Last year, the total value of private equity deals in Asia Pacific dropped to its lowest level since 2014. This decline was accompanied by a 10-year low in fundraising due to factors such as slowing growth, high interest rates, and volatile public markets. However, amidst this general downward trend, Japan stood out as an outlier.
World
Pope Francis made a last-minute decision to skip his homily during the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, which marked the beginning of a busy Holy Week. The 87-year-old pontiff, struggling with bad knees and persistent respiratory issues, chose not to participate in the procession of cardinals around the obelisk and instead blessed the
In a surprising turn of events, Princess Kate of Britain made a heart-wrenching announcement on Friday regarding her recent cancer diagnosis. She shared in a video statement that she had undergone a major abdominal surgery in London back in January, with the initial belief that her condition was noncancerous. Unfortunately, post-operation tests revealed the presence
The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that Vodafone’s proposed merger with rival CK Hutchison will undergo an in-depth probe unless both companies provide meaningful solutions to address the regulator’s concerns. This decision comes after the CMA expressed worries that the merger could potentially lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the
The Bank of England has decided to maintain interest rates at 5.25%, signaling potential rate cuts as inflation continues to decline. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 in favor of keeping rates steady, with one member advocating for a 25 basis point cut to 5%. This decision marks a shift as no members pushed for
Singapore has once again claimed the title of the happiest country in Asia, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report. This achievement is backed by a variety of factors that have contributed to the city-state’s overall happiness ranking. While Singapore ranked 30th out of 143 places surveyed, it has topped the list in Asia for
Japan’s central bank, known as the Bank of Japan (BOJ), made a significant move on Tuesday by raising interest rates for the first time since 2007. This decision marked the end of the world’s only negative rates regime and signaled a shift in its monetary policy. The BOJ raised its short-term interest rates to around
The economic data reported by China for the first two months of the year surpassed analysts’ expectations in various key areas. Retail sales increased by 5.5%, beating the forecasted 5.2% rise, while industrial production saw a significant growth of 7%, compared to the estimated 5% increase. Fixed asset investment also rose by 4.2%, exceeding the
Young people in China are facing challenges in the labor market, with fierce competition and limited job opportunities. This has led many job seekers to explore unconventional methods to secure employment. Some have even resorted to working as “full-time children” for their parents in exchange for financial support. In this scenario, platforms like Tinder have
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently made headlines by using a Russian luxury limousine gifted to him by President Vladimir Putin. Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, praised the car’s “special function” and highlighted the deepening bilateral ties between North Korea and Russia. This gesture came after Putin sent Kim a high-end Aurus Senat limousine,