Oil tops $120 on Trump warning of months-long Iran blockade

The price of Brent oil soared above $126 a barrel on Wednesday, its highest level since 2022, after Donald Trump warned the US blockade of Iranian ports could last months and peace talks remained stalled. Surging more than 13% in 24 hours, Brent crude hit a record price since the war began on 28 February. […]

Hormuz Strait may not fully reopen until H2 2026

Baker Hughes is working under the assumption that the Strait of Hormuz may not fully reopen for months, a senior executive at the influential oilfield services firm said Friday. Baker is assuming in its financial guidance that the U.S.-Iran conflict continues through the end of June and the strait may not be fully operational until the […]

Dubai removes minimum property value for solo investor visas

Dubai has eased requirements for its two-year property-linked residency visa, removing the minimum property value for sole owners while introducing a Dh400,000 minimum share per investor for jointly owned assets. The update, issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) through its Cube platform, replaces the earlier Dh750,000 threshold for individual buyers with a more flexible ownership-based […]

Crude price spikes as US blockade of Iran 

Brent crude oil prices surged above $120 per barrel on Thursday after US President Donald Trump said the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will continue until Iran agrees to a deal with the United States. In an exclusive interview with Axios on Wednesday, Trump said the blockade is being used as a key […]

Saudi warns visa overstayers face jail, fines, deportation

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior Saudi Arabia has reiterated that expatriates who overstay their entry visas will face strict penalties, including up to six months in prison, fines of up to SR50,000 and deportation. In a statement, the ministry urged all visitors to comply with regulations governing this year’s Hajj season, underscoring the importance of […]

BYD faces EU probe over alleged labor abuses at Hungary plant

Electric car giant BYD has become the first Chinese business to be raised in the European Parliament over allegations of labor abuses in Hungary, CNBC has learned, following a watchdog’s investigation into working conditions at the site. Contractors hired to build BYD’s factory in Hungary allegedly kept thousands of employees working seven days a week, […]

King Charles and Queen Camilla meet Trump

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the White House on Monday for a state visit in Washington, a city still rattled by a weekend shooting and a transatlantic alliance showing fresh signs of strain. British flags could be seen lining lamp-posts outside the White House, where Donald Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, greeted Charles and […]

Humanoid robots trialed as airport baggage handlers in Japan

Japan’s famously conscientious but overburdened baggage handlers will soon be joined by extra staff at Tokyo’s Haneda airport – although their new colleagues will need to take regular recharging breaks. Japan Airlines will introduce humanoid robots on a trial basis from the beginning of May, with a view to deploying them permanently as a solution […]

Groups warn World Cup ‘sportswashing bonanza’ under Trump

This summer’s World Cup will be a “bonanza of sportswashing” according to human rights organisations, who claim the Trump administration is using sport as a political tool to “cover up abuses”. With supporter groups warning they have “absolutely no clue” what will happen to fans if they do “stupid stuff” in the US during the tournament, the […]

Michael moonwalks to $217m opening weekend

Michael, the big-budget Michael Jackson biopic, has shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with a $97m opening in North American theaters, contributing to its enormous $217m (£160m, A$303m) worldwide box office and shattering the record for the biggest biopic opening of all time. The film, a highly authorised portrayal of the […]