Mount Fuji rescue, Trump's pick for Singapore envoy, Mahathir turns 100: 7 Asia highlights
subscribing
Two Americans have had to be rescued from Japan's Mount Fuji in separate incidents before the official climbing season began, prompting renewed calls for tougher penalties on rule-breaking hikers who endanger themselves and drain local resources.
Anjani Sinha at his Senate confirmation hearing. Photo: C-Span
US President Donald Trump's ambassador-nominee to Singapore, orthopaedic surgeon Anjani Sinha, has drawn online backlash following a grilling at his confirmation hearing, with Senator Tammy Duckworth accusing him of not doing his 'homework'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
29 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
In Latin America poll, China grows in appeal though US remains preferred economic ally
Public attitudes toward China in parts of Latin America have become more positive compared to recent years, even though many in the region continue to view the United States as a more important economic partner, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Centre. The survey, conducted from January 8 to April 26, involved face-to-face interviews with 3,833 adults aged 18 and older in Mexico (1,243 respondents), Brazil (1,298) and Argentina (1,292). It is part of a broader study that covers 25 countries and examines views on China's influence, leadership and global role, as well as attitudes toward the US. Thus, the field research in all three countries was begun before US President Donald Trump returned to power on January 20, but ran past his announcement of far-reaching global 'reciprocal' tariffs on April 2. Favourable views of China have increased slightly in the region since 2024. In Mexico, the share of respondents with a positive opinion of China rose to 67 per cent, from 61 per cent last year. In Brazil, it rose to 66 per cent, from 63 per cent. In Argentina, the change was more pronounced, rising to 56 per cent, from 49 per cent. That regional rise in favourability sets Latin America apart from many wealthier nations, where views of China remain overwhelmingly negative. Across the 25-country survey, the global median share expressing a positive view of China is just 36 per cent. In high-income democracies, sentiment is particularly low – only 13 per cent of adults in Japan, 30 per cent in France and 32 per cent in Britain view China favourably.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Appeals continue for 11 Hong Kong opposition figures jailed for subversion
Lawyers representing 11 Hong Kong opposition figures continued advancing arguments in court in a bid to overturn their convictions for conspiracy to subvert state power, saying they could not be held liable under the national security law for trying to trigger a constitutional mechanism to oust the city leader. Legal counsel on Tuesday argued that lawmakers were entitled to use their votes as a bargaining chip to push their political demands, while urging an appellate court to be cautious about criminalising political conduct in the legislature. But prosecutors said the appellants' complaint was premised on the 'wrong footing' and stressed the allegation targeted the group's 'scheme' to paralyse government operations and topple the chief executive. The prosecution also dismissed the appellants' defence that they were fighting for universal suffrage as a 'red herring.' They also argued that it would be absurd to suggest lawmakers could do as they pleased without observing the Basic Law, the city's mini-constitution, which requires the legislature to 'examine and approve' bills and lawmakers to abide by their oath of office.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Trump's trade policies drive Hong Kong industry's ‘China plus N' shift
Hong Kong's industrial sector is increasingly adopting a 'China plus N' strategy as a primary defence against unpredictable United States trade policies, with about 70 per cent of its members already operating in, or moving to, Southeast Asia, according to a report. Steve Chuang Tzu-hsiung, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, said that this strategy was a calculated hedge against geopolitical volatility that has been years in the making. 'You don't know which madness [US President Donald] Trump will have tomorrow,' said Chuang. 'It could be 20 per cent in Vietnam or it could change tomorrow, so we have already done our homework.' Chuang clarified that the 70 per cent diversification figure was derived from a survey conducted among the federation's members late last year. The 'China plus N' strategy involves diversifying production and supply chains to multiple locations beyond mainland China, aiming to mitigate geopolitical and economic risks concentrated in a single country. The proactive diversification into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bloc is a direct response to years of tariff uncertainty.
