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China supports agricultural development in the Global South
Business

China supports agricultural development in the Global South

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser. China is a shining example in ending hunger, said Ambassador Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, permanent representative of the Republic of South Africa to the FAO, speaking to CGTN at a South-South cooperation program hosted by China to help countries of the Global South enhance agrifood systems and achieve food sovereignty.

September 19, 2026
China-led study reveals ‘Greater Gondwana’ was 80% of Earth’s crust 500m years ago
Business

China-led study reveals ‘Greater Gondwana’ was 80% of Earth’s crust 500m years ago

Research suggests that the land mass that once dominated Earth was larger than previously thought Fragments of a long-disappeared ancient giant land mass have been discovered buried deep beneath parts of the modern continents that once formed it, according to an international team led by Chinese scientists. Published this month in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, the discovery reveals that Gondwana – a land mass that dominated Earth some 500 million years ago – was much larger than previously believed. Crucially, the findings show how geological activity related to Gondwana created favourable conditions for the Cambrian explosion. The study was jointly conducted by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Australia’s Curtin University, and Zhejiang Lab, a non-profit research institution in eastern China.

September 19, 2026
AI: 10 days that changed the course of artificial intelligence
Business

AI: 10 days that changed the course of artificial intelligence

For years, the race to build ever more powerful artificial intelligence followed a well-worn Silicon ⁠Valley principle: move fast and break things. But in a series of cascading events over a 10-day stretch, the largest ⁠AI labs found themselves reeling as their own creations threatened to break humanity itself. An Anthropic researcher quit the firm, warning that the pace of AI development poses an existential threat, possibly within a decade. Another researcher at the firm said the odds of human...

September 19, 2026
Customs seizes record HK$125 million worth of marijuana shipped by sea, arresting 3
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Customs seizes record HK$125 million worth of marijuana shipped by sea, arresting 3

Seizure of 535kg of cannabis buds found hidden inside insulated boxes shipped from Thailand marks largest seaborne drug bust in city’s history Customs has made the largest seizure of drugs shipped by sea in Hong Kong’s history, discovering HK$125 million (US$15.93 million) worth of marijuana in a 40-foot container and arresting three people. The Customs and Excise Department revealed on Saturday that it had selected a seaborne container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound for inspection earlier in September after conducting a risk assessment and intelligence analysis. The container had been declared as containing insulated boxes and arriving from Thailand. Upon examining the container, officers found 1,342 insulated boxes, 364 of which contained about 535kg (1,179lbs) of cannabis buds.

September 19, 2026
Malaysia’s Loke resigns as transport minister following Najib’s house arrest approval
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Malaysia’s Loke resigns as transport minister following Najib’s house arrest approval

A senior ally of Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim announced his resignation from cabinet on Saturday – a day after confidence in the prime minister’s administration took a severe hit when disgraced former leader Najib Razak was allowed to serve out his jail term under house arrest. Anthony Loke, the secretary general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), said that the party could not accept the decision to allow Najib to complete his sentence in the comfort of his own home. The former prime minister is...

September 19, 2026
Trump’s Greenland deal aims to boost leverage at Xi summit, midterms: analysts
Business

Trump’s Greenland deal aims to boost leverage at Xi summit, midterms: analysts

Non-Nato ban targeting China and Russia boosts bargaining chips before Xi summit and mirrors Trump’s Panama Canal ambitions, analyst warns However, they warned of a potential negative impact on the high-stakes talks, citing broader risks to major-power trust and peaceful Arctic development. In a social media post on Friday, Trump said: “I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns.”

September 19, 2026
Cathay Pacific retains third-best airline title, wins cabin crew and lounge awards
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Cathay Pacific retains third-best airline title, wins cabin crew and lounge awards

Singapore Airlines reclaims top spot in British-based Skytrax World Airline Awards, swapping positions with Qatar Airways Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has been ranked the world’s third-best airline for the second consecutive year, while also taking top awards for best cabin crew and first-class lounge in new industry rankings. Singapore Airlines reclaimed the top spot in the British-based Skytrax World Airline Awards, moving up from second place last year and swapping positions with Qatar Airways, which dropped to second. “These recognitions are a testament to the incredible efforts of the entire Cathay team, who continue to deliver excellence in customer experience and service both in the air and on the ground,” Cathay Group chief executive Ronald Lam Siu-por said on Friday. “Importantly, they will serve to motivate us to keep improving as we strive to become our customers’ most loved service brand.”

September 19, 2026
Hong Kong police arrest 3, seize HK$23 million of Ice in Fanling bust
Business

Hong Kong police arrest 3, seize HK$23 million of Ice in Fanling bust

Two men and a woman, aged 49 to 56, arrested, with drug factory believed to have operated for three to four days Police have arrested three people and broken up a large-scale drug production factory in northern Hong Kong, seizing HK$23 million (US$3 million) worth of suspected methamphetamine, or Ice. The force said on Saturday that two men and a woman, aged 49 to 56, were arrested on Thursday night. Police in Fanling first intercepted one of the men, who was holding a two-way permit, a document issued by mainland Chinese authorities allowing residents to travel to Hong Kong. Senior Inspector Chan Lik-ho of the force’s narcotics bureau said police then discovered a large-scale drug manufacturing factory in a Fanling unit.

September 19, 2026
Ukraine war: US approves potential US$2.7 billion sale of air defence equipment
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Ukraine war: US approves potential US$2.7 billion sale of air defence equipment

Kyiv wants to buy multiple types of missiles, launchers and counter-drone radars, the US government says The United States has approved a potential US$2.68 billion sale of air defence equipment to Ukraine, after Kyiv made repeated pleas for support to fend off Russian attacks. The State Department said in a congressional notification on Friday that it made “a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine” for buying air defence development upgrades and related equipment and services. Kyiv has requested to buy equipment including multiple types of missiles, launchers and counter-drone radars, according to the State Department. “If the proposed purchase is concluded, Ukraine would finance it using a combination of European contributions and US Foreign Military Financing appropriated during the prior Administration,” the State Department said.

September 19, 2026
People in China earn between US$7 and US$15,000 by licensing faces to AI content producers
Business

People in China earn between US$7 and US$15,000 by licensing faces to AI content producers

Some argue that for directors, only celebrities’ faces have recognition value, while everyday faces can simply be generated by AI In China, an increasing number of digital face-licensing platforms are connecting ordinary individuals with content creators, enabling them to authorise the use of their likenesses in AI-generated short dramas, advertisements, and games. Since April, private “face-selling” transactions that once circulated within film and television industry chat groups have progressively transitioned to public platforms. One bank employee reportedly earned nearly 2,500 yuan (US$370) after an advertising company acquired his portrait seven times within just three days, as reported by the National Business Daily. Among the leading platforms, Shenzhen-based Yuanxiang Xinsheng, launched in May, allows users to create “digital actor profiles” following registration and identity verification.

September 19, 2026
Foreign carer scheme may drive up wages, leave poor without help, employers warn
Business

Foreign carer scheme may drive up wages, leave poor without help, employers warn

Hong Kong will admit foreign carers with more advanced training and experience in elderly care under pilot scheme unveiled in policy address Authorities revealed on Friday that the minimum wage for carers under the pilot scheme would be 10 to 20 per cent higher than that for existing helpers. The current minimum allowable wage for helpers is HK$5,100 (US$654) a month. Betty Yung Ma Shan-yee, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Employers of Domestic Helpers Association, said 30 per cent of the city’s more than 378,000 foreign domestic helpers were already caring for elderly people, questioning the need for a separate category of workers.

September 19, 2026
Chinese scientists find first evidence of ancient nose-chopping punishment for cattle thieves
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Chinese scientists find first evidence of ancient nose-chopping punishment for cattle thieves

Under the rule of the King of Qin (247 BC–221 BC), severed noses accumulated like mountain peaks, and carts overflowed with amputated feet Stealing someone’s cattle is a serious crime, and in many places, the thief would end up in jail. However, ancient Chinese justice could result in a truly horrific form of mutilation: the amputation of the nose. This harsh consequence has been well-documented by historians as one of the infamous “five punishments” from the penal system of the Xia dynasty (2070 BC–1600 BC). Until now, no physical evidence of this punishment had been discovered. A team of researchers from China and the US recently announced the finding of a female skeleton dated between 1298 and 1404 (from either the Yuan or Ming dynasties) that showed clear evidence of nose removal as part of a criminal sentence.

September 19, 2026