LATEST TRAVEL AND BUSINESS NEWS

China Extends Visa-Free Entry to December 2026

BEIJING — China will prolong its unilateral visa-free policy for travelers holding ordinary passports from 45 countries until Dec. 31, 2026, and will add Sweden to the scheme effective Nov. 10, the Foreign Ministry said, betting that easier entry will … Continue reading China Extends Visa-Free Entry to December 2026

Indian Astrophysicist Criticizes Germany’s Decline

BERLIN — Indian astrophysicist Dr. Mayukh Panja, who has lived in Germany for nearly a decade, has voiced strong criticism of the country’s current trajectory. In an interview with the German newspaper DIE WELT, Panja described a nation that has, … Continue reading Indian Astrophysicist Criticizes Germany’s Decline

China Eases Chip Export Ban, Calming Global Auto Fears

BEIJING — In a surprise move this weekend, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that it would permit certain exports of chips from Nexperia — the Netherlands-based, Chinese-owned chipmaker at the heart of a supply-chain storm — to proceed under an … Continue reading China Eases Chip Export Ban, Calming Global Auto Fears

The New Rare Earth Rush in Southeast Asia

BANGKOK / KUALA LUMPUR — Beneath Southeast Asia’s ancient rainforest-clad hills, where river systems sustain millions and extraordinary biodiversity endures, lies a treasure of value to modern superpowers: rare-earth elements (REEs). Minerals like neodymium, dysprosium and yttrium power everything from … Continue reading The New Rare Earth Rush in Southeast Asia

Should “K-Beauty” Be Defined by Where It’s Made?

SEOUL  — The phrase “K-beauty” has become shorthand for a global skincare phenomenon originally rooted in South Korea: multi-step regimens, innovative ingredients such as ginseng, snail mucin and heart-leaf, and a cultural wave driven by K-pop and K-drama. In 2024, … Continue reading Should “K-Beauty” Be Defined by Where It’s Made?