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December 16th, 2021

Omicron in Asia

A wake-up call for COVID policymaking

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The Big Story

Omicron in Asia: A wake-up call for COVID policymaking

New variant shows futility of border closures and vaccine hoarding

Following the emergence in early November of the omicron COVID-19 variant, pictured here, countries in Asia have stepped up travel restrictions and quarantine requirements.
A Toyota assembly plant in Zarate, Argentina, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Strains on global supply chains have cost the auto industry the ability to produce several million vehicles this year.
Business Spotlight

Automakers hit limits of 'just-in-time' supply chain management

Shortages and rising costs prompt overhaul procurement practices

Hong Kong's Legislative Council election on Dec. 19 is the first since a Beijing-approved overhaul effectively barred anyone deemed "unpatriotic" from running.
Asia Insight

Reshaped in China's image, Hong Kong set for 'patriots only' polls

Election highlights divide among democrats reeling from impact of security law

Pyeongtaek port in Pyeongtaek. "South Korea will initiate relevant procedures ... to push for the membership at the CPTPP," minister Hong Nam-ki says.
Trade

South Korea takes step to join CPTPP, following China and Taiwan

Seoul to discuss membership in Asia-Pacific trade pact with public stakeholders

A mailbox remains in front of where a home once stood in Earlington, Kentucky, after an outbreak of tornadoes ripped through several U.S. states
Natural disasters

U.S. tornadoes slam Amazon warehouse, but carmakers spared worst

Death toll tops 70 in hard-hit Kentucky, home to big Toyota plant

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers a speech at the University of Indonesia near Jakarta on Tuesday. (Screenshot from Youtube)
International relations

Blinken vows stronger ASEAN ties in face of 'aggressive' Beijing

Top diplomat says U.S. will find ways to 'knit' allies and partners together

A person votes in a referendum in Noumea, New Caledonia, on Sunday to decide whether to break away from France.
Thursday's declaration marks the first official recognition of a default by Evergrande, the world’s most indebted real estate company.
China debt crunch

Fitch declares Evergrande and Kaisa to be in 'restricted default'

Rating agency says failure to make coupon payments could trigger more demands

"The People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory," Nicaragua's foreign ministry said in a statement issued in Spanish and English.
International relations

Nicaragua severs ties with Taiwan, switches allegiance to China

Taipei now has just 14 formal diplomatic allies; US calls for expanded engagement

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa of the Philippines speaks during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall in Norway on Dec. 10.
Technology

Ressa blasts U.S. tech titans for 'virus of lies' in Nobel Prize speech

Filipino journalist calls May election in home country 'do or die moment'

The Olympic flame is displayed in a lantern in Beijing ahead of the 2022 Winter Games in February.
International relations

Beijing Olympics boycott: 5 things to know in a divided world

Some governments stay away but athletes and sponsors will still be going for gold

Yangshan Deepwater Port, the world's biggest automated container terminal, in Shanghai, pictured on Aug. 30: the trade rules that facilitated dramatic increases in global growth can no longer be taken for granted.
Opinion

Trade coercion presents a growing threat to the global economy

Nations need to go beyond expressions of solidarity

Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation via video link on Nov. 29: Xi elaborated nine programs of intended cooperation.
Opinion

Xi Jinping echoes Jack Ma as he plots future China-Africa ties

This year's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation marks a turning point

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and other officials attend the annual Central Economic Work Conference, held on Dec. 8-10 in Beijing.
The Nikkei View

China still lacks transparency 20 years after joining WTO

Clear policy guidance and state-enterprise reform are sorely needed

More Indian girls are taking up skateboarding as the sport grows in popularity across the country. (From the Girl Skate India Facebook page)
Life

Indian girls skate to success

Craze for skateboarding is helping to empower girls and the poor

Anchilee “Ann” Scott-Kemmis celebrates being crowned Miss Universe Thailand in Pattaya on Oct. 24. (Photo from her Instagram)
Tea Leaves

Thailand's 'revolution' in beauty standards only skin-deep

Latest choices might break the mold but Miss Universe contest holds Thailand back from broader social change