Iran-Linked Supertanker Halts in Hormuz as U.S. Blockade Tightens
A U.S.-sanctioned supertanker, the Yuri, carrying roughly 2 million barrels of Iranian crude, stopped near Larak Island while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The pause follows a tightening U.S. blockade that has redirected 33 vessels since its launch on April 13. Iran’s parallel actions—shooting at commercial ships and seizing vessels—have further throttled traffic through the strategic waterway. Another sanctioned tanker reappeared near Singapore, underscoring the broader disruption of Iran’s oil shipments.
India Following Diversified Strategy to Boost Exports to China, Cut Import Dependence: Official
India is pursuing a diversified trade strategy that aims to boost its exports to China while reducing reliance on Chinese imports. Exports rose 37% to $19.5 bn in FY2025‑26, yet imports jumped 16% to $131.6 bn, expanding the trade deficit to $112.6 bn....
Geocultural Forces Reshaping China’s Economic Map
China’s latest provincial GDP per‑capita rankings show Jiangsu and Zhejiang leapfrogging Guangdong, reshaping the nation’s economic map. Guangdong’s share of top‑25 cities by GDP per capita has dropped from nine in 2005 to three today, while Jiangsu and Zhejiang have...
India, New Zealand to Ink Free Trade Pact on April 27; Aims to Double Bilateral Trade
India and New Zealand will sign a free‑trade agreement on April 27, aiming to double bilateral trade to about $5 billion within five years. The pact grants Indian firms duty‑free access to most New Zealand products and promises $20 billion of New Zealand investment in India...
JP Morgan Downgrades India Equities to 'Neutral', Bets on Asia Tech Amid AI-Led Shift
JP Morgan has downgraded Indian equities to a Neutral stance, citing elevated valuations, earnings pressure and scant exposure to AI‑driven sectors. The firm is simultaneously boosting its allocation to technology‑heavy Asian markets, especially Taiwan, as AI momentum accelerates across the region....
Hormuz Disruption, $100 Oil Pose Risks to India's Inflation, Rupee: Union Bank
Union Bank’s latest report warns that ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel, creating a persistent "energy tax" on India’s economy. With the country importing roughly 85% of its crude, higher oil...
CEOs Eye More Investments in East Africa Region
Kenyan chief executives are gearing up for regional expansion, with 54% planning between one and more than four acquisitions in Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda, according to a PwC survey of 4,454 CEOs. Intra‑EAC trade rose 18.4% to $14.33 billion in 2024,...
WTO Strikes Deal to Curb Harmful Fishing Subsidies; What’s Next?
After more than two decades of talks, the World Trade Organization finalized the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a historic pact that bans the most harmful subsidies linked to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The deal, now signed by 119 members...
The FTA Cautionary Tale: What India-Korea Trade Warns Us About New Global Deals
India’s commerce minister Piyush Goyal announced a review of the 2010 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with South Korea, citing a growing trade imbalance. Bilateral trade has risen from $12 billion in 2009 to $27.4 billion in 2024, but Indian imports from...
US Says Navy Intercepted Iran-Linked Vessel in Arabian Sea
U.S. Central Command confirmed that a Navy helicopter intercepted the Iran‑linked tanker M/V Sevan in the Arabian Sea on April 25, 2026. The vessel is among 19 ships recently sanctioned by the Treasury for transporting billions of dollars of Iranian...
Iran War Leaves Seafarers Stranded In The Gulf
The Iran‑Israel conflict has stranded thousands of seafarers, many from India, in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby Iranian ports. Crew members like Ankit Yadav have been stuck for weeks on limited rations after a U.S. naval blockade blocked a...
Govt to Rebalance Trade with the US
Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to deepen trade and investment ties with the United States after talks with US Ambassador Sean O’Neill. The government is pushing forward an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, addressing US Section 301 concerns and...
Government to Step up Support for Businesses Affected by Iran War
The UK government is intensifying its response to the Iran‑related war, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set to chair a new Middle East Response Committee. A Contingency Planning group led by Chief Secretary Darren Jones will scrutinise the committee’s actions....
The Strait of Hormuz May Reopen, But the System Has Already Broken
The Strait of Hormuz may be physically open, but maritime traffic remains at a fraction of normal levels, with daily vessel counts as low as three versus the usual 120‑140. Insurers have withdrawn war‑risk coverage, prompting operators to avoid the...
DRC Pushes Regional Trade Integration Through Corridor Development at Lubumbashi Conference
At its third Import‑Export Conference in Lubumbashi, the Democratic Republic of Congo convened government, business and logistics leaders to discuss how transport corridors can accelerate African trade integration. Participants highlighted the DRC’s strategic position—bordering nine nations and offering access to...
DRC Launches EU-Funded Skills and Trade Modernisation Projects to Strengthen Lobito Corridor Integration
The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched two EU‑backed projects, funded with €11 million (≈$12 million), to modernise the Lobito Corridor and boost digital trade. The programmes target trade‑facilitation improvements and the upskilling of roughly 10,000 Congolese youth, entrepreneurs and workers. Technical...
Dangote at Full Throttle as Nigeria Becomes a Net Fuel Exporter
Nigeria became a net gasoline exporter in March as the 650,000‑bpd Dangote refinery operated near full capacity, producing enough fuel to meet domestic demand and generate significant exports. The refinery shipped roughly 55,000 b/d of gasoline and 100,000 b/d of jet fuel,...
Iran Diplomat Leaves Islamabad, Trump Cancels US Delegation Trip
President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a planned visit by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Islamabad, ending a last‑minute push for direct talks with Iran. The decision came hours after Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi departed Pakistan, accusing the...
Fed Set to Lead Uneasy G-7 With Rates Kept on Hold This Week
Policymakers across the G‑7, including the Federal Reserve, are expected to keep interest rates unchanged this week as they monitor the inflationary fallout from the Iran‑related energy shock. The Fed’s meeting may be Jerome Powell’s last, with a Justice Department...
Russia’s Economy Minister Admits ‘Reserves Have Largely Been Used up’ While Communist Lawmaker Warns of 1917-Style Revolution as GDP Shrinks
Russia’s economy minister Maxim Reshetnikov admitted that the fiscal reserves the state relied on to buffer wartime pressures have been largely exhausted, signaling a tougher macro environment. The central bank responded with a fifth consecutive half‑point rate cut, lowering the...
Fed Set to Lead Uneasy G-7 With Rates Kept on Hold This Week
The Federal Reserve will join other G7 central banks in keeping interest rates unchanged this week, maintaining the federal funds rate at 5.25‑5.50%. Policymakers cite softened inflation but warn that renewed energy price pressures from the Iran‑Israel conflict could reignite...
Dollar Dominance Monitor Cited in Financial Times Article on Quantity of Global Trade Invoiced in Dollars
The Financial Times cited the Dollar Dominance Monitor (DDM) in a new analysis showing that roughly 85% of global trade is still invoiced in U.S. dollars, down from a peak of about 90% in 2020. The DDM attributes the modest...
The US Wants to Cut Off China’s Chip Equipment. China Says the Supply Chain Will Break for Everyone.
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced the MATCH Act, compelling the Netherlands and Japan to align DUV lithography export restrictions with U.S. rules within 150 days, effectively cutting off ASML’s remaining sales and service to Chinese fabs. China’s Ministry...
Our Ambitions Will Be Dead if We Depend on External Capital
Kenyan President William Ruto warned that Africa forfeits roughly $230 billion each year by exporting crude oil unrefined, a loss that could rise to over $500 billion if domestic refining and downstream processing were developed. He linked this value gap to the...
France Reaffirms Efforts To Reopen Strait Of Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a push to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within days and weeks, emphasizing freedom of navigation under international law. He warned that panic over geopolitical uncertainty could itself trigger shortages. TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne...
The World’s Central Banks Are Now Treating Stablecoins Like a Real Multi-Trillion Dollar Monetary Threat
Central banks have moved from debating stablecoin risk to treating them as a systemic threat, emphasizing control, potential runs, and dollarization. BIS General Manager Pablo Hernandez de Cos called for global cooperation, warning that large‑scale redemptions could destabilize Treasury markets....
India Mulls Options On Iran Port Stake Before Sanctions Kick In
India is weighing options for its $120 million stake in Iran’s Chabahar port as the U.S. sanctions waiver expires on April 26. Officials are considering a temporary transfer of the stake to an Iranian entity while keeping the investment alive, pending talks...
Cross-Border QR Payments Gain Ground as Vietnam, Korea Connect Retail Networks
Vietnam’s National Payment Corporation (NAPAS) and South Korea’s KEB Hana Bank, together with BIDV and GLN International, have launched a cross‑border QR‑code payment service that links Vietnamese retail merchants with Korean banking apps and e‑wallets. The platform, operated by NAPAS...
UAE GDP Projection Corrects on Conflict
The May 2026 MEED report revises the UAE’s GDP forecast downward as regional conflict adds pressure, yet the projects sector continues to post year‑to‑date momentum. The economy is absorbing shocks across multiple fronts, with banks staying stable, ADNOC expanding upstream and...
Investors Who Think It’s Time to Move on From the Iran War Should Look at These Numbers
Wall Street is betting that the Iran‑U.S. conflict may be winding down, propelling the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to fresh highs while the Dow lags 1.9% behind its peak. Despite a 45% surge in Brent and a 41% rise in WTI...
The Oil Futures Market Is Lying to Us
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced the removal of roughly 500 million barrels from global oil inventories, a pace that could top a billion barrels by June. While Brent futures have rebounded above $100, long‑dated contracts are rising...
So You Want to Negotiate with Iran ...
President Donald Trump has publicly claimed he faces no pressure and unlimited time to deal with Iran, even as his administration scrambles to define a coherent negotiation strategy. Analysts warn that the U.S. must decide whether a deal that leaves...
Nigeria–South Africa Partnership Critical to Africa’s Integration Agenda
Stakeholders at the second Economic Diplomacy Roundtable, co‑hosted by the South African High Commission and MTN, highlighted the strategic need to deepen Nigeria‑South Africa ties as a catalyst for continental integration. MTN showcased its massive footprint—307 million subscribers and over 175,000 km...
How Japan’s Bond Market Affects Your Portfolio And Global Markets
Japan’s government bond market, long the world’s low‑rate anchor, is moving toward normalization as the Bank of Japan lifts yields after years of negative rates. Higher JGB yields will reduce Japanese investors’ appetite for foreign assets, especially U.S. Treasuries, and...
Russia’s Economic, Civil And Political Challenges During The Ukraine War
Russian officials warned that the war‑driven economy is sliding toward recession, with the World Bank forecasting just 1% GDP growth in 2026. Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina highlighted soaring production costs, persistent inflation, and severe labor shortages that now affect...
US Envoys Travel to Pakistan for Peace Talks; Iran Says Direct Negotiations Not Planned
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Islamabad to convey Tehran’s position on restarting US‑Iran peace talks, while the United States dispatched special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan. Iran’s foreign ministry stressed there will be no direct...
Banks Brace for Potential Tax Raid if Starmer Is Ousted
UK banks are bracing for a possible tax hike if Keir Starmer is replaced by a more left‑leaning Labour leader. The Treasury may revive a bank surcharge, targeting a 5% rate that could raise about $1.9 billion annually. Last year the...
Turkey May Consider Role in Hormuz Demining After Iran-US Deal, Minister Says
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey would consider joining a multinational de‑mining effort in the Strait of Hormuz if a peace agreement between Iran and the United States is reached. He described the operation as a humanitarian duty and...
India Can Be a Non-AI Hedge as Global Capital Seeks Diversification Says Mirae Asset's Swarup Mohanty
Mirae Asset’s CEO Swarup Mohanty says India can serve as a “non‑AI hedge” for global portfolios once AI‑centric capital peaks. He notes that Indian IT firms, traditionally cash‑flow engines, are under pressure as investors chase pure‑play AI stocks, but their...
No Clarity on US-Iran Talks as Islamabad Stays Under Lockdown
Pakistan’s capital remains under a tight security lockdown as it prepares to host a second round of US‑Iran peace talks, though no direct negotiations have been confirmed. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived to meet senior Pakistani officials, while the...
Duty Drawback Rates for Gold & Silver Jewellery Hiked to Support Exporters
India’s Finance Ministry announced a quarterly hike in duty drawback rates for gold and silver jewellery, raising the gold refund to ₹773.17 per gram (about $9.3) from ₹639.59, and the silver refund to ₹14,990.66 per kilogram (about $180) from ₹9,089.33....
Flood of Small Parcels From China Pushes Belgian Airport’s Capacity to Limit
More than 4 million small parcels from China have been arriving each day at Liège freight airport in Belgium since early 2026, overwhelming the facility’s handling capacity. The airport’s customs team consists of just 80 inspectors, far fewer than needed to...
Iran War Is Accelerating SE Asia’s Drift From America
The US‑Israel‑Iran war is prompting Southeast Asian countries to reassess their security ties with Washington. Recent friction over a US‑Indonesia defence pact and over‑flight rights highlights growing wariness of American commitments. A 2026 ISEAS‑Yusof Ishak Institute survey shows a narrow...
Gulf Oil Output Can Rebound in Months After Hormuz Reopens: Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs research says Gulf crude output could rebound within months after the Strait of Hormuz reopens, though full pre‑war levels may take longer. The conflict cut Gulf production by 14.5 mbd, a 57 % drop. Recovery will depend on tanker availability,...
US Imposes Sanctions on Chinese ‘Teapot’ Refinery for Buying Iranian Oil
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, a Chinese "teapot" plant, for buying billions of dollars worth of Iranian oil. The move also targeted roughly 40 vessels and shipping firms linked to Iran’s shadow fleet. China, which accounts for...
Canada Eyes China as Five-Pronged Tariff Wars Hammer Timber Exports
Canada announced a new national Forest Strategy that will shift its timber export focus from the United States toward markets like China, as U.S. antidumping, countervailing and Section 232 duties keep soft‑wood lumber tariffs near 35 percent through August 2026. The strategy, shaped...
Donald Trump’s Economic Warfare Abroad Comes Home
A series of op‑eds and analyses detail how Donald Trump’s unilateral Iran war strategy has exposed strategic, logistical, and moral failures. The conflict depleted U.S. missile inventories, strained relations with China, and sparked volatile oil markets that benefited a handful...
US-Iran War to Fuel Petrol, Diesel Prices. How Can Stock Market Investors Make Money From It?
The US‑Iran conflict has lifted global crude oil above $80 per barrel, prompting analysts to expect a delayed rise in India’s retail petrol and diesel prices after key state elections. While state‑run marketers have kept retail rates steady at roughly...
'New Chapter in India-New Zealand Economic Ties': Piyush Goyal as FTA Nears Signing
India and New Zealand are poised to sign a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement on 27 April 2026, marking a milestone in bilateral economic cooperation. The deal, negotiated in just 12 months, grants Indian exporters duty‑free access to the New Zealand market while protecting sensitive...
Crunch Nuclear Proliferation Meeting at UN Amid Raging Global Wars
Signatories of the nuclear non‑proliferation treaty (NPT) will convene at the UN this week as global nuclear stockpiles swell and bilateral arms‑control frameworks crumble. The latest SIPRI data show 12,241 warheads across nine nuclear‑armed states, with the United States and...