Philippines defends U.S. missile system deployment, seeks to acquire its own By Reuters

MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines’ defence minister on Tuesday justified the country’s deployment of a U.S. medium-range missile system and plans to acquire its own, despite opposition from China, a longstanding rival in the South China Sea. “Any deployment and procurement of assets related to the Philippines’ security and defence fall within its own sovereign … Read more

Investors call for UK government to reform defined benefit pensions

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. The UK government should prioritise reform of the UK’s £1.2tn defined benefit pensions system to unlock billions of pounds for investment, according to asset managers.  In November the government announced plans for a series of … Read more

China Mobile and Telecom Egypt enter strategic partnership By Investing.com

HONG KONG – China Mobile (NYSE:) International (CMI), a subsidiary of China Mobile, and Telecom (BCBA:) Egypt have entered into a strategic commercial agreement to enhance subsea cable infrastructure and digital service offerings, the companies announced today. The partnership, signed by CMI’s Chairman and CEO Wang Hua and Telecom Egypt’s Managing Director and CEO Mohamed … Read more

Germany joins EU’s ‘ultra-low’ fertility club

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Three more EU member states — including the most populous, Germany — have joined the list of countries with “ultra-low” fertility rates, highlighting the extent of the region’s demographic challenges. Official statistics show Germany’s birth rate fell … Read more