Medical AI in ASEAN: China’s National Healthcare Security Administration is taking its Medical Insurance Imaging AI recognition contest to Vietnam, pitching an Aug–Oct 2026 Guangxi event with tracks for major cancers and other diseases, using anonymised clinical imaging data. Regional Education & culture links: ASEAN and Russia adopted a 2026–2030 roadmap at their Kazan summit, including cultural cooperation and energy plans that can shape cross-border training and exchanges. Higher education rankings: QS World University Rankings 2027 put IIT Delhi at 118 globally and highlighted broader Indian gains; Hong Kong also surged, with HKU, CUHK, HKUST, PolyU and CityU all in the world top 100. Exam integrity pressure in India: Delhi High Court is set to deliver judgment on Telegram’s plea after a temporary NEET-linked ban, as debate over paper leaks and student rights intensifies. Education reform politics: Rahul Gandhi launched “Chhatron Ki Goonj” to collect student complaints on paper leaks, fees and exam stress. School safety in Japan: Fires at Tokyo elementary schools led to evacuations and injuries, with investigations focused on possible origins near music rooms. School programme controversy: A Maharashtra case was filed over alleged use of a Pakistani song at a school event, which the school says was actually from a Turkish TV serial. Reading push in India: Turning Pages Foundation reports major classroom shifts in early grades through read-alouds, teacher training and school libraries.