Bitcoin up by a fifth after Trump names cryptocurrencies in strategic reserve

比特币及其他加密货币价格大幅上涨,部分原因是前美国总统特朗普表示计划将它们纳入美国战略储备。 特朗普在Truth Social上发帖称,他一月份关于数字资产的行政命令将创建一个包括比特币、以太币、XRP、Solana和Cardano在内的货币储备,此前这些币种名称并未公开。

特朗普的帖子推动比特币价格从上周五的低点上涨超过20%,扭转了自1月中旬以来因特朗普未能兑现放松监管承诺而出现的下滑趋势。 以太币、XRP、Solana和Cardano等其他加密货币也出现显著上涨,涨幅分别达到20%至78%不等。

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Mixue shares jump 29% in Hong Kong trading debut as investors flock to milk tea vendor

蜜雪冰城在香港首次公开募股中表现亮眼,股价大幅上涨,成为近几个月来香港最成功的IPO之一。投资者对这家奶茶供应商的股票趋之若鹜,开盘价远高于发行价。

这家总部位于郑州的公司股票开盘价为每股262港元,比发行价202.50港元高出29.3%。盘中一度上涨至269港元,超过恒生指数1.4%的涨幅。招股说明书显示,开盘价使该公司在香港上市的股本价值达到990亿港元(127亿美元)。散户投资者认购的股份是发行 tranche 的 5,258 倍,使其成为香港有史以来最受欢迎的 IPO 之一。蜜雪冰城主要通过向其全球超过 45,000 家加盟商销售原料(牛奶、咖啡和糖浆)以及设备来创造收入。该模式由“全面的端到端供应链”提供支持,包括采购、生产、物流、研发和质量控制。

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In a world of declining freedom, 1 South Asian nation stands out: report

Despite a global decline in freedom, South Asia showed positive trends in the latest Freedom House report. Senegal and Bhutan were elevated to "free" status, with Bhutan becoming the only South Asian nation in that category. Other countries in the region, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, also demonstrated significant improvements in their scores.

The largest score improvement was observed in Indian-administered Kashmir, where elections took place for the first time since the revocation of its special status in 2019. However, the report also noted a continued decline in freedom in India as a whole, citing Prime Minister Modi's attempts to influence judicial appointments. The report marks the 19th consecutive year of declining freedom globally, with 2024 being particularly volatile due to the high number of elections.

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Hong Kong property: Winland’s 5 asset sales show more distress in store

香港越来越多的房产业主正以大幅折扣出售资产,原因是高企的借贷成本加重了抵押贷款的偿还负担,且专家预计市场将进一步走弱。世邦魏理仕香港资本市场部执行董事颜伟表示,越来越多的业主希望通过减少债务来确保财务状况保持健康,因此挂牌出售的房产数量环比增加了20%到30%。

据悉,莱坊正在帮助永伦集团的伦氏家族出售位于长沙湾的永伦大厦,要价约为7亿港元(9000万美元)。该家族还聘请莱坊出售位于金钟力宝中心的部分单元,要价约为4.5亿港元,比八年前的收购成本低36%。此外,伦氏家族据称最近还以1.18亿港元的价格出售了屯门顺成大厦的三个楼层,并以1.07亿港元的价格出售了北角奥迪安大厦的两个楼层。由于美国和香港的决策者在上个月维持了关键利率不变,借贷成本预计在未来6到12个月内仍将居高不下,这加剧了业主对杠杆的担忧,并使投资者在抵押贷款偿还方面几乎没有得到缓解。

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Why Hong Kong’s austere budget is hard for the public to swallow

Hong Kong's latest budget is notable for its austerity measures, a stark contrast to the city's past financial abundance. The city once boasted substantial reserves, leading to past budget debates focusing on accusations of financial secretaries being overly frugal and not adequately distributing the surplus wealth to the public.

In the past, Hong Kong's budget surpluses were frequently underestimated, becoming a recurring joke. For instance, in 2010, a deficit of HK$25.2 billion was projected, but the year concluded with a HK$75.1 billion surplus. While current Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also underestimated the latest deficit, it was by a smaller margin compared to previous instances, with an actual deficit of HK$87.2 billion against a predicted HK$48.1 billion.

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From geek to chic: Japan PM stuns women’s fashion show with trendy new look

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba surprised attendees at the Tokyo Girls Collection fashion show by ditching his usual suit for a more stylish ensemble, signaling his support for a "cool" Japan. Ishiba's appearance in a double-breasted blazer, denim trousers, white sneakers, and black-rimmed glasses drew cheers from the audience and performers at the prestigious event held at Tokyo’s National Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium.

Ishiba, whose policy goals include revitalizing Japan, stated his support for efforts to create a "cute, energetic, and cool" image for the country. He hopes such events will become more widespread and even extend internationally. He was accompanied at the show by Myaku-Myaku, the mascot for the 2025 Osaka World Expo, further highlighting the effort to promote Japanese culture and innovation.

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Chinese man hospitalised after 3-hour childbirth simulation at lover’s request, sues

中国一名男子在女友的要求下体验了长达三小时的分娩模拟,结果因剧烈疼痛住院并切除了一部分小肠。 这起事件起因于女友的家人希望他能在婚前体验女性的痛苦,以确保他未来能更好地对待妻子。

据报道,这名来自中国河南省的女子在社交媒体上表示,她的母亲和姐姐认为,她的男友应该在订婚前体验女性所面临的挑战。该男子最初拒绝,但最终还是同意了女友家人的要求。在体验过程中,他通过电流刺激皮肤和肌肉,模拟子宫收缩的疼痛,结果导致胃痛和呕吐,最终不得不切除部分小肠。

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Have luxury Hong Kong estates made changes a year after Post exposed land grab?

在《南华早报》调查曝光香港三处豪宅区业主占用公共土地一年后,仅有四分之一的业主停止侵占,约10%拆除了违规建筑。政府部门表示,将对拖延整改的业主发出警告信,或考虑起诉。

专家表示,业主可能因上诉、等待审批或安置租户等原因导致延误。但他们同时呼吁政府加强执法,加大处罚力度,并建议修订《建筑物条例》以打击违规建筑。去年二月,《南华早报》调查发现,这三处豪宅区近90%的房屋涉嫌存在违规扩建,部分建筑位于政府土地上。调查后,地政署向其中34户发出了法定通知,要求停止占用并拆除公共土地上的建筑物。

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Standard Chartered to open sixth Hong Kong wealth centre, increase headcount: Mary Huen

渣打银行计划继续在香港招聘私人银行家并开设更多财富管理中心,目标是在未来五年内从富裕客户那里获得2000亿美元的新资金。香港、大中华及北亚区行政总裁禤惠仪表示,富裕财富管理和跨境业务一直是该行在香港的双引擎增长点。今年,渣打银行将在香港开设第六家跨境财富管理中心,目前已设有五家,服务高净值客户。

渣打银行发现高净值客户对跨境财富管理中心的反应积极,近年来已在台湾和上海设立类似中心,并考虑在大湾区城市如深圳和广州开设。作为未来五年对财富管理业务15亿美元投资的一部分,该行去年已在香港招聘了约100名客户关系经理,并将继续招聘更多财富专家,香港将是扩张的重点。

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Philippines’ push for Asean-wide prisoner transfer treaty: will it spur reforms?

Philippine corrections officials are advocating for an Asean-wide prisoner transfer agreement to bolster regional cooperation on inmate rights and aid rehabilitation. The proposal was a key discussion point at the Asean Regional Correctional Conference in Palawan, attended by corrections officials from various Southeast Asian nations and international organizations.

The Philippines' push follows the repatriation of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino inmate who spent nearly 15 years on death row in Indonesia on drug-smuggling charges. While analysts view the agreement as a "marginal step" towards addressing inmate rights, they caution that it may not significantly alleviate overcrowding and other persistent issues within the region's prison systems.

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‘Two sessions’ set to unveil China’s top economic priorities for this year

中国年度最重要的政治事件“两会”本周将在北京召开,届时全国人民代表大会(NPC)和中国人民政治协商会议(CPPCC)将为北京2025年的政策蓝图奠定基础。面对国内需求低迷、通缩压力、房地产行业长期低迷以及中美贸易紧张局势加剧,预计北京将概述其主要的经济目标和政策重点,以帮助中国应对日益严峻的挑战。

包括国内生产总值(GDP)增长和通货膨胀等关键目标,预计将在国务院总理李强于周三在全国人大会议开幕会议上作政府工作报告时公布。分析人士普遍预测,北京将维持2025年“5%左右”的GDP增长目标,以稳定预期并表明其支持经济的决心。但瑞银分析师称,鉴于持续存在的增长阻力和不确定性,预计目标“雄心勃勃”,该瑞士银行维持其2025年GDP增长基线预测在4%左右。

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‘Quick, nice, great’: 5 cancer patients test Hong Kong-made ‘living drug’

A new "living drug" produced in Hong Kong has shown promising results in treating lymphoma patients, with retiree Li Chun experiencing significant improvement after years of unsuccessful treatments. The CAR-T therapy, developed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), led to the disappearance of cancerous tumors in Li Chun, offering her a pain-free and improved quality of life.

Li Chun was among the first five Hong Kong cancer patients to participate in the clinical trial using locally manufactured CAR-T products. The therapy involves modifying a patient's own T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells. Early results indicate that all five patients, including children and adults, are doing well, with most being discharged from the hospital within a month of receiving the CAR-T infusion, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment in the region.

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China watcher Wang Xiangwei on how red tape is stifling growth and why Trump may bring calm

China's upcoming "two sessions" are expected to be heavily focused on economic development, with leaders likely to use terms like "momentous" and "extraordinary" to describe the challenges and opportunities ahead. While high-sounding slogans are anticipated, the key question remains whether these will be followed by concrete actions, as past experience suggests a potential divergence between expectations and actual government delivery.

Premier Li Qiang is expected to announce an economic growth target of around 5%, a figure that aligns with the moderate rebound seen in the Chinese economy during the final months of 2024. The significance of the "two sessions" lies in their potential to shape China's development trajectory in the coming years, but the actual impact will depend on the implementation of policies and strategies beyond the initial announcements.

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Why a Trump-Putin Ukraine peace deal could be good news for North Korea

North Korea stands to gain from the strained relationship between the US and Ukraine, potentially benefiting from a shift in US focus towards negotiations with Russia. The recent clash between President Trump and President Zelensky could lead to the US prioritizing talks with Russia to resolve the Ukraine conflict, a development that Pyongyang would likely view favorably.

Even if the war in Ukraine ends, North Korea could still benefit through continued labor exports to Russia, which have seen a significant increase, and potential arms deals to replenish depleted Russian stockpiles. Furthermore, a successful negotiation between Putin and Trump could embolden Kim Jong-un to seek similar security guarantees from the US, making the Washington-Moscow talks a focal point for North Korean interests.

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Netanyahu thanks Trump for weapons to ‘finish the job’ against Iran axis

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked former US President Donald Trump for sending munitions that had been held up by the previous administration, stating this support would help Israel "finish the job against Iran's terror axis." Netanyahu emphasized Trump's role as a key ally in providing Israel with the necessary resources to counter Iran and its proxies.

Netanyahu has consistently voiced strong opposition to Iran's nuclear program and its support for groups like Hamas. He previously stated that Israel has dealt a "mighty blow" to Iran's "axis of resistance" since the start of the Gaza war, referring to groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels who align against Israel and the United States. The munitions provided by the US are intended to bolster Israel's efforts in this ongoing conflict.

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King Charles meets President Zelensky after London defence summit

英国国王查尔斯在桑德灵厄姆庄园会见了乌克兰总统泽连斯基。 泽连斯基在出席伦敦举行的乌克兰国防峰会后,立即前往诺福克郡的桑德灵厄姆庄园,查尔斯国王在那里迎接了他,会面持续了近一个小时。

一架载着泽连斯基的军用直升机在当地时间下午5点25分左右降落在庄园上空。随后,车队将总统送往桑德灵厄姆府,查尔斯国王在门口迎接了他。两人拥抱、握手,简短交谈并合影留念。之后,国王在府邸的会客厅热情接待了泽连斯基,并提供了茶点。

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Canada to extend mineral exploration tax credit for 2 more years, minister says

加拿大将把矿产勘探税收抵免政策延长两年,旨在支持对勘探项目的投资。自然资源部长Jonathan Wilkinson表示,此举是为了确保矿业部门拥有筹集勘探项目资金的工具,并为企业提供替代中国的资金来源。

矿产勘探税收抵免是一项资本市场工具,为投资小型矿业公司流通股的投资者提供15%的税收抵免,原定于3月31日到期。加拿大一直对中国国有企业在加拿大国内矿业公司的投资保持强硬立场,并已要求至少五家公司剥离其在中国国有企业在加拿大上市公司中的投资。预计此次延期将提供1.1亿加元(7605万美元)来支持矿产勘探投资。

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Taliban rejects Trump’s claims about Chinese presence at former US airfield

The Taliban has refuted claims made by former US President Donald Trump that China controls Bagram Airfield, the largest US airbase during the Afghanistan war. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed Trump's remarks as "emotional" and based on "a lack of information," asserting that no Chinese forces are present in Afghanistan and that the airbase remains under Taliban control.

Mujahid clarified that the US-made military equipment left in Afghanistan belonged to the previous Afghan government and is now considered "spoils of war," which the Taliban intends to use for the country's defense. He also argued that the US, having militarily occupied Afghanistan for 20 years, should be held accountable for the destruction caused during the war, suggesting the Taliban expects reparations.

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Ukraine accuses Russia of undermining UN nuclear watchdog

乌克兰指责俄罗斯正在“破坏”联合国核监督机构的权威和独立性,原因是俄罗斯限制了国际原子能机构(IAEA)对其占领的扎波罗热核电站的监测任务。乌克兰外交部已就此事向国际原子能机构发出抗议照会。

此次抗议是在新的国际原子能机构小组抵达后发出的,根据俄罗斯国家媒体的报道,这是战争期间该小组首次通过俄罗斯控制的领土进入。此前,国际原子能机构的监测人员都是通过乌克兰控制或有争议的地区抵达。乌克兰一直反对联合国专家通过俄罗斯占领区进入,认为这会使克里姆林宫对该电站所有权的虚假主张合法化。乌克兰表示曾多次提供安全通道,但莫斯科拒绝提供安全保障,实际上是迫使国际原子能机构遵守俄罗斯的要求。

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US Republicans suggest Zelensky may have to step down if peace deal to be reached

Top Washington officials have suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might need to step down for a peace deal with Russia to be reached. This reflects a significant shift in the US approach to the war, particularly from Republicans, questioning Zelensky's ability to negotiate an end to the conflict.

These remarks follow a public disagreement after a televised meeting where Zelensky left the White House without signing a preliminary mineral rights pact. While European leaders continue to support Ukraine, some US Republicans are openly suggesting that a deal with Russia may be impossible with Zelensky still in power, implying a need for new leadership in Ukraine to facilitate negotiations.

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