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Taiwan starts drills amid China pressure
TAIPEI — Taiwan’s largest military drills of the year began on Wednesday as the self-ruled democratic island attempts to prepare its population for a potential Chinese invasion.
· Agence France-Presse
North Korea warns of 'military options' over Japan rearmament
SEOUL — The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday accused Japan of transforming into “a war state” as Tokyo beefs up its military stance in the Pacific.
· Agence France-Presse
Japan's SBI Shinsei, regional banks, KKR join forces for big loans
SBI Shinsei Bank's partnership with regional lenders also will encompass KKR and Norinchukin Bank. (Source photos by Nikkei and Reuters)
· Staff Writer
AI-designed fashion gives boost to Japan apparel giant World
Both the garments and the models in World's OO line were designed by generative AI. (World)
· Staff Writer
China’s 25-year tax reach will cost it more than it collects
Keep independent journalism alive
· Nigel Green
Japan Protests Russian Military Drills Near Disputed Kuril Islands
Japan has lodged a diplomatic protest over Russian military exercises taking place around the disputed southern Kuril Islands, Japanese media reported Wednesday.
· The Moscow Times
China urged to protect underwater cables amid growing fears of ocean sabotage
Prominent policy journal says Beijing should pass a law to close the gap between traditional maritime law and modern grey-zone warfare
· Laura Zhou
China urged to protect underwater cables amid growing fears of ocean sabotage
Prominent policy journal says Beijing should pass a law to close the gap between traditional maritime law and modern grey-zone warfare
· Laura Zhou
Chinese netizens mock US blacklisting of food brands over forced-labour claims
The latest batch of Washington’s import restrictions – targeting snack firms – is creating quite a stir among China’s social media users
· Alice Li
Chinese netizens mock US blacklisting of food brands over forced-labour claims
The latest batch of Washington’s import restrictions – targeting snack firms – is creating quite a stir among China’s social media users
· Alice Li
China jails retired defence tech overseer for 10 years in US$6.3m corruption case
Zhang Jianhua used his influence in and out of office to help third parties with approvals and investment
· Dannie Peng
China jails retired defence tech overseer for 10 years in US$6.3m corruption case
Zhang Jianhua used his influence in and out of office to help third parties with approvals and investment
· Dannie Peng
New Zealand politician joins high-stakes meeting from bathroom | South China Morning Post
Councillor Jo Galer logged into a meeting of the Dunedin City Council with her laundry clearly visible in the background.
Record heat wave impacts people and animals in Japan and Korean Peninsula
SEOUL, South Korea — Fans fainting at a baseball park. Lions dying at a zoo. Awoman taking shelterin a car found dead. A doctor advising people to eatdog meatto promote stamina.
· Associated Press
PH men's baseball team holds training camp in Japan for Asian Games
MANILA, Philippines — Ramping up preparations for the Asian Games, the Philippine men's baseball team is holding a 12-day training camp in Japan where the Asiad will also take place next month.
· NIEL VICTOR C. MASOY
Disputes over AI, robotics, trade mount ahead of planned Xi-Trump summit in US
Tech and trade rifts and forced labour claims test US-China cooperation ahead of Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Washington in September
· Sylvia Ma
Disputes over AI, robotics, trade mount ahead of planned Xi-Trump summit in US
Tech and trade rifts and forced labour claims test US-China cooperation ahead of Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Washington in September
· Sylvia Ma
Japan tests long-range Type 12 missile as counterstrike capability against China grows
First public flight test of upgraded Type 12 variant marks milestone in efforts to counter Chinese naval power
· Gabriel Dominguez
Japan tests long-range Type 12 missile as counterstrike capability against China grows
First public flight test of upgraded Type 12 variant marks milestone in efforts to counter Chinese naval power
· Gabriel Dominguez
US to join Russia, China in war on crime, Kash Patel says, as former FBI director warns of risks
US FBI Director Kash Patel says he has forged new law enforcement partnerships with China and Russia, two longtime US rivals, over the past year in hopes of gaining allies in combating transnational crime, including fentanyl, cyber fraud, and child sexual exploitation.
· REUTERS
Why did a Chinese bomber carry a nuclear-capable missile in an anti-ship exercise?
PLA documentary showcases enough air power in its combination of the Jing Lei-1 on board an H-6N to cover ‘almost the entire Pacific Ocean’
· Liu Zhen
Why did a Chinese bomber carry a nuclear-capable missile in an anti-ship exercise?
PLA documentary showcases enough air power in its combination of the Jing Lei-1 on board an H-6N to cover ‘almost the entire Pacific Ocean’
· Liu Zhen
Tiny light, big dream: Harvesting power from soil in Japan
HITACHI-OTA, Japan — Glinting in the night, halfway up a hill in Japan, the greenhouse-like "Ku-An" test lab is lit by electricity harnessed from 1,500 wooden boxes of soil and compost.
· The Manila Times
BOJ board split over JGB buying at June meeting
The Bank of Japan’s policy board was divided at its June 15-16 meeting over whether to stop reducing its government bond purchases, minutes of the meeting showed Wednesday.
· No Author
Hong Kong Football Festival attracts international crowd for Chelsea against Juventus
A fan from mainland China wishes cities like Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai could also host matches featuring top teams
· Stephy Zhang
Hong Kong Football Festival attracts international crowd for Chelsea against Juventus
A fan from mainland China wishes cities like Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai could also host matches featuring top teams
· Stephy Zhang
Malaysian police investigate how pilot moved drugs past 4 layers of airport checks | South China Morning Post
A Malaysian airport security screener will be summoned for questioning after the Malaysia Airlines pilot was arrested in Jakarta for allegedly carrying 70,000 Ecstasy pills.
China hits back at US FCC bans with sanctions and drone curbs
People's Liberation Army members hold American and Chinese flags during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing in May. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
Heat-related death toll rises to 21 amid serious heat wave
A total of 21 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country grapples with intense heat, health authorities said Wednesday.
· Yonhap
China’s AI revenue projected to reach US$13b on breakthroughs, adoption: Goldman Sachs
Bank forecasts a sharp revenue surge after Chinese AI models slash costs, boost capabilities and capture global token share
· Richard Chen
China’s AI revenue projected to reach US$13b on breakthroughs, adoption: Goldman Sachs
Bank forecasts a sharp revenue surge after Chinese AI models slash costs, boost capabilities and capture global token share
· Richard Chen
US-Japan trade thaw driven by shared yen for stronger currency
How long this boost in relations will last, though, depends on whether the yen can hold its value, experts say
· Biman Mukherji
US-Japan trade thaw driven by shared yen for stronger currency
How long this boost in relations will last, though, depends on whether the yen can hold its value, experts say
· Biman Mukherji
PLA scientists say submarine cables carrying 99% of global data could be ‘easy target’
Cables that support US$10 trillion in daily cross-border transactions could be increasingly vulnerable to attack from uncrewed vessels
· Holly Chik
PLA scientists say submarine cables carrying 99% of global data could be ‘easy target’
Cables that support US$10 trillion in daily cross-border transactions could be increasingly vulnerable to attack from uncrewed vessels
· Holly Chik
China anuncia contramedidas contra Washington, incluidos controles a exportación de drones
Un trabajador se ve junto a una fila de robots humanoides en la conferencia World AI Conference en Shanghái, el viernes 17 de julio de 17, 2026. (AP Foto/Ng Han Guan, archivo)
· Huizhong Wu
Amid slowing hotpot growth in China, Haidilao takes on biggest American burger brands
As burger outlets crowd the domestic market, Haidilao attempts to expand amid declining demand for hotpot
· Zhu Wenqian
Haidilao takes on McDonald’s, KFC with burger brand amid slowing hotpot growth
As burger outlets crowd the domestic market, Haidilao attempts to expand amid declining demand for hotpot
· Zhu Wenqian
Public outrage after Chinese woman gets just 3 years jail for abducting baby 35 years ago
Court rules Wang committed child abduction rather than profitable trafficking, resulting in a lenient sentence
· Alice Yan
Public outrage after Chinese woman jailed 3 years for baby kidnapping 35 years ago
Court rules Wang committed child abduction rather than profitable trafficking, resulting in a lenient sentence
· Alice Yan
Korean Peninsula and Japan bake under record heat wave
Visitors hold umbrellas to avoid sunshine at the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
· Hyung Jin Kim
Taiwán inicia sus maniobras militares anuales para hacer frente a un posible ataque chino
Soldados participan en entrenamientos con mortero durante las maniobras anuales Han Kuang en Taipéi, Taiwán, el 5 de agosto de 2026. (AP Foto/Chiang Ying-ying)
· Simina Mistreanu
China bans trade with 6 US companies, adds controls on drone exports to US
A worker reacts near a line of humanoid robots displayed at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, file)
· Huizhong Wu
Heat-related death toll rises to 21 amid serious heat wave
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- A total of 21 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country grapples with intense heat, health authorities said Wednesday.
· Yi Wonju
Taiwan kicks off annual military drills
Soldiers conduct team training on a mortar during the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
· Simina Mistreanu
Bangkok airport apologises after clash with Chinese tourists at boarding gate
Employee’s ‘inappropriate behaviour’ cited following incident in which celebrity’s fans were denied boarding over security concerns
· Carol Yang