Website Hopes to Shine a Light on Consumer Blues and Make Shopping Easier

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in China, Jessica Zhang chose to look for work in Japan. She is now studying Japanese at a language school in Kyoto on a student visa while working as a supermarket cashier. She plans to improve her Japanese to an upper-intermediate level, which many employers expect, before applying for a full-time job and switching to a work visa. “I’m working by the hour now, and the pay is quite good by Chinese standards, though prices for daily necessities in Japan...

China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) is betting that a relentless data centre buildout will keep artificial intelligence computing power in short supply for the next two years. The bullish forecast comes as scrutiny over former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang threatens to intensify Washington’s curbs on Chinese access to advanced American processors – a shift that could accelerate China’s reliance on domestic foundries. “By the middle to the second half of 2028 …...

The woman who conspired to abuse four-year-old Megan Khung, then later helped dispose of the child’s corpse, was sentenced to 13 years’ jail on Friday. Passing the sentence on Nouvelle Chua Ruoshi at the High Court, Justice S Mohan said the case arose from “a series of heinous and inhumane acts” committed against Megan Khung. The High Court judge said that it was “imperative that court sent the strongest signal” to the public that any person involved in cases where children suffer abuse will be...

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Jensen Huang resigns as Nvidia CEO amid affairs scandal Jensen Huang has resigned as president, chief executive officer and board member of the AI chip giant Nvidia with immediate effect, the firm announced on Thursday, amid media...

Air India’s new CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, is drawing on his experience revitalising Ethiopian Airlines to turn around the unprofitable Indian carrier, as aviation analysts say replicating his success with a far more complex airline would be difficult. Barely a month into the job, the Ethiopian has set about cutting costs and rebalancing the airline’s international network, seeking to restore profitability while pursuing an ambitious expansion strategy. His plans include shifting more flights to...

Jensen Huang’s affair with a woman U.S. officials say is a Chinese spy has drawn attention to the role of intimate relationships in espionage.

A new tariff of up to 30 per cent on e-commerce goods entering Thailand may squeeze Chinese vendors, but intense price competition and their ability to keep costs low are likely to limit its impact, analysts said. Thailand’s cabinet on Monday authorised the finance ministry to impose duties of up to 30 per cent on goods ordered through foreign e-commerce platforms and delivered by express courier or international post, according to Thai media. The actual rate will vary by product. The new...

Seven Chinese tourists, a dozen villagers and a couple of journalists forded streams and bushwhacked to the downed plane of Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese admiral. Machetes proved handy.

Less than half of households in Japan subscribe to a daily newspaper, a level not seen in about 60 years, according to a media tracking report, signalling further evidence of the decline of print as the favoured news medium in the country. While the report shows most Japanese no longer read newspapers, they still trust legacy media more than online media. “It is commonly said that two factors have reduced the number of people subscribing to print newspapers,” said Tetsuo Hatanaka, a professor at...

Critics say Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, and his department have shielded Nvidia as concerns have grown over A.I. chip sales to firms like Megaspeed.

China has approved US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly’s weight-loss pill orforglipron, making it the country’s first available oral GLP-1 treatment for obesity as global drug makers seek to tap the country’s massive weight-management market. China’s National Medical Products Administration announced the approval on Thursday, saying that the once-daily pill, marketed as Foundayo, could be used for chronic weight management by obese or overweight adults. GLP-1 receptor agonists are synthetic...

Macroeconomic issues are occupying the thoughts of leading Japanese multinationals as they adjust strategies in China, but few say they worry that diplomatic tensions will cost them opportunities in one of their largest overseas markets. Big names, from Panasonic to Hitachi, used a major trade show in Shanghai this week to highlight their commitment to China and parade their offerings. While nimbly navigating geopolitical headwinds, they are also looking forward to possible exchanges between...