Why China still loves its five-year plans
(Financial Times) -- The next plan, which will officially be released in March, could hardly come at a more volatile moment.
Beijing is trumpeting its achievements in technology and green tech but faces challenges from the US on trade as well as an ageing population and a long property slump that is hurting domestic demand and fuelling deflation.
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Rubbish years: how to boost lab group morale when world events crash in
(Nature) - Award-winning mentors share best practice to keep your team going amid political upheavals, economic downturns and other events.
In June 2016, neurobiologist Catherina Becker witnessed at first hand how a contentious national issue could affect the members of her laboratory group. The United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union, triggering the process known as Brexit, was divisive. Becker, then director of the Centre for Neuroregeneration at the University of Edinburgh, UK, found herself navigating the fine line between acknowledging her group’s distress at the vote’s possible implications for their careers and families, and keeping the lab’s day-to-day research on track.
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Sword Drawing
(Global Times) China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday announced countermeasures against Seki Hei, a member of the House of Councillors of the National Diet of Japan. The countermeasures include freezing of movable and immovable properties and other types of assets within the territory of China; prohibition of organizations and individuals within the territory of China from engaging in transactions, cooperation, and other activities with him; denial of visa issuance and entry into China ...
Ubiquitous 7-ELEVEN
(NYT) In Japan, 7-Eleven and its competitors are more than a place to buy a six-pack or pick up a pint of milk. Every day, millions of residents shop for food, send packages and pay their bills at over 55,000 convenience stores in the country. Japan is a magnet for tourists, and convenience stores are often a highlight of a trip. Thousands of people have posted TikTok videos showing off their Japanese convenience store purchases. One of those videos, by the singer Sabrina Carpenter when she visited Japan on tour in 2023, has received over 600,000 likes.
Clear Message
(Global Times) On September 3, in the name of the nation, we hold a grand military parade marking the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, commemorating that arduous and monumental triumph. This is not only a look back at those years of fire and blood, but also, on the coordinates of a new era, a message to the world - an Eastern oath for peace and a solemn commitment to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Enigma of Alcaraz
(ESPN) Now, more than a week later, Alcaraz's hair has already started to grow back, and he has since booked his ticket to the semifinals following a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 victory over No. 20 seed Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday. And while the questions about his cut have seemed to fade, the incident remains a fascinating reminder of just how beloved he is. While some players are always more popular or approachable than others in the locker room, very few players of Alcaraz's caliber, at this stage in his career, typically hold that distinction.
Why the French want fewer children
(France24) Long Europe’s baby-making champions, the French are increasingly aiming to have smaller families or no children at all, a trend driven by changing social norms, economic constraints and the concerns and aspirations of a younger generation.Last year, 12.2 percent of French people said they didn’t want to have children, more than twice the number from 2005, according to a study released on Wednesday by national demography institute INED.
Sihang warehouse remembered
(ChinaDaily)
Standing alongside Suzhou Creek in central Shanghai, the Sihang Warehouse Memorial Hall has weathered nearly a century of history.
"The battle took place in the heart of Shanghai, adjacent to the international settlement, and was witnessed by both Chinese citizens and foreigners. Coming at a time when Chinese forces had suffered many setbacks, this display of determined resistance greatly boosted public morale,"
Mahathir 100
(Time) Yet for a figure who spent his career guarding against voracious Chinese entrepreneurship at home, Mahathir welcomed Chinese investment and is scathing of American efforts to contain the rising superpower. “They are very hard-working people, very skillful, you can’t stop them from growing. China will do everything to retain the market and is doing exactly what the Europeans were doing before.”
Fritz about GF
(ESPN)
Taylor Fritz credits girlfriend amid run to Wimbledon semifinals.
"There's been a pretty constant results and ranking rise since we've been together," said Fritz, who was the runner-up at last year's US Open. "I think I would have to say she's been a big help to me just kind of keeping me focused, having someone who cares and just pushes you to just do better and do the right things, be healthier.
Djokovic 100th Denied
(SUN) He also aimed to become the oldest man to win a Masters title in tennis history when he faced youngster Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final. But a laboured Djokovic went down 7-6 7-6 to the Czech 19-year-old inside the Hard Rock Stadium.
Presage in 1993
(BBC) 'This is the information age': How Microsoft founder Bill Gates mapped out the new internet era back in 1993. Gates and Paul Allen launched computing giant Microsoft 50 years ago. In 1993, he talked to the BBC about the online innovations.
World in Word
May 25 2023
salami tactics
Over the recent years, the United States has followed the salami tactics on the Taiwan question, distorting, manipulating, fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle. Some high-ranking U.S. officials even claimed that the Taiwan question is not China's domestic affair.
bash
Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach welcomed a small crowd of a few thousand for a short fireworks display, and several Brazilian cities canceled celebrations this year due to concern about the coronavirus. The Brazilian capital’s New Year’s bash usually drew more than 2 million people to Copacabana before the pandemic.
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