Reuters

(Reuters) - Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plan to create their first joint strategy on automobile production and sales within the Southeast Asian bloc to counter China's increasing presence in the electric vehicle market, Nikkei newspaper reported on Monday.

The aim is to draw up an interim joint strategy through around 2035 when the economic ministers of Japan and ASEAN members meet as early as next September, Nikkei... (continue reading...)

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Lai Ching-te takes office as Taiwan's new president on Monday facing an angry and deeply suspicious China which believes he is a "separatist", and a fractious parliament with an opposition chomping at the bit to challenge him.

Lai will express goodwill towards China in his inauguration speech at the Japanese-colonial era presidential office in central Taipei, and call for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to pursue peace, according to... (continue reading...)

By Jamie McGeever

(Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets.

Broadly speaking, the global backdrop for Asian markets is still bright, with investors confident that the Fed will soon cut U.S. interest rates keeping the dollar, bond yields and volatility in check, and boosting risk assets. 

But there's a cloud that shows no sign of lifting: China. If anything, it's getting darker. 

The economic "data... (continue reading...)

CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State on Sunday claimed responsibility for an attack by gunmen on tourists in Afghanistan's central Bamiyan province, the group said on its Telegram channel.

Three Spanish tourists were killed and at least one Spaniard was injured in the attack, Spain's foreign ministry said on Friday.

Taliban interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qaniee four people had been arrested over the attack in which gunmen opened... (continue reading...)

(Reuters) - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain on Sunday, has become a contender to be Iran's next supreme leader with a clampdown on morality questions and a bloody crackdown on the nationwide protests it triggered.

Raisi's victory in an election in 2021, after heavyweight conservative and moderate rivals were disqualified by a hardline oversight body, brought all branches of power under the control of... (continue reading...)