Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 58

China Moves Forward on Next-Generation High-Speed Rail

China has moved to the testing stage for its next-generation high-speed train, the CR450. Engineers launched a test model from Yichang North Station along the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu high-speed railway, with the train heading toward Wuhan.China operates the world's most extensive high-speed rail network, with more than 24,855 miles of operational lines, according to a 2023 report from the

With a Distracted U.S., Hong Kong Intensifies Its Democratic Crackdown

There’s so much going on in the world—a new war between Israel and Iran, ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, tariffs upending the global economy, riots in Los Angeles, planes falling out of the sky, political violence and terrorist attacks—it can be hard to know where to look.Experts say that’s what authorities in Hong Kong may be counting on, as they intensify a democratic crackdown in the

Hong Kong exiles seek to preserve democracy’s memory through Lennon Walls in Taiwan

Exiled Hong Kongers are looking to revive the city’s famed Lennon Walls in Taiwan to serve as powerful reminders of a democracy movement that Beijing has sought to erase, even as no commemorative events were allowed in their home soil to mark the sixth anniversary of Hong Kong’s massive anti-extradition protests.“The Lennon Wall is an important collective memory for us (Hong Kongers),” said Hong

China labor rights group shuts down in latest setback for civil society in Hong Kong

A Hong Kong-based labor rights group founded by prominent Chinese labor activist Han Dongfang has announced it is shutting down after three decades of tracking workers’ protests in China, citing financial difficulties and debt woes. The closure of China Labor Bulletin, announced Thursday, came as authorities launched a new national security investigation into six unnamed people and one

Hong Kong bans gaming app that police say incites ‘armed revolution’ against China

The app makers call it a “war saga” where gamers can choose a rebel faction from Hong Kong, Taiwan and even Tibet and then play at fighting Chinese communist forces - or if they choose, fight for the communist side instead. But it seems like whichever side you choose, it could get you into trouble in Hong Kong.This week, the city’s police issued a stark warning against downloading the mobile app

Torbjørn Færøvik: I forkledning til Mekka

«Ikke-muslimer adgang forbudt!»Skiltene langs motorveien til Mekka er ikke til å misforstå. Et ukjent antall kristne har likevel klart å snike seg inn i muslimenes hellige by. Klarte noen det i år også? Det får vi kanskje aldri vite, for det er ikke lurt å snakke åpent om det.Ifølge saudi-arabiske myndigheter deltok nesten 1,7 millioner pilegrimer fra 171 land i årets hajj, som fant sted fra 4.

Cambodia cuts internet from Thailand as tensions grow after border clash

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand escalated Friday on the eve of talks on a border dispute as Cambodia cut internet services, stopped airing Thai movies and cancelled boxing bouts involving Thai fighters. Cambodia also closed the Doung international border crossing point, known as Ban Laem on the Thai side, after Thailand had cut its operating hours there by half. The move left dozens of

Taiwan jails China captain for undersea cable sabotage in landmark case

A Chinese national has been sentenced to three years in prison for damaging an undersea cable connecting Taiwan's main island and the Penghu islands in the Taiwan Strait.,The man, identified by his surname Wang, was the captain of the Togolese-registered vessel Hong Tai 58.The Tainan District Court's verdict on Thursday marks the first sentencing after reports in recent years of undersea cables

Pope names Chinese bishop as he keeps historic Vatican-Beijing accord

Pope Leo XIV has appointed the first Chinese bishop of his papacy, signalling that he will continue a historic agreement that sought to improve relations between the Vatican and China. Both sides have hailed the appointment of Fuzhou Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as an affirmation of their commitment to the 2018 accord, which was reached under the late Pope Francis.The agreement gave

North Korea claims warship launch successful on second try

North Korea says it has successfully relaunched its new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, less than a month after it capsized during the first attempted launch, state media reports. The country's leader, Kim Jong Un, had reacted furiously to the warship's failed launchin May, and demanded it be quickly repaired. At least four officials - three shipyard officials and one senior official - have since been