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☆ Labor Day isn’t the holiday it once was for China’s workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Chris Lau | Hassan Tayir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —Like hundreds of millions of workers in China, Hao Zeyu, an algorithm engineer at an electric vehicle maker, is getting five days off this week for the Labor Day holiday. So, why has a decades-old policy caused so much upset in a country whose Communist Party leadership pays annual homage to International Workers’ Day? Trending topicIn recent weeks, complaints about this year’s Labor Day leave arrangements have exploded on Chinese social media. Tourists visit the Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge during the May Day holiday on May 1, 2023 in Chongqing, China. Labor Day isn’t the only holiday to get the adjusted rest policy.

Persons: Hao Zeyu, Hao, “, ” Hao, ”, Yao, Max Teng, it’s, Yaer Tuerdi, Pang Dong Lai, Yu Donglai, Yu, Teng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Labor, CNN, Communist Party, International Workers, Workers, Weibo, Tourists, China News Service, University of Wellington, “ Workers Locations: China, Hong Kong, Chongqing, United States, United Kingdom, Kentucky, Henan

☆ Hong Kong stocks are back from the dead. Here’s why
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng Index surged more than 7% in April as the best-performing major index in the world. The valuation of Hong Kong stocks has also become more “compelling” relative to the rest of the Asian region after the pullback last year, said Zhikai Chen, head of Asian equities at BNP Paribas Asset Management. He added that there is a shift in investors’ sentiments as Chinese economic data turned more positive. Innes said global investors are currently “underweight” in Chinese markets, including Hong Kong, because of geopolitical tensions and concerns surrounding potential fallout from the upcoming US elections. Stock exchange data showed that southbound investors (meaning investment from mainland China into Hong Kong) have bought nearly $20 billion of Hong Kong-listed stocks in March and the first three weeks of April on a net basis.

Persons: ”, Kelly Chung, Zhikai Chen, Stephen Innes, David Chao, Nomura, Xiaomei Chen, Angelina Lai, Innes, Kong, BNP Paribus Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, Value Partners, BNP, Management, P Global, PMI, Kong's, Reuters, US, People’s Bank of, HK, “ Locations: China, Hong Kong, United States, Beijing, India, James’s, People’s Bank of China

☆ What it’s really like to live in Macao
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Macao, the Chinese special administrative region (SAR) often twinned with Hong Kong, is known as the Las Vegas of Asia. But travelers who are willing to dig in a little deeper can explore Macanese culture, which mixes Portuguese, Chinese and Southeast Asian heritages. Macao is comprised of two islands – the north one, Macao itself, and its southern neighbor Taipa. “In Asia, [people] think that Macao is full of casinos, and I think they do not understand the other parts of Macao,” says Lai. That means that they can live in Macao without a work visa and do not need a company sponsoring them.

Persons: CNN — “, ”, Vivian Lai, Taipa, Lai, ” Marina Fernandes, Michael Maslan, “, it’s, Uber, Fernandes, Eduardo Leal, Ricardo Balocas, Balocas, Don’t Organizations: CNN, Las, Macanese Association, Bloomberg, Macao International Airport, Joseph’s University, Macao, Henley Locations: Macao, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Asia, China, Taipa, “, ”, Europe, Portuguese, Zhuhai, Macao’s, Singapore, Jakarta, Hanoi, Bangkok, Beijing, North America, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Bay Area, Portugal, Macao's, Lisbon, St, Philippines, ‘ Little Lisbon, it’s

☆ The US and China are engaging more. But that doesn't mean they trust each other more, an analyst said.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

US and China's engagements don't mean they trust each other more, said Eurasia Group's Ian Bremmer. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But just because they're talking more doesn't mean that they actually trust each other more, an analyst said on Wednesday. Earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited China, seeking cooperation in areas beneficial to both countries. Advertisement"It's always better to have more engagement, more conversations — especially when you don't trust each other," Bremmer said.

Persons: Ian Bremmer, —, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, there's, Bremmer, Janet Yellen, Lloyd Austin, State Anthony Blinken, William Lai — Organizations: Service, Eurasia Group, Bloomberg, APEC, Defense, State Locations: Eurasia, Ian Bremmer . Washington, China, Taiwan, San Francisco, US, Washington, Taiwan —, Beijing

☆ Nymphia Wind: Taiwan president sends congratulations for ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ win
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Taipei, Taiwan — Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday offered her congratulations to Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind for winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the first person from East Asia to take the crown. “Congratulations to you, Nymphia Wind, for being so accomplished in the difficult art form of drag, and for being the first Taiwanese to take the stage and win on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’,” Tsai wrote on Instagram in English. “Right after being crowned queen, you said ‘Taiwan, this is for you.’ Taiwan thanks you for living fearlessly.”Nymphia Wind and other drag queens prepare for a performance in Taipei on October 21, 2023. Stars from “Drag Race,” which has just ended its 16th season, also come to Taiwan to perform. Ann Wang/ReutersTaiwan’s openness on LGBTQ+ issues stands in marked contrast with its giant neighbor China, which claims the island as its own territory.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Tsai, ” Tsai, Ann Wang, Lai Ching, Taiwan’s Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Reuters, Pride Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, East Asia, Asia, East, China

☆ China’s Xi to host former Taiwan president in Beijing, in rare meeting echoing bygone era of warmer ties
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Nectar Gan | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Joint concerns over China’s increasing assertiveness under Xi, including toward Taiwan, are a key driver of that summit. Chinese leader Xi Jinping shakes hands with then Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou before their meeting in Singapore on November 7, 2015. Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou speaks to reporters ahead of his visit to China at the Taoyuan International Airport on April 1, 2024. Ma Ying-jeou” or former chairman of the KMT, with no mention of his former role as the president of Taiwan. Reaction in TaiwanMa’s itinerary – and his meeting with Xi – has been closely watched in Taiwan.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Ma Ying, Xi, Chiang Kai, Eric Chu, Ma, ” Chu, Lai Ching, Joe Biden, Biden, Fumio Kishida, Roslan Rahman, Amanda Hsiao, “, underscoring, ’ ”, Tsai Ing, –, Lai, Lai’s, fixating, ”, ” Sung, China –, Ma’s, Hsiao, Yan Zhao, Mr, Sun, Xi –, Sung, ” Ma, James Chen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, Kuomintang, KMT, China’s, shek’s Nationalists, –, Democratic Progressive Party, CNN Beijing, Japanese, Getty, International Crisis, Atlantic, “, Taoyuan International Airport, Communists, Nationalists, Atlantic Council, Taiwan’s Tamkang University, DPP Locations: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, Singapore, Washington, Japan, Philippines, AFP, Taoyuan, Guangzhou, Republic of China, Shaanxi, United States, China . Washington

☆ See the Total Solar Eclipse’s Shadow From Space
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( K.K. Rebecca Lai | William B. Davis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

See the Total Solar Eclipse’s Shadow From SpaceSatellite images from NASA and NOAA showed the moon’s shadow moving across North America.

Organizations: NASA, NOAA Locations: North America

☆ A Chinese smartphone maker is breaking into EVs and challenging Tesla. How the stock rates now.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-07 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Just as the auto industry was grappling with BYD 's rapid rise, Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi has burst into the market — undercutting Tesla and vowing to become a global player. Meanwhile, Tesla last week revealed that its deliveries fell in the first quarter from a year ago . While he still likes Tesla longer-term , he and his team will hold a client webinar on Xiaomi, Tesla and global EVs on Tuesday. Xiaomi shares nearly reached that price during last week's surge. Meanwhile, Tesla shares are down 34% year to date.

Persons: BYD, Tesla, Lei Jun, Xiaomi, Morgan Stanley, Adam Jonas, Jonas, Morgan, Andy Meng, Meng, Taylor Ogan, Lei, Ogan, BEV, Nick Lai, Gokul Hariharan, Janet Yellen, overcapacity Organizations: Apple, Hong, Snow Bull, EV, JPMorgan, Treasury Locations: Hong Kong, China, Shenzhen, U.S

☆ Hualien earthquake: Dozens rescued after major Taiwan quake but more than 100 still cut off
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Helen Regan | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“But people are safe, so that’s fortunate.”Workers demolish a damaged building following the earthquake, in Hualien, Taiwan April 4, 2024. A rescue worker stands near the cordoned off site in the aftermath of an earthquake in Hualien, eastern Taiwan on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Wednesday’s quake is the strongest to hit Taiwan since 1999, according to the Central Weather Administration. That year, a 7.7 magnitude quake hit south of Taipei, killing 2,400 people and injuring 10,000 others. A magnitude 6.2 quake hit near the area in 2018, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 300 others.

Persons: Hong Changyi, ”, Tyrone Siu, rockfall, Johnson Lai, “ They’ve, Taiwan —, Sam Yeh, Yu, Lin Chih, cheng Organizations: CNN — Rescue, Hong, CNN, Workers, National Fire Agency, SET, Central News Agency, Video, CNA, Reuters, Getty, Hualien Fire Bureau, Central Weather Administration, Taiwan’s Professional Civil Engineers Association Locations: Taiwan, Hualien County, Hualien, Taroko, AFP, ”, Zhonghe, Taipei, Hualien City, Lin, China

☆ Beijing Deplores Taiwan’s Next President, but Welcomes an Old One
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Chris Buckley | Amy Chang Chien | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As tensions fester between China and Taiwan, one elder politician from the island democracy is getting an effusive welcome on the mainland: Ma Ying-jeou, a former president. Mr. Ma’s 11-day trip across China, which was set to begin on Monday, comes at a fraught time. Beijing and Taipei have been in dispute over two Chinese fishermen who died while trying to flee a Taiwanese coast guard vessel in February, and China has sent its own coast guard ships close to a Taiwanese-controlled island near where the men died. Taiwanese officials expect China to intensify its military intimidation once the island’s next president, Lai Ching-te, takes office on May 20. His Democratic Progressive Party rejects Beijing’s claim that Taiwan is part of China, and Chinese officials particularly dislike Mr. Lai, often citing his 2017 description of himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan’s independence.”On the other hand, China’s warm treatment of Mr. Ma, 73, Taiwan’s president from 2008 to 2016, seems a way to emphasize that Beijing will keep an open door for politicians who favor closer ties and accept its conditions for talks.

Persons: Ma Ying, Ma’s, Lai Ching, Lai, ”, Ma Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, Taiwanese

☆ ‘Lose weight quick’ online schemes don’t work. Dr. Mike offers these 5 tips instead
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Andrea Kane | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Dr. Mikhail Varshavski is known as Dr. Mike on social media. “Zoom out of just thinking about, ‘What I can take or what I can eat?’ and understand that there’s a lot of other things that impact your weight,” Dr. Mike said. “(Make) sure that you get help when it comes to mental health issues and concerns,” Dr. Mike said. For example, Dr. Mike said he recently had a guest on his podcast who tried to equate a chocolate kiss to a grape. While you may compare them based on their sugar content, that’s one way to categorize them,” Dr. Mike said.

Persons: Sanjay Gupta, what’s, Mikhail Varshavski, Mike, “, Ponce de León, we’re, ” Dr, Dr, ”, ” “, edu ”, ‘, That’s, “ It’s, You’re, Skip, you’re, Jennifer Lai Organizations: CNN, Facebook, YouTube, TED, Inc, US Centers for Disease Control, Harvard Medical Locations: Chatham , New Jersey, Ponce, “ .

☆ China built a mock-up of key area in Taiwan's capital city at a desert training site, satellite images show
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Satellite images show China's mock-up of Taiwan's presidential office at a desert training site. AdvertisementOut in the desert at a military training site, China has built a mock-up of a key area of Taiwan's capital city where the presidential office and other government buildings are located, satellite images show. Related storiesThe office mock-up was a convincing replica. A general view of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei. People watch a video about China's military advancements at the Military Museum in Beijing on March 3, 2024.

Persons: —, Joseph Wen, Wen, it's, Walid Berrazeg, Chiu Kuo, cheng, John Aquilino, GREG BAKER, Party's Lai Ching, Hou Organizations: Service, Alxa League, Planet Labs, Business, Planet, CCTV, Presidential, Rocket Force, Alxa, US, Pacific Command, US Armed Services House Committee, Military Museum, Getty Images, Democratic, ih Locations: China, Taiwan, Alxa, Mongolia, Taipei, Taiwan's, Zhurihe, Inner Mongolia, Beijing, AFP, Getty Images China, It's

Rock wall No obvious fender system Island Barrier Fender No obvious fender system Rock wall Island Barrier FenderHow Fenders Might Have Protected Against Bridge CollapseThe Francis Scott Key Bridge did not have an obvious fender system, or protective barriers, to redirect or prevent a ship from crashing into the bridge piers. Francis Scott Key Bridge Patapsco River Pier No obvious fender system Francis Scott Key Bridge Patapsco River Pier No obvious fender system The New York Times; aerial image via NearmapEngineers point out that some other bridges have more robust barriers. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City has rock walls surrounding its piers. Verrazano-Narrows Bridge New York Harbor Pier Rock wall STATEN ISLAND Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Pier New York Harbor STATEN ISLAND Rock wall The New York Times; aerial image via Vexcel ImagingIsland barriers were installed around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge piers in Tampa Bay, Fla., after a ship crash caused the span’s collapse in 1980. Sunshine Skyway Bridge Tampa Bay Pier Island barrier Sunshine Skyway Bridge Tampa Bay Pier Island barrier The New York Times; aerial image via Vexcel ImagingEven smaller bridges like this one near Cape May, N.J., have fenders.

Persons: Francis Scott Key Organizations: New York Times, Nearmap Engineers, Sunshine, Sunshine Skyway, Creative Composites, Times Locations: New York City, York, Pier, STATEN, Tampa Bay, Fla, Tampa, Cape May, N.J, county

☆ Article 23: Hong Kong passes second national security law aligning city more closely with mainland China
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Coming into effect on Saturday, the law introduces 39 new national security crimes, adding to an already powerful national security law that was directly imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020 after huge and sometimes violent democracy protests the year before. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Lee described it as a “historical moment for Hong Kong.”Lawmakers attend a meeting for Basic Law Article 23 legislation at the Legislative Council on March 19, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. They argue their legislation is similar to other national security laws around the world. “This will surely increase the doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty of foreign businesses in Hong Kong.”In mainland China, national security laws have often ensnared both local and foreign businesses in opaque investigations. That is something Emily Lau, a former pro-democracy lawmaker, also worries about, that what made Hong Kong distinct is fast fading.

Persons: –, John Lee, Hong, Lee, Chen Yongnuo, ”, Hong Kong’s, Eric Lai, Lai, ” Lai, Hung Ho, fung, Capvision, Sarah Brooks, “, ” Brooks, ” Johannes Hack, Emily Lau, I’ve Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, ” Lawmakers, Legislative, China News Service, China’s Communist Party, CNN, Georgetown Center, Asian Law, Johns Hopkins University, Amnesty International, German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s, Beijing, China, Amnesty International China, ”, Hong

What’s the Cloud Outlook for Eclipse Day? If you have an eclipse-viewing destination in mind, enter it in the box below to see average cloud cover in the past. For those in the United States, Texas has the lowest chance of cloud cover at about 45 percent. Where you go in Texas may matter, too — historical cloud cover in Dallas is no better than it is in Cleveland. They were able to see the total eclipse for almost five minutes.

Persons: Fred Espenak, Chris O’Byrne, It’s, Jay Anderson, “ It’s, Mr, Anderson, ” Mr Organizations: Cloud Outlook, Eclipse, NASA Locations: United States, Canada, Mexico, United States , Texas, Texas, Dallas, Cleveland, Canadian, China, Shanghai, Winnipeg

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in 2019. Mark Kauzlarich | ReutersBEIJING — China's top diplomat slammed the U.S. for worsening bilateral tensions, while reiterating Beijing's support for peaceful resolutions to the Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine conflicts. Wang said the U.S. has been devising "new ways to suppress China," saying U.S. accusations against China had reached an "unbelievable degree." While he said he sees a way forward for both countries, Wang said communication between both countries may only continue by respecting and recognizing differences. After the unexplained dismissal of Qin Gang as foreign minister in July last year, Wang reassumed the role.

Persons: Wang Yi, Mark Kauzlarich, Joe Biden's, Biden, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Wang, Qin, Wang reassumed, hasn't, Xi's, Lai Ching Organizations: Reuters, Reuters BEIJING —, China -, CNBC, Communist Party of, Qin Gang, United Nations, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Reuters BEIJING, Israel, Palestine, Russia, Ukraine, China, China - U.S, San Francisco, South China, U.S, Gaza, Beijing, Taiwan, South

☆ Taiwan minister says 5 China coast guard ships entered waters around Kinmen
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese coast guard ships entered prohibited or restricted waters around Taiwan's frontline islands of Kinmen on Monday, a Taiwan minister told reporters on Tuesday amid a rise in tension with Beijing. Five Chinese coast guard ships entered prohibited or restricted waters around Taiwan's frontline islands of Kinmen on Monday, a Taiwan minister told reporters on Tuesday amid a rise in tension with Beijing. China's coast guard this month began regular patrols around the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, which are close to China's shores, after two Chinese nationals died trying to flee Taiwan's coast guard after their boat entered prohibited waters. Kuan Bi-ling, head of Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council, told reporters the Chinese boats left the area shortly after Taiwan's coast guard told them to leave. Six Chinese coast guard officers last week boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat carrying 11 crew and 23 passengers to check its route plan, certificate and crew licenses, leaving around half an hour later, Taiwan's coast guard said.

Persons: Lai Ching Organizations: Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council Locations: Kinmen, Taiwan, Beijing, Five, China's, Taiwan's, China, Taipei

☆ Taiwan fears that stalled Ukraine aid foreshadows their future if China invades
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwanese officials expressed concern to a visiting US delegation about stalled aid to Ukraine. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementTaiwanese officials have expressed concerns about stalled US aid to Ukraine, fearing implications for US defense support in the event of a Chinese invasion. During a three-day visit to the self-governing island, Taiwanese officials repeatedly questioned a visiting US congressional delegation about US support for Ukraine, Politico reported. US and senior Taiwanese officials, including President Tsai Ing-wen and President-elect Lai Ching-te, attended the meetings.

Persons: Donald Trump, —, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Politico, Business Locations: Ukraine, China, Taiwan

☆ Congressman presses Elon Musk to provide SpaceX satellite services for US defense forces in Taiwan, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( John L. Dorman | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Congressman is urging Elon Musk to give SpaceX Starshield access to US forces in Taiwan. AdvertisementElon Musk is facing pressure to provide SpaceX's Starshield satellite network to US defense personnel in Taiwan, according to Forbes. However, the outlet described a "group of US lawmakers" were involved in the calls for Musk to provide satellite access to US defense forces in Taiwan. The letter then called on Musk to brief the select panel regarding Starshield's capabilities in Taiwan by March 8, Forbes reported. The request could present challenges for Musk, who has considerable business ties in China, where Tesla has a significant manufacturing presence.

Persons: Elon Musk, Forbes, —, Elon, Mike Gallagher, Musk, Gallagher, Taiwan's, Lai Ching, Tesla, hasn't, Joseph Wu Organizations: SpaceX, Service, Forbes ., Forbes . Wisconsin GOP, US Defense Department, Forbes, Street, Chinese Communist Party, New York Times, United States Congress, Times, Business Locations: Taiwan, China, Forbes, Forbes . Wisconsin, Russian, Starshield, Hong Kong

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party sent a letter on Saturday to Elon Musk demanding that U.S. troops stationed in Taiwan get access to SpaceX's Starshield, a satellite communication network designed specifically for the military. The letter, obtained by CNBC and first reported by Forbes, claimed that by not making Starshield available to U.S. military forces in Taiwan, SpaceX could violate its Pentagon contract, which requires "global access" to Starshield technology. The letter requests that Musk provide the House committee with a briefing on its Taiwan operations by March 8. Taiwan has been governing itself independently of China since the island split from the mainland during the 1949 civil war. "I think I've got a pretty good understanding as an outsider of China," Musk said on the All-In Podcast.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, Forbes, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Musk, I've, Jaushieh Joseph Wu Organizations: Fratelli, Chinese Communist Party, Elon, CNBC, SpaceX, Pentagon, U.S ., Rep, CCP, Starshield, Russia, U.S, Tesla, Foreign Locations: Italy, Rome, Taiwan, China, American, Shanghai, Hawaii

☆ Fate of U.S. aid to Ukraine package discussed on Taiwan trip, lawmakers say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, has so far blocked passage of the bill that includes $60 billion in new funding for Ukraine. Former Republican President Donald Trump opposes aid for Kyiv. "Every single meeting we had in Taiwan focused on Ukraine for at least part of the meeting. The lawmakers meetings in Taipei included President Tsai Ing-wen and president-elect Lai Ching-te, who won election last month and takes office in May. The committee's chair, Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher who is leading the delegation Krishnamoorthi is on, said what happened to Ukraine mattered to Taiwan.

Persons: Mike Gallagher, Han Kuo, Sam Yeh, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Krishnamoorthi, Putin, Xi, Vladimir Putin, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching Organizations: of, Kuomintang, KMT, Afp, Getty, U.S, Republican, U.S . House, Ukraine, Kyiv, Democratic Locations: Taipei, China, Taiwan, U.S, Ukraine

Taipei, Taiwan CNN —American support for Taiwan will continue no matter who wins the upcoming US election, House Rep. Mike Gallagher told an audience in the democratic island on Thursday, as tensions simmer between Taipei and Beijing. “I’m confident regardless of how the presidential election goes, we will maintain our support not only for Taiwan but also a posture of internationalism and engagement,” Gallagher told reporters in the capital Taipei. Gallagher said American efforts to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion were also critical to deterring Beijing from using force against Taiwan. American lawmakers regularly visit Taiwan and have supported legislation to bolster US support for the island and its defensive capabilities. 07:53 - Source: CNNTroubled watersThe delegation’s visit comes during a period of heightened tensions between China and Taiwan, sparked by the drowning of two Chinese fishermen near Taiwan’s Kinmen Island last week.

Persons: Mike Gallagher, “, ” Gallagher, Gallagher, Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Tsai, ” Tsai, China, ”, ” “, …, ” Zhu Fenglian, Chen Chien Organizations: Taiwan CNN, Communist Party, Taiwan, NATO, Democratic, Washington, CNN, Taipei, Republican, Wisconsin, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Taiwan Affairs Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Beijing, China, Ukraine, Europe, Raja, United States, Taiwanese, ”

☆ China’s coast guard has triggered ‘panic’ in Taiwan. That’s only part of Beijing’s plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Nectar Gan | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“It’s super scary,” a passenger told Taiwan’s United Daily News in a video upon returning to shore under the escort of a Taiwanese coast guard ship on Monday. “(The Chinese coast guard) chose a tourist vessel because it’s high profile – you would expect lots of people on the boat with cameras and phones,” he said. The stakes are high, as the increased presence and closer proximity of Chinese and Taiwanese coast guard vessels raise the specter of miscalculations that could potentially spiral into open conflict. Speaking to reporters about the inspection by the Chinese coast guard, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-kcheng highlighted such risks, saying the defense ministry is “very concerned” about potential miscalculations. Taiwan's coast guard inspects a vessel that capsized during a chase off the coast of Kinmen on February 14, 2024.

Persons: King Xia, ” Kuan, Taiwan’s, Ian Chong, Chong, ”, “ They’re, Chiu Kuo, Lai Ching, China’s, Nancy Pelosi’s, Tian Feilong, It’s, Tian, “, Lai Organizations: Taipei CNN, Taiwan’s United Daily News, Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, Democratic Progressive Party, National University of Singapore, South China, Taiwan’s, Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Locations: Hong Kong, Taipei, Taiwanese, Kinmen, China’s, Beijing, Taiwan, Xiamen, China, East, South, Taiwan's, Nauru, Taiwan Strait

☆ Universe’s brightest known object and fastest-growing black hole revealed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Astronomers have spotted the brightest known object in the universe, and it’s a quasar powered by the fastest-growing black hole on record, according to a new study. The black hole powering the quasar devours the equivalent of one sun per day and has a mass about 17 billion times that of our sun, the researchers found. A black hole is massive power sourceThe intense gravitational influence of black holes draws matter toward these celestial objects in such an energetic way that the process creates light. The blinding radiation is due to the black hole’s accretion disk, or the ring around the black hole where material gathers before being consumed. The team followed up with observations from the powerful Very Large Telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert to confirm details about the black hole, including its hefty mass.

Persons: ”, Christian Wolf, ” Wolf, Samuel Lai, Wolf, Southern Observatory’s Schmidt, Christopher Onken Organizations: CNN —, Southern, National University’s College of Science, National University’s Research, of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Hubble, Southern Observatory’s, Sky Survey, Sky, Dark Energy Survey, Energy Survey, ESO Locations: Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Atacama

☆ Papua New Guinea: Dozens killed as tribal violence erupts in restive highlands
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Angus Watson | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —At least 49 bodies were found at the site of a gun battle between tribes in Papua New Guinea’s remote highlands, police told CNN Monday, in a gruesome escalation of hostilities in the country. Those killed were believed to be warring members of the Ambulin and Sikin tribes who were armed with “military style” automatic weapons, according to Enga Province Police Commander George Kakas. It is home to hundreds of tribes across the archipelago’s remote terrain where tribal feuds often stem from land and wealth disputes. Hostilities between the Ambulin and Sikin tribes began in 2021 over a piece of land and has since spiraled into a constant cycle of violence, Kakas said. Members of the Amublin tribe had “got wind of the Sikin staging an attack early in the morning, so they were waiting for them – setting up an ambush,” Kakas told CNN.

Persons: George Kakas, Kakas, ” Kakas, “, ”, ” Anthony Albanese, ” Albanese Organizations: CNN, Enga Province Police, Police, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio, Australia Locations: Papua, Enga Province, Lai, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Pacific, Australia

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