Podcasts about national development

On this episode, we're chatting through some good news and updates for cattle producers with WSR Insurance CEO Jim Vann and agent Matt Griffith. WSR Insurance is the exclusive insurance provider of the California Cattlemen's Association. We discuss the latest updates and opportunities in Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), including USDA's newly announced Beef Retention and National Development tool, as well as recent changes to Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) insurance and why now is the time to get your policies in place. If PRF hasn't been a great option for some of your acres in the past, now is the time to have a new conversation about whether these updates make it a better fit. Matt and Jim also share about weather forecasts, California's fire insurance market, and what else producers should have on their radar.Episode resouces:Get a quote from WSR: https://www.wsrins.com/ag-quoteContact Matt: https://www.wsrins.com/insurance-agents/matt-griffithContact Jim: https://www.wsrins.com/insurance-agents/jim-vannSubscribe to WSR's Weekly Weather Updates: https://www.wsrins.com/weatherText us your comments, feedback and episode ideas!

It's the Ranch It Up Radio Show! Join Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt, Rebecca Wanner AKA BEC and their crew as they hear the latest announcements from the USDA and the Trump Administration.  Plus the Meat Animal Research Center ranks Gelbvieh cows as number 1, hear the results and the latest sales calendar on this all new episode of the Ranch It Up Radio Show. This Saturday at 1:30 Pm eastern time, right here Rural Radio Channel 143 or the SiriusXM App. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel. Gelbvieh Cows Rise To The Top Data from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) shows that Gelbvieh females rank #1 for percent retail product. The 2025 Across-Breed EPD (Expected Progeny Difference) Table, released by the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) and compiled by geneticists Larry Kuehn and Mark Thallman at the USDA U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC), provides key performance benchmarks for the Gelbvieh breed compared to other beef breeds (using Angus as the baseline). Additionally, historical and cumulative USMARC Germplasm Evaluation (GPE) data highlights several notable performance characteristics of the Gelbvieh breed.  Key Performance Benchmarks Moderate Mature Size: In USMARC multi-breed evaluations, Gelbvieh stands out for having a significantly reduced and moderate mature cow weight (averaging roughly 145 lbs lighter than the Angus baseline). This moderation helps lower herd maintenance costs, making Gelbvieh females highly efficient feed converters. High Yield & Carcass Retail Product: Historically, Gelbvieh has ranked #1 for percent retail product among major evaluated beef breeds in USMARC progress reports, proving their exceptional carcass yield efficiency. Maternal Performance: Gelbvieh continues to rank in the top tier for average maternal milk ability, combined with reaching puberty at the youngest age and lightest body weight of the major Continental breeds.  2025 USMARC Across-Breed EPD Adjustment Factors for Gelbvieh To compare a Gelbvieh bull's EPD directly to an Angus bull, commercial producers use the specific USMARC adjustment factors. The 2025 adjustment factors for Gelbvieh relative to an Angus baseline of 0.0 include:  Birth Weight: +2.9 lbs (Gelbvieh maintains the lowest birth weights among the major Continental options) Weaning Weight: -15.5 lbs Yearling Weight: -27.1 lbs Maternal Milk: +8.2 lbs Marbling Score: -0.37 Ribeye Area: +0.66 sq. in. Fat Thickness: -0.066 in. Carcass Weight: +1.5 lbs  JBS Executive Met With Trump One Day Before Beef Import Announcement New reporting is raising questions about the timing of a meeting between a major JBS shareholder and President Donald Trump. According to The Wall Street Journal, Joesley Batista, a major shareholder in Brazilian meatpacker JBS, met with Trump at the White House on August 20th. The meeting reportedly included discussions about whether lowering the 26-percent tariff on Brazilian beef could help reduce high U.S. beef prices. The meeting happened just one day before Trump announced a major expansion of tariff-free beef imports. On August 21st, Trump announced that up to 300-thousand metric tons of beef, or about 661 million pounds, could enter the U.S. over the next 90 days without the additional tariff. Trump said the imported beef would be sold at 25 percent below current market prices. The administration says the move is designed to give consumers some relief from high beef prices while American ranchers rebuild the nation's cattle herd. But cattle groups are concerned. U.S. Cattlemen's Association President Justin Tupper says additional imports could hurt the market signals that are encouraging ranchers to rebuild their herds. National Cattlemen's Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall also says the policy could trade long-term herd expansion for short-term price relief. Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer says the 300-thousand metric tons sounds like a lot, but represents only about 2 percent of annual U.S. beef consumption. Schweitzer says the bigger concern is how packers and buyers could use the additional supply to pressure cattle prices. The timing of the Batista meeting has also drawn attention because JBS is one of the four largest beef processors in the United States. JBS is headquartered in Brazil but has a major presence in the American beef industry. The reporting does not establish that Batista caused or influenced Trump's decision to expand tariff-free beef imports. The administration had already been looking at ways to increase beef supplies and lower consumer prices. Meanwhile, Trump has also been criticizing consolidation in the beef packing industry and calling for ranchers to have more opportunities to process their own cattle. The bigger question for cattle producers is whether increased imports will actually lower prices for consumers — and whether those imports could weaken the market incentives ranchers need to rebuild the American cattle herd. REFERENCE: https://westernagnetwork.com/jbs-billionaire-met-with-trump-ahead-of-tariff-free-beef-import-move?fbclid=IwY2xjawUDwgdwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTJXcVFiOUFlYlVmVEdyREZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEejMaEAxo3R03ZI04un8ZIODnHU9HGmNRG3L2fWqI4ZsW7Q_MqPrnDKRPSKgs_aem__abaxtbnMpgIPVslwYWC_w https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/how-a-brazilian-billionaire-helped-shape-trumps-beef-import-plan-9f969669 Ranchers First: USDA Unveils Plan To Rebuild America's Cattle Herd On Monday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a major new effort aimed at rebuilding America's cattle herd and putting ranchers at the center of the nation's food supply. It's called the Ranchers First Initiative, and USDA says it builds on the Trump Administration's plan announced last October to strengthen the American beef industry.  The initiative focuses on five major areas. First — Helping Ranchers Keep More Heifers USDA is creating a new insurance option called the Beef Retention and National Development, or BRAND, endorsement. The goal is to make it easier for ranchers to keep heifers for breeding instead of sending them to the feedlot. The program would provide insurance protection for the economic value of keeping that heifer as part of the breeding herd for up to two years. Second — Helping Ranchers Recover After Disasters USDA is expanding the use of the Emergency Conservation Program, or ECP, on certain Grassland Conservation Reserve Program acres. That means ranchers could use the program to rebuild fences, water systems and other critical infrastructure after wildfires and other natural disasters. The goal is to get ranches back up and running faster and help protect the nation's cattle inventory. Third — Expanding Local and Regional Beef Processing USDA is expanding its efforts to strengthen smaller, regional beef processors. A new SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program will help processors expand, create cooperatives and increase processing capacity. USDA is also creating a Regional Processor Continuity Effort to help small and mid-sized processors stay in business and become more resilient. The department says nearly 20 percent of current beef processing capacity could become available as the cattle herd grows, creating an opportunity for more American-owned processors and cooperatives. Fourth — Putting More American Beef in Government Food Programs USDA says it will prioritize American-raised beef in federal food purchasing. That could include beef purchased for places such as prisons, hospitals, schools and other government institutions. The goal is to increase demand for American beef while supporting U.S. ranchers and locally owned processors. And Fifth — Bringing More New Ranchers Into the Business USDA says it will expand support for beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers. New producers can receive help through FSA loans, conservation programs, livestock insurance and other resources. USDA also plans to work with the Department of War and the Department of Veterans Affairs to help servicemembers transition into careers in agriculture. Secretary Rollins says the overall goal is simple: rebuild the Great American Beef Herd, strengthen independent ranchers and make sure more American cattle operations can be passed on to the next generation. References:https://ocj.com/2026/08/usda-rolls-out-ranchers-first-plan-to-rebuild-u-s-cattle-herd/ https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/08/31/secretary-rollins-announces-ranchers-first-initiatives-rebuild-great-american-beef-herd?fbclid=IwY2xjawUC8x5wZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTJXcVFiOUFlYlVmVEdyREZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe9gd4nc5zoJx5jfdFKsrWxDA1QuPmLIj68ZJdAbVyb4cKdIKByZBDXPhIMNM_aem_axnqKjHOWKZjIX7Kevx1-g Cattle Groups Push Back On Trump Plan To Let Ranchers Process Their Own Beef Cattle and meat industry groups are pushing back against President Donald Trump's plan to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to process and sell their own meat. Trump says the idea is designed to reduce the power of the country's largest beef processors. In a social media post Friday, August 28 Trump said he has directed legal documents to be prepared that would give farmers and ranchers more freedom to process their own livestock. But the details of the plan are still unclear. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA plans to announce changes that could include removing outdated regulations, waiving some requirements and making it easier for ranchers to sell meat across state lines. The administration may also provide more support for small meat processors. But the Meat Institute says ranchers already have several options, including custom processing and state or federally inspected facilities. The group warns that allowing uninspected meat to be sold commercially could put food safety and consumer confidence at risk. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association agrees, saying weakening federal meat inspection standards is not the answer. The South Dakota Cattlemen's Association is also opposing the idea. The group says producers can already process animals for their own use, but generally cannot sell uninspected meat commercially. Their message is simple: food safety is not red tape, and consumer confidence is not optional. Trump's proposal comes just one week after his announcement allowing an additional 300-thousand metric tons of imported grinding beef into the United States without the additional tariff. Cattle groups have opposed that move as well, saying more imported beef could pressure cattle prices and discourage ranchers from rebuilding the U.S. herd. Trump says both policies are aimed at lowering beef prices for consumers while helping American ranchers. REFERENCE: https://meatingplace.com/trump-plan-to-expand-rancher-processing-draws-industry-backlash/   North Dakota Meat Processor Up For Sale After More Than 50 Years A long-time North Dakota meat processor is up for sale. M and W Beef Packers in Mandan has been in business for more than 50 years, and the three current owners are now retiring. The company was founded in 1974 by Wesley and Vita Moore and has operated continuously ever since. The sale includes the company, a 7-thousand-square-foot USDA-inspected processing plant, a separate garage and shop, and all of the equipment. And despite the owners' decision to retire, the business has been growing. Revenue more than doubled over a three-year period through 2024, reaching 4-point-4 million dollars. The company reported an annual growth rate of more than 20 percent during that time, with gross margins near 24 percent. M and W processes and supplies beef, pork, lamb and bison to restaurants, hotels, grocery stores and institutional customers. Its products are distributed through major companies including Cash-Way, Sysco and US Foods. The company also produces its own Dakota Trails brand of seasonings, which are sold at more than 13 regional retail locations. M and W Beef Packers has been an independent meat processor serving ranchers and customers across the Northern Plains for more than five decades. Now, with the current owners retiring, the future of this long-standing Mandan business is up for grabs. REFERENCE: https://meatingplace.com/historic-n-d-meat-processor-announces-sale/   Feeder Cattle Sale Dates & Deadlines September 2 - 3: Superior Livestock Auction Labor Day Sale September 7: Western Video Market Haythorn Ranch Consignment Deadline September 14: Northern Livestock Video Fall Premier Sale September 15: Western Video Market Haythorn Ranch Sale Featured Experts in the Cattle Industry Harold Bertz – American Gelbvieh Association https://gelbvieh.org/ Follow on Facebook: @AmericanGelbvieh Shaye Wanner – Host of Casual Cattle Conversation https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ Follow on Facebook: @cattleconvos Contact Us with Questions or Concerns Have questions or feedback? Feel free to reach out via: Call/Text: 707-RANCH20 or 707-726-2420 Email: RanchItUpShow@gmail.com Follow us: Facebook/Instagram: @RanchItUpShow YouTube: Subscribe to Ranch It Up Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RanchItUp Catch all episodes of the Ranch It Up Podcast available on all major podcasting platforms. Discover the Heart of Rural America with Tigger & BEC Ranching, farming, and the Western lifestyle are at the heart of everything we do. Tigger & BEC bring you exclusive insights from the world of working ranches, cattle farming, and sustainable beef production. Learn more about Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner (BEC) and their mission to promote the Western way of life at Tigger and BEC. https://tiggerandbec.com/ Industry References, Partners and Resources For additional information on industry trends, products, and services, check out these trusted resources: American Gelbvieh Association: https://gelbvieh.org/ EquineMarket.Com: https://www.equinemarket.com/ Imogene Ingredients: https://www.imogeneingredients.com/ Jorgensen Land & Cattle: https://jorgensenfarms.com LivestockMarket.Com: https://www.livestockmarket.com/ RanchChannel.Com: https://ranchchannel.com/ RFD-TV: https://www.rfdtv.com/ Rural Radio Network: https://www.ruralradio147.com/ Sire Buyer: https://www.sirebuyer.com/ Superior Livestock: https://superiorlivestock.com/ Westway Feed Products: https://westwayfeed.com/ Wrangler: https://www.wrangler.com/

President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue and relief efforts after a mudslide on Wednesday in Nepal caused heavy casualties and left many people missing at a border port in the Xizang autonomous region.8月26日，尼泊尔境内发生的一场泥石流造成重大人员伤亡，并致使西藏自治区一处边境口岸多人失踪，国家主席习近平作出重要指示，要求全力开展搜救救援工作。Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the instruction after the mudslide struck the Gyirong border port, a major land port linking China and Nepal, in Shigatse at around 10:30 am, according to Xinhua News Agency.据新华社报道，泥石流于当日上午10时30分许袭击了西藏日喀则市境内、连接中尼两国的重要陆路口岸——吉隆口岸，中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平就此作出上述指示。As of 8 pm on Wednesday, at least three people had been killed and 265 others remained missing, CCTV News quoted local authorities as saying.据央视新闻援引当地政府消息，截至8月26日晚8时，灾害已造成至少3人遇难，265人失联。The president stressed that the top priority now is to make every possible effort to search for and rescue missing people, evacuate residents at risk and provide timely medical treatment to the injured.习近平强调，当前首要任务是全力搜寻救援失联人员，转移安置受威胁群众，及时救治受伤人员。He also underlined efforts to strengthen monitoring and early warning, carry out rescue work in a scientific manner and prevent secondary disasters.他还强调，要加强监测预警，科学有序开展救援工作，严防发生次生灾害。Noting that the country is at a critical stage of flood control, Xi emphasized that all local authorities and relevant departments should prepare for worst-case scenarios and extreme situations, and earnestly implement measures for flood and typhoon prevention.习近平指出，当前正值我国防汛关键期，各地区各部门要立足最不利情况、做最坏打算，切实抓好各项防汛防台风措施落实。They must also step up efforts to identify and defuse potential risks and hazards, resolutely prevent serious and major disasters and accidents, and effectively protect people's lives and property, he said.他表示，要加大风险隐患排查整治力度，坚决防范遏制重特大灾害事故发生，切实保障人民群众生命财产安全。Premier Li Qiang has ordered prompt efforts to verify the number of people missing and affected, conduct all-out relief operations and evacuate people at risk.国务院总理李强作出批示，要求抓紧核实失联和受灾人员情况，全力开展救援救灾工作，转移安置受威胁群众。He urged the Foreign Ministry to strengthen communication and coordination with relevant countries to share information in a timely manner and work together to properly handle rescue and relief efforts.他要求外交部加强与有关国家的沟通协调，及时通报情况，共同做好救援救灾相关工作。Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing has led a team to the site to guide rescue and response efforts.国务院副总理张国清已率工作组赶赴现场，指导救援处置工作。Video footage released by China Central Television showed muddy water gushing, carrying tree branches and debris, and some buildings were buried as the mudslide struck.中央电视台发布的视频画面显示，泥石流暴发时，浑浊的洪水裹挟着树枝和杂物汹涌而下，部分建筑物被掩埋。Meanwhile, the disaster has cut off roads, communication networks and power supplies at the border port area on the Chinese side, Xinhua reported.新华社报道称，此次灾害还导致中方一侧口岸区域道路、通信网络及电力供应中断。In the wake of the disaster, China has activated a Level-II emergency response for disaster relief and a Level-II emergency response for geological disasters, the second-highest in the country's four-tier emergency response system.灾害发生后，中国启动了救灾二级应急响应和地质灾害二级应急响应，这是中国四级应急响应体系中第二高的响应级别。Governments at all levels have responded with immediate measures, making every effort to carry out disaster relief as well as search and rescue operations.各级政府已迅速采取应对措施，全力开展抢险救灾及搜救工作。Three central government departments — the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the National Development and Reform Commission — have altogether allocated 220 million yuan ($33 million) to support Xizang in carrying out emergency rescue and disaster relief work.财政部、应急管理部、国家发展和改革委员会三部门已累计下拨2.2亿元人民币（约合3300万美元）资金，支持西藏开展应急救援和灾害救助工作。The Ministry of Emergency Management has deployed 249 personnel from the national comprehensive fire and rescue force, along with 325 engineering rescue personnel from China Anneng Construction Group, PowerChina and other centrally administered State-owned enterprises.应急管理部已调派国家综合性消防救援队伍249名指战员，以及中国安能建设集团、中国电力建设集团等中央企业325名工程救援人员参与救援。A total of 30,000 central relief items, including tents, stoves, clothing and quilts, folding beds and moisture-proof mats, have been sent to support the evacuation, resettlement and relief work.中央已调拨帐篷、炉具、衣被、折叠床、防潮垫等各类救灾物资共计3万件，用于支持转移安置和救灾工作。At the local level, as of Wednesday afternoon, the Xizang Fire and Rescue Corps had deployed 72 vehicles and 431 fire and rescue personnel at the site, equipped with rescue dogs, life detectors, assault boats and other rescue equipment.在地方层面，截至8月26日下午，西藏消防救援总队已调派72台车辆、431名消防救援人员奔赴现场，并配备搜救犬、生命探测仪、冲锋舟等救援装备。Five repair workers from the State Grid Xizang Electric Power Co — the first group of emergency power repair personnel to arrive at the site — rushed there with a medium-voltage power generator vehicle and two small emergency lamps, and started work to ensure basic power supply and lighting for nighttime rescue operations.国网西藏电力有限公司5名抢修人员作为首批抵达现场的应急电力抢修队伍，携带一台中压发电车和两盏小型应急照明灯赶赴现场，随即投入工作，确保夜间救援行动的基本供电和照明需求。The local meteorological bureau has forecast continued rainfall across the county of Gyirong from Wednesday evening through Sunday, warning of possible floods, landslides and other secondary disasters in low-lying areas.当地气象部门预报，吉隆县自8月26日晚间起至8月30日将持续降雨，并警示低洼地区可能发生洪水、山体滑坡等次生灾害。border port /ˈbɔːrdər pɔːrt/ n.边境口岸land port /lænd pɔːrt/ n.陆路口岸missing /ˈmɪsɪŋ/ adj.失踪的，失联的evacuate /ɪˈvækjueɪt/ v.转移，撤离at-risk residents /æt rɪsk ˈrezɪdənts/ n.受威胁群众early warning /ˈɜːrli ˈwɔːrnɪŋ/ n.预警secondary disaster /ˈsekənderi dɪˈzæstər/ n.次生灾害flood control /flʌd kənˈtroʊl/ n.防汛worst-case scenario /wɜːrst keɪs sɪˈnɛrioʊ/ n.最不利情形，最坏打算typhoon prevention /taɪˈfuːn prɪˈvenʃən/ n.防台风defuse /diːˈfjuːz/ v.化解，排除（风险）hazard /ˈhæzərd/ n.隐患，危险因素

More than 3,000 cuttingedge robots and related products packed the 2026 World Robot Conference, which opened in Beijing on Wednesday, the same day that Unitree Robotics made its debut on the STAR Market in Shanghai and surged 629.44 percent to 1,100 yuan ($163) per share from its initial public offering price.2026年世界机器人大会于周三在北京开幕，展会汇集3000余台前沿机器人及相关产品。就在同一天，宇树科技登陆上海科创板上市，股价较发行价暴涨629.44%，达到每股1100元（折合163美元）。As the Beijing conference showcased China's strength as the world's largest producer of robots and a supplychain hub for the industry, Shanghai's capital market bet on what comes next — whether that industrial muscle can drive faster innovation, lower costs and, ultimately, expand share in the global robotics market, industry experts said.业内专家表示，北京这场大会展现出中国作为全球最大机器人生产国与行业供应链中心的实力；而上海资本市场则押注后续发展：这套产业实力能否推动创新提速、降低成本，并最终扩大中国机器人在全球市场的份额。That bet played out vividly on Unitree's first trading day. At its peak, a single winning IPO allotment translated into a paper profit of up to 474,600 yuan. Although the shares retreated from that high, they still closed at 845 yuan, up 460.3 percent, valuing the company at 341.77 billion yuan.这份押注在宇树科技上市首日表现得淋漓尽致。该股盘中巅峰时，中一签账面盈利最高可达47.46万元。尽管股价自高点回落，收盘仍报845元，涨幅460.3%，公司市值达3417.7亿元。Pan Helin, a member of the expert committee for information and communication economy of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said the surge reflects robust investor confidence in China's embodied artificial intelligence industry.工信部信息通信经济专家委员会委员盘和林表示，股价暴涨反映出投资者对中国具身智能产业抱有十足信心。"Despite the share price retreating from its opening high amid broader market pressure, Unitree's performance far outpaced earlier expectations," he said.他称：“受大盘整体压力影响，股价虽较开盘高点有所回落，但宇树科技的市场表现仍远超此前预期。”During the 14th FiveYear Plan (202125) period, President Xi Jinping made multiple visits to robotics companies. At the 2026 World AI Conference and HighLevel Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai last month, Xi said that AI is moving from the digital world into the physical world, and he called for greater efforts to advance technological innovation, industrial development and scenariobased applications.“十四五”（20212025）期间，习近平总书记多次考察机器人企业。在上月于上海举办的2026世界人工智能大会暨全球人工智能治理高层会议上，习近平总书记指出，人工智能正从数字世界走向物理世界，并呼吁加大力度推进技术创新、产业发展与场景化应用落地。Robotics sits at the heart of this transition, serving as the primary vehicle for bringing AI technologies into the physical realm.机器人正是这一转型的核心载体，是把人工智能技术落地到现实物理世界的主要工具。The World Robot Conference brought together more than 300 Chinese and overseas companies with over 3,000 products, ranging from humanoid, industrial and medical robots to core components such as dexterous hands, reducers and sensors, and embodied AI models.世界机器人大会汇聚国内外300余家企业，展出3000多款产品，涵盖人形机器人、工业机器人、医疗机器人，灵巧手、减速器、传感器等核心零部件，以及各类具身智能模型。Galbot unveiled a new humanoid robot capable of learning to play tennis. Unitree demonstrated its H1 humanoid robot, which can run at a peak speed of 10 meters per second — rivaling the pace of elite human sprinters.Galbot发布一款可学习打网球的全新人形机器人；宇树科技展示H1人形机器人，其奔跑峰值速度可达每秒10米，比肩人类顶尖短跑运动员。Xin Guobin, viceminister of industry and information technology, said at the robot conference that revenue from major robotics companies reached 165.5 billion yuan in the first half of the year, a 24.5 percent yearonyear increase.工信部副部长辛国斌在机器人大会上表示，国内重点机器人企业上半年营收达1655亿元，同比增长24.5%。Xin said China will focus on overcoming bottlenecks in core robotics components and embodied AI. The country also aims to expand the integration of robots into agriculture, healthcare, elderly care and emergency response, he added.辛国斌补充道，我国将着力攻克机器人核心零部件与具身智能领域的技术瓶颈，推动机器人进一步融入农业、医疗健康、养老、应急处置等领域。Xu Xiaolan, president of the Chinese Institute of Electronics, said that embodied AI is entering a critical window for largescale adoption, with Chinese products at a pivotal juncture transitioning from smallbatch trials to broader deployment.中国电子学会理事长徐晓兰表示，具身智能正迎来大规模落地的关键窗口期，国产产品正处在从小批量试点走向规模化应用的关键节点。"Public and commercial services are leading the way," she said. "In China, robots are now being deployed in traffic guidance, at tourist attractions, in shopping malls and in education, leveraging capabilities such as autonomous positioning, dynamic obstacle avoidance and question answering."“公共与商业服务领域走在应用前列，”她说道，“国内机器人已经投入交通疏导、景区、商场、教育等场景，可实现自主定位、动态避障、问答交互等功能。”JPMorgan has forecast that global humanoid robot shipments will climb from an estimated 18,000 units in 2025 to 60,000 this year, before surging to 1.75 million by 2030. China is expected to account for more than half of global demand, according to the bank.摩根大通预测，全球人形机器人出货量将从2025年预估1.8万台增长至今年6万台，到2030年飙升至175万台。该行认为，中国市场需求将占到全球总需求的一半以上。The National Development and Reform Commission said that eight out of every 10 humanoid and quadruped intelligent robots sold worldwide are made in China.国家发改委表示，全球每售出10台人形、四足智能机器人，就有8台产自中国。Zhang Yiming, chief analyst for the machinery sector at Guosheng Securities, said that humanoid robots are emerging as a key arena in the technology competition between China and the United States, making Unitree's market performance a potential bellwether for the broader industry.国盛证券机械行业首席分析师张一鸣称，人形机器人正成为中美科技竞争的关键赛道，宇树科技的市场表现有望成为整个行业发展的风向标。"China's advantage increasingly lies not just in building sophisticated robots, but in its ability to manufacture them at scale," he said. "The nation's deep industrial supply chains give domestic manufacturers an edge in mass production, while overseas companies retain strengths in areas including frontier AI algorithms."“中国的优势越来越不只是制造高性能机器人，更在于规模化生产能力。”他说，“完备的工业供应链让国内厂商在量产上具备优势，而海外企业在前沿人工智能算法等领域仍保有强项。”A humanoid robot integrates motors, reducers, servo systems, lead screws, sensors, batteries, controllers and precisionmachined parts. Many of these overlap with industries that China has spent years building at an enormous scale, particularly electric vehicles, batteries, consumer electronics and industrial automation.人形机器人集成电机、减速器、伺服系统、丝杠、传感器、电池、控制器以及精密加工零部件。其中大量零部件，与我国多年大规模发展的产业高度重合，尤其电动汽车、电池、消费电子、工业自动化领域。Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said that hardtech companies such as Unitree reflect a broader shift in how China's capital market values technology.北京社科院研究员王鹏表示，宇树这类硬科技企业，折射出中国资本市场对科技企业估值逻辑发生的重大转变。"While the upper ranks of China's stock market were long dominated by financial and consumer companies, investors are increasingly willing to price technological capability and future growth potential over current profitability," he said.“长期以来A股市场头部企业以金融、消费类公司为主，如今投资者越来越看重技术实力与未来成长空间，而非当下盈利水平。”他说。However, an IPO is not the finish line, he said, adding that Unitree's elevated pricetoearnings ratio also points to valuation risks.但他也表示，上市并非终点，宇树科技高企的市盈率也预示着估值风险。"Humanoid robotics is a longcycle industry, where success cannot be measured by a blockbuster market debut, nor by the internetera playbook of burning cash to chase scale," Wang said. "What ultimately matters is whether a company can deliver technology, products and business models that stand the test of the market."“人形机器人属于长周期行业，成功不能靠上市首日的火爆表现来衡量，也不能照搬互联网时代烧钱换规模的模式。”王鹏说，“最终关键要看企业能否拿出经得起市场检验的技术、产品与商业模式。”embodied /ɪmˈbɒdid/具身的；bellwether /ˈbelweðə(r)/风向标；先导quadruped /ˈkwɒdrəped/四足的；四足机器人servo /ˈsɜːvəʊ/伺服valuation /ˌvæljuˈeɪʃn/估值；估价

Недавно нам написала удивительная семья из Сиднея, чтобы поделиться своей историей. Она о девочке Майе и ее родителях, Руслане и Туяне. О том, как живут семьи, воспитывающие талантливых спортсменов, а также о домашнем образовании и командном духе. Майе 14 лет, она учится в 11 классе сиднейской школы и тренируется в составе National Development program с Tennis Australia в Олимпийском парке, участвует в теннисных турнирах и успешно учится – в 14 лет она уже сдала школьные экзамены HSC.Больше историй, интервью и новостей от SBS Russian доступно здесь.Слушайте программу на русском языке SBS по понедельникам, четвергам и субботам в 12 часов дня.Читайте нас в Facebook и подпишитесь на наши подкасты по этой ссылке.

Typhoon Noul slammed into the coastal city of Huizhou in Guangdong province in the early hours of Sunday morning, bringing violent winds and torrential rain that flooded streets, toppled trees and billboards, disrupted transportation and forced the evacuation of more than 801,000 residents.上周日凌晨，台风红霞正面登陆广东省沿海城市惠州，狂风暴雨造成城区街道积水、树木与广告牌倒伏、交通全面受阻，当地紧急转移安置群众超 80.1 万人中央气象台。Noul, the 12th typhoon of the year, is the first typhoon to make landfall in Guangdong this year. So far, it is also the strongest typhoon to hit China this year and the most powerful to strike areas east of the Pearl River Estuary in the past decade.台风红霞是 2026 年第 12 号台风，也是今年首个登陆广东的台风。该台风为今年登陆我国强度最高的台风，同时是近十年来侵袭珠江口以东区域最强台风。The typhoon battered the cities of Huizhou, Shanwei and Shenzhen in eastern Guangdong with strong gales and heavy downpours, damaging infrastructure and causing widespread economic losses.台风裹挟狂风暴雨持续肆虐粤东惠州、汕尾、深圳三市，大量基础设施受损，区域经济损失严重。Fifteen of the hardest-hit cities suspended classes, construction, production, transportation and business operations to mitigate the risk of accidents and casualties. Authorities also ordered all offshore workers to return to shore and required fishing vessels to seek shelter as of Saturday.为降低人员伤亡与安全事故风险，15 个受灾严重城市实行停课、停工、停产、停运、停业。相关部门已于周六下达指令，要求全部海上作业人员上岸避险、渔船回港避风。More than 801,000 residents living in low-lying areas were evacuated ahead of the typhoon's landfall. Emergency response measures were activated in 135 districts and counties across the province's 19 prefecture-level cities.台风登陆前，低洼地带超 80.1 万名群众完成转移避险。全省 19 个地级市共计 135 个区县全部启动应急响应。At 5:13 am on Sunday, emergency workers waded through floodwaters in Huizhou's Ruhu township to remove fallen trees and other debris, clearing the way for an ambulance transporting a pregnant woman to a hospital for delivery, according to local authorities.当地应急管理部门通报，周日凌晨 5 时 13 分，惠州汝湖镇应急救援人员蹚过积水路段，清理倒伏树木、杂物，为运送待产孕妇的救护车打通救援通道。At a village in Shanwei, rescuers and firefighters evacuated 27 elderly residents and children after floodwaters inundated the community early on Sunday.周日清晨，汕尾一处村落被洪水淹没，救援队员与消防人员紧急转移村内 27 名老人与孩童。Xie Yutong, an office worker in Huizhou's Huicheng district, said she had never experienced such intense rainfall.惠州市惠城区上班族谢雨桐表示，自己从未遭遇过如此猛烈的暴雨。"Rainwater rushed into my home through the balcony," said Xie, adding that residents had been advised to avoid non-essential travel.“雨水顺着阳台灌进家中。” 谢雨桐介绍，此前有关部门已提醒居民非必要不外出。Deng Li, a volunteer, described stepping forward to assist residents during critical moments as his bounden duty.志愿者邓力表示，危难时刻挺身而出、帮扶受灾群众，是自己义不容辞的责任。The typhoon also severely disrupted transportation. China Railway Guangzhou Group adjusted or suspended all high-speed and conventional rail services beginning on Saturday, while widespread flight delays and cancellations were reported at airports in Guangzhou and Shenzhen over the weekend.台风造成交通运行严重受阻。自周六起，中国铁路广州局调整、停运全部高铁及普速列车；周末期间，广州白云机场、深圳宝安机场大量航班延误、取消。As of 10 am on Sunday, China Southern, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines had canceled a total of 377 arriving and departing flights.截至周日上午 10 时，南方航空、东方航空、海南航空、深圳航空累计取消进出港航班 377 班。Ye Menglong, a meteorological analyst with Weather China, said unusually high sea surface temperatures in the South China Sea fueled Noul's rapid intensification before landfall, allowing it to strike Guangdong at severe typhoon strength. However, he warned that landfall does not mean the danger has passed.中国天气网气象分析师叶梦龙分析，南海海域海面温度异常偏高，促使台风红霞登陆前快速增强，以强台风级别登陆广东。他同时警示，台风登陆并不代表风险解除。"Combined with monsoon moisture transport, coastal areas in eastern Guangdong will continue to be battered by torrential rain, with parts of Heyuan, Meizhou, Chaozhou, Jieyang, Shanwei and Huizhou expected to experience extreme rainfall in the coming days," Ye said.叶梦龙表示：“叠加季风水汽输送，粤东沿海地区仍将持续遭遇暴雨侵袭，未来数日，河源、梅州、潮州、揭阳、汕尾、惠州多地将出现特大暴雨。”Guangdong authorities have urged cities and relevant departments to make every effort to combat the disaster, placing the protection of lives and property as the top priority.广东省相关部门要求各地市、各职能部门全力开展防汛救灾工作，将保障人民群众生命财产安全放在首位。They called for continuous inspections to identify safety risks and timely and decisive evacuations.各地需持续开展安全隐患排查，一旦发现险情，及时果断组织群众转移避险。According to the provincial department of water resources, 261 reservoirs across the province had discharged a combined 697 million cubic meters of water on Saturday to increase flood-control storage capacity.广东省水利厅数据显示，周六全省 261 座水库合计泄洪 6.97 亿立方米，腾出库容提升防洪调蓄能力。Meanwhile, the National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan ($14.7 million) in emergency funding to support Guangdong's post-typhoon recovery.国家发展和改革委员会紧急下达 1 亿元人民币（折合 1470 万美元）救灾专项资金，专项用于广东省台风过后灾后恢复重建工作。Noul is expected to move northwest at 10 to 15 kilometers per hour, pass through central Guangdong, enter southern Hunan province in the early hours of Monday and gradually weaken.预计台风红霞将以每小时 10 至 15 公里的速度向西北方向移动，途经广东中部，于周一凌晨进入湖南南部，随后强度逐步减弱。torrential /təˈrenʃl/adj. 暴雨倾泻的，猛烈的evacuation /ɪˌvækjuˈeɪʃn/n. 人员疏散，转移安置infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/n. 基础设施reconstruction /ˌriːkənˈstrʌkʃn/n. 灾后重建，恢复

Investment Minister Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire says revenue generated through Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment Programme remains an important source of non-tax income that helps finance healthcare, infrastructure, and other national development priorities. While CIP contributes less than ten percent of government revenue, he noted that the programme reduces pressure on taxpayers and acknowledged the need for greater public awareness of how these funds are invested.

AI: Industrial depth to help lower costs overseas人工智能产业纵深发展，助力海外产品降价China's vision to turn artificial intelligence from an expensive frontier technology into a resource for affordable, widely accessible applications will bring huge benefits to more countries, businesses and ordinary people worldwide, said leading industry experts and company executives.业内权威专家与企业高管表示，中国提出愿景：将人工智能从成本高昂的前沿技术，转化为普惠亲民、随处可用的基础资源，这将为全球更多国家、企业与普通民众带来巨大红利。They made the comments on Tuesday after President Xi Jinping, in his keynote speech on Friday at the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, said that AI should be developed "for the positive, for good and for humanity".本周二，一众业内人士发表上述观点。此前，习近平主席于周五在上海2026世界人工智能大会暨全球人工智能治理高级别会议发表主旨演讲，提出人工智能发展要“向上向善、造福人类”。"AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation," Xi said.习近平主席指出：“人工智能发展不应是一国独奏，而应是国际合作的交响。”He called for coordinated advances in the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries, the cultivation and growth of emerging industries, and forward-looking planning for future industries, so that all sectors and businesses can benefit from AI.他呼吁协同推进传统产业转型升级、培育壮大新兴产业、前瞻布局未来产业，让各行各业、各类市场主体都能共享人工智能发展红利。Long Yongtu, China's former chief negotiator for its accession to the World Trade Organization, said the rise of AI has become another turning point in the country's economic development.前中国入世首席谈判代表龙永图表示，人工智能的崛起，是中国经济发展的又一个转折点。He said that China's entry into the WTO in 2001 unleashed the vitality of millions of market participants after restrictions on foreign trade rights were relaxed, helping the country grow into the world's largest trader in goods and allowing ordinary people to increase their income through international commerce.他谈到，2001年中国加入世界贸易组织，外贸经营权限制放宽，激活了千万市场主体活力，推动中国成为全球第一货物贸易大国，普通人也得以通过国际贸易增收致富。"Now, entering the age of AI heralds a new era of opening-up. AI is triggering a similarly profound transformation by reshaping production relationships, corporate structures and the cost of starting a business in the country," Long said.龙永图称：“如今，人工智能时代的到来，开启对外开放全新阶段。人工智能重塑国内生产关系、企业组织模式与创业成本，带来同样深刻的变革。”According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China has embraced AI with open arms, with the value of its core AI industries exceeding 1.2 trillion yuan ($177 billion) last year, maintaining annual growth of more than 20 percent for several consecutive years.工信部数据显示，中国全面拥抱人工智能产业。去年我国人工智能核心产业规模突破1.2万亿元（折合1770亿美元），连续多年保持20%以上年增速。Furthermore, the country is seeking to turn AI into real-world applications and a driver of economic growth.除此之外，中国着力推动人工智能落地实景应用，使之成为经济增长核心引擎。In the first half of this year, the industrial output of AI-related sectors, including integrated circuit manufacturing and in-vehicle intelligent equipment manufacturing, grew more than 30 percent.今年上半年，集成电路制造、车载智能装备制造等人工智能相关产业工业产值同比增长超30%。Long predicted that more individuals and small, specialized companies that use AI to perform work that previously required much larger organizations will emerge to become new drivers of the economy.龙永图预判，未来会涌现大量个体从业者与专精小企业，依托人工智能完成过去大型机构才能承接的业务，成为经济增长新动力。"Success should ultimately be judged not by model rankings or investment valuations, but by whether AI really improves people's lives," he added.他补充道：“评判AI发展成败，最终不在于大模型榜单、企业估值高低，而在于人工智能是否真正改善民生。”Efforts to push AI beyond chatbots and benchmark rankings into the physical economy include China's "AI Plus" initiative, which seeks to embed AI in manufacturing, finance, healthcare, energy and public services.中国推出“人工智能+”行动，推动人工智能跳出聊天机器人、模型榜单的局限，深度融入实体经济，赋能制造、金融、医疗、能源、公共服务各大领域。President Xi also said in his speech that China should facilitate technological innovation, industrial development and "scenario-based application of AI".习近平主席在演讲中同时提出，中国要统筹推进人工智能技术创新、产业培育与场景落地应用。Huo Fupeng, director of the innovation-driven development center of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that "China is leveraging its complete industrial system, enormous range of application scenarios and super-sized market to accelerate AI's deployment across thousands of industries".国家发改委创新驱动发展中心主任霍福鹏表示：“中国依托完备工业体系、海量应用场景与超大规模市场优势，加速人工智能向千行百业渗透落地。”"Its dense industrial supply chains and vast domestic market give developers an environment in which technologies can be tested, refined and deployed at scale," he said.他表示，国内完备密集的产业链、广阔内需市场，为技术研发方提供了可大规模测试、迭代、落地技术的优质环境。Data from Counterpoint Research showed that approximately 16,000 humanoid robots were deployed globally in 2025, with China accounting for more than 80 percent of them.市场研究机构Counterpoint数据显示，2025年全球落地部署人形机器人约1.6万台，其中中国占比超八成。At the World AI Conference, Chinese robotics company PrimeBOT unveiled a new, transformable robot that is capable of switching between quadruped and humanoid forms.本届世界人工智能大会上，国产机器人企业上纬启元发布一款全新变形机器人，可在四足形态与人形形态之间自由切换。Tian Hua, CEO of leading materials maker Swancor Advanced Materials Co and head of PrimeBOT, said: "The robotics supply chain comprises more than 1,600 components. At least 1,000 companies are capable of building a robot globally, but only a handful can manufacture 10,000 robots at consistent quality and scale."知名材料企业上纬新材CEO、上纬启元负责人田华表示：“机器人产业链包含1600余种零部件。全球至少有上千家企业能造出单台机器人，但仅有少数企业可实现万台级、品质稳定的规模化量产。”"That's China's advantage — transforming personal robots from custom-built machines into mass-produced consumer products," he said. "We are also confident of making such robots really affordable for ordinary people."他称：“这正是中国的核心优势——将定制化私人机器人转化为规模化量产民用消费品。我们有信心让普通人都能负担得起这类机器人。”Such industrial depth could also help lower the cost of AI products for overseas users. While global attention has focused on Western technology companies competing for lucrative enterprise contracts in the United States and the Middle East, Chinese companies are promoting open-source products across developing countries.完善的产业纵深优势，同样能降低海外用户购买人工智能产品的成本。全球目光多聚焦西方科技企业争夺欧美、中东高利润企业订单，而中国企业正面向广大发展中国家推广开源AI产品。Alex Zhavoronkov, founder and CEO of AI-driven drug discovery company Insilico Medicine, said China's emphasis on open-source development will amplify those gains internationally.人工智能药物研发企业英矽智能创始人兼首席执行官亚历克斯·扎沃隆科夫表示，中国大力发展开源技术，将在全球范围内放大人工智能普惠效益。"China is already leading the world in the open-source model," he said.他说：“中国的开源发展模式已走在全球前列。”"The Chinese approach and its AI policies are paving the way for the entire industry, and everyone on the planet will benefit."“中国的发展路径与人工智能相关政策，为全行业开辟发展道路，全球所有人都将从中受益。”humanoid /ˈhjuːmənɔɪd/人形机器人quadruped /ˈkwɒdruped/四足机器人transformable /trænsˈfɔːməbl/可切换形态的（机器人）industrial depth产业纵深、完整产业链配套能力open-source /ˌəʊpən ˈsɔːs/开源人工智能模型scenario-based /səˈnɑːriəʊ beɪst/面向真实生活、产业场景落地的（AI应用）

The Government of Saint Lucia is strengthening its capacity for strategic, evidence-based decision-making through a week-long Strategic Policy Planning Workshop designed to equip public officers with the knowledge and tools to develop, implement and monitor national policies that deliver measurable results.

President Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts on Tuesday in emergency rescue, medical treatment for the injured and the resettlement of affected people, after multiple regions were hit by severe flooding.Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, also urged that every effort be made to safeguard people's lives and property while minimizing casualties and preventing secondary disasters.Recent heavy rain and strong winds have caused dam breaches and landslides in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Hubei and Gansu provinces, resulting in heavy casualties and economic losses.In the face of severe challenges posed by floods, Xi called on local governments and relevant departments to implement existing flood prevention measures, and thoroughly inspect and rectify potential hazards involving rivers, lakes, reservoirs and areas prone to geological disasters.He also called for stronger monitoring, early warning and emergency preparedness, as well as solid disaster prevention and relief efforts.Premier Li Qiang also urged authorities to strengthen monitoring of rainfall and flood conditions, improve hazard detection and early warning, and carry out emergency rescue and disaster relief with all-out efforts.The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee has allocated 60 million yuan ($8.8 million) from Party membership funds to support flood prevention and disaster relief efforts in five provincial-level regions.Recent extreme weather has battered multiple regions across China, with record-breaking rainfall and landslides causing heavy casualties and widespread damage. Rescue operations continue as authorities race against time to save lives.Typhoon Maysak, the 10th typhoon of this year, unleashed historically rare and prolonged torrential rains across the region, said Cai Yunge, executive vice-chairman of Guangxi.Cai said the extreme weather had hit 63 counties and districts in Guangxi, with a total of 375,000 people affected. The death toll rose to six, with 11 others reported missing, while 130,000 residents had been urgently evacuated to safer ground as of Tuesday evening. Agricultural damage has been substantial, with approximately 12,900 hectares of crops destroyed, he added.Huang Lu, deputy head of Nanning's emergency management bureau, said 1,343 personnel from the fire, police and health departments, supported by 106 vehicles and 38 boats, were carrying out rescue operations and epidemic prevention work.Temporary shelters have been established at six locations across Hengzhou and stocked with drinking water, food, bedding and lighting supplies. Eleven temporary medical stations have also been set up to provide round-the-clock medical services, according to local authorities.The armed police detachment in Nanning sent more than 160 personnel and 14 vehicles, along with rubber boats and communications equipment, to the disaster area.After arriving in Yunbiao township of Hengzhou at 5:30 pm on Monday, rescuers found floodwaters in low-lying areas reaching depths of one meter. Some houses were submerged to the second floor, with water depths reaching up to three meters. An estimated 55,000 to 60,000 residents in the township were trapped, prompting urgent search and evacuation operations, the detachment said."We rushed to the site as soon as we got the order and carried out searches house by house — not a single person should be left behind," said Wei Hao, one of the deployed officers.Zhang Shaoqing, another member of the armed police detachment, said that rain continued throughout the night, and their clothes never dried. "Honestly, we were numb after a while, but every time we carried someone out and they said thank you, we felt we could keep going," Zhang said.As of Tuesday afternoon, the detachment had rescued and evacuated 306 people, delivered 1,500 relief supply items and provided on-site medical assistance to 56 people.The National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan from the central budget on Monday to support post-disaster restoration in Guangxi.In Gansu, a landslide struck a village in Longnan at 6:56 am on Tuesday. As of 9 pm, rescuers had located 31 of the 33 people reported missing, five of whom died despite all efforts. Search operations continued.In Hubei, severe convective weather — caused by the vertical movement of air driven by heat — swept across eastern parts of the province on Monday evening, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and tornadoes to some townships. As of Tuesday morning, the storms had affected 14,600 people, killing 11 and leaving one missing.The extreme weather destroyed 22 homes and damaged another 4,855. Rescue and disaster relief efforts were proceeding in an orderly manner, while authorities continued to verify the extent of damage.Local resident Qian Xiaobo, 38, said: "It was terrifying. This is the first time I've experienced such strong wind and rain. The roof was blown off, the second-floor walls were soaked, and all the glass on the first floor shattered."His father was injured and was hospitalized, but his life was not in danger."I'll remain positive," Qian said.Yu Hao, captain of the Huanggang fire and rescue brigade, said his unit received deployment orders at 11:15 pm on Monday and arrived at the scene in less than two hours. Roads were blocked, electricity was cut off and houses had collapsed, making rescue operations extremely difficult, he said.They searched house by house. Despite the challenges, Yu said his team always puts people's safety first and has remained in good condition while pushing on despite fatigue.

Heavy rain and powerful winds brought on by Typhoon Maysak continued to batter large parts of China on Tuesday as a super typhoon, Bavi, moved toward southeastern China and is expected to make landfall over the weekend, prompting authorities to upgrade alerts and dispatch emergency aid.周二，台风美莎克带来的强降雨与大风持续侵袭我国大片区域；与此同时，超强台风巴威正向我国东南沿海移动，预计周末登陆，各地政府随即提升预警等级、调拨应急救援物资。Meteorologists said on Tuesday morning that Maysak, which made landfall in the southern island province of Hainan on Friday, would continue to sweep across large parts of southern and eastern China, with rainfall of up to 260 millimeters forecast in parts of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.气象专家周二上午表示，上周五登陆海南的台风美莎克将继续横扫我国华南、华东多地，广西壮族自治区局部地区预计降雨量最高可达260毫米。The heavy rainfall in Guangxi — where four flood-related deaths were reported as of Tuesday morning — is expected to weaken on Wednesday.截至周二上午，广西已有四人因洪涝遇难，当地强降雨预计周三逐步减弱。"Thunderstorms and strong winds reaching force 10 are also forecast in parts of Anhui and Jiangsu provinces, with gusts of up to force 13 and the possibility of tornadoes," the National Meteorological Center said as it renewed an orange alert for heavy rain and a yellow alert for severe convective weather on Tuesday morning.国家气象中心周二上午持续发布暴雨橙色预警、强对流天气黄色预警：安徽、江苏部分地区将出现雷暴与10级大风，阵风可达13级，局部或有龙卷风。China is also bracing for the approach of Super Typhoon Bavi, which has a maximum sustained wind speed of 55 meters per second near its center. The storm is expected to reach the waters off southeastern China around Friday before making landfall in the coastal areas of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces over the weekend, bringing heavy rainfall to large parts of eastern, central and northern China.我国同时严阵以待超强台风巴威，其中心附近最大持续风速达55米每秒。该台风预计周五前后抵达我国东南近海，周末登陆浙闽沿海，将给华东、华中、华北大范围地区带去强降雨。The Ministry of Water Resources said that between Monday and Tuesday afternoon, water levels in 62 rivers across the country had exceeded warning levels, with most of the affected rivers located in southern China.水利部通报，周一至周二下午，全国62条河流水位超警戒，受灾河流多集中在华南地区。On Monday, the ministry upgraded Guangxi's flood-control emergency response from Level III to Level II, the second highest in China's four-tier system.周一，水利部将广西防汛应急响应由三级提升至二级，二级为我国四级应急体系中的第二高等级。The Ministry of Emergency Management, on the same day, raised the national geological disaster emergency response for Guangxi from Level IV to Level III.同日，应急管理部将广西地质灾害国家应急响应由四级提升至三级。The National Development and Reform Commission said on Monday that it had allocated 100 million yuan ($13.8 million) to support post-disaster recovery in the region. The funds are geared toward the restoration of damaged transportation and water infrastructure, as well as public service facilities, including schools and hospitals.国家发改委周一表示，已拨付1亿元专项资金用于当地灾后重建，资金将用于修复损毁交通、水利设施，以及学校、医院等公共服务配套。Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management allocated 160 million yuan to support flood relief and geological disaster response efforts in Guangxi and the provinces of Hunan, Liaoning, Jilin, Anhui and Shandong.与此同时，财政部、应急管理部下达1.6亿元资金，用于广西、湖南、辽宁、吉林、安徽、山东等地防汛救灾与地质灾害防治工作。Central government authorities have also dispatched 150,000 relief items, including tents, folding beds, quilts, summer clothing and family emergency kits, to support the evacuation, relocation and basic living needs of affected residents.中央有关部门调拨15万件救灾物资，含帐篷、折叠床、被褥、夏装、家庭应急包等，保障受灾群众转移安置与基本生活所需。The Red Cross Society of China said on Tuesday that it plans to dispatch 5,000 emergency family kits containing daily necessities to aid displaced households in Hengzhou, Guangxi.中国红十字会周二表示，计划调拨5000份内含生活用品的家庭应急包，支援广西横州市受灾转移群众。batter /ˈbætə(r)/连续猛击；重创meteorologist /ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒɪst/气象学家gust /ɡʌst/一阵狂风，阵风allocate /ˈæləkeɪt/划拨，分配（资金、物资）infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/基础设施evacuation /ɪˌvækjuˈeɪʃn/疏散，撤离

TOPIC:Governance, National Development and the Political Road to 2027On this Democracy Day edition of Oluwakayode and The Guru, the duo take listeners through a critical examination of Nigeria's democratic journey, reflecting on the gains, shortcomings, and challenges that continue to shape the nation.Against the backdrop of Democracy Day celebrations, the conversation explores the meaning of democratic governance in Nigeria, the performance of political institutions, and the relationship between leadership, accountability, and national development. The discussion also assesses whether the promises of democracy have translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Oluwakayode and The Guru analyze the emerging political landscape, the calculations already taking place behind the scenes, and the issues likely to define the next electoral cycle. From governance and economic performance to security and public trust, the duo connect today's realities with tomorrow's political stakes.Rich in historical perspective, political insight, and thoughtful analysis, this episode provides listeners with a deeper understanding of where Nigeria stands today and the choices that will shape its future.

China trekt de komende vijf jaar zo'n 2 biljoen yuan, omgerekend ruim 250 miljard euro, uit voor een landelijk netwerk van onderling verbonden AI-datacenters. Daarmee wil Peking de afhankelijkheid van Amerikaanse chipmakers als Nvidia en AMD afbouwen en de achterstand op de VS inlopen, vertelt techredacteur Stijn Goossens in deze Tech Update. China bereidt een omvangrijk investeringsplan voor om verspreide AI-datacenters te bundelen tot één samenhangend, landelijk netwerk. Dat meldt Bloomberg op basis van ingewijden. Verschillende overheidsinstanties, waaronder de invloedrijke National Development and Reform Commission, werken aan het plan. Staatsbedrijven China Mobile en China Telecom moeten het merendeel van de datacenters beheren en met elkaar verbinden. Het plan past in China's nieuwste vijfjarenplan, dat loopt tot 2030 en zwaar inzet op AI en data-infrastructuur. Opvallend is de technologische eis: minstens 80 procent van de kerntechnologie, inclusief de AI-chips, moet van binnenlandse leveranciers zoals Huawei komen. Daarmee worden Nvidia en AMD vrijwel volledig buitenspel gezet. De financiering komt vooral uit staatsobligaties en strategische overheidsfondsen. Inclusief de koppeling met het elektriciteitsnet kan de totale investering oplopen tot zeker 5 biljoen yuan. Toch valt het bedrag in het niet bij de Amerikaanse uitgaven: de grote techbedrijven uit de VS trekken dit jaar in totaal al zo'n 725 miljard dollar uit voor AI. Chinese datacenters zijn doorgaans wel goedkoper te bouwen. Verder in deze Tech Update Snapchat stuurt reclames vermomd als chatberichten naar Nederlandse gebruikers. Vanaf vandaag verschijnen gesponsorde 'snaps' tussen de gewone chats, met alleen een klein label 'ad' ernaast; KLM is een van de eerste merken die meedoet. Het platform telt in Nederland zo'n 6 miljoen maandelijkse gebruikers en draait nog altijd verlies. Belangenstichting SOMI sleept Snapchat voor de rechter via een massaclaim. SOMI stelt dat het platform verslavend is ontworpen, met functies als de 'streaks', en dat dit in strijd is met de Digital Services Act. De stichting eist 1.000 euro per minderjarige gebruiker en 750 euro per volwassene, plus aanpassing van de werkwijze binnen twee weken. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Tanzania gained independence in 1961, Julius Nyerere saw publishing as a key part of decolonization and nation-building. In 1966, he founded the Tanzania Publishing House (TPH), putting state publishing at the center of building national identity and culture, and of bringing people together through language.Tanzania's influence grew throughout the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, Dar es Salaam served as the headquarters for several Southern African liberation movements, such as FRELIMO, SWAPO, and the ANC. TPH was central in this era, publishing and distributing anti-imperialist works like Walter Rodney's How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Agostinho Neto's Sacred Hope, Samora Machel's Establishing People's Power to Serve the Masses, and Issa Shivji's Class Struggle in Tanzania.Integral to TPH's influence during these years was Walter Bgoya, who served as managing director from 1972 to 1990 and played a major role in making TPH and Dar es Salaam a center for progressive intellectuals from around the world. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the publishing landscape.For publishers like TPH, state-led publishing ended in the 1990s. when the IMF's Structural Adjustment Program brought austerity and privatization, which hurt state-owned companies. This directly impacted TPH and changed the country's publishing landscape.When the government stopped supporting state publishing, Walter Bgoya decided to leave TPH in 1991. He went on to start Mkuki na Nyota Publishers, carving out a new path in independent publishing. Since then, Mkuki na Nyota has continued this legacy as a key force in East African publishing, producing critical academic, historical, and literary works. In this episode, we interview Walter Bgoya. We focus on his leadership at TPH and his founding of Mkuki na Nyota. The conversation explores African publishing as a tool for decolonization, culture, and independence. This episode is part of the Africanist Press's New Democracy Series.

【欢迎订阅】 每天早上5:30，准时更新。 【阅读原文】 标题：China Bans Meta 's Acquisition of Manus on National Security GroundsDecision reflects Beijing's broader attempts to protect China's AI know -how正文：China has banned Meta Platforms' acquisition of artificial-intelligence startup Manus on national security grounds and ordered that the $2.5 billion deal be unwound. China's National Development and Reform Commission, which has the authority to review foreign investments, said Monday that it has banned the acquisition and ordered it to be rescinded. “The transaction complied fully with applicable law,” a Meta representative said in an email statement. “We anticipate an appropriate resolution to the inquiry.”知识点：unwind v. /ˌʌnˈwaɪnd/to cancel or reverse a financial agreement, deal or arrangement. 撤销（交易）；解除（协议）e.g. Both sides agreed to unwind the partnership contract peacefully. 双方同意和平解除合作合约。获取外刊的完整原文以及精讲笔记，请关注微信公众号「早安英文」，回复“外刊”即可。更多有意思的英语干货等着你！ 【节目介绍】 《早安英文-每日外刊精读》，带你精读最新外刊，了解国际最热事件：分析语法结构，拆解长难句，最接地气的翻译，还有重点词汇讲解。 所有选题均来自于《经济学人》《纽约时报》《华尔街日报》《华盛顿邮报》《大西洋月刊》《科学杂志》《国家地理》等国际一线外刊。 【适合谁听】 1、关注时事热点新闻，想要学习最新最潮流英文表达的英文学习者 2、任何想通过地道英文提高听、说、读、写能力的英文学习者 3、想快速掌握表达，有出国学习和旅游计划的英语爱好者 4、参加各类英语考试的应试者（如大学英语四六级、托福雅思、考研等） 【你将获得】 1、超过1000篇外刊精读课程，拓展丰富语言表达和文化背景 2、逐词、逐句精确讲解，系统掌握英语词汇、听力、阅读和语法 3、每期内附学习笔记，包含全文注释、长难句解析、疑难语法点等，帮助扫除阅读障碍。

China's top economic planner announced on Monday that it is taking temporary control measures on domestic gasoline and diesel prices to shield the economy and consumers from a recent abnormal spike in international crude oil prices.国家发展和改革委员会3月23日宣布，为保障经济和消费者免受近期国际原油价格异常飙升的冲击，将对国内汽油、柴油价格采取临时调控措施。Starting at midnight on Monday, the retail prices of gasoline and diesel will see a moderated increase of 1,160 yuan ($163) and 1,115 yuan per metric ton, respectively, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.根据国家发展改革委发布的通知，自3月23日24时起，国内汽油、柴油零售价将适度上调，每吨分别上涨1160元和1115元。Under the country's existing pricing mechanism, the sharp rise in global oil prices—driven by escalating geopolitical conflicts, would have triggered a much steeper hike of 2,205 yuan per ton for gasoline and 2,120 yuan per ton for diesel.根据现行价格机制计算，受地缘政治冲突加剧影响，国际油价持续飙升，原本汽、柴油价格每吨分别应上调2205元和2120元。The NDRC stated that this temporary intervention, executed within the framework of the current pricing mechanism, is designed to mitigate the impact of extreme global market fluctuations. The move aims to ease the financial burden on downstream users, ensure the smooth operation of the macroeconomy, and safeguard people's basic livelihoods.国家发改委表示，此次在现行价格机制框架内实施的临时调控措施，旨在有效减缓国际油价异常上涨带来的冲击，减轻下游用户负担，保障经济平稳运行和社会民生。To maintain market stability, the commission has directed major oil production and sales enterprises to optimize their operations, coordinate transport, and guarantee an adequate market supply of refined oil.国家发展改革委将指导成品油生产销售企业全力做好成品油生产组织调运，保障市场供应。Furthermore, the NDRC pledged to work closely with relevant departments to intensify market supervision. Authorities will strictly crack down on any violations of national price policies to maintain market order and effectively protect consumer rights and interests.此外，国家发改委将密切配合相关部门加大市场监督检查力度，严厉查处不执行国家价格政策等违法违规行为，切实维护市场秩序，保护消费者利益。gasoline /ˈɡæsəliːn/汽油 diesel /ˈdiːzəl/柴油 crude oil /kruːd ɔɪl/原油 refined oil /rɪˈfaɪnd ɔɪl/成品油 intensify market supervision /ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ ˈmɑːrkɪt ˌsuːpərˈvɪʒən/加强市场监管

China has rolled out a guideline to advance child-friendly development across the society. The National Development and Reform Commission said the move aims to promote children's healthy, all-round growth.

The head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic regulator, says the country's GDP is expected to grow by over six trillion yuan, or nearly 870 billion U.S. dollars, this year (01:20). Foreign diplomats and overseas media have spoken highly of China's ongoing Two Sessions and achievements over the past years (11:58). Beijing calls for de-escalating tensions in the Middle East while stepping up efforts to assist stranded Chinese nationals in the region (19:41).

China has revised and abolished more than 10,000 problematic policy documents nationwide this year as it reviews laws and regulations involving the unequal treatment of enterprises, with a focus on grassroots authorities, according to the Ministry of Justice.据司法部介绍，今年以来，中国在审查涉及企业不平等对待的法律法规过程中，已在全国范围内修订和废止1万余份存在问题的政策文件，重点聚焦基层执法和行政部门。Key grassroots issues have also been addressed, including government failures to fulfill obligations, illegal debt raising and the practice of "new officials disowning past obligations".同时，一批基层突出问题得到整治，包括政府不履行承诺、违法举债，以及“新官不理旧账”等现象。Launched in March, a special operation led by the ministry to standardize enterprise-related law enforcement has rectified 54,000 prominent cases across the country, assisting enterprises recover 28.92 billion yuan ($4 billion) in economic losses.今年3月启动的由司法部牵头的涉企执法规范化专项行动，已在全国纠治5.4万起突出问题，帮助企业挽回经济损失289.2亿元人民币（约合40亿美元）。To unify law enforcement standards, the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with departments such as market supervision and firefighting, has urged local governments to introduce more than 330 standardized measures.为统一执法标准，司法部会同市场监管、消防等部门，推动地方出台330余项执法规范化措施。In addition, more than 50 million entries on enterprises' abnormal operation lists have been restored, and 3.5 million penalty records removed, in a bid to ease hurdles hindering enterprises' credit restoration and access to financing and bidding opportunities.此外，已有5000多万条企业经营异常名录记录被修复，350万条行政处罚记录被依法撤销，着力破解企业信用修复、融资和参与招投标等方面的障碍。Following the operation, arbitrary fines nationwide have dropped by 8.2 percent year-on-year, with stricter oversight imposed on regions registering abnormal hikes in fines.专项行动开展后，全国乱罚款现象同比下降8.2%，对罚款异常增长地区实施了更严格的监督。Meanwhile, departments including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Finance have advanced long-term supervision of enterprise-related charges, prompting regions and departments to generally establish catalogs of such charges and release them to the public.与此同时，国家发展改革委、工业和信息化部、财政部等部门推进涉企收费长效监管，推动各地区、各部门普遍建立涉企收费目录并向社会公开。Illegal cross-regional and profit-driven law enforcement has also been targeted, with relevant cases screened, irregularities rectified and root causes identified. Cross-provincial jurisdiction systems and collaborative mechanisms have been established following comprehensive case reviews.跨区域、逐利性执法问题也被纳入重点整治范围，通过筛查案件、纠正违规行为、查找问题根源，推动建立跨省管辖制度和协作机制。In one typical case, a county-level comprehensive law enforcement bureau in Shandong province was found in April 2025 to have illegally penalized an out-of-town seed business.在一起典型案例中，2025年4月，山东省某县综合执法局被查出对一家外地种子企业实施了违法处罚。The bureau fined the company in March for failing to label variety right numbers on corn seeds but failed to transfer jurisdiction to the relevant local agricultural authority as required. The municipal supervision bureau issued a rectification order and transferred the case to disciplinary authorities.该执法局于3月以玉米种子未标注品种权编号为由对企业罚款，但未按规定将案件移交当地农业主管部门。市级监督部门随后下达整改通知，并将案件移送纪检部门处理。According to the ministry, the operation, coupled with supporting policies, has boosted market vitality.司法部表示，专项行动及配套政策有效激发了市场活力。The number of national market entities has seen a net increase of more than 5 million, while newly registered private enterprises rose by 6.8 percent in the first eight months, 18.6 percentage points higher than the growth rate for the entire last year.全国市场主体数量净增500多万户，前八个月新登记民营企业同比增长6.8%，比去年全年增速高出18.6个百分点。Vice-Minister of Justice Hu Weilie said that despite progress, deep-seated problems remain in administrative law enforcement.司法部副部长胡卫列表示，尽管取得积极成效，但行政执法领域仍存在一些深层次问题。Some entities, he said, have failed to strictly implement the "two separate lines for revenue and expenditure" system to tighten oversight of public fund management.他说，一些单位未严格落实“收支两条线”制度，公共资金监管不到位。Instead, they have set quotas and targets for confiscated income or linked such income to performance assessments.相反，有的地方设定罚没收入指标，或将罚没收入与绩效考核挂钩。Others have not fully advanced the reform of administrative law enforcement, leading to recurring issues such as overlapping and redundant enforcement as well as shirking responsibilities.还有一些地方行政执法体制改革推进不到位，导致多头执法、重复执法和推诿扯皮等问题反复出现。Some have abused discretion in administrative penalties, arbitrarily imposing maximum fines and substituting penalties for proper management, Hu said.胡卫列表示，还有个别执法人员滥用自由裁量权，动辄顶格处罚，以罚代管。He said these problems have persisted for a long time and stem from deep-rooted causes that include misplaced performance concepts, insufficient professional law enforcement capabilities, weak oversight, and inadequate institutional development. More in-depth research and targeted efforts are needed to address the challenges, he added.他指出，这些问题长期存在，根源在于政绩观偏差、执法专业能力不足、监督乏力以及制度建设不健全等深层因素。他补充说，必须开展更深入研究，采取更有针对性的举措，才能有效破解这些难题。To improve and standardize long-term mechanisms for enterprise-related law enforcement, the ministry will accelerate the introduction of regulations, including measures for the administration of law enforcers and policy documents advancing the rule of law in comprehensive administrative law enforcement reform.为健全和规范涉企执法长效机制，司法部将加快出台相关法规制度，包括执法人员管理办法以及推进综合行政执法改革法治化的政策文件。Approval, supervision and law enforcement powers will be more scientifically delineated, and regular training and proficiency tests for law enforcement personnel expanded.审批权、监管权和执法权将更加科学划分，同时扩大执法人员常态化培训和能力考核。Authorities will also intensify efforts to align administrative law enforcement standards across regions and review laws, regulations and policies that hinder the construction of a unified national market.有关部门还将加大行政执法标准跨区域统一力度，系统清理妨碍全国统一大市场建设的法律法规和政策措施。The ministry will promote the development of a national unified administrative law enforcement supervision platform to strengthen full-process, real-time and precise oversight of enforcement activities.司法部还将推动建设全国统一的行政执法监督平台，强化对执法活动的全过程、实时化、精准化监督。ease business issues优化营商环境 new officials disowning past obligations新官不理旧账enterprise-related law enforcement涉企执法credit restoration信用修复profit-driven law enforcement逐利性执法unified national market全国统一大市场

Eager to tap into a huge potential customer base, industry players are accelerating their push into the artificial intelligence-driven toys market, hoping to unlock new growth as supportive policies inject fresh momentum into the sector.为挖掘庞大的潜在客户群体，行业参与者正加速进军人工智能驱动的玩具市场，期待借政策支持为该领域注入新动能，从而开启新的增长空间。Experts and business leaders noted that AI toys, created to provide emotional support and companionship, are well-positioned to spark the next wave of consumer trends by using advanced technologies to foster emotional connections with consumers.专家和商业领袖指出，人工智能玩具旨在提供情感支持与陪伴，凭借先进技术与消费者建立情感纽带，有望引领下一波消费潮流。"Young consumers are increasingly paying for emotional value, and AI companionship is emerging as a key early-use case," said Sun Zhaozhi, founder and CEO of Shanghai-based AI-driven toy startup Robopoet.上海人工智能玩具初创企业珞博智能科技有限公司创始人兼首席执行官孙兆治表示：“年轻消费者越来越愿意为情感价值买单，而人工智能陪伴正成为关键的早期应用场景。”"This is attracting more companies, including major firms, into the field," Sun said.孙兆治表示：“这正吸引着更多企业，包括大型企业，进入该领域。”According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China's AI toy market was valued at 24.6 billion yuan ($3.49 billion) in 2024, and is expected to be worth 29 billion yuan this year.根据工业和信息化部的数据显示，2024年中国人工智能玩具市场规模达246亿元（约合34.9亿美元），预计今年将达到290亿元。The growth momentum is backed by an action plan released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the People's Bank of China and the State Administration for Market Regulation last month, where collectible toys were listed as a priority support consumption category for the first time, making it one of 10 consumer segments targeted to exceed the 100 billion yuan mark by 2027.增长势头得益于上月由工业和信息化部、国家发展和改革委员会、商务部、文化和旅游部、中国人民银行及国家市场监督管理总局联合发布的行动方案。该方案首次将收藏玩具列为重点扶持消费品类，使其成为十个目标消费领域之一，力争到2027年实现规模突破千亿人民币大关。"The deep integration of AI with traditional toy manufacturing is reshaping product forms and value chains, making AI toys a new engine for high-quality industrial development," said He Yaqiong, head of the consumer products industry department at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.工业和信息化部消费品司司长何亚琼表示：“人工智能与传统玩具制造的深度融合，正在重塑产品形态和价值链，使智能玩具成为高质量产业发展的全新引擎。”Priced at 399 yuan, Robopoet's flagship AI plush toy Fuzozo, which talks to and makes eye contact with users, sold over 1,000 units in the first 10 minutes of the "618" shopping festival presale and ranked No 1 in AI toy sales on both JD and Tmall during this year's Double 11 shopping festival, Sun said.珞博智能旗下旗舰AI毛绒玩具“芙崽”售价399元，具备与用户对话及眼神交流功能。据孙兆治透露，该产品在“618”购物节预售阶段开售10分钟内销量突破千台，并在今年双11购物节期间同时荣登京东、天猫两大平台AI玩具销量榜首。The senior executive added that the product has sold about 100,000 units so far this year and targets 1 million next year, aiming for 400-500 million yuan in gross merchandise value.孙兆治补充道，该产品今年迄今已售出约10万台，明年目标为100万台，力争实现4亿至5亿元人民币的商品交易总额。As consumer demand grows more diverse, more companies are shifting their focus toward AI-powered pet companions.随着消费者需求日益多元化，越来越多的企业正将目光转向人工智能驱动的宠物伴侣。"Unlike typical robots designed to serve humans, our product simulates a live pet that needs care. The process of caring offers users a sense of healing, helping them to cope with anxiety and loneliness," said He Jiabin, co-founder and CEO of AI robot pet manufacturer Ropet.人工智能宠物机器人Ropet的联合创始人兼首席执行官何嘉斌表示：“与传统服务型机器人不同，我们的产品模拟了需要照料的活体宠物。照料过程能为用户带来治愈感，帮助他们缓解焦虑与孤独。”He added that AI-powered robot pets better suit the lifestyles of young people today, as challenges such as allergies, time constraints and a training process are not present.何嘉斌补充道，人工智能驱动的机器人宠物更适合当今年轻人的生活方式，因为它们避免了过敏、时间限制和训练过程等难题。Supported by an emotional large language model and behavioral learning, Ropet can continuously adapt to users' habits and gradually develop distinctive traits, allowing it to interact more like a personalized pet, the executive said.何嘉斌表示，在情感化大型语言模型和行为学习技术的支持下，Ropet能够持续适应用户习惯并逐步形成独特个性，使其互动体验更接近于个性化宠物。Following its domestic debut on JD in late October, the AI pet product quickly made its way into the platform's top three ranking in the robot category by sales volume during the Double 11 shopping festival.这款人工智能宠物产品于十月下旬在京东平台国内首发后，在双十一购物节期间迅速跻身该平台机器人品类销量前三名。"Our business logic is straightforward: first create an appealing hardware product, then use high usage rates to accumulate behavioral data, and finally leverage this data to deliver true intelligence," He said.他说道：“我们的商业逻辑很简单：先打造一款吸引人的硬件产品，再通过高使用率积累行为数据，最后利用这些数据实现真正的智能化。”As domestic momentum builds, Chinese AI toys are also finding strong traction abroad.随着国内势头增强，中国的人工智能玩具在海外市场也获得了强劲的牵引力。In 2024, China's domestic toy retail market was worth 97.85 billion yuan, up 25.5 percent from 2020, while toy exports totaled $39.87 billion, rising 19.1 percent from 2020, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said.工业和信息化部数据显示：2024年中国国内玩具零售市场规模达978.5亿元，较2020年增长25.5%；玩具出口总额达398.7亿美元，较2020年增长19.1%。"Consumers in the United States and Europe have shown high acceptance of AI robots with visual understanding and personalized interaction. Many describe our products as 'little desktop creatures', 'AI pets' or an 'emotional charging station'," said Yi Qi, marketing manager at Shenzhen-based AI hardware company TangibleFuture.深圳可触未来智能硬件有限公司的市场经理陈怡琦表示：“美国和欧洲消费者对具备视觉理解和个性化交互功能的人工智能机器人表现出高度接受度。许多人将我们的产品称为‘桌面小精灵'、‘人工智能宠物'或‘情感充电站'。”The company's LOOI Robot, priced at around $150, differs from typical companion robots with its phone-dock form factor. Once a smartphone is placed on it, the device activates intelligent interaction and obstacle detection functions.该公司推出的LOOI机器人售价约150美元，其手机底座造型设计区别于传统伴侣机器人。当智能手机放置于底座后，设备即刻激活智能交互与障碍物检测功能。Since mass production began in November 2024, more than 10,000 units have been shipped, with 90 percent sold overseas. The product even received a social media endorsement from Tesla CEO Elon Musk.自2024年11月启动量产以来，LOOI机器人已交付逾万台，其中90%销往海外市场。该产品甚至获得了特斯拉首席执行官埃隆·马斯克在社交媒体上的推荐。"Boasting the world's most complete toy industry chain, strong manufacturing capabilities and a highly skilled labor force, China is now able to offer more high-quality and well-priced toys to global consumers," said He Ya qiong, from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.工业和信息化部部长何亚琼表示：“中国拥有全球最完整的玩具产业链、强大的制造能力和高素质的劳动力队伍，如今能够为全球消费者提供更多高品质、高性价比的玩具。”gross merchandise value(GMV)商品交易总额tractionn.[ˈtrækʃn]吸引力

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley:  9am-10am  Galway secures €3billion in revised National Development plan    Nearly €150k spent on proposed Clifden railway bridge before NTA pulled funding   COPE Galway offers Essential Lifeline to over 3,000 people, annual report shows   10am-11am Pathway now clear for establishment of  Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce in Ballinasloe   Demand for answers after turf cutting injunction   Kennys Bookshop & Art Gallery celebrates 85 years in business   11am-12pm Culture Corner - The Reincarnation of Cornelius Agrippa   Connacht Tribune Headlines    Anti-Genocide group to protest at Honorary Doctorate cermony at University of Galway   Music Mornings - SAILHYMN  

The Department of Transport published the list of transport projects that are on the priority list for this government under the Revised National Development Plan, this list is discussed by Fianna Fail Senator Dee Ryan, Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove, Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice and Paul Hosford Political Editor, Irish Examiner

China's sharpened focus on cultivating strategic emerging industries during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period will give fresh vitality to nurturing new quality productive forces and help the country better navigate external uncertainties while maintaining its edge amid global competition, said officials, experts and company executives.Their comments came as China plans to make more efforts to accelerate the development of emerging sectors such as new energy, new materials, aerospace and the low-altitude economy during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, according to the recently unveiled Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.President Xi Jinping said the recommendations were initiated in line with the country's strategic development goals, recognizing the pivotal role of the next five years, and based on an in-depth analysis of both the domestic and global landscapes.Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said, "It is important that we seize this window of opportunity to consolidate and build on our strengths, remove development bottlenecks, shore up areas of weakness, seize the strategic initiative amid intense international competition, and secure major breakthroughs in strategic tasks of overall importance to Chinese modernization."The remarks were made in Xi's explanatory speech on the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, delivered at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which concluded in Beijing in late October.Yao Jun, head of the department of planning at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that "President Xi's speech is grounded in reality and forward-looking, and it has pointed the way forward for us in all our endeavors".According to Yao, the achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period have laid a solid foundation, and the strategic tasks proposed going forward are comprehensive and well-focused.Yao said, "We will anchor our work on developing new quality productive forces, driven by the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation."He added that the focus will be on intelligent, green and integrated development, moving manufacturing from scale expansion to value creation.Zhu Min, former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said the distinctive strength of China's economy lies in its strong real economy and industrial system."As China's technological capabilities continue to grow, the key challenge — and opportunity — is to effectively integrate these advancements to cultivate new industries driven by new quality productive forces. That's central to China's future economic trajectory," he said.Zhu also said such a trend is already mirrored in China's emphasis on strategic emerging industries such as new energy and the low-altitude economy. These sectors are poised for significant growth, built upon the robust momentum of China's "three new" economies — new industries, new business forms and new models — which already contributed over 18 percent to the country's GDP as of 2024, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.Zhu Keli, founding dean of the China Institute of New Economy, said, "China's goal of nurturing these frontier sectors not only reflects confidence in our own industrial capabilities but, more critically, serves as a key measure to seize the initiative in global sci-tech industrial competition."China has been the world's largest manufacturing country in terms of output for 15 consecutive years, and it ranks first globally in the output of over 220 industrial products, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology."Boasting such a complete industrial system, China provides rich application scenarios and enormous market potential for technological innovation, as well as solid support for the development of new industries," Zhu added.According to Zhu, emerging pillar industries, represented by the low-altitude economy, are now capable of driving growth momentum and are transitioning from "isolated breakthroughs" to "industrial-chain-wide expansion".Tian Gangyin, founder, chairman and president of the Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle developer United Aircraft, said the blueprint mapped out for the 15th Five-Year Plan period is "inspiring and motivating".Industrial-level drones are finding applications in a wide range of fields, such as emergency rescue work, power line patrolling, farming, and surveillance and security operations, he added.Aerospace is another strategic industry that China values, and in which companies are moving fast. Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co, for instance, plans to double its number of launch pads from two to four, and push forward rocket-recovery technology, marking a major step in the country's bid to build a globally competitive commercial space hub in Wenchang, Hainan province.Yang Tianliang, chairman of the company, said: "By end-2026, we will have launch pads No 3 and No 4, along with a new technical area and telemetry station. Once completed, the facility will be able to handle more than 60 launches annually, with each pad supporting launch missions every 10 days, or even weekly."Meanwhile, China is making progress in the new energy industry, such as in nuclear energy.Wei Zhigang, chairman of Hainan Nuclear Power Co, said artificial intelligence computing fuels an exponential surge in demand for electricity, and it is increasingly difficult for the traditional energy supply to meet such a huge demand."Secure, affordable and low-carbon energy has become a key factor driving the high-quality development of the intelligent computing industry," Wei said.

In this episode, Jim sits down with U.S. National Development Program Head Coach Chris Zambri to discuss how the USGA is building a national system to develop America's next wave of world-class golfers. Zambri shares his journey from USC and Pepperdine to leading the program, why the U.S. needed a true national development model, and how it's inspired by Sweden's holistic approach to building complete athletes—mentally, physically, and technically. They dive into how the program identifies top talent, fills key gaps in junior development like course management and performance analytics, and prepares players for elite competition. Zambri also breaks down the boys team's groundbreaking appearance at the Sahalee NCAA event, where high schoolers competed against powerhouse college programs—gaining invaluable experience under professional-level conditions. The US National Development Program also has a Grant Program helping deserving families offset the financial burden of pursuing elite junior golf. The application for the 2026 grants is Friday October 31st. For more information, see https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/usndp-home-page/grant-information.html The Driven Golf Podcast is brought to you by FlagBag Golf Company and StrackaLine. Use code ‘DRIVEN' for 20% off StrackaLine yardage books or mention ‘Driven Golf' when ordering a FlagBag golf bag for a free custom headcover. @flagbaggolf | flagbaggolfco.com strackaline.com Join the Driven Golf Podcast Group on Facebook and subscribe to the Driven Golf Analytics YouTube Channel. Visit DRVN.Golf for more content. Hosts: Jim Colton (@drivengolfanalytics) & Andrew Lewis (@andrewlewisgolf) @usndp⁠)Producer: Joseph Kay (@joseph_kay)

China is set to make the development of new quality productive forces one of the top priorities of its next five-year plan, as policymakers seek to upgrade the nation's industrial structure, spur innovation-driven growth, and reinforce confidence in the long-term outlook of the world's second-largest economy, said officials, experts and global executives.官员、专家及全球企业高管表示，中国计划将发展新质生产力列为下一个五年规划的重点任务之一，政策制定者正致力于推动产业结构升级、激发创新驱动型增长，并增强对这一世界第二大经济体长期发展前景的信心。The new blueprint will serve as a crucial bridge between the current phase of recovery and China's goal of basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035. Experts said it underscores the country's resolve to reinvigorate growth amid domestic structural pressures and rising global uncertainties, steering the economy toward new drivers such as advanced manufacturing, green transformation and digital innovation.这份新蓝图将成为当前复苏阶段与中国2035年基本实现社会主义现代化目标之间的重要桥梁。专家指出，这凸显了中国在国内结构性压力和全球不确定性上升的背景下重振增长的决心，推动经济向先进制造业、绿色转型和数字创新等新动力方向发展。Their comments came as the market is closely watching the draft proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), as the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is holding its fourth plenary session in Beijing to deliberate on the drafting of the blueprint for China's development over the next five years.他们的表态正值市场密切关注“十五五”规划草案之际，中共二十届四中全会正在北京召开，审议未来五年中国发展蓝图的编制工作。President Xi Jinping shed light on the likely key priorities in Shanghai in April as he presided over a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period and delivered an important speech.4月，习近平主席在上海主持“十五五”时期经济社会发展座谈会并发表重要讲话，阐明了未来五年可能的重点任务。Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said higher strategic priority must be given to fostering new quality productive forces in line with local conditions in the next five years.作为中共中央总书记，习近平强调，未来五年必须结合地方实际，把培育新质生产力摆在更突出的战略位置。Highlighting the roles of technological innovation and the real economy, he called for efforts to transform and upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging industries, and make forward-thinking arrangements for industries of the future, in order to accelerate modernization of the industrial system.习近平主席强调科技创新和实体经济的重要作用，呼吁着力推动传统产业转型升级、发展战略性新兴产业、前瞻布局未来产业，以加快推进工业体系现代化。Robin Xing, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley, said his team believes that China will remain committed to deepening the economic transition anchored in technology and innovation to secure the supply chain and energy self-sufficiency. "We expect a tech-and supply-driven framework."摩根士丹利首席中国经济学家邢自强表示，其团队认为中国将继续致力于深化以科技和创新为核心的经济转型，保障供应链和能源自给自足，“我们预计将形成一个以科技和供应链为驱动的框架”。Zhang Ning, senior China economist at UBS Investment Bank, said China is likely to continue offering support in fundamental and frontier research, and in self-sufficiency technology bottleneck areas during the next five years.瑞银投资银行高级中国经济学家张宁指出，未来五年中国可能会继续支持基础研究和前沿研究，并在关键技术“卡脖子”领域助力自主可控。"We think fostering 'high-quality growth' will likely be the top priority over the next decade, mainly driven by innovation and total factor productivity growth," Zhang added.她补充道：“我们认为，未来十年‘高质量增长'有望成为首要任务，这一增长将主要由创新和全要素生产率提升驱动”。A meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, chaired by Xi in late September, discussed major issues related to the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development.9月底，习近平主席主持召开中共中央政治局会议，研究“十五五”时期国民经济和社会发展规划编制的重大问题。The meeting stressed the need to remain committed to high-quality development, foster new quality productive forces in line with local conditions, and comprehensively deepen reform while further expanding high-level opening-up.会议强调，要坚持高质量发展，结合地方实际培育新质生产力，全面深化改革并进一步扩大高水平对外开放。Citing research topics for the next five-year plan released by the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic regulator, Ye Fan, an analyst at Southwest Securities, said the scope of studies under the upcoming five-year plan has expanded significantly, with newly added topics accounting for about 50 percent of the total.西南证券分析师叶凡援引中国最高经济调控机构国家发展和改革委员会发布的“十五五”规划研究课题指出，下一个五年规划的研究范围大幅扩大，新增课题约占总数的50%。"Among them, subjects related to technological innovation and industrial development increased by 80 percent and 64 percent, respectively," Ye noted. "The topics cover key areas such as global technological and industrial transformation, talent development and innovation capacity building. In terms of industrial priorities, the focus is placed on key areas including the digital economy, artificial intelligence, services and healthcare."其中，科技创新和产业发展相关课题占比分别提升80%和64%，涵盖全球科技产业变革、人才培养、创新能力建设等关键领域；产业重点则聚焦数字经济、人工智能、服务业、医疗健康等方向。According to Ye, policymakers will place greater emphasis on development quality, efficiency and sustainability in the next five years. "It will drive industrial upgrading through technological innovation, deepen the integration of the digital and real economies, and promote a comprehensive green transformation of China's economy and society."叶凡表示，未来五年政策制定者将更注重发展质量、效率和可持续性，通过科技创新推动产业升级，深化数字经济与实体经济融合，促进中国经济社会全面绿色转型。In March 2024, Zheng Shanjie, head of the NDRC, told a symposium that the planning of the 15th Five-Year Plan will fully take into account the practical requirements for developing new quality productive forces.2024年3月，国家发展和改革委员会（NDRC）主任郑栅洁在一场座谈会上表示，“十五五”规划编制将充分考虑发展新质生产力的实际需求。He said policymakers will focus on identifying key tasks and foundational projects to promote the growth of new quality productive forces as they set major goals, strategic missions, reform measures, and large-scale projects for the next stage of China's economic and social development.他指出，政策制定者在确定下一阶段中国经济社会发展的主要目标、战略任务、改革举措和重大项目时，将重点明确推动新质生产力发展的关键任务和基础性项目。Hu Yuwei, chief policy analyst at China Securities, said the next five-year blueprint will place greater emphasis on innovation-driven growth, green and low-carbon development, and digital transformation to adapt to the trends of globalization and informatization.中国证券首席政策分析师胡玉玮表示，下一个五年规划蓝图将更加强调创新驱动增长、绿色低碳发展和数字化转型，以适应全球化和信息化趋势。China's innovation capacity has risen rapidly over the past few years. According to the "Global Innovation Index 2025" report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, China has risen to 10th place in the global innovation ranking for 2025, up one spot from last year, marking its first entry into the top 10.过去几年，中国创新能力快速提升。根据世界知识产权组织发布的《2025年全球创新指数》报告，中国2025年全球创新排名升至第10位，较上年提升1位，首次进入前十。However, Hu cautioned that challenges remain. "Our basic research remains relatively weak, with insufficient concentration of scientific resources and a lack of systematic advantage in original innovation."不过，胡玉玮也提醒，挑战依然存在。“我国基础研究相对薄弱，科技资源集中度不足，原始创新缺乏系统性优势。”Hu suggested that during the next five years, China should strengthen its national strategic science and technology capacity, enhance self-reliance in core technologies, and promote advanced, smart and green manufacturing.胡玉玮建议，未来五年，中国应强化国家战略科技力量，提升核心技术自主可控能力，推动先进制造、智能制造和绿色制造发展。Global executives hailed China's ongoing efforts to foster new quality productive forces, saying that multinational corporations will see rising opportunities in the next few years.全球企业高管对中国培育新质生产力的持续努力表示赞赏，认为跨国公司未来几年将迎来更多机遇。"I don't see China only as just the market. I think China has probably become an engine for some specific innovations, which we can develop elsewhere," said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, a French transnational group focusing on ecological environment and resource management.法国生态环境与资源管理跨国集团威立雅首席执行官埃斯特尔・布拉希利亚诺夫（音译）表示：“我不认为中国只是一个市场，我认为中国很可能已成为某些特定创新的引擎，这些创新成果也可应用到其他地区。”Brachlianoff said she is confident that China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan will keep green development high on the agenda, creating more opportunities for Veolia in areas such as decarbonization and ecological restoration.布拉希利亚诺夫称，她相信中国即将出台的“十五五”规划将继续把绿色发展置于重要议程，为威立雅在脱碳、生态修复等领域创造更多机会。Marc Horn, president of Merck China, said China is an important source of innovation. "We are very confident in staying the course and remaining committed to our investments (here in China)."默克集团中国区总裁何慕麒表示，中国是重要的创新源泉。“我们对在中国的发展道路充满信心，并将继续坚定投入。”underscore/ˌʌndəˈskɔː(r)/v.强调；凸显bottleneck/ˈbɒtlnek/n.瓶颈；障碍reinforce/ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs/v.增强；巩固deliberate/dɪˈlɪbəreɪt/v.审议；仔细考虑

As usual, the news is newsing. This week we discuss rising international pressure in relation to the starving people of Gaza, the low key announcement of the National Development Plan, listeriosis, racist incidents in Dublin and the removal of the Lidl in Carrigstown from Google Maps.Pre-order Carl's book here.To support the podcast and access bonus episodes, join the community on Patreon here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Emer Higgins, joins us to unpack the National Development Plan—what it means for communities across Ireland, how progress is being tracked, and the priorities shaping the country's future.

Kerry Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly is his party’s spokesperson for climate, environment, energy and transport.

There's a call for the Government to provide clarity as to whether a new Model three hospital in the Midwest will be included in the National Development Plan. The revised plan gives the Department of Health an allocation of €9 billion for 2026 to 2030 but a list of projects to be supported isn't expected to be finalised for several months. The findings of HIQA's review of emergency capacity in this region are due in September and hopes for a new emergency department were dealt a significant blow in May when HSE MidWest made a submission that didn't recommend such a facility. Scariff-based Independent MEP Michael McNamara believes residents of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary deserve a straight answer on the matter.

This week the Government outlined spending of €200 billion on a National Development Plan stretching over the next decade. In parallel it also set out its stall for this year's budget, signalling a spending and tax package of €9.5 billion. Joining host Ciarán Hancock in studio to dissect these spending plans and tax cuts against a backdrop of a potential trade war between the US and the EU were Ellen Coyne, political correspondent of The Irish Times, Ferga Kane, EY Ireland's strategy and transactions team lead, and Cliff Taylor of The Irish Times. They tease out the headline numbers in the National Development Plan, the areas being targeted over the next five years, and the likely impact on future foreign investment.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Jerry spoke to Minister for Children Norma Foley about the National Development Plan and the Government’s summer economic statement.

The Government is being urged to ramp up investment in the road network of rural parts of Clare. It comes as details have been revealed of the State's plans to invest €112 billion in infrastructure over the next five years. As part of the revised National Development Plan, housing is to receive an investment of €36 billion while transport will be supported to the tune of €24 billion - €2 billion of which will go towards Dublin's Metrolink. O'Callaghan's Mills native and Secretary of the Clare branch of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association, Martin McMahon, claims the powers that be have a job of work to do to prove the west of Ireland isn't being forgotten about.

The government has signed off on a 112-billion-euro capital investment package out to the end of the decade. A further 100 billion is being planned for the years 2030 to 2035. The National Development Plan review injects further cash from the Apple Tax and AIB share sales. 24 billion of that money will be put into transport, including public transport. While 36 billion euro is being provided to 2030 for housing - not including investment in water. Tánaiste Simon Harris says the money will contribute to huge infrastructure improvements. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Garry Miley, Ogonnelloe-based Architect and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, West On Track.

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin joined Newstalk Breakfast this morning ahead of the Cabinet summer break. Joining Shane to discuss Metrolink, budget and the National Development Plan and more.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Jack Chambers joins The Last Word to discuss the Government's revised National Development Plan which aims to address the country's gaps in housing, utilities infrastructure, transport and more.Catch the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

A Clare TD says the county is in urgent need of large-scale funding under the National Development Plan to prevent the death of rural Clare communities. A further €30 billion is to be be added to the revised plan, taking the total to €100 billion between 2026 and 2030. The amounts allocated to each department and utility will be announced later today while a full list of all projects set to receive funding is not expected for a number of months. Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney says business closures and population decline will continue in rural areas if infrastructural issues aren't addressed.

The Government's flagship new plan to build infrastructure over the next five years. Reporter Barry Lenihan gives us a breakdoen of the details.

The Government's National Development Plan has been unveiled today, which will see investment to the tune of €200 billion over the next decade.But, will this be all it's cracked up to be?Joining Kieran to discuss is Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC and Frances Ruane, the Chair of the state's National Competitiveness and Productivity Council.

The final elements of the €200 billion National Development Plan have been agreed and published earlier today, with the government setting out how we will invest in all our infrastructure for the next 10 years.But, what exactly will the money be spent on, and was every base covered?Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and TD for Galway West/South Mayo and David Timoney, Chief Economist at Davy, join Kieran to discuss.

The final elements of the €200 billion National Development Plan have been agreed and published earlier today, with the Government setting out how we will invest in all our infrastructure for the next 10 years.So how will the €200 billion be spent?Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Reform and Digitalisation, Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader and TD for Dublin City West, Jack Chambers, joins Kieran to discuss.

Cormac McQuinn, Political Correspondent for the Irish Times, discusses the revised National Development Plan being unveiled by government. Sean Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, outlines the new National Development Plan projected to spend nearly €100 billion between 2026 and 2030.

Sandra Hurley, of our Political staff, reports on the revised national development plan which is due to be published tomorrow.

With a chronic shortage of housing, a water supply which cannot meet demand, and an electricity grid creaking at the seams, there's plenty to talk about with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Jack Chambers.

Michael Healy-Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine; Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin TD for Sligo–Leitrim; Paul Lawless, Aontú TD for Mayo

David Murphy, Economics and Public Affairs Editor, explains what the National Development Plan review is and why it matters.

On behalf of Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region and its National Security Task Force the Hoover Institution held a Taiwan Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 5:00 - 6:00 pm PT. Taiwan is facing a potential constitutional crisis. In December 2024, Taiwan's opposition-controlled legislature voted to impose a 2/3 supermajority quorum for the Constitutional Court to hear new cases. The legislature then voted down all the new nominees to the Court, leaving it with only 8 of members and unable to meet the new quorum requirement. The government has appealed to the Court to meet anyway and rule that the new amendments are unconstitutional. In this discussion, three experts on Taiwan's politics and judicial system discuss the factors leading up to this confrontation, the options facing the court, and the potential for deeper reforms to strengthen judicial independence in the face of a deepening confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties. ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS Chien-Chih Lin is an associate research professor at Institutum Iurisprudentiae, Academia Sinica and an associate professor at the Graduate Institute of National Development, National Taiwan University. He received the LLM & JSD degrees from the University of Chicago. His academic interests focus on comparative constitutional law in Asia. Lin is the coauthor ofConstitutional Convergence in East Asia (2022) and Ultimate Economic Conflict between China and Democratic Countries (2022). His articles can be found in both peer-reviewed and student-edited law journals as well as edited volumes, including Oxford Handbook of Constitutional Law in Asia, American Journal of Comparative Law, and International Journal of Constitutional Law. He is the book review editor of International Journal of Constitutional Law. Weitseng Chen is a faculty member at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law, specializing in law and economic development, law and politics, and legal history in the context of Greater China. He has recently published several books, including Regime Type and Beyond: The Transformation of Police in Asia (CUP, 2023), Authoritarian Legality in Asia: Formation, Development and Transition (CUP, 2019), The Beijing Consensus? How China Has Changed the Western Ideas of Law and Economic Development (CUP, 2017), Property and Trust Law: Taiwan (with Yun-Chien Chang & Y. J. Wu, Kluwer, 2017), and Law and Economic Miracle: Interaction Between Taiwan's Development and Economic Laws After WWII (in Chinese, 2000). Weitseng Chen earned his JSD from Yale Law School. Prior to joining NUS, he served as a Hewlett Fellow at Stanford's Center for Democracy,Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) and practiced as a corporate lawyer in the Greater China region with Davis Polk & Wardwell. Kharis Templeman is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and part of the Project on Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific. Templeman is a political scientist (Ph.D. 2012, Michigan) with research interests in Taiwan politics, democratization, elections and election management, party system development, and politics and security issues in Pacific Asia.

On this week's episode of GOLF's Subpar, Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz are joined by USGA CEO Mike Whan for an exclusive interview. The former commissioner of the LPGA talks the many initiatives they have in place for the start of the recreational golf season, what venues he is most excited to have hosting their Championships and why creating the U.S. National Development Program was so important.--Join us at The Bank, Hilton Head's Beer Garden, for Subpar Live on Wednesday, April 16, at 6 PM EST. Enjoy a night of golf, laughs, and good times with drink specials, giveaways, and more. Whether you're a PGA Tour caddie, a fan, or in town for RBC Heritage, this is the place to be. Presented by Zone.--Make sure you enter the Golden Bear(™) Sweepstakes between March 27th - April 13th with Fanatics Sportsbook for your chance to win a pin flag signed by Jack Nicklaus. Gambling Problem? See Official Rules at https://sportsbook.fanatics.com/promo-terms/2025/Sweepstakes/ALL_1878.pdf . Sponsor: FBG Enterprises Opco, LLC. Not sponsored, endorsed by or affiliated with Augusta National, Inc.⁠https://www.joinfanatics.com/subpar-signed-flag-sweepstakes/⁠GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Connecticut residents call (888) 789-7777,  Massachusetts residents call (800)-327-5050, New York residents call (877) 8-HOPENY, Maryland residents visit ⁠mdgamblinghelp.org⁠. --Thank you to our partners at Ship Sticks.  Skip airport stress and costly airline fees with complimentary insurance, real-time tracking, dedicated support, and on-time delivery.  Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠shipsticks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use the code SUBPAR20 to enjoy 20% off your first shipment.--Thank you to our partners at Callaway. The #1 putter on every major Tour—PGA, LPGA, DP World—you name it. More Tour Pros trust Odyssey than any other brand, and it shows with #1 rankings in worldwide wins and money earned. See what it can do for you at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OdysseyGolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.--Choose your style, pick your favorite Birdie Juice logo and shop from a line-up of top tier brands at ⁠⁠⁠⁠shop.golf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ today!

In this episode of The Week in Markets, equities research analyst Jen-Ai Chua highlights how stronger than expected non-farm payrolls data has spooked US markets, while the much awaited press conference by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Tuesday disappointed. More economic data releases in upcoming weeks should provide greater clarity as to the likelihood of ‘no landing' in the US and the slowdown in China. We expect the Asian REITs to continue doing well as expectations of lower rates remain intact.This episode was recorded on October 8, 2024.