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Germany has now said aloud what many governments won't: any major crisis in the South China Sea would quickly spill across the global economy.   Speaking in Manila beside Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that Europe is closely watching the rising tensions in the disputed waters. His message was not only about expressing support for the Philippines in light of Chinese aggression, but...

On June 29, Pakistan’s security forces carried out a ground operation and air strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in response to deadly attacks, killing 29 fighters according to official reports.   This event marks yet another episode in the escalating cycle of violence between Pakistani security forces and militant groups operating near the border, underscoring the region's enduring security and geopolitical challenges. &...

Across Southeast Asia, climate change is leaving impacts that are not always visible in damaged homes, flooded streets, or failed harvests. Alongside the physical destruction caused by storms, floods, droughts, and extreme heat, a quieter crisis is emerging: the growing psychological burden of living in an increasingly unstable environment.   From typhoons in the Philippines to prolonged heatwaves across mainland Southeast Asia, climate ch...

Artificial intelligence feels invisible and isn't something you can touch. But in reality, it lives inside huge buildings that consume massive amounts of electricity, water, and land.   For a government, a large AI data center can mean investment, jobs, and leadership in the AI race. But for many local communities, it can mean higher electricity  and water bills, extreme noise pollution, more emissions, more land use, and lower p...

Brazil’s efforts to expand its oil industry are becoming increasingly tricky as economic, political, and environmental concerns converge. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is now framing it as a battle over sovereignty, energy security, and who gets to control the future of the Amazon’s offshore wealth.   Speaking at Petrobras’ biggest refinery in São Paulo, Lula defended drilling in the Amazon River Mouth...