
Oil Prices Surge Above $109 as Strait of Hormuz Crisis and U.S.-Iran Tensions Escalate
May 16, 2026 03:20 am UTC| Economy
Global oil prices soared Friday, posting strong weekly gains as tensions between the United States and Iran continued to intensify and the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed, fueling fears of a prolonged global...

May 16, 2026 03:14 am UTC| Economy
Gold prices tumbled sharply on Friday, recording their biggest weekly decline since mid-March as a stronger U.S. dollar and growing expectations of Federal Reserve rate hikes weighed heavily on the precious metals market....

Powell Named Fed Chair Pro Tempore as Trump Prepares to Install Kevin Warsh
May 16, 2026 03:10 am UTC| Politics Economy
The Federal Reserve Board announced Friday that Jerome Powell will serve as chair pro tempore until Kevin Warsh is officially sworn in as the next leader of the U.S. central bank. The move comes as President Donald Trump...

Dollar Surges as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Grow Amid Inflation and Global Bond Sell-Off
May 16, 2026 02:36 am UTC| Economy
The U.S. dollar extended its rally for a fifth consecutive session on Friday, posting its strongest weekly performance in more than nine months as investors increased expectations for further Federal Reserve interest rate...

UK Stocks Slide as Labour Leadership Tensions and U.S.-China Talks Shape Markets
May 15, 2026 08:40 am UTC| Economy
British stocks closed lower on Friday as political uncertainty surrounding the U.K.s ruling Labour Party pressured investor sentiment and weakened the pound for a fourth straight session. The FTSE 100 dropped 0.61%, while...

Cuba Weighs $100M U.S. Aid Offer Amid Fuel Crisis
May 15, 2026 05:00 am UTC| Politics Economy
Cuba said Thursday it is open to considering a $100 million humanitarian aid proposal from the United States, though officials remain doubtful about President Donald Trumps broader intentions as the island struggles...

Vietnam Economic Growth Forecast Slows to 6.8% in 2026, Says World Bank
May 15, 2026 04:57 am UTC| Economy
Vietnams economic growth is projected to ease to 6.8% in 2026 after the country recorded a strong 8% expansion last year, according to the latest assessment released by the World Bank on Friday. Despite the slower pace,...