Japan trading houses more upbeat on earnings as Iran war lifts prices
Japan's trading houses have extensive interests in resources such as liquefied natural gas, the price of which has soared during the Iran war. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
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Newest first · UTC+11:00IDF destroys Iran-backed Hezbollah tunnel systems, says more remain in southern Lebanon
The destruction of Hezbollah's underground tunnel network in the Beaufort area and additional infrastructure along the Ali al-Taher Ridge using hundreds of tons of explosives dealt a severe strategic blow to the terrorist organization, according to data presented to Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday.
· AMIR BOHBOT
Cargo ship reports being struck in the Strait of Hormuz
Children wade in the water with cargo ships at anchor in the background and a fisherman nearby, in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP,File)
· Elena Becatoros
BP profit more than doubles as Trump blasts Big Oil for ‘making too much money’
Britain's BP on Tuesday reported a sharp upswing in second-quarter profit, as energy supermajors reap massive profits from higher fossil fuel prices amid hostilities between the U.S. and Iran.
· Sam Meredith
Palestine weekly: Israel kills dozens in Gaza after Hamas disarmament deal
United States President Donald Trump announced “a historic agreement” on July 30 for the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, framed as the long-awaited move into the second phase of the October 2025 “ceasefire” deal.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Aramco posts 42% jump in Q2 profit despite supply disruptions | The National
Saudi Aramco reported about 42 per cent annual jump in its second-quarter net profit, as the world's largest oil exporter navigated a quarter marked by regional war and repeated attacks on its export infrastructure.
· Jennifer Gnana
India steps up arms supplies to Israel, sent almost 3,000 arms consignments since October 7
The focus on the defense relationship between Israel and India is usually on Israeli exports. However, a new report by Amnesty International reveals a new angle, showing that no fewer than 2,596 shipments of weapons, ammunition, parts and components were transferred from India to Israel between October 7, 2023 and N…
· DEAN SHMUEL ELMAS/GLOBES/TNS
Police ‘gave control of CBD’ to Opera House protesters, royal commission hears
Police effectively handed control of the Sydney CBD to pro-Palestine protesters two days after the October 7 attack by advising the Jewish community to stay away, the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has heard.
· Patrick Begley
Massive Attack 'surprised and disappointed' after Singapore ban over Palestine flag | The National
British band Massive Attack have said they are "surprised and disappointed" after two of their members were barred from performing in Singapore for displaying a Palestinian flag during a concert.
· David Tusing
UK band Massive Attack banned from Singapore over Palestinian flag at concert | The National
British band Massive Attack have said they are "surprised and disappointed" after two of their members were barred from performing in Singapore for displaying a Palestinian flag during a concert. Singaporean authorities had clarified previously that the country has clear rules on political expression and foreign nat…
· David Tusing
Board of Peace envoy meets with Netanyahu on Gaza disarmament deal and urges a halt to strikes
JERUSALEM, Israel — The Board of Peace official overseeing Gaza’s postwar transition met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a statement, in part to discuss a new disarmament deal the board had reached with the militant Hamas group.
· Associated Press
Saudi Aramco profits soar in second quarter as Iran war squeezes oil supply
Saudi Aramco on Tuesday reported a jump in second-quarter profit, following a period of severe disruption through the Strait of Hormuz amid the sprawling Middle East conflict.
· Sam Meredith
The Iran war is fuelling the next oil, gold and silver rally | The National
Oil surged nearly 20 per cent in July, with Brent topping $100 a barrel for the first time since May amid Middle East conflict.
· Harvey Jones
Emirates and Etihad extend Bahrain and Kuwait flight cancellations amid regional tensions | The National
Emirates airline and Etihad have extended cancellations on flights between the UAE and Bahrain and Kuwait, with travel disruptions now entering a third consecutive week owing to regional tensions.
· David Tusing
Emirates and Etihad extend Bahrain and Kuwait flight cancellations | The National
Emirates and Etihad Airways have extended cancellations on flights between the UAE and Bahrain and Kuwait, with travel disruption now entering a third consecutive week owing to regional tensions.
· David Tusing
Aoun faces impossible balancing act between Hezbollah and Israel | The National
When Lebanese President Joseph Aoun took office after more than a year of war between Israel and Hezbollah, he faced daunting political and security challenges.
· Clotilde Bigot
Asian shares mostly dip after US stocks rally
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, July 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
· Yuri Kageyama
Inquiry told actions of pro-Palestinian protesters in Sydney were 'appalling'
Topic:Royal Commissions
· Phoebe Pin
Iran war latest: Trump warns this is Tehran's 'last chance' to reach a deal | The National
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· The National
Shipping traffic at key Gulf waterways little changed on uncertain peace talks
Shipping traffic at the key Gulf waterways of Bab al-Mandab and Strait of Hormuz held largely unchanged at the start of the week, shipping data showed, as the progress of talks between the United States and Iran remained ambiguous.
· REUTERS
Serving generals deserve better than Katz’s political theater - editorial
Some political acts cross a line even when the politician responsible can produce a technically accurate explanation afterward. Defense Minister Israel Katz’s televised treatment of OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth was one of them.
· JPOST EDITORIAL
Gaza deal matters only if it is put into action | The National
The recent announcement of an agreement to disarm Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza marks an important moment. Establishing a framework that addresses one of the conflict’s most intractable questions helps efforts to resolve an appalling humanitarian crisis.
· The National Editorial
Seoul stocks down late Tues. morning on tech losses
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares turned lower late Tuesday morning, reversing early gains as technology stocks declined amid lingering uncertainty over the Middle East, despite overnight gains on Wall Street.
· Choi Kyong-ae
Saudis gravitate toward Middle East basket cases when it should join US’ fight against Iran
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· Jonathan Schanzer
Board of Peace envoy meets with Netanyahu on Gaza disarmament deal and urges a halt to strikes
The Board of Peace official overseeing Gaza’s postwar transition met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a statement, in part to discuss a new disarmament deal the board had reached with the militant Hamas group.
· Yonhap
Israeli Finance Minister Requests Netanyahu Approve Three Jewish Settlements In Gaza
Authored by Dave DeCamp via AntiWar.com,
· Tyler Durden
Board of Peace says no Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas disarms
The US-led Board of Peace has said that an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza will only take place after the disarmament of Hamas is complete, following a meeting between the body’s director, Nickolay Mladenov, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
· Rached El-Moctar
Inflation expected to edge up in Aug. on base effect: BOK
Inflation is expected to edge up in August from the previous month due to a base effect, while lingering Middle East tensions continue to fuel cost-push inflationary pressure, the central bank said Tuesday.
· Yonhap
Inflation expected to edge up in Aug. on base effect: BOK
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- Inflation is expected to edge up in August from the previous month due to a base effect, while lingering Middle East tensions continue to fuel cost-push inflationary pressure, the central bank said Tuesday.
· Kim Boram
Likud lawmakers, ministers forbidden from running in regional primary slots, Likud court rules
The Likud Court overturned overnight one of the central and most dramatic decisions adopted by the Likud convention last week, ruling that current and former lawmakers, ministers, and deputy ministers will not be permitted to run in regional slots in the primaries.
· ANNA BARSKY
Vessel hit by projectile near Strait of Hormuz as explosions heard in Kuwait, Iraq - report
Explosions were heard in Kuwait and Iraq on Tuesday morning, Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.
· ESTHER DAVIS
It’s time for the Saudis to put up — or shut up on Iran
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· Post Editorial Board
Seoul shares open higher on US gains, bargain hunting
Seoul shares opened higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as investors weighed an overnight rebound on Wall Street amid lingering uncertainty over the Middle East and the artificial intelligence-backed rally.
· Yonhap
Iran's foreign minister denies talks with US
Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Monday that there are no negotiations ongoing between Tehran and Washington, nor any plans for meetings, as the talks over the management of the Hormuz Strait remain mediated by Oman.
· Middleeasteye
Seoul shares open higher on U.S. gains, bargain hunting
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares opened higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as investors weighed an overnight rebound on Wall Street amid lingering uncertainty over the Middle East and the artificial intelligence (AI)-backed rally.
· Choi Kyong-ae
Cartoon for August 4, 2026 | The National
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· The National
IDF on high alert for possibility of escalation with Iran amid Trump's escalating threats
The IDF continues to maintain a high level of readiness for the possibility of an escalation with Iran, a senior security official told Walla on Monday.
· AMIR BOHBOT
Qatar, Egypt, Turkey condemn Israeli military action in Gaza, say it undermines path to peace
Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey denounced "ongoing Israeli violations in Gaza," in a joint statement on Monday.
· ESTHER DAVIS
Iran Foreign Ministry denies talks with US, says no meetings planned, despite Trump claims - report
There are no ongoing talks between Iran and the United States and no upcoming meetings planned, despite claims by US President Donald Trump, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.
· TZVI JASPER
Iranian plan to attack Ukraine canceled after Kyiv apology
Iran was set to carry out attacks in Ukraine before Kyiv had issued an apology, a top military adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday.
· Middleeasteye
'Digital lifeline' - Gaza tech workers give glimpse of possible future
Walaa Volidis supports her displaced parents and four younger siblings
· Bbcnews
Israel revels in Spain's migrant crisis while embarrassing ally Morocco
Israeli political leaders have mocked and exploited the migration crisis engulfing Morocco, an Israeli ally, and Spain, whose relations with Israel have sharply deteriorated.
· Middleeasteye
Iran called off Ukraine strikes after Kiev’s ‘apology’ – Khamenei adviser
Iran called off retaliatory strikes against Ukraine over last month’s attack on a cargo ship in the Caspian Sea after Kiev apologized, a senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said.
· RT
Turkish intelligence chief meets Hamas delegation in Istanbul
Head of Turkiye’s National Intelligence Organization Ibrahim Kalin met a Hamas delegation led by its new political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul, according to a statement released by Hamas on Monday.
· Middleeasteye
No blame-Israel conspiracy theory is too dumb for Hasan Piker & Co.
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· Post Editorial Board
Trump says Iran facing 'last chance before decapitation'
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Monday that negotiations with Iran were ongoing despite Tehran's denials and the Islamic Republic was facing a "last chance before decapitation."
· Agence France-Presse
Trump lashes out at Big Oil for ‘making too much money’ during Iran war: ‘They ought to give some of that back’
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· Victor Nava
IDF Chief Bluth not dismissed, Defense Minister Katz confirms at meeting with West Bank leaders
Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that IDF Central Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth has not been dismissed and is performing well in his role in the military, during a meeting with heads of the local authorities from the West Bank on Monday.
· RUBY SADIKMAN
Haredi anti-draft protesters demonstrate against new Ma'alot Tzur enlistment program head- report
Dozens of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) anti-draft protesters arrived at the home of the new head of the Ma'alot Tzur haredi enlistment program in Komemiyut on Monday night, demonstrating against the program, N12 reported.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Yashar Party activist attacked while attempting to remove Yigal Amir protest sign from bridge
A 76-year-old Yashar Party activist named Ilan Mans was attacked and hospitalized last week at Hemed Bridge while attempting to remove a sign that read, “Yigal Amir will be released,” according to reports from Hebrew media.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF