Photographers in Shanghai

WorldSkills Shanghai: Switzerland hopes to keep its place on the podium

Reporting style, Informative: Primarily factual reporting, with limited optimistic framing about the Swiss team's prospects.

The WorldSkills competition has opened in Shanghai, with 42 Swiss competitors among nearly 1,400 participants from 68 countries and regions contesting 64 professions. RTS followed three young French-speaking Swiss competitors: jeweler Eliott Vadi, carpenter Augustin Mettraux and hairdresser Marine Känzing, each preparing to demonstrate precision and professional skill. National team chief Laurent Seppey is confident in the team's preparation and says its competitors are attracting employers without needing CVs. Switzerland finished third in 2024 behind China and South Korea and hopes to win enough medals to retain its podium position.

Struggle in Exile: How a Hong Konger in Taiwan Warns of China

Reporting style, Interpretive: A sympathetic profile foregrounds Tong's perspective and criticism of China's actions, while presenting the events as reported facts.

Political context, Centre-left: The report emphasizes democratic rights and criticism of Beijing's restrictions, but uses a journalistic profile format rather than an explicit partisan argument.

Former Hong Kong protester Tong Wai-Hung lives in exile in Taiwan, where he teaches Thai boxing and self-defence and tries to preserve Hong Kong culture. He was charged over his participation in the 2019 protests and remains wanted by Hong Kong authorities, including after calling for an election boycott. Tong says Beijing has broken its promise to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy under “one country, two systems.” After his studio door was vandalized, he moved the studio to protect his neighbours but kept the damaged door as evidence. He hopes his story will alert people in Taiwan to the possibility that the island could face a fate similar to Hong Kong.

Walsall councillor hits out at 'disrespectful' colleagues who didn't stand for the national anthem

Reporting style, Informative: Mostly factual report, though it includes Beecha's subjective criticism and quoted views.

Political context, Centre: Reports a local political dispute without expressing an editorial position.

Reform UK councillor Rohan Beecha criticised colleagues who did not stand for God Save the King at a Walsall Council meeting, saying the conduct could be seen as disrespectful to civic traditions. He has submitted a question asking council leader Elaine Williams to clarify members’ expectations and whether guidance on respectful conduct will be reaffirmed. The anthem was added to the end-of-meeting procedure after Reform UK took control of the council in May.

Leaders Sign Open Letter Calling for Action Against Councillor Over ‘Racist’ Posts

Reporting style, Informative: Mostly factual reporting, with strong accusations attributed to the letter's signatories and responses from the councillor's party.

Political context, Centre: Reports a dispute between political parties and presents the signatories' allegations alongside Longhi's response.

Political leaders in Dudley, including four Labour MPs and local Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Black Country Party leaders, have signed an open letter urging Reform UK group leader Marco Longhi to suspend councillor Caley Ashman. The letter cites Ashman's pre-election social media posts, which it describes as antisemitic, homophobic and abusive toward disabled people. Labour MP Alex Ballinger accused Reform UK of tolerating the rhetoric, while Longhi criticized Labour and pointed to allegations of antisemitism within the party. Longhi was contacted for comment on the latest letter.

Corona in China: Shanghai fears another lockdown

Reporting style, Interpretive: The article contains subjective statements and personal experiences, reflecting a critical view of the government's COVID-19 policies.

Political context, Left: Critical of government policies and their impact on individuals' lives and freedoms.

Shanghai remains divided as millions of residents face renewed lockdown measures despite low daily COVID-19 cases. The city's stringent policies, driven by the Chinese government's zero-COVID strategy, have led to widespread fear, economic hardship, and psychological distress among residents. Many distrust the government's assurances, recalling the chaos and brutality of previous lockdowns. The ongoing restrictions have severely disrupted daily life and economic activities, prompting some to temporarily relocate to avoid further lockdowns.

Läderach: Shanghai Lockdown disrupts China business

Reporting style, Informative: Mostly factual reporting of business operations and impacts of lockdown

Läderach, a Swiss chocolate manufacturer, faced significant disruptions in its China business due to the Shanghai lockdown, with a loss of nearly 300,000 Swiss Francs worth of chocolate that could not be sold fresh. Despite the pandemic, Läderach pursued its expansion into the Chinese market, opening its first store in Shanghai and selling online through platforms like Alibaba's T-Mall. The logistics of keeping chocolate fresh from production to consumption within 84 days is a major challenge, exacerbated by strict Chinese customs regulations during the pandemic. The lockdown caused a complete halt in sales in April, but the company is hopeful for recovery and potential government support. Danny Qi, who leads the China business, acknowledges the cost of China's zero-Covid policy but believes the government will not sacrifice the economy for it.