China launched a pair of investigations into US practices concerning supply chains and renewable products, in retaliation for US trade probes ahead of an expected presidential summit.

Russia has long exchanged weapons with Iran and is likely offering satellite support, but lacks the will to do much more

Another consequence of the war in Iran.

Spanish inflation jumped to its highest level since June 2024 due to the Iran war, supporting the case for the European Central Bank to raise interest rates.

We look at the hardships of students in Gaza trying to pursue higher education after Israel destroyed all universities.

Spain said Algeria will increase gas supplies to the nation as global energy markets face heightened instability linked to the war in Iran. The African country is already Spain’s main gas supplier via the Medgaz pipeline, which links the two countries across the Mediterranean. Bloomberg’s Priscila Azevedo Rocha reports.

Yair Lapid says military 'is stretched to the limit and beyond' as Israeli forces wage attacks on Iran and Lebanon.

Yair Lapid has criticises the government and says military forces are ‘in collapse.'

Hong Kong is inviting a number of China-friendly central banks to participate in its gold-clearing system as part of a push to elevate the city as a major bullion-trading hub.

Sports Ministry says ban for 'security' of athletes before a game between Iranian and Emirati clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Zimbabwe’s key gold exports are vulnerable to an escalation in the Middle East conflict, according to a business lobby.

“MBDA has attained an unprecedented strategic dimension as one of the instrumental pillars of rearmament in Europe,” CEO Eric Béranger said.

USA Rare Earth Inc. will start commercial shipments of magnets from April, adding to a handful of projects that aim to curb America’s reliance on China for the vital industrial components.

UK retail sales declined for the first time since November, with consumers reining in their spending even before the Iran war clouded Britain’s economic outlook.

Dubai International Airport has transformed departures into emotional moments by distributing small, heartfelt souvenir packs to passengers. Amidst regional travel disruptions and heightened tensions due to Iran vs US-Israel war, these gifts of appreciation, including magnets and thank-you notes, have resonated deeply, making travellers feel seen and valued. This initiative highlights Dubai's intentional hospitality, offering a human touch that redefines the airport experience during uncertain times.

FRANCE 24 correspondent Renée Davis reports from Beirut, where Israel on Friday carried out fresh air strikes on the once densely packed southern suburbs. And in the country's south, Shiite group Hezbollah said its fighters continued to push back against Israel's ground offensive.

Trump has delayed attacks on Iran's energy facilities by 10 days, claiming talks are going well - though Iran disagrees.

France beat its 2025 deficit reduction target, giving the government some margin for maneuver as the fallout from the Iran war casts a cloud over plans to keep repairing public finances.

President Trump says he will extend a pause on Iranian energy attacks to April 6 after 10 ships were allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Zelenskyy met Gulf leaders to seek support for Kyiv as the U.S. reportedly weigh diverting military resources to the Middle East.

Governments across the world are racing to secure supplies of fertilizers as the war in the Middle East chokes of commodity flows and heightens fears of a food crisis. ETG, a global conglomerate specializing in agricultural supply chains, says risks are most acute in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia. CEO Ashish Lakhotia joins Insight with Haslinda Amin. (Source: Bloomberg)

Foreign investors are pulling out a record $12 billion from Indian equities as the Iran conflict drives up energy costs and raises doubts on economic growth.

The Middle East war has introduced a new layer of uncertainty for Asia-focused private equity managers already navigating a multiyear fundraising slump.

Germany once terrorised Europe, but now Europe is welcoming a resurgent German military.

Bloomberg: The China Show” is your definitive source for news and analysis on the world's second-biggest economy. From politics and policy to tech and trends, David Ingles and Annabelle Droulers give global investors unique insight, delivering in-depth discussions with the newsmakers who matter. (Source: Bloomberg)

It is the single point of failure of globalised production.

For many Sri Lankans, the fuel shortage triggered by the war carries echoes of the 2022 economic crisis - with a twist.

The economic toll of the Iran war is hitting home in Europe, where more muted growth and faster inflation risk deepening industrial, fiscal and political pressures across the region.

Oil may hit a record $200 a barrel if the Iran war drags on till June, with the Strait of Hormuz staying shut, Macquarie Group Ltd. said.

Tehran suggests system of charging fees and limiting passage to ‘non-hostile’ ships could endure beyond current war

Abu Dhabi is hardening its stance as it suffers from Iran’s retaliation to US-Israeli war

Franklin Templeton's Rich Nuzum says the markets are "underestimating the impact" of the inflationary effects of the Middle East conflict. (Source: Bloomberg)

Andrew Fung, CFO at Henderson Land, says the developer is taking a “more careful approach” to maintain liquidity amid current market conditions. He speaks exclusively on "Bloomberg: The China Show." (Source: Bloomberg)

Bonnie Brennan, Global CEO at Christie’s, discusses appetite from collectors and investors as the auction house launches its 20th/21st Century Spring Auctions this year. She speaks exclusively on "Bloomberg: The China Show." (Source: Bloomberg)

President Trump granted Iran a 10-day cooling-off period, calling it a "gift" after Tehran allowed eight oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. This pause in planned strikes on energy infrastructure comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, which Trump described as progressing well. The extension follows a previous five-day delay and a prior 48-hour ultimatum.

Wall Street banks may finally be getting a long-awaited opening to claw back market share from private credit lenders.

Malaysian leader says oil tankers granted clearance by Iran as government introduces measures to conserve fuel.

Japan’s aluminum buyers agreed to pay the highest premium in 11 years after the Iran war disrupted supplies, a cost that’s likely to stoke inflationary pressures at the factories which use the metal.

Iranian Red Crescent video shows the aftermath of a strike on a residential area in Urmia.

Australia’s prime minister says his government has made a “constructive” contribution to the war on Iran.

India has cut taxes on diesel and gasoline to cushion the impact of surging crude prices on its refiners, as a deepening conflict in the Middle East disrupts global supply.

WeRide Founder & CEO Tony Han says the company’s share price is “heavily undervalued,” as its path to profitability becomes clearer this year. Han adds that key regulatory hurdles have been removed, helping to smooth WeRide’s overseas expansion as demand for autonomous driving technology grows. He spoke exclusively on "Bloomberg: The China Show." (Source: Bloomberg)

Copper rose on Friday — and was headed for its first weekly gain this month — on optimism that US efforts to end the war in Middle East would bear fruit and prevent a slowdown in global growth.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday they conducted missile and drone strikes the previous day against targets in Israel and US-linked military facilities across the Gulf, hitting sites in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, including a Patriot air-defence maintenance facility. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

China’s liquefied natural gas imports this month are on pace to hit the lowest level since 2018, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Kpler, as a price spike caused by the conflict in the Middle East curbs demand.

Japan will allow more use of coal-fired power plants in an effort to boost security of supply to cope with the energy shock from the war in the Middle East.

A US federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on AI company Anthropic, saying the measures likely violated the law. The ruling freezes a Pentagon designation of the firm as a national security risk, protecting it while the government considers an emergency appeal.

Chinese polysilicon prices fell for a fourth week on persistent bearish sentiment around the supply and demand outlook.

Alliances are fluid in Myanmar's civil war, involving a military regime, ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces.

The White House and the Pentagon are considering sending at least 10,000 additional combat troops to the Middle East in the coming days, according to a senior U.S. defense official. Why it matters: If the Trump administration decides to send extra troops, it will significantly increase the number of combat soldiers the U.S. has in the region. It is another signal that a U.S. ground operation in Iran is being seriously prepared. • The massive surge in ground troops is being considered as President Trump says the U.S. is negotiating with Iran on a deal to end the war. Iranian officials haven't agreed yet to hold a high-level meeting with the U.S. and they are suspicious that the U.S. diplomatic push is another trick. State of play: The U.S. defense official expects the decision to be made next week and said the troops will be from different combat units than the ones which have already been sent to the region. • The Wall Street Journal first reported that the Trump administration is considering sending the troop reinforcements. Driving the news: The Pentagon is developing military options for a "final blow" in Iran that could include the use of ground forces and a massive bombing campaign, Axios reported. • Trump hasn't made a decision yet on pursuing any of these scenarios, but sources say he's ready to escalate if talks with Iran don't yield tangible results soon.• More reinforcements, including several fighter jet squadrons and thousands of troops, are expected to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days and weeks.• One Marine expeditionary unit will arrive this week and another is now deploying.• The command element of the 82nd Airborne Division has been directed to deploy to the Middle East with an infantry brigade consisting of several thousand troops.

Watch this discussion between Ross Harrison and Hassan Ahmadian on US strategy regarding Iran.

China’s industrial enterprises saw their profits rise sharply in the first two months of 2026, before the war in Middle East rocked the global oil market and sent raw material costs soaring.

The impacts from the Iran war continue to way on global supply chains as economists raise their expectations for a potential recession in the U.S.

The price of a wide range of goods - from food, to smartphones, to medicines - could be affected by the US-Israel war with Iran.

Persistent weakness in China’s housing market will be the main drag when property developers China Vanke Co., Country Garden Holdings Co. and China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. report next week.

Taiwan’s largest equity exchange-traded fund is on track for record inflows this month, as domestic investors defy the global turmoil sparked by the Iran war and pile into the technology-heavy product.

President Donald Trump again pushed back his deadline for Iran to strike a deal with the US or face more attacks, saying talks with the country were going “very well.” Bloomberg's Laura Davison reports. (Source: Bloomberg)

As gas prices rise, Trump's approval rating is heading into politically dangerous territory.

Video captured flames and black smoke where a projectile from Lebanon killed at least one person in northern Israel.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Republican senators Thursday night that they need to "work together to ensure that DHS, including ICE and Border Patrol, is funded in a sustainable manner for the rest of the year." Why it matters: Thune (R-S.D.) appears to be holding out hope that he can fund the rest of DHS through the traditional appropriations process "so that we can then focus our reconciliation efforts on ICE and the Border Patrol," according to an email Thune sent to Senate offices. • The guidance follows President Trump's unilateral bid to try to end the government shutdown for TSA workers by directing his new Homeland Security secretary to "immediately pay our TSA Agents."• "I've asked Susan to draft the text to fund as many portions of DHS as we can. We will hotline that resolution soon, and I hope we can clear that bill by UC. [Unanimous consent]," Thune wrote. • "This is not the outcome that we wanted, but unfortunately, Democrats have shown themselves unwilling to support law enforcement," he added. Democrats were unwilling to budge on their demands for ICE reforms — and new restrictions on "Big Beautiful Bill" funding — in exchange for funding the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down for 40 days. • "The Radical Left Democrats, and their 'Leader,' Cryin' Chuck Schumer, have made it very clear where they stand, and that is, ON THE SIDE OF CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, AND NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE," Trump said on Truth Social. State of play: It's unclear if either party can resurrect the negotiations to fund the rest of the Department of Homeland Security. • "We've got three other agencies to deal with," Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), said. • Republicans also seemed to indicate that FEMA, the Coast Guard and other DHS agencies and departments could get funded via traditional appropriations. • But the TSA — and the long lines at airports — were always the linchpin to any deal. Zoom out: Republicans have a high-risk fallback plan: funding the entire department through a reconciliation bill that would require only a simple majority in the Senate. • But any reconciliation bill — which could include up to $200 billion for the Pentagon tied to Iran, as well as the SAVE America Act — faces a perilous path in both chambers, especially in the House, where margins are thin.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao raised “serious concerns” with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer over new trade investigations, even as both sides signal a desire to stabilize relations before an expected presidential summit.

Iranian missiles, drones target Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan as Trump says Iran has 'chance to make a deal'.

China’s long-awaited shift toward reflation may finally be near, raising hopes it can revive corporate earnings and spur gains in stocks.

Asia-Pacific markets were set to open lower Friday as investors parse the contradictory messaging on the Middle East from the U.S. and Iran.

Donald Trump delays possible attack on Iranian regime’s energy plants until April 6 after bruising day on Wall Street

As Anthropic's negotiations with the Pentagon were collapsing, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees he was trying to "save" his competitor, according to internal Slack messages seen by Axios. • At the same time, Altman privately vented that Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei had spent years trying to undermine him. Why it matters: The messages reveal Altman's conflicted thinking as OpenAI swooped in to secure a Pentagon contract Anthropic had just lost — portraying himself as a peacemaker even as his company emerged as the primary beneficiary. • The Slack messages, paraphrased below, trace Altman's thinking from Feb. 24 through March 2 as the dispute escalated into one of the most dramatic confrontations yet between the AI industry and the federal government. Behind the scenes: The standoff had been public for 10 days — Axios first reported Feb. 14 that the Pentagon was weighing cutting ties with Anthropic — when Altman chimed into a Slack channel with employees who were anxious about the escalation on Feb. 24. • Altman wrote that it might be a good time to work out a deal for classified use of OpenAI's systems with Defense Under Secretary Emil Michael, who was leading the negotiations.• Michael ended up calling Altman first later that afternoon, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions. The two sides began exchanging draft contract language the next day. On Feb. 26, Altman sent an all-staff message saying OpenAI shared Anthropic's red lines and wanted to help de-escalate — while making clear he still hoped to strike his own deal with the Pentagon. • He acknowledged that the optics may not look good in the short term, but stressed the nuance of the situation and said he was committed to acting on principle rather than appearances. On Feb. 27, Altman relayed to a core group of staff that negotiations between the Pentagon and Anthropic had taken a turn for the worse due to the perception that Amodei was playing to the press. • Later that day, as the Pentagon's 5pm deadline approached, Altman told the group that the Pentagon believed it could offer Anthropic an off-ramp from the supply chain risk designation.• Altman remarked that he found it strange to be working so hard to "save" a rival whose CEO had, in his view, spent years trying to destroy OpenAI.• That night, Altman announced to all staff that OpenAI had reached a deal with the Pentagon, and said he was asking the government to extend the same terms to other AI companies to de-escalate. Between the lines: When the dust settled, OpenAI had secured a Pentagon deal but arguably lost a public relations fight due to the perception Altman had capitalized on Amodei's principled stand. • The messages suggest Altman believed — or at least told employees — that he was acting in good faith to help his rival and resolve a dispute that has major implications for the entire AI industry.• Many on the Anthropic side have a less charitable view of Altman's motives — including Amodei, who called Altman's peacemaker framing "straight up lies" in a leaked memo. He later apologized. What we're watching: Anthropic is still being used by the Pentagon and a deal remains possible — but a March 2 Slack message shows Altman acknowledging a critical obstacle he hadn't anticipated. • OpenAI's contract included a carve-out requiring the Pentagon to negotiate a separate agreement before deploying ChatGPT in intelligence agencies like the NSA.• The Pentagon confirmed it was offering OpenAI's deal to other companies, but would not give Anthropic the ability to opt out of working with intelligence agencies. The reason: Claude is already so embedded across those agencies that the carve-out OpenAI had secured could not be offered to Anthropic, Altman told employees. He lamented that he hadn't thought of that ahead of time.

BYD Co. shares are on track for their best month in over a year, as surging oil prices due to the Iran war brighten the outlook for electric vehicle sales.

The European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas says the US needs to pressure Russia to stop assisting Iran.

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook says the Iran war has shifted the balance of risks for now, leaving inflation as a bigger concern for policymakers than employment. She speaks during an event in New Haven, Connecticut. (Source: Bloomberg)

Empty streets expose another crisis as Filipinos battle soaring oil prices, dwindling incomes, and a stagnating economy.

Iraq is under attack from all sides as militias and foreign powers clash.

Gold recovered some losses after US President Donald Trump again pushed back his deadline for securing a deal with Iran to end the war in the Middle East.

Concern that the Iran war could plunge the world into stagflation is rising as hostilities in the Middle East continue with no end in sight. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)'s chief economist Beata Javorcik tells France 24's Yuka Royer that while the world is not yet seeing high stagflation risks, everything depends on how long the conflict will last as high energy prices will lead to higher inflation which will in turn hurt growth.

US stocks post worst day since Middle East crisis began as fresh inflation fears send Treasury yields higher

Tehran says US list of 15 demands does not reflect reality.

As Iran’s disruption of the Strait of Hormuz fuels global energy anxiety, viral posts claim that major economies are on the brink of an unprecedented crisis. From footage of endless car queues in the UK to alarming graphics about Australia and Taiwan’s dwindling reserves, social media is awash with warnings of an imminent blackout. France 24's Maya-Anaïs Yataghène dives into the data to separate fact from fiction in this latest edition of Truth or Fake.

The US president has threatened the attacks as a means of pressuring Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway.

Asian equities were set to fall after a plunge on Wall Street as traders assessed a 10-day extension to a deadline for Iran to strike a deal with the US or face more attacks.

Gold fell after US President Donald Trump sent mixed signals on whether the US and Iran could reach a deal to halt the nearly month-long war, further roiling global markets. Bullion fell as much as 3.4% Thursday, but trimmed some losses after Trump said he is extending the pause of strikes on Iran’s energy sites. “Talks are ongoing,” Trump posted on Truth Social, “and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well.” Earlier Thursday, gold came close to a bear market — defined as a 20% drop from its recent peak — as the US president gave conflicting messages on a potential ceasefire. Axel Merk, President and Chief Investment Officer at Merk Investments, joins Bloomberg Businessweek Daily to discuss. He speaks with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. (Source: Bloomberg)

Al Jazeera visited Tehran's UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace, which Iran says was damaged by US-Israeli strikes.

President Trump's political team is meeting with his Cabinet late Thursday to discuss plans for top officials to fan out across the country to stress what the administration is doing to help the economy, sources tell Axios. Why it matters: The meeting comes as the Iran war has sent gas prices soaring, and after the stock market's worst day since Trump launched the war a month ago. • Trump's team believes the economy — above all other issues, including any anxiety over the president's actions on Iran or immigration — will drive voter sentiment heading into the November elections.• Democrats have won a series of state and federal elections in recent weeks, as Trump's poll numbers — including on his handling of the economy — have plummeted. Zoom in: Trump advisers believe that while the national media is focused on the war, voters are more interested in pocketbook issues -- especially during tax season. Yes, but: It may be hard to talk about the economy without acknowledging the war, and economists' concern that it could slow economic growth for an extended period. Zoom out: White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, Cabinet secretary Meghan Bauer and senior Trump political advisers Tony Fabrizio, Richard Walters and Tim Saler will present a plan to the Cabinet, people familiar with the plans said. • Cabinet members will be urged to focus on several things Trump has done since taking office.• They include provisions in last year's "big, beautiful" tax and spending bill to cut some taxes on tips and overtime pay.• The officials also are being urged to engage with alternative media platforms, such as podcasts. Behind the scenes: This will be part of a series of political meetings the Cabinet will hold in the run-up to the election.

US mortgage rates jumped for a fourth straight week, reaching the highest point in six months and dampening prospects for the crucial spring season as the Iran war roils markets. The average rate for 30-year, fixed loans climbed to 6.38%, the highest since September 2025 and up from 6.22% last week, according to data from Freddie Mac Thursday. At the current 30-year average, borrowers with a $1 million loan would pay about $6,242 a month, not including insurance and taxes. That is up from $5,983 in late February when rates briefly dipped below 6% right before the US-Israeli bombing campaign began. Clear Investment Group CEO Amy Rubenstein joins Bloomberg Businessweek Daily to discuss, plus the state of affordable housing. She speaks with with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. (Source: Bloomberg)

With his ultimatum set to expire for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping traffic, President Donald Trump has yet to say it will be prolonged.

Watch comprehensive cross-platform coverage of the U.S. market close on Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio, and YouTube with Katie Greifeld, Bailey Lipschultz, Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. Doubts that a ceasefire between the US and Iran may materialize any time soon sent stocks and bonds lower and oil higher. The S&P closed down 1.7% after President Trump told reporters that he could not commit to a deal with Iran. Brent rose to $108. (Source: Bloomberg)

Prevailing view within IDF intelligence is that aerial campaign has yet to erode Islamic republic’s hold on power

Iran’s military has released a video showing a message being placed on a missile ahead of launch.

Ease of trading in world’s most important debt has worsened in recent weeks, banks and investors say

Russia's spring offensive in Ukraine is expected to focus on the so-called "Fortress Belt" ​of heavily defended cities in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, which Moscow has repeatedly demanded Kyiv relinquish in return for peace. Speaking on FRANCE 24, retired Vice Admiral of the US Navy Robert B Murrett, says that the region is "a veritable highway for any army that wanted to conduct operations further into Ukraine and beyond".

On today’s Big Take podcast, why Netflix bowed out of the bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery, the regulatory hurdles that remain for Paramount and how these two big movie studios will become one.

Donald Trump lambasted NATO and other allies for rejecting his appeals to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes. "I'm so disappointed in NATO, because this was a test for NATO" the US President said during a cabinet meeting on Thursday. FRANCE 24's Carys Garland reports.