Briefing: India news: Government reduces special excise duties on petrol and diesel
Strategic angle: The Indian government has ordered a cut in its special excise duties for petrol and diesel amid the volatility in global crude prices from the Iran war.
Briefing: Japan: Tokyo sakura season begins with Ueno Park picnics
Strategic angle: Japan officially entered cherry blossom season in Tokyo on Thursday after the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed the first blooming of Somei Yoshino trees at Yasukuni Shrine.
Briefing: Piastri fastest as McLaren outpace Mercedes in Japan practice
Strategic angle: World champions McLaren outpaced early 2026 championship leaders Mercedes as Oscar Piastri topped the second Friday practice timesheet for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Lynas Expands Rare Earth Metals Push With Vietnam Partnership
Lynas is strengthening its position in the rare earth metals market through a new partnership in Vietnam.
Briefing: Undeterred by war, South Korean day traders double down on world-beating KOSPI
Strategic angle: South Korean day traders remain optimistic despite ongoing conflict, investing heavily in the KOSPI index.
China reviews $2bn Manus sale to Meta as founders barred from leaving country
Deal scrutiny deepens over official fears of strategic tech flowing overseas
Briefing: Volkswagen Admits Defeat And Pulls Skoda From China
Strategic angle: The drastic decision is a consequence of collapsing sales.
Briefing: New India bill to amend transgender rights sparks protests
Strategic angle: The bill seeks to change how transgender people are legally recognised and their right to self-identify.
Briefing: India news: Andhra Pradesh bus fire leaves 13 dead
Strategic angle: A bus burst into flames after colliding with a truck in India's Andhra Pradesh, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and 20 injuries.
EU and Australia strike free trade deal after years of talks
Ursula von der Leyen and Anthony Albanese announced a compromise in Canberra aimed at boosting exports and strengthening economic ties amid global trade uncertainty.
Briefing: China’s ocean-floor push blurs the line between mining and war
Strategic angle: China’s aggressive exploration of ocean resources raises concerns over potential conflicts.
Briefing: From tropics to poles: How Pacific Ocean warming sets the stage for Antarctic stratospheric changes months later
Strategic angle: New research reveals the connection between warming surface waters in the tropical Pacific and delayed responses in the Antarctic stratosphere.
North Korea holds lavish welcome for Belarus president
A grand welcome in Pyongyang united North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko amidst Western criticism.
Briefing: GM’s China Sales Are Down 75%, And The Clock Running Out Isn’t One It Controls
Strategic angle: GM is relaunching Buick and Cadillac in China as EVs, inside a joint venture that expires in 2027 with no renewal confirmed.
Briefing: White House says Trump will meet Xi in China in May
Strategic angle: A long-awaited meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15, the White House said.
Briefing: Don't Worry, They're Just Running Out Of Petrol In Australia
Strategic angle: Australian officials are recommending working from home and reducing speeds while driving, as some stations run out of diesel and certain grades of gasoline.
Briefing: Ford’s F-150 Faces Multiple Issues Impacting Sales in Australia
Strategic angle: Steering, lighting, and sales problems plague Ford's F-150, leading to declining popularity against competitors.
Briefing: Asia looks to COVID-era playbook to tackle fuel crisis
Strategic angle: Asia is revisiting strategies from the COVID-19 pandemic to address the ongoing fuel crisis.
Briefing: Japan’s Complicated Relationship With Nuclear Energy
Strategic angle: Exploring the intricate dynamics of Japan's reliance on nuclear power.
Briefing: Journalists at Australia's national broadcaster begin 24-hour strike over pay
Strategic angle: Staff at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation are striking for the first time in 20 years.