AFP

A multi-billion-dollar fraud scandal involving one of Vietnam’s most prominent tycoons exposed systemic weaknesses in the country’s banking sector, say analysts who warn other such cases could yet emerge. Judges on Tuesday upheld the death sentence of property developer Truong My Lan, who was convicted this year of embezzling vast sums from the Saigon Commercial Bank …

Huge Vietnam fraud case raises questions over banking system Read More »

In Vietnam’s heavily polluted capital Hanoi, teenage taxi driver Phung Khac Trung rides his electric motorbike through streets jammed with two-wheelers belching toxic fumes.Trung, 19, is one of a growing number of Generation-Z workers driving an e-bike trend in the communist nation where 77 million — largely petrol — motorbikes rule the roads.A cheap set …

Vietnam pushes electric motorbikes as pollution becomes ‘unbearable’ Read More »

South Korean stocks sank more than two percent Wednesday while the won rebounded from earlier losses after President Yoon Suk Yeol dramatically declared martial law overnight before reversing the decision hours later.The shock announcement sent shivers through the trading floor in Seoul and fuelled a political crisis in Asia’s third-biggest economy, with the already unpopular …

Seoul stocks sink amid S. Korea drama as Asian markets struggle Read More »

Global stocks mostly rose Tuesday, with US and German indices posting records, as markets weighed Chinese stimulus hopes, political tensions in France and the US interest-rate outlook.Germany’s blue-chip DAX stock index jumped above 20,000 points for the first time and Paris rebounded even as France braced for new political turmoil. In New York, both the …

Global stocks end mostly up with DAX crossing 20,000 for 1st time Read More »

Stock markets struggled for direction Tuesday as investors weighed Chinese stimulus hopes, political tensions in France and the US interest-rate outlook.Meanwhile oil prices jumped more than two percent as the United States expanded sanctions on Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet” illicitly selling oil to foreign markets.Germany’s blue-chip DAX stock index jumped above 20,000 points for the …

Stocks mixed as traders weigh US rates, China stimulus hopes Read More »

President Xi Jinping on Tuesday told Nepali Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli that China will offer more support to develop the country’s infrastructure, Chinese state media reported.The leader of the Himalayan republic was in Beijing on Tuesday to meet Chinese leaders, including Xi and Premier Li Qiang, seeking to expand infrastructure cooperation after breaking …

China’s Xi vows to deepen infrastructure cooperation with Nepal: state media Read More »

Stock markets and oil prices jumped Tuesday, supported by hopes China will unveil fresh measures to boost the world’s number two economy.Germany’s blue-chip DAX stock index jumped above 20,000 points for the first time and Paris rebounded even as France braced for new political turmoil.The euro also bounced back against the dollar, which was pressured …

Stocks jump on China hope, euro rebounds Read More »

Japan is planning to use AI to police anime and manga pirating websites that the pop-culture powerhouse accuses of costing it billions of dollars in lost revenue every year.There are at least 1,000 websites illegally offering free downloads of Japanese content, mostly its globally-renowned manga graphic novels, a group of domestic publishers claimed earlier this …

Japan to use AI to tackle online manga and anime piracy Read More »

A Vietnamese court upheld the death penalty Tuesday for a property tycoon in a multibillion-dollar fraud case — but said her life could still be spared if she paid back three quarters of the assets she embezzled.Property developer Truong My Lan, 68, was convicted this year of swindling money from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) — …

Vietnam court upholds death sentence for property tycoon Read More »

Most markets rose in Asia on Tuesday on hopes China will unveil fresh measures to boost the world’s number two economy following reports that authorities will hold a key meeting next week.The gains, which followed another record day on Wall Street, came as traders were also left assessing Washington’s decision to impose fresh tech export …

Asian markets boosted by new China hope, euro falls on France woes Read More »