Latest news with #MiddleEastCrisis
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
China Market Update: Risk Off Night On Middle East Tensions & Trump Tariff Saber Rattling
CLN Despite a weaker US dollar, Asian equities were off overnight on growing chatter of a coming Middle East crisis and Trump's tariff threat reiteration. On the former, Mainland media noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors stated Iran had 'failed to comply with its nuclear safeguard obligations' for the first time in twenty years. No idea if there is any connection with the Israel-Iran concerns. On the latter, Chinese company JL MAG Rare-Earth stated it 'had obtained export licenses issued by national authorities for exports to destinations including the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia.' This follows last Saturday's Ministry of Commerce license approval, as May rare earth exports increased 23% MoM and 2.3% YoY. Hong Kong underperformed as growth stocks favored by foreign investors were hit. Interesting to see the US dollar lower versus every Asian currency except India, while favored Hong Kong growth stocks were hit, with Hong Kong's top ten most heavily traded by value all down for the day. Alibaba -3.21% despite Ant filing for a Hong Kong stablecoin license, while Tencent -1.54% on chatter it will buy South Korea's Nexon Games (225570 KS) for $15B. Hong Kong and Mainland healthcare stocks rebounded after I jinxed them yesterday by noting their recent outperformance. Precious metals had a good day in both Hong Kong and Mainland China. Auto/EV/Hybrid was weak on news, several cities have suspended used car purchase subsidies following reports that dealers were selling new cars as used to garner the subsidies. The Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held separate afternoon press conferences reiterating the progress made in London in US-Sino relations. They did reiterate that the London meeting confirmed what Trump and Xi had outlined in their June 5th phone conversation. After their underlings screwed up the Geneva trade agreement, the two bosses had to get involved which must be frustrating for them. Reminds me of my wife's frequent lament on household and child tasks, 'I do everything!' My reply is, 'How can you be doing everything, if I'm doing everything!'. YTD Mainland investors have bought $87B of Hong Kong stocks via Southbound Stock Connect versus $102B for 2024. With that said, Tencent has seen net selling since April 23rd, while Alibaba has seen choppy/leaning outflow since early May. Even Kuaishou has seen net outflows in the last week. Xiaomi has seen only two small net buy days since early May. Meituan has bucked the trend despite a very small net sell today. What gives? One factor is that Hong Kong's rebound has led to more capital raising as companies like CATL have been relisted in Hong Kong. Today, Horizon Robotics sold 681mm shares, raising $601mm via private placement. The money needs to come from somewhere to fund those purchases, so the more heavily owned you are, the more likely the stock becomes a funding source. Investors aren't blowing out of these names, just trimming them. Tencent's percentage of shares owned via Southbound Stock Connect has declined 11.82%/1.087B shares on April 24 to 11.13%/1.023B shares today. Alibaba's shares owned via Southbound Stock Connect went from 8.81%/1.682B shares on April 28 to 8.63%/1.646B shares today. Net net, no reason to freak out, IMO. Live Webinar Join us Tuesday, June 17, at 10 am EDT for: Carbon Update: EU Market Momentum & California's Legal Landscape for Investors Please click here to register New Content Read our latest article: Navigating Global Crosswinds: Carbon Markets Respond to Tariff Tactics and Executive Orders Please click here to read Chart1 Chart2 Chart3 Chart4 Chart5 Chart6
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
US authorizes partial evacuation of Middle East embassies amid Iran tensions
The US has begun evacuating non-essential personnel and family members from its embassies and military bases in the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran. The move follows President Donald Trump's accusation that Tehran is 'slow-walking' negotiations. 'Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq,' the State Department said in an emailed statement to the media on Wednesday. Reuters cited a US official as saying that voluntary departures had also been authorized at the embassies in Kuwait and Bahrain. The Pentagon has likewise approved the departure of family members from military installations in the region. 'CENTCOM is working in close coordination with our Department of State counterparts, as well as our allies and partners in the region, to maintain a constant state of readiness to support any number of missions around the world at any time,' a defense official told reporters. According to the Washington Post, American intelligence officials are concerned that Israel may strike Iranian nuclear facilities without US consent. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office dismissed reports last month that Israel was discussing potential strikes with Trump as 'fake news.'In an interview with the New York Post aired on Wednesday, Trump said he was 'less confident' about reaching a deal with Iran, after five rounds of negotiations mediated by Oman failed to produce a breakthrough. The president has previously said he wants to completely dismantle Iran's nuclear program – something Tehran has firmly rejected. 'Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon, and US militarism only fuels instability,' the Iranian mission to the UN said in a statement on X. Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that Iran would 'target all US bases across the region without hesitation' if attacked. Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 UN-backed nuclear agreement during his first term, accusing Iran of secretly violating its terms. Tehran has denied the allegations but has since scaled back its commitments and expanded its stockpile of enriched uranium.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Houthis Claim ‘Direct Hit' On Tel Aviv With Palestine2 Missile In Retaliation For Yemen Port Attacks
Tensions in the Middle East erupted as Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for launching two ballistic missiles—one reportedly hypersonic—at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. The group says the attack was retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on key Yemeni ports. While the Houthis claim a direct hit and disruption of air traffic, Israel confirms one missile interception and remains silent on damage. #MiddleEastCrisis #IsraelUnderAttack #HouthiMissileStrike #YemenConflict #RedSeaTensions #IDFStrikes #TelAvivAirport #HypersonicMissile #IsraelVsHouthis#bengurionairport
The Guardian
29-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Israel to establish more settlements in the West Bank – Middle East crisis live
Update: Date: 2025-05-29T07:22:04.000Z Title: Opening summary Content: Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the crisis in the Middle East Israel has authorised 22 Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including the legalisation of outposts already built without government authorisation, its defence minister has said. Israel Katz said the settlement decision 'strengthens our hold on Judea and Samaria,' using the biblical term for the West Bank, 'anchors our historical right in the Land of Israel, and constitutes a crushing response to Palestinian terrorism.' Israel has already built well over 100 settlements across the territory that are home to some 500,000 settlers. We'll be bringing you more on this shortly. In other developments: Four people have died as thousands of starving Palestinians burst into a United Nations warehouse in Deir al-Balah in Gaza. Two were fatally crushed and two others died of gunshot wounds, health officials said. It was not immediately clear if Israeli forces, private contractors or others had opened fire. Donald Trump has claimed he warned Israel against attacking Iran because he believed he was very close to a deal on Tehran's nuclear programme. As part of that deal US inspectors will be given unparalleled access to sites to ensure the country is not planning to build a nuclear bomb. Thousands of family members of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza held protests across the country, blocking traffic and calling for a deal securing the release of their loved ones from captivity and an end to the conflict.
