China's commerce ministry announced that Beijing and Washington are actively soliciting industry feedback on potential bilateral tariff reductions through a newly established board of trade, with the US also collecting public input.
A city in eastern China's Jiangsu province has signed an agreement with Alibaba Cloud and Wangsu Science and Technology to build a data center that will directly connect to renewable energy plants, aiming to boost token output efficiency by 62.5%.
Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Shenyang, Liaoning province, leading to school closures, suspended construction, and the shutdown of tourist attractions. In Chengde, Hebei province, roads were destroyed, trapping villagers, with the city still recovering from previous severe weather.
Siberian officials in Russia are advising businesses to adopt remote work and reduce energy consumption due to a spreading fuel crisis. Regions like Tomsk and Novosibirsk are recommending remote work for non-essential employees and urging citizens to limit vehicle use, as fuel shortages impact much of the country.
AI-driven data centers are significantly increasing electricity costs for American households and local governments. Henrico County, Virginia, is facing a 25% rate hike, prompting conservation efforts. Residents also report doubled bills, highlighting the growing strain.
China's local governments are urged to enhance disaster prevention and relief efforts as heavy rainfall causes 62 rivers to exceed flood warning levels. A landslide in Gansu province buried 33 people, with 21 rescued and five confirmed dead.
Florida's new HB 1217 law prohibits local governments from setting net-zero emissions goals, impacting cities like Fort Lauderdale and Miami. While proponents claim it protects jobs and affordability, critics argue it obstructs climate action and benefits the fossil fuel industry.
Beijing has revealed three cases where local governments manipulated revenue data, misused government bonds, and hid debt to inflate their performance records. These cases, highlighted by the CCDI, involve actions in Guangxi, Gansu, and Zhejiang provinces, targeting the 'correct view of political performance'.
China's Politburo, chaired by Xi Jinping, convened a meeting to address escalating threats from drought, flooding, and typhoons. The body urged "forceful" measures and prioritizing public safety, emphasizing the need for robust flood control for major water bodies and infrastructure.
California has partnered with Anthropic to deploy its Claude AI model across state government, offering agencies, cities, and counties a 50% discount, free training, and technical assistance. Governor Newsom emphasized responsible AI use to enhance worker efficiency and public services.
Chinese e-commerce firm Pinduoduo signs agreement for e-commerce industrial park in Xiongan New Area, Hebei province, marking its first property acquisition, aiming to hire over 5,000 employees.
Bangladeshi communities worldwide, particularly in the US, maintain fervent support for Brazil and Argentina in the World Cup, a tradition rooted in post-independence solidarity with formerly colonized nations and solidified by iconic players like Pelé and Maradona.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok urged central and local governments to cooperate for tangible results after the local elections. He also called for thorough checks on high-risk facilities following recent accidents and stressed the need for price stabilization, especially for essential goods impacting low-income households.
Monterey Park, California, became the first US city to vote on a permanent datacenter ban via ballot initiative. Early results show strong support, with 86.3% of votes favoring the prohibition, driven by resident concerns over environmental impact and utility costs.
A local councillor argues that UK local governments, like Kensington and Chelsea, are not doing enough to support residents with the cost of living, particularly regarding renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.
Japan's Cabinet Office will allow corporate employees to work for local governments as part-time staff under the corporate version of the Furusato Nozei tax donation system. This aims to boost regional revitalization and promote dual residency.
Thirty-five medical clinics in Taiwan have been found to have violated privacy protection laws, with authorities imposing fines and ordering corrective actions. The breaches involved improper handling of patient data, including unauthorized access and disclosure.
A Supreme Court ruling has weakened Voting Rights Act protections, making it harder to challenge discriminatory voting maps. Legal fights over at least 17 maps for state and local governments are ongoing, with concerns that this will reduce minority representation, particularly in Southern states.
Lau Siu-kai advises Hong Kong to learn from mainland China's public consultation methods for its upcoming five-year plan, emphasizing the need for broad-based engagement beyond a publicity blitz.
Statues commemorating WWII 'comfort women' force Japan to reassert its position amid global memorial removals and ongoing disputes with South Korea.
Tesla’s Shanghai factory reported a big year-on-year rise in deliveries last month as it benefited from local governments’ subsidies and increasing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) amid the global energy shock. The US carmaker said in a statement that the so-called Gigafactory delivered 74,478 units in April, up 36 per cent from the same period in 2025. The number comprises sales in mainland China and exports to overseas markets. However, on a month-to-month basis the factory’s sales in April...
