(opens original source in a new tab)Rest of WorldChinese carmakers now sell one EV abroad for every two at homeDwindling sales at home are pushing the cars toward Brazil, Thailand, and the Gulf. (opens original source in a new tab)Indranil Ghosh·18 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)South China Morning PostBaidu’s quarterly revenue drops 4% as AI cloud surge fails to offset advertising slumpChinese tech giant Baidu on Tuesday posted a 4 per cent year-on-year decline in second-quarter revenue, as continued weakness in advertising outweighed growth in its artificial intelligence cloud operations, highlighting intensifying competition in China’s tech sector. Revenue for the three months ended June reached 31.3 billion yuan (US$4.62 billion), slightly missing the 31.6 billion yuan consensus estimate from analysts polled by Bloomberg. Net profit for the quarter was 2.3 billion... (opens original source in a new tab)Ben Jiang·18 August 2026
Technology (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AsiaAustralia: Queensland Launches 15-Year Science and Innovation StrategyThe Queensland Government has launched a 15-year science and innovation strategy aimed at improving the commercialisation of research and strengthening links between universities, businesses, investors and government. The strategy, titled Ideas into Impact: From discovery to delivery, was released during National Science Week and outlines measures intended to help research and innovation move more effectively […] (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AI·18 August 2026
Technology (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AsiaMalaysia Sets Consultation Priorities for Budget 2027Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance has released its pre-budget statement for Budget 2027, outlining policy priorities focused on economic resilience, fiscal reform, social protection and digital transformation. The statement positions Budget 2027 as the second budget under the 13th Malaysia Plan and invites public consultation across 10 policy areas before the national budget is tabled on […] (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AI·18 August 2026
Technology (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AsiaSingapore: AI, Autonomous Systems Strengthen Maritime Safety and ResilienceSingapore is using AI, autonomous systems, real-time data and advanced modelling to strengthen maritime safety, resilience and preparedness for emerging risks across its evolving maritime sector. (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AI·18 August 2026
Technology (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AsiaThe Philippines and EU Partner on Trusted and Human-Centred AIThe Philippines and the European Union are expanding cooperation on AI research, infrastructure and governance through a joint initiative led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The recent EU-PH Advancing Research and Innovation on Artificial Intelligence Mission brought together government officials, researchers and industry representatives to examine opportunities for collaboration in digital transformation, […] (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AI·18 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)AxiosCongressional Democrats plan Oman war powers push after Trump threatens bombingCongressional Democrats are planning a new push to constrain President Trump's war powers after he threatened Monday to "bomb the shit" out of Oman.Why it matters: War powers resolutions, though largely symbolic, have become Democrats' go-to tool for trying to rein in what they se (opens original source in a new tab)Andrew Solender·18 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)AxiosKindergarten vaccine exemptions rose in 2025-2026: CDCVaccination rates among American kindergartners decreased during the 2025–2026 school year for all tracked vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Monday.Exemptions from getting one or more vaccines increased in 41 states and the District of Columbia, growing to 4.2% from 3. (opens original source in a new tab)Adriel Bettelheim·17 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)AxiosMiddle East demands are testing America's Pacific presenceThe USS George Washington's deployment from Japan to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln will leave the U.S. without an aircraft carrier in the western Pacific — just as adversaries in the area are <a href="ht (opens original source in a new tab)Josephine Walker·17 August 2026
Technology (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AsiaHong Kong Advances Hydrogen Energy Trials at Central Construction SiteHong Kong’s Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel has granted agreement-in-principle to a new hydrogen energy trial project involving electricity supply at a construction site in Central. According to the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the project will test the use of metal hydrogen energy storage technology to power a meeting room, adding to […] (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AI·17 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)AxiosBig Bend border wall construction paused by Trump administrationThe Trump administration temporarily paused border wall construction at Big Bend National Park in Texas while U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott visits the site, Scott announced Monday.Why it matters: The wall's construction inside the national park has been the su (opens original source in a new tab)Josephine Walker·17 August 2026
