Daily News Digest

Monday, July 13, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

TSMC Sales Surge 36% in Fresh Sign of AI Spending Momentum

Bloomberg Technology

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. reported a 36% increase in quarterly sales. The company met high expectations, indicating that global demand for AI hardware remains intact.

China’s optical chip breakthrough boosts AI speed 100-fold using fraction of compute power

SCMP Tech

Chinese researchers developed an all-optical interconnect system that links standard electronic chips. This system increases AI distributed inference speeds by over 100 times while utilizing one-ninth of the typical computational resources.

Hyundai Motor Workers Strike Over Bonuses, Robot Job Security

Bloomberg Technology

Hyundai Motor Co. workers began a three-day partial strike on Monday. The union is demanding larger bonuses and guarantees that jobs will not be lost to AI and robots.

Economics

MUFG Surpasses Toyota to Become Most Valuable Company in Japan

Bloomberg Markets

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. has become the most valuable company in Japan by stock market value. This is the first time a bank has held the top position since the three megabank groups were established.

South Africa Plans First Strategic Oil Boost Since Apartheid

Bloomberg Markets

South Africa is planning to increase its strategic oil reserves for the first time since the apartheid government stockpiled crude. The move is part of broader efforts across the continent to mitigate supply shocks.

Akzo Nobel Rejects $8.6 Billion Nippon Offer for Paint Business

Bloomberg Markets

The board of Akzo Nobel NV rejected an $8.6 billion offer from Nippon Paint Holdings Co. for its decorative paints business. The company continues to recommend a previously agreed merger with Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

World News

At least 27 killed, 22 critically injured in Bangkok bar fire

BBC World

A fire at a bar in Bangkok's Chatuchak district left at least 27 people dead and 22 others critically injured. Firefighters arrived to find patrons running through flames to escape the building.

US senator and close Trump ally Lindsey Graham dies after 'brief and sudden illness'

BBC World

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71. A spokesman stated that initial findings suggest the cause of death was related to his heart.

China evacuates nearly two million people as powerful typhoon makes landfall

BBC World

Nearly two million people have been evacuated in Zhejiang province as a powerful typhoon makes landfall. Authorities have suspended schools, work, and outdoor activities, while many transport services are cancelled.

Asia

China’s optical chip breakthrough boosts AI speed 100-fold using fraction of compute power

SCMP China (en)

Chinese researchers developed an all-optical interconnect system that links standard electronic chips. This system increases AI distributed inference speeds by over 100 times while utilizing one-ninth of the typical computational resources.

Schools and tourist sites closed as Typhoon Bavi heads through northern China

SCMP China (en)

Shenyang suspended all classes at kindergartens, primary schools, and junior high schools on Monday. Local authorities also closed 94 tourist attraction sites and halted construction work due to flooding and emergency alerts.

Hong Kong’s dog-friendly licence scheme triggers fierce online debate

SCMP Asia (en)

Over 940 restaurants joined a new dog-friendly scheme, but one cafe chain branch opted out after one day. Online debate has intensified following viral clips of pets sitting on dining tables and licking plates.

Germany

CDU-Mann Evers kündigt Sparkurs für Berlin an – SPD-Spitzenkandidat Krach kontert scharf

Berliner Zeitung

CDU candidate Stefan Evers has proposed austerity measures for Berlin, including questioning the provision of free school meals. SPD rival Krach responded by accusing Evers of lacking social intuition.

Ende eines großen Traums: Commerzbank vor dem Verlust der Eigenständigkeit

Berliner Zeitung

The Commerzbank faces the loss of its independence, with decisions for the traditional bank expected to be made in Milan. The bank was originally intended to become a national champion.

Traum geplatzt: Zverev verliert Wimbledon-Finale gegen Sinner

Berliner Zeitung

Alexander Zverev lost the Wimbledon final to world number one Jannik Sinner. This marks Zverev's tenth consecutive defeat against Sinner.

Switzerland

Building a new nuclear plant would pay off, finds Swiss study

SwissInfo (en)

A study by BAK Economics for Economiesuisse estimates a new EPR-type nuclear plant coming online in 2050 would generate CHF1.6 billion annually for the Swiss economy. The analysis calculates that the construction phase would create over 2,900 jobs and produce CHF7.4 billion in domestic value added.

Swiss ministers praise football team for World Cup journey

SwissInfo (en)

President Guy Parmelin and Sports Minister Martin Pfister congratulated the men's national football team after their 1–3 quarter-final loss to Argentina in Kansas City. Pfister attended the match in person and stated that the team made Swiss football history by reaching the quarter-finals.

South African film wins top prize at Neuchâtel festival

SwissInfo (en)

The 25th Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival awarded its top prize to Nico Scheepers for the film Hen. The jury included Spanish director Eugenio Mira, French director Julia Kowalski, and Berlinale critic Jessica Kiang.