Merry Gel Sigui
Taiwan President wants China to “face reality and show respect”
Taiwan's President calls on China to recognize Taiwan's sovereignty, citing her recent election victory as proof of the island's independent identity and democratic values. She argues that Taiwan deserves respect and that forced reunification is unacceptable.
Thai regulations hurdle Tesco’s sale of Asian assets
Tesco's plans to sell its Asian assets are under scrutiny by Thai regulators. The potential $10bn deal involving over 2,000 stores in Thailand and Malaysia could be complicated by new trade competition regulations that restrict market share dominance.
What to expect next as US-China trade deal gets inked
The US and China signed a "phase one" trade deal, with China committing to buy $200 billion in American goods and improve intellectual property protections. US President Trump hailed the agreement as "fair and reciprocal," marking a potential breakthrough after two years of negotiations.
Philippine Gov’t totally bans deployment of workers to Iraq
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has implemented a total ban on sending workers to Iraq, following escalating regional conflicts. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III signed a resolution stopping all worker processing and deployment, with the Foreign Affairs Department mandating repatriation of over 4,000 Filipinos currently in the country.
Volcano eruption won’t hit Philippines GDP, says Economist
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) assures that Taal Volcano's eruption will not significantly slow down the country's economic growth. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia stated that the economic losses are less than 1 percent of the Philippines' total GDP for 2018.
Top investment manager says climate crisis could reshape finance
Largest asset manager suggests environmental sustainability will become critical in future investment decisions, comparing climate crisis impact to 1970s inflation transformation
India’s restriction on palm oil hurts Malaysian refiners
Malaysia's palm oil refiners face significant challenges as India restricts refined palm oil imports, reportedly in response to political remarks. The new policy requires import licenses, potentially driving Indian buyers towards Indonesian crude palm oil with more competitive pricing.
Australia saves wildlife by airdropping food
Amid catastrophic bushfires, Australia launches emergency food aid for wildlife, dropping thousands of pounds of vegetables to help endangered species survive habitat destruction and food scarcity.
Microsoft CEO’s comment on India’s Citizenship Law drew backlash
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, an India-born American, commented on the Citizenship Amendment Act, calling it "sad and bad" during a New York event. His remarks drew mixed reactions, with pro-government supporters challenging his perspective on the controversial legislation.
Snowstorms hit Afghanistan, Pakistan killing 54 people
Severe winter weather has devastated Afghanistan and Pakistan, killing 54 people and destroying over 131 residential houses. Snowfall and flash floods have forced highway closures, with some areas experiencing up to six inches of snow and temperatures dropping dramatically.