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Showing articles 226 - 240 of 649 total (matching filters).

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  tech 5

  Breakthrough or hype? How WeRide aims to steer past rivals in crowded robotaxi field

  (Tech - South China Morning Post / 2026-02-28 02:00)

  WeRide, a leading Chinese robotaxi firm, claims its AI "world model" called Genesis has significantly reduced R&D costs by millions of dollars. The technology uses simulations to train its autonomous vehicles, aiming to support global expansion and handle rare driving scenarios more efficiently.

  This move reflects a broader industry trend where companies like Waymo and Tesla are also adopting AI world models to manage high development costs and the challenge of preparing for unpredictable real-world events.

  The main topics covered are WeRide's cost-cutting AI technology, the competitive robotaxi industry's focus on simulation for training, and the financial pressures driving this innovation.

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  tech 5

  The big cornerstone comeback: what’s driving investors back to Hong Kong IPOs?

  (Tech - South China Morning Post / 2026-02-28 02:00)

  Cornerstone investors, such as Fidelity International, BlackRock, and sovereign funds, are returning to Hong Kong's IPO market after a four-year lull. This resurgence is driven by renewed interest from international long-only investors based in Europe, the Middle East, the US, and Singapore.

  These investors are anchoring major listings across sectors like consumption, industrials, and hi-tech, signaling a significant shift in market sentiment. Financial experts anticipate this positive momentum for cornerstone investments will continue into 2026.

  The main topics covered are the resurgence of cornerstone investors in Hong Kong IPOs, the key global investors involved, the geographic sources of the returning capital, and the sectors attracting this investment.

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  tech 5

  Anthropic Hits Back After US Military Labels It a ‘Supply Chain Risk’

  (Business Latest / 2026-02-28 03:30)

  The U.S. Department of Defense designated AI company Anthropic as a "supply-chain risk," effectively barring military contractors and partners from doing business with it. This followed a breakdown in negotiations, where Anthropic refused to allow unrestricted "all lawful uses" of its AI by the military, seeking prohibitions on mass surveillance and autonomous weapons.

  The designation has caused significant alarm in Silicon Valley, with critics calling it an overreach that damages a leading American AI firm. Anthropic is challenging the move in court, arguing the Defense Secretary lacks the authority for such a broad ban and that the designation sets a dangerous precedent.

  Meanwhile, OpenAI announced a separate agreement with the Pentagon to deploy its AI in classified environments, explicitly incorporating safety principles similar to those Anthropic sought. The practical impact on Anthropic's existing customers remains legally unclear and contested.

  Main Topics: U.S. Defense Department's supply-chain risk designation of Anthropic; the contractual dispute over AI use limits; industry and expert reaction; legal challenges and precedent; contrasting deal with OpenAI.

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  tech 5

  MWC 2026: Alibaba to launch new smart glasses powered by Qwen AI assistant

  (Tech - South China Morning Post / 2026-02-28 09:16)

  Alibaba will launch new smart glasses powered by its Qwen AI assistant at MWC 2026. Presales for the eyewear, the company's second major smart glasses product, will begin at the start of the trade show.

  The company is also preparing a broader lineup of AI wearable devices for the global market this year, including AI rings and earphones.

  The main topics covered are Alibaba's product launch, its strategy for AI wearables, and its participation in MWC.

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  tech 7

  Made-in-America Guns Are Fueling Death and Destruction in Mexico

  (The Intercept / 2026-02-28 10:39)

  A Mexican military operation killed CJNG cartel leader "El Mencho," triggering widespread retaliatory violence across Mexico that killed at least 70 people and paralyzed the country. Mexican authorities revealed that 80% of weapons confiscated from the cartel, a proportion consistent with broader seizures, originated in the United States.

  The article states that the vast and loosely regulated U.S. civilian gun market has systematically armed Mexican cartels, transforming them into paramilitary forces and fueling instability. This supply, often called the "Iron Pipeline," involves an estimated 200,000 firearms trafficked south annually, with U.S. agencies largely unable to stem the flow.

  The main topics covered are the violent cartel retaliation following El Mencho's death, the dominant role of U.S.-sourced weapons in arming Mexican cartels, and the political and regulatory failures in the U.S. that enable this arms trafficking.

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  tech 6

  NASA Is Making Big Changes to Speed Up the Artemis Program

  (Science Latest / 2026-02-28 16:00)

  NASA has announced major changes to its Artemis Moon program to accelerate its pace and address technical and competitive challenges. The changes include canceling the expensive Exploration Upper Stage upgrade for the SLS rocket, delaying the first crewed lunar landing to the Artemis IV mission, and aiming for an annual launch cadence starting in 2027.

  The overhaul is driven by the slow flight rate of the SLS rocket and concerns that China could land humans on the Moon before NASA's return. The goal is to standardize the SLS configuration for greater reliability and to partner with commercial companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin for lunar landers.

  While the changes represent a significant shift, NASA states its key contractors and congressional leaders have been briefed and are supportive. Boeing, the prime contractor for the canceled upper stage, has publicly expressed continued support for the Artemis mission under the new plan.

  Main Topics: Artemis program restructuring, SLS rocket changes, mission schedule and objectives, competition with China, commercial partnerships.

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  tech 6

  Fool Me Twice: The Case for War With Iran Is Even Thinner Than It Was for Iraq

  (The Intercept / 2026-02-28 16:43)

  Donald Trump's State of the Union address focused heavily on domestic issues and other foreign matters, while giving minimal attention to the escalating threat of conflict with Iran, drawing parallels to the rhetoric preceding the Iraq War. The article asserts that Trump's specific claims about Iran's military capabilities and internal violence were exaggerated or false, contrasting them with the more focused, though also flawed, justifications used before the Iraq invasion.

  It details a coordinated effort by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Trump administration, stretching back months, to build a case for war based on threats to Israel and U.S. interests, rather than direct threats to the American homeland. This involved strategically timed meetings and media reports designed to create a public pretext for military escalation.

  The main topics covered are the Trump administration's rhetoric on Iran, historical parallels to the Iraq War, the coordinated U.S.-Israeli strategy to justify conflict, and the specific claims and exaggerations used in that process.

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  tech 5

  Scientists Reveal the Surprising Sex Lives of Neanderthals and Early Humans

  (404 Media / 2026-02-28 20:48)

  A new genetic study suggests that prehistoric interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans was strongly biased, with pairings between Neanderthal males and human females being far more common than the reverse. This conclusion is drawn from an analysis of "Neanderthal deserts" on the human X chromosome and a corresponding excess of human DNA on Neanderthal X chromosomes.

  The research indicates this mating preference was consistent across interbreeding events separated by roughly 200,000 years. The findings offer an explanation for the uneven distribution of Neanderthal DNA in modern human genomes.

  Separately, astronomers observed the star WOH G64 transitioning from a red supergiant to a yellow hypergiant in 2014, providing a rare glimpse into the late evolutionary stages of massive stars.

  Main topics: Prehistoric human-Neanderthal interbreeding with a discovered sex bias; stellar evolution of a hypergiant star.

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  tech 5

  ‘Iron rice bowl’ vs the algorithm: why China’s economy may better withstand the AI shock

  (Tech - South China Morning Post / 2026-02-28 22:00)

  China's expansive public sector may position its economy to better withstand potential job displacement caused by AI, compared to other economies. However, the rapid advancement of AI technology is causing significant anxiety among Chinese workers about job loss, as highlighted by public reaction to AI displays during the Spring Festival Gala.

  The article notes that while AI is creating new jobs, the adjustment by workers, employers, and policymakers will be crucial in determining whether AI acts as a helpful assistant or leads to widespread disruption. Concerns about AI-driven unemployment are a global phenomenon, not limited to China.

  The main topics covered are the economic impact of AI, public anxiety over job displacement, China's economic structure as a potential buffer, and the global context of AI fears.

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  tech 9

  The U.S. and Israel Killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. What Comes Next?

  (The Intercept / 2026-03-01 04:43)

  The United States and Israel conducted airstrikes against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and reportedly at least 333 civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets across the region.

  The death of Khamenei, a decades-long central figure in the Islamic Republic, initiates a complex succession process during wartime, to be managed by bodies like the Assembly of Experts. The attack's wartime context raises questions about whether his successor will be a more dogmatic or militant figure.

  The main topics covered are the military strikes and casualties, the political implications of Khamenei's death, and the succession process within Iran.

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  tech 6

  As AI agents advance, Hong Kong should shape the rules now

  (Tech - South China Morning Post / 2026-03-01 08:30)

  The article argues that the rise of autonomous AI agents, particularly in finance, creates a serious accountability gap as current legal frameworks are unprepared for machines that act as independent delegates. It highlights risks like AI-generated deepfakes that could manipulate markets and the difficulty in tracing responsibility when an AI's opaque decision-making leads to errors.

  The author proposes that Hong Kong proactively address this governance challenge by leveraging the Hong Kong-Shenzhen innovation hub as a cross-border testing ground to develop new rules for responsible AI.

  The main topics covered are the risks of agentic AI, the problem of legal accountability, and a proposed regulatory solution for Hong Kong.

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  tech 5

  MWC 2026: Chinese smartphone makers bet on pivot to AI to weather memory chip crunch

  (Tech - South China Morning Post / 2026-03-01 09:00)

  Chinese smartphone makers are focusing on AI integration in new devices to counter a memory chip shortage at MWC Barcelona. Companies like Vivo are launching premium handsets with enhanced features, such as improved imaging, for the global market.

  The event will also showcase experimental AI-powered products, including robots, indicating a broader industry pivot beyond traditional smartphones. Key launches include new foldable phones with upgraded AI functions and stronger hardware designs.

  The main topics covered are the strategic shift to AI in smartphones, the introduction of new flagship and foldable phone models, the display of experimental AI and robotic devices, and the industry's response to component supply challenges.

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  tech 4

  Texas Progressives Say Democratic Establishment Is Blowing It In the Rio Grande Valley

  (The Intercept / 2026-03-01 10:52)

  Progressive primary challenges to conservative Democrats along the Texas border have significantly weakened in 2024, despite earlier high-profile efforts. This decline is attributed to past progressive defeats, redistricting that made seats more conservative, and national Democratic concerns over Latino voters shifting right after Trump's 2024 gains.

  The primary race in Texas's 15th District exemplifies the dynamic, where centrist candidate Bobby Pulido receives heavy national financial support, while progressive-leaning challenger Ada Cuellar largely self-funds. National Democratic groups are betting on centrist candidates like Pulido to win competitive general elections, leaving progressive candidates in other districts, such as Etienne Rosas in the 34th District, with minimal resources.

  Some observers argue national Democrats may be overcorrecting for 2024's results, potentially missing a progressive shift among Democratic base voters desperate for change. However, the current landscape shows a clear institutional preference for funding centrist candidates in these border districts.

  Main Topics: The decline of progressive primary challenges in Texas border districts; the strategic funding decisions of national Democratic groups; the specific primary race between Bobby Pulido and Ada Cuellar; analysis of shifting voter demographics and party strategy.

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  tech 5

  China’s Xiaomi launches premium smartphone 17 series globally to challenge Apple, Samsung

  (Tech - South China Morning Post / 2026-03-01 11:00)

  Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has globally launched its premium Xiaomi 17 series, aiming to challenge Apple and Samsung in the high-end market. The launch at MWC Barcelona featured new phones, a tablet, a smartwatch, and a concept hypercar, highlighting Xiaomi's push beyond smartphones.

  The flagship phones are powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, with prices starting at €999 for the base model, positioning them directly against premium competitors. This expansion comes as Xiaomi holds third place globally in smartphone market share, behind Apple and Samsung.

  The main topics covered are Xiaomi's global product launch, its strategy to compete in the premium segment, and its current standing in the global smartphone market.

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  tech 3

  Orico BookDrive P10Plus (512GB) review: Magnetic back and 100W passthrough charging

  (Latest from Tom's Hardware / 2026-03-01 13:00)

  The Orico BookDrive P10Plus external SSD features a magnetic back for smartphone attachment and a unique 100W USB-C passthrough charging port. However, its sustained write speeds are surprisingly slow, dropping below 75 MBps after its cache is exhausted, which is slower than some modern hard drives.

  While it performs adequately in short bursts and offers convenient features, its high price compared to faster competitors makes it difficult to recommend.

  The main topics covered are the drive's design features, its performance shortcomings, and its market positioning against rival products.