Chinese foreign minister’s mysterious fall from grace: Qin Gang, China’s ousted top diplomat, has not been seen in public for over a month ( novayagazeta.eu )
On 25 July, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang was removed from his position and replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi. No official reason is provided by Chinese authorities for the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress’s decision to replace Qin following his vague, “health-related” absence from his official...
Putin rules out rejoining Black Sea grain deal, despite famine fears ( www.politico.eu )
Trump charged with additional counts in Mar-a-Lago documents case ( www.npr.org )
A grand jury in the Southern District of Florida has charged former President Donald Trump with a new count of willful retention of National Defense Information in the case related to his handling of classified documents. The new charge stems from a top-secret presentation Trump waved at aides at his Bedminster, N.J., resort....
Hong Kong judge defies government’s bid to ban pro-democracy protest song, saying it could undermine freedom of expression ( www.theguardian.com )
The government had sought the injunction banning online publication or distribution of the song, arguing it insulted China’s national anthem and could give people the impression that Hong Kong was an independent country.
Taiwanese citizens take the nation's defense into their own hands: Interview with scholar Wen Liu ( globalvoices.org )
For people in Taiwan living under regular military threats from China, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the West’s responses to it have prompted queries about the Taiwanese military forces’ own readiness and resilience. In the early days following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Taipei quickly...
‘Era of global boiling has arrived,’ says UN chief as July set to be hottest month on record ( www.theguardian.com )
Niger coup: Ruling party HQ attacked after President Bazoum ousted ( www.bbc.co.uk )
COVID symptoms seem to never touch certain people — and researchers may have finally figured out why ( www.cbsnews.com )
Here is the study the article references:...
Darkening Tibet: Satellite Imagery Reveals Increased Detentions by Chinese Authorities ( bnn.network )
A recent study conducted by the Rand Europe research institute utilizes satellite imagery and night-time lighting data to suggest an increase in activity within high-security detention facilities in Tibet. The increased activity could potentially indicate an escalation in the severity of imprisonments imposed by Chinese...
Over 230 people get puzzling neurological disorder in Peru; emergency declared ( arstechnica.com )
Niger soldiers announce coup on national TV ( www.bbc.co.uk )
Should Trump be allowed to run for office? ( www.rawstory.com )
Raw Story is running a poll on if Trump should be allowed to run for office....
Hunter Biden guilty plea in doubt over immunity questions ( www.washingtonpost.com )
Even if the legal turmoil that has surrounded Hunter Biden for years is wrapped up, the political battle will continue.
Kevin Spacey cleared of sexually assaulting four men ( www.theguardian.com )
Jury at Southwark crown court finds Oscar-winning actor, 64, not guilty after four-week trial
Cambodia's Hun Sen to resign and appoint son as PM ( www.bbc.com )
Gulf Stream current could collapse in 2025, plunging Earth into climate chaos: 'We were actually bewildered' ( www.livescience.com )
A vital ocean current system that helps regulate the Northern Hemisphere’s climate could collapse anytime from 2025 and unleash climate chaos, a controversial new study warns....
UPS reaches contract with 340,000 unionized workers, averting potentially calamitous strike ( apnews.com )
Italy wildfires encircle Palermo as temperatures hit 47C ( www.theguardian.com )
Borax is the new Tide Pods and poison control experts are facepalming ( arstechnica.com )
Regarding the Eviction of the Self-Organized Refugee Camp in Lavrio, Greece ( crimethinc.com )
How Turkey’s War on Kurds and the European Union’s War on Migrants Intersect
China: son and daughter of wanted self-exiled pro-democracy activist questioned by Hong Kong police ( hongkongfp.com )
Elmer Yuen is listed as one of the eight pro-democracy activists wanted by the national security police. He is accused of subversion and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security.
Israeli parliament approves key part of judicial overhaul that has exposed deep fissures in society ( apnews.com )
In Monday’s vote, lawmakers approved a measure that prevents judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are “unreasonable.”