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Blood scandal victims harmed further by compensation delays, inquiry chair says

9 July 2025 at 20:39
PA Two women, part of a group who held a minute's silence in May 2024  in memory of people who died because of the infected blood scandal. They are covering their faces with their hands in grief. PA
Campaigners have held frequent demonstrations in memory of loved ones who died due to infected blood used in medical procedures

Thousands of victims of the infected blood scandal are being "harmed further" by long waits for compensation, the chair of the public inquiry into the disaster has said.

In a hard-hitting report, Sir Brian Langstaff said there were "obvious injustices" in the way the scheme had been devised.

It is thought 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis B or C in the 1970s and 80s after being given contaminated blood products on the NHS.

The government has set aside £11.8bn to pay compensation and has said it is cutting red tape to speed up payments to victims.

The inquiry's main report into the scandal, published last year, found that the disaster could largely have been avoided if different decisions had been taken by the health authorities at the time.

It said too little was done to stop the importing of contaminated blood products from abroad in the 1970s and 80s, and there was evidence that elements of the scandal had been covered up.

In May of this year, Sir Brian took the unusual step of ordering two days of extra hearings after he received "letter after letter, email after email" expressing concerns about the way the government's compensation scheme for victims had been managed.

His extra 200-page report, based on that evidence, found that victims had been "harmed further" by the way they had been treated over the last 12 months.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

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Seven-year-old Southport survivor fought to save others, mum tells inquiry

9 July 2025 at 20:37
PA Media A row of flowers lay next to a small brick wall and a sign reading 'Tithebarn Road'PA Media
The Southport Inquiry has been hearing from the families of survivors

A girl who suffered devastating injuries in the Southport attacks "fought like hell" to escape and save other children, her mother tearfully told a public inquiry.

The Southport Inquiry at Liverpool Town Hall heard statements from the families of four girls who survived despite being severely injured during the attacks on 29 July 2024.

One of those girls, referred to as C1 to protect her anonymity, was a seven-year-old described by her mother as "our little hippie" who had "loved adventure" before the events of last summer.

However she "does not live that way anymore" her mother said, as she describes how the courage her daughter had shown left "me crushed but in complete awe".

C1 was stabbed 33 times by Axel Rudakubana at the dance workshop in Southport's Hart Street and was airlifted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Her mother said she had become known as "the girl who was dragged back in", after CCTV footage shown in court captured the moment C1, already wounded, had tried to escape the dance studio building.

PA Media A crowd of people dressed in bright colours blow bubbles into the air over floral tributes. A group of young girls in pink tops stand to one side of the flowersPA Media
Hundreds of people blew bubbles into the air outside the Town Hall in Southport during a vigil last year

It showed Rudakubana grabbing her and pulling her backwards into the building to inflict more damage before she escaped, eventually collapsing on the street.

A hushed chamber in the town hall building heard that C1's injuries were "vast" and covered "so much of her body and organs".

Her mother said: "The damage was catastrophic. The hours and days that followed the attack were a living hell."

C1's mother said the "most painful of truths" about the attacks carried out by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana was that there were no adults to help her.

The inquiry heard how her daughter had shielded other children as they were attacked and screamed at them to run.

She said that she did not doubt "for one moment" that the actions of the teachers in the class, Leanne Lucas and Heidi Liddle, helped saved lives when they encouraged children to flee.

However she added: "The uncomfortable and often unspoken truth of our own reality is that, when the adults left in those first moments, our daughter had to save herself.

"It is these untold stories of remarkable strength and bravery that are missing when we have heard other accounts of this day.

"I think it is vitally important that those girls are now heard, so that the inquiry can understand the complexities of this experience for everyone."

Family handouts A composite image of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King. The three girls are all smiling as they pose for the camera. Elsie Dot Stancombe is wearing her maroon and yellow school uniform, Alice da Silva Aguiar is wearing a white dress and Bebe King is wearing a charcoal-coloured top.Family handouts
Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Aguiar and were murdered in the attack on 29 July 2024

She added: "That reality is painful - our children fought alone, they shielded each other, comforted each other, and helped each other and that must be remembered."

The inquiry also heard from the father of C3, a nine-year-old girl who was also critically injured that day.

He told the inquiry his daughter was: "Stabbed three times in the back by a coward she didn't even see."

"She bears the scars, both physically and emotionally, of that terrible day," he said.

"We know that she is only a small way down the path that life will take her, and that obstacles will continue to present themselves along the way."

Another statement, read by Nicola Ryan-Donnelly, solicitor to the parents of surviving girls, said a "creative" and "full-of-life" seven-year-old remembers the attack "vividly" including how Rudakubana "tried to get her face".

"Where she was once an independent and joyful child she now needs constant support, reassurance and protection", her mother had written.

The inquiry has adjourned until 8 September and is expected to hear evidence about the circumstances of the attack and Rudakubana's contact with various agencies in the months and years before it.

The second phase, expected to start next year, will look at wider issues around how young people become drawn into "extreme violence".

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Starmer refuses to rule out freeze on tax thresholds

9 July 2025 at 20:56
UK Parliament Sir Keir Starmer speaking in the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions.UK Parliament

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out extending the freeze on tax thresholds, which has seen millions of people dragged into paying higher rates.

The freeze on National Insurance (NI) and income tax thresholds, introduced under the Conservatives, is currently due to end in April 2028.

But asked during Prime Minister's Questions whether the government still planned to lift the freeze, Sir Keir only said he was committed to Labour's election manifesto.

This included a pledge not to increase National Insurance (NI), income tax or VAT - but no specific promise on thresholds.

U-turns on cutting disability benefits and winter fuel payments for pensioners have piled pressure on the government's spending plans, with economists saying tax rises are now likely in the autumn Budget.

Following major concessions on the government's flagship benefits plan, potential savings of around £5bn will now be delayed or lost entirely.

Tax thresholds - the income levels at which people start paying NI or income tax, or have to pay higher rates - typically increased every year in line with inflation.

However, income tax thresholds have been frozen since 2021/22.

This means people risk being dragged into a higher tax band, or paying tax on their income for the first time, if they get a pay rise.

Extending the freeze until 2029/30 could raise an estimated £7bn a year.

In her Budget speech last autumn, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said extending the freeze "would hurt working people" and pledged to lift thresholds in line with inflation again from 2028/29.

However, asked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch if this was still government policy, Sir Keir did not rule out continuing the freeze.

"No prime minister or chancellor is going to write a Budget in advance. We are absolutely fixed on our fiscal rules. We remain committed to them," he told the Commons.

"We remain committed to our Budget, to our manifesto commitments."

The PM's answer contrasted to his previous response to Badenoch, when asked if he stood by Labour's promise not to increase income tax, NI or VAT.

His reply to this was simply: "Yes."

The government's self-imposed fiscal rules include not borrowing to fund day-to-day spending and to get government debt falling as a share of national income by 2029/29.

The rules are designed to reassure financial markets but sticking to them limits the government's options and makes tax rises more likely.

Watch: Tory leader focuses on tax at PMQs

Badenoch also accused Sir Keir of "flirting" with the idea of a wealth tax – something some Labour MPs on the left of the party have called for.

Supporters of the idea say a new 2% tax on assets worth more than £10m could raise £24bn per year.

However, critics argue such a move could see wealthy individuals leave the country.

Badenoch told the Commons: "Let's be honest about what that means, this is a tax on all of our constituents' savings, on their houses, on their pensions, it would be a tax on aspiration."

Asked if he would rule out a wealth tax, Sir Keir said Labour had stabilised the economy and "don't need lessons" from the Conservatives.

Pressed again on whether he would introduce a wealth tax by Green MP Adrian Ramsay, who suggested "those with the broadest shoulders should carry the largest burden", Sir Keir said: "We can't just tax our way to growth."

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Resident doctors in England to strike for five days in July

9 July 2025 at 20:33
EPA A trio of women hold signs that read Pay Restoration for DoctorsEPA

Resident doctors in England have said they will strike for five days from 25 July after voting in favour of fresh action over pay.

Previously known as junior doctors, the medics will stage a walkout from 07:00 on 25 July until 07:00 on 30 July - giving ministers two weeks to agree to negotiate their pay instead.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said it had met with the health secretary to try and "avoid strike action" on Tuesday, but that the government had "stated that it will not negotiate on pay".

Health Secretary Wes Streeting called the move "unnecessary and unreasonable" and added: "The NHS is hanging by a thread - why on earth are they threatening to pull it?"

He said the strike was "without historic precedent" given the medics had received a 28.9% pay increase over the last three years, and were not in the interest of patients or staff.

"I met with them yesterday and offered to meet with their entire resident doctor committee this morning - that has not been taken up," he added, calling on the BMA to "get around the table and agree a way forward".

He had earlier told the Times newspaper the walkouts would be "a disaster for their members and a disaster for patients" - and the public would "not forgive" them.

Resident doctors have been awarded a 5.4% pay rise for this financial year - which will go into pay packets from August - following a 22% increase over the previous two years.

But the BMA says wages are still around 20% lower in real terms than in 2008.

Its resident doctors committee co-chairs, Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, said they had "made every attempt to avoid strike action by opening negotiations for pay restoration" in talks with the government on Tuesday.

But they said the government had wanted to "focus on non-pay elements without suggesting what these might be".

They said they had "no choice" but to strike without a "credible offer to keep us on the path to restore our pay".

"No doctor wants to strike, and these strikes don't have to go ahead.

"If Mr Streeting can seriously come to the table in the next two weeks we can ensure that no disruption is caused. The government knows what is needed to avert strikes. The choice is theirs."

The government said on Tuesday that it would not reopen pay negotiations and that it could not "be more generous than we already have".

A Downing Street spokesperson added that the medics had "received the highest pay award across the public sector for two years in a row".

Resident doctors' basic salaries in England range from £37,000 to £70,000 a year for a 40-hour week, depending on experience, with extra payments for working nightshifts and weekends.

That does not include the latest 5.4% average pay award for this year which will start to be paid into wage packets from August.

Resident doctors took part in 11 separate strikes during 2023 and 2024.

Penguin says it did 'all necessary due diligence' after The Salt Path accuracy claims

9 July 2025 at 19:18
Getty Images Author Raynor Winn of The Salt Path attends The Lighthouse Cinema for a Gala Screening of The Salt Path on May 06, 2025 in Newquay, CornwallGetty Images
Raynor Winn, pictured in May described the Observer's investigation as "highly misleading"

Publishing house Penguin has said it "undertook all the necessary due diligence" before releasing The Salt Path, after a series of claims about the book's veracity.

A recent Observer investigation claimed English author Raynor Winn fabricated or gave misleading information about some elements of her 2018 non-fiction best-seller.

Penguin Michael Joseph said it had not received any concerns about the book's content prior to the Observer's story, and that it had a contract with Winn regarding factual accuracy.

Winn has described the Observer's article as "highly misleading" and said the couple are taking legal advice, adding that the book was "the true story of our journey".

The Salt Path, and its recent film adaptation, told the story of a couple who decide to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path after their home is repossessed.

The Observer alleged Winn had misrepresented the events that led to the couple losing their home.

Rather than losing money in a bad business deal, as the book described, the newspaper said the couple had lost their home after Winn had defrauded her employer of £64,000.

According to the Observer, the couple borrowed £100,000 to pay back the money Winn had been accused of stealing, and it was when this loan was called in that their home was repossessed.

It also said it had spoken to medical experts who were sceptical about her husband Moth having corticobasal degeneration (CBD) as she described in the book, given his long survival after diagnosis, lack of acute symptoms and his apparent ability to reverse them.

In a statement issued to BBC News, the publisher said: "Penguin (Michael Joseph) published the Salt Path in 2018 and, like many readers, we were moved and inspired by Raynor's story and its message of hope.

"Penguin undertook all the necessary pre-publication due diligence, including a contract with an author warranty about factual accuracy, and a legal read, as is standard with most works of non-fiction."

A legal read means the book would have been looked over by a lawyer before its publication.

"Prior to the Observer enquiry, we had not received any concerns about the book's content," the publisher added.

In her statement released earlier this week, Winn said: "[Sunday's] Observer article is highly misleading.

"We are taking legal advice and won't be making any further comment at this time."

The statement continued: "The Salt Path lays bare the physical and spiritual journey Moth and I shared, an experience that transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives.

"This is the true story of our journey."

The Salt Path has sold more than two million copies since its publication in March 2018, and a film adaptation starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs was released earlier this year.

Getty Images (L-R) Raynor Winn, Moth Winn, Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs attend the UK Special Screening of "The Salt Path" at The Curzon Soho on May 22, 2025 in London, England. Getty Images
Left to right: Raynor and Moth Winn with Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, who portrayed them in the film

A spokeswoman for Number 9 Films and Shadowplay Features, who made the screen adaptation, said in a statement on Monday: "There were no known claims against the book at the time of optioning it or producing and distributing the film."

Their statement called the movie "a faithful adaptation of the book that we optioned", adding, "we undertook all necessary due diligence before acquiring the book".

"The allegations made in The Observer relate to the book and are a matter for the author Raynor Winn," it concluded. "We have passed any correspondence relating to the article to Raynor and her agent."

The film adaptation has taken around $16m (£11.7m) at the box office worldwide. The movie is yet to launch in Germany and France, while a deal is reportedly still pending in the US, according to Deadline.

After the Observer's article was published, the charity PSPA, which supports people with CBD and has worked with Raynor and Moth Winn, said "too many questions currently remain unanswered" and that it had "made the decision to terminate our relationship with the family".

Winn has also withdrawn from the forthcoming Saltlines tour, which would have seen her perform readings alongside folk music act Gigspanner Big Band during a string of UK dates.

A statement from Winn's legal team said the author was "deeply sorry to let down those who were planning to attend the Saltlines tour, but while this process is ongoing, she will be unable to take part".

Ukraine suffers heaviest attack as Trump criticises Putin

9 July 2025 at 19:51
DSNS Ukraine Firefighters put out a fireDSNS Ukraine
Firefighters battled fires sparked by explosions in the Kyiv region

President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine has been hit by the biggest ever aerial attack from Russia - 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles hit cities around the country in multiple waves.

Zelensky condemned the "telling attack", adding: "It comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all."

The overnight strike came after President Donald Trump said the US would send more weapons to Kyiv - a reversal of last week's suspension which US media said Trump had not known about.

On Tuesday, the US leader expressed growing frustration at Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth," Trump told reporters. "He's very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless."

"He's very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless," Trump said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "pretty calm about this. Trump's way of talking is generally quite harsh, the phrases he uses."

The two leaders have been in regular contact but this has so far failed to translate into tangible steps towards a ceasefire in Ukraine - something Trump once said he would be able to achieve in a day.

Last week, following a phone call with the Russian president, Trump said he was "very unhappy".

"He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it's no good," Trump said of Putin.

The criticism came even as the Trump administration announced a suspension of military aid to Ukraine, reportedly authorised by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Elbridge Colby, the under-secretary of defence for policy.

Asked by reporters on Tuesday who had taken the decision, Trump - sitting right next to Hegseth - replied: "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"

The reversal of the decision may now mean that 10 Patriot missiles may be sent to Ukraine, according to US outlet Axios.

Kyiv relies on the interceptors to try to counter Russia's missile and drone attacks, which continue to grow in intensity and frequency.

Although the east of the country and Kyiv come under fire on a regular basis, no corner of Ukraine has been spared by Russian strikes.

The city of Lutsk - which lies 90km (56 miles) from the Polish border and is a transit hub for military and humanitarian aid - suffered the brunt of Tuesday's overnight attack.

Explosions were also reported in the western cities of Lviv and Rivne.

Two rounds of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine took place earlier this year but no other meetings have so far been scheduled - and neither Moscow nor Kyiv appear optimistic that diplomacy will solve the conflict, which was sparked by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Meanwhile, Russia's summer offensive in eastern Ukraine grinds on.

"We are moving forward," said Peskov on Wednesday. "Each new day the Ukrainians have to accept the new realities."

Pret unveils new £13 salads as office lunch battle heats up

9 July 2025 at 20:18
Pret/LinkedIn Four salads in bowls positioned into a diamond pattern, one with salmon, two with chicken and one with butternut squash.Pret/LinkedIn

Pret A Manger has launched a new range of "premium" salads costing up to £12.95, which the company says have been "priced competitively".

The four new "Super Plates" - including options like chipotle chicken and miso salmon - are said to be "nearly 60%" larger than the chain's existing salads and are filled with "premium ingredients" including "hand massaged" kale.

Defending the higher price point, a Pret spokesperson told the BBC the new range was launched to meet growing demand for "larger, nutrient-rich lunch options".

Pret's new offering comes after the chain faced backlash last year for making changes to its popular subscription model.

Like many companies that cater to office workers and commuters, Pret took a hit during the Covid pandemic when the majority of Britons were ordered to work from home if they could.

Many employees who have spent the last few years working from home are now being encouraged, or mandated by their employers, to return to the office - a move which has seen the lunchtime market become fiercely competitive again.

The most expensive of Pret's new range of salads is the miso salmon with a price tag of £12.95. The company said the range had been launched in order to "reflect a shift in customer habits".

The use of more premium ingredients "reflects the growing trend of workers treating themselves to a more filling lunch the days they are in the office", a spokesperson for Pret said.

Pret was criticised by customers last year when it changed its subscription offer of up to five coffees a day for a monthly fee of £30 to up to five half-price coffees a day for £5 a month.

It also ended its 20% discount on food, saying it had "never really got comfortable" with the dual pricing system across its food products as it announced it was scrapping the offer.

Among Pret's biggest competitors is the bakery chain Greggs. The bakery was ranked as the most popular dining brand in the UK in 2025 and the second strongest brand of 2024, according to data platform Statista.

Other competitors include the likes of Atis, Farmer J and Salad Project which already focus their menus on "premium" salads and lunches aimed at inner-city workers.

The new Pret salads are available in over 250 shops in large cities such as London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester.

美国最高法院推翻判决 允许政府机构大裁员

9 July 2025 at 21:17
德正
2025-07-09T13:09:34.021Z
美国最高法院为特朗普的裁员计划开绿灯

(德国之声中文网)美国最高法院周二(7月8日)在一项裁决中,推翻了下级法院的一项禁令,该禁令一度阻止了美国政府在法院进行法律程序期间实施大批裁员的计划。

这意味着,在下级法院的诉讼程序进行期间,雇员也可能被解雇;而如果雇员方胜诉,他们可能必须被重新雇用。有关诉讼程序仍在进行中。

最高法院并未审理案件本身,而是仅就下级法院的禁令是否合法做出了裁决。

特朗普削减美国海外广播预算 解雇上千员工

特朗普上任以来,已有许多政府部门和机构被关闭。最初由科技界亿万富翁马斯克领导的、隶属于白宫的政府效率部(DOGE)在政府的指示下,推进了联邦机构的重组,其中包括大规模裁员。

特朗普以削减政府开支为由,为这些激进举措辩护。数万名美国联邦雇员被解雇,确切的数字尚不清楚。

法官判决:特朗普政府必须恢复对VOA等的联邦拨款

今年5月,加州联邦法官伊尔斯顿(Susan Illston)裁定,特朗普政府必须首先获得国会批准才能实施这些大规模裁员计划。上诉法院后来也维持了该判决,并下达了禁止令。

但最高法院目前已暂停执行该禁令。由此,政府效率部推动的政府机构大规模裁员计划得以继续实施。

凯坦吉·布朗·杰克逊(Ketanji Brown Jackson)是最高法院唯一一位投票反对裁员计划的大法官。她指责她的同事“为总统在法律上存在疑问的行动开绿灯”。

 

DW中文有Instagram!欢迎搜寻dw.chinese,看更多深入浅出的图文与影音报道。

© 2025年德国之声版权声明:本文所有内容受到著作权法保护,如无德国之声特别授权,不得擅自使用。任何不当行为都将导致追偿,并受到刑事追究。

 



Ukraine suffers heaviest attack as Trump criticises Putin

9 July 2025 at 19:51
DSNS Ukraine Firefighters put out a fireDSNS Ukraine
Firefighters battled fires sparked by explosions in the Kyiv region

President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine has been hit by the biggest ever aerial attack from Russia - 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles hit cities around the country in multiple waves.

Zelensky condemned the "telling attack", adding: "It comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all."

The overnight strike came after President Donald Trump said the US would send more weapons to Kyiv - a reversal of last week's suspension which US media said Trump had not known about.

On Tuesday, the US leader expressed growing frustration at Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth," Trump told reporters. "He's very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless."

"He's very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless," Trump said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "pretty calm about this. Trump's way of talking is generally quite harsh, the phrases he uses."

The two leaders have been in regular contact but this has so far failed to translate into tangible steps towards a ceasefire in Ukraine - something Trump once said he would be able to achieve in a day.

Last week, following a phone call with the Russian president, Trump said he was "very unhappy".

"He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it's no good," Trump said of Putin.

The criticism came even as the Trump administration announced a suspension of military aid to Ukraine, reportedly authorised by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Elbridge Colby, the under-secretary of defence for policy.

Asked by reporters on Tuesday who had taken the decision, Trump - sitting right next to Hegseth - replied: "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"

The reversal of the decision may now mean that 10 Patriot missiles may be sent to Ukraine, according to US outlet Axios.

Kyiv relies on the interceptors to try to counter Russia's missile and drone attacks, which continue to grow in intensity and frequency.

Although the east of the country and Kyiv come under fire on a regular basis, no corner of Ukraine has been spared by Russian strikes.

The city of Lutsk - which lies 90km (56 miles) from the Polish border and is a transit hub for military and humanitarian aid - suffered the brunt of Tuesday's overnight attack.

Explosions were also reported in the western cities of Lviv and Rivne.

Two rounds of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine took place earlier this year but no other meetings have so far been scheduled - and neither Moscow nor Kyiv appear optimistic that diplomacy will solve the conflict, which was sparked by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Meanwhile, Russia's summer offensive in eastern Ukraine grinds on.

"We are moving forward," said Peskov on Wednesday. "Each new day the Ukrainians have to accept the new realities."

Horner sacked as Red Bull team principal after 20 years

9 July 2025 at 17:26

Red Bull sack team principal Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner before the 2025 British Grand PrixImage source, PA Media
Image caption,

Christian Horner was F1's youngest team principal when he was appointed by Red Bull in January 2005

  • Published

Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull after 20 years as team principal.

The 51-year-old has been in charge of the Formula 1 team since its inception in 2005.

Since then, Red Bull have won the drivers' championship eight times, with Max Verstappen winning the past four titles.

The move comes after months of declining form for the team and internal disputes at the highest level, and 17 months after Horner was accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee.

Horner was twice cleared of the claims by the team's parent company, Red Bull GmBH.

"Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO (chief executive) of Red Bull Racing," Red Bull GmbH said in a statement on Wednesday.

Under Horner, Red Bull won the constructors' championship six times, with Sebastian Vettel wining the drivers' championship from 2010-2013.

"We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years," added Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull's chief executive of corporate projects and investments.

"With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1.

"Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history."

Horner's dismissal comes amid uncertainty about the future of star driver Verstappen.

The four-time world champion is under contract to Red Bull until 2028 but is being courted by Mercedes to potentially join them for next season.

Red Bull have won only two races this season as McLaren have taken over their position as the team to beat.

Their decline started in the middle of last season; while Verstappen won his fourth straight world title, he won only twice in the final 14 races.

Related topics

Musk's Grok chatbot praises Hitler and insults politicians

9 July 2025 at 19:17
Reuters Tesla CEO Elon Musk attends the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 13 May, 2025. Reuters

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence start-up xAI says it is working to remove "inappropriate" posts on the multi-billionaire's social network X.

The announcement came after the platform's Grok AI chatbot shared multiple comments that were widely criticised by users.

"Since being made aware of the content, xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X," the company said in a post.

According to media reports, Grok made multiple positive references to Hitler this week when queried about posts that appeared to celebrate the deaths of children in the recent Texas floods.

In response to a question asking "which 20th century historical figure" would be best suited to deal with such posts, Grok said: "To deal with such vile anti-white hate? Adolf Hitler, no question."

"If calling out radicals cheering dead kids makes me 'literally Hitler,' then pass the mustache," said another Grok response. "Truth hurts more than floods."

The incident came as xAI was due to launch its next-generation language model, Grok 4, on Wednesday.

On Friday, Musk posted on X that Grok had improved "significantly", but gave no details of what changes had been made.

"You should notice a difference when you ask Grok questions," he added.

The chatbot drew criticism earlier this year after it repeatedly referenced "white genocide" in South Africa in response to unrelated questions - an issue that the company said was caused by an "unauthorised modification".

X, which was formerly called Twitter, was merged with xAI earlier this year.

Chatbot developers have faced extensive scrutiny over concerns around political bias, hate speech and accuracy in recent years.

Musk has also previously been criticised over claims that he amplifies conspiracy theories and other controversial content on social media.

China rejects German claim it targeted military plane with laser

9 July 2025 at 18:57
Reuters/Taiwan Coast Guard A Chinese warship off the coast of TaiwanReuters/Taiwan Coast Guard
Germany said the laser was fired from a Chinese warship, pictured here off the coast of Taiwan last year

China has disputed Germany's claim that it targeted a military plane with a laser fired from a warship, as a diplomatic spat between the two countries deepens.

Germany accused China of attempting to disrupt one of its aircraft earlier this month as it was taking part in European Union-led operations aimed at protecting ships in the Red Sea from missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi rebel group.

The German foreign ministry has summoned the Chinese ambassador and described the incident as "entirely unacceptable". China's EU envoy has also been summoned by the bloc, Reuters reports.

Beijing has pushed back, saying Germany's account was "totally inconsistent with the facts known by the Chinese side".

On Tuesday, Germany said a reconnaissance plane was targeted as it flew over the Red Sea, where several European countries have been contributing to surveillance and defensive efforts since early 2024 to protect ships from regular attacks launched from Yemen.

The laser was fired from a Chinese warship, which had been spotted several times and had made no communication with the passing aircraft, Germany said.

The plane was forced to abandon its mission and return to a military base in the East African nation of Djibouti as a precaution, according to the foreign ministry.

Berlin has reacted furiously to the incident, accusing China of "endangering German personnel and disrupting the operation".

The Chinese government responded on Wednesday, with spokesperson Mao Ning telling a press conference that its navy had been carrying out "escort operations" in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.

She said Germany and China should "take a fact-based attitude and strengthen communication in a timely manner to avoid misunderstanding and misjudgement".

China has been accused of using lasers to target military aircraft before, primarily by the US. China has denied doing so.

Lasers can be used to blind pilots, and a new class of powerful lasers capable of disabling targets in the air are under development by militaries around the world.

China established a permanent military presence in the region in 2017 when it opened a base in Djibouti, which Beijing says is used for anti-piracy and freedom of maritime navigation operations.

Western governments have expressed concerns about China's ambitions in the region since opening the base in Djibouti, where the US, Japan, France and others also have military installations.

It is located at a strategically important pinch point leading on to the Red Sea and Suez Canal - one of the world's most important shipping routes.

'Shoot in the leg' - Kenyan leader orders police to curb violent protests

9 July 2025 at 19:43
EPA A close-up of a protester holding two spent bullets in Nairobi EPA
The UN has criticised the use of lethal force during Monday protests

The number of people killed in Monday's anti-government protests in Kenya has risen to 31, the country's human rights commission said, sparking public outage and calls for justice.

The state-run commission previously said that 11 people had died.

More than 100 people were injured and about 532 arrested in the protests which hit the capital Nairobi and other major cities, said the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KHRCR).

The UN said it was deeply troubled by the killings and criticised the Kenyan police for using "lethal ammunition" against protesters.

The Kenya police still says that 11 people died.

There has been rising tension in the country since the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month brought people back onto the streets, a year after young protesters stormed parliament angered by a wave of tax rises.

Monday's protests were intended to commemorate Kenya's decades-long struggle for democracy but they quickly escalated into deadly clashes in 17 out of the country's 47 counties, local media reported.

Many of those demonstrating chanted "Ruto must go" and "wantam", meaning "one term", a popular rallying call demanding President William Ruto leave office.

In a statement issued on late Tuesday, the KHRCR said the sharp rise in the death toll was "deeply troubling".

"The KHRCR strongly condemns all human rights violations and urges accountability from all responsible parties, including police, civilians and all other stakeholders," it added.

The commission also documented widespread looting and destruction of both public and private property by unidentified individuals.

Among those killed was a 12-year-old pupil who was hit by a stray bullet while at home in Kiambu, in the outskirts of the capital, local media reported.

"It is very concerning that these latest incidents come barely two weeks after more than 15 protesters were reportedly killed and many more injured in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya on 25 June," said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"Lethal ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons were used," Shamdasani added.

At least two hospitals were damaged after unidentified attackers raided the facilities and stole medical equipment and harassed staff, Reuters news agency reported.

Religious and rights groups have demanded a prompt and independent investigation into the killings, destruction of property and arbitrary arrests.

However, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has praised police officers for containing the protests, which he said were infiltrated by criminals.

Opposition leaders on Tuesday accused the government of deploying unmarked police vehicles to transport armed gangs to perceived opposition strongholds during the protests.

They called for a national boycott of all businesses affiliated with President Ruto's administration, accusing his government of deploying state-sponsored violence and extrajudicial killings on Kenyans.

"This regime is hostile. It cannot be reasoned with. It must be resisted. We will not rest. We will not retreat. We will not surrender," the opposition said in a joint statement.

Kenya's Chief Justice Martha Koome has cautioned the country against the increasingly violent protests, saying they risked the nation's democratic fabric.

Monday's demonstrations were organised primarily by the so-called Gen-Z young people, demanding good governance, greater accountability, and justice for victims of police brutality, continuing the wave of anti-government protests since last year.

On 25 June, at least 19 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed in a day of nationwide protests that were being held in honour of those killed in last year's anti-tax protests.

More than 140 people have been killed since 2023 in protests, according to a tally by The Star newspaper.

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Israel Launches New Ground Operations in Lebanon Despite Truce

By: Euan Ward
9 July 2025 at 21:03
For months, Israel has conducted near-daily strikes against what it says are Hezbollah targets. Hezbollah has not responded militarily since a November truce.

© Rabih Daher/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon last week. Israel has conducted near-daily strikes in southern Lebanon since it agreed to a cease-fire in November.

European Court Holds Russia Responsible for Downing of Flight MH17

9 July 2025 at 21:21
In symbolic rulings, Moscow was again blamed for the downing of Flight MH17 in 2014 and for an array of war-related human rights violations, including the transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.

© Mauricio Lima for The New York Times

A section of Flight MH17 after it was shot down in 2014 over eastern Ukraine.

从绿色行动到共创价值:友达如何助力经济社会可持续|2025年度CSR观察案例⑥

友达视全球绿色低碳转型为企业发展机遇,立足创新显示技术与解决方案,以创新科技赋能行业可持续发展,助力解决社会问题。

南方周末中国企业社会责任研究中心

责任编辑:邹力

2025年4月18日,由苏州市工信局指导,苏州市企业服务中心(供应链对接服务中心)主办,友达、友达数位、友达智汇、友达数位企业可持续发展研究院联合协办的“链动绿色,韧性启航”2025供应链年度公开课暨可持续转型实践私享会在苏州友达光电国际会议厅举行。来自政府、企业、学术界的70余位嘉宾现场参与活动,200余嘉宾线上参与。共同探讨供应链可持续转型的前沿趋势与实践路径,为行业绿色发展注入新活力。

这是在苏州市政府支持下,友达联合生态伙伴举办的系列平台活动之一。作为世界领先的创新显示技术与解决方案提供商和产业链核心企业,友达光电积极发挥可持续领导力,助力供应商、客户绿色低碳转型,并通过绿色智能解决方案,与合作伙伴共同推动经济社会可持续发展。

从内生到外化

推动绿色增长正在成为全球主要经济体的共同选择。为扶持本土绿色产业,以及抢占绿色低碳发展制高点,欧美发达经济体开始将更高标准的环境保护和碳排放要求纳入贸易和投资协定,以气候变化、ESG为主题的新型国际贸易体系逐步形成,全生命周期绿色管理成为全球企业维持竞争力的必要条件。

友达视全球绿色低碳转型为企业发展机遇,积极开拓绿色产品市场,与供应链持续优化节能,并致力发展再生料使用、包材回收等循环经济,与客户共同营销绿色价值,凝聚绿色溢价的减碳目标,与更多全球价值链伙伴共同迎接绿色永续新时代。

回应外部倡议,深入推动碳减排。友达通过提升能源效率及考量整个生命周期来实践低碳与循环生产模式,逐年降低碳排放总量,朝着净零目标持续努力。在净零减碳的实践路径上,友达承诺的第一阶段SBTi减碳目标(以2018年为基准,于2025年达成绝对减碳25%),已提前于2022年达标。展望更积极的低碳转型愿景,友达继续以1.5度升温情境,提出以2021为基准年,于2030年达成组织碳排(范围1+2)绝对减碳42%的目标;在间接排放(范围3)部分,则是提出符合WB2C (Well Below 2℃) 的25%绝对减碳目标。

搭建生态圈,致力塑料中和。2023年,友达正式开启减塑元年,专门成立“友达减塑工作小组”,计划于2030年实现塑料中和目标,并制定了“3R+1”的塑料中和策略,即限塑(Replace)、减塑(Reduce)、再塑(Recycle)与反思(Rethink),启动全员减塑改善,2024年实现包材回收率连续3年达93%以上,其中塑料总体回收率高达96%。如友达苏州通过优化包装方案、减薄包装材料、包装最大化、工艺改善等途径进行减塑,2024减塑量达107吨。

在减塑与循环利用过程中,友达持续与多元生态伙伴合作,搭建产学研共创减塑生态圈,激发更多创新性解决方案。目前,友达减塑行动已联结超过37家来自产学研之各界伙伴,齐力加速产业绿色转型步伐。

友达气候行动里程碑事件

绿色低碳转型不是独角戏,必须与供应商同进步。友达致力于在2030年前,与60家核心供应商共同努力,达成“绝对减排20%”的目标。

作为显示行业的链主型企业,友达十分注重引领带动供应商绿色转型。友达从风险管控、环境可持续与伙伴关系三个方面推动供应商绿色转型。在风险管控方面,导入第三方稽核以强化公正与可信度、供应商评分采计ESG Scorecard表现,推动供应商更加重视可持续管理;在环境可持续方面,友达携手60家关键供应商齐力减碳,积极参与CDP(Carbon Disclosure Project)供应链环境信息披露计划;在伙伴关系方面。友达发挥可持续领导力,通过分享经验、检核辅导和深度交流,帮助供应商提升可持续管理能力,已帮助多家供应商导入数字节能与碳管理机制,建置有效且长期运行的低碳转型模式。

此外,在自身绿色制造和智能制造经验的基础上,友达沉淀出了“数字化+绿色低碳”解决方案,并成立了专业赋能公司友达数位。

基于友达在可持续发展领域的深厚积累与实践经验,友达数位精心构建了企业ESG管理平台、绿色园区管理模式、绿色产品设计平台、企业碳资产管理平台、绿色供应链管理平台以及绿色工厂管理模式等6大板块,为客户提供可持续发展全价值链服务,助力企业打造低碳高效、可持续发展的产业园区,推动企业经营模式向绿色化、智能化转型,实现长期的可持续发展目标。

从产业到社会

“科技向善”的根本要义是用科技为人服务。作为世界领先的创新显示技术与解决方案提供商,友达不仅拥有扎实的制造技术,更拥有多元场域实务经验,以及在智能出行、制造、企业、教育、零售、医疗与绿色能源以及更多领域中的创新技术与多元解决方案。友达致力于通过对外赋能,与合作伙伴共同推动经济社会可持续发展。

1. 提供绿色制造综合服务

友达在中国台湾、厦门、苏州等多地以及美国均有生产基地,每年制造超过2.4亿片面板,产品型号超过1,000种,积累了丰富的专业知识和经验,非常了解制造型企业的需求与痛点。

因此,友达可以为制造业客户提供永续产品,以及基于数字化和智能化的永续生产解决方案。

在永续产品方面,友达以“资源循环”与“低碳技术”双轴驱动,建立了覆盖产品全生命周期的永续管理体系,形成“材料创新-技术应用-循环设计”永续产品架构,实现环境价值与商业价值的协同创造。2024年6月5日,友达宣布以自建太阳能与绿电转供模式,推出全球首款100%绿电制造的面板,携手宏碁打造Aspire Vero 16碳中和笔记本电脑。除导入消费后回收(PCR)塑料等创新应用,友达更于面板生产阶段,打造节能、绿电制造、绿电凭证管理等一条龙解决方案。

在提供绿色产品之外,友达基于多年累积的制造经验与技术,为企业提供智慧工厂不同发展阶段的解决方案,从自动化、数字化到最终实现智能转型。借助智能化工具,友达可以为制造企业提供覆盖水资源、能源、厂务设施以及环境管理各个环节的永续生产解决方案,携手客户共同应对环境与气候挑战。

2. 提供全方位能源解决方案

友达光电深耕能源领域多年,已形成包括创能、储能到能源管理的全方位能源解决方案,助力企业加速能源转型,并推动相关服务于生活领域普及化。

在能源管理方面,友达可提供智慧能源管理、太阳能监控管理、全方位电厂建设及运维等解决方案,研发了EnLink能源数据收集器、智能电箱SPP(Smart Power Panel)、PowerVeillance智视监控管理系统等智慧化工具。如友达为电器智能化应用研发的关键设备智能电箱SPP,作为能源管理与电力控制的核心,可以将能源信息可视化,整合储能、太阳能系统及电动车充电桩等各项设备,用户可通过远程管理能源使用,达成节能、节费效果,并确保电力系统稳定。

在提升能源效率方面,友达研发的Smart Grid智能电网系统与智能能源管理系统iFEMS,可支持以数字报表分析用电量趋势与AI智能管理,促进节源、节能效果优化,提升能管效率并为制定改善决策提供依据。目前,该系统已应用到玻璃、光电以及金属扣件产业,成功减少30%能源建置费用与70%抄表人力工作,并提升了50%管理效率。

在能源转型方面,友达作为全方位太阳能电厂解决方案的提供者,凭借丰富统筹经验及技术优势,整合资源及合作伙伴,从申请、建置、营运维护到能源管理,提供高效率的全方位电厂解决方案,并可依客户需求提供部分或完整的定制化服务。

3. 提供建筑光电解决方案

在智慧能源解决方案的基础上,友达向建筑领域延伸,打造了一系列完整的建筑光电解决方案,从场域评估、模块设计安装、微电网储能到系统维运服务,提供完整的解决方案,并凭借现有关键技术,与各领域上下游伙伴合作,协助客户有效利用建筑物装置再生能源,打造智慧绿建筑。

为优化建筑能效,友达研发了“智慧楼宇管理平台”,运用AIoT串接工厂与办公大楼中与能源效率相关的照明、空调、消防、能源管理等系统设备,实时采集周围环境数据,分析碳排放量及监控异常,达到主动式节能,为建筑物减碳奠定基础。

4. 打造智能健康照护解决方案

面对人口老龄化趋势,友达与合作伙伴携手研发了全方位的智能健康照护解决方案,用于健康照护管理、智能手术室应用、医疗检测应用和高龄照护管理。

友达支持医护人员推行高龄照护营运系统的数字转型,研发的服务管理平台、系统和工具为养老院、健康照护机构与小区中心的管理人员,提供更集中的系统化操作,同时确保长者可以获得全方位的照护与保护。针对长者跌倒问题,友达研发了AI智能跌倒监测系统,全面照护长者人身安全,该产品可以提供主动告知及预警功能,提高紧急情况救援的即时性。此外,结合AI人工智慧,搜集长者行为,可监测长者在场域内的异常久滞行为、分析长者的作息与活动量;电子围篱功能可预警长者进入危险区域,让照顾者随时掌握长者的身心健康与安全。

5. 培养可持续人才

2023年11月,友达成立了友达数位企业可持续发展研究院,并将为企业和社会培养可持续发展人才作为研究院的重要功能之一。研究院与南京大学、上海科技大学、中国政法大学、苏州大学、西交利物浦大学、哈尔滨工业大学等多所高校建立深度合作关系,共同开发课程、开展联合教学项目,为企业输送专业型与数字型兼备的人才,满足企业数字化转型和可持续发展对人才的需求。

为培养兼具数字化技能与可持续发展实操的专业人才,研究院发起“百千万计划”,通过输出百份行业最佳实践案例,赋能千家企业,助力超一万个数字人才转型,沉淀企业可持续发展方法论,构建可实践的数字赋能模型。

6. 共建可持续生态

友达积极与企业、高校、政府等各方建立合作关系,构建可持续发展生态圈。与众多知名企业签署合作协议,共同探索可持续发展之路;与高校合作培养人才、开展科研项目;参与国家和地方标准的拟定、推广与实施,为地区产业提供转型路径辅导,助力政府制定引导政策。通过生态合作,整合各方资源,实现协同共赢。

在社会和外部组织链接方面,友达数位企业可持续发展研究院成立后,通过学术委员会、产业委员会和科创委员会,研究院汇聚了一批致力于推动企业可持续发展的专家库,涵盖高校权威学者,产业界领头先锋代表,友达数十年经验的资深专家顾问等,联合高校学术专家和企业实战专家开发理论结合实践、知行合一的最佳实践案例、数字化方法论和关键技术应用创新。

专家点评

友达光电(以下简称“友达”)是我持续跟踪式研究的代表性企业之一,我经常到友达光电的厂区、周边社区和所在的园区进行考察和调研。我发现,友达光电之所以成长为一家行业领军企业,源自其多年来持续不断深耕细作的秘诀,这一秘诀是:超越企业社会责任,创造共享价值。

友达没有把社会责任担当看作是被动的约束,相反,将其视为与企业增长发展相统一的巨大动力和广阔空间,这样一来,全球绿色低碳转型就变成了友达的发展机遇,友达主动立足创新显示技术与解决方案,以创新科技赋能行业可持续发展,助力解决社会问题。

友达将长期战略聚焦在Environment (环境永续) 、People (共融成长) 、Society (灵活创新) 三大主轴(EPS),期望以核心本业技术携手利益相关方生态,创造企业与社会互利共享、共荣共存的伙伴关系。

早在2018年,友达就进行了组织转型,设置永续长(即首席可持续发展官)一职,统筹企业可持续发展的方向,以EPS三大主轴擘画面向2025年的永续目标,以EPS 永续主轴延伸出的涵盖经营活动和社会及环境表现的“10 个具体面向”落地措施,以灵活创新迎向未来世界在能源与智能应用的新契机。友达光电确定了不同于很多其它企业对“CSR”的新内涵:Corporate Sustainability Responsibility,即企业永续责任,以此为指针,期待在创造利润的同时能对社会和环境产生正向的积极影响,将商业价值与社会价值统一起来,在企业利润和社会效益之间找到稳健的平衡点。友达光电的前瞻性视野充满了商业智慧与社会情怀的远见卓识,并将此踏踏实实地落实到每一天、每一处、每一个产品、每一个人,兢兢业业、务实踏实地交付承诺。

在具体落地执行方面,友达坚守“三轴和十面向”、持续完善和阶段性跨越,在“业务精进”“技术赋能”和“组织变革”三个领域协同并进,形成了稳健和可持续的内在结构,我把这一优秀实践总结成一个管理企业转型升级过程的系统性模型(如下图)。

企业向可持续商业转型升级路径结构模型

我希望用这个模型为制造业企业向可持续商业走向成熟之旅提供深层思考、指引参照路径。值得一提的是,在此基础上,友达还将自身的成功经验,总结凝练成能实操、可复制的方法学及工具体系,向其供应链输出、赋能,营造出一个同步成长、共生共赢的绿色低碳高质量生态。我将其称为“内生外化”模式,由此衍生出友达的又一个新的业务增长领域:友达数位“工业服务商”。这是一片崭新的高附加值蓝海,在此当中,友达光电和友达数位以及合作伙伴们有着广阔的复合价值创造的前景。

——吕建中

南方周末中国企业社会责任研究中心智库专家

中国管理科学学会可持续发展专委会副主任

友达成立于1996年,运营地点分布于亚洲、美国与欧洲,全球员工超过4万人。友达以世界领先的创新显示技术与解决方案为基础,提供深受客户伙伴信赖的专业知识与各领域具有先进技术含量的产品和解决方案服务。

校对:赵立宇

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刑诉法修改:需进一步消除“天然不平等”|法眼

By: 李奋飞
9 July 2025 at 19:00
由于刑事诉讼中的控辩双方存在着一种“天然不平等”,因此,加强被追诉人的权利保障,才被认为是历次刑事诉讼制度改革需要重点解决的问题。

长期以来,受“重定罪量刑,轻财产处置”观念的影响,我国刑事诉讼法存在着以“人”为中心的格局,对“物”的制度供给不足,使得涉案财物处置实践存在诸如保管不规范、强制处分和先行处置扩大化、审前返还实体化、对物审判程序的公正性不足等突出问题。

李奋飞

责任编辑:钱昊平

2021年9月21日,北京王府井书店摆放的《中华人民共和国刑事诉讼法》。

2021年9月21日,北京王府井书店摆放的《中华人民共和国刑事诉讼法》。(视觉中国|供图)

素有“人权法”和“小宪法”之称的刑事诉讼法修改,已被列入十四届全国人大常委会立法规划,这不仅是当前刑事诉讼法学研究的重要课题,也是社会各界广泛关注的议题。虽然在“改什么”的问题上,目前众说纷纭,但有一点可以肯定,那就是应当将加强人权保障作为本次修法的基本目标。这既是充分尊重刑事诉讼制度发展规律的必然要求,也是认真落实“坚持正确人权观,加强人权执法司法保障”顶层设计的应有之义,还是积极回应“人民群众新要求新期待”的必由之路。

尽管颁布于1979年的刑事诉讼法在历经1996年、2012年、2018年3次规模不等的修改后,其科学化、公正化和民主化的程度已得到了大幅提升,中国刑事司法领域的人权保障水平也取得了显著进展。不过,加强人权刑事司法保障,是一个长期复杂的系统工程,不可能一蹴而就,需要持续用力、久久为功。特别是,我国刑事诉讼程序的设计一直存在着“以自然人为中心”“以人身权为中心”“以方便专门机关办案为中心”“以侦查为中心”等几个方面的特征,还在很大程度上制约着我国人权刑事司法保障尤其是刑事被追诉人权利保障的水平。

虽然,正确的人权观要求刑事诉讼立法建立均衡的权利保护体系,并维持刑事诉讼构造的动态平衡,从而使包括被害人和被追诉人在内的所有诉讼参与人都能享有一些基本的程序权利,但是,由于刑事诉讼中的控辩双方存在着一种“天然不平等”,因此,加强被追诉人的权利保障,才被认为是历次刑事诉讼制度改革需要重点

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校对:星歌

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善择ESG风险跟踪第92期|227家公司暴露ESG风险,恒久科技财务造假被罚800万元

南方周末中国企业社会责任研究中心

责任编辑:侯明辉

2025年6月第5周,227家上市公司曝光风险事件312起,风险指数302.15,其中治理风险占33.5%,环境风险占9.7%,社会风险占56.8%。与上周相比,风险事件数和风险指数显著增加。

中国铁建ESG风险级别达到V级,位居本期风险榜首;恒久科技因财务造假被处罚,相关责任人遭市场禁入,值得关注。

具体来看,中国铁建旗下多家公司因发生生产安全事故被罚,例如,中铁十八局集团有限公司被江门市蓬江区应急管理局先后处以70万元和30万元行政处罚,相关处罚累计推高了中国铁建的风险指数。

建筑行业项目规模大、施工环境复杂,高空、地下作业易引发安全事故,因此,安全生产是建筑企业的核心ESG议题。作为特大型建筑企业,中国铁建在安全生产方面的投入巨大,且近三年来持续增加。但安全防线不可一日松懈。数据显示,2022年至2024年,中国铁建因公死亡人数依次为12人、10人、9人。如何将安全生产监督考核制度和作业手册,落实到各级单位和作业人员的日常中,依然是中国铁建面临的考验。

恒久科技为完成业绩承诺,在2019年至2021年的年报中实施系统性财务数据造假,虚增收入和利润,最终案发,恒久科技被江苏证监局处以800万元罚款,3名责任人合计被处以1750万元罚款,并被采取不同年限的证券市场禁入措施。

第92期

校对:赵立宇

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三天三任总理:动荡中的泰国政坛,被围猎的他信家族?

“事实上,在脆弱的民主制度和根深蒂固的专制统治下,泰国陷入混乱境地并非巧合。宪法法院暂停佩通坦总理职务,延续了过去二十多年解散主要政党、推翻民选政府的惯常模式。”

伴随着家族荣耀而来的,是循环往复的上台后被推翻的政治魔咒。

南方周末记者 王航

责任编辑:姚忆江

当地时间2025年7月3日,泰国曼谷,泰国国王玛哈·哇集拉隆功(右二)和素提达王后(右)在王室典礼上,为泰国代理总理素立亚·宗伦伦吉(中)及其新内阁成员举行宣誓就职仪式,其中包括泰国新任文化部长佩通坦(左)和泰国副总理普坦(左二)。视觉中国/图

2025年7月3日,泰国曼谷,泰国国王玛哈·哇集拉隆功(右二)和素提达王后(右)在王室典礼上,为泰国代理总理素里亚(中)及其新内阁成员举行宣誓就职仪式,其中包括泰国新任文化部长佩通坦(左)和泰国副总理普坦(左二)。视觉中国/图


2025年7月3日下午,泰国政府在总理府召开内阁特别会议,宣布由副总理兼内政部长普坦代理总理职务。

两天前,泰国宪法法院以佩通坦可能违宪为由,决定暂停其总理职权,直至作出裁决。佩通坦被停职后,71岁的副总理兼交通部长素里亚代行总理之职。“临时上岗”不到两天,泰国代总理便再度换人。

三天三任总理,泰国政坛的走马灯式变动举世震惊。

38岁的佩通坦,是泰国前总理他信·西那瓦之女,于2024年8月在议会选举中脱颖而出,成为泰国最年轻的总理。她也是继姑姑英拉之后,泰国第二位女总理。

然而任职不到一年,数度目睹家族权力兴衰的佩通坦,便再度陷入家族的政治命运轮回——他信因政变被赶下台,英拉被宪法法院罢免,如今佩通坦也和家族长辈一样,面临执政危机。

佩通坦能否打破家族命运枷锁,挺过宪法法院调查?泰国新一轮政治危机,是否预示着他信家族政治舞台的终结?这不仅关乎佩通坦个人政治前途,也牵动整个泰国政局的未来走向。

“事实上,在脆弱的民主制度和根深蒂固的专制统治下,泰国陷入混乱境地并非巧合。宪法法院暂停佩通坦总理职务,延续了过去二十多年解散主要政党、推翻民选政府的惯常模式。”泰国朱拉隆功大学政治学与国际关系教授提提南·蓬苏迪拉克向南方周末记者分析,保守派精英曾通过让他信结束流亡回归的“超级协议”,阻止进步派“前进党”组阁,后又试图推翻为泰党政府,意图彻底终结他信家族的政治影响力。

“录音门”引爆泰国政坛

佩通坦被停职,源于与柬埔寨参议院主席、前总理洪森的一通私人通话。

2025年6月15日,泰柬边境冲突剑拔弩张之际,佩通坦以私人身份和洪森通话,协商两国边境问题。然而,两个政治家族建立信任的私人通话,却意外升级为一场外交和政治风暴。

三天后,通话内容在社交媒体上疯传。洪森坦承,已将与佩通坦的通话内容分享给约80人,包括柬执政党以及参议院、国会、外交事务等各部门高层。他暗示,有柬埔寨官员“不喜欢泰国总理”,泄露了通话内容。

被曝光的通话录音中,佩通坦亲切称呼洪森为“叔叔”,并请求其协助自己解决两国边境问题。“请对您的侄女有些同情,现在泰

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校对:星歌

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北京“回南天”,东北下“梅雨”?因为它偏北了

北京高温高湿的天气其实并不算“回南天”,因为南方地区“回南天”的气温一般并不高。北京当下的天气应该叫“桑拿天”更为合适。

1979-2019年,中国热浪的发生天数、强度和影响范围都在逐步上升,尤其在2010年以后出现跃升。发生原因是城市化快速发展和副高增强,协同加剧了热浪。

南方周末记者 林方舟 南方周末实习生 李思璇

责任编辑:汪韬

2025年7月1日8时许,北京大兴天宫院,上班族雨中通勤。尹亚飞/新京报/视觉中国

2025年7月1日8时许,北京大兴天宫院。尹亚飞/新京报/视觉中国

2025年7月,北京仿佛进入广东“回南天”,地铁通道的墙壁上甚至挂上水珠。东北地区也连日阴雨绵绵,仿佛进入江淮“梅雨”季。

潮湿、闷热、黏腻的空气,让北方人感到陌生。“我们家现在讲粤语。”有人如是调侃。还有人说:“南方人北漂,第一次有家乡的感觉。”

另一边,华中、华东地区酷热难耐。山东、河南、安徽、湖北、江苏、浙江等省份局地连日发布高温黄色预警,最高温突破40℃。

这些天气其实都与“副高有关。“副高”是西北太平洋副热带高压的简称,这个地理课本上的“明星”、中国人耳熟能详的名字,是影响我国最重要的大气环流系统。在副高控制的范围内,往往天气晴热,而在副高边缘地区,则容易发生降雨。江淮的梅雨季节、长江流域的“火炉”城市重庆、武汉和南京,都和副高有关。

中国科学院大气物理研究所研究员赵亮告诉南方周末记者,近期全国天气与副高位置偏北且稳定维持有直接关系。副高近似南北窄、东西宽的椭圆形,东西方向的轴被称作“脊线”,它是指示副高位置的重要指标。2025年6月,副高脊线平均纬度

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校对:吴依兰

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At Least 173 People Are Still Missing After Texas Floods

Officials said the search for remains would continue until all the victims have been accounted for. In the hardest-hit county, no survivors have been found since Friday.

© Loren Elliott for The New York Times

Search and rescue crews worked along the Guadalupe River near Center Point, Texas, on Tuesday.

Russia Makes Record Attack on Ukraine as Trump Castigates Putin

9 July 2025 at 20:28
The number of Russian drones and missiles in the barrage set a single-night record and underscored Ukraine’s need for weapons.

© Alina Smutko/Reuters

Taking shelter Tuesday night inside a Kyiv metro station during an air raid alert during a Russian attack on Ukraine.

德国总理梅尔茨或今秋访问中国

9 July 2025 at 20:17
德正
2025-07-09T11:48:33.989Z
德国总理梅尔茨任内首次亚洲之行将选择中国吗?

(德国之声中文网)据一位知情人士透露,德国总理梅尔茨将于今年年底前率领一个由商界高管组成的代表团首次访华。

这位了解筹备情况的人士告诉路透社,中国企业希望增加在德国的投资,而梅尔茨的访问可能有助于修复柏林与北京方面此前的紧张关系。此次访问最早可能在10月份进行,但尚未最终确定,细节可能会有所调整。

德国总理府发言人拒绝置评。中国外交部尚未回应路透社的置评请求。

德国是欧洲最大的经济体,也是中国最重要的贸易伙伴之一。梅尔茨就任总理后的首次中国之行将被赋予加强两国关系的重要象征意义。德国上届总理肖尔茨就任后曾一改德国总理访问亚洲会先去中国的传统,选择了日本作为首站

在肖尔茨领导的德国上任政府执政期间,中德关系一度陷入低谷,时任外交部长贝尔博克曾多次批评北京,称习近平主席为“独裁者”,并将中国视为制度性对手。

今年5月23日,上任不久的德国总理梅尔茨同习近平通了电话

梅尔茨的对华立场

新总理梅尔茨在公开场合对中国采取了强硬立场,但避免全面对峙。今年早些时候,他强调了对中国与俄罗斯关系密切的担忧,承诺让德国减少对中国的过度依赖。与此同时,梅尔茨也表示,在应对全球挑战方面,中国 “仍将是德国和欧盟的重要合作伙伴”。在就任后的首份政府声明中,梅尔茨再次提到视中国为德国和欧盟应对全球挑战和经济领域的重要合作伙伴。5月23日,中国国家主席习近平与梅尔茨通了电话

本月初,中国外交部长王毅在布鲁塞尔及德法之行中访问了柏林,并与德国外长瓦德富尔和总理梅尔茨举行会谈。瓦德福尔表示,两国外长讨论了俄罗斯入侵乌克兰、台湾问题以及中东危机。在7月3日两位外长共同会见记者时,王毅表示,“中方欢迎默茨总理年内访华。”

中国外长王毅和德国外长瓦德富尔7月3日举行共同新闻会

王毅此次欧洲之行也是为本月下旬的欧中峰会做准备。峰会前夕,欧盟方面对中国加强对稀土出口的管制、加大欧洲企业在中国经营的难度、大量向欧洲输出廉价商品,以及暗中支持俄罗斯等表达了不满和担忧,并呼吁重新平衡与中国的经贸关系。

延伸阅读——布鲁塞尔:北京不能一边支持俄罗斯一边靠近欧洲

中德存在摩擦点

德国和中国之间也存在摩擦点,而且不仅限于经贸领域。本周二(7月8日),德国因中国军舰7月初在红海用激光瞄准一架德国飞机而召见中国驻德国大使邓洪波。当时,这架德国飞机正在欧盟保护红海地区航运安全的“阿斯皮德斯行动”(Operation ASPIDES)框架内进行侦察飞行。

梅尔茨去年4月接受采访时曾指责北京对全球众多战争和危机都负有连带责任。他说,像朝鲜这样的国家,以及俄罗斯对乌克兰的侵略战争,都得到了中国的支持:“中国对内日益压制,对外日益咄咄逼人。因此,中华人民共和国对我们的安全构成了日益严重的威胁。”

相关图集:德国经济陷入低迷的五大原因

俄乌战争:德国能源价格飙升影响竞争力:2011年,时任德国总理默克尔决定加快退出核电,同时依靠俄罗斯的天然气来弥补缺口。俄罗斯2022年2月24日全面入侵乌克兰后切断对德国的天然气供应,对德国造成了沉重打击。德国不得不转向成本更高的液化天然气。战争爆发后,德国也逐步停止进口俄罗斯石油。多年来,德国的商业模式都是以廉价能源为基础,为出口型工业提供动力。然而,德国工业用户目前的平均电费为每千瓦时20.3欧分,而在美国和中国,这个数字相当于8.4欧分。德国近年来虽然也在发展可再生能源,但一些房主和地区对风机的抵制抑制了风能的增长。
中国:从客户到竞争对手:在2010年代初期和中期,德国奔驰、大众、宝马等在中国赚得盆满钵满。但如今中国已成为世界第一大汽车生产国和出口国。2024 年,中国的汽车出口量为585万辆,德国为317万辆。中国产电动车也瞄准了欧洲市场。2010 年,中国的电池板制造商还依赖进口的德国设备。如今,全球太阳能电池板生产依赖于来自中国的设备,国家补贴的中国太阳能电池板也消灭了德国制造商。在家具、消费电子产品等领域,中国制造商现在也开始和德国制造竞争市场份额。
投资踟蹰不前:德国在经济繁荣时期推迟了对铁路和高速互联网等长期项目的投资。设施老化、维修工程增多等原因导致铁路准点率不断创下新低。高速互联网尚未覆盖一些农村地区。2009年通过的关于限制赤字的宪法修正案束缚了政府的手脚。是否放松所谓的债务刹车将成为下届德国政府面临的一个棘手问题。
缺乏技术工人:从IT行业到酒店行业、从托儿所到养老院护工,德国各行各业都面临不同程度的缺乏技术工人的问题。德国工商会对23000家企业的调查显示,43%的企业表示无法填补空缺职位。德国学生对科学、技术、工程和数学越来越不感兴趣。儿童保育机构短缺导致许多女性只能从事兼职工作甚至根本不能工作。人口老龄化也令缺乏熟练技术工人的问题雪上加霜。
官僚主义的拖累:德国企业和经济学家指出,冗长的审批程序和过多的文书工作对经济造成了拖累。比如,获得风力涡轮机的建造许可证可能需要数年时间,安装太阳能电池板的公司既需要到当地公用事业机构注册,也需要到政府监管机构那里注册等等。一项要求公司证明其供应商遵守环境和劳工标准的法律甚至超出了欧盟的要求,给德国公司带来了比其欧洲竞争对手更重的负担。

(路透社等)

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Ukraine suffers heaviest attack after Trump criticises Putin

9 July 2025 at 18:32
DSNS Ukraine Firefighters put out a fireDSNS Ukraine
Firefighters battled fires sparked by explosions in the Kyiv region

President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine has been hit by the biggest ever aerial attack from Russia - 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles hit cities around the country in multiple waves.

Zelensky condemned the "telling attack", adding: "It comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all."

The overnight strike came after President Donald Trump said the US would send more weapons to Kyiv - a reversal of last week's suspension which US media said Trump had not known about.

On Tuesday, the US leader expressed growing frustration at Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth," Trump told reporters. "He's very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless."

"He's very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless," Trump said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "pretty calm about this. Trump's way of talking is generally quite harsh, the phrases he uses."

The two leaders have been in regular contact but this has so far failed to translate into tangible steps towards a ceasefire in Ukraine - something Trump once said he would be able to achieve in a day.

Last week, following a phone call with the Russian president, Trump said he was "very unhappy".

"He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it's no good," Trump said of Putin.

The criticism came even as the Trump administration announced a suspension of military aid to Ukraine, reportedly authorised by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Elbridge Colby, the under-secretary of defence for policy.

Asked by reporters on Tuesday who had taken the decision, Trump - sitting right next to Hegseth - replied: "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"

The reversal of the decision may now mean that 10 Patriot missiles may be sent to Ukraine, according to US outlet Axios.

Kyiv relies on the interceptors to try to counter Russia's missile and drone attacks, which continue to grow in intensity and frequency.

Although the east of the country and Kyiv come under fire on a regular basis, no corner of Ukraine has been spared by Russian strikes.

The city of Lutsk - which lies 90km (56 miles) from the Polish border and is a transit hub for military and humanitarian aid - suffered the brunt of Tuesday's overnight attack.

Explosions were also reported in the western cities of Lviv and Rivne.

Two rounds of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine took place earlier this year but no other meetings have so far been scheduled - and neither Moscow nor Kyiv appear optimistic that diplomacy will solve the conflict, which was sparked by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Meanwhile, Russia's summer offensive in eastern Ukraine grinds on.

"We are moving forward," said Peskov on Wednesday. "Each new day the Ukrainians have to accept the new realities."

Red Bull sack team principal Horner

9 July 2025 at 17:26

Red Bull sack team principal Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner before the 2025 British Grand PrixImage source, PA Media
Image caption,

Christian Horner was F1's youngest team principal when he was appointed by Red Bull in January 2005

  • Published

Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull after 20 years as team principal.

The 51-year-old has been in charge of the Formula 1 team since its inception in 2005.

Since then, Red Bull have won the drivers' championship eight times, with Max Verstappen winning the past four titles.

The move comes after months of declining form for the team and internal disputes at the highest level, and 17 months after Horner was accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee.

Horner was twice cleared of the claims by the team's parent company, Red Bull GmBH.

"Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO (chief executive) of Red Bull Racing," Red Bull GmbH said in a statement on Wednesday.

Under Horner, Red Bull won the constructors' championship six times, with Sebastian Vettel wining the drivers' championship from 2010-2013.

"We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years," added Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull's chief executive of corporate projects and investments.

"With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1.

"Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history."

Horner's dismissal comes amid uncertainty about the future of star driver Verstappen.

The four-time world champion is under contract to Red Bull until 2028 but is being courted by Mercedes to potentially join them for next season.

Red Bull have won only two races this season as McLaren have taken over their position as the team to beat.

Their decline started in the middle of last season; while Verstappen won his fourth straight world title, he won only twice in the final 14 races.

Related topics

Gaza truce talks reportedly stall despite second Netanyahu-Trump meeting

9 July 2025 at 18:38
Watch: The BBC asks about the Trump administration's vision for Gaza

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Tuesday evening for the second time in as many days to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza.

The meeting came after Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff suggested Israel and Hamas had one remaining issue to agree on for a 60-day ceasefire deal.

Netanyahu arrived at the White House shortly after 17:00 EST (21:00 GMT) on Tuesday for the meeting, which was not open to members of the press.

Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu met with vice-president JD Vance. He also met with Trump for several hours during a dinner at the White House on Monday.

It marks Netanyahu's third state visit to the US since Trump's second term.

The meeting of the two leaders lasted around two hours.

Netanyahu also met with the Republican House of Representative Speaker Mike Johnson.

After that meeting, the Israeli Prime Minister said he did not believe Israel's military campaign in Gaza was done, but that negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.

"We still have to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and government capabilities," Netanyahu said.

Witkoff later said that Israel and Hamas were closing the gap on issues that previously prevented them from reaching a deal, and that he hoped a temporary, 60-day ceasefire will be agreed on this week.

"We had four issues and now we're down to one", Witkoff said of the sticking points in negotiations.

He added that the draft deal would also include the release of 10 hostages who are alive, and the bodies of nine who are deceased.

Before the Israeli Prime Minister's meeting with Trump on Monday, a Qatari delegation arrived at the White House and spoke with officials for several hours, Axios reported, citing a source with knowledge of the talks.

Trump told reporters on Monday evening that ceasefire talks are "going very well". But Qatar, which has played a mediator role in negotiations, said on Tuesday morning that more time was needed for negotiations.

"I don't think that I can give any timeline at the moment, but I can say right now that we will need time for this," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said.

Before discussions resumed on Tuesday, a Palestinian source familiar with the talks told the BBC they have not made any headway.

The latest round of negotiations between Hamas and Israel began on Sunday.

The ongoing Gaza war began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 57,500 in Gaza according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

US cuts visa validity for most Nigerian applicants

9 July 2025 at 18:06
Andrew Harnik via Getty Images Some Nigerians watch as former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the US Embassy in Abuja in 2021Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
The State Department says visa policies remain "subject to ongoing review" and may change

The United States has announced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigeria, cutting the duration and conditions under which most Nigerian travellers can enter the country.

Staring 8 July, the US Department of State says nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry and valid for only three months.

It says this is part of a global reciprocity realignment, a sharp shift from previous visa terms, which often allowed for multiple entries over two years or more.

Nigeria also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US.

The Nigerian government has not yet commented.

The State Department says visa policies remain "subject to ongoing review" and may change depending on evolving diplomatic, security, and immigration benchmarks.

In a statement, the US government said it was working closely with Nigerian authorities to ensure the country meets key international standards.

These include:

  • issuing secure travel documents
  • managing visa overstays
  • sharing security or criminal data for public safety purposes

The US also ordered that the social media accounts of all foreigners applying for visas, including from Nigeria, would be vetted for "any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States".

Nigerians account for one of the highest number of student-visa applications to the US in the world.

More BBC stories on Nigeria:

Getty Images/BBC A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News AfricaGetty Images/BBC

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

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