About this Episode
An Iranian missile strike on Tel Aviv has further escalated tensions in the Middle East, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn that “there’s more to come” as Israel continues its military campaign against Iran and in Lebanon. The strike caused significant damage in central areas of the city and left several people lightly injured, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability despite Israel’s air defence systems. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened intensified missile and drone attacks unless Israeli operations cease. The latest developments highlight a deepening cycle of retaliation, with both sides showing little sign of backing down, raising fears that prospects for de-escalation remain increasingly remote.
Suspicious trading activity has emerged after a surge in oil bets just minutes before Donald Trump announced a delay to potential strikes on Iran, with traders placing hundreds of millions of dollars on prices falling—moves that paid off when oil dropped sharply following his post. Analysts say the timing is unusual given the lack of prior signals of diplomatic progress, raising questions about possible insider knowledge, although no wrongdoing has been confirmed and regulators may now look into the trades.
Australia and the European Union have agreed a long-awaited free trade deal after eight years of negotiations, aiming to boost economic ties and reduce reliance on uncertain global partners. Signed by Ursula von der Leyen and Anthony Albanese, the agreement will remove most tariffs, lower prices for consumers, and strengthen cooperation on defence and critical minerals, though it has drawn criticism from farmers on both sides over limits on meat exports.
