Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that a ceasefire he claimed to have brokered is now officially in effect. “The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it!” Trump posted, calling for restraint from all parties involved. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has eased safety measures for civilians, stating that residents no longer need to stay near bomb shelters following a wave of Iranian missile strikes that killed four people in southern Israel. “Following a situational assessment, the Home Front Command has announced that the requirement…
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The Latest: Israel threatens Iran’s supreme leader as Iranian strikes wound over 200
Iranian missiles hit a major hospital in southern Israel and struck residential buildings in Tel Aviv on Thursday, wounding 240 people and causing extensive damage. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz blamed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said the military “has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist.” Israel, meanwhile, carried out strikes on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, its latest attack on Iran’s sprawling nuclear program. Iranian state television said there was “no radiation…
Read MoreUS natural gas prices climb on lower output, higher demand
NEW YORK: US natural gas futures climbed about 2% to a 10-week high on lower daily output and forecasts for hotter weather and higher demand over the next two weeks than previously expected. That heat should prompt homes and businesses to crank up their air conditioners, which should push power generators to burn more gas to produce electricity to keep those air conditioners humming. Analyst said that heat would likely come at the same time some liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants exit maintenance reductions, which should boost the amount…
Read MoreOil prices jump as Israel-Iran conflict enters seventh day
CALGARY: Oil prices rose on Thursday after Israel and Iran continued to exchange missile attacks overnight and U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance on the conflict kept investors on edge. Brent crude futures rose $1.60, or 2.1%, to $78.29 a barrel by 1030 ET. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for Julywas up $1.64, or 2.1%, at $78.34. Brent had surged to its highest in nearly five months at $78.50 on June 13, when Israel began its attacks. Trading volumes were light on Thursday due to a U.S. federal holiday. The conflict…
Read MorePakistan reaffirms commitment to economic cooperation under SCO: Aurangzeb
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb has reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) economic cooperation agenda, a statement from the Finance Division said on Tuesday. The minister virtually addressed the meeting of SCO Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors held in Beijing, saying he was unable to attend due to the ongoing annual budget session in Pakistan. In his address, the finance minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to the vision and principles of the SCO. “He emphasised that the SCO is an essential platform for promoting regional…
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