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.

The must-see Bayeux masterpiece, Colombia’s chronicler and a Manchester odyssey – the week in art

September 4, 2026

This week’s Guardian art roundup highlights the arrival of the Bayeux tapestry at the British Museum from 10 September, showcasing the medieval masterpiece’s vivid depiction of battle, betrayal and everyday medieval life, alongside a National Gallery comparison with Francesco Pesellino’s 15th-century painting The Story of David and Goliath. Other exhibitions featured include a retrospective of…
US adversary turns up the heat on America’s AI lead with an underestimated edge

September 4, 2026

China is rapidly expanding data centre and energy infrastructure to power artificial intelligence, prompting concerns in Washington that Beijing could narrow America’s substantial lead in the physical backbone of the AI race. While US officials and analysts acknowledge China remains far behind, they warn its pace of construction is exceptional, and that domestic opposition to…
Busan Market Unveils Doc Square, Launches Impact Asia as Yim Siwan Named Festival Closing Ceremony Host

September 4, 2026

The Busan International Film Festival’s market arm, the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), will run Doc Square 2026 from 10-13 October, uniting eight partner organisations from five countries to support Asian documentary makers with production and distribution guidance. The initiative, now in its second year, underscores Busan’s push to strengthen regional documentary infrastructure through…
Ekta Kapoor, Gunjan Soni Unpack Balaji’s Five-Show, 200-Episode YouTube India Deal (EXCLUSIVE)

September 4, 2026

Balaji Telefilms and YouTube have announced a partnership under which Balaji will produce five original fiction shows totalling 200 episodes exclusively for YouTube India, in an interview with Variety. The deal reflects a bet by Balaji joint managing director Ekta Kapoor that Indian audiences moving away from traditional broadcast television will still watch long-form serial…
From ‘dog fruit’ to darling: India’s avocado boom

September 4, 2026

Avocado demand in India has surged over the past 15 years, transforming a fruit once dismissed as “dog fruit” into a sought-after crop for farmers, chefs and consumers. Growers such as Sunil Bopaiah of Cottanad Plantations in Kerala say interest took off around 2011 after Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty promoted avocado for skincare, prompting prices…
How tragedy unfolded in the northern Pakistan mountains: Brit trekker’s body found at the bottom of a ravine near walking track ‘even locals avoided’

September 4, 2026

British trekker Alexander Harris, 30, from Birmingham, died after falling into a ravine while descending Musa Ka Musalla mountain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. He and his friend Alun David Cooper Cledwyn had reached the 13,000ft summit together on Saturday morning, but became separated during the descent amid worsening weather, prompting a two-day search by hundreds…
Mark Sanchez Pleads Guilty In Trucker Stabbing Case; Ex-NFL QB & Fox Sports Talking Head Hopes To Avoid Looming Trial & Potential Jail Time

September 4, 2026

Former NFL quarterback and Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez has pleaded guilty in connection with a violent altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver in Indianapolis last October, avoiding a jury trial that had been due to start on 8 September. Court filings submitted jointly by Sanchez’s lawyers and prosecutors in Marion County Superior Court did…
International Oscar Submissions: Romania, South Korea, Chile, Germany and More Join the List

September 3, 2026

Countries are finalising their submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film ahead of the 1 October deadline, with the Oscars shortlist of 15 films due to be revealed on 15 December and nominations following on 21 January. Several notable entries have already emerged, including Romania’s Palme d’Or winner “Fjord” from Cristian Mungiu,…
Universal Taps Chris MacBride To Pen ‘Confession Of Murder’ Remake With Glen Powell Producing

September 3, 2026

Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to remake the 2012 Korean thriller “Confession of Murder,” with screenwriter Chris MacBride hired to write the script. Glen Powell and Dan Cohen’s Barnstorm banner will produce alongside Naomi Funabashi and Rishi Rajani of Winged Tiger, marking the latest project for Powell’s growing production company as it builds out…
Asia Surpasses North America and Europe to Lead in Streaming Scripted Series Orders

September 3, 2026

Asia has overtaken North America and Europe to become the world’s leading region for streaming scripted series orders, according to new research from Ampere Analysis. The shift, recorded across the first half of 2026, reflects how major global streamers are increasingly turning to the Asia-Pacific region both to win new subscribers in emerging markets and…