The Liberal Democratic Party has shot down the request put forth by the Government Pension Investment Fund to lift the ban imposed on it to make direct stock investments. The LDP made a final decision on Monday to keep the ban in place, fearing the government fund would gain direct control over private companies as well as bring down the pension benefits in cases of losses incurred on investments.
Legal & Regulatory
South African Finance Minister Orders Probe Into Eskom Coal Supply Deal
Eskom, a South African state owned power producer has attracted a probe over its deals for developing new power plants. Country’s finance minister has ordered the probe and cancelled post budget breakfast briefing scheduled to be broadcast by New Age newspaper. The move has been analyzed as a revolt within the government against Gupta family, intimate with President Jacob Zuma.
China Replaced The Chairman of Its Top Securities Regulator Over Market Turbulence
China’s ruling party decided to replace the country’s chairman of the securities regulator, Xiao Gang, with former central banker Liu Shiyu. The regulator has taken the blame for failing to stabilize the market turbulence in the country over the year.
Tim Cook Finally Invited For Testifying Before Congress Subcommittee
The US Department of Justice has been favored with a court order in getting technical assistance from Apple for unlocking an iPhone. Apple CEO has vowed to challenge the court order citing iPhone security. Finally HECC has come forward to end the dead lock situation with invitation to Tim Cook for discussing a possible solution mentioning no set date.
John McAfee Volunteers Decoding San Bernardino Shooter's iPhone
Apple and FBI want to resolve their feud over the decryption of the iPhone of the San Bernardino shooter but the giant tech company turned FBI's request. John McAfee, inventor of the McAfee software, offers assistance to solve the case.
Latest News
A startup offering up to $10,000 loan to help couples fund their wedding had shifted its business concept to a crowdfunding platform. The move infuriates many couples expecting the loan, whereas the startup said that the couple wouldn’t have to pay it back as long as they stay together. The change of business plan was due to overwhelming demand and regulation challenges, stated the company.
Kentucky and 26 other US states consider hemp cultivation and processing as legal. Industrial hemp and its derivatives are widely used in fabrics, shampoo, plastics, building materials etc. To avail the potential business opportunity, Seed CX has raised fund for $3.42 million aiming to run a platform for hemp and its derivatives.
Japan’s auto workers unions had agreed on slimmer pay raise of 3,000 yen, only half the amount they demanded last year. That would hinder Prime Minister Abe’s determination to put an end to the country’s economy stagnation by boosting domestic growth and reviving exports.
Apple CEO Tim Cook made an official statement appealing the court order to provide assistance breaking into an iPhone owned by one of San Bernardino mass shooter. Cook argued that helping law enforcements creating a backdoor to bypass the device’s security is something the company cannot and will not do in order to protect its customers from a greater danger.
Recent statements and reports acknowledged that China is closing its technology gap with the United States, especially in air forces. Chinese governments have been using resources to support modernization on the military. However, the pilots' ability between the two countries is still facing a huge gap due to experience and training program.
Shareholders of the Italian tyre maker Pirelli has nodded in favor of the proposed merger with Marco Polo Industrial Holding. Marco Polo’s parent concern ChemChina has acquired Pirelli for $8.25 billion last year. The merging is scheduled to be completed by mid 2016.
BoK has decided to keep hold benchmark interest rates in place on Tuesday. To tackle the ongoing sluggish economic growth, South Korean government has unveiled a stimulus package on February 3. BoK is predicted to analyze the impact of the stimulus package and hence opts for keeping rates unchanged.
PROFEPA has fined Volkswagen México with $8.9 million for lacking two NOM environment compliance certificates. The 45,494 imported vehicles under penalty include Volkswagen's 2016 model vehicles. However, the fine is separate from the ongoing probe on defeat device installation on diesel powered vehicles.
A former Managing Director of CVC Capital Partners (US) Inc has moved court against the private equity (PE) firm over gender-discrimination. Lisa Lee, who complained against the company, has alleged that the firm was favoring male employees in more of unfair way.She criticized the company's measures in promoting less qualified male co-workers over her.
