Philippines–Japan Energy Push: President Ferdinand Marcos met former PM Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Japan’s $10bn Powerr Asia plan, focusing on renewable energy, low-carbon tech and long-term energy security, with Manila set to co-chair an Azec leaders summit in November. US Immigration Tightens: A new USCIS memo says in-country green-card adjustments will be granted only in “extraordinary circumstances,” pushing many applicants to complete processing abroad—an issue for Guam’s large foreign workforce. Security Summit in Singapore: The Shangri-La Dialogue opens amid China’s military modernization concerns and Middle East tensions, with Vietnam’s leadership spotlighted as it balances ties with Beijing, Washington and Russia. India–Russia Counterterror Message: NSA Ajit Doval told a Moscow forum there can be “no double standards” on terrorism and urged reforms giving the Global South more say, while stressing safe trade through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. West Asia Shockwaves: Doval warned disruptions to maritime routes and energy infrastructure could hit the global economy. Hong Kong Universities Lead on Sustainability: CUHK’s global University Sustainability Index placed three Hong Kong universities in the world’s top 20. North Korea Reframed: A new book argues Kim Il Sung’s regime drew on Christian-rooted “religious” structures, not just communist ideology. Pacific Humanitarian Echoes: A forum in the Philippines links Marawi displacement to Gaza and Iran, saying many families remain stuck in temporary shelters. Samoa Independence Policing: Samoa plans a heavy police deployment for Independence celebrations, with 400 officers across events.