Asia

Shares retreat across much of Asia and US futures fall as the strike near the Strait of Hormuz sends oil prices higher and revives concerns over regional tensions.

Shafali Verma smashed 64 before India’s bowlers bundled Thailand out for 65.

High energy and intense enthusiasm swept through the Indian diaspora in Uzbekistan as Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Tashkent.

Marking his fourth visit to Uzbekistan, PM Modi will hold bilateral delegation-level talks to deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations across trade, investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, and education.

Tensions between the United States and Iran seemed to ratchet higher after the Trump administration announced new sanctions to further hurt Iran's economy.

A Lancet Public Health study estimates the world needs 34.4 million more health workers, with South Asia facing the largest regional shortages.

East Java authorities said the largest blaze is burning in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java province

The topics likely to be discussed during the meeting are Myanmar's conflict, South China Sea among others.

South Korea's Kospi tumbled nearly 5 per cent as AI stocks came under pressure, while rising US-Iran tensions pushed Brent crude above $90 a barrel.

The declines in Asian markets, including Japan's, followed Tuesday's 1.4 per cent drop for Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 index. The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 2.2 per cent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.1 per cent lower.

An end to the war could open the Strait of Hormuz for oil tankers and allow for the full resumption of deliveries from the Persian Gulf. Iran's military said Saturday that it had closed the strait again, though US Central Command has disputed that.

Harshit topped the podium with a score of 13.649, while Akshat finished second with 13.433 in the continental competition.