作者： root

日本出台新版AI战略计划 加强自主研发和安全

2026年7月15日 22:12 / 联合早报 符祝慧 东京特派员

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《日经新闻》报道，尽管日本一直希望带头制定人工智能（AI）国际规则，但它在研发能力和研究基础设施方面，一直落后于美国和中国。 （路透社）

由于美国和中国的人工智能（AI）技术快速发展，日本政府星期二（7月14日）出台新版人工智能战略计划，以加强应对AI技术的风险和拓展自主研发。

《日经新闻》报道，尽管日本一直希望带头制定人工智能国际规则，但它在研发能力和研究基础设施方面，一直落后于美国和中国。

在AI领域方面，日本私企每年投资额为11亿1000万美元（约14亿3000万新元），排名世界第14位。排名首位的是美国（2859亿美元），中国第二（124亿1000万美元）。

星期二出台的AI战略计划是高市政府去年上台后的第二个版本。

根据计划，当局要扩大投资框架，推进“人工智能转型”（AX）。拟在2040年将“垂直人工智能” （医疗保健和工业等领域）上的投资额拉高到23.1万亿日元。“物理人工智能”（自动驾驶以及机器人领域）为10.5万亿日元。

日本将AI和量子技术列为优先投资的17个战略领域之一，并且拟通过扩大科研补助金等措施支持日本学府以及企业的AI前沿研究。

在培养人才方面，日政府将建立一套支持大学系统性地促进研究人员和研究生海外派遣的机制。按计划，到了2030年，每年培养至少2万名相关领域的博士毕业生，并向海外派遣3万名研究人员。

自民党制定AI安全法则的议员平昌明说，AI已成为国家安全和经济发展极其重要的问题，在使用上有必要加强政府的参与，并且避免过度依赖特定国家或公司。为此，日本必须加强AI自主研发。

据悉，美国AI技术公司Anthropic最近发布具备发现网络安全漏洞和高性能攻击能力的旗舰模型Claude和Mythos，促使当局着重于AI的安全问题。

据报道，日本当局优先考虑金融领域的应对措施，以及石油天然气和电力公司等关键行业的AI使用，不但要加强这些基础设施的检查，还将建立风险评估体系，增强应对网络攻击能力。

U.S. Mint to make $1 gold coin with Trump’s face on it

July 15, 2026 / 11:00 AM EDT / CBS News

By Megan Cerullo

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

The U.S. Mint will start producing a new $1 gold coin bearing President Trump’s face, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on X Wednesday, the latest example of how Mr. Trump is trying to leave a mark on federal symbols and institutions.

Part of the administration’s efforts to commemorate the U.S.’s 250th birthday, Bessent said the coin will “honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism.”

“Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all,” he added.

The coin is already in production and will be available beginning this fall, a spokesperson for the Treasury Department told CBS News. It’s composed of non-precious metals, but will have a “gold-like finish,” the spokesperson said.

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The U.S. Mint will begin striking $1 gold coins featuring an image of President Trump. Treasury Secretary / X

In May, the Treasury Department said it was considering issuing a $250 bill featuring Mr. Trump, but that doing so would require a change in federal law.

At a press briefing at the time, Bessent explained that no living person may appear on U.S. currency unless proposed legislation passes and changes the rules. All U.S. currency must also bear the inscription “In God We Trust.”

“Only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities. The name of the individual shall be inscribed below the portrait,” the U.S. Code states.

The Trump administration had previously proposed the same design for the semiquincentennial coin. Under federal law, the bipartisan Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee must review and approve proposed commemorative coin designs.

The Trump administration has argued that the president may appear on a new coin, under a 2020 law allowing new designs to commemorate the U.S. semiquincentennial.

A Treasury Department spokesperson pointed to the law, which authorizes it to issue $1 coins “with designs emblematic of the United States Semiquincentennial during the one-year period beginning January 1, 2026.”

Johnson unveils $95 billion plan for defense spending and Trump’s elections overhaul

2026-07-15T15:25:03.031Z / CNN

By https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/2000083-2928-r-v1-ps2560x1440.jpg Sarah Ferris, https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/1418603-2073-r.jpg Lauren Fox

36 min ago

PUBLISHED Jul 15, 2026, 11:25 AM ET

National security House leadership Donald Trump Congressional news

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La.,speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Washington.

Jose Luis Magana/AP

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday revealed his long-awaited plans for a massive $95 billion emergency funding request to pay for defense spending, including for the Iran war, and to promote President Donald Trump’s push to crack down on election laws.

It’s a massive gamble by Johnson, with no certainty that it can pass the House, let alone the Senate, with a huge faction of the party still uneasy about the White House’s strategy in Iran – and about putting the costs on the nation’s credit card. But the Pentagon is applying heavy pressure, urging lawmakers to pass the funding by the August recess.

Johnson’s plan, which still needs to go through multiple steps before it reaches the House floor, would spend up to $73 billion on the Pentagon and national security, including backfilling key agencies that have so far funded the Iran war.

It also includes up to $12 billion in agriculture aid to help struggling farmers amid the White House’s ongoing trade war. It would include up to $10 billion for state election grants aimed at promoting Trump’s SAVE America Act.

Perhaps the most controversial part is what is not included in the outline: Republicans are not planning to pay for the legislation with the anti-fraud measures that GOP hardliners once planned. House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, among others, had previously described the third agenda bill as a chance for a once-in-a-generation revamp of government programs to save taxpayer dollars and prevent fraud. He had been looking at healthcare programs, as well as the earned income tax credit program.

Instead, the cost of the bill will largely be added to the already ballooning national deficit — a huge point of contention for House and Senate conservatives.

One House GOP hardliner, Rep. Warren Davidson, put it bluntly in a post on X: “Bankrupt nations are difficult to defend.”

GOP sources have told CNN they couldn’t find political support to pay for the bill with cuts to government programs. It would also complicate the bill’s path in the Senate, where targeting any of those healthcare programs would trigger tough votes for GOP senators that could end up sinking the bill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned earlier this week that any attempt to pay for the bill through healthcare program cuts could allow Democrats to weaponize the bill by creating “a lot of very challenging amendment votes” that could pass with a few GOP defectors.

Johnson and White House officials came up with the plan after weeks of discussion, including this weekend at a Camp David summit. He announced this week that Republicans would be going ahead with plans for a third bill, dubbed Trump’s agenda 3.0 – but did not say what would be in it.

德总理：不反对中国接管德国汽车工厂

2026年7月15日 23:01 / 联合早报

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默茨指责称中国低估人民币的汇率，从而使中国的出口产品在海外市场更具价格优势。 （路透社）

德国总理默茨星期三（7月15日）说，他不反对中国汽车制造商接管陷入困境的德国汽车工厂，但他同时警告说，这并非解决行业问题的长远之计。

法新社报道，当被问及中国企业可能收购德国汽车工厂的问题时，默茨回应道：“这取决于各公司是否愿意。”

但他在新闻发布会上补充道：“我认为这只是权宜之计，而非解决我们自身结构性问题的方案。”

德国汽车行业正面临诸多挑战，包括欧洲需求疲软、美国的关税以及来自中国的激烈竞争，汽车行业的就业人数持续下降。

由于德国许多汽车工厂的产能利用率不足，一些人建议中国制造商可以利用部分生产线，甚至完全接管这些工厂。

大众汽车首席执行官布鲁姆在4月份说，他愿意让大众的中国合作伙伴使用其工厂。不过这家公司之后试图平息相关交易的猜测。

默茨还指责中国低估人民币的汇率，从而使中国的出口产品在海外市场更具价格优势。

“从欧洲的角度来看，我们无法长期接受必须与一个货币被低估了25%至30%的合作伙伴展开竞争。”

“各企业可以有权利做任何事，但如果这个问题得不到纠正，我们将始终处于不利地位，尤其是在高额进口和补贴产品方面。”

近年来，德国对华贸易逆差急剧扩大，出口大幅下滑，而进口却稳步增长，机械制造、化工和汽车等行业都受到冲击。

德总理：不反对中国接管德国汽车工厂

2026年7月15日 23:01 / 联合早报

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默茨指责称中国低估人民币的汇率，从而使中国的出口产品在海外市场更具价格优势。 （路透社）

德国总理默茨星期三（7月15日）说，他不反对中国汽车制造商接管陷入困境的德国汽车工厂，但他同时警告说，这并非解决行业问题的长远之计。

法新社报道，当被问及中国企业可能收购德国汽车工厂的问题时，默茨回应道：“这取决于各公司是否愿意。”

但他在新闻发布会上补充道：“我认为这只是权宜之计，而非解决我们自身结构性问题的方案。”

德国汽车行业正面临诸多挑战，包括欧洲需求疲软、美国的关税以及来自中国的激烈竞争，汽车行业的就业人数持续下降。

由于德国许多汽车工厂的产能利用率不足，一些人建议中国制造商可以利用部分生产线，甚至完全接管这些工厂。

大众汽车首席执行官布鲁姆在4月份说，他愿意让大众的中国合作伙伴使用其工厂。不过这家公司之后试图平息相关交易的猜测。

默茨还指责中国低估人民币的汇率，从而使中国的出口产品在海外市场更具价格优势。

“从欧洲的角度来看，我们无法长期接受必须与一个货币被低估了25%至30%的合作伙伴展开竞争。”

“各企业可以有权利做任何事，但如果这个问题得不到纠正，我们将始终处于不利地位，尤其是在高额进口和补贴产品方面。”

近年来，德国对华贸易逆差急剧扩大，出口大幅下滑，而进口却稳步增长，机械制造、化工和汽车等行业都受到冲击。

Will daylight saving time become permanent? Here’s what happens next, after the House passed a bill.

2026-07-15 11:03 AM EDT / CBS News

By Caitlin Yilek Politics Reporter
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.

Read Full Bio

Alex Sundby Senior Editor
Alex Sundby is a senior editor at CBSNews.com. In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest.

Read Full Bio

Lawmakers are one step closer to making daylight saving time permanent after the House passed a bill, with overwhelming support, that would end the twice-a-year time change that many people dread.

It’s now up to the Senate to take up the bill, called the Sunshine Protection Act. But the path forward in the upper chamber is unclear.

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, who spearheaded prior efforts in the Senate to make daylight saving time permanent, called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to bring this latest bill to a vote “as soon as possible.”

Thune told reporters Wednesday morning that the main concern is that there’s “optionality for states.”

“We’re looking at it, and, you know, the House had a big vote,” Thune said. “There’s a lot of interest in it from members on our side over here — some for, some against.”

Sen. Tom Cotton has previously expressed opposition to making daylight saving time permanent. According to a senior Capitol Hill aide, the Arkansas Republican’s concerns remain.

The aide said a number of senators on both sides of the aisle have voted against making daylight saving time permanent on the Senate Commerce Committee. That includes Republican Sens. Ted Budd of North Carolina, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Tim Sheehy of Montana, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, and Todd Young of Indiana.

They’ve been joined by Democratic Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Gary Peters of Michigan, and Jacky Rosen of Nevada.

Thune has also voted against making daylight saving time permanent, making the likelihood that the legislation is brought up in the upper chamber slim.

“This isn’t really a partisan issue, it’s a geographic issue,” the aide said. Asked Wednesday whether he personally supports the bill, Thune said, “I’m from a northern clime.”

If the Senate were to pass the bill, it would then head to the president’s desk for his signature. President Trump seems to support the measure. He said in a Truth Social post Wednesday morning that the bill’s passage in the House was “Great News for America!” And in May, when the bill advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, he said he would sign it into law if it makes it to his desk.

Are we on daylight saving time now?

Most of the U.S. is currently observing daylight saving time, which started when the clocks jumped ahead one hour on March 8. It is slated to end this year on Nov. 1, when the clocks will move back one hour and revert to standard time.

By shifting clocks forward an hour, daylight saving time effectively moves an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

Supporters of making daylight saving time permanent say it will improve public safety, promote more active lifestyles and end the twice-yearly disruption to children’s sleep schedules. It would allow Americans to have more daylight hours in the evening throughout the year.

Those against it say late sunrises are tough on farmers and early commuters and could have economic consequences.

Why do we have daylight saving time?

Daylight saving time was first adopted in the U.S. in 1918 in an effort to conserve fuel during World War I, according to the Congressional Research Service. It was used during World War II for the same reason and to “promote national security and defense,” according to the Defense Department.

The annual time change has been in effect consistently since the ’60s, but it hasn’t been found to be a significant source of decreasing energy consumption. In 1974, the Transportation Department found it had minimal benefits when it came to energy conservation, traffic safety and reducing violent crime, according to the Congressional Research Service.

After daylight saving time’s start date was moved up in 2007, the Energy Department found electricity consumption fell by 0.03%. The time shift has also been associated with some negative health effects.

Only two states don’t observe daylight saving time: Hawaii and Arizona, with the exception of the Navajo Nation in the northeast part of the Grand Canyon State.

The bill, if it becomes law, would allow states to use standard time if an exemption is in effect before the federal law is enacted.

Caitlin Huey-Burns contributed to this report.

House passes daylight saving bill

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/house-bill-daylight-saving-time/

House passes bill that could make daylight saving time permanent

(01:55)

DNI nominee Jay Clayton repeatedly refuses to answer who won the 2020 election

Updated 11:59 AM EDT, Wed July 15, 2026 / CNN Politics

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DNI nominee Jay Clayton repeatedly refuses to answer who won the 2020 election

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) pressed President Donald Trump’s nominee for director of national security, Jay Clayton, on whether Joe Biden won the presidential election in 2020 during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Clayton did say in earlier questioning by Senators that former President Joe Biden was certified as the president.

1:52 • Source: CNN

Montana Dem running as blue-collar smokejumper spent years lobbying for far-left groups

Sam Forstag opposed bills that would have restricted drag performances in public schools and libraries

2026-07-15 06:30 EDT / Fox News

By Alec Schemmel

Published July 15, 2026 6:30am EDT | Updated July 15, 2026 6:51am EDT

Bad to Worse for Democrats: Socialists Dominate Dem Primaries + SCOTUS Rulings & the Midterms

The Democrats’ leftward shift accelerates after another shocking primary upset, the fellas break down major Supreme Court rulings and what they mean for 2026. Plus Chairman Jason Smith joins the program to discuss the GOP’s tax agenda.

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A Democrat running in a key Montana House race as a “smokejumper” and working-class outsider previously worked as a registered lobbyist opposing state-level bills that would have restricted drag performances in public schools and libraries, banned gender-transition procedures for minors and cracked down on sanctuary policies, records reviewed by Fox News Digital show.

Sam Forstag, the Democratic nominee in Montana’s 1st Congressional District, has leaned into a blue-collar campaign message, saying constituents like him “know how to work” and “know how to swing a tool.”

His campaign has focused heavily on affordability, corruption and working-class frustrations, but his lobbying record puts him on the record on several hot-button issues that could undercut his effort to appeal to more centrist voters in an already heavily Republican state.

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Between 2021 and 2023, Forstag was listed as a registered lobbyist for groups and entities including the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, the Montana Library Association and the City of Missoula. During that time, he testified against or was tied through lobbying records to opposition against bills involving drag performances in schools and libraries, transgender-related medical treatments for minors, boys competing in girls’ sports, voter ID and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

FOUR MONTHS TO MIDTERMS: 12 RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE MAJORITY

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Sam Forstag, who is running for Congress on a working class image in one of Montana’s two House districts, has a lobbying career steeped in left-wing culture war issues.(Sam for Montana)

“This bill is the latest of a series that I expect you’ll see that are intended to stir up fear and distrust of our fellow citizens,” Forstag told Montana lawmakers in 2023 as Republicans considered a bill restricting minors from attending drag performances in public schools and libraries. Forstag argued the measure was overly broad and could affect people who are transgender or nonbinary participating in library programming, saying he hoped lawmakers did not intend to “prohibit an entire class of people” from serving in public libraries.

Forstag also opposed SB 99, a bill banning certain gender-transition procedures and medications for minors. In testimony on the bill, Forstag urged lawmakers to “leave personal and medical decisions to families and their chosen health care providers.”

While representing the ACLU of Montana, Forstag was tied to opposition against HB 112, which required student athletes to compete based on biological sex, and SB 169, a measure to increase scrutiny around voter ID protocols.

TRUMP HOLDS WASHINGTON HOSTAGE OVER SAVE ACT AS MIDTERM CLOCK TICKS ON GOP CONTROL

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Sadie Schreiner puts a transgender flag in her hair before heading to the awards stand after finishing 3rd in the finals of the 200m race at the 2024 NCAA DIII outdoor track and field championships at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium on May 25, 2024, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.(Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Forstag also opposed bills involving sanctuary policies and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, including measures aimed at requiring local officials to comply with immigration detainers.

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Forstag did not directly dispute the lobbying record when asked by Fox News Digital, instead defending his work in the state capitol as a fight for working people and individual freedom.

“Between fire seasons, I fought for working people in a state capitol that too often ignores us,” Forstag told Fox News Digital. “Instead of accepting a system where the extremes and the rich have the loudest voice, I worked my tail off to defend Montanans’ constitutional rights and freedoms and fight for policies that actually improve our lives.”

Forstag framed his opposition to bills involving transgender medical procedures as part of a broader belief that government should stay out of personal decisions.

UNEARTHED RECORDS REVEAL DEM MAYOR SOUGHT TAX HIKE TO FUND DEI ROLE AHEAD OF KEY HOUSE RACE

“I believe the government’s got no place getting involved in peoples’ private, personal decisions,” he said. “Politicians have no place coming for our guns, and no place inserting themselves into medical decisions that should be up to patients, parents, and doctors.”

节点运行失败

The Supreme court deliberates over the inclusion of Trans women in women’s sports.(istock)

On immigration, Forstag, who is backed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said local police should not be forced to carry out federal immigration responsibilities.

“Laws that force local law enforcement to do the federal government’s bidding make our communities less safe and put police in a bad spot,” he said. “Immigration enforcement should be left to federal officials so our local police can keep Montanans safe.”

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A federal judge temporarily blocked a Philadelphia law that prohibited federal officers from wearing masks on duty.(Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Jake Eaton, a longtime Montana Republican strategist whose clients have included Gov. Greg Gianforte and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, told Fox News Digital that Forstag’s lobbying record could undercut his effort to appeal to blue-collar and swing voters in the district, noting that issues involving transgender policies, schools and immigration “cut across” demographics.

RED-STATE SENATOR DROPS HAMMER ON DEM MAYOR OVER NEW ‘WOKE’ DEI ORDINANCE WHILE VIOLENT CRIME SURGES

Meanwhile, Eaton described Forstag as emblematic of the leftward shift of Montana Democrats.

“There aren’t a lot of moderate Democrats, if any, left,” Eaton said. “The days of Brian Schweitzer, when you had Democrats that were pro-gun and pro-coal, they don’t really exist anymore.”

But Eric Koch, a longtime Democratic consultant, rejected that criticism, arguing that Forstag’s record fits his broader message about keeping government out of personal decisions.

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Screencaps reader Montana Tim shows off springtime in Montana.(OutKick/Screencaps/Montana Tim)

“Sam’s record is about keeping government out of your business,”Koch told Fox News Digital. “No amount of divide-and-distract will change that.” The consultant argued Republicans would rather focus on culture-war issues than Forstag’s economic contrast with his Republican opponent Aaron Flint.

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Forstag will face Flint, an Army veteran and conservative radio host, in the November 3 general election for the open western Montana seat currently held by GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke, who announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election.

Forstag won the Democratic primary after defeating former 2024 gubernatorial nominee Ryan Busse, Russell Cleveland and Matt Rains, while Flint emerged from a Republican primary field that included Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, former state Sen. Al Olszewski and educator Ray Curtis.

Alec Schemmel is a Politics Reporter for Fox News Digital who is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina but now resides in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore Metro Area.

Blanche to face Senate grilling in bid to be Trump’s attorney general

2026-07-15T10:02:45.73Z / Reuters

Todd Blanche, U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Attorney General, departs Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 14, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

• Summary

• Blanche likely to face questions on ‘weaponization’ fund and Epstein files
• Some Republicans remain undecided on former Trump lawyer
• Trump has nominated Blanche to serve as chief U.S. law enforcement official

WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) – Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to face tense questioning from a Senate panel on Wednesday as the ​president’s former personal lawyer seeks to become the chief U.S. law enforcement official.

Blanche, Trump’s attorney general nominee, will likely be grilled by the ‌Senate Judiciary Committee over a since-abandoned plan to create a $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies for alleged prior government mistreatment, along with an associated agreement to give Trump broad tax audit immunity.

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The Justice Department’s rollout of investigative files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which Blanche oversaw as the DOJ’s second-in-command, is also expected to be a central topic of conversation. Advocates for Epstein’s victims have ​opposed Blanche over what they contend was a botched release of the files that exposed some victims’ identities.

Senators in Trump’s Republican Party lambasted Blanche over the “anti-weaponization ​fund” only weeks ago and the backlash sparked questions about whether Blanche could win support in a closely divided Senate. But Blanche ⁠allies and Republican insiders now expect the acting attorney general will be confirmed.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Tuesday that Blanche’s meetings with Republican senators were “really strong” ​and he hoped there would be a “path forward” for him.

Some Republicans on the Senate panel have remained non-committal about supporting Blanche and their questioning could reveal any potential opposition ​in a Senate that has in recent weeks become more willing to defy Trump.

One of those lawmakers, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, said on Tuesday that he was still undecided and planned to question Blanche about the tax immunity agreement after Blanche gave him a briefing on the matter.

“I’m still weighing,” he told Reuters on Tuesday.

Blanche, who defended Trump in three criminal cases he faced ​in his years out of power, took over as acting attorney general in April after Trump fired his predecessor, Pam Bondi.

Blanche, a former career prosecutor who some ​in the DOJ expected would be a moderating influence, has shown a willingness to deliver on Trump’s demands to prosecute adversaries. The DOJ has brought criminal cases against a prominent liberal civil ‌rights group ⁠and former FBI Director James Comey over a photo of seashells that the prosecutors argue threatened Trump.

Blanche has won support from law enforcement groups as he has focused on combating public benefits fraud and violent crime while reducing the DOJ’s historic focus on corporate misconduct and corruption. His experience defending Trump in court endeared him to many in the president’s orbit.

In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said Blanche was doing a “phenomenal job” as acting attorney general, crediting him for lowering violent crime ​and making good on a slew of ​Trump’s culture war priorities. Trump, who ⁠called on each Republican senator to vote for Blanche, also praised the acting attorney general for defending him as his personal lawyer when he was federally indicted.

Democrats have assailed Blanche, arguing that he has acted as Trump’s personal defender at the expense of ​protecting the public interest. More than 1,200 former DOJ staffers have signed a letter opposing him.

The anti-weaponization fund emerged as ​a particular flashpoint. Blanche signed ⁠off on a plan to settle a lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS, which he oversees as president, by creating the fund and granting Trump and his family businesses sweeping protection from tax audits.

The deal immediately drew allegations of self-dealing. A federal judge on Monday concluded that Trump and lawyers in his administrationimproperly used the case to benefit Trump and ⁠his allies ​and referred lawyers involved, including Blanche, to state bar authorities to investigate any legal ethics violations. ​Cornyn called the judge’s finding “troubling” and said he planned to ask Blanche whether there truly were two sides to that case.

Blanche has said the fund will not proceed and previously brushed off allegations of a ​conflict of interest, saying he has complied with all ethics rules.

Reporting by Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff and Andrew Goudsward. Additional reporting by Richard Cowan and David Morgan; Editing by Alistair Bell

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美参院推新制裁法案 对首五大俄石油买家征100%关税

2026年7月15日 16:18 / 联合早报

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/cf9b0a6e9af85c5da2903f97629359fedf129a222622e4a64cb13c1b32656017

由上周末突然病逝的共和党参议员格雷厄姆主力推动的俄罗斯新制裁法案星期二（7月14日）举行推介，一旦落实将对俄罗斯石油天然气的首五大买家征收最高达100%的关税。图为格雷厄姆2023年访问基辅时向媒体发表讲话。 （法新社）

（华盛顿综合电）由美国已故共和党参议员格雷厄姆牵头的俄罗斯新制裁法案，将把包括中国和印度在内的五大俄罗斯油气买家列为制裁目标，可征收最高达100%的关税。

这个由两党参议员协商制定的新法案已获特朗普总统支持，一旦落实将加大对莫斯科的施压，以结束这场合共造成200万军民死亡，对乌克兰经济造成近2000亿美元（约2580亿新元）损失的战争。如果特朗普选择落实关税惩罚，也恐将进一步冲击美国与中印本已动荡的贸易关系。

俄原油首五大买家依序是中国、印度、斯洛伐克、匈牙利和阿塞拜疆，首五大天然气买家则是中国、法国、日本、匈牙利和比利时。

法案牵头人之一的民主党参议员布卢门撒尔（Richard Blumenthal） 星期二（7月14日）在法案推介记者会上说，最终的关税率将由美国贸易代表办公室制定，预计将是一个可劝阻买家向俄购油的水平。

特朗普同天在白宫对记者说，法案也是为了纪念过去几年积极推动制裁俄罗斯，于上周六突然病逝的格雷厄姆（Lindsey Graham）。

特朗普还说，法案可补入针对伊朗和黎巴嫩真主党的条款。不过，布卢门撒尔不认同再为高度技术性及复杂的法案添加新的条款。

法案在此前的版本曾建议征收高达500%的关税，最终决议为100%，同时也制定排除条款，从俄进口的天然气不超过总量的15%可得到豁免，这将把法国和日本等国排除在关税制裁以外。最终版本也添加条款允许特朗普在符合美国国家利益的情况下豁免制裁。

新法案何时将提呈参院表决仍不确定，一些参议员希望尽快在本周内推进，但按条例将需要所有参议员同意。

共和党参议员保罗（Rand Paul）向彭博社透露，他依旧反对制裁法案，并将尝试拖延它在参院通过。