Archive: March 2026
28 articles published this month
LME aluminium price hits 4-year high after Gulf strikes
The LME aluminium price jumped to about $3,492 a tonne after Iranian strikes hit major Gulf smelters, compounding already-low exchange inventories and lifting supply fears.
Gold price set for worst month in 17 years: Reuters
Gold price is on track for its biggest monthly fall in more than 17 years, down over 13% in March 2026 as markets ditch rate-cut bets amid oil-driven inflation fears, Reuters reports.
Tanker attack off Dubai ignites Kuwait’s Al-Salmi VLCC
A tanker attack off Dubai set fire to Kuwait-flagged crude carrier Al-Salmi, but Dubai authorities said the blaze was controlled with no injuries or oil leak, as Strait of Hormuz pressure intensifies.
Germany inflation jumps to 2.8% as energy surges
Germany inflation jumped to 2.8% in March as energy prices rose 7.2%, reviving expectations of ECB rate hikes and tightening financial conditions across Europe.
Streaming subscription revenue hit $157B in 2025: Ampere
Streaming subscription revenue reached $157.1B in 2025, Ampere says, with ad-supported tiers at 28% of revenue—shifting growth toward pricing and ads.
KP Sharma Oli arrest: Nepal court seeks grounds
KP Sharma Oli arrest case moved to Nepal’s Supreme Court, which ordered the government to explain the legal basis for detaining the ex-prime minister and Ramesh Lekhak over the September 2025 protest deaths.
Strait of Hormuz crisis jolts oil as Trump warns Iran
Strait of Hormuz disruption in the Iran–U.S.–Israel war is driving oil prices higher and forcing governments and shippers to plan emergency fuel and routing measures.
AI chip export controls meet subsidies in new chip race
AI chip export controls are shifting as South Korea backs Rebellions and China expands mature-node capacity, tightening compliance and supply-chain planning for global chip and cloud firms.
Pakistan mediation: Trump says Iran deal possible, warns
Pakistan mediation could bring U.S.-Iran talks to Islamabad after Trump said contacts are happening “directly and indirectly” and hinted a deal is possible, even as he floated taking Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal.
Art Basel Hong Kong ends as costs test fragile recovery
Art Basel Hong Kong ran March 27–29 with 240 galleries as the UBS/Art Basel report logged a 4% rise in 2025 global art sales. The rebound looks real, but higher shipping bills and geopolitical frictions are reshaping who shows up and what sells.
PS5 price hike puts U.S. console at $649.99
PS5 price hike lands April 2, 2026 as Sony raises U.S. prices for PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, and PS5 Pro amid higher component costs and AI-driven demand.
Pakistan talks host Saudi, Turkey, Egypt as UN names envoy
Pakistan talks in Islamabad bring Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt together as Pakistan relays a U.S. proposal to Tehran. Separately, the UN has appointed veteran diplomat Jean Arnault as personal envoy for the Middle East conflict.
OECD global growth forecast cut as energy shock bites
OECD global growth forecast now sees world GDP growth at 2.9% in 2026 and 3.0% in 2027, with G20 inflation lifted to 4.0% as the war involving Iran drives an energy shock. March flash PMIs in the euro zone and US show activity cooling while input costs surge.
No Kings protests spread abroad amid Trump Iran war backlash
No Kings protests drew crowds in thousands of U.S. cities on March 28 and sparked solidarity events abroad, with immigration enforcement and the Iran war driving messaging—and raising fresh security and disruption risks for U.S. sites overseas.
Strait of Hormuz: Iran sets 'non-hostile' transit terms
Strait of Hormuz shipping faces new Iranian 'non-hostile' transit terms and IRGC vetting that could raise insurance, sanction risk, and delays even if traffic resumes.
Ust-Luga drone strike damages Russia’s Baltic export port
Ust-Luga drone strike: Russia says Ukraine damaged the Baltic export port and sparked a fire, raising fresh risk to petroleum shipping routes and state revenue channels.
IAEA inspections: watchdog presses Iran on Isfahan material
IAEA inspections are back in focus after a confidential report urged Iran to grant access and flagged Isfahan as a key site linked to enrichment-related activity and stored highly enriched material, amid renewed escalation and diplomacy pressures.
London anti-far-right protest targets Reform UK
London anti-far-right protest drew tens of thousands through central London on March 28, with organisers targeting Reform UK as it tops polls and mainstream parties brace for May elections.
Bellatrix Aerospace funding: $20M for propulsion output
Bellatrix Aerospace funding of $20M will expand propulsion manufacturing, aiming to raise annual output as satellite constellation demand grows in India and abroad.
Lebanon media vehicle strike reportedly kills 2 journalists
Lebanon media vehicle strike in southern Lebanon reportedly killed journalists from Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeen. Israel later alleged one target was a Hezbollah operative, while Lebanon’s president condemned the attack.