Strait of Hormuz & Shipping: Egypt and Qatar urged a return to the US-Iran MoU to restart negotiations, warning that disruptions to freedom of navigation would hit energy security, supply chains, and the global economy. Regional Trade Pressure: The UAE suspended all trade with Iran after missile fire accusations, while the US said the Strait remains open and mines are cleared—raising the stakes for maritime operators and Gulf exporters. Lebanon’s Security & Economy: Israel’s strikes and Lebanon’s disarmament “pilot zone” handover remain stalled, with reports of ordnance and friction around LAF control—deepening Lebanon’s economic strain. Local Infrastructure: Lebanon’s sectoral pressure echoes abroad as Tennessee approved a $9.2B toll-lane build, highlighting how long-term financing and engineering delivery shape transport outcomes. Planning & Consulting: Sharqia selected a consortium including Lebanese Beyond Group to build a spatial planning framework—another sign regional development work is leaning on cross-border engineering and advisory teams. Industry Talent: LAU hosted Lebanese-origin consulting veteran Souheil Moukaddem to mentor engineering students on management consulting careers. Humanitarian Tech: The UN warned cheap drones are normalizing attacks on aid workers, pushing humanitarian operations into higher-risk logistics.