Aviation & Trade: AirBorneo launched its first jet service on the Kuching–Kuala Lumpur route, using a Boeing 737-800 after the Sarawak government took over MASwings operations, with Sarawak Premier pitching the airline as key to turning the state into a regional investment and logistics hub. US–China Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said preparations for Xi Jinping’s planned September visit to the United States are “proceeding as scheduled,” with talks potentially starting at ASEAN meetings in Manila. Regional Politics: Rubio also framed US–ASEAN ties as deeper than ever, stressing security and freedom of navigation as the backbone of regional stability. Health & Training: HistoSonics opened an expanded Histotripsy training center in Hong Kong, aiming to boost physician education and accelerate adoption across Asia. Energy & Public Health: The IEA says clean cooking access in sub-Saharan Africa is expanding fast in 2026, but over a billion people still rely on polluting fuels. Society & Work: A Jobstreet survey in the Philippines found Gen Z workers are the least happy and most likely to dread going to work. Culture: Singapore’s National Gallery opened its first R18-rated Southeast Asian art exhibition, “Passion is Volcanic,” exploring desire across centuries. Markets: New Zealand’s NZX 50 edged up as tech weakness hit parts of Asia, while oil rose on US–Iran tensions.