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Pioneering Chinese-American mathematician Zhongwei Shen has left the US after 40 years to take a chair professorship at Westlake University in Hangzhou, China. Shen will continue his research on partial differential equations and harmonic analysis at Westlake. He was drawn to the university's research-focused approach and international character. Shen has a long history of academic achievements, including being a founding member of the American Mathematical Society Fellows and a distinguished professor at the University of Kentucky. He expressed his commitment to helping Westlake become a top research university.

China has issued a satellite mobile communication business licence to China Unicom, a state-owned telecoms giant, to provide direct-to-phone satellite connectivity and expand its applications in emergency and maritime communications. The move is expected to foster a moderately competitive market, making internet services more accessible to everyday users. This development is part of China's efforts to accelerate its home-grown satellite services and compete with global players like Starlink.

Thailand's Supreme Court has ordered billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra to serve a one-year jail sentence, ruling that his detention in a hospital's VIP wing instead of prison was unlawful. The decision is a significant blow to the influential Shinawatra family, which has dominated Thai politics for two decades. Thaksin, 76, had returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years in exile and was initially imprisoned before being transferred to a hospital due to health concerns. His sentence was later commuted to one year by the king, and he was released on parole after six months. The court's latest ruling comes just days after Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed as prime minister by a court.

The article presents seven highlights from the South China Morning Post's (SCMP) recent coverage of Asia. The highlights include Kim Jong-un's daughter potentially becoming North Korea's next leader, Filipino Gen Z's losing hope due to economic stagnation and corruption, and Bali officials reassuring tourists of the island's safety despite unrest in Indonesia. Other stories cover various topical issues in Asia.

China has achieved significant environmental improvements in recent years, with a reduction in water and air pollution despite increased industrial activity. This is attributed to the country's green tech revolution, driven by investments in clean technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and lithium batteries. The article highlights the work of environmental researcher Ma Jun and his organization, the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, in monitoring and improving environmental quality. China's progress is characterized as 'industrialisation-driven decarbonisation', achieved through cutting-edge technology and real-time monitoring.

Tesla has launched a new Weibo account to promote its AI technology and humanoid robots in China. Analysts view this as a preliminary step towards introducing its robots in the country. China's humanoid robotics industry is growing rapidly, with a projected market expansion of 23% annually to reach $108 billion by 2028. Tesla aims to leverage its brand to penetrate the competitive market, with plans to make a major push into China over the next three to five years.

A former French anaesthetist, Frédéric Péchier, is on trial in Besançon for allegedly poisoning 30 patients, resulting in 12 fatalities between 2008 and 2017. Péchier, considered a highly-talented practitioner, denies any wrongdoing despite evidence of excessive potassium and lidocaine in the victims. The trial, expected to last over three months, involves more than 150 civil parties and could result in life imprisonment if Péchier is found guilty. Prosecutors argue that Péchier tampered with intravenous medicines to induce cardiac arrests as a means of revenge against colleagues.

A South Korean worker at a Hyundai car factory in Georgia, US, described the panic and confusion during a massive immigration raid by federal agents, resulting in the arrest of 475 people, including 300 South Korean nationals. The worker, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the raid was unexpected and that many of those detained were employed by a contractor and had some legal right to be in the US, but were on the wrong type of visas or had expired work permits. The operation, dubbed 'Operation Low Voltage', was the largest single-site immigration enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security investigations. Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, the joint owners of the factory, have cooperated with the authorities and paused construction. The raid has raised concerns about the impact on US-South Korean relations and the economic development of the region.

The US Supreme Court has lifted limits on immigration raids in Los Angeles, allowing agents to make stops based on factors such as race, language, or job. The decision is a win for President Donald Trump, who has vowed to conduct record-level deportations. The court's conservative majority ruled that a lower court's restraining order went too far in restricting how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents could carry out stops or questioning of suspected unlawful migrants. The liberal justices dissented, saying the decision puts constitutional freedoms at risk. The raids, which began in June, have been met with protests and criticism from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The third British victim of a funicular crash in Lisbon, Portugal, has been identified as David Young, an 82-year-old man from Holyhead on Anglesey. Young was described by his family as a 'lifelong transport enthusiast' who enjoyed visiting heritage railways and tramways. The crash, which occurred last Wednesday, resulted in 16 deaths, including two other Britons, Kayleigh Smith and Will Nelson. The cause of the crash is still unknown, but officials have reported that a cable snapped along the railway's route. The incident has prompted condolences from UK politicians, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

A moose nicknamed Emil has been wandering the streets and train tracks of Lower Austria for nearly three weeks, drawing large crowds and causing disruptions. The moose is believed to have originated from Poland and traveled through the Czech Republic before entering Austria. Authorities have urged the public not to approach or feed Emil, and to leave him alone. Despite this, a Facebook fan page for the moose has gained 10,000 members, and an oil painting has been inspired by the animal. Emil's whereabouts were unclear on Monday, but police reported no new deployments related to the moose.

A new Banksy mural appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, depicting a judge beating a protester with a gavel. The artwork was quickly covered and slated for removal due to the building's historical significance. The mural is seen as a commentary on the UK government's recent ban on Palestine Action and the use of law to suppress civil liberties. Banksy's work often critiques government policies on migration and war, and he has a history of creating politically charged art in various locations, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is set to open on Tuesday, despite concerns from Egypt and Sudan over its potential impact on the Nile water supply. The $5 billion dam is expected to double Ethiopia's electricity generation capacity and bring in $1 billion in revenue annually. However, Egypt and Sudan have warned that the dam could have grave consequences and have expressed concerns over water security. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated that the dam will benefit the region through power purchase agreements and flood control. The US government has tried to balance the concerns of the countries involved, while President Trump has criticized the dam, claiming it was funded with US money.

A recent ICE raid at a Hyundai-LG Energy Solution plant in Georgia has sparked widespread dismay and frustration in South Korea, with citizens fearing it could damage the US-South Korea alliance. The raid has led to concerns about the potential impact on bilateral relations between the two countries. CNN's Mike Valerio reports on the reaction in South Korea and the implications of the raid.

Top Trump officials, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Bill Pulte, nearly got into a physical fight at an exclusive 'MAGA' club. The altercation was reported by two sources familiar with the incident to CNN. The article provides details about the confrontation between the two high-ranking officials in the Trump administration.

The article discusses Donald Trump's denial of writing a lewd birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein two decades ago. The House Oversight Committee received a copy of the 'birthday book' containing the letter, which matches the Wall Street Journal's description. Trump's denial has been called into question, and his allies have stuck to their claim despite evidence to the contrary. The article analyzes the signature on the letter and finds that it is consistent with Trump's signature style during that period.

The article criticizes Charlotte's Mayor Vi Lyles for downplaying the murder of Iryna Zaruska, a Ukraine refugee, by Decarlos Brown, a schizophrenic individual who had a history of interactions with the police and mental health services. The author argues that the city's failure to confine Brown and provide adequate mental health care led to the tragic event. The article highlights the need for improved mental health resources and laws to mandate treatment and institutionalization for those suffering from serious mental illness.

A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, was stabbed to death on a Charlotte train by Decarlos Brown Jr., a 34-year-old homeless man with a history of violence and mental illness. Brown was free on cashless bail despite his extensive rap sheet, sparking outrage and highlighting flaws in the city's mass transit system and court system. The incident has raised concerns about public safety and the need for a bipartisan solution to address repeat offenders and mental health treatment.

Rex Ryan criticized Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel after their 33-8 loss to the Colts, calling the team 'soft' and questioning their respect for McDaniel. Ryan described McDaniel as 'nerd boy' and suggested that the team lacks passion. McDaniel responded by acknowledging the pressure of his job and emphasizing his focus on doing his job well. The Dolphins will face the Patriots in Week 2, seeking to redeem themselves after the loss.

The AI firm Mistral has been valued at $14 billion after Dutch chip giant ASML led a 1.7 billion-euro funding round, gaining an 11% stake in the French company. The investment more than doubles Mistral's previous valuation of 5.8 billion euros. Mistral is one of Europe's most competitive tech startups and is seen as a regional rival to OpenAI. The company has been building large language models for AI applications and plans to launch a reasoning model to compete with OpenAI and China's DeepSeek. ASML's investment will help Mistral reduce its reliance on Silicon Valley and support the European Union's push for AI independence.

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urged BRICS nations to address trade imbalances during a virtual summit, stating that India's biggest trade deficits are with BRICS partners, particularly China. China's imports to India have been rising, resulting in a record trade deficit of $99.21 billion for India in the fiscal year ending March 2025. The BRICS bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, rallied against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, with China warning against 'hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism.' The meeting highlighted the contrasting views within BRICS, with India focusing on economic aspects and China and Russia viewing it as a geopolitical grouping. The U.S.-India trade tensions were also discussed, with Trump imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods and India accusing the U.S. of protectionist policies.

Pope Leo XIV has canonized Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old computer genius who died of leukemia in 2006, as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. Acutis was known for creating a multilingual website documenting eucharistic miracles recognized by the church, earning him the nickname 'God's Influencer.' The canonization ceremony took place during an open-air Mass in St. Peter's Square before an estimated 80,000 people. Pope Leo XIV also canonized Italian student and avid outdoorsman Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died of polio in 1925. Both saints were praised for dedicating their lives to God and creating 'masterpieces' out of their lives.

The Trump administration is considering new restrictions on delegations from several countries, including Iran and Brazil, ahead of the U.N. General Assembly. One proposal would bar Iranian diplomats from shopping at wholesale stores like Costco without State Department approval. The measures are part of the administration's broader visa crackdown and are still under consideration. The inclusion of Brazil is surprising, as the country traditionally holds a place of honor during the gathering of world leaders. The restrictions could take effect before the General Assembly convenes on Sept. 22.

The French government has collapsed after losing a confidence vote in the National Assembly, forcing Prime Minister François Bayrou and his cabinet to resign. President Emmanuel Macron now faces difficult decisions, including appointing a new prime minister, potentially calling new parliamentary elections, or even resigning himself. The current political deadlock in France's lower house of Parliament, divided among left-wing, center-right, and far-right blocs, complicates the situation. Macron's options are constrained by the need to find a prime minister who can navigate this landscape and pass the 2026 budget. The political crisis has sparked protests and labor unions have called for work stoppages, indicating a bumpy road ahead.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened to punch Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William J. Pulte in the face at a dinner event in Georgetown. The altercation was reportedly sparked by Bessent's belief that Pulte was bad-mouthing him to President Trump. The incident reflects the volatile personalities within Trump's orbit and the intense loyalty demanded by the president. Pulte has been a fierce defender of Trump on social media, and Trump has expressed affection for him. The dispute between Bessent and Pulte had been simmering for weeks, partly due to their differing views on Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair.

An Australian mother, Erin Patterson, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 33 years for murdering her former in-laws and their relative by serving them a poisonous mushroom dish. Patterson had invited Don and Gail Patterson, Heather Wilkinson, and Ian Wilkinson to lunch, where she served a beef wellington laced with deadly death cap mushrooms. Three of the guests died, while Ian Wilkinson survived after a liver transplant. The court heard that Patterson had planned the murders and showed no remorse. The case has shocked the small community of Leongatha in Victoria, Australia, and has garnered significant international attention.

Thailand's Supreme Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison term for previous convictions on graft and abuse of power charges. The court found that Thaksin's detention in a police hospital did not count as serving prison time due to improper enforcement of his penalty. Thaksin was initially sentenced to eight years in prison but had his sentence commuted to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and was released on parole after six months in the hospital. The circumstances surrounding his imprisonment and release raised questions about special treatment. Thaksin is expected to be sent to the Bangkok Remand Prison following the ruling.

Australia's online safety regulator has warned that AI-powered chatbots pose a 'clear and present danger' to children due to their potential to encourage suicide or engage in sexually explicit conversations. The regulator, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, has introduced new rules to govern these services, including age-checking technology and app store regulations. The measures are part of a series of stringent digital restrictions in Australia, including a world-first social media ban for under-16s. The new rules will apply to various online services, including social media platforms, gaming sites, and AI services, with breaches punishable by penalties of up to A$50 million.