This is how the Asia-Pacific is aging. Japan has long led in aging demographics, but now countries like China, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand are quickly following suit.

The Imperial passport of Kublai Khan, circa 1240 AD. “I am the emissary of the Khan. If you defy me, you die.” They really don't make travel documents the way they used to.

Photographs from a long-abandoned Japanese village in the mountains. Write-up and full set of 16 images here: bit.ly/abandoned-japa…

Barcelona to Ban All Short-Term Rentals by 2029 skift.com/2024/06/21/bar… via @Skift

Always lovely to get a glimpse of Mt Fuji, especially in summer! 🗻🇯🇵✈️

Lufthansa, Europe’s biggest airline group, will introduce a surcharge of up to €72 per flight next year to cover the rising costs of alternative "green" fuels needed to lower aircraft emissions. The German company says it expects "billions in the future" in additional costs.

The EU's 'Net Zero Industry Act' web site has gone live. News to me: The EU will launch Net Zero Academies for different net zero technologies. Each academy is tasked with training 100.000 learners within three years. single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/industry/susta…

Chinese drone maker DJI shared a breathtaking video of its DJI Mavic 3 Pro ​flying over Mount Everest on Weibo yesterday. The drone ascended 3,500 meters from the base camp to the summit of the highest mountain in the world.

Futaro shrine, Nikko, by Tsuchiya Koitsu, 1930

🇻🇳 - Vietnam is one of only few countries going through manufacturing boom • Country has positioned itself as trade and manufacturing connector between US and China • With 🇨🇳, 🇱🇰, 🇹🇼 & 🇹🇷 Vietnam is one of five countries that have >18% of population work in manufacturing

Wanna know more about the sage of Ashton Kutcher, the European Union and how the struggle against child sexual abuse is being re-framed to curtail privacy? I wrote it up for Follow the Money EU a couple of months ago. ftm.eu/articles/ashto…

Connected, we are stronger 🇪🇺 New rules on trans-European transport network (TEN-T) will enter into force this week. They will: → promote more sustainable transport modes → advance digitalisation → improve the use of multiple means of transportation for a single journey.

Hong Kong, 1960s, Sai Ying Pun西营盘.

Great news for EU🇪🇺-Singapore🇸🇬 trade relations!👏

For the first time, wind and solar generate more EU electricity than fossil fuels. The kind of news one wants to read on Tuesday morning. Report by @EmberClimate. #Renewables theguardian.com/environment/ar…

Hong Kong, 1902, Victoria Peak and residences.

At this year's Singapore Economic Review Conference, I spoke to economists about the evolving international system shaped by two driving forces in geopolitics and economics. DannyQuah.github.io/Sendbox/2024.0…

Are online travel agencies the 'vending machines' of travel, as ASTA contends, or increasingly the future? AI Will Speed Travel Agent Decline, Says Booking CEO skift.com/2024/08/05/ai-… via @Skift

NEW: EU court dismisses Nuctech's case against commission over foreign subsidies regulation 💥Huge news for Chinese businesses in Europe scmp.com/news/china/art…