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.

San Sebastian Competition Title ‘In My Father’s Room’ Boarded by Bitter’s End for Sales (EXCLUSIVE)

July 28, 2026

Japanese distributor Bitters End has acquired international sales rights to “In My Father’s Room,” a San Sebastian Film Festival competition title marking the feature directorial debut of best-selling novelist Maha Harada. The film, known in Japan as “Muyou no Hito,” is adapted from Harada’s own short story and sees a hugely popular literary figure move…
AI sell-off intensifies as investors ditch chip stocks

July 28, 2026

A sell-off in AI-related shares deepened on Tuesday, pushing South Korea’s stock market to its lowest level in three months, as investors grew increasingly anxious about heavy borrowing by AI firms to fund datacentre expansion. Chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix each fell by more than 10%, dragging down the Kospi index, in a move…
Final 4 PS Plus Extra Games for July 2026 Available to Download Now

July 28, 2026

The UK, USA and Japan have now gained access to the final four PlayStation Plus Extra games for July 2026, completing the month’s line-up after other regions received them earlier. The new titles bring the Extra tier’s monthly refresh to a close, with the next PS Plus news—the Essential tier reveal for August 2026—following just…
US walks out of UN Security Council meeting during France’s remarks

July 28, 2026

The US delegation walked out of a UN Security Council meeting in New York as France’s ambassador began speaking, in protest at remarks likening Washington’s stance on human rights to that of authoritarian states. The row stems from Friday’s vote to extend the term of UN human rights chief Volker Türk, in which the US…
Powerful Quake Hits Southern Japan, Deaths Feared In Shopping Mall Explosion

July 28, 2026

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, causing widespread damage, cutting power to thousands of homes, and triggering a partial collapse and explosion at a large shopping mall where deaths are feared. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed injuries, fires and structural damage across the region, which was previously devastated by a major…
Magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits Kyushu region followed by 6.8 aftershock

July 28, 2026

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near Uki in Japan’s Kumamoto region, on the southern island of Kyushu, and was followed shortly afterwards by a substantial magnitude 6.8 aftershock near the neighbouring city of Uto. Both tremors occurred at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometres, a combination known to intensify surface shaking and heighten…
Netflix schedules staggered cinema release for Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love

July 28, 2026

Netflix has confirmed the full theatrical rollout for “Possible Love”, the first film in eight years from acclaimed Korean director Lee Chang-dong, ahead of its festival premieres. The staggered release is designed to make the drama eligible for the Best International Feature category at next year’s Academy Awards, alongside other honours, reflecting Netflix’s continued push…
AI sell-off deepens as chip stocks slump in market retreat – business live

July 28, 2026

Global markets saw a deepening sell-off in AI and chip-related stocks, with Asian shares in South Korea and Japan among those hit as investors reassessed the sector’s rapid gains. The retreat followed a report that China has begun mass production of homegrown deep ultraviolet (DUV) chipmaking tools, which analysts said unsettled markets by suggesting China…
Pauline Hanson’s $2million legal bill after ‘go back to Pakistan’ comment: ‘Not happy’

July 28, 2026

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has reportedly been landed with a legal bill of around $2 million following her long-running court battle with Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi over a “go back to Pakistan” comment. The remark, made after Faruqi criticised the British monarchy following the Queen’s death, was found by the Federal Court to have…
Cursor makes its biggest India push yet ahead of SpaceX acquisition with localized pricing

July 28, 2026

Cursor, the AI coding startup expected to soon be acquired by SpaceX, has launched its biggest push yet into India with the introduction of Cursor Start, its first country-specific subscription plan. The move underscores India’s growing importance to Cursor, which describes the country as its third-largest market globally and the location of its highest concentration…