Maritime Flashpoint: Iran’s IRGC says it destroyed a U.S. Saildrone Explorer near the Strait of Hormuz, following a separate capture of a U.S. underwater drone—raising energy-market jitters as Brent jumps above $107. AI Policy & Safety: China pushes back on calls to slow “frontier” AI, while U.S. leaders debate guardrails; Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang urges pacing without doomsday claims, after Trump dismisses AI safety fears as a “hoax.” Press Freedom Pulse: Pew-Knight research spotlights how Americans value press freedom but disagree on its limits amid tech gatekeeping and political tension. Ad Tech Update: Nexxen expands programmatic access to high-attention CTV pause ads via its SSP/DSP ecosystem. Marketing & Media Business: OOH advertising keeps climbing—U.S. Q2 2026 revenue up 10.7% to $3.16B, with digital DOOH driving growth. Brand/Commerce Moves: Coca-Cola flags a $10B U.S. system investment (2026-2030) and highlights local economic impact; Caliwater debuts at Erewhon in Southern California. Regulatory/Compliance: In NAD, Zuru voluntarily modifies incentivized review practices to align with FTC endorsement rules. Community & Sponsorship: DraftKings donates $50K to DAV’s transportation network for veterans’ rides to VA care. Entertainment & Culture: Macklemore is removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. stadium tour after pro-Palestinian comments, underscoring how live-music messaging can reshape media schedules.