In an audacious act reminiscent of a Hollywood thriller, the Louvre Museum in Paris was thrust into chaos on Sunday as robbers executed a daring daylight theft of priceless imperial jewels. The iconic museum, a beacon of art and history, has since remained shuttered, leaving tourists and locals alike in disbelief. Witnesses described the scene as surreal, with one visitor remarking, ‘It’s like something out of a movie.’ Authorities are now scrambling to piece together the details of the heist, which has raised serious concerns about security at one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions. The stolen artifacts, steeped in historical significance, are yet to be recovered, casting a shadow over the museum’s reputation and prompting calls for heightened protective measures.
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Global study shows intensifying drought may wreck grasslands
A groundbreaking international study led by Chinese researchers has unveiled alarming evidence that prolonged and intensified droughts are pushing global grassland ecosystems toward collapse. Published in the prestigious journal Science, the research involved collaboration among scientists from Beijing Forestry University and over 120 institutions, including Colorado State University in the United States. The study meticulously tracked plant growth across 74 grasslands and shrublands spanning six continents during periods of drought. The findings reveal that the combined impact of drought intensity and duration significantly exacerbates productivity losses in these ecosystems. Notably, after four consecutive years of extreme drought, productivity losses surged by approximately 2.5 times compared to the initial year. This suggests that ecosystems may transition from a state of low yield to a rapid and irreversible decline if climate change continues to worsen drought conditions. The study underscores the growing concern that future climate extremes will increasingly disrupt ecosystems in unprecedented and troubling ways. According to Bianca Lopez, an editor at Science, the research provides a critical benchmark for understanding the relationship between drought severity, duration, and ecosystem health. The study’s peer reviewers also emphasized its importance in establishing a foundation for future investigations into the impacts of climate change on global ecosystems.
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State councilor urges efforts to promote women’s cause
In a significant address on Sunday, Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin emphasized the critical role of women’s federations in fostering the high-quality development of women’s causes across the nation. Speaking at a video conference, Shen, who also serves as the president of the All-China Women’s Federation, highlighted the recent Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing as a pivotal milestone in advancing women’s rights globally. Shen urged these federations to create conducive environments for women’s comprehensive development, establish robust platforms to support their active participation, and safeguard their legitimate rights through improved governance. She also called for concrete measures to enhance global women’s development, contributing to the broader vision of building a shared future for humanity. Shen’s remarks underscore China’s commitment to gender equality and its proactive stance in promoting women’s empowerment on both national and international stages.
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Revolutionary Chinese chip to pioneer search for dark matter, black holes
A groundbreaking spectroscopic imaging chip, RAFAEL, developed by a research team from Tsinghua University in China, has been unveiled, promising to transform humanity’s approach to observing the universe. Published in the prestigious journal Nature, this innovation resolves the long-standing challenge of balancing spectral resolution and throughput, enabling high-performance snapshot spectroscopy. Spectroscopy, a critical tool for analyzing the physical and chemical properties of matter, has traditionally struggled to achieve both ultra-high resolution and high efficiency simultaneously. RAFAEL, also known by its Chinese name “Yuheng,” overcomes this limitation through advanced lithium-niobate photonics, allowing each pixel in the sensor to capture complete spectral data with exceptional optical transmittance. The chip boasts a 10-megapixel spatial resolution and a spectral precision of 0.05 nanometers across visible to near-infrared wavelengths. In a recent demonstration, RAFAEL captured spectra of up to 5,600 stars in a single exposure, marking a hundredfold improvement in observational efficiency compared to leading astronomical spectrometers. Compact yet powerful, RAFAEL is poised to unlock new insights into cosmic phenomena such as dark matter and black holes, while advancing research in fields ranging from materials science to astrophysics. Professor Fang Lu, the corresponding author of the study, highlighted the chip’s potential to establish a new benchmark for astronomical observation. The name “Yuheng,” derived from the fifth star of the Big Dipper, symbolizes precision and balance, reflecting the chip’s mission to enhance humanity’s understanding of the universe.
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US tariffs begin to bite into trade
The ripple effects of US-imposed tariffs are now manifesting in the nation’s trade landscape, with September witnessing a significant downturn in container cargo imports. According to the latest Global Shipping Report by Descartes, a supply chain technology and data provider, US container imports plummeted by 8.4% year-on-year, with Chinese imports bearing the brunt at a staggering 22.9% decline. Despite this, US ports managed to process 2.31 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo, marking the third-highest September volume on record. The steepest declines were observed in sectors such as toys, sporting goods, footwear, apparel, aluminum, and electric machinery. This contrasts sharply with the surge in imports during July and August, as retailers stockpiled goods ahead of the holiday season. Jonathan Gold, Vice-President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation, attributed the earlier peak to businesses’ efforts to mitigate tariff impacts by front-loading cargo. However, the uncertainty surrounding tariff policies continues to challenge businesses, with projections indicating that monthly import volumes at major US ports may drop below 2 million TEUs for the remainder of the year. Analysts, including Ben Hackett of Hackett Associates, predict further import slowdowns, citing ongoing volatility in US tariff policy as a significant source of economic uncertainty. China’s share of total US imports also declined, falling to 33% in September from 34.5% in August. The Port of Los Angeles, one of the busiest in the US, reported an 8% year-on-year decline in import volumes, processing around 883,000 container units in September. Gene Seroka, the port’s Executive Director, anticipates a further softening of cargo volumes in the coming months, exacerbated by turbulent trade negotiations with China. The US recently announced additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods, effective November 1, following China’s imposition of export controls on rare earth minerals. China’s Ministry of Commerce has criticized these measures, emphasizing that its export controls are a legitimate effort to safeguard national and global security, not targeted at any specific country. The ongoing trade tensions have already impacted bilateral trade, with China’s exports to the US falling by 27% year-on-year in September, marking the sixth consecutive monthly decline. As both nations navigate this contentious trade landscape, the broader economic implications remain uncertain.
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What is Aukus, the submarine deal between Australia, the UK and US?
A landmark defense agreement between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, known as the Aukus pact, is under scrutiny as the Trump administration evaluates its alignment with the ‘America First’ policy. The deal, valued at £176 billion over 30 years, aims to bolster Australia’s naval capabilities by supplying nuclear-powered submarines and fostering advanced military collaboration. Australia is set to acquire up to five Virginia-class submarines from the US, with plans to co-develop a new submarine model for both the UK and Australian navies. The pact also includes joint efforts in cutting-edge technologies such as hypersonic missiles, undersea robotics, and artificial intelligence. While the review has raised concerns about potential delays or cancellations, both the UK and Australia have dismissed these fears, emphasizing the routine nature of such evaluations during a new administration. The deal is widely perceived as a strategic move to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in contested areas like the South China Sea. Despite criticism from China, which labeled the pact ‘extremely irresponsible,’ the Aukus partners have underscored the necessity of addressing escalating regional security threats. The agreement, unveiled in September 2021, represents a significant upgrade for Australia’s military, enabling long-range strike capabilities and enhancing its strategic presence in the region. Additionally, the pact is expected to create thousands of jobs in the UK and strengthen trilateral defense ties. The review’s outcome will likely be a focal point during upcoming discussions between US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Washington, DC.
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Deal puts Takaichi on track to be Japan’s 1st woman PM
In a groundbreaking political development, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is poised to sign a coalition agreement with the opposition Japan Innovation Party (JIP) on Monday, setting the stage for Sanae Takaichi to become the nation’s first female prime minister. This historic move comes after the collapse of the LDP’s previous coalition with the Komeito party, which had been in place for 26 years, triggering a political crisis. Takaichi, who recently ascended to the leadership of the LDP, saw her initial bid for the premiership derailed by the coalition’s dissolution. However, the LDP’s efforts to forge a new alliance with the JIP have reignited her prospects. According to Kyodo News, Takaichi and JIP co-leader Hirofumi Yoshimura are expected to formalize the coalition agreement following policy talks on Monday. The deal includes key concessions such as reducing the consumption tax on food to zero and eliminating corporate donations, as well as Yoshimura’s demand to cut the number of parliamentary seats. While the LDP-JIP alliance is still two seats short of a majority in the lower house, Takaichi could secure the premiership in a potential second-round runoff by garnering more support from lawmakers. This pivotal agreement marks a significant step toward breaking Japan’s long-standing gender barrier in its highest political office.
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Photos on a star trek
The ‘Ten Years Overlooking Hami’ Photography Culture Week and the annual ‘Sweet Whispers to the Galaxy’ Festival, held last month in Hami, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, drew a mix of seasoned photographers and influencers. Among them was Li Qing, a photographer and livestreaming expert from Panzhihua, Sichuan province, who first visited Hami in 2015 for a drone photography competition. ‘The Gobi Desert, grasslands, and mountains are a treasure trove for aerial photography,’ Li remarked, expressing his excitement to return and capture Hami’s vast landscapes once more. Dai Jianfeng, a renowned astrophotographer with over 3 million followers, attended the festival with a specific mission: to photograph the Hami Solar Thermal Power Station, a marvel featuring a 696,751-square-meter mirror field and a 220-meter-high molten salt tower. ‘This year, I aimed to capture the station under a clear, starry night,’ Dai explained. Zhou Bo, cofounder of the China StarVision Alliance, has been hosting livestreams for the festival since 2022. However, this year, he noted a decline in online traffic, attributing it to the absence of a major astronomical event like the Perseid meteor shower. Wang Junfeng, a frequent visitor to Hami and cofounder of the CSVA, remains optimistic. ‘Hami will surprise us with its wonders in a different season,’ he said, highlighting the region’s enduring appeal for photographers and stargazers alike.
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China’s economic security growth model highlighted
China’s economic strategy has pivoted towards a model that integrates high-quality development with robust security measures, emphasizing technological self-reliance and a strengthened domestic demand base. This approach, termed the ‘economic security growth model,’ was a focal point of discussion at a recent virtual panel hosted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) in Washington, DC. Experts highlighted how this model transcends traditional export- or investment-driven frameworks, instead focusing on strategic pillars such as dual circulation, self-reliant innovation, and mechanisms to counter foreign economic coercion. The dual circulation strategy prioritizes the domestic market while fostering synergy between internal and external markets. Trade data indicates that while direct trade with the US and other advanced economies has plateaued, China’s trade with the rest of the world continues to expand. The second pillar of this model involves a ‘whole-of-nation’ push towards self-reliant innovation, insulating the economy from geopolitical risks. This includes significant fiscal allocations for education, science, and technology, with a notable rise in approvals for science and engineering programs. China’s industrial robot adoption rates far exceed global averages, signaling a clear trajectory towards innovation-led growth. The third pillar focuses on establishing export controls and regulations to address external coercion. China’s advancements in AI exemplify the potential of this approach, with Chinese firms securing six of the top 20 AI models globally, despite US export controls on advanced AI chips. Experts noted that this competition benefits the global economy, as it ensures access to highly capable AI systems. The World Economic Forum and Stanford’s 2025 AI Index have acknowledged China’s narrowing performance gaps in AI, with innovations like the DeepSeek-R1 AI model and Huawei’s Ascend 910C chip gaining recognition. The diffusion of technology, rather than its initial development, is seen as the true determinant of success, with AI spreading faster than any prior technology.
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Four days to go: Charming Beijing, Shared with the World
With just four days remaining until a significant global event, Beijing is poised to share its unique charm with the world. The city, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and modern advancements, is preparing to host an international gathering that highlights its role as a bridge between tradition and innovation. The event, scheduled to commence on October 24, 2025, is expected to draw attention from across the globe, showcasing Beijing’s ability to blend historical significance with contemporary relevance. As the countdown continues, the city is abuzz with preparations, from cultural exhibitions to technological showcases, all aimed at presenting a comprehensive picture of Beijing’s global appeal. This event not only underscores Beijing’s position as a key player on the world stage but also emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and mutual understanding in today’s interconnected world.