Brunei Maritime Security & AI: ReCAAP ISC and the Royal Brunei Police Force wrapped a four-day cluster meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, bringing together regional focal points to discuss port and maritime security, including how AI can support counter-piracy and cross-border operations. Transboundary Haze Policy: Malaysia is drafting a specific law to tackle haze, studying Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act model, while Malaysia also cancelled the Kuching Marathon as API readings stayed in unhealthy territory. Regional Wildfire Impact: Indonesia’s forest fires are driving toxic haze that has disrupted daily life across the region, with UN reporting pointing to a major funding gap for tropical forest preservation and firefighting. Cybersecurity Watch: Two cybersecurity firms say Chinese hacking groups shared the same advanced tool across campaigns targeting US aerospace firms, NGOs, mining and commodity traders. Health & Biotech Deal: Eli Lilly is paying $100M to start a multi-drug R&D collaboration with Beijing’s InnoCare Pharma, using InnoCare’s drug discovery tech for up to five targets. Space & Research Cooperation: ESA and ISRO extended and expanded their cooperation agreement, formally adding human and robotic exploration, space weather and orbital sustainability through 2032. Education & Skills: PISA 2025 results show Singapore leading reading and ranking near the top for maths and science, while reading scores decline across many countries. Local Tech/Innovation: ASEAN GeoAI Fusion 2026 in Malaysia saw Brunei’s Kandila place in the top five, highlighting growing GeoAI talent across the region. Pet Food Startup: Malaysia’s Notti Pet Food is pushing exports, aiming to lift export share to at least 50% within three years using fresh-meat, functional recipes and new production approaches.