ASEAN-Russia diplomacy: PM Lawrence Wong will attend the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan on Jun 17-18, with talks expected to cover energy, connectivity, education and culture—while ASEAN engagement with Russia continues despite the Ukraine war. AI and science funding in Singapore: Imperial College London launched a Biosecurity Network of Excellence and secured two NRF-backed Singapore grants (nearly S$20m) to use AI for chemistry discovery and software reliability. Data centre expansion and power rules: STT GDC (Singtel/KKR-backed) opened its first South Korean data centre in Seoul (30MW) to serve AI demand, as a Wood Mackenzie report says Asia-Pacific regulators are tightening grid-support obligations for data centres. EV momentum: A new snapshot shows EVs now make up 63% of new car sales by May 2026, with growth driven by China and Europe. Solar supply chain: Wood Mackenzie’s 2026 solar PV ranking puts Longi at the top, while protected high-barrier markets are gaining traction—Singapore-based Elite Solar ranks eighth. Water security push: PUB appointed Jacobs to assess a feasibility study for a potential dual-mode desalination plant, as Singapore commits nearly $100m to urban and industrial water R&D.