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Asia scrambles to conserve energy as Iran war disrupts oil and gas supplies

NEW DELHI, March 19, 2026 (AP) — Countries in Asia are scrambling to conserve energy and protect consumers as the war on Iran and attacks on gas fields and oil refineries disrupt critical supplies, rattling markets and driving up prices. The crisis is hitting Asia hardest because of its heavy reliance on imported energy, much of which is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, a key choke point now under strain. Only about 90 vessels — mostly Indian, Pakistani and Chinese-flagged — have made it through the strait since the beginning of Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran, and Iran’s

Japan’s PM Takaichi meets with Trump as he seeks help securing the Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2026 (AP) — The meeting that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will have at the White House on Thursday originally seemed like a prime opportunity to have President Donald Trump’s ear before he embarked on a trip to China. But now, the war in Iran and Trump’s unsuccessful call for Japan and other nations to help protect the Strait of Hormuz means the China trip has been delayed and Takaichi may be likely to get an earful. Trump has repeatedly complained on camera and online that U.S. allies, including Japan, have rejected his request to help safeguard

Pentagon seeks $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, AP source says

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2026 (AP) — The Pentagon is seeking $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, a senior administration official says. The department sent the request to the White House, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information. It’s an extraordinarily high number and comes on top of extra funding the Defense Department already received last year in President Donald Trump’s big tax cuts bill. Congress is bracing for a new spending request but it is not clear the White House has transmitted the request for consideration. It is unclear

Silver crashes Rs 17,800/kg, gold dives Rs 7,000 on global selloff

New Delhi, Mar 19 (PTI) Silver prices tanked Rs 17,800 to Rs 2.38 lakh per kilogram in the national capital on Thursday, while gold dropped Rs 7,000 to Rs 1.53 lakh per 10 grams following a sharp selloff in global commodity markets. According to the All India Sarafa Association, the white metal slumped by Rs 17,800, or nearly 7 per cent, to Rs 2,38,700 per kg (inclusive of all taxes) from Wednesday’s closing level of Rs 2,56,500 per kg. Silver has now declined sharply by Rs 1,65,800 per kilogram, or 41 per cent, from its lifetime high of Rs 4,04,500

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