ASEAN-India Trade Talks: India pushed for “mutually beneficial” trade at an ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation in Manila, focusing on reviewing AITIGA to cut asymmetries and make the deal more business-friendly. Tourism Tech in Brunei: Dynamik Technologies won Brunei’s AI–Tourism award for “Nakhoda,” an AI-powered digital tourism platform that plans trips, supports bookings/payments, and keeps sensitive data within Brunei ahead of Visit Brunei Year 2027. UNESCO Cultural Heritage Bid: Malaysia and Singapore joined Brunei and Indonesia in a regional bid to nominate zapin for UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, with a March 31, 2027 dossier deadline. Agentic AI & Human Value: KBTG Techtopia returned for its fourth year on “Human of Tomorrow,” bringing 80+ experts to discuss agentic AI and what should stay human. Regional GeoAI Competition: Malaysia’s Grabber led ASEAN GeoAI Fusion 2026, with Brunei’s Kandila finishing in the top five—showing GeoAI talent across the region. EV Logistics Push (Malaysia): Pos Malaysia scaled electric deliveries, now handling about one in three parcels via EVs and cutting thousands of tonnes of CO2e since 2023. Space Cooperation: ESA signed an amended agreement with ISRO to extend human and robotic exploration cooperation to January 2032, adding space weather and orbital sustainability. Digital Infrastructure Security: The US is funding a feasibility study for a trans-Pacific subsea internet cable that bypasses the South China Sea to reduce disruption risks. Energy & Geopolitics: A report says most fuel Australia imports from Brunei’s Hengyi refinery is Russian-derived, raising concerns about indirect support for the Ukraine war.