US-Iran Strait of Hormuz: Trump says direct talks with Iran are under way and warns it’s Tehran’s “last chance,” while Iran denies negotiations and says any talks are mediated by Oman; sources also point to Pakistan pushing for a meeting in Islamabad as maritime reopening plans remain tense. Regional security & shipping: UKMTO reports a projectile strike on a cargo vessel near Oman, and airlines issue flight disruptions around the Gulf as the standoff keeps pressure on sea lanes. Lebanon sovereignty & justice: Lebanon marks the sixth anniversary of the 2020 Beirut port blast with renewed hopes for an indictment, while Rome talks on the south raise the question of whether the Lebanese state can finally assert authority. Earthquake science: A 5.5–5.6 quake hit Egypt’s Suez region, felt across multiple countries including Lebanon, with limited damage and aftershocks. Ancient vines, modern science: Researchers revived Byzantine-era wine by identifying grape lineages from 1,300-year-old seeds at Avdat, linking them to varieties still grown in Lebanon and Greece. Privacy tech: Proton VPN quietly overhauled its WireGuard codebase for faster, steadier connections and stronger resistance to censorship. Defense tech leadership: Ondas Defense appoints former Mossad chief David Barnea as global president, signaling continued investment in AI-enabled autonomous defense systems. Lebanon media policy: Lebanon’s proposed information law sparks press-freedom concerns, including limits on Palestinian media jobs.