Leaders of the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and World Trade Organization met to discuss the economic and energy impacts of the ongoing war in Iran and the wider Middle East. Following the meeting, the institutions issued a joint statement warning that if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz does not return to normal, global oil reserves could be depleted before the northern hemisphere’s summer demand peaks. They cautioned that this would heighten risks to energy security, market stability, and the broader global economy.

The statement also noted that the organizations are exploring ways to strengthen collective support through multilateral and bilateral measures to mitigate the crisis and its economic consequences. In April, the IMF, World Bank, and IEA had announced the formation of a joint team to assist vulnerable economies in managing the crisis.

The institutions’ coordinated approach signals growing concern over the potential escalation of the energy crisis and its ripple effects on global markets and economic stability.

Global crude oil prices fell slightly as optimism grew over a possible extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The decline was limited, with market movements slowing after comments from US Vice President JD Vance, who said that while both countries were close to an understanding, no final agreement had yet been reached.

On Friday, Brent crude for July delivery dropped by 35 cents, or 0.37 percent, to 93.36 dollars per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell by 63 cents, or 0.71 percent, to 88.27 dollars per barrel. Brent crude for August delivery also decreased by 46 cents, or 0.50 percent, to 92.24 dollars per barrel.

The modest price decline reflects cautious market sentiment as traders await confirmation of any formal ceasefire deal between Washington and Tehran, which could influence future oil supply expectations.

Global oil prices increased again following reports of a new US airstrike on an Iranian military base. During Thursday morning trading, prices rose by nearly 2 percent. Brent crude futures climbed by 1.90 dollars, or 2.02 percent, reaching 96.19 dollars per barrel. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose by 1.73 dollars, or 1.95 percent, to 90.41 dollars per barrel.

Analysts attributed the price surge to growing uncertainty in the Middle East, as hopes for a potential agreement between the United States and Iran diminished after the latest strike. The ongoing tension around the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional instability have added to market volatility and contributed to the upward pressure on oil prices.

The situation underscores the sensitivity of global energy markets to geopolitical developments in the Middle East, with traders closely monitoring further actions that could affect supply routes and diplomatic relations.

The United States military has claimed to have shot down four Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports citing unnamed US officials. The officials told Reuters and the Associated Press that the drones were considered a threat to US forces operating in the region. In addition, the US military reportedly carried out a strike on a ground control station in Iran’s Bandar Abbas city, where preparations were underway to launch another drone.

A US official described the actions as measured and entirely defensive, emphasizing that the intent was to maintain a ceasefire. The Associated Press also reported that the US military viewed the drones as posing a direct threat to its personnel. The information was first reported by Al Jazeera, citing US sources.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions in the Gulf region, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, though no further details on potential escalation or diplomatic responses were provided in the reports.

Saudi Arabia and several other countries are set to celebrate Eid al-Adha tomorrow, according to reports published on May 26, 2026. The celebration will take place across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Muslim-majority nations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Tunisia have also confirmed that they will observe the festival on the same day.

Preparations for Eid prayers, animal sacrifices, and public holidays have already been completed in these countries. In addition, many Muslim communities in Europe and North America are expected to celebrate Eid al-Adha tomorrow in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s announcement.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and several South Asian countries are expected to observe the festival a day later. Across the Muslim world, the occasion is being marked with both religious solemnity and festive enthusiasm.

A new study led by Professor Chengshan Wang of the China University of Geosciences has found that rivers originating from the Himalayas are rapidly altering their courses as a result of glacier melt and global warming. The research, published on May 14 in the journal Science, analyzed satellite images from 1980 to 2020 and conducted field observations across several river basins. The findings indicate that warming and glacial retreat are significantly affecting the flow patterns of major Himalayan rivers.

The study examined 1,582 kilometers of river channels and 1,079 river bends, revealing that between 1980 and 2020, the courses of Himalayan rivers changed 33 percent more than before, with unconfined bends showing up to 97 percent change. Researchers observed both cut-offs and avulsions, where rivers abandoned old paths for shorter or entirely new routes. The analysis also found that the rate of temperature increase in the Himalayas was double the global average, intensifying glacier melt and weakening frozen ground along riverbanks.

According to the study, these shifts could heighten the risks of flooding and erosion across the region, affecting millions who depend on these rivers for sustenance and livelihoods.

Foreign ministers from India, Japan, and Australia met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Delhi on Tuesday, seeking to revive the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) amid growing doubts about its relevance. Analysts said the meeting, marked by stiff body language, aimed to agree on a long-delayed leaders’ summit as the alliance struggles to maintain unity under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term. Washington’s military redeployment from the Asia Pacific to the Middle East and Trump’s rapprochement with Chinese President Xi Jinping have raised concerns among Quad members about America’s long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

Analysts from Japan and China told Al Jazeera that the Quad’s cohesion has eroded due to shifting U.S. priorities and a lack of leadership. The alliance, which has no formal treaty or mutual defense commitments, has focused on limited initiatives such as vaccines and supply chains but lacks strategic direction. Beijing now views the Quad as an uneven alignment rather than a unified anti-China coalition.

Japan has responded by increasing its defense budget and strengthening partnerships with other allies, while India and Australia are reassessing their positions amid uncertainty over Washington’s reliability.

A new study reported by the BBC reveals that Earth's days are gradually becoming longer as climate change causes polar ice and glaciers to melt, redistributing mass toward the equator and slowing the planet’s rotation. The change is extremely small—measured in fractions of milliseconds—but scientists describe the underlying force as immense and unmatched in millions of years. Researchers from the University of Vienna and ETH Zurich analyzed geological records to determine whether such rapid changes had occurred before.

The team examined fossilized shells of benthic foraminifera from the ocean floor, which preserve ancient sea-level data, and used a custom machine learning algorithm to refine records dating back 3.6 million years. They found that the current rate of lengthening, about 1.33 milliseconds per century, is unique in the geological record. The study attributes this to roughly 1,000 gigatons of mass shifting from polar regions to the oceans.

Scientists warn that if greenhouse gas emissions remain high, climate change could become the dominant factor affecting Earth's day length by the end of this century.

Oil prices fell sharply on Monday as uncertainty grew around a potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran. A senior US official said final approval for the deal to end ongoing hostilities could take several more days. Brent crude dropped more than five percent to about 95 dollars per barrel, though prices remain roughly 30 percent higher than before the conflict began.

US and Iranian officials issued conflicting statements about the progress of the talks. Both sides indicated that a deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas shipments currently restricted by Iran. Analysts view the possible agreement as a political opportunity for President Donald Trump to distance himself from a long-unpopular war, though key issues such as Iran’s nuclear program may remain unresolved.

Regional tensions persist, with Israeli politicians warning the deal might fail to limit Iran’s nuclear capacity, and clashes continuing between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s leaders, acting as mediators, visited China for talks with President Xi Jinping, underscoring Beijing’s stake as Iran’s largest oil buyer.

A recent report highlights that the United States tops global meat consumption, with 97 percent of Americans eating meat regularly, followed by Lithuania and Brazil at 96 percent. In contrast, Bangladesh ranks near the bottom, with the second-lowest per capita meat consumption worldwide. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Bangladeshis consume only 0.9 kilograms of beef and 1.36 kilograms of poultry per person annually, most of it during religious festivals.

The report notes that global meat production has increased fivefold since the 1960s, driven by population and income growth. Wealthier nations tend to consume more meat, while poorer countries treat it as a luxury. In Africa, countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania also record low consumption levels. Meanwhile, middle-income countries like China and Brazil have seen sharp increases in meat demand alongside economic growth.

Despite growing awareness campaigns promoting reduced meat intake, data from the United States and Europe show that overall consumption remains steady or slightly rising, though consumers are shifting from red meat to poultry for health and environmental reasons.

Two liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers have crossed the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz en route to Pakistan and China, according to a Reuters report citing maritime tracking data. The Bahamas-flagged LNG tanker 'Fuwairit' is currently passing through the strait and is scheduled to unload its cargo in Pakistan by Tuesday. The vessel had loaded LNG at Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal in March.

Reuters further reported that another LNG tanker, 'Al Rayyan', also successfully crossed the same maritime route. After loading LNG from Ras Laffan, the ship was last seen in the Persian Gulf on May 22 and is now located beyond the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran. It is expected to reach China by June 27.

The report, based on data from Kepler and LSEG, highlights the continued flow of Qatari LNG shipments through one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

Global oil prices declined sharply after signs emerged that the Iran war might be nearing an end. Brent crude, the key international benchmark, dropped about 5 percent on Sunday. By early Monday, July futures for Brent fell to 98.47 dollars per barrel, nearly 9 percent lower than a month earlier, though still more than one-third higher than before the conflict began.

Japan’s main stock index, the Nikkei 225, rose more than 3 percent in early Monday trading, setting a new record after also closing at a record high on Friday. On Sunday, former U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that discussions with Tehran were progressing in a disciplined and constructive manner but instructed officials not to rush into any agreement.

According to June Goh, a senior oil market analyst at Singapore-based Sparta, the fundamental situation has not changed significantly, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to block the supply of 10 to 11 million barrels of crude oil per day.

Analysts suggest that the current Russia-Iran partnership, often described as a strategic alliance, is facing serious strain amid the ongoing Ukraine war and the Iran–United States–Israel crisis. Despite years of cooperation in defense, energy, and nuclear projects, the relationship is being tested as Moscow’s priorities shift and Tehran faces increasing regional pressure.

Historically, relations between the two nations have been marked by mistrust and conflict, dating back to the 19th century when Russia expanded into Persian territories. After the Soviet collapse, Moscow sought to maintain influence in the Middle East by supporting Iran diplomatically and economically, including through major nuclear and energy deals. The two countries also cooperated in Syria and within the BRICS Plus framework, aligning against U.S. influence.

Recent developments, including Russia’s limited response to attacks on Iran and its exclusion from current peace mediation efforts, have raised doubts about the alliance’s durability. Some experts believe Moscow might trade its partnership with Tehran for concessions from Washington over Ukraine, signaling a potential weakening of the Russia-Iran axis.

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a surge in demand for cybersecurity professionals worldwide, even as other technology sectors face layoffs. Companies are offering lucrative salary packages worth millions of dollars to attract qualified candidates capable of preventing AI misuse and protecting sensitive data. Executive talent firm Heidrick & Struggles reports that requests for cybersecurity executives have increased dramatically, while job listings in the field rose 11 percent in the first quarter compared to last year.

Recruiters such as Hich Partners say demand for security executives has grown five to seven times since last fall, forcing them to turn away clients due to a shortage of qualified candidates. Experts warn that AI-assisted coding can introduce software bugs, and advanced AI models like Anthropic’s “Mythos” and OpenAI’s “GPT-5.4-Cyber” may expose vulnerabilities that heighten cyberattack risks. LinkedIn’s Chief Information Security Officer Lee Kisner described the situation as a “software bug catastrophe.”

While cybersecurity hiring is booming, the overall tech industry continues to shed jobs as major firms including Meta, Amazon, Stripe, Snap, and Block cut thousands of positions to fund AI investments.

Anthropic has released an initial update on Project Glasswing, its joint initiative with around 50 partners to secure critical global software systems before advanced AI models can be misused against them. Using the Claude Mythos Preview model, participants have identified more than 10,000 high- or critical-severity vulnerabilities across essential software platforms. Partners such as Cloudflare, Mozilla, and Oracle reported major increases in bug detection and patching speed, while external testers confirmed Mythos Preview’s superior performance on multiple cybersecurity benchmarks.

Anthropic also used Mythos Preview to scan over 1,000 open-source projects, uncovering more than 6,000 high- or critical-severity vulnerabilities, with independent verification confirming over 90% as valid. The company noted that the main challenge now lies in verifying and patching the large number of vulnerabilities, as human triage and disclosure processes lag behind AI discovery rates. Some maintainers have requested slower disclosure to manage patch workloads.

To support defenders, Anthropic has launched tools such as Claude Security and the Cyber Verification Program, and partnered with the Open Source Security Foundation to help maintainers process reports. The company emphasized that Mythos-class models will not be publicly released until stronger safeguards are developed.