World News

Jaishankar says India in talks with Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz amid energy supply concerns

New Delhi believes it is more productive to 'reason and coordinate' with Tehran to find a way forward rather than avoid engagement, the minister said

Gulf economies at risk of worst slump since 1990s on Iran war

Qatar and Kuwait could each see their gross domestic product contract by 14% this year should the conflict continue through April

Iran-Israel conflict: Drone hits Italy-US airbase in Kuwait, equipment damaged

Italy said a drone struck the Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, damaging equipment but causing no injuries. Officials stressed personnel safety and said the country does not believe it was targeted.

Iran warns Ukraine over anti-drone help to Middle East, says Kyiv ‘playing Iran card’ for Western support

Countries in the Gulf region have used significant numbers of air-defence missiles to counter Iranian Shahed drones.

How the West Asia crisis has affected sporting events and athletes

The 'Finalissima' match between European champions Spain and Copa America winners Argentina that was scheduled to be held in Qatar later this month has been cancelled

Oscars’ top prize up for grabs as unease hangs over Hollywood

Organizers said they were working closely with the FBI and Los Angeles police after a federal warning of a possible Iranian threat against California

Israel approves $827 million emergency defence budget amid ongoing Iran war

Israel has approved an $827 million emergency defence budget amid the ongoing war with Iran. The funds will support urgent military purchases, while officials denied reports of missile interceptor shortages.

Amid Iran–Israel conflict, Jaishankar holds talks with Saudi, UAE and Indonesian ministers

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with several foreign ministers, including counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Indonesia, discussing West Asia tensions and rising energy concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

'No good experience talking with Americans': Iran rules out negotiations as tensions escalate

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected talks with the United States, saying Tehran sees no reason for negotiations. He stated Iran is defending itself and linked Strait of Hormuz access to ongoing attacks.

IEA says oil from emergency stocks to flow immediately in Asia

Buyers in Asia are most reliant on flows from the Middle East, so the speed of reserve releases is particularly key for the region

Benjamin Netanyahu releases cafe video to debunk viral death rumours | Watch

Benjamin Netanyahu News : The speculation had spread widely across social media after conspiracy theories alleged that the Israeli Prime Minister had died and that a recent televised appearance was generated using artificial intelligence.

'Conflict to end within weeks,' says US energy secretary amid Iran war and fuel price surge

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he expects the war with Iran to end within weeks, predicting gas prices will fall once stability returns, despite current disruptions to global oil flows.

Trump-Xi trade deal under review as US, China seek breakthrough in Paris talks

Top US and Chinese officials met in Paris to review their trade truce, discussing tariffs, rare earth supplies, agricultural purchases and tensions linked to the Iran war, ahead of possible Trump-Xi meetings.

Vietnam holds parliamentary elections as Communist Party maintains dominance

Tens of millions of Vietnamese voted in parliamentary elections largely dominated by Communist Party candidates, with the ruling party expected to maintain control as the country continues economic reforms.

Global growth seen steady in 2026 if oil shock Eases: Fitch

Fitch Ratings says global economic growth is expected to remain steady in 2026 despite geopolitical tensions, but warns prolonged high oil prices could slow growth and increase inflation worldwide.

Release of strategic oil reserves a limited solution for unbalanced market: S&P Global Energy

The International Energy Agency on Wednesday announced the largest-ever release of emergency oil stocks in its history

US-Israel-Iran war impact: Pakistan imposes austerity from wedding limits to travel bans

Pakistan has introduced sweeping austerity measures, including salary cuts, travel bans, reduced fuel use and limits on wedding guests, as the economic fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war pressures its fragile economy.

Oil market set for tumultuous week as Kharg attack raises stakes

Crude benchmark Brent rallied 11% last week, hitting a high of $119.50 a barrel — back toward levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — before closing just above $103.

Iran claims ‘Epstein team’ plotting ‘9/11-style’ attack to blame Tehran

According to Larijani, Tehran opposes such scenarios and does not support terrorist acts. However, the Iranian side did not provide any evidence to support the claim.

Israel warns US of interceptor shortage as Iranian missile attacks continue: Report

Israel has warned the United States it is running critically low on ballistic missile interceptors as the war with Iran intensifies, raising concerns over the sustainability of its air defence systems.

Pentagon identifies six US airmen killed in KC-135 crash during Iraq mission

The Pentagon identified six US Air Force airmen killed in a KC-135 refuelling aircraft crash in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, as investigations continue and tributes pour in for the crew.

Iran urges countries to avoid escalation as war with Israel, US intensifies

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged countries to avoid actions that could escalate the war with Israel and the United States, as tensions rise and threats around the Strait of Hormuz disrupt regional stability.

Iran-Israel conflict: Iranian missiles strike Tel Aviv as some evade Israel’s air defences

Iranian missiles struck central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as some projectiles bypassed air defences. Separately, a drone attack sparked a fire at the Lanaz refinery in Erbil.

Yair Netanyahu's silence on X for days sparks buzz as Benjamin Netanyahu death rumours spread

The speculation also comes after Howard Stoffer, a former White House insider, recently warned about potential security risks facing Yair Netanyahu amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Israel.

Iran welcomes initiative for ‘complete end to war’, says foreign minister Abbas Araghchi

His remarks come as the conflict in the region entered its third week, with Iran simultaneously issuing a series of warnings about intensifying its response to the United States and Israel.

Ukraine offers drone defence expertise to Middle East, seeks tech and funding

Gulf countries have used large numbers of air-defence missiles to counter Iranian attack drones and have turned to Ukraine for expertise, given its extensive experience defending against similar systems used by Russia.

West Bengal police arrest Bangladeshi man for helping Hadi murder suspects enter India

Indian authorities arrested a Bangladeshi man for allegedly helping two suspects in Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing cross into West Bengal illegally.

Pakistan claims strikes on 'terrorist hideouts' in Afghanistan

Clashes between the two sides have intensified along the border in recent weeks, disrupting cross-border trade and forcing residents near the frontier to flee their homes.

'Hang in there, Punch': Viral baby macaque slowly fitting in with troop at Japan zoo

Despite signs of progress, Punch still spends stretches of time alone and occasionally faces rough play from older monkeys.

Iran’s IRGC threatens Netanyahu after office dismisses death rumours: 'We will pursue and kill him'

The threat came hours after Netanyahu’s office dismissed online claims that the Israeli leader had been assassinated, saying he was “fine”.

Mojtaba Khamenei alive but severely injured, communication restricted: Report

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but critically injured, with the IRGC tightly controlling his communications, sources say.

If Houthis enter Iran war, a second strait could snap shut

The concern comes at a time when another crucial route, the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, is already under severe pressure amid the conflict.

What it would take to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

Washington is weighing tanker escorts, air strikes and even ground operations as it looks for ways to restore shipping through the world’s most important oil chokepoint.

Why the US is sending a Marine unit to the Middle East

The deployment could allow Washington to strike Iranian positions near the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on shipping intensify.

Trump’s personal phone has become Washington’s most sought-after number

Reporters, executives and political insiders are all trying to reach the president directly on his private iPhone.

US oil producers set to gain billions as Gulf war drives crude prices higher

The surge in oil prices following the Strait of Hormuz disruption is boosting revenues for American producers even as global energy supplies face a severe shock.

AI war fakes are flooding social media during the Iran conflict

Dozens of fabricated videos and images showing explosions, destroyed cities and damaged warships are circulating widely online, creating confusion about what is really happening on the battlefield.

How the Iran war is starting to show up in Americans’ daily expenses

Rising fuel costs are already pushing up gasoline prices, and economists say food bills, airline tickets and even the job market could feel the effects if the conflict drags on.

Netanyahu ‘fine’, says office after viral ‘six finger’ video sparks assassination rumours

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office dismissed assassination claims after a viral video triggered speculation online.

Trump says Iran ready for deal but US ‘not ready’ for ceasefire

Donald Trump said Tehran is signalling willingness to negotiate but the US will only agree if the terms are “very solid”.

Indian Navy deploys warships near Persian Gulf as ships transit Strait of Hormuz: Report

Indian warships have been deployed near the Persian Gulf to support merchant ships heading towards India amid rising tensions in West Asia.

'Dubai is safe': UAE scrambles to contain fallout as Iran conflict rattles Gulf hub

As Iran’s attacks rattle the Gulf hub, the UAE moves quickly to defend its reputation as a stable global destination.

‘Strait of Hormuz open, but…’: Iran says US, Israel ships not allowed through key oil route

Abbas Araghchi said vessels from most countries can pass through the Strait of Hormuz but ships linked to the United States and Israel are barred.

Oil fires, 'black rain' and toxic seas: The environmental fallout of the Iran war

From ‘black rain’ over Tehran to oil spill risks in the Persian Gulf, experts warn the Iran war could leave lasting environmental scars across West Asia.

'May hit few more times just for fun': Trump threatens more strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island 

Donald Trump warned the US could launch further strikes on Kharg Island and called on allies to send warships to protect the vital oil shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz as the conflict with Iran intensifies.

IRGC warns attacks on US banks in Gulf region will expand if more Iranian banks are targeted

Speaking to Sepah News on Saturday, as cited by Press TV, Naeini warned that all US bank branches operating in the region will become legitimate targets for Iran if "the enemy repeats its mistake" and carries out similar attacks on Iranian banks.

Trump claims US ‘completely decimated’ Iran, says oil-receiving nations 'must protect' Strait of Hormuz

The US president said countries dependent on the waterway should take responsibility for protecting it, while Washington would help coordinate security.

Key UAE port suspends oil loadings after drone attack, fire

Exports of crude and fuels at the port of Fujairah, which lies outside the Persian Gulf, were halted earlier as a precautionary step

UAE's Fujairah stops some oil loading operations after drone attack

Fujairah, outside the Strait of Hormuz, is the outlet for about 1 million barrels per day of the UAE's Murban crude oil - a volume equal to about 1% of world demand