Middle East Fallout on Costs: New Zealand’s Masterton council flagged that Middle East conflict-driven fuel price hikes could push next year’s rates above a previously indicated 5.2%. West Asia Diplomacy: Qatar’s PM discussed mediation efforts with Iran, including steps to reduce tensions around Lebanon. Lebanon’s Political Crossroads: A debate is intensifying over whether Lebanon will pursue peace talks or keep tolerating Hezbollah’s “state within a state” role. Ebola Response in Africa: India’s Serum Institute will manufacture Oxford-developed Ebola vaccine trial doses for the Bundibugyo strain, backed by CEPI funding; India also sent a second 43-ton medical aid tranche to Africa CDC. South Africa Xenophobia: Mozambique says five to seven Mozambicans were killed in xenophobic attacks and related incidents, with repatriation underway. South Africa Politics: Rise Mzansi’s Makashule Gana was elected to chair the Phala Phala impeachment committee. Tech & Markets: Nvidia says supply is still constrained; European stocks rose on STMicroelectronics’ AI-linked forecast lift. Energy & Climate: Vietnam accelerates onshore wind plans; the UN warns an 80% chance of El Niño developing June–August. AI and Work: A Dallas Fed survey finds many Texas firms using AI, with some reporting reduced need for workers. Digital Fraud: South Africa leads in suspected digital fraud rates among analyzed African countries, with generative AI likely boosting criminals’ sophistication.