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Apr 12 2026TECHNOLOGY

Rare‑Earth Tensions: How China’s Moves Shake U. S. Tech Power

China tightened rules on key minerals like gallium, germanium and neodymium in 2025‑26, saying it needed to guard national security. The U. S. and the EU reacted by bolstering stockpiles, speeding up domestic projects, and seeking new suppliers. Prices jumped, but many saw the shock as short‑term.

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Apr 11 2026FINANCE

Japan takes a close look at private credit risks but sees no big problem yet

Japan’s finance chief recently shared her view on private credit, a fast-growing but shadowy part of finance worth about $2 trillion worldwide. She pointed out that Japan’s own exposure isn’t large and doesn’t pose a big threat right now. Still, she’s keeping an eye on how things move, especially as

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Apr 09 2026POLITICS

China's Moon Plan: Why 2030 Could Be a Gamechanger

China is racing to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, and it’s not just about planting a flag. While NASA’s Artemis program grabs headlines with crewed flybys, Beijing’s ambition reflects a bigger push for space leadership—one that mixes technical skill, strategic timing, and quiet rivalry. The c

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Apr 07 2026ENVIRONMENT

China Steps Up Energy Push While Middle East Tensions Rise

China’s leader Xi Jinping wants the country to build a stronger energy system fast. The push comes as conflicts in the Middle East shake up global fuel supplies. China isn’t talking much about the war itself but wants to make sure its power stays steady no matter what happens abroad. Xi didn’t ment

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Apr 06 2026FINANCE

Banking Gets a Blockchain Boost to Help Small Firms

China’s top tax and finance bodies pushed banks to use blockchain and privacy‑focused computing on Monday, aiming to make the “bank‑tax interaction” smoother and give small businesses more loan options. The State Administration of Taxation and the National Financial Regulatory Administration issued

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Apr 05 2026TECHNOLOGY

China builds world’s fastest wind tunnel with explosive power

China opened a new kind of wind tunnel in 2023 that runs faster than any other on record. Called JF-22, it stretches 167 meters long with a four-meter wide test section. Instead of giant fans, it uses chemical explosions to whip air to Mach 30 speeds—nearly 23, 000 mph—faster than a space shuttle co

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Apr 01 2026CRIME

Chinese Action Stops Big Cambodian Scam Network

China has taken a major step against an international money‑laundering ring that operated out of Cambodia. The chief, Li Xiong, a Chinese national who once led Huione Group, was seized in Phnom Penh and sent back to China. Authorities say he helped hide illegal profits and ran casinos, among other s

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Mar 31 2026BUSINESS

Fuel Swaps and Energy Scrambles in Asia

Indonesia’s president flew to Tokyo amid a regional rush to find new fuel sources. The Middle East conflict has cut many supplies, and now countries are trading energy to keep their economies running. Jakarta is planning a deal that would bring more liquefied natural gas into Japan while sending liq

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Mar 31 2026ENVIRONMENT

Forest Loss in Indonesia Rises Sharp as Self‑Sufficiency Drives Push Land Clearing

Indonesia’s forests shrank by a striking 66% in 2025, the fastest rate in eight years, according to data from satellite imagery and field checks across 16 provinces. The country’s huge forest area, once one of the world’s richest in biodiversity, is being cleared at an alarming pace as it pursues am

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Mar 31 2026FINANCE

Central Bank Keeps Money Policy Easy as China Faces Market Shifts

China’s main bank said it will keep its money policy relaxed to help the economy, even though outside forces are tightening. The decision was made during a meeting that looked at how China’s growth is doing in the first part of the year. The economy seems steady overall, but it still struggles with

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