World News
Trump, UAE President discuss regional tensions, security in phone call
Trump condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the US' solidarity with the UAE and the countries of the region
 "Trump, UAE President discuss regional tensions, security in phone call")
Strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG plant to reshape the future of gas
The Ras Laffan LNG complex has suffered extensive destruction that will take up to five years to repair
 "Strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG plant to reshape the future of gas")
Trump references Pearl Harbor as Iran war exposes strains in US-Japan ties
After Trump's reference to the Pearl Harbor attack, a Japanese foreign ministry official said the subject didn't come up in closed-door talks between the leaders
 "Trump references Pearl Harbor as Iran war exposes strains in US-Japan ties")
Iran strike to cost QatarEnergy $20 bn a year, disrupt global LNG supply
The missile strikes on Ras Laffan Industrial City damaged QatarEnergy's Trains 4 and 6, which represent a combined 12.8 million tonnes of annual production capacity
 "Iran strike to cost QatarEnergy $20 bn a year, disrupt global LNG supply")
SpaceX edges out Boeing from dominant role in Nasa's moon mission
With the new proposal, SLS would no longer be used to boost Orion close to the moon, previously a key task for the rocket
 "SpaceX edges out Boeing from dominant role in Nasa's moon mission")
Trade with Cuba falls as Trump ramps up pressure on Communist leadership
Without declaring a formal blockade, Trump and his administration have already crippled trade with the island
 "Trade with Cuba falls as Trump ramps up pressure on Communist leadership")
7 nations condemn Iran attacks on vessels, energy sites, Hormuz closure
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and the United Kingdom has condemened Iran
 "7 nations condemn Iran attacks on vessels, energy sites, Hormuz closure")
EU leaders brace for multi-year energy squeeze after Qatar gas plant hit
Gas prices on Thursday surged to levels not seen in three years, while the European Central Bank said a prolonged disruption would push euro-zone inflation to 6.3% and trigger a brief recession
 "EU leaders brace for multi-year energy squeeze after Qatar gas plant hit")
Israel will avoid future strikes on Iran's energy sites, says Netanyahu
Israeli jets' bombing of Iran's South Pars field and associated infrastructure on Wednesday prompted a fresh wave of Iranian strikes against oil and gas works across the region
 "Israel will avoid future strikes on Iran's energy sites, says Netanyahu")
Global trade growth may slow to 1.9% this year amid West Asia crisis: WTO
WTO economists warn that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could further reduce trade growth if energy prices remain elevated, it said
 "Global trade growth may slow to 1.9% this year amid West Asia crisis: WTO")
HSBC considers 20,000 job cuts as AI drives overhaul of operations
Non-client facing roles in global service centres are among those expected to be most impacted although the assessment is at an early stage
 "HSBC considers 20,000 job cuts as AI drives overhaul of operations")
Modi speaks to Macron, leaders of Qatar, Oman, Jordan on West Asia conflict
The thrust of the conversations, per his social media posts, was to find a way to restore stability to the region and to continue coordination in the pursuit of de-escalation and peace
 "Modi speaks to Macron, leaders of Qatar, Oman, Jordan on West Asia conflict")
Accenture forecasts weak quarterly revenue as clients delay tech projects
Analysts have said AI should sup- port growth over the long term, but weak demand due to cautious client spending is unlikely to fully recover before 2028
 "Accenture forecasts weak quarterly revenue as clients delay tech projects")
Gold falls 2.7% to over 1-month low on strong dollar, hawkish Fed tone
Central banks in the US, Canada and Japan struck hawkish tones this week, wary that rising energy prices could spark a fresh wave of inflation
 "Gold falls 2.7% to over 1-month low on strong dollar, hawkish Fed tone")
Trump says US will not deploy troops to West Asia amid Iran conflict
Trump spoke at the White House during an Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
 "Trump says US will not deploy troops to West Asia amid Iran conflict")
Brent crude touches $119 as attacks on Gulf energy spots hit supply
US crude prices surged above $100 a barrel after Politico reported the US will not implement an export ban
 "Brent crude touches $119 as attacks on Gulf energy spots hit supply")
US Fed proposes easing bank capital rules to free funds for lending
The Fed's Board of Governors will vote to formally propose the plan Thursday. The FDIC board is holding a concurrent meeting
 "US Fed proposes easing bank capital rules to free funds for lending")
Iranian missile hits Israeli oil refinery in Haifa, minor damages reported
Energy Minister Eli Cohen said power was briefly disrupted, with electricity restored to most of those who were affected
US, global central banks hold rates, warn of war-led inflation risks
Earlier this week the Reserve Bank of Australia hiked rates to a 10-month high and warned of a "material" risk to inflation from the oil price spike
 "US, global central banks hold rates, warn of war-led inflation risks")
UK, EU leaders say ready to 'contribute' for safe passage through Hormuz
The joint statement reflects growing concern that Iran's retaliatory attacks in response to US-Israeli bombardment threaten to stoke inflation and further disrupt global trade
 "UK, EU leaders say ready to 'contribute' for safe passage through Hormuz")