ASIA

CHINA BANS FOREIGN AI CHIPS FROM STATE-FUNDED DATA CENTRES

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China has ordered data centres that receive state funding to use only domestically produced artificial intelligence chips, according to two people familiar with the directive, a move that marks one of Beijing's strongest pushes yet to remove foreign technology from critical infrastructure.

SANAE TAKAICHI SET TO BECOME JAPAN'S FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER

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Japan is on the verge of a historic political moment as Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), stands set to become the nation's first female prime minister. The parliamentary vote follows days of negotiations between the LDP and the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), culminating in a coalition deal that all but guarantees her confirmation.

CHINA AND INDIA RESUME DIRECT FLIGHTS AFTER 5 YEARS

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India and China resumed direct flights on Sunday, ending a five-year suspension in a move considered both economically important and symbolic for the cautious rebuilding of relations between the two nations.

GOOGLE ANNOUNCES $15 BILLION AI DATA CENTER HUB IN INDIA, ITS BIGGEST INVESTMENT OUTSIDE THE U.S.

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Google has unveiled plans to invest $15 billion over five years to establish a major artificial intelligence and cloud data center hub in Andhra Pradesh, India, marking its largest investment outside the United States.

DELHI ENGULFED IN ANNUAL POST-DIWALI POLLUTION CRISIS

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Once again, the Indian capital of Delhi finds itself blanketed in a suffocating haze as the air quality plunges into dangerous levels. Following the Diwali celebrations, where fireworks lit up the night sky, the city has been choking under thick smog that irritates eyes, burns throats, and pushes air quality monitors to their limits. Headlines have grimly declared this year's post-Diwali pollution as the worst in four years.

THE 700-YEAR TRADITION THAT CELEBRATES GROOMS WITH FEASTS

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In southern India, a centuries-old tradition has survived the test of time through the language of food and love. The Puyyappla Perukkal translated as "nurturing the son-in-law" is a remarkable custom practiced among the Mappila Muslim community of Thalassery, Kerala. For over 700 years, grooms have been treated like royalty, living with their new in-laws while their mother-in-law prepares up to 100 unique dishes over forty days. It is a celebration of family, unity, and respect, where culinary artistry meets cultural devotion.

CHINA URGES U.S. AND AUSTRALIA TO 'TAKE RESPONSIBILITY' IN SECURING GLOBAL RARE EARTH SUPPLY CHAINS

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China has called on resource-rich nations, including the United States and Australia, to play what it described as a "proactive role" in ensuring the stability of global critical mineral supply chains.

NBA TO RETURN TO CHINA FOR PRE-SEASON GAMES AFTER SIX-YEAR HIATUS

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The NBA returns to the lucrative China market this week with two pre-season games following a six-year absence after a team official tweeted his support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.