Iran rejected claims of negotiations with the United States after Donald Trump postponed a planned strike, citing “productive” talks. Conflicting accounts emerge as regional tensions escalate and indirect diplomatic efforts continue.

Iran has accused Israel of striking its South Pars gas field, a key energy site, in a major escalation that has heightened tensions across the Gulf and rattled global markets.

Several U.S. allies have refused Donald Trump’s request to deploy warships to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran enters its third week, raising tensions with Washington and fears of prolonged global energy disruption.

Donald Trump says the war in the Middle East could end soon, but Iran’s hardliners are rallying behind new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and vowing to intensify missile strikes as the conflict escalates and global markets swing.

The conflict between the United States and Iran escalated sharply after a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka and NATO intercepted a missile bound for Turkey, widening the war’s reach and rattling global markets as Tehran prepares to name a new supreme leader.

Jimmy Lai, a prominent critic of China and founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following a high-profile national security case. His conviction has ignited global condemnation, raising alarms about Beijing's increasing crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong. Supporters fear for his health as he faces a lengthy prison sentence.

The Trump administration will withdraw about 700 federal immigration enforcement agents from Minnesota, White House border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday, but roughly 2,000 agents will remain. Democratic leaders say the continued deployment is still excessive and are pressing the administration to fully end Operation Metro Surge.

President Trump urged House lawmakers to quickly approve the Senate’s bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package and avoid changes that could prolong a partial government shutdown, as GOP leaders scramble to unify their narrow majority and Democrats resist new policy demands tied to immigration and voting laws.

Apple reported stronger-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results, with revenue rising 16% year over year and iPhone sales surging on robust demand for its latest models. The company also forecast double-digit revenue growth for the current quarter despite ongoing supply constraints.

The planned deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to support security for American delegations at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics has triggered sharp criticism from Italian politicians, unions and local officials, despite assurances that the agents will operate only within U.S. diplomatic facilities.

Gold prices climbed to fresh record highs above $5,100 an ounce as investors sought safety amid rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Strong central bank buying, renewed ETF inflows, and heightened political risk also pushed silver and platinum to all-time highs.

The fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis has intensified tensions between local authorities and the Trump administration, as videos contradict officials’ claims of self-defense and residents protest the federal operation.