East Asia

North Korea has warned the United Nations about what it calls Japan's 'attempts at rearmament', voicing alarm at Japan's expanding defense posture. The statement, reported by Anadolu Agency, reflects Pyongyang's long-standing opposition to Japanese military buildup and adds to regional tensions over security policy in East Asia.

Meta has signed a deal with Australian firm Firmus to secure AI computing capacity serving Southeast Asia, Reuters reports. The partnership gives the social media company additional data centre infrastructure in the region as demand for artificial intelligence compute surges. Firmus specialises in building high-density, AI-ready data centre capacity, making it a useful partner for Meta's expansion beyond its existing facilities.

Southeast Asia is turning to small modular reactors as demand for reliable electricity surges alongside its growing semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries. Thailand is among the countries weighing the technology, with chip manufacturing requiring stable power supplies that renewable sources alone have struggled to guarantee, prompting a regional rethink on nuclear energy.

Meta has signed an agreement with Singapore-based data centre firm Firmus to secure AI computing capacity in Southeast Asia. The deal gives Meta access to additional infrastructure for training and running AI models in the fast-growing region. Few further details about the size or timeline of the arrangement are available, and there is not yet broad public reaction to the announcement.

Australia are taking on Brazil, with the fixture drawing widespread search interest across Europe, Asia, South East Asia and the United States. Outlets including Sports Illustrated have published viewing guides detailing how fans can watch the match on TV and via live stream, indicating it is being broadcast internationally. The matchup is one of the most-searched sports topics in multiple countries.

Indonesia is projected to overtake Thailand as Southeast Asia's largest travel market, according to industry reporting. The shift reflects Indonesia's growing domestic and inbound tourism, driven by its large population and expanding middle class, while Thailand's tourism-reliant economy faces slower recovery. Analysts say the change could reshape how airlines, hotels and travel platforms prioritise investment across the region.

An advice column in The Telegraph addresses a parent whose daughter wants to travel around south-east Asia instead of returning to university. The dilemma touches on a familiar tension for families: whether to support a young adult's desire for a gap year and travel experience, or encourage her to stay on the traditional academic path. Readers of such columns often weigh in on the balance between parental concern and letting children make their own choices.

The Guardian reports that artificial intelligence could 'supercharge' election risks across south-east Asia, with concerns that AI-generated disinformation, deepfakes and automated propaganda could distort campaigns and undermine voter trust in the region's upcoming elections. The warning comes as several south-east Asian countries head into sensitive electoral periods, prompting calls for stronger safeguards against AI-driven manipulation of political discourse.

China is establishing a new military presence in a Southeast Asian country, according to a Reuters report drawing wide attention. The development is widely read as deepening Beijing's security reach in the region and raising concerns among the United States and neighbouring states about growing Chinese influence close to the South China Sea.

Researchers have published a high-resolution genome-wide association study of roughly 600,000 people with East Asian ancestry, aiming to break down why type 2 diabetes rates and risk factors differ between populations. The work, appearing in Nature, identifies ancestry-specific genetic contributions to diabetes risk and may help explain the higher disease burden seen in East Asian populations compared with other groups.

US export controls on advanced semiconductors are prompting questions about whether Southeast Asian nations will tilt economically toward China. Countries in the region, including Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, sit at the centre of global chip supply chains and now face pressure to choose sides as Washington tightens controls on chip technology and equipment sold to China. Analysts warn that overreach could push regional economies into Beijing's orbit.

Tencent has reportedly signed a $7 billion agreement to lease 100,000 AI chips from Oracle, with the computing capacity to be hosted in Southeast Asia. The reported deal would mark one of the largest chip-leasing arrangements to date, underscoring how Chinese tech firms are securing AI compute through foreign cloud providers amid US export restrictions on advanced chips to China.

UNESCO announced a China–Southeast Asia programme aimed at strengthening teacher capacity for AI and STEM education in rural communities. The initiative focuses on training teachers across Southeast Asia so remote schools can benefit from advances in technology education. Further details on funding, participating countries and timelines were not provided in the announcement.

Tokyo has recorded an unprecedented 35 consecutive days of rain, a historic streak attributed to El Niño conditions and weather fronts stalling over Japan. The prolonged wet spell has drawn attention to shifting patterns in East Asia's summer climate, with meteorologists pointing to the interplay of ocean warming and stationary frontal systems behind the persistent downpours.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Japan should be urged to abide by its Three Non-Nuclear Principles, the longstanding policy barring Japan from possessing, producing or allowing nuclear weapons on its territory. The remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions and debate over nuclear policy in East Asia, renewing attention to Japan's stated commitments.

India is in talks with China to open an alternate air route after Pakistan closed its airspace, forcing Indian carriers to take longer detours on westbound international flights, sources said. The rerouting discussions come as flights to Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia face longer durations and higher fuel costs following the airspace closure.

International law firm Pinsent Masons has elected a new managing partner following a contested internal election. The result ends a leadership contest at the firm, which operates across the UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Details about the candidates and the winning partner were not included in the available coverage.

Artists including Ed Sheeran and Massive Attack are facing backlash in Southeast Asia over rows connected to Gaza, according to the South China Morning Post. The report points to growing regional anger toward Western musicians over their positions or actions related to the conflict, triggering calls for boycotts and criticism of planned or past performances in the region.

The European Union's diplomatic service is highlighting Ukraine's harvest and its importance to global food security, insisting food should never be used as a weapon. The message comes as Russian attacks on Ukrainian farmland, ports and grain infrastructure continue to disrupt exports that many countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia depend on.