China’s ‘Fantastic Four’: the new breed of entrepreneurs reshaping the global tech landscape

A new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs, dubbed the "Fantastic Four," is playing a crucial role in reshaping the global technology landscape and bolstering China's competitive stance against the US. This group includes Liang Wenfeng of DeepSeek (AI), Wang Xingxing of Unitree Robotics, Zhang Yiming of ByteDance, and Wang Tao of DJI, all of whom are recognized for their innovative contributions to China's technological advancement.

These entrepreneurs represent a shift from the previous generation, who experienced greater economic hardship. Born after China's "reform and opening up," they benefited from a more liberal environment that encouraged private enterprise and prioritized science and technology education. Liang and Wang were even invited to a symposium led by President Xi Jinping, highlighting the government's recognition of their importance to China's future innovation.

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How Trump’s growing frustration with Zelensky ended in fiery showdown at the White House

tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky escalated into a shouting match at the White House, following weeks of frustration from Trump and his aides who viewed Zelensky as hindering their objectives. These objectives included swiftly ending the war, mending relations with Moscow, and finalizing a potentially profitable minerals deal.

The conflict intensified as negotiations over a highly anticipated minerals agreement for the joint development of Ukraine's natural resources stalled. This confrontation, witnessed by TV cameras, signifies a potential turning point in Washington's relationship with Moscow. The Oval Office conversation deteriorated after Vice-President J.D. Vance criticized Zelensky for ingratitude regarding US support, leading to an unprecedented verbal clash where Trump and Vance rebuked the Ukrainian president.

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Chinese inspired by Ne Zha 2, DeepSeek and tech trailblazers see signs of brighter future

At the start of 2025, China is experiencing a surge in national confidence, fueled by the success of a blockbuster animated film, Ne Zha 2, and the launch of a groundbreaking open-source AI model by DeepSeek. These achievements are particularly significant given the backdrop of ongoing US-China rivalry and a sluggish economy in 2024.

Despite China's GDP meeting its target with 5% growth in 2024, consumer sentiment remained low due to job market concerns and a struggling property sector. The success of Ne Zha 2, resonating with themes of overcoming adversity, and DeepSeek's cost-efficient AI model have boosted morale and highlighted Chinese innovation. Yang Yu, the self-taught animator behind Ne Zha, exemplifies this spirit of perseverance, inspiring many with his success story.

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Russia says Trump showed ‘restraint’ by not hitting ‘scumbag’ Zelensky

俄罗斯外交部发言人玛丽亚·扎哈罗娃表示,美国总统唐纳德·特朗普在与乌克兰总统泽连斯基在白宫发生“激烈争吵”时表现出了“克制”,没有动手打他。她同时批评泽连斯基“忘恩负义”,并指责他在白宫撒谎,声称2022年基辅政权是孤立无援的。

扎哈罗娃的言论是在回应媒体报道的特朗普与泽连斯基在会晤中发生冲突的消息。俄罗斯前总统梅德韦杰夫也称泽连斯基为“厚颜无耻的猪”,并表示他在椭圆形办公室受到了“应有的斥责”。俄罗斯直接投资基金负责人则将这次冲突称为“历史性”事件,暗示其对俄乌关系产生了重大影响。

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Japan’s conservatives have change of heart about Trump over his ‘disastrous’ policies

Some conservative Japanese, once supporters of Donald Trump, are now reconsidering their stance due to concerns about his erratic foreign policy and divisive rhetoric, which they fear could negatively impact Japan's security and economic prospects. These shifts in opinion come as Trump's potential return to the White House looms.

Previously, these conservatives favored Trump because of his promises to increase US defense spending, take a firm stance against China, and potentially resolve the Ukraine conflict and restrain North Korea. However, recent statements and actions by Trump, such as questioning Volodymyr Zelensky's legitimacy and blaming Ukraine for the war with Russia, have led to disappointment and a reassessment of his suitability as a leader who can safeguard Japan's interests.

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When will Hong Kong stop building skyscraping boxes with bay windows?

Hong Kong is aiming to streamline project approvals to save resources and inspire new development, but the city should also focus on improving the quality and visual interest of its built environment. Undersecretary for Development David Lam Chi-man has called for a new "facilitator" mindset to expedite project vetting, with several departments pledging to cut red tape. This initiative signals a positive shift towards adapting to current market conditions.

While British designer Thomas Heatherwick praises Hong Kong's use of bay windows for adding visual complexity to buildings, arguing that modernism has stripped beauty and emotional connection from built environments, the author disagrees that Hong Kong's towers are truly interesting. Heatherwick, who has worked on projects like Pacific Place, highlights a past government initiative that encouraged bay windows, but the author suggests that more can be done to improve the city's everyday architecture and move beyond monotonous designs.

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Plan to put Trump on US$250 bill tickles China as number means ‘stubborn idiot’ in slang

美国一位国会议员提议发行印有唐纳德·特朗普总统头像的250美元纸币,这一消息引发了中国网民的关注和调侃,因为在中文俚语中,“250”有“愚蠢、固执”的意思。该提议由南卡罗来纳州共和党籍众议员Joe Wilson于2月26日在社交媒体上宣布,他表示正在起草相关法案。

Wilson解释说,由于“拜登通胀摧毁了经济,迫使美国家庭携带更多现金”,因此他提出了这项提议,并称“让我们为最有价值的总统制造最有价值的钞票!”值得一提的是,Wilson曾因在2009年前总统奥巴马的演讲中大喊“你说谎!”而闻名。目前,美国财政部长对钞票上的人物有最终决定权,但现行法律禁止在世人物出现在钞票上。截至目前,特朗普尚未对此提议作出回应。

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Will Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park breathe new life into nearby bars?

香港启德体育园的正式启用,可能将改变大型赛事后狂欢人群的聚集地,传统上在香港大球场赛事结束后,人群会涌向湾仔的骆克道。新的体育园位于维多利亚港的另一边,这为其他社区带来了吸引顾客的机会。

耗资300亿港元的启德体育园将于本周六正式开放,是政府举办大型体育和娱乐活动的核心场所。体育园拥有多个购物中心和餐厅,但多数在晚上11点关闭。虽然香港国际七人榄球赛将在本月底于此举行,且组织者将在主体育场外开设“球迷村”,但其酒吧区也将在晚上11点关闭。因此,附近的尖沙咀等区域,可能会成为赛事后人们继续娱乐的新选择。

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Malaysia’s digital economy ambition faces disconnect in workplace and schools

马来西亚的年轻求职者在求职基本技能方面存在严重不足。职业指导师Ameirul Azraie Mustadza指出,许多求职者在简历结构、邮件书写和求职信等方面都存在问题,例如简历结构混乱、邮件没有主题以及求职信缺乏适当的介绍和明确的信息。

Mustadza发现,即使他努力提高这些求职者的基本技能,他们所寻求的工作也可能很快消失。马来西亚Khazanah研究所预测,到2040年,人工智能可能导致马来西亚一半的工作岗位流失,自动化时代更青睐那些能够快速掌握新技能的人。对于那些最容易受到人工智能影响的人来说,坏消息是未来已经到来。

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Gene Hackman and wife test negative for carbon monoxide, cause of death unknown

著名演员吉恩·哈克曼及其妻子的死因仍然不明,尽管他们的体内一氧化碳检测呈阴性。圣达菲县警长 Aden Mendoza 表示,哈克曼可能在被发现前已经去世一周多,因为他的心脏起搏器最后一次显示活动是在 2 月 17 日,也就是维护和安保人员到达他家九天前。

95 岁的奥斯卡奖得主哈克曼周三被发现死于夫妇在圣达菲的住所的入口处。他的妻子,65 岁的 Betsy Arakawa,被发现侧卧在浴室里。一只死去的德国牧羊犬在 Arakawa 附近的狗窝里被发现。Mendoza 说,没有明显的犯罪迹象,初步尸检结果“没有发现任何一方有外部创伤”。目前死因和死亡方式尚未确定,这将由医学调查人员来解答关于这对夫妇何时以及如何死亡的许多问题。

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China’s ‘two sessions’ 2025: with tech the X factor, does the GDP race still matter?

中国国家主席习近平坚信,尽管面临与美国的激烈经济和技术竞争,中国最终将胜出。在2月17日与中国杰出企业家的座谈会上,习近平表达了对中国经济长期前景的乐观态度,并重申了中国崛起与西方衰落的论断。

在全球第二大经济体中国与美国陷入新的贸易战之际,投资者情绪和消费者信心受到抑制。尽管中国与美国的GDP差距连续第三年扩大,但习近平仍然强调“东风依旧”,认为中国经济在全球舞台上仍具有无可比拟的优势。与此同时,美国总统特朗普正采取一切措施巩固美国的经济霸权。

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EU top diplomat after Trump-Zelensky clash: ‘free world needs new leader’

欧盟外交政策负责人卡娅·卡拉斯表示,在特朗普总统与泽连斯基总统在白宫发生冲突后,“自由世界需要一位新领导人”已经变得显而易见。卡拉斯强调,欧洲人需要承担起这一挑战,在对乌克兰的支持上更进一步。

此前,特朗普公开指责泽连斯基“不够感恩”,并声称他“没有为和平做好准备”,且在“珍贵的椭圆形办公室”中“不尊重”美国。这一事件引发了国际社会的广泛关注,并让人们对结束俄乌战争的努力产生了怀疑。包括冯德莱恩和科斯塔在内的欧洲领导人纷纷表示支持泽连斯基,并向他保证“你永远不会孤单”。

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Rather than resist AI art, Asia is embracing its future

Christie's "Augmented Intelligence" sale marks a significant moment as the first major auction featuring an entire art collection created by artificial intelligence. This event highlights the increasing presence of AI in the art world, following previous auctions of individual AI-generated pieces that fetched substantial prices.

However, the auction has sparked controversy, with over 6,400 artists signing an open letter urging Christie's to cancel the sale. Their main concern is that AI models are trained on copyrighted works, potentially exploiting human artists. This debate extends to broader concerns about AI's role in creativity and the potential impact on human artists, raising questions about originality, copyright, and the very definition of art in the age of artificial intelligence.

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US businessman pleads guilty to trying to export sensitive tech to China without a licence

美国司法部周五表示,北卡罗来纳州一家电子产品转售公司的所有者承认,试图在没有许可证的情况下向中国出口具有军事用途的敏感技术。David C. Bohmerwald 违反了《出口管制改革法》(ECRA),试图向中国一家公司运送 100 个加速度计。

加速度计在军事应用中对结构测试、监控、飞行控制和导航系统至关重要。该技术可以帮助导弹更好地飞行,并测量弹药对结构的精确影响,因此出口到中国需要许可证。Bohmerwald 购买加速度计时,声称是为密苏里州的最终用户准备的,但联邦特工联系该公司时,该公司否认与他或他的公司有任何未决订单。

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Trump to sign order designating English as official language of US

美国总统特朗普预计将签署一项行政命令,指定英语为美国的官方语言。该命令将允许接受联邦资金的政府机构和组织自行决定是否继续提供英语以外的语言服务和文件。此举旨在提高政府效率,促进团结和公民参与。

这项行政命令将撤销前总统克林顿的一项指令,该指令要求政府和接受联邦资金的组织向不会说英语的人提供语言帮助。目前,已有超过30个州通过法律,指定英语为官方语言。倡导将英语定为美国官方语言的组织“US English”对此表示支持。

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Microsoft retires Skype, internet call pioneer

微软宣布将于2025年5月正式停止Skype服务。这家科技巨头于2011年收购了Skype,这款在线语音和视频通话的先驱曾经革新了互联网通讯方式。用户将被引导至微软的Teams平台继续使用相关服务。

Skype由Niklas Zennstrom和Janus Friis于2003年在爱沙尼亚创立,最初以电脑间的免费语音通话和低价的固话、手机通话服务而闻名。尽管Skype后来不断发展,增加了视频通话、即时消息、文件共享和群组通讯等功能,但近年来在WhatsApp、Zoom以及微软自家的Teams等新兴对手的竞争下,Skype逐渐失去了市场地位。

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Trump and Ukraine’s Zelensky clash in Oval Office shouting match

美国前总统特朗普与乌克兰总统泽连斯基近日爆发激烈冲突,特朗普指责泽连斯基对其不够尊重,并质疑他对俄罗斯的倾斜。双方在会晤中就乌克兰战局和美国的支持问题争执不下,最终泽连斯基未签署特朗普要求的关键矿产协议便离开了白宫。

特朗普在会面中强调乌克兰正在输掉战争,并威胁撤回美国的支持,除非泽连斯基签署矿产协议。他认为该协议能让乌克兰在谈判中占据更有利地位,但同时指责泽连斯基对此不够感激。此次冲突凸显了美乌两国在战略和资源合作上的分歧。

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Motorcyclist dies in Hong Kong after being sandwiched between truck and bus

一名香港摩托车手在将军澳发生的一起交通事故中丧生,事故涉及一辆卡车和一辆公共汽车。这起事故发生在下午6点10分左右,地点位于将军澳的环保大道,靠近骏日街的路口。警方称,当时这三辆车正沿环澳路行驶。

根据警方发言人的说法,卡车和摩托车当时在交通灯前停下,随后公共汽车撞上了摩托车,摩托车又撞上了卡车。这名50岁的摩托车骑手被送往将军澳医院,并在晚上8点52分被证实死亡。事发后,62岁的巴士司机表示身体不适,也被送往同一家医院,后因涉嫌危险驾驶造成严重身体伤害被警方逮捕。

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8 residential sites Hong Kong to sell in 2025-26 will yield 4,450 private flats

香港政府计划在未来财政年度推出八幅小型住宅用地,预计通过土地出售计划提供约4450套私人住宅。发展局局长林郑月娥周五表示,2025-26财政年度的计划将包括五个位于已发展社区的新地块,分别位于香港岛、九龙和新界。

林郑月娥表示,市场正在回暖,这些地块可能会吸引开发商的兴趣。这八幅地块预计每幅可提供193至985套住宅,其中屯门的第一幅地块将于4月至6月推出,提供525套住房。此外,连同其他重建和项目,预计未来财政年度将新建13700套私人住宅,超出官方目标500套。林郑月娥还提到,五个新地块需要重新分区,其中一些地块此前已被指定用于某些开发目的,但在审查后已不再适用,还有一些地块是闲置的学校或市场。

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Denmark hopes to have air defence system in place from 2026

丹麦国防部长周五宣布,丹麦有望从2026年起建立空中防御系统。 此举旨在应对俄罗斯的军事威胁和美国可能减少支持的不确定性。丹麦政府计划在2025年至2026年间额外拨款500亿克朗(约70亿美元)用于国防,使国防开支占GDP的3%。

一年前,丹麦政府就表示希望建立一套防御系统以抵御空中袭击。但鉴于当前欧洲安全局势,特别是对美国总统特朗普对欧洲安全承诺的质疑,丹麦官员正加速寻找解决方案,即使是临时的。其他欧洲盟友也在讨论进一步增加国防投资。

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