WS #6784

The Middle East conflict is ESCALATING sharply with Iran launching a missile and drone attack on the UAE, which was intercepted by UAE air defenses, and the IDF reporting casualties from a Hezbollah drone attack. This marks a direct attack on a major US ally and oil producer, significantly widening the conflict. Separately, the CDC has classified the hantavirus outbreak as a 'Level 3' emergency, with the infected cruise ship en route to the Canary Islands, adding a new public health risk. On the corporate front, Akamai surged 25% premarket on a $1.8 billion AI cloud deal, while IREN jumped on a $2.1 billion Nvidia partnership. SoftBank's AI credit risk is repricing as a margin loan target was cut 40% to $6B, signaling potential stress in AI infrastructure financing. The UK local elections saw the Green Party win Hackney Mayor from Labour, a significant political shift. Oil markets remain volatile with the first tanker reaching South Korea through Hormuz since the war began, but over 40 India-bound ships remain trapped near Hormuz, and global jet fuel exports hit a 10-year seasonal low.