by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | business, korean, news, samsung, technology
On March 25, Samsung Electronics verified that Han Jong-hee, their vice chairman and CEO, had succumbed to a heart attack. It is reported that he fell ill on March 22 following his attendance at his daughter’s wedding celebration and was rushed to theSamsung Medical Center in Seoul, passing away subsequently.
Han headed the Device Experience (DX) sector—the principal segment among the firm’s two core divisions—where he significantly influenced the management of the Digital Appliances (DA) unit. He was born in 1962 and obtained an undergraduate degree in electronics engineering from Inha University before joining Samsung in 1988 with their TV development group. During his extensive 37-year career at Samsung, Han became well-known for his substantial contributions to the television market.
In November 2017, Han took over as the leader of the Visual Display Business at Samsung, earning praise for assisting the company in retaining its status as the global top producer of TVs for an uninterrupted period of fifteen years. His efforts were acknowledged when he was elevated to the positions of vice chairman and chief executive officer in 2021, overseeing the newly formed SET division that merges operations from both the IM and CE sectors.
During the 56th annual general meeting held on March 19, Han shared his perspective on Samsung’s upcoming trajectory. He stated, “Our aim is to establish a foundation for significant advancements within our current sectors through unparalleled technological superiority.” Additionally, he emphasized their commitment to exploring novel opportunities in various domains such as robotics, medical technologies, and advanced semiconductor solutions, all aimed at fostering sustainable expansion fueled by artificial intelligence innovations.
Initially, Han was slated to present the keynote speech at “Welcome to Bespoke AI,” Samsung’s premier annual event for home appliances, which was set for March 26. Nevertheless, on March 24, the firm declared a shift in speakers due to an unexpected medical emergency involving Han. Instead, executive members from the Development Division within the DA business will take over his speaking role.
In an internal communication, Samsung Electronics announced his demise, saying, “We grieve the loss of a individual who committed 37 years of service to our organization.” The firm further noted, “Under his leadership, our global TV operations reached the top spot and he exerted every effort as the chief of the SET division and DA business, despite difficult internal and external circumstances.”
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | business, manufacturing, news, technology, technology industry
The robotics start-up co-founded by former Huawei ‘Genius Youth’ recruits has an ambitious 5,000-unit production target, far exceeding 2024 output
Agibot, a robotics startup based in Shanghai co-founded by a former
Huawei Technologies
“Genius Youth” recruits, is targeting production of up to 5,000 robots this year, according to a senior executive, matching Elon Musk’s Optimus plans.
The company, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, plans to deliver between 3,000 and 5,000 robots this year, a significant increase from the fewer than 1,000 units shipped last year, according to Yao Maoqing, a partner at Agibot and president of the company’s embodied intelligence unit. The production surge reflects the eagerness among Chinese robotics start-ups for expansion amid a domestic boom in the industry.
In the first two months of the year, industrial robot production in China saw a 27 percent increase compared to the previous year, reaching 91,088 units. Meanwhile, service robot output surged by 36 percent to hit approximately 1.5 million units, as reported by official statistics.
Are you looking for insights into the most significant issues and global trends? Find your answers here.
SCMP Knowledge
Our latest platform offers carefully selected content including explainers, FAQs, analyses, and infographics, all provided by our acclaimed team.
Established in 2023, Agibot has quickly emerged as a prominent figure in Shanghai’s robotics industry, having set up operations in the Lingang New Area. The company intends to launch a new factory in the Pudong district aimed at boosting its monthly output to over 400 robots, Yao stated.
“This year, we aim to deploy new products in industrial scenarios, replacing humans in specific tasks to create tangible customer value,” Yao told the South China Morning Post.
It will probably be about another five years before households widely adopt humanoid robots, he mentioned.
Agibot was co-founded by Peng Zhihui, a former member of Huawei’s high-profile “Genius Youth” programme that recognises top young talent in China. Peng, along with entrepreneurs such as
Xingxing Wang from Unitree Robotics
He is considered pivotal in positioning China as a leading force in the field of robotics.
Yao, a veteran of the autonomous-driving industry with stints at
Google
‘s Waymo and Chinese electric vehicle maker
Nio
, said the country has advantages in humanoid robotics, including a comprehensive hardware supply chain and abundant
artificial intelligence
talent.
The field of human-like robots is still in its early stages, with numerous potential uses yet to be explored, and current manufacturing expenses are quite steep,” Yao stated. He anticipates that these costs will significantly drop as production increases, allowing the expense of essential parts like motors, gearboxes, and modules to be distributed over greater quantities, thus enhancing cost-efficiency through better yield rates.
Yao mentioned that broad acceptance will likely occur when the cost per unit drops to around 50,000 yuan (US$6,900).
Currently, Agibot manages three primary product lines: Yuanzheng, a two-legged human-like robot intended for business applications; Genie, an agile wheeled robot equipped with two arms; and Lingxi, a compact humanoid aimed at both developers and general consumers. Earlier this year, the company celebrated reaching their 1,000-unit production mark, comprising of 269 mobile models and 731 walking bots. Peng has taken charge of advancing the Lingxi line, which just released its newest iteration—the X2 version.
Agibot has successfully concluded at least eight financing rounds, drawing investments from notable venture capital firms including GL Ventures, Lanchi Ventures, HongShan Capital Group, and CAS Star, an entity supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The company also counts several industry leaders among its backers.
BYD
Beijing Automotive Group Company (BAIC) along with city-supported funds like Lingang’s Sci-Tech Fund have also invested, according to Chinese corporate database Tianyancha.
Yao mentioned that the start-up is presently estimated to be worth around 10 billion yuan.
Similar to other robotic companies, Agibot encounters difficulties due to limited data availability. In contrast to the extensive online textual information used for training big language models, robots necessitate multimodal models capable of interpreting their physical environments.
Agibot has established a data collection centre in Shanghai, where around 100 robots generate about 50,000 high-quality motion data records daily within a 2,000-square-metre facility. Each record contains tens of thousands of tokens.
“To attain general intelligence, robots need much larger datasets to confirm scaling laws and anticipate new abilities when data hits billions of tokens,” stated Yao. He highlighted Agibot’s dedication to utilizing open-source datasets, working together with industry colleagues and end-users, as well as generating additional data via simulations.
Earlier this month, Agibot introduced “Genie Operator-1”, a general-purpose embodied foundation model that it claimed can enhance robots’ multitasking abilities.
More Articles from SCMP
China declares shared naval exercises with Thailand close to a South China Sea harbor.
Shares in Hong Kong declined as investors liquidated their positions due to the absence of significant drivers.
‘Duplicity in Diplomacy’: China Pledges Peace Before Pursuing Japan’s Fishing Vessel
Taiwan has ordered three individuals from mainland China to depart after they promoted the idea of a military takeover of the island.
The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
Copyright © 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | news, news media, politics, politics and government, politics and law
On Tuesday, March 25, the local newspapers addressed various subjects, with politics being prominently featured throughout their pages.
A newspaper highlighted potential hurdles that ex-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i might encounter as he gets ready to officially announce his candidacy for president.
1. People Daily
The newspaper exposed the potential criminal and misdemeanor accusations that former Matiang’i might confront once he announces his run for presidency.
As reported by People Daily, certain officials within the present administration are displeased with the previous Interior Cabinet Secretary’s move to contest President William Ruto’s position in the 2027 election.
Matiang’i’s attempt received support from the Jubilee Party, with party members stating they would back him as their nominee.
Trusted sources informed The People Daily that initially, Matiang’i was expected to confront just five criminal charges during the first six months of 2023. However, this action was delayed following an intervention by prominent local politicians from his home region of Kisii, including ex-Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.
His choice to run for president has infuriated key figures within Ruto’s administration, prompting them to decide to reassess the current charges and potentially bring additional ones.
According to People Daily, 14 charges have already been formulated against Matiang’i.
The severe accusations set to be imposed on the ex-CS encompass the substantial Ruaraka land scam where their name has frequently surfaced negatively, misuse of authority, embezzlement through an intermediary, and defiance of judicial directives, particularly concerning actions at the Immigration Department related to proceedings initiated by self-imposed exile dissident attorney Miguna Miguna, whose travel document was annulled under Matiang’i’s watch.
Other charges include allegations of sexual assaults and molestation involving a youth from the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Nairobi Central Church, accusations of money laundering, claims of defrauding KSh 10 billion intended for the unimplemented Huduma Number initiative, incidents of shooting civilians during COVID-19 enforcement activities, extrajudicial killings with subsequent disposal of bodies into rivers such as Yala, Tana River, and Isiolo, along with other locations within Kenya.
The files should be submitted to the courts located in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii, and Mombasa.
2. Taifa Leo
The newspaper highlighted the challenges faced by ex-Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu, who is presently incarcerated at Nairobi Remand and Allocation Prison.
The ex-county leader was found guilty of various offenses including fraud, misuse of authority, and conflicting interests in a KSh 588 million corruption case.
He received a prison sentence of 12 years; his spouse Susan Wangari faced a similar verdict and was given a year behind bars along with the choice to pay a fine of KSh 500,000 instead.
Speaking from prison, Watitu revealed that the experience there had left him traumatised and his dignity corrupted.
He disclosed that he has lost his appetite and several friendships because people avoid visiting him for fear of being asked to lend money.
“I’ve had traumatic experiences during my time here. I’ve lost both my appetite and my self-respect, and very few people visit me since they believe I’ll ask them for money to cover my fine after being sentenced to 12 years in jail,” Daily Nation reported his statement.
Waititu’s attempts to obtain a bond were thwarted by the judicial authorities.
3. Daily Nation
The newspaper covered the continuing procedure for choosing the new head of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) along with its commissioners.
A specially chosen committee of nine members appointed by President William Ruto commenced the interviews on Monday, March 24.
The initial group consists of 11 nominees who have been selected for the position of chairperson; they will undergo questioning up till March 26.
Following this, interviews with the 105 candidates shortlisted for the commissioner roles will continue through until late April.
The panel is overseen by Nelson Makanda.
On the opening day of the interviews, the participants included Charles Nyachae, Anne Amadi, Abdulqadir Lorot, and Edward Katama.
4. The Standard
The newspaper covered the turmoil that disrupted the FIFA World Cup qualifying game between Kenya and Gabon on Sunday, March 23.
The standout moment from the game occurred when Mumias East MP Peter Salasya was attacked, beaten up, and forced to flee from the stadium, which took place at Nyayo Stadium.
The assailants who attacked Salasya are thought to be supporters of ODM leader Raila Odinga, against whom the legislator has previously made derogatory remarks.
So far, no arrests have been made following the incident; the legislator connected the assault to his ongoing criticisms of poor governance.
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | olympic sports, politics, politics and government, sports, women's sports
The most acclaimed athlete from Africa, Kirsty Coventry, seemed to value her time serving as Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister after speaking with the press following her return from Greece, where she was named the 10th president of the International Olympic Committee.
Coventry, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, holds seven of the eight Olympic medals that Zimbabwe has ever won. The sole exception is the gold medal earned by the Zimbabwean women’s hockey team, nicknamed the Golden Girls, at the 1980 Moscow Olympics in Russia.
She created history by being both the inaugural female and initial African to assume the presidency of the IOC. As she gets ready for her new position in June, her term as Zimbabwe’s Sports minister seems likely to conclude.
“I feel deeply honored to have served in this administration over the past several years. It will be difficult not to share seats with you anymore, Monica [Minister for Women’s Affairs Mutsvangwa],” Coventry stated.
I am thankful for the counsel provided by all my coworkers throughout the past several years.
She went on:
I am deeply thankful. Although I cannot meet with Dr [Thokozile] Chitepo, upon my initial visit, Doctor, your guidance and encouragement meant a great deal to me. Therefore, I sincerely appreciate what you have done. I feel accomplished regarding the efforts we have collectively put forth.
Don’t fret, I won’t be disappearing without notice come tomorrow. There’s a transitional phase for handing over responsibilities, and I am scheduled to officially assume office on June 23rd. Therefore, we still have some time ahead. Addressing the ministry, many members of my team are present here today. A big thank you goes out to the directors, deputy directors, chief directors, and interim chief directors. It has been gratifying to get acquainted with each one of you and collaborate closely these past several years.
Coventry’s link to Greece has been completed, as she earned her first gold medal in this nation and has now been chosen as the IOC president there as well.
“Greece… will always have a special spot in my heart, just like it did back in 2004 when I was elected as the 10th IOC president. Indeed, I became both the first female and the first representative from Africa to take this position—not the youngest one though,” she stated.
I might want to claim the title of being the youngest, but in reality, our founding partner Pierre de Coubertin was only 33 when he started in 1896. That means I am over a decade older than him, yet I’ve been the youngest for quite some time now.
She showed enthusiasm for her new role and the fresh challenge ahead.
“This is going to be an exciting tenure, with lots of different challenges, but also lots of opportunities. As I did in 2004, after my swimming career and winning gold, I’m coming back home. I’m excited to share this experience with everybody over the next few days and weeks,” Coventry said.
I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude once more for accompanying me throughout this voyage. Each and every one of you has made a substantial contribution to my achievements, and I view this accomplishment not solely as mine, but as a shared victory among us all.
Mutsvangwa praised Kirsty Coventry’s unwavering determination.
As we mark March, it becomes clear—especially concerning girls and women globally—that achieving their aspirations is crucial. This requires perseverance, devotion, and immense dedication. I’ve seen the journey you undertook, Kirsty, and how you shattered barriers throughout your campaign,” stated Mutsvangwa.
By putting Zimbabwe on the global platform, we are thrilled. We’ll remain steadfast beside you, backing your efforts and rejoicing in this significant moment for Zimbabwe. You’ve become like family to me within the Cabinet; I feel as though you’re my own daughter. Together, we’ve experienced countless instances together, such as those quiet mornings leading up to our Cabinet sessions. My affection for you runs deep, and regardless of what happens, I want you to know I’m always available. This accomplishment underscores that when dedicated, females across this nation can realize their aspirations and bring honor to all of us.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | journalism, local news, news, news media, politics
HARARE, March 24 (LIFEHACKLive) — The deceased seasoned journalist Geoffrey Nyarota will be laid to rest at his countryside residence in Rusape on Wednesday, as announced by the family.
Tafirenyika, Nyarota’s son, verified on Monday that his father’s body will be displayed at his rural home in Gwangwadza village on Tuesday evening prior to the funeral scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Nyarota passed away due to colon cancer on Sunday at the age of 74.
During his illustrious career Nyarota edited The Financial Gazette, The Chronicle, The Daily News and Zimbabwe Times. He also authored three books, namely ‘Against the Grain, Memoirs of a Zimbabwean Newsman’; ‘The Graceless Fall of Robert Mugabe: The End of a Dictator’s Reign’; and ‘The Honourable Minister: An Anatomy of Endemic Corruption’ .
At the same time, colleagues in journalism kept offering their praises, highlighting Nyarota as an unwavering advocate for press freedom.
If there were a hall of fame for journalism in Zimbabwe, John Gambanga remarked, the late journalist’s name would undoubtedly be atop the media section. During his tenure as news editor and subsequently as editor of Daily News under Nyarota’s leadership as ANZ editor-in-chief, he made significant contributions to this legacy.
“He referred to things by their true names and courageously advocated for press freedom, sternly calling out corruption among national leaders,” Gambanga stated.
Brian Mangwande, who previously worked as an editor at LIFEHACK, stated that Nyarota served as both a guide and a strong source of backing for numerous reporters in Zimbabwe.
“My thoughts go out to the Nyarota family during this incredibly challenging time and to the media community at large,” Mangwende stated.
Geoff was a guiding light, a cornerstone, and a mentor to numerous writers. He was an advocate for press freedom and a formidable presence among his peers.
We have lost a legendary figure whom we will always remember for their significant contributions to press freedom and their unwavering commitment to advocating for media independence worldwide.”
A fellow journalist, Sani Mbofana, stated that Zimbabwe’s media environment has become less rich with the departure of Nyarota.
Their heritage stands as a strong testament that an unfettered and autonomous media is crucial for a thriving democracy.
“His efforts towards the nation’s democratic movement will be recalled among those of other prominent individuals who advocated for liberty, equity, and human dignity,” stated Mbofana.
In a sincere expression of sympathy, Moses Magadza, who serves as the media and communications manager for the SADC Parliamentary Forum, stated that the annals of journalism in post-independence Zimbabwe would lack crucial elements if they failed to mention “this exceptional scribe.”
Nyarota is leaves behind his wife, Ursula, along with their three children.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
