International News 25 June 2026
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Oman Keeps Strait of Hormuz Open and Waives Transit Fees Amid Regional Security Concerns
Oman has reaffirmed that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to international shipping and announced that no transit fees will be imposed on vessels passing through the critical waterway. The move comes as heightened security risks in the region continue to disrupt commercial shipping activities and fuel volatility in global energy markets. Working in coordination with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Oman has established two temporary shipping corridors located north and south of the main navigation route traditionally used by vessels departing the Gulf. Omani authorities stated that the current shipping arrangement is no longer considered sufficiently safe, prompting the introduction of the new routes to enhance navigational security and ensure the continued flow of maritime trade through one of the world’s most important energy transit chokepoints.
SK Hynix Plans Up to US$29.4 Billion U.S. ADR Listing to Expand AI Chip Capacity
South Korean memory chip maker SK hynix announced plans to raise up to 45.45 trillion won (approximately US$29.43 billion) through an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) offering in the United States. The fundraising initiative is part of the company's strategy to broaden its investor base and expand production capacity for semiconductors used in artificial intelligence applications. According to a regulatory filing, the final amount raised could change following the bookbuilding process. The world's second-largest memory chip manufacturer intends to issue 17.79 million new shares to support its ADR listing on the Nasdaq, which is scheduled for July 10. Proceeds from the offering will be used to construct a new semiconductor fabrication facility in Yongin, develop an advanced packaging plant in Cheongju, and purchase chipmaking equipment, including advanced Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography scanners, to strengthen its position in the rapidly growing AI semiconductor market.
U.S. Senate Approves Resolution Urging Trump to End Military Operations Against Iran
The U.S. Senate has approved a resolution calling on President Donald Trump to halt American military operations against Iran, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the White House and Congress. In a narrow 50–48 vote on Tuesday, senators passed a war powers resolution that had already cleared the United States House of Representatives, making it one of the rare instances in which both chambers of Congress have aligned in seeking to limit U.S. military involvement overseas. The measure represents a notable political rebuke to Trump amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, which reportedly began on February 28 following initial strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. While the resolution reflects growing concern among lawmakers over the scope of U.S. military engagement, it also highlights the increasingly contentious debate in Washington regarding the administration’s handling of the conflict and the constitutional balance of war-making authority between Congress and the presidency.