Randy W

Give 'em Gweilo! Canada, China foreign ministers pledge dialogue, will attempt more collaboration China's foreign minister expressed a desire to improve strained relations with Canada and avoid a continuation of the current difficulties。 Ongoing tensions between China and Canada have resulted in the expulsion of diplomats and accusations of interference in each other's affairs。 Both sides emphasized the importance of open communication, respect, and .dialogue for addressing challenges and collaborating on issues such as climate change.

Try Ground News - comprehensive list of articles from many sources, sorted by bias - left, center, right. https://ground.news/about

More info from Gweilo about dealing with international issues, along with some typical rants.

https://qround.news/article/white-house-prepares-for-taiwan-presidential-elections-and-period-of-hiqher-tension_ed69a9 In Taiwan's election Saturday, who are the 3 candidates trying to become president? A senior Chinese liaison warns that the election is a choice between "peace and war." China imposes military pressure, revokes tax co ncessions, and extends a probe into trade violations against Taiwan ahead of the election The Biden administration reaffirms support for Taiwan's democratic process before the upcoming presidential election, which will determine China's influence over the island.

Will 3% votes allow Beijing to change Taiwan's election results?

It's Malaga, Spain The BEST Expat City IN THE WORLD! (according to expats)

Will 3% votes allow Beijing to change Taiwan's election results? Lei's Real Talk

North Korea poised to admit first known tourists since 2020 https://ground.news/article/north-korea-to-admit-first-known-tourists-since-2020 A group of Russian tourists is set to be the first allowed into North Korea since the start of the pandemic border lockdowns. North Korea is still closed to foreigners due to the strictest border controls, but this visit indicates a potential step forward for tourism. The tour, organized by a Vladivostok-based agency, will take place from February 9 and includes stops in Pyongyang and a ski resort.

I'm having a LOT of trouble editing posts. Please use Google when necessary to find a quoted article.

China's Consumer Prices in Longest Streak of Declines Since 2009 (Bloomberg) - China's consumer prices dropped for a third straight month in December, a sign of weak domestic demand that's leading economists to call for more stimulus. https://ground.news/article/chinas-consumer-prices-in-longest-streak-of-declines-since-2009.

Chinese Billionaire ls Second-Biggest Foreign Owner of US Land Chinese billionaire Tianqiao Chen, known for his success in online gaming, is now the second-largest foreign landowner in the US, with 198,000 acres of Oregon timberland Chen's investments also include philanthropy, with donations to the California Institute of Technology and ownership of luxury properties in New York and California. Chen purchased the land in 2015 for $85 million, becoming the 82nd-largest property owner in the US. The average value of US cropland increased by 8.1% in 2023 https://ground.news/interest/china_da80d0

US urges China don't interfere in Taiwan elections The United States opposes any outside interference or influence in Taiwan's upcoming elections, signaling displeasure towards China The US plans to send an unofficial delegation to Taiwan after the elections for direct communications. Former high-ranking American officials may be included. Washington wants to maintain the self-ruled island's status quo and stresses the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

'Spectacular' growth in renewables in 2023 keeps COP28 pledge within reach, says IEA Global renewable energy capacity grew by the fastest pace in the last 20 years in 2023, which could put the world within reach of meeting a key climate target by the end of the decade, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The Paris-based agency said rapid growth of solar in China was the main driver as the world added nearly 510 gigawatts - enough to power nearly 51 million homes for a year - with Europe, the United States and Brazil also seeing record growth. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said renewable energy is on course to increase by 2 1/2 times by 2030. That would fall short of the tripling that nations agreed on at last month's annual United Nations climate talks in Dubai, but Birol said the goal is reachable. Increasing funds for clean energy in developing countries is the biggest challenge to getting to 11,000 gigawatts from the nearly 3,400 gigawatts of 2022, he said. Renewable energy surge of 50% driven by China, IEA says https://ground.news/article/renewables-grew-rapidly-in-2023-but-must-grow-faster-still-to-meet-climate-change-target-iea-says_405a46

New technology - from Shutter Bulky on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/811703519221774/permalink/2150993248626121/?mibextid=Nif5oz Back when people were sure, the Auto-Mobile was just a fad that would never take off. After all, there was no infrastructure to support it. Then our great grandparents got off their ass and did something about it. Instead of crying, it couldn't be done, and all they had was model T's to get it done. What's our excuse? 🙄

Hong Kong man, 26, jailed for three months for wearing seditious T-shirt at airport Chu Kai-pong detained for wearing shirt with ‘Free Hong Kong. Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’ as he waited to board flight to Taiwan City’s top magistrate tells court that defendant’s conduct risked a revitalisation of 2019 anti-government protests https://ground.news/article/hong-kong-man-jailed-over-seditious-shirt

shopping in Shenzhen https://fb.watch/ptKtnaVSOn/?mibextid=Nif5oz https://youtu.be/bJxzSG2RCP4?si=gkp1UtupAVPGnn04 A growing number of Hongkongers have been travelling north to the mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen on shopping sprees. Read more: https://sc.mp/3o46

China satellite launch triggers air raid alert in Taiwan ahead of election Taiwan issued an islandwide air raid alert after a Chinese satellite flew over its southern airspace days before a crucial presidential election. Mobile phone users across the self-ruled island received a message warning them to "be aware for your safety". The "presidential alert" underlined jitters ahead of pivotal presidential and legislative elections on Saturday. China has long claimed Taiwan as part of its own territory and has been accused of interfering in the vote. The self-governing island of 23 million people, is a key flashpoint in the tussle between China and the US for supremacy in Asia. Analysts say the elections will shape the trajectory of ties between Beijing and Washington. The satellite was launched off the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China's Sichuan province at 15:03 local time, Taiwan's defence ministry said. At about the same time as the alert, China's CCTV announced that a satellite named Einstein Probe had been launched with "complete success". Hong Kong immigrants in Taiwan unite to back anti-Beijing party Immigrants from Hong Kong are organizing for the re-election of Taiwan’s ruling party led by William Lai. Despite high barriers to entry for Hong Kong immigrants, many are united to take a strong stand against political ties to Beijing.

Wong Lew Song translates literally as "Frosted Yellow Willows" but has been interpreted as "Second-Daughter Yellow Butterfly." The girl's family gave her the English-language name Anna May. A third-generation American, she managed to have a substantial acting career during a deeply racist time when the taboo against miscegenation meant that Caucasian actresses were cast as "Oriental" women in lead parts opposite Caucasian leading men. Since its publication in 1931, Wong had made known her desire to play O-lan in a film version of the book "The Good Earth", and as early as 1933, Los Angeles newspapers were touting Wong as the best choice for the part. Nevertheless, the studio apparently never seriously considered Wong for the role because Paul Muni, an actor of European descent, was to play O-lan's husband, Wang Lung, and the Hays Code prohibited portraying miscegenation on camera (although both the characters were Chinese, the actors not being of the same race risked running afoul of the Code). The Chinese government also advised the studio against casting Wong in the role. The Chinese advisor to MGM commented: "Whenever she appears in a movie, the newspapers print her picture with the caption 'Anna May again loses face for China." According to Wong, she was instead offered the part of Lotus, a deceitful song girl who helps to destroy the family and seduces the family's oldest son. Wong refused the role, telling MGM head of production Irving Thalberg, "If you let me play O-lan, I will be very glad. But you're asking me—with Chinese blood—to do the only unsympathetic role in the picture featuring an all-American cast portraying Chinese characters." The role Wong hoped for in the 1937 film went to Luise Rainer, who won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance. Wong's sister, Mary Liu Heung Wong, appeared in the film in the role of the Little Bride. MGM's refusal to consider Wong for this most high-profile of Chinese characters in U.S. film is remembered today as "one of the most notorious cases of casting discrimination in the 1930s." (IMDb/Wikipedia) Happy Birthday, Anna May Wong!

Anna May Wong https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0hmaHg21DqRsxEdZToZpCXqcvkFvRHKpn1PYHHoHDDijXXvHbCKxQ4vZ7JasX34b6l&id=100064496240346&post_id=100064496240346_pfbid0hmaHg21DqRsxEdZToZpCXqcvkFvRHKpn1PYHHoHDDijXXvHbCKxQ4vZ7JasX34b6l&mibextid=Nif5oz

https://fb.watch/pr6HTbQxdT/?mibextid=Nif5oz https://fb.watch/pr6HTbQxdT/?mibextid=Nif5oz Supercar Blondie drone show The fb.watch links work on the mobile app, but I haven't yet found the real link. https://www.facebook.com/supercarblondie/videos/216596254577702/# All it takes is 2000 drones to make a show like this. . . . and a LOT of programming.

What are the most recommended days for seeing the Harbin Ice Festival?

25th Harbin Ice and Snow World Opens to Public in Northeast China CCTV Video News Agency Harbin Ice Festival 2023/2024 (A Full Guide is Here) The official opening ceremony is on January 5th, 2024, but the ice and snow sculptures are open to public viewing from December 17th, 2023. The exhibitions and entertainment are mainly in the Ice and Snow World, the biggest venue in Harbin. There is no closing ceremony for this festival but the ice melts in March. Ever think of what Elsa's ice palace might look like in real life? Ice stairs, ice walls, ice railings, and ice turrets? When winter comes, Harbin turns into a kingdom of ice and snow. It's the right time and the right place to experience a real ice palace. Attend the Harbin International Ice Festival with your family and make your snow king/queen dream come true in China's Ice World.

I'm not sure how pertinent these are to anybody, but this is barely HALF of what THEY posted. The table at the Federal Register (see link to Federal Registe above)r may be easier to read, depending oin the formatting on your own device. Table 1—Summary of Provisions and Impacts of the Final Rule Rule provisions Description of changes to provisions Estimated annual form receipts Estimated annual change in transfers 1. Form I–129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker This rule increased the premium processing fees for Form I–129. The premium processing fee for H–2B and R–1 nonimmigrant status will increase from $1,500 to $1,685. The premium processing fee for all other available Form I–129 classifications (E–1, E–2, E–3, H–1B, H–3, L–1A, L–1B, LZ, O–1, O–2, P–1, P–1S, P–2, P–2S, P–3, P–3S, Q–1, TN–1, and TN–2) will increase from $2,500 to $2,805. Form I–129 H–2B and R–1 Classifications: 10,892. All other Form I–129 Classifications: 310,146. Total Form I–129 receipts: 321,038. This will result in an increase in transfer payments from the Form I–129 fee-paying population to DHS of $96,609,550. 2. Form I–140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers This rule increased the premium processing fees for Form I–140. The premium processing fee for employment-based (EB) classifications E11, E12, E21 (non-NIW), E31, E32, EW3, as well as recently available E13 and E21 (NIW), will increase from $2,500 to $2,805. Form I–140 E11, E12, E21 (non-NIW), E31, E32, EW3 Classifications: 85,399. Form I–140 E13 and E21 (NIW) Classifications: 40,800. Total Form I–140 receipts: 126,199. This will result in an increase in transfer payments from the Form I–140 fee-paying population to DHS of $38,490,695. 3. Form I–539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status This rule increased the premium processing fees for Form I–539 classifications F–1, F–2, M–1, M–2, J–1, J–2, E–1, E–2, E–3, L–2, H–4, O–3, P–4, and R–2. The premium processing fee for this population will increase from $1,750 to $1,965. Form I–539 F–1, F–2, M–1, M–2, J–1, J–2 Classifications: 11,144. Form I–539 E–2, E–3, L–2, H–4, O–3, P–4, and R–2 Classifications: 71,160. Total Form I–539 receipts: 82,304. This will result in an increase in transfer payments from the Form I–539 fee-paying population to DHS of $17,695,360. 4. Form I–765, Application for Employment Authorization This rule increased the premium processing fees for Form I–765. The premium processing fee for certain F–1 students will increase from $1,500 to $1,685. Form I–765 OPT and OPT–STEM Classifications Currently Eligible: 114,116. Form I–765 Classifications Likely Eligible in the Future: 58,422. Total Form I–765 receipts: 172,538. This will result in an increase in transfer payments from the Form I–765 fee-paying population to DHS of $31,919,530. Start Printed Page 89543 In addition to the impacts summarized above, the table below presents the prepared accounting statement showing the costs and benefits to each individual affected by this final rule.[14] OMB A–4 Accounting Statement [$ Millions, FY 2022; Time period: FY 2024 through FY 2025] Category Primary estimate Minimum estimate Maximum estimate Source citation BENEFITS Monetized Benefits N/A Regulatory Impact Analysis (“RIA”) See E.O. 12866. Annualized quantified, but unmonetized, benefits N/A N/A N/A E.O. 12866. Unquantified Benefits N/A E.O. 12866. COSTS Annualized monetized costs (7%) N/A N/A N/A E.O. 12866. Annualized monetized costs (3%) N/A N/A N/A Annualized quantified, but unmonetized, costs N/A Qualitative (unquantified) costs N/A E.O 12866. TRANSFERS Annualized monetized transfers $184.7 N/A N/A E.O. 12866. From whom to whom? From the fee-paying applicants and petitioners of Form I–129, I–140, I–539, and I–765 to DHS. Qualitative (unquantified) transfers None None. Miscellaneous Analyses/Category Effects Source Citation. Effects on State, local, or tribal governments None None. Effects on small businesses None None. Effects on wages None None. Effects on growth None None. Table 2 shows the estimated total receipts received and refunds issued by USCIS for Form I–907, Request for Premium Processing Service, from fiscal year (FY) 2018 through FY 2022. Based on a 5-year annual average, DHS estimates the annual receipts for Form I–907 to be 406,437 for the biennial period after this rule takes effect. In addition, based on the 5-year average, the annual number of refunds issued for Form I–907 is estimated to be 297.[15] Table 2—Form I–907, Request for Premium Processing Service, Receipts and Refunds Issued, FY 2018 Through FY 2022 FY Form I–907 receipts Form I–907 refunds * Form I–129 Form I–140 Total Form I–129 Form I–140 Total 2018 292,297 78,232 370,529 123 101 224 2019 333,175 79,752 412,927 259 48 307 2020 276,107 64,529 340,636 500 51 551 2021 309,596 107,908 417,504 89 126 215 2022 394,015 96,573 490,588 167 22 189 Total 1,605,190 426,994 2,032,184 1,138 348 1,486 5-year Annual Average 321,038 85,399 406,437 228 70 297 Source: USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, Policy Research Division, CLAIMS3 and ELIS database, July 18, 2023. *  Note: For refunds, the report reflects the most up-to-date data available at the time the system was queried. Any duplicate case information has been removed. Start Printed Page 89544 Table 3 shows the percentage of the eligible Form I–129, Petition for Non-Immigrant Worker, petitioners who opted to submit a premium processing request along with their Form I–129 from FY 2018 through FY 2022. The 5-year annual average percentage of eligible Form I–129 petitioners who choose to submit a premium processing request was 57 percent. Table 3—Form I–907, Request for Premium Processing Service, Filed With Form I–129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, FY 2018 Through FY 2022 FY Total Form I–129 receipts Total Form I–129 petitions submitted with Form I–907 Percentage of Form I–907 receipts that come with Form I–129 2018 548,910 292,297 53 2019 551,789 333,175 60 2020 555,058 276,107 50 2021 531,851 309,596 58 2022 629,424 394,015 63 Total 2,817,032 1,605,190 5-year Annual Average 563,406 321,038 57 Source: USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, Policy Research Division, CLAIMS3 and ELIS database, July 18, 2023. Table 4 shows the percentage of the eligible Form I–140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, petitioners who chose to submit a premium processing request from FY 2018 through FY 2022. Through FY 2022, not all Form I–140 petitioners are eligible for premium processing; therefore, DHS only discusses the percentage of those who are eligible for premium processing during these fiscal years compared to the total number of premium processing requests submitted.[16] The 5-year annual average percentage of eligible Form I–140 petitioners who chose to submit a premium processing request was 53 percent. Table 4—Form I–140 Receipts Eligible for Premium Processing, FY 2018 Through FY 2022 FY Total Form I–140 petitions eligible for premium processing Total Form I–140 petitions submitted with Form I–907 Percentage of Form I–907 receipts 2018 62,262 35,889 58 2019 70,215 34,958 50 2020 65,029 29,060 45 2021 112,521 65,685 58 2022 91,605 48,616 53 Total 401,632 214,208 5-year Annual Average 80,326 42,842 53 Source: USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, Policy Research Division, CLAIMS3 and ELIS database, July 18, 2023. Note: Form I–140 eligible petitioners include the following classifications are currently designated for premium processing: EB–1 Aliens of extraordinary ability (E11), EB–1 Outstanding professors and researchers (E12), EB–2 Members of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability not seeking a National Interest Waiver (E21), EB–3 Skilled workers (E31), EB–3 Professionals (E32), and EB–3 Workers other than skilled workers and professionals (EW3). To estimate the probability that an eligible petitioner may choose to request premium processing, DHS computes a ratio of the 5-year annual average number of requests to the 5-year annual average number of eligible petitioners. Table 5 shows that of those currently eligible for premium processing, 57 percent chose to submit a premium processing request. Based on prior agency experience,[17] DHS assumes that the demand rate will carry forward and will use this percentage to estimate the possible adoption volumes of Form I–140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, Multinational Executives and Managers (E–13) and Members of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability seeking a national interest waiver (E–21); [18] Form I–539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status; and I–765, Application for Employment Authorization, applicants. Start Printed Page 89545 Table 5—Percentage of Premium Processing Requests, FY 2018 Through FY 2022   5-year annual average of Forms submitted with Form I–907 5-year annual average of total receipts by Form Percentage of Form I–907 receipts Form I–129 321,038 563,406 57 Form I–140 42,842 80,326 53 Total 363,880 643,732 57 Source: USCIS Analysis. (A) FORM I–129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, TRANSFER PAYMENTS Currently, petitioners requesting certain benefits on Form I–129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, are eligible to also submit a request for premium processing with their immigration benefit request. Table 6 shows the population of petitioners who submitted Form I–907 with Form I–129 based on the corresponding nonimmigrant classifications from FY 2018 through FY 2022. Based on a 5-year annual average, DHS estimates the annual receipts from Form I–907 filed with Form I–129 H–2B or R–1 classifications to be 10,892. Based on a 5-year annual average, DHS estimates the annual receipts for Form I–907 associated with all other Forms I–129 to be 310,146. Table 6—Form I–907, Request for Premium Processing Service, Filed With Form I–129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, FY 2018 Through FY 2022 FY Form I–129 H–2B or R–1 request receipts Form I–129 all other visa request receipts * Total Form I–907 receipts 2018 9,127 283,170 292,297 2019 10,505 322,670 333,175 2020 7,125 268,982 276,107 2021 11,866 297,730 309,596 2022 15,838 378,177 394,015 Total 54,461 1,550,729 1,605,190 5-year Annual Average 10,892 310,146 321,038 Source: USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, Policy Research Division, CLAIMS3 and ELIS database, July 18, 2023. *  Note: All other includes the following classifications: E–1, E–2, E–3, H–1B, H–2A, H–3, L–1A, L–1B, LZ, O–1, O–2, P–1, P–1S, P–2, P–2S, P–3, P–3S, Q–1, TN–1, and TN–2. H–2B or R–1 equals 3.4% and All other I–129 equals 96.6%. of Total Form I–907 Receipts filed with a Form I–129 petition. This rule increases the premium processing fees for Form I–129. The premium processing fee for H–2B or R–1 nonimmigrant status will increase from $1,500 to $1,685, an increase of $185, which is the result of a 12.3 percent increase in the CPI–U from June 2021 to June 2023.19 The premium fee for all other available Form I–129 classifications (E–1, E–2, E–3, H–1B, H–3, L–1A, L–1B, LZ, O–1, O–2, P–1, P–1S, P–2, P–2S, P–3, P–3S, Q–1, TN–1, and TN–2) will increase from $2,500 to $2,805, an increase of $305. Because the fee for premium processing for the Form I–129 H–2B and R–1 classifications will increase by a different amount than for all other Form I–129 classifications, the data for the Form I–129 H–2B and R–1 classifications data was separated from the data for all other classifications. Based on a 5-year annual average, DHS estimates an additional $2,015,020 annually in transfer payments will be collected from these new, higher premium processing fees for Forms H–2B and R–1.[20] DHS will collect an additional $94,594,530 annually in transfer payments from premium processing requestors filing Form I–129 for all other visa classifications to DHS, based on a 5-year annual average.[21] Accordingly, DHS estimates the total increase in transfer payments from the Form I–129 fee-paying population to DHS will be $96,609,550 (Table 7) annually, for the biennial period after this rule takes effect. Start Printed Page 89546 Table 7—Fees for Form I–907, Request for Premium Processing Service, Filed With Form I–129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker Period of analysis 5-Year annual average receipts (FY 2018 through FY 2022) Fee Total annual fee revenue Post-USCIS Stabilization Act (Baseline Costs) 10,892 $1,500 $16,338,000 2023 CPI–U Adjustment 10,892 1,685 18,353,020 Change in Transfer Payments for Form I–129 H–2B and R–1 2,015,020 Post-USCIS Stabilization Act (Baseline Costs) 310,146 2,500 775,365,000 2023 CPI–U Adjustment 310,146 2,805 869,959,530 Change in Transfer Payments for Form I–129 All Other * 94,594,530 Total Change in Transfer Payments for Form I–129 96,609,550 Source: USCIS Analysis. *  Note: All other includes the following classifications (E–1, E–2, E–3, H–1B, H–2A, H–3, L–1A, L–1B, LZ, O–1, O–2, P–1, P–1S, P–2, P–2S, P–3, P–3S, Q–1, TN–1, and TN–2).