Latest from South China Morning Post
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Rugby Premier League looks to revive the sport in India and worldwide through 7s format
Almost 150 years after the demise of Calcutta Football Club resulted in the creation of rugby's oldest international trophy, a new sevens league was launched this month with the aim of reviving the gladiatorial sport in India. The Rugby Premier League (RPL) has recruited top internationals from the World Sevens circuit to play alongside locals in six franchises under broadcast-friendly rule variations. Organisers not only want to lead a revival of local rugby to the extent that India one day qualifies for the Olympics, but they also believe they can help revolutionise the future of the game worldwide. 'Rugby in India is not so popular and not because it's not played – it's played in more than 250 districts in India and there's a lot of talent pool available – but because people have not seen it,' Satyam Trivedi, chief executive of co-organisers GMR Sports, said. 'It has not been commercialised, originally or globally. It is a very aspirational sport. In countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, it's a private-school sport, which is not how it is seen in India. Bengaluru Bravehearts' Hongkonger Mak Chung (right) tackles Delhi Redz's Moritz Noll. Photo: AFP 'I'm sure with the league getting commercials, going on broadcast, some of the finest athletes of the world coming and participating, the audiences will see it and the sport will catch up.'
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's MTR Corp to carry out one-off inspection of critical rail assets
Hong Kong's rail operator will carry out a one-off inspection of all its overhead lines and signalling points, and is considering offering a free cross-harbour shuttle bus in the event of service suspensions as part of efforts to follow up on a series of recent blunders. The MTR Corporation on Friday rolled out an eight-point plan that falls under an existing HK$65 billion (US$8.3 million) five-year asset and maintenance upgrade announced in 2023. The move follows calls from Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu last month for the transport provider to improve on its 'inadequacies' in emergency response and contingency planning after three service disruptions occurred within a four-month period. In two incidents, engineering trains were stranded on a section of the East Rail line, while in another, services along the Tseung Kwan O line were suspended for five-hours last month. Transport minister Mable Chan said the government would continue to supervise and guide the MTR Corp in learning from its past failures and strengthening its risk prediction and mitigation capabilities. 'The MTR Corp must proactively address potential issues before they arise, enhance the safety of its railway systems and accelerate the application of innovative technologies to realise predictive maintenance for fortifying the overall resilience of the railway system,' she said. 'Its management should also leverage the wisdom of frontline staff and strengthen the sense of accountability among staff from different ranks.'
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
US top court curbs judges' power, but fate of Trump birthright citizenship order unclear
A divided Supreme Court on Friday ruled that individual judges lack the authority to grant nationwide injunctions, but the decision left unclear the fate of US President Donald Trump's restrictions on birthright citizenship. The outcome was a victory for the Republican president, who has complained about individual judges throwing up obstacles to his agenda. But a conservative majority left open the possibility that the birthright citizenship changes could remain blocked nationwide. Trump's order would deny citizenship to US-born children of people who are in the country illegally. Birthright citizenship automatically makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers in the country illegally. The right was enshrined soon after the Civil War in the Constitution's 14th Amendment. In a notable Supreme Court decision from 1898, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, the court held that the only children who did not automatically receive US citizenship upon being born on US soil were the children of diplomats, who have allegiance to another government; enemies present in the US during hostile occupation; those born on foreign ships; and those born to members of sovereign Native American tribes. Protester Olga Urbina carries baby Ares Webster at a rally outside the US Supreme Court in May. Photo: Reuters The US is among about 30 countries where birthright citizenship – the principle of jus soli or 'right of the soil' – is applied. Most are in the Americas, and Canada and Mexico are among them.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
US Treasury chief says key trade deals may come by September
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday that Washington could reach key tariff deals with over a dozen partners in the coming months and have its trade agenda wrapped up by early September. His comments to Fox Business come ahead of a July 9 deadline for steeper US duties to kick in on dozens of economies. Countries have been rushing to negotiate and reach trade pacts with Washington to avoid this outcome, although the White House recently suggested that President Donald Trump's administration could extend this deadline. On Friday, Bessent noted that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has expressed expectations for 10 deals with trading partners. The Treasury chief reiterated that there are 18 key partners the United States is focusing on agreements with. 'If we can ink 10 or 12 of the important 18, there are another important 20 relationships, then I think we could have trade wrapped up by Labour Day,' Bessent said. That holiday falls on September 1.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
India as a space power? Delhi eyes lift-off for sector after astronaut ISS milestone
The successful arrival of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla at the International Space Station (ISS) marks a pivotal moment in the country's evolving space strategy and signals its desire to join the ranks of global space powers, analysts have said. The move was also a stepping stone towards India 's first independent crewed mission by 2027 under the Gaganyaan programme, they added. The initiative is India's effort to become the fourth country – after Russia, the United States and China – to independently carry out human space flights. While on the ISS, Shukla will conduct scientific experiments on the effects of microgravity and space radiation on nutrient-rich microalgae, research that could play a vital role in sustaining human life during future deep-space missions. His participation is also seen as a major boost for India's broader space ambitions and an inspiration for aspiring astronauts, according to Satya Gupta, president of the VLSI Society of India, which promotes the country's digital and technological development. Axiom-4 pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India in Florida on Tuesday before his mission to the International Space Station. His participation is seen as a major boost for India's space ambitions. Photo: Reuters 'These scientific endeavours are useful over the long term. Nobody knew how important India's space economy would become when we started sending rockets 30 years ago,' Gupta said. 'It is not a straight calculation where you spend X amount of money and get returns immediately.'
