The escalating war in Iran continues to trigger global oil price surges, worsening fuel crises, and disruptions to gulf airlines, creating broader economic fallout felt by central banks, while international diplomatic efforts are underway to open the Strait of Hormuz, all amid US warnings to NATO allies and renewed interest in Venezuelan oil production.

• Oil prices jump nearly 3% as markets open for trading — Financial Times -
• Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad future’ if allies fail to help US in Iran — Financial Times -
• Starmer to set out £50mn energy support package to ease Iran war fallout — Financial Times -

• Oil Industry Warns Trump Administration Fuel Crunch Will Likely Worsen — Wall Street Journal -
• War in Iran Has Grounded Gulf Airlines Like Emirates — The New York Times Business -
• Opinion | China Has a Lot to Lose in the U.S.-Israel War on Iran — Wall Street Journal -
• Central bank guidance in focus as big four set rates for first time since Iran war — Financial Times -
• India hails talks with Iran to open Strait of Hormuz — Financial Times -
• For Trump, a Promised Economic Boom Collides With the Costs of War — The New York Times Business -
• Trump has undermined the US national security apparatus — Financial Times -
• Iran war should prompt a North Sea rethink — Financial Times -
• How will the Fed respond to the Iran war’s fallout? — Financial Times -
• Zelenskyy challenges Europe over Russian oil imports — Financial Times -
• Trump’s ‘shock and war’ makes this economic crisis different — Financial Times -
• Ukraine peace talks fizzle out as Trump’s focus shifts to Iran — Financial Times -
• Military briefing: How mines could tighten Iran’s Gulf chokehold — Financial Times -
• Retail traders rush into oil bets as Iran war drives wild price swings — Financial Times -
• A buzz returns to Venezuela’s decayed oil heartland — Financial Times -
• US submarine attack brings Iran war to Sri Lanka’s door — Financial Times -

French far-right gains in municipal elections are noted, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faces corruption allegations ahead of his re-election campaign, and UK parties debate an independent nuclear deterrent and EU tuition fee cuts, alongside US government shutdowns impacting airport operations and trade deal reviews with Mexico and Canada.

• French far-right makes first-round gains in municipal elections — Financial Times -
• Opinion | Put Chuck Schumer on TSA Duty — Wall Street Journal -
• Opinion | Gavin Newsom Is Driving Up Gasoline Prices — Wall Street Journal -

• Airline Executives Urge Congress to End Partial Government Shutdown — Wall Street Journal -
• UK ready to explore EU tuition fee cut as part of Brexit reset — Financial Times -
• Lib Dems call for ‘genuinely’ independent UK nuclear deterrent — Financial Times -
• The Orbán System — Financial Times -
• The riches of Viktor Orbán’s home village — Financial Times -
• US and Mexico launch review of trade deal with Canada — Financial Times -
• Trump Administration Turns to Migrant Workers to Help Farm Labor Shortage — The New York Times Business -
• ‘Join our people’s army’: Farage sets sights on local election gains — Financial Times -
• France votes in mayoral elections ahead of 2027 showdown — Financial Times -

Bain Capital's acquisition of an Australian wealth management firm highlights a key corporate move, alongside ongoing discussions on billionaire taxation, retirement savings strategies, black women's entrepreneurial surge, and the challenge of a UK hiring slump for young people, as well as concerns over financial crime and the mysterious will of a tech executive.

• Bain Capital to Acquire Australian Wealth Management Business — Wall Street Journal -
• It’s Good to Be a Billionaire, Even at Tax Time — The New York Times Business -
• The $500 Million Mystery Will, Signed by Ghosts — The New York Times Business -

• Done With Corporate Life, Black Women Are Starting Businesses in Droves — Wall Street Journal -
• UK polo patrons linked to laundering of Venezuelan oil sale proceeds, says US Treasury — Financial Times -
• The Tax Bill Haunting Your 401(k) and I.R.A. — The New York Times Business -
• The Billionaire Backlash Against a Philanthropic Dream — The New York Times Business -
• Wealth taxes’ design flaws consign them to failure — Financial Times -
• ‘Firing off 10 to 15 applications a day’: how UK’s hiring slump hits the young — Financial Times -
• CEOs Want to Be Like Warren Buffett, Right Down to His Shareholder Letter — Wall Street Journal -
• Japan loses its thirst for vending machines — Financial Times -

The advent of humanoid robots in factories signals new manufacturing trends, while Waymo defends the safety of driverless cars, and North Korean operatives use AI to exploit European companies, with China-backed delivery apps engaging in competitive disputes in Brazil, showcasing the evolving tech landscape.

• Waymo Co-CEO Tries to Make a Case for the Safety of Driverless Cars — The New York Times Business -
• When Humanoid Robots Come to a Small-Town Factory — Wall Street Journal -
• ‘Fake workers’ from North Korea use AI to exploit European companies — Financial Times -

• Spies and subsidies: China joins Brazil’s $20bn delivery app war — Financial Times -

Anticipation builds for the Oscars 2026 with Conan O'Brien returning as host and mixed box office performance of best picture nominees, while Piers Morgan's new online media venture and a controversial Atlanta Hawks marketing event spark discussions in the industry.

• How to Watch the Oscars 2026: Start Time, Host and Streaming — The New York Times Business -
• It Was Going to Be Magic City Night at the Atlanta Hawks. Then the Outrage Poured In. — The New York Times Business -
• Best picture nominees had mixed box office firepower. — The New York Times Business -

• What Makes ‘Good TV’ on the Internet? Piers Morgan Has Thoughts. — The New York Times Business -

Concerns rise over lithium-ion battery fires impacting supply chains, while renewable jet fuel producers warn of potential price wars with China, underscoring vulnerabilities in global logistics and the strategic importance of critical energy materials.

• Renewable jet fuel may face price war with China, warns top producer — Financial Times -
• Lithium-ion battery blazes imperil supply chains, warns Los Angeles port chief — Financial Times -