Semiconductor Manufacturing Push (India): Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for ASIP Technologies’ semiconductor assembly, packaging and testing plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with an initial ₹460 crore investment and about 96 million units annual capacity, partnering with South Korea’s APACT and targeting advanced 2.5D/3D packaging. Offshore Energy (India): The Union Cabinet cleared “Samudra Manthan,” a Rs 84,084 crore offshore oil and gas exploration scheme through FY2030-31, aiming to cut import dependence and build an offshore ecosystem. Defence Tech (India): DRDO and Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering delivered India’s first indigenous expendable turbojet engine, designed for one-time use in missiles, loitering munitions and UAVs. Regulation & Compliance (Philippines): The BIR ordered tobacco and vape firms to register brands and variants within six months under a new circular, with stamp and graphic warning requirements. Health & Consumer Safety (Tanzania): Doctors warned young people in Tanzania about mixing energy drinks with alcohol, linking the trend to rising non-communicable disease risks. Industrial Diversification (Trinidad & Tobago): Pennywise said FX pressures are pushing it toward manufacturing after retail success. Food Manufacturing Policy (South Africa): ITAC recommended raising peanut butter import duty to 20% to protect local producers.