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American pop star Katy Perry is expected to perform in mainland China in November, years after she was denied a visa for wearing a controversial sunflower dress in Taiwan.Perry, 40, who made headlines earlier this month when she took a brief trip to space, is set to hold two concerts in an 18,000-seat stadium in the eastern city of Hangzhou on November 21 and 22, according to a notice from Zhejiang province’s culture and tourism bureau.The news comes eight years after Perry was reportedly denied entry for a Victoria’s Secret fashion show in Shanghai in 2017.Beijing has never confirmed the…

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has launched a new initiative that will use cargo logistics data to help banks assess companies for trade financing amid escalating global worries about tariffs.The initiative, called CargoX, would expand data sets and applications in the de facto central bank’s electronic platform – the Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) – in an effort to make trade financing more readily available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the HKMA said on Monday.The move would help SMEs cope with “the current complex international trade situation”, it said. Around a quarter of Hong Kong’s SMEs are involved in…

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has launched a new initiative that will use cargo logistics data to help banks assess companies for trade financing amid escalating global worries about tariffs.The initiative, called CargoX, would expand data sets and applications in the de facto central bank’s electronic platform – the Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) – in an effort to make trade financing more readily available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the HKMA said on Monday.The move would help SMEs cope with “the current complex international trade situation”, it said. Around a quarter of Hong Kong’s SMEs are involved in…

Trend-toy maker Pop Mart topped the shopping category in Apple’s US App Store on Friday, becoming the latest Chinese app to capture the hearts of American consumers, thanks to the popularity of its Labubu plush dolls.In overall app rankings, Pop Mart surged to seventh place, according to online traffic data provider Sensor Tower. It dropped out of the top 25 by Sunday and ranked 21st among shopping apps.The Pop Mart app’s dramatic rise coincided with the launch of Labubu 3.0, or “Big Into Energy” – a vibrant collection of seven Norse mythology-inspired “monsters” designed by Hong Kong-born artist Lung Ka-sing.Shares…

US tariffs targeting key Quad partners have exposed fault lines within the four-member grouping, raising concerns by analysts that trade tensions could complicate cooperation as China continues to loom large over their shared security interests.Although Japan and India have edged closer to finalising new trade agreements with the US, the uncertainty hanging over these negotiations may persist during a major summit among Quad members in New Delhi set to take place in September, according to the analysts.The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) – comprising the US, Japan, India and Australia – aims to promote a free, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,…

U.S. Treasury yields were little changed on Monday as investors look ahead to a busy week of economic data, including the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge.At 4:28 a.m. ET, the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield was down less than one basis point at 4.26%, while the 2-year Treasury yield was up less than a basis point to 3.76%.One basis point equals 0.01%. Yields and prices move in opposite directions.Investors are anticipating a series of economic data this week while also keeping a close eye on U.S. President Donald Trump’s fast-changing tariff policies.Investors have been watching as Trump repeatedly changed his mind on his…

A Chinese university student who was rescued from Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji twice within four days has become the target of online ridicule and anger.The unnamed 27-year-old man, who lives in Japan, was initially helped off Mount Fuji on April 22 after he became nauseous, apparently feeling the effects of altitude sickness, near the summit of the 3,776-metre mountain. The man had also lost his crampons – necessary on the ice-covered higher levels at Mount Fuji – other climbing equipment, and his mobile phone.Four days later, emergency rescue teams received a call from a Japanese climber that a man had…

Goldman Sachs raised its forecast for investment by mainland Chinese in Hong Kong-listed stocks by almost 50 per cent, following the strongest start to the year on record in terms of Stock Connect fund inflows.Net southbound inflows could reach US$110 billion this year, versus a previous forecast of US$75 billion, the Wall Street investment bank said in a report on Sunday, citing expectations of increased capital moving into Hong Kong amid concerns about US-China financial decoupling.These inflows reached US$78 billion so far this year through April, Goldman estimated, including record one-day net purchases of HK$35.6 billion (US$4.6 billion) on April…

Goldman Sachs raised its forecast for investment by mainland Chinese in Hong Kong-listed stocks by almost 50 per cent, following the strongest start to the year on record in terms of Stock Connect fund inflows.Net southbound inflows could reach US$110 billion this year, versus a previous forecast of US$75 billion, the Wall Street investment bank said in a report on Sunday, citing expectations of increased capital moving into Hong Kong amid concerns about US-China financial decoupling.These inflows reached US$78 billion so far this year through April, Goldman estimated, including record one-day net purchases of HK$35.6 billion (US$4.6 billion) on April…

Authorities in Japan have raised the alarm over Chinese-made toy pistols being sold online that tests show can fire live ammunition with lethal force, raising fresh concerns in a country known for its strict gun control.The National Police Agency confirmed that 16 toy gun models found on e-commerce websites are capable of causing death or serious injury, the Asahi newspaper reported on Saturday.Although marketed as toys and packaged with plastic bullets, police testing revealed that the models could discharge live rounds with power comparable to genuine handguns – weapons whose possession is heavily restricted under Japanese law.Authorities said that as…