World & Politics
Sri Lanka to shorten workweek to conserve energy - 03/17/2026
Sri Lankan officials stated they are temporarily implementing a four-day workweek to save energy due to the circumstances in the Middle East, local sources reported. Wednesday will now serve as an extra day of rest for schools, universities, and various other government entities. Nonetheless, healthcare establishments, customs, and ports will keep functioning normally. Additionally, officials are...
EU foreign ministers decline to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz - 03/17/2026
EU foreign ministers have chosen not to extend the Aspides naval mission to the Strait of Hormuz, said EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. "In our talks, there was a definite wish to enhance this operation, but at this stage, there was no intention to modify the operation's mandate..." Kallas stated. "Although the Strait of Hormuz is a major focus, the Red Sea is still of vital significance."...
Trump calls on China to help resolve the Strait of Hormuz crisis - 03/16/2026
US President Donald Trump is urging China to assist in getting shipping back in the Strait of Hormuz, where the flow has been affected by the ongoing conflict involving Iran. In an interview with the Financial Times on Monday night, Trump stated, "I believe China should also contribute, as China obtains 90% of its oil via that strait." The American leader mentioned that he would like to...
Kallas tells of US attempts to "divide Europe" - 03/13/2026
The United States aims to create divisions among European governments, as each of them has limited influence on its own, stated EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas. It is important for all countries to understand that the United States has made it very clear: they aim to divide Europe and they do not support the European Union, Kallas stated during an interview with the Financial Times. According to...
Vantor follows Planet Labs, restricts access to its Middle East imagery - 03/12/2026
After Planet Labs, the U.S. firm Vantor has declared limitations on the commercial availability of operational satellite images of the Middle East captured by its orbital satellites. The company stated in a Thursday release that these controls involve restricting the ability to request new images of locations where U.S., NATO, and other allied forces are currently active, as well as areas facing...
China tightens fuel export restrictions - 03/12/2026
Chinese oil refiners have started to cancel previously arranged export deliveries of fuel oil products, such as gasoline and diesel, according to Bloomberg, which cites sources. Last week, during the turmoil in the Middle East, Chinese officials instructed the nation’s largest refineries to avoid finalizing export contracts and to discuss with partners the cancellation of previously arranged...
Saudi Arabia starts cutting oil production - 03/10/2026
According to Bloomberg, citing sources, Saudi Arabia has started reducing its oil production. This decision is made in response to the potential risk that the disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to its oil storage facilities becoming full. Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest producer of oil, creating around 10 million barrels each day and sending out about 7 million barrels...
China overtakes the US in number of dollar billionaires - 03/10/2026
In the latest Global Rich List 2026, which ranks countries based on the number of dollar billionaires, China has moved to the top position, overtaking the United States, as reported by the Chinese research group Hurun Research Institute. As of January, the list featured 726 new members, with 318 of them being Chinese citizens. Hurun reports that the global count of individuals with a net worth of...
Iran's Assembly of Experts confirms election of Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader - 03/09/2026
The Assembly of Experts in Iran has announced that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been chosen as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The clergy stated that Mojtaba Khamenei has been selected and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following the decisive vote by the esteemed members of the Assembly of...
The US welcomes Seoul's plans to pass investment bill - 03/09/2026
South Korean Industry Kim Jong-gwan stated that Washington has shown a favorable response to Seoul's intention to introduce a special investment bill this week. Kim Jong-gwan mentioned that the United States is not expected to raise tariffs on Korean imports if the bill is passed, and that Korea still has an opportunity to gain favorable trade terms. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick...
