Indonesia to build national car hub with 300,000-vehicle capacity
JAKARTA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia plans to develop a national automotive manufacturing hub in West Java province with a projected annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles, the country's Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has said.
Sjafrie made the remarks on Wednesday during an inspection of manufacturing facilities, vehicle engineering and development centers, testing grounds, and supporting infrastructure in Subang.
"The National Car Area is a strategic installation with an important role in strengthening national industry, technology mastery, and the development of an integrated manufacturing ecosystem," Sjafrie was quoted by local media as saying.
The project will be developed in three phases, with the initial phase aiming for an annual output of 50,000 vehicles, according to the report.
Spanning 539 hectares, the development area is expected to create around 2,000 jobs for university graduates and technical workers once operational, according to officials. ■
2026-06-11 11:06:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
JAKARTA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia plans to develop a national automotive manufacturing hub in West Java province with a projected annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles, the country's Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has said.
Sjafrie made the remarks on Wednesday during an inspection of manufacturing facilities, vehicle engineering and development centers, testing grounds, and supporting infrastructure in Subang.
"The National Car Area is a strategic installation with an important role in strengthening national industry, technology mastery, and the development of an integrated manufacturing ecosystem," Sjafrie was quoted by local media as saying.
The project will be developed in three phases, with the initial phase aiming for an annual output of 50,000 vehicles, according to the report.
Spanning 539 hectares, the development area is expected to create around 2,000 jobs for university graduates and technical workers once operational, according to officials. ■
2026-06-11 11:06:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Flash: Iran's IRGC says it targeted U.S. al-Azraq base in Jordan with 12 ballistic missiles -- media
Flash: Iran's IRGC says it targeted U.S. al-Azraq base in Jordan with 12 ballistic missiles -- media
2026-06-11 11:16:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Flash: Iran's IRGC says it targeted U.S. al-Azraq base in Jordan with 12 ballistic missiles -- media
2026-06-11 11:16:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Feature: AI breathes more emotional value into time-honored toy industry
HANGZHOU, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Since the very moment toys were first brought to life by human hands, their purpose has been to wrap us in comfort, spark delight and touch the heart. Now, AI is enabling toys to engage in more natural interactions with people while delivering even warmer companionship, resulting in speeding up competition and transformation in this time-honored sector.
Amid fierce competition among manufacturers and sellers in China, the AI toy is emerging as a new competitive track in this industry, with a surge of interactive, personable and memory-enabled AI toys flooding into brick-and-mortar stores and onto e-commerce platforms.
Today, parents and children in China can easily find an array of AI toys, such as plush companions that soothe and comfort, building-block robots that blend coding basics with hands-on creativity and voice-enabled storytellers that craft personalized tales and immersive games, among others.
"China's toy industry is entering a brand-new stage of intelligent development. In particular, the deep integration of AI technology with the traditional toy industry is accelerating the reshaping of product forms and value chain structures, with AI toys becoming a new engine driving high-quality development of this industry," said He Yaqiong, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
This perspective has been echoed by data from a report released by the China Commercial Industry Research Institute, which predicts that China's AI toy market will grow to 85 billion yuan (about 12.5 billion U.S. dollars) by 2030.
ADDING EMOTIONAL VALUE TO BRIDGE AGE GAPS
Even for archaeologists, it is difficult to determine when humans first began making and playing with toys. However, one thing is certain: modern consumers are increasingly seeking toys that provide greater emotional value, thus comforting and delighting themselves and others. AI, notably, is bridging such consumer demand via modern technological advancement.
...
2026-06-11 11:18:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
HANGZHOU, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Since the very moment toys were first brought to life by human hands, their purpose has been to wrap us in comfort, spark delight and touch the heart. Now, AI is enabling toys to engage in more natural interactions with people while delivering even warmer companionship, resulting in speeding up competition and transformation in this time-honored sector.
Amid fierce competition among manufacturers and sellers in China, the AI toy is emerging as a new competitive track in this industry, with a surge of interactive, personable and memory-enabled AI toys flooding into brick-and-mortar stores and onto e-commerce platforms.
Today, parents and children in China can easily find an array of AI toys, such as plush companions that soothe and comfort, building-block robots that blend coding basics with hands-on creativity and voice-enabled storytellers that craft personalized tales and immersive games, among others.
"China's toy industry is entering a brand-new stage of intelligent development. In particular, the deep integration of AI technology with the traditional toy industry is accelerating the reshaping of product forms and value chain structures, with AI toys becoming a new engine driving high-quality development of this industry," said He Yaqiong, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
This perspective has been echoed by data from a report released by the China Commercial Industry Research Institute, which predicts that China's AI toy market will grow to 85 billion yuan (about 12.5 billion U.S. dollars) by 2030.
ADDING EMOTIONAL VALUE TO BRIDGE AGE GAPS
Even for archaeologists, it is difficult to determine when humans first began making and playing with toys. However, one thing is certain: modern consumers are increasingly seeking toys that provide greater emotional value, thus comforting and delighting themselves and others. AI, notably, is bridging such consumer demand via modern technological advancement.
...
2026-06-11 11:18:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
S. Korea's exports surge 85.9 pct in 10 days of June
SEOUL, June 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's exports surged in double digits in the first 10 days of June due to soaring demand for locally-made semiconductors, customs office data showed Thursday.
The outbound shipment totaled 28.63 billion U.S. dollars in the June 1 to 10 period, up 85.9 percent compared with the same period of last year, according to the Korea Customs Service.
It marked an all-time high for the cited period, surpassing the previous record of 25.2 billion dollars set in April.
The daily average export jumped 46.1 percent to 4.09 billion dollars in the 10-day period.
Semiconductor exports spiked 205.8 percent to 11.07 billion dollars on strong demand for chips used in artificial intelligence (AI).
Shipments for computers and peripherals skyrocketed 259.4 percent to 928 million dollars, thanks to strong demand for solid-state drives, driven by an expanded demand for AI infrastructure.
Exports for oil products, automobiles, ships, auto parts, mobile devices, precision machinery and home appliances advanced in double figures.
The Asian country's imports grew 35.6 percent from a year earlier to 23.35 billion dollars in the first 10 days of June, sending the trade surplus to 5.28 billion dollars.
Imports for chips, crude oil, semiconductor equipment, machinery, natural gas, oil products, cars and mobile devices all posted a double-digit growth in the cited period. ■
2026-06-11 11:20:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
SEOUL, June 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's exports surged in double digits in the first 10 days of June due to soaring demand for locally-made semiconductors, customs office data showed Thursday.
The outbound shipment totaled 28.63 billion U.S. dollars in the June 1 to 10 period, up 85.9 percent compared with the same period of last year, according to the Korea Customs Service.
It marked an all-time high for the cited period, surpassing the previous record of 25.2 billion dollars set in April.
The daily average export jumped 46.1 percent to 4.09 billion dollars in the 10-day period.
Semiconductor exports spiked 205.8 percent to 11.07 billion dollars on strong demand for chips used in artificial intelligence (AI).
Shipments for computers and peripherals skyrocketed 259.4 percent to 928 million dollars, thanks to strong demand for solid-state drives, driven by an expanded demand for AI infrastructure.
Exports for oil products, automobiles, ships, auto parts, mobile devices, precision machinery and home appliances advanced in double figures.
The Asian country's imports grew 35.6 percent from a year earlier to 23.35 billion dollars in the first 10 days of June, sending the trade surplus to 5.28 billion dollars.
Imports for chips, crude oil, semiconductor equipment, machinery, natural gas, oil products, cars and mobile devices all posted a double-digit growth in the cited period. ■
2026-06-11 11:20:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
1st LD Writethru: 47 killed, over 346,000 affected after strong quake in S. Philippines
MANILA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 47 people were killed, 31 missing and 688 injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mindanao, the Philippines, on Monday, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday.
The NDRRMC said the quake has affected more than 75,300 households, or over 346,000 people, and more than 45,000 affected residents have been displaced, with over 12,600 houses sustaining damage. The quake also triggered 45 related incidents, mainly landslides.
The council added that the earthquake affected the operation of 45 road sections, eight bridge sections, one airport, and two seaports, as well as the agriculture, husbandry and fishery industries. Power services were affected across 48 cities and municipalities.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the tectonic earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of 33 km, with the epicenter 32 km southwest of the coast of Maasim town in Sarangani province on Mindanao Island. ■
2026-06-11 11:18:48
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
MANILA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 47 people were killed, 31 missing and 688 injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mindanao, the Philippines, on Monday, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday.
The NDRRMC said the quake has affected more than 75,300 households, or over 346,000 people, and more than 45,000 affected residents have been displaced, with over 12,600 houses sustaining damage. The quake also triggered 45 related incidents, mainly landslides.
The council added that the earthquake affected the operation of 45 road sections, eight bridge sections, one airport, and two seaports, as well as the agriculture, husbandry and fishery industries. Power services were affected across 48 cities and municipalities.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the tectonic earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of 33 km, with the epicenter 32 km southwest of the coast of Maasim town in Sarangani province on Mindanao Island. ■
2026-06-11 11:18:48
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Urgent: Kuwait temporarily closes airspace after Iranian attacks
KUWAIT CITY, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait on Thursday announced a temporary closure of its airspace after Iranian attacks as a precautionary measure.
In an X post, Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority also announced the diversion of flights to alternative airports.
The temporary airspace closure started from 4:50 a.m. (0150 GMT), and will last until safety risks are confirmed to be eliminated, the authority said. ■
2026-06-11 11:25:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
KUWAIT CITY, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait on Thursday announced a temporary closure of its airspace after Iranian attacks as a precautionary measure.
In an X post, Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority also announced the diversion of flights to alternative airports.
The temporary airspace closure started from 4:50 a.m. (0150 GMT), and will last until safety risks are confirmed to be eliminated, the authority said. ■
2026-06-11 11:25:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
South Africa ready for Mexico test
MEXICO CITY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- South Africa manager Hugo Broos said his team is ready and motivated ahead of its FIFA World Cup opener against co-host Mexico on Thursday.
Broos accepted that Mexico was the stronger team but said his side would approach the match at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City with a desire to win and put itself on course for a possible appearance in the knockout stages.
"They play good football," Broos told a news conference on Wednesday. "They have very good players, players who can decide a match. And playing in front of their own fans gives them a boost."
Broos said he had carefully analyzed Mexico's players and tactics to prepare for any eventuality. The team's meticulous preparations included a decision to arrive early to adapt to local conditions, particularly the altitude of over 2,200 meters.
"Because of the altitude, we had to be here a little bit sooner," he said. "We had 10 days, and I think 10 days is sufficient. From that side, I think we are ready."
Group A also features South Korea and the Czech Republic, and Broos knows that a loss on Thursday would significantly dent South Africa's hopes of reaching the round of 32.
"In a group like this, it is very important to win your first game," he said. "If you don't win, you are already in a difficult position."
The match has several subplots, not least that it will reprise the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg.
There will also be a sense of deja vu for the managers. Broos and Mexico boss Javier Aguirre were opponents when Belgium and Mexico met in the group stage of the 1986 World Cup at Azteca Stadium.
"For sure it is big challenge, to play in front of 87,000 Mexicans, but I will tell the players to focus on the match. The Mexicans [supporters] at the stadium do not play, they just shout and sing and dance," Broos said. "We have to focus on the game and if we can do that and not be bothered by the noise of the Mexicans, we can have a good game tomorrow." ■
2026-06-11 11:30:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
MEXICO CITY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- South Africa manager Hugo Broos said his team is ready and motivated ahead of its FIFA World Cup opener against co-host Mexico on Thursday.
Broos accepted that Mexico was the stronger team but said his side would approach the match at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City with a desire to win and put itself on course for a possible appearance in the knockout stages.
"They play good football," Broos told a news conference on Wednesday. "They have very good players, players who can decide a match. And playing in front of their own fans gives them a boost."
Broos said he had carefully analyzed Mexico's players and tactics to prepare for any eventuality. The team's meticulous preparations included a decision to arrive early to adapt to local conditions, particularly the altitude of over 2,200 meters.
"Because of the altitude, we had to be here a little bit sooner," he said. "We had 10 days, and I think 10 days is sufficient. From that side, I think we are ready."
Group A also features South Korea and the Czech Republic, and Broos knows that a loss on Thursday would significantly dent South Africa's hopes of reaching the round of 32.
"In a group like this, it is very important to win your first game," he said. "If you don't win, you are already in a difficult position."
The match has several subplots, not least that it will reprise the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg.
There will also be a sense of deja vu for the managers. Broos and Mexico boss Javier Aguirre were opponents when Belgium and Mexico met in the group stage of the 1986 World Cup at Azteca Stadium.
"For sure it is big challenge, to play in front of 87,000 Mexicans, but I will tell the players to focus on the match. The Mexicans [supporters] at the stadium do not play, they just shout and sing and dance," Broos said. "We have to focus on the game and if we can do that and not be bothered by the noise of the Mexicans, we can have a good game tomorrow." ■
2026-06-11 11:30:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Aguirre urges calm before World Cup opener
MEXICO CITY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Mexico manager Javier Aguirre said his players would need to stay composed under pressure when they open the FIFA World Cup against South Africa on Thursday, warning any lapse in concentration could prove costly.
Aguirre said the right mindset would be as important as his team's football in front of an expected crowd of 80,000 fans at the Azteca stadium.
"It's true that the betting odds and lines put one team ahead of another," Aguirre told reporters on Wednesday. "The advantage of playing at home, the altitude and the support of your fans should make a difference; that's something the players have to handle. As the favorite, you can't lose your head."
Mexico is seeking its first victory in a World Cup opener after seven previous appearances in the tournament's first match or first-day fixtures.
Aguirre said he only learned of the statistic when asked about it at his pre-match press conference.
"Then we have one more reason to win tomorrow," he said. "We will break that statistic."
The 67-year-old, who is in his third spell as Mexico manager, recalled the last time the country hosted the tournament in 1986 when he was a player in the "El Tri" team that reached the quarterfinals.
He said nothing in his five decades as a player or manager compared with the experience of hosting a World Cup.
"I have not had a greater emotion in 50 years in football than a World Cup at home. It is something unforgettable," he said.
"I want to transmit to the players that it can be a great day for us, that it can be a celebration that will be remembered for decades."
Mexico will also face South Korea and the Czech Republic in one of the tournament's most competitive groups. Aguirre said his team would need to be ready for a variety of challenges if it hoped to advance to the knockout stages.
"I think we're prepared for any eventuality. We've tried to put them through different tests; these have been selective processes in which it's not just about football," he said.
"You have to maintain your emotional balance in the face of any unfair decision or an accident of football. We've selected 26 Mexicans who are prepared for whatever comes tomorrow; I hope that is reflected on the scoreboard in the end." ■
2026-06-11 11:31:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
MEXICO CITY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Mexico manager Javier Aguirre said his players would need to stay composed under pressure when they open the FIFA World Cup against South Africa on Thursday, warning any lapse in concentration could prove costly.
Aguirre said the right mindset would be as important as his team's football in front of an expected crowd of 80,000 fans at the Azteca stadium.
"It's true that the betting odds and lines put one team ahead of another," Aguirre told reporters on Wednesday. "The advantage of playing at home, the altitude and the support of your fans should make a difference; that's something the players have to handle. As the favorite, you can't lose your head."
Mexico is seeking its first victory in a World Cup opener after seven previous appearances in the tournament's first match or first-day fixtures.
Aguirre said he only learned of the statistic when asked about it at his pre-match press conference.
"Then we have one more reason to win tomorrow," he said. "We will break that statistic."
The 67-year-old, who is in his third spell as Mexico manager, recalled the last time the country hosted the tournament in 1986 when he was a player in the "El Tri" team that reached the quarterfinals.
He said nothing in his five decades as a player or manager compared with the experience of hosting a World Cup.
"I have not had a greater emotion in 50 years in football than a World Cup at home. It is something unforgettable," he said.
"I want to transmit to the players that it can be a great day for us, that it can be a celebration that will be remembered for decades."
Mexico will also face South Korea and the Czech Republic in one of the tournament's most competitive groups. Aguirre said his team would need to be ready for a variety of challenges if it hoped to advance to the knockout stages.
"I think we're prepared for any eventuality. We've tried to put them through different tests; these have been selective processes in which it's not just about football," he said.
"You have to maintain your emotional balance in the face of any unfair decision or an accident of football. We've selected 26 Mexicans who are prepared for whatever comes tomorrow; I hope that is reflected on the scoreboard in the end." ■
2026-06-11 11:31:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
IOC proposes major reform of Olympic program, host election process
GENEVA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee's Executive Board has proposed sweeping reforms to both the Olympic Games program review process and the Olympic host election framework, aiming to improve transparency, sustainability, cost management and athlete-centered decision-making.
The proposals were presented by IOC President Kirsty Coventry as part of the organization's ongoing "Fit for the Future" initiative following an Executive Board meeting.
A central element of the reforms is a shift toward evaluating Olympic disciplines rather than sports as a whole. The IOC said the approach more accurately reflects the impact of individual disciplines on venue requirements, operational complexity and overall Games costs.
Under the proposed framework, an Olympic discipline is defined as one or more events within a sport that require a dedicated field of play or a significant modification to a shared field of play, typically involving a separate group of athletes.
If approved by the IOC Session, the new methodology would be introduced for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
The revised review process would establish two separate pathways: incumbent disciplines already included in the Olympic program under the Host Contract, and candidate disciplines seeking inclusion.
While both groups would be assessed against similar standards, the IOC said the separate pathways recognize differences in available performance data and allow for fairer evaluations.
All disciplines would first undergo an eligibility screening covering governance standards, anti-doping compliance, integrity measures and athlete safeguarding policies.
They would then be assessed against key criteria including global appeal, cost and operational complexity, and athlete representation.
A final comparative stage would bring together the highest-performing candidate disciplines and the lowest-performing incumbent disciplines for direct evaluation using consistent and objective benchmarks.
The IOC said the methodology is designed to balance three priorities: maintaining an appropriate Games size, ensuring global relevance and creating opportunities for innovation and new disciplines.
...
2026-06-11 11:32:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
GENEVA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee's Executive Board has proposed sweeping reforms to both the Olympic Games program review process and the Olympic host election framework, aiming to improve transparency, sustainability, cost management and athlete-centered decision-making.
The proposals were presented by IOC President Kirsty Coventry as part of the organization's ongoing "Fit for the Future" initiative following an Executive Board meeting.
A central element of the reforms is a shift toward evaluating Olympic disciplines rather than sports as a whole. The IOC said the approach more accurately reflects the impact of individual disciplines on venue requirements, operational complexity and overall Games costs.
Under the proposed framework, an Olympic discipline is defined as one or more events within a sport that require a dedicated field of play or a significant modification to a shared field of play, typically involving a separate group of athletes.
If approved by the IOC Session, the new methodology would be introduced for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
The revised review process would establish two separate pathways: incumbent disciplines already included in the Olympic program under the Host Contract, and candidate disciplines seeking inclusion.
While both groups would be assessed against similar standards, the IOC said the separate pathways recognize differences in available performance data and allow for fairer evaluations.
All disciplines would first undergo an eligibility screening covering governance standards, anti-doping compliance, integrity measures and athlete safeguarding policies.
They would then be assessed against key criteria including global appeal, cost and operational complexity, and athlete representation.
A final comparative stage would bring together the highest-performing candidate disciplines and the lowest-performing incumbent disciplines for direct evaluation using consistent and objective benchmarks.
The IOC said the methodology is designed to balance three priorities: maintaining an appropriate Games size, ensuring global relevance and creating opportunities for innovation and new disciplines.
...
2026-06-11 11:32:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Urgent: Iran's IRGC says targeted U.S. al-Azraq base in Jordan with 12 ballistic missiles -- media
TEHRAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that it struck the U.S. al-Azraq base in Jordan with 12 ballistic missiles in response to U.S. attacks on Iran, the country's official news agency IRNA reported.
The latest strikes targeted U.S. fighter jets, including F35, F15 and F16, key facilities, and a control center at the air base, IRNA reported, citing an IRGC announcement. ■
2026-06-11 11:44:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
TEHRAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that it struck the U.S. al-Azraq base in Jordan with 12 ballistic missiles in response to U.S. attacks on Iran, the country's official news agency IRNA reported.
The latest strikes targeted U.S. fighter jets, including F35, F15 and F16, key facilities, and a control center at the air base, IRNA reported, citing an IRGC announcement. ■
2026-06-11 11:44:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Economic Watch: Hong Kong takes crown as top wealth hub, likely to keep it
by Xinhua writers Liu Yinglun, Zheng Jingxia
HONG KONG, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong has dethroned Switzerland as the world's largest booking center for cross-border wealth, about two years earlier than market expectations, as its booming financial market creates and grows wealth.
Hong Kong's cross-border wealth assets rose 10.7 percent to 2.95 trillion U.S. dollars in 2025, driven by Chinese mainland flows and a vigorous stock market that delivered significant IPO activity and strong gains in benchmark-heavy internet platforms, said Boston Consulting Group's 2026 Global Wealth Report.
The city's long-term sweet spots -- safe and steady investment environment, access to global markets and abundant investment options -- appear more valuable to global investors at a time of geopolitical tension, luring many Asian high-net-worth clients to move their money back to Hong Kong, said Liu Yang, associate professor of finance at Hong Kong University Business School.
Local data showed that over 3,380 single-family offices operate in Hong Kong by the end of 2025, marking a more than 25-percent hike over the past two years. By the end of April this year, the city had received nearly 3,600 applications for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, which could bring a total investment of 108 billion Hong Kong dollars (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).
The Initial Public Offering (IPO) market bonanza in Hong Kong from last year also spilled over to the wealth management sector by loading company founders and shareholders with extra cash to invest, said Liu.
The 119 IPOs in 2025 raised a total of 37.4 billion U.S. dollars, catapulting Hong Kong to the world's top IPO fundraising venue.
Christopher Hui, secretary for financial services and the treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, highlighted the "reinforcing triangle of wealth, companies and financial market at play." Family offices and high-net-worth individuals inject the liquidity that Hong Kong's capital market needs to attract new listings.
The private sector also stands to benefit. Deloitte China Tax & Business Advisory Hong Kong Leader Anthony Lau told Xinhua that his overseas clients tend to expand their family businesses in Hong Kong after setting up family offices here.
...
2026-06-11 12:13:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
by Xinhua writers Liu Yinglun, Zheng Jingxia
HONG KONG, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong has dethroned Switzerland as the world's largest booking center for cross-border wealth, about two years earlier than market expectations, as its booming financial market creates and grows wealth.
Hong Kong's cross-border wealth assets rose 10.7 percent to 2.95 trillion U.S. dollars in 2025, driven by Chinese mainland flows and a vigorous stock market that delivered significant IPO activity and strong gains in benchmark-heavy internet platforms, said Boston Consulting Group's 2026 Global Wealth Report.
The city's long-term sweet spots -- safe and steady investment environment, access to global markets and abundant investment options -- appear more valuable to global investors at a time of geopolitical tension, luring many Asian high-net-worth clients to move their money back to Hong Kong, said Liu Yang, associate professor of finance at Hong Kong University Business School.
Local data showed that over 3,380 single-family offices operate in Hong Kong by the end of 2025, marking a more than 25-percent hike over the past two years. By the end of April this year, the city had received nearly 3,600 applications for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, which could bring a total investment of 108 billion Hong Kong dollars (about 14 billion U.S. dollars).
The Initial Public Offering (IPO) market bonanza in Hong Kong from last year also spilled over to the wealth management sector by loading company founders and shareholders with extra cash to invest, said Liu.
The 119 IPOs in 2025 raised a total of 37.4 billion U.S. dollars, catapulting Hong Kong to the world's top IPO fundraising venue.
Christopher Hui, secretary for financial services and the treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, highlighted the "reinforcing triangle of wealth, companies and financial market at play." Family offices and high-net-worth individuals inject the liquidity that Hong Kong's capital market needs to attract new listings.
The private sector also stands to benefit. Deloitte China Tax & Business Advisory Hong Kong Leader Anthony Lau told Xinhua that his overseas clients tend to expand their family businesses in Hong Kong after setting up family offices here.
...
2026-06-11 12:13:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
U.S., Iran trade new round of strikes
TEHRAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that it struck and destroyed 18 U.S. "important targets" in response to fresh U.S. attacks on Iran.
The IRGC launched a drone attack on the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
"In this wave of military drone attacks, the communications antennas and radar installations of the Fifth Fleet's Patriot system were targeted," the report said.
Bahrain and Kuwait said their air defense forces intercepted missiles and drones. Kuwait announced a temporary closure of its airspace after Iranian attacks as a precautionary measure.
In an X post, Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority also announced the diversion of flights to alternative airports.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command said it had completed additional strikes against multiple Iranian targets and that the strikes were in response to Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression."
Separately, Iranian media reported explosions in the southern city of Sirik and in Abik in Qazvin province in the west, alongside reports of drone activity in other areas.
Earlier in the day, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington had been engaged in direct communications with Iranian officials. Tehran denied the claim. ■
2026-06-11 12:15:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
TEHRAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that it struck and destroyed 18 U.S. "important targets" in response to fresh U.S. attacks on Iran.
The IRGC launched a drone attack on the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
"In this wave of military drone attacks, the communications antennas and radar installations of the Fifth Fleet's Patriot system were targeted," the report said.
Bahrain and Kuwait said their air defense forces intercepted missiles and drones. Kuwait announced a temporary closure of its airspace after Iranian attacks as a precautionary measure.
In an X post, Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority also announced the diversion of flights to alternative airports.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command said it had completed additional strikes against multiple Iranian targets and that the strikes were in response to Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression."
Separately, Iranian media reported explosions in the southern city of Sirik and in Abik in Qazvin province in the west, alongside reports of drone activity in other areas.
Earlier in the day, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington had been engaged in direct communications with Iranian officials. Tehran denied the claim. ■
2026-06-11 12:15:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Review finds unacceptable levels of bullying, harassment within Australian police force
SYDNEY, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Bullying, discrimination and harassment occur at "unacceptable" levels within the police force in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), an independent review has found.
The cultural review, which was commissioned in 2024, handed down its final report on Thursday, revealing that 30 percent of the more than 5,100 current and former staff members who participated in the review had been bullied while working at the police force in the past five years.
"It is clear that bullying, incivility, discrimination and victimization are occurring at unacceptable levels within NSW Police Force and present systemic risk," the report said.
One quarter of respondents said they had experienced discrimination while working at the police force in the past five years, and nine percent reported experiencing sexual harassment.
The review made 29 recommendations for cultural change within the force, all of which have been accepted by NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who told reporters in Sydney that harmful behaviors would not be tolerated.
"The review also found that there was a culture where people feared speaking up against those behaviors," he said.
"I have made it clear to our workforce that that is not the culture we'll have in the New South Wales Police Force."
Yasmin Catley, NSW's Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, thanked everyone who participated in the review and said in a statement that it would be an opportunity to strengthen police culture. ■
2026-06-11 12:34:32
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
SYDNEY, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Bullying, discrimination and harassment occur at "unacceptable" levels within the police force in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), an independent review has found.
The cultural review, which was commissioned in 2024, handed down its final report on Thursday, revealing that 30 percent of the more than 5,100 current and former staff members who participated in the review had been bullied while working at the police force in the past five years.
"It is clear that bullying, incivility, discrimination and victimization are occurring at unacceptable levels within NSW Police Force and present systemic risk," the report said.
One quarter of respondents said they had experienced discrimination while working at the police force in the past five years, and nine percent reported experiencing sexual harassment.
The review made 29 recommendations for cultural change within the force, all of which have been accepted by NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who told reporters in Sydney that harmful behaviors would not be tolerated.
"The review also found that there was a culture where people feared speaking up against those behaviors," he said.
"I have made it clear to our workforce that that is not the culture we'll have in the New South Wales Police Force."
Yasmin Catley, NSW's Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, thanked everyone who participated in the review and said in a statement that it would be an opportunity to strengthen police culture. ■
2026-06-11 12:34:32
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Across China: Bird facial recognition boosts wetland conservation in China's Yellow River Delta
JINAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, a group of oriental storks perched atop their nests in the wetlands of the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying City, east China's Shandong Province. Some monitor over their surroundings, while others tend to their hungry chicks.
Unbeknownst to them, smart cameras silently record their every move, transmitting the footage to a backend system.
In front of a large screen at the Yellow River Delta ecological monitoring center, Zhao Yajie, deputy director of the center, carefully observed every move of the stork family. The platform automatically extracts images of bird activity and uses AI algorithms to analyze features such as beak, claw and feather patterns, allowing for real-time species identification and counting.
The Yellow River Delta is a key area for the conservation of migratory waterbirds along international flyways. Of the world's nine major migratory routes, two pass through this region. Millions of birds pass through each year, earning the delta a reputation as an "international airport" for avian travelers.
By 2025, the number of bird species recorded in the reserve had reached 376. The cumulative breeding population of oriental storks has grown to 4,260 individuals, with 536 bred in 2025 alone, setting a record high for a single year. The breeding population of Saunders's gulls has stabilized at over 10,000, making the reserve the species' second-largest breeding place in the world.
Where does all this complex bird data come from? Zhao explained that one of the center's key tasks is to conduct thorough bird surveys -- to track "which birds have arrived, how many there are, and where they are going."
But gathering this information across such an expansive wetland is no easy feat. In the early days of his career, Zhao would wear chest-high, airtight rubber waders, carry more than ten kilograms of equipment-including telescopes, tripods and cameras, and trudge through muddy tidal flats, and spend months stationed in remote field stations.
...
2026-06-11 12:42:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
JINAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, a group of oriental storks perched atop their nests in the wetlands of the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying City, east China's Shandong Province. Some monitor over their surroundings, while others tend to their hungry chicks.
Unbeknownst to them, smart cameras silently record their every move, transmitting the footage to a backend system.
In front of a large screen at the Yellow River Delta ecological monitoring center, Zhao Yajie, deputy director of the center, carefully observed every move of the stork family. The platform automatically extracts images of bird activity and uses AI algorithms to analyze features such as beak, claw and feather patterns, allowing for real-time species identification and counting.
The Yellow River Delta is a key area for the conservation of migratory waterbirds along international flyways. Of the world's nine major migratory routes, two pass through this region. Millions of birds pass through each year, earning the delta a reputation as an "international airport" for avian travelers.
By 2025, the number of bird species recorded in the reserve had reached 376. The cumulative breeding population of oriental storks has grown to 4,260 individuals, with 536 bred in 2025 alone, setting a record high for a single year. The breeding population of Saunders's gulls has stabilized at over 10,000, making the reserve the species' second-largest breeding place in the world.
Where does all this complex bird data come from? Zhao explained that one of the center's key tasks is to conduct thorough bird surveys -- to track "which birds have arrived, how many there are, and where they are going."
But gathering this information across such an expansive wetland is no easy feat. In the early days of his career, Zhao would wear chest-high, airtight rubber waders, carry more than ten kilograms of equipment-including telescopes, tripods and cameras, and trudge through muddy tidal flats, and spend months stationed in remote field stations.
...
2026-06-11 12:42:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Libya suspends issuing visa-on-arrival at airports
TRIPOLI, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Government of National Unity has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas on arrival at airports and air entry points, as part of efforts to regulate the entry of foreign nationals and strengthen border controls.
The measure took effect immediately and will remain in force until a comprehensive review of visa issuance mechanisms is completed and new regulatory procedures are introduced, according to an official circular issued late Wednesday.
The circular said the move aims to prevent forgery and misuse of entry permits while ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations governing foreigners' entry into the country.
The Ministry of Interior and the Passport, Nationality and Foreign Affairs Authority have been tasked with preparing a comprehensive framework for regulating visa issuance procedures and submitting it to the Prime Minister's Office within 30 days. The proposal is expected to include technical, security and administrative safeguards to ensure effective implementation.
The decision comes amid growing public pressure on the government, including protests and calls from civil society activists demanding stricter measures against irregular migration and rising cases of illegal infiltration and document fraud at air and land border crossings.
Libya has for years granted visas on arrival to certain categories of foreign nationals at selected airports, facilitating entry for business travelers, foreign delegations and visitors. ■
2026-06-11 12:58:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
TRIPOLI, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Government of National Unity has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas on arrival at airports and air entry points, as part of efforts to regulate the entry of foreign nationals and strengthen border controls.
The measure took effect immediately and will remain in force until a comprehensive review of visa issuance mechanisms is completed and new regulatory procedures are introduced, according to an official circular issued late Wednesday.
The circular said the move aims to prevent forgery and misuse of entry permits while ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations governing foreigners' entry into the country.
The Ministry of Interior and the Passport, Nationality and Foreign Affairs Authority have been tasked with preparing a comprehensive framework for regulating visa issuance procedures and submitting it to the Prime Minister's Office within 30 days. The proposal is expected to include technical, security and administrative safeguards to ensure effective implementation.
The decision comes amid growing public pressure on the government, including protests and calls from civil society activists demanding stricter measures against irregular migration and rising cases of illegal infiltration and document fraud at air and land border crossings.
Libya has for years granted visas on arrival to certain categories of foreign nationals at selected airports, facilitating entry for business travelers, foreign delegations and visitors. ■
2026-06-11 12:58:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Full text: National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030)
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030), which was released at the opening of the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance on Thursday.
Please see the attachment for the document. Enditem
Full text: National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030)
2026-06-11 13:00:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030), which was released at the opening of the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance on Thursday.
Please see the attachment for the document. Enditem
Full text: National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030)
2026-06-11 13:00:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
American Tharp shatters men's 110m hurdles world record at NCAA Championships
EUGENE, United States, June 10 (Xinhua) -- American hurdler Ja'Kobe Tharp shattered the men's 110 meters hurdles world record on Wednesday, clocking 12.75 seconds at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships to break a mark that had stood for nearly 14 years.
The 20-year-old Auburn University athlete produced the stunning performance in the second semifinal heat at Hayward Field in Eugene. Tharp surged clear after the opening hurdles and never looked threatened as he crossed the line first in his heat.
His time eclipsed the previous world record of 12.80 seconds set by American Aries Merritt at the Brussels Diamond League meeting in 2012.
The result marked a dramatic breakthrough for Tharp, whose previous personal best was 13.01 seconds, set in August 2025. The 2024 World under-20 champion and sixth-place finisher at last year's World Championships in Tokyo, admitted he was stunned by the performance.
"I knew I had that in my legs," Tharp said after the race. "But it wasn't on my bingo card before this meet, not at all."
The American said he felt he was moving exceptionally well throughout the race, although the final stages were not perfect.
"I thought maybe I could run 12.97 or 12.98," he said. "When I saw the time, I just went, 'Ah!' I'm speechless, seriously."
Asked afterward whether he sensed he was on pace for something historic, Tharp said he knew he was running well but did not realize a world record was within reach.
"It felt fast, but all my races feel fast, to be honest." ■
2026-06-11 13:06:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
EUGENE, United States, June 10 (Xinhua) -- American hurdler Ja'Kobe Tharp shattered the men's 110 meters hurdles world record on Wednesday, clocking 12.75 seconds at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships to break a mark that had stood for nearly 14 years.
The 20-year-old Auburn University athlete produced the stunning performance in the second semifinal heat at Hayward Field in Eugene. Tharp surged clear after the opening hurdles and never looked threatened as he crossed the line first in his heat.
His time eclipsed the previous world record of 12.80 seconds set by American Aries Merritt at the Brussels Diamond League meeting in 2012.
The result marked a dramatic breakthrough for Tharp, whose previous personal best was 13.01 seconds, set in August 2025. The 2024 World under-20 champion and sixth-place finisher at last year's World Championships in Tokyo, admitted he was stunned by the performance.
"I knew I had that in my legs," Tharp said after the race. "But it wasn't on my bingo card before this meet, not at all."
The American said he felt he was moving exceptionally well throughout the race, although the final stages were not perfect.
"I thought maybe I could run 12.97 or 12.98," he said. "When I saw the time, I just went, 'Ah!' I'm speechless, seriously."
Asked afterward whether he sensed he was on pace for something historic, Tharp said he knew he was running well but did not realize a world record was within reach.
"It felt fast, but all my races feel fast, to be honest." ■
2026-06-11 13:06:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Road crash injures 9, some seriously in Afghanistan
KABUL, June 11 (Xinhua) -- A road accident left nine commuters injured, some in critical condition, in Baghlan province north of Afghanistan on Wednesday evening, provincial police spokesman Mawlawi Shir Ahmad Burhani said Thursday.
Without providing more details, the official added that all the injured had been shifted to a hospital in the provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri. ■
2026-06-11 13:11:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
KABUL, June 11 (Xinhua) -- A road accident left nine commuters injured, some in critical condition, in Baghlan province north of Afghanistan on Wednesday evening, provincial police spokesman Mawlawi Shir Ahmad Burhani said Thursday.
Without providing more details, the official added that all the injured had been shifted to a hospital in the provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri. ■
2026-06-11 13:11:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
China to enhance public awareness of human rights
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- China will further promote human rights education and public awareness, according to the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030) released on Thursday.
China will incorporate education on the contemporary Chinese outlook on human rights into the national education system, apply digital and intelligent technologies, and explore new forms, channels and scenarios for human rights education, the action plan said.
The country will boost the development of human rights think tanks and research bases, and improve the staffing, funding, infrastructure and management of national human rights education and training bases.
According to the action plan, China will promote higher-quality human rights research, encourage the development of original concepts derived from human rights practices, and advance the disciplinary, academic and discourse systems of human rights. ■
2026-06-11 13:23:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- China will further promote human rights education and public awareness, according to the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030) released on Thursday.
China will incorporate education on the contemporary Chinese outlook on human rights into the national education system, apply digital and intelligent technologies, and explore new forms, channels and scenarios for human rights education, the action plan said.
The country will boost the development of human rights think tanks and research bases, and improve the staffing, funding, infrastructure and management of national human rights education and training bases.
According to the action plan, China will promote higher-quality human rights research, encourage the development of original concepts derived from human rights practices, and advance the disciplinary, academic and discourse systems of human rights. ■
2026-06-11 13:23:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Tunisia tourism eyes vast potential in Chinese market, says official
TUNIS, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's tourism industry sees vast potential in the Chinese market and has high hopes for future growth, a Tunisian tourism official has said.
Speaking of ITB China 2026, a travel trade fair held in Shanghai focusing on the Chinese travel market, Anouar Chetoui, chief representative of the Tunisian National Tourist Office in China, said that the event provided a valuable platform for Tunisia to deepen tourism-sector cooperation with China and unlock new avenues for partnerships.
Noting that the office will step up efforts to attract Chinese visitors and promote the country's tourism attractions, Chetoui emphasized that Tunisia's visa exemption policy for Chinese tourists has become a key driver of growth, significantly facilitating travel and contributing to a steady increase in visitor arrivals.
Tunisia received about 28,000 Chinese visitors in 2025, up 19.3 percent from a year earlier, and the upward trend has continued into 2026, official data showed.
To sustain the momentum, Tunisia has launched a range of promotional initiatives, notably by inviting Chinese media outlets and social media influencers, organizing business trips for Chinese travel agencies, and holding themed events with tour operators and local partners, Chetoui told Xinhua.
Interest in China is also growing among Tunisian travelers, he said, noting that group tours are becoming more common and that Tunisian travel agencies are increasingly adding China to their travel offerings. ■
2026-06-11 13:24:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
TUNIS, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's tourism industry sees vast potential in the Chinese market and has high hopes for future growth, a Tunisian tourism official has said.
Speaking of ITB China 2026, a travel trade fair held in Shanghai focusing on the Chinese travel market, Anouar Chetoui, chief representative of the Tunisian National Tourist Office in China, said that the event provided a valuable platform for Tunisia to deepen tourism-sector cooperation with China and unlock new avenues for partnerships.
Noting that the office will step up efforts to attract Chinese visitors and promote the country's tourism attractions, Chetoui emphasized that Tunisia's visa exemption policy for Chinese tourists has become a key driver of growth, significantly facilitating travel and contributing to a steady increase in visitor arrivals.
Tunisia received about 28,000 Chinese visitors in 2025, up 19.3 percent from a year earlier, and the upward trend has continued into 2026, official data showed.
To sustain the momentum, Tunisia has launched a range of promotional initiatives, notably by inviting Chinese media outlets and social media influencers, organizing business trips for Chinese travel agencies, and holding themed events with tour operators and local partners, Chetoui told Xinhua.
Interest in China is also growing among Tunisian travelers, he said, noting that group tours are becoming more common and that Tunisian travel agencies are increasingly adding China to their travel offerings. ■
2026-06-11 13:24:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]