Some Hong Kong banks refuse mortgages for China Vanke’s Le Mont project in Tai Po
Several Hong Kong banks are reportedly not extending mortgages for China Vanke's Le Mont project in Tai Po, adding to the developer's financial woes. Standard Chartered and Chong Hing Bank are among those declining mortgage requests from potential homebuyers for the project, according to property agents. This decision presents a significant setback for Vanke, which is already grappling with a liquidity crisis and substantial debt maturities.
Chong Hing Bank stated that it assesses mortgage applications based on property value, quality, and the applicant's repayment ability, but did not directly address the Le Mont situation. Standard Chartered declined to comment. This reluctance from banks comes as Vanke faces nearly US$5 billion in debt maturities this year, compounded by a prolonged property downturn in mainland China and an anticipated record net loss of 45 billion yuan (US$6.2 billion) for 2024.
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Several Hong Kong banks are reportedly not extending mortgages for China Vanke's Le Mont project in Tai Po, adding to the developer's financial woes. Standard Chartered and Chong Hing Bank are among those declining mortgage requests from potential homebuyers for the project, according to property agents. This decision presents a significant setback for Vanke, which is already grappling with a liquidity crisis and substantial debt maturities.
Chong Hing Bank stated that it assesses mortgage applications based on property value, quality, and the applicant's repayment ability, but did not directly address the Le Mont situation. Standard Chartered declined to comment. This reluctance from banks comes as Vanke faces nearly US$5 billion in debt maturities this year, compounded by a prolonged property downturn in mainland China and an anticipated record net loss of 45 billion yuan (US$6.2 billion) for 2024.
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Chinese girl rescued after being stranded on window ledge
一名四岁女童在四川省的家中，因爬出窗户被困在狭窄的窗台上，最终在消防员的帮助下，九分钟后安全返回家中。
这起事件突显了儿童安全问题，提醒家长注意家中潜在的危险，防止类似事件再次发生。消防部门也呼吁加强对儿童的安全教育，提高他们的自我保护意识。
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一名四岁女童在四川省的家中，因爬出窗户被困在狭窄的窗台上，最终在消防员的帮助下，九分钟后安全返回家中。
这起事件突显了儿童安全问题，提醒家长注意家中潜在的危险，防止类似事件再次发生。消防部门也呼吁加强对儿童的安全教育，提高他们的自我保护意识。
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Public shock as Chinese woman gives birth a day after discovering she was 34 weeks pregnant
一位来自中国江苏省的化妆博主在社交媒体上分享了她令人难以置信的经历：在发现自己怀孕仅仅一天后就生下了一个宝宝。 这位网名为@tingtingyupengpeng的博主的故事在社交媒体平台上获得了1.9亿次的浏览量，引发了广泛关注。
据荔枝新闻报道，这位博主透露，2024年11月6日晚，她在玩手机游戏时突然出现严重出血。第二天去医院检查时，医生告知她已怀孕34周。起初她并不相信，直到在超声波检查中听到了胎儿的心跳声。11月8日上午，在母亲的陪同下，她再次前往医院，被告知即将分娩。她的经历引发了网友们的热议。
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一位来自中国江苏省的化妆博主在社交媒体上分享了她令人难以置信的经历：在发现自己怀孕仅仅一天后就生下了一个宝宝。 这位网名为@tingtingyupengpeng的博主的故事在社交媒体平台上获得了1.9亿次的浏览量，引发了广泛关注。
据荔枝新闻报道，这位博主透露，2024年11月6日晚，她在玩手机游戏时突然出现严重出血。第二天去医院检查时，医生告知她已怀孕34周。起初她并不相信，直到在超声波检查中听到了胎儿的心跳声。11月8日上午，在母亲的陪同下，她再次前往医院，被告知即将分娩。她的经历引发了网友们的热议。
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Was sudden death of top Chinese materials scientist due to ‘insane’ workload?
Liu Yongfeng, a 47-year-old distinguished professor from Zhejiang University, died on March 5th from a cerebral hemorrhage, prompting his family to call for greater attention to the health and workload of researchers. Liu's death occurred after he suffered a hemorrhage on January 21st during a conference. He was a respected mentor who supervised over 40 students and made significant contributions to the field of new energy materials.
The university acknowledged Liu's dedication and the significant loss his death represents to both the institution and the materials science community. An open letter, purportedly written by Liu's wife, described his working hours as "shocking, almost insane," suggesting that overwork may have contributed to his death and highlighting the intense pressures faced by researchers in China.
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Liu Yongfeng, a 47-year-old distinguished professor from Zhejiang University, died on March 5th from a cerebral hemorrhage, prompting his family to call for greater attention to the health and workload of researchers. Liu's death occurred after he suffered a hemorrhage on January 21st during a conference. He was a respected mentor who supervised over 40 students and made significant contributions to the field of new energy materials.
The university acknowledged Liu's dedication and the significant loss his death represents to both the institution and the materials science community. An open letter, purportedly written by Liu's wife, described his working hours as "shocking, almost insane," suggesting that overwork may have contributed to his death and highlighting the intense pressures faced by researchers in China.
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Hong Kong to resume unauthorised temporary structure scheme by end of year
香港政府计划在年底前重启一项计划，允许乡村房屋业主保留低风险的违章建筑。前提是这些建筑必须经过专业人士的安全评估。此举旨在解决香港普遍存在的非法建筑问题。
屋宇署署长余宝美在周二的区议会会议上表示，违章建筑的申报将通过在线方式进行。该计划最初于2012年推出，允许业主申报在2011年6月28日之前建造的轻微违章建筑。通过主动申报，业主可以避免立即被责令拆除违章建筑，但需要每五年接受注册专业人士的检查，直到政府宣布需要拆除这些建筑为止。
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香港政府计划在年底前重启一项计划，允许乡村房屋业主保留低风险的违章建筑。前提是这些建筑必须经过专业人士的安全评估。此举旨在解决香港普遍存在的非法建筑问题。
屋宇署署长余宝美在周二的区议会会议上表示，违章建筑的申报将通过在线方式进行。该计划最初于2012年推出，允许业主申报在2011年6月28日之前建造的轻微违章建筑。通过主动申报，业主可以避免立即被责令拆除违章建筑，但需要每五年接受注册专业人士的检查，直到政府宣布需要拆除这些建筑为止。
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Singapore bans Malaysian coffee product for containing erectile dysfunction drug
Singapore has ordered the removal of the Malaysian coffee product Kopi Penumbuk from sale after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) detected the presence of tadalafil, a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. The SFA is warning consumers against purchasing or consuming the product, which was being sold on local e-commerce sites with claims of enhancing male sexual performance.
Tadalafil is a prescription medicine that should only be taken under medical supervision, as misuse can lead to serious side effects including heart attack, stroke, and priapism. The drug can also cause life-threatening low blood pressure in individuals with heart conditions, especially those taking medications containing nitrates. The SFA has worked with e-commerce platforms to remove listings of Kopi Penumbuk and has warned sellers to stop selling the product immediately, urging consumers who have purchased it not to consume it.
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Singapore has ordered the removal of the Malaysian coffee product Kopi Penumbuk from sale after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) detected the presence of tadalafil, a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. The SFA is warning consumers against purchasing or consuming the product, which was being sold on local e-commerce sites with claims of enhancing male sexual performance.
Tadalafil is a prescription medicine that should only be taken under medical supervision, as misuse can lead to serious side effects including heart attack, stroke, and priapism. The drug can also cause life-threatening low blood pressure in individuals with heart conditions, especially those taking medications containing nitrates. The SFA has worked with e-commerce platforms to remove listings of Kopi Penumbuk and has warned sellers to stop selling the product immediately, urging consumers who have purchased it not to consume it.
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Chinese stocks find favour on DeepSeek trade as Citigroup downgrades US equities
花旗集团建议客户减持美国股票，增持中国股票，这表明过去两年支撑“七巨头”美国科技股的美国例外论交易正在瓦解。花旗认为，中国在人工智能领域的突破、政策利好和具有吸引力的估值，使其股票更具吸引力。汇丰控股也下调了美国股票的评级至中性。
花旗集团自2023年10月以来首次将美国股票评级从超配下调至中性。与此同时，美国股市隔夜暴跌，纳斯达克100指数下跌近4%，市值蒸发1.1万亿美元，创下2022年以来最大跌幅。其他华尔街公司，包括高盛和摩根士丹利，上个月在中国人工智能初创公司DeepSeek崛起后，提高了中国股票关键指标的价格目标。
在美国总统特朗普针对美国贸易伙伴的关税政策增加了经济硬着陆的风险后，投资者开始从美国股市撤出，转而投资中国和欧洲的股票。全球首席投资官办公室的首席执行官Gary Dugan表示，美国以外市场基本面的改善是其表现优异的关键驱动因素。他预计欧洲和亚洲股市相对于美国股市的优异表现将持续。
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花旗集团建议客户减持美国股票，增持中国股票，这表明过去两年支撑“七巨头”美国科技股的美国例外论交易正在瓦解。花旗认为，中国在人工智能领域的突破、政策利好和具有吸引力的估值，使其股票更具吸引力。汇丰控股也下调了美国股票的评级至中性。
花旗集团自2023年10月以来首次将美国股票评级从超配下调至中性。与此同时，美国股市隔夜暴跌，纳斯达克100指数下跌近4%，市值蒸发1.1万亿美元，创下2022年以来最大跌幅。其他华尔街公司，包括高盛和摩根士丹利，上个月在中国人工智能初创公司DeepSeek崛起后，提高了中国股票关键指标的价格目标。
在美国总统特朗普针对美国贸易伙伴的关税政策增加了经济硬着陆的风险后，投资者开始从美国股市撤出，转而投资中国和欧洲的股票。全球首席投资官办公室的首席执行官Gary Dugan表示，美国以外市场基本面的改善是其表现优异的关键驱动因素。他预计欧洲和亚洲股市相对于美国股市的优异表现将持续。
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Trump to buy a Tesla in show of support for Musk
Donald Trump announced he will purchase a new Tesla to support Elon Musk, citing Musk's efforts to "help our Nation." Trump accused the "Radical Left Lunatics" of attempting to boycott Tesla as a means to attack Musk and his values.
Trump framed his decision as a show of confidence in Musk, whom he considers a "truly great American" contributing to making America great again. Musk, a prominent donor and advisor to Trump, responded with gratitude on his X platform.
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Donald Trump announced he will purchase a new Tesla to support Elon Musk, citing Musk's efforts to "help our Nation." Trump accused the "Radical Left Lunatics" of attempting to boycott Tesla as a means to attack Musk and his values.
Trump framed his decision as a show of confidence in Musk, whom he considers a "truly great American" contributing to making America great again. Musk, a prominent donor and advisor to Trump, responded with gratitude on his X platform.
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‘Open source’ model: why France wants to work closely with China on AI
France is pursuing a collaborative approach to AI development, aiming to work with both China and the United States, despite the ongoing tech rivalry between the two superpowers. This strategy contrasts with the "Cold War lens" through which AI development is often viewed, particularly concerning US-China relations.
French Consul General Christile Drulhe emphasized the shared interests in regulating AI technologies internationally to mitigate potential risks and promoting progress through open-source technology sharing. While France aims to become an "AI powerhouse" with significant government investment, it seeks cooperation on key issues, diverging from the intensifying US-China competition marked by export curbs and restrictions on semiconductor and mineral access.
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France is pursuing a collaborative approach to AI development, aiming to work with both China and the United States, despite the ongoing tech rivalry between the two superpowers. This strategy contrasts with the "Cold War lens" through which AI development is often viewed, particularly concerning US-China relations.
French Consul General Christile Drulhe emphasized the shared interests in regulating AI technologies internationally to mitigate potential risks and promoting progress through open-source technology sharing. While France aims to become an "AI powerhouse" with significant government investment, it seeks cooperation on key issues, diverging from the intensifying US-China competition marked by export curbs and restrictions on semiconductor and mineral access.
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Ukraine must look beyond the US to chart its own course for peace
With the US seemingly distancing itself from Ukraine, a European "coalition of the willing," led by France and the UK, is stepping up to take on the role of peacemaker. This shift comes after a series of events, including a UN vote, a tense exchange between Presidents Trump and Zelensky, and the suspension of US military aid and intelligence support, signaling a change in US commitment.
European powers recognize their responsibility in Ukraine's situation, particularly France and Germany, who were involved in the failed Minsk agreements after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The UK, along with the US and Russia, also provided security assurances to Ukraine in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum after Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal. While the US has provided resources, its pursuit of self-serving interests, such as seeking mineral resources in exchange for support, has led to a misalignment of interests with Europe, necessitating a different coalition for peace.
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With the US seemingly distancing itself from Ukraine, a European "coalition of the willing," led by France and the UK, is stepping up to take on the role of peacemaker. This shift comes after a series of events, including a UN vote, a tense exchange between Presidents Trump and Zelensky, and the suspension of US military aid and intelligence support, signaling a change in US commitment.
European powers recognize their responsibility in Ukraine's situation, particularly France and Germany, who were involved in the failed Minsk agreements after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The UK, along with the US and Russia, also provided security assurances to Ukraine in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum after Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal. While the US has provided resources, its pursuit of self-serving interests, such as seeking mineral resources in exchange for support, has led to a misalignment of interests with Europe, necessitating a different coalition for peace.
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Husband of South Korea table tennis star Jeon Ji-hee banned for 10 years in sex assault case
韩国乒乓球运动员田志希的丈夫徐克被国际乒乓球联合会(ITTF)指控性侵球员，并被处以10年禁赛。ITTF表示，作为教练和前中国球员的徐克违反了ITTF反骚扰政策和程序。
徐克否认了这些指控，称该裁决“严重歪曲事实”，并表示他一直没有回应参与调查的请求。根据ITTF诚信部门发布的文件，事件发生在2021年1月1日凌晨，徐克邀请了包括韩国和香港乒乓球队成员在内的四人到他的酒店房间喝酒，以继续跨年庆祝活动。报告称，受害者在其他球员决定结束时想离开徐克的房间，但他劝说她留下。
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韩国乒乓球运动员田志希的丈夫徐克被国际乒乓球联合会(ITTF)指控性侵球员，并被处以10年禁赛。ITTF表示，作为教练和前中国球员的徐克违反了ITTF反骚扰政策和程序。
徐克否认了这些指控，称该裁决“严重歪曲事实”，并表示他一直没有回应参与调查的请求。根据ITTF诚信部门发布的文件，事件发生在2021年1月1日凌晨，徐克邀请了包括韩国和香港乒乓球队成员在内的四人到他的酒店房间喝酒，以继续跨年庆祝活动。报告称，受害者在其他球员决定结束时想离开徐克的房间，但他劝说她留下。
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In retrial, Hong Kong court convicts social worker for rioting during 2019 protest
香港社工陈虹秀在2019年反政府抗议活动中的参与案重审中被判有罪。副区域法官钟明霞周二在湾仔区域法院宣判了有罪判决。此案源于政府对她四年前无罪释放的上诉。
陈虹秀最初在2020年9月的审判中途被判无罪，当时法官认为她没有案件需要辩护。但上诉法院后来下令对四名被告进行重审，原因是发现原审法官在处理他们的案件时采取了一种不切实际和推测性的方法。该案件涉及2019年8月31日在湾仔发生的暴力冲突。
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香港社工陈虹秀在2019年反政府抗议活动中的参与案重审中被判有罪。副区域法官钟明霞周二在湾仔区域法院宣判了有罪判决。此案源于政府对她四年前无罪释放的上诉。
陈虹秀最初在2020年9月的审判中途被判无罪，当时法官认为她没有案件需要辩护。但上诉法院后来下令对四名被告进行重审，原因是发现原审法官在处理他们的案件时采取了一种不切实际和推测性的方法。该案件涉及2019年8月31日在湾仔发生的暴力冲突。
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Lady Gaga snubs ‘old-fashioned’ Indonesia for Singapore amid rising religious intolerance
Lady Gaga fans in Indonesia are blaming religious hardliners for the pop star's decision to only include Singapore as a regional stop on her "Mayhem" tour. The singer will perform multiple shows in Singapore in May, leaving Indonesian fans disappointed after a previous concert cancellation in Jakarta over a decade ago.
Many Indonesian fans expressed their frustration on social media, recalling the 2012 cancellation when conservative groups protested Lady Gaga's performance, citing concerns about her provocative attire corrupting the youth. Over 50,000 tickets had been sold for the Jakarta show, including to fans from Southeast Asia and Australia, highlighting the scale of the disappointment.
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Lady Gaga fans in Indonesia are blaming religious hardliners for the pop star's decision to only include Singapore as a regional stop on her "Mayhem" tour. The singer will perform multiple shows in Singapore in May, leaving Indonesian fans disappointed after a previous concert cancellation in Jakarta over a decade ago.
Many Indonesian fans expressed their frustration on social media, recalling the 2012 cancellation when conservative groups protested Lady Gaga's performance, citing concerns about her provocative attire corrupting the youth. Over 50,000 tickets had been sold for the Jakarta show, including to fans from Southeast Asia and Australia, highlighting the scale of the disappointment.
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Singapore redraws electoral boundaries, expands parliament in polls lead-up
新加坡重新划分了选区边界，增加了议会席位数量，并调整了之前竞争激烈的选区，为即将到来的关键大选做准备。新的选区边界报告于周二发布，其中考虑了选民人数的变化，这是为11月前必须举行的大选做准备的又一步骤。
选举边界评估委员会（EBRC）的报告指出，下届选举将有33个选区，高于2020年的31个。其中15个将是单议席选区，18个将是多议席选区，分别高于之前的14个和17个。这将使议会席位从93个增加到97个。此次选举将是现任总理黄循财自2022年被人民行动党（PAP）选为李显龙的继任者以来，首次寻求民众对其领导的授权。
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新加坡重新划分了选区边界，增加了议会席位数量，并调整了之前竞争激烈的选区，为即将到来的关键大选做准备。新的选区边界报告于周二发布，其中考虑了选民人数的变化，这是为11月前必须举行的大选做准备的又一步骤。
选举边界评估委员会（EBRC）的报告指出，下届选举将有33个选区，高于2020年的31个。其中15个将是单议席选区，18个将是多议席选区，分别高于之前的14个和17个。这将使议会席位从93个增加到97个。此次选举将是现任总理黄循财自2022年被人民行动党（PAP）选为李显龙的继任者以来，首次寻求民众对其领导的授权。
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China’s third top official Zhao Leji missing from ‘two sessions’ closing due to illness
Zhao Leji, China's third-highest-ranking official and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, was notably absent from the closing ceremony of the NPC on Tuesday. This marks the first time in decades that an NPC closing meeting has occurred without the full attendance of all Politburo Standing Committee members.
Zhao's absence, attributed to a "respiratory tract infection," was announced by Deputy NPC chief Li Hongzhong, who presided over the closing ceremony in Zhao's stead. Zhao was also absent from the closing of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) annual session on Monday, an event typically attended by all members of the Politburo Standing Committee as a show of political endorsement for the "two sessions," the annual NPC and CPPCC gatherings.
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Zhao Leji, China's third-highest-ranking official and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, was notably absent from the closing ceremony of the NPC on Tuesday. This marks the first time in decades that an NPC closing meeting has occurred without the full attendance of all Politburo Standing Committee members.
Zhao's absence, attributed to a "respiratory tract infection," was announced by Deputy NPC chief Li Hongzhong, who presided over the closing ceremony in Zhao's stead. Zhao was also absent from the closing of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) annual session on Monday, an event typically attended by all members of the Politburo Standing Committee as a show of political endorsement for the "two sessions," the annual NPC and CPPCC gatherings.
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Bitcoin, ether stagger as US stock sell-off weighs on cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies experienced a decline, with Bitcoin falling over 3% and Ether dropping as much as 6%, due to fears stemming from a sell-off in US equities. This downturn occurred despite recent efforts by former US President Donald Trump to support the cryptocurrency industry, suggesting that macro-economic factors are currently outweighing specific industry endorsements.
The initial cryptocurrency declines mirrored a broader sell-off in US equities, particularly in the technology sector, with the Nasdaq 100 Index experiencing its worst day since October 2022. This market jitters were fueled by Trump's warnings of potential "disturbance" from trade wars, leading strategists to increase the odds of a US economic downturn. According to FalconX Global, the crypto market, having already priced in Trump's pro-crypto initiatives, is now more vulnerable to broader economic risks.
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Cryptocurrencies experienced a decline, with Bitcoin falling over 3% and Ether dropping as much as 6%, due to fears stemming from a sell-off in US equities. This downturn occurred despite recent efforts by former US President Donald Trump to support the cryptocurrency industry, suggesting that macro-economic factors are currently outweighing specific industry endorsements.
The initial cryptocurrency declines mirrored a broader sell-off in US equities, particularly in the technology sector, with the Nasdaq 100 Index experiencing its worst day since October 2022. This market jitters were fueled by Trump's warnings of potential "disturbance" from trade wars, leading strategists to increase the odds of a US economic downturn. According to FalconX Global, the crypto market, having already priced in Trump's pro-crypto initiatives, is now more vulnerable to broader economic risks.
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US says holding migrants from 27 countries at Guantanamo Bay
美国政府承认目前在关塔那摩湾海军基地关押着来自27个国家的40名移民，他们都面临最终的驱逐令。其中23人被列为“高风险”并单独监禁，其余人员则被以最多六人一组的形式关押在特别住所区域。这一披露是在回应一起民权律师提起的诉讼，该诉讼旨在阻止政府将更多移民转移到关塔那摩湾。
司法部律师辩称，美国移民和海关执法部门有权将面临驱逐的移民关押在关塔那摩湾，只要他们在可预见的未来有极大的可能性被驱逐。特朗普政府在法庭文件中强调，当局“不需要证明（关塔那摩湾海军基地）对于该计划是必不可少的，后勤上简单的，或者是最便宜的选择”，这表明政府坚决捍卫其在关塔那摩湾关押移民的权力。
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美国政府承认目前在关塔那摩湾海军基地关押着来自27个国家的40名移民，他们都面临最终的驱逐令。其中23人被列为“高风险”并单独监禁，其余人员则被以最多六人一组的形式关押在特别住所区域。这一披露是在回应一起民权律师提起的诉讼，该诉讼旨在阻止政府将更多移民转移到关塔那摩湾。
司法部律师辩称，美国移民和海关执法部门有权将面临驱逐的移民关押在关塔那摩湾，只要他们在可预见的未来有极大的可能性被驱逐。特朗普政府在法庭文件中强调，当局“不需要证明（关塔那摩湾海军基地）对于该计划是必不可少的，后勤上简单的，或者是最便宜的选择”，这表明政府坚决捍卫其在关塔那摩湾关押移民的权力。
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Indonesia gears up for 500% surge in EV use during Eid ul-Fitr exodus
Indonesia is anticipating a significant surge in electric vehicle (EV) usage during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations, with projections indicating a 500% increase to 21,570 vehicles compared to 4,314 last year. This substantial rise underscores the growing popularity of EVs in the country and the government's commitment to promoting sustainable transportation options.
The state-run electricity company PLN has assured its readiness to support EV users undertaking the traditional "homecoming" journey, having prepared 1,000 public charging stations along major travel routes. This increase in EV adoption is supported by government policies such as tax discounts and zero import duties, aimed at achieving Jakarta's ambitious goal of having 2 million electric cars and 12 million electric two-wheelers on the roads by 2030. EV sales have seen dramatic growth in recent years, rising from a mere 125 during the pandemic to over 43,000 units last year.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Indonesia is anticipating a significant surge in electric vehicle (EV) usage during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations, with projections indicating a 500% increase to 21,570 vehicles compared to 4,314 last year. This substantial rise underscores the growing popularity of EVs in the country and the government's commitment to promoting sustainable transportation options.
The state-run electricity company PLN has assured its readiness to support EV users undertaking the traditional "homecoming" journey, having prepared 1,000 public charging stations along major travel routes. This increase in EV adoption is supported by government policies such as tax discounts and zero import duties, aimed at achieving Jakarta's ambitious goal of having 2 million electric cars and 12 million electric two-wheelers on the roads by 2030. EV sales have seen dramatic growth in recent years, rising from a mere 125 during the pandemic to over 43,000 units last year.
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South Korea’s Kia disavows ad poking fun at ‘crazy’ Elon Musk
Kia has disavowed an advertising campaign by its Norway branch that mocked Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The advertisement, which appeared on Kia Norway's social media, featured the Kia EV3 with a bumper sticker saying, "I bought this after Elon went crazy." This sticker was a play on a trend among Tesla owners who, dissatisfied with Musk's political stances, displayed similar messages on their vehicles.
Kia Corporation stated that the post was an "entirely independent local initiative" and did not reflect the views of Kia Europe or the corporation itself. The advertisement has since been removed. The incident highlights the challenges of maintaining brand consistency across different regional marketing efforts and the potential for social media campaigns to backfire.
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Kia has disavowed an advertising campaign by its Norway branch that mocked Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The advertisement, which appeared on Kia Norway's social media, featured the Kia EV3 with a bumper sticker saying, "I bought this after Elon went crazy." This sticker was a play on a trend among Tesla owners who, dissatisfied with Musk's political stances, displayed similar messages on their vehicles.
Kia Corporation stated that the post was an "entirely independent local initiative" and did not reflect the views of Kia Europe or the corporation itself. The advertisement has since been removed. The incident highlights the challenges of maintaining brand consistency across different regional marketing efforts and the potential for social media campaigns to backfire.
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Hong Kong woman dies after being rescued from public housing estate fire
一名香港女子在从公共屋邨的火灾中获救后不幸身亡。火灾发生在九龙黄大仙下邨龙禧楼，消防部门在周二上午10点30分左右接到火警报告，并在不到半小时内将火扑灭。
遇难者是一名60多岁的女性，面部和手部烧伤，被送往油麻地的广华医院，并在中午左右被证实死亡。事故发生后，约有40名居民从大楼中疏散。近期香港已发生多起火灾，例如去年11月柴湾新翠花园发生的火灾，以及9月份上环苏豪区附近高街顺景大厦发生的火灾，都造成了人员伤亡。
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一名香港女子在从公共屋邨的火灾中获救后不幸身亡。火灾发生在九龙黄大仙下邨龙禧楼，消防部门在周二上午10点30分左右接到火警报告，并在不到半小时内将火扑灭。
遇难者是一名60多岁的女性，面部和手部烧伤，被送往油麻地的广华医院，并在中午左右被证实死亡。事故发生后，约有40名居民从大楼中疏散。近期香港已发生多起火灾，例如去年11月柴湾新翠花园发生的火灾，以及9月份上环苏豪区附近高街顺景大厦发生的火灾，都造成了人员伤亡。
via SCMP Full Text Feed
