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West Asia crisis makes notebooks dearer as schools reopen
The ongoing West Asia crisis, which has pushed up transportation and raw material costs, has led to an increase in notebook prices
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The ongoing West Asia crisis, which has pushed up transportation and raw material costs, has led to an increase in notebook prices
For nearly a decade, India's carmakers chased the sport utility vehicle (SUV) dream.Higher margins, aspirational buyers and a growing appetite for larger vehicles pushed manufacturers to flood showrooms with sport utility vehicles and compact SUVs, steadily relegating hatchbacks โ once the backbone of India's passenger vehicle market โ to the sidelines.Also Read: Tata Motors PV launches next-gen Tiago from Rs 4.69 lakh, Tiago.ev from Rs 6.99 lakh with lifetime battery warrantyThe strategy worked. Utility vehicles now account for well over half of all passenger vehicle sales in India and contributed nearly two-thirds of the 4.3 million vehicles sold in FY25.But as economic pressures mount, vehicle prices climb and first-time buyers struggle to enter the market, India's biggest automakers are beginning to acknowledge a reality they may have overlooked: the country's next wave of growth could come from the very segment they left behind.From Maruti Suzuki's renewed commitment to entry-level cars to Tata Motors' ambitious reinvention of the Tiago, hatchbacks are once again finding themselves at the centre of boardroom conversations.Also Read: Small cars strike back: Maruti Suzuki bets on mass mobility while costs squeeze fourth quarter profitsAnd this time, carmakers are betting that small cars no longer have to feel small.The forgotten customerThe shift is being driven by a growing recognition that India's passenger vehicle market cannot rely indefinitely on premiumisation.While SUVs have transformed the industry's revenue mix, they have also pushed average vehicle prices steadily higher, making car ownership increasingly difficult for millions of households.Maruti Suzuki Chairman R. C. Bhargava recently signalled the company's intent to rebalance its portfolio."We are planning to develop both small cars and SUVs. The small car market is growing. India is a country where small cars have a long-term future," Bhargava said.The comments mark a notable shift in tone from an industry that spent years focusing on larger and more expensive vehicles.For Maruti, which built its dominance on models such as the Alto, WagonR and Swift, the renewed emphasis reflects confidence that affordability will remain central to India's mobility story."A large part of the populationโฆ need small cars" for basic mobility, Bhargava said.Industry analysts say the opportunity remains substantial."In the small cars segment, there is a much bigger conversion pool that carmakers can navigate. Hence, there is this renewed push towards small cars and that segment," said Hemal Thakkar, Senior Director, Crisil Intelligence."India is a price sensitive market and hence, small cars will stay and customers are looking for upgrades within vehicles. If carmakers can provide small cars with new features and upgrades, then there will be more customers for the small car space," he added.Making hatchbacks aspirational againIf Maruti is signalling a strategic return to small cars, Tata Motors is attempting something more ambitious โ making hatchbacks desirable again.The company this week unveiled the next-generation Tiago and Tiago.ev, positioning them as technology-rich products aimed at reviving a segment many in the industry had effectively written off."Hatchbacks remain the gateway to personal mobility for millions of Indian families and yet, for far too long, this segment received scarce attention from the industry, when it genuinely deserved far more," said Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director and CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles.Calling the new Tiago "not an evolution but a full reinvention", Chandra said the vehicle brings substantially upgraded design, connected technologies and safety features that were once largely reserved for more expensive categories.The next-generation Tiago gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless smartphone connectivity, a dual-screen dashboard, wireless charging and a segment-first 360-degree surround-view camera."The feeling of wow shouldn't be reserved for expensive cars," Chandra said."Today hatchback customers want far more than mobility, they want design, tech, safety and pride of ownership. A car they want to flaunt."The company has also positioned the Tiago.ev as an affordable electric mobility option, offering a lifetime battery warranty and fast-charging capability that can add up to 100 kilometres of range in 18 minutes."Tiago will make EV more accessible," Chandra said.Why affordability is back in focusThe renewed interest in hatchbacks comes as affordability re-emerges as a key concern across the industry.Vehicle prices have risen sharply in recent years because of stricter regulations, higher commodity costs and the addition of new safety and technology features.That has increasingly pushed first-time buyers out of the market.According to Srikumar Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice President and Co-Group Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA Limited, hatchbacks continue to play a critical role in expanding the customer base."Hatchbacks remain a preferred segment, particularly for first-time buyers and households seeking a second vehicle, as affordability and comfort are key purchase considerations," he said."From an original equipment perspective, a presence across segments also helps improve reach, especially in Tier 2/3 cities."Krishnamurthy added that rising vehicle costs are forcing manufacturers to revisit their entry-level offerings."With input costs rising and vehicle prices expected to increase further, affordability is becoming even more important, especially in the mass-market segment. In response, OEs are looking to reposition entry-level hatchbacks and compact SUVs through new launches and refreshed variants that offer a stronger value proposition to consumers."Beyond SUVsThe industry's renewed focus on hatchbacks does not mean SUVs are going away.Far from it.Utility vehicles remain India's dominant passenger vehicle category and continue to drive growth and profitability for manufacturers.What is changing, however, is the recognition that growth cannot come solely from moving customers up the value chain.To sustain volumes, carmakers need to bring new buyers into the market.That is especially important as India adds millions of young consumers entering the workforce, many of whom are seeking their first personal vehicle but remain highly sensitive to price.Affordable electric hatchbacks could further strengthen the segment's appeal in coming years."Affordable EV hatchbacks could become an attractive proposition as charging infrastructure improves, range-anxiety concerns ease, and the financing environment becomes more supportive," Krishnamurthy said.For much of the past decade, India's hatchbacks were treated as yesterday's story while SUVs became the industry's obsession.Now, as automakers search for their next growth engine, the segment that once put millions of Indians behind the wheel is beginning to look relevant again.The future of India's auto market may still be taller, bolder and SUV-shaped. But increasingly, carmakers are recognising that the road to scale may once again begin with a hatchback.
The UN food agency said millions of people are being pushed into acute hunger by the Iran war.
Hours after portfolio allocations, the new Karnataka government has hit a massive wall. Veteran Bangalore strongman Ramalinga Reddy has resigned, senior Dalit face K.H. Muniappa is in open revolt, and D.K. Shivakumarโs biggest nightmare is coming alive. In this deep-dive analysis, we break down the brewing storm in Vidhana Soudha.
Russia has publicly acknowledged a dip in oil production due to unscheduled refinery repairs, marking the first such admission. This comes amid intensified Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure, which have disrupted operations and pushed Moscow to increase crude exports. Despite these challenges, Russia aims to maximize exports and restore previous production levels.
America has days to secure a peace deal with Iran or risk recession. Stalled talks and rising oil prices have pushed the US economy to a critical point. If gas prices reach five dollars per gallon, consumer spending could collapse. Energy analysts warn that time is running out for President Trump to find a solution.
Shares of InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of IndiGo, fell more than 1% to their day's low of Rs 4,425 on the BSE on Wednesday after it suspended flights to and from Manchester from August 31, as prolonged airspace restrictions and rising operational expenses continue to weigh on long-haul services.The airline said the temporary suspension will lead to the return of one of the six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft leased from Norse Atlantic Airways, which were brought in to support its long-haul international expansion plans.In a statement issued on Tuesday, IndiGo said ongoing international airspace constraints have significantly increased flight durations, while a difficult cost environment has made operations on the route increasingly challenging. As a result, services between India and Manchester will be paused from August 31, 2026.The carrier had inducted six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on damp lease from Norse Atlantic Airways in early 2025 as part of its strategy to accelerate entry into European markets before the arrival of its own Airbus A350 aircraft. The Manchester service was among the first long-haul routes launched under this initiative.According to the airline, a combination of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, elevated aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, severe airspace restrictions and currency volatility pushed operating costs well above original expectations.Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Revenue Management at IndiGo, said the route had received a strong response from passengers despite the operational difficulties."We inducted these wide-body aircraft on a short-term basis to fast-track our connectivity to high-potential long-haul destinations such as Manchester and witnessed very encouraging demand response," Dasgupta said."Unfortunately, longer flying times due to airspace constraints coupled with dramatically escalating costs compelled us to take the decision to temporarily discontinue our India-Manchester services," he added.The airline stressed that the suspension is only temporary and reaffirmed its commitment to growing its long-haul international network. Dasgupta said the positive customer response had strengthened IndiGo's confidence in the long-term viability of the Manchester route and its wider international expansion plans.IndiGo also said affected passengers will be notified in advance and assisted with alternative travel options or refunds, wherever applicable. The airline clarified that all of its other long-haul international services will continue to operate as scheduled.IndiGo Q4 snapshotIndiaโs leading airline by market share reported a net loss of Rs 2,536 crore for the fourth quarter of FY26, compared with a net profit of Rs 3,067 crore in the corresponding period last year. Revenue from operations, however, edged up 1% year-on-year to Rs 22,438 crore.The airline said its operational performance during the quarter was affected by disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), increased 3.4% year-on-year to 43.6 billion. IndiGo shares have fallen 20% in the last six months and about 17% in the last 1 year. Sensex, Nifty today: Catch all the LIVE stock market action here (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
It was due to reopen in early July, but this date has been pushed back as authorities put in place key systems to add at least eight flights an hour.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai is reportedly looking to part ways with the party amid growing differences over alliance politics and long-term growth strategy in the state.According to reports, Annamalai has pushed for a stronger Tamil identity-driven political approach and grassroots organisational expansion, while sections within the BJP leadership are believed to favour quicker electoral gains through alliance strategies.The developments have intensified speculation over Annamalaiโs political future and could have major implications for Tamil Naduโs evolving political landscape ahead of upcoming elections. Watch the full report for all the latest updates and political analysis. -speakn18oc_indian18oc_politicsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
How a forged signature row pushed Trinamool to brink of split
Foreign portfolio investors continued their exit from Indian equities in May, withdrawing Rs 32,963 crore due to concerns over earnings growth and a weakening rupee. This outflow has pushed cumulative FPI withdrawals in 2026 to Rs 2.25 lakh crore, surpassing the entire previous year's figure. While selling intensity has eased, a turnaround in flows is unlikely without significant macroeconomic improvement.
Israeli officials say Netanyahu has pushed for strikes on Iran's oil facilities.
India needs to remain watchful on the inflation front as rising fuel prices, a weakening rupee and the risk of a below-normal monsoon threaten to rekindle price pressures, the finance ministry said just days before the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy decision.In its monthly economic review for May, the Department of Economic Affairs said the economy remains "cautiously resilient", with domestic fundamentals largely holding up despite growing global and domestic uncertainties.Also Read: RBI to hold rates in June; majority now expect hike by year-end: Poll"The confluence of elevated global energy prices, a depreciating rupee, rising upstream cost pressures and the prospect of a below-normal monsoon calls for sustained policy vigilance," the ministry said.The assessment comes ahead of the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee meeting next week, with the policy decision due on June 5. Expectations of a tighter policy stance have increased amid concerns over inflationary pressures and efforts to support the rupee, which touched a record low of nearly 97 against the US dollar earlier this month.While retail inflation remained below the RBI's 4% target in April, the ministry cautioned that wholesale price pressures have accelerated sharply, raising the risk that higher input costs could eventually feed into consumer prices.Producer inflation climbed to a more than three-and-a-half-year high in April as elevated energy prices pushed up manufacturing costs. Data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed the wholesale price index rose 8.30% year-on-year, up from 3.88% in March and well above economists' expectations of 5.50%.Also Read: RBIโs currency printing cost falls 23.5% in FY26 despite rise in cash circulationThe ministry also warned that the fallout from the West Asia conflict poses a significant risk to India's inflation and external-sector outlook, particularly through disruptions to energy supplies."The duration of the Strait of Hormuz disruption remains the 'single most consequential variable for India's external and price outlook'," it said.According to the review, higher crude oil prices, tighter global financial conditions and slowing world growth are creating headwinds for the Indian economy that cannot be fully insulated from external shocks."Policy will need to remain agile across monetary, fiscal, and structural dimensions to navigate this period of compounded uncertainty, external and climatic, while keeping medium-term growth objectives firmly in view," the ministry said.
The ongoing Iran-US war has increased the cost of travel for pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj, with airfares and travel packages rising sharply across several countries. Higher fuel prices and disruptions to air traffic in the Gulf have pushed up travel expenses for millions of pilgrims preparing for one of Islam's most important religious obligations. In Egypt, which has the largest Muslim population in the Middle East, average airfare for Hajj travellers has increased to 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($956) from 30,000 pounds, according to the country's tourism federation, according to a Bloomberg report. Hajj travel packages have also become more expensive, rising by 30%, with some packages reaching 90,000 pounds compared with 70,000 pounds earlier. The six-day pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca is generally required once in a Muslim's lifetime for those who are able to undertake it. This year's pilgrimage comes amid regional tensions that have affected aviation operations since February. Jazeera Airways, which is transporting more than 30,000 pilgrims from Russia and Central Asian countries to Saudi Arabia, said fares have increased by as much as 40% this season. The Kuwaiti airline attributed the rise to higher fuel costs and the fact that it did not hedge its fuel purchases. Hajj arrivals continue despite disruptions According to travel company WEGO, as quoted by Bloomberg, airfares to Saudi Arabia from major Muslim markets such as Egypt, Pakistan and India have increased between 20% and 40% compared with the same period last year. Some routes are now about 50% more expensive. Despite the disruptions affecting air travel across parts of the Gulf, Saudi Arabia has largely avoided direct impacts. However, the higher travel costs are expected to affect the more than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims who fly to the kingdom for Hajj each year. Religious tourism remains key revenue source Religious tourism has long been an important part of Saudi Arabia's economy. For many years, pilgrimage travel was the country's primary tourism activity and it continues to provide a stable source of revenue. Each country receives a quota that determines how many citizens can perform Hajj, and waiting lists remain common due to strong demand. Saudi Arabia has also made religious tourism a major part of its broader economic plans. The kingdom is investing in improving the pilgrim experience as it seeks to diversify revenue sources. (With Bloomberg inputs)
It was a strong week for global markets as oil prices tumbled to their lowest levels in seven weeks, easing concerns over energy-driven inflation after reports suggested the United States, Israel and Iran were nearing a much-awaited peace deal agreement. Oil prices this weekBrent crude tumbled about 11% during the week, marking its steepest weekly decline in seven weeks, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell more than 9%, its biggest weekly drop in six weeks. Both benchmarks touched their lowest levels since mid-April. On Friday, Brent crude futures for July, which expired on Friday, settled at $92.05 a barrel, down $1.66 or 1.8%. WTI crude futures closed at $87.36 a barrel, a decline of $1.54 or 1.7%.The three-month conflict involving the U.S. and Iran has repeatedly seen expectations of a potential resolution that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies pass. While both sides indicated that an agreement may be near, their descriptions of the proposed deal continued to differ.U.S. President Donald Trump once again urged Iran to immediately reopen the strait. The closure of the vital waterway has pushed energy prices higher across global markets. This week, trading has remained highly volatile, with both Brent and WTI swinging by as much as $6 on changing signals surrounding the possibility of the strait reopening.Geopolitical tensions escalated on Thursday after fresh U.S. strikes targeted an Iranian military facility overnight, despite ongoing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran.Iran's Revolutionary Guards later claimed responsibility for a strike on a U.S. airbase, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. The location of the base was not disclosed.Where is oil headed?Market analysts noted that even if a ceasefire is agreed upon, restoring normal shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz could take several months. Any damaged energy infrastructure may require an even longer period to return to full operation.Earlier this month, Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could postpone stability in global oil markets until 2027. He said nearly 100 million barrels of oil supply per week could be affected by continued disruptions. Saudi Aramco is the world's largest oil producer.Morgan Stanley described the oil market as being in "a race against time," saying the factors that have so far prevented a more pronounced rise in crude prices could begin to fade if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed through June.According to the brokerage, higher U.S. crude exports and softer demand from China have helped absorb part of the supply shock. However, it cautioned that an extended shutdown of the strait could tighten global oil supplies again if disruptions persist beyond the levels that the U.S. and China can comfortably offset.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
US President Donald Trump will only make a peace deal with Iran if it meets all of his conditions, a White House official told AFP on Friday, as questions swirled about the state of negotiations to end the war.The White House had indicated Trump was close to a decision on a potential deal, even as Tehran insisted there was still "no final agreement" on ending the Middle East conflict.Also read: To the Situation Room, now! With new message, Trump stirs Iran cauldron again An Iranian state media report also rebutted several key elements of Trump's characterization of the deal, with sources calling his remarks a "mixture of truth and lies."US sources had told AFP the deal was waiting on Trump's sign-off following weeks of halting negotiations over a conflict that has engulfed the Middle East and shaken the global economy. Trump attended a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday but did not reach a decision."President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines," a White House official told AFP afterward. "Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon," the official added.Trump had announced the meeting in a lengthy social media post, reiterating long-held demands that Iran agree never to develop nuclear weapons and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei pushed back, telling state media that the Islamic republic "said goodbye to the language of 'must' 47 years ago." Exchanges of messages were continuing, he added, but "no final agreement has been reached yet."In a phone call with the Emir of Qatar, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was ready to achieve a "dignified framework" to end the war, according to state news agency IRNA.In his post, Trump said Tehran would remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz and end its blockade of the waterway with "no tolls," while the US would lift its parallel blockade of Iranian ports. The two countries would also coordinate on removing and destroying Iran's enriched uranium, he said, adding that "no money will be exchanged, until further notice."Iran's Fars news agency, however, cited sources as saying Tehran was demanding "the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets" before moving to the next phase of negotiations. On the toll-free reopening of Hormuz, the sources said "no such clause appears in the text of the agreement," while Trump's comment on destroying Iran's nuclear material "is fundamentally baseless."Also read: โTehran said goodbye to โmustโ 47 years agoโ: Iran rejects Trumpโs claims of imminent dealBaqaei also told state TV there were currently "no negotiations" taking place on Iran's nuclear program, as Iran's top diplomat suggested the US was holding up a deal with its approach to the talks.'Telling the truth'? Ali, a resident of the city of Tonekabon north of Tehran, said that whatever the deal was, there would likely be more strife to come."Both sides are speaking in a way that keeps their supporters satisfied. It's not clear who is telling the truth," the 49-year-old said.Hopes of an agreement had risen on Thursday after US officials voiced optimism about the diplomatic progress.Energy markets have whipsawed this week as investors parse the chances of an agreement that could potentially resume normal shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.Washington and Tehran have accused each other of violating the truce in and around the strait as recently as this week, with US strikes on the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas countered by retaliatory Iranian fire.Iranian state TV said Friday that 24 ships had transited the strait in the past 24 hours, in coordination with the Revolutionary Guards and the foreign ministry.But it warned that "ships from hostile countries face a severe response" from Iran's military.Lebanon fighting On the war's Lebanon front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that his country's forces had pushed deeper inside Lebanon, while Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a series of drone attacks on military targets in northern Israel, including troop gatherings and barracks.It also said its forces were attacking Israeli troops trying to advance in the area of the medieval Beaufort fortress, near the city of Nabatieh.The attacks came as Israeli and Lebanese military delegations held security talks in Washington, which were called "productive" by Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's second-in-command.Israel kept up its heavy bombardment of southern Lebanon, where the Lebanese health ministry said a rescuer was among the 11 killed.A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was supposed to have taken effect on April 17, but has never been observed.Both sides accuse each other of violating it and justify their attacks by the other camp's alleged breaches.Lebanon was drawn into the war in early March when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel over the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli attacks, prompting Israeli strikes and a ground invasion.
The Bidadi township project, initiated by Kumaraswamy but being pushed by Shivakumar currently, is expected to turn into flashpoint
The United States and Iran have reached an agreement to extend a ceasefire, allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and lift a U.S. blockade and some sanctions on Iran, sources โtold Reuters, but the deal has not been finalised.An agreement would represent โa big step towards ending a war that has pushed the world towards an energy crisis, though the underlying dispute over Iran's nuclear programme โwould only be thrashed out in talks over subsequent weeks.Where Have The Discussions Got To?Following a ceasefire in early April, the two sides have remained at odds on issues including Iran's nuclear ambitions, Israel's war in Lebanon with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia, and Tehran's demands for the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets.After weeks of mainly indirect talks, four sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday that the U.S. and Iran had โagreed a memorandum of understanding โ that would โ halt the war and give negotiators 60 days to reach a final deal.Read More: Bigger proportion of non-Iran ships crossing Hormuz strait: DataHowever, both sides have said several times before that they believed an agreement was close but without ever concluding an agreement. The position of Israel, which launched the air war on โIran on February 28 alongside the United States, is central to any deal but its role in the agreement is unclear.U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet approved the deal, according to the sources. Vice โPresident JD Vance said on Thursday: "We're not there, but we're very close and we're going to keep working on it".Iran has not yet formally commented, but the semi-official Tasnim news agency cited a source close to the negotiating team as saying the text of the agreement had not yet been finalised or confirmed.Iranian sources have previously said a framework deal is only about ending the war โon all fronts, establishing a 30-day framework for international and Iranian movement through the Strait of Hormuz and possibly providing some โ financial relief.There would โthen be negotiations on the more difficult issues, such as the status of Iran's highly enriched uranium and details concerning the strait, and the sequencing of โthe many points in the โpreliminary deal such as sanctions relief and security.The last deal over the nuclear programme - struck in 2015 and torn up by Trump in 2018 - took โ years of negotiations between large teams of technical experts.What Are The Main Issues?Hormuz And Gulf BlockadeIran's closure of โthe Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for a fifth of global supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas, has pushed up oil โprices. Reopening the strait is the U.S. priority and Iran's main point of leverage, but it could take time.Many vessels are stuck in the Gulf and Iran says it has laid some sea mines that could be difficult to locate.The U.S. blockade on Iranian ports is hitting Iran's own exports and state revenue. Lifting this is one of Tehran's main goals. A sensitive issue could be how far U.S. forces withdraw.NuclearThe U.S. says it believes Iran wants to build a nuclear bomb. Iran has always denied this, saying its atomic programme is for peaceful purposes only. The focus is on its enrichment of uranium, which generates fuel for nuclear power but can also make material for a warhead.The nuclear question is extremely complicated. Iran might eventually agree to dilute part of its highly enriched uranium โin a friendly country into uranium enriched to 5% purity and then have it returned, Iranian sources said.Read more: US inflation hits three-year high in April as Iran war fuels energy price surgeBut many other issues would still need to be addressed: how long the nuclear program would be halted, whether nuclear sites would be dismantled, what happens to stockpiles of uranium enriched to 20% and 5%, the โfuture of Iran's advanced centrifuges โand research and development programs and the rules governing an โ inspections regime, among others.Ballistic MissilesA prominent U.S. demand before the war was that Iran limit the range of its ballistic missiles so that they could not reach Israel. Iran has always said its right to conventional weapons is non-negotiable and that it still has a large arsenal.Sanctions And Frozen AssetsIran's economy has been hurt by sanctions for years, contributing to the nationwide unrest in โJanuary. Tehran badly needs them to be lifted and tens of billions of dollars of Iranian oil revenues frozen in foreign banks to be released. It also wants reparations for war damage.The United States has resisted this, with Trump having lambasted former president Barack Obama for having returned some frozen assets to Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal. Some media have reported that the latest draft agreement would include an investment programme for Iran.LebanonIran has repeatedly said that Israel's war against its main ally Hezbollah in Lebanon must be included in any deal. Israel and Lebanon agreed a ceasefire last month but both Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of repeated violations and Israel's military is ramping up its campaign in southern Lebanon. Israel would oppose any U.S.-Iran agreement that limits its ability to act in Lebanon.
Congoโs health minister pushed back against claims the countryโs Ebola outbreak was spiraling out of control, even as World Health Organization officials warned insecurity and population displacement were preventing responders from tracing most suspected contacts.
Trump administration officials have pushed for a $250 bill featuring Donald Trumpโs portrait, despite laws barring living people from appearing on US currency. The move is tied to Americaโs 250th anniversary celebrations and has raised legal and procedural concerns within the Treasury Department.