Trump promises ‘brand new day’, harsh immigration limits at pre-inauguration victory rally
By Reuters
US president-elect Donald Trump told thousands of roaring supporters on Sunday that he would impose severe limits on immigration on his first day in office, vowing to swiftly fulfil the central promise of his presidential campaign on Sunday at a rally inside a packed Washington arena a day before he returns to power.
“By the time the sun sets tomorrow, the invasion of our country will have come to a halt,” he said to cheers at a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at the Capital One Arena.
Trump repeated his campaign pledge to launch the largest deportation effort in US history, which would remove millions of immigrants. An operation of that scale, however, would likely take years and be hugely costly.
The rally resembled the freewheeling campaign speeches that have been a Trump staple since his first White House run in 2016, with the former and future president delivering a mix of boasts, false claims and sweeping promises to the delight of the crowd.
“This is the greatest political movement in American history, and 75 days ago, we achieved the most epic political victory our country has ever seen,” he said. “Starting tomorrow, I will act with historic speed of strength and fix every single crisis facing our country.”
The event marked his first major address in Washington since his speech on January 6, 2021, that preceded the storming of the US Capitol by an angry mob of his supporters. Trump has said he will pardon many of the more than 1,500 people convicted or charged in connection with the attack.
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By Reuters
US president-elect Donald Trump told thousands of roaring supporters on Sunday that he would impose severe limits on immigration on his first day in office, vowing to swiftly fulfil the central promise of his presidential campaign on Sunday at a rally inside a packed Washington arena a day before he returns to power.
“By the time the sun sets tomorrow, the invasion of our country will have come to a halt,” he said to cheers at a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at the Capital One Arena.
Trump repeated his campaign pledge to launch the largest deportation effort in US history, which would remove millions of immigrants. An operation of that scale, however, would likely take years and be hugely costly.
The rally resembled the freewheeling campaign speeches that have been a Trump staple since his first White House run in 2016, with the former and future president delivering a mix of boasts, false claims and sweeping promises to the delight of the crowd.
“This is the greatest political movement in American history, and 75 days ago, we achieved the most epic political victory our country has ever seen,” he said. “Starting tomorrow, I will act with historic speed of strength and fix every single crisis facing our country.”
The event marked his first major address in Washington since his speech on January 6, 2021, that preceded the storming of the US Capitol by an angry mob of his supporters. Trump has said he will pardon many of the more than 1,500 people convicted or charged in connection with the attack.
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Have faith in Hong Kong’s judiciary, outgoing Bar Association chair urges public
香港律师协会的 outgoing chairman 维克托·道斯呼吁市民对司法系统保持信心，强调法官的素质为“顶尖”，并指出国家安全案件只是司法系统的一个方面。他在任期内经历了2020年国家安全法实施后的多起高调检控案件，并认为透明度和公众理解在国家安全立法的实施中尤为重要。
道斯在接受采访时提到，香港正处于一个“微妙而困难的时刻”，复杂的地缘政治环境对司法系统造成了压力。他承认大国之间的动荡会直接影响香港，并表示尽管法官的判决过程未必受到影响，但工作压力显著增加。他希望政府在施行国家安全立法时能更加透明，以提升公众的理解和信任。
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香港律师协会的 outgoing chairman 维克托·道斯呼吁市民对司法系统保持信心，强调法官的素质为“顶尖”，并指出国家安全案件只是司法系统的一个方面。他在任期内经历了2020年国家安全法实施后的多起高调检控案件，并认为透明度和公众理解在国家安全立法的实施中尤为重要。
道斯在接受采访时提到，香港正处于一个“微妙而困难的时刻”，复杂的地缘政治环境对司法系统造成了压力。他承认大国之间的动荡会直接影响香港，并表示尽管法官的判决过程未必受到影响，但工作压力显著增加。他希望政府在施行国家安全立法时能更加透明，以提升公众的理解和信任。
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UK’s Starmer congratulates Trump ahead of US presidential inauguration
By Agence France-Presse
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wished Donald Trump “warmest congratulations” late on Sunday ahead of Trump’s inauguration, hailing the “unshakeable foundations” of the two countries’ “historical alliance”.
“On behalf of His Majesty’s Government and the United Kingdom, I would like to send my warmest congratulations to President Donald Trump on his inauguration as the forty-seventh President of the United States,” Starmer said in a statement.
“We will continue to build upon the unshakeable foundations of our historic alliance as we tackle together the global challenges we face and take our partnership to the next level,” Starmer added.
Starmer has been at pains to insist the UK-US “special relationship” will flourish under a Trump presidency.
There have been concerns in Britain over possible trade wars, Labour ministers’ unflattering comments about Trump during his first term, and Starmer’s recent row with key Trump ally Elon Musk.
“With President Trump’s long-standing affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom, I know that depth of friendship will continue,” the Labour leader said in the statement.
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By Agence France-Presse
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wished Donald Trump “warmest congratulations” late on Sunday ahead of Trump’s inauguration, hailing the “unshakeable foundations” of the two countries’ “historical alliance”.
“On behalf of His Majesty’s Government and the United Kingdom, I would like to send my warmest congratulations to President Donald Trump on his inauguration as the forty-seventh President of the United States,” Starmer said in a statement.
“We will continue to build upon the unshakeable foundations of our historic alliance as we tackle together the global challenges we face and take our partnership to the next level,” Starmer added.
Starmer has been at pains to insist the UK-US “special relationship” will flourish under a Trump presidency.
There have been concerns in Britain over possible trade wars, Labour ministers’ unflattering comments about Trump during his first term, and Starmer’s recent row with key Trump ally Elon Musk.
“With President Trump’s long-standing affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom, I know that depth of friendship will continue,” the Labour leader said in the statement.
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Ukraine’s Zelensky calls on allies for more air defence after 1,000 attacks in a week
By dpa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a renewed appeal to the country’s allies on Sunday to provide more US-made Patriot air defence systems following a week with more than 1,000 Russian air attacks.
“We need the strong support of our partners,” Zelensky posted on his Telegram channel. “More Patriots for Ukraine mean greater protection for life,” he said.
The Russian attacks caused multiple deaths and injuries.
According to Zelensky, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 660 glide bombs, around 550 drones and almost 60 missiles over the past week. Ukrainian air defences downed 33 missiles, including ballistic variants, and more than 300 drones.
Zelensky published a video showing the devastation from the attacks, for example in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia over the weekend, and also in the Donbas region in the east of the country.
Zelensky paid tribute to the armed forces, but added: “The task of continuing to protect our airspace remains.” He called for Ukraine’s Western allies to provide more air defence systems.
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By dpa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a renewed appeal to the country’s allies on Sunday to provide more US-made Patriot air defence systems following a week with more than 1,000 Russian air attacks.
“We need the strong support of our partners,” Zelensky posted on his Telegram channel. “More Patriots for Ukraine mean greater protection for life,” he said.
The Russian attacks caused multiple deaths and injuries.
According to Zelensky, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 660 glide bombs, around 550 drones and almost 60 missiles over the past week. Ukrainian air defences downed 33 missiles, including ballistic variants, and more than 300 drones.
Zelensky published a video showing the devastation from the attacks, for example in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia over the weekend, and also in the Donbas region in the east of the country.
Zelensky paid tribute to the armed forces, but added: “The task of continuing to protect our airspace remains.” He called for Ukraine’s Western allies to provide more air defence systems.
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Trump ‘unlikely to take the initiative to use Taiwan as a bargaining chip’ with Beijing, Bonnie Glaser says
分析认为，特朗普如果再次当选，将可能对台湾的支持采取更加灵活的策略，甚至将其视为与中国谈判的筹码。在特朗普2016年当选后的初期，他曾试图利用台湾问题为自己的对华贸易谈判增加筹码。不过，这一策略并未成功，因为中国拒绝与他谈判，要求他重申对“一个中国”政策的承诺。
特朗普在与习近平的交往中逐步认识到了台湾问题的复杂性，并最终选择了遵循与中国的关系优先。在其第二任期中，特朗普可能不会主动将台湾问题作为谈判工具，但如果习近平提出具体要求，他可能会考虑此请求是否能换取其他利益，例如在贸易上获得让步。这种动态关系让台湾的未来在一定程度上依赖于中美两国之间的互动与特朗普总统的决策。
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分析认为，特朗普如果再次当选，将可能对台湾的支持采取更加灵活的策略，甚至将其视为与中国谈判的筹码。在特朗普2016年当选后的初期，他曾试图利用台湾问题为自己的对华贸易谈判增加筹码。不过，这一策略并未成功，因为中国拒绝与他谈判，要求他重申对“一个中国”政策的承诺。
特朗普在与习近平的交往中逐步认识到了台湾问题的复杂性，并最终选择了遵循与中国的关系优先。在其第二任期中，特朗普可能不会主动将台湾问题作为谈判工具，但如果习近平提出具体要求，他可能会考虑此请求是否能换取其他利益，例如在贸易上获得让步。这种动态关系让台湾的未来在一定程度上依赖于中美两国之间的互动与特朗普总统的决策。
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How Trump could upend South China Sea calculations all round
By Sophie Wushuang Yi
The South China Sea has long been a stage for US-China rivalry, its critical shipping lanes, rich resources and competing territorial claims making it a geopolitical flashpoint.
Last year, tensions escalated as China intensified its actions in the disputed waters, including announcing baselines around Scarborough Shoal and stepping up reef patrols. Simultaneously, the United States maintained its freedom of navigation operations, signalling support for regional allies and challenging Beijing’s territorial assertions.
The South China Sea faces renewed challenges this year, driven by Donald Trump’s return as US president. Trump’s approach during his first term prioritised a transactional style of diplomacy, increasing freedom of navigation operations while fostering ties with regional allies like the Philippines. But this strategy often lacked consistency, as his focus on trade deals with China sometimes overshadowed security concerns. Trump’s return could see the South China Sea potentially used as a bargaining tool in negotiations with Beijing.
China is likely to be bracing for a more unpredictable US approach under Trump. Beijing’s South China Sea actions are a mix of assertiveness and calculated restraint. Last year, it submitted Scarborough baselines to the United Nations while reinforcing its maritime presence and showcasing its growing naval capabilities in a counterbalance to US freedom of navigation operations.
But China also sought to manage tensions through diplomacy, including regional security dialogues and negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for a South China Sea code of conduct. By prioritising bilateral deals over multilateralism, Trump could upset Beijing’s strategic calculations.
As a central party to the South China Sea disputes, the Philippines faces both internal and external pressures. Internally, Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has exposed fractures within the government, which could undermine its ability to formulate coherent foreign policy.
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By Sophie Wushuang Yi
The South China Sea has long been a stage for US-China rivalry, its critical shipping lanes, rich resources and competing territorial claims making it a geopolitical flashpoint.
Last year, tensions escalated as China intensified its actions in the disputed waters, including announcing baselines around Scarborough Shoal and stepping up reef patrols. Simultaneously, the United States maintained its freedom of navigation operations, signalling support for regional allies and challenging Beijing’s territorial assertions.
The South China Sea faces renewed challenges this year, driven by Donald Trump’s return as US president. Trump’s approach during his first term prioritised a transactional style of diplomacy, increasing freedom of navigation operations while fostering ties with regional allies like the Philippines. But this strategy often lacked consistency, as his focus on trade deals with China sometimes overshadowed security concerns. Trump’s return could see the South China Sea potentially used as a bargaining tool in negotiations with Beijing.
China is likely to be bracing for a more unpredictable US approach under Trump. Beijing’s South China Sea actions are a mix of assertiveness and calculated restraint. Last year, it submitted Scarborough baselines to the United Nations while reinforcing its maritime presence and showcasing its growing naval capabilities in a counterbalance to US freedom of navigation operations.
But China also sought to manage tensions through diplomacy, including regional security dialogues and negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for a South China Sea code of conduct. By prioritising bilateral deals over multilateralism, Trump could upset Beijing’s strategic calculations.
As a central party to the South China Sea disputes, the Philippines faces both internal and external pressures. Internally, Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has exposed fractures within the government, which could undermine its ability to formulate coherent foreign policy.
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Heavy snow and frigid Arctic blast put 70 million across US under winter storm warnings
By Associated Press
Tens of millions of residents along the East Coast are bracing for several inches of snow on Sunday followed by dangerously cold temperatures that will take hold in much of the country from the Northern Plains to the tip of Maine.
Winter storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service have already gone into effect for parts of the mid-Atlantic until Monday morning, with the forecast projecting up to half a foot (15cm) of snow. Warnings will begin in New England on Sunday afternoon, with parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut seeing as much as 10 inches (25cm) of snow.
Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park Maryland, projected that as many as 70 million residents will be under some kind of winter storm hazards warning in the coming days including in New England and the mid-Atlantic. Large cities such as Philadelphia, New York and Boston could see several inches of snow this evening with the highest totals being outside major cities.
“There will certainly be some more hazardous road conditions anywhere from DC up the whole I-95 corridor and then inland from there later today and tonight,” Chenard said. “Then it gets quite cold behind that. By Monday morning, any roads that haven’t been treated or cleared will still likely be some hazardous travel conditions.”
But the snow is just the start of a chaotic week of weather.
Much of the eastern half of the United States will be enduring some of the coldest temperatures this winter, if not for several years.
An area from the Rockies into the Northern Plains will see colder than normal temperatures starting on Sunday into the coming week, with temperatures dropping to to minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48 degrees Celsius) on Sunday and Monday. Wind chills of minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 40 degrees Celsius) were already being clocked in parts of North Dakota and Minnesota. Sub-zero wind chills are forecast to reach as far south as Oklahoma and the Tennessee Valley.
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By Associated Press
Tens of millions of residents along the East Coast are bracing for several inches of snow on Sunday followed by dangerously cold temperatures that will take hold in much of the country from the Northern Plains to the tip of Maine.
Winter storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service have already gone into effect for parts of the mid-Atlantic until Monday morning, with the forecast projecting up to half a foot (15cm) of snow. Warnings will begin in New England on Sunday afternoon, with parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut seeing as much as 10 inches (25cm) of snow.
Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park Maryland, projected that as many as 70 million residents will be under some kind of winter storm hazards warning in the coming days including in New England and the mid-Atlantic. Large cities such as Philadelphia, New York and Boston could see several inches of snow this evening with the highest totals being outside major cities.
“There will certainly be some more hazardous road conditions anywhere from DC up the whole I-95 corridor and then inland from there later today and tonight,” Chenard said. “Then it gets quite cold behind that. By Monday morning, any roads that haven’t been treated or cleared will still likely be some hazardous travel conditions.”
But the snow is just the start of a chaotic week of weather.
Much of the eastern half of the United States will be enduring some of the coldest temperatures this winter, if not for several years.
An area from the Rockies into the Northern Plains will see colder than normal temperatures starting on Sunday into the coming week, with temperatures dropping to to minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48 degrees Celsius) on Sunday and Monday. Wind chills of minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 40 degrees Celsius) were already being clocked in parts of North Dakota and Minnesota. Sub-zero wind chills are forecast to reach as far south as Oklahoma and the Tennessee Valley.
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Biden urges Americans to ‘keep faith’, visiting South Carolina on last day as president
By Associated Press
Joe Biden spent his final full day as US president Sunday in South Carolina, urging Americans to “keep the faith in a better day to come” and reflecting on the influence of both the civil rights movement and the state itself in his political trajectory.
On the eve of Monday’s inauguration of Republican president-elect Donald Trump, Biden delivered a final farewell from a state that holds special meaning after his commanding win in its 2020 Democratic primary set him up to achieve his life’s goal of being elected president of the United States.
Biden spoke to the congregation of Royal Missionary Baptist Church about why he entered public service – Martin Luther King Jnr and Robert F. Kennedy were political heroes, he said – and he thanked South Carolina for its support: “I owe you big.”
The day before the federal holiday honouring King, the slain civil rights leader, Biden struck a more hopeful tone for the future of the country than his televised farewell address on Wednesday, when he warned about an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy taking root and a “tech-industrial complex” impeding the future of democracy.
“We know the struggle to redeeming the soul of this nation is difficult and ongoing,” Biden said on Sunday. “We must hold on to hope. We must stay engaged. We must always keep the faith in the better day to come.”
He added: “I’m not going anywhere” – and the congregation applauded.
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By Associated Press
Joe Biden spent his final full day as US president Sunday in South Carolina, urging Americans to “keep the faith in a better day to come” and reflecting on the influence of both the civil rights movement and the state itself in his political trajectory.
On the eve of Monday’s inauguration of Republican president-elect Donald Trump, Biden delivered a final farewell from a state that holds special meaning after his commanding win in its 2020 Democratic primary set him up to achieve his life’s goal of being elected president of the United States.
Biden spoke to the congregation of Royal Missionary Baptist Church about why he entered public service – Martin Luther King Jnr and Robert F. Kennedy were political heroes, he said – and he thanked South Carolina for its support: “I owe you big.”
The day before the federal holiday honouring King, the slain civil rights leader, Biden struck a more hopeful tone for the future of the country than his televised farewell address on Wednesday, when he warned about an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy taking root and a “tech-industrial complex” impeding the future of democracy.
“We know the struggle to redeeming the soul of this nation is difficult and ongoing,” Biden said on Sunday. “We must hold on to hope. We must stay engaged. We must always keep the faith in the better day to come.”
He added: “I’m not going anywhere” – and the congregation applauded.
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First 3 hostages arrive in Israel from Gaza as fragile ceasefire begins
首批三名以色列人质在为期42天的加沙停火协议下获释，标志着自15个月战争以来的首次人道突破。此次停火协议由卡塔尔、美国和埃及的调解人员促成，目的是为加沙地区带来急需的人道救援，并通过释放以色列人质换取在押巴勒斯坦人。
这三名人质均为女性，在安保人员的护送下顺利返回以色列，和母亲们团聚。她们的释放是由哈马斯战士在加沙市的一个繁忙广场交给红十字工作人员的。尽管她们的家庭迎来了团聚，但仍有许多家庭在漫长的等待中感到无助。特拉维夫的“人质广场”上，民众等待数小时，欢庆这次释放，寄托着对未来的希望与祈祷。
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首批三名以色列人质在为期42天的加沙停火协议下获释，标志着自15个月战争以来的首次人道突破。此次停火协议由卡塔尔、美国和埃及的调解人员促成，目的是为加沙地区带来急需的人道救援，并通过释放以色列人质换取在押巴勒斯坦人。
这三名人质均为女性，在安保人员的护送下顺利返回以色列，和母亲们团聚。她们的释放是由哈马斯战士在加沙市的一个繁忙广场交给红十字工作人员的。尽管她们的家庭迎来了团聚，但仍有许多家庭在漫长的等待中感到无助。特拉维夫的“人质广场”上，民众等待数小时，欢庆这次释放，寄托着对未来的希望与祈祷。
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80 dead in north Colombia guerilla onslaught, governor says
By Agence France-Presse
A bloody onslaught by the ELN guerilla group on rival fighters and civilians in northeast Colombia has risen to 80 in just over three days, the governor of the affected Norte de Santander region said on Sunday.
“It is estimated that more than 80 people have lost their lives” in the ELN assault launched last Thursday in the Catatumbo region on civilians and dissidents of the Farc guerilla group who kept fighting after it disarmed in 2017, governor William Villamizar reported.
The last toll on Saturday was estimated at 60 people, including seven ex-FARC combatants, in five municipalities of the mountainous cocaine-producing region near the border with Venezuela.
Villamizar said about two dozen people had been injured and some 5,000 displaced in the fresh outbreak of violence, and described the resulting humanitarian situation as “alarming”.
The army said more than 5,000 soldiers have been sent to the region to “reinforce security”.
The Farc disarmed under a 2016 peace deal reached after more than half-a-century of war.
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By Agence France-Presse
A bloody onslaught by the ELN guerilla group on rival fighters and civilians in northeast Colombia has risen to 80 in just over three days, the governor of the affected Norte de Santander region said on Sunday.
“It is estimated that more than 80 people have lost their lives” in the ELN assault launched last Thursday in the Catatumbo region on civilians and dissidents of the Farc guerilla group who kept fighting after it disarmed in 2017, governor William Villamizar reported.
The last toll on Saturday was estimated at 60 people, including seven ex-FARC combatants, in five municipalities of the mountainous cocaine-producing region near the border with Venezuela.
Villamizar said about two dozen people had been injured and some 5,000 displaced in the fresh outbreak of violence, and described the resulting humanitarian situation as “alarming”.
The army said more than 5,000 soldiers have been sent to the region to “reinforce security”.
The Farc disarmed under a 2016 peace deal reached after more than half-a-century of war.
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Donald Trump vows to issue an executive order to restore TikTok
美国总统当选人特朗普计划暂时阻止针对TikTok的全国禁令。这一决定是在短视频应用程序因遵守联邦法律而暂时下线后作出的，该法律要求TikTok与其中国母公司字节跳动切断关系。特朗普表示，他将于周一签署一项行政命令，保护任何承载或分发TikTok的公司免于因违反新法律而承担责任。
特朗普在周日的社交媒体上指出，他希望通过延长法律禁令生效的时间，争取达成协议来保护国家安全。他提到，计划将允许美国实体拥有TikTok的50%股份，以确保该应用程序在美国的运营和发展。特朗普强调，没有美国的批准，TikTok将无法继续存在，而有了美国的支持，TikTok的价值将达到数千亿甚至数万亿美元。
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美国总统当选人特朗普计划暂时阻止针对TikTok的全国禁令。这一决定是在短视频应用程序因遵守联邦法律而暂时下线后作出的，该法律要求TikTok与其中国母公司字节跳动切断关系。特朗普表示，他将于周一签署一项行政命令，保护任何承载或分发TikTok的公司免于因违反新法律而承担责任。
特朗普在周日的社交媒体上指出，他希望通过延长法律禁令生效的时间，争取达成协议来保护国家安全。他提到，计划将允许美国实体拥有TikTok的50%股份，以确保该应用程序在美国的运营和发展。特朗普强调，没有美国的批准，TikTok将无法继续存在，而有了美国的支持，TikTok的价值将达到数千亿甚至数万亿美元。
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Red Cross prepares for release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza
三名以色列女性人质正在交由国际红十字会（ICRC）接收，标志着与哈马斯的谈判进入新阶段。在这次特殊行动中，救援人员在加沙地区为其余人质的释放做准备。以色列军方确认，这三名女性正被转移至以色列部队控制之下。
国际红十字会发言人表示，这次的操作与以往经验大相径庭，整个过程可能需要大约15个月才能完成。他指出，医生将在接收过程中面临许多挑战，准备工作包括运输后勤、救援物资的分配以及详细的安全规划。此外，接收人质的救援工作者也需做好充分准备，以确保这一阶段能够尽可能安全、高效地完成，实现家庭团聚。
ICRC主席米尔雅娜·斯波尔贾里奇最近提到，加沙地区的巨大人道主义需求将在未来几个月乃至数年内持续存在，这意味着在完成首阶段任务后，援助工作仍将面临严峻挑战。
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三名以色列女性人质正在交由国际红十字会（ICRC）接收，标志着与哈马斯的谈判进入新阶段。在这次特殊行动中，救援人员在加沙地区为其余人质的释放做准备。以色列军方确认，这三名女性正被转移至以色列部队控制之下。
国际红十字会发言人表示，这次的操作与以往经验大相径庭，整个过程可能需要大约15个月才能完成。他指出，医生将在接收过程中面临许多挑战，准备工作包括运输后勤、救援物资的分配以及详细的安全规划。此外，接收人质的救援工作者也需做好充分准备，以确保这一阶段能够尽可能安全、高效地完成，实现家庭团聚。
ICRC主席米尔雅娜·斯波尔贾里奇最近提到，加沙地区的巨大人道主义需求将在未来几个月乃至数年内持续存在，这意味着在完成首阶段任务后，援助工作仍将面临严峻挑战。
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Biden posthumously pardons black nationalist Marcus Garvey
By Associated Press
President Joe Biden on Sunday posthumously pardoned Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X and other black civil rights leaders and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s.
Also receiving pardons were a top Virginia lawmaker and advocates for immigrant rights, criminal justice reform and gun violence prevention.
Congressional leaders had pushed for Biden to pardon Garvey, with supporters arguing that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an effort to silence the increasingly popular leader who spoke of racial pride. After Garvey was convicted, he was deported to Jamaica, where he was born. He died in 1940.
The Reverend Martin Luther King Jnr said of Garvey: “He was the first man, on a mass scale and level” to give millions of black people “a sense of dignity and destiny”.
It was not clear whether Biden, who leaves office on Monday, will pardon people who have been criticised or threatened by president-elect Donald Trump.
Issuing pre-emptive pardons – for actual or imagined offences by Trump’s critics that could be investigated or prosecuted by the incoming administration – would stretch the powers of the presidency in untested ways.
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By Associated Press
President Joe Biden on Sunday posthumously pardoned Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X and other black civil rights leaders and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s.
Also receiving pardons were a top Virginia lawmaker and advocates for immigrant rights, criminal justice reform and gun violence prevention.
Congressional leaders had pushed for Biden to pardon Garvey, with supporters arguing that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an effort to silence the increasingly popular leader who spoke of racial pride. After Garvey was convicted, he was deported to Jamaica, where he was born. He died in 1940.
The Reverend Martin Luther King Jnr said of Garvey: “He was the first man, on a mass scale and level” to give millions of black people “a sense of dignity and destiny”.
It was not clear whether Biden, who leaves office on Monday, will pardon people who have been criticised or threatened by president-elect Donald Trump.
Issuing pre-emptive pardons – for actual or imagined offences by Trump’s critics that could be investigated or prosecuted by the incoming administration – would stretch the powers of the presidency in untested ways.
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China, US need to tackle ‘growing pains’ together: People’s Daily says ahead of Trump 2.0
中国与美国应寻求更多共同点，避免战略误判。这是中国官方媒体《人民日报》在特朗普即将就任美国总统之际发出的呼吁，强调两国之间需要深化接触。此言论出现在中国国家主席习近平与特朗普的电话交谈之后，显示出中国对未来中美关系的期待。
《人民日报》在展望两国未来时提到了20世纪70年代的“破冰”时期，当时两国因共同利益而拉近关系。1972年，时任美国总统尼克松对中国的历史性访问标志着中美关系的重大进展，双方意识到在冷战背景下需要共同对抗苏联，并看到了经济合作的潜力。这一背景为当前中美关系的改善提供了借鉴。
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中国与美国应寻求更多共同点，避免战略误判。这是中国官方媒体《人民日报》在特朗普即将就任美国总统之际发出的呼吁，强调两国之间需要深化接触。此言论出现在中国国家主席习近平与特朗普的电话交谈之后，显示出中国对未来中美关系的期待。
《人民日报》在展望两国未来时提到了20世纪70年代的“破冰”时期，当时两国因共同利益而拉近关系。1972年，时任美国总统尼克松对中国的历史性访问标志着中美关系的重大进展，双方意识到在冷战背景下需要共同对抗苏联，并看到了经济合作的潜力。这一背景为当前中美关系的改善提供了借鉴。
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Drafts of Bob Dylan’s ‘Mr Tambourine Man’ sell for over US$500,000
Bob Dylan's typewritten drafts for "Mr Tambourine Man" have fetched over US$500,000 at auction. The sale took place in Nashville, Tennessee, where two yellow sheets featuring three drafts of the iconic 1965 song were sold for US$508,000, surpassing the estimated range of US$400,000 to US$600,000. Notably, the third draft included handwritten annotations by Dylan himself.
This auction featured a total of 60 items related to the legendary musician, with many pieces coming from the personal collection of music journalist Al Aronowitz. Among the notable items was a 1968 oil painting by Dylan, which also met its estimated value, selling for US$260,000. This artwork, created early in Dylan's painting career, showcases a cubist style and reflects his artistic journey, spurred by a birthday gift of oil paints from his first wife, Sara.
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Bob Dylan's typewritten drafts for "Mr Tambourine Man" have fetched over US$500,000 at auction. The sale took place in Nashville, Tennessee, where two yellow sheets featuring three drafts of the iconic 1965 song were sold for US$508,000, surpassing the estimated range of US$400,000 to US$600,000. Notably, the third draft included handwritten annotations by Dylan himself.
This auction featured a total of 60 items related to the legendary musician, with many pieces coming from the personal collection of music journalist Al Aronowitz. Among the notable items was a 1968 oil painting by Dylan, which also met its estimated value, selling for US$260,000. This artwork, created early in Dylan's painting career, showcases a cubist style and reflects his artistic journey, spurred by a birthday gift of oil paints from his first wife, Sara.
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China runs final tests of hypersonic air-to-air missile in extreme Mars mission tunnel
中国的高超音速空对空导弹经过极端耐热测试，以满足解放军空军的严格性能要求。这一消息由参与该项目的科学家确认，标志着这一神秘武器的首次官方确认，可能对包括正在进行飞行测试的B-21隐形轰炸机在内的美军飞机构成前所未有的威胁。
根据上个月发表在中文期刊《装备环境工程》上的同行评审论文，导弹原型的最终评估是在弧加热风洞中进行的。该风洞可通过电弧加热气体，产生数千至数万摄氏度的热空气流，尽管其持续运行可达一个小时以上，但由于高昂的电力消耗，运行成本“极其昂贵”。因此，这种风洞主要用于最具挑战性的太空任务，例如模拟天问一号探测器在火星上的着陆。
中国空中导弹学院（CAMA）位于河南省洛阳，是中国空军空对空导弹的主要开发和供应商。项目团队由高级科学家程恭和黄毅民领导，他们在论文中详细介绍了导弹的测试过程和技术挑战。
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中国的高超音速空对空导弹经过极端耐热测试，以满足解放军空军的严格性能要求。这一消息由参与该项目的科学家确认，标志着这一神秘武器的首次官方确认，可能对包括正在进行飞行测试的B-21隐形轰炸机在内的美军飞机构成前所未有的威胁。
根据上个月发表在中文期刊《装备环境工程》上的同行评审论文，导弹原型的最终评估是在弧加热风洞中进行的。该风洞可通过电弧加热气体，产生数千至数万摄氏度的热空气流，尽管其持续运行可达一个小时以上，但由于高昂的电力消耗，运行成本“极其昂贵”。因此，这种风洞主要用于最具挑战性的太空任务，例如模拟天问一号探测器在火星上的着陆。
中国空中导弹学院（CAMA）位于河南省洛阳，是中国空军空对空导弹的主要开发和供应商。项目团队由高级科学家程恭和黄毅民领导，他们在论文中详细介绍了导弹的测试过程和技术挑战。
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Hong Kong police make first ‘space oil’ arrest using new rapid test kit
香港警方逮捕了一名男子，因其 allegedly possessing a tested capsule of e-cigarette containing the newly emerged drug known as “space oil”。这也是警方首次使用快速检测工具进行相关逮捕。 这名55岁的男子在油麻地被拦截，警方在其身上发现了可疑的胶囊，正好赶上警方首日使用新发放的检测工具。
警方的检测结果显示，该胶囊含有麻醉剂艾托啡（etomidate），这是“space oil”的常见成分，使用后可能对身体和心理健康产生风险。此外，警方在同一天于红磡逮捕了一名31岁的男子，发现他携带四个疑似含有艾托啡的电子烟胶囊，这一案件并未使用检测工具。两人均因涉嫌持有只能由医生处方的第一类毒药而被拘留。
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香港警方逮捕了一名男子，因其 allegedly possessing a tested capsule of e-cigarette containing the newly emerged drug known as “space oil”。这也是警方首次使用快速检测工具进行相关逮捕。 这名55岁的男子在油麻地被拦截，警方在其身上发现了可疑的胶囊，正好赶上警方首日使用新发放的检测工具。
警方的检测结果显示，该胶囊含有麻醉剂艾托啡（etomidate），这是“space oil”的常见成分，使用后可能对身体和心理健康产生风险。此外，警方在同一天于红磡逮捕了一名31岁的男子，发现他携带四个疑似含有艾托啡的电子烟胶囊，这一案件并未使用检测工具。两人均因涉嫌持有只能由医生处方的第一类毒药而被拘留。
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Taliban deputy says there’s no excuse for education ban on Afghan women and girls
一名高级塔利班官员公开呼吁领导层取消对阿富汗女性和女孩的教育禁令。政治副部长谢尔·阿巴斯·斯坦尼克扎伊在东南部的霍斯特省发表讲话时表示，禁止女性接受教育没有任何借口。他强调，过去没有理由，现在也不应有理由阻止女性和女孩接受教育。
目前，阿富汗政府已禁止女性在六年级后继续接受教育，且有报道指出，政府还停止了女性的医疗培训和相关课程。由于女性只能由女性医生和健康专业人员进行治疗，这一禁令将对女性的医疗服务造成进一步限制。斯坦尼克扎伊在社交平台X上分享的视频中再次呼吁领导层“打开教育之门”，显示出内部对教育政策的分歧。
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一名高级塔利班官员公开呼吁领导层取消对阿富汗女性和女孩的教育禁令。政治副部长谢尔·阿巴斯·斯坦尼克扎伊在东南部的霍斯特省发表讲话时表示，禁止女性接受教育没有任何借口。他强调，过去没有理由，现在也不应有理由阻止女性和女孩接受教育。
目前，阿富汗政府已禁止女性在六年级后继续接受教育，且有报道指出，政府还停止了女性的医疗培训和相关课程。由于女性只能由女性医生和健康专业人员进行治疗，这一禁令将对女性的医疗服务造成进一步限制。斯坦尼克扎伊在社交平台X上分享的视频中再次呼吁领导层“打开教育之门”，显示出内部对教育政策的分歧。
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A century on from rise of fascism, civilisation hangs by a thread
当前国际局势正在重现20世纪20年代的民族主义和扩张主义倾向。无论是美国总统当选人特朗普对格林兰的扩张性主张，还是德国新兴政治领导人对少数群体的怨恨表达，种种现象都暗示着一种危险的回归，可能导致社会的崩溃与冲突。
回顾历史，20世纪20年代和30年代，德国、苏联和日本都因扩张欲望而陷入动荡，推动了“地缘政治”理念的形成，这种理念将世界视为棋盘，鼓励了对力量的追求。彼时，强硬的领导者受到赞赏，而和平倡导者则被视为软弱，最终导致了第二次世界大战的爆发。
冷战时期的世界同样是权力的争夺战，形成了两大对立阵营。虽然冷战结束后，全球化和发展成为焦点，许多国家实现了繁荣，但如今的局势表明，历史并未真正结束，新的地缘政治竞争正在酝酿，可能会影响全球的稳定与合作。
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当前国际局势正在重现20世纪20年代的民族主义和扩张主义倾向。无论是美国总统当选人特朗普对格林兰的扩张性主张，还是德国新兴政治领导人对少数群体的怨恨表达，种种现象都暗示着一种危险的回归，可能导致社会的崩溃与冲突。
回顾历史，20世纪20年代和30年代，德国、苏联和日本都因扩张欲望而陷入动荡，推动了“地缘政治”理念的形成，这种理念将世界视为棋盘，鼓励了对力量的追求。彼时，强硬的领导者受到赞赏，而和平倡导者则被视为软弱，最终导致了第二次世界大战的爆发。
冷战时期的世界同样是权力的争夺战，形成了两大对立阵营。虽然冷战结束后，全球化和发展成为焦点，许多国家实现了繁荣，但如今的局势表明，历史并未真正结束，新的地缘政治竞争正在酝酿，可能会影响全球的稳定与合作。
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