Semafor White House reporter: Multiple industry groups led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce wrote to the House Rules Committee saying they "strongly oppose" a proposed provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that would prohibit defense contractors from conducting stock buybacks.

EKHBARIYA reports Iraq's foreign minister has arrived in Damascus for an official visit.

Japan has drafted a blueprint targeting annual real GDP growth of more than 1% and nominal growth of 3% by 2040, roughly double its five-year average. The plan projects cumulative public and private investment above ¥370 trillion (about $2.29 trillion) by FY2040, an annual private-sector capex target of about ¥230 trillion and a GDP level near ¥1,100 trillion. The blueprint centres on strategic public‑private partnerships and directed support for industries the government views as critical to long-term competitiveness to address chronic underinvestment. The government urged the Bank of Japan to maintain growth‑friendly interest‑rate settings, signalling a preference for lower financing costs and raising the prospect of policy friction as the BOJ cautiously withdraws from ultra‑loose policy.