Jerusalem Holy Sites: The Arab League condemned thousands of settlers storming Al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli police protection, warning of dangerous escalation and violations of the holy-site status quo. Al-Aqsa Flashpoint: Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the compound on Tisha B’Av, drawing condemnation from Jordan and Palestinian officials. US-Iran Escalation: The US carried out a 12th straight night of strikes on Iran while Trump threatened to destroy a bridge or power plant for every Hormuz ship attack; Iran warned the policy is “manifestly unlawful” and vowed “new scenarios.” Red Sea Shipping Shock: Houthis said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers, raising fears of a second chokepoint as oil prices hover near $100. Iraq-Iran Ties: Iran and Iraq pledged deeper strategic partnership as PM Al-Zaidi visited Tehran. Culture & Travel: Spotify launched “Your Summer Persona” in Egypt, turning local summer music rituals into shareable identities. Heritage: Three New Kingdom tombs with inscriptions were uncovered at Egypt’s Saqqara necropolis, including links to northern Syria. Arts & Identity: Turkey’s Pamukkale terraces were explained as calcite spring deposits building “cotton castle” white basins over millennia. Music Legacy: Iranian Baluchi donali master Shir-Mohammad Espandar died at 98, celebrated for spreading regional music worldwide.