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☆ ‘Pig butchering’ crypto scam: Americans taking their lives after losing savings to international criminal gangs
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Teele Rebane | Ivan Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

In early March, Dennis’ children scheduled a meeting to help their father get back on his feet after the scam. Matt and Adrienne lost their father Dennis to suicide in March after he fell victim to a cryptocurrency investment scam. Hard to believe I’m falling for a man I have never seen or spoken to,” Carina told him just a few weeks in. Carina, scam victimCarina didn’t tell her family about what had happened and the stress she was under until the very final moment. After months of hiding it, Carina told her family, who suggested she speak to Kraken directly.

Persons: Matt, “, Adrienne’s, Dennis Jones, Jessie, ”, Dennis, Dennis ’, Adrienne, ” Matt, Chris Turner, Amanda Swinhart, they’ve, Erin West, “ I’ve, I’ve, Erin, “ We’ve, Shawn Bradstreet, Jim Castel, Bradstreet, Bumble, GASO, that’s, Tom Booth Rakesh, Rakesh, “ Klara Semonov, Tawee Sodsong, Tom Booth Pachara, Jeff Rosen, ’ Carina, “ Evan ”, Carina, WhatsApp, ” Carina, Evan Van ”, CNN Evan, Evan, consoling, Jim Castel ‘, ” Dennis messaged, ” Adrienne, Carina didn’t, “ It’s, ” Dennis ’ Organizations: Lifeline, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders Worldwide, CNN, Facebook, FBI, San, LinkedIn, Meta, Indian, Thai National Broadcasting, Befrienders Locations: Virginia, Southeast Asia, scammers, Santa Clara, California’s Bay, San Francisco, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Thai, ”, Russian, Salt Lake City, scamming

☆ Cars, sugar and cruises: How the Port of Baltimore closure could hurt the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Mark Thompson | Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Port of Baltimore said in a post on X that vessel traffic was suspended until further notice, but trucks were still being processed at its terminals. It said it would discharge cargo destined for Baltimore in other ports nearby, but Maesrk warned customers that could mean delays. Closer to the Midwest than any other port on the East Coast, Baltimore is a major hub for vehicles, containers and commodities. Baltimore ranks first among US ports for autos and light trucks, handling a record 850,000 vehicles last year. While many of the 30,000 to 35,000 cars and trucks that used the Key Bridge daily can be rerouted through the two nearby tunnels, that will cause traffic delays.

Persons: Dali, Judah Levine, ” Maersk, “, VW, Oren Klachkin, Levine, Mark Zandi, ”, Zandi, Wes Moore, Joe Biden, Francis Scott Key, Tasos Katopodis, — Moore, Emily Stausbøll, Matt Lupoli, Hanna Ziady, Peter Valdes, Rob North, Sugam Pokharel Organizations: New York CNN, Baltimore, Atlantic, Nationwide Financial, US, Moody’s, Maryland Gov, Rebuilding, Francis Scott Key Bridge, Domino, Company, Royal Caribbean, Cruises, Cruise, Cruise Lines International Association, Royal Locations: London, New York, Port, Baltimore, East Coast, Singapore, East Coast , Baltimore, Philadelphia, Norfolk, of New York, New Jersey, Asia, Africa, Suez, Maryland, Patapsco, Rebuilding Baltimore, Baltimore , Maryland, Tasos, “, Norway, Royal Caribbean

☆ World’s worst polluted cities are in Asia - India’s Begusarai topping IQAir report
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“We see that in every part of our lives that air pollution has an impact,” said IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes. “And it typically, in some of the most polluted countries, is likely shaving off anywhere between three to six years of people’s lives. Central and South Asia were the worst performing regions globally, home to all four of the most polluted countries last year: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Tajikistan. South Asia is of particular concern, with 29 of the 30 most polluted cities in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. One bright spot is increasing pressure and civic engagement from communities, NGOs, companies, and scientists to monitor air quality.

Persons: ”, Frank Hammes, Hammes, “ What’s, IQAir, Chiang Mai, that’s, ” Hammes Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Health, IQAir, WHO, Dhaka, CNN, America, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, India, India’s Bihar, Guwahati, Assam, Delhi, Mullanpur, Punjab, South Asia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Lahore, New Delhi, Finland, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, French Polynesia, Canada, Alberta, United States, Minneapolis, Detroit, Columbus , Ohio, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, China, Beijing, Hotan, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangkok, Africa, South America, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Chad

☆ Holcim eyes $30 billion valuation with North American business listing, picks new CEO
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Switzerland's Holcim will spin off 100% of its North American operations in a New York flotation which could value the business at $30 billion, the building materials giant said on Sunday, as it also named a new chief executive. The spin-off could value the new company at around $30 billion, Jenisch told reporters, with Holcim retaining no stake. Holcim North America was trading at only 7 times operating profit, far less than the 10 to 15 times multiple of peers. Holcim is the biggest cement maker in North America, where it employs 16,000 people across 850 sites. The remaining Holcim business will have sales of around 17 billion Swiss francs ($19.69 billion), and employ 48,000 people.

Persons: Switzerland's, Miljan Gutovic, Jan Jenisch, Lafarge, Jenisch, Zuercher, Martin Huesler, Carlisle, James Hardy Organizations: Holcim, New York Stock Exchange, Eagle Materials Locations: New York, Holcim, Swiss, U.S, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, America, North America, Carlisle, The U.S

☆ Commodity markets are in a 'super squeeze' — and higher prices could be here to stay
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A commodity "super squeeze" is denoted by higher prices driven by supply constraints more than a robust growth in demand, he explained. "If it's a supply constraint that's driving high commodity prices, it's a very different story for global growth," he told CNBC via Zoom. Higher prices as a result of a super squeeze are "not as positive." The super squeeze could be deeper, or more prolonged if geopolitical, climate change or energy transition related supply disruptions are larger than expected. He highlighted that extreme weather events and geopolitics have also impacted the agricultural and energy commodity baskets.

Persons: Li Xin, Paul Bloxham, Bloxham, Brian Luke S, Dow, HSBC's Bloxham, Ian Waldie, Brian Luke, Matty Zhao Organizations: Technology, Getty, Visual China, HSBC, CNBC, Paul Bloxham HSBC, Energy, Commission, Commodities, Bloomberg, Dow Jones, of America Securities Locations: SUIXI, CHINA, Anhui, Suixi County, Huaibei City, Anhui Province, China, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Red, Australia, Asia, Pacific

☆ North Korean Hackers, Criminals Share Money Laundering Networks in Southeast Asia - UN
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Tom WilsonLONDON (Reuters) - North Korean hackers are sharing money-laundering and underground banking networks with fraudsters and drug traffickers in Southeast Asia, according to a United Nations report published on Monday, with casinos and crypto exchanges emerging as key venues for organised crime. Funds stolen by North Korean hackers are a key source of funding for Pyongyang and its weapons programmes. The junket sector has been infiltrated by organised crime for "industrial-scale money laundering and underground banking operations," with links to drug trafficking and cyberfraud, the report said. The proliferation of casinos and crypto have "supercharged" organised crime groups in Southeast Asia, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Jeremy Douglas told Reuters. "It's no surprise sophisticated threat actors would look to leverage the same underground banking systems and service providers," he said.

Persons: Tom Wilson LONDON, Lazarus, Pacific Jeremy Douglas, Tom Wilson, Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Angus MacSwan Organizations: United, United Nations Office, Drugs, Korea's, United Nations, North, Casinos, Bangladesh's Central Bank, Lazarus, UNODC Regional Representative, Southeast, Pacific, Reuters Locations: Southeast Asia, United Nations, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, North, Geneva, United States, Pyongyang, Philippines

☆ Copper could skyrocket over 75% to record highs by 2025 — brace for deficits, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-03 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Copper prices are set to soar more than 75% over the next two years amid mining supply disruptions and higher demand for the metal, fueled by the push for renewable energy. In a December report, the investment bank forecast that the higher renewable energy targets would boost copper demand by extra 4.2 million tons by 2030. This would potentially push copper prices to $15,000 a ton in 2025, the report added, way higher than the record peak of $10,730 per ton scaled in March last year. "This assumes a very soft landing in the U.S. and Europe, an earlier global growth recovery, significant China easing," Citi analysts said, while also emphasizing on continued investments in the energy transition sector. A growing economy tends to boost demand for copper, which is used in electrical equipment and industrial machinery.

Persons: Matty Zhao Organizations: U.S, BMI, Fitch Solutions, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of America Securities, CNBC, Citibank, Citi Locations: Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, China, Asia, Pacific, U.S, Europe

☆ Mexico's real estate trust Fibra Next eyes $865 mln IPO to cash in on nearshoring
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Fibra Next, spun off by parent trust Fibra Uno (FUNO11.MX), plans to issue some 277.8 million Real Estate Trust Stock Certificates (CBFIs) in the offering, scheduled for November 28, according to the document dated Tuesday. Fibra Nearshoring Experts and Technology, as Fibra Next is officially known, had reportedly initially been targeting a valuation of $1.5 billion according to media reports last month, pricing it as the largest local IPO since 2018. The funds raised will be used for the acquisition and development of properties, Fibra Next stated in a separate presentation to investors. Fibra Next is tapping in on the real estate buzz from nearshoring - the trend of locating manufacturing capacity in Mexico, closer to the U.S. market, rather than in Asia - to boost profits and economic growth. Another real estate trust, Vesta (VESTA.MX), debuted on New York Stock Exchange earlier this year with a $400 million initial public offering.

Persons: Fibra Uno, Fibra, Noe Torres, Adriana Barrera, Isabel Woodford, Michael Perry Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Technology, Fibro Uno, New York Stock Exchange, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexican, Mexico, U.S, Asia

☆ Mexican businesses warmed by glow of 'nearshoring' dawn
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Noe Torres | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MEXICO CITY, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Mexican businesses, particularly those linked to real estate and construction, are counting on investment from so-called "nearshoring" to boost profits and economic growth, especially in industrial zones near the U.S. border. "Many companies are already talking about this - about nearshoring and the economic benefits," said Gerardo Copca, an analyst at consultancy MetAnalisis. One notable project - electric vehicle maker Tesla's plans for a reported $5 billion factory in northern Mexico - has been credited with attracting $1 billion in Chinese investments to nearby industries. Mexican real estate investment trust Fibra Uno (FUNO11.MX) plans to launch a trust allowing investors to cash in on expected growth of industrial assets. Total Mexican construction output jumped almost by 46% in August year-on-year, with northern states performing strongly.

Persons: Gerardo Copca, Nearshoring, Fibra Uno, Andre El, Mann, AMPIP, Lorenzo Berho, El, Berho, Enrique Navarro, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's, Noe Torres, Dave Graham, David Alire Garcia, Christian Plumb, Josie Kao Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Fibra, Banco Regional, U.S, UBS, Cement, GCC, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, U.S, Mexico, Asia, Mexican, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Jalisco, United States, Canada, China, Swiss, Chihuahua, Texas

☆ India's Redington posts 22% fall in quarterly profit on slow tech gadget demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHENNAI, Nov 6 (Reuters) - India's Redington (REDI.NS) reported a 22% decline in quarterly profit on Monday, as the technology gadgets distributor grappled with a global slowdown in demand and higher expenses. Consolidated profit fell to 3.03 billion rupees ($36.42 million) in the second quarter from 3.87 billion rupees a year earlier. In the previous four quarters, Redington had reported revenue growth between 24.6% and 30.8%. However, Qualcomm and Apple recently indicated smartphone sales slump has finally started to ease, setting them up for better quarters ahead. ($1 = 83.1974 Indian rupees)Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Eileen SorengOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Redington, Praveen, Eileen Soreng Organizations: Consolidated, Apple, Samsung, Revenue, Qualcomm, Thomson Locations: CHENNAI, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Singapore, India, South Asia

☆ IMF says Asian economies under cosh as China's property woes bite
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China's post-lockdown economic boost lost momentum earlier than expected, the IMF said. "On the downside, a more protracted real estate crisis and limited policy response in China would deepen the regional slowdown." A sudden tightening of global financial conditions could lead to capital outflows and weaken exchange rates in Asia, the blog added. "While Asia is still set to contribute about two-thirds of all global growth this year, it is important to note that growth is significantly lower than what was projected before the pandemic," the IMF said. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) had maintained a cap on the country's 10-year bond yield at around zero, to support a fragile economy.

Persons: Aly, Leika, John Stonestreet Organizations: China Evergrande Group, REUTERS, China, International Monetary Fund, IMF, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Danzhou, Hainan province, China, Asia, MARRAKECH, Morroco, U.S, outflows, Marrakech, Japan

☆ Morning Bid: Fed's dovish shift welcomed; inflation's next
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Futures pricing suggests traders now see about a 30% chance of another rate hike this year, down from about 45% a week ago. Ahead on Wednesday, the European Central Bank's inflation survey and U.S. producer price data will lead in to U.S. inflation data on Thursday. The S&P 500's retreat on Tuesday from the day's high, closing only 0.5% firmer, also suggests nervousness. Later in the week U.S. corporate earnings season hits full swing, with bank profits set to rise. Overnight markets welcomed Pepsi (PEP.O) promising to keep on lifting prices, which is a good sign for demand but perhaps a warning sign for inflation.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Westbrook Stocks, Raphael Bostic, Fed's Bowman, Waller, Collins, Tom Westbrook, Edmund Klamann Organizations: . Federal, REUTERS, Bankers, Atlanta Fed, Pepsi, Exxon Mobil, U.S, Natural Resources, Reuters, Bank, PPI, Thomson Locations: Washington, Nashville, Asia, Finland, Estonia, Marrakech, Morocco, Bostic

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Acquire Licensing RightsOct 4 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. The Japanese yen? Japanese stocks had already slumped to a four-month low before the yen's sudden burst of strength. Purchasing managers index reports from Japan, Australia and South Korea will be released, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand announces its latest interest rate decision on Wednesday. The RBNZ is widely seen holding its key interest rate at 5.50% - the highest in nearly 15 years - and keep it there at least until March before lowering it shortly after.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy's, Jonathan Ernst, Jamie McGeever, Bond, Bill Gross, Fed's Schmid, Bowman, Goolsbee, Josie Kao Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, New York Fed, Nikkei, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Washington , U.S, Japan, Washington, Swiss, U.S, Asia, Australia, South Korea, Zealand, Korea

REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies PT Suralaya Indotenaga FollowSINGAPORE/JAKARTA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Environmental groups have submitted a formal complaint to the World Bank for providing financial support for two coal-fired power plants in Indonesia, violating a pledge to stop backing fossil fuels. Plans to build two more would emit 250 million tons of climate-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the groups said a letter to World Bank compliance ombudsman Janine Ferretti. The IFC, the World Bank and Hana Bank Indonesia did not immediately respond to requests to comment. According to the Global Energy Monitor think tank, Indonesia was one of 11 countries to commission new coal plants last year. The JETP compels Indonesia to impose a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants, though there are exemptions for "captive" plants that serve other industrial facilities.

Persons: Willy Kurniawan, Janine Ferretti, CREA, David Stanway, Miral Organizations: Indonesia Power, Plant, REUTERS, World Bank, International Financial Corporation, IFC, Hana, Hana Bank Indonesia, Bank, Inclusive Development, Hana Bank, Research, Energy, Clean, PT, Raya, Global Energy Monitor, Thomson Locations: Suralaya, Banten province, Indonesia, SINGAPORE, JAKARTA, Hana Bank, Asia, U.S, Hana Bank Indonesia, Helsinki, Jakarta, China, India

☆ Samsonite’s baggage is heavy with geopolitics
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Thomas Shum | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Of the restless group, luggage maker Samsonite International (1910.HK) has the least financial reason to mull a move. The $5 billion U.S. and Luxembourg-based company was one of the first Western companies to list in Hong Kong. Sales from Asia - Samsonite’s most profitable region – accounted for almost 40% of the total in the first half of 2023. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsFrom a liquidity point of view too, Samsonite has had a better experience in Hong Kong than other international arrivals. That’s better than other international consumer brands that boast similar levels of prestige.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Tim Parker, Samsonite, Kyle Gendreau, CK Hutchison, It’s, Calvin Klein, Prada, ” Gendreau, Una Galani, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: Woodbury, REUTERS, Reuters, Global, Samsonite, HK, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Prada, Swire Pacific, CK, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Central Valley , New York, U.S, HONG KONG, Hong Kong, mull, Luxembourg, Asia, New York, Washington, Beijing, China

A view of the United Nations Climate Change Conference flags at the venue, in Bonn, Germany, June 6, 2023. "What we want to see, all of us, is a real sense of urgency about reducing CO2 emissions," Roche Vice-Chair Andre Hoffmann said. We need to show action, and I'm not sure that what I've read so far of the COP28 will be strong enough for that." Despite rapidly falling prices for renewable energy, Roche's (ROG.S) Hoffmann said much faster action was needed. "If the change is going to be that big then financial institutions, business people will reshape and they'll say my goodness there's going to be new technological institutions, there's going to be new factories, there's going to be a new economy.

Persons: Jana Rodenbusch, Hoffmann, November's, Roche, Andre Hoffmann, I'm, Eelco van der Enden, Elvis Presley, it's, Celine Herweijer, we've, Herweijer, It's, Andrew Steer, Steer, Richa Naidu, Gloria Dickie, Clara Denina, Iain Withers, Helen Reid, Alexander Smith Organizations: United Nations, REUTERS, Reuters IMPACT, Global, HSBC, Reuters, Fund, Thomson Locations: Bonn, Germany, Asia, Dubai, American, Paris

☆ Air pollution now a major risk to life expectancy in South Asia - study
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The region, which includes the world's most polluted countries of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, accounts for more than half of the total life years lost globally to pollution, the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) said in its latest Air Quality Life Index. Rapid industrialization and population growth have contributed to declining air quality in South Asia, where particulate pollution levels are currently more than 50% higher than at the start of the century and now overshadow dangers posed by larger health threats. In the densely populated New Delhi, the world's most polluted mega-city, the average life span is down by more than 10 years. Reducing global levels of lung-damaging airborne particles, known as PM 2.5, to levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) could raise average life expectancy by 2.3 years, or a combined 17.8 billion life years, the report said. China, meanwhile, has worked to reduce pollution by 42.3% between 2013 and 2021, the report said, highlighting the need for governments to generate accessible air quality data to help bridge global inequalities in accessing tools to combat pollution.

Persons: Blassy Boben, Mike Harrison Organizations: DELHI, University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute, EPIC, World Health Organization, WHO, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, South Asia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, United States, Delhi, China

☆ UBS inherits tricky wealth legacy in Asia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Anshuman Daga | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SINGAPORE, Aug 29 (Reuters Breakingviews) - UBS (UBSG.S) CEO Sergio Ermotti is facing an Asian wealth bonanza after acquiring Credit Suisse, which has been particularly strong in Indonesia and neighbouring countries. Tidjane Thiam, who ran Credit Suisse from 2015 to 2020, placed a big bet on the region by creating g a standalone Asian unit led by Indonesian banker Helman Sitohang. Former UBS CEO Ralph Hamers said in March that in Asia, more than anywhere globally, the interplay between wealth management and investment banking was important to lure clients. That working combination helped Credit Suisse regularly top equity capital markets and M&A league tables in Southeast Asian markets. UBS regional chief Edmund Koh told an industry event in July that the Swiss bank will manage about $800 billion of assets in Asia this year, Asia Private Banker reported.

Persons: Sergio Ermotti, Tidjane Thiam, Helman Sitohang, Ralph Hamers, Edmund Koh, Ermotti, Francesco De Ferrari, Benjamin Cavalli, Lisa Jucca, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, UBS, Credit Suisse, Suisse, Credit Suisse’s, Credit, Asia, Banker, HSBC, HK, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Indonesia, Swiss, Asia

☆ Asia - Latest News, Investigations and Analysis
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. Looks to Head Off Trouble Over Visit by Taiwan Vice PresidentTaiwan’s vice president plans to visit the U.S. in August, less than five months after a similar visit by the island democracy’s president sparked an angry response from Beijing.

Organizations: Taiwan Locations: U.S, Beijing

Aug 16 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. The word 'crisis' should always be used responsibly and judiciously when covering financial markets, business and economics, but are we at that point now with China? The People's Bank of China may have finally pulled the interest rate lever, but it had the expected impact of slamming the exchange rate. Compare and contrast China with Japan, as per Tuesday's bumper Q2 GDP data, and the U.S., where figures on Tuesday showed a surge in retail sales. Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Wednesday:- New Zealand interest rate decision- China house prices (July)- Japan tankan surveys (August)By Jamie McGeever; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jamie McGeever, Zhang Dandan, JP Morgan, Josie Kao Organizations: Peking University, People's Bank of, Atlanta, Thomson, Reuters Locations: China, New Zealand, Japan, Asia, People's Bank of China, U.S, Hong, Zealand

Sources said Biden's schedule for Asia is not official until it has been announced and could change. One senior diplomat referred to Indonesia having scheduled the ASEAN summits, which are normally held in November, for September, specifically to make is possible for Biden to attend and then go on to the G20. Sources said Biden was expected to send Vice President Kamala Harris in his place. Policy analysts said another no-show by Biden, who attended ASEAN meetings in Cambodia in November, would call that characterization into question. "Southeast Asia has been impressed that Washington under Biden has stepped up engagement with the region," Hiebert said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst WASHINGTON, Biden, we'll, Kamala Harris, Harris, Jonathan, Murray Hiebert, Hiebert, Ted Osius, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis, Michael Martina, Stanley Widianto, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, White, White House, Biden, U.S ., Southeast, Washington's Center, Strategic, International Studies, ASEAN Business Council, Democrat, Republican, Thomson Locations: Tusayan , Arizona, U.S, JAKARTA, Jakarta, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Washington, Asia, American, Papua New Guinea, Australia, ASEAN, Cambodia, Southeast Asia, East Asia

[1/5] Boards displaying the exchange rate of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar are pictured outside exchange houses in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico July 27, 2023. But emergence of the phenomenon known as the "super peso" means those dollars no longer go as far as they did. "The purchasing power of remittances has deteriorated due to peso appreciation," said Carlos Serrano, chief economist at bank BBVA Mexico. "You can see it hitting lower-income families ... in states that bring in most remittances." Georgina Cardenas, 34, said the $1,200 a month she receives from her builder husband in the United States "used to be enough for my two children" and other expenses.

Persons: Jose Luis Gonzalez, Adriana Sanchez, Sanchez, it's, Andres Manuel Lopez, Carlos Serrano, Pablo Lopez Sarabia, Manuel, there's, Veronica, They're, Georgina Cardenas, Lizbeth Diaz, Noe Torres, Dave Graham, Aurora Ellis Organizations: U.S ., REUTERS, BBVA Mexico, Reuters, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Thomson Locations: Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, TLAXCALA, United States, Asia, Tlaxcala, Mexico City, U.S, California

☆ Morning Bid: Markets shrug off upbeat news from Japan and China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

With a Reuters poll pointing to a sharp slowing in Tokyo's core CPI for July next week, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda is likely to remain confident about sticking to Japan's ultra-easy policy settings next Friday, keeping the yen on the back foot. China's latest efforts to boost consumption provided a small lift to mainland stocks, but markets continue to look ahead to the Politburo meeting, expected next week, for bigger stimulus announcements. The piecemeal measures unveiled so far suggest there's plenty of scope for disappointment. Where Beijing seems to be having greater impact is in propping up the Chinese yuan , which was holding the bulk of Thursday's gains after another stronger-than-forecast midpoint setting on Friday. A sharp drop in the July GfK consumer confidence gauge, which came in below the lowest Reuters poll forecast, suggests sentiment remains downbeat after what's expected to be a weaker UK retail sales reading for June.

Persons: Sonali Desai, Kazuo Ueda, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Netflix, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Reuters, Thales SA, Bank, American Express, Schlumberger NV, Thomson Locations: Asia, Japan, U.S, Beijing, propping

JAKARTA, June 15 (Reuters) - Short video app TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, said on Thursday it would invest billions of dollars in Southeast Asia over the next few years, as it doubles down on the region amid intensifying global scrutiny over its data security. Southeast Asia, a region with a collective population of 630 million - half of them under 30 - is one of TikTok's biggest markets in terms of user numbers. "We're going to invest billions of dollars in Indonesia and Southeast Asia over the next few years," TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said at a forum it organised in Jakarta to highlight the social and economic impact of the app in the region. Chew said TikTok has 8,000 employees in Southeast Asia, and 2 million small vendors selling their wares on its platform in Indonesia, the region's biggest economy. The app has not faced major bans on government devices in Southeast Asia, but it has been under scrutiny over its content.

Persons: China's ByteDance, Shou Zi Chew, Chew, TikTok, Stanley Widanto, Miyoung Kim, Christopher Cushing, Jamie Freed Organizations: HK, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Southeast Asia, Sea's, Indonesia, Jakarta, Beijing, Britain, New Zealand, Vietnam

The fund, focused on projects in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, could invest across wind and solar as well as other clean technologies such as batteries and grid infrastructure. "You have folks now that are really trying to focus their portfolio construction around the different sub-sectors in infrastructure," Giordano said, citing increasing demand from pension schemes attracted to assets that match long-term liabilities. As a result, the company said it is targeting between $5 billion and $7 billion for its fourth fund, after $4.8 billion was raised for its predecessor, which closed in April 2021. Among the investments made by the third fund was one in high-power charging network IONITY, which raised 700 million euros in November. Depending on the amount raised, the fund could make around 18-22 investments across a mixture of early stage and developed projects, Giordano said, and could also consider co-investments.

Persons: BlackRock's Giordano, Climate Infrastructure David Giordano, Giordano, Simon Jessop, Susanna Twidale, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: BlackRock's, LONDON, BlackRock, Renewable Power Fund, Economic Co, Climate Infrastructure, Reuters, European Union, International Energy Agency, Waratah Super Battery, Thomson Locations: United States, Australia, Europe, Americas, Asia

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