Escalating US-Iran Tensions and Economic Rippleactive

Iranian media: "Tehran has sent its response to the U.S. proposal, via Pakistan." Iran warns London and Paris: "Immediate response with ships to the Strait of Hormuz."

President Donald Trump on Sunday said that the US is closely monitoring Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium.

Bond giant and Franklin Templeton warn in interviews with FT against cuts in borrowing costs

Iran has submitted its response to the latest US proposal to end 10 weeks of war, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Sunday, without providing any further details.

Contradictory policies that gut harm reduction programs while supporting naloxone access are confusing experts Within just a few weeks, the Trump administration has proposed multiple contradictory policies related to overdose prevention – some that could help save lives and others that experts say could further strain health resources and put people at risk for overdose. These policies include a new prohibition on funding for fentanyl test strips, which help people avoid overdoses; proposed budget cuts that would gut the country’s overdose prevention efforts; and an ambitious drug control strategy that will be impossible to implement if the aforementioned cuts go through. Continue reading...

Market Questions is the FT’s guide to the week ahead

China may finally have a chance to loosen the grip of deflation. Yet, the more important question is whether it can do so without making households feel poorer first. The latest producer price index (PPI), which measures the prices factories charge, brings that possibility back into serious debate. China’s March PPI rose by 0.5 per cent year on year, ending 41 months of decline; it was up 1 per cent from February. After years of weak prices, cautious household spending and squeezed corporate...

Mohammad Akraminia added that US actions in the region had only "strengthened unity and solidarity inside Iran"

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have threatened to target US sites in the Middle East if its tankers come under fire, Iranian media reported on Saturday, as Washington continued to wait for Tehran’s response to its latest proposal for a peace deal. Follow our live blog for all the latest updates.

Revolutionary Guard issue warning as Trump awaits Iran’s response to Washington’s latest proposal for peace deal Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has threatened to target US sites in the Middle East if its tankers come under fire, Iranian media reported on Saturday, as Washington was left waiting for Tehran’s response to its latest negotiating position. “Any attack on Iranian tankers and commercial vessels will result in a heavy attack on one of the American centres in the region and enemy ships,” the force said, a day after US strikes on two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Continue reading...

Mexican capital is changing hands and hence its destiny. As the largest wealth transfer in recent history gains momentum, younger heirs are diversifying and moving away from the industrial model that built their grandparents’ fortunes, instead directing their investments towards international markets. This silent but sustained shift occurs in parallel with the loss of confidence and the economic slowdown in the country, and threatens to accelerate the lack of productive domestic investment. Seguir leyendo

Just a few days had passed since "Pet Sounds" arrived in record stores. The dense and emotional music began to emanate from the speakers as it spun on turntables. And it likely took the reviewer for the magazine "Melody Maker," Don Traynor, only a few hours of listening to form a clear opinion of the album. He captured his conclusion in a couple of lines. "Brian Wilson, the leader of the Beach Boys, is a genius, I believe," he wrote in an article published on May 21, 1966. "One must use a very special word to capture the exceptional, astonishing, and blinding talent of this 23-year-old, whose mastery of popular music is absolute." Released on May 16th of that year, "Pet Sounds" was Brian Wilson's response to the creative surge that was beginning to sweep through pop music. The world was changing; influences were crossing from one side of the Atlantic to the other. At that time, Bob Dylan was releasing his seminal "Blonde on Blonde," recorded entirely in Nashville. Meanwhile, the Beatles were immersed in the sonic exploration that they captured on the eclectic "Revolver," and the Byrds were soaring to new heights with "Fifth Dimension," their most ambitious album. And although Wilson had withdrawn from touring with the group to focus solely on songwriting, he couldn't be left behind. A glimpse of his genius can be found in "Today!" (1965), one of the first albums where he attempted to go beyond the typical...

The U. S. Navy’s blockade continued to intercept ships trying to leave or enter Iranian ports, while fear of Iranian attacks kept other ships from attempting passage through the narrows.

The federal government faces widespread anger for saying the school year could end on 5 June to accommodate the football tournament.

The developments come as the Trump administration sees a marked rise in the influence of anti-vaccine figures and movements, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, which fuelled a wave of conspiracy theories and misleading health information.

Simply hanging on could be a disaster for Iranians, while Trump needs to resolve this economic crisis he created Exchanges of fire between Iran and the US demonstrate the serious instability of the situation in the Middle East. Though the US strikes late on Thursday were just “a love tap”, according to the US president, Donald Trump, the reality is that neither side can continue the high-stakes standoff in the strait of Hormuz indefinitely. The US and its ally Israel demonstrated a comprehensive military superiority over Iran – taking minimal casualties in the 38-day war – but Washington has both failed to translate that into strategic dominance and allowed Iran to take control of the strait, driving up the oil price. Continue reading...

⁠The US and Iran appeared no closer on Saturday to finding an end to their war after the two sides traded fire in the Gulf amid a tenuous ceasefire, while a US intelligence analysis concluded Tehran could withstand a naval blockade for months. Recent days have seen the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the Strait of Hormuz since a ceasefire began a month ago, and the United Arab Emirates came under renewed ‌attack on Friday. Washington has been awaiting Tehran’s response to a US...

Mohamed Bulbul arrested in Mogadishu after covering case of woman allegedly being tortured in prison A journalist who covered the case of a woman who said she was being tortured in prison was detained and beaten with pistols by Somali authorities, along with two others, for his reporting for the Guardian. Mohamed Bulbul was arrested with the journalists Abdihafid Nor Barre and Abdishakur Mohamed Mohamud on Friday evening while in a restaurant in the centre of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. They said they were assaulted by members of Somalia’s US-trained counter-terrorism police unit and taken to be questioned by police. All three were released in the early hours of Saturday morning. Continue reading...

We look at the redistricting battles in Tennessee and Virginia, as well as what the latest poll numbers say about President Trump's handling of the economy and the war on Iran.

Even though growth and labor market figures are heading in the right direction, the Trump administration's erratic policies, particularly the president's ongoing trade war, have hindered economic activity.

Sancho Plagio - Hesse Kassel "They bark at Sancho as we pass by!" This phrase encapsulates a condensed form of protest. "Sancho Plagio" takes the paraphrased sentence mistakenly attributed to Don Quixote. This is a preview of Hesse Kassel's second album, scheduled for release in the second half of the year. From the saturated bass and the urgent drumbeat of the opening, the main phrase hits hard in the deep voice of Renatto Olivares. In its extensive lyrics, delivered in Olivares' characteristic spoken-word style, the song addresses the artistic dismissal of others. It tackles the ingrained tendency to discredit those who present unconventional or, in some way, challenging proposals. The song – born in the rehearsal room – features three distinct sections: the opening, driven by the main phrase; a subsequent instrumental interlude built around bass lines and guitar phrases that create tension in the harmony; and a final, aggressive segment featuring a powerful rock riff that Tom Morello would be proud of. The pillars of the new Chilean rock scene are not afraid to venture into uncharted and wild territories (Felipe Retamal). La Belleza de lo Roto - Masquemusica The often-complex process of creating a second album is confidently navigated by Masquemusica. The neosoul project led by singer Macarena Campos takes its musical proposal to the next level. Unlike their debut album, "Tarde o temprano" (2024), "La Belleza de lo Roto" opts for a...

South Korea is drawing growing interest from Middle Eastern oil producers seeking to store crude oil at the country’s petroleum reserve bases, the world’s sixth largest, amid a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a South Korean official and an expert on the matter have said. The strait’s closure in the wake of the US-Israel war on Iran has taken a toll not only on South Korea and other nations dependent on oil imports but also oil-producing countries whose storage tanks are filling up...

Mexican authorities announced a decision to end the academic year earlier than planned because of the World Cup and a heat wave. But the decision sparked backlash from parents' groups and teachers.

Mexican authorities have announced that the school year will end over a month early as the country gears up to host World Cup matches, prompting broad backlash. Education Secretary Mario Delgado said the decision to end the school year 40 days early was made in part due to a heatwave affecting several states. “We’re going to end the school year on June 5 because many states are already experiencing high temperatures, and there’s also the issue of the World Cup,” he said at an event on Friday in...

Minister Araghchi: "Reckless moves every time the diplomatic option is on the table." Vance meets with the Prime Minister of Qatar. The White House: "Agreement possibly imminent."

The US and Iran are working with mediators to draft a memorandum of understanding that will outline the terms of month-long negotiations to end the war

Donald Trump insists ceasefire remains intact after the most serious test yet. Plus, David Attenborough’s 100 most spectacular moments Good morning. The US and Iran traded fire late on Thursday in the greatest test so far to their month-long ceasefire. Tehran accused Washington of breaching the truce by targeting two ships in the strait of Hormuz and attacking civilian areas, while the US said it struck in retaliation. Where were negotiations up to before the strikes? There were reports the two sides could be nearing an agreement to halt the war, with a one-page memorandum shared between Washington and Tehran, via Pakistan. Here is a rundown of the ins and outs over the past week. What happened to Trump’s “Project Freedom”? The US plan to guide tankers through the strait of Hormuz was ditched just days after it was launched, apparently because Saudi Arabia refused to let the US use its bases and airspace to carry out the operation. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments. How has the redistricting affected the sway of Black voters? Each now contains a third of the city’s Black voters, which means all nine of Tennessee’s congressional districts now lean Republican. Continue reading...

According to the agency, the vessel's transportation of oil could "undermine the interests of the Iranian people"

The Iranian army seized an oil tanker for “attempting to disrupt oil exports and the interests of the Iranian nation,” the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Anthony Scaramucci tells Mishal Husain that Wall Street is having regrets about support for Donald Trump. (Source: Bloomberg)

The 2026 World Cup is facing criticism over record-high ticket prices, with fans saying it is becoming far less affordable than past tournaments. Compared to previous World Cups-where even final tickets were often under a few thousand dollars-2026 prices can reach $15,000 or more for premium seats.

In this conversation with Mishal Husain, former Donald Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci talks about the US midterms, MAGA’s grip on the GOP and what he got wrong about Sam Bankman-Fried. (Source: Bloomberg)

Brent crude rises amid clashes in critical waterway.

Iran accuses the US of violating the truce, alleging it targeted an oil tanker and carried out attacks on coastal areas.

WASHINGTON/SEOUL, May 8 (Yonhap) -- The U. S. trade court ruled Thursday against ...

Power Win said it is expanding its lithium battery recycling business as demand from energy storage and electric vehicles (EVs) surges and geopolitical tensions elevate scarce metals into strategic assets. The company is also targeting Southeast Asia for technology exports and moving deeper into EV and AI asset recovery.

WASHINGTON, May 7 (Yonhap) -- The U. S. trade court ruled Thursday against Presid...

On Friday, the US and Iran accused each other of breaking a fragile ceasefire after clashes in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said it struck Iranian military targets following an attack on US destroyers, while Tehran claimed US forces attacked first, raising fears of renewed escalation in the region. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

According to Press TV, an exchange of fire between the US and Iran lasted for several hours

WASHINGTON, May 7 (Yonhap) -- The U. S. trade court ruled Thursday against Presid...

According to sources cited by Tasnim, the destroyers were attacked by missiles and kamikaze drones

An Iranian official said that Tehran would convey its reply through Pakistan, a key mediator. Another Iranian official had earlier dismissed a reported proposal to end the war as a “list of American wishes.”

A new investigation by the The Washington Post verified satellite imagery published by Iranian state-affiliated media, showing damage to at least 228 structures or pieces of equipment at US military sites across the Middle East since the war began. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Kethevane Gorjestani tells us more.

Conflict in the Middle East is threatening the coming planting season, a UN official has warned, as countries already reeling from fertiliser shortages and surging costs face shocks to food security. The Strait of Hormuz, a major global chokepoint for fertilisers and other agricultural inputs as well as oil, has been under blockade since the start of joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Despite rising concerns over the impact of the conflict on global food production, China – supported...

A spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Thursday that Tehran is reviewing a U. S. proposal to end hostilities, after President Trump threatened Iran against rejecting the deal. Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesperson for the ministry, told the ISNA news agency that Iranian officials are reviewing the proposal, according to Al Jazeera. He also…

Long seen as a Republican hawk during his tenure in Congress as Florida's senator, Marco Rubio has achieved a delicate balance: aligning himself with the president's positions while suggesting his own distinctiveness.

The threat of continued air attacks forced the US military to reduce staffing at several regional bases considered vulnerable to Iranian strikes.

US President Donald Trump predicted a swift end to the war with Iran as Tehran considered a US peace proposal that sources said would formally end the conflict while leaving unresolved key US demands that Iran suspend its nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the report, intensive contacts are currently underway on this issue, and that "a breakthrough in resolving the issue of ships blocked in the strait is expected in the coming hours"

US President Donald Trump said conflict in the Middle East would be “over quickly”, as Iran considered a peace proposal that could lead to the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz. “We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, according to Reuters. The president has repeatedly played up the possibility of an agreement with Iran since the war began on February 28, without reaching an...

According to the report, the US Navy has so far managed to escort only two vessels through the waters

US President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran since the war began have targeted not just the country’s military capabilities, but its entire civilization. In recent days, he has threatened that Iran would be “blown off the face of the earth” if it attacks US ships trying to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He’s previously pledged […] The post Iran’s long history of standing firm against foreign aggressors appeared first on Asia Times.

A top online influencer in China who was fined 18.91 million yuan (US$2.6 million) for evading nine million yuan in taxes has attracted significant attention on social media. The case of Bai Bing, a food influencer with more than 40 million followers, was revealed by China’s State Tax Administration (STA) in late April, according to the media outlet CCTV. The authorities said that between 2021 and 2024, Bai underpaid a total of 9.11 million yuan (US$1.3 million) of personal income tax,...

According to the report, Marco Rubio was scheduled to visit India from May 24th to 26th.

On May 5, the rupiah closed at 17,445 per dollar — its weakest level on record — and by evening Bank Indonesia had tightened foreign-exchange rules for the third time in two months. Cash dollar purchases without underlying documentation are now capped at US$25,000, down from $100,000 in March. Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo, briefing […] The post Rupiah’s fall shows old emerging-market playbook no longer works appeared first on Asia Times.

After years of quiet encroachment by ordinary people, the Islamic Republic reclaims the urban landscape.

A violent shooting inside a bar in the El Cocal area of the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, left two people dead and one man injured on Tuesday night. The incident is being investigated by the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). According to preliminary reports from the authorities, the incident was reported around 9:10 p.m., when several witnesses alerted them to gunfire inside a commercial establishment, specifically a bar, in that area of the central Pacific region. According to the initial reconstruction of the events, the victims were inside the establishment when, apparently, two men arrived at the scene and entered the premises. For reasons that are not yet clear, they allegedly began firing at the people present. The deceased were identified as Montiel, 33 years old, and Elizondo, 28 years old. The first victim died at the scene after sustaining two gunshot wounds to the head and one to the chest, injuries that caused his immediate death. In the case of Elizondo, the woman suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was transported in critical condition to the Monseñor Sanabria Hospital. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, she was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival. Authorities also indicated that the woman was apparently pregnant, a detail that adds another layer of…

A trial of a US citizen of Chinese descent, accused of creating a covert police station in Manhattan, began on Wednesday. The trial will consider evidence that the US government claims is part of Beijing's effort to expand its influence far beyond Chinese territory. Lu Jianwang, 64, faces three charges in the US Eastern District Court of New York: acting as an unauthorized agent of China; conspiracy to act as a foreign agent; and obstruction of justice. He is accused of using the fourth floor of a building in...

Tehran would love to keep it vague, then drag out the implementation.

The J. W. Marriott hotel in the capital of Venezuela is suddenly filled with U.S. diplomats, spies, and people seeking fortune, reflecting changes happening in the country.

Tehran says it can endure the pain, but its oil may soon have nowhere to go.

The US president did not confirm any specific plans on signing an agreement

Kethevane Gorjestani gives us her analysis.

FCA to investigate ‘poor practices’ and ‘aggressive marketing’ in sector gaining prominence amid car finance mis-selling scandal

The US administration has decided to suspend Project Freedom, an operation facilitating vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz, pending clarity that Iran deal negotiations may successfully conclude

Trump pauses US 'Project Freedom' operation in Strait of Hormuz, citing progress towards Iran agreement.

According to the TV channel, the Iranian side used missiles and drones

Iran's economy may be teetering on the brink of collapse, but does that really threaten its regime? Monday's flare-up of hostilities across the Strait of Hormuz makes clear that oil's not about to start flowing freely again. Tehran and Washington are both signalling they can bear the pain of lost revenue and inflation, with Iran arguably taking that brinkmanship further.

The price of gasoline has climbed to an average of $4.48 per gallon

Glyphosate is currently sprayed on cereal and pulse crops to dessicate them and make them easier to harvest A new trade deal with the EU could lead to restrictions on the use of the controversial weedkiller glyphosate on UK food crops. The full-spectrum herbicide, which kills almost every plant it touches, is often sprayed on wheat, oats and other cereal and pulse crops immediately before harvest to desiccate them and make them easier to handle. Continue reading...

Honda, which is undergoing a review of its electric vehicle business in North America and is facing significant losses, has decided to indefinitely suspend plans for an EV factory it was considering building in Canada.

Donald Trump has said that the US military operation guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz will be paused.

According to the state department, the US administration's policy priorities in Pakistan remain “steadfast despite the change in physical presence in Peshawar”.

The District Court of Canyon County, in the state of Idaho, United States, sentenced the Costa Rican priest, Robert Francisco Méndez Esquivel, to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a serious charge of sexual assault against a minor. The sentence was handed down on April 29th by Judge Vandervelde, who imposed a unified sentence of 15 years, consisting of three years of mandatory imprisonment and an additional 12 years with an undetermined duration. This means that the priest must serve at least three years in prison before he can be considered for parole, as stipulated by the laws of that state. In addition to the sentence, Méndez Esquivel will be registered as a sex offender in Idaho, a measure that involves legal restrictions and ongoing monitoring by the authorities. The Diocese of Boise, to which the priest belonged, confirmed the sentence through an official statement, in which its bishop, Peter Christensen, also commented. "My heart is with the victim and with all those who have been affected by this profound betrayal of trust. As we now know, the actions of this priest are in stark contrast to the vocation he was called to live faithfully in Christ," the religious leader stated. The case dates back to August 27, 2025, when Méndez Esquivel, 46 years old, was arrested while serving as a priest, and...

US president has “paused” the military mission to guide commercial ships through the vital waterway

Synnex Technology International Corp. reported record consolidated results for the first quarter as accelerating AI commercialization drove triple-digit growth in data-center products and broad-based gains across its Asia-Pacific markets. The distributor said it is accelerating a shift toward an AI supply-chain integration platform and an MSP digital-intelligence offering to capture higher-value business as AI applications expand.

As ceasefires fail, peace talks stall and the Strait of Hormuz remains under a blockade, the deepening Middle East crisis has exposed the structural limitations of global security frameworks. The US-Israel war on Iran since February has strained United Nations bodies and left Nato reeling over US President Donald Trump’s threats to leave the transatlantic security alliance. With the risk of a protracted war looming, there is an often overlooked security grouping – whose member states include...

DeepSeek briefly released, then removed, a multimodal research paper that offers rare insight into its evolving AI strategy, drawing attention across the developer community.

US president says Project Freedom paused to see whether an agreement with Iran can be finalised and signed.

The tycoon warns Iran: "They know what they need to do." Araghchi: "Progress is being made in the negotiations."

House Democrats on Monday urged the Trump administration to answer questions about Israel’s undeclared nuclear program. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) and more than two dozen lawmakers signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about “multiple nuclear-armed states… directly involved in or immediately adjacent to” the U. S.-Israeli conflict in Iran. Castro and other lawmakers…

The tycoon warned Iran: "They know what they need to do." Araghchi: "Progress is being made in the negotiations."

The agricultural sector in Costa Rica anticipates a significant boost in its pineapple exports in the coming months, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, according to a report from the website Fruticola.com. The report details that this global sporting event, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to be a key driver that could increase demand for the fruit in strategic markets for Costa Rican exporters. Abel Chaves, president of the National Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters (Canapep), cited in the report, stated that the first quarter of the year showed moderate results for the sector, although the trend indicates an acceleration as the year progresses. He noted: "Pineapple exports are already showing a 14% increase, and generally, we see double-digit increases towards the end of the year." Based on previous experiences with soccer events held in the United States, the Costa Rican pineapple sector anticipates a positive response from the market. As a reference, during the Club World Cup, per capita pineapple consumption increased by approximately 13% in the United States and 16% in Canada, figures that fuel optimism for this year. The World Cup as a catalyst for consumption in North America The hosting of the World Cup in three North American countries represents an opportunity to strengthen the presence of Costa Rican pineapples…

The president is trying to ratchet up the economic pressure on Tehran, but Iran’s government is unlikely to make a deal without a big, face-saving compromise.

With its strategic location at the crossroads of Middle Eastern, Central and South Asian trade routes, its arsenal of combat-tested Chinese weapons and an army chief playing a high-wire diplomatic act, Pakistan is poised to play a security role in the Gulf. It's an interesting mix for some Gulf states questioning the US security commitment in the region – but not for all.

Even if it succeeds, “Project Freedom” has little chance of restoring traffic through the strait to its prewar level.

The US president assumed that it is a better product as well

The US military has again warned it will protect commercial shipping against Iranian attack in the Strait of Hormuz. However, US officials underlined that the ceasefire is still in place.

For most military powers, proving the success of one’s technology in real combat almost always requires undertaking the grave risks of war and human casualties. In the case of the People’s Liberation Army, Beijing continues to exercise great caution about joining any armed conflict, and the past few decades have brought astounding progress yet an extremely limited combat footprint for its weaponry. The Iran war could change that. As tensions around Iran persist, Pakistan, whose imported weapons...

An articulated truck caught fire inside the undersea tunnel of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge forcing the temporary closure of city-bound lanes and disrupting traffic on Tuesday evening. The blaze was reported before 8pm in the tunnel tube of the 55km (34.17 miles) cross-border bridge. Video footage showed flames beneath the cargo truck and thick smoke filling the tunnel. The city’s Transport Department announced soon after that all Hong Kong-bound lanes were closed, leaving only one lane...

The US leader said he is convinced that Washington will either make a deal with Tehran or defeat it militarily

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s top negotiator, accused the United States of violating the shaky cease-fire, after Iranian forces fired at vessels that the U. S. Navy was guiding through the strait.

The fragile truce in the Middle East was in jeopardy on Tuesday after the ​U. S. and Iran launched new attacks as they wrestled for control of the Strait of Hormuz. The U. S. military said on Monday it destroyed six Iranian small boats, as well as cruise missiles and drones, after President Donald Trump sent the navy to escort stranded tankers through the strait in a campaign he called "Project Freedom".

Tehran: "Project Freedom has no future." Trump: "I can't tell you whether the ceasefire is still in effect."

"Pakistan strongly condemns the missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates last night," Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said