Higher

• U.S. stocks edged higher on March 30, 2026, with the S&P 500 rising 0.2% in afternoon trading after its worst week since the war with Iran began. • The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 257 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq and Russell 2000 also advanced amid ongoing market volatility. • Oil prices continued climbing due to uncertainty over the timeline of the U.S.-Iran war, contributing to swinging trading sessions on Wall Street.

Washington-based fund says rising energy and food costs will hit economies worldwide and could leave lasting scarsThe International Monetary Fund has warned that “all roads lead to higher prices and slower growth worldwide” should the conflict in the Middle East continue to throttle the amount of oil, gas and fertiliser making its way out of the Gulf.In a stark message that countries on all continents will be affected, the Washington-based organisation said a rise in energy and food costs would harm economic growth this year and could leave lasting scars on the global economy. Continue reading...

• A new American College of Cardiology study of over 6,800 U.S. adults shows consuming more than nine daily servings of ultra-processed foods raises heart attack, stroke, or death risk by 67% compared to one serving. • Each additional serving increases risk by over 5% overall and more than 6% among Black Americans, with findings presented at the ACC Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans on March 28-30. • Dr. Michele Arthurs of Kaiser Permanente advises checking labels and strategies like pre-eating healthy meals or pairing chips with oranges to cut intake.

Latest figures from ACCC show diesel and unleaded petrol prices across the five largest cities up 10% and 8% respectivelyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe prime minister and energy minister moved to reassure the public about normal or even higher levels of fuel supply in the coming weeks, as the Coalition escalated calls for a cut to the fuel excise and the government downplayed the prospect of any major restrictions on petrol sales.It comes as the latest figures from the consumer watchdog showed diesel prices across Australia’s five largest cities have risen by an average of 10% over the last week, while unleaded petrol was up 8%. Continue reading...

Higher blend has been prohibited in warm weather because of concerns it could worsen smogThe US Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it would temporarily allow widespread sales of a higher ethanol gas blend in a move that they hope will tamp down consumer prices that have soared since the Iran war began.The higher blend has been prohibited in warm weather because of concerns it could worsen smog. Continue reading...

• U.S. stocks closed higher on Monday, March 23, 2026, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 1.4% or 631 points to 46,208.47 amid hopes of easing Middle East tensions. • Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.4% to 21,946.76 led by Albemarle Corporation's 3.5% gain, while S&P 500 gained 1.2% or 74.52 points to 6,581.00 with all 11 sectors positive. • Consumer Discretionary (XLY), Materials (XLB), and Technology (XLK) sectors rose 2.5%, 1.5%, and 1.5% respectively; VIX fell 2.4% to 26.15 on higher trading volume of 27.94 billion shares.

Finding suggests as many as 155,000 deaths, likely occurring outside of hospitals, not recognized at Covid relatedThe Covid-19 pandemic’s early death toll was much higher than the official US count, according to a new study that spotlights dramatic disparities in the uncounted deaths.About 840,000 Covid-19 deaths were reported on death certificates in 2020 and 2021. But a group of researchers – using a form of artificial intelligence – estimate that as many as 155,000 unrecognized additional deaths likely occurred in that time outside of hospitals. That would mean about 16% of Covid-19 deaths went uncounted in those years. Continue reading...

• U.S. stocks ended higher on March 17, with the Dow Jones up 0.1% to 46,993.26, S&P 500 up 0.25% to 6,716.09, and Nasdaq up 0.47% to 22,479.53. • Energy sector led gains at 1.02% amid oil surge tied to Middle East tensions, while health care lagged down 0.92%. • Investors await Federal Reserve policy guidance from its latest meeting, boosting market sentiment despite volatility.

Borrowers face losing hundreds of dollars a month in higher repayments and rising pump rices will add to the pain, economists warnFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSurging interest rates and petrol prices have stripped more than $1bn a month from Australian household budgets as economists warn of recession risks.Consumers are preparing for rates to surpass their recent highs after the Reserve Bank delivered back-to-back hikes ahead of an inflation spike driven by the US war on Iran. Continue reading...

Most coastal risk assessments have underestimated current sea levels, meaning tens of millions of people face losing their homes to rising waters earlier than expected