Veteran Google AI researcher joins Chinese TikTok owner ByteDance in lead research role

Wu Yonghui, a former "Google Fellow," has joined ByteDance to spearhead foundational AI research within the company's Seed department. This move signals ByteDance's ambition to push the boundaries of AI technology, particularly after the surge in interest sparked by OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Wu, who spent 17 years at Google, will report directly to ByteDance CEO Liang Rubo from his base in San Jose, California. The Seed department was established in early 2023 to focus on large language models and generative AI. Wu's last role at Google was as vice-president of research at DeepMind, Google's AI research lab, highlighting his extensive experience in the field.

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Number of babies born in Hong Kong rises by 11% to 36,700 last year

香港在2024年新生儿数量达到36,700,较2023年增长11%。这主要得益于政府推出的一项鼓励生育计划,该计划向每位新生儿的父母提供2万港币(约2570美元)的现金补贴。政府为此项奖励计划在去年花费了约7.34亿港币。

尽管在2023年出现小幅增长后,香港的出生人数连续第二年增长,但这一水平仍然是自1961年有数据记录以来的第三低。与此同时,香港人口也增长了0.1%,略高于753万。政府发言人表示,人口增长得益于人才引进和劳务输入政策,许多人从中国内地和世界各地移居香港。

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In India, US$100 million Ponzi scheme linked to Amazon leaves thousands in financial ruin

Thousands of Indian investors are struggling to recover nearly $100 million lost in a Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Falcon Invoice Discounting. The company promised returns as high as 22% by falsely claiming to connect investors with major corporations like Amazon and Britannia.

Since 2021, Falcon collected approximately $196 million from around 7,000 investors, repaying only half of that amount. The company allegedly used funds from new investors to pay off older ones, while diverting the remaining money to shell entities. Police have arrested two individuals and are currently searching for Falcon's founder, Amardeep Kumar.

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Drag at Malaysian awards show riles conservatives over LGBTQ culture

Malaysia's Islamic authorities are investigating a red carpet event at the Anugerah Juara Lagu (Song Championship Award) after attendees appeared in drag, sparking controversy and drawing criticism from conservative groups. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) has expressed "grave concern" and plans to summon those involved, referring the matter to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for further action.

The controversy highlights the tension between Malaysia's secular constitution and the role of Islamic law, which operates alongside civil legislation, particularly concerning the Muslim population. The incident, involving male attendees wearing gowns, veils, and dresses, has ignited debate over LGBTQ expression in the country, where Islam is the state religion for over 60% of its 34 million people.

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Chinese and Australian militaries revive suspended defence talks as tensions escalate

China and Australia have resumed high-level annual defense talks, marking the first such dialogue since 2019. The 23rd China-Australia Defence Strategic Dialogue took place in Beijing on Monday, reviving a crucial channel for security discussions amidst rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. This resumption signifies a potential thaw in relations and a commitment to open communication between the two nations' militaries.

The decision to restart the dialogue, which had been suspended since 2020, was reached during the Annual Leaders’ Meeting in June between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. During the talks, both parties exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional security, and other shared concerns, agreeing to strengthen strategic communication, manage disputes, and pursue further exchanges and cooperation. The dialogue was co-hosted by senior military officials from both countries.

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Singapore budget 2025: cash vouchers, utilities rebates unveiled by Lawrence Wong as election nears

新加坡将向每户家庭发放800新元(约合600美元)的现金券和水电费回扣,以应对不断上涨的生活成本。这是新任总理黄循财首次预算演讲中宣布的,正值新加坡大选临近。这项举措旨在帮助家庭应对通货膨胀,并支持本地企业。

现金券将分两批发放,第一批500新元将于今年5月发放,剩余部分将于明年1月发放,可在本地商家使用,包括小贩和超市。这一数额比去年预算案中宣布的数额高出200新元。这项名为社区发展理事会现金券的计划最初是在新冠疫情期间推出的,旨在帮助低收入家庭支付生活费用,并支持受疫情影响的小贩和商家。此次预算演讲是本届议会任期内的最后一次,大选必须在今年11月前举行。黄循财表示,预计新加坡经济增长率为1%至3%,通货膨胀率预计为1.5%至2.5%。

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Hong Kong’s minimum wage to increase by 5.25% from HK$40 to HK$42.1 per hour

香港最低工资将上调2.1港元,从目前的每小时40港元增至42.1港元。这一调整是香港行政会议采纳最低工资委员会的建议后做出的,旨在适度提高低收入工人的收入。

政府周二宣布,行政会议已接受最低工资委员会的建议,将法定最低工资提高5.25%。这是在去年通过新的工资调整方案后的首次上调。修订后的最低工资提案将于下周三提交立法会审议,如获批准,新标准将于5月1日生效。同时,雇主记录雇员工作时间的月薪上限也将从16300港元提高到17200港元。

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Wait for Hong Kong public rental flats drops to 5.3 years, lowest since 2018

香港公屋轮候时间降至5.3年,为六年来的最低水平。特首李家超表示有信心将公屋轮候时间进一步缩短至4年半,如果包括已分配到临时住房的申请人。

房屋委员会的最新数据显示,截至2024年第四季度,一般申请者的平均轮候时间已降至5.3年,较上一季度减少0.2年。与2022年3月底创下的6.1年高位相比,已缩短0.8年,降幅达13%。

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China alleges military veteran shared secrets of troops, weapons with foreign agencies

中国国家安全机构宣布逮捕了一名退伍军人,他涉嫌协助外国机构刺探中国军事机密。该嫌疑人通过社交媒体平台,多次向外国间谍机构发送有关中国边境地区部队部署位置、武器配置和营房环境的信息,严重威胁了国家安全。

据通报,该案涉及一个名为“冬夜”的账号,该账号注册人为一位居住在距离边境数千公里的80岁老人,显然不具备实施间谍活动的能力。国家安全人员通过大数据分析和追踪,最终锁定了一名姓倪的男子,他曾在军队服役两年。此次逮捕行动还涉及揭露虚假身份和在危险地形中进行抓捕。

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Malaysian mall gunman killed in shoot-out after Grand Theft Auto-style crime spree

Malaysian police have identified and killed a gunman, known as "Ah Boy," who committed a series of robberies and carjackings, drawing comparisons to the video game Grand Theft Auto due to his methods. The suspect was responsible for at least 15 robberies since mid-2023, including robberies at goldsmiths, and was killed in a shootout with police on Tuesday morning.

The suspect's crime spree included carjacking victims at gunpoint and using the stolen vehicles to facilitate further crimes. Following a shooting at a mall in Setia Alam, he fled to Melaka and then Banting, stealing vehicles and forcing drivers to transport him. Police believe he forced lorry and e-hailing drivers to assist in his movements before being tracked down and killed in Pulau Ketam.

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AI start-up DeepSeek expands business scope in potential shift towards monetisation

中国人工智能初创公司DeepSeek更新了其商业注册信息,增加了“互联网信息服务”的业务范围,这标志着该公司正朝着将其高性价比的大型语言模型(LLM)商业化的方向发展。 此举表明,DeepSeek希望将其受欢迎的技术变现,结束此前主要专注于研发的状态。

根据分析师的说法,DeepSeek此举反映出,对于一家积累了技术并开发出产品的公司来说,盈利是必然的下一步。此前,DeepSeek的业务范围主要集中在工程和人工智能软件开发等领域。DeepSeek的LLM以开源模型发布,允许任何人免费使用和修改。该公司由对冲基金High-Flyer投资成立。

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Has Xi Jinping brought China’s private sector back into the fold?

President Xi Jinping's recent symposium with China's top entrepreneurs signals a renewed commitment from the central government to support the private sector and stabilize investor confidence. This high-profile meeting, the first of its kind since 2018, aims to address concerns stemming from regulatory crackdowns and economic shifts that have dampened enthusiasm within the private sector, which contributes significantly to urban employment.

The symposium is seen as a response to both external pressures, such as potential tariff hikes, and internal opportunities, including technological advancements driven by private companies. By convening this meeting, the government hopes to reassure the business community and the public of its dedication to fostering innovation and economic growth, particularly amid evolving global challenges.

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Creamfields dance festival in Hong Kong, slated for March, abruptly cancelled

Creamfields Hong Kong 2025, one of the world's largest electronic dance music festivals, has been cancelled. The event was scheduled to take place on March 8 and 9 at the Central Harbourfront, but organizer Live Nation announced the cancellation on Monday via social media, citing "unforeseen circumstances." All purchased tickets will be fully refunded.

The festival was previously promoted as a mega-event by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, but the advertisement has since been removed from the board's website. While no specific reason was given for the cancellation, the announcement has caused disappointment among fans. Live Nation has apologized for any inconvenience caused.

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‘Critical moment’: China calls for all stakeholders to be part of Ukraine peace talks

中国驻联合国大使傅聪表示,中国欢迎美国发起的旨在结束俄乌战争的和平谈判,并强调“所有利益相关者”都应参与其中。这一表态正值美国和俄罗斯高级官员计划在沙特阿拉伯会晤,寻求在没有欧洲参与的情况下,就结束俄乌冲突达成协议。

傅聪在联合国安理会关于乌克兰问题的简报会上指出,谈判解决乌克兰危机即将进入“关键时刻”。他同时呼应了中国外交部长王毅此前的观点,即所有与俄乌战争相关的利益方,包括欧盟,都应参与到和平谈判中来,以达成各方都能接受的公正、持久且具有约束力的和平协议。

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China student burns ‘inflatable girlfriend’, sparks fire after roommate returns early

一名中国大学生因室友提前返回宿舍,慌乱中焚烧充气娃娃“女友”引发火灾,引发社会关注。这起事件发生在合肥工业大学,迅速在社交媒体上引发热议,该学生也因此受到广泛嘲笑。

据报道,该男生在宿舍使用充气娃娃时,室友突然返回,他为了掩盖自己的行为,试图焚烧充气娃娃。最初,他试图在宿舍走廊焚烧,但火势迅速蔓延,触发了校园火警。这起事件不仅引发了安全问题,也引发了人们对于大学生心理健康和性教育的讨论。

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After China deal, Cook Islands looks beyond ‘big brother’ New Zealand, US

Cook Islands' Prime Minister Mark Brown has defended the country's new partnership pact with China, asserting the nation's right to pursue independent economic opportunities. Brown emphasized that the agreement with Beijing offers prospects in trade, infrastructure, and sustainable ocean resource management, advocating for self-reliance over dependence on aid from New Zealand.

New Zealand has expressed concerns regarding the lack of consultation and transparency surrounding the agreement, which was signed during Brown's recent state visit to China. The Cook Islands, a self-governing nation of 17,000 people, maintains a "free association" with New Zealand, receiving budgetary assistance and support in foreign affairs and defense. Brown's statements suggest a desire to diversify partnerships and strengthen the Cook Islands' economic independence.

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Argentina’s Milei denies promoting cryptocurrency that crashed, losing investors billions

阿根廷总统哈维尔·米莱否认推广一种崩溃的加密货币,该加密货币导致投资者损失数十亿美元,并引发大量投诉。据报道,检察官正准备对这起丑闻展开调查。米莱承认他“传播”了该加密货币,但否认推广它,并声称这是私人问题,国家不应介入,他本人是出于善意。

据新闻报道,阿根廷联邦检察官办公室将调查米莱是否涉嫌欺诈、犯罪团伙或违反职责。此前,他曾在社交媒体上赞扬了$LIBRA加密货币,导致该货币价值飙升后暴跌。数小时后,米莱删除了他的赞扬,并表示自己犯了一个错误。

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After heart transplant in Hong Kong, 8-month-old Whitney’s condition stabilises

香港儿童医院表示,接受心脏移植手术的八个月大女婴Whitney Cheung病情稳定,苏醒后可能会离开重症监护室并出院。心脏移植手术从中国大陆运送,历时两小时跨境运送至香港。

香港儿童医院心脏科主管张耀辉教授表示,术后约36小时,Whitney的心率和血压一直稳定,超声波扫描显示心脏功能良好。如果未来几天情况稳定,将减少心脏药物,停止呼吸支持,并降低镇静剂剂量,顺利的话,Whitney可以转到普通病房并在之后出院。

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Hong Kong’s mega-events to attract 840,000 visitors in first 6 months: John Lee

香港预计今年上半年通过举办大型活动吸引约84万游客,带来33亿港元的消费。香港特首李家超表示,这些活动预计将额外产生18亿港元的经济价值,为香港经济注入活力。

李家超强调,在“一国两制”原则下,香港可以同时享有国家和国际的双重优势。他认为,尽管未来一年香港面临机遇与挑战并存的局面,但机遇大于挑战,并指出三月份的“香港超级月”系列文化、艺术和体育活动将吸引大量游客。

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China to ‘ensure cost outweighs gains’ if Manila launches new South China Sea case: expert

中国南海问题专家吴士存表示,如果菲律宾就南海争议对中国提起第二次仲裁,中国可能会采取“更多样化的”手段进行反制。菲律宾正在考虑再次对中国提起法律诉讼,指控中国在马尼拉专属经济区内非法采挖巨型蛤蜊,对珊瑚礁造成了严重的生态破坏。

吴士存认为,菲律宾寻求再次提起法律挑战,表明其从第一次仲裁中获益,并认为这种尝试是值得的。为了应对这种情况,中国必须确保菲律宾的损失大于收益,使其行动成为徒劳。他建议,有效的反制措施可能包括北京要求马尼拉为移除在仁爱礁非法“坐滩”的“马德雷山”号设定最后期限,如果马尼拉未能遵守,北京可能会承担拖走该船的责任。

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