Trudeau’s cabinet lines up behind Carney, as Canada seeks to counter Trump

在加拿大总理贾斯廷·特鲁多的内阁高层中,马克·卡尼获得了重要支持,成为接替特鲁多的热门人选。外长梅兰妮·乔利、环境部长史蒂芬·吉尔博、能源部长乔纳森·威尔金森和劳动部长史蒂芬·麦金农纷纷表示支持,工业部长弗朗索瓦-菲利普·香槟也将在周日公开表态。

这表明,许多部长认为这位前中央银行行长是应对美国总统特朗普贸易威胁以及提升自由党选举前景的最佳人选。特别是在魁北克,卡尼的支持将加强他在这一自由党传统支持堡垒的地位。乔利、吉尔博、麦金农和香槟均来自法语省份,而59岁的卡尼则在阿尔伯塔省长大,目前正积极提高自己的法语能力,以便在未来的领导竞选中占据优势。

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Trump says he may consider rejoining World Health Organization

美国总统特朗普表示,他可能会考虑重新加入世界卫生组织(WHO),这在他宣布美国将于2026年1月22日退出该组织后不久提出。特朗普在拉斯维加斯的一场集会上表示,WHO在应对新冠疫情及其他国际健康危机方面的表现不佳,导致他做出退出的决定。

特朗普提到,重新加入的可能性取决于WHO是否能够“清理”其内部问题。他对美国在WHO的财政贡献表示不满,认为美国的出资额超过了中国,尽管中国的人口更为庞大。美国是WHO最大的资金支持者,约占其整体预算的18%,而2024-2025年的预算为68亿美元。

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How China’s ‘cultural confidence’ push is sparking the revival of traditional crafts

刘奇兰是一位来自贵州省的年轻企业家,她在2023年返回家乡创办社区商业,销售当地传统产品,并获得了政府支持。作为一个曾在幼儿园工作的教师,刘奇兰凭借村民热爱的村超足球赛吸引了顾客,迅速找到了自己的商业方向。

她的成功是中国国家层面对传统文化和手工艺重视回归的缩影,特别是在习近平主席提倡的文化自信背景下。近年来,政策上对工匠的支持,使得传统工艺得以复兴,这不仅推动了经济多样性,也增强了社会责任感和民族自豪感。与此同时,村超这种体育与地方文化融合的活动,成为了展示文化魅力的重要平台,吸引了数百万观众的目光。

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Crisis-hit supply chains must become stronger, greener and fairer

Global supply chains are under severe strain due to the compounded effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and climate-related crises. These factors have disrupted trade routes, led to container shortages, and driven freight costs to unprecedented levels. The ongoing disruptions at key maritime chokepoints like the Black Sea, Red Sea, Suez Canal, and Panama Canal have exacerbated inflation, increased shipping times, and strained global economies, fundamentally reshaping trade patterns and contributing to political unrest.

The impact is particularly severe for small island developing states and least-developed countries that rely heavily on imports, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that operate on thin margins. These disruptions highlight the fragility and inequity inherent in current global supply chains. To address these challenges, there is a need for a fundamental rethink focusing on creating inclusive, sustainable, and resilient supply chains. SMEs, which make up over 90% of global businesses, are crucial for economic growth but are disproportionately affected by these disruptions. The recent surge in container freight rates, with peaks in early 2024, has made trade untenable for small traders, especially those dealing in low-value, high-volume goods such as agricultural products and textiles.

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If Hong Kong’s youth don’t want to be dragons, so be it

Parents' high hopes for their children's future success often lead to intense educational pressure. Many parents believe that securing a place for their children in the best schools and universities is crucial for ensuring their future prosperity. This belief is rooted in the idea that better educational opportunities lead directly to success in life.

However, the path to success is increasingly viewed as a competitive race, starting from a young age. Parents push their children to excel in various fields, from mastering musical instruments to obtaining numerous certifications, all in the pursuit of "winning at the starting line." This relentless pursuit of achievement aims to secure prestigious jobs and financial security. While these aspirations are understandable, the pressure can often overshadow the child's personal interests and well-being, raising questions about the true definition of success.

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CIA now says Covid-19 ‘more likely’ to have come from a lab

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has assessed that the Covid-19 pandemic is "more likely" to have emerged from a laboratory rather than from natural sources. This conclusion marks a significant stance shift, as the agency had previously been unable to determine a definitive origin for the virus. The decision to reach this assessment was prompted by former CIA director William Burns, who emphasized the pandemic's historical importance and urged analysts and scientists to make a clear determination.

This assessment comes with "low confidence" and highlights that both lab and natural origins remain plausible explanations for the pandemic's onset. The CIA's statement does not clarify whether new intelligence was collected to support this conclusion, leaving some questions unanswered. Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Washington has yet to comment on this development. The agency's updated stance underscores ongoing uncertainties and the complexities involved in tracing the origins of Covid-19, which continue to have significant global implications.

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Elon Musk addresses German far-right rally by video link, amid ‘Nazi salute’ controversy

美国科技亿万富翁埃隆·马斯克在德国反移民政党AfD的竞选集会上发表视频讲话,称该党是“德国未来的最佳希望”。这是他在下个月德国选举前对该党的最新支持,吸引了数千名AfD支持者的关注。

马斯克的发言引发了一些主流领导人的担忧,他们指责他在干预欧洲政治,尤其是在社交平台X上对德国和英国等国政治家的评论。此外,他本周因做出被一些人视为类似纳粹敬礼的手势而受到批评。在讲话中,马斯克提到德国人民是一个有着千年历史的古老民族,并引用了尤利乌斯·凯撒对德国部落的赞赏,呼吁支持者为国家的未来而“战斗”。

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Kristi Noem confirmed as US Homeland secretary, as Trump pushes migrant crackdown

Kristi Noem has been confirmed as the US Homeland Security secretary, solidifying a key role in President Donald Trump's administration as it implements a stringent immigration policy. Noem, previously the governor of South Dakota, aligns closely with Trump's hardline stance on immigration, having described illegal immigration as an "invasion" during her confirmation hearing. Her confirmation by a 59 to 34 vote in the Republican-controlled Senate underscores the administration's commitment to enforcing stricter immigration measures.

President Trump has prioritized cracking down on illegal immigration, a promise central to his campaign that helped him regain the presidency. Criticizing former President Joe Biden for his handling of immigration, Trump has already issued numerous executive orders focused on boosting border security and expediting deportations. With Noem at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security, which manages a vast array of responsibilities from border enforcement to cybersecurity, the administration is poised to further intensify its immigration policies, impacting not only border security but also legal immigration processes and national emergency responses.

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Another 3 suspects arrested over fatal knife attack in Hong Kong’s Yuen Long

香港警方在元朗发生致命刀袭事件后,已逮捕三名新嫌疑人,累计拘留人数达到九人。此次袭击导致一名24岁男子死亡,另一名28岁男子受伤,警方表示,逮捕的嫌疑人中包括两名22岁男子和一名20岁女子,分别涉嫌谋杀、伤害及共谋伤害。

事件发生在周三,七至八名蒙面袭击者从四辆黑色车辆中出现,袭击了两名受害者,随后逃离现场。警方调查显示,这起袭击可能与长期的恩怨有关。目前,已有四名男子被控罪,另有四人获保释,女子仍在接受进一步审讯。

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Tunisian police kill a man who set himself on fire

一名男子在突尼斯首都的大犹太教堂前自焚,被警方击毙。突尼斯内政部表示,这起事件导致一名警官和一名路人受伤。事件发生在周五黄昏,正值犹太教堂举行安息日祈祷的时间。内政部称,男子在点燃自己后向一名执法人员走去,另一名警官为了保护同事开枪。受伤的警官和路人均已入院治疗。

内政部未公布该男子的身份或动机,仅称其有未明确的精神疾病。突尼斯曾是一个拥有大量犹太人口的国家,但目前估计仅剩约1,500人。历史上,该国的犹太遗址曾多次成为袭击目标。2023年,一名国民警卫队员在杰尔巴岛的2600年历史的埃尔格里巴犹太教堂袭击中杀死五人。同年,支持巴勒斯坦的抗议者在南部城镇埃尔哈马破坏了一座历史悠久的犹太教堂。而去年,海滨城市斯法克斯的一座犹太教堂外的花园也被纵火焚毁。

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Rare intercity train displayed by Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation damaged by public

一列具有历史价值的跨境城市列车在香港的展览中被发现部分设备被移除和损坏,事件发生在展览开放仅一天后。香港地铁公司在周六表示,展览前一天发现列车的阅读灯罩被移除,紧急按钮的保护塑料条也遭到损坏。

这列KTT列车曾在连接香港和广州的百年老线路上运行数十年,直至被高速铁路取代,展览于周四在红磡地铁站向公众开放。地铁公司对此行为表示失望,并呼吁参观者珍惜列车和展品,遵守法律,确保展览能够为人们提供一个沉浸式的铁路历史体验。

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Adani denies Sri Lanka cancelled wind power purchase deal

Sri Lanka has cancelled a power purchase agreement with Adani Group due to corruption allegations in a US probe. The country's government revoked the deal after a US investigation uncovered corruption claims, but the project itself remains intact. A committee will now review the wind power project.

The previous government had agreed to buy electricity from Adani's renewable energy complex at 8.26 US cents per kilowatt in May 2024. The Sri Lankan cabinet decided to re-evaluate the tariff, citing a standard review process to ensure alignment with their current priorities and energy policies.

Adani Group denied reports that its 484 megawatts wind power projects in Sri Lanka were cancelled, calling the claims "false and misleading". The move comes as part of a broader review of energy policies and priorities in Sri Lanka, following a change in government.

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South African peacekeepers killed in DRC as fighting rages

在刚果民主共和国东部,三名南非维和人员在与受卢旺达支持的M23武装分子的激烈冲突中遇难。这场战斗在周六加剧,尽管国际社会呼吁M23停止向重要城市戈马的进攻。戈马是东部一个拥有超过一百万人口的关键城市。

尽管安哥拉主导的和平谈判未能取得进展,M23及其卢旺达军队在近期内向戈马推进,进一步加剧了该地区的紧张局势。记者目击到联合国维和部队MONUSCO的一辆装甲车在戈马与萨克之间的道路上被烧毁,烟雾弥漫。尽管炮火声在城市中心可闻,戈马的商店仍然开门营业,日常活动似乎正常。

自周四以来,围绕戈马的多个战线爆发了激烈的战斗,战斗地点距离城市不到10公里。这场冲突不仅影响了当地居民的生活,也引发了国际社会对该地区安全局势的广泛关注。

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Vendors at Hong Kong’s largest Lunar New Year flower market report sluggish sales

尽管香港维多利亚公园的春节市场人流量增加,花卉摊位的销售却明显低于去年,下降幅度达到30%。花Vendor表示,虽然市场上人头攒动,但顾客的消费意愿却不强,价格谈判甚至让他们感到无奈。

维多利亚公园的春节市场是一年一度的盛事,共有395个摊位,吸引了成千上万的消费者。然而,许多商贩,如专注于兰花销售的春胜花卉贸易公司老板李小明表示,尽管人流增加,他们的收入却大幅下滑。他们认为,经济疲软以及香港人更倾向于前往深圳购物,这些因素都导致了销售的萎缩。同时,中等大小的兰花盆和百合花仍然是今年的畅销品。

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What China’s first Type 054B stealth frigate says about military edge over US

中国海军新近服役的隐形护卫舰“洛河”将显著提升反潜和雷达能力,预计将在护航航母打击群中发挥关键作用。这艘护卫舰是中国首艘054B型,周三在青岛的军事港口正式入列,青岛是中国人民解放军海军北方舰队的驻地。

据新华社报道,这艘“新一代护卫舰”被视为解放军海军现代化的重要资产,尽管其外观与前代054A型相似。洛河号(舷号545)是完全自主研发和建造的战舰,新华社强调其在隐形技术、作战指挥系统和火力整合方面的突破性进展,显著提升了整体性能。

新西兰军事评论员陆国伟表示,054B型护卫舰的数量增加可能会进一步改变中美及其盟国之间的军事平衡。他指出,这将有助于威慑并在必要时击败美国主导的干预,尤其是在中国对台湾采取军事行动的情况下。

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Hongkongers seeking UK citizenship decry fee hikes, fearing more set to come

香港居民通过专门的移民途径移居英国的担忧加剧,因有关当局计划进一步提高签证相关费用。近期,英国内政部提议将电子旅行授权(ETA)申请费从10英镑提高至16英镑,涨幅达60%。此外,申请成为英国公民的自然化费用也将从1500英镑增至1605英镑。

有关部门称,这些费用调整旨在减少移民和边境系统对公共资金的依赖,并预计能够为财政带来约2.7亿英镑的收入。在当前工党主导的议会中,该提案的通过可能性较大。与此同时,申请英国国民(海外)签证的人需支付180至250英镑的费用,且每年的移民健康附加费为1035英镑。五年后,若满足一定的居住要求,便可申请无限期居留(ILR),费用为2885英镑。

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Havana luxury hotel ‘unforgivable’ amid Cuba’s economic woes

古巴新建的Selection La Habana酒店引发了公众的强烈反对,尽管尚未正式开业。这座由西班牙的Iberostar连锁酒店管理的高达150米的建筑,因其奢华及巨额投资而受到质疑,尤其是在古巴经历严峻的经济危机与旅游业急剧下滑之际。许多民众认为,这笔资金本可用于改善教育和医疗设施。

新酒店位于哈瓦那的中心地带,邻近著名的哈瓦那自由酒店和Coppelia冰淇淋店,是古巴政府计划建造一系列高档酒店的组成部分。这一计划在COVID-19疫情期间仍然推进,尽管现有的奢华酒店大多空置。过去几个季度,古巴的旅游收入大幅下降,2024年仅接待220万游客,较2019年的420万游客大幅减少。政府表示,旅游业的衰退是由于供给短缺、能源危机以及美国制裁等多重因素造成的,这些挑战进一步削弱了古巴吸引游客的能力。

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Thailand seeks cleaner air by offering free public transport

泰国当局从周六开始实施为期一周的公共交通免费政策,以应对日益严重的空气污染问题。这一措施旨在减少私家车出行,从而降低导致污染上升的主要因素。乘客可以在曼谷免费乘坐公交车及高架和地下电车,这一政策也反映了政府在面对空气质量危机时的紧急应对。

泰国总理帕通塔恩·西那瓦特在社交媒体上表达了对空气污染的关注,并表示政府将采取短期和长期措施来解决这一问题。空气污染在泰国北部已经困扰多年,主要是由于森林和农业废物的焚烧。而近年来,曼谷也遭受了污染物浓度高的困扰,尤其是在较冷的月份。这些微小颗粒物不仅会引发短期支气管问题,还可能导致严重的长期健康隐患,原因包括汽车和工厂排放以及建筑工地尘埃等。

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An ‘open source’ China can best counter Trump’s protectionist chaos: Beijing adviser

中国应在贸易和技术上成为“开源”国家,以引领全球化。在美国转向保护主义的背景下,北京的一位著名顾问郑永年表示,中国必须继续开放,以应对特朗普可能重返政坛带来的不确定性。他建议中国与更多伙伴签署自由贸易协定,促进技术交流,并扩大“单边开放”,以给世界传达明确的全球化方向。

郑永年是香港中文大学深圳校区公共政策学院院长,他的观点在中国领导层中具有相当影响力。他曾参与多次政策制定过程,包括在2020年为习近平主席提供政策建议的专家小组中。郑指出,当前世界对中国寄予厚望,尤其是在美国总统特朗普对全球化的攻击下。中国若想在贸易和技术上成为“开源”领导者,需要展现坚定的决心。这不仅是对全球化未来的回应,也是安抚不安世界的一种方式。

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Trump fires watchdogs, paves way for ‘corruption’ Warren says

美国总统唐纳德·特朗普在周五解雇了至少12名政府内部监察官,这是他第二任期内的最新人事调整。据《华盛顿邮报》报道,这些监察官通过白宫人事主任的电子邮件被立即通知解除职务。

这些监察官负责监督联邦机构,以发现和阻止政府员工的欺诈、浪费和滥用行为。此次解雇涉及国防部、国务院、内政部、能源部,以及环境保护局和社会保障局等多个联邦机构。一名被解雇的监察官形容这是“一场广泛的屠杀”,并表示,特朗普所任命的新官员将被视为忠诚派,这将削弱整个监察系统的独立性。

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