A U.S. guided-missile destroyer sailednear disputed islands in the South China Sea in what China called a “provocation”. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that the conduct of the U.S. ship had violated China’s and international law, and China had lodged “stern representations”. The statement came as trade talks between China and the United States were under way in Beijing, the first round of face-to-face discussions since both sides agreed to a 90-day truce in a trade war. China's foreign ministry said it has the “good faith” to work with the United States to resolve frictions.
New Trump administration policies aimed at curbing China’s access to American innovationhave all but halted Chinese investment in U.S. technology startups. Chinese venture funding in U.S. startups crested to a record $3 billion last year, according to New York economic research firm Rhodium Group, spurred by a rush of investors and tech companies scrambling to complete deals before a new regulatory regime was approved in August. Since then, Chinese venture funding in U.S. startups has slowed to a trickle.
Thailand halted plans on Monday to expel an 18-year-old Saudi woman fleeingher family after she barricaded herself inside an airport hotel to prevent immigration officials putting her on a flight to Kuwait. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun has been at Bangkok’s international airport since Saturday. She has said she fears she will be killed if she is returned to her family, who could not be reached for comment on her accusations of abuse.
Gabon foiled an attempted military coup,arresting several plotters just hours after they took over state radio in a bid to end 50 years of rule by President Ali Bongo’s family. Government spokesman Guy-Bertrand Mapangou told Reuters that four of the five officers who had taken over the state radio in the capital Libreville were arrested. A fifth officer fled and is being pursued, he said.
Commentary: 2019 will be the year of more state control.Around the world, 2019 is set to be a big year for state surveillance. China and India have already rolled out new nationwide digital monitoring systems while, in many Western democracies, security services have been granted the legal power to monitor their citizens’ communications. According to columnist John Lloyd, “These developments grow in importance and scope at the same time as the authoritarian world increases its size and becomes more restrictive.”
Eli Lilly and Co said it would buy Loxo Oncology for about $8 billion in cash, buying into a portfolio of targeted medicines to treat cancers caused by rare gene mutations.
Tesla broke ground on Monday for its Shanghai Gigafactory where it plans to begin making its Model 3 electric vehicles (EV) by year-end, a first step in localizing production in the world’s largest auto market.
Activist investor Starboard Value LP said it had acquired a 1.7 percent stake in discount store operator Dollar Tree and urged it to explore a sale of its underperforming Family Dollar business.
