Hong Kong’s flower show set to bloom despite budget cuts
香港年度花卉展览预计将吸引约65万游客，尽管预算削减了7%，但仍将推出街头表演和花艺示范等新内容。此次展览将于本周五至3月23日在铜锣湾维多利亚公园举行，主题花是象征着韧性和力量的波斯菊。
由于预算从去年的5400万港元减少到5000万港元，今年的花展规模有所缩小。为了吸引更多中国大陆游客，主办方还邀请了社交媒体上的网红进行宣传。活动包括街头表演、花艺示范以及适合家庭参与的教育和娱乐活动。
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香港年度花卉展览预计将吸引约65万游客，尽管预算削减了7%，但仍将推出街头表演和花艺示范等新内容。此次展览将于本周五至3月23日在铜锣湾维多利亚公园举行，主题花是象征着韧性和力量的波斯菊。
由于预算从去年的5400万港元减少到5000万港元，今年的花展规模有所缩小。为了吸引更多中国大陆游客，主办方还邀请了社交媒体上的网红进行宣传。活动包括街头表演、花艺示范以及适合家庭参与的教育和娱乐活动。
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The Taiwanese entertainers walking a cross-strait political tightrope
超过12名台湾艺人转发中国外交部长有关台湾是“中国一省”的言论后，引发两岸舆论的快速反应。中国外交部长王毅在北京“两会”期间发表相关言论，央视随后在社交媒体上发布带有“台湾必将回归”口号的帖子，呼吁大家转发。至少18名台湾艺人转发了该帖，获得了大陆社交媒体用户的广泛赞扬，央视还发布了转发者的截图。
然而，台湾陆委会随后表示，这些艺人因转发来自大陆官方账号的内容，涉嫌损害台湾的“主权”，正在接受调查。尽管台湾艺人转发类似内容并非新鲜事，但台湾当局启动调查尚属首次，凸显了在日益紧张的两岸关系中，这些艺人所面临的政治困境。
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超过12名台湾艺人转发中国外交部长有关台湾是“中国一省”的言论后，引发两岸舆论的快速反应。中国外交部长王毅在北京“两会”期间发表相关言论，央视随后在社交媒体上发布带有“台湾必将回归”口号的帖子，呼吁大家转发。至少18名台湾艺人转发了该帖，获得了大陆社交媒体用户的广泛赞扬，央视还发布了转发者的截图。
然而，台湾陆委会随后表示，这些艺人因转发来自大陆官方账号的内容，涉嫌损害台湾的“主权”，正在接受调查。尽管台湾艺人转发类似内容并非新鲜事，但台湾当局启动调查尚属首次，凸显了在日益紧张的两岸关系中，这些艺人所面临的政治困境。
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Wharf swings to 2024 loss as mainland China write-downs add to sales slump, office glut
Wharf (Holdings) reported a loss of HK$3.22 billion (US$414 million) for the past year, a stark contrast to the HK$945 million profit from the previous year. This downturn is primarily attributed to a HK$5.99 billion write-down from the revaluation of its investment properties in mainland China, reflecting the ongoing slump in the nation's real estate market.
The company's underlying net profit, which excludes revaluations, also experienced a significant drop, falling 21.5% to HK$2.8 billion. Wharf cited slow sales and minimal market demand despite government policy measures aimed at strengthening the residential market. The company also acknowledged the ongoing challenges in rebuilding consumer confidence, leading to a 4.7% drop in Wharf's shares in Hong Kong.
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Wharf (Holdings) reported a loss of HK$3.22 billion (US$414 million) for the past year, a stark contrast to the HK$945 million profit from the previous year. This downturn is primarily attributed to a HK$5.99 billion write-down from the revaluation of its investment properties in mainland China, reflecting the ongoing slump in the nation's real estate market.
The company's underlying net profit, which excludes revaluations, also experienced a significant drop, falling 21.5% to HK$2.8 billion. Wharf cited slow sales and minimal market demand despite government policy measures aimed at strengthening the residential market. The company also acknowledged the ongoing challenges in rebuilding consumer confidence, leading to a 4.7% drop in Wharf's shares in Hong Kong.
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China’s latest satellite launch is a milestone for its commercial space sector
中国在海南商业航天发射场成功发射18颗卫星，标志着中国航天产业准备进入全球市场。此次发射由长征八号Y6火箭执行，首次以“共享”模式为商业企业将卫星送入轨道，为中国航天业开辟了新领域。
这批卫星是“太空互联网”（SpaceSail）项目的第五批，该项目旨在建立一个由14000颗卫星组成的星座，与马斯克的星链（Starlink）竞争。此次任务也是海南商业航天发射场新发射工位的首次启用，该发射场的成功运营意味着中国拥有了两个可用于未来任务的发射工位，并展示了中国自主研发的商业航天技术。
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中国在海南商业航天发射场成功发射18颗卫星，标志着中国航天产业准备进入全球市场。此次发射由长征八号Y6火箭执行，首次以“共享”模式为商业企业将卫星送入轨道，为中国航天业开辟了新领域。
这批卫星是“太空互联网”（SpaceSail）项目的第五批，该项目旨在建立一个由14000颗卫星组成的星座，与马斯克的星链（Starlink）竞争。此次任务也是海南商业航天发射场新发射工位的首次启用，该发射场的成功运营意味着中国拥有了两个可用于未来任务的发射工位，并展示了中国自主研发的商业航天技术。
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Huawei mobile platform HarmonyOS expands China adoption, tops Apple’s iOS in 2024
Huawei's HarmonyOS has seen increasing adoption in mainland China throughout 2024, achieving a 19% market share in the fourth quarter, surpassing Apple's iOS for the fourth consecutive quarter. This growth coincides with Huawei's preparation to launch a new handset powered by the latest version of HarmonyOS, which will not support Android apps, signaling a significant shift towards a fully independent ecosystem.
Despite HarmonyOS's gains, Android remains the dominant mobile operating system in China with 64% of the market share. However, Apple's iOS experienced a decline, dropping from 20% to 17%. Globally, Android leads with 74%, followed by Apple with 22%, while HarmonyOS maintains a steady 4% share, reflecting its current availability only in mainland China. The rising adoption of HarmonyOS underscores Huawei's resurgence in the domestic 5G smartphone market, where it is competing against major Chinese Android handset makers.
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Huawei's HarmonyOS has seen increasing adoption in mainland China throughout 2024, achieving a 19% market share in the fourth quarter, surpassing Apple's iOS for the fourth consecutive quarter. This growth coincides with Huawei's preparation to launch a new handset powered by the latest version of HarmonyOS, which will not support Android apps, signaling a significant shift towards a fully independent ecosystem.
Despite HarmonyOS's gains, Android remains the dominant mobile operating system in China with 64% of the market share. However, Apple's iOS experienced a decline, dropping from 20% to 17%. Globally, Android leads with 74%, followed by Apple with 22%, while HarmonyOS maintains a steady 4% share, reflecting its current availability only in mainland China. The rising adoption of HarmonyOS underscores Huawei's resurgence in the domestic 5G smartphone market, where it is competing against major Chinese Android handset makers.
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China tourist critically injured as she leans from train for photos, slams into tunnel wall
一名中国游客在斯里兰卡乘坐火车时，因将身体探出车外拍照，撞到隧道墙壁，身受重伤。 这起事故引发了中国社交媒体上关于旅行安全的激烈讨论。据报道，这位35岁的女性头部和腿部受到严重创伤，目前情况危急。
事故发生在3月9日，当时她正乘坐火车从Nanu Oya前往Badulla。为了拍照，她将身体探出车外，头部撞到了隧道墙壁，导致其跌落。事发后，该女子被紧急送往Haputale地区医院，之后又被转移到其他两家医院接受治疗和特别护理。3月10日，中国驻斯里兰卡大使馆在其网站上发布通知，提醒游客“远离火车门，不要探出身子拍照”。
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一名中国游客在斯里兰卡乘坐火车时，因将身体探出车外拍照，撞到隧道墙壁，身受重伤。 这起事故引发了中国社交媒体上关于旅行安全的激烈讨论。据报道，这位35岁的女性头部和腿部受到严重创伤，目前情况危急。
事故发生在3月9日，当时她正乘坐火车从Nanu Oya前往Badulla。为了拍照，她将身体探出车外，头部撞到了隧道墙壁，导致其跌落。事发后，该女子被紧急送往Haputale地区医院，之后又被转移到其他两家医院接受治疗和特别护理。3月10日，中国驻斯里兰卡大使馆在其网站上发布通知，提醒游客“远离火车门，不要探出身子拍照”。
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Hong Kong’s ombudsman calls for tougher action against illegal parking in estates
香港申诉专员敦促房屋署加大力度打击公共屋邨的非法泊车行为。调查发现，部分车辆阻塞紧急通道，情况“不尽如人意”。申诉专员陈积志承认执法存在挑战，但强调若房屋署不采取更强硬措施，问题可能导致严重后果。
由于地理和环境限制，某些公共屋邨无法安装车辆闸门，给非办公时间的非法泊车执法带来实际挑战。现场检查显示，夜间许多车辆长时间在公共屋邨非法停泊，部分车辆甚至可能阻塞紧急车辆通道。申诉专员公署早前对房屋署的非法泊车管理进行了调查，涉及屯门友爱邨、葵青长康邨、荔景丽瑶邨和粉岭皇后山邨等无法安装车辆闸门的屋邨。
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香港申诉专员敦促房屋署加大力度打击公共屋邨的非法泊车行为。调查发现，部分车辆阻塞紧急通道，情况“不尽如人意”。申诉专员陈积志承认执法存在挑战，但强调若房屋署不采取更强硬措施，问题可能导致严重后果。
由于地理和环境限制，某些公共屋邨无法安装车辆闸门，给非办公时间的非法泊车执法带来实际挑战。现场检查显示，夜间许多车辆长时间在公共屋邨非法停泊，部分车辆甚至可能阻塞紧急车辆通道。申诉专员公署早前对房屋署的非法泊车管理进行了调查，涉及屯门友爱邨、葵青长康邨、荔景丽瑶邨和粉岭皇后山邨等无法安装车辆闸门的屋邨。
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Chinese hiker earns US$41,000 a year guiding tourists up popular mountain
一名26岁的中国男子通过向泰山游客提供登山相关服务，去年 заработал 超过30万元人民币（约合4.1万美元）。他提供的服务包括路线规划、拍照，甚至在游客体力不支时提供背负服务。
陈某的服务之所以受欢迎，是因为许多游客希望在攀登泰山时获得更轻松和个性化的体验。他的成功案例也反映了中国旅游业日益增长的定制化和体验式需求。
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一名26岁的中国男子通过向泰山游客提供登山相关服务，去年 заработал 超过30万元人民币（约合4.1万美元）。他提供的服务包括路线规划、拍照，甚至在游客体力不支时提供背负服务。
陈某的服务之所以受欢迎，是因为许多游客希望在攀登泰山时获得更轻松和个性化的体验。他的成功案例也反映了中国旅游业日益增长的定制化和体验式需求。
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South Korean county invites Myanmar refugees to revive dwindling population
Yeongyang County in South Korea, facing population decline and potential extinction, is planning to invite approximately 40 Myanmar refugees to settle in the area. This initiative aims to revitalize the community and prevent its disappearance, with officials hoping to welcome the first families as early as the second half of this year.
Yeongyang, located about 230 kilometers from Seoul, has the lowest population among South Korean districts, excluding islands. To combat this, the county is collaborating with the justice ministry to accept refugees from the Karen ethnic minority, who have been displaced by ongoing conflict in Myanmar. In 2023, Myanmar nationals constituted the largest group of recognized refugees in South Korea, highlighting the potential for this program to provide a new home for those in need while addressing the county's demographic challenges.
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Yeongyang County in South Korea, facing population decline and potential extinction, is planning to invite approximately 40 Myanmar refugees to settle in the area. This initiative aims to revitalize the community and prevent its disappearance, with officials hoping to welcome the first families as early as the second half of this year.
Yeongyang, located about 230 kilometers from Seoul, has the lowest population among South Korean districts, excluding islands. To combat this, the county is collaborating with the justice ministry to accept refugees from the Karen ethnic minority, who have been displaced by ongoing conflict in Myanmar. In 2023, Myanmar nationals constituted the largest group of recognized refugees in South Korea, highlighting the potential for this program to provide a new home for those in need while addressing the county's demographic challenges.
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What’s happening in Russia’s Kursk region and why does it matter?
Russian forces are on the verge of pushing Ukrainian troops out of Russia's Kursk region, reclaiming territory seized by Ukraine last August. This marks a significant shift after months of intense fighting, during which Ukrainian forces held a portion of Russian land bordering the Sumy region of Ukraine.
Ukraine's initial capture of the territory in August was a major surprise and morale boost, representing their most significant gains since late 2022. However, Russian troops, with support from North Korea, have since regained nearly 90% of the area. President Putin's recent visit to Kursk and his order to "finish the job" underscores Russia's determination to fully reclaim the region, though Ukraine's commander insists they will continue operations in the area as needed. While the captured territory was a small fraction of what Russia holds in Ukraine, it initially served as a potential bargaining chip for Zelensky, who suggested it could be traded for Ukrainian land under Russian control.
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Russian forces are on the verge of pushing Ukrainian troops out of Russia's Kursk region, reclaiming territory seized by Ukraine last August. This marks a significant shift after months of intense fighting, during which Ukrainian forces held a portion of Russian land bordering the Sumy region of Ukraine.
Ukraine's initial capture of the territory in August was a major surprise and morale boost, representing their most significant gains since late 2022. However, Russian troops, with support from North Korea, have since regained nearly 90% of the area. President Putin's recent visit to Kursk and his order to "finish the job" underscores Russia's determination to fully reclaim the region, though Ukraine's commander insists they will continue operations in the area as needed. While the captured territory was a small fraction of what Russia holds in Ukraine, it initially served as a potential bargaining chip for Zelensky, who suggested it could be traded for Ukrainian land under Russian control.
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China creates hacker-proof quantum satellite communication link with South Africa
China has successfully extended ultra-secure quantum communication to the southern hemisphere for the first time, establishing a quantum key distribution link with South Africa. This achievement, announced by scientist Yin Juan, marks a significant step towards creating an intercontinental communication network virtually impervious to hacking, with potential applications in finance and national defense.
The 12,800km demonstration between Beijing and South Africa was facilitated by China's quantum communication satellites, including the Mozi satellite launched in 2016. This milestone builds upon previous successes, such as the secure "quantum call" between China and Austria in 2017, and represents the first implementation of secure quantum key distribution in the southern hemisphere.
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China has successfully extended ultra-secure quantum communication to the southern hemisphere for the first time, establishing a quantum key distribution link with South Africa. This achievement, announced by scientist Yin Juan, marks a significant step towards creating an intercontinental communication network virtually impervious to hacking, with potential applications in finance and national defense.
The 12,800km demonstration between Beijing and South Africa was facilitated by China's quantum communication satellites, including the Mozi satellite launched in 2016. This milestone builds upon previous successes, such as the secure "quantum call" between China and Austria in 2017, and represents the first implementation of secure quantum key distribution in the southern hemisphere.
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Hong Kong man dies after van crashes into fire engine on West Kowloon Highway
一名44岁的香港男子在西九龙公路驾驶货车时撞上消防车后不幸身亡。事故发生在星期四下午2点10分左右，地点位于大角咀奥运大厦附近，当时该男子正沿公路向葵涌方向行驶。现场照片显示，涉事车辆为GoGoVan，车头在撞击中严重损毁。
警方表示，事发后司机被困在车内，救援人员立即展开救援行动。该男子被救出时已失去意识，随后被送往广华医院，并在下午3点20分被宣告死亡。目前，事故原因仍在调查中，事故导致西九龙政府合署附近的部分公路车道被封闭。
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一名44岁的香港男子在西九龙公路驾驶货车时撞上消防车后不幸身亡。事故发生在星期四下午2点10分左右，地点位于大角咀奥运大厦附近，当时该男子正沿公路向葵涌方向行驶。现场照片显示，涉事车辆为GoGoVan，车头在撞击中严重损毁。
警方表示，事发后司机被困在车内，救援人员立即展开救援行动。该男子被救出时已失去意识，随后被送往广华医院，并在下午3点20分被宣告死亡。目前，事故原因仍在调查中，事故导致西九龙政府合署附近的部分公路车道被封闭。
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China’s UBTech debuts US$41,000 humanoid robot in race to build cheaper machines
UBTech Robotics has launched the Tien Kung Xingzhe, a life-size humanoid robot priced at $41,200, signaling China's push to produce affordable and advanced robotics ahead of Tesla's Optimus robot. Developed with the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre (X-Humanoid), the robot is available for pre-order and deliveries are slated to begin in the second quarter.
The 1.7-meter Tien Kung Xingzhe is an upgraded version designed for research applications requiring strength and stability. It can walk at 10km/hour and navigate varied terrains like slopes, stairs, and snow. While other humanoid robots are generally smaller, more expensive, or not mass-produced, UBTech's model aims to strike a balance between functionality and cost, competing with models like Unitree Robotics' H1 (priced at $90,000) and EngineAI's PM01 (smaller at 1.38m and priced at $12,000 until the end of March).
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UBTech Robotics has launched the Tien Kung Xingzhe, a life-size humanoid robot priced at $41,200, signaling China's push to produce affordable and advanced robotics ahead of Tesla's Optimus robot. Developed with the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre (X-Humanoid), the robot is available for pre-order and deliveries are slated to begin in the second quarter.
The 1.7-meter Tien Kung Xingzhe is an upgraded version designed for research applications requiring strength and stability. It can walk at 10km/hour and navigate varied terrains like slopes, stairs, and snow. While other humanoid robots are generally smaller, more expensive, or not mass-produced, UBTech's model aims to strike a balance between functionality and cost, competing with models like Unitree Robotics' H1 (priced at $90,000) and EngineAI's PM01 (smaller at 1.38m and priced at $12,000 until the end of March).
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Chinese official caught in honey trap set by foreign spy agency: security ministry
一名中国官员因在海外遭遇“美人计”而被捕，他向外国间谍机构提供了机密信息。该消息由中国国家安全部通过其官方社交媒体账号发布，详细描述了这起间谍案的经过。
据报道，这名张姓官员被派驻海外，期间频繁出入高档场所，并因此结识了化名为当地商会成员的外国间谍李某。李某及其上级随后精心策划了一起“美人计”，利用性作为诱饵。张某在嫖娼时被“当地执法部门”抓获，李某出面帮助其脱困，借此机会，外国情报机构进一步控制了张某，并利用他获取了中国的机密信息。
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一名中国官员因在海外遭遇“美人计”而被捕，他向外国间谍机构提供了机密信息。该消息由中国国家安全部通过其官方社交媒体账号发布，详细描述了这起间谍案的经过。
据报道，这名张姓官员被派驻海外，期间频繁出入高档场所，并因此结识了化名为当地商会成员的外国间谍李某。李某及其上级随后精心策划了一起“美人计”，利用性作为诱饵。张某在嫖娼时被“当地执法部门”抓获，李某出面帮助其脱困，借此机会，外国情报机构进一步控制了张某，并利用他获取了中国的机密信息。
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Hong Kong team develops test that detects nasopharyngeal cancer with 97% accuracy
香港中文大学的研究团队开发出一种新的筛查方法，通过检测血液中与鼻咽癌相关的病毒DNA，能够早期识别高风险患者，准确率高达97%。研究表明，检测到癌症相关Epstein-Barr病毒(EBV) DNA的人患鼻咽癌的风险比未检测到的人高87倍。
传统的聚合酶链反应方法难以区分癌症相关的病毒DNA和感染相关的病毒DNA，而新的方法采用测序技术，可以成功区分这两种DNA，从而提高筛查的准确性。该研究团队表示，EBV感染很常见，即使没有患癌症的人也可能通过传统方法检测出病毒DNA阳性。鼻咽癌在香港男性十大常见癌症中名列前茅，每年新增病例超过700例。
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香港中文大学的研究团队开发出一种新的筛查方法，通过检测血液中与鼻咽癌相关的病毒DNA，能够早期识别高风险患者，准确率高达97%。研究表明，检测到癌症相关Epstein-Barr病毒(EBV) DNA的人患鼻咽癌的风险比未检测到的人高87倍。
传统的聚合酶链反应方法难以区分癌症相关的病毒DNA和感染相关的病毒DNA，而新的方法采用测序技术，可以成功区分这两种DNA，从而提高筛查的准确性。该研究团队表示，EBV感染很常见，即使没有患癌症的人也可能通过传统方法检测出病毒DNA阳性。鼻咽癌在香港男性十大常见癌症中名列前茅，每年新增病例超过700例。
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Trump’s trade war is giving Europe and China the nudge they need
Donald Trump's "America First" policies are inadvertently fueling a resurgence in Europe, leading to a "Make Europe Great Again" narrative in financial markets. Trump's stance on transatlantic relations, the war in Ukraine, and trade protectionism are pushing the European Union to strengthen its defense capabilities and reform its economy, sparking a shift in investor confidence away from "American exceptionalism."
Germany, led by Friedrich Merz, is spearheading this change with plans to reform its debt brake and invest heavily in defense and infrastructure, a move investors see as a major fiscal stimulus comparable to Mario Draghi's efforts to save the Eurozone. This shift, coupled with the EU's broader push for increased defense spending and eased fiscal rules, is catalyzing a significant change in Europe's political and economic governance, driven by a need for greater self-reliance in the face of US isolationism.
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Donald Trump's "America First" policies are inadvertently fueling a resurgence in Europe, leading to a "Make Europe Great Again" narrative in financial markets. Trump's stance on transatlantic relations, the war in Ukraine, and trade protectionism are pushing the European Union to strengthen its defense capabilities and reform its economy, sparking a shift in investor confidence away from "American exceptionalism."
Germany, led by Friedrich Merz, is spearheading this change with plans to reform its debt brake and invest heavily in defense and infrastructure, a move investors see as a major fiscal stimulus comparable to Mario Draghi's efforts to save the Eurozone. This shift, coupled with the EU's broader push for increased defense spending and eased fiscal rules, is catalyzing a significant change in Europe's political and economic governance, driven by a need for greater self-reliance in the face of US isolationism.
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Japanese fortune-teller charged with extortion linked to mysterious drowning deaths
日本一名自称算命师的女子Yoshie Hamada被指控敲诈勒索一名男子，并涉嫌在五年前怂恿两名男子自杀。大阪警方周二宣布逮捕了这位自称“创造者”的62岁女子，她与2020年两名男子的死亡有关。
2020年，公司职员Kohei Teramoto（时年66岁）和兼职工人Ichiro Yoneda（时年51岁）的尸体在和歌山县广川町的海滩上被发现，该地距离大阪约1.5小时车程。据《朝日新闻》援引调查消息人士称，他们的手腕被麦克风线绑在一起。当时调查人员没有发现任何谋杀的证据，因此将死因列为自杀并结案。然而，去年五月，一名大阪男子向警方报案，声称Hamada在算命后要求他交出全部积蓄约8000万日元（约合54万美元），案件因此出现了新的转机。
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日本一名自称算命师的女子Yoshie Hamada被指控敲诈勒索一名男子，并涉嫌在五年前怂恿两名男子自杀。大阪警方周二宣布逮捕了这位自称“创造者”的62岁女子，她与2020年两名男子的死亡有关。
2020年，公司职员Kohei Teramoto（时年66岁）和兼职工人Ichiro Yoneda（时年51岁）的尸体在和歌山县广川町的海滩上被发现，该地距离大阪约1.5小时车程。据《朝日新闻》援引调查消息人士称，他们的手腕被麦克风线绑在一起。当时调查人员没有发现任何谋杀的证据，因此将死因列为自杀并结案。然而，去年五月，一名大阪男子向警方报案，声称Hamada在算命后要求他交出全部积蓄约8000万日元（约合54万美元），案件因此出现了新的转机。
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Construction workers protest over unpaid wages at Hong Kong side of mega bridge
Dozens of construction workers protested near the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, alleging that Jardine Engineering Corporation, a subsidiary of Jardine Matheson, owes them HK$7.6 million (US$978,000) in unpaid wages. The workers, numbering around 100, claim they haven't been paid for three to four months and have labeled Jardine an "unscrupulous boss" during their demonstration at the construction site of a smart car parking space.
Jardine Matheson stated that the project is a joint venture involving Paul Y Engineering Group, China International Marine Containers, and Jardine Engineering Corporation. This protest follows a similar incident last month at Hong Kong airport, where workers protested over HK$6 million in unpaid wages. The financial difficulties of Paul Y, which applied for provisional liquidation for five subsidiaries due to debt issues, may be a contributing factor to these wage disputes.
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Dozens of construction workers protested near the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, alleging that Jardine Engineering Corporation, a subsidiary of Jardine Matheson, owes them HK$7.6 million (US$978,000) in unpaid wages. The workers, numbering around 100, claim they haven't been paid for three to four months and have labeled Jardine an "unscrupulous boss" during their demonstration at the construction site of a smart car parking space.
Jardine Matheson stated that the project is a joint venture involving Paul Y Engineering Group, China International Marine Containers, and Jardine Engineering Corporation. This protest follows a similar incident last month at Hong Kong airport, where workers protested over HK$6 million in unpaid wages. The financial difficulties of Paul Y, which applied for provisional liquidation for five subsidiaries due to debt issues, may be a contributing factor to these wage disputes.
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Hong Kong correctional officer charged for loan fraud totalling more than HK$1.5 million
By Harvey Kong
A 49-year-old correctional officer in Hong Kong has been charged for allegedly deceiving a credit union and three financial institutions into granting him 17 loans totalling more than HK$1.5 million (US$193,052).
Jivcons Man Wai-kit, an assistant officer of the Correction Services Department (CSD), faces 17 counts of fraud and was released on bail on Thursday. He is expected to appear before the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.
According to the city’s anti-corruption agency on Thursday, Man, who was posted to Tung Tau Correctional Institution from 2020 to 2023, applied for 17 loans from the CSD Credit Union and the three financial institutions.
An investigation was launched after the CSD referred a corruption complaint to the ICAC. Inquiries revealed that the defendant had not disclosed his outstanding loans when making the 17 applications.
He was accused of falsely stating that he had disclosed all of his liabilities and provided information that was “true, accurate and complete” on the applications.
“Had he made full disclosure of his outstanding liabilities, the CSD Credit Union and the three financial institutions would not have granted him the loans concerned,” the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said.
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By Harvey Kong
A 49-year-old correctional officer in Hong Kong has been charged for allegedly deceiving a credit union and three financial institutions into granting him 17 loans totalling more than HK$1.5 million (US$193,052).
Jivcons Man Wai-kit, an assistant officer of the Correction Services Department (CSD), faces 17 counts of fraud and was released on bail on Thursday. He is expected to appear before the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.
According to the city’s anti-corruption agency on Thursday, Man, who was posted to Tung Tau Correctional Institution from 2020 to 2023, applied for 17 loans from the CSD Credit Union and the three financial institutions.
An investigation was launched after the CSD referred a corruption complaint to the ICAC. Inquiries revealed that the defendant had not disclosed his outstanding loans when making the 17 applications.
He was accused of falsely stating that he had disclosed all of his liabilities and provided information that was “true, accurate and complete” on the applications.
“Had he made full disclosure of his outstanding liabilities, the CSD Credit Union and the three financial institutions would not have granted him the loans concerned,” the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said.
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Chinese tourists are drawn to nuclear disaster-hit Fukushima despite radiation fears
Despite lingering radiation concerns from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, tourists, primarily from China, are visiting Futaba, the town housing the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This comes as Japan marked the 14th anniversary of the disaster on Tuesday.
Over 80% of Futaba remains uninhabitable due to radiation contamination, yet the allure of experiencing a restricted area draws visitors. A memorial museum dedicated to the nuclear crisis, opened in 2020, has attracted around 4,000 foreign visitors last year. Chinese tourists represent a significant portion of the museum's international visitors, with messages expressing hope for Fukushima's recovery left at the entrance.
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Despite lingering radiation concerns from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, tourists, primarily from China, are visiting Futaba, the town housing the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This comes as Japan marked the 14th anniversary of the disaster on Tuesday.
Over 80% of Futaba remains uninhabitable due to radiation contamination, yet the allure of experiencing a restricted area draws visitors. A memorial museum dedicated to the nuclear crisis, opened in 2020, has attracted around 4,000 foreign visitors last year. Chinese tourists represent a significant portion of the museum's international visitors, with messages expressing hope for Fukushima's recovery left at the entrance.
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