U.S.-China Aftermath: South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung held a 30-minute phone call with Donald Trump to hear results of Trump’s Xi summit, with both sides stressing “constructive” discussion on the Korean Peninsula and stability in the Indo-Pacific. China-Russia Pivot: Xi and Putin’s close ties get another spotlight as Putin is set for a May 19–20 state visit to China, framed around anniversary milestones and deeper strategic coordination. India-Netherlands Push: PM Modi and Dutch PM Rob Jetten elevated ties to a Strategic Partnership, signing 17 pacts and a 2026–2030 roadmap spanning semiconductors, defence, critical minerals, water and renewables. Trade Watch: China extended registrations for 425 overdue U.S. beef plants and added 77 new ones, a move welcomed by U.S. exporters ahead of major food trade events. Malaysia Education Row: Malaysia’s higher education minister rejected claims of unfair access for UEC graduates, saying the system can’t be reshaped for narrow identity demands. Japan Demography Myth Busted: A new Japanese study finds higher education delays first marriage by about two weeks and first childbirth by about 40 days—far less than the “demographic collapse” narrative suggests.