Asian Games 2026 in Japan: Japan officially reopened the continent’s biggest sports stage in Aichi-Nagoya, with Emperor Naruhito and other top dignitaries at a ceremony themed “Imagine One Asia,” mixing culture and tech flair as 45 nations marched in. China tourism momentum: China’s railways reported a 33.3% jump in foreign passenger trips (Jan–Aug), with visa-free transit and cross-border routes boosting travel between China and nearby countries. China–ASEAN tech ties: At CAEXPO in Nanning, companies showcased AI cooperation from satellite monitoring for agriculture and disaster alerts to embodied AI robots moving into real workplaces. Japan clean shipping push: Japan unveiled a hydrogen-fueled engine for large commercial vessels, targeting major greenhouse-gas cuts and aiming to scale hydrogen marine fuel systems. India film spotlight: Marathi thriller “Gondhal” was selected as India’s official Oscars 2027 entry, spotlighting rural Maharashtra, Ilaiyaraaja’s music, and a big push for regional cinema on the global stage. Digital platform crackdown (China): China opened antitrust probes into major online travel and hotel booking platforms, including Meituan and Alibaba-linked units, over suspected unfair competition. AI risk headlines: A US military operation was reportedly nearly derailed after AI-generated intel was used, underscoring growing worries about AI mistakes reaching decision-makers.