Record drought hits US, which is bad for food prices, fires and water
Philip Anderson walks across a dry stock pond March 31, 2026, in Walden, Colo. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson, File)
· Seth Borenstein
Follow the story
Economy & Finance
A focused view of neutral reporting on Economy & Finance, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Critics cry foul as Live Nation-backed ticket bills roll through Sacramento
Sacramento Democrats are pushing a pair of “consumer protection” ticketing bills — but critics say the real winner could be the same powerhouse already accused of dominating the market: Live Nation.
· Daniel Farr
Hong Kong woman loses HK$4.9 million to bogus online ‘investment experts’
Victim lured by social media advertisement promising high-return stock investments, police say
· Ng Kang-chung
Hong Kong woman loses HK$4.9 million to bogus online ‘investment experts’
Victim lured by social media advertisement promising high-return stock investments, police say
· Ng Kang-chung
China trade deal has Canadians looking forward to cheaper electric vehicles
Canada slashed tariffs on Chinese EVs from the start of last month, but Chinese brands have yet to set up showrooms
· Fox Yi Hu
China trade deal has Canadians looking forward to cheaper electric vehicles
Canada slashed tariffs on Chinese EVs from the start of last month, but Chinese brands have yet to set up showrooms
· Fox Yi Hu
Earth gets brighter every year but progression is volatile, study finds
Covid, light pollution regulations and faltering global economy affect location and intensity of brightness
· Richardluscombe
Queens Night Market is back —featuring a global assortment of tantalizing, but affordable grub
It’s a melting pot of eats.
· Rob LeDonne
Moody's changes Bahrain and Iraq's outlook to negative over war fallout | The National
Moody's Investors Service has changed its outlook for Bahrain and Iraq from stable to negative, citing the regional conflict's ill-effects on trade and energy flows.
· Alvin R Cabral
Hong Kong buyers snap up more than 180 new homes as market confidence returns
About 70 per cent of buyers were end users and 30 per cent investors, with mainland buyers accounting for about 20 per cent of the total
· Julie Zhang
Hong Kong buyers snap up more than 180 new homes as market confidence returns
About 70 per cent of buyers were end users and 30 per cent investors, with mainland buyers accounting for about 20 per cent of the total
· Julie Zhang
Why Japan’s bond moves could see shift in East Asia’s financing model
Japanese authorities are promoting the domestic corporate bond market as an alternative for firms seeking funding without losing control
· Anthony Rowley
Why Japan’s bond moves could see shift in East Asia’s financing model
Japanese authorities are promoting the domestic corporate bond market as an alternative for firms seeking funding without losing control
· Anthony Rowley
Huawei retains lead in China smartphone market, Apple shipments surge in first quarter
Apple ranked second in the first quarter with a 19 per cent share, boosted by a 20 per cent surge in shipments, the largest growth among the top six brands
· Coco Feng
Huawei retains lead in China smartphones, Apple shipments surge in first quarter
Apple ranked second in the first quarter with a 19 per cent share, boosted by a 20 per cent surge in shipments, the largest growth among the top six brands
· Coco Feng
Costco worker reveals why baked goods are never sold hot — and the risk behind it
Costco shoppers who stock up on croissants, bagels and pastries may have wondered why baked goods from the brand are never sold hot out of the oven — and they may finally have an answer.
· Fox News
One Nation denies claims candidate was told to use personal account for donations
One Nation has disputed claims that the party’s Victorian president told its candidate in the upcoming Nepean byelection to accept campaign donations into a personal bank account, blaming reports about the incident on disgruntled former party members.
· Patrick Hatch, Chip Le Grand
Hong Kong wants to become a global gold vault. Does the Iran war create an opening?
Geopolitical risk is driving a rethink of where bullion is stored – and Hong Kong’s unique status is drawing attention
· Sylvia Ma
Hong Kong wants to become a global gold vault. Does the Iran war create an opening?
Geopolitical risk is driving a rethink of where bullion is stored – and Hong Kong’s unique status is drawing attention
· Sylvia Ma
One Nation refutes allegations Victorian candidate was told to use personal bank account for campaign finances
Pauline Hanson says reports contain ‘false allegations’ during a shambolic press conference in Victoria
· Tory Shepherd
Israeli forces kill person in Negohot settlement, army says
The Israeli military said a person carrying a knife was killed in the settlement of Negohot in the occupied West Bank.
· Middleeasteye
Rep. Ilhan Omar blames ‘discrepancy’ on financial disclosures listing $30M net worth – insists she’s not a millionaire
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar blamed an accounting “discrepancy” for errors in a financial disclosure that listed her net worth at up to $30 million – while doubling down that she is not a millionaire, a report said.
· Anna Young
Two weeks that pushed Trump to the edge. Is his presidency unravelling?
The president has opened fissures in his base by starting a war he couldn’t finish with Iran, stoking inflation and offending Christians. Barred from running again, he may feel he has nothing to lose
We spoke to over 30 central bankers, policymakers and politicians. Here are their top concerns
Policymakers around the world are closely watching developments in the Middle East as they gauge the most prudent response to the economic fallout of the war.
· Chloe Taylor
IDF kills terrorist armed with knife after Negohot infiltration alert
The IDF killed a terrorist who infiltrated Negohot, a town in the West Bank near Hebron, after terrorist infiltration sirens sounded in the settlement early on Saturday morning.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Asian markets fall as conflicting US-Iran messages creates uncertainty
Asian stock markets opened lower in early trading a day after a record rally on Wall Street, as uncertainty grew over the Strait of Hormuz.
· Middleeasteye
Air New Zealand invites economy passengers to join mile-high sleep club in world first
Socks are mandatory and crumbs, strong perfumes and bed-sharing are forbidden as fliers get cosy with their fellow passengers
· Associated Press
Air New Zealand invites economy passengers to join mile-high sleep club in world first
Socks are mandatory and crumbs, strong perfumes and bed-sharing are forbidden as fliers get cosy with their fellow passengers
· Associated Press
Global oil market hit by 500 million barrel loss amid Iran war
The war on Iran has removed about 500 million barrels of crude from the global market, the largest energy supply disruption in modern history, according to data from analytics firm Kpler.
· Middleeasteye
Finance minister says Korean won stabilizing against dollar, hopes for alignment with market expectations
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Friday that the Korean won has been stabilizing against the US dollar following its depreciation amid the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, expressing hopes that it will align with market expectations.
· Yonhap
Tourism Board invited 1,730 influencers to Hong Kong over 2 years
Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau says influencers’ itineraries were tailored to their markets and audiences
· Jess Ma
Tourism Board invited 1,730 influencers to Hong Kong over 2 years
Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau says influencers’ itineraries were tailored to their markets and audiences
· Jess Ma
Gerrit Cole shows some rust as he hits ‘big milestone’ in his first Yankees rehab start
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Gerrit Cole took a huge step Friday night at TD Bank Ballpark in his long journey back to The Bronx, making his first rehab start (Double-A Somerset) since undergoing Tommy John surgery more than 13 months ago.
· Howie Kussoy
Singapore's GIC wants to help Japan Inc. thrive, CEO says
GIC CEO Lim Chow Kiat sees many upsides to today's Japanese stock market. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
· Staff Writer
What is Polymarket, the gambling site that lets you bet on almost everything? | South China Morning Post
The prediction market platform is banned in many countries since the website provides risky binary options despite not having a gambling license.
France and other World Bank shareholders seek solution to preserve climate strategy
World Bank shareholders are looking for ways to keep the development lender's climate change financing strategy alive in some form after its official expiration at the end of June, France's development minister Eleonore Caroit said.
· No Author
Experts: Government will have to walk budget tightrope to cut oil dependence, ease inflation
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down the 2026 Federal Budget on 9 May. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
· Sbsaustralia
Chinese manufacturers recalibrate overseas expansion plans in wake of Iran war
Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies
· Xiaofei Xu
Chinese manufacturers recalibrate overseas expansion plans in wake of Iran war
Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies
· Xiaofei Xu
Finance minister says Korean won stabilizing against dollar, hopes for alignment with market expectations
By Song Sang-ho and Park Sung-min
· Song Sang-ho
Brooke Hogan reveals ‘terrible’ regret after estranged dad Hulk’s death: ‘A nightmare’
Brooke Hogan regrets being left out of her late father Hulk Hogan’s will — not for financial reasons — but because it leaves her with no say in how his legacy is carried on.
· Leah Bitsky
How lawyers are using AI, and financial planners aren't far behind
Businesses say AI is helping them speed up service delivery. (Unsplash: Computer circuit board/Steve Johnson)
· David Taylor
Frank Lampard delight as nervy draw at Blackburn seals promotion for Coventry
An emotional Frank Lampard basked in the historic achievement of leading Coventry City back to the Premier League after an absence of a quarter of a century. The Sky Blues have returned to the big time for the first time in a generation, after a turbulent period in which they changed stadiums, hit financial rock bot…
· Dominic Booth
Sri Lanka better placed to provide support to those hurt from energy shock – IMF
IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan on Thursday said that Sri Lanka has made significant improvements in boosting tax revenues and revenues as a share of GDP.
· shanaka
How major US stock indexes fared Friday 4/17/2026
Oil prices dropped back to where they were in the early days of the Iran war, and U.S. stocks raced to another record.
· The Associated Press
Unity vital to develop sports, says Jaswar Umar
Presidential candidate Jaswar Umar pledged unity, financial transparency and urgent reforms after being named the common candidate by a majority of sports bodies for the upcoming National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka election, with the Annual General Meeting set for April 25 at the Duncan White Auditorium at the S…
· shanaka
What crisis? Why stocks are ignoring the economy
Stock markets are not reflecting consumer fears. (AAP: Stephen Saphore)
· Ian Verrender
Avurudu with a Russian twist
The rhythmic beat of the raban met the graceful poise of the pirouette last Saturday as the iconic Racecourse grounds transformed into a vibrant tapestry of cross-cultural celebration. The “Good Market Avurudu with Russia,” held on April 11th, served as a historic milestone marking 70 years of bilateral relations be…
· shanaka
Gunmen take 25 hostages in Italy’s Naples bank robbery, escape through tunnel
An attempted bank robbery in southern Italy turned into a tense hostage crisis, as armed suspects held 25 people inside a branch in Naples before escaping through an underground route, Rai News reported on Friday.
· shanaka