WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Republican senators is demanding that the Biden administration revoke a science and technology agreement with China, barely a week after the two countries renewed cooperation for five more years to keep ties from deteriorating. In a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the lawmakers, led by Sen. Jim Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the era in which such cooperation made sense “is long gone" and the extension only “opens the door for further cooptation of American research.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Donald Trump Is Returning to the World Stage. So Is His Trolling

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NoneFor many, cars and trucks are a necessity of modern life. Although public transportation serves millions, most of us living in North America can't really depend on it. This leaves us relying on our various personal vehicles to get where we need to go. This means we also have to deal with vehicles that eventually wear out. And thanks in large part to Alfred P. Sloan, CEO of General Motors in the 1920s, cars don't last forever. Back then, Sloan realized that consumers buying cars that lasted an extraordinarily long time would have no need for a new model, thus decreasing GM profits. So he devised the concept of planned obsolescence, which continues to plague buyers of goods from smartphones to light bulbs to cars to this day. Fortunately, some manufacturers do better than others. Some automakers actually try to make durable cars. The Japanese brands bucked this trend somewhat when they entered the American market, and consumers reacted enthusiastically, quickly sending their sales to the top. However, these days the longevity of new cars is a mixed bag and it can be hard to know which one will go the distance. Some cars are much more likely to make it to 300,00 miles than others, and some are known to go for far more than that. Regardless, these 11 cars of various eras are well-known for regularly making it to 300,000 miles and beyond. Since 1984, Toyota's 4Runner has blazed trails around the globe, offering the perfect mix of ruggedness, comfort, and capability. Furthermore, buyers have come to know and trust its reliable nature, flocking back to the brand for repeat purchases. Debuting as not much more than a Toyota truck with rear seats and an enclosed bed, it morphed into the full-fledged SUV we know today. While the robust V6 option is no longer available for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner , its four-cylinder options are more powerful than any before. However, with a no option starting price of $40,705, any claims of being affordable quickly dissolve. No matter what year of 4Runner you consider, it should last a very long time. Toyota maintenance requirements fall well below the median with one of the lowest costs. Provided that you acquire a 4Runner, new or used, for an acceptable price, ownership should be smooth sailing. Many people trade cars every few years, but this could be a good choice if you tend to hold on to your vehicles for a long time. 4Runners from 2003 to 2009 merit additional inspection as Toyota had issues with rusting frame rails. If a frame recall has been performed, they should be otherwise reliable. Those built from 2010 to 2013 are said to be the most trouble-free, but practically all 4Runners made, especially in the last 20 or so years, should have no problem making it to 300,000 miles or more with regular maintenance. Production of the Mercedes W123 , a chassis designation for a range of gasoline and diesel models, ended many years ago, but you probably wouldn't notice in some parts of the world. In Africa, for example, the W123 continues to rule the streets as private cars and regularly as in-service taxis. 40 and 50-year-old Mercedes taxis can still be hailed today, although the state of the cars may range from surprisingly well-kept to shockingly still running. These cars are way overbuilt, and everything about them feels solid from the clunk of closing a door to the click of the wiper switch. Attention to quality is evident with every component, and the car's longevity is a testament to that. A further testament is a Teneriffa News report from 2023 of a stretched 240D on Gran Canaria used to ferry up to eight passengers around the island as it has done since 1988, astoundingly racking up about close to 4.3 million miles (7 million kilometers). It gets weekly oil changes and has only had its engine replaced once. The 240D is a notoriously slow car, however. For better performance, many buyers have opted for the Mercedes-Benz 300D (or 300TD wagon), featuring a stout five-cylinder turbo diesel that will run forever. Bring a Trailer sold one in 2021 with 782,000 miles for $9,123. 300,000 miles is no problem for these tank-like cars. By then it'd probably just be considered broken in. Someone looking for a high mileage car may want to check into Volvo. After all, the record holder for the highest mileage one-owner car is a Volvo P1800 with an astonishing 3.2 million miles . However, while the P1800 is a sports car from the '60s that's hard to find these days, the Volvo 240 is far less rare, though it is also long out of production. Long thought of as the perfect professor's car, the Volvo 240 exudes a distinctive aesthetic suggesting the designers had a particular love affair with the right angles and straight lines. From 1975 to 1993, Volvo sold this car with modest aesthetic changes while being powered by the legendarily robust Volvo B230FT Redblock engine , both turbocharged and naturally aspirated. Recent examples of high mileage 240 cars have been reported by Hemmings , 1 million miles, Autoweek , 626,476 miles, and The Drive , 480,000 miles. These old bricks are still available in good supply, but prices are rising. Being incredibly reliable helps keep older cars on the road for years, and the Volvo 240 is no exception. Should you find one well maintained but with 270,000 miles, you can count on it going at least another 30,000 or more. For about half a century, a Ford pickup has been the best selling vehicle in America. Its dominance in the market remains unquestioned today as millions of people rely on their truck to get work done on the farm, on-site, or on the road. A few things can explain why Ford has held such a lofty position within the market, but rugged dependability is key to its success. The best-selling model has been the half-ton F-150 as it presents the right combination of capability, size, and economy. For those who need a little extra to get stuff done, the Super Duty, covering models F-250, F-350, and F-450, feature heavy duty frames and suspensions for larger payloads. Ford introduced the F-250 in 1953 and all heavy trucks became Super Duty in 1999. But the most significant change came in 1994 with the International-built Powerstroke diesel. With the Powerstroke, Ford Super Duty trucks gained a direct-injected and turbocharged powerhouse with an electronically controlled fuel system. This meant more power and efficiency, and it has also translated into long life and durability. 200,000 miles should be a breeze, and most Super Duty trucks aren't considered high mileage until they hit 350,000. Even then, they aren't worn out and it is not unreasonable to think you could get a million miles out of a Powerstroke. That said, the most reliable Powerstroke diesels are the debut 7.3-liter model through 2003 and the current 6.7-liter since 2011. Built on the rear-wheel-drive full-size Panther Platform, the Ford Crown Victoria sedan has become one the most recognizable cars in North America. Driven by police, cabbies, and g-men for years, the Crown Vic was one of the most common service vehicles of its era, in addition to being a genuinely comfortable family cruiser. Initially the upscale trim of the Ford LTD, the Crown Victoria became a stand-alone model with a full redesign matching the smoother Euro-inspired design of the Taurus in 1992. With it came the all-new 4.6-liter Modular V8, the first American full production OHC V8 and one of Ford's best engines ever made . Simplicity is one of this car's greatest traits. Using a stiff body-on-frame platform with rear-wheel-drive makes it easy to repair and maintain, and the low-stress V8 can run for miles on end with little more than an oil change. As late as 2023, The New York Times wrote about a 2011 model in service as the last taxi in New York on this platform, and its mileage exceeded 550,000 miles. Some consider the Crown Victoria the most reliable car on the road. Most models are expected to make it to 200,000 miles, but 300,000 is reasonable as long as your kids don't wear out everything else first. Any list of cars that can attain high mileage is always going to have a couple of Toyota models, including the pioneering Toyota Prius . Upon its debut in 1997 — 2001 in the American market — the Prius was in a market segment of one. Honda sold the hybrid Insight, but it was inferior in many ways, leaving Toyota to nearly corner the market for a decade. The thing about driving a Prius is that it is made for efficiency, so the driving experience is not its forte. However, its fuel mileage averaged nearly 50 mpg, and it is an extremely reliable car, with Consumer Reports rating it 5/5, and CarComplaints noting just two common problems in 2011 and not much else. A high rating for safety rounds out the package as an all around good buy. In addition to being reliable, the Prius is known for longevity. Shortly after its introduction, taxi services started putting them in service, noting the incredible saving in fuel as a significant benefit. However, once in service, they prove even more economical by needing few repairs, affordable maintenance, and lasting upwards of 500,000 miles with regular use. A new Prius is expected to make it at least 200,000 to 250,000 miles, but owners regularly report more than 300,000 miles of use, and sometimes well over 500,000. Sadly, one of the most legendarily durable and reliable Toyota vehicles is not available for Americans to buy, although they once could. Toyota enlisted Hino Motors to build a truck it designed in 1968, releasing it as the Hilux. It then sent the truck around the world to conquer farms, outback, and country roads in all corners, including the United States. However, it left the American market mid-way through 1994 to make way for the domestically produced Tacoma, thus avoiding the "chicken tax" tariff of 25%. As Americans started driving Tacomas, the rest of the world continued getting successive generations of Hilux as it continued to receive updates along with the rest of Toyota's lineup. Jeremy Clarkson demonstrated just how incredibly tough these trucks are when he put one through a series of grueling tests like letting it float out into the surf and being atop a highrise as it came down in a demolition, only to see it start and continue to run in an episode of " Top Gear." In addition to being rock solid tough, these trucks are also incredibly long-lived. Vehicle Score U.K. estimates the lifespan of a Hilux to be 522,000 miles, based on mileage of scrapped vehicles. Other anecdotal stories seem to back this up as Australian Jack Morris' 1983 Hilux hit 650,000 km in 2018, and Australian Ian Moreland made it to one million in 2017. This makes 300,000 miles look like child's play. When breaking into the American market, Honda worked hard to overcome a prevailing attitude that Japanese products were inferior and cheap, ensuring the quality of its products were of the highest caliber while offering more affordability to win over skeptical customers. The efforts paid off as Honda grew quickly, introducing an increasing number of models and eventually establishing manufacturing in the United States itself. The Honda Accord became the first Japanese car manufactured in an American facility, and it has continued to be a top seller ever since. It has been the best-selling car in America for much of the last five decades and landed on the Car and Driver 10Best list 38 times. This only happens when a company builds a good product people want to buy. The lifespan of a Honda Accord is estimated to be between 200,000 and 300,000 miles, depending on who is estimating. It's not hard to find multiple listings for sale in excess of 200,000 miles, and some people have taken them to an extreme. The Truth About Cars found one in a junkyard recently with 475,113 miles, and The Drive showcased a 2003 model with nearly 1 million miles. Something you will find in all of these stories about extremely high mileage cars is that the owners performed meticulous maintenance. When you do that, making 300,000 miles should be an easy goal post to reach. The overall reliability of Volkswagen vehicles generally strays from the highest echelon of auto manufacturers. It makes some good cars that are largely dependable, but some models occasionally lower its overall reputation. The Jetta is the mid-size car in VW's lineup, though it might be considered a small car by American standards. It began as a sedan version of the Rabbit in 1979 as a sort of experiment that took off and became a regular model. VW introduced diesel engines to its Golf in 1976, but it wasn't until in 1991 that the direct-injected and turbocharged TDI engines made diesel competitive with gasoline for the first time. The TDI continued to be a mainstay for the company until Volkswagen seriously sabotaged itself with the Dieselgate scandal . In 2016 the company announced it was phasing out diesel engines altogether. Although they have not been at dealers as new cars lately, there are plenty of Jetta TDI models available on the used market. They get great mileage and the engines produce plenty of torque. Furthermore, with meticulous maintenance, they can go for a very long time. You can find reports from owners on Reddit of Jettas with 500,000 to 600,000 miles and some dealers estimate engines last up to 500,000. Some might be surprised to hear that one of the cars expected to last 300,000 miles would be a Ford hybrid. People unfamiliar with the technology may fear that the batteries won't last long enough, but new data shows that batteries are actually outlasting expectations, making hybrids a rational choice for long-term ownership. Ford's smaller Escape SUV has been around for some time, and the hybrid version was first offered in 2005 advertising mileage of up to 36 mpg city thanks to its 2.3-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and 75-kW motor. Curiously, they drew the attention of many American politicians, who showed up for photo ops and many even owned them, including President Barack Obama. At some point, Escape Hybrids began being picked up by taxi companies, taking advantage of the excellent fuel savings along with the extra cargo space available for passenger's bags. They also proved their worth by continuing to serve as taxis for extraordinarily long lives, racking up as many as 493,936 miles. The Detroit News once road tested an Escape Hybrid taxi with 400,000 miles, finding that while it was well-worn and beat up, the original drivetrain operated flawlessly. If you are curious whether one can do 300,000 miles, ask a cabbie (if you can find one today). While trucks have been Chevrolet's bread and butter since 1918, its truck-based Suburban remains the longest-running nameplate in America, since 1937. Much has changed in the nearly 90-year history of the Suburban, and the models of today are grand luxury palaces compared to the spartan and austere cabin of the original. But one thing that has been consistent is build quality and toughness. Suburbans have always been built on rugged truck platforms and capable of doing heavy work, even if they are often used today to get to soccer practice. Many past Chevy truck owners will likely tell you they can go for a long time. But according to statistics gathered by iSeeCars , the Chevy Suburban has one of the longest potential lifespans of any vehicle, ranking third in the study and well ahead of the Silverado pickup. Furthermore, a report from WGAL news showed a man with a 500,000-mile Suburban at one time and The Lincoln Journal Star reported a 1994 model with more than a million miles, making it totally plausible an average Suburban could make it 300,000.

Alexander Hospital on Dec 3 launched a 128-page book titled Humanity: Behind Every Face. Partial proceeds from the book sales will go towards helping AH's needy patients. SINGAPORE – A stranger at his father’s wake taught Dr Khoo See Meng, chairman of the medical board at Alexandra Hospital (AH), a valuable life lesson. This stranger was the first to arrive and the last to leave on each night during the five-day wake in Muar, Malaysia, in 2012. Gripped by their loss, the family did not inquire about the man’s relationship with their late father, Mr Khoo Chee Pheng. A month later, Dr Khoo’s brother discovered that the man ran a newspaper stall. Their father – who was in his 70s when he died – had bought copies of newspapers, such as Sin Chew Daily and China Press, from the man daily to help sustain his struggling business. Dr Khoo, 55, said: “My family had a subscription for Sin Chew Daily, so the house would end up with two copies of the same paper every day, which got my mum really upset, and my brother puzzled.” This is one of the personal stories told by 50 individuals from Alexander Hospital in a 128-page book titled Humanity: Behind Every Face, which was launched on Dec 3. Partial proceeds from the book sales will go towards helping AH’s needy patients. The book was the brainchild of AH Deputy Chief Executive Officer Margaret Lee, who wanted it to be a testament to why they care, day after day, despite their personal trials and struggles. “The title ‘Humanity’ was chosen thoughtfully to encapsulate both the compassion and excellence we strive for in healthcare and the deeper, universal truth that connects us all,” said Ms Lee. In the foreword, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung wrote that it is a timely reminder to acknowledge and recognise healthcare workers. “In healthcare, the focus is often on clinical outcomes, and it is also easy to overlook the human element that is at the heart of this noble profession,” he noted. After the idea of the book was conceived in April 2023, communications manager Yvonne Lee and intern Chloe Tan spent many hours over six months interviewing the individuals, including healthcare staff, contract cleaners and others. Ms Lee, 38, said: “When some of them shared about their life-changing experiences, we got emotional and cried together.” Ms Tan, 20, a communications undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University, said: “They have spoken about parenthood, health scares, losing loved ones...and much more. I hope there is something in here – even just a line or two – for everyone to resonate with.” Among those featured in the book was corporate planning manager Ashley Nguyen, 39, who battled thyroid cancer twice, in 2015 and 2021. Now in remission, Ms Nguyen said: “My work involves meeting some foreign patients, many of whom have cancer. I often share with them about my own experience and assure them that cancer is not ‘the end’”. Senior project specialist Serene Poh, 65, had a golf ball-sized brain tumour in 2000 and underwent a 12-hour surgery that carried risks of paralysis, coma or even death. At that time, her husband was posted overseas for work, and their daughter was only four years old. As she was wheeled out from the recovery bay, she felt a burning pain from her wound each time the bed crossed a little bump on the floor. “I finally understood the perspective of a patient after I became one myself,” she said. “Now that I’m given a second chance in life, I am more patient-centric.” Ms Aishah Elshukrin, a senior social work coordinator, also found inspiration in her own struggles to give back in meaningful ways. The 27-year-old started working as a part-time banquet staff at age 16 to provide for her family after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. It was during this time when she saw how the medical social workers assisted her family. Ms Aishah is currently studying for a degree in social work at the Singapore University of Social Sciences to achieve her goal of becoming a medical social worker. “When I counsel a patient or their loved ones at the hospital, I know exactly how they feel,” she said. The book also features Mr Kesavan, an associate executive of ALPS Healthcare, which is AH’s procurement service provider. He lost his 19-year-old girlfriend in a road accident when he was 22 years old. He went into a state of shock, followed by a two-year isolation during which he stayed home all day. He was eventually coaxed out of despair by his family and friends. Now that the 33-year-old knows there is no guaranteed tomorrow, he believes there is no downside to being humble and nice. “I have become stronger and more loving, and I always look out for my colleagues now,” said Mr Kesavan, who goes by one name. The 18-month project was done entirely in-house except for the printing and distribution. One of the challenges for senior assistant communications manager Sheereen Yeow was getting her colleagues to pose naturally for the camera. She overcame this by getting them to retell their stories while their photographs were being taken around the hospital. The 18-month project was done entirely in-house except for the printing and distribution. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Ms Yeow, 34, who shot all the photos, said: “These are the colleagues you pass by every day, and you don’t really know what they are going through. I have learnt to be kinder to the people I see daily.” Added Dr Khoo: “This silent story that my family uncovered about my father...reminds me of the importance of taking an interest in the lives of seemingly random strangers. (It) stirred some of the deepest questions about the meaning of a man’s everyday engagement with the world.” Humanity: Behind Every Face is on sale at $29.90 at major bookstores, including Book Bar and Kinokuniya, and online stores such as Book Bar ( https://bookbar.sg/store/p/humanity ) and Amazon. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now

Ludhiana: The police have arrested two persons after recovering three illegal pistols and live cartridges from them. The arrested suspects have been identified as Jashandeep Singh and Gagandeep Singh , both from Lalton Kalan. They were arrested from a vacant plot along Pakhowal Road. Upon investigation, the police recovered three .32 bore illegal pistols. A search of a nearby Thar vehicle revealed live cartridges. We also published the following articles recently Two from MP arrested with illegal pistols Udaipur police, along with SOG and ATS, apprehended two men from Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam, seizing nine illegal pistols and 13 cartridges. Tosif, residing in Udaipur, and Ajaz were arrested following a tip-off. Investigations revealed their connection to previous arms supply cases, including one involving Bada Mewati. 10 arrested for illegal fishing Ten marine fishermen were apprehended by the forest department at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapada on Wednesday for illegal fishing. Officials seized their trawler containing 10 quintals of fish, along with 11 trawling nets, three GPS devices, and three mobile phones. The arrests highlight ongoing efforts to protect the sanctuary's delicate ecosystem from illegal fishing activities. Driver held, three stolen vehicles recovered Hyderabad police arrested Syed Sahil, a habitual offender, in Chaitanyapuri. They recovered three stolen bikes and his car, used in his crimes. Sahil, a driver, targeted parked vehicles, intending to sell them to scrap dealers. Previously involved in 12 thefts and recently released on bail, he resumed his criminal activities to fund his lavish lifestyle. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Gold Stocks vs Silver Stocks: Which Have the Shinier Outlook?Marcus Lum Nearly 60 percent of youngsters are not optimistic about Hong Kong's economic prospects, according to a think tank's survey. Youth IDEAS, founded by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups' Youth Research Centre, interviewed 600 young workers aged 18 to 34 from September 28 to October 4, who gave the economic prospects an average score of 5.95 out of 10. The survey found that 59.5 percent of those interviewed expressed concerns about "salary reduction" and "professional knowledge or skills falling behind." Over 80 percent agreed that strategies such as "promoting a mega event economy," "developing digital economy and promoting new quality productive forces," and "strengthening the development of eight major centers" would help promote Hong Kong's development. The survey also found that over 85 percent agreed with "nurturing local talent is a key factor in promoting Hong Kong's economic development" and "learning new technologies is a crucial skill for future employment." Tony Lau Hon-yiu, convener of the think tank's employment and economy group, said Hong Kong's economic transformation requires multiparty cooperation and well-positioned human resource policies. He suggested that the city promote collaboration between applied science universities and enterprises to offer technical training courses that meet industry demands. "Applied science universities should collaborate with enterprises to establish technical training courses focusing on industry needs, such as big data analysis and artificial intelligence, to increase the supply of local technical talent." Lau said companies should be encouraged to introduce paid study leave and tax incentives to strengthen local talent development. He added that mainland technology enterprises should utilize their advanced technologies to enhance training quality and market competitiveness. Local youths can have the opportunity to enhance their value in these emerging industries and find suitable roles and opportunities during the transition period as the administration has been developing the digital economy and innovation technology industries, he said. marcus.lum@singtaonewscorp.com

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