Section
Economy
UK energy bills rise as Iran war hits gas prices
UK energy bills will rise 13 per cent in July as Iran-war gas costs push Ofgem's cap to £1,862, exposing Britain's gas-price vulnerability.
Kazakhstan rail gains as Iran war reroutes EU-China trade
Kazakhstan rail traffic is rising as the Iran war pushes China-Europe shippers toward the Middle Corridor and deeper spending on new capacity.
Real wages shrink as Hormuz shock hardens rate outlook
Real wages are shrinking across rich economies as the Hormuz shock lifts prices faster than pay and forces central banks deeper into wait-or-hike mode.
China carbon emissions data masks 700m-tonne policy gap
China carbon emissions data now points to a smaller 2020-25 rise, but the revision raises questions over Beijing's 2030 pledge.
Beijing tests its growth model with a hukou overhaul
China's State Council has moved to decouple public services from the hukou household registration system, a reform that could unlock consumption from 357 million migrant workers — if local governments can afford it.
Saudi Vision 2030 faces oil, debt and spending squeeze
Saudi Vision 2030 is colliding with wider deficits, weaker oil revenue growth and a harder borrowing trade-off as Riyadh trims its biggest bets.
South-east Asia energy shock forces painful policy triage
South-east Asia energy shock is pushing Indonesia and other importers into rate rises, reserve defence and subsidy triage as oil costs bite.
Rubio's India trip makes Iran's oil shock a diplomatic test
Rubio's India energy talks show how the Iran oil shock is forcing US diplomacy, Russian waivers and Gulf supply risk into one negotiation.
Consumer sentiment hits record low as price fears spread
Consumer sentiment hit a record low in May as Americans braced for higher fuel and food costs, sharpening the Fed's inflation dilemma.
Japan exports beat forecasts as chip shipments lift trade
Japan exports beat forecasts in April as semiconductor shipments drove 14.8 per cent growth and helped deliver a 301.9 billion yen trade surplus.
Student loan changes July 2026 reset repayment options
Student loan changes in July 2026 will narrow repayment options, cap graduate borrowing and set early deadlines for Parent PLUS borrowers.
White House says China to buy $17bn of US farm goods
The White House said China will buy at least $17 billion of US farm goods a year through 2028, though Beijing has not publicly endorsed the figure.
Student loan defaults return as 2026 repayment reset nears
Student loan defaults are rising in 2026 as pandemic relief ends and July rule changes force millions of borrowers into new repayment plans.
Trump returns from China to renewed inflation pressure
Trump returned to Beijing to a hotter inflation reading, leaving a thin summit outcome to compete with higher prices and tariff doubts at home.
China's tariff account clouds Trump summit trade claims
Beijing's account of the Trump-Xi summit suggests tariffs were discussed and perhaps partially bargained, raising questions about what trade terms were actually settled.
UAE fast-tracks second oil export pipeline around Hormuz
The UAE is accelerating a second export pipeline to Fujairah, turning Gulf chokepoint fears into a concrete bid to harden oil flows against Hormuz disruption.
Warsh confirmed Fed chair as US inflation hits 3.8 per cent
The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve in a 54-45 vote, the most divisive in the institution's history, as April consumer prices rose 3.8 per cent — the fastest pace since May 2023.
OPEC cuts 2026 oil demand forecast as Brent crude nears $106
OPEC slashed its 2026 global oil demand growth forecast by roughly 200,000 barrels per day, but supply losses from the Strait of Hormuz closure pushed Brent crude near $106 a barrel as cartel production fell more than 30 percent since the Iran war began.
Gilt yields hit 1998 high as Streeting quits to challenge Starmer
UK 30-year gilt yields surged to their highest level since 1998 on Wednesday after Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned to launch a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, rattling bond markets already strained by the Iran war and a global energy crunch.
Trump moves to suspend gas tax amid Iran war
Trump plans to suspend the 18.4-cent gas tax as Iran war pushes prices to $4.52. The proposal requires Congress and drains $500 million weekly.
Basrah crudes lead global gains as oil prices climb on Iran ceasefire uncertainty
Basrah crude grades surged nearly 5 percent on Monday as fading optimism over an Iran ceasefire refocused markets on supply risks through the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent topping $106 and OPEC output hitting a 26-year low.
US consumer prices rise 3.8% in April, dimming Fed cut hopes
Headline inflation hit 3.8% in April, the highest since May 2023, with core prices also running above forecasts as the Iran war keeps energy costs elevated and markets push back expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts.
OPEC Oil Output Sinks to 26-Year Low as Iran War Chokes Hormuz Traffic
OPEC crude production fell to 20.04 million barrels per day in April, the lowest since 2000, as the Iran war shut down tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and left Gulf producers unable to ship barrels to global markets.
Bessent tells Congress oil prices will drop after Iran conflict
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told lawmakers he expects oil and gasoline prices to fall sharply once the U.S.-led conflict with Iran concludes, pointing to the Strait of Hormuz as the main price driver.
Oil climbs as Trump warns Iran truce on life support
Brent crude closed at $107.77 a barrel Monday after Trump dismissed Iran's ceasefire offer and warned the truce was on "life support," prolonging Hormuz closure.