MILAN (AP) — Wealthy Chinese remain the No. 1 buyers of luxury products worldwide, appearing inured to economic turmoil at home as they zigzag the globe in search of deals on everything from handbags to jewelry, according to a new study by Bain consultancy. The study released Thursday by the Altagamma association of Italian luxury … Continue reading
TOKYO (AP) — The film set in Japan after a nuclear catastrophe depicts greed, discrimination, loyalty, beauty — traits made more heartbreakingly human by the cast’s inhuman star — a robot. In this eerie film, aptly called “Sayonara,” people fearfully wait to be picked for evacuation abroad to flee radiation. Politics is involved. The sick, … Continue reading
BEIJING (AP) — China’s decision to abolish its one-child policy is a boon to couples and to sellers of goods from formula to diapers to toys. And it might help defuse economic stresses caused by an aging population. The impact of the surprise change announced Thursday is expected to be gradual. But with incomes rising … Continue reading
TOKYO (AP) — As a child, filmmaker Jan Thompson wondered why her father would not talk about his experiences as a World War II veteran. She was angry when she finally learned about his suffering as a prisoner of war of Japan, and then started to speak up for him and his comrades. It took … Continue reading
BUSAN, South Korea (AP) — A documentary film about the social and personal costs of South Koreans’ craze for being admitted to the nation’s top three universities depicts a system that is a far cry from President Barack Obama’s praise of the Asian country as a model for U.S. educational reforms. “Reach for the SKY” … Continue reading
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — South Korea’s Ha Na Jang used a late three-hole birdie run to take a one-stroke lead Friday in the LPGA Malaysia. The 23-year-old Jang shot a bogey-free 6-under 65 to reach 10-under 132 at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. She made a downhill 10-footer on the par-4 14th, holed … Continue reading
BANGKOK (AP) — The smoke-belching, ear-splitting, undisciplined rickshaws known as tuk-tuks are part of the chaos on Bangkok’s clogged streets. Soon however, the tuk-tuk will stroll down a more refined runway, when Miss Thailand pays homage to her country at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant dressed as the iconic motorized rickshaw. Her outfit comes complete … Continue reading
BUSAN, South Korea (AP) — A film from outside Bollywood reflecting generational gaps in India and an image-driven Iranian movie about a grieving old man were among the works showing new trends of Asian cinema at this year’s Busan International Film Festival. The New Currents section at one of the most influential film fairs in … Continue reading
BUSAN, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s second-largest city is in a festive mood as the Busan Film Festival passes the midpoint. The latter half of Asia’s largest film festival will be spiced up with French celebrities in celebration of this year’s special section, My French Cinema. The section screens 10 movies recommended by French … Continue reading
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — While North Korea prepares a big show to mark the 70th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party, the daily struggles of life outside the capital — such as finding clean running water and putting nutritious food on the table year-round — pose a harsh, but largely unseen, contrast to the … Continue reading
SHANGHAI (AP) — A New York judge has ordered the Bank of China to hand over detailed information about Chinese bank accounts used by a counterfeiting ring that allegedly sold millions of dollars of fake Gucci handbags and wallets in the U.S. The decision could have far-reaching impact on the ability of U.S. courts to … Continue reading
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The son of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos said Wednesday that Filipinos are no longer concerned about human rights abuses committed under his father’s rule, angering activists who said he wants people to forget his father’s dictatorship, which a popular revolt ended 29 years ago. Speaking to reporters two days after announcing … Continue reading
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Prosecutors say Kim Dotcom and his colleagues sometimes reveled in their role as “modern-day pirates,” discussed how to thwart the justice system, and joked that a judge would one day realize how “evil” they were. The much-delayed extradition hearing for Dotcom and three others who owned or helped run the website … Continue reading
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Call it checkbook diplomacy, Chinese style. On visits to Washington and the United Nations, President Xi Jinping has pledged billions of dollars for peacekeeping, economic development and climate change, winning audience applause and plaudits from the world body. However, while many countries trade aid for specific advantages, Xi’s approach is more … Continue reading
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Asian stock markets bounced higher Wednesday, led by gains in Japan where investors were buoyed by expectations for more economic stimulus. KEEPING SCORE: Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 2.5 percent to 17,347.42 after sliding 4.1 percent on Tuesday amid a global market sell-off. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index added 1.2 percent … Continue reading
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