Apr 25, 2026 Hong Kong’s life insurance sector achieved a new record in 2025, according to data from the Insurance Authority released on Friday. The industry generated HK$330.9 billion (US$42.2 billion) in new life policies last year, surpassing the previous record of HK$219 billion set a year earlier.The 50.6 percent annual increase was driven by affluent clients purchasing policies for wealth transfer, protection, and medical needs. Paul Murray, CEO of Swiss Re’s life and health business, attributed the sustained growth to a rise in wealthy individuals establishing family offices in the city. Hong Kong’s absence of estate duty and tax…
Author: Isla
(Xinhua) 15:59, April 25, 2026 Overseas tourists buy bracelets made with fresh jasmine flowers at Liziba lookout in Yuzhong District of Chongqing, southwest China, April 23, 2026. The continuously optimized entry policies in recent years have made it more convenient for overseas tourists to travel in China. Chongqing, a city built on mountains that boasts one-of-a-kind skyline, vibrant street life, and rich local flavors, has drawn many travelers from around the world. While enjoying the delicious food, viewing the scenic spots and experiencing the colorful culture, overseas tourists also find themselves immersed in the “Chinese sense of security,” which usually…
THE appointment of former High Court judge Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman as the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner is a fitting choice to lead the agency. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Abdul Halim’s judicial background, coupled with his non-involvement in major business interests or political parties, makes him well-placed to helm the commission and further strengthen its role. “I believe he is well-suited to lead MACC and enhance its capabilities. I discussed with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, yesterday to consider appointing him to a two-year term,” he said as reported by Bernama.…
DeepSeek reportedly has not shared its upcoming AI model with American engineers and instead granted early access to Chinese companies, further intensifying the technological war between the U.S. and China, as of Feb. 26, 2026.Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesThe U.S. State Department has ordered a global push to bring attention to what it says are widespread efforts by Chinese companies, including AI startup DeepSeek, to steal intellectual property from U.S. artificial intelligence labs, according to a diplomatic cable seen by Reuters.The cable said its purpose was to “warn of the risks of utilizing AI models distilled from U.S. proprietary…
The United Arab Emirates has successfully brokered a new prisoner exchange between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, leading to the release of 386 captives, 193 from each side. The development marks the latest in a series of mediation efforts by the UAE, bringing the total number of detainees freed through its initiatives to 6,691. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked both Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation, highlighting their continued trust in the UAE’s role as a mediator in the conflict. Officials noted that this is the 22nd successful mediation effort facilitated by the UAE, reflecting…
The New Delhi boutique has been conceptualised as an experiential retail space, presenting a curated assortment of the brand’s signature creations, including novelty minaudières, evening bags and seasonal offerings. Expanding its global retail presence, Judith Leiber Couture has unveiled a new boutique at The Chanakya, marking its official entry into the Indian market.The development underscores the brand’s strategic focus on high growth luxury markets such as India.Established in 1963, Judith Leiber Couture is renowned for its crystal encrusted minaudières and sculptural evening bags that seamlessly merge fashion with collectible design. Under the creative leadership of Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, the label…
AbstractAccording to the latest IndexBox report on the global Chemical Synthesizer market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture.The global chemical synthesizer market is entering a period of sustained expansion, driven by structural shifts in pharmaceutical R&D, fine chemical manufacturing, and materials science. As drug pipelines grow more complex and regulatory timelines tighten, automated synthesis platforms have become essential for reducing cycle times and improving reproducibility. The market encompasses batch and continuous flow reactor systems, microwave-assisted and parallel synthesizers, automated laboratory and pilot plant units, and integrated systems…
The way we access healthcare has changed quite a bit over the last few years. What once meant sitting in a crowded waiting room for hours can now, in some cases, be done from your phone. Telehealth, which includes online consultations and remote monitoring, has moved beyond being just a convenient option. It is becoming a regular part of how people manage their health. But the real question is, will it replace traditional clinics or simply work alongside them?A Shift That Started With NecessityThe big push for telehealth in India came during COVID-19. When movement was restricted, in-person doctor visits…
India’s automobile sector has consolidated its position in the global rankings, with eight homegrown brands listed among the world’s 100 most valuable and strongest names, according to Brand Finance’s Automotive Industry 2026 report. The London-headquartered brand valuation consultancy publishes the rankings annually, using a royalty relief methodology compliant with ISO 10668, and assesses brand strength through a balanced scorecard aligned to ISO 20671. The global automobile sector’s collective brand value was recorded at USD 575.4 billion in this year’s report. Within that pool, Indian brands account for a growing share, with Mahindra leading the country’s representatives in the brand value table and…
Introduction Asiatic Mode of Production (AMP) was conceptualized by Marx mainly in his writings on Asia, more specifically India, during the 1850s. Through AMP, Marx pointed out the incompatibility of European mode of production (social formation) and class analysis in the case of non-Western/non-European societies like India. To be specific, the theory of AMP suggested how India is run by an ‘elite’, ‘despotic’ ruling clique that directly expropriates surplus from village communities. Marx also tried to explain the absence of European model of feudalism or land ownership in India, and instead pointed out how an elite state class always runs the regime or the ruling system with specific linkage between agriculture and manufacturing based on socio-cultural relations whose “solid basis” being the Indian Caste system. Of course, the theory of AMP has been one of the most controversial and hotly debated Marxist conceptualizations. Academic and scholarly debates on AMP among a whole set of Leftist scholars and Marxist historians, and a large body of writings on the concept are there in the public domain. However, and very revealingly, the Communist parties in India, ranging from the revisionists to the sectarians, including their entire cadres, are totally insulated or…