Energy & Shipping Shock: Iran says it has closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic as the US launches fresh airstrikes on Iran for a second straight day; CENTCOM denies the closure, but the threat is already pushing oil prices up and raising disruption fears for global trade. Regional Escalation: The US-Iran tit-for-tat cycle intensified after Trump blamed Iran for a downed US Apache near Hormuz, with Iran firing back at Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan where US troops are hosted—while the UN warns the “lesser fire” could become full war. Lebanon Spillover: Amid the wider Middle East flare-up, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon continue to be reported alongside renewed pressure on Lebanon’s security posture and humanitarian strain. Lebanon Trade Relief: Saudi Arabia lifted a roughly five-year ban on Lebanese imports, a potential lifeline for exporters and local producers after years of conflict-linked market access problems. Local Business/Legal: A Lebanese firm sued KPC in a contract dues dispute, seeking Sh10.6b, keeping regional infrastructure and construction claims in focus. Tech/Industry (Non-conflict): QCraft and Qualcomm showcased urban NOA progress toward 2026 mass production, signaling continued momentum in automotive AI manufacturing. Finance Mood: Equities slipped as investors weighed inflation data and renewed Middle East risk, with oil volatility driving sentiment.