Swatch under fire for allegedly taking ‘deliberate shot' against Asians in new ad
Swatch is under fire for an allegedly racist advertisement depicting an asian man holding his eyes back.
There has been significant backlash sparked on Chinese social media with calls to boycott the company.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Iluka Resources boss Tom O'Leary likes US rare earths price floor as Australia mulls following suit
The chief of Iluka Resources has indicated the future Eneabba rare earths refinery near Jurien Bay would thrive on the price floor set by the Trump Administration for two key rare earth elements. Tom O'Leary made the comments as net profit from Iluka's core mineral sands business continues to wane. The company's bottom line for the first half of 2025 fell to $92 million, down from $134m for first half of 2024 and less than half of the $204m net profit it produced for the same period in 2023. But talk of the mineral sands hardship has been overshadowed by the $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded development of the Eneabba refinery, which is set to be commissioned in 2027. The US government last month agreed to pay a minimum of $US110 a kilogram for MP Material's neodymium and praseodymium for a decade, as part of a landmark deal struck between Uncle Sam and MP. 'The US government's floor price of $US110 a kilo is very close to Adamas Intelligence's long term view of $108 a kilo over the next 10 years, which formed the basis of the (Eneabba) project economics we published back in December,' Mr O'Leary said on Wednesday. Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King earlier this month said Australia may follow the lead of the US and establish a rare earths price floor baked into government offtake agreements with domestic producers of the elements. This offtake could feed into a $1.2 billion critical minerals strategic reserve announced by Ms King in April that will be focused on rare earth elements. Other Australian industry players, like Arafura Rare Earths, have also given their thumbs up to the price floor by the US. Shares in Iluka were down 8.7 per cent to $6.02 by 12.10pm as investors digested the profit fall and bleak mineral sands market outlook. Iluka stated it had maintained a 'resilient' mineral sands earnings margin of 39 per cent. But it warned discipline would be key to 'dealing with the present uncertainty and positioning for recovery'. 'In mineral sands, lower levels of economic activity have weighed on customer purchasing behaviour. This has occurred alongside the imposition of US tariffs on zircon; the closure of pigment plants in Europe and China; India enacting anti-dumping duties on Chinese titanium dioxide imports; and production curtailments in Indonesia,' the company stated. Operating cash flow retreated 39 per cent for the period to $115m. The board declared an interim dividend of 2¢ share. Citi analyst Paul McTaggart noted Iluka's key zircon earnings stream is facing growing margin pressures this quarter. 'Iluka did not provide guidance for third quarter zircon sales volumes or price, but today noted the average quarter three zircon price contracted to date in the September quarter is about $US80 per tonne lower than June quarter,' he said.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
One year on, the hunt for the man accused of scalding baby narrows to Asia
The 9-month-old baby, Luka, was with his mother and her friend at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner, Brisbane, on August 27, 2024, when the man approached with a Thermos of hot coffee. The baby suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the seemingly random attack, police said. The man, whose image was widely distributed at the time, was later discovered to have fled to China in the week following the alleged assault. Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police said attempts to "bring the alleged offender to justice" will continue. "Since the alleged offender left Australia on 31 August 2024, the AFP has been working tirelessly with our international partners to bring the alleged offender to justice," Queensland Police said. "Through these efforts, the location of the alleged offender is known to be in China," the state police said. "The AFP is working jointly with Chinese authorities on appropriate options to take this matter forward. "The AFP values the ongoing cooperation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender's location." China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for criminal conduct outside of the country, police confirmed. More than $230,000 has been raised by the community to support baby Luka and his family in the recovery. In November 2024, the family thanked the community for its support, saying "everything is travelling well with the scarring on his chin and shoulder". Investigators will "continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues", Queensland Police said. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at The 9-month-old baby, Luka, was with his mother and her friend at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner, Brisbane, on August 27, 2024, when the man approached with a Thermos of hot coffee. The baby suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the seemingly random attack, police said. The man, whose image was widely distributed at the time, was later discovered to have fled to China in the week following the alleged assault. Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police said attempts to "bring the alleged offender to justice" will continue. "Since the alleged offender left Australia on 31 August 2024, the AFP has been working tirelessly with our international partners to bring the alleged offender to justice," Queensland Police said. "Through these efforts, the location of the alleged offender is known to be in China," the state police said. "The AFP is working jointly with Chinese authorities on appropriate options to take this matter forward. "The AFP values the ongoing cooperation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender's location." China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for criminal conduct outside of the country, police confirmed. More than $230,000 has been raised by the community to support baby Luka and his family in the recovery. In November 2024, the family thanked the community for its support, saying "everything is travelling well with the scarring on his chin and shoulder". Investigators will "continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues", Queensland Police said. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at The 9-month-old baby, Luka, was with his mother and her friend at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner, Brisbane, on August 27, 2024, when the man approached with a Thermos of hot coffee. The baby suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the seemingly random attack, police said. The man, whose image was widely distributed at the time, was later discovered to have fled to China in the week following the alleged assault. Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police said attempts to "bring the alleged offender to justice" will continue. "Since the alleged offender left Australia on 31 August 2024, the AFP has been working tirelessly with our international partners to bring the alleged offender to justice," Queensland Police said. "Through these efforts, the location of the alleged offender is known to be in China," the state police said. "The AFP is working jointly with Chinese authorities on appropriate options to take this matter forward. "The AFP values the ongoing cooperation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender's location." China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for criminal conduct outside of the country, police confirmed. More than $230,000 has been raised by the community to support baby Luka and his family in the recovery. In November 2024, the family thanked the community for its support, saying "everything is travelling well with the scarring on his chin and shoulder". Investigators will "continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues", Queensland Police said. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at The 9-month-old baby, Luka, was with his mother and her friend at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner, Brisbane, on August 27, 2024, when the man approached with a Thermos of hot coffee. The baby suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the seemingly random attack, police said. The man, whose image was widely distributed at the time, was later discovered to have fled to China in the week following the alleged assault. Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police said attempts to "bring the alleged offender to justice" will continue. "Since the alleged offender left Australia on 31 August 2024, the AFP has been working tirelessly with our international partners to bring the alleged offender to justice," Queensland Police said. "Through these efforts, the location of the alleged offender is known to be in China," the state police said. "The AFP is working jointly with Chinese authorities on appropriate options to take this matter forward. "The AFP values the ongoing cooperation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender's location." China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for criminal conduct outside of the country, police confirmed. More than $230,000 has been raised by the community to support baby Luka and his family in the recovery. In November 2024, the family thanked the community for its support, saying "everything is travelling well with the scarring on his chin and shoulder". Investigators will "continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues", Queensland Police said. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Leapmotor posts first half-yearly profit, targets one million sales in 2026
Stellantis Group's Chinese partner Leapmotor turned around a loss in the first half of last year to post a ¥30 million (A$6.5m) profit for the first six months (H1) of 2025. The result is a marked turnaround from a ¥2.2 billion (A$4.7bn) loss over the same period last year, with an operating profit of 14.1 per cent being the highest since the company was formed in 2015. It's only the second Chinese automotive start-up to post a half-yearly profit after Li Auto – which is not present in Australia – announced a ¥11.8 billion ($A2.55bn) profit in the first half of 2024 and continues to operate profitably. Leapmotor sold more than 50,000 vehicles in a month for the first time in July 2025 and has increased its global sales target for 2025, from 290,000 to 500,000 sales, as it sets its sights on its first full-year profit. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Leapmotor. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Leapmotor C10 Leapmotor launched in Australia in late 2024 with its C10 mid-size SUV, which was initially released as an electric vehicle (EV) and then joined by an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain option dubbed as REEV. To the end of July this year, Leapmotor has sold 352 examples of the C10, which is currently priced from $43,888 drive-away (C10 REEV) and $45,888 drive-away (C10 EV). It's expected to confirm a second model for its local lineup, the B10 electric SUV, which could land here by the end of 2025. In Europe, its most popular model is the Polish-made T03 electric city car – not confirmed for Australia – priced around £16,000 ($A33,450), making it one of the most affordable EVs on sale. Above: Leapmotor B10 Leapmotor is expected to reveal a small electric hatch called the B05 at the Munich motor show next month. Dutch-based Stellantis has a majority stake in Leapmotor's international operations, its first China venture. Stellantis also owns brands including Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot and Chrysler. The Leapmotor profit marks a reversal of fortunes for Stellantis, which posted a €2.3 billion ($A4.15bn) loss overall in the first half of 2025 after a €5.6 billion ($A10.1bn) profit in the first six months of 2024. It delivered six per cent fewer vehicles in total, including 25 per cent fewer in the US, six per cent fewer in Europe, and six per cent fewer in the China/India/Asia Pacific region, which includes Australia. Deliveries in South America improved by 20 per cent in H1, in one of Leapmotor's few positive results so far in 2025. Above: Leapmotor T03 Among its brands, Alfa Romeo also posted strong sales in the first half of 2025, up 20 per cent, but speculation persists – despite repeated denials from Stellantis – that Maserati is up for sale, following a 32 per cent H1 decline. Stellantis' overall result was impacted by changes brought on by US import tariffs – both automotive-specific and broader tariffs on materials – which hit Maserati especially hard, given it's the brand's biggest market. Amid the headwinds, Antonio Filosa took over the company as Stellantis CEO from June 2025, after Carlos Taveras stepped down in dramatic fashion last December. MORE: Explore the Leapmotor showroom Content originally sourced from: Stellantis Group's Chinese partner Leapmotor turned around a loss in the first half of last year to post a ¥30 million (A$6.5m) profit for the first six months (H1) of 2025. The result is a marked turnaround from a ¥2.2 billion (A$4.7bn) loss over the same period last year, with an operating profit of 14.1 per cent being the highest since the company was formed in 2015. It's only the second Chinese automotive start-up to post a half-yearly profit after Li Auto – which is not present in Australia – announced a ¥11.8 billion ($A2.55bn) profit in the first half of 2024 and continues to operate profitably. Leapmotor sold more than 50,000 vehicles in a month for the first time in July 2025 and has increased its global sales target for 2025, from 290,000 to 500,000 sales, as it sets its sights on its first full-year profit. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Leapmotor. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Leapmotor C10 Leapmotor launched in Australia in late 2024 with its C10 mid-size SUV, which was initially released as an electric vehicle (EV) and then joined by an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain option dubbed as REEV. To the end of July this year, Leapmotor has sold 352 examples of the C10, which is currently priced from $43,888 drive-away (C10 REEV) and $45,888 drive-away (C10 EV). It's expected to confirm a second model for its local lineup, the B10 electric SUV, which could land here by the end of 2025. In Europe, its most popular model is the Polish-made T03 electric city car – not confirmed for Australia – priced around £16,000 ($A33,450), making it one of the most affordable EVs on sale. Above: Leapmotor B10 Leapmotor is expected to reveal a small electric hatch called the B05 at the Munich motor show next month. Dutch-based Stellantis has a majority stake in Leapmotor's international operations, its first China venture. Stellantis also owns brands including Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot and Chrysler. The Leapmotor profit marks a reversal of fortunes for Stellantis, which posted a €2.3 billion ($A4.15bn) loss overall in the first half of 2025 after a €5.6 billion ($A10.1bn) profit in the first six months of 2024. It delivered six per cent fewer vehicles in total, including 25 per cent fewer in the US, six per cent fewer in Europe, and six per cent fewer in the China/India/Asia Pacific region, which includes Australia. Deliveries in South America improved by 20 per cent in H1, in one of Leapmotor's few positive results so far in 2025. Above: Leapmotor T03 Among its brands, Alfa Romeo also posted strong sales in the first half of 2025, up 20 per cent, but speculation persists – despite repeated denials from Stellantis – that Maserati is up for sale, following a 32 per cent H1 decline. Stellantis' overall result was impacted by changes brought on by US import tariffs – both automotive-specific and broader tariffs on materials – which hit Maserati especially hard, given it's the brand's biggest market. Amid the headwinds, Antonio Filosa took over the company as Stellantis CEO from June 2025, after Carlos Taveras stepped down in dramatic fashion last December. MORE: Explore the Leapmotor showroom Content originally sourced from: Stellantis Group's Chinese partner Leapmotor turned around a loss in the first half of last year to post a ¥30 million (A$6.5m) profit for the first six months (H1) of 2025. The result is a marked turnaround from a ¥2.2 billion (A$4.7bn) loss over the same period last year, with an operating profit of 14.1 per cent being the highest since the company was formed in 2015. It's only the second Chinese automotive start-up to post a half-yearly profit after Li Auto – which is not present in Australia – announced a ¥11.8 billion ($A2.55bn) profit in the first half of 2024 and continues to operate profitably. Leapmotor sold more than 50,000 vehicles in a month for the first time in July 2025 and has increased its global sales target for 2025, from 290,000 to 500,000 sales, as it sets its sights on its first full-year profit. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Leapmotor. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Leapmotor C10 Leapmotor launched in Australia in late 2024 with its C10 mid-size SUV, which was initially released as an electric vehicle (EV) and then joined by an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain option dubbed as REEV. To the end of July this year, Leapmotor has sold 352 examples of the C10, which is currently priced from $43,888 drive-away (C10 REEV) and $45,888 drive-away (C10 EV). It's expected to confirm a second model for its local lineup, the B10 electric SUV, which could land here by the end of 2025. In Europe, its most popular model is the Polish-made T03 electric city car – not confirmed for Australia – priced around £16,000 ($A33,450), making it one of the most affordable EVs on sale. Above: Leapmotor B10 Leapmotor is expected to reveal a small electric hatch called the B05 at the Munich motor show next month. Dutch-based Stellantis has a majority stake in Leapmotor's international operations, its first China venture. Stellantis also owns brands including Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot and Chrysler. The Leapmotor profit marks a reversal of fortunes for Stellantis, which posted a €2.3 billion ($A4.15bn) loss overall in the first half of 2025 after a €5.6 billion ($A10.1bn) profit in the first six months of 2024. It delivered six per cent fewer vehicles in total, including 25 per cent fewer in the US, six per cent fewer in Europe, and six per cent fewer in the China/India/Asia Pacific region, which includes Australia. Deliveries in South America improved by 20 per cent in H1, in one of Leapmotor's few positive results so far in 2025. Above: Leapmotor T03 Among its brands, Alfa Romeo also posted strong sales in the first half of 2025, up 20 per cent, but speculation persists – despite repeated denials from Stellantis – that Maserati is up for sale, following a 32 per cent H1 decline. Stellantis' overall result was impacted by changes brought on by US import tariffs – both automotive-specific and broader tariffs on materials – which hit Maserati especially hard, given it's the brand's biggest market. Amid the headwinds, Antonio Filosa took over the company as Stellantis CEO from June 2025, after Carlos Taveras stepped down in dramatic fashion last December. MORE: Explore the Leapmotor showroom Content originally sourced from: Stellantis Group's Chinese partner Leapmotor turned around a loss in the first half of last year to post a ¥30 million (A$6.5m) profit for the first six months (H1) of 2025. The result is a marked turnaround from a ¥2.2 billion (A$4.7bn) loss over the same period last year, with an operating profit of 14.1 per cent being the highest since the company was formed in 2015. It's only the second Chinese automotive start-up to post a half-yearly profit after Li Auto – which is not present in Australia – announced a ¥11.8 billion ($A2.55bn) profit in the first half of 2024 and continues to operate profitably. Leapmotor sold more than 50,000 vehicles in a month for the first time in July 2025 and has increased its global sales target for 2025, from 290,000 to 500,000 sales, as it sets its sights on its first full-year profit. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Leapmotor. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Leapmotor C10 Leapmotor launched in Australia in late 2024 with its C10 mid-size SUV, which was initially released as an electric vehicle (EV) and then joined by an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain option dubbed as REEV. To the end of July this year, Leapmotor has sold 352 examples of the C10, which is currently priced from $43,888 drive-away (C10 REEV) and $45,888 drive-away (C10 EV). It's expected to confirm a second model for its local lineup, the B10 electric SUV, which could land here by the end of 2025. In Europe, its most popular model is the Polish-made T03 electric city car – not confirmed for Australia – priced around £16,000 ($A33,450), making it one of the most affordable EVs on sale. Above: Leapmotor B10 Leapmotor is expected to reveal a small electric hatch called the B05 at the Munich motor show next month. Dutch-based Stellantis has a majority stake in Leapmotor's international operations, its first China venture. Stellantis also owns brands including Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot and Chrysler. The Leapmotor profit marks a reversal of fortunes for Stellantis, which posted a €2.3 billion ($A4.15bn) loss overall in the first half of 2025 after a €5.6 billion ($A10.1bn) profit in the first six months of 2024. It delivered six per cent fewer vehicles in total, including 25 per cent fewer in the US, six per cent fewer in Europe, and six per cent fewer in the China/India/Asia Pacific region, which includes Australia. Deliveries in South America improved by 20 per cent in H1, in one of Leapmotor's few positive results so far in 2025. Above: Leapmotor T03 Among its brands, Alfa Romeo also posted strong sales in the first half of 2025, up 20 per cent, but speculation persists – despite repeated denials from Stellantis – that Maserati is up for sale, following a 32 per cent H1 decline. Stellantis' overall result was impacted by changes brought on by US import tariffs – both automotive-specific and broader tariffs on materials – which hit Maserati especially hard, given it's the brand's biggest market. Amid the headwinds, Antonio Filosa took over the company as Stellantis CEO from June 2025, after Carlos Taveras stepped down in dramatic fashion last December. MORE: Explore the Leapmotor showroom Content originally sourced from:
