Asia

Asia covers news and developments across the world's largest and most populous continent, where billion-dollar industries, geopolitical tensions and technological innovation shape global markets and international relations. The region encompasses many of the world's fastest-growing economies and most influential technology sectors, making Asian affairs consequential for businesses, policymakers and consumers worldwide.

Stories from across Asia reflect the region's complexity: from energy markets and trade relations to corporate accountability, data security and competition in emerging industries like electric vehicles. Whether driven by government policy, corporate behaviour or market forces, developments in Asia often ripple through global supply chains, financial markets and international diplomacy, making regional news essential context for understanding world affairs.

Inside the tension that drove Trump’s South Korea alliance from ‘historic new era’ to military pullback

August 19, 2026

US President Donald Trump has scaled back major joint military exercises with South Korea, just days after his administration publicly hailed the alliance as entering a “historic new era”. The pullback reportedly followed Seoul’s refusal to support American operations against Iran, marking an abrupt shift in tone towards a key Asian ally and raising questions…
UK inflation climbs to 2.9% as geopolitical tensions drive energy costs higher

August 19, 2026

Britain’s inflation rate accelerated to 2.9% in July following a 2.6% reading in June, marking a reversal of recent deflationary trends. The uptick was primarily attributable to rising household energy bills, triggered b
Shares in humanoid robot firm Unitree surge 600% on Chinese stock market debut

August 19, 2026

Shares in Unitree, the world’s biggest humanoid robot maker, soared more than 600% on their debut on China’s stock market, before settling back to a gain of nearly 500%. The listing highlights intense investor appetite for robotics firms, an area seen as central to the AI race, as China’s Yushu Technology Co (Unitree’s official name)…
China reportedly allows ByteDance and Tencent to import 10,000 H200 chips

August 19, 2026

China has reportedly relaxed restrictions to allow ByteDance and Tencent to import 10,000 Nvidia H200 chips each in recent weeks, according to the Financial Times, as Beijing seeks to help domestic firms train advanced AI models. This marks a shift in China’s stance, as authorities had previously been cautious about the influx of American chips…
Hybrid-AI Mandopop Musical ‘Alishan Escape’ Set at Red Empire, OMG (EXCLUSIVE)

August 19, 2026

Australian hybrid-AI studio Red Empire Productions and international production company Organic Media Group (OMG) are developing “Alishan Escape: A Mandopop Ghost Adventure,” an original animated musical film inspired by Taiwan’s Ghost Month traditions, Buddhist philosophy, Indigenous tribal cultures and Asian pop music’s global reach. The project pairs Red Empire founder Amie Casey with OMG co-founder…
UK inflation increases in July, driven by a surge in gas bills; oil prices rise again – business live

August 19, 2026

UK inflation rose to 2.9% in the year to July, up from 2.6% in June, driven largely by a jump in household gas prices after the energy regulator raised the price cap. The rise matches City economists’ forecasts but marks a reversal from previous months, and comes as the inflationary effects of rising global energy…
South Korea shortens war games with US citing Washington request

August 19, 2026

South Korea has cut short its annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises with the United States by six days, following a request from Washington. Seoul’s defence ministry confirmed the change came at the “proposal of the US side”, after Donald Trump announced plans to scale back joint drills, pointing to his rapport with North Korean…
The moment SpaceX Starship spotted off Christmas Island landed in Indian Ocean – video

August 19, 2026

SpaceX has released video showing its Starship Flight 13 vehicle splashing down in the Indian Ocean off Australia, marking a landmark landing for Elon Musk’s rocket programme. The footage, streamed live by SpaceX, captured the 52-metre spacecraft as it descended to the ocean surface west of the Australian mainland, near Christmas Island. The controlled ocean…
Husband and mother-in-law charged over Indian bride’s death

August 19, 2026

India’s federal police, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), have charged the husband and mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old model and actor, with “abetment to suicide” and “cruelty” following her death in May. Twisha was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal just five months after marrying, and the case has attracted intense…
Kelly, Tillis urge Trump to reverse reduction to joint military exercises with South Korea

August 19, 2026

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story Kelly, Tillis urge Trump to reverse reduction to joint military exercises with South Korea Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) are urging President Trump to reverse his decision to order a reduction of joint…