Companies
Rio Tinto slashes dividend as profit plunged on slow China demand
COVID curbs weighed on Chinese economic activity, dragging iron ore prices down
Coronavirus
Economy
Hong Kong budget aims to lift COVID-hit economy, halt brain drain
City's financial head says growth forecast to rebound at 3.5% to 5.5% in 2023
Coronavirus
Japanese airlines stop requiring masks on board from March 13
New policy applies to passengers and employees, also in airports
Media & Entertainment
China's movie industry roars back with record box office in January
Eased pandemic restrictions bring customers in droves for local blockbusters
Caixin
China's rural COVID wave exposes flaws in tiered health care system
Despite plan, patients sent to cities due to local lack of experience and drugs
N Korea at crossroads
North Korea and China reopen key trucking corridor after 2-year halt
Shortage-hit Pyongyang slowly lowers barriers to biggest trade partner
Economy
Singapore cuts GDP growth for 2022 to 3.6% as demand sags
City-state keeps 0.5-2.5% forecast for 2023 amid global 'uncertainties'
Interview
Kobayashi Pharma to tap Southeast Asian demand with new plant: COO
Japanese drugmaker hopes to hedge risks by producing and selling locally
Economy
Wealthy Chinese ramp up efforts to shift fortunes overseas
Singapore the big winner from Beijing's inequality and COVID policies
Datawatch
Diabetes ravages emerging nations in Asia, Africa
Number of patients projected to jump 50% by 2045 as dietary habits change
Coronavirus
Japan gives nod to going maskless on trains starting March 13
Students also will not be requested to cover faces during school activities
Coronavirus
Singapore relaxes COVID travel curbs, mask rules further
Travelers not fully vaccinated won't need to show test results
COVID vaccines
Japan weighs recommending annual COVID shots for most
Once-a-year boosters would be given ahead of year-end holidays
COVID vaccines
Japan's 1st plant for mRNA COVID vaccine to be built by Daiichi Sankyo
Drugmaker targets capacity of 20m doses yearly, boosting nation's preparedness
Your Week in Asia
Philippines' Marcos visits Japan, Indonesia GDP, Toyota results
Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events
Travel & Leisure
Thailand, Indonesia battle for Chinese group tours post-COVID
Southeast Asia airlines, hotels have edge on Japan, U.S. as travel resumes
Economy
Japan consumers cling to 'COVID savings' as anxiety grips country
Weak 'revenge consumption' compared with U.S. reflected in sluggish economy
Travel & Leisure
Hokkaido tourism picks up ahead of snow festival opening
South Korean guests at Sapporo hotels triple from pre-pandemic levels
Travel & Leisure
Macao's casino economy woes deepen pandemic poverty
Bettors return to gambling hub's glitzy venues but rebound long way off
Coronavirus
China to fully resume travel with Hong Kong, Macao on Feb. 6
Beijing drops existing quotas and scraps mandatory COVID-19 tests
