alt

June 29th, 2023

Hong Kong’s persecuted patriot

Rights lawyer Albert Ho has loved China for decades. Now he may die in jail for it

View all editions

The Big Story

Hong Kong's persecuted patriot

Rights lawyer Albert Ho has loved China for decades. Now he may die in jail for it

Human rights lawyer and patriotic pro-democracy activist Albert Ho, seen here speaking at a museum opening in 2019, is currently behind bars in Hong Kong on charges under the national security law. 
Regulators around the world worry about the impact of sluggish office demand on the financial system, as the value of debt backed by commercial real estate has declined due to rising interest and vacancy rates.
Datawatch

Wave of empty offices hits global market

Vacancy rates log post-Lehman highs in 60% of big cities

Neil Shen's extraordinary success can be partly explained by Sequoia Capital's hands-off approach to its China operations.
Opinion

Sequoia will still stand tall in China after VC firm's breakup

With split, Neil Shen faces less regulatory risk on both sides of the Pacific

A rail yard in Ahmedabad, India: Government initiatives aim to reduce logistics costs to  less than 10% of GDP by 2027 from 14%.
Opinion

India's infrastructure and logistics transformation is for real

By understanding policy environment, companies can capitalize on opportunities

BTS bonanza: The surging popularity of South Korean music and TV shows in the U.S. has paved the way for investment in the country to become the next 'K-wave.'
Business Spotlight

The BTS bump: How K-pop drove Korea Inc to go big in the U.S.

Music, drama fan 'huge tailwind' for Korean investment in states like Georgia

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has been dabbling with blockchain technology on several fronts, including with JPMorgan, DBS and Marketnode. (Source photos by AP) 
Finance

JPMorgan, DBS, Temasek bet big on Asia's blockchain race

Investors and Singapore regulator join efforts despite crypto headwinds

Christophe Fouquet, ASML's executive vice president and chief business officer. (Photo courtesy of ASML) 
Semiconductors

ASML says decoupling chip supply chain is practically impossible

Top equipment maker sources globally while keeping most production in Netherlands

From Tehran to Tokyo and beyond, trans people throughout Asia continue to face violence, discrimination and exclusion from society.
Asia Insight

Trans rights progress in Asia hits barricade of tradition, legal maze

Gradual LGBTQ advances in some countries shrouded by stigma, safety concerns

Scorching conditions from the El Nino weather pattern are expected to crimp production at palm oil plantations like this one in Indonesia's East Kalimantan province. 
Economy

From Indonesia to Vietnam, El Nino fans fears of fires and drought

Returning climate pattern set to hit key crops as well as industrial sector

Instant noodles on display at a grocery store in Seoul on June 20. (Photo by Steven Borowiec)
Inflation

South Korea instant noodle price spat comes to a boil

Finance minister encouraging manufacturers to lower cost of staple food

Bangladesh, India and Nepal are expected to soon finalize an agreement that would allow power sharing across Indian transmission lines. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
International relations

Bangladesh, India, Nepal near 'milestone' electricity trade deal

Arrangement hailed as step toward South Asian energy sustainability

Meals should be made with the freshest ingredients and enjoyed slowly, says Cambodian food evangelist Ros Rotanak. (Photo by Markus Bell)
Life

Cambodian 'food archaeologist' saves one dish at a time

Like many good foodie stories, chef's rise to fame starts with missing home

The Matsuya department store in Tokyo's Asakusa district: Erected in 1931, it had a mini-amusement park on its roof for decades.
Tea Leaves

For Japan's department stores, the game is nearly over

Iconic retail sector reflected Japan's postwar moment in the sun