US President Donald Trump

Japan reported that North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the sea on Thursday. This incident occurred after South Korean and U.S. militaries scaled back their Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. Meanwhile, Kim Yo Jong dismissed any reduction of drills, stating that the provocative nature of the military activities would not change.

US President Donald Trump announced he will not try to revive a lapsed ceasefire deal with Iran. The memorandum of understanding provided the parties a 60-day window to negotiate lasting peace. Col. Wayne Sanders examined what comes next regarding the Middle East conflict and control of the Strait of Hormuz following the expiration.

South Korea’s president stressed that a solid alliance with the U.S. strengthens national security in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's order to substantially reduce joint military exercises. The surprise announcement was made just before annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, prompting concerns about the reliability of the US-South Korean alliance. Critics noted that Trump’s move apparently did not involve South Korea and was attributed to his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

U.S. futures anticipate key July inflation data to determine if cooler interest rates are possible for the Federal Reserve, while tech stocks gained from strong demand for AI infrastructure. Geopolitically, heightened tensions between Iran and Houthi rebels over the Strait of Hormuz have impacted crude oil prices and global shipping routes.

World shares displayed mixed performance across Europe and Asia, although Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose sharply, while major U.S. indices posted gains following weaker job market data. Oil prices increased, reaching $84.23 per barrel for Brent crude, due to continued uncertainty regarding the conflict in the Middle East after Israel rejected a deal for Gaza. Investors are currently focused on upcoming inflation updates, specifically the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Asian shares advanced on Wall Street gains, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 leading increases, while U.S. stocks also rose following an economic report detailing job cuts. Meanwhile, oil prices climbed amid heightened geopolitical tension linked to the Red Sea and discussions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Asian shares showed a mix of performance on Monday; Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 2%, but major chipmakers in South Korea saw declines. U.S. stocks advanced, with the S&P 500 topping an all-time high after job reports suggested unexpected cuts and lowered hopes for rate increases by the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, oil prices climbed amid geopolitical tensions following Israel's rejection of a deal regarding Gaza.

Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement to establish a commercial route in the Strait of Hormuz, but analysts say it will not resolve broader regional disputes. Iran has threatened Gulf nations if the US launches new strikes, while the US aims to reopen the strait and claims of success are becoming harder to achieve, according to a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Video game company Electronic Arts completed a $55 billion go-private sale to Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund PIF, Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners. The transaction was led by entities including Affinity Partners, which is run by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated his administration had 'very good discussions' with Iran during all-day negotiations, raising hopes for an end to a five-month conflict. Market reactions followed, with oil prices falling and Asian stocks rising due to expectations of a deal restoring traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

US senators advanced Trump’s former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, in his bid for attorney general after a deal with Republican holdouts. Blanche scrapped a controversial $1.8 billion fund from the administration’s settlement of a lawsuit brought by the president and has served as acting attorney general since his predecessor’s resignation in April.

Qatar and US officials report ongoing US-Iran talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Iran has not confirmed. US President Donald Trump warned of a 'last chance' before 'decapitation,' while Iran stated it 'is not seeking to expand the war.' Lebanon and Israel are holding new direct talks in Rome amid Hezbollah's opposition to negotiations.

Asian shares were mixed on Tuesday following a Wall Street rally driven by easing oil prices. The U.S.-Japan currency intervention influenced the yen's value, with analysts questioning its long-term effectiveness. Oil prices rose in Asia after dropping earlier due to U.S. President Donald Trump's statement on Iran.

Asian shares mostly declined despite a U.S. stock rally driven by easing oil prices, as investors assessed the impact of a joint U.S.-Japan currency intervention. Key indices like Japan's Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose. Analysts debated the intervention's long-term effectiveness amid persistent economic factors like inflation and interest rates.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied ongoing negotiations or planned meetings with the US, contradicting US President Donald Trump's claim that talks would begin. The Hormuz Strait management discussions remain mediated by Oman.

Cuba is gradually restoring power after a nationwide blackout, the sixth since the year began, due to aging infrastructure and U.S. sanctions affecting oil imports. Residents face daily electricity outages, impacting water supply and daily life, with no immediate resolution.

The government reduced petrol and high-speed diesel prices by Rs4.08 and Rs2.45 per litre, respectively, due to falling oil prices following the US calling off an attack on Iran. The new prices take effect on August 4, with petrol retailing at Rs331.95 and diesel at Rs389.93. Taxes on petrol and diesel remain at Rs110 and Rs96 per litre.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that talks with Iran will occur on Monday but did not set a deadline for an agreement. The discussions aim to address the Strait of Hormuz and resolve issues related to Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Oil prices fell after US President Donald Trump announced new talks with Iran. He had previously called off a planned attack on the Islamic Republic.

Israel has expressed serious security concerns about a proposed U.S.-brokered Hamas disarmament deal, asserting that Hamas remains committed to rebuilding its military. The agreement, part of a ceasefire plan, requires Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw from Gaza in phases, but Israel insists it will not redeploy forces until Hamas fully disarms.

Hamas has agreed to disarm if Israel halts strikes and withdraws from Gaza as part of a U.S.-brokered deal. However, implementation faces challenges, including Hamas's demand for Palestinian statehood and Israel's reluctance to concede ahead of elections.

Hamas confirmed it will disarm as part of a U.S.-brokered deal requiring Israel to withdraw from Gaza, though obstacles remain due to Israel's rejection of Palestinian statehood. Iran's Revolutionary Guard struck tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and Kuwait intercepted drones.

Hamas confirmed a deal to disarm as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, requiring Israel to end strikes and withdraw. Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, while Kuwait intercepted drones. Saudi Arabia announced a defense alliance to strengthen maritime security.

An agreement for Hamas to disarm and Israel's withdrawal in Gaza is being overseen by Trump's Board of Peace, aiming to end the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Board, including over 20 nations, faces challenges in implementing the deal and securing sufficient aid for Gaza's $70 billion reconstruction needs.

Hamas stated it will begin disarming if Israel halts strikes and withdraws from Gaza, as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal. The agreement, announced by President Trump, requires phased implementation and faces challenges due to Israel's lack of official comment and Hamas' conditional demands tied to Palestinian statehood.

Hamas agreed to a deal to end the war with Israel, including provisions on weapons and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. US President Donald Trump announced the plan, describing it as a step toward a new Palestinian government in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw from Gaza. Hamas agreed to the deal, while Israel has not yet commented. The agreement includes a roadmap for Israel's withdrawal, Hamas ceasing military operations, and the establishment of a Palestinian governance structure.

Hamas has agreed to a deal to end its conflict with Israel by disarming in exchange for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Gazans express mixed hope and skepticism, with some hopeful for an end to the conflict and others distrustful of Israel's commitment.

A senior Hamas official stated that Hamas will hand over weapons under a Gaza peace deal only if Israel withdraws forces and ends attacks. The deal's implementation depends on Israel meeting its commitments first, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

An Iranian strike hit a Chinese firm’s building in northern Kuwait, killing a worker, hours after Jordan intercepted five Iranian missiles. The U.S. military conducted strikes against Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in response to an earlier Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Jordan, while fires were reported on two natural gas vessels in Egypt’s Damietta port.

Oil prices declined and Asian shares mostly fell as investors sold chipmaker stocks, with South Korea's Kospi index dropping over 1.3% due to doubts about AI investments. Samsung Electronics rose 2.4% despite SK Hynix losing 4% after disappointing profit forecasts. U.S.-Iran tensions and falling crude prices added to market volatility.

Iran warns it will block countries and companies in the Strait of Hormuz if they accept funds from frozen Iranian assets under a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. Iran's military command denounced Trump's proposal as 'incendiary' and 'illegal'.

Wildfires in France and Spain have displaced over 300,000 people, straining firefighting resources. The EU highlights the need for increased prevention efforts alongside emergency measures like the Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Washington amid potential shifts in U.S. support for Kyiv, while a question explores llama antibodies as a pesticide alternative.

The Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to permit an executive order from US President Donald Trump that could alter mail-in voting procedures ahead of November’s midterm elections. The Justice Department sought to halt lower court decisions blocking these changes in nearly half the country.

Israel will allow a multinational security force into Gaza under U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan, as approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet. Netanyahu is set to meet Trump in Washington.

Stocks in the U.S. edged higher while crude oil prices fell for the first time in a week amid ongoing Middle East conflicts threatening global oil flows. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones rose slightly, but all major indexes remain on track for weekly losses. Tariff hikes by the Trump administration and geopolitical tensions contributed to market uncertainty.

A Russian ballistic missile attack in the Kyiv region killed six people and injured dozens, while a Ukrainian attack on a Russian oil facility also caused casualties. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Raytheon representatives to discuss co-producing Patriot air defense systems, which Ukraine seeks to counter Russian missile attacks.

US President Donald Trump is shifting focus to tariff wars after an ineffective military campaign in Iran. The military adventure in Iran has become unpopular, even among his base, and Trump remains committed to using tariffs to 'make America great again.'

The European Central Bank held interest rates steady at 2.25% amid uncertainty over volatile oil prices affecting inflation. Analysts suggest the decision reflects a pause to monitor energy price swings linked to the US-Iran conflict and ceasefire instability, with a potential rate hike possible at the September 10 meeting.

Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has decreased since the U.S. President Donald Trump's blockade began. The decline is linked to renewed fighting affecting a critical oil corridor.