Humanoid robot beats human half-marathon world record in Beijing

April 20, 2026 / 11:26 AM EDT / CBS News

A humanoid robot aptly named Lightning made history on the streets of Beijing over the weekend, beating the human half-marathon world record by several minutes.

Dozens of robots lined up for the Beijing E-Town Robot Half Marathon on Sunday, tackling the 13-mile (21-kilometer) race separate from human runners.

Developed by Chinese smartphone company Honor, Lightning completed the half-marathon in just over 50 minutes, besting the human world record for the distance of over 57 minutes.

A Lightning humanoid robot by Honor crosses the finish line of the second Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. Reuters/Maxim Shemetov

Lightning’s creators were delighted with the result. Du Xiaodi, a development engineer at Honor, was quick to draw comparisons with other industries.

“Looking ahead, some of these technologies might be transferred to other areas,” said Du. “It’s similar to how the automotive industry initially developed through competitions.”

The event tested robots in real-world conditions, from balance and endurance to navigation. Some ran autonomously, while others were controlled remotely, all competing on a parallel course to avoid collisions with human athletes.

It wasn’t flawless. A few robots stumbled or veered off course, and one was carried away on a stretcher after breaking to pieces in a fall.

Staff carry a humanoid robot that crashed after the finish line of the second Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. Maxim Shemetov / REUTERS

But the progress was striking compared to last year, when most struggled to even finish the race.

Some spectators weren’t worried by the failures.

“I’m very excited,” said Sun Zhigang. “First of all, it’s the first time robots have surpassed humans, and that’s something I never imagined.”

“Their performance is quite impressive,” Jiang Liangzhi said. “I didn’t expect the speeds to be this fast already, and they’re all very stable.”

People take pictures of the Tiangong Ultra 2026 humanoid robot participating in the Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. Reuters/Tingshu Wang

Organizers said the marathon isn’t really about speed. It’s about pushing robotics technology beyond the lab with potential applications in manufacturing, logistics and even emergency response.

Chinese companies are pushing ahead with the development of robot technologies for both civilian and military uses, but Beijing’s robot half-marathon shows just how fast the future is moving from science fiction to sporting reality.

Team members celebrate next to winning robot Lightning during a medial ceremony after the second Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. Maxim Shemetov / REUTERS

据纽约联邦储备银行数据显示，美国总统特朗普向全球贸易伙伴加征关税后，截至2025年11月，多达90%的关税负担由美国企业和消费者共同承担。 （彭博社）

（华盛顿综合电）美国特朗普政府启动违法关税退款程序，开始向进口商退还已缴关税和利息。

美国最高法院2月20日裁决，总统特朗普根据《国际紧急经济权力法》（IEEPA）实施全球范围内关税，属于越权行为。

相关退税工作及申报系统（CAPE）定于美东时间周一（4月20日）正式启动，计划返还高达1660亿美元（约2110亿新元）的违法关税。

负责管理这个系统的美国海关与边境保护局说，进口商及经纪人可从周一上午8时开始，通过在线网站申请退款；如果索赔获得批准，退款会在60至90天内发放。

数据显示，截至4月9日，有退税资格的进口商中，仅约5万6500家完成提交申请所需的电子支付注册，含利息的退税总额达1270亿美元。

然而，并非所有这些进口商都符合退税系统第一阶段的退税标准，因为这个阶段仅处理关税已估算但尚未最终确定、或自收到最终结算单之日起80天内的报关单。

特朗普政府正式启动关税退款程序

2026年4月20日 20:10 / 联合早报

据纽约联邦储备银行数据显示，美国总统特朗普向全球贸易伙伴加征关税后，截至2025年11月，多达90%的关税负担由美国企业和消费者共同承担。 （彭博社）

（华盛顿综合电）美国特朗普政府启动违法关税退款程序，开始向进口商退还已缴关税和利息。

美国最高法院2月20日裁决，总统特朗普根据《国际紧急经济权力法》（IEEPA）实施全球范围内关税，属于越权行为。

相关退税工作及申报系统（CAPE）定于美东时间周一（4月20日）正式启动，计划返还高达1660亿美元（约2110亿新元）的违法关税。

负责管理这个系统的美国海关与边境保护局说，进口商及经纪人可从周一上午8时开始，通过在线网站申请退款；如果索赔获得批准，退款会在60至90天内发放。

数据显示，截至4月9日，有退税资格的进口商中，仅约5万6500家完成提交申请所需的电子支付注册，含利息的退税总额达1270亿美元。

然而，并非所有这些进口商都符合退税系统第一阶段的退税标准，因为这个阶段仅处理关税已估算但尚未最终确定、或自收到最终结算单之日起80天内的报关单。

以士兵斧头砸坏耶稣雕像 内坦亚胡严厉谴责

2026年4月20日 20:19 / 联合早报

以士兵斧头砸坏耶稣雕像 内坦亚胡严厉谴责

上周末在网上流传的一张照片显示，一名士兵用斧头击打一座倒地的耶稣受难像。（路透社）

以色列总理内坦亚胡、外交部长和军方谴责一名以色列士兵在黎巴嫩南部一个基督徒聚居村庄砸毁十字架和耶稣雕像。

路透社报道，上周末在网上流传的一张照片显示，一名士兵用斧头击打一座倒地的耶稣雕像。这张照片由自称巴勒斯坦记者的蒂拉维发布，他此前曾发布过以军在加沙涉嫌不当行为的图片。

路透社证实，照片拍摄地点位于黎巴嫩南部德贝尔村，村子是少数几个在以色列针对真主党的军事行动期间仍有居民留守的村庄之一。

德贝尔村的一名神父法尔费尔说，照片里的十字架属于村边一户人家花园中的小型宗教圣坛。“一名以色列士兵砸碎了十字架，做出了这种对我们神圣象征的亵渎行为。”

内坦亚胡在社媒平台谴责说，这名士兵的行为违背犹太人的宽容价值观，他对此感到震惊和悲痛，并强调这名士兵将受到惩罚。

美国驻以色列大使赫卡比在社媒发文说：“必须迅速、严厉地公开追究责任。”

以色列外交部长萨尔也说，这名士兵的行为令人不齿，可耻至极。“我们为这起事件以及所有受到伤害的基督徒道歉。”

以色列军方则表明正进行调查，并称相关行为“与军队价值观完全不符”，同时正协助修复受损雕像。

以士兵斧头砸坏耶稣雕像 内坦亚胡严厉谴责

2026年4月20日 20:19 / 联合早报

上周末在网上流传的一张照片显示，一名士兵用斧头击打一座倒地的耶稣受难像。 （路透社）

以色列总理内坦亚胡、外交部长和军方谴责一名以色列士兵在黎巴嫩南部一个基督徒聚居村庄砸毁十字架和耶稣雕像。

路透社报道，上周末在网上流传的一张照片显示，一名士兵用斧头击打一座倒地的耶稣雕像。这张照片由自称巴勒斯坦记者的蒂拉维发布，他此前曾发布过以军在加沙涉嫌不当行为的图片。

路透社证实，照片拍摄地点位于黎巴嫩南部德贝尔村，村子是少数几个在以色列针对真主党的军事行动期间仍有居民留守的村庄之一。

德贝尔村的一名神父法尔费尔说，照片里的十字架属于村边一户人家花园中的小型宗教圣坛。“一名以色列士兵砸碎了十字架，做出了这种对我们神圣象征的亵渎行为。”

内坦亚胡在社媒平台谴责说，这名士兵的行为违背犹太人的宽容价值观，他对此感到震惊和悲痛，并强调这名士兵将受到惩罚。

美国驻以色列大使赫卡比在社媒发文说：“必须迅速、严厉地公开追究责任。”

以色列外交部长萨尔也说，这名士兵的行为令人不齿，可耻至极。“我们为这起事件以及所有受到伤害的基督徒道歉。”

以色列军方则表明正进行调查，并称相关行为“与军队价值观完全不符”，同时正协助修复受损雕像。

奥地利无轨电车偏离道路撞入超市 造成一死七伤

2026年4月20日 20:49 / 联合早报

奥地利一辆无轨电车星期一（4月20日）在萨尔茨堡北部一个十字路口偏离道路，冲入附近超市，救援队伍事后赶到现场展开行动。 （法新社）

奥地利一辆无轨电车在萨尔茨堡偏离道路后撞入一家超市，造成一人死亡，七人受伤。

法新社报道，红十字会发言人星期一（4月20日）说：“尽管进行了抢救，但仍有一人不幸身亡。”

发言人说，伤者已被送往医院，其中两人伤势严重。救援队伍已被派往现场。

当局尚未公布这起发生在萨尔茨堡北部十字路口的事故的具体情况。

2 U.S. Embassy officials among 4 anti-narcotic agents killed in car crash following drug lab raid in Mexico

Updated on: April 20, 2026 / 10:59 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

Four anti-narcotics agents, including two American embassy workers, were killed in a car accident while returning from a major drug raid in northern Mexico, prosecutors said Sunday.

On Friday and Saturday, six clandestine synthetic drug labs were raided in Morelos, in the northern state of Chihuahua, following a three-month investigation, state prosecutor Cesar Jauregui told reporters.

The victims’ vehicle, which was leading an official convoy of five cars, skidded off the road and plunged into a ravine, he said.

The Americans killed were “instructor officers” who “were carrying out training tasks” as part of anti-drug cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico, Jauregui said.

Jauregui called the labs “one of the largest sites found in the country where chemical drugs were produced.”

In a news release, the state attorney general’s office identified two of the crash victims as first commander of the state investigation agency Pedro Román Oseguera Cervantes and officer Manuel Genaro Méndez Montes.

Methamphetamine labs were found in the mountains between Morelos and Guachochi, Mexican officials said. Chihuahua State Investigation Agency

“We extend our deepest condolences and our sympathies to the families of those who died in this tragic accident,” the office said in a statement.

The identities of the two U.S. Embassy officials killed in the crash were not released. U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson paid tribute to the victims in an X post.

“We honor their dedication and tireless efforts to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time,” Johnson said.

“This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by those Mexican and U.S. officials who are dedicated to protecting our communities,” he said, adding it “strengthens our resolve to continue their mission.”

Mexico has announced the dismantling of numerous drug labs in recent months after President Trump threatened possible military action to curb cartels in the country.

In February, Mexican naval personnel discovered a hidden drug laboratory in the country’s Durango region and “neutralized” over 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine. In January, authorities announced more than 1,500 pounds of meth were seized from clandestine laboratories in the states of Durango, Sinaloa and Michoacán.

奥地利无轨电车偏离道路撞入超市 造成一死七伤

2026年4月20日 20:49 / 联合早报

奥地利一辆无轨电车星期一（4月20日）在萨尔茨堡北部一个十字路口偏离道路，冲入附近超市，救援队伍事后赶到现场展开行动。 （法新社）

奥地利一辆无轨电车在萨尔茨堡偏离道路后撞入一家超市，造成一人死亡，七人受伤。

法新社报道，红十字会发言人星期一（4月20日）说：“尽管进行了抢救，但仍有一人不幸身亡。”

发言人说，伤者已被送往医院，其中两人伤势严重。救援队伍已被派往现场。

当局尚未公布这起发生在萨尔茨堡北部十字路口的事故的具体情况。

Trump: Israel never talked me into war with Iran

2026-04-20T14:31:01.327Z / Reuters

By Reuters

April 20, 2026 2:31 PM UTC Updated 1 hour ago

节点运行失败

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about research into mental health treatments in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., April 18, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) – President ​Donald Trump said on Monday ‌that Israel did not persuade him to attack Iran, after news reports ​that Israeli leader Benjamin ​Netanyahu influenced the U.S. president’s ⁠decision and criticism from right-wing commentators.

“Israel ​never talked me into the ​war with Iran, the results of Oct. 7th, added to my lifelong ​opinion that IRAN CAN NEVER ​HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, did,” Trump wrote ‌in ⁠a Truth Social post.

The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.

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Trump also said “the results in Iran will be amazing” in ​the post, ​which came ⁠as the United States prepared to resume negotiations in ​Pakistan although Iran was ​undecided.

“And ⁠if Iran’s new leaders (Regime Change!) are smart, Iran can have ⁠a ​great and prosperous ​future!” Trump wrote.

Reporting by Katharine Jackson and ​Doina Chiacu; Editing by Michelle Nichols

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Neighbors recall “full-blown shootout” after father targets children in mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana

April 20, 2026 / 11:06 AM EDT / CBS News

Neighbors who witnessed the aftermath of the massacre of eight children in Shreveport, Louisiana are describing the “chaos” they heard and saw as a father fatally shot seven of his own children and one of their cousins early Sunday morning.

Police have identified the suspected gunman as Shamar Elkins, who fled law enforcement in a stolen car after carrying out the shooting. They said he died after officers chased him and opened fire.

Two witnesses, Jacob and Tiffany Castleman, told CBS affiliate KSLA they were shocked and horrified as “a full-blown shootout” took place outside their home. Tiffany said she woke her husband after hearing sirens and what she believed was possible gunfire.

“And then when I heard the barrage, I knew that there was a full-blown shootout, something going,” she told the station. “Mind you, we had no clue the later incidents that happened, but I had just full terror.”

Jacob said his first thought was “there’s no way that that just happened behind our house.”

“I was just in total shock. … it was just chaos,” he told KSLA . “I mean, honestly like, it was just nothing like I’ve ever experienced.”

He told the station he remembered hearing more gunfire, seemingly “pretty close” to where he and his wife had been sleeping. Once outside, he said that he saw police officers with their guns drawn, shouting to the suspect to put his hands up and come out.

Liza Demming, a neighbor who lives two houses down from the residence where most victims were shot, told The Associated Press that her security camera captured video of the gunman running away and the sounds of two shots.

“That’s pretty much all I saw, was him running out of the house and the cars leaving,” she said.

Demming told AP that she later saw a child’s covered body on the roof of the residence.

Community reacts

Lashuan Berry, who owns the daycare Valley of Hope Center for Kids and knew the suspect and his family, said Elkins seemed to have “no soul.”

“You could see in his eyes, nothing behind the eyes. Dead behind the eyes,” Berry told KSLA. “No soul. NPC, non-player character. He didn’t have one.”

The house where a mass shooting took place is seen in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 19, 2026. Gianrigo MARLETTA /AFP via Getty Images

But others in the community have said the tragic crime was unexpected.

Fred Montgomery, a neighbor who lives across the street from the home where the shooting happened, told CBS News he hadn’t seen any signs the gunman would do something like this.

“The kids played in the yard every evening,” Montgomery said. “Yesterday evening, he was sitting on the porch, I waved at him, he waved back, the children were in the yard … and then this morning we woke up to all of this.”

A friend of a relative of one of the victims, who asked for anonymity, told KSLA the suspect “basically went AWOL.”

“We do not know what triggered him. We don’t know what happened. But to do what he did to those kids should have never happened at all,” the person said. “Every time I seen him, he was nothing but smiles and everything like that. I never dove into the backstory of it to figure out what was going on, but they never, ever showed any problems within the household.”

Police said the gunman shot 10 people, including two women, one of whom was his wife. A relative told AP that both were the mothers of the gunman’s children, and he and his wife had been arguing about their separation ahead of a scheduled court appearance Monday.

The gunman initially shot one woman in the face during a domestic dispute that began at around 5 a.m., before traveling to a different residence in the area and shooting all of the eight people who were killed. Police described the shooting — the nation’s deadliest in more than two years — as “execution-style,” and said the gunman targeted victims as they tried to escape the home through a window.

According to the coroner’s office, the mothers identified the children as: Jayla Elkins, age 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.