Asia

Tech News

What is GLM 5.2? The new Chinese AI model that’s rivalling Anthropic

China's GLM-5.2 rivals Claude and GPT-5.5 and was released a day after the US export ban on Anthropic models.

03/07/2026

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Israelis mark 1,000 days since 7 October attack

Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv to mark 1,000 days since the 7 October 2023 attack, as former hostages and bereaved families addressed the crowd.

03/07/2026

Business

Central Asia’s power expansion becomes a major investment test

In Uzbekistan, EBRD-backed solar and battery projects are helping finance rising electricity demand. Grid upgrades and a first nuclear plant are also reshaping the country's future energy mix.

03/07/2026

Indonesia

6.2 earthquake hits eastern Indonesia

The tremor hit at a depth of 120 kilometres, roughly 58 kilometres west of Tobelo in North Maluku province, and officials confirmed there is no tsunami threat.

03/07/2026

Iran

Iran renews Hormuz threats as Doha talks end with cautious progress

Tehran threatened a "forceful response" against vessels straying from its approved Hormuz routes, even as mediators said indirect US-Iran talks in Doha concluded with "positive progress". The next round of talks will wait until after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral, which begins on Saturday.

02/07/2026

Culture Series

Meet Jamila Musayeva, the UK certified etiquette coach

In partnership with Azpromo

Jamila Musayeva is an international UK certified etiquette consultant, helping professionals build confidence, trust and stronger business relationships through the power of good manners.

02/07/2026

Syria

Nine killed in central Damascus cafe bombing, Syrian state TV says

The explosion comes a day after the first parliament since the fall of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad began to take shape.

02/07/2026

Iran

Iran deal is 'a pause before the next war,' Pahlavi tells Euronews

In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Reza Pahlavi said the framework agreement would allow the Islamic Republic to regroup and rearm, with the only winner from the deal being the regime in Tehran.

02/07/2026

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan starts living by new Constitution, sets date for parliamentary elections

Kazakhstan's new Constitution entered into force on July 1, prompting the Kazakh President to set August 23 as the date for parliamentary elections required under the new constitutional framework.

02/07/2026

Qatar

US-Iran parallel talks in Qatar end with pledge to keep talking

Holding separate meetings in Qatar, the US and Iran made progress and agreed that the next meeting would be after Khamenei's funeral, host Qatar confirmed.

02/07/2026

Azerbaijan

EU looks to South Caucasus for solutions as von der Leyen meets Aliyev

Von der Leyen begins her South Caucasus tour in Baku as the EU steps up engagement on regional stability, energy and connectivity.

01/07/2026

Pakistan

Pakistan tutoring centre roof collapses, killing 14 children

Police are investigating whether negligence during ongoing construction work caused the collapse that left another eight children hospitalised in stable condition.

01/07/2026

East-West Connect

How this country is using AI in schools

In partnership with MDQ

Kazakhstan is turning to artificial intelligence to narrow educational disparities and reduce the teachers’ administrative workload - as part of a broader drive to build a digital economy.

01/07/2026

Iran

Ship runs aground in Hormuz as Iran insists on controlling the strait

Iran's IRGC said the grounding was caused by the vessel straying from its approved corridor. Hormuz control and the Israeli intervention against Hezbollah in Lebanon remain the two main obstacles to a final deal.

01/07/2026

Travel News

NoMad hotel to open in Singapore with soft-serve cocktail bar concept

The 173-key property on Orchard Road will open in late 2026, bringing with it three restaurant and bar concepts plus a poolside lounge.

01/07/2026

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan looks to boost oil exports after Georgia talks in Astana

In high-level talks held in Astana, Kazakhstan and Georgia agreed to strengthen economic cooperation, including plans to increase oil shipments via the BTC pipeline. The two countries also discussed agricultural development, investment expansion, and cooperation in digital services.

01/07/2026

Business

EBRD backs young entrepreneurs as Uzbek small firms seek credit

The financing comes as small businesses account for more than half of Uzbekistan’s GDP, but many still lack the records, collateral and support needed for loans.

01/07/2026

Focus

2026 IsDB Annual Meetings explore regional integration and prosperity

In partnership with Azpromo

At the 2026 Islamic Development Bank Annual Meetings in Baku, leaders and policymakers explored how regional integration, investment and cooperation can support sustainable economic growth in an uncertain global environment.

30/06/2026

World News

Von der Leyen visits Baku and Yerevan to deepen South Caucasus ties

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen begins the first visit to the South Caucasus since Armenia and Azerbaijan signed their historic peace agreement, now offering the EU the opportunities to build on the EU's strategic engagement with the region formerly in Russia's orbit.

30/06/2026

Qatar

US envoys Witkoff and Kushner land in Qatar for fresh Iran war talks

Qatar said Trump's envoys arrived on Tuesday to meet mediators on "all regional issues," as Tehran confirmed sending its own delegation to Doha this week but denied agreeing to meet US counterparts "at any level". The visit follows four days of strikes in the Strait of Hormuz that paused on Monday.

30/06/2026

Markets

Japanese yen sinks to 40-year low against the US dollar

The Japanese yen has dropped to its lowest level against the US dollar in four decades, putting markets on alert for urgent action by Tokyo to halt a slide that record intervention and higher interest rates have so far failed to stop.

30/06/2026

Iran

Iran prepares largest state funeral in history for slain ayatollah

After months-long delays, Tehran is in the midst of organising a six-day, multi-city funeral for late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid tight security and fragile US-Iran talks over Hormuz, nuclear and sanctions issues.

30/06/2026

Business

The $5 billion AI export plan gathering momentum in Central Asia

Uzbekistan is aiming to move from outsourcing into higher-value services, using its young workforce, energy resources and digital infrastructure to attract investment.

30/06/2026

Iran

Iran says delegation heading to Qatar, denies talks scheduled with US

Tehran confirmed a delegation would travel to Doha to discuss the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) amid conflicting signals from Washington over the nature and timing of the talks.

29/06/2026

12 minutes with

EU will 'come to its senses' on Israel, former Netanyahu adviser says

A former Israeli national security adviser told Euronews that the EU, which he called "irrelevant", will come to its senses and "realise who are the good guys, and who are the bad."

29/06/2026

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Pakistan airstrikes leave homes in ruins in Afghanistan

Villagers inspect destroyed homes in Afghanistan's Paktia province after overnight airstrikes, as Afghan and Pakistani officials give differing accounts.

29/06/2026