Lebanon–UN–EU Agriculture Support: The Government of Lebanon and the UN (with EU funding) launched a cash-based programme to help conflict-affected farming households, targeting 2,000 households in the first phase as food insecurity rises and 1.24 million people face acute hunger. Southern Lebanon Pilot Security Test: Lebanon’s army began clearing unexploded ordnance in Zawtar al-Gharbiyah under a new pilot arrangement, but an incident near the buffer zone sparked accusations of aggression and raised questions about coordination on the ground. Israel–Hezbollah Drone Tensions: Israel accused Hezbollah of a “blatant ceasefire violation” after an explosive drone hit an engineering vehicle in the security zone, while Lebanon reported surrounding shelling and drone activity. U.S.–Iran Strait of Hormuz Escalation: The U.S. carried out a “heavy wave” of strikes on Iran after missile attacks on American bases in Jordan, with Hormuz shipping slowing and oil prices jumping again. Red Sea Shipping Push: Saudi Arabia renewed calls for a coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks, echoing earlier U.S. efforts to secure key maritime chokepoints. Botswana Prostate Cancer Research Fellowship: BIUST named its first HEROIC Prostate Cancer Precision Health Africa1K Fellow, linking African genomics work with the University of Sydney to tackle a high-burden disease. Salman Rushdie Terror Conviction: Hadi Matar was found guilty on federal terrorism charges tied to the 2022 Rushdie stabbing, including alleged support for Hezbollah. IMEC Corridor Watch: Coverage highlighted IMEC as a major India–Middle East–Europe transport and geoeconomic initiative aimed at competing with China’s Belt and Road.