Middle

• The FTSE 100 remained largely flat on Monday, closing up just 1.00 point at 10,498.29, while the FTSE 250 rose 0.1% to 23,396.58. • Oil prices increased as a result of escalating Middle East tensions and renewed friction between the US and Iran. • Market stability is currently being tested by geopolitical instability, impacting energy costs and investor sentiment.

• The Horn of Africa has emerged as a critical geopolitical intersection where African, Middle Eastern, and global interests converge. • Key drivers of this strategic competition include maritime security, international trade, energy infrastructure, and food security. • The region's importance stems from its role as a gateway for diplomacy and trade between the Middle East and the rest of the world.

Just before the latest strikes Trump said Iran would be hit ‘very hard’; UAE says Iranian cruise missiles hit two oil tankers in strait, killing a crew member and wounding eightUS launches third night of strikes on Iran as Trump announces Hormuz blockadeUS Central Command said a little over an hour ago that it had finished the military’s latest wave of strikes against Iran.It said in a statement posted on X:During the five-hour mission, U.S. forces successfully struck military targets across Iran including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping Continue reading...

• U.S. businesses are increasingly shifting from American AI models to Chinese open-weight alternatives due to rising token costs and financial pressures. • This trend is evidenced by the rapid adoption of Z.ai’s GLM 5.2, which became the fastest-adopted model on its platform in 2026. • Within its first full week of launch, GLM 5.2 saw a 27-fold increase in daily token volume and an 80% growth in its customer base.

• The FTSE 100 index closed nearly flat at 10,498.29 points on Monday, July 13, 2026, marking a marginal increase of 1.00 point (0.01%). • The index remained steady despite volatile trading conditions driven by an overnight escalation of tensions in the Middle East. • London's benchmark showed greater resilience than Asian markets, such as Japan's Nikkei 225 and mainland Chinese indices, which suffered notable losses.

• Tensions have escalated between the U.S. and Iran as both nations vie for control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies. • The conflict has manifested in a series of recent attacks, threatening the stability of international oil shipments and maritime security. • This geopolitical struggle matters because disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz can lead to significant spikes in global energy prices and economic instability.

• Wall Street is entering a critical week as investors prepare for a combination of corporate earnings reports and key inflation data releases. • Market participants are closely monitoring Federal Reserve commentary and economic figures to determine the future direction of interest rates and monetary policy. • Heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain a primary concern, posing potential risks to global energy supplies and market stability.