China ends 9-year decline in new marriages in 2023, but divorces also climb

“As the pandemic gradually ends, the wedding industry has rebounded significantly, and there was a hot wave of consumption during the 2023 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays,” He said in a blog post on Saturday, referring to a spike in spending during the eight-day holiday break in September and October last year. Wedding-related spending … Read more

It’s the cost that counts: more Japanese men ‘fed up’ with splurging for obligatory White Day gifts

Like an increasing number of Japanese men, Ken Kato will not be shelling out for chocolates, a bottle of nice wine or a meal out with his wife for “White Day” on Thursday. Kato says he is tired of “manufactured” occasions designed to guilt people into buying gifts. And he says none are more artificial … Read more

Nato allies ‘spending more’ as defence budgets reach record levels, amid worries about Trump

The announcement comes as US President Joe Biden slammed Trump on Tuesday for suggesting he would allow Russia to attack members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that underspent, calling the remarks “dangerous” and “un-American.” Kyiv destroys Russian warship, as army chief warns of ‘difficult’ front line Asked about Trump’s comments, Stoltenberg said: “Nato has … Read more