1 hour ago Tiny China noodle shop charges US$300 per bowl, attracts mixed reactions from diners

A small Chinese eatery with only two tables offers a bowl of noodles priced at an astonishing 2,188 yuan (US$300). The owner reported that nearly a dozen customers have bought the dish, igniting fervent discussions online. Located in Hangzhou, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, the restaurant features a compact space, yet its prices rival those of Michelin-starred establishments. Since August, the restaurant has been selling various dishes, including the local speciality, Ban Chuan stir-fried...

Economics

3 h. ago Nato boosts defence of Europe’s eastern flank to ward off Russia

Nato announced plans to strengthen the defence of Europe’s eastern flank on Friday, two days after Poland shot down drones that had violated its airspace in the first known action of its kind by a member of the Western alliance during Russia’s war in Ukraine. Warsaw has portrayed the drone incursions as an attempt by Russia to test the capabilities of Poland and Nato to respond. On Friday, Poland rejected Donald Trump’s suggestion that the incursions could have been a mistake, a rare...

Events

8 h. ago Armani’s will sets stage for sale of fashion empire, in surprise twist

Late designer Giorgio Armani instructed heirs to gradually sell the fashion house he created 50 years ago or seek a market listing, his will said, setting off a race to control one of the world’s best-known brands and a major shift for a company highly protective of its independence and Italian roots. The designer, known in the industry as “King Giorgio”, died on September 4, at 91 and with no children to inherit his fashion empire, which industry analysts value at between €5 billion and €12...

Politics

8 h. ago Armani’s will sets the stage for the sale of his fashion empire in a surprise twist

Late designer Giorgio Armani instructed heirs to gradually sell the revolutionary fashion house he created 50 years ago or seek a market listing, his will said, setting off a race to control one of the world’s best-known brands and a major shift for a company highly protective of its independence and Italian roots. The designer, known in the industry as “King Giorgio”, died on September 4 at 91 with no children to inherit his fashion empire, which industry analysts value at between €5 billion...

Politics

10 h. ago Japan Spooked As Fujian Sails Through Taiwan Strait, Beijing Reminds Europe Of 'One China' | 4K

Japan Spooked As Fujian Sails Through Taiwan Strait, Beijing Reminds Europe Of 'One China' | 4K  News18

Politics

15 h. ago Is China's SCO a counterweight to NATO or just geopolitical theatre?

Is China's SCO a counterweight to NATO or just geopolitical theatre?  RFI

Politics

15 h. ago Thousands of Passengers Stranded in Asia Following Over 100 Cancellations by Air China, Shenzhen, China Eastern and China Express Airlines, Creating Major Chaos in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Beyond

Thousands of Passengers Stranded in Asia Following Over 100 Cancellations by Air China, Shenzhen, China Eastern and China Express Airlines, Creating Major Chaos in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Beyond  Travel And Tour World

Events

15 h. ago China tipped to boost routine patrols after Scarborough nature reserve is set up

Beijing is likely to boost its routine patrol presence near Scarborough Shoal after setting up its planned nature reserve in the disputed waters, according to observers in China. Zhang Yancang, director of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea Research Institute at Dalian Maritime University, said this would mean daily patrols not only by coastguard vessels but also aircraft, drones and even uncrewed boats. “Unlike previous patrols, the patrols from now on will focus more on being routine and regular,”...

Politics

16 h. ago ‘Most devoted’ China husband praised for caring for blind wife for 12 years

A man in eastern China has received widespread acclaim from internet users as the most devoted husband for caring for his wife over the past 12 years after she lost her sight due to an illness. The inspiring story of Li Juxin, 39, and his wife Zhang Xiying has gone viral on social media since being reported by the Shandong-based news outlet Qilu Evening News. Li, who runs a car repair shop in Qingdao, Shandong province, married Zhang in 2008, and together they have a daughter. Their lives were...

Politics

18 h. ago Charlie Kirk's Killing Opens Opportunity for China and Russia

Charlie Kirk's Killing Opens Opportunity for China and Russia  Newsweek

Events

18 h. ago Taiwan, China foreign ministers make unusual simultaneous visits to Europe

Taiwan, China foreign ministers make unusual simultaneous visits to Europe  Reuters

Politics

19 h. ago Nato on high alert as Russia and Belarus launch major war games

Russia and its key ally Belarus began major joint military drills early Friday, putting Nato on edge days after Poland accused Moscow of escalating tensions by firing attack drones through its airspace. The “Zapad” exercises also come as Russian forces grind across the sprawling front line in Ukraine and escalate aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. Nato’s eastern flank members that border Belarus - Poland, Lithuania and Latvia - are on high alert over the drills, which Belarus says will be held...

Events

20 h. ago Hull numbers on PLA fleet of barges mean they are now in service: analyst

A fleet of large barges in the People’s Liberation Army has been assigned hull numbers, suggesting they have entered service in what would be Beijing’s latest move to deter Taiwan militarily. Three advanced specialised island-landing vessels that form part of the ‘Dong Gong’ were spotted by internet users docked at a beach in mainland China in June, each one bearing a hull number in the sequence 401, 402 and 403. The markings mean the ships serve in the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command, according...

Politics

20 h. ago PLA barge fleet now in service as hull numbers on 3 confirm deployment: analyst

A fleet of large barges in the People’s Liberation Army has been assigned hull numbers, suggesting they have entered service in what would be Beijing’s latest move to deter Taiwan militarily. Internet users spotted three advanced specialised island-landing vessels from the “Dong Gong” series docked at a beach in mainland China in June, each bearing a hull number in the sequence 401 to 403. The markings mean the ships serve in the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command, according to Song Zhongping, a...

Politics

22 h. ago China bets big on Thai industrial cluster with US$8.4 billion investment

China has become the leading source of foreign investment in a growing, state-fostered Thai industrial cluster, backed by commitments to help build a light-rail line, design an “aerotropolis” and possibly develop property in the area, an official from the Southeast Asian country said. From 2019 to 2024, Chinese investors have received go-ahead certificates for projects worth US$8.4 billion – 16 per cent of all investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor cluster, which covers three provinces –...

Economics

23 h. ago Russia, China 'Bots' Want Violence After Charlie Kirk Killing: Governor

Russia, China 'Bots' Want Violence After Charlie Kirk Killing: Governor  Newsweek

Events

24 h. ago Hong Kong aiming to become top art trading hub to rival New York: source

Hong Kong’s leader aims to elevate the city into a “world-class high-end art trading hub” to rival New York under measures to be revealed in his fourth policy address next Wednesday, the Post has learned. Efforts to strengthen the city’s multibillion-dollar art trading industry would include boosting services in financing, insurance and professional training, and designating maintenance and storage spaces in a cultural hub and near the airport, a government source said. The move will align with...

Politics

25 h. ago Taiwanese, Chinese foreign ministers visiting Europe at the same time

Taiwanese, Chinese foreign ministers visiting Europe at the same time  Reuters

Politics

26 h. ago Japan winds down Russia outreach as geopolitical rifts eclipse soft power aims

Tokyo will close all six of its government-funded Japan Centre offices in Russia – long tasked with promoting trade, language education and business ties – citing major changes in bilateral relations and the view that their mission has run its course. While Japanese officials framed the move as a functional decision, analysts say it reflects a broader shift in Tokyo’s posture towards Moscow driven by the war in Ukraine, mounting pressure from Western allies and recent police raids on Japanese...

Politics

27 h. ago Mainland Chinese students hit worse by scams than Hong Kong peers

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) will boost monitoring of suspicious transactions on university students’ accounts by sharing a new set of fraud risk indicators with banks by the end of September. The efforts by the city’s de facto central bank came as police warned that scam losses among mainland Chinese students made up more than half the total among the group. Senior Superintendent Terry Law Kwok-hoi of the police force’s commercial crime bureau said on Thursday that 957 students fell...

Events