Frontier neuroscientific method involves changing specific receptors in the brain using a genetically-engineered virus
California Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu is seeking to become the next chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, one of the top leadership jobs in the US Congress, and potentially making history again as the highest-ranking Asian-American on Capitol Hill. He announced his caucus chair candidacy in a letter to fellow Democrats on Thursday. He’s currently the most high-profile Asian and Chinese-American in Congress, serving as vice-chairman of the caucus, the fourth-ranking position in the House...
China may start looking for ways to make its deals with the United States less dependent on the personal relationship between presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump after the midterm elections left the US leader in a weaker position to deliver results, analysts have said. Some observers believe Beijing will start paying closer attention to what the White House can achieve without support in Congress, while others say it may seek closer engagement with the Democrats given their ability to...
Travelling through South America earlier this year, I was repeatedly reminded of China’s growing importance. At Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, I spotted the logo of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. ICBC acquired an 80 per cent stake in Standard Bank Argentina in 2012, establishing a significant presence. In Buenos Aires, my friend Diego García, a publisher, offered a useful perspective: Argentina does not have to choose between China and the United States. It should...
Amid a national Democratic wave in the midterm elections, a California Democrat has made history as the first Asian-American elected to the state’s second-highest executive office, with roots tracing back to a prominent military and political clan in China. Fiona Ma, 60, a Chinese-American and the state’s current treasurer, was elected lieutenant governor, marking a milestone for Asian-American representation in California politics. “I am deeply humbled and honoured to be elected California’s...
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a video call with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng on Friday, as both sides moved to finalise preparations for President Donald Trump’s planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Shenzhen later this month. “Secretary Bessent emphasised the importance of China fully and immediately implementing its commitments made in Busan and raised concerns about recent Chinese actions,” a statement from the Treasury...
Ten countries – including the “Five Eyes” allies – have called for an immediate end to “unjust prosecutions” under Hong Kong’s national security law after opposition activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung was jailed for 10 years, while the government has urged foreign forces to stop their “baseless malicious attacks”. The foreign ministers of the 10 countries issued a joint statement on Friday, a day after the High Court sentenced Wong over his role in a global campaign to instigate sanctions against...
The European Union and the United States plan to revive talks about China after a two-year hiatus, according to multiple people familiar with the planning. The dialogue had stalled since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, but after being approached by Washington, talks are expected in the first week of December, despite the deterioration in transatlantic relations in the meantime. The once-regular forum was used to discuss areas of shared concern with regard to Beijing. During Joe Biden’s...
Hong Kong’s yacht industry is seeking to attract more buyers and visitors from mainland China under a new cross-boundary travel scheme, but relatively high berthing costs could pose a challenge, industry representatives have said. Industry leaders, exhibitors and visitors gathered in Discovery Bay on Friday for the fourth edition of the Lantau Yacht Club Boat Show, which runs until Sunday. The show featured more than 30 vessels, including superyachts and models from international brands such as...
Six applicants make it to the final interview at a major corporation after beating odds of 5,000 to 1. With COVID-19 cases surging and youth employment plummeting, they spend a month preparing together for the final hurdle: a team discussion. But just before the interview, the company's human resources department, which had initially said all six could be hired, informs them that only one person will be selected. Their task is even more daunting: They must choose the successful candidate themselves within two hours. Due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, the human resources department monitors the six applicants' discussion through surveillance cameras installed in the interview room. The applicants agree to establish their own “fair” rules for the discussion and vote on who should be hired every 30 minutes. But they soon discover mysterious envelopes bearing each of their six names. The first envelope to be opened, belonging to Baek Seung-bin (Shin Seung-ho), contains a news article and photographs revealing that he was involved in school bullying during high school. The discussi
"Possible Love" director Lee Chang-dong said Friday that he would give his all in the Academy Awards race despite what he described as a challenging environment for Korean films. The film, which marks Lee's first feature film in eight years after the critically acclaimed "Burning" (2018), won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival and has been selected as Korea's entry for the Oscars. "The success of 'Parasite' has caused an optical illusion, but while it is an outstanding work, that kind of success may not come again easily (for Korean films)," Lee said in a group media interview when asked about the film's Oscar prospects. Korean director Bong Joon-ho's black comedy thriller "Parasite" (2019) made history as it became the first Korean film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 2020. "For Korean films, as well as for other Asian films and those from outside the United States and Europe, the barriers remain high," Lee said, while noting efforts by the Academy Awards to become more inclusive. The maestro, known for his realistic yet po
Korean culture is finding new audiences in Southeast Asia through ballet, live music, classical performances and digital art, with nearly 40,000 people attending or participating in events in Thailand and Vietnam this year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Friday. The 2026 Korea Season, organized by the ministry, along with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange and Korean cultural centers in both countries, has attracted 39,917 participants since launching in May. The program aims to broaden the reach of Korean culture beyond K-pop and television dramas by introducing traditional art in contemporary forms and creating opportunities for collaboration with local artists. The series opened with “GAT,” an original ballet by Yoon Byeol Ballet Company inspired by the traditional Korean horsehair hat known as gat. Performances in Bangkok on May 23 and Hanoi on May 27 drew a combined 1,650 spectators, with accompanying exhibitions and workshops introducing audiences to the cultural significance of the headwear. October's K-LIVE FESTIVAL BAND:AGE brought toge
"Avengers: Doomsday" stars Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth will visit Korea next month to meet fans ahead of the film's release here, its distributor said Friday. The two Hollywood stars are scheduled to arrive Dec. 7 for a two-day visit, accompanied by Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, according to the Walt Disney Company Korea. It marks the first time Evans will visit Korea in 11 years since he visited the country in 2015 to promote "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015). For Hemsworth, it marks his first official trip to meet Korean fans after he visited the country last year to film the second season of the Disney+ series "Chris Hemsworth: Limitless." The latest sequel of the Avengers film is set for release Dec. 16.