Sophia Patel — Business & Finance Editor

Taiwan’s stock market experienced a severe downturn as the weighted index plunged over 1,500 points and the OTC-listed櫃買 index dropped nearly 6%. The sell-off, triggered by renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran, resulted in widespread declines across semiconductor and electronic sectors. Market Volatility Following U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalation The sudden market instability follows an announcement … Read more

The U.S. government has refunded tens of billions of dollars in tariffs this fiscal year following a February 20, 2026, Supreme Court ruling that invalidated emergency duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The surge in payouts, which totaled only $5 billion during the same period last year, is significantly impacting the federal … Read more

U.S. Tariff Refunds Surge Following Supreme Court Ruling The U.S. government has issued billions of dollars in tariff refunds during the current fiscal year, which began in October 2025, according to budget figures released on Monday. This massive outflow of capital follows a landmark February 20, 2026, Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the broad, emergency … Read more

Global Markets Face Volatility Amid AI Valuation Concerns Global financial markets are experiencing a period of intense volatility as investors weigh mounting concerns over artificial intelligence valuations against geopolitical instability. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite and broader U.S. indices have faced significant pressure, with analysts citing a combination of “dialled-back” Federal Reserve rate cut expectations and … Read more

Global energy markets face significant volatility this week after the United States launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian targets. The escalation has triggered a sharp rise in oil and gas prices, with Brent crude nearing $80 per barrel as tensions over the strategic Strait of Hormuz intensify. According to reports, oil prices jumped by … Read more

SpaceX, recently added to the Nasdaq-100 on July 7, faces a shifting market landscape as shares trade near $149. While the company’s valuation remains under scrutiny following its $135 IPO, investors are now recalibrating expectations based on Starlink’s profitability, massive AI compute contracts, and the long-term potential of the Starship rocket system. Market Performance and … Read more

Crude oil prices surged Sunday evening following a weekend of escalating military strikes between the U.S. and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz. While U.S. officials maintain the critical maritime passage remains open, recent combat has heightened regional volatility, testing global energy markets and eroding confidence in earlier peace efforts. Market Volatility and … Read more

U.S. stock futures slipped Sunday night as investors balanced ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East with a heavy week of corporate earnings. While Iran claimed the Strait of Hormuz was closed, President Donald Trump disputed the assertion, stating on Sunday that the key waterway was open to commercial traffic. Markets remain in a holding … Read more

Paramount is navigating a diverging landscape of regulatory scrutiny as it attempts to finalize its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. While the company recently achieved a procedural victory in Oregon, it continues to face significant pressure from California officials who have expressed concerns over the potential impact of the deal on competition, pricing, and employment. … Read more

Low-income households in London face an annual “poverty premium” exceeding £600, according to research by Fair by Design. This additional financial burden stems from reliance on high-interest credit, non-direct debit billing, and limited access to competitive supermarket pricing, disproportionately affecting families in areas like Peckham. The Financial Burden of the “Poverty Premium” For many low-income … Read more