Author: wpusername7852

A U.S. blockade and conflict in the Strait of Hormuz have stranded Gulf aluminum shipments and driven prices to a four-year high, exposing global supply vulnerabilities and deepening trade strain.

Japan endorsed scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports, a significant change of its postwar pacifist policy, as the country seeks to build up its arms industry.

There were landslides, flash floods and the closure of more than 100 schools in Wellington and the surrounding region.

The dispute over working conditions and hours is expected to cause widespread delays, stopping service on two lines.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reversed limits on arms exports as Japan faces rising threats from China and unpredictability from its main ally, the United States.

The Navy destroyers enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports carry weapons fielded after an American warship was attacked and nearly sunk more than 25 years ago.

Vice President JD Vance was set to return to Islamabad, the officials said, as the end of the U.S.-Iran cease-fire drew near. Iran has not said whether its negotiators will attend.

This clears the way for Japan to sell weapons to more than a dozen countries.

Tube drivers in the RMT union are taking part in two 24-hour walkouts this week.

Most analysts had predicted the rate would remain unchanged at 5.2%.