Conflict

I gruppi affermano che il giudice della Corte Suprema, proprietario di azioni di società petrolifere, potrebbe violare i codici etici partecipando a determinati casi.Secondo diversi gruppi di vigilanza governativa, il giudice della Corte Suprema Samuel Alito, che possiede azioni di compagnie petrolifere, potrebbe violare i codici etici della corte partecipando a determinati casi che potrebbero avvantaggiare le grandi compagnie petrolifere.In una lettera inviata giovedì, una coalizione di organizzazioni di vigilanza ha chiesto al comitato giudiziario del Senato di indagare su Alito, l'unico giudice della Corte Suprema a detenere partecipazioni in società energetiche. Continua a leggere...

I commenti del presidente cinese sono stati pubblicati dopo un incontro di due ore con Trump. In più, Stacey Abrams spiega perché lo smantellamento del Voting Rights Act sia l'«incarnazione del male»

• Il conflitto in corso in Medio Oriente ha fatto aumentare i prezzi del petrolio, che secondo l'analisi di Deloitte dovrebbero rallentare la crescita economica degli Stati Uniti rispetto a uno scenario di riferimento senza conflitti. • Nonostante le pressioni derivanti dagli elevati costi energetici, è improbabile che le imprese statunitensi riducano materialmente i piani di investimento, grazie alla crescita resiliente dei settori dell'AI e della tecnologia. • I prezzi più alti del petrolio influiranno sui consumatori statunitensi attraverso l'aumento dei costi, sebbene la più ampia resilienza economica derivante dagli investimenti in AI possa mitigare alcuni impatti.

• Il Presidente Trump è partito martedì 12 maggio 2026 per una visita di Stato di due giorni in Cina, dopo che il viaggio era stato inizialmente rimandato a causa dell'ongoing war tra Stati Uniti e Iran. • L'itinerario prevede una cerimonia di benvenuto, due incontri bilaterali con il Presidente Xi Jinping, un banchetto di Stato, un tour del Tempio del Cielo e una sessione di tè in meno di 48 ore. • La visita sottolinea il continuo impegno tra Stati Uniti e Cina, segnando il primo di quattro incontri previsti tra Trump e Xi per quest'anno, inclusa la visita di Stato di Xi negli Stati Uniti in autunno.

I 32,3 milioni superano per la prima volta i numeri causati dai disastri, con un totale di 82,2 milioni di persone sfollate in tutto il mondo Il numero di spostamenti interni innescati da conflitti o violenze in tutto il mondo ha raggiunto un massimo storico nel 2025, superando per la prima volta il numero di sfollamenti interni causati da disastri. Un rapporto pubblicato dall'Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) mostra che entro la fine del 2025 ci sono stati 32,3 milioni di spostamenti interni dovuti a conflitti. Si tratta di un dato superiore del 60% rispetto a quello registrato l'anno precedente e – per la prima volta since l'inizio della raccolta dei dati nel 2008 – superiore agli spostamenti causati da disastri naturali, che hanno raggiunto i 29,9 milioni nel 2025. Continua a leggere...

• China's UN Permanent Representative Fu Cong highlighted how the conflict in Sudan and instability in South Sudan are impeding the Abyei area's political process. • The ground situation remains grim on security and humanitarian fronts in both nations, exacerbating delays in negotiations. • This stall threatens long-term stability in the region, affecting US interests in countering instability and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa.

Experts warn of ‘soft target’ vulnerabilities and intelligence gaps as federal agencies prepare to secure 78 matches across 11 citiesFifa World Cup matches set to be held across the United States face heightened terrorism risks, with experts warning that vulnerabilities are being amplified by the US-Israel conflict with Iran and a depletion of counter-terrorism expertise within federal law enforcement.The biggest threat stems from homegrown violent extremists, often lone actors that may have become radicalized online by extreme political views or jihadists such as the Islamic State (Isis), said four counter-terror experts interviewed. Continue reading...

Saudi Arabia’s state oil company’s profits up 26% to £26.9bn in first three months of yearBusiness live – latest updatesSaudi Arabia’s state oil company reported a 26% jump in profits in its first quarter as its east-west pipeline allowed it to ship millions of barrels of oil out of the Gulf despite conflict in the Middle East.Profits at Saudi Aramco hit $33.6bn (£26.9bn) in the first three months of the year, while revenue rose nearly 7% compared with a year earlier to $115.5bn. Continue reading...

• Singapore has completed a comprehensive review of its political salary framework but deferred any final decision citing impacts from the ongoing Middle East conflict. • The announcement was made by Minister Chan Chun Sing, highlighting caution amid global economic uncertainties affecting the city-state's finances. • This deferral reflects Singapore's policy of linking political remuneration to economic performance and national circumstances during crises.

• India's manufacturing PMI increased to 54.7 in April from 53.9 in March, indicating continued expansion in the sector despite external headwinds. • The uptick reflects strong demand and production growth, though inflationary pressures have intensified due to ongoing Middle East geopolitical tensions affecting commodity prices. • A PMI above 50 signals economic expansion, and the improvement suggests Indian manufacturers are maintaining resilience in production activity and order books.

• National average gasoline prices surged to historic highs on May 3, 2026, amid the ongoing Iran war and disruptions in key oil routes like the Strait of Hormuz. • The spike in fuel and grocery prices is hammering American pocketbooks, contributing to President Trump's declining poll numbers. • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the U.S. economic blockade is suffocating Iran's regime, costing it $435 million in daily economic activity.

• Israel reportedly deployed its cutting-edge Iron Beam laser system to the United Arab Emirates during the Iran conflict, designed to destroy incoming drones and rockets mid-air despite the prototype not being fully integrated into Israel's own defense network. • The advanced laser weapon was rushed into combat alongside an advanced surveillance system that detected incoming Iranian drones, signaling deepening military cooperation between Israel and the UAE. • The deployment highlights the Abraham Accords alliance and raises questions about real-world testing of next-generation weapons systems during active Middle East conflicts.

Rise of 3% in April, the fastest annual pace in 11 months, leaves typical property worth £278,880, says NationwideBusiness live – latest updatesHouse price growth in the UK has surprised estate agents and economists by jumping in April at the fastest annual pace in 11 months, according to Nationwide.The UK’s biggest building society said its mortgage data showed that house prices unexpectedly rose by 3% in April on a year earlier, from 2.2% in March, leaving the typical UK property worth £278,880. Continue reading...

• House Democrats skeptically questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the first time since the Iran war began, pressing on strategy and costs during an April 29 hearing. • One Democrat accused Hegseth of partisanship, quoting his prior statements back at him in a heated exchange. • The confrontation highlights partisan divides over the war's economic toll and Trump's foreign policy amid plunging approval ratings.

• The United Arab Emirates withdrew from OPEC yesterday, marking a historic split from Saudi Arabia during the escalating regional crisis. • This decision coincides with the Strait of Hormuz being almost entirely shut down due to a US naval blockade aimed at halting Iranian oil exports. • The US is threatening to cut off major Chinese banks from its financial system to prevent processing of Iranian oil, intensifying global energy tensions.

The Israeli military began carrying out strikes in eastern Lebanon on Monday, expanding the scope of its bombing campaign during a ceasefire that has failed to fully halt hostilities with Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

• UN International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that the blockading of ships in the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran conflict has turned international shipping and seafarers into leverage in geopolitical disputes. • The crisis highlights how vessels and crews, not involved in the conflict, are being caught up in hostilities between the United States and Iran, disrupting global trade routes. • This development underscores critical weaknesses in global shipping networks, potentially leading to supply chain disruptions, higher costs, and risks to maritime security worldwide.

• The International Criminal Court announced Friday the issuance of an arrest warrant for General Ahmed Hassan al-Madibbo, a prominent Sudan Armed Forces commander, citing evidence of war crimes including extrajudicial killings and enforced displacement in Darfur since April 2023. • ICC prosecutors presented evidence of at least 127 documented extrajudicial executions of civilians and systematic attacks on refugee camps housing over 2 million displaced persons, with al-Madibbo alleged to have direct command responsibility. • Sudan's military government rejected the warrant and accused the ICC of bias toward the Rapid Support Forces militia; the announcement intensified international pressure on Khartoum to cooperate with the court's investigations.

• U.S. lawmakers and foreign policy analysts have reached bipartisan consensus that Russia and Iran have formed a "transformational" military alliance that extends far beyond diplomatic convenience, fundamentally reshaping conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. • The alliance involves weapons transfers, intelligence sharing, and sanctions-evasion tactics, with experts describing the relationship's trajectory as shifting "from turbulent to transactional to transformational" following Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. • Senator Tom Tillis emphasized the lethal implications for American personnel, stating that intelligence and satellite data sharing between Moscow and Tehran directly endangers U.S. service members deployed globally.

• US military missile inventories, including Tomahawks, Patriots, and THAAD interceptors, are depleting faster than production rates amid the Iran war launched February 28, 2026. • President Trump extended the Iran truce, prompting questions on whether it's a diplomatic move or a pause to resupply amid sustainability concerns. • The conflict, triggered by US-Israeli airstrikes killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has led to Iranian retaliation and Strait of Hormuz closure, disrupting global oil supplies.

• The United Nations reported that renewed fighting in South Sudan has displaced over 500,000 people in the past month, creating a humanitarian emergency affecting food security across the region. • The World Food Programme warned that without immediate intervention, famine conditions could emerge within 60 days, affecting approximately 8 million people across South Sudan and neighboring countries. • The US has committed an additional $150 million in humanitarian assistance, but aid organizations stress that security challenges continue to impede delivery of food and medical supplies to affected populations.

• US stocks demonstrated resilience amid Iran geopolitical tensions and high energy prices, with the S&P 500 up nearly 2% year-to-date by April 14, just 1% below its January 27 all-time high. • The index's maximum drawdown stayed under 10%, cushioned by forward earnings estimates growing at a 17% annual rate despite a 20% drop in P/E ratios. • S&P 500 profit margins hit new highs around 15% in early April, driven by broad fundamentals including AI and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act effects, not just energy sector gains.

• The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire contingent on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, prompting President Donald Trump to withdraw threats of devastating strikes. • Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed acceptance of the ceasefire and announced negotiations with the US will commence in Pakistan on Friday. • The deal follows US strikes on over ninety targets on Kharg Island, described by officials as 'restrikes' to further damage prior sites, amid heightened tensions.

• Brent crude oil settled 4.7% higher at $99.39 per barrel on April 16 amid caution over Iran war. • Prices have risen from $70 pre-war to peaks near $119 due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions. • The climb tempers market optimism, highlighting persistent energy supply risks.

• IMF lowered its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1% from 3.3% due to US-Iran conflict impacts. • The cut assumes contained conflict with 19% energy price rise, but escalation could drop growth to 2%. • 2027 outlook held at 3.2%, with effects expected to ease by mid-2026.

• The Pentagon is reportedly reaching out to civilian manufacturers including Ford and General Motors to boost weapons production, as years of supplying Ukraine followed by sustained Middle East operations have allegedly drained critical missile stockpiles. • Reports suggest the US military is facing a deepening munitions crisis affecting high-tech systems like THAAD and Tomahawk missiles, raising questions about industrial capacity to meet demand. • The growing focus on weapons production and ceasefire negotiations has sparked debate about whether diplomatic efforts are being driven by strategy or by supply constraints.

A top UN official has criticised lack of global urgency as reports confirm the world’s largest humanitarian crisis is worseningEfforts to end Sudan’s catastrophic war have been criticised as “unacceptable” by the country’s top UN official as a series of new reports confirm that the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis is worsening.Speaking to the Guardian on the eve of the third anniversary of the war, Denise Brown expressed her concern over the apparent lack of political urgency to end a conflict that has forced 14 million Sudanese to flee their homes. Tens of thousands of people are missing. Continue reading...

• The UN's top aid official has warned that Sudan's humanitarian crisis is being abandoned as the war between rival militaries enters its fourth year, with attacks intensifying and humanitarian access shrinking following a deadly airstrike on a funeral gathering in West Kordofan. • Civilians caught in the conflict face mounting dangers as the situation deteriorates, with the UN condemning the escalating violence and calling for renewed international attention to the neglected crisis. • The warnings come as the global community grapples with multiple concurrent conflicts, raising concerns about resource allocation and diplomatic focus on overlooked humanitarian emergencies.