Asian Angle | North Korean soldiers: the future protectors of China’s belt and road?

Venturi Partners, a growth-stage investor based in Singapore, has launched its second fund with a target of US$225 million and a hard cap of US$250 million, aiming for a first close of US$130 million by Q2 of CY 2025. The fund will focus on backing disruptive consumer brands in India and Southeast Asia, particularly in high-growth sectors like retail, education, healthcare, and FMCG. Founded in 2020, Venturi Partners has a successful track record with its...

The video that went viral depicted a rural Indian village forming a new local government where six elected women were represented by their husbands, showcasing the common practice of male proxies in positions set aside for women. Despite national rules mandating female representation in village councils, the spirit of empowering women often falls short as husbands take on leadership roles while their wives serve as figureheads. Efforts to combat this issue include proposed penalties for...

Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang revealed at a conference in San Jose, California that while co-packaged optics technology will be used in new networking chips for energy efficiency, it is not yet reliable enough for flagship GPUs due to the superiority of traditional copper connections. Silicon Valley is investing in optics technology for AI systems, with companies like Ayar Labs and Lightmatter raising significant venture capital. Nvidia is aiming to increase computing power with new server...

M&C Saatchi has introduced an AI-powered diagnostic tool, the Cultural Power Index, to assess brands' cultural impact in real time by analyzing data signals. This tool helps brands understand their cultural relevance, track shifts in perception, and enhance their "cultural power". Along with a global rebrand under the "Cultural Power" banner, the agency has revamped its visual identity, website, and integrated operating model to emphasize creativity as a driver of brand growth. Full Article

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Japan's decision to halt funding for CEDAW in response to recommendations to amend its male-only imperial succession law reflects the country's resistance to gender equality and historical traditions. Despite international examples of gender-equal succession, Japan remains steadfast in its patrilineal lineage. The move not only raises concerns about Japan's commitment to gender equality but also highlights its uneasy relationship with global gender norms and organizations such as CEDAW. Full Article