Asian shares are mixed in cautious trading after a mixed day on Wall Street
Read full article: Asian shares are mixed in cautious trading after a mixed day on Wall StreetAsian shares are mixed in cautious trading after most U.S. stocks rose, settling back to where they were before last week’s swoon over the future of artificial intelligence.
Trump administration announces 16th deadly strike on an alleged drug boat
Read full article: Trump administration announces 16th deadly strike on an alleged drug boatDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced yet another deadly strike on a boat accused of ferrying drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
China agrees to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually, treasury secretary says
Read full article: China agrees to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually, treasury secretary saysTreasury Secretary Scott Bessent says China has agreed to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually as part of an agreement reached by its leaders.
Trump cuts tariffs on China after meeting Xi in South Korea
Read full article: Trump cuts tariffs on China after meeting Xi in South KoreaPresident Donald Trump says he has decided to lower his combined tariff rates on imports of Chinese goods to 47% after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on curbing fentanyl trafficking.
White House says deal to put TikTok under US ownership could be finalized in South Korea
Read full article: White House says deal to put TikTok under US ownership could be finalized in South KoreaThe Trump administration has been signaling that it may have finally reached a deal with China to keep TikTok running in the U.S., with the two countries finalizing the details as soon as Thursday.
Henderson and Hsu lead World team into the International Crown semifinals with a win Saturday
Read full article: Henderson and Hsu lead World team into the International Crown semifinals with a win SaturdayBrooke Henderson and Wei-Ling Hsu beat Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom and Ingrid Lindblad 4 and 3 to qualify the World team for the International Crown semifinals.
Japan's new leader faces diplomatic gauntlet with Trump, China and regional summits
Read full article: Japan's new leader faces diplomatic gauntlet with Trump, China and regional summitsJapan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces significant foreign policy challenges just days after taking office.
Americans win fourth straight fourball match at the LPGA's International Crown team event
Read full article: Americans win fourth straight fourball match at the LPGA's International Crown team eventThe United States stayed perfect at the LPGA’s International Crown tournament, winning its third and fourth fourball matches and ending No. 1-ranked Jeeno Thitikul's unbeaten record in the team competition.
Trump-Kim meeting speculation flares ahead of US president's visit to South Korea
Read full article: Trump-Kim meeting speculation flares ahead of US president's visit to South KoreaAs U.S. President Donald Trump makes his first trip to Asia since his return to office, speculation is rife that he may seek to meet Kim again during his stop in South Korea.
South Korean parliament votes to allow tattooists to work without a medical license
Read full article: South Korean parliament votes to allow tattooists to work without a medical licenseSouth Korea’s parliament has passed a landmark bill that would allow people to tattoos without having a medical license.
A New Zealand woman is convicted of murdering her 2 children and leaving their bodies in suitcases
Read full article: A New Zealand woman is convicted of murdering her 2 children and leaving their bodies in suitcasesA jury in New Zealand has found a woman guilty of murdering her two children and leaving their bodies in suitcases for years before they were discovered.
North Korea conducts its final ground test of a solid-fuel engine for long-range missiles
Read full article: North Korea conducts its final ground test of a solid-fuel engine for long-range missilesNorth Korea says it conducted the final ground test of a solid-fuel rocket engine for a long-range ballistic missile in its latest advancement toward having an arsenal that could viably threaten the continental United States.
A summit and parade in China may signal a geopolitical shift. They might also be political jockeying
Read full article: A summit and parade in China may signal a geopolitical shift. They might also be political jockeyingThe pictures from this week’s military parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the earlier economic gathering would seem to offer a striking, maybe even defiant, message to the United States and its allies — evidence of a possible new reconfiguration of rising power in Eurasia, an “Axis of Upheaval,” as one U.S. analyst has called it.
Daniel Dae Kim is still waiting for his rom-com moment. In the meantime, there's 'Butterfly'
Read full article: Daniel Dae Kim is still waiting for his rom-com moment. In the meantime, there's 'Butterfly'Daniel Dae Kim is known for roles in spy thrillers and sci-fi epics but he still hopes to play a romantic lead.
US seeks shipbuilding expertise from South Korea and Japan to counter China
Read full article: US seeks shipbuilding expertise from South Korea and Japan to counter ChinaAmerican lawmakers are using a trip to South Korea and Japan to explore how the United States can tap those allies’ shipbuilding expertise and capacity to help boost its own capabilities.
Sebastian Munoz of Colombia shoots a 59, with a double bogey, at LIV Golf Indianapolis
Read full article: Sebastian Munoz of Colombia shoots a 59, with a double bogey, at LIV Golf IndianapolisSebastian Munoz has shot the third sub-60 score in LIV Golf history and is the first to post a 59 in a round that included a double bogey.
Tariffs on South Korea's products threaten the 'K-beauty' boom in the US
Read full article: Tariffs on South Korea's products threaten the 'K-beauty' boom in the USAsian skin care has been a booming global business for a more than a decade, with consumers in Europe, North and South America, and increasingly the Middle East, snapping up creams, serums and balms from South Korea, Japan and China.
Arsenal pays world record women’s soccer transfer fee to sign Olivia Smith from Liverpool
Read full article: Arsenal pays world record women’s soccer transfer fee to sign Olivia Smith from LiverpoolCanada forward Olivia Smith has become the most expensive player in women’s soccer history at a cost of one million pounds ($1.34 million) after Arsenal signed her from Liverpool.
Russia warns US, South Korea and Japan against forming security alliance targeting North Korea
Read full article: Russia warns US, South Korea and Japan against forming security alliance targeting North KoreaRussia’s foreign minister has warned the U.S., South Korea and Japan against forming a security partnership targeting North Korea.
South Korea ratifies treaty aimed at safeguarding international adoptions
Read full article: South Korea ratifies treaty aimed at safeguarding international adoptionsAfter years of delay, South Korea has ratified the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty meant to safeguard international adoptions.
Fans greet K-pop stars Jimin and Jung Kook of BTS discharged from military service
Read full article: Fans greet K-pop stars Jimin and Jung Kook of BTS discharged from military serviceHundreds of fans gathered in the early morning hours to catch a glimpse of K-pop superstars Jimin and Jung Kook, the latest and final members of BTS to be discharged from South Korea’s mandatory military service.
BTS looks to reunite this year as 2 more members finish their military service
Read full article: BTS looks to reunite this year as 2 more members finish their military serviceK-pop superstars RM and V are the latest members of BTS to be discharged from South Korea’s military after fulfilling their mandatory service.
South Korea’s new President Lee vows to pursue talks with North and bolster ties with US and Japan
Read full article: South Korea’s new President Lee vows to pursue talks with North and bolster ties with US and JapanSouth Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung says he’ll pursue dialogue with North Korea while bolstering a trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan.
US Women's Open features four-way tie for lead after first round's morning groupings
Read full article: US Women's Open features four-way tie for lead after first round's morning groupingsJinhee Im, A Lim Kim, Yealimi Noh and Rio Takeda each carded 4-under 68 to tie for the lead after the morning groupings in the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills.
The US military spent $6 billion in the past 3 years to recruit and retain troops
Read full article: The US military spent $6 billion in the past 3 years to recruit and retain troopsThe U.S. military spent more than $6 billion over the past three years to recruit and retain service members, in what's been a growing campaign to counter enlistment shortfalls.
South Korean conservative party fails in a bid to switch presidential candidates
Read full article: South Korean conservative party fails in a bid to switch presidential candidatesSouth Korea’s embattled conservative party has canceled then reinstated the presidential candidacy of Kim Moon Soo within hours, after a failed attempt to replace him with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
South Korea’s main conservative party nominates Kim Moon Soo as its presidential candidate
Read full article: South Korea’s main conservative party nominates Kim Moon Soo as its presidential candidateSouth Korea’s main conservative party has nominated former Labor Minister Kim Moon Soo as its presidential candidate.
US ice dancers Alex and Maia Shibutani return to competition with an eye on 2026 Olympics
Read full article: US ice dancers Alex and Maia Shibutani return to competition with an eye on 2026 OlympicsAlex and Maia Shibutani are making a comeback with an eye on competing for the U.S. figure skating team at next year's Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Samsung reports revenue increase thanks to mobile phone sales but its chip business suffers
Read full article: Samsung reports revenue increase thanks to mobile phone sales but its chip business suffersSamsung Electronics reported Wednesday a sharp increase in consolidated revenue for the first quarter thanks to strong sales of its new smartphones, but its semiconductor business suffered a setback.
North Korean leader's sister denounces denuclearization calls, saying nuclear status is permanent
Read full article: North Korean leader's sister denounces denuclearization calls, saying nuclear status is permanentThe powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday mocked Washington and its Asian allies for what she called their “daydream” of denuclearizing the North, insisting that the country will never give up its nuclear weapons program.
Katy coffee shop owner afraid new tariffs could impact her small businesses
Read full article: Katy coffee shop owner afraid new tariffs could impact her small businessesThe small business owner said for one of her businesses, she imports wax from Spain and most of her medical supplies like gloves, wooden sticks, and gauze pads are imported from China.
South Korea struggles to contain wildfires that have killed 28
Read full article: South Korea struggles to contain wildfires that have killed 28Multiple wildfires raging across South Korea’s southern regions for days have killed 28 people, forced at least 37,800 to flee their homes and destroyed thousands of structures and vehicles.
What to know about the reinstatement of South Korea's No. 2 leader and the Yoon ruling to come
Read full article: What to know about the reinstatement of South Korea's No. 2 leader and the Yoon ruling to comeIn the latest twist in South Korea’s ongoing political crisis, the country’s Constitutional Court reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as acting leader, overturning his impeachment by opposition lawmakers three months ago.
Bitcoin slides under $90,000, erasing some of the gains made under Trump
Read full article: Bitcoin slides under $90,000, erasing some of the gains made under TrumpThe price of bitcoin fell below $90,000 and other cryptocurrencies saw large drops Tuesday morning, erasing some of the gains digital assets have made since President Donald Trump took office on a pro-crypto agenda.
Seoul says North Korea is destroying facility that hosted reunions of war-separated families
Read full article: Seoul says North Korea is destroying facility that hosted reunions of war-separated familiesNorth Korea is demolishing a South Korea-built property that had been used to host reunions of families separated during the 1950-53 Korean War, the South’s government said Thursday, as it continues to eliminate symbols of engagement between the war-divided rivals.
South Korea's top think tank lowers economic growth projection, citing Trump's tariffs
Read full article: South Korea's top think tank lowers economic growth projection, citing Trump's tariffsSouth Korea’s top economic think tank on Tuesday slashed its growth forecast for the country’s economy for the second time in four months, expressing concern about the potential impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s expanding tariffs.
Trump picks a former air crewman and space expert to head the Air Force
Read full article: Trump picks a former air crewman and space expert to head the Air ForcePresident-elect Donald Trump has named Troy Meink, a former Air Force KC-135 tanker navigator and former deputy of the National Reconnaissance Office, as his choice to serve as the top civilian leader for the Air Force.
Question on ASEAN stumped Hegseth at Senate hearing. What is it and why is it important?
Read full article: Question on ASEAN stumped Hegseth at Senate hearing. What is it and why is it important?In a heated Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, Sen. Tammy Duckworth grilled the proposed defense secretary over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, asking him if he could name one member and how many countries were in the bloc.
South Korea’s impeached leader avoids investigators as court begins meeting to determine his fate
Read full article: South Korea’s impeached leader avoids investigators as court begins meeting to determine his fateSouth Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is dodging requests by investigative agencies to appear for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree.
US defense secretary in Japan to support alliance as Osprey aircraft safety causes concern
Read full article: US defense secretary in Japan to support alliance as Osprey aircraft safety causes concernU.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with officials in Japan to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington's commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea.
A look at the South Korean leader who has been impeached after shocking martial law edict
Read full article: A look at the South Korean leader who has been impeached after shocking martial law edictSouth Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, a stunning fall from grace for a man who rose from political obscurity to the height of political power.
Yoon replaces the defense minister as South Korea's parliament moves to vote on their impeachments
Read full article: Yoon replaces the defense minister as South Korea's parliament moves to vote on their impeachmentsSouth Korea’s president has replaced his defense minister as opposition parties moved to impeach both men over the stunning-but-brief imposition of martial law that brought armed troops into Seoul streets.
What to know about the plastic pollution crisis as treaty talks conclude in South Korea
Read full article: What to know about the plastic pollution crisis as treaty talks conclude in South KoreaThe world’s nations will wrap up negotiating a treaty this weekend to address the global crisis of plastic pollution.
Negotiators get closer to agreeing on a plastic pollution treaty
Read full article: Negotiators get closer to agreeing on a plastic pollution treatyNegotiators working on a treaty to address the global crisis of plastic pollution have inched closer to an agreement, with more countries saying they want to address the total plastic on Earth.
Biggest November snowstorm in half century hits Seoul and grounds flights
Read full article: Biggest November snowstorm in half century hits Seoul and grounds flightsThe biggest November snowstorm to hit South Korea’s capital in more than a half century has blanketed the capital, grounding hundreds of flights and disrupting traffic.
Two US senators urge FIFA not to pick Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host over human rights risks
Read full article: Two US senators urge FIFA not to pick Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host over human rights risksTwo United States senators have urged FIFA not to pick Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host next month.
North Korean leader calls for expanding his nuclear forces in the face of alleged US threats
Read full article: North Korean leader calls for expanding his nuclear forces in the face of alleged US threatsNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has renewed his call for a “limitless” expansion of his military nuclear program to counter what he characterizes as U.S.-led threats.
North Korean troops sent to Russia may be pleased to be there, even as they face ferocious fighting
Read full article: North Korean troops sent to Russia may be pleased to be there, even as they face ferocious fightingThe thousands of young soldiers North Korea has sent to Russia, reportedly to help fight against Ukraine, include many elite special forces, but that hasn’t stopped speculation they’ll be slaughtered because they have no combat experience, no familiarity with the terrain and will likely be dropped onto the most ferocious Russian-Ukraine battlefields.
Hannah Green of Australia leads from start to finish to win BMW Ladies Championship
Read full article: Hannah Green of Australia leads from start to finish to win BMW Ladies ChampionshipHannah Green of Australia shot a 1-under 71 to win the BMW Ladies Championship, her sixth victory on the LPGA Tour and her third this season.
Kim calls for bolstering nuclear and conventional weapons after testing 2 types of missiles
Read full article: Kim calls for bolstering nuclear and conventional weapons after testing 2 types of missilesNorth Korea says leader Kim Jong Un has supervised successful tests of two types of missiles as he ordered officials to bolster up his country’s military capabilities to repel U.S.-led threats.
Olympian Brianna Decker headlines the US Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2024
Read full article: Olympian Brianna Decker headlines the US Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2024Hockey star Brianna Decker, former NHL players Kevin Stevens and Matt Cullen, late Chicago Blackhawks founder Frederic McLaughlin and the 2002 Olympic gold medal-winning paralympic sled hockey team are being inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
'K-pop Idols' documentary looks at how the K-pop industry is embracing diversity
Read full article: 'K-pop Idols' documentary looks at how the K-pop industry is embracing diversityA new Apple TV+ documentary series, “K-pop Idols,” offers an intimate look at how the K-pop industry is embracing diversity while grappling with challenges in a field that demands perfection.
Blinken to celebrate Biden legacy, reassure allies in Asia after president drops out of 2024 race
Read full article: Blinken to celebrate Biden legacy, reassure allies in Asia after president drops out of 2024 raceU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will make the case for the Biden administration’s expanded commitment to Asia and the Indo-Pacific as he visits Laos, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and Mongolia this week and next.
Stock market today: Asian shares mostly advance after Wall St comeback from worst loss since 2022
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares mostly advance after Wall St comeback from worst loss since 2022Shares are mostly higher in Asia after Wall Street made a comeback from its worst loss since 2022.
Stock market today: Asian shares dive after a wipeout on Wall Street as Big Tech skids
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares dive after a wipeout on Wall Street as Big Tech skidsAsian shares have dropped morning trading, with Tokyo’s benchmark losing more than 1,000 points at one point and closing 3.3% lower, as pessimism set in over Wall Street's overnight nose-dive.
Stock market today: Asian shares sink, weighed down by Wall St tech retreat, China policy questions
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares sink, weighed down by Wall St tech retreat, China policy questionsShares have fallen in Asia after a broad washout across Wall Street dragged U.S. stocks lower.
Stock market today: Asian stocks slip, while Australian index tracks Wall St rally to hit record
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian stocks slip, while Australian index tracks Wall St rally to hit recordAsian stocks are mostly lower even as investors wager that the Federal Reserve will come ahead with a cut to interest rates, while Australia's benchmark hit a new record.
Stock market today: Asian shares zoom higher, with Nikkei over 42,000 after Wall St sets new records
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares zoom higher, with Nikkei over 42,000 after Wall St sets new recordsAsian shares have carried on with the blistering rally on Wall Street, as Japan's Nikkei 225 index surged over 42,000 for the first time.
Stock market today: Asian shares mostly rise, boosted by Wall Street records as Tesla zooms
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares mostly rise, boosted by Wall Street records as Tesla zoomsAsian shares are trading mostly higher after Tesla zoomed upward, helping drive the U.S. stock market to more records.
With its new pact with North Korea, Russia raises the stakes with the West over Ukraine
Read full article: With its new pact with North Korea, Russia raises the stakes with the West over UkraineBehind the pageantry of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea, a strong signal came through: In the spiraling confrontation with the U.S. and its allies over Ukraine, the Russian leader is willing to challenge Western interests like never before.
What's known, and not known, about the partnership agreement signed by Russia and North Korea
Read full article: What's known, and not known, about the partnership agreement signed by Russia and North KoreaBoth Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un say a new strategic partnership is a breakthrough, but what it means for their relationship is still uncertain.
Soldiers in Malawi search for missing military plane carrying vice president and former first lady
Read full article: Soldiers in Malawi search for missing military plane carrying vice president and former first ladyMalawi's president says soldiers are searching mountainous forests near a city in northern Malawi after a military plane carrying the country’s vice president and a former first lady went missing in the area.
Jenny Shin takes 1-shot lead into final round of ShopRite LPGA Classic, seeking 1st win since 2016
Read full article: Jenny Shin takes 1-shot lead into final round of ShopRite LPGA Classic, seeking 1st win since 2016Jenny Shin shot a 2-under 69 and will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic as she seeks her first victory since 2016.
AI companies make fresh safety promise at Seoul summit, nations agree to align work on risks
Read full article: AI companies make fresh safety promise at Seoul summit, nations agree to align work on risksLeading artificial intelligence companies made a fresh pledge at a mini-summit Tuesday to develop AI safely, while world leaders agreed to build a network of publicly backed safety institutes to advance research and testing of the technology.
Stock market today: Asian shares advance after another round of Wall St records
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares advance after another round of Wall St recordsAsian shares are mostly higher after U.S. stocks rallied to records on hopes that inflation is heading back in the right direction.
Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Wall St rally takes S&P 500 near record
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Wall St rally takes S&P 500 near recordStocks in Asia are mixed after a rally on Wall Street that pulled the S&P 500 back within 1% of its record.
American soldier was arrested in Russia and accused of stealing from a girlfriend, US officials say
Read full article: American soldier was arrested in Russia and accused of stealing from a girlfriend, US officials sayAn American soldier has been arrested in Russia's port city of Vladivostok and accused of stealing from a Russian girlfriend.
Stock market today: Tokyo's Nikkei leads Asian gains following Wall Street rally
Read full article: Stock market today: Tokyo's Nikkei leads Asian gains following Wall Street rallyAsian shares have opened higher, led by an over 2% gain in Japan’s Nikkei 225 after U.S. stocks rallied for a second straight day Tuesday, blunting the blow of what’s been a rough April.
North Korea fires suspected short-range missiles into the sea in its latest weapons test
Read full article: North Korea fires suspected short-range missiles into the sea in its latest weapons testNorth Korea has test-fired suspected short-range ballistic missiles into the sea as speculation swirled that it could soon launch a banned satellite into orbit.
Global smartphone shipments climb nearly 8% in 1st quarter as Samsung retakes the lead
Read full article: Global smartphone shipments climb nearly 8% in 1st quarter as Samsung retakes the leadGlobal smartphone shipments rose nearly 8% in the first quarter, according to preliminary data from International Data Corp. It’s the third straight quarter of shipment growth and marks the return of Samsung to the No. 1 spot.
South Korea's prime minister and top presidential officials offer to resign after election defeat
Read full article: South Korea's prime minister and top presidential officials offer to resign after election defeatSouth Korea’s prime minister and senior presidential officials have offered to resign after their conservative ruling party was crushed in parliamentary elections.
South Koreans bid emotional farewell to beloved panda leaving for China
Read full article: South Koreans bid emotional farewell to beloved panda leaving for ChinaA crowd of people, some weeping, has gathered at an amusement park in South Korea to bid farewell to a giant panda before her departure to China.
Here's what we know about the allegations against Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara
Read full article: Here's what we know about the allegations against Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei MizuharaOnly a week has passed since the Los Angeles Dodgers abruptly fired Ippei Mizuhara, the translator and constant companion of their new $700 million slugger, Shohei Ohtani.
Firing of Ohtani's interpreter highlights how sports betting is still illegal in California
Read full article: Firing of Ohtani's interpreter highlights how sports betting is still illegal in CaliforniaThe firing of Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter by the Los Angeles Dodgers over allegations of illegal gambling and theft has highlighted an issue many outside of California don’t realize: Sports betting is still against the law in the nation’s most populous state.
New Dodger Ohtani says Seoul MLB games will be 'great memories' for him and wife
Read full article: New Dodger Ohtani says Seoul MLB games will be 'great memories' for him and wifeLos Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani says the upcoming Major League Baseball opener with the San Diego Padres in Seoul will be “great memories” for him and his wife.
Baseball superstar Ohtani and his wife arrive in South Korea for Dodgers-Padres MLB opener
Read full article: Baseball superstar Ohtani and his wife arrive in South Korea for Dodgers-Padres MLB openerShohei Ohtani and his wife have arrived in South Korea with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates ahead of their season-opening Major League Baseball games against the San Diego Padres next week.
South Korea criticizes senior doctors for threatening to resign to support their juniors' walkouts
Read full article: South Korea criticizes senior doctors for threatening to resign to support their juniors' walkoutsSouth Korea’s government criticized senior doctors at a major hospital for threatening to resign in support of the weekslong walkouts by thousands of medical interns and residents that have disrupted hospital operations.
A German military officer used an unsecured line for a conference call. Russia hacked and leaked it
Read full article: A German military officer used an unsecured line for a conference call. Russia hacked and leaked itGermany’s defense minister says a military officer used an unsecured phone line at a Singapore hotel to join a conference call that was hacked by Russians and leaked to the public.
Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed as China unveils 5% economic growth target for 2024
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed as China unveils 5% economic growth target for 2024Shares are mixed in Asia after China's premier said the country's target for economic growth this year is around 5%, in line with expectations.