博客

  • China launches group of internet satellites into orbit

    China launches group of internet satellites into orbit

    China has successfully deployed its 13th group of low Earth orbit (LEO) internet satellites, marking another significant step in the development of its expansive space-based internet network. The launch took place on November 10, 2025, at 10:41 am from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan province. The satellites were carried into orbit by the Long March 12 carrier rocket, a state-of-the-art model designed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC).

    The Long March 12, the 22nd member of the Long March family, stands out as the first Chinese rocket with a diameter of 3.8 meters, breaking away from the traditional 3.35-meter standard established in the 1960s. Standing at 62.6 meters tall, it is the second tallest rocket in China’s fleet, only slightly shorter than the Long March 5. This launch represents the 72nd space mission for China and the 607th flight of the Long March rocket series.

    This latest deployment is part of China’s ambitious plan to create a mega-constellation of approximately 13,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, aimed at providing global internet coverage. Often compared to SpaceX’s Starlink, this project underscores China’s growing capabilities in space technology and its commitment to enhancing global connectivity. With 12 batches of satellites already launched this year, China is rapidly advancing toward the completion of its space-based internet system.

  • Tyler Adams and Sean Zawadzki to miss US friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay

    Tyler Adams and Sean Zawadzki to miss US friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay

    The United States men’s national soccer team is grappling with significant player absences as it prepares for its upcoming exhibition matches against Paraguay and Uruguay. Midfielder Tyler Adams has joined a growing list of unavailable players, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, and Malik Tillman. These absences come just before the team’s final preparations for the World Cup. The U.S. Soccer Federation announced on Monday that Adams and Sean Zawadzki withdrew due to injuries sustained during recent club matches. Adams collided heads with a teammate during a Premier League game, while Zawadzki injured his right knee in a playoff match. Despite these setbacks, the team has added Timothy Tillman, Malik’s brother, to the roster, bringing the total to 24 players. The 16th-ranked U.S. will face No. 39 Paraguay on Friday in Chester, Pennsylvania, followed by a match against 15th-ranked Uruguay in Tampa, Florida, three days later. Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad will use these friendlies to fine-tune their strategy ahead of their World Cup opener on June 12.

  • Former senior official expelled from CPC for serious violations

    Former senior official expelled from CPC for serious violations

    In a significant move underscoring the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) commitment to anti-corruption, Li Chunliang, a former deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, has been expelled from the Party. The decision, announced by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission on Monday, highlights Li’s severe violations of Party discipline and legal norms. Li, 62, a long-standing Party member since 1984, was found guilty of resisting organizational scrutiny, frequenting private clubs, and failing to disclose personal matters as mandated. His misconduct extended to manipulating cadre selection processes, leveraging his position for personal gain in business operations, project contracting, and administrative approvals, and accepting substantial bribes. Additionally, Li borrowed funds from entities under his supervision and accepted renovation services from them, further breaching ethical and legal boundaries. His case, now involving suspected bribery, has been transferred to procuratorial authorities for legal proceedings. Li’s expulsion marks a continuation of the CPC’s rigorous efforts to maintain integrity and discipline within its ranks.

  • Poetry Recitation Competition bridges Kenyan and Chinese cultures

    Poetry Recitation Competition bridges Kenyan and Chinese cultures

    The inaugural Poetry Recitation Competition in Kenya, hosted at the Confucius Institute of Kenyatta University in Nairobi, served as a vibrant platform for cultural exchange between Kenya and China. The event, held on November 10, 2025, showcased the richness of Chinese literary heritage to Kenyan educators and students. Thirteen finalists, selected from 27 participants across institutions such as the United States International University, Discovery Chinese Cultural Training Center, and Kenyatta University, competed in the final round. The contestants recited a diverse array of Chinese poems, spanning classical masterpieces to contemporary works, highlighting the depth and evolution of Chinese poetry. This competition not only celebrated linguistic artistry but also strengthened cultural ties between the two nations, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.

  • iPhone 18 rumours: Release date, design; what to expect from Apple’s next flagship

    iPhone 18 rumours: Release date, design; what to expect from Apple’s next flagship

    Apple’s iPhone 18 lineup is already generating significant buzz, even though its release is not expected until late 2026. Following the innovative changes introduced with the iPhone 17, including a 120Hz display for the base model and the ultra-slim iPhone Air, Apple is poised to continue its tradition of pushing technological boundaries. The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to feature a transparent rear glass finish, adding a futuristic aesthetic to the device. This design choice, along with potential under-display Face ID technology and a single punch-hole camera, could redefine the iPhone’s visual identity. Additionally, Apple may introduce new color options for the Pro lineup, such as brown, purple, and burgundy, moving away from the traditional greys and silvers. On the camera front, the iPhone 18 is expected to see significant upgrades, including a 24-megapixel front-facing camera for most models and a variable aperture system for the Pro and Pro Max versions. These enhancements would offer users greater versatility in photography. However, Apple’s strategic launch plan could be a point of contention. While the iPhone 18 Pro models and the rumored iPhone Fold are expected to debut in September 2026, the standard iPhone 18 may not arrive until Spring 2027. This delay could be an attempt to steer consumers toward the higher-priced Pro models, though it risks alienating fans of the base iPhone. Pricing is expected to remain consistent with the iPhone 17, starting at $799 for the base model and $1,099 for the Pro version. As Apple continues to innovate, the iPhone 18 lineup promises to be a fascinating addition to the tech giant’s portfolio, though its delayed release strategy may test the loyalty of its customer base.

  • Senior political adviser Yang Xiaowei expelled from Party, public office

    Senior political adviser Yang Xiaowei expelled from Party, public office

    Yang Xiaowei, a former high-ranking political figure and deputy director of the Committee on Education, Science, Health, and Sports of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office. The announcement was made on Monday by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission. Yang, 62, was found to have engaged in severe misconduct, including accepting bribes, gifts, and prepaid cards, attending banquets that compromised his impartiality, and leveraging his position for personal and familial gain. His actions violated Party discipline and constituted serious breaches of duty, leading to his expulsion and the transfer of his case to judicial authorities for prosecution. Yang’s career spanned significant roles in China’s telecommunications sector, including leadership positions at China Unicom and China Telecom Group, before transitioning to governmental and advisory roles. His expulsion underscores the CPC’s ongoing efforts to enforce discipline and combat corruption within its ranks.

  • Former senior political adviser expelled, dismissed for legal violations

    Former senior political adviser expelled, dismissed for legal violations

    Liu Kuanren, a former prominent political figure in China, has been officially expelled from public office following a thorough investigation by the National Supervisory Commission. The announcement, made on Monday, revealed that Liu, who previously served as vice-chairman of both the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Shaanxi Provincial Committee, was found guilty of severe breaches of duty. The investigation, initiated in May, uncovered that Liu had engaged in a series of unethical and illegal activities, including attending lavish banquets, accepting gifts and monetary bribes, and leveraging his positions to facilitate business operations, project contracts, and job promotions for personal gain. Additionally, he was found to have misappropriated public funds for his own use. These actions have led to charges of bribery and embezzlement. Liu’s case, along with the illicit assets he accumulated, will now be handed over to the procuratorial authorities for further legal proceedings. Born in Shaanxi province, Liu, 62, began his career in 1987 and joined the China Association for Promoting Democracy in 1998. His career trajectory included teaching at the Xi’an Conservatory of Music and serving in various administrative roles before his rise to vice-chairman positions in 2018 and 2022. His expulsion marks a significant fall from grace for a once-respected political figure.

  • Trump pardons Giuliani and others accused of plot to overturn 2020 election

    Trump pardons Giuliani and others accused of plot to overturn 2020 election

    Former U.S. President Donald Trump has granted federal pardons to his ex-personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and several other allies accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. Among those pardoned are Mark Meadows, Trump’s former White House chief of staff, and a group of so-called false electors who allegedly sought to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. The pardons, described as ‘full, complete, and unconditional,’ were announced by Justice Department attorney Ed Martin on social media platform X. While the move is largely symbolic—since the charges were state-level and pardons only apply to federal crimes—Trump framed it as a step toward ‘national reconciliation.’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the prosecutions as ‘communist tactics,’ likening them to practices in Venezuela. Notably, the pardons do not extend to Trump himself, who has long claimed the authority to self-pardon but faces legal uncertainties. Giuliani, who declared bankruptcy after being held liable for $148 million in defamation cases, was disbarred in New York and Washington, D.C. Other pardoned figures include former Trump lawyers Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, and Kenneth Chesebro, all of whom had unsuccessfully challenged the 2020 election results. Powell’s claims of vote-switching and ‘communist money’ influencing the election were widely discredited. This latest round of clemency follows Trump’s earlier pardons of Capitol riot participants and the dismissal of several election-related cases against his allies in states like Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan. The Electoral College, comprising 538 members, remains the official body that elects U.S. presidents based on state-by-state results.

  • Thailand court orders extradition to China of alleged online gambling kingpin

    Thailand court orders extradition to China of alleged online gambling kingpin

    In a significant legal development, Thailand’s appeals court has greenlit the extradition of She Zhijiang, a Chinese national accused of orchestrating one of the largest transnational cybercrime networks in Asia. The ruling, issued on Monday, mandates that She be transferred to China within 90 days. She, who was arrested in Bangkok in August 2022 on a 2014 warrant from Chinese authorities, faces allegations of operating over 200 illegal online gambling platforms and being linked to illicit gambling networks and casinos in Myanmar. His legal team’s challenge to the constitutionality of Thailand’s extradition law was dismissed last month, paving the way for this decision. She’s prominence in the region stems from his involvement in the Yatai New City project in Myanmar’s Shwe Kokko city, a hub notorious for cyber scams and human trafficking. A 2024 UN report highlighted his extensive business portfolio across Southeast Asia, spanning real estate, construction, entertainment, and blockchain technology. The U.S. and British governments have also imposed sanctions on She for his alleged criminal activities. This case underscores the growing challenge of cybercrime in Southeast Asia, where weak law enforcement has allowed such operations to thrive, particularly in Cambodia and Myanmar.

  • BRIDGE Alliance launched to shape future-ready content ecosystem

    BRIDGE Alliance launched to shape future-ready content ecosystem

    The UAE has unveiled the BRIDGE Alliance, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering inclusivity, diversity, and innovation in the global media, content, and entertainment sectors. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the Alliance brings together an influential board of former heads of state, global leaders, policymakers, and CEOs from diverse industries, united by a shared vision to create a collaborative and future-ready content ecosystem. The announcement was made during the inaugural meeting of the BRIDGE Alliance Board of Directors, presided over by Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, marking the formal establishment of the organization’s leadership and strategic direction. Rooted in the UAE’s legacy as a cultural and economic crossroads, the BRIDGE Alliance is designed to build a connected, resilient, and ethical global media framework. The Board of Directors, comprising distinguished figures such as Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud, Macky Sall, and Jessica Sibley, will provide strategic oversight and policy direction. The Alliance’s first major initiative, the BRIDGE Summit 2025, will take place from December 8 to 10 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event will feature 400 global speakers, 300 exhibitors, and over 60,000 participants across seven content tracks, aiming to turn dialogue into action and shape new partnerships, policies, and investments. Maryam bin Fahad, Managing Director of BRIDGE Alliance, emphasized that every aspect of the Summit has been strategically designed to advance collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth. From its UAE headquarters, the BRIDGE Alliance aspires to become a global hub for driving innovation, informing policy, and accelerating collaboration across media, content, and entertainment sectors, setting the agenda for responsible media growth worldwide.