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News18
3 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
If A Road Accident Victim Has No Insurance, Can The Family Still Get Compensation?
Last Updated: Having third-party insurance ensures if a vehicle causes injury or death, the insurance company must compensate the victim's family, even if the deceased had no insurance coverage In the event of a road accident where a family's sole breadwinner loses their life without having life insurance, the question of financial support naturally arises. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, such families may be entitled to compensation, providing a legal route for financial assistance in the absence of insurance. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provides a legal framework to offer compensation to victims of road accidents or their families. This law includes two important provisions—Section 163A and Section 166—that deal with compensation claims. Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act allows the family of a person who dies in a road accident to claim compensation without having to prove who was at fault. Even if it is unclear who caused the accident or how it happened, compensation can still be granted. This is known as a 'no-fault claim" and is especially helpful for families, as gathering accurate details about an accident can often be difficult. On the other hand, Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act applies when it is clear that the accident was caused by someone else's negligence. In such cases, the victim's family can claim compensation from the vehicle owner or their insurance company, but they must prove that the other party was at fault. For example, if a truck is driven recklessly and causes a fatal accident, the family can seek compensation by proving the truck driver's negligence in court. What If The Deceased Did Not Have Insurance Even if the deceased did not have personal insurance, the family may still be eligible for compensation. In India, it is mandatory for all vehicle owners to have third-party insurance. This ensures that if their vehicle causes injury or death to someone, the insurance company is liable to compensate the victim's family—regardless of whether the deceased had any insurance coverage. Many times, the driver responsible for an accident flees the scene, and no information is available about the vehicle or the driver. Such incidents are known as hit-and-run cases. In these situations, the victim's family cannot claim compensation from any insurance company or individual, as the offender remains unidentified. To address this, the government launched the Motor Vehicles Accident Fund in 2022. Under this scheme, families of those who die in a hit-and-run accident are entitled to a compensation of Rs 2 lakh, while those who suffer serious injuries receive Rs 50,000. This initiative is especially important for low-income families or those who lack the means and resources to pursue a legal battle. It provides essential financial relief in times of crisis. Can Compensation Be Obtained Without A Lawyer? Yes, it is not mandatory to hire a lawyer to claim compensation. India has special courts called Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACT) that handle compensation cases related to road accidents. The victim's family can approach MACT directly to file a claim. The claim can be submitted in the district where the accident occurred or where the family resides. Importantly, if the family cannot afford legal representation, government legal aid services or certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offer free assistance. They help with filing the claim and managing the necessary paperwork. MACT examines the case, and if the claim is found valid, it directs the insurance company or the government to provide compensation. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN News18. Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates—only on News18. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 02, 2025, 18:50 IST
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
2025 Polestar 3 review
Everybody talks about the electric vehicle (EV) price war, but there's another equally important battle unfolding in the background – the EV range war. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert EVs can be had for as little as $30,000 in 2025, and manufacturers are constantly reviewing pricing to outpoint their rivals, but a precious few models are capable of undertaking classic Aussie road trips without running out of charge. That's hugely important for families looking to transition from trusty petrol and diesel power to electric motoring. Which brings us to this – the Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor. With a claimed range of 700km, no EV in Australia will travel further on a single charge. Polestar's hyper-mile hero arrives Down Under as a cut-price entry point into the Sino-Swedish electric brand's large SUV range, slotting in below a pair of dual-motor variants. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert Rivals include the base BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, Audi Q8 e-tron, Cadillac Lyriq, and Porsche Cayenne. Is industry-leading driving range enough to catapult the Polestar 3 above such a strong set of alternatives, or is it set to remain a niche option in the growing luxury electric SUV market? To find out, we saddled up in this new rear-wheel drive entry variant for a weekend jaunt from Melbourne to Adelaide and back. The Polestar 3 is now $14,300 cheaper to get into thanks to the addition of this new rear-drive variant. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert Our tester was kitted out with a healthy set of options including the Plus Pack ($9000), 1.3 Megapixel HD LED headlights ($3000), MicroTech and repurposed aluminium interior trim ($700), and rear privacy glass ($700), inflating the price as tested to $131,640 before on-road costs. To see how the Polestar 3 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool Like the rest of the Polestar lineup, this new entry into the 3 lineup exemplifies premium minimalism. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert Unlike some rival EVs, the Polestar 3 is blessed with soft-touch materials throughout its entire cabin, including panels below the belt. That means you never accidentally come into contact with cheap plastics that negatively effect perceptions of quality. The dash and door cards are finished in a wetsuit-like material, while common touch points receive the leather treatment. Aluminium inlays add a classy touch, although the inclusion of gloss black plastic on the centre tunnel detracts from that. Your main point of contact with the Polestar 3 is the driver's seat, and both front seats prove comfortable for a wide range of body types. The base is wide and comes with extendable thigh support, while the sides are lightly bolstered. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert Both front seats feature electric adjustment as standard and our tester was equipped with an optional power-adjustable steering column, which makes it easy to find your perfect driving position. Three-stage seat heating is standard. In front of the driver sits a supple leather steering wheel with pronounced grip points and an uncluttered button layout that aligns with the rest of the interior, which is bereft of physical buttons and dials. Many manufacturers, both mainstream and luxury, have taken the leap to abandon physical controls, but some have managed that transition better than others. In the case of Polestar, there's still work to be done. The 14.5-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen is packed with features and clever shortcuts to reach them, but it's still challenging to use the system without taking your eyes off the road. That said, the Polestar 3 offers voice control in the form of Google Assistant. I prefer to do things the old fashioned way, but I can't fault the car for bringing the latest tech to the market. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert Luxury brands in particular seemingly take a 'more is more' approach to technology, which is great in theory, but it can mean there's a learning curve associated with the ownership experience. That applies to the infotainment screen in the Polestar 3, which takes a little while to get your head around. Once that process is complete, you'll learn to appreciate it. The system houses all key functions, while also offering extras like Google apps (Maps, YouTube, etc) and connected services. Climate controls are pinned to the bottom of the screen and there's a configurable shortcut bar above to keep favourite features at your fingertips. If the native features don't do it for you, the Polestar 3 offers wireless smartphone mirroring, a wireless charging pad, and two USB-C outlets to keep devices charged. The screen itself is responsive to touch inputs, with plenty of processing power and sharp graphics. Well, 99 per cent of the time. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert There was one instance during our trip to Adelaide when the display failed without warning, although the issue quickly resolved itself. In a similar vein, the glovebox was stuck shut throughout our loan. Thankfully, there's no shortage of storage solutions up front, including a deep centre console, expansive door bins, and a large tray between the seats. No cubby for your sunglasses, though. The jam-packed infotainment system is complemented by a sensational Bowers and Wilkins sound system, fitted to our tester as part of the $9000 Plus Pack. The 25-speaker arrangement has three sound presets – Studio, Stage, and Concert Hall – the latter of which immerses you in the soundscape of Sweden's Gothenburg Concert Hall. Is it a bit gimmicky? Maybe, but I switched into this mode every time I hopped in the car, and I'm a bit of an audiophile. Behind the steering wheel sits a skinny driver display showing only essential information – speed, navigation directions, and driver assist data. It's simple and effective, unlike the unlabelled, unseparated steering wheel buttons that control it, among other things. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert As for the second row, well it's a passenger's paradise. Legroom verges on excessive, and both outboard seats are heated. A completely flat floor encourages use of the middle seat, which also has ample legroom. The rear bench is nicely reclined, and only those topping 6'5″ will be pressed for headroom. Even then, a gorgeous panoramic glass roof gives the cabin an open, airy feel. In addition to offering class-leading seating comfort, the second row is stacked with amenities. Roomy door bins and retractable map pockets tick the storage box, while the centre armrest incorporates pop-out cupholders. The back of the centre console houses two USB-C outlets and the rear climate control screen. Both outboard seats have dedicated ISOFIX and top-tether child seat anchorage points. While the second row makes the Polestar 3 feel bigger than it really is, the boot does the opposite. Cargo capacity is quoted at 484 litres including under-floor space, which is less than rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Lexus, and Audi. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert To compensate for that, Polestar has sprinkled in some clever features to maximise practicality. Those include a completely flat boot floor with no load lip, storage nets, a 12V power socket, and luggage tie down points. The powered tailgate opens high, and the rear bench folds completely flat to unlock 1411L of total capacity, plus 32L of under-bonnet storage. To see how the Polestar 3 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert To see how the Polestar 3 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool An electric vehicle mightn't be the first car you'd pick for a cross-country roadtrip from Melbourne to Adelaide and back again, but that's exactly how we tested this Polestar 3. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert Faced with a journey that's no easy feat for any car (let alone an EV), the Polestar 3 held up its end of the bargain, even if Victoria's charging network didn't… We travelled a total of 1653km over three days including a vast variety of driving conditions, which tested comfort, efficiency, and performance in equal measure. And the Polestar ticks at least two of those boxes. It's definitely comfortable, even over the longest of journeys. The base 3 rides on passive dampers with hydraulic rebound stops and frequency selective damping – a thoroughly modern setup. Though not quite as sophisticated as the adaptive air suspension you'll find in rivals and higher spec Polestar 3 variants, the passive system offers commendable ride quality, smoothing out Australia's rough country roads without fuss. It's a similar story around town, where the 3 is well-damped and forgiving when faced with common hurdles like speed bumps. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert The ride is on the firmer side, but that's a trait shared across many European luxury vehicles. It's especially true of those with large wheels, like the 21-inch items fitted to our tester as part of the Plus Pack. Regardless, there's a fine balance between firm and harsh, and the Polestar 3 falls on the right side of that ledger. The benefits of that are twofold. Not only does does a taut suspension tune bolster the luxury credentials of this upstart model, but it also enhances the handling. Our route to Adelaide included a few sections of twisty tarmac and the Polestar 3 excels in such situations, with agility that belies its 2.4-tonne kerb weight. A rear-wheel drive layout and direct steering encourage the driver to carry some speed through bends, and the Polestar 3 responds with confidence, remaining neutral through corners with minimal body roll. From behind the wheel it feels more like a big sedan than an SUV, in all the right ways. The fun ends once the road straightens out though, as this single motor variant isn't particularly quick. Polestar claims the base 3 will sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds, and that feels about right. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert It's not slow per se, and you get an initial burst of acceleration from a standstill, but by modern EV standards it lags behind the pack. For example, the equivalent BMW iX will reach 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds, while Lexus and Cadillac quote similar numbers for the RZ and Lyriq. And considering the lack of performance, the Polestar makes a little too much noise for a premium product. The rear-mounted electric motor whines like an annoying child under throttle, and road noise is an issue on coarse-chip road surfaces. Otherwise, the Polestar 3 is relatively refined. That refinement and aforementioned ride quality mesh well with Polestar's 'Pilot Assist' semi-autonomous driving system, which combines adaptive cruise control and active lane centring. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert It's effective in easing the driving load during highway stints, although the unlabelled, multi-purpose steering wheel controls can be a bit finicky. Pilot Assist also tends to deactivate itself every so often, forcing the driver to reset the parameters. Those minor quirks take away from the overall competence of the system, which shouldn't be understated. When it comes to travelling long distances, the single-motor Polestar 3 is among the most efficient EVs going around. Polestar claims the new entry-level 3 can travel a maximum of 700km between charges, the most of any electric vehicle on the market. Realistically, you'll never get near that on the highway, but we saw an average energy consumption of 19.9kWh/100km over three days, which equates to around 538km of driving range per full charge. It's worth noting that we set the car up to maximise driving range, which meant dialing down the climate control and disabling single-pedal driving, as advised by Polestar. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert The Polestar is capable of 250kW DC fast-charging, although Australia's charging network doesn't yet allow you to fully utilise that. Super-fast chargers are hard to come by in regional areas, and none of the charging stations we found were running at full capacity. Even more reason to be grateful for the Polestar 3's endurance, then. Just don't get stuck in the middle of nowhere, as there's no spare wheel, only a tyre repair kit. While long journeys are in its repertoire, our tester also thrived in the cut and thrust of city driving. Its direct steering and agile chassis was a blessing in tight confines – like I said, think sedan rather than large SUV. Visibility out the windscreen and side windows is reasonable, and a suite of parking aids are included in the standard equipment list. I was particularly fond of the high-definition reversing camera, which comes with accurate guide lines. Night driving is a breeze courtesy of powerful LED headlights with automatic high-beam. To see how the Polestar 3 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The Polestar 3 range is made up of three separate variants, each available with a number of individual options and option packages. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert 2025 Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor and Dual Motor equipment highlights: Heat pump 20-inch (single motor) or 21-inch (dual motor) alloy wheels in either Michelin Pilot Sport 4 EV or Continental SportContact 7 tyres Brembo four-piston front brakes Tyre pressure monitoring Adjustable one-pedal drive mode LED headlights with adaptive high-beam 14.5-inch Android Automotive touchscreen infotainment system Google built-in DAB+ digital radio Lifetime over-the-air software updates Polestar Connect NFC key card Ultra-wide band remote frequency key Three years of Polestar connectivity Head-up display 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster 15W wireless phone charger 4 x USB-C outlets Panoramic glass roof Rain-sensing wipers Hands-free, soft-close power tailgate Power-adjustable front seats with driver memory Heated front seats 3-zone climate control Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor with Performance pack adds: Performance software upgrade Range optimisation drive mode Polestar Engineered chassis tuning 22-inch black polished forged alloy wheels Pirelli P-Zero tyres Swedish Gold valve caps, seat belts Laser-etched gold interior light line The $9000 Plus pack includes: 25-speaker 1610W Bowers & Wilkins sound system with Dolby Atmos Soft-close doors Power-adjustable steering column with profile memory Air quality sensor and filter MicroTech or wool upholstery Repurposed aluminium trim Heated wiper blades Heated rear seats Heated steering wheel Infra-red windscreen Rear cargo floor 'lid in lid' with bag holder 21-inch black diamond-cut wheels The $7500 Pilot pack with LiDAR adds: Long-range LiDAR Additional Nvidia Drive computer Three additional exterior cameras, four additional ultrasonic sensors Front and rear camera cleaning system The $3200 Pro pack gains: 21-inch wheels Swedish gold valve caps Swedish gold seat belt stripe Swedish gold interior accent Other options include: 1.3 Megapixel HD LED headlights – $3000 (only available with Plus pack) Rear privacy glass – $700 Electric tow bar – $2900 Nappa leather upholstery with ventilated, massaging front seats – $7500 To see how the Polestar 3 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The Polestar 3 has yet to be assessed by ANCAP, although it was recently awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert Standard safety equipment includes: Adaptive cruise control Autonomous emergency braking Steering support Vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian detection Blind-spot monitoring Front and rear cross-traffic assist Run-off road mitigation Oncoming lane mitigation Lane-keep assist Multi-collision brake Traffic sign recognition Driver attention monitoring Interior radar Reversing camera Surround-view camera Front and rear parking sensors Pilot Assist Park Assist Pilot Front, front-side and curtain airbags Driver's knee airbag To see how the Polestar 3 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The Polestar 3 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with a separate battery warranty of eight years or 160,000km guaranteeing a 70 per cent state of health. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert To see how the Polestar 3 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool This new Long Range Single Motor variant makes the Polestar 3 a much more compelling option in the luxury electric SUV space. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert It combines clever cabin packaging with industry-leading driving range and affordable running costs – the big three for growing families that like to get out and about. In that regard, this entry-level 3 has its established European rivals beat. However, there's always more to the story. While the Polestar 3 does the basics well, it doesn't quite live up to its premium billing from a performance perspective, and many desirable features are hidden in option packs. For example, you're going to want luxurious goodies like a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and the premium sound system, all of which necessitate purchasing the $9000 Plus Pack. For all its strengths, the technology suite still has some rough edges, too. Oh, and don't expect to match the 706km range claim if you're spending lots of time on the highway. 2025 Polestar 3 Credit: CarExpert But if you're happy to live without all-wheel drive, blistering acceleration, and a few optional extras, the entry-level Polestar 3 is our pick of the range. And from a value perspective, it's significantly cheaper than the German alternatives. That alone should be enough to entice buyers, given the unique set of attributes that the Long Range Single Motor brings to the table. Interested in buying a Polestar 3? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Polestar 3 Supreme cabin space Unrivalled driving range Cheap to run Sluggish for an EV Still some tech bugs to iron out Useful features hidden in option packs Power: 220kW Fuel Type: Electric Economy: 0.0L/100km CO2 Emissions: 0g/km ANCAP Safety Rating: Untested
Business Insider
02-05-2025
- Business Insider
INTERPOL tracks down 150 stolen vehicles from Canada to Nigeria, other African countries
The INTERPOL has cracked down on car theft, resulting in the total discovery of 150 stolen vehicles, primarily from Canada, being smuggled into Nigeria and other West African nations. Operation Safe Wheels discovered 150 stolen cars, primarily from Canada, smuggled into Nigeria and other West African nations INTERPOL's Stolen Motor Vehicle database revealed that most stolen vehicles detected originated from countries like Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands The operation involved 12 West African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, and targeted the illicit trade of stolen vehicles The discovery came during an INTERPOL operation code-named Operation Safe Wheels, a two-week initiative in March 2025 involving 12 West African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, which uncovered dozens of stolen vehicles across the region. The operation has led to the seizure of more than 75 vehicles so far. Globally, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are stolen every year, often becoming part of a larger illicit trade. According to INTERPOL, most stolen vehicles detected through their database originated from countries like Canada, with others reported stolen in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. In 2024 alone, around 270,000 vehicles were identified as stolen worldwide using INTERPOL's Stolen Motor Vehicle (SMV) database. This database enables police in 196 member countries to instantly verify if a suspicious vehicle has been reported stolen. David Caunter, Director of Organized and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL, emphasized the significance of the SMV database, saying: " Each year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are stolen around the world, yet the initial theft is often only the beginning of a vehicle's journey into the global criminal underworld." " Stolen vehicles are trafficked across the globe, traded for drugs and other illicit commodities, enriching organized crime groups and even terrorists. INTERPOL's SMV database is the strongest tool we have to track stolen vehicles and identify the criminals involved in this global trade." Stolen cars smuggled to Africa Law enforcement agencies in 12 participating countries conducted a two-week operation, setting up an average of 46 checkpoints daily to inspect 12,600 vehicles against INTERPOL's Stolen Motor Vehicle database. The operation uncovered several stolen vehicles, predominantly Toyota, Peugeot, and Honda models, trafficked via land and sea routes. In one notable incident, Nigerian Customs Service officers discovered six stolen vehicles – Toyota and Lexus models – in freight containers from Canada. INTERPOL's database confirmed these vehicles were reported stolen in Canada in 2024, prompting ongoing investigations between Nigeria and Canada. The operation, dubbed "Safe Wheels," was supported by INTERPOL's SMV Task Force and funded by the Government of Canada under the "Project Drive Out" partnership, aimed at combating vehicle theft and illicit spare part trade.
Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Aldi is bringing back 5-in-1 hair styler I swear by for long-lasting curls'
Aldi's 'sell-out' 5-in-1 hair styler that's popular with bargain beauty shoppers is returning to shelves My favourite hair-styler for long-lasting curls is returning to Aldi next week. The supermarket is bringing back the viral 5-in-1 Hair Styler, with the "sell-out" gadget hitting shelves from May 1. Boasting five attachments, including a 32mm round brush, a 60mm oval brush, two curling attachments and a drying attachment, the versatile tool has long been a hit with shoppers. Many social media users have even compared it to the Dyson Airwrap, a cult favourite among beauty fans. However, Aldi's version is much more affordable at £59.99 (while the Dyson Airwrap i.d. usually retails for £479.99). Aldi's product description states: "The 5-in-1 Hair Styler is sure to become every beauty aficionado's secret weapon. Featuring ionic technology to help say farewell to frizz, three temperature levels, two speed settings and even reverse-air functionality for auto-clean, it also has two stylish colourways to choose from: black and rose gold or champagne." I got my hands on Aldi's must-have styler last year, and it's been a staple in my beauty routine ever since. I picked up one of the gadgets last November, so it saw me through the festive season and beyond. While the drying attachment is my most-used feature — I like how quickly it dries my hair — I love the curling attachments too. Admittedly, the styler took some getting used to, and it's quicker for me to use a traditional curling wand, but the extra effort is worth it. When I use the curling attachment to dry and curl damp hair, then use the cool-shot button to help set the curl, it creates long-lasting curls that stand the test of time. When I used the styler before a recent party, I was impressed that my curls looked bouncy even after I stepped off the dance floor, where I'd been twirling and jumping all night. However, as I highlighted in my first review, I wish the styler had a longer cord. The 360° swivel cord is a clever feature, but at 180cm the cord doesn't stretch far, so it could be difficult to use unless you have a plug right next to your mirror. For instance, it doesn't stretch to the mirror inside my small bathroom. I also find I need to apply serum to my frizz-prone hair after use, but I still think it's my favourite Aldi purchase of all time. Reviewing the hair styler on TikTok, blogger Chloe Paton (@chloepaton05) said: "This is the best thing I've ever bought." Her caption read: "It can take a lot out you to dry & style extensions but the job is halved with this!!! "My curls last about a week & I have never loved something so much in my life." Showcasing her results, she added: "So easy to use & an absolute game changer defo recommend!" Aldi's 5-in-1 Hair Styler returns to stores from May 1. Other beauty products on offer will include a £29.99 Brushless Motor Hairdryer and a £9.99 Pore Remover.
Al Etihad
24-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Asian shares mixed as tariff concerns resurface
24 Apr 2025 16:25 BEIJING (dpa-AFX)Asian stocks ended mixed on Thursday as trade war concerns resurfaced following mixed signals from the Trump administration regarding easing tariffs on Chinese trade deal optimism faded after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said there were no plans for President Trump to move first in lowering tariffs to ease Sino-US tensions, echoing comments from White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt that there will be no unilateral reduction in tariffs against dollar turned lower after a brief recovery, helping gold prices bounce back in Asian trade. Oil prices also edged up after Wednesday's 2% Shanghai Composite index ended marginally higher at 3,297.29 despite shares of cloud computing, big data, and software companies suffering heavy launched its first batch of special sovereign bonds for 2025, aiming to cushion the economy from simmering trade tensions with the Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.74% to 21,909.76, dropping for thefirst time in four days, dragged down by tech markets eked out modest gains while the yen flipped after two days of losses as Scott Bessent said that Washington has "no currency targets" in its talks with Japan on tariffs. The Nikkei average rose 0.49% to 35,039.15 after reports suggested that a second round of talks in Washington was set for May 1. The broader Topix index settled 0.32% higher at 2,592.56, led by technology and Motor rose about 1% and Toyota gained nearly 3% after reports emerged that US President Donald Trump is considering exemptions for automakers from certain tariffs. Advantest, the world's biggest supplier of chip testing equipment, rallied 3.2% and Tokyo Electron surged 3.7%.Seoul stocks ended slightly lower because of uncertainty about what Trump will do with his economic policies. The Kospi average closed 0.13% lower at 2,522.33 ahead of tariff talks with the markets rose notably to hit a four-week high, with banks and miners leading the surge. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.60% to finish at 7,968.20 while the broader all Ordinaries index closed up 0.61% at 8, the Tasman, New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX-50 index rose0.51% to 12, stocks rallied overnight, the dollar gained and safe-haven gold plunged after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that both the US and China have the chance to make "a big deal" on trade."If they want to rebalance, let's do it together," Bessent said. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite ended 2.5% higher after surging as much as 4.5% earlier. The S&P 500 jumped 1.7% and the Dow climbed 1.1%.
