Global Pulse

标签： Oceania

大洋洲

  • Iran to bury Khamenei in hometown as US ramps up strikes

    Iran to bury Khamenei in hometown as US ramps up strikes

    As Iran enters the final phase of national mourning for its long-serving supreme leader Ali Khamenei, the country is bracing for a historic burial ceremony in his northeastern hometown of Mashhad on Thursday, even as new U.S. military strikes have sent regional tensions soaring and reignited fears of a full-scale escalation of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

    Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic of Iran for 34 years starting in 1989, was killed on February 28, the opening day of coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes that launched the current war. The 86-year-old leader died alongside multiple family members and senior government officials in an Israeli airstrike, and his remains have traveled a multi-city, multi-day funeral route that has drawn millions of mourners across Iran and neighboring Iraq.

    After three days of public lying-in-state in the capital Tehran, Khamenei’s casket was moved first to the holy clerical city of Qom on Tuesday, then to the Iraqi Shia holy sites of Najaf and Karbala for a mass procession on Wednesday. Delays from the Iraq ceremony forced organizers to push back the start of Thursday’s burial events from 6:00 a.m. local time to 2:00 p.m., according to local Iranian media. By Thursday evening, Khamenei will be laid to rest in the Shrine of Imam Reza, Iran’s most sacred Shia religious site, where the 8th Shia Imam— the only one of the 12 principal Shia imams buried in modern Iran— is entombed. He will be buried alongside four family members killed in the same February 28 strike: his infant granddaughter, daughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law Zahra Haddad Adel, wife of Khamenei’s son and designated successor Mojtaba Khamenei.

    Per the late leader’s own pre-stated wishes, conveyed to state media by his chief of staff Mohammad Mohammadi-Golpaygani, Mashhad was selected as his final resting place. The Shrine of Imam Reza has hosted the burials of dozens of prominent Iranian figures across centuries, including former monarchs and ex-president Ebrahim Raisi. Mashhad governor Hassan Hosseini told state television that authorities expect up to 15 million mourners to gather for the burial, a turnout that the ruling Islamic Republic hopes will project national unity and domestic strength just six months after a harsh government crackdown on widespread anti-government protests, and weeks after the outbreak of war.

    All eyes remain on Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s confirmed successor, who has not yet made any public appearance since the strike that killed his father. Multiple reports indicate he was injured in the same attack that killed Khamenei and his family members, leaving a period of political uncertainty hanging over the country even as the funeral proceeds.

    The somber occasion of the national burial has been overshadowed by a sharp new escalation in hostilities between Iran and the United States. Just as the funeral entered its final day, the U.S. launched new strikes on Iranian coastal targets, in retaliation for recent Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic global oil chokepoint that has been a core point of contention between Tehran and Washington for decades.

    U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes, stating they were intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities to threaten commercial navigation in the strait. U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier declared the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire that paused five weeks of intense hostilities was over, issued a stark warning Thursday: if Iran continues targeting vessels in the waterway, he promised “much worse” consequences to come. Tehran has already responded to the new U.S. strikes by saying it launched attacks on U.S. military bases stationed in Bahrain and Kuwait, raising the stakes of a rapid return to full-scale conflict. Global leaders have issued widespread calls for restraint from both sides, as the region teeters on the edge of a wider war that could disrupt global energy supplies and destabilize the entire Middle East.

  • Trump orders new strikes on Iran over attacks on shipping in Hormuz

    Trump orders new strikes on Iran over attacks on shipping in Hormuz

    Escalating tensions around the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz have erupted into open conflict after US President Donald Trump ordered a new wave of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday, marking a major breakdown of a recently agreed ceasefire between the two nations.

    The retaliatory action came in response to a series of attacks launched by Iranian forces on commercial shipping vessels passing through the strait, a chokepoint that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s total oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump made clear the strikes were punishment for Tehran’s recent actions, warning that further aggression would draw even harsher retaliation.

    “This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!” Trump wrote. Speaking later to reporters at a NATO summit held in Ankara, the president reinforced the message, saying, “We’re gonna hit ’em hard tonight. They violate the agreement every day.”

    Despite the aggressive military posture, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone early Wednesday, stating that he expected the latest flare-up of hostilities to conclude rapidly and leaving open the possibility of future diplomatic negotiations with Iran.

    Within hours of the strike order, Iran’s official state news agency IRNA reported multiple explosions across coastal areas in the country’s southern region. Warplane activity was detected over Kish Island, with blasts hitting the major port cities of Bandar Abbas, Konarak and Chabahar. Partial power outages were reported in parts of Chabahar following the strikes.

    US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, confirmed the new wave of strikes in a post on X, noting that the action was designed to weaken Iran’s capacity to disrupt global shipping through the strait. “The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping,” CENTCOM said.

    The current crisis traces its roots to late February, when a joint US-Israeli strike killed Iran’s long-time supreme leader Ali Khamenei, whose funeral is scheduled for Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad. In the aftermath of that attack, Iran moved to assert full control over the Strait of Hormuz, announcing it would impose transit fees on commercial vessels and threatening to target any shipping that did not follow Iran’s authorized routes.

    Over the past week, Iranian forces have attacked at least three commercial ships near the strait, triggering large-scale US strikes on dozens of Iranian targets on Tuesday. Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone attacks on American military facilities hosted by US allies Kuwait and Bahrain. A US military official confirmed to AFP on Wednesday that no American personnel were killed and no major infrastructure damage was sustained in the Iranian counterattacks, adding that most incoming projectiles were intercepted before reaching their targets.

    Initial casualty reports from the first wave of strikes indicate eight Iranian military personnel were killed, according to Iranian state television. CENTCOM reported that its strikes hit more than 80 targets, including Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar installations and 60 small boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The IRGC in turn claims it hit dozens of US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain. Kuwait confirmed it intercepted two ballistic missiles and 13 incoming drones, while Iran says its forces also targeted the US-run Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain.

    News of the collapsed ceasefire and new strikes sent global energy markets into turmoil, with oil prices jumping 8% in immediate trading following Trump’s announcement that the truce was over.

    The outbreak of renewed hostilities has drawn urgent calls for de-escalation from global leaders and international bodies. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was among the first to issue a public appeal, urging all sides to “exercise maximum restraint.” Pakistan, one of the key mediators that helped broker the earlier ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, echoed Guterres’ call for calm. Qatari mediators, who also played a central role in earlier talks, have reaffirmed their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Qatar’s prime minister emphasizing the importance of diplomatic channels in a phone call Wednesday.

    The escalating conflict has taken a heavy human toll on civilians and commercial mariners alike. Nawal Saad, a civil servant based in Bahrain, summed up widespread regional anxiety, saying, “the spectre of war is looming once more, and I do not want to go through that experience of fear and anxiety again.”

    Oman, which has long maintained neutrality as a mediator in the conflict and borders the strait opposite Iran, condemned the targeting of both shipping vessels and Gulf states, though it stopped short of directly blaming Iran. The Omani government previously proposed a temporary transit corridor hugging its coastline to avoid the most high-risk areas near Iranian waters, but Iran has refused to allow vessels to use that route. Washington has repeatedly insisted on unfettered free passage for all commercial shipping through the strait, a position that directly clashes with Tehran’s demand for transit fees and route controls.

    Even before the latest collapse of the ceasefire, the ongoing crisis had left thousands of seafarers stranded in the area. International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez confirmed Wednesday that nearly 6,000 commercial seafarers remain stuck on vessels stuck in the region, months after hostilities first broke out. While maritime traffic had tentatively resumed after the ceasefire was signed last month, the latest escalation has thrown any return to normal shipping into serious doubt.

  • China sends nuclear missile message as US looks elsewhere

    China sends nuclear missile message as US looks elsewhere

    As the United States redirects much of its strategic and military attention to escalating conflict with Iran in the Middle East, China has carried out a test of a long-range, nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile, delivering a high-profile demonstration of its expanding nuclear and military capabilities to global observers. The test, conducted earlier this week, comes two years after Beijing launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into waters near French Polynesia, and drew immediate condemnation from Washington and several regional powers. However, just as with prior Chinese military advances that have been overshadowed by other global crises, this demonstration was quickly pushed out of global headlines by the resumption of U.S. strikes on Iran, the latest outbreak of violence between Washington and Tehran that broke a ceasefire reached on April 8.

  • Sam Darcy targets running return as he reveals positive knee injury update

    Sam Darcy targets running return as he reveals positive knee injury update

    For rising Australian Football League star Sam Darcy of the Western Bulldogs, a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture has done nothing to dim his competitive fire or alter his signature playing style. The 22-year-old superstar, who suffered the devastating knee injury during the club’s round 6 clash against Geelong, has confirmed his rehabilitation is progressing without any unexpected setbacks, and he is on track to begin light running as soon as next month.

    Darcy opened up about his recovery journey Wednesday, stepping away from his training regimen to help the AFL and hardware chain Bunnings launch the first-ever National Footy Sausage Sizzle, a community fundraiser that will see more than 260 local footy clubs host barbecues this weekend to raise much-needed funds for grassroots programs. The young forward said he had completed the hardest phase of his recovery, the initial months spent reducing swelling and relearning how to walk comfortably after surgery.

    “I saw the surgeon today, and he’s really happy with how everything is progressing,” Darcy told reporters. “Everything is on track. I work closely with the club’s physiotherapy team every day, and we haven’t hit any hiccups so far. The first couple of months were definitely the toughest part — getting the swelling under control, relearning to walk — but now I’m moving around comfortably. I’m doing regular work on the spin bike, swimming laps in the pool, and putting in daily work at the club. The hardest part of this process is behind me.”

    From here, Darcy will shift his focus to building strength and gradually reintroducing weight-bearing movement. He is scheduled to begin sessions on the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill at the 16-week post-surgery mark, with full light running set to start in just over a month. The rehab team is taking a conservative approach to ensure the injured knee heals fully and reduces the risk of future complications, a timeline Darcy says he is comfortable with.

    Notably, Darcy has a genetic predisposition that put him at higher risk of a serious knee injury over the course of his career. Even with that context, the 2025 Mark of the Year winner — who earned the award for a spectacular acrobatic mark against Melbourne — says he has no plans to rein in his aggressive, instinctive style of play when he returns to the field.

    “Not at all — I don’t think I need to change anything,” he asserted. “I just need to focus on building my strength, refining my running mechanics, and making sure everything moves efficiently and smartly. I still want to play with aggression, lean into my strengths, play on instinct, and keep a free mind out on the field. I’m not going to spend every play worrying about getting hurt again.”

    Darcy says he draws inspiration from the dozens of AFL and other professional athletes who have returned to peak form after ACL injuries, and he is fully confident he can get back to his best. “I’m confident I can get 100 per cent back to my top level,” he said. “A lot of players have gone through this same injury across AFL and other sports, and that gives me a lot of motivation. I fully believe this whole process is going to go smoothly.”

    The young star admitted that sidelining him for the rest of the season has been a difficult adjustment. Ever since his junior playing days, game day has always been the highlight of his week, and sitting on the sidelines has been a frustrating experience. Even so, he is keeping his focus on his recovery and his eventual comeback, with his competitive mindset fully intact.

  • US man jailed after swapping 17th century manuscript

    US man jailed after swapping 17th century manuscript

    In a case that highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in cultural heritage stewardship at major academic institutions, a 39-year-old California man has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for orchestrating a sophisticated scheme to steal a rare 17th-century Qing Dynasty Chinese manuscript from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Library.

    According to official statements from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the perpetrator, Jeffrey Ying of Fremont, used a network of aliases to gain controlled access to a collection of ancient Chinese artworks and texts, some of which date back more than 600 years. The rare manuscripts held by UCLA’s library system are not part of general public circulation; access requires advance reservation and formal check-out, a protocol Ying exploited to carry out his fraud.

    Ying’s modus operandi followed a consistent pattern: after checking out an original rare manuscript, he would return the library several days later with a carefully crafted counterfeit dummy copy in its place. Authorities confirmed that he frequently traveled to China shortly after each successful swap, a timeline that raised immediate red flags for investigators.

    The scheme was uncovered after UCLA library staff noticed that multiple rare Chinese manuscripts were unaccounted for in their collections. A preliminary review traced the last access of the missing items to a visitor using the alias “Alan Fujimori”, a trail that ultimately led investigators to Ying. When law enforcement executed a search warrant at a Los Angeles-area hotel where Ying was staying, they uncovered critical evidence of his operation: blank scrolls and manuscript templates cut to match the size and style of the stolen works, along with prefabricated asset tags matching the library’s labeling system that were intended to finish the counterfeit dummies. Investigators also found a cache of library cards registered under multiple different names, confirming that Ying had long planned his scheme to access the rare collection.

    Ying entered a guilty plea to a single federal charge of theft of the 17th-century Qing Dynasty manuscript, marking the conclusion of the investigation. The case comes amid a rapidly expanding market for historical Chinese cultural artifacts: as China’s middle class grows in wealth and cultural engagement, demand for authentic historical heritage has surged, supporting both a growing network of state-run museums and a robust private art market. For U.S. academic institutions holding global cultural collections, the case underscores the need for enhanced verification and inventory protocols to prevent similar art thefts.

  • France, Morocco kick off blockbuster World Cup quarter-finals

    France, Morocco kick off blockbuster World Cup quarter-finals

    The 202X FIFA World Cup has entered its most intense phase, with the first of four eagerly anticipated quarter-final matches kicking off Thursday as defending runners-up France face off against Morocco at Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium, outside Boston. After four weeks of breathtaking on-pitch action that managed to overshadow pre-tournament concerns over exorbitant ticket prices and geopolitical tensions, the largest and most logistically challenging World Cup in history has been narrowed down to the final eight contenders, all still vying for the sport’s biggest prize.

    Heading into Thursday’s showdown, France stand out as the tournament’s most formidable attacking force, and are targeting their third World Cup crown overall. Les Bleus have stormed into the final eight in devastating form, racking up 14 goals across five matches, with captain and star forward Kylian Mbappe already netting seven of those strikes, putting him level with Norway’s Erling Haaland just one goal behind Golden Boot leader Lionel Messi of Argentina. England’s Harry Kane sits close behind on six goals, creating a four-way race for the tournament’s top scorer honor that adds extra drama to the remaining fixtures.

    Thursday’s clash is a rematch of the iconic 2022 Qatar World Cup semi-final, where France claimed a narrow victory over Morocco before going on to lose a legendary final against Argentina on penalties, a result that stoked long-running tension between the two nations. For Morocco, this tournament has already been a success: the African champions cruised through their group stage, knocked out the Netherlands in the round of 16, and comfortably defeated Canada to book their spot in the last eight. Under head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who led Morocco to a surprise under-20 World Cup title last year, the Atlas Lions have built a reputation for a dangerous blend of technical skill, physical intensity, and sharp tactical discipline that makes them a serious threat to France’s title hopes.

    French head coach Didier Deschamps, who is set to step down from his role after the conclusion of this tournament, has moved to dismiss concerns over the appointment of Argentine match officials for Thursday’s tie, with a potential repeat of the 2022 World Cup final still on the cards if both France and Argentina progress to the final. “There is nothing I can do about refereeing appointments. I just try to have confidence in the officials,” Deschamps told reporters. “Our opponents are Morocco. I can’t consider the referee to be an opponent.”

    The winner of France vs Morocco will advance to the tournament semi-finals, where they will face the victor of Friday’s quarter-final between European champions Spain and Belgium, held in Los Angeles. Spain, who have not conceded a single goal across their run to the last eight, eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the round of 16, and while they have not matched France’s free-scoring attacking form, they are widely expected to give a strong test to Belgium, who defeated the United States 4-1 in their round of 16 tie to secure their quarter-final spot.

    On the opposite side of the draw, tournament holders Argentina will face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday, after a dramatic late comeback that kept their dream of becoming the first back-to-back World Cup winners since Brazil in 1962 alive. Argentina were pushed to the brink by Cape Verde in the round of 32, and pulled off an incredible “Houdini act” against Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday, erasing a two-goal deficit late in the match to seal a 3-2 win that kept their title defense on track. “We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home,” Messi, who already has eight tournament goals, said after the comeback win.

    The winner of Argentina’s clash with Switzerland will go on to face either Norway or England in Atlanta. England booked their quarter-final spot with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico at Estadio Azteca, a drama-packed win that has renewed belief among the Three Lions that they can end their 58-year wait for a major tournament title. Standing in their way is a formidable Norway side led by in-form star Erling Haaland, who scored both of his team’s goals in a round of 16 win over Brazil on Sunday.

    Off the pitch, the Egyptian Football Association has filed an official complaint to FIFA over the officiating in their defeat to Argentina, calling for the entire refereeing team that oversaw the match to be removed from the remainder of the tournament. The complaint alleges “serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards” that directly caused Egypt’s elimination. In unrelated off-the-field news, Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic announced he would step down from his role after nine years in charge, a tenure that included a surprise run to the 2018 World Cup final.

  • ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Hacks’ lead Emmy nominations

    ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Hacks’ lead Emmy nominations

    The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, the most prestigious honor in the television industry, unveiled its full list of nominations on Wednesday, with gritty Pittsburgh-set medical drama *The Pitt* and hit intergenerational comedy *Hacks* claiming the top two spots in total nods, capping a standout year for streaming platform HBO Max, home to both fan-favorite series.

    *The Pitt*, the real-time medical thriller that blends the urgent hospital stakes of classic series *ER* with the ticking-clock tension of *24*, secured an impressive 25 total nominations, including a nod for Outstanding Drama Series. A follow-up to last year’s drama winner, the series follows overstretched emergency department staff through high-stakes 60-minute shifts, weaving searing commentary on divisive contemporary issues ranging from abortion access and immigration enforcement to gun violence and mass public shootings. After a low-key premiere, the show grew into a viral word-of-mouth sensation, earning widespread critical acclaim for its unflinching look at American healthcare. Lead star Noah Wyle, who first rose to global fame as a core cast member of the original *ER*, already claimed an Emmy for his role on the series and is once again in the running for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series this year.

    Not far behind, the fifth and final season of *Hacks* locked in 24 nominations, including a spot in the Outstanding Comedy Series category. The beloved comedy follows legendary Las Vegas stand-up Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, as she rebuilds her career alongside her sharp, dysfunctional young millennial writer Ava Daniels, portrayed by Hannah Einbinder. Smart, a four-time Emmy winner for her portrayal of Vance, earned another lead acting nomination, while Einbinder – who took home her first Emmy for the role last year – also secured a repeat nod. The one-two nomination finish for *The Pitt* and *Hacks* marks a major victory for HBO Max, which has reemerged as a dominant force in prestige television this awards cycle.

    The next most-nominated drama series is *Pluribus*, the highly anticipated post-apocalyptic thriller from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, which picked up 18 nominations for Apple TV+. Set in a world where an alien virus has transformed nearly all of humanity into a docile collective hive mind, the series follows the 13 remaining immune outliers fighting to hold onto their individual identities. Lead actress Rhea Seehorn, who already claimed a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award for her role on the series earlier this year, is widely considered the early favorite to take home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Rounding out the Outstanding Drama Series lineup are political thriller *The Diplomat* starring Keri Russell, acclaimed British spy series *Slow Horses*, and the *Game of Thrones* prequel *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*.

    In the comedy category, *Hacks* faces stiff competition from breakout horror-comedy newcomer *Widow’s Bay*, which earned 19 nominations – the third-highest total across all categories this year – for Apple TV+. Starring Matthew Rhys as an eccentric small-town New England mayor working to boost tourism on a remote island locals believe is haunted, the freshman series has already made a major splash with audiences and critics. Other top contenders include Apple TV+’s therapist drama *Shrinking*, starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, and the third and final season of Chicago restaurant-set dark satire *The Bear*, which has claimed 21 Emmys over its run including two lead acting awards for Jeremy Allen White – though White notably missed out on a nomination this year.

    In the limited and anthology series race, Netflix’s *Beef* topped the field with 16 nominations. For its second installment, the acclaimed anthology casts Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan as one half of a pair of couples locked in an explosive, toxic dynamic that unravels over the course of the season. Controversial limited series *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette*, which revisited the couple’s public romance and tragic early deaths, generated massive audience attention and tabloid drama but only secured six total nominations.

    The Emmy Awards gala is scheduled to take place on September 14 in Los Angeles, with long-time *Law and Order: SVU* star Mariska Hargitay set to host the ceremony, marking her first time leading the industry’s biggest night for television.

  • IMF cuts 2026 world growth forecast, flags risks from new Mideast fighting

    IMF cuts 2026 world growth forecast, flags risks from new Mideast fighting

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has once again downgraded its 2026 global economic growth projection, citing heightened geopolitical uncertainty and rising risks spurred by the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East. In its latest World Economic Outlook update released Wednesday, the fund cut the 2026 global growth forecast to 3.0 percent, down 0.1 percentage points from its April prediction. This marks the second downward adjustment to global growth expectations this year, and represents a gradual cooling of economic expansion from 2025 levels.

    Crucially, the revised projections were finalized before recent cross-border military exchanges between the United States and Iran reignited open conflict in the region. Petya Koeva Brooks, deputy director of the IMF’s research department, emphasized that the rapid escalation of tensions overnight underscores the profound uncertainty hanging over the global economic outlook. “We’re going to be monitoring developments very closely,” she told reporters, speaking shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced an end to the temporary U.S.-Iran ceasefire and warned of imminent heavy strikes on Iranian targets.

    Inflation projections have also been revised upward, with the IMF now forecasting global inflation will hit 4.7 percent in 2026, higher than earlier estimates. While Koeva Brooks projected that any disruptions from the conflict would normalize gradually over a nine-month period, she warned that sustained shocks pushing up oil prices and unanchoring inflation expectations could cause further damage to global economic activity.

    Despite the downgrade, the downward revision remains modest, as booming growth in the artificial intelligence sector has partially offset the economic drag from the Middle East war. The IMF projects global growth will rebound to 3.4 percent in 2027, a recovery Deniz Igan, division chief at the IMF’s research department, describes as a “V-shaped recovery”. Delayed post-conflict normalization, prolonged supply chain disruptions and elevated energy costs are the core factors dragging down 2026 global growth, Igan told Agence France-Presse.

    The economic fallout from the conflict varies dramatically across different national economies, the fund notes. Energy-exporting countries outside the active conflict zone benefit from improved terms of trade driven by higher oil prices, while economies integrated into the AI-led technology expansion have recorded stronger activity even if they rely on energy imports. By contrast, energy-importing economies with limited participation in global technology value chains have seen a pronounced slowdown in economic activity.

    The current conflict traces back to February 28, when U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to retaliate by effectively blocking traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The closure sent global oil prices soaring, putting immediate pressure on major economies around the world. A temporary U.S-Iran truce later reopened the waterway and resumed oil and gas flows, but hostilities have now reignited.

    While the global economy has weathered the conflict’s initial shocks better than many analysts initially feared, the IMF warns the aggregate global outlook masks stark divergence across regions and countries. For example, retail gasoline prices rose 30 percent in emerging Asia after the conflict began, compared to just a 15 percent increase in Latin America. The U.S. economy is still projected to grow 2.3 percent in 2026, but growth for the Middle East and Central Asia region has been cut by 1.2 percentage points to just 0.7 percent. The euro area also saw a downward revision, with 2026 growth now pegged at 0.9 percent; France’s growth forecast was cut 0.3 percentage points to 0.6 percent.

    China, the world’s second-largest economy, saw a small upward adjustment to its 2026 growth projection, which now stands at 4.6 percent. Even so, the IMF warns the full economic impact of the renewed conflict has not yet filtered through to global data. The release of strategic petroleum reserves has temporarily eased energy market pressures, but weakening growth remains a distinct possibility going forward. The conflict could also accelerate global trade fragmentation, pushing up prices for key goods across the board.

    There are some bright spots amid the gloom, however. Major economies central to global technology supply chains have posted stronger-than-expected performance, even amid their exposure to conflict-related disruptions. The world’s four largest net exporters of AI-related hardware — Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia — have all recorded resilient growth this year. Igan added that the upward revision to 2026 inflation forecasts only represents a temporary pause in the global disinflation trend, rather than a permanent reversal.

  • Kostyuk sets up Wimbledon semi-final against Noskova

    Kostyuk sets up Wimbledon semi-final against Noskova

    The 2024 Wimbledon Championships delivered another dramatic day of women’s quarter-final action on Wednesday, as Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk turned in a masterclass performance to crush Italy’s Jasmine Paolini and book her spot in the final four of the grass-court Grand Slam. The 12th-seeded Kostyuk needed just 69 minutes on Wimbledon’s iconic Centre Court to secure a lopsided 6-3, 6-2 victory over 2023 runner-up Paolini, booking a semi-final showdown with Czech ninth seed Linda Noskova for Thursday. For Kostyuk, the run marks her second consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearance, and a particularly poignant moment on the sport’s most famous showcourt.

    Nine years before her quarter-final win, the 24-year-old Ukrainian visited the All England Club as a spectator, watching tennis legend Roger Federer compete on the very same court. “I was on this court as a spectator once nine years ago watching Roger (Federer) and to be back here as a player is amazing,” Kostyuk said after her first-ever Centre Court match at the championships. “I walked past the ‘wall of honour’, stood beside it and took a moment.”

    Kostyuk enters Thursday’s semi-final on one of the hottest streaks in women’s tennis, having dropped just one match across her last 22 outings. That sole defeat came in the French Open semi-finals last month, where she lost to eventual champion Mirra Andreeva. For Paolini, the result brings an end to her 2024 Wimbledon run; the Italian could not replicate the clinical form that carried her to a fourth-round win over Alexandra Eala, falling at the quarter-final stage of a major for the first time in her career.

    Standing between Kostyuk and a spot in her first Grand Slam final is 21-year-old Linda Noskova, who lived up to her top-seeded billing in the bottom half of the women’s draw to defeat experienced Belgian 25th seed Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-5 on Court One. The Czech has enjoyed a breakout grass-court season this year, claiming her second career WTA title in Berlin earlier this month before powering into her first ever Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon. After early upsets knocked out top contenders Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, Noskova became the highest remaining seed in the bottom half of the draw, and she delivered against Mertens, who was playing her first major quarter-final since 2020. Though Mertens fought hard throughout the two-set clash, she could not match Noskova’s aggressive power from the baseline.

    Noskova acknowledged the challenge of facing in-form Kostyuk, who defeated the Czech in straight sets during the Madrid Open quarter-finals earlier this season, en route to lifting the Madrid title. “A tough one, it’s never going to be easy,” Noskova said of the upcoming semi-final. “Marta, she’s an incredible player.” The winner of Thursday’s clash will go on to compete for the Wimbledon crown on Saturday, against either American top seed Coco Gauff or Czech 10th seed Karolina Muchova.

    In the men’s draw, the quarter-final round continues Wednesday with two matches that could set up a rematch of this year’s French Open men’s final. Second seed Alexander Zverev, who claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros last month, will face sixth-seeded American Taylor Fritz for a spot in the semi-finals. A win for Zverev would set up a repeat clash with Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, who he defeated in a five-set French Open final. If Cobolli defeats British wildcard Arthur Fery in his own quarter-final clash, the two will meet again for a spot in the Wimbledon final four.

    Zverev enters the match as a respected contender, but he will face a tough test against Fritz, who has won seven consecutive matches against the German. Fritz boasts a proven record on grass, having reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals four times in the last five years, and his powerful serve makes him a dangerous opponent on the All England Club’s fast courts.

    For Cobolli, the quarter-final run marks his second consecutive deep run at Wimbledon; 12 months ago, he fell to Novak Djokovic in the last eight, and this year he faces a very different opponent in Fery. The Italian entered the tournament with an unexpected off-court hurdle: he did not book extended accommodation in London, forcing an Italian family to step in and “give him a house in Wimbledon” to stay for his deep run. Cobolli enters the match as the heavy favorite against Fery, who is ranked world number 114 and the lowest-ranked men’s player to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals since Nick Kyrgios in 2014. However, Fery holds a win over Cobolli, having defeated the Italian in the first round of this year’s Australian Open — that win remains Fery’s only career Grand Slam match victory to date. If Fery upsets Cobolli, he will become the first men’s wildcard to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since Goran Ivanisevic claimed his iconic title run in 2001. “I played really well in Australia,” Fery said. “Felt like I dominated the match. So we’ll use that experience for Wednesday.”

  • Oil shoots back up, stocks slide as Trump says Iran ceasefire over

    Oil shoots back up, stocks slide as Trump says Iran ceasefire over

    Renewed geopolitical upheaval in the Middle East sent shockwaves through global financial markets on Wednesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a temporary ceasefire with Iran had ended, reigniting investor fears over disrupted energy supplies. The resurgence of tensions traces back to recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical chokepoint for global oil shipping, which prompted the U.S. to launch new extensive strikes against Iranian targets this week. Washington also moved to revoke a temporary sanctions waiver that had allowed limited exports of Iranian crude, further tightening global energy supplies.

    Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a NATO summit held in Turkey, Trump confirmed the ceasefire was “over” while stopping short of ruling out future diplomatic negotiations. The announcement immediately upended market sentiment that had stabilized in recent days, when oil prices had drifted back down to pre-conflict levels following a period of earlier volatility.

    By mid-trading on Wednesday, global energy prices had posted sharp double-digit percentage jumps from their previous closes. The international benchmark Brent North Sea crude climbed more than 5% to peak near $78 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude also gained 4.6% to settle around $73.65 a barrel. Both benchmarks pulled back slightly in afternoon trading, but still held onto most of their daily gains by the 1350 GMT reporting cutoff.

    The spike in geopolitical risk triggered a broad sell-off across equities markets worldwide. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.0% to 52,412.15 in early midday trading, while the broad S&P 500 dropped 0.5% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3%. “Trump triggered a sell-off,” noted Sam Stovall, chief market analyst at CFRA Research, summarizing the immediate market reaction.

    European markets saw even steeper losses: 90 minutes before closing, France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX were both down 1.8%, while London’s FTSE 100 had shed 1.2%. Asian equities closed the trading day deep in negative territory as well, compounded by existing investor concerns over overinflated valuations and excessive capital spending in the AI technology sector. South Korea’s Kospi, which has been the leading benchmark for the regional AI-driven tech rally, plummeted 5.4% to close at 7,246.79 — falling more than 20% below its record high set just one month prior. Tech giants Samsung and SK hynix both dropped around 6% on Wednesday, extending steep losses from the previous session even after Samsung projected a roughly 19-fold year-on-year jump in second-quarter operating profit fueled by strong AI chip demand.

    “Investors have been spooked in recent weeks by fears of excessive spending in the AI world and rich valuations in parts of the tech space, causing widespread profit-taking,” explained Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at British investment firm AJ Bell.

    Market analysts warn that the return of open conflict in the Middle East could have long-lasting spillover effects for the global economy. “Geopolitical risks are rising for markets,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at global trading group XTB. Fawad Razaqzada, a senior market analyst at Forex.com, framed the renewed tensions as an unwelcome development for market participants heading into the summer holiday period. “After a long and eventful first half of the year dominated by the US-Israel war on Iran and Trump’s constant flip-flopping, the last thing investors, and frankly anyone else, needed was a return of the same geopolitical environment,” he said. “Unfortunately, it looks like we could be heading back to that.”

    Brooks added that a further escalation that blocks the Strait of Hormuz would send prices even higher: “For the Brent crude oil price to extend gains above $80 per barrel, we would need to see another US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which would stop Iran from selling its oil and cause a major escalation in tensions.”

    The U.S. dollar posted modest gains against most major global currencies on Wednesday, as investors priced in the risk that sustained higher oil prices will keep global inflation elevated longer than previously projected. That outcome would put additional pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve to implement further interest rate hikes to cool price growth, which typically supports dollar valuations. By 1350 GMT, the dollar rose to 162.49 Japanese yen from 162.09 yen the previous day, while the euro fell to $1.1399 from $1.1415 against the greenback.