ASEAN Higher Ed Push: ASEAN ministers adopted three initiatives to boost digital transformation, teacher development and research collaboration through 2030, including a framework for access to quality higher education via responsible AI and lifelong learning. India Digital Infrastructure: India marked 11 years of Digital India, highlighting BharatNet connectivity, Common Service Centres and online services that reach sectors like education and health. School Safety in India: Gurugram’s Safe School Zone survey flagged 137 schools needing road repairs or speed-calming measures before reopening, with plans for model safety zones. Child Data Privacy: India’s DPDP Act compliance in schools and edtech remains patchy, with concerns over posting children’s photos without clear parental consent. Teacher Phone Rules in Japan: Japan’s AED foundation warned that blanket smartphone bans for teachers could harm emergency communication after voyeurism scandals. Japan Earthquake Update: A 6.1 quake hit northeastern Japan with no tsunami threat; officials reported no issues at nuclear facilities. Work-Life Debate in India: A viral Reddit post about six-day work weeks reignited debate on labour conditions and well-being for young professionals. Language of Learning: Kenya’s education language dilemma spotlights how mother-tongue support can improve comprehension and outcomes. Higher-Ed Tech & AI: Amazon pledged an extra $13bn to expand AI and cloud infrastructure in India, aiming to widen access for startups, enterprises and government.