Good morning.

🇵🇸 Israeli Troops Reenter Gaza

Israel initiated a limited ground operation in Gaza, re-establishing control of the Netzarim Corridor to create a buffer between northern and southern regions. Defense Minister Katz issued a "final warning" that Gaza residents would face evacuation from battle zones unless Hamas releases the remaining 59 hostages. This marks the first ground incursion since a six-week ceasefire lapsed earlier this month. More - Bloomberg

🇺🇦 Positive Trump-Zelenskyy Call Advances Ukraine Ceasefire Deal

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy agreed to support a U.S. proposal to pause attacks on energy infrastructure after a "positive" hour-long call with President Trump, who suggested American ownership of Ukrainian power plants as protection. The diplomatic breakthrough follows Putin's similar acceptance of the energy-targeting moratorium, though he rejected a full 30-day ceasefire. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia exchanged 372 prisoners in one of the largest swaps since the 2022 invasion. More - Al Jazeera

🇳🇬 State Of Emergency Declared in Nigeria’s Rivers State

President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in oil-rich Rivers state, suspending Governor Fubara and all lawmakers for six months amid pipeline attacks and political turmoil. The Nigerian Bar Association condemned the move as "unconstitutional," while opposition parties called it a "well-oiled plot" to forcefully take over the state. The suspension follows damage to the Trans-Niger Pipeline which generates approximately $14 million daily in oil revenue. More - BBC

Asia Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇫 Afghanistan, 🇦🇲 Armenia, 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan, 🇧🇩 Bangladesh, 🇧🇹 Bhutan, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇨🇳 China, 🇹🇱 East Timor, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇱🇦 Laos, 🇲🇻 Maldives, 🇲🇲 Myanmar, 🇳🇵 Nepal, 🇰🇵 North Korea, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, 🇹🇼 Taiwan, 🇹🇯 Tajikistan, 🇹🇭 Thailand

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇧🇳 Brunei, 🇮🇳 India, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇲🇳 Mongolia, 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan, 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

Asia News Summary

In Singapore, the economy is grappling with a major fraud case involving transactions worth US$390 million linked to US servers, as revealed by prosecutors [SOURCE - Malay Mail]. Meanwhile, Singapore's shipping firm SingPost is investing S$30 million to enhance its eCommerce logistics hub, indicating a push towards strengthening its trade capabilities [SOURCE - Manila Times].

On the political front, opposition parties in Singapore are voicing concerns over changes to electoral boundaries ahead of the upcoming General Election in 2025 [SOURCE - Vulcan Post]. Prime Minister Wong has urged citizens to defend their interests in an increasingly volatile global landscape [SOURCE - Malay Mail].

In a notable diplomatic move, Singapore and Thailand have signed five memoranda of understanding to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations, signaling a commitment to regional cooperation [SOURCE - Channel NewsAsia].

Meanwhile, Vietnam is facing a critical moment as the US Geological Survey has significantly reduced its estimate of the country's rare earth reserves, raising concerns about its future in the global market [SOURCE - Bangkok Post]. In response, the US has urged Vietnam to improve its trade balance amid tariff risks, while WHAUP is investing B29 billion in renewable energy development in the country [SOURCE - Bangkok Post].

In the realm of international relations, China's influence continues to expand, with Pakistan solidifying its defense ties with Beijing, as 81% of its weapons now come from China [SOURCE - India.com]. Additionally, Bangladesh has received a shipment of arms from China, further indicating the strengthening military ties in the region [SOURCE - India.com].

As tensions rise, Japan is preparing to deploy long-range missiles on Kyushu Island in response to China's military expansion, while Taiwan has reported an increase in Chinese military activity near its airspace [SOURCE - Japan Today] [SOURCE - Malay Mail].

In Afghanistan, the humanitarian crisis is deepening, with the WHO warning that 80% of health centers are at risk of closure due to funding shortages [SOURCE - Khaama]. The UN has also highlighted a budget shortfall threatening humanitarian aid efforts in the country [SOURCE - Khaama].

In Myanmar, ongoing conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis, with UN experts warning that a third of the population faces food insecurity [SOURCE - Scoop]. The World Food Programme has announced plans to cut aid to one million people, exacerbating the dire situation [SOURCE - The Sun].

Oceania Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇷 Nauru, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea, 🇼🇸 Samoa, 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands, 🇻🇺 Vanuatu

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇫🇲 Federated States of Micronesia, 🇫🇯 Fiji, 🇰🇮 Kiribati, 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands, 🇵🇼 Palau, 🇹🇴 Tonga, 🇹🇻 Tuvalu

Oceania News Summary

In recent developments across Oceania, Australia is navigating a complex economic landscape marked by rising building approvals and ongoing trade tensions with the United States. The Australian government is keen to resolve tariffs on steel and aluminum exports, with Trade Minister Don Farrell proposing a "deal he can't refuse" to U.S. President Trump to end the tariff battle [SOURCE - SBS]. Meanwhile, the demand for Australia's critical minerals is surging, prompting warnings that the U.S. may lose out to other buyers [SOURCE - ABC].

As Australia positions itself as a major energy exporter, households are bracing for power price hikes, a situation exacerbated by extreme heat that is projected to double the heart disease burden by 2050 [SOURCE - ABC].

In the realm of international relations, Australia is strengthening ties with India, agreeing to enhance interoperability across maritime, land, and air domains [SOURCE - The Hindu]. Additionally, the U.S. has commenced building a submarine presence on Australia's coast under the AUKUS agreement, a move that underscores the strategic importance of the region [SOURCE - gCaptain].

In New Zealand, a significant investment of NZ$10 billion is set to reshape the economy, focusing on infrastructure development in transportation, energy, and telecommunications [SOURCE - Scoop.co.nz]. This initiative is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Furthermore, New Zealand is resuming free trade agreement talks with India after a decade, aiming to bolster trade ties [SOURCE - The Hindu BusinessLine].

However, New Zealand faces challenges in cybersecurity, with a rise in AI-driven attacks and ransomware payments prompting authorities to take action [SOURCE - Scoop.co.nz].

In Fiji, the national soccer coach is advocating for the A-League to provide visa slots for Pacific Island players, aiming to enhance sporting opportunities in the region [SOURCE - RNZ]. Additionally, four communities in Rabi Island have received new water systems, improving access to clean water and sanitation [SOURCE - Scoop].

Turning to Vanuatu, the country is revitalizing its economy with a $10 million grant from the Asian Development Bank to enhance healthcare and support economic recovery post-COVID-19 [SOURCE - Asian Development Bank]. Infrastructure improvements are also underway, with a new wharf in Port Vila expected to boost trade [SOURCE - Islands Business].

Lastly, Tonga continues its recovery from the catastrophic volcanic eruption in January 2022, with efforts to restore critical infrastructure and provide aid to affected communities [SOURCE - BBC]. The dual challenges of natural disasters and the ongoing pandemic have strained the economy, particularly impacting agriculture and tourism [SOURCE - Radio New Zealand].

Carpe tomorrow!