Latest news with #British-Chinese
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Popular Asian Restaurant Closing Its Las Vegas Strip Location
Famous international Chinese restaurant chain Mr. Chow has shut down its Las Vegas location. Founded in the 1960s by British-Chinese restauranteur and artist Michael Chow, Mr. Chow has locations in London, Beverly Hills, New York City, Miami and Riyadh. 'Mr. Chow features elegant white, modern decor with one-of-a-kind design elements including a kinetic 'moon' sculpture that hangs over the main dining room," said the chain's official website. "Touches like the sculpture add a bit of a show element to your meal and that's exactly what Mr. Chow likes to do. Not only is it a culinary experience, you'll also be entertained during your evening. The sculpture is suspended from a domed ceiling in the center of the room and it comes to life every 20 minutes slowly morphing into different shapes.' The Las Vegas iteration was the seventh Mr. Chow outpost to open. Located inside Caesars Palace, the establishment opened its doors in 2016 and quickly became a celebrity hotspot. However, after nearly a decade in business, the Las Vegas Mr. Chow shut down following its final day of service on May 17. "Business levels are the culprit, as well as the terrible location with low visibility in the sprawling resort. There are no current plans for what will replace Mr. Chow on the second floor of Caesars Palace in the Forum Tower," reported Vital Vegas. In its nine years in business, Mr. Chow served high-end Beijing-style cuisine to Caesars Palace patrons under the famous "Moon" sculpture, designed by Chow himself. Popular menu items included Beijing duck, Mr. Chow noodles, salt and pepper prawns, Dungeness crab and other traditional dishes. Popular Asian Restaurant Closing Its Las Vegas Strip Location first appeared on Men's Journal on May 26, 2025
Shafaq News
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Shafaq News
Kia surges ahead as Iraq's auto market hits $700M in Japanese imports
Shafaq News / Iraq's imports of Japanese vehicles exceeded $700 million in 2024, according to official trade data. Figures showed that Iraq imported a total of $712.5 million worth of Japanese cars, motorcycles, and auto-related accessories last year. This accounted for approximately 16% of Japan's total auto exports to global markets. The bulk of the imports included 17,994 passenger vehicles valued at $612.3 million, along with 2,156 commercial trucks worth $51.7 million. An additional 3,201 units comprised specialized transport vehicles, tractors, and auto parts, valued at $39.4 million. Iraq also imported 236,477 motorcycles and bicycles for $8 million, and 510 mobility-related accessories including strollers and disability carts for just over $1 million. Kia Overtakes Toyota in Q1 2025 While Japanese vehicles dominate Iraq's import charts, South Korea's Kia led vehicle sales in the first quarter of 2025, according to a new report by Focus2Move. The Iraqi automotive market grew by 24.1% during the first three months of the year, extending a multi-year growth trend despite economic and infrastructure hurdles. Kia claimed the top spot with a 26.1% increase in sales, overtaking Toyota, which saw a 3.4% decline and fell to second place. British-Chinese automaker MG took third with a sharp 57.1% increase, while Nissan surged 1,463.6% to rank fourth after climbing 14 positions. Suzuki dropped to fifth following a 34.6% decline in sales. Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux retained its lead as the best-selling vehicle in Iraq with a 10.3% annual growth in Q1, followed by the Kia Frontier, which recorded a 12.7% increase. Electric vehicle sales also rose by 41.6% in Q1 2025, reaching 3% of total vehicle sales—a modest share that analysts expect to grow as Iraq seeks to diversify revenue sources beyond oil. Toyota dominates the EV segment, accounting for 97% of electric vehicle sales, well ahead of Lexus and Land Rover.
Business Insider
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
He opened a restaurant with a college friend. It redefined Chinese fine dining.
For some, clarity comes in moments of stillness. For Malcolm Wood, it's usually the opposite. "A casual morning for me would include going up 1,000 meters into the mountains, speed flying back to the field in front of my house, and hopping on a phone call by 9 a.m.," Wood told Business Insider. Wood is best known for his work with Mott 32, a Chinese fine-dining brand recognized for its striking design and modern spin on traditional dishes. The first location opened in Hong Kong in 2014 and has since expanded to cities like Las Vegas, Singapore, and Vancouver — earning global buzz both for the food and the decor. These days, the British-Chinese entrepreneur splits his time between Hong Kong, where he co-founded Maximal Concepts, the restaurant group behind Mott 32, and France, where he enjoys extreme sports near his home in the French Alps. Wood, 43, says that adventure and extreme sports have taught him about risk management. "They demand an intense level of focus, almost like entering a flow state, where distractions disappear, and precision takes over," he said. In some ways, it's a form of active meditation. "I'm constantly pushing limits while staying fully present." East, West, East Born in Taipei to a Taiwanese mom and an English dad, Wood spent the early '80s in Hong Kong. Because his stepfather was in the airline industry, the family frequently moved to new countries. By the time he started university, he had lived in eight countries. At 18, as an art history student at the University of Bristol in England, Wood met Matt Reid. In their first year of school, the two launched Liquid Promotions, an events company. Wood said they hosted parties for up to 5,000 people while they were in college. "The money was very good for a student and helped to shape how I approached entrepreneurship," he said. They have been business partners ever since. Reid has compared Wood's business acumen to his passion for extreme sports. "You map out your plan, your teammates, your resources, your skills, and then execute this plan," Reid told BI. The great expansion After getting a master's in finance at the University of London, Wood moved to Hong Kong, where he and Reid started Maximal Concepts. After a few failed attempts, the hospitality group opened the first Mott 32. Now, Maximal Concepts has a team of about 700 people. The Hong Kong food writer Gloria Chung told BI that the restaurant stood out from the beginning, adding that a decade back, there was nothing like it: "Mott 32 was one of the first fine-dining modern Chinese restaurants that embraced a more Westernized setting, offering a refreshing take on Cantonese cuisine." From the start, Mott 32 stood out by bridging the gap between luxurious fine dining, often associated with Western cuisines, and the no-frills dim sum parlors that dominated the streets of Hong Kong. Over the last 10 years, the Cantonese restaurant has expanded to nine locations and nine more are scheduled to open in the coming years, including in London, Melbourne, and Los Angeles. These days, Mott 32 has become synonymous with upscale Chinese dining — a go-to spot where execs take clients to impress. The Hong Kong flagship is tucked in the basement of a historic bank building. The restaurant has a dramatic interior — plush leather, moody lighting, and a Shanghai-industrial flair. Popular dishes include the applewood-roasted Peking duck and pork and black truffle dumplings, along with blinged-out cocktails. In 2018, the first US restaurant opened in Las Vegas. Prices at the Vegas venue now range from $13 for spring rolls to around $15 for four pieces of dim sum. They can also go up to $268 for A5 Japanese Miyazaki wagyu with black bean paste and $598 for braised dried abalone. Maximal Concepts also opened The Aubrey — an izakaya at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. It was ranked 10th on the 2024 Asia's 50 Best Bars list. Last year, Sunset Hospitality Group, a Dubai-based lifestyle hospitality company, acquired a majority stake in Maximal Concepts. Wood says this will help to accelerate the company's growth and infrastructure. "The idea is that we join Sunset's IPO in a few years where we have a significant contribution to the offering." Antonio Gonzalez, the CEO and Group Chairman of Sunset Hospitality Group, told BI that Maximal Concepts' hospitality approach fits well with SHG's values and growth goals. "This investment provides us with additional operating and creative firepower," he said in a statement. Asian origins When it comes to upscale Asian global dining empires, Mott 32 is in competitive company among the likes of Hakkasan, Zuma, and Nobu. But while Hakkasan and Zuma opened in London, and Nobu started in New York City, Wood takes pride in Mott 32's Asian origins. "Mott 32 is one of the few luxury Asian brands to have originated from Asia," he said. "We're really proud that it originated in Hong Kong." The restaurant helped to give a different perspective on Chinese food, said Chung, the food writer: "Many people often think Chinese food doesn't deserve to be priced at a premium, yet Mott 32 played a pivotal role in changing that perception." Wood chose to base his F&B business in Hong Kong largely because of the opportunities. "It really is an entrepreneurial city with influences from all around the world," he said. "The city just works — super efficient, based on UK law, and some of the best global tax in the world for corporations." His roots play an important role, too. "My mom still lives there, so it's always felt like home," he said. Challenges along the way After 25 years in business, Wood says he has no regrets. "When you're younger, you trust everyone until they burn you. Then you start learning," he said. During COVID-19 and the Hong Kong protests, he had to close down and sell multiple venues. "I wouldn't be the business person I am today without these lessons." His advice to his younger self? "Have a thick skin. Don't worry about what others think. The right partnership adds value; the wrong one drags you down — choose wisely." The power of planning ahead Balancing multiple ventures while prioritizing family — he and his wife, Sandra, have three kids, now 21, 10, and 5 — has taught Wood the power of planning ahead. "I tell my managers: spend the first 20% of your week organizing the rest. Otherwise, that 80% turns into 200%." Wood doesn't stick to set working hours but plans his week every Sunday at 5 a.m. "If you want to make time for your family, you can. It's all about optimizing your schedule," he said. Every year, he sets a goal to learn something, from obtaining his yacht master's certification in the Mediterranean to earning a private pilot's license in Spain and France. This year, he's focusing on learning French. He also plans to complete specialized training so that he's qualified to land a plane in the Alps. "If you let life slip away and keep a to-do list for retirement, that's the wrong approach entirely," he said. "Your life should enable you to do the things you love."
Egypt Today
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Youssef Omar joins the international cast of Bizhan Tong's British-Chinese thriller Shashou
Youssef Omar, a fast-emerging Egyptian actor who arrives hot off three widely-watched roles during the recent Ramadan peak television season, will star opposite Debby Ryan — known for her roles in several Disney Channel series and the Netflix show Insatiable — in Bizhan Tong's upcoming British-Chinese thriller Shashou. Other international cast members will be confirmed soon. Shashou is set in the shady world of ex-special forces, where outcasts Kelly Frost, Rachel Chan, and Inferno unite to stop a billionaire's plot to destabilize Hong Kong. Amidst secrets and shifting alliances, trust is their only hope, as the mysterious 'Shashou' watch from the shadows. The film is being produced and directed by Bizhan Tong, a British producer, screenwriter, and film director who is the founder and CEO of Phoenix Waters Productions — a company dedicated to creating high-concept productions with global appeal. Charlie Wong (WARRIORS OF FUTURE), Michael Chuah (FIREFLY), Yu-Fai Suen (THE EYE), and Raimund Berens (SIEGE ON LIBERTY STREET) are also producing. Youssef Omar is a rising Egyptian actor known for his versatile roles and captivating performances. He gained widespread recognition with his breakthrough in the 2018 drama RAHIM and has since starred in popular series like SETAT BEIT AL-MAADI, where his portrayal of Timo El-Badry catapulted him to fame. Youssef has also successfully transitioned to the silver screen, featuring in high-grossing movies such as AWLAD HAREEM KAREEM and EL HAREEFA, with his appearance in the 45th CIFF entry MEEN YESADAQ further solidifying his status as an up-and-comer to watch out for.
Euronews
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Women's Prize for Non-Fiction 2025: Neneh Cherry, Yuan Yang, and Rachel Clarke in shortlist
ADVERTISEMENT The Women's Prize for Non-Fiction has announced its 2025 shortlist. The 16 works longlisted in February have been whittled down to six writers including Swedish singer Neneh Cherry, British-Chinese MP Yuan Yang and British physician Rachel Clarke. Foreign policy expert Chloe Dalton, historian Clare Mulley, and marine biologist Helen Scales are also shortlisted for the £30,000 (€35,900) prize. From the initial shortlist that featured five non-British writers, only one remains: Neneh Cherry. Related Little Simz reveals first acts for Meltdown Festival at London's Southbank Centre American playwright ak payne wins Susan Smith Blackburn Prize It's the second edition of the Non-Fiction prize after it was launched in 2024 to celebrate books released in 2023. The sister prize to the Women's Prize for Fiction, Canadian author Naomi Klein was the first recipient of the non-fiction prize for "Doppelganger", her critique of political polarization through the conceit of being regularly mistaken for Naomi Wolff. This year's shortlist covers a breadth of topics from history, science and nature, to current affairs and memoir. 'It's an absolute pleasure to announce six books on our 2025 shortlist from across genres, that are united by an unforgettable voice, rigour, and unique insight,' Kavita Puri, judging chair said. 'Included in our list are narratives that honour the natural world and its bond with humanity, meticulously researched stories of women challenging power, and books that illuminate complex subjects with authority, nuance and originality,' Puri continued. Cherry was shortlisted for her deeply affecting memoir, "A Thousand Threads", which traces her musical career and life through the emotional highs and lows that shaped them, while Yang was chosen for her intimate portrait of four Chinese women in "Private Revolutions". "The Story of a Heart" is the latest work from Rachel Clarke, the doctor who wrote "Breathtaking" , the memoir of her time in the NHS during the first wave of Covid-19 . Her latest explains the history of heart surgery through the story of two children connected by a heart transplant. This year's judging panel, from L to R: Elizabeth Buchan, Dr Elizabeth-Jane Burnett, Kavita Puri and Emma Gannon. Women's Prize for Non-Fiction 2025. Longlisted books that didn't make the shortlist include American Pulitzer Prize winner Anne Applebaum's "Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World" which tackles the democratic threats of kleptocratic authoritarianism. The award is open globally to any books by female writers published in the UK between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. Alongside Puri, the panel of judges includes writers Dr Leah Broad, Elizabeth Buchan, Dr Elizabeth-Jane Burnett and Emma Gannon. The non-fiction prize was founded after a survey revealed that only 35.5% of books awarded a non-fiction prize in the past decade were written by women, across seven UK non-fiction prizes. They also determined that, as of 2022, just 26.5% of non-fiction books by female writers were reviewed in national newspapers. Shortlist for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction 2025: "A Thousand Threads" by Neneh Cherry "The Story of a Heart" by Rachel Clarke "Raising Hare" by Chloe Dalton "Agent Zo: The Untold Story of Courageous WW2 Resistance Fighter Elżbieta Zawacka" by Clare Mulley "What the Wild Sea Can Be: The Future of the World's Ocean" by Helen Scales "Private Revolutions: Coming of Age in a New China" by Yuan Yang
