US moves to tap Iranian assets after strikes hit Kuwait, Bahrain
Why it matters: The step could deepen the US-Iran standoff as ceasefire talks falter and Gulf allies seek compensation for damage.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
#United States
28 stories on this subject
Iran war hits 100 days as S&P 500 reaches new highs
Why it matters: Oil, bond and inflation risks remain elevated even as investors keep betting the conflict will stay contained.
Bloomberg, CNBC
Zelensky seeks Putin meeting to halt war, with ceasefire first
What's new: Trump backed direct talks, and the Kremlin said Zelensky could come to Moscow if he wants negotiations.
Bloomberg, BBC News (World) +5
US proposed 12.5% tariff could hit one-third of Singapore exports
What's next: The plan faces public comments and USTR hearings in July before current US reciprocal tariffs expire on July 24.
Bloomberg, The Business Times (Singapore)
Hormuz traffic stays near zero as US-Iran talks stall at 100 days
Why it matters: Fewer than a handful of daily transits through the chokepoint are straining oil, fertilizer and fuel supplies from Asia to Europe.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Israeli strike kills 3 Lebanese soldiers in south Lebanon
What's new: The attack came days after a US-brokered truce, and Israel said it was reviewing the strike on the military vehicle.
Series: Israel · Lebanon Ceasefire CrisisUS-Iran talks stall as strikes widen and Lebanon truce frays
Why it matters: The impasse clouds a 2-month extension tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and wider nuclear talks.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Raul Castro resurfaces in Havana after US murder indictment
What's new: The 95-year-old former Cuban leader made his first public appearance since last month's US charges over the 1996 shootdown case.
Fox News, The Straits Times
Trump White House ballroom plan swells to $400 million
What's new: The redesign now includes a rooftop drone port, an underground hospital and military facilities beyond the original ballroom proposal.
The New York Times, The Hill +1
Iran fires warning missiles, drones at US warships in Gulf of Oman
What's new: The confrontation followed a US interception of the sanctioned stateless tanker M/T DAVINA in the Indian Ocean.
Axios, The Straits Times
Kim pledged exponential nuclear buildup after touring new plant
What's new: KCNA reported weapons-grade nuclear material output more than doubled over the past five years.
Bloomberg, NPR +3
Iran talks stall as strikes test truce and Hormuz deal
What's new: Tehran reported no tangible progress, even as Trump pushed for a weekend breakthrough and Gulf tensions flared again.
Bloomberg, Fox News +1
Rubio says Iran opened nuclear talks as Trump disputes media cutoff
What’s new: Tehran is discussing parts of its nuclear program it had previously refused to address, Rubio told senators.
Bloomberg, CNBC +4
Jollibee weighs Hong Kong IPO for overseas unit over US plan
What's new: The fast-food group could target a listing by the end of 2027 as Hong Kong equity sales surge past $38 billion this year.
Trump backs Colombia candidate de la Espriella before June runoff
What's next: De la Espriella and Ivan Cepeda head to a June runoff after taking about 44% and under 41% in the first round.
Bloomberg, The New York Times +3
California tech CEO charged in 250-ton Iran sanctions scheme
What's new: Prosecutors say Jamshid Ghomi moved more than $15 million through offshore intermediaries and used some of it on a $35 million mansion.
US grants Iran team visas 10 days before World Cup opener
What's new: Washington cleared players and necessary staff, but signaled it will screen out anyone tied to the IRGC.
The New York Times, BBC News (World) +2
Canada, Mexico seek 16-year USMCA renewal before July review
What's next: Washington can renew the pact, push annual reviews, or begin a renegotiation as tariff disputes cloud the talks.
US uncovers 610-meter drug tunnel from Tijuana to San Diego
The passage had electricity, ventilation, reinforced walls and rails; four people were charged after a US$45 million cocaine seizure.
Israel strike near Tyre hospital in Lebanon kills several, wounds 23
Why it matters: The blast damaged Jabal Amel Hospital and cut power to its intensive care unit amid wider talks on ending the war in Lebanon.
US strike on alleged drug boat in eastern Pacific kills 3
What's new: The attack was the fourth reported this week and pushed the death toll in the campaign past 200.
NPR, CNN Indonesia
US added 172,000 jobs in May as unemployment held at 4.3%
Why it matters: stronger hiring and upward revisions for March and April reduce pressure on the Fed to cut rates soon.
Bloomberg, NPR +2
WHO chief visits Congo Ebola epicenter as cases top 900
WHO's director-general visited Bunia as Congo's Ebola outbreak reached 906 suspected cases and aid groups warned the response is lagging.
The New York Times, BBC News (World) +2
Colombia runoff set between De la Espriella and Cepeda
Colombia's presidential race is headed to a June 21 runoff after Abelardo de la Espriella led Iván Cepeda in the first round.
BBC News (World), PBS NewsHour
US job openings jumped to 7.6 million in April as hiring fell
What's next: Friday's May jobs report is expected to show 100,000 new jobs, with unemployment holding at 4.3%.
PBS NewsHour, CNBC +1
Oil settles at 1-week high as Hormuz shutdown keeps supply tight
What's new: Brent closed at $96 and WTI at $93.76 as the market weighed stalled US-Iran contacts and a largely shut strait.
Global food prices dipped 0.2% in May, staying near 3-year high
What's new: cereal prices rose 2.6%, sugar jumped 7.5%, and the FAO expects 2026/27 world cereal output to fall 2%.
Bloomberg, The Straits Times
Global stocks wobble as Iran-US strikes lift oil above $94
Why it matters: Brent jumped as much as 6.5%, fueling inflation worries and pressuring bonds even as AI-linked shares stayed strong.
CNBC, Channel News Asia +1