TOP NEWS Thailand’s tourism rebounds as tourist arrivals hit 22 millionPhilippines’ jobless rate rises to pandemic-era highKuala Lumpur International Airport shoots up the ranks to be 2nd busiest airport in Southeast AsiaMORE HEADLINES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DawnBollywood star Aishwarya Rai approaches Delhi High Court over explicit AI-generated content using her likeness The Korea HeraldThis is the AI chatbot captivating 1 million Korean teens. They script tempting intimacy The Japan NewsSome features of Google’s AI mode expanded to support Japanese The Korea HeraldIn a first in South Korea, AI locates missing person by analysing camera footage The NationSatellite technology and AI provide new solutions for tackling PM2.5 pollution in Thailand The Korea HeraldSouth Korea’s AI challengers take on ChatGPT with own LLMs DawnBollywood reels as AI rewrites endings and reimagines epics The Yomiuri ShimbunSome minors in Japan using AI to generate sexual images of peers from school photos China DailyWarm welcome from robotic dogs wows students in China’s Hangzhou The Yomiuri ShimbunJapan, India plan to establish AI cooperation framework; PMs Ishiba, Modi set to agree during talks on Friday The Straits TimesSingapore biotech firm to develop AI platform for drug discovery with help of tech firms The StarMalaysia launches first local edge AI processor The Korea HeraldSeoul to unveil South Korea’s first self-driving shuttle in September Viet Nam NewsVietnamese travellers increase usage of AI in their travel plans China DailyFaculty, students in China face growing AI challenges The StarAI reshapes, not replaces, say young MalaysiansVIEW ALL COMBATING INFLATION Viet Nam NewsMillions of customers in Vietnam see electricity bills rise 30 percent or more Dawn‘Climateflation’ and the effect of extreme weather on food prices in Pakistan The Yomiuri ShimbunStink bug outbreak across Japan sparks rice price concerns The StatesmanIndian government starts selling onions at subsidised rates to beat inflation The StarHiked egg prices in Malaysia crack small traders’ profits The Jakarta PostInflation in Indonesia eases in August despite rising food prices DawnPakistan’s Punjab to release wheat stocks to curb rising prices The Jakarta PostConcert pullouts in Indonesia signal sponsorship, spending strains Borneo BulletinBrunei sees 0.2 per cent decrease in consumer price index in July DawnCoconut oil prices are going up in Asia as increased demand turns it into a luxury Philippine Daily InquirerP20/kilo rice for Filipino fishermen an ‘insufficient consolation’: fisherfolk group Viet Nam NewsPower prices in Vietnam set to rise as hidden costs surface The StatesmanIndia’s retail inflation slips to eight-year low of 1.55% in July The Jakarta PostIndonesia’s retail sales spring back in July after a nine-month lull KuenselBhutan’s inflation cools to 3.65 percent in June The StarCrude palm oil prices in Malaysia likely to remain steadyVIEW ALL TECHNOLOGY VIEW MORE Japanese game companies excel in developing role-playing games. However, one official of an indie game developer expressed concern, saying, “Securing high-quality translators is becoming increasingly difficult.” Artificial Intelligece, BUSINESS, Home Page, Technology, Technology RightSome features of Google’s AI mode expanded to support Japanese ... Around Asia, Artificial Intelligece, BUSINESS, Home Page, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, Technology, Technology Right, ThailandSatellite technology and AI provide new solutions for tackling PM2.5 pollution in Thailand ... Artificial Intelligece, BUSINESS, Corporate Buzz, Home Page, Technology, Technology RightSouth Korea’s AI challengers take on ChatGPT with own LLMs ...ECONOMIC AFFAIRS VIEW MORE The rally is stoking expectations that Lee’s pledge to usher in a “Kospi 5,000” era could be more than rhetoric, as investors bet on the government’s policy support to boost the stock market. US President Donald Trump has many times sought to allege that member countries of the BRICS grouping, of which India is a part, are working to replace the US dollar as a reserve currency.CORPORATE BUZZ VIEW MORE Toyota and Honda are collaborating with each other on the project to convey the fun of manufacturing, beyond their rivalry. The Pokémon characters chosen for the display are Miraidon and Koraidon, which look like dragons and transform into motorbike-like vehicles in the game. The top ten includes four state-owned enterprises — PetroVietnam, Viettel, Petrolimex and Vinacomin — four foreign direct investment firms — Heineken, NSRP, Toyota and Vietsovpetro — and two private companies, Vingroup and THACO. SPECIAL REPORTSVIEW ALL MORE HEADLINESPhilippines hails Korean fighter jets, eyes joint defence production ...Indonesia President Prabowo warns his Gerindra lawmakers against arrogance, flaunting wealth ...Myanmar Foreign Affairs Minister, Thai ambassador to Myanmar meet to discuss border trade ...North Korean leader Kim bares nuclear ambitions in new ICBM engine display, with Chinese President Xi at his side ...President, PM congratulate CP Radhakrishnan on election as 15th Vice President of India ...Four dead, dozens injured in mosque collapse in Indonesia’s Bogor ...CHINA AND ASEAN The Phnom Penh PostCambodia, China planning sixth military drills The Straits TimesSingapore, Shanghai ink record 15 MOUs as bilateral trade grows The Japan NewsU.S., Australia to counter China’s ‘destabilizing military activities’ China DailyAsean-Plus defence ministers agree to improve defence collaboration The Jakarta PostChina and Asean join hands to bring the ‘Asian moment’ in global governance China DailyRCEP shows strength and resilience of regional trade liberalization The NationThailand and China ink 5 agreements to boost trade, regional security The Jakarta PostIndonesia, China to resume joint-military training exercises, strengthen military cooperation China DailyXi, Widodo vow to take ties to new level The Jakarta PostIndonesia-China ink $2.6 billion crude palm oil, fishery trade deals The Straits TimesOutcome of China’s application to join CPTPP trade pact not yet known: S’pore PM The Phnom Penh PostCambodia, China sign $1.6 billion deal for second expressway The Jakarta PostAs Xi visit draws near, delays haunt Jakarta-Bandung rail project The Jakarta PostWhat does the 20th CCP National Congress mean for Indonesia? Viet Nam NewsVietnamese, Chinese Party leaders stress peace at sea, resumption of flights in talks Viet Nam NewsVietnam, China sign 13 cooperation documents in Party leader’s visitVIEW ALL BIG PICTURE VIEW MORE Cambodian and Filipino women entrepreneurs have entered into a groundbreaking partnership aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment across the ASEAN region. Economists appeared divided, noting the stretched state of the domestic economy following the recent expanded sales and service tax (SST) and the implementation of e-invoicing.POLICY MATTERSVIEW MORE The measure announced earlier this month would raise the levy on financial income — including interest, dividends, fees and trading gains — from 0.5 percent to 1 percent. The industry has responded in unison, arguing the move unfairly singles out the sector. There is a pressing need to further deepen reforms related to the market-oriented allocation of data elements, establish and improve basic data systems, cultivate the data industry ecosystem and expand international cooperation in the digital economy domain, an official said.MORE HEADLINESNepal’s federalism on a bumpy road ...40 litterbugs caught in Brunei ...Indonesia should be more active in foreign policy, former ministers say President Moon meets BTS, officially appoints them as special diplomatic envoy Russia’s Putin, PM Imran discuss Afghanistan, bilateral ties in 2nd call in a month Asean is China’s largest trading partner with US$685b trade CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT DawnNot just a disaster, Pakistan’s 2025 floods are a call to reimagine resilience The Jakarta PostAt least nine killed, two missing in Bali’s worst flooding in years DawnHeavy showers, gusty winds likely in Karachi today and tomorrow; 2 teenagers die due to electrocution KuenselWildlife offences in Bhutan fall, but timber extraction remains dominant Viet Nam NewsTyphoon Tapah weakens, heavy rains to drench northern Vietnam Vientiane TimesLaos, UNDP launch climate, sustainable finance hub to drive LDC graduation The NationBangkok faces existential flood threat, experts warn DawnParts of Pakistan’s Karachi receive rain as weather agency warns of urban flooding The Phnom Penh PostCambodia’s environment ministry shares results of fruitful ASEAN environment meeting The Straits TimesThird quake strikes southeastern Afghanistan, after series that killed over 2,200 people DawnPakistan is flooded again. Should we really give a dam? The Yomiuri ShimbunJapan eyes disaster site image capturing system to help facilitate response efforts The Yomiuri ShimbunTokyo reveals plan for 600 hydrogen taxis, with several ready to pick up passengers DawnPakistan dispatches 105 tonnes of humanitarian aid for quake-struck Afghanistan The Korea HeraldLa Nina likely this fall, may bring extreme weather to Korea The StarMalaysia needs to revisit disaster preparedness policies, use AI say expertsVIEW ALL AGRICULTUREVIEW MORE With entire crops washed away in the recent floods, the nation will have to bear steadily increasing food prices. Highlighting China’s $215 billion annual agricultural import market, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said that Pakistan can play a significant role in supplying tropical and temperate fruits, vegetables, and cereal crops.TRANSPORTATIONVIEW MORE Sitting at the top spot in August was the Changi Airport in Singapore, which handled 3.58 million departing seats. The taxis will be Toyota Motor Corp.’s Crown model. They have a driving range of 820 kilometers and need about three minutes to fill up on hydrogen. As the cars run solely on hydrogen, they emit no carbon dioxide.ENERGYVIEW MORE The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister said the country is studying nuclear power as a clean energy source in line with global trends and the country’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Nepal awaits China’s final report on methane before starting production-phase testing.MORE HEADLINESJapan to establish ¥500 billion fund to reinforce economic security ...China to include sex education in primary school text books ...Indonesian migrant worker’s ‘7 conditions’ for job search sparks debate ...Livelihoods hinge on green recovery ...Energy minister tells petroleum dealers ‘legitimate’ demands will be met, urges them to reconsider strike ...Japan cultural agency to earmark ¥6.5 billion to preserve local festivals ...Marijuana legal in Thailand from Dec 9, but ‘doobies’ still not allowed ...Covid-19 shots alone don’t ensure 100 percent safety, continued caution needed, experts say ...SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA Philippine Daily InquirerIn the Philippines, grated coconut makes good dialogue, literally and figuratively Go Go MongoliaMountains, yaks, and endless skies: Dutch tourists’ impressions of Mongolia The Daily StarWhat sparked Nepal’s Gen Z protests and rise of ‘Nepo kid’ campaign? Philippine Daily InquirerRelics of genius: Artifacts that changed the Philippines’ narrative The Straits TimesBritish teen’s love for chicken rice spurs him to land dream job at popular Singapore eatery The Straits TimesNew stamp series features four critically endangered animals found in Singapore The Kathmandu PostDevotees jostle to drink liquor during Nepal’s Indra Jatra celebrations The Daily StarBecause no one asked: Archiving the Rohingya past The StarContradictheory: Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka 118, a raised hand reaching onwards The Phnom Penh Post‘Nature’s clean-up crew’: Cambodia’s vulture population remains stable The Jakarta PostBattle over memory: Why the Indonesian government’s plan to rewrite its history books should alarm us The StarIs this the end of streetwear? Malaysia’s fashion scene reflects a global shift Philippine Daily InquirerThe internet’s latest buzzword: recession core The StarReviving lost Tamil folk songs from Malaya’s plantation era The Daily StarDhaka’s hidden gem: The gamcha market of Shyamoli The Straits Times‘Unresolved pain’: Last surviving comfort women in Asia seek closure, 80 years onVIEW ALL GO DEEPER WITH ANNANN NewsletterSign up hereTHE ANN DISPATCHANN LIFETHE ANN DISPATCHANN LIFEFollow us: