Nikkei Asia

Taiwan announces Thailand investment deal, marking first pact under Lai Taiwan on Friday said it has signed an investment pact with Thailand, the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, in an effort to boost commercial and economic ties. Read more here

Singapore's CapitaLand focuses on Vietnam as supply chains leave China Singapore-listed property manager CapitaLand Investment plans to deploy up to $110 million in Vietnam to build or acquire industrial factories, expecting demand from manufacturers following supply chains out of China. Read more here

Australia to dominate lithium supply for 'years to come' but prices subdued Lithium prices will not return to their previous highs any time soon despite robust demand due to an influx of new producers and persistent oversupply, according to a recent analysis. Read more here

76 more deaths could be linked to Kobayashi pharma supplement: ministry Japan's health ministry said on Friday that Kobayashi Pharmaceutical had informed the ministry of 76 more deaths, which could be linked to its red yeast rice supplement product. Read more here

North Korea intensifies crackdown on K-drama, other pop culture from South North Korea is stepping up efforts to curb its citizens' exposure to South Korean popular culture, according to Seoul, including cracking down on television dramas that are widely enjoyed throughout Asia and have even helped inspire defections from the totalitarian country. Read more here

Asia's IPO market trails U.S. and Europe as proceeds plunge 73% The value of initial public offerings on Asian stock exchanges so far this year has fallen by more than two-thirds from a year ago, putting the region behind the U.S. and Europe, which are showing signs of recovery after a prolonged downturn. Read more here

Trump says China 'doesn't fear' a shaky Biden in presidential debate The leaders of China, North Korea and Russia "don't fear" President Joe Biden and could start new wars on his watch, former President Donald Trump said in the first presidential debate of the 2024 U.S. election campaign Thursday night. Read more here

BREAKING NEWS Philippines and U.S. to hold 2+2 talks in 'late July,' sources say Read more here

Chinese developer Sino-Ocean hit with liquidation petition by U.S. bank Sino-Ocean Group Holding has become the latest mainland Chinese developer to face a liquidation plea in a Hong Kong court, as the country's property market continues to struggle. Read more here

Iranians vote in presidential polls as economic crisis bites Millions of Iranians will go to the polls Friday in snap presidential elections as the country grapples with a cost-of-living crisis and international isolation driven by U.S.-led sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program. Read more here