Day News Recap: Oil shock, Gaza strikes and Ukraine pressure dominate a tense global news cycle
Fresh attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil prices higher and deepened fears of a wider regional spillover, after British maritime officials said three ships had been hit in recent days and the US said the waterway remained open despite rising tensions with Iran. Washington also said there were no talks planned with Tehran, while warning of new sanctions and broader economic pressure. 🔗 🔗 🔗The Gulf fallout is already hitting trade and markets, with the United Arab Emirates halting trade, commercial exchange and financial dealings with Iran after a reported missile incident, and separate reporting... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 19 Aug 2026 18:21 LONDON
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U.S. sends carrier to Middle East, leaving temporary gap in Pacific, analyst says
The Trump administration has sent the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the Middle East, a move that one analyst said has created a temporary gap in the Pacific. The deployment comes amid the war with Iran and follows a Pentagon announcement last week that the carrier would replace the USS Abraham Lincoln. According to the report, the move has reduced the U.S. ability to respond quickly to threats in both regions at the same time.The USS George Washington is normally based at Yokosuka, on Japan's coast, where it serves as a deterrent in the Pacific. Its presence is intended... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Aug 2026 18:00 LONDON
Trump renews outreach to Kim Jong Un as US scales back South Korea drills
Trump said on Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had responded to his recent overtures with a "very positive" exchange, adding a new diplomatic layer to the decision to reduce US participation in joint military drills with South Korea. The remarks came a day after he ordered the Pentagon to scale back the exercises, which are designed to prepare for a possible conflict with Pyongyang. He also said his past dealings with Kim had made the Korean Peninsula "much safer".The latest comments sharpen the focus on the scale-back of the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills and on whether Washington... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Aug 2026 12:35 LONDON
Breakfast News Recap: Ukraine nuclear strike, Middle East tensions and trade moves dominate the morning
A drone strike near the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine killed one nuclear specialist and wounded 17 people, underscoring the danger around the site as fighting continues close to critical infrastructure. 🔗In the Middle East, tensions around Iran deepened after Donald Trump said there were no talks planned with Tehran and insisted the Strait of Hormuz remained open, even as reports emerged that a projectile hit a ship in the waterway. The United Arab Emirates also imposed an indefinite trade embargo on Iran after accusing Iranian forces of firing two ballistic missiles at the country. 🔗 🔗Israel's... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 19 Aug 2026 08:37 LONDON
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Tokyo rout leads Asia-Pacific split session as Nikkei sinks 4.4%, oil climbs and metals slide
Executive summary: Tokyo led a sharply risk-off session in Asia-Pacific, with the Nikkei 225 falling -4.4% and the Nikkei 225 ETF down a similar amount. South Korea’s Kospi rose +1.9%, while Australia’s ASX 200 slipped -1.7% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged +0.2%. Commodities were mixed, WTI crude gained +2.6% as silver, palladium and platinum fell, and the yen strengthened slightly against the dollar. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 19 Aug 2026 07:45 LONDON
US Navy destroyer USS Benfold loses power in the Pacific for four days
A US Navy destroyer carrying about 300 sailors was left without power for four days after a major engineering failure in the Pacific Ocean. The USS Benfold suffered what the Navy described as an engineering casualty involving its generators, which cut off basic shipboard services. The incident left the crew without drinking water, meals, functioning toilets and air conditioning.Navy spokesman Commander Matthew Comer said the loss of power began on 24 July. He said there were no injuries among the crew and praised sailors for their response to the breakdown. According to his statement, the ship later received assistance from... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Aug 2026 05:08 LONDON
Tokyo Opens Lower as Nikkei Slips, Kospi Surges on a Risk-On Commodity and FX Mix
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific trading opened with a sharp split: South Korea’s Kospi surged +8.3% while Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell -1.2% and Australia’s ASX 200 dropped -1.5%. WTI crude climbed +3.9%, gold edged higher, and the yen weakened slightly against the dollar, a mix that points to a market still balancing geopolitical energy risk, rate pressure, and sector rotation. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 19 Aug 2026 01:15 LONDON
Day News Recap: Iran escalates as Ukraine, Gaza and regional tensions deepen across multiple fronts
Iran said it would move to a fully offensive military posture as efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire with the United States stalled, while Tehran also declared the 60 day negotiation deadline under a June memorandum void and warned that passage through the Strait of Hormuz would remain shut. A ship was hit in the waterway, adding to the pressure around one of the world’s most sensitive shipping lanes. 🔗 🔗 🔗In the wider Middle East, the United States condemned an Israeli strike on the Abu al Duhur air base in north west Syria as an unnecessary escalation, and UN... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 18 Aug 2026 18:21 LONDON
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Noontime News Recap: Congo Ebola toll climbs as Hormuz hit and tariff tensions deepen
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has worsened sharply, with confirmed cases rising to 4,945 and deaths reaching 2,325 as health authorities struggle to contain the spread. 🔗In the Middle East, a ship was hit in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran's top negotiator said the waterway would remain shut, raising fresh concern over one of the world's most sensitive shipping routes. 🔗Also in the region, eight air strikes hit the runway at Abu al Duhur military base in Syria's Idlib province, damaging the airfield but causing no reported casualties. In Damascus, a court sentenced Wassim al... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 18 Aug 2026 12:20 LONDON
Breakfast News Recap: Middle East tensions flare as Gaza talks stall and markets turn defensive
Iran has warned it will move to a fully offensive military posture as efforts to secure a permanent end to the war with the United States stall, while a separate report said a vessel was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, with one crew member reported dead or injured. 🔗 🔗In Gaza, talks linked to Jared Kushner’s peace plan ended without a breakthrough, even as Israel and the United States agreed that an American general would verify Hamas disarmament before any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. 🔗 🔗Across the wider region, UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon said... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 18 Aug 2026 08:41 LONDON
Tokyo Close: Kospi Surges Nearly 9% as Oil and Gold Jump, Nikkei Edges Lower, ASX 200 Slips
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific trading ended with a sharp split, led by a powerful rally in South Korea’s Kospi, which jumped +8.97% to 6865.02. WTI crude climbed +5.22%, gold rose +2.01%, and platinum gained +2.38%, while Australia’s ASX 200 fell -1.95% and Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped -0.09%. The move set points to a market still reacting to higher energy prices, firmer precious metals, and a softer tone in parts of regional equities. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 18 Aug 2026 07:45 LONDON
Tokyo Opens Higher as Nikkei Extends Record Run, Kospi Surges and Risk Assets Reprice Across Asia-Pacific
Executive summary: Tokyo opened with a strong bid, led by a fresh jump in the Nikkei 225 and a firmer Nikkei ETF, while South Korea’s Kospi posted an outsized surge. The session also showed a split tape across the region, with Hong Kong and Australia lower, crude and gold higher, and the yen slightly weaker against the dollar. The move matters because it combines a powerful equity rally in Japan and Korea with a commodity-led inflation signal that could keep pressure on regional risk sentiment. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 18 Aug 2026 01:15 LONDON
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Day News Recap: Deadly crises span Congo, Indonesia and Gaza as markets split on risk appetite
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the deadliest in the country’s history, with government data putting deaths at 2,325 as the crisis continues to spread its toll. 🔗Indonesia is also facing a major disaster after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores island, killing at least 68 people, displacing about 5,000 residents and leaving aid shortages and aftershocks to hamper rescue work. 🔗In the Middle East, the Gaza war and wider regional tensions remained in focus as Jared Kushner prepared to meet Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv after more than two hours of talks with... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 17 Aug 2026 18:20 LONDON
Indonesia quake death toll rises to 68 as aftershocks hamper rescue efforts
Rescue teams in eastern Indonesia are continuing to search collapsed buildings after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara province, with the death toll now at least 68. More than 200 people have been injured, and thousands of residents remain displaced as aid deliveries continue to reach communities cut off by the quake. The hardest-hit areas include Flores, where many people have spent days waiting for help and searching for relatives.An official at Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency confirmed late on Monday that the death toll had risen from 54 to 68, while nearly 1,600 aftershocks have... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 17 Aug 2026 14:33 LONDON
Deadly earthquake on Indonesia's Flores island as aid shortages deepen
Authorities on Indonesia's Flores island say aid shortages are worsening after a magnitude-7.7 earthquake killed at least 53 people and displaced about 5,000 residents. Survivors in several parts of the island are sleeping outdoors as aftershocks continue, while landslides and blocked roads are slowing the delivery of food, water and medical supplies. The quake struck shortly before 06:00 on Saturday at a shallow depth of 15km, increasing the damage across affected communities.Early assessments from Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency say more than 1,000 houses have been damaged, along with dozens of health facilities, schools and government offices. In Manggarai Regency,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 17 Aug 2026 09:59 LONDON
Breakfast News Recap: Earthquake toll climbs in Indonesia as Gaza, Ukraine and EU tensions deepen
Rescuers in eastern Indonesia are still searching collapsed buildings after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on Flores island killed at least 53 people, while more than 12,000 displaced residents were still waiting for urgent aid. Officials said the death toll could rise as teams reach cut off areas and assess the scale of the damage. 🔗 🔗In the Middle East, Jared Kushner is due to meet Benjamin Netanyahu after holding rare talks with Hamas linked figures in Egypt, in a renewed push to advance a Gaza deal. At the same time, Israel's national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir has been reported... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 17 Aug 2026 08:36 LONDON
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Tokyo closes mixed as Nikkei surges past 69,000, Kospi jumps 11.5% and commodities split on risk appetite
Executive summary: Tokyo and Asia-Pacific trading ended with a sharp divergence in risk assets and commodities. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and its ETF proxy extended a powerful rally, South Korea’s Kospi posted an outsized surge, while Hong Kong and Australia finished lower. In commodities, gold held firm near record territory, but WTI crude, natural gas and palladium weakened, signaling a market still balancing growth optimism, inflation hedging and energy-specific pressure. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 17 Aug 2026 07:45 LONDON
Hurricane Lala weakens but flooding and outages persist in Hawaii
Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm after passing south of Hawaii, but dangerous flooding, strong winds and power outages continued to affect the islands on Sunday. The Big Island remained the main focus of concern as pounding surf, heavy rain and gusty squalls continued to lash coastal and inland areas. Tropical storm warnings also stayed in place for several other islands as the system moved west.Governor Josh Green said more than 60,000 households were without power and that three hospitals had switched to generator power. He also said at least one person died in a car accident in the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Aug 2026 16:29 LONDON
Magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Indonesia kills at least 51 as rescue efforts continue
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday morning local time, killing at least 51 people and forcing thousands from their homes. The strongest effects were reported on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, with damage concentrated around Maumere, Sikka regency and nearby areas. Rescue teams were still working to reach communities cut off by landslides and blocked roads.The quake hit at 5:58am local time, or 21:58 GMT on Friday, with its epicentre about 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende, according to the US Geological Survey. The agency said the earthquake was shallow, at a depth of 10 kilometres,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Aug 2026 06:32 LONDON
USS George Washington departs Vietnam as Middle East carrier rotation nears
The USS George Washington has begun leaving Da Nang, Vietnam, in a move that is expected to send the aircraft carrier toward the Middle East. The ship is widely reported to be the vessel likely to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, although the Pentagon has not confirmed that transfer. The departure comes as the Lincoln remains deployed in the region amid the war involving Iran.The movement was reported on Saturday and follows days of scrutiny over conditions aboard the Lincoln. The carrier has been at sea for more than 266 days without a port stop, which the supplied material describes... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Aug 2026 19:29 LONDON
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UK warned it lacks firepower to stop possible Russian ship seizures
British defence figures have warned that the United Kingdom may not have enough naval capacity to protect cargo ships if Russia moves to seize vessels at sea. The concern centres on possible hijackings of British ships in the Indo-Pacific, where planners fear the risk of retaliation could rise as tensions with Moscow deepen. The warning comes amid a broader dispute over maritime security and the protection of commercial shipping routes.The row follows remarks attributed to Vladimir Putin earlier this week, in which he urged his navy to detain European ships in response to efforts to crack down on Russia's shadow... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Aug 2026 10:32 LONDON
Colombia earthquake leaves Cali hospitals damaged and overwhelmed
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in western Colombia has left major hospitals in Cali damaged and operating under severe strain. The University Hospital of the Valle Evaristo Garcia, one of the city's main public medical centres, suffered partial collapse after the quake on Monday. Health workers in the city have been forced to prioritise only the most critical patients as rescue teams continue searching for the missing.The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management said 377 people remain missing as the crucial three-day rescue window passes. The earthquake killed at least 273 people and injured at least 3,800 others, according to the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 13 Aug 2026 22:00 LONDON
UK defends seizure of Russian shadow fleet tanker after Putin threat
The UK government has defended the seizure of a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel after President Vladimir Putin threatened to respond in kind to Western action against Russian vessels. The tanker, the MT Smyrtos, was intercepted and boarded by Royal Marine Commandos before being taken to anchor off Weymouth. The operation was described as the first of its kind and was linked to sanctions enforcement against vessels accused of helping move Russian oil.According to the confirmed account, the vessel was seized in June and the captain, Ajay Pant, has been charged with breaching Russian sanctions. He... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 13 Aug 2026 11:30 LONDON
Pentagon says AUKUS submarine deal is 'full steam ahead'
A senior Pentagon official has said the AUKUS nuclear submarine programme is moving "full steam ahead" after a review of the deal. Elbridge Colby, the US under secretary of war, said the department was "very pleased" with progress and described the arrangement as an historic undertaking for both countries, especially Australia. His comments came during an Asia-Pacific press briefing on Thursday.Colby said the review had produced "a roadmap for the success of the AUKUS program". He added that the United States had "no better ally" than Australia and said the two countries shared a "deep alignment of thinking" on collective... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 13 Aug 2026 10:00 LONDON
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