Asia·3 May 2026

Mayon Volcano on Luzon island erupted, sending thick ash clouds and triggering pyroclastic flows. Hot gases and volcanic material descended the slopes, blanketing at least 52 nearby villages. A lava flow collapse on May 2 initiated a pyroclastic density current along the southwestern slopes, producing a fast-moving ash flow visible from Legazpi City. Residents are using masks and umbrellas to protect themselves from ashfall, while authorities monitor the ongoing eruption for further hazards to communities and air travel.

Germany and India are finalizing an $8 billion submarine deal, expected within three months, involving advanced submarines built in India under technology transfer. This strengthens defense ties between New Delhi and Berlin. Separately, a China-linked advanced persistent threat actor has conducted intrusion operations targeting government entities in multiple Asian countries and at least one NATO member state, as well as journalists and activists, reflecting continued strategic intelligence collection. On the diplomatic front, Iran submitted a 14-point peace plan to US President Trump via a Pakistani intermediary, demanding reparations, sanctions lifting, asset unfreezing, and US troop withdrawal within 30 days. Trump acknowledged receipt but indicated it is likely unacceptable. In Northeast Asia, Japan is preparing to launch trade talks with the Mercosur bloc to diversify supply chains amid US tariff concerns and Chinese rare earth restrictions. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te began an official visit to Eswatini, one of Taiwan's few diplomatic allies, drawing condemnation from Beijing, which state media called him a 'rat'. Meanwhile, two US Air Force C-17s delivered advance cargo to Beijing for President Trump's upcoming visit to China, with additional flights expected. China's Ministry of Commerce rejected US sanctions on five refineries accused of importing Iranian oil, calling them a violation of international law. South Korea successfully launched an Earth-observation satellite from a US military base. Building on earlier reports, Japan and South Korea have continued to strengthen ties amid concerns over US reliability, closing ranks ahead of high-level meetings.

A 4-year-old girl was raped and murdered, sparking widespread outrage; villagers blocked the Pune-Bengaluru highway demanding justice. In Delhi, a fire at a four-storey building in Shahdara killed nine people, suspected caused by an air conditioner blast. A judge, Aman Kumar Sharma, was found dead at his residence under suspicious circumstances, with his family alleging foul play. In West Bengal, the Election Commission ordered a repoll in all 285 polling stations of the Falta Assembly constituency due to severe electoral offences, scheduled for May 21. Clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters during repolling in Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee dared the BJP to contest from Falta after the repoll announcement. In Karnataka, BJP candidate DN Jeevaraj won the Sringeri seat after a court-ordered recount, reversing a narrow loss. Top-level security was implemented at the Netaji Indoor Stadium counting centre in Kolkata ahead of vote counting. Elsewhere, four minor siblings were found murdered in their home in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, with their mother suspected and on the run. In Bengaluru, a father poured petrol on his son during an argument, leading to both being burned. A passenger opened an emergency exit on a moving Air Arabia flight at Chennai airport, causing a security incident. The BCCI announced it will review the Impact Player rule in the IPL. India's top firms gained Rs 2.20 lakh crore in market value amid a rising Sensex. The Samajwadi Party warned against spreading rumors about a honey trap case on social media.

Japan contained its largest wildfire in decades after an 11-day battle involving hundreds of firefighters and over 1,000 military personnel, burning around 1,600 hectares. In Malaysia, a knife-wielding woman was disarmed by the crowd at a water music festival in Kuala Lumpur and arrested. A helicopter crashed near a BTS depot in Samut Prakan, Thailand, after engine trouble, injuring two people. In Singapore, a metal beam from a worksite fell onto the roof of a Yishun HDB block with no injuries. In Seoul, protesters held a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue defeated Junto Nakatani to retain his undisputed super bantamweight title at Tokyo Dome. A robot patrolling a park in Jilin province, China, went viral for using humorous warnings about pesticide dangers. A memorial for the elephant Arjuna, who carried the golden howdah in Mysuru Dasara, will be inaugurated on May 6.