EU and Vietnam Elevate Ties Amid Global Shifts
The European Union and Vietnam upgraded their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" on Thursday, January 29, 2026, signaling a deepened alliance amid growing global trade concerns. This move places the EU in the same diplomatic tier as the United States, China, and Russia, marking Hanoi's highest level of foreign ties, according to Euronews.
The upgrade comes at a time of "growing anxiety over global trade disruptions and Washingtons escalating tariff regime," Euronews reported. The partnership signifies Brussels' commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape.
In other tech news, Google is looking to India for insights on scaling AI in education. According to TechCrunch, India, with its large internet user base, has become a testing ground for Google's education AI, particularly its Gemini model. Chris Phillips, Google's vice president and general manager for education, noted that India currently accounts for the highest global usage of Gemini for learning. Phillips made these remarks during Google's AI for Learning Forum in New Delhi this week, where he engaged with industry stakeholders.
Meanwhile, a new AI lab called Flapping Airplanes launched on Wednesday with $180 million in seed funding from Google Ventures, Sequoia, and Index, TechCrunch reported. The lab's primary goal is to discover a less data-intensive method for training large AI models. Sequoia partner David Cahn described Flapping Airplanes as one of the first labs to move beyond scaling, "the relentless buildout of data and compute that has defined most of the industry so far."
Microsoft is also focusing on rebuilding trust in Windows, according to The Verge. Engineers are prioritizing performance, reliability, and the overall Windows experience to address user concerns about persistent bugs, performance issues, and bloatware. Tom Warren, a senior editor at The Verge, noted that "Windows 11 is testing the patience of its users in new ways."
In the gaming world, Linux gaming developers have joined forces to form the Open Gaming Collective (OGC), The Verge reported. The OGC aims to create a more unified Linux gaming experience. Universal Blue, the developer of the gaming-focused Linux distribution Bazzite, announced its involvement in the collective on Wednesday. Stevie Bonifield, a news writer at The Verge, noted that gaming on Linux has already made significant progress, and the OGC seeks to further enhance the platform.
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