Day 46 of Iran War: Trump Says Iran Deal Still Possible Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions 

US and Iranian negotiating teams may return to Islamabad later this week to resume talks aimed at ending the war, following failed weekend negotiations and the US blockade on Iranian ports. 

Iran’s military denounced the blockade as unlawful and warned it could threaten shipping throughout the Gulf. Even with rising tensions, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was still “holding."

Instability in the Strait of Hormuz is increasing pressure on the global energy markets, with roughly 20,000 ships reportedly stuck and major supply chains being disrupted...

Cargill Expands Port Klang Plant with New Specialty Fats Production Line

Cargill is expanding its edible oil plant in Port Klang, Malaysia with a new specialty fats production line, part of a multi‑million‑dollar investment aimed at broadening its global specialty‑fats portfolio and beefing up food solutions for customers in chocolate, bakery and dairy.

The upgraded facility will use advanced palm‑oil processes to make a wide range of cocoa butter equivalents, low‑trans‑fat cocoa butter replacers and specialty fats for applications from chocolate confectionery and fillings to frying and...

Day 26 of Iran War: Oil Eases on Ceasefire Hopes as Diplomatic Signals Remain Mixed

The war involving the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its 26th day, marked by continued military escalation alongside increasingly frequent and conflicting diplomatic signals.

Airstrikes and missile exchanges persist across Iran, Israel, and parts of the Gulf, even as talk of negotiations grows. US officials have signaled readiness to escalate military operations while also leaving the door open to diplomacy. Reports of a potential framework to end the war remain unverified, though multiple outlets indicate that a 15-point proposal has been...

Day 20 of Iran War: Energy Markets Surge Following Gulf Facility Attacks

The US–Israeli war against Iran has escalated across multiple fronts, involving targeted killings of senior Iranian officials and retaliatory strikes on critical energy infrastructure.

Israel attacked the South Pars gas field on Wednesday and carried out assaults in northern Iran for the first time since the war began in late February.

In response, Iran launched missiles at oil and gas facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, striking Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub...

Day 19 of Iran War: Middle East Supply Fears Boost Oil 6%; US Eases Shipping Rules

The US-Israeli war on Iran is spreading regionally on its 19th day, with missiles and drones targeting Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan. Israel bombed central Beirut early Wednesday, killing at least six people and marking an expansion of the US-Israeli war against Iran. Iran carried out further retaliatory attacks on Israel, causing significant damage, and vowed revenge after Israeli strikes killed security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

Global markets remain volatile as US diesel prices climbed past $5 per gallon on Wednesday, marking their highest level since 2022. Meanwhile, the national average price for...

Day 18 of Iran War: Israel Claims Iran's Security Chief Killed; Oil Regains Some Ground

The US–Israeli war on Iran has entered its 18th day, with escalating strikes across multiple cities causing civilian casualties and widening regional instability.

Iran has retaliated against US assets, while Israel has expanded operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Gulf states report intercepting missiles and drones as airspace disruptions spread.

On Tuesday, Israel said it had killed Iran’s national security chief, while a senior Iranian official stated that the new supreme leader had turned down de-escalation proposals relayed through intermediaries...

Day 14 of Iran War: US Temporarily Eases Russian Oil Sanctions; Shipping Risks Mount 

Israeli airstrikes have hit Tehran on the 14^th day of the Iran war as Iran and its allies launch retaliatory attacks across Gulf states, sharply escalating tensions across the region and disrupting global energy markets.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route linking the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, remains severely disrupted.

On Friday, the US issued a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea. Oil prices eased following the announcement, though prices are...

Day 11: Trump Says Iran War Could End “Very Soon,” But Not This Week

On the 11th day of the US–Israel war on Iran, Tehran endured what officials described as some of the heaviest overnight bombardments so far.

Speaking on Monday, US President Donald Trump commented that the war could end “very soon,” but noted that it would not be over this week. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that Iran would continue fighting for as long as necessary, casting doubt on Trump’s claim that the war may cease in the near future.

Crude oil prices fell more than 10% Tuesday...

Crude Oil Set for Record Daily Surge as Iran War Enters Tenth Day

On Monday, the United States and Israel continued their attacks on Iran during the tenth day of the war, with Israeli strikes on oil facilities in Iran causing toxic smoke across Tehran. 

Meanwhile, Iranian forces sustained their retaliatory strikes on US military assets and other key infrastructure in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The latest Iranian attacks on Bahrain have damaged a water desalination plant.

More than a week after the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes...

Iran War Enters Fourth Day, Driving Higher Crude Prices and Broad Commodity Swings

The US-Israeli war on Iran intensified into its fourth day, with Tehran reporting a death toll of 787 as strikes continue to target leadership and infrastructure. Israel’s campaign, initially described as a two-week operation, is reportedly advancing faster than expected, with no firm end date signaled. US President Donald Trump said the war could last four to five weeks.

Global markets remain on edge. Crude oil surged nearly 4% in overnight trade, while European equities fell sharply. US stock futures also pointed lower, with the three major indices last shedding about 2%...

Zelensky Invites Businesses to Invest in Ukraine as 'End of War Documents' Nearly Ready

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland today (January 22) Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, said that "the documents for ending this war" [Russia-Ukraine] are "nearly ready."

"Today's meeting [with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum a few hours earlier] was positive," he added. Zelensky also said the US team will go to Moscow today to continue peace talks.

Addressing business owners in the audience, Zelensky said: "Yes, there is a little risk right now

Top 10 Headlines on Expana in 2025—and What Could Shape the Next Year in Food and Ag

2025 was a big year for news in the food and agriculture industry. Headlines ranging from livestock diseases and sweeping policy changes to rising geopolitical tensions, shifting tariffs, weather events, and evolving consumer trends influenced commercial strategies, supply chains, and global market dynamics... 

Farming at Risk After Two Storms Slam Northern Japan; No Expected Impact from Recent Tsunami

Two tropical storms struck northern Japan in quick succession this July, marking an unusually early and intense start to the region’s storm season and raising concerns about disruptions to agricultural production, aquaculture, and regional logistics.  

Tropical Storm Nari, which formed over the North Pacific Ocean on July 11, intensified to tropical storm status by July 13, with wind speeds reaching up to 60 mph. The storm made landfall near the southern tip of Hokkaido on July 14

The New "Coke of America”? 

Call it bipartisan, call it good taste... US President Donald Trump’s latest truth may be exciting nostalgic beverage enthusiasts from left, to center, and right. The President is calling for cane sugar in US Coke cans and bottles going forward. 

“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” wrote Trump. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!” 

BayWa Confirms Most Severe Crisis in Company’s History   

BayWa has confirmed that the 2024 financial year was marked by the most severe crisis in the company’s history. 

“In the summer of 2024, BayWa AG found itself in a debt and liquidity crisis that threatened its very existence, whereupon comprehensive reorganization measures were initiated and a reorganization opinion on the future viability and continued existence of the BayWa Group was commissioned,” the company said in its annual report. 

As part of its ongoing restructuring strategy, BayWa has sold a 47.53% stake in...