How Pop Mart Turned Collectible Dolls Into an $18 Billion Business

Chinese toy company Pop Mart's stock exploded over 1,200% in the past year. That success is built off blind box collectibles like Labubu. Here's how Pop Mart is harnessing the craze to create IP longevity.

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Yahoo

35 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Taiwan central bank says US debt rising too fast may impact trust in Treasuries

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's central bank governor warned on Saturday that rapidly rising U.S. debt could be "unfavourable" to the outlook for U.S. Treasuries and that U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies have made investors cautious. Taiwan's $593 billion in foreign exchange reserves are more than 80% made up of U.S. Treasury bonds, according to the central bank, which said earlier this month that Treasuries were "sound" and still favoured by investors. It added there were no worries about the dollar's position as the leading international reserve currency. Governor Yang Chin-long, in a speech posted on the central bank's website, said Trump's repeated criticisms of the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy have caused concerns about its independence. "In addition, Trump 2.0's trade policy has made investors hesitant about holding U.S. Treasury bonds; Trump's budget, the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' may cause U.S. debt to expand too quickly, which is unfavourable to the outlook for U.S. sovereign debt," he said. "All of these have had a significant impact on the international monetary system centred on the U.S. dollar and based on U.S. creditworthiness." Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill is the centerpiece of his domestic agenda. The bill would lead to a larger-than-expected $2.8 trillion increase in the federal deficit over the decade, despite a boost to U.S. economic output, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected on Tuesday. Trump, in his first few weeks in office, also announced sweeping tariffs on a broad swathe of countries and trading partners, including Taiwan, only to pause them for 90 days in April to allow for talks to take place. Yang said Trump had been hoping the tariffs could resolve the U.S. trade deficit. "However, the tariff policy not only fails to solve the structural problems, it will also impact the U.S. economy, and threaten to further affect the outlook for global trade and the economy." Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Yahoo

an hour ago

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The Country That Produces The Most Onions In The World

Onions might not seem like a hot commodity, but they're one of the most essential ingredients in kitchens around the world. Stir-fries, curries, stews, sauces — you name it, and onions are probably in it. So it makes sense that several countries grow them in massive quantities to meet nonstop demand. But here's the twist: The country that produces the most onions in the world isn't the United States, and it's not China either. It's India. According to World Population Review, India grew 37.1 million metric tons of onions in 2022 — more than any other nation on Earth. For scale, that's nearly 82 billion pounds of onions. That's a staggering figure, and while some of those onions are exported, most stay right at home. In a country of over a billion people, where onions form the base of everything from chana masala to crispy onion bhajis, it's easy to see why demand is sky-high. To meet that kind of year-round need, onions in India are grown in three waves — with the spring harvest, known as the Rabi crop, being the most important. These onions are stored and gradually sold to keep supply stable, especially during months when fresh harvests aren't available. It's a delicate system, and when it runs smoothly, onions stay affordable. But when it doesn't, prices can spiral out of control quickly. Read more: 13 International Dining Etiquette Rules We Should All Be Following India's title as the world's largest onion producer wouldn't be possible without two key states: Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Located in central and western India, they account for over half of the country's total onion output. Maharashtra, in particular, is home to Lasalgaon, Asia's largest onion market — a place where prices don't just reflect supply and demand, but often set the tone for the entire nation. But large harvests don't always guarantee stability. Despite strong yields, onion prices in India often swing sharply due to weather, storage issues, or shifts in supply. And because onions are deeply woven into Indian culture — from rural farms to urban kitchens — price spikes are more than just an inconvenience. They hit millions of households where it hurts, making onion prices a political issue. A failed crop or poor storage season can spark protests, backlash, and even shifts in government policy. In recent years, the central government has imposed export bans to protect domestic supply and released emergency stocks from buffer reserves — a move typically reserved for essentials like rice or wheat. In India, onions don't just flavor the food — they shape public sentiment. When the onion market sneezes, the whole country catches a cold. And that's exactly what makes being the world's top producer not just a point of pride, but also a heavy responsibility. Read the original article on Tasting Table.

CNN

an hour ago

• CNN

Last BTS member Suga discharged from South Korean military service, paving way for reunion

Suga, a rapper and songwriter in the global K-pop sensation BTS, has been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, marking the official return of all seven members from their enlistment duties. The label confirmed that Suga completed his alternative service duties on Wednesday after using up his remaining leave. His official discharge date is Saturday. BTS' management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, had said earlier that no events were planned for Suga's release out of concern for overcrowding. It is a momentous occasion for fans of the K-pop group BTS. The seven singers of the popular K-pop band plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025 now that they've finished their service. Last week, BTS superstars RM and V were discharged from South Korea's military after fulfilling their mandatory service. Jimin and Jung Kook were discharged a day later. All four were enlisted in December 2023. Six of the group's seven members served in the army, while Suga fulfilled his duty as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service. Jin, the oldest BTS member, was discharged in June 2024. J-Hope was discharged in October. In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea. The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren't subject to such privileges. However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea's National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30. There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group's management agency announced in October 2022 that all seven members would fulfill their duties.