Clean energy investments are ramping up in Apac, but a $800bn annual shortfall risks slowing momentum. At Temasek’s Ecosperity Week, IFC's Riccardo Puliti and BlackRock's Susan Chan called for bolder partnerships, clearer policies, and better capital mobilisation.

$400m has been allocated to support Digital Halo, which has assets in the Philippines and Malaysia; the Swiss PE firm is also expanding its data centre footprint in Australia.

There has been a flurry of activity connected with the Middle East in recent weeks, including visas, real estate and chemical assets.

The M&A lawyer joins the US law firm's private equity practice from Freshfields; Perks will also have a regular presence in Tokyo.

The hire of Alun Evans from A&O Shearman will strengthen advising capabilities targeting private funds’ local market transactions.

Chan will join from Goldman Sachs as head of markets solutions for financial institutions for Asia South and Asia North in July.

Starting May 6 in Hong Kong, Casati will help build additional banking capabilities including advisory, financing and risk management.

Shashwat Tewary has joined from Sidley Austin and will help advise companies and investments banks on transactions including IPOs, bonds, REITs and restructuring.

US president Donald Trump has ordered a 90-day pause on retaliatory tariffs above the 10% already imposed, except for Chinese goods, with tariffs now at 145% after China retaliated; Trump has now put tariff exemptions on smartphones, electronics and computers.

The tariffs are set to come in on Wednesday, April 9, and could cause huge upheaval for US companies, Chinese companies and Vietnamese companies across their supply chains.