ASIA

INDONESIA TO LIFT BAN ON iPHONE 16 SALE

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A ban on sales of the iPhone 16 in Indonesia will be lifted after the Indonesian government and Apple reached an agreement, a source familiar with the matter revealed Tuesday.

CHINA-COOK ISLANDS DEAL HEIGHTENS TENSIONS WITH NEW ZEALAND SPARKING TRANSPARENCY ISSUES

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The Cook Islands' emerging partnership with China has ignited a diplomatic powder keg, challenging long-standing regional dynamics and exposing the delicate balance of power in the Pacific. Prime Minister Mark Brown's upcoming state visit to Beijing represents more than a routine diplomatic engagement—it signals a potential realignment with global geopolitical implications.

XI JINPING MEETS BUSINESS LEADERS INCLUDING JACK MA

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President Xi Jinping met with prominent private business leaders, including Alibaba's Jack Ma, on Monday, according to state media. The meeting comes after Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of state-owned enterprises and cautioned against the "disorderly" expansion of the private sector during his time in office.

SALVADOR DALI'S SURREAL WORLD COMES TO INDIA FOR THE FIRST TIME

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India is set to experience the eccentric genius of Salvador Dalí like never before. For the first time, more than 200 of the Spanish surrealist's original sketches, etchings, and watercolors are being exhibited in New Delhi, offering Indian audiences a glimpse into Dalí's dreamlike, mind-bending world.

SOUTH KOREA SUSPENDS DEEPSEEK DOWNLOADS OVER PRIVACY CONCERNS

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South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has suspended new downloads of DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence application, citing the company's failure to comply with national data protection regulations. The suspension, which took effect on February 15, 2025, marks another setback for the AI startup in its global expansion efforts.

TRAGIC CRUSH AT INDIA'S KUMBH MELA HAS DOZENS FEARED DEAD AS PILGRIMS RUSH TO SACRED RIVERS

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Early Wednesday morning, tragedy struck the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, as a stampede claimed the lives of at least 12 pilgrims, according to eyewitnesses and hospital sources. The event, celebrated as one of the world's largest religious gatherings, saw millions converge at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Despite its spiritual significance, the event took a grim turn amidst overcrowding and chaos.

ALIBABA SHARES SOAR AFTER RUMOURED XI AND JACK MA MEETING

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On Friday, Alibaba's stock experienced a significant surge, climbing over six percent, fueled by speculation that President Xi Jinping was planning a meeting with Jack Ma, the company's co-founder. This positive news compounded Alibaba's already impressive performance in 2025, with the stock already up over 40 percent. The rally was further bolstered on Thursday when Alibaba's chairman announced the company's intention to provide AI technology for Apple's iPhones in China, adding another 6.3 percent to its share price.

BANK OF JAPAN RAISES BORROWING COSTS TO ITS HIGHEST IN 17 YEARS

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In a move reflecting growing inflationary pressures, Japan's central bank has raised borrowing costs to their highest point in 17 years, setting its short-term policy rate to "around 0.5 percent". The decision followed data showing consumer prices in Japan climbed at their fastest rate in 16 months.