Manali Travel Guide: Best Time and Things to Do
Manali travel guide for first-timers: best time to visit, Solang and Old Manali tips, how many days to stay, and practical planning notes for Himachal…
World
World news explainers covering geopolitics, conflict, diplomacy, and global market shocks.
Oman Hormuz Proposal Rejected by Iran Amid Shipping Standoff
Iran rejected Oman’s proposal for joint 50-50 management of the Strait of Hormuz, demanding total oversight of inbound traffic and partial control of outbound shipping instead.
Bessent Iran Sanctions Target Hormuz Shipping Extortion Network
Scott Bessent announced new Iran sanctions on shipping and insurance firms, saying the US won’t let Tehran ‘hold global commerce hostage’ as its economy struggles with inflation.
US Saudi Iraq Strikes Hit Iran-Backed Militia Sites
On July 29, 2026 the US and Saudi Arabia carried out joint strikes on Iran-backed militia sites in Iraq after a wave of drone attacks, killing at least 20 PMF members. Here is what CENTCOM, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq are each saying.
Hormuz Tanker Disruption Sends Oil Prices Surging
A severe Hormuz tanker disruption pushed Brent crude up 7.9% to $90.74 and WTI to $84.46 this week, as Iran rejected an Oman-brokered proposal to manage the strait. Here is what is driving the chokepoint crisis and what to watch next.
WHO Pandemic Accord 2026: What Ratification Would Change
More than a year after adoption, the WHO pandemic accord still cannot be signed or ratified because its pathogen-sharing annex remains unresolved in 2026.
Bangladesh Political Transition 2026: India Border and Trade Stakes
After the BNP’s landslide win and Muhammad Yunus’s exit, the Bangladesh political transition raises fresh questions over India’s border, trade and Hasina’s exile.
Black Sea Grain Corridor 2026: Ukraine Export Risks Explained
Russian strikes on 28 commercial ships in a single month have pushed roughly 90% of shipowners to suspend calls at Ukraine’s Black Sea ports at peak harvest, straining a corridor that normally carries 90% of the country’s agricultural exports.
Taiwan Strait Tensions July 2026: What Markets Are Pricing In
China’s two-day live-fire drills off Fujian, closer coast guard shadowing of a US survey ship, and a fresh risk report warning of tighter pressure ahead all define Taiwan Strait tensions in July 2026. Here is what is driving the risk and what markets are watching next.
China Rare Earth Export Controls 2026: Impact on India and EV Supply
China’s October 2025 rare earth export controls are suspended until November 2026, but the licensing architecture behind them remains intact, leaving India’s EV, defence and electronics sectors structurally exposed to any renewed restriction.
