Prolonged high oil prices could ‘crimp’ AI boom, WTO warns
Iran war and its impact on energy and fertiliser costs is the main risk to the global economy, report says
· Heatherstewart
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Newest first · UTC+11:00ECB holds rates at 2% as the Iran war clouds inflation and growth outlook
The European Central Bank is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
China’s central bank pledges stability in capital markets amid global sell-off
With worries over the Iran war driving down stock prices, the People’s Bank of China has named market stability as a ‘major task’ in 2026
· Carol Yang
A tepid labor market, yet fewer layoffs: US jobless claims slip to 205,000
A stand for Georgia Pathways is seen at a job fair in Atlanta, Ga., June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Sudhin Thanawala, File)
· Matt Ott
A $1.25B Uber-Rivian deal puts 10,000 autonomous R2 robotaxis on the road by 2028
The Uber logo appears above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Aug. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
· Michelle Chapman
India’s weight-loss price war begins as semaglutide patent expires
Generic slimming drugs are expected to flood a market where one in four adults are currently either overweight or obese
· Vasudevan Sridharan
West Bank death toll rises to four after Iran missile fire
A pregnant Palestinian woman died on Thursday in the occupied West Bank from shrapnel wounds sustained after an Iranian missile attack, bringing the death toll from the incident to four, the Ramallah-based health ministry said.
· Middleeasteye
WATCH: Perfume brand for hot, humid weather launched in Manila
Josh Frost, founder of Best Perfume, introduces the brand to members of the media during its Philippine launch in Manila on March 19, highlighting its fragrance formulations designed for hot and humid climates and its entry into the local market with high-concentration scents aimed at improving longevity for Filipin…
· The Manila Times
Recession fears grip markets as energy facilities come under fire in Middle East
Risk-off mode takes hold as attacks bring crisis to ‘a more dangerous level for the global economy’, analyst says
· Zhang Shidong
Micron falls more than 5% despite blockbuster earnings. Here's what market watchers are saying
Blockbuster earnings were not enough to prevent a sharp drop in Micron Technology shares in premarket trading.
· Joseph Wilkins
SFC prepares to inspect Hong Kong IPO listing sponsors amid quality concerns
Market regulator will soon begin inspection of investment banks amid concerns about deficiencies in listing documents and misconduct
· Enoch Yiu
Shanghai certifies 30 overseas offices amid China’s investment sales pitch
The city welcomed a batch of new regional headquarters and R&D centres this week, as China continues its campaign to win back overseas capital
· He Huifeng
China restricts fertiliser exports, further crimping war-tightened supply
China is clamping down on fertiliser exports to protect its domestic market, a number of industry sources said, putting an additional strain on global markets that were already grappling with shortages caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
· Middleeasteye
Gold and silver sell off as inflation fears grip global markets
Gold and silver joined a broad sell-off on Thursday, with the metals shedding 2% and 5.5% as fears about the Iran war and inflation gripped global markets.
· Chloe Taylor
Treasurer delivers grim forecast as he touts 'ambitious' tax reform
Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned the Iran war is threatening to drive inflation towards 5 per cent and wipe billions of dollars from Australia, but said it was why he would deliver bold budget reforms.In a pre-budget speech this afternoon, Chalmers said new Treasury scenarios forecast inflation to reach from high 4 pe…
· Yashee Sharma
PH named among politest, friendliest worldwide, says survey
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines was named among the world’s politest and friendliest countries in the world, according to cross-border digital financial services provider Remitly, which surveyed more than 4,600 people worldwide.
· Aric John Sy Cua
China’s youth unemployment falls for sixth consecutive month in February
But young job-hunters say they are still struggling to find work in a testing post-holiday labour market amid rising global economic uncertainty
· Xinyi Wu
BOK policymaker flags risks at AmCham forum
The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea hosted Lee Soo-hyung, a member of the Monetary Policy Board at the Bank of Korea, for a closed-door executive roundtable on Thursday to discuss Korea’s monetary policy direction and the domestic and global economic outlook.
· Lee Han-gyoul
Bank of England expected to keep main interest rate unchanged
LONDON (AP) — Until the U.S. and Israel started bombing Iran less than three weeks ago, it was viewed as a near certainty that the Bank of England would cut interest rates again on Thursday. Now it’s a near-certainty that it will leave its base rate unchanged at 3.75%.
· Pan Pylas
Radisson Hotel Group Expands its Fiji Portfolio with the Signing of Mana Island Resort & Spa Fiji, a member of Radisson Individuals
BRUSSELS, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Radisson Hotel Group is pleased to announce the signing of Mana Island Resort & Spa Fiji, a member of Radisson Individuals, marking a significant milestone in the Group's South Pacific expansion and reinforcing its growing presence in Fiji's resort market.
· PRNEWSWIRE
Missile fire kills three Palestinians in occupied West Bank
Three Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed and 13 others injured on Wednesday night when missile fragments struck a hair salon near Hebron, in the occupied West Bank.
· Middleeasteye
Korea economy resilient but faces rising risks: FKCCI
Export strength holds, but trade tensions, geopolitical risks cloud outlook
· Im Eun-byel
GS Entec targets Japan's offshore wind market at Tokyo expo
GS Entec, an energy equipment and engineering unit of GS Group, said Thursday it is participating in this week’s 2026 World Smart Energy Week in Tokyo as it steps up efforts to expand its footprint in the global offshore wind market.
· Jeon Ji-woo
New feature introduced to resolve fuel QR code registration issues - DailyNews
The Ministry of Digital Economy has announced that a new feature has been added to the vehicle fuel QR code system starting today (March 19), aimed at resolving difficulties faced by the public when obtaining QR codes for previously registered vehicles, especially when the original mobile phone number is no longer a…
· Supuni Kulasinghe
US-Japan summit to test Seoul as Trump presses allies for Hormuz role
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 i…
· Jung Min-kyung
Samsung keeps digital signage crown for 17 years
Samsung Electronics said Thursday it has maintained its No. 1 position in the global commercial display market for the 17th consecutive year, holding a 35.2 percent share with shipments of 2.5 million units.
· Jeon Ji-woo
Porsche rolls out 10 new models in Korea, eyes EV growth
Porsche said Thursday it will launch more than 10 new models in South Korea this year, starting with the East Asia debut of the Cayenne Electric, as it steps up its push in the high-performance electric vehicle market.
· Byun Hye-jin
Europe's central banks are no longer in a 'good place' as Iran war upends forecasts
Before the war on Iran began in late February, Europe's central banks enjoyed a more benign inflation outlook as interest rates looked set to remain stable or keep falling across the region.
· Holly Ellyatt
Prolonged Iran war could have ‘serious’ impact on food prices, says UN’s FAO
War in the Middle East is causing global disruption – from oil to agriculture – as countries, including China, enter spring planting season
· Mia Nurmamat
Bang Si-hyuk reigns over K-pop stock wealth
BTS bandmates hold about W20b in shares each
· Choi Ji-won
Gold-tier health policies will rise as much as 25 pc next month
CHOICE found private health customers with gold-level cover with the big five would feel the sting the most, with an average rise of 13.3 per cent. (Adobe Stock: Gorodenkoff)
· Stephanie Dalzell
HDFC Bank shares fall 5% as part-time chair of India’s largest private bank resigns over 'ethics'
Shares of India's HDFC Bank slid 5% Thursday after Atanu Chakraborty, its part‑time chairman, resigned after flagging governance and ethical concerns within the institution.
· Priyanka Salve
Inside India newsletter: Gold loans are thriving in India — and attracting global investors
This report is from this week's "Inside India" newsletter, which brings you timely, insightful news and market commentary on the emerging powerhouse — Subscribe today
· Priyanka Salve
The winners and losers in brutal battle for Sydney radio supremacy
The Sydney radio market is an arena where kings and queens are crowned, or decapitated, by their corporate overlords with astonishing speed. The all-important breakfast slot is littered with the bodies of those who have tried and failed to break through – just ask Judith Lucy, Sophie Monk, Erin Molan, Sam Frost, Dav…
· Bevan Shields
Three Palestinian women killed during Iranian missile attack in West Bank
Palestinians killed from rocket fragments in occupied West Bank
· David D. Lee
Is Australia headed for a recession? The job data paints a grim picture
Property News: Suburbs where house values rose most in the past 12 months.
· April Glover
Mercados asiáticos caen mientras el petróleo supera los 111 dólares el barril
Una corredora de divisas trabaja junto a una pantalla en la que se muestran los precios internacionales del petróleo en la sala de operaciones de la sede central del Hana Bank en Seúl, Corea del Sur, el jueves 19 de marzo de 2026. (AP Foto/Ahn Young-joon)
· Elaine Kurtenbach
Asian shares skid as oil and gas prices surge
Currency traders work near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), top center, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, top center left, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo…
· Elaine Kurtenbach
Bank of Japan keeps rates steady as expected, warns Iran war may push up inflation
The Bank of Japan kept its rates steady at 0.75% as expected, but noted that inflation risks now are tilted to the upside due to the Iran war.In its statement, the BOJ said that the decision was split, with eight members of the nine-member board voting in favor of a hold.
· Lim Hui Jie
Chalmers issues dire warning about nation’s economic growth
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned the pace at which the economy can grow without inflation pressures has dropped, with the coming budget to reveal a substantial slowdown.
· Shane Wright
‘We will make hard decisions’: Chalmers says expect a tough budget
Treasurer Jim Chalmers believes Australians are ready for hard decisions that will form a central part of the May budget after revealing the economy will struggle for the rest of the decade without major reforms and cuts to government spending.
· Shane Wright, Natassia Chrysanthos
Hong Kong stocks retreat as Fed warns Iran conflict clouds inflation outlook
Hang Seng Index falls after Fed says Middle East hostilities complicate inflation outlook as oil prices remain elevated
· Zhang Shidong
Economy on high alert against backdrop of geopolitical tensions
Topic:Financial Services
· David Chau
How China opened the door to creating a direct rival to US payment systems
Beijing has removed several key restrictions on its payment system, allowing it to expand beyond yuan settlements, economist says
· Xinyi Wu
Why fax still survives in South Korea despite digital shift
HanaFax leads online fax market as regulations, mobile tech drive continued demand
· Lee Ji-yoon
‘Nobody knows’: Trump has left an old foe in the dark
March 19, 2026 — 11:58am
· Stephen Bartholomeusz
Power bills in some states could drop by up to 10 per cent
Energy regulator chair Clare Savage said lower default market offers reflected easing electricity costs. Source: Getty / FreshSplash/Getty Images
· Sbsaustralia
Medical insurance review a timely move for a sector under pressure
Hopefully, the review will open doors to a transparent, digitally accessible and internationally focused insurance market
· SCMP Editorial