Singapore was recently ranked second on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index for 2017, coming in just behind Tokyo. In 2016, the island nation’s police reported 135 total days without any crimes including snatch-theft, house break-ins and robbery. That low crime rate means many small businesses enjoy little concern […]
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Chinese central bank official reportedly says virtual currency trade needs to end
A senior Chinese central banker says authorities should ban centralized trading of virtual currencies as well as individuals and businesses that provide related services, an internal memo from a government meeting seen by Reuters showed. In the memo outlining details of discussions at a meeting of internet regulators and other […]
US lawmakers urge AT&T to cut commercial ties with China’s Huawei, sources say
U.S. lawmakers are urging AT&T, the No. 2 wireless carrier, to cut all commercial ties to Chinese phone maker Huawei Technologies and oppose plans by telecom operator China Mobile to enter the U.S. market because of national security concerns, said two congressional aides. The warning comes after the administration of […]
Dow futures are pointing to a big open
Dow futures traded significantly higher late Monday night, pointing to a strong Tuesday showing for U.S. stocks. At 12:10 p.m. HK/SIN, Dow Jones industrial average e-mini futures were higher by 0.69 percent, or 178 points, ahead of American markets re-opening for trade after the long weekend. U.S. stocks had soared […]
Japan investigates how to evacuate citizens from South Korea in crisis report
Japan is examining how to evacuate its roughly 60,000 citizens from South Korea in the event of a crisis that closes airports, with military ships being used as shuttles, a Japanese newspaper reported on Tuesday. North Korea’s pursuit of its military and nuclear programs in defiance of U.N. Security Council […]
Countries are ‘specifically targeting’ China with ‘protectionism,’ says wealth fund chief
China is increasingly facing resistance within countries where it’s trying to invest, according to a top official at the country’s sovereign wealth fund. China Investment Corporation (CIC) will probably gain investment opportunities thanks to an ongoing global economic recovery, but it is also “facing more difficulties and challenges” related to […]
Seoul announces free public transport to battle rising smog
South Korea’s capital has unveiled emergency measures to combat a thick layer of smog coating the city. Beginning Monday, Seoul officials waived public transport fees during commuter hours as the daily average density of ultra-fine dust remained above 50 micrograms per cubic meter — a level that’s widely considered harmful. […]
China consumer group seeks answers from Apple about slowing iPhones
A Chinese consumer group has asked Apple for information about the slowing of older iPhones after operating system updates, demanding a reply before Friday, state news agency Xinhua reported. The query from the Shanghai Consumer Council came in response to consumer feedback that old iPhones became sluggish after upgrading the […]
Chinese businesses are leading, not copying, says PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chinese companies have moved beyond copying others’ technologies as the world’s second-largest economy now leads the way in many areas, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. “Even today, there is still a lot of thinking and belief that China is a copycat, which is not true,” said Raymund Chao, PwC’s chairman for Asia […]
Cold brew coffee isn’t a fad, it’s a big part of Starbucks future
Starbucks is placing an even bigger bet on one of its fastest growing products: cold brew coffee. The Seattle-based cafe chain will partner with Joyride Coffee Distributors to bring draft cold brew coffee to Starbucks’ foodservice accounts at hospitals, bookstores, college and university campuses and offices. Joyride, which was founded […]