In conclusion, the resilience and stability of China's foreign trade sector are a testament to the collective efforts of the government, enterprises, industry associations, and international partners. By working together and leveraging their respective strengths, stakeholders in China's foreign trade sector can overcome challenges, adapt to changing market conditions, and ensure a prosperous future for foreign trade. As we approach the end of the year, the outlook for China's foreign trade is optimistic, reflecting the strength, resilience, and adaptability of the sector in the face of global uncertainties.Commerce Secretary visits Norway for implementation of Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement(TEPA)
Roads are as old as time. They take us to places far and near, whether on foot, car, bus or motorcycle. The concept of roads as we know them now originated in the ancient civilisations of the Indian Sub-Continent and Mesopotamia, while paved roads were first introduced by the Romans who developed techniques to build roads using multiple layers of materials of crushed stone. They used crushed stone to help with the water drainage too. Some of these roads still exist in parts of Europe. The horse carriage and subsequently the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powered car hastened the development of road networks all over the world. Incidentally, the very word “car” comes from Roman “Carrum” for “Wheeled Vehicle”. As the number of vehicles increased, it became apparent that better roadways should be built to enable faster speeds, which would cut down travel times. This gave rise to the concept of Expressways. Italy was the first country to build an Expressway – autostrada in Italian – exactly a century ago. The Germans then followed suit with the autobahns (which have no speed limit) and the Americans were next with their Interstate highways that begin with the prefix “I”. For example, I-90 is the Interstate highway that begins in Seattle and ends in Boston, a distance of 4,862 Km. I have had the fortune of traversing all three and it is a great experience. Expressway party Sri Lanka was late to the Expressway party, but there have been plans for several Expressways from the early 1960s. If you travel through Peliyagoda, you might have noticed a structure now used for hoardings and billboards, but which was originally the starting point for an Expressway to Katunayake. That became a reality only after the lapse of several decades. The Southern Expressway was Sri Lanka’s first, opened in 2011. Expressways are a boon to any emerging economy but these are essentially multi-generational projects which will see any financial benefits only after the loans are serviced over many decades, apart from the recurring maintenance costs. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has recently given instructions to expedite work on the 39 Km second stretch of the Central Expressway (a previous Government began this project, but it is in disarray due to various issues including allegations of corruption). Right now, only the 40 Km Meerigama-Kurunegala stretch is functional, so vehicles have to exit from Kanawha and use the normal road up to Meerigama. Thus the middle section must be built without further delay. Then only should the Government focus on the later stages from Kurunegala to Kandy and Dambulla. Once the entire Expressway is completed, access to the Northern, Eastern and Western Provinces will become convenient. The objective of this initiative is to provide safer and faster travelling facilities to the public. It will create an economic corridor with an appropriate connection among road networks. It is vital to extend the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system now operational on the Katunayake BIA Expressway to all other Expressways for the convenience of regular users. Sri Lanka has a comparatively big road network for an island of its size (total land area 65,610 Sq Km), with over 12,000 Km of A, B and C roads. Even some developed countries have much smaller road networks. Many bigger developing countries too are literally miles behind Sri Lanka when it comes to roads. The focus on the existing and proposed Expressway network has taken our attention away from the need to upgrade the existing road network especially in rural areas. This is important as the nearest town could be 20-30 Km away and a good road could mean the difference between life and death for a critically ill patient being taken to hospital. Much of our road network consists of B and C roads which weave their way in and out of rural areas. Some of them, administered by Provincial and local authorities, are not in very good shape. Regular viewers of news on local TV channels come across a news item or two highlighting the woeful state of a rural road almost every day. These roads are so dilapidated that State and private bus operators often refuse to run fearing damage to their vehicles. Walk for miles The result is that schoolchildren have to walk for miles to the nearest school and even critically ill patients have to be carried by a stretcher until a passing vehicle can be hailed on a proper connecting road. Farmers in these areas are unable to bring their produce on time to markets in the city. The economic and social damage is immense, to say the least. Residents living on either side of these neglected roads often say that local politicians promise at every election to repair their roads, but once they are elected, everything is forgotten. This pattern should hopefully change now. Even in so-called urban areas, there are some roads with huge potholes which have not seen the colour of tar for years. These must be repaired without delay. But at the end of the day, the road network can be widened and expanded only up to a certain extent. It is more beneficial to augment the public transport services in the long term so that the insatiable appetite for private transport is curbed somewhat, reducing the massive burden on the road network and also the fuel imports, as I argued last week in this column. Moreover, widening and building new roads rarely solves the problem of traffic in any city. The simple fact is that whenever a road is widened or a new one opened, traffic fills it to the brim sooner rather than later. In the end, no matter how many roads are available, traffic congestion will not go away. Parking woes add to the problem. In fact, while Expressways are no doubt vital, the President and the Government should focus on creating a better public transport network. Getting more private cars on the road is not the ideal solution, though the Government cannot deny anyone the right to buy a motor car in a democracy. Car imports are due to resume in February 2025 initially on a limited scale and we assume that there is a huge pent-up demand for brand new cars in the market. For an island such as Sri Lanka, even 10,000 new vehicles every year is a lot. Car imports But even amid the liberalisation of car imports, ways and means should be found to discourage car and other private vehicle use whenever possible. Private car purchases are minimal in cities such as London, Singapore, Tokyo and New York which have good public transport networks. Parking is scarce in some of these cities, another factor that inhibits car purchases. Some cities such as London already levy a Congestion Fee from cars entering the Central Business District (CBD) or a designated Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which New York will also be trialling from next month. The Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration made a serious blunder with the unilateral cancellation of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system planned for Colombo. This also set off a diplomatic spat with Japan, one of Sri Lanka’s closest all-weather friends. This had the potential to take at least 1,000 cars off the road on the Malabe-Colombo stretch alone, without even taking into account the five other proposed lines. Hopefully, this project will now get under way at last. Had it gone ahead as planned, we would have been using it by now. In fact, Dhaka, Bangladesh went ahead with its LRT around the same time and the trains are operational now while we are still stuck in limbo. There are also calls to replace the ageing fleet of SLTB buses with an electric, low-floor and disabled friendly bus fleet aligned to a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the major cities. A better public transport network will help alleviate the traffic woes in major cities and also prevent air pollution, making cities safer and more livable. Anyway, there is also a dire need to bring the private bus service to heel, as private bus crews have been allowed to run amok all these years, paying scant attention to passenger safety and welfare. Along with three-wheelers, they are the number one cause for serious accidents. There should also be a bigger focus on developing the rail network in line with developing the road network. I heard a radio news bulletin back in 1980 that Sri Lanka would “soon” get an electric train service. Nearly 45 years later, we are still waiting for it. Indeed, developing and electrifying the train network should have been done first, before plunging headlong into Expressways. If that was done at least three decades ago, electric trains running at least 150 Kmph would be running between various cities in Sri Lanka by now. It is indeed shameful that we have not been able to add much to our railway network, apart from a 13 Km line from Anuradhapura to Mihintale and Matara to Beliatta (35 Km). Not surprising, given that we actually truncated a line running all the way to Opanaike, which now terminates at Avissawella. An Expressway to Ratnapura, proposed by a previous Government, cannot make up for this huge loss. A clean, efficient, punctual and comfortable train service on any given line can help take at least 500 cars off the road during the morning and evening weekday rush hours. It will also enable people to ditch their cars for long outstation trips (Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee). The President must give priority to the electrification of the railways with foreign funding, at least the main two-three lines. That should form part of a holistic approach to addressing transport infrastructure issues in Sri Lanka.Baby John Box Office Collection Day 3: Varun Dhawan Film Continues To Drop, Earns Less Than Rs 4 CroreIn light of these factors, experts stress the urgent need for mediation, dialogue, and conflict resolution mechanisms within the anti-government camp. Without a concerted effort to address the root causes of potential conflict and establish mechanisms for dispute resolution, the risk of infighting will only continue to grow. Building trust, fostering communication, and promoting a shared vision for the future will be essential in preventing internal strife and maintaining the unity of the anti-government movement.
Richard Parsons, prominent Black executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76
The consolidation of rural banks in Hebei Province is expected to have a significant impact on the local banking ecosystem. By merging with larger institutions or being acquired by more established players, these smaller banks can benefit from economies of scale, access to advanced technology, and a broader range of financial products and services. This consolidation also allows them to pool resources and expertise to better serve their customers and compete more effectively in the market.Discover the EMT (EarthMeta) Listing on XT
In conclusion, Zuo the Monkey's one-minute interview was a delightful and entertaining spectacle that showcased his unique ability to communicate through emoticons. By combining visual symbols with his charismatic personality, he succeeded in conveying a plethora of emotions and sentiments in a truly captivating manner. With "Zuo the Monkey" as his new persona, Zuo has embraced a fresh identity that encapsulates his playful nature and sense of adventure, proving that sometimes, a simple change in hairstyle can lead to a world of creative possibilities.
The New England Patriots gave a lackluster performance in a on Sunday, but the Week 12 result did improve their position in the first round order for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Patriots entered the week , and they now sit at No. 4 overall. A couple results around the league helped the Patriots in regards to the draft order. The Cleveland Browns earning a surprise win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night was huge for the Patriots. That win allowed New England to move ahead of Cleveland in the draft order. The Tennessee Titans earned an upset victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday, which moved them from the No. 2 pick to the No. 6 pick. The Patriots jumped ahead of the Titans, too. The Dallas Cowboys, like the Patriots, were among the three-win teams going into Week 12, and they won a wild game against the Washington Commanders to improve to 4-7. The chances of the Patriots maintaining or improving their draft position over the next few weeks are pretty good when you consider the fact that their remaining schedule ranks as the second-toughest in the league, . New England's last five opponents have a combined .667 win percentage. Only the Chicago Bears have a tougher remaining schedule. Here's a look at the Patriots' schedule the rest of the season: : vs. Indianapolis Colts : Bye : at Arizona Cardinals : at Buffalo Bills : vs. Los Angeles Chargers : vs. Buffalo Bills It's possible the Buffalo Bills won't have anything to play for in Week 18. They'll probably have the AFC East title wrapped up by that time. However, the No. 1 seed and first-round bye in the AFC playoffs could potentially be at stake. The Bills trail the Chiefs by only one game for the No. 1 seed, and they own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Kansas City. Here's the updated first-round order for the top 10 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. The chart below will be updated as more Week 12 games conclude. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;rHer words of comfort and solidarity resonated with her fans, who were touched by her empathy and kindness. Many of them shared their stories of being bullied and expressed gratitude for Zhao Lusi's unwavering support. In a time when cyberbullying continues to be a prevalent issue, Zhao Lusi's actions serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration.The much-anticipated concert featuring both Yamapi and Jay Chou was an unforgettable night for fans lucky enough to attend. The concert venue was packed with enthusiastic supporters from all walks of life, eager to witness a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between two music legends. As the lights dimmed and the music began to play, the audience erupted into cheers and applause, setting the stage for an extraordinary performance.The clever use of the hidden poem not only confirmed Yang Shize's single status but also demonstrated his wit and playful nature in responding to the rumors. Fans and netizens were quick to praise the actor for his ingenuity and ability to turn a potentially awkward situation into a lighthearted and entertaining moment.
The incident, which was captured on video by a bystander, shows the bear's initial curiosity turning into frustration as the camera's flashing lights and beeping sounds seemingly agitated him. Big Bear, known for his imposing size and typically calm demeanor, appeared to be caught off guard by the sudden disturbance.
Travis Hunter’s Heisman Trophy challengers: What to know about Dillon Gabriel, Ashton Jeanty and Cam WardAmazon just released two new smart displays — the completely new Echo Show 21 and the updated Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen). Both are premium options for your home, offering powerful speakers, Full HD displays, and heaps of useful apps so you can stream videos or check your schedule. But which is the better option? The gigantic Echo Show 21, or the updated Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen)? Here’s a closer look at both to help you decide. Pricing and design The Echo Show 21 is the biggest member of the Echo Show family, and it’s got the price tag to prove it. Clocking in at $400, it’s a hefty investment. Its design is pretty premium, however, and it can be either mounted on a wall or placed on a table with an adjustable stand (sold separately). The Echo Show 15 looks much the same, though it’s quite a bit smaller. But from a design standpoint, it’s essentially a shrunken version of the Echo Show 21. It too can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table with an optional adjustable stand. But at $300, it’s much easier on the wallet. Winner: Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) Display and quality Both products offer a 1080p resolution. The only difference here is the screen size. On the Echo Show 21, you’ll get a 21-inch display. On the Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen), you’ll get a 15.6-inch display. They should look great no matter what you’re using them for, whether it be streaming TV shows, looking up a recipe, or taking a video call. However, the extra real estate on the Echo Show 21 could be a game-changer for most families, as you’ll have more space to hold all your widgets and can quickly parse information from across the room. Winner: Echo Show 21 Features and smart home connectivity There are no significant differences between the Echo Show 21 and Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) when it comes to smart home connectivity or available features. Both are supported by Alexa, come with Fire TV built-in, let you customize your home screen, and sync to other Alexa devices. They also feature a 13MP webcam with auto-framing, which follows you as you move to ensure you’re always in the picture. If you’d prefer privacy, there is a manual privacy shutter that covers the camera when not in use. Other shared specs include two 0.6-inch tweeters, two 2-inch woofers, and the option to use Live View to check in on your device while away from home. Popular supported apps include Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and YouTube, among others. Winner: Tie Is the bigger smart display better? At the end of the day, the only significant difference between the Echo Show 21 and Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) is screen size. Beyond that, they feature the same internal hardware, support the same software, and work seamlessly with other Alexa devices. Because of that, we’d recommend simply picking whichever one works best in your space. If you’re hoping to use the device to watch movies or as a central hub for all your family’s activities, springing for the Echo Show 21 could be a good choice. But if you need something to place on a somewhat crowded countertop or want to save $100, you’re not missing out on anything but screen size when choosing the Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen).
Chen Xiao's appearance at Hangzhou Airport has reignited rumors of trouble in paradise, as fans and media outlets alike speculate about the reason for his solo trip. Some observers have pointed out that the actor seemed unusually somber and preoccupied during his time at the airport, leading to speculation that there may be trouble brewing in his personal life. Others have suggested that his solo travel could simply be work-related, as the entertainment industry often requires its stars to travel frequently for filming and promotional events.
Bass 2-8 0-0 6, Okon 0-1 0-0 0, Hines 6-13 4-6 19, Knox 3-9 0-3 8, Madlock 7-14 2-4 17, Mack 6-9 0-0 18, Walker 2-7 2-2 8, Simpsom 0-2 0-0 0, Andrews 0-1 0-0 0, Fulcher 1-2 0-0 2, Kaego 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-66 8-15 78. Harris 2-8 0-0 5, Lyles 1-3 1-2 3, Gray 4-7 2-2 11, T.Johnson 3-10 0-0 8, N.Johnson 7-12 8-8 25, Scott 3-8 0-0 8, Hardman 6-7 1-2 19, Okonkwo 3-5 2-5 8, Young 3-8 4-4 10, Musiime-Kamali 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-69 18-23 97. Halftime_Akron 50-41. 3-Point Goals_Alabama St. 16-33 (Mack 6-9, Hines 3-5, Knox 2-4, Walker 2-4, Bass 2-7, Madlock 1-3, Simpsom 0-1), Akron 15-35 (Hardman 6-7, N.Johnson 3-5, Scott 2-5, T.Johnson 2-6, Gray 1-1, Harris 1-5, Lyles 0-2, Young 0-4). Rebounds_Alabama St. 25 (Madlock 5), Akron 49 (Harris, Okonkwo 10). Assists_Alabama St. 13 (Knox 4), Akron 21 (Harris, Gray, T.Johnson 4). Total Fouls_Alabama St. 19, Akron 14. A_1,589 (5,500).India, EU firm up extensive roadmap for green hydrogen cooperation
Recently, Nvidia, the American technology company known for its graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence solutions, has come under scrutiny as regulatory authorities have launched an investigation into its proposed acquisition of Arm Holdings, a UK semiconductor design company. The investigation, which aims to determine whether the deal violates antitrust laws and raises national security concerns, has raised questions about Nvidia's motivations and the broader implications of the investigation in the context of the ongoing US-China tech war.
Andrew met the individual through “official channels” with “nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed”, a statement from his office said. The businessman – known only as H6 – lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds. He brought a case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) after then-home secretary Suella Braverman said he should be excluded from the UK in March 2023. H6 was described as a “close confidante” of The Duke. Judges were told that in a briefing for the home secretary in July 2023, officials claimed H6 had been in a position to generate relationships between prominent UK figures and senior Chinese officials “that could be leveraged for political interference purposes”. They also said that H6 had downplayed his relationship with the Chinese state, which combined with his relationship with Andrew, 64, represented a threat to national security. A statement from Andrew’s office said: “The Duke of York followed advice from His Majesty’s Government and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised. “The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. “He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.” At a hearing in July, the specialist tribunal heard that the businessman was told by an adviser to Andrew that he could act on the duke’s behalf when dealing with potential investors in China, and that H6 had been invited to Andrew’s birthday party in 2020. A letter referencing the birthday party from the adviser, Dominic Hampshire, was discovered on H6’s devices when he was stopped at a port in November 2021. In a ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Bourne, Judge Stephen Smith and Sir Stewart Eldon, dismissed the challenge.Meet the Cast and Characters of ‘No Good Deed’
As Donald Trump prepares to fulfill a lengthy list of campaign promises, the president-elect's vow to ensure that all remaining Bitcoin is "made in the USA" may prove to be one of the most challenging to keep. Trump made the pledge in a post on his Truth Social account in June after meeting at Mar-a-Lago with a group of executives from crypto miners, the companies whose massive, high-tech data centers do the work that facilitates transactions on the blockchain in exchange for compensation paid in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. The gathering was a key juncture in Trump's transformation from a crypto skeptic to one of the industry's strongest allies. "It is a Trump-like comment but it is definitely not in reality," said Ethan Vera, chief operating officer at Seattle-based Luxor Technology, which provides software and services to miners. While seen widely as a symbolic pledge of support, it's near impossible in practice since blockchains are decentralised networks in which no one controls or can be banned from participating in the process. On a practical basis, the sector is becoming increasingly competitive as large-scale operations pop up across the world to get a slice of the tens of billions of dollars in revenue generated each year by the industry. Crypto Tracker TOP COIN SETS Web3 Tracker 15.95% Buy DeFi Tracker 12.77% Buy AI Tracker 12.07% Buy Crypto Blue Chip - 5 5.42% Buy BTC 50 :: ETH 50 4.99% Buy TOP COINS (₹) Tether 86 ( 0.37% ) Buy BNB 58,813 ( -1.79% ) Buy Bitcoin 8,190,326 ( -3.15% ) Buy Ethereum 284,753 ( -4.45% ) Buy XRP 184 ( -5.9% ) Buy Russian oligarchs, Dubai royal families and Chinese businessmen in Africa are some of the freshest competitors. Deep pockets and access to vast amounts of power are spurring them to join in on the lucrative but energy-intensive process. About 95% of the 21 million Bitcoin that will ever be created have already been minted, though the hard cap on production isn't expected to be met for about 100 years. Did you Know? The world of cryptocurrencies is very dynamic. Prices can go up or down in a matter of seconds. Thus, having reliable answers to such questions is crucial for investors. View Details » The Bitcoin mining sector in the US has morphed into a multi-billion dollar industry over the last several years as the token saw exponential increases in prices. However, the total computing power generated from US-based miners is well below 50% and it is impossible to power the entire network by domestic companies, according to industry analysts. 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They have more specific information on mining locations through their software that aggregates computing power to increase chances for miners to get Bitcoin rewards. US miners such as CleanSpark and Riot Platforms were quick to support Trump, banking on the former-president to ease scrutiny on the environmental impact of the high-energy use process, curb competition from overseas and to roll back what they view as restrictive guidelines under the Biden administration. Trump's support of crypto helped to generate about $135 million in campaign contributions during the last election cycle, the most by any one industry. Despite rapid expansion in the US and the latest bull run in the crypto market, economic sanctions by the US and rampant inflation in some emerging economies have spurred overseas miners to ramp up their operations even more. "There is huge growth coming up in a few different markets," said Taras Kulyk, chief executive of Synteq Digital, which is one of the largest brokers for specialized computers for Bitcoin mining. (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel )