US EPA’s controversial Climate Crisis report is full of lies and mistakes

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a controversial report in July claiming the effects of the Climate Crisis were overblown. A fact check by Carbon Brief found it is full of lies and errors.

Japan considers new accommodation taxes amid tourism boom

While 728 local governments reported being “interested” in the concept, 506 indicated they had no plans to introduce such taxes.

Mapping global drought risk - Statista

By 2050, more than 1.6bn people, including almost 20% of the African population, will be exposed to severe and extreme droughts, if a pessimistic scenario plays out, according to a report by INFORM Climate Change.

Forest carbon credits are facing a reckoning over albedo risks

Planting trees should reduce the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere right? Well, its not so easy as that. Trees also provide shade and prevent sunlight from reaching the ground that could reflect it back into space, cooling the plant.

South Korea’s Lee to head to Washington after two day visit to Japan

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is concluding a two-day official visit to Japan before travelling to Washington for his first summit meeting with US President Donald Trump.

North Korea test-fires two new air defence missiles

The timing of the launch was also notable, taking place on the same day South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo, before travelling to Washington.

ASIA BLOG: East Asia must steer clear of the Israel-Gaza conflict

Jimmy Lai becomes a symbol of hope and despair in fallen Hong Kong

Hong Kong is gone. Taiwan and the South China Sea must not, at any cost, follow suit.

Japan’s Maritime Self Defence Force ‘protects’ Royal Navy in Far East

Japan has provided military asset protection to the British armed forces, marking a further deepening of defence ties amid rising global security concerns.

Japan’s Nikkei sets new record

The Nikkei stock index closed above the 43,000 mark for a second consecutive day on August 13, setting a fresh all-time high amid optimism over the United States economy and expectations of an earlier-than-anticipated interest rate cut.

Pakistan selects Japanese blockchain developer to run digital currency

The State Bank of Pakistan has chosen Japanese blockchain developer Soramitsu to design and implement a central bank digital currency, following last month’s federal approval of the Virtual Assets Act 2025.

Japan presses South Korea to end seafood import ban

Japan’s agriculture minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, has urged South Korea to remove restrictions on Japanese seafood imports that were introduced after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Japan becomes the pillar of security in northeast Asia

Japan's rapid technological leap in embracing stealth aircraft, maritime-launch F-35Bs, advanced missile defence, AI-enabled drones and space-based surveillance, brings a strategic balance to the region.

UN accused of enabling Hamas through Gaza aid mismanagement

There are also persistent claims that Hamas is systematically looting the aid that does make it into Gaza. Military officials estimate 80% of all assistance is intercepted either by Hamas members, its affiliates or civilians acting under its control.

Hiroshima marks 80 years since atomic bombing with renewed calls for disarmament

Hiroshima’s mayor, Kazumi Matsui, delivered a pointed message to nuclear-armed states, asserting that despite geopolitical tensions, civil society must remain resolute in advocating for the complete elimination of nuclear arms.

Is AI making us less intelligent? The debate over declining cognitive skills in the age of ChatGPT and smartphones

Anecdotal evidence from educators paints a troubling picture. Teenagers across the world struggle to properly complete tasks in school, particularly those involving writing.

US DoE muddies the ClimateCrisis waters with report downplaying the emissions problem

As part of the Trump administration’s attempts to take the Climate Crisis off the agenda, the US Department of Energy has released a report downplaying the impact of fossil fuels on global warming.

Sinkholes on the rise across Asia: a growing danger beneath the surface

The dramatic rescue of a motorist from a sinkhole on a busy Singapore road has cast new light on an alarming trend across Asia – the increasing frequency and severity of sinkholes swallowing roads, vehicles, and in some cases entire buildings.

Bank of Japan holds interest rate as inflation projections rise

The Bank of Japan has decided to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 0.5%, a move that was largely anticipated by markets.

IMF corrects growth forecast upwards – Statista

Despite uncertain market conditions amid the Trump administration's tariff regime and major global conflicts, the International Monetary Fund has upped its global economic growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 slightly, Statista reported on July 30.