Philippines–AIPA Drug Policy: House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III urged expanding Asean’s parliamentary drug forum, warning trafficking is now tied to transnational organized crime and needs tighter law harmonization. Japan Security Debate: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faced heckling at an Okinawa WWII memorial as protesters demanded protection of Article 9, underscoring domestic friction over Japan’s security shift. India–US Trade Talks: India and the US discussed pathways for an interim trade deal as Jamieson Greer wrapped talks in Delhi, with New Delhi seeking a tariff edge while uncertainty lingers over US Section 301. India–UAE AI Compute Push: G42’s India supercomputer deal aims to reduce reliance on US cloud giants by building an onshore, non-US-controlled AI compute route. India Governance & Regulation: India deferred quality control norms for certain cross recessed screws for three years, easing pressure on MSMEs, while telecom licensing is moving to an authorisation-based regime. China Market & Finance: China’s top legislature pressed for faster rules to build a unified national market; Beijing also reported major LGFV debt cuts and plans 300 billion yuan in special bonds for state banks. China–Taiwan Pressure: Britain, France and Germany issued a rare joint warning over novel Chinese activity east of Taiwan as drills continue. Kenya–China Aviation Deal: Kenya signed a $1.2bn contract with China Road and Bridge to expand Nairobi’s JKIA, boosting capacity and reinforcing its regional hub ambitions.