Malaysia Football: Interim Harimau Malaya coach Tan Cheng Hoe said preparations for the 2026 Hyundai ASEAN Cup were slightly disrupted after clubs didn’t release some players, but he’s confident the squad can quickly gel ahead of the July 25 opener vs Myanmar. Statistics Leadership: Malaysia appointed Siti Asiah Ahmad as chief statistician, tasking her with leading key national data work including GDP, trade, and industry/service statistics. West Asia Energy Shock: Oil prices rose as US-Iran tensions escalated, while gold slipped in India amid the same geopolitical jitters. South China Sea & Taiwan: China’s coast guard patrols east of Taiwan and a submarine missile test are seen as longer-term deterrence moves, adding to regional security nerves. ASEAN Refugees: Malaysia urged stronger ASEAN burden-sharing on Rohingya returns, pushing for voluntary, safe, dignified repatriation with UNHCR support. Japan Tourism: Japan saw foreign arrivals dip 2% in the first half, with Chinese visitors down sharply amid sour bilateral ties. Crypto Regulation: Japan moved to treat crypto as financial assets under new laws, with tougher penalties and updated taxation set to take effect in 2027. Sports Business & Culture: ICC approved major ODI and T20 World Cup format changes, while Singapore’s National Day celebrations in Vietnam spotlight regional hospitality and culture.