Chinese virtual actress in trending AI drama raises deep industry concerns and questions

An artificial intelligence (AI)-generated actress has amassed 400,000 followers on a leading social media platform in China within just two months, with a miniseries she stars in garnering an astonishing 250 million views.

The success of the virtual star Fang Taozi, who is claimed to be 20 years old, has sparked intense discussion and widespread anxiety within the industry regarding the potential replacement of human actors.

The drama The Laid-off Girl features Fang, a protagonist from a small town

Audiences love Fang because her relatable personality and flaws mirror those of a real person. Photo: 21jinji.com

South Korean football body apologises after report on referee sex scandal

South Korea ’s national football association apologised on Saturday ⁠after a media report ⁠alleged it had provided “sexual services” ⁠to foreign referees when they were in the country for international matches more than a decade ago.

South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported on Thursday that the Korea Football Association (KFA) had provided such services to foreign referees on ‌multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012, including when they were in the country for qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the


Hong Kong commerce chief to lead joint local and mainland delegation to Malaysia

Hong Kong’s commerce chief Algernon Yau will lead a delegation of mainland Chinese and local firms to Malaysia. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong’s commerce chief is set to lead a delegation of mainland Chinese and local firms to Malaysia next week, noting that about 200 enterprises from across the border have already set up offices in the city since last year, using it as a stepping stone to go global.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah also said on Saturday that


UN warns Yemen at greatest risk of renewed major conflict since 2022 truce

The Houthis said on Friday they had targeted Saudi-backed forces, a day ‌after at least 30 Yemeni government troops were killed in strikes

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A sailor from the navy of Yemen’s Aden-based government stands on board a vessel patrolling a shipping lane off The Hanish Islands in the Red Sea in July. Photo: TNS
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Hong Kong temperatures exceed 38 degrees as Severe Typhoon Dolphin brings extreme heat

Temperatures exceeded 38 degrees in parts of Hong Kong on Saturday. Photo: Dickson Lee
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‘Path open’ for revival of CUHK student union – if it registers, Dennis Lo says

Students at the Sha Tin campus for the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Lee
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Typhoon Dolphin causes flight chaos in China, with Shanghai set to enter danger zone

Accidents and disasters in China

Airlines offer free flight changes and cancellations ahead of the storm, which is expected to bring torrential rain to the region

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Screens display flight and weather data at the Airport Operations Control Centre at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in Hangzhou, China. Photo: Weibo/ 临世面

Flights serving eastern China were disrupted on Saturday as Typhoon Dolphin approached the coast, with some services cancelled and airlines offering flexible rebooking and refund options for affected passengers.

Most of the typhoon-related flight disruptions have been reported at airports in the cities of Ningbo, Wenzhou,


India’s Kusha missile test signals step closer to self-reliance for air defence

India ’s first test of its Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile system is seen as a milestone that could pave the way for New Delhi to bolster its home-grown air defence network and meet the challenges of future conflicts.

Developed by the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation, the system is expected to become a key part of the two-phase Mission Sudarshan Chakra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan for a multilayered national defence umbrella against ballistic missiles, fighter aircraft, drones and


Man found with knife wounds in lift before another falls to death at same Hong Kong block

Chiu Sin House in Upper Wong Tai Sin Estate. Photo: Google
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Bar Association broadly backs new offence for persistent child sexual abuse

Hong Kong Bar Association vice-chairman Martin Hui says four ‘safeguards’ are needed to ensure fairness for both defendant and victim

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Martin Hui holds a copy of the Bar Association’s submission for the consultation on sexual offence reforms. Photo: Nora Tam

The Hong Kong Bar Association has said it “broadly supports” a dedicated offence for persistent child sexual abuse, after concerns over evidential issues in such cases were resolved in other jurisdictions in the past two decades.

Vice-chairman Martin Hui Siu-ting said that while the association had