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☆ Exiled Chinese bloggers urged people back home to unfollow them, claiming police are checking individuals 'one by one'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In separate posts, 2 Chinese bloggers in exile asked their social media followers to unfollow them. One of the dissidents, Li Ying, posted screenshots claiming his followers had been interrogated. AdvertisementTwo Chinese bloggers in exile have urged their followers in China to unfollow them, claiming that police are checking them "one by one" and even interrogating some individuals. Li's account has over 1.4 million followers, down about 200,000 from Sunday. An analysis of the documents by the Journal suggested that the firm, I-Soon, appeared to have a range of targets, including exiled Chinese dissidents.

Persons: Li Ying, —, Wang Zhi'an, Wang, Li, he'd Organizations: Service, NBC, YouTube, China Central Television, Beijing, Associated Press, AFP, NBC News, Street Locations: China, Japan, Italy

☆ Exclusive: China's state banks seen swapping and selling dollars for yuan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Chinese Yuan and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 10, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Nov 21 (Reuters) - China's major state-owned banks were seen exchanging yuan for U.S. dollars in the onshore swap market and selling those dollars in spot currency markets this week, two sources told Reuters on Tuesday. Some market participants said state banks might be trying to speed the yuan's gains and spur exporters to convert more of their FX receipts into yuan. The selling of dollars by state banks caused the onshore spot yuan to briefly touch 7.1296 per dollar, firmer than its daily official guidance for the first time in four months. To me, it looks like they are doing preparatory work ahead of a policy rate cut," said Kiyong Seong, lead Asia macro strategist at Societe Generale.

Persons: Yuan, Dado Ruvic, Kiyong Seong, Zhi Xiaojia, Zhi, Simon Cameron, Moore, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Federal, People's Bank of China, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: Asia, China, United States

☆ Opinion | The Big #MeToo Moment for Doctors Is Finally Here
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Helen Ouyang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Now the edifice may finally be cracking: The #MeToo movement is picking up pace in the medical profession. Dr. Hadden was an obstetrician-gynecologist who was first arrested when a patient called the police and reported that he had licked her genitals during an exam. Though I was working at the medical center while the accusations unfurled, I wasn’t aware of them until more recently. Even after Dr. Hadden was found guilty, Columbia did not notify all of his patients about his behavior. On Nov. 23, the one-year look-back window closes for past patients to sue Dr. Hadden and the medical center.

Persons: it’s, Darius Paduch, Zhi Alan Cheng, Derrick Todd, Brigham, Cheng, Todd, Dr, Robert Hadden, Hadden, Newman’s, Aja Newman, Newman, Dr . Hadden, HIPAA, . Hadden Organizations: Presbyterian Queens Hospital, Harvard, Women’s, Columbia, New York Locations: New York, NewYork, Columbia, Sinai

The individuals' accounts varied but were consistent in describing heightened scrutiny of overseas travel even after China reopened borders in January. Reuters is reporting these measures and the scope of some post-COVID travel curbs for the first time. NEW LIMITSRestrictions on personal foreign travel have long applied to senior government officials and state executives with access to confidential information. MAPPING CONNECTIONSChinese authorities are also scrutinising personal foreign ties, according to a document seen by Reuters, one of the 10 people who discussed travel curbs and three other state-enterprise workers with knowledge of the matter. Thomas said the travel curbs in particular would have implications for China's interactions with the world.

Persons: Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Xi, Neil Thomas, Thomas, Wang Zhi'an, Engen Tham, Julie Zhu, Kane Wu, Xie Yu, Martin Quin Pollard, David Crawshaw, Vidya Ranganathan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Asia Society, Center for, State, Information Office, Communist Party, China Construction Bank, China Development Bank, National Council for Social Security Fund, Municipal Eco, Communist, Communist Youth League, Ministry of State Security, U.S . Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, Beijing, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Rights SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, Center for China, Washington, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Japan, Italy

☆ Australia braces for severe bushfires as Sydney swelters under record September heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The threat of intense bushfires looms over New South Wales as record spring temperatures and high winds fan the flames of more than 60 blazes already burning in Australia’s most populous state, authorities have warned. Several cities along the east coast saw record spring temperatures Tuesday, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meterology (BOM). Sydney, the NSW capital, was expected to record its hottest September day ever Wednesday, with BOM forecasting a high of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). “The climate influences driving increased risk of bushfire this season are widespread,” said AFAC CEO Rob Webb. On Tuesday, BOM declared an El Niño weather event was underway, which typically results in a warmer, drier spring and summer and an increased risk for bushfires.

Persons: Miriam Bradbury, “, we’ve, ”, Rob Rogers, Rob Webb, climatologist Zhi, Weng Chua, BOM, Karl Braganza Organizations: CNN, Bureau, NSW, Fire Service, Facebook, ABC, Australasian Fire Authorities Council, ”, 9News Locations: New South Wales, Australia’s, Sydney, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, Australia, Tennant, Northern Territory, New Zealand, ” Australia, El, BOM

☆ New mosaic of Mars could enable humans to settle on another world
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —When the Perseverance rover landed on Mars in February 2021, it wasn’t alone. The instrument’s capabilities demonstrated that oxygen for life support systems and rocket fuel could be created on Mars rather than transported from Earth. The device is another tool enabling the eventual exploration of Mars by humans. Other worldsThis map of Mars, created by researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi, uses color photographs of the entire planet. That’s what researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi are aiming to do with the Mars Atlas.

Persons: Percy, Dimitra Atri, ”, Fujianvenator, Christopher Owen Hunt, Ralph Solecki, Arlette Leroi, Gourhan, Chris Hunt, Nicolas Reusens, Jack Zhi, ” Zhi, —, REx, Comet Nishimura, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, New York University, NYU Abu Dhabi Center for Astrophysics, Mars, United, United Arab Emirates, Mars Research, Liverpool John Moores University, Amagusa, CNN Space, Science Locations: Mars, New York University Abu, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab, China, Fujian, Kurdistan, Iraq, United Kingdom, Japan, Israel

☆ Bird Photographer of the Year 2023: Winners announced
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A breathtaking image of a peregrine falcon attacking an enormous pelican with its bright orange talons won top prize in this year’s Bird Photographer of the Year competition. The contest, in its eighth edition, celebrates the beauty of birds while also raising awareness of the mounting pressures they face. Photographers from all over the world entered more than 20,000 images into the competition, all vying for the £5,000 ($6,280) grand prize. Other photographers were recognized for artistic and atmospheric shots, such as an image of a blackbird silhouetted against the moon taken by 17-year-old Anton Trexler, which won Young Bird Photographer of the Year. A Eurasian blackbird silhouetted against a red moon, taken by German photographer Anton Trexler at sunrise.

Persons: Jack Zhi, ”, “, Anton Trexler, Antonio Aguti, Will Nicholl Organizations: CNN, Young, BirdLife International, Bird Locations: California

☆ China's deflation could spill over into a global concern, economists say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

SHENZHEN, CHINA - MARCH 09: View of high commercial and residential buildings on March 9, 2016 in Shenzhen, China. "As a result, Chinese economic weakness and falling prices (especially Chinese producer prices) are likely to spill over into global markets — near-term good news for the Western central banks' fight against elevated inflation." "China's disappointing rebound is now feeding negatively into global sentiment and growth. Beyond the trade-related spillovers, a common global disinflationary pressure comes from commodity prices, where as a huge importer of commodities, Chinese domestic demand remains a key factor. "Weak Chinese domestic investment and broad-based excess capacity in manufacturing, as well as weak sales of new homes and land, are likely to continue to depress global commodity demand," Wilding and Liao said.

Persons: Zhong Zhi, Tiffany Wilding, Wilding, Carol Liao, Montgomery Koning, Liao, TS Lombard's Montgomery Koning Organizations: Getty, National Bureau, Statistics, Evergrande, TS Lombard, Lombard, U.S, Census, TS Lombard's Locations: SHENZHEN, CHINA, Shenzhen, China, U.S, Beijing, West, Germany

☆ Top China official urges more secrecy in the country's energy sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

SHENZHEN, CHINA - MARCH 09: View of high commercial and residential buildings on March 9, 2016 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)A lead China official called for tighter secrecy in the energy sector to protect national interests against hostile foreign forces, echoing a broader crackdown impacting the country's investment landscape. Zhang urged the steps — which include preventing the leaks of key technologies in the energy sector — while citing the priority of national interests in the face of a "hostile" international landscape. "The energy transition has some contradictions and difficulties — these very often are the focus of foreign hostile forces that want to steal and attack. "The task of promoting carbon peak carbon neutrality is arduous," he warned.

Persons: Zhong Zhi, Zhang Jianhua, Zhang, Goldman Sachs Organizations: China's National Energy Administration, CNBC Locations: SHENZHEN, CHINA, Shenzhen, China

☆ Startup e-commerce platform Temu expands to Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, July 6 (Reuters) - Ultra low-cost e-commerce platform Temu, owned by PDD Holdings (PDD.O), has started selling to Japan, marking its first foray into the Asian market. The marketplace, the sister site of Chinese discount e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, ships everything from clothing to electronics and home goods, mainly from Chinese merchants to customers overseas at rock bottom prices. A drop-down menu on Temu's website confirms Japan is one of the countries it now ships to. Temu and PDD Holdings did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its recent expansion or future plans. Vion Zhi Voon Yau, head of research at consultancy Momentum Works, described Japan as an "attractive, affluent" market for Temu.

Persons: Vion Zhi Voon Yau, Casey Hall, Fanny Potkin, Emelia Sithole Organizations: PDD Holdings, Japan, Momentum Works, Temu, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, Japan, United States, Boston

☆ This Asian MMA promotion wants to crack the US market -- without the blood and trash-talking
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Could 2023 be the year mixed-martial arts (MMA) in the United States finally returns to its pure, humble beginnings nurtured in Asia nearly 5,000 years ago? “I can’t wait for the US fans to be exposed to true martial arts. Fighting on American soil, it’s amazing to be able to headline this landmark event,” said the former longtime UFC champion, who joined One in 2018. Courtesy Aaron Pan/ONE ChampionshipWhat “true martial arts” means in new-era combat sports is certainly up for interpretation. That’s more true to the spirit of martial arts and its traditional values.

☆ With Russia's role in the global energy system falling, a select few nations are set to benefit
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Russia's role as a global energy player is set to diminish, and the U.S. and Qatar are among a slew of nations ready to fill its shoes, analysts told CNBC. "Russia's global LNG supply share will almost certainly decline this decade," Henning Gloystein, a director for energy, climate, and natural resources at political consultancy Eurasia Group told CNBC. He noted that its role in the liquefied natural gas space was retreating even before the country's invasion of Ukraine last year. Western sanctions, which resulted from the onslaught of its neighbor, further sapped most foreign investment out of Russia's LNG sector. He added that the total capacity for Russia's LNG facilities to produce natural gas will remain flat at 37 million tons over the next few years.

REUTERS/Tyrone SiuTAIPEI, March 13 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence spending this year will focus on preparing weapons and equipment for a "total blockade" by China, including parts for F-16 fighters and replenishing weapons, the military said in a report. Xi also said that when it came to Taiwan, China must oppose pro-independence and secessionist activities and the interference of external forces. Taiwan's defence ministry said China has systematically increased the strength of its "joint combat readiness" actions around Taiwan. That is more than double the number from a year earlier and poses a "substantial threat" to Taiwan's defence, the ministry said. China has been "normalising" no-navigation zones around the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Taiwan Strait, the ministry added.

☆ Column: The devil's metal strikes again in Trafigura nickel fraud case
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Andy Home | Thomson Reuters | Senior Metals Columnist Who Previously Covered Industrial Metals Markets For Metals Week | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Appearances can be deceptive when it comes to nickel, as Trafigura has just found out half a millennium later. Just as it's impossible to say whether some of the recent price volatility on the LME nickel contract was down to Trafigura restructuring hedge positions. The problem is that LME nickel trading has been volatile and unpredictable ever since last year's meltdown. There is now also a growing crisis of confidence in the world of physical nickel trading. Nickel could really do with a reputational break but recent history suggests it's just a matter of time before the devil's metal strikes again.

October 2022 Wang Linfang,92, molecular biologist Four members of China’s two most prestigious academic institutions died in October – in line with the average in recent years. October 2022 Wang Linfang,92, molecular biologist Four members of China’s two most prestigious academic institutions died in October – in line with the average in recent years. Zhang Guocheng, 91 Zhao Zisen, 90, developed China’s first practical optical fiber Tang Hongxiao, 91 The obituaries began accumulating. October 2022 Wang Linfang,92, molecular biologist Four members of China’s two most prestigious academic institutions died in October – in line with the average in recent years. October 2022 Wang Linfang,92, molecular biologist Four members of China’s two most prestigious academic institutions died in October – in line with the average in recent years.

Changes continued Monday as authorities announced a deactivation of the “mobile itinerary card” health tracking function planned for the following day. But as the scrapping of parts of the zero-Covid infrastructure come apace, there are questions about how the country’s health system will handle a mass outbreak. Throughout the weekend, some businesses were closed in Beijing, and city streets were largely deserted, as residents either fell ill or feared catching the virus. Covid was “spreading rapidly” driven by highly transmissible Omicron variants in China, a top Covid-19 expert, Zhong Nanshan, said in an interview published by state media Saturday. Authorities recorded 8,626 Covid-19 cases across China on Sunday, down from the previous day’s count of 10,597 and from the high of more than 40,000 daily cases late last month.

[1/10] Chiang Chung-hao, 34, the lead singer of Taiwan's Air Force "Tiger Band" gets ready for flight check at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung, Taiwan, November 16, 2022. REUTERS/Ann WangTAITUNG, Taiwan, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Taiwan's air force may be on the front lines of defending against China's daily incursions into the skies near the democratically governed island, but for downtime and to boost morale they have a secret weapon - their own band. Started in 2018, the Taiwan air force's "Tiger Band" is made up of fighter pilots, ground crews and other personnel at the Chihhang air base in Taitung on Taiwan's mountainous and scenic east coast, singing soft rock ballads with an indigenous twist. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims, including staging war games near the island in August. Band member Kao Tzu-yu, 32, who was inspired to become a fighter pilot after seeing Taiwan's air force's acrobatic team the Thunder Tigers perform, trains new pilots by simulating enemy tactics.

☆ Cambodian PM to give luxury watches as ASEAN summit souvenirs
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] A view of the mechanism of a wristwatch intended as a souvenir for world leaders gathering at the ASEAN Cambodia 2022 summit, in this undated image obtained from social media on November 10, 2022. Hun Sen official Facebook page/via REUTERSPHNOM PENH, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, an aficionado of luxury watches, will hand out intricate, locally made timepieces as souvenirs for world leaders at an international summit he is hosting this week. "These watches have been prepared and assembled by pure Cambodian technicians, which is part of scientific and technology and developments of Cambodia," Hun Sen wrote of the 25 limited-edition watches. While some Cambodians criticised the extravagance of the high-end gift, others praised Hun Sen for promoting the country's fledgling watchmaking ambitions. Sok Eysan, a spokesperson for Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party, said there was "nothing political or strange" about the watches.

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