ASEAN & Regional Security: China accused the Philippines of “stirring up trouble” after Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro read a Chinese note at the Seoul Defense Dialogue, escalating the South China Sea war of words. Education & Skills: New PISA 2025 results show a global slide in reading and maths, while Thailand reports higher AI use among students; the Philippines also posted its best PISA scores since joining, but many still fall below baseline proficiency. Transboundary Haze: Indonesia’s forest and peatland fires are again driving cross-border smoke, with ASEAN raising the haze alert and Malaysia and Brunei pushing for regional action. Brunei Business & Mobility: Honda Brunei launched the all-new ZR-V hybrid SUV and the Super-ONE EV, signalling fresh momentum in local electric mobility. ASEAN Medical Devices: Malaysia proposed as the coordinating entry point for ASEAN’s single submission model for medical device pre-market approvals, with Brunei among participating states. Cyber Skills Gap: Fortinet highlights a widening cybersecurity skills gap in Singapore and Brunei, warning that underfunding turns training and readiness into “deferrals.” Trade & Travel: Thailand cuts visa-free stays to 30 days from Sept 15 for many nationalities, including Brunei, while ASEAN-India trade pact review talks continue. Finance Leadership: State Street appointed Tim Helyar as head of Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong, to drive regional growth.