Middle East Trade Shock: The UAE suspended all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, after detecting Iranian ballistic missiles targeting maritime traffic near Abu Dhabi—raising immediate risks for regional supply chains and finance. Inflation Watch (Philippines): A CPBRD forecast says inflation is likely to stay above government targets through 2026, with full-year estimates still above 5.5% and upside risks tied to harvest volatility and commodity constraints linked to the Iran war. AI for Investment Push (Ireland): AmCham Ireland urged creation of a national AI office to attract US FDI, warning infrastructure and skills gaps could block growth. Rail & Trade Logistics (Morocco/Haifa): Maersk launched a Tangier–Casablanca rail service to ease congestion and improve transit reliability, while Haifa Port is positioning itself as a key link in the India–Middle East–Europe corridor. US Deal Review: The US Surface Transportation Board resumed review of Union Pacific’s Norfolk Southern merger, setting a fresh public-comment timeline. Local Business Resilience: West Virginia approved $3.2m to build the Wheeling Gateway Center; Hawke’s Bay added a part-time growth adviser to help firms recover post-cyclone. Markets: US stocks slipped as chip weakness, higher oil, and elevated bond yields pressured sentiment.