A slogan in Arabic reading (right) "Enough killing and destruction" and another held by a child reading "The children of Palestine: We want to live" are displayed during a rally in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. Hundreds of Palestinians chanted slogans during the protest, calling for an end to the Israeli-Hamas conflict. AFP See story, page 15
Engagement key for stable ties with US
With a number of high-level meetings held in China recently, Beijing has welcomed a large wave of politicians, businesspeople and scholars from the United States in a lead-up to a series of talks with senior Chinese leaders and officials.
Zebrafish, grain experiments answer cosmic questions
On China's space station orbiting 400 kilometers above Earth, scientists are conducting a series of astounding laboratory experiments.
US urged to abandon ship levies plan
A coalition of US trade associations, shipping companies and businesses have urged the Office of the United States Trade Representative to not go ahead with a proposed $1.5 million fee on Chinese-made ships that enter any US port.
Hotline offers solace to those in distress
When clinical psychologist Meng Fanqiang answered a call to the newly launched national mental health support hotline in late January, the caller struggled to articulate her thoughts and could only weep.
Aviation safety takes flight
Travelers who ignore a new aviation industry ban may face warnings, fines, or have their devices confiscated, experts tell The Straits Times.
PASSAGE TO HISTORY
This is a passageway that has connected China to the world for more than two millennia — a corridor where the wind howls and sand dances year-round, where travelers and their camels once trudged, laden with bundles of silk and sacred scrolls.
DPP authorities will be held accountable for each and every secessionist move
Beijing has improved and consolidated its institutional and practical mechanisms to prepare for Taiwan's reunification with the motherland, whether peacefully or by force, in response to the provocations of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities on the island and the collusion of "pro-independence" forces with external actors.
Lifting the gloom
Globalization refers to the increasing connectedness of the world's economies through the widespread international movement and exchanges of goods, capital, technology, services and information. Western economics textbooks describe the period from 1870 to 1914 as "the Golden Age of Globalization", from the non-Western point of view, however, nothing could be further from the truth. The 19th century was the century of imperialism, with most nations in Asia and Africa being colonized by the great powers, which forced them to sign unequal treaties. Under these treaties, colonies were prevented from setting import duties higher than 3 percent. Unable to have an industrial policy of their own, they could only produce raw materials and agricultural products. It is interesting to note that all Western countries enacted industrial policies during their takeoff stage.
China to expand cross-border financing access
China is mulling raising the foreign debt ceiling for high-technology enterprises while expanding the reach of policies that facilitate corporate foreign exchange management, as part of the country's all-round efforts to enhance financial support for private enterprises, said the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
Revived US tariffs spark chilling effect
As the United States imposes tariffs on many countries, even some of its closest allies, businesses in the Middle East are bracing for a chilling effect — a triple threat of depressed oil prices, non-oil export tariffs and high interest rates.
