Page 42 - World News
Asia braces for LNG shock as Strait of Hormuz blockade chokes supply
With a cutoff in shipments imminent, Asian countries, the biggest importers of liquefied natural gas from the West Asia, are already burning more coal and reducing consumption
 "Asia braces for LNG shock as Strait of Hormuz blockade chokes supply")
Pentagon rejects claim of Hegseth's alleged investment, seeks retraction
According to reports, a broker representing US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth sought to invest in a major US defence-focused fund in the weeks leading up to the US-Israeli military action against Iran
 "Pentagon rejects claim of Hegseth's alleged investment, seeks retraction")
China's factory growth hits 1-year high in March despite war risks
The sub-indexes for output and new orders both rose above 51 from below 50 the previous month, while that for new export orders improved to 49.1 from 45 in February
US eyes alternatives after WTO talks fail on ecommerce duty moratorium
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Washington would work with like-minded partners outside the WTO if the moratorium is not restored
 "US eyes alternatives after WTO talks fail on ecommerce duty moratorium")
India condemns attack that killed two UNIFIL peacekeepers in south Lebanon
According to a statement issued by UNIFIL, the incident occurred near Bani Hayyan in Southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of two peacekeepers, while a third one sustained severe injuries
 "India condemns attack that killed two UNIFIL peacekeepers in south Lebanon")
Ops in Iran beyond halfway point, focus now on uranium stockpile: Netanyahu
Netanyahu expressed confidence in the progress of the joint military campaign, emphasising that significant steps have been taken to dismantle Iran's military and nuclear capabilities
 "Ops in Iran beyond halfway point, focus now on uranium stockpile: Netanyahu")
White House says US-Iran talks 'going well' despite Tehran denial
The White House maintained that backchannel discussions remain active
 "White House says US-Iran talks 'going well' despite Tehran denial")
Israeli parliament approves death penalty for Palestinians in murder cases
The law makes the death penalty - by hanging - the default punishment for West Bank Palestinians convicted for nationalistic killings
 "Israeli parliament approves death penalty for Palestinians in murder cases")
Kuwaiti oil tanker ablaze in Dubai Port after Iranian attack, no casualties
Authorities in Dubai confirmed they were responding to a drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters and that maritime firefighting teams were working to bring the fire under control
 "Kuwaiti oil tanker ablaze in Dubai Port after Iranian attack, no casualties")
Iran alleges US strike hit Mahan Air plane bound for aid mission to India
The plane was reportedly scheduled to fly to New Delhi this week to pick up essential medical supplies and aid for Iranian people, they said
 "Iran alleges US strike hit Mahan Air plane bound for aid mission to India")
US going to achieve objective in weeks, Iran at its weakest point: Rubio
US Secretary of State said Prez Trump has several options on the table to prevent Iran's hegemony over the strait
 "US going to achieve objective in weeks, Iran at its weakest point: Rubio")
Gulf allies urge Trump to keep fighting until Iran is decisively defeated
Officials from Saudi, UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership
 "Gulf allies urge Trump to keep fighting until Iran is decisively defeated")
Trump warns of strikes on Iran desalination plants, here's what it means
Such a move, and Iran's possible targeting of the plants of its Gulf Arab neighbours, could have devastating impacts across the water-starved West Asia
 "Trump warns of strikes on Iran desalination plants, here's what it means")
Trump claims talks with Iran's parliamentary speaker; Tehran denies
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said no negotiations had taken place, while confirming that intermediaries had delivered a set of proposals to Iran
US going to 'retake' control of Hormuz Strait, says Scott Bessent
His remarks come against a backdrop of heightened global concern over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for nearly one-fifth of world oil flows
 "US going to 'retake' control of Hormuz Strait, says Scott Bessent")
Iran's Parliament panel clears plan to impose tolls on Strait of Hormuz
Plan explicitly bans passage for US and Israeli vessels, reinforces sovereign role of Iran and its armed forces, and outlines cooperation with Oman in establishing the legal framework for the Strait
 "Iran's Parliament panel clears plan to impose tolls on Strait of Hormuz")
Artemis II: Nasa's one mission, multiple agendas worth $100 billion
The Apollo program set a precedent that Nasa should strive to have a human spaceflight initiative that drives US space exploration forward
 "Artemis II: Nasa's one mission, multiple agendas worth $100 billion")
Microsoft unveils AI upgrades, rolls out Copilot Cowork to early users
Copilot's Researcher agent will now be able to pull outputs from both OpenAI's GPT and Anthropic's Claude models for every response
 "Microsoft unveils AI upgrades, rolls out Copilot Cowork to early users")
Powell says Fed positioned to 'wait and see' how war affects economy
As the Iran war enters its fifth week and US gasoline prices rise to around an average of $4 a gallon, the Fed faces a potential squeeze between its two mandates of full employment and price stability
 "Powell says Fed positioned to 'wait and see' how war affects economy")
Iran says its expelled ambassador won't leave Lebanon as tensions soar
Iran on Monday defied Lebanon's expulsion order for its ambassador by saying he would stay, further increasing tensions in a country in the crosshairs of the latest fighting between the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Israel.
 "Iran says its expelled ambassador won't leave Lebanon as tensions soar")