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Typhoon Yagi has brought widespread destruction to parts of Asia, including China and Vietnam. In China, the typhoon resulted in two deaths, 92 injuries, and power outages in 1.5 million households. Over 460,000 people were evacuated, and schools and flights were suspended. The storm also caused landslides and floods in the Philippines. In Vietnam, Yagi made landfall, causing blackouts and damaging infrastructure. Trees were uprooted, roofs were blown away, and ships were swept out to sea. The..

China's investments in Africa's infrastructure, jobs, and military aid through credit lines are worth billions of dollars. While Chinese investments have helped Africa modernize and provide job opportunities, there are concerns about debt diplomacy, environmental impact, and competition with local businesses. African countries negotiate with China on a bilateral basis, weakening their collective bargaining power. Western countries have also faced criticism for their predatory behavior in Africa...

Super Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm in the South China Sea in 30 years, is heading towards northern Vietnam, causing widespread preparations and evacuations. Hanoi residents rush to stock up on supplies as the typhoon approaches. The storm has already made landfall in Hainan, China, causing significant damage. Hong Kong, Vietnam, and southern Chinese provinces have suspended flights, trains, and boats, and closed schools and offices in anticipation of Yagi's arrival. Vietnam has deployed o..

Elon Musk's Tesla gears up to launch its 'Full Self Driving' system in Europe and China in early 2025, despite the need for driver attentiveness. The company's impressive sales of 1.8 million vehicles in 2023 and plans to reduce its staff at Gigafactory Grünheide showcase its growing influence. While Tesla aims for a $1 trillion+ valuation with its AI technologies and Cybercab robotaxi launch, safety concerns persist. In contrast, traditional automakers like Volvo and Ford are scaling back their..

Summer 2024 marked the hottest on record globally, with soaring temperatures highlighting the escalating climate crisis. The Copernicus Climate Change Service's data points towards 2024 potentially becoming the hottest year recorded. Despite some regions experiencing cooler weather in August, the majority faced extreme heat, further exacerbated by climate change. The world is failing emission reduction targets, with current warming surpassing pre-industrial levels by 1.2C and breaching the cri..

The Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs is taking action against Temu and Shein, who deliver products with inadequate safety standards and evade customs controls. The SPD parliamentary group is calling for an expansion of customs controls and the abolition of the 150-euro customs exemption limit. Shein has hired former EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger as an advisor. Around 400,000 products from Temu and Shein alone arrive on the German market daily. The government is planning an 'E-Commerce..

Super typhoon Yagi is strengthening in the South China Sea with winds up to 209 km/h, leading to school closures and flight cancellations in southern China. Hainan province has upgraded its emergency response level, while Hong Kong has issued a high typhoon warning. Yagi is expected to hit northern and north-central Vietnam, prompting mobilization of military personnel and sailing bans in coastal provinces. The storm has caused deaths and damage in the Philippines before making its way towards..

China's President Xi pledges billions in financing and one million jobs for African countries at the FOCAC summit. African leaders secure agreements in trade, tourism, industry, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. UN warns of Africa's unsustainable debt and calls for debt relief. China seeks closer cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, mining, trade, and energy. South African President cites geopolitical rivalry for critical minerals. Huawei plans to establish new cloud data centers..

Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan welcomed FOCAC guests, highlighting the enduring friendship between China and Africa. The partnership, rooted in decades of tradition, focuses on infrastructure, COVID-19 response, and fostering a shared future. China and Africa collaborate to propel Global South development, in the face of US competition and Europe's shift. The summit underscores expanding ties through discussions on vital issues like climate, security, and trade deals, reinforcing diplomatic relati..

US Climate Envoy John Podesta meets with Chinese counterpart Liu Zhenmin for intensive discussions on climate cooperation and global climate negotiations. With COP29 approaching, the world's top CO2 emitters, China and the US, aim to tackle the pressing issue of climate change. Podesta's trip seeks to push for more ambitious emission reduction plans from China, breaking the current climate engagement deadlock. The meeting follows their initial agreement to collaborate on reducing methane emiss..

The recent FOCAC summit in Beijing highlighted the increasing competition between China and the US for influence in Africa. This rivalry has prompted the EU, US, Japan, and India to launch their development initiatives as a countermeasure to China's BRI. Amidst concerns over Beijing's debt-trap diplomacy, China positions itself as a champion for developing nations, challenging the Western-dominated global order. With China being Africa's primary trading partner and investor for the past 15 yea..

China has retaliated against Canada's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles by targeting Canadian canola and chemical imports with anti-dumping investigations. This action follows Canada's imposition of 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs and 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium, aligning with measures by the US and EU. Accusations of unfair competition and industrial overcapacity have strained China-Canada relations. Beijing's probes into Canadian goods signal escalating trade tensions amid global tariff..

In a significant move, US National Security Advisor Sullivan held talks in China, addressing critical issues like the Taiwan Strait, Russian military support, and the South China Sea. Both nations agreed to maintain diplomatic discussions, with the White House terming the talks as 'open, objective, and constructive'. Despite tensions, the dialogue signals a slight improvement in communication post Biden-Xi meeting, emphasizing Taiwan as a Chinese territory supported by the USA. The US reaffirmed..

The global Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) market is expected to grow annually by 20% until 2031, with a focus on passenger cars and Li-ion batteries, while commercial vehicles and NiMH remain significant segments. Key players like Groupe PSA and Jaguar are driving this growth. A notable shift from hybrid to BEVs is observed, with major contenders including BAIC Group, BYD Auto, and Chery Automobile. In the personal mobility vehicle market, a remarkable CAGR of 7.50% is projected by 2029, with..

China has expressed outrage at Canada's announcement of imposing additional tariffs of 100% on electric vehicles from China starting in October. The Chinese government has stated that it is 'very dissatisfied' with this move and will take 'all necessary measures' to protect Chinese companies. The additional tariffs are expected to damage trade and economic relations between China and Canada, as well as slow down the transition to a green economy. Canada's justification for the tariffs includes..

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is visiting Beijing to discuss thorny issues with China, including Taiwan, the South China Sea, the fentanyl drug crisis, and China's alleged supply of weapons to Russia. The visit aims to ease tensions and pave the way for a potential summit between the two presidents. Discussions are expected to cover a range of bilateral issues, such as a potential Biden-Xi summit, amid intensifying US-China rivalry and an unpredictable US election season. The talks..

PDD Holdings, owner of Pinduoduo and Temu, saw its stock plunge 28% despite impressive financials. The Chinese e-commerce company now trades at a price-to-earnings ratio under 10, a shockingly low valuation for its rapid growth. The Motley Fool Stock Advisor team did not recommend PDD, noting that their 10 recommended stocks could produce monster returns, like Nvidia's 79,172% gain since their 2005 recommendation, outperforming the S&P 500. PDD reported record Q2 revenue of 97B yuan, but a 25%..

China is investigating EU subsidies for dairy products, pork, and brandy in response to EU special tariffs on electric cars. Talks between China and the EU have remained fruitless. China is also considering raising import tariffs on large-engined gasoline vehicles in response to EU tariff votes on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Germany, France, Italy, and Spain would be most affected. China's exports of vehicles with engines larger than 2.5 litres to China were worth $1.2 billion last year. The..

In Berlin, the Tenant Association is fighting against the high prices of furnished apartments, while the Justice Ministry resists reforms. Activist Jim Berghäuser and Germany's construction minister are addressing the housing shortage. The increase in costs and high inflation have caused a housing crisis in Germany, with construction falling below government targets. Germany has one of the highest percentages of renters compared to homeowners in Europe. In response, advocates are calling on the..

PwC China's auditing unit is reportedly facing a six-month business ban and a fine of over $56 million for its audit of Evergrande. The penalties would restrict PwC China's securities work, including IPOs, funds, state firms, signing off on results, IPO applications, and working with listed firms. This follows Deloitte Beijing's three-month suspension and a fine of over $30 million for audit failures. The ban is expected to be the toughest penalty ever received by a Big Four firm in China. PwC..

The European Union has revised its tariffs on Chinese-made Tesla electric vehicles, lowering rates for several Chinese EV companies. Tesla will face a 9% tariff, down from almost 21%. Tariffs for other Chinese EV makers range from 17% to 36.3%. The final decision on countervailing duties from China is expected by the end of October, pending approval from the majority of EU members. Some companies are considering producing cars in Europe or other regions to avoid these tariffs. China has strongly..

President Biden has approved a secret nuclear war strategy plan that focuses on China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal and North Korea's increase in the number of nuclear warheads. The Pentagon believes that China's nuclear stockpile will compete with those of the US and Russia in the next decade. There is no electronic copy of the document, and only a few printed copies have been distributed to a small number of national security officials and Pentagon commanders. The nuclear threat has..

The Tencent-backed video game 'Black Myth: Wukong' has made a remarkable debut, garnering record player numbers. Based on the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West,' the game has topped Steam's most-played and China sales charts after pre-orders. Developed by Game Science, a studio founded by a former Tencent employee and backed by mobile publisher Hero Entertainment, 'Black Myth: Wukong' has attracted global attention as a high-budget Chinese title. It has surpassed popular games like 'E..

The EU has implemented punitive tariffs on electric cars from China, with rates set for manufacturers. China has criticized the tariffs and called on the WTO. The Chamber of Commerce has also voiced its criticism. However, some politicians, like Habeck, have shown understanding. On the other hand, Scholz and the VDA are critics of the tariffs. A study warns of potential damage to European manufacturers. Additionally, the elimination of state premiums has led to a decrease in sales figures for..

The EU has decided not to impose additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which are 20% cheaper than EU models, for the time being. Instead, the tariff rates have been adjusted: BYD 17.0%, Geely 19.3% (for Smart models #1, #3, and Volvo EX30), SAIC 36.3% (for the MG4, which ranks second behind the VW ID.3 in Germany), and Tesla 9%. Companies cooperating with the EU will face a tariff of 21.3% (originally 20.8%). The final decision lies with the 27 EU member states, and a diplomatic sol..

Hong Kong is becoming a favored market and testing ground for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers due to its high EV adoption and proximity to mainland China. Chinese brands like Denza, Xpeng, and Zeekr are entering the Hong Kong market and launching new models. However, challenges such as the lack of autonomous driving policies, EV battery ecosystem, and R&D talent hinder Hong Kong's potential as an EV testing hub. Despite this, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers predicts that..

Alibaba's Q1 earnings report shows a decline in EPS but a rise in revenue. The company faces regulatory pressure and stiff competition from PDD and JD.com. Despite the challenges, analysts remain bullish on the stock. Alibaba's initiatives, such as a service fee for merchants, have been well-received. JD.com, Alibaba's rival, is also set to report Q2 earnings, with expectations of increased profit and revenue. Alibaba's struggles in its core e-commerce business are offset by growth in internat..

China faces a sluggish economic recovery marked by slowing industrial output, retail sales, and investment growth, compounded by rising unemployment. Exports decline, bank loans contract for the first time in 19 years, and both state-owned and private enterprises see stagnant investment. Despite government efforts and pledges to boost consumption, the shift to new growth drivers proves challenging. Meanwhile, China's real estate sector struggles despite state support, notably with a 14-month d..

Tencent, the Chinese tech giant, experienced an impressive 82% jump in quarterly profit in Q2, following a recent annual revenue decline. This surge was primarily driven by the success of new hit games like DnF Mobile and Valorant. Investors responded positively to this growth, pushing Tencent's share price up by 28% this year. The company's gaming revenue growth, fueled by the popularity of DnF Mobile, is seen as a potential major franchise for Tencent. Despite regulatory challenges and conce..