美发香港政策法报告 驻港公署批“以港遏华”注定失败

2026年4月18日 10:43 / 联合早报

中国大陆外交部驻港公署批评美国所发的香港政策法报告，称其中充斥着谎言谬论和政治偏见。 （法新社）

美国发布2026年香港政策法报告，称香港政治自主和公民权利被持续性破坏，但也正面形容香港在区域及全球经济仍然重要。驻港公署批评报告，称充斥着谎言谬论和政治偏见。

美国国务院在星期四（4月16日）发布的2026香港政策法报告中称，北京及香港当局持续采取行动，“削弱香港的高度自治”，侵蚀香港居民的权利与自由，并重申香港“不再享有差别待遇”。

但报告也加入正面描述，指出香港仍然是一个重要的国际金融中心，拥有深厚的资本市场和高度开放的经济体系，经济与中国大陆保持紧密联系；报告也肯定香港警方向美方或在具体场合提供了安保支援。

中国外交部驻港公署发言人星期五（17日）表示对美方发表报告予以强烈谴责和坚决反对，称美方“以港遏华”注定失败，香港由治及兴势不可挡，并敦促美方立即停止以任何方式干预香港事务和中国内政。

发言人说，香港国安法律制定和实施完善，司法机构依法惩治国安违法犯罪行为，合法合理，不容指责。

发言人也称，香港在高水平安全护航下加快迈向由治及兴，营商环境越来越好，各国投资者纷至沓来，经济自由度蝉联全球第一，国际金融中心地位稳固，国际竞争力持续增强，“一国两制”强大生命力和优越性得到充分彰显。

2025年10月30日，特朗普和习近平在韩国釜山亚太峰会期间，举行了双边会晤。 （路透社）

美国总统特朗普在社媒平台贴文说，中国国家主席习近平对霍尔木兹海峡开放“非常高兴”，还说期待与习近平会面。

特朗普星期五（4月17日）晚在社媒平台Truth Social写道：“习近平主席对霍尔木兹海峡开放或快速开放感到非常高兴。我们在中国的会晤将是特别的，甚至可以说是历史性的。我期待与习近平主席会面——我们必将取得丰硕成果！”

特朗普上月说，他将在5月14日至15日访问中国。白宫之前说，特朗普将在3月31日至4月2日访问中国。美以伊战争爆发后，特朗普向媒体透露，他已要求中方把美中元首会晤推迟约一个月，让他集中精力处理中东战事。

特朗普17日称美国和伊朗已接近达成协议。伊朗外长阿拉格齐同日宣布，在以色列和黎巴嫩停火期间，完全开放霍尔木兹海峡让商船通行。特朗普接着宣称，伊朗已同意永不再关闭霍尔木兹海峡，并将继续对伊朗实施海上封锁，“直至我们与伊朗的交易百分之百完成”。

伊朗议会议长卡利巴夫18日凌晨警告，如果美国继续封锁伊朗港口，伊朗将再次关闭这条具有战略意义的海峡。

特朗普：习近平对霍尔木兹海峡重新开放“非常高兴”

2026年4月18日 11:22 / 联合早报

2025年10月30日，特朗普和习近平在韩国釜山亚太峰会期间，举行了双边会晤。 （路透社）

美国总统特朗普在社媒平台贴文说，中国国家主席习近平对霍尔木兹海峡开放“非常高兴”，还说期待与习近平会面。

特朗普星期五（4月17日）晚在社媒平台Truth Social写道：“习近平主席对霍尔木兹海峡开放或快速开放感到非常高兴。我们在中国的会晤将是特别的，甚至可以说是历史性的。我期待与习近平主席会面——我们必将取得丰硕成果！”

特朗普上月说，他将在5月14日至15日访问中国。白宫之前说，特朗普将在3月31日至4月2日访问中国。美以伊战争爆发后，特朗普向媒体透露，他已要求中方把美中元首会晤推迟约一个月，让他集中精力处理中东战事。

特朗普17日称美国和伊朗已接近达成协议。伊朗外长阿拉格齐同日宣布，在以色列和黎巴嫩停火期间，完全开放霍尔木兹海峡让商船通行。特朗普接着宣称，伊朗已同意永不再关闭霍尔木兹海峡，并将继续对伊朗实施海上封锁，“直至我们与伊朗的交易百分之百完成”。

伊朗议会议长卡利巴夫18日凌晨警告，如果美国继续封锁伊朗港口，伊朗将再次关闭这条具有战略意义的海峡。

U.S. delegation visited Cuba last week as Trump heaped pressure on island, official says

April 17, 2026 / 9:54 PM EDT / CBS News

By Olivia Gazis, Olivia Gazis

Olivia Gazis covers intelligence and international security matters for CBS News. Twice Emmy-nominated, she has traveled worldwide with the secretary of state and contributes reporting on intelligence, foreign policy and other security topics across CBS News broadcast, radio, online and streaming platforms.

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Joe Walsh Senior Editor, Politics

Joe Walsh is a senior editor for digital politics at CBS News. Joe previously covered breaking news for Forbes and local news in Boston.

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Joe Walsh

A delegation of senior State Department representatives traveled to Cuba via a U.S. government plane last week, a department official and two U.S. officials told CBS News, a diplomatic opening as the island nation struggles with months of intense pressure from the Trump administration.

While in Cuba, one U.S. diplomat met with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of former President Raúl Castro, who is widely seen as a key power center within the Cuban government, the State Department official said.

It is unclear who else participated in the talks on the U.S. or Cuban side.

Axios was first to report on the visit, which marks the first time a U.S. government plane has landed in Cuba since former President Barack Obama traveled to the island in 2016.

During the meetings, the U.S. delegation discussed the Trump administration’s push for political and economic reforms, as well as the U.S.’s demands for the release of political prisoners, the State Department official said. The Americans also floated offering Cuba access to Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

“The delegation reiterated that the Cuban economy is in free fall and that the island’s ruling elites have a small window to make key U.S. backed reforms before circumstances irreversibly worsen,” the official told CBS News.

The official added that President Trump is open to resolving the U.S.’s concerns through diplomacy, but he “will not let the island collapse into a major national security threat if Cuba’s leaders are unwilling or unable to act.”

Cuba is in the throes of a months-long energy crisis following Mr. Trump’s threat to impose heavy tariffs on any country that exports oil to Cuba. Oil shipments to the island have effectively stopped, though the U.S. allowed a Russian-flagged tanker to dock in Havana last month for what the administration described as a humanitarian reprieve.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of intervening in Cuba. Last month, he called Cuba a “failing country” and suggested it could “be next,” following the U.S.’s removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and war with Iran.

Earlier this week, the president told reporters, without elaborating, that “we may stop by Cuba after we’re finished with this.” And on Friday, he said he is seeking to “bring about a day 70 years in waiting — it’s called a new dawn for Cuba,” likely referring to the revolution that brought Fidel Castro and the country’s communist movement to power some 67 years ago.

Both Cuba and the U.S. have acknowledged that talks are underway, but it’s unclear how close the two sides are to a resolution. Cuba said earlier this year it will loosen some restrictions on foreign investments, a move Secretary of State Marco Rubio called insufficient.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rebuffed Mr. Trump’s rhetoric during a rally Thursday, and vowed that the country will “be ready” for a possible U.S. military offensive.

“We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it,” Díaz-Canel said.

Margaret Brennan contributed to this report.

RFK Jr clashes with Dem lawmaker over Trump’s mental fitness in heated exchange

The exchange came a day after Kennedy had a shouting match with another lawmaker over comments about Black children

April 17, 2026 9:54pm EDT / Fox News

By Brittany Miller

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., got into a heated exchange over past comments Kennedy made on a podcast.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended comments about President Donald Trump’s mental health following a tense exchange during a congressional hearing.

During Friday’s hearing, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) addressed Trump’s recent social media posts, pointing to an AI-generated image that critics said depicted him as Jesus Christ and his criticism of Pope Leo as evidence he is mentally unwell.

“Millions of Americans are questioning this president’s mental fitness, his emotional stability, and whether he can carry out the duties of his office. Do you share their concerns about his mental health?” Takano asked Kennedy.

Kennedy began to answer, saying, “I call your attention to…” before the representative cut him off and demanded a more direct response.

SEN BERNIE SANDERS CALLS ON RFK JR TO RESIGN FOLLOWING DEPARTURE OF CDC OFFICIALS

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a campaign rally at the Desert Diamond Arena, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)(Evan Vucci/AP)

“Mr. Secretary, my question was: Do you share their concerns about his mental health?” Takano reiterated. “We need a leader that we know has full command of his mental faculties and is emotionally stable as he sends uniformed American men and women into harm’s way.”

“Millions of Americans are now wondering if this president is delusional and thinks he is Jesus Christ,” he continued. “Mr. Secretary, given everything that I’ve shown you today, will you insist that President Trump undergo an assessment of his mental fitness and his emotional stability?”

“Absolutely not,” Kennedy quickly interjected.

RFK JR AND TOP DEM CLASH DURING HEATED SENATE HEARING: ‘THIS IS ABOUT KIDS’

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks alongside President Donald Trump during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. During the event, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals by 30% to 80%.(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Takano followed up by asking whether Kennedy would support invoking the 25th Amendment, which allows for a transfer of power if the president dies, resigns, or is incapacitated.

“There hasn’t been a president who is more sane or stable …” Kennedy began to answer before the congressman interrupted him again.

“Mr. Secretary, my question is would you vote to invoke the 25th Amendment,” Takano said.

TRUMP STANDS BY RFK JR. AFTER HEATED SENATE HEARING: ‘I LIKE THE FACT THAT HE’S DIFFERENT’

HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala, engaged in a heated debate during a budget hearing over Kennedy’s past remarks on black children(Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The heated exchange came one day after Kennedy engaged in a shouting match with Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., over previous comments he made about Black children.

“Mr. Secretary, you’ve already admitted that you are not a board-certified physician, and you’ve already admitted you did not go to medical school. Have you ever reparented or parented, I should say, a Black child?” Sewell said, referencing his appearance on a 2024 podcast.

As the two argued back and forth, Kennedy claimed he never made those remarks and refused to answer her question.

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The exchanges mark a pattern of escalating confrontations as Kennedy faces continued scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers.

Fox News Digital’s Elaine Mallon contributed to this report.

Brittany Miller is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital. Tips can be sent to brittany.miller@fox.com and @BrittMillerFox on X.

特朗普称接到关于伊朗“相当好”的消息

2026年4月18日 11:25 / 联合早报

特朗普4月17日晚结束内华达州和亚利桑那州行程，在空军一号上向媒体发表讲话。 （法新社）

美国总统特朗普星期五（4月17日）晚说，他刚得到关于伊朗的“一些相当好的消息”，但他拒绝说明更多。

路透社报道，特朗普17日晚结束内华达州和亚利桑那州的行程后，在空军一号上向媒体发表讲话。

特朗普说：“20分钟前我们接到一些相当好的消息，中东和伊朗的情况好像进展非常顺利。”

记者问是什么好消息，特朗普说：“你们会接到消息。我认为这是应有的结果。这是理所当然的结果。我有信心。让我们拭目以待。”

特朗普4月17日晚结束内华达州和亚利桑那州行程，在空军一号上向媒体发表讲话。 （法新社）

美国总统特朗普星期五（4月17日）晚说，他刚得到关于伊朗的“一些相当好的消息”，但他拒绝说明更多。

路透社报道，特朗普17日晚结束内华达州和亚利桑那州的行程后，在空军一号上向媒体发表讲话。

特朗普说：“20分钟前我们接到一些相当好的消息，中东和伊朗的情况好像进展非常顺利。”

记者问是什么好消息，特朗普说：“你们会接到消息。我认为这是应有的结果。这是理所当然的结果。我有信心。让我们拭目以待。”

Judge blocks Nexstar’s acquisition of Tegna until antitrust suit resolved

April 17, 2026 / 10:22 PM EDT / CBS/AP

A federal judge has blocked a $6.2 billion merger of local television giants Nexstar Media Group and rival Tegna until an antitrust lawsuit is resolved.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento, California, made the ruling late Friday afternoon, finding that eight attorneys general and DirecTV were likely to prevail in their legal bid to stop the merger.

The deal, announced last year and approved by the Federal Communications Commission, would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia, most of them local affiliates of one of the “Big Four” national networks: ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC.

Nunley had already issued an emergency order blocking the deal for three weeks. On April 7, he heard arguments over whether that block should be extended until a lawsuit brought by attorneys general in eight states and DirecTV is resolved.

The attorneys general, all Democrats, and DirecTV contend the merger will lead to higher prices for consumers, stifle local journalism and that the deal runs afoul of federal laws designed to protect against monopolies.

“Consolidating hundreds of local TV stations under one corporate owner would mean higher prices and lower quality programming for consumers,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James in a statement following the ruling. “Nexstar’s merger with Tegna illegally eliminates competition, and today we won a critical victory in our effort to enforce the law and stop this merger from moving forward.”

Nexstar’s attorneys told the court the deal has already been reviewed and cleared by the FCC and the Justice Department. They said the FCC order commits the company to expand local journalism and programming, not shrink it.

In a statement, Nexstar said it will appeal Friday’s ruling.

“This transaction closed more than four weeks ago following receipt of all required regulatory approvals from the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice,” Nexstar said. “Nexstar Media Group now owns TEGNA and has taken steps consistent with the Court order that has been in effect.”

The merger needed the approval of the Republican Trump administration’s FCC because the government had to waive rules that limit how many local stations one company can own. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in March that the company had agreed to divest itself of six stations.

In his emergency temporary restraining order, the judge noted that the merger would make Nexstar the owner of two or even three of the “Big Four” local affiliates in 31 local television markets. Once that occurs, Nunley wrote, multichannel video programming distributors such as DirecTV would have to comply with Nexstar’s demands for higher broadcast fees or risk leaving subscribers potentially unable to watch things like Sunday NFL football games.

阿富汗兴都库什地区发生5级地震

2026年4月18日 11:54 / 联合早报

阿富汗兴都库什地区星期六（4月18日）发生5级地震。

欧洲地中海地震中心说，此次震源深度为190公里。

延伸阅读

阿富汗强降雨引发灾害 已致99死154伤
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阿富汗兴都库什地区发生5级地震

2026年4月18日 11:54 / 联合早报

阿富汗兴都库什地区星期六（4月18日）发生5级地震。

欧洲地中海地震中心说，此次震源深度为190公里。