ASIA

SOUTH KOREA SUSPENDS DEEPSEEK DOWNLOADS OVER PRIVACY CONCERNS

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South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has suspended new downloads of DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence application, citing the company's failure to comply with national data protection regulations. The suspension, which took effect on February 15, 2025, marks another setback for the AI startup in its global expansion efforts.

TRAGIC CRUSH AT INDIA'S KUMBH MELA HAS DOZENS FEARED DEAD AS PILGRIMS RUSH TO SACRED RIVERS

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Early Wednesday morning, tragedy struck the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, as a stampede claimed the lives of at least 12 pilgrims, according to eyewitnesses and hospital sources. The event, celebrated as one of the world's largest religious gatherings, saw millions converge at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Despite its spiritual significance, the event took a grim turn amidst overcrowding and chaos.

ALIBABA SHARES SOAR AFTER RUMOURED XI AND JACK MA MEETING

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On Friday, Alibaba's stock experienced a significant surge, climbing over six percent, fueled by speculation that President Xi Jinping was planning a meeting with Jack Ma, the company's co-founder. This positive news compounded Alibaba's already impressive performance in 2025, with the stock already up over 40 percent. The rally was further bolstered on Thursday when Alibaba's chairman announced the company's intention to provide AI technology for Apple's iPhones in China, adding another 6.3 percent to its share price.

BANK OF JAPAN RAISES BORROWING COSTS TO ITS HIGHEST IN 17 YEARS

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In a move reflecting growing inflationary pressures, Japan's central bank has raised borrowing costs to their highest point in 17 years, setting its short-term policy rate to "around 0.5 percent". The decision followed data showing consumer prices in Japan climbed at their fastest rate in 16 months.

CHINA-COOK ISLANDS DEAL HEIGHTENS TENSIONS WITH NEW ZEALAND SPARKING TRANSPARENCY ISSUES

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The Cook Islands' emerging partnership with China has ignited a diplomatic powder keg, challenging long-standing regional dynamics and exposing the delicate balance of power in the Pacific. Prime Minister Mark Brown's upcoming state visit to Beijing represents more than a routine diplomatic engagement—it signals a potential realignment with global geopolitical implications.

SK HYNIX ACHIEVES RECORD PROFITS ON AI MEMORY DEMAND AS KEY NVIDIA SUPPLIER, BUT STOCK FACES UNCERTAINTY

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The South Korean semiconductor manufacturer delivered a remarkable financial turnaround in 2024, with revenues surging an impressive 102% to 66.19 trillion won ($46.34 billion). This extraordinary growth represents a complete reversal from the previous year's financial struggles, culminating in a net profit of 19.79 trillion won ($13.84 billion).

SALVADOR DALI'S SURREAL WORLD COMES TO INDIA FOR THE FIRST TIME

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India is set to experience the eccentric genius of Salvador Dalí like never before. For the first time, more than 200 of the Spanish surrealist's original sketches, etchings, and watercolors are being exhibited in New Delhi, offering Indian audiences a glimpse into Dalí's dreamlike, mind-bending world.

OPENAI DISPUTES INDIAN COURT'S DATA ERASURE DEMANDS ON GLOBAL COPYRIGHT CONTROVERSIES

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OpenAI has pushed back against a lawsuit filed by Indian news agency ANI, challenging the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court in demanding the removal of ChatGPT's training data. The legal dispute, which highlights the growing tension between artificial intelligence and copyright, raises questions about global compliance and jurisdictional authority.