Royal Navy says it spent 21 days in July monitoring Russian vessels around UK waters
The Royal Navy says it spent 21 days in July shadowing Russian ships in the Dover Strait and the North Sea, as it reported a rise in activity around UK waters. It said patrol operations to monitor Russian vessels were up 25% last month compared with the same period a year earlier. The activity involved offshore patrol vessels, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft deployed to track repeated Russian voyages.According to the report, HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey and HMS Severn were used alongside Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and Merlin submarine-hunting aircraft. The vessels were shadowing Russian frigates Neustrashimy... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 08 Aug 2026 21:30 LONDON
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Iran says Hormuz reopening depends on conditions as Oman talks progress
Oman has said talks with Iran on securing a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz are progressing, while Tehran has warned that any agreement would not mean an immediate reopening of the waterway. The latest comments suggest movement in discussions over one of the world's most sensitive maritime chokepoints, but they also underline that a final deal remains unresolved. The strait is a critical route for global oil and natural gas flows, so any change in access has implications well beyond the two countries involved.Oman's foreign ministry said the discussions were positive and warned against attacks on shipping that... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 08 Aug 2026 20:32 LONDON
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
Day News Recap: Ukraine hit by deadly strikes as Hormuz tensions and regional shocks mount
Russian strikes killed at least six people across Ukraine, including four in the Kyiv region and a child in Brovary, as local authorities reported attacks in several areas while Kyiv kept up strikes on Russian logistics targets. 🔗 🔗Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz deepened after Iran set out demands it says the United States must meet before the waterway can fully reopen to shipping, while the UAE said an ADNOC tanker was struck by a missile and Gulf states condemned the attack. 🔗 🔗ADNOC later said 15 vessels had been attacked in the strait, with one fatality and 20... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 08 Aug 2026 18:22 LONDON
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UAE says ADNOC tanker struck in Strait of Hormuz as Gulf states condemn attack
The United Arab Emirates says one of ADNOC's tankers was struck by a missile while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil supplies. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, according to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No casualties were reported.The ministry said the vessel was hit while transiting the strategic waterway and accused Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps of carrying out what it described as an act of piracy. ADNOC confirmed that one of its ships had been targeted by a missile while crossing the strait, but did not give details... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 08 Aug 2026 17:00 LONDON
US Senate passes Russia energy sanctions bill as House vote is delayed
The US Senate has passed a tougher sanctions package aimed at Russia's energy revenues, adding fresh pressure on a central source of funding for Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. The bill passed by 86 votes to 11 and now moves to the House of Representatives, where a vote is not expected until at least early September because of the congressional summer recess. The legislation is framed as a way to increase economic pressure on Russia while also targeting the maritime networks used to evade existing embargoes.The measure, called the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, would impose... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 08 Aug 2026 01:59 LONDON
Strike action at Port Hedland threatens BHP iron ore shipments this weekend
Industrial action at Port Hedland, Australia's largest bulk export port, is set to disrupt BHP ship loading this weekend. Members of three unions are due to begin a 24-hour ship loading ban today, followed by a further 24-hour general stoppage tomorrow. The dispute centres on pay and conditions at BHP's iron ore port operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region.Industry bodies say the stoppage could cost BHP about $100 million in revenue and reduce royalty income for the West Australian government by more than $7 million. The action follows months of tension between the miner and unionised workers, with employees previously... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 23:00 LONDON
Day News Recap: Middle East tensions deepen as Yemen, Iran and Gaza dominate a volatile day
Yemen saw the deadliest fighting in this window, with Houthi missile and drone attacks on military sites in Marib and Hadramawt killing at least 58 members of the internationally recognised government forces, while a separate Houthi strike on government held Marib killed two civilians and injured 14 others. 🔗 🔗The fighting also fed fears of wider spillover, as reports said Saudi Arabia was being affected by the conflict and preparations were under way for a possible mine clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz using uncrewed surface vehicles, underwater drones and explosive laden robots. 🔗 🔗Iran remained at the centre... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 07 Aug 2026 18:24 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
Russia intensifies glide-bomb strikes on Ukraine as casualties rise
Ukraine says Russia fired a record 8,300 glide bombs in July, as Kyiv also claimed Russian forces suffered 42,800 casualties during the same month. The figures were cited by Ukraine's General Staff and defence ministry in material supplied for this incident, and they point to a sharp escalation in the use of air-delivered weapons. The claims could not be independently verified.The reported increase comes as Russia leans more heavily on glide bombs and ballistic missiles amid battlefield setbacks, according to the supplied material. Ukraine says these weapons remain difficult to counter, making them central to Moscow's current campaign. The same... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 15:00 LONDON
Iran and Oman agree shipping-route coordinates as Trump says war may end soon
Iranian officials are reviewing a preliminary bill that would bar US, Israeli and other "hostile" vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports cited by a parliamentary source. The development comes as Iran and Oman said they had agreed on coordinates for shipping routes through the strait, a waterway that remains central to global energy and maritime security. The latest comments also follow remarks by Donald Trump that he believes the war with Iran is nearing an end and that he is involved in negotiations.The reported bill is being examined by an Iranian parliamentary committee, while Iran's Fars... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 13:00 LONDON
US push for Hormuz naval coalition stalls as Europe hesitates
The United States is still trying to assemble an international naval mission for the Strait of Hormuz, but key European partners appear reluctant to move ahead. The effort is aimed at escorting vessels through the strategically vital waterway, where disruption has continued to strain the global economy. According to the supplied material, the United Kingdom and France had previously left open the possibility of taking part, but now seem unwilling to proceed without clearer conditions.The reporting says Washington has spent months promoting the idea of a coalition to secure shipping in the strait. It adds that the plan was first... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 12:00 LONDON
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Sea drones and explosive-laden robots could help clear Strait of Hormuz mines
Preparations are under way for a possible mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz, with uncrewed surface vehicles, underwater drones, explosive-laden robots and helicopter-mounted lasers among the tools being discussed. The waterway is one of the world's most important shipping routes, and any reopening effort would begin with removing or neutralising sea mines. The report says the challenge would fall first to the US military and its allies if a deal is reached to reopen the passage.The Strait of Hormuz has long been treated as a strategic chokepoint because of the volume of energy shipments that pass through it. The... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 02:30 LONDON
Iran accuses Trump of 'theatre diplomacy on loop' as Hormuz talks continue
Iran's parliament speaker has accused Donald Trump of using what he called "theatre diplomacy on loop" after the US president said planned strikes on Iran were cancelled and claimed a deal was close. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf made the remarks in a social media post on Thursday, saying Washington was switching between military threats and negotiation offers as a pressure tactic. He urged the US to acknowledge the facts and honour its commitments.Trump said on Saturday that he had called off a planned large-scale military attack on Iran, claiming that Tehran and other countries in the region had asked for the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 Aug 2026 01:00 LONDON
Day News Recap: Ebola outbreak tops 4,000 as Middle East tensions and Ukraine war intensify
Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo said the Ebola outbreak has passed 4,000 confirmed cases, prompting a major escalation in the response as there are concerns the virus may be mutating. 🔗In the Middle East, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz deepened as Iran enforced a near total closure of the waterway while indirect talks with Oman continued, and shipping groups warned against any compulsory transit charges. 🔗 🔗 Iran also tightened internal security at home, while President Masoud Pezeshkian said contact with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was very difficult after the reported wounding of the leader.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 06 Aug 2026 20:27 LONDON
Netanyahu signals possible unilateral action as Iran war drags on
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that Israel may act alone as the war with Iran continues, even as Washington and Tehran appear close to an interim deal on the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks came during a state ceremony in West Jerusalem and were framed by Netanyahu as a matter of Israel's security. The comments add to signs of strain in the US-Israeli campaign against Iran and raise fresh questions about the next phase of the conflict.Netanyahu said he was determined to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and described the United States as Israel's greatest ally.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 06 Aug 2026 18:30 LONDON
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Saudi Arabia names commander for new maritime defence coalition
Saudi Arabia has appointed Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri to lead a new multinational maritime defence coalition focused on protecting navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The announcement marks the first command appointment since the coalition was formed on July 30. The move signals that the group is now shifting from its launch phase into planning and coordination.The Saudi Ministry of Defence said Al-Shehri will oversee joint naval defence, coordinate with member states and work with other maritime coalitions under the alliance charter. The ministry said the coalition is intended to... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 06 Aug 2026 17:07 LONDON
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
Breakfast News Recap: Ukraine ports hit, Middle East tensions rise and markets rally on risk-on mood
Russia has intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea ports, with Odesa among the main targets, damaging port infrastructure and adding pressure on export routes that are already under strain. NATO says it is working urgently to supply Ukraine with air defences after Kyiv failed to intercept any of the Russian ballistic missiles fired in Wednesday's overnight strike. 🔗 🔗In the Middle East, Israel said two reserve soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon as fighting with Hezbollah continued near the border. The Israeli military also said it would keep operating proactively in Gaza, even as Prime... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 06 Aug 2026 08:39 LONDON
Australian silicon maker to exit US market after new tariffs
Australia's only silicon manufacturer, Simcoa, says it will pull its business out of the United States on 14 August after a new tariff decision made sales there uneconomic. The company says the additional levy on its silicon exports has left it with no viable way to continue in the market. Simcoa has said it will instead look for alternative buyers in South-East Asia and India.The company's vice-president, David Miles, said the business had no choice but to leave the US market for good. He said Simcoa had a limited amount of stock already in warehouses in the United States, most... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 06 Aug 2026 06:35 LONDON
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Miliband urges US to reopen Strait of Hormuz ahead of first one-to-one talks with Rubio
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has called on the United States to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz as he travels to Washington for his first official one-to-one meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said free passage through the Gulf waterway was essential to ease cost-of-living pressures on British families. The talks are also expected to cover the war in Ukraine and what Miliband described as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.Miliband said he was looking forward to his second meeting with Rubio, after the pair first met on the sidelines of a foreign ministers' summit in... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 05 Aug 2026 15:06 LONDON
France disputes Reform UK navy plan to return Channel asylum seekers
France has rejected a Reform UK proposal to use the Royal Navy to intercept and return asylum seekers crossing the English Channel, as the party set out a plan it calls "Operation Fortress". The proposal was presented by Nigel Farage as a future policy if Reform UK wins power, and he described it as a "rescue and return" mission rather than pushbacks. The row has quickly become a dispute between the party and French officials over sovereignty, maritime law and the practicality of carrying out returns at sea.Reform UK said the plan would involve deploying naval assets to stop small... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 05 Aug 2026 12:00 LONDON
Trump warns Iran over Strait of Hormuz as deal may be near
US President Donald Trump has said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could come as soon as today or tomorrow, while warning that Iran would be hit very hard if negotiations fail. His comments came as the strategic waterway remained at the centre of talks involving the United States, Oman and Iran over traffic through the passage. The latest remarks add urgency to a dispute that has already unsettled global energy markets and shipping.Trump said negotiators had a very good day and told reporters in California that the strait would be open very soon, or Iran would face... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 05 Aug 2026 07:01 LONDON
Indian-Flagged Ship Sinks Off Yemen After Projectile Strike, All 14 Crew Rescued
An Indian-flagged vessel has sunk off the coast of Yemen after being hit by a projectile, according to officials. The ship, identified as MSV Faize Noore Oliya, went down after the strike in waters near Yemen. All 14 people on board were rescued, including 13 Indian nationals.India's shipping minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, condemned what he described as an unprovoked attack and said steps would be taken to help protect seafarers in the region. India's Ministry of External Affairs later said attacks on commercial shipping in the area were deeply worrisome. It called for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 04 Aug 2026 22:59 LONDON
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Qatar says regional mediation with US and Iran is in advanced stage amid escalation fears
Qatar says efforts to reach a short-term resolution between the United States and Iran are now at an advanced stage, with draft language circulating through regional mediators. Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said in Doha that Qatar is working with Oman and Pakistan to exchange ideas and proposals between Washington and Tehran. He said the aim is to avoid further escalation, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reopen the door to diplomacy.Al Ansari said there are no direct US-Iran talks scheduled, but that mediation is continuing and that the parties remain in contact through intermediaries. He said the whole... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 04 Aug 2026 14:59 LONDON
Cargo vessel hit by unknown projectile in Strait of Hormuz off Oman
A cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre. The incident was reported on Tuesday and took place in one of the world's most sensitive shipping corridors. Authorities are investigating the strike, and the vessel has not been named.UKMTO said the ship reported being hit about 20 nautical miles, or 37 kilometres, northeast of Al Khasab in northern Oman. The agency did not provide details on the type of projectile, the extent of any damage, or whether anyone was injured.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 04 Aug 2026 06:29 LONDON
