Singapore has announced that it will accept the Chinese yuan as a payment option for tourists visiting the city-state, in a move that could boost its tourism sector and reduce its reliance on the US dollar. The decision, which will take effect from January 2024, was made after consultations with the Chinese government and the BRICS group of emerging economies, …

As the holiday season approaches, many Americans are looking for gifts to buy for their loved ones. But how much attention do they pay to where these products are made? According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, only 36% of Americans say it is very important to them to buy products made in the USA, while 52% …

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Wednesday that he will replace four ministers in his Cabinet who are embroiled in a fundraising scandal that has eroded public trust in his government. The four ministers are: Education Minister Koichi Hagiuda, Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita, Agriculture Minister Kotaro Nogami, and Reconstruction Minister Kenya Akiba. All of them have been accused of …

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denounced China’s “dangerous” and “unlawful” actions in the South China Sea, where Beijing has been asserting its claims over disputed waters and islands. Speaking at a security forum in Hawaii on Sunday, Marcos said China’s coast guard and maritime militia vessels have been harassing Philippine ships and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, the part …

TikTok, the popular short video app owned by China’s ByteDance, announced on Monday that it will invest $1.5 billion in Indonesia over the next three years, as part of its expansion plan in Southeast Asia. The investment will be used to support the development of TikTok’s e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop, which allows users to buy and sell products through the …

The White House has expressed its willingness to resume military-to-military communications with China, as part of its efforts to ease the rising tensions between the two superpowers. In a statement issued after President Joe Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco on Wednesday, the White House said …

Vietnam is witnessing a growing trend of people who use the popular video-sharing app TikTok to make money from live streaming. These streamers, who often showcase their talents, hobbies, or opinions, attract large audiences and earn revenue from donations, advertisements, or sponsorships. According to a report by the Vietnam Internet Association (VINA), TikTok live streaming has become one of the …

The K-pop boy group NCT 127, known for their experimental hip hop-based music and charismatic performances, has been accused of taking over the dance floor at a club in Thailand last weekend. According to eyewitnesses, the group arrived at the club around midnight and immediately attracted the attention of the crowd. They reportedly danced with several girls and even invited …

A Malaysian bank has issued a sell recommendation for Starbucks shares, citing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living on consumer spending. Bank Rakyat Malaysia (BRM) said in a note on Friday that it expects Starbucks to face lower demand and margins in the second half of 2023, as consumers cut back on discretionary spending …

Singapore’s education minister Ong Ye Kung has revealed that the country is reducing the amount of homework given to students, as part of a new curriculum that aims to foster creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. In an interview with El País, Ong said that homework is no longer a measure of academic achievement, but rather a tool to reinforce learning and …