global oil prices

Displaced Palestinians sit with their empty containers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by the Israeli military, as they wait to collect food from a charity kitchen in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on May 1, 2026. (AFP)

Gaza diplomacy intensifies as regional tensions persist

Trump hails Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, congratulates the leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye; Hamas says it asked Board of Peace to 'compel' Israel to accept the Gaza plan; Muslim countries condemn Israel's rejection of Trump's Gaza plan.

2 DAYS AGO

This aerial photograph shows boats anchored off Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz on June 27, 2026. (AFP)

Middle East Roundup, Aug 13: Iran calls for compensation after Hormuz oil spill

Iran warns of environmental degradation after an oil spill reaches Qeshm, seeking compensation from those responsible; Trump says that the US forces are in total control of the strategic strait and will 'keep it'; Israel defense minister vows troops to stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza.

6 DAYS AGO

Middle East Roundup, Aug 8: Oman says Hormuz talks 'positive' but warns against attacks on ships

Oman says Hormuz talks with Iran remain ‘positive and constructive’; The UAE condemns a Houthi attack on Najran, Saudi Arabia, calling it a threat to Saudi sovereignty and security; Lebanon reports 4,335 deaths and 12,273 injuries since March 2; Yemen’s army launches operations against Houthi targets in Marib and Hadhramaut.

August 8, 2026

Middle East Roundup: Pakistan joins regional powers to press diplomacy amid widening Middle East tensions

Israel continues operations in Gaza and Lebanon despite US-backed efforts to secure Hamas' disarmament, while Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt reaffirm dialogue and coordination to prevent further regional escalation.

August 5, 2026

A man walks past an electronic screen showing the SK Hynix stock price outside a foreign exchange dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on July 31, 2026. (AFP)

Tech back in fashion as Asian markets extend rebound

Asian equities climbed again Wednesday, tracking another record on Wall Street, as tech firms enjoyed a recent revival after a month-long rout and with confidence boosted by the Trump administration touting an imminent deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

August 5, 2026

Middle East roundup, Aug 2: Trump says new talks with Iran to begin Monday after calling off strikes

Says Iran 'doesn't want to be attacked' as they know the extent of the attack'; Iran strengthens military readiness over perceived threats; Saudi Crown Prince and US President discuss reducing regional tensions in Mideast; Iranian media reject Trump’s claim that Tehran requested a pause in US strikes to allow more time for a potential deal; Tehran warns of closing more chokepoints if pressure continues.

August 2, 2026

Middle East Roundup, July 29: CENTCOM says IRGC has no authority over Strait of Hormuz shipping routes

Says the United States will hit Iran “very hard” as the Middle East war reignites, while adding that an agreement could still be reached at some point.

July 29, 2026

Pedestrians walk past an electronic quotation board displaying the Nikkei Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on July 22, 2026. (File photo: AFP)

Oil soars above $100 as Middle East fears grow

While soaring oil prices generated the most attention, Wall Street stocks endure a downcast session after markets panned earnings reports by Google parent Alphabet and Tesla.

July 23, 2026

Pedestrians walk past an electronic quotation board displaying the Nikkei Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on July 22, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Oil prices jump on Mideast war, stock markets diverge

Benchmark international contract Brent North Sea crude surpasses $95 for the first time in nearly six weeks as the United States and Iran carried out more strikes.

July 22, 2026

A man walks next to an electronic quotation board displaying the Nikkei 225 stock prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

Stocks drop on tech sell-off, oil yo-yos on Mideast

Tech-driven losses in Asia precede declines in European and US markets, which mostly traded lower.

July 16, 2026