What Hong Kong tourism can learn from Disneyland’s magical turnaround

香港迪士尼乐园在经历了近十年的亏损后,实现了创纪录的净利润和游客数量的历史新高。这一惊人的转变主要归功于对迪士尼知识产权的投资,例如冰雪奇缘世界的推出,以及大胆的提价策略。这一策略不仅提高了游客数量,还增加了收入,表明高端旅游而非低成本旅游才是成功的关键。

在过去的一个财政年度里,香港迪士尼乐园的收入达到了创纪录的88亿港元,同比增长了54%。净利润为8.38亿港元,与上一年度3.56亿港元的净亏损相比,实现了惊人的扭转。内地游客占比从24%增长至38%,海外游客翻了一番达到22%,而本地游客占比则从65%下降至40%,游客人均消费增长了28%,酒店入住率从77%攀升至88%。

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Guyana says Venezuela naval vessel ‘threatened’ ExxonMobil unit in its waters

圭亚那总统表示,一艘委内瑞拉海军舰艇进入了圭亚那水域,靠近了埃克森美孚管理的近海油田的一艘生产船只。这一事件加剧了两国之间长期存在的领土争端,该争端涉及面积达16万平方公里的埃塞奎博地区的所有权。

圭亚那方面称已向国际伙伴发出警报。美国强烈谴责委内瑞拉海军舰艇的行为,称其“威胁”埃克森美孚的设备,并警告委内瑞拉若进一步挑衅将面临“后果”。美国国务院也发表声明,谴责委内瑞拉侵犯圭亚那国际公认的海洋领土,并警告不要进一步侵犯。

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Ukraine’s Zelensky embraced by UK’s Starmer a day after Trump meltdown

英国首相基尔·斯塔默周六会见了乌克兰总统泽连斯基,并表示英国坚定不移地支持乌克兰。此次会面发生在泽连斯基与美国总统特朗普在白宫发生激烈冲突的第二天,当时特朗普公开指责泽连斯基对美国的支持不够感激。

泽连斯基抵达唐宁街10号时,受到了聚集在外的民众的热烈欢呼。斯塔默拥抱了他,并邀请他进入。斯塔默强调,英国将与乌克兰站在一起,无论需要多久。此前,泽连斯基正准备与美国达成协议,允许美国开采乌克兰的矿产资源,而特朗普也在施压乌克兰与俄罗斯达成结束战争的协议。

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Andrew Cuomo running for New York mayor after resigning governor post in disgrace

Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor who resigned in disgrace amid sexual harassment allegations and accusations of misleading the public about Covid-19 deaths, has announced his candidacy for New York City mayor. Cuomo, 67, denies the allegations and will challenge incumbent Mayor Eric Adams in the Democratic primary in June.

Cuomo stated that the city needs a bold plan to address crime, mental illness, and affordable housing, advocating for increased police numbers and the construction of thousands of affordable homes. Adams, seeking a second term, faces his own challenges, including corruption charges and criticism for courting Donald Trump. Cuomo's political background includes serving as housing secretary under President Bill Clinton and as New York's attorney general, in addition to his tenure as governor.

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FedEx plane makes emergency landing in US after bird strike, engine fire

一架联邦快递货机在新泽西州纽瓦克自由国际机场紧急降落,原因是鸟击导致引擎起火。机上人员安全撤离,火势被控制在引擎内,没有人员伤亡报告。紧急降落一度导致空中交通短暂中断,但很快恢复。

据报道,飞机在起飞后不久遭遇鸟击,飞行员冷静地报告了情况并要求返回机场。另有信息表明,有人看到飞机的引擎从右翼脱落。联邦快递发言人表示,这架飞机原定飞往印第安纳波利斯,飞行员的专业表现值得称赞,公司对机组人员和急救人员的快速反应表示感谢。

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Trump humanitarian parole policy change challenged in court

A lawsuit has been filed against the Trump administration for ending humanitarian parole programs, a legal tool used by presidents to allow people from countries facing war or instability to temporarily reside in the US. The lawsuit aims to reinstate these programs, which have benefited 875,000 migrants from countries including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, all of whom have legal US residents as sponsors.

The plaintiffs include eight immigrants who legally entered the US before the Trump administration ended what it termed the "broad abuse" of humanitarian parole. While they can legally remain until their parole expires, their applications for asylum, visas, and other requests for longer-term residency have been halted. The lawsuit highlights the plight of individuals like Maksym and Maria Doe, a Ukrainian couple, and Omar Doe, who served with the US military in Afghanistan for over 18 years, arguing that they followed legal procedures and deserve fair consideration.

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Restaurants near Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park left hungry for customers

香港启德体育园周六正式开放,但并未给附近餐厅带来预期的商业效益。尽管有近34,000名观众到场观看开幕式,但大多数人在活动结束后立即离开,导致周边餐饮业的生意额与普通周末相仿,并未出现显著增长。

有餐厅经理表示,客流量甚至不如之前的体育场演习和测试活动。他认为,这与活动结束时间较晚有关,晚上8点35分结束的时间已经超过了正常的晚餐时间,导致观众直接回家,没有在附近用餐。耗资300亿港元的启德体育园的盛大开幕,未能有效带动周边商业。

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Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park ‘new stage’ for mega-events economy

香港启德体育园盛大开幕,行政长官李家超称其为香港有史以来最大的体育、娱乐和盛事综合体。该体育园占地超过28公顷,旨在成为体育、娱乐、旅游和展览的中心,为香港打造一个举办大型活动的桥头堡。

李家超在开幕式上表示,启德体育园的前身是启德机场,曾是香港连接世界的门户。他鼓励本地和海外歌手考虑在启德体育场举办演出,并承诺他们将在这里看到“最热情和国际化的观众”。该项目耗资300亿港元(约39亿美元),预计将提升香港作为“盛事之都”的国际声誉。

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Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park breezes through first real crowd control test

香港启德体育园在周六晚的开幕典礼后,成功通过了首次人群控制措施的考验,约33,000名观众在典礼结束后迅速疏散。观众在晚上8:35典礼结束后,大约20分钟内离开了启德体育馆。

为了避免拥挤,部分观众提前约15分钟开始离场。警方提供的“轻松离开”应用程序显示,在晚上8:50的高峰期,从体育馆步行至宋皇台和启德地铁站分别需要10分钟和21分钟,正常情况下则大约需要18分钟。有观众表示担心人群控制措施会给离场带来不便,因此选择提前离开。

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Taiwan plans to take defence spending to 3% of GDP. Will it ease US pressure?

台湾计划将国防开支提高到至少占GDP的3%,以回应美国的要求,但此举的可行性以及对其他政府开支的潜在影响引发了质疑。分析人士认为,最大的问题是,这一旨在展示台湾自卫决心的预算增长,是否足以满足美国总统特朗普的要求。

台湾领导人赖清德在一次高级别安全会议后宣布了这一举措,此前特朗普再次威胁要对台湾的芯片产品征收更高的关税。特朗普指责台湾夺走了美国的半导体业务,并誓言要将其带回美国,同时威胁要征收高额关税和经济制裁。数据显示,台湾对美国的贸易顺差去年飙升至创纪录的648.8亿美元。

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European satellite launcher set for first commercial blast-off

欧洲的阿丽亚娜6号运载火箭在多次延期后,将于周一进行首次商业发射,将一颗法国军事情报卫星送入太空。此次从法属圭亚那库鲁基地发射对欧洲建立安全自主至关重要,尤其是在美俄外交关系缓和的背景下。

阿丽亚娜6号的成功发射对欧洲至关重要,因为阿丽亚娜5号已于2023年退役,且自2022年俄罗斯入侵乌克兰以来,欧洲无法使用俄罗斯的联盟号火箭进行卫星发射。该火箭于去年7月成功完成测试,并计划今年执行五次发射任务。此次发射原定于12月进行,后因卫星运抵库鲁基地的问题,被推迟至2月26日和3月3日。

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China’s media plays up Russian response to Trump-Zelensky White House clash

A reported shouting match between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky led to the cancellation of a deal intended to counter Chinese dominance in critical mineral supply chains. While Beijing has remained officially silent, Chinese state media is reporting on the incident, citing Russian sources who appear to be taking a mocking tone towards Zelensky.

The deal between Kyiv and Washington aimed to exploit Ukraine's critical minerals. However, the Oval Office meeting reportedly devolved into a shouting match just before the signing. Russian officials, quoted by CCTV, commented on the altercation, with one suggesting Trump showed "restraint" by not physically assaulting Zelensky, highlighting the strained relations and geopolitical implications of the failed agreement.

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Cambodia returns 119 Thais in crackdown on cyberscam centres

柬埔寨驱逐了119名泰国人,他们此前因涉嫌参与网络诈骗活动而被捕。 这些泰国人(61名男性和58名女性)被指控非法进入柬埔寨工作和居留,他们是2月22日至23日在波贝市突击搜查涉嫌网络诈骗中心时被拘留的230名外国人的一部分。这次驱逐行动是东南亚地区打击非法网络诈骗中心的一部分。

近年来,网络诈骗中心在东南亚地区迅速蔓延,这些中心引诱外国人从事诈骗活动,通过网络情缘和加密货币投资等手段欺骗他人。柬埔寨当局在2022年末对这些非法场所展开了高调的突击搜查。此次驱逐行动发生之前,泰国总理佩通丹·西那瓦刚刚访问了与波贝相邻的泰国城镇沙缴,旨在“消灭呼叫中心团伙”。

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Time to start preparing for the AI-in-everything era

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence, highlighted by the launch of sophisticated chatbots like DeepSeek’s R1 and Elon Musk’s Grok-3, are sparking debate about AI's transformative potential on how we live, learn, and work. While some believe AI's impact will be limited by factors such as user adoption and the irreplaceable nature of human interaction, others foresee a complete societal transformation driven by AI.

Those who are more cautious about AI's impact argue that many individuals lack the skills to effectively utilize AI tools, particularly in areas like education where teacher-student interaction remains crucial. Conversely, proponents of AI-driven transformation acknowledge potential job displacement, especially in low-skilled roles, but emphasize that AI will primarily reshape job market demands, necessitating workforce adaptation and upskilling. The ultimate consensus is that while AI may not entirely replace human roles, it is poised to significantly alter our lifestyles.

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Kurdish militants declare ceasefire, heeding jailed leader

库尔德工人党(PKK)宣布立即停火,响应了被监禁的领导人阿卜杜拉·奥贾兰的解除武装呼吁。这一举动是结束针对土耳其长达40年叛乱的重要一步。奥贾兰此前呼吁PKK放下武器并解散,得到了土耳其政府和亲库尔德的DEM党的支持。

如果成功,此举可能对该地区产生广泛影响,并结束这场自1984年以来已导致超过4万人死亡的冲突。PKK目前位于伊拉克北部山区。停火也可能为土耳其总统埃尔多安带来国内支持,并为土耳其东南部带来和平与发展,那里的冲突已造成数千人死亡并严重损害了经济。PKK表示,希望土耳其政府能给予自1999年以来几乎完全被隔离的奥贾兰更多自由,以便他能够领导解除武装进程,并补充说,必须为此建立必要的政治和民主条件。

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As Africa races towards its AI revolution, China is with it each step of the way

Chinese start-up DeepSeek's involvement in Africa is set to boost AI development, solidifying China's role in the continent's digital transformation through initiatives like the Digital Silk Road. This initiative focuses on building crucial digital infrastructure, including cables, 5G networks, and data centers, laying the groundwork for AI adoption across various sectors.

China's commitment to Africa's digital landscape is evident through substantial engineering deals exceeding $700 billion over the past decade. With 52 African countries and the African Union partnering with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, the stage is set for further AI advancements. While still in its early phases, AI demonstrates promising potential in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance, prompting policymakers to develop governance frameworks for this rapidly evolving technology.

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Hong Kong’s Cathay Group to recruit up to 4,000 employees amid expansion drive

国泰集团计划今年在全球招聘多达 4,000 名员工,并在香港、上海和伦敦连续举办三场招聘会,以实现其扩展到 100 个目的地的计划。此次招聘涵盖飞行员、空乘人员和客户服务人员等多个职位,旨在支持国泰航空的网络扩张。

此次招聘活动是在国泰航空行政总裁林绍波 1 月份表示公司已成功完成为期两年的重建计划之后进行的,目前航班已恢复到疫情前水平的 100%。随着全球航空业从疫情中复苏,航空旅行的需求再次激增,全球航空公司都在积极招募新的飞行员和空乘人员,以支持其机队和旅行网络的扩张。

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Sudan civil war: famine and inflation eclipse Ramadan

在苏丹战火持续之际,准备迎接斋月的居民面临基本生活用品价格飞涨的困境。这场持续近两年的战争对经济造成严重冲击,使得包括糖、牛肉和羊肉等斋月必需品的价格飙升,许多家庭难以负担。

在相对安全的苏丹东部港口城市,居民已经感受到物价上涨的压力。而在受战争直接影响的地区,情况更加严峻,饥荒、流离失所、物资严重短缺和抢劫等问题,让人们无暇顾及斋月期间的慷慨和社区精神。即使在相对平静的地区,如苏丹港,糖的价格已经达到每公斤2400苏丹镑(约1美元),牛肉和羊肉的价格更是分别高达每公斤24000苏丹镑和28000苏丹镑。

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From Musk to Bannon, Trump’s rabble of backers are heading for a brawl

Despite campaigning against elites, Donald Trump's support base includes establishment figures, plutocrats, and now, members of the "techno-right" like Elon Musk. These diverse groups, including conventional Republicans, Wall Street financiers, and economic nationalists, are united not by Trump's character, but by the belief that their specific agendas will be better advanced under his leadership.

Conservative Republicans seek tax cuts and deregulation, while economic nationalists aim to reduce trade deficits and revitalize US manufacturing. The "techno-right" and free-speech absolutists prioritize their visions of the future and oppose perceived "woke censorship," respectively. These groups view figures like Kamala Harris and Joe Biden as obstacles, and are willing to overlook Trump's authoritarian tendencies to achieve their goals, often downplaying the risks to democracy and the rule of law.

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84 Indonesians trafficked to Myanmar scam centres return home

84名印度尼西亚人已从泰国乘飞机返回家园,他们是最新一批从该地区遣返的诈骗受害者。 这些人员包括69名男性和15名女性,他们在印度尼西亚官员与泰国和缅甸官员的谈判后抵达雅加达。

近年来,网络诈骗活动在缅甸无法无天的边境地区蓬勃发展,以高薪工作为诱饵吸引外国工人,然后将他们扣为人质,强迫他们进行网络诈骗。在主要盟友北京的压力下,缅甸已经开始打击一些诈骗窝点,解救了来自20多个国家的约7000名工人。这些获救的印尼公民将被送往社会事务部的安全住所和创伤中心,接受康复治疗。

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