News that caught our eye / The week ending July 26, 2024
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NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. There is often a time lag in their reaching the US and in gaining our attention. These reports reflect the opinions of a variety of news sources.
Curated by James Getka.
Chinese archaeologists unearth 3,400-year-old jade workshop at Sanxingdui ruins / July 24. 2024
With no written history to explain where they came from, the Shu Kingdom that once flourished in southwestern China three to four thousand years ago has remained a mystery. However, the archeological site at Sanxingdui has revealed an array of relics to shed at least some light on the enigmatic culture (SCMP).
CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage: Chinese cybersecurity firms take victory lap / July 21, 2024
After the Crowdstrike outage that crippled Microsoft Windows operations throughout the globe —except in most of China, where mostly foreign businesses that used Microsoft were affected-- China’s cybersecurity firms promoted their own software, emphasizing their reliability and the safety of being independent of other global companies (Yahoo Finance).
Was deadly bridge collapse a freak accident or result of China's race to modernize? / July 21, 2024
A portion of an expressway in Shaanxi province in central China collapsed during flooding—the second collapse this season—killing at least 12 as an entire section of highway collapsed into the raging river. Locals say a log pile had built up against the highway’s pillars, possibly causing the support to buckle. Others wonder, however, if China’s rapid infrastructure schedule caused some to cut corners (Sky News).
China braces for twin tropical cyclones after deadly flash floods /July 22, 2024
After enduring torrential rains and flooding in the interior of the country over the weekend, two cyclones were forecasted to hit China’s eastern seaboard, the first on Sunday and the second later in the week. Prapiroon, the first cyclone, was expected to bring torrential rain to Hainan and Guangdong, China’s most populated province. Gaemi, the second storm, was expected to brush northern Taiwan before making landfall in China as a typhoon (Reuters).
After spurning China for years, Brazil reveals plan to join Belt and Road Initiative / July 20, 2024
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva declared that his country is now looking into joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative, although he wants to be assured of a few things before signing a deal. Those would include how advantageous the agreement would be to Brazil, and how it would affect Brazil’s relationships with other allies in the West (SCMP).
China and the Philippines reach deal in effort to stop clashes at fiercely disputed shoal / July 21, 2024
Representatives from China and the Philippines reached an agreement on Sunday regarding the contested 2nd Thomas Shoal, although very few details about the agreement were made available. Both sides recognize the need for dialogue and diplomacy, especially after recent confrontations caused damage to vessels and injuries to some Philippine Navy personnel (NBC News).
China cuts several major interest rates to support fragile economy / July 22, 2024
China cut short- and long-term interest rates on Monday in a surprise move to shore up a flagging economy. The move comes after a weaker-than-expected 2nd quarter economic report and the Chinese Communist Party leaders’ recent plenum. The People’s Bank of China also lowered some rates (Reuters).
Hamas and Fatah sign unity deal in Beijing aimed at Gaza governance / July 23, 2024
Hamas, Fatah, and a dozen other factions have signed an agreement negotiated by China to form a unity government to govern Gaza after the fighting with Israel ceases. The deal intends to block Israel from forming a government that would be more compatible with Israeli interests. Conflict between Hamas and Fatah had been going on since 2006 (Al Jazeera).
We bought everything needed to make $3 million worth of fentanyl / July 25, 2024
Reuters bought everything needed to make $3 million worth of fentanyl from a Chinese chemical seller. All it took was $3,600 and a web browser. "Such deals are astonishingly easy – and reveal how drug traffickers are eluding efforts to halt the deadly trade behind the fentanyl crisis."