BRICS Diplomacy: PM Narendra Modi met UN chief António Guterres and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi, stressing freedom of navigation, seafarer safety, dialogue over conflict, and reform of multilateral institutions as BRICS talks intensify. West Asia Security: Modi and Pezeshkian agreed on a long-term “win-win” India-Iran approach while discussing regional tensions affecting trade and maritime routes. ASEAN Health Cooperation: ASEAN and Japan launched a more structured health partnership, prioritizing healthy ageing and Universal Health Coverage, plus early detection and genomic surveillance. South China Sea Tensions: The Philippines escalated rhetoric ahead of DOC implementation talks in Manila, with China warning against “provocations” as incidents at sea are traded in public statements. Asian Games 2026—Basketball: Gilas Pilipinas opened its 5-on-5 title defense with an 89-85 loss to Bahrain, leaving it needing a win over Kazakhstan to stay in quarterfinal contention. Asian Games 2026—North Korea: More than 100 North Korean athletes arrived in Japan for the Games, returning after pandemic-era absence. Central Asia Disarmament: Central Asian foreign ministers marked 20 years of the CANWFZ nuclear-weapon-free zone, warning arms-control erosion and mistrust are raising security risks. Markets: Asian stocks slid as oil and inflation fears revived rate-hike expectations, with South Korea’s KOSPI dropping below 7,000. Business & Investment: SOFAZ joined the China-ASEAN Joint Investment Council, reflecting deeper Asia-to-Asia capital flows and corridor trade ambitions.