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☆ Hong Kong 47: Democracy leaders sentenced to lengthy jail terms in largest national security trial as Beijing tightens grip
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Chris Lau | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Benny Tai, a prominent legal scholar and veteran protest leader, received the longest prison term of 10 years – the toughest sentence to date handed down under the national security law. But since the national security law came into effect in 2020, Hong Kong’s political and legal landscape has been transformed. The administration of outgoing US President Joe Biden was also critical of Bejing’s crackdown in Hong Kong, even as it tried to recalibrate ties with Beijing. John Burns, emeritus professor at the University of Hong Kong, said the cumulative changes have reduced the city’s autonomy and citizens’ participation in politics. “The new regime has restricted human rights in Hong Kong, rights that Hong Kongers used to enjoy.

Persons: Hong Kong’s, Joshua Wong, “, –, Benny Tai, Wong, Gwyneth Ho, Leung Kwok, Claudia Mo, teared, ” –, Chris Lau, Lee Yue, ”, Hong, Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden, Trump, Raphael Wong Ho, John Burns, Hong Kongers, Hong Kong, John Lee –, ” Lee Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, CNN Landmark, Police, Washington, Beijing, CNN, Legislative Council, University of Hong, Authorities, Communist Party Locations: Hong Kong, Kowloon, Beijing, British, China, University of Hong Kong, Hong

☆ Chanel stages dreamy resort collection in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Stephy Chung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The fashion house staged its two runway shows — one in the afternoon, and one at night — at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI). Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesDesigned by the brand’s artistic director Virginie Viard, before her departure in June, the collection featured dozens of looks. Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesThe runway was spread across two floors of the Hong Kong Design Institute. But the label’s decision to restage the presentation in Hong Kong signals the brand’s continued efforts to court Asian clientele amid a wider luxury market slowdown. Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesBack in June, Viard announced she was exiting Chanel after serving as its artistic director of fashion collections for five years.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Chanel, ”, Penélope Cruz, Chow Yun, Angela Yuen, Chanel, Anthony Kwan, Virginie Viard, Yuen, Benjamin Voisin, Billy H.C, Kwok, Louis Vuitton, Viard, Karl Lagerfeld’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Design Institute, Reuters, Chanel Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, French, Marseilles, France, China

☆ Here's how much athletes at the Paris Olympics earn for winning medals
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Olympic and Paralympic medals are shown during the unveiling of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Medals on February 1, 2024 in Paris, France. Pascal Le Segretain | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesThe Paris 2024 Olympics is well underway, with dozens of medals already handed out. Vivian Kong won Hong Kong's first medal at the Paris Games, topping the podium in the women's epee individual event. Vaughn Ridley | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesOther governments dangling six-figure cash rewards for their gold medalists include Israel, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. Gold medalists receive 20,000 euros ($22,000).

Persons: Pascal Le Segretain, Hong, Administration Chan Kwok, ki, Vivian Kong, Hong Kong's, Cheung Ka, Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, Joseph, Michael Phelps, Vaughn Ridley, Man Wai Vivian Kong Organizations: Paris, Paralympic, Getty, International Olympic, CNBC, Olympic, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Administration, HK, Paris Games, Singapore, United, Rio, Tokyo Games, Germany's Sports Aid Foundation, Indian Olympic Association, Team Hong Kong, Olympic Games, Grand Palais Locations: Paris, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, United States, Israel, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Grand

☆ Steve Bannon filmed Jeffrey Epstein for 15 hours. His 'documentary' has never surfaced.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Read previewBefore his 2019 death in jail, Jeffrey Epstein spent hours being interviewed on camera by Steve Bannon. AdvertisementAlexandra Preate, a spokesperson for Bannon, told BI in December 2021 that the documentary about Epstein would be screened "probably around Labor Day." In the 2000s, Trump and Jeffrey Epstein fought over Trump's purchase of a Palm Beach mansion that Epstein coveted. Mark Epstein said Jeffrey Epstein told him he wasn't subpoenaed for any depositions at that time. "You were the only person I was afraid of during the campaign," Bannon told Epstein, according to Wolff's book.

Persons: —, Jeffrey Epstein, Steve Bannon, Bannon, Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein —, Donald Trump's, He's, Kevin McCarthy, Alexandra Preate, Preate, Trump Bannon, Mark Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's, Donald Trump, Melania Knauss, Jeffrey, Trump, Bannon's, Steve Bannon's, Jacob Shamsian, wasn't, would've, Brett Kavanaugh, Kavanaugh, he's, Mike Lindell, I've, It's, Guo Wengui, Guo —, Ho Wan Kwok, Miles Guo —, Guo, Leon Black, Black, Epstein's, David Bossie, Bobbi Sternheim, Gloria Allred, Arick Fudali, didn't, David Schoen, Brad Edwards, Emma, Jo Morris, Hunter, Morris, Michael Wolff, Wolff, Julie K, Brown, Alexander Acosta, Acosta, Ehud Barak, Reid Weingarten, Rachel Maddow, Gayle King, King, Patrick Semansky, he'd, Diana, Jean Carroll, Bergdorf Goodman, Carroll Organizations: Service, New York, Business, Global, Victory Films, Trump, Capitol, Labor, Daily, Miami Herald, Davidoff, BI, Voting Systems, Apollo Global Management, White, Citizens United, Office, Southern, of, New, Trump White Locations: Manhattan, Paris, Palm Beach , Florida, Mexico, Danbury , Connecticut, Palm Beach, New York, jshamsian@businessinsider.com, JacobShamsian, York, Miami, Florida, Trump

☆ Exiled Chinese businessman stole millions from followers, US prosecutor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Guo Wengui (also known as Miles Kwok) holds a news conference with Steve Bannon in New York, New York, U.S., November 20, 2018. Finkel showed jurors videos of Guo wearing sunglasses and standing on the deck of a yacht pitching investments. "Was Miles Guo targeted by the CCP? Prosecutors say Guo used multiple aliases, including Miles Guo and Miles Kwok. Guo paid Bannon $1 million as part of a consulting contract designed to lend legitimacy to his anti Chinese Communist Party movement, Finkel said.

Persons: Guo Wengui, Miles Kwok, Steve Bannon, Carlo Allegri, Ryan Finkel, Guo, Finkel, Miles Guo, Donald Trump, Bannon, Luc Cohen, Noeleen Walder, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, Lamborghini, CCP, Chinese Communist Party, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: New York , New York, U.S, Manhattan, Connecticut, China, New York

☆ Giant Loophole May Protect Trump Liquor Licenses Despite His Felonies
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Laura Italiano | Haven Orecchio-Egresitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

New Jersey officials revealed this week that they are looking at the licenses at his three golf courses there. AdvertisementThese states prohibit felons or people convicted of "moral" offenses such as fraud from holding a liquor license. Say Trump is landlord to the bar operators at one of these properties, and it's the bar operators who hold the liquor license, Pierce said. If Trump is charging the bar a flat rent, his felony status won't impact that liquor license. Trump would still have options, though, even if his hush-money conviction voided one or more of his liquor licenses.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, William Fay, Fay, he's, Aaron H, Pierce, Trump, Kwok Organizations: Service, Trump, New, New Jersey Attorney, Business, ABC Locations: ., Jersey, Colts Neck, Bedminster, Pine Hill, New Jersey, New Jersey , New York , Florida, California, United States, Manhattan, New York

☆ 14 pro-democracy activists found guilty of subversion in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Jennifer Jett | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG — A Hong Kong court on Thursday found 14 of 16 pro-democracy activists guilty of conspiring to subvert the state in the Chinese territory's single largest case under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing. Of those, 31 pleaded guilty in the hopes of a reduced sentence, while the remaining 16 pleaded not guilty. Hong Kong had had a 100% conviction rate in national security cases, which are prosecuted under rules that diverge from the city's legal norms, including presumption against bail. Almost 300 people have been arrested under the national security law, which came into force in the summer of 2020. The charges stem from an informal primary election held in July 2020 in which more than 600,000 voters selected pro-democracy candidates for a legislative election that was scheduled for that September.

Persons: Lau, Lee Yue, Critics, Eric Yan, Lai, Benny Tai, Claudia Mo, Joshua Wong, Leung Kwok, Raymond Chan, Gwyneth Ho, Hong Kong, Carrie Lam Organizations: Hong, Georgetown Center, Asian Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, Hong

The Hong Kong and Beijing governments have repeatedly denied the national security law is suppressing freedoms, arguing it has ended chaos and “restored stability” to the city. Since the national security law came into effect in 2020, civil groups have disbanded, and independent media outlets have been shut down. They are the first defendants to be acquitted in a national security law trial in Hong Kong. But that strategy is in doubt after another local national security law enacted earlier this year curtailed access to reduced sentences for guilty pleas. “It’s absolutely clear that the national security law reduced the independence and the autonomy of the judiciary.

Persons: Hong Kong’s, Hong, Gwyneth Ho, Leung Kwok, ”, Lawrence Lau, Lee Yu, –, “, Joshua Wong, Benny Tai, Claudia Mo, Eric Lai, John Burns, Hong Kong Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, British, Hong, Hong Kong’s Legislative, Georgetown Center, Asian Law, Communist Party, city’s, University of Hong Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, Beijing, Hong Kong’s, China, University of Hong Kong

☆ Chinese Billionaire Accused of Fraud Didn’t Need the Money, Lawyers Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Michael Forsythe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Lawyers for Guo Wengui, an exiled Chinese billionaire charged with defrauding investors of more than $1 billion, portrayed him on Friday as the dedicated leader of an anti-Communist movement who did not need the money he is accused of stealing. That is “not just illogical, it defies common sense,” Ms. Shroff said. Mr. Guo, who is also known as Miles Kwok or Miles Guo, has been in a federal detention center in Brooklyn since March 2023, when he was arrested at his $68-million Manhattan apartment and charged with fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say Mr. Guo promised investors shares in his media company, or in cryptocurrency, but instead the money was used to finance his luxurious lifestyle. Among his purchases were a yacht, a $4 million Bugatti sports car and a 50,000-square-foot mansion in New Jersey that cost $26 million.

Persons: Guo Wengui, Sabrina Shroff, Guo, Ms, Shroff, Miles Kwok, Miles Guo Organizations: Communist, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Manhattan, Brooklyn, cryptocurrency, New Jersey

☆ Fraud Trial to Begin for Chinese Billionaire Who Allied Himself With America’s Right
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Michael Forsythe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Four years ago, Guo Wengui, a prominent Chinese property developer, announced the imminent end of Communist rule and the formation of the New Federal State of China. The setting wasn’t Beijing, or anywhere close to China, but a boat in New York Harbor. He was joined by Steve Bannon, the right-wing firebrand and former adviser to President Trump. Another Trump aide, Peter Navarro, would be declared the shadow government’s “international ambassador.”“From this day forward, the Communist Party is not the legal government of China!” he shouted in Mandarin. Mr. Guo, also known as Miles Kwok, had completed a remarkable transformation, from exiled Beijing billionaire to a player in America’s right-wing firmament.

Persons: Guo Wengui, Steve Bannon, President Trump, Trump, Peter Navarro, ”, Guo, Miles Kwok Organizations: New Federal, Communist Party Locations: New Federal State of China, Beijing, China, New York, America’s

☆ Arup revealed as victim of $25 million deepfake scam involving Hong Kong employee
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —A British multinational design and engineering company behind world famous buildings such as the Sydney Opera House has confirmed that it was the target of a deepfake scam that led to one of its Hong Kong employees paying out $25 million to fraudsters. A spokesperson for Arup told CNN on Friday that it notified Hong Kong police in January about the fraud incident, and confirmed that fake voices and images were used. “Unfortunately, we can’t go into details at this stage as the incident is still the subject of an ongoing investigation. According to Hong Kong police, the elaborate scam saw the employee duped into attending a video call with people he believed were the CFO and other members of staff, but all of whom turned out to be deepfake recreations, Hong Kong police revealed in February. Authorities around the world are growing increasingly concerned about the sophistication of deepfake technology and the nefarious uses it can be put to.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Arup, ” Rob Greig, Michael Kwok Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Sydney Opera, Hong Kong, CNN, Hong, Beijing Olympic Games, Arup’s East Locations: Hong Kong, British, Hong, Arup’s East Asia

☆ Opinion: Right now, I’d rather raise my child in Taiwan than America
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Opinion Clarissa Wei | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

My dad still remembers the anxiety that engulfed the island when the United States cut off diplomatic recognition of Taiwan in favor of the People’s Republic of China in 1979. My parents considered America a safe haven and wanted me to grow up with all its comforts. Of course, comparing the United States and Taiwan this way without acknowledging the nuanced socio-political contexts can be misleading. Clarissa WeiThe biggest shift, then, has been how the people of Taiwan perceive the United States. The United States, on the flip side, is the 131st.

Persons: Clarissa Wei Editor’s, Clarissa Wei, “, ”, Annabelle Chih, there’s, Tyrone Siu, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “ Wei, Ting Yen, I’m, nodded, Billy H.C, Kwok, It’s, Republican —, Xi Jinping, “ Trump Organizations: Taipei CNN, CNN, America, Metro, Trump, Taiwan, Franklin & Marshall College, 131st, San Francisco Bay Area, China’s Communist Party, Republican Locations: Taiwanese American, Taipei, Taiwan, China, United States, People’s Republic of China, America, Los Angeles, Taiwanese, Kaohsiung, San Francisco Bay

☆ Adam Neumann makes a $500 million bid for WeWork that could hit $900 million if financing and diligence firm up
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Adam Neumann has submitted an unsolicited bid in excess of $500 million to acquire WeWork out of bankruptcy, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC. That bid could go up to $900 million pending due diligence, the person said. Neumann, his family office Nazare, and his Andreessen Horowitz-backed real estate venture Flow filed a notice of appearance in WeWork's bankruptcy docket on Monday. Flow did not respond to CNBC's request for comment regarding the $900 million potential bid. Neumann's bid, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, may complexify WeWork's bankruptcy proceedings.

Persons: Adam Neumann of WeWork, Victor Fung Kwok, Adam Neumann, Dan, Neumann, Andreessen Horowitz, —, WeWork, we've, it's, lessors Organizations: Fung Group, CNBC, Board, Wall Street Locations: Shanghai, China

☆ 3 passengers on the Alaska Airlines blowout flight are suing the carrier and Boeing for $1 billion
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Three passengers are suing Alaska Airlines and Boeing for $1 billion. The law firm said the "preventable incident" jeopardized the lives of 180 people. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThree people who were on board Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 are asking for $1 billion in punitive damages from the carrier and Boeing. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, Kyle Rinker, Amanda Strickland, Kevin Kwok, Jonathan W Organizations: Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Service, Alaska, Max, Johnson, Portland International, Business

☆ China’s spectacular dragon dance is hundreds of years old. Here’s why it continues to dazzle
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Maggie Hiufu Wong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Grab your camera and slap on something flame resistant, it’s time to witness one of China’s most incredible displays – the fire dragon dance. Dragon dances have been documented at ceremonial events since the Han Dynasty (202 BCE to 220 CE), while fire dragon dances began appearing in records during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and in the Republican era (1912-1949). Some historians say fire dragon dances date back even further, to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Puzhai Fire Dragon, Fengshun County, GuangdongEntertainers perform a fire dragon dance to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Puzhai town, in China's Guangdong province. Tongliang Fire Dragon, ChongqingVideo Ad Feedback See a dragon dance with molten iron fireworks 00:56 - Source: CNNThe Tongliang Fire Dragon in Chongqing province is undoubtedly one of the grandest fire dragon dance performances of them all.

Persons: ”, Kwok Kam Chau, Kwok, We’ve, Liu Long Organizations: CNN, Republican, Hong Kong Baptist University, China’s, Steel Locations: Fengshun County, Guangdong, Puzhai, China's Guangdong province, Imaginechina, China, Hunan, China’s, Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan province, Huanglongxi, Sichuan, Chengdu, China's Sichuan province, Chongqing, Chongqing province, majestically, Qicaimeng, Guizhou, Dafang County, Guizhou province

HONG KONG, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow, who fled to Canada while free on bail, says she won't return home amid a crackdown that curbed her freedoms, defying a warning from Hong Kong's leader that she would be pursued for life. "In consideration of the political situation in Hong Kong and my personal health, my mental health, my physical health, and the high political risk of not being allowed to leave Hong Kong again, I've decided not to go back." The security law has drawn criticism from Western governments as a tool of repression, but China says it has restored stability after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. "The national security police are not doing their job according to the legal system in Hong Kong," she told Reuters. Hong Kong leader John Lee on Tuesday described Chow as a "liar" and "devoid of integrity".

Persons: Agnes Chow, Hong, Chow, I've, Tyrone Siu, John Lee, Lee, Nathan Law, Anna Kwok, wasn't, James Pomfret, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Hong Kong, HK, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Canada, Toronto, China, Shenzhen, Japan, Hong

☆ Louis Vuitton stages dramatic runway show in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Stephy Chung | Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Many of the looks were completed with naval accessories, like raffia bucket hats and Louis Vuitton Keepall 25 bag hand-embrodiered with seashells. Musician Ma Siwei and actor Dylan Wang at the Louis Vuitton Men's fashion show in Hong Kong, China. Louis Vuitton opened its first boutique in Hong Kong in 1979. Many of the looks were completed with naval accessories, like raffia bucket hats and Louis Vuitton Keepall 25 bag hand-embrodiered with seashells. “I definitely knew I wanted Hong Kong to be my second stop after Paris,” he said of his Louis Vuitton show schedule.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Louis Vuitton’s, Pharrell Williams, Pont, Hong, Anson Lo, Song, ”, Williams, ” —, —, Louis Vuitton, Ma Siwei, Dylan Wang, Billy H.C, Kwok, Virgil Abloh, Louise Delmotte, “, Louis Vuitton’s, junkboat, Dior, Louis Vuitton's, Lam Yik, Tyrone Siu, Reuters Louis Vuitton’s, Lorraine Schwartz, it’s, ” Williams, “ You’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hollywood, CNN, Louis, Paris, Vuitton, National Security Law, Hong Kong Tourism Board, ”, Bloomberg, Getty, K11 Group, Stars, Victoria, Reuters, Reuters Louis Vuitton’s womenswear Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, Hong, Victoria Harbour, American, Paris, Hawaii, China, Victoria Dockside, Huangpu, Shanghai, South Korea

☆ ASML’s new CEO has tricky path to a 1,000% return
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

On Thursday the Dutch group said Chief Executive Peter Wennink is retiring after a decade at the helm. The Veldhoven-based group dominates the market for lithography equipment, a key tool for making microchips used to power everything from smartphones to cars. Demand for its kit has seen ASML’s revenue quadruple and its shares deliver a 1,000% total return since Wennink took over in July 2013. But ASML’s current market power makes it harder for his successor to do deals without inviting antitrust scrutiny. The next 1,000% return is likely to take longer than 10 years.

Persons: Peter Wennink, Christophe Fouquet, ASML, microchips, Wennink, Fouquet, Karen Kwok, Julius Baer’s, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, X, Barclays, Thomson Locations: U.S, China

Owen Chow Ka-shing, one of the 47 pro-democracy activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under the national security law, arrives at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building, in Hong Kong, China November 29, 2021. On the first day of closing submissions, one of the handpicked national security judges, Andrew Chan, said a verdict would "tentatively" come in three to four months, with 10 days set aside for closing submissions. Beijing says the national security law brought stability to the city after monthslong pro-democracy protests in 2019. "Communication with the public is much easier, (it's) easy to manipulate those means in order to endanger national security," he added. Thirty-one of the 47 charged have pleaded guilty - which could qualify them for reduced sentences.

Persons: Owen Chow Ka, Lam, Andrew Chan, Hong, Jonathan Man, Man, Gwyneth Ho, Owen Chow, Gordon Ng, Leung Kwok, Helena Wong, Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Thomson Locations: Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, United States, Beijing

☆ Hong Kong’s pro-democracy leaders to give final defense as landmark national security trial nears an end
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Chris Lau | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Those on trial say that plan was simply part of the pluralistic, oppositional politics that has long been permitted in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government has repeatedly denied the national security law is suppressing freedoms. They hail from multiple generations and a wide political spectrum - from moderate democrats to those who advocate for Hong Kong’s self-determination. Known as “Grandma Wong,” the 67-year-old had been a fixture of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests. No national security cases in the city have been heard in front of a jury.

Persons: Hong, ”, Joshua Wong, Benny Tai, Claudia Mo, Alexandra Wong, Grandma Wong, Hong Kong’s, ” Alexandra Wong, Noemi Cassanelli, Gwyneth Ho, Leung Kwok, ISAAC LAWRENCE, John Lee, ” Lee, –, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Prosecutors, Hong, Kowloon Court, CNN, Getty, Communist Party, city’s, Hong Kong’s Legislative Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Hong, Kowloon, Britain, China, AFP, Hong Kong’s

☆ ADNOC German oil deal has bad timing, good logic
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Karen Kwok | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the state-owned Abu Dhabi oil giant he runs, is considering a bid for BASF-owned (BASFn.DE) Wintershall Dea, at a potential $11 billion valuation. The UAE firm is already in talks to buy chemical company Covestro (1COV.DE), Wintershall’s German compatriot, for $12 billion. Abu Dhabi's oil riches mean the UAE firm has the wherewithal to pay 5.5 billion euros for BASF’s Wintershall stake. Any deal could value Wintershall Dea at more than 10 billion euros ($11 billion), Bloomberg reported. BASF holds a 72.7% stake in Wintershall Dea.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Wintershall, Jaber, It’s, Austria’s, Abu, LetterOne, George Hay, Streisand Neto Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, BASF, The, Shell, Russian, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Abu, National Oil Company, Bloomberg, Wintershall Dea . Investment, Thomson Locations: Gastech, Chiba, Japan, Abu Dhabi, The UAE, Germany, Norway, UAE, Europe, United Kingdom, Abu, Russia, Wintershall Dea

The drop, potentially its biggest one-day fall in more than a year, wiped about $20 billion off the Chinese tech giant's market value. It was the first market reaction in Asia since the stunning strategy reversal was announced late on Thursday. "The cancellation of a full spin-off of AliCloud is a negative surprise," said Nomura analyst Shi Jialong in a note. The company said it will press ahead with a listing of Alibaba's logistics arm, Cainiao, which applied for a Hong Kong initial public offering in September. Reporting By Donny Kwok and Josh Ye in Hong Kong, Casey Hall and Gu Li in Shanghai; Writing by Anne Marie Roantree and Brenda Goh; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Aly, Group's, Nomura, Shi Jialong, Alibaba, Jack Ma, Kenneth Fong, Joseph Tsai, Bo Pei, Eddie Wu, Donny Kwok, Josh Ye, Casey Hall, Gu Li, Anne Marie Roantree, Brenda Goh, Muralikumar Organizations: Artificial Intelligence, REUTERS, Hong, Tencent Holdings, HK, UBS, Tiger Research, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG KONG, SHANGHAI, HK, Hong Kong, Asia, AliCloud, Washington, U.S, Hangzhou, Alibaba

Alibaba Group's Hong Kong shares closed down 10%, their biggest single-day drop in more than a year. Some analysts said keeping the cloud unit could assist Alibaba's AI push. But (it) also points to the increasing importance of retaining the cloud unit given the surging demand for AI computing in China," said US Tiger Research analyst Bo Pei. Alibaba reported second-quarter revenue of 224.79 billion yuan ($31.01 billion), in line with the 224.32 billion expected by analysts, LSEG data showed. The company also said it will press ahead with a listing of Alibaba's logistics arm, Cainiao, which applied for a Hong Kong initial public offering in September.

Persons: Group's, Jon Withaar, Alibaba, Joseph Tsai, Aly, Jack Ma, Kenneth Fong, Bo Pei, Eddie Wu, Daniel Zhang, Vey, Sern Ling, Donny Kwok, Josh Ye, Casey Hall, Gu Li, Yelin, Ankur Banerjee, Anne Marie Roantree, Brenda Goh, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: HK, Pictet Asset Management, Tencent Holdings, Artificial Intelligence, REUTERS, UBS, Tiger Research, Union Bancaire, Hong, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Hong Kong, Asia, U.S, Singapore, Washington, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Alibaba, Union, Yelin Mo, Beijing

☆ HelloFresh becomes buyout amuse-bouche
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Vegetable and chillies are seen at the vegetable market in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 2, 2017. REUTERS/Beawiharta Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - HelloFresh (HFGG.DE) could be a guinea pig for food delivery buyouts. That’s mainly because one of its meal-prep sites faced water supply problems, and a slowdown in new customers in the United States. Assume a buyout group were to pay a 30% premium to the company’s market value, implying an enterprise value of 3.6 billion euros. For a buyout group, that’s food for thought.

Persons: Dominik Richter, Karen Kwok, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, X, Alstom, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, United States, China

☆ Labour is weak link in Israeli economic defences: podcast
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Karen Kwok | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The Middle Eastern country has withstood the financial pain of a war with Hamas, William Wechsler at the US think tank the Atlantic Council says in this Exchange podcast. But as the conflict continues, an increasing labour shortage will pile pressure on the economy. Listen to the podcastFollow @karenkkwok on XSubscribe to Breakingviews’ podcasts, Viewsroom and The Exchange. Editing by Oliver TaslicOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: William Wechsler, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Atlantic Council, Thomson

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