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☆ Zhang Yongzhen: Chinese virologist shared crucial Covid-19 data. Then his research hit hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Yong Xiong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The ordeal is just the latest hindrance to Zhang’s research since 2020, according to a colleague who has been in contact with the Chinese scientist in recent years. The “institute always respects … and supports scientific researchers and students in carrying out normal research work,” the statement said. The earlier post by Zhang’s students said the two days originally allocated by the center for them to move their scientific work was insufficient. Following the release of the data, Zhang’s lab had limitations placed on it, which barred it from isolating the Covid virus, Holmes said. That included imposing restrictions by April 2020 on the publication of academic research on the origins of the novel coronavirus.

Persons: Zhang Yongzhen’s, Zhang, ”, hadn’t, Hector Retamal, Edward Holmes, Holmes, ” Holmes, “, He’s, Zhang Yongzhen, ” Zhang, “ He’s, It’s, virologist Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Shanghai, Health, Weibo, Zhang’s, Chinese Center for Disease Control, CNN, Fudan University, Health Clinical, Getty, World Health Organization, Nature, University, Sydney, CDC, China’s National Health Commission, Oxford University Press, Shanghai Public Health Center, Natural Science Foundation of China Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Wuhan, AFP, Beijing

☆ He was once hailed as the pride of China. Now nationalists are coming for this Nobel laureate
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Now, some of China’s most zealous online nationalists have a new target in their crosshairs: the country’s first officially recognized Nobel laureate. Mo Yan receives the 2012 Nobel Literature Prize from King Carl Gustaf of Sweden during an award ceremony on December 10, 2012 in Stockholm. He accused Wu of creating a publicity stunt by “maliciously framing” the Nobel laureate and taking his words out of context. In 2011, he was named the vice chairman of the state-run Chinese Writers Association – an appointment that could not have been made without the blessing of the party. In 2022, Sima Nan, a nationalist pundit known for his inflammatory criticism of the United States, famously accused Mo’s Nobel win of being a Western effort to smear China.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — They’ve, Mo Yan, Xi Jinping, Xi, Wu Wanzheng, Mao Xinghuo, Wu, Guan Moye, –, Mo, King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, Jonathan Nackstrand, ” Zhang Yongsheng, Hu Xijin, Hu, ”, Murong Xuecun, “ Xi, Mao, Writers Association –, Liu Xiaobo, Liu, caricaturize, “, doesn’t, Sima Nan, Mo’s Nobel, ” Murong Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Communist Party, Communist, Getty, Red Guards, Tongji University, Global Times, Writers Association, Chinese Writers Association Locations: China, Hong Kong, Mo, Weibo, Stockholm, AFP, Shanghai, Beijing, Shandong, United States

☆ Ultraprocessed foods linked to 50% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and developing other health conditions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Eating ultraprocessed foods raises the risk of developing or dying from dozens of adverse health conditions, according to a new review of 45 meta-analyses on almost 10 million people. All the studies in the review were published in the past three years, and none was funded by companies involved in the production of ultraprocessed foods, the authors said. “People who are having depressive symptoms or anxiety may seek out ultraprocessed foods for various reasons such as self-comfort,” she said. jenifoto/iStockphoto/Getty Images“Two-thirds of the calories children consume in the US are ultraprocessed, while about 60% of adult diets are ultraprocessed,” Zhang said. In addition, it’s nearly impossible to avoid temptation, as over 70% of the US food supply is made of ultraprocessed food.

Persons: ”, Wolfgang Marx, Heinz Freisling, Freisling, “, Melissa Lane, “ It’s, Fang Fang Zhang, Zhang, Mathilde Touvier, Touvier, Carlos Monteiro, Monteiro, ” Monteiro, nutritionists, ” Zhang, it’s, Marx, Lane Organizations: CNN, Centre, Deakin University, Health Organization’s International Agency for Research, Cancer, Deakin, Tufts University, French National Institute of Health, Medical Research, Health, Nutrition, University of São Paulo, NOVA Locations: Geelong, Australia, Boston, Brazil, United States, United Kingdom, Canada

☆ How flying taxis could go mainstream
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Sarah Sloat | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But some experts say if air taxis are going to go mainstream, an overlooked element will need to be scaled up: software. One part is the physical infrastructure, such as a vertiport — where air taxis can take off, land, and recharge. Because it’s a self-flying aircraft, there are unique software needs, Becky Tanner, the chief marketing officer at Wisk, told BI. Courtesy of VolocopterVolocopter also sees a “stand-alone business case” for VoloIQ as a third-party software, Seywald said. Getting air taxis in the skies could hinge on the customersSoftware is an essential part of the success of a mobility provider, Seywald told BI.

Persons: you’re, it’s, ”, Yu Yu Zhang, ” Zhang, Zhang, There’s, Susan Shaheen, ” Shaheen, Becky Tanner, ” Tanner, VoloIQ, Klaus Seywald, Seywald, Volocopter, ” Seywald, Shaheen Organizations: Newark Liberty International Airport, Infrastructure, US, AAM, Federal Aviation Administration, Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of California, Sustainability Research Center, Purdue University, Aerovy Mobility, Boeing, Wisk, Microsoft, Software, “ Locations: Manhattan, Berkeley, Wisk, German, Paris, Rome

☆ Lose that belly by working out extra hard on weekends, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“Our results indicated that there was no difference between the weekend warrior pattern and regularly active pattern in abdominal and general adiposity (fat),” Zhang said in an email. The average weekend warrior workout was of higher intensity and longer duration than weekday workouts by people in the study, Zhang said. In fact, weekend warriors in the study spent 147.6 minutes — almost the entire recommendation for a week — in each exercise session over the two-day period. That perseverance paid off when it came to belly fat, the study found. “On a high level, this study reaffirms the old adage about physical activity and health: any activity is better than no activity, said Tchang, who was not involved in the research.

Persons: ”, Lihua Zhang, ” Zhang, Zhang, Andrew Freeman, “, Freeman, Martin Novak, Beverly Tchang, Tchang Organizations: CNN’s, CNN, World Health Organization, United, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Jewish Health, National Health, Getty, Control, Weill Cornell Medicine Locations: United States, Beijing, Denver , Colorado, New York City

☆ A photographer’s fantastical portrait of rural China during Lunar New Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —In photographer Zhang Xiao’s images of the Shehuo festival, an ancient celebration still observed in parts of northern China during the Lunar New Year, rural life comes alive with something altogether more fantastical. (Lunar New Year celebrations usually last more than two weeks, with Shehuo festival taking place on the season’s 15th and final day.) “In some villages, virtually the entire population has been mobilized to produce and sell Shehuo props,” the photographer writes in his book. Shehuo performers reenact a battle between China's Eighth Route Army and Japanese forces from the Second Sino-Japanese War. “People are not focused on how to improve product quality and craftsmanship,” said the photographer, who is currently working on a documentary about life in rural China.

Persons: Zhang Xiao’s, ” Zhang, “, …, ”, Zhang Xiao, —, Zhang, Zhang Xiao “, — Zhang, reenact Organizations: CNN, roosters, dreamworld, UNESCO, Harvard University’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, Eighth Route Army, Aperture, Peabody Museum Press, Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Ethnology Locations: China, Huanghuayu, Shaanxi, Henan, Huozhuang, Henan province, China’s Shandong, Chengdu, Cambridge , Massachusetts

☆ Huawei’s offices in France raided by financial prosecutors
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Chris Liakos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Paris/Hong Kong CNN —The French offices of Chinese tech giant Huawei were searched this week, the company confirmed Friday, saying it was fully cooperating with the authorities. The Shenzhen-based firm told CNN that the search had taken place Tuesday. While Huawei France does not wish to comment on an ongoing investigation, the company remains confident about its conclusions,” a spokesperson said. Speaking to French public radio in December, Minggang Zhang, deputy general manager of Huawei France, said the factory would begin operations by the end of 2025 in the Alsace region. “Every year, we invest some €80 million or more in research in France,” Zhang told radio network France Inter.

Persons: “, ”, Minggang Zhang, ” Zhang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Huawei, CNN, “ Huawei, Huawei France, France Inter, “ Locations: China, Paris, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, France, Huawei France, Alsace, “

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia accused the United States on Monday of aggression against Iraq and Syria aimed at preserving its global dominance and salvaging the Biden administration’s “image” ahead of U.S. elections. Many council members expressed fears of a growing Mideast conflict and urged de-escalation and stepped-up peace efforts. Wood stressed that the United States doesn’t want more conflict in a region where it is “actively working to contain and deescalate the conflict in Gaza." "And we are not seeking a direct conflict with Iran,” Wood said “But we will continue to defend our personnel against unacceptable attacks. Ambassador Zhang Jun, a Russian ally, echoed her concerns about escalating tensions and actions, and pointed a finger at the United States.

Persons: Russia’s U.N, Vassily Nebenzia, ”, Robert Wood, Wood, ” Wood, “, Iran’s U.N, Amir Saeid Iravani, ” Iravani, ” U.N, Rosemary DiCarlo, Antonio Guterres, U.N, Zhang Jun, ” Zhang, Algeria’s U.N, Amar Bendjama, ” Bendjama Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, —, Biden, Security, U.S, . Army Locations: — Russia, United States, Iraq, Syria, U.S, Iranian, Russia, Syria’s, Israel, Lebanon, Sea, Yemen, Syrian Arab Republic, Russian, Iran, Jordanian, Monday’s, Gaza

☆ The Match: Female golfers take part in competition for the first time in historic edition
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Callum Sutherland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —From NFL quarterback greats locking horns to clashes between golf’s most notorious rivals, Capital One’s The Match series has delivered on a unique approach to entertainment in recent years. Next month, the ninth and latest edition is set to make even more history: for the first time, the series will include female participants. ET (11:30 p.m. GMT) on February 26, Capital One’s The Match will take place under lights across a 12-hole event at The Park course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Warren Little/Getty ImagesAt 28, Thompson is already a seasoned champion, boasting a major title – the 2014 Chevron Championship – among her 11 LPGA Tour victories. In October, she became just the seventh woman to compete on the PGA Tour.

Persons: Rory McIlroy, Lexi Thompson, Rose Zhang, Max Homa, Michael Reaves, –, Jay Monahan, ’ McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Jordan, ”, McIlroy, ” McIlroy, “ It’ll, Thompson, Zhang, Warren Little, Jennifer Kupcho, “ It’s, Homa Organizations: CNN, NFL, Capital, TNT Sports, USA, Golf, Hawaii, PGA, JT, Hero Dubai, LPGA, Northern Ireland, Emirates Golf Club, Chevron, –, Stanford, Mizuho, Team Europe, Ryder, Turner Sports, Warner Bros, Discovery, Warner Bros . Locations: West Palm Beach , Florida, United States, Florida, American, Rome

stressing that the war could end tomorrow if Moscow withdrew hundreds of thousands of troops in Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory. Russia called the council meeting to again sharply criticize Western military aid to Ukraine. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya who read a joint statement underscoring Russia’s “hypocrisy” in criticizing lawful arms transfers to help Ukraine defend itself. But the Chinese ambassador criticized Ukraine for seeking to join NATO and warned Kyiv, without naming Russia, that this would deepen Moscow’s security concerns. “The negative impacts of the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have added snow to the icy cold global economy,” Zhang said.

Persons: —, Sergey Lavrov, ”, Robert Wood, Lavrov's, Vladimir Putin, that's, ” Wood, Sergiy Kyslytsya, underscoring, Ukraine’s, “, U.N, Zhang Jun, ” Zhang, Zhang, Lavrov, Wood, Malta's, Vanessa Frazier, ” Frazier Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, Kyiv, . Security Council, North Korea —, NATO, Russia, Palestinian Locations: United States, Moscow, China, Russia’s, Russia, Ukraine, Washington, London, Paris, Brussels, Ukraine’s, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, U.S

☆ Will Rose Zhang Be Golf’s Next Tiger Woods?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Emily Bobrow | Photographs Christopher Lee For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

At 20 years old, golf phenom Rose Zhang has a reputation for poise under pressure—for being calm and disciplined in her approach to the game and her expectations about herself. Although known for breaking records and dominating the competition as an amateur, in June when she became the first woman in more than 70 years to win her professional golf debut, she expressed surprise: “I honestly didn’t even expect to make the cut.” After tying for third in the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in late October, she said she just feels “really lucky,” adding: “I still have lots to learn.”Under that demeanor is a fierce drive. “Even though I’m considered pretty mellow, pretty chill, I definitely do have a very competitive spirit,” Zhang says over video from Malaysia just before the Maybank tournament. She has admitted that as a rising star on golf’s junior circuit in Southern California, she kept her 25 or so gold medals but threw away up to 20 silver ones, because who cares about second place? “I think that fight in me, that grind, has definitely allowed me to be where I am now,” she says.

Persons: Rose Zhang, “, I’m, ” Zhang, ” Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Southern California

☆ China blames Canada for ‘malicious, provocative’ moves after close midair intercepts over South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nectar Gan | Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —China has accused Canada of carrying out “malicious and provocative” actions in the South China Sea, after the Canadian Navy said Chinese fighter jets endangered a helicopter in two close intercepts above international waters. However, the Canadian helicopter not only refused to respond, but also took provocative actions such as flying at ultra-low altitudes,” Zhang said in a statement posted on the ministry’s website. China claims historic jurisdiction over almost the entirety of the vast South China Sea, which is a resource rich and vital international shipping route. In 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague concluded that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to the bulk of the South China Sea. In mid-October, a Chinese fighter jet came within 5 meters (16 feet) of a Canadian CP-140 reconnaissance and surveillance plane over the East China Sea.

Persons: Rob Millen, Bill Blair, ” Zhang Xiaogang, Canada’s, ” Zhang, Millen, Iain Huddleston, Huddleston, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Canadian Navy, CNN, Canadian, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, . Canadian Defense, China’s Defense Ministry, Chinese Defense Ministry, Liberation Army, 1st Air Division, Radio Canada, Canada’s Defense Ministry, Ministry Locations: China, Hong Kong, Canada, South China, Chinese, Ottawa, China’s, Vietnam, Taiwan, Beijing, The Hague, East

In the wake of Matthew Perry's death at 54, fans in China are mourning the loss of the star who felt less like a distant celebrity and more like an old friend. “People shared their own memories about Chandler and ‘Friends’ and many teared up.”A large poster displayed on the bar featured pictures of Perry over the years. Once Chinese fans added Mandarin subtitles to the show, which ran in the U.S. from 1994 to 2004, it quickly gained a following. “This TV show actually offered a way to imagine this kind of so-called metropolitan utopian imagination.”Many Chinese fans learned English through watching the show and got a peek into American life and culture. “It feels like I just got to know this long-lost friend, but he’s just gone.”___Fu Ting reported from Washington.

Persons: Long, ”, Matthew Perry's, Chandler Bing, Nie Yanxia, Chandler, Perry, Xian Wang, ” wasn't, China —, Wang, ” Wang, Nilufar Arkin, Monica, “, ” Arkin, ” Fu Xueying, ” Fu, Zhang Fengguang, Sun Tiantian, Zhang, Sun, ” Zhang, he’s, Fu Ting, Han Guan Ng Organizations: University of Notre Dame, Associated Press Locations: China, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Sohu, U.S, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xinjiang, Guangzhou, Washington

☆ Li Keqiang: Death of China’s former premier offers glimpse into discontent with Xi Jinping
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Cnn Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —The sudden death of China’s former Premier Li Keqiang has spurred an outpouring of grief and mourning across the country. But for many, it also appears to offer a rare opening to air pent-up discontent with top leader Xi Jinping and the direction he has taken the country. His death, just months after his retirement, shocked the Chinese public. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang review a guard of honor prior to a meeting at the Chancellery on July 9, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits a hospital in Wuhan on January 27, 2020, days after the city was placed under a complete lockdown to curb the raging Covid-19 outbreak.

Persons: Li Keqiang, Xi Jinping, Li, Xi –, ”, Alfred Wu, Lee, “, Xi, Angela Merkel, Sean Gallup, Zhang Lun, Mao Zedong, Zhang, “ I’ve, Wu, Li Tao, Zhou Enlai, Mao, Hu Yaobang, Fish Leong, ” Zhang Organizations: CNN, Communist, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public Policy, Getty, Studies, University of Cergy, Peking University, Li, AP Party, Communist Party, Xinhua, CPC, Party Locations: Shanghai, China, Singapore, German, Berlin, Germany, Pontoise, France, Communist China, Wuhan, AFP, Yunnan province, Weibo, Malaysian, Hefei, Anhui, Zhengzhou, Henan, Beijing

☆ China PMI: Factory activity unexpectedly contracts in October as demand drops
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s massive manufacturing sector has contracted once again amid weak demand, fueling calls for stronger policy support to boost growth. Fewer working days in October due to the Golden Week holiday, which spanned September 29 to October 6, affected the manufacturing PMI, according to the NBS. “The unexpected decline of manufacturing PMI shows the recovery in China is a bumpy road as domestic demand is still quite weak,” said Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist for Pinpoint Asset Management. The NBS survey showed that new factory orders declined in October from the previous month, pointing to a drop in demand. Overall, “the weak PMI reinforces the case for stronger fiscal policy support,” Zhang said.

Persons: ”, Zhiwei Zhang, ” Zhang, Xi Jinping, “, Zhaopeng Xing Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Bureau of Statistics, PMI, Nomura, Authorities, ANZ Research, Bank of Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Hangzhou, Liuzhou, Bank of China

Noticeably missing from the line-up was China’s own defense minister. China would continue to “deepen strategic coordination” with Russia’s military, and it was willing, Zhang added, to develop China-US military relations. Security coordination between China and Russia has tightened in recent years amid rising tensions between each with the US and its allies. The security forum also comes as the US and China are attempting to navigate their contentious relationship that includes frictions over Taiwan and Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea. Its officials have declined American outreach for high level meetings, in what was widely seen as a protest against sanctions Washington placed on former defense minister Li in 2018, prior to his time as defense minister, for weapons purchases from Russia.

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, Li Shangfu, Xi Jinping, –, Zhang Youxia, ” Zhang, Xi’s, ”, Zhang, Russia’s Shoigu, Shoigu, ” Shoigu, Vladimir Putin, Xi, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Li, Wu Qian, ” Wu Organizations: CNN, Russian, Communist Party, Central Military, Global Security, Beijing, Washington, US, Xanthi, Defense Locations: China, Beijing, Moscow, United States, US, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Washington, South, Taiwan, Palestine, Asia, Pacific, South China, Xanthi Carras

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Rose Zhang birdied the 18th hole Saturday for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Maybank Championship on the LPGA Tour. The American had an 18-under total of 198 on the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club course. “I just feel like being able to have this opportunity to come into the final round with a little bit of a lead is really great,” Zhang said. Kim Sei-young of South Korea was in fourth place after a 65, three strokes behind Zhang. Minjee Lee of Australia won last week’s stop in South Korea in a playoff and the final tournament is next week’s Toto Classic in Japan.

Persons: — Rose Zhang birdied, “, ” Zhang, Atthaya Thitikul, Jasmine Suwannapura, Kim Sei, Zhang, Minjee Lee, Toto Organizations: LPGA, Australia Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Thai, South Korea, Japan

☆ Country Garden has defaulted on its debt. What’s next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s giant property developer Country Garden has been declared in default on its debt after failing to make a bond repayment by a final deadline of October 18. It’s similar to an insurance product in that it can protect buyers against losses arising from debt default by a company or government. Country Garden, formerly China’s largest homebuilder, missed the payment on a $500 million bond as it battles a liquidity crisis. “Country Garden was once considered a safe name, even as peers like Evergrande and Sunac China went bankrupt around them. What’s next for Country Garden?

Persons: JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Jeff Zhang, ”, John Bringardner, What’s, “, ” Zhang, Bringardner Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CDS, Citadel Americas, Morningstar, Country Garden, Sunac Locations: Hong Kong, Sunac China, New York, China

☆ Apple iPhone maker Foxconn being investigated in China as founder runs for Taiwan presidency
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —Taiwan’s Foxconn, one of Apple’s largest suppliers, is being investigated by authorities in China, according to state media. Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, has iPhone factories in Guangdong and Henan, including the world’s largest in the city of Zhengzhou. The company’s listed unit in Shanghai, Foxconn Industrial Internet, plummeted by its daily limit of 10% on Monday. Terry Gou, Foxconn founder, announces bid for Taiwan presidency during a press event in Taipei on August 28. The crackdown came despite repeated calls from Chinese leaders to welcome more foreign investment to boost the country’s slowing economy.

Persons: Taiwan’s, Terry Gou, won’t, Foxconn, “, ”, Brock Silvers, Gou, Hai, ” Gou, Ann Wang, Lai Ching, — Hou Yu, Ko Wen, Zhang Wensheng, ” Zhang, Silvers Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Global Times, CNN, Hai Precision Industry, Foxconn Technology, WPP, drugmaker Astellas Pharma, Kaiyuan, “, Apple, Communist, Taiwan, Democratic People’s Party, ih, Kuomintang, Taiwan People’s Party, Beijing, China’s Xiamen University, Financial Times, Shanghai, Economic Observer Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Henan, Hubei, Zhengzhou, Shanghai, Taipei, Taiwan

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors Sunday, with the United States demanding all 15 members strongly condemn “these heinous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas,” but it took no immediate action. U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said afterward that “a good number of countries” did condemn the Hamas attack but not all council members. He said Beijing condemns all attacks on civilians, though he did not mention Hamas. Malta’s U.N. ambassador, Vanessa Frazier, who called for the meeting, said she didn't know if the council would adopt a statement, but added that any condemnation must be mostly against Hamas. Council members were briefed virtually by U.N. Mideast envoy Tor Wennesland.

Persons: Robert Wood, Russia’s U.N, Vassily Nebenzia, ”, “, ” Nebenzia, Zhang Jun, ” Zhang, “ What’s, ” Wood, impportant, we’ve, Russia’s Nebenzia, Malta’s U.N, Vanessa Frazier, Tor Wennesland, Nebenzia, Wennesland, Lana Nusseibeh, Wood, Biden, Gilad Erdan, ” Riyad Mansour Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, . Security, Associated Press, Security Council, U.N, United Arab Emirates, Hamas, Israel Locations: United States, Russia, Beijing, Palestinian, Gaza, Israel

Beijing CNN —A decade ago, Zhang Weili was handing out flyers to rushing commuters in front of her local subway station. Zhang, born in China’s northern Hebei province, is her country’s first and only champion in US-based promotion the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Our preparations and tactics were spot on,” Zhang told CNN from Black Tiger Fight Club in Beijing. The Black Tiger Fight Club MMA gym in Beijing is where China's first and only UFC champion, Zhang Weili, trains. The Black Tiger Fight Club training area in Beijing, China.

Persons: Beijing CNN —, Zhang Weili, she’s, Zhang, Brazil’s Amanda Lemos, Joe Rogan, ” Zhang, “, Mengchen Zhang, Rose Namajunas, Namajunas, won’t, ”, CNN Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee, Cai Xuejun, ’, gesturing, didn’t Organizations: Beijing CNN, UFC, CNN, Black Tiger Fight Club, Fight Club, Fight, MMA Locations: Beijing, China’s, Hebei, “, Lemos, China, Lithuanian, Jacksonville , Florida

REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Files Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - China's top energy official has called for more secrecy in the country’s energy sector to protect national security in an increasingly hostile international environment. U.S. officials are keen to play down analogies between the intensifying strategic rivalry between China and the United States and the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The result is likely to be a more suspicious and cautious approach to cooperation on energy issues including emissions reductions. He warned about the increasing information security risks posed by smart phones, social media and hacking. Zhang called for “sober awareness” of these challenges and correct handling of the relationship between energy supply and energy security.

Persons: Thomas Peter, ” Zhang Jianhua, Zhang, Xi Jinping, John Kemp, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: REUTERS, National Energy Administration, Energy, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Wu'an, Hebei province, China, United States, Soviet Union, Ukraine

☆ Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The study authors said it’s the first nationally representative study of the potential effects of particle pollution on dementia in the US, and the link to dementia was most robust in areas with pollution from agriculture and wildfires. Pesticides are neurotoxins to animals, she said, so those may be the particles in agriculture pollution that are affecting human brains, as well. As for wildfires, the smoke doesn’t just come from burning trees; things like homes and gas stations burn too, becoming the particle pollution that people breathe in. The new study cannot determine the exact mechanism connecting particle pollution and dementia, but scientists have some theories. A study in England found that adults living with the highest annual concentration of air pollution had 1.4 times the dementia risk as those living with the lowest annual concentration.

Persons: it’s, ”, Sara Dubowsky Adar, Boya Zhang, Adar, Caleb Finch, William F, It’s, Masashi Kitazawa, Kitazawa, ” Kitazawa, Finch, Zhang, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ” Zhang, “ Organizations: CNN, US Environmental Protection Agency, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Pesticides, ARCO, William, Kieschnick, University of Southern, World Health, Alzheimer’s Association, University of California, Alzheimer’s, CNN Health, World Health Organization Locations: United States, University of Southern California, Irvine, Canada, England, California

☆ China’s sitting on a goldmine of genetic data – and it doesn’t want to share
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The national survey and restrictions on foreign access are part of new regulations on China’s genetic resources, which came into effect in July. The national genetic surveyBiobanking in China – meaning the collection of biological samples – is still “very fragmented,” and in an “embryonic stage,” said Zhang. But these concerns aren’t new – and the national genetic survey seems to be geared more toward scientific research than other purposes, several experts agreed. But China has another motive, too: establishing what some experts call “genomic sovereignty,” meaning full control of the genetic material within their country. While many other countries also have laws regulating the use and transfer of their population’s genetic material, few are as strict as China’s.

Persons: Guang Niu, ”, Joy Y, Zhang, you’re, Wei Liang, ICHPL, Anna Puglisi, Puglisi, States –, Katherine Wang, ” –, Wang, “, Sun, Xi Jinping, Jiankui, Anthony Wallace, ” Zhang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Central South University, Centre for Global Science, biosciences, Shanxi Province Reproductive Science, Communist Party, Georgetown’s Center for Security, Emerging Technology, Gray, Group, CNN, Ministry of Science, Technology, National Health Service, National Institutes of Health, NIH Locations: Hong Kong, China, Changsha, Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, States, “, Wuhan, Xinijang, Xinjiang, Beijing, AFP, Harvard

☆ UN Secretary General embraces calls for a new UN agency on AI in the face of ‘potentially catastrophic and existential risks’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The UN has an opportunity to set globally agreed-upon rules of the road for monitoring and regulating AI, Guterres said Tuesday at a first-ever meeting of the UN Security Council devoted to AI governance. Its creators themselves have warned that much bigger, potentially catastrophic and existential risks lie ahead. “China firmly opposes these behaviors.”Zhang’s remarks come on the heels of reports that the US government may seek to limit the flow of powerful artificial intelligence chips to China. Addressing the security council via teleconference, Jack Clark, the co-founder of the AI company Anthropic, urged member states not to allow private companies to dominate the development of artificial intelligence. “We cannot leave the development of artificial intelligence solely to private sector actors,” Clark said.

Persons: António Guterres, Guterres, ”, James, Zhang Jun, ” Zhang, Zhang’s, Jack Clark, ” Clark Organizations: CNN, United, UN, Council, ”, Tech Locations: United Nations, China, United States, teleconference

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