[2026-03-16 13:00 UTC+10:00] [China data] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China’s economy starts 2026 strongly as retail sales, investment rise

Snippet: Before the Iran energy crisis and latest round of China-US trade talks, retail spending grew 2.8 per cent in January and February while fixed-asset investment increased 1.8 per cent

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3346697/chinas-economy-starts-2026-strongly-retail-sales-investment-rise

[2026-03-16 12:29 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: CNBC Daily Open: Oil infrastructure under threat as Iran war rages on?

Snippet: Taken from CNBC’s Daily Open, our international markets newsletter — Subscribe today

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/16/cnbc-daily-open-us-iran-trump-war-oil.html

[2026-03-16 12:16 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Oil prices open higher as war in Middle East rages

Snippet: WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oil prices kept rising as markets opened Sunday, with both benchmarks higher as the war in the Middle East disrupts global supplies.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/16/business/oil-prices-open-higher-as-war-in-middle-east-rages/2300364

[2026-03-16 11:59 UTC+10:00] [Business / The economy] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: Trump is holding the world hostage

Snippet: March 16, 2026 — 11:59am

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/trump-is-holding-the-world-hostage-20260316-p5oarq.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-03-16 11:30 UTC+10:00] [United Arab Emirates] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: 30% jump in demand for regional holidays among Hongkongers amid Middle East war

Snippet: Industry players say local travellers more cautious ahead of Easter holiday amid rising airfares and disrupted routes

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346683/30-jump-demand-regional-holidays-among-hongkongers-amid-middle-east-war

[2026-03-16 11:30 UTC+10:00] [ByteDance] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hopes of AI monetisation to boost China tech stocks amid war, market scares

Snippet: Chinese tech stocks prove steadier than regional and US peers, as frenzy over OpenClaw shows a possible way forward, analysts say

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3346604/hopes-ai-monetisation-boost-china-tech-stocks-amid-war-market-scares

[2026-03-16 10:57 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: CNBC

Title: Asia-Pacific markets set to fall as oil tops $100 amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions

Snippet: Asia-Pacific markets were set to mostly decline Monday as investors continued to monitor elevated oil prices and the latest developments in the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict.

Read full article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/16/asia-pacific-markets-nikkei-225-kospi-hang-seng-index.html

[2026-03-16 10:15 UTC+10:00] [Africa] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong should work to ensure a steady fuel supply amid war in Iran

Snippet: While shielded by the national economy, the city needs to maintain an open, transparent market to deter abusive behaviour

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3346485/hong-kong-should-work-ensure-steady-fuel-supply-amid-war-iran

[2026-03-16 09:26 UTC+10:00] [WORLD] [Factuality: 95]

Source: The Japan Times

Title: Trump rejects Iran deal on current terms as war continues

Snippet: U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran is ready to make a deal to end the war but the U.S. wants better terms, signaling no let up in a conflict that’s brought shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill and upended energy markets.

Read full article: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/16/world/politics/trump-iran-war-terms-deal/

[2026-03-16 07:44 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: New York Post

Title: California drivers say ‘yes, in my back yard’ for offshore oil

Snippet: California will finally begin pumping offshore oil again near Santa Barbara — saving our state’s economy from catastrophe.

Read full article: https://nypost.com/2026/03/15/opinion/california-drivers-want-offshore-oil-to-bring-down-gas-prices/

[2026-03-16 07:30 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: [Man-Ki Kim] Korea’s supply chain imperative

Snippet: Rising tensions in the Middle East have once again shaken global oil markets, raising concerns about potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. For Korea, which imports nearly all its energy, such uncertainty poses a serious economic risk.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10694595

[2026-03-16 07:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: SEC Chairman highlights stronger regulatory framework and market development vision - DailyNews

Snippet: Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, emphasized the importance of a robust regulatory framework and long-term market development while addressing the Second National Capital Markets Symposium organized by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/16/business/967189/sec-chairman-highlights-stronger-regulatory-framework-and-market-development-vision/

[2026-03-16 06:57 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Electric vehicle use rising in Sri Lanka as economy and environment benefit - DailyNews

Snippet: Chairman of New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Importers Association Mahinda Herath told the Daily News that the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in Sri Lanka is steadily increasing, reflecting a growing shift towards cleaner and more cost-efficient transportation. Industry data shows that EVs accounted for around 10 percent of passenger vehicle imports in 2025, highlighting the rapid adoption of electric mobility after the easing of vehicle import restrictions.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/16/business/967169/electric-vehicle-use-rising-in-sri-lanka-as-economy-and-environment-benefit/

[2026-03-16 06:40 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: How the Iran conflict is reshaping shipping and exposing Sri Lanka’s freight vulnerabilities - DailyNews

Snippet: The escalating conflict involving Iran in the Middle East is reverberating across global shipping lanes, triggering higher freight rates, rising insurance costs and growing uncertainty across international supply chains. For Sri Lanka, an island nation whose economy is closely tied to maritime trade, the crisis has begun to reshape logistics patterns, affect trade costs and highlight both strategic opportunities and long-standing gaps in the country’s freight capabilities.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/16/features/967311/how-the-iran-conflict-is-reshaping-shipping-and-exposing-sri-lankas-freight-vulnerabilities/

[2026-03-16 05:50 UTC+10:00] [US-Israel war on Iran] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Initiative may be slipping away from US and Israel as Middle East crisis deepens

Snippet: There is little sign of imminent regime change in Iran as its blockade of strait of Hormuz shocks global economy

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/15/initiative-may-be-slipping-away-from-us-and-israel-as-middle-east-crisis-deepens

[2026-03-16 05:25 UTC+10:00] [Business / Markets] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: ASX set to fall, Wall Street slumps as war with Iran keeps pressure on oil prices

Snippet: Wall Street’s losses deepened as the ongoing fallout from the war in Iran keeps pushing oil prices higher, ratcheting up inflationary pressure on the global economy.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/business/markets/asx-set-to-fall-wall-street-slumps-as-war-with-iran-keeps-pressure-on-oil-prices-20260316-p5oaq2.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-03-16 05:00 UTC+10:00] [Business / The economy] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: The case for rapid-fire interest rate hikes is hardly watertight

Snippet: March 16, 2026 — 5:00am

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/the-case-for-rapid-fire-interest-rate-hikes-is-hardly-watertight-20260312-p5o9rb.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-03-16 04:33 UTC+10:00] [Scott Bessent] [Factuality: 92]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: US-China trade talks: low-key start to negotiations after first meeting in Paris

Snippet: Discussions expected to focus on trade, investment and rare earths ahead of crucial Xi-Trump summit later this month in Beijing

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346687/us-china-trade-talks-low-key-start-negotiations-after-first-meeting-paris

[2026-03-16 04:04 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: IEA to release emergency oil reserves as Middle East war hits supply

Snippet: The International Energy Agency (IEA) says emergency oil reserves will begin entering global markets as governments move to stabilise supplies disrupted by the Middle East war.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iea-release-emergency-oil-reserves-middle-east-war-hits-supply

[2026-03-16 03:05 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Middle East conflict tests PH economy and politics

Snippet: THE escalating conflict in the Middle East may be thousands of kilometers away from Manila, but its consequences are already being felt by Filipinos through rising fuel prices, economic uncertainty and anxiety for loved ones working abroad.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/16/opinion/columns/middle-east-conflict-tests-ph-economy-and-politics/2300297

[2026-03-16 01:56 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Al Jazeera

Title: Trump calls for naval coalition to open Strait of Hormuz: Can it work?

Snippet: United States President Donald Trump has called for a naval coalition to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of world oil shipments transit, as oil markets reel from supply disruptions caused by the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Read full article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/15/trump-calls-for-naval-coalition-to-open-strait-of-hormuz-can-it-work

[2026-03-15 22:00 UTC+10:00] [US news] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: America needs a movement to curb billionaires' power | Steven Greenhouse

Snippet: The country’s 900 billionaires have far too much influence over our government and economy. Here’s how we can reduce the power of the ultra-rich

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/15/billionaire-curb-power-movement

[2026-03-15 19:53 UTC+10:00] [America] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: China and US begin fresh round of trade talks in Paris

Snippet: Discussions expected to focus on trade, investment and rare earths ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to China later this month

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346652/china-and-us-begin-fresh-round-trade-talks-paris

[2026-03-15 19:30 UTC+10:00] [climate change] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: How jet engines can help power the global AI economy

Snippet: Using old engines to provide energy for data centres runs counter to climate commitments, but the proven technology is easier to scale than green energy

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3346359/how-jet-engines-can-help-power-global-ai-economy

[2026-03-15 17:24 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Seoul under pressure as Trump urges major economies to send ships to Hormuz Strait

Snippet: Since 2017, I have covered South Korea’s political and economic landscape as a reporter, with a focus on foreign affairs, inter-Korean relations and security.As a foreign affairs reporter, I closely follow developments from the Ministry of Unification, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, tracking shifts in diplomacy, military policy and North Korea’s evolving posture.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10694546

[2026-03-15 17:22 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Korean authorities on alert as won nears 1,500 on oil surge

Snippet: Verbal intervention back in focus after overnight slide jolts markets

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10694544

[2026-03-15 16:50 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Sushui Tech to Launch Its Fuel Cell Cloud Service at World Smart Energy Week 2026, Tokyo

Snippet: TOKYO, March 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sushui Tech, a leading innovator in direct methanol fuel cell technology, announced its participation in Smart Energy Week 2026, taking place from March 17 to 19 at Tokyo Big Sight. At Booth W14-71, the company will unveil its Fuel Cell Cloud Service for global markets along with its 200W stationary DMFC generator DMFC-KH-200R dedicated for edge AI applications and 50W portable DMFC generator for disaster response applications.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10694529

[2026-03-15 16:21 UTC+10:00] [Paul Chan Mo-po] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Middle East conflict could divert new capital to Hong Kong: treasury chief

Snippet: Christopher Hui pledges to keep markets operating smoothly amid energy price shocks caused by US-Israel war against Iran

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346640/middle-east-conflict-could-divert-new-capital-hong-kong-treasury-chief

[2026-03-15 16:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Blackpink’s Jennie, Art Basel, Cj Hendry: top Hong Kong events to catch in March

Snippet: Residents and visitors are spoiled for choice in the last two weeks of Hong Kong arts month, with ComplexCon and HKwalls among the city’s offerings

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346632/blackpinks-jennie-art-basel-cj-hendry-top-hong-kong-events-catch-march

[2026-03-15 14:00 UTC+10:00] [Singapore] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Japan hotels keep luring Hong Kong families, global investors despite geopolitical strains

Snippet: Record tourism, limited supply and a weak yen lift returns as institutional capital pours into the hospitality sector

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3346535/japan-hotels-keep-luring-hong-kong-families-global-investors-despite-geopolitical-strains

[2026-03-15 13:09 UTC+10:00] [Australian economy] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: No recession but inflation hike and increased cost-of-living pressure on the way, Jim Chalmers says

Snippet: Economists predict RBA will raise interest rates this week and in May – days before treasurer unveils budget

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/15/no-recession-but-inflation-hike-and-increased-cost-of-living-pressure-on-the-way-jim-chalmers-says

[2026-03-15 13:00 UTC+10:00] [Fantawild] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Chinese bubble tea chain Mixue straps in for theme park project

Snippet: World’s largest food-service chain is looking to monetise its Snow King mascot and give a boost to hometown economy

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346502/chinese-bubble-tea-chain-mixue-straps-theme-park-project

[2026-03-15 12:21 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: New York Post

Title: Mamdani’s tax-and-spend plans leave NYC bond investors leery

Snippet: At the start of his term in January, Mayor Mamdani had the Big Apple’s lenders in his corner — despite his plans to remake the Big Apple economy under his socialist agenda.

Read full article: https://nypost.com/2026/03/14/business/mamdanis-tax-amp-spend-plans-leave-nyc-bond-investors-leery/

[2026-03-15 11:48 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: What to know about the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway essential for global energy supply

Snippet: DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Strait of Hormuz is a small strip of water connecting the Persian Gulf to the world’s oceans, and it has become a big problem for the global economy.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/15/world/americas-emea/what-to-know-about-the-strait-of-hormuz-a-key-passageway-essential-for-global-energy-supply/2300173

[2026-03-15 11:00 UTC+10:00] [Australia] [Factuality: 100]

Source: SBS News

Title: Recession not expected in Australia but markets suggest a March rate hike: Treasurer

Snippet: Jim Chalmers said a recession is "not something that we're anticipating or expecting" in Australia as a result of the Middle East war. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts

Read full article: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/recession-not-expected-in-australia-but-markets-suggest-a-march-rate-hike-treasurer/d0kyhtv4v

[2026-03-15 06:00 UTC+10:00] [Australian economy] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Rate rises, helium shortages, EV sales spikes: how is the disruption in Iran’s strait of Hormuz affecting Australia?

Snippet: The ‘largest supply disruption in history’ due to the US-Israeli war on Iran is affecting prices from plastic to jet fuel to fertiliser

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/15/rate-rises-helium-shortages-ev-sales-spikes-how-is-the-disruption-in-irans-strait-of-hormuz-affecting-australia

[2026-03-15 04:25 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Strait of Hormuz: What to know about the vital oil route

Snippet: DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Strait of Hormuz is a small strip of water connecting the Persian Gulf to the world’s oceans, and it has become a big problem for the global economy.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/15/world/strait-of-hormuz-what-to-know-about-the-vital-oil-route/2300136

[2026-03-15 04:09 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Al Jazeera

Title: Protests erupt in Cuba as US restrictions spark food, energy shortages

Snippet: Protesters in central Cuba have torched a local communist party office, as conditions on the island continue to deteriorate under severe restrictions from the United States meant to squeeze the economy.

Read full article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/14/protests-erupt-in-cuba-as-us-restrictions-spark-food-energy-shortages

[2026-03-15 03:11 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: Ace Gapuz and the rise of the creator economy

Snippet: In 2011, when social media was still finding its footing in the Philippines and “influencer marketing” had yet to enter the business vocabulary, Ace Gapuz saw something others had not fully recognized: a growing community of digital storytellers with the power to shape conversations, communities and consumer behavior.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/15/the-sunday-times/cover-story/ace-gapuz-and-the-rise-of-the-creator-economy/2300000

[2026-03-15 01:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: New York Post

Title: Kalshi promo code NYPMAX: Trade $10, get $10 for Saturday’s Conference Tournament Finals

Snippet: Plenty of tickets will be punched to the Big Dance on Saturday, and new users can get in on the action by using the Kalshi promo code NYPMAX to participate in March Madness prediction markets.

Read full article: https://nypost.com/2026/03/14/betting/kalshi-promo-code-nypmax-trade-10-get-10-for-saturdays-conference-tournament-finals/

[2026-03-15 00:28 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Why Kharg Island is central to Iran’s oil exports.

Snippet: Kharg Island sits at the heart of Iran’s oil export infrastructure in the northern Gulf, making it one of the most strategically important energy hubs in the region. Located about 25km off Iran’s southern coast, the island hosts the country’s main oil export terminal, where crude from oil fields across Iran is stored and loaded onto tankers for shipment to international markets.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/why-kharg-island-central-irans-oil-exports

[2026-03-14 23:00 UTC+10:00] [Business] [Factuality: 90]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: ‘Everything is going up’: Americans struggle with affordability despite Trump’s claims

Snippet: US workers are finding it difficult to afford basic necessities as the president claims ‘the economy is roaring back’

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/14/americans-struggle-affordability-despite-trump-claims

[2026-03-14 21:32 UTC+10:00] [BUSINESS] [Factuality: 95]

Source: The Japan Times

Title: Japan and South Korea ready to act against forex volatility, ministers say

Snippet: Japan and South Korea expressed concern on Saturday about the rapid declines in their currencies, saying they were ready to act against excessive foreign-exchange volatility.

Read full article: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/14/markets/japan-sk-forex-volatility/

[2026-03-14 20:45 UTC+10:00] [Australia] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong to tighten moneylending rules to tackle debt collector harassment

Snippet: Authorities will impose measures such as stricter borrowing caps and ban loan referees in August

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346599/hong-kong-tighten-moneylending-rules-tackle-debt-collector-harassment

[2026-03-14 19:00 UTC+10:00] [Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Here are 5 ways to enter China without a visa – by land, sea or air

Snippet: China has continually expanded its visa-free policies in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the latest rules

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346504/here-are-5-ways-enter-china-without-visa-land-sea-or-air

[2026-03-14 18:00 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Kimchi mislabeled as Chinese ‘pao cai’ in Taiwan stores, professor says

Snippet: Korean kimchi is being sold as a Chinese delicacy in several markets and stores in Taiwan, according to a professor and promoter of Korean culture.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10692843

[2026-03-14 15:00 UTC+10:00] [Latin America] [Factuality: 90]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Top Chinese entrepreneurs commit to Middle East expansion despite Iran war

Snippet: TCL and Xpeng founders also vow to keep investing in Latin America – despite US intervention in Venezuela this year

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346500/top-chinese-entrepreneurs-commit-middle-east-expansion-despite-iran-war

[2026-03-14 14:27 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: ABC News

Title: What's in the free daytime power plan as global tensions rattle energy markets

Snippet: Free power will be part of an Australian Energy Regulator pricing draft next week. (ABC News: Rhiannon Shine)

Read full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-14/free-power-part-of-aer-dfo-draft-release/106446770

[2026-03-14 11:30 UTC+10:00] [Productivity Council] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong’s bid to win in AI: where are the road map and the guardrails?

Snippet: In the second of a two-part series on AI in Hong Kong, Oscar Liu reports on how society, from government and companies to institutions and individuals, is scrambling to embrace AI, as work itself gets redefined

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346561/hong-kongs-bid-win-ai-where-are-road-map-and-guardrails

[2026-03-14 11:30 UTC+10:00] [Iran war] [Factuality: 92]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Iran war knocks out Thai Mideast rice exports, squeezing farmers harder

Snippet: The situation could ripple through the nation’s economy and further batter growers struggling with falling domestic prices

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3346518/iran-war-knocks-out-thai-mideast-rice-exports-squeezing-farmers-harder