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Economy

Two Malaysian ex-ministers quit ruling party, posing challenge to Anwar

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi to contest next general election under new group Malaysia's former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, right, and former Natural Resources and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad shake hands during an event in Kuala Lumpur on May 17. (Photo by Norman Goh) KUALA LUMPUR -- Two former Malaysian ministers said Sunday that they will quit Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's ruling party, a move that creates a new political challenger ahead of the country's next general election due by early 2028.

May 17, 2026

Economy

China says Xi and Trump agreed to spur trade by lowering some tariffs

Beijing highlights agricultural trade and notes aircraft purchases, but gives few specifics Chinese President Xi Jinping greets U.S. counterpart Donald Trump outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14. © Reuters SHANGHAI/NEW YORK -- China on Saturday said it has agreed with the U.S. to expand agricultural trade, set up boards of trade and investment, and purchase American airplanes, but offered few details on the deals reached during the two-day summit between the countries' leaders.

May 17, 2026

Economy

Trekking the wild Himalayas on the Manaslu Circuit

Sunrise on the hike to Larke Pass in northern Nepal, with the author's guide Raju silhouetted in the foreground. (All photos by Lorretta Chen) 12-day journey passes through an undeveloped region of Nepal KATHMANDU, Nepal -- A rugged mountain trail that climbs from deep river gorges into lush jungle, the Manaslu Circuit Trek in northern Nepal offers a glimpse of a remote corner of the country in which -- for the moment -- life still follows the ancient ways.

May 17, 2026

Economy

Japan’s SBI, Rakuten to sell crypto investment trusts developed in-house

Other major securities firms to weigh offering products when regulations settle Investment products that involve cryptocurrency are already available in the U.S. and elsewhere. (Photo by Wataru Ito) TOKYO -- SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities plan to begin selling cryptocurrency investment trusts, while Nomura Securities and other major players are considering entering the field after the regulatory framework is established.

May 17, 2026

Economy

Japan firms on track for record profits despite Iran headwinds

AI investment and rising interest rates drive growth in tech and banking sectors Demand for office space in central Tokyo remains strong, lifting the earnings of real estate companies. (Photo by Rie Ishii) TOKYO -- Listed companies in Japan expect record high profits for a sixth straight year, with semiconductor makers benefiting from demand for artificial intelligence and banks buoyed by higher interest rates.

May 17, 2026

Economy

Japan to bolster sea lane defense with Southeast Asia info-sharing plan

Initiative comes as effective closure of Hormuz highlights procurement risks A Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel. Japan has provided similar ships to Southeast Asian countries in the past. (Japan Coast Guard) TOKYO -- The Japanese government will begin sharing information with Southeast Asian nations on maritime vessel monitoring, part of an effort to encourage them to adopt maritime domain awareness (MDA) services provided by Japanese companies.

May 17, 2026

Economy

Brief US-China calm masks simmering anger and distrust

Trump's Beijing visit highlights both countries' dilemma in gaining upper hand A wide range of issues were up for discussion as U.S. President Donald Trump, left, met Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his first visit to the Asian nation in nearly nine years. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP) TOKYO -- Japan and other U.S. allies, long wary of U.S. President Donald Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy, were uneasy as they watched his three-day visit to China, which yielded few tangible results.

May 17, 2026

Economy

Taiwan arms sale in focus as Trump insists he gave no ground to Xi

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May 16, 2026

Economy

China investor gobbles up 120-year-old German sewing machine maker

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May 16, 2026

Economy

Japan’s Toyama hopes kombu culture keeps foreign visitors coming

Widely used kelp provides umami-filled cooking experiences in area on Sea of Japan coast Guests at Kombu House participate in an activity to cure sashimi by wrapping fish in kombu in Takaoka, Toyama prefecture. (Kombu House) TOYAMA, Japan -- Think of a Japanese food beginning with "s" and sushi or sashimi might come to mind, but seaweed deserves its place in Japanese cuisine.

May 16, 2026

Economy

Alphabet beats Berkshire with record 576bn yen bond offering

Google parent's issuance aimed at diversifying funding amid growing AI investment Landmark issuance underscores demand from overseas companies in the Japanese market. (Nikkei montage) TOKYO -- Google parent Alphabet will issue more than 576 billion yen worth of yen-denominated bonds, breaking the previous record set by U.S. investment firm Berkshire Hathaway to carry out the largest-ever bond offering in the Japanese currency by a foreign company.

May 16, 2026

Economy

Japan automakers’ profits to stall at half of peak level on Iran war

Toyota, Suzuki, Honda among those expecting rising costs to drag on net profits this fiscal year A worker installs a seat at Toyota Motor's Motomachi assembly plant in Aichi prefecture, Japan. (Toyota Motor) TOKYO -- Net profits at the seven largest Japanese automakers this fiscal year are expected to amount to half of the all-time high attained a few years ago, due largely to the impact of the Iran war.

May 16, 2026