EconomySection lead
IMF warns EU faces recession amid Middle East conflict
The International Monetary Fund warns that the European Union faces a recession amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Live
Morning editionFriday, April 17, 2026Reader local UTCFull section / last 24 hours
Economy Desk
A dedicated newspaper-section view for the economy desk, showing the full run of ZettaWire stories carried in the current daily edition.
Live edition ledger
Reader-local edition time paired with the latest movement on the live wire.
Live
Edition
Morning edition
Reader time
10:41:27 AM
Reader date
Friday, April 17, 2026
Wire freshness
2 min ago
Local wire time 10:39 AM
Stories
43
9 desks
Europe
Europe's energy shock slows growth to 1.1% this year, IMF warns of downside risks amid inflation pressures
Europe faces a new energy supply shock that is slowing growth and raising inflation, with the euro area's outlook deteriorating to 1.1% growth this year and risks tilted to the...
United States
About 300 flights per day to be cut at Chicago O’Hare this summer to reduce delays, U.S. officials say.
Federal officials announced Thursday that about 300 flights per day will be cut from Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s schedule on its busiest summer days to reduce delays.
Full desk
43 reports / last 24 hours
United Kingdom
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves warns lower power prices could hurt earnings for energy generators.
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves warns lower power prices could hurt earnings for energy generators.
Israel
Israel's central bank chief warns economic shock looms without peace
Israel's central bank governor says economic stability depends on achieving peace amid growing financial risks.
United States
Hampshire College to close permanently after fall semester due to financial struggles
Hampshire College will shut down permanently after the fall semester due to declining enrollment and rising costs.
South Africa
South African central bank chief warns Iran war’s oil price surge validates inflation fears
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago says the Iran war’s impact on oil prices has validated concerns over inflation.
Europe
IATA warns Europe could see flight cancellations by end of May due to jet fuel shortages
The International Air Transport Association estimates that by the end of May, airlines in Europe could begin canceling flights due to a lack of jet fuel.
Norway
Norway's oil export earnings surge 68% amid Iran war tensions
Norway's oil export earnings rose 68% amid tensions tied to the Iran war.
France
Bouygues Telecom, Orange and Free-iliad Group renew talks with Altice Group over acquisition of its French telecom ops.
France’s Bouygues Telecom, Orange and Free-iliad Group said they have renewed talks with Altice Group for the acquisition of most of its French telecommunications oper...
zettawire
Utility firms to spend $1.4 trillion over 5 years amid data center boom.
Utility companies plan to invest $1.4 trillion over the next five years amid a surge in data center construction.
India
Indian refiners paid for Iranian oil in Chinese yuan, Reuters reports
Indian oil refiners paid for Iranian oil using Chinese yuan, Reuters reports.
India
India may see its largest-ever IPO if a proposed listing succeeds
India may see its largest-ever initial public offering if a proposed listing succeeds.
United States
Fitch warns US-Iran war would pose major risk to global credit ratings
Fitch warns a potential US-Iran war would pose a major risk to its global credit ratings, with a clear adverse scenario in its base-case forecasts.
United States
US farmers cut fertilizer use as Iran war drives costs up during planting season
US farmers face rising costs as Iran war disrupts fertilizer and fuel supplies during peak planting season, forcing reduced usage and potential yield losses.
zettawire
Gulf War leaves $58 billion repair bill and global equipment crunch
The Gulf War has left a $58 billion repair bill and a global shortage of critical equipment.
Germany
ECB: No need to wait for second-round effects before acting
ECB official says central bank does not need to wait for second-round inflation effects before acting.
Germany
ECB warns against assuming energy shocks are temporary
ECB's Isabel Schnabel says it would be dangerous to assume energy shocks are temporary.
zettawire
Disney invests $1.5B in Epic Games for new growth opportunities.
Disney invests $1.5 billion in Epic Games to pursue new growth opportunities.
United States
7-Eleven to close 645 stores in North America this year
7-Eleven plans to close 645 stores in North America this year.
Malaysia
Malaysia's economy grows 5.3% yr/yr in Q1, official advance estimate shows
Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% year-on-year in the first quarter, according to an official advance estimate.
United Kingdom
UK's Workspace Group warns of 'substantial' profit drop for fiscal 2027, shares fall
UK office space provider Workspace Group warns of a substantial drop in profits for fiscal 2027, causing its shares to fall.
United States
IRS cuts 3,000 enforcement staff amid surge in tax cheating concerns
The IRS cut thousands of enforcement staff, prompting concerns over increased tax cheating and sheltering among taxpayers and promoters.
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi’s Axight joins Middle East dealmaking surge despite Iran war disruptions
Abu Dhabi’s Axight participates in a surge of Middle East dealmaking amid disruptions from the Iran war.
India
Rupee hits one-week high on RBI plan to ease oil refiners' dollar bids
The Indian rupee rose to a one-week high after a report that the Reserve Bank of India plans to ease dollar bids by oil refiners.
Canada
Nippon Express to buy Canada's Metro Supply Chain for $1.25bn
Japan’s Nippon Express to acquire Canada’s Metro Supply Chain for $1.25 billion.
Europe
Rival to Nvidia seeks $100M+ in funding as Europe's AI chip market booms
A rival to Nvidia told CNBC it is seeking at least $100 million in funding as Europe's AI chip market expands rapidly.
Iran
Fitch warns Iran adverse case could put 15% of European LEV fin borrowers needing refinancing at risk
Fitch warns that an adverse scenario in Iran could put 15% of European leveraged finance borrowers needing refinancing at risk.
China
China set to hold benchmark lending rates steady after strong GDP growth data
China is expected to maintain its benchmark lending rates unchanged following stronger-than-expected GDP growth data.
United States
Ford recalls 1.39M U.S. vehicles over safety defect — NHTSA
Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,392,935 vehicles in the U.S. due to a safety defect, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says.
France
French telecoms groups make takeover offer for Patrick Drahi’s SFR
French telecoms groups have made a takeover offer for Patrick Drahi’s SFR.
Australia
Australia's interest in electric trucks rises as Middle East fuel crisis sends prices soaring in one of the world's most road-freight dependent nations.
Australia sees rising interest in electric trucks as Middle East fuel supply disruptions drive up prices in one of the world's most road-freight dependent nations.
Canada
Canada Post to end home delivery service
Canada Post, the government-owned postal service, is moving to end home delivery service.
France
Bouygues-led consortium enters exclusive talks to buy SFR in €20.4B deal
A consortium led by Bouygues enters exclusive negotiations to buy Patrick Drahi's telecom company SFR in a €20.4 billion deal.
zettawire
Uber raises stake in Delivery Hero in $318 million deal
Uber increases its stake in Delivery Hero in a $318 million deal.
France
French firm tops Europe’s 2026 equity rankings as AI boom lifts valuations
A little-known French company has risen to the top of Europe’s 2026 equity rankings amid the AI boom.
Kenya
Kenya in talks with World Bank for emergency funding amid Iran war fallout
Kenya is negotiating emergency funding with the World Bank to address the economic impact of the Iran war.
zettawire
Markets rise on peace hopes, but war still fuels inflation pressures
Markets rise on hopes of peace, but inflation pressures persist from ongoing war.