Coronavirus News (207)

China’s banks urged to switch away from SWIFT as US sanctions over Hong Kong national security law loom US legislation could penalise banks for serving officials who implement the new national security for Hong Kong China launched the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) clearing and settlement services system in 2015 to help internationalise use of the yuan

How the China-Iran economic and security deal endangers India’s strategic interests in the Middle East The deal, which throws Iran a vital lifeline and gives China access to Iran’s hydrocarbon reserves, imperils India’s strategic stake in the Chabahar port project

Why China is not gunning for a roaring economic recovery China’s GDP rebound belies an uneven recovery and a widening gap between the real economy and capital markets. Instead of more stimulus, Beijing will want to rebalance the economy and carefully unwind policy easing GDP growth should hit 5-6 per cent for the second half, and 2.3 per cent for the whole year

Beijing tries to balance nationalism with pragmatism in US relations Despite an apparent tit-for-tat dispute, China has consistently pulled punches when retaliating against actions from Washington The recent Chengdu-Houston consulate dispute is emblematic of the current state of the relationship

China woos Asean neighbours in bid to avoid US-led coalition on its doorstep Beijing has been shoring up relations in Southeast Asia with an emphasis on Washington-friendly countries Phone calls, virtual meetings and pledges of support aim to sway the region’s delicate balancing act between two powers

The Danger of Blue Light Is Real. Protect Your Eyes With Blue Light Glasses.

NASA VENUS ROVER DESIGNED FOR “EXPLORING HELL”

THESE SCIENTISTS ARE TESTING AN EXPERIMENTAL COVID VACCINE ON THEMSELVES NOBODY KNOWS IF IT ACTUALLY WORKS OR NOT — BUT THEY'RE PASSING IT AROUND LIKE A PARTY DRUG.

Why We Need Mass Automation to Pandemic-Proof the Supply Chain this whole system, the global supply chain, works so well that it’s effectively invisible most of the time. Until now, that is. The pandemic has thrown a floodlight on the inner workings of this modern wonder—and it’s exposed massive vulnerabilities. ..............  Despite an abundance of 21st century technology, we’re stuck in the 20th century. .......  Today’s supply chain consists of fleets of ships, trucks, warehouses, and importantly, people scattered around the world. While there are some notable instances of advanced automation, the overwhelming majority of work is still manual, resembling a sort of human-powered bucket brigade, with people wandering around warehouses or standing alongside conveyor belts. Each package of diapers or bottle of detergent ordered by an online customer might be touched dozens of times by warehouse workers before finding its way into a box delivered to a home. ................  To make the global supply chain more resilient to shocks like Covid-19, we must look to technology. .......  Perfecting the Global Supply Chain: The Massive ‘Matter Router’

Coronavirus News (206)

 How companies win amid a crisis

The TikTok plot thickens

Tesla has a new rival

Governments must beware the lure of free money

Vaccine Race Is On: Oxford, China Products Show Good Early Results — But population-specific efficacy questions remain as both progress to phase III 

Hong Kong security law: how will US sanctions affect China’s plan to turn the yuan into a widely used global currency? The threat of US sanctions over Hong Kong has added urgency to Beijing’s efforts to cut its reliance on the US dollar But analysts say intensifying China-US decoupling is likely to make foreign investors wary of using the yuan in place of the US dollar

Capital of China’s Xinjiang region shuts down as coronavirus returns City of 3.5 million people given short notice of lockdown as flights cancelled and subway shuts down After 149 Covid-19 free days, the autonomous region reports six confirmed infections and 11 asymptomatic cases 

FAUCI: THE CORONAVIRUS WILL PROBABLY BE AROUND FOREVER "I DON’T REALLY SEE US ERADICATING IT."

Zhao Liying, queen of TV ratings in China, the star of Princess Agents and now a mum, seeks a new direction It took her nine years of hard graft, filming 300 days a year, for Zhao Liying to find fame. Now, after marriage and motherhood, she’s taken a well-earned break As she seeks a new direction, the star of Princess Agents, The Story of Minglan and The Journey of Flower relaxes by tidying her house

India and China set for more talks to reduce border tension Two sides will discuss plans to pull back soldiers after fatal clash in Galwan Valley last month US estimates that both countries have around 10,000 troops in the area after build-up continued away from front line

Why the risk of a US-China hot war is small despite heated talk Bilateral ties are closer than the US and Soviet relations were during the Cold War, the ideological confrontation less intense, and decoupling, while painful, buys a modicum of peace and security Also, both sides have many tools and options other than war to achieve their aims

Asian states face stark choice in threat of China-US military clash Tensions between Beijing and Washington put pressure on friends and neighbours of both countries to pick a side Analysts examine how allegiances may align if the shouting match between the two powers becomes a shooting one

As US-China tensions heat up, Taiwan’s firms pivot to India India’s giant market, inexpensive skilled workforce and generous tax breaks aren’t the only things drawing investment from Taiwanese firms Fears over the fallout from US-China tensions and a desire to diversify supply chains in the wake of Covid-19 are also fuelling the trend ............  “The main thing India offers is a captive consumer base and access to the domestic market as well as a cheap labour source and the ease of doing business” .........  The country has made itself more attractive to foreign investors by cutting the corporate income tax rate from 30 to 22 per cent in September and taxing start-ups at just 15 per cent. Investors operating in special economic zones can avoid tariffs as well as income taxes. Labour costs 15 per cent less in India than in China .........  “India has realised the growing technical capabilities of Taiwanese firms and how they can be utilised to support the Indian manufacturing sector, while Taiwan sees India as a means to reduce dependency on China.”