Indonesia
Indonesia Bans Nickel Ore Exports, Tightening Global EV Supply Chain
Indonesia expanded its nickel export ban to intermediate products, sending prices up 12% and forcing EV battery makers to adapt to tighter supply chains.
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Laos
Laos-China Railway Reports 10 Million Passengers in First Year of Operations
The Laos-China Railway carried 10 million passengers in its first three years, boosting Chinese tourist arrivals to Laos by 280% while debt concerns persist.
India
India Overtakes Japan as World's Fourth-Largest Economy by GDP
India officially surpassed Japan as the world's fourth-largest economy with $4.18 trillion GDP, though per capita income remains a fraction of Japan's at $2,850.
Philippines
Philippines and Japan Sign Reciprocal Access Agreement for Defense Forces
The Philippines and Japan signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement for military deployments, with Japan committing $2 billion in defense assistance including patrol vessels and radar systems.
Japan
Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Jolts Central Japan, Tsunami Warning Issued
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake off Shizuoka triggered tsunami warnings across Japan's Pacific coast, halting Shinkansen service and renewing Nankai Trough megathrust concerns.
South Korea
South Korea Unveils $45 Billion AI Investment Plan Through 2030
South Korea committed $45 billion in public-private investment for AI development through 2030, with Samsung, SK, LG, and Hyundai pledging $34 billion alongside government spending.
Myanmar
Myanmar Resistance Forces Capture Strategic Town in Northern Shan State
Myanmar's resistance forces captured Lashio, the junta's Northeastern Regional Command headquarters, disrupting the primary overland trade route between Myanmar and China.
China
China and Saudi Arabia Expand Currency Swap to $10 Billion
China and Saudi Arabia expanded their currency swap to $10 billion with provisions for yuan settlement of up to 15% of Saudi crude sales to Chinese refiners.
India
India's Air Quality Crisis: Delhi Records Worst AQI in Five Years
Delhi's air quality index hit 497, the worst in five years, as crop burning fires and a temperature inversion created dangerous pollution levels 30 times above WHO limits.
Cambodia
Cambodia Opens New $1.5 Billion International Airport Near Angkor Wat
Cambodia's new $1.5 billion Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport opened with direct routes to 28 Asian destinations, targeting 8 million tourists by 2027.
Taiwan
Taiwan Strait Tensions Rise as PLA Conducts Largest Naval Exercise of 2025
China conducted its largest Taiwan Strait military exercise of 2025 with 90 vessels and 150 aircraft, prompting combat readiness activation by Taiwan's armed forces.
Pakistan
Pakistan Secures $7 Billion IMF Bailout With Strict Fiscal Conditions
Pakistan secured its 24th IMF program worth $7 billion with strict conditions including unprecedented agricultural taxation and state-owned enterprise privatization.