BEIJING (Reuters) – China will strive to keep economic growth within a reasonable range next year, even as the economy faces downward pressure, state radio quoted Premier Li Keqiang as saying on Thursday. Policymakers have in recent months taken steps to boost bank lending, cut taxes and quicken infrastructure spending to ward off a sharp […]

ROCKHAMPTON (QUEENSLAND) – Before the main force of a battalion of soldiers can mount a swift beach assault, the beach first needs to be prepared so that fast craft can land and unload troops without a hitch. That task of setting the stage falls on the beach and shore parties, which are the first wave […]

SINGAPORE – The Straits Times’ efforts to engage its young audience online and explore innovative ways of telling a story were recognised on Thursday (Nov 8) when it won nine prizes at the Asian Digital Media Awards. The Singapore Press Holdings’ (SPH) flagship title won two gold awards for best innovation to engage youth audience, and best […]

HONG KONG (Reuters) – SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T) is looking to invest in Chinese bike-sharing start-up Hellobike, people with knowledge of the matter said, as the Japanese conglomerate bets on a market that has struggled with oversupply and tightening regulations. SoftBank will be joined by Chinese private equity firm Primavera Capital among others in a […]

COLOMBO (AFP) – Having crushed the Tamil Tigers’ rebellion, former president and skilled political operator Mahinda Rajapaksa is nothing short of a messiah for many Sri Lankans. But ahead of his possible second coming, others are full of dread. The moustachioed and charismatic Mr Rajapaksa came roaring back into national life last month when he was appointed […]

India cricket captain Virat Kohli is embroiled in controversy after lashing out at a cricket fan who said he preferred English and Australian batsmen to Indian players. “I don’t think you should live in India, go and live somewhere else,” Kohli told him in a video recording. He was responding to messages during the launch […]

The anguish and outrage over Delhi’s rising air pollution has a sense of déjà vu all over again. With the onset of what is still a feeble winter, the air quality in India’s capital has again become appalling. Particulate matter – particles so small they can be ingested deep into the lungs – and a […]

COLOMBO (REUTERS) – Gleaming cranes stretch out on the waterfront in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo as Chinese companies construct a US$1.5 billion (S$2.06 billion) new commercial district, including hotels, marinas and a motor racing track. They have already built a giant container terminal nearby and a huge port in the south. Now India, the […]

SEOUL (AFP) – South Korea has earmarked more than US$260 million to build new railways and roads in the North, an official said Thursday (Nov 8), as Seoul pushes ahead with cross-border projects despite international sanctions on Pyongyang. The figure comes as Seoul and Washington follow increasingly divergent approaches to Pyongyang, with the South pursuing […]

NEW DELHI (REUTERS) – Pollution in the Indian capital New Delhi hit “severe” heights on Thursday (Nov 8) after thousands of revellers in the city let off fireworks long into the night to mark the major Hindu festival of Diwali. Two of the federal government’s indices showed pollution levels at “very poor” and “severe”, indicating […]