Smoke and flames seen near Riyadh airport as major flight disruptions continue
A plume of smoke and flames rose near Riyadh's main international airport on Saturday, with residents reporting loud booms in the Saudi capital. The incident was seen close to King Khalid International Airport, one of the kingdom's busiest transport hubs, and came after Saudi authorities issued overnight alerts for the city. Reports from the capital said black smoke and fire were visible in the direction of the airport, while other residents said they heard explosions.An Aramco fuel tank near the airport was reportedly on fire, according to the supplied material, and firefighters were seen trying to extinguish the blaze. Flight... [Continue Reading]
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Cuba hit by nationwide blackout after grid fault and poor weather
Millions of people in Cuba were left without power on Friday after the country's electricity grid suffered a total disconnection, triggering a nationwide blackout. The outage affected the entire system and prompted gradual restoration efforts later in the day. Power began returning to some priority areas, including locations near hospitals and water pumping stations in Havana, according to the grid operator.The energy ministry said the blackout began just before 14:00 local time on Friday, which was 18:00 GMT. The grid operator said the immediate cause was a transmission fault combined with poor weather conditions in central Cuba. Felix Estrada, the... [Continue Reading]
Bolivia ratifies $1.9bn IMF deal and ends diesel subsidies amid protest threats
Just hours after Bolivia's Congress ratified a $1.9 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund, President Rodrigo Paz announced an immediate end to diesel subsidies. The move affects fuel used by trucks, buses and tractors, and is part of the government's effort to stabilise an economy under strain. Gasoline subsidies for private cars will remain in place for now, although Paz has already reduced that support in recent months.The Senate's approval on Friday completed the final legislative step for the three-year financing programme, after the lower house backed it a day earlier. The IMF first announced a staff-level agreement... [Continue Reading]
Trump signs Russia sanctions package into law as pressure on energy revenues intensifies
US President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping sanctions package into law targeting Russian officials, banks and a shadow tanker fleet used to move energy exports. The measure is intended to increase pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine and to reduce the revenues that support Russia's military effort. It was signed on Friday, according to the supplied material, after clearing Congress with large bipartisan majorities.The legislation had been in development for more than a year and was described as a legacy effort linked to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who co-led the push with Senator Richard Blumenthal. It... [Continue Reading]
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Day News Recap: Middle East tensions deepen as Pakistan attack, Russia-Ukraine strikes and market swings grip day
At least 16 people were killed when a vehicle packed with explosives rammed into a mosque near police headquarters in Kohat district in northwest Pakistan, in an attack that was still unfolding as reports emerged. 🔗In the Middle East, Iran said its Revolutionary Guards struck and detained the Togo flagged tanker Trend in the Strait of Hormuz, while the UK maritime agency reported a separate ship fire, and Saudi Arabia has been rerouting crude through Oman as shipping disruption in the waterway continues. 🔗 🔗The wider regional security picture also sharpened, with the United States approving a $24.3 billion sale... [Continue Reading]
China Coast Guard vessel rams Philippine government ship near Palawan
A Philippine government vessel was rammed by a China Coast Guard ship off the coast of Palawan province in the South China Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. Manila said the incident happened while the BRP Datu Magat Salamat was on a mission to supply fuel to fishermen. The collision is the latest confrontation in the disputed waters, where both countries regularly accuse each other of unsafe manoeuvres.Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said the Chinese vessel first cut across the path of the Philippine ship at a distance of about 10 metres, then repeated the manoeuvre about 10... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: Russia election opens under pressure as Middle East tensions and Ukraine strikes escalate
Russia has opened a three day parliamentary election for the State Duma, with voting starting in the far east and expected to deliver another victory for President Vladimir Putin, even as a report says the Kremlin has intensified a pre election crackdown. 🔗 🔗Ukraine said a morning Russian drone attack injured five people, including three children, in the Kyiv region near the capital, while separate strikes hit Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro. Poland also warned that Russia may try to carry out drone and rocket attacks against NATO states backing Ukraine, and said its airspace remains restricted. 🔗 🔗In the Middle East,... [Continue Reading]
Russia begins three-day Duma election amid war in Ukraine
Russia has begun a three-day parliamentary election to fill all 450 seats in the State Duma, with voting opening first in eastern regions before spreading across the country. About 111 million people are eligible to take part, according to the supplied report, and polling is also taking place in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. The vote is being held in a tightly controlled political environment as the war in Ukraine continues to shape domestic politics.Polling stations opened first in Kamchatka, Chukotka, Magadan and other eastern regions, where local officials urged residents to turn out. The Kremlin is closely watching participation, with... [Continue Reading]
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Breakfast News Recap: Iran scrutiny deepens as Middle East tensions rattle energy, shipping and diplomacy
The United Nations mission on Iran said there are reasonable grounds to believe the United States committed war crimes in its strikes, widening scrutiny of the conflict as Tehran faces fresh international pressure. 🔗 In a separate blow to efforts to monitor Iran, Russia and China vetoed a UN move to extend sanctions monitoring, while Washington also moved against Iranian crypto networks. 🔗Energy and shipping remained under strain across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is rerouting crude through ship to ship transfers off Oman’s Sohar port as disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues, and crude prices have... [Continue Reading]
Houthi-run Yemen raises fuel prices in Sanaa after four years of stability
Fuel prices have risen in Sanaa for the first time in about four years, adding to pressure on families in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen. The increase was announced this week in the capital and affects petrol and diesel prices in territory under Houthi control. For many residents, the change is expected to feed directly into transport costs and the price of basic goods.The Houthi-run Yemen Petroleum Company said the increase was driven by a global rise in fuel prices and described it as temporary. According to the report, the price of petrol moved from 4,750 Yemeni riyals, or about $8.90,... [Continue Reading]
European markets open higher as metals surge, Brent eases and sterling slips
Executive summary: European equities opened firmer, led by gains in the FTSE 100, DAX, CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50, while precious metals rallied sharply and Brent crude retreated. The move set points to a market still balancing higher-for-longer rate expectations, a stronger dollar and shifting commodity leadership, with sterling and the euro both softer against the US currency. [Continue Reading]
South Korea to extend fuel tax cut scheme for two more months
South Korea will extend its fuel tax cut scheme by another two months through November, the government said on Friday in Sejong. The move is aimed at easing price burdens on the public as energy costs remain under pressure amid prolonged tensions in the Middle East. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said the government would make diplomatic efforts and diversify import sources to address recent energy price volatility. He made the remarks during a meeting of economy-related ministers in the central city of Sejong. Koo said global oil prices have recently risen sharply amid geopolitical tensions and that the government intends... [Continue Reading]
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Middle East conflict drives diesel and crude price spike for farmers and refiners
Crude oil prices have climbed above US$105 a barrel as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt energy flows and push up costs for diesel, fertiliser and shipping. The price shock is being felt far beyond the region, including by farmers in Australia who say the higher costs are squeezing already thin margins. The disruption has also lifted refining profits, highlighting how quickly supply shocks can ripple through global fuel markets.A grain farmer in regional New South Wales said the cost of diesel, pesticides, herbicides and shipping to his property near Wagga Wagga had all increased. He said the higher... [Continue Reading]
King Charles warns AI leaders of existential dangers at Scotland summit
King Charles has warned artificial intelligence industry leaders about the "existential dangers" of the technology if it is misused, during a summit at Dumfries House in Scotland. He hosted senior figures linked to Nvidia, Google DeepMind, OpenAI and Anthropic at the event, which focused on safety concerns and the future direction of AI development. The monarch said there was urgency in considering how such technologies could be used in "potentially catastrophic ways".The meeting took place on Thursday at his Dumfries House estate, where the king opened the conference by urging those present to help ensure AI is developed with safety... [Continue Reading]
Scientists link Nepal-China Himalayan flood disaster to climate change
A new scientific report has concluded that climate change played a significant role in last month's deadly Himalayan disaster near Nepal's border with China. The collapse on 26 August triggered a torrent of water, ice, boulders and sediment that swept through communities along the Trishuli River corridor. The event killed more than 1,300 people and left over 5,000 missing.The report, released on Thursday by the World Weather Attribution group, said warming temperatures had thinned glaciers and thawed mountain permafrost in ways that likely destabilised the slope before it failed. A climate researcher at Imperial College London who contributed to the... [Continue Reading]
Syria parliament abolishes Assad-era terrorism court in early reform move
Syria's parliament has voted to abolish the Assad-era Counter-Terrorism Court and nullify the legal effects of its rulings, in one of the first major legislative decisions taken by the country's new assembly. The vote formalised a court that the new authorities had already treated as defunct, according to state television. It comes as President Ahmed al-Sharaa faces the challenge of unifying a country emerging from 14 years of conflict.The court was established in 2012 and was used to prosecute thousands of Syrians for offences described as terrorism-related under former President Bashar al-Assad. The parliamentary decision was taken on Wednesday during... [Continue Reading]
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Djibouti seeks urgent aid as Yemen arrivals rise beyond national capacity
Djibouti has appealed for urgent international assistance after officials said the number of people arriving from Yemen has already exceeded the country's capacity. Interior Minister Omar Abdi Said said more than 2,500 Yemenis had arrived since Thursday last week, with the total expected to rise to about 10,000 in the coming weeks. The arrivals are linked to heavy fighting in western Yemen, where civilians are continuing to flee across the Red Sea to Djibouti.Said said the influx of migrants has already exceeded national capacity and that the country is facing increasing pressure as international funding declines. He called on the... [Continue Reading]
Alex Saab pleads guilty in US money-laundering case tied to alleged bribery scheme
Venezuelan businessman Alex Saab has pleaded guilty in a US court to a money-laundering charge linked to an alleged bribery scheme involving public contracts in Venezuela. The plea marks a significant development in a long-running federal case that has followed Saab for years. He also agreed to cooperate with ongoing investigations, according to the court record.As part of the agreement, Saab accepted that he will hand over $195 million derived from the corruption scheme. Prosecutors said they would recommend a sentence at the lower end of the guideline range and could seek further reductions if his cooperation proves useful. The... [Continue Reading]
US confirms weapon deployed in Earth's orbit, raising space arms race concerns
The United States has confirmed that it has deployed a space weapon in Earth's orbit, marking the first time it has acknowledged such an offensive capability. The disclosure has prompted warnings from Russia and China that the move could accelerate an arms race in space. The development adds a new layer to an already intensifying competition over military and strategic capabilities beyond Earth.According to the supplied report, US officials did not disclose how the weapon operates. That lack of detail leaves key questions unanswered about its purpose, range and intended use. The confirmation itself is significant because it is the... [Continue Reading]
Venezuela to join G20 energy meetings in Houston amid oil-price shock
A Venezuelan delegation is due to take part in G20 energy talks in Houston this week, as global oil and gas markets remain under pressure from war-related disruption in the Middle East. The meetings are being held in Texas, a major centre of the US energy industry, and are scheduled to continue through Wednesday. US officials said the gathering will include representatives of G20 countries as well as Venezuela.Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the talks reflect a shift in the global energy balance and the growing importance of supply outside the Middle East. He said the aim was to move... [Continue Reading]
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Fuel price protests spread across Syria for a second day as parliament summons energy minister
Protests over fuel price increases spread across Syria for a second consecutive day on Monday, with demonstrators blocking roads and oil tanker routes in several provinces. The unrest was reported in Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, Aleppo, Idlib and Daraa, according to the supplied material. In several places, residents also called for the dismissal of Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir.Parliament said it had summoned al-Bashir to appear before a hearing on Thursday at noon local time, after more than 50 members of the People's Assembly signed a request on Sunday asking the energy committee to question him over the price hikes and... [Continue Reading]
Dangote refinery IPO set to become Africa's biggest-ever listing
Aliko Dangote's Nigerian oil refinery business is set to go public on the Nigerian exchange in a flotation that could become Africa's biggest-ever initial public offering. The listing of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals is scheduled for Monday, with share purchases open until 13 October. If the offer is fully subscribed, it could add about $23bn to Dangote's net worth.The public offering is being marketed as an IPO for ordinary investors as well as institutions, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares costing 5,250 naira. The company has also been promoted through banking platforms and fintech ventures, with a particular... [Continue Reading]
Brent crude tops $107 as Hormuz shipping disruption deepens
Brent crude has climbed above $107 a barrel as disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and shutdowns at Saudi energy infrastructure continue to unsettle global oil markets. The benchmark rose by $3.21 to $107.82, according to the supplied report, after recent attacks on shipping in the waterway and on Saudi energy facilities. The developments have raised fresh concern about the security of one of the world's most important energy chokepoints.US officials say traffic through the strait is improving, but their assessment is at odds with the market reaction and with other reporting on vessel movements. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright... [Continue Reading]
Bahrain refuses Iran's proposed Hormuz shipping meeting in Oman
Bahrain has said it will not take part in a proposed meeting in Oman on Monday that Iran says will focus on safe passage for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Bahraini Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it would not join the gathering in Muscat, despite Iran describing the talks as a consultation on the future of the waterway. The decision adds a new diplomatic wrinkle to efforts to discuss security around one of the world's most sensitive shipping routes.In its statement, Bahrain said regional security and stability could not be preserved through what it called a policy... [Continue Reading]
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GAS, GOD, AND GUNS: The Secret Agenda Behind the Washington Talks and the Death of the Maritime Border
The mahogany tables of the U.S. State Department are hosting a ghost today. As official delegations from Israel and Lebanon convene for a third round of high-stakes negotiations this Friday, May 8, 2026, the air in Washington is thick with the scent of a "peace" that looks increasingly like a strategic ambush. While the world watches the diplomatic theatre, the reality on the ground in Southern Lebanon tells a story of a predatory recalibration. Prime Minister Netanyahu isn’t just looking for a ceasefire; he is aiming to hit three birds with one single, devastating stone: the annexation of land, the... [Continue Reading]
The Great Uncoupling: Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Gambit
The UAE’s decision to cut ties with OPEC is far more than a mere adjustment of energy policy, for it functions as a political telegram written in barrels and sent directly to the heart of the global order. For nearly six decades, Abu Dhabi operated within the rigid architecture of producer discipline, where it accepted the rituals of quotas, the formality of communiqués, and the heavy burden of collective restraint. It played the long game of oil diplomacy with a patient hand, balancing its own massive national ambitions against the gravity of cartel discipline and the delicate logic of Gulf... [Continue Reading]
When Deterrence Becomes Reality
Yesterday the war crossed a line! For years the Sejjil ballistic missile existed mostly as a symbol. A weapon paraded in military videos, discussed in defense briefings, whispered about in strategic circles as one of Iran’s most serious capabilities. A weapon that analysts described as deterrence, not something meant to be used. But on March 15, 2026, that line disappeared. Iran reportedly launched the Sejjil (also known as Ashoura) as part of what Tehran called the 54th wave of Operation True Promise 4, a massive strike package that also included the Fattah hypersonic missile and the Qadr ballistic missile system.... [Continue Reading]
Shadows of Fire: The Long Arc of Iran–United States Tensions
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]
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