Crypto kingdom: Bhutan goes all-in on bitcoin tourism
Saturday, July 12,2025,08:30

High in the Himalayas, the tiny kingdom of Bhutan, long known for its pursuit of “gross national happiness”, has now set its sights on a new measure of contentment: cryptocurrency. In a move that has startled some of its neighbours and inspired global fintech champions, the “Land of the Thunder Dragon”, home to around 800,000 people, is using state-mined bitcoin to fund public salaries and lure a new wave of tourists. Bhutan became, in May, the world’s first nation to unveil a countrywide,... .. read more..

Army conducts live explosive ordnance drill on Tamsui River
Saturday, July 12,2025,07:52

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) Taiwan's Armed Forces on Saturday simulated defending against a Chinese incursion via the Tamsui River in New Taipei, featuring hands-on training with live explosive ordnance as part of the annual Han Kuang exercises. .. read more..

Innolux confirms plan to close factory in southern Taiwan
Saturday, July 12,2025,07:30

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) Innolux Corp., one of the leading flat panel makers in Taiwan, has confirmed a plan to close a factory located in the Southern Taiwan Science Park to reduce its ratio of flat screen production to its overall product portfolio. .. read more..

Sack of bones, Duterte drug war add to growing Philippine cock fighters mystery
Saturday, July 12,2025,07:00

Three sacks weighted with sandbags recovered from the depths of a Philippine volcanic crater lake have added a dramatic new twist to the chilling case of at least 34 missing cock fighters, bolstering claims by a whistle-blower that the killings were orchestrated by a gambling tycoon with powerful political and police connections. The first sack, pulled from the murky waters of Taal Lake on Thursday, contained charred bones, according to the Department of Justice. Forensic tests have yet to... .. read more..

Sales of TWSE-listed firms up over 7%, led by tech sector
Saturday, July 12,2025,05:29

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) The aggregate sales generated by companies listed on the local main board rose by more than 7 percent from a year earlier in June, led by the tech sector enjoying a boom in global artificial intelligence development, according to the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE). .. read more..

Cut in aid to Taipower could lead to electricity rate hikes: Cabinet
Saturday, July 12,2025,05:19

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) The removal of NT$100 billion (US$3.42 billion) in aid to financially troubled state-owned Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) from a special bill passed by the Legislative Yuan on Friday could lead to a hike in electricity rates, which could raise inflation, according to the Executive Yuan. .. read more..

Naked dancing, ‘holy baths’: Malaysian police investigate Muslim family motiv...
Saturday, July 12,2025,05:17

Malaysian police are investigating a complaint about deviant activities such as naked dancing and “holy cleansing baths” being performed during a family motivational event. Police said the report was filed at the end of February over an incident that was held at a convention centre in Shah Alam, a predominantly Malay-Muslim enclave about 30km (19 miles) from the capital of Kuala Lumpur, last September. “We have called in the wife of the complainant as well as other participants of the event for... .. read more..

Stormy weather gives way to clearer skies in Taiwan: CWA
Saturday, July 12,2025,04:05

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) Recent stormy weather that battered southern Taiwan is easing, as a strengthening Pacific high-pressure system brings stable conditions across the island, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said on Saturday. .. read more..

Taiwanese-Latvian duo advances to Wimbledon women's doubles final
Saturday, July 12,2025,03:51

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) Taiwanese tennis veteran Hsieh Su-wei (謝淑薇) and her doubles partner, Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, advanced to the Wimbledon women's doubles final on Friday. .. read more..

Taiwan headline news
Saturday, July 12,2025,03:04

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) The lead stories in major Taiwan dailies on Saturday are as follows: .. read more..

US officer urges closer South Korea-Japan defence ties amid North threat
Saturday, July 12,2025,02:00

America’s highest-ranking military officer has called for closer trilateral defence ties with South Korea and Japan in response to what he described as an “unprecedented” military build-up by North Korea and China. The remarks by General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, come amid growing pressure on Seoul to shoulder more of the cost of hosting 28,500 US troops and to support their expanded role beyond the Korean peninsula – a move that could test South Korea’s willingness to... .. read more..

The smartphone squint: a closer look at Japan’s cross-eyed epidemic
Saturday, July 12,2025,01:00

A condition in which people’s eyes turn inward and make them look cross-eyed is reportedly on the rise in Japan due mainly to excessive and improper smartphone usage, with young people particularly vulnerable. Known as acquired esotropia, the condition is a form of strabismus, or a misalignment of the eyes in which one eye deviates towards the nose and the other remains in its original position. It appears more frequently among young Japanese, who experience double vision and poor depth... .. read more..

Wang Yi reiterates Beijing’s rejection of South China Sea ruling
Saturday, July 12,2025,00:07

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi restated Beijing’s rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling on Friday, on the eve of the ruling’s ninth anniversary, amid renewed tensions and growing speculation about a potential second legal challenge. Calling the decision a “farce”, Wang said the case, brought by the Philippines against China’s South China Sea claims and ruled on by a tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, was “orchestrated and manipulated by external... .. read more..

In US-China tug of war, Australia puts itself first
Saturday, July 12,2025,00:00

For much of its history, Australia’s identity has been defined by distance – geographical, political, psychological. Now, with global tensions rising, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is testing whether that distance might yet be a source of strength. The answer, he seems to believe, lies in recalibrating Australia’s relationships with friends and rivals alike. As both critics from the political left and independent observers assail the cost and risks of Aukus – and the right demands ever-greater... .. read more..

China's drills 'incompatible' with Taiwan Strait stability: Japan FM
Friday, July 11,2025,14:00

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) China's military drills around Taiwan are "incompatible" with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi (王毅) on Thursday. .. read more..

French envoy calls for stronger AI partnership with Taiwan
Friday, July 11,2025,13:46

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) France is eager to collaborate with Taiwan as countries navigate the global competition for artificial intelligence (AI) leadership, French representative to Taiwan Franck Paris said on Friday. .. read more..

Some JKoPay partners resume cooperation after brief suspension
Friday, July 11,2025,12:52

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Some of the business partners of JKoPay, one of Taiwan's major digital payment firms, have resumed cooperation with the platform after briefly suspending it on Friday due to the court-ordered seizing of the assets JKoPay's parent company. .. read more..

Is Apple Supplier BIEL Crystal Headed For An IPO?
Friday, July 11,2025,12:31

A strong trading debut for one of its peers in Hong Kong's strongest IPO market in years could prompt the iPhone glass supplier to revive its previous listing plan Key Takeaways: BIEL Crystal is building a new production base in India and expanding further in Vietnam to diversify its manufacturing outside China in response to customer demand The maker of glass used in smartphones and tablet PCs could potentially revive its earlier plan to list in Hong Kong The year 2025 could be shaping up as Hong Kong's "Year of the Crystal," as the city's stock exchange experiences one of its best IPO markets in the last decade. Just days after a leading high-tech glass maker raised HK$4.... .. read more..

Bail conditions set for Core Pacific chairman in corruption trial
Friday, July 11,2025,12:28

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) The Taipei District Court on Friday set bail conditions for Core Pacific Group Chairman Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), who is currently on trial in a corruption case that also involves former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲). .. read more..

Asean leaders renew call to revive stalled peace plan for Myanmar
Friday, July 11,2025,12:26

Southeast Asian leaders have renewed calls to revive a stalled peace plan for Myanmar while urging calm in the South China Sea and backing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza – reflecting the Asean bloc’s cautious efforts to address some of the region’s most pressing security and humanitarian challenges. Their positions were outlined in a sweeping 160-point joint communique issued at the conclusion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur,... .. read more..

Legislature passes special act with one-off stimulus payments
Friday, July 11,2025,11:58

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) The Legislature on Friday passed a special act allowing the government to use surplus tax revenue to invest in Taiwan's security infrastructure and provide relief to industries likely to be affected by U.S. tariffs. .. read more..

Barking up wrong tree? Indonesian police’s robot use criticised for wrong focus
Friday, July 11,2025,11:45

A hi-tech display of humanoid robots and robotic dogs by Indonesian police has drawn criticism for their desire to project a tech-savvy image and not focusing on tackling broader problems, ranging from a “culture of impunity” to reform inertia. At the national police’s 79th anniversary parade on July 1 in Jakarta, the force unveiled 25 new machines – including RoboCop-style robots, robot tanks and robodogs – in the presence of Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto. Their spokesman, Inspector... .. read more..

Parent firm's lawsuit casts doubt on JKoPay's business
Friday, July 11,2025,11:40

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) The operations of JKoPay, one of Taiwan's major digital payment firms, have been thrown into uncertainty after multiple platforms and companies suspended their cooperation with the service following a recent court ruling against its parent company. .. read more..

7 indicted in Keelung recall petition forgery case
Friday, July 11,2025,11:24

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Prosecutors on Friday indicted seven individuals in Keelung for allegedly forging over 1,000 signatures in an attempt to recall two Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) city councilors. .. read more..

Possible storm south of Japan not to affect Taiwan: CWA
Friday, July 11,2025,10:45

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) A tropical depression in waters south of Japan that could potentially turn into a tropical storm is not expected to affect Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Friday. .. read more..

Trump’s Brics wrath: will India be caught out by tariff threat?
Friday, July 11,2025,10:30

US President Donald Trump’s threat to slap an additional 10 per cent tariff on Brics nations may be more of a strategic warning rather than a prelude to action – and is not expected to disrupt India’s efforts to finalise a trade pact with Washington, according to analysts. In a speech on Tuesday, Trump accused the 10-member bloc – comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, alongside newer entrants such as Iran, Egypt and Indonesia – of undermining the United States and seeking to... .. read more..

Sensex, Nifty Decline On Tariff Worries, Weak TCS Earnings; HUL Shares Rally ...
Friday, July 11,2025,10:24

Indian shares fell notably on Friday, with weaker-than-expected Q1 earnings from TCS and escalating global trade tensions weighing on investor sentiment. .. read more..

Alibaba, Huawei Dominate China's Growing Cloud Market
Friday, July 11,2025,09:59

China’s cloud infrastructure spending surged by 16% year-over-year to $11.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025, primarily fueled by the accelerating adoption of enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) nationwide. This growth highlights cloud services’ critical role in supporting China’s expanding AI capabilities, despite ongoing U.S. chip export restrictions. The market is projected to continue its upward trajectory, with total cloud spending in China expected to climb from $40 billion in 2024 to $46 billion in 2025. Also Read: Alibaba Predicts AI Digital Colleagues Will Be Commonplace Within Five Years Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA ) Cloud led the market with a 33% share ... .. read more..

Is Singapore key for the US to fight against China as Tammy Duckworth says?
Friday, July 11,2025,09:20

Remarks by a US senator labelling Singapore as a key place for “fighting against” major rival China have offered a revealing glimpse into how some American politicians view the city state, amid Washington’s regional power struggle with Beijing. The comments came to light after clips of a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday showed an exasperated Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth admonishing Anjani Sinha, US President Donald Trump’s ambassador nominee to Singapore. “You want to be ambassador... .. read more..

Asian Shares Mostly Lower As Trump Ups Tariff Ante
Friday, July 11,2025,08:39

Asian shares ended mostly lower in cautious trade on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 35 percent tariff on Canadian goods, effective August 1, 2025, and warned of a blanket tariff of 15-20 percent on most trading partners that haven't got letters yet. .. read more..

After 10 years, AIIB welcomes new leadership – and fresh US challenges
Friday, July 11,2025,08:30

Back to April 2016, at the Qingfeng steamed bun restaurant in Beijing’s bustling Xicheng district, Jin Liqun lunched with the Asia editor of the Financial Times to introduce himself and China’s newly created Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Beijing’s decision to establish a development bank reflected in part a deep frustration with the reluctance of the world’s leading economies to give China (and other leading developing economies) more influence in Bretton Woods institutions such... .. read more..

Taiwan shares end up on rotational buying
Friday, July 11,2025,08:30

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Shares in Taiwan closed higher Friday as rotational buying escalated, helping the broader market recoup its losses earlier in the session at a time of lingering concerns over the United States' arbitrary tariff threats, dealers said. .. read more..

‘Pattern emerging’: is China intentionally provoking Japan with close fly-bys?
Friday, July 11,2025,08:27

Tokyo has expressed “serious concerns” to Beijing after a Chinese fighter jet came close to a Japanese aircraft operating in international airspace over the East China Sea on two occasions this week, with analysts suggesting that a pattern is emerging of China being increasingly willing to challenge Japan at sea and in the air. According to Japan’s Defence Ministry, a Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber flew within 70 metres of an Air Self-Defence Force YS-11EB electronic surveillance aircraft on... .. read more..

U.S. dollar closes lower on Taipei forex market
Friday, July 11,2025,08:18

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) The U.S. dollar fell against the Taiwan dollar Friday, shedding NT$0.035 to close at NT$29.205. .. read more..

Army reservists simulate defense of key supplies in Han Kuang drills
Friday, July 11,2025,07:51

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises entered their third day on Friday, with reservists from the Army's 206th Infantry Brigade simulating the defense of critical supplies against a Chinese attack on a logistics site in Taoyuan. .. read more..

Envision launches world’s largest green hydrogen plant in Inner Mongolia
Friday, July 11,2025,07:17

Chinese wind-power developer Envision Energy has commissioned the world’s largest green hydrogen and ammonia plant, as Beijing seeks to decarbonise its hard-to-abate industries and dominate the growing clean-fuel market. The Shanghai-headquartered company launched the first phase of the project in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, on Wednesday, which is capable of producing 320,000 tonnes per year of green ammonia, Envision said. “This is more than a technological milestone,” said Zhang Lei, Envision’s... .. read more..

No more Alice Guos? Philippine lawmaker seeks new law against fake citizenship
Friday, July 11,2025,07:05

A new bill that seeks to establish a new civil registration system in the Philippines in a bid to prevent “more Alice Guos” is a step in the right direction, but may not be adequate to address the country’s deep-seated patronage politics and bribery, observers warn. Filed by Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the bill proposes to create a new civil registration and vital statistics system that aims to prevent foreigners from acquiring Philippine citizenship through fraudulent means, such as... .. read more..

Taiwan's international carriers report new high in sales for H1
Friday, July 11,2025,06:52

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Four major international carriers in Taiwan have reported a new high in sales for the first half of this year on the back on a continued growing tourism market in the current summer vacation during the post COVID-19 era, while an increase in demand for cargo services also strengthened their performance. .. read more..

Taiwan's foreign minister begins Paraguay visit
Friday, July 11,2025,06:35

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) arrived in Paraguay late Thursday to lead a business delegation focused on advancing bilateral cooperation in technology, industry and infrastructure. .. read more..

U.K., France reaffirm commitment to Indo-Pacific, Taiwan stability
Friday, July 11,2025,06:03

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) The United Kingdom and France on Thursday underscored the growing strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, to European security, as well as their commitment to the region's stability, during a leaders' summit held in London. .. read more..

Taiwan shares close up 0.25%
Friday, July 11,2025,05:44

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Taiwan shares ended up 57.78 points, or 0.25 percent, at 22,751.03 Friday on turnover of NT$327.13 billion (US$11.19 billion). .. read more..

Asean accuses Israel of ‘openly committing genocide’, demands end to Gaza war
Friday, July 11,2025,05:31

Southeast Asian leaders on Friday called on the United States and others to bring a swift end to the Gaza war, accusing Israel of “openly committing genocide” in its assaults on the Palestinian enclave with little consequence. More than 56,000 people, mostly women and children, have reportedly been killed so far under aerial bombings and ground assaults by Israel in its nearly two-year war against Hamas, which has levelled much of Gaza and displaced millions. The war was triggered by a deadly... .. read more..

Sensex, Nifty Open Lower; IT Stocks Tumble As TCS Disappoints
Friday, July 11,2025,04:35

Indian shares opened lower on Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump pushed through with his tariff agenda, fueling uncertainties around the global tariff war. .. read more..

Largan shares up despite large forex losses in Q2
Friday, July 11,2025,04:15

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Shares of Largan Precision Co., a supplier of smartphone camera lenses to Apple Inc., slid early Friday on the local main board but soon recovered, one day after the company reported second-quarter foreign exchange losses of more than NT$4 billion (US$137 million). .. read more..

Real monthly regular wage hike hits 5-year high in Taiwan as inflation moderates
Friday, July 11,2025,04:00

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) In the first five months of 2025, the average monthly regular wage increase in Taiwan, after inflationary adjustments, reached a five-year high, as growth of the consumer price index (CPI) showed signs of moderating, according to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS). .. read more..

Malaysia’s fighter jet deal to ‘quietly’ boost South China Sea defences
Friday, July 11,2025,03:30

The United States’ approval of Malaysia’s purchase of dozens of fighter jets is set to bolster the Southeast Asian country’s air capabilities – especially in the South China Sea – as part of a strategy to “quietly” build deterrence while also preserving cordial ties with China. Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan confirmed during a June 17 briefing that Washington had approved Malaysia’s request to acquire up to 33 used F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets... .. read more..

Australian Market Slips To Modest Losses In Mid-market
Friday, July 11,2025,03:24

The Australian stock market is slipping to modest losses in mid-market moves on Friday after opening in the green, reversing some of the gains in the previous session, despite the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is staying below the 8,600 level, with weakness in gold miner and energy stocks partially offset by gains in iron ore miner stocks. .. read more..

Asian Markets Trade Mostly Higher
Friday, July 11,2025,03:18

Asian stock markets are trading mostly higher on Friday, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight, as traders hope for an end to the tariff uncertainty after US President Donald Trump confirmed he will not extend the August 1 deadline for striking trade deals, though he continues to threaten higher reciprocal tariffs on various sectors and countries. .. read more..

Sensex, Nifty Set To Drift Lower As Tariff Worries Intensify
Friday, July 11,2025,02:30

Indian shares look set to open on a sluggish note Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes through with his tariff agenda, fueling uncertainties around the global tariff war. .. read more..

Thai Stock Market Tipped To End Losing Streak
Friday, July 11,2025,02:25

Ahead of Thursday's holiday for Asarnha Bucha Day, the Thai stock market had moved lower in consecutive trading days, sinking more than a dozen points or 1 percent along the way. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now sits just above the 1,110-point plateau although it may stop the bleeding on Friday. .. read more..