Hundreds of trucks idle along the road into Iran from Turkey's mountainous eastern border. Bustling even in normal times, the countries' largest crossing is now a make-or-break economic lifeline for Tehran as the U.S. navy blockades its ports.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has pressed to accelerate overland trade as the blockade limits the vast majority of imports while cutting off the oil and gas sales that largely keep the economy alive.

When Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war, choking off sea passage for some 15 million barrels of oil a day, many feared that prices would skyrocket, cratering the world economy.

Instead, nearly seven months on, oil is expensive but not exorbitant, and analysts say there's enough oil available to meet current global needs, even as the higher prices cause political problems for U.S. President Donald Trump and others.

The European Union on Thursday slammed a possible U.S. diesel export ban backed by President Donald Trump as a "bad idea" that would hurt both sides.

"We believe this is a bad idea," European Commission spokesman Olof Gill told a press conference in Brussels. "We believe it potentially can have a negative impact on both sides. We're making that point to our U.S. counterparts at the highest level."

The most powerful venture capital firm in Silicon Valley is starting a two-year private school for young people intended to replace college, as some U.S. tech elite question the benefits of a classical university education.

President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday met with an official Syrian delegation comprising the ministers of economy, tourism, agriculture, and transport, as well as the heads of the investment and aviation authorities and the head of the Lebanese-Syrian Business Council.

Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar spoke first, conveying the greetings of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Aoun, the Lebanese government and the “brotherly Lebanese people.”

Stock markets advanced Tuesday as oil prices fell further on speculation the United States and Iran could make progress on talks to end the Mideast war this week, with enthusiasm about Meta's new AI agent fanning a tech rally.

Several Iraqi travel agencies said on Tuesday the U.S. ban on Iranian airlines could severely disrupt their business, forcing them to explore alternatives, such as hours-long land routes to Iran.

China said on Tuesday it opposed "illegal" U.S. sanctions on Iranian airlines, a day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened potential measures in a televised interview.

China and the United States are divided on many issues, from tariffs and technology to Taiwan. But there is one thing tying them together: fast food.

American restaurant and beverage chains are expanding rapidly in China, drawn by the potential customer pool in a country with four times the U.S. population. China's languishing economy and cutthroat industry competition, meanwhile, have Chinese chains trying their luck in the U.S., turning crumbs and straws into a two-way cultural bridge between the two superpowers.

It is lunchtime in downtown Santiago, and dozens of businesses around the Plaza de Armas are serving up one of Chile's most democratic specialties: the "completo."

For decades, the country's version of the hot dog has been one of the most affordable foods enjoyed across social classes. But as the cost of living rises and the economy struggles, even the humble snack is feeling the impact.