Neighbor disputes

China’s president has reiterated his call for self-reliance in science and technology, saying innovation is the key to better develop the country’s economy, sharpen its global edge and achieve long-term goals. The remarks came as Xi Jinping visited a solar equipment manufacturer in Wuhan in central Hebei province, state news agency Xinhua reported. Wuhan is an up-and-coming tech hub and hosts the regional headquarters and research centres of Chinese giants Huawei, Tencent and Xiaomi. It is also home to key facilities of dozens of notable tech companies, including major fibre-optic cable manufacturers and chip makers. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The optoelectronic information sector was a strategic hi-tech industry with a wide range of applications, and China … [Read more...] about Chinese President Xi Jinping repeats call for tech self-reliance, innovative talent

ODESA, Ukraine — Torture, beatings and neglect: Ukrainian service members captured during Russia’s invasion may be lucky to be back home alive, but their physical and emotional scars could plague them for years. One such soldier is Mykhaylo, 20, who said he hadn’t finished his military training when attack helicopters swarmed Hostomel airport near the nation’s capital, Kyiv, where he was preparing to be deployed. It was Feb. 25, the day after Russia invaded. After an intense battle, he said his fighting group had little choice but to surrender and he was taken captive.  He told NBC News that he and his comrades were held in a few locations around the airport before being transferred to a bomb shelter in a fire station. He was held with both military personnel and civilians, 34 people in total, he said. The oldest prisoner was a 70-year-old man, who had been taken captive after he admitted to having military identification, he said. “Everyone was beaten,” said Mykhaylo who, … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone was beaten’: Ukrainians held captive by Russia recover from physical, emotional scars

T he ad that signaled the coming catastrophe for democracy in North Carolina appeared just four days before the November 2012 election. As the ad opened, a woman’s voice wondered aloud whether voters “can trust Sam Ervin IV to be a fair judge.” Ervin, captured in black and white, looks shifty, moving his eyes back and forth before turning his head suddenly as if he is on the run. Ervin and his family, the ad announced, had donated to the campaign of the former Democratic governor, and later convicted felon, Mike Easley. The camera lingers on Ervin’s face as the ad explains that he went on to get a $100,000 state job; the portrait could be mistaken for a mug shot, were it not for his suit and tie. One might have assumed that Ervin was running for high federal office, given the seriousness and slickness of the ad—and the fact that the group responsible for it was largely funded by a national Republican PAC. But no, Ervin was running for one seat of seven on the state supreme court. … [Read more...] about North Caroline Is a Warning

Union chiefs have warned strikes by thousands of BT workers could have a “very significant impact”. More than 30,000 employees at BT and its Openreach broadband arm today voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action in a row over pay. If strikes go ahead, they would be the first across BT for 35 years, and since the privatisation of the firm. BT staff became the latest workers threatening to walk out in what is set to be a summer of discontent. They are angry after the telecoms giant imposed a salary rise, said to be worth £1,500, without consulting their union. Openreach members voted 95% in favour of strikes and BT staff by 91%. They include call centre workers and broadband engineers. Dave Ward warned any strikes could have a 'very significant impact' ( Image: PA) The Communication Workers Union said it wanted to hold new talks with BT. But general secretary Dave Ward warned any strikes could have a “very significant impact”. An unnamed … [Read more...] about Strike action by BT workers could have ‘very significant impact’, union chiefs warn