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
China
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
Jeep’s rugged electric Compass 4x4 kicks off new European sales push
Avenger and Compass will shortly be joined by three new models, one of them built in China by Dongfeng
Dispute in South China Sea between China and Philippines shows no signs of easing
Global Briefing: Beijing continues to dismiss a ruling made 10 years ago that dismissed its jurisdiction claims over some islands also claimed by Philippines
Angolan death metal band capture pulse of vibrant country still growing into independence
Angola Letter: Eternal Katastrophy represent what the country is more than many assumptions about its history, culture, politics and people
There are few things more life-affirming than a dancing robot going haywire
It functions, among other things, as an antidote to the relentless propagandising of the tech world, with its insistence on AI as an inevitable replacement of human labour
China evacuates more than one million people as region braces for Typhoon Bavi
At least 17 killed in landslides set off by intense rains in southern Philippines
Varadkar the star turn as Chinese investors sign up for Great Wall tour at nearly €1,300 each
Former taoiseach to pocket €17,500 for speaking tour, visiting six cities in 10 days
China’s neighbours display complicated reaction to weepy diaspora film Dear You
But for the Chinese this low-budget tearjerker stirs up emotions and memories of those who left for southeast Asia
Blood on the carpet as Volkswagen tries to head off existential threat
Up to 70,000 job losses likely as German carmaker considers €30bn cost-cutting programme
Inside the world’s biggest battery maker
Today, CATL makes over 40 per cent of the world’s EV batteries, and its founder is China’s fourth-richest person
China spooks Pacific neighbours with long-range missile test
Beijing plays down test but is unlikely to give up on expanding its influence across the Pacific region
China test fires ballistic missile from nuclear submarine amid rising security concerns
Japan expresses ‘grave concern’ over China’s increasingly active military activities
The Irish Times view on the EU and China: negotiations need to yield results
Recent job losses at manufacturers such as Volkswagen have increased tensions
Chinese Communist Party may be set for a dramatic transformation but Xi’s grip on power as strong as ever
Leader signals willingness to move with the times, but removal of term limits leaves Xi well placed to stay in power
The Irish Times view on Ireland’s EU presidency: more horse-trading than high politics
Intergovernmental bargaining makes up much of the EU’s activity
Data Protection Commission reconsidering TikTok data-transfer ban after court ruling
Regulator found Chinese tech giant had breached EU privacy rules
EU-China talks on trade imbalance is best news for their relations in years
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and China’s commerce minister begin a process to address the widening trade gap
European market ‘flooded’ with unsafe vapes, EU anti-fraud chief says
Recent crackdown uncovered millions of vapes shipping into EU labelled as toys, earphones, shoes and essential oils to avoid tax
Volkswagen to axe up to 100,000 jobs as cost-cutting drive speeds up
Cull of one in six VW roles is among biggest ever job-loss programmes by a European company
The rise and fall of US hegemony
On the eve of its 250th birthday, America and the world order it created are in crisis
Dragon boats, ancient rituals – and a modern fear of being left behind
Amid holiday celebrations in Beijing, a friend’s stark worry captures the anxiety of a weakening jobs market
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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