Why Dollarization Is the Solution to Laos’ Economic Woes – The Diplomat

Since 2016, Sen. Risa Hontiveros has been pushing a bill in the Philippine legislature to address the high rate of teen pregnancies in the country, which is one of the highest in Asia. The bill aims to prevent teen pregnancies that have led to a staggering birth rate among girls aged 10-14, reaching 40.3 per…, highlighting the urgent need for legislative action to protect the health and rights of young girls in the Philippines. Full...

Southeast Asia's ride-hailing giants Grab and Gojek are in talks for a potential merger, with Gojek possibly valued at over US$7 billion, offering shareholders a 20% premium. Maybank Investment Bank highlights significant synergies, estimating cost savings of up to US$209 million by 2027, despite regulatory challenges from the Indonesian Competition Commission. If the deal goes through, it could reshape the region's tech landscape, with Grab solidifying its dominance and Gojek securing a stronger position in...

Malaysia strongly opposes the forced resettlement of Palestinians in Gaza proposed by U.S. President Trump, labeling it as ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law. Trump suggested the U.S. taking over Gaza for development, prompting backlash from Malaysia, which has historically supported Palestinian rights and rejected diplomatic relations with Israel. Malaysia calls for a permanent solution acceptable to Palestinians and emphasizes the need for independence and self-determination for the Palestinian people. Full Article

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has expressed concern over misinformation being spread about its chatbot app, which has surpassed OpenAI in downloads but faces bans globally due to security issues, censorship, and ties to the Chinese government. Despite warnings, DeepSeek did not address the increasing bans by various governments on its app, including Australia, South Korea, and Italy, with Taiwan also prohibiting its use in the public sector. A study by Cisco and the University...

The U.S. delegation to a major AI summit in Paris will not include technical staff from the AI Safety Institute, with Vice President JD Vance leading the contingent to focus on AI's potential on February 10 and 11. White House representatives including Lynne Parker and Sriram Krishnan will attend, but the Trump administration has canceled plans for Homeland Security and Commerce Department officials to participate, including members of the U.S. AI Safety Institute. The AI...

President Trump reiterated his plan to take control of Gaza and resettle Palestinians, promising a grand development in the region without deploying U.S. troops. The proposal received criticism from Middle Eastern leaders and allies, but Trump remains steadfast in his approach. Meanwhile, the planet experienced its warmest January on record, despite La Niña conditions, prompting scientists to investigate other factors contributing to rising temperatures. Full Article