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South Korea proposes extra  billion budget to cushion energy costs fueled by Iran war
World

South Korea proposes extra $17 billion budget to cushion energy costs fueled by Iran war

Workers install solar power infrastructure at a public parking lot within the National Assembly grounds in Yeouido, Seoul, on March 26, 2026. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images South Korea on Tuesday proposed a supplementary budget worth 26.2 trillion won (about $17.1 billion) to ease the burden of rising energy prices on households and industries […]

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Three niche commodity prices are surging. What they show about China’s grip on supply chains
World

Three niche commodity prices are surging. What they show about China’s grip on supply chains

Almonty’s tungsten mine in Sangdong, South Korea, in March 2026. Almonty BEIJING — The Iran war is squeezing a global commodities market already pressured by China’s export controls and stockpiling efforts. Prices of three niche elements — tungsten, sulfur and helium — have climbed sharply in recent weeks. While none of the commodities are traded […]

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Oil prices reverse course to fall as traders assess Trump comments on Iran war
World

Oil prices reverse course to fall as traders assess Trump comments on Iran war

A general view of the Port of Kharg Island Oil Terminal, 25 km from the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf and 483 km northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, in Iran on March 12, 2017. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Oil prices reversed course to drop in early Asia trading as traders assess […]

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China’s factory activity returns to growth, expanding at its sharpest pace in a year
World

China’s factory activity returns to growth, expanding at its sharpest pace in a year

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA – FEBRUARY 28: Employees produce stuffed toys for export at a toy factory on February 28, 2026 in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province of China. Si Wei | Visual China Group | Getty Images China’s official gauge for manufacturing activity climbed more than expected in March to mark its best performance in a year and snapping […]

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Asia-Pacific markets fall as Iran war keeps investors jittery, oil extends gains
World

Asia-Pacific markets fall as Iran war keeps investors jittery, oil extends gains

A view of missile traces launched from Yemen at Israel sighted in the sky over Hebron, West Bank, on March 28, 2026. Wisam Hashlamoun | Anadolu | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened lower Tuesday as the conflict in the Middle East keeps investors jittery, with crude oil prices continuing to rise. U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his […]

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Evercore ISI predicts ‘inflection point’ is days away, plans to commit capital if S&P 500 drops to this level
World

Evercore ISI predicts ‘inflection point’ is days away, plans to commit capital if S&P 500 drops to this level

A week of “maximum uncertainty” should deliver a key opportunity for investors, according to Evercore ISI’s Julian Emanuel. “We’re getting towards an inflection point where we would want to commit capital here,” the firm’s managing director said Monday on CNBC’s ” Fast Money .” Emanuel pinpoints next Monday, April 6, the day President Donald Trump […]

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JetBlue Airways raises bag fees as fuel prices soar
Business

JetBlue Airways raises bag fees as fuel prices soar

A JetBlue Airways Airbus A321 airplane departs from Los Angeles International Airport en route to New York on Oct. 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Carter | Getty Images JetBlue Airways is raising bag fees as jet fuel prices soar amid the Iran war. Airfare has climbed for routes around the world since the […]

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China suppliers warn of higher prices for Americans due to Strait of Hormuz closure
World

China suppliers warn of higher prices for Americans due to Strait of Hormuz closure

Pickleball paddle producer Devi Wei has a message for U.S. shoppers. “Americans will have to pay more,” the Chinese businessman told CNBC at a Beijing trade show last week at the China International Exhibition Center. Because of the recent swings in oil prices resulting from the Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, […]

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This is what really causes recessions, a former top Trump White House economist says
Politics

This is what really causes recessions, a former top Trump White House economist says

In 1973, OPEC proclaimed an oil embargo on the U.S. for its decision to resupply the Israeli military during the Yom Kippur war. The embargo lasted until March 1974, and during this time oil prices quadrupled. To control supply, the federal government under Nixon rationed oil, by state, to 1972 levels. By February 1974, it […]

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Powell sees inflation outlook in check, no need to hike rates because of oil shock
World

Powell sees inflation outlook in check, no need to hike rates because of oil shock

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, in a wide-ranging talk at Harvard University, said Monday that he sees inflation expectations as grounded despite rising energy prices so the central bank doesn’t need to respond with higher interest rates. As his term leading the central bank nears an end, Powell avoided questions about the longer-term direction of […]

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