Anthropic's export restrictions are fueling Asia's AI boom The US move has allowed Asian firms to establish themselves in a market dominated by a handful of US companies. The Economic Times · Jun 30
Iran war turns Asia toward diversifying energy supplies, undermining climate goals Asian nations hit hard by the Iran war’s price shocks are rushing to diversify and strengthen their energy security, potentially undermining their commitments to curb climate change The Independent UK · Jun 30
US stocks may be headed for a sharp correction, warns Andrew Freris amid AI spending boom Market strategist Andrew Freris warns Wall Street's rally is built on shaky ground, citing weak earnings and excessive AI enthusiasm. He advises caution on US equities, favoring select Asian markets like Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea. Freris believes a US market correction is inevitable and could trigger a global… The Economic Times · Jun 30
Asia's crude oil imports tick up in June but uncertainty reigns Asia's crude oil imports saw a slight June uptick but remain near decade lows, impacted by the Iran conflict disrupting Middle East shipments. Despite a modest recovery, volumes are significantly down from pre-war levels, with the Strait of Hormuz's uncertain future and China's reduced buying adding to market volatility. Refined… The Economic Times · Jun 30
Global Market: Financial firms shift Asia expansion focus to South Korea, take cautious stance on China and India Global financial firms are increasingly prioritising South Korea for Asia-Pacific expansion while adopting a cautious approach towards China and India, an ASIFMA-KPMG survey found. Regulatory clarity, stable policies and capital market opportunities are driving investment decisions, as firms reassess regional strategies amid geopolitical risks and operational challenges. The Economic Times · Jun 30
Global Market Today: Asian stocks climb on tech rally, Yen hits 40-year low Asian stocks surged to their best quarterly gain in 17 years, mirroring Wall Street's tech-led rally. The Japanese yen hit a four-decade low against the dollar, sparking concerns about market intervention. Global equities are poised for a strong quarter, with investors now awaiting US-Iran talks and crucial US jobs data… The Economic Times · Jun 30
Thailand among the best in Asia for business Thailand has been ranked 27th in the world and 7th in Asia among the best countries for starting a business, aligning with the government's ongoing efforts to reform the country's economic structure and enhance its global competitiveness, according to deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana, citing the US News & World… Bangkok Post · Jun 29
The Steam Machine is overpriced yet it's sold out already in Japan — but be careful about buying a cheap clone Be careful around apparently enticing Steam Machine copies from Asia, even if the real thing is selling out at its eye-watering MSRP. TechRadar · Jun 29
Viral Nail Salon Fight Sparks Fresh Claims Black Boycott Is Hitting Asian-Owned Businesses Hard A viral nail salon fight has reignited discussions about the Black boycott of Asian-owned businesses, following a controversial court verdict. The debate continues online, with opinions divided. International Business Times UK · Jun 29
Trafficked, beaten and raped: raids reveal scale of abuse of women in Asia’s cyberscam centres As tens of thousands are freed, female survivors are increasingly reporting gender-based violence in the compounds, previously thought to hold mainly men The Guardian - UK · Jun 29
Global Market Today: Asian shares slip, oil pares climb Global markets are showing cautious optimism as US and Iran reportedly step back from further conflict escalation, with talks scheduled in Qatar. While Asian shares dipped, US equity futures climbed. However, rising oil prices and lingering inflation concerns are keeping investors on edge, despite hopes for a lasting peace and… The Economic Times · Jun 29
China, India see top firms lose market cap share in AI lag Major stock markets in China, India, and Hong Kong are lagging in the global AI race, with top companies now holding a smaller market share. This contrasts with Taiwan and South Korea, where AI leaders have significantly boosted their benchmarks. While diversification can offer stability, the absence of dominant AI… The Economic Times · Jun 29
Africa's success lays bare Asia's World Cup flop Only two Asian nations, Japan and Australia, made it through to the World Cup round of 32 in a disastrous tournament for the region. AAP · Jun 28
Photos show Pride around the world: Monthlong celebration ends with iconic U.S. parades Born out of the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York, Pride Month has grown into a global celebration of LGBTQ+ communities, with marches and festivals taking place in cities across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. The month reached its peak Sunday with landmark Pride parades in New York and… The Independent UK · Jun 28
The Economic Times · Jun 28 Asia's vendors grapple with rising costs of ever-present plastics Rising plastic costs: Asian food vendors are struggling with soaring plastic costs, a direct consequence of the Middle East energy crisis. Despite a US-Iran deal, supply chain disruptions persist, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Vendors in Taipei and Bangkok report significant price hikes for essential items like bags and…
The Guardian - AU · Jun 27 Pro-One Nation Facebook groups appear to be run by foreign ‘meme factories’ that monetise content Exclusive: Guardian analysis suggests several groups with thousands of members run by what expert calls ‘engagement farm’ operations in south-east Asia
Euronews · Jun 26 Von der Leyen to visit Azerbaijan and Armenia to build on EU engagement The European Commission president will visit Baku and Yerevan to build on the EU’s strategic engagement with the South Caucasus and to strengthen energy cooperation, trade and regional connectivity for the EU economies.
The Conversation · Jun 26 Uzbekistan’s World Cup appearance is a moment of pride and shows off central Asia’s peaceful development The expanded men’s World Cup in 2026 has given fans the chance to cheer on the exploits of first-time qualifiers, some of which many people might previously have struggled to locate on the map. Standout moments have already included Curaçao’s goal-keeping heroics in earning a draw against Ecuador and Cabo…
The Economic Times · Jun 26 After food poisoning scare, Toor targets elusive 22m mark following CWG qualification Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor has overcome food poisoning and injury setbacks to qualify for the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a 20. 72m throw. The Asian Games champion, who has shed 15kg, is now targeting the elusive 22-metre barrier and reclaiming the Asian record. Toor aims to inspire younger athletes…
The Economic Times · Jun 26 GIFT Nifty tumbles over 150 points as global sell-off in AI stocks rattles sentiment GIFT Nifty signals a weak start for Indian markets after a sharp global sell-off led by declines in AI and semiconductor stocks across Asia. Profit booking, weak tech sentiment and mixed Wall Street cues weighed on markets, even as analysts maintain a positive near-term outlook for Nifty above key support…
The Independent UK · Jun 26 Asian shares plunge as traders sell to lock in profits after recent rallies driven by AI Shares have tumbled in Asia, led by heavy losses in Japan and South Korea as traders sold to lock in gains from recent rallies in stocks related to artificial intelligence
The Economic Times · Jun 26 Global Market Today: Asian stocks decline led by tech, oil holds steady Asian markets saw a dip, led by a pullback in heavyweight chip stocks after a strong rally. US futures remained steady following a volatile session on Wall Street, where tech giants like Apple experienced significant declines. Investors are closely watching the sustainability of high tech valuations amid concerns over AI…
Bangkok Post · Jun 25 AgiBot sees Thailand as regional HQ AgiBot, a Chinese embodied artificial intelligence (AI) and foundation-model company, is expanding into Thailand by establishing an Asia-Pacific sales office.
Bangkok Post · Jun 25 End criminalisation of drug use Earlier this month, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its latest regional report showing another year of record-breaking increases in drug seizures made by countries in Southeast and East Asia, particularly of methamphetamine and ketamine -- both synthetic drugs produced and trafficked regionally for the past…
The Economic Times · Jun 25 Crude shipments through Hormuz at highest since war amid concerns over Iran exit demands Crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have surged following a ceasefire deal, reaching their highest levels since the conflict began. While demand, particularly in Asia, is driving this increase, overall traffic remains a fraction of pre-war levels. Concerns persist about the waterway's long-term stability, even as a UN evacuation…