• Analysis-Political heat prods Japan, South Korea to team up on weak currencies

    The success of Japan and South Korea at inserting language voicing concern over their currencies in a joint statement with the U.S. this week underscores the political heat they face from stiff inflation that is being aggravated by weak exchange rates. In the first trilateral finance dialogue since last year's historic three-way leaders summit at Camp David, the U.S., Japan and South Korea agreed on Wednesday to "consult closely" on currency markets, acknowledging "serious concerns" from Tokyo and Seoul over the slumping Japanese yen and South Korean won.

  • Bank of Korea chief watching Middle East tensions for FX, growth outlook reviews

    South Korea's central bank chief on Friday said odds for any further policy action to stabilize the slumping Korean won now depend on how events in the Middle East unfold as the bank is ready to take steps to stabilize forex markets if needed. In an interview with Reuters, Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong said tensions in the Middle East appeared to plateau after Iran downplayed Israel's retaliatory drone strikes against it but geopolitical uncertainty still poses risks for the dollar-won market, as well as the country's inflation.

  • New NYC Chinese-Nepali popup restaurant honors culture of the North Face region

    At a new popup restaurant in New York City, Nepali spices and hand-wrapped momos highlight the traditions and culture behind the cuisine of the North Face region in the Himalayas, an area many only associate with extreme sports and puffer coats.

  • China's He Jie Loses Beijing Half-Marathon Win After Probe

    The race results of the three East African men who “actively slowed down” to let the Chinese runner win were canceled.

  • The self-defence moves to use in any situation (and yes, you can kick them where it hurts and run)

    What would you do if a mugger attacked you and tried to grab your wallet? If you’re 94-year-old David Queensberry, the 12th Marquess of Queensberry, you’d grab at their left shoulder and right forearm to destabilise them, and sweep their leg. The quick thinking and fast reflexes from this 5ft 4inch retired ceramics professor, whose great-grandfather codified the rules of boxing, were the result of his training in judo, which, in Japanese, translates as “the gentle way”.

  • Cannes Film Festival Celebrates Japanese Filmmaker Akira Kurosawa With 2024 Poster

    The Cannes Film Festival has unveiled the poster for its upcoming 77th edition which pays tribute to Japanese master Akira Kurosawa and his late career feature Rhapsody in August. The image shows a scene from the pic with a family seated looking into the distance. The camera captures them from behind. Scroll down to check out …

  • Three Filipinos dead in UAE floods: officials

    Three workers from the Philippines have died in heavy flooding in the United Arab Emirates, Filipino officials announced, as the desert country struggled Friday to recover from record rains.Two women suffocated inside their vehicle during the flooding and one man died when his vehicle fell into a sinkhole, the Philippines' Department of Migrant Workers said.

  • China auto sector steps up Europe push with Spain plant

    Chinese carmaker Chery signed a deal Friday to produce mainly electric vehicles in Spain, as Beijing's auto sector pushes ahead with plans to expand into Europe despite growing competition concerns. It is the second Chinese carmaker to set up in Europe after China's top electric carmaker BYD said in December it would build a factory in Hungary. 

  • 'I'd love to keep Gogic, Strain & Baccus'

    The entire squad has been brilliant and St Mirren's form only really broke when Ryan Strain got injured and Keanu Baccus left to play in the Asian Cup. Douglas: Would love to keep Alex Gogic, Ryan Strain and Baccus. Would let Jonah Ayunga and Mikael Mandron go, not good enough.

  • Kyrgyzstan's TikTok block builds censorship fears

    In her photography studio in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Aku Sharsheeva, tried unsuccessfully to connect to TikTok this week.Sharsheeva had used TikTok, which has more than one billion monthly users worldwide and is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, to market her photography business.

  • China moves to boost foreign investment in domestic tech companies

    China published measures on Friday aimed at promoting overseas investment in its technology sector, in a latest bid to attract foreign investors amid signs some are considering shifting away from the world's second-largest economy. China will support overseas institutions to issue yuan bonds in the country, and also encourage tech companies, including foreign-invested ones, to raise money via bond issuance, the commerce ministry said in a statement. The government will also facilitate foreign investment in Chinese tech firms via an inbound investment scheme, QFLP, and will "efficiently" approve applications for licences under QFII and RQFII - programmes that allow foreign investment in Chinese stocks and bonds.

  • Perseverance takes work. As Honest Abe said, 'try, try again' we must

    Professor Ronald Messer muses on the Japanese philosophical notion of 'Kaizen,' or continuous improvement.

  • Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta Heap Praise on Absent Quentin Tarantino as TCM Classic Film Festival Opens with ‘Pulp Fiction’ Reunion

    Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Harvey Keitel reunited at the TCL Chinese Theater to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Tarantino's sophomore feature.

  • Biden Trade Chief Sees Conclusion of China Tariff Review ‘Soon’

    (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden’s trade chief said that she expects a conclusion on a review of tariffs on more than $300 billion in Chinese goods “soon,” and that the administration has been looking at ways to make them more strategic and effective.Most Read from BloombergElon Wants His Money BackNew York’s Rich Get Creative to Flee State Taxes. Auditors Are On to ThemDubai Grinds to Standstill as Flooding Hits CityIsrael Reported to Have Launched Retaliatory Strike on IranRecord Rainfall in

  • Apple pulls WhatsApp and Threads from App Store on Beijing's orders

    Apple said it had removed Meta’s WhatsApp messaging app and its Threads social media app from the App Store in China to comply with orders from Chinese authorities. The apps were removed from the store on Friday after Chinese officials cited unspecified national security concerns. The U.S. has threatened to ban TikTok over national security concerns.

  • China slaps anti-dumping levy on import of a US chemical amid rising trade tensions

    China on Friday slapped a levy on imports of an acid from the United States widely used in food, feed, pesticides and medical fields, amid heightened tensions with Washington over bilateral trade. From Saturday, imports of propionic acid from the United States will be subject to a levy of 43.5%, the Ministry Of Commerce said in a statement, after a July investigation found the Chinese domestic propionic acid industry was "materially damaged."

  • 10 outdoor sites to learn more about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage

    Stacker used data from the National Park Service and other sources to compile this list of 10 historical sites to learn more about AA & NHPI heritage.

  • For ‘Seven’ Restoration, David Fincher Went Back and ‘Kissed in Some of the City’

    On the eve of its Chinese IMAX premiere, Fincher told IndieWire about excavating and remastering his breakout 1995 serial killer neo-noir.

  • Scholz: Diplomatic efforts around Ukraine peace talks progressing

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that talks with Chinese officials about the war in Ukraine during his recent trip provided a "very important boost" for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Scholz emphasized that he was in agreement with the Chinese leadership on the need for peace conferences in Switzerland to discuss the war. Diplomatic efforts are "something that is indispensable in this laborious process, and I am grateful that Germany, and I personally, were also able to make a contrib

  • Yen Traders Look at BOJ to Shore Up Japanese Currency

    The yen erased earlier gains which came in reaction to increased tensions in the Middle East. The Canadian dollar, meanwhile, is seen firming after soft patch.

  • Blinken says China is Russia's primary military complex supplier

    U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticised on Friday Chinese support for Russia's defence industry, saying Beijing was currently the primary contributor to Moscow's war in Ukraine though its provision of critical components for weaponry. Speaking at a news conference capping the end of a gathering of G7 foreign ministers on the Italian island of Capri, Blinken said Washington had made it very clear to Beijing and others that they should not be aiding Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

  • Matty Healy Controversy: Asian Music Festival Canceled After He Kissed Band Mate

    From kissing fans, to agreeing with podcast slander and questionable tweets

  • China’s growing love of luxury watches remains strong, despite economic headwinds

    Asian - and particularly Chinese - watch enthusiasts attended this year’s Watches and Wonders fair in large numbers, eager to be inspired by the best new designs.

  • The clock is ticking on a TikTok ban. Will the US ban TikTok? What you need to know.

    TikTok's fate is now tied to a foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel, increasing the chances of the popular Chinese-controlled app being banned.

  • Chinese Half-Marathon Champion Is Disqualified—Along With Runners Who Let Him Win

    Video showed other athletes appearing to slow down for a top Chinese runner at the Beijing Half-Marathon; an investigation put the blame on a sponsor.