El Niño Watch: India’s IMD and NOAA say El Niño has officially set in over the equatorial Pacific and is expected to strengthen during the southwest monsoon, raising risks for rainfall, agriculture and wider extreme weather. Energy & Cost Pressure: A separate report links Middle East conflict-driven fuel shocks to Asia’s energy transition stress, with some countries leaning on short-term fixes like subsidies and more coal even as renewables expand. Regional Aging Policy: ASEAN’s push to turn population aging into growth took shape with an Asean framework on unlocking the silver economy, built around security, dignity and productivity for older people. Pacific Fisheries Fight: In the US, a Trump proclamation reopens parts of Pacific marine national monuments to commercial fishing, drawing support from fishery managers and criticism from conservation and Native Hawaiian groups. Digital Payments Model: South Africa’s central bank governor cites India’s UPI as a blueprint for a free, real-time national payments system to cut cash use. Archaeology Protection (Philippines): Kalinga and national agencies move to safeguard “Elephant Hill” in Rizal, after threats like looting and land conversion were flagged; the site has fossils and stone tools from over 700,000 years ago. Sports (Philippines): Gilas Pilipinas boys crush Malaysia to clinch a return trip to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, booking a finals spot and youth tournament slot.