Last mentioned: Mar 23, 2026
Market Reaction
Brent crude spikes nearly 7%; US dollar hits 2026 highs in Asian trading sessions.
Maritime Attacks
Iranian military forces attack merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz; traffic slows significantly.
Federal Court Ruling
Justice Lee declares Bekier and Martin breached their duties in a landmark judgment.
Federal Court Ruling
Justice Michael Lee finds Bekier and Martin breached their duties in a landmark 501-page decision.
Federal Court Ruling
Justice Michael Lee finds Matthias Bekier and Paula Martin breached their corporate duties.
Conflict Escalation
U.S. and Israeli forces begin a campaign of bombardment against Iranian targets.
Asian Markets Reopen
Markets in China and Japan reopen to a weakened dollar and renewed trade volatility.
Asia Markets Reopen
China and Japan markets reopen to a weaker dollar and renewed trade turmoil.
EU Trade Deal Stalled
European Parliament decides to postpone a vote on the EU-U.S. trade agreement.
EU Trade Delay
European Parliament decides to postpone a vote on the EU-U.S. trade deal.
Tariff Hike Announced
President Trump raises temporary tariffs from 10% to 15% following the SCOTUS ruling.
Tariff Hike Announced
Trump announces increase of temporary tariffs from 10% to 15% following SCOTUS ruling.
ASIC Lawsuit
ASIC commences civil penalty proceedings against Matthias Bekier, Paula Martin, and nine others.
ASIC Lawsuit
ASIC initiates legal action against Matthias Bekier, Paula Martin, and nine other directors.
ASIC Lawsuit
The regulator initiates legal action against 11 former Star executives and directors.
NAB Deception
Star provides misleading information to NAB regarding the use of China UnionPay cards for gambling.
Banking Misrepresentation
Star provides false information to NAB and China UnionPay regarding the use of cards for gambling.
NAB/UnionPay Deception
Star falsely claims China UnionPay cards are used for non-gambling purposes to maintain banking access.
Suncity Misconduct
Suspicious conduct by junket staff, including cash deliveries in cooler bags, occurs at Star casinos.
Suncity Misconduct
Junket staff observed delivering cash in cooler bags and evading CCTV at Star casinos.
The U.S. dollar is rebounding as escalating retaliatory threats between the U.S. and Iran drive investors toward safe-haven assets. With potential strikes on energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, market sentiment has shifted sharply toward risk aversion.
The US dollar is surging toward 2026 peaks as escalating conflict in the Middle East drives Brent crude toward $100. Markets are bracing for a prolonged inflationary shock as the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted, potentially forcing central banks into a more hawkish stance.
The U.S. dollar has surged to its highest levels of 2026 as escalating conflict in the Middle East throttles traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, sending Brent crude prices toward $100 per barrel. With Iran threatening $200 oil and attacking merchant vessels, global supply chains face a dual crisis of skyrocketing energy costs and a breakdown in the transit of critical commodities like LNG and fertilizers.
The Federal Court of Australia has ruled that former Star Entertainment CEO Matthias Bekier and General Counsel Paula Martin breached their corporate duties by overseeing a 'dysfunctional' culture. The ruling centers on the failure to disclose criminal risks associated with the Suncity junket and misleading National Australia Bank regarding prohibited gambling transactions.
The Federal Court of Australia has ruled that former Star Entertainment Group CEO Matthias Bekier breached his corporate duties by overseeing a 'dysfunctional and unethical' culture. The landmark decision highlights systemic failures in reporting criminal risks to the board and misleading financial partners about gambling transactions.
The Federal Court of Australia has ruled that former Star Entertainment Group CEO Matthias Bekier and General Counsel Paula Martin breached their corporate duties by failing to disclose significant criminal risks and misleading lenders. Justice Michael Lee described the company's culture as 'dysfunctional and unethical' in a landmark 501-page decision.
The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has disrupted energy production, specifically Qatar's LNG output, driving the yen and euro lower against a surging U.S. dollar. As major energy importers, Japan and the Eurozone face heightened inflation risks, while the U.S. benefits from its status as a net energy exporter and safe-haven destination.
The U.S. dollar is under pressure following a Supreme Court ruling that limited President Trump's emergency tariff powers, triggering a retaliatory 15% blanket tariff hike. Global markets are bracing for renewed trade volatility as the administration targets key industrial sectors with national security duties.
A U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down emergency tariffs has sparked a trade policy crisis, with President Trump retaliating by raising duties to the legal maximum. The resulting regulatory uncertainty has stalled international trade deals and weakened the U.S. dollar as markets brace for a new wave of protectionism.