The crew of China’s Shenzhou-20 mission is reported to be in excellent health and continuing their daily activities despite an unexpected delay in their return to Earth. The astronauts, Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, were originally scheduled to return on November 5, but their plans were disrupted after their spacecraft was suspected to have been hit by a small piece of space debris. The exact date for their return remains unspecified, but the mission team is actively conducting tests and drills to ensure a safe journey back. The China Manned Space Engineering Office confirmed that the crew is ‘in good condition, working and living normally.’ The trio had been stationed at the Tiangong space station since April, completing a six-month rotation. Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-21 mission successfully docked with the space station on November 1, marking a milestone by transporting mice for the first time for scientific experiments. China’s space program has seen significant advancements since its inception in 2003, including the construction of its own space station and ambitious plans to land a human on the moon by 2030.
作者： admin
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Pakistan: Suicide attack outside Islamabad court kills 12
A tragic suicide bombing occurred outside a court in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 individuals. The attack, which took place in a bustling area of the capital city, has sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about security measures in public spaces. Authorities have launched an immediate investigation to determine the motives behind the attack and identify the perpetrators. Preliminary reports suggest that the bomber detonated explosives near the entrance of the court, causing widespread devastation and injuring several others. The incident has drawn condemnation from both local and international leaders, who have called for increased efforts to combat terrorism and protect civilians. This attack underscores the ongoing challenges Pakistan faces in maintaining security and stability amidst persistent threats from extremist groups.
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Report: China’s scientific journal capacity needs enhancement
China’s scientific journals have made significant strides in recent years, with a notable increase in both the number of journals and the volume of published papers. However, a recent report highlights that there is still considerable room for improvement in terms of scale and global influence. The blue book on China’s scientific journal development, published by the Service Center for Societies of the China Association for Science and Technology, reveals that 247 Chinese international journals were included in the Science Citation Index (SCI) last year, accounting for 1.7 percent of the 40,000 total SCI papers published in 2024. The report also notes that the academic quality and global recognition of these journals have steadily improved. The citation impact of papers published in these journals reached 5.11 last year, surpassing the 3.51 for all international papers authored by Chinese scholars and the global average of 2.77. Additionally, 63.2 percent of the journals were positioned in the top quarter of Journal Citation Reports (JCR), and 68.7 percent of the papers published in China’s journals were in the top quarter of the JCR, up from 50 percent in 2022. Despite these improvements, the scale of publishing in China’s journals still falls short compared to the over 830,000 international papers published by Chinese scholars. This underscores the need to enhance the overall carrying capacity of China’s domestic journal platforms. Furthermore, 88 percent of the papers published in China’s journals last year were authored by Chinese scholars, but this represented only 4.2 percent of the total international papers published by Chinese scholars. This indicates that more than 95 percent of their work is still being published in overseas journals, highlighting the need for further development of world-class international journals in China.
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Thailand demands apology from Cambodia for land mine explosion that injured soldiers
Thailand has announced an indefinite suspension of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Cambodia, demanding an apology for a land mine explosion that injured four Thai soldiers on Monday. The incident occurred along the contentious border in Sisaket province, where one soldier lost his right foot and three others sustained minor injuries. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the injured troops on Tuesday, while the Thai army accused Cambodia of violating the truce by allegedly laying new mines. Cambodia has denied responsibility, attributing the explosion to remnants of past conflicts and urging Thai troops to avoid patrolling in known minefield areas. The ceasefire, mediated by Malaysia and signed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in October, aimed to de-escalate tensions following five days of deadly combat in July. However, territorial disputes and nationalist sentiments have hindered progress. Thailand has also postponed the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained since the July conflict. Analysts, including Matthew Wheeler of the International Crisis Group, argue that the ceasefire was primarily a diplomatic gesture to appease U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges from both nations. Wheeler noted that the agreement’s breakdown was predictable, given its superficial focus on trade and Trump’s desire to be seen as a peacemaker. Despite the setback, Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to peace and stability, emphasizing the need to ensure civilian safety.
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US Senate passes bill to end longest government shutdown in country’s history
The US Senate has passed a pivotal bill to conclude the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history, marking a significant breakthrough after weeks of political gridlock. The legislation, approved with a 60-40 vote, garnered support from nearly all Senate Republicans and eight Democrats. The shutdown had severely impacted millions of Americans, disrupting food benefits, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid, and causing widespread air traffic delays. The bill restores funding for federal agencies, which expired on October 1, and temporarily halts President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce, preventing layoffs until January 30. However, the agreement does not guarantee the continuation of health subsidies benefiting 24 million Americans, which are set to expire at year’s end. The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson aims to pass it swiftly and send it to Trump for enactment. While Trump has praised the deal as ‘very good,’ many Democrats remain frustrated, citing the lack of assurances for extending health insurance subsidies. The shutdown has fueled partisan tensions, with a recent poll showing 50% of Americans blaming Republicans and 43% blaming Democrats. Despite the controversy, US stocks rallied on Monday following news of the progress.
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UAE weather: Light rain expected in some areas; low of 23ºC in Dubai
Residents in certain parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) should prepare for light rainfall and varying weather conditions on Tuesday, November 11, as forecasted by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The weather is expected to be partly cloudy to cloudy over western islands, with occasional dust in northern and eastern regions. Humidity levels are predicted to rise by night and into Wednesday morning, particularly in internal areas. Winds will shift from northwesterly to southeasterly, ranging from 10 to 25 km/hr, with gusts reaching up to 35 km/hr. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea will remain calm. Temperature lows are anticipated to drop to 19ºC in Sharjah, 23ºC in Dubai, and 21ºC in Abu Dhabi. Residents are advised to stay updated with the latest weather developments.
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Ukraine’s nuclear energy company says operations unaffected by $100M graft probe
In the midst of a high-profile corruption investigation targeting Ukraine’s power sector, state-owned nuclear energy company Energoatom has confirmed that its operations remain unaffected. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is probing alleged kickbacks worth approximately $100 million, with suspicions of bribery and embezzlement involving suppliers and high-ranking officials. Energoatom, responsible for generating over half of Ukraine’s energy supply, emphasized that the investigation has not disrupted production or compromised safety. The probe comes as Ukraine’s energy infrastructure faces relentless Russian aerial attacks, with recent strikes reported in the Kharkiv, Odesa, and Donetsk regions, prompting scheduled power outages across the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the investigation, stressing the urgency of combating corruption, a significant barrier to Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations. Meanwhile, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed to have thwarted a Ukrainian intelligence plot to hijack a MiG-31 fighter jet carrying a hypersonic missile, though no evidence was provided. Ukraine’s military also reported strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, including the Saratov refinery and an oil terminal in Crimea.
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Wales captain Morgan missing rest of autumn rugby tests including key Japan match
CARDIFF, Wales — In a significant blow to Wales’ rugby ambitions, captain Jac Morgan has been ruled out for the remainder of the autumn internationals after sustaining a dislocated shoulder during a recent match against Argentina. The injury occurred as Morgan scored a try from his own tapped penalty in the 52-28 defeat on Sunday. He was forced to watch the remainder of the game from the stands with his left arm in a sling.
Morgan, who recently represented the British and Irish Lions in two tests during their tour of Australia, will miss the upcoming test against Japan on Saturday. This match holds particular importance as it serves as a crucial stepping stone for Wales’ Rugby World Cup aspirations. Uncapped flanker Harri Deaves has been called up to replace Morgan in the squad.
Wales coach Steve Tandy expressed his disappointment, stating, ‘We’re all gutted to lose Jac — he’s a world-class player, as well as a great man off the pitch.’
The upcoming clash against Japan carries added significance, as Wales ended their 18-match losing streak by defeating Japan in July. The two teams will meet again in Cardiff this weekend, with both vying for a spot in Band 2 for the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw, scheduled for December 3 in Sydney. Currently ranked 12th and 13th in the world, respectively, the team that finishes higher by the end of the autumn tests will secure a more favorable position in the World Cup draw.
This match represents a critical opportunity for Wales, as their remaining fixtures include formidable opponents New Zealand and South Africa, making a victory against Japan all the more essential.
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Suicide bombing in Islamabad kills 12, says Pakistan’s interior minister
A devastating suicide attack occurred outside a district courthouse in Islamabad, Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals and injuring at least 27 others, according to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The bomber, who failed to enter the courthouse, detonated the explosive near a police vehicle after waiting for approximately 15 minutes. Authorities are now focusing on identifying the perpetrator and ensuring that all involved parties face justice. This incident marks a rare occurrence of such violence in Islamabad in recent years. Footage from the scene depicted a burnt-out car and a police cordon. The injured are currently receiving medical treatment. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack, labeling it a heinous act. Witnesses described the chaos that ensued, with one lawyer, Rustam Malik, recounting the scene of panic and destruction, including bodies at the gate and burning vehicles.
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Chinese student in New York reimagines Miao embroidery with digital art
Wang Wanqiu, a 28-year-old student at the School of Visual Arts in New York, is revolutionizing the way traditional Chinese culture is perceived by integrating Miao embroidery with cutting-edge digital technology. Her project transforms intricate Miao embroidery patterns into digital collectibles, specifically Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), thereby preserving and promoting this ancient art form in the digital age. Inspired by her master’s program in Design for Social Innovation, Wang noticed a significant lack of Chinese cultural representation in New York’s diverse cultural scene. This observation led her to explore innovative ways to preserve and propagate traditional art forms through digital means. Collaborating with Luo Xianru, a classmate from the Tujia ethnic group, Wang aims to address the declining interest among younger generations and the financial struggles faced by traditional artisans. Their project not only highlights the beauty of Miao embroidery but also ensures its relevance in contemporary digital platforms. By converting these traditional designs into NFTs, Wang and her team are creating a new avenue for cultural transmission and economic sustainability for artisans. This initiative is a testament to the potential of digital technology in preserving and revitalizing traditional art forms, ensuring they are appreciated by future generations.