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China concluded the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing from August 15-17, featuring over 500 humanoid robots from 16 countries competing in 26 sports including running, soccer, and kickboxing. Chinese firms Unitree Robotics and X-Humanoid dominated, showcasing rapid advances in AI-driven robotics despite frequent mechanical mishaps. The event highlights China's ambition to lead global humanoid robotics development.
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China unveiled new uncrewed systems, missiles, and military branches during a Beijing parade, highlighting its focus on modernizing its armed forces. The display included drones, hypersonic missiles, and AI-enabled systems, reflecting lessons from Ukraine and ambitions for future conflict. The event signals China's push for a comprehensive military upgrade.
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A new interactive map from Climate TRACE reveals that fossil fuel facilities and wildfires are releasing dangerous PM2.5 particles, exposing 1.6 billion people worldwide to toxic air. The tool tracks pollution sources in real-time, emphasizing the urgent need for policy action to protect public health and address climate change.
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China's industrial robot installations reached a record 295,000 in 2024, driven by government investment and domestic firms surpassing foreign suppliers. The surge supports manufacturing amid population decline, with humanoid robots emerging as the next phase. Experts highlight China's strategic push in automation to maintain economic competitiveness.
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Huawei launches HarmonyOS 6 with new AI agents and a short-range wireless transfer feature. Apple promotes AI development in China, with the launch of the iPhone Air supporting eSIM, amid ongoing regulatory and geopolitical negotiations. Both companies deepen ties with Chinese authorities and consumers.
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Google's quantum computer has demonstrated a verifiable algorithm that runs 13,000 times faster than supercomputers, marking a significant step toward practical quantum applications in medicine and materials science. The 'quantum echoes' approach, detailed in Nature, shows promise for future real-world uses, though widespread deployment remains years away.
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Yang, the first Chinese-born Nobel laureate in physics, died of illness in Beijing at age 103. He was celebrated for his work on parity laws and the Yang–Mills theory, with a career spanning China, the US, and Hong Kong. His death marks the loss of a pioneering scientist.
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Apple's latest iPhone 17 series, launched in September, has outperformed previous models in key markets, with demand rising sharply. Meanwhile, the company is scaling back production of the iPhone Air due to slow sales, and shifting some manufacturing to Vietnam amid geopolitical and supply chain adjustments. The move reflects broader supply chain diversification efforts.
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As Trump visits Asia, the US and China have agreed on a framework for a trade deal, including a potential TikTok agreement and extension of tariffs truce. The talks aim to de-escalate tensions over export controls, tariffs, and critical minerals, with a key meeting between Trump and Xi scheduled for Thursday in South Korea.