Philippines Budget Transparency: The Philippines scored 76/100 in the 2025 Open Budget Survey, edging up from 75 in 2023 and beating both the Asia-Pacific and global averages, highlighting stronger public access to key budget documents. Japan–China People-to-People Friction: Japan’s tighter business-manager visa rules are worrying Chinese residents in Japan, with critics warning the changes could push some out and weaken ties. Japan Domestic Politics: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to skip the July NATO summit due to parliamentary scheduling, with a plan floated to send the foreign minister instead. India–Israel Strategic Ties: Israel’s defense leadership is deepening cooperation with India, reinforcing a wider eastward security network that also links to Greece. India–US-Iran Diplomacy: India welcomed the US-Iran MoU to end hostilities, saying it could stabilize energy security and ease supply bottlenecks. BRICS Security Talks: India hosted BRICS national security advisors as China urged rule-based approaches to hotspots and expanded counterterror and cybersecurity cooperation. China–Russia Military Link: Chinese naval ships arrived in Russia’s Vladivostok for training and exchanges, underscoring deepening defense ties amid Pacific tensions. India Domestic Pressure Points: India’s Telegram monitoring continues after the NEET leak fallout, while students’ distress around exam retakes remains a political flashpoint.