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.

Borneo wildfires spread hazardous smoke across south-east Asia

October 20, 2026

Wildfires across Indonesian Borneo have created a toxic haze that is harming residents and disrupting daily life. The smoke has spread beyond Indonesia to Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, making the fires a regional health and environmental concern. About 1.9 million hectares have burned in Indonesia since the start of the year, with an estimated…
eMudhra revokes eight certificates after private keys are compromised

October 20, 2026

eMudhra, an Indian certification authority, had private keys for eight intermediate certificates compromised, putting certificates it issued at risk of being used to impersonate websites and services. The incident matters because forged certificates could let attackers intercept or alter traffic, while organisations may still rely on affected certificates. Mozilla says it received a report on…
Neighbours and firefighters rescue girl trapped in 12th-floor window bars

October 20, 2026

A three-year-old girl was rescued after climbing out of a 12th-floor apartment window in Fujian, China, and becoming trapped by her head in the safety bars. Neighbours and a police officer supported her with a chair until firefighters cut through the bars and freed her. The child was taken to hospital as a precaution and…
Navy boosts robot inspections as Moreno warns Republicans on working-class voters

October 20, 2026

Bernie Moreno cautions Republicans over their working-class support as the US Navy raises funding for AI-assisted ship inspections. Umamusume’s LA concerts are cancelled over visa issues, while Blade Runner 2049 returns to streaming charts and Angela Rayner talks cars.
Keanu Reeves in Talks to Star in James Wan’s ‘The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil’ (Exclusive)

October 20, 2026

Keanu Reeves is in negotiations to star in Paramount’s reimagining of the 2019 South Korean crime thriller The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil. He would join Don Lee, who is returning to his role from the original, in a film directed by James Wan. The story follows a police officer and a crime boss who…
LE SSERAFIM Reveals Deep Cuts & Dream Collabs Over Korean BBQ in NYC | Takes Us Out

October 20, 2026

LE SSERAFIM joined a filmed conversation over Korean barbecue in New York, discussing their music, touring and relationship with fans. The members described how acknowledging fear can build strength and recalled the impact of hearing fans sing Korean lyrics around the world. They also named favourite lyrics and lesser-known tracks, including “The Great Mermaid”, and…
openEuler brings China’s enterprise Linux ambitions to the desktop

October 20, 2026

OpenEuler is moving beyond its role as a server platform with a desktop edition, DevStation, as China develops a broader enterprise Linux ecosystem. The project grew from Huawei’s EulerOS and is now run by the OpenAtom Foundation, bringing together major Chinese technology companies. The distribution offers long-term support and more frequent innovation releases: version 24.03…
Two-Thirds of Microdramas Released in Latest Quarter Outside China Were AI Generated, Says Report

October 20, 2026

A report by consulting firm Owl & Co. says AI-generated stories made up two-thirds of microdrama releases outside China across 20 major platforms in the third quarter of 2026. The rapid rise matters for a sector where workers have reported fewer job opportunities and concerns about AI being used on their work. AI-made stories accounted…
How a 20-year friendship imploded at Salesforce Tower’s elite Japanese restaurant Besuto: Inside the vicious WhatsApps, drinking claims and legal threats: ‘Hope you can afford a lawyer’

October 20, 2026

Japanese chef Michiaki Miyazaki has challenged his dismissal from Besuto, a high-end Sydney restaurant, before the Fair Work Commission. The case has exposed the breakdown of his 20-year friendship with owner Joel Best, alongside disputes over drinking at work, performance and long hours. The Commission heard that Miyazaki worked more than 70 hours a week,…
US orders civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek tools from devices

October 20, 2026

The US government has ordered agencies to stop using DeepSeek AI tools, citing the risk that sensitive information could be transferred to China. The move reflects growing security concerns as the US and China compete for influence in artificial intelligence. A Department of Homeland Security notice says DeepSeek products and third-party tools built with its…