Asia Compact | 05.04.2018, 18:00 UTC

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Asia Compact 05.04.2018 | 18:00 UTC Business India's digital payment upstarts give Visa, Mastercard run for their money Global card companies Visa and Mastercard are struggling for consumers and market share over India's homegrown payment channels. Has swiping a card become outdated in the world's most innovative payments market? Demonetization in India in hindsight One year after demonetization – Has India eliminated 'black money'? World Bank points to India's digital divide Was Indian PM Modi's demonetization move a failure? News Vietnamese human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai among six given jail terms The six members of the Brotherhood for Democracy accused of trying to overthrow the communist government have been given prison sentences by a Hanoi court. Lawyer Nguyen Van Dai was singled out for special treatment. Lawyer: Thanh won't get a fair trial in Vietnam Vietnamese oil executive kidnapped in Berlin gets second life sentence Vietnam arrests more dissidents Asia How China is trying to export its soft power In recent months, China's Communist Party has been setting up an international soft power network, while consolidating domestic media to shore up its image at home. William Yang reports from Taipei. Chinese firms relocating to Africa How relevant are the BRICS? Will China's regulator reshuffle turn all state media into propaganda? Soft power - China's expanding role in the Middle East News Female first aiders ordered out of sumo ring A referee told women who assisted an official to "please get off the ring" and asked that "only gentlemen go up." Women are barred from the ring but this time the sumo association chief said the call was "inappropriate." The violent world of Japan's sumo wrestlers Japan acts to shed sumo's scandal-plagued past Sumo grand champion Harumafuji to retire following assault allegation   © Deutsche Welle 2018