Indo-Pacific Security: The Philippines sent off BRP Miguel Malvar and its Navy task group for RIMPAC 2026 in Hawaii, signaling a push to deepen interoperability and a “free and open” Indo-Pacific. South Asia Politics: India’s INDIA bloc rift widens as DMK gets approval to sit separately in Lok Sabha and says it will skip the June 8 opposition meeting, blaming Congress’s shift toward the TVK-led government. China–Taiwan Tensions: China imposed a one-year travel ban on New Zealand lawmakers over a Taiwan trip, demanding an apology—raising diplomatic friction with Wellington. China–Espionage Warnings: The FBI and Five Eyes partners say Chinese intelligence is using job and networking sites like LinkedIn to lure Western officials into sharing sensitive information. Regional Markets: Asia equities slipped as oil prices eased, with investors weighing Middle East tensions against softer crude moves. Sports: India’s one-off Test vs Afghanistan begins June 6, with selection talk focused on spin options in Jadeja’s absence; meanwhile KS Bharat and Srikar Bharat both announced international retirement at 32. Weather Disruption: Japan’s severe tropical storm Jangmi cut power to tens of thousands and disrupted transport, with evacuations across multiple prefectures.