Baidu Expands AI Ambitions with Launch of Ernie 4.5
BEIJING – Chinese tech giant Baidu has announced the launch of two new artificial intelligence models, reinforcing its position in the fast-growing AI sector. The company introduced Ernie 4.5, an upgraded foundational model, and Ernie X1, a logic-focused model designed … Continue reading Baidu Expands AI Ambitions with Launch of Ernie 4.5
Vietnam to Host ASEAN Future Forum 2025
HANOI – The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an international press conference on Thursday to announce the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2025, set to take place from February 25 to 26 under the theme “Building a United, Inclusive, and … Continue reading Vietnam to Host ASEAN Future Forum 2025
Singapore: Least Corrupt Country in Asia-Pacific region
SINGAPORE – Singapore has reclaimed its position as the least corrupt country in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report. This marks the first time since 2010 that the Republic has earned this accolade, … Continue reading Singapore: Least Corrupt Country in Asia-Pacific region
Panama Withdraws from China’s Belt and Road Initiative
PANAMA CITY – Panama has officially announced its withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a landmark move that reflects changing national priorities and evolving international alliances. Since joining the initiative in 2017, Panama had sought to benefit from … Continue reading Panama Withdraws from China’s Belt and Road Initiative
U.S.-China Trade War Escalates: Beijing Responds
WASHINGTON/BEIJING – Minutes after U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff hikes on Chinese goods kicked in on February 4, Beijing fired back with a calculated set of countermeasures. While the U.S. tariffs, imposing a 10 percent tax on all Chinese imports, … Continue reading U.S.-China Trade War Escalates: Beijing Responds
US Tariffs: Beijing Signals Willingness for Talks
WASHINGTON/BEIJING – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 10 percent tariff hike on all Chinese imports, alongside a 25 percent increase on goods from Canada and Mexico. The move, signed into effect on February 2, is set to … Continue reading US Tariffs: Beijing Signals Willingness for Talks
Tightened controls against cheap E-Commerce platforms
BERLIN – The German government has adopted an E-Commerce Action Plan that enforces stricter controls on international online platforms such as Temu and Shein. The goal is to secure fair competition and protect domestic retailers from unfair business practices. Additionally, … Continue reading Tightened controls against cheap E-Commerce platforms
China’s breakthrough AI model shakes global markets
HANGZHOU – DeepSeek, a mainland China based company, has made headlines with the release of its open-source AI chatbot, R1. Positioned as a significant step forward in China’s pursuit of technological leadership, R1’s release has sparked intense international interest. Within … Continue reading China’s breakthrough AI model shakes global markets
Indonesia Joins BRICS: A Strategic Step
JAKARTA – On January 7, Indonesia formally joined BRICS, becoming the first Southeast Asian country to join the intergovernmental bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Indonesia’s entry follows BRICS’ recent expansion to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and … Continue reading Indonesia Joins BRICS: A Strategic Step
Vietnam Poised to Become Regional Tech Hub
HANOI – Vietnam is positioning itself as a major manufacturing and technology hub in Southeast Asia, with foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing into the country at an unprecedented rate. In 2024, FDI into Vietnam reached nearly $31.4 billion, marking a … Continue reading Vietnam Poised to Become Regional Tech Hub