World News

Trump warns Iran to strike a deal 'before it is too late' as war deepens

Earlier Thursday, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that airstrikes had hit numerous targets, including a bridge connecting Tehran to the city of Karaj

Microsoft aims to develop large cutting-edge AI models by next year

Microsoft is assembling the com- puting horsepower to build more broadly capable models, Suleyman said

US trade deficit widens to $57.3 billion in February, below forecast

The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for an almost $61 billion deficit

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US attorney general: White House official

Trump had also reportedly grown frustrated that Bondi was not moving quickly enough to prosecute critics and adversaries who he wanted to face criminal charges

Macron says military option to reopen Strait of Hormuz is 'unrealistic'

The reopening of the Strait "can only be done in coordination with Iran," through negotiations that would follow a potential ceasefire, Macron said

PM Modi meets Russian Deputy PM, discusses trade, energy cooperation

Manturov, on a two-day visit to India, also held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval

China drains cash from economy in rare move during oil price shock

Taken together, commercial banks likely recorded their first net repayment of PBOC loans since last May, according to Bloomberg calculations based on official data

IMF, IEA, World Bank join hands to manage West Asia crisis impact

IMF, IEA and World Bank form coordination group to assess and manage energy and economic fallout of West Asia crisis, focusing on supply disruptions and global stability

Goldman, Citi staff in Paris to go remote after foiled attack on BoA branch

French authorities have placed four suspects in pre-trial detention over the plot, which potentially had links to Iran

OPEC+ may consider fresh oil output hike at Sunday meeting: Report

Sunday's meeting would normally be expected to decide May output quotas

Russian oil output cuts loom as Ukraine's strikes hit export infrastructure

A cut in output in Russia would add to the strain on global supplies when oil markets have already been jolted by unprecedented supply disruption because of the conflict in the Middle East

How Iran conflict has pushed UK to fix 'deep damages' caused by Brexit

Brexit was designed for control in a 'stable' world, but in a volatile one shaped by the Iran conflict, it is forcing the UK back towards the EU

Iran war disrupts US small businesses with shipping complications

Small business owners say the severe supply chain disruptions during the pandemic were worse - but they fear that if the war stretches on for months

China in talks with 'all parties' on need to restore Strait of Hormuz

China and Pakistan agreed this week to promote a five-point proposal, which includes calls to start peace talks as soon as possible and to guarantee the safety of navigation through Strait of Hormuz

South Korea President seeks swift parliamentary nod for $17 bn energy plan

Lee highlighted that disruptions in global energy supply--particularly due to virtual blockades around the Strait of Hormuz have significantly pushed up fuel prices

War will continue till US faces 'permanent humiliation', surrenders: Iran

Washington is unaware of the Islamic Republic's 'vast strategic capabilities', a spokesperson said, dismissing Trump's claims of 'dramatically curtailing' Iran's ability to launch missiles and drones

One year of Trump's Liberation Day tariffs: Who struck deals, who resisted

A year after it was announced, 'Liberation Day' has altered the mechanics of global trade as tariffs have succeeded in forcing negotiations in some cases and reshaping supply chains in others

Iran hits Haifa port after Trump says Tehran's missile programme destroyed

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the missile launches in a statement on Telegram, noting that defensive systems were actively operating to intercept the threat

Poisoning trekkers for profit: Inside Nepal's fake helicopter rescue scam

Investigators in Nepal have exposed a fake helicopter rescue racket where trekkers were airlifted without real medical need and insurers were billed huge amounts through false claims

Iraq's oil hub slows to crawl as Strait of Hormuz closure strangles exports

The war also has led to a sharp reduction in the volume of imported goods reaching southern Iraq's ports, while attacks have halted traffic at the border it shares with Iran