Japan-Malaysia Trade: JETRO Kuala Lumpur will run a Halal Market Buyer Discovery and Business Matching programme to help Japanese firms tap Southeast Asia’s growing halal market, using a DagangHalal.com Online Japan Pavilion, AI-powered sales support, and buyer networking sessions in Malaysia. China Robotics to Real Work: At Beijing’s World Robot Conference, humanoid makers including Unitree showcased robots doing practical tasks like parcel sorting and household help, as investor hype shifts toward commercial use. India Cyber Slavery Crackdown: India’s CBI arrested a Hisar-based trafficker tied to a network that lured Indians with job ads for Myanmar/Cambodia scam compounds, forcing victims into online fraud under coercive conditions. Alibaba AI Bounce: Alibaba shares surged in Hong Kong as investors bet the company can win in generative AI, with cloud growth and heavy AI spending cited as key drivers. India Hotel Fire: A Kolkata hotel blaze killed nine people, including at least five Bangladeshis, with Bangladesh’s deputy high commission coordinating with local authorities. Japan Defense Politics: Japanese citizens protested against PM Sanae Takaichi’s push for higher defense spending and constitutional revision, arguing money should go to welfare and disaster relief. Media/Regulation: India’s FSSAI ordered Amway India, Emami and Bonn Biscuits to withdraw misleading “100 per cent” claims from labels and ads. Asia Logistics: DP World opened a new Johor warehouse in Malaysia to expand contract logistics across Southeast Asia, with another Malaysia site planned for later this year.