Author: Humaydh Sariffodeen

The U.S. dollar jumped on Monday as soaring oil prices sent investors scrambling ​for cash on worries that a protracted Middle East war could severely disrupt energy supplies and hurt global growth. The greenback pared some gains in ‌the Asian afternoon on a Financial Times report that the G7 finance ministers will discuss on Monday a joint release of oil from emergency reserves coordinated by the International Energy Agency, which sent oil prices retreating slightly after they earlier spiked to just shy of $120 per barrel. Still, the euro and sterling were left trading 0.6% and 0.7% lower, respectively, while the Aussie…

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Despite mounting speculation about regime change, analysts warn that without boots on the ground, any meaningful shift in Iran is more likely to stem from internal power dynamics than from external pressure. A US-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has thrust the Islamic republic into one of its most uncertain moments in decades, raising questions over succession and the risk of wider regional escalation, analysts say. CNA: Mar 1, 2026 Khamenei was working in his office in Tehran at the time of Saturday’s (Feb 28) attack, state media said, which also killed his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law.…

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Travel warnings have multiplied across the Middle East as the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday morning, with President Donald Trump confirming “major combat operations” are underway. Iran launched several retaliatory attacks on Saturday, targeting several Gulf nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, Doha, and Kuwait. The attacks follow failed negotiations in Geneva this week, causing an increasing number of governments to urge citizens to leave Iran, Israel and parts of the wider region. Airlines have also adjusted routes, suspended services and rerouted aircraft in response to rapidly shifting security risk assessments. Multiple Middle East airspaces have closed as a…

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Almost 200 contacts linked to the Nipah virus cases were traced and found negative, India’s health ministry said on Tuesday (Jan 27). MUMBAI: Indian authorities said they had ensured “timely containment” of the deadly Nipah virus after two cases were confirmed in West Bengal state since December. Earlier reports had suggested that there were five cases. CNA: January 21, 2026 Nipah, which spreads from animals to humans, has no vaccine and a fatality rate ranging from 40 to 75 per cent, according to the World Health Organization. “Enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations were undertaken … which ensured timely containment of…

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LONDON, Jan 21 (Reuters) – The global oil market will be in deep surplus in the first quarter of 2026, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday, as so far excess supplies have offset the geopolitical risk of disruption. The IEA, which advises industrialised countries, in its monthly oil report projected global oil supply would exceed demand by 4.25 million barrels per day in the first quarter. A surplus of that size would be about 4% of world demand and is larger than other predictions. Reuters: January 21, 2026 Oil prices have risen about 6% since the start of the…

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President Donald Trump says the US has carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and “captured its leader, President Nicolas Maduro” and his wife. Here’s the statement from Truth Social in full: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. “This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this…

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