ASEAN Diplomacy in Manila: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ASEAN foreign ministers that Iran’s move to control the Strait of Hormuz would set a “dangerous precedent,” as Washington also reported continued strikes aimed at limiting threats to commercial shipping. Regional Security & Energy: ASEAN urged the US to stay engaged to de-escalate West Asia tensions, while Cambodia’s FM flagged energy security as a top priority, pushing for faster ASEAN petroleum and power-grid cooperation. ASEAN Governance & Rights: In the Philippines, the PNP chief denied police “harassment” of photojournalists during a rally outside an ASEAN meeting, and an ASEAN SOGIE caucus warned Indonesia’s labeling of “LGBTQ culture” as a non-military threat could fuel discrimination. Crime & Scams: UNODC said scam losses across the Asia-Pacific hit $88–$114 billion in 2025, with Southeast Asia still the epicenter as networks increasingly use AI and expand beyond the region. Economy & Policy: Malaysia announced a fuel price hike tied to West Asia tensions, while Taiwan launched a tourism institute aiming to lift inbound arrivals toward 10 million a year. Sports & Culture: Malaysia’s dance team eyes two SEA golds; Singapore’s women’s football team qualified for the 2027 ASEAN championship via a tense penalty win over Cambodia.