US and Iran exchange new strikes, Middle East on brink of all-out war
The United States launched new airstrikes on Iran, and Tehran retaliated by striking targets across the Gulf, including UAE tankers near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported explosions near port cities as both sides escalate military operations. The confrontation threatens to return the region to all-out war, with control of the critical strait at the center of the conflict.
A fire at a music bar in Bangkok has killed at least 30 people, with dozens more hospitalized. Investigators found locked doors and flammable interior decorations that contributed to the high death toll. Police are probing possible negligence by the establishment's management as the死亡 toll continues to rise.
Oil prices hit a one-month high, rising above $85 a barrel, as military conflict in the Gulf nearly halts traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. A 20% toll imposed by the Trump administration on Hormuz passage has further jolted markets. Asian economies are adapting to the shock as supply disruption fears mount.
China's semiconductor exports nearly doubled in the first half of 2026, fueled by surging global demand for AI hardware. U.S. companies are increasingly turning to Chinese AI models as domestic development costs surge. Tech experts and economists warn that the rapid pace of AI disruption could outpace regulatory frameworks.