Talk Fuse

    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.

    • Grammys CEO reacts to BTS’ backing out in protest to Asian pop category

      The chief executive of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr, has responded after BTS said they would not submit their album ‘Arirang’ to the Grammys’ new Best Asian Pop Music category in protest. BTS argued that music should be appreciated “beyond regions or languages”, while Mason Jr said he respected the group’s decision but stressed…

    • Asian Project Market selects 30 films from record entries

      Busan’s Asian Project Market has selected 30 feature-film projects for its 2026 edition from a record number of entries. The choice underscores the market’s expanding role in bringing Asian filmmakers and international industry partners together, with projects exploring identity, family, social realities and ethical tensions. The market received 604 submissions from 48 countries, 149 more…

    • ‘They played noughts and crosses on the PM’s huge forehead!’ An Indian standup picks his favourite gen Z protest memes

      An Indian standup comedian, Anuvab Pal, reflects on how gen Z protesters in Delhi transformed a serious political scandal into a viral wave of satire, memes and comedy rather than the traditional grim style of Indian street protest. The protests began after a medical exam paper was leaked and education minister Dharmendra Pradhan was accused…

    • Hope dwindles for rescue in southwestern Japan quake as death toll climbs to 23

      A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Tuesday, causing widespread damage across the island of Kyushu and prompting a major rescue operation. The death toll has climbed to at least 23, with officials warning that hope of finding further survivors is fading as rescue efforts stretch into a second day amid…

    • The Defiant is a Story-Driven Shooter that Explores a Rarely Seen Side of WW2 | IGN Preview

      The Defiant is a forthcoming single-player, story-driven shooter set during China’s War of Resistance against Japan, a Second World War setting rarely explored in games. IGN’s hands-on preview suggests it aims to combine historically grounded battles with varied missions and a renewed focus on cinematic solo campaigns. The game is divided into four chapters, each…

    • Disney+ Korea’s Record-Setting Supernatural Reality Show ‘Battle Of Fates’ Getting Spin-Off

      Disney+ Korea is producing a spin-off, “House of Fates,” following the record-breaking success of its supernatural reality series “Battle of Fates.” The original show became the platform’s biggest series premiere in Korea, and the spin-off will build on that popularity by exploring Korea’s spiritual heritage in greater depth, reflecting a wider surge of interest in…

    • Grammy chief expresses regret over BTS pulling out of awards

      Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr said he was saddened but respected BTS’s decision to withdraw from consideration for the 69th Grammy Awards. The group’s move was seen as a protest against the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which BTS said risked dividing music by region or language; Mason said the category was intended…

    • Disney+ orders Korean shaman spinoff series House of Fates

      Disney+ has commissioned “House of Fates”, a Korean reality series spun off from the divination competition “Battle of Fates”. The order is Disney+’s first franchise spinoff from the show and reflects the streamer’s effort to build on the original series’ strong local launch and broaden its Korean variety offering. Filmed across Korea, the programme will…

    • Grammy boss says he is saddened by BTS’s Grammy withdrawal

      Grammy chief executive Harvey Mason Jr said he was saddened but respected BTS’s decision not to submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards. He said the Recording Academy’s new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category was intended to broaden recognition for artists from Asian markets, not to separate or sideline K-pop, and stressed that genre…

    • Watch: Japanese mall explodes after magnitude 6.8 earthquake

      A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture on Japan’s Kyushu island, triggering an explosion at an Aeon shopping mall that caused part of the building to collapse. The blast happened after staff and customers had already evacuated, though search teams are continuing to look for survivors amid concerns that people may still be trapped in…