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Every weekend, Asia Pacific Daily will provide you with a run-down of the latest hot news.
This week, the following hot news you should know:
Top 1 | UK's Northern Ireland secretary, more ministers resign
Brandon Lewis has resigned as secretary of Britain's Northern Ireland after Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to step down from his position, Sky News reported Thursday.
His resignation was followed by that of Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Helen Whately, Security Minister Damian Hinds, and Science Minister George Freeman.
A total of 50 British government members have resigned, according to the report.
Top 2 | Chinese technology helps Kenya improve mobile payment service
Chinese technology has helped M-Pesa, an electronic mobile payment platform, to maintain smooth operations in Kenya.
Launched in 2007, M-Pesa has gained popularity because of a special function that allows users to transfer money and make payments using a phone service even when they do not have a smartphone or their phone cannot connect to the internet.
However, a rapidly growing users base has brought technical challenges to the service. In 2012, due to a large number of users and insufficient platform capacity, the withdrawal service often used to crash on Fridays.
Top 3 | Only when “Pearl of the Orient” decorated on crown of motherland, can it be dazzling
The 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland coincides with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Without late Chairman Mao Zedong, there would be no new China. Without the Communist Party of China (CPC), there would be no modern China. Without Hong Kong’s return, there would be no stability in the city. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with President Xi Jinping at its core, China is going prosperous. It has become the world’s second largest economy and its economic progress is acknowledged by all. Hong Kong, the “Pearl of the Orient”, is the country's important gateway to the outside world. Only when the pearl is inlaid on the crown of the motherland and its great cause of the national rejuvenation, can it be dazzling and shining. After its return, Hong Kong becomes more prosperous, safe and stable, and has huge development potential. The construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is the best explanation. The rejuvenation and prosperity of the Chinese nation is inseparable from CPC’s leadership and the motherland always a strong backing for Hong Kong's economic development and social governance.
Top 4 | Euro tumbles to 20-year low against dollar amid recession fears
European stocks sank Tuesday along with oil prices, while the euro slumped towards parity with the dollar on deepening recession fears as central banks contend with soaring inflation.
European stock markets fell nearly three percent, weighing on Wall Street early in the day before U.S. stocks staged a turnaround.
The euro sank to a 20-year dollar low of $1.0238 as investors eyed aggressive interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve in its fight against inflation, in contrast with the European Central Bank (ECB), which is seen as planning more modest increases.
Top 5 | Final settlement agreement reached on indigenous child compensation in Canada
A settlement agreement that's the largest in Canadian history has been signed to compensate First Nations children and families who suffered because of discriminatory underfunding of welfare services.
Indigenous Services Canada said in a news release that the next step is to seek approval for the final settlement, valued at 20 billion Canadian dollars ($16 billion), from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and the Federal Court of Canada. If approved, the compensation process will begin, the release said.
The groups eligible for compensation include children who were removed from their homes under the First Nations Child and Family Services program between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2022; children who were impacted by the government's narrow definition of Jordan's Principle on equitable access between December 12, 2007, and November 2, 2017; children who did not receive or were delayed in receiving an essential public service or product between April 1, 1991, and December 11, 2007; as well as caregiving parents or caregiving grandparents of the children.
Top 6 | Scandinavian Airlines files for bankruptcy in U.S.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has filed for bankruptcy in the United States, the airline said on Tuesday, warning strike action by pilots had impacted its financial position and liquidity.
Wage talks between SAS and its pilots collapsed on Monday, triggering a strike that adds to travel chaos across Europe as the peak summer vacation period begins.
The company said in a statement on Tuesday it would continue to serve its customers throughout the bankruptcy process, although the pilot strike is impacting its flight schedule.
Top 7 | Chinese, U.S. senior officials hold video talk on economic issues
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen held a video talk on economic issues Tuesday.
The two sides had a pragmatic and candid exchange of views on the macroeconomic situation and the stability of the global industrial and supply chains, Xinhua reported, adding that the discussion was constructive.
The two sides said the world economy is facing severe challenges, thus it is of great significance to strengthen communication and coordination of macro policies between China and the United States. Jointly maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains is beneficial to China and the U.S. as well as the world.
Top 8 | Malaysia Dato' Ng Heng Chan: Hong Kong can stand the test
At 00:00 on July 1, 1997, the Five-star Red flag was solemnly hoisted in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China was officially established. In the 25 years since the reunification, the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong has achieved worldwide recognition and success.
Hong Kong is about to step into the second half of the 50-year-plan of "One Country, Two Systems". On the anniversary of the 25th year of Hong Kong handover, Asia Pacific Daily interviewed Dato' Ng Heng Chan, Director of the Board of National Language Agency, Ministry of Education in Malaysia(DBP), and Chairman of Han Culture Centre Malaysia. Dato' Ng Heng Chan described the relationship between the motherland and Hong Kong as "mother and child". According to him: "A mother has to consider the feelings of her child, as well as the child has to know the difficulties of the mother. The problem now is that the child does not realize the mother's suffering. However, the mother should not worry as the child needs time to learn."
Dato' Ng Heng Chan mentioned, as a highly prosperous cosmopolitan city, alongside of New York and London. It is the world's third largest financial center that is extremely special in its status. Hong Kong can reach even greater heights in the next 25 years with the generous support from the motherland. Hong Kong must be confident in its situation, and it must do so with enough belief.
Top 9 | America's four grave challenges on July 4
Like other similar anniversaries globally, the United States Independence Day signifies triumph from external domination. But the unprecedented chaos this year points to stressful celebrations as millions of Americans get stuck in airports around the country, signifying the insurmountable challenges that the citizens are grappling with.
According to the country's media, the travelling chaos caused and exacerbated by bad weather, staffing shortages and spiraling inflation have created the perfect storm. Indeed, the above challenges are symptomatic of what ails the superpower today. Further, the travelling chaos represents the U.S.' progress today - two steps forward, one step back. It also appears that the U.S. has been gradually clawing back the 1776 Declaration of Independence promise.
The superpower has also been losing its hitherto position as the world's socio-economic and political beacon due to the folly of its hegemonic pursuits. It is becoming increasingly impossible to walk its lofty talk due to the contradictions between its declarations and actions. Countries that have admired the U.S. are changing their ideologies and allegiance to more authentic beliefs.
Top 10 | Ending Roe vs. Wade opens the door to a nationwide abortion ban. But how likely is it?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, overseeing a very narrow Democratic majority, issued a warning to voters after the Supreme Court struck down Roe vs. Wade.
Republicans are "plotting a nationwide abortion ban" and will act if they get the majority in Congress this midterm election, she said -- a sentiment that is a nationwide rallying cry for Democrats.
And while that's possible -- the fall of Roe means abortion is no longer legally protected nationwide, leaving the door open to making it illegal nationwide -- the bigger question is whether its plausible.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
