Gulf tech firms turn to Hong Kong and Singapore as Iran war grinds on

🔮 India’s Modi faces dual pressure from ‘cockroach’ movement, opposition parties The two groups’ objection to the revised voter rolls has fuelled speculation that they could become a new potent political force Leaders of around 20 parties in the opposition India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or INDIA, rallied against the Election Commission’s revised voter rolls, which critics say have potentially removed millions of eligible voters from the electoral register.

🔮 The new iPhones might not make sense financially in India, but the desire for one is not always rational, analysts say The iPhone 18 Pro starts at 164,900 rupees (US$1,700) and goes up to 179,000 rupees, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at 179,900 rupees and maxes out at 329,900 rupees.

🔮 Leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Thursday demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, after a local newspaper reported allegations that his handling of voter-list revisions could disenfranchise eligible voters and undermine confidence in India’s electoral process.

🔮 Saudi oil pipeline closure puts Asia’s economic resilience to the test Experts say the loss will hit Asian refiners first before feeding through to inflation, currencies and economic growth across the region Asian economies heavily dependent on imported energy are facing an even sharper squeeze after the shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline removed a key escape route from the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, deepening an energy shock that has already pushed crude oil above US$100 a barrel. Analysts said the loss of that bypass would hit Asian refiners first before feeding through to inflation, currencies and economic growth across the region.

🔮 India and Vietnam aim to turn ‘China plus one’ rivalry into trade gains New Delhi and Hanoi are looking to join market scale with manufacturing capacity to build new trade links, analysts say Such a shift could deepen both nations’ roles in global production networks across high-value industries – from electronics and pharmaceuticals to renewable energy – while giving companies reliable alternatives as they diversify supply chains beyond China. The idea has gained momentum after Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called for closer economic integration with India, including new economic corridors and supply chains and a potential bilateral free-trade agreement.