SHANGHAI — Shares of ChangXin Memory Technologies, known as CXMT, jumped 12%, or 6.62 yuan, to 61.80 yuan as of 3:00 p.m. local time Monday, extending an extraordinary rally that has continued largely uninterrupted since the Chinese memory chipmaker’s blockbuster debut on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s tech-focused STAR Market three weeks ago.

CXMT’s stock has surged dramatically since it began trading on July 27, when shares soared as much as 466% to 500% on their first day of trading alone, instantly making the Hefei-based company the most valuable listed entity on any mainland Chinese exchange. The company’s shares closed that opening session at 49 yuan, giving CXMT a market capitalization of roughly 3.3 trillion yuan, or approximately $487 billion at the time, a figure that vaulted the company past state-owned Industrial and Commercial Bank of China as China’s most valuable listed company.

The rally has continued in the weeks since, with shares climbing further to close at 57.60 yuan the following Friday, pushing the company’s market capitalization to roughly 3.54 trillion yuan, or about $523 billion, according to figures reported at the time. Monday’s additional 12% gain to 61.80 yuan pushes the stock further into record territory, underscoring the sustained investor enthusiasm surrounding the company since its listing.

CXMT’s initial public offering itself was a landmark event for Chinese capital markets. The company raised 57.92 billion yuan, or roughly $8.6 billion, by pricing its shares at 8.66 yuan each, making it the largest IPO in Asia so far this year and mainland China’s second-largest public offering on record, trailing only the $22.1 billion combined Shanghai and Hong Kong listing of Agricultural Bank of China in 2010.

Founded in 2016 in the eastern Chinese city of Hefei with state backing, CXMT specializes in designing, manufacturing and selling dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM, chips, a category of semiconductor widely used in servers, personal computers, mobile devices and smart vehicles. The company’s major clients include Alibaba Group’s cloud computing division, Alibaba Cloud, along with ByteDance, Tencent Holdings, Lenovo, Xiaomi and several major smartphone manufacturers including Honor, Oppo and Vivo.

According to figures disclosed in the company’s IPO prospectus, CXMT held approximately 7.67% of the global DRAM market based on fourth-quarter 2025 sales data, a share that has continued growing as the company has expanded production. By comparison, the global DRAM market remains dominated by three much larger established players: South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, which the company’s prospectus placed at roughly 36% global market share, SK Hynix at approximately 29%, and U.S.-based Micron Technology at around 24%.

CXMT’s dramatic financial turnaround has helped fuel investor enthusiasm surrounding the stock. The company swung to an operating profit of 35.43 billion yuan in the first quarter, reversing a loss of 2.83 billion yuan during the same period a year earlier, a shift the company has attributed to continued growth in global computing demand tied to artificial intelligence and increased capacity allocation from major device manufacturers seeking memory chip supply.

CXMT’s rise has taken on particular significance given the broader geopolitical backdrop shaping China’s semiconductor industry. The company has emerged as a central symbol of Beijing’s broader push toward technological self-sufficiency, particularly in advanced chipmaking, as China continues to contend with U.S.-led export restrictions limiting its access to cutting-edge chipmaking equipment and technology. The company is also investing heavily in high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, a specialized and more advanced form of DRAM critical for the kind of advanced processors used in AI applications, including graphics processing units made by Nvidia. CXMT has said it aims to begin production at a dedicated HBM back-end packaging facility in Shanghai by the end of 2026.

Adding further to investor interest surrounding the stock, reports emerged earlier this summer that Apple had begun testing CXMT’s DRAM chips for potential use in devices sold within China, a development that, if it results in a formal supply relationship, could mark a significant commercial validation of the Chinese chipmaker’s technology by one of the world’s largest device manufacturers.

Despite its meteoric post-IPO rise, CXMT’s market capitalization, while enormous by Chinese standards, remains smaller than those of its more established South Korean and American rivals. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix continue to carry substantially larger valuations reflecting their more mature and diversified chip businesses, and analysts have noted that CXMT still trails those companies by several years in terms of advanced manufacturing capability, particularly for next-generation HBM chips. SK Hynix, for instance, has said it expects to begin large-scale production of its next-generation HBM4 chips by the end of this year, a timeline analysts expect CXMT’s own advanced memory production to lag behind.

Market analysts remain divided over whether CXMT’s extraordinary valuation reflects a sustainable, long-term shift in global memory chip supply chains toward greater Chinese participation, or a shorter-term surge driven primarily by AI-related memory shortages and limited available trading float in the stock’s early weeks on the market. One market strategist noted that a roughly 470% first-day gain, while not entirely without precedent among smaller Chinese listings, was particularly notable given CXMT’s substantial size, suggesting that a combination of limited free float and pent-up market sentiment played a significant role in driving the stock’s initial surge.

Morningstar has separately noted that the broader strategic significance of AI-related semiconductor self-sufficiency for China’s national security priorities has likely contributed to sustained investor demand for CXMT shares beyond what might be explained by the company’s current financial fundamentals alone, reflecting the broader political and economic weight Beijing has placed on developing homegrown alternatives to foreign-dominated segments of the global chip supply chain.

As CXMT’s rally continues into its fourth week of trading, the stock’s performance is likely to remain closely watched both as a barometer of investor sentiment toward China’s broader semiconductor self-sufficiency push and as a test case for how sustainably newly listed Chinese technology companies can maintain extraordinary post-IPO valuations once the initial wave of listing-driven enthusiasm begins to settle into more conventional trading patterns.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Tributes continued pouring in from across Hollywood on Monday following the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” as investigators said a preliminary probe into her death has found no evidence of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex in Greenville shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday, according to a statement from the Greenville Police Department. Life-saving measures were performed at the scene, but Panettiere was pronounced dead. Police said an acquaintance of the 36-year-old actress had placed the 911 call from the apartment complex. No cause of death has been released, and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office was expected to perform an autopsy as the investigation continues.

Panettiere’s representative confirmed her death Sunday night in a statement provided to ABC News. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” the statement read.

Panettiere’s death came just three years after she mourned the loss of her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, who died suddenly in 2023 at age 28. Jansen’s family said at the time that a medical examiner determined his death was caused by cardiomegaly, an enlarged heart, along with complications involving the aortic valve, and it remains unknown whether the condition had been diagnosed before his death. In a statement following his death, the family remembered him warmly. “Jansen’s heart could be seen in his eyes, and his charm in his brilliant, engaging smile; his soul in his masterful and revealing paintings, and the joy of life in his dry wit,” the family said, adding that “his charisma, warmth, compassion for others, and his creative spirit will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of all whom he encountered.”

As word of Hayden Panettiere’s death spread Monday, tributes continued arriving from friends and former colleagues across the entertainment industry. Kelly Osbourne shared a deeply personal message on her Instagram Stories, reflecting on a shared understanding between the two women about growing up in the public eye. “We understood each other in a way few truly can — recognizing how difficult it is to grow up in the spotlight, and how isolating it can feel even when surrounded by so many people,” Osbourne wrote, adding, “My heart grieves for someone so special to this world and such a good friend to me. I will never forget you, Hayden, and I will always believe you deserved better. Rest in peace, sweet princess. You will never be forgotten.”

“Heroes” co-star Dania Ramirez, who appeared alongside Panettiere on the NBC series, reflected on the lasting impact of their friendship. “My heart aches so much right now. I love you and will always miss you,” Ramirez wrote on Instagram. “I take comfort in knowing that I am with you in life and in death because your love and energy has always transcended this dimension.” Ramirez also sent condolences to Panettiere’s daughter and loved ones, writing that “the ones that got to feel your gifts will forever feel blessed and grateful for you.”

Fellow “Heroes” co-star James Kyson, who recalled first meeting Panettiere when she was just 16, described her as an experienced performer with an “older soul” despite her youth. Kyson remembered her as “a fierce protector of animal rights” and a “‘cheerleader’ for kindness, justice, and people being treated fairly,” writing on Instagram, “May your soul Rest in Peace Hayden… and my deepest condolences & prayers for her family. Life can be so short… let’s send some love out to the world, our loved ones, and to those who need it most today.”

The outpouring of grief has been especially notable given how recently Panettiere had spoken publicly about feeling hopeful for the future. Just one month before her death, she told Fox News Digital she had a “laundry list” of goals still ahead of her while promoting her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” “I have a laundry list of things I would love to accomplish and create,” Panettiere said, adding that she felt “connected to myself” after years of documented struggles with addiction, postpartum depression and domestic abuse. “I feel like I’m taking good care of myself, checking in with myself,” she said, revealing she had been developing a new television project and hoped to move into directing. “I have a show that I’ve been working on and I would love to create that,” she said. “I would love to direct. I just want to share my secrets, my tricks, the things that I’ve learned in life and help others be their best selves.”

In that same interview, Panettiere spoke candidly about her bond with her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, and reflected on her decision years earlier to allow Kaya to live primarily with her father. “I felt like I made the right call,” Panettiere said. “I’ve seen who she is and she’s an incredible human being. Something must have gone right.” She described staying close to her daughter despite the distance between them. “I travel a lot to Europe, and I spend a lot of time on FaceTime with her,” she said. “And Wlad and I have a good relationship.” Reflecting on how their bond had evolved as Kaya grew older, Panettiere added, “She’s 11 now, so time is flying. I feel like she’s becoming more and more curious about me, my life and who I am. We’re so similar. She is me. I understand her in a way that nobody else can.”

Weeks before her death, Panettiere had also spoken during a podcast appearance with Jay Shetty about feeling as though she had finally moved past years of personal turmoil. “I finally feel like I have shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity,” she told Shetty in May. “That means that I’ve closed one door and another door is opened … I can feel all the exciting possibilities. I feel like I have a lot more life to live.”

Panettiere began her career as an infant appearing in television commercials before landing a role on “One Life to Live” around age 4. She rose to widespread fame as Claire Bennet, the seemingly indestructible cheerleader at the center of NBC’s superhero drama “Heroes,” which ran from 2006 to 2010, before starring as country singer Juliette Barnes on “Nashville” from 2012 to 2018. Her film career included a breakout role alongside Denzel Washington in 2000’s “Remember the Titans,” as well as parts in “Bring It On: All or Nothing” and the “Scream” horror franchise.

As of Monday, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office had not released an official cause of death, and police said the investigation remains ongoing.

SHANGHAI — Shares of GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc. rose sharply on Monday, closing at 444.00 yuan, up 26.52 yuan or 6.35% from the previous close of 417.48 yuan, as investors responded to ongoing strength in the memory chip sector and anticipation of the company’s first-half results.

The Shanghai-listed stock, trading under the ticker 603986, fluctuated between 420.23 yuan and the day’s high of 444.00 yuan on elevated volume of nearly 59 million shares. The advance extended a recent recovery after a period of volatility and left the shares up more than 10% over the past five trading days. Over the past year the stock has gained more than 250%, with a 52-week range spanning 121.51 yuan to 846.66 yuan. Year-to-date gains exceed 100%.

GigaDevice is a Beijing-based fabless semiconductor designer focused on flash memory products, including NOR Flash and SLC NAND, as well as 32-bit microcontrollers, sensors and analog chips. The company ranks among the global leaders in NOR Flash and holds a strong position in China’s high-performance general-purpose microcontroller market, with cumulative MCU shipments exceeding 2 billion units. Its products serve consumer electronics, industrial automation, automotive electronics, optical modules and emerging AI-related applications.

The latest rally comes against a backdrop of tight supply and rising prices in niche memory markets. Industry dynamics have shifted as major global manufacturers allocate more capacity to high-bandwidth memory and advanced 3D NAND for artificial intelligence data centers, reducing output of mature-node products such as NOR Flash and SLC NAND. This imbalance has supported both higher volumes and elevated pricing for suppliers like GigaDevice. Microcontroller demand has also remained robust across industrial, consumer and automotive end markets.

In early July the company issued a first-half 2026 performance forecast indicating revenue of approximately 11.5 billion yuan, representing year-on-year growth of about 177%. Net profit attributable to shareholders was projected at roughly 6.9 billion yuan, a more than eleven-fold increase from the prior-year period. Non-GAAP net profit was estimated near 4.85 billion yuan. Management attributed the expected surge primarily to improved profitability in the storage business amid constrained supply and to solid microcontroller shipments. The company also noted contributions from fair-value gains on securities investments.

First-quarter results released earlier this year already showed sharp acceleration. Revenue reached 4.188 billion yuan, up 119% from a year earlier, while net profit attributable to shareholders climbed to 1.46 billion yuan, a more than five-fold increase. Gross margin expanded significantly. Full-year 2025 revenue had totaled 9.203 billion yuan, up 25%, with net profit rising nearly 50%.

Investors are now focused on the formal first-half results, scheduled for release around mid-to-late August. Analyst consensus estimates circulating ahead of the report point to continued strong sequential momentum in the second quarter. The company has also pursued capital-return and expansion measures in recent weeks, including authorization of a share repurchase program of up to 2 billion yuan and additional funding for a DRAM-related subsidiary.

Beyond financial performance, GigaDevice has expanded its product lineup and partnerships. Recent launches include the GD24CL series of I²C EEPROMs and new microcontroller series tailored for optical modules. The firm has secured automotive design wins and formed collaborations aimed at advancing power and control solutions for data centers, electric vehicles and energy systems. These initiatives align with broader efforts in China to strengthen domestic semiconductor capabilities amid global supply-chain shifts.

The memory industry remains cyclical by nature. Company disclosures have previously highlighted that future results could be affected by changes in the supply-demand balance, potentially pressuring profitability if conditions reverse. Valuations have expanded alongside the share-price gains, with trailing price-to-earnings multiples remaining elevated relative to longer-term averages.

Chinese semiconductor equities have drawn renewed attention this year as artificial intelligence demand supports specialized memory and related components. GigaDevice’s dual listing in Shanghai and Hong Kong has provided additional liquidity and visibility to international investors tracking the sector. Trading volumes on the A-share market have frequently exceeded average levels during periods of heightened interest.

Monday’s session saw the stock open near 424 yuan and climb steadily toward the close, reflecting broad participation. Market capitalization stood at approximately 310 billion yuan based on the closing price. The move occurred as global technology shares showed mixed performance, with selective strength in memory-related names elsewhere.

Looking ahead, attention will center on the detailed half-year figures, any updated outlook for the remainder of 2026, and commentary on inventory levels, pricing trends and capacity access. Analysts have noted that sustained AI infrastructure spending and automotive electrification could extend demand for the company’s core product categories, though the pace of any further gains will depend on execution and industry conditions.

GigaDevice’s trajectory illustrates the leverage available to specialized chip designers during periods of constrained supply. After a multi-year cycle of inventory adjustments and pricing pressure, the current environment has delivered rapid earnings expansion. Whether the momentum continues will hinge on how long the tightness in mature memory technologies persists and how effectively the company converts design wins into sustained revenue streams across its diversified portfolio.

The stock’s performance on Monday underscored investor focus on tangible financial catalysts and sector tailwinds. As results approach, market participants will scrutinize the quality of the profit surge and the sustainability of the underlying demand drivers that have propelled GigaDevice’s shares to elevated levels this year.

How a Finance Executive Became a Leader in Inclusive Design

What if the spaces where we work, learn, and live could actively help us feel calmer, think more clearly, and perform better?

That question sits at the center of Lydia Denimal Abdouch’s career today. As the founder and CEO of Feel Good Monaco, she is helping advance the growing field of neuro-architecture, which combines architecture, neuroscience, and sensory design to create environments that support human well-being.

Her journey to this emerging discipline did not begin in architecture. It began in finance.

“Success is creating environments that genuinely improve people’s lives,” Abdouch says. “For me, success is when a space brings calm, focus, and well-being in a measurable way.”

Who Is Lydia Denimal Abdouch?

Abdouch grew up in an international environment between Algeria, France, Europe, and North America. Raised in France’s Champagne-Ardenne region, she developed an early ability to adapt to different cultures and perspectives.

Her family also played a major role in shaping her future interests. Both of her parents were medical doctors involved in disability reintegration and autism support. Those experiences exposed her to questions of autonomy, dignity, and inclusion from a young age.

As the oldest of four sisters, she learned responsibility early.

Years later, those lessons would influence the direction of her career.

“My biggest motivation comes from my son and my family background in medicine and disability support,” she says. “It made me deeply aware that spaces can change autonomy and quality of life.”

How Lydia Denimal Abdouch Built Her Business Career

Before entering the design world, Abdouch built an impressive academic foundation.

She earned a Master’s degree from Montpellier Business School in France, studied management science at ITESM Tec de Monterrey in Mexico, and later completed an MBA at Texas Tech University’s Rawls College of Business in the United States.

Her professional career began in corporate banking.

Working in high-level financial environments across France, Latin America, and the Middle East, including Abu Dhabi, she managed strategic corporate portfolios for major organizations. Some clients generated annual revenues ranging from €50 million to more than €1 billion.

The work required analytical precision and disciplined execution.

“Early on, I learned that excellence comes from structure and process, not intuition alone,” Abdouch says. “Every challenge helped me refine my standards and strengthen my method.”

Why She Left Finance for Real Estate and Design

Although finance provided valuable experience, Abdouch became increasingly interested in real estate and the built environment.

After moving to Monaco in 2018, she launched a real estate agency serving an international luxury market. At the same time, she began leading acquisition, renovation, and resale projects.

Over more than a decade, she developed expertise across every stage of property transformation. She worked on sourcing opportunities, renovation planning, architectural enhancement, project execution, and final delivery.

To formalize her knowledge, she earned a Diploma in Interior Architecture in 2024.

This combination of finance, construction, and design gave her a unique perspective.

“You need vision, technical discipline, and the ability to deliver,” she says. “Architecture is not only about ideas. It is about precision, responsibility, and impact.”

What Is Neuro-Architecture?

As Abdouch gained experience in renovation and architecture, she noticed a recurring problem.

Most spaces were designed primarily for aesthetics or functionality. Very few considered how people actually feel inside them.

At the same time, schools, workplaces, and homes were facing growing challenges related to stress, distraction, and sensory overload.

Research continues to show that environmental factors such as lighting, acoustics, layout, and sensory stimulation can influence concentration, emotional regulation, and productivity.

Abdouch saw an opportunity to approach design differently.

“Building a new discipline like neuro-architecture requires credibility and patience,” she says. “I overcame this by combining rigorous expertise, continuous learning, and real execution on the ground.”

That vision led to the creation of Feel Good Monaco.

How Neuro-Inclusive Spaces Can Improve Daily Life

Today, Abdouch develops environments designed to support both neurodivergent individuals and the general population.

Her work focuses on multisensory spaces, sensory regulation rooms, restorative environments, and inclusive design strategies for schools, corporations, institutions, and private residences.

The goal is not simply to create beautiful spaces.

The goal is to create spaces that work better for people.

She believes many modern environments unintentionally contribute to stress and cognitive fatigue. Thoughtful design, however, can help restore focus and improve daily experiences.

“The strongest metric is people satisfaction and well-being,” she says. “Feedback matters, but the real measure is the impact a space has on the people who use it.”

The Future of Architecture and Human Well-Being

For Abdouch, architecture is entering a new era.

In the past, success was often measured by appearance alone. Today, there is growing interest in how environments influence learning, productivity, health, and quality of life.

Her work reflects that shift.

By combining strategic thinking, financial expertise, construction knowledge, and neuroscience-informed design, she is helping expand the conversation about what architecture can achieve.

“I stay connected to research, innovation, and international best practices,” Abdouch says. “Learning is a constant responsibility when you want to remain ahead.”

As organizations and communities continue exploring new ways to support well-being, leaders like Lydia Denimal Abdouch are helping demonstrate that architecture can be more than a backdrop to life. It can become an active tool for improving how people live, learn, and thrive.

This article was written by

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump threatened Monday to attack Oman, a longtime U.S. ally, if the country interferes with American efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, as a 60-day window for reaching a peace agreement with Iran expired without a clear resolution to the ongoing conflict.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Trey Yingst, published Monday. It marked the second time this year Trump has directed such a threat at Oman. At a Cabinet meeting in May, the president said, “Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow ’em up.”

The renewed threat came as the 60-day deadline for the United States and Iran to reach a deal toward ending their conflict passed Monday without any concrete agreement announced. Trump said he remains unconcerned about the lack of a timeline. “They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” Trump said of Iran. “I have no time schedule. I’m not in a hurry.”

Trump also told Fox News that his administration has established a direct backchannel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a claim the IRGC firmly denied Monday. A spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guards told Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency that Trump’s assertion was a “lie” and “nothing more than fantasies stemming from the delusions and nightmares brought on by defeat and desperation in the war.” The spokesperson added that diplomacy does not fall within the IRGC’s remit and said that, “as far as we are aware, and based on statements by Foreign Ministry officials, there are currently no talks with the Americans even at that level, given Washington’s broken promises and its long record of repeatedly violating its commitments.”

Trump reiterated Monday that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains his administration’s central objective in the conflict, a stance that has at times put him at odds with advisers who have emphasized keeping global oil prices low as a competing priority. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, climbed modestly Monday, rising 0.38% to $88.85 a barrel following the expiration of the negotiating window.

Trump’s threat against Oman is not an isolated incident within his broader approach to foreign policy. According to a CNN analysis, the president has launched military strikes in seven countries during his second term alone — Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen — and has threatened or left open the possibility of strikes against at least seven others, including Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Greenland, Mexico, Panama and now Oman. CNN had previously calculated in May that Trump had either attacked or threatened roughly one out of every 13 countries in the world, with Oman ranking among the earliest targets of that pattern. Analysts have noted that many of Trump’s specific threats have not ultimately been carried out, even in instances when the targeted country did not meet his stated demands.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said talks between Tehran and Oman regarding the future status of the Strait of Hormuz remain complex but ongoing. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that several unspecified “actors trying to exert influence on this process” had contributed to delays in reaching an agreement.

Trump’s comments regarding the Strait of Hormuz followed remarks he made Friday, in which he said he intends to declare the waterway a U.S. territory once the conflict with Iran concludes, which he predicted would happen “pretty soon.” Maritime law experts have pushed back on the feasibility of such a declaration. Jason Chuah, a professor of maritime law at City, University of London, told CNN that “under US law, claiming territory by a Presidential declaration or decree is not enough. There are important constitutional requirements that must be cleared first,” adding that “under international law, annexation is contrary to the United Nations Charter. Territories including bodies of water can only be taken through agreement or cession.” Simon Baughen, a professor of shipping law at Swansea University, said any legitimate path toward such a claim would require Iran’s direct consent. “Under international law, this could only be done if Iran agreed to cede its territorial waters in the strait to the US,” Baughen said. “I think this is a very unlikely scenario.”

Elsewhere in the region, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, met Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for more than four hours in an effort to revive the administration’s stalled Gaza ceasefire plan. According to a senior Israeli official, Netanyahu told Kushner that Israel would not withdraw any forces from Gaza or allow reconstruction to begin until Hamas fully disarms. The two also agreed that an American general would oversee the decommissioning of Hamas weaponry as a first step toward demilitarizing the territory, the official said.

Hamas has said it will not disarm unless the process is sequenced alongside an end to near-daily Israeli attacks on Gaza and a corresponding withdrawal of Israeli forces from more than half of the territory they currently occupy. According to a separate Israeli source, Netanyahu told Kushner that making progress on the administration’s 15-point ceasefire plan — which Israel had previously rejected — would be “problematic” given upcoming Israeli elections at the end of October. Netanyahu also insisted Israel would not alter its ongoing policy of targeted killings against Hamas commanders, the source said.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who now serves on Trump’s Board of Peace and Gaza Executive Board, also participated in Monday’s talks alongside Board of Peace director Nickolay Mladenov. According to Netanyahu’s office, the group agreed to establish working groups focused on disarmament as well as sanitation, clean water and public health issues in Gaza.

Adding to the volatile regional backdrop, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement said Monday it had launched ballistic missiles at a Saudi military vessel and four escort ships in the Red Sea near the Yemeni port city of Mokha. The claim could not be independently verified, and Saudi authorities had not immediately responded. The reported attack follows a weekend of escalation after the Houthis declared a blockade of Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, prompting Mokha’s port to suspend operations following earlier missile strikes Friday.

Separately, Iran’s army has offered a bounty of 5 billion tomans, or roughly $30,000, for anyone who kills or captures a U.S. soldier and turns them over to Iranian authorities, according to the country’s semi-official Mehr news agency, underscoring the continued hostility accompanying the expired negotiating deadline even as diplomatic channels, disputed or otherwise, remain nominally open between Washington and Tehran.