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A recent rediscovery of the extremely rare Rafflesia hasseltii, a giant parasitic red flower, in a forest in Indonesia’s West Sumatra has sparked backlash following an initial social media post by Oxford University that left out local researchers involved in the search and credited only its scientist.The uproar has exposed the perceived lack of equal recognition for Western researchers and their Global South counterparts when they collaborate, and the lingering legacy of colonialism in academia, observers say.The encounter on November 17 with the white-speckled blossom with its giant petals was made possible through a partnership between Indonesian flower hunter Septian…

Binance Holdings named co-founder He Yi as co-CEO in the biggest change to its top leadership since Zhao Changpeng stepped down from running the cryptocurrency exchange two years ago.She will share the title with Richard Teng, who succeeded Zhao as CEO of the world’s largest crypto trading venue in November 2023. Zhao, who resigned after pleading guilty to anti-money-laundering and sanctions violations, and He have children together.Zhao was pardoned by US President Donald Trump in October, removing some of the regulatory overhang that had dogged the billionaire and the exchange he started for years. Analysts have said the pardon could…

Salesforce on Wednesday reported mixed third-quarter results — a small sales miss and a huge earnings beat. Still, shares jumped higher in after-hours trading after the enterprise software giant raised its full-year outlook for both headline numbers. Revenue in its fiscal 2026 third quarter rose 8.6% year over year to $10.26 billion, missing expectations of $10.27 billion, according to LSEG. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased 35% year over year to $3.25, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86, LSEG data showed. It also helped that investor expectations were low heading into the print. The stock entered Wednesday evening down about…

The Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) earned HK$2.34 billion (US$300.7 million) in investment income last year, as the city’s wholly owned investment vehicle made an impressive report after its first year of operation.HKIC posted HK$2.25 billion in operating income for the year that ended on December 31, on HK$64 billion in total assets, while deploying less than one-fifth of its initial capital of HK$62 billion, according to a report on Thursday.“HKIC is the patient capital investment arm of the government with a dual mandate to enhance the economic vitality and long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong, while seeking financial return,” said…

More than 30 mainland-listed consumer goods and tourism companies have rolled out offers to shareholders – ranging from substantial discounts to complimentary tickets to attractions they manage – in a bid to stimulate sales amid slowing consumption and mounting economic challenges.Among those pushing the initiative was packaged food maker Zhengzhou Qianweiyangchu Food, which announced on Monday that investors holding at least 100 shares were entitled to 200 yuan (US$28.31) worth of products. This followed Emei Shan Tourism’s proposal to grant free admission and consumption discounts on Emei Mountain in southwest Sichuan province to individuals who owned at least 500 shares.The…

More than 30 mainland-listed consumer goods and tourism companies have rolled out offers to shareholders – ranging from substantial discounts to complimentary tickets to attractions they manage – in a bid to stimulate sales amid slowing consumption and mounting economic challenges.Among those pushing the initiative was packaged food maker Zhengzhou Qianweiyangchu Food, which announced on Monday that investors holding at least 100 shares were entitled to 200 yuan (US$28.31) worth of products. This followed Emei Shan Tourism’s proposal to grant free admission and consumption discounts on Emei Mountain in southwest Sichuan province to individuals who owned at least 500 shares.The…

Public opinion in Japan is souring towards the United States, as US President Donald Trump’s strong-arm trade tactics and divisive domestic policies test the bonds of an alliance that has endured for eight decades.The Cabinet Office’s latest annual survey, released on Friday, revealed that 70.8 per cent of Japanese respondents viewed Japan-US relations as “good” or “quite good”, tumbling 14.7 percentage points from a year earlier.It marked the second-lowest reading since the question was introduced in 1998 and close to the 68.9 per cent low recorded in 2008 at the end of George W. Bush’s presidency.US President George W. Bush…

Aerial sunrise view of Osaka city in JapanFrank Lee | Moment | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets opened mixed Thursday, after Wall Street gained on the latest jobs data that raised hopes the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates next week.Payroll processor ADP reported that private companies cut 32,000 workers in November, compared with 47,000 additions in October, and well below the 40,000 increase expected by economists polled by Dow Jones.Markets are pricing in an 89% chance of a cut when the Federal Reserve meets on Dec. 9-10, significantly higher than rate-cut bets just a couple of weeks ago, according to the…

The hearing convened by the Office of the US Trade Representative on Wednesday – the first public session before next July’s joint review of the free trade deal – kicks off three days of testimony from more than 140 representatives from business, think tanks, academia and advocacy groups.“One cannot make a strategic argument about the value of economic integration without also having a pragmatic and specific plan for ensuring that integration reduces, rather than exacerbates, economic and national security risks,” said Emily Kilcrease, a senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security think tank.She urged the three countries…

Hong Kong can serve as a key treasury centre for mainland Chinese companies going global, helping them hedge foreign exchange risks and lower financing costs by leveraging the city’s unique advantages, according to Deloitte China.The assessment comes as the administration of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu rolls out measures to tap into the growing trend of Chinese companies expanding their businesses and supply chains overseas amid intensifying competition and economic headwinds at home.Around 80 per cent of mainland enterprises used Hong Kong as their global launch pad, Deloitte said.“Many policies in Hong Kong can help mainland firms effectively tap into…