US law firms shrink China footprint as investment decline hurts business

China is increasing its efforts to stockpile microchips from the US to prepare for potential sanctions from the incoming administration of president-elect Donald Trump, with purchases reaching US$1.11 billion in October, a 60 per cent increase from last year. China has imported US$9.61 billion of microchips from the US over the first 10 months of the year, focusing on CPU-based processors and controllers, as well as chips for storage and signal amplification, to meet its...

Campaign Asia-Pacific announces the 2024 cohort of 34 exceptional women shaping the marketing and communications industry in Asia-Pacific. The awards, now in their 12th year, recognize these professionals amid ongoing challenges in achieving workplace inclusivity. Winners from 12 markets showcase diverse expertise across various sectors, with selection criteria emphasizing business achievements, leadership, collaboration, and industry impact. Full Article

Intlife Smart Home, a Malaysia-based green tech startup founded by CEO Kok Huang, is focused on combatting energy wastage in residential and commercial properties by providing energy-efficient solutions. Through IoT sensors and AI-driven energy management systems, the company optimizes energy consumption, cutting costs and reducing carbon footprints. With plans to expand regionally and contribute to Malaysia's net-zero emissions goal by 2050, intlife is positioning itself as a leader in energy efficiency and sustainability. Full Article

The Hong Kong government has sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to prison terms ranging from four to 10 years. Now, there is consideration of appealing their sentences to impose further punishment, as stated by Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung. Tang mentioned looking into individual cases to determine if the activists violated national security laws. Full Article

CF Montreal defender Joel Waterman signed a three-year contract extension through the 2027 season, with an option for 2028. Club president Gabriel Gervais praised Waterman's growth and leadership, expecting him to play a key role in achieving team goals. The 28-year-old British Columbia native has scored four goals and 11 assists in 112 career matches with CF Montreal and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue with the club. Full Article

The Albanese government declined to join a new U.S.-U.K. nuclear technology agreement, leading to controversy as Australia was initially included but later removed from the list of signatories. Australia, not having a nuclear energy industry, will remain an observer in the AUKUS alliance for nuclear-powered submarines. Opposition leader Peter Dutton criticized the decision, while Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles raised concerns about potential cost increases if Australia pursued nuclear energy. Full Article