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Asia and Europe Weekly News Analysis

News Summary
Date
News Week
03/25/26 to 03/31/26
Week 14

Economic News and Events

  • In the 21 countries that share the euro currency, inflation jumped to 2.5% in March from the 1.9% a month earlier. This is the biggest monthly increase in inflation since late 2022. The European Central Bank is considering raising interest rates to prevent costs from being passed on to other goods and services. (Koranyl & Martinez, 2026)
  • Gas prices in Europe have risen 70%, and storage is running low. The war in Iran has disrupted oil supplies worldwide. Underground gas storage is at 28.4%, whereas it is normally around 60% this time of year. (Cingari, 2026)
  • The pound is currently the best-performing currency. The war in Iran has driven up inflation worldwide. However, Britain's dependence on imported gas makes it vulnerable, and the value is expected to continue to fall. It is currently at $1.324, after losing 1.67% in March. (Rebaudo, 2026)
  • South Korea announced a 5 trillion won ($3.3 billion) emergency bond buyback, while the Philippines held a surprise policy meeting, preparing to act if inflation pressures worsen. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of national emergency. (Reuters, 2026)
  • China鈥檚 economy is being pressured by the conflict in the Middle East. Policymakers must juggle rising inflation alongside slowing growth. The extent of the pressure is dependent on how long and severely the long drags on. (Yao & Zhang, 2026)
  • Malaysia鈥檚 economy is set to grow faster than initially projected for 2026, despite trade interruptions and higher fuel prices. Bank Negara Malaysia鈥檚 expected growth rate went from 4-4.5% to 4-5%. This is supported by strong household spending and steady tourism. The Central Bank said that a prolonged war in the Middle East could pose risks to the economy. (Latiff & Azhar, 2026)

Political News and Events

  • Polls show that Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister for 16 years, could lose the upcoming election. Orban is a member of Hungary鈥檚 right-wing conservative party. His opponent, Peter Magyar, is the founder of a center-right party that is gaining popularity among Millennials and Gen Z voters. (Than, 2026)
  • Even the most loyal of the U.S.鈥檚 European allies are not inclined to support them in the war against Iran. Many European governments say they will not be involved in 鈥渁 war which was initiated unilaterally and is against international law.鈥� The U.S. is threatening consequences for refusal to support the war. (Jack, 2026)
  • Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had a series of phone calls with the leaders of the Philippines, Malaysia, and the Marshall Islands to form an international coalition to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This is following their involvement in a U.K.-led statement condemning the blockage. Takaichi hopes to bring more nations into the coalition. (Japan Boosts Efforts for Multination Coalition to Ensure Safety in Strait of Hormuz, 2026)
  • Pakistan has become a key mediator in the U.S.-Iran peace negotiations. Their relatively good relations with both countries mean that the longer the war goes on, the more it has at stake. (Ahmed & Castillo, 2026)

Cultural News and Events

  • Former chief nursing officer for England, Sarah Mullally, was enthroned as the Archbishop of Canterbury. She is the first woman to serve as an archbishop in the Anglican church. She was the first female Bishop of London, appointed in 2018, just four years after the church began allowing women to hold this position. (Blackburn, 2026)
  • Former Beatles member Paul McCartney announced his 18th solo album, entitled 鈥淭he Boys of Dungeon Lane.鈥� McCartney says the album will be about his childhood in Liverpool and his relationship with George Harrison and John Lennon before Beatlemania. The album is set to have 14 songs. (Mouriquand, 2026)
  • A Russian court has banned the Oscar-winning documentary 鈥淢r. Nobody Against Putin,鈥� claiming the film promotes negative attitudes about the government and the war in Ukraine. The film is based on secretly recorded footage by a school teacher, who exposes how the Putin administration attempts to control public perception of the ongoing war in Ukraine. (Mouriquand et al., 2026)
  • The popular European song competition Eurovision is heading to Asia. First announced in 2016, the Asian spin-off will hold its inaugural contest in Bangkok in November. Confirmed competitors include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. (Mouriquand, 2026)
  • The Edo-Tokyo Museum reopened on March 31 after a four-year closure to complete extensive renovations and install new collections. The museum covers 400 years of the city鈥檚 history. Still maintaining its traditional architecture, the museum has added modern updates to its infrastructure and exhibits, extending through the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (Thu-Huong, 2026)

Social News and Events

  • More than 20,000 people participated in 鈥淣o Kings鈥� rallies in cities across Europe on March 28, in addition to the millions who participated in the United States. Many were Americans living abroad, but plenty of protestors were European citizens protesting President Trump and his actions in the Middle East. (Davalou, 2026)
  • Due to expected job cuts and class closures in the 2026 academic year, teachers in France protested. The inter-union coalition of teachers in France called for more resources and denounced the new budget, saying that it 鈥渞atifies an offensive against public schools.鈥� The Ministry of Education says the strikes are due to falling pupil numbers. (Joubioux, 2026)
  • The International Olympic Committee announced a new policy regarding transgender women in the Olympic Games. Starting in the 2028 Summer Games, eligibility for any female category in the Olympic and Paralympic Games or any IOC-sponsored event is now limited to biological females. A one-time SRY gene screening test will be performed on all athletes wanting to compete in a female sports category. (International Olympic Committee, 2026)
  • A 23-year-old serving officer of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force broke into the Chinese embassy carrying a knife and threatening to harm Chinese diplomats. The Japanese National Police Agency says the incident is extremely unusual and serious. Japan and China are working to address the actions and prevent further ones. (Lee, 2026)
  • Following the lead of other countries, Indonesia is set to enforce a social media ban for everyone under the age of 16. Meta鈥檚 new 鈥淭een Accounts鈥� will be implemented, TikTok will suspend all accounts for people under 16, Roblox will introduce communication controls that comply with the new regulations, and X will set a minimum age requirement for Indonesian accounts. (Budiman & Widianto, 2026)
  • The U.N. Human Rights Council condemned North Korea鈥檚 systematic violations of its people鈥檚 human rights, adopting a resolution that seeks to hold the regime accountable. This resolution has the support of 50 countries. They will continue to cooperate with the international community to improve the human rights of North Koreans. (Choi, 2026)

References
12/03/25 to 12/10/25
Week 49

Economic News and Events

  • China鈥檚 leadership and regional analysts state that the economy remains on track to achieve its 2025 growth target of around 5%, despite property-sector weakness and deflationary pressures. Senior officials cite upgraded forecasts from institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, ADB and OECD, and argue that fiscal support and resilient exports will keep growth near target, while acknowledging the need to rebalance toward domestic consumption. Asian and China-focused outlets present China as a key driver of wider Asian growth, but also stress structural risks. (Global Times, 2025)
  • Thailand recorded negative headline inflation for an eighth straight month in November 2025, with CPI down about 0.49% year-on-year, driven mainly by lower energy prices and targeted subsidies. Thai officials say severe southern flooding has had limited direct price impact so far, but economists and local commentators argue that prolonged deflation and disaster-related damage are increasing pressure on the Bank of Thailand to cut rates and on the government to add fiscal support. (Thai Newsroom, 2025)
  • China鈥檚 customs data released on 8 December 2025 show that its goods trade surplus reached about US$1.076 trillion in the first 11 months of 2025, surpassing the previous full-year record from 2024. November exports grew 5.9% year-on-year, while imports rose about 1.9%, producing a monthly surplus of roughly US$111鈥�112 billion. Reporting across Asian outlets notes that exports to the United States fell sharply but were more than offset by strong shipments to Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa and other markets, highlighting how Chinese manufacturers are rerouting trade to non-US destinations. Analysts quoted in these pieces say the record surplus underlines both China鈥檚 export competitiveness and concerns about weak domestic demand and rising trade frictions with partners such as the EU. (South China Morning Post, 2025)

Political News and Events

  • Japan says Chinese J-15 fighters from the carrier Liaoning locked fire-control radar on Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15s over international waters southeast of Okinawa, calling it a 鈥渄angerous鈥� and 鈥渆xtremely regrettable鈥� act and summoning China鈥檚 ambassador. Beijing rejects the claim and later publicizes radio-communication recordings to argue that its training was announced in advance and that Japanese aircraft 鈥渉arassed鈥� the exercise area. The episode has triggered warnings about miscalculation risks as both sides harden military postures in the East China Sea. (Anadolu Agency., 2025)
  • On 4鈥�5 December, India and Russia held their 23rd Annual Summit in New Delhi, reaffirming their 鈥淪pecial and Privileged Strategic Partnership.鈥� Leaders highlighted plans to boost bilateral trade (including energy and fertilizers), expand defense co-production under Make in India, and explore mechanisms such as local-currency or digital-currency settlements to reduce exposure to Western sanctions. Indian government and media framing emphasize strategic autonomy and a multipolar Asian order. (DD News, 2025)
  • Fighting along sections of the Thailand鈥揅ambodia border in early December, including reported artillery exchanges and evacuations, prompted regional concern. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly called for restraint and stressed ASEAN鈥檚 role in preventing escalation, while Thai media covered emergency security measures and local displacement. Coverage across Southeast Asian outlets frames this as a test of regional crisis-management mechanisms. (Bangkok Post, 2025)

Cultural News and Events

  • In Taipei on 10 December (Human Rights Day), Taiwan鈥檚 president presided over the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award ceremony, where the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) received the 2025 prize. Speeches by Taiwanese leaders and PBHI representatives framed the award as recognition of cross-border efforts to protect legal rights and resist democratic backsliding in Indonesia and the wider region, strengthening Taiwan鈥檚 image as a hub for Asian democratic advocacy. (Focus Taiwan / CNA. (2025))
  • A widely discussed study reported by Hong Kong-based media finds that many Chinese born after 1990鈥攄espite greater economic security and 鈥減ost-materialist鈥� values鈥攁re less supportive of liberal democratic institutions than older cohorts. Surveyed young adults prioritize stability, national strength and economic opportunity, while still criticizing corruption and inequality. Commentators across the region note that this complicates long-held assumptions that rising incomes in China would automatically produce stronger demand for Western-style democracy. (South China Morning Post, 2025)

Social News and Events

  • A policy paper from the Institute of South Asian Studies (NUS, Singapore) on 9 December analyzed Nepal鈥檚 situation after the large Gen-Z-led anti-corruption protests of September 2025. It notes that while physical damage and tourism disruption are significant, the bigger impact is on public expectations of jobs, fairness and accountability among young Nepalese. The piece argues that how the government responds鈥攖hrough reforms or repression鈥攚ill shape social stability and democratic consolidation in the coming years. (Institute of South Asian Studies, 2025)
  • Southern Thailand has faced severe flooding around Hat Yai in late November and early December, damaging homes, infrastructure and local businesses. On 7 December, Thailand鈥檚 prime minister set a 14-day target to complete clean-up and basic rehabilitation, promising support for affected families and tourism-dependent firms. Regional reporting connects the floods with broader questions about urban planning, climate resilience and support for vulnerable communities. (Bangkok Post, 2025)
  • South Korean lawmakers and media are raising concern after new government data showed that more than 900 men have evaded mandatory military service in the past five years by failing to return from overseas trips. According to figures from the Military Manpower Administration cited in early December, a total of 3,127 cases of draft evasion were recorded from 2021 to October 2025, including 912 violations of overseas-travel rules, with most violators facing little or no punishment. The story has prompted debate inside South Korea about fairness in conscription, enforcement gaps, and social attitudes toward mandatory service among younger men. (Korea JoongAng Daily, 2025)

References

11/25/25 to 12/02/25
Week 48

Economic News and Events

  • New estimates show euro-area inflation at about 2.2% in November, slightly above central bank targets and marginally higher than in October. Data indicate that energy prices continue to fall on an annual basis while services remain the main source of price pressure, keeping underlying inflation from declining more quickly. Analysts widely interpret the figures as supporting a pause in interest-rate cuts, with expectations that rates will stay on hold until inflation is more firmly anchored near target.(Bloomberg News 2025)
  • Industrial and services surveys confirm diverging sectoral performance across the monetary union. Manufacturing activity contracted again in November, with new orders and export demand weakening and job cuts in factories accelerating at the fastest pace in several months. In contrast, services-sector indices were revised slightly higher, remaining comfortably above the 50 threshold that separates growth from contraction, highlighting that much of the current expansion is driven by services while industry lags, particularly in some of the largest economies.(Reuters, 2025) , (Trading Economics, 2025)
  • A major national budget in Western Europe is another key economic event, with substantial tax increases designed to rebuild fiscal buffers and support public investment. Market coverage notes that currency and government-bond prices strengthened after the announcement, as investors judged that the fiscal stance provided additional medium-term space without signaling abrupt consolidation. Independent commentary also points to the risk that higher tax burdens could weigh on growth if not accompanied by strong productivity-enhancing reforms and investment in infrastructure, skills, and innovation.(Reuters, 2025)

Political News and Events

  • Several European states intensify discussions on using frozen Russian state assets to support Ukraine, with debates over legality, burden-sharing, and political risk. Coverage notes that European institutions and governments are examining schemes to leverage more than 鈧�170鈥�210 billion of immobilized Russian reserves to underpin loans or direct support, while some member states voice concerns about legal precedent and potential financial liabilities. Analyses emphasize that decisions on these assets have become a major political issue linking foreign policy, fiscal choices, and relations with partners such as the United States and other G7 members.鈥� (Reuters, 2025)
  • European bodies and national governments work to strengthen and extend sanctions related to the Russia鈥揢kraine conflict, including measures targeting shipping, oil trading, and the so-called 鈥渟hadow fleet.鈥� Updates describe new or tightened designations on companies and individuals facilitating sanctions evasion, as well as steps to ensure that existing restrictions on Russian sovereign funds remain in place and are renewed unanimously. Commentary underlines that these decisions have become central to Europe鈥檚 broader political stance on security, deterrence, and long-term relations with Russia and Belarus.(Mayer Brown, 2025)
  • A high-profile economic policy package in a major European country continues to generate political debate over tax levels, fiscal credibility, and institutional transparency. Reports highlight that the package raises the overall tax burden to historic highs in order to stabilize public finances, prompting discussion over its impact on growth, fairness, and investor confidence. The resignation of the national fiscal watchdog鈥檚 head, following the premature release of official forecasts, adds an institutional dimension to the debate about governance around budget processes.(Reuters, 2025)

Cultural News and Events

  • Debates over how to use frozen Russian state assets for Ukraine carry a strong normative and cultural dimension, as they touch on Europe鈥檚 self-image as a defender of international law and solidarity. Commentaries and expert analyses explore whether redirecting immobilized reserves towards reconstruction and financial support would strengthen Europe鈥檚 moral authority or open difficult questions about legal precedent and property rights. These discussions highlight how decisions about financial instruments reflect broader values around accountability, justice, and responsibility in the aftermath of war.(Al Jazeera,2025)
  • The decision to phase out imports of Russian gas and eventually Russian oil is presented as part of a wider redefinition of Europe鈥檚 economic and energy identity. Reports underline that the share of Russian gas in EU imports has fallen sharply since before the invasion of Ukraine and that a binding timeline to end remaining purchases by 2027 marks a deliberate break with previous patterns of dependence. Policymakers frame this shift as a cultural and strategic choice for energy independence and climate-aligned development, rather than just a short-term response to a crisis.(Euronews, 2025)
  • Analyses of Europe鈥檚 longer-term growth and financial-stability prospects emphasize the need for structural adaptation and innovation, contributing to a broader narrative of a continent in transition. Institutional reviews note that households still benefit from relatively strong labor markets and higher real wages compared with previous years but also warn about vulnerabilities in corporate balance sheets and sovereign debt. Think-tank and market commentary describe Europe as moving toward a new model that balances green investment, digital transformation, and fiscal prudence, shaping public debates about what future prosperity should look like. (LBBW, 2025)

Social News and Events

  • Shifts in energy supply away from Russian gas and toward alternative sources have social as well as macro-economic consequences. As the share of Russian gas in Europe鈥檚 imports falls from pre-war levels above 40% to low double-digits, energy systems become less exposed to geopolitical disruptions but still face challenges related to costs, infrastructure investment, and regional disparities. Analyses point out that policies to phase out Russian imports must be accompanied by measures to protect vulnerable households and maintain affordability, particularly in countries that historically relied more heavily on those supplies. (Euronews, 2025)
  • Youth employment and social inclusion remain major concerns, with new initiatives launched in late November to address vulnerable young people not in education, employment, or training. A regional meeting held from 24鈥�26 November focused on youth unemployment along the Danube corridor, highlighting that over 11% of young people aged 15鈥�29 across the EU are in a NEET situation and discussing cross-border solutions in education, training, and local labor-market policies. Recent labor-market statistics show that youth unemployment in the EU and the euro area remains close to 15%, a rate that is stable compared with recent months but still significantly higher than overall unemployment, which raises concerns about long-term scarring and inequality among younger cohorts.(Center for the Study of Democracy, 2025)

References