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Hormuz Blockade Threatens Global Food Prices and Fertiliser Costs
economy5.245 min read

Hormuz Blockade Threatens Global Food Prices and Fertiliser Costs

7 minutes agoSource: Euronews.com
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Oil breaches $100 as Iran conflict tightens global supply
business
314.59 min18 minutes ago

Oil breaches $100 as Iran conflict tightens global supply

Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel for the first time in years as the war with Iran raises supply concerns, with the Strait of Hormuz near-shut and spare capacity effectively erased, leaving the market vulnerable to further gains. Analysts warn there’s little cushion to absorb disruption and note that gasoline prices have climbed by about 50 cents per gallon. While some futures imply a easing later on, traders fear the conflict could push Brent toward the high $100s and even to $150 if the strait remains closed; governments are discussing reserve releases and naval escorts, but a quick resolution isn’t expected, and the world still sits on a fragile, war-affected supply chain.

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Live Nation settles antitrust case, opens Ticketmaster to rivals and caps fees
business40 minutes ago

Live Nation settles antitrust case, opens Ticketmaster to rivals and caps fees

Live Nation and Ticketmaster have agreed to a $280 million settlement with the DOJ and 40 states, which requires divesting 13 amphitheaters, capping amphitheater service fees at 15%, and opening Ticketmaster’s technology to rival ticket sellers to boost competition in primary ticketing. Reactions are mixed, with some states vowing to continue litigation while DOJ officials say the changes will lower prices.

Jet Fuel Cracks Leap to Fresh Highs as Hormuz Turbulence Tightens Markets
energy51 minutes ago

Jet Fuel Cracks Leap to Fresh Highs as Hormuz Turbulence Tightens Markets

Jet fuel cracks to record highs as Iran-related conflict disrupts Strait of Hormuz, tightening supply for Asia and Europe. Singapore jet fuel jumped about 140% to around $230 per barrel, while Europe’s jet premium to crude widened, with cracking margins surging to new records. The stress in jet fuel outpaced crude due to storage constraints and refinery constraints, with roughly 20% of global jet exports passing through Hormuz. If disruptions persist, airlines and consumers could face sustained higher costs and refining runs may stay restrained even if tensions ease.

Microsoft Copilot Goes Agent: Copilot Cowork Delivers Autonomous Task Handling
technology51 minutes ago

Microsoft Copilot Goes Agent: Copilot Cowork Delivers Autonomous Task Handling

Microsoft launches Copilot Cowork, an autonomous AI agent built with Anthropic that can read and act on your files, email, and calendar to complete tasks like creating spreadsheets, running reports, and researching without direct supervision. Rolling out as a limited research preview, Copilot Cowork pairs with Agent 365, which will be generally available May 1, and will incorporate AI models from Anthropic and OpenAI. The move underscores the rise of agentic AI in the workplace, even as it stirs concerns about job impact.

DOJ moves toward tentative settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster over concert monopoly
business51 minutes ago

DOJ moves toward tentative settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster over concert monopoly

The Justice Department has reached a tentative settlement with Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster subsidiary in its antitrust lawsuit accusing the companies of monopolizing live events. The deal would spare the firms from breakup, but it must win judicial approval and has drawn concern from several states that joined the litigation.

LNG could bear a bigger hit than oil from Hormuz closure due to concentrated supply and restart hurdles
business1 hour ago

LNG could bear a bigger hit than oil from Hormuz closure due to concentrated supply and restart hurdles

A Strait of Hormuz closure could hit LNG harder than oil: about 20% of LNG flows pass through the strait, Qatar’s Ras Laffan facilities dominate supply, and restarting LNG after a shutdown would be slow and complex, risking weeks-long disruption and sustained price volatility even with limited global spare capacity.

Oil shock pushes U.S. gas prices higher as Iran conflict escalates
business1 hour ago

Oil shock pushes U.S. gas prices higher as Iran conflict escalates

U.S. gas prices climbed to an average of about $3.48 per gallon as oil spiked amid Iran-Israel tensions, with California at around $5.20 and Kansas near $2.92. Diesel rose to about $4.66. Oil benchmarks briefly neared $120 a barrel before retreating, and analysts say prices could stay elevated into fall due to Hormuz disruptions and stronger seasonal demand, potentially hovering near $4/gal. The war’s energy impact could fuel inflation, though higher-income spending may cushion overall effects.