Location · 639 published stories · 157 outlets · All places
G7 finance ministers concluded a two-day meeting in Paris with a renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation, agreeing on the need to address trade imbalances and global economic instability. Despite tensions with the US over tariffs and Russia policy, the group reaffirmed its support for international institutions and vulnerable countries.
South Korean stocks fell for a second consecutive session on Wednesday, with the KOSPI dropping 0.86% to 7,208.95, as foreign investors continued heavy selling of chipmakers and other heavyweights. The local currency gained ground against the U.S. dollar, while investors awaited Nvidia's earnings amid geopolitical tensions.
US President Donald Trump announced he is delaying a planned military attack on Iran scheduled for Tuesday, citing requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to allow more time for negotiations. Trump said he has instructed the military to be prepared for a large-scale assault if an acceptable deal is not reached.
South Korean stocks experienced volatile trading sessions from May 18-20, 2026, as investors reacted to U.S. market declines, inflation concerns, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The KOSPI opened lower on Monday, plunged sharply, then saw mixed but lower closes on Tuesday, before trimming losses on Wednesday.
Kenya's nationwide transport strike over fuel price hikes was suspended for a week after at least four people were killed and over 30 injured in protests. The government and transport unions will negotiate, while hundreds have been arrested and rights groups have condemned the use of force.
The US Treasury Department has extended for another 30 days a sanctions waiver allowing countries to import Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded on tankers at sea. The move aims to ease oil supply shortages linked to the Iran war, with officials saying it will help vulnerable nations and reduce China's ability to stockpile discounted oil.
A new wave of Somali piracy is threatening shipping in the Western Indian Ocean, with three vessels hijacked in recent weeks. Experts point to regional conflicts and reduced naval presence as enabling factors, while underlying issues like illegal fishing and weak governance persist.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council has formally announced the creation of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to manage the strategic waterway, a move that has drawn international attention amid ongoing tensions. The authority is set to regulate vessel passage, with provisions for tolls and specialized services, while the US has added it to sanctions lists.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, focusing on regional security and bilateral ties. The visit comes as Islamabad attempts to revive stalled US-Iran peace negotiations, with both sides exchanging warnings over the possibility of renewed conflict.
British businesses are pausing investment and hiring plans as the Middle East conflict and domestic political uncertainty drive up costs, according to multiple surveys and reports. Key indicators show a contraction in services activity, falling payrolls, and a sharp drop in vacancies, prompting calls for coordinated G7 action.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE, the two nations signed agreements on defence, energy, and shipping, including a strategic defence partnership and pacts on petroleum reserves and LNG supply. The visit also saw the announcement of $5 billion in UAE investments in India, amid regional tensions with Iran.
US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping produced little agreement on ending the Iran war. While China reiterated its opposition to the conflict and its diplomatic efforts, no concrete deal emerged, and the war continues with heavy casualties and ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel while anchored northeast of Fujairah, UAE, and is heading toward Iranian territorial waters. The vessel is believed to be the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan fishery research vessel, and communication with it has been lost.
At the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, Iran's foreign minister called on the bloc to condemn US and Israeli attacks, and accused the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against Iran. The meeting highlighted divisions within the expanded BRICS group over the ongoing conflict.
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, are driving up food and fertiliser costs and could push tens of millions more people into hunger, according to UN warnings and expert analysis. Asia is particularly exposed, with heavy reliance on Gulf fertiliser exports and energy supplies.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping began a two-day summit in Beijing, covering trade, the war on Iran and Taiwan. The White House said the two leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, while China opposed its militarisation and any tolls, and expressed interest in buying more American oil.
Iran has expanded its declared control zone in the Strait of Hormuz to a 'vast operational area' stretching up to 300 miles, according to a senior IRGC Navy officer. The move follows a US naval blockade imposed in April and a short-lived US effort to assist shipping. The expansion could affect global oil and LNG transit through one of the world's most critical chokepoints.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the US-led aggression against Iran was aimed at preventing normalization between Tehran and Arab states, echoing past Russian proposals for a Persian Gulf security framework. He accused Western powers of using propaganda to justify the conflict and paint Iran as a pariah.
A UN Security Council draft resolution, co-drafted by Gulf states and the US, has gained 112 co-sponsors, demanding Iran halt attacks and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The move underscores global concern, though China and Russia have reservations.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held two hours of talks in Beijing, with Taiwan, tariffs, rare earths, and the Middle East on the agenda. Xi emphasized Taiwan as the most important issue in bilateral relations, while analysts note the US enters from a vulnerable position. The visit is the first by a US president since 2017, with expectations of a state banquet but reduced pomp.