Allies press Trump for war strategy as Iran conflict enters third week
As the United States and Israel war against Iran enters its third week, President Donald Trump faces mounting pressure from allies and some advisers to clarify the objectives and potential endgame of the conflict. Despite repeated declarations of victory from Washington, Iranian forces continue to launch missiles and drones across the Middle......
AFCON Morocco 2025 viewership rises 61 percent across global markets
Early audience research shows a sharp surge in global interest for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with viewership across Europe, Asia, and South America increasing by 61 percent compared with previous editions. Preliminary figures released by independent research agencies indicate that the tournament has become......
China industrial output and retail sales beat forecasts early in 2026
China’s economy started 2026 stronger than expected, with industrial production and retail sales both exceeding forecasts in the January to February period, according to data released Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics. Industrial output rose 6.3 percent year on year during the first two months of the year, accelerating from......
Drone strike near Dubai airport disrupts flights as Gulf aviation crisis deepens
A drone strike near Dubai International Airport forced a temporary suspension of flights early Monday, intensifying an aviation crisis across the Gulf that has already grounded tens of thousands of flights since the start of United States and Israeli strikes against Iran. More than 52,000 flights to and from the Middle East have been canceled......
LPG tankers cross Strait of Hormuz toward India amid Asian energy shortages
Two liquefied petroleum gas tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz heading to India as Asian governments scramble to manage a widening energy crisis triggered by the United States and Israeli war with Iran and the disruption of shipping through the critical waterway. The conflict has sharply reduced traffic through the strait, a......
Tony-winning British actress Jane Lapotaire dies aged 81
Jane Lapotaire, the British stage and screen actress celebrated for her commanding performances in theatre, television, and film, has died at the age of 81. Her career spanned more than six decades and included a Tony Award-winning portrayal of French singer Édith Piaf on Broadway. Born Jane Elizabeth Marie Lapotaire on December 26,......
Reuters investigation identifies Banksy as Bristol native Robin Gunningham
A Reuters investigation published Thursday says it has identified the anonymous street artist Banksy as Robin Gunningham, a man from Bristol who reportedly later changed his legal name to David Jones. The 3,500 word report traces a series of clues linking the artist to locations ranging from war damaged towns in Ukraine to London and Manhattan. The......
Morocco spotlights three child charities during Ramadan 2026
During Ramadan 2026, charitable giving in Morocco is again centered on children facing poverty, family loss, and limited access to care. As donation drives multiply across the country, several associations stand out for combining immediate relief with long-term support in housing, health, and education. One of the most established organizations......
Peter Thiel lectures in Rome draw criticism from Vatican advisers
Technology billionaire Peter Thiel is in Rome this week to deliver a series of private lectures on the Antichrist, an event that has sparked criticism within Catholic institutions and prompted several universities to publicly distance themselves from the gathering. The invitation only conference series runs from Sunday through Wednesday near......
Hajar Bouzaidi breaks barriers in Morocco's diving world
At 36, Hajar Bouzaidi has become a landmark figure in Moroccan sport after earning the country’s first two-star female diving instructor certification. The diver from Tetouan reached a depth of 62 meters, a performance validated by the Royal Moroccan Federation of Diving and Underwater Activities, and one that places her at the center......
Japan begins releasing oil reserves in largest IEA stockpile draw
Japan began releasing strategic oil reserves on Monday as part of what the International Energy Agency described as the largest coordinated drawdown of emergency stockpiles in its more than 50 year history. The move forms part of a joint effort by 32 countries to counter the supply shock triggered by the war involving Iran and the effective......
Hormuz blockade exposes fragile foundations of global semiconductor supply chain
The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran is revealing critical vulnerabilities in the global semiconductor industry as disruptions linked to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz threaten energy supplies and essential chemical inputs used in chip manufacturing. As the war enters its third week, Iran continues to restrict......
Gold steadies near $5,000 as Iran conflict clouds Fed rate outlook
Gold traded near the $5,000 per ounce mark on Monday as the United States and Israel conflict with Iran entered its third week, while rising oil prices complicated expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and limited the metal’s upward momentum. Spot gold edged up about 0.1 percent to roughly $5,022 during early Asian......
South Korea tanker operator Sinokor gains windfall as Strait of Hormuz crisis drives shipping rates
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed global oil tanker freight rates to unprecedented levels, reshaping maritime trade and delivering exceptional profits for shipping companies that positioned themselves ahead of the crisis. Daily charter rates for very large crude carriers, or VLCCs, have surged above $400,000 and in some......
Australia and Japan decline naval deployment in Strait of Hormuz coalition
Australia and Japan have ruled out sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz despite calls from United States President Donald Trump for allied nations to help secure the vital maritime route amid rising tensions with Iran. Canberra confirmed Monday that it will not deploy naval vessels to the strait, even as Washington seeks to form a multinational......