Southeast Asia’s rice crisis is a ticking time bomb
Southeast Asia is facing a growing rice crisis that threatens the food security of nearly 700 million people. Climate change, economic pressures, and inefficient agricultural practices are jeopardizing rice production in the region, leading to rising prices and fears of widespread food shortages. The Philippines, a major rice producer and the world's largest importer, has already declared a food security emergency in response to soaring domestic rice prices.
The Philippines' reliance on imports, which covered over a fifth of its domestic needs in 2023, highlights the severity of the issue. Last year, rice imports surged to a record 4.68 million tonnes, with 75% coming from Vietnam. This crisis reflects broader challenges across Southeast Asia, where rice accounts for roughly 50% of calorie intake and agricultural production contributes significantly to the region's economy. The global rice shortage, which surpassed 8.5 million tonnes in 2023, is exacerbating the problem, raising concerns about poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
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Southeast Asia is facing a growing rice crisis that threatens the food security of nearly 700 million people. Climate change, economic pressures, and inefficient agricultural practices are jeopardizing rice production in the region, leading to rising prices and fears of widespread food shortages. The Philippines, a major rice producer and the world's largest importer, has already declared a food security emergency in response to soaring domestic rice prices.
The Philippines' reliance on imports, which covered over a fifth of its domestic needs in 2023, highlights the severity of the issue. Last year, rice imports surged to a record 4.68 million tonnes, with 75% coming from Vietnam. This crisis reflects broader challenges across Southeast Asia, where rice accounts for roughly 50% of calorie intake and agricultural production contributes significantly to the region's economy. The global rice shortage, which surpassed 8.5 million tonnes in 2023, is exacerbating the problem, raising concerns about poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
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Hong Kong woman dreams of creating city’s first elderly LGBTQ co-living space
香港一位女同性恋保险经纪人计划建立首个LGBTQ老年人共享居住空间。该项目旨在为老年群体提供一个支持性的社区环境，服务包括财务规划，以帮助同性伴侣进行具有法律效力的资产安排。该计划希望填补香港LGBTQ支持网络的空白，特别是关注那些可能与原生家庭关系不佳的老年群体。
Jeanne Cheung Jing-lam计划通过众筹筹集2000万港元，将佐敦广场购物中心改造成一个五层楼的共享居住空间。该空间将包括公共区域，如小酒馆、健身房、花园、休息室和活动空间，用于举办讲座和放映活动。预计可容纳约30人，每月费用不超过4万港元。项目的第一步是启动一个试点项目，为年轻的LGBTQ群体运营一个共享居住空间，并开发一个应用程序来帮助他们寻找室友。
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香港一位女同性恋保险经纪人计划建立首个LGBTQ老年人共享居住空间。该项目旨在为老年群体提供一个支持性的社区环境，服务包括财务规划，以帮助同性伴侣进行具有法律效力的资产安排。该计划希望填补香港LGBTQ支持网络的空白，特别是关注那些可能与原生家庭关系不佳的老年群体。
Jeanne Cheung Jing-lam计划通过众筹筹集2000万港元，将佐敦广场购物中心改造成一个五层楼的共享居住空间。该空间将包括公共区域，如小酒馆、健身房、花园、休息室和活动空间，用于举办讲座和放映活动。预计可容纳约30人，每月费用不超过4万港元。项目的第一步是启动一个试点项目，为年轻的LGBTQ群体运营一个共享居住空间，并开发一个应用程序来帮助他们寻找室友。
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Tencent testing DeepSeek to add China’s hottest AI technology to its Weixin super app
Tencent is testing the integration of DeepSeek's AI service into Weixin, its popular super app, to enhance its range of services. This move allows users to access DeepSeek's capabilities through an "AI Search" option within Weixin's search bar, alongside Tencent's own Hunyuan foundational model.
The integration provides Weixin's 1.3 billion monthly active users with access to DeepSeek-R1, an open-source reasoning model known for its performance comparable to advanced models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, but with lower training costs. This beta test aims to offer users a more diverse search experience within the app, which they use for various activities like chatting, payments, and shopping.
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Tencent is testing the integration of DeepSeek's AI service into Weixin, its popular super app, to enhance its range of services. This move allows users to access DeepSeek's capabilities through an "AI Search" option within Weixin's search bar, alongside Tencent's own Hunyuan foundational model.
The integration provides Weixin's 1.3 billion monthly active users with access to DeepSeek-R1, an open-source reasoning model known for its performance comparable to advanced models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, but with lower training costs. This beta test aims to offer users a more diverse search experience within the app, which they use for various activities like chatting, payments, and shopping.
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Woman arrested over bringing ‘space oil’ into Hong Kong after drug relisting
香港海关逮捕了一名涉嫌持有“太空油”的女子，这是自该新兴毒品的主要成分被正式列为危险药物以来的首例案件。该女子从澳门抵达香港，被海关人员查出携带疑似含有太空油的电子烟。
香港海关表示，被捕女子28岁，报称无业，已获准保释候查。此前，香港已将太空油的主要成分，包括依托咪酯等，列入《危险药物条例》的第一附表，与可卡因同属一类。海关强调将继续加强执法，打击“太空油”的贩运活动。
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香港海关逮捕了一名涉嫌持有“太空油”的女子，这是自该新兴毒品的主要成分被正式列为危险药物以来的首例案件。该女子从澳门抵达香港，被海关人员查出携带疑似含有太空油的电子烟。
香港海关表示，被捕女子28岁，报称无业，已获准保释候查。此前，香港已将太空油的主要成分，包括依托咪酯等，列入《危险药物条例》的第一附表，与可卡因同属一类。海关强调将继续加强执法，打击“太空油”的贩运活动。
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Hong Kong to consider easing proposed subdivided flat regulations: minister
香港政府将考虑降低分间单位的最低监管标准，并将业主纠正其物业的宽限期延长至三年。房屋局局长何永贤表示，政府在为期两个月的咨询中收到了约2200份意见书后，可能会调整针对“鞋盒房”的拟议法规，许多政党和倡导团体希望能够以渐进的方式实施该法规，并对业主和租户可能没有足够的时间来适应新规表示担忧。
何永贤表示，最初提出的宽限期为12至24个月，但收到的意见书建议将宽限期延长至36个月，以便业主和租户有时间处理搬家和建筑工程。此外，政府将专注于在较大的地块上建造公共房屋，而不是在较窄或较陡峭的地块上建造独立的楼宇，以提高效率。当局的目标是在年内通过立法，这将为分间单位建立新的最低标准，包括拟议的至少86平方英尺的面积。
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香港政府将考虑降低分间单位的最低监管标准，并将业主纠正其物业的宽限期延长至三年。房屋局局长何永贤表示，政府在为期两个月的咨询中收到了约2200份意见书后，可能会调整针对“鞋盒房”的拟议法规，许多政党和倡导团体希望能够以渐进的方式实施该法规，并对业主和租户可能没有足够的时间来适应新规表示担忧。
何永贤表示，最初提出的宽限期为12至24个月，但收到的意见书建议将宽限期延长至36个月，以便业主和租户有时间处理搬家和建筑工程。此外，政府将专注于在较大的地块上建造公共房屋，而不是在较窄或较陡峭的地块上建造独立的楼宇，以提高效率。当局的目标是在年内通过立法，这将为分间单位建立新的最低标准，包括拟议的至少86平方英尺的面积。
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‘Wilful pollution’: China’s space debris puts Philippines on edge
中国于周二在海南发射长征八号A火箭，但火箭残骸的潜在坠落对数百公里外的菲律宾造成影响。菲律宾空间署（PhilSA）确认，巴拉望和巴西兰省当天对可能坠落的火箭残骸保持“高度警戒”，引发了对中国“故意污染”外国水域的批评。
PhilSA的公告警告称，火箭部件预计将落在三个区域内：距离伊洛魁礁（当地称为Rozul礁）约85海里（157公里），距离巴拉望公主港40海里（74公里），以及距离巴西兰Hadji Muhtamad 33海里（61公里）。虽然预计不会有碎片落在陆地上，但该机构表示，这对该地区的船只、渔船和飞机构成了重大风险。由于菲律宾位于中国正东南方，中国火箭的碎片更有可能落入菲律宾的专属经济区。
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中国于周二在海南发射长征八号A火箭，但火箭残骸的潜在坠落对数百公里外的菲律宾造成影响。菲律宾空间署（PhilSA）确认，巴拉望和巴西兰省当天对可能坠落的火箭残骸保持“高度警戒”，引发了对中国“故意污染”外国水域的批评。
PhilSA的公告警告称，火箭部件预计将落在三个区域内：距离伊洛魁礁（当地称为Rozul礁）约85海里（157公里），距离巴拉望公主港40海里（74公里），以及距离巴西兰Hadji Muhtamad 33海里（61公里）。虽然预计不会有碎片落在陆地上，但该机构表示，这对该地区的船只、渔船和飞机构成了重大风险。由于菲律宾位于中国正东南方，中国火箭的碎片更有可能落入菲律宾的专属经济区。
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Why Trump’s steel tariffs could break economic backbone of South Korea
韩国浦项市的钢铁产业正面临美国新关税的威胁。作为韩国钢铁制造的核心地带，浦项市的工厂曾为该国经济的快速发展提供动力。然而，美国计划对所有钢铁进口征收25%的关税，这让当地企业、官员和工人担忧，认为这可能对浦项市乃至韩国经济产生重大不利影响。
韩国是去年美国第四大钢铁进口国，占美国钢铁进口总量的13%。近年来，韩国钢铁产业面临着来自国外竞争的巨大压力。浦项市市长李康德表示，钢铁产业是重要的国家产业，为建筑、汽车和造船等关键领域提供基础材料，因此，美国关税政策的影响不容忽视。
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韩国浦项市的钢铁产业正面临美国新关税的威胁。作为韩国钢铁制造的核心地带，浦项市的工厂曾为该国经济的快速发展提供动力。然而，美国计划对所有钢铁进口征收25%的关税，这让当地企业、官员和工人担忧，认为这可能对浦项市乃至韩国经济产生重大不利影响。
韩国是去年美国第四大钢铁进口国，占美国钢铁进口总量的13%。近年来，韩国钢铁产业面临着来自国外竞争的巨大压力。浦项市市长李康德表示，钢铁产业是重要的国家产业，为建筑、汽车和造船等关键领域提供基础材料，因此，美国关税政策的影响不容忽视。
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Chinese scientists investigate whether this microbe in food eases symptoms of autism
中国科学家的一项开创性研究表明，奶酪中的益生菌可能为缓解自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的症状提供新的途径。这项研究探索了肠道健康与自闭症之间的联系，发现一种名为鼠李糖乳杆菌的益生菌在治疗后，显著改善了小鼠的社交行为。
自闭症谱系障碍是一种影响社交互动、沟通和行为的终身神经系统疾病，影响全球超过6000万人，且诊断数量逐年上升。该研究由中国科学院动物研究所的赵方庆领导，重点关注CHD8基因，该基因对大脑和肠道发育至关重要，其突变是自闭症最常见的遗传标记之一。研究结果进一步支持了肠-脑轴的概念，即胃肠道和中枢神经系统之间的双向通信系统，肠道菌群的紊乱与包括焦虑和抑郁症在内的神经发育疾病有关。
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中国科学家的一项开创性研究表明，奶酪中的益生菌可能为缓解自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的症状提供新的途径。这项研究探索了肠道健康与自闭症之间的联系，发现一种名为鼠李糖乳杆菌的益生菌在治疗后，显著改善了小鼠的社交行为。
自闭症谱系障碍是一种影响社交互动、沟通和行为的终身神经系统疾病，影响全球超过6000万人，且诊断数量逐年上升。该研究由中国科学院动物研究所的赵方庆领导，重点关注CHD8基因，该基因对大脑和肠道发育至关重要，其突变是自闭症最常见的遗传标记之一。研究结果进一步支持了肠-脑轴的概念，即胃肠道和中枢神经系统之间的双向通信系统，肠道菌群的紊乱与包括焦虑和抑郁症在内的神经发育疾病有关。
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China surgeon who lost 25kg in 42 days wins multiple awards in fitness contest
中国中部的一位医生吴天根在42天内减掉了25公斤，并在健美比赛中获得多项荣誉，令人震惊。这位31岁的医生是1月份在广东省举行的天瑞杯健美比赛中唯一的医生参赛者。身高182厘米，体重73.5公斤的吴天根赢得了新人组和模特组的冠军，以及最受欢迎的参与者称号。
吴天根是武汉大学中南医院的外科医生。他表示，健美是他工作的一部分，因为他主要治疗肥胖患者，并通过手术帮助他们减肥。通过亲身参与健美比赛，他能更好地理解患者的需求，并为他们提供更有效的建议和支持。
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中国中部的一位医生吴天根在42天内减掉了25公斤，并在健美比赛中获得多项荣誉，令人震惊。这位31岁的医生是1月份在广东省举行的天瑞杯健美比赛中唯一的医生参赛者。身高182厘米，体重73.5公斤的吴天根赢得了新人组和模特组的冠军，以及最受欢迎的参与者称号。
吴天根是武汉大学中南医院的外科医生。他表示，健美是他工作的一部分，因为他主要治疗肥胖患者，并通过手术帮助他们减肥。通过亲身参与健美比赛，他能更好地理解患者的需求，并为他们提供更有效的建议和支持。
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‘Hong Kong deficit woes won’t stop funding of Northern Metropolis with bonds’
Hong Kong's Finance Secretary Paul Chan has affirmed the government's commitment to the Northern Metropolis megaproject, pledging to issue bonds to fund the ambitious plan despite an anticipated budget deficit. He emphasized the project's importance for the city's long-term development and indicated that construction expenses for this and other projects, including public housing and hospital expansions, are entering a peak period.
The Northern Metropolis project, aimed at transforming 30,000 hectares of land in the New Territories into a major economic and housing hub, has seen cautious responses from local developers, despite initial pledges of support. To address this, Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, has encouraged mainland Chinese companies to increase their investments in the city, specifically targeting the Northern Metropolis scheme. Chan defended the bond issuance strategy as a common international practice for long-term investments.
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Hong Kong's Finance Secretary Paul Chan has affirmed the government's commitment to the Northern Metropolis megaproject, pledging to issue bonds to fund the ambitious plan despite an anticipated budget deficit. He emphasized the project's importance for the city's long-term development and indicated that construction expenses for this and other projects, including public housing and hospital expansions, are entering a peak period.
The Northern Metropolis project, aimed at transforming 30,000 hectares of land in the New Territories into a major economic and housing hub, has seen cautious responses from local developers, despite initial pledges of support. To address this, Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, has encouraged mainland Chinese companies to increase their investments in the city, specifically targeting the Northern Metropolis scheme. Chan defended the bond issuance strategy as a common international practice for long-term investments.
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Asian immigrants in Los Angeles brace for deportations under Trump: ‘there’s a lot of fear’
洛杉矶县的亚裔移民社区正因特朗普政府颁布的新命令可能导致的大规模驱逐出境而感到不安。社区领袖们正在宗教中心和工作场所用多种语言举办“了解你的权利”培训课程，向移民们普及他们在家庭或工作场所面对联邦特工时应享有的宪法权利。
尽管洛杉矶县的无证居民主要来自墨西哥和中美洲，但亚裔移民也占了相当大的比例。特朗普政府的政策将所有未经授权居留美国的人视为罪犯，并可能被快速驱逐出境，这将在洛杉矶县产生深远的影响，因为这里是美国柬埔寨、韩国、印度尼西亚、菲律宾、泰国和越南人口最多的地区。
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洛杉矶县的亚裔移民社区正因特朗普政府颁布的新命令可能导致的大规模驱逐出境而感到不安。社区领袖们正在宗教中心和工作场所用多种语言举办“了解你的权利”培训课程，向移民们普及他们在家庭或工作场所面对联邦特工时应享有的宪法权利。
尽管洛杉矶县的无证居民主要来自墨西哥和中美洲，但亚裔移民也占了相当大的比例。特朗普政府的政策将所有未经授权居留美国的人视为罪犯，并可能被快速驱逐出境，这将在洛杉矶县产生深远的影响，因为这里是美国柬埔寨、韩国、印度尼西亚、菲律宾、泰国和越南人口最多的地区。
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Mei KTV’s Hong Kong launch triggers call for city businesses to meet locals’ needs
香港兰桂坊集团创始人盛智文表示，香港的娱乐业需要赶上中国内地的发展，以满足本地居民的需求。他是在北京卡拉OK连锁品牌“Mei KTV”在兰桂坊开设首家境外旗舰店后发表此番言论的，该店位于中环加州大厦四楼，已于本月早些时候开业。
盛智文指出，Mei KTV的技术水平，包括灯光、电视屏幕、音乐和音响效果，都远超香港。在新冠疫情后，香港的夜生活和娱乐行业一直在挣扎，多家电影院和卡拉OK场所关闭，包括最近菱角的 MCL 戏院和铜锣湾的 Sugar K 卡拉OK。
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香港兰桂坊集团创始人盛智文表示，香港的娱乐业需要赶上中国内地的发展，以满足本地居民的需求。他是在北京卡拉OK连锁品牌“Mei KTV”在兰桂坊开设首家境外旗舰店后发表此番言论的，该店位于中环加州大厦四楼，已于本月早些时候开业。
盛智文指出，Mei KTV的技术水平，包括灯光、电视屏幕、音乐和音响效果，都远超香港。在新冠疫情后，香港的夜生活和娱乐行业一直在挣扎，多家电影院和卡拉OK场所关闭，包括最近菱角的 MCL 戏院和铜锣湾的 Sugar K 卡拉OK。
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US, Russia seek to eliminate Biden-era ‘barriers’ as relations thaw
俄罗斯外长拉夫罗夫与美国国务卿卢比奥通话，讨论了乌克兰局势以及消除美国前政府设置的“单方面壁垒”问题。双方同意保持联系，以解决双边关系中的问题，并消除阻碍互利贸易、经济和投资合作的单方面障碍。
此次通话由美国发起，正值美国和俄罗斯官员准备就结束乌克兰战争展开谈判之际。乌克兰总统泽连斯基表示，乌克兰未被邀请参加在沙特阿拉伯举行的会谈，并且在与战略伙伴磋商之前，基辅不会与俄罗斯进行接触。此前，美国在拜登总统领导下，以及基辅的盟友对俄罗斯实施了多轮制裁，旨在削弱俄罗斯经济并限制克里姆林宫的战争行动。
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俄罗斯外长拉夫罗夫与美国国务卿卢比奥通话，讨论了乌克兰局势以及消除美国前政府设置的“单方面壁垒”问题。双方同意保持联系，以解决双边关系中的问题，并消除阻碍互利贸易、经济和投资合作的单方面障碍。
此次通话由美国发起，正值美国和俄罗斯官员准备就结束乌克兰战争展开谈判之际。乌克兰总统泽连斯基表示，乌克兰未被邀请参加在沙特阿拉伯举行的会谈，并且在与战略伙伴磋商之前，基辅不会与俄罗斯进行接触。此前，美国在拜登总统领导下，以及基辅的盟友对俄罗斯实施了多轮制裁，旨在削弱俄罗斯经济并限制克里姆林宫的战争行动。
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Duterte’s explosive ‘kill senators’ quip ignites controversy in Philippine midterms
<p><strong>菲律宾总统小马科斯支持的12名参议员候选人中，有10名在竞选活动开始后持续领跑民意调查。</strong> 这促使他的竞争对手、前总统杜特尔特开玩笑说，要杀死他们，以便为他支持的候选人让路。</p> <p>在杜特尔特领导的民主人民力量党的一次集会上，杜特尔特介绍了他的九名候选人，并开玩笑说，让他们赢得选举的一个可能方法是“杀死15名参议员”，包括那些在小马科斯的支持下竞选连任的人。这些候选人在集会上誓言要“保护莎拉”，避免她在参议院法庭被定罪，指的是副总统莎拉·杜特尔特-卡皮奥可能面临的弹劾审判。此前，菲律宾国家调查局指控她煽动叛乱，并因涉嫌针对总统的暗杀阴谋而犯下严重威胁罪。</p>
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<p><strong>菲律宾总统小马科斯支持的12名参议员候选人中，有10名在竞选活动开始后持续领跑民意调查。</strong> 这促使他的竞争对手、前总统杜特尔特开玩笑说，要杀死他们，以便为他支持的候选人让路。</p> <p>在杜特尔特领导的民主人民力量党的一次集会上，杜特尔特介绍了他的九名候选人，并开玩笑说，让他们赢得选举的一个可能方法是“杀死15名参议员”，包括那些在小马科斯的支持下竞选连任的人。这些候选人在集会上誓言要“保护莎拉”，避免她在参议院法庭被定罪，指的是副总统莎拉·杜特尔特-卡皮奥可能面临的弹劾审判。此前，菲律宾国家调查局指控她煽动叛乱，并因涉嫌针对总统的暗杀阴谋而犯下严重威胁罪。</p>
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Next phase of Hong Kong’s eMPF reform to start in March with more providers, enhancements
Hong Kong's pension regulator will launch the second phase of reforms to digitalize the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) operations on March 5, expanding the electronic platform to include more providers and implementing other measures. This follows the successful initial phase of the eMPF Platform launched in June, which saw a high digital usage rate, particularly for contribution data and investment changes.
The eMPF platform aims to streamline the management of HK$1.326 trillion in MPF assets by consolidating the operations of 12 different providers onto a single electronic platform accessible via mobile phones or computers. The first phase involved the onboarding of five smaller providers, representing 2% of assets under management, between June and December, paving the way for the broader rollout in the second phase.
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Hong Kong's pension regulator will launch the second phase of reforms to digitalize the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) operations on March 5, expanding the electronic platform to include more providers and implementing other measures. This follows the successful initial phase of the eMPF Platform launched in June, which saw a high digital usage rate, particularly for contribution data and investment changes.
The eMPF platform aims to streamline the management of HK$1.326 trillion in MPF assets by consolidating the operations of 12 different providers onto a single electronic platform accessible via mobile phones or computers. The first phase involved the onboarding of five smaller providers, representing 2% of assets under management, between June and December, paving the way for the broader rollout in the second phase.
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Panda-monium at Ocean Park as crowds flock to see Hong Kong’s twin cubs
By Lo Hoi-ying
More than 1,000 excited fans flocked to Ocean Park on Sunday morning to get their first glimpse of Hong Kong’s locally born pair of giant panda cubs.
Patrons started lining up outside the park before it opened at 10am on Sunday in anticipation of the public debut of “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother”.
Many were decked out in panda paraphernalia, such as headbands and plushies sold by Ocean Park, and brought along professional cameras to capture the precious moment.
The first visitor in the line, a man surnamed Shum, told local media he had arrived at the park sometime after 6am, saying he felt the cubs’ birth carried a very special meaning for Hong Kong.
Shum also said he planned to visit the twins again when they turned one.
IT worker Walter Chan, who arrived at around 8am, told the Post that he had been looking forward to this day for a decade.
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By Lo Hoi-ying
More than 1,000 excited fans flocked to Ocean Park on Sunday morning to get their first glimpse of Hong Kong’s locally born pair of giant panda cubs.
Patrons started lining up outside the park before it opened at 10am on Sunday in anticipation of the public debut of “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother”.
Many were decked out in panda paraphernalia, such as headbands and plushies sold by Ocean Park, and brought along professional cameras to capture the precious moment.
The first visitor in the line, a man surnamed Shum, told local media he had arrived at the park sometime after 6am, saying he felt the cubs’ birth carried a very special meaning for Hong Kong.
Shum also said he planned to visit the twins again when they turned one.
IT worker Walter Chan, who arrived at around 8am, told the Post that he had been looking forward to this day for a decade.
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Australia slaps 2-year ban on foreigners buying existing homes as prices soar
By Bloomberg
Australia’s government will ban foreign investors from buying established houses for the next two years as part of an election pitch to tackle surging home prices.
From April 1, foreign investors will be banned from buying established property until March 31, 2027, Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said in a statement on Sunday. The restriction will then be reviewed to determine whether it should be extended.
O’Neil said in comments televised by the Australian Broadcasting Corp that the ban would likely free up around 1,800 properties per year for local buyers.
“These initiatives are a small but important part of our already big and broad housing agenda which is focused on boosting supply and helping more people into homes,” the minister’s statement said.
Australia’s housing is some of the most unaffordable in the world and soaring property prices will be a key election issue amid a broader cost-of-living crisis, especially among young voters who fear they will never be able to buy a home.
In Sydney, housing values have jumped almost 70 per cent over the past 10 years, with the median dwelling price now around A$1.2 million (US$762,000), according to property consultancy CoreLogic Inc. Rents have also been climbing.
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By Bloomberg
Australia’s government will ban foreign investors from buying established houses for the next two years as part of an election pitch to tackle surging home prices.
From April 1, foreign investors will be banned from buying established property until March 31, 2027, Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said in a statement on Sunday. The restriction will then be reviewed to determine whether it should be extended.
O’Neil said in comments televised by the Australian Broadcasting Corp that the ban would likely free up around 1,800 properties per year for local buyers.
“These initiatives are a small but important part of our already big and broad housing agenda which is focused on boosting supply and helping more people into homes,” the minister’s statement said.
Australia’s housing is some of the most unaffordable in the world and soaring property prices will be a key election issue amid a broader cost-of-living crisis, especially among young voters who fear they will never be able to buy a home.
In Sydney, housing values have jumped almost 70 per cent over the past 10 years, with the median dwelling price now around A$1.2 million (US$762,000), according to property consultancy CoreLogic Inc. Rents have also been climbing.
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Trump’s aid freeze will hit Myanmar hard
By Su Mon Thazin Aung
The panic and chaos caused by US President Donald Trump’s executive order to halt foreign aid, followed by the shutdown plan of USAID, have roiled global humanitarian efforts, and Myanmar is no exception.
The United States has been a significant contributor to the country’s emergency and community resilience work. The US Agency for International Development’s shutdown, along with the broader reduction in US government funding, will have far-reaching implications for cross-border and in-country aid operations for Myanmar.
Myanmar accounts for more than US$238 million of the combined portfolios of US$35 billion among 159 countries that received USAID funding in 2024. About 47 per cent of the US$238 million went to the humanitarian sector. The remainder went into sectors such as healthcare, economy and education. The US has traditionally provided significant assistance to hard-to-reach regions in Myanmar through local partners and cross-border assistance. Refugees, internally displaced persons and vulnerable communities in conflict-affected border regions are primary recipients.
Mere days after the aid-freeze decision, people on the Thai-Myanmar border already felt the shock. Several agencies decided to cease essential humanitarian assistance programmes and shut down healthcare services on the Thai-Myanmar border. The Karenni Refugee Camp in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son district was one of the first to close down. Suddenly, its equipment and medicines were unavailable to those who needed it most, including pregnant women and people dependent on oxygen tanks to breathe.
Aid for the Rohingya through Bangladesh will be the only exemption.
Trump’s aid decision will also potentially shake Myanmar’s in-country humanitarian system. Different funding sources currently provide in-country humanitarian and development assistance in Myanmar. Most of the communities rely upon support from multilateral aid, such as provided by United Nations agencies. In 2024, Washington’s contribution accounted for 43 per cent of global humanitarian efforts and 31.6 per cent of Myanmar’s humanitarian response plan in particular. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme and the UN Children’s Fund are the top three recipients of USAID funding.
Given the significant UN funding gap between required aid amounts and actual disbursement, the implementation efforts of these agencies may be severely affected. Only critical operations, such as emergency food assistance and critical healthcare, are likely to remain. A return to normalcy would be extremely difficult for people in conflict areas who rely on foreign aid to survive, given the potential reduction in assistance in delivering essential services such as long-term healthcare, education, community resilience and agricultural production.
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By Su Mon Thazin Aung
The panic and chaos caused by US President Donald Trump’s executive order to halt foreign aid, followed by the shutdown plan of USAID, have roiled global humanitarian efforts, and Myanmar is no exception.
The United States has been a significant contributor to the country’s emergency and community resilience work. The US Agency for International Development’s shutdown, along with the broader reduction in US government funding, will have far-reaching implications for cross-border and in-country aid operations for Myanmar.
Myanmar accounts for more than US$238 million of the combined portfolios of US$35 billion among 159 countries that received USAID funding in 2024. About 47 per cent of the US$238 million went to the humanitarian sector. The remainder went into sectors such as healthcare, economy and education. The US has traditionally provided significant assistance to hard-to-reach regions in Myanmar through local partners and cross-border assistance. Refugees, internally displaced persons and vulnerable communities in conflict-affected border regions are primary recipients.
Mere days after the aid-freeze decision, people on the Thai-Myanmar border already felt the shock. Several agencies decided to cease essential humanitarian assistance programmes and shut down healthcare services on the Thai-Myanmar border. The Karenni Refugee Camp in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son district was one of the first to close down. Suddenly, its equipment and medicines were unavailable to those who needed it most, including pregnant women and people dependent on oxygen tanks to breathe.
Aid for the Rohingya through Bangladesh will be the only exemption.
Trump’s aid decision will also potentially shake Myanmar’s in-country humanitarian system. Different funding sources currently provide in-country humanitarian and development assistance in Myanmar. Most of the communities rely upon support from multilateral aid, such as provided by United Nations agencies. In 2024, Washington’s contribution accounted for 43 per cent of global humanitarian efforts and 31.6 per cent of Myanmar’s humanitarian response plan in particular. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme and the UN Children’s Fund are the top three recipients of USAID funding.
Given the significant UN funding gap between required aid amounts and actual disbursement, the implementation efforts of these agencies may be severely affected. Only critical operations, such as emergency food assistance and critical healthcare, are likely to remain. A return to normalcy would be extremely difficult for people in conflict areas who rely on foreign aid to survive, given the potential reduction in assistance in delivering essential services such as long-term healthcare, education, community resilience and agricultural production.
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Trump’s rush for Ukraine deal with Russia’s Putin leaves Europe high and dry
By Bloomberg
The groans and the anxious side glances gave way to silence as US Vice-President J.D. Vance took centre stage in Munich to pour contempt on long-standing US allies and cut Europe down to size.
It was an attack of unbridled ferocity in the name of free speech that laid bare the long-stewing hostility that Donald Trump and his most senior aides feel for the European Union – they see the bloc as a symbol of big government that constrains US companies.
But as European diplomats from Berlin to London pick through the rubble of the transatlantic relationship, the reality is that the continent has had eight years since Trump’s last election victory to get its house in order and three since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The wake-up call was a long time coming.
“This is existential,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in an interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where Vance had been speaking.
French President Emmanuel Macron is looking to convene an emergency meeting of European leaders in an attempt to come up with a response.
Europe’s fate has turned on events in the Bavarian capital before, and not only in 1938 when the UK acquiesced to Adolf Hitler’s claims to part of Czechoslovakia in a doomed attempt to avoid war.
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By Bloomberg
The groans and the anxious side glances gave way to silence as US Vice-President J.D. Vance took centre stage in Munich to pour contempt on long-standing US allies and cut Europe down to size.
It was an attack of unbridled ferocity in the name of free speech that laid bare the long-stewing hostility that Donald Trump and his most senior aides feel for the European Union – they see the bloc as a symbol of big government that constrains US companies.
But as European diplomats from Berlin to London pick through the rubble of the transatlantic relationship, the reality is that the continent has had eight years since Trump’s last election victory to get its house in order and three since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The wake-up call was a long time coming.
“This is existential,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in an interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where Vance had been speaking.
French President Emmanuel Macron is looking to convene an emergency meeting of European leaders in an attempt to come up with a response.
Europe’s fate has turned on events in the Bavarian capital before, and not only in 1938 when the UK acquiesced to Adolf Hitler’s claims to part of Czechoslovakia in a doomed attempt to avoid war.
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