Economy
The Strait of Hormuz closure blocks 20% of global oil and comparable liquefied natural gas flows, sparking the modern era's largest energy disruption. Asian governments ration fuels, revive coal power, and fast-track nuclear plans. Western oil majors post surging profits as supplies dwindle. The......
Brent crude slipped below 110 dollars a barrel on Thursday, pulling back from a brief spike above 120 dollars the previous day, one of the most volatile stretches on oil markets since the start of the Strait of Hormuz crisis two months ago. The sharp moves underscore a market caught between fears of......
China’s manufacturing sector expanded in April despite a global energy crisis triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions and disruptions to maritime routes. Official data showed industrial activity continuing to grow, supported by a domestic energy system heavily reliant on coal, which has insulated......
Bitcoin fell below $77,000 after the Bank of Japan signaled a more hawkish policy direction despite keeping interest rates unchanged at 0.75 percent. The cryptocurrency dropped as low as $76,400 during early US trading, as investors reacted to growing expectations that Japanese rates could rise again......
The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate unchanged at 0.75 percent in a closely divided decision, with three policymakers voting for an increase to 1 percent. The 6 to 3 split highlights rising concern within the central bank as the war in Iran drives energy prices higher and intensifies inflationary pressures.......
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index crossed the 60,000-point threshold for the first time in its history on Thursday, marking a major milestone after decades of market evolution. The benchmark briefly reached an intraday high of 60,013.98 points early in Tokyo trading before reversing course and slipping......
Asian equity markets surged to new highs as strong demand for artificial intelligence technologies and easing geopolitical tensions lifted investor sentiment. Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed at a record level, while South Korea’s KOSPI broke above 6,400 points for the first time, driven by gains......
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,......
China’s exports of rare earth magnets and materials to Japan dropped sharply in March, reaching their lowest level in nine months and underscoring growing strain in a critical global supply chain. The decline follows export restrictions imposed by Beijing earlier this year amid escalating diplomatic......
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......
Rising oil prices linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are driving a sharp divide among leading economic forecasters over the outlook for global inflation. With crude holding above 100 dollars per barrel, Oxford Economics and Royal Bank of Canada present contrasting scenarios, underscoring uncertainty......
Public debt levels across the Group of Seven have increased significantly in recent years, raising concerns about the long-term stability of government finances in the world’s most advanced economies. Countries including the United States, Germany, and Japan are facing mounting fiscal pressure......
