Page 3 - Views Flash News Today

The city is easing travel restrictions that were accelerating emigration: an acceptance that contradictory policies have ended in failure with infections rampant. If moving out of step with mainland China delays reopening of that critical border, people might keep leaving anyway.

Western armies may get an extra $100 bln a year to counter Russian aggression. Orders for tanks, missiles and bombers have boosted defence stocks like Britain’s BAE and Germany’s Rheinmetall. NATO allies will also need more soldiers and revamped nuclear arsenals.

The SoftBank-backed superapp is eyeing a $29 bln valuation in a Jakarta listing. Given rival Grab’s disastrous New York debut and Sea’s share price plunge, the timing may bruise its new backers. But waiting much longer risks eroding GoTo’s strong market position.

The $120 bln miner has offered $2.7 bln to buy out minority investors in Turquoise Hill, which controls the giant Oyu Tolgoi copper mine. Rio Tinto could have paid less last year. But its lack of metals needed for alternative energy makes it vital to remove any future barriers.

The country is a major exporter of potash and urea, nutrients underpinning food security. The fallout from Moscow’s Ukraine war exacerbates a price and supply crisis. Top importers India and Brazil will be hit hard; smaller, economically weaker buyers will be even worse off.

French governments usually don’t hesitate to meddle in corporate affairs. The oil major’s refusal to sell its 19% stake in oligarch-controlled Novatek suggests uncharacteristic modesty from President Macron. Given the damage to France’s reputation, this doesn’t make sense.

The tiny hub’s surprise sanctioning of Russia is a loud blow to Moscow’s decade-long pivot to Asia. Even in larger countries like India that aren’t ready to choose sides, the rising influence of U.S.-led alliances pare Putins scope to do big business in the region beyond China.

The U.S. and Europe could ban Russian crude imports to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin. While oil is a better target for sanctions than gas, alternative supplies are far from assured. Companies and consumers may have to reduce demand, possibly by government decree.

AB InBev’s Asian spinoff grew 2021 net profit by 76%, helped by premium pricing and a recovery in volume. The results bolster the case for its Bangkok-based rival to revive a beer IPO plan. The valuation, however, should be more sobering than Bud’s 36 times expected earnings.

Open architecture underpinning the country’s booming fintech market is being adopted by Nepal and partly by Bhutan. Google also recommended it to the U.S. Fed. It’s a cheaper way to court allies than China’s Belt and Road projects. The soft power returns are valuable too.