Chinese economy slows as Trump tariffs bite; FTSE 100 on track to hit new record - as it happened Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news The Guardian - UK · Aug 15, 2025
Closing arguments in Jimmy Lai trial delayed again as activist seeks treatment for heart palpitations Lai’s lawyer told the court that the imprisoned Hong Kong media mogul had felt unsteady The Guardian - AU · Aug 15, 2025
South Korea to restore pact halting military activity on North Korea border South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung said he will restore a military agreement to rebuild trust with North Korea. Al Jazeera · Aug 15, 2025
China's economy lags in July under pressure from tariffs and a weak property market China has reported its economy showed signs of slowing in July as factory output and retail sales slowed while housing prices fell further The Independent UK · Aug 15, 2025
Final arguments in Jimmy Lai's national security trial in Hong Kong delayed over health concerns The final arguments in prominent Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai’s national security trial have been postponed after his lawyer said he experienced heart palpitations and the judges wanted him to receive medical treatment first The Independent UK · Aug 15, 2025
Japan marks 80th anniversary of WWII surrender as concern grows about fading memory Japan is paying tribute to more than 3 million war dead as the country marks its surrender 80 years ago, ending World War II, but there is growing concern about the fading memories of the tragedy of war and the bitter lessons from the era of Japanese militarism The Independent UK · Aug 15, 2025
South Korea’s president vows to restore 2018 inter-Korean military agreement to ease tensions South Korea’s new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, says he will seek to restore a 2018 military agreement with North Korea aimed at reducing border tensions and urged Pyongyang to respond to Seoul’s efforts to rebuild trust and revive dialogue The Independent UK · Aug 15, 2025
China’s aircraft carriers in Pacific signals ability to ‘contest’ US power Expert says ‘gaps’ in naval capabilities are closing between China and the United States. Al Jazeera · Aug 15, 2025
Hong Kong Tycoon Jimmy Lai's Collusion Trial Resumes After Delay A Hong Kong court on Friday began hearing closing arguments in the national security trial of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, following a one-day delay because of bad weather. International Business Times · Aug 15, 2025
Japan Posts Modest Growth Despite US Tariffs Japan eked out modest growth in the second quarter despite painful US tariffs, official data showed Friday, in welcome news to embattled Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. International Business Times · Aug 15, 2025
Solomon Islands Says China Not Influencing Diplomatic Decisions Solomon Islands defended its move to bar some partners from an influential summit of South Pacific leaders, brushing aside claims on Thursday of a looming split or that China is influencing its decisions. International Business Times · Aug 14, 2025
What is Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, the Buddhist group at the centre of an alleged spy case in Australia? Foreign interference claims have raised concerns about how Beijing is monitoring the Chinese diaspora The Guardian - AU · Aug 14, 2025
The EU urges China to lift 'unjustified' sanctions on Lithuanian banks The European Union is urging China to revoke sanctions on two Lithuanian banks The Independent UK · Aug 14, 2025
US and Philippines discuss more missile system deployments as tensions rise in South China Sea The United States is discussing the possible deployment of more missile launchers to the Philippines to strengthen deterrence against aggression in the disputed South China Sea and other security hotspots, but no final decision has been reached by both sides The Independent UK · Aug 14, 2025
The Independent UK · Aug 14, 2025 Jimmy Lai’s landmark trial delayed by Hong Kong rain warning Closing arguments were scheduled to be heard from Thursday
The Independent UK · Aug 14, 2025 Chinese military ‘expels’ US warship from disputed South China Sea waters First confrontation between Chinese and US warships near Scarborough Shoal in six years comes after a pair of Chinese vessels collide while chasing away a Philippine ship from disputed atoll
The Independent UK · Aug 14, 2025 Japan and China commemorate World War II anniversary on different dates Japan and China are marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with major events on different dates
Al Jazeera · Aug 14, 2025 North Korean leader’s sister says South Korea lying about thaw in ties Kim Yo Jong denies claims that Pyongyang has removed propaganda-blaring loudspeakers at the inter-Korean border.
The Independent UK · Aug 13, 2025 Powerful sister of North Korean leader denies removal of frontline speakers Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has dismissed South Korean claims that North Korea is removing loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border
International Business Times · Aug 13, 2025 Hong Kong Court To Hear Closing Arguments In Mogul Jimmy Lai's Trial Jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai's national security trial, which began in late 2023, will enter its final stages on Thursday as lawyers present closing arguments.
Benzinga · Aug 13, 2025 A Double Jolt For Chinese Stocks — Thanks To Trump And Beijing's Big Bet U.S.-listed Chinese stocks rallied sharply Wednesday morning, as Beijing's new stimulus targeting consumer loans and service-sector businesses signaled a deeper commitment to reviving domestic demand and supporting economic growth, adding to the momentum sparked two days earlier by President Donald Trump's extension of the U.S.-China trade truce.
Benzinga · Aug 13, 2025 Alibaba, Nio Lead Gains As US And China Extend Trade Truce Chinese tech and EV stocks surged Wednesday after Washington and Beijing extended their trade truce by 90 days, averting a tariff escalation and fueling hopes for improved economic ties between the world’s two largest economies.
The Independent UK · Aug 13, 2025 US briefly deploys 2 warships to a disputed South China Sea shoal after Chinese collision The United States has deployed two warships to the disputed South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal
Benzinga · Aug 13, 2025 Mark Cuban Calls For Billionaires' Tax On Soaring US Stock Buybacks As Georgetown Professor Warns About Path To Decline And Defeat U.S. stock buybacks are on track to hit a record $1.1 trillion in 2025, sparking sharp debate among experts like Mark Cuban and Georgetown professor Rush Doshi over their economic impact and taxation.
The Independent UK · Aug 13, 2025 Vietnam wants to be the next Asian tiger and it’s overhauling its economy to make it happen. Vietnam is launching its biggest economic overhaul in a generation, aiming to become Asia’s next “tiger economy.”