South Korea unveils US$576 billion megaprojects to dominate global AI, chip market

This move is ⁠Lee’s boldest yet to align the nation’s tech ambitions with ‌his pledge to narrow regional disparities and revive economies

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Workers walk through Samsung Electronics’ chip production plant at Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Photo: Samsung Electronics/Reuters

South Korea rolled out sweeping chip and AI megaprojects on Monday, as President Lee Jae Myung pledged to cement overwhelming industry leadership with investments worth more than US$576 billion over

China teenager cracks panel on tourist site’s glass bridge; public questions structural quality

A teenager damaged a panel on a glass bridge at a tourist site in central China, raising concerns about the quality of the structure. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

A panel of a glass bridge at a popular tourist site in central China was cracked by a teenager wielding an umbrella, raising concerns about its quality among the public.

On June 20, a visitor at the Baoquan Cliff World Scenic Area, a national 5A-rated tourism destination in Henan province, reported being evacuated by staff as soon as they stepped onto the signature glass bridge. This rating is the highest and most prestigious in the

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Nasa turns to robotic spacecraft to save telescope from falling back to Earth

An artist concept of Katalyst’s spacecraft approaching Nasa’s Swift telescope. Photo: Nasa

Nasa is racing to save an ageing telescope from falling back to Earth with a daring rescue mission.

The US$30 million salvage operation gets under way as soon as this week with the planned launch of a robotic lifesaver.

Nasa hired start-up Katalyst Space Technologies to boost the Swift Observatory to a higher orbit where it can continue hunting for some of the universe’s biggest explosions. A three-armed spacecraft built by Katalyst will


Kennedy Town walkway plan needs rethink to match local vibe: harbourfront body

The head of Hong Kong’s Harbourfront Commission has called for improvements to the proposal to reclaim land for a popular tourist selfie spot in Kennedy Town, saying the current design failed to fit the neighbourhood’s ambience.

Ivan Ho Man-yiu, the advisory body’s chairman, said on Monday that the design of a proposed offshore walkway at Kennedy Town Praya should reflect the “city mood” of the district.

“On its design, commission members have raised a lot of suggestions, and one of the biggest


M+ museum offers free entry to customers caught in design exhibition bottleneck

Hong Kong’s M+ museum has offered ticket holders one free entry in the next three months after poor crowd management led to hours-long queues for an exhibition that opened at the weekend, prompting a wave of customer complaints.

The venue’s “Design Ah! Experience the Wonder of Everyday Design” exhibition in West Kowloon Cultural District drew thousands of visitors on Sunday, who paid either HK$190 (US$24) for a standard price ticket or HK$400 for a


Chinese tech makes desalinating seawater cheaper than producing bottled water

Solar-powered innovation has exhibited year-long stability with zero utility energy costs, thanks to a new type of photothermal material

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The researchers developed a method to weave nanoparticles into a three-dimensional photothermal evaporation material, significantly boosting the efficiency of converting solar energy to drive desalination. Photo: Shutterstock

Desalination has always been an energy-hungry way of turning saltwater into freshwater, making it largely the preserve of wealthy countries with abundant fossil fuel reserves.

Yet, an outdoor demonstration prototype in China has managed to exhibit year-long stability with zero utility energy costs, thanks to a


Vanuatu-Australia security pact bans ‘foreign’ military bases

The treaty is the latest in a string of Pacific deals Australia has signed seeking to curb China’s expanding security influence

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Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat (left) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese present the signed Nakamal agreement at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday. Photo: EPA

Australia and Vanuatu signed a sweeping economic and security agreement on Monday that bars the establishment of any foreign military base on the Pacific island.
Vanuatu is at the centre of strategic rivalry between China and US
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Japan’s new AI police chief takes on US$2 billion scam epidemic

She has a young woman’s voice, a friendly face and a police chief’s badge. Her name is “AIko” and she may be Japan ’s most unconventional weapon in a war against fraud that cost the country a record US$2 billion last year.
AIko – a blend of the abbreviation for artificial intelligence and “ko”, the Japanese feminine name suffix – made her public debut in late May on Osaka Prefectural Police’s YouTube channel, warning viewers about the tactics used by scammers posing
Japanese police officers stand guard in Tokyo on June 21 as football fans gather after the national team’s victory in a World Cup match. Photo: Reuters

China’s aircon scarce in Europe, Wu Chun’s luggage ordeal: 5 weekend reads you missed

From China’s AI-powered mosquito zapper to RedNote’s power over Malaysia’s tourism, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend

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People swim in the Canal Saint-Martin on Friday after public swimming was permitted in certain areas due to high temperatures amid a heatwave in Paris. Photo: Reuters

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing .
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Hong Kong weighing spot checks on renovations, housing minister says

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says the Wang Fuk Court tragedy left a profound impact on all involved departments. Photo: Dickson Lee
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