Energy & Geopolitics: Oil prices pushed higher as US-Iran tensions and renewed strikes kept shipping risk front and center, with Brent and WTI settling up after volatile trading. Power & Infrastructure: Mitsubishi Power won a Saudi boiler-supply contract for converting heavy-oil plants to dual-fuel systems, aligning with the kingdom’s push to raise natural gas in power generation. Oil & Gas Regulation: The Railroad Commission of Texas drew a record crowd for its 2026 Regulatory Conference, spotlighting pipeline safety and state energy policy priorities. Data Centers & Grid Costs: El Paso approved a tighter data center policy framework, adding distance, noise, and special-permit requirements; meanwhile, Texas regulators are signaling more oversight as lawmakers worry about reliability and residential electricity affordability. Semiconductors: Siemens agreed to acquire Precision Innovations to expand AI-powered chip planning for system-on-chip design. Manufacturing Materials: Purdue researchers reported a cobalt-aluminum nanolaminate that can be far stronger than structural steel while staying deformable at room temperature. Local Industry & Construction: A Texas HVAC contractor says attic insulation—especially older fiberglass—drives high cooling bills in the Rio Grande Valley, boosting demand for spray foam retrofits. Agriculture & Compliance: A Texas well screening program is set for Aug. 4-5 in Caldwell and Hays counties, targeting common groundwater contaminants.