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NASA bans Chinese nationals from space programs amid espionage concerns

NASA has barred Chinese nationals with US visas from accessing its facilities, research programs, and internal networks. The decision underscores Washington’s rising concerns over protecting America’s space leadership amid growing competition with Beijing.

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In a major policy shift, NASA has barred Chinese nationals with US visas from accessing its facilities, research programs, and internal networks. The decision underscores Washington’s rising concerns over protecting America’s space leadership amid growing competition with Beijing. The move comes after several espionage cases linked to the Chinese Communist regime in recent years.

Policy implementation

Chinese contractors and researchers locked out of systems

Chinese nationals who were working on NASA projects as contractors or researchers were informed about the access termination on September 5. Many of them were reportedly locked out of digital systems and barred from attending in-person or virtual meetings related to their work. The policy change was confirmed by NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens, who said it was taken to mitigate both physical and cybersecurity risks.

Decision part of broader trend in US

The decision comes amid increased scrutiny of Chinese nationals in US technology sectors. It is still unclear if a specific security breach triggered NASA’s action. NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy recently said that the US must lead a “second space race,” warning that China‘s lunar ambitions are militarily driven, not peaceful exploration efforts.

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India vs Pakistan LIVE Updates, Asia Cup 2025: Dubai Pitch And Weather Report Out, Forecast Says…

After a big nine-wicket victory in their opening match against UAE, Suryakumar Yadav and co will be eager to claim another win over the arch-rivals Pakistan.

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India vs Pakistan Live Updates, Asia Cup 2025: Team India will face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, Group A match on Sunday in Dubai. After a big nine-wicket victory in their opening match against UAE, Suryakumar Yadav and co will be eager to claim another win over the arch-rivals Pakistan. On the other hand, Salman Ali Agha and co will be coming to this match after a 93-run victory over Oman. Amid all the boycott calls due to the Pahalgam terror attack, the players are focusing on the game, in order to bring out yet another nail-biting encounter between the two teams. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly had a big role to play already in settling some Indian nerves ahead of the Pakistan clash. (Live Scorecard)

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Hong Kong developers test homebuyer sentiment as residential market outlook improves

Developers are now testing the waters” by pricing new projects at market rates, aligning with average prices in nearby developments or slightly higher, said Joseph Tsang, chairman of JLL Hong Kong. “But it seems like the market is still expecting more discounts, as sentiment has yet to recover, which is reflected in the sales performance.”

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Two major residential developments in Hong Kong saw tepid sales over the weekend despite a slow recovery in the city’s property market, showing that buyer sentiment has yet to fully rebound even as developers strive for higher profit margins amid a stabilisation in home prices, according to analysts.

“Developers are now testing the waters” by pricing new projects at market rates, aligning with average prices in nearby developments or slightly higher, said Joseph Tsang, chairman of JLL Hong Kong. “But it seems like the market is still expecting more discounts, as sentiment has yet to recover, which is reflected in the sales performance.”

In the first round of sales on Sunday, Henderson Land Development sold 76 of the 148 units as of 3.30pm at its To Kwa Wan Road redevelopment project, Highwood Phase I. The units were priced at an average of HK$18,179 (US$2,336) per square foot, exceeding the HK$17,968 per square foot for the first 30 units released in 2023 at the nearby Uptown project developed by Yu Tai Hing.

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Belgian councillor did not call for Belgians to leave Belgium or Europe 

A 25-second video clip of Saliha Raiss speaking at a council meeting in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean on August 27 was shared on Instagram with the claim she’d called for a “Europe without Europeans”.

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A councillor called for people annoyed by Islamic attire in a Brussels suburb to live in another part of the Belgian capital, not for Belgian citizens to leave the country or Europe, contrary to widely shared online posts.
 
A 25-second video clip of Saliha Raiss speaking at a council meeting in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean on August 27 was shared on Instagram with the claim she’d called for a “Europe without Europeans”.

Elon Musk shared, opens new tab an identical post on X with the caption: “Belgians must leave Belgium!? This is insane.” It received more than 42 million views.

However, the video clip shows Raiss suggesting people who are annoyed by veiled women in Molenbeek, which is home to a large Muslim population, to leave and live in another of Brussels’ 19 districts, opens new tab. It does not show her calling for Belgians to leave Belgium or Europeans to leave Europe.

Raiss, wearing a turban, opens new tab, spoke in French but her comments translated into English read: “And if these people who wear curtain fabrics [referring to Islamic headscarves] – I can give the references if you want because apparently it arouses a lot of interest – if we disturb that much, if they don’t even want to see us anymore, I mean the region has 19 municipalities, if in Molenbeek apparently it’s very unlivable, change sides, go somewhere else! Get out!”

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