The World in Brief
The latest business and financial headlines, updated hourly via RSS from BBC Business, The Guardian, and CNBC.
Investors are expecting Donald Trump to back down in the war with Iran – but what if he doesn’t?
Global markets have become inured to the US president’s posturing over the past year, but economists warn they may be ‘a little bit complacent’ in anticipating a short conflict in the Middle EastInvestors over the past year have learned that Donald Trump has a boundless capacity to quickly reverse course in the face of acute political or market pressures.But a week since the United States and Israel launched missile strikes on Iran, there are fears the war could morph into a protracted conflict.Patrick Commins is Guardian Australia’s economics editor Continue reading...
Flight paths squeezed as Iran conflict closes more airspace
A drone attack on Azerbaijan has narrowed choices for airlines scrambling to respond to disruption in the Gulf.
Axel Springer agrees to buy Telegraph Media Group in £575m deal
Last year the Daily Mail and General Trust proposed to buy the company in a £500m takeover.
Will petrol and diesel prices go up now?
If oil prices remain high for some time, there could be knock-on effects on the cost of fuel and food.
German twist in the Telegraph tale shatters Lord Rothermere’s dreams
The European media giant Axel Springer has scuppered the Daily Mail owner. But why did it not bid sooner? And what will Brexit-backing readers think?After three years, a series of failed bids stretching from the US to Abu Dhabi, internal rebellions and even changes in the law, it should be no surprise that the tortured sale of the Telegraph has delivered another spectacular twist with a blockbuster offer from the media giant Axel Springer.It has torpedoed the long-held dreams of the Daily Mail proprietor, Lord Rothermere, to secure the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph and begin the next chapter of his family’s love affair with the British press. Continue reading...
Surge in jet fuel prices could push up air fares, analysts warn
Disruption to supplies from the Gulf due to the Middle East conflict has pushed the cost up by more than 80%.
US economy unexpectedly sheds 92,000 jobs in February
The contraction came as a surprise with payrolls down in nearly every sector.
Price of first class stamps to rise to £1.80
Royal Mail says the increase reflects the rise in delivery costs, but the move angers consumer groups.
Lenders lift mortgage rates as Iran war hits borrowing costs
Nationwide, HSBC and Coventry Building Society are all putting some mortgage rates up.
Five ways the Iran war could affect you - in charts
With fuel and gas prices having risen in recent days, here are some ways the conflict could affect households.