Helicopter crash that killed former Leicester owner in 2018 was accidental, inquest finds

一项调查裁定2018年10月在国王权力体育场发生的直升机坠毁事件导致的五人死亡是意外事故。包括莱斯特城足球俱乐部的老板Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha在内的遇难者于2018年10月27日的比赛后,在俱乐部停车场内直升机坠毁并发生爆炸。调查显示,直升机在飞越体育场后开始旋转坠落,最终引发大火。

在这起致命事故中,除了Vichai,遇难者还包括飞行员Eric Swaffer及其伴侣Izabela Lechowicz,还有Vichai的工作人员Nusara Suknamai和Kaveporn Punparev。调查历时两周半,Philip Shepherd作为Vichai家族的法律代表称Swaffer是一名“非常有经验的优秀飞行员”,努力控制事故发生时的失控情况。目前,Vichai的家族正在对直升机制造商意大利国防公司Leonardo提起法律诉讼,该公司表示将为此在高等法院进行辩护。

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Year of the Snake: from fireworks to cash, Hong Kong banks vie to lure mainland visitors

香港银行在农历新年期间推出多项优惠,以吸引来自中国大陆的游客开设新账户。这些优惠包括现金返还、幸运抽奖、下午茶券、酒店住宿和观赏农历新年烟花或马赛的晚餐。随着蛇年到来,政府预计在1月28日至2月4日的“黄金周”假期期间,香港将迎来约143万名大陆游客。

为了在这个重要时机争夺新客户,香港所有主要银行,包括汇丰银行、渣打银行和中国银行(香港),以及ZA Bank、Mox Bank和WeLab Bank等数字银行,都推出了特别优惠。汇丰银行作为香港最大的银行,将在农历新年第二天的烟花表演中担任赞助商,并为特定客户在不同场地举办观景晚宴。此外,在其新开设的西九龙铁路站零售银行中心开户的新客户,还将获得价值港币1,000元的礼品卡,以及前往中心的幸运抽奖机会。

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Is China losing its taste for Australian wine? Industry frets over demand

The lifting of trade tariffs by China led to a significant surge in Australian wine exports last year. However, uncertainty looms over whether this increased demand will persist once Chinese buyers have replenished their stocks, according to Wine Australia. Despite the rebound in exports to China, Australian wine shipments to other parts of the world continued to decline due to high inflation and growing concerns about the health impacts of alcohol consumption.

Australia, a major global wine exporter, faced severe challenges when China imposed tariffs in 2020, effectively blocking its most lucrative wine market. This embargo exacerbated the issues of oversupply and low grape prices, forcing many farmers to uproot their vineyards and leading major companies like Treasury Wines and Pernod Ricard to sell off assets. The tariffs were lifted on March 29 last year following improved political relations between Beijing and Canberra, resulting in a rapid recovery of Australian wine exports to China, reaching levels similar to those before the tariffs. However, the global market remains a challenging environment for Australian wine producers.

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Japan’s ‘pro-China’ PM faces WWII anniversary dilemma: apologise, or stay silent?

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces significant pressure over his upcoming statement on the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. Conservatives within his party urge silence on August 15, following the precedent set by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who in 2015 acknowledged Japan's wartime actions but emphasized moving beyond perpetual apologies. This stance aimed to balance acknowledging past aggression while fostering a forward-looking national narrative.

Ishiba's situation is complicated by accusations of prioritizing relations with China over Japan's security. His recent actions, such as easing visa rules for Chinese tourists and engaging in high-profile diplomatic exchanges, have raised concerns. Critics worry these moves could compromise Japan's strategic interests, demonstrating the delicate balancing act Ishiba must perform amid domestic and international pressures. This dual pressure highlights the ongoing struggle in Japan's political landscape regarding historical memory and current diplomatic strategies.

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Microsoft, OpenAI investigate China’s DeepSeek over data breach

微软和OpenAI正在调查一个与中国人工智能初创公司DeepSeek相关的团体是否以未经授权的方式获取了OpenAI技术的数据。据知情人士透露,微软的安全研究人员发现该团体在去年秋季利用OpenAI的应用程序接口(API)大量提取数据,这一行为可能违反了OpenAI的服务条款。

DeepSeek本月发布了一款名为R1的新开源AI模型,声称其在多个行业基准测试中与领军的美国开发商的产品相媲美,甚至超越。这一潜在威胁导致与AI相关的科技股,包括微软、英伟达和谷歌母公司Alphabet的股价大跌,市值总计蒸发近1万亿美元。美国总统特朗普的AI顾问大卫·萨克斯表示,有“实质证据”表明DeepSeek利用了OpenAI模型的输出,采用了一种名为“蒸馏”的技术,帮助其开发类似能力的技术。

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71 teachers deregistered in 2024 for misconduct, such as love affairs with pupils

2024年,因职业不当行为被注销注册的教师人数达到71人,创下历史新高,比2023年增加了51%。这些不当行为包括与学生的恋爱关系,显示出教育系统中存在严重的道德和伦理问题。

教育局的数据显示,受到警告、书面警告和建议的教师人数分别增加了192%、116%和62%。这一激增被归因于政府每三年对所有教育工作者进行的定期犯罪记录检查。教育局在提交给立法会的文件中指出,他们对不符合伦理和道德标准的教师采取了“零容忍”的态度,严厉惩处这些“害群之马”。

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Malaysia’s Lunar New Year dirty secret? Abandoning elderly relatives in hospitals

In Malaysia, a troubling trend emerges during the Lunar New Year as elderly parents are reportedly admitted to hospitals under questionable circumstances, allowing their children to vacation freely. This annual occurrence sees hospitals filled with elderly patients exhibiting vague symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, which doctors attribute more to convenience than genuine medical emergencies. Frustrated healthcare professionals have taken to social media platforms like TikTok to raise awareness, sparking widespread public debate in a nation known for its strong family values.

The viral TikTok video by Malaysian doctor Izad Iskandar, titled "Understanding parental care during holidays," has captured significant attention, shedding light on the controversial practice. Medical professionals and ordinary Malaysians alike have expressed outrage and disbelief at the trend, with many confirming the surge in hospital admissions during holiday seasons. The issue highlights a growing disconnect between traditional family responsibilities and modern lifestyle choices, prompting discussions on the need for better support systems for the elderly, especially during festive periods.

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All you need to know about Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year night parade

香港一年一度的农历新年夜间游行将于周三盛大回归,预计吸引约10万名观众,迎接蛇年到来。这一活动由旅游局组织,名为“国泰国际农历新年夜游行”,将在尖沙咀举行,时间为晚上8点至9点45分。

游行的花车将展示城市的六只大熊猫、香港特色奶茶和蛇的主题等元素,体现了“展开好运的一年”的主题。游行从香港文化中心开始,沿着广东道向北行进,经过海防道和弥敦道,最终在香港喜来登酒店外结束,展现出热闹的节日气氛。

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China’s DeepSeek shocked the tech world. Can its home province do it again?

China's DeepSeek is challenging the United States' dominance in artificial intelligence (AI). The company, based in Zhejiang province, has unveiled its R1 large language model, rivaling OpenAI's latest processors at a significantly lower cost. This development has stirred the tech world and even caught the attention of US President Donald Trump, who described it as a "wake-up call" for Silicon Valley. The announcement led to a quick market reaction, with Nvidia's share price dropping notably.

Zhejiang province, known for nurturing tech giants like Alibaba, is positioning itself as a leader in advanced technologies. Local authorities are actively supporting AI industries, aiming to transform the region into a hub of innovation that could potentially undermine the US's technological lead. Beyond DeepSeek, Zhejiang is also home to other tech innovators such as Unitree and Game Science, which are contributing to the province's growing reputation in the tech sector. This strategic focus on technology reflects a broader ambition to enhance China's global competitiveness in frontier tech domains.

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Year of the Snake: Hong Kong firms use lai see envelopes as marketing tool in digital era

尽管香港居民已广泛接受数字银行,但公司依然通过独特的红包(利是)向客户推广品牌。在蛇年到来之际,汇丰银行和工商银行(亚洲)借机庆祝各自的重要里程碑,汇丰银行迎来了创办160周年,工商银行则在香港成立25年。此外,香港黄金交易所也在推广其品牌重塑,结束了114年的“中国黄金及白银交易所”名称。

汇丰银行推出了限量版利是红包,设计中包含了银行标志性的狮子形象以及不同历史时期的香港总部。尽管电子利是的兴起,汇丰的财富与个人银行业务负责人Cheuk Shum表示,传统利是红包的需求依然强劲,往往很快就会售罄。他强调,红包不仅是传统习俗,也为人们提供了亲自问候亲友和祝福的机会。

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Hong Kong-flagged ship drifts abandoned after explosion in Red Sea

An explosion on a Hong Kong-flagged container ship in the Red Sea resulted in a major fire and the crew abandoning the vessel. The ship, identified as the ASL Bauhinia, was traveling north from the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia when it caught fire approximately 225 kilometers off the coast of Hodeida, a Yemeni port city controlled by Houthi rebels. The incident forced the crew to evacuate the ship, but they were later rescued without harm.

The cause of the fire remains unclear, though the Red Sea has seen repeated attacks from Houthi forces in the past. The rebels recently stated they were reducing their attacks following a ceasefire related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and risks in the region, which is a critical shipping route. While no immediate responsibility was claimed by the Houthis, the situation underscores the fragile security environment affecting maritime operations around Yemen.

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Ex-members cry foul over Indian troupe joining Hong Kong Lunar New Year parade

Former members of the V.Unbeatable Dance Group have accused their manager of misleading the Hong Kong Tourism Board by presenting a new team as the original award-winning troupe. This controversy arose as the group is set to perform in Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year parade, with the Tourism Board promoting them as the winners of the 2020 "America’s Got Talent" show. However, the original team members, now known as the "Vikas Unbeatable Dream Team," assert that they are not involved in the performance and are currently engaged in a legal dispute in Mumbai.

The core of the dispute lies in the alleged unauthorized registration of the group's trademark by their manager, Omprakash Chauhan, which the original members claim was done without their consent. This has led to accusations of fraudulent practices that undermine the genuine accomplishments of the original dancers. The Tourism Board, which is responsible for organizing the parade, maintains that the participating team holds the official trademark. The situation highlights the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights and the challenges former members face in reclaiming their legacy while ensuring fair representation in international platforms.

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We wouldn’t slap tariffs on vaccines. Why would we on solar panels?

Despite the urgent need to combat climate change, some governments are imposing tariffs on solar power imports instead of utilizing the abundant, affordable solar panels produced predominantly by China. Solar energy is recognized as one of the most cost-effective and scalable solutions for reducing carbon emissions and moving away from fossil fuels. However, the global deployment of solar panels is not matching the high production levels, leading to a surplus and even lower prices.

The situation is reminiscent of a hypothetical scenario during a pandemic where a proven vaccine is available but not utilized due to political or economic barriers. The mismatch in supply and demand for solar panels is partly due to geopolitical tensions and trade policies, which hinder the adoption of solar technology. At the 2023 UN climate summit, nations committed to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 to meet climate goals, emphasizing the critical role of solar power in this transition. Yet, achieving these targets requires overcoming current barriers and aligning global efforts towards a more sustainable energy future.

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5 things to do in Hong Kong for Lunar New Year, from fireworks to shopping

香港将在农历新年期间举办一系列庆祝活动,迎接蛇年。庆祝活动将于农历新年第一天,即周三开始,并将持续到二月份。活动中将有超过55个表演团体参与,其中包括韩国女子组合Kep1er和泰国男孩组合LYKN。

此次“国泰国际春节夜巡游”将于周三晚上8点正式启动,游行将从尖沙咀的香港文化中心广场出发,途经广东道、海防道和弥敦道,最终在晚上9点45分抵达香港喜来登酒店。在游行开始前,表演者将于下午6点在沿途为观众带来精彩的表演,营造出热烈的节日氛围。

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Can online gifts match digital red packets’ Spring Festival popularity?

春节是中国最大的年度假期,反映了国家经济的脉动。在这个假期期间,超过十亿人出行、购物、用餐和赠送礼物,他们的消费习惯为国家的经济状况提供了重要的线索。今年的春节假期为期八天,尽管一些中国互联网平台推出了新的赠礼功能,但传统习俗可能会影响这些在线消费的推广。

新推出的赠礼功能旨在便利用户通过电商渠道选择和发送礼物,类似于微信十年前数字化的红包文化。然而,尽管年轻人对这些新功能表现出兴趣,许多人仍然认为它们与传统的中国赠礼文化不相符。许多受访者表示,他们更倾向于亲自拜访亲友,带上实物礼物,而不是空手而来,这种传统在中国文化中根深蒂固。

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US federal workers offered 8 months’ pay to quit their jobs

美国总统特朗普的政府宣布将对所有联邦员工实施“增强的适用性和行为标准”,并警告未来可能裁员,同时提供离职补偿,这一举措旨在迅速缩减美国政府规模。根据人事管理办公室发给员工的备忘录,选择自愿离职的员工将获得约八个月的薪水,但必须在2月6日之前做出决定。

特朗普在其政治生涯中一直承诺要打破华盛顿的常规,并表示他的第二任期将比第一任期更进一步。然而,邀请大量政府工作人员离职的后果尚难以评估。联邦政府雇佣超过300万名员工,平均任职时间接近12年,这使其成为美国第15大劳动力。

即使只有一小部分员工接受离职补偿,也可能对经济产生震荡,并在社会各个层面引发广泛的干扰,影响联邦服务的交付、及时性和有效性,后果尚不可知。

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How well do DeepSeek, US rivals know Hong Kong? We put chatbots to the test

By Edith Lin

Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up DeepSeek has become the talk of the town after spooking the US stock market, with its chatbot the most downloaded free app in Hong Kong for two consecutive days.

The Hangzhou-based company sent shock waves through Wall Street and Silicon Valley after releasing its open-source reasoning model, R1, last week. It displayed capabilities comparable with more advanced models from other firms at significantly lower costs.

So, how does it compare with American rivals such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT 3.5 Turbo on the Poe platform and Microsoft’s Copilot? The Post has put them to the test by asking them three questions. The first was on general Hong Kong knowledge, the second was a controversial question from a local history exam paper, and the third was about the 2019 social unrest.

Hong Kong-style cafes, or cha chaan teng, offer affordable local comfort food with a hint of Western flavours and are a must-visit for tourists.

DeepSeek provided five recommendations – four famed individual eateries and a chain. It also listed menu items, such as Hong Kong-style milk tea and buns, as well as unique features of the outlets including the vintage decor at one restaurant.

GPT 3.5 Turbo recommended just one location – Australia Dairy Company in Jordan – offering a 57-word description that highlighted the cafe’s scrambled eggs, steamed milk pudding and crispy toast.

Copilot provided six recommendations with menu highlights such as pineapple buns stuffed with thick butter. It uniquely included the eateries’ Chinese names and asked users whether they had tried any of these places.

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Taiwan plastic surgeon performs self-vasectomy as ‘gift for wife’, sparks heated debate

一位台湾的整形外科医生陈伟农自行为自己实施了输精管切除手术,并称之为“送给妻子的礼物”。这位专注于眼睑、鼻子和乳房增大手术的医生,从事整形外科已有多年经验,曾为烧伤患者提供帮助,之后在台北开设了自己的整形外科诊所。

陈伟农于1月9日在社交媒体上分享了他自己进行这一手术的视频,吸引了超过400万的观看次数。作为三个孩子的父亲,他表示选择输精管切除是基于他和妻子的年龄考虑,并相信自己的专业技能能够顺利完成这一过程。

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