Oil prices rose as markets reacted to growing fears of supply disruptions from Iran amid escalating tensions with the United States.
Brent crude climbed 1.13 percent to $66.21 a barrel, moving above Nigeria’s 2026 budget benchmark, while US West Texas Intermediate gained 1.05 percent to $61.79.
Read also: Oil prices settle at 7-week high on worries about Iran exports
The rise followed warnings from Iranian officials that US military bases in neighbouring countries could be targeted if Washington launches strikes on Iran. Unrest in the country began in late December, triggered by a sharp currency collapse and worsening economic hardship.
Starlink offers free service to Iranian protesters amid crackdown
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service has reportedly dropped subscription fees in Iran, allowing wider access as authorities attempt to restrict communications during nationwide protests.
Activists say Starlink terminals have been operating for free since Tuesday, although SpaceX has not formally confirmed the move. Starlink is banned in Iran, but has been widely used to bypass internet shutdowns.
Mehdi Yahyanejad, head of Net Freedom Pioneers, said Starlink played a key role in releasing footage showing bodies at a forensic centre near Tehran, images that have reshaped international understanding of the scale of the crackdown.
Read also: Airtel, Starlink partner to launch direct-to-cell service across 14 African markets
Iran accuses foreign powers of fuelling nationwide unrest
Iranian authorities have intensified claims that foreign governments are behind the protests, blaming long-standing rivals rather than domestic economic pressures.
President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the unrest, alleging that some protesters were trained abroad and that “foreign terrorists” were involved in attacks on public sites.
Crane crash kills at least 28 after hitting passenger train in Thailand
At least 28 people have died after a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in northeastern Thailand, derailing several carriages and igniting a fire.
The train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani when the accident occurred, with about 195 passengers on board. Sixty-four people were injured, including a one-year-old child and an 85-year-old adult.
Read also: Crane crash kills dozens after slamming into passenger train in Thailand
The crane was linked to work on a China-backed railway project connecting Thailand with neighbouring Laos.
Russian doctors arrested after nine babies die in maternity hospital
Two senior doctors have been detained in Russia following the deaths of nine newborns at a maternity hospital in Siberia earlier this month.
The infants died over the New Year holiday period at Novokuznetsk Maternity Hospital No.1. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of death, but investigators say the hospital’s chief physician and intensive care head are being held for alleged professional negligence.
Post-mortem examinations are under way as public anger grows across the country.
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