Brunei Transport & Tech: Brunei’s transport ministry is studying how to keep public transport reliable and accessible, weighing main-route bus services against phased Demand Responsive Transit, with more tech and supporting infrastructure to lift efficiency and service quality. Brunei Education for Automation: Brunei’s education ministry says AI and automation are reshaping jobs, so it’s updating higher education and TVET with new technology-focused curriculum, more project-based learning, and stronger data use from graduate and employer surveys. Brunei Digital Skills Push: DFCE 2026 wrapped with a focus on future-ready digital skills for Wawasan Brunei 2035, citing rising digital literacy and broader access to digital government services. Brunei AI in Food: Antrique launched an Nvidia-powered AI food innovation initiative in Tungku, starting with a 14-hectare coffee plantation, using solar-powered sensors to monitor crops and build datasets for AI models to boost productivity. Regional Health & Environment: Indonesia’s haze crisis worsened across Malaysia and Singapore as cloud seeding was paused, with air quality hitting unhealthy levels in parts of Sarawak. Youth Vaping Warning: Malaysia’s World Youth Foundation urged a ban on vape sales after reports of misuse involving prohibited substances, pointing to bans already in several countries including Brunei. Energy & Trade Watch: India’s Russian crude imports hit record levels for a second straight month, with Russia supplying over half of India’s crude imports in July despite renewed US tariff threats. ASEAN Tech & Policy: ADB flagged the Philippines’ digital economy at 2.5% of GDP, warning that fast fintech growth also brings cybersecurity, fraud, and over-indebtedness risks.