Fund managers raise cash at fastest pace since COVID amid Iran war
Global investor confidence has fallen to its lowest level in six months as the war involving Iran and growing stress in private credit markets push fund managers toward their most defensive positioning since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bank of America’s March global fund manager survey, covering 210 institutional investors......
Altman sparks backlash with developer tribute amid AI layoffs
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman faced widespread criticism after posting a message thanking software developers at a time when job cuts linked to artificial intelligence are accelerating across the technology sector. Altman wrote on X that he felt “enormous gratitude” toward people who built complex software “character......
Euro falls below 1.1500 as traders await Fed and ECB decisions
The euro weakened against the US dollar, slipping below the 1.1500 level on Tuesday as markets positioned ahead of key policy decisions from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. The EUR/USD pair closed near 1.1491 after opening at 1.1505, marking its lowest level in seven months. The Federal Reserve began its two day policy......
Russian oil revenues surge after US sanctions waiver boosts exports
Russia’s oil revenues recorded a sharp weekly increase after a temporary US sanctions waiver and rising global prices linked to tensions with Iran triggered a rapid market reversal, easing months of pressure on Moscow’s energy income. Seaborne oil export revenues rose by about 890 million dollars in the week ending March 15, reaching......
Goldman says fuel prices hit harder than crude in oil shock
Goldman Sachs warned that the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran is driving sharper increases in refined fuel prices than in crude oil, even as Brent remains above 100 dollars per barrel amid one of the largest supply disruptions on record. The bank’s commodities team, led by Daan Struyven, raised its short-term......
Oil prices fall as US stock surge and Iraq export deal ease concerns
Oil prices declined on Wednesday as a sharp increase in US crude inventories and a deal to resume Iraqi exports offset ongoing fears of supply disruptions linked to tensions with Iran in the Gulf. Brent crude dropped about 1.2 percent to around 102 dollars per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate fell roughly 1.8 percent. The decline......
Webb telescope detects thickest atmospheric haze ever seen on exoplanet
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have identified an exceptionally dense atmospheric haze surrounding the exoplanet Kepler-51d, blocking efforts to determine its chemical composition and origin, according to a study published in the Astronomical Journal. An international team led by researchers at Penn State examined the planet,......
Neste shares gain as banks raise targets on fuel price surge
Barclays and Morgan Stanley have upgraded their outlook on Finnish renewable fuels producer Neste, citing improved margins driven by rising fuel prices linked to geopolitical tensions involving Iran. Barclays raised its rating on the company to overweight and set a price target of €32, while Morgan Stanley increased its target to €28.50......
Taghazout Bay hosts pivotal WSL qualifier for Europe and Africa
Morocco will host a decisive stage of the international surfing calendar when the Pro Taghazout Bay QS 4,000 takes place from March 22 to 29 at Anchor Point. The event marks the final stop of the 2025-2026 World Surf League Qualifying Series for Europe and a crucial late-season contest for Africa, where ranking points will determine access......
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......
Trump vows to “take” Cuba as island reels from oil embargo
President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Cuba by declaring that the United States should “take” the island nation as it struggles with a severe energy crisis and economic fallout from a tightened U.S. oil embargo. His remarks came shortly after Havana reported a near‑total blackout, blamed on dwindling fuel supplies......
Republicans enact new maps in four states amid redistricting push
Republicans have passed new congressional maps in four states, stepping up a nationwide redistricting campaign aimed at reshaping the balance of power ahead of the 2026 midterms. The redrawn districts in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Indiana are designed to consolidate Republican strength in suburban and rural areas while diluting the......
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......
Nearly 470 million children live in areas of armed conflict
United Nations officials report that one child in six now lives amid war or armed violence. This affects about 470 million minors worldwide. The figure emerged at a Geneva event marking the annual day on children's rights during the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council. A generation faces violence from ongoing conflicts. Deputy......
Morocco bets on AI to strengthen agriculture and growth
Morocco is moving to connect its artificial intelligence strategy with agriculture as it seeks to protect economic growth from climate shocks and lift productivity in a sector that remains central to national output. Official projections from the High Commission for Planning show gross domestic product growth reaching 5% in 2026 after 4.7%......