Hong Kong Taxis Are a Perfect Stablecoin Test Case
The drivers will be free to choose their digital-payment options. Most will probably install Octopus Holdings Ltd.'s readers, since Hong Kong residents use the ubiquitous stored-value card — or its app equivalent — on trains, buses and ferries anyway. The Octopus network can also be tapped by travelers from mainland China to pay via their Alipay and WeChat Pay accounts back home.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump's Asia tariffs takes a massive hit on Bitcoin miners
Trump's Asia tariffs takes a massive hit on Bitcoin miners originally appeared on TheStreet. As per the latest report by The Block, President Donald Trump's latest order on global tariffs seems to be becoming a pain in the neck for the Bitcoin mining community in the U.S. As the 90-day tariff pause deadline neared, Trump announced a slew of new global tariff rates on July 31. Among the worst-hit are the key centers of mining rig manufacturing in Southeast Asia. For those unfamiliar, crypto mining is the process of using high-tech hardware to validate and secure transactions on a blockchain network. Ethan Vera, the COO of a Bitcoin mining technology and services company, Luxor Technology, shared a document with The Block as per which the latest directive imposes 21.6% tariffs, including a 19% "reciprocal tariff," on imports of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand beginning Aug. are chips that are designed to execute a specific task extremely efficiently such as crypto mining, as opposed to general-purpose processors like central processing units (CPUs) or graphics processing units (GPUs). As per the report, U.S. tariffs on imports from China, a major hub of mining rig manufacturing, stand at a staggering 57.6%, which includes a 10% baseline reciprocal tariff and an additional country‑specific tariff of 20%. Anyway, the tariff pause deadline between the two countries is set to expire on Aug. 12, and there has been no breakthrough so far. While still lower than earlier rates, the current tariffs are significantly higher than the 2.6% tariffs on ASICs imported from the Southeast Asian countries before Trump's second term. However, Chinese machines even earlier used to face an additional 25% ad valorem said, "At 21.6% tariffs, the U.S. is now one of the least competitive jurisdictions to bring machines in, and miners are looking at Canada and other markets to expand too." Opportunity for domestic manufacturers However, the new trade conditions could also lead to a rise in the prices of U.S.-based used ASIC machines in the face of high tariffs on imported rigs, he explained. Though Luxor is excited about the production of mining rigs in the U.S., it warned fully onshoring the manufacturing could take years because most of the raw materials are still imported from Asia. The mining company expected the Trump administration to exempt the mining equipment from tariff hikes in order to encourage the domestic crypto industry. Trump's Asia tariffs takes a massive hit on Bitcoin miners first appeared on TheStreet on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What to know about chikungunya virus in China as US issues travel alert
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel warning following an outbreak of a mosquito-borne illness called chikungunya in China. The CDC's warning centers on Guangdong Province, where the outbreak has exceeded 7,000 confirmed cases since June 2025, according to Chinese health officials. The outbreak in Guangdong Province has been linked to monsoon flooding, which created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, which spread the virus that causes chikungunya. In the new travel warning, the CDC emphasized that vaccination is available and recommended for travelers. Dr. Todd Ellerin, chief of infectious disease at South Shore Health in Massachusetts, told ABC News that travelers to the region "should absolutely take precautions" against the illness. "Wear long sleeves and pants, use insect repellent with DEET, and use mosquito netting for babies too young for repellent," said Ellerin, who is not affiliated with the CDC. Here is what to know about the illness. How common is chikungunya? Chikungunya is not a new infection. It has been around since the 1950s, with outbreaks more commonly seen in tropical areas in recent decades. Globally, there have been about 240,000 infections since the start of 2025, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Chikungunya is not common in the United States. The CDC says there have not been any reported locally acquired cases since 2019. What are the symptoms of chikungunya? According to the CDC, common symptoms of the virus include sudden-onset high fever, severe joint pain (especially in the hands, wrists, ankles, and feet), muscle pain, headache, fatigue and skin rash. Georgia woman describes crippling pain of chikungunya virus Most people recover without medical intervention within seven to 10 days, but in some cases, symptoms can persist for weeks or months. What is the incubation period for chikungunya? Chikungunya typically has an incubation period of less than one week, according to Ellerin. "If it's been more than a week since you left a high-risk area, you're likely in the clear," he said. How is chikungunya treated? There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Instead, care focuses on relieving symptoms while the body recovers. The CDC recommends rest, fluids, and medications like acetaminophen for pain and fever. NSAIDs may be used once dengue, another mosquito-borne disease, has been ruled out. Deaths from chikungunya are rare, according to the CDC. Is there a vaccine for chikungunya? There are two vaccines available in the U.S. that begin offering protection within about two weeks of a single dose. Cases of mosquito-borne viruses on the rise The CDC recommends vaccination for travelers visiting areas with active outbreaks, people spending extend time abroad -- typically six months or longer -- and laboratory workers who handle the virus. What contributes to the spread of chikungunya? Climate change is a major driver of chikungunya's global spread. "Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall are helping Aedes mosquitoes expand into new regions," Dr. Krutika Kuppalli of the division of infectious diseases at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center told ABC News. Veer Patel, M.D., is an emergency medicine doctor at Maimonides Medical Center and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Record-breaking bridges: How Italy and China are pushing engineering limits
The future of transportation took shape on two continents this week as Italy and China announced bridges that would redefine what's possible in modern engineering. Italy greenlit a $15.5 billion project to build what would become the world's longest suspension bridge, infrastructure company WeBuild said on Wednesday. Over the weekend, the Chinese state-run People's Daily reported the near-completion of what will be the world's tallest bridge. The Italian project, connecting Sicily to mainland Italy across the Strait of Messina, would stretch nearly 2.3 miles, with its suspended span reaching nearly 2.1 miles. This would surpass the current record holder, Turkey's Canakkale Bridge, by more than half a mile. "Today, Italy has shown once again how it can come together around a mega project that will be transformative for the whole country," Pietro Salini, chief executive of WeBuild, said in a press release. Meanwhile, in China's southwestern Guizhou Province, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge reached a milestone with the installation of its final steel girder. According to Chinese state television, the bridge will stand at 2,051 feet from deck to river -- roughly twice the height of the Eiffel Tower. Italy's bridge, designed to carry 6,000 cars per hour and 200 trains daily, focuses on connecting a major island to the mainland. China's Huajiang bridge, while completing a crucial expressway link, incorporates ambitious tourist attractions, including what will be the world's highest bungee jump. Both projects face unique challenges, according to the Associated Press. Italy's bridge must contend with seismic risks in the Messina fault region, while China's bridge tackles the extreme engineering demands of spanning one of the world's deepest canyons, the newsgathering service noted. The competition reflects a broader trend in global infrastructure development. While Italy aims to strengthen its connection to Sicily and bolster NATO's capabilities, China has been systematically building the world's highest bridges. China's Guizhou Province alone has more high bridges than all other countries combined, according to The Italian Transport Ministry announced construction on the Messina bridge is expected to begin next year. According to People's Daily China, the Huajiang bridge is now over 98% complete, and is set to open by the end of September in southwest China's Guizhou Province.
