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Officials alter train schedule after drones strike historic museum in Russia annexed Crimea
Local authorities said that Ukrainian drones had hit a 'historic museum' in Sevastopol, in Russia-annexed Crimea. They also reduced the number nighttime trains as a result of the intensifying air strikes. The museum commemorates 1853-1856 Crimea War, which was fought between the Russian Empire (including the Ottoman Empire) and a coalition. In that war, Russia lost. Mikhail Razvozhayev - Sevastopol’s Russian-installed Governor – said via Telegram that the roof of the museum was on fire. He didn't provide any further details on the damage, or if there were casualties. "The enemy will be punished for this sacrilege!" Razvozhayev wrote in his early Wednesday morning post. The Crimean peninsula's Russian-installed Governor?Sergei Aksyonov announced on Telegram that the authorities had cut night train schedules after a drone strike this week killed a train assistant and injured a driver. Fuel shortages are a problem in the Black Sea peninsula, Crimea. It was annexed to Russia by Ukraine in 2014. Last week, the Russian president Vladimir Putin rejected a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to have face-to-face discussions. The Kremlin claimed that Ukraine undermined efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict after the train incident. The regional governor of Russia's Samara Region said that the city Novokuibyshevsk, which is a major oil hub along the Volga River and hosts several refineries run by state-controlled Rosneft, has been able to repel?drone attack. Local media reported that authorities urged residents in the Samara, a city of 1 million people, to seek shelter because public transportation had been suspended due to air raid alerts. The Ukraine's continued attacks on the Russian energy infrastructure have forced Moscow to reduce its oil production, which is third largest in the world. Telegram reports that two industrial buildings were on fire in central Vladimir and in?the southern Rostov area of Russia, bordering Ukraine. According to local authorities, in a rare move, the remote Russian oil producing regions Khanty Mansiysk Perm and Tyumen as well as the industrial regions Chelyabinsk Sverdlovsk located thousands of kilometers (miles), away from Ukraine, issued air raid alerts. The defense ministry and the mayor of Moscow said in social media posts that Russia had downed 326 Ukrainian UAVs over night, including more than a dozen drones heading to Moscow. Could not independently verify reports. Reporting by Jekaterina Glubkova, Tokyo; editing by Neil Fullick
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Reliance lifts Indian shares after Meta data centre deal
After a flat start, Indian?shares rose on Wednesday, led by Reliance Industries. This was after Meta Platforms announced its first AI-enabled?data centre partnering in India. As of 9:57 a.m. IST, the benchmark?Nifty 50 index rose 0.59% to 23,379.4 while the BSE Sensex increased 0.7% to 74436.6. Reliance rose 2.1% following a Meta announcement that the company would lease a datacenter the Mukesh Ambani?led?company, will build in India. 11 of the 16 largest sectors saw gains. The broader small and mid-caps were flat. The heavyweight financials and the private banks each gained 0.6%. As renewed Middle East hostilities, and expectations of an increase in Federal Reserve rate by the end of the year, fueled concerns about demand ahead of important?U.S. The day's inflation data is due later in the afternoon. Fresh hostilities between Iran and the U.S. have shattered hopes of a lasting ceasefire, and the markets are on edge. The U.S. launched attacks against Iran, after President Donald Trump claimed that Tehran had shot down a U.S. Apache in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose by 0.5%, to $92 per barrel. This is after it fell to a low of seven weeks on Tuesday. Ajit Mishra is senior vice president and head of research at Religare Broking. He said: "With sentiment still fragile because of the Middle East conflict?and volatility?in crude oil prices, we are cautious about the benchmark index. We focus on specific stock opportunities at this time." Afcons Infrastructure rose 9% following a 53 billion rupees order, while CMR Green Technologies opened with a 39.6% higher price than its initial issue in the debut trade. Jefferies began its coverage with a "buy" on Meesho, the e-commerce platform. (Reporting and editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Mrigank Dhaniwala in Bengaluru.
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Morning Bid Europe-Not panicked but still nervous
Ankur Banerjee gives a look at what the markets will be like tomorrow in Europe and the world. Markets are nervous following the latest escalation of Middle East tensions, but investors have hope that the new 'U.S. The 'attacks on Iran after an Apache helicopter was 'downed near the Strait of Hormuz won't derail a peace deal that will end the war. It may be a wishful thought, as the U.S. army has said that it targeted Iranian air defences, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near this key waterway to respond to attacks against U.S. forces and commercial shipping. Stocks fell as a result of the tit-fortat attacks, while oil prices soared. Brent 'futures' remained below $100 per barrel despite the surge in oil prices. Market analysts believe that the incident could?blow out soon. The ceasefire that was agreed in April still hangs by a thin thread, and progress in resolving the conflict of three months has been slow. This keeps sentiment low and the dollar strong. Risk-off sentiment led to a global AI selloff as investors shifted out of technology shares that had surged in value this year. South Korea's KOSPI dropped 4% during a volatile period for the best-performing stock market in the world. Later on Wednesday, the focus will be on U.S. data on inflation to gauge the impact of 'the war. The report may ?bolster expectations of rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, especially after last week's stronger-than-expected jobs report. The traders are pricing in a rate hike of 25 basis points in December, compared to the two rate cuts that were expected before the war in 2026. US May CPI UK may housing survey
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As US-Iran hostilities resume, oil prices rise and gold drops
As the dollar and oil prices rose on Wednesday due to renewed hostilities between Iran and the U.S., gold fell to an 11-week low, fueling concerns over inflation and interest rates hikes. Gold spot was down 1.9% to $4,181.04 an ounce at 0414 GMT after reaching its lowest level since 23 March. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell 1.9% to $4204.70. Dollars rose, causing greenback-priced gold to be?more costly for holders of currencies other than the dollar. Oil prices rose 1%, fueling inflation fears and expectations that interest rates will remain high for a longer period. The Federal Reserve's policy expectations have changed, as has the increase in yields. Ilya Spivak is the head of global macro for Tastylive. He believes that all three factors are weighing down on gold. On?Tuesday, the United States launched strikes against Iran. President Donald Trump claimed that Tehran had shot down an Apache helicopter from the United States in Strait of Hormuz. This has deepened doubts about a possible peace deal and further strained a fragile ceasefire. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed that they carried out attacks on a U.S. Base in Jordan as well as 21 other targets in Gulf on Wednesday in retaliation to the American strikes. According to the CME FedWatch, traders are pricing in more than 70% of an increase in U.S. rates by December. Gold is often seen as a hedge to?inflation. However, higher interest rates tend to put a strain on this non-yielding material. The markets are waiting for key U.S. reports on inflation this week. These include the Consumer Price Index data from May, which will be released later that day, and the Producer Price Index reading, scheduled for Thursday. This is to determine the Fed's policy. Spivak stated that if we could break the $4100 level I believe the path of resistance for gold would fundamentally change. We might start to look at the $3,500 level as the next level by the end the year. Spot silver dropped 2.1% to $64.01 an ounce. Platinum fell 3.4% to 1,667.92 and palladium was down 1.5% at $1,204.24. (Reporting and editing by Subhranshu sahu, Sonia cheema, and Pablo Sinha from Bengaluru)
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Oil prices rise as tensions between the US and Iran flare up again, while stocks are tightened
After?the U.S. The military launched new attacks against Iran, and market data revealed another large drawdown in U.S. oil stocks. Brent futures climbed 66 cents or 0.7% to $92.11 a bar at 0406 GMT. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude crude crude climbed by 60 cents or 0.7% to $88.80. After President Donald Trump promised to act on the downing of an Apache attack helicopter by the U.S., this was a new escalation which threatened to unravel a fragile truce between Washington and Tehran. Priyanka?Nova, a senior analyst at Phillip 'Nova, stated that the latest attacks have shifted traders’ focus to war risks and possible supply disruptions. Sachdeva stated that "while diplomatic efforts are still ongoing, recent military exchanges have brought back a geopolitical premium to oil markets." Tehran has said that it will resume hostilities?if Israel continues to attack Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel's refusal of ending its campaign against 'Iran-backed Hezbollah' has hindered Trumps attempts to 'extend a fragile ceasefire' in the larger U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran to a durable resolution. The ING commodity analysts said that if the disruptions continue into the third quarter - a time of higher oil demand - prices could rise. Tehran continues to 'block most shipping through Strait of Hormuz. This normally transports a fifth of crude oil and natural gas around the world. Washington has imposed a blockade on?Iranian port. U.S. Energy Sec. Chris Wright stated on Tuesday that the?oil-exports through 'the Strait of Hormuz? are increasing even though Washington and Tehran struggled to reach an agreement on ending their three-month war. According to data released by the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday, U.S. crude oil inventories dropped for an eighth straight week. Gasoline stocks also fell. Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that crude stocks dropped by 9.12 million barrels during the week ending June?5. Gasoline inventories also fell by a total of 1.19 million barrels. During the war, the United States was a marginal crude and product supplier and increased exports to Asia. A drop in U.S. stocks could harm exports and increase prices. Reporting by Arathy S. Somasekhar, Jeslyn Lerh and Shri Navaratnam; Editing by Sonali Paul and Shri Navaratnam
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Officials alter train schedule after drones strike historic museum in Russia annexed Crimea
Local authorities said on Wednesday that Ukrainian drones had hit a historical museum in Sevastopol, in Russia-annexed Crimea. They also reduced the number?nighttime train services in response to intensifying air strikes. The museum is dedicated to the 1853-1856 Crimea War, which was fought between the Russian Empire and a coalition including the Ottoman Empire. In that war, Russia lost. Mikhail Razvozhayev said that the roof of the museum was damaged on Telegram. He didn't provide any details on the damage, or if there were casualties. "The enemy will be held accountable for this sacrilege!" Razvozhayev wrote in his early Wednesday morning post. Sergei Aksyonov, the Crimea's Russian-installed Governor, said on Telegram that authorities had cut night train schedules after a drone strike this week killed a train assistant and injured a driver. Fuel shortages are affecting the Black 'Sea Peninsula of Crimea after recent Ukraine drone strikes, just as the holiday season is about to begin. Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr?Zelenskiy proposed face-to?face?talks? with Russian President Vladimir?Putin. He rejected the proposal. The Kremlin claimed that Ukraine undermined efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict after the train accident. A regional governor reported that the city of Novokuibyshevsk, in Russia's Samara Region, which is a major oil hub along the Volga River and hosts several refineries run by state-controlled Rosneft, had successfully repelled drone attacks. Local media reported that authorities urged residents to take shelter in the city's one million inhabitants as public transport was suspended due to air raid alerts. The Ukraine's continued attacks on the Russian energy infrastructure have forced Moscow to?cut its?oil production, which is third largest in the world. The regional governor wrote on Telegram that falling debris from a UAV triggered a fire in a fuel tank located at a site for civilians. On Telegram, the Mayor of Moscow also said that the city is repelling drone attacks. According to local authorities, in a rare move, the remote oil-producing regions of Khanty-Mansiysk and Perm, as well as the industrial regions Chelyabinsk?and Sverdlovsk?in Ural Mountains thousands of kilometers (miles?) from Ukraine issued air raid warnings. Could not independently verify reports. Reporting by Jekaterina Glubkova, Tokyo; editing by Neil Fullick
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Taliban: Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan kill at least 13, Taliban claims
Zabihullah Mojahid, the Afghan Taliban's spokesperson, said that at least 13 people, including 11 children, were killed after Pakistani military launched air strikes in three provinces of Afghanistan. This is a resurgence of a conflict which has claimed hundreds of lives this year. Mujahid said that at least '14 other people, all women and children, were injured in the strikes by Islamabad, which violated Afghanistan airspace and targeted civilian homes, in the provinces Kunar, Khost, and Paktika. Security officials told us that Islamabad had carried out airstrikes on what they called the "hideouts of Pakistani militants who were using them against Pakistan." Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring militants who, it claims, plot attacks against Pakistan. The Taliban denied the accusations and said that militancy in Pakistan was an internal issue. The renewed violence threatens to 'disturb' a long period of peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Former allies, they fought the?worst war in years back in February. In March, the two countries reached a fragile truce. China was tasked with mediating a settlement to the conflict. Reporting?by Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Mushtaq Al in Peshawar; writing by Hritam Mukherjee, editing by Himani Sarkar & Lincoln Feast
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In May, higher gasoline prices are likely to have pushed the US consumer price index up again.
The Middle East conflict has increased the prices of energy products in the United States, and this will give the Federal Reserve more ammunition to maintain interest rates at the same level for the rest of the year. Wednesday's Consumer Price Index readings, which are expected to be the third consecutive month of high year-over-year comparisons, will likely highlight increasing pressure on households as more consumers use their savings to fund their purchases. The inflation rate is expected to exceed wage growth for the second consecutive month in May, which could have a negative impact on economic growth. The rising cost of living poses a serious political problem for Donald Trump and the Republican Party as they seek to maintain control of Congress during the November midterm elections. Trump's promise to reduce inflation was a major reason he won the presidential election of 2024. However, his approval ratings have fallen as frustration grows over his economic management. Joseph?Brusuelas is chief economist at RSM. He said that the top-line inflation increase will surpass wage growth for a second consecutive month. This means that Americans' paychecks are declining in real terms. If this trend continues, it could pose a problem for household consumption in second half of the year. A survey of economists has predicted that the Consumer Price Index will likely increase by 4.2% over the past 12 months, ending in May. This would be the biggest annual increase in the CPI in over a decade, and follow a 3.8% advance in April. In March, the CPI rose 3.3% on an annual basis. The CPI is expected to increase 0.5% monthly in May, after increasing 0.6% in April. In order to achieve its 2% target, the U.S. Central bank monitors the Personal Consumption Spending Price Indexes. All inflation measures are well above the Fed target. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the national average gasoline cost increased by 8.8% in may to $4.60 per gallon. Gasoline prices had increased by over 50% at one point since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February. In recent weeks, prices have fallen amid a ceasefire. This has led some economists to be cautiously optimistic that the CPI could peak in May. Although the Strait of Hormuz shipping restrictions have increased fertilizer prices, this hasn't yet led to a significant increase in food prices. Stephen Stanley, Santander U.S. Capital Markets' chief U.S. economics, said that there is a high probability that the headline inflation rate will peak in May. However, the oil price could rise again, depending on what happens in the Middle East. The labor market is resilient. This report follows the news that was released last week, stating the economy had posted a third consecutive month of job growth above expectations in May. The unemployment rate has remained at 4,3% for the third consecutive month. Although financial markets are pricing in an increase, economists continue to believe the central bank has a high bar to raise interest rates. Others argued that, aside from high airfares and other signs of oil price shock affecting the services sector, there was no evidence to support this. Core CPI, excluding volatile components such as food and energy, was projected to have increased by 2.9% in May after increasing by 2.8% in April. Core CPI was forecast to have increased 0.3% on a monthly basis, after increasing 0.4%. James Knightley is the chief international economist at ING. "We are in a situation where the central bank still views monetary policy as restrictive." The monthly CPI is expected to moderate in part due to the diminishing boost that was given by a one-time adjustment of rent measures, after the shutdown of government last year prevented data collection. The artificial intelligence boom has driven up the prices of software and computers, but they have a lower weighting in the core CPI basket. In the core inflation basket, there is a greater weighting. Unexpectedly, a deflation of used cars and trucks has also helped curb the?inflation of goods. Import tariffs divided economists. Some saw the price increase as being largely over, while others believed that the duty was still increasing prices. Diego Anzoategui is an economist with Morgan Stanley. He said that the economy was nearing the end phase of tariff pass-through. Our estimates show that tariffs have raised prices by 63 basis point so far. The total pass-through is closer to 70 basis point. We began to see a slowdown in March, and we expect this trend to continue. Reporting by Lucia Muttikani, Editing by Andrea Ricci
France sends out more cops, looks for talks, to stop New Caledonia riots
France sent extra authorities squadrons to stop riots on the Pacific island of New Caledonia on Tuesday however likewise unlocked to a worked out settlement with pro and antiindependence groups.
Overnight, rioters scorched cars and trucks, dozens of businesses, clashed with police and established barricades to protest versus plans to allow more individuals to participate in local elections in the French-ruled area, which native Kanak protesters turn down.
The proposed changes, which the National Assembly in Paris will vote on later Tuesday, would allow French locals who have actually resided in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in provincial elections - a move local leaders fear will dilute the Kanak vote however the government states is needed so elections are democratic.
The streets were on fire, they were rioting in the streets, quite a frightening experience in fact, New Zealand tourist Mike Lightfoot told TVNZ tv.
Despite a curfew, violence advanced Tuesday evening on the island, located some 20,000 km (12,427 miles) from mainland France, local broadcaster NC La 1ere reported.
The island's capital Noumea was covered by a cloud of black smoke, NC La 1ere said, adding that a local sport center had been fired. It likewise reported a riot in a prison.
One of 5 island areas covering the Indo-Pacific held by France, New Caledonia is the word's third-largest nickel producer and is the centrepiece of French President Emmanuel Macron's strategy to increase Paris's influence in the Pacific.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said the vote needs to continue in the afternoon as prepared, but validated that Macron would not rush into convening an unique congress of the two houses of parliament required to rubber-stamp the bill.
Instead, he would welcome agents of the area's. population - both pro- and anti-independence - to Paris for. talks on the future status of New Caledonia, after decades of. tensions over France's function.
It's through talking, and just through talking, that we can. find a solution, Attal told legislators. All we want is to find. a general political contract, with those in favour of and. against self-reliance.
He did not define what such a deal might cover.
VIOLENCE
At a rally in Paris, pro-independence protesters stated the. expense ought to be withdrawn.
If there is violence today (in New Caledonia), it's in. action to the violence we've suffered from given that. colonisation, Kanak youth leader Daniel Wea, 43, told ,. saying the prepared electoral modifications would leave the Kanaks. separated on their island.
We're here to show ... we will combat until we get what we. want: self-reliance, said 24-year-old Wendy Gowe, whose. grand-fathers died when violence flared up on the island in the. 1980s.
New Caledonia is positioned 1,500 km (930 miles) east of. Australia, with a population of 270,000 including 41% Melanesian. and 24% of European origin, primarily French.
A 1998 Noumea Accord assisted end a decade of conflict by. detailing a course to progressive autonomy and limiting voting to. the native Kanak as well as people who got here in New. Caledonia before 1998.
The accord allowed for three referendums to identify the. future of the nation. In all 3, self-reliance was rejected,. but that did not end the dispute over the island's status or. France's function.
On the other hand, French miner Eramet stated its local system. SLN had raised its security level amid the discontent and that its. plant was performing at minimum capacity.
Our mines are halted, much like the vast majority of mines. in New Caledonia, a spokesperson informed .
Nickel miner Prony Resources stated it triggered a crisis system. to keep our industrial facilities and avoid any damage to. our possessions.
The French government has been negotiating a rescue package. for the loss-making New Caledonian nickel sector, including a. commitment to provide Europe's battery supply chain, but talks. have actually stalled amid current political stress.
(source: Reuters)