TOP NEWS China steps up pursuit of foreign investors, as companies await concrete action Philippines turning into an investment magnet China’s Premier Li Qiang promises changes to woo overseas investorsMORE HEADLINES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE The NationAI-generated Natcha and Nitchan set to take Thailand’s Nation TV by storm The Straits Times‘No phone calls’: Logistics firm in S’pore taps AI-powered forklift to improve workplace safety Viet Nam NewsVietnam national telecom group’s AI platform logs over one billion authentication requests The NationThailand eyes special visas for digital nomads to woo foreign AI experts The StarAdapt to AI, don’t fear it: Penang industry experts The Straits TimesNational University of Singapore establishes institute to boost AI research for public good The Japan NewsFujitsu to develop AI-based system to find missing people with dementia The Japan NewsChild pornography images slip past AI filters, Yomiuri probe reveals The StarExperts confident China can close Sino-US AI gap The NationHow AI is reshaping the global telecom industry—and Thailand The Korea HeraldSamsung vows to seize opportunity of AI The Jakarta PostAI must complement democracy, Indonesia says The Korea HeraldLeaders call for action against threats to democracy posed by AI The StatesmanIndia’s Mission AI Viet Nam NewsFuture of Vietnamese journalism looks brighter than ever in era of AI: Press forum The Korea HeraldJeju introduces virtual news presenter VIEW ALL COMBATING INFLATION The NationDiesel subsidy to end, prices may rise as fuel fund bleeds red: source The StarTears to keep flowing over high onion prices in Malaysia The Daily StarSoybean oil consumption falls as Bangladeshis switch to mustard, palm oils The StarMalaysian hawkers forced to scale up prices as costs triple Philippine Daily Inquirer3.9% March inflation seen: Philippine central bank The StarIt’s nice to see a price drop The Daily StarWhy do high prices persist despite government steps? The Daily Star37.7 million suffered food insecurity in Bangladesh last year The StarReject traders who sell food at inflated prices: Malaysian minister The Korea HeraldAn apple a day fritters savings away? Apple price rises to all-time high The Jakarta PostIndonesia vows to keep food prices stable during Ramadan China DailyChina’s consumer prices return to positive territory The Daily StarPrices of Ramadan essentials surge The Korea HeraldKoreans lose appetite for fruits amid soaring prices The Daily StarBangladesh reduces fuel price The Daily StarInflation in Bangladesh falls VIEW ALL TECHNOLOGY VIEW MORE Before operators can start the forklift, they must key in a customised PIN code and check off various safety requirements; if the operator releases the seat belt, the forklift stops working. BUSINESS, Daily Digest, Home Page, Technology, Technology Right China sends multirole satellite into orbit ... Artificial Intelligece, BUSINESS, Home Page, Technology, Technology Right Experts confident China can close Sino-US AI gap ... Artificial Intelligece, BUSINESS, Corporate Buzz, Home Page, Technology, Technology Right Samsung vows to seize opportunity of AI ... ECONOMIC AFFAIRS VIEW MORE Panellists at the annual forum alluded to the backdrop of great power competition that has increasingly affected domains ranging from economics to technology to climate cooperation. Under current circumstances, common interests of China and the US are not diminishing but increasing, President Xi said, citing fields such as the economy, trade and agriculture, as well as climate change and AI. CORPORATE BUZZ VIEW MORE For the next three years, the average amount of the investment per year has been set at about 22.7 trillion won, up 30 percent from the 17.5 trillion won investment in 2023. The ship management company said in a statement that all crew members have been accounted for, there are no injuries among them, and there is no pollution in the river due to the collision. SPECIAL REPORTSVIEW ALL MORE HEADLINES 40 child deaths due to pertussis logged so far this year- Philippine health department ... Civil Court orders Bangkok cop to pay 27.3 million baht to parents of eye doctor he ran over ... New parents in South Korea to get greater chance at buying home ... Fewer foreign patients in Singapore, but more coming for critical and complex care ... Alleged loan scandals, gun toting in NRB Commercial Bank in Bangladesh ... Cambodia government enhances measures to protect Mekong’s Irrawaddy dolphins ... CHINA AND ASEAN The Phnom Penh PostCambodia, China planning sixth military drills The Straits TimesSingapore, Shanghai ink record 15 MOUs as bilateral trade grows The Japan NewsU.S., Australia to counter China’s ‘destabilizing military activities’ China DailyAsean-Plus defence ministers agree to improve defence collaboration The Jakarta PostChina and Asean join hands to bring the ‘Asian moment’ in global governance China DailyRCEP shows strength and resilience of regional trade liberalization The NationThailand and China ink 5 agreements to boost trade, regional security The Jakarta PostIndonesia, China to resume joint-military training exercises, strengthen military cooperation China DailyXi, Widodo vow to take ties to new level The Jakarta PostIndonesia-China ink $2.6 billion crude palm oil, fishery trade deals The Straits TimesOutcome of China’s application to join CPTPP trade pact not yet known: S’pore PM The Phnom Penh PostCambodia, China sign $1.6 billion deal for second expressway The Jakarta PostAs Xi visit draws near, delays haunt Jakarta-Bandung rail project The Jakarta PostWhat does the 20th CCP National Congress mean for Indonesia? Viet Nam NewsVietnamese, Chinese Party leaders stress peace at sea, resumption of flights in talks Viet Nam NewsVietnam, China sign 13 cooperation documents in Party leader’s visit VIEW ALL BIG PICTURE VIEW MORE In a commentary sent to journalists, HSBC said the “bearish view” on the Philippines may be “dated” and perhaps “incommensurate” with what the country has recently achieved. Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai said AI would likely replace humans in the supply chain management and production line, but not all jobs would be at risk. POLICY MATTERS VIEW MORE Under current circumstances, common interests of China and the US are not diminishing but increasing, President Xi said, citing fields such as the economy, trade and agriculture, as well as climate change and AI. Beijing hosted a slew of high-profile events this week aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the country, but the business community is hoping to see more supportive policies rolled out by the state. MORE HEADLINES Nepal’s federalism on a bumpy road ... 40 litterbugs caught in Brunei ... Indonesia should be more active in foreign policy, former ministers say President Moon meets BTS, officially appoints them as special diplomatic envoy Russia’s Putin, PM Imran discuss Afghanistan, bilateral ties in 2nd call in a month Asean is China’s largest trading partner with US$685b trade CLIMATE WATCH The Jakarta PostIndonesia weather agency warns of extreme weather during Idul Fitri The NationInternational SOS urges business preparedness in Thailand Philippine Daily InquirerMore cyclones expected by end of 2024 due to La Niña: Philippine weather bureau expert The Jakarta PostFemale-led start-up aims to help decarbonize Indonesia’s future DawnSnowless winter, surprise rain, unusual cold wave: What’s up with Pakistan’s weather? The Jakarta PostIncreasing biodiesel use may aggravate environmental risks The Kathmandu PostEfforts on to make Koshi Tappu a rhino habitat Viet Nam NewsVietnam’s natural heritage needs urgent protection from climate change The Phnom Penh PostCambodia braces for record temperatures, early rains The Jakarta PostClimate refugee threat looms over islanders as crisis worsens The Korea HeraldLate cold snap leaves blossom festivals without blooms China DailyChina can help world find sustainability The Kathmandu PostRainfall offers respite to Nepalis grappling with fire incidents Philippine Daily InquirerDolphin strandings alarm experts in Philippines’ Ilocos Region The StarHeatwave: Schools told to stay vigilant as hot weather persists DawnUN warns planet ‘on the brink’ after warmest decade on record VIEW ALL AGRICULTURE VIEW MORE The main objective of the project is to reinforce the capacities of women, youngsters, local authorities and groups of vulnerable farmers, and to promote CSA innovations and practices. As a key food producer, Cambodia has established a long-term vision to enhance its contribution to global food security. TRANSPORTATION VIEW MORE The writer says instead of finding a sensible solution to the so-called data security risks with Chinese-made technologies that the US administration seems worried about, some US officials and congressmen are eager to block the import of Chinese-made EVs. The government will provide support for the development of production infrastructure and other measures to strengthen national security and expand the domestic aircraft industry. ENERGY VIEW MORE The massive push for biodiesel usage had long been predicted to have side effects, Jakarta-based think tank Energy Shift Institute said in a report published on Feb 9. Left unchecked, the economic cost of climate change could reach $178 trillion over the next 50 years. MORE HEADLINES Japan to establish ¥500 billion fund to reinforce economic security ... China to include sex education in primary school text books ... Indonesian migrant worker’s ‘7 conditions’ for job search sparks debate ... Livelihoods hinge on green recovery ... Energy minister tells petroleum dealers ‘legitimate’ demands will be met, urges them to reconsider strike ... Japan cultural agency to earmark ¥6.5 billion to preserve local festivals ... Marijuana legal in Thailand from Dec 9, but ‘doobies’ still not allowed ... Covid-19 shots alone don’t ensure 100 percent safety, continued caution needed, experts say ... SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA The Korea HeraldMarriages between Korean men, Japanese women soar China DailyFluent foreigners spread the word on dialects China DailyChongqing subway helps local vegetable farmers widen their business The NationHow a forgotten Narathiwat village created a new future for residents The Japan NewsRoast beef, ice cream and bread: Soy sauce isn’t just for sushi anymore The Kathmandu PostKarnali folk in Nepal return to oil lamps as electricity supply proves unreliable The Phnom Penh PostCambodia one of top countries with 70% of businesses female owned The NationMagnificence: Celebrating World Elephant Day China DailyRedefining weddings in the age of individuality The Japan NewsDouble Oscars shows power of visual imagery in Japanese films; Miyazaki Revels in Win The Straits TimesPregnant women in war-torn Myanmar face perilous childbirth The StarNumber of male sexual harassment victims on the rise in Malaysia DawnThe phenomenon of Asif Zardari The Daily StarWomen outnumber men in farming sector The Korea HeraldAbortion in S. Korea: neither illegal nor legal Asia News NetworkLong way to go for China’s first homegrown airliner VIEW ALL GO DEEPER WITH ANN Coming Soon ANN Newsletter Sign up here Follow us: