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China's inland space launch site advances commercial services![]() Jiuquan, China (XNA) Apr 07, 2023 The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, which is currently China's only site for launching manned spacecraft into orbit, is looking to tap into the burgeoning commercial market by offering more services and stronger capabilities. Located in northwest China's Gobi Desert, the Jiuquan launch center has carried out numerous space missions since its establishment in 1958. It frequented media China's inland space launch site advances commercial servicess for launching Chinese space station taikonauts over ... read more |
Privately built, liquid-fuel rocket first in world to reach orbit in debut flightBeijing (XNA) Apr 04, 2023 The TL 2, a carrier rocket developed by Space Pioneer, reached orbit on Sunday afternoon, becoming the first privately built, liquid-fuel rocket in China to reach orbit. The rocket blasted off ... more
China ends Taiwan war games aimed at 'sealing off' islandPingtan, China (AFP) April 10, 2023 China declared it had "successfully completed" three days of war games around Taiwan on Monday, capping a show of force that saw it simulate targeted strikes and practise a blockade of the self-ruled island. ... more
Taiwan's frontline islanders resigned in face of Chinese military mightMatsu , Taiwan (AFP) April 10, 2023 At a beach on a windswept Taiwanese archipelago just a few miles from mainland China, Lin Ke-qiang offers a gloomy prediction: should war ever break out with Beijing, his island does not stand a chance. ... more
Japan says scrambled jets because of China aircraft carrierTokyo (AFP) April 10, 2023 Japan said Monday it had scrambled jets in recent days as Chinese fighter planes landed and took off from an aircraft carrier deployed near southern Japan and Taiwan. ... more |
Strong quake hits off eastern Malaysia
Italian alpinist found dead in Swiss avalanche Morocco flood evacuees mark muted Ramadan away from home Rescuers recover final body after deadly California avalanche Afghanistan quake causes no 'serious' damage, injuries: official Kabul shakes as 5.8-magnitude earthquake hits eastern Afghanistan Strong earthquake rocks eastern Afghanistan: AFP journalists Deadly California avalanche search to go through weekend Deadly Indonesia floods force a deforestation reckoning Three killed in Austria Alps avalanches: police |
| Previous Issues | Apr 07 | Apr 06 | Apr 05 | Apr 04 | Apr 03 |
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US says naval destroyer sails through Beijing-claimed waters in South China SeaWashington (AFP) April 10, 2023 The US Navy said its guided-missile destroyer the USS Milius sailed through waters claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea in a "freedom of navigation" operation on Monday. ... more
Macron says Europe must not be 'follower' of US, China on TaiwanParis (AFP) April 9, 2023 French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview published Sunday that Europe must not be a "follower" of either the US or China on Taiwan, saying that the bloc risks entanglement in "crises that aren't ours". ... more
US radio broadcaster NPR halts tweets in Twitter rowWashington (AFP) April 7, 2023 US radio NPR upheld a freeze of activity on Twitter Friday as a report said Elon Musk was revisiting his decision to label the highly respected broadcaster as "state affiliated." ... more
French top diplomat in rare meeting with Iran counterpart in BeijingParis (AFP) April 7, 2023 France's foreign minister has held a rare face-to-face meeting with her Iranian counterpart in China, urging Tehran to release French nationals "arbitrarily detained" in Iran, the foreign ministry said Friday. ... more |
N. Korea confirms new Chinese ambassador started post in PyongyangSeoul (AFP) April 7, 2023 North Korea on Friday confirmed Beijing's new ambassador to Pyongyang has taken up his post in the nation's capital, after a rigid blockade maintained since the start of the pandemic. ... more
Kremlin sees no prospect of Chinese mediation on UkraineMoscow (AFP) April 6, 2023 The Kremlin on Thursday said it saw no "prospect" for China to mediate the Ukraine conflict and that it had "no other way" than to press on with its offensive. ... more
Iran-Saudi deal boosts hopes for more Gulf cooperationTehran (AFP) April 6, 2023 Iran's resumption of diplomatic ties with long-time rival Saudi Arabia has raised the Islamic republic's hopes for improved security, economic and trade cooperation with its neighbours and within the Gulf. ... more
China propping up Russia's economy: NATO chiefBrussels (AFP) April 5, 2023 NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday China was sustaining Russia's economy in the face of Western sanctions over the Ukraine war, as the alliance frets over closer Beijing-Moscow ties. ... more |
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Macron says 'counting' on Xi to 'bring Russia to its senses'Beijing (AFP) April 6, 2023 French President Emmanuel Macron told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday that he was counting on him to "bring Russia to its senses" over its war in Ukraine. ... more
China vows 'resolute' response to high-level US meet with Taiwan leaderBeijing (AFP) April 5, 2023 China's foreign ministry on Thursday condemned the meeting between US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen in California, state media Xinhua reported. ... more
Musk's Twitter tags US radio NPR as 'state-affiliated'Washington (AFP) April 5, 2023 Twitter drew the anger of venerable US radio broadcaster NPR on Wednesday after the social media platform owned by Elon Musk tagged the news giant as a state-backed entity. ... more
'We need to know': WHO says China has more on Covid originGeneva (AFP) April 6, 2023 The World Health Organization said Thursday it was sure China had far more data that could shed light on the origins of Covid, demanding Beijing immediately share all relevant information. ... more
IMF chief encouraged by China's 'assurances' on Zambia debtWashington (AFP) April 6, 2023 The IMF's managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, told AFP Thursday that she was given fresh assurances during a recent high-level trip to Beijing that China supports a debt restructuring program for Zambia. ... more |
![]() Honduras shrimp industry worried by diplomatic break with Taiwan |
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China's inland space launch site advances commercial services Jiuquan, China (XNA) Apr 07, 2023
The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, which is currently China's only site for launching manned spacecraft into orbit, is looking to tap into the burgeoning commercial market by offering more services and stronger capabilities.
Located in northwest China's Gobi Desert, the Jiuquan launch center has carried out numerous space missions since its establishment in 1958. It frequented media Chin ... more |
'Young and energetic' Macron wins Chinese fans Beijing (AFP) April 7, 2023 French President Emmanuel Macron met a warm welcome from the Chinese public on his state visit this week, a sharp contrast to the ongoing anger and protests against pension reforms back home.
Macron's three-day trip is intended to strengthen economic ties and press Beijing on the Ukraine crisis - but many in China were charmed by the 45-year-old head of state, praising his looks and relaxed ... more |
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Kremlin sees no prospect of Chinese mediation on Ukraine Moscow (AFP) April 6, 2023
The Kremlin on Thursday said it saw no "prospect" for China to mediate the Ukraine conflict and that it had "no other way" than to press on with its offensive.
The comments came as French President Emmanuel Macron was in Beijing to try to dissuade China from supporting Moscow's campaign.
"Undoubtedly, China has a very effective and commanding potential for mediation," Kremlin spokesman ... more |
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UN nuclear chief holds talks with Russian officials Moscow (AFP) April 5, 2023
UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi met with Russian officials in Kaliningrad on Wednesday for talks to ensure the safety of the Moscow-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
His trip to the Russian exclave, which is wedged between Poland and Lithuania, came a week after he visited the embattled plant, where he said he was working on a safety plan that would suit both Kyiv and Moscow. ... more |
US radio broadcaster NPR halts tweets in Twitter row Washington (AFP) April 7, 2023
US radio NPR upheld a freeze of activity on Twitter Friday as a report said Elon Musk was revisiting his decision to label the highly respected broadcaster as "state affiliated."
Twitter earlier this week designated Washington-based National Public Radio as "state-affiliated media," branding the venerable news outlet in the same way as government-owned Chinese and Russian platforms.
In i ... more |
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UN nuclear chief holds talks with Russian officials Moscow (AFP) April 5, 2023
UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi met with Russian officials in Kaliningrad on Wednesday for talks to ensure the safety of the Moscow-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
His trip to the Russian exclave, which is wedged between Poland and Lithuania, came a week after he visited the embattled plant, where he said he was working on a safety plan that would suit both Kyiv and Moscow. ... more |
Wind project near S.African elephant park riles activists Johannesburg, South Africa (AFP) March 31, 2023
Plans to build wind farms next to a South African national park have riled wildlife activists who worry the turbines will ruin the landscape and impact elephants.
More than 200 turbines are slated to be erected in the vicinity of the Addo Elephant National Park, in the country's south, after the Environment Ministry dismissed a legal bid to block the project last year.
The decision has u ... more |
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In rural America, big solar projects often get a frosty welcome Fulton, United States (AFP) April 3, 2023
From her century-old home, Susan Burns has watched the sun set over her cousin's field every day for 75 years. Now her cousin has agreed to have solar panels installed on the field, and an unhappy Burns finds herself in a fight.
Huge solar farms are being planned in this corner of Missouri, and as in other rural areas of the United States, residents sometimes are yanking the welcome mat. ... more |
French top diplomat in rare meeting with Iran counterpart in Beijing Paris (AFP) April 7, 2023
France's foreign minister has held a rare face-to-face meeting with her Iranian counterpart in China, urging Tehran to release French nationals "arbitrarily detained" in Iran, the foreign ministry said Friday.
Catherine Colonna, travelling with President Emmanuel Macron on his state visit to China, met Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Beijing.
Amir-Abdollohian was leading the Iranian delegati ... more |
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Rheinmetall to open maintenance hub for Ukraine weapons Frankfurt, Germany (AFP) April 3, 2023
German arms firm Rheinmetall said Monday it would soon open a maintenance centre in Romania for military equipment used in Ukraine's battle against Russian forces.
The company said the "service hub" near Satu Mare in northern Romania, close to the border with Ukraine and Hungary, was set to become operational before the end of April.
The maintenance centre will "play a central role in ma ... more |
Japan changes rules to allow aid to foreign militaries Tokyo (AFP) April 5, 2023
Japan will begin offering aid to the militaries of "like-minded countries" under new rules announced Wednesday, as Tokyo builds a more proactive defence strategy to address growing regional threats.
The new framework will be separate from other types of aid offered by Japan, and will specifically target "enhancing the security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries", the govern ... more |
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AI bot ChatGPT faces growing scrutiny in Europe Paris (AFP) April 5, 2023
France's data regulator said on Wednesday it had received two complaints about the AI program ChatGPT, as European authorities deepened their scrutiny of the chatbot days after Italy banned it.
ChatGPT, created by US firm OpenAI, has provided a global hit by demonstrating an ability to generate essays, poems and conversations from the briefest of prompts - as well as passing tough exams. ... more |
Plastic pollution is scourge of English coastal region Millbrook, United Kingdom (AFP) April 9, 2023
On an early spring afternoon, Tregantle Beach is bathed in a dazzling light reminiscent of a painting by British landscape artist JMW Turner as sea, sky and sun merge.
"It's beautiful, right? But look at your feet," says Rob Arnold, 65, an environmental activist and artist, crouching down to pick tiny plastic balls, or "nurdles", sometimes nicknamed "mermaids' tears", out of the Cornwall san ... more |
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China ends Taiwan war games aimed at 'sealing off' island Pingtan, China (AFP) April 10, 2023 China declared it had "successfully completed" three days of war games around Taiwan on Monday, capping a show of force that saw it simulate targeted strikes and practise a blockade of the self-ruled island.
Beijing's exercises were a response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week, an encounter it had warned would provoke strong countermea ... more |
Turkey suspends air links with Iraqi Kurdish city Ankara (AFP) April 5, 2023
Turkey has closed its airspace to flights from the Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah, blaming increased activity of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the foreign ministry announced Wednesday.
Ankara shut down air links on Monday and the freeze on flights would last until at least July 3 before being reviewed, said the ministry statement.
"This decision has been taken in the context of ... more |
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