he Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Andrew Holness (ON, PC, MP), Prime Minister, Minister for Defence and Minister for Economic Growth and Job Creation of Jamaica. The Secretary-General welcomed Jamaica’s support to the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti and Prime Minister Holness’ support to the Financing for Development Agenda and participation in the Sustainable Development Goals Stimulus Leaders Group. The Secretary-General and Prime Minister Holness discussed the importance of reforming the international financial architecture.
This undated file combo photo shows a jade dragon unearthed from a stone tomb site in the city of Chifeng, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Chinese archaeologists have unearthed the largest jade dragon ever discovered from the Hongshan culture, an important part of the Neolithic Age, at a stone tomb site in the city of Chifeng, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the regional institute of cultural relics and archaeology. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese archaeologists have unearthed the largest jade dragon ever discovered from the Hongshan culture, an important part of the Neolithic Age, at a stone tomb site in the city of Chifeng, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the regional institute of cultural relics and archaeology.
Measuring 15.8 cm long, 9.5 cm wide, and 3 cm thick, the artifact was found at a site featuring a circular tomb in the north and a square altar in the south, which is the only one of its kind ever found in the region.
Apart from the architectural remains, human skeletal remains, burials, fire pits, and cylindrical object pits have also been discovered at the site. The unearthed artifacts include jade and painted pottery basins and tripod pottery cups, among others.
The ongoing research at the site includes studies of the ancient environment, large-scale topographic mapping and carbon-14 dating, among others. The latest dating data indicates that the site belongs to the late Hongshan culture, dating back 5,100 to 5,000 years.
The finds were revealed during a themed seminar held Sunday in Chifeng, which provided updates on the archaeological progress at the stone tomb in Yuanbaoshan of Chifeng’s Aohan Banner.
For almost a year, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in increasingly provocative cross-border skirmishes as onlookers warn that this escalating war of attrition could land the region in all-out conflict. The past few days have made that devastating scenario closer to a reality.
First came Israel’s pager and walkie-talkie attack, an unprecedented assault on Hezbollah’s communications that injured thousands of the organization’s operatives. It was followed by the assassination of Ibrahim Aqil, a key Hezbollah leader, who died in an airstrike that also killed other senior commanders of the militant group, as well as some civilians. Hezbollah has responded by extending the geographical range of its rockets fired at Israel, targeting both military facilities and civilian neighborhoods just north and east of Haifa.
As a scholar of Lebanon and Israel, I have followed the dynamics of this war of attrition since Oct. 8, 2023, the day after Hamas executed an unprecedented and deadly attack on Israel, which responded by bombarding the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah then began firing rockets into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.
Despite the high rhetoric and mutual threatsof destruction, until recent days neither Israel nor Hezbollah, nor the latter’s sponsor Iran, have shown an interest in a full-scale war. All parties surely know the likely destructive consequences of such an eventuality for themselves: Israel has the military power to devastate Beirut and other parts of Lebanon as it did in Gaza, while even a weakened Hezbollah could fire thousands of missiles at Israeli strategic sites, from the airport to central Tel Aviv, water supply lines and electricity hubs, and offshore gas rigs.
So instead, they have exchanged fire and blows along their shared boundary, with somewhat agreed-upon red lines concerning the geographical scope of attacks and efforts not to intentionally target civilians.
But Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon may have turned the page of this war of attrition into a new and far more acute situation, putting the region on the brink of a full war. Such a war would wreak havoc in Lebanon and Israel, and might also drag Iran and the United States into direct confrontation. In doing so, it would also fulfill the apparent of the Hamas gunmen who murdered around 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7 in the hope that a heavy-handed Israeli response would draw in more groups across the region.
A dangerous ‘new phase’
Hezbollah’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, has insisted throughout the near-yearlong hostilities that his organization would hold its fire only if a cease-fire agreement is reached between Israel and Hamas. In recent weeks, however, Israel has taken the conflict in the opposite direction.
The country’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, described the coordinated attacks on Hezbolah targets as a “new phase,” adding that the “center of gravity” in the war was moving north into Lebanon. The Israeli government has added the “return of the residents of the north securely to their homes” as an additional war goal.
The assault on Hezbollah’s communications system targeted the organization’s operatives but hit many civilian bystanders, leaving Lebanese in shock, trauma, anger and desperation.
It demonstrated Israel’s tactical military advantage over Hezbollah. The unprecedented penetration into the heart of the organization’s command and rank-and-file structures has never been seen before in any conflict or war globally. It struck Hezbollah in its most vulnerable places and even exposed its coordination with Iran – one of the injured persons from the pager explosions was the Iranian ambassador in Lebanon.
The killing of Akil two days later was another signal that the Israeli government had now decided to try to change the rules of this risky game of reprisals and counter-reprisals. It is clear that rather than the uneasy status quo that defined this war of attrition for nearly a year, Israel’s intent is now to pressure Hezbollah to concede.
Getting out of control
Nasrallah delivered a gloomy and defiant speech in the aftermath of the pager attack. While acknowledging that Hezbollah was severely undermined by this operation, he defined the Israeli attack as a continuation of “multiple other massacres perpetrated by the enemy over decades.”
By doing so, he framed it within a popular historical narrative among many Lebanese and Palestinians who regard Israel as a criminal entity that regularly carries out massacres against innocent civilians.
Nasrallah also insisted that his commitment to supporting Hamas in Gaza remains unwavering.
While stating that Israeli actions have “crossed all red lines” and could amount to a declaration of war, Nasrallah also reiterated a point he had made in previous peaks of this ongoing conflict: that retribution is coming, the only question being of timing and scale. By doing so, Nasrallah hinted that he may still not be interested in a full war.
Israel, on the other hand, appears less circumspect. After almost a full year of contained tension with Hezbollah, Israel’s leaders appear willing to risk an escalation that might get out of control.
It is hard to determine what the strategy behind Israel’s actions is: Since Oct. 7; as the Biden administration has noted, Israel has not displayed a coherent strategy with clear political goals.
Rather, critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest that he is mainly motivated by his own political survival and the retention of power as the head of state, tying Israel’s interests to his own.
Uniting the ‘axis of resistance’
So where does this leave Nasrallah as he weighs Hezbollah’s response, surely in consultation with Iran? After such devastating blows to Nasrallah’s organization, it is hard to think that Hezbollah would be willing to scale down, stop its cross-border attacks and retreat away from the Israeli border, or give up its commitment to support Hamas in Gaza.
Palestinian refugees listen to a speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah from a cafe at the entrance of the Sabra camp in Beirut. Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images
On the other hand, opting for a full-scale war, after spending a year avoiding it, is fraught with risk – both Nasrallah and his sponsors in Tehran know well the high costs of such a war for Hezbollah, Lebanon and potentially also for Iran.
If Hezbollah went to war now against Israel, it would embark on its most consequential move since its foundation in 1982. But it would do so with crippled communications systems and without much of its leadership – some of whom had worked for decades side by side with Nasrallah, building with him the military capacity of the organization.
In some respects, Israelis under Netanyahu’s leadership, and Lebanese in a country increasingly held hostage by Hezbollah’s interests, face similar predicaments: Their well-being is being sacrificed for other priorities.
Netanayhu’s recent statements about concern for Israeli citizens in the north sound hollow after 11 months of pursuing policies that put them more in danger, as well as opposing a Gaza cease-fire deal that would also end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah has dragged the country into this war against the will of most Lebanese – a decision that has led to significant devastation in parts of a country already suffering extreme political and economic duress.
Nasrallah’s speech described Hezbollah’s predicament as that of all Lebanon – while sending a veiled threat that dissent would not be tolerated. Many Lebanese are undoubtedly sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and resent Israel’s war in Gaza. But at the same time, they may balk at the idea that their own well-being has to be sacrificed in the process.
In the meantime, Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader and mastermind behind the Oct. 7 massacre, may well be looking on at the unfolding events between Israel and Hezbollah with satisfaction. His plan was designed to trigger the unification of all fronts of the so-called “axis of resistance,” which includes the Houthis in Yemen as well as Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups with the hope for a regional war against Israel.
A year later, we are closer than ever to that scenario.
Asher Kaufman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
On 13 September 2024, the ACT Government assumed a caretaker role, with an election to be held 19 October 2024. Information on this website will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the election and conclusion of the caretaker period.
Released 23/09/2024
Quarantine areas restricting the movement of birds and other materials, objects and equipment in the Belconnen area will be reduced as the ACT’s response to avian influenza (HPAI H7N8) enters the final phase.
There have been no new detections of avian influenza in the ACT since 4 July 2024. From tomorrow, 24 September, the quarantine areas will be reduced to:
A restricted quarantine area within a one kilometre radius of the first affected property on Parkwood Road in Belconnen.
A control quarantine area within a two kilometre radius of the first affected property on Parkwood Road in Belconnen.
In the restricted quarantine area the movement of birds, bird products and other materials, objects and equipment deemed as high risk is not permitted.
In the control quarantine area, the movement of birds and other materials, objects and equipment deemed as high risk is not permitted, but bird products such as eggs may be moved under certain conditions.
These restrictions will remain in place until late December 2024, but will continue to be reviewed as the response progresses.
All bird owners should review the updated quarantine restrictions to know their responsibilities and continue to implement good biosecurity practices.
The ACT’s response to avian influenza is moving to the final phase of decontaminating the first property affected by the disease.
Avian influenza is a notifiable animal disease which means any suspected or confirmed cases must be reported immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
For more information on the situation in the ACT and the movement restrictions, including a map of the quarantine area, visit the ACT Environment website.
For updates on the current disease situation in other jurisdictions across Australia visit outbreak.gov.au.
On 13 September 2024, the ACT Government assumed a caretaker role, with an election to be held 19 October 2024. Information on this website will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the election and conclusion of the caretaker period.
Public transport users are advised of changes to bus and light rail travel from today with the next phase of the MyWay+ transition beginning. This will see existing MyWay equipment removed from buses and at light rail stops so it can be replaced with new MyWay+ validators and other hardware.
Key changes taking place from today, Friday 20 September 2024:
The MyWay ticketing system will no longer be available. Travel on buses and light rail will be free until MyWay+ launches in November.Customers will not be required to tap on and off during this fare free travel period.
NXTBUS will no longer be available. This includes real time information onboard buses, at bus stops and interchanges as well as the NXTBUS real time web site and SMS service.
Bus services will continue to operate to the scheduled timetable. Static timetable information is available at interchanges, major bus stops and online.
Light rail will continue to operate to the scheduled frequency. Next stop information will still be available for light rail (onboard and at stops).
System testing will begin and take place with over 200 Canberrans providing feedback on the new system and the journey planning functionality.
The easiest way to plan your trip is by using the Transport Canberra Journey Planner or referring to timetable information.
Although there is no longer a need for passengers to tap on and off with their MyWay card, passengers are asked to hold onto their card/s. The card number will be required for the transfer and refund process.
People who were not able to register their MyWay card with funds before the Friday 20 September cut-off date are also asked to hold onto their card. These cards will be able to transfer to a new MyWay+ account once the system is launched in November. Further details will be available in the coming weeks.
For updates and further information on MyWay+ and the transition period, please visit www.transport.act.gov.au.
Governor Shapiro Welcomes Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, Signs Sister State Agreement with Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine to Strengthen Ties
Governor Josh Shapiro and members of the Shapiro Administrationwelcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP) in Lackawanna County – one of two major munitions plants in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
President Zelenskyy made a special trip to the Keystone State to visit the Pennsylvania workers who are playing a vital role in Ukraine’s defense. During the visit, President Zelenskyy spoke with workers at SCAAP – a U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command (JMC) facility that manufactures large-caliber metal projectiles and mortar projectiles for the U.S. Department of Defense – and thanked them for their efforts. SCAAP specifically builds 155-millimeter howitzer rounds, some of the most vital equipment for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
“Pennsylvania is the birthplace of American freedom – and our Commonwealth proudly stands with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom against naked aggression,” said Governor Shapiro. “I’m proud to welcome President Zelenskyy and his delegation to Scranton – to visit with the women and men who are fueling his country’s fight for freedom – and sign an agreement with Zaporizhzhia that will strengthen both states and foster collaboration for years to come. Pennsylvania looks forward to building a close relationship with Zaporizhzhia as we continue to stand on the side of freedom.”
Virtual care programs that improve access to rural and multicultural communities are among some of the incredible finalists being recognised in the NSW Health Awards 2024. Now in its 26th year, the awards acknowledge the personalised, sustainable, and digitally enabled programs that contribute to the wellbeing of patients and the community. NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM said it is really exciting to celebrate the people and teams who are enriching health in millions of ways every day. “These awards are a chance to recognise our incredible healthcare staff and volunteers, across the public health system,” Ms Pearce said. “It is important to celebrate innovative and sustainable programs which invest in the wellbeing of the NSW community, while also delivering better patient outcomes. “I congratulate the finalists, but I also want to acknowledge the work being done across the system every day, by our teams of doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health and support staff.” NSW Health received 186 nominations across the 12 award categories. Categories this year include the Keeping People Healthy Award, Transforming Patient Experience Award, and the Health Innovation Award. “All of the nominations really showcase the impressive and important work being undertaken throughout the state, so choosing the 42 finalists was a challenge,” Ms Pearce said. “The awards also recognise the significant contribution of community members who selflessly support our patients carers and staff, with the Volunteer of the Year Award.” The finalists and winners will be celebrated at the NSW Health Awards ceremony, which will be held on Thursday 24 October at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. It will also be livestreamed from 6pm. The full list of finalists is available on the NSW Health website.
The Secretary-General met with Mr. Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, H.E. Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission and Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships.
They discussed cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union on global issues, including sustainable development and follow-up to the Summit of the Future. They also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East, as well as the war in Ukraine.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Now that the Paris Olympics and Paralympics have disappeared from our screens, let’s get back to watching animal videos.
But seriously, have you ever paused to think about the athletic abilities of Australian wildlife?
In my research as an ecologist, I’m constantly amazed by the strength, speed and resilience of our native animals. Their prowess is testament to the wonders of evolution, and the necessity of species having to adapt to challenging and changing environments in order to survive.
Let’s take a closer look at some of our best competitors and how might they fare, against humans and overseas entrants. On your marks, get set… swim, hop, dig, dance, glide!
Swimming
Australians are renowned for being strong swimmers. But what is the fastest swimmer in the animal kingdom?
On this there is much debate. Some suggest it’s the Indo Pacific sailfish, clocking in at about 30km/hr. That’s impressive, but much slower than oft-cited (but inaccurate) claims it can travel at more than 100km/hr.
For perspective, the fastest human to swim the 50 metres freestyle is American Caeleb Dressel, completing this in a time of 20.16 seconds. That’s roughly 9km/h – faster than many people jog, but still no match for a sailfish.
As in humans, swimming speed in fishes tends to increase with body length. Larger species that challenge sailfish for the fastest swimmer title include blue or black marlin. Shorter, torpedo-like bluefin tuna are also in contention. All are found in Australian waters, though not exclusively.
While American swimmer Michael Phelps put in an impressive showing against a simulated great white shark, no human would beat much faster sailfish, marlin and tuna.
Kangaroos can clear heights of up to 3m, so would perform well in the high jump. But they’d finish behind bottlenose dolphins, which can jump over 7m in the air, just for kicks.
Scaled for body size, though, both species would be embarrassed by a tiny insect known as a froghopper. It jumps to heights of more than 140 times its body length.
Kangaroos sure can jump, but they’re not the greatest of all in the animal kingdom.
And yet, horned dung beetles might still only claim silver. Another invertebrate Aussie, the tiny tropical moss mite, is perhaps the world’s strongest animal. It can pull more than 1,180 times its weight.
Bigger does not always equal stronger.
Packing the fastest, deadliest punch
In terms of combat sports, bigger is not always better.
Peacock mantis shrimps – invertebrates found in Australian marine waters and elsewhere – have the swiftest and most powerful punch in the lightweight crustacean division.
They kill prey by punching them with strong, club-like appendages. They deliver blows at up to 23m per sec, akin to the speed and force of a .22 calibre bullet being fired.
In terms of free-diving and flying, there’s really no contest. Cuvier’s beaked whale can dive nearly 3000m and peregrine falcons can reach over 320 km/hr. These animals are found across the globe, however – not just in Australia.
I’d love to see a shooting contest between Australia’s archer fish and Madagascar’s panther chameleon. But finding the right arena for both aquatic and land-based sharpshooters would be tricky.
They include the incredible oolacunta – also known as the desert rat kangaroo. It’s powers of endurance in the desert are the stuff of folklore. As legendary Australian mammalogist Hedley Herbert Finlayson wrote in 1931:
Its speed for such an atom, was wonderful, and its endurance amazing … when we finally got it, it had taken the starch out of three mounts and run us 12 miles; all under such adverse conditions of heat and rough going, as to make it almost incredible that so small a frame should be capable of such an immense output of energy.
Euan Ritchie receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action. Euan is a Councillor within the Biodiversity Council, a member of the Ecological Society of Australia and the Australian Mammal Society, and President of the Australian Mammal Society.
ANZ has successfully closed an USD1.35b Green Labeled K-Sure covered Term Loan Facility for Hyundai Motor Group, funding its first electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in the US, as the world’s third largest car manufacturer continues to invest in the country.
It will help accelerate Hyundai Motor Company’s electrification strategy with an expected manufacturing capacity of 300,000 units annually at its Georgia Metaplant complex.
The Green Export Credit Agency (ECA) backed loan adheres to LMA Green Loan Principles, and reinforces ANZ as a key financing partner for Hyundai Motor Group, acting as ECA and Green Loan Coordinator, Mandated Lead Arranger, and Bookrunner on its past three mandates.
Aaron Ross, ANZ’s Global Head of Project, Export & Asset Finance said, “These deals underscore ANZ’s market-leading position in the Korean ECA sector, delivering low risk, capital-efficient and high-returning facilities that meet our customer needs. We have executed four major EV sector transactions backed by Korean ECAs in the past five years.
“We’re proud to play a role in supporting Hyundai Motor Group’s capital expenditure initiatives as it strives to become a global leader in electric vehicle manufacturing. Leveraging our expertise across Korea, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and the US, we have been able to consistently deliver smart solutions by integrating sustainable finance to meet Hyundai Motor Group’s strategic and evolving needs,” Mr Ross said.
Previous deals with Hyundai Motor Group include:
USD 940 million K-Sure-backed deal for Hyundai Mobis’ EV parts plant located within the Georgia Metaplant complex
USD 711 million ECA financing to establish South-East Asia’s first and largest EV battery manufacturing facility in Indonesia
SGD 230 million green loan to finance the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore
ANZ has set a target to fund and facilitate at least $A100 billion by the end of FY2030, including $A15 billion by end FY2024, in social and environmental outcomes through customer activities and direct investments by ANZ. This includes initiatives that aim to help lower carbon emissions, protect nature, increase access to affordable housing and promote financial wellbeing, as described in the target methodology.
Over 960,000 applicants registered for the initial phase of China’s national unified legal professional qualification examination this year, featuring objective questions, held on Saturday and Sunday, the Ministry of Justice said on Sunday. The number of applicants represented an increase of 12 percent year on year, according to the ministry. Test centers for the exam have been established in all provincial-level regions, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. The results for the objective questions examination will be released on Sept. 26. Those who pass the phase can apply for the subjective questions examination between Sept. 26 and 30. The subjective questions examination will be held on Oct. 20. The national unified legal professional qualification examination, China’s bar exam, is the professional qualification for lawyers, judges, prosecutors and other law-related practitioners.
China is working on serving a more diverse range of food options for future deep-space exploration missions, according to the Second Frontier Forum of Space Medicine held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in east China. During the recently concluded Mid-Autumn Festival, a cherished tradition symbolizing family reunion, the Shenzhou-18 crew aboard China’s orbiting space station enjoyed “space mooncakes” stuffed with lotus paste as well as their personal favourites such as spicy lamb and braised pork chops, which had been prepared in advance by the ground support team. “We have developed technologies to bring Chinese cuisine to the ‘space dining table’, allowing astronauts to enjoy ‘home-cooked flavors’,” said Li Yinghui, a researcher at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center. Li added that China has advanced precision nutrition control technology and built accurate standards for space flight nutritional supplies that can help astronauts address physiological issues caused by weightlessness and radiation and stay healthy during missions lasting over 180 days. “Various functional space foods featuring antioxidant effects, immune support, fatigue relief and gut microbiome regulation have been developed to enhance astronauts’ in-orbit adaptability,” said Li. With an eye on future deep space missions, China is also working on technologies such as in-orbit cooking that can sustain long-term living beyond Earth, said Zang Peng, another researcher at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FS begins visit to Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) FS begins visit to Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) ****************************************************
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, arrived in Madrid, Spain, yesterday (September 22, Madrid time) and began his visit. Mr Chan led a group of local tech startups to visit Spain’s innovation organisation, Spain Startup and meet with its President, Ms Maria Benjumea, and representatives from its partner, IE University of Spain. Spain Startup is the organiser of the renowned innovation and entrepreneurship event South Summit, which has been running since 2012, bringing together startups, tech talents, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world. Through a variety of programmes, including startup competitions, networking events, and workshops, it offers startups opportunities to build global networks, exchange knowledge, and connect with investors. The South Summit event has now expanded to Brazil. Spain Startup has indicated that it is actively considering organising an Asian version of the South Summit. Mr Chan said Hong Kong welcomes the event to be hosted in Hong Kong to attract startups and investors from the Mainland, particularly the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as the broader Asian region, and he will instruct relevant departments to follow up actively. Also joining the innovation and technology delegation on the visit to Europe are the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong, and the Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, Mr Eric Chan. Mr Chan will continue his visit in Madrid today (September 23, Madrid time).
At least four people were killed and many others injured in a mass shooting Saturday night in downtown Birmingham, in the U.S. state of Alabama, police said.
Birmingham police said the shooting occurred in Birmingham Five Points South, an entertainment district near the University of Alabama, just after 11 p.m. local time (0400 GMT Sunday).
Police said multiple people fired several shots at a group of people. When police officers arrived at the scene, they found three people — two men and one women — were dead. A fourth victim later died in hospital.
At least four of the gunshot victims have life-threatening injuries, and the rest have “various injuries,” police said.
As of Sunday morning, no one was in custody, and police said they do not have a motive for the shooting at this time.
Qijiang-2 humanoid robot hands an orange to a visitor at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
With a human build and sleek appearance, the 1.8-meter-tall Qijiang-2 is captivating visitors in the exhibition hall of the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention as it can mimic human movements with remarkable precision.
The humanoid robot, developed by Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Humanoid Robots, is certainly hogging the spotlight at the convention, which opened on Friday and will continue until Monday in Hefei, the capital of east China’s Anhui Province.
Equipped with advanced sensors and intricate inertial measurement units, Qijiang-2 can perform delicate tasks such as folding clothes, opening bottles, wiping dishes and navigating uneven terrain.
But it’s more than just a mechanical marvel. Beyond its physical capabilities, the robot also has decision-making features, including intelligent user recognition and secure access for authorized users.
“In the future, these humanoid robots will be able to adapt to both industrial production and elderly care scenarios, serving as robot workers and robot caregivers,” said Liu Houde, director of the laboratory.
Qijiang-2 and other cutting-edge exhibits like the Jiuzhou Yunjian Longyun rocket engine and the Origin Wukong superconducting quantum computer are demonstrating China’s breakthroughs in frontier technologies at the event, as well as its potential in the field of high-tech manufacturing.
The gathering of leading global enterprises and industry experts has also reflected China’s commitment to advancing international cooperation and working with other countries to address the challenges and opportunities in global manufacturing development.
“After 30 years of development in China, Continental AG values not only China’s market volume but also advanced technologies,” said Enno Tang, president and CEO of Continental China.
With comprehensive industrial categories and a well-rounded manufacturing system, China has attracted global firms to strengthen their investment in the country.
An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 20, 2023 shows a view of Volkswagen (Anhui) Automotive Company Limited in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Volkswagen Group in April announced an investment of 2.5 billion euros (about 2.8 billion U.S. dollars) in expanding its production and innovation hub in Hefei to increase its pace of innovation in China.
The company also vowed to accelerate the production of two Volkswagen-brand smart electric vehicles (EVs), which are currently under joint development with Chinese manufacturer Xpeng.
A deal reached in 2023 between the two companies gave Volkswagen access to Xpeng’s technologies, including its advanced driving assistance system, as the German carmaker made efforts to tap into China’s fast-growing EV market.
The landmark cooperation agreement between Xpeng and Volkswagen testified to the willingness of China’s auto industry to share its technologies with the world, according to Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng.
As the world’s economic landscape evolves, China is stepping up efforts to collaborate with international enterprises, aiming to inject fresh momentum into the global manufacturing sector and accelerate the shift toward high-quality growth.
This photo taken on Nov. 9, 2023 shows the booth of Schneider Electric at the 6th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, east China. [Photo/Xinhua]
In the city of Xiamen in east China’s Fujian Province, construction on the Schneider Electric Xiamen Industrial Park began in April.
China is Schneider Electric’s second-largest market globally, one of its most important supply chain bases, and one of its four global R&D hubs.
After its completion, the park will be the French multinational’s biggest manufacturing facility for medium voltage equipment anywhere in the world, and some of its products will be supplied to overseas markets.
The park will be a major R&D center, manufacturing center and supply hub through which the company will serve the global medium voltage market, according to Vincent Bruneau, vice president of Schneider Electric’s Global Supply Chain China.
Through a combination of innovation-driven policies, open market access and strategic partnerships, China continues to strengthen its position as a key player in global manufacturing.
“China has been advancing its manufacturing sector by focusing on high-end, intelligent, green development while increasing its efforts in technological innovation to unlock broader markets,” said Wan Hongxian, a professor at the Anhui University of Finance and Economics.
“China’s manufacturing sector provides a highly promising market for global high-end equipment. Moreover, its advanced production capabilities and responsiveness to market demand enable the development of more high-quality products, delivering tangible benefits to consumers worldwide,” Wan added.
The scale of China’s digital publishing industry reached 1.618 trillion yuan (about 228.89 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, up 19.08 percent year on year, according to an annual report.
The report, issued by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication (CAPP), was released during the 14th China International Digital Publishing Expo that kicked off Saturday in the city of Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province.
By the end of 2023, the number of Chinese online literature readers reached a record high of 537 million. The overseas market scale for Chinese online literature exceeded 4 billion yuan, covering more than 200 countries and regions.
Traditional culture has become a significant theme element in various Chinese online culture forms, including literature, animation and games, noted Wei Yushan, head of CAPP, at the expo.
A member of Guizhou provincial mountain resources institute observes the rock formation inside a branch cave of Shuanghe Cave in Suiyang County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Sept. 23, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Scientists from China, France, Portugal, Belgium and other countries gathered on Friday at the Shuanghe Cave, Asia’s longest known cave, in southwest China’s Guizhou Province for a launch ceremony of the 23rd joint international scientific expedition into the cave. The expedition is scheduled for Oct. 7 to 24, and the results of their findings will be made available on Oct. 24. Previous scientific expeditions found 44 individual giant panda fossils, with the oldest specimen dating back 100,000 years and the most recent dating back a few hundred years. The fossils prove that Guizhou was once a habitat for giant pandas, which are today known to survive in the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Zhou Wenlong, deputy secretary general of the Guizhou Cave Association, said the upcoming cave expedition will further study the cave’s resources, formation and evolution. According to the results of the 2023 joint expedition, the cave network has 107 connected openings and boasts a length of 409.9 kilometers, making it the longest known cave in Asia and the third-longest in the world. It is also the world’s longest dolomite cave. French caver Jean Bottazzi, who has more than three decades of cave exploration experience in China, is acting as chief of the upcoming cave research. He calls Shuanghe Cave his second home. He said that since the late 1980s, the discoveries of Chinese and foreign experts in the cave have led to repeated updates of the cave’s length, and many cave fossils and living organisms have been unearthed, providing rich, valuable scientific research materials. During this year’s scientific expedition, Suiyang County, which administers the cave area, will hold activities such as a geological science photography contest and a short video contest to promote the cave geopark.
A joint army training, co-organized by Chinese and Nepali militaries, kicked off Sunday in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality.
This is the fourth iteration of joint training between the two militaries, with the previous session held in 2019.
Under the theme of “joint counter-terrorism operations in urban blocks,” the joint training will include small arms shooting in special operations, counter-terrorism squad tactics, drone operations, emergency rescue, and comprehensive counter-terrorism exercises.
The training will last until Oct. 1. In addition to joint exercise sessions, the two militaries will engage in research and exchange on disaster reduction and relief in earthquakes, avalanches and landslides.
A series of cultural exchange activities will also take place during the training to enhance mutual trust and understanding.
Nearly 70 young people, including youths from Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, Chinese youth scholars and entrepreneurs, gathered in Dunhuang in northwest China’s Gansu Province over the weekend, to discuss mutual learning among civilizations and common development.
During the China-LAC youth development forum, youth representatives from Lanzhou University, the Dunhuang Textual Research Institute and other institutions delivered keynote speeches on topics such as jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, and the responsibility of young people in cultural inheritance and innovation.
Leaders of youth organizations and cultural representatives from China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela and other countries exchanged their views on cultural heritage protection, cultural inheritance education, and youth innovation and employment during the event.
The forum was hosted by the All-China Youth Federation.
Palestinians mourn for the victims after an Israeli airstrike on a school housing displaced people in the Zeitoun neighborhood in southern Gaza City, on Sept. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
At least 17 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.
Seven Palestinians were killed and some others injured in an Israeli bombardment of the Kafr Qasem School housing displaced people west of Gaza City, said the report. However, the Israel Defense Forces claimed Sunday that the strike carried out by its Air Force has “precisely” targeted Hamas militants operating within the school compound.
According to WAFA, four other Palestinians were killed and some more injured as a result of an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Dawas family in the Al-Hakkar area of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
In the south of the strip, Israeli artillery targeted the town of Khuza’a, east of Khan Younis, killing two people, WAFA reported, adding emergency teams recovered four bodies from the al-Attatirah area, east of Rafah, following Israeli bombardment.
The Israeli army has not commented on these incidents.
Israel has been waging a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others taken hostage.
The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 41,431, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP Minister for Social Services Member for Kingston
The Hon Bill Shorten MP Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister for Government Services Member for Maribyrnong
The Albanese Labor Government is reinforcing its commitment to inclusion and accessibility with the launch of a new pilot, delivered in partnership with Deaf Connect and SBS.
Funded under the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program, the Auslan90 pilot, will include daily 90-second news summaries in Auslan as well as weekly ‘deep dive’ videos on certain news-related topics.
Auslan90 will be released daily at 1:00pm and provides the day’s top stories in a format designed specifically for Auslan users.
The Government has committed $3.91 million to develop the Auslan Information Resource Hub through to June 2025, which includes the Auslan90 pilot.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said that the pilot formed part of the National Information Program, which seeks to provide vital information to people with disability, their families and carers.
There are 5.5 million Australians with disability, many of whom are Deaf or hard of hearing.
“Today is International Day of Sign Languages, and this program will help ensure the Deaf community can receive and access news and current affairs programs in their first language,” Minister Rishworth said.
“Our Government is committed to creating a more inclusive and accessible Australia, and this Auslan90 pilot will help to meet the live information needs of the Deaf community, supporting their full participation in the community.”
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten, said: “I recognise that for many in the deaf community, Auslan is a central part of their identity and a critical information tool”.
“There are about 27,600 participants on the Scheme who receive supports and services for a hearing impairment,” Minister Shorten said.
“It’s important to have innovative activities, such as the Auslan90 pilot, undertaken as part of the National Information Program, to ensure people with profound hearing loss and their families can build their confidence and connect with their communities.”
Deaf Connect CEO Brett Casey says Auslan90 represents a significant step toward media inclusivity for Deaf Australians.
“We are incredibly proud to launch Auslan90 – Australia’s first daily news service created specifically for the Deaf community. This is more than just delivering the news – it’s about an Auslan-first approach in which accessibility for Deaf Australians is not an afterthought,” Mr Casey said.
“This agreement with SBS enables us to provide the high-quality, accurate news that all Australians expect, in a format that truly works for Deaf audiences. SBS’s dedication to accessibility, inclusion and multilingual content makes them the ideal partner for Auslan90.”
Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs
Australia will provide an additional $10 million in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.
The funding will be directed to UNICEF and UNFPA and will provide lifesaving assistance, with a focus on women and girls, including the delivery of nutrition support, as well as hygiene and dignity kits.
Since 7 October, Australia has committed $82.5 million in humanitarian assistance to address essential needs in Gaza and the West Bank and respond to the protracted refugee crisis in the region.
Australia continues to push for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance to people in desperate need, and for all aid workers to be protected.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:
Australia’s support will help address the dire humanitarian situation with the delivery of nutrition and essential hygiene and health products.
Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must reach civilians, and aid workers must be protected to enable their lifesaving work.
“We continue to press for a ceasefire, the protection of civilians and the release of hostages.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:
“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Civilians should not be made to pay the price for the horrendous acts of others. The suffering must stop.”
“We support the ceasefire endorsed by the UN Security Council and want to see it fully implemented by both parties. Any delay will only see more lives lost.”
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has released its final report on governing AI for humanity.
The report presents a blueprint for addressing AI-related risks while still enabling the potential of this technology. It also includes a call to action for all governments and stakeholders to work together in governing AI to foster development and protection of all human rights.
On the surface, this report seems to be a positive step forward for AI, encouraging developments while also mitigating potential harms.
However, the finer details of the report expose a number of concerns.
Reminiscent of the IPCC
The UN advisory board on AI was first convened on October 26, 2023. The purpose of this committee is to advance recommendations for the international governance of AI. It says this approach is needed to ensure the benefits of AI, such as opening new areas of scientific inquiry, are evenly distributed, while the risks of this technology, such as mass surveillance and the spread of misinformation, are mitigated.
The inclusion of prominent industry representatives in the advisory board on AI is a point of difference from the IPCC. This may have advantages, such as a more informed understanding of AI technologies. But it may also have disadvantages, such as biased viewpoints in favour of commercial interests.
The recent release of the final report on governing AI for humanity provides a vital insight into what we can likely expect from this committee.
These include the creation of an independent international scientific panel on AI, the creation of an AI standards exchange and the creation of a global AI data framework. The report also ends with a call to action for all governments and relevant stakeholders to collectively govern AI.
What’s disconcerting about the report are the imbalanced and at times contradictory claims made throughout.
For example, the report rightly advocates for governance measures to address the impact of AI on concentrated power and wealth, geopolitical and geoeconomic implications.
However, it also claims that:
no one currently understands all of AI’s inner workings enough to fully control its outputs or predict its evolution.
This claim is not factually correct on many accounts. It is true that there are some “black box” systems – those in which the input is known, but the computational process for generating outputs is not. But AI systems more generally are well understood on a technical level.
AI reflects a spectrum of capabilities. This spectrum ranges from generative AI systems such as ChatGPT, through to deep learning systems such as facial recognition. The assumption that all these systems embody the same level of impenetrable complexity is not accurate.
The inclusion of this claim calls into question the advantages of including industry representatives in the advisory board, as they should be bringing a more informed understanding of AI technologies.
The other issue this claim raises is the notion of AI evolving of its own accord. What has been interesting about the rise of AI over recent years is the accompanying narratives which falsely position AI as a system of agency.
This inaccurate narrative shifts perceived liability and responsibility away from those who design and develop these systems, providing a creative scapegoat for industry.
Despite the subtle undertone of powerlessness in the face of AI technologies and the imbalanced claims made throughout, the report does positively progress the discourse in some ways.
A small step forward
Overall, the report and its call to action are a positive step forward because they emphasise that AI can be governed and regulated, despite contradictory claims throughout the report which imply otherwise.
The inclusion of the term “hallucinations” is a salient example of these contradictions.
The term itself was popularised by OpenAI’s chief executive Sam Altman when he used the term to reframe nonsensical outputs as part of the “magic” of AI. Hallucinations is not a technically accepted term – it’s a creative marketing agenda. Pushing for governance of AI while simultaneously endorsing a term which implies a technology that cannot be governed is not constructive.
What the report lacks is consistency in how AI is perceived and understood.
It also lacks application specificity – a common limitation among many AI initiatives. A global approach to AI governance will only work if it is able to capture the nuances of application and domain specificity.
The report is one step forward in the right direction. However, it will need refinement and amendments to ensure it encourages developments while mitigating the many harms of AI.
Zena Assaad does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HAIKOU, Sept. 22 — The scale of China’s digital publishing industry reached 1.618 trillion yuan (about 228.89 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, up 19.08 percent year on year, according to an annual report.
The report, issued by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication (CAPP), was released during the 14th China International Digital Publishing Expo that kicked off Saturday in the city of Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province.
By the end of 2023, the number of Chinese online literature readers reached a record high of 537 million. The overseas market scale for Chinese online literature exceeded 4 billion yuan, covering more than 200 countries and regions.
Traditional culture has become a significant theme element in various Chinese online culture forms, including literature, animation and games, noted Wei Yushan, head of CAPP, at the expo.
The Chinese Immersion Day highlighted cultural show and donated Chinese books in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Sunday.
The Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch donated children’s books in Chinese and books about traditional Chinese culture to the Christchurch Library, as part of the nationwide celebration of the New Zealand Chinese Language Week, which started on Sunday.
Consul General He Ying told the donation ceremony that the annual book donation started more than five years ago, and these books have been widely received by the Chinese community and Kiwis in Christchurch.
The city libraries need diverse language books as part of a wide range of books offered, said a statement from the library, adding the donated books have been wonderful gifts for the community to enjoy.
The Chinese Immersion Day highlighted performance of traditional Chinese music, lion dance and various Chinese language and culture activities, such as calligraphy, paper cutting, Chinese knots making, Chinese painting, fan making, tea art, traditional Chinese medicine consultation, and fun language workshops and games.
The Chinese Immersion Day was jointly held by the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch, the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch Central Library, and the New Zealand Chinese Language Teachers Association (Canterbury).
The Chinese Language Week is a Kiwi-driven initiative launched in 2014 after the Maori Language Week and the Pacific Language Week.
New Zealand has more than 260,000 people of Chinese origin. The number of primary and secondary school students in New Zealand learning Chinese was nearly 70,000 before the global pandemic, according to New Zealand’s Ministry of Education.
Note to Correspondents: Fifth Trilateral Meeting of the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations – Joint Communiqué
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat; the President of the European Council, Charles Michel; the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell; the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, representing the President of the European Commission; and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, met on 22 September 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, along with senior officials from the three organizations.
The three organizations reaffirmed their commitment to promoting effective multilateralism, and looked forward to the Summit of the Future on the theme ‘multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow’ scheduled on 22 and 23 September in New York. They discussed peace, development and humanitarian efforts in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region, with a particular focus on how to scale up humanitarian and development support in fragile contexts, including in Sudan where over 25 million people are facing acute hunger. They also exchanged views on migration, including in the context of the African Union-European Union-United Nations Tripartite Task Force on the Situation of Migrants and Refugees in Libya. They further commended the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2719 (2023) on predictable financing of African Union-led peace support operations, and expressed their commitment to working together towards its operationalization. Moreover, they discussed actions needed to support countries facing the double vulnerability of climate change and conflict to build the required resilience and effectively respond to climate-related security threats.
The three organizations underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships between Africa and Europe for mutual benefit, and stressed the need to further promote peace and security and accelerate the implementation of the AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, towards stable, peaceful and prosperous Africa. Lastly, the three organizations paid tribute to the leaders of the African Union Commission and the European Union whose tenure will soon come to an end for their leadership and stewardship of the strong cooperation among the three organizations.
The three organizations agreed to reconvene in 2025.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
AI industry gains acceleration in E China’s Anhui
Updated: September 23, 2024 09:15Xinhua
Staff of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited check on MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. China Speech Valley in Hefei City, the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City and China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, are three key demonstration zones for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Anhui Province. In recent years, Anhui has been vigorously developing its AI industry with talent cultivation and capital input. Various new products and applications like industrial AI quality detection system, MEMS wafers and Al large model have been developed. [Photo/Xinhua]Staff of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited work on the production line of MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]A staff member of the National Intelligent Voice Innovation Center debugs an industrial AI quality detection system at the China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]Staff of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited check on MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]A staff member of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited works on the production line of MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]A staff member of the National Intelligent Voice Innovation Center tests on an intelligent speaker at the China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]A staff member of the National Intelligent Voice Innovation Center demonstrates an acoustics imager to detect equipment breakdown at the China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]A staff member demonstrates a mouse with speech recognition input function at the exhibition hall of China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]Staff of Anhui North Microelectronics Research Institute Group Corporation Limited work on the production line of MEMS wafers in the China Sensor Valley at Bengbu City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]A staff member demonstrates a smart medical treatment product at the experience center of China Speech Valley in Hefei City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]Staff of Reacool Medical Technology Co., Ltd. demonstrate a pain-relieving rehabilitation training application in the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]A staff member presents an intelligent welding robot at the exhibition hall of the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]This photo taken on Sept. 12, 2024 shows sensors displayed at the exhibition hall of China Sensor Valley in Bengbu City, east China’s Anhui Province. [Photo/Xinhua]A staff member of Reacool Medical Technology Co., Ltd. demonstrates a digital surgery aided platform at a simulated operating room in the Vision Valley of China in Wuhu City, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ruben Gallego (AZ-07)
September 20, 2024
PHOENIX – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) announced that $12,739,765 is coming to Maricopa County to improve safety conditions and traffic flow at the intersection of Grand Avenue (US 60), 35th Avenue, and Indian School Road. The funding announcement comes after Rep. Gallego sent a letter supporting the grant to the Department of Transportation earlier this year.
“Anyone who has been caught at this intersection knows how time-consuming and dangerous it is,” said Rep. Gallego. “I’m incredibly proud to have helped secure this funding that will support the region’s economy, save people time, and get them where they need to go safely.”
The nearly $13 million will be administered by the Maricopa Association of Governments and will be paid out over two years. The project will include raising 35th Avenue to create a new elevated intersection with Indian School Road above Grand Avenue; constructing new bridges over the BNSF railroad; addressing local circulation needs; installing new, wider ADA-accessible sidewalks; right-of-way acquisition; accommodating future high-capacity transit; and installing separate bus pull-outs and new bus shelters.