Singapore

China a ‘principal military, economic threat’ in Asia: US Commerce Secretary
9Dec mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
Asia, China, Market, Singapore, World

China a ‘principal military, economic threat’ in Asia: US Commerce Secretary

China continues to be both the largest potential market and the principal military and economic threat in the Asian region, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said on Tuesday.Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit, Ross said: “China accounts for 210 out of 539 anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders imposed by the U.S. In addition, China makes up a “good portion” of the U.S. entity list that restricts companies’ access to American suppliers for national security reasons, he said.Anti-dumping and countervailing duties are slapped on products suspected of being sold at an unfairly low price. Chinese firms that have been put on the entity list include telecommunications giant Huawei.Commenting on the recently signed between China and 14 other Asia-Pacific Countries, Ross said that...
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The best brick-and-mortar savings account for banking at PNC Bank
8Dec By Desk TeamNo Comments
Market, Singapore, USA, World

The best brick-and-mortar savings account for banking at PNC Bank

Editor's Note: APYs listed in this article are up-to-date as of the time of publication. They may fluctuate (up or down) as the Fed rate changes. CNBC will update as changes are made public. Traditional brick-and-mortar savings accounts can be a simple but stable solution for keeping your money secure. They mostly all earn the same interest rate, come with minimum balance requirements and monthly fees. Account holders also have access to their thousands of in-person branches and ATMs, one of the most common reasons why people opt for big banks. With approximately 2,300 branch locations and nearly 18,000 PNC and PNC Partner ATMs, PNC Bank is one of these large brick-and-mortar banks. It stands out, however, for offering a savings account option called Virtual Wallet®, which uses innovative ...
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An outsider’s look at the problems plaguing rural Japan
8Dec By Desk TeamNo Comments
Market, Singapore, USA, World

An outsider’s look at the problems plaguing rural Japan

It’s not something you typically see: a South Indian Masters graduate and former architectural designer assisting with freeze-drying traditional food items in a remote village in mountainous Yamagata Prefecture. But for Priya Mu, that’s just part of the job. Mu is a community intern for the village of Nakatsugawa (not to be confused with the town of the same name in Gifu Prefecture), named one of the 100 most beautiful villages in Japan for its unique landscape, fronting a dramatic mountain range, and well-preserved customs and culture, including snow festivals in both winter and summer. Working closely with local village leaders, Mu assists farmhouse bed-and-breakfasts to develop their nōhaku Eigo — service-industry language skills that help improve communication with foreign visitors — ...
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6 men abduct minor in Pakistan’s Punjab, force her to marry 45-year-old man
7Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

6 men abduct minor in Pakistan’s Punjab, force her to marry 45-year-old man

In Pakistan’s Punjab province, a case has been registered against six men for allegedly abducting a 12-year-old girl and later forcing her to get married to a 45-year-old man.Though the girl was recovered by police officials, the accused managed to flee from the location. A local court had also chided the investigation offer for mentioning the wrong age of the victim as 17.Meanwhile, the father of the victim has appealed to higher authorities seeking action against the accused, and also complained of non-cooperation from the police department in this case.Earlier in November, a case of child marriage had surfaced in the Thul town of Sindh’s Sukkur despite a law outlawing such marriages put in place.Prior to that, a 13-year-old Christian girl named Arzoo Raja was forcibly abducted allegedly...
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NATO must devote more time, action to counter security challenges posed by China: Report
7Dec mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Singapore, World

NATO must devote more time, action to counter security challenges posed by China: Report

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in its latest report titled 'NATO 2030 - United for a New Era report' has said that it must devote more time, political resources, and action to counter the security challenges posed by China.The report has also recommended a special unit within the Joint Intelligence and Security Division (JISD) to monitor Russia-China cooperation impacting Euro-Atlantic security.The internal political differences are "dangerous" as they help the "external actors, and in particular Russia and China, to exploit intra-Alliance differences and take advantage of individual Allies in ways that endanger their collective interests and security", the report stated."This includes actions that are directly relevant to NATO's traditional geographic and functional mission but...
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Pakistan: Christian girl killed for rejecting Muslim man’s marriage proposal
7Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Pakistan: Christian girl killed for rejecting Muslim man’s marriage proposal

In yet another incident of lawlessness, a Christian girl in Pakistan was brutally killed after her parents rejected a marriage proposal sent by a Muslim man.Officers from the Koral Police Station in Rawalpindi claimed to have arrested an accused named Faizan, whereas raids were being carried out to arrest the prime suspect, Shehzad.Shehzad's mother is also said to have sent her son's proposal for the victim Sonia, but her parents refused as she was to marry another man, identified as Faizan.According to police, on the day of the incident, the girl was travelling with Faizan on the highway, when Shehzad opened fire on her.The police said that, as per the preliminary investigation, the murder appears to have been carried out of personal resentment. However, the deputy inspector general (DIG)...
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Drugs worth Rs 2.5 billion from Gwadar seized in Sri Lanka
7Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Drugs worth Rs 2.5 billion from Gwadar seized in Sri Lanka

On Sunday, four people from the Marawila Thoduwawa area of Sri Lanka were arrested for transporting drugs worth Rs 2.5 billion with origins in Chinese-controlled Gwadar.They were transporting heroin and crystal methamphetamine (ice) to the Sri Lankan boats from the Pak Dhow that originated from Gwadar.The involvement of the ISI officials in the drug smuggling network is established as such regular movement of Dhow from Gwadar is not possible without tacit support from the ISI and Chinese intelligence officials.The transfer happened in high seas between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.During a raid carried out by the Excise Department, 100 kilograms of heroin and 100 kilograms of ice were seized. It is suspected that a drug trafficker named 'Jude' who is hiding in Dubai, has sent the stock of dr...
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Ulta Beauty strikes deal to open hundreds of shops at Target stores
6Dec By Desk TeamNo Comments
Market, Singapore, World

Ulta Beauty strikes deal to open hundreds of shops at Target stores

Target has struck a deal with Ulta Beauty to open shops with makeup, skincare, hair products and more inside of hundreds of its stores. Target and Ulta Beauty announced a deal Tuesday to open makeup and skincare shops inside of hundreds of Target stores across the country. Target CEO Brian Cornell said starting in the second half of next year, shoppers will find a smaller version of an Ulta store in more than 100 of Target's stores and on its website. Each "shop-in-shop" will be about 1,000 square feet with more than 40 beauty brands and a rotating assortment of products from hair care and fragrances to lip gloss. Customers can shop in person or use Target's same-day services, such as curbside pickup or home delivery by Shipt, to get their online beauty purchases. Ulta will train Targe...
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Irish PM hopes for outline of Brexit trade deal this week but differences remain
6Dec By Desk TeamNo Comments
Singapore, World

Irish PM hopes for outline of Brexit trade deal this week but differences remain

BRUSSELS/DUBLIN: Ireland's prime minister said on Monday (Nov 23) he hoped the outline of a Brexit free-trade deal would emerge by the end of this week, despite what the European Union's negotiator called "fundamental divergences" at talks. Britain and the EU are trying to agree terms to keep annual bilateral trade worth nearly a trillion dollars free of tariffs and quotas from 2021, when a standstill transition period ends following Britain's departure from the EU last January. As talks resumed remotely on Monday, EU negotiator Michel Barnier said major gaps remained on divvying up fishing rights and ensuring economic fair play for companies, including on state aid. But Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, whose country is in the EU, said he had got a sense of progress from both ne...
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Bangladesh cannot forget Pakistan’s atrocities of 1971: PM Sheikh Hasina
4Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Bangladesh cannot forget Pakistan’s atrocities of 1971: PM Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh cannot forget atrocities committed by Pakistan in 1971.“Incidents of 1971 cannot be forgotten. The pain will remain forever,” she said while Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka Imran Ahmed Siddiqui called on the Prime Minister at her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka.Referring to the volumes of the book titled “Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman”, PM Hasina said all can learn many historical facts from 1948 to 1971 from the books.Noting that (the Urdu version) of the book “Unfinished Memoirs” written by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is one of the best seller books in Pakistan, she said it’s also well read in Pakistan apart from other countries.The PM e...
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