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April 15th, 2021

STATE OF CHAOS

The world watches as Myanmar sinks into violence

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The Big Story

Failed state: Myanmar collapses into chaos

A divided international response, a fractured country and a murderous regime

By one count, over 700 citizens have been killed in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 coup. But the international community remains paralyzed, even as the cycle of protests and bloody crackdowns continues.
Nomura's problems in the U.S. have been a blow for Kentaro Okuda at the end of his first year as chief executive. (Source photos by Tetsuya Kitayama and Reuters) 
Business Spotlight

Nomura's stability boast undermined by Archegos woes

Warning over possible $2bn US loss hits CEO's pursuit of less risky performance

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to convince his country of 1.3 billion that "in every aspect of life, modernization is essential."
Asia Insight

Modi's structural reforms enter climax as vested interests dig in

Indian PM faces Thatcher moment as he sweeps away decades-old socialist residue

South Korean electric battery manufacturers LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation battled for two years over electric vehicle batteries in the U.S. before reaching a $1.8 billion settlement.
Technology

South Korea EV battery war ends in peace deal: 5 things to know

LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation reach $1.8 billion settlement with US push

Toshiba has frequently butted heads with activist investors over governance issues. (Photo by Yoshiyuki Tamai)
Business deals

Toshiba receives offer from CVC to go private in $20bn deal

Buyout firm's proposal includes 30% premium on Japan group's share price

People check out products at an Apple Store in Beijing: A worsening shortage of semiconductors is beginning to affect production, despite the U.S. gadget maker's buying clout. 
Semiconductors

MacBook and iPad production delayed as supply crunch hits Apple

US tech giant's headaches suggest even worse chip shortages lie ahead

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba says it will make it easier for merchants to sell on its site after the government on April 10 imposed a record 18 billion yuan ($2.75 billion) fine on the company.
China tech

Alibaba shares soar in wake of record antitrust fine

China e-commerce group will ease barriers for its merchants, says CEO Zhang

Although India's streaming market is promising, the industry faces challenges, as some viewers object to the content that services offer. (Screen captures from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video)
Media & Entertainment

Netflix and Amazon under fire in India over controversial content

New government rules seen as 'speed breaker' to streaming growth in key market

Tanks storing contaminated water are seen in the foreground at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in January.
Politics

Japan approves release of Fukushima plant water into sea

Tepco to discharge treated water in two years as China and South Korea blast plan

Births in Hong Kong fell by more than half year-on-year in January.
Society

Birthrates tumble worldwide, clouding post-pandemic prospects

Maintaining growth and social safety nets face challenge if declines persist

After  sparring between Chinese and Philippine officials over dozens of Chinese ships in the disputed South China Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to ease tensions. (Nikkei montage/Reuters)
South China Sea

Duterte faces China dilemma over 'militia' in South China Sea

Philippine president avoids criticizing Beijing, hoping for pandemic aid

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, pictured in 2019, has long been considered the likely successor to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. 
The Nikkei View

Singapore's uncertain leadership transition requires transparency

Surprise announcement by deputy PM leaves succession of power unclear

The logo of Sinopec, China's state-owned energy giant and one of Fortune Global 500 members: of the 124 Chinese companies on the list, 84 are SOEs.
Opinion

How Fortune 500 reveals long-term showdown between US and China

Not yet an economic superpower status, India's significance remains geopolitical

High profile participants attends via video link a session at the China Development Forum held in Beijing on Mar. 20.
Opinion

China must not become the new cancel country

Lecturing is better left to the academy

Cho, a Yangon-based worker for female empowerment, holds a poster at an anti-coup protest in Myanmar. Before the violence of the coup, she says, "we never realized how badly the soldiers were behaving" in other parts of the country. (Courtesy of Cho)
Life

How Myanmar's post-coup violence is transforming a generation

Bloodshed leads to soul-searching in majority Burman community

Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune, left, in the film "Yojimbo" by director Akira Kurosawa.
Tea Leaves

The first samurai: How a Japanese actor created the 'macho' role model

Toshiro Mifune's portrayal in 'Yojimbo' inspired American spaghetti westerns