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November 5th, 2020

RED PILL?

For Beijing, its COVID-19 vaccines present a golden diplomatic opportunity

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Transportation

Foggy outlook for Asian airlines without clear recovery

Carriers restructure and seek new income streams with digital businesses

Thailand's flag carrier Thai Airways International filed a petition for rehabilitation in May after years of losing money. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) 
Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Oct. 24: the scope for a significant shift looks limited.
Opinion

Donald Trump's enduring foreign policy legacy in Asia

Biden victory would not alter new political realities

Greenwashing is on the rise.
Opinion

Greenwashing leaves a stain the world must not tolerate

Disclosure on climate related risks can be conducted on a global basis

China has taken an early lead in developing vaccines against COVID-19. For many developing countries, these are the only way out of the crisis. 
The Big Story

Red Pill? Behind China's COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy

Southeast Asia bargains with Beijing for lifesaving drugs

 U.S. investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has acquired slightly more than 5% of five Japanese trading houses -- Itochu, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo and Marubeni. 
Business Spotlight

Warren Buffett's Japan trade: The changing world of 'sogo shosha'

Mitsubishi and its fellow trading houses are trying to meet digital challenges

The first legal battle between Amazon Chairman Jeff Bezos, left, and Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani over Indian retailer Future Group ended in favor of Bezos. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Ken Kobayashi)
Retail

Ambani vs Bezos: Reliance's retail ambitions hit Amazon roadblock

Two of world's richest men in legal battle for supremacy in Indian market

Sony's key image sensor segment has been hit by U.S. restrictions on supplying Huawei Technologies.
Huawei crackdown

Sony receives US license to supply Huawei with key image sensors

China's Omnivision also gets permit but smartphone maker's supply woes not over

Sony is close to making an acquisition that will make it a player in the global streaming industry. (Source photos by Nikkei and Crunchyroll website)
Business deals

Sony nears acquisition of US anime streaming service Crunchyroll

Entertainment giant could pay more than $950m as talks wind up with parent AT&T

The Vision Fund's $100 million backing for Biofourmis, a U.S. startup that tracks health data using wearable devices, highlights its new focus on early-stage investments. (Photo courtesy of Biofourmis)
SoftBank

SoftBank eyes smaller bets, bigger returns in Vision Fund rethink

Japanese investment vehicle steps away from winner-takes-all playbook

Singapore had 1.35 million foreign workers as of June 2020, up from around 300,000 in 1991.
Asia Insight

Local jobs or global talent? Singapore faces COVID-era conundrum

Asian hub raises cost of hiring foreign workers it needs for growth

Mahathir Mohamad, the former Malaysian prime minister, called French President Emmanuel Macron "primitive" for blaming Islam in recent French slayings.
Islam in Asia

Mahathir on killings in France: Muslims have right to be angry

Three more people slain in Nice, as former Malaysian PM cites attack on teacher

King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida arrive for a graduation ceremony at Thammasat University in Bangkok on Oct. 31 that many students opted not to attend.  
Turbulent Thailand

Thailand's king keeps high public profile during extended stay

Three protest leaders released by court but hurt in botched re-arrest attempt

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Switzerland in January. (Photo courtesy of the World Economic Forum)
Trade

US blocks African candidate for WTO chief with eye on China

American support for South Korean minister poses headache for Japan

Eye-opening: Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei is headlining the Bangkok Art Biennale, which kicked off on Oct. 29. (Courtesy of Ai Weiwei Studio) 
Arts

Ai Weiwei's 'shattered mirror' lands in Thailand

Exiled Chinese artist speaks out ahead of first Bangkok exhibition

A pro-democracy protester makes a three-finger salute at a demonstration in Bangkok on Oct. 25.
Tea Leaves

Young Thais let their funny bones do the talking

Satire and fancy dress undermine draconian laws protecting royals