Asia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for the creation of a new Eurasian 'security architecture', speaking in remarks reported by UN News. The proposal signals Moscow's push to reshape regional security arrangements beyond existing Western-led frameworks. The appeal has drawn attention given the ongoing war in Ukraine and debates over the future of European and Asian security order.

Europe is preparing for intensified competition with Asia over liquefied natural gas supplies, according to a Financial Times report. As both regions vie for limited cargoes, buyers could be forced to bid up prices, with implications for Europe's energy security and household and industrial costs. The competition centres on securing winter supply and attracting flexible US and Qatari cargoes away from Asian buyers.

A senior Iranian official has stated that Iran will make no concessions in nuclear negotiations, according to Asia News coverage carried by AsiaOne. The declaration signals Tehran's firm stance amid ongoing international pressure over its nuclear programme, with talks with world powers remaining deadlocked. Observers see the statement as a defiant message to Western negotiators demanding limits on uranium enrichment and greater inspection access.

Pakistan has carried out strikes inside Afghanistan, with reports framing the action alongside Türkiye as a coordinated show of strength. The strikes signal rising tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over cross-border security concerns, and commentary suggests Pakistan and Türkiye are sending a strong joint message to the Afghan Taliban leadership. The development is drawing widespread attention across South Asia and the wider Muslim world.

An ASML executive says the Dutch chipmaking equipment giant currently sells no machines within Europe, despite being the world's leading supplier of lithography systems used to make advanced chips. The remark highlights how little semiconductor manufacturing takes place on the continent, with most customers concentrated in Asia and the United States.

Flash floods have struck Nepal, and an expert says climate change is to blame. Rising temperatures are believed to intensify monsoon rainfall, making sudden floods more frequent and severe in the Himalayan region. The comments add to a wider debate about how a warming climate is driving extreme weather disasters across South Asia.

A New York Times analysis examines why China treats American-led calls for A.I. safety cooperation with suspicion, framing them as moves that could slow Chinese progress in the technology race. The piece explores how distrust between Washington and Beijing shapes each side's approach to regulating advanced artificial intelligence, and what that means for global governance efforts.

ASML, the Dutch maker of chipmaking equipment, says it sold 'absolutely nothing' in Europe in 2026 and is calling on the EU to help create demand for semiconductor manufacturing. The remark highlights how little chip production capacity Europe has despite its ambitions, with virtually all of ASML's sales going to Asia and the United States. Commenters are weighing what this says about Europe's competitiveness in advanced chipmaking.

Reporting highlights how demand from Asian markets is transforming wildlife trade across Africa, spanning species from donkeys to sharks. Donkeys are being slaughtered in growing numbers for hides used in traditional medicine, while sharks are targeted for fins. Conservationists warn the trade threatens rural livelihoods and ecosystems, prompting several African governments to restrict exports and raising questions about enforcement.

Renewed calls are emerging to reform the United Nations Security Council, with critics arguing that its current permanent membership and veto structure no longer reflect global realities. Supporters of change say the body's handling of recent international crises has exposed its limitations, reviving long-standing debates over expanding representation to include powers from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Investors across the Asia-Pacific region continue to put money into real estate even as interest rates push up borrowing costs. Analysts point to resilient regional demand, attractive valuations after price corrections, and long-term growth prospects in key markets as reasons capital keeps flowing in. The trend has drawn attention among global property investors weighing where to deploy funds amid tighter monetary conditions.

The 20th Asian Games are under way in Japan's Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, running from 19 September to 4 October. Around 11,000 athletes from 45 countries are competing across 43 sports. The Guardian has published a photo gallery from the event, showing scenes from the opening days of competition in Japan.

The Asian Games are getting under way in Japan, with coverage highlighting ten athletes expected to make an impact at the multi-sport event. The preview comes as competitors from across Asia arrive to compete, drawing attention to standout names in athletics, swimming and other disciplines ahead of the opening of competition.

Coverage of the Asian Games 2026 on September 27 centres on India's scores, updates and results from Day 8 of the competition. Sports outlets are tracking how Indian athletes are faring across events as the Games, hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, move into their second week, with medal standings and key match outcomes drawing particular attention from Indian audiences.

ASML, the Dutch chipmaking equipment giant, says it sold 'absolutely nothing' in Europe and is calling on the European Union to help create demand for its technology. The comments highlight how Europe, despite hosting one of the semiconductor industry's most critical suppliers, has little domestic chip manufacturing capacity to buy its machines, with production concentrated in Asia and the United States.

India take on Iran in the kabaddi final at the 2026 Asian Games, with India also meeting Japan in hockey and Indian athletes competing in athletics events. The clashes are drawing major attention from Indian sports fans, with hundreds of thousands engaging with live coverage of the day's action across the Games.

Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi said Japan and the United States have agreed to work together on a range of issues relating to China. The announcement points to continued coordination between the two allies on security, economic and diplomatic concerns in the region. The remarks drew attention as tensions between Tokyo, Washington and Beijing remain a central topic in Asia-Pacific diplomacy.

India will meet Afghanistan in the cricket quarter-final at the Asian Games 2026, a rematch of the Hangzhou 2023 final where India took gold. The match is a knockout, so the loser is eliminated. Fans are searching for live broadcast and streaming details as the tournament reaches its decisive stages in Japan.

Attention is turning to India's expected medal count at the Asian Games 2026, to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. A full table tracking India's medals tally and winners list has been published as fans and analysts anticipate another strong showing by Indian athletes following record hauls in recent editions of the multi-sport event.

South Korean golfer Tom Kim will head straight from the Presidents Cup to the Asian Games, where a medal could earn him an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service. The 21-year-old, one of golf's rising stars, is part of the national team aiming for gold, with service exemption a major incentive for Korean athletes.

A live results and medallists page for athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 has been published on the official Olympics website, listing results and medallists as they come in. The Games, hosted in Japan's Aichi prefecture and Nagoya, are the region's biggest multi-sport event, and attention is building around the athletics programme ahead of and during the competition.

Attention is on the shooting programme at the Asian Games 2026, with reports compiling scores, the full schedule, India's results and a list of medal winners. India's shooting squad is a traditional powerhouse at the Asian Games, and fans are tracking how its shooters are faring as events conclude and medals are decided.

A live table tennis broadcast carrying the branding of the 2026 Asian Games is circulating in multiple languages, including Chinese, Japanese and Thai. The Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and table tennis is one of the region's most followed sports, particularly in China, Japan and South Korea. Viewers appear to be seeking early coverage, streams and match talk ahead of the Games.

Attention is on India's tennis contingent at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, with coverage tracking their scores, match schedule and results as the tournament unfolds. Fans and sports media are following how the Indian players progress through the draws, with results being updated as matches conclude. The event is one of the region's biggest multi-sport competitions.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange began trading after Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party elected a new leader, a decision with potential implications for the country's political direction and economic policy. Investors are watching how the leadership change might affect fiscal and monetary policy, with markets in Asia closely tied to Japanese political developments at the moment.

Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra will not compete at the Asian Games 2026. Reports point to his absence being linked to his competition schedule and fitness management ahead of the season's major targets. Fans and sports commentators are debating what his withdrawal means for India's medal prospects and his preparation for upcoming global championships.