Brunei in the spotlight: A Brunei-raised doctor, Dr. Alisha Arul Alphonse, has secured a Psychiatry residency at Virginia Tech Carilion after graduating from St. George’s University in Grenada, highlighting the growing pipeline of Brunei-linked talent into US medical training. Regional travel rules: Japan confirmed visa-free entry for citizens of 74 countries and territories, with Brunei travellers allowed up to 30 days, while South Korea published short-term visa-free guidelines for 62 jurisdictions with stay lengths capped at 30, 90 or 180 days depending on nationality. ASEAN trade push: India-ASEAN bilateral trade hit US$128 billion for 2025–26, as officials set strict timelines to speed up reviews under the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement. Brunei-linked business and culture: Malaysia’s Abnormal Studios picked up distribution rights for sci-fi fantasy “Mimpi Kita: Castle in the Air” for Malaysia and Brunei, and AHOF’s new mini-album “RUN TO YOU” topped iTunes charts in Brunei. Finance and investment: Record Asset Management launched “Record Amanah,” a Sharia-compliant investment platform for institutional investors, following a recent Brunei deal. Humanitarian ties: Indonesia’s embassy in Pakistan and the PRCS collected over 80 blood bags in a youth-led drive that also included Brunei’s high commissioner.