1+ hour, 23+ min ago (173+ words) TEHRAN -- In over two months, Tehran saw only an hour's rain last Monday, nowhere near enough to budge levels in the reservoirs of the parched country Iranians pray for rain as households struggle with water shortage Tehran saw only 1 hour's downpour in 2 months, as government blames agriculture Facing severe drought, a man in Tehran fills up a water tank. (West Asia News Agency via Reuters) TEHRAN -- In over two months, Tehran saw only an hour's rain last Monday, nowhere near enough to budge levels in the reservoirs of the parched country where water cuts have become another daily struggle. Finnish startup turns Asia river plastic waste into building boards India's tea yield fall highlights climate threat to price, production Chinese air purifier sales rise in India as clean air becomes a luxury India's flood response exposes cracks in system, experts…...

2+ hour, 1+ min ago (206+ words) HONG KONG/TOKYO -- Authorities in Hong Kong have canceled a number of events promoting cultural exchanges with Japan as the diplomatic spat between Be Hong Kong follows Beijing's lead in Japan feud, halts exchange programs John Lee, hosting mainland-style events, says Takaichi's Taiwan comments poisoned atmosphere HONG KONG/TOKYO -- Authorities in Hong Kong have canceled a number of events promoting cultural exchanges with Japan as the diplomatic spat between Beijing and Tokyo continues, while the local government hosts seminars to amplify the Chinese Communist Party's messages on issues like national security. Japan's Takaichi did not speak with China premier at G20 amid tensions Trump avoids touching upon Taiwan issue after call with China's Xi Trump and Takaichi speak by phone amid Japan-China spat Taiwan lifts import curbs on Japanese food as Tokyo spars with Beijing Fears grow Japan-China spat may spiral…...

2+ hour, 55+ min ago (163+ words) JAKARTA -- Indonesia's leading digital banks have reported profit surges in 2025, outperforming their much bigger rivals hit by macroeconomic headwinds, with tech-savvy young users driving rapid ... Indonesian digital banks defy industry slump with profit boosts New lenders benefit from GoTo, Grab and Sea's ecosystems JAKARTA -- Indonesia's leading digital banks have reported profit surges in 2025, outperforming their much bigger rivals hit by macroeconomic headwinds, with tech-savvy young users driving rapid growth. Indonesian banks brace for government policy headwinds after profit slump GoTo CEO to step down as Grab merger speculation swirls Singapore's DBS and UOB show profits sliding amid interest rate cuts Thai banks' interest income falls faster in Q3 on weak economy Indonesia to impose export tax on gold products next year Japan's Docomo, NEC to put 5m Indonesian households a year online Palm oil prices to spike in 2026 as Indonesia pushes biofuel…...

3+ hour, 5+ min ago (141+ words) HO CHI MINH CITY -- Lamb. It's what's for dinner.At least that's what Australia has been telling people in Vietnam as the world's top sheep meat expor Australia encourages Vietnam to eat lamb amid US tariffs Southeast Asia holds growth potential for sheep exports in move to diversify by world's top supplier HO CHI MINH CITY -- Lamb. It's what's for dinner. Vietnam to increase income tax relief to boost economy Vietnam offers factory perks as US tariffs hit Chinese suppliers Canada opens Vietnam export office as U.S. roils global trade Trump tariff exemption on agri products to boost Indian exports Vietnam's coffee exports jump 61% as high prices create tailwind Vietnam takes bite out of Philippine bananas' market share in Japan Australia opens cooked duck market to Thailand's CP Foods Canada, India agree to restart trade talks during G20 meeting...

3+ hour, 5+ min ago (142+ words) HO CHI MINH CITY -- Lamb. It's what's for dinner.At least that's what Australia has been telling people in Vietnam as the world's top sheep meat expor Australia encourages Vietnam to eat lamb as US tariffs bite Southeast Asia holds growth potential for sheep exports in move to diversify by world's top supplier HO CHI MINH CITY -- Lamb. It's what's for dinner. Vietnam to increase income tax relief to boost economy Vietnam offers factory perks as US tariffs hit Chinese suppliers Canada opens Vietnam export office as U.S. roils global trade Trump tariff exemption on agri products to boost Indian exports Vietnam's coffee exports jump 61% as high prices create tailwind Vietnam takes bite out of Philippine bananas' market share in Japan Australia opens cooked duck market to Thailand's CP Foods Canada, India agree to restart trade talks during G20 meeting...

3+ hour, 37+ min ago (169+ words) TOKYO -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a 25-minute telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday amid tensions between Japan Trump and Takaichi speak by phone amid Japan-China spat Two leaders reaffirm close cooperation, Japanese prime minister says TOKYO -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a 25-minute telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday amid tensions between Japan and China over Takaichi's recent remarks on the possibility of a "survival-threatening situation" for her country in a hypothetical crisis over Taiwan. Japan's Takaichi did not speak with China premier at G20 amid tensions Japan releases crime data to counter Chinese claim of deteriorating safety Japan's Takaichi and India's Modi agree on AI, chip cooperation G20 summit closes without Trump as Japan-China rift stays deep Japan beef exports to China fall victim to spat over Taiwan Taiwan lifts import curbs on Japanese food as…...

3+ hour, 56+ min ago (98+ words) Tech Latest: Tune in to Nikkei Asia's podcast for the freshest updates on the tech sector Welcome to the Tech Latest podcast. Every Tuesday, our tech experts Katey Creel and Shotaro Tani deliver the hottest trends and news from the sector. In this episode, Shotaro speaks with Taiwan correspondent Thompson Chau about Taiwan's space ambitions, and how their partnership with SpaceX is helping them launch a new satellite network set to play a pivotal role in future disaster resilience and national security. -- Taiwan set for homegrown satellite leap with SpaceX launch And register for our weekly #techAsia newsletter....

4+ hour, 24+ min ago (200+ words) WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had "a very good telephone call" with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but did not menti Trump avoids touching upon Taiwan issue after call with China's Xi Beijing seeks support for its narrative but US leader focused on trade, analysts say U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Gimhae International Airport terminal on Oct. 30 in Busan, South Korea. (White House) WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had "a very good telephone call" with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but did not mention publicly the issue of Taiwan, a matter of contention between China and Japan. Trump says he'll visit China in April and host Xi next year Would Japan fight to defend Taiwan? 5 things to know Japan's Takaichi did not speak with…...

5+ hour, 14+ min ago (161+ words) SHANGHAI -- Investors are scrambling for a piece of China's most anticipated initial public offering this year: a startup that aims to challenge Nvidi China's Nvidia challenger Moore Threads set for blockbuster Shanghai IPO Designer of artificial intelligence chips to raise $1.1bn at $7.6bn valuation SHANGHAI -- Investors are scrambling for a piece of China's most anticipated initial public offering this year: a startup that aims to challenge Nvidia's dominance in chips that power artificial intelligence. Honda poised for fall to No. 4 among Japan automakers due to chip crunch Japan pledges additional $6.4bn in support for chipmaker Rapidus Foxconn partners with OpenAI on next-generation data center development Nexperia dispute highlights Europe's challenge in shift away from China Lenovo, Xiaomi flag price hikes as memory chip costs rise Jensen Huang rejects AI bubble fears as Nvidia hits record Q3 revenue Rampant AI demand throws the memory chip…...

5+ hour, 54+ min ago (187+ words) NEW DELHI -- It would be no exaggeration to say that Indians have an insatiable appetite for gold, and the numbers speak for themselves. In October, I India's eternal obsession with gold lifts imports 200% in October Takes Indian trade deficit to record high as analysts remain bullish on bullion NEW DELHI -- It would be no exaggeration to say that Indians have an insatiable appetite for gold, and the numbers speak for themselves. In October, India imported gold worth $14.7 billion, up 200% from the same month last year when it stood at $4.9 billion. Indian cars make inroads into Europe as firms seek China alternative India's tea yield fall highlights climate threat to price, production Chinese air purifier sales rise in India as clean air becomes a luxury Trump tariff exemption on agri products to boost Indian exports India's edtech sector sees turning point…...