Oil prices rise amid Middle East tensions
via Le Matin1 min read
Oil prices have increased following renewed tensions in the Middle East. The American benchmark, West Texas Intermediate WTI, surged by 7.39% to $90.05 per barrel, while Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose by 6.06% to $95.86. This uptick follows a period of optimism last week regarding potential diplomatic de-escalation between Washington and Tehran, which had temporarily eased oil markets. However, this optimism faded after US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the US Navy had fired upon and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. The President also stated that a US delegation would travel to Pakistan on Monday to restart negotiations with Iran, offering a "reasonable deal." He warned that if Tehran refused, "the United States will destroy all power plants and all bridges in Iran." Despite the rise in energy prices, Asian stock markets remained largely positive. Tokyo's Nikkei index gained 0.80% to 58,951 points, and the Topix advanced by 0.65%. In Seoul, the Kospi increased by 0.52%, though Sydney's market declined by 0.40%. On the foreign exchange market, the dollar strengthened by 0.19% against the yen, reaching 158.96 yen per dollar. Gold, typically sought during uncertain times, fell by 1.45% to $4,762 per ounce.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Qatar's civil aviation authority has announced the gradual resumption of operations for foreign airlines in the country. This decision follows a thorough assessment of the situation, with the authority emphasizing that the safety and security of all remain its top priority. The Gulf nation had closed its airspace after the start of the Israeli-American offensive against Iran on February 28, which was followed by retaliatory attacks by Tehran against its neighbors. A partial reopening occurred on March 7, limited to Qatar Airways. A truce between Washington and Tehran came into effect on April 8, and Iran has since ceased its strikes on the Gulf region.
BreakingA magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck northeast Japan at 4:53 PM local time, at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency JMA. The tremor registered a "5 upper" on Japan's 7-level seismic scale. The JMA issued a warning for tsunami waves up to three meters that could rapidly impact the coasts of Hokkaido and Iwate prefectures. Japanese media reported that a tsunami was subsequently observed off the coasts of Iwate and Aomori prefectures. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were available. Kyodo News stated that Shinkansen high-speed train services between Tokyo and Aomori were preventively suspended for infrastructure inspections. Operators confirmed no anomalies at nuclear power plants in Aomori and Miyagi prefectures. Japan, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent strong earthquakes and possesses one of the world's most advanced seismic and tsunami warning systems.
Al Barid Bank is addressing online speculation about a potential data leak, with information reportedly circulating on the dark web. The bank's technical teams identified these publications and initiated internal analyses. Initial findings indicate that the data in question is not critical and does not allow access to customer accounts or the use of their bank cards. The bank asserts that no compromise of sensitive systems or payment methods has occurred, and customer accounts and bank cards remain fully secure. While early assessments suggest no major breach, specialized teams are continuing investigations to determine the origin and nature of the data. This process aims to verify the authenticity of the disseminated information and ensure no vulnerabilities were exploited, aligning with standard cybersecurity incident management protocols. Al Barid Bank's swift communication seeks to reassure clients, emphasizing that data and operational security is a top priority.
BreakingPresident Trump announced on Truth Social that the US Navy fired upon and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship, Touska, in the Gulf of Oman. Trump stated that the nearly 275-meter-long vessel attempted to breach a naval blockade. The USS SPRUANCE, a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, intercepted the Touska and issued a "clear warning" to stop. When the Iranian crew refused to comply, the warship reportedly stopped the Touska by creating a hole in its engine room. The US Navy has since taken control of the ship, which is subject to US Treasury sanctions due to its activities. This incident follows reports from US media on Saturday that the US military was preparing to board and seize Iranian-linked oil tankers and commercial vessels in international waters. On Sunday, Trump also announced that a US delegation would travel to Pakistan on Monday to restart negotiations with Iran, offering a "reasonable deal" but threatening to destroy all power plants and bridges in Iran if Tehran refuses.