India–France Innovation Push: PM Modi and President Macron will inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, featuring ~120 Indian deep-tech innovators, ~15 higher education institutions and 500+ investors across sectors from semiconductors to biotech, as India seeks global funding links to its higher-education innovation pipeline. Digital Education Scale-Up: India’s government says ICT and digital initiatives now cover 1.49 lakh schools, with 1.76 lakh smart classrooms and 1.79 lakh ICT labs sanctioned, alongside expanded SWAYAM, DIKSHA and Atal Tinkering Labs reaching over 1 crore students. China Smart Campus Surveillance: China is expanding “smart campuses” using AI cameras and classroom analytics to monitor attendance, attention and participation, with 469 smart classrooms reported since Oct 2025 and many secondary schools adopting the system. Higher Ed Reshuffle in China: China’s universities are cutting thousands of “obsolete” degree programmes and adding new tech-focused majors to address graduate job mismatch and align with development goals. Regional Knowledge Strategy: A report contrasts US area-studies retrenchment after Title VI cuts with China’s state-backed push to elevate Southeast Asia expertise in universities. Philippines–China Tensions: Philippine lawmakers call for support for Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. after China imposed entry sanctions on him and family, framing it as an affront to sovereignty.