China
Beijing wants women to give up AI bots as boyfriends but gender inequity stands in the way
The Chinese regime is unhappy about women adopting AI companions in a country hoping to raise its birth rate, but state intervention can’t achieve much without addressing the concrete social conditions driving demand for such bots.
3 min read03:34 PM ISTAs the US-Iran ceasefire collapses, a rising China forces middle powers to pivot
A breakdown in West Asian diplomacy coupled with Beijing's latest long-range missile test is forcing regional players to form independent alliances amid doubts over Washington's long-term commitments.
6 min read11 Jul 2026Stock trading halted, schools closed and more: How Taiwan is bracing for Typhoon Bavi before it smashes into China
Typhoon Bavi is set to impact northern and eastern Taiwan and Japan's southwestern islands before hitting China. Authorities in Taiwan have evacuated residents and closed schools, suspending stock trading as heavy rains are expected.
2 min read10 Jul 2026China factory fire claims at least 28 lives; Xi Jinping says ‘heavy human losses’
A fire at a shoe factory in Fujian province, China, resulted in at least 28 fatalities, as reported by state media. The incident prompted a significant firefighting effort, with fears that people remained trapped inside the building.
3 min read9 Jul 2026Has China obtained the world’s most important machine?
Since 2019 America has blocked the export to China of the extreme-ultraviolet, or EUV, lithography machines (pictured) that make the world’s most advanced semiconductors. These machines, whose creations power the most capable artificial-intelligence models, are made only by ASML, a Dutch firm.
7 min read9 Jul 2026LVMH just won a lawsuit in China but it may have lost something far more valuable in the bargain
By suing a local bubble-tea chain, LVMH's Louis Vuitton may have secured its trademark logo but lost the respect of Chinese folks. The luxury retailer should pay more attention to cultural sensitivities. Stepping on local toes doesn't help.
3 min read9 Jul 2026China’s semiconductor industry is racing to catch the West’s
China’s potential for self-sufficiency in chipmaking is one of the industry’s biggest questions. The answer matters because “compute”—the processors and memory that train and run AI models—has become the currency of technological power.
5 min read8 Jul 2026Watch out: remote kill switches for various devices are a clear and present danger for India
The disruption of e-rickshaws in Delhi last week is a wake-up call for high-stake operations. With the list lengthening of devices that can be turned off remotely, India must cover its bases. Here’s what could be done to secure our interests.
4 min read7 Jul 2026Restaurant sells exotic scrambled eggs for ₹7,000: Social media reacts, ‘Looks no different from what my mum cooks’
A local eatery has stirred controversy with its ₹7,000 stir-fried tomatoes and scrambled eggs. The dish's unique ingredients lead to diverse opinions among customers and social media users.
2 min read6 Jul 2026How Xi Jinping steamrolls dissent with tactics from Stalin and Mao
China’s leader draws from autocrats’ playbook to expand power, oust potential rivals and lay groundwork to rule indefinitely.
6 min read5 Jul 2026Wait for it…
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