Middle East

USS George Washington will replace warship families say suffers from shortages, plumbing problems and low moraleThe USS George Washington aircraft carrier has arrived in the Middle East, where it is expected to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln from its record deployment amid concerns about poor living conditions and morale.US Central Command announced on Thursday that the Washington arrived in the area on Wednesday, and posted an image of sailors working on the flight deck as the ship transited the Arabian Sea. No date has yet been announced for the Lincoln to return to the US. Continue reading...

• Global bond and stock markets experienced significant volatility as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted previous market stability. • Investors reacted to the geopolitical instability, leading to a "jolt" in asset prices as risk appetite declined. • This shift matters because Middle East instability often triggers spikes in energy prices and creates broader economic uncertainty for global investors.

• European stock markets declined on Tuesday as crude oil prices surged due to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. • The market volatility was triggered by fading hopes for a lasting diplomatic agreement between the United States and Iran. • This shift matters as rising energy costs typically increase operational expenses for companies and fuel inflationary pressures across the Eurozone.

• Major European stock indexes closed lower on Monday as investors reacted to escalating military tensions in the Middle East. • Market volatility was driven by reports concerning potential diplomatic or military movements involving Washington and Tehran. • The downturn reflects growing investor anxiety over regional instability and its potential to disrupt global energy supplies and trade.

• The International Banker announced its 2026 Middle East, Asia, and Australasia Awards, recognizing top institutions in retail, commercial, private, and investment banking. • India is targeting funding from overseas Indians in the Middle East, UK, US, Hong Kong, and Singapore, mirroring a 2013 program that raised $34 billion. • Finance Minister Sitharaman is urging state-owned lenders to utilize GIFT City in Gujarat to secure more offshore funding.

Jared Kushner set to meet Netanyahu following talks with HamasJared Kushner meets with Hamas ahead of talks with Netanyahu on GazaWelcome to our live coverage of the latest in the continuing conflicts in the Middle East.Donald Trump’s envoys met with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators in Cairo on Sunday, a diplomatic source said, aiming to advance the US president’s Gaza peace plan, even as Israel pressed on with airstrikes ⁠in the territory.Israel resumed its airstrikes on Gaza in the past few days ‌after scaling back the attacks earlier this month. One of those wounded in the Khan Younis strike died from their wounds, medics at Nasser hospital said later. A separate airstrike, which the Israeli military said targeted another militant, hit an apartment in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, wounding several people, medics said.A senior Israeli official said on Sunday that Israel was concerned about Washington’s demand to end targeted assassinations of Hamas militants in Gaza as the group rebuilds its forces, Reuters reported. Trump’s peace ⁠plan calls for the immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza and foresees Hamas disarming as Israeli troops withdraw from the territory and Gaza is rebuilt.Several regional powers including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday condemned Israel’s rejection of the peace road map, saying the country is obstructing peace efforts.The top US military commander in the Middle East visited the USS Lincoln in the Arabian Sea amid reports of mental health and supply issues onboard. Adm Brad Cooper praised the leadership of the long-deployed aircraft carrier. Continue reading...

• European shares remained subdued on August 13 as investors awaited euro zone employment data and monitored ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. • Maersk shares surged 9.4% after the shipping group beat profit forecasts and raised its full-year guidance for a second time, driven by higher freight rates. • Adyen jumped 16.4% following an increase in its annual revenue growth forecast, while Swissquote plummeted 14% to a one-year low due to weak cryptocurrency income.