Frankincense Upgrade: Oman has adopted two new national standards for Omani frankincense essential oil and distilled frankincense water, aiming to boost quality, trust and global competitiveness. Oman Diplomacy: Sayyid Badr met the Netherlands’ foreign minister in Manila and Oman reaffirmed support for maritime security and freedom of navigation, stressing the Strait of Hormuz must stay open. Red Sea/Hormuz Tensions: The US and Iran traded threats and strikes as oil prices pushed above $100, while the UN’s maritime chief warned that safe passage fees would clash with international law. Shipping & Trade Workarounds: DP World signed to build two new Fujairah terminals to bypass Hormuz, and Gulf producers are accelerating pipeline plans to reroute supplies. Oman in Sports: Oman’s youth handball team will finish its Asian Championship campaign against Qatar in a ninth-place playoff. Asian Games Cricket Draw: India and Pakistan secured direct knockout spots; Oman is in the men’s qualifying group alongside Hong Kong and Malaysia.