Qatar ready to invest $21 bn in DR Congo: Kinshasa
Kinshasa, DR Congo -- Qatari investment firm Al Mansour Holding hopes to invest $21 billion in the Democratic Republic of...Business
China manufacturing shrinks in August despite new US trade truce
Beijing, China -- China's factory output ticked up in August but still recorded a fifth straight month of contraction, official...Business Economy
Roblox’s Grow a Garden explodes online video game numbers
Paris, France -- A gardening game created by a teenager on online platform Roblox has attracted a record 21 million...More than 21 million players connected to Grow a Garden at the same time on June 21, buying seeds to cultivate a little patch of virtual land, harvesting crops.
That shattered the record held by the adrenalin-packed Fortnite, which attracted 15 million concurrent users (CCUs) during an event in late 2020.
Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos, his fiancee Lauren Sanchez arrive in Venice for lavish wedding
Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, are said to have booked out the city's finest hotels for a star-studded guest list...Bezos, the world's fourth-richest person, and his former television anchor bride-to-be were seen stepping off a water taxi at the Aman Hotel on the Grand Canal
Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, are said to have booked out the city's finest hotels for a guest list rumoured to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, and Kim Kardashian
Oil slides, stocks rise as Iran-Israel ceasefire holds
The main international and US oil contracts briefly bounced off their lows as Israel and Iran accused each other of...Prices were also brought down by Trump saying that China could continue to buy oil from Iran, in what appeared to be relief from sanctions Washington had previously imposed.
There was also relief that Iran has refrained from closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
Oil prices seesaw as investors await Iran response to US strikes
US stocks edged higher while European markets retreated and Asian equities were mixed, with markets keeping a close eye on...They later dipped briefly into the red and then wobbled, standing down around one percent as European markets closed.
Iran is the world's ninth-biggest oil-producing country, exporting just under half of the 3.3 million barrels it produces per day.
Japan’s high-tech sunscreens tap into skincare craze
Tokyo, Japan -- When YouTuber Hannah Price set out to compare Japanese and Australian sunscreen, she wasn't expecting her deep...Companies that have perfected their secret formulas want to capitalize on booming demand, including selling to Japan's record influx of foreign tourists.
The global skincare market was worth more than $115 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $194 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights.
Tesla expected to launch long-discussed robotaxi service, will use Model Y
New York, United States -- Tesla is expected to begin offering robotaxi service Sunday in Austin, an initial step that...The launch will employ the Model Y sport utility vehicle rather than Tesla's much-touted Cybercab, which is still under development.
The long-awaited launch follows the dramatic meltdown earlier this month in relations between Musk and Trump, which saw a cascade of bitter attacks from both men.
Aldar nets $953m in sales at Fahid
Aldar said 42 percent of the buyers are under the age of 45.Nearly 42 percent of buyers are under the age of 45, signaling growing demand for luxury wellness-focused living among younger demographics.
Notably, 67 percent of buyers are first-time Aldar customers, demonstrating Aldar’s expansive reach and the appeal of the Group’s thoughtfully curated destinations.
MENA Brief | June 19: GCC central banks hold interest rates steady, Diriyah House launched in London
As most currencies in the region are pegged to the US dollar, monetary policy follows the decisions taken in Washington,...Saudi-based Cluster2 Airports Company signed a strategic MoU with Airbus. The agreement will see the deployment of the Agnet Turnaround platform across Cluster2’s 22 airports.
Saudi National Bank (SNB) has issued $1.25 billion in Tier 2 bonds at a 6% profit rate under its $10 billion Euro Medium Term Note program.
How travel brands can target high-intent travelers in the MEA region
As tourism booms across the Middle East and Africa, travel brands face fierce competition. Success now means using data-driven, personalized...In a region defined by rapid digital adoption and evolving traveler expectations, the brands that thrive will be those that treat marketing as a journey, not a destination.
Targeting high-intent travelers is no longer about one-off bookings or flash sales—it’s about long-term relationships, built through continuous, relevant engagement.
Cross-border payments and financial inclusion drive stablecoin popularity
London, United Kingdom -- Stablecoins -- a form of cryptocurrency backed by traditional assets -- are gaining traction, with the...Stablecoins play a key role in crypto markets, enabling users to trade digital assets without relying on traditional banks, instead using blockchain.
Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, stablecoins track the value of traditional assets -- such as the US dollar or gold -- enabling greater stability.
