The half-marathon in Beijing’s E-Town economic and technological development zone on Sunday showcased a leap in the capabilities of Chinese-made humanoid robots. The winner of the race, autonomous-navigation robot “Lightning”, developed by Honor, completed the race in an impressive 50 minutes and 26 seconds, despite a minor mishap near the finish line, surpassing the human world record. “Lightning” incorporates Honor’s proprietary integrated joint modules, delivering a peak torque of 400 Nm. Its liquid-cooling system features cooling channels that penetrate deep into the motor’s interior like capillaries to dissipate heat, while…
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Organic food is often presented as a healthier, greener or more ethical choice. But when people decide whether to pay extra for organic milk, eggs or vegetables, something else is going on. Organic food belongs to a curious category that economists call “credence goods”. These are the products whose key qualities can’t be verified even after you’ve bought them. There’s no way that you can tell by looking at, tasting or cooking a food item whether it was genuinely produced to organic standards. Instead, you have to take it on…
The Trump administration signaled a possible climb in some U.S. tariffs above 10%, but provided few specifics. Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, said Wednesday that the 10% tariff on imported goods was likely to increase. “Right now, we have the 10% tariff. It’ll go up to 15% for some and then it may go higher for others, and I think it will be in line with the types of tariffs we’ve been seeing,” Greer said on Fox Business’ “Mornings with Maria.” Trump first announced a 10% global tariff hours…
Iran has arrested the bureau chief of Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK World, and transferred him to Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, two sources have told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda. A spokesman for Japan’s government, Masanao Ozaki, told reporters that a Japanese citizen had been detained on January 20 but declined to give more details. It is unclear what charges the NHK journalist, Shinnosuke Kawashima, faces, although sources said he was taken to Evin prison on February 23. Kawashima is being held in Ward 7 of the prison, where political prisoners are usually…
Japan is preparing to lift long-standing restrictions on lethal weapons exports, marking another step in the erosion of its post-war arms export taboo. While the reform creates new diplomatic and commercial opportunities and allows deeper security cooperation with regional partners, Japan’s defence industrial base remains small, costly and capacity-constrained. Domestic procurement demands and labour shortages mean exports will likely remain modest, limiting the policy’s practical and strategic impact on regional military balances. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is looking to loosen Japan’s long-standing restrictions on weapons exports, marking another step…
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has briefed Moscow and Beijing on the details and progress of its negotiations with Washington over differences regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Russian media outlet RIA Novosti reported Monday. A Chinese expert said the move reflects routine coordination under the strategic partnership and shows Iran actively seeking support and balance amid a complex geopolitical environment. A day earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on social media platform X that he had held meetings with the Chinese and Russian ambassadors in Tehran following…
The second largest natural gas producer in northwest Louisiana and east Texas has sold its assets to Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi. Aethon, a Dallas-based company that operates in the prolific Haynesville shale formation, agreed to a deal worth approximately $7.5 billion, according to an announcement on Friday. Mitsubishi agreed to pay $5.2 billion for Aethon’s equity interests and will assume approximately $2.33 billion in net debt. The company expects the transaction will close in the second quarter of 2026. Aethon’s Haynesville shale assets currently produce about 2.1 billion cubic feet a…
John Deere future generation excavators previously produced in Japan will be manufactured at a $70 million factory in North Carolina, the company said Tuesday. Kernersville, a Forsyth County community off Interstate 40 between Greensboro and Winston-Salem, will be the new home with an expected employment of 150 workers. In May 2024, county commissioners approved an incentive package for the company over five years valued at $944,006. At the time, average annual wages were projected to eclipse $64,000. Economists are historically skeptical on average wage comparisons because salaries of a few…
Eve Air Mobility, an Embraer subsidiary that develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, announced the sale of two vehicles to the Japanese company AirX, which operates in air transport and currently uses helicopters. The contract may be expanded, as it includes an option to purchase up to 50 units. With deliveries scheduled for 2029 and operations planned in Tokyo and Osaka as last-mile vehicles for tourist routes, the sale marks the company’s first in the Asia-Pacific region. Embraer and Eve are participating in the Singapore Airshow, one of…
The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management director updated lawmakers, and outlined a “significant cleanup mission” planned for this summer. Rep. Nellie Jimmie, a Democrat from Toksook Bay, broke down in tears recounting her experience there the night ex-Typhoon Halong made landfall on the west coast of Alaska in October. “We didn’t sleep the whole night, and this was the first time I’ve ever felt so helpless, where I knew I couldn’t protect my own daughter,” she told fellow lawmakers at a joint hearing with the House Tribal…