Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Oil prices inched up on Monday, supported by mounting geopolitical risks in Europe and the Middle East, though expectations of increased supply and concerns over global demand limited gains.
Brent crude futures rose 0.42% to $66.96 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.32% to $62.88 by 0118 GMT. Analysts noted that reports of Russia threatening action near the Polish border renewed fears over European energy security. Over the weekend, Poland deployed allied aircraft after Russian airstrikes targeted areas close to its border. NATO also reported that Russian jets violated Estonian airspace, while Germany confirmed a Russian military plane entered neutral Baltic Sea airspace. The United Nations Security Council is set to discuss Estonia’s complaint later Monday.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified drone strikes on Russia’s energy facilities, disrupting terminals and refineries. Adding pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump urged the European Union to halt Russian oil and gas imports.
In the Middle East, four Western nations officially recognized a Palestinian state, sparking sharp criticism from Israel and fueling concerns over stability in the oil-rich region.
Despite the geopolitical uncertainty, oil prices posted weekly declines, with Brent and WTI falling more than 1% on Friday. Market sentiment was weighed down by expectations of higher output from the U.S., OPEC+, and Russia, alongside worries about slowing demand amid trade tariff concerns.
Iraq has already boosted exports, averaging 3.38 million barrels per day (bpd) in August. According to state oil marketer SOMO, September shipments are expected to climb to 3.4–3.45 million bpd as the country unwinds voluntary OPEC+ cuts.
While fears of supply disruptions continue to support prices, the balance between rising production and uncertain demand will likely shape the crude oil market in the coming weeks.
