Hello everyone, welcome to the news frontline. I'm your host, Xiaoyu. Today we're going to talk about a few major news stories, each of which is closely related to our lives.
First, let's talk about Hong Kong. Recently, they banned a strategy game developed in Taiwan called "Revolt: Arise." This game is quite something, supposedly containing content that promotes armed revolution. Hong Kong authorities directly removed it from shelves, citing incitement to secession. The game development team certainly didn't agree, saying it was political censorship and a violation of freedom of speech. It seems the claws of internet censorship are reaching further and further.
Then there's Apple, this tech giant has new moves. They announced they will launch digital IDs in the United States. In the future, for domestic flights, you can just swipe your phone, which is really convenient. However, for international flights, you still need to take out your passport, because they said they need to use facial recognition to ensure safety. Once this thing comes out, privacy issues will be brought up for discussion again.
Finally, let's talk about Australia, where house prices are truly despairing. The average house price has now exceeded AUD 1 million, making it one of the most housing-burdened countries in the world. Experts say that this is due to a combination of insufficient supply, population growth, and tax incentives. The government is also trying to find solutions, such as simplifying the approval process, hoping to alleviate the housing crisis. However, in the short term, these house prices are likely to remain high.
"Revolt: Arise" Causes Controversy, Hong Kong's Freedom of Speech Challenged Again?
The New York Times reported that the game "Revolt: Arise" was developed by a volunteer team in Taiwan, and its main content is to resist the "conspiracy" of the Chinese Communist Party, using comic-style depictions of various characters fighting against each other strategically. Hong Kong police accused the game of inciting secession and promoting armed revolution, even threatening that those who download or promote the game would face legal prosecution.
This game was not only removed from app stores in Hong Kong, but even the Google Store was not spared. Developers said that this incident reflects that Hong Kong's censorship system has approached the political restrictions of mainland China. This makes people worry whether Hong Kong's freedom of speech will really be gone forever?
In this incident, online content played the role of a political protest tool. Under the background of the "National Security Law," Hong Kong's suppression of dissent has penetrated into digital culture, which undoubtedly casts a shadow over the future of Hong Kong.
Apple Tax Going to Change? US Tax Revenue May Be Greatly Reduced!
The Financial Times' report focuses on Apple's tax and market redistribution issues in the United States. A U.S. court recently rejected Apple's motion to stay the new ban, which means that developers can use third-party payment channels to avoid Apple's 30% "commission tax."
This is no small matter. Industry giants like "Fortnite" and Patreon can save a lot of money every year. More importantly, this may trigger a global redistribution of Apple tax.
According to Apple's official data, the transaction volume of the US App Store in 2024 was as high as $53 billion. If future transactions all shift to external link payments, Apple's tax revenue in the United States may decrease from about $15 billion to less than half.
This is not the end. Apple may transfer huge profits from the United States to other countries, especially China, forming a new pattern of transfer payments. This is undoubtedly a huge challenge for US tax policy.
High Risk of Misjudgment of Nuclear Weapons, World Peace in Jeopardy?
A Sing Tao Daily report explores the potential dangers of misjudgment of nuclear weapons. Experts from the Federation of American Scientists pointed out that the greatest risk of nuclear war is no longer the provocation of hostile countries, but accidental accidents caused by technical errors and human errors.
Many submarine collision incidents have occurred in history, and these incidents show that even in peacetime, the operation of nuclear forces is full of potential dangers. For example, the collision between French and British nuclear submarines in the Atlantic in 2009 is a typical example.
Experts warn that with the increase in the number of nuclear weapons and technological advancements, the possibility of nuclear war caused by misjudgment is also increasing. Especially in the event of a high-alert submarine losing contact or being attacked, it is likely to trigger an unpredictable nuclear disaster.
The article finally calls on the world to remain vigilant, recognize the dangers of nuclear weapons, and avoid an accidental mistake from becoming the fuse of a devastating war.
US Strategic Focus Shifts to Indo-Pacific? European Military Spending to Increase Significantly?
Voice of America Chinese website reported that Secretary of Defense Hagel Seth emphasized that if European NATO allies can increase their defense budgets to 5% of GDP, it will help the United States shift its strategic focus to the Indo-Pacific region.
Hagel Seth believes that European countries cannot always rely on the protection of the United States and must actively assume responsibility in both peacetime and wartime. He also mentioned that if the war in Ukraine drags on for too long, it will divert the international community's attention from China's malicious influence.
It seems that the United States wants to put more energy in the Indo-Pacific region to deal with China's challenges. As for Europe, it has to take care of itself more.
Trump Wants to "Liberate Los Angeles"? Immigration Issues Escalate Again!
Voice of America Chinese website also reported on President Trump's response to the anti-immigrant protests in Los Angeles. Trump announced that he would "liberate Los Angeles" and defended the federal government's mobilization of the National Guard and Marines, claiming that out-of-control immigration had caused chaos and disorder in the city.
Although California Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit against Trump's actions, a federal judge still refused to block the deployment of federal troops. This move has sparked fierce controversy, and protests have spread to other cities. Los Angeles has also announced a curfew to deal with the ongoing riots.
This matter is making a lot of noise. It seems that the US immigration problem is getting more and more serious.
Trump's Attitude Towards Iran Hardens, Adding Variables to the Middle East Situation?
Another report on the Voice of America Chinese website mentioned that Trump's confidence in the Iranian nuclear negotiations has weakened significantly, saying that Iran's performance in the negotiations has become aggressive, making him pessimistic about the prospect of reaching a nuclear agreement.
Trump warned that if Iran refuses to permanently terminate uranium enrichment activities, the United States may take military action. Nevertheless, the Iranian Foreign Minister said that the cooperation between the two sides on the nuclear agreement is close to reaching an agreement, emphasizing that continuing uranium enrichment under international supervision is the key to achieving peace.
This series of dynamics reflects the complexity and tension of the situation in the Middle East, and also highlights the tough stance of the United States on the nuclear issue.
US Naval Power Challenged? China's Shipbuilding Speed is Amazing!
Voice of America Chinese website reported that Navy Secretary Flyan frankly admitted at a congressional hearing that the US Navy's ships are far superior to China in quality, but they are seriously behind in terms of construction speed.
Flyan pointed out that China builds more ships each year than the United States has built since World War II, showing that China is gradually eroding the US maritime dominance with its quantitative advantage.
Flyan emphasized that although the United States still has an advantage in naval power, the opponent's rapid catch-up is worrying, especially in the context of China's continuous projection of influence in the Indo-Pacific region. It seems that the United States has also felt the pressure from China.
To cope with this challenge, the United States is accelerating the reconstruction of shipbuilding and maritime industrial base. President Trump has also signed an executive order to promote naval modernization to ensure national security and strategic deterrence.
Anti-Immigration Conflicts Break Out in Los Angeles, the Scene is a Mess!
Sing Tao Daily reported that the anti-immigration law enforcement protest in downtown Los Angeles on June 8 turned into a violent conflict, and the scene was shocking.
Witnesses described that some radical elements in the protest threw stones and burned self-driving Weimang vehicles, resulting in many vehicles being reduced to charred wreckage. The atmosphere on the scene was tense, and many residents were shocked and worried about the severity of the destruction.
Artists and non-profit workers have expressed concerns about the safety of the city, and museums have also been damaged, which is heartbreaking. Although some people called for maintaining peace, some residents believe that these radical actions are an expression of dissatisfaction with government policies, reflecting deep social contradictions and anger.
Apple Digital ID is Here, Is Travel More Convenient?
Sing Tao Daily reported that Apple announced at the Global Developers Conference that it will promote the digital ID function of Apple Wallet in the United States, allowing users to use their mobile phones instead of physical documents when boarding domestic flights.
This innovation has been recognized by the US Transportation Security Administration, but it is only limited to domestic flights, and physical passports are still required for international travel. When using a digital ID, users need to verify their identity through facial recognition or fingerprint recognition to ensure identity security.
This function requires iPhone 8 and above models, and is equipped with a specific iOS version, and there are different device requirements in different regions. The new regulations, coupled with the Real ID regulations recently implemented in the United States, have improved the convenience of domestic aviation security, but also remind users to pay attention to usage restrictions and safety measures.
US Inflationary Pressure Relieved? Will the Economy Usher in a Period of Stability?
The Financial Times reported that the US inflation rate in May rose to only 2.4%, lower than the market's expected 2.5%, showing that Trump's tariff measures had relatively mild pressure on consumer prices.
This data shows that although inflation has risen slightly, the core CPI (excluding food and energy) remains flat at 2.8%, with no expected slight increase. This reflects that price pressures in the US economy are gradually easing, perhaps suggesting limited room for future monetary policy adjustments, bringing a certain degree of stable expectations to the market.
China's Marriage and Love Market Encounters a Cold Shoulder, Why Are Young People Unwilling to Get Married?
Another Financial Times report deeply analyzes the changes in China's marriage and love market. With the simplification of marriage procedures and the relaxation of policies, the enthusiasm for marriage has continued to be low.
The marriage rate in the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 8.1% compared with the same period last year, and the single population has exceeded 300 million. Especially in first-tier cities, the proportion of single young women is as high as 30%. The "involution" of the marriage and love market is becoming increasingly fierce, and economic pressure, high housing prices, and family involvement make many young people shy away from marriage.
Marriage is no longer the only goal in life, and emotional relationships are gradually being downgraded, becoming more pragmatic or even cold.
| Time | Change in Marriage Rate |
|---|---|
| 2025 Q1 | Decrease 8.1% |
Europe's Largest Electronics Exhibition Transforms, Chinese Companies Usher in New Opportunities?
In the Financial Times' report on the IFA exhibition, Europe's largest consumer electronics exhibition is undergoing a transformation. With the reshaping of the global trade pattern and the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, IFA is transforming from a traditional technology exhibition into a diversified platform connecting retail, media and consumers.
The exhibition emphasizes "innovation for all", and strives to break European consumers' conservative attitude towards new technologies through visual brand reshaping and enhanced interactive experience. The exhibition also actively attracts Chinese companies to participate in the exhibition, and helps Chinese brands better integrate into the European market and seize the huge opportunities of global technology and consumer upgrading with its diverse display methods and content creation.
Australian House Prices Break One Million, When Will the Housing Crisis End?
The BBC reported that the average residential price in Australia exceeded AUD 1 million (approximately USD 652,000) for the first time, reaching AUD 1,000,250, showing the continued rise in house prices.
The main reasons for the soaring house prices are the continuous population growth, insufficient housing supply, tax incentives for real estate investors, and insufficient investment in social housing.
New South Wales has the highest average house price, reaching AUD 1.2 million, while Queensland and Western Australia are also on the rise. Experts warn that this not only makes it difficult for low-income families to afford, but also seriously affects middle-income families. At the same time, the shortage of the rental market and social housing adds more pressure.
Compared with Canada and the United Kingdom, Australia's house prices have risen particularly sharply, making it one of the countries with the most difficult housing affordability in the world.
| Region | Average House Price (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Australia | 1,000,250 |
| New South Wales | 1,200,000 |
The Australian government is trying to alleviate the crisis by simplifying development approval processes and increasing housing construction, but experts believe that Australia's house price increases far exceed salary increases, forming an extremely tight housing system. Prime Minister Albanese said that 1.2 million new homes will be built in the next five years to cope with the increasingly serious housing problem.
European AI Computing Power Shortage? Nvidia CEO: It Will Be Solved Soon!
According to the Financial Times, Nvidia CEO Huang Renxun confidently said at the VivaTech conference in Paris that the shortage of artificial intelligence computing power in Europe will be solved soon.
He pointed out that Europe is actively catching up with the United States and China, planning to build at least 20 AI data centers in the next few years, and it is expected that the data center capacity will increase tenfold in two years. These data centers will include five super factories, equipped with hundreds of thousands of Nvidia GPUs for training and running large language models, highlighting Europe's ambition in AI infrastructure.
Huang Renxun's optimistic expectations mean that Europe is gradually narrowing the gap in technological competition, ushering in a rapid increase in AI computing power, and is expected to occupy a more important position in the global AI ecosystem in the future.
Thank you for watching, see you in the next issue!