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Havana Is close; Pyongyang is far away
Obama’s presidential legacy in South Asia is abysmally poor
Vietnam’s new leadership takes center stage amid tough challenges
TOP NEWS
Taiwan leader visits island, seeks peace in contested waters
(From AP)
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou called for peace in Asia's contested waters on Saturday as he visited a small island in the East China Sea, one of his last symbolic foreign policy moves before leaving office next month.
Ma's visit to Pengjia, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Taiwan proper, was his administration's second propaganda trip to an island in three ...
ASIA UNHEDGED
Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo: Again the face of Japan’s troubled economy
(From Reuters)
When Japan's cheap-and-cheerful clothing brand Uniqlo raised its prices in 2014, it was an endorsement of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to stimulate a lackluster economy: with confidence high, even purveyors of affordable jumpers became price setters.
But as Abe's ...
Desperate to keep staff, Alibaba’s Ma offers cash to SCMP journalists
The journalists at the South China Morning Post aren't happy with their new overlords.
Earlier this week, China's e-commerce giant Alibaba Holdings bought the historic Hong Kong newspaper. Alibaba's executives said they want to use the paper as a way to ...
China’s COCSO completes purchase of Greece’s biggest port
Greece sold its largest port, the Piraeus Port Authority, to China COSCO Shipping Corporation on Friday, for 368.5 million euro ($418.58 million).
Under the deal, COSCO will buy 51% of Piraeus for 280.5 million euro and the remaining 16% for 88 ...
ZTE walks tightrope after US trade authorities slap export ban
Probe into allegations the telecom equipment vendor flouted sanctions by funneling U.S. products to Iran could severely hurt the Shenzhen firm's business
(From Caixin Online)
"The investigations are still in progress, and may result in criminal and civil liabilities under U.S. laws," ...
ASIA TIMES NEWS & FEATURES
‘Descendants of the Sun’ to be made into Chinese, movie versions
Seems that Chinese audiences can't get enough of the Korean TV drama "Descendants of the Sun."
The 16-episode KBS series that's grabbed over 2 billion views ...
Air forces of China, Pakistan start joint exercises
(From Reuters)
China's air force on Saturday began joint training exercises with that of Pakistan, China's defense ministry said, as the two nations' militaries strengthen operational ...
Thailand steps up security after Uighurs ‘linked to terror’ visit Phuket
(From Reuters)
Thai police have stepped up security after two ethnic Uighur men from China linked to "foreign terror groups" visited a holiday island, a senior ...
Bangladesh al-Qaeda claims responsibility for student activist’s death
(From Reuters)
A banned Islamist group in Bangladesh tied to the al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent has claimed responsibility for the killing of a student opponent ...
18 Filipino soldiers killed by Aby Sayyaf militants
(From agencies)
At least 18 soldiers were killed in fierce day-long fighting with Abu Sayyaf extremists in the southern Philippines on Saturday in the largest single-day government combat ...
India in talks to buy US Predator drones, has eye on China, Pakistan
(From Reuters)
India is in talks with the United States to purchase 40 Predator surveillance drones, officials said, a possible first step towards acquiring the armed ...
Asia Times Top Writers
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Sorry to have to tell you this, but the world just came to an end: Spengler
on in
The ancient devil, we learn from the Book of Job, tormented ancient man by taking away what he needed. The modern devil, we learn from the Faust legend, torments modern man by giving him what he wants. What if you… Read More ›
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The nuclear summit is merely a small win for Obama, in the face of huge changes in foreign policy
on in
(From China US Focus) By initiating and organizing the nuclear security summit, history might decide that President Obama’s show of statesmanship was worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize hastily bestowed on him at the beginning of his presidency. The Norway… Read More ›
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Alice in Trumperland and China’s currency: Spengler
on in
“There’s a trade war on with China, and we’re losing it,” radio talk show host Laura Ingraham hectored Sen. Ted Cruz, who opposes legislation to punish China for alleged currency manipulation. “Ted, you’re on the wrong side of history on… Read More ›
Fashion, Lifestyle, Sports, Travel, Food, Tech
(From JCK)
Plukka, which launched as a flash-sale website for made-to-order fine jewelry, is getting increasingly serious about bricks-and-mortar retailing. The Hong Kong–based company, which opened freestanding stores in Hong Kong and London in 2014 and 2015, respectively, has debuted a ... Read More
(From Yonhap)
South Korean bands AOA, TWICE and 2PM will headline KCON Japan, that country's edition of the world's largest convention on all things "hallyu," or the worldwide popularity of Korean culture, organizers said Friday.
This year's KCON Japan will consist of ... Read More
(From Newsy)
It's official: Professional video gamers are just like other athletes, at least in the eyes of the Japanese government.
Two South Korean gamers are now free to suit up for a Japanese professional e-sports team, thanks to work visas they ... Read More
(From News.com)
A travel blogger who visited North Korea on one of the secretive country’s tightly controlled tours says everything outsiders see is a lie.
On their arrival, tourists have their passports taken away and are given a half-day briefing on dos ... Read More
(From Reuters)
The hum of conversation and the clinking of spoons and coffee cups fills the wood-panelled cafe in a fashionable Tokyo neighborhood as more than a dozen customers sip drinks and nibble desserts.
At first glance, the cafe, which also serves ... Read More
China recently made global headlines when many of its restaurants sacked robot waiters. Apparently, the machines did not ‘handle’ customers well. The owners had to wake up to the reality that the robots lacked human touch and cannot replace human ... Read More