Philippines–Japan Trade & Industry: Marcos and Japan’s PM Takaichi pledged to upgrade the Luzon Economic Corridor into a “world-class” hub, prioritizing rail/ports, clean energy, semiconductors, digital links, agribusiness and civilian port upgrades. Africa Growth Outlook: The AfDB’s African Economic Outlook projects Africa growing 4.2% in 2026 (4.4% in 2025), with Nigeria seen at 4.1% growth in 2026 amid inflation and geopolitical strain. US Labor: Jobless claims rose to 215,000, but layoffs stay low, suggesting hiring remains cautious rather than collapsing. US–Iran Sanctions: The US expanded sanctions on Iran’s “shadow oil economy,” warning traders of risks and aiming to cut illicit revenue. Sri Lanka Reform Watch: The IMF said Sri Lanka’s EFF reviews unlock about $695m and strengthened resilience, but warns 2026 growth may slow to ~3% as conflict risks worsen. EAEU Tech Cooperation: Vietnam and the EAEU plan deeper AI cooperation tied to smart agriculture, cities and transport, with trade already at $8.3b (2025). South Africa Rates: The SARB lifted the repo rate 25 bps to 7%, with further moves dependent on Middle East/oil and inflation easing. Malaysia Islamic Finance: Malaysia retained top spot in the world Islamic economy ranking, citing its halal, finance and innovation ecosystem.