SBS News

International Oil Prices Surge 4.5% Amid Escalating U.S.-Iran Tensions; Brent Nears $90 On the ICE Futures Europe exchange, the settlement price for Brent crude for September delivery rose 4.5% from the previous session to $88.10 per barrel. SBS Jul 18, 2026 5:09 AM

Trump Demands Tariffs on Canada Over Wildfire Smoke, Citing Air Pollution Costs President Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump argued on July 17 that Canada should face additional tariffs in response to the severe air pollution in the eastern United States caused by smoke drifting from Canadian wildfires. SBS Jul 18, 2026 5:06 AM

7.3-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Mexico-Guatemala Border; No Casualties Reported in Guatemala According to the United States Geological Survey , the earthquake, measured at a magnitude of 7.3, occurred at 8:24 a.m. SBS Jul 18, 2026 4:16 AM

Israel Strikes Funeral Procession in Gaza, Killing 8 (The photo above is not related to the content of the article.) The Israeli military carried out an airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on July 17 , leaving 8 Palestinians dead and 20 injured, according to reports from the WAFA news agency and others. SBS Jul 18, 2026 4:13 AM

German Chancellor Merz Announces Participation in French Nuclear Exercises, Strengthening Bilateral Defense Ties Following a joint cabinet meeting held in Germany on July 17 , Chancellor Merz stated on X that "Germany and France are deepening defense cooperation and strengthening Europe's nuclear deterrence," adding that Germany "will join the nuclear exercises conducted by France by the end of the year." Chancellor Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron presided over a meeting of the two countries' Defense and Security Council at a maintenance hangar at Nörvenich Air Base near Cologne on the morning of July 17, where they officially approved Germany's participation in the French nuclear exercises. SBS Jul 18, 2026 4:10 AM