THE HAGUE, May 18 — Dutch tech giant ASML signed a deal with Tata Electronics Saturday to help build and scale up a semi-conductor plant in India, overseen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his tour of the Netherlands.

ASML, which makes cutting-edge machines to manufacture semi-conductors, said it would “enable the establishment and ramp-up” of the Dholera plant in Modi’s home state of Gujarat in western India.

The Dutch firm would deploy its advanced lithography tools in the plant, which allow for the rapid mass production of high-tech microchips, found in everything from cars to mobile phones.

The deal came as the Netherlands and India were set to strike an economic partnership accord, following on from a free-trade agreement between India and the European Union that Modi dubbed “the mother of all deals.”

ASML, Europe’s biggest tech firm by market value, said it saw “many compelling opportunities” in the Indian semiconductor sector.

“We are committed to establishing long-term partnerships in the region,” said ASML’s chief executive officer Christophe Fouquet in a statement.

Tata Electronics’ plant, with a planned investment of US$11 billion (RM43.5 billion), will make semiconductor chips for the AI sector, as well as the car industry and other economic segments.

New Delhi sees the European bloc as an important source of much-needed technology and investment to rapidly upscale its infrastructure and create millions of new jobs.

On the other side, the EU has eyed India – the world’s most populous nation and a fast-growing economy – as an important market for the future.

Modi’s trip to the Netherlands was his second since 2017, as the two countries seek to boost bilateral trade from the US$27.8 billion (€23.7 billion; RM109.94 billion) last year.

Earlier Saturday, Modi also addressed a large crowd of Indian ex-pats and visited Dutch King Willem Alexander.

During his trip, he will also inspect the centuries-old Chola Plates, rings with engraved copper plates, that are being returned to India by Leiden University. — AFP

SINGAPORE: The family of a three-year-old girl battling an aggressive form of cancer is appealing for donations to help fund nearly S$1 million in life-saving treatment after doctors warned that she urgently needs care within the next six months.

Darlene Marcella Xu, who was born in Indonesia in February 2023, was first diagnosed with acute monocytic leukaemia, or AML-M5, in March 2024 after months of worsening symptoms.

According to her family’s fundraiser, Darlene began suffering from persistent coughing, recurring fevers, and a loss of appetite when she was just over a year old. Her parents reportedly brought her to hospital several times, where she was initially diagnosed with pneumonia.

Despite receiving medication, her condition continued to deteriorate.

Doctors at a hospital in Pekanbaru later discovered that she had AML-M5, a severe and fast-progressing form of blood cancer with a reported five-year survival rate of 33.4%.

The hospital was only able to offer a basic treatment plan that reportedly carried a 20% chance of success.

A turning point came when a Singapore-based pastor involved in mission work learnt about Darlene’s condition and helped bring her to Singapore for further treatment.

She was admitted to the National University Hospital, where she began undergoing advanced treatment, including preparations for a possible bone marrow transplant.

With help from their church community and donors, Darlene’s family managed to raise around S$50,000 to begin treatment.

Although the process was physically demanding for the toddler, her condition later stabilised. Earlier this year, Darlene celebrated her third birthday and also marked Chinese New Year with her family, who expressed gratitude to supporters for their prayers and contributions.

However, Darlene’s cancer relapsed in April 2026. According to the fundraiser, doctors warned that without urgent treatment, the young girl may not survive beyond six months.

“She will need a second bone marrow transplant and further treatment,” the fundraiser stated.

Darlene is currently undergoing chemotherapy and has reportedly been struggling with side effects, including fever and shivering, while her parents continue caring for her through the treatment process.

Her expected medical expenses are projected to reach as high as S$993,000.

Despite the daunting amount, support has continued pouring in from donors in Singapore, Indonesia, and other parts of the world. Supporters have also left hundreds of messages offering encouragement and prayers for Darlene’s recovery.

Those wishing to contribute can do so through Darlene’s campaign page on Give.Asia. According to the fundraiser, all donations will be managed by the platform and paid directly to the hospital for her treatment.

This article (‘Only 6 months left to live’: Parents race to raise S$1M for toddler’s cancer treatment in Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

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A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also called angiosperms).

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A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also called angiosperms).

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