Society

A new study suggested that text-based CAPTCHAs, one of the most widely used website security mechanisms, are no longer safe when facing smarter artificial intelligence.

Text-based CAPTCHA uses a jumble of distorted or blurred letters, characters and numbers to distinguish humans from computer programs, to block the latter from accessing polls and auctions disguised as a human user. This reverse Turing test builds on the belief that people are more adept at recognizing these symbols than machines.

China called for the immediate release of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co, on Thursday after Canadian authorities arrested her at the request of the United States.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China has made solemn representations to Canada and the United States, demanding they clarify the reason for the arrest and immediately release Meng in order to effectively protect her rights and interests.

The remarks came after Canadian police, at the request of the US, reportedly arrested Meng in Vancouver on Saturday. Meng, who is also deputy chairwoman of Huawei and the daughter of its founder, faces extradition to the US.

If you are a foreigner living in China, you may find yourself trapped inside what has come to be known as an "expat bubble," where you mingle only with other foreigners, shop only at foreign stores and restaurants and seldom communicate with local people or explore their culture. So what causes these bubbles and how can expats "pop" out of them?

A too-friendly social environment can be a double-edged sword. It helps newbies adapt to their new surroundings, but tends to keep them trapped inside their comfort zone. This kind of situation has been encountered by many foreigners in Beijing, which boasts a thriving expat community.

At least five officials from the Wuxi Tax Bureau have been punished for ‘poor management’ of the Fan Bingbing tax evasion case, according to Xinhua News.

Ding Yuan, the head of the Wuxi Taxation Bureau, along with four other high-ranking taxmen in the city, were amongst those singled out for mismanagement. Punishment for the five officials came in the forms of administrative warnings, admonishing conversations, position removal and imposing demerits.