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Trader Joe’s confirms it will close down all 597 locations for entire day – and Costco won’t be any helpVance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picksChina and Malaysia formally established diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974, making it the first such relationship among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Since then, bilateral relations have generally progressed smoothly. In 1999, the two countries signed a joint statement outlining a framework for future bilateral cooperation. In 2004, leaders from both sides reached a consensus on developing a strategic partnership. This partnership was elevated to a “ ” in 2013. In 2023, the two nations announced the establishment of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future. Malaysia is strategically located at the heart of Southeast Asia and serves as a gateway to ASEAN’s 650 million people and a combined GDP of US$3.2 trillion. Its geographical advantage positions it as a hub for accessing ASEAN markets and connecting to the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2023, bilateral trade between China and Malaysia amounted to US$190.24 billion. Of this, China’s exports to Malaysia totaled US$87.38 billion, while imports from Malaysia reached US$102.86 billion. China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. Major imports from Malaysia include integrated circuits, computers and their components, palm oil, and plastic products. Key Chinese exports to Malaysia consist of computers and their components, integrated circuits, apparel, and textiles. Chinese enterprises have rapidly increased their investments in Malaysia, with a growing diversification of sectors. Chinese companies operate extensively across the country, with major ongoing projects concentrated in railways, bridges, hydropower plants, and real estate. New developments are also emerging in highways, metro systems, light rail, and telecommunications. China has implemented a unilateral , while Malaysia offers 30-day visa-free entry for Chinese citizens. According to Malaysian statistics, over 1.47 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia in 2023, maintaining China’s position for the seventh consecutive year as Malaysia’s largest source of tourists outside ASEAN. China-Malaysia bilateral trade Malaysia was China’s 10th largest global trading partner and the second largest within ASEAN. However, due to factors such as the decline in international commodity prices (including palm oil and natural gas), uncertainties arising from geopolitical conflicts, and a high base from the previous year, China-Malaysia bilateral trade experienced a slight decline in 2023, decreasing by 5.2 percent year on year. Despite these fluctuations, China remains Malaysia’s primary source of imports and second-largest export destination, underscoring the deep economic ties between the two nations and Malaysia’s pivotal role as China’s second-largest ASEAN trading partner. Source: China’s key export products to Malaysia primarily include electrical machinery, machinery, furniture, plastics, steel products, vehicles and parts, mineral fuels, and textiles. Since 2019, these traditional export categories have consistently ranked among the top 10 in export value, with significant growth in each category. Source: What has increased during 2019-2023: Natural or cultured pearls, a 117 percent increase; Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, a 70 percent increase; Preparations of meat or fish, a 53 percent increase. Malaysia’s exports to China have been stable and robust in recent years with electrical and electronics (E&E) products accounting for the largest share of total exports. The primary export categories from Malaysia to China encompass electrical machinery, mineral fuels, plastics, and medical photographic machinery, demonstrating the diversity of goods traded with the world’s second-largest economy. Source: What has increased during 2019-2023: Paper and paperboard, a 95 percent increase; Residues and waste from the food industry, a 41 percent increase; Edible fruit and nuts, a 39 percent increase. China-Malaysia bilateral investment Benefiting from the diversification of global and regional supply chains and the adoption of ‘China+1’ strategies, net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Malaysia have surged in recent years. To mitigate the impacts of trade tensions with the US, China has been looking to relocate some supply chains or establish new plants in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. This has led to a steady influx of investment from both Chinese and US companies, making Malaysia one of the fastest-growing hubs for data centers, which are essential for powering artificial intelligence systems. The China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park and the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park, jointly developed by China and Malaysia, are thriving and have established a new model of international cooperation known as the “ ” initiative. This initiative exemplifies the close and dynamic trade relationship between the two nations, highlighting their shared vision for future collaboration. Launched under the China-ASEAN strategic framework, it integrates the Qinzhou and Kuantan parks as sister industrial hubs. These parks provide industry-specific infrastructure strategically located near major Malaysian ports and transportation hubs, optimizing logistics for high-value sectors such as manufacturing, electronics, and smart technology. Favorable policies, including tax incentives, tariff reductions, and subsidies, enhance cost efficiency, while joint ventures with Malaysian companies facilitate localized market penetration and access to broader ASEAN markets. Additionally, the initiative promotes technology and knowledge transfer, driving innovation and aligning exports with Malaysia’s focus on renewable energy, e-commerce, and other high-growth industries. This comprehensive ecosystem positions the Twin Parks as a critical enabler of export growth, creating significant opportunities for Chinese businesses to expand their presence in Malaysia and the ASEAN region. Source: As of the end of 2023, Malaysia ranked among the top 20 countries (regions) for China’s outbound FDI stock, reaching US$13.48 billion, which accounts for 0.5 percent of China’s total. Additionally, according to from Malaysia’s Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), in 2022, China was Malaysia’s largest source of approved foreign investment. Malaysia approved a total of RM 163.3 billion (approximately US$36.9 billion) in FDI that year, of which RM 55.4 billion (US$12.5 billion) came from China, accounting for 33.9 percent of the total. In 2023, China ranked among the top five foreign investors in Malaysia, driven by the manufacturing and services sectors. Malaysia’s international standard legal framework, abundant resources, competitive labor costs, and proximity to ASEAN markets further solidify its position as a preferred destination for Chinese enterprises. China’s investment in Malaysia highlights a strongly tied partnership rooted in cultural, economic, and strategic advantages. Chinese companies such as Vanke and CRRC Corporation have leveraged Malaysia’s pro-investment environment and multicultural society, which includes a significant Chinese population, to streamline operations and enhance cooperation. has played a vital role in advancing Malaysia’s transportation sector, particularly in rail and related industries, aligning with Malaysia’s goals of developing sustainable and modern infrastructure. In the telecommunication sector, , beginning in 2001 and 2004 respectively, were drawn by Malaysia’s focus on modernizing its telecommunications infrastructure. With Malaysia’s skilled workforce and a business-friendly environment, these firms have significantly contributed to the country’s digital transformation, supporting Malaysia in gaining access to cutting-edge technology while the firms secure a strategic foothold in a growing market. China’s investment in Malaysia’s real estate sector has been on the rise, exemplified most prominently by the Forest City project. stands as Malaysia’s most ambitious Chinese-funded real estate project, spanning over 1,386 hectares and blending luxury housing with service-oriented industries like tourism, healthcare, and green technology. Malaysia offers a competitive investment environment with strategic initiatives such as tax incentives for manufacturing, green energy, and technology sectors and its promotion of five economic corridors to balance regional development. The government also supports in targeted industries, boosting Malaysia’s attractiveness for FDI. Malaysia presents an exceptional opportunity for investors due to its combination of strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and business-friendly policies. Situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia’s well-developed transport networks—including international airports, seaports, highways, and railways—facilitate efficient logistics and commerce, making it a central hub for global trade. The country also features over equipped with essential amenities, offering tax and duty incentives to reduce operational costs. In addition, Malaysia also benefits from ASEAN’s regional growth, which features the third-largest labor market globally. With its expanding middle class and increasing demand for goods and services, . These synergies between Malaysia’s infrastructure, strategic location, and access to ASEAN markets firmly establish it as a key hub for international commerce and innovation. The Malaysian government actively supports foreign investment through economic corridors that target regional development. Through its participation in ASEAN Free Trade Agreements (AFTA), . These reduced trade barriers translate into lower operational costs, allowing businesses in Malaysia to capitalize on the opportunities within one of the largest global trade blocs. As a market-oriented economy, it is supported by , which allows foreign investors to own 100 percent equity in manufacturing and specific service industries. The country has , generating over 104,000 jobs and US$143 billion in investments. Malaysia’s strong economic foundation and growth prospects are another draw for investors. As one of the most competitive and innovative emerging markets in ASEAN, Malaysia ranks highly in global indices for investment opportunities. Its policies, such as the “ ,” support digitalization and AI technologies to take up 26 percent of the total GDP in the next decade. Similarly, the “ ” aims to support Malaysia in achieving nationwide electrification and equitable development by expanding rural energy access, enhancing demand-side energy efficiency across sectors, and optimizing the value of indigenous resources like natural gas and petrochemicals. It also promotes private investment in renewable energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric, and bioenergy to support sustainable industry growth and regional competitiveness. The country is rich in natural resources, from palm oil and rubber to petroleum and minerals, supporting a diverse range of industries. Its skilled workforce, with relatively low labor costs, enhances the competitiveness of its manufacturing and service sectors. Additionally, Malaysia’s multicultural environment, especially the large Chinese community, facilitates smooth operations for foreign companies, particularly those from China. China-Malaysia bilateral agreement , effective since 1988 and revised periodically, is designed to eliminate the risk of double taxation on income and foster enhanced economic relations between Malaysia and China. It outlines clear tax obligations for income generated across both countries, ensuring taxpayers are not taxed twice on the same earnings. The treaty stipulates withholding tax rates on various income types to reduce tax burdens for cross-border transactions: Dividends: 5 percent if the recipient holds at least 25 percent (China to Malaysia), or 10 percent (Malaysia to China) of the shares in the company paying the dividends. 10 percent for all other cases. Interest: 10 percent. Royalties: 10 percent. The RCEP Agreement aims to enhance trade and investment among its members by reducing tariffs, simplifying customs procedures, and promoting economic integration. China-Malaysia future opportunities Malaysia’s energy sector is poised for a promising transformation, underpinned by robust plans for renewable energy development and market reforms. Malaysia has incentivized green technology tax benefits since 2001. The . The government’s supportive policies are aiming to attract investments in green technology projects in sectors such as circular economy, low carbon emissions, renewable energy, energy storage, etc. As of 2022, the country’s power industry had an installed capacity of 42 GW and generated 151 TWh of electricity annually. Guided by the “ ” introduced in 2019, the government is gradually liberalizing Peninsular Malaysia’s electricity market to attract independent enterprises and diversify fuel sources. Malaysia has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming to increase the share of renewables in installed capacity from 16 percent in 2021 to 31 percent by 2025 and 40 percent by 2040. Furthermore, the nation is committed to reducing its carbon emission intensity by 45 percent by 2030 and 60 percent by 2035, using 2005 levels as a baseline. To achieve these goals, Malaysia plans to halt the construction of new coal plants and retire 7 GW of coal-fired power by 2033. These initiatives highlight Malaysia’s dedication to reducing fossil fuel dependence, curbing carbon emissions, and fostering a sustainable energy future aligned with global climate commitments. Malaysia’s E&E industry is thriving and evolving with increasing opportunities for investment. Semiconductor manufacturing remains one of the country’s primary contributors to economic growth, with strong participation from multinational corporations (MNCs) in the downstream segments such as assembly, advanced packaging, and testing. , as of 2021, foreign investment accounted for 99.4 percent of the total approved investment in electronic components, with the sector receiving US$19.38 billion in investment, resulting in over 12,400 job opportunities. The growing demand for electronics, driven by global trends in automation, electric vehicles, and renewable energy, ensures that Malaysia will remain at the forefront of the semiconductor and electronic component industries. By 2027, the global semiconductor market is expected to grow to US$141.1 billion, and this favorable business climate makes it an attractive location for investors looking to capture a share of this expanding market. Malaysia is also emerging as a leader in the solar energy space, with an almost complete ecosystem of 250 companies involved in solar cell production, inverters, and system integration. The solar sector attracted a significant portion of the total approved investment, reflecting Malaysia’s strategic commitment to renewable energy. Additionally, Malaysia is well-positioned to capitalize on the shift toward advanced manufacturing, with a focus on -embedded electronic products, smart devices, and smart energy solutions. The government’s ongoing support for research and development, coupled with favorable tax incentives, further enhances Malaysia’s appeal as a global electronics manufacturing hub. shows the government’s objectives to attract financial incentives, grants, and support to encourage AI adoption and innovation domestically. In 2024, Malaysia presents an increasingly attractive landscape for investors in the AI industry, driven by its strategic integration of AI technologies across key sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and education. , the country is on track to harness AI to significantly boost its GDP, with projections indicating a 30 percent increase. This robust government-backed initiative, coupled with improvements in global AI readiness rankings, reflects Malaysia’s commitment to becoming a regional and global leader in AI. The country’s focus on fostering public-private partnerships, workforce upskilling, and cutting-edge digital infrastructure enhances its attractiveness for investors seeking growth in a rapidly evolving AI ecosystem. Additionally, and its emphasis on digitalization as a regional priority highlight the nation’s growing influence in shaping the future of AI adoption within Southeast Asia. Investors can expect a conducive environment for innovation, supported by a clear national AI vision, strategic research investments, and initiatives designed to overcome AI adoption barriers. With Malaysia positioning itself as a hub for AI-driven growth, the country’s comprehensive approach to AI readiness, workforce development, and cross-border collaboration presents significant opportunities for long-term investment in this dynamic sector. Malaysia’s healthcare sector is also offering compelling opportunities for international investors. Investors are attracted by incentives such as tax allowances for establishing or expanding private hospitals and facilities specializing in ambulatory care or rehabilitation. With a rising middle class and a growing aging population, there is a substantial demand for high-quality private healthcare services, including . The sector’s push toward digitalization presents additional avenues for investment in telemedicine, health data analytics, and AI-driven diagnostics. Furthermore, Malaysia’s position as a global medical tourism hub offers lucrative opportunities in wellness centers, cosmetic surgery, and fertility treatments. So, catering to regional and global healthcare demands while tapping into Malaysia’s skilled workforce and robust public-private collaboration frameworks will be attractive in the near future. China Briefing is one of five regional publications, supported by . For a complimentary subscription to China Briefing’s content products, please click . Dezan Shira & Associates assists foreign investors into and has done so since 1992 through offices in , , , , , , , , , , , , , and . We also have offices in , , , , , , , and and partner firms assisting foreign investors in , , , , and . For assistance in China, please contact the firm at or visit our website at . Our free webinars are packed full of useful information for doing business in China. Meet the firm behind our content. Visit their website to see how their services can help your business succeed. Subscribing grants you this, plus free access to our articles and magazines.winner 777 。

ABU DHABI, Emirati Arabi Uniti--(BUSINESS WIRE)--nov 26, 2024-- L'Open-Source AI Summit di Abu Dhabi, organizzato dall'Istituto di Innovazione Tecnologica (TII), un centro di ricerca globale per le scienze applicate, ha preso il via con conversazioni critiche che plasmeranno il futuro dell'agenda globale in materia di AI. Il summit, che si svolge nelle giornate di oggi e di domani presso il St. Regis Saadiyat Island, con oltre 300 partecipanti, si concentra con un'attenzione internazionale crescente sulle tendenze contrastanti tra AI open source e proprietario. Questo comunicato stampa include contenuti multimediali. Visualizzare l’intero comunicato qui: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126167158/it/ Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute Inaugurates Open-Source AI Summit with Critical Discussions on the Future of AI (Photo: AETOSWire) "Quando si parla di AI vi sono due scelte critiche", ha dichiarato sua eminenza Faisal Al Bannai, segretario generale del Consiglio di ricerca per la tecnologia avanzata e consigliere del presidente degli EAU. "È possibile sfruttare un modello di AI proprietario che appartiene a un'azienda. L'azienda lo controlla, inclusi i dati che voi fornite. L'innovazione inizia e termina con l'azienda". "In alternativa è possibile sfruttare un modello open source che si sviluppa all'interno della comunità. Innoviamo insieme e chiunque, in qualunque posto, può accedervi e utilizzarlo come base. Se l'AI è destinata a far parte del tessuto della nostra società, come è certo, le aziende e i privati devono decidere a chi ne spetta il controllo. L'apertura di Falcon AI è il contributo di TII al mondo". Il Dr. Najwa Aaraj, amministratore delegato di TII, che ha aperto il summit, ha sottolineato: "L'Open-Source AI Summit di Abu Dhabi rappresenta un momento di definizione per il discorso globale sull'AI. Falcon, come altri modelli open source, riunisce scienziati, sviluppatori e innovatori per velocizzare i progressi tecnologici in quanto catalizzatori del cambiamento globale. Ci prepariamo a osservare l'impatto che continuerà ad avere, in particolare mentre proseguiamo nel nostro lavoro con la Falcon Foundation". L'agenda del summit è continuata con gli interventi di rinomati oratori, tra cui il Dr. Belgacem Haba, vicepresidente di Adeia Corporation negli Stati Uniti, che ha illustrato le sfide create dall'AI nel settore della produzione dei semiconduttori. Il Prof. Philip Torr, professore e capo consulente scientifico presso l'università di Oxford, nel Regno Unito, è intervenuto sul ruolo della proprietà dell'AI, illustrandone i potenziali svantaggi e la regolamentazione, sostenendo che a lungo termine i vantaggi dell'AI open source superano i rischi. Il Dr. Hakim Hacid, responsabile per la ricerca presso il Centro di Ricerca sull'AI di TII,ha dichiarato: "Riteniamo che l'AI open source sia la strada da seguire, ma la questione è tutt'altro che semplice: dobbiamo affrontare difficoltà e domande su controllo, policy, potenza di calcolo e hardware. Ecco perché convochiamo a questo summit un numero così elevato di esperti globali, e continueremo a farlo negli anni futuri, in collaborazione con la Falcon Foundation. Queste discussioni sono essenziali". Altri oratori includono la Dr.ssa Natalia Vassilieva, il vicepresidente e Field CTO di Cerebras Systems negli Stati Uniti, Dr. June Paik, il fondatore e amministratore delegato di FuriosaAI negli Stati Uniti, il Dr. Armand Joulin, direttore della ricerca presso Google DeepMind in Francia, e il Dr. Michal Valko, Principal Llama Engineer presso Meta Paris in Francia, che discuteranno di gradi di apertura dell'AI, di elaborazione sostenibile dell'IA, di creazione di LLM più compatti, di sfruttamento di modelli di base per algoritmi affidabili e altro ancora. Il Dr. Jingwei Zuo di TII interverrà su Falcon Mamba, il primo State Space Language Model (SSLM), realizzato a partire da un'architettura totalmente nuova e lanciato negli scorsi mesi dell'anno. Momento culminante del summit sarà una tavola rotonda moderata da TII sulla propria visione dell'AI open source. La serie Falcon AI LLM di TII ha ottenuto il riconoscimento globale; ha preso il via nel maggio 2023 con il lancio di Falcon 40B, il primo LLM open source degli Emirati Arabi Uniti. Da allora, i modelli Falcon successivi si sono costantemente classificati tra i migliori modelli AI open source a livello mondiale, come dimostrato da Hugging Face, la classifica indipendente del settore. È in programma il rilascio di un nuovo modello di Falcon entro la fine del 2024. *Fonte: AETOSWire Il testo originale del presente annuncio, redatto nella lingua di partenza, è la versione ufficiale che fa fede. Le traduzioni sono offerte unicamente per comodità del lettore e devono rinviare al testo in lingua originale, che è l'unico giuridicamente valido. Vedi la versione originale su businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126167158/it/ CONTACT: Victoria Meven victoria.meven@edelman.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES FRANCE UNITED KINGDOM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES NORTH AMERICA EUROPE MIDDLE EAST INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SCIENCE SOFTWARE OTHER SCIENCE RESEARCH HARDWARE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY OTHER TECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Technology Innovation Institute Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 05:43 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 05:42 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126167158/it

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How Trump’s bet on voters electing him managed to silence some of his legal woesUpdated December 07, 2024 at 16:21 PM ET BEIRUT — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions , led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only four of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Homs, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition." Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels "sorry for the Syrian people." In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. "The situation is very strange. We are not used to that," the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. "People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not." It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria's state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon's Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the "final stage" of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a "salvation government" to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group's image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. Syria's military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest, and the central city of Hama, the country's fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. The Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle loomed. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad's seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by "terrorists." The army said it was setting up a "strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area," apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country's underlying problems. "Assad didn't seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people," he said. Copyright 2024 NPR

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Evan Barringer was 14 years old when he stumbled onto Full House, a South Korea romcom where two strangers are forced to share a house. Sitting in his house in Memphis, he hit play assuming it was an Asian remake of a beloved American sitcom from the 1980s. It wasn’t until the third episode that he realised they had nothing in common save the name. But he was hooked. That accidental choice changed his life. Twelve years on, he is an English teacher in South Korea - and he says he loves it here: “I have got to try all the foods I’ve seen in K-dramas, and I’ve gotten to see several of the K-pop artists in concerts whose lyrics I used to study Korean.” When Evan discovered Full House in 2012, South Korean entertainment was a blip in the world’s eye. Psy’s Gangnam Style was the best-known Korean pop export at the time. Today, there are more than an estimated 220 million fans of Korean entertainment around the world – that’s four times the population of South Korea. Squid Game, Netflix's most popular show ever, has just returned for a much-anticipated second season. How did we get here? The so-called Korean Wave swept the world, experts say, when the success of streaming met American-inspired production value. And Korean entertainment – from pop music and mushy dramas to acclaimed hits built around universal themes – was ready for it. BTS and Blackpink are now familiar names on the global pop circuit. People are swooning over sappy K-dramas from Dubai to India to Singapore. Overseas sales of all this Korean content - including video games - is now worth billions. Last month, after 53-year-old poet and novelist Han Kang won the Nobel Prize for her literature, online boards were full of memes noting South Korea’s “Culture Victory” — a reference to the popular video game series Civilisation. And there were jokes about how the country had achieved the dream of founding father Kim Koo, who famously wrote that he wished for Korea to be a nation of culture rather than might. As it turns out, this moment had been in the making for years. After South Korea’s military dictatorship ended in 1987, censorship was loosened and numerous TV channels launched. Soon, there was a generation of creators who had grown up idolising Hollywood and hip-hop, says Hye Seung Chung, associate professor of Korean Film Studies at the University of Buffalo. Around the same time, South Korea rapidly grew rich, benefitting from an export boom in cars and electronics. And money from conglomerates, or chaebols as they are known, flowed into film and TV production, giving it a Hollywood-like sheen. They came to own much of the industry, from production to cinemas. So they were willing to splurge on making movies without worrying much about losses, Prof Chung says. K-pop, meanwhile, had become a domestic rage in the mid-90s, propelling the success of groups such as HOT and Shinhwa. This inspired agencies to replicate the gruelling Japanese artist management system. Scout young talent, often in their teens, and sign them onto years-long contracts through which they become “perfect” idols, with squeaky clean images and hyper-managed public personas. As the system took hold, it transformed K-pop, creating more and more idols. By the 2000s, Korean TV shows and K-pop were a hit in East and South East Asia. But it was streaming that took them to the world, and into the lives of anyone with a smartphone. That’s when the recommendation engine took over – it has been key in initiating Korean culture fans, taking them from one show to the next, spanning different genres and even platforms. Evan says he binged the 16 hour-long episodes of Full House. He loved the way it took its time to build the romance, from bickering banter to attraction, unlike the American shows he knew. “I was fascinated by each cultural difference I saw - I noticed that they don’t wear shoes in the house,” he recalls. So he took up Netflix’s suggestions for more Korean romcoms. Soon, he found himself humming to the soundtracks of the shows, and was drawn to K-pop. He has now begun watching variety shows, a reality TV genre where comedians go through a series of challenges together. As they work their way through the recommendations, fans are immersed in a world that feels foreign yet familiar – one that eventually includes kimchi jiggae, a spicy kimchi stew, and kalguksu, a seafood and kelp noodle broth. When Mary Gedda first visited South Korea, she went looking for a bowl of kimchi jjigae, as she had seen the stars do on screen numerous times. “I was crying [as I ate it]. It was so spicy,” she says. “I thought, why did I order this? They eat it so easily in every show.” Mary, an aspiring French actor, now lives in Seoul. Originally a K-pop fan, she then discovered K-dramas and learned Korean. She has starred in a few cameo roles as well. “I got lucky and I absolutely love it,” she says. For Mary, food was a big part of the appeal because she saw such a variety of it on K-dramas. Seeing how characters build relationships over food was familiar to her, she says, because she grew up in the French countryside in Burgundy. But there is also the promise of romance, which drew Marie Namur to South Korea from her native Belgium. She began watching K-dramas on a whim, after visiting South Korea, but she says she kept going because she was “pretty much attracted to all those beautiful Korean men”. "[They] are impossible love stories between a super-rich guy and a girl who is usually poor, and, you know, the guy is there to save her and it really sells you a dream." But it is Korean women who are writing most of these shows – so it is their imagination, or fantasy, that is capturing the interest (and hearts) of other women across the world. In Seoul, Marie said she was “treated like a lady”, which hadn’t happened “in a very long time”, but her “dating experience is not exactly as I expected it to be”. “I do not want to be a housewife. I want to keep working. I want to be free. I want to go clubbing with my girlfriends if I want to, even though I'm married or in a relationship, and a lot of guys here do not want that.” International fans are often looking for an alternative world because of disappointment with their own society, Prof Chung says. The prim romances, with handsome, caring and chivalrous heroes, are drawing a female audience turning away from what they see as hypersexual American entertainment. And when social inequality became a stronger theme in Korean films and shows - such as Parasite and Squid Game – it attracted global viewers disillusioned with capitalism and a yawning wealth divide in their countries. The pursuit of a global audience has brought challenges as well. The increasing use of English lyrics in K-pop has led to some criticism. And there is now a bigger spotlight on the industry's less glamorous side. The immense pressure stars face to be perfect, for instance, and the demands of a hyper-competitive industry. Creators behind blockbuster shows have alleged exploitation and complained about not being fairly compensated. Still, it’s great to see the world pay attention to Korea, Prof Chung says. She grew up in a repressive South Korea, when critics of the government were regularly threatened or even killed. She escaped into American movies. When Parasite played in the cinema of the small American town where she lives, she saw on the faces of other moviegoers the same awe she felt as a child watching Hollywood films: “It feels so great that our love is returned.”SEBI Proposes AI Regulations for Financial Markets Amid Industry Pushback

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