Energy & Inflation Watch: Oil slid below $80 a barrel on optimism around a US-Iran peace deal and a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but analysts warn the “peace dividend” may take weeks to reach pumps and supermarkets as shipping, fertilizer and other supply chains take time to reset. Central Banking: Japan’s Bank of Japan raised its key rate to 1.0% at a 31-year high, citing risks that higher crude prices and a weak yen could push inflation above target. FX & Markets: Asian currencies rebounded after the deal headlines, with the Philippine peso leading gains as investors trimmed the geopolitical risk premium. ASEAN-Russia Business Push: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim heads to Kazan for the ASEAN-Russia commemorative summit and a Russia-ASEAN business forum, with talks expected to cover trade, investment, energy and digital cooperation. Telecom Scams: Sri Lanka is emerging as a hotspot for telecom fraud and “pig-butchering” scams, with raids uncovering foreign-run call centers and SIM-box setups. Data Centres in Asia: Galaxy Data Center raised $250m to expand gigawatt-scale AI data centre campuses across Southeast Asia, while KKR-backed STT GDC opened its first South Korea facility. Trade & Investment: China-South Asia Expo deals topped 27.7bn yuan, and Bangladesh picked up multiple awards at the event. Aviation & Tourism: AirAsia launched a Jakarta–Kota Bharu route, expected to lift Kelantan’s tourism and ASEAN connectivity.