Russia Plans State-Backed Messaging App Integrated With Government Services Russian lawmakers have voted in favour of developing a national messaging app deeply connected to government services. The move aims to reduce Russia’s reliance on foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, advancing the country’s goal of achieving “digital sovereignty.” Russian Messaging App to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Technology Following the departure of several Western tech companies from Russia after the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has intensified its efforts to promote home-grown digital alternatives. The proposed messaging app forms a key part of this broader push. Anton Gorelkin, deputy head…
Author: Aishwarya Parikh
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Hyundai’s Rare Earths Stockpile Shields It from China Export Curbs Hyundai Motor has built up a stockpile of rare earth materials sufficient to last about one year, positioning itself to weather ongoing global supply disruptions caused by China’s recent export restrictions. A person who attended a private investor call shared this information, indicating that the automaker is well-prepared compared to many of its global competitors. Hyundai’s Preparedness Amid Global Supply Chain Strains China’s April decision to tighten controls on the export of rare earths and related magnets has sent shockwaves through industries worldwide. These materials are vital for electric vehicle…
New Generation Tidal Power Plant in Zhejiang, China China is making significant progress in marine energy, especially tidal energy. In Zhejiang Province, engineers have developed two major projects: an intelligent tidal power plant and the world’s first tidal current station using homegrown megawatt-scale generators. The Jiangxia Tidal Power Station in Wenling City is leading this innovation. Technicians are currently installing the final set of advanced control hardware across six generators, five sluices, and other shared systems. This upgrade is a key step in building a self-decision-making system. Once the hardware is in place, work will begin on the software platform…
FAST and MeerKAT Team Up for Deeper Milky Way Insights Chinese and international scientists have expanded the boundaries of Galactic research. Using China’s Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, FAST and MeerKAT radio telescope from South Africa, they carried out high-precision observations of the Milky Way’s globular clusters. This marks a major step forward in astronomical collaboration between the two countries. The project, led by Tsinghua University, used the strengths of both telescopes to achieve a broader and more detailed view of space. Globular Clusters and Their Significance Globular clusters are dense collections of stars. These ancient formations, among the oldest…
WHO Detects Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus in Morobe Province The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed a new outbreak of poliovirus in Papua New Guinea. On 9 May, health authorities detected vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in stool samples from two healthy children in Lae, located in Morobe province. According to WHO, any detection of either wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus—even in individuals without symptoms—is treated as a major public health concern. The virus found in these cases has been classified as a “polio outbreak.” Low Vaccination Rates Heighten Concern This marks the first polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea since 2018. That…
Taiwan Computex 2025 Showcases Its Tech Strengths to Global Industry Leaders The annual Computex 2025 technology trade show opened on Tuesday, 20 May, in Taipei. The event has drawn thousands of participants from around the world, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. This year’s exhibition is set to host 1,400 exhibitors, marking the first large-scale meeting of computer and chip industry leaders in Asia since the US, under former President Donald Trump, proposed tariffs to encourage domestic manufacturing. The trade show offers a platform for showcasing cutting-edge developments, particularly in areas where Taiwan already plays a…
Microsoft Paving the Way for a More Connected AI Ecosystem Microsoft is envisioning a future where artificial intelligence (AI) agents from different companies can work together seamlessly and remember past interactions more effectively. Speaking ahead of the company’s Build developer conference, Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott shared Microsoft’s ambitions to promote open standards across the AI industry. Build 2025, held in Seattle starting 19 May, is expected to showcase the tech giant’s latest developer tools. These tools are geared towards enhancing how AI systems, known as agents, perform tasks independently—such as resolving software issues or managing user queries. Microsoft Embraces…
Shein Secures Vietnam Warehouse to Ease China Dependence Amid Trade Tensions Fast-fashion giant Shein has leased a vast warehouse near Ho Chi Minh City, marking its first major logistics move into Vietnam. According to two sources familiar with the matter, the facility spans nearly 15 hectares and is expected to support the retailer’s efforts to ease exposure to ongoing US-China trade risks. Shift Towards Supply Chain Diversification Founded in China, Shein has largely relied on local suppliers to serve global markets, particularly the US. However, rising tariffs and shifting trade policies have forced the company to look elsewhere. One source…
Retailers Call for Antitrust Action Over Rising Visa and Mastercard Fees Europe’s largest retailers and e-commerce firms have appealed to the European Commission to take regulatory action against Visa and Mastercard. The group claims the card giants impose excessively high and opaque fees that harm European competitiveness and disadvantage alternative payment providers. Visa and Mastercard dominate payment card processing across the euro zone, handling around two-thirds of all card payments. In a letter dated 13 May and seen by Reuters, the retailers accused the companies—known in the industry as International Card Schemes (ICSs)—of inflating fees without oversight. The complaint was…
Chime Reports Revenue Growth Ahead of Anticipated Nasdaq IPO Digital banking firm Chime has officially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the US, marking a significant step in its market journey. The company reported a rise in annual revenue for 2024, highlighting investor interest in financial technology firms. Strong Revenue Growth Signals Market Potential Chime revealed that its revenue climbed to $1.67 billion in the fiscal year ending 2024. This marks a notable increase from $1.28 billion the previous year. The company’s growth comes as fintech firms intensify efforts to enter the US lending market, targeting market share…