作者: admin

  • Innovative courses enrich seniors’ lives in Shanghai

    Innovative courses enrich seniors’ lives in Shanghai

    Shanghai’s senior education system has entered a new era of innovation as the Shanghai University for The Senior launched its 2026 spring semester with groundbreaking courses tailored to modern interests. The institution unveiled an ambitious curriculum featuring cutting-edge disciplines including artificial intelligence applications, drone operation technology, and artisanal coffee brewing alongside traditional offerings.

    The semester commenced with a dynamic opening ceremony on March 9, 2026, featuring live online broadcasts, choral performances of the school anthem, and ceremonial transitions of class leadership roles. This term marks a significant expansion with over 28,000 enrollment opportunities available across Shanghai, supported by nearly 40 newly established educational centers strategically positioned in suburban regions to enhance accessibility for elderly residents.

    Among the most notable innovations are two specialized digital literacy programs designed specifically for senior learners. The first course focuses on social media content creation, guiding participants through the complete process of video production—from conceptualization and filming to editing and publication. The second program offers practical training in live-stream commerce, covering product curation, broadcasting techniques, and regulatory compliance within professional studio environments.

    Zheng Yueqi, assistant to the president of Shanghai Oriental-pearl Intelligent Shopping Co, Ltd, emphasized the practical nature of these courses: ‘Our curriculum empowers senior learners to master contemporary digital skills through hands-on experience and professional guidance, effectively bridging the technological gap for the silver-haired demographic.’

    The university’s comprehensive enhancements include upgraded network infrastructure, optimized faculty resources, and demand-driven course development, collectively transforming the landscape of senior education in China’s most populous city.

  • Pro-Israel US congressman says ‘Muslims don’t belong in America’

    Pro-Israel US congressman says ‘Muslims don’t belong in America’

    A Republican congressman has ignited fierce criticism across the United States after publishing inflammatory anti-Muslim statements on social media platform X. Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee declared that “Muslims don’t belong in American society” and asserted that “pluralism is a lie” in a Monday post whose origins remain unclear.

    The controversial remarks emerge against a backdrop of escalating anti-Muslim content on social media since the joint U.S.-Israel military actions against Iran commenced on February 28. According to the Washington, DC-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), posts explicitly dehumanizing Muslims and inciting violence against them surged dramatically from under 2,000 daily to over 6,000 following the outbreak of hostilities.

    Congressman Ogles, a staunch Israel supporter and member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, has previously advocated for policies targeting Muslim communities. He recently announced plans to introduce legislation banning immigration from certain Muslim-majority nations and separately posted that “diversity is our weakness,” even calling for the deportation of naturalized Muslim American citizens.

    The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) strongly condemned Ogles’ statements, labeling him an “anti-Muslim extremist” and noting his membership in the ‘Sharia-Free America Caucus’—a group of representatives supporting legislation that would effectively ban Islamic practices in the United States. CAIR emphasized that “Islam is an American faith that has been present since the colonial-era.

    Democratic lawmakers responded swiftly, with Representative Judy Chu calling the remarks “abhorrent” and Representative Katherine Clark stating such rhetoric “doesn’t belong in American society.” The incident reflects a broader pattern of increasing anti-Muslim sentiment among Republican politicians, with a Washington Post analysis revealing nearly 100 GOP members of Congress have posted negatively framed comments about Muslims or Islam this year.

    This development coincides with revelations from Drop Site News that the Israeli Foreign Ministry commissioned surveys indicating public support for Israel increased approximately 20 percentage points when polling questions emphasized fear of Muslims, suggesting strategic exploitation of Islamophobic sentiments.

  • Lebanese man jailed in Germany for Hezbollah membership

    Lebanese man jailed in Germany for Hezbollah membership

    A German court has delivered a significant verdict in a national security case, sentencing a 35-year-old Lebanese national to six-and-a-half years imprisonment for membership in Hezbollah’s military wing, designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union. The defendant, identified only as Fadel Z under German privacy protections, was convicted on multiple charges including complicity in attempted murder and systematic violations of EU embargo regulations.

    The Celle Regional Court established that Fadel Z had been an active Hezbollah member for approximately a decade, eventually ascending to a critical position within the organization’s drone development initiative. Evidence presented demonstrated his central role in orchestrating the acquisition of sophisticated components worth approximately €1.4 million (£1.2 million) from international suppliers.

    Prosecutorial documents revealed meticulous operational details: Fadel Z sourced over 2,000 combustion and electric motors alongside 600 precision propellers through a network of front companies registered under his associates’ names. These entities facilitated financial transactions and concealed the ultimate destination of the controlled technology.

    The investigation uncovered a sophisticated transnational procurement network with materials originating from European, Chinese, and American manufacturers. Fadel Z coordinated logistics from multiple operational bases, initially operating from Barcelona in 2022 before relocating to Salzgitter in Lower Saxony during summer 2023. Shipments were deliberately routed through Hamburg and Spanish ports via container ships, with additional components transported through air freight channels.

    Most critically, prosecutors established direct operational impact: two engines procured through Fadel Z’s network were incorporated into weaponized drones deployed against civilian targets in Israel. One such aircraft penetrated a Herzliya retirement home during Yom Kippur observances on October 11, 2024. Although the explosive payload detonated within the residential facility, approximately 200 occupants escaped physical injury through what authorities described as fortunate circumstances.

    The German Federal Prosecutor’s Office emphasized in supplementary statements that Hezbollah maintains “an extensive drone program” that has systematically targeted both military and civilian infrastructure since the October 2023 Hamas attacks. The organization reportedly employs international operatives specifically for covert technological acquisition operations within European jurisdictions.

    Fadel Z remains in custody with a seven-day window to appeal the verdict, marking one of Germany’s most significant counterterrorism prosecutions related to drone technology diversion to designated terrorist organizations.

  • Wildflowers cover Death Valley in best display since 2016

    Wildflowers cover Death Valley in best display since 2016

    Death Valley National Park, renowned as one of Earth’s most extreme and arid environments, is currently experiencing a spectacular natural phenomenon—its most vibrant wildflower superbloom since 2016. This extraordinary floral display has transformed the typically stark desert landscape into a breathtaking tapestry of color, attracting botanists, photographers, and nature enthusiasts from across the globe.

    The ecological catalyst for this remarkable event was an unusually intense wet season during autumn 2022. Exceptionally heavy rainfall penetrated the park’s parched soils, effectively hydrating millions of long-dormant wildflower seeds that had lain dormant for years. The substantial precipitation not only provided crucial moisture but also served to wash away the protective coatings that naturally inhibit premature germination in desert seeds.

    Botanists specializing in desert ecosystems note that this particular superbloom exhibits exceptional density and diversity, with species including the golden desert sunflower (Geraea canescens), vivid purple sand verbena (Abronia villosa), and delicate white gravel ghost (Atrichoseris platyphylla) creating striking visual contrasts against the desert backdrop. The phenomenon represents a sophisticated survival mechanism where desert plants rapidly complete their entire life cycle during brief windows of favorable conditions.

    Park officials report that the bloom has progressed through elevation gradients, with lower elevations peaking first followed by successive waves at higher altitudes. The biological significance extends beyond visual splendor, as the abundant flowers provide critical nourishment for pollinators including native bees, butterflies, and migratory birds, creating a temporary but vital ecosystem boom in this challenging environment.

  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport retains best airport title in 2025

    Shanghai Pudong International Airport retains best airport title in 2025

    Shanghai Pudong International Airport has secured its position as the premier aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region by winning the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Award for airports handling over 40 million passengers annually. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the airport has received this prestigious recognition from Airports Council International (ACI), the global trade association for airports.

    The award is determined through ACI’s comprehensive ASQ program, which collects real-time passenger feedback through departure and arrival surveys. The evaluation encompasses 31 distinct service indicators across eight critical operational dimensions, establishing it as the aviation industry’s most authoritative customer satisfaction benchmark.

    Operational data for 2025 reveals significant growth trajectories, with the airport processing 84.99 million passenger movements through 557,000 aircraft take-offs and landings. These figures represent year-on-year increases of 10.7% and 5.5% respectively, underscoring the airport’s expanding capacity and efficiency.

    A notable highlight was the 14% surge in transit passengers, which reached 13.75 million annually. This growth is attributed to strategic enhancements in transit services including streamlined customs processing, optimized border inspection procedures, efficient security checks, and improved passenger amenities such as resting cabins, shower facilities, and dedicated overnight rest areas.

    The consecutive recognition solidifies Shanghai Pudong’s status as a world-class aviation facility that successfully balances operational scale with service quality, setting industry standards for passenger experience in high-volume airport operations.

  • Global Developers Summit to accelerate Shanghai’s AI hub transformation

    Global Developers Summit to accelerate Shanghai’s AI hub transformation

    Shanghai is poised to bolster its status as a global artificial intelligence epicenter with the upcoming 2026 Global Developer Pioneers Summit. Scheduled for March 27-29 in Xuhui district, this high-profile gathering will convene leading international developers to foster collaboration, technological exchange, and innovative breakthroughs.

    Organizers from the Shanghai AI Industry Association announced the event will feature an extensive program including an opening ceremony, competitive contests, technical workshops, interactive experiences, and cultural carnivals. Secretary-General Zhong Junhao emphasized the summit’s mission to transform Shanghai into a beacon of open-source development and rapid innovation. “Our objective is to create an environment where creative concepts achieve realization at unprecedented speeds, AI applications maximize their potential, and developers gain enhanced recognition,” Zhong stated during a recent press briefing.

    The initiative aligns with Shanghai’s remarkable AI sector growth. According to Pan Yan, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Informatization, the city’s 394 major AI enterprises—those with annual revenues exceeding 20 million yuan ($2.9 million)—collectively achieved an industry scale surpassing 637 billion yuan in 2025. This represents a substantial year-on-year increase of 39.5 percent.

    Furthermore, Shanghai has demonstrated leadership in generative AI deployment, with 149 AI services successfully completing regulatory filing as of February 28. The sector has emerged as a critical driver of the metropolitan economy, significantly contributing to Shanghai’s gross domestic product expansion and solidifying its position at the forefront of global technological advancement.

  • Russia committed ‘crimes against humanity’ in deporting Ukrainian children: UN inquiry

    Russia committed ‘crimes against humanity’ in deporting Ukrainian children: UN inquiry

    A landmark United Nations investigation has concluded that Russia’s systematic deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children constitutes a crime against humanity. The UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine presented these findings Tuesday, revealing evidence of thousands of children removed from occupied territories since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

    The commission has documented 1,205 confirmed cases, with an alarming 80% of these children remaining in Russia four years after their displacement. Investigators determined that Russian authorities have established no effective system for repatriation, instead focusing on long-term placement with Russian families or institutions while withholding information from relatives about the children’s whereabouts and status.

    The report explicitly cites the involvement of President Vladimir Putin, noting his direct authority over entities executing this policy since its inception. This finding reinforces the International Criminal Court’s 2023 arrest warrant against Putin for alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children—a highly sensitive issue in ongoing peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

    Russia maintains that these transfers were protective measures to safeguard children from hostilities, but the UN commission found these actions violated international law and were “not guided by the best interests of the child.”

    Additionally, the investigation uncovered systematic evidence fabrication and fair trial violations in Russian proceedings related to the Ukraine conflict. The report also detailed extreme violence against international recruits from 17 countries who were deployed as frontline combatants, often through deception and under conditions described as “cannon fodder” treatment.

    Regarding Ukraine, the commission expressed concern about the broad interpretation of “collaboration” crimes and reports of violent treatment toward conscientious objectors during mobilization. Moscow continues to deny recognition of the commission and refuses to respond to its requests for access and information.

  • Italy stuns the US 8-6 in World Baseball Classic, leaving the Americans needing help to advance

    Italy stuns the US 8-6 in World Baseball Classic, leaving the Americans needing help to advance

    In a stunning reversal at the World Baseball Classic, Italy delivered a decisive blow to tournament favorites United States with an 8-6 victory Tuesday night at Houston’s Daikin Park. The Italian squad, powered by home runs from Kyle Teel, Sam Antonacci, and Jac Caglianone, built a commanding 8-0 lead before withstanding a dramatic late-game rally from the Americans.

    Italian starter Michael Lorenzen proved dominant on the mound, limiting the powerful U.S. lineup to just two hits across 4 2/3 scoreless innings. The offensive breakthrough came in the third inning when Teel’s homer to left field opened scoring, followed by Antonacci’s blast to right-center that extended the lead to 3-0. Caglianone’s two-run shot in the fourth inning pushed the advantage to 5-0, with Italy capitalizing on American defensive miscues to add three additional runs in a sloppy sixth inning.

    The U.S. mounted a formidable comeback attempt in the late innings. Gunnar Henderson broke the shutout with a solo homer in the sixth, but the dramatic turnaround began with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s majestic three-run homer in the seventh. Crow-Armstrong struck again in the ninth with his second homer of the night—a two-run shot that narrowed the deficit to 8-6. With Bobby Witt Jr. reaching base and representing the tying run, Italian reliever Greg Weissert secured the historic victory by striking out Aaron Judge to end the game.

    The result creates significant complications for Team USA’s tournament prospects. Having completed pool play, the Americans now require an Italian victory against Mexico on Wednesday to guarantee advancement to the quarterfinals. A Mexican victory would create a three-way tie at 3-1, with run differential determining which teams advance.

    In other tournament action, defending champion Japan completed a perfect group stage with a 9-0 victory over the Czech Republic behind Munetaka Murakami’s grand slam. Israel defeated the Netherlands 6-2 in eliminated-team competition, while Canada kept its advancement hopes alive with a 3-2 victory over already-qualified Puerto Rico.

  • Iranian FM says negotiations with US no longer on the agenda: media

    Iranian FM says negotiations with US no longer on the agenda: media

    In a definitive statement closing the door on diplomatic engagement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Tuesday that negotiations with the United States are officially off Tehran’s agenda. The announcement, made during an interview with US PBS News, represents a significant hardening of Iran’s position toward Washington.

    Araghchi articulated Iran’s unwavering commitment to its strategic defense programs, explicitly stating that missile operations would continue indefinitely as a matter of national security. This declaration signals Tehran’s resolve to maintain military capabilities despite external pressure.

    The minister’s remarks came in direct response to recent claims by US President Donald Trump, who had previously asserted that the ongoing conflict with Iran would conclude “very soon.” Araghchi’s statements effectively rebuff this optimism, presenting instead a picture of prolonged stalemate between the two nations.

    This diplomatic hardening occurs against the backdrop of escalating tensions that have characterized US-Iran relations in recent years, including economic sanctions, military posturing, and divergent regional interests. The Iranian position appears to prioritize military readiness and strategic independence over diplomatic reconciliation with the current US administration.

    The closure of negotiation channels suggests a recalibration of Iranian foreign policy that favors alternative international partnerships and domestic military development rather than seeking accommodation with Western powers. This stance may have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.

  • Iran says skier deeply disappointed at missing Paralympics because of war

    Iran says skier deeply disappointed at missing Paralympics because of war

    CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Iran’s sole representative at the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics, cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi, has been compelled to withdraw from competition due to escalating military conflicts in the Middle East that prevented his safe travel to Italy. The Iranian National Paralympic Committee has characterized the situation as profoundly disappointing for the athlete who had dedicated years to preparation.

    Hamid Alisamimi, Chief Executive of Iran’s NPC, expressed deep regret over Khatibi’s absence from the Games, emphasizing the emotional toll on athletes whose Olympic dreams are shattered by geopolitical circumstances beyond their control. In an official communication, Alisamimi stated that while the athlete experiences profound disappointment, he maintains that sports should serve as a unifying force between nations and a symbol of global peace.

    The military operations initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28th, just days before the Paralympics’ March 6th opening ceremony, directly impacted Khatibi’s participation. This development has raised broader concerns about Iran’s continued involvement in international sporting events, including potential implications for their participation in the upcoming men’s soccer World Cup across North America.

    Alisamimi further called upon the international sports community to take principled stands against human rights violations, urging sporting bodies to suspend countries that breach these fundamental values. The Iranian sports official emphasized that the world of athletics must align itself with justice, dignity, and peace in confronting global challenges.