The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs says mechanized wheat harvesting in China has accelerated; 76.13 mln mu (≈5.08 mln ha) — 22.44% of the crop — has been harvested. The Huang-Huai-Hai main-production region has moved into large-scale harvesting after a recent dry, sunny window. Provincial progress: Anhui over 35%, Henan over 25%, Shaanxi just over 10%, Jiangsu near 10%; Shanxi shows only scattered harvests, while Hubei and Sichuan are finishing residual harvesting.

AI-driven buying pushed emerging Asian equities to record highs, with the MSCI Emerging Markets index up as much as 2% Monday, led by Korea and Taiwan AI leaders. MOODY'S analyst Denise Cheok said AI momentum persists despite multiple risks, providing a tailwind for parts of Southeast Asia tied to the tech ecosystem but concentration raises the risk of a sudden drop in AI demand. Rising oil prices and a stronger USD are straining external finances of fuel net-importing Asian economies and weighing on their currencies; the Indonesian rupiah and Indian rupee are the worst performers YTD. Wee Khoon Chong, Asia-Pacific markets strategist at a New York-based bank, said equity strength has not translated into currency gains, with USD strength, the crude rebound and recent deterioration in trade terms the main drags on many APAC currencies.

UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Monday to discuss latest developments in Lebanon.