CHINESE SOCIAL MEDIA
Chinese rocket accidentally launches during test, then crashes
Because of a "structural failure," the Tianlong-3 rocket separated from its testing platform while its propulsion system was being tested and lifted off from its launchpad, the rocket's owner Space Pioneer said in a statement. The accident occurred at 3:43 p.m. local time Sunday at a test facility in Gongyi city in central China's Henan province, the statement said.
Congress targets PM over report on Adani group 'taking' Chinese help in solar project
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, pointing to a report that the Adani Group has selected eight Chinese companies for its solar manufacturing project. Ramesh emphasized the need for a strategy to reduce India's dependence on China and ensure taxpayer money does not benefit Chinese firms.
China's crackdown on 'wealth-flaunting' social media puts pressure on influencers to echo the party line
Chinese regulators crack down on social media influencers flaunting wealth, contrasting with US mental health concerns. The campaign targets extravagant displays, reflecting wider fears of subversive views. Public support for authoritarian measures shapes the crackdown, including pressure on Taiwanese influencers. The effort aligns with China's goal of managing its vast online population under President Xi Jinping's watchful eye.
Did China's Long March 2C rocket fail and its debris fall on villagers? The in-depth story
Suspected Chinese rocket debris was observed landing over a village in southwest China. The Space Variable Objects Monitor satellite, created by France and China to study gamma-ray bursts, was carried by the rocket
Paper leak row: Enraged BJP hits back after Shashi Tharoor takes a jibe at Uttar Pradesh
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor faced backlash from the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh for sharing a meme regarding paper leaks in a national-level examination. The post sparked controversy and criticism from BJP leaders, labeling Tharoor as a 'repeat offender' for his indirect jibe at PM Narendra Modi.
Slacker generation’s social-media movement against ‘996’ work culture is a warning for Beijing
In response to China's notorious "996" work culture, characterized by grueling 9 am to 9 pm shifts six days a week, a new social media trend called "birding" has emerged. Young Chinese citizens are symbolically rejecting excessive work expectations by posting videos of themselves perched with hands tucked in oversized shirts, digitally placed on tree backgrounds. This protest underscores growing discontent with long hours and poor work-life balance, challenging traditional notions of productivity and national ethos.
- Go To Page 1
US billionaire eyes TikTok takeover to save internet from Big Tech
Frank McCourt, a US real estate billionaire, aims to buy TikTok to rescue the internet from the clutches of major platforms that he firmly believes are destroying society and endangering children. To address the problem, McCourt is campaigning for a "new internet" which, he claims, would wrest control of the web away from major platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or X. "These platforms have hundreds of thousands of individual attributes about each of us.
Donald Trump joins the TikTok video platform he once sought to ban
Politico, which first reported the news, said he posted a launch video on his account on Saturday night. The video showed Trump greeting fans at an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight in Newark, New Jersey.
Bobby Kataria arrested in human trafficking case. A look into past controversies of the social media influencer
Controversial social media influencer Bobby Kataria arrested over human trafficking allegations by Arun Kumar and Manish Tomar from Uttar Pradesh and defrauding them of Rs 4 lakh for fake overseas jobs via Instagram and YouTube ads. This arrest adds to Bobby Kataria's controversial history, which includes being detained in 2022 for smoking on a plane, facing a non-bailable warrant, assault charges, and misconduct with police.
Luxury influencers vanish from Chinese social media in wealth crackdown
Chinese social media censors have blocked multiple influencers known for showing off their lavish lifestyles after an official campaign to curb displays of ostentatious wealth online was announced. China's internet watchdog in April launched the "Clear and Bright" campaign to remove undesirable content from social media, vowing to crack down on influencers who created "ostentatious personas to cater to vulgar needs, and deliberately display extravagant lifestyles filled with money".
Xi Jinping's recipe for total control: An army of eyes and ears
A police officer in a Beijing apartment complex uses a color-coded system to identify high-risk residents. Xi Jinping aims for pervasive surveillance in China, expanding control and embedding the party in daily life.
When AI becomes boyfriend: This Chinese woman's romance with ChatGPT chatbot will bring flashbacks of the movie ‘Her’
Lisa's story unfolds like a modern-day fairytale as she shares her journey of falling in love with ChatGPT's DAN, a chatbot. Their interactions, reminiscent of the movie 'Her', blur the lines between human emotions and artificial intelligence. From intimate conversations to virtual beachside dates, Lisa's experience challenges conventional notions of love in the digital age, highlighting the evolving relationship dynamics between humans and AI.
While Apple backtracks, a Chinese phone maker has raced ahead
Geely Auto and BYD Co., known for knock-offs, are now innovative. Xiaomi Corp., from cheap smartphones, aims to rival Tesla. Apple cancels EV project; Lei Jun leads Xiaomi's $10 billion EV venture.
China warns after Lai inauguration that Taiwan independence is 'dead end'
China warned on Monday that efforts toward Taiwan's independence are a "dead end" after the island's new President Lai Ching-te took office. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and has threatened force to control it, labelled Lai a "dangerous separatist." Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that Taiwan independence efforts are doomed to fail. Concurrently, Beijing imposed sanctions on three US defence companies over arms sales to Taipei and censored discussions of the inauguration on Chinese social media.
Rahul Gandhi displaying Chinese constitution at rallies: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of displaying a Chinese constitution at his rallies due to its red cover, which resembles the Chinese constitution. Sarma noted that the Indian constitution traditionally has a blue cover. In response, social media users clarified that the red-bound book is a coat pocket edition of the Indian Constitution, presented to Indian leaders, including the President and Union Home Minister. Sarma reiterated his claim, suggesting Gandhi opposes the Indian constitution's Directive Principles, especially regarding the Uniform Civil Code.
Realty mogul Frank McCourt plans bid for TikTok in US
Frank McCourt, a former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and executive chairman of investment firm McCourt Global, is an unlikely contender for the ByteDance Ltd-owned app . TikTok's US assets were valued at $35 billion to $40 billion by Bloomberg Intelligence analysts.
Racist remarks row: Sam Pitroda steps down as Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress
Jairam Ramesh announced that Sam Pitroda has willingly stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress. Pitroda's remarks comparing people from different regions ignited controversy, with the BJP criticising them as "racist" and using them to accuse the opposition party of promoting divisive politics.
Universal Music Group reaches new licensing agreement with TikTok
TikTok began removing Universal's content from its app after their licensing deal expired in January and the two sides failed to reach agreement on royalty payments to artists and songwriters, protections from artificial intelligence (AI), and online safety for TikTok's users.
Nepalis fight TikTok ban in court, or ignore it entirely
When Nepal suddenly announced a ban on TikTok last year, lawyer Sunil Rajan Singh was determined to fight what he said was a government effort to hide its wrongdoings. Others like Singh are determined to fight. The hugely popular video-sharing platform has faced restrictions in several countries for allegedly breaking data rules and for its supposed harmful impact on youth.
Many Indian social media influencers still struggle years after TikTok ban
TikTok, although a latecomer compared to other social media giants, swiftly gained nationwide popularity in India. A year before its ban, it boasted over 200 million Indian users, roughly one-seventh of the population. Following its exit, local tech startups rushed to fill the gap with their own short-video apps, but it was established US platforms that ultimately dominated the new
Chinese cat accidentally sets house on fire, causes Rs 11 lakh damage
A cat in China accidentally sets its owner's house on fire by turning on the induction cooker, causing over Rs 11 lakh in damages. The cat, named Jingoudiao, was playing in the kitchen when it stepped on the cooker's touch panel, igniting the blaze. Despite the damage, Jingoudiao escaped unharmed and became a viral sensation on social media. The owner, Dandan, humorously changed the cat's name to "Sichuan's most badass cat" and made it appear in live-streaming sessions to "compensate." Dandan later apologized online for the incident and vowed to pay more attention to fire safety in the future.
How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat
TikTok's tumultuous journey includes growth from a teen app to a global trendsetter, facing national security concerns and ownership disputes. The app navigates controversies, bans, and security issues, culminating in a congressional bill for a U.S. sale or ban.
'We aren't going anywhere': TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
TikTok's CEO vowed Wednesday to fight in the courts to overturn a newly signed US law that could see the popular app banned due to allegations it is controlled by the Chinese government. Americans must think of TikTok's "power, access, capability, control" as being in the hands of the Chinese government and intelligence service, Wray said.
Microsoft says China using AI to sow division in US
China is ramping up use of AI-generated content and fake social media accounts to inflame division in the United States and elsewhere, according to the latest report from Microsoft's threat center. The threat center reported late last year that social media accounts "affiliated" with the Chinese government had used social media accounts to impersonate US voters to influence midterm elections in 2022.
US FTC could bring suit or reach settlement with TikTok over privacy probe
Politico earlier reported the potential FTC action on Tuesday citing people with direct knowledge of the matter. The FTC and TikTok declined to comment. The Justice Department did not immediately comment.
What happened when India pulled the plug on TikTok
India's ban on TikTok in 2020, along with other Chinese apps, abruptly altered the social media landscape, impacting millions of users and creators. This move, driven by geopolitical tensions, offers a preview of potential actions by the U.S., where debates over TikTok's future continue. The ban forced influencers like Veer Sharma to adapt, with platforms like Instagram and YouTube filling the gap but losing some of the unique charm of Indian TikTok. The ban also highlighted concerns about data security and sovereignty in cyberspace, shaping policy and tech interactions globally.
Maldives may be small but it 'doesn't give them the license to bully us', says President Mohamed Muizzu after his China visit
Returning home after a five-day high-profile state visit to China, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday struck a defiant note saying that his country may be small but "doesn't give them the license to bully us". His comments came amid a diplomatic row with India over derogatory social media posts by three of his ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Load More
