#Automotive

by Tom BARFIELD German economic growth plummeted in 2019, official data showed Wednesday, providing fresh ammunition for debate about how to use fiscal surpluses to boost gross domestic product. Europe’s powerhouse expanded just 0.6 percent last year, compared with 1.5 percent in 2018, federal statistics authority Destatis said in preliminary figures. “Growth momentum ebbed significantly” […]

A high-speed rail line to the east, a deep-sea port to the west, and a makeover for commercial heart Yangon — Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrives in Myanmar on Friday laden with investment pledges worth billions which could reshape the country. Here are five of the main projects — and some of the issues plaguing […]

Philippine authorities were struggling Wednesday to keep thousands of evacuees from returning to homes in areas threatened by a feared massive eruption of Taal volcano. Some 40,000 people have taken refuge in shelters since the volcano let loose a towering burst of ash and jets of lava on Sunday. Police subsequently set up no-go zones […]

by Heather SCOTT The world’s two dominant economic powers, the United States and China, are poised to sign a trade truce Wednesday that will allow businesses around the globe to breathe a sigh of relief. Although tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of two-way trade will remain in place, likely at least until after […]

by Aishwarya KUMAR Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos promised Wednesday a new billion-dollar investment in India, just two days after authorities launched an anti-trust investigation into the e-commerce giant. A three-day visit by Bezos, whose worth has been estimated at more than $110 billion, sparked protests in New Delhi and other cities by traders who accuse […]

Retired Hong Kong actress Cherie Chung is turning 60 in February but she has kept a youthful look that has stunned fans and netizens. Fellow Hong Kong singer/actress Sammi Cheng posted her photos with Cherie on Instagram on Monday (January 13, 2020). In the photo caption, Cheng says they are feeling at ease, happy at every […]

Notorious local actor and singer Aliff Aziz has been caught in another public altercation. In a video shared on social media by Facebook group Official_Fidz, a man resembling the actor can be seen arguing with someone outside of a restaurant in Singapore. In the video that is almost 2 minutes long, 29-year-old Mr Aliff throws […]

The United States on Monday removed the currency manipulator label it imposed on China last summer, in a sign of easing tensions between the economic powers after nearly two years of conflict. Just two days before President Donald Trump is set to sign a “phase one” trade agreement with China, the US Treasury said in […]

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that everyone responsible for the accidental shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner last week must be punished. “For our people it is very important in this incident that anyone who was at fault or negligent at any level” face justice, he said in a televised speech. “Anyone who […]

by Ron Lopez with Mikhail Flores in Manila Taal volcano in the Philippines could spew lava and ash for weeks, authorities warned Tuesday, leaving tens of thousands in limbo after they fled their homes fearing a massive eruption. The crater of the volcano exploded to life with towering clouds of ash and jets of red-hot […]

Taiwan separatists are doomed to “stink for eternity”, China’s top diplomat warned after the island’s President Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide re-election victory in a stinging rebuke to Beijing. Tsai, who has drawn the ire of Beijing for refusing to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of “one China”, secured a record-breaking win in Saturday’s vote. […]

An enormous sinkhole swallowed a bus and pedestrians in northwest China, sparking an explosion, killing six people and leaving four more missing, state media said Tuesday. Footage showed people at a bus stop running from the collapsing road as the vehicle — jutting into the air — sank into the ground. Several people disappeared into […]

Singapore—The court trial for Imran Kassim, the first Singaporean to be charged for financing terrorism started on Monday (Jan 13) with an admission from the accused that he donated S$450 to ISIS but that he claimed trial as he does not accept the laws of Singapore.  An investigation conducted by the Commercial Affairs Department discovered […]

Badminton world number one Kento Momota was injured and his driver was killed in a crash near Kuala Lumpur on Monday just hours after he won the Malaysia Masters. Police said the Japanese star, 25, suffered a broken nose and cuts to his face when the van carrying him to the city’s airport crashed early […]

One Direction boy band star Harry Styles is known to have a big heart, whether it is giving a generous tip to a server or helping out a fan. Early this month, Styles generously tipped a server while vacationing with James Corden and Adele in the Caribbean. He gave the server US$2,020 (S$2,720), more than quadruple […]