作者： root

萧振祥：拟引入更多业者 力争几年内部署数百辆自驾车

2026年8月16日 05:03 / 联合早报 李静仪

交通部长兼财政部第二部长萧振祥说，榜鹅的16辆自驾车自去年底投入试行以来，当局便尽可能让更多人试乘、了解自驾车的运作，逐步建立公众对自驾车的信心，并接受它为一种可行的交通模式。 （林明顺摄）

交通部和陆路交通管理局计划再引入一个或两个自动驾驶车经营者，以扩大本地自驾车规模，目标是在未来几年把车队增至数百辆。

目前，Grab和康福德高分别在榜鹅经营11辆和五辆自驾车，主要穿行三条固定路线。Grab也将在今年第四季试行“随需而至”（on demand）服务，乘客可从现有的1号和3号路线选择上下车地点，自驾车再以最直接的路线把乘客载往目的地。

截至7月12日，已有超过1万1500名乘客试搭榜鹅自驾车接驳服务。

交通部长兼财政部第二部长萧振祥日前接受《联合早报》专访时说，榜鹅的16辆自驾车自去年底投入试行以来，当局便尽可能让更多人试乘，以建立公众对自驾车的信心，接受它为一种可行的交通模式。

他说，当局正在商讨引进多一两个业者，希望今年内能有进展。“我们希望尽快扩大车队规模……未来几年内或能达到数百辆。”

由于讨论仍在进行，他不便透露更多细节。

至于自驾车接下来可能部署在哪些地方，萧振祥说，这取决于业者的营运计划。“如果有业者想在工业区或旅游区营运，例如我们也曾在圣淘沙提供自驾车，我很乐意这么做。最终目标是这些经营者能扩大运作规模，覆盖整个新加坡。”

新加坡可成为自驾车部署和研究中心 提供优质工作

当局的目标是引进最先进的自驾车技术，既要是最好的也必须安全。

萧振祥指出，自驾车是个具增长潜力的行业，涉及机器人技术、电脑视觉、数据分析及人工智能等多个领域。新加坡可发展成自驾车部署和研究中心，为年轻人提供优质工作。

不过，自驾车的出现也引起德士和私召车司机的焦虑，担心生计受影响。对此，萧振祥重申，自驾车更多是辅助现有交通系统，司机不会被淘汰。

他说，本地有超过7万辆德士和私召车司机，即使把全球现有的自驾车都带到新加坡，也不过7000辆左右，不到本地德士和私召车司机总数的一成。

萧振祥指出，自驾车能提供另一种点对点交通选择，填补交通网络中的缺口。例如，它可前往司机较不愿接单的地点，如偏远的大士和往返樟宜机场和白沙等短距离地点，或满足深夜时段的乘车需求。

未来若自驾车成本下降，还可作为小巴，提供往返地铁站的短程服务，解决巴士车长难请的问题。

萧振祥说：“也有人认为，自驾车更安全，因为它们不会酒后驾车，不会有路霸行为，不会超速，也不会出现疲劳驾驶等人为问题。”

萧振祥：以OMV区分拥车证主意“不错” 拟让个人上网标拥车证

2026-08-16 05:04 / 联合早报

交通部长兼财政部第二部长萧振祥受访时强调，自己的施政理念是“为绝大多数人谋求最大的福祉”。政府不可能让每户家庭都拥车，因此会继续投入大量资金和资源改善公共交通，确保公交保持可靠和可负担。 （林明顺摄）

以车辆抵岸价区分大众市场和豪华车款的拥车证是个“不错的主意”。交通部长兼财政部第二部长萧振祥认为，这能解决越来越多强动力或豪华电动车挤入中小型汽车组，令两个汽车组别界线日益模糊的问题。

交通部和陆路交通管理局正在检讨拥车证分类方式。萧振祥日前接受《联合早报》专访时透露，当局也在探讨如何让个人更容易投标拥车证，无须车商代劳。

目前，陆交局是根据引擎容量和马力区分中小型汽车组（A组）和大型及豪华车组（B组）拥车证。

萧振祥指出，随着电动车日益普及，市面上也出现越来越多价格较低的电动车款，拥车证制度须相应调整。

电动车可通过软件调校功率输出，让原属B组的车款归入A组。这加剧了A组拥车证的竞争，进而推高成价。今年以来，A组成价已有三次高于B组。

政府国会交通委员会副主席谢秉辉早前提议将A组和B组合并，再根据车辆抵岸价（Open Market Value，简称OMV）区分车款，同时为OMV较低车辆提供折扣，对OMV较高车辆征收附加费。

抵岸价是汽车运抵新加坡时，还未征税的公开市价，包括厂价、运输与保险费，由新加坡关税局估算。

萧振祥受访时说：“我觉得这个主意不错，能让大众市场车款与动力更强的豪华车永久区别开来。”

不过，他也指出，当局还须研究如何以OMV明确划分不同车款，避免有心人低报OMV钻制度空子。当局会就此咨询利益相关者。

政府也还未决定是否合并A组和B组，有关讨论还在进行中。陆交局将在今年较迟时发布咨询文件，征询利益相关者对不同方案的意见，整个检讨最迟今年底完成。

考虑让个人上网标拥车证 无须通过ATM投标

当局也会借这次机会，听取公众对拥车证制度的反馈，包括能否让个人更容易竞标拥车证。

萧振祥说：“我觉得可以让它更简单。当局在探讨建立一个系统，只需轻松注册账号，便可在线上完成所有操作，不必去自动提款机（提交投标）。”

另外还须探讨的是，如何确保车商为自行投标拥车证的买家提供价格透明的购车配套。

萧振祥透露，当局正探讨如何让个人更容易投标拥车证，例如只需轻松注册账号，便可上线投标，不必去找自动提款机提交投标。（陈渊庄摄）

至于公众提出的其他建议，如采用“按投标价付费”（Pay-As-You-Bid）机制，以及为私召车另设拥车证组别，萧振祥说，这些建议过去已多次公开讨论。当局虽认为并不完全可行，但仍有必要借这次咨询，再次解释其中考量。

萧振祥强调，检讨拥车证制度不是为了增加政府收入，而是要因应外部环境变化，确保拥车证仍是分配有限资源最有效的方法。

萧振祥：鼓励更多人把公交视为首选代步工具

这是萧振祥升任正部长后，首次接受媒体专访。他受访时多次强调，自己的施政理念是“为绝大多数人谋求最大的福祉”。他的首要任务因此是完善公共交通，鼓励更多人，无论老少或是否有特别需求，把地铁和巴士视为首选代步工具。

我国目前已有约12%的土地用于建造公路，路上汽车已有约65万辆。萧振祥强调，不可能让每户家庭都拥车，因此政府会继续投入大量资金和资源改善公交，确保公交可靠且是人们负担得起的。

包括营运成本、建地铁线、维修和更新列车，以及购买新巴士等资本支出在内，政府每年在公交上投入约60亿至70亿元。拥车证收入以10年为一个周期计算，则平均一年约50亿元，并会重新注入公共交通系统的发展与建设中。

过去15年来，我国地铁网络已显著增长55%。随着裕廊区域线未来几年分阶段通车，以及全长约67公里的跨岛线在2030年代后期全面建成，地铁网络的衔接性将大幅提升。萧振祥希望，这能鼓励更多人把地铁和巴士视为首选代步工具。（何家俊摄）

过去15年来，我国地铁网络已显著增长55%。随着裕廊区域线未来几年分阶段通车，以及全长约67公里的跨岛线在2030年代后期全面建成，地铁网络的衔接性将大幅提升。

萧振祥说：“跨岛线是环形线路，将与环线以外的所有线路交汇，提供多条路线选择。如果你想从一个地方到另一个地方，可选择的路线会倍增……可能须转车两三次，但你一定能到达目的地。换个角度，如果你在跨岛线上，只须换乘一次，就可到新加坡任何地方。”

整个地铁网络的韧性也会因此增强，因为一旦某条地铁线发生事故，乘客可改搭其他路线，不必依赖巴士接驳。萧振祥说：“只要能让乘客搭上地铁，就能非常快速到达新加坡任何地方。”

【AI x 职场变局】做律师的“第三只眼” AI提效不替代|现在事

2026年8月16日 06:00 / 联合早报

AI摘要

• 新加坡管理大学报告显示，科技人员与律师的人工智能“暴露指数”居高，分别达0.840和0.783，显示其工作较易被AI辅助或替代。
• Lark高管程浩指出，AI更可能取代“不会用AI的人”，而非职业本身，强调AI是提效工具，可释放人力从事更高价值任务。
• 安盛律师事务所开发的A&GEL系统以“第三只眼”角色检视律师成果，强化质量但不取代专业判断。
• 领英2026年报告称，新加坡AI人才需求领先全球，各行业对AI素养需求同比增70%，凸显跨领域AI应用趋势。

本摘要由AI辅助生成，仅供参考

blob:https://www.zaobao.com.sg/fe041c54-53b9-4c0d-92e2-a969b205736b

“会人工智能的人更可能取代不会人工智能的人”，这是访问Lark解决方案与客户成功总经理程浩时，他对于人工智能取代科技人员询问时的回答。

根据新加坡管理大学2026年最新发布的《人工智能暴露指数报告》，科技人员的指数是0.840，律师的指数是0.783。报告里的“暴露指数”指的是人工智能在多大程度能完成该职业现有的工作，而科技人员和律师都在前十位。他们受的影响相对其它职业更大，作为从业者，他们担心吗？

• 担忧一：人工智能将取代人

人工智能的发展让编码变得再不是遥不可及—— 几句提示词人工智能就能帮你生成一个简单的工具，看似“没有人工智能做不到的，只有你想不到的”，那科技从业员和编程人员需要感到害怕吗？

Lark是字节跳动（Bytedance）旗下产品，对品牌解决方案与客户成功总经理程浩来说，人工智能或许会替代的是那些抗拒或不会人工智能的人。

他说，人工智能更像是帮手而不是对手，得到提效之后不代表就没工作了，而是有空间去做更有价值的事，而不是简单重复的事情。

安盛律师事务所的合伙人之一柳婉琳也说到，虽然公司开发了A&GEL这个人工智能处理系统，但律师工作本身就复杂，这套系统能以前所未见的速度与深度强化律师的工作，但并不会取代律师的专业。

• 担忧二：人工智能挑战人类

上世纪我们会说，你不懂的可以“wiki”或是“Google”，现在大家几乎都是透过人工智能得到答案，哪怕是传统的“Google”，得到的也会是人工智能赋能的结果，这几乎成了不可替代的方案。那既然人工智能“懂”那么多，会不会以此来挑战专业呢？

安盛律师事务所的科技与商务知识产权业务部主管和合伙人谭国良受访时表示，暂时还没碰到顾客拿着人工智能结果来“挑战”律师，但在A&GEL这套系统中，律师的成品会刻意受到“挑战”。

系统中的其中一个功能，就是透过AI赋能，让系统以“第三只眼”的角度审视律师的产出成品，在定案前找出可能出现的漏洞或争议，让报告更趋近完美。

更乐观面对人工智能需求增长

全球最大职业社交平台领英（LinkedIn）于2026年初发布一项报告显示，新加坡目前虽然面临宏观经济导致的招聘放缓，但在AI领域仍处于全球人才争夺的领先地位。

调查也显示，对于AI素养的需求也不仅限于技术行业，针对各行各业也同比增长70%。也就是说，几乎每个行业都要求求职者要懂得使用AI。

领英亚太区首席经济学家蔡佩颖受访时表示，面对这个结果大家应该保持乐观态度，就如当年提款机问世时银行从业员的职业转型，其实我们也正在经历着类似的过程。她表示，人工智能取代了重复性的工作，但无可取代的是人与人之间的沟通和交流，包括解决问题的能力。

例如，当会议陷入胶着的时候，我们能如果利用人与人的沟通（people’s skill）来解决问题？

总的来说，在人工智能浪潮里，迎“浪”而上的反而能冲出职业新高度，而抗拒的最终可能会随着“浪”的拍打，最后消失在沙滩上。

Trump backs Republican challenger to oust Letitia James amid ongoing mortgage fraud feud

August 15, 2026 4:49pm EDT / Fox News

President called James the ‘Most Corrupt Attorney General in the Country’ in a Friday Truth Social post

By Elaine Mallon

Published August 15, 2026 4:49pm EDT

New York Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy explains why she is the right person to fix crime issues in New York and discusses public safety in the Mamdani era on ‘The Story.’

NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

New York Attorney General Letitia James has drawn a Trump-backed challenger, with President Donald Trump throwing his “complete and total endorsement” behind Republican Saritha Komatireddy in a bid to oust his longtime political foe.

“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Saritha Komatireddy, who is running to be the next Attorney General of the once wonderful State of New York,” Trump wrote in a Friday Truth Social post. “Between Kathy Hochul and the Most Corrupt Attorney General in the Country, Letitia James, it has gone to HELL!”

Trump’s endorsement of Komatireddy, who he nominated to U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in 2020, comes as he continues pressing for James to be prosecuted over mortgage fraud allegations, adding another front to his years-long feud with the Democratic attorney general who once took him to court.

President Donald Trump endorsed Saritha Komatireddy in the New York attorney general’s race to unseat foe Letitia James((Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images))

TRUMP’S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES NEW YORK, OTHER BLUE STATES OVER TUITION FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Trump did not mince his words in his criticism of James, who successfully sued Trump and The Trump Organization in 2022, accusing them of fraudulently inflating the value of assets on financial statements to obtain more favorable loans.

An appeals court later wiped out the nearly $465 million financial penalty against Trump, ruling the massive disgorgement award violated the Constitution’s prohibition on excessive fines.

“Letitia ‘Peekaboo’ James, is considered by many to be the WORST Attorney General in our Country. She is a Complete and Total Disaster, who tried running against Kathy Hochul for Governor, and got less than 1% of the Vote in the Polls, and QUIT, taking many innocent suckers down with her,” Trump wrote. “She then went back to her WITCH HUNT against your favorite President, (ME!), and others, yet Murder and other Violent Crime is RAGING OUT OF CONTROL in New York, as People and Businesses flee, in Record Numbers, to other States!”

New York Attorney General Letitia James attends a campaign rally with community leaders in the Jackson Heights neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York City on Nov. 1, 2022.(AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File)

He contrasted James to Komatireddy, touting her qualifications as Drug Enforcement Administration chief of staff, a former federal prosecutor, and that she clerked for Brett Kavanaugh, who went on to become a Supreme Court justice.

“On the other hand, as your next Attorney General, Saritha Komatireddy will fight tirelessly to Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Grow our Economy, Champion our Law Enforcement and First Responders, Support our Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Uphold our Constitution, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote.

Republican candidate for New York Attorney General Saritha Komatireddy holds a news conference with state GOP lawmakers on increasing public transit safety in New York on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at West Capitol Park in Albany, N.Y.(Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images))

TRUMP MAY HAVE ENDORSED DARLINE GRAHAM, BUT GOP SENATE HOPEFULS AREN’T BACKING DOWN

Komatireddy, who has been outspoken against James’ handling of the state’s fraud investigations, thanked Trump for his endorsement.

“I was honored to be nominated to be a federal judge by the President in 2020 and I’m honored to receive his endorsement today. I’m working hard to win the support of all New Yorkers and defeat Letitia James this November,” Komatireddy wrote on X.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to James’ campaign for comment.

Elaine Mallon is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business covering national politics.

才华曾让他饱受折磨 雨伞叔叔画伞唱歌找回自由

2026年8月16日 06:30 / 联合早报 新明日报

77岁的高桥晃（Akira Takahashi）经常坐在中峇鲁市场一角，手里拿着画笔在雨伞上作画。 （梁麒麟摄）

“我是在空中出生的。”

高桥晃（Akira Takahashi）总是这样开场。父亲是日本人，母亲是土生华人——两种血脉在他身上早早交汇，仿佛命运还嫌不够特别，又添了一笔：1949年，母亲怀他七个月，从印尼棉兰飞往新加坡。万米高空，阵痛骤然袭来，他成了那个年代罕见的“机上婴儿”。

从此，他的一生似乎被签下契约：注定无法被困在四方框里。

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/20cb72d2-4a09-46ad-b248-425309d77b97

如今，77岁的他坐在中峇鲁市场一角，画笔在伞面上沙沙游走。两只狗蜷在脚边，两只鸡昂首踱步，偶尔被他抓进画里——毛茸茸的“模特”们，是他最忠实的观众。他一边画，一边哼着英语老歌，路人笑，他也笑。

可你若只看见此刻的自在，便错过了他大半生的挣扎。

他曾是五星级酒店的艺术总监，手握四项健力士世界纪录。可他却说，那些光鲜的头衔和成就，反而让他饱受折磨，“像囚犯一样”。如今在街边一边唱歌一边画画的日子，才是他最快乐的时光。他唯一的梦想，是在有生之年为慈善筹得100万元。

五年画余百把伞 望筹百万给慈善

五年间，高桥画了400多把伞。（梁麒麟摄）

不少人会把自家宠物的照片交给他，请他把“毛孩子”画在雨伞上，每把收费88元。由于订单不断，近期下单后，顾客得等上近两个月才能拿到。五年，400多把伞，一笔一画，全是人间温度。

两只狗和两只鸡总在高桥晃身边徘徊，偶尔也会成为他笔下的“模特”。（梁麒麟摄）

高桥晃会把部分画伞赚到的钱、别人塞来的捐款，统统转手送给猫狗救助站、寺庙，或是身边任何一个窘迫的陌生人。朋友摇头：“自己吃泡面，钱全捐掉。”他摊手：“没办法，心太软，看见了，就放不下。”

这份“放不下”，从1989年就种下了。那年他为全国肾脏基金会筹款，黑暗中插花、献唱，筹得四万元。此后三十余年，他默默攒着善款，像攒一把散落的硬币。如今，离100万的目标只差11万——他说这话时，眼里有光，像孩子数着存钱罐。

四项世界纪录加身 他却说“像囚犯”

高桥晃擅长花艺、冰雕和食物雕刻，图为他年轻时制作的插花和冰雕作品。（档案照片）

高桥晃擅长花艺、冰雕、食物雕刻，也创作了不少大型环保艺术装置，例如用羽球制成大兔子、用光碟制作近五米长的龙，以及用吸管制作约5.5米高的圣诞树。他还是四项健力士世界纪录的持有者，包括世界最大的悬挂灯笼、最大的插花等。

“别人都问我是怎么想到的，我说我也不知道。我睡醒，想法就突然出现在脑海中。”

高桥晃创作了不少大型环保艺术装置。图为他创作的光碟龙装置，全长7.3米。（受访者提供）

没有学习过艺术的高桥晃说，这些似乎都是与生俱来的天赋。他从小学习能力比较差，奶奶曾说这样下去，长大后就要去捡垃圾。他自嘲：“结果我现在真的靠捡垃圾、做艺术赚钱！”

这些别人梦寐以求的才华，对高桥晃而言却成了沉重的负担，让他“饱受折磨”。

有一次制作环保艺术作品时，他长时间被泡沫塑料烧焦的味道熏着，他因此对泡沫塑料留下阴影。此后的10年，他都不敢再使用泡沫塑料制成的杯子等物件。另一次，他收集了4万8000根吸管，把它们绑起来制成圣诞树，制作过程也让他从此对吸管产生恐惧。

天赋也是枷锁：成名让他害怕人群与镜头

2003年高桥晃收集了4万8000根吸管，把它们绑起来制成5.5米高的圣诞树。（档案照片）

出版桌面布置书籍后，高桥晃逐渐成名，开始授课、上电视节目。随着知名度攀升，他感觉自己的一举一动都备受注视，走在街上也常被陌生人认出，即使不认识对方，也得保持笑容回应。久而久之，他甚至害怕相机和媒体，见到镜头便躲开，拒绝受访。“那样的生活，让我觉得自己是一个囚犯，没有自由。”

疫情中随手一笔 街角画画找回自由

46岁那年，再也无法忍受工作压力的他脱下艺术总监的西装，去酒吧当保安。

从光鲜到粗粝，外人看是坠落，他却说是“呼吸”。后来升作总经理，再后来退休。本以为人生就这样了，直到疫情困住脚步。2020年，他随手抓起一把旧雨伞，挤出颜料——那一笔落下去，久违的平静涌了上来。

2020年疫情时期，退休后的高桥晃决定出来画伞消磨时间。（梁麒麟摄）

从此，每个清晨他带着画笔来到熟悉的街角，唱歌，画画，像一只终于飞出笼子的鸟。人们不再叫他“大师”或“纪录保持者”，只喊“雨伞叔叔”。他笑了，这次是真的笑。慢慢地，他打开了心扉，也愿意接受媒体访问。

问他此生最快乐的时刻，他没有丝毫犹豫，咧嘴大笑，皱纹深深弯起：“现在！现在最自由，像鸟一样自由！”

出生在空中的他，如今终于找回了属于自己的天空。

Fauci refuses Senate appearance after invoking Fifth Amendment more than 100 times in COVID probe

2026-08-15T17:15:59-04:00 / Fox News

Sen Ron Johnson sought Fauci’s testimony as part of a separate probe into the federal COVID-19 response

By Brittany Miller Fox News

Published August 15, 2026 5:15pm EDT

A Senate panel has voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times during a hearing on the origins of COVID-19. ‘Outnumbered’ details HHS handing over work iPhone records and state subpoenas issued by officials in Florida, Alabama and Louisiana following the vote led by Senator Rand Paul.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci on Friday declined a request to voluntarily appear before a second Senate panel, opening another front in Republicans’ investigations into the former public health official’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An attorney for Fauci rejected the request from Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, arguing that compelling Fauci to testify again after his contentious July 29 Senate hearing would “impermissibly harass or degrade Dr. Fauci for political purposes.”

Johnson has been conducting a parallel investigation into Fauci and the federal government’s response to COVID-19, including the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

SEN RON JOHNSON TALKS FAUCI EMAILS, NEW SENATE FILIBUSTER STRATEGY ON ‘RUTHLESS’

FILE – Former NIH Director Anthony Fauci is sworn in before testifying to Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The refusal comes after Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted along party lines last week to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times during the July hearing.

Committee chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., has sought to send the contempt referral directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia, bypassing a full Senate vote.

“It’s a good legal discussion, and we will make those legal points to DOJ in sending the referral over,” Paul told Fox News Digital ahead of last week’s contempt vote.

At issue is whether Fauci can invoke the Fifth Amendment after former President Joe Biden issued him a preemptive pardon before leaving office.

CAN FAUCI HIDE BEHIND THE FIFTH? GAME-CHANGING BIDEN PARDON MAY NOT PROVIDE COMPLETE COVER, EXPERTS SAY

FILE – Former NIH Director Anthony Fauci listens during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on July 29, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Fauci declined to answer questions, asserting his Fifth Amendment right.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Paul has argued that Biden’s pardon removed Fauci’s risk of federal prosecution and therefore undermined his basis for refusing to answer lawmakers’ questions. Fauci and his attorneys have disputed that position.

Paul has spent years investigating Fauci’s role in the government’s response to COVID-19 and has accused the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director of funding “risky” research that led to an alleged lab leak of the COVID-19 virus in China. Paul has repeatedly called for Fauci to be prosecuted.

Johnson’s subcommittee has separately obtained records related to Fauci and the government’s pandemic response. Fox News Digital previously confirmed that the Department of Health and Human Services sent the subcommittee a copy of Fauci’s pandemic-era cellphone.

The broader Homeland Security panel also received more than 1,000 pages of Fauci’s personal diary before his July hearing.

FILE – Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., gestures while addressing Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison during a hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2026. It is unclear if Johnson’s office will subpoena Fauci following the refusal.(CSPAN)

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Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson’s office to ask whether he intends to subpoena Fauci following the refusal. Fox News Digital also sought reaction from Paul’s office and asked Fauci attorney David Schertler whether Fauci would comply with a subpoena compelling his testimony.

Fox News Digital’s Alex Miller and Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

Brittany Miller is a Fox News Digital breaking news writer and former Independent reporter who graduated from Syracuse University in 2023.

Democrats pick South Carolina as first 2028 primary state​​

2026-08-15T20:07:06.826Z / Reuters

By Leah Douglas

August 15, 2026 8:07 PM UTC Updated 3 hours ago

The South Carolina State Capitol is shown in Columbia, South Carolina, U.S., January 15, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

WASHINGTON, Aug 15 (Reuters) – The Democratic National Committee on Saturday officially selected South Carolina as the first state to vote in the ​party’s 2028 primaries.

The vote at the DNC’s summer meeting ‌in Austin, Texas, codified a July vote by the organization’s Rules & Bylaws Committee. Following South Carolina will be Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia, the ​DNC said in a news release.

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The first state to vote ​in a presidential nominating contest often helps to shape ⁠the field of candidates, drawing campaign spending and media attention.

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The calendar ​adopted on Saturday will allow Democrats “to battle-test candidates while maintaining an ​open, affordable field,” the committee said.

“The DNC has delivered a 2028 nominating calendar that truly represents our party and our values, and will help us retake the ​White House in 2028,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said in ​a statement.

Some Democrats often mentioned as potential presidential contenders have visited South Carolina over the ‌past ⁠several months, including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

South Carolina and Nevada had tussled in July over which state should claim the top spot in ​a competition that ​became a ⁠proxy battle between the party’s Black and Latino bases.

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In 2022, former President Joe Biden persuaded Democrats to ​overhaul their 2024 nominating calendar to put South Carolina ​first. ⁠New Hampshire, which traditionally had been the first state to vote in the primaries, defied the national party that year and stuck to its ⁠usual ​January spot on the calendar, although the ​DNC did not seat any of the New Hampshire delegates elected in that gathering.

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Reporting ​by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Sergio Non and Matthew Lewis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Colombian president says he asked Trump to suspend tariffs after devastating earthquake

August 15, 2026 / 6:40 PM EDT / CBS/AFP

Colombia’s new President Abelardo de la Espriella on Saturday called on President Trump to suspend tariffs currently targeting the South American nation, which is reeling after a deadly earthquake.

U.S. tariffs on Colombian products rose from 10% to 12.5% in late July, with a few exceptions including coffee and oil.

“I asked him to consider to temporarily suspend the high tariffs that are affecting Colombian products, in order to give some relief to our business owners, who are facing very difficult times due to the effects of the earthquake,” De la Espriella said on X.

The increased tariffs went into effect on July 24, replacing an expiring global duty rolled out by the Trump administration earlier this year.

De la Espriella said he has spoken for about 10 minutes with Mr. Trump, who he said expressed his condolences over the deaths from Monday’s 7.4-magnitude quake.

“The conversation was very friendly and cordial,” the Colombian leader said.

“I told him that we have a huge challenge ahead: rebuilding Colombia amid the extremely difficult and apocalyptic economic situation that I inherited.”

CBS News has reached out the White House for comment on the request.

The tremor devastated the western Colombian cities of Cali and Pereira, leaving nearly 300 people dead and destroying almost 13,000 homes.

The building debris is pictured in Pereira, Colombia, on Aug. 15, 2026, days after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that killed hundreds of people. Luis ACOSTA /AFP via Getty Images

In July, the Trump administration imposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on 60 nations, including Colombia, which it accused of failing to stamp out forced labor. The tariffs were imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The Section 301 tariffs replaced levies enacted under Section 122 of the same trade act which had been imposed in February and had just expired.

The White House moves to enact tariffs under Section 122 and then Section 301 came after the Supreme Court in February struck down sweeping tariffs Mr. Trump had enacted under a different law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, ruling that they were illegally imposed without congressional authorization.

Mr. Trump endorsed the right-wing De la Espriella, a millionaire lawyer-turned-politician, during his run for the presidency. De la Espriella succeeded the leftist Gustavo Petro, whose administration was frequently at odds with the White House. Petro was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department last October, and CBS News reported in March that he was the subject of a federal narcotics probe.

Since taking office, De la Espriella has joined the so-called Shield of the Americas, an anti-cartel alliance headed by Mr. Trump and made up of pro-U.S. governments across Latin America, including Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador.

Member states exchange information and coordinate judicial and security forces to address transnational criminal activity.

De la Espriella plans to forge a military alliance with the U.S. and Israel to help bolster his war on guerrillas.

国际特稿：德国告别历史摆脱禁忌 再军事化撬动欧洲格局

2026年8月16日 05:00 / 联合早报 蔡添成

德国打破二战禁忌，近年决定大幅强化军事力量，这个势头如能持续，必定会改变欧洲大陆的整体安全态势。尤其面对来自俄罗斯的安全威胁，欧洲自身加强本土防卫已是势在必行。

（插图／陈锐勤）

俄罗斯2022年2月24日大举入侵乌克兰。三天后的2月27日，时任德国总理朔尔茨在议会发表“时代转折”（Zeitenwende）演讲，标志着冷战后德国的外交、安全与防务政策的根本转变。

当天，朔尔茨宣布设立1000亿欧元（约1500亿新元）专项资金增强国防实力，要把国防开支提升到占国内生产总值（GDP）的2％以上，并支持陷入绝境的乌克兰。

在俄罗斯发动侵略之前，德国希望与俄国维持友好关系，对乌克兰问题的态度模棱两可。战争爆发后，德国调整能源供应结构，以摆脱对俄罗斯的依赖。2023年以后，德国就不再向俄罗斯采购天然气、石油或煤炭。

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Swimmer Kate Douglass sets 50-meter freestyle world record in Pan Pacific prelims

2026-08-15T15:01:40-0400 / CBS News

August 15, 2026 / 3:01 PM EDT / AP

Kate Douglass set a world record in the women’s 50-meter freestyle in the preliminary heats of the Pan Pacific Championships on Saturday.

The 24-year-old from the New York City suburb of Pelham touched in 23.49 seconds in her heat at the outdoor pool in Irvine, California.

Douglass lowered the mark of 23.55 set by teammate Gretchen Walsh at an international meet in Rome in June.

Kate Douglass set the World Record for the Women’s 50m Freestyle with a time of 23.49 at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images

It’s the second time Douglass has lowered the world mark in the sprint race. She first did it on June 19 at the TYR Pro Swim Series meet in Indianapolis, posting a time of 23.59. Nine days later, Walsh lowered it again.

Douglass is a five-time Olympic medalist. She earned silver in the 50 free at the 2024 World Championships but didn’t compete in the event at the 2024 Paris Games.

Walsh swam in the heat after Douglass and was timed in 23.78, making them the top two qualifiers for the evening final on the final day of competition in Irvine.

It was the first individual world record set at the meet that included swimmers from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan and China, among others.