Robert Tsao, Taiwanese chip tycoon sanctioned by Beijing, sparks ‘cross-strait affair’ row
台湾芯片业大亨曹兴诚被指控与中国大陆女性有婚外情，引发舆论风波。台湾评论员谢寒冰在社交媒体直播中展示了据称是曹兴诚与情妇在2015年拍摄的照片，引发广泛关注。曹兴诚最初否认指控，但随后表示“那又怎样？”，并指责谢寒冰侵犯了他的隐私。
此事在台湾岛内引发热烈讨论，并受到海峡两岸官方媒体的道德谴责。曹兴诚以其反北京的政治立场而闻名，此次事件被一些人解读为对其政治立场的打击。《海峡导报》发表评论称，这一丑闻将使人们清楚地看到他宣传“反华”情绪的扭曲心态。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
台湾芯片业大亨曹兴诚被指控与中国大陆女性有婚外情，引发舆论风波。台湾评论员谢寒冰在社交媒体直播中展示了据称是曹兴诚与情妇在2015年拍摄的照片，引发广泛关注。曹兴诚最初否认指控，但随后表示“那又怎样？”，并指责谢寒冰侵犯了他的隐私。
此事在台湾岛内引发热烈讨论，并受到海峡两岸官方媒体的道德谴责。曹兴诚以其反北京的政治立场而闻名，此次事件被一些人解读为对其政治立场的打击。《海峡导报》发表评论称，这一丑闻将使人们清楚地看到他宣传“反华”情绪的扭曲心态。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
University of Hong Kong head hopes any budget funding cuts will be ‘moderate’
香港大学校长张翔表示，希望政府在即将到来的预算中对高等教育的拨款削减幅度“适中”，并强调港大拥有的415亿港元储备金有其指定用途。他指出，这笔资金的一部分已被指定用于在校园内建造超过10座建筑物，还有一部分用于资助教授席位。
张翔强调，港大的储备金经过一个世纪才积累起来，如果动用这些资金的基础，大学的运作将面临困难。此外，他还宣布，所有新入学的本科生都将被要求参加人工智能（AI）课程，作为他们课程的一部分。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
香港大学校长张翔表示，希望政府在即将到来的预算中对高等教育的拨款削减幅度“适中”，并强调港大拥有的415亿港元储备金有其指定用途。他指出，这笔资金的一部分已被指定用于在校园内建造超过10座建筑物，还有一部分用于资助教授席位。
张翔强调，港大的储备金经过一个世纪才积累起来，如果动用这些资金的基础，大学的运作将面临困难。此外，他还宣布，所有新入学的本科生都将被要求参加人工智能（AI）课程，作为他们课程的一部分。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
China tests robot on board Tiangong space station
中国已在天宫空间站完成了首次在轨检查机器人的测试。该测试旨在检验机器人能否有效维护管道并安全运行。神舟十九号乘组在模拟的复杂管道网络中对机器人进行了全面的测试。
测试中，机器人顺利通过了各种直径的直管、弯管和锥形管。为了确保机器人足够灵活和适应性强，开发人员参考了海星等海洋动物的液压管足的运动方式。空间站的管道形状和尺寸各异，直径差异大，尺寸变化突然，这增加了机器人卡住的风险。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
中国已在天宫空间站完成了首次在轨检查机器人的测试。该测试旨在检验机器人能否有效维护管道并安全运行。神舟十九号乘组在模拟的复杂管道网络中对机器人进行了全面的测试。
测试中，机器人顺利通过了各种直径的直管、弯管和锥形管。为了确保机器人足够灵活和适应性强，开发人员参考了海星等海洋动物的液压管足的运动方式。空间站的管道形状和尺寸各异，直径差异大，尺寸变化突然，这增加了机器人卡住的风险。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
French PM under growing pressure over Catholic school abuse claims
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is facing mounting pressure after a former teacher accused him of being aware of sexual abuse allegations at a Catholic school in the 1990s and failing to act. The teacher claims that Bayrou, who was the country's education minister from 1993 to 1997, and his wife, a religious studies teacher at the school, ignored her warnings about "systemic violence" against students.
The accusations come amidst an ongoing investigation into around 100 complaints of alleged violence, sexual assault, and rape at the Notre-Dame de Betharram school in southwestern France spanning several decades. Bayrou has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but the former teacher's testimony to a French investigative website has intensified the scrutiny and criticism from the opposition.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is facing mounting pressure after a former teacher accused him of being aware of sexual abuse allegations at a Catholic school in the 1990s and failing to act. The teacher claims that Bayrou, who was the country's education minister from 1993 to 1997, and his wife, a religious studies teacher at the school, ignored her warnings about "systemic violence" against students.
The accusations come amidst an ongoing investigation into around 100 complaints of alleged violence, sexual assault, and rape at the Notre-Dame de Betharram school in southwestern France spanning several decades. Bayrou has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but the former teacher's testimony to a French investigative website has intensified the scrutiny and criticism from the opposition.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Europe can afford to defend itself without US but needs more coordination: study
Europe needs to invest approximately €250 billion annually in its defense to ensure its security independent of US support. According to a study by Bruegel and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, this level of investment, equivalent to 1.5% of the EU's GDP, would enable Europe to mobilize around 300,000 soldiers to defend against potential threats like Russia.
The study emphasizes that while Europe possesses the financial capacity for this increased defense spending, improved coordination and joint procurement among national armed forces are crucial. This call to action comes amid growing pressure from the US, particularly from figures like Donald Trump, urging European nations to bolster their military capabilities and meet NATO's defense spending target of 2% of GDP, reflecting concerns about the US's long-term commitment to European security.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Europe needs to invest approximately €250 billion annually in its defense to ensure its security independent of US support. According to a study by Bruegel and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, this level of investment, equivalent to 1.5% of the EU's GDP, would enable Europe to mobilize around 300,000 soldiers to defend against potential threats like Russia.
The study emphasizes that while Europe possesses the financial capacity for this increased defense spending, improved coordination and joint procurement among national armed forces are crucial. This call to action comes amid growing pressure from the US, particularly from figures like Donald Trump, urging European nations to bolster their military capabilities and meet NATO's defense spending target of 2% of GDP, reflecting concerns about the US's long-term commitment to European security.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Alibaba investors hail e-commerce giant’s AI pivot as it plots major investment outlay
Alibaba Group Holding is strategically transforming into a leading AI company, prompting investor enthusiasm and a surge in its stock prices. The company plans to significantly increase investment in AI and cloud computing infrastructure over the next three years, exceeding its total spending in these areas over the past decade. This aggressive move is seen as crucial for Alibaba to remain competitive and attractive to investors in the AI era.
Alibaba's Hong Kong-listed shares jumped 15% following the announcement, building on gains in New York after the company reported better-than-expected profit and revenue for the December quarter. Analysts believe this commitment to AI demonstrates strong confidence in the company's ability to monetize AI technologies, particularly given the accelerated growth of its Cloud Intelligence Group.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Alibaba Group Holding is strategically transforming into a leading AI company, prompting investor enthusiasm and a surge in its stock prices. The company plans to significantly increase investment in AI and cloud computing infrastructure over the next three years, exceeding its total spending in these areas over the past decade. This aggressive move is seen as crucial for Alibaba to remain competitive and attractive to investors in the AI era.
Alibaba's Hong Kong-listed shares jumped 15% following the announcement, building on gains in New York after the company reported better-than-expected profit and revenue for the December quarter. Analysts believe this commitment to AI demonstrates strong confidence in the company's ability to monetize AI technologies, particularly given the accelerated growth of its Cloud Intelligence Group.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Yuan battles US dollar, China’s latest J-35 stealth jet: SCMP daily highlights
China's central bank is committed to promoting the yuan for international use and expanding its offshore market, a move driven by the need to stabilize the currency amidst a strong US dollar. This effort signifies China's ongoing strategy to increase the yuan's global presence and influence.
Meanwhile, potential reductions in the US diplomatic presence in China raise concerns about diminished understanding, hindered collaborations, and visa processing delays, according to observers. In other news, China is actively marketing its advanced carrier-based stealth fighter jet at a major Middle Eastern military expo, facing competition from French, South Korean, and Turkish suppliers vying for regional defense contracts.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
China's central bank is committed to promoting the yuan for international use and expanding its offshore market, a move driven by the need to stabilize the currency amidst a strong US dollar. This effort signifies China's ongoing strategy to increase the yuan's global presence and influence.
Meanwhile, potential reductions in the US diplomatic presence in China raise concerns about diminished understanding, hindered collaborations, and visa processing delays, according to observers. In other news, China is actively marketing its advanced carrier-based stealth fighter jet at a major Middle Eastern military expo, facing competition from French, South Korean, and Turkish suppliers vying for regional defense contracts.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Why China should worry as Trump makes nice with Putin over Ukraine
By Nikola Mikovic
As the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches, peace in the Eastern European country seems closer than ever. US President Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a de facto mediator, seems determined to end the war. But is Kyiv interested in signing a peace deal with Moscow on Washington’s terms?
According to the American leader, Ukraine had three years to reach an agreement with Russia “that would have given them almost all of the land”. Surprisingly, he appears to be blaming Kyiv, or more precisely, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for the war.
“You should have never started it. You could have made a deal,” Trump said, following the talks held by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh on February 18.
Prior to this, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone on February 12. Coincidentally or not, that day marked the 10th anniversary of the Minsk agreement – a document that effectively froze the Donbas war, which erupted in the spring of 2014 following the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv that led to the overthrow of allegedly pro-Russian Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich.
If reports about Trump’s peace plan are true, it seems his ambition is not to force Moscow and Kyiv into a sustainable peace treaty, but rather to once again put the conflict on ice. Further, if Russia and Ukraine reach a ceasefire soon, the Ukrainian authorities would be able to hold elections.
What Moscow and Washington seem to share is a desire to get rid of Zelensky politically. For the Kremlin, he is an “illegitimate” leader, given that his term expired last year. Trump, for his part, has insinuated Zelensky might have pocketed half of the aid the US gave Ukraine. He also claims the Ukrainian leader is a “dictator” with a “4 per cent approval rating”, in a bid to pressure him to hold a vote.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Nikola Mikovic
As the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches, peace in the Eastern European country seems closer than ever. US President Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a de facto mediator, seems determined to end the war. But is Kyiv interested in signing a peace deal with Moscow on Washington’s terms?
According to the American leader, Ukraine had three years to reach an agreement with Russia “that would have given them almost all of the land”. Surprisingly, he appears to be blaming Kyiv, or more precisely, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for the war.
“You should have never started it. You could have made a deal,” Trump said, following the talks held by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh on February 18.
Prior to this, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone on February 12. Coincidentally or not, that day marked the 10th anniversary of the Minsk agreement – a document that effectively froze the Donbas war, which erupted in the spring of 2014 following the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv that led to the overthrow of allegedly pro-Russian Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich.
If reports about Trump’s peace plan are true, it seems his ambition is not to force Moscow and Kyiv into a sustainable peace treaty, but rather to once again put the conflict on ice. Further, if Russia and Ukraine reach a ceasefire soon, the Ukrainian authorities would be able to hold elections.
What Moscow and Washington seem to share is a desire to get rid of Zelensky politically. For the Kremlin, he is an “illegitimate” leader, given that his term expired last year. Trump, for his part, has insinuated Zelensky might have pocketed half of the aid the US gave Ukraine. He also claims the Ukrainian leader is a “dictator” with a “4 per cent approval rating”, in a bid to pressure him to hold a vote.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
India’s BJP and Congress clash over Trump’s comment on US$21 million election aid
美国前总统特朗普声称，美国向印度提供的2100万美元援助可能被用于影响印度上次选举，此言论在印度引发政治风暴。执政的印度人民党（BJP）借此指责反对党国大党寻求外国干预，试图推翻现任总理莫迪的政权。
特朗普的言论源于他对美国国际开发署（USAID）一项拨款的质疑，该拨款旨在提高印度选民投票率。分析人士认为，特朗普的批评主要针对拜登政府浪费美国纳税人资金的行为。尽管如此，印度人民党仍将此视为反对党寻求“外部影响”的证据，加剧了印度国内的政治紧张。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
美国前总统特朗普声称，美国向印度提供的2100万美元援助可能被用于影响印度上次选举，此言论在印度引发政治风暴。执政的印度人民党（BJP）借此指责反对党国大党寻求外国干预，试图推翻现任总理莫迪的政权。
特朗普的言论源于他对美国国际开发署（USAID）一项拨款的质疑，该拨款旨在提高印度选民投票率。分析人士认为，特朗普的批评主要针对拜登政府浪费美国纳税人资金的行为。尽管如此，印度人民党仍将此视为反对党寻求“外部影响”的证据，加剧了印度国内的政治紧张。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong school principal jailed for 6 months over HK$270,000 fraud
香港一名前小学校长因诈骗学校27万港元而被判入狱六个月。陈怡馨（音译）谎称工资未支付，并擅自提取资金。
这名前青衣仁济医院赵曾学韫小学的前校长在西九龙裁判法院承认四项欺诈罪名。廉政公署在收到投诉后对陈展开调查，发现他在2023年4月和5月谎称自己没有收到3月和4月的工资。裁判官表示，被告辜负了对他的信任，不考虑社区服务令。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
香港一名前小学校长因诈骗学校27万港元而被判入狱六个月。陈怡馨（音译）谎称工资未支付，并擅自提取资金。
这名前青衣仁济医院赵曾学韫小学的前校长在西九龙裁判法院承认四项欺诈罪名。廉政公署在收到投诉后对陈展开调查，发现他在2023年4月和5月谎称自己没有收到3月和4月的工资。裁判官表示，被告辜负了对他的信任，不考虑社区服务令。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
What to expect from Friday’s call between US Treasury’s Bessent and Vice-Premier He
中国已确认国务院副总理何立峰将于周五与美国财政部长斯科特·贝森特举行高级别会晤。此次会晤旨在解决关键经济问题，并在双边贸易关系中的重要事项上促进沟通，正值中美贸易关系紧张之际，因此备受关注。
外交部发言人郭家坤表示，计划于北京时间周五晚间进行的视频通话，将是贝森特首次与中国高级官员进行对话。专家分析，会晤可能围绕中美贸易平衡展开，并可能讨论新的中美贸易协议。中国仍希望保持稳定的中美关系，但美国如何在维持美元作为全球储备货币地位的同时，推行弱势美元政策，将是主要挑战。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
中国已确认国务院副总理何立峰将于周五与美国财政部长斯科特·贝森特举行高级别会晤。此次会晤旨在解决关键经济问题，并在双边贸易关系中的重要事项上促进沟通，正值中美贸易关系紧张之际，因此备受关注。
外交部发言人郭家坤表示，计划于北京时间周五晚间进行的视频通话，将是贝森特首次与中国高级官员进行对话。专家分析，会晤可能围绕中美贸易平衡展开，并可能讨论新的中美贸易协议。中国仍希望保持稳定的中美关系，但美国如何在维持美元作为全球储备货币地位的同时，推行弱势美元政策，将是主要挑战。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Debt-ridden contractor Paul Y involved in 13 Hong Kong public works projects
香港大型建筑公司保华集团(Paul Y Engineering Group)面临清盘，将影响13个公共工程项目。香港政府表示已为该集团的倒闭做好准备，并认为影响可控。保华集团此前已向法院申请为旗下五家子公司委任临时清盘人，以解决债务问题并制定重组计划。
政府指出，保华集团现有的13个公共工程合同中，有12个是与其他建筑公司合作的合资项目。根据合同，即使保华集团最终需要清盘，合资伙伴也有义务完成剩余的工作。目前唯一由保华集团独立承建的项目也接近尾声，因此整体影响有限。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
香港大型建筑公司保华集团(Paul Y Engineering Group)面临清盘，将影响13个公共工程项目。香港政府表示已为该集团的倒闭做好准备，并认为影响可控。保华集团此前已向法院申请为旗下五家子公司委任临时清盘人，以解决债务问题并制定重组计划。
政府指出，保华集团现有的13个公共工程合同中，有12个是与其他建筑公司合作的合资项目。根据合同，即使保华集团最终需要清盘，合资伙伴也有义务完成剩余的工作。目前唯一由保华集团独立承建的项目也接近尾声，因此整体影响有限。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Veterans of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party ‘deeply saddened’ by plan to disband
香港民主党元老表示，解散该党的动议“令人深感悲痛”，此举考虑到了核心成员和目前在狱人员的处境。该动议将由全体400名成员审查，之后做出最终决定。
一位民主党元老透露，中国共产党的一位联系人此前曾表示，怀疑该党是否能够存活到足以参加12月的立法会选举。前副主席李华明表示，鉴于目前的形势和情况，在缺乏资金的情况下，该党难以继续运作。他回忆起最近与一位共产党成员的对话，对方质疑该党能否获得足够的提名以参加即将到来的立法会选举。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
香港民主党元老表示，解散该党的动议“令人深感悲痛”，此举考虑到了核心成员和目前在狱人员的处境。该动议将由全体400名成员审查，之后做出最终决定。
一位民主党元老透露，中国共产党的一位联系人此前曾表示，怀疑该党是否能够存活到足以参加12月的立法会选举。前副主席李华明表示，鉴于目前的形势和情况，在缺乏资金的情况下，该党难以继续运作。他回忆起最近与一位共产党成员的对话，对方质疑该党能否获得足够的提名以参加即将到来的立法会选举。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Henderson Land releases price list for Belgravia Place II housing project in Cheung Sha Wan
香港恒基兆业地产(Henderson Land)在长沙湾推出了住宅项目Belgravia Place II的第二批房源，平均价格为每平方英尺15968港元，比今年2月推出的第一批房源价格降低了约18%。此举反映了香港房地产公司正试图抓住市场情绪改善的机会，同时应对大量供应过剩的局面。
此次推出的50套房源包括一居室、两居室和三居室，面积从262平方英尺到518平方英尺不等。尽管价格有所下降，但仍比同区域的未售库存高出约10%。恒基兆业表示，自农历新年以来，市场情绪有所改善，预计房地产市场将开始回升，房价将在2025年第二或第三季度反弹。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
香港恒基兆业地产(Henderson Land)在长沙湾推出了住宅项目Belgravia Place II的第二批房源，平均价格为每平方英尺15968港元，比今年2月推出的第一批房源价格降低了约18%。此举反映了香港房地产公司正试图抓住市场情绪改善的机会，同时应对大量供应过剩的局面。
此次推出的50套房源包括一居室、两居室和三居室，面积从262平方英尺到518平方英尺不等。尽管价格有所下降，但仍比同区域的未售库存高出约10%。恒基兆业表示，自农历新年以来，市场情绪有所改善，预计房地产市场将开始回升，房价将在2025年第二或第三季度反弹。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong’s MTR Corp denies refusing aid to man who collapsed near station
香港地铁公司否认了拒绝提供自动体外除颤器（AED）以救助一名在车站外昏倒的62岁男子的指控。此前有社交媒体帖子称，一名休班医护人员在荃湾西站外的士站救助该男子时，请求借用港铁的AED被拒，理由是该男子不在车站内。
警方表示，上周五下午3点07分接到报警，称一名男子在港铁荃湾西站外昏倒。这名持有乌克兰护照的62岁男子被送往仁济医院，后被证实死亡，死因将通过尸检确定。港铁公司回应称，相关指控不实，但未提供更多细节。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
香港地铁公司否认了拒绝提供自动体外除颤器（AED）以救助一名在车站外昏倒的62岁男子的指控。此前有社交媒体帖子称，一名休班医护人员在荃湾西站外的士站救助该男子时，请求借用港铁的AED被拒，理由是该男子不在车站内。
警方表示，上周五下午3点07分接到报警，称一名男子在港铁荃湾西站外昏倒。这名持有乌克兰护照的62岁男子被送往仁济医院，后被证实死亡，死因将通过尸检确定。港铁公司回应称，相关指控不实，但未提供更多细节。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong actress Hui Ying-hung reveals 89 facial stitches from stunts, gains public praise
Hong Kong actress Hui Ying-hung revealed she received 89 stitches on her face due to stunt injuries sustained during filming, prompting an outpouring of sympathy and praise for her dedication. Hui, known for her action roles, has faced numerous physical challenges throughout her career.
Hui Ying-hung began her career at 17 and quickly rose to fame as a leading action star, often taking on physically demanding roles that other actresses avoided. She gained recognition for her willingness to perform dangerous stunts, even without protection, which ultimately led to her recent revelation about the extent of her injuries. Her commitment has earned her numerous awards, solidifying her status in the Hong Kong film industry.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong actress Hui Ying-hung revealed she received 89 stitches on her face due to stunt injuries sustained during filming, prompting an outpouring of sympathy and praise for her dedication. Hui, known for her action roles, has faced numerous physical challenges throughout her career.
Hui Ying-hung began her career at 17 and quickly rose to fame as a leading action star, often taking on physically demanding roles that other actresses avoided. She gained recognition for her willingness to perform dangerous stunts, even without protection, which ultimately led to her recent revelation about the extent of her injuries. Her commitment has earned her numerous awards, solidifying her status in the Hong Kong film industry.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
China-US chip war takes a quantum leap with breakthroughs declared on same day
中国和美国的研究团队在量子计算领域取得了重大突破。北京大学的研究人员展示了世界首个基于光学芯片的大规模量子纠缠，而微软团队则声称创造了拓扑量子比特，这被认为是该技术发展的“圣杯”。这两项成果均发表在《自然》杂志上，标志着全球量子霸权竞争的进一步加剧。
中国团队利用光在微型芯片上生成并控制互连的量子态网络，为构建基于量子的互联网奠定了基础，该网络可以安全高效地共享信息。与此同时，微软推出了新的Majorana 1芯片，旨在以一种能够抵抗技术错误的的方式存储高达一百万个量子比特，从而有望解决从新药到革命性材料等难题。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
中国和美国的研究团队在量子计算领域取得了重大突破。北京大学的研究人员展示了世界首个基于光学芯片的大规模量子纠缠，而微软团队则声称创造了拓扑量子比特，这被认为是该技术发展的“圣杯”。这两项成果均发表在《自然》杂志上，标志着全球量子霸权竞争的进一步加剧。
中国团队利用光在微型芯片上生成并控制互连的量子态网络，为构建基于量子的互联网奠定了基础，该网络可以安全高效地共享信息。与此同时，微软推出了新的Majorana 1芯片，旨在以一种能够抵抗技术错误的的方式存储高达一百万个量子比特，从而有望解决从新药到革命性材料等难题。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Does Sri Lanka have an energy crisis? Blackout exposes weaknesses facing island’s grid
Sri Lanka's recent nationwide blackout has ignited worries about its grid's capacity to handle renewable energy, potentially worsening as climate change impacts hydropower and energy infrastructure investments stall. The February 9th outage, triggered by a monkey electrocuting a sub-power station, exposed vulnerabilities related to high solar power input and low system inertia, leading to an imbalance between energy generation and demand.
This incident has revived concerns about Sri Lanka's energy security, reminiscent of the 13-hour blackouts in 2022 that fueled anti-government protests and led to the downfall of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The current heatwave further exacerbates the situation, as dry spells reduce hydropower reliance, forcing a greater dependence on thermal energy. These factors highlight the urgent need for grid upgrades and diversified energy sources to prevent future disruptions and ensure a stable power supply.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Sri Lanka's recent nationwide blackout has ignited worries about its grid's capacity to handle renewable energy, potentially worsening as climate change impacts hydropower and energy infrastructure investments stall. The February 9th outage, triggered by a monkey electrocuting a sub-power station, exposed vulnerabilities related to high solar power input and low system inertia, leading to an imbalance between energy generation and demand.
This incident has revived concerns about Sri Lanka's energy security, reminiscent of the 13-hour blackouts in 2022 that fueled anti-government protests and led to the downfall of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The current heatwave further exacerbates the situation, as dry spells reduce hydropower reliance, forcing a greater dependence on thermal energy. These factors highlight the urgent need for grid upgrades and diversified energy sources to prevent future disruptions and ensure a stable power supply.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Fiscal support for tech breakthroughs a focus for Beijing this year, minister says
中国财政部长蓝佛安强调，政府将优先使用财政手段支持科技进步。 预计中国今年将提高财政赤字率至4%，以促进经济增长。蓝佛安承诺，财政部将增加中央政府对科技的拨款，全力支持关键核心技术的突破，并支持制造业高质量发展和先进技术改造。
蓝佛安还表示，今年将扩大财政支出，提高赤字率，增加债券发行，并更加有针对性地改善民生、刺激消费。在房地产行业面临挑战、外部不确定性增加以及与美国的技术竞争加剧的背景下，中国经济亟需更强的财政支持和新的增长动力。具体的赤字率和债券发行规模预计将在下个月的全国人大会议上公布。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
中国财政部长蓝佛安强调，政府将优先使用财政手段支持科技进步。 预计中国今年将提高财政赤字率至4%，以促进经济增长。蓝佛安承诺，财政部将增加中央政府对科技的拨款，全力支持关键核心技术的突破，并支持制造业高质量发展和先进技术改造。
蓝佛安还表示，今年将扩大财政支出，提高赤字率，增加债券发行，并更加有针对性地改善民生、刺激消费。在房地产行业面临挑战、外部不确定性增加以及与美国的技术竞争加剧的背景下，中国经济亟需更强的财政支持和新的增长动力。具体的赤字率和债券发行规模预计将在下个月的全国人大会议上公布。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
