AFP/RSS

The official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim watched the strike drill involving twelve 600mm-calibre, ultraprecision rocket launchers off North Korea's east coast on Saturday.    

The surge in energy prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East has significantly strengthened the dollar, paradoxically undermining US President Donald Trump's economic objectives.  

Energy prices have soared across the world since Iran responded to the US-Israeli campaign by threatening shipping sailing though the strait, which connects major Gulf oil and gas exporters to the global market.    

The arrests took place during raids on networks linked to Israel in the West Azerbaijan province, the Fars news agency said, quoting provincial prosecutor Hossein Majidi.

The cabinet said the changes would result in greater investment flows and boost "India's competitiveness as preferred investment and manufacturing destination".

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war last week when the Tehran-backed militant group attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

"While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries," Hamas said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged other nations to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for global oil supplies disrupted by the Mideast war.

The allegations revealed by Hungarian news site Telex last month come at a sensitive time for nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban as he faces an unprecedented challenge to his 16 years in power in elections next month.

Kharg Island, targeted in US air strikes on Saturday, is a scrubby stretch of land in the Gulf that handles almost all of Iran's crude exports.