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What cargo ships are passing Hormuz strait?
Just a trickle of cargo ships and tankers -- most of them Iranian -- have made it through the Strait of Hormuz since Iranian forces blocked the crucial trade route in the Middle East war.
Defiant Orban digs in over blocked Ukraine loan at EU talks
A defiant Hungarian leader Viktor Orban vowed Thursday to keep blocking a massive loan for Ukraine despite heavy pressure from EU partners, who were headed into a Brussels summit hoping to unlock the much-needed funding.
Tokyo's dazzling cherry blossom season officially begins
Tokyo's meteorologists declared the start of the much-loved cherry blossom season in the Japanese capital on Thursday, as residents prepare to host outdoor picnics under dazzling floral displays.
Energy prices surge, stocks sink amid rising energy shock fears
Energy prices soared Thursday and stocks sank as Iran attacked several Gulf energy facilities and warned of more in retaliation for a strike on one of its key gas fields.
Labubu creators hope for monster film hit in Sony co-production
China's snaggle-toothed Labubu dolls will soon come alive on the big screen after flying off the toy shelves, with maker Pop Mart announcing a collaboration with Sony Pictures.
Crude prices surge, stocks sink amid rising energy shock fears
Oil surged more than five percent Thursday and stocks sank as Iran attacked several Gulf energy facilities and warned of more in retaliation for a strike on one of its key gas fields.
Patching the wounds of Kinshasa's street children
In the back of a 4X4, a nurse cleaned a gash in a boy's arm, picked up from living rough on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of one of the world's poorest countries.
Strait of Hormuz blockage drives up Gulf food bills
In a supermarket in Bahrain, Mahmoud Ali fills his cart as usual. The shelves remain stocked despite the war in the Middle East, but the blockade of the main shipping routes into the Gulf is now being felt at checkout.
Key Middle East energy sites under fire
Qatar's main gas facility has suffered extensive damage after several rounds of Iranian strikes, causing new energy supply fears as the Middle East war grinds on.
Mideast energy shock rattles eurozone rate-setters
The energy shock unleashed by the Middle East war will top the agenda at Thursday's European Central Bank meeting, as fears grow of a major hit to the eurozone economy.
Iran targets Gulf energy sites after gas field strike
Iran targeted energy facilities across the Gulf and threatened further destructive attacks after a key gas field was hit, raising fears Thursday of a wider assault on fuel supplies that could jolt already rattled global markets.
Brookville DMAX Expansion Highlights the Project Work Behind a Major Ohio Manufacturing Investment
BROOKVILLE, OH / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / General Motors' Duramax Engine Plant (DMAX) expansion in Brookville has become one of the region's most significant industrial projects, tied to a $920 million investment supporting Duramax diesel engine production for GM heavy-duty truck programs, including Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD models. Public reporting has described the Brookville work as adding about 1.1 million square feet to the existing facility which was previously approximately 250,000 square feet. Notably, the project has created and supported hundreds of local jobs as the site expands its manufacturing footprint in southwest Ohio. This expansion quadruples the current facility size and is designed to create over 800 jobs, supporting high demand for diesel trucks.
Music popstar will.i.am meshes AI and 'micromobility'
Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am is putting artificial intelligence agents to work in three-wheel vehicles tailored for modern urban life.
US Fed Chair says 'no intention' of leaving board while probe ongoing
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he did not plan to leave the central bank's board until a Justice Department probe linked to renovation costs was completed.
US stocks fall on latest oil price surge as Fed lifts inflation forecast
Oil prices surged Wednesday following a strike on a major Iranian gas facility as the Federal Reserve raised its inflation forecast while holding interest rates steady.
Iran targets Gulf energy sites after intel chief killed
Iran launched attacks targeting oil and gas facilities around the Gulf on Wednesday, lashing out after suffering yet another blow to its leadership with Israel's killing of its intelligence chief.
US Fed raises inflation outlook over 'uncertain' Iran war impact
The US Federal Reserve raised its outlook for inflation as it held interest rates steady on Wednesday, citing an "uncertain" economic outlook due to the war in Iran.
Iran suffers new blow as Israel kills intel chief
Iran suffered a fresh blow Wednesday with the killing of its intelligence minister as the new supreme leader, yet to be seen since replacing his slain father, vowed to avenge the death of the country's security chief.
Slovakia curbs diesel sales, ups prices for foreigners
The Slovak government said Wednesday it would restrict diesel sales for 30 days because of a shortage due to the suspension of supplies by the Druzhba pipeline.
US Fed holds rates unchanged over 'uncertain' Iran war implications
The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged as expected Wednesday, in defiance of President Donald Trump as the world's largest economy battles stubborn inflation, weak labor demand and an "uncertain" economic outlook due to the war in Iran.
Billionaire Dyson buys 50 percent stake in Bath rugby
British billionaire businessman James Dyson has acquired a 50 percent stake in Bath, the English Prem rugby champions announced Wednesday.
How many cargo ships are passing Hormuz strait?
Just a trickle of cargo ships and tankers has made it through the Strait of Hormuz since Iranian forces blocked the crucial trade route in the Middle East war.
Oil surges as Iran gas facilities hit, stocks slide
Oil prices surged Wednesday following a strike on one of Iran's gas facilities that raised the spectre of a further escalation of attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region.
Chilean GDP beats 2025 forecast despite mining dip
Chile's GDP beat expectations for 2025 thanks to a trade and investment boost which helped offset a weaker mining sector, the country's central bank said Wednesday.
Global music market grows, calls for AI compensation: industry body
The global music industry generated $31.7 billion last year, driven by online streaming, industry body IFPI said Wednesday, as it called on the sector to ensure AI-generated content compensates musicians.
Troubled waters: Thai fishermen marooned by rising fuel costs
With his belongings stuffed into a plastic bag, Thai fisherman Narongsak Kongsuk heads home, far from the sea.
Why convoys cannot fully protect oil tankers from Iran attacks
The Israeli-US war on Iran has provoked a reaction from Tehran that has effectively choked a large chunk of the world's oil supply, and untangling the blockage will take a regional effort beyond what is currently being proposed, experts have told AFP.
Brussels touts 'EU Inc.' company status to lure start-ups
The EU unveiled Wednesday a scheme to make it much easier for innovative start-ups to launch and grow across the 27-nation bloc, as part of a push to help Europe keep up with US and Chinese economic rivals.
Oil wavers, stocks rise as attention turns to US Fed
Stocks markets climbed and oil prices wavered on Wednesday, as traders were reassured by a partial resumption of Iraq's crude exports and turned their focus to upcoming central bank decisions.
China tech giant Tencent bets on AI agents
Tencent wants to bring artificial intelligence agents into its WeChat social media app, the Chinese tech firm's president said on Wednesday, a move that could change how hundreds of millions of users interact with the platform in the Asian nation and beyond.
Deadly strikes across Mideast as Iran vows revenge on slain security chief
Iran vowed revenge as it prepared the funeral for its security chief Ali Larijani on Wednesday, firing off a wave of missiles against Israel while also reporting fresh Israeli-US strikes across the Islamic Republic.
Brussels to unveil 'EU Inc' pan-European company status
Entrepreneurs will be able to create pan-European companies under new plans to be unveiled Wednesday, which the EU executive says will make it less of a headache to do business across the bloc.