Morningstar Launches New Digital Destination to Empower Asian Investors
The new digital destination is free and offers region-specific investment and market content, data, and tools tailored to the needs of Asian investors. Part of a suite of 12 new digital experiences created for distinct markets around the world, today's launch reflects Morningstar's commitment to serving local investors, backed by the strength of the company's global independent research and long-term perspective. The new digital experiences replace legacy ones across markets.
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Malaysia Sun
an hour ago
- Malaysia Sun
NATO circles China in more ways than one
The alliances latest summit avoided confronting Beijing but could not cover up the efforts to contain the Asian great power The June NATO summit, held in The Hague, ended with a significant headline: a collective pledge to increase annual defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. This bold target, far exceeding the current 2% benchmark, signals a new era of militarization in the West, reflecting anxieties about a rapidly changing world order. While China was notably absent from the summit's final declaration, the specter of the Asian giant loomed large over the event. The omission appears tactical rather than strategic - a thinly veiled attempt to avoid escalating tensions, even as NATO members ramp up rhetoric and military preparations clearly aimed at containing Beijing. Though the summit declaration remained silent on China, the alliance's leadership left little doubt about their true concerns. NATO's secretary general, Mark Rutte, used the summit sidelines to sound alarm bells over China's "massive military build-up". Echoing the now-familiar Western narrative, Rutte linked China - alongside Iran and North Korea - to Russia's military operations in Ukraine, accusing Beijing of supporting Moscow's war efforts. These remarks followed Rutte's June address at London's Chatham House, where he described China's military expansion as happening "at breakneck speed" and labeled Beijing, Tehran, Pyongyang, and Moscow as an "awful foursome." This framing makes clear that the NATO establishment and US leadership regard China not as a partner or even a rival, but a threat. The perception of China as an imminent danger was also echoed at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in May, where US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of a potential Chinese military move against Taiwan and reiterated Washington's commitment to regional allies - albeit while pressing them to increase their own defense budgets. His remarks left no doubt: the US strategic focus is firmly on the Indo-Pacific, even at the expense of its traditional European commitments. In a notable diplomatic snub, the leaders of Australia, Japan, and South Korea - the so-called "Indo-Pacific partners" of NATO - cancelled their plans to attend the summit in The Hague. This decision, viewed by observers as a pointed message, undermined NATO's aspiration to consolidate its influence in the region. Since the 2022 Madrid summit, when NATO adopted its "Strategic Compass" and for the first time classified China as a "systemic challenge," the alliance has moved steadily to incorporate the Asia-Pacific into its strategic thinking. It now considers developments in East Asia as directly relevant to Euro-Atlantic security. As such, NATO seeks deeper cooperation with Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand to uphold what it calls the "rules-based order" - a euphemism for Western hegemony. However, the absence of these Indo-Pacific leaders suggests a growing discomfort with NATO's expanding footprint. For many regional actors, NATO's presence in Asia represents not stability, but the risk of being drawn into geopolitical conflicts under the guise of shared security. Further adding to regional unease, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a controversial message at the Shangri-La Dialogue, warning Beijing that NATO could be involved in Southeast Asia unless China convinces North Korea to withdraw its troops from Russia. This statement not only mischaracterized Beijing's independent foreign policy and its complex relations with Pyongyang but also marked a sharp departure from France's previous resistance to NATO's involvement in Asia-Pacific matters. Such remarks, however, are increasingly aligned with the alliance's real trajectory: NATO is no longer content with transatlantic defense. Its strategic horizon is now global, and its compass points East. NATO-China relations, once limited and mostly symbolic, are now strained to the point of near-hostility. The first Chinese representative visited NATO headquarters in 2002, and both sides cooperated on anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden after 2008. Since then, however, the relationship has eroded amid intensifying geopolitical competition and diverging security philosophies. Beijing has become increasingly vocal in its criticism. Chinese authorities responded sharply to Rutte's remarks at The Hague, accusing NATO of spreading disinformation about China's stance on Ukraine and conflating the Taiwan question - which Beijing insists is a purely domestic matter - with a war between states. Chinese officials emphasized that NATO's role in the Asia-Pacific is unwelcome and destabilizing, viewing the alliance as a Cold War relic now repurposed to uphold US dominance and contain China's rise. For China, NATO is not just a military alliance, but a political tool used by Washington to limit Europe's engagement with Beijing. From this perspective, NATO's eastward ambitions threaten to derail the potential for constructive China-Europe cooperation, replacing it with division and distrust. China's concerns are not limited to NATO. The revival of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), the emergence of the "Squad," and the 2021 formation of AUKUS - a trilateral pact between the US, UK, and Australia - have only deepened Beijing's fears of encirclement. The AUKUS agreement, under which Australia is to receive nuclear-powered submarines from the US worth $240 billion, has introduced a new and dangerous element into regional security dynamics. Canberra will gain long-range strike capability for the first time and become only the second nation - after the UK - to receive access to US nuclear propulsion technology. Though the Trump administration has initiated a formal review of AUKUS, few expect significant changes. On the contrary, the pact is likely to reinforce the militarization of the region and increase the risk of nuclear proliferation. In contrast to NATO's bloc-based approach, China promotes a regional security framework rooted in multilateralism, inclusiveness, and dialogue. Beijing advocates for an ASEAN-centered architecture and supports institutions like the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), and the East Asia Summit. It also backs the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and has launched the Global Security Initiative to advance regional stability. Most significantly, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has emerged as a key platform for Eurasian states to coordinate on security, with the June meeting of defense ministers in Qingdao underscoring its role in promoting collective peace without resorting to confrontation or hegemonism. The NATO summit may have avoided naming China, but it failed to conceal the reality of growing confrontation. While the alliance doubles down on military spending and expands its strategic reach into Asia, the Global South and a number of key Asia-Pacific states appear increasingly wary of NATO's global ambitions. As the world stands at a strategic crossroads, two competing visions of international security are on display. On one side, NATO and its partners advocate a "rules-based order" backed by military alliances and deterrence. On the other, China offers a model grounded in multipolarity, multilateral cooperation, consensus-building, and mutual respect. The choice, increasingly, is not between East vs. West - but between confrontation and coexistence. (
Malaysian Reserve
4 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Newmark Advises on Recapitalization of Six Million-SF Multi-Market Industrial Portfolio with Blackstone
Newmark represents Crow Holdings in recapitalization of 25-building Texas and Illinois portfolio NEW YORK, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK) ('Newmark' or 'the Company'), a leading commercial real estate advisor and service provider to large institutional investors, global corporations, and other owners and occupiers, announces the Company advised Crow Holdings on the recapitalization of a six-million-square-foot industrial portfolio with Core+ funds affiliated with Blackstone Real Estate. Blackstone acquired a 95% stake in the portfolio, which includes 25 Class A buildings located in Dallas, Houston and Chicago. Newmark Senior Managing Director Dom Espinosa, President and Global Head of Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets Jack Fraker, Vice Chairman Dustin Volz and Executive Vice Chairman Kevin Donner advised Crow Holdings in the transaction. Newmark's Co-Head of U.S. Capital Markets Adam Spies, Executive Vice Chairmen Marcella Fasulo and Josh King also supported negotiations. 'Capital markets activity in high-growth U.S. markets continues to demonstrate strong investor appetite, with industrial remaining a top target for long-term capital,' said Chad Lavender, Newmark President of Capital Markets for North America. 'We're proud to have advised on a transaction of this scale, which showcases both the sector's strength and our team's expertise in delivering strategic outcomes for our clients.' Crow Holdings is a leading real estate development and investment management firm founded by industry icon Trammell Crow in 1948. The Dallas-based firm has $33 billion in assets under management and one of the largest multifamily and industrial development platforms in the nation. 'This notable transaction underscores the continued conviction in industrial as a leading asset class – particularly in high-performing markets,' said Fraker. 'Demand for well-located, Class A logistics space remains robust and this portfolio represents the type of institutional-quality product investors are eager to acquire.' 'This closing brings together a unique partnership between the world's largest real estate investor and one of the nation's premier, privately-held real estate development and investment firms,' said Espinosa. 'It's a strong endorsement of the Dallas, Houston and Chicago industrial markets, the infill nature of the assets and the long-term value of state-of-the-art building specifications.' Legal counsel for Crow Holdings was provided by Fried Frank. About NewmarkNewmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK), together with its subsidiaries ('Newmark'), is a world leader in commercial real estate, seamlessly powering every phase of the property life cycle. Newmark's comprehensive suite of services and products is uniquely tailored to each client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and startups to blue-chip companies. Combining the platform's global reach with market intelligence in both established and emerging property markets, Newmark provides superior service to clients across the industry spectrum. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2025, Newmark generated revenues of over $2.8 billion. As of March 31, 2025, Newmark and its business partners together operated from 165 offices with approximately 8,100 professionals across four continents. To learn more, visit or follow @newmark. Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about NewmarkStatements in this document regarding Newmark that are not historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about the Company's business, results, financial position, liquidity, and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, Newmark undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Newmark's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K.
Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Malaysia remains committed to principles of free, open trade, says Anwar
Anwar says the commitment was conveyed when he and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani chaired the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable session in Rome today. – Bernama photo ROME (July 2): Malaysia remains committed to the principles of free and open trade as the core to inclusive, sustainable and resilient economic growth. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that in an increasingly challenging global landscape, international stability and peace are an important foundation for economic prosperity as well as cross-border synergy opportunities that the business community must fully exploit. He said the commitment was conveyed when he and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani chaired the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable session here today. The session brought together more than 100 companies from both countries, covering the manufacturing, services and trade sectors, as well as industry agencies and organisations. 'This session reflects a shared commitment to strengthen trade relations and open up wider strategic investment space between Malaysia and Italy,' said Anwar. According to the Prime Minister, this session also strengthened the confidence of Italian industry players in Malaysia's openness policy, efficient governance and economic competitiveness. He said the active participation of leading companies highlights the potential for higher-impact bilateral cooperation, centered on added value, innovation and mutual interests. It opens up broad prospects in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, carbon capture and storage technology, defence, digital economy, aerospace and high-tech industries, key areas that are pillars of the country's economic reform agenda, he added. – Bernama Antonio Tajani anwar ibrahim Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable
