China's new trade envoy to the world

Hello. China has unexpectedly appointed a new trade envoy in the face of continuing tariff turmoil. Our Asia business reporter Suranjana Tewari unpacks what this new appointment means for Beijing. In the US, my colleagues Robin Levinson-King and Mike Wendling look at how long Harvard University's defiance of the Trump administration can last. And finally, a group of elephants protecting their young during an earthquake has been caught on camera.

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TOP OF THE AGENDA

New appointment in face of tariff turmoil

Li Chenggang has also held several key jobs in the commerce ministry. Credit: Getty Images

China's new international trade envoy Li Chenggang is a former World Trade Organisation and UN representative. His appointment comes as Beijing refuses to back down in a trade war with Washington triggered by US President Donald Trump's hefty tariffs on Chinese goods. China reported higher-than expected GDP growth figures on Wednesday, but warned that US levies would put pressure on the country's foreign trade and economy. As Suranjana Tewari notes, both Washington and Beijing have said they are open to negotiating, but neither have made the first move.

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BEYOND THE HEADLINES

How long can Harvard stand up to Trump?

The Trump administration has frozen $2.2bn (£1.7bn) of federal funds to Harvard University. Credit: Reuters

With a $53.2bn (£40.1bn) endowment, Harvard University is uniquely able to weather the storm caused by its defiance of the White House's sweeping list of demands, which included directions on how to govern, hire and teach. But experts say the elite college is still left in a crunch. And that pain will only increase if Trump makes good on his threat to remove its tax-exempt status.