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September 5th, 2024

Raring to vote

Election campaign energizes Sri Lankans weary of turmoil

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The Big Story

Election campaign energizes Sri Lankans weary of economic turmoil

Presidential candidates tap public misgivings about IMF-directed policy changes

Supporters of President Ranil Wickremesinghe rally in Dambulla on Aug. 24: For better or worse, the incumbent is the Sri Lankan face of the IMF's rescue program. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
While Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative faces challenges with some projects, the country's decarbonization drive is helping it expand its influence worldwide.
Datawatch

Decarbonization now drives China's Belt and Road push

Brisk sales of EVs, solar panels and wind turbines are boosting Beijing's global clout

Foreign ministers of South Africa, China and Russia pose for a group photo during a meeting of the BRICS Plus Ministerial Council in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, in June 2024.
Opinion

BRICS is a bad bet for ASEAN economies

Indonesia is right to reject the bloc for economic, geographic and geopolitical reasons

People view the newly unveiled Onvo L60 SUV, the first vehicle of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio's new lower-priced brand, in Shanghai in May.
Opinion

China's EV makers can't follow Japan's 'flying geese' offshoring strategy

As domestic demand cools, automakers turn to exports but face protectionist headwinds

The Telegram messaging service has attracted millions of users thanks to its emphasis on security.
The Nikkei View

Telegram CEO arrest raises questions about safety vs. freedom

Authorities and operators must find ways to balance both priorities

Marriage of convenience? Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard has made an ambitious, preliminary takeover approach for the Japanese company that owns 7-Eleven. (Photos by Reuters and Yuji Murakami)
Business Spotlight

With 7-Eleven on buyout menu, Japanese owner Seven & i reaches crossroads

Couche-Tard targets food business, U.S. market; regulatory, antitrust issues weigh

India lowered import tariffs on gold and other metals from 15% to 6% in July.
Commodities

Gold buying soars on India tax reforms as prices near record high

Central banks in emerging markets also increase purchases on geopolitical concerns

A barista prepares a drink at Tim Hortons' new cafe at Sunway Velocity Mall in Kuala Lumpur. The Canadian coffee chain opened its first two outlets in Malaysia this month, tapping into strong local demand. (Photo by Hakimie Amrie)
Food & Beverage

Tim Hortons' arrival highlights Malaysia's coffee boom

Consumption and number of outlets has surged in recent years

Meituan drivers are a familiar sight around China's cities. (Photo by Takashi Kawakami)
China tech

China's Meituan delivers double-digit growth with group food orders

Takeout app's algorithms help it offer lower prices to frugal consumers

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends a campaign event focused on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities on July 9 in Nevada, one of seven key states that could decide the outcome of November's presidential election.
Asia Insight

Once neglected, Asian Americans now courted in knife-edge election

Tiny margins in battleground states spotlight voters like Wisconsin's Hmong community

Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar shout slogans to mark the seventh anniversary of their fleeing to Bangladesh from neighboring Myanmar to escape a military crackdown in 2017.
Bangladesh turmoil

Stateless Rohingya put faith in Bangladesh leader Yunus

Refugees hope head of caretaker government resolves stalled repatriation efforts

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the media after his meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, to stake claim to form the new government in New Delhi on June 7.
Politics

India's Modi government pulls key policies, bills after backlash

Weakened BJP withdraws recruitment ad, controversial draft broadcast law

Container ships at Laem Chabang port in Thailand: The country's exports jumped in July, helped by lower inflation and improved consumer purchasing power. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) 
Trade

Thailand, Malaysia see strong export rebound on tech upcycle

Trade-oriented ASEAN countries logged double-digit growth in July

The author on his latest adventure, a 3,000-kilometer ride through Sumatra, the largest island fully inside Indonesian territory. This photo was taken at sunset at a viewpoint overlooking Lake Maninjau in West Sumatra province. (All photos courtesy of Ian Lloyd Neubauer)
Life

From Tibet to PNG, touring Asia-Pacific on two wheels

Adventure biking yields a unique view of a diverse region

Former child star Ke Huy Quan quit acting for 20 years after struggling to find work in Hollywood. He returned with a bang in 2022, becoming the first Vietnamese refugee to win a best actor Oscar for "Everything Everywhere All at Once."
Tea Leaves

Golden age for Hollywood's Asian leading men

New generation of cinema stars upturns traditional notions of macho male leads