In a bold and controversial statement, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright dismissed the COP30 environmental summit as a ‘hoax’ and criticized its approach to addressing climate change. Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day business conference in Athens, Greece, Wright expressed skepticism about the summit’s intentions, stating, ‘It’s not an honest organization looking to better human lives.’ He hinted at possibly attending next year’s summit to ‘deliver some common sense,’ aligning with the Trump administration’s rejection of global climate agreements and prioritization of fossil fuels. Wright’s remarks came as world leaders gathered in Belem, Brazil, for COP30, where they criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his absence and his administration’s stance on climate change. The White House confirmed that no high-level U.S. officials would attend the summit, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers asserting that President Trump would not compromise the country’s economic and national security for ‘vague climate goals.’ Wright, a former fossil fuel executive, defended the U.S. position, arguing that global gatherings should focus on energy access, economic growth, and technological advancement rather than what he termed ‘fear-driven environmentalism.’ Meanwhile, at COP30, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the accelerating pace of global warming and its dire consequences, including rising hunger, displacement, and environmental damage. Latin American leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, took aim at Trump’s absence, with Petro declaring, ‘Today Mr. Trump is against humanity.’ Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva struck a more conciliatory tone, expressing hope that Trump would eventually recognize the importance of green energy. The summit also highlighted the absence of leaders from China and India, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters. As the U.N. weather agency reported that 2025 is on track to be one of the warmest years on record, the Trump administration has continued to roll back climate policies, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and prioritizing fossil fuel production. Critics, including environmental groups, have condemned these actions as a significant setback in the global fight against climate change.
作者： admin
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Qingdao conference promotes fair and rational global economic order
The Global Business and Law Conference 2025, held in Qingdao, Shandong Province, brought together over 1,000 participants from 47 countries and regions to address the pressing need for a fair and rational global economic order. Against the backdrop of global uncertainty, officials and experts emphasized the importance of strengthening the international rule of law to stabilize global industrial and supply chains and tackle economic challenges collectively. Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), urged business and legal communities worldwide to respect established international trade and investment practices. He highlighted the need for constructive dialogue to align international rules in areas such as intellectual property, digital economy, and green standards. Ren also stressed the importance of reducing trade barriers and fostering global industrial cooperation to safeguard free trade and economic globalization. Li Mingzheng, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Justice, outlined China’s efforts to create a stable legal environment for economic development. These measures include advancing legislation on arbitration, maritime affairs, and foreign investment, as well as revising customs and foreign trade laws. Additionally, Chinese law firms have established 207 branches in 37 countries, showcasing progress in legal services sector openness. El Hadji Abdourahmane Ndione, Chair of the ISO Committee on Developing Country Matters, emphasized that global governance reform should prioritize fairness, openness, and shared responsibility. The conference, now in its third year, continues to play a pivotal role in fostering consensus and cooperation in global governance and economic openness.
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Extremists threatened to attack a mosque and migrant hotels, court hears
Two men, Garrett Pollock, 35, and Karolis Peckauskas, 38, appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Friday following a cross-border counter-terror operation. The arrests were made after explosives were discovered in County Down and County Laois. Pollock, from Annalong, Northern Ireland, is charged with the alleged possession of explosives at two locations, while Peckauskas, from Drogheda, County Louth, faces similar charges. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and An Garda Síochána (Irish police) conducted the operation, which also uncovered a video threatening attacks on a Galway mosque, migrant housing hotels, and International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres. The video, featuring four masked men, was found on a device seized at Pollock’s home. It included a tri-colour flag and a manifesto for the group. Gardaí opposed bail for Pollock, citing the seriousness of the charges, his flight risk, and the potential for further terror attacks. Judge Andrew Cody described the video as a ‘practice of a statement being released subsequent to a successful terrorist attack,’ noting the men’s intention to target migrants and their rhetoric about protecting sovereignty. Pollock was remanded in custody and will reappear in court on Thursday. Peckauskas, who claimed not to understand the charges, was also remanded and is expected in court next week.
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China commissions CNS Fujian in Hainan province
China has officially commissioned its state-of-the-art aircraft carrier, the CNS Fujian, in a grand ceremony held in Sanya, Hainan province. President Xi Jinping, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over the event. The ceremony, attended by 2,000 personnel from the Navy and defense contractors, marked a significant milestone in China’s naval capabilities. The CNS Fujian, named after the eastern coastal province of Fujian, is China’s first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, a cutting-edge technology that enhances its operational efficiency. President Xi personally handed the PLA flag to the carrier’s captain and political commissar, symbolizing the official induction of the vessel into the Navy. Following the ceremony, President Xi boarded the carrier for an inspection, where he observed various aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter jet and KJ-600 early-warning and control planes, on the flight deck. He also received a detailed report on China’s carrier force and inspected the equipment. The CNS Fujian, with a hull designation of 18, displaces over 80,000 metric tons, making it the largest and most powerful warship ever built outside the United States. Designed by China State Shipbuilding Corp and constructed at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, the carrier underwent nine sea trials before its delivery. The successful commissioning of the CNS Fujian underscores China’s growing prowess in naval technology and its commitment to enhancing its maritime defense capabilities.
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Watch: ‘This is not good’ – Airline travellers react to flight reductions
As the federal government shutdown continues, airports across the United States are facing significant challenges due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. This staffing crisis has led to widespread flight reductions, leaving travelers frustrated and concerned. ‘This is not good,’ remarked one passenger, echoing the sentiments of many who are experiencing delays and cancellations. The situation highlights the broader impact of the shutdown on critical infrastructure and public services. Airlines are scrambling to adjust schedules, but the uncertainty surrounding the shutdown’s duration leaves both carriers and passengers in limbo. Industry experts warn that prolonged disruptions could have lasting effects on the aviation sector and the economy at large.
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EU forces free crew after Somali pirate attack on tanker
In a dramatic rescue operation, European Union naval forces successfully saved 24 sailors from a Maltese-flagged oil tanker, the Hellas Aphrodite, which had been seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The vessel, transporting petrol from India to South Africa, was attacked on Thursday when armed pirates fired machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before boarding. The crew managed to lock themselves inside a fortified citadel, ensuring their safety until help arrived. The Spanish warship ESPS Victoria, part of the EU’s anti-piracy mission Operation Atalanta, reached the tanker on Friday afternoon. Special forces boarded the ship and confirmed that all crew members were unharmed. The EU mission reported that a ‘show of force’ by the naval forces prompted the pirates to abandon the vessel before the warship’s arrival. The rescue operation utilized a helicopter, drone, and surveillance aircraft. This incident is part of a worrying resurgence of piracy in the region, exacerbated by the diversion of ships through East Africa’s Indian Ocean due to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Last year, the International Maritime Bureau recorded seven piracy incidents off Somalia, including three hijackings, compared to just one in 2023.
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Dubai: Over 680,000 parking fines issued in Q3; Parkin posts record net profit
Dubai’s parking management company, Parkin, has announced a record-breaking net profit of Dh157 million for the third quarter of 2025, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This financial milestone was driven by a 43% rise in total revenues, which reached Dh343.3 million, fueled by variable parking tariffs, expanded operational coverage, and a significant increase in seasonal card sales. The company issued over 682,000 parking fines during Q3 2025, a 63% surge from the previous year, attributed to heightened customer activity, an expanded parking network, and enhanced enforcement technologies. Seasonal card sales skyrocketed by 126%, reaching 81,000 units, as customers sought better value following the introduction of variable parking tariffs in April 2025. Parkin also expanded its parking portfolio, increasing the total number of spaces by 6% to 219,000, with public parking spaces rising by 7% to 192,100. The company’s CEO, Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, highlighted strategic partnerships and innovations, including a collaboration with CAFU to offer on-demand fuel and car wash services, as key contributors to future revenue growth.
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What does Elon Musk do with all his money?
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, made history in October by becoming the first person to achieve a net worth exceeding $500 billion. Despite this astronomical wealth, Musk has consistently maintained a surprisingly modest lifestyle. In 2021, he revealed that he resides in a $50,000 prefabricated home in Texas, near SpaceX’s Starbase facility. His former partner, Grimes, echoed this sentiment in a 2022 interview with Vanity Fair, stating that Musk often lives “below the poverty line” and once refused to replace a mattress with a hole in it. However, Musk’s frugality in daily life contrasts sharply with his penchant for extravagant purchases, such as his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in 2022 and his collection of unique vehicles, including a James Bond-inspired Lotus Esprit submarine car. Musk’s real estate journey has been equally intriguing. After amassing a $100 million portfolio of seven Bel-Air properties, he announced in 2020 that he would sell nearly all his physical possessions to focus on his Mars and Earth endeavors. He retained one exception: the former home of actor Gene Wilder, which he later reclaimed in 2025 after the buyer defaulted on payments. Musk’s philanthropic efforts have also drawn attention. While he has donated billions to various causes, critics argue that his charity work is often self-serving, with significant tax benefits and donations to organizations linked to his businesses. Musk defends his ventures as inherently philanthropic, claiming that Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink are advancing humanity’s progress. Despite his immense wealth, Musk’s lifestyle remains unconventional, often rotating through friends’ spare bedrooms during his travels.
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Ben Sulayem hails ‘safety for all’ as FIA, US university to combat online abuse in sport
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the University of Notre Dame to address the escalating issue of online abuse in sports. This partnership aims to create a safer and more inclusive digital environment for athletes, teams, and fans worldwide. The initiative will focus on understanding the causes, impacts, and prevention of online harassment, with a particular emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in both perpetuating and mitigating harmful content. The project will also explore how online abuse intersects with identity, mental health, and regulatory responses within sports federations. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, speaking at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, ‘Our joint goal is to foster a safer inclusive online environment for athletes, teams, and fans worldwide.’ The University of Notre Dame has also signed the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Charter, becoming the eighth academic institution to join this global coalition. The UAOA campaign, supported by the FIA Foundation, has seen significant growth and was recently honored with the Coalition for Peace award by Peace and Sport. This expansion into the United States is particularly significant given the country’s prominent sports culture, where leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB attract millions of fans and generate substantial online engagement. The findings from this research will contribute to the UAOA Barometer report, an annual study on online abuse in sport, and will help shape practical policies for safer online spaces in the global sporting community.
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Beijing launches program to foster international entrepreneurship
Beijing has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to foster international entrepreneurship, marking a significant step in attracting global talent to China’s business landscape. The International Talent Co-founder Program (ITCP), launched on November 4, 2025, in Chaoyang district, is designed to empower foreign innovators to establish and expand their ventures in China. The program, initiated at the Wangjing Overseas Students Pioneer Park, is a collaborative effort involving government agencies, universities, and enterprises. It aims to provide tailored support to overseas entrepreneurs, addressing common hurdles such as navigating local policies and accessing essential business resources. In tandem with the ITCP launch, the International Student Entrepreneurship Development Center was established in partnership with several universities. This center is tasked with identifying and nurturing high-potential foreign entrepreneurial talent from the early stages of their academic journey. The initiative underscores Beijing’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for international business growth and innovation.