Business

The Allied Pilots Association filed a lawsuit against American Airlines to stop US-China flights, citing safety concerns during the coronavirus pandemic. The union seeks a temporary restraining order, highlighting the need to protect crews and passengers amid global health risks.

Malaysian glove manufacturers are experiencing a surge in demand as the coronavirus spreads. The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association reports urgent requests from China for medical gloves to support healthcare facilities responding to virus cases.

Starbucks has closed over half its Chinese stores due to coronavirus, impacting its largest international market. The coffee chain adjusted operating hours to protect workers and support government prevention measures, delaying 2020 profit forecasts amid the global health crisis.

Following Kobe Bryant's sudden death, fans worldwide rushed to purchase commemorative merchandise. Nike reported complete sellout of Bryant's jerseys and sneakers, with online and physical stores experiencing unprecedented demand. The Lakers star's memorabilia became instant collector's items as mourners sought to honor his legacy.

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, major Chinese companies like Tencent, ByteDance, and Country Garden are encouraging employees to work from home. The government has extended the Lunar New Year holiday to help contain the virus, with the death toll reaching 82 in China by January 28th.

A 61-year-old former postman in Kanagawa Prefecture was caught storing 24,000 undelivered letters at home. He admitted to keeping the mail because delivering them seemed too troublesome, leading to his immediate termination and potential criminal prosecution.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced free flight changes for passengers traveling to Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jinjiang, Shanghai, Macau, and Xiamen between January 24 and February 9. Passengers can request refunds, rebooking, or rerouting without charges, supporting travelers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Acer and Asustek Computer have secured top 10 positions in global PC vendor rankings, shipping 14.76 and 14.48 million units respectively in 2019, despite slight market share declines from 6.1% to 5.7% and 5.9% to 5.5%.

Three major automobile manufacturers face significant disruption in China's "motor city" of Wuhan as coronavirus travel restrictions halt transportation and production. The lockdown compounds existing challenges in the automotive sector, which experienced declining car sales in 2019 and now confronts widespread economic uncertainty.

British government officials recommended restricting Huawei's involvement in the UK's 5G network, excluding the company from core infrastructure and government systems. This decision comes despite ongoing US calls to completely ban Huawei equipment due to potential espionage risks.