As Trump’s US draws Russia closer, should China worry?
Analysts in China believe that a potential US-Russia rapprochement poses little threat to China's strategic partnership with Russia. Despite recent talks between US and Russian officials about normalizing ties, the deep-rooted strategic alignment between China and Russia, driven by their shared goal of countering Western influence and strong economic ties, makes their partnership resilient.
Russia has been quick to reassure China amid these developments, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussing Russia-US relations with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. This reassurance, coupled with the fact that analysts see no indication of US-Russia relations being rebuilt to the point where Moscow would turn away from Beijing, suggests that the China-Russia partnership remains solid, despite the changing dynamics between the US and Russia.
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Analysts in China believe that a potential US-Russia rapprochement poses little threat to China's strategic partnership with Russia. Despite recent talks between US and Russian officials about normalizing ties, the deep-rooted strategic alignment between China and Russia, driven by their shared goal of countering Western influence and strong economic ties, makes their partnership resilient.
Russia has been quick to reassure China amid these developments, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussing Russia-US relations with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. This reassurance, coupled with the fact that analysts see no indication of US-Russia relations being rebuilt to the point where Moscow would turn away from Beijing, suggests that the China-Russia partnership remains solid, despite the changing dynamics between the US and Russia.
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Hamas releases new body it says is Shiri Bibas, as Gaza ceasefire hangs in the balance
哈马斯周五释放了一具尸体，声称是以色列人质 Shiri Bibas 的遗骸。此前，本周的移交过程中，对 Shiri Bibas 身份的错误辨认险些破坏了脆弱的加沙停火协议。以色列医疗部门表示，法医团队正在准备检查这具由哈马斯通过红十字会移交的尸体，以确认其身份。
根据停火协议，哈马斯原本同意在周四移交 Shiri Bibas 和她的两个年幼儿子 Kfir 和 Ariel 的遗体，以及第四名人质的遗骸。然而，虽然 Bibas 的两个儿子和另一名人质 Oded Lifshitz 的身份得到了确认，但以色列专家表示，第四具尸体是一名身份不明的女性，并非 Shiri Bibas。哈马斯政治局成员 Basem Naim 表示，可能会出现“不幸的错误”，特别是因为以色列的轰炸将以色列人质和巴勒斯坦人的尸体混在了一起，而仍有数千人被埋在废墟中。
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哈马斯周五释放了一具尸体，声称是以色列人质 Shiri Bibas 的遗骸。此前，本周的移交过程中，对 Shiri Bibas 身份的错误辨认险些破坏了脆弱的加沙停火协议。以色列医疗部门表示，法医团队正在准备检查这具由哈马斯通过红十字会移交的尸体，以确认其身份。
根据停火协议，哈马斯原本同意在周四移交 Shiri Bibas 和她的两个年幼儿子 Kfir 和 Ariel 的遗体，以及第四名人质的遗骸。然而，虽然 Bibas 的两个儿子和另一名人质 Oded Lifshitz 的身份得到了确认，但以色列专家表示，第四具尸体是一名身份不明的女性，并非 Shiri Bibas。哈马斯政治局成员 Basem Naim 表示，可能会出现“不幸的错误”，特别是因为以色列的轰炸将以色列人质和巴勒斯坦人的尸体混在了一起，而仍有数千人被埋在废墟中。
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We need a new system that reflects the world’s complexity
The United States is seemingly retreating from its long-standing European alliances and reducing its support for international organizations like the UN and WTO, signaling a shift away from the established world order. This coincides with a decline in trust in internationalism and a rise in ethno-nationalism, contributing to populist protectionism and geopolitical tensions.
These global shifts necessitate a new approach to international relations, termed "sustainable internationalism," which emphasizes building trust and cooperation in a multipolar world. This approach acknowledges the importance of international collaboration in addressing shared challenges like technological advancements and climate change, while also recognizing the reality of competition between nations.
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The United States is seemingly retreating from its long-standing European alliances and reducing its support for international organizations like the UN and WTO, signaling a shift away from the established world order. This coincides with a decline in trust in internationalism and a rise in ethno-nationalism, contributing to populist protectionism and geopolitical tensions.
These global shifts necessitate a new approach to international relations, termed "sustainable internationalism," which emphasizes building trust and cooperation in a multipolar world. This approach acknowledges the importance of international collaboration in addressing shared challenges like technological advancements and climate change, while also recognizing the reality of competition between nations.
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LA mayor sacks fire chief over handling of worst wildfire in city history
By Associated Press
Six weeks after the most destructive wildfire in city history, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ousted the city’s fire chief on Friday amid a public rift over preparations for a potential fire and finger-pointing between the chief and City Hall over responsibility for the devastation.
Bass said she is removing Chief Kristin Crowley immediately. “Bringing new leadership to the Fire Department is what our city needs,” the mayor said in a statement.
At a news conference on Friday afternoon, Bass said that Crowley had refused to do an after-action report on the wildfires.
“We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch,” Bass said.
Bass said Crowley has previously called her in advance of weather that raises fire risk, but that she did not do that in early January.
“She has my cellphone, she knows she can call me 24/7,” Bass said.
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By Associated Press
Six weeks after the most destructive wildfire in city history, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ousted the city’s fire chief on Friday amid a public rift over preparations for a potential fire and finger-pointing between the chief and City Hall over responsibility for the devastation.
Bass said she is removing Chief Kristin Crowley immediately. “Bringing new leadership to the Fire Department is what our city needs,” the mayor said in a statement.
At a news conference on Friday afternoon, Bass said that Crowley had refused to do an after-action report on the wildfires.
“We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch,” Bass said.
Bass said Crowley has previously called her in advance of weather that raises fire risk, but that she did not do that in early January.
“She has my cellphone, she knows she can call me 24/7,” Bass said.
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US man found guilty of trying to kill Salman Rushdie
哈迪·马塔尔因企图谋杀小说家萨尔曼·拉什迪罪名成立。陪审团认定，他在舞台上袭击拉什迪并多次用刀刺向这位《撒旦诗篇》的作者，犯有企图谋杀罪。他将面临最高 25 年的监禁，并将于 4 月 23 日宣判。
马塔尔的法律团队曾试图阻止证人将拉什迪描述为因伊朗 1989 年的追杀令而遭受迫害的受害者。拉什迪在审判中告诉陪审员，2022 年 8 月在纽约州北部的一次活动中，马塔尔“刺伤并砍伤”了他，导致他一只眼睛受伤，并身处“血泊”之中，一度以为自己快要死了。
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哈迪·马塔尔因企图谋杀小说家萨尔曼·拉什迪罪名成立。陪审团认定，他在舞台上袭击拉什迪并多次用刀刺向这位《撒旦诗篇》的作者，犯有企图谋杀罪。他将面临最高 25 年的监禁，并将于 4 月 23 日宣判。
马塔尔的法律团队曾试图阻止证人将拉什迪描述为因伊朗 1989 年的追杀令而遭受迫害的受害者。拉什迪在审判中告诉陪审员，2022 年 8 月在纽约州北部的一次活动中，马塔尔“刺伤并砍伤”了他，导致他一只眼睛受伤，并身处“血泊”之中，一度以为自己快要死了。
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Arab leaders meet to craft counter to Trump’s Gaza plan
阿拉伯国家领导人在利雅得会晤，旨在制定加沙战后重建计划，以对抗特朗普提出的美国接管加沙领土但不包括巴勒斯坦居民的提议。特朗普的计划促使阿拉伯国家团结起来反对该提议。
尽管阿拉伯国家对特朗普的计划持反对态度，但在由谁来管理加沙以及如何为重建提供资金的问题上仍存在分歧。沙特国家电视台发布的图像显示，沙特王储穆罕默德·本·萨勒曼与海湾阿拉伯国家、埃及和约旦的领导人一同出席了会议。埃及总统塞西的办公室表示，他已在与巴林、约旦、科威特、卡塔尔、沙特阿拉伯和阿拉伯联合酋长国领导人会晤后离开沙特首都。
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阿拉伯国家领导人在利雅得会晤，旨在制定加沙战后重建计划，以对抗特朗普提出的美国接管加沙领土但不包括巴勒斯坦居民的提议。特朗普的计划促使阿拉伯国家团结起来反对该提议。
尽管阿拉伯国家对特朗普的计划持反对态度，但在由谁来管理加沙以及如何为重建提供资金的问题上仍存在分歧。沙特国家电视台发布的图像显示，沙特王储穆罕默德·本·萨勒曼与海湾阿拉伯国家、埃及和约旦的领导人一同出席了会议。埃及总统塞西的办公室表示，他已在与巴林、约旦、科威特、卡塔尔、沙特阿拉伯和阿拉伯联合酋长国领导人会晤后离开沙特首都。
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‘Queen of Pop’ Madonna takes on ‘King’ Trump: ‘If this is a joke, I’m not laughing’
流行天后麦当娜再次公开批评美国前总统特朗普，起因是特朗普在社交媒体上自称“国王”。特朗普此前发文庆祝自己阻止了纽约市对进入曼哈顿拥堵区域的车辆征收拥堵费的计划，并在文末写道“国王万岁”，白宫随后转发了该消息，并配上了一张特朗普头戴镶钻王冠的图片。
麦当娜对此表示不满，她在社交媒体上发文称，美国是由逃离国王统治的欧洲人建立的，目的是建立一个由人民统治的新世界。她认为特朗普自称“国王”的行为令人无法接受，并表示如果这只是个玩笑，她一点也笑不出来。据悉，麦当娜在特朗普的第一个总统任期内就曾多次公开批评他，并参加了反对特朗普的示威活动，尤其关注特朗普政府对 LGBTQ 群体权益的侵犯。
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流行天后麦当娜再次公开批评美国前总统特朗普，起因是特朗普在社交媒体上自称“国王”。特朗普此前发文庆祝自己阻止了纽约市对进入曼哈顿拥堵区域的车辆征收拥堵费的计划，并在文末写道“国王万岁”，白宫随后转发了该消息，并配上了一张特朗普头戴镶钻王冠的图片。
麦当娜对此表示不满，她在社交媒体上发文称，美国是由逃离国王统治的欧洲人建立的，目的是建立一个由人民统治的新世界。她认为特朗普自称“国王”的行为令人无法接受，并表示如果这只是个玩笑，她一点也笑不出来。据悉，麦当娜在特朗普的第一个总统任期内就曾多次公开批评他，并参加了反对特朗普的示威活动，尤其关注特朗普政府对 LGBTQ 群体权益的侵犯。
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As Trump cuts US profile at United Nations, China’s leadership opportunity grows
Donald Trump's approach to international relations, marked by alienating allies and undermining global institutions like the UN, has inadvertently provided China with a significant opportunity to expand its global influence. Trump's policies, including withdrawing from key UN organizations and questioning the UN's effectiveness, have created a vacuum that Beijing is eager to fill.
China, under its Security Council presidency, has actively promoted multilateralism and support for the UN, directly contrasting Washington's stance. This strategy has resonated even with traditional US allies, not necessarily due to a fundamental shift in Beijing's policies, but largely due to Trump's perceived heavy-handedness. As one analyst noted, China simply needs to defend the UN and offer platitudes to appear as "the good guy," while the US remains conspicuously absent.
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Donald Trump's approach to international relations, marked by alienating allies and undermining global institutions like the UN, has inadvertently provided China with a significant opportunity to expand its global influence. Trump's policies, including withdrawing from key UN organizations and questioning the UN's effectiveness, have created a vacuum that Beijing is eager to fill.
China, under its Security Council presidency, has actively promoted multilateralism and support for the UN, directly contrasting Washington's stance. This strategy has resonated even with traditional US allies, not necessarily due to a fundamental shift in Beijing's policies, but largely due to Trump's perceived heavy-handedness. As one analyst noted, China simply needs to defend the UN and offer platitudes to appear as "the good guy," while the US remains conspicuously absent.
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US Treasury Secretary Bessent praises Zelensky after Trump’s censure
Donald Trump的特使Keith Kellogg在与乌克兰总统Volodymyr Zelensky会晤后表示，双方进行了“广泛而积极的讨论”，并赞扬Zelensky是“一个处在战争中的国家的坚决而勇敢的领导人”。 Kellogg周三抵达基辅，与乌克兰高级领导人进行了长时间的会谈，并在社交平台X上表达了积极的评价。
此前，特朗普曾批评Zelensky是“没有选举的独裁者”，并警告他必须尽快就结束战争进行谈判，否则可能面临失去国家的风险。与此同时，欧洲各国政府也开始积极支持Zelensky，以避免在美俄谈判中被边缘化，并维护跨大西洋关系。这些举动发生在乌克兰军队正努力抵抗俄罗斯军队的背景下，美国对乌克兰的重要军事援助也面临不确定性。
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Donald Trump的特使Keith Kellogg在与乌克兰总统Volodymyr Zelensky会晤后表示，双方进行了“广泛而积极的讨论”，并赞扬Zelensky是“一个处在战争中的国家的坚决而勇敢的领导人”。 Kellogg周三抵达基辅，与乌克兰高级领导人进行了长时间的会谈，并在社交平台X上表达了积极的评价。
此前，特朗普曾批评Zelensky是“没有选举的独裁者”，并警告他必须尽快就结束战争进行谈判，否则可能面临失去国家的风险。与此同时，欧洲各国政府也开始积极支持Zelensky，以避免在美俄谈判中被边缘化，并维护跨大西洋关系。这些举动发生在乌克兰军队正努力抵抗俄罗斯军队的背景下，美国对乌克兰的重要军事援助也面临不确定性。
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China’s Vice-Premier He, US Treasury’s Bessent spar over tariffs, ‘economic imbalances’
By Khushboo Razdan
China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng held a video call with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday, expressing “serious concerns” regarding the recent imposition of tariffs and other restrictive measures on Chinese goods by US President Donald Trump.
Citing Beijing’s economic policies and efforts to control the flow of narcotics, Bessent used similar language to characterise the discussion.
“Both sides recognised the importance of China-US economic and trade relations and agreed to continue to maintain communication on issues of mutual concern,” a readout from the Chinese government’s State Council said.
It added that He voiced “serious concerns about the recent restrictive measures such as the imposition of tariffs by the United States on China”.
Earlier this month, Trump imposed 10 per cent additional tariffs on all Chinese imports, citing the “extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl” and Beijing’s failure in “stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country”.
Beijing retaliated with levies on American coal and gas, among other goods, ranging between 10 and 15 per cent. Trump has also announced reciprocal tariffs on all US trading partners by April 1. China is the US’ third-largest trading partner.
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By Khushboo Razdan
China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng held a video call with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday, expressing “serious concerns” regarding the recent imposition of tariffs and other restrictive measures on Chinese goods by US President Donald Trump.
Citing Beijing’s economic policies and efforts to control the flow of narcotics, Bessent used similar language to characterise the discussion.
“Both sides recognised the importance of China-US economic and trade relations and agreed to continue to maintain communication on issues of mutual concern,” a readout from the Chinese government’s State Council said.
It added that He voiced “serious concerns about the recent restrictive measures such as the imposition of tariffs by the United States on China”.
Earlier this month, Trump imposed 10 per cent additional tariffs on all Chinese imports, citing the “extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl” and Beijing’s failure in “stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country”.
Beijing retaliated with levies on American coal and gas, among other goods, ranging between 10 and 15 per cent. Trump has also announced reciprocal tariffs on all US trading partners by April 1. China is the US’ third-largest trading partner.
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Pro-Palestine speech sparked right-wing threats, Hong Kong director Jun Li says
香港导演李骏硕在柏林电影节上宣读了一位伊朗演员支持巴勒斯坦的演讲后，受到了德国右翼分子的威胁和侮辱。该事件已引发德国警方调查。李骏硕表示，他并不担心自身安全，并计划继续参加电影节，他的最新电影《Queerpanorama》在电影节上首映。
李骏硕在电影节上宣读的演讲稿来自他电影中的一位演员 Erfan Shekarriz，该演员抵制了此次电影节。李骏硕表示，他谴责任何针对平民的暴力行为以及危及人类生命的系统性不公正现象。他认为，随着辩论的深入，真相会更加清晰，持有开放态度的人们会理解他的行为。他同时表示，此事肯定会对电影的宣传产生影响。
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香港导演李骏硕在柏林电影节上宣读了一位伊朗演员支持巴勒斯坦的演讲后，受到了德国右翼分子的威胁和侮辱。该事件已引发德国警方调查。李骏硕表示，他并不担心自身安全，并计划继续参加电影节，他的最新电影《Queerpanorama》在电影节上首映。
李骏硕在电影节上宣读的演讲稿来自他电影中的一位演员 Erfan Shekarriz，该演员抵制了此次电影节。李骏硕表示，他谴责任何针对平民的暴力行为以及危及人类生命的系统性不公正现象。他认为，随着辩论的深入，真相会更加清晰，持有开放态度的人们会理解他的行为。他同时表示，此事肯定会对电影的宣传产生影响。
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Xi Jinping tells entrepreneurs ‘east wind’ will carry China above rivals
中国国家主席习近平在与企业家的座谈会上重申了中国必然崛起的观点，这一定调将继续驱动中国最高决策层的政策制定。此次座谈会旨在提振民营企业信心，巩固经济发展势头。习近平强调，东方仍然充满希望，中国经济在全球舞台上具有无可比拟的地位。
习近平在讲话中引用了毛泽东的口号“东风压倒西风”，强调中国经济的规模和韧性，并表示“没有其他地方可以与之相比”。这番讲话的背景是，全球对中国经济的信心正在减弱，尤其是民营企业。消费不振、房地产长期低迷以及美国可能提高关税等因素，都对中国经济增长构成威胁。
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中国国家主席习近平在与企业家的座谈会上重申了中国必然崛起的观点，这一定调将继续驱动中国最高决策层的政策制定。此次座谈会旨在提振民营企业信心，巩固经济发展势头。习近平强调，东方仍然充满希望，中国经济在全球舞台上具有无可比拟的地位。
习近平在讲话中引用了毛泽东的口号“东风压倒西风”，强调中国经济的规模和韧性，并表示“没有其他地方可以与之相比”。这番讲话的背景是，全球对中国经济的信心正在减弱，尤其是民营企业。消费不振、房地产长期低迷以及美国可能提高关税等因素，都对中国经济增长构成威胁。
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Robert Tsao, Taiwanese chip tycoon sanctioned by Beijing, sparks ‘cross-strait affair’ row
台湾芯片业大亨曹兴诚被指控与中国大陆女性有婚外情，引发舆论风波。台湾评论员谢寒冰在社交媒体直播中展示了据称是曹兴诚与情妇在2015年拍摄的照片，引发广泛关注。曹兴诚最初否认指控，但随后表示“那又怎样？”，并指责谢寒冰侵犯了他的隐私。
此事在台湾岛内引发热烈讨论，并受到海峡两岸官方媒体的道德谴责。曹兴诚以其反北京的政治立场而闻名，此次事件被一些人解读为对其政治立场的打击。《海峡导报》发表评论称，这一丑闻将使人们清楚地看到他宣传“反华”情绪的扭曲心态。
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台湾芯片业大亨曹兴诚被指控与中国大陆女性有婚外情，引发舆论风波。台湾评论员谢寒冰在社交媒体直播中展示了据称是曹兴诚与情妇在2015年拍摄的照片，引发广泛关注。曹兴诚最初否认指控，但随后表示“那又怎样？”，并指责谢寒冰侵犯了他的隐私。
此事在台湾岛内引发热烈讨论，并受到海峡两岸官方媒体的道德谴责。曹兴诚以其反北京的政治立场而闻名，此次事件被一些人解读为对其政治立场的打击。《海峡导报》发表评论称，这一丑闻将使人们清楚地看到他宣传“反华”情绪的扭曲心态。
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University of Hong Kong head hopes any budget funding cuts will be ‘moderate’
香港大学校长张翔表示，希望政府在即将到来的预算中对高等教育的拨款削减幅度“适中”，并强调港大拥有的415亿港元储备金有其指定用途。他指出，这笔资金的一部分已被指定用于在校园内建造超过10座建筑物，还有一部分用于资助教授席位。
张翔强调，港大的储备金经过一个世纪才积累起来，如果动用这些资金的基础，大学的运作将面临困难。此外，他还宣布，所有新入学的本科生都将被要求参加人工智能（AI）课程，作为他们课程的一部分。
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香港大学校长张翔表示，希望政府在即将到来的预算中对高等教育的拨款削减幅度“适中”，并强调港大拥有的415亿港元储备金有其指定用途。他指出，这笔资金的一部分已被指定用于在校园内建造超过10座建筑物，还有一部分用于资助教授席位。
张翔强调，港大的储备金经过一个世纪才积累起来，如果动用这些资金的基础，大学的运作将面临困难。此外，他还宣布，所有新入学的本科生都将被要求参加人工智能（AI）课程，作为他们课程的一部分。
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China tests robot on board Tiangong space station
中国已在天宫空间站完成了首次在轨检查机器人的测试。该测试旨在检验机器人能否有效维护管道并安全运行。神舟十九号乘组在模拟的复杂管道网络中对机器人进行了全面的测试。
测试中，机器人顺利通过了各种直径的直管、弯管和锥形管。为了确保机器人足够灵活和适应性强，开发人员参考了海星等海洋动物的液压管足的运动方式。空间站的管道形状和尺寸各异，直径差异大，尺寸变化突然，这增加了机器人卡住的风险。
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中国已在天宫空间站完成了首次在轨检查机器人的测试。该测试旨在检验机器人能否有效维护管道并安全运行。神舟十九号乘组在模拟的复杂管道网络中对机器人进行了全面的测试。
测试中，机器人顺利通过了各种直径的直管、弯管和锥形管。为了确保机器人足够灵活和适应性强，开发人员参考了海星等海洋动物的液压管足的运动方式。空间站的管道形状和尺寸各异，直径差异大，尺寸变化突然，这增加了机器人卡住的风险。
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French PM under growing pressure over Catholic school abuse claims
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is facing mounting pressure after a former teacher accused him of being aware of sexual abuse allegations at a Catholic school in the 1990s and failing to act. The teacher claims that Bayrou, who was the country's education minister from 1993 to 1997, and his wife, a religious studies teacher at the school, ignored her warnings about "systemic violence" against students.
The accusations come amidst an ongoing investigation into around 100 complaints of alleged violence, sexual assault, and rape at the Notre-Dame de Betharram school in southwestern France spanning several decades. Bayrou has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but the former teacher's testimony to a French investigative website has intensified the scrutiny and criticism from the opposition.
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French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is facing mounting pressure after a former teacher accused him of being aware of sexual abuse allegations at a Catholic school in the 1990s and failing to act. The teacher claims that Bayrou, who was the country's education minister from 1993 to 1997, and his wife, a religious studies teacher at the school, ignored her warnings about "systemic violence" against students.
The accusations come amidst an ongoing investigation into around 100 complaints of alleged violence, sexual assault, and rape at the Notre-Dame de Betharram school in southwestern France spanning several decades. Bayrou has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but the former teacher's testimony to a French investigative website has intensified the scrutiny and criticism from the opposition.
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Europe can afford to defend itself without US but needs more coordination: study
Europe needs to invest approximately €250 billion annually in its defense to ensure its security independent of US support. According to a study by Bruegel and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, this level of investment, equivalent to 1.5% of the EU's GDP, would enable Europe to mobilize around 300,000 soldiers to defend against potential threats like Russia.
The study emphasizes that while Europe possesses the financial capacity for this increased defense spending, improved coordination and joint procurement among national armed forces are crucial. This call to action comes amid growing pressure from the US, particularly from figures like Donald Trump, urging European nations to bolster their military capabilities and meet NATO's defense spending target of 2% of GDP, reflecting concerns about the US's long-term commitment to European security.
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Europe needs to invest approximately €250 billion annually in its defense to ensure its security independent of US support. According to a study by Bruegel and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, this level of investment, equivalent to 1.5% of the EU's GDP, would enable Europe to mobilize around 300,000 soldiers to defend against potential threats like Russia.
The study emphasizes that while Europe possesses the financial capacity for this increased defense spending, improved coordination and joint procurement among national armed forces are crucial. This call to action comes amid growing pressure from the US, particularly from figures like Donald Trump, urging European nations to bolster their military capabilities and meet NATO's defense spending target of 2% of GDP, reflecting concerns about the US's long-term commitment to European security.
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Alibaba investors hail e-commerce giant’s AI pivot as it plots major investment outlay
Alibaba Group Holding is strategically transforming into a leading AI company, prompting investor enthusiasm and a surge in its stock prices. The company plans to significantly increase investment in AI and cloud computing infrastructure over the next three years, exceeding its total spending in these areas over the past decade. This aggressive move is seen as crucial for Alibaba to remain competitive and attractive to investors in the AI era.
Alibaba's Hong Kong-listed shares jumped 15% following the announcement, building on gains in New York after the company reported better-than-expected profit and revenue for the December quarter. Analysts believe this commitment to AI demonstrates strong confidence in the company's ability to monetize AI technologies, particularly given the accelerated growth of its Cloud Intelligence Group.
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Alibaba Group Holding is strategically transforming into a leading AI company, prompting investor enthusiasm and a surge in its stock prices. The company plans to significantly increase investment in AI and cloud computing infrastructure over the next three years, exceeding its total spending in these areas over the past decade. This aggressive move is seen as crucial for Alibaba to remain competitive and attractive to investors in the AI era.
Alibaba's Hong Kong-listed shares jumped 15% following the announcement, building on gains in New York after the company reported better-than-expected profit and revenue for the December quarter. Analysts believe this commitment to AI demonstrates strong confidence in the company's ability to monetize AI technologies, particularly given the accelerated growth of its Cloud Intelligence Group.
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Yuan battles US dollar, China’s latest J-35 stealth jet: SCMP daily highlights
China's central bank is committed to promoting the yuan for international use and expanding its offshore market, a move driven by the need to stabilize the currency amidst a strong US dollar. This effort signifies China's ongoing strategy to increase the yuan's global presence and influence.
Meanwhile, potential reductions in the US diplomatic presence in China raise concerns about diminished understanding, hindered collaborations, and visa processing delays, according to observers. In other news, China is actively marketing its advanced carrier-based stealth fighter jet at a major Middle Eastern military expo, facing competition from French, South Korean, and Turkish suppliers vying for regional defense contracts.
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China's central bank is committed to promoting the yuan for international use and expanding its offshore market, a move driven by the need to stabilize the currency amidst a strong US dollar. This effort signifies China's ongoing strategy to increase the yuan's global presence and influence.
Meanwhile, potential reductions in the US diplomatic presence in China raise concerns about diminished understanding, hindered collaborations, and visa processing delays, according to observers. In other news, China is actively marketing its advanced carrier-based stealth fighter jet at a major Middle Eastern military expo, facing competition from French, South Korean, and Turkish suppliers vying for regional defense contracts.
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