Iran said it would defy the reimposition of more U.S. sanctions,condemning as “economic war” Washington’s attempt to curb Tehran’s missile and nuclear programs and weaken its influence in the Middle East. Nearly 40 years after the 1979 Islamic revolution saw the exit of Western oil companies from Iran, the Iranian oil sector faces yet another costly disruption after a series of interruptions from war, sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
Commentary:After heavy losses in regional elections, German chancellor Angela Merkel announced her decision to leave politics when her current term ends in 2021. What will Merkel’s decision mean for Germany - and for Europe as a whole? “Merkel has been a formidable political figure in her 13 years as chancellor,” writes columnist John Lloyd. Nevertheless, “she leaves her country more divided, the EU weaker, than either were when she came to power.”
Oil prices fell on Monday as U.S. sanctions against Iran’s fuel exports were softened by waivers allowing major buyers to import Iranian crude for a while, while Tehran said it would defy Washington and continue to sell.
Apple has told its smartphone assemblers Foxconn and Pegatron to halt plans for additional production lines dedicated to the iPhone XR which hit shelves in October, the Nikkei reported.
The U.S.-China trade war is the “most stupid thing in this world,” Jack Ma, the chief of Asia’s most valuable public company, Alibaba Group Holding, said on Monday.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son condemned the killing of a journalist by Saudi security personnel, and said his firm must carry out its responsibility to the kingdom’s citizens whose money is invested in its Vision Fund.
