Asia

• Indian equities are expected to open lower on August 25, 2026, as markets face pressure from geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the upcoming Nifty expiry. • Key global triggers include Brent crude futures hovering around $92 a barrel and a general slip in Asian shares ahead of Nvidia’s earnings report. • Geopolitical instability has intensified following Iran's pledge to retaliate against expanded economic sanctions imposed by the United States.

• A multinational study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases reveals that drug-resistant hospital infections in Asia are substantial and likely underestimated, especially in low- and middle-income countries. • The report highlights a critical public health crisis where antimicrobial resistance complicates treatment and increases mortality rates across the region. • Other recent health data indicates varying vaccination rates based on race and education, while a separate analysis of 1.4 million records links vaccination to a lower risk of head and neck tumors.

• Forbes Asia has released its sixth annual "100 to Watch" list, highlighting emerging startups and small companies across the Asia-Pacific region. • The 2026 list is heavily dominated by AI-driven innovation, featuring companies like Singapore-based Eezee and Hyderabad-based Equal Identity. • Equal Identity, cofounded by Keshav Reddy of the GVK Group, has developed "Equal AI," a specialized assistant designed to screen and answer incoming phone calls.

• The Busan Film Festival has selected 23 titles for its "Vision Korea" and "Vision Asia" sections for the 2026 edition. • The lineup consists of 12 independent Korean films and 11 works from emerging directors across Asia. • These sections are designed to showcase innovative storytelling and provide a platform for new talent within the regional cinema landscape.

• Japan carried out its first execution under the Takaichi administration, while the government removed the Cool Japan Fund from the budget and placed the post office under review. • South Korea, the United States, and Indonesia all set temperature records in July, though China did not experience a record high. • On August 20, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and India's Rajnath Singh met in New Delhi to fast-track "UNICORN," an integrated radio-antenna mast designed to reduce the radar signature of Indian warships.

• Asian stocks experienced a slight decline, with the MSCI Asia Pacific equities gauge dipping 0.1% and South Korea's Kospi Index falling 1.2%. • The downturn in the Kospi is particularly significant as the index serves as a primary bellwether for global artificial intelligence investments. • In contrast, US equity-index futures recovered from early losses, with Nasdaq 100 contracts edging up by 0.1%.

• Several major retail activations are currently transforming malls across Asia, featuring oversized installations such as a 10-metre corgi in Hong Kong and giant vegetables in Bangkok. • Notable projects include a Disney and G-Dragon collaboration at Hong Kong's Harbour City running until September 6, and an H&M x MLMA partnership in Seongsu featuring a giant sculptural head. • These immersive experiences, which combine art exhibitions and pop-up stores, aim to drive foot traffic and consumer engagement through high-impact visual storytelling.