- North Korea blows up roads, rails to South
- Thomas Tuchel set to be unveiled as new England manager - reports
- Russia working to undermine Moldova vote: US
- Trump says 'obnoxious' tariffs will bring factories to US
- Russia, China step up cybercriminal recruitment, warns Microsoft
- Kylian Mbappe 'shocked' to see name linked to Swedish rape investigation - lawyer to AFP
- Giant pandas flown to US from China aboard 'Panda Express'
- Sri Lanka level T20 series with record-breaking West Indies win
- French footballer Ben Yedder on trial for sexual assault
- India foreign minister in arch-rival Pakistan for rare visit
- Restored 'Apollo Belvedere' marble back on show in the Vatican
- Lagos festival dances to Nigerian icon Fela Kuti's beat
- Italian PM hails 'courageous' Albania migrant deal
- 'Tragedy in Jabalia' as Israel army tightens siege in north Gaza
- Draft UN climate pact leaves open thorny question of money
- Two giant pandas arrive in US from China aboard 'Panda Express'
- Musiala and Upamecano return to Bayern training
- Wirtz return 'unclear' after injury on Germany duty
- Ghulam says 'wait is over' after century on Pakistan debut
- Boeing to raise up to $25 bn as strike weighs on finances
- Two giant pandas arrive in US from China
- Japan hold Australia, S. Korea and China win in World Cup qualifying
- Mbappe's golden-boy image takes a hit amid negative headlines
- Hezbollah threatens to attack targets across Israel
- Oil prices fall on easing Middle East fears
- Wales lock Jenkins to miss November Tests with 'horrible' injury lay-off
- France to play Israel in Paris and allow fans in
- Twin panda cubs to make public debut at Berlin zoo
- Scotland's Kinghorn maintains Lions 'dream' despite Toulouse clash
- Pakistan debutant Ghulam hits century to defy England in second Test
- Boeing announces intention to raise up to $25 bn
- Tuchel 'in talks with FA' over England manager's job
- Dutch rider Lavreysen targets record at world track championships
- Bangladesh suspend Hathurusingha as coach after alleged assault
- Russian Olympic chief announces surprise resignation
- Ferguson to leave Man Utd ambassador role as club cuts costs
- Turkish govt defends tax plan to fund defence industry
- Oil prices tumble on easing Middle East fears
- Eidevall quits as Arsenal Women head coach
- US, Philippines launch war games after China's Taiwan drills, ship collision
- Swedish prosecutor confirms 'rape' probe without naming Mbappe
- England dismiss Ayub but Pakistan reach 173-3 at tea in second Test
- Israel vows to put 'national interest' first in response to Iran attack
- Oil prices hit by easing Middle East fears, most Asian markets rise
- Mbappe-PSG salary row faces hearing as France captain cited in 'rape' report
- K-pop star tells South Korea lawmakers of workplace bullying
- Ex-Wallabies captain Elsom denies wrongdoing after arrest warrant
- Pakistan 79-2 at lunch in second England Test after Leach strikes
- Hopes pinned on peace across Taiwan Strait after drills
- Valencia fans leave Singapore with 'stern warning' after protest
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Asian markets drop as Middle East conflict worries grow
Asian markets sank Monday on concerns that Israel's expected ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza could spark a regional war involving Iran, with warnings that oil prices could surge, further complicating central banks' efforts to tame inflation.
After a week-long bombing campaign, Israel has amassed a huge army on the border with Gaza for what is expected to be a ground incursion aimed at flushing out militants after surprise attacks on October 7 that left hundreds dead.
Tel Aviv has ordered more than a million Palestinians to evacuate the north of the territory, fuelling worries about a humanitarian crisis.
While President Joe Biden has said Israel had the right to defend itself, he told CBS news program 60 Minutes that any move to occupy the Gaza Strip again would be a "big mistake".
However, reports said he was considering a trip to Israel after being invited in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to return Monday for the second visit since the Hamas attacks.
The possible meeting comes amid fears that the local conflict will turn regional if Iran -- which has been accused of helping stage this month's attack -- becomes involved.
"The key uncertainty is whether a ground operation risks widening the conflict, with markets focused on whether Iran and its allies are drawn into the conflict," said National Australia Bank's Tapas Strickland.
Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase & Co boss Jamie Dimon warned Friday of the geopolitical crisis if the fighting widened.
"This may be the most dangerous time the world has seen in decades," he said in the bank's third-quarter earnings statement.
"The war in Ukraine compounded by last week's attacks on Israel may have far-reaching impacts on energy and food markets, global trade, and geopolitical relationships."
The uncertainty weighed on Wall Street stocks, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 both dropping, while oil prices soared almost six percent.
However, the Dow ended slightly higher thanks to strong earnings from JPMorgan, Citi and Wells Fargo that came on the back of elevated interest rates.
Asia was in the red, with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, Taipei, Wellington and Manila all down.
Oil prices, however, dipped on profit-taking.
Adding to the dour mood was news that the White House will tighten rules on Chinese access to chips and chip-making equipment, maintaining a long-running security standoff between the superpowers, despite moves to ease tensions.
Traders will be keeping a close eye on speeches this week by several Federal Reserve decision-makers including boss Jerome Powell, hoping for some idea about their plans for rates.
The talks come after a number of officials in recent weeks indicated they were happy to keep borrowing costs on hold, soothing concerns about more tightening that some observers fear could flip the US economy into recession.
- Key figures around 0230 GMT -
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.6 percent at 31,786.78 (break)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 percent at 17,777.03
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,075.99
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 149.46 yen from 149.53 yen on Friday
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0525 from $1.0513
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2159 from $1.2138
Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.56 pence from 86.58 pence
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.2 percent at $87.56 per barrel
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.1 percent at $90.84 per barrel
New York - Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 33,670.29 (close)
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.6 at 7,599.60 (close)
L.Durand--AMWN