Trump says Xi Jinping has agreed to approve TikTok deal, but details unclear

It's worth reminding Americans that one of the things that chilled Japan Inc's involvement in China was the risk that the PRC would detain its workers, so you really can't underestimate the chilling effect the Hyundai raid will have on foreign investment

WOW. China is drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone, a move that analysts believe is likely part of Beijing’s unilateral grab for disputed territory. Great scoop from @heldavidson.bsky.social and @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

People living near Tiananmen Square were even banned from cooking on Wednesday morning — on account that any smoke could haze up the sky — and instead were given breakfast packs of hard-boiled tea eggs, bread rolls and spicy Sichuan pickles. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

You know that boat the administration blew up? A former law enforcement official told the NYT the boat seemed to be carrying not drugs but *’migrants * www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/u...

Hot mic catches Putin and Xi discussing organ transplants and immortality

My wrap on China's military parade today: A new photo for the history books as Xi, Putin and Kim arrive together, warnings of peace and war, a lot of big shiny military hardware, and a definitely not mad Trump www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

I reckon this from @emoontw.bsky.social on leaving Taiwan (and its media scene) is worth a read theeastandback.substack.com/p/my-great-t...

Military reveals and bold messaging: five key takeaways from China’s big parade www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

China drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone – The Guardian: ‘However, there is no sign of the Taiwan government having responded to it, despite frequently enforcing its EEZ elsewhere.’

Exclusive from me: China drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

Fascinating read by @heldavidson.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Racers kidnapped with giant nets and ransomed. Others smuggled on to high-speed trains to get to the finish line faster. Performance enhancing drugs. Millions in alleged gambling. Our story on the wild world of Taiwan's pigeon racing, with pics by An Rong Xu www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Revealed: Israeli military’s own data indicates civilian death rate of 83% in Gaza war www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

This is really significant. I've been frustrated that we have to guess how much power and water AI consumes, because these tech companies won't say (even though they know). This is the most transparent estimate from one of these companies so far. I hope others will follow suit.

White woman puts Mexican flag on her truck to waste ICE’s time.

Proud of @taiwanfcc.bsky.social for standing in support of our colleagues in Gaza, and against the targeted murder of journalists

you rarely encounter a perfect intro..........but when you do

I’m kind of speechless with this one. I can’t imagine the kind of person who continues to make the argument that it doesn’t count as real starvation if the kids were already sick.

there’s a popular digital guide written and used by police that recommends sharing links with URL tracking elements to capture people’s IPs. Linkumori is a browser extension that purifies URLs before trackers can log you.

In this video, I read out the name of Wafa Aludaini, a Palestinian journalist who wrote for several publications including The Guardian. She also mentored young journalists. On 29 September 2024, she was killed alongside her husband and two of her children in an Israeli airstrike.

One of the many devastating things about making this video was that we had to update it about three times during the making to account for further killings of journalists, including (you'll see at the end) a special mention of the 6 Al Jazeera journalists targeted by Israel. Please watch to the end.

Some of the names I read for this video: Yahya Subaih, who tirelessly told the stories of his community, died in an Israeli airstrike. Ahmed el-Helou of the Quds News Network, killed in an Israeli airstrike. Hassan Sammour, a broadcaster who worked for Al Aqsa Voice Radio, died the same day.

"Taiwan has unfortunately become the destination of choice for washed-up Western politicians to turn up long after their political careers have ended, making grandiose speeches in exchange for extraordinarily large paychecks." www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori...

Super interesting interview with @heguisen.bsky.social about his new book Ghost Nation. www.thewirechina.com/2025/08/10/c... "Democratic countries have decisions to make now on what kind of Taiwan they want to see in the future."

Turns out this warning was warranted. The rain is alright but the wind out there is fierce right now. Sounds like a plane taking off over and over. Strongest typhoon I’ve experienced in some years. Power is flickering.

China’s crackdown on lavish civil servant perks will ‘harm’ the economy, experts warn

Netizen Voices on New Childcare Subsidies: “Are They Going to Refund All the Fines Paid by People Who Exceeded Childbirth Quotas Back in the Day?”

‘I risked everything’: remembering six media workers killed by Israel in Gaza

More than 100,000 Myanmar refugees in Thailand have lost access to essential food and medical aid due to US funding cuts, putting them at serious risk. The Thai government should permit refugees to lawfully work and travel outside its refugee camps www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...

TSMC announced in April a $100bn investment in the US, gaining an exemption from Trump's industry tariffs. However, a foreign investment of that size requires government approval from Taiwan. The Guardian has confirmed the company has not yet applied for approval. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen has confirmed that the entire Al Jazeera team in Gaza City has been killed.

An entire news crew working for Al Jazeera was killed by Israel as they sought to bring the world firsthand reporting from #Gaza. Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF. #NotATarget Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...

Political scientist Nathan Batto (aka Frozen Garlic) made a list of the multiple reasons why the 1st round of the civil #recall movement against 24 KMT lawmakers failed on July 26 in #Taiwan: "Each one is probably somewhat right and somewhat incomplete." frozengarlic.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/t...

I know there's a risk of amplifying the fascist horror show, but I think we need to be aware of just how far things are going, especially as this man is a Republican candidate for governor of California. All the old safeguards are being deliberately torn down, and the unspeakable normalised.

Analysis of the Failure of the Great Recall - The mobilization of the Blue Camp was successful, how will the DPP face this "democratic test"? www.cw.com.tw/article/5136...

Attempt to unseat 24 ‘pro-China’ opposition politicians in Taiwan fails www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

The president of the United States refuses to rule out pardoning a convicted child sex trafficker.

Crisis extended. It seems KMT and TPP lawmakers are about to reject once more President Lai's Judicial Yuan nominees, with the Constitutional Court likely to remain deadlocked as a result.

The State Department has shuttered the team involved in South China Sea security, getting rid of top experts on the subject at a time when the administration says security in the region is a priority.

Apparently, 40% discounts are being offered by China to encourage taishang to return to vote in the recall--according to the Mainland Affairs Council, this is on a similar level to a presidential election news.ltn.com.tw/news/politic...

Australia warned it could face legal action over ‘wrongful’ fossil fuel actions after landmark climate ruling from world’s top court

The DPP rally tonight — starts 7pm in #Taipei — will feature "Taiwan Travelogue" author Yang Shuang-zi, filmmaker Wang Hsiao-di, singer Hsieh Ming-yu, band FireEX, a delegation representing overseas voters, and a mysterious guest or two. Very different from the KMT's lineup of political bigwigs tmr.

Why are we reluctant to recognize Israel’s genocide in Gaza? | Kenneth Roth

joint statement from AFP, AP BBC News and Reuters says that their journalists in Gaza are struggling to feed themselves and their families

Armed clashes break out between Thailand and Cambodia along disputed border after weeks of tension

Really interesting piece from Kathrin Hille about the KMT's soul-searching amid the massive recall. “Advocating cross-Strait peace has not given us any advantage,” a senior KMT official said. “So we have to conclude they do not trust us with that.” www.ft.com/content/49a1...

Global outcry grows over Israel’s killing of starving civilians in Gaza UN secretary general warns ‘last lifelines’ may soon collapse after Israeli forces attack WHO facilities in Deir al-Balah www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Great read. ‘War is very funny for the first couple of years’: how Russia’s invasion transformed Ukraine’s comedy scene. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...