From rising revolutionary to Trump's captive: Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro 从冉冉升起的革命者到特朗普的俘虏：委内瑞拉总统尼古拉斯·马杜罗 这位领导人虽然顶住了之前的多次推翻尝试，但却导致国家经济崩溃。 就在几天前，尼古拉斯·马杜罗还在集会上跳舞，点亮圣诞树，并发布了一段名为"永远和平"的 人工智能生成的音乐视频，视频中他与一位身穿长袍、类似耶稣的人物一起穿过丛林。 到了周六早上，面对美国日益增长的压力，委内瑞拉试图展现信心的努力似乎已经徒劳无功。在 一次令人震惊的美军行动中，63岁的委内瑞拉总统及其夫人于黎明时分在加拉加斯被特种部队绑 架，并被空运至美国。 这并非马杜罗第一次面临唐纳德·特朗普支持的推翻其政权的行动。 2019年，他顶住了美国支持的反对派领导人胡安·瓜伊多试图说服军方推翻政权的企图，该企图 最终失败了。马杜罗还挺过了2018年阅兵式上的无人机袭击和2020年一次失败的雇佣兵入侵。 尼古拉斯·马杜罗（中）于11月在加拉加斯出席一场活动 © Jesus Vargas/Getty Images 马杜罗站在革命乌戈·查韦斯的大幅画 ...

Core Viewpoint - The funding mechanism for river works in the Qing Dynasty reflects both the characteristics of traditional water management and the deep-seated contradictions within the feudal fiscal system, ultimately leading to a fiscal crisis that became a core issue in governance [1] Funding Mechanism - The funding for river works primarily relied on central government allocations and local special taxes, with a fixed annual collection system in place, but this design struggled to adapt to dynamic changes in disaster response or project scale [2] - The "compensation system" established during the Yongzheng to Qianlong periods linked project responsibility to economic losses, creating a tiered accountability structure among officials, which unfortunately led to corruption through inflated project reports [2] - The procurement of materials for river works was divided into official and commercial modes, with flexibility in procurement processes providing opportunities for corruption among officials [2] Causes of the Crisis - Systemic corruption severely undermined the effectiveness of river work, with officials engaging in fraudulent practices at various stages, leading to a significant misallocation of funds intended for river management [3] - Rising project costs due to inflation and outdated pricing mechanisms forced officials to inflate expenses, creating a vicious cycle of cost inflation and corruption that deteriorated project quality [3] - Rigid institutional frameworks hindered effective governance, with centralized decision-making processes causing delays and resource misallocation [4] - Fiscal imbalances led to competition for limited resources, resulting in the diversion of funds from river works to military and other expenditures, exacerbating the financial crisis [4] Impact of the Crisis - The fiscal crisis resulted in the collapse of river defense systems and significant social disasters, with the frequency of river breaches increasing dramatically, leading to widespread displacement and suffering among the populace [5][6] - Local governance became paralyzed under increasing fiscal pressure, with local officials resorting to heavy taxation and forced labor to cover funding shortfalls, leading to social unrest and revolts [6] - A crisis of trust emerged as corruption within river management offices eroded the moral authority of the Qing government, revealing the systemic failures of the feudal fiscal system [7]

Core Points - The article discusses allegations against the Marcos family regarding money laundering through gold transactions, with a whistleblower revealing evidence of 350 tons of gold and over $100 billion in assets linked to 18 bank accounts [1][3] - The investigation by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has been initiated, focusing on transactions allegedly orchestrated by former First Lady Imelda Marcos between 2006 and 2011 [3][5] - The timing of the allegations coincides with upcoming midterm elections in the Philippines, which could impact President Marcos's political standing [3][5] Group 1: Allegations and Investigations - A businessman reported the Marcos family's money laundering activities involving 350 tons of gold, with the current value estimated at approximately 245 billion RMB [3] - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has launched a special investigation into the Marcos family's illegal activities [3][5] - The transactions were reportedly facilitated by Imelda Marcos through shell companies and a bank in Hong Kong [3] Group 2: Political Context - President Marcos's approval rating has dropped to 25%, while Sara Duterte's approval rating stands at 59%, indicating a shift in public sentiment [5] - The political landscape is influenced by the historical context of the Marcos family's rule and the current rivalry with the Duterte family [5][13] - The article suggests that the allegations may be politically motivated, potentially orchestrated by the Duterte family to undermine Marcos [7][13] Group 3: Historical Background - The wealth of the Marcos family is traced back to former President Ferdinand Marcos, who was known for extensive corruption during his 20-year dictatorship [9][11] - Marcos's regime was characterized by collusion with foreign powers and significant embezzlement of national resources, leading to widespread poverty in the Philippines [9][11] - Despite the family's historical crimes, they have maintained a significant political presence, with Imelda Marcos's influence aiding her son's rise to power [11][13]