By ALEX BARREIRA Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — The works receiving one of Japan’s most coveted literary awards, the Naoki Prize, have something new in common: For the first time in 85 years, all six of the nominated authors are women. Japan is home to what many consider the world’s first novel, “The Tale of […]
North Korea tests new ‘super-large’ rocket launcher
By HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said that leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test-firing of a “newly developed super-large multiple rocket launcher,’’ another demonstration of the North’s expanding weapons arsenal apparently aimed at increasing its leverage ahead of a possible resumption of nuclear talks with the U.S. The […]
US Marines chief acknowledges worries on Japan-Korean ties
By YURI KAGEYAMA Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Gen. David Berger, the new U.S. Marines commandant, acknowledged on Aug. 21 that he is concerned about deteriorating relations between Japan and South Korea, both key regional allies, but expressed hopes politicians would work out a resolution. Berger stressed that Japan and Korea have common interests despite […]
Vulcan Capital opens office in Singapore
SINGAPORE — Vulcan Capital, the investment house of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has opened its first international office in Singapore. The multi-billion dollar fund intends to invest an initial $100 million across Southeast Asian startups, making it one of the largest early-stage platforms in the region. The firm has hired financiers Tommy Teo and […]
Young dugong dies in Thailand in blow for vulnerable species
By PITCHA DANGPRASITH Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — Marine resources officials in Thailand said that an ailing 5-month-old dugong died during surgery, just days after the much-publicized death of another one of the vulnerable ocean mammals from what biologists believe was a combination of shock and ingesting plastic waste. The 5-month-old male was found washed […]
Sun Wen appointed China football vice president
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — Former FIFA female player of the year Sun Wen has been elected as vice president of the Chinese Football Association as China seeks to revamp its lagging national program. Sun, who became captain of the Chinese team in 2000, is currently director of the women’s youth training […]
Police keep low profile at huge, peaceful Hong Kong protest
Hong Kong streets were turned into rivers of umbrellas on Aug. 18 as hundreds of thousands of people marched through heavy rain down a major road in the Chinese territory, where massive pro-democracy demonstrations have become a regular weekend activity.
Cathay Pacific CEO resigns after Beijing pressure
The CEO of Cathay Pacific Airways, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent companies, resigned on Aug. 16 following pressure by Beijing on the carrier over participation by some of its employees in anti-government protests.
Indonesian firm cancels Chinese loan for its Trump project
By FADLAN SYAM and NINIEK KARMINI Associated Press JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s son and his Indonesian business partner said on Aug. 13 that a theme park that also features a Trump hotel and condos will no longer have Chinese financing. In a move that alarmed Trump critics, MNC Land, the Indonesian […]
Hong Kong airport shuts down amid pro-democracy protest
By YANAN WANG and CHRISTOPHER BODEEN Associated Press HONG KONG (AP) — One of the world’s busiest airports canceled all flights after thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators crowded into Hong Kong’s main terminal on Aug. 12, while the central government in Beijing issued an ominous characterization of the protest movement as something approaching “terrorism.’’ The extreme […]