March 17, 2026 Host Peter Lewis, Barry in Washington and Mark Michelson and Will Denyer in Hong Kong discuss the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, shipping, Donald Trump’s plan to postpone his visit to China, and the central banks, particularly the Federal Reserve, which is likely to hold interest rates steady amid rising inflationary pressure from much higher oil prices. Listen on YouTube Continue reading Peter Lewis Money Talk podcast
Daily Friend (dailyfriend.co.za) March 1, 2026 It’s too early to draw a conclusion. But alarm bells are ringing. Martina Biene, CEO at Volkswagen in the Eastern Cape, says VW’s Kariega plant’s future is on the line. “2026,” she says, “will be a make-or-break year for Volkswagen in South Africa.” She wants lower taxes, reduced subsidies for partially assembled Chinese vehicles, incentives to produce electric vehicles, … Continue reading The Threat to South Africa’s Biggest Industry
The Daily Friend February 22, 2026 Harare, Zimbabwe: Arriving at Harare’s renovated, ultra-modern airport, I paid for my tourist visa and stepped outside. There was a line of taxis, and I approached one of several men standing and talking next to their vehicles. “How much to central Harare?” I asked. We agreed on $25 (the US dollar is the currency used in Zim). I gave … Continue reading Welcome to Zimbabwe
Barry D. Wood 