Chinese scientists turn tumours into ‘pork’ in radical cancer treatment

Chinese researchers have successfully engineered tumors to mimic pork tissue, triggering a powerful immune response that effectively targets and destroys cancer cells. This innovative approach repurposes the body's natural rejection mechanism, typically associated with organ transplants, to fight cancer with remarkable precision, leaving healthy cells unharmed.

The study, published in Cell, involved using a genetically modified virus to "disguise" cancer cells as foreign pig tissue. Early clinical trials have shown promising results, with 90% of patients with advanced, treatment-resistant cancers experiencing halted tumor growth or shrinkage. One cervical cancer patient was even declared clinically cured, showcasing the potential of this "tumor-to-pork" strategy as a breakthrough in cancer therapy, especially for cases where conventional treatments have proven ineffective. The research was led by Professor Zhao Yongxiang from Guangxi Medical University.

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South Korea semiconductor exports to China sink as US tightens tech restrictions

South Korea's semiconductor exports to China, including Hong Kong, experienced a significant drop of 31.8% year-on-year last month, raising concerns about a potential slowdown in global demand. This decline follows a 22.5% contraction in January and contrasts with the growth observed in 2024, which had contributed to South Korea's economic expansion. The reduced chip sales to China, the world's second-largest economy, signal a worrying trend for the industry.

The export decline coincides with the United States implementing stricter export restrictions on advanced semiconductors to China, aiming to limit Beijing's progress in artificial intelligence and other high-tech sectors. These restrictions, imposed by the US Department of Commerce, specifically target high-bandwidth memory chips. Companies like SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, major memory-chip manufacturers with operations in China, are directly affected by these measures, further impacting South Korea's semiconductor exports.

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Thailand plans China visit to check on Uygur deportees’ welfare

A Thai government delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, will visit Kashi city in Xinjiang this week to check on the welfare of 40 Uygur refugees who were controversially deported to China last month. The visit, scheduled for March 18-20, comes after international condemnation of the deportation and subsequent US travel sanctions on Thai officials involved.

Thailand defended its decision to return the Uygurs, citing assurances from Beijing regarding their safety and reintegration. The visit is part of an agreement with Chinese authorities made when Thailand agreed to the deportation after the refugees spent a decade in detention. The US imposed visa restrictions on unspecified Thai officials involved in the deportation, reflecting a new policy to counter China's efforts to force the return of Uygurs and others.

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Hong Kong property firm Gale Well trying to sell US$386 million in assets amid slump

香港房地产投资公司Gale Well Group计划出售价值约30亿港元(3.86亿美元)的资产,原因是银行对房地产市场持谨慎态度。该公司的创始人董漫亮表示,许多银行不看好房地产市场,不断催促投资者偿还贷款,导致许多投资者财务状况不佳,不得不以低于市场价的价格出售部分房产。

由于租金收入下降和估值缩水,越来越多的业主在高利率环境下难以履行偿债义务,导致不良资产激增。世邦魏理仕(CBRE)的颜 Reeves表示,2024年约有四分之三的房地产交易属于不良资产出售。银行除了催促还款外,还在调整商业楼宇的按揭贷款,以缩小贷款比例,要求业主补足差额,或支付6至12个月的本金和利息。Gale Well出售约10%的物业组合,以确保贷款比例更加安全,并让银行放心。

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Indonesia is No 1 for crocodile attacks. Is palm oil to blame?

Munirpa, an Indonesian woman, survived a near-fatal crocodile attack and bravely re-enacted the incident months later to raise awareness. The 48-year-old was attacked while disposing of rubbish near her home in West Sulawesi, Indonesia, when a four-meter crocodile seized her, nearly killing her before her husband intervened.

The incident highlights the increasing conflict between humans and crocodiles in the Central Mamuju district, where the Budong-Budong River meets the sea. With nearly 180 recorded crocodile attacks in Indonesia last year, residents are struggling to coexist with the protected species, prompting calls for government intervention to balance conservation efforts with public safety.

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Hong Kong’s demand for AI talent surges, with more than 2,000 job openings

香港雇主正在积极招聘人工智能(AI)人才,计划填补超过2000个相关职位,这反映了香港致力于转型为创新科技中心的决心。 这些职位空缺将在香港数码港举办的职业博览会上重点展示,吸引超过580家机构参与,包括初创企业、科技公司、政府部门以及恒生银行和中原地产等知名企业。

数码港智慧生活主管蔡伟表示,约70%的招聘者希望聘请AI专业人才,近60%的职位与AI应用相关。智慧生活领域涵盖环境、零售、健康、机器人、物联网和教育科技等多个方面。值得注意的是,教育科技领域占据了职位空缺的最大份额,达到29%。

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Lifting embryo storage restriction a good first step for Hong Kong

Hong Kong lawmakers are being praised for their efforts in pushing for the lifting of restrictions on the storage of gametes or embryos for personal use. The Council on Human Reproductive Technology has formally proposed allowing residents to store embryos indefinitely, regardless of age, sex, or medical condition, and has launched a public consultation on the matter.

This move comes after a long struggle to convince the government, which initially resisted due to concerns that it would delay child-bearing decisions. However, lawmakers argued that limiting storage duration is an ineffective approach to encouraging earlier childbirth, especially considering the rising median age for first marriage in Hong Kong. Lawmakers like Nixie Lam, who used assisted reproduction to have her child, have been instrumental in advocating for this change, highlighting the need for greater support for those using assisted-fertility treatments.

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Why the choice of the next Dalai Lama is such a sensitive issue for Beijing

随着达赖喇嘛接近90岁高龄,关于其继任者的争议预计将再次升温,这可能会对社会稳定以及中国与美国和印度的关系产生影响。达赖喇嘛自1959年中国人民解放军镇压西藏武装起义以来一直流亡印度。按照藏传佛教的传统,达赖喇嘛将会转世,并且他曾多次表示将在今年解决这个问题。

达赖喇嘛在本月出版的新书中暗示,他的继任者可能会在中国境外出生,这一提议迅速遭到北京方面的拒绝。北京方面称达赖喇嘛是“一个以宗教为幌子从事反华分裂活动的政治流亡者,无权代表西藏人民”。根据藏传佛教传统,达赖喇嘛是西藏的政治和精神领袖。当像达赖喇嘛这样的活佛去世后,他将会转世为一个小孩,而这个小孩必须通过一系列的寻找和仪式才能被找到。

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Chinese woman, 103, passes away after 80-year wait for husband who worked abroad

中国一位名叫杜 Huzhen 的 103 岁老妇去世,她一生都在等待 80 多年前离家出走的丈夫归来。 杜 Huzhen 于 3 月 8 日在位于中国西南部的贵州省的家中去世。她的家人发布了讣告,但没有说明死因。

据上海晨报报道,杜 Huzhen 去世前一直手持一个旧枕套,那是她 1940 年结婚时使用的。她的丈夫黄俊夫比她小三岁。两人结婚后不久,黄俊夫就加入了国民党军队,奔赴全国各地作战。1943 年,杜 Huzhen 找到了黄俊夫,并陪伴他服兵役,直到她怀孕后才返回家乡。

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Polls predict pay rises for Hong Kong professionals, with some hitting 5%

香港大部分从业者今年有望获得加薪。调查显示,超过三分之一的专业人士预计加薪幅度可达2.4%,部分人士甚至可达5%。这一趋势反映出香港就业市场前景的改善。

尽管如此,加薪幅度也存在差异。较低端的加薪幅度略高于香港最新的官方通胀预期1.8%,而公务员则面临冻薪,这与政府应对872亿港元赤字的努力有关。国际招聘机构瀚纳仕的调查显示,77%的香港专业人士有望在今年获得加薪,但也有五分之一的机构预计不会调整薪资,3%的机构表示将降薪。

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Indonesia’s military once called all the shots. It may again under Prabowo

印尼的权利组织强烈谴责一项拟议的军事法律修订,该修订可能为现役军人担任更多文职职位和从事商业活动铺平道路,这让人联想到独裁者苏哈托“新秩序”时代的标志。人权和民主活动人士担心,随着立法者推动修订2004年关于印尼国民军(TNI)的法律,被称为军事双重职能或“dwifungsi”的做法可能会卷土重来。

在苏哈托32年的统治下,军方渗透到国家政治以及国内事务中,因为它帮助苏哈托在各种危机中坚持掌权并维持秩序。印尼军事首长阿古斯·苏比扬托将军表示,目前的法律已经“过时”,因为它已经超过20年没有修订。阿古斯在周四与众议院的一次会议上说,2004年的军事法“被认为不再与解决‘实施国家政策和政治决定的基本规范’中的各种问题相关”。

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Cuba reconnects electrical grid, restores power to much of Havana after island-wide outage

Cuba has reconnected its national electrical grid and restored power to most of Havana, nearly two days after an island-wide outage left 10 million people without electricity. Havana's electric company reported that approximately two-thirds of its customers in the city had their power restored late Sunday, with expectations of further improvements overnight. Residents across Havana celebrated as lights returned after the prolonged blackout.

The Cuban government attributes the energy crisis to the long-standing US trade embargo and recent sanctions imposed by former US President Donald Trump. These measures have strained the country's ability to maintain its aging infrastructure and secure necessary resources. In response, Cuba is seeking to reduce its reliance on outdated oil-fired power plants by developing large solar farms with assistance from China. The island-wide outage was triggered by a short circuit in a Havana substation, leading to a chain reaction that shut down power generation across the entire country, severely impacting daily life and commerce in the capital.

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Trump’s tariffs to reshape global trade with key role for Hong Kong: StanChart chairman

即将卸任的渣打集团董事长何塞·维尼亚尔斯表示,美国总统特朗普不太可能对中国征收“超级关税”,尽管他的贸易政策可能会在亚洲、中东和非洲创造新的贸易联系和商业机会。他认为,市场担心的对华关税达到60%的情况不太可能发生,因为这些关税在谈判后会被修改。

尽管特朗普对加拿大、中国和墨西哥征收更高的关税,导致了针锋相对的回应,并给全球增长前景蒙上了阴影,但维尼亚尔斯淡化了人们对旷日持久且破坏性的贸易战的担忧。他表示,关税对全球增长和全球贸易不利,但他希望并猜测不会出现对中国的“超级关税”。特朗普本月对来自中国大陆、加拿大和墨西哥的某些商品征收高达25%的关税。

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Health fears for elderly UK man held by Taliban, daughter calls for father’s release

The daughter of a British man detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan is expressing serious concerns about his deteriorating health. Peter Reynolds, in his 70s, was detained last month along with his wife, Barbie, and a Chinese-American friend while traveling to their home in Bamyan province.

According to his daughter, Sarah Entwistle, Peter is suffering from a chest infection, eye infection, and digestive issues due to poor nutrition, and requires immediate access to medication. She also stated that her 79-year-old father has allegedly been beaten and shackled, and that her 75-year-old mother has been told she can no longer see him, which Entwistle calls a "shocking escalation."

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US hints at Ukraine concessions ahead of Trump-Putin call to discuss ceasefire

US officials are optimistic that a ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia could be reached within weeks. This positive outlook follows recent talks, including a meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin, and precedes an expected discussion between Presidents Trump and Putin this week.

While details remain unclear, the US has proposed a halt in fighting, a proposal Kyiv has reportedly accepted. However, Putin has raised "serious questions" and listed conditions, suggesting Ukraine may need to make significant concessions for a deal to materialize. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described his talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as "promising," hinting at a potential announcement soon.

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Economist Robin Xing on the revival of China’s animal spirits and surviving Trump 2.0

Investor sentiment towards China has improved significantly in recent weeks, driven by policy shifts and renewed efforts to stimulate the economy. Morgan Stanley's chief China economist, Robin Xing, notes a shift since September, with progress accelerating on restructuring debt, rebalancing towards consumption, and implementing reforms to boost confidence.

Prior to September, deflationary pressures hampered reflation efforts. However, recent measures like local government debt swaps, housing relief, modest consumption stimulus, and dialogues between leaders and the private sector have contributed to a more positive outlook. Xing estimates the progress on reflation has increased from 20% before September to roughly 50% currently.

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How small powers can survive the era of transactional diplomacy

In early 2025, the international landscape is marked by unpredictability, with the traditional rules-based order giving way to transactional diplomacy and strategic improvisation. Conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza highlight this shift, as leaders prioritize short-term domestic political considerations over established strategic doctrines, making it difficult to forecast international behavior.

This new normal is exemplified by the White House's conditional alliances and Russia's deepening relationship with North Korea, based on mutual short-term benefits rather than ideological alignment. China's increased defense budget and the expansion of its navy further reflect this strategic calculus in an unpredictable environment, as the country aims to project its power beyond its immediate region.

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Netanyahu moves to oust Israel’s domestic security service chief Ronen Bar

以色列总理内塔尼亚胡已告知辛贝特国内情报部门负责人,他将于本周要求政府批准将其解职。内塔尼亚胡的办公室声明称,他早已对巴尔失去信心,尤其是在战争时期,对负责反恐和政府官员安全的国内安全部门负责人的信任至关重要。

巴尔表示,他有义务赢得的唯一信任是以色列公民的信任,内塔尼亚胡对“个人信任”的期望违背了国家利益,尤其是在加沙可能面临局势升级的情况下。据一位接近内塔尼亚胡的官员透露,巴尔的解职案将于周三提交政府,但可能面临法律挑战。辛贝特是以色列联邦调查局的对应机构,正在调查内塔尼亚胡办公室的员工与卡塔尔之间可能存在的联系,卡塔尔一直在调解加沙停火谈判。

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At least 34 people dead, dozens injured as storms continue to sweep across US

severe storms have caused at least 34 deaths across the southern and midwestern United States, with Missouri being the hardest hit with 12 fatalities. Dozens more were injured as over 40 tornadoes were recorded across eight states, triggering tornado watches for parts of Florida, Georgia, and other states until Sunday afternoon.

The storms, which began on Friday, prompted Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to declare a state of emergency, urging residents in high-risk areas to seek shelter. In Kansas, a series of pile-ups involving 50 vehicles resulted in at least eight deaths as residents fled approaching dust storm fronts. The US weather service is warning that more severe weather is expected to hit parts of the east coast on Sunday.

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French deputy asks US for return of Statue of Liberty

法国欧洲议会议员 Raphael Glucksmann 表示,由于美国不再代表法国赠送自由女神像的价值观,法国应该收回自由女神像。 他认为,现在的美国已经背离了自由女神像所象征的精神。

Glucksmann 在其中左翼运动的一次会议上向支持者们表示,要对那些选择与暴君站在一起的美国人,以及那些因要求学术自由而被解雇的研究人员说:“把自由女神像还给我们”。他补充说,既然美国似乎鄙视它,那么自由女神像在法国会更好。自由女神像是法国人民赠送给美国的礼物,由法国人奥古斯特·巴托尔迪设计,于 1886 年在纽约市海港揭幕,以纪念美国独立宣言一百周年。目前在巴黎塞纳河的一个小岛上,也有一座小得多的自由女神像复制品。

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