China's DeepSeek Shocks American AI Firms

DeepSeek rivals ChatGPT and Gemini in its AI capabilities

Today the biggest business news was Nvidia's stock going free fall because of a little known Chinese artificial intelligence start-up called DeepSeek.

Investors dumped Nvidia's stock when they found out DeepSeek had similar capabilities to OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini -- but by using a fraction of the microchips, which means much cheaper and faster than US AI firms. Typically top companies train their supercomputers to use some 16,000 microchips or more; DeepSeek claims it only needed about 2,000.

Nvidia's stock plunged today on DeepSeek news

That sent alarm bells ringing. Loudly.

The Biden administration had limited the number of microchips China could buy in a bid to keep American companies in the lead when it comes to developing AI technology. But with its back against the wall, China's top programmers figured out a way to get more out of each microchip.

There are claims DeepSeek only spent about US$6 million on developing its AI technology, but skeptics think the amount is higher. 

Nevertheless, the inability of the Chinese to get their hands on more microchips is hindering its high tech development, as DeepSeek founder and entrepreneur, Liang Wenfeng told Chinese Premier Li Qiang last week that access to advanced chips was a bottleneck.

While US investors recover from their shock, rival programmers will be going through DeepSeek, as all of its work is open sourced, which means its coding is available for use, or to scrutinise as proof of what they have done.

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng

In the meantime, US tech giants may be asking President Donald Trump for more controls on China. Today he said it was a "wake-up call" for the American tech industry.

Not only was DeepSeek on everyone's lips, but phones as well, as it was the most downloaded app in the last few days at over 1.6 million. 

Biden Makes Last Minute Extension to Hongkongers

Biden giving his last address to the nation tonight

Counting down the days before he leaves office on January 20, US President Joe Biden has given some relief to Hongkongers in America by extending a program that allows those who want to, can stay another two years. The program was supposed to expire in a few weeks.

The extension of the Deferred Enforced Departure program allows certain Hongkongers who have stayed in the US since the program started in August 2021, to continue living and working in the country until February 5, 2027.

There are 19 activists on the wanted list

"The United States supports the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the residents of Hong Kong," Biden said on Wednesday.

"I am therefore, directing an extension and expansion of the deferral of removal of certain Hong Kong residents, regardless of country of birth, who are present in the United States."

However, this extension does not apply to those who voluntarily returned to Hong Kong or China, or have not continuously lived in the US since the program started in 2021, or when it was renewed again in January 2023.

Biden's declaration of the extension comes after the Hong Kong government announced last month the HK$1 million bounties for the arrests of six more activists who allegedly violated the national security law, and that the passports of seven others have been revoked, including Elmer Yuan Gong-yi, Frances Hui Wing-ting, and Joey Siu Nam, who have apparently settled in the US.

"The decision was made because of continued and repeated attacks by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities on the protected rights and freedoms cherished by people in the city," said Matthew Miller, a US Department of State spokesman.

Hui is an activist who allegedly violated NSL

He accused Beijing and Hong Kong authorities of targeting overseas democracy activists, citing the cancelling of their passports and the latest arrest warrants of others.

"These acts of transnational repression are a threat to US sovereignty and national security and show blatant disregard for democracy and human rights," he said.

Los Angeles Wildfires Continue to Rage

Numerous homes have been engulfed by flames in Los Angeles

The shocking images of the fires ravaging Los Angeles are horrifying and tragic. At least five people have died, numerous homes completely destroyed, and over 100,000 people displaced. The biggest fire in Palisades has not been contained, thanks to bone-dry conditions and fast-moving winds.

The growing inferno has spared no one, with the rich and famous helpless as they watch fires engulf their mansions in the prestigious Hollywood area. Actors like James Woods and Mark Hamill were directly impacted, while Steve Gutenberg tried to help direct traffic. 

Video footage from someone inside their home shows raging fires surrounding them, and they don't know what to do; on social media it was reported they managed to escape, but there is no update.

Water bombers from Canada are fighting the fires

While fires are common in Los Angeles, it is not common to see the flames reaching Hollywood Boulevard, where stars plant their hands in slabs of cement on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Chinese Theater. It's crazy to have these fires so close to the city.

Meanwhile, the Getty Museum reported that although some trees and vegetation on the property were burned down, the museum itself was not affected, which is a relief to hear. It houses Getty's collection of Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities in a beautiful setting overlooking the city.

If people have not already evacuated, they have been instructed to be ready to leave their homes at a moment's notice. What do you choose to bring with you if you have only minutes to think about it? It's a gut-wrenching situation to be in. Many may have lost their pets that may have run away in fear.

All this is happening while President-elect Donald Trump blames President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom for the wildfires... how is this helpful?

It is not helpful when the water is running out from the fire hydrants, though water bombers and helicopters -- from Quebec and British Columbia -- are trying their best to clamp down on the infernos from above.

So yes -- good neighbours help each other... not threaten to take them over...

Three Americans Freed from China in Prisoner Swap

Harrison Li holds a picture of his father, Kai Li

Just in time for American Thanksgiving, US President Joe Biden secured the release of three Americans prisons in China in a prisoner swap deal.

They are Texan businessman Mark Swidan who was arrested in 2012 and accused of drug related offenses; Kai Li, who had been held on espionage charges since 2016, and John Leung, who was born in Hong Kong, and last year was sentenced to life in prison on spying charges.

Swidan was held in China for over a decade

Sean Savett, a National Security Council spokesman says no other Americans are "wrongfully detained" in China, a designation where the US government sees a person as the equivalent of a political hostage, or that charges were fabricated.

In return, the US released Xu Yanjun, a Chinese intelligence officer who was serving a 20-year sentence after he was arrested in Brussels in 2018 and extradited to the US.

This deal was in the works for several months under secrecy, and earlier this month Biden discussed the prisoner swap with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the Apec summit in Peru.

Earlier this year Secretary of State Antony Blinken had repeatedly pressed his counterpart Wang Yi to release the Americans who were wrongfully detained. 

Leung was in jail on spying charges

This is a big win for Biden in the last few weeks in office; in total he has managed to secure the release of more than 70 Americans that the US consider were wrongfully detained overseas.

"Soon they will return and be reunited with their families for the first time in many years," said Savett.

It's going to be a very special Thanksgiving for them.

Trump Projected to Win... Again

Badiucao imagining what Kim, Xi and Putin are wishing for

It's 2.49am Eastern time and Donald Trump is on stage rambling about how he is going to make America great again, and how democracy is so beautiful, as he is poised to become the next president of the United States with 266 electoral votes, with four more to win.

For the Democrats it's 2016 all over again where Hilary Clinton suffered a shock loss, and now Kamala Harris. 

Analysts on CBC Radio are saying that President Joe Biden should be blamed for the result because he should have not run and given others a chance, that him holding on until after the first presidential debate showed he was egotistical and selfish.

Others said Harris didn't have enough time to tell voters who she is, and that she didn't clearly distinguish herself from Biden. For some voters it was the conflict in Gaza that hurt the Democrats versus Trump claiming he would make peace in a day.

For many it seems, the economy was top of mind, and high interest rates and tight budgets didn't help the Democrats, and voters remember Trump's presidency was in relatively good times and want to return to that. And so even women's rights on abortion wasn't enough of an issue to resonate with voters.

Some critics say the Republicans were more organised in getting voters registered compared to the Democrats even though Harris's team spent US$3 billion on her campaign, much more than Trump.

Canada is horrified by this impending result, and so is Europe. Ukraine won't be happy either, or Taiwan.

Political cartoonist Badiucao has drawn a cartoon of Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin praying for Trump to win, and they pretty much have their wish come true.

Will terrified Americans really move to Canada? Will women have to come up north to get an abortion? Will gay and trans people also come here too?

And will Trump go ahead with his Project 2025? Will he ban abortion nationwide? Will he kick out all illegal immigrants? Will he prosecute his enemies?

Some voters think the prosecutions and convictions against Trump were politically motivated...

Michelle Obama recently said in frustration: "We've got one candidate that's allowed to be lawless while the other one has to be flawless."

Harris unfortunately could not turn things around and could not even face her supporters tonight, who are grumbling that she didn't come out to thank them for voting for her.

She is probably overwhelmed that she actually lost... Democrats will be doing more soul-searching -- again...

When the Rolling Stones Rocked Vancouver

Richards, Jagger and Wood performed in Vancouver on Friday

The Rolling Stones came to Vancouver to play two shows on Friday night. Fans were thrilled to see 80-year-old Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood in fine form when they performed at BC Place Stadium.

The reviewer from the Vancouver Sun was impressed the seniors are way more fit than the US President, asking "How is it that Keith Richards is in better shape than Joe Biden?"

"I mean, all the health and wellness articles in the world can't explain how Immortan Mick has lived to become the most dangerous senior citizen since Betty White."

Indeed!

Vij with Jagger on Saturday night

The band didn't leave Vancouver right away -- they stayed another day. 

And where did the Stones' frontman go in Vancouver?

Jagger went to Vij's, a well-known Indian restaurant on Cambie Street for dinner on Saturday night. Chef and owner Vikram Vij was there to greet the superstar.

"(We) had the incredible honour of hosting the legendary Mick Jagger at Vij's last night!" was the post on Vij's Instagram page. "An unforgettable evening filled with great conversations, laughter, and of course, amazing food.

"Thank you, Mick, for gracing us with your presence," the post says.

Now we're all wondering what Jagger ate!

Biden and Xi Meet Again

Biden and Xi shake hands in highly choreographed meeting

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden finally met again in San Francisco following over a year of tense relations between the two countries.

They had talks that lasted four hours, which is considered really productive, going over a wide range of topics from restarting military-to military direct contact, curbing fentanyl production, Taiwan, the Israel-Hamas war, and artificial intelligence.

The two leaders held talks for four hours

Xi offered a diplomatic comment: "Planet Earth is big enough" for both superpowers, and that while their countries were different, they should be "fully capable of rising above differences."

The Chinese leader also hinted the panda diplomacy program might start up again after the US sent back three pandas over a week ago.

At a press conference after Xi had left, a reporter asked Biden if he still regarded Xi a dictator, a word he had used earlier in the year.

"Well, look, he is," Biden said. "I mean, he's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who runs a country that is a Communist country."

Reporters freaked out that Biden had said the D-word, but he was just calling a spade a spade.

Will it undo the four hours of talks? No.

Perhaps panda diplomacy will restart again?

China needs the US desperately to woo back American companies to do more business in the Middle Kingdom, but the political risks are too high these days. 

Company executives and journalists being disappeared and detained, or have exit bans placed on them are not conducive to a good business environment...

Balloon-gate Ends with a Bang

The moment the balloon was shot down by an F-22 fighter jet

The deed was done -- an F-22 fighter jet shot down the giant Chinese so-called weather balloon as it was hovering over the Atlantic Ocean, six miles off the coast of South Carolina.

Thus came the end of the balloon saga, following US President Joe Biden's order.

"I told them to shoot it down," he said on his way to Camp David. "They said to me, let's wait until the safest place to do it."

Biden gave a statement after the ballon was shot

And so it was shot down at 2.39pm EST, and the Pentagon said the Navy and Coast Guard would recover as much of the debris for further examination.

Meanwhile the Chinese expressed its "strong discontent and protest" about the downing of the balloon, repeating its explanation that it was a civilian aircraft that had inadvertently strayed into North American air space.

"In these circumstances, for the United States to insist on using armed force is clearly an excessive reaction that seriously violates international convention," the Chinese foreign ministry statement said. 

"China will resolutely defend the legitimate rights and interests of the enterprise involved, and retains the right to respond further."

The US told the Chinese the possibility of them shooting down the balloon -- it was floating over the US for seven days, thus giving the Chinese several opportunities to own up to the incident, but apparently its reason was not convincing enough.

The debris is being recovered for examination

Some experts say the balloon may have been literally a trial balloon to see how the US would react, and others say perhaps Beijing is testing its latest surveillance capabilities.

In any event, there is now a second balloon flying over South America... 

What is hard to understand is why this balloon mission was given the green light at this time, further ratcheting up tensions between China and the US. Is Xi Jinping looking for a fight on the last day of the Lunar New Year?