Malaysia’s tourism minister urges warmer welcomes after ‘less than friendly’ complaints
Malaysia’s tourism minister has urged the public to be more friendly to visitors and take cleanliness seriously as the country ramps up preparations for...
Japan may lose GDP race to India amid weak yen, tourism woes and China row
Japan’s economy is likely to fall behind India’s in 2026 to fifth place in the world, according to an International Monetary Fund’s estimate, potentially...
Mamdani Sworn in as New York City Mayor
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s mayor just past midnight on Thursday, becoming the first Muslim, South Asian, and Africa-born leader...
Chinese rocket firm LandSpace moves closer to US$1 billion IPO in Shanghai
Chinese rocket maker LandSpace aims to raise 7.5 billion yuan (US$1 billion) from an initial public offering (IPO) in Shanghai, after becoming the first...
‘Hong Kong has lived up to expectations,’ Beijing says in New Year message
Beijing’s top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs said on New Year’s Day that the city’s administration had lived up to expectations, stressing its effective...
US grants TSMC annual licence to import American chipmaking tools into China
The US government has granted an annual licence to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) to import American chip manufacturing equipment to its fabrication facility...
China’s service sector shines as holidaymakers embrace pet travel and bespoke adventures
More Chinese travellers are pivoting from mass-market sightseeing to bespoke adventures to ring in the new year, fuelling a surge in demand for pet-friendly...
China Bao’an ethnic group’s ritual playfully whips bride’s dad for not disciplining daughter
A unique wedding ritual among China’s Bao’an ethnic group known as “flogging the father-in-law” sees the family of the groom symbolically whip the bride’s...
Trump Delays Tariff Hike on Furniture, Cabinets by 1 Year
President Donald Trump has postponed a planned increase in tariffs on imported upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities by one year, enabling further trade...