MiniMax M1 model claims Chinese LLM crown from DeepSeek - plus it's true open-source
Thomas Claburn / theregister - China's 'little dragons' pose big challenge to US AI firms MiniMax, an AI firm based in Shanghai, has released an open-source reasoning model that challenges Chinese rival DeepSeek and US-based Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google in terms of performance and cos…
Back to Top / Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 2:20 pm / permalink 8244 / 2 stories in 8 months
Middle East tensions escalate with airstrikes, evacuations and military moves
A rapid escalation in the Middle East has led to dramatic scenes: an Iranian TV building bombed mid-broadcast, citizens fleeing amid intensifying Israeli airstrikes, and a wave of USAF tankers departing as the regional conflict deepens. Even market futures are reacting, while Africa braces for fallout from the brewing hostilities.
Back to Top / Monday, June 16, 2025, 1:21 pm / permalink 8104 / 3 stories in 8 months
Taiwan bans chip exports to Huawei, SMIC — ban comes after Huawei tricked TSMC into making one million AI processors despite US restrictions
tomshardware - Two of the most important companies behind China’s semiconductor self-sufficiency and AI supremacy hopes were dealt a blow on Saturday, with their addition to Taiwan’s strategic high-tech commodities entity list.
Back to Top / Sunday, June 15, 2025, 12:20 pm / permalink 7997 / 2 stories in 8 months
China Takes on Student Cheating by Shutting Off AI Nationwide During Exams
AJ Dellinger / gizmodo - Centralized intelligence meets centralized government.
Back to Top / Monday, June 9, 2025, 1:22 pm / permalink 7339 / 3 stories in 8 months
Japan’s iSpace Lunar Landing Mishap Sparks Communication Crisis
Japan’s iSpace encountered a major hiccup on its uncrewed lunar mission when the spacecraft malfunctioned, leaving a noticeable crater as evidence of the crash. Efforts are underway to reestablish contact, casting a wry spotlight on the risks and challenges of modern private space exploration.
Back to Top / Friday, June 6, 2025, 6:20 am / permalink 7014 / 3 stories in 9 months
China’s rare earth restrictions halt first auto industry production lines
Dominic Preston / theverge - The auto industries in both the US and Europe could come to a standstill within weeks thanks to China’s ongoing restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals and magnets. Several European car part manufacturers have already halted production lines accord…
Back to Top / Thursday, June 5, 2025, 5:20 am / permalink 6866 / 1 stories in 9 months
South Korea elects new president amid mounting domestic challenges
South Korea has elected Lee as its new president. Riding a wave of voter anger, the new leader inherits a tangled web of policy challenges and economic uncertainties. Critics and supporters alike will be watching closely as Lee faces a series of tough reforms in a nation grappling with internal crises, setting the stage for a pivotal political transition.
Back to Top / Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 7:20 am / permalink 6716 / 1 stories in 9 months
Trump: China's Xi Is a Tough Nut to Crack
Former President Trump remarked that China's Xi is extremely tough to negotiate with, implying that even seasoned diplomats might struggle to reach an agreement. His comments underscore mounting trade tensions and geopolitical challenges in a landscape where stubborn personalities add an extra twist to international deal-making.
Back to Top / Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 3:20 am / permalink 6708 / 7 stories in 9 months
Irish Fintech Nomupay Secures $40M Investment for Asian Expansion
Irish fintech Nomupay has secured a $40 million investment tied to a significant partnership with a Japanese payments firm, bolstered by backing from SoftBank. The funding is aimed at driving strategic expansion into Asia, particularly Japan, demonstrating strong investor confidence in cross-border fintech innovation.
Back to Top / Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 4:20 am / permalink 6567 / 4 stories in 9 months
Hegseth warns on China’s military escalation sparking defense shifts
Prominent commentator Pete Hegseth warned that China’s aggressive posture—including a suggestion that military action against Taiwan could be imminent—is prompting allied nations to boost defense spending. His remarks underscore heightened geopolitical tensions and the urgent need to reassess regional security strategies.
Back to Top / Saturday, May 31, 2025, 2:20 am / permalink 6334 / 1 stories in 9 months
Chinese Tech Groups Commit to AI Future Excluding Nvidia's Role
Reports indicate that Chinese tech groups are aggressively developing proprietary AI solutions, deliberately bypassing Nvidia’s technology amid mounting supply challenges and geopolitical tensions. Insiders say the shift marks a bold attempt at self-reliance and strategic innovation, as firms position themselves to lead in emerging AI markets.
Back to Top / Friday, May 30, 2025, 12:20 am / permalink 6204 / 3 stories in 9 months
Japanese Bond Markets in Turmoil Amid Yield Volatility
Recent economic reports show Japan’s bond market in a tizzy as yields plunge on issuance cut speculations while bonds rally on hopes of reduced supply. With stocks reacting sharply and investors visibly jittery, the day’s market movements paint an unpredictable financial landscape down under.
Back to Top / Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 8:20 am / permalink 5759 / 1 stories in 9 months
OpenAI Expands Operations in South Korea with New Seoul Office
OpenAI has inaugurated a new office in Seoul, signaling its strategic expansion in South Korea. The move is set to generate local tech jobs and boost AI innovation, showcasing OpenAI’s ambition to tap into the region’s vibrant technology ecosystem.
Back to Top / Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 4:20 am / permalink 5744 / 1 stories in 9 months
OpenAI Opens Seoul Office as South Korean Demand Surges
OpenAI is ramping up its international footprint by launching a new office in South Korea amid surging local demand for ChatGPT and related AI innovations. The expansion, clearly a strategic play in the global AI race, hints at a concentrated effort to cement its presence in Asia with a dash of cool, tech-savvy flair.
Back to Top / Monday, May 26, 2025, 2:20 am / permalink 5639 / 1 stories in 9 months
Xiaomi unveils custom chip to rival Apple silicon powerhouses
Xiaomi has announced a cutting‑edge custom chip built on a 3nm process designed to challenge Apple’s silicon dominance. The new chip, dubbed the “Xring O1,” is set to power three forthcoming Xiaomi devices in a bold move to capture more of the high‐performance market.
Back to Top / Thursday, May 22, 2025, 9:20 am / permalink 5255 / 2 stories in 9 months
CATL HK Debut Sees Shares Surge on Hong Kong Trading Floor
China's largest battery maker made a memorable entrance to the Hong Kong market as its shares jumped roughly 12.5% upon debut. The strong showing has sparked investor enthusiasm and set the stage for more exciting moves in the competitive battery industry.
Back to Top / Monday, May 19, 2025, 10:20 pm / permalink 5050 / 0 stories in 9 months
Foxconn Invests $1.5 Billion to Boost iPhone Production in India
In a bold maneuver to diversify Apple’s supply chain, Foxconn is pumping $1.5 billion into its Indian operations. This strategic investment is set to accelerate iPhone production outside of China, marking a significant shift in manufacturing and geopolitical supply chain recalibration.
Back to Top / Monday, May 19, 2025, 11:20 am / permalink 5026 / 2 stories in 9 months
Nvidia and Foxconn Build Taiwan AI Supercomputer Hub
Nvidia and Foxconn, in a high-stakes collaboration with Taiwan’s government, are moving ahead to construct an AI factory focused on supercomputer technology. This strategic venture highlights an aggressive push into advanced computing, leaving rivals to scramble and wonder if they can keep pace with the new powerhouse.
Back to Top / Monday, May 19, 2025, 3:20 am / permalink 4997 / 6 stories in 9 months
Rare Footage Captures Earth's Cracking During Myanmar Earthquake
In a jaw-dropping revelation, never-before-seen footage has captured the earth fracturing during a Myanmar earthquake. Scientists are astounded by this unprecedented visual record of seismic activity, which provides fresh insights into the planet’s dramatic geologic processes.
Back to Top / Saturday, May 17, 2025, 6:20 am / permalink 4949 / 0 stories in 9 months
Nvidia clarifies Shanghai center plans amid export restrictions
Nvidia is making strategic moves in Shanghai with plans to establish a new research center—while firmly denying claims that it’s sending sensitive GPU designs to China. The company is juggling expansion ambitions with strict export controls, navigating murky geopolitical tech waters with a mix of ambition and regulatory caution.
Back to Top / Friday, May 16, 2025, 1:21 pm / permalink 4898 / 3 stories in 9 months