China’s economy slows, exposing widening divide between exports and domestic demand
Attention will turn to the CCP meeting later in July when fiscal policy is expected to be in focus.
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‘A recurring nightmare’: After another deadly bar fire, Thailand confronts familiar safety questions
Thailand has promised tougher nightspot safety measures after major fires in the past. Yet following the deadly bar fire in Bangkok on Sunday, bar owners, patrons and experts tell CNA many of the same problems persist.
Why Asia’s AI investment is outpacing AI outcomes
AI has become one of the few technologies in recent memory that organizations are simultaneously overestimating and underpreparing for. Across Asia-Pacific, investment levels suggest extraordinary confidence in AI’s ability to reshape enterprise performance. The organizational
Air India crash report likely to be ready in October, say investigators
The crash killed 260 people, including 241 on board, with only one passenger surviving.
All that glitters isn’t gold for Asia’s central banks
TOKYO — Cue the jokes about “SAFE” — the acronym for the People’s Bank of China division entrusted with managing Beijing’s reserves. The folks at the PBOC’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange are likely having an anxious July. Last month marked the 20th straight month the
The folly of making Bali into a financial hub
JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Bill on the Indonesia International Financial Center — first proposed in May 2024 to modernize the domestic financial sector and make Indonesia an Asia-Pacific capital hub — has become a top legislative priority. The government and House of Representatives
No need to scan tickets: Tokyo train stations roll out facial recognition system
Facial image data and commuter pass information must be registered in advance.
‘Very worrying’: More Taiwanese missing or detained for questioning in China sparks concern in Taiwan
This comes as Beijing has in recent years dialled up the pressure on Taiwan through legal means, analysts said.
Taiwan’s opposition TPP launches historic first trip to mainland China
The Taiwan People’s Party aims to build goodwill and promote dialogue while supporting cross-Strait peace, its delegation leader says.
Food poisoning cases in Vietnam spike, with 1,500 people ill, 10 deaths in first half of 2026
There were 58 food poisoning incidents.
Seoul leads Asian stocks higher as US inflation eases rate fears
Asian stocks enjoyed a much-needed rally following a painful selloff in recent weeks as tech firms were battered by concerns over extended valuations and the vast sums invested in artificial intelligence.
Techno-utopia or foreign enclave? Claims of Israeli citizens at Network School rock Johor’s Forest City
A “ghost town” gets buzz again – but at what cost to Johor?
Philippines holds first active shooter drills after school shooting killed three
Other nations in the region are also getting more prepared.
India-UK trade pact takes effect, promising tariff cuts and services boost
NEW DELHI, July 15 - India and Britain's comprehensive trade pact took effect on Wednesday, cutting tariffs on thousands of goods and widening access for services firms and professionals in both markets.
South Korean court acquits defector over money transfers to relatives in the North
About 34,000 North Korean defectors live in South Korea, according to Seoul’s official data.
S.Korean scientist behind global stem cell scandal stripped of top honour after 22 years
An investigation found that Hwang Woo-suk’s landmark stem cell findings were based on fabricated data.
India turns to AI to improve healthcare access
In the second part of a series on India's artificial intelligence push, CNA looks at how hospitals are using AI to detect eye diseases and analyse medical scans, while doctors stress the technology remains a tool, not a replacement.
Malaysia to deport any Israeli involved in tech commune in Forest City as probe continues: Anwar
The Malaysian PM stressed that Malaysia does not recognise Israel.
‘Like my lover’: Chinese users bid farewell to AI companions
Users are archiving chat histories and sharing last conversations.
Indian missing after attack on ship off Oman coast is dead, family says
NEW DELHI, July 15 - An Indian national who went missing after an attack on commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman is dead, his father-in-law and the Indian consulate in Dubai said on Wednesday.
Why Iran shut Hormuz after decades of holding back
US forces have struck hundreds of Iranian targets – including in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas – over three consecutive nights in a bid by the US president, Donald Trump, to regain some modicum of control over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has also inscribed the US as
China turns to electric taxis to soften Hormuz oil shock
The number of trips has risen by 6 per cent since the Iran war began at the end of February.
New Zealand detects first H5N1 bird flu case, starts vaccination of endangered species
WELLINGTON, July 15 - New Zealand reported its first case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu after a migratory seabird found on a beach near the capital, Wellington, tested positive, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said on Wednesday.
Keeping cool at work, Tokyo style: Shorts, sneakers and no ties
Braced for another scorching summer, the Tokyo govt is encouraging staff to ditch jackets and ties.
Bangladesh solar incentives could skip smaller consumers; further reform needed, say advocates
The country currently relies on imports of natural gas to produce about half of its electricity.
US-China moon race could turn into a lunar land grab
Sixty years ago, the United States and the Soviet Union were embroiled in a race to the moon, which the US won. The 21st-century lunar contest, with China stepping in for the Soviet Union, has many similarities but also key differences. The Apollo astronauts planted the stars
China’s savvy pivot in courting Muslim Indonesia
Beijing’s long courtship of Indonesia’s Muslim communities reached a new milestone this month, when the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), the nation’s top body of Islamic scholars, traveled to China. The five-day “Digital Silk Road” program brought MUI council members to Guangzhou
Malaysia says residents at tech commune in Forest City have valid travel documents
It comes a day after probe announced into claims that Israelis were among them in violation of local laws.
Bangkok bar fire: Death toll rises to 32; dozens still in hospital
Erawan Emergency Medical Centre said 15 people remain in intensive care units.
Iran threatens to block more vital seaways as Trump orders renewed Iran blockade
CAIRO/WASHINGTON/BEIRUT, July 15 - Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to close \"all other export corridors that benefit the U.S. and its allies\", Iranian media reported, after Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. reimposed a naval blockade of
Chinese state paper People’s Daily warns of ‘Iron Curtain’ developing in world AI
Beijing is opposed to using AI as a tool to pursue hegemony, dominate resources and create tech barriers, it said.
Australia to enact AI laws, protect creative content: PM Albanese
Large data centres will be required to generate more power than they use, minimise water use, and avoid housing land.
Death toll in Thai pub fire rises to 32, officials say, with dozens still in hospital
BANGKOK, July 15 - The death toll from an explosive fire at a Bangkok live music pub has risen to 32 after two people died from their injuries, the Police Hospital said on Wednesday, as police investigate the possibility of negligence as a factor in the blaze.
Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysia's ex-PM Najib Razak, files lawsuit against comedian Harith Iskander over stand-up show
Rosmah filed the lawsuit in June, claiming that Harith had defamed her during a comedy routine in Melaka in January this year.
Johor dry spell fuels fivefold spike in fires, with 18 hot spots so far
Over 3,000 open-burning incidents have been recorded since January 2026.
Chicken shipment delayed: KFC Japan’s operations disrupted after cyberattack on logistics provider
A system failure has caused delays in shipments of key ingredients, including chicken.
Cambodian tycoon was landlord to Chinese scammers, human traffickers: Media report
Lim Heng Group leased out buildings on grounds shared with one of its casinos at above-market rates.
Thailand scraps plan to end visa-free entry for Indian tourists
Indian tourists are currently allowed to stay 60 days without a visa.
No fitness trackers, smartwatches: More Chinese universities ban high-tech wearables in exam halls
Several universities in China have reported cases of cheating involving smart electronic devices.
Bangkok bar fire: Thai PM Anutin orders safety checks on venues nationwide within 30 days
Unsafe venues will face suspension of operations or closure until they meet fire safety standards.
Nepal court jails 2 former ministers, 14 others over refugee scam
They had forged documents to enable Nepali nationals to be resettled in the US as Bhutanese refugees.