Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0600 GMT, April 16
Xinhua,April 16, 2018 Adjust font size:
SINGAPORE -- Pintec Technology Holdings Limited (PINTEC), a Chinese fintech company, and Singapore's United Overseas Bank (UOB) announced on Monday the establishment of their joint venture, which will launch its next-generation digital credit assessment solution in Southeast Asia.
The new company, named as Avatec.ai (S) Pte Ltd., aims to help banks and finance companies to be more efficient and more accurate when assessing credit quality of potential customers, including those who are new to credit, according to a press release from the two parent companies. (Singapore-China-Pintec)
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CANBERRA -- The man in charge of keeping asylum seekers out of Australia has been appointed the nation's new chief of defence force.
Along with his role as head of Operation Sovereign Borders aimed at stopping people-smugglers, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell played a key part in the United Nations efforts to restore peace and order in East Timor. (Australia-Defence Force)
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KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia's main opposition pact announced late Sunday that former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad would contest the parliamentary seat of the resort island of Langkawi in the general election to be held on May 9.
The 92-year-old Mahathir is now leading the multi-party opposition of Pakatan Harapan, or the Alliance of Hope, against the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which he led as the country's prime minister for 21 years. (Malaysia-Opposition)
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CANBERRA -- The value of Australia's wine exports has hit the highest mark in a decade, a report released on Monday found.
Wine Australia's latest Export Report revealed that the value of wine exports from Australia increased 16 percent in the 12 months to March 2018 to 2.65 billion Australian dollars (2.06 billion U.S. dollars). (Australia-Wine) Enditem