US-Iran peace talks have entered another critical phase as Qatari mediators shuttle messages between Washington and Tehran. Both governments say diplomacy remains possible, but deep disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions and Iran’s nuclear programme continue to block a broader settlement. Qatar mediation Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been engaging Qatari mediators while US officials hold separate discussions w

The US Treasury yield surge has pushed borrowing costs to levels not seen in decades, reviving debate over whether the low-rate era that followed the 2008 financial crisis is permanently over. The 10-year yield reached 5.293% and the 30-year climbed to 5.6206% as investors reassessed inflation, fiscal risks and Federal Reserve policy. Bond sell-off Treasury prices have fallen sharply as yields moved higher across the curve. The benchmark

The EU Red Sea naval mission is facing renewed pressure as security risks around Bab al-Mandeb increase and merchant vessels seek more military escorts. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has urged member states to provide additional ships to Operation Aspides, warning that existing forces are insufficient. Aspides Operation Aspides was launched in 2024 to protect commercial shipping from attacks and other threats in the Red Sea and sur

Russia Ukraine attacks intensified on September 28 as Kyiv, Dnipro and several other cities came under a new wave of drone strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said nine people were killed and more than 80 injured across the country, while Ukraine reported fresh counterstrikes on Russian defence and energy targets. Kyiv strike A jet-pow

Trump Xi Iran talks have again highlighted the limits of Washington’s ability to secure Chinese cooperation over Tehran. The September summit produced agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and international waterways, but no public Chinese commitment to halt oil trade, impose economic pressure or change Beijing’s broader Iran policy. China Iran President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Washington during Xi’s Se

The latest Iran casualty update shows the Pentagon’s public wounded count rising by 37 service members, taking the recorded total to 861. The additions include Navy and Marine personnel, while the DCAS data does not publicly explain when or how the newly listed injuries occurred. Navy toll rises with 29 sailors added The latest change includes 29 Navy sailors. A Navy official said the sailors

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran does not want its conflict with the United States to continue and remains open to negotiations. His remarks came as Iranian and US officials held talks in New York, although the discussions produced no immediate breakthrough and major disagreements remain. US deal remains possible, Pezeshkian says In an interview aired Thursday, Pezeshkian said di

Ottawa is moving ahead with the Ottawa Trump Avenue renaming after city council unanimously backed changing the residential street’s name, adding a symbolic chapter to increasingly strained Canada-US relations. The decision comes weeks after President Donald Trump ordered US federal agencies to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Ottawa vote starts street renaming process Ottawa City

US mortgage rates over 7% are adding fresh strain to household budgets as rising oil prices, higher Treasury yields and persistent inflation make borrowing and energy more expensive. Homebuyers now face a difficult mix of elevated financing costs, still-high property prices and broader economic uncertainty. Oil surge raises energy concerns Brent crude moved above $107 a barrel on Thursday as re

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using citizens from 47 countries in its war against Ukraine, naming India, Ghana, Nepal and several other nations during an address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2026. Zelensky also focused on foreign recruitment, North Korea, expanding drone partnerships, possible winter attacks and efforts to reduce Russian war revenue. Recruitment raises concerns over foreign fighters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revived the Kashmir issue at the 81st UN General Assembly, calling for dialogue under the UN Charter and relevant resolutions. His remarks again highlight the gap between Türkiye’s position and India’s stated view that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter. India Kashmir position Addressing the General Assembly in New York on September 22, Erdogan s

Pakistan is facing one of its most serious security challenges in years as militant violence rises, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Islamabad blames groups including the TTP, now officially called Fitna al-Khawarij, while cross-border strikes in Afghanistan are adding fresh tension. Pakistan terror surge reaches decade-high levels

The Mecca Defence Pact is facing its first major test as Saudi Arabia comes under repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks. Pakistan and Turkiye have backed Riyadh diplomatically, but neither has launched a direct military response, raising questions about how the pact’s collective-defence clause works in practice. Mecca Defence Pact

An LPG tanker hit by a drone near the Strait of Hormuz reached safe anchorage at Khor Fakkan after suffering no major damage. All 19 crew aboard M.T. Al Maryah, including nine Indian nationals, were reported safe as maritime authorities continued regional monitoring. A Liberia-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tanker carrying nine Indian nationals was reportedly hit by a drone while sailing eastb

US President Donald Trump says he is in a “deciding mode” over Iran as Washington weighs military action, economic pressure and possible diplomacy. His comments come as Tehran sets conditions for renewed negotiations, Houthi attacks heighten regional tensions and the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the dispute. Trump weighs Iran m

Iran has sent seven conditions to Washington through Qatar for reopening talks and ending the war, warning that it is ready for decisive conflict if its demands are rejected. Iran sends conditions through Qatar Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Qatar had delivered Tehran’s conditions to Washington and Iran was awaiting President Donald Trump’s response. Rezaei named three demands: an end to fighting on all fronts,

Operation Economic Outcast is expanding as the US Treasury works with global financial institutions to identify and disrupt revenue, banking and procurement networks linked to Iran. The campaign comes as Washington also warns that instability in the region could threaten global energy supplies. Operation Economic Outcast targets Iran finance The US Treasury said its Financial Crimes Enforcement Network convened global financial instituti

The Russia sanctions bill has raised fresh concerns for India and other major buyers of Russian energy, with the legislation giving President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% under specified conditions. The move comes as India-Russia ties remain strong in energy and strategic cooperation. Russia sanctions bill clears US House The US House of Representatives has passed the

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate to 3.75%-4.00% on September 16, 2026, its first increase since July 2023. Inflation remains above the 2% goal, while new Fed projections imply another quarter-point increase could follow before the end of this year. The Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage point on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to 3.75%-4.00%. T

Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia's Samara region overnight on September 15, extending Kyiv's campaign against Russian energy and industrial infrastructure. Monitoring channels reported fires at several points inside the complex, although the full scale of damage was not immediately independently confirmed. Ukraine Syzran refinery strike targets Russian energy