Tourists hit record in Japan, despite plunge from China

TOKYO: A record number of tourists flocked to Japan in 2025, officials said Tuesday, despite a steep fall in Chinese visitors in December as a diplomatic row between Beijing and Tokyo rumbled on. Japan logged 42.7 million arrivals last year, according to the transport ministry, topping 2024’s record of nearly 37 million as the weak […]

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Why Trump’s Mexico military plan is a blow to Asian exporters to Americas

By Biman Mukherji US President Donald Trump’s threats of military action against drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia are adding a new layer of uncertainty for Asian exporters shipping to the Americas, analysts have said, compounding the strain from higher import tariffs and already fragile supply chains. Trump has issued explicit warnings about possible strikes […]

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US says Canada will regret decision to allow Chinese EVs into their market

Trump administration officials said on Friday that Canada would regret its decision to allow China to import up to 49,000 Chinese EVs, and that those cars would not be allowed to enter the United States. “I think they’ll look back at this decision and surely regret it to bring Chinese cars into their market,” US […]

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Klija Festival goes global, celebrates culinary heritage

Riyadh: The 17th Klija Festival in Buraidah, which ended Jan. 17, “reflects a long journey of leadership and cultural development, evolving from a simple initiative to promote a local product into an annual festival that embodies the authenticity and cultural identity of the Qassim region,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. Klija — a […]

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As Trump urges cap on credit card rates, could China follow suit for online loans?

By Sylvia Ma US President Donald Trump’s call for American credit card interest rates to be capped at 10 per cent for a year has sparked a debate in China about whether Beijing should impose a similar limit on online loans. The discussion comes as many in China – especially younger people – are being […]

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Tashkent recognized as the safest city in Central Asia

Tashkent has been officially recognized as the safest metropolis in Central Asia. According to the security rating compiled by the international analytical portal Numbeo based on the results of 2025, the capital of Uzbekistan recorded the highest result among all major cities in the region and ranked 51st in the world ranking. According to the […]

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In Japan, fears of China’s antibiotics dominance spur calls for self-sufficiency

By Julian Ryall Medical professionals in Japan are concerned that China could dramatically ramp up trade pressure on Tokyo by adding antibiotics and ingredients for medicines to its list of exports subject to restrictions. Despite efforts over the last three years to increase domestic production of a range of commonly used medicines in Japan, the […]

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India’s aim to diversify trade via Iran faces US tariff threat

By Biman Mukherji US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on countries that do business with Iran has dented India’s ambition for the strategic Chabahar port and affected New Delhi’s trade with Tehran. Trump’s latest threat could curtail shipments of Indian basmati rice to Iran, but is likely to have a […]

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India’s aim to diversify trade via Iran faces US tariff threat

By Biman Mukherji US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on countries that do business with Iran has dented India’s ambition for the strategic Chabahar port and affected New Delhi’s trade with Tehran. Trump’s latest threat could curtail shipments of Indian basmati rice to Iran, but is likely to have a […]

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Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as JF-17 orders soar from Muslim countries

By Tom Hussain Pakistan is increasingly confident of making billion-dollar arms sales, headlined by the JF-17 fighters its co-produces with China, as up to six Muslim-majority countries look to upgrade their air forces amid growing geopolitical turbulence and civil wars. A preliminary deal worth US$4 billion was struck last month with the Libyan National Army […]

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