Economy
Mazda has postponed the launch of its first dedicated battery electric vehicle to 2029 at the earliest and sharply reduced its electrification spending, signaling a strategic shift toward hybrid models as near-term demand for full electric vehicles weakens in several markets. The Japanese automaker......
Copper prices rose sharply on Tuesday, briefly crossing 14,000 dollars per metric ton on the London Metal Exchange, moving close to their all-time high of 14,527.50 dollars reached on 29 January. The rally reflects tightening global supply conditions driven by geopolitical tensions, stronger demand from......
Solar and wind energy combined with battery storage can now deliver continuous electricity at a lower cost than fossil fuels in regions with strong natural resources, according to a new report by International Renewable Energy Agency. The findings come as global energy markets face sustained pressure,......
Japan and Australia signed a series of agreements on critical minerals and energy cooperation during a bilateral summit in Canberra, as both countries move to secure supply chains under mounting pressure from global oil market instability linked to tensions in the Middle East. Japanese Prime Minister......
Crude imports across Asia are declining as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz approaches its eighth week, exposing the limits of alternative supply routes. Major importers including China, India, South Korea and Japan are struggling to replace Middle Eastern crude that previously moved through the corridor,......
Major Asian carriers including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and Qantas report a sharp increase in passenger demand on Europe-bound routes as travelers avoid Middle East hubs affected by the conflict involving Iran. The shift reflects a rapid reconfiguration of global air travel flows,......
A fire at a major Australian refinery has intensified fuel supply pressures across Asia, as regional markets already strain under disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. At the same time, Japanese refiners are resorting to complex offshore oil transfers to secure crude supplies while avoiding......
Asian stock markets rose sharply on Thursday as investors reacted to renewed expectations of diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran. The surge pushed Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 beyond its previous closing record during intraday trading, reflecting growing confidence across regional......
China has lifted restrictions on some iron ore purchases from BHP, signaling a shift in a trade dispute that had disrupted global supply chains for months and unsettled commodity markets. A state-backed buyer, China Mineral Resources Group, informed steel producers they could resume bidding on selected......
The global aviation sector is confronting sustained disruption as jet fuel prices surge and supply tightens, with Corneel Koster warning that elevated fuel costs are likely to persist. The crisis follows the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has cut off roughly one fifth of global oil flows. Six......
The growing probability of a powerful El Niño event later this year is adding pressure to an already fragile global food system, as conflict in Iran continues to disrupt fertilizer supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Economists and climate scientists warn that the combination of supply chain......
The war in Iran, which broke out in late February, is reshaping car-buying behavior across the world. As fuel prices surge on the back of oil supply disruptions, consumers in the United Kingdom and Australia turned to electric vehicles in record numbers in March 2026, according to recently published......
The worst energy crisis in modern history will ultimately accelerate the worldwide transition to renewables, nuclear power, and electric vehicles, International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol said in an interview published Tuesday by French daily Le Figaro. Birol described the current......
