Oil Markets: OPEC+ has agreed to lift July 2026 output quotas by 188,000 barrels per day, including Kazakhstan’s increase of 10,000 bpd, as Saudi Arabia and Russia each add 62,000 bpd; the group says it’s part of a cautious unwind of voluntary cuts from 2023 and keeps the option to pause or reverse if conditions change. Energy Geopolitics: The decision comes as the Iran-US conflict keeps the Strait of Hormuz under pressure, and analysts warn the quota hike may be more of a policy signal than a real supply boost while physical barrels remain constrained. Regional Trade: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee led a week-long delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, signing 96 agreements worth over $1.65 billion, including cooperation on taxation, investment protection, and customs facilitation. Kazakhstan Watch: Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee says no mercenarism violations were found in comedian Nurlan Saburov’s case. Business Finance (Central Asia): Uzbekistan’s factoring market grew 75% in Q1 2026 to 2.3 trillion soums, driven mainly by banks. Travel & Weather: LOT launched a Warsaw–Almaty route, while Kazakhstan’s west and southwest face heavy rain and wildfire risk remains elevated in multiple regions.