Miscellaneous News

AndrewJ said:

The entire Chinese Internet is systematically broken & polluted. The more I browse videos on Douyin (Chinese Tiktok), the more negative feelings I have. So many fake/exaggerated/unconfirmed news posted by influencer just for click bait, meanwhile comment section is full of hate/ironic speech. A propaganda war is going on under almost all videos, not only between countries (mainly China vs US & the West), but also between major tech giants, genders, and between goverment policies/officials & the public. Sometimes you can't judge a comment is sent from a paid bot or a genuine voice. Meanwhile, the more Tiktok censors, the more inexplicit uncensored content are comming out.

Atmosphere in Chinese social media platforms is no better than that of X or Youtube now.

I'm finding English content on X is more pro-China than Chinese content on Chinese platforms these days. WTF?

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AndrewJ said:

The entire Chinese Internet is systematically broken & polluted. The more I browse videos on Douyin (Chinese Tiktok), the more negative feelings I have. So many fake/exaggerated/unconfirmed news posted by influencer just for click bait, meanwhile comment section is full of hate/ironic speech. A propaganda war is going on under almost all videos, not only between countries (mainly China vs US & the West), but also between major tech giants, genders, and between goverment policies/officials & the public. Sometimes you can't judge a comment is sent from a paid bot or a genuine voice. Meanwhile, the more Tiktok censors, the more inexplicit uncensored content are comming out.

Atmosphere in Chinese social media platforms is no better than that of X or Youtube now.

I'm finding English content on X is more pro-China than Chinese content on Chinese platforms these days. WTF?

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GulfLander said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1925006196555026575

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Ministry of Commerce Spokesperson's Remarks on US Attempt to Globally Ban Chinese Advanced Computing Chips
China has noted that the US Department of Commerce recently issued guidance seeking to impose a global ban on Chinese advanced computing chips, including specific Huawei Ascend chips, under the pretext of so-called "presumptive violations" of US export controls. These measures represent typical unilateral bullying and protectionism, severely undermining the stability of global semiconductor supply chains and depriving other countries of their right to develop high-tech industries such as advanced computing chips and artificial intelligence.
China believes the US is abusing export controls to suppress and contain China, violating international law and fundamental norms of international relations, seriously infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, and jeopardizing China's development interests.
China emphasizes that the US measures constitute discriminatory restrictions against Chinese companies. Any organization or individual implementing or assisting in the enforcement of these US measures may violate Chinese laws and regulations, including the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, and shall bear corresponding legal liabilities.
Innovation-driven development and win-win cooperation represent the prevailing global trend. China urges the US to immediately correct its wrongdoings, comply with international trade rules, and respect other nations' rights to technological development. China supports global enterprises in deepening technological collaboration based on market principles to achieve mutual benefits and jointly advance technological innovation for the good of all nations. China will closely monitor the implementation of US measures and take resolute actions to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

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AndrewJ said:

The entire Chinese Internet is systematically broken & polluted. The more I browse videos on Douyin (Chinese Tiktok), the more negative feelings I have. So many fake/exaggerated/unconfirmed news posted by influencer just for click bait, meanwhile comment section is full of hate/ironic speech. A propaganda war is going on under almost all videos, not only between countries (mainly China vs US & the West), but also between major tech giants, genders, and between goverment policies/officials & the public. Sometimes you can't judge a comment is sent from a paid bot or a genuine voice. Meanwhile, the more Tiktok censors, the more inexplicit uncensored content are comming out.

Atmosphere in Chinese social media platforms is no better than that of X or Youtube now.

I'm finding English content on X is more pro-China than Chinese content on Chinese platforms these days. WTF?

Click to expand...

Israeli army fires ‘warning shots’ at French and other diplomats visiting West Bank​

The Israeli army on Wednesday fired shots at a delegation of regional, European and Western diplomats visiting the West Bank city of Jenin, sparking condemnations from the Palestinian Authority and several European capitals. An IDF statement said its troops fired "warning shots" and that the delegation "deviated from the approved route". No one was injured in the incident.

A group of foreign diplomats came under fire while visiting the Jenin refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Authority. The diplomats were on an official mission to observe the humanitarian situation in Jenin when shots rang out.

An aid worker, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, said a delegation of about 20 diplomats was being briefed about the situation in Jenin by the Palestinian Authority. The group of regional, European and Western diplomats were standing near the entrance of the Jenin refugee camp when they heard gunshots just before 2pm local time, said witnesses.

No one was injured in the incident.

Footage posted on social media showed the delegation scrambling for cover just inside the eastern entrance to the Jenin camp as loud shots ring out.

A video released by the Palestinian foreign ministry showed two men in Israeli army uniform pointing guns at a group of people from behind metal gates while the shots ring out.

The Israeli military said the visit had been approved, but the delegation “deviated from the approved route” and Israeli soldiers fired warning shots to distance them from the area. The IDF apologised for the incident and said they will contact all of the relevant countries involved in the visit.

The delegation included diplomats from China, Japan, Mexico and several European, including France, Spain and Italy.

France to summon Israeli ambassador over 'unacceptable' incident

The firing of shots by Israeli soldiers during a visit by a diplomatic delegation sparked condemnations from several European capitals.

France will summon the Israeli ambassador in Paris for an explanation, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

In a post on social media platform X, Barrot called the incident "unacceptable".

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome shortly after the incident.

Tajani said he had instructed his ministry to "summon the Israeli Ambassador to Rome to obtain official clarifications on what happened in Jenin" in a post on X.

In an earlier post on X, Tajani slammed the firing of shots on diplomats and called on Israel to "immediately clarify" its actions.

"I have just spoken to Alessandro Tutino, the Deputy Consul General of Italy in Jerusalem, who is well and who was among the diplomats who were apparently shot at near the Jenin refugee camp," he said.

"We call on the government of Israel to immediately clarify what happened. Threats against diplomats are unacceptable," he added.

'Shocked and appalled'

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on Israel to investigate the incident and hold those responsible "accountable".

"Any threats on diplomats' lives are unacceptable," Kallas told journalists in Brussels.

Berlin "strongly condemned" the firing of shots during the visit to Jenin by foreign diplomats, including one from Germany.

"The Israeli government must promptly investigate the circumstances," a foreign ministry spokeswoman said, adding that Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul would also raise the issue of the "unprovoked shooting" with his Israeli counterpart.

Ireland's deputy prime minister Simon Harris condemned the incident as "completely unacceptable". The diplomatic delegation in the West Bank included two Irish envoys.

"I am shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah," Harris said in a statement.

Spain "strongly" condemned the incident, foreign ministry sources told AFP.

"There was a Spaniard in the group of diplomats who is well. We are in contact with other affected countries to jointly co-ordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn," the sources said.

Egypt and Turkey, two Muslim majority countries with diplomatic ties to Israel, also condemned the firing of shots by Israeli troops in Jenin.

The Egyptian foreign ministry said the incident "violates all diplomatic norms" and "demanded the Israeli side provide the necessary explanations" over its circumstances.

Turkey's foreign ministry "strongly condemned" the firing of shots on the delegation, which included Turkish diplomats.

Jenin camp 'will not be what it was'

The Israeli military, which in January launched a major operation in the Jenin area to stamp out militant groups, has recently installed metal gates as seen in the video at the entrances to the camp.

Ahmad al-Deek, political advisor for the Palestinian foreign ministry, told AFP he was leading the delegation.

"We condemn this reckless act by the Israeli army, especially at a time when it had given the diplomatic delegation an impression of the life the Palestinian people are living," he said.

Since Israel launched its large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank the Jenin refugee camp has been taken over by troops.

In January, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said IDF troops would remain in the Jenin refugee camp after the large-scale military operation. "The Jenin refugee camp will not be what it was," Katz said during a visit to the refugee camp. "After the operation is completed, IDF forces will remain in the camp to ensure that terrorism does not return."

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said that by March 31, the operation had displaced some 16,000 people in Jenin.

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The delegation included diplomats from China, Japan, Mexico and several European, including France, Spain and Italy.

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Japan PM vows to cut rice prices that have doubled in a year​

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged Wednesday to take necessary steps to lower rice prices that have doubled over the past year, but repeatedly rejected opposition calls to cut Japan's consumption tax to support households.

During a one-on-one parliamentary debate with opposition leaders, Ishiba said he would, as soon as possible, bring rice prices down to below 4,000 yen ($28) per 5 kilograms from their average current level of 4,268 yen in early May, vowing to stake his job on achieving the target.

The price of the Japanese staple has roughly doubled from a year earlier, as the grain is in short supply due to a poor harvest, while demand has grown in the wake of booming inbound tourism, with more foreign visitors enjoying rice-based dishes at restaurants.

"I believe rice prices should be in the 3,000 yen range, since staying in the 4,000 yen range can't be right. We will bring them down to that target at the earliest possible date," said Ishiba, who has been compelled to act to curb the negative impact of inflation.

Asked by an opposition leader if he will take responsibility as prime minister if the target is missed, Ishiba said, "I think I should," while government efforts, such as releasing emergency stockpiles, have shown little sign of pushing down rice prices.

Ishiba lashed out at the opposition's request to reduce the consumption tax rate as a "tactic to woo voters" ahead of a House of Councillors election this summer -- an opportunity for the public to deliver a verdict on the government's economic policies.

"You should outline as a package how you are going to make up for the expected drop in tax revenue and cope with social security," Ishiba said, although he did not unveil new measures to soften the impact of rising prices.

Ishiba, meanwhile, failed to present concrete steps to tackle the adverse effects of higher U.S. tariffs by President Donald Trump, even as Yoshihiko Noda, who heads the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, took aim at the government's lack of urgency and preparedness.

The main opposition party is seeking to scrap the consumption tax on food items for one year to help struggling households, using unused government funds to cover the shortfall. Noda served as prime minister for about a year through December 2012.

In the opposition camp, the Democratic Party for the People and the Japan Innovation Party are also calling for a cut in the consumption tax rate, currently set at 8% for food and beverages and 10 percent for most other items.

The Komeito party, the junior coalition partner of Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party, has expressed support for reducing the consumption tax on food items.

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rice prices that have doubled over the past year

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"I believe rice prices should be in the 3,000 yen range, since staying in the 4,000 yen range can't be right. We will bring them down to that target at the earliest possible date," said Ishiba, who has been compelled to act to curb the negative impact of inflation.

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BillRamengod said:

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This is a big announcement—it deserves a lot of attention.

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