1 August 2026
the news now

China

China Conducts Military Drills Near Disputed Scarborough Shoal

China conducted joint naval and air military drills near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Saturday. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the exercises tested the military's ability to coordinate air and sea operations and provide rapid reinforcements. The…

development
3 sources across 3 countries · Hong Kong · Philippines · United Kingdom

Who reported this

  • South China Morning Post Hong Kong · Centre-right · Alibaba Group
  • Philippine Daily Inquirer Philippines · Centre · Prieto family
  • Reuters United Kingdom · Centre · Thomson Reuters Corporation

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· evening

Tensions Escalate Between China and Philippines Over Disputed South China Sea Features

Tensions between China and the Philippines have intensified following a series of naval and aerial maneuvers by China around Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc. The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command described these exercises as a necessary action…

3 sources across 3 countries · Argentina · Hong Kong · Philippines

Who reported this

  • Infobae Argentina · Centre-right · Daniel Hadad
  • South China Morning Post Hong Kong · Centre-right · Alibaba Group
  • Rappler Philippines · Centre-left · Rappler Inc, staff-held

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

China's Factory Activity Slides Into Contraction Amid Economic Divide

China's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) dropped to 49.2 in July, marking an unexpected slide into contraction territory. This figure missed the 50.1 median estimate from a Bloomberg poll of economists and fell from June's 50.3. Simultaneously, the…

development
3 sources across 3 countries · Hong Kong · Indonesia · Japan

Who reported this

  • South China Morning Post Hong Kong · Centre-right · Alibaba Group
  • The Jakarta Post Indonesia · Centre-left · PT Bina Media Tenggara
  • The Japan Times Japan · Centre · News2u Holdings

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

U.S. and China Discuss Trade and Rare Earths Ahead of September Summit

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held a video call on Thursday to lay the groundwork for President Xi Jinping's expected visit to the United States in September. The call, which also included U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer,…

development
4 sources across 4 countries · Hong Kong · Indonesia · Japan · Singapore · 1 state-linked

Who reported this

  • Hong Kong Free Press Hong Kong · Centre-left · Non-profit, reader-funded
  • The Jakarta Post Indonesia · Centre-left · PT Bina Media Tenggara
  • The Japan Times Japan · Centre · News2u Holdings
  • The Straits Times Singapore · Centre-right · State-affiliated · SPH Media Trust; management shares under the NPPA

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

Elon Musk Denies Reports of Tesla China Business Sale

Elon Musk has dismissed reports suggesting that Tesla may sell its operations in China. The reports, originally cited by the Wall Street Journal, claimed that some Tesla executives were told to prepare for the separation of the company's Chinese activities. These reports…

3 sources across 3 countries · Hong Kong · Italy · United Kingdom

Who reported this

  • South China Morning Post Hong Kong · Centre-right · Alibaba Group
  • ANSA Italy · Centre · Publisher cooperative
  • Reuters United Kingdom · Centre · Thomson Reuters Corporation

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

UK High Court Rules Approval for Chinese Mega Embassy in London Lawful

A British High Court has ruled that the approval for China to build a new mega embassy in central London was lawful, dismissing a legal challenge brought by local residents. The planned complex, located on the site of the former Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London, is…

7 sources across 5 countries · 2 state-linked

Who reported this

  • The Guardian United Kingdom · Centre-left · Scott Trust Limited
  • The Independent United Kingdom · Centre-left · Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel and Evgeny Lebedev
  • Reuters United Kingdom · Centre · Thomson Reuters Corporation
  • Infobae Argentina · Centre-right · Daniel Hadad
  • Al Jazeera Qatar · Centre-left · State-affiliated · Qatari government funded
  • The Straits Times Singapore · Centre-right · State-affiliated · SPH Media Trust; management shares under the NPPA
  • Bloomberg United States · Centre · Bloomberg L.P. (Michael Bloomberg)

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

Chinese Fossil Reveals Oldest Preserved Internal Organs of a Marine Reptile

Researchers have analyzed a fossil of the marine reptile Austronaga minuta found in China, which contains the oldest known preserved stomach, liver, and intestinal soft tissue in reptiles. The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, describe a specimen from the…

2 sources across 2 countries · Brazil · Hong Kong

Who reported this

  • Folha de S.Paulo Brazil · Centre · Grupo Folha (Frias family)
  • South China Morning Post Hong Kong · Centre-right · Alibaba Group

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· evening

China's Moonshot AI Releases Kimi K3 Model for Free Download

Moonshot AI has released its most powerful chatbot model, Kimi K3, for free download and use by any individual, company, or government. The software allows users to run the model on their own computers without paying the Beijing based developer; additionally, it can be retrained…

2 sources across 2 countries · Norway · United States

Who reported this

  • Aftenposten Norway · Centre-right · Schibsted, Tinius Trust foundation
  • Rest of World United States · Centre · Non-profit, takes no advertising

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· evening

China Pledges Increased Fiscal Spending to Support Economic Growth

The Chinese government has pledged to accelerate fiscal spending and implement new measures to support its economy. President Xi Jinping stated that the country must tap the potential of domestic demand. Following a Politburo meeting, officials indicated a focus on accelerating…

development single-lean coverage
3 sources across 3 countries · Brazil · United Kingdom · United States

Who reported this

  • CNN Brasil Brazil · Centre · Rubens Menin (MRV)
  • Financial Times United Kingdom · Centre · Nikkei Inc.
  • Bloomberg United States · Centre · Bloomberg L.P. (Michael Bloomberg)

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· evening

Chinese Communist Party Schedules October Plenum to Focus on Party Discipline

The Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party has announced that the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee will be held in October. The meeting's primary agenda is to examine major issues regarding the consistent exercise of full and rigorous governance over the…

2 sources across 2 countries · Hong Kong · Japan

Who reported this

  • South China Morning Post Hong Kong · Centre-right · Alibaba Group
  • Asahi Shimbun Japan · Centre-left · Asahi Shimbun Company (family and employee held)

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· evening

China Protests New Zealand Foreign Minister's Comments to Chinese Born Lawmaker

China has lodged a formal protest against New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters after he told a lawmaker born in China to go back to your own country. The exchange occurred during a Wednesday debate regarding the response to the Covid pandemic. When Green Party member…

7 sources across 6 countries · 1 state-linked

Who reported this

  • Hong Kong Free Press Hong Kong · Centre-left · Non-profit, reader-funded
  • South China Morning Post Hong Kong · Centre-right · Alibaba Group
  • The Jakarta Post Indonesia · Centre-left · PT Bina Media Tenggara
  • Dawn Pakistan · Centre-left · Pakistan Herald Publications (Haroon family)
  • Al Jazeera Qatar · Centre-left · State-affiliated · Qatari government funded
  • Reuters United Kingdom · Centre · Thomson Reuters Corporation
  • Bloomberg United States · Centre · Bloomberg L.P. (Michael Bloomberg)

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· evening

China Warns of Retaliation Following US Ban on Foreign Robots

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned imports of humanoid and quadruped robots manufactured abroad, prompting warnings of retaliation from China. The FCC stated that the measures are intended to protect the U.S. AI buildout and critical…

development
3 sources across 3 countries · Hong Kong · South Africa · United Kingdom

Who reported this

  • Hong Kong Free Press Hong Kong · Centre-left · Non-profit, reader-funded
  • Daily Maverick South Africa · Centre-left · Reader-funded
  • Reuters United Kingdom · Centre · Thomson Reuters Corporation

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

Reports Indicate China Supplying Air-Defense Systems to Iran Amid Trump Warnings

Iran is expected to receive a shipment of between 300 and 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers, according to reports. The deal, valued at $60–70 million, involves man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), including FN-16 and QW-12 missiles, facilitated…

development
3 sources across 3 countries · Bangladesh · Hong Kong · United States

Who reported this

  • The Daily Star Bangladesh · Centre · Mediaworld Ltd
  • South China Morning Post Hong Kong · Centre-right · Alibaba Group
  • Bloomberg United States · Centre · Bloomberg L.P. (Michael Bloomberg)

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

US Bans Imports of New Chinese Humanoid Robots and Power Inverters

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the import of new Chinese-made humanoid robots, quadruped "robot dogs," and power inverters, citing national security and cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure. The restrictions took effect immediately…

development
4 sources across 4 countries · Brazil · Indonesia · Qatar · South Africa · 1 state-linked

Who reported this

  • CNN Brasil Brazil · Centre · Rubens Menin (MRV)
  • Tempo English Indonesia · Centre-left · PT Tempo Inti Media
  • Al Jazeera Qatar · Centre-left · State-affiliated · Qatari government funded
  • Business Day South Africa · Centre-right · Arena Holdings (Lebashe Investment Group)

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· evening

Shein Pursues Hong Kong IPO Amid Financial Losses and Competitive Pressures

The Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein is planning an initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, expected by the end of this quarter or in August, following failed attempts to list in New York and London due to geopolitical conflicts. Recent financial…

3 sources across 2 countries · Brazil · Switzerland

Who reported this

  • UOL Brazil · Centre-left · Grupo Folha
  • Folha de S.Paulo Brazil · Centre · Grupo Folha (Frias family)
  • Neue Zuercher Zeitung Switzerland · Centre-right · Dispersed shareholders, no controlling stake

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

Iran Expected to Receive Chinese Shoulder-Launched Missile Systems

Iran is expected to receive a first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers within weeks, according to sources familiar with the deal. The purchase, valued between $60 million and $70 million, includes QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air…

development single-lean coverage
3 sources across 3 countries · Japan · United Kingdom · United States

Who reported this

  • The Japan Times Japan · Centre · News2u Holdings
  • Reuters United Kingdom · Centre · Thomson Reuters Corporation
  • Al-Monitor United States · Centre · Jamal Daniel

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

Global Semiconductor Sell-Off Triggered by AI Funding Concerns and Chinese Tech Advances

A global sell-off in semiconductor and artificial intelligence stocks has triggered a market correction, with the Nasdaq 100 dropping more than 10% from its June high and South Korea's Kospi index falling to its lowest level since mid-April. The decline has been widespread…

development
5 sources across 3 countries · United Kingdom · Chile · Switzerland

Who reported this

  • The Guardian United Kingdom · Centre-left · Scott Trust Limited
  • Financial Times United Kingdom · Centre · Nikkei Inc.
  • Reuters United Kingdom · Centre · Thomson Reuters Corporation
  • La Tercera Chile · Centre-right · Copesa (Saieh family)
  • Neue Zuercher Zeitung Switzerland · Centre-right · Dispersed shareholders, no controlling stake

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· evening

Former Hong Kong Opposition Leader Wu Chi-wai Granted Six-Month Stay in UK

Wu Chi-wai, the former chairman of Hong Kong's once-largest pro-democracy party, has been granted permission to remain in the United Kingdom as a visitor for six months. The decision follows an initial period of immigration trouble where Wu was granted only seven days of…

3 sources across 3 countries · Hong Kong · Japan · United Kingdom

Who reported this

  • Hong Kong Free Press Hong Kong · Centre-left · Non-profit, reader-funded
  • Kyodo News Japan · Centre · Non-profit publisher cooperative
  • The Independent United Kingdom · Centre-left · Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel and Evgeny Lebedev

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

Extreme Rainfall and Flooding Cause Widespread Devastation Across Asia

Extreme rainfall and flooding have caused widespread devastation across Asia, resulting in numerous deaths, massive infrastructure damage, and the displacement of thousands of people. In Afghanistan, flash floods left at least 31 people dead and hundreds missing, while China…

single-lean coverage
3 sources across 3 countries · India · Pakistan · United Kingdom

Who reported this

  • The Hindu India · Centre-left · Kasturi & Sons (family-owned)
  • Dawn Pakistan · Centre-left · Pakistan Herald Publications (Haroon family)
  • The Guardian United Kingdom · Centre-left · Scott Trust Limited

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

BYD Enters Japan's 'Kei' Car Market with New Electric Mini Vehicle

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has launched a mini EV called the "Rakko" to compete in Japan's "kei" car market. The vehicle is a super height wagon featuring electric slide doors and is available in three grades with driving ranges between 210km and 320km per charge.…

3 sources across 2 countries · Japan · United Kingdom

Who reported this

  • Asahi Shimbun Japan · Centre-left · Asahi Shimbun Company (family and employee held)
  • The Japan Times Japan · Centre · News2u Holdings
  • Financial Times United Kingdom · Centre · Nikkei Inc.

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning

Asian Markets Plunge as AI Bubble Fears and Chinese Chip Progress Spark Tech Sell-off

Major Asian stock indices plummeted Tuesday, led by a collapse in semiconductor stocks driven by concerns over an artificial intelligence investment bubble and breakthroughs in China's chip industry. South Korea's KOSPI index fell between 7% and 10%, triggering a market-wide…

development
8 sources across 7 countries · 1 state-linked

Who reported this

  • Asahi Shimbun Japan · Centre-left · Asahi Shimbun Company (family and employee held)
  • Kyodo News Japan · Centre · Non-profit publisher cooperative
  • Infobae Argentina · Centre-right · Daniel Hadad
  • Frankfurter Allgemeine Germany · Centre-right · FAZIT-Stiftung (foundation)
  • The Jakarta Post Indonesia · Centre-left · PT Bina Media Tenggara
  • Yonhap South Korea · Centre · State-affiliated · Cooperative; statutory national agency with state subsidy
  • Focus Taiwan Taiwan · Centre · Public · Central News Agency, statutory funding
  • Reuters United Kingdom · Centre · Thomson Reuters Corporation

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • Hatched: the outlet is state-affiliated or state-controlled

Lean is where the outlet sits in its OWN country's politics, never on one global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

Ownership is disclosed, never rated.

· morning