Iran says no plan for new US nuclear talks, plays down impact of strikes
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shut down what he said was "speculation" that Tehran would come to the table and...
Roblox’s Grow a Garden explodes online video game numbers
Paris, France -- A gardening game created by a teenager on online platform Roblox has attracted a record 21 million...
Business
Geostrategy
China’s Xi in Kazakhstan to cement Central Asia ties
Astana, Kazakhstan - Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet Central Asian leaders at a summit in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, his...
- The summit in the Kazakh capital brings together Xi - who arrived in Astana on Monday - and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
- Under Russia's orbit until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the five countries of Central Asia have courted interest from major powers including China and the United States
Economy
Oil prices jump after Trump’s warning, stocks extend gains
Oil prices rallied Tuesday after Donald Trump urged Tehran residents to evacuate, stoking fresh fears of all-out war as Israel...
- Hopes that the deadly conflict can be contained helped most equities rise, while the US president's earlier claim that the Iran wanted to make a nuclear deal also eased fears
- After Friday's surge sparked by Israel's attacks on its regional foe, crude ticked more than one percent lower Monday as traders bet that the battle would not spread
Geostrategy
Israel, Iran trade missile fire as Trump warns Tehran to ‘evacuate’
The United States and Iran had engaged in several rounds of indirect talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in recent weeks,...
- Despite growing calls for the longtime foes to end hostilities, neither Israel nor Iran showed any signs of cutting short the missile blitz kicked off Friday
- The Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv warned its citizens to leave the country immediately, as the United States said it was deploying "additional capabilities" to the Middle East
Geostrategy
G7 urges Iran de-escalation as Trump makes hasty summit exit as ally Israel pounds Iran
The G7 statement said that Israel "has a right to defend itself" and stressed "the importance of the protection of...
- After a day of statements backing diplomacy, Trump ominously took to social media to sound a warning to the people of the Iranian capital Tehran
- But after hesitating at backing a joint statement on the crisis, Trump relented during a dinner at the forested lodge under the snow-capped mountains in Kananaskis
Geostrategy
Day 4: Tehran residents flee Israeli attacks as casualties mount
Images verified by AFP, shot by a social media user from an overpass, showed near immobile traffic on a Tehran...
- Iran's health ministry says at least 224 people have been killed and more than 1,200 wounded.
- Iran foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the strike on state TV a "war crime".
Business
Oil prices drop, stocks climb as Iran-Israel war fears ease
Israel's surprise strike against Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday -- killing top commanders and scientists -- sent crude prices...
- However, concerns over the conflict spreading appeared to have receded, with both main oil contracts retreating 3.7 percent.
- Analysts said the recent decision by the OPEC+ group of crude producing nations, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, to raise output again in July also played a role.
Business
WhatsApp introduces first major advertising features
San Francisco, United States -- WhatsApp announced Monday it will introduce its boldest advertising features yet, marking a significant shift...
- The move is a sensitive one for WhatsApp, whose chief firmly denied a report in 2023 that said the Meta-owned app was exploring advertisements as it sought to boost revenue.
- Unlike Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms, WhatsApp has maintained minimal advertising since Meta acquired it in 2014.
Geostrategy
France shuts Israeli weapons industry booths at Paris Air Show
The decision added drama to the major aerospace industry event, which was already under the shadow of last week's deadly...
- The booths displayed "offensive weapons" that could be used in Gaza -- in violation of agreements with Israeli authorities, a French government source told AFP.
- The companies -- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael, Uvision, Elbit and Aeronautics -- make drones and guided bombs and missiles.
Geostrategy
Netanyahu sees Gaza hostage release ‘opening’, orders talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he ordered negotiators to "advance" talks on releasing hostages held in Gaza, after...
- Speaking on US news channel Fox News, Netanyahu said that US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff "made an offer to begin a 60-day ceasefire
- Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza, 52 are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead
Business
Abu Dhabi state oil firm makes US$18.7 billion bid for Australia’s Santos
Sydney, Australia - Abu Dhabi's state-owned oil company is leading a takeover bid for Australian energy group Santos, valuing it...
- Santos's board said it plans to unanimously recommend the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's offer to shareholders if it can agree on the takeover terms
- Adelaide-based Santos has energy operations in Australia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and the United States, and is a major supplier of liquefied natural gas in Australia and Asia
Iran says no plan for new US nuclear talks, plays down impact of strikes
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shut down what he said was "speculation" that Tehran would come to the table and...
Company News
Latest News
‘Unidentified’ drone hits Baghdad base: Iraq security officials
An "unidentified" drone struck a military base in Baghdad early Tuesday while another fell in the west of the capital,...
Geostrategy
Trump announces phased ceasefire to end conflict, Iran offers to halt strikes if Israel stops
The adversaries had been swapping missile fire since Israel carried out surprise "preemptive" strikes against Iran on June 13, targeting...
Geostrategy
Iranian ballistic missiles target US base in Qatar, the largest in Middle East
No casualties reported in the attack that came a day after the US attacked three key nuclear facilities in Iran....
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Oil prices seesaw as investors await Iran response to US strikes
US stocks edged higher while European markets retreated and Asian equities were mixed, with markets keeping a close eye on...
- They later dipped briefly into the red and then wobbled, standing down around one percent as European markets closed.
- Iran is the world's ninth-biggest oil-producing country, exporting just under half of the 3.3 million barrels it produces per day.
Economy
Oil prices spike after US strikes on Iran nuclear sites
Economists at MUFG warned of "high uncertainty of the outcomes and duration of this war", giving a "scenario analysis" of...
- Asian stocks were lower as traders digested the weekend's events, with Iran threatening US bases in the Mideast
- Iran is the world's ninth-biggest oil-producing country, with output of about 3.3 million barrels per day
Geostrategy
Netanyahu says returning Gaza hostages will take ‘a bit more time’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday insisted gains in the conflict against Iran would help with the country's war...
- "Our successes in Iran are contributing to the successes in Gaza, but it will still take a bit more time," added the Israeli premier
- They were constantly acting on several fronts, he added, "...but we are getting closer, step by step, to our objectives, Netanyahu said