General News
US Charts $20 Billion Reinsurance Plan for Hormuz Traffic
The Trump administration announced a $20 billion reinsurance program aimed at reviving shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has all but stopped amid the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
US Crude Posts Record Weekly Gain as Iran War Rages
U.S. oil posted the biggest weekly gain on record as the war in Iran upends critical energy market flows, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz at a near-total halt.
Asia Buyers Seek US Oil Barrels as Middle East Tension Rises
In a desperate bid to transport oil from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Asia, shippers have taken the unusual step of booking smaller vessels as costs soar for the massive tankers typically used.
Truck Drivers Seek Predictability as Freight Market Shifts
In 2025, drivers prioritized reliable execution and predictable outcomes over short-term incentives, especially regarding their equipment, miles, pay and communication.
SK Lays Off Nearly 1,000 Amid Cooling Automaker EV Plans
The news comes as the EV market is at a standstill amid the Trump administration steering federal support away from electrification in favor of a broader agenda supporting the oil and gas industries.
CK Hutchison Unit Seeks $2 Billion in Panama Ports Dispute
Panama Ports cites the Central American nation's “illegal state takeover” of the Balboa and Cristobal ports, and challenged a Feb. 23 executive decree it said authorized the seizure of its assets.
US Tells Tariff Refund Judge It Can’t Comply With Order
The move follows a March 4 order by a judge on the federal trade court in New York to stop calculating President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs on importers’ customs paperwork.
Republicans Press for Tougher CDL Rules After Fatal Crashes
Congressional Republicans renewed calls for stricter English‑language requirements for CDL holders, citing safety concerns highlighted in President Donald Trump's State of the Union.
Iran War Spurs Scramble for Energy Export Routes Out of Gulf
The escalating war has choked off oil and gas supplies to key customers in Asia and Europe and sent energy prices soaring.
Panama Surprised by Higher Canal Traffic Amid Trade Wars
Canal revenue increased 8%-10% in the first five months of its fiscal year 2026, which started in October, compared to the same period a year earlier. The canal saw a record $5.7 billion in FY 2025.
US Employers Cut a Surprising 92,000 Jobs in February
The job market had been expected to rebound this year from a lackluster 2025 when the economy, buffeted by President Donald Trump's erratic tariff policies, generated just 15,000 jobs a month.
Dow Drops 900 Points After Oil Prices Jump to 2-Year High
“You can’t sugarcoat this report,” said Brian Jacobsen of Annex Wealth Management. “A negative payrolls number combined with a big jump in oil prices will have traders worrying about stagflation risks.”
Retail Sales Fell in January on Fewer Vehicle Purchases
The value of retail purchases decreased 0.2% after no change in December, Commerce Department data showed March 6. Excluding car dealers, sales were little changed.
Maersk Suspends More Container Services on Middle East Risks
Maersk will temporarily halt its FM1 Service, which connects the Far East to the Middle East, and its ME11 Service, which links the Middle East to Europe, according to a notice to customers on March 6.
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Is at Near-Total Halt
A review of shipping signals have confirmed only two commercial transits in the past 24 hours, the Joint Maritime Information Center said in a note on March 6.
CK Hutchison Port Sale Plan Stalls Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting
CK Hutchison's plans to sell its global ports are at an impasse a year after the deal was announced, with hopes pinned on a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to yield a breakthrough.
Ex‑First Brands CFO Pleads Guilty in Fraud Case
Ex-First Brands CFO Stephen Graham pleaded guilty over a fraud that drove the auto parts supply firm into bankruptcy, and he will testify against company founder Patrick James and his brother Edward.
Diesel Prices Spike After Escalation In Middle East
Diesel prices rocketed in the immediate aftermath of the joint U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, and the military escalation that followed set in motion a wave of geopolitical uncertainty.
Costco Tops Earnings Forecast on Strong Shopper Demand
Costco Wholesale's quarterly profit rose more than expected, showing the club chain is capitalizing on an extended period of sales growth.
Amazon Web Outage Strands Customers
Amazon.com's website and mobile app malfunctioned for some users March 5, with critical features like product listings and checkout options producing error pages.