Asia Pacific
Forty Companies, Two Targets, One Message: Beijing Is Done Waiting
China blacklists 40 Japanese firms over Taiwan as Trump's 15% tariff takes effect. Section 301 probes and a suspended rare earth truce raise the stakes.
Economy
China’s Semiconductor Output Surges 85% to Record 484 Billion Units
China produced a record 484.3 billion semiconductor units in 2024 — an 85% surge from 2020. Surging output masks collapsing foundry profits, a secret EUV prototype in Shenzhen, and a $47.5 billion state fund betting on self-sufficiency.
Economy
Berlin and Rome Line Up Against Europe’s Carbon Market — and the Price Already Crashed
Merz and Meloni push to weaken the EU's carbon market at Antwerp, crashing ETS prices 23% from January highs, while Greece's Chevron deal reignites a Mediterranean energy dispute with Turkey.
Americas
Bioengineering Market Crosses $295 Billion as AI Drug Discovery and GLP-1 Race Reshape the Sector
AI drug discovery deals topped $15B in 2025 as the bioengineering market hit $295B. With the first oral GLP-1 pill selling and AI-designed drugs in Phase II, the $1.5T forecast rests on proof, not promise.
Asia Pacific
Musk Targets South Korea’s Chip Talent in Rare Direct Appeal
Musk personally recruits Samsung chip engineers on X months after signing a $16.5B Tesla deal, alarming Seoul over its 70% memory market dominance.
Asia Pacific
Singapore Exports Surge 9.3% on AI Chip Demand
Singapore's exports grew 9.3% in January 2026, driven by 56.1% surge in electronics amid strong AI-related demand
Economy
Saudi Crown Prince Reshuffles Cabinet for Vision 2030 Sprint
Saudi Arabia appoints PIF's Fahad Al-Saif as investment minister, signaling intensified efforts to attract foreign capital and compete with UAE hubs.
Economy
Romania Builds Europe’s Largest Solar Project Despite Economic Upheaval
Romania builds Europe's largest solar farm as emissions plunge 75% since communist era, transforming the economy through renewable energy projects.
Economy
Taiwan’s ProLogium Plans Massive Battery Plant in France
Taiwanese battery manufacturer ProLogium advances plans for a major solid-state battery production facility in France, marking significant Asian investment in European EV manufacturing.
Americas
San Diego Biotech Claims Perfect Accuracy in Cancer Drug Prediction Study
San Diego's Yatiri Bio reports 100% accuracy in predicting AML drug responses using AI-driven platform in collaboration with Foghorn Therapeutics study
Economy
Saudi Arabia: World Defense Show 2026 Marks Kingdom’s Emergence as Global Defense Hub
Saudi Arabia's World Defense Show 2026 demonstrates kingdom's growing defense industry maturity with 80+ countries participating and SAR 500M GDP impact.
