WS #12479

The US-Iran conflict continues to escalate with new developments: Iran launched heavy missile strikes on Bahrain, with reports of direct impacts at a US base there, and airstrikes on Shiraz, Iran. The Houthis announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, and the IRGC struck a Greek tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. A drone strike halted CPC Black Sea oil exports, adding to supply disruption. US petrol prices have climbed back above $4/gallon. On the counter-signal side, there is no ceasefire chatter in this window; the conflict is escalating. In tech, AMD surged after Microsoft's Helios win, challenging Nvidia's data center dominance. BlackRock is seeking to raise $12B in bonds for a data center project in El Paso, with Meta owning 20%. AI biotech is gaining traction: Bristol-Myers Squibb is expanding its Nvidia partnership with a Vera Rubin-powered DGX SuperPOD, the first life-sciences company to adopt Nvidia's latest architecture. Capital is rotating into biotech as AI creates measurable value. UK political changes continue: Andy Burnham spoke with Trump, sacked David Lammy, and is considering cost-of-living measures. Ebola death toll in DRC surged to at least 930. Gold fell 2.6% last week despite the conflict, as higher oil and rate expectations weigh.