Red Sea & Strait of Hormuz fallout: Oman postponed regional talks on Strait of Hormuz as an Iranian commercial ship was struck, while Houthi drones and missiles hit southern Saudi Arabia, adding pressure to Gulf energy and shipping. Marine risks: An environmental campaigner warned that escalating Strait of Hormuz tensions could harm sharks and marine life in Bahrain through oil spills, debris, and underwater explosions. Saudi pipeline disruption: Saudi Arabia shut its East-West crude pipeline after attacks, with repairs expected to take weeks—an outage that could tighten supplies and raise fuel prices. Drylands expansion: A new study projects drylands could spread to about 40% of Earth’s land by 2100, reshaping ecosystems and intensifying water stress. Saudi aviation: GACA issued an Air Operator Certificate to an Air Arabia-led consortium, clearing the way for a new low-cost airline based in Dammam. Nature conservation: Saudi Arabia approved a 4,310 sq km nature reserve near Riyadh, boosting habitat protection. Nuclear energy update: Saudi’s energy minister said the national nuclear project is proceeding “according to plan,” emphasizing transparency and a diversified energy mix.