World economy
Hormuz blockade could deepen world’s worst energy crisis — and risk a dangerous misstep
Lightning occurs when META 4, an Oil Products Tanker, sails into Muscat Anchorage on March 21, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman. Elke Scholiers | Getty Images President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, dimming hopes for a quick end to the conflict in the Middle […]
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From panic to pricing in: Are markets past ‘peak fear and sell-off’ despite oil price surge?
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on April 08, 2026 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images The U.S. move to blockade the critical Strait of Hormuz has led to a familiar market response: surging crude prices, rising bond yields and a firmer dollar. […]
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Asia markets set for mixed open as oil surges after U.S. moves to blockade Iran ports
Debris of a NATO air defence system that intercepted a missile launched from Iran is seen in Dortyol, in southern Hatay province, Turkey, March 4, 2026 in this screengrab from video. Ihlas News Agency | Via Reuters Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Monday, as investors weigh a U.S. naval blockade on Iran’s ports […]
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What this real-world oil price says about the level of stress in the energy market
A general view of Navigator Terminals, an Oil storage depot along the River Thames on March 10, 2026 in London, England. Dan Kitwood | Getty Images News | Getty Images The fluctuating price of dated Brent, the global benchmark for real-world barrels of crude, has prompted energy analysts warn to that acute stress in the […]
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From war to weather: A ‘super El Niño’ event poses fresh risks to global food costs
A batch of exported urea fertilizers is being concentrated at the port for shipment at Yantai Port in Shandong Province, China on March 26, 2026. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images An unusually powerful El Niño later this year could exacerbate food security fears as disruption caused by the Iran war strains supply for […]
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Iran oil shock stirs memories of 1997 Asian Financial Crisis — but here’s why history may not repeat itself
A month into the worst oil supply disruption since the 1970s Arab embargo, the economic pain spreading across Asia is reviving an uncomfortable question: Could this be 1997 all over again? The parallels are hard to ignore. Asian currencies are under pressure, fueling the risk of capital outflows. Spiking energy costs have pushed governments to […]
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Inside India newsletter: Tariffs and Iran war threaten India’s $100 billion garments export goal
Hello, this is Priyanka Salve, writing to you from Singapore. Welcome to the latest edition of “Inside India“ — your one-stop destination for stories and developments from the world’s fastest growing large economy. Just as India’s textile industry was beginning to stabilize after U.S. tariffs, it received another blow. Industry leaders tell me the Iran […]
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European stocks set to soar after U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on April 02, 2026 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images LONDON — European stocks are expected to open sharply higher on Wednesday after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a conditional ceasefire deal. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 […]
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Gulf countries scramble to intercept missiles hours into U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – APRIL 08: An Iranian cluster munition is fired towards Tel Aviv and the surrounding area around 3 AM on April 08, 2026 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Alexi Rosenfeld | Getty Images News | Getty Images Many Middle Eastern countries reported incoming missiles and drones from Iran on Wednesday, triggering air defenses […]
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CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter: Why AI isn’t replacing jobs in China (yet)
College students look for employment opportunities at the Large-scale Recruitment Fair for Science and Engineering Universities on March 24, 2026 in Harbin, China. Tyne Chin | Getty Images News | Getty Images Hi, this is Evelyn, writing to you from Beijing. Welcome to the latest edition of The China Connection — a succinct snapshot of […]
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