India's NSA Ajit Doval welcomed the US-Iran MoU, expressing 'cautious optimism' for regional stability, energy security, and eased supply chains. He highlighted improved access through the Strait of Hormuz and the need for multilateral cooperation amid global uncertainties.
Hong Kong's Templewater is targeting real estate, energy, and healthcare in Central Asia, aiming to connect Middle Eastern capital with the region. Chairman Cliff Zhang highlighted the need for investment diversification away from Western markets due to geopolitical volatility.
El Nino's expected return in May brings hotter, drier conditions to Southeast Asia, damaging agriculture and increasing forest fire risks, yet may also cause dangerous localized flooding despite overall dryness, exacerbating challenges for emerging economies already strained by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs.
Global crypto adoption declined in Q1 with retail volumes falling 11% year-over-year to $979 billion, marking the second consecutive quarterly contraction and sharpest pullback since the 2022 bear market. The decline was driven by a stronger US dollar, higher interest rates and a risk-off environment, coinciding with Bitcoin's 22% price drop from its late-2025 peak above $126,000. Advanced economies including the US, South Korea, UK and Germany posted steepest declines, while Turkey, Latin America and South Asia showed resilience.
