Israel ‘unhappy’ with China’s response to Iran, more Hongkongers seek divorce: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week
- From former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam’s HK$9 million office budget to Chinese scientists rigging a low-cost AI chip to power a hypersonic weapon, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting
1. Israel ‘unhappy’ with China’s response to Iranian attack
After Iran’s strike on Israel, Beijing reacted by ‘expressing deep’ concern and repeating its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The statement, which Israel said was “not as strong as expected”, also urged unnamed “influential countries” to play a constructive role.
2. Divorce applications rise 25% in Hong Kong as younger couples seek split
The number of divorce applications in Hong Kong rose 25 per cent year on year in 2023, with a family lawyer pointing to a surge in younger couples seeking to split for reasons such as adultery and conflicts over parenting.
3. How Chinese scientists rigged a low-cost AI chip to power a hypersonic weapon
A research team in China has created a step-by-step guide that allows anyone with a low-cost artificial intelligence chip to boost the performance of hypersonic weapons.
4. After McDonald’s, Asians boycott Western cosmetics brands with ties to Israel
Beauty brands such as those owned by French cosmetics giant L’Oreal and The Body Shop are being spurned in favour of Chinese and local alternatives. It comes as the boycotts bite into the profits of Starbucks Malaysia and American fast-food giant McDonald’s, amid Israel’s sustained assault on Gaza
5. Ex-Hong Kong leader Lam needs office with HK$9 million budget ‘to match status’
Former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor needs an office to match her status and no suitable government premises were available when her term ended, the government has said in justifying the HK$5.67 million annual rent for her workplace.
6. ‘I felt hurt’: Philippine first lady breaks silence on ties with vice-president
A video of Philippine first lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos saying her relationship with Vice-President Sara Duterte has soured went viral, likely pushing tensions between the president and his vice-president to a head, analysts said.
7. How to prevent dementia: does this Amazonian tribe hold the key?
What’s good for the heart is also good for the brain, and studies show the Tsimané tribe has very good heart health and only about 1 per cent of its elders have dementia.
