
New Zealand Labour Backs India Free Trade Deal, Boosting Chances of Parliamentary Approval
Apr 23, 2026 02:52 am UTC| Politics Economy
New Zealands opposition Labour Party has announced it will support the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with India, significantly increasing the likelihood of the deal passing through parliament. The decision comes...

Iran Tightens Grip on Strait of Hormuz as Oil Prices Surge
Apr 23, 2026 02:42 am UTC| Politics Economy
Tensions in the Middle East escalated after Iran seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, intensifying the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and disrupting international oil supply chains. The...

Global Energy Crisis: Iran Conflict Triggers Record Oil Supply Shock
Apr 22, 2026 05:59 am UTC| Economy
The ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has triggered an unprecedented global energy crisis, marked by the largest daily oil supply disruption in history. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly reduced...

U.S. Freezes Dollar Transfers to Iraq, Pressures Government Over Iran-Backed Militias
Apr 22, 2026 05:34 am UTC| Politics Governance Economy
The United States has reportedly halted U.S. dollar shipments to Iraq and paused key security cooperation programs as part of a broader effort to pressure Baghdad into addressing the influence of Iran-backed militias...

Asian Stocks Mixed as Tech Shares Decline While Japan’s Nikkei Hits Record High
Apr 22, 2026 05:26 am UTC| Economy
Asian stock markets showed mixed performance on Wednesday as technology stocks weakened, reflecting overnight losses on Wall Street, while Japans benchmark Nikkei 225 reached a new record high. Investors remained cautious...

Japan Exports Surge for Seventh Month as AI Demand Offsets Middle East Trade Disruptions
Apr 22, 2026 02:45 am UTC| Economy
Japans exports extended their growth streak for a seventh consecutive month in March, driven largely by strong global demand linked to artificial intelligence (AI) and data center expansion. According to government data,...

Oil Prices Slip Amid Iran Ceasefire Extension, Hormuz Disruptions Keep Markets Tense
Apr 22, 2026 02:36 am UTC| Economy
Oil prices edged lower during volatile Asian trading on Wednesday as U.S. President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. While the move raised hopes for continued peace talks, ongoing...