Taiwan
Is AI making us less intelligent? The debate over declining cognitive skills in the age of ChatGPT and smartphones
Anecdotal evidence from educators paints a troubling picture. Teenagers across the world struggle to properly complete tasks in school, particularly those involving writing.
US DoE muddies the ClimateCrisis waters with report downplaying the emissions problem
As part of the Trump administration’s attempts to take the Climate Crisis off the agenda, the US Department of Energy has released a report downplaying the impact of fossil fuels on global warming.
Sinkholes on the rise across Asia: a growing danger beneath the surface
The dramatic rescue of a motorist from a sinkhole on a busy Singapore road has cast new light on an alarming trend across Asia – the increasing frequency and severity of sinkholes swallowing roads, vehicles, and in some cases entire buildings.
IMF corrects growth forecast upwards – Statista
Despite uncertain market conditions amid the Trump administration's tariff regime and major global conflicts, the International Monetary Fund has upped its global economic growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 slightly, Statista reported on July 30.
Vietnam positioned to become key player in global semiconductor supply chain
Vietnam is poised to become a pivotal link in the global semiconductor industry, according to Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng.
The top three ‘megatrends’ set to transform the Asia Pacific region
The rapid development of technologies such as generative AI and the metaverse is already changing how people in Asia Pacific live, work, socialise and shop.
Kamchatka M8.8 quake; Asia region tsunami update
Southwest of Japan in Taiwan the Central Weather Administration issued a tsunami watch after the quake struck at around 7.25 a.m. Taiwan time: wave arrival was anticipated around 1.18 p.m., with possible wave heights of up to 1m.
Recent floods across Asia kill hundreds, leave devastation in their wake
From South and Southeast Asia to Central and East Asia, communities have been grappling with flash floods, landslides and glacial lake outbursts as warming temperatures and shifting monsoon dynamics fuel increasingly erratic weather.
Taiwan’s president, ruling party hit hard by failure in anti-KMT recall vote
On July 26, Taiwan witnessed the culmination of an unprecedented political moment - the largest recall vote in its history, which ended in a decisive failure for the ruling DPP and delivered a measure of political humility for President William Lai.
IPCC releases dire sixth climate update in run-up to COP30
“Any further delay in global action to slow climate change and adapt to its impacts will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all”.
ASIA BLOG: If the Thailand-Cambodia conflict escalates, Vietnam won’t stand idle – nor will the US and China
The current flare-up between Thailand and Cambodia feels different from previous disputes. What initially appeared to be a limited skirmish over disputed borderland and nationalist rhetoric now carries the faint, unmistakable whiff of escalation.
ICJ declares healthy environment is a human right in landmark climate ruling
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a historic advisory opinion recognising a clean and sustainable environment as a human right, declaring that states which fail to curb emissions may be in violation of international law.
Earth overshoot day is already long past – Statista
July 24 marks this year's Earth Overshoot Day, the day that humanity’s demand for ecological resources exceeds the resources Earth can regenerate within that year, Statista reports. That day has already long passed.
World has less than three years to avert worst climate impacts, scientists warn
A new global climate report warns that the world is on the brink of irreversible damage. The findings come amid sluggish international action ahead of COP30.
Fitch upgrades Trump’s effective tariff rate to 19.4%
President Donald Trump’s evolving trade policy is set to sharply increase the United States’ effective tariff rate (ETR), with Fitch Ratings warning of substantial rises as new duties take effect on August 1.
Geopolitics is weighing on FDI, capital chasing certainty over scale – study
The world is living through turbulent times, but investors are still chasing returns which has affected the flows of international foreign direct investment.
Japan’s Self-Defence Forces are much more capable than many think
During the past decade Japan has quietly but steadily modernised its defence apparatus. While Tokyo avoids the loud rhetoric of some of its neighbours, its actions speak volumes.
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ASIA BLOG: The global fallout of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan
There have already been rumblings in Taiwan that self destruction of key infrastructure would be preferential to Chinese takeover.
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Taiwan’s president plans visit to Paraguay amid diplomatic pressure from Beijing
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te is set to visit Paraguay next month, a move which could include transit stops in the United States and is already drawing criticism from Beijing.
IMF: The debate over falling fertility
A decline in global population later this century may threaten human progress, or it may lead to better lives.