Myanmar’s ageing railway stations are bustling with life, crowded with passengers as surging fuel prices due to the Middle East war drive commuters to choose trains over costly planes and cars. On a journey from the country’s largest city Yangon to the capital Naypyidaw, Agence France-Presse journalists sat in air-conditioned carriages full of travellers napping and sharing tea, fried rice and ins...
Myanmar’s ageing railway stations are bustling with life, crowded with passengers as surging fuel prices due to the Middle East war drive commuters to choose trains over costly planes and cars. On a journey from the country’s largest city Yangon to the capital Naypyidaw, Agence France-Presse journalists sat in air-conditioned carriages full of travellers napping and sharing tea, fried rice and instant noodles. First class adult train tickets cost 19,000 kyats (US$9), while the cheapest bus fares...
“Sabah is not a commodity” to solve issues faced by other countries, a politician from the Malaysian state said on Friday. Azrul Ibrahim of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Youth said Sabah is part of a sovereign nation and its position within the federation cannot be questioned by any party. “Attempts to link Sabah to current oil and gas issues as an excuse to revive outdated claims are unwarranted and...
“Sabah is not a commodity” to solve issues faced by other countries, a politician from the Malaysian state said on Friday. Azrul Ibrahim of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Youth said Sabah is part of a sovereign nation and its position within the federation cannot be questioned by any party. “Attempts to link Sabah to current oil and gas issues as an excuse to revive outdated claims are unwarranted and are meant to divert the internal crisis suffered by certain parties,” he said in a statement on...
The deployment of mainland China-made rail equipment and technologies by Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation can provide a “showcase” for their applications overseas, a top representative of manufacturing giant CRRC has said. Jin Guozhong, chief engineer of the CRRC Qishuyan Institute, the Chinese state-owned manufacturer’s research and development centre in Changzhou, said on Friday there was a synergy b...
The deployment of mainland China-made rail equipment and technologies by Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation can provide a “showcase” for their applications overseas, a top representative of manufacturing giant CRRC has said. Jin Guozhong, chief engineer of the CRRC Qishuyan Institute, the Chinese state-owned manufacturer’s research and development centre in Changzhou, said on Friday there was a synergy between the two rail firms that went beyond equipment deployment. The semi-privatised MTR Corp had...
A former top official of Guangdong province, widely seen as a “right-hand man” of former provincial governor Ma Xingrui, is under investigation for corruption. The investigation into Guo Yonghang, Communist Party secretary for Guangzhou from June 2023 until December, deepens the uncertainties about the fate of Ma, who was abruptly removed as Xinjiang’s party secretary in July and has since vanishe...
A former top official of Guangdong province, widely seen as a “right-hand man” of former provincial governor Ma Xingrui, is under investigation for corruption. The investigation into Guo Yonghang, Communist Party secretary for Guangzhou from June 2023 until December, deepens the uncertainties about the fate of Ma, who was abruptly removed as Xinjiang’s party secretary in July and has since vanished from public life. Guo was named vice-chairman of the Guangdong provincial committee of the Chinese...
A Chinese man who became trapped while taking part in a viral “zip tie escape challenge” at home called for help and was rescued by a passing delivery man. The case involving the man from Guangzhou in southern China’s Guangdong province was recently reported by the local fire department to raise public awareness. A delivery man passing by the man’s rented home heard him calling for help and notifi...
A Chinese man who became trapped while taking part in a viral “zip tie escape challenge” at home called for help and was rescued by a passing delivery man. The case involving the man from Guangzhou in southern China’s Guangdong province was recently reported by the local fire department to raise public awareness. A delivery man passing by the man’s rented home heard him calling for help and notified the police. Firefighters arrived, prised open the gate and discovered the man tied up tightly on...
Each week we bring you insights into one of Asia’s most dynamic economies. If you haven’t yet, please sign up here . This week, John Boudreau gets the details on obstacles confronting travelers because of the war in Iran, Manila Bureau Chief Manolo Serapio Jr. explains the significance of our interview with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Nurin Sofia discovers The Velvet Cut for stea...
Each week we bring you insights into one of Asia’s most dynamic economies. If you haven’t yet, please sign up here . This week, John Boudreau gets the details on obstacles confronting travelers because of the war in Iran, Manila Bureau Chief Manolo Serapio Jr. explains the significance of our interview with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Nurin Sofia discovers The Velvet Cut for steak lovers. Grounded by War Stranded passengers , sudden flight cancellations and soaring fares are making air travel frustrating, particularly for those flying between Asia and Europe. The travel chaos triggered by the Iran war is of particular concern for Singaporeans, who really can’t go anywhere except Malaysia and a few islands nearby without boarding a plane. With thousands already dead from the conflict, airlines are navigating dangerous skies while trying to fulfill passenger needs. Some Gulf carriers known for their gold standard in customer service have left passengers high and dry, K. Oanh Ha , our senior global business reporter, told me after talking with abandoned and angry travelers the past week. The carriers cancel flights suddenly, provide no communication and even kick those with tickets off overbooked planes without providing alternatives. One disgruntled US traveler told Oanh he was bumped off his return flight to Oslo, Norway, from Bangkok. Friends and family around the globe helped him find his way back via six separate flights — including transiting through Portland, Oregon — over four days. Oanh said she’ll avoid airports in the Middle East, where numerous flights have been canceled because of the war. She’s also telling friends and family to be ready to pay even more for direct flights to Europe from Asia to avoid disruptions in transit. Don’t count on travel insurance , which isn’t likely to cover losses caused by war. Watch Oanh explain the travel situation in this video . While Singaporeans may be feeling exposed, they have an advantage over other...
Part-time trainer Hu Yutao leads two students in exercise on March 11 in Kunming, Southwest China’s Yunnan province. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin On the first weekend after winter break, Li Chengcheng walked into an upscale residential compound in Kunming draped in colorful plastic hoops, carrying a bundle of fitness equipment in each hand and a rolled-up yoga mat tucked under his arm. He is a door-...
Part-time trainer Hu Yutao leads two students in exercise on March 11 in Kunming, Southwest China’s Yunnan province. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin On the first weekend after winter break, Li Chengcheng walked into an upscale residential compound in Kunming draped in colorful plastic hoops, carrying a bundle of fitness equipment in each hand and a rolled-up yoga mat tucked under his arm. He is a door-to-door personal trainer, and his job is akin to delivering “sports takeout” — arriving downstairs right on time to provide athletic instruction for children.
NVS/iStock via Getty Images By Jennifer Nash Driven by a volatile mix of escalating gas prices and financial market instability, consumer sentiment plunged nearly 6% in March to its lowest level since late 2025. The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell 3.7 points to 53.3, missing the 55.5 forecast and snapping a four-month streak of gains as consumers grapple with the fallout from the ongoing co...
NVS/iStock via Getty Images By Jennifer Nash Driven by a volatile mix of escalating gas prices and financial market instability, consumer sentiment plunged nearly 6% in March to its lowest level since late 2025. The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell 3.7 points to 53.3, missing the 55.5 forecast and snapping a four-month streak of gains as consumers grapple with the fallout from the ongoing conflict in Iran. This sharp decline places current sentiment in the bottom 1st percentile of the series' history. The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is a monthly survey of consumer confidence levels in the U.S. with regard to the economy, personal finances, business conditions, and buying conditions, conducted by the University of Michigan. There are two reports released each month: a preliminary report released mid-month and a final report released at the end of the month. Joanne Hsu, the director of surveys, made the following comments : Consumer sentiment fell back 6% this month to its lowest level since December 2025. Declines were seen across age and political party. Consumers with middle and higher incomes and stock wealth, buffeted by both escalating gas prices and volatile financial markets in the wake of the Iran conflict, exhibited particularly large drops in sentiment. Overall, the short-run economic outlook plunged 14%, and year-ahead expected personal finances sank 10%, while declines in long-run expectations were more subdued. These patterns suggest that, at this time, consumers may not expect recent negative developments to persist far into the future. These views are subject to change, however, if the Iran conflict becomes protracted or if higher energy prices pass through to overall inflation. Interviews for this release were collected between February 17 and March 23, with about two-thirds completed after the start of the US military conflict in Iran. A Historical Perspective on Recession Risk The chart below provides a long-term perspective on this wide...
Carnival (NYSE: CCL) shares were heading lower on Friday, even though the world's largest cruise operator beat estimates in its fiscal first-quarter earnings report. In the last quarter before the war in Iran roiled the global travel market, Carnival reported revenue of $6.17 billion, up 6.1% from the quarter a year ago and ahead of estimates of $6.14 billion. Management noted record net yields, o...
Carnival (NYSE: CCL) shares were heading lower on Friday, even though the world's largest cruise operator beat estimates in its fiscal first-quarter earnings report. In the last quarter before the war in Iran roiled the global travel market, Carnival reported revenue of $6.17 billion, up 6.1% from the quarter a year ago and ahead of estimates of $6.14 billion. Management noted record net yields, or revenue per passenger cruise day, and strong close-in demand, or bookings made shortly before departure, showing strong demand to start the fiscal year. Continue reading
Americans Are Becoming More And More Interested In Buying Chinese EVs As electric vehicle (EV) adoption grows in the United States, a segment of American consumers is increasingly drawn to Chinese-made models—largely due to their affordability, advanced technology, and feature-rich designs. However, steep trade barriers and political resistance continue to keep these vehicles out of the U.S. marke...
Americans Are Becoming More And More Interested In Buying Chinese EVs As electric vehicle (EV) adoption grows in the United States, a segment of American consumers is increasingly drawn to Chinese-made models—largely due to their affordability, advanced technology, and feature-rich designs. However, steep trade barriers and political resistance continue to keep these vehicles out of the U.S. market, according to Reuters . With the average price of a new car in the U.S. մոտ $50,000, Chinese EVs—many of which sell for under $30,000 in international markets—are gaining attention for offering strong value. Models from automakers such as BYD, Geely, and Zeekr often include premium interiors, advanced driver-assistance systems, and unique features like in-car entertainment and mini refrigerators, typically found in higher-end vehicles. Reuters writes that industry experts note that Chinese automakers have rapidly improved both quality and innovation. China has recently surpassed Japan to become the world’s largest vehicle exporter, with growing sales across Europe, Latin America, and parts of North America. Countries such as Canada and Mexico have already begun integrating Chinese EVs into their markets at lower tariff rates. In contrast, the United States has imposed tariffs exceeding 100% on Chinese vehicles, effectively blocking their entry. Policymakers cite concerns over data security, regulatory compliance, and the potential impact on domestic manufacturing jobs. Major U.S. auto industry groups have also urged continued restrictions, arguing that domestic automakers could face significant competitive pressure. Despite these barriers, consumer curiosity remains strong. Surveys indicate that nearly half of prospective U.S. car buyers view Chinese vehicles as offering high value, and a notable share support allowing them into the domestic market. At the same time, concerns persist around safety standards, data privacy, and broader economic implications. Auto dealers re...
A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after China initiated a trade barrier investigation against the United States, escalating trade tensions. China's Ministry of Commerce announced it would begin two probes into U.S. trade practices, alleging they have disrupted global supply chains.
A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after China initiated a trade barrier investigation against the United States, escalating trade tensions. China's Ministry of Commerce announced it would begin two probes into U.S. trade practices, alleging they have disrupted global supply chains.
Energy Holding Corp, a 10% owner of Tecnoglass (NYSE:TGLS) , reported the purchase of 306,666 shares of Common Stock in multiple open-market transactions from March 9, 2026 through March 11, 2026, as disclosed in a SEC Form 4 filing . Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($42.84); post-transaction value based on March 11, 2026 market close ($44.76). * 1-year perfor...
Energy Holding Corp, a 10% owner of Tecnoglass (NYSE:TGLS) , reported the purchase of 306,666 shares of Common Stock in multiple open-market transactions from March 9, 2026 through March 11, 2026, as disclosed in a SEC Form 4 filing . Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($42.84); post-transaction value based on March 11, 2026 market close ($44.76). * 1-year performance is calculated using March 11, 2026 as the reference date. Continue reading