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As India gears up for the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is emerging as a key export item in bilateral talks, with a range of countries from the Gulf to Southeast Asia expressing interest. Recent combat use in Operation Sindoor has bolstered its appeal, and several agreements are already in place.
A study warns that more than 1,500 ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the U.S.-Iran tensions could carry invasive species to ports worldwide once they resume voyages, creating a potential 'super-spreader' event for biological invasions. Researchers recommend urgent hull cleaning and early-warning systems at high-risk ports, but note that the international community is not yet fully prepared.
Japan is intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, key routes for Middle East oil, as Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi wraps up a six-day visit to Saudi Arabia and Oman. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has also held phone talks with regional leaders, with some in her administration urging face-to-face meetings to achieve a breakthrough amid unpredictable U.S.-Iran negotiations.
The Pentagon has fired the editor-in-chief, a reporter and the publisher of the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes, escalating a showdown over editorial independence. The dismissals follow the outlet's coverage of sailor welfare and come amid broader restrictions on press access.
South Korea has launched its first commercial container ship voyage through the Arctic, testing the route's viability as Middle East conflict disrupts traditional shipping lanes. The PanStar Acro, carrying 837 TEUs of cargo, is expected to take about 45 days to reach European ports, but the trip has sparked environmental and geopolitical concerns, including potential friction with Western allies over Russia's role.
A new report details a covert US military operation that has established a shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, moving approximately 10 million barrels of oil daily. The operation, reportedly coordinated from Fort Bragg, was enabled by a campaign that degraded Iran's radar and surveillance capabilities.
September WTI crude oil climbed 1.67% on Tuesday, buoyed by a weaker dollar and persistent Middle East supply disruptions, while gasoline prices slipped. The UAE's decision to cut economic ties with Iran and renewed Israeli strikes heightened concerns, though OPEC production increases and rising US inventories tempered gains. IEA head Fatih Birol warned the Strait of Hormuz crisis has caused long-term damage to energy markets.
Gold prices in Delhi declined by ₹800 to ₹1,58,000 per 10 grams on Wednesday, while silver fell ₹5,730 to ₹2,35,000 per kg. Analysts attribute the weakness to higher crude oil rates and geopolitical uncertainty following the end of the US-Iran ceasefire window without fresh talks. Meanwhile, international spot gold gained nearly 1% to $4,361.76 per ounce.
U.S. stocks opened higher on Wednesday, snapping a three-day slide, after the Treasury Department announced plans to at least double its purchases of longer-term bonds, easing pressure on yields. Strong earnings from retailers and biotech firms, including Moderna and Merck, also supported the market.
Vice President JD Vance made his first trip back to Middletown, Ohio, since taking office, speaking at a steel plant where his grandfather once worked and touting a major investment. The visit, framed around the Trump administration's economic agenda, comes as polls show shifting voter confidence on the economy ahead of November's midterm elections.
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee has indicated it may raise interest rates in the third quarter of 2026-27 if higher food and fuel prices lead to broad-based inflation. While the repo rate was kept unchanged at 5.25%, Governor Sanjay Malhotra and Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta signaled that a rate hike could emerge as inflation is projected to peak at 5.9%. The committee maintained a neutral stance but stressed vigilance over inflation risks.
Yemen's Houthi group says it carried out 31 military operations against Saudi targets in the past month, including attacks on eight oil tankers and blockades of dozens of ships. The claims, posted by a spokesman, have not been commented on by Saudi officials, while Saudi Arabia has been forced to adjust its oil shipping routes due to the threats.
Iran's armed forces warned Gulf countries on Wednesday against assisting the U.S. military, hours after the United Arab Emirates announced it was halting all trade and financial dealings with Iran following an alleged missile attack. The UAE accused Iran of firing two ballistic missiles at its territory on Tuesday, a claim Tehran denied. The escalation comes amid a broader U.S.-Iran conflict centered on the Strait of Hormuz, with oil prices rising above $90 per barrel.
The United Arab Emirates has halted all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran indefinitely, accusing Iranian forces of firing two ballistic missiles at its territory. Iran denied the allegation, calling it a 'false flag operation' by the US and Israel, as tensions continue to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and keep energy prices elevated.
Turkey has denied Israeli allegations that it planned to deploy troops at a Syrian air base struck this week, an action that a U.S. envoy said brought the sides close to direct confrontation. Israeli officials said the strike enforced a security status quo, while Syria condemned the attack as aggression against its sovereignty. U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack said Israel did not warn Washington beforehand.
The United States has criticized Israeli airstrikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase as an 'unnecessary escalation,' while Israel defends the strikes citing alleged Turkish deployment plans. Syria and Turkey deny the claims, and tensions between the regional rivals continue to rise.
President Donald Trump has instructed aides to arrange a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this autumn, possibly during the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November, according to The Wall Street Journal. South Korean and U.S. diplomats held talks reaffirming close coordination on the North's nuclear issue, though neither side's readout mentioned denuclearization, amid concerns about Trump's approach.
US President Donald Trump has denied holding or scheduling talks with Iran, while Tehran claims Washington is seeking negotiations on Iranian terms. The US has announced a 'crushing economic operation' against Iran, prompting China and Iran to push back.
US President Donald Trump said no talks with Iran are taking place or scheduled, while Iran insists the Strait of Hormuz stays closed until US conditions are met. Meanwhile, Iranian officials signal openness to regional diplomacy and economic hardship at home.
President Trump says no talks with Iran are underway or scheduled, while Iran and Oman continue negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE has suspended all trade with Iran, and regional tensions remain high amid strikes and threats.