APEC & Academia: The APEC Economies China Studies Scholars Forum opened in Guangzhou with 100+ experts from 16 economies, including Brunei, discussing shared regional futures and how to tackle development challenges ahead of November’s APEC meetings. Heritage & Culture: Sarawak plans to gazette a rare Arabic manuscript, “The Adventures of Sri Sultan and Sultan Tengah to a Mountain,” under its Heritage Ordinance and nominate it for UNESCO’s “Memory of the World,” alongside approving multiple heritage sites. Regional Diplomacy: ASEAN diplomats visited Bangladesh’s BSEZ, signalling interest in expanding investment and industrial cooperation across the bloc. Brunei-linked Sports Tourism: Labuan’s Super Novice 4X4 Challenge kicks off today with 40 drivers, including participants from Brunei, with seven stages over three days. Environment & Climate Impact: A new study says Indonesia’s 2025 Sumatra floods and landslides killed at least 58 critically endangered Tapanuli orangutans (about 7% of the population), with Brunei-based Borneo Futures among the researchers. South China Sea Tensions: China sanctioned the Philippines’ defence chief Gilberto Teodoro over “erroneous remarks,” while Manila also protested new structures on Scarborough Shoal.