Indonesia begins $5.9 bn EV battery project despite environment fears
Jakarta, Indonesia -- Indonesia broke ground Sunday on a $5.9 billion megaproject for EV battery production backed by Chinese giant...Technology Business
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...Business Economy Geostrategy
Qualcomm to Alphawave for $2.4 bn
The deal makes Alphawave the latest tech company to depart London.Last week, UK fintech Wise, specializing in international money transfers, said it plans to shift its primary listing from London to New York.
For California-based Qualcomm, the acquisition will help boost its AI infrastructure amid soaring demand for the technology.
Leaders warn race for minerals could turn seabed into ‘wild west’
Growing anxiety over Trump's unilateral push to fast-track deep-sea mining in international waters shot to the surface at the opening...The number of countries opposed to seabed mining rose to 36 on Monday, according to a tally kept by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, an umbrella group of NGOs.
Trump was not among the roughly 60 heads of state and government in Nice but his specter loomed large as leaders defended the global multilateralism he has spurned.
MENA Mergers & Acquisitions deal value up 66% in Q1, hits $46 Billion
Dubai, UAE -- The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has kicked off 2025 with a record-breaking first quarter...According to Saudi M&A Consulting, this robust growth reflects rising investor confidence, favorable regulatory reforms, and strong macroeconomic fundamentals across the region.
Cross-border M&A accounted for 81 percent of total deal value and 52 percent of the total number of transactions, with 117 deals executed, the highest in the last five years.
US aerospace manufacturers insist they have no use for tariffs
New York, United States -- US airlines and aerospace manufacturers insist they have no use for tariff protections, warning that...US aerospace and defense exports reached $135.9 billion in 2023, including $113.9 billion for civil aviation alone.
This allowed the sector to generate a trade surplus of $74.5 billion and to invest $34.5 billion in research and development.
Apple under pressure to shine after AI stumble
Apple will showcase plans for its coveted devices and the software powering them at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)...The event comes a year after the tech titan said a suite of AI features it dubbed "Apple Intelligence" was heading for iPhones, including an improvement of its Siri voice assistant
Industry insiders will be watching to see whether Apple addresses the AI stumble or focuses on less splashy announcements.
Gamers get hold of Nintendo’s hotly awaited Switch 2
Tokyo, Japan -- Gamers finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 on Thursday, the console that could score...The device, which features a bigger screen and more processing power, is an upgrade to the Switch that became a global phenomenon with hit games such as "Animal Crossing".
The original Switch has sold 152 million units since its 2017 release, making it the third-best-selling console ever.
Equinor signs $27 bn gas deal
The 10-year contract was signed with Centrica.Natural gas accounts for 38% of UK's total energy supply, according to the IEA, making it the top fuel source, and the nation depends heavily on imports.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions roiled energy markets, sparking a rise in prices that British consumers are still struggling with.
Israel arms exports to UAE, Bahrain, Morocco rise sharply after 2023
Sales to countries considered part of the Abraham Accords -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco who signed groundbreaking...Israel's defense ministry said that its arms exports hit an all-time high of more than $14.7 billion in 2024, despite international criticism of ongoing Gaza onslaught.
A majority -- 56.8 percent -- of the deals signed were "mega-deals" valued at at least $100 million each, the ministry said, adding that "operational achievements" in the Gaza war.
New WEF report reveals how tech convergence will reshape industries
Geneva, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum today released a new report examining how emerging technology combinations are reshaping industries...AI is a key enabler, making many emerging tech synergies commercially viable across industries.
Digital twins, enhanced by AI and sensors, are expanding efficiency in sectors from aerospace to healthcare.
Middle East tourism projected to reach $350 billion by 2030: ATM report
Dubai, UAE – The Middle East’s tourism sector is poised for unprecedented expansion, with a new report predicting a 50...Inbound travel from outside the region is set to grow by 13 percent annually up to 2030, while outbound business travel will surge at 9 percent per year.
China ranks third by value in leisure spending, expected to increase by 130 percent by 2030.
