भारतीय महासागर समाचार

Goods move back and forth on horseback across the border between Sudan and Chad in Adre, Chad, April 25, 2024. /CFP

Goods move back and forth on horseback across the border between Sudan and Chad in Adre, Chad, April 25, 2024. /CFP

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on Friday expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in El Fasher city in North Darfur State of western Sudan.

In a press statement, Faki said the significant buildup of fighters and weapons in the vicinity of El Fasher poses a grave threat to the lives, property and livelihoods of millions of people and complicates an already difficult peacemaking process.

“The AU Commission chairperson calls on the belligerents to immediately cease fighting, return to the local truce in El Fasher, begin the implementation of the May 2023 Jeddah ceasefire agreement and unconditionally resume a new round of talks to achieve a lasting and comprehensive cessation of hostilities,” the statement further said.

The AU Commission chief further called on all Sudanese parties to support the efforts of the AU High Level Panel on Sudan, which is trying to convene a preparatory process for an all-inclusive Sudan political dialogue in the coming days.

On Friday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) expressed concern that the maneuvering of opposing armed forces in western Sudan is raising tensions, blocking aid to thousands of people and creating a horrifying situation for civilians.

El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State in western Sudan, is experiencing intense clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Since the conflict between the SAF and the RSF broke out on April 15, 2023, more than 14,700 fatalities have been recorded, while the number of people displaced inside and outside of Sudan has reached 8.2 million, according to a recent report by the UNOCHA.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency

An illustration shows the concept of the BMI system. /CFP

An illustration shows the concept of the BMI system. /CFP

The NeuCyber Array BMI System, a self-developed brain-machine interface (BMI) system from China, was unveiled at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) on Thursday in Beijing.

At the forum, a video demonstration revealed a remarkable feat: a monkey with its hands restrained and soft electrode filaments implanted in its brain, controlled an isolated robotic arm and grasped a strawberry by simply using its “thoughts.”

The NeuCyber Array BMI System fills the gap in high-performance invasive brain-machine interface technology in China, said Luo Minmin, director of the Chinese Institute for Brain Research in Beijing, which co-developed the system with NeuCyber NeuroTech (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

The BMI serves as the “information highway” for the brain, facilitating communication with external devices and providing cutting-edge technologies in human-machine interaction and hybrid intelligence, Luo said.

“In short, the technology captures the subtle changes of electrical signals from neurons and decodes the brain’s intentions, to realize ‘thoughts’ control ‘actions’,” he said.

China’s self-developed NeuCyber Array BMI System on display at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, capital of China, April 25, 2024. /Xinhua

China’s self-developed NeuCyber Array BMI System on display at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, capital of China, April 25, 2024. /Xinhua

The NeuCyber Array BMI System is composed of three major components, high-throughput flexible microelectrode array, a thousand-channel high-speed neural signal acquisition system, and a generative neural decoding algorithm based on a feedforward control mechanism.

The electrodes determine the quality of the recorded brain signals and the accuracy of “brain control,” said Li Yuan, business development director of NeuCyber NeuroTech (Beijing) Co., Ltd. The NeuCyber Array BMI System makes use of a large number of electrode contacts on a thin electrode thread to enhance signal capture ability.

The electrode filaments made of flexible materials need to be viewed under a microscope, said Li. The material, which boasts high biocompatibility and no cytotoxicity, fits well with brain tissue.

“Both its number of effective channels and long-term stability are up to the international state of the art,” Li said. “Different from stiff electrodes, the flexible microelectrode array can still effectively record brain signals after one year of implantation in the brain of macaque monkeys.”

The generative neural decoding algorithm based on the feedforward control mechanism of the system can establish an accurate mapping between neural activity in the cerebral cortex and motion parameters.

“BMI system focuses on safety, stability and effectiveness. It’s a systematic project,” said Luo, adding that the invasive BMI has a long chain of development, involving multiple technologies such as electrodes, chips, algorithms, software, and materials. There is still a long way in technological refinement and iteration.

Founded in 2007, the ZGC Forum, with its enduring focus on innovation and development, has evolved into a national-level open innovation platform and an international forum over the years. 

Read More:

Beijing remains global sci-tech capital magnet with innovations

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency

01:30

WATCH: The roof tiles that help power Pompeii

Pompeii is shining a light on the past and, in a sense, the future as well. 

The ancient Italian city was devastated by a volcanic eruption nearly 2,000 years ago. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it’s also setting an example when it comes to green energy.   

Officials have fitted terracotta-style solar roof tiles on one of the most famous villas in the area. The tiles have solar photovoltaic cells, allowing Pompeii to preserve its history while generating clean power. The light from the cells helps illuminate the frescoes that captivate more than two million tourists every year.

The ruins of Pompeii attract millions of tourists each year. /Ciro de Luca/Reuters

The ruins of Pompeii attract millions of tourists each year. /Ciro de Luca/Reuters

When old meets new

The project is in its early stages, but experts say the tiles could transform historic city centers as Italy looks for more green energy in public spaces.

Pompeii director Gabriel Zuchtriegel says the tiles look “exactly the same as the ancient ones” found in archaeological sites and cities across the Mediterranean.

Zuchtriegel says it’s important that other historical sites follow Pompeii’s example. 

“Pompeii is a unique site due to its vast size and complexity. But I hope this will not be a unique project,” he declared.

The green power scheme blends emerging technologies with an extraordinary mural unearthed in 1909 at the Villa of the Mysteries. The property was buried along with the rest of the city when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.

The mural depicts female devotees of Dionysus – the god of wine and revelry – as they engage in a series of mysterious rites.

The images have intrigued scholars for decades. Some historians have even suggested they’re evidence that the lady of the villa was a priestess whose slaves took part in cult rituals.

Several of Pompeii’s murals, or frescos, have been preserved for nearly 2,000 years. /Parco Archeoligico di Pompei

Several of Pompeii’s murals, or frescos, have been preserved for nearly 2,000 years. /Parco Archeoligico di Pompei

Terrific terracotta 

‌The fresco covers three walls and is one of the best preserved in Pompeii. It’s lit by special LED lights designed to highlight the deep red, purple and gold images, while protecting the painted surfaces.

Solar panels sit on the villa’s roof and power the lights. They’re almost invisible, lying between traditional ceramic curved tiles.

Italian lighting company Ahlux secured the patent for the system in 2022 and now produces both curved and flat panels varnished in terracotta tones.

Project manager, Alberto Bruni, says the panels cover 70 square meters of roof, produce a maximum of 13 kilowatt-hours and are linked to an ecologically-friendly sodium battery.

Pompeii gets over 15 hours of sunlight a day at the height of summer, but Bruni wants to make sure it won’t go to waste. He says the panels will provide power to other villas around the site.

Ahlux founder, Augusto Grillo, says the tiles are about five percent less efficient than a traditional solar panel. “This nominal loss is compensated by the fact that our panels heat up less in summer,” says Grillo. “The performance ends up being very similar.”

Pompeii’s solar lighting system will draw on nearly 15 hours of sunlight per day at the height of summer. /Italian Culture Ministry

Pompeii’s solar lighting system will draw on nearly 15 hours of sunlight per day at the height of summer. /Italian Culture Ministry

Can red become green?

‌The tiles are generating excitement, as well as electricity. Grillo says Rome’s MAXXI modern art museum has expressed interest, along with the Pinoteca Ambrosiana museum in Milan.

But green technology isn’t always cheap. Many of Italy’s famous historic buildings are either public property or owned by Catholic institutions. “The problem is finding the funds,” says Grillo. 

Still, there is hope that more buildings could go solar in the years ahead. Bruni says the cost of the panels “is coming down”, and he’s hoping that will spark some change.

Italy is under pressure to make red-roofed cities such as Florence or Bologna much greener as it tries to combat climate change.

The European Union has set a target for 2030, saying it wants to reduce carbon emissions by 55 percent compared with 1990 levels. It’s admitted that member states will have to upgrade buildings to achieve that goal. 

That is a mammoth challenge for Italy. The Italian Constructors’ Association (ANCE) says around 60 percent of buildings are in the worst two energy categories, compared to 17 percent in France and six percent in Germany.

“There needs to be some national and perhaps European co-investment to make sure that the very, very ambitious timelines can be respected,” says Angelica Donati, president of the youth constructors’ association ANCE Giovani.

“We have the most beautiful cities in the world, which means we need much more thoughtful interventions, and quickly. There’s a lot to be done”.

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday

Source(s): AFP

01:10

China will launch the Chang’e-6 lunar probe in early May, China Media Group learned from the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Saturday.

The Chang’e-6 lunar probe and Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket were transferred to the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern province of Hainan on Saturday. 

Functional checks, joint test work and propellant filling will be carried out before the launch.

After the lunar probe and carrier rocket arrived at the launch site in January and March, respectively, the assembly, testing and other preparations were successively completed.

The probe is set to collect samples from the far side of the moon in a mission that will be the first of its kind in human history.

The Chang’e-7 is scheduled to be launched around 2026, and Chang’e-8 around 2028. Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 will form the basic model for a lunar research station to carry out further exploration of the lunar environment, according to CNSA.

(With input from Xinhua)

The Haikui No.1 in east China’s Qingdao City, April 26, 2024. /CFP

The Haikui No.1 in east China’s Qingdao City, April 26, 2024. /CFP

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Asia’s first cylindrical floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility was completed in east China’s Qingdao City on Friday, marking a milestone technological breakthrough in the country’s high-end offshore oil and natural gas exploration.

Dubbed “Haikui No.1,” the enormous facility was independently designed and built by China.

The Haikui No.1 in east China’s Qingdao City, April 26, 2024. /CFP

The Haikui No.1 in east China’s Qingdao City, April 26, 2024. /CFP

The floating vessel, containing 600,000 parts, consists of functional modules on the hull and the deck, with a maximum diameter of about 90 meters and a height of more than 60 meters. It is designed with a maximum displacement of 100,000 tonnes and a storage capacity of 60,000 tonnes of oil.

With a designed service lifespan of 30 years, the cylinder-shaped facility integrates functions of crude oil production, storage and external transmission. It is able to operate at sea for 15 years without docking, according to its producer, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

The Haikui No.1 in east China’s Qingdao City, April 26, 2024. /CFP

The Haikui No.1 in east China’s Qingdao City, April 26, 2024. /CFP

“Through tackling technological bottlenecks, we have achieved the autonomous application of 15 key technological equipment and systems, such as the sea-land integrated intelligent central control system and high-capacity hydraulic submersible pumps. Furthermore, we have introduced new natural gas desulfurization and dual-fuel generators on offshore platforms. These advancements enable us to effectively utilize associated gas from oil fields and largely improve the energy saving of offshore oil fields,” said Liu Huaxiang, general manager of the Deepwater Engineering and Construction Center of CNOOC’s Shenzhen branch.

The Haikui No.1 in east China’s Qingdao City, April 26, 2024. /CFP

The Haikui No.1 in east China’s Qingdao City, April 26, 2024. /CFP

The offshore oil and gas processing project is planned to be commissioned in China’s first deepwater oil field, Liuhua 11-1, in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, said CNOOC, adding that the facility is capable of processing 5,600 tonnes of crude per day.

The Israeli army’s armored vehicles and tanks move in and out of Gaza, April 25, 2024. /CFP

The Israeli army’s armored vehicles and tanks move in and out of Gaza, April 25, 2024. /CFP

A global survey released by CGTN shows that 90.05 percent of respondents strongly urge both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to immediately cease fire to avoid exacerbating a humanitarian crisis.  

As many as 93.5 percent of global respondents pointed out that all parties should abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and immediately cease all violence against civilians.  

China has always believed that the UN Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining global peace and security. It encourages countries with influence on the parties concerned to adopt an objective and impartial stance and to jointly play a constructive role in cooling down crises.  

A total of 93 percent of respondents agree with this and believe that the UN Security Council should fully utilize its mediation role to prevent further escalation of the conflict. An internet user commented, “After so many years of tragedy, suffering, and loss of life, we must strive to find a lasting peace.”

U.S. President Joe Biden recently signed a foreign aid bill, continuing to provide $26 billion in assistance to Israel. A total of 92 percent of respondents strongly condemn this action, believing that foreign countries should stop providing weapons and equipment to both conflicting parties and immediately halt the actions that worsen the situation.  

One CGTN viewer stated, “Providing weapons at this time is akin to tossing petrol onto a bonfire.”

A fair and just resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli issue should follow relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international consensus. China advocates that the fundamental solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue lies in implementing the “two-state solution” and restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. 

According to the survey, 88 percent of respondents expressed strong support for concerted international efforts to achieve a comprehensive, fair and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue. 

They emphasized that any future arrangements concerning Gaza must respect the will and autonomous choices of the Palestinian people and should not be imposed upon them. 

“It’s time to recognize all the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people at the UN,” one CGTN netizen commented.

The poll was released on CGTN’s English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms, with over 11,000 people voting within 24 hours.

An illustration of a human embryo. /CFP

An illustration of a human embryo. /CFP

Chinese scientists reconstructed a 3D model of a human embryo within two to three weeks after fertilization, which opens a new door into very early human embryonic development.

Out of ethical concerns, in-vitro culture of human embryos is limited to 14 days, and therefore, the human embryo growth between 14 and 21 days after fertilization is usually considered a “black box.”

The researchers from the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Agricultural University conducted high-resolution profiling on 38,562 gene spots of a human embryo and then constructed its 3D model by integrating gene expression patterns and spatial information.

Also, they have investigated the dynamic activity of signaling pathways along the embryonic body axis, according to the study published this week in the journal Cell.

The study has far-reaching clinical implications for understanding miscarriages and fetal disorders in early embryonic development, said the researchers.

02:34

How can ancient literature and traditional culture be made more accessible to the younger generation? A prevalent method today involves adapting myths and stories into animated films, accompanied by movie collectibles. This approach allows audiences not only to watch but also to engage with culture in a tangible way.

At this year’s Beijing International Film Festival, a bustling street market highlighted the influence of animation and cultural products in revitalizing traditional culture. CGTN reporter Lucy is there to explore this phenomenon.

A laser show is tested at the Shougang Park in preparation for the 8th China Science Fiction Conference, Beijing, China, April 23, 2024. /CFP

A laser show is tested at the Shougang Park in preparation for the 8th China Science Fiction Conference, Beijing, China, April 23, 2024. /CFP

The 8th China Science Fiction Conference will be held in Shougang Park, Shijingshan District, Beijing, from April 27 to 29. With the theme “Scientific Dreams Create the Future,” the conference will focus on science fiction technology, science fiction creation and industry cultivation and will organize various activities such as forums, industry promotion activities and science fiction film week.

The “2024 China Science Fiction Industry Report” will be released at the opening ceremony on the morning of April 27, comprehensively analyzing the current status and development trends of the science fiction industry and providing strong guidance for future science fiction development. Well-known science fiction writers, directors, enterprises, institutions and universities will jointly release the China Science Fiction Industry Development Initiative to promote the innovative development of the science fiction industry in China.

In terms of forums and meetings, this conference closely follows the cutting-edge hot spots in the industry and sets up more than 10 themed forums around the fields of science fiction literature, film and television creation, artificial intelligence, science fiction, science education, etc., aiming to stimulate technological innovation through cutting-edge forums and cross-border exchanges.

This conference also has a special industry promotion activity section, and a number of new technologies, new products and new scenarios with breakthrough technologies will be released. At the same time, a report on the Beijing science fiction industry will be released to showcase the latest trends and prospects for the development of the science fiction industry.

In addition, in order to create a global science fiction atmosphere and promote the consumption of science fiction scenes, the 4th Beijing Science Fiction Carnival will be held simultaneously from April 27 to May 5, bringing a wonderful experience that combines trendy adventures, sci-fi e-competitions and sci-fi electronic music festivals.