Can China’s brain tech make Elon’s Neuralink open-skull surgery out of date?

China is building high-tech AI computing centers in remote, high-altitude regions like Tibet, starting with the newly operational Yajiang-1 facility. This is part of a broader national strategy called "Eastern Data, Western Computing," which leverages Tibet’s harsh environment—think cold temperatures and abundant hydropower—to sustainably power energy-intensive AI training tasks. Essentially, they're turning the "roof of the world" into a strategic hub for next-gen computing.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about tech—it’s a clever (and somewhat controversial) move. Building AI centers in Tibet solves two problems: it taps into clean energy sources to cut costs and emissions, while also expanding China’s tech influence in a geopolitically sensitive region. But it raises questions too, like how this impacts local communities and whether the environmental trade-offs are worth it. Either way, it’s a bold bet on the future of AI—and where it gets its power.

The article recalls a tense moment during the Iran-Iraq war in 1988 when a British publisher spotted a U.S. Navy fleet in the Persian Gulf, hinting at how regional conflicts can suddenly escalate and disrupt global trade routes. Fast forward to today, the Israel-Iran tensions are sparking similar fears, with shipping lanes potentially becoming flashpoints that could ripple through the world economy.

Editor’s Note: Maritime trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, and when heavyweights like Israel and Iran clash, it’s not just their problem—it’s everyone’s. This story matters because blocked or risky shipping routes mean delayed goods, higher costs, and a nervous market. History shows how quickly things can spiral, and right now, the world’s watching those waters closely.

A 29-year-old Chinese man, Yan, got so drunk during a trip to Thailand that he accidentally swallowed a 15cm coffee spoon—but he brushed it off as a weird dream. Five months later, back in Shanghai, he went to the doctor thinking he’d eaten plastic from takeout. Turns out, it wasn’t plastic at all: that spoon was still inside him, wedged in his small intestine. Doctors had to remove it surgically.

Editor’s Note: This story is equal parts bizarre and cautionary. It’s a reminder of how alcohol can cloud judgment (and memory) in wild ways, but it also highlights how foreign objects can lurk in the body unnoticed for months. While the outcome wasn’t catastrophic, it’s a quirky example of why paying attention to weird bodily sensations—even after a hazy night—might save you from an unexpected souvenir.

Russia’s top diplomat at the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, has launched a scathing attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him "politically dead" and accusing him of clinging to power to evade accountability for alleged crimes. The remarks, made during a heated exchange, reflect Moscow’s ongoing efforts to delegitimize Ukraine’s leadership amid the protracted war.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just diplomatic mudslinging—it’s a strategic move in Russia’s broader propaganda war. By painting Zelensky as illegitimate, Russia aims to undermine Western support for Ukraine at a critical moment. Whether this rhetoric gains traction could influence public and political sentiment in Kyiv’s allied nations, where fatigue over the conflict is growing.

Despite government efforts to ban it, Budapest Pride is gearing up for record turnout this year. Organizers accuse authorities of trying to stifle peaceful protests, while a top EU official is urging police to protect marchers, emphasizing it's their duty to safeguard citizens.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a parade—it’s a flashpoint for democracy and human rights in Hungary. The government’s crackdown on Pride reflects a broader trend of eroding freedoms, and the EU’s involvement shows how local struggles can quickly become international battles. If even peaceful protests are under fire, it raises big questions about who gets to be seen and heard in public spaces.