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.

A Nintendo patent for a dock compatible with the Switch 2 and the OG Switch has been discovered, and I want one

July 17, 2026

A Nintendo Patent published in China has been discovered which alludes to a dock that’s compatible with both the Nintendo Switch 2 and older Switch console.
Indigenous Missionary Biopic ‘Mussau: The First Song’ to Shoot in Papua New Guinea With Indian National Film Award Winner Bijukumar Damodaran Directing (EXCLUSIVE)

July 17, 2026

Papua New Guinea-based NAFA Productions has unveiled “Mussau: The First Song,” a historical biopic rooted in the life of Taula Lovovoa, one of the first indigenous Seventh-day Adventist missionaries from Mussau Island. Set in the 1930s, the film charts Lovovoa’s journey of transformation and reconciliation on an island that Australian colonial reports of the era…
COLDRAIN Announces New Album ‘Optimize = Optdemise’, Releases ‘Ex-Humanity’ Single

July 17, 2026

Japanese alt-metal band COLDRAIN have announced their eighth studio album, “Optimize = Optdemise”, due for release on 25 September 2026 via Century Media Records. The announcement comes alongside the release of a new single, “Ex-Humanity”, the sixth track revealed from the record and the band’s first fresh material since their “Optimize” EP came out in…
Asian nation with 1,500-year-old imperial line insists only men can become emperor in policy revision

July 17, 2026

Japan’s Parliament voted on Friday to enshrine male-only succession to the imperial throne, formally revising the Imperial House Law that has governed the world’s oldest continuous monarchy. The decision effectively bars Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, from ever inheriting the throne, despite warnings from experts that restricting succession to…
Review: Culdcept BEGINS – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – A Great Distillation Of This Addictive Series’ Mechanics

July 17, 2026

Culdcept BEGINS is a soft reboot of the long-running Culdcept board/card game franchise, released for Nintendo Switch 2, and serves as a newcomer-friendly entry point into a series that has historically struggled to find a wide audience outside Japan. The review praises it as an addictive, if occasionally strange, distillation of the series’ core mechanics,…
China dismisses Trump election interference accusations as ‘entirely fabricated,’ threatens countermeasures

July 17, 2026

China has rejected accusations from US President Donald Trump that Beijing interfered in the 2020 presidential election, calling the claims “entirely fabricated” and warning of possible countermeasures. The dispute arose after Trump used a primetime address to allege that Chinese officials sought to influence the outcome of the vote, adding to ongoing tensions between Washington…
‘Asia will become one of the primary drivers of global touring rather than simply a destination on international routes.’

July 17, 2026

Music Business Worldwide’s “Trailblazers” series profiles Tommy Jinho Yoon, founder and CEO of Korean promoter International Creative Agency (ICA), who argues that Asia is shifting from being a touring destination to becoming a central driver of the global live music business. He points to growing government backing across Southeast Asia, exemplified by Thailand’s leadership publicly…
POLL OF THE DAY: Should Britain give Pakistan £153million in foreign aid?

July 17, 2026

The Daily Mail is running a reader poll asking whether Britain should give Pakistan £153million in foreign aid, a question raised alongside a related story about Pakistan blaming the UK for the crimes of a Rochdale grooming gang leader. The poll invites public opinion on continued UK aid spending to Pakistan against a backdrop of…
Add to playlist: the nervy breakbeats and acid delirium of Silverwingkiller and the week’s best new tracks

July 17, 2026

Salford duo Silverwingkiller are featured in the Guardian’s weekly new music playlist column for their pummelling industrial dance sound, blending nervy breakbeats, acid-house synth textures and themes of paranoia and violence. Formed in 2024 by James Baca (from Peterborough) and Yushang Ni (from Shanghai), the pair have carved out a distinctive niche through DIY releases…
Rocket Report: India’s Vikram-1 nears debut flight; AST to become rocket company?

July 17, 2026

This Rocket Report round-up covers developments in commercial and reusable rocket programmes across India, Japan and Australia. – Skyroot Aerospace plans Vikram-1’s first orbital launch attempt on 18 July, aiming to carry up to 350kg to low Earth orbit. – A successful flight would mark the first attempt by an Indian commercially developed rocket to…