In a significant diplomatic development, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia have agreed to a major prisoner swap, the first in five months, following talks in Abu Dhabi. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff hailed the move as tangible progress, though emphasized the long road ahead to end the war.
As Russia intensifies winter attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, negotiators from both sides, with U.S. envoys present, continue high-stakes talks seeking a path to end the nearly four-year war, despite a reported surge in civilian casualties.
Crude futures fell from recent highs after Iran's foreign minister confirmed diplomatic talks with the United States, easing immediate fears of military escalation. Brent crude slipped toward $68 a barrel as markets weigh the potential for de-escalation against deep-seated regional tensions.
High-stakes trilateral negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States, have resumed in Abu Dhabi. The talks, described as 'productive' by officials, proceed under the shadow of recent Russian airstrikes that killed at least six, violating a temporary ceasefire pledge.
Senior officials from the United States and Iran are scheduled to meet in Muscat, Oman, this Friday for talks aimed at de-escalating tensions and addressing concerns over Tehran's nuclear program, according to confirmations from both governments.
Crude oil futures showed minimal movement Thursday, caught between hopes for eased Middle East tensions from upcoming diplomatic talks and supportive supply data. Gasoline futures edged higher as traders weighed mixed signals from inventories and geopolitics.
France's top diplomatic advisor held undisclosed talks in Moscow this week, signaling President Macron's push to re-establish direct European channels with the Kremlin amid stalled Ukraine peace efforts.
As U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials reconvene for a second round of technical talks, a massive overnight bombardment of Ukrainian energy infrastructure casts a long shadow over the prospects for diplomacy, deepening skepticism on the ground.
Iranian media reports confirm high-stakes talks between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled for Friday in Oman, a familiar neutral ground, as regional hostilities escalate and international scrutiny intensifies over Tehran's harsh response to recent protests.
High-stakes diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran have been relocated to Oman after recent hostile incidents in the Gulf, casting uncertainty over the format and agenda of the critical talks.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations, with key U.S. figures in attendance, are gathering in Abu Dhabi for a new round of negotiations. The talks proceed as Ukraine reels from a massive overnight Russian air assault on its energy infrastructure, casting doubt on Moscow's commitment to prior diplomatic assurances.
Ford Motor Company has firmly denied a Financial Times report claiming it held exploratory talks with Chinese tech giant Xiaomi about a potential joint venture to produce electric vehicles in the United States, as geopolitical tensions cast a shadow over cross-industry collaboration.
A U.S. fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, marking a second maritime confrontation in one day. Despite escalating tensions, diplomatic channels remain open with talks scheduled for later this week.
In a significant diplomatic shift, Iran has conditionally agreed to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, marking the first potential dialogue since U.S. airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear sites last summer. The talks, expected in Istanbul, come amid soaring regional tensions and intense international mediation efforts.
A senior UAE adviser has called for a renewed nuclear deal between Washington and Tehran, stressing the Middle East cannot afford another major confrontation. The appeal comes as both nations prepare for high-stakes talks in Turkey amid a significant U.S. naval buildup in the region.
Ford Motor and Chinese tech giant Xiaomi have firmly denied a Financial Times report of preliminary talks to collaborate on electric vehicle production in the U.S., even as Ford's CEO publicly admires and studies Chinese EV technology while labeling it a major competitive threat.
Amazon is reportedly negotiating a landmark investment of up to $50 billion in OpenAI, a move that would cement its position as a dominant AI investor. The talks coincide with a wave of layoffs—reportedly around 30,000 since October—that management has linked to efficiency gains from automation, raising questions about the balance between AI ambition and workforce impact.
Crude oil futures fell sharply on Monday, erasing recent gains tied to Middle East tensions, as the prospect of renewed diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran eased fears of a major supply disruption.
Reports of discussions between Ford Motor Company and Chinese tech giant Xiaomi over a potential electric vehicle partnership have ignited industry speculation, despite both firms denying any imminent deal. The talks underscore the complex interplay of technology, geopolitics, and market access shaping the global EV race.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Moscow, reiterated Russia's firm support for Beijing's position on Taiwan, calling it an 'inseparable part' of China. The talks underscore deepening strategic coordination between the two powers amid global tensions.
