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Economy

Bangladesh unifies QR payments to formalize cash-based economy

Nationwide rollout of Bangla QR expected to boost tax revenue and financial inclusion With Bangla QR, customers of any participating bank or mobile financial service can pay any merchant by scanning one QR code, consolidating an array of incompatible payment systems that had limited moves toward a cashless economy. (Screenshot from Bangladesh Bank's Facebook page) DHAKA -- Bangladesh has rolled out a nationwide interoperable QR payment system in an ambitious push to reduce the country's dependence on cash, formalize a vast informal economy and accelerate financial inclusion.

July 15, 2026

Economy

Indian capital promotes EVs to tackle severe air pollution

Delhi's smog-shrouded traffic in December, one of the most polluted times of year. © Reuters NEW DELHI -- The Delhi government, which administers India's capital region, is intensifying efforts to combat its alarming air pollution, including a new 150-billion-rupee ($1.57 billion) electric-vehicle push targeting vehicle emissions, a leading polluter.

July 15, 2026

Economy

Amazon courts China sellers with US customs-friendly warehouses

New facility near Shanghai port follows Shenzhen center, with another coming soon Amazon's booth at a cross-border commerce exhibition in Hangzhou in early July: The company is expanding its warehousing in China. (Photo by Wataru Suzuki) HANGZHOU, China -- Amazon is building new warehouses near key ports in China to tap demand for compliant trade amid growing scrutiny of imported goods at U.S. customs.

July 15, 2026

Economy

KFC faces possible closures after cyberattack on Japan’s Nichirei

Shares of food distribution company fall 5% as disruption widens The KFC fried chicken chain might have to shorten operating hours at some stores or temporarily close them as it deals with disruptions to ingredient deliveries after a cyberattack on food logistics company Nichirei. (Photo by Yui Sato) TOKYO -- Kentucky Fried Chicken stores in Japan may face temporary closures or shorter operating hours after a cyberattack crippled the distribution network of Nichirei, the nation's largest frozen food maker, disrupting deliveries of key ingredients, including chicken.

July 15, 2026

Economy

Australia unveils AI standards to shape roll out of technology

Albanese says country will regulate data center construction and training of models Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivers a speech titled "AI in Australia's Interests" at the University of Sydney on July 15. © Reuters BANGKOK -- Australia will implement "world-leading" artificial intelligence standards, building on its pioneering role in establishing a social media ban for children to "shape the future rather than letting the future of AI shape us," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday.

July 15, 2026

Economy

Indonesia’s Indika Energy bets on gold as coal volatility increases

Miner navigates rising policy uncertainty, geopolitics and decarbonization push Indika Energy's gold project in Indonesia's South Sulawesi province. The miner is accelerating diversification into gold as coal demand and prices become increasingly volatile. (Indika Energy) JAKARTA -- Indonesian coal miner Indika Energy is preparing to kick off production at its first gold mine early next year, with the company's president stressing to Nikkei Asia the importance of the bullion business in coping with rising coal price volatility.

July 15, 2026

Economy

China’s big three airlines lose up to $1.33bn amid Middle East war

Long-struggling China Southern, Air China and China Eastern all blame fuel prices A China Southern Airlines Airbus A321 plane is towed at Changi Airport in Singapore: The carrier expects to post the biggest loss among the country's big three. © Reuters TOKYO -- China's big three state-owned airlines expect to report deeper first-half net losses than last year, mainly due to higher fuel prices as the war in the Middle East drags on.

July 15, 2026

Economy

Taiwan orders dozens of sea drones to fend off China’s maritime squeeze

Government institute to build with US partner; ex-official says hundreds needed Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling attends an event to unveil a new Coast Guard patrol ship in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on May 15. The government is working to bolster the force's capabilities with sea drones. © Reuters TAIPEI -- Taiwan has decided to award contracts for dozens of sea drones for its Coast Guard, a high-ranking official close to the matter told Nikkei Asia, tapping U.S. technology as it races to strengthen defense and counter China's expanding maritime operations in the region.

July 15, 2026

Economy

India’s weak monsoon hits crop sowing, raising inflation fears

Uneven rainfall weighs on planting in dry states like Karnataka Farm workers replant paddy saplings in a field after monsoon rains on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, on July 10. © AP MUMBAI -- Below average and uneven rainfall during India's monsoon sowing season is keeping fears of increased food inflation alive, with planting of key crops down by as much as 39% compared with last year.

July 15, 2026

Economy

JAL and Marriott introduce reciprocal benefits for over 300m members

Loyalty program enrollees gain mutual access to miles, room upgrades, other perks JAL Executive Officer Shingo Nishida, second from left, and Marriott Chief Commercial Officer John Toomey help launch the new initiative on July 14 in Tokyo. (Photo by Aline Sauvegrain Tanabe) TOKYO -- Japan Airlines (JAL) and Marriott International have struck a deal that enables members at both companies' loyalty programs to mutually share benefits, the two sides announced Tuesday.

July 15, 2026

Economy

Japan ruling party weighs lifting US potato ban as trade bargaining chip

Tokyo has long prohibited imports for fresh consumption on pest, disease fears Importing U.S. potatoes for fresh consumption would give consumers more choices but would increase competition for Japanese farmers. (Photo by Nanami Sato) TOKYO -- Some members of Japan's ruling party are arguing for allowing the import of American potatoes for fresh consumption, a step the Asian country has long resisted over concerns about diseases and pests, as Tokyo looks for ways to counter trade pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.

July 15, 2026

Economy

CXMT to raise $8.5bn in largest Chinese chip IPO

Listing comes as chipmakers accelerate investment amid global semiconductor shortage ChangXin Memory Technologies plans an IPO as the global tech industry confronts an unprecedented memory chip shortage caused by demand for AI infrastructure. © Reuters TAIPEI -- Top Chinese memory chip maker ChangXin Memory Technologies appears set to raise more than $8.54 billion in what would be China's largest semiconductor initial public offering, amid the worldwide crunch for this type of chip.

July 15, 2026