• Azalea in full bloom attract visitors at the Nezu Shrine garden in Tokyo, Japan, where temperatures reached 23.4°C, 3.4°C higher than usual. EPA
    Azalea in full bloom attract visitors at the Nezu Shrine garden in Tokyo, Japan, where temperatures reached 23.4°C, 3.4°C higher than usual. EPA
  • North Korea's Missile Administration conducts a test launch of Pyoljji-1-2 anti-aircraft missiles in the West Sea of Korea on April 20. AFP
    North Korea's Missile Administration conducts a test launch of Pyoljji-1-2 anti-aircraft missiles in the West Sea of Korea on April 20. AFP
  • A voter in Dugeli village, Chhattisgarh state, waits to cast her ballot at a polling station during the first phase of voting of India's general election. AFP
    A voter in Dugeli village, Chhattisgarh state, waits to cast her ballot at a polling station during the first phase of voting of India's general election. AFP
  • A boat sails along the Nile river in Aswan in Upper Egypt. AFP
    A boat sails along the Nile river in Aswan in Upper Egypt. AFP
  • From left: Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas, members of the band Jonas Brothers, perform at the Movistar Arena in Bogota, Colombia. Almost 14,000 people attended the show. EPA
    From left: Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas, members of the band Jonas Brothers, perform at the Movistar Arena in Bogota, Colombia. Almost 14,000 people attended the show. EPA
  • Police officers in Tirana, Albania, retreat from Molotov cocktails thrown by protesters outside the mayor's office, where a crowd gathered to accuse him of corruption. Reuters
    Police officers in Tirana, Albania, retreat from Molotov cocktails thrown by protesters outside the mayor's office, where a crowd gathered to accuse him of corruption. Reuters
  • A Jewish worshipper prays at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. Reuters
    A Jewish worshipper prays at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. Reuters
  • Charles Leclerc of Monaco drives a Ferrari SF-24 during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on Saturday April 20. Getty Images
    Charles Leclerc of Monaco drives a Ferrari SF-24 during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on Saturday April 20. Getty Images

News

Today's best photos: From Azalea Festival in Japan to F1 Grand Prix in China

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

April 20, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Friday's best photos: From India elections to Formula One in China

Thursday's best photos: From a copper mine in Serbia to elephants in Biyagama

Wednesday's best photos: From a White House lawn departure to street music in Tehran

Tuesday's best photos: From paddling in rainy Dubai to Chinatown in Solomon Islands

Monday's best photos: From a tribute in Pyongyang to a construction site in Paris

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors

Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km

Price: from Dh199,900

On sale: now

The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio

Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)

Engine 4.7L V8

Transmission Six-speed automatic

Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm

Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km

Virtual banks explained

What is a virtual bank?

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.

What’s the draw in Asia?

Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.

Is Hong Kong short of banks?

No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year. 

While you're here
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Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

Updated: April 20, 2024, 11:21 AM