The ongoing Iran war continues to exert a profound influence on global energy markets and economic stability, with concerns over jet fuel shortages in Europe, fluctuating oil prices, and the broader economic outlook for nations like China and Gulf states, despite hopes for a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah.

• Alcoa First-Quarter Sales Fall as Iran Conflict Snarls Alumina Industry — Wall Street Journal -
• FirstFT: China’s economic growth exceeds expectations despite Iran war — Financial Times -
• Israel agrees to halt its war with Hizbollah in Lebanon — Financial Times -

• Despite Cease-Fire, Iran’s Hackers Haven’t Logged Off — The New York Times Business -
• Stocks Hold Gains as Oil Prices Edge Higher — The New York Times Business -
• US oil bosses warn Trump to stand firm against Iran’s Hormuz toll — Financial Times -
• Trump says next round of US-Iran talks could happen over weekend — Financial Times -
• White House Shrugs Off Shaky Economy as War Exceeds Trump’s Timeline — The New York Times Business -
• What the U.S. Blockade Means for Iran’s Economy — The New York Times Business -
• Europe Has Around Six Weeks of Jet Fuel Left as Iran War Strains Supply, IEA’s Birol Says — Wall Street Journal -
• Russia, Ukraine and US named in €580mn legal battle over Nord Stream blasts — Financial Times -
• ECB minutes suggest governing council may need more evidence before raising rates — Financial Times -
• An Acid Test for the Global Economy — Wall Street Journal -
• Lufthansa to Cut Capacity, Ground Inefficient Aircraft to Tackle Higher Costs — Wall Street Journal -
• European Airlines Face Fuel Shortages Within Weeks — The New York Times Business -
• The pope versus the president: how Leo became Trump’s fearless foe — Financial Times -
• BNY Profit Rises, CEO Says Market Sentiment Looking Up — Wall Street Journal -
• FirstFT: Venezuelan oil starts to flow — Financial Times -
• The Iran war will damage the petrodollar — Financial Times -
• Spirits Giant Pernod Ricard Warns Iran War Is Hitting Sales — Wall Street Journal -
• Ceasefire with Israel expected ‘soon’, say Lebanese officials — Financial Times -
• Asian Stocks Advance on U.S.-Iran Deal Hopes — Wall Street Journal -
• easyJet Flags First-Half Loss as Middle East Conflict Bites — Wall Street Journal -
• Tesco Broadens Guidance as Iran War Uncertainty Clouds Outlook — Wall Street Journal -
• TotalEnergies Eyes Boost From Oil-Price Surge, Despite Hit to Production — Wall Street Journal -
• Tesco warns Middle East war clouding outlook — Financial Times -
• China’s growth hits 5% despite Iran war — Financial Times -
• Why Europe’s $1tn Trump defence windfall has divided EU and Nato — Financial Times -
• How the Strait of Hormuz will change Iran’s regime — Financial Times -
• Gulf states turn to private deals in $10bn wartime borrowing spree — Financial Times -
• Iran war: What does Tehran want and will it get it? — Financial Times -
• Fire Damages Part of Viva Energy’s Geelong Refinery — Wall Street Journal -
• Spirit’s Bankruptcy Exit in Flux as Jet Fuel Prices Surge — Wall Street Journal -

Major companies are navigating earnings reports, strategic shifts, and market challenges, including Netflix leadership changes, **antitrust rulings against Live Nation/Ticketmaster, fluctuating sales outlooks from PepsiCo and Abbott Laboratories, and significant corporate acquisition attempts**.

• FAA Curbs Airlines’ Flight Plans at O’Hare — Wall Street Journal -
• Netflix Chair Reed Hastings to Leave Board in June — Wall Street Journal -
• Reed Hastings Will Leave Netflix as Board Chairman — The New York Times Business -

• Knight-Swift Transportation Cuts First-Quarter Guidance, Citing Fuel Costs, Winter Weather — Wall Street Journal -
• Tech, Media & Telecom Roundup: Market Talk — Wall Street Journal -
• Ford Will Partner More With Chinese Automakers Overseas — Wall Street Journal -
• Despite Iran War’s Effects, PepsiCo Says Consumers Still Spending on Snacks — The New York Times Business -
• Abbott Laboratories Cuts Outlook, Says Mild Flu Season Hurt Sales — Wall Street Journal -
• Getty must sell Shutterstock editorial business, says UK antitrust watchdog — Financial Times -
• Schwab Says Earnings Jump 30%, Plans to Launch Crypto Trading — Wall Street Journal -
• EQT’s $11 Billion Buyout Bid Rejected by U.K. Testing Specialist Intertek — Wall Street Journal -
• Live Nation and Ticketmaster Illegally Monopolized Ticketing Market, Jury Finds — The New York Times Business -
• Prologis Boosts FY Outlook as Warehouse Rebound Continues — Wall Street Journal -
• Subscriber webinar: how big are the risks in private credit? — Financial Times -
• Gucci-Parent Kering Eyes Doubled Profitability Under New Boss’s Turnaround Plan — Wall Street Journal -
• Cutting Prices on Doritos Has Paid Off, PepsiCo Says — Wall Street Journal -
• PepsiCo warns that Iran war might push up prices — Financial Times -
• US shareholder reform proposals hit five-year low as support wanes — Financial Times -
• EU to relax merger rules in bid to create ‘European champions’ — Financial Times -
• Barry Callebaut Shares Plunge After Profit Warning — Wall Street Journal -
• Peugeot maker Stellantis to phase out car assembly at historic Poissy plant — Financial Times -
• China’s battery champion pushes deeper into mining — Financial Times -
• The countries feeling the ‘Chinese squeeze’ — Financial Times -
• Battery Maker CATL’s Profit Climbs Despite Slowing China EV Sales — Wall Street Journal -
• Has the Era of the Mega-Layoff Arrived? — Wall Street Journal -
• Saudi Arabia’s PIF on verge of cutting support for LIV Golf — Financial Times -

Artificial Intelligence continues its rapid integration across sectors, with Anthropic in talks for US government access, debates on social media age checks, **AI’s deployment in customer service, and significant investment and political influence from crypto and AI PACs**.

• Anthropic in talks to give US government access to its Mythos model — Financial Times -
• OnlyFans-style age checks should be social media standard, says Starmer — Financial Times -
• UK firms ‘should be worried’ about Anthropic’s latest AI model, minister says — Financial Times -

• Crypto and AI Pacs raise $250mn ahead of US midterm elections — Financial Times -
• Trump threatens to fire Fed chair Jay Powell — again — Financial Times -
• Next Time You Order a Dairy Queen Blizzard, You May Be Talking to AI — Wall Street Journal -
• Chip Maker TSMC Is More Bullish Than Ever on AI, Despite Iran War — Wall Street Journal -
• Taiwan overtakes UK in stock market value on AI chip boom — Financial Times -
• Does AI want to be free? — Financial Times -
• British investor builds $500mn stake in TikTok owner — Financial Times -
• Sneaker Company Allbirds Plans to Pivot to A.I. Yes, A.I. — The New York Times Business -
• The Nation’s Emergency Cell Network Failed in Emergencies. Lawmakers Want Change. — Wall Street Journal -

Government actions and policy debates are shaping economic landscapes and international relations, from personnel changes in the Foreign Office and debates over Fed Chair nominations to UK energy policy reforms, China's infrastructure spending-led growth, and global defense budget discussions.

• Foreign Office top civil servant forced out over Mandelson vetting fiasco — Financial Times -
• New York City’s super-rich complain about Mamdani’s tax on second homes — Financial Times -
• Pentagon Seeks Help From Ford and G.M. — The New York Times Business -

• Opinion | Notable & Quotable: Mamdani — Wall Street Journal -
• Senate Democrats raise alarm over Kevin Warsh’s $100mn of ‘undisclosed’ assets — Financial Times -
• Reeves vows to cut link between gas and electricity prices in UK — Financial Times -
• Trump administration urges business partnerships instead of foreign aid — Financial Times -
• The divine right of Trump — Financial Times -
• General Motors Is Still Making Cars for the U.S. Halfway Around the World — Wall Street Journal -
• UK to scrap extra carbon charge paid by fossil fuel power stations — Financial Times -
• SNP pledges ‘1970s-style’ food price cap — Financial Times -
• China’s G.D.P. Stronger Than Expected, Led by Infrastructure Spending — The New York Times Business -
• Democrats Make Final Push to Delay Confirmation Hearing of Trump’s Fed Pick — The New York Times Business -
• Russia hits Ukraine with largest air attack this year — Financial Times -
• Repsol Regains Control of Venezuela Oil Fields, Aims to Boost Production — Wall Street Journal -
• British ship financier charged by NCA over Russian sanction violations — Financial Times -
• The great independence charade — Financial Times -
• Boost for women — or Modi? India plans world’s biggest elected parliament — Financial Times -
• UK economy beat expectations to grow by 0.5% in February — Financial Times -
• Spain’s Repsol wins back control of Venezuelan oil operations — Financial Times -
• DR Congo to stockpile critical minerals with new reserves — Financial Times -
• UK pushing to take part in EU’s multibillion-euro tech fund — Financial Times -
• Nato in ‘turf war’ with EU over defence spending — Financial Times -
• Deterrence costs and we will all have to pay — Financial Times -
• UK defence ministry left to foot £200mn bill for Ukraine mission — Financial Times -
• EU climate chief warns there is ‘no workaround’ for high energy prices — Financial Times -
• ‘$20bn in 20 minutes’: the man turning Trump into a global deal machine — Financial Times -
• Can Trump unseat Powell as Fed chair? — Financial Times -
• A Private Equity Billionaire Mounts His Biggest Takeover Yet: the Pentagon — Wall Street Journal -

The media and entertainment sector sees significant shifts, including Paramount-Warner movie production pledges, leadership changes at Netflix, rebranding of news outlets, major donations to NPR, and the passing of a key cable industry figure.

• Ellison Pledges at Least 30 Paramount-Warner Movies a Year — The New York Times Business -
• NPR Receives $113 Million From 2 Gifts — The New York Times Business -
• Politics News Site NOTUS to Become ‘The Star’ — The New York Times Business -

• Condé Nast Shutters Self Magazine — The New York Times Business -
• Joseph Collins, Who Played a Key Role in Cable-Industry Transformation, Dies at 81 — Wall Street Journal -

A range of societal and economic concerns are highlighted, from workplace disputes over free speech and challenges in healthcare access for Medicare patients to environmental threats like Venice's potential loss, struggles in the carbon removal industry, and debates on assisted dying.

• Former EY employee sues firm over dismissal after viral Israel speech — Financial Times -
• Roger Adams Dies at 71; Invented the Rolling Sneakers Known as Heelys — The New York Times Business -
• What Heelys, the Sneakers With Wheels, Taught Me About Momentum as a Child — The New York Times Business -

• Basic Materials Roundup: Market Talk — Wall Street Journal -
• Help for Medicare Advantage Patients Who Lose Doctors Is Shelved, for Now — The New York Times Business -
• Venice will ‘ultimately be lost’ without rapid action — Financial Times -
• Carbon Removal Industry Reels as Microsoft Retreats — The New York Times Business -
• Firebrand South African politician sentenced to jail for firing gun at rally — Financial Times -
• Inflation and interest rates tracker: see how your country compares — Financial Times -
• UK rollout of Covid-19 vaccines was ‘extraordinary feat’, inquiry says — Financial Times -
• Do Not Go Gentle by Kathleen Stock — a flawed argument against assisted dying — Financial Times -
• Analysts’ Views: forecasters more hawkish in April but more dovish than markets — Financial Times -
• What a row about a hospital extension teaches us — Financial Times -
• UK lenders begin cutting mortgage rates after month of turmoil — Financial Times -
• Pensions drawdown: can the 4 Per Cent Rule survive stagflation? — Financial Times -
• Badenoch or bust: Tory campaign rallies behind ‘leader with a backbone’ — Financial Times -
• Behind the scenes at Zürich’s ultimate fine-dining experience — Financial Times -
• The tax-focused hedge fund craze taking over Wall Street — Financial Times -
• Thomson Reuters faces growing pressure over US immigration work — Financial Times -