ASEAN Defence Engineering: Russia’s engineer forces ran humanitarian demining exercises with Laos for ASEAN and ADMM Plus partners, with over 100 personnel from Brunei and other countries, using modern ground robotic systems and focusing on unexploded ordnance disposal. Brunei Education Spotlight (PISA 2025): Brunei placed among ASEAN’s top three in Mathematics and Science and second in Reading in PISA 2025, with over 5,000 students tested across 55 secondary schools. Global Education Warning (PISA 2025): OECD reports a broad decline in reading and maths worldwide, with reading flagged as the most concerning area as students struggle with basic skills. Healthcare Planning: India’s Keralam urged long-term health planning and prevention, citing rising lifestyle diseases and the need to prepare for AI and nanotech in future care. Cyber Skills Gap: Fortinet highlights a persistent cybersecurity skills shortage across Asia-Pacific and warns that training and patching often get deferred when budgets treat security as a cost. Haze Returns: Southeast Asia faces another transboundary haze episode as fires in Indonesia’s peatlands and forests push smoke toward Malaysia and Brunei, prompting school closures and emergency measures in parts of the region. Local Tech & Mobility: Honda Brunei introduced the all-new ZR-V hybrid SUV and Super-ONE EV, bringing new e-mobility options to the local market. Nuclear for Growth (Malaysia): Malaysia says nuclear tech is moving beyond labs, targeting sectors like healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and safety to build value chains. Sports Tech Showcase (China): China’s trade fair highlighted new sports tech, including laser shooting now used in thousands of schools. ASEAN Trade Diplomacy: India and Thailand discussed a time-bound review of the ASEAN-India goods trade pact, aiming to make it simpler and more trade-facilitative.