Op Midnight Hammer: How US, Israel partnered for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities

China is telling its commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to check in daily with updates, a precautionary move as tensions rise in the region. The order comes after U.S. airstrikes in the area, which have sparked fears that Iran might retaliate by disrupting this vital oil shipping route. The directive also extends to vessels in the Gulf of Oman, emphasizing heightened safety concerns.

Editor’s Note: The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes—about a fifth of global oil trade passes through it. If Iran decides to block or harass ships there, it could send energy markets into chaos. China’s move shows just how seriously governments are taking the risk of escalation. For businesses and consumers, this could mean higher fuel prices and supply chain headaches if things get worse.

Tesla just rolled out its new Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas—Elon Musk’s latest move in the self-driving car race. But how does it stack up against Baidu’s Apollo Go, China’s leading autonomous taxi service? Baidu has been testing its tech since 2019 and went commercial in 2022, giving it a head start. Musk, meanwhile, is framing Tesla’s launch as the payoff of ten years of effort. The piece digs into how these two tech giants compare in the fast-evolving world of driverless rides.

Editor’s Note: The battle for dominance in self-driving taxis is heating up, and this isn’t just about tech—it’s about who sets the global standard. Tesla’s push into robotaxis could reshape urban mobility in the U.S., while Baidu’s early lead in China shows how regulations and market readiness vary wildly by region. For consumers, it’s a peek at the future of transportation; for investors, it’s a high-stakes race between two very different approaches.

Recent US-China trade talks in London hinted that Beijing might have the upper hand in negotiations compared to other US trading partners. But experts caution that China shouldn’t get too hopeful about high-level talks resuming anytime soon. Why? Because Trump’s administration is juggling so many domestic and international fires—impeachment, Middle East tensions, reelection chaos—that focusing on a long-term trade deal with China might fall by the wayside.

Editor’s Note: Trade tensions between the US and China have been a rollercoaster, and this story highlights how political chaos in Washington could stall progress. For businesses and markets banking on stability, Trump’s distractions add another layer of uncertainty. Even if China seems to have leverage right now, a lasting deal isn’t guaranteed—so buckle up for more twists.

Iran is rattling global markets by threatening to shut down the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow but crucial shipping lane that handles about 20% of the world’s oil supply. While experts see this as an extreme, unlikely move, the mere possibility has traders and governments on edge, given how much of the global economy hinges on this six-mile stretch of water.

Editor’s Note: Even if Iran’s threat is mostly bluster, it highlights how fragile global supply chains can be. A blockade here would send oil prices skyrocketing, hitting everything from gas pumps to inflation rates worldwide. It’s a stark reminder that geopolitics and energy markets are deeply tangled—and that a single choke point can unsettle the whole system.

An Iranian expat in Hong Kong, Behzad Mirzaei, is living through what he calls a "horror" and "nightmare" as the Middle East conflict cuts him off from family back home. With internet outages and safety fears, he’s lost contact with loved ones—including his stranded mother—and the stress has left him sleepless. As founder of Hong Kong’s Persian Club, his anguish mirrors a wider crisis for diaspora communities suddenly disconnected from those in the crisis zone.

Editor’s Note: Wars aren’t just far-off headlines—they ripple globally, yanking families apart across borders. For migrants, the terror isn’t just watching the news; it’s the helplessness of dead phone lines and not knowing if your mom made it to shelter. This story puts a human face on how conflicts fracture lives far beyond the battlefield.