Syrian Justice: A court in Damascus sentenced ousted President Bashar Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia over crimes against humanity and war crimes, with another senior official also condemned. Energy & Trade Risk: Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb disruptions are again raising the stakes for global oil and shipping costs, pushing countries to diversify energy and cut import dependence. Business Climate in Asia: Bhutan says it has accelerated reforms to attract investment and boost domestic industry, while new data shows Bhutan’s economy grew 8.52% in 2025. Regional Growth vs Living Costs: Cyprus’ economy is forecast to expand, but inflation is expected to jump—raising the question of why households still feel squeezed. Digital Push for SMEs: Pakistan and Meta launched a Small Business Growth Academy to train 1,000+ firms in AI-enabled tools and digital marketing. AI & Commerce: A UAE study finds AI adoption is the top priority for commerce leaders as shoppers increasingly start with AI assistants. Energy Efficiency Policy: Malaysia unveiled an energy efficiency plan targeting major utility savings and emissions cuts through 2035. Global Renewables Snapshot: IRENA reports renewables hit 49.5% of installed power capacity by end-2025, with solar and wind still dominating. FIFA Politics: Infantino’s FIFA “Forward Enterprise” proposal triggered backlash from major confederations, though support has shifted back to him amid the dispute. Energy Markets: Aluminum prices jumped to a seven-week high as Middle East tensions threaten supply.