5 to 8 typhoons expected to skirt past Hong Kong this year | 今年预计将有5至8个台风掠过香港

By Wynna Wong

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Hong Kong is likely to contend with five to eight tropical cyclones skirting past the city throughout the year, the local weather forecaster has said, adding that the coming typhoon season may extend beyond October.

“This year, the tropical cyclone season in Hong Kong is expected to start in June or earlier and cease in October or later,” Observatory director Chan Pak-wai said at a press conference on this year’s weather outlook.

“There are likely to be five to eight tropical cyclones coming within 500km [310 miles] of Hong Kong during the year, which is normal to above normal.”

The typhoon season could continue well into November, similar to last year, but for different reasons, he said.

Chan explained that the 2024 typhoon season had been prolonged by the winding down of the El Nino global climate phenomenon, a trend that aligned with the Observatory’s predictions.

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Ishiba’s gift scandal sparks ‘volcanic’ public outrage, plunging Japan’s LDP into crisis | 石破丑闻引爆舆论怒火,日本自民党深陷危机

By Julian Ryall

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s approval ratings have sharply declined amid public outrage over gift certificates he gave to party members, exposing deep-seated resentment toward the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and raising ethical concerns ahead of an important election.

Analysts have noted that the 100,000-yen (US$668) gift certificates given by Ishiba to 15 LDP members after a dinner party in early March were not illegal since they were classified as personal gifts rather than political donations.

However, they emphasised the shadow of previous financial scandals within the LDP had not gone away and that a “volcanic magma” of anger is building among the Japanese electorate.

A weekend Asahi newspaper poll showed that Ishiba’s cabinet approval rating had dropped from 40 per cent to 26 per cent since the early days of his administration, while disapproval rose from 44 per cent to 59 per cent.

The Mainichi reported support at just 23 per cent, down 7 points since February, with a 64 per cent disapproval rating. Meanwhile, the conservative-leaning Yomiuri noted a record low support of 31 per cent since Ishiba took office in October.

Tadashi Anno, a professor of politics at Tokyo’s Sophia University, said he was surprised by the strong reaction to the incident.

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Greek woman who killed her 3 daughters gets 3 life terms | 希腊女子杀害三名亲生女儿,被判处三个无期徒刑

By Agence France-Presse

A Greek woman sentenced to life last year for murdering her nine-year-old daughter received two additional life terms on Tuesday for killing her two other children.

The court in Athens found that Roula Pispirigou suffocated her infant daughters Malena and Irida in 2019 and 2021, in what were ultimately unsuccessful attempts to prevent her husband repeatedly abandoning her.

Pispirigou, 36, insists she is innocent and is expected to appeal.

A separate court had found her guilty in March 2024 of killing her nine-year-old daughter Georgina.

That led to a reassessment of the deaths of Malena and Irida which revealed they had been asphyxiated, thus sparking a new murder trial.

Trial prosecutor Vassiliki Dimopoulou told the Athens court earlier this month that Pispirigou had killed her children “to keep her marriage going”.

“This shows a person who acted methodically and with forethought,” she said.

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Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting appeals against conviction over Yuen Long riot | 香港前立法会议员林卓廷就元朗暴动罪名提出上诉

By Fiona Chow

A former opposition lawmaker jailed for three years and one month for rioting at a railway station during the 2019 protests in Hong Kong has lodged an appeal along with four other defendants.

Lam Cheuk-ting, 47, filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence handed down by District Court Judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi, who last December found him and six other men guilty of taking part in the riot at Yuen Long MTR station on the night of July 21, 2019.

According to a court document made available in the High Court on Tuesday, Wan Chung-ming, Marco Yeung Long, Yip Kam-sing and Yu Ka-ho had also lodged appeals.

They were among the seven defendants who last month received jail terms ranging from two years and one month to three years and one month, with Lam getting the heaviest punishment.

A hearing at the Court of Appeal has not yet been scheduled.

Lam is serving another term of six years and nine months for subversion for his role in an unauthorised “primary” election in 2020, but an appeal against that conviction is pending.

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Hong Kong eyes culture, sports and tourism ties with Singapore to boost economy

香港计划深化与新加坡在文化、体育和旅游领域的合作,旨在共同发展这些产业,从而推动经济增长。文化体育及旅游局局长罗淑佩与新加坡文化、社区及青年部长唐振辉会面时,阐述了香港政府的这一目标。

罗淑佩表示,香港很高兴加强与新加坡的合作,促进文化、体育和旅游领域的交流互动,并探索更多机会将这些领域发展成为产业,以增加亚洲地区的繁荣。唐振辉此次对香港进行为期四天的正式访问,双方就两地政府推动的政策交换了意见,并探讨了未来深化国际交流与合作的机会。

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China tests huge transport drone capable of airlifting over 1 ton of goods

China's first unmanned transport aircraft, the TP1000, successfully completed its maiden flight and is slated for commercial operation next year. This drone, built by a local state-owned enterprise, represents a significant advancement in China's "low-altitude economy" and boasts a capacity and range exceeding any previous Chinese transport drone.

The TP1000 has a maximum take-off weight of 3.3 tons, a payload capacity of up to 1 ton, and a full-load range of 1,000km. The 26-minute maiden flight in Qingdao saw all parameters remain within optimal ranges. This development is part of a broader push by the Chinese government, through supportive policies since 2021, to foster the low-altitude economy, leading to increased investment in aerial vehicles like flying taxis and delivery drones.

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How the allure of US exceptionalism is fading for Canada

Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric and threats towards Canada, including suggesting it could become the 51st state, have inadvertently boosted the prospects of the Liberal Party and its new leader, Mark Carney. Initially dismissed as political posturing, Trump's remarks have sparked genuine concern among Canadians about the potential for hostile actions against their country, drawing parallels to Russia's treatment of Ukraine.

This shift in perception has benefited Carney, who recently assumed the role of Prime Minister. Polling data indicates that Canadians trust Carney more than Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre to effectively manage relations with Trump. This development marks a significant turnaround for the Liberals, who were previously facing a likely defeat in the upcoming federal election, suggesting that Trump's approach has backfired by galvanizing support for the opposing party.

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Lee Shau-kee, founder of Henderson and the ‘Fourth Uncle’ to Hongkongers, dies at age 97

Lee Shau-kee, the founder of Henderson Land Development and one of Hong Kong's wealthiest individuals and most prominent philanthropists, passed away peacefully on Monday at the age of 97. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, according to a statement released by his company.

Lee Shau-kee, often referred to as "Fourth Uncle," retired as chairman and managing director of Henderson Land Development in May 2019, passing the reins to his sons, Peter Lee Ka-kit and Martin Lee Ka-shing. He maintained an executive director position after stepping down. Born in Foshan, Guangdong province, in 1929, Lee built an empire in real estate and also held leadership positions in other major companies like The Hong Kong and China Gas Company and Sun Hung Kai Properties.

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Canada’s PM Carney meets European allies as US tensions linger

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking support from France and the UK amid ongoing attacks on Canada's sovereignty and economy by US President Donald Trump. Carney's first official foreign trip since taking office includes meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and King Charles III, highlighting the historical ties between Canada and these European nations.

Carney emphasized Canada's unique identity, rooted in French, English, and Indigenous cultures, distinguishing it from the United States. He aims to strengthen Canada's relationship with Europe while maintaining positive relations with the US. However, Macron's reluctance to directly address Trump's attacks suggests a cautious approach to avoid upsetting the US president, despite acknowledging the inflationary impact of tariffs.

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DeepSeek’s success lies in start-up’s singular focus on innovation, AI scientist says

DeepSeek's exclusive focus on technological advancements positions the Chinese start-up for growth in the AI sector, particularly as US rival OpenAI faces challenges related to copyright and legal disputes. AI scientist Yang Hongxia highlighted that DeepSeek's freedom from commercial pressures allows it to concentrate on developing AI large models, giving it an edge over Big Tech firms.

Yang's assessment aligns with Alibaba Group Holding chairman Joe Tsai's view that DeepSeek's breakthrough in developing cost-effective, high-performing large language models (LLMs) is significant and could encourage more AI developers to prioritize open-source solutions. LLMs are foundational to generative AI assistants like ChatGPT and DeepSeek's chatbot, and open-source access enables third-party developers to modify, share, and enhance these technologies.

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Does your favourite Hong Kong attraction make it into Google’s top 10?

香港Google Maps公布了最受欢迎的景点排名,山顶、大屿山天坛大佛和尖沙咀星光大道位列前三。这份榜单基于历史总评论数,反映了游客和本地居民的共同选择。

中环的多个地标也榜上有名,包括大馆、兰桂坊和半山扶梯。此外,西贡公众码头(连接联合国教科文组织世界地质公园)、西九文化区、荃湾南丰纱厂和浅水湾海滩也进入了前十名。在最受欢迎的徒步路线中,石澳郊野公园的龙脊名列榜首,其次是城门水塘菠萝坝和在大棠的甜水坑。

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Is India’s embrace of Mauritius aimed at countering China’s Indian Ocean goals?

印度正加强与毛里求斯的关系,以应对中国在印度洋地区日益增长的影响力,并巩固自身作为该地区关键安全和经济伙伴的地位。印度总理莫迪访问毛里求斯期间,两国宣布建立“加强战略伙伴关系”,并重申致力于维护自由、安全和开放的印度洋。

双方签署了包括货币结算、外交培训、中小企业合作等八项协议,并承诺在人工智能和数字基础设施领域开展合作。专家指出,印度加强与毛里求斯合作,是考虑到印度海军日益关注印度洋西部,以及中国在该地区与沿海和岛屿国家合作的意愿。印度将继续向毛里求斯提供国防和海上资产,并部署舰船和飞机进行联合海上监视和水文调查。

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Tech war: Huawei develops computer chips in move away from Intel, Windows

Huawei is making strides in replacing American hardware and software in its PCs, with its Kirin X90 chip receiving a Level 2 national certification for security reliability in China. This certification, awarded by the China Information Technology Security Evaluation Centre, signifies a key step in Huawei's efforts to use domestically designed and produced components.

This move comes as Huawei faces ongoing US sanctions, including the revocation of licenses that previously allowed Qualcomm and Intel to supply chips for its laptops. The Kirin X90 chip, developed by Huawei's HiSilicon, joins other Huawei-developed chips like the Kirin 9000C and 9006C in receiving this certification, which is often a precursor to wider adoption, particularly in government and enterprise sectors where the Qingyun computer series is targeted.

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Chinese mathematicians in US say they have cracked century-old fluid mechanics puzzle

&LTp>&LTstrong>两位在美国工作的中国青年数学家与一位国际合作者,可能已经解决了流体力学中一个存在了一个世纪的问题,即希尔伯特第六问题。&LT/strong> 这个问题对包括水力系统、水坝和桥梁设计以及空气动力学在内的许多工程领域至关重要。他们通过证明流体力学的数学原理,在一定程度上解决了这个问题。&LT/p> &LTp>该研究由芝加哥大学数学副教授邓 Yu,以及密歇根大学数学系的马 Xiao 和 Zaher Hani 共同撰写,论文于 3 月 3 日发表在 arXiv 上。希尔伯特第六问题旨在将物理学中数学占主导地位的分支简化为基本公理系统。1900 年,德国数学家大卫·希尔伯特提出了 23 个问题,第六个问题就是关于此。&LT/p>

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Hong Kong activist investor to leave Webb-site data on GitHub as ‘gift to public interest’

Hong Kong corporate-governance activist David Webb, battling terminal cancer, will make his extensive online database freely available after his death. This decision comes after Webb received over 100 offers to continue his work on the Webb-site platform, dedicated to enhancing corporate governance and public transparency. However, Webb will not allow anyone to continue the Webb-site.com editorial content itself, ensuring its integrity remains intact.

The database, containing publicly available information on various topics like board compositions and consumer prices, will be placed in a public repository on GitHub. This allows anyone interested to access and utilize the data. To avoid future liability issues, the database will be available under a Creative Commons CC-BY license, permitting commercialization with attribution. Webb views this as his final contribution to the public interest.

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Taiwan mum causes baby’s 3-toe amputation after falling asleep with hairdryer, jailed

一位台湾母亲因使用吹风机烘干婴儿床单时不慎睡着,导致新生女儿腿部严重烧伤,最终不得不截去三个脚趾。这起不幸事件发生在台北,母亲吴姓女子在9月16日试图用吹风机烘干床单时睡着,导致婴儿的腿长时间暴露在高温下。

吴女士在下午4点醒来后,发现女儿的腿部已经起泡,随即紧急送医。医生诊断烧伤面积达到婴儿体表的15.5%,造成无法修复的组织损伤,最终不得不截除了左脚的中趾、环趾和小趾。事后,吴女士因疏忽导致严重伤害而受到起诉。

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Parity at the beach: these shells make a clear distinction between left and right

Frank Wilczek's recent Quantum Connections Winter School in Sanya, China, provided a real-world example of parity violation in nature through the observation of conical seashells. The shells consistently exhibited a preference for ridges spiraling upwards from left to right when viewed with the tip pointing down, demonstrating a clear distinction between left and right-handedness.

This observation, made during morning walks along the beach, highlights the concept of parity violation, a fundamental aspect of physics and biology. The consistent direction of the spiral ridges and the placement of the shell openings on the left side reveal an inherent asymmetry in the shell's structure, illustrating how nature itself can distinguish between left and right.

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Chinese parents slammed for taking 16-month-old son to gym

中国江西省一对父母因带16个月大的儿子去健身房锻炼而受到批评。这个蹒跚学步的孩子从一个月大的时候就开始在健身房周围活动,现在可以做背阔肌下拉,甚至是一些举重练习。

这对父母的行为引发了争议,有人认为这可能会对孩子的身体发育造成伤害。但也有人认为,适度的锻炼对孩子有益,只要父母在旁指导并确保安全即可。

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Chinese EV battery maker CATL expected to see strong growth in 2025, analysts say

分析师预测,全球最大的电动汽车电池生产商宁德时代(CATL)在2024年创下历史盈利后,2025年将迎来强劲增长。美国投资银行Jefferies在一份报告中表示,预计宁德时代的销量将受益于全球电动汽车和储能系统市场的强劲增长势头,并将其未来12个月的目标股价设定为413元人民币(约合57美元),这意味着较当前水平有近60%的增长空间。

宁德时代周五发布的财报显示,2024年净利润增长15%至507亿元人民币,创下自2018年在深圳上市以来的最高年度利润。尽管如此,营收下降9.7%至3620亿元人民币,这是自2015年首次披露运营数据以来的首次年度下滑。有分析指出,营收下降主要归因于与碳酸锂等原材料成本下降相关的产品价格调整。但华泰证券认为,宁德时代通过引入新技术有望提高产品溢价,同时海外市场的扩张也将确保盈利能力的稳步提升。

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China’s African port interests are expanding. Is the PLA Navy next on deck?

中国国有企业参与了非洲超过四分之一港口的建设、融资或运营,凸显了中国在非洲港口发展中的巨大影响力。一项新的研究显示,在非洲32个国家的231个港口中,中国投资了78个,其中西非的港口数量最多,表明该地区在中国全球贸易战略中的重要性。

中国对非洲港口的投资受到“一带一路”倡议和“走出去”政策的双重驱动,后者为中国企业进军非洲等海外市场提供了国家支持。中国的五年规划将非洲定位为全球贸易网络中的关键枢纽,规划中的六条贸易走廊中有三条经过非洲,进一步巩固了非洲在中国全球战略中的核心地位。

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