Japan January factory output falls 1.1% month-on-month

Thailand’s opposition People’s Party has filed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, citing her lack of leadership and alleged influence of her father Thaksin Shinawatra. The motion, which will be debated starting on March 24, is unlikely to pass due to the government’s majority, but will require the prime minister to face questioning from lawmakers. The focus on Thaksin’s influence highlights a longstanding controversy in Thai politics, with the People’s Party seeking to...

Thailand deported 40 Uyghur asylum seekers back to China, sparking criticism from U.N. officials and activists due to fears of torture and imprisonment. China's influence in the region is evident, with Thai officials complying with Beijing's request despite international law violations. The Uyghurs, detained in Thailand for over a decade, were part of a group fleeing China in 2014, facing harsh conditions and now likely returning to Xinjiang, where human rights abuses against Uyghurs are...

In 2024, Edelman's global revenue dropped below $1 billion after a tough year of trading, with US, APAC, and UK markets all experiencing declines. Major losses in revenue were seen in the health, tech, and food and beverage sectors, although new business wins were noted in sustainability and healthcare accounts. The agency underwent restructuring, layoffs, and leadership changes, with revenue decreasing by 4.9%, leading to a workforce reduction of 5.3%. Full Article

Chinese experts have led the development of international standards for senior care robots under the IEC, with a focus on design, manufacturing, and certification for aging populations. The standards, created by a diverse group of experts including Chinese and Korean conveners, outline key requirements for health monitoring, emergency response, and mobility in eldercare robots. China's prominence in the humanoid robot industry is expected to grow, with mass production and commercialization predicted by 2025. Full Article

BW LPG, a VLGC owner and operator, has exercised a purchase option on the 2020-built gas carrier BW Yushi for $70m, with delivery expected in the second quarter of this year. This vessel, valued at $96.5m, is the sister ship of the BW Kizoku, also acquired from Grace Ocean Investment. With a fleet of over 50 ships in the VLGC segment, BW LPG continues to expand its owned fleet, recently selling one older vessel for...

The Taiwanese are concerned about the potential takeover of TSMC by the US, with proposals for TSMC to acquire shares in Intel or form a joint venture being discussed, leading to fears of technology and intellectual property plunder. TSMC is facing pressure to send engineers to Intel's fab, risking technology leaks and jeopardizing its leading edge in advanced technology. The US government's involvement in the semiconductor industry and Taiwan's semiconductor sector's strategic importance in the...