The Financial Times reports that almost 630,000 retail outlets in the US have been forced to close due to Covid-19 fears. As further shutdowns are implemented across the US and people are staying home, there is little to no income coming in for non-essential retailers.



The National Retail Federation calculates that the industry could lose $430 billion in revenues over the next three months.



How many stores will be able to reopen if and when the crisis passes?

The Financial Times reports that almost 630,000 retail outlets in the US have been forced to close due to Covid-19 fears. As further shutdowns are implemented across the US and people are staying home, there is little to no income coming in for non-essential retailers.

The National Retail Federation calculates that the industry could lose $430 billion in revenues over the next three months.

How many stores will be able to reopen if and when the crisis passes?

Opinion and analysis of today’s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Opinion and analysis of today&rsquo;s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Morning Brief

Will Retail Renew Post Covid-19?

From Unitree’s landmark IPO to Beijing's World Humanoid Robot Games, China’s robotics industry has been a hot theme. But is commercial adoption catching up with market hype, or are investor valuations getting ahead of reality? We speak with Jianggan Li, Founder and CEO of Momentum Works, fresh off his trip to Shenzhen, to break down China’s hardware advantages, foreign chip dependencies, and what overseas businesses need to know.



Tune in to discover:

* Could China’s hyper-competitive robotics race mirror the early, chaotic stages of its EV and solar booms? 

* Are domestic chipmakers actually narrowing the gap with foreign rivals, or remains a critical vulnerability? 

* Why public market valuations are skyrocketing far ahead of narrow, real-world industrial use cases. 

* How China’s hardware engineering edge is shaping embodied AI, and why overseas businesses shouldn't dismiss viral robot missteps. 

* What key signals investors and business leaders should watch beyond the viral headlines

From Unitree’s landmark IPO to Beijing's World Humanoid Robot Games, China’s robotics industry has been a hot theme. But is commercial adoption catching up with market hype, or are investor valuations getting ahead of reality? We speak with Jianggan Li, Founder and CEO of Momentum Works, fresh off his trip to Shenzhen, to break down China’s hardware advantages, foreign chip dependencies, and what overseas businesses need to know.Tune in to discover:* Could China’s hyper-competitive robotics race mirror the early, chaotic stages of its EV and solar booms? * Are domestic chipmakers actually narrowing the gap with foreign rivals, or remains a critical vulnerability? * Why public market valuations are skyrocketing far ahead of narrow, real-world industrial use cases. * How China’s hardware engineering edge is shaping embodied AI, and why overseas businesses shouldn't dismiss viral robot missteps. * What key signals investors and business leaders should watch beyond the viral headlines

China’s Humanoid Robot Boom: Hype vs Reality

Southern Thailand is experiencing its worst surge in violence in more than a decade, with dozens of coordinated attacks across the predominantly Malay-Muslim provinces near Malaysia’s border. Despite peace talks dating back to 2013, negotiations between the Thai government and separatist groups have repeatedly stalled, leaving communities caught between insurgency and security operations. What is driving the latest escalation, why has the peace process failed to deliver meaningful progress, and what can Thailand and Malaysia do to help break the cycle of violence?

Southern Thailand is experiencing its worst surge in violence in more than a decade, with dozens of coordinated attacks across the predominantly Malay-Muslim provinces near Malaysia’s border. Despite peace talks dating back to 2013, negotiations between the Thai government and separatist groups have repeatedly stalled, leaving communities caught between insurgency and security operations. What is driving the latest escalation, why has the peace process failed to deliver meaningful progress, and what can Thailand and Malaysia do to help break the cycle of violence?

Why Peace Remains Elusive In Southern Thailand

Ahead of its 72nd Muktamar in Kota Bharu, PAS has formally invited top UMNO leaders while closing the door on long-time ally Bersatu. Following months of warming ties and joint momentum across recent state elections, the Islamist party is attempting to balance grassroots frictions, seat allocation battles, and its own image as a ready-to-government national party. Dr. Azmil Tayeb, Political Scientist at Universiti Sains Malaysia, joins BFM’s Morning Brief to unpack what to watch from PAS’s coalition strategy ahead of the next general election.

Ahead of its 72nd Muktamar in Kota Bharu, PAS has formally invited top UMNO leaders while closing the door on long-time ally Bersatu. Following months of warming ties and joint momentum across recent state elections, the Islamist party is attempting to balance grassroots frictions, seat allocation battles, and its own image as a ready-to-government national party. Dr. Azmil Tayeb, Political Scientist at Universiti Sains Malaysia, joins BFM’s Morning Brief to unpack what to watch from PAS’s coalition strategy ahead of the next general election.

Will Retail Renew Post Covid-19?

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