Zoo Atlanta in the United States has released new images of one of the two giant pandas sent from China, days after the pair arrived at the zoo on September 27. The video shows female panda Fu Shuang eating bamboo and settling into her new surroundings. Fu Shuang and her male counterpart Ping Ping were sent to the US state of Georgia following the Xi-Trump summit in Washington in mid-September as part of an agreement between the two countries. Hong Kong’s secret criminal societies are abandoning traditional blood oaths, street violence and territorial rivalries. Today, triad syndicates rely on cybercrime, money laundering and Telegram recruitment, operating more like tech start-ups than street gangs. Through insights from a former youth recruit, anti-triad police and experts, SCMP looks at how Hong Kong’s underworld transformed its business model and culture in the past decade. America and China are locked in a race for AI dominance. As the warnings about an AI catastrophe get louder, whether the two countries can work together is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. Few people are better placed to discuss this subject than Kevin Rudd. Australia’s former prime minister, who is now president of Asia Society, has spent decades studying how Xi Jinping thinks. As Australia’s ambassador to Washington, Mr Rudd also watched Donald Trump’s White House at close quarters. He joins David Rennie, The Economist’s geopolitics editor, to assess the recent summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump and examine what it means for the world’s most consequential relationship. Watch the full show: China’s battle for global dominance with America “is on”. That’s the view from Beijing, according to Kevid Rudd, former Australian prime minister and eminent China watcher. He tells the Economist’s geopolitics editor, David Rennie, that Beijing is banking on America’s long-term decline, but risks underestimating the ruling power. Watch the full show: Hundreds of hikers flocked to Po Pin Chau, one of Hong Kong’s most popular coastal trails on Thursday, the first day of the National Day “golden week”. The city’s first countryside crowd-control scheme was introduced at the High Island Geo Trail in Sai Kung in early September, requiring visitors to make a real-name reservation in advance. Flydubai has suspended flights between the United Arab Emirates and Israel as investigations continue into a possible terror attack attempt on Wednesday. Passengers and crew on a flydubai flight foiled the co-pilot’s apparent attempt to crash the plane. The incident began when the captain was stabbed, sending the jet plunging about 17,000 feet (5,200 metres) within 60 seconds. Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the 10-minute ordeal. Migrant rights advocates have hailed the release of Filipino trafficking victim Mary Jane Veloso after 16 years in detention as a victorious milestone, but warn that her case exposes the dangers that still confront many vulnerable workers overseas. After coming close to being executed years ago in Indonesia, Veloso walked free on September 18 from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. The single mother of two said she was deceived by recruiters who promised her a job abroad as a domestic helper. Japanese convenience store chains have been tapping into artificial intelligence (AI) to help with product development. Lawson stores have launched a pickle-flavoured lemon tart and a bread roll filled with red bean paste, margarine and yogurt cream. Their competitors FamilyMart unveiled a French-style pastry made with dough containing sweet potato puree, topped with caramel sauce. Both companies said while AI is being used to generate ideas, human staff are involved to create prototypes, conduct tests and finalise the products.
Giant pandas from China settle into US zoo
From street fights to cybercrime, how Hong Kong’s feared triads transformed their business model
Kevin Rudd on the real risk of China and America’s AI race | The Economist
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Kevin Rudd on what China really thinks of America | The Economist
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Tourists crowd Po Pin Chau as ‘golden week’ holiday begins
Passengers thwart possible terror attempt
Mary Jane Veloso case exposes gaps in Filipino migrant labour protection
Japan taps into AI to develop sweet treats
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