国首相相关财产的蓄意破坏，法院已对两名直接实施者作出判刑。报道内容截断于案情描述，未包含更多关于调查进展或其他涉案人员的信息。
via South China Morning Post
AI has been known to hallucinate. So have financial markets | 人工智能会“幻觉”，金融市场也一样
本月全球金融市场和能源市场接连传出利好：标普500指数和日经225指数双双创下历史新高，SpaceX完成史上最大规模IPO，筹资750亿美元，上市两天后市值飙升至2.5万亿美元，展现出强劲的资本热度。
与此同时，美国与伊朗就重新开放霍尔木兹海峡达成协议，带动油价回落，汽油价格降至每加仑4美元以下。文章指出，全球股市正在持续创造看似难以阻挡的财富增长。
via South China Morning Post
本月全球金融市场和能源市场接连传出利好：标普500指数和日经225指数双双创下历史新高，SpaceX完成史上最大规模IPO，筹资750亿美元，上市两天后市值飙升至2.5万亿美元，展现出强劲的资本热度。
与此同时，美国与伊朗就重新开放霍尔木兹海峡达成协议，带动油价回落，汽油价格降至每加仑4美元以下。文章指出，全球股市正在持续创造看似难以阻挡的财富增长。
via South China Morning Post
Rise of the robots: China releases plan aimed at increasing consumers’ AI options | 机器人崛起：中国发布旨在增加消费者AI选择的规划
中国将推动人工智能与消费进一步融合。商务部等八部门近日发布一项行动方案，提出17项新举措，旨在通过智能产品、机器人、补贴、基础设施和标准建设等方式，把人工智能更深入地嵌入消费品、服务业以及零售和商贸领域，培育消费增长新动力。
该方案强调，要加快推进“人工智能+消费”发展，围绕新型智能消费产品、智慧服务场景和商业应用模式展开布局，提升消费体验和供给效率。相关措施预计将覆盖更多生活和商业场景，推动新技术更快转化为实际消费需求。
文件还提出，要通过政策支持和配套标准完善，促进人工智能相关应用落地，为消费市场带来更多新产品、新服务和新业态，进一步释放内需潜力。
via South China Morning Post
中国将推动人工智能与消费进一步融合。商务部等八部门近日发布一项行动方案，提出17项新举措，旨在通过智能产品、机器人、补贴、基础设施和标准建设等方式，把人工智能更深入地嵌入消费品、服务业以及零售和商贸领域，培育消费增长新动力。
该方案强调，要加快推进“人工智能+消费”发展，围绕新型智能消费产品、智慧服务场景和商业应用模式展开布局，提升消费体验和供给效率。相关措施预计将覆盖更多生活和商业场景，推动新技术更快转化为实际消费需求。
文件还提出，要通过政策支持和配套标准完善，促进人工智能相关应用落地，为消费市场带来更多新产品、新服务和新业态，进一步释放内需潜力。
via South China Morning Post
Italian minister cancels US trip after Trump claims Meloni begged him for photo | 意大利部长取消赴美行程，此前特朗普称梅洛尼曾求他合影
意大利外交部长安东尼奥·塔亚尼周五取消了原定本周末赴美访问的行程，原因是美国总统特朗普被指发表了带有嘲讽意大利总理梅洛尼意味的言论，引发意方强烈不满。 塔亚尼在社交媒体上表示，特朗普所谓“严重且冒犯性”的言辞“冒犯了整个意大利”。他原计划于周日和周一访问美国。
梅洛尼表示，自己对特朗普在接受意大利电视台La7采访时的相关评论“感到震惊”。目前披露的内容显示，这些言论被意方视为对她个人及意大利政府的不尊重，但原文在此处被截断，更多细节未完整公开。
via South China Morning Post
意大利外交部长安东尼奥·塔亚尼周五取消了原定本周末赴美访问的行程，原因是美国总统特朗普被指发表了带有嘲讽意大利总理梅洛尼意味的言论，引发意方强烈不满。 塔亚尼在社交媒体上表示，特朗普所谓“严重且冒犯性”的言辞“冒犯了整个意大利”。他原计划于周日和周一访问美国。
梅洛尼表示，自己对特朗普在接受意大利电视台La7采访时的相关评论“感到震惊”。目前披露的内容显示，这些言论被意方视为对她个人及意大利政府的不尊重，但原文在此处被截断，更多细节未完整公开。
via South China Morning Post
