Regional Diplomacy: Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong will visit Brunei from July 14–17 for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s 80th birthday celebrations, attending key ceremonies and meeting the Sultan and Brunei ministers, with SAF training ties in Temburong also on the agenda. South China Sea: On the 10th anniversary of the 2016 ruling, 14 countries plus the EU reaffirmed that China’s expansive South China Sea claims have “no legal basis” and called the decision final and legally binding, while China hit back and summoned Japan’s envoy over Tokyo’s participation. Brunei Business: Imperial Motors has been appointed the sole authorised Subaru distributor in Brunei under Inchcape’s platform strategy, aiming to strengthen Subaru’s local presence. Brunei Economy/Entrepreneurship: Bank Islam Brunei launched its SEED program for 13 participants from government and community groups to build entrepreneurial skills and support sustainable income, aligned with Brunei Vision 2035. Energy/Markets: Noble won a $136.2m contract for its drillship Noble Viking to support offshore drilling operations in Brunei starting early 2028.