Regional Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Manila for ASEAN foreign ministers’ meetings and related Indo-Pacific talks (July 19-23), as Washington pushes a “free and open Indo-Pacific” amid South China Sea tensions. Brunei Education & Society: Brunei students’ chamber held a session on human-centered economics, linking empathy and ethics to issues like diversification, youth development, AI and the future of work. Local Culture & Tech: A drone show lit up Belait on Saturday, launching the Imagine Drone Show Tour with the Chinese Embassy and Hengyi Industries, blending tech with Brunei heritage. Military Watch: India’s Rafale jets are arriving in Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026 (July 20-Aug 7), a major air combat drill involving 21 nations and up to 100 aircraft, with Brunei among participants. Tourism & Travel Policy: Taiwan extended visa-free entry for Bruneian (and Filipino, Thai) passport holders until July 31, 2027, while removing Cambodia from two visa facilitation programmes from Aug 1. Business & Community: Toyota Brunei’s two-day “Endless Experience” event at Toyota Beribi (July 18-19) offers test drives, family activities and rewards up to BND6,000 on selected models. Health & Environment: Singapore and the region brace for a potentially severe haze season later this year, with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore flagged for a high-risk transboundary haze event. Local Spotlight: Brunei’s homegrown creative scene continues to grow, from automotive storytelling platforms to new cafés and tabletop games celebrating local food culture.