Fresh US tariffs on 60 countries; first China duo win Fields Medal: SCMP’s 7 highlights

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. US slaps fresh tariffs on China, 50-plus countries in latest waveThe United States imposed late on Thursday a fresh wave of tariffs against 60 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India and European Union member states, hours before a temporary 10 per cent blanket levy was due to expire.2. Wang Hong and Deng Yu become first Chinese nationals to win Fields MedalFor the first time, China has produced Fields Medal winners educated on its own soil – and two at once. Chinese mathematicians Wang Hong and Deng Yu took the honour, alongside John Pardon and Jacob Tsimerman.3. Why Singapore PM Wong moved swiftly on Faishal Ibrahim’s resignationMuhammad Faishal Ibrahim pictured during his swearing-in ceremony at the Istana in Singapore in May last year. Photo: AFPSingapore’s acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim resigned about a month after the prime minister learned of his improper interactions with a woman, a move observers say shows Lawrence Wong’s swift handling of the first scandal under his watch to contain any political fallout.4. ‘Unmistakable spirit’: veteran Hong Kong actor Patrick Tse dies at 89Veteran actor Patrick Tse’s career spanned seven decades. Photo: WeiboVeteran Hong Kong actor, film director and producer Patrick Tse Yin has died at the age of 89, with his son, pop star Nicholas Tse Ting-fung, asking friends and fans not to be sad, but to “keep his forever charming and smiling image in our hearts”.5. British woman jailed for 6 years in Hong Kong over £100,000 rape‑claim blackmailIsabel Rose (centre) has been sentenced to six years in prison. Photo: Jonathan WongA Hong Kong court has sentenced a British woman to six years in prison after convicting her of blackmailing a compatriot for £100,000 (US$134,060) over rape allegations.6. China’s Kimi K3 calls US safety curbs on top AI models into questionChinese unicorn Moonshot AI’s new Kimi K3 model rivals top US systems in spotting cybersecurity flaws, according to early research, stoking fears in Washington that strict safety guard rails are putting American Artificial Intelligence firms at a competitive disadvantage.7. China court orders wedding party to pay US$34,000 after brutal bridesmaid prankWhile the photo above captures a traditional Chinese wedding in progress, a separate hazing ritual elsewhere went tragically wrong, leaving a 20-year-old bridesmaid with a fractured vertebra. Photo: ShutterstockA 20-year-old woman from central China who served as a bridesmaid had one of her vertebrae fractured and became seriously disabled after a prank activity at a wedding.Further Reading