Jeff Bezos arrives in Venice for wedding amid protests over inequality

Five years after Hong Kong's national security law was enacted, the city is working to reshape its global image amid lingering skepticism. Veteran politician Regina Ip recently traveled to Europe to address concerns about Hong Kong's political and legal shifts, signaling efforts to counter negative perceptions as the city emerges from pandemic restrictions.

Editor’s Note: Hong Kong's reputation took a hit after the national security law and strict COVID policies, but now officials are trying to reassure international observers that the city remains stable and open for business. Whether these efforts succeed could shape Hong Kong's future as a global hub.

Hong Kong is doubling down on its push to become a major player in the crypto world, releasing updated policies to boost stablecoins and digital asset tokenization. This comes as the U.S. (under a potential second Trump term) is also vying for dominance in the global crypto race, setting up an interesting competition between the two financial hubs.

Editor’s Note: With crypto regulation heating up worldwide, Hong Kong’s latest move signals it’s serious about attracting blockchain businesses—especially as the U.S. amps up its own efforts. For investors and fintech firms, this could mean more opportunities (and choices) in where to operate, but it also highlights how fast the global crypto landscape is shifting.

NATO has put its plans to open a Tokyo liaison office on hold, which is a setback for Japan’s efforts to strengthen ties with the alliance in the Indo-Pacific. The move highlights disagreements among NATO members about how aggressively they should push back against China’s growing influence. Japan’s former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had strongly supported the office as a way to boost cooperation with NATO and regional partners like Australia and South Korea.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a shelved office—it’s a sign of the tricky balancing act NATO faces as China’s power grows. Some members want a tougher stance, while others worry about escalating tensions. For Japan, it’s a disappointment, showing how hard it is to rally global support against Beijing. The story matters because it reveals cracks in Western unity at a time when China’s influence is reshaping global alliances.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is making it clear that Australia won’t let U.S. pressure on Spain dictate its own defense spending decisions. He sidestepped commenting on the U.S.-Spain dispute but emphasized Australia’s independence in setting its military priorities. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong is gearing up for key diplomatic engagements.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about budgets—it’s a signal that Australia wants to assert its sovereignty in defense strategy, even as global alliances shift. With tensions simmering between the U.S. and Spain (likely over trade or military deals), Albanese’s stance reassures voters that Australia won’t be dragged into someone else’s fight. It’s a delicate balancing act in an era where big powers expect loyalty.

Spain is calling out what it sees as hypocrisy in the EU's approach to international conflicts, arguing that the bloc is quick to sanction Russia over Ukraine but hesitant to penalize Israel for its military actions in Gaza. Madrid is pushing for a tougher stance against Israel, highlighting what it considers a "double standard" in foreign policy.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just about Israel and Russia—it’s a broader critique of how Western powers pick and choose when to apply pressure. Spain’s stance could deepen divisions within the EU, especially as some members strongly support Israel while others demand accountability. If more countries echo Spain’s argument, it could shift how the bloc handles future conflicts.