Middle East crisis live: Trump says Israel and Lebanon to hold talks Thursday; US hits Iran’s oil sector with new sanctions

New meeting to come after rare direct talks between the countries mediated by US; Netanyahu earlier says Israel about to ‘overwhelm’ part of southern LebanonUS and Iran in indirect talks to extend two-week ceasefireAsian stocks mostly gained while oil prices steadied on Thursday over expectations of an extension of a ceasefire in the Iran war and hopes for more talks between the US and Iran.Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 jumped 2.4%, while South Korea’s Kospi climbed 2%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose and the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.6%. Continue reading...