US retail sales increase solidly in February

They rise 0.6% after a revised 0.1% dip in January

Japanese factories took a hit from the souring business mood and cost pressures, which hit a 19-month high.

Factory input costs soar worldwide as Iran war snarls up supply chains: surveys

The findings highlight the challenge facing Asia, as the region accounts for about 80% of the oil transiting the Strait of Hormuz

Israeli emergency personnel evacuating people from an impact site, after Iran launched missiles towards Israel, in Bnei Brak, on Apr 1.

Trump says US may exit Iran war soon, threatens to quit Nato

IEA’s head says the main issue so far from Teheran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz is the lack of jet fuel and diesel

Warren Buffett said he has not spoken with Bill Gates since the US Department of Justice released documents in February.

Warren Buffett will not commit to more donations to Gates Foundation amid Epstein link fallout

Buffett not sorry for past donations, calls Epstein’s actions astounding

Shell now wants to include neighbouring areas, expanding its reach in the Opec nation.

Shell in advanced talks with Venezuela for more gas areas

It could make a decision on the flagship project by the end of this year

Singaporean automotive executive Son Wei Ming and the BeyonCa GT Opus 1. .

High-profile Singaporean auto exec Soh Wei Ming’s EV brand BeyonCa ceases operations

China-based luxury EV maker has reportedly ceased operations and left employees unpaid

China is also battling with the US for supremacy in core technologies and is seeking to expand on the dramatic progress made by Chinese developers of AI models.

China venture capital funding set to hit record in Q1 on state-led tech push

Some investors warn state dominance may distort markets and create valuation bubbles

The S&P Global’s UK Manufacturing PMI for March fell to 51, below a preliminary estimate of 51.4 and February’s 51.7.

UK factories face biggest month-on-month jump in costs since 1992: PMI

This is due to rising oil and gas prices and higher transport costs caused by the Middle East conflict

A garment factory in Ho Chi Minh City. In March, Vietnam saw the strongest rise in selling prices in almost 15 years as the war in the Middle East boosts cost inflation.

Asean manufacturing faces slowdown amid rising costs linked to Middle East conflict

S&P Global’s Asean manufacturing PMI falls to 51.8 in March, from 53.8 a month earlier

Albanese said: “Over (the) coming weeks, if you can switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work, do so.”

Australian PM Albanese asks nation to use less fuel to conserve supplies

Voluntary restraint ‘builds our reserves, and it saves fuel for people who have no choice but to drive’, he adds