Maritime Security Shock: Reuters reports Iran is signaling it could escalate beyond the Strait of Hormuz by pressuring the Bab el-Mandeb gateway via Yemen’s Houthis, raising fresh risks for Red Sea shipping and global energy flows. Oil Price Watch: Standard Chartered says the Hormuz toll is unlikely to drive oil far above current levels, with prices expected to hover around the $80 range short term before easing toward about $70 later this year. Aviation Disruption in the Gulf: Air Astana has suspended UAE flights again amid Middle East escalation, while airlines continue to adjust schedules and refunds/rebooking options. Aviation Competition Move (SA): South Africa’s Competition Commission recommends conditional approval for Harith Aviation’s acquisition of FlySafair owner Safair Holdings, aimed at protecting competition as the deal advances. Urban Transport & Clean Air (Kampala): Kampala Capital City Authority says it has expanded clean-air monitoring to 134 stations and is pushing cleaner mobility via cycling lanes, electric buses, and planned traffic signal control. Logistics/Connectivity Tech: Thales and Singtel (with Bridge Alliance) unveiled a multi-operator enterprise eSIM network to simplify IoT device management across multiple countries and operators. Energy for Households (Zimbabwe): Fidelity Life Assurance rolls out Zimbabwe’s first large-scale residential piped LPG project, targeting thousands of homes via underground reticulation. Rail/Green Mobility (Africa-linked): CRRC staged a 24-hour, four-continent “Green Mobility” soccer relay broadcast including Gabon, highlighting rail manufacturing’s sustainability push.