WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed optimism about striking a deal with Iran, saying "I think it's got a very good chance of ending, and if it doesn't end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them."
He made the remarks in a phone interview with PBS News. (US-Trump-Iran)
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NEW YORK -- The Brent crude oil futures price for July delivery fell back to less than 100 U.S. dollars per barrel on Wednesday morning as investors reacted to the prospect of the United States and Iran soon ending the war in the Middle East.
West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery dropped as much as 13.61 dollars, or 13.3 percent, to 88.66 dollars per barrel at one point. Brent crude for July delivery lost 13.12 dollars, or 11.94 percent, to 96.75 dollars a barrel at the low point in the morning session. (WTI-Crude oil-Brent)
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CAPE TOWN -- South Africa has detected the human-to-human transmissible Andes strain in two hantavirus cases in the country who disembarked from a cruise ship linked to an outbreak of the disease, according to the health minister's presentation to parliament on Wednesday.
The Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi was virtually briefing the Portfolio Committee on Health in the National Assembly on the implications of the outbreak. (S. Africa-Hantavirus-Andes Strain-1ST LD WRITETHRU)
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HAVANA -- Cuba on Tuesday rejected remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that there is no oil blockade against the island.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused Rubio of lying, saying the statement contradicted an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 29 that threatens tariffs on countries trading oil with Cuba. (Cuba-US-Oil Blockade) ■
