Asia

World shares down from record highs as COVID-19 cases top 90 million
11Jan By Desk TeamNo Comments
Asia, China, Market, World

World shares down from record highs as COVID-19 cases top 90 million

Asian shares took a breather on Monday while Treasury yields were at 10-month highs as "trillions" in new U.S. fiscal stimulus plans were set to be unveiled this week, stoking a global reflation trade. LONDON: World shares slipped from record highs on Monday as caution over rising coronavirus cases saw some profit-taking from investors, while Treasury yields remained close to 10-month highs, indicating expectations for global reflation from anticipated U.S. fiscal stimulus. Worldwide coronavirus cases surpassed 90 million on Monday, according to Reuters tally. European shares dipped in early trading, with rising coronavirus cases across the continent and China dragging down commodity stocks. Germany's DAX lost 0.75per cent, Britain's FTSE 100, Italy's FTSE MIB, and France's CAC 40 f...
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Trial to import electricity from Malaysia a ‘useful first step’ as Singapore prepares to connect with regional grid: Experts
8Jan By Desk TeamNo Comments
Asia, Market, Singapore, World

Trial to import electricity from Malaysia a ‘useful first step’ as Singapore prepares to connect with regional grid: Experts

SINGAPORE: A trial which will see Singapore import electricity from Peninsular Malaysia will be a "useful first step" in preparation for further moves to connect to the regional power grid, said experts. Announced in late October, the trial will see Singapore import 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Malaysia for two years. This will make up about 1.5 per cent of Singapore’s peak electricity demand. The move is part of Singapore's plan to strengthen the "regional grid architecture", said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing in a keynote speech delivered at the opening of the Singapore International Energy Week in October. “This will allow the region to share the clean energy sources that different countries may have, and we’ll start this with Malaysia," he said. "Once ...
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India approves signing of memorandum of cooperation with Japan
6Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India approves signing of memorandum of cooperation with Japan

Setting an institutional mechanism for coordination between India and Japan, the Indian Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan, on a basic framework for the partnership for proper operation of the system pertaining to “Specified Skilled Worker.”According to an official statement, the present Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) will set an institutional mechanism for partnership and cooperation between India and Japan on sending and accepting skilled Indian workers, who have qualified the required skill and Japanese language test, to work in fourteen specified sectors in Japan. These Indian workers would be granted a new status of residence of “Specified Skilled Worker” by Japan.“The MOC would enhance p...
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Alibaba group founder Jack Ma suspected missing amid conflict with Chinese regime
4Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China

Alibaba group founder Jack Ma suspected missing amid conflict with Chinese regime

Chinese billionaire and Alibaba founder Jack Ma is suspected missing following reports that he has not made any public appearance in the last two months.This comes amid his deepening conflict with the Chinese government.Ma is considered one of China’s internet pioneers, building an ecommerce empire with Alibaba and a fintech giant with the Ant Group.He was to appear as a judge in the final episode of his own talent show, ‘Africa’s Business Heroes' but he did not turn up. Consequently, his photos were reportedly removed from the show’s website. The show provides African entrepreneurs the chance to compete for a slice of $1.5 million prize money.“Due to a schedule conflict Mr Ma could no longer be part of the finale judge panel of Africa’s Business Heroes earlier this year (2020),” an Alibab...
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Under Xi Jinping, China will not be able to join Trans-Pacific Partnership FTA: Japan PM
4Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China

Under Xi Jinping, China will not be able to join Trans-Pacific Partnership FTA: Japan PM

As long as China has its current regime, Beijing will not be able to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free-trade agreement, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said on Sunday.Speaking to a commercial broadcaster’s radio programme, Yoshihide said that he believes countries where businesses are run by the state will find it difficult to join the TPP because its regulations are set at levels that are too high for such a business structure to follow.He was responding to Xi Jinping’s recent remarks that China “is positive about joining the pact”.On November 20, China’s President Xi Jinping had said that China is open to joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, in a likely move to bolster the country’s presence in Asia while the US focuses on its presidential transition.China...
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Pakistan has second highest audience India’s Prasar Bharati
3Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Pakistan has second highest audience India’s Prasar Bharati

During 2020, Pakistan has accounted for the second highest digital audience for Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR), Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said on Sunday.According to an official statement issued by the Ministry, the channels of Prasar Bharati across Doordarshan and Akashvani have “registered more than 100 per cent growth, clocking over a Billion Digital Views and over 6 Billion Digital Watch Minutes”.“Interestingly during 2020, Pakistan accounted for the second highest digital audience for DD and AIR content after domestic audience from within India, with the United States close behind,” the ministry said.It said during 2020, Prasar Bharati’s mobile application ‘NewsOnAir’ added more than 2.5 million users with the platform registering over 300 million vie...
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In New Year’s speech, Taiwan urges China to have “meaningful” talks
1Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
Asia, China

In New Year’s speech, Taiwan urges China to have “meaningful” talks

In her New year speech, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday said that the country is willing to have "meaningful" talks with China as equals as long as they are willing to put aside confrontation.Democratic Taiwan, claimed by China as its sovereign territory, has come under increasing pressure from Beijing, which has ramped up military activity near the island.China says it is responding to "collusion" between Washington and Taipei, angered at growing US support for the self-governed island. Beijing views this a precursor to Taiwan declaring formal independence.Speaking at the presidential office, Tsai said that in the past year, Chinese military activity near Taiwan has threatened peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."I want to reiterate, that when it comes to cross-strait r...
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India, Pakistan exchange list of Indian prisoners as part of bilateral agreement
1Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India, Pakistan exchange list of Indian prisoners as part of bilateral agreement

As part of a bilateral agreement, Pakistan on Friday handed over a list of 319 Indian prisoners including 49 civil and 270 fishermen lodged in the country's jails to the High Commission of India.The Foreign Office (FO) said that the step is consistent with the provisions of the Consular Access Agreement between the two countries signed on May 21, 2008."The Government of Pakistan, today, shared with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad a list of 319 Indian prisoners in Pakistan, including 49 civilians and 270 fishermen prisoners," it said.The Indian government also simultaneously shared the list of 340 Pakistani prisoners in India, including 263 civilians and 77 fishermen with the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi, the FO said.Under the agreement, the two countries are required t...
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India, Bhutan sign MoU on cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space
31Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India, Bhutan sign MoU on cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space

India and Bhutan have agreed to cooperate in the peaceful uses of outer space after the Indian Union Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.According to an official statement, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved MoU between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space signed on November 19 by both sides at Bangalore/Thimpu and exchanged."This MoU shall enable India and Bhutan to pursue cooperation in potential interest areas, such as remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite-based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology," the statement said.The Cabinet further said that ...
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Jack Ma and the Chinese Economic Identity Crisis
30Dec By Online DeskNo Comments
Asia, China, Market

Jack Ma and the Chinese Economic Identity Crisis

The CCP has time and again demonstrated its nonchalant use of tyrannic authority over its own citizens; a rather transparent demonstration of its execution of oppressive control can be seen with the implementation of the social credit system; it provides a template for its citizens for acceptable social behavior. Offenses such as purchasing too many video games, spending money frivolously, and driving poorly, can warrant throttled internet connections, domestic travel bans, restricted access to education and employment, etc. Ironically, at the same time, China stands as an elected member of the UN Human Rights Council as of 13 October 2020. Unfortunately, the conventions of international affairs overlook these atrocities for the sake of diplomatic survival. In doing so, nations have au...
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