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Overnight petrol queues in Ethiopia as war shortages hit

Ethiopians said Friday they slept in their cars in hours-long queues for petrol as shortages caused by the Middle East war began to take their toll.

Mexico searches for missing Cuba aid boats

The Mexican Navy searched Friday for two sailboats that went missing while transporting humanitarian aid to crisis-hit Cuba, a week after leaving Mexico with nine people aboard.

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WTO mulls future of global trade under cloud of Mideast war

The World Trade Organization's 166 members appeared deeply divided as ministers gathered in the Cameroonian capital for a key conference starting Thursday, amid global economic turmoil linked to the Middle East war.

Iran says 'no negotiations' as US warns to accept 15-point deal

US President Donald Trump is ready to "unleash hell" if Iran does not accept a deal to end the nearly four-week Middle East war, the White House warned Wednesday, but a defiant Tehran said it did not intend to negotiate.

Oil prices slip, stocks rally as Washington, Tehran bicker over talks

Oil prices fell and stock markets rallied Wednesday on reports of a US plan to end the war with Iran -- which promptly rejected Washington's overtures, according to state media.

US EPA issues waiver for E15 fuel to address oil supply issues

The US Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday issued a temporary emergency waiver to allow countrywide sales of higher-ethanol fuel in the summer, Administrator Lee Zeldin said, easing smog controls amid government concerns about adequate supply.

Grieving families hail court victory against Instagram, YouTube

Hearing the news that Instagram and YouTube had been found liable Wednesday for contributing to a young American woman's depression, Lori Schott jumped for joy and wept, as if it were her own daughter who had just won her case.

Oil prices slip, stocks rally on Mideast peace hopes

Oil prices tumbled and stock markets rallied Wednesday on reports of a US plan to end the war with Iran -- which promptly rejected Washington's overtures, according to state media.

Iran media casts doubt on US peace plan

State media in Iran said Wednesday that Tehran had rejected a US plan to end fighting, as the head of the United Nations warned that the Middle East war was spiralling out of control.

Ex-Google chief Matt Brittin made new BBC director-general

The BBC named a former Google executive with no television or journalism experience as its next director-general Wednesday.

Trump names tech titans to science advisory council

President Donald Trump on Wednesday named some of the biggest names in US technology to his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, assembling a roster that includes Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

Aviation, tourism, agriculture... the economic sectors hit by the war

The war in the Middle East is impacting numerous economic sectors and not only in the region, both by direct disruptions and rising fuel prices.

War-linked power crunch pushes Sri Lanka to four-day week

Millions of Sri Lankans enjoyed a government-ordered extra day off on Wednesday as the island nation battles an energy crisis triggered by the Middle East war.

IEA chief says 'ready' to release more oil reserves if needed

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Wednesday that he was "ready" to approve the release of more oil reserves if needed to cushion the impact of the Middle East war on global supplies.

German business morale falls as war puts recovery on ice: survey

German business morale fell in March as the war in the Middle East puts hopes of a recovery in Europe's struggling top economy "on ice", a key survey showed Wednesday.

Labubu maker Pop Mart's shares fall 23% despite surging earnings

Chinese toymaker Pop Mart's shares tumbled more than 20 percent on Wednesday, despite strong annual earnings, as investors fretted over a perceived over-dependence on its wildly popular Labubu dolls.

ECB won't be 'paralysed' in face of energy shock: Lagarde

The European Central Bank has several options for dealing with the Middle East war energy shock, its chief Christine Lagarde said Wednesday, vowing policymakers would not be "paralysed by hesitation".

Japan PM asks IEA to prepare additional 'coordinated release' of oil

The head of the International Energy Agency said Wednesday he was "ready to move forward" with an additional release of oil reserves "if and when necessary".

Japan PM asks IEA chief to prepare additional 'coordinated release' of oil

The head of the International Energy Agency said Wednesday he was "ready to move forward" with an additional release of oil reserves "if and when necessary".

Exotic pet trade thrives in China despite welfare concerns

Pet lovers eagerly gathered around a container to snap photos of meerkats at a Beijing animal fair, each selling for $320, while nearby a raccoon nervously paced in a cage only slightly bigger than itself.

Crude tumbles, stocks rally on hopes for Iran war de-escalation

Oil prices tumbled and stocks rose Wednesday on hopes for a de-escalation of the Middle East war after Washington sent a peace plan to Iran, while Tehran announced it will let "non-hostile" oil vessels through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Formerra Announces Transportation Surcharge to Address Ongoing Freight and Logistics Market Pressures

CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESS Newswire / March 25, 2026 / Formerra, a leader in performance materials distribution, announced the implementation of a transportation surcharge to address continued cost escalation across the Americas freight and logistics market. Beginning April 1, 2026, a $350 per delivery surcharge will apply to all shipments.

Trump sends peace plan as Iran opens to 'non-hostile' oil vessels

US President Donald Trump sent a peace plan to Iran as he voiced optimism Tuesday at ending nearly a month of a war, with Tehran announcing that it will let "non-hostile" oil vessels go through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Trump upbeat on Iran deal despite new attacks

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was upbeat about the chances of a negotiated deal with Iran, even as Israel and Tehran traded new blows and the United States was reported to be sending more troops to the region.

Oil, stock trading spiked before Trump's Iran remarks

Thousands of oil contracts -- a far higher volume than normal -- were traded 15 minutes before US President Donald Trump pledged to halt strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, sending prices tumbling, data showed on Tuesday.

US officials downplay controller 'distraction' in New York crash

US officials on Tuesday played down speculation that distracted air traffic controllers might have contributed to a deadly collision between an Air Canada jet and a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

Iran, Israel trade strikes as push for talks intensifies

Iran and Israel traded fresh strikes on Tuesday as the Middle East war ground on, though a diplomatic push to bring Iran and the United States to the negotiating table appeared to be gathering pace.

Data canary shows economy already suffering from Middle East war

Soaring fuel prices due to the Middle East war and snarled supply chains are already hurting businesses, business survey data published Tuesday showed.

Oil prices jump as Trump's Iran claims raise doubts

Oil prices jumped on Tuesday as traders turned cautious over the prospect of a negotiated agreement between the United States and Iran to end the Middle East war.

Meta awaits verdict in New Mexico child safety trial

A New Mexico jury began its first full day of deliberations on Tuesday in a trial where social media giant Meta is accused of endangering children by making them vulnerable to predators.

Aid flotilla arrives in Cuba as US oil blockade bites

The first boat of a flotilla carrying medical supplies, food and solar panels reached Cuba on Tuesday to aid the island as a US fuel blockade deepens its energy crisis.

Xiaomi quarterly profit slumps despite annual EV gains

Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi announced a dip in quarterly profit on Tuesday after slower smartphone sales, while electric vehicles drove a modest surge in annual revenue.

'Plundered': Senegal fishers feel sting of illegal, industrial vessels

Ibrahima Mar first lost his livelihood then lost his son when the fish off Senegal's coast began to disappear, rupturing a way of life that had sustained his family for generations.

Iran hits Israel with missiles after denying Trump talks

Iran fired a fresh broadside of missiles at Israel Tuesday, causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv, as uncertainty swirled over possible talks to end the three-week Middle East war.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)