Bank of Japan holds rates as oil shock raises inflation risks

The Bank of Japan kept its interest rates unchanged on Thursday, warning that rising oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict could push up underlying inflation and complicate policy decisions. The central bank maintained its short-term policy rate at 0.75 percent following a two-day meeting, in line with market expectations. The decision......

Global energy crisis from Iran war drives shift to renewables

The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has disrupted global energy markets, prompting governments to accelerate efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. After Tehran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply has been blocked, triggering what policymakers describe......

Pakistan cancels military parade as oil crisis triggers austerity across Asia

A severe energy crisis linked to the war in Iran is forcing governments across Asia to impose emergency austerity measures, as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz choke vital oil and gas supplies to heavily import-dependent economies. Pakistan announced it would cancel its annual Pakistan Day military parade scheduled for March 23, replacing......

UAE briefly closes airspace as Iran Israel strikes escalate across region

The United Arab Emirates briefly shut its airspace on Tuesday as missile and drone exchanges between Iran and Israel intensified, with explosions reported in several Gulf cities and new strikes launched across multiple fronts. Residents in Dubai and Doha reported hearing blasts as air defense systems intercepted incoming projectiles. UAE......

Oil prices rebound above $100 as Hormuz concerns persist

Oil prices rose sharply on Tuesday as renewed concerns over the Strait of Hormuz erased the previous day’s relief rally, highlighting ongoing disruption in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Brent crude climbed nearly 3 percent to around $103 per barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose to about......

Hiroshima survivor Shigeaki Mori dies at 88

Shigeaki Mori, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and a long-time advocate for historical memory, has died at the age of 88, according to local media reports. Mori was widely known not only for surviving one of the most devastating events of the 20th century but also for his efforts to document the fate of American prisoners of......

Asian stocks rise on AI rally as oil climbs above $102

Asian equities advanced on Tuesday, supported by renewed investor interest in artificial intelligence stocks, while oil prices continued to rise amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The MSCI Asia Pacific index excluding Japan gained 0.9 percent in early trading. South Korea’s Kospi led the region with a 2.4 percent......

Yen weakens near 160 as markets await Fed and BoJ decisions

The Japanese yen hovered near a key intervention threshold after the USD/JPY pair reached a 52 week high of 159.75, its strongest level since mid July 2024, as traders focused on upcoming policy decisions from the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan. The move places the yen close to the 160 level, a point that has previously triggered......

Scientists detect full set of genetic building blocks in Ryugu samples

Scientists have identified all five canonical nucleobases, the molecular units that encode genetic information, in samples returned from the asteroid Ryugu. The findings, published on March 15 in Nature Astronomy, support the theory that carbon-rich asteroids delivered key chemical ingredients to early Earth. A research team led by Toshiki......

Tungsten prices surge 557 percent as China tightens export controls

Global tungsten prices have soared to record levels after China tightened export restrictions on the strategic metal, triggering supply shortages that are affecting defense and technology industries worldwide. The price of ammonium paratungstate, the main benchmark for tungsten trading, has climbed above 2,250 dollars per metric ton unit,......

Currency volatility hits eight month high as Iran conflict shakes markets

Global currency markets have entered a period of heightened turbulence as the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran enters its third week, driving a key measure of foreign exchange volatility to its highest level since July 2025. The Deutsche Bank currency volatility indicator rose for a second consecutive week, according......

Asian markets fall as oil holds above $100 amid Iran war

Asian financial markets opened lower Monday as investors prepared for another volatile week, with oil prices remaining above 100 dollars per barrel and no clear end to the conflict between the United States and Iran that has effectively disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Futures tied to United States equities also signaled a......

Japan begins releasing oil reserves in largest IEA stockpile draw

Japan began releasing strategic oil reserves on Monday as part of what the International Energy Agency described as the largest coordinated drawdown of emergency stockpiles in its more than 50 year history. The move forms part of a joint effort by 32 countries to counter the supply shock triggered by the war involving Iran and the effective......

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