Asia – Pacífico
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China’s solar surge nears historic milestone – even as Beijing slams brakes on sheer scale
Driven by unprecedented industrial expansion, the massive China solar capacity surge is approaching a historic milestone of one terawatt (1,000 gigawatts) in total installed photovoltaic capacity. Analysis published by the South China…
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Google makes Gemini Spark AI agent available to Hongkongers as it lowers geofences
In a significant expansion of its regional artificial intelligence footprint, tech giant Google announced the launch of Google Gemini Spark Hong Kong services, bringing its always-on personal AI agent to local users.…
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World News in Brief: Rohingya refugees, Bahá’ís in Iran, disarmament in the Central African Republic
The United Nations released an urgent international appeal addressing the expanding UN global food crisis, warning that armed conflict, extreme weather events, and severe economic shocks threaten millions with acute starvation.…
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Aid cuts, employment bans, movement restrictions: The triple threat to Afghan women
Women-led organizations in Afghanistan face severe existential pressures as Afghan women civil society aid declines sharply alongside compounding movement restrictions. According to UN Women, sweeping Taliban directives banning female employment and public…
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South China Sea: Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes
The Ongoing Maritime Stand-Off Clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels near the fiercely contested Scarborough Shoal continued for a second day on Friday. Consequently, this marks the third hostile encounter…
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China accuses Philippines of ‘flagrantly infringing’ on sovereignty in seabed claim
The Seabed Claim and Rebuttals Beijing officially accused Manila of flagrantly infringing on Chinese sovereignty this week. This stern rebuke occurred after the Philippines formally presented a bid for extended…
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In the waters off Malaysia, Iranian oil sales continue despite blockade
Despite ongoing military conflict and a active naval blockade targeting Iranian ports, illicit Iranian crude oil sales continue to flow through specialized maritime networks.
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Japan Kumamoto earthquake: What happened, damage, victims, latest updates
A powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu, causing extensive destruction and triggering widespread rescue operations. Local authorities confirmed that Japan Kumamoto earthquake damage includes collapsed…
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Russia and North Korea finalising first road crossing amid concerns it serves as Ukraine war supply route
Construction on the first-ever Russia North Korea road bridge spanning the Tumen River is entering its final phase near Khasan. Spanning one kilometer with two traffic lanes, the $100 million infrastructure project…
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Powerful Earthquake Strikes Southern Japan, Triggering Tsunami Warning and Rescue Efforts
A Major Earthquake Hits Kumamoto A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, with its epicenter near Kumamoto Prefecture, according to The New York Times. The earthquake caused…
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Climate change presents new threat to Philippines’ UNESCO rice terraces
The centuries-old Ifugao rice terraces in Batad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the northern highlands of the Philippines. Face unprecedented structural threats driven by the escalating impacts of climate…
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El fabricante chino de chips CXMT se dispara un 472% en bolsa impulsado por la IA
Las acciones del fabricante chino de chips de memoria ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) registraron un espectacular aumento tras su salida a bolsa, reflejando el fuerte interés de los inversores por…
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Judge’s actions could harm public confidence in Hong Kong’s system of justice
The Plagiarism Issue in the Courts The prime duty of any judge is to independently assess court cases and resolve complex legal issues. However, Hong Kong judge Mr. Justice Wilson…
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As US-Chinese AI model gap narrows, what next for Washington?
A Shrinking Technological Gap For years, Washington actively fixated on the artificial intelligence gap between the United States and China. Initially, the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT established a clear early…
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APEC High-Level Forum Issued Statement on AI Development in the Asia-Pacific
Promoting AI for Good and All The APEC High-Level Forum on artificial intelligence recently took place in Chengdu, China. Member economies reaffirmed their strong commitment to deepening regional exchanges and…
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China’s Kimi K3 fuels fears safety curbs are holding back US AI
Rising Capabilities of Chinese AI Chinese unicorn Moonshot AI recently released its advanced Kimi K3 model. Remarkably, this new system rivals top United States models in identifying critical cybersecurity flaws.…
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AI, science and the risks in China’s reliance on imported precision equipment
The Import Dependency Problem China relies heavily on imported scientific instruments for critical research. Unfortunately, this deep dependency could severely hold back the country’s use of artificial intelligence in science.…
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APEC Advances Digital Cooperation Through a New Ministerial Statement
The 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Statement outlines a shared vision for digital cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region. During the ministerial meeting in Chengdu, China, APEC economies agreed to strengthen collaboration…
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Xi Jinping Seeks to Contain a Political Scandal Within China’s Leadership
A Sensitive Challenge for Beijing According to Nikkei Asia, President Xi Jinping is working to contain the political consequences of a scandal that has reached members of his inner circle.…
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China sends a message to Pacific islands amid unease over missile test
Geopolitical tensions are rising across the ocean. A recent Chinese submarine-launched ballistic missile test has triggered widespread protests from several nations in Oceania. Consequently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met…
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Is the end of US sanctions on some Hong Kong officials an olive branch?
As diplomatic channels between Washington and Beijing undergo a critical post-summit reassessment, the partial US sanctions Hong Kong officials roll back marks a notable milestone in bilateral trade relations. Following the expiration…
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‘Systemic leap’: China’s drug innovation push yields bumper crop
China’s biopharmaceutical sector has achieved a major milestone, with home-grown medicines accounting for over 80 percent of all novel drug approvals in the first half of the year. According to…
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China’s C919 passenger jets to enter service on first international route
China’s commercial aviation sector reached a major historical benchmark this week. Specifically, Air China will launch the China C919 first international route on August 12, connecting Beijing Capital International Airport directly with Ulaanbaatar,…
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How World Cup star Haaland helped put Norway on the map with China’s tourists
Norwegian football superstar Erling Haaland has sparked an unprecedented travel wave from Asian markets following his standout performances at the World Cup. Specifically, interest surrounding Haaland Norway China tourism skyrocketed as Chinese…
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Chinese shipbuilders snap up more supertanker orders as Iran war turmoil drags on
Geopolitical conflicts across the Middle East continue to disrupt global maritime routes and drive up ocean freight rates significantly. Consequently, Chinese shipbuilders supertanker orders have surged as international energy traders race to secure…
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China’s state agencies are hiring retirees as the workforce rapidly ages
As the national labor pool contracts, China state agencies hiring retirees has emerged as a key administrative strategy to address demographic shifts. Specifically, government departments across multiple provinces are recruiting experienced former…
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Chinese immigrants emerge as pivotal players in Canada’s property market amid foreign ban
Despite Ottawa’s extended foreign buyer ban, new permanent residents are driving significant activity across the domestic real estate sector. Market research reveals that mainland Chinese immigrants Canada property market investments reached up…
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Airbus sells 55 aircraft – including 15 widebody A350s – to 2 Chinese airlines
European aerospace giant Airbus sells 55 aircraft Chinese airlines requested in a landmark transaction valued at $12.4 billion at list prices. Specifically, flag carrier Air China and its subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines filed announcements…
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What is Japan’s new intelligence agency, and why is Tokyo building it?
Japan is establishing its first centralized intelligence agency since World War II. Ahistoric shift away from its post-war reliance on United States intelligence and its strictly pacifist defense posture.
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How the U.S. and China Can Cooperate to Reduce Urgent AI Risks
Artificial intelligence has become one of the main areas of competition between the United States and China. At the same time, both countries face a common challenge. They must reduce…