Climate Monitoring for Farmers (Philippines): DOST Eastern Visayas is installing automatic weather stations in Leyte under Project SARAI to help farmers and local officials respond to a worsening El Niño, with localized near-real-time weather data aimed at protecting rainfall-dependent agriculture. Durian Export Crackdown (Vietnam–China trade): Vietnam police have charged 39 people in a case tied to durian export certificates and growing-area codes for China, including allegations of bribes and illegal trading of codes. Biofuels vs Food and Forests: A Chatham House report warns that expanding biofuel production could surge by 68% by 2030, raising pressure on land, cutting food outputs, and driving deforestation and habitat loss. ASEAN Power Grid Push (Singapore–World Bank): Singapore and the World Bank Group launched a three-year partnership to tackle regulatory and financing hurdles for the ASEAN Power Grid, aiming to unlock cross-border electricity trade. Pacific Climate Negotiations (Fiji–COP31): Pacific ministers and negotiators meet in Nadi to set the agenda for COP31, pressing for 1.5°C, stronger climate finance, and ocean-focused action as sea levels rise. Renewables Grid Upgrade (India): UN climate chief Simon Stiell welcomed India’s Green Energy Corridor Phase-III approval, highlighting intra-state transmission and battery storage to integrate 135 GW of renewables. Wildfire Burden (India): Reporting from Uttarakhand’s Western Himalayas shows women as frontline responders to forest fires, often without pay or protective gear. Energy Transition Concerns (ASEAN survey): A 2026 ASEAN Climate Outlook survey finds rising energy prices and cost of living top public worries, alongside growing fears of energy shortages. Pacific Weather Funding Gap: SPREP says Pacific meteorological services face budget strain and declining observation networks, threatening cyclone warning capacity, as a 10-year Weather-Ready Pacific plan seeks more support.