Myanmar Christians, wary of airstrikes, celebrate Christmas in a cave

South Korean retailer Shinsegae Group plans to form a joint venture with Alibaba International, incorporating Gmarket and AliExpress Korea. Shinsegae will invest its 100% stake in Gmarket into the joint venture, which is set to be established in 2025. Despite the partnership, Gmarket and AliExpress Korea will remain separate entities, operating independently. Full Article

South Korea's semiconductor startup industry is thriving due to government support and strong industrial foundations, holding a dominant global market position. President Yoon Suk-yeol announced a $19.1 billion support program, including a $734 million semiconductor ecosystem fund and a mega chip cluster. Key players include SemiFive, Auto-L, Panmnesia, MangoBoost, SAPEON, and bitsensing, driving innovation and growth in the semiconductor sector. Full Article

A Tokyo court sentenced Chinese national Jiang Zhuojun to eight months in prison for a May graffiti incident at Yasukuni Shrine, where he spray-painted "toilet" on a stone pillar. Prosecutors had sought a one-year sentence, but the judge deemed the punishment appropriate, citing Jiang's crucial role in the vandalism and the lack of reparations for the damage. Judge Yasushi Fuke stated that it is "unforgivable to turn to illegal actions to express one’s views." Full...

Japan's industry and land ministries have chosen JERA and BP-led consortiums to operate two offshore wind blocks in the country's third auction round. The JERA-led consortium, with Green Power Investment and Tohoku Electric Power, secured a 615MW wind farm in Aomori, while BP's consortium, including Marubeni and Kansai Electric Power, won a 450MW wind farm in Yamagata. Both projects will feature bottom-fixed turbines from Siemens Gamesa and are set to start operations in 2030, contributing...

Sarah Garner, a veteran in luxury fashion, shifted her focus to sustainability after becoming a mother, founding Retykle in 2016 as a circular solution for children's fashion. The Hong Kong-based platform has become a leader in the resale market, promoting secondhand shopping and environmental consciousness. With a managed marketplace model, Retykle ensures trust and quality through physical inspections and guarantees, aiming to transform consumer behaviors and drive the adoption of sustainable fashion in Asia. Full...

Stray Kids’ Hyunjin and BigBang’s G-Dragon are challenging gender norms by sporting coloured nails, with G-Dragon showcasing nail art for his solo comeback, Power. In the realm of male aesthetic treatments, "Bro-tox" (Botox for men) is gaining popularity, with a 30% increase in male patients seeking services like Botox, fractional CO2 laser for acne scars, and hyperpigmentation treatments. Looking ahead to 2025, grooming trends for Singaporean men are expected to continue to rise, with more...