Shoppers walk past fruit and vegetable stalls at the Bauveau Market in Paris, France, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Economic and consumer confidence fell in Europe in March, according to official data released on Monday, in the latest evidence that the war in Iran is weighing on growth and … Read more
Listen to this article 4 minute estimate The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Incorrect names may appear. We work with our partners to constantly review and improve results. In 2024, city council adopted Ottawa’s economic development plan, a multi-year plan to build a city that is “economically diverse and prosperous.” … Read more
New data from the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis show that imports fell by 47.16 percent month-on-month, falling from 3.149 million barrels in December 2025 to 1.664 million barrels in January. The drop of 1.485 million barrels marks one of the sharpest short-term contractions in the Nigerian portion of the US … Read more
Since President Donald Trump declared “Independence Day” last April, investors have been concerned about his tariff plans – they believe that higher tariffs will fuel inflation, disrupt supply chains, and lower corporate profits. These concerns are understandable. Tariffs raise the cost of importing raw materials, which invites retaliation from trading partners — a risk to … Read more
This year, the most important commodity in agriculture is not sunshine or rain, it is fertilizer. According to some estimates, nearly half of the world’s crop and livestock production depends on the incredible mix of minerals and chemicals that make up artificial fertilizers. But the Iran the war raises prices and suppresses the availability of … Read more
TThe cities that are the bulwark of China’s energy security, in times of global crisis, can appear deceptively quiet. Oil trucks ply the open roads with little traffic, while a few quaint shops in dilapidated buildings give a hint of a long-forgotten local vibe. The ramshackle noodle shop serving hand-pulled noodles was empty at lunchtime, … Read more
1. For the first time, China has included a comprehensive plan to strengthen household income in its top-level policy framework, which marks a major change as policymakers deal with low consumer spending despite GDP per capita holding above $13,000 for two years. The Urban and Rural Income Development Plan, proposed by the Communist Party in … Read more
Photo: RNZ / Unsplash The government should start prioritizing diesel allocations now as the fuel situation worsens, Westpac’s chief economist has said. It comes as supply data from US investment bank JP Morgan reports that the last shipment of fuel from Gulf Oil is likely to arrive in New Zealand on 20 April. Prime Minister … Read more
In 2013, Shell closed its Clyde refinery on the Paramatta River, and a year later, Caltex closed Kurnell in Botany Bay. That was the time when Australia went from being self-sufficient in petrol and diesel to relying on imports. The oil shocks of the 1970s were forgotten. We endured a decade of recession like everybody … Read more
This week will continue to be dominated by developments in the Middle East. On Friday, the US and Israel struck Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities, and Iran retaliated across the Persian Gulf, as President Trump pushed for a deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face further attacks on its infrastructure. The … Read more