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By K Raveendran As 2026 approaches, the global oil market is heading into a year that could decisively reshape price dynamics, fiscal planning in producing states, and energy security calculations for importing economies. The defining feature of the coming year is not demand destruction or geopolitical shock, but the growing weight of surplus supply. Market […]

The article 2026 Would Be A Year Of Lower Oil Prices And Crude Oversupply appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Thailand is moving quickly to reshape the digital map of Southeast Asia, with a surge in data centre construction and artificial intelligence investment shifting the country from a long-standing data transit role to a regional convergence point. New facilities clustered around Bangkok, Chonburi and the Eastern Economic Corridor are altering traffic flows, shortening latency across borders and drawing cloud, AI and content providers seeking scale outside established hubs.

The expansion reflects a change in how data moves across the region. Historically, much east-west traffic between South Asia, Greater China and the Pacific routed through Singapore before fanning out. With hyperscale campuses multiplying in Thailand, workloads are increasingly being processed and stored closer to end users, easing congestion and improving resilience. Network operators say the shift is visible in peering arrangements and cross-border fibre utilisation, with Bangkok emerging as a preferred interconnection point.

Policy has been a key driver. Authorities have offered investment incentives, fast-tracked permits and clarified power and land-use rules to attract large campuses. Grid upgrades and new renewable capacity have been prioritised to address the energy intensity of AI-ready facilities. The strategy aligns with a broader push to anchor higher-value digital services domestically, from cloud platforms and analytics to language models and industry-specific AI tools.

Global technology firms are responding. Cloud providers including Google, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services have expanded or announced investments to serve regional customers from Thai infrastructure, while chipmakers and systems integrators are working with local partners to deploy accelerated computing suited to AI training and inference. Industry executives cite Thailand’s central geography, improving power availability and maturing regulatory environment as decisive factors.

Domestic players are also scaling up. Telecom operators and property developers have formed joint ventures to build carrier-neutral sites, while energy companies are pairing data centres with solar and gas assets to stabilise supply. Universities and research institutes are increasing AI programmes to address talent gaps, with a focus on data engineering, cybersecurity and model governance. The goal is to ensure that infrastructure growth translates into local capability rather than pass-through capacity.

Competition across the region remains intense. Singapore retains strengths in finance, regulation and dense interconnection, but land and power constraints have pushed expansion elsewhere. Malaysia and Indonesia are adding capacity to serve fast-growing domestic markets, while Vietnam is drawing manufacturing-linked digital workloads. Against that backdrop, Thailand is positioning itself as a neutral aggregation point serving multiple neighbours within ASEAN, balancing scale with proximity.

Connectivity improvements underpin the shift. New submarine cable routes landing on both coasts, alongside terrestrial links to neighbouring countries, are diversifying paths and reducing dependence on a single choke point. Operators say this redundancy matters as enterprises distribute AI workloads across regions for cost, performance and regulatory reasons. Financial services, e-commerce and media firms are increasingly adopting multi-cloud strategies that favour locations offering reliable interconnection.

AI demand is shaping design choices. Facilities are being built with higher power densities, advanced cooling and space for accelerated hardware to support model training, while edge nodes closer to population centres handle inference and latency-sensitive tasks. This layered approach is changing how content delivery, language services and real-time analytics are deployed across Southeast Asia.

By Ashis Biswas How serious is the slogan for wresting the seven sister states in India’s northeast region, raised by Islamic extremists in Bangladesh, for New Delhi? For a proper assessment of the political challenge this poses for India, a brief study of background information is necessary. Bangladesh sought to revive old links with Pakistan […]

The article Bangladesh’s Bluster On Northeast India: Empty Threats, Or More? appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nantoo Banerjee US President Donald Trump may have problems with Russia, Venezuela and a host of other states and has every right to decide on the US trade and diplomatic policies to deal with those countries. But he has no right to thrust upon other free nations his likes, dislikes and prejudices. Unfortunately, he […]

The article Trump Has Become A Threat To Free Trade appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Google has committed USD 8 million to support a network of artificial intelligence Centres of Excellence in India, signalling a deeper push into applied AI for public services, health care and local-language technologies while tying the investment to a parallel clean-energy partnership aimed at powering digital infrastructure sustainably.

The funding, announced by Google, is designed to accelerate research, product development and deployment across priority areas that include healthcare delivery, Indic language models and urban governance tools. The company said the centres will work with academic institutions, startups and public-sector bodies to translate laboratory advances into systems that can be deployed at scale, reflecting a broader shift among global technology firms towards mission-oriented AI programmes.

The allocation targets three primary domains. In healthcare, the centres are expected to focus on AI-assisted diagnostics, disease surveillance and workflow automation to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians. Google has previously tested AI models for medical imaging and population health analytics, and the new funding is intended to localise such tools for regional health systems, with attention to data privacy and clinical validation. Researchers involved in early-stage planning say the emphasis will be on interoperable platforms rather than standalone pilots, a response to criticism that many AI health projects fail to move beyond proof of concept.

Language technology forms the second pillar of the initiative. India’s linguistic diversity has long posed challenges for digital inclusion, and the centres are tasked with advancing large language models and speech systems that perform reliably across Indic languages and dialects. Google has already released open datasets and models for low-resource languages; the new programme seeks to improve accuracy, reduce bias and expand access for education, e-governance and small businesses. Industry observers note that competition in multilingual AI has intensified as regional startups and global rivals race to build models that can handle code-switching and local context.

Urban governance rounds out the focus areas, with planned projects covering traffic management, air-quality monitoring and municipal service delivery. Smart-city programmes have generated mixed results over the past decade, often constrained by fragmented data and procurement hurdles. By situating research within Centres of Excellence, Google aims to create replicable frameworks that cities can adapt, rather than bespoke systems tied to individual vendors.

Beyond the AI investment, Google has paired the announcement with a new solar partnership intended to support the energy needs of data centres and AI workloads. The company has pledged to match growth in computing capacity with clean-energy procurement, aligning with its global goal to operate on carbon-free energy around the clock. Analysts say the coupling of AI funding with renewable energy reflects mounting scrutiny of the environmental costs of large-scale computing, particularly as generative AI drives higher power demand.

The USD 8 million commitment is modest compared with Google’s global AI spend, yet its targeted design has drawn attention from policymakers and researchers. Government officials involved in discussions around the Centres of Excellence say the model allows for shared governance, with academic rigour balanced against industry deployment expertise. The approach also aligns with national ambitions to position the country as a hub for responsible AI development, emphasising safety, transparency and societal benefit.

Competition among technology firms has sharpened as Microsoft, Amazon and others expand partnerships with universities and public agencies across the Global South. In this context, Google’s move is seen as both a strategic investment and a reputational play, aimed at demonstrating that advanced AI can address public-interest challenges rather than solely commercial applications. Startups working in health tech and language processing expect spillover benefits through access to datasets, compute resources and mentorship.

By Nitya Chakraborty The political developments in Bangladesh including violence against any one opposing the fundamentalists are having dangerous consequences for India involving the security and geopolitical stability in the sub continent. According to this writer who has been following the churnings in the newly liberated nation since 1971, the outlook for India in terms […]

The article Latest Bangladesh Developments Have Dangerous Consequences For India appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

CareerSense Matters in Today’s Job Market

The global workforce is evolving rapidly. Automation, digitalisation, and emerging technologies are creating new opportunities while presenting new challenges. Navigating this landscape requires more than academic credentials; it demands self-awareness, adaptability, and strategic planning.

CareerSense addresses these needs by combining artificial intelligence with career development expertise, offering a personalised, data-driven approach to job readiness. It functions as a comprehensive career coach, accessible anytime and anywhere.

Key Features That Set CareerSense Apart

CareerSense offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to empower students throughout their career journey. Its AI-driven VIPS profiling evaluates Values, Interests, Personality, and Skills to deliver personalised career recommendations aligned with individual strengths and aspirations. The smart resume builder provides real-time scoring and improvement tips, while the job-matching algorithm connects students to roles that fit their unique profiles. Through integrated access, students can RSVP for events, schedule advisory sessions, and apply for internships and job listings seamlessly. Additionally, the Employability Index measures job readiness and works alongside skill gap analysis and tailored course recommendations to help students stay competitive in today’s dynamic job market.

The Bigger Picture: Empowering Future-Ready Graduates

The future of work is shaped by constant change, technological disruption, and global connectivity. Employers seek individuals who are adaptable, self-aware, and equipped with relevant skills. CareerSense empowers students to take ownership of their career journey, understand their strengths, identify gaps, and build competencies that matter in the real world.

This initiative reflects SIM’s commitment to lifelong learning and employability, ensuring graduates are not only job-ready but future-ready. In a competitive market, CareerSense positions SIM learners as confident, agile professionals prepared to lead in the digital economy.

References:

1. Introducing CareerSense: Your All-in-One Personalised Career Buddy On-The-Go – https://www.sim.edu.sg/articles-inspirations/introducing-careersense-your-all-in-one-personalised-career-buddy-on-the-go
2. Career Service – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services
3. SIM Career Sense App (Google Play Store) – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sg.edu.sim.careersense&hl=en-US&pli=1
4. SIM Career Sense App (Apple Store) – https://apps.apple.com/sg/app/sim-careersense/id1641839680
5. Introducing CareerSense: Your Guide to Career Success After Graduation – https://regional.simge.edu.sg/en/introducing-careersense-your-guide-to-career-success-after-graduation/

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

https://www.sim.edu.sg/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 16,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 36% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit sim.edu.sg

By Dr. Gyan Pathak Two decades old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005 is finally replaced by Viksit Bharat – Guarantee For Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill 2025 on the last day of the Winter Session of the Parliament on December 19. Lok Sabha passed the Bill in […]

The article Narendra Modi Govt Brings To An End Two Decade Old Rural Job Scheme MGNREGA appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nitya Chakraborty Something incredible is happening in Beijing as also in other cities of China in the last five days. The cinema halls showing the American animation film “Zootopia 2” produced by the famous Disney studio are full and the Chinese cine lovers who have not yet seen the film are going mad online […]

The article How A Disney Studio Animation Film “Zootopia 2” Is Boosting China-US Trade Agenda? appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

This year’s theme — TECHFORMANCE: Technology, Platform and Performance — responds to global concerns about the impact of AI on authorship, ethics, and creativity in built environment practices through 25 exhibits from Hong Kong and overseas exhibitors. Rather than presenting AI as a threat, the Biennale reframes it as a platform for civic imagination, public experimentation, and participatory design.

“Through UABBHK 2025, we aim to reclaim architecture as a human-centred discipline — one that celebrates creativity, ethics, and civic responsibility in the age of AI,” said Ar. Allen POON, Chairman of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation.

Two Venues, Two Curatorial Focuses

At Oi!, the exhibition explores Co-Creation and Urban Narratives with the Community. Visitors are invited to engage directly with interactive installations that respond to sound, movement, memory, and language. The design of the exhibition reflects the venue’s warehouse heritage, featuring arched aluminium structures that create vaulted spaces for community interaction and storytelling.

At EKCC, the exhibition shifts the focus to Experimental AI-driven Urban Futures. A series of modular lab tables serve as platforms for collaborative experimentation, integrating technology and design in a hands-on setting. Both venues at Oi! and EKCC are further unified by a coherent spatial language using aluminium extrusion bent into arcs — a material choice that balances cost-efficiency, elegance, and reusability.

“We see each venue not just as a display, but as a stage for civic performance,” said Dr. Jimmy HO and Ar. Aron TSANG, Lead Curators of UABBHK 2025. “By tailoring the design of each site to its specific context, we invite the public to co-create the urban futures they want to see.”

Exhibits from UABBHK 2025 will also be showcased at the coming Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (Shenzhen) (UABBSZ), which will open by late December 2025 at the Hetao Science and Technology Innovation Centre in Shenzhen. The exhibition will feature a portal-inspired installation symbolising the collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, further reinforcing the Biennale’s cross-border dialogue and spatial continuity.

For more information, please visit UABBHK 2025’s website: https://uabb2025.hkia.org.hk/en. For detailed exhibitor list and installation descriptions, please refer to the appendix.

For hi-res photo, please click here

For UABBHK 2025 factsheet, please click here

Hashtag: #UABBHK

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation is a non-profit making organisation established and incorporated in 2014 for charitable purposes. The objects for which the Biennale Foundation is established are:

• To promote creativity and advance the understanding, appreciation and interest of architectural and design excellence
• To encourage cross-border and cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration among creative professionals from Hong Kong, other parts of the Greater China region and overseas
• To support art, design, architectural and cultural education for students and youth, the community, and policy makers
• To create a favourable environment for study, research and experimentation of design, art and architectural works in an exhibition scale
• To energise and revitalise specific sites of interests by introduction of cultural and creative events

About the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) established in June 2024, formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative industries with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, promoting the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries under the industry-oriented principle, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community to implement Hong Kong’s positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

2025 Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (Hong Kong)’s Disclaimer:
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

By K Raveendran Oil prices slipping below $60 a barrel for the first time since February 2021 and a sharp easing in European gas prices mark more than a cyclical downturn in commodities. They signal a rapid repricing of geopolitical risk at a moment when diplomacy, rather than escalation, has begun to dominate market psychology. […]

The article Energy Markets Recalibrate As Geopolitics Reshapes Supply Calculus appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nitya Chakraborty Is Bangladesh’s pre-election scenario is being repeated in Nepal which was the seat of a two day revolt by Gen Z of the country against the ruling K S Oli government in the second week of September this year? Major indications are leading to that, the only difference is that the students […]

The article As Nepal Readies For National Elections On March 5, 2026, Where Is Gen Z’s Party? appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nantoo Banerjee It is difficult to explain why the government took nearly 17 years to decide on launching a bill in Parliament to allow private participation in India’s nuclear power generation programme. The proposed Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill to amend the civil liability law to shield […]

The article ‘SHANTI’ Act Alone May Not Fully Protect Nuclear Plants Against Liabilities appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nitya Chakraborty The results of the local polls in Kerala covering corporations, municipalities as also gram panchayats declared on Saturday December 13 are a firm indication of the massive erosion of the support base of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) headed by the CPI(M) in both rural and urban areas signalling all the […]

The article Kerala Local Polls Result Is A Wake Up Call For LDF Three Months Before Assembly Polls appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).