[2026-04-15 15:43 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: CNBC Daily Open: Back-to-back gains on Iran peace talks hope

Snippet: Taken from CNBC’s Daily Open, our international markets newsletter — Subscribe today

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/cnbc-daily-open-back-to-back-gains-on-iran-peace-talks-hope.html

[2026-04-15 15:42 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases, report says

Snippet: Iran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite, giving the Islamic Republic a new capability to target US military bases across the Middle East during the recent war, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-used-chinese-spy-satellite-target-us-bases-report-says

[2026-04-15 15:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: CNBC

Title: Trump takes aim at Pope Leo again, days after calling him 'weak on crime'

Snippet: U.S. President Donald Trump took aim at Pope Leo XIV again, suggesting that he was unaware of Iran's repressive actions against its own people and building on his criticism of the Catholic pontiff.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/trump-pope-leo-iran-war-jesus-.html

[2026-04-15 15:31 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: S. Korea secures 273 mln barrels of crude oil, 2.1 mln tons of naphtha by year-end: presidential aide

Snippet: SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has secured 273 million barrels of crude oil by the end of this year from four nations in the Middle East, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said Wednesday.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260415006500315

[2026-04-15 15:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Gov't to cover extra shipping costs for importing alternative crude supplies

Snippet: SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- The government will cover additional shipping costs crude importers have to bear when importing alternative supplies from regions other than the Middle East, the industry ministry said Wednesday, as part of efforts to stabilize the country's energy supply amid the Middle Eastern crisis.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260415005800320

[2026-04-15 15:29 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China set to issue US$2.3b in offshore bonds as demand for yuan-backed assets grows

Snippet: A planned sale of yuan-denominated bonds in Hong Kong, the largest since 2023, comes as investors seek shelter amid Middle East tensions

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350130/china-sell-us23-billion-bonds-hong-kong-biggest-deal-2023?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-04-15 15:29 UTC+10:00] [dim sum bonds] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China set to issue US$2.3b in offshore bonds as demand for yuan-backed assets grows

Snippet: A planned sale of yuan-denominated bonds in Hong Kong, the largest since 2023, comes as investors seek shelter amid Middle East tensions

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350130/china-sell-us23-billion-bonds-hong-kong-biggest-deal-2023

[2026-04-15 15:20 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: BBC News

Title: Chris Mason: Iran war means government's vicious circles tighten and darken

Snippet: The government is simultaneously confronting the economic consequences of the war in Iran, as spelt out starkly by the International Monetary Fund and the sharpening of arguments from some, including former Nato secretary general Lord Robertson, that the war is evidence defence spending needs to go up more and more quickly.

Read full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8ll6pyvdzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

[2026-04-15 15:20 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: Live updates: Trump says the Iran war ‘is very close to over’

Snippet: The standoff between the United States and Iran deepened Tuesday as the U.S. declared it had blockaded Iran’s ports. Tehran threatened to strike targets across the region, and Pakistan said it was racing to bring the sides together for more talks. (Produced by Elaine Carroll)

Read full article: https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-04-15-2026

[2026-04-15 15:19 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: Crece la esperanza de reanudar el diálogo y ejército de EEUU dice que bloqueo de Irán está en vigor

Snippet: Residentes señalan hacia los daños parados delante de autos calcinados en un edificio destruido por un ataque aéreo israelí en el centro de Beirut, Líbano, el 14 de abril de 2026. (AP Foto/Hassan Ammar)

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/eeuu-iran-guerra-libano-israel-conversaciones-ormuz-fbaa3eb90b59f8329def1bb7bc7fc5ff

[2026-04-15 15:18 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: European markets eye mixed open as traders assess Iran war latest

Snippet: LONDON — European stocks are expected to open in mixed territory on Wednesday as traders assess the trajectory of the U.S.-Iran war and the prospect of renewed peace talks.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/european-markets-stox-600-ftse-dax-cac-iran-latest-oil-prices.html

[2026-04-15 15:16 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Hopes rise for renewed talks as US military says Iran blockade is in force

Snippet: ISLAMABAD (AP) — Hopes rose for renewed talks between the United States and Iran on Wednesday, as the US military said its blockade of Iranian ports was in full effect and Tehran threatened to retaliate by strike targets across the war-weary region.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10717881

[2026-04-15 15:12 UTC+10:00] [Middle East] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Rappler

Title: US shuts down Iran’s maritime trade despite optimism for more talks

Snippet: Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.

Read full article: https://www.rappler.com/world/middle-east/us-shuts-down-iran-maritime-trade-april-15-2026/

[2026-04-15 15:08 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: (URGENT) S. Korea secures 270 mln barrels of crude oil from four Middle East nations by year-end: presidential aide

Snippet: Facebook X More Pinterest Linked in Tumblr Reddit Facebook Messenger Copy URL URL is copied. OK

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260415006200315

[2026-04-15 15:04 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: 168 children killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon amid war with Hezbollah

Snippet: Of more than 2,000 people killed in Lebanon since Israel’s current war with Iran-backed Hezbollah began, 168 are children. Israel has often struck alleged Hezbollah militants or officials in their homes without warning. It’s frequently in areas far from the front line when they are with their families, in apartment buildings surrounded by uninvolved neighbors.

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-children-killed-israel-war-hezbollah-beirut-49b7e5a3aa477368c099f9bf6d88c005

[2026-04-15 15:02 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Nikkei Asia

Title: Chinese chemical producer Hengyi's profit jumps 40-fold on Iran war

Snippet: Hengyi's plant in Brunei. (Screenshot from Hengyi Industries' website)

Read full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/business/markets/commodities/chinese-chemical-producer-hengyi-s-profit-jumps-40-fold-on-iran-war

[2026-04-15 15:02 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Pakistan PM Sharif to depart for Saudi Arabia official visit today

Snippet: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will depart for an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, his office said, as Islamabad continues feverish rounds of diplomacy aimed at facilitating US-Iran peace talks.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/pakistan-pm-sharif-depart-saudi-arabia-official-visit-today

[2026-04-15 14:58 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: ABC News

Title: Exposure of Australia's fertiliser deficit could inspire manufacturing comeback

Snippet: Dean Cayley grows sugarcane in Bundaberg in Queensland. (ABC News: Tayla Larsen)

Read full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-15/australian-fertiliser-manufacturing-after-iran-war-deficit/106559278

[2026-04-15 14:55 UTC+10:00] [Middle East] [Factuality: 90]

Source: Asia Times

Title: US Hormuz blockade may not survive a Chinese standoff

Snippet: Keep independent journalism alive

Read full article: https://asiatimes.com/2026/04/us-hormuz-blockade-may-not-survive-a-chinese-standoff/

[2026-04-15 14:54 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: RT News

Title: US says Iranian trade through Strait of Hormuz fully halted

Snippet: The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said American warships have effectively blocked Iranian trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/638435-us-blocked-hormuz-iran/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS

[2026-04-15 14:54 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 95]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: 'Your dad is doing very important work for the country': energy minister writes to staff families as overtime mounts amid crisis

Snippet: As overnight shifts increase at the Industry and Energy Ministry amid prolonged conflict in the Middle East, Minister Kim Jung-kwan sends letters, gifts to thank staff families

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10717862

[2026-04-15 14:46 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: IDF troops uncover anti-tank launcher in southern Lebanon, strike Hezbollah targets

Snippet: IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon located an anti-tank missile launcher aimed at northern Israel and carried out a series of strikes on Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure, the military said Tuesday.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893034

[2026-04-15 14:45 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: Hopes rise for more negotiations as US military says Iran blockade in effect

Snippet: Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said Tuesday the first negotiation talks between Israel and Lebanon were “positive”, saying about the two countries “we are on the same side of the equation.”

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/us-iran-war-lebanon-israel-talks-hormuz-15-april-2026-f1b02d16f81d6fdcf68c0ed16d7a719d

[2026-04-15 14:36 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Nikkei Asia

Title: US-sanctioned Chinese tanker returns to Hormuz hours after transit

Snippet: A man stands near the waterfront as a vessel sits at anchor in Muscat, Oman, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on March 16. © Reuters

Read full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/iran-tensions/iran-war/us-sanctioned-chinese-tanker-returns-to-hormuz-hours-after-transit

[2026-04-15 14:35 UTC+10:00] [Middle East] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Asia Times

Title: Iran war inflicting losses that will never be recovered

Snippet: Keep independent journalism alive

Read full article: https://asiatimes.com/2026/04/iran-war-inflicting-losses-that-will-never-be-recovered/

[2026-04-15 14:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Nurseries in Dubai and Sharjah to start reopening from Thursday | The National

Snippet: Live updates: Follow the latest news on Iran war

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/04/15/nurseries-in-dubai-and-sharjah-to-begin-to-reopen-from-thursday/

[2026-04-15 14:13 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: US Treasury's Bessent says China has been unreliable partner

Snippet: WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- US Treasury Secretary Scott ‌Bessent said on Tuesday China had been an unreliable global partner during the Middle East war by hoarding oil supplies and limiting exports of some goods, mirroring its actions with medical goods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10717825

[2026-04-15 14:12 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: U.S. says Hormuz blockade 'fully implemented,' while signaling diplomatic off-ramp for Iran

Snippet: The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports is now fully into effect, "completely" cutting off Tehran's international sea trade that powers about 90% of its economy, the U.S. Central Command said late Tuesday stateside.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/us-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-navy-iran-seaborne-trade-oil-trump.html

[2026-04-15 14:06 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Trump clashes with Pope Leo again, says Iran must not get nuclear bomb

Snippet: US President Donald Trump said Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, addressing Pope Leo in a social media post as their public dispute intensified.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/trump-clashes-pope-leo-again-says-iran-must-not-get-nuclear-bomb

[2026-04-15 14:03 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: At Turning Point event, Vance met with mostly empty arena and Iran concerns

Snippet: Vice President JD Vance speaks during a Turning Point USA event at Akins Ford Arena at the Classic Center in Athens, Ga., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool via AP)

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/vance-pope-leo-donald-trump-jesus-meme-2488d70793a21909b1026ccad0ac42a7

[2026-04-15 14:00 UTC+10:00] [Iran] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Viral victory: Iran is beating the land of tech bros in the social media wars

Snippet: With AI-generated comedy videos and lego animations of Trump, Iranian content creators are using humour in propaganda battle against US

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/15/iran-beating-us-social-media-wars

[2026-04-15 13:54 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Lebanon, Israel hold first direct talks

Snippet: WASHINGTON (AP) — Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic opportunity” but making clear that no breakthrough agreement would happen right away.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10717813

[2026-04-15 13:51 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: Trump’s Hormuz blockade puts China, India in crosshairs as U.S. pressure on Iran spills over

Snippet: The U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is not only squeezing Iran but also ratcheting up pressure on two of its most consequential relationships in Asia — India and China.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/strait-hormuz-us-iran-blockade-china-india-relations-energy-risk-tensions.html

[2026-04-15 13:40 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr look to use AFC Champions League absence to their advantage in title race | The National

Snippet: Matchweek 29 of the Saudi Pro League sees only six fixtures taking place – spread over 10 days – with Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli Saudi all missing due to their participation in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/04/15/cristiano-ronaldos-al-nassr-look-to-use-afc-champions-league-absence-to-their-advantage-in-title-race/

[2026-04-15 13:39 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Diplomats try to arrange more US-Iran talks during first full day of American blockade

Snippet: ISLAMABAD — Diplomats worked through back channels Tuesday to arrange a new round of talks between the United States and Iran after Washington enacted its blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran threatened to retaliate by striking targets across the war-weary region.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/04/15/world/americas-emea/diplomats-try-to-arrange-more-us-iran-talks-during-first-full-day-of-american-blockade/2320600

[2026-04-15 13:26 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: Asian shares mostly rise after Wall Street rallies on lower oil prices

Snippet: Currency traders watch monitors near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), top center, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, top center left, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-trump-oil-iran-war-7659569791b1f5e108489360d18e50f1

[2026-04-15 13:17 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Ancient charcoal found in northern Israel sheds new light on how early humans lived - study

Snippet: Nearly 780,000-year-old charcoal fragments found at the Gesher Bnot Ya'akov archaeological site in northern Israel show that early humans had a higher level of intelligence than previously thought, according to a new study published in Quaternary Science Reviews.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-893017

[2026-04-15 13:17 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Jerusalem Marathon's full race canceled due to weather conditions

Snippet: The full marathon race of the 15th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon was canceled due to weather conditions, the Jerusalem Municipality announced on Tuesday.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893030

[2026-04-15 13:17 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Trump says US-Iran war 'very close' to ending amid ceasefire deal

Snippet: US President Donald Trump said the US-Iran war is “very close” to ending, as hostilities ease under a two-week ceasefire agreement, in an interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo on Tuesday.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-893031

[2026-04-15 13:17 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: When defense becomes political: Iron Dome's falling US congressional support - editorial

Snippet: For years, support for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system was one of the few constants in Washington that seemed immune to the churn of politics.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-893019

[2026-04-15 13:09 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: BBC News

Title: Watch: Vance heckled as he chides Pope

Snippet: US Vice-President JD Vance has taken issue with Pope Leo, after his public sparring with Donald Trump about the war in Iran.

Read full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c86eevyg121o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

[2026-04-15 13:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: No panic selling as Gulf investors adjust portfolios amid war-driven volatility | The National

Snippet: Live updates: Follow the latest news on US-Iran war

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/markets/2026/04/15/no-panic-selling-as-gulf-investors-adjust-portfolios-amid-war-driven-volatility/

[2026-04-15 13:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: It's time for the IMF and World Bank to be bold | The National

Snippet: Mohammed Soliman is someone who knows the International Monetary Fund and World Bank well. A senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, he has been attending the organisations’ spring meetings for more than a decade. So, when he told The National this week in Washington that the main theme of this year’s IMF-World Bank Group gatherings is how “uncertainty is certain”, he articulated a general anxiety about a global economic crisis with far-reaching implications.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/editorial/2026/04/15/imf-world-bank-spring-meetings-hormuz-economy/

[2026-04-15 12:58 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Israel strikes 76 areas in Lebanon, 21 killed

Snippet: Israeli air and artillery attacks struck 76 cities, towns and areas across Lebanon on Tuesday, killing 21 people and injuring 29, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-strikes-76-areas-lebanon-21-killed

[2026-04-15 12:44 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Stocks sharply up late Wed. morning amid hopes for U.S.-Iran peace talks

Snippet: SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares traded sharply higher late Wednesday morning amid renewed optimism over a second round of possible U.S.-Iran peace talks, with the benchmark index moving above the 6,000-point threshold.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260415005100320

[2026-04-15 12:39 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: China rejects US criticism, urges 'end to military operations' in Middle East

Snippet: China has pushed back against criticism from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with a spokesperson at the Chinese embassy blaming global fuel shortages on instability in the Middle East.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/china-rejects-us-criticism-urges-end-military-operations-middle-east

[2026-04-15 12:28 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Antitrust chief says gas station price-fixing probe nearing completion

Snippet: SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- The head of South Korea's antitrust watchdog said Wednesday that an investigation into allegations of price-fixing and collusion among some gas stations will soon be completed amid rising oil prices following the Middle East conflict.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260415003300320

[2026-04-15 12:28 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong stocks surge as hopes of US-Iran talks ease oil price fears

Snippet: Chinese and Hong Kong stocks rally on US-Iran dialogue hopes, falling oil prices and Wall Street gains

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350108/hong-kong-stocks-surge-hopes-us-iran-talks-ease-oil-price-fears?utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-04-15 12:28 UTC+10:00] [Hang Seng Index] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong stocks surge as hopes of US-Iran talks ease oil price fears

Snippet: Chinese and Hong Kong stocks rally on US-Iran dialogue hopes, falling oil prices and Wall Street gains

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350108/hong-kong-stocks-surge-hopes-us-iran-talks-ease-oil-price-fears

[2026-04-15 12:21 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: UK, Canada, others call for 'urgent end to hostilities' in Lebanon

Snippet: Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and several other countries have called for an “urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon”, warning of a worsening humanitarian and displacement crisis.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/uk-canada-others-call-urgent-end-hostilities-lebanon