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World Bank announces multimillion-dollar redress fund after killings and abuse claims at Tanzanian project

A man raises his arm above a white marker post in an expanse of dried ground with a few trees on the horizon.theguardian.org

The World Bank is embarking on a multimillion-dollar programme in response to alleged human rights abuses against Tanzanian herders during a flagship tourism project it funded for seven years.

Allegations made by pastoralist communities living in and around Ruaha national park include violent evictions, sexual assaults, killings, forced disappearances and large-scale cattle seizures from herders committed by rangers working for the Tanzanian national park authority (Tanapa).

The pastoralists say most of the incidents took place after the bank approved $150m (£116m) for the Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth (Regrow) project September in 2017, aimed at developing tourism in four protected areas in southern Tanzania in a bid to take pressure off heavily touristed northern areas such as Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.

In 2023, two individuals wrote to the bank accusing some Tanapa employees of “extreme cruelty” during cattle seizures and having engaged in “extrajudicial killings” and the “disappearance” of community members.

The Oakland Institute, a US-based thinktank that is advising the communities, and which alerted the World Bank to abuses in April 2023, says Ruaha doubled in size from 1m to more than 2m hectares (2.5m to 5m acres) during the project’s lifetime – a claim the bank denies. It says the expansion took place a decade earlier. Oakland claims 84,000 people from at least 28 villages were affected by the expansion plan.

This week, the bank published a 70-page report following its own investigation, which found “critical failures in the planning and supervision of this project and that these have resulted in serious harm”. The report, published on 2 April, notes that “the project should have recognised that enhancing Tanapa’s capacity to manage the park could potentially increase the likelihood of conflict with communities trying to access the park.”

Anna Bjerde, World Bank managing director of operations, said, “We regret that the Regrow project preparation and supervision did not sufficiently account for project risks, resulting in inadequate mitigation measures to address adverse impacts. This oversight led to the bank overlooking critical information during implementation.”

The report includes recommendations aimed at redressing harms done and details a $2.8m project that will support alternative livelihoods for communities inside and around the park. It will also help fund a Tanzanian NGO that provides legal advice to victims of crime who want to pursue justice through the courts.

A second, much bigger project, understood to be worth $110, will fund alternative livelihoods across the entire country, including Ruaha.

The total investment, thought to be the largest amount the bank has ever allocated to addressing breaches of its policies, is a reflection of the serious nature of the allegations.

The bank had already suspended Regrow funding in April 2024 after its own investigation found the Tanzanian government had violated the bank’s resettlement policy and failed to create a system to report violent incidents or claim redress. The project was cancelled altogether in November 2024. A spokesperson said the bank “remains deeply concerned about the serious nature of the reports of incidents of violence and continues to focus on the wellbeing of affected communities”.

By the time the project was suspended the bank had already disbursed $125m of the $150m allocated to Regrow.

The Oakland Institute estimates that economic damages for farmers and pastoralists affected by livelihood restrictions, run into tens of millions of dollars.

Anuradha Mittal, executive director of the Oakland Institute, said the “scathing” investigation “confirmed the bank’s grave wrongdoing which devastated the lives of communities. Pastoralists and farms who refused to be silenced amid widespread government repression, are now vindicated.”

She added that the bank’s response was “beyond shameful”.

“Suggesting that tens of thousands of people forced out of their land can survive with ‘alternative livelihoods’ such as clean cooking and microfinance is a slap in the face of the victims.”

Inspection panel chair Ibrahim Pam said critical lessons from the Regrow case will be applied to all conservation projects that require resettlement and restrict access to parks, especially those implemented by a law enforcement agency.

Regrow was given the go ahead in 2017. The Oakland Institute described its cancellation by the government in 2024 as a landmark victory, but said communities “remain under siege – still facing evictions, crippling livelihood restrictions and human rights abuses”.

In one village near the southern border of Ruaha, the brother of a young man who was killed three years ago while herding cattle in an area adjacent to the park, said: “It feels like it was yesterday. He had a wife, a family. Now the wife has to look after the child by herself.” He did not want to give his name for fear of reprisal.

Another community member whose husband was allegedly killed by Tanapa staff said: “I feel bad whenever I remember what happened to my husband. We used to talk often. We were friends. I was pregnant with his child when he died. He never saw his daughter. Now I just live in fear of these [Tanapa-employed] people.”

The Oakland Institute said the affected communities reject the bank’s recommendations, and have delivered a list of demands that includes “reverting park boundaries to the 1998 borders they accepted, reparations for livelihood restrictions, the resumption of suspended basic services, and justice for victims of ranger abuse and violence.

“Villagers are determined to continue the struggle for their rights to land and life until the bank finally takes responsibility and remedies the harms it caused.”

The bank has said it has no authority to pay compensation directly.

Wildlife-based tourism is a major component of Tanzania’s economy, contributing more than one quarter of the country’s foreign exchange earnings in 2019. The bank has said any future community resettlement will be the government’s decision.

Additional reporting by Peter Mururi

A metal sign saying Ruaha national parkA herd of elephants crosses and dirt road next to a 4X4A herd of cows grazing on dried grass

“德国经济的分水岭”:访德国弗莱堡大学经济学教授拉尔斯·P·菲尔德

在德国,建设一座桥梁通常要花6-10年,这还不包括建设需要的时间,只是前期的走流程。

统计数据显示,德国在AI方面专利数仅次于美国和中国,在全球排名第三,所以并不是那么糟。

人口老龄化会导致社会对于创新抵抗力增加,并不是说老年人不能再创新,而是担心他们的知识过时,会被新的知识替代。

南方周末记者 徐庭芳

发自:上海

责任编辑:顾策

德国新政的涟漪,正在蔓延。

2025年3月18日,德国联邦议院通过一项巨额财政方案草案,预计提供5000亿欧元特别基金,主要用于基础设施建设,并批准修改《基本法》中的“债务刹车”(Debt Brake)条款,放宽对国防开支的债务限制。

“债务刹车”于2009年写入德国《基本法》,目的是应对债务危机,要求联邦政府每年结构性新增债务不得超过国内生产总值(GDP)的0.35%,有效防止了德国政府债务失控。2023年,德国政府债务占GDP的比例约为63%,在发达国家中处于低位。

但紧缩的财政货币政策导致公共投资长期不足,新政有望帮助德国乃至欧盟经济摆脱衰退困境。

2025年3月28日,拉尔斯·P·菲尔德(Lars P.Feld)来到上海,他刚刚发布新书《经济学的未来:来自德国学术界的回答》。活动后,南方周末记者专访了菲尔德教授。

菲尔德现任德国弗莱堡大学经济学教授、弗莱堡欧肯研究所所长,曾任德国经济专家委员会(“五贤人”)前主席、德国前财政部长林德纳首席顾问。“债务刹车”制度正是出自菲尔德之手。

拉尔斯·P·菲尔德(Lars P.Feld)。图片来源:德国经济专家委员会官网。

长期以来,德国政府对公共财政赤字相当克制,这导致德国的基础设施投资并不完善,菲尔德用德国火车举例,“从法兰克福坐火车到柏林,准点率就像中彩票一样”。他总结,上一届政府(朔尔茨政府)的经济政策主要包括补贴干预和监管政策,以及抬高政府支出,更高的债务和更高的税收等等,但这些并非解决德国经济问题的“良药”。

“我们需要采取不同的方式,减少各种成本,同时减少政府支出,一种完全不同于上一届政府的政策。”他指出。

自德国宣布规模空前的财政扩张计划以来,德国10年期国债收益率一度接近3%,创下自2023年全球债券抛售以来的新高,推动其他欧洲国家的借贷成本水涨船高。

新政府仍将面临巨大的挑战:经济连年萎缩、全球需求疲软、能源危机等因素仍继续影响德国经济。美国多变的关税政策、外交政策,也将欧盟这一盟友“越推越远”。

德国经济的“分水岭”

南方周末:你怎么形容新政府提出的巨额财政计划?这是一项革命性的改变吗?

菲尔德:“革命”这个词有些用力过猛,我更愿意形容它是一个“分水岭”。我不确定这对整个欧元区意味着什么,但它很有可能会给我们带来麻烦,给欧洲央行带来更多压力。

一些南欧国家考

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校对:星歌

欢迎分享、点赞与留言。本作品的版权为南方周末或相关著作权人所有,任何第三方未经授权,不得转载,否则即为侵权。

震中实皆: 家园虽被毁,救援物资紧缺有所缓解

(本文首发于2025年4月3日《南方周末》)

南方周末记者 翁洹

发自:缅甸实皆、曼德勒

责任编辑:李楠

当地时间2025年4月1日,排队等待领取食物和饮用水等生活物资的小沙弥。 (南方周末记者 翁洹/图)

当地时间2025年4月1日,缅甸强震发生后的第四天,南方周末记者第二次进入实皆市,发现与前一天相比,在市区里发放救援和生活物资的人员数量明显多了起来。

当地时间2025年4月1日,一名沙弥尼站在倒塌的寺院前面。 (南方周末记者 翁洹/图)

实皆是一座很小的城市,走在街头能够明显感觉到,这边倒塌的房子比一江之隔的曼德勒要更多。很多建筑坍塌成了废墟,砖块和梁柱横七竖八地堆在街头。大量房屋倒塌导致许多灾民

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特朗普关税风暴,全球贸易版图会如何剧震?|说政经事

南方周末特约撰稿 林雪萍

责任编辑:张玥

美国迈阿密。视觉中国/图

美国迈阿密。视觉中国/图

美国“解放日”,全球陷落区。特朗普“对等关税”的重锤终于落下来了,各个国家地区几乎无一幸免。

特朗普称之为“美国解放日”,认为这将为美国带来制造业回归的黄金时代。对等关税的出台,就像突然打开的高压水龙头,势不可挡地涌向四方。

印度26%,孟加拉国37%。南亚失陷。

越南46%,柬埔寨49%,泰国36%,菲律宾也有17%。东南亚失陷。

日本24%,韩国25%。东亚失陷。

欧洲20%。欧洲失陷。

而中国为34%。虽然看上去不是最多的,但2025年以来增加的20%依然存在。还有原来的关税叠加,最高的产品甚至可能达到79%。

这像是一场地球表层的9级大地震,整个全球贸易格局经历了二战以来最为激烈的晃动。这样的关税鸿沟,没有一个国家能够招架得住。它更大的破坏力在于,人们脑海中习以为常的秩序被彻底颠覆。

整个世界进入了“信息迷雾期”。按照

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校对:星歌

欢迎分享、点赞与留言。本作品的版权为南方周末或相关著作权人所有,任何第三方未经授权,不得转载,否则即为侵权。

江泽民故居面向社会公众开放

新华社

4月3日,江泽民故居组织参观活动,江泽民亲属和生前身边工作人员代表,江苏省干部群众代表等参加。据悉,江泽民故居于近日面向社会公众开放。

故居位于江苏省扬州市广陵区东关街道东圈门16号,分为东、西两路院落。西路院落是江泽民童年和青少年时期(1929-1940年)与家人一起租住生活的场所,东路院落为故居基本陈列场所,展陈以江泽民的生平为重点,分为“伟大光辉的一生”“爱国知识分子家庭”“扬州永远是故乡”三部分。故居对外开放采取分时段预约方式,每周二至周日开放。

网络编辑:明非

东南亚六国被美国征收 32% 至 49% 高额关税

德才
2025-04-03T13:29:07.041Z
越南海防市的"维纳迅驰"电动车(VinFast)生产车间,工人们正在装配线上作业。资料图片

(德国之声中文网)越南政府周四(4月3日)表示,将成立一个特别工作组,以应对美国总统特朗普施加的高额关税。其他东南亚国家也计划与华盛顿展开谈判。

越南和泰国等国家是对美出口大国。随着特朗普在第一任期内对中国实施关税,许多中国及国际制造商将生产转移至这些国家,使其受益匪浅。

在特朗普列出的九个东南亚国家中,有六个国家被征收超出预期的大额关税,税率在 32% 至49%之间。相比之下,欧盟仅为20%。

截至目前,没有东南亚国家表示会实施报复性关税。

越南政府成立特别工作组

苹果(Apple)、耐克(Nike)和三星电子(Samsung Electronics)等公司在越南设有大规模生产基地。越南此次被征收 46% 关税,面临巨大压力。去年,越南对美出口额达 1420 亿美元,占其国内生产总值(GDP)的近 30%。

越南总理范明政(Pham Minh Chinh)在周四清晨召开的紧急内阁会议后,指示成立一个特别工作组以应对这一情况。据越南官方媒体报道,他强调,政府仍保持 8% 的年度增长目标不变。

越南以出口为导向的增长模式一直非常成功,吸引了大量跨国企业……然而,46%的美国关税将直接挑战这一模式。”德国路德国际律师事务所驻越南负责人莱夫·施耐德(Leif Schneider)表示。

越南此前已多次向华盛顿作出让步以避免关税,预计未来几天还会提供更多可能。

“我预计双方会继续谈判,以降低或减轻新关税带来的影响。”美国商会驻河内执行董事亚当·西特科夫(Adam Sitkoff)表示。

泰国对谈判前景充满信心

泰国总理贝东丹·西那瓦表示,她希望美国能降低对泰国征收的37% 关税。这一税率远高于泰国此前预计的11%。

“我们必须展开谈判,深入讨论细节。”她说,“我们不能让情况发展到影响 GDP 目标的地步。”

泰国的经济增长一直落后于地区同行,去年经济增长仅2.5%。泰国今年的增长目标为3%。

泰国商务部长皮柴·纳立帕潘表示,政府已做好谈判准备,并对谈判前景充满信心。他强调,泰国与美国的关系良好。

马来西亚不会采取报复措施

马来西亚被美国征收24%关税,政府表示不会采取报复措施。马来西亚贸易部表示,将积极与美国当局接触,“寻求符合自由公平贸易精神的解决方案。”

柬埔寨几乎没有谈判筹码

柬埔寨被美国征收49%关税,这将严重打击该国的服装和鞋类产业,并使其吸引外资的希望破灭。

“这是一场对经济极为严重的危机。”一名驻柬埔寨的投资顾问表示,他拒绝透露姓名。

“柬埔寨几乎没有谈判筹码,在谈判队列中只能排在很后面。”他补充道。

(路透社)

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How were Donald Trump's tariffs calculated?

Getty Images A photo of Donald Trump with a mathematical formula written in the backgroundGetty Images

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on goods from most countries being imported into the US, with even higher rates for what he calls the "worst offenders".

But how exactly were these tariffs - essentially taxes on imports - worked out? BBC Verify has been looking at the calculations behind the numbers.

What were the calculations?

When Trump presented a giant cardboard chart detailing the tariffs in the White House Rose Garden it was initially assumed that the charges were based on a combination of existing tariffs and other trade barriers (like regulations).

But later, the White House published what might look like a complicated mathematical formula.

White House A screen grab of the formula used by the White House used to calculate tariffsWhite House
The formula shared by the White House

But the actual exercise boiled down to simple maths: take the trade deficit for the US in goods with a particular country, divide that by the total goods imports from that country and then divide that number by two.

A trade deficit occurs when a country buys (imports) more physical products from other countries than it sells (exports) to them.

For example, the US buys more goods from China than it sells to them - there is a goods deficit of $295bn. The total amount of goods it buys from China is $440bn.

Dividing 295 by 440 gets you to 67% and you divide that by two and round up. Therefore the tariff imposed on China is 34%.

Similarly, when it applied to the EU, the White House's formula resulted in a 20% tariff.

A BBC graphic showing how the White House methodology works

Are the Trump tariffs 'reciprocal'?

Many commentators have pointed out that these tariffs are not reciprocal.

Reciprocal would mean they were based on what countries already charge the US in the form of existing tariffs, plus non-tariff barriers (things like regulations that drive up costs).

But the White House's official methodology document makes clear that they have not calculated this for all the countries on which they have imposed tariffs.

Instead the tariff rate was calculated on the basis that it would eliminate the US's goods trade deficit with each country.

Trump has broken away from the formula in imposing tariffs on countries that buy more goods from the US than they sell to it.

For example the US does not currently run goods trade deficit with the UK. Yet the UK has been hit with a 10% tariff.

In total, more than 100 countries are covered by the new tariff regime.

'Lots of broader impacts'

Trump believes the US is getting a bad deal in global trade. In his view, other countries flood US markets with cheap goods - which hurts US companies and costs jobs. At the same time, these countries are putting up barriers that make US products less competitive abroad.

So by using tariffs to eliminate trade deficits, Trump hopes to revive US manufacturing and protect jobs.

Reuters A man wearing a jacket saying "Auto Workers For Trump" sits in the Rose Garden during Trump's address on Wednesday evening. He is also wearing a baseball cap, and is flanked by other men in work gear. Reuters
The US car industry is one of the manufacturing sectors Trump is keen to revive

But will this new tariff regime achieve the desired outcome?

BBC Verify has spoken to a number of economists. The overwhelming view is that while the tariffs might reduce the goods deficit between the US and individual countries, they will not reduce the overall deficit between the US and rest of the world.

"Yes, it will reduce bilateral trade deficits between the US and these countries. But there will obviously be lots of broader impacts that are not captured in the calculation", says Professor Jonathan Portes of King's College, London.

That's because the US' existing overall deficit is not driven solely by trade barriers, but by how the US economy works.

For one, Americans spend and invest more than they earn and that gap means the US buys more from the world than it sells. So as long as that continues, the US may continue to keep running a deficit despite increasing tariffs with it global trading partners.

Some trade deficits can also exist for a number of legitimate reasons - not just down to tariffs. For example, buying food that is easier or cheaper to produce in other countries' climates.

Thomas Sampson of the London School of Economics said: "The formula is reverse engineered to rationalise charging tariffs on countries with which the US has a trade deficit. There is no economic rationale for doing this and it will cost the global economy dearly."

BBC Verify logo

Hungary withdraws from International Criminal Court during Netanyahu visit

Reuters Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu stand together during a welcoming ceremony at the Lion's Courtyard, in Budapest, HungaryReuters
The move was announced hours after Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who is sought under an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in Hungary for a state visit

Hungary's government has announced it is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The move was announced by a senior official in Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government hours after Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who is sought under an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in Hungary for a state visit.

Orban had invited Netanyahu as soon as the warrant was issued last November, saying the ruling would have "no effect" in his country.

In November, ICC judges said there were "reasonable grounds" that Netanyahu bore "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu has condemned the ICC's decision as "antisemitic".

The ICC, a global court, has the authority to prosecute those accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Hungary is a founding member of the ICC, which counts 125 member states, and will be the first European Union nation to pull out of it.

The US, Russia, China and North Korea are among the nations that are not part of the ICC, and therefore do not recognise its jurisdiction.

Israel is also not part of the treaty, but the ICC ruled in 2021 that it did have jurisdiction over the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, because the UN's Secretary General had accepted that Palestinians were a member.

Hungary now needs to send written notification to the UN Secretary General to leave the treaty, with the withdrawal taking effect one year later, according to article 127 of the Rome Statute.

Since the warrant was issued, Hungarian authorities should technically arrest Netanyahu and hand him over to the court in the Hague, although member states do not always choose to enforce ICC warrants.

In Europe, some ICC member states said they would arrest the Israeli leader if he set foot in their country, while others, such as Germany, announced that he would not be detained if he visited.

The White House had said the US rejected the ICC decision and Netanyahu has visited the country since the warrant was issued in November. His visit to Hungary marks Netanyahu's first trip to Europe since then.

Hungarian Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, greeted Netanyahu on the tarmac of Budapest airport on Wednesday night, welcoming him to the country.

Soldiers lined a red carpet laid out for the Israeli leader as he exited his plane. After military honours at the presidential palace, he will meet Orban on Thursday.

Israel is appealing against the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and strongly rejects the accusations. It both denies the authority of the ICC and the legitimacy of the warrants.

In the same ruling, ICC judges also issued a warrant against Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, whom Israel says is dead.

The visit comes as Israel announced it was expanding its Gaza offensive and establishing a new military corridor to put pressure on Hamas, as deadly Israeli strikes were reported across the Palestinian territory.

The war in Gaza was triggered by the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed some 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken to Gaza. Since then, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, Palestinian health authorities say.

客座评论:稳住外资还得靠市场

邓聿文
2025-03-31T10:02:08.314Z
3月28日,习近平在人民大会堂会见国际经济界领袖

(德国之声中文网)行动代表着方向,政治领袖的行动代表着接下来要做的事情。中国过去一周两大国际论坛——发展高层论坛和博鳌亚洲论坛,李强和丁薛祥的主旨演讲尤其是习近平随后会见国际工商界代表的举动和讲话,表明中国政府持续在强化中国市场对外资的重要性及吸引力,以图稳定外资。

自2023年中国废除疫情清零政策,重开国门,将注意力再次聚焦经济后,当局即发现,要恢复中国市场的活力,重振经济,离不开民企和外资,把经济工作的重心转向促进民营经济发展和吸引外资来华投资上。应该说,前者取得初步效果,民企信心有一定复苏,然而后者并未达到预期目的。原因在于,中国这轮重开国门的背景有深刻变化,中美对抗在持续深化,美国对中国的各种限制,特别是在技术和投资上的限制不断堆叠强化,外部环境对中国更严峻,西方企业尤其美资撤离中国市场的步伐在加快,而想进入中国的企业,也在权衡地缘政治风险和中国国内的政策风险。

在这一过程中,当局对国家安全的重视及所采取的执法行动也让西方企业害怕无意中触碰中国的国安风险。最典型的就是中国有关部门2023年3月突袭了美资调查公司美思明智北京办事处,关闭了公司业务,拘留了五名中国籍员工,官方给出的理由是“未依法报经批准取得涉外统计调查资格,违法从事涉外统计调查活动”,此举引发在华外国投资者的担忧和恐慌,削弱了最高层对外资的友好表态效果。

向外资示好?中国释放五名美企员工

另一方面,也是由于中国企业竞争力的提高和中国消费市场的持续疲软共同作用而导致的“内卷”现象加剧,在华外企在中国市场维持正常盈利增长越来越困难,这尤其表现在电动汽车领域,随着中国本土品牌的崛起,欧美日韩的汽车企业也不得不同中国车企激烈竞争,利润日益减少。这使得中国市场对外企不再是个理想的投资地。

习近平对国际工商界代表许诺:投资中国就是投资未来。

中国商务部公布的数据显示,2024年新设外商投资企业5万9080家,虽比上年增长9.9%,但实际使用外资(FDI)额为人民币8262.5亿元,同比减少27.1%;今年前两月的实际使用外资额为1712.1亿元人民币,按年下降20.4%,其中1月实际使用外资额按年下降13.4%。这说明过去两年的中国引资政策和努力并未奏效,从而侧面也印证了当下的国际环境和地缘政治对中国吸收外资有重大影响,这种情况下进一步凸显了中国引资的艰难。

对中国来说,外资不但在提高中国企业的技术和管理水平上还会起到重要作用,更是投给中国的一张信任票,就此而言,稳外资就是稳对中国经济的信心。原重庆市长黄奇帆提供的两个数据说明了这个问题,外企去年占中国制造业出口的30%,但占中国高技术、装备密集、知识密集、技术密集的产品出口的比例达50%,也即一半的高附加值技术的产品出口是由外企贡献的,说明中国的技术和产业进步仍离不开外企。

客座评论:习近平对民企的爱与恨

正是基于此种考虑,当局在年初出台了稳外资行动方案20条,提出扩大电信、医疗、教育等领域的开放试点,推动国家服务业扩大开放综合试点工作提速加力,进一步压减市场准入负面清单事项,在自贸试验区持续扩大规则、规制、管理、标准等制度型开放,提升国家级经济技术开发区外向型经济发展水平等一系列举措。

特朗普关税战带来的挑战与机遇

特朗普的上台既给了中国当局进一步扩大开放的压力,但也给了某种机会。中国预期到特朗普政府会对中国加强施压,尽管当局经过6年多的贸易战已经比第一次应对特朗普的关税战显得有经验和从容,可关税战也会强化对中国经济的压力。不过特朗普也送给了中国一个“意外惊喜”,就是他的内外政策特别是对待盟友的关税威胁和领土觊觎,尤其是对乌克兰的态度,超出了外界预期,让美国的盟友对其大为不满,从而使得中国倡导的全球化和多边主义的外交与经贸路线有可能得到包括西方国家在内的更多国家的响应。为避险,西方资本也包括美资,开始从华尔街撤退,去年第四季度就着手在中国和香港资本市场布局投资。

也是在这个背景下,3月下旬举行的发展高层论坛和博鳌亚洲论坛,与会的外企比去年有所增加。有21个国家和地区共86位跨国企业代表出席了发展高层论坛,比去年多了3个,其中美企数量最多,占比约三分之一,而之前预测美企会减少,也会低调。

习近平会见国际工商界代表,这是继去年会见参加发展高层论坛的美方工商和战略学术界代表后的又一次与国际企业家的集体见面。这次会见的对象不仅有美方企业家,也有西方其他国家的企业和非西方企业家,其中美企14家、德企10家、英企6家、法企3家,还有日韩、巴西、沙特等国企业,行业包括医疗制约、制造业、金融、能源、零售、技术、汽车、消费。显然,参会的企业及其所在行业都是经过中国当局精心挑选的,意在显示中国市场对外资和外企的吸引力与重要性,以及外资外企对中国的信心。

习的讲话要点有三:一是重新为外企定位,将外企在中国的地位拔高。在他看来,外企是中国式现代化的重要参与者,是中国改革开放和创新创造的重要参与者,是中国联通世界、融入经济全球化的重要参与者。这“三个重要参与者”的定位虽是对事实的描述,但过去不这么讲,现在把它拔高到这个强调,当然是感受到了外资的重要。二是对外企进行信心喊话,习表示,中国过去是、现在是、将来也必然是外商理想、安全、有为的投资目的地,与中国同行就是与机遇同行,相信中国就是相信明天,投资中国就是投资未来。目的就是要打消外企对投资中国的疑虑,坚定其信心,放心来中国发展,分享中国发展机遇。三是下一步为外企采取的举措,习称中国进一步扩大开放,着力破解市场准入中“大门开、小门不开”的具体问题;维护市场公平竞争,保证外资企业依法公平获得生产要素,保障外资企业在华生产的产品依法平等参与政府采购;加强服务保障,听取企业诉求,帮助排忧解难,解决实际问题。

与习接见国际工商界代表随同进行的,是当局释放了美思明智集团的五名员工,这也被外界解读为当局进一步稳外资的信号表现。虽然在前述两个论坛参会的包括美企在内的外企数量比去年略有增加,表明国际资本对中国的信心正在逐步恢复,然而,这些举动特别是习接见国际工商界代表的举措,能否显著改善和提高外企对中国的信心,恐怕也不容易。去年习接见参会的美方企业和战略学术界代表就并未减慢美企撤离中国市场的步伐。原因在于,特朗普料将对中国继续强硬,中美经济和科技还在继续脱钩,这一趋势短期难以逆转,除非美中真的达成大交易。对企业来说,肯定是要规避这个政治风险,谨慎评估对中国的投资,李嘉诚的长和是这方面的一个警告。

但是,要稳住外企,也取决中国市场自身的状况,如果当局提振消费的努力不见效,消费市场改善的幅度不大,企业在中国市场无利可图或者盈利微薄,也不会冒着地缘政治风险而投资中国。某种程度而言,后者比特朗普对中国关税战的威胁所起到的影响力更大。

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邓聿文为政治评论员,独立学者,中国战略分析智库研究员兼中国战略分析杂志共同主编。

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美媒:华盛顿禁止驻华人员与中国人发生性关系

德正
2025-04-03T12:23:04.371Z
中美跨国恋?公务人员不可以!

(德国之声中文网)据美联社援引知情人士报道,美国政府禁止驻华公务人员及其家属,以及拥有安全许可的承包商与中国公民发生任何恋爱或性关系。据悉,该政策于今年1月美国驻华大使伯恩斯离开中国前不久开始实施。

尽管一些美国机构已经对此类关系制定了严格的规定,但自冷战结束以来,一刀切的“不许交往”政策尚未有报道。美国驻其他国家的外交官与当地人约会甚至结婚的情况并不罕见。

美联社称,去年夏天就已有禁止驻华使领馆人员与当地警卫和其他中方服务人员发生恋爱关系的规定。伯恩斯大使在历任前将这项政策扩大到禁止与所有中国人发生此类关系。新政策涵盖美国驻北京大使馆和驻广州、上海、沈阳和武汉的领事馆,以及驻香港的美国领事馆。

这项政策于今年1月份通过口头和电子讯息的方式传达给驻华美国人员,但尚未公开宣布。美国国务院表示,不对内部事务发表评论。

消息人士:美国将削减驻华外交人员 裁员幅度达10%

冷战期间,美国驻外机构雇员曾是各国情报机构获取敏感信息的重点对象。解密的国务院文件显示,1980年代后期,美国政府禁止驻苏联、东欧国家和中国的工作人员与当地人交朋友、约会或发生性关系。在苏联解体后,这些限制有所放松。

在中国,新禁令出台之前,驻华美国人员必须向上级报告与中国公民的任何亲密接触,但并未明确禁止他们发生性关系或恋爱关系。

前中央情报局分析师、华盛顿智库詹姆斯敦基金会主席彼得·马蒂斯 (Peter Mattis) 表示,至少有两起中国特工勾引驻华美国外交官的案件曾被公开,但他近年来没有听说过这样的案件。他补充说,另一个问题是,中国国家安全部不仅通过间谍收集情报,还可能威胁或恐吓普通中国人索要信息。这意味着任何与美国外交官约会的中国公民都可能受到胁迫。

美国政府大裁员 招募间谍的机会来了?

#中美关系

(美联社)

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Punitive or a gift? How five big economies see new plan

Watch: Three things to know about Trump's tariffs announcement

New trade tariffs unveiled by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday are expected to have a major global impact, and have been condemned by the European Union and other key US allies.

But Trump's latest import taxes may get a different response in China, whose leader could see them as a gift.

Here, BBC reporters in five major economies look at the nuances of how the announcements are being received where they are.

Europe could hurt US, but doesn't want to escalate

By Katya Adler, Europe editor in Brussels

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen spoke on behalf of all European Union (EU) countries when she said the new tax imports would cause "dire" consequences for millions of people around the globe.

She said there was "no clear path through the complexity and chaos" that the new tariffs would unleash worldwide.

But the Commission has promised to protect EU businesses, some of which will be more hard hit than others - like Germany's car industry, Italy's luxury goods and France's wine and champagne producers.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called an emergency meeting of French business leaders later on Thursday.

As the biggest single market in the world, the EU can hurt the US - targeting goods and services, including 'big tech' like Apple and Meta with counter-measures.

But it says its aim is not to up the ante here – it's to persuade Trump to negotiate.

On Wednesday night, Italian PM Georgia Meloni said that while she considered the tariffs wrong, everything would be done to try and reach an agreement with the US.

Tariffs a gift for Chinese leader

By Stephen McDonell, China correspondent in Beijing

A 54% tariff hit on Chinese goods entering the US is certainly huge and will no doubt hurt Chinese companies trying to sell into that market.

Beijing's countermeasures will also hurt US companies trying to reach the massive Chinese market.

But, in one way, these moves from Trump are also a gift to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi is portraying his country as a champion of free trade, a backer of multilateral institutions, and making comparisons with the world's other superpower which is seen as trashing both of these.

Just last week, China's leader was sitting down with chief executives from big international corporations – including many from Europe – and the imagery was clear. The US under Donald Trump = chaos, trade destruction, national self-interest. China under Xi Jinping = stability, free trade, global cooperation.

The Chinese government has already mobilised its state media sector to attack this latest round of tariffs from the Trump Administration.

People may quibble with the Chinese Communist Party's reading of where the world sits, but every time Trump takes measures like these, it makes Xi's sales pitch easier to deliver.

And economic necessity may draw many countries closer to China and further from the US.

Some relief but no delight in UK

By Chris Mason, BBC political editor in London

Folks in government here had picked up a sense of the mood music – a sense that the UK was "in the good camp rather than the bad camp" as one figure put it to me – but they had no idea in advance what that would mean exactly.

But now we do know - a 10% tariff on the UK's exports to the US.

I detect a sense of relief among ministers, but make no mistake - they are not delighted. The tariffs imposed on the UK will have significant effects, and the tariffs on the UK's trading partners will have a profound impact on jobs, industries and global trading flows in the weeks, months and years to come.

It will be "hugely disruptive," as one government source put it.

There is an acute awareness in particular about the impact on the car industry.

Negotiations with the US over a trade deal continue. I am told a team of four UK negotiators are in "pretty intensive" conversation with their US counterparts – talking remotely, but willing to head to Washington if signing a deal appears imminent.

India fears impacts - but some sectors have hope

By Nikhil Inamdar, India business correspondent in Delhi

Asian economies are among the hardest hit by Trump's new tariffs. Americans will have to pay a 46% tax on imported goods from Vietnam, and 49% for goods from Cambodia.

Relatively speaking, India has fared better.

But a 26% across-the-board tariff rate is still steep, and will severely affect major "labour-intensive exports", says Priyanka Kishore of the Asia Decoded consultancy.

"That will likely have a knock-on impact on domestic demand and headline gross domestic product(GDP)" at a time when growth is already stuttering, according to Kishore.

But India's electronics exports may potentially benefit as higher tariffs on rivals such as Vietnam could leads to the re-routing of trade.

That is unlikely to mitigate the overall negative growth impact of Trump's salvo though.

Unlike Canada, Mexico or the European Union, India has so far adopted a conciliatory approach to Trump and is negotiating a bilateral deal with the US. Whether this triggers a retaliation in Delhi, will be very closely watched.

The pharmaceutical industry - which accounts for India's largest industrial exports at some $13bn (£9.9bn) annually - will be breathing a sigh of relief, however, as medicines are exempt from these "reciprocal" tariffs.

South Africa hits out, as continent reels from aid cuts

By Wycliffe Muia in Nairobi

Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" are targeting dozens of African countries, including 30% for South Africa and 50% for Lesotho.

Many of these nations are already grappling with the effects of US foreign aid cuts, which provided health and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable countries.

South Africa - like some of the continent's other biggest economies including Nigeria and Kenya - has long had open trade agreements with the US, and the new tariffs could significantly affect existing economic ties.

It is included in the long list of countries dubbed the "worst offenders" that now face higher US rates - payback for unfair trade policies, Trump says.

"They have got some bad things going on in South Africa. You know, we are paying them billions of dollars, and we cut the funding because a lot of bad things are happening in South Africa," he said, before going on to name other countries.

In a statement, the South African presidency condemned the new tariffs as "punitive", saying they could "serve as a barrier to trade and shared prosperity".

California man invites BBC to witness his death as MPs debate assisted dying

BBC A man sits in a reclining chair in shorts and T-shirt in his living room alongside his daughter, son and wife.BBC
This is the last picture of Wayne with his wife Stella (right) and children Emily and Ashley (left), taken on the day of his death

It's 10am, and in a little over two hours, Wayne Hawkins will be dead.

The sun is shining on the bungalow where the 80-year-old lives in San Diego, California with his wife of more than five decades, Stella.

I knock on the door and meet his children - Emily, 48, and Ashley, 44 - who have spent the last two weeks at their father's side.

Wayne sits in a reclining chair where he spends most of his days. Terminally ill, he is too weak to leave the house.

He has invited BBC News to witness his death under California's assisted dying laws - because if MPs in London vote to legalise the practice in England and Wales, it will allow some terminally ill people here to die in a similar way.

Half an hour after arriving at Wayne's house, I watch him swallow three anti-nausea tablets, designed to minimise the risk of him vomiting the lethal medication he plans to take shortly.

Are you sure this day is your last, I ask him? "I'm all in," he replies. "I was determined and decided weeks ago - I've had no trepidation since then."

His family ask for one last photo, which I take. As usual, Stella and Wayne are holding hands.

Shortly after, Dr Donnie Moore arrives. He has got to know the family over the past few weeks, visiting them on several occasions alongside running his own end-of-life clinic. Under California law, he is what is known as the attending physician who must confirm, in addition to a second doctor, that Wayne is eligible for aid in dying.

Dr Moore's role is part physician, part counsellor in this situation, one he has been in for 150 assisted deaths before.

On a top shelf in Wayne's bedroom sits a brown glass bottle containing a fine white powder - a mixture of five drugs, sedatives and painkillers, delivered to the house the previous day. The dosage of drugs inside is hundreds of times higher than those used in regular healthcare and is "guaranteed" to be fatal, Dr Moore explains. Unlike California, the proposed law at Westminster would require a doctor to bring any such medication with them.

A man in a grey jacket and blue shirt with a stethoscope smiles in a living room.
Dr Donnie Moore has been involved in dozens of assisted deaths

When Wayne signals he is ready, the doctor mixes the meds with cherry and pineapple juice to soften the bitter taste - and he hands this pink liquid to Wayne.

No one, not even the doctor, knows how long it will take him to die after taking the lethal drugs. Dr Moore explains to me that, in his experience, death usually occurs between 30 minutes and two hours of ingestion, but on one occasion it took 17 hours.

This is the story of how and why Wayne chose to die. And why others have decided not to follow the same course.

We first met the couple a few weeks earlier, when Wayne explained why he was going ahead with the decision to have an assisted death - a controversial measure in other parts of the world.

"Some days the pain is almost more than I can handle," he said. "I just don't see any merit to dying slow and painfully, hooked up with stuff - intubation, feeding tubes," he told me. "I want none of it."

Wayne said he had watched two relatives die "miserable", "heinous" deaths from heart failure.

"I hate hospitals, they are miserable. I will die in the street first."

Wayne met Stella in 1969; the couple married four years later. He told us it was something of an arranged marriage, as his mother kept inviting Stella for dinner until eventually the penny dropped that he should take her out.

They lived for many years in Arcata, northern California, surrounded by sweeping forests of redwood trees, where Wayne worked as a landscape architect, while Stella was a primary school teacher. They spent their holidays hiking and camping with their children.

Now Wayne is terminally ill with heart failure, which has already brought him close to death. He has myriad other health issues including prostate cancer, liver failure and sepsis which brings him serious spinal pain.

He has less than six months to live, qualifying him for an assisted death in California. His request to die has been approved by two doctors and the lethal medication is self-administered.

It was during our first meeting that he asked the BBC to return to observe his final day, saying he wanted terminally ill adults in the UK to have the same right to an assisted death as him.

Wayne sits in a reclining chair surrounded by his family on the day of his death.
Wayne sits surrounded by his family on the day of his death

"Britain is pretty good with freedoms and this is just another one," he said. "People should be able to choose the time of their death as long as they meet the rules like six months to live or less."

Stella, 78, supports his decision. "I've known him for over 50 years. He's a very independent man. He's always known what he wants to do and he's always fixed things. That's how he's operating now. If this is his choice, I definitely agree, and I've seen him really suffer with the illness he's got. I don't want that for him."

Wayne would also qualify under the proposed new assisted dying law in England and Wales. The measures return to the House of Commons later this month, when all MPs will have a chance to debate and vote on changes to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

The proposed legislation, tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, says that anyone who wants to end their life must have the mental capacity to make the choice, that they must be expected to die within six months, and must make two separate declarations - witnessed and signed - about their wish to die. They must satisfy two independent doctors that they are eligible.

MPs in Westminster voted in favour of assisted dying in principle last November but remain bitterly divided on the issue. If they ultimately decide to approve the bill, it could become law within the next year and come into practice within the next four years.

There are also divisions here in California, where assisted dying was introduced in 2016. Michelle and Mike Carter, both 72 and married for 43 years, are each being treated for cancer - Mike has prostate cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes, and Michelle's advanced terminal ovarian cancer has spread throughout much of her body.

"I held my mother's hand when she passed; I held my father's hand when he passed," Michelle told me. "I believe there's freedom of choice however for me, I choose palliative care… I have God and I have good medicine."

A woman in a cream top sits on a sofa smiling in front of windows.
Michelle Carter is placing her trust in medicine

Michelle's physician, palliative care specialist Dr Vincent Nguyen, argued that assisted dying laws in the US state lead to "silent coercion" whereby vulnerable people think their only option is to die. "Instead of ending people's lives, let's put programmes together to care for people," he said. "Let them know that they're loved, they're wanted and they're worthy."

He said the law meant that doctors have gone from being seen as healers to killers, while the message from the healthcare system was that "you are better off dead, because you're expensive and your death is cheaper for us".

Some disability campaigners say assisted dying makes them feel unsafe. Ingrid Tischer, who has muscular dystrophy and chronic respiratory failure, told me: "The message that it sends to people with disabilities in California is that you deserve suicide assistance rather than suicide prevention when you voice a desire to end your life.

"What does that say about who we are as a culture?"

Critics often say that once assisted dying is legalised, over time the safeguards around such laws get eroded as part of a "slippery slope" towards more relaxed criteria. In California, there was initially a mandatory 15-day cooling off period between patients making a first and second request for aid in dying. That has been reduced to 48 hours because many patients were dying during the waiting period. It's thought the approval process envisaged in Westminster would take around a month.

'Goodbye,' Wayne tells his family

Outside Wayne's house on the morning of his death, a solitary bird begins its loud and elaborate song. "There's that mockingbird out there," Wayne tells Stella, as smiles flicker across their faces.

Wayne hates the bird because it keeps him awake at night, Stella jokes, hand in hand with him to one side of his chair. Emily and Ashley are next to Stella.

Dr Moore, seated on Wayne's other side, hands him the pink liquid which he swallows without hesitation. "Goodnight," he says to his family - a typical touch of humour from a man who told us he was determined to die on his terms. It's 11.47am.

After two minutes, Wayne says he is getting sleepy. Dr Moore asks him to imagine he is walking in a vast sea of flowers with a soft breeze on his skin, which seems appropriate for a patient who has spent much of his life among nature.

After three minutes Wayne enters a deep sleep from which he will never wake. On a few occasions he lifts his head to take a deep breath without opening his eyes, at one point beginning to snore softly.

Dr Moore tells the family this is "the deepest sleep imaginable" and reassures Emily there is no chance her dad will wake up and ask, "did it work?"

"Oh that would be just like him," Stella says with a laugh.

A man sits on a reclining chair surrounded by three relatives and a doctor 9n his house.
Wayne and his family shortly before his death

The family start to reminisce about hiking holidays and driving around in a large van they converted to become a camper. "Me and dad insulated it and put a bed in the back," says Ashley.

On the walls are photos of Emily and Ashley as small children next to huge carved Halloween pumpkins.

Dr Moore is still stroking Wayne's hand and occasionally checking his pulse. For a man who Emily says was "always walking, always outdoors, always active", these are the final moments of life's journey, spent surrounded by those who mean most to him.

At 12.22pm Dr Moore says, "I think he's passed… He's at peace now."

Outside, the mockingbird has fallen silent. "No more pain," says Stella, embracing her children in her arms.

I step outside to give the family some space, and reflect on what we have just seen and filmed.

I have been covering medical ethics for the BBC for more than 20 years. In 2006, I was present just outside an apartment in Zurich where Dr Anne Turner, a retired doctor, died with the help of the group Dignitas - but California was the first time I had been an eyewitness to an assisted death.

This isn't just a story about one man's death in California - it's about what could become a reality here in England and Wales for those who qualify for an assisted death and choose to die this way.

Whether you're for or against the proposed new Westminster law, the death of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional time for a family. Each death leaves an imprint, as will Wayne's.

Additional reporting by Josh Falcon

Hungary withdraws from International Criminal Court during Netanyahu visit

Reuters Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu stand together during a welcoming ceremony at the Lion's Courtyard, in Budapest, HungaryReuters
The move was announced hours after Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who is sought under an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in Hungary for a state visit

Hungary's government has announced it is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The move was announced by a senior official in Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government hours after Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who is sought under an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in Hungary for a state visit.

Orban had invited Netanyahu as soon as the warrant was issued last November, saying the ruling would have "no effect" in his country.

In November, ICC judges said there were "reasonable grounds" that Netanyahu bore "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu has condemned the ICC's decision as "antisemitic".

The ICC, a global court, has the authority to prosecute those accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Hungary is a founding member of the ICC, which counts 125 member states, and will be the first European Union nation to pull out of it.

The US, Russia, China and North Korea are among the nations that are not part of the ICC, and therefore do not recognise its jurisdiction.

Israel is also not part of the treaty, but the ICC ruled in 2021 that it did have jurisdiction over the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, because the UN's Secretary General had accepted that Palestinians were a member.

Hungary now needs to send written notification to the UN Secretary General to leave the treaty, with the withdrawal taking effect one year later, according to article 127 of the Rome Statute.

Since the warrant was issued, Hungarian authorities should technically arrest Netanyahu and hand him over to the court in the Hague, although member states do not always choose to enforce ICC warrants.

In Europe, some ICC member states said they would arrest the Israeli leader if he set foot in their country, while others, such as Germany, announced that he would not be detained if he visited.

The White House had said the US rejected the ICC decision and Netanyahu has visited the country since the warrant was issued in November. His visit to Hungary marks Netanyahu's first trip to Europe since then.

Hungarian Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, greeted Netanyahu on the tarmac of Budapest airport on Wednesday night, welcoming him to the country.

Soldiers lined a red carpet laid out for the Israeli leader as he exited his plane. After military honours at the presidential palace, he will meet Orban on Thursday.

Israel is appealing against the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and strongly rejects the accusations. It both denies the authority of the ICC and the legitimacy of the warrants.

In the same ruling, ICC judges also issued a warrant against Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, whom Israel says is dead.

The visit comes as Israel announced it was expanding its Gaza offensive and establishing a new military corridor to put pressure on Hamas, as deadly Israeli strikes were reported across the Palestinian territory.

The war in Gaza was triggered by the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed some 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken to Gaza. Since then, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, Palestinian health authorities say.

Ship and tanker in North Sea crash had no lookouts, report finds

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock The Solong, carrying containers, burns in the North Sea surrounded by tug boats EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
The Solong, pictured, and the Stena Immaculate burned for days after crashing in the North Sea

An oil tanker and cargo ship that crashed in the North Sea did not have "dedicated lookouts" in what were "patchy conditions", maritime investigators have found.

The Stena Immaculate, a US-registered tanker, was anchored 16 miles off the East Yorkshire coast when it was hit by the Portuguese-flagged Solong on 10 March.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has released an interim report into the incident, which resulted in fires and a rescue operation which saved 36 crew from both vessels.

One crewman, Mark Pernia, is missing and presumed dead. The Solong's Russian captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter, and is due to stand trial in January 2026.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Tate receives 'transformational' gift from US donors

Tate A painting by the American modern artist Joan Mitchell entitled Iva 1973
Tate
Joan Mitchell was one of the most celebrated artists of the abstract expressionist movement

Tate Modern has announced it has received a major gift from a couple of art dealers in the form of a painting by the US modern artist Joan Mitchell.

It was unveiled on Thursday as one of a group of works being donated by the Miami-based philanthropists, Jorge M and Darleen Pérez.

The six-metre-long triptych, entitled Iva 1973, can now be viewed for free at the London gallery next to Mark Rothko's Seagram Murals.

Tate director Maria Balshaw said the gift was "one of the most important" it has received, describing the donation as "transformational".

'Accessible to all'

"To place such a significant and valuable work in public hands is an act of incredible generosity," said Balshaw.

"It is also an endorsement of Tate's ability to share our collection with the broadest possible audience," she added. "And to care for that collection for future generations."

Mitchell, who would've been 100 this year, was one of the most celebrated artists of the abstract expressionist movement.

Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said the "spectacular donation" of Mitchell's "masterpiece", which was originally dedicated to her dog, shows "the amazing difference one person's generosity can make".

"I'm very grateful for this donation and for the work that went into making it possible," he said.

"We are committed to ensuring art is for everyone, everywhere and the generosity of the Pérez family ensures that great art remains accessible to all, whilst also enriching our national collection."

'Female artists play significant role'

Getty Images Jorge Perez and Darlene Perez at the Frank Stella: Experiment and Change exhibit opening at the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale on November 12, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, FloridaGetty Images
Jorge M and Darlene Pérez pictured in 2017 at the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale in Florida

Argentine-American businessman Mr Pérez is best known as the chairman and CEO of The Related Group, a Miami-based real estate company.

He has given or pledged over $100m (£76m) to Miami's public art museum, which was renamed the Pérez Art Museum Miami in his honour in 2013.

He also founded a not-for-profit contemporary art space in Miami called El Espacio 23.

Mr Perez told BBC News: "We've been talking to the Tate for a long time, we're great admirers of the Tate.

"Our hope is always that our art is seen by the highest number of people. The Tate has huge viewership, millions and millions of people coming in."

He added the work suited being displayed next to other famous artists. "This painting, when you see it next to the Rothko's, really resounds," he said, "and it'll be there forever.

"So when you talk about legacy, we like to think that our names will not be forgotten, and that they will live, not only with the British audience, but also with the international audience that comes to the Tate.

"We hope it fills a gap in the collection that is very important and maybe the most important art movement in America. It's found its home, we're very pleased with it here."

Mrs Pérez noted female artists "play a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape" and that is was therefore "pivotal that we support and celebrate their contributions."

"We've long admired Joan Mitchell's work and are thrilled to share Iva with the world through Tate Modern."

Their gift also includes a multimillion-dollar endowment to support Tate's curatorial research.

Also, a range of works and photographs by artists from across Africa and the African diaspora - including by Yinka Shonibare, El Anatsui and Malick Sidibé - will make their way from the Pérezes to Tate's collection over the coming years.

Additional reporting by Steven Wright.

Parts of UK set to be hotter than Algarve on Friday

BBCWeatherWatchers/sue Daffodils in full bloom on a hill, with trees, some houses and the sun visible in the backgroundBBCWeatherWatchers/sue
BBCWeatherWatchers/Soleil Two deer peep through the shrubbery of a woodland area.BBCWeatherWatchers/Soleil

Daffodils were in full bloom in Ryhill, Wakefield this morning
This picture, from Midhurst in West Sussex, was two deer to show you

Temperatures could reach 22C in parts of the UK on Friday, as mostly clear skies bring a bright, sunny start to April.

Parts of southern England have highs in the low 20s forecast for Friday afternoon. The Algarve, in Portugal, is set to see highs of 18C, accompanied by some showers.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid to high teens for England, Wales and parts of Scotland over the weekend and into Monday. Skies will be mostly clear, with some cloud expected for eastern Scotland and England on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued an amber wildfires warning for parts of England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland until Monday, as conditions are dry with strong winds.

Last month was the sunniest March since records began in 1910, according to the Met Office. It was also very dry, with the UK's rainfall total just 43% of the usual amount.

There is a good chance that the highest temperature recorded so far this year - 21.3C in Chertsey, Surrey and Northolt, London on 20 March - will be beaten.

London, Reading, Oxford and Cambridge are among places expected to experience the 22C warmth on Friday afternoon, while Cardiff and Carmarthen in Wales could see 21C around the same time.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are set to be relatively cooler, with highs of 11C for Edinburgh and 16C for Belfast.

While it is expected to be slightly cooler at the weekend - topping out at 19C in southern England - the public is being urged to avoid lighting fires outdoors, over concerns they could spread.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said on Wednesday that there was a "very high to extreme risk" of fires spreading.

This is because the warm, dry conditions are ideal for wildfires to start and spread.

There were 185.8 hours of sunshine in March, the Met Office says, while England recorded its sixth driest March and Wales its fourth driest since records began in 1836.

This means vegetation will be dryer than usual, making it easier to become fuel for a developing fire. Comparatively wet conditions in 2024 allowed more vegetation to grow.

At the same time, winds are anticipated to remain strong over the coming days, which are capable of spreading fires faster.

Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 34mph in England and southern Scotland on Friday and Saturday, and will be in the 20s across the UK into Sunday.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) advises against using disposable barbecues in the countryside and parks, and discarding things like cigarettes and glass bottles that can cause a fire to start.

Parts of south-west England and Wales could see some rain on Friday morning, but this is expected to dissipate by mid-morning.

Saturday and Sunday are set to be mostly dry, before some rain reaches northern Scotland on Monday afternoon. Some parts of eastern England and Scotland could also see some low cloud and mist.

Into next week, high pressure will shift on top of the UK again, bringing lighter winds and more dry, sunny weather that will see temperatures warm up above the seasonal norm again.

Don't give younger kids drinks with artificial sweeteners, health advisers say

Getty Images A young boy drinks from a glass of juice though a straw while sitting outdoors at a picnic bench in the sun with a friendGetty Images

Younger children should not be given any drinks containing artificial sweeteners, UK experts are now advising.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommendations apply to beverages such as sugar-free 'toothkind' squash that has ingredients such as aspartame, stevia, saccharin and sucralose.

It says preschool children should become accustomed to drinking water instead.

Sweeteners may help older children cut down on sugar though.

What are artificial sweeteners?

Eating too much sugar increases the risk of tooth decay and some long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Artificial sweeteners were developed as a substitute, providing a sweet taste with few or no calories.

All of the ones used in the UK are approved and have undergone rigorous safety tests.

But some are concerned that they enhance preferences for sweet tastes in children which can be hard to overcome.

After reviewing the available evidence, SACN says proof that sweeteners are cutting tooth decay is "poor", although a reduction in free sugars, alongside "other positive changes to diet", is likely to be beneficial to health overall.

It says there may be some value in using sweeteners to help reduce weight gain in the short to medium term, but "it is not essential and is not the only option."

And the SACN committee experts are concerned about "the gap in data" on UK population exposure to sweeteners.

They say there is currently "insufficient evidence" to carry out a full risk assessment and are asking goverment to gather more.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said government was committed to turning the tide on obesity, taking bold action to crack down on child-targeted junk food advertising on TV and online.

Prof Robin May, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency, said: "We strongly support SACN's call for industry to make data on the quantity of these sweeteners in their ingredients publicly available to provide better information on how much people are consuming and to help inform our assessments of these ingredients."

Prof Graham Finlayson, Chair in Psychobiology, University of Leeds, said it was reasonable to be cautious, especially in children, but the evidence wasn't strong enough to dismiss non-sugar sweeteners as a tool for reducing sugar intake. 

"With obesity and diabetes rates rising, knee-jerk policy changes could do more harm than good," he warned.

UK set to host 2035 Women's World Cup as only 'valid' bid

UK set to host 2035 Women's World Cup as only 'valid' bid

Spain celebrate winning the 2023 Women's World CupImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Spain won the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

The United Kingdom is set to host the 2035 Women's World Cup as the sole "valid" bidder for the tournament, Fifa president Gianni Infantino says.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland submitted a joint expression of interest in March to hold the World Cup across the home nations.

Under Fifa rotation rules, the tournament must be in Europe or Africa.

Spain's federation president Rafael Louzan said last week that they were "working on" a joint bid alongside Portugal and Morocco.

However, the deadline for expressions of interest passed on Monday and Infantino says the UK's bid is the only one received for 2035, while the United States are set to host the 2031 edition.

"Today I can confirm as part of the bidding process that we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035," Infantino said at a Uefa congress in Belgrade.

"The 2031 bid is the United States of America and potentially some other Concacaf members and the 2035 bid is from Europe and the home nations.

"So the path is there for the Women's World Cup in 2031 and 2035 to take place in some great nations and further boost the women's football movement."

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the Fifa Women's World Cup 2035.

"The hard work starts now to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year."

Formal bids for the 2035 World Cup must be submitted this winter, with a vote taking place to confirm the hosts in a Fifa congress in 2026.

Infantino also confirmed that the 2031 Women's World Cup will be a 48-team tournament, up from 32 in 2027.

Should the UK's bid be confirmed, the 2035 Women's World Cup will be the second time a World Cup has been held in the home nations after the 1966 men's tournament in England.

老萧杂说|审判雷军

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一辆小米SU7爆燃,导致三人以惨烈方式罹难。

事故调查结果未出,舆论战火已经烧至雷军身上。

事故过程中的诸多问号尚待拉直。这两天网上的质疑和诘问铺天盖地,本文不再赘述。

笔者对这种调查未赋予太多期望,“小米用户维权难”,依稀成为这起标志性车祸的隐喻和注脚。

也许事故车驾驶者并非完美受害者。但无论事故调查结论如何定性,小米汽车和雷军都需要一场审判。

这场审判,指向思想理念和精神意志层面。

此时此刻,如果雷军站出来坦诚地亮明两点,这场审判是可以豁免的。

CDT 档案卡
标题:审判雷军
作者:秃笔的老萧
发表日期:2025.4.3
来源:微信公众号“老萧杂说”
主题归类:雷军
CDS收藏:公民馆
版权说明:该作品版权归原作者所有。中国数字时代仅对原作进行存档,以对抗中国的网络审查。详细版权说明

其一,雷军可以说,包括小米在内的NOP功能,都只是一个刚学会走路的孩子,有独立行走能力,但缺乏处理意外情况的经验。

其二,雷军可以说,随时准备接管驾驶,才是目前打开自动驾驶的正确方式。

即便此次面临重大舆论危机,上述两点也决计不会经由雷军之口说出的。

尽管此前马斯克已经承认: “广义的自动驾驶是一个难题, 因为它需要解决非常多的现实世界的人工智能问题。此前没想到这么难, 但回想起来难度是显而易见的。”

眼下对于小米雷军而言,静待舆论潮水消退,尔后继续比赛狂堆各种技术参数,营造“低价买豪车”幻觉,这些才是其值得去做的事情。

事实上,前述两句话也适用于其他造车新势力品牌企业。因为近期以来,他们都有过相关技术信仰的极致化演绎。

比亚迪高调发布“天神之眼”高阶智驾系统,提出要开创“全民智驾”;

吉利推出五套阶位不同的“千里浩瀚智驾系统”;

奇瑞推出四套智驾系统,命名“猎鹰智驾系统”;

蔚来宣布自研的“全球首颗车规级的5纳米高阶智驾芯片,经过三年多时间打造”、研发金额“相当于1000座换电站”……

“巨资研发”、“智驾普惠”噱头下,视觉大模型、端对端系统等概念被极力渲染。

严格说来,他们都应该接受一场审判。

原因在于,他们将智驾技术理性的发展,演变成为一种技术拜物教。

不仅将智驾技术当作是神圣不可侵犯的事物,更是把这一技术实践上升为一种意识形态,从而对社会进行了相当程度的控制和影响。

为何单单要审判雷军?

其将黑格尔“绝对精神”与硅谷“技术奇点”理论,进行本土化重构后,将产品包装为“技术圣物”,将普通消费转化为信徒的“皈依体验”,完成从产品消费到精神皈依的转化。

其秉持技术原教旨主义,以个人IP的神格化塑造“科技先知”印象,将企业家身份转化为智能时代的“布道者”。

雷军及米粉群体对智驾产品顶礼膜拜,对其技术发展无限乐观,对技术统治思维日益骄矜,创造了一种建基于科学基础上的技术宗教信仰。

他们通过智驾产品的文化工业,不断输出“智驾万能”“智驾无限”“智驾伟大”等社会价值与社会理念,不断形成对智驾技术的社会化崇拜,并完成自我附魅的过程。

笔者并非技术恐惧者,乐意接受并支持发展智能等新兴技术,肯定包括小米在内发展智能技术的积极社会意义,但主张在以人为本的前提下,建构发达的、人机协同的智能社会。

发展人工智能技术,必须将人放在主体地位,以人的逻辑而非物的逻辑去发展,毕竟人始终是目的而不是工具。

小米智驾技术和产品,缺少的或正是一种“可知”、“可信”。

所谓“可知”,是指确保智驾技术系统的透明度,使其行动逻辑和决策过程对所有人来说都是透明的,易于被消费群体理解和掌握。

所谓“可信”,则意味着智驾技术系统能够得到不同群体或个体的共同认可,具备高度的可验证性。

如果小米智驾技术兼具可知、可信特征,更多体现人性化和良善化,此番就能避免人车协同的不和谐声音。

技术上最伟大的胜利与最大的灾难几乎并列,每一种技术都既是恩赐又是包袱,不是非此即彼的结果,而是利弊同在的产物,这对小米也不例外。

小米的技术拜物教,是试图通过技术控制,构建极端秩序化和高效社会生活的映射。

技术拜物教的实质是一种异化行为,人类加诸之上的宏愿永远无法达成,却会带来自身的风险,对技术的极端崇拜无论多么虔诚都不会带来利好改变。

以小米为代表的智驾技术,将有限的技术手段无限抬高和过分美化,俨然一种新式的意识形态,包含着一种技术资本权利的“暴力美学”,以崭新物神的姿态,成为凌驾于现实世界之上的新智能光鲜外衣。

这场审判的意义,目的在于实现对智能拜物教的批判性超越,体现智驾是技术服务论,而非技术统治论,在人类与人工智能之间赋予人绝对的优先权。

这其实也可以是一场雷军的自我审判。立足点是跳出经济中心主义的发展陷阱,如何将智能技术置于合乎人性的制度框架中,使人减少智能技术公开或隐蔽的宰制,避免诸多未知的、不确定的风险。

“只有当社会生活过程即物质生产过程的形态,作为自由联合的人的产物,处于人的有意识有计划的控制之下的时候,它才会把自己的神秘的纱幕揭掉。”

这个论断无比正确,恳望雷军们能够读进去。

而他们正在努力做的,或许是如何逃避这场审判,甚或乐见信徒们手持小米“技术圣经”,对遇难者家属和质疑的公众,发起一场反向审判。

【404文库】现象工作室|“擅自摄制电影案”当事人郭珍明采访

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2025年3月底,网上传出影像创作者郭珍明因拍摄视频被乌鲁木齐市文旅局拟处罚7.5万元和没收设备的消息,现象网采访了当事人。

现象网:这事情是个什么样的经过

郭珍明:是这样的,我去年9月份去新疆旅行,和一位内地的音乐人王啸聊起纪录他的创作和采风的事情,他是做当代音乐的,就是那种现场即兴的乐器和人声。我们萌生了一路旅行、沿途创作和民间采风的想法,边走边拍。新疆是个文化和音乐特别古老而富有地域特色的地方,壮丽的自然风光亦让我们沉醉。我们在南北疆、乌鲁木齐这些城市和乡村之间穿行,流连忘返。除了即兴的环境中的创作,还采集了很多民间音乐人风格独特的乐器演奏。这些表演,有些民间艺人要求付给他们一些费用,但很多都是朋友,都是免费的。整个过程大约是去年12月到今年1月份完成的,就是我们两人,我拍他的创作和采风。后来乌鲁木齐文旅局的人上门进屋检查,说根据举报,说我“涉嫌擅自摄制电影”,把我器材和资料都查封了。

CDT 档案卡
标题:“擅自摄制电影案”当事人郭珍明采访
作者:作者名
发表日期:2025.4.3
来源:微信公众号“现象工作室”
主题归类:擅自摄制电影案
CDS收藏:公民馆
版权说明:该作品版权归原作者所有。中国数字时代仅对原作进行存档,以对抗中国的网络审查。详细版权说明

现象网:他们这个行政检查和处罚的依据是什么?

郭珍明:文旅局执法人员当时也说不清楚是依据《电影产业促进法》哪条条文,他们只是说,“你去百度查”。他们也不熟悉这些条文。我后来问了律师,也自己查了。我觉得绝大部分影视艺术工作者、普通老百姓可能都不知道《电影产业促进法》,第13条规定“拟摄制电影的法人和其他组织应当将剧本梗概向电影主管部门备案”。我认为大家应当对这个法条引起注意,加以学习。

现象网:你觉得你这个拍摄行为违反了《电影产业促进法》中第13条“拟摄制电影要备案剧本梗概”的情形吗?

郭珍明:我认为完全不构成违反《电影产业促进法》13条,这里面涉及到几个问题:

不管是普通人还是艺术家,采用专业或者非专业器材拍摄视频,都是一个普通公民的文化艺术创作自由,因为这是个人行为。

《电影产业促进法》第13条要求备案的是法人和组织,也就是产业化、公司化、部门化的电影制作、制片行为;电影摄制是一个异常复杂,由多种电影创作人员、电影技术人员构成,并且需要规模资金支持的产业行为和部门活动,它的创作和技术人员构成至少包括制片人、导演、编剧、演员、录音师、灯光师、摄影师、化妆师、现场剪辑师、制片、场记、助理等等一个基本的剧组构成。一个老百姓持有摄像机就能拍出电影吗?我说的是《电影产业促进法》想规范的那种电影摄制行为。

即使把我的纪录和拍摄行为定义为电影,但是我的纪录作品哪来的剧本梗概?这说明制定《电影产业促进法》的人没有注意到纪录片和电影的本质区别。纪录片是没有剧本的,电影才有剧本,纪录片何来“电影剧本备案”?即使把纪录片定义为电影,那也是没有剧本的电影,对于没有剧本的电影作品,《电影产业促进法》怎能要求它去“备案剧本”呢?

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电影节不等于电影院,国际上的电影节展出的影像作品不同于电影院播放的电影,非常宽泛。手机拍的视频也是电影,短视频也是电影。文旅局的人认为我去年有纪录片参加了国际上的电影节,并以此认定我拍摄了的视频素材具有电影属性,违法《电影产业促进法》。这个认定你觉得符合法理逻辑吗?

现象网:你认为这个案件会是一个什么样的结局?

郭珍明:我这个案件,是中国第一例“擅自摄制电影案”(现象网注:对于当事人的这个说法,现象网表示未必完全符合史实,被采访者说法谨供参考),它在法学上的讨论空间非常大,这个案子影响肯定会很大。我会继续走听证、行政复议、行政诉讼这些程序。当然我是个普通的艺术工作者,你也知道,我们这种人很艰难,罚款我交不起,律师和诉讼费用对我也是一个很大的压力。

如果我这个拍摄行为都是违反了《电影产业促进法》,那中国这么多影视、戏剧、传媒、美术专业的学生、毕业生,他们的毕业创作都将考虑是不是违法行为?他们拍摄的纪录、电影、影像作品都去备案了吗?

我希望得到社会的关注,因为每一个普通公民,以后拿起摄像机或者手机进行纪录和创作,都要考虑一下,有没有触犯《电影产业促进法》?你是不是“擅自”了?

以下为当事人所发的“行政处罚事先告知书”

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郭珍明的电影作品《混乱与细雨》海报

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柏林电影节为何钟爱华语片?德国竟藏着“欧洲横店”

如果让你说出第一部让华语电影走进西方观众的电影,你会想到哪一部呢?1988年张艺谋凭借《红高粱》拿到柏林电影节最佳影片,标志着华语电影走向国际。你知道德国有一个“欧洲横店”吗?一部外语电影需要经历怎样的磨难才能进入德国市场呢?

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