Maritime Security: The Philippines and US wrapped a five-day joint maritime drill near Scarborough Shoal, while China separately claimed combat readiness patrols around the disputed area—raising the temperature in the West Philippine Sea. Indo-Pacific Defence Talks: India held high-level defence engagements with New Zealand and Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue, and Rajnath Singh and Australia’s Richard Marles will co-chair the second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on June 1. Security Forum Pressure: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian partners to boost defence spending and do more beyond “summits,” as regional states weigh China’s military rise against doubts about long-term US focus. Energy & Food Security: India’s Khet Bachao Abhiyan starts June 1 to cut excessive fertiliser use; Cambodia accelerates renewables to blunt West Asia-driven fuel shocks. Water Innovation: A new solar desalination approach claims fresh water without toxic brine discharge. Science & Heritage: A 4,000-year-old Bronze Age child skull from Uzbekistan shows trepanation surgery—the oldest known in Central Asia. Local Milestones: Hong Kong celebrates Kai Tak Sports Park’s early mega-event success; Samoa’s USP graduation marks Pacific unity.