Hello, China: Meet Japan's New Envoy

(NEWSER) - Countries are tightening borders and stepping up containment methods as the swine flu body count continues to rise, the New York Times reports. The disease is suspected in 152 deaths, all in Mexico; 50 US cases are now confirmed from California to New York City. Health officials in Japan and at least eight other Asian countries are now screening anyone arriving from North America. More»

Gigs that straddle the line between necessary and absurd

(NEWSER) - From Parisian sewer guides to a coconut safety engineer in St. Thomas, some travel industry jobs straddle the line between necessary and absurd. Travel and Leisure highlights some of the strangest.

1. Tourism ambassador, Japan. Diplomacy never looked so soft and cuddly after Japan appointed elder statesfeline Hello Kitty for PR duty in Hong Kong and China.

Panchen Lama not recognized by Tibet

(NEWSER) - Tibetan Buddhism's second-highest leader—selected by China but not recognized by the Dalai Lama's supporters—spoke today in Hong Kong, appearing for the first time outside the Chinese mainland. The 22-year-old Gyaltsen Norbu, picked by China at age 6, offered thoughts on Buddhist philosophy as China works to gain Tibetan support for its rule. The reclusive Panchen Lama called Buddhism the "sweet dew that ends human suffering and is a way to promote world peace." More»

Leung Chun-ying a self-made billionaire who advocates closer ties to China

(NEWSER) - In something of a non-surprise, Beijing's man won the race for chief executive of Hong Kong today, reports Reuters . A self-made billionaire and son of a policeman, Leung Chun-ying took 61% of the 1,200-vote election committee, comprised of political, business, and labor leaders, that decides Hong Kong's leadership. His main rival, Henry Tang, a billionaire construction mogul, had been the early favorite to win, but a series of scandals derailed his campaign. "Somehow Tang has managed to blow a fixed election," quipped one Western diplomat. More»

Spat heats up as cross-border tourists labeled 'locusts'

(NEWSER) - Tensions between Hong Kong and mainland China are on the rise—and it all started with a bowl of noodles. Users of an Internet forum bought an ad in a major Hong Kong paper calling out cross-border visitors "locusts" who abuse the the former British colony's health care system by coming to Hong Kong to give birth, CNN reports. Wealthy mainlanders are also blamed for overheating the territory's property market, and changing its retail sector to the detriment of locals. More»