Women to Watch 2024: Hyewon Park, EssenceMediacom | Analysis

Since President Trump's second term began, high-level US officials have not met with their Chinese counterparts amid ongoing trade tensions; Senator Steve Daines has acted as a mediator by meeting with Chinese officials to discuss issues such as fentanyl exports and potential talks between Trump and Xi Jinping. Daines, a key Trump ally, aims to pave the way for a meeting between the two leaders, as China seeks to avoid further tariffs and engage in...

Kakujo Gyorui, a renowned seafood purveyor in Tokyo, faces challenges due to rising costs and supply shortages in Japan, impacting its ability to provide fresh and affordable produce. Despite these obstacles, the company expands its sourcing strategy to include new regions like Ishikawa and Hokkaido, securing hidden seafood treasures like red snow crabs and yellowtails to meet customer demand. By embracing innovative solutions such as locally farmed Atlantic salmon and focusing on sustainability, Kakujo Gyorui...

BYD, China's largest electric vehicle (EV) maker, launched its most expensive model under the Denza brand, the Denza N9 SUV, priced between 389,800 to 449,800 yuan, to challenge luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the competitive Chinese auto market. Equipped with BYD's autonomous driving systems and on-vehicle drone support, the N9 showcases the company's ambition to expand its product line and gain a foothold in the luxury EV market. By introducing the N9, BYD...

Throughout the politically sensitive month of March, Chinese authorities increase restrictions and surveillance in Tibet due to historical events like the 1959 uprising. This year, heightened security measures include increased police presence in Lhasa and social media censorship. March also marks significant dates such as Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10, Women's Uprising Day on March 12, and the deadly crackdown on protesters in Lhasa on March 14. Full Article

The world is facing a rapidly shifting trade landscape, with the U.S. focusing on tariffs to address trade imbalances, while a transformative trade movement is unfolding in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Developing countries in APAC, led by ASEAN nations, are actively pursuing free trade agreements with partners in Europe and the Middle East to hedge against potential U.S. tariffs. This proactive approach has led to increased engagement with BRICS, negotiations for FTAs with the EU,...

Researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School and the National Neuroscience Institute in Singapore have discovered how gut microbes influence brain activity related to anxiety behaviors, suggesting probiotics could aid in mental health improvement. By studying germ-free mice, they found that the absence of gut microbes led to increased anxiety behaviors and heightened activity in the amygdala, a brain region associated with fear and anxiety. Introducing live microbes or indole compounds restored normal brain function and reduced...