Strait of Hormuz, Energy Trade: Iran says reopening the Strait of Hormuz is in “final stages” with Oman, but only if the US meets demands including compensation, sanctions relief, and ending threats—while Tehran also signals it may bar vessels linked to “hostile countries.” US-Iran Posture: Trump tells Axios he’s “low-keying it” with Iran, leaning on economic pressure rather than fresh strikes as talks stall. Gaza Reconstruction & Security: Israel rejects Trump’s Gaza “Board of Peace” roadmap, insisting IDF won’t withdraw until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed,” deepening the US-Israel rift over sequencing and a possible multinational force. Humanitarian & Public Health in Gaza: Reports highlight Gaza’s sewage crisis—displaced families say the sea has turned into an open dumping ground—adding to the food and infrastructure collapse. Animal Health & Trade Controls: The Philippines bans Middle East animal imports after FMD detections, a move that can ripple into regional livestock supply chains. West Bank Settlements & Displacement: Coverage continues on settlement expansion and raids that threaten homes and livelihoods, including new housing tenders and demolition threats. Research & Materials Engineering: Ben-Gurion University honors an Oct. 7 victim with a portable XRF device to support on-site materials and archaeology analysis. Water & Infrastructure Accountability: A separate investigation into unexplained water-pressure drops in Algiers remains unresolved, underscoring how data gaps can delay fixes.