Super Typhoon Ragasa battered Hong Kong, forcing closures and chaos as winds topped 200 km/h, flooding streets and snapping trees.
Meanwhile, US President Trump signaled a more self-focused diplomacy at the UN, tech giants launched a $500 billion AI push, and Asian markets opened sharply lower amid global economic jitters.
A glance at major developments on Wednesday.
Ragasa pounds Hong Kong
Hong Kong was slammed by Super Typhoon Ragasa, and it hit hard.
The city swiftly emptied as schools closed, flights got canceled, and people hurried to shelter.
With winds gusting over 200 km/h, Ragasa didn’t hold back; trees snapped, roofs were blown off, and flooding trapped cars in neighborhoods that are all too familiar with storm chaos.
Emergency teams were stretched thin handling calls and clearing fallen debris.
Even now, as the typhoon moves away, the danger isn’t gone. The sea remains rough, and parts of the city face lingering flood risks.
Residents say it’s a stark reminder that when typhoon season hits, life in this fast-moving city can turn upside down in minutes.
It was less about spectacle and more about raw impact, a blunt lesson in why Hong Kong takes storms like Ragasa so seriously.
Trump signals ‘America first’ diplomacy
At the United Nations on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump made it clear that the United States is stepping back from its old playbook of global teamwork.
He pointedly emphasized putting America’s needs first, signaling a tougher stance on cooperation with the world.
Trump took a critical tone toward international organizations and old alliances, saying the US won’t just automatically join in on every global effort anymore.
This speech felt like a fresh start, one where American sovereignty and economic security take center stage, even if it means rattling some diplomatic cages.
While the world listens closely, questions linger about how this will affect key global issues like climate change and trade.
For now, it’s obvious Trump wants to press reset, making it clear the US is calling more of its own shots in foreign policy from here on out. Read full report here.
US tech giants join forces for $500 billion AI project
OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank are joining forces to build five new AI data centers across the United States as part of their ambitious $500 billion Stargate project.
This venture aims to dramatically boost the computing power needed to fuel cutting-edge AI technologies like ChatGPT and autonomous vehicles.
The data centers will be spread across Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, and another yet-to-be-announced Midwest location.
The $500 billion investment marks one of the largest commitments to AI infrastructure to date, signaling a bold push to maintain US leadership in the fast-evolving AI race.
Oracle’s cloud services will handle the backbone infrastructure, while SoftBank brings heavy financial muscle to speed up the buildout.
Together, these centers are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs over the next several years, reshaping local economies and advancing AI research nationwide.
Experts say the Stargate project sets a new standard for AI development, making powerful computing resources accessible to startups and innovators beyond the tech giants. Read full report here.
Asian markets plunge at open
Asian markets opened firmly in the red on Wednesday, weighed down by Wall Street’s overnight losses and ongoing concerns over inflation and central bank policies.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped nearly half a percent, dragged down by weakness in tech and export sectors, while South Korea’s Kospi 100 mirrored the downtrend amid subdued investor sentiment.
Traders remain cautious ahead of key economic data releases and watchful of global growth worries, which continue to keep risk appetite in check.
The mood across the region is defensive, with investors looking to gauge the impact of recent Federal Reserve signals and volatile commodity prices on market direction. Read full report here.
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