UAE–Europe Dealmaking: UAE officials say partnerships with Italy and Malta are expanding across innovation, AI, tourism, clean energy, digital infrastructure and logistics, with Italy talks also highlighting startup support and investment flows. Middle East Shock on Output: Israel’s economy shrank at a 3.3% annualized rate in Q1 as the Iran war disrupted schools, consumption and government spending. Oil Price Pressure: Moody’s expects Brent to stay roughly $90–110 through 2026, warning that Strait of Hormuz reopening is unlikely to be smooth or fast. Trade Agenda in Asia-Pacific: APEC met in Shanghai to push paperless trade, digital customs and lower cross-border barriers ahead of the Suzhou ministerial meeting. South Africa’s Jobs Debate: A new argument challenges the “wage jobs only” focus, saying the real constraint is how systems steer people away from creating and innovating. India’s Rural Value-Add: India inaugurated a ₹128 crore automated dairy plant to scale cooperative milk processing and lift producer incomes. US Cost-of-Living Mood: A US poll finds more Americans feel incomes lag inflation and that economic uncertainty is rising, especially with gas prices.