Multinationals fast-track investments to leverage China’s NEV boom

SHANGHAI: (Bernama-Xinhua) The rapid evolution of China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sector is driving multinational corporations to restructure their China strategies, prompting some to scale up local investments across research and development (R&D), production and supply chains, Xinhua reported. German chemical giant BASF earlier this week announced a 500-million-yuan (about US$69.3 million) investment for the expansion...

May the Ship of China-Malaysia Friendship Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future

At the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, I will soon pay a state visit to Malaysia. This will be my second visit to your beautiful country in 12 years. I look forward to experiencing Malaysia's remarkable progress and transformation in person, and meeting with Malaysian friends to celebrate our friendship and...

Trump’s global import tariffs could lead to China banning showings of US movies

Donald Trump's global import tariffs could lead to China banning showings of US movies. As the US President's tariffs on China stand at 54 per cent — and are expected to increase to 104 per cent — experts are warning Hollywood's golden ticket into the Asian market could soon become obsolete. Variety is reporting that among a series of...

Daughter of Hong Kong actress attends two kindergartens, eats, naps, uses bathroom in car

HONG KONG: A Hong Kong actress’s daughter who attends two kindergartens, eats, naps, and uses the toilet in her car has earned her mother the label “monster parent”. Li Tianzong, 37, also known online as Lena, was born in Hong Kong to a mother who is a renowned pipa player. The former Miss Hong Kong contestant has...

Three dead, hundreds affected following massive outbreak of rabies in India’s Manipur

NEW DELHI (Bernama-Xinhua) -- At least three people have died and hundreds are suffering following the massive outbreak of rabies in India's northeastern state of Manipur, reported Xinhua. The outbreak has been reported in the Churachandpur district, about 88 km south of Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. Authorities have imposed restrictions and declared containment zones to tackle...

Happy is not happy: Japan man faces bullying as child, struggles in love, work due to odd name

SHANGHAI: A 27-year-old Japanese man has trended on social media because his unconventional name of “Happy” has brought him just the opposite. After Terauchi Happy’s story was reported by ABEMA Prime TV at the end of March, a heated discussion about unusual names was triggered on the internet. His name was given to him by his mother...

Asia credit starts to wobble as market pain spreads

SINGAPORE: Credit markets turned shaky in Asia on Monday, with the cost of insuring against corporate and sovereign default higher as recession fears rippled across financial markets. The five-year credit default swap spread on the Markit Itraxx Asia ex-Japan index, comprising sovereign and company debt, rose about 26 basis points to its highest since August last...

Stocks plunge, markets bay for rapid US rate cuts

SYDNEY: Major stock indexes plunged in Asia on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump showed no sign of backing away from his sweeping tariff plans, and investors bet the mounting risk of recession could see the Federal Reserve cutting rates as early as May. Futures markets moved swiftly to price in almost five quarter-point cuts in...

China to US: ‘Market has spoken’ after tariffs spur selloff

BEIJING (Reuters): China said on Saturday "the market has spoken" in rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, and called on Washington for "equal-footed consultation" after global markets plunged in reaction to the trade levies that drew Chinese retaliation. State-run Xinhua news agency also published the Chinese government's stance, saying the U.S. should "stop using tariffs as...