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.

India fuels worldwide jump in planned coal production

August 13, 2026

India drove an 11% rise in proposed global coal-mining capacity in 2025, despite evidence that worldwide coal demand is levelling off and renewable power is expanding. The planned expansion highlights the tension between India’s electricity needs for economic growth and worsening heatwaves, and efforts to reduce emissions from fossil fuels. Proposed projects could add 2.5bn…
Indian Freedom Fighter Bhagat Singh Series in Development at Collective Studios’ Historyverse (EXCLUSIVE)

August 13, 2026

Collective Studios’ Historyverse is developing an original drama series about Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. The project aims to explore his childhood, intellectual formation and the political and social influences behind his revolutionary beliefs, rather than retelling only the most familiar moments of his life; it matters because it seeks a fresh portrayal of one…
Why Japanese firms are being so slow to use AI

August 12, 2026

Japanese firms are adopting artificial intelligence more slowly than counterparts in the US, UK and Singapore, despite labour shortages, an ageing population and weak productivity that could make automation especially valuable. The article attributes this caution largely to conservative corporate cultures, consensus-based decision-making and a low tolerance for errors or reputational risk, particularly in customer-facing…
Sheffield by-election fears, Cambridge plagiarism probe and Spotify’s AI labels

August 12, 2026

Sheffield was preparing for a by-election in Walkley after Green Party councillor Andy Davies resigned, three months after narrowly defeating the then council leader, Labour’s Tom Hunt, in May. Davies said his decision was due to mental-health and personal reasons and that he would step back from political activity. The contest, scheduled for 17 September,…
Why are ‘human fridges’ being sold in Japan?

August 12, 2026

Japan is rolling out “human fridges”, enclosed cooling units intended to help people cool down during increasingly severe summer heat. The devices reflect concern over heatstroke as extreme temperatures create a growing public-health risk. More than 53,000 people in Japan have received heatstroke treatment in the past two months, with 79 deaths reported. The Do…
‘Shōgun’ Fans Officially Have a Very Different Japan-Set Series Coming to Hulu

August 12, 2026

Hulu is developing Gaijin, a contemporary Japan-set drama starring and executive produced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Inspired by the life of chef Ivan Orkin, it follows an American widower who moves to Japan with his young son and tries to open a restaurant, making it markedly different from the historical drama Shōgun. The series centres on…
TWS’ ‘SODA SODA’ Tops Japan Hot 100 as Aimyon’s ‘Ai Wo Tsutaetaidatoka’ Returns After Nearly Four Years

August 12, 2026

TWS’ “SODA SODA” has reached number one on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, becoming the K-pop group’s second chart-topper in Japan after its debut single “Hajimemashite”. The result reflects strong early sales and radio performance for the title track from the group’s second Japanese single, while Aimyon’s older song “Ai Wo Tsutaetaidatoka” has returned to…
Sara Ito Talks Believing in Herself and Living as a Dancer in L.A.: Billboard Japan Women In Music Interview

August 12, 2026

Sara Ito, a Japanese dancer based in Los Angeles, discusses how moving to the United States at 16 helped her trust her own artistic identity. In Billboard Japan’s Women in Music series, she says dance gave her purpose during a difficult upbringing and remains the way she expresses emotions rather than suppressing them. Born in…
Dan Dakich torches Fever coach Stephanie White for her pre-game remarks: “Dumbest coach I’ve ever seen”

August 12, 2026

OutKick commentator Dan Dakich criticised Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White over remarks she made before Tuesday’s game against the New York Liberty, calling her response inadequate and using insulting language. The dispute centres on White’s handling of an earlier incident involving Fever player Sophie Cunningham and Chicago Sky player DiJonai Carrington, and has prompted wider…
Has the U.S. lost its dominance to China?

August 12, 2026

Beijing may be benefiting from the war in Iran and Trump’s tariffs and has an edge in the competition for tech supremacy. The New Yorker’s Evan Osnos discusses his story “The Future, Made in China.”