Heavy rains across Southeast Asia have triggered deadly landslides, killing dozens in Indonesia and Vietnam. In Indonesia’s Central Java province, at least 18 people died and several remain missing after landslides buried homes in Cilacap and Banjarnegara. Rescue teams are struggling to recover victims buried under thick mud, with excavators deployed to clear debris. In Vietnam, six people were killed and 19 injured when a passenger bus was buried by a landslide on the Khanh Le Pass between Da Lat and Nha Trang. The incident, caused by torrential rain, trapped passengers as rescuers battled blocked roads and continuing downpours. Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying Southeast Asia’s rainy season, increasing the frequency and severity of floods and landslides. Both Indonesia and Vietnam are among the world’s most flood-prone nations, with large populations living in high-risk areas. The recent disasters follow Typhoon Kalmaegi, which earlier devastated parts of the region, underscoring growing climate-related vulnerabilities.

A recent World Bank report states that rising youth unemployment and growing wealth inequality in Asia are fueling fears of large-scale protests. Although overall job opportunities have increased, young people are finding it increasingly difficult to secure quality employment, forcing many into low-wage and informal work. In China and Indonesia, one in every seven young people is unemployed, while middle-class families are rapidly losing their financial stability. The report warns that if this trend continues, social stability across the region could collapse.

In recent times, Generation Z–led protests have surged across Africa and Asia, with young people in Indonesia, the Philippines, Kenya, and Mongolia taking to the streets against corruption, inequality, and unemployment. In Bangladesh, waves of protests against misrule, corruption, inequality, and joblessness have spread across the country, while in Nepal, public outrage over the lavish lifestyles of those in power has ultimately brought down the government.

U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming tariff hikes, set to begin August 1, have triggered uncertainty across South and Southeast Asian markets. Companies face rising costs, disrupted supply chains, and pressure to find alternative trade routes. Nations like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Japan are reassessing U.S. relations, while poorer countries like Cambodia face harsh duties. Experts warn the shift from globalization to regionalization is accelerating, with China emerging as a stabilizing trade partner amid the U.S.’s unpredictable policies.

OPEC+ has announced it will raise crude oil production by 548,000 barrels per day in August, exceeding earlier plans. The group, which includes OPEC members and allies like Russia, cited a stabilizing global economy and declining oil inventories for the move. This follows earlier increases in May, June, and July. However, the news caused global oil prices to drop, with Brent and WTI falling by 0.7% and 0.75%, respectively, on Friday. Analysts attribute the price dip to anticipated market oversupply.

LNG prices in Asia's spot market fell this week due to increased supply, weaker industrial demand from China and India, and high inventory levels in China and South Korea. Eased geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel also contributed to price stability. LNG for August delivery traded at $12.70 per MMBtu, down from $13.10 last week. Analysts expect prices to remain under pressure, though rising temperatures could spur future demand. European LNG prices also remained stable amid low global demand.