AI by night: China’s DeepSeek offers off-peak 75% discount as demand strains servers

Chinese AI firm DeepSeek is introducing discounted rates for its AI model API access during off-peak hours (12:30am to 8:30am China time) to alleviate daytime server strain caused by high demand. The discount applies to its V3 model (50% off) and R1 reasoning model (75% off), effectively pricing them the same during these hours. This move aims to incentivize usage during less busy periods and optimize server resource allocation.

DeepSeek's pricing adjustment comes as its popularity grows, leading to server capacity issues. The company previously had to temporarily halt account top-ups due to resource constraints. By offering significantly reduced rates during off-peak hours, DeepSeek hopes to better manage demand and provide more consistent access to its AI models, which are considerably cheaper than those offered by competitors like OpenAI, even before the discount.

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Hong Kong to entice bid spenders by turning LIV Golf into long-term fixture

香港计划通过举办更多像LIV高尔夫巡回赛这样的国际赛事来吸引更多高端游客,并发展成为商务旅行目的地,以促进经济增长。此举是最新财政预算案中的一部分,旨在应对财政赤字,同时避免削减开支。

据政府内部人士透露,去年香港首次举办LIV高尔夫巡回赛吸引了约4万名观众,其中包括数千名游客,他们的消费额是普通游客的三倍以上。这些高尔夫球迷平均每次旅行消费约2300美元(约17873港元)。相比之下,香港旅游发展局的数据显示,2024年过夜游客的平均每次旅行消费约为5490港元,停留3.2晚。

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South Korea’s annual military drill with US to go on, AI models to be deployed

韩国将按计划于下月与美国进行年度军事演习,并在演习期间测试其自主研发的生成式防御人工智能模型。该系统名为Generative Defence AI,将在“自由护盾”联合演习中部署,旨在评估韩国和美国军队遏制朝鲜侵略的战备状态。

韩国国防部发言人表示,将在演习期间试用该人工智能系统,以观察其在实际指挥和控制系统中的应用。据报道,该人工智能模型未使用任何机密的军事机密进行训练,而是基于动员、行政支持和公共事务等一般场景进行设计。此次演习计划的推进,也回应了外界对于演习可能因美国总统特朗普的批评而取消或缩减规模的担忧。

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Jimmy Lai denies being Chinese, tells trial: ‘We are Hong Kong people’

During his national security trial, Jimmy Lai denied being Chinese and stated that Hongkongers have "nothing to do with" the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), leading to a brief debate over national identity in court. Lai, the former media boss of Apple Daily, is accused of seeking the collapse of the government in Beijing, a claim he denies.

Lai made the remarks during cross-examination, explaining that Hongkongers wished to "get rid of dictatorship." He argued that the CCP is separate from the Chinese people and that only Chinese people can remove the CCP. This prompted Justice Esther Toh to question Lai's self-identification, pointing out his physical appearance and apparent Chinese ethnicity.

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Australia plea, copper imports test Trump’s tariff resolve: could China expect a break?

Countries are exploring deals with the U.S. to ease tariff rates, which the U.S. Treasury Secretary considers essential to Trump's economic policy aimed at correcting international economic imbalances. This comes as Trump ordered a probe into potential new tariffs on copper imports, seemingly targeting China.

Australia is seeking an exemption from tariffs on steel and aluminum, citing a trade surplus with the U.S. and a free-floating currency. Analysts suggest Australia's request could prompt other countries, including China, to seek similar exemptions, though negotiations for China might be more complex due to the scale of trade.

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People-to-people relations are the real glue of China-US ties

People-to-people connections are the foundation of strong China-U.S. relations, fostering understanding and trust. The author reflects on their experiences in New York, highlighting the warmth and shared aspirations encountered, emphasizing that these personal connections can bridge divides and promote mutual learning between the two nations.

The author's experiences, including celebrating Spring Festival, attending cultural performances, and meeting with veterans and students, underscore the importance of cultural exchange and personal interactions. These encounters reveal a shared desire for peace and a better future, demonstrating how art, education, and simple human connections can overcome misunderstandings and build lasting friendships.

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‘Zombie cigarettes’: Thai authorities warn of deadly drug-laced vapes

泰国政府警告年轻人警惕一种名为“僵尸烟”的新型毒品,它将电子烟与危险药物依托咪酯结合在一起。当局已查获大量这种新型毒品,并承诺加大打击力度。这种毒品主要在夜生活场所流通,但也在线上和社交场合非法销售。

“僵尸烟”的危险之处在于使用了依托咪酯,这是一种麻醉剂,可能导致严重的嗜睡、呼吸频率降低,甚至在某些情况下导致死亡。政府官员强调,无法得知销售者在其中混合了哪些物质或含有多少麻醉品,并呼吁家长密切关注孩子的行为,如花费大量金钱、长时间嗜睡以及将自己隔离在房间里等迹象。

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Call for Hong Kong to tackle long-taboo topic of new taxes

香港财政司司长陈茂波预测未来一年仍将面临财政赤字和财政储备下降的问题,但并未采取扩大税基等措施来增加收入来源。分析人士认为,香港在增加收入来源以弥补赤字方面做得还不够,需要更积极的措施。

陈茂波在年度预算案中表示,本财政年度的赤字预计为872.3亿港元,下个财政年度为670亿港元。他排除了引入任何形式的商品及服务税或销售税的可能性,理由是这可能会削弱香港的竞争力。有专家指出,香港可能是亚洲唯一没有商品及服务税、增值税或资本利得税的先进经济体,并对政府不愿审查税收制度表示不解,认为政府应优先考虑能够维持经济发展和公众信心的政策。

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67% airport departure tax increase will have ‘minimal’ impact on Hong Kong tourism

香港政府计划提高飞机乘客离境税,从10月1日起由120港元增至200港元,预计每年可为政府带来16亿港元的收入。政府表示,此举不会削弱香港对游客的吸引力,并旨在通过“用者自付”原则增加收入,以应对预计的财政赤字。

财政司司长陈茂波在预算案中提到,过去一些政府费用和收费未能按照既定机制调整,未能反映“用者自付”原则。政府消息人士称,该费用自2003年以来未调整,且与新加坡超过370港元的收费相比,香港的收费仍然合理。此次调整是政府增加收入的措施之一,预计每年可带来52亿港元的收入,但同时也会影响通勤者和海外人才。

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Singaporean chip tool maker sees AI opportunities amid DeepSeek boom after stock plunge

Despite a sharp drop in share price following a significant decline in net profit, ASMPT, a semiconductor equipment maker, remains optimistic about its long-term prospects, citing opportunities arising from the growing adoption of AI applications. The company acknowledges pressure on its non-AI businesses due to a sluggish economy but is strategically shifting resources towards AI-related segments to capitalize on emerging growth opportunities.

ASMPT's CEO, Robin Ng, believes that the rise of cost-effective AI models like those from DeepSeek will drive demand for AI chips, benefiting the company. This optimism is further fueled by substantial capital expenditure on AI infrastructure by major tech firms, including Alibaba's recent US$52 billion investment, mirroring similar moves by US giants like Apple and Microsoft. This increased spending translates to greater demand for components, packaging services, and tools, areas where ASMPT's business is closely involved.

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How far will Trump’s personal brand of diplomacy take him with China’s Xi Jinping?

Donald Trump неоднократно подчеркивал свои "очень хорошие личные отношения" с председателем КНР Си Цзиньпином, заявляя, что знает китайского лидера "вероятно, лучше, чем кто-либо в разных частях мира". Это заявление прозвучало на фоне подтверждения переговоров между двумя лидерами.

Несмотря на акцент Трампа на личных связях с Си, возникают вопросы об эффективности такого подхода в управлении отношениями между Вашингтоном и Пекином. Хотя личная дипломатия Трампа могла быть успешной с другими лидерами, например, с Ким Чен Ыном, дипломатические наблюдатели сомневаются в ее действенности в случае с Си Цзиньпином.

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Hong Kong to embrace tech-driven growth with AI investment: Paul Chan

香港正在向技术驱动型经济转型,以配合国家战略目标,应对中美地缘政治紧张局势。 最新财政预算案划拨资金用于各领域的人工智能发展,其中10亿港元将用于成立香港人工智能研发院,支持各阶段的研发并拓展应用可能性。

财政司司长陈茂波表示,人工智能是发展新质生产力的核心。香港将利用“一国两制”的优势和国际化特色,发展成为人工智能产业的国际交流合作中心。他还提到,要实现中共二十届三中全会提出的目标,必须深化改革,推进高水平对外开放,加快形成新发展格局,香港正处于发展的重要关头,面临着不断变化的全球格局和技术变革,通过技术创新,可以催化新模式和新动力,加速培育新兴产业,转型升级传统产业。

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Pay freeze for Hong Kong civil servants, with 10,000 government posts to be axed

香港特首、所有公务员和立法会议员的薪酬将在来年冻结,同时政府将削减约1万个职位,以控制开支应对赤字。 这是香港政府为应对财政赤字而采取的措施,旨在开源节流,同时尽量减少对公众的影响。

消息人士称,削减职位并不一定导致公务员被裁员,而是鼓励各部门利用科技精简或取代部分职位。财政司司长陈茂波表示,政府将以身作则,致力于削减开支,同时确保提供高标准公共服务。薪酬冻结将于2025-26年度实施,涵盖范围广泛,包括行政长官、政治任命官员、行政会议非官守成员、所有公务员、立法会议员及立法会秘书处、首席法官、各级法院法官及所有司法机构成员以及区议会议员。对于为何不直接减薪,陈茂波回应称,这是综合考虑经济形势和居民收入等多种因素后作出的决定。

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China welcomes new search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 11 years after disappearance

China has expressed its support for the renewed search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared in 2014 with 239 people on board, including over 150 Chinese nationals. The Malaysian government has authorized a new search effort led by Ocean Infinity, a deep-sea exploration company that previously conducted an unsuccessful search in 2018.

The search will concentrate on four specific areas within a 15,000 sq km zone located approximately 1,500km west of Perth, Western Australia. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman stated that China values Malaysia's dedication to finding the missing aircraft and is prepared to maintain close communication and cooperation to protect the rights and interests of the Chinese passengers' families.

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As India, Bangladesh envoys engage in war of words, are ties reaching ‘point of no return’?

印度外交部长苏杰生近日公开表达了对孟加拉国临时政府的不满,暗示两国关系可能面临挑战。苏杰生抱怨孟加拉国临时政府官员频繁指责印度,并质疑达卡对两国关系的真实意愿,强调孟加拉国需要明确其希望与印度建立何种关系。

苏杰生的言论是在与孟加拉国外长会晤后发表的,此前孟加拉国官方媒体援引孟加拉国外长的话称,印度也需要决定希望与孟加拉国建立什么样的关系。分析人士认为,这些言论反映了新德里对达卡临时政府及其在双边关系上立场的转变日益感到沮丧。

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As DeepSeek knock-offs flourish, China curbs false trademarks capitalising on AI hype

Chinese authorities have blocked 63 trademark applications containing the name "DeepSeek", citing attempts to exploit the AI start-up's popularity for improper gains. The National Intellectual Property Administration stated that these applications demonstrated a clear intention to capitalize on the hype surrounding DeepSeek's AI models.

DeepSeek, based in Hangzhou, has gained global recognition for its high-performance open-source large language models, developed at a relatively low cost. Despite maintaining a low profile, the company's commitment to open-source technology and the publication of its research have drawn applause from developer communities, while also attracting increased scrutiny and potential trademark disputes, with some companies possibly based in Hong Kong attempting to register the name.

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Common ground or go it alone? Asean flummoxed by Trump tariff threat

Asean正努力寻求统一立场,以应对美国总统特朗普提议的惩罚性关税。特朗普计划对汽车、药品和半导体等出口到美国的商品征收25%的关税,这可能会抑制对该地区产品的需求,使得一些东盟成员国希望与以贸易顺差为痛点的、且行事难以预测的美国政府达成各自的协议。

马来西亚、泰国和越南等国将美国视为其最重要的贸易伙伴之一,并对美国保持着巨大的贸易顺差。对此,马来西亚外交部长表示,东盟计划与美国举行峰会,以便成员国能够就特朗普计划的关税发表意见。然而,由于美国总统倾向于突然宣布决定,且常常违背既定的国际贸易和外交惯例,东盟对于如何进行谈判感到困惑。

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Australia jails 14 sect members over ‘slow and painful’ death of girl, 8

澳大利亚一个边缘宗教团体的14名成员因8岁糖尿病女孩伊丽莎白·罗斯·斯特鲁斯被剥夺救命胰岛素而入狱,女孩经历了“缓慢而痛苦”的死亡。伊丽莎白的父母以及该教派的其他成员上个月在布里斯班昆士兰最高法院被判过失杀人罪。

这个位于昆士兰州图文巴市的小型家庭教会“核心信念”是上帝的治愈能力,不接受医疗护理或治疗。伊丽莎白在停止使用胰岛素药物几天后,死于酮症酸中毒——一种严重的糖尿病并发症。法官马丁·伯恩斯在宣判听证会上表示,“伊丽莎白遭受了缓慢而痛苦的死亡,你们都以某种方式对此负责。” 母亲凯莉·斯特鲁斯和父亲杰森·斯特鲁斯均被判处14年监禁。

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China could take peacekeeping role in post-war Ukraine – but at what cost?

China's potential peacekeeping role in post-war Ukraine could offer Beijing a chance to expand its influence and military training. This possibility, raised by Chinese analysts and reportedly suggested by American officials, involves sending Chinese peacekeeping forces to Ukraine after a ceasefire with Russia.

While the plan has not been officially acknowledged or refuted by Chinese authorities, it presents both opportunities and risks for Beijing. A peacekeeping mission in Europe would have been considered unlikely until recently, but it could provide valuable experience for the Chinese military. However, it also carries the risk of backfiring if the situation becomes unstable or if China's involvement is perceived negatively.

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Baidu’s YY Live, now infused with DeepSeek, adopts YYDS name in Chinese meme-inspired joke

YY Live, the live-streaming service owned by Baidu, has launched an AI-powered chatbot called YYDS, utilizing DeepSeek's open-source models. The name YYDS, a popular internet meme meaning roughly "eternal god," reflects the platform's embrace of AI and its attempt to resonate with users familiar with online culture.

This move follows Baidu's recent acquisition of YY Live and a broader trend among Chinese internet companies, including Baidu itself, Tencent, and Alibaba, to integrate DeepSeek's AI models into their services. Baidu aims to leverage this technology to compete in China's booming short video and live-streaming market, currently dominated by ByteDance's Douyin and Kuaishou Technology.

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