US condemns China's Scarborough Reef 'nature reserve' move amid South China Sea tensions
The United States has criticised China over a new move at Scarborough Reef in the disputed South China Sea, saying Beijing is using environmental language to strengthen its territorial claims. In a statement issued on Saturday, the US State Department said China was attempting to deny Filipino fishermen access to the waters around the reef, which lies near the Philippine island of Luzon. The statement rejected China's description of the area as a "national nature reserve" and said the move was part of a broader effort to advance sweeping maritime claims.The US said China's approach relied on "dubious environmental and... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 08 Aug 2026 20:30 LONDON
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Opposition MP throws eggs at Kosovo acting prime minister during parliament session
An opposition lawmaker threw eggs at Kosovo's acting prime minister, Albin Kurti, during a plenary session in parliament on Saturday. The incident disrupted proceedings as lawmakers argued over delays in forming parliamentary leadership after the June snap election. Police officers and other members of parliament intervened as the confrontation unfolded in the chamber.The MP identified in the row as Time Kadrijaj, from the Alliance party, threw at least four eggs in Kurti's direction. The incident happened after Kurti told parliament he needed more time to hold talks with other parties before proposing a candidate for speaker. The exchange came during... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 08 Aug 2026 17:32 LONDON
Wall Street closes sharply higher as Nvidia sparks a broad AI-led rally, gold and silver surge, oil slips
Executive summary: U.S. equities finished sharply higher in a broad risk-on session, led by Nvidia’s double-digit jump and strong gains across the Nasdaq, S&P 500 and Russell 2000. Tech, chips and megacap growth names outperformed, while crude oil and natural gas fell. Precious metals also surged, with gold, silver, palladium and platinum all posting outsized gains. The move points to a market that is rewarding AI exposure and easing energy costs at the same time, even as the size of the metal rally suggests a powerful macro and positioning-driven bid. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 07 Aug 2026 21:15 LONDON
US appeals court blocks Trump White House ballroom project
A US federal appeals court has ordered Donald Trump's administration to stop construction of a $400 million ballroom on the site of the White House's demolished East Wing. The ruling is a major setback for the president in a dispute over how far the executive branch can alter the White House without congressional approval. The court said the White House is not the property of any one president and cannot be fundamentally reshaped through executive action alone.The Washington-based US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued its decision in a 2-1 opinion. It upheld a preliminary injunction... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 19:30 LONDON
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Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan sign Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement amid regional tensions
Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan have signed a joint defence pact in Mecca, formalising a pledge that an armed attack on one of the three would be treated as an attack on all. The agreement, called the Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement, was signed on Friday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The announcement gives the deal immediate political weight because it was concluded in Mecca, the Saudi holy city, at a time of heightened regional tension.According to the joint statement described in the supporting material,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 17:30 LONDON
Europe closes higher as DAX leads, precious metals surge and natural gas slips
Executive summary: European equities finished higher, led by a sharp DAX advance, while precious metals posted outsized gains and natural gas fell. The move came alongside a firmer euro and pound, a softer dollar against the yuan, and a modest pullback in Brent crude, leaving the session defined by risk appetite in stocks and a powerful bid in metals. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 07 Aug 2026 16:45 LONDON
Wall Street Opens Sharply Higher as Tech, Metals and Small Caps Lead a Broad Risk Rally
Executive summary: U.S. markets opened with a powerful risk-on tone, led by a surge in Nasdaq-linked technology shares, AI and chip stocks, and a sharp jump in precious metals. The S&P 500, Dow and Russell 2000 all moved higher, while energy shares lagged as WTI crude and natural gas fell. Bitcoin and ether also advanced, adding to the broad-based bid across equities and alternative assets. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 07 Aug 2026 14:45 LONDON
US July payrolls unexpectedly fall, raising questions over Fed policy path
The US economy unexpectedly shed jobs in July, according to the latest employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 last month, while June figures were revised to show a 20,000 increase. The unemployment rate also eased to 4.1% from 4.2%, even as the labour force participation rate declined further.The report came in well below expectations. Economists had forecast payroll growth of 80,000, after June had previously been reported as a gain of 57,000. The latest revision and July decline point to a softer labour market than markets had anticipated.The data also reinforced the view... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 14:33 LONDON
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US pays RWE $1.2bn to abandon offshore wind projects and shift investment to gas
The US Department of the Interior has reached a $1.2bn deal with German energy company RWE under which the firm will abandon its offshore wind projects in American waters. The agreement covers leases off the coasts of California and Louisiana, as well as in the New York Bight. RWE said it sees no path forward to permit the projects in the US for the foreseeable future.Under the deal, RWE said it will redirect the payout into conventional energy projects in the United States. The company said $900m of the sum will go towards a liquefied natural gas export terminal project... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 11:30 LONDON
Europe Opens Higher as Metals Surge, DAX Leads, FTSE Flat, and FX Stays Cautious
Executive summary: European markets opened with a clear risk-on tone in continental equities, led by a near 2% jump in the DAX, while the FTSE 100 was essentially unchanged. The standout move was in precious metals, where gold, silver, platinum, and palladium all posted outsized gains. Natural gas fell, Brent was slightly softer, and major FX pairs were modestly lower against the dollar. The pattern points to a market leaning toward defensive commodities and selective equity strength, with Germany’s benchmark setting the pace. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 07 Aug 2026 08:15 LONDON
Tokyo closes higher as Nikkei extends rally, gold and silver surge while Korea lags sharply
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific trading ended mixed but with clear leadership from Japan and Australia, while South Korea sold off hard. The Nikkei 225 rose +2.9% and the Nikkei 225 ETF gained +3.2%, but the Kospi fell -5.1%. In commodities, gold, silver, platinum and palladium all posted outsized gains, while WTI crude and natural gas weakened. The yen also softened against the dollar, adding another layer to the regional cross-asset picture. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 07 Aug 2026 07:45 LONDON
North Korea fires ballistic missile as Kim Yo-jong threatens Japan
North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Thursday toward the sea off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, according to the supplied report, in a move that came after Kim Yo-jong issued fresh threats against Japan. The launch was detected from the Wonsan area and tracked toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. It adds to already elevated tensions between Pyongyang, Tokyo, Seoul and Washington.The report says Kim Yo-jong warned two days earlier that North Korea could make "new military choices" and accused Japan of trying to conceal an ambition to become a military power.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 04:29 LONDON
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Tokyo Opens Higher as Nikkei Jumps, Gold and Silver Extend a Powerful Rally, Korea Slumps
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific markets opened with a sharp split in risk appetite, Japan and Australia advanced strongly while Korea and Hong Kong weakened. The Nikkei 225 rose +3.1%, the ASX 200 gained +3.3%, and the Nikkei ETF tracked the move higher, while the Kospi fell -4.5% and the Hang Seng slipped -1.3%. In commodities, gold, silver, platinum and palladium surged, while WTI crude and natural gas declined, and the yen weakened further against the dollar. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 07 Aug 2026 01:15 LONDON
Wall Street closes sharply higher as megacap tech, AI chips and precious metals power a broad rally
Executive summary: U.S. equities finished sharply higher, led by a powerful surge in megacap technology and AI-linked shares. Amazon, Nvidia, Microsoft and Meta posted double-digit gains, while the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 both advanced strongly. Gold, silver, platinum and palladium also rallied, suggesting investors rotated toward both growth and hard assets. Energy lagged, with WTI crude and natural gas lower, while Apple was the standout large-cap decliner. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 06 Aug 2026 21:15 LONDON
Trump signals ongoing U.S. action against Venezuela and Iran, while backing Hegseth
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "The Fake News, as usual, is spreading false and completely unfounded rumors. I am extremely happy with the job that Pete Hegseth is doing. Everything has been extraordinary, including our attack on Venezuela, where the result was accomplished in less than one day, allowing us to bring one of the worst criminals anywhere in the World, Nicolas Maduro, to Justice! Likewise, Iran, where the country has been decimated for the purpose of NOT ALLOWING IT TO EVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, is going very well! Pete... [Continue Reading]
Breaking-360LiveNews | 06 Aug 2026 18:00 LONDON
Iran tightens internal security grip at home as war conditions with the US linger
Iranian authorities have intensified internal security controls across the country, with the strongest pressure reported in Tehran. The measures include arrests, executions, closure of public gathering spaces and tighter enforcement by religious morality police. The crackdown comes as diplomatic efforts to end the United States-Israel war on Iran remain uncertain.The supporting material says security forces and morality police have increased restrictions over the last few weeks, targeting people and businesses judged non-compliant with rules the state describes as immoral or un-Islamic. It also says compulsory hijab enforcement has been stepped up, alongside business closures and pressure on students, lawyers and... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 06 Aug 2026 15:00 LONDON
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Ukraine says it hit Russian refineries and Black Sea vessels as war widens
Ukraine said it struck two oil refineries deep inside Russian territory and also hit patrol boats and other vessels in the Black Sea. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Bashneft-Novoil and Slavneft-Yanos refineries were targeted in attacks aimed at limiting oil revenues Moscow uses to finance its war. The strikes were reported on Thursday and were described by Ukrainian officials as part of a broader campaign against energy and transport infrastructure.Yaroslavl regional governor Mikhail Evraev said Slavneft-Yanos was on fire after what he called the largest enemy drone attack on the region during the war. He said 93 drones were shot... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 06 Aug 2026 14:31 LONDON
Myanmar leader visits Thailand as he seeks ASEAN re-engagement
Min Aung Hlaing has met Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in Bangkok in his first official visit to Thailand since the 2021 coup. The meeting comes as Myanmar's military-backed leader seeks broader regional acceptance and a return to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It also underlines Thailand's willingness to keep high-level contact with Myanmar despite the country's continuing civil war.During the talks, Min Aung Hlaing said his government was focused on ending the conflict and restoring peace. He told the Thai side that Myanmar had "reestablished itself on the path to democracy" and was moving toward a better future.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 06 Aug 2026 13:29 LONDON
Tokyo and Asia-Pacific close mixed as Nikkei extends gains, gold surges and crude slips
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific trading ended with a split screen, Japan and Australia advanced while Hong Kong weakened, and the biggest moves came from precious metals, autos and Korea. The Nikkei 225 finished up +2.1% at 65,683.26, the ASX 200 rose +3.4% to 9,271.6, and the Hang Seng fell -1.6% to 25,440.83. Gold climbed +6.9% to 4,313.4, WTI crude dropped -6.1% to 75.41, and USD/JPY eased to 157.839, a move that points to a softer dollar backdrop for parts of the region. [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Markets Intelligence | 06 Aug 2026 07:45 LONDON
Iran president says contact with supreme leader is very difficult after strike
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said communication with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "very difficult at the moment" following the reported wounding of the leader in a US-Israeli strike. The comments come amid continuing speculation over Khamenei's absence from public view. Pezeshkian defended the supreme leader's role, saying his presence remains a source of strength for the country.Pezeshkian made the remarks on Wednesday, according to the supplied report, and said it was difficult to reach Khamenei after the attack that killed his father. The younger Khamenei has not appeared in public since succeeding his father. He has instead communicated through... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 05 Aug 2026 21:32 LONDON
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North Korea warns of military options over Japan's defence buildup, citing Tomahawk test
Kim Yo Jong has issued a fresh warning that North Korea will consider additional military options in response to Japan's expanding defence posture. In a statement carried by state media, she accused Tokyo of moving toward a "war state" and said Pyongyang would not remain a passive observer. The comments were made on Wednesday and were tied directly to Japan's recent military steps in the Pacific.Kim cited Japan's first test-firing of a Tomahawk long-range cruise missile and its participation in US-led drills in the Philippines in May. Japan's defence ministry confirmed that the Tomahawk experiment last week was its first,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 05 Aug 2026 11:32 LONDON
Taiwan begins annual Han Kuang war games amid rising China pressure
Taiwan has begun its annual Han Kuang military exercise, the island's largest war game, with drills starting on 5 August and scheduled to run until 14 August. The exercise is designed to prepare troops, reservists and civilians for a possible attack on the island. It comes as Taiwan continues to face sustained military pressure from China.The drills include combat scenarios for troops and reservists, with defence officials saying the aim is to make the exercise closer to real battlefield conditions. On Wednesday, dozens of reservists were seen on a beach facing the Taiwan Strait firing Taiwanese-made assault rifles at targets... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 05 Aug 2026 07:30 LONDON
Iran boosts military strength during ceasefire with US as talks continue
Iranian military officials say they are using the ceasefire period to accelerate missile and drone production, repair damaged systems and bring new equipment into service. The comments come as Tehran says it is preparing for the possibility that war could resume if negotiations fail. The developments are taking place in Tehran, where officials are also describing the ceasefire as a window to recover and adapt.Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said this week that Iran had made "maximum use" of the ceasefire and of a now-suspended memorandum of understanding signed with the United States in June. He said efforts included inducting existing... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 04 Aug 2026 20:29 LONDON
25 US states sue Trump administration to block tariffs on 60 trading partners
The lawsuit was filed in the US Court of International Trade in New York by 25 states, nearly all led by Democrats, with two Republican-led states among them. The coalition is seeking to halt the tariffs, have them declared unlawful and secure refunds for duties already collected. The challenge targets new levies of 10% to 12.5% imposed on 60 trading partners.According to the court filing, the tariffs were introduced after probes by the US Trade Representative into allegations of forced labour in supply chains, under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The states argued there was no rational... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 04 Aug 2026 05:59 LONDON
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Australia raises proposed levy on big tech over news content deals
Australia is moving to raise the proposed levy on major digital platforms that do not strike content deals with news organisations, in a fresh step in its media bargaining policy. Under the plan, companies would face a 2.5% charge on digital advertising revenue if they fail to reach agreements with local news services. The government is expected to introduce the legislation to parliament in the coming weeks.The revised proposal increases the levy from 2.25% and narrows the base on which it would be calculated. Instead of applying to total revenue, the charge would now be limited to digital advertising revenue... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 03 Aug 2026 02:30 LONDON
Venezuela and Dominican Republic agree roadmap to restore diplomatic ties
Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have agreed to work towards restoring diplomatic relations after ties were severed over the disputed 2024 Venezuelan election. The two governments said they would follow a roadmap for further talks on gradual normalisation, according to a statement from Venezuela's foreign ministry. The move marks a fresh diplomatic opening between two countries that had been at odds since the Dominican Republic rejected Nicolas Maduro's re-election.Venezuela's foreign ministry said the agreement was the result of sustained dialogue between the two sides. It said the decision reflected a shared interest in strengthening institutional channels of communication for the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 02 Aug 2026 21:59 LONDON
There Is Good in Every Bad
Power, Greed, Oil, and the Theater of Modern Geopolitics The Business Model of Power Donald Trump does not govern like a traditional politician. He governs like a negotiator who believes every geopolitical crisis is leverage, every war threat is a bargaining chip, and every market panic is an opportunity. When markets tremble, someone profits. The question is, who? Global markets react instantly to political tension. Gold rises when conflict looms. Oil spikes when instability threatens production. Stock markets collapse on fear, then rebound on reassurance. Volatility is not chaos, it is opportunity. Historically, gold has surged during major geopolitical crises,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews-Opinion | 18 Feb 2026 17:11 LONDON
