That also explains why Axie, a metaverse "play-to-earn," animated-pet-training video game inspired by Pokemon but fueled by cryptocurrency rewards, has surged in popularity over the past year in the South American country.

Since his election in 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has time and again underscored his anti-U.S. and pro-Chinese orientation. On his first trip to Beijing in 2016, he announced it was "time to say goodbye to Washington"-much to the delight of his host, Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In June, Food Republic is counting the many reasons to love Asian food in America right now. Here's one of them. Sometimes the most important ingredients are the ones you don't even realize you're tasting. Give them their proper shine, and they'll help the disparate elements of a recipe harmonize like Shai.