Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
China Expands Nuclear Defense Network in Remote Desert 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
US Southern Command Chief Holds Rare Military Meeting With Cuban Officials at Guantanamo Bay 
US Tightens Ebola Controls as Congo Outbreak Sparks Global Concern 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
US and Iran Near Nuclear Deal as Ceasefire Extension Awaits Trump Approval 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
U.S. Reinstates Sanctions on U.N. Expert Francesca Albanese Amid Legal Battle 
Trump Nears Decision on Iran Ceasefire Extension as Key Disputes Remain 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Netanyahu Gaza Expansion Plan Sparks Hamas Condemnation and International Concern 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Western nations have intensified pressure on Russia’s oil exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, with U.S. President Donald Trump asserting that India will cease buying Russian crude and Britain imposing sweeping sanctions on major Russian and Chinese energy firms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to meet Trump in Washington on Friday to seek greater military and energy support as both Kyiv and Moscow escalate attacks on critical energy infrastructure.
India, one of Russia’s top oil buyers alongside China, is reportedly preparing to scale back its imports, though officials say no formal directive has been issued. According to trade data, Russia currently supplies about 36% of India’s oil—roughly 1.75 million barrels per day. However, traders anticipate a gradual decline in purchases starting December, following U.S. pressure and ongoing trade negotiations that have already seen Washington double tariffs on Indian goods.
Trump told reporters that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would stop purchasing Russian oil, calling it “a big step” and adding that the U.S. would next urge China to do the same. Yet, India’s foreign ministry denied knowledge of any such conversation, emphasizing continued discussions on energy cooperation with the United States.
Meanwhile, Britain announced sanctions on Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft, as well as Chinese firms Shandong Yulong Petrochemical and several port operators linked to Russian energy imports. The sanctions also target 51 ships, including LNG tankers and Russia-owned refinery Nayara in India. Moscow’s embassy in London condemned the sanctions, warning they would destabilize global markets without altering Russia’s policies.
Despite international restrictions, Russian officials remain confident. President Vladimir Putin said oil output would only dip slightly this year, while Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak reaffirmed ongoing cooperation with India.
