Trump’s move to cut South Korea drills raises concerns among US allies in Asia
Decisions on joint exercises and carrier redeployment fuel fears over Washington’s Indo-Pacific commitment
China
War memories awaken old row in Japan, China and South Korea
China and South Korea noted what Japan’s prime minister didn’t say
Bytes and Bullets: Study of AI arms race is meticulously researched and deeply disturbing
Steve Feldstein charts global technological-military rivalry whose implications are not fully understood
Dublin’s empty offices and how China saved us from recession
The best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk
China appears to have saved us from a global recession
Beijing’s decision to slash oil imports has kept a lid on prices, avoiding a wider economic fallout
How can a Belfast mural help explain failures of scholarly gatekeeping in the age of AI?
Generative AI has changed the economics of academic paper mills – businesses that manufacture studies, fabricate data, and sell completed papers to researchers
Zhu Rongji, reforming Chinese prime minister, dies aged 97
Alongside president Jiang Zemin, Zhu laid the foundation for the country’s leap to economic superpower
Touchscreen controls in cars are out, and physical buttons are back
Chinese authorities say physical buttons will now have to be included for all essential functions
China’s clean-energy gamble is paying off
As disruption in Strait of Hormuz rattles energy markets, Beijing’s long push towards electrification is cushioning the impact and reshaping global power
Taiwan prepares for war, but China has other options
‘Blockade by fire’ could cut off supplies to the island while minimising disruption to others
Crisis-stricken Volkswagen is emblematic of Germany’s ailing economy
German car maker plans to lay off 100,000 employees, a sixth of its global workforce
Flights grounded as Typhoon Dolphin overwhelms Chinese regions with torrential rain
Authorities warn days of intense rain could trigger widespread flooding as storm moves north and further inland
‘Too much heat, not enough light’ in debate on ending triple lock, says Taoiseach
‘Aggressive’ denunciation of any suggested changes to security policies is ‘getting worse’
Choir gives Beijing’s retirees a reason to get up
As China’s population ages and traditional support networks weaken, community choirs help retirees stay connected
US Senate panel votes to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of congress over Covid hearing
Fauci invoked fifth amendment dozens of times to parry hostile Republican inquisition over pandemic response
The West may become less polarised in coming years amid external threats
As Europe rearms and geopolitical rivalry returns, the West may rediscover an unexpected source of social cohesion
Hong Kong’s revival contrasts with crackdown on last remaining independent bookshops
As the financial hub regains confidence, police action against small booksellers highlights continuing limits on dissent
Teeling distillery brews deal with Chinese beer giant
Tsingtao Brewery to distribute Irish whiskey in growing market
Rival Koreas race to build nuclear-powered submarines
Seoul sees long-awaited opportunity to develop more potent vessels after Donald Trump gave nod of approval last year
Chinese national charged over €1.6m cannabis stash refused bail as a flight risk
Xiaochen Han (30) ‘came here illegally and if given bail would leave here illegally’, Garda says
VW’s China playbook may come back to haunt it when rivals take it to Europe
German carmaker is dealing with plunging sales in its biggest market
Wham! 10 Days in China: George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley deliver a seismic culture shock
Mike Christie’s film poignantly captures just how alien Wham! were in the country in 1985
Who will win the war of neo-mercantilists?
China’s high degree of self-sufficiency also reduces its vulnerability to coercion by others
China, US and Philippines seek to put a stamp on Manila envelopment
US secretary of state and Chinese foreign minister meet to prepare for Xi Jinping’s visit to US in September
T-shirt slogan speaks volumes in Taiwan as Hong Kong raids see book sales rocket
Taiwanese look on with concern at fate of Hong Kong’s independent booksellers after series of arrests
The factory on the front line of Europe’s economic battle with China
The survival of Citribel’s citric acid plant in Belgium is a test of whether the EU can still defend its basic industrial base
Amid a wall of blue tote bags, China’s vaulting AI ambitions come into view
Kimi K3 has sharpened a contest with the US over technological leadership and rules governing artificial intelligence
European Commission fines AliExpress €550m for failing to prevent sale of illegal goods
Record penalty under EU’s Digital Services Act comes amid broader crackdown on Chinese ecommerce platforms
Trump and the bonfire of his vanities
US president puts his ego above everything else, even democracy
China makes its latest play to become dominant player in AI
China has formed the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, based in Shanghai, to promote AI governance
Like Cork, Shanghai wears its second-city swagger with pride
While Beijing wrestles with the burdens of being the capital, Shanghai is doubling down on culture, commerce and urban life
US to tighten visa regulations for foreign journalists and students
New Trump administration rules limit visas to 240 days for most members of media and 90 days for Chinese nationals
AI trade boost for economy, and why you will need a €41,000-a-year pension
Business Today: The best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk
Chinese car exports topping one million deepens anxiety in Europe’s automobile industry
VW confirmed that it is considering up to 100,000 job cuts
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